We See You

Keone Springs Arc - Part Nine

A tense atmosphere hovered over the village, as a thick, black sheet of mist filled the air and blocked out the sun's bright rays. Dari's laughter bounced around the area as the mist lowered, creating a dome around them all. The groaning of the flesh before the trio seemed to grow louder, as it seemed to shift back and forth in agony. Alex's breath hitched, as his hand gripped the handle of his sword even tighter than before.

The moaning coming from the throne seemed to shift into screams, as Dari stood and walked down to greet the group. "I am going down, am I?" she said, cackling as she stood face to face with Alex. "Your friends practically said the same thing not too long ago." Sighing, Dari turned, walking away from Alex before stopping, her palms facing to the sky as she looked up. "You will all die. There is nothing you can do about it."

Fizzing slowly started radiating from her palms, as they began to glow with electricity. "Kira... Stay back." Alex mumbled, as the cat-girl shook her head, "Sorry Captain, but I can't let you do this one alone, mew." Her ears twitched quickly, obviously bothered by the ominous sounds coming from beside them. Kira looked towards Dari, who had her back to them as her whole body had started to hiss and spark, and then to Mari, whose eye was still fixed on the throne. Something seemed to click in her head, as it shot up and turned to look straight back at Kira. "Kira, Alex. I have a plan. You must strike her in the head. Just once, trust me."

Turning back in confusion, Alex broke his concentration, "What do you mean? Why just on-" his question was cut off by a whiz of electricity that flew past his head, striking a tree behind them. He watched as the tree crumbled, turning into a dark ash that fell to the ground. Spinning his head around, his eyes landed on Dari, who's eye was flickering in frustration. "This is it. No time for planning anymore." Mari said, raising her staff.

Alex took a deep breath, before running towards Dari, his sword poised in front of him. "Come on Alex, you can do this." He reassured himself, watching as Dari raised her hand, sending another array of lightning bolts at him. Weaving himself in and out of them, Alex jumped, swinging his sword down only to be blocked by Dari's arm, which had turned into black mist as she hit him from behind.

"Alex!" Kira screamed as she watched her Captain fly across the village and into a fence. Alex wasn't down for long however, as he pulled himself to his feet and groaned, his back cracking. In a flash, Dari had shot forwards, leaving a streak of yellow behind her as she moved. Alex blocked the attack, his sword pushing against a thick snake made of mist, as well as Dari herself. Grunting, Alex pushed harder, his body aching in pain from the sudden pressure as he fought back.

Mari watched in silence, watching Alex struggle against Dari's power. Tensing up, she nodded to herself, finally coming to the decision to help Alex. She quickly ran forwards, jumping and swinging her staff down against Dari's head and sending her flying to the ground with a crash. Dari laid still for a moment, before letting out a loud laugh and staring at the sky. The dark mist began to fade as a large crack formed on the side of Dari's head, melting away the flesh throne and releasing everyone from her spell.

"Y-you got me." Dari's laugh faded, as she looked over at Mari, who was now pinning her down to the ground. Alex coughed, standing up and leaning against a piece of wood. "Kill her Mari!" he cried, throwing his sword in her direction. As the sword landed in Mari's hand, she gripped it tightly, hovering the tip over her mother's face. "You heard him darling, kill me." Dari said, the light in the centre of her head flickering slightly. Mari's hands begun to shake as she stared down at Dari, clutching at the sword's handle. Her grip weakened as she fell into silence, the world seeming to move slowly. She had to do it, kill her own mother... But she was hesitating.

A loud coughing came from nearby, Kira's head spinning in the direction it came from, the mound of flesh had disappeared, leaving a pile of bodies in a heap. Some alive, some dead. "Tyler!" she said, grinning as she watched the other stand up slowly. Tyler looked towards her, wiping blood from his forehead, "Am I glad to see you!" Tyler said, hobbling over and embracing her tightly. Kira hissed, pushing him away quickly, "NAH AH! Mew! You're stinky and covered in blood." She said, sticking out her tongue. Tyler rolled his eyes, turning to look at Mari as he leant his arm on Kira's shoulder for support, "Why's she hesitatin'? That thing is pure evil!" He sighed, stumbling a little. Helping Tyler find his balance, Kira looked down, "Dari is her family... even if she's evil, of course she would hesitate... mew..." she said sadly, her words hanging in the air as the two watched the scene in silence, as Mari continued to stand above Dari.