Dark Clover

10. What's In The Darkness

The sounds of swords clenching made the air heavy.
All except Zora were standing in front of the base, looking upwards.
Yachio and Yami, fighting with their Katanas.
"Don't hold back Yami san"
"You'll die if I don't".
"let's see who dies first."
Their Katana clashing with each other, Yami switched his position and held his Katana on her throat.
"You lost again."
"So did you. Dark magic : Dark cloaked lightless slash."
Yami fell off on the ground and stood on his legs. Sprinted up again he matched his pace with Yachio.
"You dare use my own spell against me brat? Dark magic : Dark cloaked lightlees blunt strike".
She dodged it in a practiced manner but lost her balance and fell down on her back.
"Tell me, you want to hold back?"
"I can't do much with katana, it's your block Yami san".

"Surpass your limits. Right here, right now."

Yachio smiled wickedly and said, "Guess I've to hurt my dear captain."
"I wish you could".

"Dark magic : mana bomb".
A series of explosions came out from her katana towards Yami.
"Shit! What's that thing!"
Yami dodged each of the bombs and landed behind Yachio but before he could say a word, Yachio had her katana near his throat. How did she turned back so swiftly?

Both of them backed off. Panting. Yachio said, "Don't hold back cap, just do what you can."
"Okay, but don't die please. Dark magic, dark cloaked dimension slash."
"Dark magic : Presence of the dark lord."
Yami's attack crossed through Yachio. Everyone gasped.
She was standing there unscathed.
She depleted and cancelled the attack by using negative equivalent dark energy.
Yami was shocked as hell.
"Just how many spells you know?"
"I'm jack of all trades, master of nothing."
"Yeah, just like I'm master of jigengiri but you managed to cancel it out."
"So we call it even?"
"Yeah we can. Rest now. I've to go to royal capital for a mission tomorrow."

They were coming back when Yami asked her, "Which mode is the strongest mode you have?"
"Dark lord mode. Not the presence. But the original dark lord."
"what's that?"
"I don't know. I haven't done it before. It can kill me as it'll suck all of the mana I have."
"Wow! Then that's why you're saying it's strong."
"Not only that. Dark lord mode can suck out the positive energies present inside the mana zone. Means, everyone standing inside the mana zone including me, will die."
"that's outrageous! Who taught you this?"
"I told you right! I haven't done it before. It'll just require me to summon it, it's written on my grimoire. But I haven't tried."
"Give me your grimoire someday. I'll read it and steal some spell."
"Steal all of them. I don't mind dark lord." she winked.
She called him dark lord.
Yami nodded his head and headed towards the royal capital.
The katana he gifted her will never remain unused.

AT THE ROYAL CAPITAL :
Julius was standing near the window when Yami came.
" How's that girl doing Yami? "
"She's doing fine, just like me."
Julius turned back to him and asked him, "Do you think she'll be able to do this?"
"Yes. She's super strong. But not expert. She cannot do things with full control. But when I'm with her I can guarantee you that she'll not mess up."
"Fine. You two take Asta and go tomorrow. Anti magic will be useful too. And Yami, please make sure to get back safely."
"Are you worried about me?"
"I am a human before I'm a wizard king, Yami."
"I promise you Julius I'll get back safely. Just give me the details."
"Is that a new belt?" Julius smirked.
"Yeah, Yach, I mean, that girl gifted me."
Julius had a wicked grin on his face.

Back at base, Yami's POV:

When I got back to our base, I saw everyone sitting peacefully in the hall room. It was unnatural.
I asked Finral, who was sitting on the couch looking at ceiling," Are you guys alive? We have a mission tomorrow, anti magic brat! Where is he?"
Finral answered, "She's with Yachio."
"And may I know Where's she?"
"In her room."
"What happened? Could you please tell me what happened here?" I yelled and broke the wall behind with a thud.
Everyone stood up and Vanessa came to me. "Yachio, her mother died. She's going to leave magic knights. She said that her only goal was to find a cure for her mother's illness. Today after we went back from market, she sent a letter and money to her village, but her neighbor replied back that her mother is no more."
"She's going to leave what??"
I ran towards her room and slammed the door open to find Asta and Yachio arguing.
I was panting heavily and grabbed her hand that was on her belongings.
Yachio looked at me with swollen eyes and said, "Don't worry. I'll contact you whenever you want."
My heart was breaking apart. I hugged her and said, "You belong here. This is your home. You'll not leave us whatever happens."
Asta said, "I haven't seen my mother either. That doesn't make any sense, still I can say, life goes on sis. You've to go on. You've to stand up."
Yachio was overflowing with mana. Her senses were blurred and she was emitting a dark purple glow without even her own consent. She didn't hold back her tears and with a shrill bone chilling voice she asked," Can a human change their goal? What after you become Wizard king Asta? What after you defeat all the evils on earth Yami? What after your goal is no more present there? I can go on Asta, but why would I?"