Intro: it's hard to be honest, this quarantine plus work thing without public transportation, I'm poor so I don't have private vehicles and even for buying things outside for necessities T_T
Disclaimer: I do not own Touken Ranbu and Cardfight! Vanguard and other material which came from the said Game/Anime, they are owned by its original creators. The making of this story and this story is made for the fans and the writer XD. Although the plot and some changes in the story are from me ^_^.
Chapter 49: The cloaked man
Because the barrier was hurried it wasn't powerful enough as it breaks apart from the impact, Aichi sluggishly lay on the ground grasping for dear air as he slowly tries to stand up the enemy slowly walks forward.
"Konnosuke are you alright?" Aichi asked not thinking about his own.
Konnosuke said "I was able to jump earlier before the impact, but do you really have the time to be thinking about me than yourself?" right now he is sitting beside him to check up on him.
Unfortunately because Mikazuki was focusing too much on other things he wasn't able to notice incoming enemies near Aichi, with this Mikazuki hurried to his side to end the enemy "Aichi-sama!" Mikazuki hurried to help him.
Although it wasn't just him even the others didn't feel the enemy's presence too, as they too felt frustrated, but Mikazuki was the only one who didn't get too far away from Aichi so he was the one who is able to help him.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to detect the enemy's presence." Mikazuki frowns as he helps Aichi sat up and leans him onto a tree.
Seeing this Kiyomitsu became agitated as he became faster as if he was out of control in defeating the enemies.
Although the others felt the same but they can't act like that since they know that getting out of control can only make you more vulnerable so they fought with a cool head and decided to leave it to Mikazuki.
"I'm fine Mikazuki…" Aichi composes himself as he tries to stand up "If we… if we can't even take this enemies down then we failed… so the only thing to do is continue on as long as we all still can!" Aichi readies the arrow and the bow while Mikazuki supports him.
Konnosuke stands up too as he wags his tails, deciding that if he jumps to Aichi's shoulder it might make him loose balance so he decided to just stay on the ground.
"Everyone this is the last one get ready to finish them all off!" Aichi informed through the bell as he let's go of the string of the bow, because they can't use swords to deflect it since it will plant onto it instead they dodge the wood arrow raining downwards
As the wood arrow successfully lands on the enemy the wood arrow sprouted vines and bound the enemies, seeing this it was an opportunity to land an attack and finish them, sadly some were able to break the plants and unbound themselves from it.
"Mikazuki?" Aichi asked as he noticed that Mikazuki hasn't left his side.
Mikazuki frowns "If I left -"
Aichi stopped him knowing what he would say next "I will be fine, a good beating will help me realize and gain experience, besides didn't you say that mistakes are results that you are trying?" Aichi smiles "This is a battlefield and I am trying to learn from this."
Mikazuki has his carefree smile but his eyes were burning with flames "I'm burning up. Time to go all out, I suppose." Mikazuki walks forward making Aichi surprised, he knew that he was in his awakened but it would only be released when they are moderately injured.
"It's because of the bond Aichi, those who you formed a promise with toudans can experience it without needing to be injured, as long as they are bursting with emotions they can activate it." Konnosuke explained but it was still a miss.
Remembering his promises to Kiyomitsu, Imanotsurugi, Yagen, and Shokudaikiri he found out a new ability "But, I haven't made a promise with Mikazuki?!"
"Maybe it was subliminal while you two are speaking to each other and didn't realize it was already an oath, but I think it might also be because you and he are too bonded." Konnosuke explained.
"But you haven't even told us about that special bond with me and Mikazuki." Aichi said to Konnosuke resulting him to freeze on spot.
Surprising the others Mikazuki was swifter and has more powerful slashes than before as he was always landing a critical instantly defeating the enemies, somehow to them he looks like he was dancing in the moonlight mesmerizing them even Aichi.
Because of this "Well, even injured I still need to surprise and amaze all of you!" Tsurumaru said as he defeats an enemy.
