Kozuna
So much for being squad leader… My whole team is basically disbanded, with Kozuna in jail, Yvira's loss of ranking, and… Nikai… I need to figure out what I can do for them. Now…
It was the day following the trial, after everything was moved from Zara's lab to her home. Including Nikai, who had to hide from the public… Stripped of her rank, Zara could still conduct research independently but at a much slower pace without assistants. Though, that was where Yvira came in…
Yvira's parents blew up on her about the whole thing and kicked her out of their house, so for the time, Zara opted to have Yvira stay with her as the new assistant. Also, as an extra pair of eyes on Nikai, who was antsy to go home and check on his little brother…
With everything going on, Zara and Yvira couldn't keep making appearances in the media. And Nikai needed to avoid it at all costs. The seal on his damn face was reason enough. And given the fact that the situation wouldn't be sorted out for a while, Kaiten had Nikai and me placed on his personal team, at least on paper…
***
It was already afternoon. We found ourselves in Zara's living room, sitting on couches and hidden from sunlight by blackout curtains. She draped them over the windows and even across the ceiling, for some reason…
All we could do was talk strategy. Not that there was much strategy to be spoken of…
"So what do I do? I can't go outside... I don't know how to use my curse... I just have to wait around..? My brother's been home alone this whole time, no one's checked up on him! I need to make sure he's okay!"
Zara, pacing back and forth, hands at her hips, took a deep breath.
"You stay put and don't get in harm's way. We don't know a whole lot about your curse, Nikai. You don't wanna end up transforming in your brother's face, do you?"
"No…"
"Then focus on helping around here. I need to find a way to at least… conceal your curse seal… Someone else can go check on your brother, okay?"
"Okay, but… This voice in my head… It's telling me to go…"
"What voice?"
Sweating, Nikai shook his head violently, his fingers twitching as he glanced around the room.
"Huh? What'd you say..?"
"Quit screwing around." Zara hastily peeked out the curtains. "Commander, do you have any news? Any bargaining chips you can use to get Kozuna out of prison?"
Kaiten opened his mouth, pausing before saying a word.
"Nothing... And, listen... This morning, I visited my office and met with Helix. There's more bad news…" Kaiten closed his eyes, slowly inhaling quietly. "There was a run-in with some Bahsin near Crescent Canyon. Reports seem to show that the Bahsin are mobilizing to attack... And we still have no idea when Nazun and Orion will make their move…"
I… forgot all about the Bahsin… Shit.
"Helix is calling for a meeting with a few high ranking members of the military... I hate to say it, but this Kozuna and Nikai situation is in your hands, everyone. You guys work on the internal problems, I'll handle the external."
I yawned aloud, waving the Commander off.
"Don't worry, Commander. Go to your meeting. With me here, we'll figure something out..."
Zara scoffed as both Yvira and Nikai gazed at me with matching scrunched-up expressions.
With a quick bow, Kaiten hurried outside. The popping sounds of his buggy engine firing up ensued only moments later.
"Alright, guys... How do we prove Kozuna's innocence?" I wondered, crossing my legs.
"I don't even know if he's innocent…" Yvira mumbled, her voice trailing away. "...I mean… if he did kill his parents…"
"Even if he did... Curses are… hard to control…" Nikai stared at his shaky hands. "When they first awaken… you can't even handle the power… the energy… Everything coursing through you…"
"Okay, um… Well, what if we go to the orphanage? Maybe there are clues there? I don't know…"
"No that won't work." Zara held her breath momentarily. "If what Kaiten thinks is true, Izanai forged the evidence. Researching at the orphanage won't do anything. We need to catch Izanai and his councilman in the act…"
I snapped my fingers with a smile.
"That's it! I'll find hard evidence and present it to the public. You three should all be keeping a low profile. I'm the only one here who's fit for the mission. If any of you gets caught, it's game over. Buuut unlike the rest of you, I'm not under suspicion. I could start by tailing one of the councilors or infiltrating their headquarters…"
"Anari, that's way too dangerous!" Yvira clamored, practically jumping out of her seat. "Your back only just completely healed like a day ago! Don't put yourself in harm's way again!"
