Fan Fiction ❯ Sacred Pentacle ❯ Chapter 7

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

CHAPTER SEVEN

They arrived at the airport early the next day.

“I wonder if we can go to the beach there.” Denra wondered.

“Go to the beach? It's not like we're going to have a vacation or something,” Hitei blurted out.

“Don't you realize its summer and Kyo Island is the ultimate place to be!” Denra reasoned.

“What's taking them so long?” Ajine wondered.

Gekuren and Mizumeko went to the main office to arrange their flight while Nekuri went out for a while. The three of them were in the waiting area.

“It's not like anything would happen to them,” Hitei told Ajine.

“I guess.” Ajine sighed.

“Hitei. How come you and Ajine are so close? You've always been best buds with Ruen but now… Don't tell me - “

“That's preposterous! Denra stop jumping into conclusions that make no sense at all,” Hitei protested.

Ajine just looked at the two. She didn't bother intervening.

“No need to get all defensive. This isn't a shouting contest,” Denra said calmly.

“It seems the weather in Kyo is really bad today.” Nekuri arrived and she sat down beside Denra.

“How come?” asked Ajine

“There are no other flights going to Kyo and there are lots of planes arriving from Kyo. A lot of people have decided to evacuate.”

“Evacuate… The volcano must be ready to erupt,” Hitei assumed.

“Must be… the last time Burutsukai Volcano erupted it destroyed most of Nigorra,” said Denra.

“I never knew you studied History!” Hitei spoke.

“I'm actually an intelligent and diligent student of my university,” she retorted.

“You call yourself intelligent then I must be a genius!!”

They argued even more.

“Everything's good now,” Gekuren announced as he walked to them with Mizumeko along side.

“We can go now,” said Mizumeko.

“Great!” Denra exclaimed.

“But we can't bring the car,” Gekuren told her.

“We can't!!” Denra didn't like this.

“But we can bring the Harley.”

“UNFAIR!!”

“Kyo is quite a small island. We will do just fine.” Nekuri ended the problem.

The plane was small yet elegantly personalized. It had only ten seats, each situated near a window.

“The sky is dark… Rain clouds perhaps,” Ajine, murmured as she looked outside the window.

“Rain… in summer?” Gekuren was baffled.

Denra was laughing at Hitei, “You look like you've seen a ghost.”

Hitei was very pale…

“You're afraid of heights!!” she laughed even more.

“This is the first time I ride a plane.” Hitei told her sitting still, afraid. He didn't want to move fearing it'll make the plane crash.

“Don't worry this plane won't crash, right Mizumeko?” Gekuren said.

“I won't be so sure about that,” Nekuri answered.

Hitei became horrified. He didn't want to die.

“She's right. The pilots are going to bring us to the Island then leave. I'll have to call them back to pick us up. They're really terrified about the situation in Kyo. People have started to evacuate after rumors spread about a giant monster cascading its shadow over Kyo just yesterday. Since then the volcanic activity had risen dramatically and dangerously upwards. Not only that the tide has also risen. Tornados started to emerge and thunderstorms as well. Experts say the volcano may erupt anytime, but they don't have any explanation for the other strange events occurring. The people believe that the huge shadow they saw was the spirit of Kyo awakened for the abuse of the people. Kyo used to be just as simple as simple can be but now its residents have started to let modernization come in.” Mizumeko finished his long narration.

“That's terrible!” Hitei started to panic.

“The monster they saw couldn't have been the spirit of the island. They don't just reveal themselves like that.” Gekuren knew perfectly what he was talking about.

“Do you think it's still safe for us to go? I mean we could get in trouble.” Fear could be detected in Denra's tone.

“This can't be natural,” Ajine spoke.

“It's possible that our enemy beat us to the island. They created chaos to get our attention immediately but they won't be able to touch the prism without us.” This was Nekuri's theory.

“Might be.” Mizumeko fixed the position of his glasses.

“Just dark clouds but the wind is pretty stable,” one of the pilots, reported.

Rarra Airlines workers were all monitoring the plane's safety. They all thought that the passengers of this craft were weather specialists to investigate and solve the phenomenon occurring at Kyo.

“LOOK!” the co-pilot pointed as the dark clouds parted and the sky grew clear.

The sun shone magnificently at the white clouds and serene blue sky. Both pilots couldn't believe their eyes.

“What the!” Ajine pressed her face on the glass window.

“Every black cloud is gone.” Hitei was totally amazed too but then he saw the ground below and instantly got frightened.

Nekuri shook her head and said, “They probably don't want us to - “

“ - Die before they get the prism,” Yukari said causally after Enjin questioned her decision.

They watched the plane land from the highest tower in Kyo, Kurogane tower.

Enjin leaned on a pole and closed his eyes. But he suddenly sensed something that caused him to open his eyes again and look directly to the plane where the holy warriors were beginning to dislodge from their plane. “A Swordian Knight,” he murmured with excitement.

“Yes. Ruen… Gekuren Waemono. He has in his possession a spirit of the subterranean earth… Luceus…” Rayako informed.

“You didn't tell me this earlier,” Enjin said to Yukari completely ignoring Rayako, “I would have prepared at least.”

“Consider it as a present from me,” Yukari said and wrapped her arms around his neck.

