Falling Leaves 18 ??

  My eyes widen as a sinking feeling appears in my gut. D-Danya—- was that about Danya? That was her to the bone—-

  Wind starts to blow as more creatures start to appear from the long grass. Walking mushrooms, dwarfs walking with plants on their heads, frog-like spirits with insect wings flying around.

  The blades of grass whistle as I hear insects chirp. I remain quiet as the creature stands there with a smile.

  I turn my head to Danya hunched over my shoulder. No—- it can't be about her? It can't be—- why would she have a verse about her?

  I adjust her back on my back. I'm not wasting my time here any longer.

  I look at the creature once more. "So tell me, this so-called crimson woman—what are you supposed to do when you find her?"

  The creature claps its stumps. "Well, we're supposed to either kill her or turn her in! She's a diable!" (devil)

  "A devil, huh?" I whisper to myself. I stare down the creature as I walk towards it.

  "Monsieur, let's find the diable together—I like talking to you!" (Sir, let's find the devil together—I like talking to you!)

  I continue to walk towards it, silent, as I stand above it. It grabs onto my legs once more, hugging them.

  "Morir." (Die.) I whisper.

  "This is going to be great! You'll find Malika's love and be here with us for-"

  Before it could finish, I lift my leg up. As it lets go, it looks up as its eyes turn to terror.

  "Monsieur, what are you doin-" (Sir, what are you doin-)

  I stomp it like a bug, crushing it into pieces. Juices and debris from its plant-like body fly everywhere.

  The surrounding spirits scream and run away. I don't care, I don't care—-

  My fists shake as I clench them. "I'll kill you all—- I'll kill everything in this biome if you touch Danya—-"

  I turn to the stone monument as I start to rush towards it, pushing past the blades of grass.

  I can hear screaming from each blade I push past and rip apart—so these things are alive as well.

  Whatever, I need out of here! I finally make it to the monument as I look up at it. I see different paths in the air, connected.

  Great, now it's a puzzle?! Which one do I take!

  "VOUS êTES Là!" (YOU ARE THERE!) A voice shouts out.

  I turn around quickly and see—- oh great, this thing! Leonardo!

  "YOU—-DIE—- NOW!!!"

  "YOU—-GIVE—-ME—-GIRL—-"

  I squint my eyes, clenching my fists. I'm ready to pounce—I need to kill this thing now.

  Leonardo starts to run for me as I prepare to evade and counterattack. As soon as he makes a move, I'll aim for his eyes, pushing them in—that should give me time to break his neck.

  I grin. "You'll learn not to play with death, damned goblin."

  Bubbles start to float past us as the sunlight seeping from the stone monument shines off them.

  Leonardo reaches me as claws appear from his nails. I bend my knee and prepare to move my body downward, expecting him to swipe.

  As he reaches me, more bubbles appear around us. In that moment—-

  "GWAH" I shout.

  "OUGH!" Leonardo shouts.

  I roll back, dropping Danya. A sharp pain radiates through my head—damn it, right in the spot I was hit by Clyde!

  I stand up, spitting blood on the ground. I need to get Danya—I can't leave her on the ground like that!

  I rush towards her. "Don't move another step!" A woman's voice commands.

  Huh? Who the hell is this? I look up as I see a navy blue tail retracting. I see a woman with navy blue hair in a ponytail, golden eyes, peachy skin with red whisker face paint on her.

  She's wearing a navy blue gi with black shorts under it.

  "Who do you think you are? To tell me what to do, huh?"

  She scoffs. "If you value your life and friend's at all, you'll listen to my command. I'm stopping this tomfoolery! Why fight?!"

  Is she joking?

  "You talk about stopping a fight but just attacked me with your tail?! Make sense!"

  Leonardo stands up, coughing—blue blood leaks, staining the moss below us.

  He looks down at Danya on the ground as his eyes widen. "GIRL—- I—-.NEED—- GIRL—-"

  He lunges towards her. "NO!" I shout as footsteps cause vibrations.

  Instantly, I hear a blood-curdling screech, like someone's throat just got crushed. I cringe a little.

  I look up and see Leonardo with a giant hole in his chest. "Ouuu—- damn—- even I can feel that.." I mutter.

  The little animal girl used her tail to impale him. Shit—-.

  Blue blood leaks from the hole as it spills onto the ground. Leonardo's red eyes turn white as his muscles shrink.

  The girl retracts her tail as he falls to the ground.

  I clap. "Well, good moves. But I think it's time for you to let me get out of here now."

  She turns to me. "No, not yet! I need answers—what were you doing fighting that guy? What was the reason?"

  "Uh? Why do I have to answer to you? Again, who do you think you are?" I cross my arms.

  She pulls her tail once again as it grows longer and sharper—so she can just stretch her tail to whatever distance she wants? I've never seen anything like that.

  "If you don't want to end up like the goblin there, you would answer me." Her voice lowers.

  I laugh. "Oh? You think I couldn't handle that thing? Sorry, girl, but it seems like you don't know who you're talking to."

  "Then enlighten me—who am I speaking to?"

