Chapter 43
"Combatants ready…" Shura braced herself when she heard Kayolin's voice sound above the restless motions of the audience. Immediately her eyes locked on Phoenix but the Fire dragon didn't seem nearly as eager to face her. Instead, her eyes were targeting Nightshade. "Begin!" The order rippled through the air like a shock wave. The she-dog watched anxiously as Phoenix sprung from her fighting crouch and barreled down on Nightshade with full force. The Shadow dragon barely had time to get her shield in place to block the attack… Shura tensed suddenly when she saw a flash of silver aimed at her head. Charisma's strike was clumsy and Shura dodged the blow with ease. Forced to shift her attention Shura turned to face the young Sky dragon who was already preparing to strike again. In her young hands even the short sword they had been given seemed ridiculously out of proportion.
"I don't care what the clan leaders think I still say you're noting but a mongrel!" the young dragon informed with a hiss while she strained to keep her weapon steady. Shura just rolled her eyes.
"And you're still a child," she snapped back bluntly. "Look at you, you can barely even hold up that sword." Charisma blushed fiercely.
"Damn you!" the Sky dragon screamed wildly as she ran forward. With all her pent up frustration Charisma raised her sword high over her head. But by the time she brought it down her target had disappeared. Charisma dug down with her heels and skidded to a halt. "Where'd she go?" The dragon glanced up and around, her anger growing. Then there was motion behind her.
"Got you!" Charisma snarled, swinging around in a fury. But this time her attack came to late. A sickening clang echoed through the air as the young Sky dragon plowed her face directly into Shura's waiting shield. The collision knocked Charisma senseless and the sheer force sent her toppling backwards to the ground.
Shura shook her head. Then out of reflex she dipped to the young dragon's side to inspect the damage. Charisma was dazed and she would have a few nasty welts and bruises when everything was said and done. But other then that she seemed unharmed. Satisfied, Shura stood and searched for her remaining opponents. Phoenix was still wailing on Nightshade. Even from half way across the expansive Arena Shura could hear the metallic echoes of the Shadow dragon's shield as it braced from the strain. Within seconds she zeroed in on them. Phoenix had practically driven Nightshade to the edge of the platform but her attacks only seemed to be growing in ferocity. Despite this, however, Nightshade seemed hesitant to attack. The more Shura watched the more agitated she became.
"What is Nightshade doing?" Shura wondered with growing concern for the Shadow dragon. "It's like she's never even handled a sword!" The thought crossed her mind but she didn't have time to ponder over it. Just then Phoenix landed a strike with such force it made the Shadow dragon's legs buckle. On her knees Nightshade tried to cower behind her shield but Phoenix swiftly kicked it out of her hands.
"Pathetic," the fire dragon growled. Then, to Shura's alarm, she raised her sword to attack again. Nightshade cringed, as if preparing for the blow. But Phoenix's blade would not touch her.
Shura braced hard as the force of Phoenix's attack reverberated through her shield. The fire dragon's strength was incredible! The she-dog had to dig in with her paws just to stay balanced. Had she not moved in to defend Nightshade…there was no doubt Phoenix would have cleaved she-dragon's skull in half! Glaring up into the Fire dragon's eyes Shura felt her hatred for the woman start to boil over. Shura snarled deep in her throat then under her breath remarked, "You're a real piece of work you know that?"
Phoenix grinned a sinister fanged smile. Then with a ripple of sheer power she leaned into her weapon. Shura clenched her fangs tightly as pain erupted through her paws. She could feel the Arena floor beginning to cave beneath her toes. Maneuvering her sword with her other arm Shura tried to execute a strike—anything to distract Phoenix long enough for her to get out of close range combat. But before she could make a move a high pitched battle cry erupted from across the Arena. Shura swore under her breath when she recognized it.
Moving only her eyes Shura strained to see across the battleground for the source of the call. Sure enough, her golden irises fell to Charisma. Awake and furious the Sky dragon was charging towards her screaming at the top of her lungs. She had abandoned her shield in favor of slinging her sword with both hands like a club, and she had a swing aimed to land straight between Shura's eyes.
"Damn!" The she-dog swore as she strained against Phoenix. "I can't move!" Out of the corner of her eye she saw Charisma jump. There was nothing she could do! She was pinned….
Then suddenly there was a ripple of energy. It was a psychic power—an attack with Nightshade's mental signature.
