Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Muma Oni - The Succubus Demon ❯ Castle of the Shikyo Ou ( Chapter 23 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Levante01 
Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Comedy / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 01.06.2010 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.1K | Visits: 158 | Status: Completed
Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Comedy / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 01.06.2010 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.1K | Visits: 158 | Status: Completed
Sato staggered backwards as the ground began to rumble. Ryomaru caught him at the shoulder to hold him steady. Sato stared behind Kaiban. Something was rising from the ground around Tokyo Tower. Sato squinted, focusing directly on the walls that rose into the sky.
“Oh lord,” Sato said, his eyes widening and his gut churning.
The walls were made out of bones of the dead and dirt. The walls began to form together. At the top it circled in close to the tip of Tokyo Tower. Legs spread outwards in each of the major directions, spikes lining the top of them. The sky began to grow black as a storm of crows flew through the air, circling the castle.
“That thing’s huge,” Pinaka commented.
Kaiban sniggered. “Feast your eyes on my monument: the castle of the Shikyo Ou!”
“Castle of the Death King?” said Sato, feeling his stomach churn even more.
“That’s what Kaiban was called in the old days,” Muma said. “Everywhere he went he brought death and despair, so he was referred to as the Shikyo Ou, sometimes even called a devil and many more horrid things. Other than those that died at his hands, the only ones to ever see him were designated messengers of the current emperor and the emperor himself.”
“So tell me,” Kaiban said, “are the four of you prepared to step into my sanctum?” He didn’t wait for a reply. “Then come, if you dare. The final hour of your lives is fast upon us.”
“I’ll show you!” Sato and Muma cried together as they rushed at Kaiban.
Kaiban disappeared into the air just as Sato and Muma reached the spot. They crashed into each other and dropped hard to the ground. The phantoms beside them laughed in turn. Kaiban reappeared standing over them.
“If you can survive my castle,” Kaiban said, “I’ll reward you with a battle against me. If you can’t survive, well––you know what happens.”
“Damn you!” Sato said as he rushed at Kaiban again. Kaiban sidestepped Sato, striking him only hard enough to make Sato lose his balance and hit the ground once again. Sato turned onto his back fast and said angrily, “I want my grandpa back!”
“He’s at the top of the castle,” Kaiban said. “If you really want him, you better survive.”
Kaiban disappeared again just as Muma tried attacking him from behind. She sprang forward and fell hard on top of Sato.
Risa and Totsa sniggered as they watched the two. “Kaiban has left for the castle,” Totsa said.
“We’ll meet you there as well,” Risa said.
The phantoms faded from sight. Muma and Sato stood. Sato looked at Pinaka and Ryomaru. “We have to save my grandpa,” he said. “I’m willing to put my life on the line for that, and to save all of Japan. How about you guys?”
“We’re demon hunters,” Ryomaru said coldly, gripping the hilt of his sword, “that’s our duty. Now come on, let’s get to that castle.”
“Right,” Pinaka said as she raced forward.
***
“Your grandson is on his way,” Kaiban said as he approached Grandpa.
The top of Tokyo Tower pierced through the floor of the level Kaiban was on, and Grandpa was still tied to it. His face was thin, and he could barely hold up his head. “Sato will make it,” he said weakly. “I have faith in my grandson.”
Kaiban smirked. “He just might. In fact, I want to ensure he gets here. Facing him might be quite fun. He seems weak, but with the right equipment and his skills combined, I could have a little fun.”
He snapped his fingers and Totsa appeared, kneeling. “What can I do for you, sir?”
“Be sure that Sato finds his grandpa’s sword,” Kaiban commanded. “And lay about some armor for him as well.”
Totsa looked up. “Pardon, sir? You want me to help him?”
“I’d like to fight him myself,” Kaiban said. “The armor and sword should give him an advantage to survival. If it seems he might die after equipping himself, let him, but assist him until he gains the armor.”
Totsa’s jaw was dropped slightly. He quickly said, “As you wish,” and disappeared through the floor.
***
Sato was the leader of the pack as they entered into the castle. The ground floor was dark and dank. Pillars lined the floor, looking to each be about ten feet from one another. Floating gray orbs happened to light the floor, but only slightly, not giving any real visibility.
