Zayla Eternal

Ryku And Skarra! The Strange Savior's!?

Bodoku watched helplessly as Zayla was snatched away from him by Unon, "ZAYLAAA!" He called at the top of his lungs as he fell. He seemed to fall forever, his vision fading as the paralytic poison set in slowly shutting down his nerves, his muscles, his breath... he heaved as something caught him in mid-air forcing breath from his body as he and his savior crashed to the ground. He glanced up seeing a figure stand in front of him, he heard a voice, "we must act quickly... he has been hit with- if we don't do it now he will die..." "Step aside..." Bodoku gasped for air unable to move, a red haired person entered his view before he passed out.

Zayla reached the cave that she thought could lead to the bottom of the cliff, she sighed hearing voices not far behind her, "Zayla! Wait up!" She rolled her eyes and glanced back, "move it then!" Tanjiro's brow furrowed, "since when did you get so insensitive?" "Tanjiro... she just wants to get to Bodoku and make sure his alright..." "We all do, but we're moving as fast as we can with Seth in tow..." "You're right", Zayla said, "sorry... I just want to make sure his okay-" "You could l-leave me here", Seth suggested. "What?" "I'll be fine, I am slowly getting some feeling in my fingers". "We can't just leave you out here in this crazy swamp! What if there are more things like that Unon?" Tanjiro said. "Then I'll most certainly die", Seth replied then blinked at their concerned expressions, "I mean... I will be able to-" "Stop Seth. We're not leaving you, we'll get through this cave together", Zayla stated, "Bodoku would never leave anyone behind". "For you, he would", Seth retorted. She sighed, "no. He wouldn't", she swung the blade up onto her shoulder, "okay, Tanjiro you take up the rear, if anything comes after us you can close the gap, literally". Tanjiro saluted, "yes ma'am", he smiled. "Tidus, do you think you can take Seth along alone while I lead?" Tidus looked down at the sword, "maybe if I had two hands..." "I'll carry it", Zayla said confidently. Tidus looked at her, "uh... are you sure? No offence but it's kinda really heavy..." "Are you saying that because I'm a woman?" Zayla demanded offended, she snatched the sword and instantly let it fall into the ground as she couldn't hold it. "No. I'm saying that because it's really heavy..." "Okay I got that..." Tanjiro stood between them, "I could carry it", he shrugged, he touched the ground, stone and dirt surrounded his arm making it look thicker. He picked up the sword, "man this is heavy... even using my power I can feel the sheer weight of it. How the heck does Bodoku lug this thing around like its nothing!" Tidus chuckled, "I know right? I can barely carry it but he swings it like it's his other blade". "You'd think... a great swordman would need t-two balanced weapons to fight, but not him. He is truly a worthy warrior", Seth finished. Zayla smiled at all three of them, "what?" Tidus said seeing her bright expression. "Nothing it's just, when I was younger Bodoku didn't really have friends or anyone he could rely on... it makes me so happy to see you all admire him so much and you're willing to lay your lives on the line for him". "Well he did save my life", Seth mentioned. "His a great man with a heart of gold", Tanjiro admitted. "His my best friend", Tidus explained, "where else would I be?" "Yeah so lead on Zayla, we gotta find your knight in shining armor". "Tanjiro... shut it", Zayla faced away from him making him laugh.

Bodoku slowly blinked finding it a little easier to breathe, he noticed someone standing nearby talking to another covered by a cloak. "We have done our best. The rest is up to him but he seems very strong, do not worry sister". "Unon, has killed many. The person he called to... do you think she is alright?" "I am not sure, if he was her protector she has most likely perished-" He turned his head hearing a moan as Bodoku tried to sit up. He rushed to his side gently pushing him back down, "do not try to move just yet friend. Thy body needs time to expel the poison or thine own body will worsen". Bodoku frowned slightly obeying the stranger, "where am I? What happened?" the man looked down at him with dark brown eyes, the rest of his face was covered by a mask, he wore a navy outfit that was tight to his body, a white scarf was loose around his neck, "are you a ninja?" Bodoku asked. The man gave an involuntary giggle then cleared his throat, "no, but I am unappealing, so I wear this as to not scare others from my sight". Bodoku took a sharp breath, "okaay...", he looked around, "I fell from a cliff...". "Indeed, my sister tried her best to catch you, alas she accidentally broke one of your ribs along with your leg. We humbly apologize". "She caught me?" He glanced at the girl hidden by the cloak, she peered out seeming apologetic, "It could've been a lot worse, thanks... I'm Bodoku". "Bodoku, I have heard of thy skill! Thy Bodoku is famous, master swordsman!" "I didn't know I was popular... so who are you?" "My name is Ryku, that is my sister Skarra. I should tell you we have certain- abilities that might scare, but I assure thyself we only use them for good". Bodoku looked into his eyes then watched as he bowed his head. "Relax, some of my friends are the same way..." "Like perhaps, Zayla?" Skarra muttered drawing his attention. Her pale blue eyes widened and she quickly covered herself more with the tattered brown cloak. "Zayla... you know her name, did she fall too?" Ryku stood up, "she did not... I am afraid she may be dead friend". Bodoku shook his head and slowly pushed himself into a half seated position, "no- not her..." He looked away thinking, "I saw Tidus show up as I fell, she's alive I know it!" He looked back at Ryku, "Ryku I need you to take me up to that cliff where I fell". Ryku blinked down at him, "I like the fiery passion in thy eyes but alas... if thine Bodoku is moved right now it could cause more problems... Skarra, what do you think?" Skarra peered out from the cloak with her icy stare, "I think... he needs closure... whether that be seeing her dead or finding her alive. We should take him..." Bodoku watched as she walked over to him keeping her face mostly covered, he held in a pained groan as she helped him up putting his arm over her shoulder, "it will be painful to walk", she mentioned, "but I am certain your body will do well to get rid of the rest of the paralyzing enzyme". "T-thank you... are you sure I'm not to heavy for you?" "My sister is stronger than me, appearances can be deceiving friend". Bodoku gave a nod, "I apologize I didn't mean any offence". "Apology accepted", Skarra replied. "There is one other thing thy should know", Ryku mentioned, "someone is hunting us, and he is powerful..." "Who? Why?" "Who. His name is Zaizen, when we met last he explained that he was a disciple of someone named Devari-" "Devari", Bodoku cut in, "why am I not surprised...?" "So Bodoku and Devari are acquainted". "I tried to kill him, I failed", he gave an angry shrug. Ryku was surprised but chose not to delve deeper, "as to why. Is there a man out there that does not crave power for himself?" "I don't, I just want to keep Zayla and my friends safe". "And for that, does one not need power? Thy worked for it, thy received it and the title of most powerful swordsman in the world. Is that not power?" "Yes, but I earned it, I didn't try to steal it from others- ugh!" He held his side. "Remain calm, my sister scares easily. Thy logic is why thine self is different from Devari, it is why my sister and I admire thy legacy. Now let us go before Zaizen catches up to us. Now that we have stopped for a while he is not far behind..."