A large pillar of frozen stone alone reached for the sun in the barren and plain tundra, right in the middle of the battlefield. Sapphire stood on top of it, looking in the direction the attack will come from. On the opposite side of it lay a slight descent after some distance leading to a maze of similar tall frozen stone pillars. Sapphire intended not having to go there till necessary.
The alphas planned to engage the humans in the plain ground, and retreat to the pillars if they were being overwhelmed. Inside the area of the pillars it will turn from a fight to a hunt. Unless she got here before they got the opportunity to.
Sapphire's main objective here was Kesshō, but she still decided to help with reducing the enemy numbers while she could, without tiring herself out too much. Battling Kesshō would take a large amount of energy, and Sapphire planned ahead regarding that, having killed and absorbed all hostile monsters she could find. She was prepared for this battle with the intention to kill.
Winter stood below with the other wolves, the pillar being too high for them to climb and descend easily. Standing at around fifty meters in height it gave a good view of the entire battlefield, and Sapphire planned on not destroying it, knowing it would serve as good place to heal and gather her wits during the battle.
It was close to midday when she saw the army of soldiers, marching in their direction as fast as they could. Kesshō was not here, Sapphire made sure a Shadow Warrior was keeping an eye on her while staying hidden. Kurai was with Kesshō, the two of them talking about something she couldn't figure out as she couldn't hear them from where the Shadow Warrior stood.
Sighing Sapphire kicked a fairly large rock off the pillar. It smashed on the ground below, alerting all the Wolves of the attackers. The rock wasn't a signal for telling the army was here, it was a signal for telling that Sapphire was going on the offensive, meaning Kesshō was not here, not yet at the very least.
Sapphire used her Shadow Movement to teleport a long distance ahead of the other sprinting wolves. She ran faster than them too, heading straight for the army. Seeing her approach the enemies drew their weapons and braced themselves for the attack, the frontline of shields holding their ground.
As Sapphire got close to them, skipping a step she launched herself into a cartwheel, passing three knights and slashing right through them. Landing back on her feet she swung her katana in a wide circular arc with a Shadow Slash, clearing a small area around her.
From that point on it was straight carnage. Sapphire infiltrated and threw off the army's formation and did not let them regroup. The other stronger Wolves did the same, charging through the front guard and attacking the central and ranged warriors. The others engaged with the front guard to keep them from surrounding the wolves that broke into the formation.
Sapphire went on a complete rampage while she could, killing several hundred in a short amount of time with her wide range Shadow Slashes and fast movements. As a knight slashed at Sapphire's legs she flipped forwards and slashed his arm before decapitating him with a swift slash to her side.
As Sapphire focused on massacring the entire army she sensed her Shadow Warrior die, being completely obliterated by an energy attack, alerting her of what was coming. She unleashed a wide circular Shadow Slash to clear an area, and get a break from enemy attacks long enough for her to focus.
"Danger: Above, Meteor strike," Appraisal warned.
"I already know that," Sapphire growled.
Spinning herself sideways she tilted her body and slashed upwards with a Shadow Slash, just as Kesshō descended. Sapphire clearly saw her descending like a bird of prey descending on it's defenseless lunch, though she believed she wasn't quite as defenseless anymore. The impact on the blade was just from Kesshō's foot, which managed to not get cut barely due to Sapphire's poorly executed slash.
Kesshō jumped back, kicking off Sapphire's blade, and using her four wings to gracefully land. Sapphire was pushed back slightly, but she managed to stop Kesshō's attack successfully, boosting her morale by a great deal.
"So we finally battle, no need to hold back, or this won't be any fun for me," Sapphire smirked.
"Are you certain you don't want me to hold back." Kesshō inquired as she closed her eyes.
"Yes, let's go all out from the beginning," Sapphire replied.
"Caution: Eyes of Destruction and Creation activating." Appraisal informed.
Greater barrier, Sapphire commanded in her mind. A barrier appeared in front of her in the shape of a semicircular dome, protecting her from the attack.
"Then it shall be as you wish," Kesshō responded, opening her eyes, the sclera of her pink eye having turned black.
Many of the humans near her instantly burst into nothingness, leaving dark particles behind, having been completely destroyed by the Demonic Eye of Destruction. The barrier cracked under the power and pressure of the eye before shattering completely.