“Where do we start?” asked Pinaka.
Ryomaru took the lead. He beckoned for the others to stay behind as he said, “An unease fills me. I’ll take care of whatever comes at us.”
Pinaka placed a hand on Sato’s shoulder and forced him to the back. “You’re a hazard,” she said. “Stay back while we handle things. Muma, watch his back.”
“Of course!” Muma said excitedly.
They walked cautiously through the floor. Muma was holding Sato’s hand tight. Sato sighed as he thought about Muma hiding behind him instead of protecting him if they were attacked. A chill swept through the air, making Sato shiver uncontrollably. Muma placed an arm quickly over her breasts. Sato held back a laugh, knowing why she was covering herself.
“I don’t sense anything,” Pinaka said as she squinted hard through the dark.
Ryomaru brandished his sword calmly through the air, creating a loud whistling sound of the air passing over the slender blade. “Something’s here,” he said. “I feel it. It’s trying to conceal itself.”
“What is this ‘it’ you’re talking about?” Sato asked uneasily.
As if answering his question, a low growl echoed through the floor. It steadily grew louder, and became loud enough to start shaking the ground. The four grabbed and held onto each other to keep themselves on their feet. The ground began to shake even harder as loud footsteps echoed off the pillars. Another growl swept through the floor.
“What kind of demon do you think it is?” Pinaka asked.
“Grade B, according to my scanner,” Ryomaru said.
“Grade B?” said Pinaka hysterically. “No way! I can’t even defeat a Grade D!”
“We’re in this together,” Muma said. “Besides, you have a Grade A demon right here on your side.”
“Sorry to burst your bubble,” Ryomaru said, “but you’re a Grade C.”
Muma looked over her shoulders to scowl at Ryomaru. “And who asked you, Mister Demon Hunter?”
“No time for that,” Sato said, “it’s here.”
Everyone glanced in the direction that Sato was pointing. A snout was barely visible in the darkness. Slowly the whole head of the beast was in view. It was ugly. Rotting flesh dripped from it. As it opened its mouth slightly, blood spilled onto the floor. One eye hung from its socket while the other was melted completely shut. It came further into view. It had a vast body that covered many square meters of the floor. A nubby tail wagged left and right each time it took a step.
“Gross,” Pinaka said, plugging her nose. A foul smell wafted through the air. It was the stench of death.
“Is it this creation that gives Kaiban his name?” said Sato to no one in particular.
Muma pushed Sato to the side. She said back at him, “Get somewhere safe, Sati. You’ll only get hurt if you fight.”
Pinaka and Ryomaru brandished their weapons as they prepared for the monster. Muma bared her teeth and claws in anticipation. She was the first to make a move. Muma raced at the beast and jumped into the air. She landed on the back of the beast and began clawing away.
“Muma!” Pinaka cried suddenly.
Muma looked down at her feet. The rotting flesh was slowly consuming her like quicksand. Muma thrashed fiercely to pull herself out, but it proved futile.
Ryomaru went into action, slicing fiercely at the beast on its sides and on its head. Blood poured from its body, but the wounds were almost immediately covered over in dead tissue. Ryomaru took a quick step backwards to catch his breath, wiping sweat from his body. He flung his sword up quickly from the ground, sending a white blade of energy at the monster, but the tissue once again absorbed his attack. Ryomaru cursed loudly.
“Help me, dammit!” Muma cried, already sunk to her waist in the flesh.
Jira transformed from her polearm state into Pinaka’s wrist wings. Pinaka flew over the monster and reached out a hand to catch Muma. “Jira, harder!” Pinaka coached her companion as she tried to pull Muma from the monster’s back.
“My legs aren’t budging!” Muma cried. “You’re pulling me apart!” Muma let out a loud shriek of pain that echoed through the floor.
Muma’s bloody hand slipped from Pinaka’s grasp. Pinaka soared through the air uncontrollably, slamming into the ceiling before coming back down and landing roughly on the ground. She looked up fast to see Muma already sunk up to her chest.
“This is so gross!” Muma cried. “It feels like a zombie’s sucking my––”
Muma’s mouth slipped into the flesh. She jerked her head up for a final breath before being sucked completely inside.
“Muma!” Sato cried, unable to believe she was gone.