They shared another kiss…

Rayako hated all this lovey-dovey so she secretly imitated Yukari, “Consider it as a present from me…” she said in her Yukari-like tone and started pouting her lips.

Tokaru gave her a stop-that-or-you'll-be-dead glance.

She snorted but obeyed him.

“Futouko…” Yukari called.

“Yes?” He appeared behind them.

“Watch over them and try to give them clues to who you really are…” Yukari commanded.

A sly smile emerged on Futouko's face and evil joy spread on his red cat like eyes before he vanished.

“Rayako stay with Tokaru… and Tokaru for now make the skies clear. You'll know when it's time to liven things up,” she told her allies.

“I'll guard the old man…” Rayako said.

“I ain't so old!” Tokaru protested.

“Hah!” was Rayako's reaction.

“Surely when they find out that he's controlling the weather they'll come rushing here,” Yukari warned.

“The plane is leaving…” Enjin mentioned.

Yukari smiled, “Play with it. Make sure they get the idea that they're not here to have fun,” was her last say before she left with Enjin.

“My pleasure…” Tokaru held onto the crystal clear ball atop his wooden staff.

Suddenly it gave off golden yellow light and the sky darkened all over again.

“Wind speed rising…” the co-pilot said the oblivious.

“It's beginning again.” The other pilot panicked as hard rain started to pour.

“They're trying to wreck the plane!” Hitei shouted out as they watched from inside the airport.

They all hurried outside except for Denra.

“What if it will crash?” Ajine said.

“Don't say that.” Gekuren was being optimistic.

“Can't we do anything??” Hitei wanted to know.

Mizumeko started to thrust his hand forward when lightning suddenly struck just a foot away from him.

“Let's go back we can't do anything,” Nekuri said and pulled Mizumeko by the hand just in time before another bolt of lightning struck Mizumeko's previous position.

They ran inside and escaped the chaos outside.

The weather started to grow clear after a few minutes.

“How's the plane?” Mizumeko asked the guy by the counter.

“Lightning got one of the propellers but the pilots are already safe in an airport in Neputun.” That was good news indeed.

Mizumeko sighed and walked back to where the rest were, “They're alright,” he announced.

They were relieved.

“That couldn't have been just a coincidence… the lightning…” Hitei voiced out what he believed.

“Everything here is not a coincidence. Someone must be controlling the weather… somehow,” said Nekuri.

“Why don't we go now the weather is fine,” Denra suggested.

“Wait a minute. We don't have a car and most of the people are already gone. How are we going to go places?” asked Ajine.

“Hey yeah!” Gekuren agreed.

“Oh you don't trust me!” Mizumeko suddenly pulled out a key from his pocket. “A lavender convertible is waiting for us outside and we could stay at our rest house there. Only the caretaker already left but I think we can manage.”

“We have a house here too!” Denra proclaimed happily. Maybe this was the time to show them how rich she really is… She tried hard to remember where it is.

“And where is that?” Hitei wondered.

… “I don't remember!” she answered (âŒ‚).

“Then we take Mizumeko's house…” Nekuri concluded.

Denra was driving with Mizumeko on the front seat so he could tell her where to go…

The convertible was beautiful almost brand new bought only yesterday…

The weather was exceptionally great as if nothing odd was happening.

Gekuren was following close by. There weren't many high structures but there were lots of construction going on yet nobody is really around. As they pass the rural areas only then did they see a few people.

Some even surprised that other people would still be driving out at this unpredictable weather.

Then a kid was suddenly in the middle of the road looking straight at them, cat like eyes without any sign of fear.

“Get outta the way!” Denra screamed as she hit the brakes. The car screeched loudly.

“What happened?” Ajine inquired.

The boy was already gone and was standing at the side of the road.

Hitei's brown eyes grew big.

“Te - … teleportation.” Nekuri knew.

The boy casually waved goodbye before he vanished again.

“It's very rare that people share the same gifts at the same time. That is unless they are related,” said Mizumeko.

“What was that?” Gekuren came.

“They're giving us a hint that we are not here alone…” was Nekuri's reply.

“We can ask these people if they know anything about the prism,” Denra suggested.

They returned to their journey.

Mizumeko's house wasn't so big but the furniture was clearly very elegant and expensive.

“This isn't much of a house,” insulted Denra.

“Well as you can see no house in this island is really big. We didn't want to overwhelm the natives,” Mizumeko retorted.

She made a face.

“Hey Denra where do you want all your heavy luggage?” Hitei put them down beside her.

“Why thank you.” Denra smiled sweetly.

“I did myself the favor of not getting shouted - “

Denra suddenly kissed him… on the lips.

The audience was clearly surprised.

“Well I didn't see that coming,” Mizumeko murmured.

Hitei pulled back swiftly, “What the heck did you do that for?” he loudly said with ire.

“Oh well… and I thought if I'd kiss you I'd get attracted to you,” was all she said and she waltzed away.

Hitei stared into space…

“Don't worry so much. She isn't poison.” Gekuren patted his back.

“I know that!” he murmured.

Mizumeko walked to him and suddenly laughed an irritating laugh.

“Stop!!” Ajine's fist hit Mizumeko's head. She put her elbows on top of Mizumeko's head and rested her chin on her hand. “Don't let her get to you.”

“Get offa me!!” Mizumeko demanded.

Denra stood by the staircase and then the one she was waiting for finally came.

