Devil Ash Deceit (Devil Ash Saga) (36 page)

Aura raised his pointer finger. “
All it takes is one touch, you know." The boy grinned. Using his reputation to scare people always gave him a real kick.

“Oh
please
,” Lionel said, not flinching. “I know it doesn’t work on other devils.” While Aura silently panicked, Lionel silently plotted. He raised a hand to begin forming a fireball.

“If you think you can hit me with a fireball, you’ll be sorry,” said Aura.

Lionel smiled politely. When his fireball was larger than a basketball, he raised it above his head. Aura prepared to dodge as soon as he saw what direction it was going to travel in. What Aura was not prepared for was the fireball splitting into two separate flames, both blasting forward at the same time.

One fireball headed straight for him. The other fireball was aimed further to his right side. The obvious thing to do was dodge left, which Aura did with no trouble. The trouble came afterwards, as Lionel knew exactly where to strike and was already en route there before Aura. Lionel swung his blade low, and Aura could hardly raise his sword in time. His block was less than effective, and Lionel scored a critical hit.

Aura’s sword sailed across the cave and landed somewhere in the cold water they’d been trudging through with a
PLUNK
. Lionel’s sword came to rest only inches away from Aura’s face.

“Go get it,” Lionel commanded, lowering his blade.

“But you have me-”

“
Go get it
,” Lionel said again more sternly. “Let’s finish our duel.”

Aura couldn’t believe his opponent’s kindness, and trudged through the cold cavern water in the direction his weapon flew. All sorts of thoughts ran through his head as he searched the cloudy water.
How am I supposed to beat this guy? He’s way better than me. I’ll have to outsmart him, somehow…

“When you’re ready for round two, be sure to use your soul power,” Lionel called out, sounding bored. “It’s pretty much your only shot at keeping up me.”

Oh great,
Aura thought as he continued to scour the murky water.
Not only will I have to outsmart him, now I have to learn how to use my soul power on command. Damn. I hope Ash is doing better than me.

* * * *

Ash held a fireball in each hand, his brow thick with sweat. Phoenix disappeared from his sight again. Every time it happened, there was another attack. Ash closed his eyes in anticipation. They’d been useless to him so far, anyway. A slight breeze blew through the cave, and for a brief moment Ash felt something blocking the airflow. He took a step to his right.

Not a second too late, as Phoenix’s blade tore through the air where he had just been standing. Ash jumped back, shooting one of his fireballs at the spot he’d just been standing in. Phoenix was already gone again, just like the last couple of times. The man could move around the cave completely undetectable. He made no sound and could only be seen when he
allowed
it.

Instead of keeping the boy waiting in suspense again, Phoenix flashed forward and quickly attacked Ash again. The boy defended with his remaining fireball, which Phoenix easily cut apart and extinguished. The teacher moved in again for a thrust of his blade, but Ash bent his back in a limbo-like move and narrowly avoided the blade. From his strange stance, Ash blasted two more fireballs at his attacker.

Phoenix jumped back and cut away the flames. “Lionel told me you’d try to keep me away with your ‘impressive’ flame stock,” he said. “But that won’t work here. This cavern, spacious as it may be, is too small to play keep away in. All I have to do is use a little bit of soul power, and…”

Phoenix held out his hand palm-up, conjuring a fireball. With a faint glowing mist coming off his body, the fireball became engulfed as well. Phoenix tested Ash’s skills, shooting the small ball of flames forward. Aiming to put his fireball blocking skills to the test, Ash conjured flames in his hands as well. He thrust his arms forward, looking to catch his opponent’s fireball and make it his own with the flame thief technique taught to him by Wilhelm.

The powerful projectile slammed into Ash’s hands with far more force than a fireball that size should have. The boy tried overwhelming it with his own flame, creating his own personal inferno to blanket around it. No matter how he struggled to overcome it, the flames with Phoenix’s soul power mixed in were too strong to contain.