"As long as I can still move I can still continue to assassinate!" Horikawa said as he slashed an enemy from behind with the help from Yagen.
"We can't get left behind!" Yagen said as if a pun it made Horikawa and Tsurumaru chuckle.
"My strikes are like storms!" Taroutachi said as they all got fired up from Mikazuki's display.
On the other hand standing up and unmoving, Kiyomitsu tightens his grip on his sword, clicking his tongue he slashes an enemy that he felt its presence from behind him.
Aichi is in awe all of them looks like they are dancing syncing with Mikazuki, helping each other fight and finally successfully finishing, although he said all of them, somehow he couldn't say the same with Kiyomitsu.
"Aichi-sama please stay there for a while we will apply first aid on our injuries." Yagen said as he stops Aichi from stepping forward.
"But I will be fine." Aichi said as he walks slowly while Konnosuke followed behind.
Mikazuki halts him as he use himself as barrier between the others and Aichi, seeing that they can continue in peace the four smiled as they help each other do something about their injuries.
"Didn't think it would be this hard." Horikawa said as they start making small talks while applying first aid.
"If it wasn't for the reinforcements we could have been able to finish it earlier." Tsurumaru said flicking his sword.
"Those reinforcement clearly made us falter." Yagen said.
"At least if it wasn't for that we couldn't have found out about the enemy." Taroutachi said as his earlier assumption were a fact.
"I feel like there will be more enemies at the last node than this." Yagen said as he treats Horikawa's wound.
"Maybe even more than thrice the amount here." Horikawa suggested.
"It could be possible, we thought there only be twice but then it was actually thrice the normal number." Tsurumaru added.
"While we walk towards the area let us think of a plan to subdue the enemy." Kiyomitsu spoke after a long while Aichi notices this and decided to ask about it later.
"We should think of possibilities such as lying hidden enemies like now." Taroutachi said ending their conversation.
"If I don't look, then it would be worse if they attained a much graver injury than this Mikazuki." Aichi tries to talk sense to Mikazuki.
Although Mikazuki really don't want to he was just thinking of his feelings beforehand if he so wants to he will let him and since he said it himself Mikazuki waits for Aichi to take a glimpse. And hearing it directly from him they clearly understood and he does made sense, with that they wait for Aichi to take a glimpse.
Aichi swallows as he placed a hand on Mikazuki's arm slowly taking a peek, and because they want to also get Aichi used to seeing blood Horikawa and Tsurumaru move for Aichi too see.
Seeing blood red stained clothes and open flesh from cuts, Aichi trembles as he bit his lip tightly holding onto Mikazuki, this past battles they haven't attained such injuries and right now after months he once again saw bloodshed and with this battle and in the near future he knows himself that they would attain more than that.
"When we comeback, please let me treat you two." Aichi said as Mikazuki moves behind him, slowly walking him to them Aichi continues to hold onto to Mikazuki.
They noticed Aichi's trembling body as they know this amount of blood can clearly bring back his trauma, but this is shock treatment, if he doesn't get used to it nothing will happen.
Aichi lowers his head as he started breathing heavily he noticed the movements from the others "I'm fine… I'm just trying to take it all in."
They clearly know he isn't taking this well but if he does not overcome it nothing will happen, Kiyomitsu clearly knows this and because of that even though he really wanted to intervene he has to let him.
"A- after this are you all ready for the next node? I have a few ideas." Aichi said as they all looked at each other and listened to him.
~Last Node~
Looking at the enemies they can clear say "We are at a disadvantage…" Kiyomitsu right now has cold sweats running over his face.
"We just have to trust to Aichi-sama's plan, and finish it fast." Horikawa said as he noticed the amount of enemy seemingly patrolling around the area.
But Yagen knows this place, it is that same place "Look up there!" Yagen pointed at the hill.
And so does Tsurumaru "What are they up there!?" Tsurumaru and the others were surprised and curious as to why the enemies have forces patrolling up there.
