Chapter 83

Nikami POV

"What?" I felt my eyes widened more than ever before. The… Demons? Huh?

I know that the demon war happens in the future, but that is the climax of the story. Where all of the capture targets are at their lowest, and the protagonist saves them from that and they fight the demons together with ease. But yes, that is at the end of the game, where it's the end of the school year.

But it's only been a month! All of the events, the training, the developments of the capture targets are gone! There is no way we can survive this without our current power! Shukona and Saboten haven't even awaked yet…

Why is everything going so fast?

"I have no time to explain, we have to make haste." She pulled me on the wrist and started to run with me.

"Saboten! Grab Yasachu and run as fast as you can. Me and Shu can handle ourselves." I commanded the knight, glancing over at her. She gave a small salute, running over to Yasachu and picking her up. Dashing over in the same direction we were going towards, albeit a lot faster.

"How did you know that the demons are coming here?" I asked her calmly, as she kept on dragging me. Still holding my wrists gently as she stared in front of her, determined to get out of this place.

"Saboten was told by Shirayuri-sama to fetch us here… Haah… Shirayuri-sama supposedly heard it from Kinmokusei-san…" Shukona answered my question, then I nodded.

"Sounds complicated." I mumbled. Senpai? Where did she get that news then? Maybe she just felt the demons coming…? She is the most sensitive one when it comes to magic out of all of us.

"That wolf used this shortcut earlier, let's go here. We must be there as soon as possible." Shukona spoke towards me, leading me into a dark alleyway. Wait, she was with Yuutsu too? What are they even doing here? I had too many questions, but I'll ask later.

?Ì·?Ì·?Ì· Yuutsu POV

"What about Nika?! Shu is with you too right?!" Raijin asked me, yelling at me as she did so.

"They're together! I'm sure those two are going towards the safe spot where we're gonna meet! Come on! It's just over there, I'm going to tell some of the citizens what's happening. You stay there if anything happens!" I told Raijin, pointing over in a direction where some of the commoners were running over a spot inside the park. There was a large dome around them, glowing as if protecting them from something.

Hahaha… The news spread quickly, they're already in lockdown. I can't believe they have a small magic barrier inside this city.

"Gotcha! Come back here quickly, okay?!" She nodded, speeding towards the dome.

I saluted towards her, running towards an alleyway when I was out of her sight.

My panicked face quickly turned into a smirk, slowly taking off the tie on my head. As I pulled it and destroyed my pony tail, my raven black hair faded into my actual hair.

Obsidian purple.

"Aahh, geeeeeeeeeez… I sure hope I predicted it right and Shukona and Nikami will go through this alleyway…" I chuckled to myself, sarcastically speaking.

As I passed through the dark alleyway, I pulled things out of my shadow. My usual clothing and mask, the tail and ears on my body returned into it's real form. Just solidified Darkness.

I changed quickly as I walked, Nearly tripping when I changed into my shorts but I didn't fall to the ground! Of course, of course.

I rubbed one of my eyes, trying to get rid of the liquid eye contacts. Magi-tech sure is helpful… I put on the mask on my face, giving a large Cheshire like grin and gripped my tail along with my ears.

I formed them together, taking a deep inhale and strengthening my legs, scaling the building beside me as I held on and jumped up again.

"Well, Well, Well~" I giggled, snorting as I started to wheeze. Those two really are so predictable! I made the shadow lump that was on my hand transform into something solid. Making the tip sharp as I reeled it in, my red eye gleaming in the dark as I laid my eyes on them. Stalking my prey.

"Ding ding ding!~" I mumbled under my breath, speaking with a childish correct sound effect in my mouth.

Nikami POV

Silent and dark.

Only footsteps could be heard in the dark alleyway, with the same rhythm of my heart beat. Fast and rapid, I could feel my panting getting worse and worse. I should probably work out physically instead of relying on my magic…

"Booyah!" A sharp dark spear passed through us, hitting my hair and cutting some strands off. Before we could even react, that thing hit us as if it was a gun.

"Ack-" Shukona gasped, freezing and slowly put her hand on her cheek. Feeling the thick crimson liquid pouring down her chin. Her irises dilating as she held my hand tightly in horror.

