Author's Note:
Okay, how am I gonna portray a fight between Amato and the Vindice? To tell the truth, I have no idea. Let's see where 'winging' it will take me, shall we? Oh, about the getting closer to the main story stuff, it'll probably be a few chapters after this arc, sorry for any confusion!
Chapter 34: Exiled.
The shadowy fog had engulfed a good portion of the park. The flames and chains shot out in every direction, cold to the touch, yet they burn everything around them. The wind howled as everything was happening, trees swaying wildy. The leaves fly and swirl so fast as if nature itself was angry. I was alert, driven by surprises after suprises. Like how Johann is moving and fighting with speed and fervor much faster than I am, or how the Bucking Bronco suddenly appeared just to come see me, or even how I'm trading blows with the Vindice right now.
"Sish!" The chains hissed and the flames sizzled as it flew towards me at great speed, a sharpened spike at its head. In a moment of reflex, I did a reverse somersault, kicking the chain off its trajectory. Another set of chains shot out at me immediately after, but this time, I was ready. Grabbing it after dodging, I pulled the Vindice towards me. At the touch of the chain, extreme cold instantly went across my body from my arm, as if I just grabbed onto huge chunk of ice.
"Yarrggghhh!" I screamed out, whether it was from feral instinct or fear, pulling the chain and the Vindicare member right off his feet, and straight towards me. Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Slowly, I could hear my heartbeat getting louder. With enhanced vision, I watched as the mummified Vindice flew right in front of me, and I threw a spinning hook kick right as he came into range. I think I could feel his neck cracking as my foot dug into it, as I brought it across with great velocity, even if it all happened in a few seconds.
The Vindice member flew, scrambling across the air, not a making a single sound. It felt like I just struck against an object, it was creepy. As he crashed, smoke and dust burst into the air as he broke into the stonefloor. As it cleared a second later however, he was standing there just like before.
"What the heck?" I stood there, confused at what happened. Could you blame me? My attack did nothing! It's like it never even happened!
"Zanna, watch out!" Dino's voice rang into my ears, bringing me back into the fight. I must've gotten distracted back there. At that same instant, a whip wrapped itself around me and pulled me back. At the spot where I stood, a thousand chains burst forth like a tiger's roar, spewing out flames and shadows. The same shadowy flames burst forth as if the ground erupted.
"Wh-whoa!"I gave out as I flew through the air, pulled by extreme force from the whip. As dizzy as I was, I caught a glimpse of Johann's fighting. He seems to be using a one-handed style, throwing his swings faster than even my enhanced vision could follow. Every time he swung his sword, all I could see was an arc of crimson blaze. He had this serious glint in his eyes, unlike the relaxed eyes he had in class. I don't get it, was it all a ruse? Who is he? He calls himself a Knight. He offered the Vindice that tome then pulled it back to his side. His actions just made me even more confused!
Landing and sliding against the stone, I only find my attention divided among the many things happening. Another particular sight was that as Johann's arcs of flames touched the Vindice, burning them, they would use their hands, ablaze with that grayish shadow, and push it right down, quenching it immediately. It felt unbelievable, flame quenching flame.
Out of nowhere, a warning bell set off in my mind, and my body followed, pushing myself up and rolling back. At the spot where I was, another great number of chains impaled all that was there. "Crack!" The sand and dust washed over my face as the chains cracked the earth and stone with immense power.
Tumbling back, I find myself stopped by a pair of hands. Only after I turn my eyes to see it was Dino who caught me. "Be careful, Zanna Decimo, these are unlike any of the foes you faced before." His warning came to me as no surprise. Fighting the Vindice all this while feels hopeless, like a useless struggle between prey and predator. The Vindicare members felt like mirages, my physical attacks aren't even doing anything! They would linger in the park like ghosts, their attacks and movements unorthodox and confusing. The chains they wield seems to fly with life of their own, relentlessly striking down on us.
Another feeling compels me to dodge once again, and then I saw one of the Vindice just poof in front of me, his fist crushed the air from where my head was, the dark flames swallowing up everything as his grip tightened. With quick movements, Dino shuffled his way in front of me, with sharp eyes and a wry smile, he gave the bandage man a hard knuckle. Strange thing was, it connected.
