The sun began to raise high in the sky, the pale, bright sphere an ominous omen of birth. The clouds slowly passed by in their sloth-like swim. The warmness of the sun was numb as Mark waited in his readied position, watching Gaia lay against the tree trunk uncomfortably.
Damn this brat, Gaia told himself. He clutched the pain at his side away as he took calming breaths. How did he manage to think of a getaway plan so quick? Freakin' smart kids. No matter… one Sanshouuo gets here-
Suddenly, his thought was cut off. His partner's presence suddenly felt more near, and the energy rates it gave off were so intense and unbearable. No way, Gaia told himself in disbelief. He hasn't gone this far since we fought him, Gaia thought. Then, he heard his voice. The whisper of his brother's voice was so sudden, it shocked Gaia and jerked his head upward. His heart seemed to skip a beat. "Gaia," he whispered weakly. He could tell that Sanshouuo had been beat badly without looking at him as the words continued to stream into his ears. "We can't waste anymore time with these kids," Sanshouuo muttered strictly. "We have to-"
Sanshouuo's voice was cut off by his brother's quickened reply. "Yeah, yeah, I got it," he told him. Gaia was pleased. Looks like I'll be able to use Mode and unfasten some limits after all, Gaia told himself, smiling. Also, it looks like that Earth-Controlling guy is still worn out, and doesn't suspect a thing. Too bad, Gaia thought a bit sadly and evilly. That means we won't have as much fun as I thought we would. Gaia could tell by now that Sanshouuo was eager to hurry it up. He decided not to make Sanshouuo wait any longer.
The now red-eyed demon came from behind the tree Gaia kept in front of, his feet still wobbly as they revealed his presence. Mark's features tightened in surprise. That amused Gaia. Sanshouuo looked as worn out as ever; Gaia had never seen him so beaten up. Just what did they do to him? Gaia thought as he watched his brother. "I told you we can't waste time-!" Sanshouuo rasped angrily. His head seemed to be bowed in shame, concealing his facial features.
"Okay, okay," Gaia said, crawling into Sanshouuo and making the two one again. He grinned evilly, thinking of the joyous times ahead. His wide, deviant grin grew wider as the two sunk into each other. First by their fingers, then their arms, then the shoulders, and finally half the bodies. Mark seemed to tense up, realizing the trouble ahead.
Gaia closed his eyes in readiness as the similar bone rose from his back just like Sanshouuo had but on the opposite side. Human-like legs grew from his side as well, and when he reopened his eyes as the rest of him grew, the blackness faded into an envious green. Power surged through his half of his body as well, and Sanshouuo suddenly felt more energetic, and recovered. He sighed as Gaia shared his energy with him, feeling the warmth and easiness slide into his body as if it were wearing him, trying him on like a sweater you see at the store. Sleeve by sleeve, the comfort pulled Sanshouuo on, giving him the most sensational feeling he had ever felt for a long time. Now, both brothers were combined, and with their new look, they looked even more deadly than before. Their bones that stuck out of their bodies seemed to be caked with dried blood, the ominous pale easily mistaken for a gray.
Mark swallowed uneasily. The knot in his throat kept coming back. He didn't know if he could handle both of them now, and it was obvious they had received more abilities by combining together. What now? Mark asked himself. Suddenly, as if on cue to his thought, mud sprung from the tree and wrapped around him, taking him by surprise. The thick, chocolaty dirt acted like restrainers, gripping him tightly in its demonic hold. He fumbled uneasily, trying to get out, but he couldn't move his arms or legs. He could only move his hands, head and feet. He remained struck through the tree, the piney trunk digging uncomfortably into his back. Mark winced as he gritted his teeth tightly in effort.
Gaia and Sanshouuo didn't even seem to be paying attention to him! Looks like they were faking it, Mark realized. The two heads turned to his direction, Gaia flashing an evil, fun-looking grin and Sanshouuo fashioning a serious, death-threatening glare. From Gaia's grey arm, his skin began peeling away into dust again. The dust piled into his hand and began to stretch out and grow into a yellow, rocky substance. Soon, it overtook his hand like a gloved mask, and dust still danced in the air like unused remains. Gaia peered to Mark who was just waiting there against the tree obediently like hopeless prey. It excited Gaia to see prey in that condition. It made his heart beat just a bit faster as time went on, like a hamster on a wheel that wouldn't stop. "I suppose I've had enough fun for now," Gaia smiled as he tightened his grip on the prickly, clay arrowhead that consumed his arm, as if eating away at his body like a hungry shark.
