"Damn it, Fox!" Arash's voice echoed in a closed chamber. He had just appeared there suddenly and as he observed his surroundings, he found that he wasn't alone. Yukimura, Ami, Kimi, Shiho, and even Yayoi were present. "Is this the panic room...?" Arash stifled his breathing, finding no comfort in the cold steel walls. Yukimura and Yayoi were both lying on futons, unconscious and attended to by Kimi. "Yes. I know you aren't fond of tight spaces, but Inari let me know about the situation."
"We are not fighting an assassin in a basement. You know what the worst part about fighting in a basement is? The part about being in a Goddamn basement!"
"Forgive me, Mr. Military Tactics, do you have a better idea?"
"I don't know. I can't think. It's stuffy here. I'm hot. I can't... I can't breathe in here!"
"Arash."
"Look, I'm fine. I just need some fresh air." The room was caged in six inches of strong steel not dissimilar to a vault. "Arash, focus on your breathing."
"Don't treat me like a mental case. I just don't like small spaces." Shiho decided it would be best just to leave him even if she knew what might happen in the future. "U-Uhh ma'am, is he alright?" Asked Ami. Arash had begun to pace back and forth, but it was still manageable. "He's fine. Don't worry about him. Arash has a mild case of claustrophobia, so leaving him in small spaces scares him. If you leave him in a small space all alone, he might start crying."
"Say that to my face, old lady!"
"Anyway, what can you tell us about the enemy, Arash?"
"Not much, really. She has a katana, pink hair, and a bandage over her left eye. She's fast, real fast. If it weren't for Inari, I would have..." He felt nauseous thinking about it as he rubbed his stomach. "She better be done with her already. I'm gonna go crazy if I have to stay in here any longer."
"It's impossible for a human to kill Inari, little brother. We'll be fine. I regret lowering the barrier though."
The back of their minds were stung by something sharp. Arash, Shiho, and even Yayoi recoiled in synchrony as something horrible befell them. "Are you okay?" Ami was the only one who could ask, though she had a feeling about the answer already. "Wait. Wait, that's bullshit. That wasn't even three minutes. Inari lost?"
"It would seem so."
"I'm leaving."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm leaving. I'm doing my job and protecting you."
"You do realize I'm stronger than you, yes? My goodness, you don't have to protect me just because I'm a woma-"
"I'm protecting you because I'm not losing my family again." He opened the door and stepped out. "Wait! I'm coming too!" Ami followed close behind only to find Arash's hand on her chest. "No." He said simply.
"Arash, don't act reckless. You can't fight her," said Shiho, "you can't fight her better than anyone else here. I presume that I'm the target she wants, so that's why you're trying your hardest to be brave for us. But what good would come of you fighting her only to die? Wouldn't that defeat your purpose?" Shiho rose and rested her hand on her brother's shoulder. "You and me, little brother. You don't have a choice."
"F-Fine... just don't get hurt."
"The same goes for you."
"Ami, please protect everyone. I'm putting my faith in you."
"Yes, sir!"
•••
Shiki easily traversed the forest now. The spacial loops were either destroyed or broken, and there was now the guide of Inari's fading Soul Chain that led her directly to the temple and Shiho herself. {There's a cluster of Aberrations close by, but they seem distracted with something. It really is wonderful when a plan works out exactly how it's intended.} Her speed was comparable to Arash's if not faster, so it took almost no time or stamina to reach the unguarded temple. Her sandals rode the stairs, flung the heavy door open, invaded the castle, and found herself face to face with the last line of defense: the Kagami siblings. "Yo." Arash swiftly greeted their guest. "Oh. So we meet again. Forgive me for not taking off my shoes before I entered, my lady." Shiki spoke so courteously, bowing her head deeply. "It's no matter. You'll be going out the way you came soon enough anyway. May I ask how you defeated my guard dog?"
"I'm positive you could guess."
"Ah. That idiot was too cocky and found herself on the ground. I'll have to reprimand her later, but right now I believe you owe me for damaging my property." Shiki clapped her hands together, "Ah!" She exclaimed. "Yes, of course! A gift is mandatory in the presence of nobility! For you, my lady, I bestow upon you death." Shiki's katana slid out of her scabbard and trained its edge on the priestess. Though Shiki didn't move, she was obviously sizing up the biggest bounty of her career while she postured, grasping her bandaged eye in eager anticipation. Just like Shiki, Arash lowered his body and stepped in front of Shiho, prepared to initiate the battle—
YOU ARE READING
Aberration
SpiritualAmi Shirai is a standard underachieving high-school student. Her anxiety is commonplace, so her home is often the school stall: her quiet place of solace. This was the norm of her life until the end of another dragging day. Perhaps the chance encou...