"Debuff successfully resisted," Appraisal informed.
Good, this will let me do better than I otherwise would, Sapphire smiled, her plans going smoothly thus far.
You have grown stronger, but not strong enough for me to go all out, we will fight again some day. Let's have that fight we desire in the future. Kesshō sighed as she deactivated her Demonic Eye. She unsheathed her katana slowly, holding it to the left of her head with her hand going from overhead.
A strange stance, even Sapphire knew that. No, don't underestimate her. Gripping her katana tightly Sapphire prepared to attack. Her sword skills are greater than mine, I know that well.
She launched herself towards Kesshō, but just as she moved so did Kesshō. Bringing her hand down to her neck level Kesshō gripped her katana with both hands and dashed forward. She performed a wide horizontal slash aimed at Sapphire's neck, going for the kill from the very start. Sapphire slid on her knees, and slashed Kesshō's legs as she unsheathed her second katana.
Sapphire instantly jumped back to her feet and sheathed her second katana, not taking her eyes off Kesshō. Kesshō fell to her knees but quickly got back up, healing the slash, which should've amputated her, in an instant. She faced in the opposite direction from Sapphire at first, slowly turning with the shine of enjoyment clearly visible in her eyes.
"We are just getting started," Sapphire grinned.
Kesshō dashed to Sapphire, what seemed like teleporting right in front of her in the blink of an eye. Sapphire brought her katana downwards and blocked Kesshō's upwards slash, followed by a moon blade. It tossed Sapphire in the air from the impact, the moon blade dissipating right after.
Just as Sapphire landed, Kesshō slashed at her neck with a horizontal slash, but Sapphire ducked under it. Changing directions Kesshō brought her katana downwards. Dodging sideways and getting back up Sapphire spun around and slashed at Kesshō's neck with a Shadow Slash, but Kesshō was quick to bring her katana behind her back from above her shoulder, blocking the attack.
Pushing Sapphire's katana away Kesshō side kicked Sapphire, but she slammed it away with her left hand while slashing at Kesshō's neck with her katana, using just one arm. Kesshō barely dodged it by using the momentum from Sapphire's hit to spin around and duck under the slash. Right after dodging the slash she kicked Sapphire in the chest, which was blocked by Sapphire's right hand but only to a slight extent.
Sliding backwards Sapphire groaned in pain. No good, she is too fast for me to land a hit on her, let alone a good hit. Just one thing I can do now, and hope it works.
Kessho pointed her katana back at Sapphire and prepared to attack first this time, but Sapphire didn't do the same. Planting her katana in the ground, Sapphire raised her fists prepared in a fighting stance.
Kessho looked at her for a moment in bewilderment before realising what was the intention. Sure, I don't mind what we fight with, she thought with a shrug. She did the same without any hesitation and prepared to battle.
Sapphire teleported behind Kesshō with Shadow Movement and threw a punch at her neck. Kesshō grabbed her hand and swung Sapphire over herself and slammed her into the ground. Sapphire was certain she broke some bones there but still jumped back on to her feet.
"How are you so skilled in both sword and hand to hand combat?" Sapphire growled.
Kesshō shrugged and took her stance again. Sapphire stood still for a moment, and stabilized her breathing and fixed her bones, the six which were broken, two being in her arm which Kesshō twisted as she slammed her. Taking a deep breath Sapphire launched herself back into action, doing the very same thing she did earlier.
Kesshō again grabbed her hand without turning but this time the results were different. Using Shadow Manipulation to plant herself to the ground Sapphire grabbed Kesshō tightly and slammed her onto the ground. The look of surprise was clear on Kesshō's face as her body hit the ground.
Sapphire charged her fist and punched right where Kesshō's head was, but Kesshō rolled out the way and jumped back on to her feet. Before Kesshō could stabilize herself Sapphire used her fist as a hinge and spun her body, kicking Kesshō in the abdomen with a charged attack and knocking her backwards.