"ENOUGH!" Shura heard the Shadow dragon cry as her mind let loose a searing wave of psychic energy.
The attack smashed hard against Shura's body and almost instantly her blackwing barrier emerged to handle the strain. The two colliding energies ignited the air with a blinding flash making Shura see stars. Squinting through the haze of dancing colors the she demon vaguely recognized the outlines of Phoenix and Charisma being thrown from the ring like rag dolls. It was doubtful they even knew what hit them.
Then as swiftly as the attack came Nightshade's mental energy subsided to a dull murmur. An instant later Shura felt her barrier dissolve. The recoil left her body numb and her mind burning.
"Impressive," she heard Nightshade comment, "I had a feeling you'd be able to sense my attack, but I never expected you to block it like that." Shura dropped her weapons and steadied her hands on her knees. Though the feeling had returned to most of her body she was still a little shaken and wobbly on her feet.
"It wasn't easy," she admitted with a small huff. "I underestimated you. I promise it won't happen again." Straitening herself Shura next walked to where Nightshade was kneeling and offered her a hand. Nightshade smiled slightly at the gesture.
"That makes two of us," replied Nightshade as she took Shura's hand and gripped it tight. The she-dog winced when a faint charge of energy buzzed through her palm. Then suddenly Shura felt the Shadow dragon in her mind.
Nightshade's mental touch was feather soft, more of a curious peek rather then an invasive probe. But nevertheless Shura found herself striking back in defense. Slamming up her guards Shura thwarted the dragon's effort to look any further. Then she made it a point to show her disapproval with a sharp and effective mental jab. Immediately she felt the Shadow dragon's psyche recoil with surprise and in the moment following an image flashed before her. It was a memory, one Shura was sure the dragon had meant to guard. The image showed Nightshade. She was in the arms of the Solar the young Sun dragon brother. Her eyes were soft and filled with love for him, as the young man's were for her. Then the image was gone. The cheers of dragons filled the air and almost instantly Shura's mind was jolted back into reality.
"The battles have been decided!" Kayolin was announcing to the audience. "In the next match Lady Nightshade will be facing Lady Shura!" Dazed and blinking hard Shura swept the room with her eyes trying to refocus her senses. Her eyes fell first to her fallen rivals Charisma and Phoenix. Sprawled on the ground outside the Arena both women were hissing obscenities while some rather brave guards were trying to help them up. Shura next let her gaze trail along the groups of spectators. She found Matyeo first. Sitting in his lavish accommodations the dragon King looked twitchy and nervous despite the clans' best efforts to make him comfortable. Not far away from Matyeo Shura found the seating box with her Father and Uncle. Inuyasha was praising her victory with one of his famous smirks while Kagome was waving like a cheerleader. Beside them Sango was leering at Miroku who was busy making a pass at Zaphyra. The monk's advances were ignored however as the Wind dragon seemed much more interested in conversing with Sesshomaru. As for her father, he was watching her with a critical yet supportive eye. It was a look Shura had come to know all to well. Sesshomaru would stay at a distance as she battled, neither helping nor criticizing. But in the rare event things got wildly out of hand Shura had no doubt he would step in to protect her, even if it cost him his dragon allies.
The thought conforted Shura as she pivoted around to face her adversary. As she turned, however, another familiar face in the audience unrepentantly caught her eye. Sitting among the diplomats was a youthful, blond haired man with a strikingly handsome face. Though he carried in indifferent expression his eyes were sad and full of suppressed pain. Shura recognized the young dragon as Solar and almost immodestly she felt her heart throb with sadness as the image of him and Nightshade flashed once more across her mind. Having to watch as his love fought for another man, she could only imagine how badly he was hurting.
"Now remember ladies, for this match you are not permitted to use any forged weapons or armor," Shura heard Kayolin instruct from somewhere on the sidelines. "So utilize your strengths and choose your strategy wisely." The she dog nodded vacantly but that was all. Hard as she tried she couldn't seem to focus past the young male's pain. Anger started to well in Shura. If the memory she saw was any indication Nightshade had no reason to even be fighting.
"Why." Shura barely had to hiss one word before Nightshade's keen psyche picked up on her cue.
"Because I have a duty to my Father and my clan, and I can't let personal emotions get in the way. " The she-dragon replied softly. Shura narrowed her eyes.
