Author's Note:
Hey guys, it's been a week already since the last update, yes? Or has it been two weeks? Sorry, I've been wrecking my brains for my original story at FictionPress, entitled 'To Walk One's Path'. If you're interested, head on over and give it a read! Now then, last chapter ended with Sergio and Johann coming out alive from the pits. Just how did they win over Innocenti? Read on to find out!
Chapter 64: Unshakable Resolve
A Sacred Code.
My mind entered into a field of shadows, the twirling darkness leaps and curls at the sides. What happened? Every inch of my body aches, and I can feel the wounds scattered all around. The open cuts sting every few seconds. That's right, I remember. A sharp, piercing sound exploded in the air. The floor gave way, cracks splitting the ground beneath my feet. Panicking, my eyes darted to the sides, and I saw Johann losing his balance, before he plunged first into the ground. That maniac in the white coat followed.
Another sharp jerk and I saw Amato's face, his pupils shrinking in terror before gravity lunges at me, dragging me down into the abyss.
I don't know what's happening. In the darkness I twist and turn, or at least, I think I did. Numbness had overcome my senses, and a ringing headache started to throb, throwing off my mind. Everything feels so... detached, out of place. What about Johann? Is he all right? Where is he? Questions after question only got me more irritated, annoyed. Driven into frustration, I force every inch of my strength to move, and only got sharp jolts of pain in return.
Ba-dump.
Am I dead? Now, even the numbness has ceased, and every where else is just cold. Heavy static bogged down on my hearing, the edges of the shadows seems to be closing in. Dammit, this is so pathetic. Amato's probably somewhere right now, fighting for his life. Well, probably not his, Kiera's perhaps. He's always like that, ignoring his own well-being just so he wouldn't have to see others hurt. He's so stubborn that he'll probably never change his ways.
That's why I decided to follow him. My arms will be the strength he needs when he realizes that he can't do everything alone. Dammit, I need to find Johann! I need to help him, to help everyone, to help the Zanna Famiglia! I can't die here, I won't accept it!
With those thoughts, feeling returned to my fingers, as I clenched them into a fist. The air around my skin, my body warped from a slight chill to scorching hot. My arms went flailing with every pound of my mind. Even as my palm cracked from the pressure, the impact, desperation sent adrenaline down my veins. I couldn't stop even if I wanted to, which I didn't.
Crack.
The sound of my own bone cracking continued, shaking into my very core. But for some reason, it only got me smashing into the stone weight pressed against me with greater speed and ferocity. My eyes blew open as a tiny crack sent light seeping into my eyes. With my fists trembling from fatigue pulled back, I threw them against the gray stone before me with all my might.
"Hrrraaaggghhh!" The crack grew as its edges broke away, orange light blinding me as I forced my way out screaming. The pile of rubble flew to the sides as my arms smashed into them. Finally standing up at the spot where I laid, my eyes shifted all around me as my shoulders heaved and my knees trembled. Tinted yellow filled the room, this wide empty space where the walls of solid stone stood, towering at each side. Above us, the cracked ceiling warranted no assurance on the situation above.
Taking my wobbly steps onto the uneven debris, my movements only got faster as the severity of the situation slowly returned. I might have survived, but what of Johann? How are we gonna get out of this fancy hole dug deep into the ground? My fingers bled and tore as the scraped against stone, glass and steel as I dug, the scorching air searing the surface of my skin. Giant pieces of debris was tossed to the sides, as fast as I possibly can.
"Crack. Thud."
Suddenly, as the gray slabs were pushed to the sides, strands of blond hair came into sight. Johann's unconscious face peered out from the shadowy corner to the right. With the katana still within the grasp of his fingers, the guy showed no signs of moving, even as I stumbled my way to his side. My eyes widened at the sight of my friend like this, it doesn't even look like he's breathing!
"Johann! Johann, wake up!" The shock was a bit too much, and my body moved before I even noticed. Ignoring the aching pain within my joints, my back bent down as my hands landed on Johann's shoulders. "Why aren't you moving? Don't tell me you're...! No, you're stronger than that!" In that deep, confined space, the yelling borne from my desperation became the most prominent, rebounding off the high walls.