Kesshō coughed a little blood and a slight stream of it was visible by the corner of her lips. Wiping her face with her sleeve she fixed Sapphire with cold eyes, clearly willing to fight completely seriously now. Sapphire walked towards Kesshō with a smirk, not afraid in the slightest. Kesshō punched her but she grabbed it, not slowing in the slightest. Grabbing Kesshō's neck with her other hand Sapphire locked her in place.
"You are more skilled than me in every way, and better than me," Sapphire snarled. Kesshō hit Sapphire on the lower jaw with her knee, knocking Sapphire's head all the way back. "But," Sapphire continued, "I am still bigger and stronger than you."
Sapphire headbutted Kesshō, disorienting her before lifting her and slamming her into the ground. Not letting go she dragged Kesshō through the snow towards the side and flung her away. Using Shadow Movement she teleported there and charged her left leg before axe-kicking Kesshō into the ground. Sapphire then kicked Kesshō with another charged attack from her right leg sending her flying away again.
Bouncing from the ground once Kesshō got back up on her feet and planted her claws in the ground to stop herself from sliding. Standing back up she glared at Sapphire. Her head was bleeding and her lips were split, but she still did not show any signs of being in pain.
Kesshō spat some blood out and wiped her mouth with her sleeve before getting back into the fight. She dashed to in front of Sapphire and performed a simple roundhouse kick, which Sapphire dodged by backstepping, but Kessho performed another without any break while stepping forward, forcing Sapphire to back up more. After doing this twice more she jumped into the air using the momentum to spin her body and landed a tornado kick on Sapphire's temples, knocking her to the ground.
Sapphire's vision started blanking out, the hit having been harder than anything she ever felt till then. She glimpsed Kesshō close to her, and without thinking reacted on her own. Using both her hands to support her she turned her body, hitting Kesshō with one leg and knocking her slightly to the side, then slamming her into the ground with the other leg.
Her vision returned to normal and she found herself sitting down and instantly jumped back onto her feet. Pushing herself up towards Sapphire, Kesshō punched her with a charged attack, not letting her stabilize herself. Sapphire used a greater barrier and both her hands to block the hit, but Kesshō easily broke through the barrier, though she failed to knock Sapphire back even though the impact nearly made Sapphire cough blood.
Having used her Shadow Manipulation to hold herself in place, Sapphire used the opportunity to charge her fists with energy and headbutted Kessho again, then hit her with an uppercut at her lower jaw and then a hook punch right at her solar plexus to knock her away.
Kesshō rolled back to her feet as she hit the ground, standing straight up instantly and staggering a couple steps backwards. Sapphire heard her take a deep breath and exhale with a hissing sound. Two flames lit at the corners of her mouth, pink and blue. Sapphire could tell this was going to get even tougher now.
Strong and skilled, this is fun, Kesshō panted.
Kesshō slowly walked towards Sapphire as Sapphire resumed her stance and prepared to attack. It took Sapphire a moment to realise when Kesshō disappeared from right in front of her, standing right beside her. As the wind from Kesshō's flashstep reached Sapphire, turning on her feet Kesshō threw a charged punch at Sapphire's chest. Turning in a flash Sapphire barely blocked it with both her hands, being pushed some distance back from the force of the blow.
That was way too fast. Sapphire thought trying to catch her breath. Doesn't matter, I was able to block it, I can fight her on equal ground like this, I can win.
Sapphire pushed herself up. Just as she was back on her feet Kessho dashed to right in front of her and again threw a punch at her, this time on her face. Sapphire dodged it by tilting her body sideways and jabbed at Kesshō's head, but Kesshō deflected the hit with an upper block. Bending her body forwards Kesshō hit Sapphire in the abdomen using a charged attack with both her hands, sending her flying and knocking into a human knight
Sapphire quickly got up and used her Shadow Manipulation to devour the knight before continuing the battle. She just realised from the short break that everyone scattered from around her and Kesshō, knowing it would be dangerous for them to even be nearby. Sapphire took a step forward but fell to her knees, feeling as if something cracked in her chest.
"W-what?" Sapphire gasped as blood leaked from her mouth.
"Caution: Wielder's death has been established. Error: Pulse detected. Caution: Severe internal bleeding, organ damage, and lethal damage to the core. Estimated regeneration time: 1 minute 20 seconds."
I accidentally broke her core, Kesshō sighed. Master told me not to play for too long, I guess I will finish this and return, she would die a painful death otherwise.