Ryomaru went on his rampage again. He took a huge jump backwards and began to release blade after blade of energy at the monster, each hitting the same spot, forcing its way into the monster’s bowels.
“And another!” Ryomaru cried, sending one more blade out. Just before the blade connected, the skin covered back over, nullifying the first attacks.
“This is impossible,” Pinaka said. She was disturbed at how the beast could take whatever they sent at it.
The beast looked around. It began to spit out puddles of blood, and strange, bloody creatures rose from them. They were humanoids, also dripping with the rotten flesh. They had long claws, and as the light hit them differently, fangs were visible.
“What are these things?” Pinaka said, brandishing her polearm around as the new fleshy monsters approached.
Sato dodged three monsters attacking at him. He spun around, kicking them hard enough to send their heads flying through the air. More heads sprouted from the shoulders of the headless monsters, and from the heads rolling on the floor bodies sprouted, pitting Sato against six of the monsters.
“A little help over here?” Sato called as he blocked the attacks coming at him.
A light flitted across the air and cut down two of the monsters. Sato glanced back and saw Ryomaru beside him, ready to fight. Sato never thought he’d be so happy to be standing by his side. Sato bounded forward, attacking the monsters. Ryomaru expertly flourished his sword, chopping down the monsters with a single slice.
“They’re not too hard to beat,” Sato said as he and Ryomaru backed against each other again. “Being outnumbered was too much for me though.”
“What about being outnumbered?” Ryomaru asked, indicating the numerous demons now approaching them.
“Help me!” Pinaka screamed loudly.
Ryomaru struck a path through the monsters. “Go,” he said calmly to Sato. “Watch her back. I’ll be fine on my own.”
Sato bit his bottom lip. He nodded and raced toward Pinaka. She was surrounded by as many zombies as Sato and Ryomaru had been. Sato burst his way through them, knocking them aside until finally Pinaka was in his view. She was crouched on her knees, covered in blood. Thankfully it wasn’t hers. Sato backed up to Pinaka. She smiled at him as she stood and both began fighting together.
Ryomaru cried out loudly as he released a burst of energy from his sword, completely obliterating a straight line of monsters coming at him. They didn’t regenerate like they had before. He released another, and in no time the numbers opposing him dropped. He finished off the last line and looked toward Pinaka and Sato.
“Pinaka, release your kyoshaku!” Ryomaru demanded. “It’s the only way to defeat them!”
“I can’t!” Pinaka cried as she fought the monsters clumsily. “I’m too scared! Besides, I’ve never learned it!”
Pinaka screamed as one of the fleshy creatures grabbed her arm. Sato tackled the monster with his shoulder. He grabbed Pinaka’s polearm as she clung to it tight and began to run in circles around her. She didn’t know what he was doing, but went with it. Sato’s feet lifted from the ground as Pinaka continued to spin. He released the polearm and flung himself through a group of monsters. He bounded off the head of one and landed on the back of the mother beast.
“Sato!” Pinaka called.
Sato looked down at Pinaka and Ryomaru. He felt his feet slowly sinking in. He smiled at them, not worried about being swallowed. His mission was to free Muma from the beast.
“Ignore him!” Ryomaru called. He sent out a line of energy across the ground, taking out a group of the humanoid monsters.
Pinaka nodded and continued to fight off the monsters coming at her. She kept a worried eye on Sato as he sunk lower. She ducked as a monster struck at her. She struck it with the shaft of her polearm and threw it aside into more monsters.
Ryomaru took out another group of beasts. He gazed up quick at Sato, already down to his waist. A monster clung itself to Ryomaru’s back. He gripped it tight by the wrist and flipped it over onto the ground. He swept the floor with energy from his sword, taking down more monsters. He soon found himself back-to-back with Pinaka as more, newly born flesh monsters approached.
“If we make it out of this castle alive,” Ryomaru said to Pinaka, “I’ll train you personally to become the best demon hunter you can.”
“You mean it?” Pinaka asked, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, blushing lightly.
“You bet,” Ryomaru replied. “Just keep watching my back!” He sliced down more monsters. He felt his energy draining from using the larger attacks.
Pinaka stabbed her polearm through a line of monsters and chucked them aside. She glanced back up at Sato, seeing his head just disappear into the beast. “Sato,” she said quietly to herself.
