Hey guys,
Sorry that this is about a month late, things have just been extremely hectic lately and this was the first chance I have gotten to sit down and finish a chapter of Demon Battle Rises, hopefully the bit of shock factor at the end will make up for it.
I finally got the chance to write today because all I have been doing today is laying in my bedroom and sleeping. I had my tonsils out this morning and haven't been feeling up to anything today. Drinking is a chore and so is speaking, eating is impossible and I tried to eat one of my favorite things coffee ice cream. But with medicine as bitter as mine, think of expired and rancid cough syrup, every four hours, suddenly trying to force yourself to drink a Strawberry Kiwi Snapple isn't too bad anymore. But although it hurts a lot to be like this and now my Christmas has become a lot more confined, I think this might even give me a chance to finish, and yes I mean finish, the Xenolith arc over the next two weeks. Not like I'm going to be doing anything much at all.
Anyways, I do need to ask a favor of you. I get that some people don't like reviewing, they enjoy reading and then going about their days. Hell, I feel the same way and sometimes I do the same thing. But, I was cleaning old files before and I realized how many profiles I have. If you're a reader who doesn't have their character in the story yet, please review or pm me, maybe just the names of your characters if you want, but just alert me so I know who I can't afford to not write. It would be a big help to have that, so if you haven't been able to read your characters in action yet, please do me this big favor to make sure I don't gloss over your character and make sure they get the amount of story time they deserve!
xKiha
"What do you mean, game of noise!?"
Kyo cringed at the sound of Michael yelling at the gargoyle like demon that stood in front of them both, glancing to Amera who seemed to be out of breath thanks to something he couldn't even see or let alone hear. His light green eyes looking to Michael in nervousness, not sure what to say as he clenched his spellbook tightly in his shaking palms. "Michael."
"What?" The sophomore growled, not wanting to accept any emotion but anger at this point as he clenched his hands into tight fists.
"There's something wrong, but yelling isn't going to help." Kyo said nervously, drawing in a breath as he looked around. "You'll piss her off more and I think we can both agree that that's not a good idea."
Michael glanced from Kyo to the spellbook in his arms, knowing the younger bookreader was right as he nodded. "Alright, then what do you suggest we should do."
What was there to do?
Right now he was sure Yakamashii was using some sort of sound spell against them, but in reality when a spell was used, there was no sound to be heard. Accept for the fact that it somehow forced both Amera and Shura to the ground in what he assumed was some sort of spell. But what could it be?
Was it a sound they couldn't hear?
No, that'd just be stupid.
"We've got to fight her." Kyo mumbled, opening his book. "There isn't anything else we can try."
"Alright, I'm open to that." Michael nodded as he held out his black book, fingertips gracing the pages he opened, feeling the black lights of waiting spells glow at his touch.
Yakamashii had her hands on her hips, giggling with a bit of enjoyment at their lack of knowledge in this moment. "You really think that you stand a chance?" Her voice a form of a snobby taunt. "After all, ending up here means you haven't been good at the master's games so far."
Amera was now to her feet, holding out her sword with a low growl escaping her throat. "We are not here to play games."
"What a shame then." The gargoyle demon said with a slight taunt. "Looks like you won't be enjoying this if that's your attitude."
Shura glared her down as he got to his feet, not finding this the slightest bit amusing as he held out one of his hands. "Michael, I could use some help."
"Gotcha." The lightning bookreader nodded as his grip on the book tightened, the light from the demon words growing stronger as his own energy fed into it. "Shakiran!"
The lightning demon felt the energy of the book and of Michael surge through his small body, trying to keep from crying out in focus as a powerful and yet completely straight bolt of black lightning erupted from his hand and quickly shot itself at Yakamashii who seemed to do, nothing.
The gargoyle smirked as it got closer, her bookreader looking at his own spells and fumbling for a moment before finding what he wanted. "Sonikkubumu!"
Yakamashii simply held out her hand, Shura watching in shock as a powerful burst of a horrible high pitched screech erupted from the speakers in the demon's palms. The worst part being that the sound completely disintegrated the lightning he had sent at his enemy, watching it burst before his very eyes. "N-No!"
