Chapter 22. Path to Oblivion
It had been at least ten minutes since the battle had started. Never before had anyone given her such a long fight, least of all one of such uncertainty. Shura and the possessed body of Jaken continued their graceful assaults. Both moved back and forward, parrying the others swords and dodging. Despite losing her wakizashi, Shura's bloodlust was drawing out the strength only obtainable by reaching her limits.
Shura flew forward aiming at Jaken's neck. He leapt backward and then stabbed vertically. The tip of Shura's feet skirted backwards to escape his death blows. Both exchanged positions and spun their blades around only to spark and continue past the whirlwind of their foe. The speed of their attacks was increasing yet they continued the finesse of their bloody dance.
Jaken and Shura both vanished for a split second, leaving only fleeting after images. Their swords clashed as they dashed past each other. The vanished again and again to avoid would-be fatal strikes.
Shura let out a laugh as Jaken's sword collided with her own and pushed her back. Her pupils seemed to have dilated and her grin showed no sign of disappearing. Her body was pumped full of adrenaline and her bloodlust had become insatiable.
Shura pushed away his sword and dropped down to do a split as his second sword cut the air above. She jumped back up and struck again. The demon suddenly found his show of strength ignored. Their swords were again pushing back and forth. He felt a surge of anger upon seeing her fearless expression. He shoved their swords to the side and bashed her head with his own. This seemed to temporarily wipe away her smile, but a second later, her foot again came into contact with his face with a kick above his guard.
The demon had reached the limit of his patience. He placed one of his Tachi back into the hilt. The air around them seemed to get cold. He unsheathed his sword again faster than Shura's eyes could follow. The upper half of Raijin-Maru flew into the air. The shard left her vision and Shura's enthusiasm seemed to disappear. Jaken teleported to her side and swung down. Blood splattered from his opponent.
Shura was smiling. One of his Tachi was caught in the grip of her hand. With her free hand, Shura swung her remaining sword, cutting open Jaken's throat. As the wound healed, Shura maneuvered around. Jaken's eyes followed her and a sideways thrust was sent at her position. It skimmed past her throat as she leaned her head to the side. As his sword had shot forward though, her own came sliding past it and punctured his shoulder. Shura quickly freed it as the man sent another seismic blast in her direction. Rather than guard this time, she sliced through it. The power of it was still enough to send her sliding backwards. Bits of rock and energy damaged her flesh, but a blocking arm protected her eyes from the collateral. Shura's legs and arms were trembling. Her body was charred and cut open.
The demon said, "This is the end. Your body is spent. Even without a killing blow, this match will end within minutes. You're losing too much blood Shura."
He threw his sword forward. Shura instinctively blocked as Jaken appeared inches from her face. He vanished again. Her eyes lit up as she understood his ploy. He had traveled ahead of his own attack and distracted her for just a split second. His thrown Tachi impaled her in the stomach. Shura collapsed, but put out a hand to catch her fall lest she fall on the sword.
Haru now ran forward with a hand on his katana. He reached out and cried, "Shura!"
The spirit said, "Stay back! If you try anything, I'll kill her on the spot and you with her."
Shura said, "Don't interfere! This is my prey. I won't give him up to anyone."
Haru looked surprised, but realized just how overcome with killing intent she was. Though the grin she sported earlier was gone, her eyes were narrow and focused on Jaken. It was wonder at all she could even communicate at this point.
Shura pulled out the Tachi and tossed it back at Jaken who caught it. His face looked puzzled.
"Death…" said Shura, "I feel death's grasp ready to take me. This is the fight I've wanted for so long now. I'm indebted to you despite all our ugly history. However… do not think me finished. The victor has yet to be decided."
"What a nuisance." said the demon.
The Black Oni thought, "My body is past its limits. My legs are done for, I can't move much longer. Heh heh…"
She began to laugh out loud. To this, the spirit did not seem amused. She said, "Such fight in you… I can't breathe. I will… devour you."
The demon thought, "I see. You are no human. You're truly a monster aren't you? But to be in such a state and still see victory is also foolish. Then why… why am I unsure?"
"I'll end this now." said the demon. The blue spiritual flames poured out from the steel of his blades. He launched forward and Shura did the same. Strands of her hair were cut off as his sword swiped where her head had been. Jaken spun around with his second sword coming around in a low swing. Shura's feet sprung over. The maneuver appeared to be done with ease but she felt the last life of her legs leave her. Jaken spotted her and swung down. Shura interrupted his swing with the back of her katana. The blunt side knocked his Tachi loose. Jaken roared in anger this time and rotated around her.
Crap. I need to move!