"Wow..." I gave out, not really sure if I was in awe or just confused. The punch caused the Vindice to fly, but even that wasn't the end. The whip wrapped itself around the guy's body and with a thug, Dino pulled him and sent him crashing, smashing him into the stone three times before throwing him towards the other two. Even Johann stood impressed, with his eyes wide open.
Not long after, whether it was instinct or thought, we find our eyes focused at the same spot, where the Vindice was. The smoke cleared once more, and they stand the same, unharmed. "Grr..." A growl so fearsome rattled out. "You gave your word, Knight!" A single, unified voice boomed out once more.
And then that was it. The storm, the power, cleared within an instant. The wind was no longer howling, the leaves and trees had calmed. It took me a while to notice that Johann's actions had stopped as well, in fact, he was te first one to stop, his body literally frozen in his stance. His arms now locked to his sides, he only stands there with a shocked look on his face. The flame of his sword disappeared, the crimson tinge across the silver blade now absent, replaced with only the cold, black hue from before. "H-huh?" I could sense fear in Johann's voice, his cockiness from before gone. "Ah! Uh!" As if against his will, he began slowling stumbling towards the Vindice, step by step. As I squint my eyes, I could barely see a faint glow surrounding Johann's figure.
Is.. he moving against his will? Why? Dino and I just stood there watching, suprised over what's happening. The Vindice also ceased their attacks after Johann started his steps, as if accepting the current situation. Do they know something? "No.. Is this.. the Oathstone?" I hear Johann mutter out in between his breaths, as he struggled with himself, strange as it was.
Soon, confusion and disorientation turned to hopelessness and tears. Yes, drops of tears started flowing from Johann's eyes, slowly. I don't know what was happening, and I don't think Dino knew anything either. All I could do was swallow to calm myself. All I knew was that Johann is bound by a set of rules, and now he's being forced to go with the rules. "Huff.. Puff.." I could hear Johann's breathing loud and painful, his words were long gone.
"...I'm sorry, Reina.." He finally whispered out just as he got in front of the Vindice.
"Hhrraaagggghhh!" His roar, louder than anything I've heard today, came out of nowhere. His veins would throb and bulge as he forces himself, and broke free of whatever influence that was controlling his body. At that sight, a huge wave of energy and force was released all around him, nearly throwing me off my feet. His control returned, he hopped back a step, his sword still in his right hand, and the tome in his left, and thrust his blade in front of him and the Vindice with conviction. His eyes looked tired, angry, as if he had given up. A pale, reddish color washed itself over them. I could see his hands trembling slightly.
"I hereby renounce my Oath!" He delares out loud, full of certainty. Even as he did, his voice shook. Anyone could've told you he looked like he was afraid. But he also had eyes so sharp and serious it would make you doubt yourself. At first, nothing happened.
"Uh.. Johann? You okay?" I couldn't help but break the silence. Everything just happened so quickly, but now, he looked so helpless. I can't help but care.
Silence filled the park, as everyone waited to see what is going to happen. And then, it happened. "Cr-crack!" Johann's blade broke. A crack ran across it, and it dissolved right into the air. The sound was loud. Johann fell to his knees, almost unbelievably, like forced pushed down on him. He slumped down, and still seemed to be forcing himself to kneel up straight. Everyone looked surprised, but the Vindice showed the most reaction. "Argh!" Johann cried out, cluching his forehead, as if stricken by extreme pain. It looked so sever he couldn't keep his eyes open. The first thing that came to my mind was a headache. "I... hereby.. renounce.. my Oath!" He repeated his words, stuttering just to voice them out. I could see him getting hit by the pain more and more by his actions. "And drive myself into Exile!" He continued yelling. By this time, he was clutching the tome tightly in his chest.
"No!" The voice of the Vindice cried out, almost desperate.
Then it was over. The force ceased, the wind calm. Johann shot up, eyes widen with shock, the face he had, of pain and worry disappeared. And he collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness, his arms still holding on tightly to the tome...
Wow, this took longer than I wanted, maybe I should start writing earlier from now on. Were you guys surprised by what happened? Were you guys sad? Cheering? Crying? Or maybe even laughing at Johann as these thing happened? I would appreciate it if you could tell me in your reviews! Well, besides that, keep your eyes out for the next chapter to find out what happens next!