Zayla Eternal

The Strength Of Bodoku! We Can't Beat Him!!

Tidus let out a sound as Bodoku's skinny blade came down at him and Tanjiro. Tanjiro reacted quickly, he grabbed Tidus' jacket and rolled over to flip him over his head and down a sand hill. Bodoku's blade smack the sand, he glared into Tanjiro's eyes, then ignored him going after Tidus who was still rolling. Zayla ran to Tanjiro, "what is he doing!?" "It's the siren, Bodoku's eye is purple, just like Yena's were... nothing can stop him now". Zayla shook her head, "he didn't attack you, so his only after killing Tidus and he won't kill me- I hope". Tanjiro grabbed her sleeve as she went to run down the hill, "you can't go down there on the off chance he maybe hasn't been ordered to kill you! What if they don't need you alive!?" "Either way I can't die anyway!" She shrugged him off chasing Bodoku downhill as he ran after Tidus who was recovering at the bottom. Tanjiro was stunned, "what? Can't die?" A hand slapped down onto his shoulder, he looked up and frowned, "Hex". She grinned then sighed, "yeah, get over it kid, if you wanna save your friends, here's what I need you to do..."

Tidus stumbled back as Bodoku slashed at him, "Bodoku stop! I don't want to hurt you!" Bodoku grinned, "as if you could", Tidus drew his sword ready to defend himself, he couldn't help feeling afraid, he knew he was nowhere near as skilled as Bodoku, but he had taught him a thing or two in the weeks they'd spent together so there was hope, even if it was miniscule. Bodoku charged at him, their swords clashed several times before Tidus span swiping his feet at Bodoku's legs. Bodoku jumped then pulled his sword down to defend a slash to his mid-section. He backflipped to avoid falling over then smiled, "not bad". "Thanks, I learned from the best..." "Flattery won't get you anywhere. Now its my turn". Tidus gasped as Bodoku came at him with full force, swinging his blade and spinning like a tornado, Tidus couldn't follow his attacks, he was too fast for him. He cried out as his arm was slashed, he dropped his sword then grimaced as Bodoku booted him into the sand. He coughed then tensed as the blade came down. "NO!" Zayla's scream didn't halt Bodoku's strike but it did distract him giving Tidus the chance to snatch up his sword and block the attack, he then kicked Bodoku in the knee. Bodoku staggered back then watched as Zayla stood beside Tidus helping him up while she watched him carefully, "Bodoku, this isn't you, a siren is controlling you, you're under her spell!" "Dahlia is my lady, I will obey her commands". "So you'll kill me?" "No, kill the one called Tidus, capture the girl". She looked into his purple eye, "you can fight this Bodoku, you're stronger than her!" "Save your breath", Hex said approaching Tidus and Zayla with her sword raised. "You!" Tidus gasped. "I've sent your little friend on a mission to help Bodoku". "You what?" "Why?" Zayla asked skeptical. Hex shrugged, "because I hate Dahlia". "We're supposed to just trust you?" "I don't care if you trust me or not..." she looked at Zayla, "Dahlia killed my friend, I want payback". She knew that look all too well, from her reflection after her father was killed, she gave a nod, "fine, Hex is fighting with us for now". "You can't be serious! Who says she won't snatch you the first chance she gets!?" "I call a truce for now", Hex said aiming her sword towards Bodoku. "Fine, but don't kill anyone, unless ya know that siren shows up then you can do whatever you want to her, deal?" Hex looked at Tidus, "cross my heart, while your handsome friend is afflicted, I won't hurt anyone". Bodoku gave a dark chuckle, "so you need two women to fight your battle for you Tidus?" He drew his other sword holding it behind his back, "how tasty..." Tidus frowned, "now that's just unsettling..." Hex smiled, "I dunno I kinda like it". "Of course you do..." Tidus sighed, "what do you think Zayla can the three of us take him?" "Are you nuts? We can't beat him!" Zayla replied. Hex chuckled, "I almost took him by myself you forget this little pup had to jump in and save him". "That's because you had a trick up your sleeve, now he knows your trick it'll be impossible to win against him. His the best swordsmen in the world!" Hex shoved Zayla aside, "move little girl!" She huffed having heard enough then ran towards Bodoku who was patiently waiting for her to strike, Tidus rushed in to help her out. Zayla watched with growing anxiety as every strike was blocked and deflected by Bodoku, "just what I