"I told you all ready, you can't waste time!" Sanshouuo repeated, his voice agitated, his bloody eyes narrowing into half their size. His jaw seemed to shake as he clenched his teeth, holding back his impatience. "Just kill him; we don't have much time to waste," Sanshouuo said calmer this time, yet still not the least bit nice. Gaia didn't care. Sanshouuo was always like this to him. Sanshouuo continued to wait, his dark, secretive eyes shrinking to ruby slits.
Gaia sighed reluctantly. "Okay," he said, barely willing to take Mark out. He brought the elongated arrowhead of clay close to his face, feeling the hard, steel-like point dig deep into his skin as it slashed a slit of red across his cheek. "This clay I made is harder than steel. It'll slice through your organs for sure," Gaia warned as he smiled at the reaction he received. A drop of blood took a dreary walk down his grey-brown skin as Gaia put his arm out. The clay was heavy in his hand, and he was somewhat glad that it was going to leave soon. That was the only thing he was looking forward to at the moment. "Die!" he cried out loudly as the arrowhead burst through the air like a crazed rocket, speeding towards Mark as he prepared himself.
Mark began to feel himself lose the feeling in the front of his body as he tried to decide on whether he should close his eyes or not. Could he bare the blood spilling through the air and the pain that struck through him like a poison that lasted forever with his eyes open? Or could he deal with not being alert of what was happening and not watching the weapon inch closer, wishing it away with his brown, pleading eyes? He didn't know the answer to either question. Once more he tried to escape from the brownish hold. No good. It was as solid as stone for some reason. The best he could do now was watch- or not. Even that he was confused for.
Close his eyes? Keep his eyes open? Close his eyes? Keep his eyes open? Keep my eyes open, Mark finally decided, randomizing his choice as he imagined the tip of the arrowhead dig deep into his ribs and slicing through his heart. His body tried to shudder at the thought, but the muddy ropes restrained him from doing so. He watched the tip as it glimmered lightly in the rising son. Crimson caked it as its threatening glide through the air created a thousand knots in the Earth Minor's throat. Then, at the last few seconds, Mark decided to close his eyes, changing his answer. He didn't know what good it would do him, anyway. He felt like breathing hard out of his panic and anxiety, but there didn't seem to be time for that. It was something in the back of his mind left unnoticed, and better off that way.
Then, a sickening crack of bone and clay struck through the air, and more spots of blood spilled onto the yellow clay. At the sight of someone else's blood, Gaia began to get more excited. His eyes widened and he smiled wonderfully, thinking deathly thoughts as he played with his tongue, trying to wear out some of his thrill. It did no good. Gaia found himself breathing heavily as his creepy smile froze in place, watching more blood spill onto the yellow clay. Restrained cries sounded through gritted, pained teeth.
Mark kept his eyes closed as he felt the pain surge through his body. Wait – pain? He asked himself. He let his awareness sink back into him and realized – there was no pain. He didn't feel the heaviness of the clay on him, and he didn't feel the open wound revealed to the brisk air. He didn't feel the surging pain that spread through his organs like Gaia promised. So what happened? Slowly and reluctantly, Mark opened his eyes. His right eye opened first, being the braver. It revealed the brown curiosity through a tiny slit as his other eye remained locked up for safety. He watched with gritted teeth as the situation became clear in his mind. His other eye opened up in anticipation, his right eye opening to its fullest as well. He was surprised at what happened – just a few seconds before, this result was classified as impossible in Mark's mind.
Mark bit his lip to check if he was dreaming. It was the only pain he received at the moment. Another person's legs trembled as he watched the back of the person. He immediately distinguished his protector, even though he didn't have to guess much about who he was. "E…Eric?" Mark said through wide open teeth that were no longer tightly clenched. His mouth dangled open like the hole of a broken window.
Eric stood as he regained the feeling back in his feet. He panted heavily as his eyes glanced up at the two bodies combined, realizing the trouble they've both been merged into. He held his hand in front of his face, the fingers wanting to clench into a tight fist, blood leaking out in dark, sinister drops. The large arrowhead ten times his hand's size was struck right into his hand. Its tip dug deep into his finger bones. Little pain seared through his arm as he brought the hand to his side slowly, being very cautious.