Sapphire looked in terror as Kesshō approached her, drawing her katana from the ground where she stabbed it earlier. It was clear Kesshō realised that she had as good as won and wanted to end the battle now.
As Kesshō got closer a strong looking person wearing all black blocked her path coming out of nowhere. "If you wish to finish this then you will have to finish me first," He snarled.
It took Sapphire a moment to realize who it was now that he was in a humanoid form. "No!" She exclaimed but the bleeding made her choke and cough. Midnight slightly turned his head towards her with a reassuring smile before focusing back on Kesshō. She simply kept looking up at him, not attacking him and not moving for about forty seconds.
He seems close to her, killing him in her last moments won't be a nice thing to do, and he won't let me get to her, Kesshō sighed. I will just have to wait for her to die I guess.
"Fifteen seconds remaining," Appraisal informed.
"Just a bit longer," Sapphire panted, the pain in her body slowly subsiding.
Her patterns haven't dimmed at all, they seem to have gone brighter, Kesshō thought. Fi's feather, Kesshō realised with a gasp.
Midnight tilted his head in confusion as to why Kesshō didn't do anything, seemingly frozen in time. Just as he did and let his focus down for the slightest moment she dashed right past him towards Sapphire. Midnight turned as she passed him, the look of shock clear on his face. Sapphire's face also changed to one of horror on seeing her approach.
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Seeing something from behind Sapphire Kesshō skid to a stop and charged her breath attack, a glow slightly visible as the flames travelled up her neck. She unleashed her breath attack, aimed above Sapphire. Just as she did several large icicles passed over Sapphire's head before getting pulverized by the breath attack.
In that moment Midnight caught up with Kesshō and hit her with a punch sending her flying away from Sapphire. She used her wings to stabilize herself and planted her tails in the ground to stop herself from sliding any further.
I took too long, Kesshō sighed.
"Five seconds remaining," Appraisal informed.
Getting up Sapphire focused energy in her legs, not wanting to let her father or Winter get hurt by keeping Kesshō around here any longer. On the other hand, Kesshō charged a breath attack to incinerate Midnight, not wanting anyone to disrupt the one on one battle.
"Regeneration complete," Appraisal notified.
Sapphire launched herself towards Kesshō, grabbing her katana from the ground as she passed it. Imbuing her katana energy she used a Shadow Slash as she swung her it towards Kessho's jaws, just as she opened them to unleash the breath attack. The Shadow Slash and the breath attack collided knocking back both Kesshō and Sapphire and creating a cloud of smoke between them.
While Sapphire didn't see it she was certain that blow would have destroyed Kesshō's jaws completely, or even her head. Luckily Sapphire's katana was strong enough to survive the energy of the blow, though her hands were badly wounded. Dhe pushed herself back up, ignoring the damage to her and charged ahead through the smoke to not give Kessho any time to regenerate.
"Danger: Lesser Chaos Dragon Breath Attack, ahead."
Sapphire's eyes widened and she barely dodged to the side in time as a jet of pink-blue flames tore through the smoke and hit the pillar Sapphire was standing on before, blowing it to pieces. Sapphire looked back towards the direction the attack came from to barely notice pink hair below and close to her out of the corner of her eyes.
Tilting her body sideways Sapphire dodged as Kesshō slashed upwards with her katana. Spinning around Kesshō slashed horizontally but Sapphire deflected it with an upwards slash and jumped backwards to gain some distance.
Kesshō exhaled again with a hissing sound and the flames again lit ablaze at the corners of her mouth. She raised her katana and pointed it towards Sapphire, prepared to start the final phase of their duel. Sapphire did the same and the two stood like that for a moment, collecting their wits and focusing their minds.
As if on a signal both of them launched themselves forwards at once, Kesshō's katana infused with her crescent moon blades while Sapphire's infused with a Shadow Slash. Kesshō brought her katana downwards towards Sapphire as Sapphire slashed horizontally, both colliding and stopping each other.
Withdrawing their katana they slashed at each other again, striking, deflecting, blocking and even dodging with slight movements. Kesshō's white Moon Blades and Sapphire'd black Shadow Slashes flowing over and around the two as they slashed, getting faster and faster, trying to overwhelm each other. Sapphire was keeping up with Kesshō in both speed and precision as they kept getting more in sync and faster.
