#satano

Tsubaki’s eyes scanned the area from his spot in the sky, his field of view being obstructed by clouds and clouds of smoke arising. The being disappeared again, masking its magic along with it-- a troublesome ability to have mastered in the face of the Demon Lord. Nevertheless, he could track it; The moment even the tiniest bit of magic is released, his senses tells him where. He hadn’t remembered a time he was fighting at his peak--- maybe because this time he was fighting for someone. And that someone was fighting for his people too.

He senses the presence behind him, blocks the orbs of energy, unleashes his own and comes face to face with the dead-fish eyes of the man- glowing with the twisted hue of purple. Tsubaki conjures his katana just in time to block a sweep of the opponent’s large sword, emitting a large gust of wind the moment their magic clashed. It was different now than he had remembered though, much weaker than he had expected him to be, but that was probably the cons of being on offense too much. Tsubaki brings up his sword, knocking the man back. There was a snarl from him, the purple aura going feisty and untamed, almost as if the sane control was on the brink of breaking.

“In the end… not you…” The man uttered, voice low into a growl. Tsubaki’s eyes narrowed a fraction in question as a the large sword started glowing ominously. He raised it, eyes in anger, and then swung straight at the demon lord.

The energy was unusually menacing, a power that clashed almost too brutal against his, but Tsubaki stood his ground. He harnessed his own magic, propped his katana in front of him, and took the brunt of the blow by his blade. The sudden rush of sorcery so malignant gave him goosebumps, as if the force were to devour him--- a predator that leaves no room to run- and Tsubaki knew he couldn’t afford to be defeated in a place like this.

And then all of a sudden, the blast was deflected, knocking him from his feet for a couple of seconds before he looks around. The shockwave flew to his far left, landing in a large explosion of land and dust and probably creating another crater, and as he scanned the clearing infront of him, there was nobody there- much to his dismay. He looked back at his opponent, wondering if there was something else affecting the man’s abilities but there was nothing but a smug look on his face. There was a full minute of him wracking his brain for an explanation- he had not won had he? Was the man out of his mind? Ready for a suicide blow? Was there something that Tsubaki himself missed? It was no use- he couldn’t think of anything but wiping the stupid smile off his face and ending this disaster he brought upon his castle and-

Tsubaki froze. The chilling realization dawned on him as he looked back. The cloud of smoke stood stark against the blue skies and green forestry- highlighting, much to his dread, the area that it was evaporating on.

The refugee camp.

All of a sudden, a whip of air flies past him, and through the panic in his eyes, he sees the burst purple energy hurling towards the same area- and then another- and another- and that’s when the fear claws onto him. Tsubaki screams, slashes his katana with fury and cleaves a large gust of magic at the man, stopping the relentless attack, and without a moment’s hesitation, leaves for the scene.

Shit shit shit shit…! Tsubaki dashed towards the area with all the magic he’s putting on himself. The man was still pursuing him but he could care less. Tsubaki’s reckless abandon on whatever attacks he was doing right now was justified- he just wanted that man gone. He didn’t care if he was basically shooting mountain loads of energy at him- didn’t care if he had to blast the man in midair thrice just to kill him over and over and over again. He just needed to be there undisturbed.

He finally entered the maximum limit of Shiro- supposedly- but he could sense no trace of magic whatsoever. It was as if there was a sudden cut from the line of magic- an unsettling thought that echoed in his mind as he searches around the crater. He could feel cold sweat seeping in as he assessed the area—it was basically ripped- torn by the large merciless blades embedded on the ground. The tents around the field were burnt, supplies were ashes, the smell of burnt flesh lingered in the air-- everything was unrecognizable. Everyone too. He kept calling for her, running around the vicinity eyes scanning with panic and prayer.

“Kira!” Tsubaki calls again, his voice growing more desperate. There were still no signs of magic- not hers, not Shiro’s. He was getting cold chills, his knees growing weaker with each step he was taking around the ruins of the small camp, “Kira please…”

He couldn’t look down… couldn’t look at the mess of bodies in ashes and see whoever he feared to see. He just couldn’t. He won’t accept it- not even when there were tears threatening to spill from his eyes. Not even when his throat was in a knot, not even when his stomach was churning. His hands were shaking even when they were clenched in fists.

How foolish of him. How pathetic of him. The taunts grew louder in his mind, bringing his hands to his hair as he breaths heavily. He failed. He failed her. He failed everyone. His mind was threatening to break- scream- rage- he didn’t know but the frustration was there and it ate at him too much for his existence.

“Tsu-“

His head shot up, eyes wide, breath caught in his throat as he sharpened his hearing. He wasn’t on the brink of insanity- not just yet- and he knows he’s hearing it right. Her voice.

“KIRA!” He shouts at the top of his lungs, his voice wavering but strong.

And there it was, a sudden flicker of magic he was all too fond of. He whips around, sees a distortion of space- a rip in a barrier- and then a white glow. Shiro’s faint energy dissipates with it, returning to the Tsubaki’s vessel as the barricade breaks and reveals Kira and other people behind it. All the energy of life forms fill the clearing, overwhelming Tsubaki’s senses as he stares at them.

Kira’s look on him was relieved, and Tsubaki felt his heart tighten too much- It should be me who should be relieved damnit! And he sprints towards them, not caring at the tears falling from his eyes as he takes her into his arms, holding her tight and basking at the magic and warmth of the girl. Sobs wrecked his body, trembling even as she wrapped her arms around his back and rubbed soothing circles on it. Tsubaki’s knees gave up on him, dragging Kira down as they collapsed on the ground.

“I thought…” Tsubaki breaths against her shoulder, “I thought you’re gone… I thought—I really thought-“ He was a mess of blood, sweat and tears now, showing too much to her and to the people, “I was scared—it was… it was so…”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry it made you feel that way… Just that… We thought he would keep launching attacks if he knew we were still alive…” Kira says, “It was a first time for me… masking life presence on a large scale… so I’m sorry about Shiro,” She tightens her hold on him, feeling his shaking die down a little.

“And I’m sorry…about your people…”

Tsubaki shakes his head, his hair trickling past her cheeks, which, much to her surprise, still remained soft despite the whole ordeal. The demon lord squeezes her tighter and with a muffled voice, “You did everything you could… You did it… and I’m- I’m so happy about that nonetheless…”

Kira nods against him, takes one final glance at the ruins that they have gotten themselves out of, and buries her face against his clothes once more, “And I’m glad… you’re safe too…”

That’s my line… Tsubaki almost chuckled. It was painful, but he was relieved beyond life and death to have her in his arms, telling him the words he should be telling her instead.