The White Angel of Death

Chapter 6 : Fate's Call

The sun was already close to the horizon. The wind had calmed down and the sounds of nature that echoed through the trees slowly died out.
Toshiro and Takeshi finally reached the others who had piled up the corpses and attended Peter's wounds. The heavily injured man laid on top of stretched out clothes that his comrades had provided. Natsumi had already bandaged his entire throat and neck to stop the bleeding. 
She also removed some of her thicker clothes to cover Peter's body, ensuring his temperature would not plummet. While the woman with long blonde hair watched over her patient like an owl, Tomori walked around, setting up a perimeter. Kat was in the midst of making a fire, as the two arrived. She dropped the twigs and broken branches and looked at them with her one eye.
"You guys look like shit." Said the woman bluntly.
"Better than this pile of dump." Replied Takeshi annoyed. 
He and Toshiro threw the last corpse on the pile and then the captain went directly to his wounded friend.
Takeshi crouched down next to Natsumi and gently touched Peter's cheek.
"How's he doing, Natsu?" Asked the leader in a calm and soft voice.
Her fingers trembled from the decreasing temperature. Before speaking, a short shivering tone emerged from her mouth.
"It's bad. His throat seems to be fine and he breathes normally. But Pete hasn't opened his eyes since the incident and his neck is ... really bad. The skin and flesh was torn apart. The bear's teeth managed to pierce through his bones." She took a small pause. Her eyes began to quiver and a tear dropped down her cheek onto her naked hand. "I fear, he has been dealt a fate worse than death."
Her tremulous voice sent a chill down Toshiro's spine, as he looked at her filled with despair.
Takeshi enclosed Natsumi's hand with his. 
"You mean ... like John?" Asked the man in the same tone as before.
She nodded slowly. 
"What happened to John ... may I ask?" Questioned Toshiro while listening curiously. 
Tomori walked past the boy and dropped his shield and sword. "John was one of the patrol men in division five ... long ago." Said the man with the broad shoulders, while he dropped to the cold ground to rest. "One day he had an accident and fell on his neck. When he woke up, he couldn't feel anything below the injury. Himiko believes, the neck carries the information needed, to do what you think. If the spine is heavily wounded, nothing comes through."
"She calls the state in that one would be, 'paralysed'. " Added Kat rather unamused.   
"Is it curable?" Asked Toshiro with a hint of hope.
"No." Replied Takeshi while lifting himself up.
The captain took off his first layer of clothes and put it around Natsumi's sagging shoulders. 
"Move a little, Natsu, or else the cold will get you too." Whispered the man gently into her ear.
After a moment of silence, she wiped the tears off her face, then got up on her feet and helped Kat make a fire. 
Toshiro walked up to his leader, concerned.
"Shouldn't we return to the nearest village?" Pleaded Toshiro worryingly. "Peter would rest more comfortably on a bed." 
Takeshi turned his head to the boy. His face showed how exhausted he was, mentally.
"Believe me, I would want that. But it's too dangerous. We have nothing to carry Peter with. With such a fragile neck, one wrong move and we make it worse.
When the sun rises again, we'll send one of us to the village and get help. In the meantime, let's move to the thieves' camp and retrieve some resources, ... while the light is still with us." 
Toshiro agreed with a gentle nod, as the boy's eyes sigh slowly drifted into the void.
"Toshiro and I will go back and get some supplies those bastard left behind. We won't be long. And Tomori ... you take charge." Stated the captain loud enough for the rest to hear.
"Aiy aiy captain." Replied Tomori. 
The two ladies responded with a simple nod.


The two went north, as the remaining red light shone threw the thick evergreen onto the boy's face. Both soldiers trod carefully in a reasonable pace. 
It did not take long, until they managed to track their trails in the snow.
While trying to see what exactly they were looking for in the poor lighting, they scrambled through the stolen belongings.
In the end they both grabbed some more clothes, some water and some food. The more unnecessary items, such as a shiny necklace, was left behind for later.
As the pair walked back, Toshiro kept looking to the side and up and down. Keeping an eye out for another bear or the owl he saw earlier. That snowy bird kept reappearing in his mind, as if that animal meant something. However he had nothing to follow that idea with. 
Although while he was looking around nervously, Toshiro did have this feeling, as if someone was watching them. But the sun had now surpassed the horizon and it had become dark. The moon was still hiding behind the clouds, therefore the boy couldn't see anything suspicious. 
After a few more minutes, he convinced himself that he was just paranoid from everything that had happened so far today and followed Takeshi closely.