thought", Bodoku began, he slashed both swords in a spin disarming Hex then kicked her in the face knocking her out, he swung the huge sword knocking Tidus down from the impact, "you're all talk", he thrust the skinny blade down but it clanged against Hex's red sword, Bodoku glanced up to see Zayla, "back off!" She yelled shoved him back. Bodoku snorted resting the big sword on his shoulder as Tidus jumped to his feet. He and Zayla stood side by side, "you know how to use that thing?" Tidus asked quietly. "I'm not an idiot I know how to use a sword... I'm just not very good at it". "We're so gonna die..." Tidus muttered. Bodoku swung the huge sword around like it was nothing, twirling it as he intimidated the two with his gaze, "so, Zayla. Not such a little girl after all". Zayla took a breath, "I'll protect Tidus, because I know you don't want to hurt him". "You're right, I don't want to hurt him, so step aside and I'll chop his head off with one swift strike, no pain". Tidus gulped with wide eyes, "Dahlia's hold on him is getting stronger..." "Are you really prepared to fight me? You know you can't win". Zayla's eyes narrowed, "you know what Bodoku, I've been wanting to show you what I'm made of for a long while anyway, so put your sword where your mouth is and quit trying to scare us because it won't work", she looked at Tidus who gave a nod, they both prepared for a fight. Bodoku growled gritting his teeth, "I'm not supposed to kill you, but that doesn't mean I can't hurt you!" He dashed forward swinging his sword, Zayla ducked and back cartwheeled with one hand, Tidus blocked the attack but the second swing was more ferocious, Bodoku's huge blade shattered his sword. Having forgotten Bodoku's skinny blade he couldn't prevent the second strike. Zayla moved in deflecting the strike and kicking the blade from his hand, she jumped spin kicking him in the face then landing beside Tidus who booted Bodoku in the gut. Bodoku fell on the ground spitting blood, he slowly pushed himself up, his bandage falling revealing his burned, closed eye. He exhaled slowly, Tidus frowned with concern, "do we say sorry?" Zayla gave him a look, "focus", she said. Bodoku looked at his fallen blade and gritted his teeth, Zayla could tell that he wasn't fighting seriously before, but the pose he took now, holding two fingers to his lips placing the huge sword behind his back, and closing his eye, he was about to be... She knew he was slowing his heart rate, this was something he did before becoming completely focused on one goal, and right now that goal was to kill Tidus. "It's not his fault", Tidus interrupted her thoughts, "if he really ends up killing me... don't hold it against him". She sighed, "His not going to kill you... I promise". Bodoku thrust towards them opening his one purple eye. He went straight for Tidus who was now unarmed, Tidus closed his eyes knowing there was nothing he could do. His eyes opened as he fell feeling a burning stinging sensation in his side, he frowned calling out, "ZAYLA!" He thudded to the ground holding his bleeding side, ignoring the pain as his shock was too much to overcome. He should have been dead, Bodoku had a straight clear shot, until Zayla had push him out of the way... She stood shaking, the huge sword had pierced her chest going straight through her. She coughed blood while Bodoku stood frozen staring at her, his hand still on the hilt of the blade. "What have you done!?" Hex yelled as she had came to just in time to see the finale. Bodoku glanced at her, the spell in his eye flickered for a moment, then he turned to face Zayla, placing a foot on her stomach he shoved her back ripping the sword from her. Tidus caught her as she collapsed then glared up at Bodoku with tears in his eyes, "how could you!?" Bodoku looked down at him, unable to make a decision about what to do next, "I didn't mean to kill her... but my lady said to capture her, she didn't specify that she be alive", he raised the sword about to strike Tidus who covered Zayla's body with his own. Bodoku cried out as Tanjiro appeared from the ground and slapped a flower over his mouth and nose, "breath it in Bodoku!" He said holding it firmly against his face. Hex rushed to shove Bodoku down holding his sword arm on the ground, "deep breaths now, stop struggling". Bodoku punched her in the shoulder, she fell back as he wriggled trying to reach back to grab Tanjiro's hair. Tanjiro used his earth power, hands formed in the sand to hold Bodoku down. "You can't hold your breath forever!" Bodoku