Zayla Eternal

Devari's Dark Soldier

Tidus stood after Skarra finished patching his wound, "thank you". "It was the least I could do", she replied. Bodoku tensed at a pain in his side, he pulled Zayla's legs higher as she was slipping down his back. "Bodoku, you look tired, if you want I could carry her for a while". "No I'm fine, we should head out-" he paused. The others looked at him, "Bodoku..." Ryku called, Bodoku held up his hand, "you hear that?" "Hear what?" "I don't know it's like... whistling and trembling..." Tidus and Seth glanced at each other, "Perhaps you should sit and rest for a moment", Seth mentioned. "No, I hear it too", Tanjiro looked around at the sand, "ah", he held his head, "I-it's like the earth itself is crying... no. Screaming!" He held his ears tightly and fell to his knees. "Tanjiro!" "Argh! Make it stop!" He passed out, Tidus and Seth knelt down, the latter picking him up noticing his ears were bleeding. Tidus frowned, "what the heck is going on?" His question was answered moments later as black vines burst from the sands surrounding them. "Holy shi-!!" Tidus gasped as a large vine wrapped itself around him. Bodoku rolled under two vines as they attempted to grab him, he froze as Zayla almost slipped from his grasp. His brief pause got him grabbed, he accidentally dropped Zayla as he was hoisted into the air. Ryku flipped backwards avoiding every vine coming at him, he reached out as Skarra was grabbed, "Ryku!" "Skarra no!" He missed her hand as she was yanked, but met up with her as a vine pulled him into the air. Seth moved slightly as vines surrounded him and Tanjiro, he was caught by one, slightly raising Tanjiro higher to avoid him being trapped as well. Zai sat completely still watching the events unfold and wondering if his stillness was the only thing keeping him from being noticed Bodoku stared down at Zayla then drew his sword, and began trying to chip away at the thick vines, he looked beside him as Tidus was already chopping at it with his free hand, "what the hell is this stuff, my swords not doing a thing!?" They froze hearing clapping as a man approached, "that was a valiant effort", he bowed making Tidus and Bodoku look at each other then back to him as he continued, "no truly, I was surprised. I thought for sure I would catch you in a different order, I'm Choji your entertainment for the next few minutes, I do like to be surprised", he smiled staring at Seth. "You are making me uncomfortable". "I'm sorry I've just-" Seth tensed as he was brought forward, Tanjiro was still in his arms, "you are a clone aren't you?" "That I am". "I have never known any of Devari's clones to go rogue, this is a first", he looked him over, "you fascinate me". Seth frowned a little concerned. Tidus made a sound, "great. Another freak". Choji looked past Seth, Tidus grunted as the vine around him squeezed a little tighter, "you on the other hand, don't. The sad little sidekick, there's nothing incredible about you". "Yeah... likewise pal, I'd rather be a sidekick than Devari's bum lick". Choji's eyes narrowed. "Tidus... what are you doing?" Bodoku asked in a low warning tone. "Keeping his eyes off Zayla..." He replied not even giving her a side glance from fear Choji would follow his gaze. "Choji, let's just do what we came to do, I'm getting bored", Kuriso said from beside him. Zai had finally freed his hands and looked over hearing the voice of his friend, "Kuriso" He muttered, then tried to stay in cover of the vines as he crept closer. Choji sighed, "let me have a little fun", he said still looking at Tidus who gulped. Choji's eyes drifted lustfully to Bodoku who he brought a little closer, "Bodoku, the legendary swordsman. Slayer of those who dare stand in his way", he licked his lips as Bodoku glared, his sword was still in his hand, "I'd like to take that title". Bodoku trembled slightly, his heart raced, he breathed out loud trying to ignore his bruised ribs as the vines began to crush him, he gasped and squinted trying not to show his agony. Choji grinned, "I'll keep squeezing, unless you drop your weapons". Bodoku's glare intensified, "go to hell", he spat. "You first boyo". "Agh! Uh..." Bodoku groaned. "Oh I do love this expression on your face, it's exciting, and delicious". "Alright! Alright..." Bodoku dropped his blade then reached back to unclip his heavy sword letting it thud to the ground in a waft of dust and sand. Choji smiled, he released Bodoku who fell to the floor holding his injured side, "see what happens when you're a good boy". Bodoku regained his breath hiding the fact that