"Do you think they plan to do something?" Taroutachi analyses the area as he noticed a group of enemy gathering near the foot of the hill.
"Whatever they are up to I don't think it will be good." Kiyomitsu passes back the scope to Konnosuke "Alright with this many enemies I don't doubt that we really at a disadvantage."
"With Aichi-sama's ability participation here we need to finish quickly before his powers drain out." Yagen said as he get himself ready.
"Although we really don't want to rely on you too much since this is our duty but…" Tsurumaru scratches his head "Will you lend us your hand?" He moves a hand forward to Aichi.
"That goes without saying." Aichi smiles as Konnosuke is now beside him since Aichi is still trembling a little he decided to just stay beside him, at least now he is much calmer than before, though they still notice his heavy breathing and trembling voice.
"Alright Aichi-sama which your signal we try to finish this quickly." Kiyomitsu readies himself.
"We already planned through about the numbers of enemies, but what about the others above?" Taroutachi asked for a clear planning, since they didn't anticipate the others.
"If we want to finish this faster we can't let our numbers decrease." Kiyomitsu started which made sense "So what we need to think about is the ones below either they will continue on whatever they were planning or come for back up for the others."
"If they do then…" As they continue to talk about the plan Aichi listens as he prepares a large amount and group of talisman.
The six toudans nodded to each other "Aichi-sama we are ready." Kiyomitsu notified.
Nodding to him Aichi he readies the first batch of the talisman, throwing it to the direction of the enemies that is below the hill where there is a large number of enemy, as the talismans has covered the whole place "Gravity!" Aichi shouts and a large area of enemies were pushed to the ground. Somehow even though they were not there they can all feel how menacing and powerful it is.
The other enemies trying to stay ground were able to withstand it and ends up cracking the ground while the others loses balance and grovels on the ground as the six toudans hurriedly slashes them, if the enemies were indeed intelligent they would notice that they have a talisman with them that makes them null to Aichi's large scale talisman.
"Aichi-sama just keep surprising us, and it's my job to be the one to do the surprises!" Tsurumaru said as he slashes through an enemy but surprises them that some enemies can move but with difficulty.
"I can't make the output much stronger! If I do I think it will affect all of you!" Aichi communicates through the bell as the others continue on.
"That's fine Aichi-sama, at least with this output it won't drain out your power faster." Yagen said as he swiftly finishes the enemies.
"I kind of agree with what Kashuu-san said before, if things continue on like this we will really be invincible." Horikawa said with Aichi supporting them this will really end faster.
"Woah!" Tsurumaru lets out as he was surprised by the enemies frequent slashing about since they can't move much they rely on swings "You surprised me there." He said as he slices its arm.
"With what they are doing I can really tell that they are intelligent beings." Taroutachi mentions then remembers the enemies at the hill "Is there any movement from the enemies on the top of the hill?" Taroutachi said as he swiftly finishes 3 enemies at a time with his long sword.
"I don't even know by now if they care or what?!" Kiyomitsu said as he looked above the hill and noticed that "They know?!"
The other five looks at the hill as they notice that they were watching just silently at what is happening below "What are they planning?!" Yagen said as he slashes the enemy.
"If you would think of what is happening here it would seem like these ones here are bait." Mikazuki spoke out which they have noticed the unmoving ones from above.
And then somewhere above they noticed what seemed like a person with a gradient colored eerie cloak from above it is red and from below it is drench in darkness as they felt chills from just looking at him.
Because of the chills they feel that they do not understand of the reason why they felt it from him they stopped midway silently staring at the cloaked figure above with Aichi noticing the certain enemy above and also felt cold sweat streaming down his face. Konnosuke opened his eyes and glared at the cloaked figure as he stood up.
And with a slight vibration from the cloaked enemy's figure he disappears, the six toudans look around their surroundings as they heard someone's voice "I see that you are having a hard time…" it was the voice from before.
