Kichi didn’t have time to prepare for the fight with Duke Akitomo. The man sailed forward, dipped into a shadow, and emerged at her flank.
Steel sparked in the growing gloom as the ash clouds gathered. Her blade was too short against others, but against this cross-polearm, she didn’t have a chance in the Twelve Hells to strike back.
The Duke impaled Kichi through the shoulder with the long end blade, and it sent shockwaves of pain through her body. It twisted free with a crunching wet sound.
“Pathetic,” he said. “After all your exploits, this is all you have?”
“I spoiled your plans with Yasukatsu.”
“Fool girl. Do you think I rely on every move to win the game? Look around you; the knights are falling into place at my side. They see my strength, my connection to the Crown, and have disregarded Whitebeard’s lies. They know this is no longer a tournament but a show of loyalty.”
It was true; most of those without Shining Armor had no real chance at victory, and many stood beside the Black Knights. How could they when the truth had been revealed about the Duke? They made her angry enough to push through the throbbing and leap forward.
However, the polearm drove through her thigh, and she screamed out. The blade twisted to wring out as much anguish as possible.
I have half my spirit energy left, but it’s useless. She couldn't throw lava even if she grabbed a handful of melted stone because of her wounds. Fire Sword would also be ineffective against the Duke, who could keep her at a distance. “He’ll kill you.”
“After fighting a Choas Lord? I don’t think so. I shall cut him down and take the Grail.”
Kichi felt dizzy from losing blood, but she held her blade up and looked for a place to strike. Even though the polearm kept her at bay, she managed a few thrusts that came within inches of hitting, but she had the feeling the Duke only toyed with her, like a cat with its supper. She stumbled and couldn’t regain her feet.
His eyes drank in the sight of her weakness. “Look at my son.”
Without thinking, she did and saw Akisane fighting multiple knights.
“He’s having trouble with six knights, yet I am his father and trained him well. I gave him the Greatest Sword in existence, and he still struggles. His mother’s side is all sad specimens. I never should have accepted the King’s arrangement.” He put the butt of the polearm to the stone in a relaxed posture as if he didn’t mean to kill her. “I could call a healer to save you. You’re arrogant and foolhardy, but I won’t deny your strength. Think of the children we could have.” He extended a hand. “Join me, rule at my side, and produce heirs worthy of their King and Queen.”
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“Do you think I fear death that much?” She swung her sword and caught him in the outstretched hand.
He looked at his palm with disappointment, but amazingly, there was no cut. Kichi had sliced his hand, she was sure, but there wasn’t so much as a scratch. He tightened it into a first. “Yes, you are strong. Let’s see if you change your heart when your friend's lives are on the line.”
Overcome with exhaustion, Kichi fell to the hard stone and rolled to her back. Was the Duke’s blade poisoned?
The fighting in the sky slowed to a pulsing of green or blue every few seconds, and aside from that, the clouds obscured everything above. Had Whitebeard failed as well? All the soloknight’s plans unraveled, the foresight false; the realm would fall.
Masahide yelled her name. He’s here, she thought and felt comforted. The sounds of battle seemed to move away until it sounded far off, like the rustling of leaves.
She rolled her head, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Akisane raise his sword, and four of the knights shrank into skeletal husks. The two remaining backed away from him as the sword in his hands went from invisible to blacker than night.
A hand touched her, and Masahide’s face came into view. He didn’t look worried but angry. A fire raged behind his eyes as he said something muffled. She tried to ask him what he was talking about, but her words came out silent.
Prescience hit her with the visions then. She wanted to help Masahide, but her body wouldn’t move, and her eyes no longer saw what was before them but the future.
Genesis Vas no longer belonged to Whitebeard. People wrapped in thick wool climbed the unclimbable volcano to toss in the sword. But how it was too tall to breathe? The world lay leagues below at the skirt of it, and they ascended to the great vent.
Her vision swept to a desert wasteland. She saw Thailoc ravage town after town, city after city. The Glass Dunes would see a great hero fall at the hands of the monster.
Finally, she heard the deep calls of the sky whales as they swam along the azure horizon. The balance of the spirit realm teetered, and many things that had not been seen in a long time would be seen again.
Her vision cleared, and she saw the ashen sky once again. No time had passed; Masahide remained right where he had been. He stood and tossed away his sword, which rattled on the arena floor.
Had he given up? Tell me he hasn’t given up.
Ema appeared standing above her with glistening cheeks. She glanced down with red eyes and sobbed at the sight of Kichi.
Kichi turned her head and saw a pool of blood spreading out from under her prone body. So, this is it?
Kichi
Level: 16
Focus: Prescience
Secondary focus: Lava+4, Tandem Dream Sword, Fire Sword, Spirit Dipping, Tandem Black Star Rain, Tandem Vanquish
Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure
Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)