I don't know what I should do, what I'm supposed to do! Johann showed no reaction even as I screamed, and a cold touch lingered from his skin.
"Oh shut up, you're giving me headache!"
My head bobbed at the same, snark voice from before. Too brief to pinpoint where it came from, my head jerks from one corner of the great space to the other.
"Skletch!"
With a blink of my eyes, a sharp jab pierced into the back of my neck. The impact felt like I was impaled by a sword from my blindside, the great steel blade plowing through my flesh and bone. Too tired to shout and scream out my pain, my vision fumbled, twisted and turned as my hands reached for my neck, gripping down as if hoping it would curb the shock. When I bring my hand to my face, all I see is dark, red blood before my back struck the floor, my hazy vision washing white.
The last thing I saw was Johann's body giving off a tiny twitch.
…
"Clank!"
Creeping shadows filled my mind once more. My dulled senses struggled within the darkness, which was only lit by occasional flashes of light and the looming sounds drowning into my ears. Every once in a while, violent clashes of might resonated forth, pulsing out from somewhere and captivating my instinct. I can feel it, just a hint, even without sight, sound or touch.
"Sergio, wake up!"
"Ka-shink!"
Metal clashed against metal, and in another flash of light, I saw Johann pitting himself against the man named Innocenti. Before my eyes blurred, sparks exploded as the sleek, katana blade scratched against the twin chisels Innocenti has on hand. Back in the sea of shadows, it felt as though my body was being tossed around, a tight grip clamping down on my shoulders. In another flare, my body is now laid down with my chest scraping on the stone-riddled floor. I can see the links of my chains strewn at the corners, edged between the many pieces of debris.
"Klank!"
With another burst of sparks, my hand reached out before my vision blackened, and I felt the familiar cold metal gripped between my fingers. Struck by nausea and inertia, my trembling knees pushed my wobbly body upright as fast as I could.
"Sergio! Gah!" Johann's cry ended with one of pain, and the sound forced my blurry eyes open. With a casual pace, Innocenti brought down his arm in swift motion, and tore into Johann's chest. His flickering white coat was soon stained with drops of blood. Shocked by what's happening before my eyes, my two arms pulled back the heavy links of chain around my fingers, and in one swift motion, I hurled them in Innocenti's direction.
"Hragh!" The chains, like hunters seeking their prey, snaked around Innocenti, constricting his every joint. The artist can only show a look of surprise before I tore back at the ends of my chains. Throw him, defeat him! Nothing matters right now, not the aching pain pounding on my body, not the worrying thoughts on exactly how we're supposed to get back to Amato. There was just that one single thought that pumped strength back into my arms.
The weight from my chains ravaged my arms and shoulders. But, as clarity returned to me, the first thing I see is Innocenti crashing into the chunks of debris in the corner. Huge clouds of dust and sand exploded into the air, dimming the lights above. The smell of concrete only got stronger.
"Kuh! Cough!" Johann's voice snapped me out of my thoughts and back to where I stood. I turn to see him panting down on his knees, blood trickling down his now open chest.
"Johann! You all right?" My legs moved even before my words came out of my mouth, as I made my way to Johann's side. Arms supporting his shoulders, I gave Johann the support even without him asking. He looked to be in too much pain to even stand on his own! With his brown eyes blanking out every few seconds, Johann's face was slowly being swamped, the signs of exhaustion were slowly surfacing.
"Uh... Yeah, I'm fine now..." Even then, his strong front never faltered, as he gave me his assurance in the form of a smile stretching across his cheeks as soon as he looked at me. Somehow, I got the feeling that he's trying his best to console me... Hah, idiot! As my mind reprimanded Johann however, I couldn't hide the soft smile that appeared on my face.
That is when Johann's face, as well as everything else just zoomed out of my sights.
My very surroundings ran from the edges of my sight. Wind scratched my skin as my body is tugged by an insane force, the chains around my arms snapping into my flesh and bone. Pulled along by my own chains, I was dragged off the ground before I could even scream.
Crack.
