Dawn at the Wild Rift (Book IV)

Chapter 44

Thinking that everything is over, they seem to have forgotten one important person—Rakshesha. Seeing the crystallized dragon, she licks her lips as if the most delicious dessert has been served on the table solely for her.

She takes that chance of the Black Dragon finally weakened and attacks it. With a few swings of her katanas and the Higanbana blooming over the dragon—wrapping it with her demonic power—she opens her mouth and absorbs the immense power from the Black Dragon.

When Angela tries to stop her with her strings wrapped around Rakshesha, it is of no use. Her specialized weapon just melts away and did no damage at all.

Gusion summons his blades and is about to attack but Hanzo holds him the shoulder.

“Let me take care of this,” he says.

Gusion did not want to let anyone lay a finger on the spearhead of his squad because it is his responsibility to take care of each of his members. Whether they did something good or bad, he is supposed to be the one to discipline them. However, with their current situation, Hanzo is the most suitable person to face the Scarlet Flower that very moment.

He could only nod and mutter, “I'm relying on you.”

Taking Talon's katana, Hanzo is about to take off from the ground but Harley appears before him.

“She will live, right?” he asks.

Hanzo cannot answer such a question upon seeing the glint of hope in the eyes of the genius mage. All he did is touch the brim of his hat and lowers it down to cover his eyes.

Talon, on the other, cannot even bring himself to glance at Hanabi's current state. The feeling of guilt is just overwhelming him and not even a thousand of apology could undo what he has done.

*“Do not blame yourself. If I were in your stead, I could have done the same thing. I would also do anything to save Iga town.”*

Those are the last words of Hanabi for him when they were still within Hanekage's territory just a few hours ago. The fact that Hanabi did not point her finger at him and blame him for her misery makes him feel more guilty than before.

While Rakshesha's attention is wholly focused on absorbing the power of the Black Dragon, Hanzo grabs that opportunity to cover himself and the katana with the demonic power of Hanekage. He did this so he could inflict damage on Rakshesha.

Tightening his grip on the weapon, he appears just behind her and with one  powerful stab, he pierced her through the left chest before releasing Hanekage's power within her body.

Hanabi's glowing white eyes turn back into ocean-blue ones as she coughs out blood. With Hanekage's power weakening Rakshesha, Hanabi could feel her body going limp and she starts to lose control over any movement.

Hanzo pulls out the katana, making her scarlet blood gush out. Carrying her in his arms, he goes back on the ground teary-eyed as he watches the woman he loves trying to gasp some air to breathe.

Cupping her cheek, he whispers, “I'm sorry.”

Hanabi shakes her head slowly and holds his hand.

“Don't be... I'm glad that... you kept y-your promise to kill... me.”

Harley cannot bear to watch his colleague to be in deep pain. He turns on his heels and is about to leave the scene.

With gritted teeth, he says, “I'll go fetch King Estes to heal her.”

But Gusion holds him by the arm and tightens his grip when the young mage tries to free himself.