It was stinging in his ears, burning through his eardrums while Michael seemed to stand there almost deafly. He couldn't hear it! God why?
In a sense, this might be better, because if Michael could hear this, they might as well be screwed.
"Shura!" The lightning bookreader looking to his partner who was clenching his palms over his ears tightly, it was obvious that the contorted expression of his face was one of pain.
"Gadyuu Sorusen!"
Michael and Yakamashii both jerked, looking to Kyo who was trying to hold himself high in spite of what could easily spiral into more than just the reading of a few spells. A book, possibly two, was going to burn.
Amera held out her sword, a determined look in usually reserved and graceful eyes, watching as the read spell manifested into the flames the demon speak had called upon. She then broke out into a run, knowing the fire would burn out in a matter of seconds.
"Oh please~!" Yakamashii laughing as she watched Amera rush at her. "This old trick again~?" Voice growing into a taunting purr that if anything, only motivated the older demon at the chance to slash into the Gargoyle.
"Bumabasuto!" Chinmoku countered, also seeming to be holding himself rather high.
"You shouldn't be too close~" Yakamashii purred, watching Amera rush at her with the flames about to die, shifting her position so the speakers on her hands faced her enemy. "Because, sound's more powerful the closer you are."
It was too late. The ear piercing shriek of Yakamashii's speakers erupted through the small holes, Amera unable to flee from a sound like she could a spell. Her grunt of pain ringing out , blood splattering from her gaping mouth as Shura covered his hurting ears once more.
"AMERA!" Kyo shouted, still not sure just what was going on. He hadn't seen the Gargoyle lay a hand on his partner, but Amera wouldn't just cough up blood for no reason. In fact, the sight of the red liquid running down her chin and staining her clothing and the floor horrified him. He balled his hands into fists, practically trembling with anger. "What the hell are you doing to them!?"
"Isn't is obvious?"
Yakamashii kicked Amera aside, Kyo wanting to rip that Gargoyle apart just for doing that, but he knew if he went after her something similar could happen to him. "I'm surprised you couldn't figure it out, even a human like you should have clued in by now."
Kyo grit his teeth, looking to Michael who seemed to have already come to his own conclusions of just what was happening in this room. It would have been helpful to have Kenja, Mr. Kincad, hell even Setsuna, figure this out and come up with some kind of plan. He felt sick, watching a vile smirk spread across Yakamashii's face. "What haven't I figured out?" He spat.
"What game is this? What did the spell tags on the door warn of? What began this fight and brought light into the room?" Her hands migrating to her hips.
"Noise." Kyo glanced away.
"Exactly." A slight "duh" tone to the sound demon's voice as she continued to glare at him. "So, what do you think my spells are? What do you think is happening?"
"I..." The freshmen hesitating. "But, it can't be sound related! Michael and I aren't getting hurt!"
"Hm, well, maybe it's at a pitch human ears can't pick up." The Gargoyle practically hissed, no longer amused with this as she brushed off one of the speakers on the inner part of her left hand.
"It's at a different pitch." Michael nodded. "For all we know, it could be one completely unknown here on Earth."
"But, why wouldn't the bookreaders be able to hear it?" Kyo still slightly confused, trying to figure out why it wouldn't be a good thing to damage the human, wearing them down would mean less spells to end up fighting against.
"Duh, I would end up hurting my own partner!" Yakamashii shouted.
Of course.
Kyo sighed, feeling slightly embarrassed, but only for a moment as he glanced back to Amera and Shura who were practically forcing themselves to their feet, blood staining the chins of both demons. In fact, it looked like the lightning demon's ears were bleeding, causing both of the teenagers to cringe in worry.
How could you fight sound? Was there a way?
Kyo backed up so he could see Michael, the teenagers exchanging looks for a moment as Kyoshiro Yakage took in a deep breath. "What are we going to do?" Voice a low and worried whisper.
"I will tell you when I figure something out." Michael said in return, looking around the area with his own uncertianty wavering in his voice.
"Do we have time to do that?" Kyo asked, looking at Yakamashii who seemed to be growing impatient and annoyed with their trying to figure something out.
"No..."
