Author's Corner
Hi everyone! I hope you're all doing well! Celebrations are in order, because this fic now has the most favourites and follows of anything I've ever written on this site, so thanks so much for that! Out of everything I've ever posted online, this has to be one of the pieces I'm most proud of, and I'm so glad you guys are enjoying it as much as I am. Please continue to show your amazing support for authors like me because we really do appreciate every single comment, favourite and follow (even the reviews that are literally just keyboard smashes those are my FAVOURITE!) This chapter was a bunch of fun to write so I hope you enjoy it, although there is a pretty evil cliffhanger at the end so don't hate me lol. Heavy action ahead and a few little hints at plotlines to come! Enjoy!
As always, don't forget to leave a comment with your thoughts or any questions you have and I will absolutely read and answer every single one :)
EIGHTH BLOOD
Chapter 32: Truth
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Octavia's hands were raw and bloody from the climb, staining the Bakusaiga's hilt red.
"What do you mean, we've met before?"
The shadow chuckled and slowly tilted its head. "Fourteen years ago," it murmured with Mamoru's voice. "The boy wasn't alone. You were there, too."
"What are you talking about? What boy?"
"He came to the island many moons ago, searching for you. But you weren't here. He was older, but I recognised him instantly. We all did. Our kind share memories, you see."
"Who was he?"
"We never knew his name. He wasn't supposed to escape, but his desire to live was stronger than our hunger. The group you seek belongs to him."
Octavia's heart missed a beat. "He's with the Iwa Faction?"
The shadow nodded.
"You told me you'd never even heard of them. Why'd you lie?"
"I didn't know it was you they sought. The light within you is small. It has dwindled over these past few centuries. You will never defeat the Shadow now. Once he rises, he will kill you and the boy."
"Is that why you brought me here? To resurrect your master?"
"Your blood will restore him to his former glory. It is your destiny."
Her eyes strayed to Sesshoumaru. "What about him? What's his destiny?"
The shadow snorted, expelling hot air from Mamoru's nostrils. His reaction clearly struck a nerve in Sesshoumaru, because the Tenseiga crackled with blue lightning and lit up the whole cavern.
They were standing on the bank of an underground spring. Shadows glided across the surface like pond skaters, disturbing the thick layer of mist that sat comfortably on top of the inky water.
The ground shook again as something stirred at the bottom of the spring.
The High Priest's arms clamped around Sesshoumaru, locking him in place. Octavia rushed over to him, but a flock of shadows blocked her path. Their orange eyes bored into hers. She lifted the Bakusaiga, hoping it would scare them off, but it wasn't the sword they feared. The Tenseiga was trapped between Sesshoumaru's and Mamoru's bodies. The shadow laughed as Sesshoumaru struggled to break free before tightening its grip, making him growl in pain.
The other shadows lunged for Octavia.
Nagisa swooped down from above and blocked them with her youki. The energy blew them backwards, but it wasn't enough to hurt them. Only the Tenseiga and the Reikon Blade could do that. Octavia quickly swapped the Bakusaiga for the dagger and shot Nagisa a grateful nod.
"We were wondering if you'd decide to join in," the shadows mocked. "You waited too long. One drop is all it takes. One drop of her blood and he will live again."
Octavia peeked down at her bloody hands anxiously.
The whites of Nagisa's eyes turned red. "Then I'll just have to keep her away from the spring."
Her face elongated, transforming into a snout, and the blue in her hair disappeared. A white mane appeared in its place, which sprouted a pair of silver antlers. Her skin had a slight blue tinge to it as smoke engulfed her body. The smoke spread swiftly, filling most of the cavern.
Octavia used the unfolding chaos to make a mad dash for Sesshoumaru. She sliced off one of Mamoru's arms and pulled Sesshoumaru free, making the shadow inside scream in fury.
When the smoke cleared, Nagisa's true form was revealed. Her huge serpentine body filled the part of the cavern they were standing in, and her whiskers curled around her neck like ribbons, blowing away the mist. Her azure scales glittered in the Tenseiga's bright light, whilst her irises were like two yellow suns surrounded by crimson moats. Octavia reached for Sesshoumaru's hand and squeezed it as the dragon opened her jaws to reveal rows upon rows of pointed teeth.
Her tail brushed against the two of them gently, communicating something.
Sesshoumaru caught her meaning and wrapped his arm around Octavia's waist. Sheathing his weapon, he urged her to do the same with hers. As soon as the Bakusaiga and the Reikon Blade were safely back in their scabbards, he tightened his hold on her waist.
"Don't struggle."
"Why would I—"
He leapt onto a natural shelf and studied the large crystal spike jutting out of the rock. Realising what he wanted her to do, she raised her hands and seized control of the crystal. Beneath them, Nagisa chased the shadow that was possessing Mamoru around the cavern, snapping her jaws and slamming her tail against the rocky walls. The tremors continued, increasing in aggression.
"Will she be all right?" Octavia asked anxiously.
"She's a Daiyoukai," replied Sesshoumaru.
Nodding, Octavia moved the crystal with her mind and positioned it against the ceiling. She channelled the part of Sesshoumaru's youki that was trapped inside of her and used it to carve a path upwards through the rock. Shards fell into the cavern below, raining down on Nagisa and the shadows. Sesshoumaru used the falling rocks as stepping stones. Eventually, the crystal spike ruptured the surface and made a gaping hole in the garden behind the temple.