My body smashed against the wall with a loud crack, the impact so large every muscle I had went numb. I couldn't even feel pain as I got up to my feet, convulsion wrecking every inch of my being. Amidst the dust clouds blurring out everything beyond a few feet, I hold up the chains only to see them pulled tight from the opposite end where I held them. The familiar face, sharp eyes and a round, sharp chin emerged as the dusts settled. His footsteps slow, Innocenti paced his way towards me with intrigue spilling onto his face.
What the heck? Just what is this guy? Falling through into this basement as well as being smashed into the debris didn't even scratch him! He looks as he was an hour ago! With my eyes pinned on him, my body lunged as soon as feeling returned, gripping tight on the chains as I threw him a punch from my right arm.
But my movements were too stiff, a snail's pace compared to his block and counter. With one single step, he dodged to the side while driving his knee into my solar plexus.
"Guh!" As the force pushed me upwards slightly, I couldn't help but cry out in pain. Unbelievable, he's unlike anyone I've fought before! As my eyes were on the verge of blanking out again, I caught sight of Johann pouncing towards us, his silver blade glistening in the light. A hand pushed against my back, breaking the motion of my fall. As my glance shot up, my vision sharpening, Johann's blade sliced through the air, the great arc of his swing only inches away from my face, flying towards Innocenti's head.
Of course, if things were only that easy.
"Kashing!"
Johann's slash rang through the air, missing off Innocenti's head and neck cleanly as the guy dropped the chains in his left hand hand and took one step back, his speed so fast it almost felt like he was disappearing from one spot and re-appearing in another. As I tried to rid myself of the nausea and numbness that had devoured my body, a sharp pain throbbed from the back of my head as the feeling returned. The sudden jolt was so intense that my jaw just snapped shut, teeth gritting down so hard my teeth felt as though they would crack, just to bear the pain.
Throb.
"Gah! Hah... Ugh.. Hah.." It hurts! It hurts so much! It feels like there a hole at the back of my head, and blood continues to pour! The pain surges and fluctuates around my body, but it never goes down! Slowly, on my knees, I crawled back, the picture of Johann and Innocenti fighting before me slowly getting smaller. I felt like running away. And I hated myself for even thinking about it. No matter how much I went against the notion, my violently trembling body refused to listen.
"Clank!" Johann was still going at it, trading slashes against the artist even though none of them actually landed. An open slash was blocked by an arc from Innocenti, who simply waved his chisel, the mere movement strong enough to push back Johann's attack. A side slash from the left was dodged effortlessly, while Innocenti socked the side of Johann's cheek with a punch, sending him crashing onto the floor.
Finally, I forced my knees to stand, and that got me to stop moving. Clenching my fingers onto the remaining chains I had on hand, my arms pulled them back with all the strength I could muster, even as Innocenti turned his attention to me. His nonchalant eyes losing interest as they glanced from the chains wrapped around his right arm and back to me.
"Hup!" Digging my heels into the ground, my muscles ripped themselves apart as trembling arms tugged on as the chains tightened. With myself sweating bullets, I watched for the outcome of the act in which I had my hopes staked on. Innocenti's right shoulder is nudged outwards, the chains still wrapped around his right arm. Yet, the next moment he tore his arm free, the chains bent to his will by strength alone.
My body, however, couldn't handle that power. Suddenly I was pulled off my feet, falling forward towards the enemy.
Crack.
Pain shot up from my jaws, my body scraping on the stone-riddled floor as my chest slammed down on solid concrete.
"Ack! Ah!" My eyes could barely keep themselves open from the pain, and the wavering vision didn't help at all. "Hragh!" Desperate, my knees stumbled forth as I pushed myself up, the equilibrium that brings balance to my body gone as I throw Innocenti a right cross. I didn't expect it to hit, but if I could distract Innocenti for just a second, Johann might be able to land one his powerful slashes. True enough, my fist was countered by Innocenti's right arm, having smashed my fist away with a swipe.
Johann's precise movements were hidden behind his casual facade, as his katana blade sliced at Innocenti in great arcs, a diagonal slash from below. Yet, Innocenti's inhuman movements swished from side to side, twirling on his heels, as though he already saw through the attacks before they even begun.
