edelweiss - &team

45

It truly seemed like the two would require a miracle for them to survive Death, and today, a miracle came in the form of Yixiang.

After Euijoo managed to drag himself off the ground, using his retrieved sword to steady his quivering self, Riki was tossed like a rag doll right by his side, groaning in pain and eyes screwed up tightly.

Not discouraged by the ease of which Death dissipated his energy animals, Euijoo created a few more, sending them towards Death all at once. While Death was preoccupied with them, Euijoo quickly checked up on Riki, who was still alive and managed to curse Death with every name under the sun.

Death made a soft grunting noise which indicated to Euijoo that Death was finished with his energy animals and sure enough, when he turned, Death was alone.

"Was that fun?" Death asked dryly.

Before Euijoo could even crack his mouth open to retort, they heard a sound that could pretty much be described as an explosion. A flurry of distinct voices poured in from the hole created, caked with dust. Euijoo felt his heart leap out of his chest.

Death sighed, as though his plan had gone awry in an inconvenient but insignificant manner, then called out behind his shoulder, "Kyungmin?"

Silently and from thin air, Kyungmin appeared, looking the same as he did when Euijoo first saw him previously. He looked a little paler, like he hadn't had food or rest in a while, but still stoic as usual.

"You didn't inform me that everyone was here as well."

"Apologies," Kyungmin deadpanned, suggesting that he was entirely aware that Riki and the other immortals had been in the vicinity but just couldn't give a damn about it.

"Where are the others?"

Kyungmin remained impressively impassive as he replied, "They are dead. Yejun is still alive."

Death clucked his tongue sharply in disapproval, "Shame. Alright, then. Come here."

The shorter immortal made his way mechanically to Death's side, his fingertips quivering slightly.

Death turned swiftly to Kyungmin and for a second there was a shred of hope in his eyes as Death gingerly cupped his face in his hands with tender care. And it almost seemed like Death would pull him in for a hug, then Death's large hand roughly grabbed Kyungmin's face.

Startled, Kyungmin clawed at Death's arm, but Death gripped harder. A blood curdling scream escaped Kyungmin's open mouth, tears flooded down his cheeks as his body spasmed.

Then, after red scratches had been drawn momentarily into Death's skin, Kyungmin's arms went slack and he closed his eyes, accepting his fate.

Death took in a breath, as though that was a cathartic moment for him, before giving them his undivided attention. Right then, the other seven immortals filled the arena, Yixiang, Yudai and Yuma immediately at Euijoo and Riki's side, the others forming a loose ring around Death.

"My, my. Isn't this awfully nostalgic?" Death asked, spreading his arms as he took in the sight of all nine immortals, whom he previously considered as his children, surrounding him with the sole intention to end his life. He spoke as though recounting a silly little incident, but they knew his hatred and spite ran deep. A thousand years ago, this was the exact situation they were in, right before they sealed him into a prison of hell.

"Well? As the youth would say, come at me," Death challenged.

Jo got to work at once, creating swirling forms to transform the surroundings, closing the circle of space they had while Riki gathered some energy to provide them with a little more light than what came from the moon.

Maki immediately threw himself towards Death, projections exploding into full form. Euijoo caught Yixiang's hands as they fluttered about him, worried, before saying, "I'm fine, we're both fine. Go help the others."

With that encouragement, Yudai and Yixiang nodded and went ahead, Yudai's body contorting as he willed. Harua could be seen standing at the backlines along with Yuma, Harua's spellbook held open before him as he chanted spells after spells, Yuma's hands outstretched as he watched the fight and assisted from afar, keeping a psychic shield around all of them. Fuma opted to stay close to Euijoo and Riki to deflect any stray attacks. Because he had just absorbed Kyungmin's energy, he was especially nasty today.

Riki sent two blinding bolts of light directly at Death from above but he hardly even flinched, which made Riki slump back down in annoyance and tiredness.

Then, Jo noticed his illusions starting to melt off, chipping away to reveal the dark arena they were in. And a smile bloomed on Death's face as he breathed out, "Yejun."

Indeed, the skinny immortal could be seen slinking out from the wreckage, eyes darting about nervously. Even without creating his shields, he could already counter Jo's illusions.

Taking advantage of their distracted state due to Yejun's appearance, Death worked quickly, hand pointing towards Yixiang, who was at the moment, the closest to him. Yixiang started spasming, falling to the ground and flopping like a dying fish, a choked noise being torn from him.

With a cry of alarm, Yuma worked to counter him, trying to inflict some damage while keeping an eye on the others as well.

Then, all of a sudden, right as a trail of blood trickled down Yixiang's nose, he stopped convulsing, taking in ragged breaths, straining to get himself up.

Yejun, as he trembled, extended his hand as a silvery sphere encased Yixiang, his eyes blurred with tears and fear.

Death didn't even look disappointed or betrayed, only a hint of disdain as he funnelled his attacks towards Yejun. Yejun sucked in a sharp breath but gently shut his eyes as Yixiang's torture was transferred tenfold to him. And he didn't even scream as Death wrenched out every bone from his body until he was left with damp bones and a bloody carcass.

"Oh my god," Yuma breathed out, so soft and horrified. Realising that he was the only one who could protect the others from that, he immediately drew back, further enhancing the shields he was placing around the immortals just to keep them safe from Death's psychic abilities.