Ashes of Love and War - TodoMomo

||Chapter 25 ~ Part 1||

Curses and the sound of scrapping metal pierced through the dark, as pungent odors of blood and burned wood overlaid the calming scent of Dicaea's seaside breeze. While men continued to clash outside the burning tavern, the wind picked up, spreading the scent of soldering iron mixed with rust throughout the city.

A giant dagger whistled towards Shouto. He ducked, avoiding the enlarged blade. It sliced past him and embedded itself into a slaver's chest behind him.

The slaver cried out in pain, but Shouto didn't pause to check on him. He raised Endeavor and rushed forward.

Trumpet's guard unleashed more daggers. The small blades pulsed and grew five times their normal size as they accelerated towards him.

Shouto skidded to a stop, and swept Endeavor up into a wide arc. The sword blurred as it cut through the air, colliding with the metal blades and tossing them aside. The daggers smashed into the stone street around Shouto's feet, cracking the ground and throwing pebbles into the air like hail.

The attack had thrown Shouto's momentum off. As he readjusted, the guard pulled a long blade from a holster at his waist.

Years of experience took over. Shouto spun, bringing Endeavor up in time to parry the attack. Over the mayhem winding through the street, there was a metallic shriek of swords colliding. The force shoved Shouto and the guard apart.

Shouto swept back. Not hesitating, he jutted out his left hand. A burning sensation spread along Shouto's palm; bright luminescent red and gold flames poured out, engulfing his opponent.

The man screamed, writhing in agony. The guard stumbled backwards. He slammed into the side of the burning barn.

There was a loud roar as if a beast hidden inside the wooden structure had awoken. Red and amber flames turned a livid purple as the beast devoured its sacrifice. The abrasive smell of burning flesh gushed out, stinging Shouto's nose. He stepped forward and slid Endeavor across the man's throat, silencing his piercing screams.

Breathing heavily, Shouto wiped at the sweat dripping down his forehead and looked up.

The fire had spread. Flames licked up into the air from the barn, reaching out with red tendrils to catch onto anything within reach. The fire had climbed over to the main tavern. It had eaten up the sides of the walls and crackled along the roof. Within a few minutes, it would spread to the other houses.

He had to find Yaoyorozu. They needed to leave.

Shouto glanced towards the tavern's front door. The ice used to jam the doorway was broken and melting; shattered pieces of verglas lay in crystalized shards across the ground.

Yaoyorozu must have escaped. Shouto turned to see where the others were. Bigshot was across the street, holding his own as he defended himself against two slavers. His other men were battling back to back. The road was covered in blood.

A cold creeping sensation settled in Shouto's chest as he swept his gaze over the battle. Where was Yaoyorozu?

Shouto's throat tightened. He turned, eyes darting around the periphery of the battlefield, hoping to catch a glimpse of Yaoyorozu standing safely away — keeping her promise not to join the fight. And Shouto's stomach dropped.

It felt like the day Troy had fallen.

The claustrophobic panic was almost tangible. A few men scampered around like ants, holding vases of water, trying to stem the fire's wrath to little success. Others were stripped of all social conditioning; they raced away from the scene, each person for themselves.

The blood drained from his face, and Shouto's stomach lurched with a sudden pang of sickening nausea. Yaoyorozu wasn't there.

His heart pounded faster and faster in his ears as he scanned the crowd again. She couldn't still be in the tavern, could she? But then, who had shattered the ice coating the door?

Shouto felt dizzy with panic. It was like his stomach had turned to acid, dissolving him from the inside as fear clawed up his throat.

Behind him, there was a sudden sickening crunch. The ground trembled, and a few men and women within the crowd lost their balance and fell, screaming.

Shouto turned sharply. His eyes darted towards the body lying indented into the stone road, and he almost collapsed with relief.

It wasn't Yaoyorozu.

The worry twisting in Shouto's stomach uncoiled slightly as his gaze skimmed over the bloody, limp body of a giant. Suddenly, a shadow spread over the man's bleeding, cracked limbs. Shouto raised his head to follow the side of the burning tavern up to the roof, and the world stilled.

Shouto knew it was impossible, but for a moment, it felt as if he forgot how to breathe as his gaze locked on the figure of a woman illuminated by pearlescent moonlight.

Yaoyorozu.

She was beautiful — that was the only thing Shouto could think as he gazed at her standing on the roof of the tavern, spear in hand.

Fire burned around her feet. Yaoyorozu's hair was messy but still held in a high ponytail that curled around her pale face. Blood and ash smeared her cheeks. Against the moonlight, she looked as if she were a vengeful goddess of victory standing over the battlefield in judgement.

Shouto's heart shook. His legs felt weak, and he found it hard to breathe as he continued to stare at her.

He wanted to go to her.

He wanted to kiss her hand in reverence and offer her his devotion. Shouto swallowed and took a step forward.

To the left, there was a violent crack as something landed against the stone street. Shouto jolted out of his trance. He twisted around, brought Endeavor up, and paused.

The street was covered in a gooey white substance. In the middle of the slime, there was a woman with pink skin and curly, short rosy hair — the wood nymph.

Standing up from a crouch, the nymph looked at Shouto. Her black eyes hardened, and she raised her hands up as if to fight.

"Ashido!" Yaoyorozu's voice called from the roof.

The nymph instantly stilled.

"Stay right there! Todoroki is on our side."

The nymph looked back at Shouto. She crinkled her nose before abruptly spinning and kicking a slaver Shouto hadn't noticed in the stomach. The man shot backwards and into the crowd.

The attack wrenched Shouto back into the present. The fight was still going on. Bigshot and Mick were the only ones still standing of the four that had come to save the innkeeper's brother. The other two men were crumpled on the floor along with a number of slavers.

In the distance, the sound of heavy footsteps hurried closer. The city guard, Shouto realized belatedly. His mouth went dry.

Shouto spun back around. He sheathed Endeavor and rushed forward. "Yaoyorozu!"

Her eyes darted down. A flicker of emotion softened her features. "Todoroki!"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She glanced behind her with a worried expression and then back at him. Her face tensed. "But I'll have to find another way down. The fire is spreading too quickly."

"We don't have time." Shouto held out his arms. "Jump!"

Yaoyorozu jerked back. "What?" Her voice caught in alarm.

"I'll catch you," Shouto said with more force. He stepped forward, arms extended. "Hurry!" When she still hesitated, he added, "The city guard is almost here."

Yaoyorozu glanced behind her and then back at him, her expression stiff. She swallowed visibly. "You better catch me." Her voice wavered.

Shouto looked up and met her gaze.

"I will."