"Hah!" Everything was happening so fast. The moment Innocenti dodged Johann's blade, my body pounced, my left arm pulled back before shooting forth a sharp jab. Innocenti didn't even look at me as he shifted his shoulder to take the attack, my fingers cracking down on what felt like a concrete wall. Suddenly, pure strength washed through my left arm, as Innocenti forces me back with a push from his shoulder alone. Next, his right arm shot out, clamping down on my neck. Distracted by the sudden spike of pain, I couldn't rightly see Innocenti's left knuckle surging towards me.
Crack.
"Gah!" A hammer smashed into my stomach, shattering all of my insides. My stomach were on the verge of tearing, stretched into unimaginable shapes because of all that's happened. "Gragh!" Another pound into my body shook my vision as my eyes turned to Innocenti. The only thing I was capable of doing was glare at him. Before I know it, another punch slammed against my rib-cage, and another. Soon, I lost count entirely. As I squint my eyes to sharpen my quickly deteriorating vision, Innocenti's right jab hit me like a truck, my back cracking as I smashed along the concrete floor.
"Kashink!"
Down on the floor, I was showered with a thousands sparks exploding forth from Johann's blade, as an overhead slash coming down on Innocenti was deflected with a casual swing of his chisel. Surprised, Johann's eyes widened in shock, his blade jabbing towards Innocenti once more. The guy twisted his shoulders, dodging the stab while his elbow ran itself into Johann's chest.
"Augh!" Drops of blood shot out from Johann's mouth as he screamed, the very sight horrendous beyond belief. But, before he could even finish, my blurry eyes caught sight of Innocenti's arm crushing down on his neck, lifting him off his feet with unbelievable strength before smashing him down on the debris riddled floor at his side.
Ba-dump.
The sound of my heart boomed into my ears, blurring out my vision. With a blink of my eyes, I watched in horror as Innocenti paces his way towards me, dragging Johann on the ground. Though Johann was still gripping down on his blade, the rest of his body was no longer moving.
Get up! Get away! Fight back! Do something... Anything!
My mind screamed, but the whole of my body was already frozen with fear, a constant shiver throbbing through my skin.
Ba-dump.
With darting eyes, Innocenti's face, with the same nonchalant eyes and a sly smile, came into view as blunt needles pierced into my throat. My consciousness wavered as Innocenti pulled me up, lifting my whole body with only his one, right arm. Suddenly, the walls tightened, Innocenti's fingers jabbed into my skin, crushing on my throat. My supply of air dwindled almost immediately.
"Gah! Augh! Hah... Hah.. Ack!" Darn it! My fingers scratch down on Innocenti's hands, but no amount of strength could pry them off! My mind was whiting out from all the fear, the confusion and disorientation, convulsions wrecking every part of my body. Soon, my body became too tired to resist, and my vision sinks into darkness.
The last thing I saw was Johann's pained expression, silent and unmoving.
…
"You guys definitely have the potential. Why throw your life away like this?" The same, annoying voice pierced into the darkness of my mind, slowly pulling my eyelids open. "We're not killers, we're scientists, artists and merchants." Why's he saying all this? What's he playing...? Slowly, light entered my sight once more, to the scene where it's more like Innocenti was speaking out loud to himself, his voice bouncing off the high walls.
"How bout this, I'll let you go, and you guys leave this place tonight. No questions asked." Blatantly, he tossed out his unbelievable suggestion, the impact of the words blowing my eyes wide open.
Is this pity? Mercy? He's asking me to leave behind Amato, to turn my back on him just for the safety of my own life... I know he's powerful, so powerful that I might die here tonight. That's why I'm feeling so afraid right now. Before I know it, I was gritting down on my teeth and my fingers tore into my flesh as I clenched them into fists. I hate this. This fear and helplessness. Every time I think I've gotten stronger, it just keeps coming back. … I'm afraid, but not so much that I would leave my best friend in the lurch!
… Right, my Bushido Code won't allow it!
"You guys can live, and you'll never see us again..." This time there's almost a sense of mockery in his voice as the antagonizing words seep into my ears like a whisper. "That Zanna kid's probably gonna die, though..." That off-handed remark sparked it off. Cold, gripping fear now morphed into scorching anger.
"Shut up!" Two voices in unison roared out at the man before us, seething with rage. I think Johann's awake and angry as well. That's no surprise. As if reacting to his words, my right hand came crunching on the hand around my neck, gripping so tightly I could almost feel his bone.
