Akira furrowed his brow as they now made their way down yet another hallway. This castle was proving to be a maze while its occupants were proving to be quite a nuisance to the kitsune.
With Zack acting as a bloodhound, Akira now ran with the werewolf as they attempted to locate Yuriko. Unfortunately it was taking longer than the kitsune wanted. "How much further Zack?"
Zack now paused, the werewolf sniffing the air as a frown formed on his lupine face. "I can't say for certain but we're getting closer." Akira could only grunt in annoyance, darting forward as he eliminated yet another group of vampire guards.
"How many of these guys are there," Ayami exclaimed. Akira now glanced back, shrugging at the succubus. If Miro had assembled his full army they could be dealing with thousands of vampires. Rounding yet another corner the group came to a sudden stop as they gazed at a vampire adorned in samurai armor.
Ken smirked, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. He and Ann had been tasked with guarding Selene as she finished the ritual. Ken would now oblige his master to not only allow Selene to succeed but to put his skill to the test with a worthy foe. "So the rumors are true," he said softly. "That child IS protected by demons, witches, and kitsune." Akiras face was emotionless, his ears twitching as he studied the vampire swordsman carefully.
"I've been waiting for this," Ken grinned. "An opportunity to truely test my skill against a worthy foe. Tell me, do you think you have what it takes to defeat me?" Mia and the others now snarled, taking a step forward only for Akira to hold out his arm. "Zack do you still have Yuriko's scent?" Zack nodded, curiously gazing at the kitsune warrior.
"Find another path," Akira stated. "I will deal with this alone. I will join you shortly." The others now gave Akira a slight nod, Ayami pausing as she gave her beloved kitsune a worried look. "I will be alright Ayami," he said softly. "Keep the children safe and find Yuriko. Hurry!" Ayami sighed, placing a gentle peck on the kitsunes cheek before sprinting away.
Ken chuckled, despite his lack of sight he could sense the apprehension of his enemies. "That is brave of you," he grinned, slowly withdrawing his katana. "Brave but very foolish. I am no ordinary swordsman. I've have battled foes for 150 years, none have....."
Ken was unable to finish, the kitsune moving at lightning speed as he now delivered a vicious front kick to Ken. Ken now tumbled backwards, it felt as if he was hit by a sledgehammer, the kitsune having cracked his enchanted armor. Rolling to a stop, he now snarled as he tried to gather his bearings.
"You talk too much," Akira growled.
Ken chuckled, assuming a defensive stance as he prepared for the kitaunes next strike. "Well played. Show me what else you can do."
Akira now snarled, darting forward as the two crossed blades. The fighting vicious as the two warriors now brutalized one another. Neither swordsman able to land a killing blow as they now battled room to room.
***********************
Ayami now found herself thinking of Akira. The last time they had found themselves in this situation, the kitsune had almost died. If it wasn't for Mia and Zack, she would have left Yuriko to her fate.
Thinking more deeply about it though, she realized that wasn't going to be possible. Yuriko was barely more than an infant, barely 2 years old. Couple her age with the fact that Mia and Zack were her godparents and she realized that no matter what she would be be protecting this child for the foreseeable future. "We really need to find a safer spot to put this kid," she thought. As the group turned the corner, they were surprised to see a young auburn haired girl blocking their path.
Ann now glowered at the quartet. Despite learning that her master had given her the ability to return from death, it did not mean she was happy with how things were proceeding. Wizards were attacking, her master was in peril, and she had reluctantly agreed to provide cover for Selene. "Why is there a little girl here," Mia asked.
Ann narrowed her eyes, studying her opponents. A witch, a werewolf, a succubus, and an imp familiar. Despite their numerical advantage, Ann had little worries in the fight to come. A small smirk now crossed her face as the werewolf slowly approached.
Lunging at the beast the vampire child now slashed him across the chest before kicking her down the hallway. The sounds of whimpering now escaped the werewolves lips as he struggled to stand. Shocked by Ann's brutality the group now glared at the vampire child before lunging at her. Ann simply smiled, her concerns and fears forgotten as she now relished the bloodshed to come.