"Damn it, this kid," Sanshouuo muttered in a raspy voice. He sounded like an elderly grim reaper. "Why must you always interfere, you fucking rat?" he shouted at Eric in an angered voice. He was about to become so irritated, it wasn't going to be healthy.
"Calm down, brother," Gaia moaned in a sigh. "This means we'll get more fun now." The envy-eyed one grinned evilly in more anticipation and thrill. He couldn't wait to dig his fingers deep into those two kids' bodies and feel their blood soaking on his fingertips. It excited him so much; the only thing that bound him in his place was Sanshouuo's half of the body. Sometimes, Gaia thought. Sanshouuo is such a drag.
"Damn it!" Sanshouuo cried out angrily. "You don't understand, you fool! If we don't get rid of them fast, we'll keep him waiting. Moreover, we just might die!"
"Who cares?" Gaia yawned at the boring conversation. Sanshouuo always had to be so cranky and serious, Gaia thought. "He deserves to wait. After the way he's treated us, it's actually a drop in the bucket," Gaia let out his thought. He tried not to let Sanshouuo wear out his enthusiasm.
"Damn it, if we do that, we'll get killed both ways!" Sanshouuo shot back. Gaia seemed to remain quiet, yet his hunger for killing hadn't been satiated yet. He seemed to pout, the only thing he could do. These guys… Mark thought as the mud restrainers fell limply to the floor like melting chocolate. He felt the freedom return to his limbs as he stepped away from the tree, afraid that the dirt would come back for him again. He stood at Eric's side now, glancing slightly with nervous eyes at the heavy arrowhead struck in his hand. He imagined the pain of the wound. "Damn it, just kill them! Just kill them!" Sanshouuo demanded frantically. Gaia seemed pleased at the command.
"Maina-Mizu," a voice sounded through the forest suddenly. The voice was quiet and calm, yet hints of confidence showing all over it. "Suijou Funka! –Aquatic Eruption-" This time, the voice sounded loudly through the forest, the voice seeming to come from every direction. Gaia and Sanshouuo seemed to pick up their alert as they moved their heads frantically, searching for the source as their vulnerability increased, their minds more puzzled. They noticed at the last minute as they jumped to their right together, jumping the farthest distance they could. That second, a wild rush of water erupted from the cracks underground, pushing upward, filtering through the dirty and stone ground. Water shot out in lines surrounding the unleveled rocks with tremendous pressure, cracking the whole entire ground. Eric and Mark watched as they shielded their eyes from the attack.
Amazing… Mark thought. These guys… Mark thought as he referred to his two other teammates. They surpass my abilities far more even if mine doubled, he realized. "Dangerous, dangerous," Gaia chanted creepily as he watched the waters calm and create small, cracked streams splashing from beneath the protruding rocks.
Suddenly, Walter came rushing out from the trees and tries multiple hand to hand combat moves against the two, but they dodged easily and eventually knocked him backward to join the group. He landed on the ground on his back, dust and dirt caking the back of his clothes now. The push was overwhelming, and he felt weak for accepting such a hit. He gritted his teeth angrily as he got up on his feet, resistant to show any sign of giving up. His eyes were locked in a tight narrow stare of anger as his clenched fists never loosened. He growled under his breath as he thought, preparing himself for another round. I can still move, yet not as fast as before I tried to kill Sanshouuo, he told himself. But, I'm not giving them any chance of getting away! I'll kill them for sure! If not… then that means… He loosened his narrowed eyes as he pictured his aunt and uncle's demonic faces shaded in darkness, the only obvious feature being their uncaring eyes and carefree outlines.
I'll kill them, Walter thought. I'll kill them for what they put me through! For the loneliness I had to deal with ever since I was younger than ten, I'll kill them all! I don't care if there are hundreds of them, I'll kill them!! Walter began to tense up as the anger took control of him, his teeth showing his uncontrollable rage as his eyes narrowed meanly. His clenched fists pushed his nails into the palm of his hand, feeling blood leaking out of his hand and filtering through the fingers. His Half Spirit's energy began to show, slithering around his body like actual water, snaking around his limbs and masking him with a blue aura.