I can't believe I'm hearing this from the enemy that tried to kill us just seconds ago! The very idea fills me with disgust, aberration. Even if it's mercy granted from an enemy capable of taking my life away. Even with my trembling body, gripped by fear, my rage is overwhelming. The numbness to my touch is slowly pushed away, the feeling quickly returning. Amato... I know he'll never do that, to me, or to anyone he knows. He'd never betray anyone. He's too nice to even think of such thoughts, and that means he'll probably get himself hurt.
And that's why I promised to help him... If he is to fall, I'll be the one to catch him by his shoulders. If he was under assault, I'll stand in front of him, and be his shield. This pain is nothing! I promised to help him, and I meant it! In every sense of the word!
Innocenti's face flashed a look of utter surprise as he realizes his words garnered the exact opposite effect intended. My eyes glared down on him as my fingers only tightened further, strength slowly coming back to me. We're winning this, here and now, and we're getting back to Amato's side! There's no way this guy gonna put a dent in our loyalty!
"We're following Amato even to the depths of hell itself!" Yelling out in defiance, my hand ripped Innecenti's fingers free from my neck, trembling as I slowly forced it to the side. In response to the disbelief in Innocenti's eyes, I only mustered a wry smile of confidence. Johann, even as his joints cracked as they started moving again, gave me a nod in reply with his usual smile.
"For better or for worse, we have inherited Amato's will! The two of us will never turn our backs on him!" Roaring out, I tore at Innocenti's arm, throwing it away. At that instant, Johann's smile disappeared, and his eyes sharpened in focus. With an awkward one-handed swing of his katana, the silver blade slices in a powerful arc flying towards Innocenti's face. But somehow, the guy was faster, already catching sight of the attack and tossing Johann away.
Seconds later, the entire left side of Innocenti's white coat was ravaged, torn at a dozen different locations!
"Thud!" With a heavy smack, Johann's side landed on the concrete floor a few feet away. The whole of my body tensed at the sight of what happened, but I forced all my strength to throw a cross from my right. My bone cracked as Innocenti's left arm came up to block, my muscles throbbing. Following the momentum, my two feet kicked into solid, concrete floor, and my left fist came flying in a wild arc, aiming for Innocenti's sides. But his right arm was withdraw in an instant, forming a protective layer over his right side.
Crack.
Cringing for a second at the pain, for some reason my eyes zipped downwards. In half a second, Innocenti's legs stomped forward, and his left knee came flying right up for my stomach again. Oh no you don't! Driven by reflex and instincts alone, a step back was all it took to dodge, and my right leg was lifted, intercepting the attack and locking Innocenti's leg in place behind slipping behind his knees. Now's my chance! My hands clamp down on the enemy, his wrist and shoulder as I pushed my head and chest back.
"Uragh!" I can barely think, my head wrecked with the inertia and shock as my skull came crashing right at Innocenti's head. Turning my head into a weapon, I'm giving him nothing less than a headbutt!
"Crack!"
"Gragh!" Finally, we'd done some damage, as Innocenti screamed out in pain stumbling back on his two feet and losing balance for the first time since he traded blows with Kiera. I wasn't completely fine, though. The reckless move left me slightly disoriented, my vision flickering and whiting out. I had to grit my teeth and still my mind to push away the pain and dizziness. My vision cleared in time to see Johann back on his feet, already going after Innocenti, his katana blade glistening in his hand.
"Hah!" Unlike before, Johann's movements changed. They were faster, sharper, slowly catching up to Innocenti's speed and agility.
"Ka-shink!" Metal clashed against metal once more. Innocenti and Johann went for each other in a speed so intense my eyes could barely keep up. A sudden arc from Johann's blade towards Innocenti's legs prompted the artis to jump, spraying forth his chisels like a rain of shrapnel. "Clank, Shing!" In precision, Johann slashes away at the projectiles, hitting every single one of them before lunging forth with a gigantic step, thrusting
the blade at Innocenti's chest. But even so, the guy dodged by slipping downwards just slightly, inching away from the trajectory.