“Hey Gekuren!” she greeted.

“Hey… What was that stunt you pulled on Hitei? The guy seemed traumatized or something…” he wanted an explanation.

“Why are you jealous?” She leaned closer to him.

“Is that why you did it? To make me jealous?” Gekuren didn't like this.

“So what?”

“That's not fair!”

“Who cares about being fair!”

“Denra! - “

“The two of you… Everything's great now isn't it?” Hatred was filling her heart, not for Gekuren but for Ajine. She didn't want an answer so she rushed down the stairs away from him.

“Denra!” he called her to stop her from doing anything drastic.

“WHAT!” she screamed crossly.

Suddenly the same boy who she almost ran over appeared by the end of the staircase.

Denra screamed of surprise.

The rest were alarmed and came to her aid.

“It's that boy!” Ajine pointed out.

“Hi Hirosa…” The boy waved at Hitei who was horrified, “My dear sister.”

“WHAT!” Gekuren wasn't quite sure.

“It's me Hitei. Don't you realize that I've come back to you,” he continued.

“Stop… STOP!!! Hitei's dead!!” Hitei suddenly cried out.

They were shocked except for two people, Mizumeko and the strange boy who was now smiling.

“What're you saying? That you're not Hitei!!! But how? When? And I… I kissed you!!!” Denra was mortified.

“Start talking…” Nekuri sat down on one of the chairs.

“Better tell them now…” Mizumeko spoke.

“You knew?” Ajine questioned.

He nodded.

“Why didn't you tell us?” asked Gekuren.

“For she didn't want me to,” Mizumeko reasoned.

“Okay okay. It's true I ain't Hitei. He was my brother, my twin. He died a year ago. I knew about you guys from him,” came the confession.

“But you have his powers,” Ajine said.

“I get it! Somehow your sibling connection is so strong that you have powers too only weaker. Explains why you still can't teleport,” said Nekuri.

“Why didn't you tell us in the first place?” asked Gekuren.

“Because he died because of me. I was the one who, who was supposed to die that day. I needed to take his place,” Hirosa said helplessly.

Denra curled up in a corner… “I… I kissed… a girl…” It was horrible.

“Didn't you realize it when you kissed her?” came Gekuren's inquiry.

“It's not like I know the difference. I've never kissed another girl before!” Denra fumed. “Hey how do we know that she's really a she?” Somehow Denra didn't want to give up.

“Why don't we look and see,” suggested Ajine, teasing.

“Come on!” Hirosa protested, “Don't you realize how much I've avoided getting too near to any of you!!”

“Well. Come to think of it. I remember Denra tried to hug Hitei. She ended up on the grass.” Ajine reminisced that moment.

Denra was totally embarrassed.

“That's why you've been acting pretty strange,” Gekuren figured.

“Exactly,” Hirosa said dryly.

“And you on the other hand, claim to be Hitei?” Nekuri said but the boy was gone.

“Where'd he go?” Gekuren wondered.

“Anyway… Could that be possible?” asked Ajine.

“Maybe. After all when we die we are born again in different bodies but this usually happens every generation,” Nekuri spoke her mind.

“But none of us ever died before we came together… until now that is…” mentioned Denra.

“How can it be possible that he has Ukyo's soul who was in Hitei who died only a year ago. He is certainly more than a year old so how did he end up in a kid's body” Gekuren asked his confusing question.

“It's hard to believe that he is my brother,” said Hirosa.

“Maybe fooling people runs in the family,” Denra vexed.

“We can't be so sure about him,” Nekuri cautioned them.

“But he does have Ukyo's power,” said Ajine.

They all paused to think this over.

“Let's just go and ask about the prism now.” Nekuri stood up dropping the subject.

“Does anyone have anymore secrets he/she wants to reveal?” Mizumeko's inquiry was heard.

Nekuri slightly narrowed her eyes.

… “Can we eat first? I'm hungry,” Ajine suggested out of the blue (âŒ‚).

Soon they went to the roadside village where they saw the residents who chose to stay in the island despite all that's happened.

“Who are you?” a woman questioned holding her child tightly.

“We mean you no harm,” Ajine began.

“We're just here to ask you about the Prism?” Nekuri said it flat out.

“But you are not from here. Why'd you come? Don't you know the Island Spirit is… angry for all the abuses the people have done to Kyo,” said one of the people, a middle-aged man.

“No. You're wrong. Something else is causing this and we're here to find it and stop it,” Gekuren said a little too confidently.

The people were instantly relieved.

“Do you actually mean that?” Hirosa wondered.

He only smiled, he obviously didn't.

“LOOK!” someone shouted out.

It's that boy again. First he stood on a thick branch then beside the tree and then by the rocky path…

“What is he??” The people were scared of his appearing and reappearing stunts.

“I'm with them.” He reappeared with Denra.

“You are?” Denra had her doubts.

“Yes.”

“Where'd you go then?” Mizumeko questioned.

“I needed… to go back home,” was his excuse.

“Go home!!??” Mizumeko and Denra interrogated.

“I'm still a boy if you can't see.”

“And how'd you get in this island?” Mizumeko continued on.

“How… well… I… I live here,” he reasoned.

“Live here? Where?” Denra wanted to know.

“But we don't have time to talk about me. We still don't know where the prism is,” he said in a serious tone.

“And how'd you know that?” asked Hirosa.

