*pant* *pant*
I crouched on the side of the bank, my breath punctuating the silence.
I did it. I beat her...
...Wait....That wasn't what I meant to do. I was supposed to help her...oh no...
I brought my face to my hand.
"Ooh, I'm such a fool..."
I had tried to make my point, but I screwed up. I must have completely broken the poor girl. How can I honestly expect her to pick herself up now...?
...
"Don't give me that shit...!"
?!
I snapped up and looked at the river. Standing in the water was Tenshi, breathing raggedly with her head downward. Her clothes were soaked, and her legs were quaking, as though they could give out at any moment. Even so, she kept her footing, and there was no evidence she had actually fallen in. Then, our match was not...
"I'll die? Fuck that. No, I will not! I will not
lose!!" She lifted her head, and I gasped. Those tiny pupils, those gnashing teeth...it was almost bestial.
"I don't give a damn what you say to me. I will show you here and now who's afraid!!" She rose to her feet, sword in hand. I stepped back in shock.
This feeling...it's...!Dancing Water SprayShe raised herself out of the water and hovered, leveling her sword at my head.
"I am the keeper of earthquakes, the eldest daughter of the Hinanawi clan! And now, I shall bury you far deeper than any keystone!!! AAAAAH!" She dived forward with a charging pierce.
!
I dodged right, and Tenshi touched down and skid along the grass. I turned and dashed forward, but Tenshi predicted my strike and hopped left, striking at me midair. I blocked it and countered, but she ducked and leapt to my side. Planting my feet, I rushed her and stabbed, but she parried and flew left.
"Gck-!" I changed directions as quickly as I could, and lunged forward. Tenshi flew into the air and took off, leaving me to slide along the ground.
Hah, these violins...! I whipped around and looked up at Tenshi. She brought her feet back and threw her hand forward. With a flash, several red spears rained down.
"Danmaku?!" I ducked between them and leapt high in the air. I met her at the apex and we both attacked at once. Sparks flew as I fell to the ground, our swords grinding together.
I laughed as I backpedaled. "Not bad! Now why didn't you do this from -"
"SHUT UP!" I startled as Tenshi shot down at me and - a kick-?!
"Oof-!" Her boot cracked against my ribs, and I stumbled back. I caught my footing quickly, and got ready to - wait, now
she's charging-?! I brought up my sword in desperation.
*clash*
I stopped Tenshi's momentum and her hair flew forward, spraying me with water. Our blades shook between us.
"Impressive! But you will never beat me in a standoff!!" I planted my feet and pushed.
...?
She's not moving...!Tenshi's red eyes flared. She pushed forward and - and - slowly, my arms began to fall back.
Th-this can't be happening! I gasped.
I broke contact with a backwards hop, and she stumbled forward. Not skipping a beat, she caught herself and propelled forward with a pierce.
"Guh-!" I bent right and barely avoided the tip. I teetered back and prepared to counter, but she was too quick. We clashed, and she righted herself.
I grinned as I pressed her. Though I unleashed attack after attack, Tenshi continued to block them effortlessly. Each twist of her wrist was carefully calculated, her arms dancing in the air like a conductor with her baton! Such grace, such beauty!
Tenshi ducked my next swing, and I lost balance. She ducked right, spun, and slashed at my side.
"AAH!" I propelled myself forward on one foot and landed a good distance away. I pivoted and growled.
Tenshi bolted towards me and unleashed a powerful horizontal slash. I raised my sword just in time, and our swords deflected. Her arm fell back, and I realized she was open.
"YAAAH!" I buried my sword into her exposed shoulder.
She screamed. "That shoulder still hurts you bastard!!!" She lunged straight at my eyes and headbutted.
"UNN-!" My vision swam; my feet tumbled beneath me as my eyes rolled to the sky. Aaaaaa-
I felt a violent impact as her arm dug into my chest.
?!
Tenshi screamed in my ear as I was whipped around and released with incredible speed.
"AIIIIIIIEEE-!" My scream died in my throat as I crashed along the ground.
"Ooh..." I held my head and gazed up at Tenshi - at least, a Tenshi-like shape.
Hah, is it just me, or is she smiling...?If she was smiling though, it had disappeared by the time my vision cleared. Her chest heaved in and out, and this time
she was the one pointing the sword.
"Hah...how's
that? I win; you lose. Feel free to grovel." She chuckled haphazardly.
My heart fluttered. This violin, dictating a strong, feminine identity, was finally back in the forefront. The background was now filled with a lively guitar...
"Yes...I like this
much better."
Tenshi blinked. "What...?"
I felt my lips crease into a true smile. "Yes, show me more, MORE!" I drove my foot into Tenshi's femur.
"AAH, son of a-" I scrambled to my feet and retrieved my sword. I shook my head and readied myself for the next round.
Tenshi steadied herself and stared with a perturbed look. "You want more...?"
I swung my blade. "I have dreamt of this day for centuries. You think I would give up
now? Besides, we agreed this fight wouldn't end until one of us fell into the water. THIS FIGHT'S NOT OVER!" I rushed towards her and we clashed.
Tenshi broke my hold and aimed for my side. "I don't get you! If you came to put me in my place, why are you still fighting? You can't win!"
I twirled to her side and struck back. "You don't get it, do you? I brought you here to test you! I've been
waiting for this!"