She immediately pulled me close to her chest, pulling me to get out of the alleyway, but it seemed like there was already someone there.

A shadow of a similar stature to mine landed from the sky, landing on her feet as she crouched down. She then stood straight up, whipping her head towards us as I saw her signature mask. Her red eye glowed as we made eye contact, which prompted me to grit my teeth.

That little…

"Tch… What are you doing here?!" Shukona exclaimed, pulling me behind her. She felt the sharp pain on her cheek linger, her eyes erratic as she held my wrist even tighter.

"Awwee!~ You two really are as rude as always! Pft, as to be expected! I'm not really welcome here!" She giggled, placing her arms behind her head as she took a step forward.

"What do you want? Can't you see we're busy?" I growled, narrowing my eyes down at her as both me and Shukona took a step back.

"Hmm~ Either of you! Because like, Y'know, I can't do both of you because it would be soooooooooo boring if no one reported the other was taken none other than… Mwah!~" She snickered, mocking both of us in her usual childish fashion, taking more steps as we moved backward in response.

"And you both have NO choice in the matter." She put both of her index fingers on her cheek, pressing it against her skin and mask.

"What for?" I asked, narrowing my eyes down at her.

"Hmmm, evil villain shit, Y'know? As if I'll tell ya! Hmph! Hmph! Don't treat me as a child!" She exclaimed, now waving her arms around.

"And if we refuse?" Shukona sighed, still protecting me from her.

"Then BOTH of you would be damaged! Which I'd tooootally hate!" She huffed, folding her hands.

I felt Shukona's grip tighten, looking down at me as she paused and took a deep inhale.

I shook my head, no way I'm just going to take something like this.

"Go on, discuss. Innie, minnie, minnie mo!~ Which one of you are gonna get taken by this hoe?" She asked, taking a step forward and narrowed her eyes down at us.

"Me." With no hesitation, Shukona made herself the sacrifice. Despite her statement, I could feel her hands shaking. Her whole body was quivering.

"Don't you dare!" I made my voice clear and loud, making her flinch.

"What are you talking about, Shu?! We can probably beat her if both of us just worked together and-" Before I could finish my sentence, arms started to grab Shukona. Their sharp nails dig inside Shukona's skin, keeping her in place. Some were even grabbing her face, scratching it to the point where her chin is just covered in blood.

Yet, she stared at me with a soft smile.

That was the last straw.

I snapped, ripping my glove off my hand. I was crying, yet snow was the thing rolling down my face. In an instant, I made everything around me covered in sharp ice. Everything other than Shukona.

"You're not… Going to get hurt!" I know that I'm acting on my emotions, I know that I should be calm in this situation.

But I can't.

She's the girl that kept me from going insane, she was there when Raijin couldn't be by my side, she was more than family to me.

I hate it, I hate it when I see her trying to keep a smile on her face when she's suffering. Don't… Don't you dare… Become a sacrifice for me.

As I panted heavily, I glared over at that masked girl. I clenched my hand into a fist, giving a punch in her direction as a large pillar of ice came following my attack. Startled, she jumped to the side. But I was prepared, thrusting my other hand forward and a sharp thin ice spike pierced through her stomach.

"Ahaha-" She simply laughed, seeing her getting hurt. She weakly but swiftly placed her hand on the ice, muttering something before it all turned into solidified darkness.

"Did… Did you really think I would get beaten? Do I need to remind you… You're in MY arena!" She exclaimed, taking the sharp pole off her stomach and whipped it around me instead.

Shit.

I forgot this entire place is just filled with darkness.

As the shadow tendril wrapped around my neck trying to strangle me, I kept making ice to set myself free. But each time it touches my ice, it just turns into darkness instead…

Why…? Am I not powerful…? I hate being in a situation where I have no control. As the color slowly drained my face, I felt my pulse raising due to the tentacle blocking my airflow.

Damn it… I thought we made a deal…? You masked brat…

"STOP HURTING HER! PLEASE MAKE IT END!" Shukona yelled out, getting rid of the shadow hands around her with just her hands. Despite her panting and bloodied up, she was still worried about me. She wiped off the blood on her chin, gritting her teeth, getting down on one knee due to how weak her feet are becoming.

