Shoutouts to:
notwritten: Hello! Thank you for dropping by yet once again. Keep smiling too and enjoy reading ;D
Berani Lily Deeks: *Evil laugh* Well, what can I say? I am the Mistress of cliffhangers XD Hope you enjoy this one! Will be posting 'The Professor and The Bodyguard' new chapter soon!
Old age pensione: Hello there! Thanks for dropping by and leaving a very kind review.:) I'm very flattened. I hope you will enjoy reading this chapter!
Chapter 27: Double Trouble
IF Claire thought dealing with Suzaku had been a great pain in her arse, her next challenger proved her wrong immediately. Walking at the riverbank warily with steady steps, all the while keeping her senses alert for anything, Claire was slightly surprised when she felt drops of water fell on her skin. Rain? She was positive she didn't recall seeing any grey clouds in the skies before. Then again, it was hard for her to see anything else other than the tall trees in the forest.
Claire stopped on her track and looked up.
To her great horror, it wasn't the rain that was pouring down on her, but a bloody tidal wave coming out of nowhere and was heading toward her!
"Holy fucking SHITE!" Claire ran aimlessly like a madwoman.
As she ran as fast as she could, all the suddenly, her left foot got tripped by a tree's roots, causing her to stumble and carelessly fell on top of bushes filled with red roses. He knees and arms got scraped by the thorns.
Cringing at the pain, Claire forced herself to get up and continued to run when she saw the tsunami shadow was getting closer to her. It was nearly impossible to overrun it now. Instead of running, Claire raised her hands in the air. Her eyes immediately changed its colour to deep frosty blue.
"Genbu: Freeze!"
Blizzard came instantly and frozen the deadly wave just as it was about to crash down onto her. The ice spikes nearly hit her head.
Choking on her breath, Claire took a couple steps back. She breathed in and out deeply, one hand resting on her rapidly beating heart.
That was close... Too close! Claire mused, wiping the sweats on her forehead.
She didn't have the time to catch her next breath when something was thrown at her direction; a fucking tree!
Raising her hand again, her eyes changed colour from frosty blue to bright crimson, Claire cried, "Suzaku: Flame Burst!"
Raging fire came out from her Element Ring and headed toward the falling tree. The flame consumed the tree and burned it to ashes.
Claire panted and groaned for the pains from the injuries she suffered on her arms and knees. She keep a close watch on her surroundings. The tree was not a mistake. Her next challenger was here and eagerly tasting her new-found abilities.
"Amusing." A deep grouchy voice surrounded her.
Claire scowled. The voice came from the direction of the lake...
Her eyes grew widened as the ground began to shake tremendously. Claire dodged on the ground, taking cover and protecting her head.
Something big was rising from the lake! A large azure Dragon emerges slowly and spirally from the river to the sky. A pair of blue glowing eyes stared down at Claire, hissing at her.
"A mortal dared to step into the lairs of the Beastly Gods?" It whipped its head around, looking not at her, but behind her. "I see you have brought along companies as well."
"Seiryuu. My dear brother, I see you haven't changed a bit since the last time we'd battled." Suzaku's voice echoed. Red light shone from Claire's ring as it manifested to its original form, and circled around the Azure dragon's head before making a prefect graceful landing behind Claire.
"It has been a while, brother." Genbu said coolly. It too had manifested to it's original form.
"Suzaku, I'm surprise a proud temptress such as yourself would allowed this mortal gets the best of you. How disgraceful and pathetic."
"We'd fought fair and square, dear Seiryuu. Mortal as she may be, she is a force to be reckon with."
"That still doesn't gives you an excuse for losing to a mere mortal." Seiryuu retorted.
"Why you vile creature! I shall burn you to ashes!" Suzaku readily taking its stance, flapping its beautiful wings in the air when Genbu stepped in between them.
"You shall be wise to put any of your differences aside as now, Seiryuu and Suzaku. Right now, our main concern is the mortal." Genbu tilted its head toward Claire.
Seiryuu kept his hard gaze on Claire. After a moment, he exhaled deeply and arrogantly said, "I refuse."
"You mustn't break the rules, Seiryuu." said Genbu firmly. "Abe no Seimei won't be happy if you refuse to obey his rules."
"This mortal is unworthy of Seimei-sama's powers! I refuse to aid it!"
"You're not the one to decide, Seiryuu!" Suzaku hissed.
"Indeed." A foreign voice interfered. The ground shook again as a white tiger beast with golden eyes emerged from the forest. It roared could be heard loudly throughout the forest.
