Fervent (
Summary[]
The watching auction-goers gasp as they see Kyora and Chihiro clash on the screens. Kyora kicks Chihiro back, visible eye suddenly purged of black colouring, and aims Magatsumi at him, but hesitates, clutching his head. Kyora recognises that there is a foreign presence invading his mind, shadow over his eye lightening and darkening as Kyora mentally opposes the force. He reasons it to be either the blade or its wielder, the "Master Swordsman".
The interior of the Storehouse begins to destabilise and crack, and Kyora's projection flickers, as Kyora realises the price he is paying for ensuring he can prolong his life as long as possible. Still fighting off the foreign influence, Kyora's projection announces he will demonstrate Magatsumi's power (referring to it by the name he knows, Shinuchi) and auction Enten once Chihiro is dead.
Kyora activates Spider, trapping Chihiro within a web-pattern of spirit energy. Chihiro abruptly finds he cannot move, while Kyora follows by using Dragonfly, wings forming around the outstretched sheathe. The attack bursts forth in the form of the darkened flower field extending rapidly towards Chihiro. Instinctively knowing to avoid it, Chihiro summons the red goldfish in preparation to use Aka, but suddenly the signature bubbles of the Storehouse appear in front of him.
Hiyuki emerges and destroys the ground the flower field is advancing upon, telling Chihiro that Hakuri had sent her in to help. Chihiro brings up the prisoners, and Hiyuki notes they will need to kill Kyora first. Outside, the Kamunabi bidding team recognise Hiyuki, and the male member demands answers from Tafuku, who sits down nearby. Tafuku calmly notes she is technically accomplishing her mission to protect Chihiro and the bidding team member concedes the point.
Within the Storehouse, Hiyuki questions how Kyora is alive, Chihiro assuming it was due to Magatsumi's power; though his father had never told him anything about the blade. The surfaces of the Storehouse then begin crumbling, Chihiro realising the space is destabilising. He calls for Aka: Flame Bone, bringing forth the power he had partially absorbed during his first clash with Hiyuki, Enten consumed in flames.
After briefly telling Hiyuki what he had done a week ago, Chihiro uses Kuro to send forth a flaming slash, the ground below set aflame. Kyora blocks the attack, but his attention is then diverted by Hiyuki, who punches forth, forcing Kyora to parry again. Chihiro and Hiyuki alternate attacks, Chihiro realising the spirit energy amplification of Magatsumi was greatly empowering Kyora's physical capabilities.
Kyora uses Centipede
Choking more blood, Kyora runs the end of Magatsumi along the ground, a darkened patch and flower field emerging, before barely managing to open a fraction of the blade from its sheathe. Calling forth a Centipede-like construct, the attack manifests as an omni-directional blast as Kyora slams the blade shut, Chihiro and Hiyuki both sent flying back from the force of the blow. The audience is amazed by Magatsumi's power, while Tafuku worries. Kyora's projection proceeds to open the betting at one billion as the crowd screams.
Chihiro and Hiyuki recover and walk back to Kyora's position, where they internally declare their views on what Magatsumi is. To Hiyuki, it is the Kamunabi's weapon. To Kyora, it is the Sazanami Clan's merchandise. To Chihiro, it is the property of the Rokuhira family.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Kyora's projection announces he will be demonstrating Shinuchi's power.
- Kyora himself realises a foreign presence (which he assumes to be the blade or its wielder) invading his mind, and fights it off, the Storehouse beginning to fragment and crumble.
- Kyora uses Spider to lock Chihiro in place and attacks with Dragonfly, but Hiyuki, having been transported into the Storehouse by Hakuri, destroys the ground the attack is advacing upon.
- Chihiro and Hiyuki begin attacking Kyora in tandem, though using Magatsumi he is able to match them and blast them back using Centipede.
- The two recover and prepare to continue battling Kyora.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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