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| Courage; KonoSetsu Fic - Who else? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 24 2007, 08:25 PM (7,307 Views) | |
| takuyar | Apr 5 2007, 03:30 AM Post #46 |
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Middle Schooler
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YESSS!!! Secchan will kick ass now! |
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| Manori | Apr 5 2007, 05:54 PM Post #47 |
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Middle Schooler
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Ah, it's a relief some back-up came to help out Ku Fei and Kaede; I was getting worried. But hopefully, now that Setsuna [and maybe Mana?] has arrived, things will get a little better. Though things might not be easy for them, hopefully everyone'll pull through, neh?
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| Chigusa | Apr 10 2007, 07:57 PM Post #48 |
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Middle Schooler
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Thanks as always, minna-san! Your encouragement is greatly appreciated! Well, slightly shorter chapter this time, but still a decent size, I think. Anyway, here is more in the way of ass-kicking action. Rather to my surprise I found myself doing it from Kaede's POV, but in the end I think this works better than suddenly switching to Setsuna's POV halfway through an action scene. Plus, it gives me a chance to look at Secchan from the outside, which is always nice. As always, constructive criticism is encouraged, nay, positively begged for. If you see something that could be improved, or you think doesn't quite work, please let me know! In any case, hope you enjoy. Without further ado I give you... Chapter Ten: The Big Four United “Setsuna-dono!” Kaede rolled to her feet and up into a defensive stance as she spoke. Setsuna grunted as she pushed the demon backwards to break the parry, and whipped Yuunagi through the air in a series of slashing cuts to drive the creature back a step at a time. A second later she found herself on the defensive as a second demon lunged forward to provide support for its beleaguered companion. Her nodachi flashed, bright against the smoke, catching attacking blows and delivering interspersed slicing attacks of her own to keep her opponents off-balance. “Konoka-ojou-sama?” The swordswoman had little breath for conversation, but this was something that wouldn’t wait. “A drug in the smoke. She’s not hurt. Just unconscious.” Setsuna nodded once. That was enough. Then all her attention was on the battle at hand. The ninja didn’t waste any more breath. Setsuna was keeping two of the monsters in check, but that left three more unattended. Out of the corner of her eye she registered Kuu rejoining the battle, leaping back to the attack without a second thought. She was slowed by the effects of the drug that was flowing through her system and the lingering pain of that first punch to the stomach, but she was more than able to occupy one of the demons alone. That took another of the creatures out of the fight, and Kaede turned her attention to the two remaining enemies. With a flick of her wrist, a handful of shuriken appeared in her hand, and she drew her arm back ready to throw. Immediately the demons charged, recognising the danger the projectiles represented. Kaede smiled. Just what she wanted. She jumped backwards, giving herself half a second’s grace, long enough for her plan to reach fruition. Soundless as shadows, Kaede’s three clone selves appeared from the swirling smoke and took position around the two charging monsters. She caught herself on her back foot and pushed forwards, turning retreat into attack in one blurred instant. “Kaede-ninpou! Four-way split shadow-cross!” The sheer raw power of the four Kaedes striking at the same time was equivalent to a small explosion, cracking the stone paving slabs and raising a cloud of dust and debris to mix with the ever-present smoke. Kaede held the ending pose of her trademark move for a moment, then turned, squinting into the debris cloud to see what damage she had inflicted. As the air cleared the two demons reappeared, both on their knees, both bleeding, but both still very much in existence. The ninja whistled under her breath. For them to withstand the force of the shadow cross, they had to be very powerful opponents indeed. Even as she watched, the two monsters managed to stand up once more, hands rigid as talons, growling deep in their throats. There was a surge in the surrounding aura of killing intent, and Kaede narrowed her eyes. This was not going to be an easy fight. Suddenly, she sensed a movement behind her. The ninja spun around, mentally kicking herself as she did so. She had been so focused on her new enemies that she had forgotten the swarms of