When they returned, Toshiro saw Natsumi and Kat cuddle together underneath a blanket made of clothes, to keep themselves warm. Tomori on the other hand sat next Peter with his sword pinned in the earth between the man's legs. 
The duo passed on what they had brought and together they enjoyed their supper in utter silence. No one felt like talking about anything. 
When they had finished, began Takeshi planing the night.
"Natsu, Kat and Toshiro, you can sleep first, while Tomori and I will stay watch. We'll switch when half the night is over." 
The others all agreed and the women plus Toshiro laid down onto a customized bed of clothes they had retrieved from the other camp.

Toshiro dozed off a little. But the events of the day were so prominent that he could not find a way to actually fall asleep. When his ears picked up the voices of Tomori and Takeshi talking, his curiosity finally won and he opened his eyes. Slowly the boy got up from his 'bed' and looked at the two men in a sitting position. The two men stopped and both glazed at the drowsy boy.
"Can't sleep?" Asked the captain quietly.
Toshiro shook his head and slowly moved closer. The boy now sat opposite of Tomori, while Takeshi rested left of Toshiro.
"What you' talking about?" Mumbled Toshiro while rubbing his face.
"Nothing too important." Answered Tomori as he looked down onto Peter, who was still unconscious. 
"If Pete does end up like John, you think he will do the same?" Asked Tomori his captain.
The leader followed his companions eyes and sighed heavily.
"I hope not. But, as long as we know nothing for certain, there really isn't any point in discussing this." Responded Takeshi unpleasantly. 
Toshiro just looked at Takeshi and then zoomed onto the two swords on his back. 
"Takeshi, how come you have to swords? None of the other warriors have two?" Questioned the boy curiously, while trying to change the subject to something more pleasant.
The man chuckled. 
"That's simple. Because I am the only one crazy enough to wield two blades. Most soldiers who have tried, failed miserably." Replied Takeshi in a more joyful manner.
"How come?" Inquired the boy, becoming even more interested.
"The soldiers, I have seen, trying dual wielding, didn't understand that one must first be able to wield one sword with either hand. Meaning, the strength and agility in one hand lacks completely, giving the enemy an easy weakness to target. Very often they lose the sword - or even the hand - and end up fighting with only one blade." Continued Takeshi explaining.
"So, that's all that matters?" Badgered Toshiro his captain further.
He laughed again.
"Haha, no. That is the requirement to begin training. Without a free hand to your disposal, you sacrifice important and sometimes crucial stability, defence and mobility. Therefore, you must do the unthinkable. Versatility and creativity is that what makes dual wielding so strong. With these two blades, I do not turn the playing-board, I break it. I believe everyone has a style for their own. And in the end a weapon is just an extension of its master. A stick is a piece of wood for one, but the decider of life and death for another. It can only be as strong as the user allows it to be. But ..." Takeshi grabbed Toshiro by the shoulder. "... if you want to know everything there is about such matters, I wrote a book with detailed instructions on how to master swordsmanship. You can have it, when we return home."
"Don't be discouraged, if you don't understand what the books wants from you." Stated Tomori amusingly. "Sometimes ... Takeshi likes to be creative in ways, even he can't execute."  
"I think, I'll be the one to judge on that." Replied Toshiro with a smile. 
The three laughed. 
Takeshi grabbed his flask and drank some more water, while Tomori threw another log onto the fire. Some sparks were flown into the air, one of which landed on Toshiro's thigh. The boy slapped it away, however it still left a mark behind.
The wind was completely gone. Most of the animals were asleep and aside from the cracking fire before the humans was complete silence. 
"Hey, Toshiro." Came out of Tomori's mouth. 
Toshiro looked up surprised.
"Do you want to join or little group?" Asked the man in an usually nice tone towards the white-haired boy.
"I thought, I already had." Replied the boy in a snarlingly, playful manner.
Both grown men chuckled. 
"Then it's settled. Toshiro is now one of us." Stated Takeshi with his flask lifted in the air as a toast.
"Here, here!" Added Tomori softly with his hand raised.
Toshiro smiled happily.
"I hope the others don't mind." Added Toshiro slightly concerned. 
Tomori laughed again. 
"Don't worry, they both already told me in confidence that they think you are really cute ... oh wait ..." Stuttered the man flustered. "Well, I guess cat's outside the bag ... Besides ..."