"Ugh!" The attack came at a sudden, probably because no one expected it. Instead of using his blade, Johann's feet kicked the ground and he charged right at Innocenti, smashing into him with a full body tackle with his shoulders leading the charge. As Innocenti flinched, Johann's movement didn't stop, he turned to the sides on his hips and sheathed his blade, taking on an intimidating stance right at Innocenti's side.
"Second Gate: Across The Silver Moon."
With a flick of his wrist, his whole body turned, the blade slipping out of the sheath immediately. Dancing at Johann's command, it became nothing more than a sliver of light as it sliced at Innocenti in a horizontal arc. Too close to dodge, the blade cut into Innocenti's clothes, skin and flesh. Still, the guy managed to jump away before the slash was able to cut through his stomach completely.
"Argh!" As crimson blood stained onto his torn, white coat, his hands fumbled to the cut, clamping it down to keep it shut. At that split second, he flashed at us the glare of a demon. With a blink, however, his eyes went back to normal.
"Hah.. It seems all I did was stoke the fire... Hah.. Hah..." Reaching into his coat, his hand came out with a new pair of chisels in between his fingers. That's when I realized his smile had all but disappeared.
With a simple toss, four of those chisels impaled into my left foot. The metal pierced through cloth, skin and flesh alike, even cutting into the bones of my feet. Roaring heat burst out from the wound as the pain throbbed.
"Eyargh!" The pain was too much, and I fell to my knees, screaming out into the open. My hands fumbled around the chisels with no idea what to do. The tiny pieces of metal was lodged through my shoes and through my feet, digging deep into the concrete floor. The impact had cracks spitting what was once a flat, solid concrete!
What.. the.. heck? Damn that guy!
"Guh!" At the same time, I saw Johann crouching down to his knees as well, his feet plunged into the ground too. The sight itself was horrible, a pain to even look at. Johann's blade trembled in his hands as he tried to pluck out that wretched spikes piercing his feet into the ground.
"Johann!" Without thought, I screamed out his name as if believing it would help. At the corner of my eyes, Innocenti stood there stunned as he stared at his watch. What the heck? He's not even panting in pain anymore! Blood trickles down his side, and yet he remains unaffected! Every effort to free myself only ended with a myriad of pain throbbing forth from the numerous wounds now riddled across my left feet, as well as a new wave of fire burning through my leg muscles.
"No..." The enemy only muttered that one word before turning his back on us. Innocenti's face soured within seconds. As if completely erasing our existence from his mind, he began scaling up the piles of debris, some tall enough to reach the ceilings. If I know any better, he looked to be fleeing from us, trying to get out of this hole we've fallen into!
"H-Hey! Don't you run away from us! Get back here!" Completely taken aback by the sudden change of events, I screamed the words out as I struggled to get free, every slight movement a jarring, painful experience. With every tug, every exertion of force, I could feel the wounds growing bigger, the cold metallic pieces grazing against my flesh, sparking off bursts of pain and heat. The next thing I know, a dizzy spell slowly took hold of my mind, and my vision started flickering again.
"Ack!" Dammit, he's slipping further towards the ceiling with each passing second! Weakness started flowing forth from the pain around my foot, and before long, it became difficult to even struggle. At this rate, Innocenti will probably get to Amato! I can't let that happen!
"Augh! Hrrraaaggghhh!"
My teeth grit against each other so hard I thought they would crack under the pressure. My body trembling and convulsing at the same time, I tore at my leg, determined to free myself. Muscles, flesh and all, grind themselves against the foreign objects locking them in place. I could actually feel the tiny little pieces of my foot being grazed off, the picture in my mind every time I shut my eyes in pain. With one, final pull, my foot felt as though it was getting torn off of my leg as the whole piece of flesh, skin and bone were ripped free, the metal chisels slipping through the very wounds they inflicted.
"Gragh! Argh! Hah.. Hah.. Guh.. Hah.." As my vision was clouded by shadows, the next thing I know I'm already on the ground, groveling on my knees. D-Damn... Dammit! With every second the pain seemed only to grow. I gotta move, Innocenti's getting away, no doubt heading towards Amato! But, muscles tear and weakness overwhelmed every inch of my body every time I moved!
