Return of the Fallen Volume 3 Chapter 30
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Author: Blue_Rat
ch30
As the creature twisted and turned, spasming out like a beast with a missing limb, Kazuki and the others observed closely, waiting for their moment to attack.
More and more cracks appeared on the creature’s armored shell and every so often a blue light could be seen between the gaps as Kazuki’s flame burned with ferocity.
The bug monster’s eyes once more emitted that same colorful light as before and shot the dangerous light in all directions. Its attacks, however, were random and touched no one. The desperation was obvious.
Kazuki signaled the others.
“It’s almost done, prepare to give it everything you’ve got.
Sam inhaled deeply and a chest plate made from rocks formed over his chest. Slapping the hammer into his palm, he gripped it tightly, ready for action. Shin landed on a nearby roof and wrapped his legs with wind, as he waited on edge. Nunully filled her staff with power and prepared to send ice spears flying, while Kimi prepared her barrier. She may not be able to damage the creature with her light but if another person found themselves in danger, she could try and get to their side and form a small barrier.
Mei hovered high up above the clouds, preparing to descend like a meteor at any given notice.
The insect monster’s movements began to slow and it began to raise its head towards the sky. Soon it’s upper body was 50 feet high. As soon as it reached that height it paused for a moment.
(This is it!)
Kazuki pointed ahead and roared out.
“NOW ATTACK!”
As soon as he said that, everyone pounced forward as fast as they could. The monster as well made its move.
Shin no longer had enough power to create multiple wind blades. Still, he called out to the power within him and kicked towards the humanish looking face atop the ugly insect’s head.
“Viper Whip.”
A single blade of wind shot out. Shin already recognized how weak it was because it was not even a third the size of a regular wind blade. Even its speed was halved. When it collided with the beast, not even a scratch was left behind. The beast’s eyes shined like a rainbow and a light shot out towards Shin. Shin tried to leap out of the way but with the slightest movement, he could feel every muscle in his body suddenly cramp. A wave of pain overtook him and he collapsed on the ground.
(Guh, this is Mana sickness, how could I not pay attention to how much magic I had left.)
Shin struggled to keep his eyes open let alone move. Up above him, the monster saw this and dove down toward Shin.
(Shit, this is bad!)
Sam leapt in from the side and swung his Warhammer right at the back of the head but the creature saw through this attack and its head shifted to the side. Sam’s hammer swung just passed and missed it. The creature’s head changed directions again at that moment and opened its wide mouth.
*CRUNCH*
Its razor-sharp teeth bit down on Kimi’s barrier. Sam felt cold sweat run down his back. If Kimi didn’t throw that barrier up, Sam would have likely been separated in two, even with his rock armor protecting him.
“SAM MOVE! I CAN’T Hol…”
*BANG!*
Kimi was near her limits already and with the Centipede monster biting down onto her barrier, it was using the last bit of her energy to maintain it. With a bit more strength into its bite, her barrier collapsed. Kimi who was on a nearby roof also collapsed, her power empty and her body suffering the effects of Mana sickness.
Once more the Centipede’s mouth closed.
*Crunch*
Sam had armor made from rock but with a simple chewing motion, he felt his armor get ground away in only a second and the next instant his eyes went wide.
Several teeth pierced his sides and blood poured down his body like a fountain. With a bit more pressure, his body would be dissected into two.
*Chinck*
A spear of ice stabbed deeply into the monster’s large eye, causing it to drop Sam at once.
Nunully only had enough power to create a single spear of ice and she did not want to waste it. With Sam in its mouth, its movements stopped briefly, this was the opportunity Nunully was waiting for and she took it. With precise aim, her spear missed Sam by a hair’s breadth and dealt a direct hit into the monster’s plate-sized eye.
As the insect thrashed about in pain, Sam fell helplessly from the air.
*Screee*
A low screech echoed out and Mei swopped down. Reaching out she caught Sam out of the sky before he hit the ground.
Kazuki reached the monsters back and found the same wound from before.
(Why open a new wound when there’s a fresh one right in front of me.)
Kazuki stabbed his sword all the way into the open wound from Shin and sliced repeatedly inside. More purple blood sprayed out and the monster trembled.
It threw Kazuki off and dove down once more. Its mandibles slammed together and pointed forward like a javelin as it dove at the ground. As soon as its mandibles connected with the ground below.
*BOOM!*
The rocks and dirt fragmented and shattered and unbelievably, the Centipede dove into the ground.
*ChtschtChtcht*
The sound of metal being dragged across something rang out as a puff of dirt and snow rose up into the air, blocking everyone’s vision.
Kazuki paused for a moment and guarded himself until the snow finally settled. What was left before him was a large tunnel that stretched deep down into the ground. Kazuki stood before it and called upon everyone.
“We have to chase it!”
Nunully was kneeling next to Sam tending to his wounds. When she heard Kazuki’s words, she couldn’t help but flinch.
“Ryuta, there’s no way.”
Kazuki shook his head.
“Of course there’s a way. Now come on let’s go.”
Nunully couldn’t comprehend. Looking between Sam’s bloody body and Kazuki, her words got stuck in her throat and she didn’t move.
