The White Chronicle

Chapter 9 - Together we fall

Smell of burnt chicken can be smelled as the burning tengu falls from the fireballs of Tala and Amihan. Kislap and Kulog are trying their best to hold of the swarm of tengus above. The crewmen below are also clashing their swords below deck from the tengus that infiltrated their ships.

Jasmine looks toward Juan and Leshin as they dodge Yokoshima sword and gust of winds. A strike from Leshin's spear manages to get close to Yokoshima but easily flies away to dodge it. Juan, ignoring his wounds, leaps to the air and tries to strike to Yokoshima but he uses his fan to blow Juan back. Juan lands on his back and more bloodied before as more cuts manage to get him.

Jasmine hides at the corner hoping that no tengus can harm her. She reaches for the book and gets ahold of the leather bookmark. Just as she was about to ask for the figure to appear, the lady appeared in front of her. "Hey, I need your help here. You gave me strength to fight of the devil's tentacle and I manage to hold him. Can you give me that same power? I need to help my friends".

The figure sits on the corner with her. "The power that the White Chronicle gave you is me, to defend you from physical harm." The figure says with her soft voice. Jasmine nods. She understands that the book gave her defensive powers but no offensive ability.

"Wait. If I jump directly toward the wind or anything harmful, will you block it? I mean if your defensive power comes from my confidence, you can surely block anything physical harm on my way." Jasmine cocks her heard to the lady. She hopes that her question will give them the fighting chance against Yokoshima.

The lady shook her head in disagreement. "I said defend, not walking into an attack that will result you to your death. There's a difference between being confident and being stupid." Jasmine understands what the figure meant – she is a manifestation of her confidence and this lady will be her armor when there's a direct assault on her.

"Can't you redirect that power? I want to cast magic as they do. I want to help!" Jasmine pleads but the lady gave her no answer. She stares back at Jasmine and she shook her head once more. "The White Chronicle will decide that. I am but a servant of it and you at the same time."

Yokoshima rushes forward to attack the wounded Juan but Leshin block the swings with his spear. Juan uses his magic to cast illusions of him in an attempt to confuse Yokoshima while he is distracted by Leshin. Yokoshima flies back and Leshin disengages.

Yokoshima praises Leshin from managing to block his attacks. "No land dweller has withstood my blows!" Leshin readies himself for another attack "And should I be honor by the words of a stupid bird?"

This insult manages to enrage Yokoshima. When looked around him, he is surrounded by 10 Juans. He anger fuels his hands. He uses his fan and generate a huge gust of wind that swipe the area. The huge winds blow the illusions off the ship and only leaving the real Juan clutching on the mast.

Leshin yells to Amihan "Hey Amihan! I got an idea. Can I use your ship? I need it to defeat this huge bird! I promise I will be gentle with her" Amihan shouts back in agreement "As long as you fix her after this mess, we are good!"

Leshin looked at the scattered wooden animal carvings of Amihan lying on floor beside Gil and Atlas. He crouches and uses his magic. The wooden carvings came to life. They started to run around in circles and leap beside Leshin.

Juan sees this and laughs "Hey! You're borrowing my magic. Okay, I'll be the bait for the stupid bird!" Juan exchange blows with Yokoshima while insulting him with bird puns. This angers the tengu more and more that he forgot Leshin and the other guardian.

"This is why Lord Orochimaru wants you dead. You witty insults won't save from him! You are a nuisance! A kid who pretending to wield a sword." Yokoshima yells to Juan as they fight each other around the deck.