Kozuna
"Kozuna..?" Anari asked, blinking rapidly. "Am I seeing things?"
I smirked and gazed over at Nazun.
"Duh. Y'all miss me?"
Anari's mouth was left gaping by then, and she looked totally out of it.
"How did you find us so fast? Weren't you training still? How did you even hear about what was happening?"
Heh, heh, you should see your face right now… You look like a total loser, Anari...
"If you want me to explain, I can go into detail later… Short answer- let's just say I heard you and Zara talking over the speaker, and she tried to stop me once I was done training. We argued a little, but she let me reactivate my curse… I hopped between rooftops since I can jump high and far- that's how I got here so fast. By now, I've probably only got like eight minutes before the effects of her device wear off… So let's hurry and finish Nazun off... Commander?"
Kaiten shook his head with a smile.
"You're on."
No more words needed to be exchanged with the enemy. Everyone knew the gravity of the situation, and it was my first time using my curse in REAL battle… Not just during awakening or training… The stakes were way higher. If we fell, Nazun would likely tear the clan apart to capture Nikai after nabbing me…
"With the two of us, he won't have time to sneak attack Anari and Shin… Kozuna, I'll take Nazun's head off. All I need you to do is create an opening, got it?"
"Yes, sir!"
Inhaling deeply, I crouched into a running stance, digging my fingers into the silky beige sand… I closed off all other distractions around me and gazed into the eyes of Nazun, my only concern and prime target. He stood there, watching me closely, while also patiently waiting for me to make a move.
I can probably outspeed him… No… I definitely can…
The wind went still momentarily before I forcefully changed its direction with a singular, sudden movement. I practically launched myself at Nazun with how fast I went in his direction; probably the only ones that could follow my actions were him and Kaiten.
My curse seal sent energy surging up my arm and through my veins, making my blood hotter than the daytime desert. A feeling of empowerment came over me as I rushed at Nazun, recklessly avoiding a barrage of what appeared to be energy tornadoes.
They spiraled about sporadically, striking buildings and kicking up a miniature, temporary dust storm, but that wasn't enough to stop my procession. And I knew the Commander couldn't be far behind, waiting for his opening.
In no time at all, I reached Nazun, delivering my first blow of a kick toward his skull.
Nazun's blade zipped up and collided with my foot, absorbing the force of my strike and releasing another tornado- but at point-blank range. I had no means of dodging it at that point. Just as I had gotten in close, I was forced away and nearly sent flying, though I remained relatively uninjured.
But as I came smashing into the sand repeatedly before losing momentum, I noticed a shadow flash past me... I glanced up to see the Commander appear behind Nazun with a deathly look in his eyes, fully prepared to decapitate Nazun.
Blood splattered, but there was no accompanying head…
Nazun blew Kaiten away with all the strength he could muster and grasped his neck- Kaiten had managed to leave a gash behind but couldn't finish the job before being repelled.
Curse energy seeped out of Nazun's hand and closed his wound, but he was clearly still in pain and much more on guard. Even from a distance, I could see him breathing deeply, watching both Kaiten and me as if his life depended on it.
...because it probably did…
And Commander Kaiten knew it, standing nearby with a smirk, swinging his swords at his sides.
"Nazun, you look tired! Running out of energy? For a curse wielder, you're not very intimidating..."
"Running out of energy, are you kidding me? You and everyone who has the pleasure of witnessing my curse can never truly understand how it works… Not all curses are the same you know, for example…."
Nazun raised his arm and sent out a vortex of energy from the palm of his hand, blowing a hole into a building and pulling hiding civilians off their feet and into the open.
Wait... they weren't evacuated? People were still here, hiding? This entire time?
Nazun closed his fist without skipping a beat and forced the vortex to collapse while the people were still stuck inside. His energy, despite not being a physical force, smashed them into splatters of blood. And the moment Nazun did that, the curse energy leaking from his body grew much more robust…
"I can replenish my energy by killing people, particularly by absorbing their souls into my seal…"
Wait a minute...
Kaiten growled, quickly turning to Anari and Shin.
"You two. Canvas the area and find anyone else that may be hiding. Get them out of here."
I took a glimpse back to see Anari and Shin nod in unison without hesitation, rushing off to check the nearby buildings.
"So, Nazun… That screaming sound I always hear from your whirlwinds…"
"Correct. That noise you hear is the sound of the souls forever trapped in my seal… But I haven't even been going all out, to be honest… This has just been a nice test to see what you two are really capable of. So it's clear I can't keep playing games… Remember the entire town of Jigen? That was my doing. All those souls I reaped… I've stored them up and waited… Now's the perfect time to release it all."