"Ah! Hah.. Gah..." Stinging sweat was mixed with my tears, every attempt to move was thwarted, locking me at that one spot. The only reason I didn't fell flat on my face was because of my elbows and my knees supporting me up while they trembled. I think it'll be a while before I can start moving again...
Just as the thought crossed my mind, as horrible as it was, a warm, heavy object gently placed itself on my right shoulder. It took me a while to realize it's someone hand, with a faint tremble in its touch. With my eyes turning, Johann came into sight, wavering as he stood. In his hand, the metal chisel was bloody, dripping with his own, crimson blood.
Hah... Can't believe he's already up on his two feet... The thought was the very push I needed.
With our shoulders side by side, giving us the support we needed, we started moving as soon as we could. There was the door, much to our surprise, entrance to the stairs hidden in a corner of that space.
"Ka-chik. Ka-chik."
"And that's what happened..." My story finally ends as another scraping throb made me cringe. Vito, who had been listening on with intent, much to my surprise, only keeps shaking his head from side to side as he bandaged the wound on my foot. All the while, he had this severe look on his face. I guess it must have been pretty wrecked up. As the elevator rumbled its way up the floors, we took the chance to tend to our injuries and clean our wounds.
"What the hell! You're not even supposed to be able to move with wounds like these!" As the doctor reprimanded me and Johann, there was a slight hint of surprise in the tone of his voice. His eyes widened much like a child staring at a toy. Could he actually be impressed? Vito and Dante made their way down to us in the lobby just seconds before we decided to board the elevator, their bodies all shook up, wounds here and there. I think that was the first time I saw Kiera so surprised, so enraptured with disbelief.
The C.E.O.'s office is our destination. With Dante and Vito's report saying the way into the office through the stairs are blocked with debris, we had little choice but to use the elevator instead. Now it seems like a godsend that electricity still runs through this desolated corpse of a building.
"Sniff... Sniff.." In the corner, occasionally lit by an orange glow from the glass panels looking out of the elevator, we could still hear that soft sobbing. What... don't tell me he's still going at it...
"Amato..." Taking my steps towards him, the closer I got to the sight of him rubbing his eyes with shaking shoulders, the more difficult it became for me to speak. I mean, I've never even seen my best friend cry before! And now he's crying because of me! What should I do? "Look, I told you, we're both all right! So please stop crying!" Before I know it, with no answers to the questions, I started avoiding them completely.
Strong, tough and valorous. That's how I've always been raised to see guys as. Seeing Amato like this is just...
"It's just... Sniff... I really thought you guys were dead!" His baby-blue eyes wet with tears, Amato just threw his arms around me, giving me a tight hug. Ugh.. This is getting ridiculous! When my eyes turned to Johann for help, all he did was giggle at the sight with a wide grin on his face. It's as if all the injuries he had were already healed.
"The little confidence you have of us both is kinda disheartening.." My complain slipped out as a retort to what Amato said. Within that space big enough for about twenty people, its walls covered with grand, innovative designs sculpted in, Dante and Vito just turned to the sides, blatantly ignoring this little scene before them.
And yet, I think I saw the ends of their lips curl upwards and Vito holding back his mocking laugh.
"I'm sorry!" Amato replied to me with a scream that nearly ripped out my eardrums, still clinging on even as I tried to pry his fingers off. I really didn't need his body pressing against mine...
"I think it's pretty cute." Aria teased as she twirled her way towards us. "It's rare to see a guy crying out of love for his friends! You almost never see it anymore..." She continued as she stopped at my side, trying her best to calm Amato down with a wide smile on her face. It seems this little show got the depression out of her.
"Love and Camaraderie is an important trait for the Boss.." Kiera gave her opinion as she stood at our side, calmly observing everything that's happening. Yet, her own words couldn't mask the strange, surprised look on her face as she glanced towards Amato. Her eyes stare with such wonder I almost expected her to drop that giant shield at her side. Though she cleaned up a bit, bloodstains could still be seen all over her body, her clothes viciously torn apart here and there. Amato himself didn't look as worse, just what happened while we plunged into the basement?
The question only surfaced in my mind briefly before Amato's arms released me and he turned his attention upwards, staring at the ceiling with his eyes still reddened. The tears and sobbing stopped almost immediately.