"Byakko!" Suzaku shrieked in shock at the appearance of their other brother. To it's left, Genbu had taken a more protective position by shielding Claire using its body. Despite the protection Suzaku had provided her by giving her the cloak, they all knew Byakko was the fastest.
While the conversation between the other Gods were still ongoing, Genbu decided to momentarily put its focus on elsewhere.
'Elementalist.' said Genbu, telepathically. 'Be prepare for an incoming battle. Do you see that long branch on your right? Take it.'
Claire looked at the beast and mutely did as she was told. The long branch was smooth, dried and in a perfect condition.
'What now?' Claire mentally asked.
'Put your hand over it, Elementalist.'
Claire nodded. Putting her hands over the branch, she summoned, "Genbu: Sword."
Ice immediately began to cover the long branch and shaped into a beautiful icy sword. Claire watched the quick transformation in awed.
Looking up, she saw Genbu nodded its head to her, approvingly. It then returned it gaze back to the others who seemed to been in hear debate.
Suzaku flapped its wings angrily. "You too dared to defy Seimei-sama, Byakko?"
"Only a worthy one is able to withstand Seimei-sama's powers. This mortal does not possesses such strength. It may have defeated the two of you. However, I'm doubtful it could defeat us."
"Very well. Let us see if the mortal truly has what it takes to defeats the two of you to be an Elementalist." Genbu disappeared and returned to the ring. Suzaku did the same.
Standing alone now facing not one but two Mythology Gods, Claire prepared herself for the battle. Lifting her ice sword, she heard Suzaku's voice whispering into her ears and nodded.
Putting one hand over the blade, she muttered, "Suzaku: Fury."
Fire began to wrapped around the icy sword, not at the very least, melting it. Turning her full attention to the two Gods, Claire took a fighting stance.
"You will regret for not pulling away when you had the chance, mortal." Seiryuu mockingly said. Summoning the water from the lake, Seiryuu launched multiple water cannons toward her.
Claire blocked, dodged and cut few of the cannons with her sword. Moving forward, she ran as fast as she could, while keeping keen eyes on the other God. Speaking of which, where is Byak-
A loud roar coming from her behind. Claire barely had the time to turn around and defence when sharp claws reached out and managed to land a long mean scratch on her right back, tearing the cloak she wore on her body like a second skin apart.
Claire fought off the pain and thrust her sword at Byakko, hoping it might hit the Beast somewhere in its internal organs.
Too late.
Before Claire realised what was happening, she felt a strong force knocked her out to the side － Seiryuu. It had hit her with one of the cannon when Claire had been too focused on Byakko.
Gasping from gotten hit, Claire quickly inspected herself; there were no wounds on her body － the cloak that Suzaku had given her did its job, protecting her from any elements. Thought it did hurt like hell.
Coming to her sense again, Claire prepared herself for yet another attack from Byakko. The white tiger charged at her in quick speed. Rising one hand in the air, Claire eyes turned crimson.
"Suzaku: Explosion." Fireballs appeared from the sky and dropped onto Byakko, creating massive explosion upon impact with the ground.
The white tiger howled angrily once the explosions disappeared. Rising its head, it howled to the Heavens and summoned his deadly spell to end this fight once and for all: cyclone. While Byakko was summoning the cyclone, Seiryuu too was summoning a tidal wave.
Shit shit shit! Claire gritted her teeth. Her grip on the sword increased despite the already white knuckles. Even with the Powers of Genbu and Suzaku, she doubt it would be enough to take the two nature disasters down.
Fears were evidently in her face, but she was determined to hold her ground. She couldn't die here. Not here and definitely not now! Not when she was so close to completing her mission and when she had people looking forward for her return!
Looking above, Claire could see the sun slowly began to rise. Morning would be arriving soon.
Claire breathed in and out deeply.
It's now or never.
Though she may die. Though she may lose everyone who loved her and never failed to come back to them, Claire was determined to see everything through.
Closing her eyes and then reopened them, her eyes changed from deep crimson to pale violet. Taking a deep breath, Claire summoned, "Suzaku: Flight."
A pair of pale red wings appeared behind her. Testing the wings on her back, Claire fluttered forward, with blade pointed forward.
Saying a silent pray and goodbye to those who she knew and loved, Claire dived in.
"WHAT is she thinking?" Severus Snape watched with great disbelief. Had she finally gone mad? No human, let alone wizards or witches would be dumbed enough to challenge Mother Nature, and here she was, dashing toward it!