“
It’s over
,” Phoenix said, snapping his fingers. The billowing mess of flames exploded. In the ensuing flash of light and heat, the boy was blinded. He struggled to stay on his feet with the force from the soul-fire explosion pushing him back, remembering how the blast had been strong enough to tear through the rock demons of West Hell.

He felt a sharp pain tear across his back. In that moment, he dropped his guard and the flames consumed him. Ash dropped to the ground, rolling around in sheer pain. When the flames died out the boy could see again. Phoenix was nowhere to be found, but Ash could feel a stinging sensation flaring across his shoulders and down the small of his back.

“That should be the end of it,” Phoenix said, stepping out of the shadows beside Ash.

He pushed his katana back into its sheath slowly. Ash tried with all his strength to climb to his knees in a sad mixture of confusion and pain. His former teacher’s blade slid to a halt inside its holder. As Phoenix clicked it firmly into place, Ash fell face-first to the ground, revealing a giant slash across the back of his coat where Phoenix had cut him down.

Shiva desperately dodged Leona’s weapon over and over as Darko and Dismas sat idly off to the side watching. The girl had managed to avoid her aggressor’s bolas weapon for several minutes now, but her golden armor was much heavier than what she was used to wearing. That extra weight was taking its toll on her speed and endurance, and the thick beads of sweat running down her face were the proof.

Leona repeated her tactic of twirling around the bolas to build up power before tossing it at Shiva. Because Leona could control the chain by directing the fireballs, she kept Shiva on the run. The girl would jump, duck, or dive out of the way of the spinning chain over and over again until it lost speed. At that point, Shiva would get a brief moment of rest while Leona recalled the weapon to start the process all over again.

It was in that short period of time that Shiva realized she’d have to make her move, before she became too tired. The bolas slowed to its final rotation and Shiva saw her chance. She dashed forward preparing to launch two of her own fireballs.

“Bad idea to get in close!” Leona said, whipping her fireballs and chain violently at Shiva. The determined bride dropped to the floor and rolled the best she could in her thick armor. The weapon whizzed by only inches above her face. Shiva sat up quickly, pointed her arms at Leona, and blasted two raging fireballs at her.

Leona covered her face with her arms. Shiva’s attack failed to do any damage, the silver armor she wore was strong enough to protect her from harm. Shiva knew she was at a major disadvantage here, and if she didn’t think of something fast this fight would be over very soon.

“I already know how to beat you,” Shiva boasted. “All I have to do is take control of your weapon again!” The girl conjured a pea-sized flame on the tip of her finger and held her hand out like a gun. Using her thumb to help her aim, she targeted one of the fireballs at the end of Leona’s weapon.

“I’m curious,” Leona said. “Just how do you think you’re going to beat me with a puny flame like that?”

Shiva smirked and then fired her flaming bullet. When the tiny flame made contact with Leona’s weapon it exploded, consuming one of the bolas with Shiva’s flames. Leona hadn’t been expecting that, and her flames quickly died out. That end of the weapon now belonged to Shiva, who spun the fireball around Leona’s arm rapidly. When she ran out of slack, Leona simply grabbed the metal ball and filled it back up with her own flames again.

“That won’t work,” she said. “This armor makes it so you can’t constrict me, or even hurt me in the slightest. Even if you took over my bolas again, what good will they do you? There’s no way you can win against my perfectly planned strategy!”

As the girls continued their game of keep away, Dismas watched with proud admiration. He had no doubts that Leona would win. He grew curious about what was going on inside of Darko’s head. The Prince had been sitting silently this whole time with a blank expression on his face. He’d said he wanted to ‘prolong his entertainment’, but what did that truly mean? Was this all just a game to him?

Darko yawned. “This is beginning to bore me,” he said.

“How can you say that?” Dismas asked. “Your sister is losing!”

“It bores me because I don’t care,” Darko replied.

What a monster!
Dismas thought.

“How about this,” the Prince said. “Until their fight is over, I will not move from this spot. I will not attack or defend myself, either. I will simply sit here, and if you think you can kill me you are free to do so.”