Her back was slashed open by his abrupt blow. Blue flames trailed out as his strike ripped open the ground. But Shura had moved and avoiding a strike that would have split her in half. At that moment, she vanished and in her burst of speed, landed a vital blow as he finished his swing. Her speed however had been dampened and the wound she now carried was the price for her life.
"Got you!" said Shura.
She gave no room for the demon to revitalize his container. She quickly began her beat down on Jaken. Feijin-Maru could only be seen as a black streak as it tore through the air and diced up her opponent. Blood spurted over her body as she cut through bone and flesh. The spirit let out a piercing shriek as it flew out of him. His blue blood was spraying out of the wounds he had shared with the host.
"Curse you woman!" said the demon.
Damn, he gained distance.
The demon said, "Perish."
The skeletal phantom opened up its mouth and emitted a blue flame. The flame wrapped itself into a ball and began to grow.
Shura said, "Do it. Kill me!"
"Finally accepting your fate? How pathetic."
Shura laughed and bared her teeth once more.
"You misunderstand me spirit. I want you to come at me with everything you've got. I have no intention of dying. I still haven't had enough fun and I have a promise to keep. I'm still not dead so don't expect me to stop swinging."
The spirit launched its attack.
Shura said, "I already know I can't block. So I'll cut it! Come on!"
She swung upward and felt the blast split into two even walls as it shot past her. The heat of it was immense. Shura now began to walk forward.
She said, "Kill! Kill!"
The spirit said, "Is your bloodlust so great you're ignoring your body's own state? Die like the beast you are."
His body took more of its original humanoid form. But it didn't stop there. His ghostly form was allowing leniency. New arms were growing, each one massive and with long talons. They all shot forward in a barrage. Shura began to cycle her sword, switching it between hands. The hands fell to pieces and vanished in the air. Shura started to dash forward, her legs temporarily free of fatigue.
More hands emerged. This time they surrounded Shura. She had barely a moment to notice before they crushed her position. The demon suddenly felt a surge of pain. He looked to his side and saw Shura beside him with her sword extended. He looked down and saw his stomach was cut open.
Shura struck again. She cut at him again and again. His body was falling apart but repairing itself equally so. Shura leapt up. With both hands to her katana, she went through him. The cut was fine but long, splitting the demon from head to toe. The demon gave out a deafening roar. Blood began to spurt out but was no longer returning. His form was dissolving.
"Impossible!" he said, "I cannot die."
He then said, "Not alone. Let's go together."
He bellowed and his body suddenly expanded in an engulfing flame. Shura began to retreat but could only make it back a meter. Her legs would no longer move. There was a flash and suddenly the area was vaporized. The blue fire of his body had grown into an explosion that left a crater to mark his existence in the world. Shura was thrown backwards against a stone wall. As she bounced off of it limply, Shura's mouth opened up and spurted out blood. She landed unconsciously facedown. Her body was covered in burns now. If not for her blocking with her cursed blade, she would have suffered far more grievous burns if not lost her life.
Haru now raced to her position. He flipped her over and began to call to her. She didn't respond, but he felt a pulse. Haru quickly began to tear up parts of his coat and wrap her extensive wounds in it.
"You crazy woman. Come on! Shura!"
Her eyes began to open now.
"Haru," she whispered. She beamed proudly now. "Did you see that?"
She immediately said, "Sorry, stupid question."
Haru said, "A battle most legendary. Even if I couldn't see it, my other senses painted a very vibrant picture. But to be honest, I could care less right now. All that matters is that you've returned to me."
Shura said, "I worried you, sorry. Don't expect me to apologize for continuing the match though. Not that I could help myself at the time."
Haru said, "I know. But you kept your promise at least. Now you'll need to make another."
"And what might that be?"
"You're going to stay off your feet for a week. Your muscles are torn and your wounds need time to mend. If you ever want to battle again, you'll do well to listen to me."
"Ugh… Fair enough."
Haru began to pick her up. Shura shut her eyes and felt herself lifted off the ground. His arms were warm and comfortable. Her body was throbbing with sharp pain and the aches of her burns. She couldn't care less. Right now she was at peace.
Shura said, "Kicked ass. Got the guy. Thing are looking up."
Haru laughed. She felt herself drifting off to sleep as her body indulged in her moment of pacifism to shut down and rest itself. The blind man's soothing voice slowly faded as a peaceful darkness overtook her.
Author's Note:
I apologize for how long this fight was. In my head, the whole thing was in about five minutes to eight minutes (ten in story due to off screen sections). Translating it to words really lengthened it. I hope you find it enjoyable rather than exhausting to read. ^_^'