Suddenly, out of nothingness, from the pitch black behind Toshiro, an unknown projectile zoomed with an incredible speed towards the boy's head.
As of now - like in slow motion - no one had even noticed or felt this strange object's presence. While in motion, Toshiro happened to move his head to the right. The projectile slithered through the first layer of Toshiro's face-skin, marking a giant bloody cut as it went along. Then the object continued its trajectory and with all its impulse, the spear-like shape pierced Tomori's heart and rammed the man into the tree behind him. Like a shred of paper hammered onto a wall, did Tomori hung from the trunk. 
Toshiro's and Takeshi's eyes widened, as they both stared at their friend, who was now bleeding increasingly from his chest. 
With all the air the captain could muster, he screamed from the top of his lungs. "WE'RE BEING ATTACKED!" 
While both Natsumi and Kat immediately awoke from their sleep, did Toshiro look around himself, trying to locate the enemy. His heartbeat went spiral, his pupils flickered and the blood from his wound poured down. 
The boy could hear rustling sounds coming from nearby brushes. But his gaze was distracted by Natsumi's scream, after seeing Tomori's dead body hanging from a tree. 
"TOMORI!?" 
Suddenly the boy heard the same swish sound of a similar projectile emerged from the darkness.
"SOMETHING IS COMING!" Yelled Toshiro. 
The object flew right past the two men, heading straight towards Natsumi. However it was too fast for her. Just before the projectile made impact, Kat flung herself with a knife in her hand in front of her friend. But the force of that object was too strong for a simple knife. It rammed the blade out its way and into Kat's body. The one-eyed woman crashed to the ground. Natsumi got knocked back and tumbled also onto the cold ground, a few feet behind her comrade. 
Takeshi pulled out his two swords and desperately looked for the being responsible for this attack. 
Again, out of the darkness, another projectile came hurling towards them. This time it was thrown at Takeshi. But this time Takeshi was prepared. In one smooth motion did the captain slash the spear-shaped object with his blades into two parts. The attacking projectile split up and both went past Takeshi into the bushes. 
Toshiro just hastily kept turning and looking around, unsure as what to do.
Natsumi gasped and screamed in tears, as she saw Kat on the floor, choking ..., trying to breath. The crying woman got up on her feet, but then she heard another rustling behind her.
Only a quick squeak came out of Natsumi's mouth, before a swing of a sharp weapon came out of the darkness and dismembered her. 
As her now lifeless head rolled onto the ground, a strange being emerged from the darkness.

It was a humanoid being, with red glowing eyes and grey scaling skin. They were slightly taller than an average man and had only very short hair. 
Suddenly Toshiro heard something behind him again and without hesitation jumped forwards and dodged another close ranged attack. 
Toshiro was so stressed and nervous, his eyes started to see unclearly. Every second his heartbeat became louder and just before it was the only thing to be heard, did Takeshi grab the boy tightly, awakening him. 
"Toshiro, listen to me!" Yelled the captain at his comrade. "I need you to escape. Do not think, do not hesitate and DO NOT look back." 
While Takeshi was speaking, another two enemies appeared from the shadows. 
"Toshiro, look at me!" Takeshi pulled the boy's head even closer to his. Toshiro then gazed into his captain's eyes, his body filled with adrenaline. "You run, boy!"
Another projectile came flying towards the both. Takeshi with his blades in his hands, grabbed more tightly onto Toshiro and forced him to dodge as well. The spear-like object pierced into a different tree, after just barely missing its target. 
Takeshi looked at one of the three enemies who had just attacked. The man gasped slightly, as he saw the humanoid being slowly regrowing their half-missing right arm. 
"Tssk." Mumbled the captain in response. 
But the enemy wasted no time. The second being transformed their lower arm into a sharp, pointy weapon, ripped it off their body with their other arm and then finally catapulted it towards the two humans. 
Instinctively, both dodged to the side and the object missed again. The two warriors were now further apart.
"Toshiro ..." Said the captain seriously. The boy looked to him. "... Run."
After the smallest of moments - a quick exchange of looks - did Toshiro nod reluctantly and decided to follow his captain's orders. The boy turned around and sprinted into the opposite direction of the enemy - going north. 
One of the beings starting moving forwards, trying to catch Toshiro, before he ran away. But Takeshi walked slowly in between Toshiro, who was distancing himself, and the enemy. His two blades slithered threw the snow.
Takeshi's eyes narrowed, as a tear dropped down his cheek. The man's facial expression revealed his anger and lust for vengeance. 
While two attacks stood still, face to face against the captain, the third crouched down to Peter and placed their fingers onto the wounded man's pulse. Moments later he eliminated Peter with a blade for a hand. While doing so, Takeshi quickly closed his eyes in order to unsee the death of his friend.  
Correspondingly, Takeshi spit into the snow next to him, as he slowly moved into a fighting position. 
"You'll die for that." declared the captain hatefully. 
Peter's killer got up and moved in front of their allies. 
"[in an unknown language] Find an opening and catch the small human." Whispered the leader to his two followers. A giant mark on their body made the leader stand out. 
Then the three enemies started surrounding Takeshi. But before they could even cover all sides, the captain charged forwards towards their leader. Just before reaching the enemy, did the man slash one of his swords through the snow, which made the white powder scour into the air, landing onto the enemy's face and reducing their sight.
In that moment, Takeshi attacked from the front and sliced the enemy's arms that were held in a defensive position. Before the man could strike again, the other two attacked from behind. The captain flipped backwards, turning while doing so and blocked all attacks with his swords. 
After only a mere second of landing on his feet again, did Takeshi charge forwards again. This time he lowered himself and cut through one of the follower's legs. The enemy tumbled to the ground and the other clashed with Takeshi up front. 
For another few seconds they both flashed around, striking, blocking and dodging each others attacks. 
Then the leader, who had now regrown his arms, assisted his follower and continued fighting, 2v1.
 
