A chill went through my spine as I looked down at the arena where the X-Laws were going to fight.
Behind the chill was worry of what would happen to the opponent of them but when I saw a familiar face down there all I felt a slight feeling of anger and disappointment.
I can't believe Lyserg joined those guys... Well actually I can. He thinks they're justice. I just don't want to believe it.
On the arena stood the team Nile, three Egyptian guys and on the other side of it stood in some kind of iron maiden, Marco and Lyserg. He even got the same stupid clothes!
The fight hadn't been going on too long, but long enough for everyone to realize that Lyserg has changed a lot.
He had almost defeated the leader, Anatel, he couldn't use his arms anymore. But now some kind of golden stone wings had appeared on his back…
"I can still fight! Even if my arms break off…you won't escape my deadly curse!"
"He's flying!" Horohoro yelled pointing at him.
How the heck are you able to fly with stone wings…? Or gold wings or whatever that is!
Lots of feathers started to fall from the sky.
Ugh, why do I even question it?
"Once inhaled, these feathers wreak havoc on the lungs. You'll die writhing in pain from a mysterious death." Lyserg didn't move, "You can't escape them. There's no way you can avoid so many airborne feathers! Not even your wire can stop the Wings of death!"
Lyserg didn't leave his spot but attacked with his pendulum, "It's unfortunate. I was going to spare you. But… the only way to kill him is to kill you."
Just when the pendulum was about to hit, it stopped. Only a few inches from Anatel's nose.
Lyserg fell to his knees and quietly, but loud enough for us to barely hear, at least me, said to Morphine
"Why didn't you attack? Please you have to…" Then he started to cough heavily.
The iron maiden spoke, "As I feared… you are not equal to the task, Lyserg Diethel." Then it freaking JUMPED on him! Tackled him or I don't know what to call it! What the hell?
How did it…. You know what? I'm just gonna roll with it, maybe there's just a kagoroo in there…
"Step aside before the Wings of death kills you. I can't allow one who hesitates to fight."
Bullshit! He did fight… he just didn't kill the guy. Stupid iron thing!
"What? But…!"
"If you really wanted to kill him, why didn't you take control over your spirit? The reason your spirit rejected your command is because of the hesitation in your heart. You disappoint me. If you really want to stay with us, come by later and receive your punishment." Marco said.
Punishment…? Okay what the.. Why do Lyserg like those guys so much…?
There is something seriously wrong with them… probably those kind of shamans that Hao would love to have in his 'gang'.
"Punishment? What kind of team are you?" The leader of team Nile asked.
"Silence scoundrel. Not only did you refuse our mercy, you tried to kill our gentle Lyserg with your curse." Oh no, a pissed of iron maiden. "You are a sinner. I shall have to pass on judgment and punish you myself."
Again with the punishing!
I suddenly got a weird feeling.. I don't know what though. " Hm, that's a lot of mana. My beads are shaking." Anna commented.
"Is this the iron maiden's mana?" I asked confused, looking at her then back down to Lyserg and the others.
Marco opened up the iron maiden with a small key and inside there was…
"Oh my frickin' God!" I screamed. There is a freaking bloody girl in the iron maiden! Shit! So much blood…
"Blood?" Manta screamed.
"She's covered in it!" Azami screamed.
"But look at her!" Ryu yelled.
"She's totally hot!" Yoh yelled which caused Anna to put her hand in front of his face to make sure that he didn't stare at her.
"This is unexpected." she said"So that slip of a girl is the iron maiden. That's the leader of the X-Laws…"
"That thing is full of spikes! That gotta hurt! They're really jabbing into her!"
"It cannot be helped. The iron maiden was one of the abhorrent instruments of torture used in medieval Europe. "
"She spoke! She's still alive?" one of the men in team Nile yelled.
"Sinners were placed within to be embraced by the spikes. Most either confessed their crimes outright or died of shock. No doubt that you're wondering why I subject myself into to this. It is proof of my resolve. Darkness engulfs this world. People hurt and kill each other without restraint. I want to stop it. I would rid the world of sin and pain if I could. So I vowed to God that I would bear all the pain myself. If he would give me the power to save the world… I would become the iron maiden and take upon myself the sins and suffering of all."
She gave a sweet smile only a little girl could give, "Let there be peace on earth."