he was struggling to get to his feet, "enough with the foreplay", he growled, "are we going to fight or what?" Choji's eyes widened, "is that an official challenge?" "I don't have time for people who flaunt their power and walk around like they own the place, you want me to take you seriously then put your sword where your mouth is and let your skills do the talking". Choji straightened laughing, "oho ohoohoohahahah hehahahe oh. You're serious?" Bodoku picked up his blade and sword making Choji forge one out of the vines, "you are serious", he shimmied his shoulders twirling the vine blade in his hand, "well since you offered the challenge, what will it be handsome?" "A fight to the death", Bodoku replied. "I like you, don't die too quickly my sweet, I'll let you make the first move since you're injured and all". "Kick his ass Bodoku!" Tidus yelled. Choji sighed, "Kuriso, you can deal with the rest of them, but leave the boy, I'm in a good mood right now, he can leave once we've killed all of his friends". He licked his lips again preparing for Bodoku's attack, "and when we're done with these men, we'll take the dearly deceased Zayla to Devari. What's with that look, you don't think I forgot about her did you?". Bodoku growled and thrust forward, the huge blade was too heavy for him in the condition he was in, it slowed his advance leaving him wide open for a counter. "Dodge!" Seth yelled seeing the attack coming. Bodoku continued with an expression that boasted he knew what he was doing. "Bodoku!" Tidus called. "Don't distract him", Ryku said with an intense stare. "His gonna get hurt!" "No. His is a master swordsman, and a master in trickery". Tidus and Seth watched as Choji swung the vine sword, Bodoku dropped the heavy sword and span dodging the vine blade and slashing at Choji's torso. Before the attack could connect a vine came out of the ground to block it and shoved Bodoku back. "Cheater!" Tidus shouted. "What scum..." Seth shook his head in disapproval. Ryku did the same, "what kind of man uses such tactics in a one on one duel...?" Choji growled then turned to Kuriso, "would you take care of them already!? I'll finish this fool one way or another!" Bodoku stood snatching up his huge sword, he gasped as Choji crashed two vines against it, breaking it in two. Kuriso walked towards Tidus first, "it's only fittin' I take out the trash first". Tidus gave a sigh, "why does everyone always assume I'm the weakest?" "It's because you have no powers..." Seth said quietly. "Because you have no powers obviously", Kuriso said aloud. She held her arm out, it stretched up to reach him, her hand wrapping around his neck a few times before she pulled taught. Tidus choked, "w-who needs powers.... when I have a sword!" He pulled the sword out which he had hidden behind his back and chopped down at her wrist. Her eyes widened and she pulled her hand free as he slashed the side of her wrist, she screamed, "you little ingrate! How dare you! You'll pay!" "Stop!" Zai stood in front of her holding his hands out, "Kuriso. Don't you remember me? I'm your friend". She stared at him with irritation and slight confusion, "listen buster, I don't know who you are but if you wanna live I suggest you get outta my way". "Kuriso?" Tidus muttered, "isn't she that girl that Devari was supposed to have taken?" Seth looked down, "by the looks of it, Devari has already done what he set out to do. She doesn't seem to recognize him". "Oh yeah you're right". They both glanced at Tanjiro as he began to stir, "Tanjiro, be still. The enemy think you are unconscious". "Ah... that's because I was..." Tanjiro peeked at the scene then closed his eyes, "who are those two?" "Choji and Kuriso, they have come to kill us and take Zayla. Again", Seth explained. Tanjiro sighed, "can't we meet someone who's original?" "Apparently not". Tidus began sawing at the vine holding him, "so what are we gonna do about it, I dunno about you but it's gonna take me at least like two years to cut through this..." Seth looked down at Tanjiro, "can you do something?" "I'm not sure, I know my power is earth but it's usually only the dirt, and stuff containing dirt, not plant life". Seth glanced down at him, "think of the plants as another extension of the soil and dirt, after all trees do come from the earth and they feed on it, it's what helps them to grow. Without soil plants would die". Tanjiro opened his eyes noticing Seth staring down at him, "yeah... I hope this works. I won't lie being in your arms is frigging awkward", he placed one hand on the vine holding that was holding Seth.