Ryomaru sliced the head off of a monster coming after Pinaka. He grabbed her shoulder and said, “Don’t drop your guard. Now fight!” He flailed his sword hand backwards, bashing in the head of a monster with the hilt of his sword.
“We’re done for, Ryomaru,” Pinaka said, defending herself. “Muma and Sato are dead, and these things won’t stop coming. I can’t last much longer like this.”
“Hang in there. Sato wouldn’t kill himself on purpose. He must have something planned.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Ryomaru dropped his defense for a split second. A monster struck him hard in the side of the head, sending him skirting across the floor, his sword flinging from his hand. Pinaka glanced quickly at him, and she too was taken down hard, sliding next to Ryomaru, her polearm dancing away from her.
“What do we do?” Pinaka asked as she clambered against Ryomaru, shaking profusely with fear.
Ryomaru couldn’t help but laugh. Pinaka looked at him with a concerned look. She thought he had gone mad as he sat there, laughing uncontrollably.
“What’s wrong with you?” Pinaka asked, but Ryomaru didn’t reply.
Pinaka grasped Ryomaru’s hand, which stopped his laughing fast. Pinaka snuggled against him as the creatures approached them. Pinaka was taken by surprise as Ryomaru wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
Hasu bounded through the monsters, ripping and tearing at them. The wolf was determined to protect his master.
“Hasu!” Ryomaru cried. Hasu screeched loudly as he was struck to the ground.
Ryomaru stood fast and charged through the monsters toward Hasu. He was grasped by a monster that slashed at his chest, breaking through his armor. Ryomaru backed away fast as the creatures charged. He fought them off as expertly with his hands as he did with a blade. Pinaka was awed by his graceful martial arts. She was also relieved they had given up on her for the time being.
Ryomaru grasped one and flipped it over his hip. He spun fast, swiping his foot across the ground, tripping those coming closer. He leaned to the side as one struck at his head. He followed up with a fist to the gut, ripping straight through it and tossing it to the side. Another came from behind and he flipped it over his shoulder, placing it on the pile before him.
Ryomaru staggered backward, dropping to one knee. The fatigue was really setting in now. He could no longer fight. His muscles ached and his head pounded each time his heart banged against his chest. The monsters approached him slowly, sizing him up. Finally one got the guts to bound at him. Ryomaru’s face went white.
“Oh lord,” Sato said, his eyes widening and his gut churning.
The walls were made out of bones of the dead and dirt. The walls began to form together. At the top it circled in close to the tip of Tokyo Tower. Legs spread outwards in each of the major directions, spikes lining the top of them. The sky began to grow black as a storm of crows flew through the air, circling the castle.
“That thing’s huge,” Pinaka commented.
Kaiban sniggered. “Feast your eyes on my monument: the castle of the Shikyo Ou!”
“Castle of the Death King?” said Sato, feeling his stomach churn even more.
“That’s what Kaiban was called in the old days,” Muma said. “Everywhere he went he brought death and despair, so he was referred to as the Shikyo Ou, sometimes even called a devil and many more horrid things. Other than those that died at his hands, the only ones to ever see him were designated messengers of the current emperor and the emperor himself.”
“So tell me,” Kaiban said, “are the four of you prepared to step into my sanctum?” He didn’t wait for a reply. “Then come, if you dare. The final hour of your lives is fast upon us.”
“I’ll show you!” Sato and Muma cried together as they rushed at Kaiban.
Kaiban disappeared into the air just as Sato and Muma reached the spot. They crashed into each other and dropped hard to the ground. The phantoms beside them laughed in turn. Kaiban reappeared standing over them.
“If you can survive my castle,” Kaiban said, “I’ll reward you with a battle against me. If you can’t survive, well––you know what happens.”
“Damn you!” Sato said as he rushed at Kaiban again. Kaiban sidestepped Sato, striking him only hard enough to make Sato lose his balance and hit the ground once again. Sato turned onto his back fast and said angrily, “I want my grandpa back!”
“He’s at the top of the castle,” Kaiban said. “If you really want him, you better survive.”
Kaiban disappeared again just as Muma tried attacking him from behind. She sprang forward and fell hard on top of Sato.