I looked around and saw that almost everyone in the audience were crying and saying that she was such a sweet and holy girl.
"That is why I fight, to banish evil from this world."
God damn Hao sure gets a lot of attention…
I heard two of the men in Nile say that they were in trouble, but the leader ignored it and attacked again, screaming "Save your dreamy adolescent tribe for your diary!"
Lyserg screamed after her but Marco stopped him from running to her aid, telling him with tears in his eyes, "Don't worry Lyserg. Our savior's power… is without equal."
Suddenly Anatel was stuck in some kind of metal cage thing formed as a human body."What the..? I can't move! I'm trapped, what's going on! Is this an instrument of torture too? Where did it come from, is this her over soul?"
The cage was hanging in three chains that were being held by some huge flying almost human looking spirit.
It looked really scary in a way.
"What the hell is that?" Akira yelled.
"Her spirit." Ren answered without looking at him.
" …. Thank you Mr. obvious…"
"Shamash, god of justice, visit your judgement upon this man. What is your verdict?"
The spirit held the cage in the left hand and his right one was turned into an axe. Then he cut Anatel into two without a second thought… answering "Death."
… I.. I'm feeling sick… really sick..
"How unfortunate. Our lady's spirit ally, the mighty Shamash is the god of justice who gave us the code of Hammurabi, mankind's first written laws! Laws exist to keep the peace and sustain life itself! Those who break the law must suffer the consequences!"
I heard how all the other X-Laws members yelled, "We exact justice under the ten laws! Behold the very embodiment of the X-Laws ethos! Our savior, the holy girl! Lady Jeanne, the holy maiden!"
"Behold sinners!" the girl yelled, "Your leader is dead. Anatel defied the laws of justice and paid with his life. But you can still be forgiven. Leave at once, lest the judgment of Shamash fall on you as well."
Go away, please let them just leave…
"Paid with his life?"
Leave it.
"What kind of justice is that?"
Please…
"You mudered Anatel!"
"Anatel was a good guy! He was always good to us!" They're crying…
Stop it.
"You expect us to turn tail after what you just did?"
They are attacking…
I felt like crying, but kept it in.
"Why must you continue to sin? Shamash, oversoul Instrument of torture, Interrogation chairs!"
Spike chairs?
Shamash's arms had turned into spike chairs and the two other Nile members where now stuck in them.
I can't watch! I don't want to watch or hear!
I closed my eyes hard and used my hands to block my ears as best as I could, but I could still hear them scream.
A least I couldn't see it.
I stayed with my eyes shut and hands over my ears until a few seconds, then I looked into the match again where I saw them, being stuck in those chairs must be…
Jeanne walked to the men and said, "You must repent, now beg forgiveness."
"No, you're wrong!"
"Anatel was a good guy!"
I slightly opened my eyes, just to see a bit, what was going on.
She looked at them for a few seconds, then she walked back into the iron maiden, "Very well." It closed and from the faces eye on it blood were coming out like tears, "I am saddened and disappointed."
You could hear her voice again saying, " Oversoul Instrument of torture: Guillotine."
Shamash turned into one and executed one of them… " Oversoul Instrument of torture: Statue of Apega." Then the other.
" Lyserg, Marco, let's go. The X-Laws are victorious." Then they left the arena.
Everyone was in shock.
Azami was sitting on the floor, her arms on her knees and her head on the arms. Akira was just looking town on the bloody floor. Ryu was on his knees, looking down.
Manta fainted which caused Horohoro and Chocolove to try to ignore the shock and run to him. "Manta! This must have been too much for him!"
"Mic, get a doctor!"
"You can't blame him. He's never seen anybody get killed before." Horohoro said.
Neither have I… God, this was… how the hell could anyone just do that then call themselves justice?
"I can't believe a hottie like that could do such horrible things. Can this… really be justice?" Ryu stood up but still looking down.
"This is just like that time in America! They killed Boris like it was nothing!"
"But there is a certain justice to it." Both I and Horohoro looked at Ren asking "What?"
"At least… in as much as the strongest gets to be shaman king."
I looked at him for a few seconds, probably looking depressed as hell, then I looked at Anna who was sitting next to crying Tamao. "This iron maiden girl… is a bit self-righteous. She's downright obnoxious." True.
