Ataraxia 平静 | Gojo Satoru

-'๑'-𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑-'๑'-

Hanami's gut-wrenching scream heralded a barrage of chaotic attacks. Roots and vines surged from every direction as I vaulted once more, leaving behind a shadow clone that absorbed the onslaught.

The curse let out a startled sound before looking upwards at my approaching figure. The chain binding my blades had been engulfed in raging darkness as I came crashing down. I knew the curse would expect a head-on assault and, as if on cue, it launched its thorns upward, right as I flipped through the air, bringing the chain down against its throat and pulling tightly.

It thrashed and clawed at the burning chain obstructing its breathing, unable to touch it due to the Corrosive Spell imbued into it. I bared my teeth at the back of its head, pushing my feet against its shoulders to gain power. The following wooden spear emerging from its body caught me off guard, and that second of hesitation caused it to go piercing straight through my belly. The blow was meant for my heart, but my quick reaction speed saved me as I buckled, blood pooling in my mouth.

My immediate instinct was to delay the bleeding with cursed energy, but pain surged, reminding me of the growing cursed buds within. Yet another bolt sprang through its back but this time I dodged, rocking upwards with the chain before pulling on it again. It caused Hanami to lose its footing as we both came violently crashing to the ground, slicing and seething at each other. I watched as the ground came dangerously close, propelling myself off the curse's body, but my breathing was hitched as a vine came lashing forward and slithered around my throat.

I gasped for air at the sudden pull, struggling to not lose my grip on the hilt of my blade, bringing it down on the wooden tendril. It hissed at the corrosive contact, but it did not break, the force in my arm not strong enough as the oxygen left my lungs. A barrier then—

Amidst the crackling winds, a familiar scent reached me weakly.

Yuji came dashing through, burning the growing vine with sheer cursed energy and releasing me from its grasp with a strangled gasp. He gathered me into his arms swiftly, meters away from my collision with the soil.

Pain erupted, and blood spewed from my mouth after the rough impact.

"Sensei! You're—" Yuji's hand grazed my bleeding abdomen, his face paling at the blood staining his fingers.

Another burst of cursed buds hurtled our way. A clap sounded, and suddenly, I was on the opposite end of the field, watching Todo shield Yuji from the attack. Hanami snarled, my chain's mark still etched on its throat. I forced myself upright, spitting blood in defiance.

"Thank you, Aoi-san!" I managed, my voice strained.

Both Yuji and Todo showed signs of fatigue, the latter's wounds matching mine although they weren't as severe. Hanami regenerated its arm, sending tremors through the earth, making trees sway and the river churn. The seismic force rushed toward the boys, and I screamed at the top of my lungs.

"Watch out!"

Their heads snapped to me before pouncing away at the last second, as the colossal trunk upheaved the ground. Hanami twisted to face me, baring its teeth. I hissed in response, taking a step forward—which caused the ground to grumble again right below me. I evaded to the side, before a stray branch slammed against my body—and sent me crashing into a large rock—no, into plain air. I turned my head in shock, stretching out a hand, before I was met with the thick, invisible ripple, burning at my skin.

A barrier. A barrier that was meant to keep sorcerers out—or us inside. Or both for all I could gather. The curse was clearly after Yuji, yet it tried to kill him multiple times, like it had little regard for the outcome.

"Bring the vessel alive."

I couldn't allow Yuji to die—or any of the two. As the protector, their mentor, it was my duty to ensure their survival—even if it meant sacrificing myself. And I would've rather that than have anyone die on my watch. I rose to my feet on shaky legs, feeling my fingers and arms grow numb under the poison's effect.