24. Prepare To Fight

"Seiji!" Yongliang cried, running over to help Seiji up after the shock of seeing Shaoqing defeat the demon. Everyone knew they could never mess with Shaoqing.

"W-why are you guys here?!" Seiji asked, turning to look at them and spotting Sora at the back of the group.

"The courtyard was flooding with demons. Sora said it was safe in here," Yongliang said, glancing back at Sora. "We came in so we could group together and come up with a plan. We didn't know you were fighting one. We had to get the kids to safety."

"What the fuck, Sora?!!" Seiji exploded, completely losing his composure. He got up and turned on the boy, stepping towards him.

"You can kill him later," Everett said from doorway, turning to look at Seiji. "But I need your help. You, Shaoqing, Jay and I are the only ones who can do talismans and we need to protect this room until we can come up with a game plan."

Seiji closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down before nodding his head and making his way over to them. The four of them took out talismans, pasting them all over the room and watching as they lit up red, activating a safety cage. Everett looked over at Seiji, nodding his head.

"This will keep them out, but we can leave the cage as well. However, the only ones that can get back in are the casters," Seiji said, looking around at the group. "So do not leave this safe room unless we say otherwise. The cage should keep up for the rest of the night. However, I only have enough talismans to fight. I will not be able to use any others."

"How did they know you were here?" Yongliang asked, looking at Seiji. "Don't you have the pendants my mother gave you?"

Seiji nodded his head, glancing over at Sora who was also wearing his. He sighed, not sure what to say. He didn't know what was going on. He wasn't expecting for everyone to be put in danger like this. Half the boys here weren't ready for a fight like this.

"They aren't here for you," Everett said with a sigh. "They're here cause I broke the curse. I think they're after Shi Ai."

"I won't let them take him," Seiji said, causing Yongliang to nod his head in agreement. Seiji looked around, trying to come up with a plan. "Shaoqing, what's your strong suit?"

"Huh?" Shaoqing asked, looking up at him. "Didn't you just see what I did?"

"Yeah, but what are you best at?" Seiji said, sounding slightly uneasy. Everyone was still pretty in shock after watching Shaoqing.

"I'm good at everything," Shaoqing told him.

"Of course you are," Seiji said with a soft laugh, looking at Xiaosi. "I need you to stay here with your brothers and the ones who can't fight, is that okay?"

"But I want to help," Xiaosi said with a pout. Seiji's heart skipped in his chest at his words.

"I need you safe," Seiji told him. "And you're injured. Please, stay here."

Xiaosi slowly nodded his head, sighing and looking around at his brothers in slight annoyance. He hated to seem weak in front of everyone. Seiji just gave him a small smile before turning to look at Sora. He just gave him a cold glare before looking around at the others in the room. He stopped and looked at Gavin and Leon.

"What are you two best at?" he asked them.

"I'm best at the sword," Gavin said, before pointing at Leon. "He can shape spiritual energy and use it as a weapon."

Seiji nodded his head a couple times and looked at Xiumin, he hesitated before shaking his head. He knew he was the youngest in his clan and he didn't want to put him in danger either. He then glanced at Yanjun.

"What can you do?" he asked him, causing Yanjun to cough in embarrassment.

"He's still learning," Everett said, causing Seiji to nod his head.

"You stay here and protect the kids then," he said, glancing at Dongwu. "You too."

"I can help," Dongwu stated. "Tell him, Jay! I can help!"

"He can talk to animals," Jay said, glancing around. "But I don't know how much help that is when fighting demons. I'm sorry, Dongwu. But I think you should stay here and help protect the kids."

"So Xiaosi, Dongwu and Yanjun will stay here with the twins, Shi Ai, Shihong and Xiumin," Seiji said, before glancing at the remaining boys. "Everett and Yongliang, I want you two to stay together. Shaoqing, come with me and Gavin and Jay will take Leon. Please stick to your partners and protect them. I don't want anyone getting hurt."

"What about me?" Sora spoke up, causing Seiji to turn on him. Seiji crossed his arms, looking him up and down.

"I'm not sure how much I trust you right now, Sora," Seiji said, honestly. "Hurting Shihong, bringing the whole group into danger. You know, right now I really don't care what you do. But I do not want you in this room."

"Ge–" Sora said, causing Seiji to shake his head and turn to look at the group again. "Ge, I only punched him cause he snuck up on me! I didn't mean to break his nose!" This caused Everett and Yongliang to both scoff at his words, which made Seiji narrow his eyes. "I brought everyone here cause I knew you could handle this demon! Everyone's safest around you."

"Stick by my side," Seiji said before waving his hand to guide the group out. Sora stumbled after his brother as they all left the room, effectively leaving the barrier. "Please, if anything happens, find me. Remember, you can't get back into this room so please be safe. Let's stick together for now until it's necessary that we split. Keep your guard up. Don't let these demons get to us."

They all walked together, finding the church oddly empty. Seiji closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. He was actually terrified, but he didn't want to say it. He wanted to be strong for these boys. He never thought he'd be fighting demons so soon.

They kept walking, but Seiji noticed Everett hanging back. He was about to say something when Sora suddenly pounced on the younger boy. His eyes widened as Sora pinned Everett to the ground, holding his hands to the ground and not letting him go. Everett let out a started cry as Sora leaned in to whisper into his ear.

"You're going to get punished for keeping me in that room with that demon," he said with a twisted smile.

"Get off!" Everett cried as everyone stepped up to get Sora off, but Sora had strange superhuman strength and ended up pushing everyone away as he leaned in to bite down on Everett's neck.

"Shen Xiejie!" Seiji bellowed out, stepping up just as Yongliang tore Sora off and threw him to the side. He landed a punch on Sora's nose while Gavin and Leon rushed over to help Everett up. Yongliang was actually in shock with how difficult it was taking Sora off of him. He barely even managed to.

"I told you to leave him the fuck alone!" Yongliang shouted, his face red with anger. He pulled out his sword, pointing it at his neck. Seiji's heart skipped a beat at the sight, running over to stop him.

"Don't," Seiji said, softly. "Yongliang, I'll handle this. Please, continue on with the rest. Shaoqing, Gavin, go on ahead. I'll meet up with you."

"Shixiong," Yongliang said, looking at Seiji, causing Seiji to shake his head softly.

"Shidi, please," Seiji said softly. "I'll handle my brother. Protect Everett, okay?"

Yongliang looked at him for a while before nodding his head and moving back over to Everett's side. Seiji watched as the group went outside before he turned to Sora, kicking him harshly in the shin. He took out a talisman and put it on Sora's chest, locking him in place.

"I'll deal with you later," Seiji said with a glare, before turning and making his way outside after the others.