"Yvira… You don't understand… I need to do this. I'm tired of being… useless… every time my squad needs me. The man-beast in Crescent Canyon, the whole curse situation, the trial, the fights against Nazun and Orion… I haven't been able to help. Not once. Not even a little… Even without any real fighting, Yvira, you've done more than me…"
That's right… The others have all contributed, even if things haven't gone well… I need to do my part too…
Yvira quietly lowered her head, taking her seat once again…
"Anari, if you're up to the task, then I'll put my faith in you. We'll leave the evidence gathering to you, while Yvira and I take care of Nikai's seal. But how do you plan to do this?"
"I'll…" I cleared my throat, meeting eyes with everyone in the room. "I'll start with Councilor Gio. He's the one in charge of all the secrecy, if I'm correct… Livian's probably too dangerous to go after immediately…"
"That's using your head, for once… But do you have a plan? Sure, choosing him as your target is a good start... But, what then? Gio works in the shadows... Going after someone like that isn't exactly a stroll in the park… And last I recalled, you weren't the most stealthy member of your squad…"
"I know Kozuna's stealthy; I know that better than you… I'll probably start by tailing Gio... He's bound to lead me somewhere important sooner or later-"
"Look, I don't mean to be that guy, but what about me? What's the plan for my curse?" blurted Nikai, pointing dead at his face.
All of us went silent. Zara, Yvira, and I simply glanced at each other…
Who's gonna be the one to say something..?
"Oh, lemme guess... Y'all're just gonna hide me here forever, right? No plan at all? Kozuna's already locked up! He's not going anywhere! I still have my freedom to think about, though!"
Yvira hastily went and sat next to Nikai, gently rubbing his twitchy arm.
"I know you're going through a stressful time, Nikai, but we're gonna do everything we can... You know that, right? Just please have some patience, okay?"
Nikai jerked his arm free, springing off the couch while huffing like he couldn't breathe.
"Patience? PATIENCE? I have to go outside at some point! Besides, none of you even seem to CARE that I'm cursed! What happens if this shit just decides to pop off in here? Anyone think of that? I'll end up killing ALL of you! Why not prioritize the person in front of you? Kozuna's not the one in danger of going on a rampage! I AM!"
In mere seconds, Nikai stormed outside, slamming the door shut behind him.
Zara's head bobbed down with an exhausted sigh.
"That fool doesn't realize the amount of stress we're ALSO under. Ugh, teenagers... Nikai needs to cool off, but not out in public. If someone sees him..."
Yvira nodded as she hurried toward the front door.
"Let's bring him back. Maybe we can get him to understand… Nikai isn't super unreasonable. Usually he's really relaxed… He just feels... cooped up…"
I scoffed, pushing Yvira away from the door.
"I'll go… retrieve Nikai... You two should stay. This won't take long anyway."
Before either of them could answer, I bolted out.
That dumbass… What is he thinking?
***
It was already dark out, and I couldn't see Nikai. And given that Zara's home sat alone above a sandy plateau, things should've been at least somewhat more manageable. I jogged to the edge and peered over the city lit by street lights, but there was no silhouette to be made out in that darkness.
"AHHHHHH!"
My head swerved in the direction of a scream.
Who was that? What's happening?
The anguished cries only grew louder as I descended the hilly slope from Zara's home down onto the main road. Chills blew around my body as the wind grew fearsome; I folded my arms and clenched as tightly as I could… Not that it did much good…
Damn it… Wish I was wearing something warmer…
The brisk wind felt as if it were cutting into my skin, and soon, it forced my eyes to nearly close.
"Hhhhhhfffffhhhhh…"
It took some time before I built up any tolerance, wandering around in the cold dark…
I saw someone on the ground, with one hand in the air. And in front of her was a giant smokey, black apparition, which I didn't even notice at first glance. I stood in confusion for a brief moment until I realized what was happening.
"HEY!"
Transformed, Nikai turned to me. He had grown in size, just like before, and I felt like I was stuck in place. But I wasn't paralyzed; my fear was stopping me from moving. I knew the difference. It was an entirely different sensation…
And while I was busy being afraid, Nikai trudged toward me, menacingly and yet, without a sound. The claws that replaced his hands and feet were growing in size; they showed no signs of halting…
Has his curse become... stronger since last time?