Kyo held out his book. "We really might be screwed..."
"Yeah..." Michael knowing he couldn't disagree with this, holding his own book. "Shura!"
The lightning child was struggling to keep himself up, drawning in heavy breaths as he looked at his bookreader. "What is it?"
"We gotta keep fighting, are you up for it?" Michael called, seeing his demon nod as Kyo asked his partner the same question and receiving a similar responce of agreement.
Yakamashii seemed ready, giggling as she spread her wings. "Took you long enough!" Holding out her palms to show her speakers once more.
'Speakers...' Michael looking to them with a sudden blink.
Could they break?
"Shakiran!"
"Gadyuu Sorusen!"
Yakamashii seemed to decide to toy with them as Amera rushed at the Gargoyle opened her wings, using them to help her swiftly dodge her enemy. But this left her distracted, Michael drawing in a breath as Shura prepared to release his lightning attack.
Here goes nothing.
"Shura! Aim at her speakers!" Michael suddenly shouted, giving his partner just enough time to react accordingly as he turned his head to face the Gargoyle's open palms.
Lightning burst through the mouth of the Shura, both Amera and Yakamashii noticing the impending attacks as the Gargoyle found herself unable to dodge like her opponent did. Her eyes growing to the silver dollars when she realized just where the attack was headed, the yellow speaker on her left palm suddenly shattering into hundreds of shards.
"Gadyuu Sorusen!" Kyo suddenly shouted in return, not needing to have to tell Amera anything about what to do as his partner's sword ignited with powerful flames once more. Yakamashii seeming to be too stunned to dodge as Amera rushed at her.
"Bumabasuto!"
It was too late.
By the time the spell could have begun to make a sound, the second speaker was in small shards just like the first, Yakamashii breathing heavily in pure terror as the bloodied Shura and Amera got closer to her.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Shura asked, folding his arms and trying to focus on things other than the own severe pain rushing through his body. "You can't hide behind your speakers anymore."
"Y-You really don't think I'm trained in combat!" The sound demon returned, but the way she said it made both question if she really was or not. They were more or less beginning to wonder if the only thing that made Yakamashii appealing to Xenolith was her speakers.
Maybe the speakers were the only thing that made Yakamashii appealing at all.
Amera drew her sword. "Then you can risk continuing to fight us, or you can simply hand over your book instead of possibly making a fool of yourself."
"Making a fool?" The Gargoyle's eyebrows narrowed with annoyance. "How dare you! Chinmoku!"
"Gāgoiru no tsume!" The old man shouted, Yakamashii smirking as her once human like hands changed. They became the color of her grey and stony wings, now resembling a monster's hands as long and animalistic claws curved out of her once human shaped fingers. She growled, trying to look frightening.
But in another way, she almost seemed pathetic. As if she was trying her hardest to be frightening when facing these two.
"Any more bright ideas?" Kyo asked Michael.
"Other than win?" The Sophomore asked. "Come on, just look at her, she's practically done already. We took down her one weakness. Now come on, Shura, let's do this!"
"Okay!" The lightning demon nodding as he turned to their enemy with focus tightened in his eyes.
"Shakir!"
Lightning burst from Shura's mouth once more, Yakamashii acting quick on her feet and dodging the move only to find herself face to face with Amera who sent a slash into the back of the Gargoyle.
"You bitch!" Yakamashii practically howled, using her wings to gain leverage and sending her clawed hands at Amera, using the pointed weapons to slice into the soft flesh of Amera's cheek. The demon reacting upon impulse and slicing into Yakamashii's chest in return, not thinking about consequences or murder, but just cutting into her to get her away. Blood was running down Amera's cheek and the blood of the sound demon was staining both her and splattering all over the floor.
"Shakiran!"
Yakamashii gasped as she turned around, finding Shura standing right behind her with a cocky smirk of pure intent in his eyes, lightning shooting from his palms and right into her back. The Gargoyle was sent flying through the air, smashing into the wall thanks to the force as she began to choke out blood, struggling for air.
Kyo was horrified, still watching Amera with widened eyes. She could have killed her, his partner looking to the blood on the floor with her own eyes full of shock, breathing heavily as Shura gave Michael a smile of relief. They had done it, hadn't they?