Dismas scoffed. “Don’t underestimate us. Leona is going to kick your sister’s ass, and then I’m gonna kick yours. I don’t need to take cheap shots until then.”

“Very well,” Darko said, emotionless. “It does not matter. Either way, you’ll die.”

Shiva was beginning to run out of steam. She was drenched in sweat from lugging around the heavy suit of golden armor, and probably didn’t smell so fresh. Finally she failed to dodge the bolas and her legs became bound together, wrapped in chain. She stumbled backward and toppled to the floor as Leona moved in slowly. Shiva went on the defensive blasting shots of fire at Leona, but the servant girl didn’t even try to dodge, had no need to dodge, because the armor protected her entire body.

Leona rushed in and leapt, aiming to drop her foot on top of Shiva’s face. The girl quickly reacted, thrusting her legs forward and stopping the incoming drop kick. Leona backflipped off Shiva’s feet and took a few steps back. With a wave of her hands, the chain unwrapped from around Shiva’s legs. The fireballs flew back to their creator, and Leona once again held her powerful bolas at the ready.

“You know, you’re pretty good for a servant girl,” Shiva said as she climbed to her feet.

“You still believe I’m a mere servant? I guess I can’t blame you. Phoenix took every possible precaution in our planning to ensure you never find out who I really am.”

“Oh? You have a secret identity? Who are you, his grandma?” Shiva said with a smirk.

Leona thought back to when she was a lot younger. Her brother Lionel and her were orphans, living in the streets and surviving by stealing. Lionel had gotten pretty good at fighting with a pair of sword-like sticks, and sometimes they’d have to mug people just to get some food.

On one occasion they tried to mug a passing Noble scholar. The boy easily defeated and disarmed his mugger, and instead of calling for the Royal Guards he introduced himself as Phoenix Dawnfall. As it just so happened, Phoenix had been out looking to hire a servant. He didn’t want one, but his father demanded he get one.

So Phoenix offered the job to her. She wouldn’t accept without a few demands, however. First, she would need separate room and board for her and her brother. Phoenix met this demand by introducing the pair to Wilhelm and finding space for them in West Hell. Lionel immediately began helping Wilhelm with the development of the land, and trained with Phoenix in his spare time.

As an employer, Phoenix was the best. She went everywhere with him, witnessed his every act of kindness, and fell in love. The day came when Phoenix introduced her and her brother to the rebels, and they of course joined the club. Eventually, to be of more use to her employer, Leona started training with her brother.

The next few years flew by. As they became more involved in their rebel plotting, Phoenix and Leona grew close to one another. After spending nearly one hundred percent of their time together, the couple decided they’d like to spend the rest of their lives together.

“I’m his
mate
,” said Leona.

“
Saw it coming
,” Darko muttered to himself.

“His mate, huh,” Shiva said, gritting her teeth. She could feel her heart ripping in half, but tried not to show it. “I thought he had higher standards.”

“I pitied you once,” Leona said. “But that’s no longer the case. Standing around idly watching the man I love seduce you ended any sympathy I felt towards you. Now I just want you dead so Phoenix and I can get on with our lives!”

Leona charged in swinging the bolas, her soul power billowing off her body like steam. With amazing accuracy Leona hurled her weapon forward, its speed something Shiva was in no shape to handle. The girl tried to dodge but the chain caught her, wrapping around her body and constricting her arms.

“Give it up!” Shiva shouted. “Thanks to my armor, this doesn’t even hurt!”

Without saying a word, Leona pointed her hand at Shiva. She clenched her fist, and the chain tightened around her victim. Shiva groaned as the armor creaked and bent, the chain becoming tighter every second.

She coated the chain in her soul power,
Shiva thought.
That’s how she’s able to squeeze me so tightly.
Finally the armor could bend no more and broke instead. Shiva screamed in pain as her armor crumbled and the chains bore down on her unprotected flesh.

I don’t know how much longer I can stand this…
she thought.

* * * *

Ash laid facedown on the ground as Phoenix approached. When he got close enough to inspect the boy, Phoenix noticed something strange. Though he’d certainly cut the boy across his back, there was no blood spilled. He knew he held back just enough to keep the boy alive, but still there should have been at least
some
blood.

