Twisted Fairytale (Snow White With The Red Hair) (Ryu x OC)

Chapter 38- Falling Away

Third person POV
Running up the last few steps to the large tower that caged the broken princess, Ryu, the knight, was leading the group to its final destination.

'How can I save both Kiroyuki and um, Akuma? Akuma wants everyone and the world to crumble and Kiroyuki is trapped and supposedly... dying and reviving within their body... But, does Akuma really want-'

"Die..." A draft of wind traveled down the stairs, carrying the message of the girl who stood at the top floor of the tower.

Ryu stopped, causing the gang to also stop to prevent colliding into his back.

"What's the matter Ryu?" Mitsuhide called out first in questioning, beating Obi to the punch.

"You guys didn't hear that...?" Ryu asked as the quiet voice continued to quietly chant into his ears like a haunted melody of reckless nightmares.

"Hear what?" Zen questioned, trying to listen for any sounds besides the cries of men and the clashing of metal swords.

"A voice. Akuma's voice..."

"Ryu? You sure you're okay squirt?" Obi questioned, concerned, but who could question that due to this setting of a war and all.

"N-never mind! Let's continue going up!" Ryu turned around, using his collar of his shirt to cover half of his face. He started dashing straight on ahead, making the others hesitate to run past the harsh wind.

"Akuma dear, they have arrived." Neil monotonously pointed out, hearing the footsteps more vividly on the concrete.

"Oh? Is that so..." Her back remained facing the distant stairway, focusing on the battle revealed before her eyes down below on hell grounds.

"Kiroyuki!" A loud yell echoed across the land of the clouds of shadows, angering Akuma deeep down in her heart.

"Hmph!" Frustrated, Neil was ready to eliminate everyone who tried to demolish his plans. "Die Ryu!" Neil held a wide grin of wickedness and eyes full of hatred and insanity. His sword was already readied and he attempted to strike Ryu with a fatal blow, but was intercepted by Kiki's sword.

"Geh!" Neil grunted, eyes widening and seeing the smallest opening, letting a grin leak through his lips. He manically laughed and slashed towards her ankle, but was again intercepted.

"Do not harm my partner!" Mitsuhide gave a loud and proud yell, kicking down Neil to the side without mercy of him being a young boy.

Akuma remained motionless, not bothering to look back at the scene behind her. Her still form and reaction-less self was already quite strange, but something...something was unsettling by many measures.

"Kiroyuki! Akuma!" Akuma's eyes twitched, still remaining motionless." It's me, Ryu! I've come to-"

"Akumaaaa! Why do you still stand there when I've fallen to our enemy!? Help me! Don't just stand there!" Neil screamed, afraid of the people (*cough* Sweet and firm Mitsuhide) who surrounded and pinned him down onto the cold and dirty concrete.

"Please come back to Clarines with us! We never want and never did kill anyone here in Hyoushou to make you feel this way! We never torments you either!" Obi shouted, trying to back up Ryu in his defense.