With a charged upwards slash Kesshō knocked Sapphire's katana upwards, a bit over her head but not out of her hands. Drawing a deep breath through gritted teeth she placed her left leg forward.
Tsuki Kenjutsu: Ni no kata: Kodokuna Tsuki.
Drawing a breath Sapphire unleashed her own technique, "Shadow Swordstyle: Encasing Darkness."
Both of them slashed multiple times within the blink of an eye all around themselves, creating half a dome in front of themselves. After unleashing their techniques both of them jumped backwards to recollect their wits and prepare for another clash.
While Kesshō was completely unharmed, Sapphire's body was slashed at seven spots, all her arms and legs, two slashes at her chest, and one at her neck. While all were shallow it was still scary that Kesshō managed to land so many hits even when Sapphire's technique is the same as Kesshō's, but made with the idea of countering hers in mind.
Won't do, I can't win in a straight battle of skills. Outsmarting her is the only way for me to win, and for that. She turned to the descend with the countless stone pillars.
I won't win against her in a battle of strength, and she is catching up fast in terms of skills, I wonder how powerful you will be a few years from now. Kesshō as she breathed heavily, her heart racing.
"A change of scenery will be good afterall," Sapphire panted and dashed towards the stone pillars.
Kesshō followed after her, slowly catching up with Sapphire. Since Kesshō was faster she would get to Sapphire before Sapphire reached the stone pillars, and both were well aware of this, and Sapphire planned ahead of what she should do about that. Using Shadow Manipulation teleport was a good idea but the mana usage could hinder her later on, so she decided to not make use of it.
Kesshō caught up to her fairly quickly. Coming in front of Sapphire with a burst of speed Kesshō slashed at her with a crescent moon blade. Sheathing her katana Sapphire fell to the ground and past Kesshō, sliding under the slash even when Kesshō turned it downwards. Skidding back to her feet she grabbed Kesshō's leg and tossed her away while focusing energy in her arms. Kesshō flew through the air, spinning, not allowing her to use her wings to slow her fall. She landed far into the stone pillars, behind some of the first lines of them and out of Sapphire's sight.
Since Sapphire did not know now exactly where Kesshō fell, entering without caution became dangerous. "Shadow Play, scatter," Sapphire ordered and charged in as several other Shadow Warriors did the same. She ran through the pillars searching around for Kesshō along with her Shadow Warriors.
"Danger: Attack from above," Appraisal warned.
Sapphire swapped places with a Shadow Warriors just as Kesshō landed and slammed her katana into the ground. The Shadow Warrior was somehow able to block the blow, and lock Kesshō in a clash with it. Sapphire came from above now, as Kesshō remained locked in a clash by the Shadow Warrior.
Shadow Swordstyle: Shadow Rain.
Sapphire fell through the air with her hands holding her katana over her head and a Shadow Slash trailing the blade. She brought down the katana as she fell to slice Kesshō, but Kesshō noticed her. Focusing energy in her hands and drawing a breath she pushed the Shadow Warrior a step away.
Eighteenth form: Moon Tide.
Slashing the Shadow Warrior in half with a horizontal slash she curved her katana upwards towards Sapphire, a Moonwave following her blade. Sapphire's katana collided with Kesshō's, both their attacks being blocked and resulting in a slight shockwave that chipped away at the nearby pillars.
Landing on her feet Sapphire withdrew her katana slightly backwards and slashed at Kesshō's neck with a horizontal slash. Just as she did spinning on her heel Kesshō crouched and brought her katana upwards and towards Sapphire while stepping up, the Moonwave still following the blade. Sapphire blocked the brunt of the blow with her katana but the force of Kesshō's swing knocked her into the air, the Moonwave dissipating as it did.
As her momentum died out and she started to fall back again she prepared to use the same technique again. As she landed she slammed her katana on the ground, slicing through Kesshō as she stood there motionless, drawing no blood or leaving any slash mark. As Sapphire's brain processed everything the afterimage disappeared, her eyes widening in horror.
Roku no kata: Ranhansha.