“Come on, sis. I'm one of you. I'm Ukyo and now that I'm here you can go back home.”

“I AM NOT YOUR SISTER!!” The kid went flying into the air.

He reappeared beside her kneeling and weeping. “How could you do this to me. I'm your brother still. Just because I'm in another body it doesn't mean I'm not me anymore.” He was holding onto her leg.

“Get away from me you PERVERT!” She did all her best to shake him off her.

“I know about that prism you're talking of…” an old man approached Nekuri.

Hirosa and the boy both stopped.

“Yes… yes…” Denra was hopeful.

“It was in Yuranasu before and we took it from them because it's one of our ancestors' prized artifacts,” the old man continued.

“That's it!” Ajine remarked.

“I don't have it!” he revealed.

“WHAT!” Wasn't that a total loss?

“It's in the National Museum,” the old man blurted out.

“GREAT!!”

“The museum, it isn't so far,” Nekuri said holding the map while Denra was driving real fast.

The boy was with them too. He was sitting on the edge of the backseat nearly the trunk itself of the car.

“What can we call you?” Ajine asked the boy.

They could already see the dome-shaped museum.

Gekuren was riding slightly ahead of them.

“Call me Futouko.” He suddenly did a hand stand while he held on the lower side of the convertible.

“What're you doing?” Hirosa was distressed.

Futouko was able to stand up on the road and carry the car with his bare hands.

It was horrible. Gekuren couldn't believe this boy was able to lift the car in mid-air. He stopped the motorcycle instantly.

“Goodbye my friends.” Futouko threw the car to the left where there was an unfinished building.

Gekuren ran and tried to slash Futouko but he disappeared just before Gekuren's sword got an inch to him.

Nekuri, Ajine and Mizumeko jumped out of the car.

“Denra!” Hirosa called to her.

“I'm stuck!” Denra was panicking.

Hirosa tried to help her get her seatbelt off…

The car drew dangerously nearer to the construction site. Luckily Hirosa was able to pull off the seatbelt and save Denra. The car plunged into the building that collapsed immediately.

“Hhmm…” Yukari smiled as she saw a building collapse from afar.

Enjin kicked the locked entrance and successfully opened it. “Let's go…” He went in first.

Futouko bowed graciously. “Good work, Futouko. You shall be greatly rewarded,” said Yukari.

They followed Enjin into the said museum.

“Why do you keep saving me?” Denra asked Hitei. “… I mean it's not like - “

Hirosa interrupted her, “Because I promised myself that I'll save all those in need of help.” She was serious.

“And you always need saving…” said Mizumeko.

Denra got annoyed.

“My twin, he told me everything about his real identity. He trusted me. He even let me train with him so I'll know how to defend myself. We found out that somehow I share his gift of travel. He was always there to encourage me but then that day came.” Hirosa paused.

Everyone was listening intently.

“We were coming home. He was driving when two ugly monsters sprang out of nowhere. They jumped into the convertible. Hitei battled with them. I held onto the stirring wheel to stir it safely from going off the cliff. The car was going wildly. Hitei was already on the highway fighting one of the monsters, but the other caught hold of me. The car was heading straight to the cliff. Hitei teleported back to the car as it hit the barricade. He took me and pushed me off the car and I landed to the edge of the road. The monster grabbed hold of him and he couldn't escape. The car plunged into the rocks below with my brother and his adversary.” She related her brother's death.

“I'm sorry,” Denra apologized.

“It's alright… The car was totally smashed. He was found dead. The monster with him was never found. Nobody ever believed me when I told the truth. They all said it it's the trauma of losing the one you love,” Hirosa told them.

“It's always like that because they don't understand,” said Ajine.

“But we understand,” Gekuren spoke too.

“I'd hate to say this but we don't have time to spare, that Futouko has surely gone to take the prism,” Nekuri mentioned.

They headed for the museum as fast as they could manage.

There were lots of exhibits in the museum. There was a section with prehistoric bones of dinosaurs. There were also artifacts of cave men. Then there was the Medieval Period, the era of the sorcerers and wizards, knights and archers… kings and queens.

“Look at all these things… I remember them all from ancient books that I've read. It's like a fantasy.” Yukari walked around.

Something caught Enjin's eye, a small dagger with a red stone. It was a very simple weapon.

“Isn't that a sword of a Swordian Knight?” Yukari was suddenly beside him.

“Yes it is.”

“But it looks so simple and dull,” she commented.

“All our weapons start as that but as we grow stronger it morphs to its bearer's needs.”

“I see…” Yukari looked at the inscriptions and read, “`A sword found in Ancient Gustav. It is said to be a sword of a special group of knights who were able to control spirits of the world and use them in battle' … that's the Swordian Knights alright!” she added.

“Ms. Yukari…” Futouko called their attention. He was standing near one of the glass-cased exhibits.

Yukari walked to it and couldn't believe her eyes. It was the prism. It looked just like a miniature pyramid in Egypt.

Yukari held onto the prism. One way or another she was going to keep this with her… and then the warriors arrived.

“You're finally here and I thought I'd leave this island without even seeing you all… the well-known… Warriors of the Sacred Pentacle.” Yukari seemed to be glad.

Enjin and Gekuren both looked at each other, recognizing immediately that they were the same kind.

Why can't I see his sword? His cloak is very powerful then. Gekuren talked to himself.

