The Merman and the Prince

Chapter 35

I stood up slowly as Kuroko clung to my leg.

"Don't fight him Sei-kun. Just run, please."

"It will be fine Tetsuya. He has to pay."

I could see the bruises on his body, the bite marks and a cold rage had descended over me. Before me was the man who had done such horrible things to my beloved and he would pay. I drew my sword and moved towards him, ignoring Kuroko behind me as he tried to slip out of his bindings.

"You took something that wasn't yours. You have hurt and killed hundreds of people."

"Merfolk aren't people. They are tools, toys. He is mine, Akashi."

I heard the bluenette cry out and turned to see another man had snuck in while my attention had been on the captain of the Jabberwock. He pressed Kuroko's back against his chest, a dagger in his hand resting on his stomach. I growled and looked between the two men. Nash pushed away from the bar and swigged the rest of a rum bottle before drawing his sword.

"Don't worry. Haizaki is just here to make sure the little toy doesn't get any heroic ideas."

"He is not a toy!"

I launched myself forward, my blade arching through the air to be brought up short when Nash blocked me. He detangled his blade and struck back but I flicked his blow away and darted in again. Our blades clashed against one another's as we danced around the room, sparks flying off our weapons. He was good. My arm began to ache from his constant attacks but I could see sweat pouring down his face as my attacks also took their toll. I glanced towards Kuroko and was shocked to see the man named Haizaki was trying to drag him away, a hand over his mouth to stop him from making any sounds. My inattention cost me as Nash's blade cut into my leg and I cursed, turning my attention towards the hunter in front of me. I had to finish this battle fast and get to Kuroko.

Kuroko's Pov

I scrabbled against the hand on my mouth as Haizaki used his other hand to unlock my chains. He had put the dagger down and I eyed it off but it was too far away. Akashi and Nash were just blurs of gold and red, the sound of their clashing weapons echoing around the room.

"I never expected such an opportunity to present itself. Those two will fight to exhaustion, maybe even kill one another and I will get you."

I gave a muffled cry as I saw Akashi take a wound as Haizaki began to drag me backwards.

"Damn, that tail must weight a tonne," he murmured.

I thought then, I didn't need to stay so helpless. I quickly forced the change, wincing at the pain I received from such a quick morph and kicked back. My feet slammed into his knees and Haizaki dropped me with a curse. I scuttled away from him, scooping up his dagger and the one that Akashi had left beside me when he had freed me.

"You bastard!"

He stood up, fuming as he drew his sword.

"Don't kill him!"

Nash's voice rang out and then he cursed. I risked a glance and saw that Akashi had scored a slash over the hunters' chest when he had been distracted. That was all the time I could spare as Haizaki came in with an overhead chop. I dodged the blade, my bruised legs screaming against the movement. I stumbled away and just managed to doge another swing, the tip just grazing over my arm. With my body in this condition I would have to careful. I had been in my merman form for so long that my legs trembled from the effort I was putting on them. There would be no fancy moves, this was a fight for survival. Haizaki came in again and I could see from his crazed eyes he had forgotten Nash's order to not kill me. He swung wildly, trying to cleave me from head to toe or to cut me in half. I deflected his blows and shuffled away. Sometimes I wasn't quick enough and got more shallow cuts. I was aware of Akashi's battle, could hear his laboured breathing as he struggled with Nash. I had to help him. I had promised to fight by his side.