Sapphire barely managed to duck in time as Kesshō slashed towards her neck from behind, having moved too fast for Sapphire's brain to process. Sapphire took in a breath and prepared her body to unleash her technique, raising her katana to her neck.
Shadow Swordstyle: Rippling Shadows.
She swung her katana in a wide circular arc as she spun on her feet, creating a wide range Shadow Slash that slashed everything around her, inflicting deep slashes on the pillars. Kesshō was able to dodge by flying upto the top of a stone pillar.
Kesshō looked down where Sapphire was supposed to be but was surprised to not find anything there. Sapphire's katana arced towards Kesshō's neck from behind her but she blocked it by bringing her katana behind her. She slightly turned her head and smirked at Sapphire. Sapphire punched at Kesshō's spine but turning around in a flash Kesshō sliced off her arm.
Not giving Sapphire any time to recover Kesshō slashed at her neck, and successfully landed a hit, easily slicing through and decapitating the Shadow Warrior. Kesshō didn't notice when Sapphire switched with a Shadow Warrior, and clicked her tongue on realising she would have to find her again.
It is natural to flee from a battle you can't win, but it still annoys me. Kesshō sighed as she planted her tails in the top half of the pillar she stood on.
Sapphire reached the outside, a good distance away from the stone pillars to check on the battle and catch a breath from Kesshō's attacks. Her arm already fully regenerated by the time she caught her breath. She looked around and glimpsed several hundred wolves still fighting, and the army of the humans already at around half it's starting numbers. She was well aware how badly this could've went for the wolves if Kesshō wasn't occupied with her.
"Sapphire!" Winter shouted at her.
She smiled on noticing Winter but her smile quickly faded as she saw the look on Winter's face, the look of pure horror. She followed Winter's eyes towards the stone pillars, expecting the worst.
"Danger: Giant boulder." Appraisal warned just as Sapphire turned and saw what Winter did.
The top half of one of the stone pillars came flying towards Sapphire, having been flung by Kesshō's nine phoenix tails. It was massive, probably big enough to crush even a dragon with ease. Sapphire didn't hope to survive this, even if she managed to survive the stone pillar she won't be able to stop Kesshō's next attack, she knew that, she accepted her defeat, her fate, and stood there, looking blankly at her approaching death.
"Sapphire!" Winter called out again, clearly closer than before.
Not yet. Sapphire gritted her teeth, her eyes narrowing.
Taking in a breath Sapphire raised her katana above her head, dark blue lines flowing through her arms into her katana as she brought it down with incredible force. The Shadow Slash formed by her blade was lined with blue vein like patterns, much stronger than any other. It sliced through the pillar with ease and sliced off Kesshō's right arm, the she held her katana with as she landed on the ground in front.
Kesshō was shocked at the sudden attack and couldn't heal quick enough, barely realizing as Sapphire appeared behind her with Shadow Movement. Sapphire slashed at Kesshō's head with incredible force. Blue-Pink lines glew through Kesshō's left arm as she swung it upwards, deflecting Sapphire's katana upwards.
She couldn't have been unharmed from using her barehand, Sapphire grunted.
She slashed diagonally with all her strength but the slash was blocked by Kesshō's left hand again, holding her katana. Sapphire's eyes widened as she noticed Kesshō's katana still in her arms, being certain she didn't have it a moment ago. The impact still pushed Kesshō slightly away, still locked in a clash with Sapphire. Using both her hands Sapphire slowly pushed Kesshō down, little by little.
She failed to notice when Kesshō's right and regenerated and was hit in the face by a punch. Not being fazed from the punch she headbutted Kesshō, knocking her to the ground, with little resistance from her side, seemingly having been drawn in by Kesshō. Sapphire's head came down from the force with which she headbutted, just enough for Kesshō to hit Sapphire's head with her knee.
Sapphire's head jerked back as blood dripped from her mouth. Not letting herself lose the upper hand she raised her left leg and stomped at Kesshō's stomach. Kesshō instantly punched at Sapphire's knee, bending it the opposite way. Sapphire let out a pained cry as she fell to the ground, clutching her knee. Kesshō got back on her feet without the slightest delay and kicked Sapphire with a charged attack, sending her dragging through the snow.
