Desert Realm Scorch

Elucard rolled across the smooth ground, sand kicking up as he slid to a stop. He propped himself up onto his knees and wiped a smear of blood from his lip. Elucard glanced at his sword that had fallen in the near distance and cursed.

The yikahti walked calmly toward the elf, his arms outstretched to either side, a ghastly smile with full fangs bared.

“The great Elucard Freewind. The Kingslayer. The one who brought down the Black Rabbits.

Is this all that I have to look forward to? Where is your fight, elf?” sneered the Collector.

Elucard rose to his feet. Growling, he ran to the cat and threw a flurry of jabs, followed by a series of kicks. With every success of attacks, he was matched by blocks and deflections.

He’s quicker than me. Better than Legion too. Who is this cat?

The Collector caught Elucard's fist in his own and pulled him into a shoulder throw. Before the elf could free himself, he was slammed to the ground.

Elucard held tight, wrapping his legs and body around the cat's arm, bending his back into a straight arm bar.

The Collector smirked coyly before his face soured. He lashed out at Elucard with savage kicks and stomps until the elf had no choice but to release him.

Elucard sprung and flipped backwards, gaining distance. He adjusted his jaw, cracking it with a snapping shift.

Something tells me he isn’t even trying.

“I suppose it’s time for the main course,” said the Collector. He reached into his cloak and pulled out the sword he’d used to clear the seal. The blade whirled with the fury of several hurricanes within its tight form.

Elucard's legs tensed, ready to spring at a moment's notice as the Collector slid into a stance with both hands on his blade. The yikahti shuddered, as if in pain. Was it his wound? Elucard threw a glance at his fallen sword; he might be able to reach it in the Collector's brief distraction.

He sprinted for his blade.

A roar ripped through the air and something heavy slammed Elucard into the ground with the force of a ballista. The Collector stood over him, teeth dripping with Plague Reach as the substance powered his limbs and closed his wounds. With a swing of his sword and explosion of wind, he sent Elucard flying backwards.

Elucard grit his teeth. It took all his strength to take control of his own body. Twisting and scraping his hands and knees across the ground, he slowed to a stop. He grimaced as he wiped his scorched, bloody hands across his pants. He was now hundreds of feet away from the yikahti and his body moved like tar. He huffed, staggering to his feet.

Elucard’s reprieve was short-lived. In an instant the Collector closed the distance and swiped his sword upward, spinning Elucard into the air.

Elucard tensed in fear. The ground shrunk further and further as he sailed through the clouds. The centrifugal force scrunched his face as all his muscles tightened. The wind battered his body and tore at his clothes. He let out a long scream now – everything was out of his control as he could do nothing but sail higher and higher through the sky.

Whipping through the clouds after him came the yikahti, his Storm Blade replaced by a massive sword, six feet long and a foot wide, dwarfing both wielder and target. The Collector lifted it above his head as he neared the helpless Elucard.

In desperation, Elucard pulled out a fan of shurikens and flung each one at The Collector.

They sunk deep into his chest and shoulders.

Elucard pulled another set. Each found their mark, ripping gashes into the Collector’s clothes and fur, forcing him to lower his gigantic weapon to guard himself.

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Almost... Almost…

At last, he was at arm's reach. Elucard's hand shot out and snagged the Collector's cloak; he swung himself over the cat's head as they fell. With one movement, Elucard slid out a dagger and jammed it into the Collector's eye.

The Collector screeched and grabbed for his wound and Elucard simultaneously. The massive sword tumbled from his grasp and spun away in the wind towards the ground, and the cat screamed again in anger. He ripped the dagger from his eye, and the Storm Blade materialized once more from the depths of the cloak.

Not that damn sword again!

Elucard seized the Collector's arm before he could use the wind magic again and wrestled for control of the weapon. With the Storm Blade in his possession a rush of power flushed through his body. He felt as though the might of the All-Father's winds churned through his muscles. Clutching the hilt tighter, he twisted and flew himself faster to the ground, landing with the wake of storms erupting from his feet.

Amazing! I could run across the oceans in minutes with this power!

He lifted the blade to block as The Collector careened to the ground like a meteor rocketing from the heavens, a new vibrating sword in his claws. The air rippled around the Collector as he propelled closer to Elucard until both connected like black powder exploding through a mountain.

Elucard's legs buckled as his body quaked and shook. He bared his teeth and with the energy he could gather, he parried the blow, driving the Collector’s sundering sword into the stone beside him.

The yikahti roared, slashing out with his claws, but Elucard countered with a slice that launched the cat backwards like a cannonball.

Elucard took a moment to gather his wits. He smiled at the wondrous sword in amazement.

The grace of the angels. The speed of the gods. All within his hands.

Elucard dashed forward, covering the ground with a cloud of dust ramping behind him. His feet almost glided off the seal as he raced towards the Collector. He reeled the blade back with intent to impale.

Ahead, a new sword appeared in the yikahti's claws. The blade rang out haunting whispers as soft, blue lights waned and danced off the edges.

As fast as Elucard was, the cat was still more skilled.

Rolling forward, Elucard raised the wind blade to attack, but the Collector darted past his slower attack and thrust his blade into Elucard's stomach.

He gasped, waiting for the agony sure to follow, and dropped his eyes to the dreadful wound.

What? The blade wafted through him like smoke - incorporeal, intangible, and unharming.

Elucard dwindled to a stop. The desert was no more; in its place, only darkness. A familiar and kind voice came from behind him.

“Elucard, do it for me. So that we can be together.”

He turned to find Jetta. He choked in shock and disbelief. Tears streamed down his cheeks; how could this be? His longtime friend. The friend that was taken from him at the hands of his former master. The friend that he failed to protect.

“Jetta? I-I don't understand,” the confused Elucard stuttered.

Jetta stepped closer. She brushed her soft hand upon Elucard's arm.

“Do it for me, so that we will never be apart. So that the Black Rabbits will let us be free.”

Elucard's eyes searched his feelings. He tried to weigh in the logic that Jetta was dead. This had to be an illusion, but it felt so real. He wanted it to be real. It was real. His hands suddenly felt heavier. He found a dagger in one, Wiccer’s neck clutched in the other.

“Elucard, what are you doing? Please, don't,” begged Wiccer.

“I- I must. To be with Jetta,” sputtered Elucard. His thoughts of confusion solidified into a new cold state. “Jetta will not be taken away from me again.” He drove his dagger into Wiccer’s chest.

The lifeless body dissipated. Reality tilted, dizzying, then snapped back to its previous

position with a clean dagger in Elucard's right hand, and a living, breathing throat in his other.

But not Wiccer's. His master's, Legion.

Jetta moved closer to Elucard and took hold of his hand, helping him to hold the trembling dagger. She whispered into his long ear,

“He murdered me, Elucard. Kill him, kill him so that we can be together.”

Legion’s grizzled face trembled, crimson eyes teared. “I only did what I thought was right, my son.”

Elucard's face wrinkled in anger. “I saw you as a father and you betrayed me!” and he once again drove the knife into someone he cared for.

Over and over again. His father, River, his friend Izian, his king Koda. All those he wished to protect, he killed for her. Essie. Myler. Avalon. He killed to keep Jetta safe. His thrusted and thrusted until his hands soaked and dripped with blood. He stabbed and stabbed until his body could no longer stand. He fell to his knees, shivering.

I must protect her. I must protect her. I must...

Jetta smiled cruelly.