As the three battled with all their strength and might, the remaining enemy crawled slowly away, until their legs regrew and the it could charge after Toshiro's scent.

Takeshi could only see a quick glimpse of the escaping enemy. He let out a quick growl.
The man stepped back for a moment, catching his breath and revised his next attack, while the two humanoid beings took that moment to regenerate their cuts and bruises.

"How do I kill them?" Thought Takeshi to himself. "They can regenerate limbs, cuts, bruises ... are they invincible?" He then analysed the leader's giant scar. "What could have done that? Fire? A special weapon? ... Think ..." The captain kept on pondering and scheming a new strategy. "If I don't hurry up, they'll catch up to Toshiro ...
I'll try the only thing, I can quickly think of!" 

Takeshi charged forwards, striking in different patterns. And when the opportunity presented itself, he managed to push the leader away. Takeshi then attacked the other in several fast moving blows. The follower could only block and dodge a certain amount, until Takeshi slashed through their one arm, stabbed their stomach with the other blade and then in one swift spin, decapitated their head. The enemy dropped to the floor, as a bit of dark red blood sprayed on the captain's face. 
Takeshi turned around and faced his last opponent. 

They both circled around each other, giving themselves several looks. Takeshi removed some of his clothing, while walking. His fighting increased his body temperature by a lot and even the cold environment could not cool him down enough. 
Then the man sprinted forwards and slashed his blade from below. The being who had now both arms transformed to blades blocked the attack and swung as well from the side. 

Continuously, the two powerful warriors fought each other for several minutes. Takeshi's swordsmanship looked more and more impressive, as he was able to keep up with a - from an  evolutionary standpoint - superior being. His blades slithered around like clockwork. Every single motion was carefully thought out and managed to fulfil its duty. 
As the battle proceeded, the leader of the attackers began tiring out. The constant regeneration costed much energy, the being became restless and tried to attack even more offensively. 
However, Takeshi's talent and skill overpowered the enemy's raw strength. 
The captain managed to slice through both enemy's arms and even one of their legs. 
The leader fell down onto one knee. They then lifted their head and looked at Takeshi with their red, glowing eyes, accepting defeat. 
As Takeshi was about to give the final blow, a sudden movement behind the captain interrupted him. However, before being able to react, a giant spear-shape object pierced through Takeshi's stomach. 
Completely surprised by what happened, did Takeshi not even utter a sound. He just fell onto his knees and turned his head around slowly. 
Behind him was the other enemy with a new head on their neck that wasn't fully developed. One could see the bone structures, blood vessels, muscles and one eye. Almost the entire skin and other semi-essential body parts like ears or a mouth were still missing.  

As Takeshi experience his final living moments, only one thing went through his head.
"They can regenerate their heads? That's just ... impossible ... are they even ... killable?" 

 And with that did Takeshi fall to the ground and breathed his last breath. 

to be continued ...