“Weak,” Enjin murmured.

“Yukari!” Nekuri greeted.

“Yukari,” Denra echoed. “Who's Yukari?” (âŒ‚)

“She's the strongest purebred human sorceress of this generation,” Mizumeko filled in the information.

“Purebred Human?” Hirosa wasn't quite sure.

“Yes… she's human. No dark or even holy blood whatsoever,” Mizumeko explained.

“I'm sorry but I can't stay. I have a delivery to make,” Yukari said.

“We won't let you take that with you,” Ajine declared.

“But you can't stop me.” She shot back, “Come now servant… Raku!”

And a gigantic centipede emerged from the back of the museum, standing high and horrible.

“Stay here Futouko and finish them. I expect the three of you to be back as soon as they are all done for.” Yukari said with authority.

“Yes. Ms. Yukari…” Futouko replied.

“You mean there's more?” Ajine asked softly.

“Must be the one that controls the weather,” Hirosa replied.

“Enjin… let's go now…” Yukari looked at him.

Enjin gave Gekuren one last glare. He uncloaked his sword. It was huge, totally different from Gekuren's sword. “Look Knight and look at this well. This is a sword of a TRUE Swordian Knight,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear. He held the huge sword before him and began to speak… “I summon my Swordian Spirit…” The eye in the sword opened and revealed its brown shade. The jewel at the handle of the sword shone its color of brown.

“Come to me my Spirit God, Aracles…” And out of nowhere a shadow of a huge winged creature cast upon all of them.

“It's the island spirit!” Hirosa blurted out.

They were all amazed and horrified. This Swordian Knight was truly powerful… more powerful than Gekuren. The spirit was a monstrous bird.

“Bye now…” Yukari waved as the monster carried her away with Enjin.

“No…” Ajine couldn't believe this. She was ready to follow them though it's quite impossible.

Nekuri held onto her hand to stop her… “That's not the prism of Cyrus…” Nekuri said simply.

“It's not?” Hirosa was surprised too.

“No… the prism of Cyrus is a crystal clear prism which contains an upside down black prism like this…” Nekuri showed them an illustration.

“Well… that's what you get for not knowing what you're looking for!” Gekuren rubbed his nose.

Mizumeko was following the monster with his eyes as it made its way back to wherever… He noticed Yukari waved at someone… he followed that direction and he saw a tall building with two people at the rooftop. Mizumeko was able to see a faint yellow light emanate from that tower exactly from the rooftop.

“The weather's going bad again...” Denra looked at the black sky.

The warriors huddled around each other.

“I know where the others are,” Mizumeko began.

“You do?” Hirosa wanted to be sure.

“Yes… Two people are in Kurogane Tower and I think one of them is a wizard controlling the weather…” said Mizumeko.

“We need to get there then,” suggested Gekuren.

Nekuri nodded of approval.

“Where's that Karagai Tower?” Denra got it all wrong.

“Not Karagai… Kurogane,” Ajine corrected.

“It ain't so far from here but it's the highest building on this island,” Mizumeko informed.

“Hey… hey… What the heck are you talking about? How could you have forgotten about us!” Futouko spoke up.

“Oh yeah. We almost forgot about them,” said Gekuren. (âŒ‚)

“You'll be sorry for ignoring us… Raku… attack,” Futouko commanded.

The huge centipede started to move towards them.

“Not all of us can go. I'll stay. I need to teach that boy to mess with me!” Hirosa said as she made an assault towards Futouko.

“My motorbike can be used to get there faster,” Gekuren suggested.

“I wanna get outta here!” Denra started running away when the centipede suddenly broke through the ground below her and took as it rose higher into the sky.

“Denra,” Ajine called out.

“I'll go and save her,” Gekuren said as he uncloaked his own sword.

Ajine couldn't help but look at his sword. It was far different from that other Swordian Knight's sword.

“Ajine go to the wizard and stop him. Bring Mizumeko with you. I'll stay with them and defeat this monster,” Nekuri said as she began to concentrate to call her spirits…

Then it began to hail.

Mizumeko and Ajine ran away. They found Gekuren's bike lying on the cement road. They rode on it hastily.

“Make it go!” Mizumeko was getting all excited even as fist sized hail began to pour on them.

“Ouch!” they cried in unison.

Mizumeko made a barrier to shield them from the hail… “What's the matter?” He was getting annoyed.

“I don't know how to drive…” Ajine confessed.

“WHAT?” The hail stopped pouring.

Hirosa attacked Futouko fearlessly but he easily evaded her using his gift. Futouko hit her back and she fell down to the ground. She immediately made a counter-attack and kicked his feet so he'd get off balance but he was gone even before she hit one foot. Futouko reappeared in front of her and kicked her in the face. Hirosa stood up and wiped the blood that came from her mouth. She couldn't use the shadows because they were at an open area. Despite the fact that the sky was all-dark, it was still not enough… to cast dark shadows that she could use…

“What're we gonna do?” Mizumeko asked loudly.

The wind was blowing hard. Huge waves were tumbling at the edge of the nearby beach. Suddenly a huge tornado emerged behind them.

They both screamed as Ajine tried all her best to learn how to operate the motorbike as fast as she could.

The tornado began to move its way towards them. It picked up the light structures in its path.