Phoenix bent down to inspect the boy’s coat. Underneath the top layer of cloth, a thin layer of chainmail-like armor was visible. Ash’s ‘wound’ was nonexistent. Just as Phoenix realized this, Ash rolled over and with a fierce battle cry the boy let loose a blast of flames. Phoenix was taken by surprise, as the fireball slammed into his chest and exploded.

Ash was back on his feet in an instant and on the attack. The boy charged forward through the cloud of smoke while Phoenix was still trying to draw his sword. With another lucky strike, Ash threw a mighty punch and caught his former teacher right in the gut. The man staggered backwards, still reaching for his blade. Ash had another tactic in mind, however.

The boy launched another fireball at Phoenix’s hand. The man cursed and released the hilt of his sword, which was now engulfed in flame. Ash threw another punch, but this time Phoenix was ready. The man grabbed the boy’s fist and threw him aside.

“I don’t recall your coat being reinforced with that armor,” Phoenix said.

“I had some last-minute tailoring done by Gio. Figured it might just save my life some day,” Ash said with a grin.

“Clever,” said Phoenix. “But now that I know you’re armored, I won’t be holding back anymore. I’ll really kill you next time.”

“Not gonna happen,” Ash said boldly. “I won’t let you take advantage of Shiva and get away with it!”

“Didn’t you want to escape from Hell and go back to the Earth? I can help make that happen, if you only stop opposing me right now.”

“There’s no way in Hell I’m letting you get away with your stupid plan! Even if it does cost me a free ride back home!”

“Very well,” Phoenix said. “Let’s end this.” Without touching his still-smoking sword hilt, Phoenix charged at Ash. The boy prepared to face his former teacher head-on.

The two began trading attacks. Phoenix started with a punch. Ash blocked and went for a kick. Phoenix grabbed his leg, which turned out to be a mistake. Ash punched for his face, which was wide open. When the boy’s fist slammed into Phoenix, it was like punching a wall. Ash recoiled in pain, his hand throbbing. A hazy glow emanated from around Phoenix’s head.

“You can’t beat me,” said Phoenix. “I know how to use my soul and you don’t. That’s the deciding factor, really.”

“Like I give a crap about any of that right now!” Ash shouted.

“Think about what I’m offering you! Is one girl really worth throwing all that away for?”

“Shiva is my
friend
, damn it!
Of course she’s worth fighting for
!!” Ash screamed at the top of his lungs.

* * * *

Unbeknownst to the boy, his voice traveled through the cracks in the cave. His shouts entered a ventilation pipe in the ground, then rose up through the ductwork and echoed into the room above them: the ceremonial chamber.

Inside, Shiva was still suffering from the pain of being crushed by Leona’s weapon when the ghostly voice rang out: “
Shiva is my friend, damn it
!
Of course she’s worth fighting for
!!”

The voice echoed a few times before fading out. Everyone in the room was surprised, but none more than Shiva. She was the only one who recognized the faint screaming voice that belonged to Ash.

“Who said that?” Leona asked Dismas, confused. “I thought we were alone in here!”

“We are!” Dismas replied. “I don’t know where that voice came from!”

What nonsense,
Prince Darko thought. He was still bored watching his sister fight. It took all of his willpower not to interfere and cut them
both
down.

That sounded like Ash,
Shiva thought.
He’s down there fighting Phoenix… For me
!

In that instant, Shiva felt something click. With her resolve peaked, her soul power was able to flow freely throughout her body. Suddenly she found that the chain binding her wasn’t so tight anymore. With a little oomph, Shiva was able to break the chain clean in half. The flaming metal bolas fell to the ground, as Leona watched with widened eyes in shock.

“It’s time to even the score a little,” Shiva said. She smiled wickedly as a thick layer of visible steamy soul power flowed off her. Her armor, cracked and broken, fell off in shards to the floor.

Thanks, Ash,
she thought.