Unfortunately for Aichi the ability he is using is still new to him and that it saps a lot of power from him, hence his talisman gradually weakens as slowly getting a hard time controlling it.
Aichi holds on to his spell "Everyone, finish the enemies before it breaks!" Kiyomitsu commanded as everyone proceeded to do so.
Noticing that the forces from below are now no more than half the forces from above the hill slowly started moving down form the hill "Everyone finish this before they come!" Taroutachi is closely observing the enemies from above as he warns them.
Thankfully they have already reduced the enemy's number and then as they were finally finishing the forces from below Aichi's ability has finally broke as he slumped to the ground.
"Aichi-sama take a rest for now." Yagen said although somehow Aichi felt he was scolding him.
As they successfully finished off the enemy something stunned them, without knowing where it came from Kiyomitsu suddenly attained an injury from his arm.
"Kiyomitsu!" Aichi tried to stand up as he saw Kiyomitsu slumped down holding on his arm as red liquid drenches the ground it fell unto.
Mikazuki hurriedly runs over to Aichi's side knowing that it would be dangerous if he was alone again and he was right as Mikazuki was still fast enough to deflect the attack from the unknown enemy and undetermined presence.
Konnosuke thinks twice if he would reveal himself or he would stay there since if he did show himself he would just be an additional burden that would be needing to be shielded, as he clears his thought he decided to stay hidden to not be a burden.
But then suddenly Taroutachi attained two injuries both from his arms "He is too fast!" he scowled in pain as he kneeled to the ground.
"Taroutachi!" Aichi hurries to place barriers from the five unfortunately the one aimed for Tsurumaru was sliced to pieces as he continued to make one again Tsurumaru is attacked by the enemy, thankfully though he successfully deflected the attack but the enemy is crafty enough to smack Tsurumaru's injury as he winced in pain.
"That's awfully nice of you to use a barrier for your swords…" The voice said as he finally reveals himself but still cloaked and wearing a mask "And I was just having fun with making you grovel on the ground." the person laughed as the Kiyomitsu, Yagen, and Tsurumaru did not like his tone one bit.
"I won't forgive you if you continue to hurt them." Aichi shouted as a talisman was latched onto the enemies cloak with it he is now under the spell of Aichi's gravity.
The person laughed hysterically "You were this one step ahead!? I really shouldn't be belittling you!?" Although having a hard time speaking the cloaked man continued to stand without moving as he still continued to laugh.
As if he was insane "I didn't think you would be able to do this to me." He stopped the incoming reinforcement of enemies from further coming as if to not interfere for now.
"Saniwa…" He called out to Aichi "What is your name?" he asked.
Aichi's mind is not focused enough hence the gravity spell talisman lost its effect "Mikazuki!" Aichi shouted as Mikazuki, although reluctant to leave his side but they both know the barrier wouldn't be able to withstand an attack as he is mentally exhausted.
With a sound of clashing sword Mikazuki successfully made it as he deflected the attack that was coming to Yagen.
"YOUR NAME?!" He demanded as he shouts, right about now Mikazuki and the man are fighting as if a flash of light the cloaked man will attack but they won't be able to see where it is coming from unless Mikazuki deflects the attack.
Because of this Tsurumaru, Taroutachi, Yagen, Horikawa, and Kiyomitsu wanted to join but only Mikazuki was able to match up to its speed as Mikazuki slashes forward it seems the cloaked man tries not to go far away and keeps clashing sword with him.
"Aichi Sendou!" Aichi shouted his name as the man stopped on his tracks almost piercing Mikazuki's throat, Mikazuki gulped as he too was surprised, if Aichi didn't say his name, he could have been either pierced through or if he was lucky he will be able to at least escape with a graze on his neck.
The man froze "Sen… dou…?" and then once again the man laughed hysterically as Mikazuki flicked the sword away from him and hurried to Aichi's side.
The man stops from his laughter "Hey, what are your relationship with that person?" Aichi and the others silently listens but Aichi could not understand it one bit "Hmmm… not much of an understandable question huh, how about the crimson bringer?"
