Dark Light

Chapter 19: The Other Sorcerer

Year 1872

Haruna kept herself composed. Her breathing was even, her hands were firm, and her voice unfazed. She had to tell them how dangerous her plan was, but absolutely not let it show that there was any fear in her heart.

- Do you understand what we have to do? - Haruna asked, standing up from her previous crouched position after she finished explaining her ideas - It's extremely dangerous, so I'll understand if either of you want to protest or turn back. I just need you to know I believe we can make it work.

- Are you absolutely sure of that? - Tomomi asked a bit incredulously, watching the confident looking princess and the statue that was Rina, now standing in cold silence against the backdrop of screams and fire coming from way ahead in the valley - It's three against five and there's that strange magical thing.

- I'm sure. Like I said, I'll understand if you especially want to turn back... because I know you're not a warrior. You've never been prepared for this kind of situation. I believe me and Rina can handle it even if you choose to stay behind.

- You're an idiot, then. - Tomomi said bluntly, and watched Haruna open a small smile. Tomomi blurted that out, but Haruna could see that her hands were shaking under the moonlight - How can you think I'm going to run away and leave you two to do such a dangerous thing?

- I thought you might say that. - the princess said and then turned over to Rina, who was still dead silent - And what about you? Thoughts on this?

- I think I've told you before... - Rina began, crossing her arms - That you're the most reckless creature I've ever met in my life. - she then looked straight into Haruna's eyes - If we screw this up, we're dead.

- I know.

- I'm in. - Rina said after releasing a tired sigh, noticing the puzzled look that Tomomi was giving to the both of them - You know I trust you, no matter how crazy it seems. I know you wouldn't ask us to risk our lives if you didn't think we have a high chance of success. That's not you, it's not what you do.

- You're right about that. - Haruna replied, her smile now gone, replaced by that determined look that Rina knew so well - We can do this, and then we can go down that valley and help the soldiers in the fortress.

Tomomi looked far ahead at the wall of Kagizume with her heart racing uncomfortably. The Seiryu catapults were now shooting rocks against it, and the siege towers almost reaching it. There was fire all over the place, and she could see the blue light becoming stronger again, it was probably about to shoot at the Byakko army once more. The people of that fortress probably had no idea what was even happening.

The blue magic shot again, and all three girls had to cover their ears and close their eyes. It was such an intense burst of blue light, and the chirping sound was like there were thousands upon thousands of birds screeching all around them as that destructive force was released. Tomomi opened her eyes again and looked at the commanding unit. It was that weird coffin, it was coming from it. It had to be another Dark Light weapon, and she could help Haruna and Rina topple that unit and steal it...

Explosions followed, and Tomomi's eyes moved over to the walls at the end of the valley again. It was different from the previous attack, there were countless explosions along the walls as the blue light hit its surface, and even more fire rose in the night. Byakko was losing. Whatever it was that just happened, it seemed to have hit them inside the wall. She could help care for the injured, if only she were there in the fortress... if only she were in the right place, if only she were brave or competent enough...

People were dying out there, people who were completely ignorant to the real nature of the threat in front of them. The light died again, slowly. Tomomi could not stop her hands from shaking, but she had to act somehow. No matter how much her body felt like just a bunch of rattling bones right now, if there was anything that she could do, the right thing was to take action.