Kamui's POV
A smoking stench rules the atmosphere. It could lead to one gagging easily, only to ward off passerby to create a threatening appearance overall. It's not just that detail, but the wisps flying above the molting lava, the infestation of Stoneborn, and especially the falls. They both contain a characteristic of being boisterous; not in a positive manner. Their roaring sounds like screaming, a warning to all not to draw near.
Despite its anatomy, I must get through it. It's a necessity. I may have pounds of stress and other problems weighing me down, but it won't stop me. My issues with Jakob won't stop me. I have to focus. Come on now, breathe…. All right, down to business.
The heir of Hoshido may be correct on one thing, which being the dragon veins beyond us may get us by. However, I can't see the use of them. This statue stands behind two veins, and what really gets me bewildered is whether or not it's guarding them. Being observant, I noticed it holding a white orb in a hand. It is either a projectile that supposedly is attempting to attack if harmed, or an empty threat. There are no given signs of each, so I'm going to quell that curiosity by experimenting; it's the only way.
Dashing over and avoiding the gooey plasma, I step to the statue. I shut my eyes, then my feet brushed against the vein. My hands were down, eyebrows furrowed and I called upon it, mentally. I call upon you, Great Dragons! Lend me your strength!
From the ground, a stream of hyper energy burst toward the sky. With my eyes closed, I usually imagine the stream as a golden color. I couldn't hear anything outside this invincible force field, or at least it seemed to be a secure force.
The feeling of it was a somewhat hard to explain. I know myself that this wasn't my first time I requested for the Great Dragons' help, and I used their veins before. However, every time I use one, it feeds me a new sensation. Or, so it seemed. It rubbed a frigid finger on my body, and reminded me of a wave of water. Then again, it felt like the frigid finger got to the point where it would burn me as well as it wouldn't.
Opening my eyes, the whoosh of Dragon Vein renewed my focus. I readjusted to my surroundings, seeing a difference. That difference didn't happen to be the desired one. More lava spewed where I first jumped over the small pool just to get to this destination. It wasn't a baby anymore; it was a monster.
The flying units that went on this trip didn't have too much trouble with this, but I couldn't risk everyone else's lives over something so silly. There was another opportunity to fix this anyway. The Vein I did use had a neighbor, and I assumed the opposite from it.
I did the same process again with the Vein. This formed a bridge for my team. Then, they crossed from it. Afterward, I watched in the distance, seeing my party slashing any boulder bashing creature they came across.
Seeing the success of my party, I advance to an identical statue. Of course, it stood at a more distant area, and I had to weaken a few Stoneborn. My feet flew by the blistering, smoldering slag.
There was this one particular Stoneborn that was a true obstacle. He uttered a threat of damage to my physical well-being. My Noble Yato was thankfully sturdy enough just to block me from the boulder the monster once contained in head. Planning ahead, if it were to attempt to lunge an attack once again, I'd run past the flying projectile. Through this tactical process, (if you could call it that.) I had to first take note of how fast a Stoneborn actually moved. Thankfully, its gait was just as slow as an inanimate object, or it felt so.
The outcome? I obviously was near tearing it to shreds. However, showing mercy, I left it in its idle position and didn't finish it off.
I activated the next Dragon Vein, and having enough fate on my side, the bridge merged into its rational shape. The group seemed to triumph through the travel up until…
I let out a gasp. How could that just happen!? My eyes shot to its most in wideness. My grip on my sacred sword sought to be less steady. In the distance, I see several bewildered faces; a bright cast in confusion.
I know this action wasn't of my doing. There was no possible accusation of me, the leader, making some sort of attempt such as this. The Dragon Vein that lied by me was still in a glowing manner, prepared for its purpose; to be used.
If there was another vein nearby, with the same function, where is it? And not only that, but who used it? I began to suspect someone of the opposing side; Nohr. Xander? How could it be him? Jakob said so himself that Nohrians in general avoided the premises.
Or could it be that an ally did the action? Last I checked, everyone was for Hoshido, not against. I couldn't have suspected anyone who would do it.
Well, Takumi did argue about this area. We originally changed plans due to the potential danger this place had. We only had them changed once again due to the allotted time we possibly have remaining. If we took the other route, Castle Shirasagi would possibly collapse.
Could it be my silver-haired brother? Another point could be made was the fact that he did lack trust in me. So, he would possibly plot against me. But, why would he pose a danger against everyone else, including his siblings and retainers? I find the possibly of it by just trapping me, and covering everyone else.
Then again, why would he decide to pose a threat towards one who was benefiting his kingdom? Not that he was the heir, but a brother to it? He holds a hatred towards Nohrians, whom are against.
Okay, none of that made sense, so it was impossible that the Fujin Yumi wielder was the culprit.
All of a sudden, I noticed my two Falcon Knights getting the flightless soldiers to the opposite side of the flaming magma, which was still waiting for a victim to swallow. I took note of this as a somewhat slow process, but it worked.