With my gaze switching between Nikai and the civilian, I could only breathe heavier. There was no weapon at my side. No one around to save me… I was on my own…
I… can't afford to be afraid… this time… I need… to move…
My breathing only grew heavier and louder… The whole world seemed to fall still, with Nikai being the only mobile thing around. I was just part of the world, frozen in place, doomed to be at his mercy…
What do I do..? Do I run..? Leave that girl..? Wait, what am I thinking?
I broke myself out of my self-inflicted paralysis and darted back. Luckily, Nikai didn't turn to her, as she was still lying on the ground, scared to make a sound.
"Come on! You wanna attack someone? Well... I'm right here for you!"
…god, now what am I thinking..?
Nikai roared, facing his palms backward. His screech seemed loud enough to reach the entire city. With a crouch and pounce, his shadowy body flew at me, releasing black flames from his feet.
So fast..! He's gonna aim for my throat!
I quickly ducked to the side, watching as his claws sliced through the air that my neck just exited. I tried landing a punch, but there was pretty much no effect. Standing there like an idiot, I watched as Nikai suddenly whacked me with the swipe of his arm, sending my body crashing into the road several times before ultimately bashing into a nearby building…
"Arrgghhhh… Unnghhh…" I groaned, coughing up blood.
J-just… one hit..?
With vision beginning to blur, I glanced at my sliced-up palms before my awareness kicked back in. Nikai lunged at me again, interrupting my train of thought. I forced myself to jump out of the way, though it did me nearly no good… Everything was hurting after just the one hit…
I've gotta lead him out of the city… That's the only thing I can do right now…
I stumbled to get to my feet before hurrying away.
"Get to safety!"
Nikai had been teleporting from one shadow to another. Momentarily, he appeared a few feet in front of me, swirling a sphere of drippy, reddish-purple curse energy in his claw.
There was no hesitation in the launch of his attack. I ducked to the side of the street, watching as the orb widened into a far-reaching beam. And that beam blasted through the road, searing a long indentation behind in its wake, with excess embers to boot…
Power like that… Nikai could've taken down Nazun without any trouble... all on his own… Fast or not, Kozuna doesn't even compare to this… I'm so fucked…
Realizing that I spent too much time viewing the damage, I felt a cold breath on my shoulders, turning to see Nikai looming over me. And then, finally, our eyes met. My body started to tingle; Nikai got me without even touching me. And only then did he begin reaching for my neck, with a single claw…
There's no one to save me... How do I fight back against someone like this..?
Nikai was only mere inches from grabbing my throat, but he suddenly just… stopped... My gaze remained fixated on him as Nikai backed away, staring in another direction with his smokey red eyes...
He let out another roar at some man in shining armor, standing atop a flat-roofed house.
The man leaped to ground level and pulled a large round shield from his back, bearing a sword in his other hand. By then, my limp body had hit the ground, and I was left squinting at him.
Is that..?
"Sh-Shin..?"
Shin winked at me, then glanced back to Nikai, who was firing another beam of curse energy.
Standing his ground, Shin dug in deep and showed no fear, holding the buckler before his torso. The moment the energy came into contact with Shin's shield, it seemed to be sucked in. The force did push Shin back a little, but he was completely unharmed.
What kind of weapon is that?
Nikai rushed at Shin like a wild animal, only to be firmly bashed in the face with a shield. And for some reason, that one physical attack seemed to actually have an effect on Nikai… Unable to do anything but watch from the sidelines, I couldn't close my eyes.
Shin followed up with a quick slice, faster than I would've anticipated. And with that, he darted over to me while Nikai hovered his claw over the opening in his shadow cloak. Judging by the way he covered the wound with energy, it appeared that Nikai was… replenishing his shadows…
Shin squinted, blocking me from Nikai's view entirely.
"Ah, I see… So that's how it is..."
"Shin, what are you doing here? Where did you get that armor?"