lesser demons that had been her previous opponents. She ducked and chopped out with one arm, trying to deflect the blow that she felt coming. She knew even as she began the move that it was going to be too late. Time seemed to slow down as she spun. The costumed demon was punching straight, and she could see the fist coming at her face, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to stop it. Then time sped up again. Kaede prepared to roll with the punch she knew was coming, turning her head to protect her eyes and nose. But it was not the creature’s fist that slammed into her face. There was a cracking sound, and a sharp explosion threw smoke and dissolving demon particles into her eyes. The ninja grinned despite herself. “Mana.” There was the sound of a bolt action sniper rifle being reloaded from away to her left, and then the familiar figure of Mahora's own gunwoman strode out of the swirling smoke, weapon in hand. She nodded in acknowledgement. “Kaede.” For just a moment the two girls shared a silent look, some quiet recognition that didn’t need to be voiced. Mana’s voice was as flat and emotionless as always as she broke the silence. “I’ll put it on Setsuna’s tab.” Kaede nodded back. “If you would. This one is not as rich as she might like.” There was no need for more words. The two warriors closed the distance between them to stand back to back, ready to face any enemy that dared approach. Shurikens and bullets alike cut through the air, felling the lesser demons in a single shot, and slowing the more formidable creatures enough to make evasion possible. ***** The fighting raged fiercely, but the fighters soon realised the seriousness of the situation. The new giant demons may have been few in number, but they were well-nigh unbeatable. No matter how many wounds they took, they kept coming, refusing to fall even before the best of Mahora’s fighters. The costumed demons were weak in comparison, but what they lacked in strength they made up for in sheer numbers. Before long the human warriors found themselves driven into a defensive circle surrounding the unconscious Asuna and Konoka, unable to make ground against the sheer number and power of their attackers. Kuu Fei ducked a clumsy attack from one of the lesser demons and dispelled it with a flat palmed punch to the face. Kaede frowned. The young Chinese was holding her own, but to an experienced eye it was clear that she couldn’t last much longer. Her movements had slowed considerably and a constant tremor in her muscles showed the strain she was under just to keep in motion. The ninja was uncomfortably aware that she wasn’t in a much better state. She was bigger than Kuu, which meant the drug would take longer to make it round her body, and she had been in the smoke for less time, but still she could feel the nausea at the back of her throat and the weakness in her limbs. Even her vision was starting to blur every so often now. If the battle against the demons was to be a war of attrition, there was no doubt as to who the victors would be. “What now?” Kuu’s voice sounded thick and unsteady. “We wait for reinforcements,” Mana replied calmly. Kaede nodded. It was obvious to whom Mana was referring. They needed time to think and plan their next move, even if it was only a couple of minutes, and every one of them knew who could give them that time; who must be speeding towards them even as they spoke. “Negi-sensei,” said Setsuna, voicing the thought. Yuunagi became a blur of movement as a pair of lesser demons made an ill-considered attack and ended up in halves before being reduced to their component particles. Then the smoke billowed, and the chi-sensitive warriors felt the disturbance in the magical field that could only mean one thing. “There!” Negi swept through the air clear over the heads of the surrounding demonic forces and leapt from his flying staff before it had even slowed, hitting the ground in a roll and coming to his feet in the centre of the defensive circle. “Rastel maskil…” The young wizard held his staff high in one hand, the other raised to cast the spell. “Vertatur temestas veris… nobis protectionem aerialem. Flans paries venti vertentis!” There was a roar of sound and energy and suddenly the defenders were surrounded by a whirling cyclone, both cutting them off from their demonic attackers and clearing the air of the energy-sapping smoke. As one, the warriors heaved a sigh of relief and relaxed their guards. Kuu Fei rested one hand on Negi’s head to ruffle his hair. “Negi-bouzo. Good timing, aru yo.” A second later both she and Kaede had dropped to their knees, taking deep lungfuls of the clean air. Negi started forward, a worried frown on his face. “Master Kuu… Kaede-san…” Mana stopped him with a look. “We don’t have time for that, Negi-sensei. They will be fine.” “But…” “She’s right,” Setsuna broke in. “We need to