By the time of the final landing, everyone was surrounded by villains. In all my might, I caught up with everyone to assist in the situation that was just born.
"There you are, Kamui." Hinoka sighed with relief.
"Is there a problem?"
"My Pegasus has grown tired."
"Can't you have Sakura revive its energy?"
"That would have been my first solution. As it turns out, she is out of rods. And before you ask, Azama is out too." She began to murmur. "So much for a retainer."
"Please, don't give up." I implored to her.
"You don't know me all too well," she chuckled. "You know I won't." She ended the phrase with a smile.
"Anything at all I could take action to? You know I'm always here."
"A little support would be nice."
"Alright, let me notify to the rest," I turned to the other direction. "Change of plans. I will no longer take care of the Dragon Veins. Hinoka needs a little rest, and I must support her a bit. Ryoma, could you handle all of the Veins?"
"Will do, anything you say," he nodded in trust. He unsheathed his Raijnito, and began to hunt for the upcoming Vein.
It was a good opportunity to actually observe just a bit while fending off enemies. I could see for myself what exactly is going on. I may discover the cause of the bridge's immolation.
Due to Hinoka's condition, I decided to take the attack position. Sadly, regardless of position, my attention would be divided. It would fall at hand between the bridge, and enemies that lurk.
Of course, handling any of the Stoneborn was no difficult task. My main concern was my own feet. They seemed to be numb due to the rock and magma around. My feet just ached due to stepping on piercing rock, and burned from hints of ember on them.
Ryoma finally makes it to the next Vein, and I see him activate the correct one. He had fifty percent to select the correct one, so the odds weren't so bad.
In the distance, I see Ryoma basking in the flow of the Dragon Vein's powerful stream. Then, I turn to see the formation of the bridge. It was so cool seeing its formation. Shards of wood float in the air and they stick together to create the passageway.
We were ready to cross the bridge. Everyone else was in the front, so they could cross first. I just wanted to witness the fall of the bridge; if it occurs.
I was pleased to see the whole army on the other side. They had made it safely, but it now, I had a challenge. That was to confront the bridge, and actually attempt to cross it. Just the thought of it posed a threat. I wonder as to how a tiny detail such as that would actually trouble me with anxiety.
Just as I began to step on it, a projectile out of nowhere destroyed our key to the opposing side. It was a blur, so fast I couldn't describe what was shot. I only knew it was small, and it couldn't be the work of a Stoneborn. They wouldn't throw a small rock, and they happen to be too ignorant for this type of situation.
I was in a tight problem. Hinoka's partner was too exhausted to assist me across, a jump such as this would be too extensive, and I couldn't afford to lose my own feet.
"Kamui! What shall we do!?" Hinoka began to tense up.
"I'm unsure," I said, breathing somewhat heavily.
I took a look around, and saw there was one Stone born nearby. "I got it!"
"Speak of your plan, dear sister," Hinoka began to open up.
"Okay, there is a Stoneborn there. Since it is close, it could try to create an onslaught. While it does so, we take it down, but in the direction of the torturous ooze." I gestured to the enemy and the magma.
"Sounds a bit risky, but we could give that a shot. Does it require a signal?"
"No, just follow." I said it as I turned my body and ran toward the rock giant.
The boulder stood tall as I had my Noble Yato out. I spun and began my first strike. I landed lightly, and it began to open its head to release a rock. Due to the attacker's low accuracy, it had no possibility of damaging me. After it had its chance, I began to run toward point B.
There was an aspect I forgot about: These slugs are slow! It can take ages for one to travel! This became the only setback that I have witnessed so far. Otherwise, the verdict of it was the fact that it posed no challenge.
Well, I did have to risk just a bit however. I had to step so closely to the slag I was so uncomfortable with the thought of the outcome of my feet. Since I had decent agility, I pulled through. The creature did come right beside us. Just to think, a usual Stoneborn would have attacked from distance when it was given an opportunity. I am going to make an assumption that this one is below average.
Once it did nearly corner me to a point to where I nearly was off the rock, I made a jump for it. I slid down its spine afterward. Hinoka solely just flew to the backside of it, and I knocked it out before it could land another attack. It landed in the lava face first.
We cross it. I smiled in satisfaction, containing the knowledge that this "bridge" was too sturdy to be thrashed down so easily.
We join the rest of them, noticing that all of the obstacles were eliminated.
We are currently on a rough road to success, but I know we can make it. Sure, there could have been an outcome that existed that displayed failure. I just have to grab the answers as to what forces are causing the madness. That thrown object, what was it? If someone or something threw it, who or what was it? I really hope I can get a grasp of those answers.
I have spent much time on this chapter. I really hope it has enough in it to be enjoyed. If you liked it, that's great! If not, I understand my writing style isn't your preference. However, I thank you for viewing, and also being patient to those who waited so long for a new chapter to be released.