.
.
.
Yakamashii's body was against a cold stone wall in her designated room, blood dripping everywhere as she looked up at them. "I-I...I've failed the Lord."
"Failure to somebody like Xenolith isn't failure, if you could look beyond your own blindness, maybe you could actually find that out for yourself." Amera said, trying to hide her fear as she sheathed her sword. "But, I doubt you have a chance to reform now."
Shura nodded. "No person who could help out Puppet Master is a friend of ours." Turning to Chinmoku who seemed to have already given up himself, eyes fixated on the spell book. "Michael."
The Sophomore nodded, holding out their book. "Shaki-"
"WAIT!"
Everybody turned to see Yakamashii who was forcing herself to her feet, coughing up blood as tears ran down her face. "I can help you take him down!" She cried, struggling to walk but forcing herself to stumble closer to the others. She already looked half dead, but it seemed the demon wasn't going to give in.
"How?" Kyo asked. "How could you help?"
"I know his weaknesses! I know why he wants your friend! I know a lot of inside details!" The Gargoyle sobbed, lowering her head as she practically pleaded for her life and her right to stay on Earth. "I can tell you everything you want."
"Yakamashii, the Lord will get angry." Chinmoku warned, old and worn eyes looking around as if Xenolith would already be in the room.
"I don't care anymore!" Yakamashii sobbed. "Why are we even doing this!? What is Xenolith going to do when he finally gets what he wants anyways!? I can tell you that the minute he gets his purple gem's sixth spell, he's going to kill us all! That's all he needs and if you really think he'll give us a fighting chance, why even try!? Why die for him?"
The four allies exchanged looks, none of them really sure if they could trust Yakamashii as Kyo took a step forward. "Alright, why does he want Tsumi? What are his weaknesses?"
"He wants your friend because of the sixth spell he has." Yakamashii said, trying to stop her tears as she spoke. "You probably haven't seen it yet, but if Xenolith can corrupt him...if he can brainwash him like he has Akuma...then there is no stopping anything. He wants your friend because he's a natural born killer, he just hasn't unlocked that yet. And his weaknesses, these are something you might want to right down, but he's pretty weak to-"
Suddenly Yakamashii stopped, her eyes widening as her hands suddenly migrated to her throat. She was gasping for air, making choking sounds. But it was clear that something, or maybe somebody, was the one cutting off her air supply, her hands trying to pry off something that wasn't even there.
"Yakamashii?" Amera nervously asked as the demon's face took on a deep shade of blue, her and Kyo rushing to see if they could do something.
If they could do anything.
"L-L...Lord Xenolith." She croaked through convulses, her pupils suddenly dilating as her body hit the floor.
"Oh my god!" Kyo shouted as he bent down, touching the body of the demon only to find her stone cold and beginning to fade.
"Is she...?" Amera asked, although she already knew the answer, seeing Kyo nod to confirm the sudden death of their enemy.
"It was Xenolith." Michael said, watching as one of the walls began to open to a new hallway. "Come on, we need to hurry up and go."
"Michael, some how, Xenolith just choked her to death! Are we just going to pretend that didn't happen in front of us!" Kyo shouted in return.
"And what do you propose we do about it?"
"You can't do anything. It is too late."
The four turned to see Chinmoku standing there, his eyes completely empty, just like anybody in one of Xenolith's trances would be. He was holding a completely black spell book now, something neither of these two had seen before. Was this what the book of a reader with a dead demon looked like?
"She has spoken truths about the Lord you were not meant to know. And now, the Lord is going to have his eye on you. If these truths are spoken to the Purple Gem, you my friends are going to end up just as that traitor did before you."
Michael drew in a shaky breath, Kyo wanting to pass out just then.
Chinmoku did.
His eyes widened, suddenly losing all life as well as he fell forward and hit the ground, the black spellbook hitting the ground and flipping open, pages of spells probably holding color now a deathly faded grey.
"W-We...We have to go." Michael said as Kyo nodded slowly. "Do you think the others are safe...?"
"I don't know...but I hope to god they are..."