decide what to do next. The barrier won’t last forever.” Kaede coughed and nodded. “The demons are after Konoka-dono. They have no interest in anything else. If we move her, the demons will follow. We would do better fighting on ground of our choosing.” Mana fixed Setsuna with a steady gaze. “You should take Konoka-san, Setsuna. Of all of us, you can move swiftest. I trust you to choose a better fighting arena for us.” Setsuna shrugged, looking uncomfortable. “Negi-sensei is as fast as I am. Are you sure about the demons, Kaede-san? I don’t like the idea of just flying off and leaving you all here to fight alone.” “I’m sure. The demons will lose interest as soon as you and Konoka go. And Negi-sensei has something else to do.” Kaede smiled at the swordswoman, and shot Negi a glance. “Don’t you, sensei?” “How did you…” Negi stopped himself. “Y… yes. I do. These demons must be summoned by a wizard, and a powerful one, for there to be so many of them. If I can find and defeat that wizard, the demons won’t be as focused or intelligent. They should be much easier to dispel, and…” “Good,” Mana interrupted, her tone brusque. “This is the only sensible course of action. Fly swiftly, Setsuna, and choose our battleground with care. We will follow.” “It’s decided then.” Negi smiled at Setsuna. “Are you ready, Setsuna-san?” The swordswoman knelt down beside her mistress, then paused with a curious reluctance. Her voice was almost inaudible as she whispered to her unconscious friend, but Kaede was just close enough to hear her quiet words. “Excuse me, Ojou-sama.” Then she gathered Konoka into her arms with practiced ease, cradling the unconscious mage against her chest. She bowed her head, and a look of fierce concentration crossed her features. A second later her wings burst from concealment, rucking her shirt and blazer up her back, unfurling in a whuff of air. She flexed them experimentally, then gave Negi a decisive nod. “Ready.” Negi in turn picked up Asuna, holding her close as he climbed onto his floating staff. “All right. The wind’s dying now. Three… two… one…” As suddenly as it had appeared, the raging whirlwind vanished, and the warriors leapt into action. Negi took off at his staff’s full speed in the direction of the Mahora parklands, Asuna propped in front of him. Mana, Kuu and Kaede set off at a dead run in the opposite direction, cutting through the stupefied demonic front lines like a battering ram. And Setsuna flexed her huge wings, propelling her into a spiralling vertical climb until she was nearly above the smoke cloud. Then, still hidden from prying eyes by the last of the smoke, she sped towards Mahora’s thick woodlands. Kaede smiled as she ran, sensing the swordswoman’s departure. Setsuna would never believe it even if she were to tell her, but with her wings open and a determined expression on her face, the Shinmeiryuu swordswoman struck an impressive figure. Konoka was a lucky girl. Now if both of them would just understand that, the world would be a better place. |
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| Jessie | Apr 11 2007, 12:11 PM Post #49 |
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KonoSetsu Fan!
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Nice Battling scenes :] I liked the end with Secchan spreading her wings and carrying Kono-chan in her hands ^__^ I'm looking forward to read some more KonoSetsu scenes though ^^" |
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| Knightwolf1785 | Apr 11 2007, 01:10 PM Post #50 |
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Middle Schooler
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Rocking battle and more to come! This is really heating up, and what will Dean Kenoe do I wounder? |
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| Chigusa | Apr 12 2007, 09:01 PM Post #51 |
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Middle Schooler
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Ookini, Jessie and Knightwolf1785! Don't worry, what would a KonoSetsu fic be without KonoSetsu themselves? This chapter has a little more in the way of that, so I hope it works and comes across as useful and in character. This is a shorter chapter, since it's effectively a break period between battles. Do let me know what you think of this one, as I have the least confidence in this kind of writing, and could do with some pointers on what you think works and what doesn't. Anyway, I won't keep you waiting anymore. Here is: Chapter 11: Brief Respite Setsuna’s wings beat at the air as she pushed full speed for the cover of Mahora’s forest. It had taken only half a minute or so’s flying time to clear the last of the smoke cover, but even though she was in full view now, there were no students in sight. The swordswoman allowed herself to feel a moment’s pride as a member of the Dean’s organisation. The