"Hm, guess I'm gonna have to be the shaman king after all." Yoh also looked really angry.
Well it's nothing weird about it, if he would still look happy, I would really think he was weird.
I don't want to watch anymore of the fights Jeanne is involved in…
I can barely form a sentence right now… this was so damn twisted that only a person with a very twisted min could possibly enjoy!
"Tsuki…" I looked up at Azami who were now standing up. I hadn't even noticed myself sitting down on the floor, "Let's go."
I took her hand and then we all went to a place to eat, how we will be able to, I have no idea.
Funbari Hot Springs vs Ice Men… Yoh, Faust and Ryu are the next ones to fight.
When we found out, Manta seemed a little worried… I can't blame him though, after watching the last match I'm also a little worried.
"What's wrong, Tsuki?" Yoh asked.
"Nothing, just thinking about the last match." I gave a nervous smile but it disappeared a few seconds after.
"Well don't do that, that's in the past now." Good choice of words, Akira. But I get his point.
"He's right! It will work out. " he smiled.
"Is this how your team prepares for a fight?" Ren, Horohoro and Chocolove also joined. Nice! But wait.. now that I think about it…
" Hey, where is Azami?" they all looked at me but no one seemed to know where she was.
It's not like her to just leave without saying something…
Azami's POV:
It's already dark outside… and a nice weather for a walk.
X-Laws… those guys are too weird for me... What if we have to fight one of their teams soon? They kill… Mom and dad told me that I was risking my life to join the shaman fight, but I'm still so damn surprise over team Nile's death.
To pretend to be happy all the time… really is a burden to me.
What if I accidently make our team lose? Then I will make it impossible for Tsukiko and Akira to win the tournament!
Tsukiko… maybe it's for the best.
God damn it…
"Are you okay?" my spirit ally Nozomi asked, appearing before me.
She has pale blue eyes and blonde hair down to her waist. She wears a red dress with a white robe over it, she almost never uses the robe's hood.
Her weapon is a black and purple spear.
"Yeah. It's nothing."
"It seems to me that it is something. The only time you are this quiet is when something is bothering you."
"I'm just tired."
"You never talk to me anymore… why? Ever since we got here you've been acting very strange."
I stopped walking and looked at her, giving her a sad smile. "I'm sorry. " was all I said, then I continued to walk.
"Please, just tell me. I am your guardian ghost."
I sighed then looked at her again, "It's about the vision I had before…"
"The one from the Great Spirit?"
"Yeah. I don't like having to pretend like nothing happened, to lie to the people I have now grown very fond of."
"Lie?"
"And I have done it for about 7 years… I never really gave it a thought until now. I know that the truth will show itself soon enough, but I don't want to be the one to tell it.
"Azami…?"
"Do I remind you of Tsukiko, in any way?"
There was a silence. Nozomi just looked at me.
I gave a quiet laugh and a small smile, "I guess we don't… not the same hair color, not the same eyes… not the same anything." even if we should at least a little… Or maybe not..?
"Azami.. Is there something wrong between you and Tsukiko-san? "
" … No. It's just me. I don't want to be called a liar, ever. Mother always told me to keep quiet, for the best of both of us."
I saw how Nozomi gave me a shocked look, and I noticed the tears in my eyes. I don't remember the last time I cries since I met Akira and Tsuki.. Tsukiko for the second time. Her nickname shouldn't be called by me.
"Nozomi…" she didn't answer, she just looked at me, "I want to go home… I don't deserve…" then I fell to my knees, crying my eyes out. "Because I have always hated…!"
The sentence wasn't finished.
Nozomi didn't ask and just left me alone.
-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-
Tsukiko's POV:
Where is she? She has been gone for over two hour…
We met Funbari Hot Springs opponents, seemed like complete tools, they attacked Chocolove, Ren and Horohoro. I wasn't of much help since I was too worried. I should scold her when I find her.
Yeah, I'm outside looking for her together with Akira, Horohoro, Chocolove and Manta. Yoh and Ryu wanted to help too, but I told them to rest instead.
Of course Ren ran off somewhere so he was a big no to help me.
I know that you might think that I'm overreacting but Azami never disappears this long without telling anyone if she isn't upset by something.
She is my best friend, of course I have to find her.