“Go. Ajine. Go… Ajine go go!!” he cried out as the tornado neared.

Finally, somehow Ajine was able to figure it out. She stepped on the starting pedal and they sped away to escape the gaining tornado.

“Denra… try not to move!” Gekuren told her.

“Try not to move?! That's all you can say. I'm about to be eaten alive by this monster and that's all you tell me!” she angrily said as she hangs on the antennae of the centipede.

“I call upon the dark spirits of the Jurin wars…” Nekuri began as her hand was raised over her head.

Creepy gray figures started to appear and gather on the palm of her hands.

“Merge and show this monster the power you possess!” … A huge gray ball was now above her.

“Oh my gosh…” Denra cried out.

“Show your wrath!” Nekuri threw it to the monster.

The centipede was hit directly and thrown backwards for miles…

Denra was left in mid-air. She panicked and screamed for help.

Gekuren caught her and said, “See I told you. Don't move. If you did you won't be here.”

Futouko held onto Hirosa's chin and plunged her into the concrete pavement.

She's hurt very badly.

“Come on sis. Is that all you've got!” For a boy, he was extraordinarily strong.

“For the last time you are NOT my brother!” She started attacking Futouko again but he was able to avoid every single punch.

Futouko took hold of her fist, “At least you can tell the difference.”

She released herself from his grip. Hirosa couldn't understand what he was telling her.

“You're right. I am not your brother,” he admitted with a demonic smile on his face.

“I'm just pretending but you really know me. Don't you remember? My name is really Futouko even then,” he continued on.

“I don't know you…” Hirosa stepped back.

“We weren't able to introduce ourselves then. I didn't even know your name then but I knew your brother,” said Futouko.

“My brother,” Hirosa repeated.

“Okay. I'll help you. I'll show you my real self.” He crouched as if he were in pain. Then his skin began to peel open. An ugly monster emerged out of the boy's body.

Hirosa looked in horror.

“Remember me now?” he said as his sharp teeth lined up into a smile.

It was the same monster that Hitei battled before his death.

Ajine and Mizumeko were still on the road being chased by a whirling tornado. Mizumeko looked ahead to the Kurogane Tower and saw a faint brown light. The earth rumbled.

“Earthquake!” Ajine yelled out as the road cracked and parted.

The bike was able to make it to the other side. The earth continued to rumble, crack and part in different directions. A huge gap was before them. Ajine turned to the right just in time to escape the tornado that seemed to be cornering them. They ended up on the coastline. Waves splashed into the sea, every wave becoming stronger and louder.

Ajine and Mizumeko sighed thinking it was over.

Another light was sighted still from the Kurogane Tower. This time it was a blue light.

“I don't feel so good about this, go faster!” he told her.

“What! Make your voice louder.” She didn't hear for the waves were making too much noise.

“Go faster!” He shook her shoulder wildly.

“What is it?” She hit the breaks.

“Why did you stop!? Go faster!” he roared.

“Why?” As if on cue a huge wave was making its way to the shore.

“TSUNAMI!!”

She started the motorcycle again.

The giant wave could surely sink a portion of the island… and that place would be this shore side where they were now.

Ajine was going the fastest she could but they couldn't pass the wave. They were in trouble.

“Hold on tight.” Mizumeko began to conjure a spell.

Ajine could feel the power he was harnessing.

The tidal wave had started to crash on the shore at the furthest to them and getting closer and closer.

“Mizumeko!” Ajine screamed as the wave was about to splash onto them.

“Frigid!!”

A loud roar was heard and the centipede was back to its feet - lots of feet.

“That's still alive.” Denra couldn't believe this.

Suddenly a tornado emerged out of nowhere and another one and another. The one nearest to them taking up the lampposts of the street.

“I have an idea,” Nekuri proposed.

The lampposts were thrown at different directions.

“I'll tell you when to use your `dragon thrust' on the monster to make him go into the tornado,” said Nekuri.

“I get it yet I don't think the tornado's big enough to take it away,” Gekuren voiced his opinion.

“Let me worry about that!” Nekuri knew perfectly what she was doing. She began to chant for something big… another assault.

“You know who I am now.” Futouko laughed.

“I've got a question. How'd ya fit into a boy four feet high when you're actually 7 feet tall? I mean how's that possible!?” was Hirosa's surprising question. (âŒ‚)

“I've no time to answer such non-sensical questions of yours.”

Hirosa's face saddened, “You're so mean. No wonder you have no friends.”

Futouko got annoyed, “Who cares if I have none… when I serve the beautiful sorceress.”

She shook her head.

“Stop all this… gibberish! Can't you see I killed your brother Hitei!” he shouted it out.

“Hey! Wake up now!”

Ajine heard a voice. She opened her eyes. “Am I in heaven?”

“No dummy… we're alive,” Mizumeko and none other said.

“How'd - aww!” She hit her head at something hard, as she tried to sit upright. When she looked behind her everything was iced.

“How? I froze it solid.” He was proud. “Now let's get that weather wizard.” They sped out of that icy cave and tunnel.

“They're really good,” Tokaru murmured as he looked at the frozen tsunami that could have sank a quarter of the island

“What did ya say?” Rayako opened her left eye. She was resting on the floor peacefully.

“Just rest. I'll do it just fine.” He gripped his staff and it shone bright yellow.

They were fast approaching.