Stopping some distance away Sapphire got back up on her feet, tears visible on her face along with the pearl white snow in her black hair. She breath heavily, mildly exhausted and in pain.
"Don't you feel any pain?" Sapphire coughed.
Kesshō looked at Sapphire, thinking. "Yes, I do. I just feel like I have been through much worse than whatever injury can happen to me anymore Broken bones, cut off limbs, smashed internal organs, they feel like nothing to me now, but I know I used to scream in pain for hours at some point in time."
"Just what have you been through?" Sapphire questioned.
"Only those who have been through hell can face the most hellish challenges without hesitating." Kesshō replied and pointed her katana towards Sapphire. "So, are you prepared for this journey through to Hell to reach for the Heavens?"
Sapphire didn't reply but pointed her katana at Kesshō and prepared to resume the battle. Neither of the two planning to hold anything back anymore. "Shadow Play," Sapphire mumbled, summoning all twenty-five of her Shadow Warriors, all of them charging towards Kesshō at once.
"Stop playing and finish this already," Kurai ordered, standing a short distance away.
Though Sapphire already knew he was against her in this battle, she still lost focus in that moment, her attention diverted towards Kurai, and her mind on the feeling of betrayal.
"I wish this lasted longer," Kesshō sighed. "Tsuki Kenjutsu: Ju-san no kata: Hakai-tekina tsuki no uzumaki." Kesshō whispered as she unleashed her technique.
She performed ten quick slashes in front of her, five horizontal, three vertical and two diagonal. Each slash formed a Moonwave, moving forwards and destroying everything in its path. The Moonwaves slashed all the Shadow Warriors, killing many and injuring the rest, even slicing off Sapphire's left arm before she could do anything. Just as she thought they passed without any more damage, all ten waves burst into a barrage of smaller moon blades, slashing up and destroying all her remaining Shadow Warriors and knocking her to the ground, badly wounded. As she struggled to get back on her feet Kesshō dashed to right in front of her, her right foot raised behind her ready to kick Sapphire.
"Phoenixal Art: Celestial Flames Strike," Kesshō whispered.
Her leg enveloped in blue-pink flames as she kicked Sapphire, sending her flying far away. Sapphire's entire body set ablaze and continued to burn as she bounced on the ground and skid to a stop. The flames hurt but she couldn't do anything to get rid of them, even when she used water and ice spells on them they refused to die out.
As Sapphire panicked the flames suddenly died out and a cold blade pressed to her neck. She paused with her mouth open and her eyes teary. The one who pressed the blade against her neck wasn't Kesshō, but Kurai. Kesshō stood behind him, a mildly ashamed and regretful look on her face as she glanced at Sapphire.
"So," Kurai started, "I guess this is as far as you were meant to go," he sighed.
Tears flowed slowly from Sapphire's eyes as she realised the one who taught her most of how to survive was going to be the one to end it all.
"You are still very special while you are alive," Kurai pointed out. "The first one to last so long against Kesshō and give her so much trouble. I have never seen anyone with powers such as yours either. Very certainly my best student, and also the last Midnight Wolf."
Sapphire's eyes widened on hearing the last one. Her brain failed to process what Kurai just said, she didn't understand what he meant, and she looked around frantically to ask someone to tell her that he he lied She spotted the elder some distance away, regrouping many wolves. Winter Wolves, Blood Wolves, Storm Wolves, but no Midnight Wolves.
"Your species has met its end, I am sorry but it was meant to be," Kurai sighed.
"B-but-" Sapphire gasped.
"It was going to happen even if they didn't participate in this war, they were too dangerous for the world, and you are the last and most dangerous now." Kurai informed as he pressed the blade harder against her neck.
Sapphire started to cry loudly on realizing everything and everyone she was fighting already died while she tried to protect them with everything she had. She also realised just who killed all of them, and she wanted to get revenge for everyone she lost, but she lacked the power to defeat either.
Sapphire heard a footstep as Winter stepped right beside her and stabbed a sword towards Kurai's face. Before the sword could reach it's target Kesshō deflected it and sliced it into three pieces with her katana before grabbing Winter's arm, swinging her around to in front of her and then kicking her away. Winter stumbled backwards and fell to the ground, coughing blood. Her white clothes were already blood stained, a large amount of it being her own. The elder rushed to Winter's side, worried about her but not batting an eye towards Sapphire.