Sesshoumaru landed on the path and shielded Octavia from the debris.
Although the majority of his youki was still in her, the part in him was starting to show. The crescent moon on his forehead was faint but undeniably there, and his hair looked several shades lighter than it had been before. She understood why he'd missed it so much. His youki felt warm and comforting. No wonder they'd been so close recently. She was tethered to him like a kite.
Nagisa flew out of the hole and smashed into the crystal spike. Chunks of crystal broke off and struck the already unstable ground. Meanwhile, her tail whacked against the temple wall, weakening the foundations. Sesshoumaru picked Octavia up and jumped onto a ledge on the nearest tower. They watched from afar as the garden behind the temple quickly crumbled and collapsed inwards, taking a portion of the building with it. Nagisa flapped her fin-like wings and launched herself into the sky, summoning thunder. The city was subsequently drenched in rain.
Octavia clung to Sesshoumaru's kosode as the back half of the hill toppled like a house of cards. She knew just from looking that the spring was no longer accessible.
"The tremors," she whispered, shivering in the pouring rain. "They've stopped."
"Yet the seal on your magic remains."
She shifted her gaze from the partially collapsed hill and saw that his hair was still slate grey. "I don't understand. We did everything right."
His claws dug into her arms, applying just enough pressure to make her flinch. "They're still alive."
She shuddered as a dark shape emerged from the rubble. The shadows had merged together to create one giant body that was about the same size as Nagisa's true form. The Reikon Blade surged to life at her hip before releasing a pulse of energy that halted the rain mid-fall. Octavia reached out to touch one of the stationary droplets with her finger, whereas Sesshoumaru simply stared on in disbelief. She could feel her heart pounding as the droplet burst upon contact.
"Take us down."
Sesshoumaru did as she asked.
They landed in front of the large shadow and the rain plummeted faster. Octavia pulled the Reikon Blade out of its sheath, encouraging Sesshoumaru to do the same with the Tenseiga.
"Why are the Iwa Faction looking for me?" she asked.
The shadows laughed. "Of course. You don't remember, do you? That is most unfortunate."
"Just answer the fucking question."
"Two halves are required to make a whole."
She frowned. "What the hell does that mean?"
Another chorus of chuckles. "You'll find out soon. We've seen your kind go to extreme lengths to get what they want, and they want you, heartless girl. They want you like you wouldn't believe. The boy will not rest until he's found you. Not when you're so very precious to him."
Wings flapped overhead. Octavia glanced skywards, wondering when the rain would ease. Nagisa's silhouette was visible through the storm clouds whenever a crack of lightning came. Harsh winds swept in from the sea and battered against the five crystal towers.
"It's over," Octavia breathed, returning her attention to the amalgamation of shadows. "For real this time. Your master's not coming back."
"You're wrong, little star. As long as you're here, he can still return."
They no longer sounded convinced.
She grabbed Sesshoumaru's ring finger and gripped it for support. The combined light from the Tenseiga and the Reikon Blade made the giant shadow split apart. The individual shadows grew smaller as the sun began to rise in the east. The sunlight had never affected them before, but with their plans thoroughly foiled, they struggled to withstand its golden rays.
"It's okay," she told them. "All you knew was hatred. It's time for you to feel something else."
She caught Sesshoumaru's eye and nodded mutely.
The shadows screeched as they swung their weapons at them in unison. The bluish-purple light enveloped them immediately, reducing them to dust. The rain washed their remains away before slowing to a light drizzle. The sunrise broke through the clouds fully, making the city shine.
Octavia's breath hitched as the invisible chains around her shattered, releasing Sesshoumaru's youki. His hair whitened and the markings on his face regained their colour. A green glow coated his skin before spreading to the Bakusaiga. Octavia smiled and took a couple of steps back as pale smoke swirled around him like a mini hurricane. She watched in awe as the chimney of smoke expanded drastically, blowing away what was left of the bad weather.
Sesshoumaru's true form was just as magnificent as Nagisa's.
The smoke parted to reveal an enormous white dog towering over her. Octavia gazed into the beast's sapphire eyes and felt her knees buckle. Sesshoumaru's chops twisted into a devilish smirk and he lowered his gargantuan head so that it was on the same level as hers. He was somehow even more beautiful like this, but she didn't have the courage to say it out loud. Holding her breath, she reached out to touch him, eager to feel his silky fur between her fingers.
A lone shadow leapt out from under the ruins and burrowed into her chest.
Wheezing, she dropped to her knees and clawed at her aching flesh. She ripped open her yukata and searched frantically for a wound, but there was nothing but unblemished skin. The shadow coiled around her heart and squeezed, making her double over in agony. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as she punched the ground and struggled to breathe. The pain eventually subsided, but instead of feeling relieved, exhaustion claimed her and turned her eyelids heavy.
Sesshoumaru nosed her side and growled softly. She only knew he'd changed back when he lifted her into his arms and carried her down the temple steps. Her consciousness was slipping fast, and her chest felt like it was on fire. The only consolation was that the sky was full of rainbows.
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