only people visible in any part of the Mahora campus were adults; teachers and security staff, their chi signatures revealing themselves for the professionals they were. The students must have been evacuated from the dangerous areas and collected undercover as soon as the situation got underway. At least that was a lot more people that the young warrior didn’t need to worry about. Not, however, that she was thinking much beyond the girl in her arms. The swordswoman glanced down Kono-chan’s unconscious form, cradled close to her chest, and reassured herself for the twentieth time that she was breathing naturally; just asleep and nothing worse. The young mage’s face was peaceful and composed in sleep, her pale skin framed by dark hair that fluttered in the slipstream of their flight. She was beautiful, so beautiful, and Setsuna’s heart ached within her at the thought that she had come so close to losing her yet again. “Kono-chan…” Setsuna’s voice was a whisper, lost in the wind that rushed past her ears. “I’m sorry…” As if in answer, Kono-chan groaned softly, and her eyelids flickered as she began to fight off the drug’s effects. Her guardian hugged her closer. “Ojou-sama? It’s all right now. You’re safe.” The mage opened her eyes slowly and blinked several times, in an attempt to focus. Setsuna found herself wishing that she could watch her properly, see the dawning understanding in Kono-chan’s eyes as she realised what was happening, that she was safe, and the warmth she knew would be there, as it always was. Instead all she could do now was to snatch glances every other second, as she checked and rechecked her flightpath. Kono-chan smiled. “I know, Secchan.” Her voice was low and husky, an effect of the smoke, no doubt. “You’ve got me, after all.” The swordswoman blushed as a rush of familiar joy and affection filled her. It took so little for Kono-chan to make her feel like this, something that managed to embarrass and uplift her at the same time. A lopsided smile curved Setsuna’s lips in turn, and when she replied her voice was almost as hoarse as her lady’s. “That’s right, Ojou-sama. I’ve got you.” A second later though, Kono-chan’s eyes opened wide and she twisted in Setsuna’s arms to look around. “What happened? I remember the demons… the smoke… Asuna!” “She’s fine. Don’t worry. Negi-sensei is looking after her. But more importantly, how do you feel?” The mage blinked as she took stock, and gave her friend a reassuring smile. “I’m fine… I think. I feel a little sick, but that’s it.” She looked away again to study the landscape beneath them. “Where are we going, Secchan? What happened?” “We’re going to the forest.” Setsuna paused as she felt a change in the air currents, and angled her wings to push her sideways and upwards to glide on a thermal. She sighed into the sudden silence as her wings ceased their rhythmic beating. “The demons are still after you, so we’re leading them away from the school. We’ll fight them in the forest where it’s safer.” “We? Do you mean… you and me?” Setsuna could feel the intensity of that question in the tension that suddenly filled Kono-chan’s body. She frowned and gazed straight ahead at the green expanse of forest that was drawing closer, deliberately avoiding her friend’s eyes, even though she knew they were fixed on her own. She tried to keep her tone light. “Kaede-san, Kuu Fei-san and Mana are following us. They’ll fight with me when battle is joined.” “Oh… I see.” A moment later, Kono-chan’s voice regained its usual brightness. “Of course! Oji-san must have told everyone what was going on. Thank goodness you won't be fighting alone, eh Secchan? And what about Negi?” “He’s searching for the summoning wizard who’s behind this. Ah! There!” She stopped short as she finally spied the clearing she’d been looking for. Her wings beat once, then twice, directing her into a shallow dive toward the forest floor. She took the opportunity to look down at the girl in her arms, catching Kono-chan's eye. “The demons are close behind us. As soon as we land, you must hide. Stay behind me.” There was a brief silence before Kono-chan spoke up hesitantly. “But… Secchan… couldn’t I…” “No.” Setsuna cut her off. “Stay back. Stay hidden. Please, Ojou-sama. It’s for your own good.” There was another silence, and the swordswoman felt a growing uneasiness. Had she been too harsh? After all, she didn’t even know what Kono-chan might have been about to suggest. She clamped down hard on the urge to take back her words. She knew the gist of what her mistress was about to say well enough. But however Kono-chan might feel, there was no place for her on the battlefield. Hers was the life that Setsuna had sworn to protect, even at the price of the warrior’s own. She must be kept out of harm’s way at all costs. The forest floor loomed closer, and Setsuna spread her wings a little wider, flapping