Lightning started to strike near them. Ajine avoid them as much as she could.

“I can see him,” Mizumeko announced as he stared at the old man. He held up both his hands and release two energy bolts to Kurogane's top…

Rayako opened her eyes and saw the energy bolt heading for Tokaru. She threw shurikens countering the energy bolts and saved him from absolute death.

“Stay here. You know you can't fight in a short range. I won't let them get near you.” She told him.

“Take care, child,” Tokaru said before Rayako jumped downwards from the rooftop to the bottom of the building.

Rayako was determined to guard him and she shall fight even to the death.

Nekuri closed her eyes and seemed to be praying.

The centipede made its way towards them.

“Denra you need to distract it,” Gekuren told her.

“â™« This isn't goodbye…” The monster stopped moving and began to sway dizzily sideways. “Even as I watch you leave. This isn't goodbye. â™ª”

They watched ghostly figures joined into the tornado, making it grow bigger and intensifying its speed and power as well.

“â™ª I swear I won't cry…” The tornado was growing so huge and so fast. “Even as tears fill my eyes, I swear I won't cry. â™«”

“Now!” Nekuri shouted.

“I call upon my Swordian spirit.” The purple jewel shone.

The centipede began to regain awareness.

“Dragon Thrust.” The dragon figure forced the centipede into the tornado and soon then it was thrown into the East Ocean, the deepest and widest ocean.

The motorbike dropped on the short grass as Mizumeko and Ajine hurried to get off it.

“He's upstairs…” Mizumeko reminded.

“You'll have to go through me first.” A lady ninja jumped in before them.

Ajine's sword appeared on her hand, “Go Mizumeko. I'll handle this.” She bid him to go ahead.

Mizumeko ran to the right side.

“I won't let you.” Rayako attempted to attack him with her two partner knives.

“I'm your opponent.” Ajine shielded him.

He hastily ran into the building.

Rayako jumped away, “Come on!” she challenged Ajine.

She gladly attacked Rayako.

Rayako was able to jump and start throwing shurikens at Ajine.

Ajine successfully stopped them all by using her sword. “Why do you fight for Aku-rei?” came her inquiry. After all the battles, she realized how gruesome fighting truly is.

“Aku-rei… I am not bound to him.” Rayako said confidently.

“If you are not then…”

“It is Tokaru, the wizard who I am here to protect.” said Rayako, as she stood glaring at Ajine.

They were measuring each other. They walked in a circle not taking their eyes of the enemy.

“Then let us stop this. We will not hurt him. He just needs to stop terrorizing the island.” Ajine found herself unwilling to fight Rayako. She sensed genuine goodness in her that she had not felt in her other opponents. She threw her sword on the grass.

“Is this a trick? I know you can summon that sword anytime you please.”

Ajine shook her head. She didn't understand why she was doing this but looking into Rayako's lavender eyes, Ajine saw no evil desire like the rest of her enemies. Rayako's eyes were confident with great passion and love.

“Fine! Then I shall strike again!” Rayako spoke with haughty. She pulled a metal boomerang from her back. She threw it towards Ajine.

“Why does Tokaru serve them? Tell me…” Ajine commanded Rayako but she focused on the boomerang curving towards her.

Rayako smiled. She admired Ajine's courage. “Dead people don't need explanations…”

The metal boomerang went head on to Ajine. It was directly aimed at her neck but Ajine turned her head precisely to evade it and then she grabbed the boomerang with her right arm.

Rayako was dumbstruck. Her opponent caught the boomerang so easily without getting her hand sliced off.

“Tell me…” Ajine repeated. She dropped the bloody boomerang that made a big gash on her palm. She was thankful Kaimaru had a fascination for boomerangs so he taught her some tricks. For that she owes him her hand.

“I KILLED HITEI! You know what? I'll tell you more!! I'll tell you how I killed him and how I managed to escape while he's long gone.” Futouko paused to glance at Hirosa.

Hirosa didn't show much emotion. She was ready to listen.

“Well you see… I took his power of teleportation. I can do that borrow powers for a while. Of course I used it and escaped. While he… hah! … Became a bloody mess of himself. I saw you. I watched you as you wept for him. It was so melodramatic like a nice tragic soap opera. And you know what else! Since he died, his power remained with me permanently… isn't that glamorous. It's like he gave me a parting gift,” Futouko said merrily.

Hirosa clenched her fist. Her rage she tried to hold back.

“I remember the terror in his face when he couldn't teleport,” he continued.

“SHUT UP!!” She suddenly attacked him and because he was caught off guard her elbow smacked his jaw perfectly.

Futouko was thrown backwards.

Hirosa breathed hard… “How dare you disrespect Hitei like that?” She was furious.

“Why? What're you gonna do about it?” Futouko suddenly stood up and spitted blood out of his gruesome mouth. “That's a pretty strong elbow you got there… but then again you're still too weak…” He started appearing, disappearing and reappearing all around her.

Hirosa bit her lip for it was true.

“Your bro couldn't defeat me. He was dumb enough to go after me when he could have saved himself.” Here he goes again.

That was the last straw. Hirosa ran to attack him again and as expected Futouko teleported to evade her assault, but when he looked to see where she was, she was nowhere.

Futouko was shocked.

“Hey! I'm here!” Someone tapped his shoulder from behind. He turned and multiple punches welcomes his face and body. A painful kick on the stomach made him slide on the rough cement.

