Ashes of Love and War - TodoMomo

||Chapter 36 ~ Part 3||

Dread slid down Momo's spine at the sound of the raspy voice. She jumped to her feet and stepped in front of Todoroki, hardly believing her eyes as the black sphere of magic collapsed and Shigaraki appeared.

The god's body was badly burnt and scarred. Red welts blistered along his face and neck. His once white hair was singed. Skin hung from his body like loose cloth.

Momo felt as though she had forgotten how to breathe as she stared at the god. She knew Todoroki wasn't at his full strength, but Shigaraki had been hit directly by the fire, how was he still moving? What had they done wrong?

Shigaraki's mouth twisted up into a vicious smile. Yellow ashen teeth stuck out of charred black lips. "The play isn't over, heroes."

A feeling of helplessness twisted in Momo's stomach. Her legs trembled. What were they to do? She didn't have a plan.

"Yaoyorozu!" Todoroki tried to push himself up. His knees buckled, and he collapsed back down onto one knee. He was too weak. "Run!"

"Where are you going? You don't want to miss out on the fun," Shigaraki cackled. The god stepped forward and then broke out into a run. His skin flapped behind him like a ghastly cloak. "Act three has just started!"

Momo gasped as the god careened towards them. A noise pounded in her ears. Momo wasn't sure if it was the sound she heard earlier or her own heartbeat.

She needed to stop Shigaraki. Anything to slow him down so she could think. Momo's skin prickled; she pulled a spear from her palm and launched it towards the god.

"Yaoyorozu!"

Shigaraki slammed his hand out, and her spear crumbled into chips of wood. "You showed me this trick before."

10 meters

"Get away from here!" Todoroki hissed. He was on his feet.

The drumming in Momo's ears grew louder.

Momo pulled another spear from her hand. A wave of dizziness passed over her. She gritted her teeth to steady herself and flung the second spear.

5 meters

The spear whistled as it flew towards the god. He reached out again, and the weapon disintegrated into dust when it hit his palm.

She had to do something. She had to think of something.

"Yaoyorozu!" Todoroki screamed.

The stomping of feet sounded closer.

The god lunged forward. Something flickered in the corner of Momo's vision. She didn't have time to process the scene in front of her as a man with green-tinted hair and a red cape barreled into Shigaraki. His foot impacted the god's jaw with a sickening crack.

"Shigaraki! " The green-haired man yelled.

The god flew sideways, slamming into frozen trees that shattered into shards of glass upon impact.

Momo gasped. Her legs buckled, and relief swept over her, leaving her dizzy and weak.

"Deku! Out of the way!" A rough voice growled.

Momo looked up as a blond haired man rushed from the trees. Blood red eyes flashed in fury as he barrelled towards the green-haired man, who stepped out of the way a moment before being trampled. Momo's heart felt as though it leapt into her throat as recognition dawned on her.

The blond man was the first prince of Sparta —

"Midoriya. Bakugou," Todoroki said in a soft voice of astonishment.

Momo's gaze jolted back to the shorter man with green-tinted hair — Prince Midoriya, the second prince of Sparta.

"I won't let you get your way, Shigaraki," Midoriya said loudly.

As if on cue, the god's raspy voice echoed from the downed trees. "So cool, heroes," Shigaraki said in a low, controlled tone, standing up. The skin hanging from his mouth flaked as the god smiled wide, revealing his yellow teeth as though he didn't feel pain. "Coming to save your friends? So cool."

The sound of marching grew louder. From the corner of her eyes, Momo caught flashes of red as men adorned in Spartan cloaks emerged from the trees.

"You're defeated, Shigaraki," Midoriya said. He raised his fists as he shifted into an offensive stance. "I won't let you have your way. We'll stop you."

"I'll kill ya!" Bakugou sneered.

Shigaraki stared at the princes for a moment, then sighed heavily as though exasperated; his body sagged. "The play seems to be over." Shadows as black as a starless night rippled out from under the god's feet. Different from his magic. "I'll see you again, heroes."

Midoriya leapt forward. "Shigaraki!"

"Get your ass back here!" Bakugou shouted.

The god sunk into the darkness as though swallowed by quicksand. Then the smell of burnt flesh disappeared, and the god was gone.

"Fucker got away," Bakugou cursed. "I'll pulverize him the next time we run into him."

The other Spartans were drawing closer, but Momo suddenly couldn't focus. Her body swayed as intense exhaustion rolled over her. It was finally over. Shigaraki wouldn't be back now that the Spartan soldiers and princes were there.

She stumbled forward.

"Yaoyorozu!" A hand circled her arm, pulling Momo into a warm chest that, despite the tang of blood, had the familiar hint of olives with the undertones of marjoram.

Momo sighed and pressed her cheek against Todoroki's chest. Suddenly, she felt exhausted.

"I'm okay," she said, voice husky. Momo fought to stay conscious, but her eyes began to close. "Just a little tired. It must be the after effects of my wish. Kaminari mentioned..." Her words trailed off.

Darkness swept across her vision, and Momo sank into the warmth and security of Todoroki Shouto's arms.

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Just a few chapters to go until this story is finished! Thank you all for the support.