"And what about his emotions…" the she-dog reminded sharply, "did you even stop to consider how painful it would be for him? He's out there right now watching you risk your life…for a man you don't even love!!" The anger had risen in Shura's voice and suddenly she found herself fighting to hold in frustrated tears. Being forced to fight for love was one thing, but being forced not to… The thought was almost unbearable!
"You're young. I don't expect you to understand." Nightshade finally answered as she turned coldly away. It was hardly an excuse.
"This is wrong and you know it!"
"It's none of your concern! Now shut up and fight!"
"NO!" Shura protested crossing her arms childishly. "I wont!" Nightshade turned. The sadness was gone from her eyes and once again Shura felt the she-dragon's gray stare piercing through her. Next the Shadow dragon held up her hand and coiled her fingers as if to make a fist. Along her forearm three sinister looking black barbs pushed through her skin. Then like a porcupine bristling it's quills Nightshade extended her war spikes for attack.
"Then you've made my task easy…" Nightshade hissed coldly. Then, without even batting an eye she swung her arm sharply through the air. Shura shifted just in time to see the six-inch long projectiles streak past her like black arrows. Nightshade attacked again. Her aim seemed to be improving exponentially.
Following another dodge Shura landed and pawed at the earth. Then she took off into a flat out charge. Even if Nightshade was fighting for all the wrong reasons, the Shadow dragon had made her position clear. There was no more time for pity. Not if she wanted to win. Moving with the speed of her father Shura barreled past Nightshade's long-range attacks and readied a strike of her own. But just as she brought down her fist the dragon phased from view. Shura skidded to a stop, her knuckles cutting harmlessly through the space where Nightshade's face should have been.
"So she can teleport too…I should have guessed as much!" Shura thought angrily to herself.
"You're fast," The she-dog heard the dragon's voice echo from somewhere she couldn't pinpoint. Then suddenly Nightshade was behind her. She was only inches away. Shura could feel the dragon's gentle breaths on the back of her ear as she leaned in to whisper. "But not fast enough…"
Shura whirled, fur bristling, fangs bared. But Nightshade had vanished again. Shura tensed. Panic had started to rise in her chest but she forced herself to stay focused. In a duel with a psychic as powerful as Nightshade there was no place for doubt or fear.
When the Shadow dragon reappeared it was at a safe distance and with her arm spikes ready for throwing. In the blink of an eye Nightshade had teleported again but not before sending another wave of black projectiles soaring at Shura's head. Dodging frantically Shura managed to avoid them. But just as she landed more barbs came flying from a completely different direction. Shura tensed with surprise when two of the spikes left clean, quarter sized holes in the fabric of her dragon-scale kimono. Nightshade's attacks were growing bolder and becoming harder to avoid. That combined with her constant teleporting, it was all Shura could to keep the Shadow heiress in her sight, let alone form any kind of counter measure.
"I should have expected this kind of strategy from a coward!!!" Shura finally yelled out in frustration. The insult did not go unheard. Seconds later Nightshade appeared, her face barely a foot from Shura's bared fangs. There was dark flash of movement and suddenly Shura found herself gasping in pain. With a surprising amount of force Nightshade had driven her left wrist's collection of spikes clean through Shura's shoulder! Bracing hard, Shura caught Nightshade's other wrist before she could repeat the attack and twisted it sharply….
Suddenly a loud snap filled the air followed immediately by Nightshade's shriek of agony. Without even meaning to Shura had shattered Nightshade's forearm with her bare hands! In that moment the she-dog realized the Shadow dragon's Achilles' heel. The reason she relied on range attacks and had such incredible psychic prowess. It was all to protect her fragile body from even the most basic melee assaults. One close range strike was all Shura needed. And the fight would be over!
Now livid with pain Nightshade detached her spikes and teleported. She reappeared some distance away in a crouch, her uninjured arm gripping the broken one. Shura meanwhile staggered backwards and inspected her shoulder with trembling claws. Her fingers met a steady flow of warm blood.
"Damn!" Shura swore under her breath when she realized the spikes were in too deep to remove by herself. Growling, Shura forced her gaze to Nightshade again. The dragon had gotten to her feet and taken a defensive stance.