  I point my thumb to myself. "Akuji, one of the Grim Reapers. You know, a Death Spirit."

  Her eyes widen. "A death spirit? No way? What would you be doing here? I've read about your kind before."

  "Yeah, we have quite the reputation, don't we? Anyways, nice chat—I'll be going now."

  She stretches her tail in front of me once more. "No, not yet—I want to know more."

  I groan. "Listen! I really don't have time for this! I'm trying to get out of here!"

  She sticks her arm out as a giant bubble forms from it. So those bubbles were her doing?

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Then she fires it at Danya, encasing her inside it. "HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

  "Death Spirit, you claim? Then show me in battle. I've always wanted to meet one."

  Is this bitch insane?! I grit my teeth—rage consumes me. I start to shake. I've had enough of this place—- another one trying to kidnap Danya.

  "You—- what is your name?" I ask, my voice venomous.

  She smiles. "Me? About time you asked—I'm Ari, a Fox spirit."

  I clench my fists. "Good, now I know the fool that forfeited her life—-"

  Wind blows as Ari rushes at me. I cross my arms, blocking as she throws a punch, clashing into me.

  She grins. "Good, at least I know you're not a coward!"

  Tch- I crouch down, grabbing her legs mid-air, twisting her around then letting her go, throwing her to the nearby moss path.

  She crashes into it as I don't let up. I continue to chase her. Bubbles appear around her as she fires them in every direction.

  I lock onto her, forming a fist to throw a punch. As I'm about to make contact, I hear a bubble burst in the background—she disappears instantly.

  Then I feel her grab onto the side of my face, pushing me down, dragging me across the floor.

  Moss and dirt get in my mouth as I dig my nails into the ground, propelling myself to get her off me. As she spins in the air, I put my feet together as I send a double kick her way, doing a handstand.

  Another bubble pops before it could land—she disappears. Before she could do another surprise attack, I do a front flip to stand, preparing for another attack.

  "Hey, you have good moves, Death Spirit!"

  I grunt. "Shut up and fight! I don't care for your compliments!"

  "Tee-hee!" She giggles as I feel a strong pressure of wind behind me. I quickly turn and duck.

  Her tail, as sharp as ever, swings past me, almost slicing my head off. Bastard—-

  I grab it before it can fully pass as I slam her to the ground.

  "Augh!" Debris and moss fill the air.

  I pounce as I stick my knee out—I'll knee her in the neck. This should kill her instantly.

  As I'm about to make contact, I look at her as she wears the same smile. She sticks her palms out as a giant bubble appears between me and her, filling the space.

  I land on it as my knee seeps inside, the sunlight reflecting off it, burning my eyes. "Damn it!" I cover my eyes.

  I hear splashes of water below, as if a river is streaming. I then hear her yell, "Kōatsu Mizu Bīmu!" (High-pressure Water Beam!)

  I'm then hit with some type of blast, projecting me into the air. It burns! It feels like I'm getting drilled in my gut! The swirls burning into me.

  "Grrawhh!!" I grunt as I fly into the air. I open my eyes and look at Ari—her palms are still aiming towards me.

  She yells it again: "Kōatsu Mizu Bīmu!" (High-pressure Water Beam!) A vortex of water starts to surround her palms. It swirls like a whirlpool, firing directly at me at high speed.

  Shit! I can't dodge that! I brace myself as I'm about to get hit.

  The beam engulfs me this time. Water gets in my mouth and ears. The swirls spinning me around as I'm sent blasting in the air. "MMMMHH." I scream under the water, muffled, as it starts to rip my skin.

  The beam dissipates as I'm falling through the sky, blood flying off me, as I spit up the water that got inside of me.

  My clothes are ripped—the upper half is completely destroyed. I can't feel my earrings anymore. There's no way I was beaten like this—-

  By a fox spirit of all things!

  I crash to the ground as drops of my own blood rain on me.

  I lay in a crater as Ari walks up towards me. "There's no way you're still alive after that."

  My eyes burst open as I instantly hop out of the crater. I rush towards Ari, landing a blow on the side of her head.

  I hear a cracking sound. A smile quickly appears on my face as I dig my fist further in.

  "AUGH!" She screams as I use my other hand to throw a punch, attacking the other side of her temple.

  Crushing both. "I told you—you forfeited your life battling me!"

  I then headbutt her, sending her rolling back. I pant as I cough blood.

  She stands, rubbing both of her temples. "Okay—- you got me there—- you really are trying to kill me, aren't you?"

  "Fine! If it's a death match you want, I don't mind killing a Death Spirit!"

  Bubbles surround her once more as she takes a deep breath.

  I brace myself—shit, she's going to be teleporting all around—- damn, having my magic would be real useful right now!

  As the bubbles fly off her, footsteps that sound like someone in armor approach.

  I can't pay attention to that right now. My adrenaline is high! Higher than it was even fighting Clyde!

  I might die here! Fuck! I can't die here in this place of all things! No!

  Ari gets into a stance as the footsteps grow louder. Her ears wiggle as she turns to the sound of the footsteps.

