A Tamia's Tale

Chapter 9: Chill of Death

Musashi barely had time to react as Kenshin rocketed past him, his speed and intent clear. "No!" he shouted, spinning around, but Kenshin was already out of reach, his path set, his eyes locked on Luka in the distance.

Kanami's heart dropped as she realized what Kenshin was doing. "Luka!" she screamed, forcing her battered body into motion, sprinting after Kenshin with every ounce of strength she had left. But she knew, deep down, that she couldn't catch him in time.

Kenshin's laughter echoed through the night as he closed in on Luka, the boy's form just visible in the shadows ahead. The thrill of the hunt, the anticipation of snuffing out this feeble spark of life, fueled his every step. He could already see it—the terror in the boy's eyes, the despair that would crush Kanami when he ended this pitiful existence.

With a vicious snarl, Kenshin raised his spear, the weapon crackling with lethal energy as he prepared to strike. He would end this with one blow, quick and merciless, leaving nothing but devastation in his wake.

"Tenrai Yari!" Kenshin roared, the spearhead crackling with fierce, blinding lightning as he unleashed it toward Luka.

The spear's power erupted. An arc of fire and lightning, devastating everything in its wake was launched. In its course, trees were torn off, burning at a single touch of the wave. The ground was leveled and cracked as the earth itself seemed to recoil from the attack. The night was lit up as if by a burning sun, and a rapid wave of scorching heat raced ahead, incinerating everything in its path—plants, animals, all reduced to ash in an instant.

"Wha—?" Luka barely had time to realize what had happened that the lightning was already there, just behind him, threatening to reduce him to mere cinders.

Just as the wave of destruction closed in, Luka felt a sudden, powerful force slam into him from the side, knocking him out of the lightning's direct path. He was sent sprawling, tumbling down an embankment, the world spinning around him in a blur of darkness and flashing light. He rolled down, bumping into rocks and branches, feeling the sting of cuts and bruises forming with every impact.

When he finally came to a stop, a wave of heat slammed his face, almost searing his skin. He was disoriented, his body aching from the rough descent.

"What the fuck was that?" Luka groaned, trying to get his bearings. As he looked up, he spotted a small familiar creature, darting toward him.

"Foxy..." Luka muttered. That powerful force pushing him aside must've been him, Luka thought. He couldn't find any other explanation. "Go easier next time, okay?"

Up above, the ground where Luka had stood was scorched black, flames flickering on the ashen trees and plants. The destruction was total, the earth itself torn asunder by the sheer power of his attack.

But there was no time for him to dwell on it. He knew he had to create as much distance between himself and this person.

Just as Luka was about to rise, a chilling laugh echoed, sending a shiver down his spine. He whipped around, his eyes widening in terror as Kenshin emerged from the smoke and shadows, his spear still crackling with residual lightning.

"Damn, you survived?" Kenshin's smile faded, feeling disappointed in himself. He locked his gaze on Luka, his irritation reaching its climax. "Must be that damn goddess."

Luka's heart pounded in his chest as he scrambled to his feet, his mind racing.

Seriously, where is my luck? He thought. A swirl of bad emotions and despair rushed through him. Ever since he arrived here, it had been one problem after another. He was getting really tired of all of this and at the same time thought it was a message from the universe telling him he should just give up.