Beginning of the End

CHAPTER 2: Red and White

“No!”

“Just go! Get the twins and get the fuck out of here, Icy-Hot!”

“Daddy!”

“Come on, Yukiko!”

“What about Uncle-?”

Shouto scooped the twins into his arms running as fast as his long legs could take him not daring to look back as the sounds of battle he gotten too familiar with were loud and clear. His two sons, tiny in his arms buried their faces into his hero costume clutching onto him for dear life as their bodies shook with fear.

Shouto hated this plan.

He hated it, with a passion.

But, what choice did they have? Despite the desperation of whatever they could do, he couldn’t fully agree with sending his children, his two younger twins nonetheless!

Another blast sounded behind him, a familiar explosion followed by black whips rising out of the smoke. Shouto’s ears pricked hearing a villain getting to close for comfort. Thinking quickly, Shouto created an ice path for his children which carried them gracefully out of the path into the trees, “Daddy!” Haru, the red-haired twin called after him.

In a split second, Shouto used his fire to melt away the ice path burning away any evidence of where his children were safely tucked in the foliage before turning around. The huge creature screamed rushing towards him with chainsaws as arms. Chainsaws as arms? What the fuck? Grunting, he was able to miss the sloppy attack jumping in the air before landing on its shoulders. Facing the ugly creature, Shouto slapped the sides of the creature’s face and summoning his ice and fire equally burning and freezing its head.

The creature fell with a loud thud. Shouto breathed out the wave of exhaustion hitting over him as he briefly stared over the creature. A cry to his right snapped him out of his trance seeing another villain heading straight for the twins. The spot where they were hiding suddenly irrupted with ice like birds chirping and screeching as they attacked the villain.

A growl escaped creating the ice path straight towards them.

“Haru, look out!” Yukiko screamed after his brother sending the ice birds towards the villain who cried out in surprise swatting away as Yukiko grabbed his brother’s coat by the neck pulling him closer.

“Ah, you damn brat!” The villain cried his sword ready to slice when he was suddenly kicked in the stomach sending him a few feet back. Another cry of a villain surprised Shouto, stabbing him in the stomach.

“Fuck!” Shouto glared at him using his flames to burn him to crisp.

Grimacing, Shouto ignored the pain rushing to his sons.

“Dad!” Haru exclaimed clutching onto his twin.

“Come on, we have to hurry,” Shouto said scooping up the twins running further into the forest. The sounds of his friends fighting behind him were quieter meaning he put just enough distance between them and the villains.

Glancing around the dark forest he went behind two big stones placing the twins in front of him. For extra precaution he summoned his heaven piercing ice wall ensuring he and his sons won’t get the first end of a surprise attack. His sons looked up at him no short of fear and worry in their tear-stained eyes. He frowned seeing his own blood-soaked into their clothing. Haru cupped his cheek pulling back seeing blood, “Daddy… you’re hurt.”

Shouto frowned choosing not to answer as pulled out two thin metal bracelets each beeping with the day, year and time. “You better be right about this,” Shouto muttered under his breath as he kneeled in front of them. He leaned forward taking each of Yukiko and Haru’s hands slipping the bracelet on for them, “You two little sneaks. What did your mother and I tell you about sneaking around all the time?” Shouto’s lips twitched into a small smile as he finished clasping the bracelets on them. His hands lingered on their wrists before saying, “You remember what was said and what you have to do right?”