"You are a strong fighter, daughter of the Western dogs," Nightshade eventually managed to hiss between exaggerated breaths of pain. "But its time we ended this." Suddenly Nightshade's eyes glowed eerily sending a chill down Shura's back. A haze of purple demonic energy flooded the air. It swirled around Nightshade like a soft blanket, wrapping her protectively in its tendrils until she was masked from view. Then the energy dissipated. In place of the, frail, fair-skinned maiden rested Nightshade's true demon form—a jet-black creature that looked more snake then dragon.
Rearing like a poised cobra the she-dragon let out a loud, threatening hiss from deep in her throat. The noise rattled through Shura's ears like course sandpaper. Then there was a new sound. It was a horrible, deafening roar, like the entire arena was being ripped apart at the seams. Shura felt herself start to tremble, but seconds later she realized it was because the ground beneath her paws was shaking. Across the arena the she-dog saw Nightshade open her mouth wide. Between her twin sets of slender, serpentine fangs the shadow dragon was rapidly condensing the air into a colorless sphere of pure, psychic, energy. The orb had already reached the size of a small boulder and it was still growing!
Shura leapt into the air. She looked down just in time to see the once solid arena floor evaporate into millions of jagged rocks. Squinting through the debris Shura found Nightshade. The she dragon was sitting tall alongside Ryuuko's skeleton, her slender coils hugging the only solid patch of dueling platform.
Shura braced as she landed, her paws straining to get a grip in the pulverized rock. Several stray boulders dropped heavily around her stirring up clouds of dust. But Shura ignored them. Her focus was only on Nightshade's impending attack. The sphere had nearly doubled in size. Even from across the arena Shura could feel its energy prickling through her body. The sensation was frightening, but also strangely invigorating. For as intimidating as the attack was Shura could clearly sense Nightshade's desperation coursing throughout it.
With the last fragment of strength she had left the she-dragon loosed her attack, igniting the air. On the ground, Shura's fur bristled with alarm. Every sense, every primordial instinct was screaming at her to run. But the she-dog stubbornly refused them. Nightshade's aim was perfect. Even if she ran, Shura knew, no amount of demonic resolve or adrenalin would be able to move her fast enough to escape. Shura drew in a breath and stared up into the encroaching energy. It was close now. Even with the protection of her psychically resistant Blackwing blood Shura could already feel the pull on her body. It was like a strange fatigue slowly wearing the strength from her muscles. But even more obvious was the growing strain on her mind. Amidst the dull roar of charging air Shura could hear the voices of those watching in the stands. Carried by the psychic currents the calls of her family and friends registered as clear as if they were standing by her side.
"What is she doing? It's headed right for her!" exclaimed Kagome frantically.
"Don't be a fool!" Sounded a rumble from her father.
"Run Shura! Get out of there!" It was Inuyasha's yell that echoed loudest of all.
"No!" Shura heard herself cry back. The notes were barely audible even as she screamed them. "I won't run!"
Driving into the ground with her paws Shura hurled herself forward just as the space around her was engulfed in Nightshade's psychic attack. Shura braced hard. Again her protective Blackwing barrier emerged. This time though it was constricted almost to Shura's skin, it's meager power just enough to keep her molecules from flying apart. All the while the she-dog's senses were thrown into chaos. Her skin burned, then chilled. Her blood slowed to a crawl only to hasten seconds later. She couldn't smell past he terror ridden scent, couldn't hear beyond her own staggered heartbeat. There was no up or down only a consuming wave of random colors and lights. She couldn't scream…couldn't move…couldn't even breathe….
Then all of a sudden Shura felt the energy around her dull into a cool, almost euphoric relief. It was the core! Slowly, Shura's vision cleared. She was still hovering but in what direction she could no longer tell. The scenery had changed. Instead of the bustling arena there was only a soft shroud of milk white vapors. Struggling to move Shura tried to regain her bearings. But it was no use. The air was stagnant, devoid of any sounds or smells she could focus on. It was as if her senses had faded into nothing.
Then a voice crept through the air. It was soft and laden with guilt. Shura could feel the emotion push on her body like a cold weight.
"I'm sorry Lady Shura. You were a truly worthy opponent. But I had no choice." The voice was Nightshade's. Another wave of emotion washed over her, this one heavy and profoundly sad. "Solar my dearest. I hope you know I will always love you."
Shura felt her chest tighten as her opponent's voice faded.
