The stench of death was thick in the air. Nanaki could smell it even now, when all the corpses had been or were being discarded and carted away. It permeated the air, along with oil scents and the tang of heat. He watched as two automated machines rolled on their noisy caterpillar wheels, discarding the newest monster corpses with surprising speed considering the noise they produced while doing so.
Despite the apparent break, Nanaki knew better by now and did not expect being able to rest. While the machines were making their trip from one end of the arena to the other, pushing anything out of their way and into the consuming purple substance all around, the large luminous board spun and stopped, revealing Nanaki's next and final handicap. He reluctantly handed all of his remaining materia to the hurrying official.
By the time that was done, the gates were opening on his last opponent.
"Red, why are you doing this?"
"Isn't the answer obvious? We are three here, so there is no reason that you should be alone to fight."
The light of the bobbing lantern was the first thing that he saw. Usually he caught some sound first; a rattling breath, the screech of claws on stone, or saw glowing malevolent eyes focused on him. The wavering light alerted his instincts and senses of the danger ahead more than anything else before.
First he glimpsed the arm holding the lantern. Small and barely visible in the gloom, it was wrapped in coarse brown material, but Nanaki could still make out the tiny green fist protruding from the clothing, holding the flickering flame that sent shadows dancing on its smooth, featureless face. Two round black eyes looked at him.
The gaze was blank, devoid of any animosity, but Nanaki felt his muscles ripple in fearful anticipation and his fur stand on end when they stared right through him.
"I'm the only one who wants the item. I should be the one working for it."
"It'll take too much time if we just sit back and wait. Let us help, taking turns and sharing points will make this go much faster."
Nanaki had heard about those creatures before. Bugenhagen had detailed them to him once, showing some rare engravings of the fabled Tonberry. His grandfather had been very solemn about them, explaining that, according to old legends, their lantern burned only for the faulty and murderers. And to those who were revealed by that light, their knife would surely find the sinful heart and punish it.
But Bugenhagen had laughed then, saying that Tonberry remained monsters, albeit powerful and mysterious ones, and that they could be struck down. However, those legends held truth, and if a Tonberry's opponents let themselves be approached too closely, then that kitchen knife would be their demise.
"I'm sorry…""Please don't be. Cid and I can very well accumulate the remaining points needed. Rest, and if it makes you feel so bad, we'll step back once you're fit again."
Nanaki watched the small monster carefully, Bugenhagen's warnings ringing in his ears, and he launched forward, hoping that his speed and agility would allow him to stay out of range of that small, knife-wielding arm.
However, the Tonberry did little save move steadily forward, ignoring Nanaki's attacks even as they ripped at its skin.Its lantern arm never wavered, andits steady march forward never faltered.
Nanaki was tiring. He could see the damage he'd dealt, yet couldn't believe how little it affected the Tonberry. He was aware of his short reserves of energy, the handicaps having stripped him of many layers, leaving him weakened and frightfully vulnerable. He knew that if he didn't beat it soon, it would most likely beat him.
"Red! You awake?""…What happened?"
Still, confident in his speed, Nanaki circled the ring slowly, sizing up his adversary. The Tonberry paused, waiting almost peacefully for the blows to fall. Nanaki waited until he was at its back before bolting forward, claws aimed for the neck.
A light hit his retinas mid jump. Nanaki realized that the lantern had been thrust straight in his face, the Tonberry having turned with surprising agility to face him. The flame glittered on the kitchen knife, and although Nanaki was aware of its position, he could do close to nothing to prevent it from reaching its obvious target. He closed his eyes, bracing himself, and in one last effort twisted his body against the momentum he'd gained.
"The little bastard caught you square in the chest, then just fucking watched you drown in your blood for a bit before leaving. We all thought it'd damn killed you!"
"Apparently not."
"T'was fucking close enough! Without that last stunt you pulled, you would've been biting it by now."
Pain erupted in his chest, flowing through his body like fire. Nanaki felt himself crumple to the ground, felt his fur grow damp from the blood. His vision was growing steadily blurry, his breathing frothy with blood, but even then he noticed that the Tonberry still hadits knife in hand, the blade clean and perfect as if it hadn't just stopped a charging animal four times its wielder's weight. And the monster hadn't even lost its grip…
Nanaki growled once before a black veil fell before his eyes. He would have struggled to his feet, refusing to give up, but he could no longer feel his body. There was only that knot of pain in his chest, like a black hole that ate all of his senses until Nanaki was no more.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I won't be in any shape to fight before long."
"Don't sweat it, it was just damn bad luck that you had to face that piece of shit. Besides, with what you and Cloud got so far, it'll take me a second to get those last points. So rest up!"
"Thank you."