Tenshi dodged my next slice and took to the air. "You...were waiting? I don't understand...you..." Her eyes strained.
I shook my head. "You don't have to understand. Let's just have some fun..."
The trumpet stopped up for a second, and then began to soar. Tenshi's mouth twisted into a crooked grin.
She raised her sword. "Very well. If that's what you want, I'll show you no mercy!!" She dived down at me.
I hopped backwards, and Tenshi landed in a crouch. She leapt forward with a stab. I sprung up and over her, and we both landed and locked eyes.
I glanced from Tenshi to the brook; our duel had shifted some distance away from the battlefield. I grinned at Tenshi and bolted towards it.
"Hey, get back here!!"
The grass and wind blew against my body as I approached the water. God, this feels great!
*CRASH*
?! I looked left and caught a red pillar dispersing. I craned my neck and saw Tenshi flying in hot pursuit, with more danmaku on the way.
"Ha ha, catch me if you can!" I strafed right, then left, and the ground shook as each pillar missed. Now at the bank, I jumped with all my might, and another crash resounded behind me.
"Haaaa!" I landed on the other side and turned around. Tenshi was right on top of me, and brought her sword down. I raised my own in defense. This should force her to land-
"Take THIS!" She reared back her dangling foot and swung it forward.
"OO-" I staggered back. Tenshi landed and charged me. Damn, I can't block in time -
*STAB*
I screamed. My ribcage stopped the tip, but ow, OWW!
I brought my fist down on the sword and smashed the blunt end of my blade into Tenshi's head. The girl recoiled in pain, and I took that time to gain some distance. She shook her head and charged. I dashed to Tenshi's side and flanked her. Changing directions, I leapt and slashed her backside.
"AAH!" Tenshi crashed to her knees. I brought my legs to a halt and rushed her. Her eyes widened and she brought up her sword to defend herself.
"Take this!" I kicked upwards into her elbow.
Tenshi screamed as her elbow shot up high. I focused on the raised sword and slashed at the base, knocking it out of her hand.
"No!" She reached out in vain as the sword tumbled through the air and fell into the stream.
"Nngh-!"
Tenshi gritted her teeth as she exchanged glances between me and her empty hand. I laughed and raised my sword.
"It's over!" I swung right, but Tenshi dropped to the ground and I missed.
Gah, gotta - AAH?! The ground disappeared beneath my feet and I fell to the ground. She kicked them out?!
I twisted to my back, but Tenshi had already risen to her feet. She tackled me back down and threw herself on my sword hand.
"Gimme that sword!!"
That's her plan?! I can't allow that!
"Gnk, get off me-!" Tenshi clenched her fist and punched my cheek. I groaned, but the pain only tightened my grip.
Finally getting a knee loose, I slammed it into Tenshi's back. She gasped and fell to my side, and I scrambled to my feet. Damn, she's getting serious!
Tenshi flew up from the ground and glared at me with her hands poised.
"What have you got now, huh? Let's see!!" I charged at her. She flew over me, and I realized just how close she had been to the stream. I slammed my feet down and skidded to a halt at the last second.
Whew, that was close. I turned to Tenshi and - danmaku?!
*pock pock pock*
"Aaaaaah!" My body teetered over the water. Summoning all my leg strength, I managed to keep my balance. I lurched forward and charged Tenshi, ignoring the rainbow of danmaku peppering my chest.
"Tch!" Tenshi flew left, and my strike missed. She touched down a few meters from the bank, and we faced each other. She stared at my legs in contempt. Is she jealous? I twirled my sword and smiled back. Heh heh, I knew all that mountain climbing would pay off someday.
Tenshi stood motionless for a few moments, then looked back to me and...charged?! With no weapon, is she mad?! I raised my sword in warning, but she showed no signs of stopping.
"HAAAAH!" I swung with both hands just as Tenshi got into range and - she ducked! Oh, shoo-
*CRACK*
My chin whipped to the sky as Tenshi uppercut me. My ears rang in agony. Oow, damn i-
A sharp pain to my sword hand. My fingers twitched, and another blow - oh god - my sword!!
I watched in horror as my sword clanged to the ground. But with Tenshi right here, I can't - I darted back to Tenshi, just as she finished rearing back her head.
!!!
*BAM*
I screamed, and again my head pounded against me.
Wh-wh-what do I do-Suddenly I felt a massive impact against my thighs and fell forward. I was raised up and my nose slammed into something. This is...her back? She's grabbing my legs-?! A-and now we're flying?!
I stared down.
"AAAAAH!" The blood rushed to my head as the ground fell further and further away! No, no!
"T-tenshi, let go! I-I can't fly!"
"Good! Into the stream you go!!!"
?!
I dangled helplessly. Shit, I hate being this high...!
"THIS IS IT!!" Tenshi reared back her arms.
Without thinking, I threw my hands around Tenshi's back.
"TAAAAKE THI-GUH?!" Tenshi gasped as she threw me forward. I tightened my grip, and she fell forward with me.
"L-let go of-a-Ahh?!"
We're falling!!"AAAUUUUUUG-" "AIIIIIIIIIII!"
My head throbbed as we tumbled through the air, entangled. Upright, downright, upright, downright, UPRIGHT, DOWNRI-
*CRASH*
An ear-shattering splash, pain, and silence.