"I'll go first this time," Gaia declared without conference. Sanshouuo scoffed. Gaia frowned uneasily as he thought of ripping Sanshouuo apart. The bones sticking out of their backs click-clacked ominously as Gaia prepared himself.
"Fine," Sanshouuo reluctantly added, his head still bowed as if in shame. He was just too tired to lift his head. "Don't waste time!" he demanded. He knew Gaia wouldn't listen by the look on his face and that smile he wore. Gaia really pissed him off sometimes. He never understood serious things that could happen. How the hell did they ever get stuck like this? "These guys can become dangerous if you toy with them," Sanshouuo warned in a raspy voice. "Don't play around!" he demanded harshly and suddenly.
Gaia scoffed. "How boring," he added. "And I thought I was going to have fun when the earth controlling one survived."
"Who are these guys?" Eric muttered to himself as he changed his stance. He shifted his weight and feet across the dirt floor, feeling the dust fly into the air as his feet dragged across.
"Be careful," Mark warned. "The green-eyed one controls the landscape," he told them in a calm yet fearful voice. Eric nodded as he kept that in mind. Walter seemed too dazed into his own thoughts to notice.
"Don't talk like you know all our abilities!" Gaia demanded in a screech. "Now that we're combined like this, we have tons more to show you," he informed them in a thrilled voice. He just couldn't control his excitement. He had to sigh out his enthusiasm when it became overwhelming, which was a lot. "Let's go, brother," Gaia changed his tone towards Sanshouuo, trying to get along with him for now. He could sense both of them wanted to rip the other one to pieces at this point. The tone he used somewhat patched things up.
"Yeah," Sanshouuo said calmer as well this time.
"Nendo Goei! –Clay Guard-" Gaia declared. The Minor team seemed to shift as they prepared themselves for anything, keeping all senses open just in case. At this point, if you weren't extremely paranoid of your surroundings, you would die. Suddenly, Gaia's half of the body seemed to turn more pinkish, a layer of skin diminishing into particles in the air. Gaia's bone piece on the back struck the ground harshly as if it hated it, and began to assist Gaia. Moments later, the green-eyed one had his skin back. The particles formed a sticky clay formula that rose in swirls upward from the ground, forming a sphere like body of thickening clay that was built like a wall towering towards the sky. The sticky, more liquid like clay hardened into a thick yellow. The sunlight glimmered on its skin, fading away as it became less and less hard. "Sanshouuo," Gaia called to his brother. Sanshouuo stirred. "I'll go to your terms," he began. "I'll try to make it quick, but I still have to get some fun out of it." Sanshouuo nodded weakly. "I don't want to use up too much."
"Use up too much what?" Sanshouuo was forced to speak. "Energy?" he guessed.
"Don't act dumb," Gaia told his brother. "You know what I'm talking about." Sanshouuo chuckled weakly and returned to his solemn, weak state. Gaia scoffed in his mind. With half of this body barely moving, I'll have to use long distance. Looks like things are in my favor after all, Gaia thought with a smirk.
Eric brought a hand to the one carrying the large arrowhead. Like pulling off a band-aid, he struck the thick clay out of him, letting out a restrained cry as the blood spilled out from the hole in his hand. He dropped the heavy clay to the floor as he left the wound alone, some blood still pouring out of it. That clay is dangerous, Mark thought as he stared at the yellow arrowhead crumble back into dust as it lay solemnly on the floor, waiting for its death. Then, Mark stared to the large clay sphere in front of them, challenging them. Will we be able to handle it?
"Damn it!" Walter screamed out. "Don't fool around with these stupid moves!" Walter demanded as he rushed his feet toward the sphere and crashed his fist into it, surprising everyone. The four other people let out a shocked gasp as Walter's fist pummeled straight into the clay, sphere wall. It made a huge dent and a big area of cracks as water shot out from them, aiding him in his punch. The sound of spitting water was the only sound heard from miles as the ground shook eerily, yet making no noise. The immense power of Walter's attack surprised everyone as they tried not to stumble on their feet and fall. The cracks on the sphere wall continued to crawl upward like a demise just wanting to happen. Water came from the new cracks as well, and slowly as the yellow clay crumbled, you could hear the wall beginning to shatter and fall to pieces, down-pouring on the suspecting Minor.