If there is any justice in this universe.
Please...don't let Crimson...Crimson Jiyuna die. Let her live and avoid what seeks to do her harm.
Let my pocket watch reach her somehow.
Let my magic be at her disposal and guide her to my loyal men who will not only protect her...but love her.
Show her that this world isn't only filled with selfish people.
Teach her that there are good individuals in this world who love not because of one's race or power, but simply because of the wonderful individual they are.
And let my men move forward.
Don't let them linger on the past, but focus on the present and future.
Guide Urufu to her.
Help them become a team...and bring peace to Nokamato...
To Homatomashi...
And...
Please...avenge me.
With that final prayer, the last of my tears rolled down my cheeks and I took my final breath.
Gomennasai.
CRIMSON
"SHIT! Did we enter it yet?"
"Fuck, I think so. Keep going. The cliff shouldn't be too far."
My lips trembled from the freezing cold and my hair blew wildly in the blizzard, my body still being carried by the same shifter.
I'd been able to move five minutes ago, but I needed the right moment and I prayed it would happen before we reached the cliff.
My Kitsune was ready to fight for our life. I wouldn't die after finally being reunited with her after all these years. I couldn't be killed the day before my birthday. I knew I had an hour left before the clock struck twelve and I prayed the guys had figured out I wasn't in my room back at the shrine.
How will they find me? I pushed the fearful thoughts to the back of my mind. It wouldn't matter if they found me if I was already dead.
"I see the cliff! We'r— AH!"
I felt my body fall forward and crash into the frigid snow. THIS IS MY CHANCE.
"Fuck. How did you—" Henchman Two began, but was cut off when I scurried to my feet and summoned the harsh wind to gather and strike him in a quick slash.
"ARGGH!' he screamed and his body fell back into the snow.
I jumped back to gain some distance between us as I let the newly acquired magic reign free.
It felt exhilarating to finally fight these men and let out my pent up frustration in battle while the blizzard continued to hammer down us.
"This bitch!" Henchman One swore and his bulky body charged toward me.
I sent more gusts of wind, the third one knocking him off balance. He slid back to the ground and the second slim built male ran toward me, pulling out a sword as he moved.
My wrists burned and with a flash, my twin swords were in my hands. The pink to orange ribbons spun wildly in the wind that began to gather at my feet and the snow followed its lead.
"You shouldn't be ALIVE!" the brown-haired henchman screamed over the loud breeze as he lifted his sword to try and slice me in two. I crossed my swords to block and took his attack head-on.
This wasn't a training session with Malachi. Whatever I did now could cost me my life.
"Sorry to burst your bubble," I snarled and I felt my Kitsune push forward. His eyes grew wide and I could tell by the fear in them that my eyes were no longer their usual turquoise color, but a glowing pink.
"Im-Impossible! You're a human!" he challenged, using more strength to try and push me back, but I stood my ground.
"You're right. I WAS a human. Not anymore," I growled and let my magic pool within my blades which began to light up.
"Eric! She's not human! Tell Jam—" he screamed, but I didn't let him finish, shoving him back and releasing my energy in one clean sweep. He shrieked as his body flew through the hair and his limbs flailed helplessly. The man named Eric looked back to watch as his friend fell.
But instead of tumbling to the snowy ground, he kept going. He disappeared over the edge and his shrill screams faded before we heard a loud noise.
I gawked and realized I'd pushed him over the cliff. I just killed someone.
Eric turned back to stare at my stunned face; anger bled into his gaze as he roared, charging toward me.
FUCK!
Storm's magic took the opportunity to kick in and I let my instincts take over. I flipped backward, pushing off the ground with my hands and flipping again so my feet were facing the snowy ground a few feet below.
Eric pushed off the ground and dark green magic circles appeared beneath his feet as he raced upward toward me, each magic circle becoming a small platform for him to get closer and closer.
I cursed and my body began to descend, but a pink magic circle formed beneath my feet and I began to levitate in place. I smirked before flying past Eric who groaned, before chasing after me. I turned my body around and lifted my blades defensively right when a fireball crashed into them.
The blades deflected it, sending it back toward Eric who ducked and sent more fireballs at me as he ran on the magic platforms that appeared and disappeared with each step he took.
I can't keep going this way. I can't see the edge of the cliff.
My magic understood and my levitation powers shut off which made my body begin to plummet to the ground. NOPE, TURN BACK ON, NOW!
Storm's magic took over again and a gust of wind caught me in a little funnel cloud when I was a just a few feet from the ground. I sighed in relief and dropped to the ground. I looked around for Eric, but I could barely see.
Thanks to my magic, the winds seemed to have picked up even more and the snow made it almost impossible to see even two feet ahead. That also meant he couldn't see me.
My blades glowed before they faded away, the two spheres of pink light returned to the tattoos on my wrist. I felt winded and my gut told me I had to end this now, or I wouldn't have any magic left for this battle.
A gasp escaped me as the breath was knocked out of me; my body fell to the ground and whatever was gripping me held tight as we both tumbled over and over until we came to a stop with me pinned to the ground.
My eyes snapped open and Eric was hovering over me with canine teeth that reminded me of a wolf.
"I will end you," he snarled as his head began to shift. The sound of bones popping made me cringe and my eyes were as wide as saucers because of the wolf head that glared down at me. He opened his mouth to reveal his sharp teeth.
Fear left me numb as I stared up at him, unable to think of a way out of this. A loud crack rang through the air and we both froze; our bodies began to slide backwards.
A thundering sound went through the air and then we were both falling. I screamed as Eric grabbed onto me in an effort to use me to cushion his fall.
I. WILL. NOT. DIE!
My magic flared and my body grew scorching hot. Eric screamed, letting go as we continued to plummet. I took advantage to grab onto his hip and rotate us so he was beneath me. I noticed the approaching ground and I realized neither of us would survive this.
A single word came to my mind and I screamed it with all my might, knowing it could definitely be my last.
"URUFU!"
Something grabbed my waist and I came to a sudden stop, but my hands couldn't hold their grip on Eric who screamed and crashed to the ground. Blood sprayed everywhere and his half-shifted body was nothing but a flat disembodied mess of body parts and broken bones.
His wolf head twitched and his now yellow eyes stared at me before they dulled. My body remained suspended above and I heard the flapping of wings.
I slowly looked up to see a large flaming pink phoenix. I struggled for words, unsure what to say as tears streamed down my face.
"Uru?" I whimpered and the phoenix bird's head lowered to stare at me.
"Reeeee!" she cried out in response.
I sobbed and my body relaxed. She flew me away from the bloody ground to a clear area, dropping me softly to my feet.
I tried to remain standing, but my legs trembled and I collapsed to my knees, sobbing. I was freezing and felt so tired and the chilling cold of the blizzard wasn't helping me stay awake.