So I was right from the beginning… Big shocker. He killed all those people… This monster…
My thoughts almost entirely vanished. I charged in before anyone could say a word and started throwing speed-boosted punches at Nazun, catching him completely off guard during his annoyingly smug monologue.
By then, my anger was getting the better of me, and despite being faster… Nazun was still catching and blocking my punches like they were nothing. The most I could land was a sweep to his ankles, but he still got back to his feet before I could pressure him further.
Another defensive blast of energy sent me sliding back, and that was when Nazun's smirk returned. The smoky-grey energy surrounding him swirled violently, acting as a stationary tornado with its caster safely within the eye. Momentarily, the translucent energy expanded into a vast blob, forming a pair of arms around the upper portions and a head that lacked a neck...
There weren't many defining characteristics, aside from the glowing golden eyes beaming out of what was apparently the head and… the manifestation of a giant energy sword. Nazun's energy creation had grown to at least… six stories tall... And the blade was even larger...
Nazun closed his eyes and chuckled, his fingers twitching behind the safety of his… energy avatar… He took a few steps forward, and the blob followed along, despite not bearing any legs.
"My curse gives me the power to absorb souls and release them in the form of energy, I call my curse… Soul Reaping… And this particular technique, I call… the Soul Colossus… Now then, show me what you two are really made of… Strongest man alive without a curse, Kaiten Ozukashi, and the fledgling curse user, Kozuna Ozukashi… And I think… I'll be the one to start things off..."
Without Nazun's physical form moving even a single muscle, Kaiten and I watched the Soul Colossus raise its arm and swing the blade down with FAR more force than Nazun could ever hope to. And with the only obvious option in mind, Kaiten and I leaped back, watching as the weapon cascaded through the dirt and created a fissure, venting burning-hot energy everywhere…
That much damage..? So this is the real power of curses… And he… can control it without moving at all? As long as he's roaming freely, no one in our clan will be safe… This isn't just about Nikai and me anymore… With every slaughter, Nazun only grows stronger...
Kaiten hastily sheathed his swords and tried firing bullets, but they simply bounced off the Soul Colossus. There was no effect at all, and I was starting to… lose hope a little… And as we landed, relatively safely, and distanced ourselves... Kaiten rested his chin in his hand, his brow furrowing.
"That thing… The Soul Colossus… it looks anchored to Nazun… And if curse energy can repel physical objects… Then any normal means of fighting won't do…"
Then that means our only way to take him down is… my curse...
"Oh, for fuck's sake..."
I took a long labored, deep breath, staring at Nazun with the sudden realization that all the responsibility was about to fall upon my shoulders. Muffled beeping started to register in my ears, causing me to glance down at my wrist. The little alarm I'd set earlier was going off; I officially had four minutes left before my curse seal would deactivate...
I don't have much time, so we need to make our move fast… But how am I supposed to take Nazun down? No… I'll figure something out, stay calm and focus, Kozuna… You can do this...
The wind's direction suddenly shifted, but I was stuck in my thoughts and not paying close enough attention to realize what was going on. Kaiten sprung toward me and tackled me to the ground, leaving me to watch as the energy sword sliced right above us.
That would've cut me right in half!
I breathed in and out slowly, attempting to slow my heartbeat.
"Thanks, Commander… Sorry, I got distracted for a minute…"
Kaiten pulled me to my feet, eyeing down Nazun.
"Listen, Kozuna… I need you to hold out against him for a little while…"
"Huh, why?"
"Because, I need to call Zara… She's the only one who might be able to find a way for us to win… So survive until then… For now, I've gotta flag down Helix and have him pick me up… And if you see Anari and Shin, tell them to get as far away as possible, got it?"
Another energy slice was coming our way. There was no time to argue. I quickly accepted the fact that I was probably about to get myself killed, but all I could think was, "Fuck it. I got this."
The two of us dodged the next attack, and following that, Kaiten dashed off in the direction of Helix's chopper. Nazun had opened his eyes by then, showing me his creepy gaze, paired with an equally disgusting smile…
"Running off, COMMANDER? LEAVING BEHIND YOUR SUBORDINATE?"
"Hey, Nazun!" I stepped into his direct line of sight, clenching my fists. "Your opponent isn't the Commander. It's me."
"You were one of my targets already… Fine, I'll put taking a powerful soul like Kaiten's on hold… for now… So, Kozuna… At the moment, you have my full attention!"