Severus stepped outside of his hiding, rising his wand, and about to cast 'Stupefy' at the Muggle when he was stopped.
"I'm afraid that will not do, Suneipu-san." Snape slowly turned his body around and met with the calm and serene Monk with his wand against his back.
"Please, Suneipu-san. Let down your wand."
Snape reluctantly obeyed his command. Dropping his wand to the ground, he turned his back at the other man. With his jaws tensed, he painfully returned his sight back to the muggle.
"It will be all right, Suneipu-san. Have faith in her." Were the last words Snape heard before he was deaf by the loud sound of wave and cyclone crashing down.
Claire cried at the top of her lungs with her ice sword at the front, protecting her, as the tidal wave and cyclone hungrily consumed her.
It ended as soon as it started.
Severus watched with a broken heart as Mother Nature consumed his friend.
No... It can't be... It can't be!
He started moving forward, not caring what the monk had said. Nor did he cared if the Mythology Gods saw him.
He walked a few steps toward where Claire had just been floating, when he stopped. Eyes widened, he looked at the ground he been stepping on.
Snape gasped. The whole ground was frozen. Looking up, he realised, partly the whole jungle was being frozen. His eyes wandered from his surroundings, to a single figure lying on the ground, surrounded by the four Mystical Gods.
"CLAIRE!" In seconds, Snape was by her side. Ignoring the Gods, he had her cradling in his arms.
"Miss Claire?" Snape gently slapped her paled white cheeks with blue lips, attempting to wake her up.
"Claire!" He called her name repeatedly.
Each name that he called, his voice betrayed the grief and sadness he felt of losing her. Of him failing to save yet one of the women who entered his life whom he cherished with all his heart.
"It appears this one has proven to be a worthy one." Byakko said, after a short while of silence.
Snape lifted his head with a questioning look.
Byakko turned its back at him, showing off a healing long scar from its right shoulder all the way to its back. "A foolish stubborn mortal, this one."
Seiryuu sighed deeply. "I shall admit defeat. Though it never occur to me that this Elementalist would go as far as risking its own life to defeat us. How foolish!"
Suzaku hovered over Claire who was still lying unconsciously in Snape's arms. "Do not worry. The Elementalist is currently asleep until it has recovers." It assured Snape gently. The fiery bird then breathed a magical air at the unconscious Muggle, causing her skin and lips to return to normal.
Snape, still holding Claire tight in his arms, refused to let go despite her improved condition. He eyed the Gods warily. But before he could speak and asked them questions, Shuujin came forward, clapping softly with a bright smile on his face.
He bowed his head respectfully at the Heavenly Beings, and then lifted his head.
"Genbu-sama,Byakko-sama,Suzaku-sama, and finally, Seiryuu-sama. It has been a long time since we've last met, is it not?"
"You are Seimei-sama's Apprentice, are you not?" Genbu spoke.
Shuujin nodded. "Hai. He sent his regards. He hasn't been feeling well lately, and therefore, could not be here. He sent me over as his representative, instead. I hope you don't mind. He told me everything has already been explained."
"Seimei-sama isn't getting younger. His health has gotten worsen." Suzaku chirped sadly.
"Indeed, Suzaku-sama. Which is why, Rorinzu-sama's presence is significant. In fact, Seimei-sama himself is considering taking her as his successor. Rorinzu-sama's parent had been after all, his apprentices. The combination between two powerful Elementalists is not something to be taken lightly for. Which is why Seimei-sama had set up this course of training so that she may unleash her full potential."
Shuujin turned to look at Snape who was getting even confused than before. "I shall explain everything to you once we get back to the shrine, Suneipu-san. But for now, I believe we should let Rorinzu-sama relax for a while."
Snape mutely nodded. Carefully gotten to his feet, he carried Claire in a bridal style in his arms.
Shuujin turned to the Gods and bowed his head respectfully again for the last time. "Until we meet again. Arigatogozaimasu,Genbu-sama, Byakko-sama, Suzaku-sama and not forgotten, Seiryuu-sama."
The Four Gods returned his bow before they vanished in the thin air.
"Where did they go?" Snape asked.
"Heaven." Shuujin showed him the Elemental Ring on Claire's finger. "With this, she has now completed her training. Once Rorinzu-sama has awaken, I shall properly spar with her. But for now..."
Instead of leading the way, as Snape had expected him to, Shuujin gently held on to Claire's hand and apparated them back to the Shrine.