Chapter 8: Run, Pegasus, Run!

He had won. Hikaru was standing next to him, with her hand on his shoulder. He cast a swift side glance to her. She looked frightened, her hair was a mess, and her violet eyes were dull with exhaustion. But despite the long and troubling day it had been for her, she stood straight and proud. Her head was held high with confidence. The boy standing a few yards away could tell she was content with her decision, even though she had just broken his heart. She knew full well that she could not make both of them happy, and she could only pick one.

She turned to meet the gaze of the blader who stood beside her. He smiled and put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. She began to feel worried. Had she really picked the right person? Hikaru lowered her head and stared at her feet.

"Smart choice," he murmured, kissing her on the cheek. He kept his lips there for a moment, smiling sadistically as she reached up and pushed his face away.

She spoke without looking at him. "Just finish it, Kyoya. I want to go home," she murmured.

"If you say so." Kyoya smirked as he looked Ginga in the eye. "I bet this tore you up inside, huh, Ginga?"

Ginga just blinked, trying not to show any emotion. Hikaru, her head down, looked at him through the bangs that fell in her face. He was definitely hurting, but he was trying to act like it didn't matter.

She saw straight through his act.

Kyoya tightened his grip around her, and she gasped in surprise. It hurt…his fingers dug into her skin and after a moment of intense pain, she was unsure if it was sweat or blood. But she found herself unable to try to pull away; she savored the feeling of being close to Kyoya, no matter how much it hurt. And he was caught up in the moment…surely he didn't mean to hurt her? Maybe he didn't even realize it…

"Finish it, Leone!" growled Kyoya, pointing at Ginga with his free hand. He took a step forward, jerking her along with him. "Leave no survivors!"

Hikaru grabbed the hand clenching her waist and tried to make him let go. No use. She looked up at him, and found herself shocked by what she saw.

That wasn't Kyoya.

There was no way Kyoya could change so much in a battle. He was letting the darkness within his heart take over his actions and cloud his judgment.

She watched wide eyed in shock as the winds from Leone began to get stronger once again. Leone zoomed toward Pegasus, green smoke surrounding it and trailing out behind. Hikaru was utterly aware that the only thing that kept Leone's fierce winds from throwing her to the ground was Kyoya's strong arm.

Ginga, however, seemed to be having trouble. He toppled to one side, and then to the other, trying to keep his balance. Each time he fell and stood up, he was only knocked down again. Pegasus was caught in the wind, and it swirled around within the tornado, only visible by the blue light that glowed around it.

Hikaru didn't bother to fight anymore. She decided to just wait and watch. Kyoya…keep your promise! Please, keep it!

The violent wind threw Pegasus with such force and speed that Hikaru barely even saw what happened. But she heard the loud thump, and saw the dust fly in the air. Heavy rocks began to crumble from the canyon walls. Her mouth fell open in shock.

"No, Pegasus!" Ginga shouted.

Ginga had lost. Pegasus had fallen somewhere deep in Wolf Canyon, and after its impact with the rocky walls, was there any way at all Pegasus would still be in one piece?

But Kyoya wasn't finished yet.

He didn't give Leone any command. The bey stayed in one spot, rotating and increasing the wind speed of the tornado that sprouted up from it. Kyoya let go of Hikaru, and she fell to the ground. He clenched both of his hands into tight fists, tilted his head back, and howled at the moon. His voice was louder than the whistling wind.

"I'll destroy everything!" he yowled, and then broke into vicious laughter.

"Kyoya, snap out of it!" Ginga called out desperately. He held up one arm to block out the wind, squinting. He gritted his teeth with the effort it took for him to stay standing up.

"Yes! Yes!" Kyoya's voice had an edge to it, a hunger for power. He broke into a wide smile, his fang making him appear even more intimidating. "I have defeated you, Ginga Hagane! I take no prisoners!"

Hikaru stood up and grabbed onto his arm, holding him as tight as she could. "Please, Kyoya!" she shouted.

His head snapped in her direction, and he looked into her eyes, giving her a cold glare.

"You promised," she murmured.

"I didn't promise anything," Kyoya snarled. "The old Kyoya did. I can assure you you'll never see him again!"

The wind whipped Ginga into the air, ripping off his white scarf. It fluttered through the air and landed at Hikaru's feet. Kyoya pushed her down and turned back to the helpless Ginga. She snatched the scarf up, holding it so tight she thought she would never be able to let go.

"I'm so sorry, Ginga," she whispered, burying her face in the soft white fabric.

Kyoya's maniacal laughter filled the air as the wind, once again, grew still. Hikaru looked up and realized Ginga was nowhere to be seen. She jerked her head back and forth to look for him. Then she felt a sudden chill run through her.

Barely audible over Kyoya's laughs, she heard the distant, echoing screams of Ginga as he plummeted toward the earth.

The sequel is titled "Prey to the Mighty King."

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(:Mizune