them in slow strokes, slowing their progress for a soft landing. They had nearly touched the ground before Kono-chan replied. Her voice was cheerful. “Don’t worry, Secchan. I’ll do as you say. I won’t get in the way, I promise.” The warrior felt another surge of affection run through her, and couldn’t help smiling even as her feet touched down, scuffing up the fallen leaves that lined the clearing. “Thank you.” She set Kono-chan down tenderly and drew her sword, taking up a wide defensive stance. Her gaze was fixed ahead, waiting for the demons to appear. “They’re coming. Get back into the forest, Ojou-sama.” Kono-chan stepped back slowly, one step, then another before she paused once more. “Be careful, Secchan.” Then she was gone, jogging into the cover of the trees. When the first of the demons pounded into the clearing, all harsh breath and bared teeth, she was nowhere in sight, well hidden in the forest’s embrace. Setsuna shifted her guard, bringing Yuunagi up in front of her, her face set in an expression of mask-like calm. Her voice was flat and emotionless. “This is as far as you go, demon-spawn. I, Sakurazaki Setsuna, will be your opponent.” |
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| Jessie | Apr 12 2007, 11:40 PM Post #52 |
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KonoSetsu Fan!
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Aw, great chapter ^__^ The demon made a big mistake to mess up with Secchan! :moohahaha: |
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| icha-kun | Apr 13 2007, 02:22 AM Post #53 |
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Nobody
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Wow, what a fast update! |
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| takuyar | Apr 13 2007, 06:37 AM Post #54 |
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Middle Schooler
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There are so many ways that plan with Konoka hiding in the forest could go awry.. Still, go Secchan!!! Kick some demon butt! |
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| Akira-Kun | Apr 13 2007, 07:22 AM Post #55 |
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<3
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I love this chapter, great work!! :lol: |
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| Knightwolf1785 | Apr 13 2007, 10:08 AM Post #56 |
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Middle Schooler
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Show them that it ends now, Secchan! |
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| Manori | Apr 13 2007, 10:01 PM Post #57 |
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Middle Schooler
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Fast update, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this chapter any less. I really liked chapter 10, as they got to kick butt more, and chapter 11's beginning was sweet. Can't wait until the next chapter, though hopefully while Setsuna is off kicking demon booty, nothing will happen to Konoka. But again, I doubt anyone will let her get away so easily and Konoka will get captured :(. [No, I am not a pessimistic; I'm just going about this realistically.] Though, as long as Secchan is there to protect Kono-chan, things should be fine
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| Chigusa | Apr 14 2007, 09:12 PM Post #58 |
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Middle Schooler
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Hehehe! Alright, so I'm just enjoying myself now. Nothing like writing climactic scenes. Ok, so I planned the next six separated scenes together, but on beginning to write them, realised that that would be one megas long chapter. So... I've split them down. Two here, and we'll see how the other four separate out later. I guess you can think of the next six scenes as the mid-season climax (or something...) - this is what things have been building up to for a while, but it don't stop here... :D As always, thanks muchly for the wonderful support (it's fabulous that you guys have been with me throughout the story so far - thanks everyone!) - it really makes this writing lark worthwhile. Again, any criticism you have would be greatly appreciated. It's the only real way I'm going to get better after all, aside from simple practice. Anyway, I'll stop rambling. Without further ado, let me give you: Chapter Twelve: Last Stand The demons growled in reply, and Setsuna concentrated, schooling her mind into the cool distance of the true warrior. Yuunagi was light in her hands, an extension of her arms, her mind clear and calm. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to feel rather than see. There were the demons, three of the biggest unwounded monsters, with others running to catch up, not far behind. There were the fiery chi signatures that were her comrades, running a parallel course to their demonic foes. And there was Konoka, her familiar aura a shining beacon at Setsuna’s back. For her sake, Setsuna swore to herself, for Kono-chan’s sake, not one of those monsters would get past her. The swordswoman’s eyes opened slowly, revealing an expression of terrifying intensity. Yuunagi’s tip lifted gently, and a half smile appeared on Setsuna’s lips. When she spoke, it was one word, low and threatening. “Come.” The three demons growled in unison and pounced together, the creature in the centre striking out with extended claws toward the girl’s throat and the one on the left unleashing a two-handed punch to the side of her head. Setsuna saw them coming, saw the attacks even as they began, and analysed the points of most danger. It was the rightmost demon that she paid most attention to, however. Unlike its brothers, this one attempted no attacking strike, but rather ran straight. The others were decoys, then. She leapt to her right, bringing her blade into a diagonal parry as she did so. A thunderous crash announced the clash of fist and claws on steel, but Setsuna’s guard held, slipping the attacks down and to her left as her body continued moving in the opposite direction. The rightmost demon was fast, fast enough to get past the level of her shoulder, but it was concentrating on running, not guarding. The swordswoman simply pivoted a hundred and eighty degrees on her right foot as she landed from her standing leap and swept her blade into a powerful downwards slash. The bright steel cut into demonic flesh with a dull thud, severing the monster’s backbone in a single stroke. It collapsed to the ground with a scream and lay there twitching. Setsuna ignored it and turned once more to face her two remaining opponents before they could launch their next attacks. Black blood dripped off her sword blade, but she ignored that too, that half smile still playing about her lips. “I won’t make it that easy for you, demon-spawn,” she taunted. “If you want Ojou-sama, you will have to kill me first.” The demons bared their fangs and hissed, but held back, one circling to either side. Buying time, Setsuna thought to herself as she watched them in her peripheral vision, her senses focused on their every movement. They would stall until their slower fellows made it to the clearing, and then they would attack all at once. Let them. They would find a warrior of the Shinmeiryuu presented more than a match for any and all of them. Her predictions were correct. The two greater demons toyed with her for the next minute or so, initiating darting attacks, but disengaging before they could take any return blow, dancing around her, irritating as mosquitoes, despite their size. It was only when the thunder of dozens of running footsteps proclaimed the arrival of the remainder of the demonic forces that their demeanour changed. Lightning movement changed to stalking stillness in a second, and Setsuna felt a thrill of fear and anticipation run through her as the reinforcements approached, cautious but intent. There might have been some kind of signal, she wasn’t sure. But in one sweeping movement each and every one of the demons surged forward, teeth bared, claws extended, howls of bloodlust bursting from every throat. But the swordswoman didn’t fight alone. A sharp crack split the clearing, followed by another, and then a flurry of them, drowning out even the demonic howls. Monsters fell as enchanted high explosive rounds pierced iron-hard skin, and the air was full of screams and the floating particles that were all that remained of Mana’s unlucky targets. Figures leapt from the surrounding woodlands, five of them, running towards the fray. One smashed into the flank of the demonic charge, a cry of “Matiponchuan!” heralding Kuu Fei’s entrance on the battlefield. The other four came from four separate angles, converging on a knot of demons. “Four-way split shadow-cross!” Raw explosive power shook the forest glade as Kaede unleashed one of her most destructive techniques, and the demons at the centre of her cross vanished in an explosion of vapour. Battle was joined, but on neutral ground this time. Mahora’s martial arts top four were fighting on their home turf, on their own terms, for the best of causes. Defeat wasn’t even a consideration, let alone an option. ***** A mile or more away, in the heart of Mahora’s parklands, Fujiwara Mari was fighting for control. She was barely aware of her own surroundings anymore, every fibre of her being focused on her internal struggle. In some corner of her mind, she knew how she must look; kneeling in the bushes, head thrown back, sweat drenching her skin, eyes wide and sightless, covered with a white film as they stared at something no other human could see. But that tiny corner was all