Risa and Totsa sniggered as they watched the two. “Kaiban has left for the castle,” Totsa said.
“We’ll meet you there as well,” Risa said.
The phantoms faded from sight. Muma and Sato stood. Sato looked at Pinaka and Ryomaru. “We have to save my grandpa,” he said. “I’m willing to put my life on the line for that, and to save all of Japan. How about you guys?”
“We’re demon hunters,” Ryomaru said coldly, gripping the hilt of his sword, “that’s our duty. Now come on, let’s get to that castle.”
“Right,” Pinaka said as she raced forward.
***
“Your grandson is on his way,” Kaiban said as he approached Grandpa.
The top of Tokyo Tower pierced through the floor of the level Kaiban was on, and Grandpa was still tied to it. His face was thin, and he could barely hold up his head. “Sato will make it,” he said weakly. “I have faith in my grandson.”
Kaiban smirked. “He just might. In fact, I want to ensure he gets here. Facing him might be quite fun. He seems weak, but with the right equipment and his skills combined, I could have a little fun.”
He snapped his fingers and Totsa appeared, kneeling. “What can I do for you, sir?”
“Be sure that Sato finds his grandpa’s sword,” Kaiban commanded. “And lay about some armor for him as well.”
Totsa looked up. “Pardon, sir? You want me to help him?”
“I’d like to fight him myself,” Kaiban said. “The armor and sword should give him an advantage to survival. If it seems he might die after equipping himself, let him, but assist him until he gains the armor.”
Totsa’s jaw was dropped slightly. He quickly said, “As you wish,” and disappeared through the floor.
***
Sato was the leader of the pack as they entered into the castle. The ground floor was dark and dank. Pillars lined the floor, looking to each be about ten feet from one another. Floating gray orbs happened to light the floor, but only slightly, not giving any real visibility.
“Where do we start?” asked Pinaka.
Ryomaru took the lead. He beckoned for the others to stay behind as he said, “An unease fills me. I’ll take care of whatever comes at us.”
Pinaka placed a hand on Sato’s shoulder and forced him to the back. “You’re a hazard,” she said. “Stay back while we handle things. Muma, watch his back.”
“Of course!” Muma said excitedly.
They walked cautiously through the floor. Muma was holding Sato’s hand tight. Sato sighed as he thought about Muma hiding behind him instead of protecting him if they were attacked. A chill swept through the air, making Sato shiver uncontrollably. Muma placed an arm quickly over her breasts. Sato held back a laugh, knowing why she was covering herself.
“I don’t sense anything,” Pinaka said as she squinted hard through the dark.
Ryomaru brandished his sword calmly through the air, creating a loud whistling sound of the air passing over the slender blade. “Something’s here,” he said. “I feel it. It’s trying to conceal itself.”
“What is this ‘it’ you’re talking about?” Sato asked uneasily.
As if answering his question, a low growl echoed through the floor. It steadily grew louder, and became loud enough to start shaking the ground. The four grabbed and held onto each other to keep themselves on their feet. The ground began to shake even harder as loud footsteps echoed off the pillars. Another growl swept through the floor.
“What kind of demon do you think it is?” Pinaka asked.
“Grade B, according to my scanner,” Ryomaru said.
“Grade B?” said Pinaka hysterically. “No way! I can’t even defeat a Grade D!”
“We’re in this together,” Muma said. “Besides, you have a Grade A demon right here on your side.”
“Sorry to burst your bubble,” Ryomaru said, “but you’re a Grade C.”
Muma looked over her shoulders to scowl at Ryomaru. “And who asked you, Mister Demon Hunter?”
“No time for that,” Sato said, “it’s here.”
Everyone glanced in the direction that Sato was pointing. A snout was barely visible in the darkness. Slowly the whole head of the beast was in view. It was ugly. Rotting flesh dripped from it. As it opened its mouth slightly, blood spilled onto the floor. One eye hung from its socket while the other was melted completely shut. It came further into view. It had a vast body that covered many square meters of the floor. A nubby tail wagged left and right each time it took a step.
“Gross,” Pinaka said, plugging her nose. A foul smell wafted through the air. It was the stench of death.
“Is it this creation that gives Kaiban his name?” said Sato to no one in particular.