"Kessho! Don't hurt any more of them." Fi scolded from her position, some distance away from them. She sat on the snow, not seeming to have done anything the entire battle. Kesshō's ears drooped on being scolded and she lowered her head, the sadness clear in her eyes as she glanced at Sapphire.
"Anyways, I hope you have looked around for a last time, now, goodbye forever." Kurai sighed as he drew his katana backwards and stabbed for where Sapphire's core was.
"Let's keep the toys aside," A voice said from right beside Sapphire, grabbing the katana before it could touch Sapphire.
Kurai jumped back, startled from the sudden appearance. The man behind her got up and walked to in front of her. He was the same man from her dream long ago, the day she met Fi and Kurai. The same attire and the same black shadow of a face with no facial features whatsoever. His presence caused Fi to stand up and her expression changing to one of alarm.
This was the first time Sapphire saw Fi in such a state, not afraid, but surprised and in shock. Even the elder was completely shocked and confused, and moreover, alarmed. Both Fi and the elder gave a similar reaction to her surprise. Even Kesshō seemed entirely focused on the man at first but then she calmed, as if seeing something no one else could see.
"The Goddess of Wolves would be extremely displeased with me for not properly taking care of her subjects." The man sighed, slightly bowing. "Even more displeased for letting such a young and brave Midnight die such a cruel death."
"Who are you?" Kurai questioned.
The man in black looked at Kurai for a short while, stopping and thinking for a short while, as if shaken. Sapphire couldn't tell what he was thinking but she believed it to be a weird reaction.
"I am no one of much importance," He said after an awkwardly long pause. "You can call me as my acquaintances do, The Creator." He offered with a bow.
Sapphire's eyes widened on the reveal. The answer to any and all her questions, the one above all else, he was there right in front of her, and she was in no condition to even speak for now. The Creator walked back to Sapphire and crouched down in front of her, completely disregarding Kurai and everyone else.
"You have grown so much and so powerful in such a short time." He sighed patting Sapphire on the head. "You might even surpass your sisters in no time at this rate, well sister, the other I highly doubt."
Sisters? Sapphire wondered.
"You are very strong, and worry not, your journey doesn't end here, a shadow never dies." The Creator announced as he stood up. Everyone appeared to be slightly confused, and even Sapphire was but she somewhat grasped what he meant due to being aware of her title.
He disappeared in an instant from in front of her and appeared walking slowly around, lifting Kesshō up in the air and looking at her with his blank face. She simply looked back at him and showed no sign of alarm or fear. Kurai was prepared to attack at any moment, though Fi seemed nearly as relaxed as Kesshō by now, but the elder still seemed a bit on edge.
"While the others have been doing well too, I have high hopes for you, and I know you will not disappoint. I must also say I am proud of you for not following the order to kill. It still pains me to know everything that happens and not being able to do anything," He sighed and placed Kesshō back down. "This time however, I could not sit quietly and allow it to proceed." The Creator informed, his voice turning aggressive. "If you wish to kill her here, then I dare you to try it." He announced, exerting his presence over all present there.
Sapphire could tell that he was the real deal, incomparable to anyone she had seen thus far in her journey. Kesshō's ears instinctively drooped down in fear from the pressure and her eyes narrowed like a cat's. The elder and Fi both seemed to be the least affected, and Kurai was completely on edge, something she never saw before.
"I believe this warning was enough for all those present here," The Creator observed. "I will take my leave then, right after you." The Creator bowed turning to Kurai.
He raised his hand and snapped, Kurai, Fi and Kesshō disappearing at that very moment. He turned back and glanced at Sapphire. While his face was entirely featureless she felt as though he smiled warmly at her.
"I will be waiting for your arrival, I have high hopes for you, Empress of Shadows." The Creator sighed as he walked through a portal that appeared in front of him.
Sapphire looked on as he left, not having been able to even say anything the entire time. She took a while to realize he even healed her completely at some point during that time. Winter slid to a stop right beside Sapphire and hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her face. Sapphire returned her hug, tears filling her own eyes as she again remembered what Kurai informed her of.