“Nunully what are you waiting for, leave Sam and help me. We just have to finish it. A few good blows, a few more and we’ll kill it, now follow me.”
Mei descended to the ground and reverted back to her human form. Her earing glowed and a dress fell out. Quickly putting it on, she ran forward with large eyes.
“Big bro did I do good, was I awesome?”
Kazuki nodded and pat her head.
“Mei did excellent but were not finished yet, come with me were following that ugly bug back to its lair.”
Mei stepped back and shook.
“Eh! we have to go in there? But if I’m in a tiny place like that, how can I transform. I won’t be able to fight so good in there, plus it’s creepy.”
Kazuki snapped on Mei.
“Who cares if it’s creepy or not, we have to finish that fucking thing once and for all, now let’s go!”
Mei got really scared from this sudden yell and fell backward.
“Big bro!?”
Shin’s breathing was heavy and labored but he managed to limp over. He meditated just enough to move but he could still feel the muscles within him sending waves of pain throughout his body. Still, he couldn’t just lay around hearing Kazuki’s words. Listening to him spout nonsense, Shin felt pissed and hobbled over.
He glared at Kazuki and although he did his best to suppress his anger, it still seethed from him and was clearly noticeable but he didn’t give a shit at the moment.
“RYU…TA. What the fuck are you saying? Follow it are you insane? Look around, do you not see what that thing did to us, what it did to your friends?”
Kazuki felt the searing anger within him cool suddenly. The words from his brother were still lingering in his thoughts and it clouded him.
“Sam is bleeding out for fuck’s sake and you want to chase that thing, are you nuts.”
Shin forcibly suppressed the pain in his body and breathed deeply, this caused his chest to burn and ache which in turn caused him to cough violently. Wiping a bit of blood from the corner of his mouth he continued with a scolding voice.
“Did you for one second think about Asuna. Whatever that attack was, she still hasn’t woken and yet you want to risk all of our lives once more. Do we really mean so little to you, is our value that low. I used to think I was the funny one but if you really want to chase that creature after what we suffered, after we’ve yet to recover, then that’s the biggest fucking joke I’ve ever heard. Asuna’s out, Kimi, Sam are out. My powers at the bottom and Nunully as well is pushing herself. I mean just look at her. She’s near-empty but she’s still healing Sam even though she’s going through Mana sickness like the rest of us. Are you really that blind? You want to chase after that thing then go by yourself. I’ll follow afterward to collect your bones oh so competent leader.”
Shin said his peace and then sat down. Crossing his legs he shut his eyes tightly and began to meditate and absorb Magical energy while grumbling under his breath.
Shin spoke harshly but everything he said was right. At first Kazuki was pissed at Shin and wanted to wring his neck but after looking at Nunully’s trembling body as well as everyone else, Kazuki felt a calm wash over him and he released a heavy sigh.
*HAAAA*
Walking over to Nunully’s side, he knelt down next to her. Placing a hand over hers as well as a hand over Sam’s body, Kazuki transferred over some of his ki. Nunully suddenly felt her energy jump and the energy around her began to rush into her severalfold faster. Sam as well, he didn’t know what Kazuki did but he could feel the pain starting to fade. Even his wounds were starting to heal at a quicker rate.
Kazuki’s head fell and he whispered.
“Nunully, I’m sorry. Something came over me, and…I’m sorry.”
Nunully shook her head.
“It’s hard for you I know. Ever since we left Tresta, you’ve had it the roughest. Every decision you had to make, the responsibility and the consequences of those decisions. The pressure on your shoulders is too much for most men and they would collapse shortly after. I’ve even tried to fall back and not bother you too much because I’ve seen many people try to be that person only to then get crushed under the weight of it all. That’s why I understand it, that’s why I understand you…Ryu…ta.”
Nunully’s words became quieter and quieter with that last sentence and a shade of red filled her cheeks.
Kazuki had a sudden realization from those words.
(Nunully wasn’t originally so reserved. Before she was even a bit standoffish but ever since her life got thrown upside down, she’s become extremely reserved and she did it all to not be a burden on me.)
Kazuki felt a tinge of pain and bitterness in the corner of his heart. Ever since he got involved with her life, she’s suffered time and time again. If he had never entered the Dancing Gazelle, Nunully would never have been out in danger and been persecuted by the entirety of Treia. The more he thought about it, the more guilty he felt.
(I ruined her life and even now she’s only thought about not weighing me down. This girl, dammit!)
Kazuki unconsciously grabbed Nunully’s hand but this time instead of giving her some ki, he simply held it. He didn’t know why he did it but he felt that it wasn’t bad.
Nunully on the other hand, although she felt no energy transfer into her, the longer her hand was held, the warmer she became. Her face as well became redder and redder, until even the pointy end of her ears was tinged with shades of pink. She couldn’t help but smile.
Sam though looked up at the two and couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
(These idiots like each other, no doubt. I just wish they wouldn’t get all lovey-dovey over my dying body.)
Sam unconsciously released a sigh filled with annoyance.
*Haaaa*
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