Muma pushed Sato to the side. She said back at him, “Get somewhere safe, Sati. You’ll only get hurt if you fight.”
Pinaka and Ryomaru brandished their weapons as they prepared for the monster. Muma bared her teeth and claws in anticipation. She was the first to make a move. Muma raced at the beast and jumped into the air. She landed on the back of the beast and began clawing away.
“Muma!” Pinaka cried suddenly.
Muma looked down at her feet. The rotting flesh was slowly consuming her like quicksand. Muma thrashed fiercely to pull herself out, but it proved futile.
Ryomaru went into action, slicing fiercely at the beast on its sides and on its head. Blood poured from its body, but the wounds were almost immediately covered over in dead tissue. Ryomaru took a quick step backwards to catch his breath, wiping sweat from his body. He flung his sword up quickly from the ground, sending a white blade of energy at the monster, but the tissue once again absorbed his attack. Ryomaru cursed loudly.
“Help me, dammit!” Muma cried, already sunk to her waist in the flesh.
Jira transformed from her polearm state into Pinaka’s wrist wings. Pinaka flew over the monster and reached out a hand to catch Muma. “Jira, harder!” Pinaka coached her companion as she tried to pull Muma from the monster’s back.
“My legs aren’t budging!” Muma cried. “You’re pulling me apart!” Muma let out a loud shriek of pain that echoed through the floor.
Muma’s bloody hand slipped from Pinaka’s grasp. Pinaka soared through the air uncontrollably, slamming into the ceiling before coming back down and landing roughly on the ground. She looked up fast to see Muma already sunk up to her chest.
“This is so gross!” Muma cried. “It feels like a zombie’s sucking my––”
Muma’s mouth slipped into the flesh. She jerked her head up for a final breath before being sucked completely inside.
“Muma!” Sato cried, unable to believe she was gone.
Ryomaru went on his rampage again. He took a huge jump backwards and began to release blade after blade of energy at the monster, each hitting the same spot, forcing its way into the monster’s bowels.
“And another!” Ryomaru cried, sending one more blade out. Just before the blade connected, the skin covered back over, nullifying the first attacks.
“This is impossible,” Pinaka said. She was disturbed at how the beast could take whatever they sent at it.
The beast looked around. It began to spit out puddles of blood, and strange, bloody creatures rose from them. They were humanoids, also dripping with the rotten flesh. They had long claws, and as the light hit them differently, fangs were visible.
“What are these things?” Pinaka said, brandishing her polearm around as the new fleshy monsters approached.
Sato dodged three monsters attacking at him. He spun around, kicking them hard enough to send their heads flying through the air. More heads sprouted from the shoulders of the headless monsters, and from the heads rolling on the floor bodies sprouted, pitting Sato against six of the monsters.
“A little help over here?” Sato called as he blocked the attacks coming at him.
A light flitted across the air and cut down two of the monsters. Sato glanced back and saw Ryomaru beside him, ready to fight. Sato never thought he’d be so happy to be standing by his side. Sato bounded forward, attacking the monsters. Ryomaru expertly flourished his sword, chopping down the monsters with a single slice.
“They’re not too hard to beat,” Sato said as he and Ryomaru backed against each other again. “Being outnumbered was too much for me though.”
“What about being outnumbered?” Ryomaru asked, indicating the numerous demons now approaching them.
“Help me!” Pinaka screamed loudly.
Ryomaru struck a path through the monsters. “Go,” he said calmly to Sato. “Watch her back. I’ll be fine on my own.”
Sato bit his bottom lip. He nodded and raced toward Pinaka. She was surrounded by as many zombies as Sato and Ryomaru had been. Sato burst his way through them, knocking them aside until finally Pinaka was in his view. She was crouched on her knees, covered in blood. Thankfully it wasn’t hers. Sato backed up to Pinaka. She smiled at him as she stood and both began fighting together.
Ryomaru cried out loudly as he released a burst of energy from his sword, completely obliterating a straight line of monsters coming at him. They didn’t regenerate like they had before. He released another, and in no time the numbers opposing him dropped. He finished off the last line and looked toward Pinaka and Sato.
“Pinaka, release your kyoshaku!” Ryomaru demanded. “It’s the only way to defeat them!”
