R18

Tora's Pov

Standing in the white forest that I had seen from above it really was more beautiful than I could imagine. Snowflakes fell leisurely and the air had a serene feel to it. Too bad the killing intent that I sensed was ruining the perfect environment. Since the presence just seemed to observe for now I think I'll just ignore it for now. Walking along the only pathway that was visible I channeled power into my eyes and began viewing the entire place through Byakko's eyes. It was always exhilarating seeing things in another light spectrum, be it in a fight or just on a normal day. Counting the number of electric signals being generated from bodies, I counted a total of forty eight enemies surrounding me and moving in a continuous formation as I wandered along the path. Finally being content with the precious moments of peace and serenity I had enjoyed, I decided it was enough and focused on the task at hand.

As if noticing I was ready, a figure flew overhead and after going in a circle twice, it gently landed with practiced grace a few yards in front of me. Looking at the creature, it was a barefooted man with skin that looked like it was made of white marble. His physique was impressive and he wore only a shendyt around his waist and an his shect had three sideways slashes as if a wild beast had taken it's claws to his chest. In place of arms however he had wings that were made from the same marble but we're so light the light behind his was passing through them. This gave him a rather angelic look. Feathers adorned some other parts of his body and on his bald head were two curved horns that looked like red as if someone had smeared them with blood. And from the smell coming from him, it was probably blood. He opened his mouth and let out an eagle like screech that made the otherwise quite forest come alive.

Immediately humanoid bats dropped from the sky while some hovered in the air. Werecats armed with bows and vicious looking arrows became visible on the branches of nearby trees. All creatures made from the same white marble. They all stayed still and if one just wandered into the forest at that moment and saw them one would think they had wandered into a garden of statues. With a gesture from the man with wings, they began moving towards me. Drawing both blades from their sheaths I decided to put in extra effort today to stretch out my chilly limbs and warm myself up. Hearing a whizzing sound from behind me I immediately rolled sideways and three arrows lodged themselves in the spot I had just been standing on.

Channeling power throughout my entire body, I enhanced my senses and began defending the numerous attacks coming my way. Arrows continuously came at me from all angles. The cats were very agile and never fired from the same position twice. Their barrage of arrows were endless and they never hit their comrades no matter how fast they were shooting. While dodging an arrow that was meant for my head I jumped backwards and as I was still in the air, I heard a sonic scream that hit me from behind at point blank range. As I crashed into a tree a painful and chilly feeling crept up my spine. Looking behind me I realized that a portion of my leg was freezing up and my elbow was becoming a shade of blue.

Looking up I saw that the bats had smirks on their face and the sound of laughter escaped from the cats as they danced in the trees. Only the winged man seemed to stay impassive as this all played out. Byakko began stirring inside me as well as the swordsman's spirit. The three of us were currently of one mind and we came to an agreement as I stood up.

"No one is allowed to look down on us."

"No one has the right to mock us."

"No one lives after making an enemy of us."

With the three of us in one mind and of one accord a series of techniques were released from both the tiger and swordsman and they combined creating a whole new series of attacks. "Begin the hunt young tiger" Byakko's voice echoed with malice.

Kiri's Pov

I need to get rid of that damned snake. This fight has been going on far longer than I intended because that crazy monster kept summoning more creatures just as I had almost finished dispatching the current ones. I swung my sword and blocked the claws of one smaller gorgon that was aimed at my side. "Seriously I would love to know who does your nails." The screech I got in return was a frustrated one. Not giving the monster a room to attack again I swung my sword sideways cutting off both of its hands before taking it's head of. A roar from above was the only warning I got before a golem created a crater with it's fist right where I had just killed the snake.

"Celeste what do you think of that staff that's being used by the creature?"

I had used the dust from the explosive punch to retreat into the shadow of a nearby tree so I could re-strategize in this long dogfight.

"The stone seems interesting. Acquire it so I may observe it at a later time." Her leisurely way of answering almost made me forget the problem at hand. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm struggling a bit over here. And I will like to get out of this training alive if I might add."

"Very well. I will give you something to help." Feeling her smile without seeing it ifelt the familiar sensaof knowledge of a certain aspect of darkness flooding my mind. "Interesting."

Stepping out of the shadows one of the smaller gorgon's was the first to notice me and it screeched while pointing, alerting the rest of my presence. As they charged at me I drew on the shadows of everything around me and imbued it into my sword. The blade became darker and longer than it originally was. Taking a swing at the first enemy to reach me, it was cleanly sliced into two. All the other creatures came to a halt. Some staring while others were visibly shivering.

"Don't be shy fellas. There's enough to go around for everyone. Let's make this encounter one to remember."

Without giving them time to receive orders from the bigger gorgon I immediately dashed towards them. A golem took a swing at my midsection and I severed its hand. It threw itself at me to disrupt my vision but I nimbly slid under it's form before getting behind it and slicing it from the head down. Two more ran at me from opposite sides, their roar an added factor to their heavy steps already shaking the earth. The first swung it's fist from above, bringing it down like a hammer. I jumped backwards straight into the other one but before it could attack I slid into it's shadow and came up a few metres behind it. Slamming an energy filled fist on the ground the shadows beneath the two golems in my line of sight instantly became darker and created perfect circles around them before they fell through and the shadows disappeared.

From my peripheral vision I saw the lead gorgon swinging the staff around getting ready to summon more backup.

"Not today sweetheart." Making a beeline for her I dodged the attacks coming from the other smaller but faster gorgons and sent a wave of darkness at her. The pulse threw her off for a moment but that was all I needed.

"MU NO KETSUJO."

Immediately she was inside the void I turned back to the rest.

"Alright kids. I've got an appointment with your mum so why don't we finish playing so I don't keep her waiting."

Attacking them with renewed vigor I used my coated blade to dispatch the slow golems quickly before turning my attention to the remaining three smaller gorgons. They hissed and circled around me obviously wanting to attack together.

"Easy girls. There's enough of me to go around for everyone."

Slamming my feet into my own shadow beneath me, it darkened before growing tentacles that went straight for the monsters before they could react. Immediately they were restrained I lit my sword on fire. Purple flames dancing on the blade giving it an ominous feel. Drawing them closer while they struggled I went for their heads in rapid succession. They all fell to the ground before their bodies scattered and became pikes of rocks, leaves and vines just like the monsters before them had done when I destroyed them.

"Time for the encore I suppose."

Turning my attention to the purple dome that trapped the biggest gorgon I stepped close to it before plunging my hand inside it. After searching for a few moments I finally found what I was looking for. Drawing my hand out I looked at the object before letting it fall into my own shadow. Honestly having an ability that let me leave things in my shadow for safekeeping was one of the best. I walked back a couple feet before I stopped the technique.

"Hey beautiful. Did you miss me."