  Tch- rushing her right now wouldn't be a good idea—she'll just teleport—- I turn to the footsteps, waiting it out.

  If it's something big, I could use it as a distraction—attack her while she's focused on that, then kill them both.

  Yeah—- that's a nice plan! If it's a weak spirit, I can use it as a hostage, maybe even a shield—-

  The footsteps come closer as I brace myself.

  The figure reveals itself. I look straight at it—there's no way—-.

  A man clad in black armor, carrying a giant sword on his back. I look at his hair—what the hell is that? Is that some kind of bowl haircut?

  Hideous—- but then I notice—- a golden halo above his head.

  "No—-" I mutter.

  Ari turns to him. "And who might you be?"

  The mysterious man looks at both of us. "Oh, I'm just someone who was wandering. I'm trying to get out of here, that's all. I heard commotion, so I decided to check it out."

  "And uh." He looks at me, Ari, and Danya trapped in the bubble.

  "Seems like I came at a pretty bad time, haha.." He says awkwardly.

  I shake my head—this can't be real—- is that another mortal I'm seeing?! How is that even possible?! I don't remember reaping this one! Where did he come from?!

  "You! Mortal! Look at me!" I point at him.

  He turns to me, tilting his head. "Hey! That's rude—don't point at me like that."

  "I don't care! How are you here?! Who reaped you? This shouldn't be possible."

  His eyes widen in shock. "Wait, you know I'm human? How? Wait, who are you?"

  I grit my teeth. "Don't answer my question with a question! I asked you first, damn it!"

  Ari taps her foot. "Well, whoever you are, you're interrupting something important here—this was a good fight."

  "Oh uh—- sorry about that—- but to answer this guy's question."

  "My name is Peter. Peter Sokolov, if you want the exact. I was reaped by a reaper named Azazel."

  What? Azazel? He's the one who messed up and brought him here.

  "Why didn't Azazel tell us about you then? You aren't supposed to be in this realm—you know that, right!"

  The guy starts to shake. "It's because—- that bastard—- tricked me."

  "Tricked? What do you mean tricked? Stop speaking so vaguely."

  Ari's bubbles continue to float around the area. I have a feeling she'll use this opportunity to strike—I can't get too distracted with this guy—-

  Peter looks down at the ground as he clenches his fists. "I can't—- I can't bring myself to explain—-"

  Ari interrupts, pointing at me. "Wait? I thought this guy was the Reaper? So he lied to me?"

  I sigh. "No, I didn't lie! There's three of us in the Grim Reaper role! Me, Azazel and.."

  I point to Danya. "Her! All three of us are Death Spirits!"

  "What, really? Wow, three Grim Reapers? Interesting—can they fight as well as you?" Ari asks, smiling.

  What the hell is wrong with this girl? We're fighting to the death here and she's smiling?!

  A voice appears from thin air: "Death Spirit—-" it whispers.

  All three of us look around to see where it came from—is it the Soul Trees again?

  The voice grows louder as it says it again:

  "Death Spirit."

  "DEATH SPIRIT!" It then yells.

  Wind starts to blow as the trees start to groan and whistle.

  Vines and branches sprout out of the ground.

  What the hell?! I jump out of the way of some of them as I turn to Danya—I have to get her now!

  "FOX, POP THE BUBBLE! LET HER FREE!" I scream, dodging and avoiding the vines.

  I hear blasts of water firing from where she's standing. "Sorry! I'm kinda occupied right now trying not to get caught in this! I have no idea what's going on."

  Damn it! I grab one of the vines, breaking it apart, as others scrape against my wounds, trying to wrap around me. I hiss in pain, trying to reach her.

  As I approach Danya, I see the vines trying to break the bubble around her. "DAMN IT, MOVE!" Pure rage fills my voice—it lowers and crackles.

  I can't be separated from her again. I can't lose her again. I can't! I WON'T LOSE HER!

  I take a leap, sticking my hand out, hoping to enter the bubble. "Please—-" I mutter under my breath. "Not again—-"

  The vines wrap around my arms and feet as they try to pull me into the air. I stare at her bubble as the light reflects off it, highlighting her face.

  "Danya—-" I whisper as time slows down, as I'm pulled back from her.

  I snap out of the trance as the vines pull me into the air, swirling me. "AUGH!" I'm getting dizzy—my head is getting light.

  At the last moment, the vines flick me away, sending me flying. Shit!

  I'm blasting through the air, too disoriented to do anything. My body feels like it's giving out.

  The only thing I feel is my gut dropping as I begin to fall. I stare into the green sky, my eyes barely open—I lost her—-

  The words of the plant creature ring in my head: "Beware the woman clad in scarlet, with horns upon her brow, robed in the cloth of the midnight sky."

  Its words continue to ring: "Well, we're supposed to either kill her or turn her in! She's a diable!" (devil)

  Those vines, this biome—- it's after Danya—- I have to.

  I start to lose consciousness. "Find—-"

  My eyes shut and with my last breath I mutter, "Her."

  I crash to the ground as everything fades to black.

  END