“Tokaru owes his life to Yukari. She is the only one who has a serum for basilisk poison. She didn't want payment instead a lifetime of service.” Rayako related the story with bitterness and anger.

“Now I understand. You are fighting against your will. I see no evil in you. Please let us not fight.” Ajine tried to negotiate with her.

“You know you amaze me.” she began. “The great warrior is actually a peacemaker. The world needs more people like you…”

“I do not want blood wasted.” Ajine smiled widely.

“You should be glad that I am soft hearted person. Creilmaster, you remind me so much about myself, how I used to detest wars and how now I've been pushed to be part of one. I will surrender to you but with one condition…” Rayako's eyes glistened. “You'll have to catch this.” She meant the small metal needle she held on her left hand.

Sweat broke through Ajine's forehead. This was not going to be easy. Unlike the huge boomerang the needle was an inch and a half long and very thin.

“I belong to a family of assassins. We have developed a technique to kill people with only one power strike of this needle. Let me give you a demonstration.” Rayako looked around. “Let's move a little closer to the building.”

They walked sideways and stopped meters away from the building.

“Seiyo Mastery. Art of the Power Needle.” She threw the needle so fast that Ajine barely saw it happen. Then immediately one of the glass windows cracked severely as if a speeding bullet struck through it.

Ajine ran to that window and found the cracks radiating from the small hole that the window broke through. She was completely awed.

“Get ready cause if you don't catch this one. You're dead.” Rayako challenged.

“But… but how?” Futouko choked out, as he lay bruised and bloody on the floor.

“I owe it all to you.” She reappeared only a foot away from him.

His eyes grew big as he crawled backwards away from Hirosa.

“You can't run from me any longer because anywhere you go I'll follow you relentlessly. You'll be sorry for every word you've said.” She meant every word.

Futouko bowed before her, “I'm sorry… I really am… oh please forgive me… I didn't mean all that I've said,” he pleaded.

“I'll end your suffering…”

“You will?” He had an evil scheme ready.

“Good - “ Hirosa kicked his face and broke his neck. She got his shoulder and threw him horizontally away. She then teleported to let his back hit her bended knee to break his spine and a final kick enough to send him to the next island… “ - Bye.” Hirosa smiled.

“Job well done.” It was Gekuren with Denra and Nekuri.

“Great show!” said Denra.

“No comment,” Nekuri spoke but they all knew that she was glad as well.

“There you are!” Mizumeko burst into the rooftop after climbing so many steps.

“Aahh!” Tokaru's heart leaped. “Don't ever try to scare me again like that,” he scolded Mizumeko.

“An old man… Ironic… It's all over for you. I know you can't use your powers with me. Now that I'm near you.” Mizumeko slowly walked to him.

“Get away…” Tokaru panicked and made shuffling steps backward. “Where's Rayako?”

“Oh you mean that ninja girl. I'm pretty much sure my friend's done with her,” Mizumeko said casually. “Come on old timer. It's time to surrender.” He walked even closer.

“Get away!!” Tokaru suddenly tripped and crashed to floor.

Mizumeko ran to him, “Take it easy.”

“We'll all die together!” He made the crystal he held onto light up with flaming red color. Then he passed out…

“What have you done?”

“Concentrate, Ajine. This is a battle of will.” She closed her eyes. She knew she could do this. It wasn't impossible but extremely difficult.

“Hear it comes! Seiyo Mastery. Art of the Power Needle!”

Ajine heard Rayako say but all she saw was black. She knew it was coming. It was like she could almost hear it breaking the wind as it traveled at high speed then she saw it in her mind's eye. It was like a bright meteor illuminating in the darkness.

“Aaah!” Rayako screamed as the earth rocked violently making her lose her balance.

Ajine reeled and fell down.

“No!” Rayako thought the worst.

“I got it…” Ajine stood up and triumphantly showed her the needle that she caught in her right hand.

“You really are something.” A smile escaped Rayako's face.

The earth continued to shake violently and gray ashes clouded the atmosphere.

“Tokaru!” Rayako called and headed to the top of the building.

“Eruption!” The people started to run away. The ash falling like gray snow only it was not unlike white cold snow.

Denra was stunned. Red-hot lava started flowing out from the volcano's crater. It was the first time she was able to witness such a phenomena. Flaming rocks were also thrown in mid-air.

“Let's get outta here!” Gekuren carried Denra with him to safety.

The volcano kept emitting ash and lava. “Tokaru!” Rayako emerged from the fire exit ladder, shocking Mizumeko. She immediately ran to the unconscious Tokaru.

“Oh no!” Ajine came after Rayako. “We have to do something!” Ajine panicked as the violent eruption went on. “We have to save the people.” She kept whining.

“Leave everything to me,” Mizumeko said and began to concentrate.

Ajine felt the immense power Mizumeko gathered. She was beginning to get overwhelmed by his skill. Even Rayako was distracted by Mizumeko's unbelievable power.

“Power beam.” And a huge golden beam hit the volcano destroying the left side of the cone. The lava flowed ocean ward.

Burutsukai Volcano's beautiful and perfect cone was terribly destroyed but at least there were only minor casualties. The flow of lava had stopped, only smoke brewed out of the distorted volcano crater. Kyo Island was finally free of harm.