Kousei Bengonin, Ch. 64

...con't...



Their Master was at the forefront of the nearly twenty minions that had come, and the red glow of Hauniro’s shadow's vision granted him sight back in the safety of his own world. He didn’t change pace, or say a word; the instant his gaze set on the trio standing together, those that had followed him dashed ahead in anticipation of his whim.

Aurora decided not to release her Zanpakuto at the moment. Because of what she had learned by the Ori’s teaching, she was willing to rely on her growing skills and knowledge. While she took on the brunt of the vicious beings, Shunsui remained close behind her with Jushiro only an arm’s length away from him.

A bit of carving broke up the seemingly unyielding barrage. Whatever symbol Aurora had showed them was indeed a powerful one, and worked exactly as she had said it would. Shunsui had added dexterity because of his dual swords. He was able to throw off whatever demon came at him with one hand, while notching the demonic mark for banishment on his victim. While he fluently cleared away any enemy that came within arms reach of him, his two companions kept him, and each other, safe. Upon seeing this, Hauniro slowed his steps to watch the display.

Unhappy with what he saw, the Master’s gaze rotated until it caught another pair of demonic eyes behind him. Exchanging glances with whomever was there, Hauniro remained undaunted in his endeavor. After straightening, he started forward yet again.

The small force he had brought with him was gone by then, effectively having been banished by the trio he had come after. Most certainly an imposing force when they were working together, Hauniro knew his chances would be better if they were all apart.

“Stubborn children,” he chided, his voice edged darkly. “You disobeyed me before; don’t do so again. If you damage yourselves before I can wrangle you to me, I’ll be most displeased.”

“And what would you do to us?” Shunsui queried evenly, gaining a better hold of both of his weapons. “If you don’t want us damaged at all?”

The silhouette faded in the sunlight, but didn’t disappear. “Not by chance... You... You, I want to tear apart with my own hands for keeping in my way.”

“You didn’t kill me before,” he reminded him. “And you won’t this time, either.”

“Then if that is your decision, there is no time to waste.” Speaking in his own demonic language, though none of them understood what he was saying, he added, “Weary fools.”

None of them so much as wavered at the statement.

Expecting to see at least the two men before him writhing in pain on the ground, like before, the demon Master’s shadow reflected his exasperation in seeing them standing. His vision zipped between the trio, eventually resting on Aurora. Concluding what must have happened, he growled under his breath. “You little blond bitch!” Giving into his rage, he amassed a collection of his own energy and thrust it at her without hesitation.

Aurora was prepared for it, however. Reflexively, she held up her free hand, and struck yet another character into the air in front of her. As she did so, the blast that Hauniro had intended for her disappeared into a circular area within the borders of the symbol she had made. Quicker than he thought her capable, she traced a companion sign, which sent the very same energy back at the demon that had conjured it.

Because there was no shade to sink into, the demon Master had no way to subtly dodge. In order to escape the precise shot, he had to dive to his dominate side to prevent his shadow from behind cast back into his own realm.

While the silhouette jaggedly rolled to the right, the blow Aurora had reflected crashed into the foliage, leaving a bit of destruction in it’s wake. As it did, she, as well as Jushiro and Shunsui, caught sight of yet another demon that had come with his Master.

But he was nothing like the rest of them that had attacked a moment ago.


...con’t...