Konnosuke gasped at hearing the alias "I must tell Mina and the Government of Time about this…" Konnosuke remains hidden as he listen to the man and bring back useful information.
Aichi still couldn't answer as he doesn't understand what the man was talking about nor who this crimson slayer is "Not knowing that person nor even a hint that you know that person from your expression, and I did say that person's most renowned alias… I see… I can really see it." The man taps his sword to his shoulder "I can only figure out two things first is that you really don't know about that person or haven't meet them and second you know about that person but not all about that person and excluded some parts."
The man places a man on his chin "I see, I see… I see a chance… hey, Aichi Sendou?" He slowly moves his hand forward "Why don't you lend me your power?"
"That's absurd!" Kiyomitsu shouts.
"Shut up!" the man shouted as he was now in front of Kiyomitsu in a flash all of them froze and worries if he would do something to him "I am this doing for someone … fulfilling that persons desire for the greater good of this world!"
"I don't know about that person but I can understand that they won't like it one bit!" Aichi shouted.
The man stopped as Aichi flinched while Mikazuki glares at him, once again the man lashed out "With your power I can already tell that you are special, you two are the same after all… c'mon lend me your strength to show her a different possibility."
"Her?" Aichi noticed the affection that he lets out as the man finally revealed the gender of the person, although not just Aichi they all noticed the man's affection whenever he brings it up.
He finally slipped they thought "If that person wanted this shouldn't…" Aichi minds the gender of the person "that person be by your side?"
"Aren't you a brainy one…" he disappeared once again as Mikazuki successfully deflected the attack that is from behind Aichi.
Surprised that he is safe because of Mikazuki the remaining enemy forces have started moving as Kiyomitsu, Tsurumaru, Yagen, Horikawa, and Taroutachi stops them from further going near Aichi and Mikazuki.
"YOU TALK TOO MUCH!" the man shouted.
"Aren't you the one who is speaking nonstop." Noticing that Mikazuki is at a disadvantage with Aichi there, sadly though they both know that the one he is aiming for is him.
The attacks becomes more fierce and more fast "I am doing this to prove to that person! To stop that person from their sadness! I DON'T WANT TO SEE HER SO BROKEN BECAUSE OF THIS WORLD!"
The man stopped from his attacks, because he lost his focus and is enraged he wasn't able to notice that Aichi once again is one step ahead as he successfully placed different talisman throughout his cloak and then in front of him Aichi is ready to release an energy burst to the man, but before Aichi could do it in an instant the man swings his sword targeting Aichi, Mikazuki in the nick of time uses his shoulder to shield Aichi as he was not able to deflect using sword, then finally the sword sliced Mikazuki's shoulder and grazed Aichi's chest.
"Aichi!" Konnosuke runs to his side forgetting about the enemy.
Kiyomitsu, Tsurumaru, Yagen, Horikawa, and Taroutachi heard Konnosuke's scream as they want to go to his side but if they leave, the enemies will come to them so they just have to believe in them, adding to that the bell were now dimming with color yellow.
Aichi and Mikazuki winces in pain as Aichi released the energy he was saving for the man as it was a direct hit and released all the multiple spell attached to the man, injuring him to almost near death.
"Your reason to be not be by that person's side instead is too petty…" Mikazuki spoke as the man struggled to move while still shielding Aichi from his embrace.
"Th… ats… because… you… don't know… anything!" the man shouted before a group of enemies takes the man away and retreats.
But before they successfully do "I'll be back…! And when I do… you better be … prepared to be my puppet!" the man said before they completely disappear from the area along with the other remaining enemies.
Outro: Cliffhanger? Or not? Stay tuned!
I'm very sorry for my lack of vocabulary and wrong grammars and wrong spellings, but I hope you like the story nonetheless, and thank you for everyone's continuous support!
Thank you for reading! Please review or pm for any suggestions or problems on the story.