"Just… Take me already! You just want me don't you?! Just shut up and let her go!" Shukona demanded, glaring over at the masked girl with a determined look.

As the masked girl slouched forwards due to her injuries, she took a deep inhale and nodded. With a small smirk, she stood straight back up once again, holding her arm over her stomach.

"Fine… Fine! I'm injured anyway, so whatever. Wanna say your last goodbyes? Haha! That sounds like a death threat! I won't hurt her. At least physically." She chuckled to herself, turning her blood into shadows and solidifying it on her injury. Stopping herself from bleeding out, but still, she was still injured.

I got dropped on the ground, coughing out as I finally could breathe again. I clenched my fists on the ground, seeing the snow that was coming out of my eyes slowly turning into liquid tears. I'm… So pathetic.

I felt a cold hand being placed on my chin and lifting it up. I stared at Shukona who was smiling softly at me, having her eyebrows arched downwards in sorrow. Seeing her like this, I whimpered at her touch, picking up her hand and moving it on my cheek.

I continued to sob, not saying a word. I held her hand tightly, shaking as I felt the blood get on my hands and face. But I didn't care, I just don't want Shukona being taken away by this bastard.

"What are you doing…? Put your head up like you always have… The Nikami I know won't break just because I'm going away..." Shukona gave a weak scoff, her voice wavering.

"How can I? Shukona, are you stupid? I don't even know if you'll come back the same! You don't understand she-" I stared at her in horror, trying to explain what magic abilities she has but she cut me off.

"I know." Shukona replied, staring at me with a deadpan expression. I felt something grabbing both of my feet, I thought it was that masked girl again but… It was vines.

"Ahaha!... Of course she does! We're childhood besties weren't we? Kuna-kuna~" The masked girl continued to laugh, crouching down as she kept her arms on her injury.

Huh…?!

"Shu… You knew about her…? Why didn't you tell me? Has she been harassing you like this for so long…?" I heard my voice crack, I was desperate for answers. This hit me hard. I felt… Like I have been cheated. Shukona knew about her, she knew what she could do, yet she didn't even try to warn me.

I was angry.

For the first time, I was angry at Shukona.

"Forgive me. Truly… I can't apologize enough. I'm alright if you can't forgive me right now, I understand. However, if I did tell you… She would hurt you and Raijin too, like she does with Emica… And yes, sometimes me. But I can't let you get hurt, I can't let Raijin get hurt. You two are more important." She spoke, then stood up, ignoring all of the sharp pain around her.

I felt my body being pulled up by the vine on my feet, hanging in the air as Shukona continued to hold my cheek, making me face her as I continued to hover.

"What are you saying? You have no idea how much you held me back from the brink of being a doll! You're as important as Raijin!" I screamed at her, pleading for her to just stop. Trying to squirm away from the vines, I wanted to cut it with my ice. But due to my overwhelming emotions, I couldn't properly control my mana. This is why I don't want to be overcome with feelings.

Before I could continue with my rant, Shukona slammed her lips onto mine, kissing me. As she did, I could taste a copper feeling in my mouth. It was Shukona's blood. She used her hands to run through my hair and pulled my head closer to hers, closing her eyes as I remained dumbstruck at her actions.

"Mph?! Uhn…"

Shukona…? Why are you…-

After just a few seconds of kissing, she let go of me completely, giving another melancholic smile. Now without her grip, I was forced to be held higher by the vines. I stared at her in awe and horror, not able to think. Let alone speak.

"I'm not." She replied to what I said, about her being important.

Before I could speak something out, I could only let out a squeak of despair, and I got flung to the sky with a whip of the vine.

As I saw everything around me going blurry due to the speed I was going, my long hair started to slap me, further obscuring my view. My head was blank. I couldn't think of anything. It felt like a fever dream, it just happened a few seconds ago… Yet all of the memories are already mushing together.

As I felt my weight tilting downwards, I finally noticed that I was actually in the sky and descending to the ground. As my green eyes stared at the orange filled horizon, everything was slowing down for me, only focusing on the sunset.