Suddenly she she-dog realized exactly where she was. The center point where the condensed psychic power was strongest, it was an open channel. From this strange place of white mist Shura could gaze, unhindered, into the hearts of those around her. Unfortunately, with her barrier strained to its limit, there was no energy left for Shura to shield her mind from the feelings that she found. And so they raged through her like a storm, each one just as real as any she could have manifested, and all of them a thousand times more painful.
The she-dog closed her eyes. The weight of her opponent's despair was excruciating. It bore into her like a spike being driven into her heart. But there was nothing she could do. Without her senses as a guide Shura could only hover aimlessly and struggle as her life-saving barrier grew weaker and weaker.
"Shura…" a warm voice tingled in Shura's ears stirring her. "Be strong." The command was insistent but it carried a kindness that she recognized instantly.
"Matyeo!" Shura tried to cry out. But her voice wouldn't sound.
"Don't give up!" Her friend's call echoed around her again. Almost instantly the icy grip that had nearly suffocated Shura was replaced by a wave of wonderful, soothing, warmth. Drawing in a deep breath Shura felt her friend's emotions course through her like a healing remedy. The she-dog cracked open her eyes. Beyond her in the distance a split of purple energy shone through the haze. Its outline was faint at first—barely more then a flickering patch of color. But as her vision gradually sharpened Shura recognized the energy for what it was… her one and only way out!
Shura lurched hard. Her limbs felt like lead as they swung through the soupy air. But she was moving. Another wave of emotion from Matyeo pulsed around her. The dragon's resolve, his will, seeped into her as easily as life-giving air. With every fiber of his being he wanted her to live. No, more then that, he wanted her to win!
Straining with effort Shura raised her uninjured arm and readied her claws. The familiar prickle of her Iron rever strike was just barely detectable but it would have to be enough.
"Matyeo! I won't let you down!!" Shura heard her own scream reverberate through her mind as she brought down her arm. "Iron rever soul stealer!" The neon green energy flew from her clawtips. Shura felt the energy around her ripple with protest as her attack cut through the air. But her aim was good. The strike plunged into the glowing purple fissure making it widen and spread. With her last ounce of resolve Shura flung herself into the swirling tear.
For an instant the world went white. Then Shura felt the psychic power around her give way to sweet, clear air. Gasps of awe from the crowds rang in the she-dog's ears, as did the welcome sound of the night wind rushing about her. The once stagnant atmosphere suddenly overflowed with the scents of dragons, demons and humans. But there was only one scent that held her interest.
Drawing back her arm again Shura let herself drop into a freefall dive towards her opponent. The very smell of her made the she-dog's blood race. Then her vision cleared. The Shadow dragon was there in front of her. Nightshade was breathing heavily, her exhausted body barely able to remain upright. The dragon's gray eyes were wide and transfixed—her expression torn between utter disbelief and paralyzing fear.
Shura released her coiled arm to land her final blow. She could have bashed in the dragon's skull but in the end something deep inside refused to let her fingers coil.
Nightshade fell heavily, her serpentine body reverting back to a human guise before she even struck the ground. It was there she lay for several minutes, stunned it seemed, to be alive. Trembling, she reached with her good hand to touch the deep, red, slap mark across her cheek—the only injury Shura's final attack had left.
"I don't understand…why are you sparing me?" the dragon stammered as she looked up into Shura's eyes. Standing over her opponent the she-demon offered only a small shake of her head as she looked down at the bewildered maiden.
"Why ask, when you already know the answer," Shura replied calmly. To that, Nightshade's face scrunched up tightly. It was all she could do to try and hold in the pent up cries of relief. Even after such a heated battle Shura's compassion for her personal situation hadn't faded. And now, in a true gesture of kindness, the she-dog was giving her a second chance.
"Thank you." The dragon whispered. Although it would be difficult settling things with her father this time, at least, she was determined to try. The answer seemed to satisfy Shura because she smiled and nodded with approval.
But the moment of happiness was short lived. On the ground the she dog saw Nightshade's features shift into a pose of alarm. Shura tensed, suddenly aware of the swiftly approaching presence behind her.
"No Solar! Don't!" Shura heard the shadow dragon's feeble cry echo in her ears as she whirled around sharply. But the dragon's plea came to late. Shura turned just in time to see a blinding flash of energy strike the ground inches from her unguarded right side. Then there was only darkness.