He gave me no answer; Shin stood there like a knight protecting me…
I don't want protection… I want to be the dependable squad leader I used to be…
"Fine, don't respond… But I'm helping. We need to get him under control and back to Zara's…"
"You won't be of much help unarmed, Anari. Also, paralyzed…"
Without hesitation, I snatched Shin's blade, wielding it in both hands.
Heh, when he smacked Nikai, it must've broken his focus or something cause that paralysis felt so weak afterward… I could break out easily…
"I'm sorry, did you say I was paralyzed? Now I'm armed too. You defend, I'll attack! I guarantee I'm better with a sword than you are, Shin!"
Sucking his teeth, Shin absorbed another incoming blast.
"Fine, whatever! Wait until you have an opening, then go for the head!"
The head? Won't that kill him? No… not in his curse form. It shouldn't…
A series of claw swipes mixed with curse energy bursts came our way, leaving Shin unable to do anything other than defending… And to make matters worse, Nikai seemed to be getting faster and stronger as the fight dragged on.
How is he getting stronger? Is he gaining more control over his curse? There's no way… He wouldn't be attacking us if that were the case!
"Anari? Any day now? Wanna knock him out or what?"
"YES! When I can do so without getting killed!"
"By then we'll both be dead!"
"You choose NOW- of all times- to criticize me, Shin?" I growled, clenching the sword harder.
Fine. I'll go on the offensive… Besides… I've got my fear under control…
I darted past Shin and Nikai, sliding my leading foot in the sand as I reached Nikai's back. He turned and swung his hammer of an arm at me, but I expected Nikai to respond quickly, so I had to react even FASTER. Predicting his movements, I stepped below his arm and slashed a clean cut through the shadows shrouding his head.
For a moment, I was able to see a tiny portion of Nikai's human face. With that, I bashed him clean in the face with the sword hilt. Nikai screeched again, his whole head flopping around as he stumbled back.
I… did it..! I landed two consecutive hits on Nikai!
Losing balance, Nikai's shadow form was waning. I saw the opportunity and aimed for every weak point across his body while Shin watched in amazement. One slash after another, I was ripping his shadows apart. The more exposed his physical body became, the more it seemed Nikai was getting back in control.
Shortly, Nikai fell to his knees, his curse mode almost wholly vanished by then. I could start to make out his seemingly blurry face, tears streaming down from his eyes…
"Y-you need... You need to run... I can feel it... whatever is... inside of me... it's getting stronger as the night continues… This voice… It's telling me to… kill…"
Kozuna never said anything about hearing voices… What voice is he talking about? What's so different about Nikai's curse?
"Nikai… I didn't come here just to run. Never again am I gonna even think about running away," I declared, raising the blade once again.
Nikai screamed out in agony, his chest puffing in and out repeatedly. In the blink of an eye, before I could bring the sword down on him, his body enveloped itself in shadows yet again… Nikai reverted back to the state he was in before being hit a single time…
"No... NO!"
"Stronger as the night continues…" Shin grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me behind him. "He's talking about the moon! There's nothing between him and the moon; that's why his powers are so much stronger than before!"
His power lies in the darkness… And we're just now finding out…
Nikai teleported away to another shadow, where he began charging up another orb of pure curse energy. We had nowhere to run. The size of his projectile ability mimicked that of his body, growing more and more as he remained unsheltered from the moon…
"Stay behind me, Anari! I don't know if my shield can withstand something of this caliber!"
Not like there's another option…
Nikai raised the energy ball above his shoulder, and the moment he threw it, a bright flash of orange briefly blinded me. All I could see was the dark silhouette present in the light, performing some sort of kick into Nikai's energy ball…
"Get a hold of yourself, Nikai!"
Instead of Shin and me getting utterly obliterated, we watched Nikai's attack practically explode in his face, and the person who deflected it flipped backward, gracefully landing just before us…
No way… I must be seeing things…
"Heh. That's twice now, that I've saved you two from certain death... Anari, Shin… I didn't say it out loud before, so I'll be sure to say it out loud this time… You guys should see the looks on your faces right now… You two look like total losers!"
Annoyed... but... semi-happy to see you at the same time… Kozuna…