"Kaboom!"
The loud noise shatters into our ears, sending tremors through the building and into the elevator. The very contraption we stood in shook and rumbled beneath our feet!
"Whoa!" On reflex, I screamed before immediately seeking out for a ledge of any kind to cling on to. While dust scattered and tiny pieces of debris rained down on us, I turned my eyes to see everybody doing the same, except for Amato. My best friend just stood there, unfazed by the quake and staring at the door with an urgent, worried look on his face. There have been many quakes ever since Johann and I got back to the ground floor, each one wilder than before, and this has got to be the worse one yet!
"Doom..."
When everything stopped, the doors of the elevator creaked open, sliding to the sides. The very scene through the doors was that of flickering orange flames burning at the extreme corners of an old, decrepit office. The openings that looked into the skyline of Akihabara were laced with pieces of broken glass. Blackened bloodstains covered the floor, and a destroyed tabletop is smashed into the corner. What a horrible scene. Dusting off the sand and stone in my hair, my eyes caught sight of everyone just recovering from the quake before seeing Amato run out through the doors.
"H-Hey, Amato!" My shout alerted everyone around me, as they soon followed as I jumped out of the elevator.
"Hinata! Hinata, where are you?" All of a sudden, Amato began screaming out in the center of the room at the top of his voice. The hoarse tone shot out as his voice cracked, and he squints his eyes every time it did. No doubt it hurt, but it didn't stop him from continuing.
"Amato, what are you doing? I realize the need to find Miss Hinata, but we can do it together, so please stop screaming!" Distressed at Amato's sudden outburst, Kiera took a step towards him with her left hand over her torn, pink shirt, the very sign she does when she's worried.
"Just let me do this, Kiera! I.. I need to be the one who gets it from her!" As I stand a few feet behind the two, Amato's defiance against Kiera raised my brows in surprise. I think everyone was surprised as well. As far as I know, Amato has never openly disagreed with Kiera before, not with such willfulness.
That's when I catch sight of Kiera's shoulders stiffening as her left hand was dropped to her side. Standing there in the room strewn with debris as well as its ceiling smashed apart, there was but a moment of silence. Kiera? Is.. She okay? What's happening? All I could see was Kiera's blond hair tied in braids from behind her, her bold outfit under the light of the moon shining in from the where the windows used to stand. The next moment, the rest of us watched in even more surprise as Kiera gave a bow to the Boss.
"Very well. I apologize, Lord Amato. I have been rude and abrasive. It will not happen again." Those were the words Kiera spoke of as she hung her head. What? That's not necessary, right? The very sight was so incomprehensible the lot of us couldn't croak out a single word as Kiera turned and made her way back to us, a dazed look in her eyes. Further away, Amato only looked to the side in regret before turning back into the room.
"Three centuries ago, the Zanna Secondo retired to this land, bringing with him wealth, influence and most importantly, his very own Legacy Arm. When he would no longer need it, he entrusted the Legacy Arm to his most trusted friend, and his family line became the guardians of that Legacy. Bound by duty, they weathered through many trials in order to safeguard that treasure of my Famiglia. You've done well to keep it with you all this while, Hinata..."
His eyes serious, Amato continued his speech, calming down as his voice took on a more authoritative tone. It was a complete change from how he usually acts.
"Now I only ask that you present to me that which is rightfully mine."
"Phiew, Zuu!" A loud sound unlike anything I've ever heard shot out into the room, caution flowing into us as our eyes instinctively searched every inch of the place. As I did, there was one thing that bothered me. The sound.. it sounded more like it was building up... Accumulating!
"Fwoosh!"
The deafening roar caught us by surprise, as a massive fireball shot itself towards Amato, right in front of our eyes! In seconds, it exploded into a sea of flames, engulfing the very scene before us!
Sorry! I'm really sorry this came out so late! Ideas have been coming in slow nowadays, and I still want the chapters to be interesting enough on their own! Still, this chapter marks the first time I went past six thousand words! Is it a bit too much? Would you guys prefer shorter chapter updates? Tell me your thoughts in your reviews! Finally, the Zanna Famiglia reaches the top of the building, only to be disrupted by a fireball from a not-so-unknown source! What's gonna happen now?