breathed in, sucking in the pollen from the strange purple black flower. He slowed his struggling, his eye returning to it's normal colour. He released the sword and tried to speak, "Tanmmfrio" Tanjiro looked down, "you yourself again?" Hex leaned over him, Bodoku stared back with confusion and calmness, "his back to his old self, a little too late I'm afraid..." she backed up as Tanjiro stood releasing Bodoku from the sand. Bodoku crawled to his knees staring at Zayla, "I-I..." Hex put her hands on her hips then walked to her red sword, "killed her?" She watched as tears rolled down his cheeks, "no", she decided to say, "it was the siren no matter what you think... luckily for you I've been researching her powers for a few years and came to the conclusion that the corpse flower pollen was the cure since she always protects the location that grows them". Tanjiro frowned at her, "you mean, you guessed?" She shrugged, "well it worked didn't it? By the way, what took you so long?" "As soon as I stepped foot in the Glaive she knew I was there, she obviously tried to stop me". "But you got out, lucky boy". Tanjiro glanced sadly at Zayla, "I don't feel lucky..." "Yes, losing the girl is a shame... I'm sorry". Tidus glared at her, "you could at least try to sound sincere". Hex lowered her head, "I failed to stop another innocent from being killed by Dahlia, I am sorry..." Tanjiro looked at her with surprise, "anyway, I better get going. Now that Zayla is dead I guess you're all free to go", she shot a look to Tanjiro, "for now at least". She walked away towards Goa Del Sia. Tanjiro knelt beside Zayla and Tidus, "she'll be okay, you'll see". Tidus was confused but said nothing as Tanjiro stroked Zayla's hair then stood and sat before Bodoku, "it wasn't you Bodoku". "But it was, it was my body, my sword skills, my swords, my hands... I killed her", he cried his hands shaking, "and I didn't even care!" "You idiot you do care anyone can see that". "But she didn't see it... I was supposed to protect her..." He stared at his bloodied hands, then started to cry. Tidus looked on in sympathy, "Bodoku... it wasn't you, please stop crying... if I had just-" "UGGHH!!!" Zayla whooped in air, "WHOA GEEZ!" Tidus pushed Zayla off of his lap. "Ow... why does that keep happening to me...?" Tanjiro sighed with relief and held out a hand to her, "welcome back Zayla, so you really can't die huh?" She tilted her head taking his hand up and almost collapsed again. "Hold on!" Tidus rushed to her aid, only to keel over in pain as his injuries reminded him he wasn't healthy enough to move. Tanjiro knelt down, "dude you need to chill... are you okay?" "I'll... be... fine...what-what just happened I thought she-" "Yeah, you just stay there buddy, we'll get you help". Zayla limped to Bodoku, "Bodoku? Are you alright?" He couldn't even look at her, "I failed..." "You haven't, I'm right here". He shook his head slightly, "I killed you". She thumped down in front of him and held his bloody hands in hers making him look up at her, "I-I couldn't control myself at all... I didn't want to hurt any of you". "I know, the only one you're trying to convince right now is yourself, we all know that Dahlia was controlling you, it hasn't changed the way we feel about you at all", she gave a pained smile. Bodoku felt angry, "I should find her, and kill her". "Let's just leave her be. She's just a lonely old hag that lives by herself in a made up forest, besides we're fine, no harm done right?" "Speak for yourself..." Tidus muttered. "Shut up Tetnus!" She growled back. "Meanie..." "You'll be okay-" She gasped as he put his arms around her pulling her in tightly, she blushed as he whispered, "I would be lost without you..." She returned the hug, "I'm not going anywhere Bodoku, now we should probably get Tidus some help". Bodoku held onto her, "uh... Bodoku, you can let go now". "I'll never let you go again..." Tanjiro raised his eyebrows, "ah, that's uh... real sweet huh?" He mentioned, deciding to help Tidus to his feet, "uh guys, we should really do something about the bleeding". Zayla practically had to pry herself from Bodoku's grip, "come on", she said with a cheery smile, "we need to help Tidus", she held out a hand. "You're right", Bodoku accepted the hand up and picked up his swords sheathing them both after a sigh, he picked up Tidus, "AH! Uh... what are you doing?" "I hurt you, it's only fair I carry you. Tanjiro, could you assist Zayla?" "Oh sure". "And Tanjiro-" "Yeah?" "Thank you". He smiled, "don't mention it".