Knowing that I was about to hit the ground, I was in a daze, just mesmerized by such a colorful view. I couldn't recall much of what happened earlier, but one thought filled my head...

I don't mind dying right now.

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Sheesh that was depressing I'm sorry 🐱🐱🐱

But yk, drama and shit, they're cool and funky. But you've probably already seen the coolio new cover! Yeah! Made by me! Haha what the hecc is a consistent art style???

Funky stuff! As you can see I am cool and I figured out a way to include everyone in a fitting and non awkward way so yay me!

And yes, we have two arts today because hehe yes yes Halloween!!

"The witch and her Vampire"

Yummy yummy,,,,

Okay it's late and I have to do my vaccination at like 6am tomorrow, but for you all, I'll be giving you coolio Halloween/Spooky character scenarios!!

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I was walking in the middle of the dark woods, alone, at night. It's not everyday I find myself in this situation… But I got really lost from camp and I couldn't get back…

A warm night with a cold witch.

"This is bad…" I whimpered, playing with the hem of my skirt and mumbled under my breath before hearing something coming from behind me.

It was a sort of rustling noise and despite thinking it was an wild animal at first, I still turned around and asked,

"He-hello?"

I was greeted by a pair of toxic sharp glowing green eyes in the dark, which naturally scared the lights out of me.

"A-ah?! Oh my god please don't kill me I have 34 dogs at home-" I immediately pleaded, stumbling back and falling to the ground. Which probably was the worst thing that could have happened.

"I won't hurt you. I was just wondering what a little thing like you are doing in the woods?" The woman spoke in a monotone way, stepping out of the shadows and revealing her figure. She was a long brown haired girl with some white hair, a large pointy hat on her head and a long robe on. Despite being out of the darkness, the cover of the large hat still gave shadows to her glowing green eyes.

"O-oh!" I was dumbstruck by her beauty for a moment, before going back on my feet and turning beet red.

"I-I was just… Uhm… Lost from my friends and-" I was trying to explain before she interrupted me.

"You don't know where to go and would probably get in danger in the dark?" She bluntly asked, in which I nodded shyly. I felt water dripping from the sky, I opened my palm, feeling the water.

She gave a sigh and rubbed her temples, before she nodded and grabbed my hand, walking to a certain direction.

"A-are you going to kill me?!" I exclaimed, walking with a fast pace to catch up with her long strides.

"No, I'm going to take you to my home. It's safer there, and you can sleep there until the sun rises so you can see things clearly. A storm is coming." She stated, and I didn't even get to reply before I saw a cozy cabin in the distance.

"I-is that your home?" I asked.

"If that's obvious enough." She opened the door and we both got in. I saw orbs of light floating around the house, which I was so confused to look at. What type of technology is this…?

Then I heard a loud thunder outside, hearing the ceiling get noisier, I knew that the rain got way worse.

"You're lucky I found you," She glanced over at the droplets running down the window, "Sit down." She then commanded.

And I did, sitting down and I stared at all of the colorful lights. How amazing… They're like big fireflies…

She took out a sort of small rod from her pockets, pointing it over at the fireplace and shot fire out of it. Burning the wood that was in it.

"W-what is that?!" I exclaimed, jumping from my seat and leaned backwards.

"Magic. Don't ask anymore questions, I'll be the only one asking them. Now, are you cold?" She reminded me, twisting her wrist and made a blanket fly over to me and covered my lower half.

I gulped, maybe I should comply… She could probably burn me like that wood, or fly me around outside and stab me on the branch-

"Are you thinking of something rude?" She asked, glaring right at me as I stiffened my shoulders.

"N-no! I was just saying that I-I wasn't cold anymore!" I quickly defended myself, while she rolled her eyes and sat down next to me.

"Good."

"U-uhm… So, what's your name?" I asked her, getting back to being comfortable in the seat. Staring at the fire as I hear the rain taps from the outside.

"I told you I was the only one asking questions." She bluntly replied.

"B-but… I'm curious about you, Miss Witch." I mumbled, looking down at my lap and rubbing my hand against the soft blanket.

"Fine," She groaned, "Just because Miss witch is a stupid nickname." The witch rolled her eyes.

