The Elephant in the Room

With a fierce and vicious swing of her sword, Yumiko cut through Blythe's blood-binding spell and destroyed the first gate in their way.

The gate was cut in two with a single, decisive cut, impressing Blythe, whose actual identity had now come into view.

"Young knightess, you've impressed me. My blood-binding spell has never been dispelled before. You appear to have a solitary surge running through your body that is strong enough to topple even my defenses." Blythe clapped his hands slowly.

Ayuka touched her ice wall with her palm, breaking it, and then turned to face him. "Blythe Yasuda? Wait, like Chiaki, you relate to the Yasuda family?" Intrigued and confused, Bruno questioned.

"Indeed I am. In fact, I'm her senior brother." Kira stroked her shoulder while holding it. "I'm not sure I understand. I thought Chiaki to be the last living Yasuda family member. And why did she keep her brother a secret from her friends?" Bow questioned.

Maxim and Adhita observed in silence. "And on which side are you? You've hurt Kizu!" Complained Bow, stepping forward with frustration.

He raised his arm, Blythe. "Keep your composure. He attacked me, and he wouldn't have stopped if I hadn't taken action to defend myself." He spoke while averting his gaze. "Also, tell me. Why would she tell you such information if she thought her brother was deceased? It's pretty simple to understand."

Bow's mouth trembled in annoyance. "Well, I told him to remain back, but apparently his ego didn't get the memo. But that doesn't mean we'll overlook the numerous occasions you used your blood-binding power against us. It nearly cost Ralphie's life!"

While exchanging opinions, Kira and Ayuka both shrugged their shoulders. "Due to my Sea Noble duty, I was unable to divulge my identity during this clash. But I suppose it's no longer that essential. Is it?" Hearing Maxim's argument, he lowered his arms.

"You masked your identity from the world government by becoming a Sea Noble? That is against the law! You aren't any superior to that Chiaki-girl! We'll report you to the authorities and execute you! Your decisions will be regrettable!" Maxim yelled, but Blythe immediately extended his arm and rendered Maxim's body motionless.

"Y-You... liar! P-Put me down, you monster!" Maxim complained, struggling to speak or move, "I will expose my identity to the world government myself. I don't need help from a petty agent trying to kill my little sister. I should just kill your right here and now for you to feel the pain instead of her." Blythe's eyes were solemn and furious.

"Blythe!!! You fraud! I'm gonna make you pay for lying to the world government!" Adhita screamed in anger, holding her club, and sprinted at him at full speed.

She dangerously displayed her anger by getting ready to destroy Blythe as she yelled in rage, but before Adhita could strike, Blythe extended his second arm, rendering her stationery. "Did you forget about my ability, Adhita? Just because you're three times bigger than me doesn't mean I can't bind you from moving." He spoke in a somber, lifeless tone of confidence.

"D-Damn you, Blythe!" Adhita said, trying to break free from Blythe's spell. "Ponytail girl! Hurry up and heal your friends. The wounds aren't fatal. It should be in your power to heal them. I'll deal with these two." Explained Blythe, "On my way." Ayuka agreed and did as requested.

Ayuka placed her palms above Kizu's unconscious body as she knelt next to him, enclosing his body in a white bubble. As it went on, a calm but resonant tone was being produced.

"I think some of you should go ahead and through the gate. Tim might need your help." Explained Bruno, looking at the others. "I'll go. Navigator, Kou, and Luca come with me." Stated Bow and stepped forward. "Look, I know I'm the newest crew member, but the name's Kyora, okay?" She explained, leaning her wrists on her hips.

"Right, Kyora. We need to hurry." The four of them ran toward the gate. "Make sure that Kizu and Ralphie get better, Ayuka! We'll take the front lines with Tim and Empress." Exclaimed Bow, seeing Ayuka respond with a nod. "We'll follow you when we can!" She observed them enter the passageway between gate one and gate two.

Suddenly Blythe sensed a strange sensation. His eyes opened wide. He directed his view at Adhita. His gaze of shock stretched out, and his arm began shaking tremendously.

Adhita's eyes glowed with the brightest hues of red, but her body started to grow. "I'm... going... to crush all of you!!!" She roared, her mouth and eyes shaking aggressively. "W-What? She's breaking through my blood-binding spell. I cannot keep her like this for much longer."

Everybody's eyes locked on Adhita.

She let out a loud roar and bent forward on her two legs. Her trunk and tusks expanded, and she began to grow in size.

"Damn it!" Yelled Blythe, trying to intensify the grip on Adhita's gigantic body. "She's becoming a fully-fledged elephant!" Bruno shouted, stressed and scared. "I need more time! I can't heal Kizu's body in seconds!" Ayuka added, explaining as Kira looked at her.

"Everyone still able to stand! Protect Ayuka! Do NOT let that elephant run loose and come close to her!" Commanded Bruno.

Bruno, Kira, Yumiko, and Trap dashed in front of Ayuka and prepared to act as her defense. "You guys! You can't do that! If you fight and get harmed, then I'll have more people to heal!" Ayuka explained, sweating while trying to focus on healing Kizu. "Don't worry about us! Just focus on Kizu then go help Ralphie!"

Ayuka had no argument and continued healing Kizu's wounds.

They heard a loud snorting sound from Adhita's trunk as it released a loud ear-busting sound that forced others to cover their ears.

"You'll pay!" Adhita screamed. She finally broke through Blythe's blood-binding spell and started stomping the ground with her feet. "Ha... hah! Did you... think Adhita's weak? Y-You were wrong, Sea Noble." Maxim laughed, drawing Blythe's view onto him.

Adhita was enraged and whipped her trunk from behind her head and slammed it into Blythe's arm. "Argh!!" His arm shattered, and his eyes opened wide with shock and pain. He felt a torturous and grievous sensation that spread through his body.

Blythe was slammed against the wall by that swing's weight, speed, and force, and the solid pieces almost wrenched his back.

With his broken arm and weakened body, his blood-binding spell on Maxim dissipated, freeing him from struggling. "How does that feel, Blythe? Have some of your own medicine." Laughed Maxim, holding his chest and breathing heavily.

Blythe's body collapsed on the floor, rendering him helpless while holding his broken arm. "This is not good. If Blythe's blood-binding spell didn't work, how are we supposed to fight an elephant?" Wondered Bruno.

He was in terror.

"Well? Would you rather see that elephant run loose? Or would you rather fight and help us try to stop her?" Yumiko questioned, looking at him with a solemn face.

"That's not what I'm saying. But she's enraged, and there's not much we can do to that sturdy body of hers. It must have gotten even sturdier now that she's in her final form." Bruno explained as Yumiko spun her blades and pointed its tips forward.

"I can handle this. Just look after my back. I'm the only one with blades that can cut steel-hard skin." They were amazed by Yumiko's determination. "You got it, blue! Try not to die out there!" Kira called, tensing her muscles.

Yumiko stepped forward, giving her one final look. "I told you not to call me blue!" Yumiko said and prepared to confront Adhita.

To be continued...