Dahlia peered out of the edge of the Hymn Glaive, "I won't be alone again..." she muttered.

After a few hours trapesing through the desert the four seemed no closer to reaching any sort of civilization. Bodoku fell to one knee, exhausted from carrying Tidus in the hot sun. "Are you okay?" Zayla asked, he looked to her his tired expression quickly changed, "uh yes. I'm fine", he forced himself back onto two feet. Tidus looked at him, "You know, since you patched up my wound I actually feel like I can have a walk now". "I said I'm fine". "Yeah but, I'm not, my legs are starting to cramp..." Bodoku looked down at him and sighed, "let me know when you need help again", he said gently letting him down. Tidus nodded, "thanks", he said. Tanjiro rushed to his side and put his arm over his shoulder, "I've gotcha for now", he said since Zayla was alright to walk on her own. She walked beside Bodoku, "so... I guess I should've packed those supplies like you told me huh?" She said fidgeting her hands behind her back, he glanced at her, "no, I shouldn't have been so hard on you". She frowned watching as he wiped his forehead, he seemed depressed, "Bodoku... I've never seen you like this, you're scaring me..." He looked at her, "I-" "Check it out!" Tanjiro yelled making them both jump, "it's the City Orbita! My home!" Tidus smiled slightly in pain as Tanjiro jumped for joy, "I'm glad your excited but- my injury..." Tanjiro quieted down, "oh! oh sorry", he chuckled. They continued to walk leaving Bodoku and Zayla a little far behind to follow in silence.

They entered the great City Orbita, stone pathways bricked the land leading to houses, shops and a large stone monument, the statue of Kail, the former leader of Orbita, "Isn't that something", Tidus mentioned looking up at the statue. Tanjiro seemed to sadden all of a sudden, "yeah..." Tidus looked at him, "are you okay?" Tanjiro waited for Bodoku and Zayla to arrive before releasing Tidus into their care, "if you take Tidus to the east side of the city, you'll find a healer, she's really good". "Wait, where are you going?" Zayla asked. He lowered his head, "to look around a bit..." He walked away. Zayla looked up at Bodoku who said, "go, but be careful". She nodded and gently patted his arm before following after Tanjiro. Tidus raised a brow at Bodoku who was currently holding him up, "uh, shouldn't you follow her... it's not safe to leave her dillydallying around". "I trust Tanjiro will protect her". "You do? You barely trust me to protect her!" Bodoku seemed troubled, "that was wrong of me..." Tidus straightened as he continued, "I was her greatest threat a while ago... it's best if the three of us keep her safe, provided Tanjiro will travel with us". "Bodoku..." Tidus slouched. "Come on, let's get you some proper care", he began walking, helping Tidus along who fell silent feeling sorry for him.

"Hey! Wait up!" Tanjiro paused as Zayla ran up to him, "geez how do you move so fast...?" She touched his shoulder, "are you alright?" "You shouldn't be wandering around, it's not safe". She frowned tapping his shoulder annoyingly, "oh? Well it's a good thing I followed you then, strength in numbers and all that", he faced her as she gave a big smile to cheer him up, "come on Jiro, what can I do? You seem upset all of a sudden, this is your home I thought you were excited to be here..." He sighed, "this hasn't been my home for four years... they killed my mother when she tried to stop Devari from taking me from this place... and then, they killed my sister too... I didn't realize how many bad memories were here until I came back..." Zayla surprised him by hugging him, "I'm sorry that happened to you Jiro... I really am". He relaxed hugging her back then separated, "thanks..." he shook his head, "well, since you're here as a tourist, how about I show ya around?" "That would be great!" Tanjiro smiled and held an arm out to her, "madam", he said in a posh voice. She chuckled placing a hand on his arm, "why thank you kind sir, where to first?" "First I shall show you why the city is called Orbita, it's blow your socks off for sure!"