"Where the hell is that woman?" Akira asked, yawning.
"If we knew, we wouldn't be looking. Let's split up."
"Sounds good to me." Akira said walking in another direction.
"I will go this way then. " Chocolove went the opposite direction.
"See you later!" Horohoro walked the opposite direction to me and Manta.
"Well then, let's go Manta." I said, he only nodded and we continued to walk straight forward.
We have been looking for 10 minutes and still no sight of her…How far did she walk?
She hates walking! What is going on here?
… I just realized how horrible it must have been for Akira to travel all the way here together with no one but her… I am able to stand it but she loves to just let it all out when she is alone with Akira. And I mean let out as in 'WHEN THE HELL ARE WE THERE? CARRY ME' way.
I heard Manta yawn and I smiled, "You know, it's okay if you want to go back. Since we haven't seen her yet, I guess that we are walking the wrong way anyway."
"Huh? No, I'm okay! I want to find Azami-san too."
"I see. That's good to know!" Manta smiled back. "But I'm getting tired of this. Sakuya!" my spirit ally appeared in front of us, Manta jumped a little but he shook it off pretty fast. "Could you fly up and see if you are able to spot Azami?"
"Of course." while Sakuya flew up.
Manta and I looked up at the sky, waiting patiently for her to return. Let's hope it's soon since I have the patience of a little kid.
"Yo, Tsuki-chan!"
Huh? That voice.. no..
"H-Hao?" Manta yelled while taking a step back.
I freaking knew it.
Akira's POV:
"Azami! Azami! Are you here?" Seriously, I'm starting to feel really tired. I'm a little worried that she has been gone for this long without telling us anything, but I think that having all five of us looking is a little strange. Well whatever.
"Azami, seriously! Stop being a pain and get your ass here already!"
"Akira!"
"Huh?" I turned around and saw Horohoro walking up to me. "What are you doing here? Given up?"
"Hell no!" he yelled, he probably felt a little intimidated by that " I just walked different ways and then I saw you. I guess you haven't seen her yet?"
"No… Let's go this way. I'm guessing she's already on her way back, but we can't be sure so let's just walk a little more then head back."
"Sounds good to me."
We walked for another couple of minutes then we heard small sobs. I wonder who it is that's crying this late.
By instinct we walked towards the crying and saw something I haven't seen in a really long time.
"A- Azami?" we both said with wide open eyes, seeing her on the ground sobbing like a little kid.
"What's wrong?" Horohoro asked, clearly getting nervous by this awkward situation. I know I am.
"Nothing."
"Then why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying, I have something in my eye!" God this is so weird…
I didn't even know she was able to cry anymore! I wish Tsuki found her, even if she sucks at this, it's better than having me doing this.
In case Horohoro isn't some kind of expert on cheering girls up, we are pretty much screwed.
Suddenly Azami's sobs became a little louder.
I better do something…
" L-look Azami… don't cry? I don't know what happened but it will probably get better?" Damn my questioning voice.
"Come on! You're best friends are girls! You should know this. "
She stood up, looking down, then suddenly hit both of us in the head.
" Ow, why the hell did you do that?" Horohoro yelled angrily with tears in his eyes. I would laugh at him but that hit was really painful!
"I'm not freaking crying! And if any of you tell anyone of this, I will kick your ass, your hands, your feet and everything you have!"
"Fine fine! God damn!"
Horohoro just stood in silence, rubbing his sore head.
She smiled and said "Good! Now let's go back to the others!"
…. Mood swings much? Well as long as she's okay I guess…
I just hope that I won't have to go out and search for Tsuki, Chocolove and Manta too.
Tsukiko's POV:
"How are you, my queen?"
Are we really gonna have to go through the whole king and queen thing again?
"What do you want?"
"Q-queen?"
Shit, this will be hard to explain for Manta… well I will have to take care of it later…
Right now, what do you want Hao?
"You really want to know?" he asked.
"No, I'm sure I don't. But tell me anyway."
He chuckled, giving him that famous kind smile once again.
Making me nervous as hell.
CLIFFHANGER!
Hey guys :) Thank you so much for the reviews, it really means a lot to me that you like the story. Not that long I know, but that only means that the next one will be longer so yeah! xD
I hope you liked this chapter, please review and stuff like that!
See you in the next chapter!