AfterDuo: Children's tale

Chapter 21: Nairo Fights A God

"And the bout is a draw!" Ryu called as Ban's eye restitched itself and swelled back to normal from the deflated red sack it had been. Kami tried to ignore the burning and throbbing in his left hand, the white hot blood that leaked from it. He needed a break, fighting Amogaru, then the Demigods, then Stella, then Ban. That, his Rose Dance attack, and his hand had left him drained.

Mokali got up, making the demigods move away as she shook herself. Sarah fell off her mother to be caught by Meliodas. Sarah turned bright red and was trying to speak but couldn't. The goddess walked over to Kami and gently put her beak nose to the demon's shoulder and healed his wounds. She grumbled herself and her legs shook, mainly from exhaustion.

"You didn't have to do that, Milady." Kami said as he looked to the ruler of the gods concerned. Mokali looked to Kami and smiled softly.

"It is nothing. You helped my children and promised to do so much for so little." Mokali said and then turned to the others. "We should rest for tonight, and start anew tomorrow."

"Aye, Milady." Kami said bowing his head. He shuffled off into the woods towards the Boar's Hat. He was very tired, and as his battle haze lifted his emotions came back. They hit him like a hammerblow. He slowed, then stopped. His head spun, and he nearly fell.

"Hold it together, Kami." He growled to himself mentally. "Act like the soldier you are. They died in battle heroically. And crying won't bring them back. Get some rest, then train these kids to avenge mother and save the world."

Kami felt a hand go into his paw, he looked down and saw Ryu there looking his age. The cat looked at the boy for a second before picking him up.

"Come on. We need rest. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for the demigods." The demon said softly as he heard sobbing coming from the second youngest.

"I failed him... I could have stopped it, but I failed." Ryu muttered as he hugged the neck of the warrior cat. Kami with one hand rubbed the boy's back and with the other held him up.

"Kid, there was nothing you could do. He's... Togaru's gone." Kami said, sadly. Ryu did no respond, simply sobbed as Kami continued walking back to the Boar's Hat. They ignored the others there and Kami went straight up to the bedroom and lay Ryu down on it. Ryu didn't seem to notice, and Kami covered him with blankets. He lay down on the floor, curling into a ball and dozing lightly.

Mokali stayed outside as she told the others that she was more used to sleeping in her true god form. The twins both wanted to Stay with their mother but their powerful parent disagreed and they were forced to stay with Ryu who stayed with Elizabeth. Meliodas stayed out so he could watch Mokali with Diane and Gowther. Ban went and made sure that Mogasi was alright and stayed with her. King fell asleep on his sacred treasure as he normally did.

Meanwhile, back on earth, the Sun was rising to Nairo's right as he raced down the Interstate. He was running at a brisk 150 miles per hour, an easy feat for the boy and his spirit. They'd been practicing their abilities in secret for days. They blew past cars, surprising many of them. No accidents had been caused, but a few had swerved. For a time, Nairo had heard sirens and saw a police car following him as best it could near Santa Rosa. Nairo had laughed a little at that. Could he get pulled over for running too fast? He looked up to see the shadowy shapes of skyscrapers. He grinned and picked up the speed.

"I made it!" Nairo shouted, whooping and hollering. He could sense amusement and satisfaction from his Spiritual companion.

The sun had risen from the horizon by the time that Nairo raced across the Golden Gate to reach San Francisco. He headed east and booked it for the Financial District. Soon he arrived on Market street, across from the BART Station. He stared up at the brick and glass building of the First Republic Bank.