"I'm Nikami. Nikami Shiromoru." She spoke out her name and I stared at her face, the fire's light was casted on her face, giving her eyes a small gleam.

"I-I'm Yasachu Kowamekuna! Nice to meet you… Miss Nikami." I spoke out her name, giggling as I snuggled into the blanket with a small smirk.

She stared at me blankly, before turning away and her face flushing pink.

"You have two questions left."

"E-eh?!" I spoke out, surprised at what she just said. Is she giving me a chance?!

"You wanted to know about me, didn't you? Don't wait for me to take it back." She grumbled, glaring over at me as I shivered in fear.

"U-uhm… Okay! Did you just do magic?"

"Too complicated to explain." She swatted the air, dismissing the question.

"Okay so… Why did you decide to live here?" I never knew witches existed! It didn't seem like a prank, who would prank someone in the middle of the woods after all? And also… Haha, I guess I'm a bit calm in a situation like this. She looks so calm it rubbed off me.

"Because I was lost on the way to my school, and I couldn't find my way back so I gave up and just built a cabin." Was her silly excuse.

I held back my laughter, wheezing a little as I covered my mouth. That is so petty! But how haven't they found her yet? Or even looked for her? Heck, even the skill of making a building from scratch is hard! But she does have magic…

"Stop laughing." She snarled, covering her face with her long hat and turned away. I saw a little red in her cheeks once more, was she embarrassed?

"Okay so… Uhm… Why did you save me?" I asked, knowing that she wasn't really the friendliest person. She glares and stares, she doesn't like people…

I stared down at the blanket, pushing it up and covering my whole body. Scared of what she had to say. I felt my body getting softer, more mellow. My eyes fluttered as if it was the most heaviest things ever, but despite that, I didn't want to fall asleep for now.

"..." She was silent for a moment, before answering, "Even loners get lonely."

"Erm... ?" Not knowing what she meant, I turned my head towards her.

"Not many people get lost in these woods. Not many people get this deep into the woods. I guess I just… Wanted to talk to someone. And besides, why wouldn't I take in a small puppy like you in the pouring rain?" She asked, having a thunder flash and lighting up the room for a split second.

"Puppy…?" Did she actually say that, or was it just my sleepiness making me hear those things.

"You look sleepy," She pointed out, waving her wand to move the blanket, completely covering my body. "You have to go to sleep." She commanded, staring right at me as I nodded slowly.

"Mmm…"

I fully closed my eyes, drifting into unconsciousness. With the soft crack of the fire, the water taps on the window, the warm blanket over me, and most especially the woman staring at me… I naturally fell asleep. I never knew someone this cold and commanding could be… Warm. Somehow.

I fell asleep, my head on the woman's shoulder. She flitched and glared at me, lifting up her wand to get me away from her… But when she saw my sleeping face, she hesitated.

In the end, she just gave out a sigh and made me stay this way.

•

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When I woke up, I saw myself surrounded by one of my friends.

"Where did you go last night?! We looked for you for hours but when we came back because of the rain, you were just knocked out on top of a tree!" Yuutsu exclaimed, giving me a large scare and jumping on my feet.

"E-eh? On a tree?? I can't even climb that high! Not to mention where is Miss Nikami-" I looked around, seeing that I was already in the camp.

"Miss Nikami? What are you even talking about?"

"Eh... ?" Was I just dreaming? No, no way. I wasn't wet at all, that is enough to say I wasn't outside but inside a house…

Or was it because I was just covered by a tree?

Ahh.. Mou… Hunto Musukashi…

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Meanwhile, on top of said tree, was the witch looking down at the two girls.

"I never knew something like you could be in the human world." Nikami mumbled, tapping on her hat.

"Miss Silver Werewolf Bloodline." She scoffed, looking at the white locks of hair in my hand. Pft, as if she'll let anyone in her house without anything to get? It was all part of her plan.

Of course, it isn't because she was worried about the human or anything.

"I've been looking for this ingredient for a while. Maybe I'll visit you in the human world, Yasachu."

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Help me hehe I'm sorry for the late update!!!

Okay yes anyway maybe next chapter you'll be getting Raijin's part 🐈🐈

See ya!

-Volty

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