the self-awareness she had left. Every other mental resource she had was bent on controlling her demons, directing their movements, seeing with their eyes, hearing with their ears, feeling their pain. Her entire body shook with effort, tears running unheeded down her cheeks. As if from far away, Mari became aware of a voice filtering through her consciousness. The feel of hands on her shoulders, shaking her, drew her back from her battle. It wasn't much, but it was enough for communication. Words slowly came into focus, like a radio being tuned. “…ri! Mari!” Dully, Mari remembered who the voice belonged to. “Dammit, Fujiwara! Listen to me!” Sugiyama sounded oddly panicked. It was very unlike him, Mari thought distantly. “Sugi… yama…” She broke off with a hiss of pain as another demon felt the bite of cold steel. Her senses were full of the burning sensation and the sight that dominated the demon’s vision; the icy visage of the lone swordswoman who had killed so many already. Sugiyama shook her again, forcing her to hear him. “What’s happening?! I saw Konoe and the others leave the concourse, so I came to find you. What’s going on?” So even Sugiyama wasn’t so calm when he wasn’t in control anymore. Mari felt a stab of satisfaction mixed with annoyance. The man was too demanding, dragging her away from the real fight. “Fighting… Got to keep… control…” she managed to gasp out, her voice sounding like it came from a thousand miles away. “Demons… angry… control…” “I know that, dammit! I know it’s hard! But there was a kid mage who didn’t leave with the others. He was powerful, Mari, too powerful. He could be coming here. We have to finish this quickly.” “Finish…?” “Let them loose! Stop holding them back, Mari. They have their primary orders – to capture the girl. Your squeamishness is robbing them of their true power.” The sheer outrageousness of that jerked Mari another step towards immediate consciousness. “But… demons… can’t…” Sugiyama’s fingers dug into her shoulders like talons. “You can! You must!” “She must what?” The childish voice rang out over the parkland, and caused Sugiyama to spin around with a gasp of horror. “You!” Negi hovered in midair, one hand holding the unconscious Asuna onto the staff, the other raised, fingers spread. “I don’t know what you ‘must’ do, but I won’t let you hurt my friends anymore. This ends here!” The young mage clenched his fist, summoning the power within him. “Rastel maskil magister!” “No!” Sugiyama clenched his own hands together, desperately summoning his own spell power. Not fast enough. “Jovis tempestas fulguriens!” The beam of power burned its way through the air, speeding toward the two kneeling mages. Sugiyama’s hasty and half-completed attempt at a defensive shield slowed and deflected the magical energy to some extent, but not enough to stop it completely. The force of the spell cannoned into them, throwing both adult mages bodily through the air to land in a collapsed heap. Mari screamed, but it was horror rather than pain that filled her voice. Her eyes flickered, and the white film that had been covering them vanished abruptly. She pushed herself back up enough to glare at the child-wizard. “You idiot! What have you done?” Negi allowed himself a satisfied smile. “I’ve broken your summoning control. Setsuna-san-tachi should make short work of your demons now.” “You don’t know anything!” Mari tried to spring to her feet, but her legs were in no condition to hold her, and she fell back onto her hands and knees. “My control was the only thing holding them back! Without that… They’re demons! They’ll still get Konoe-san, but without me controlling their natures, they won’t be restrained. Don’t you understand?! They’ll kill everybody!” |
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| takuyar | Apr 14 2007, 11:24 PM Post #59 |
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Middle Schooler
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Oh dang. A few small things about the technique naming for your fic. Far's I know, i don't think Kaede shouts out her techniues, and for Negi, his key is Ras Tel Mas Scir from the subs by Mahora-Academy. |
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| Manori | Apr 14 2007, 11:46 PM Post #60 |
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Middle Schooler
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...oh, shit. Now it's getting exciting, and what a cliffhanger! "They'll kill everybody." Wow, you don't know how awesome this story has gotten, like, woah. Seriously, now I can't wait 'till the next chapter; wonder what kind of damn kick-butt action there will be... Will it be bloody? Will Setsuna go into full demon mode? That would be so cool and I will love you forever if that happened. Seriously, I'm psyched. Can't wait! :) |
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7:21 PM Jul 10