“I can’t!” Pinaka cried as she fought the monsters clumsily. “I’m too scared! Besides, I’ve never learned it!”
Pinaka screamed as one of the fleshy creatures grabbed her arm. Sato tackled the monster with his shoulder. He grabbed Pinaka’s polearm as she clung to it tight and began to run in circles around her. She didn’t know what he was doing, but went with it. Sato’s feet lifted from the ground as Pinaka continued to spin. He released the polearm and flung himself through a group of monsters. He bounded off the head of one and landed on the back of the mother beast.
“Sato!” Pinaka called.
Sato looked down at Pinaka and Ryomaru. He felt his feet slowly sinking in. He smiled at them, not worried about being swallowed. His mission was to free Muma from the beast.
“Ignore him!” Ryomaru called. He sent out a line of energy across the ground, taking out a group of the humanoid monsters.
Pinaka nodded and continued to fight off the monsters coming at her. She kept a worried eye on Sato as he sunk lower. She ducked as a monster struck at her. She struck it with the shaft of her polearm and threw it aside into more monsters.
Ryomaru took out another group of beasts. He gazed up quick at Sato, already down to his waist. A monster clung itself to Ryomaru’s back. He gripped it tight by the wrist and flipped it over onto the ground. He swept the floor with energy from his sword, taking down more monsters. He soon found himself back-to-back with Pinaka as more, newly born flesh monsters approached.
“If we make it out of this castle alive,” Ryomaru said to Pinaka, “I’ll train you personally to become the best demon hunter you can.”
“You mean it?” Pinaka asked, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, blushing lightly.
“You bet,” Ryomaru replied. “Just keep watching my back!” He sliced down more monsters. He felt his energy draining from using the larger attacks.
Pinaka stabbed her polearm through a line of monsters and chucked them aside. She glanced back up at Sato, seeing his head just disappear into the beast. “Sato,” she said quietly to herself.
Ryomaru sliced the head off of a monster coming after Pinaka. He grabbed her shoulder and said, “Don’t drop your guard. Now fight!” He flailed his sword hand backwards, bashing in the head of a monster with the hilt of his sword.
“We’re done for, Ryomaru,” Pinaka said, defending herself. “Muma and Sato are dead, and these things won’t stop coming. I can’t last much longer like this.”
“Hang in there. Sato wouldn’t kill himself on purpose. He must have something planned.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Ryomaru dropped his defense for a split second. A monster struck him hard in the side of the head, sending him skirting across the floor, his sword flinging from his hand. Pinaka glanced quickly at him, and she too was taken down hard, sliding next to Ryomaru, her polearm dancing away from her.
“What do we do?” Pinaka asked as she clambered against Ryomaru, shaking profusely with fear.
Ryomaru couldn’t help but laugh. Pinaka looked at him with a concerned look. She thought he had gone mad as he sat there, laughing uncontrollably.
“What’s wrong with you?” Pinaka asked, but Ryomaru didn’t reply.
Pinaka grasped Ryomaru’s hand, which stopped his laughing fast. Pinaka snuggled against him as the creatures approached them. Pinaka was taken by surprise as Ryomaru wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
Hasu bounded through the monsters, ripping and tearing at them. The wolf was determined to protect his master.
“Hasu!” Ryomaru cried. Hasu screeched loudly as he was struck to the ground.
Ryomaru stood fast and charged through the monsters toward Hasu. He was grasped by a monster that slashed at his chest, breaking through his armor. Ryomaru backed away fast as the creatures charged. He fought them off as expertly with his hands as he did with a blade. Pinaka was awed by his graceful martial arts. She was also relieved they had given up on her for the time being.
Ryomaru grasped one and flipped it over his hip. He spun fast, swiping his foot across the ground, tripping those coming closer. He leaned to the side as one struck at his head. He followed up with a fist to the gut, ripping straight through it and tossing it to the side. Another came from behind and he flipped it over his shoulder, placing it on the pile before him.
Ryomaru staggered backward, dropping to one knee. The fatigue was really setting in now. He could no longer fight. His muscles ached and his head pounded each time his heart banged against his chest. The monsters approached him slowly, sizing him up. Finally one got the guts to bound at him. Ryomaru’s face went white.