Nazun, as he was finishing his sentence, brought down the blade upon me once again. Only that time, I was fully attentive to the situation. Turning to my right, I dashed up the wall of the building and sprung to the roof, reaching about chest level of the Soul Colossus…
Maybe getting to higher ground will be a better idea… I need to use my surroundings to my advantage...
Nazun simply whipped his sword into the building, slicing it cleanly in half, blurring my vision as my eyelids shot wide open. The rooftop shook and started to crumble beneath my feet. I could only respond by leaping atop another building.
Well, I definitely understand why curses are forbidden...
With one structure collapsing beneath itself, I soon found myself hopping from one place to another, inadvertently causing an extreme amount of collateral damage. But I had no choice… I needed to keep Nazun distracted. Yet, in the background, I noticed Helix and his helicopter hovering down to Kaiten. He'd managed to get their attention.
If I keep Nazun facing me, they can grab Kaiten... But I still have to figure out how I'm gonna defeat him...
For the time, I could only continue to jump between rooftops, with each previous one being brought to ruin by Nazun's wrath.
"Damn it, just give up and let me capture you! Make it easier on both of us!"
Gotta try and land a hit on him or something… He hasn't moved from the road; Nazun's Soul Colossus can still reach me… But running off isn't an option. He'll just go on a rampage… I wonder if I can blindside him, his body is still on the ground...
I turned and gave him a determined smirk.
"Not a chance! Nothing worthwhile comes easy!"
Nazun let out a furious battle cry, pointing the tip of his blade at me. From that precise point, Nazun once more released a vortex that instantly made me lose my footing. I was pulled right off my feet and had no means of stabilizing myself.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.
I flipped myself around in midair while I was being sucked in and saw not only Nazun's satisfied face but also the helicopter picking up the Commander and taking back to the skies. But only then did my watch start beeping again… My hand began tingling, and what felt like an electric shock surged through my body.
"AAAAAAAGGHHHH!" I shrieked, fidgeting from the pain while Nazun continued pulling me.
My curse had decided to take its toll on me the moment it turned pitch black and deactivated...
Damn it… It's already been ten minutes, and I didn't even land one hit! What do I do..?
The only thoughts that came into mind were using my two guns, still holding tight to my hips. But I didn't know how well they would even help…
I fired my grappling hook into a nearby building, and luckily, the hook sunk in. But that was only a VERY temporary save for myself. I knew it would only take Nazun a couple of seconds to destroy the cord. But, to do so, he raised his sword, and the vortex dissipated immediately. Consequently, I found myself pulled toward the hook.
Fortunately, my hook had destroyed the window it sunk into, so I landed inside… But Nazun knew which building I was in… There wasn't much time to plan.
It started to feel like there was a miniature light bulb over my head…
I've always been pretty mobile and evasive, even before I had my curse… Even if it hurts to move right now with all this curse backlash… I can still get around!
"Where are youuuu, Kooozunaaa..?"
The weirdo calling my name outside was a threat… Staying in one place would've only proven fatal, so with a quick breath, I stepped onto the windowsill and leaped toward a nearby power line.
I'll use my weight and create some distance! If I can get to a lower building, maybe I can get back to ground level and find some cover!
I yanked free the garrote wired throughout my glove and held it tight above my head, using it to slide down as if it were a zipline, leading me to land atop of a small flat-roofed house.
Keep trying to catch me, Nazun… I'll outsmart you, even without my curse!
"There you are, Kozuna Ozukashi… Too bad you hid for too long..."
Huh..?
Bearing a sword, the arm of the Soul Colossus sliced backward and cut the helicopter, just as it began to make some distance. My mouth was left gaping as the two halves fell in different directions… I didn't even realize Nazun had noticed them… And there was nothing I could do to stop him...
I felt tears welling up but stopped them almost instantly. I was standing there, all by myself. Helix, Kaiten, Anari, Shin, and everyone else were counting on me. There was no telling who was still alive, and whoever was damn sure wouldn't want me to waste time grieving…
Small flashes of orange energy escaped from my curse seal, the moment my emotions heightened to the maximum amount of rage I'd felt in a while… For the second time, my curse had activated all on its own...
I guess... when I start to lose it... or... when my body goes into fight or flight mode... My curse turns on like a defense mechanism...
Energy coursed through me, along with the pain in my chest... Outraged atop the building, my gaze locked with Nazun's in the sand. He was still grinning, but all that was left tattooed to my face was a mean scowl... One of us was gonna die in that fight, and by then especially, it wasn't gonna be me...
I think I'm running at full capacity now… for a battle to the death...