NightTime Roads

My vacation went well, and I was very relaxed.... but now that I'm back, it's time to write again! On with the next chapter, as we begin to head toward the Endgame! .... Well, you know what I mean anyway.


Chapter 17


Evia quickly pushed Ayisa out of the way as Idora approached, launching another arrow. Idora blocked and struck, forcing Evia to move quickly to dodge. Idora brought his sword upward, as Evia moved back, the tip of Antros' stolen blade barely missing her face. Idora gave a quick spin, letting the sword fly out, which Evia was able to block with the small metal part in the center of her bow.

The two pushed together with all thier strength, each hoping the other would give in and open themselves to attack. When it seemed neither one could win this up-close combat, they broke away, moving back to give themselves distance, and a chance to look for a opening, a weakness in thier battle. Idora knew fighting up close was his best option, for Evia could not aim up close with her arrows. Evia had to stay distant for her bow to work, and also to be able to see Idora's attacks, figuring out how to best stop them.

Evia reached back and pulled two arrows out, aiming carefully. She let them both fly, thier aim true, straight for Idora's arms. Seeing his opening, Idora shifted to avoid the arrows and moved in close for a strike. Evia reached back with her bow and let it strike hard as Idora raised his blade to attack. Thier was a surprising large amount of force behind the strike the bow dealt, and while it failed to harm Idora, it pushed him back far, his feet sliding against the ground as dust piled up around him. Quicking seeing this new opening, Evia reached for a single arrow this time and concentrated. The metal tip began to glow slightly before it fired, moving faster then a normal arrow would, as it cut through the air.

Ayisa watched, transfixed at the sight, while Idora blocked the arrow with the stolen sword. She felt as if she couldn't move, but she also didn't just want to sit here and do nothing while these two battled over thier lives for her. Still, it was hard to think of something to do. She knew she didn't have a chance without a weapon, and even with one, she didn't know anything about fighting to actually make a difference.

Idora breathed heavily as he gazed to Evia. "Your not bad, for a weakling." Idora prepared his stance, holding the sword over his head. "But you'll never defeat me. You'll run out of arrows sooner or later, and when you do, there is no choice but to surrender."

Evia practically froze at this. She knew he was right, she only had a little over a dozen arrows left, and if Idora would continue to block and dodge them it was a real waste. Sure she could defend with her bow, but it would only get her so far.

"Ayisa, you have to get out of here. Head southeast till you hit the main road and follow it. Wait for Antros."

"No, Evia I can't leave you here!"

"Prepare to die!" Idora ran up toward Evia, who was distracted from talking to Ayisa. She turned quickly, but not before Ayisa threw herself in front of her to defend them.

"Stop! Please, I'll go with you, but stop!" Idora stopped at this, but did not lower his blade. "Please, don't hurt Evia just take me and leave..."

"Ayisa no! You can't go with him, who knows what he'll do with you!" Evia shouted, intending on pushing her out of the way. But Ayisa stood firm, not willing to change her mind. "Ayisa, you can't what about Antros?"

"Antros will save me, I believe in him."

Idora smirked and walked to Evia, his sword held loosely. "A wise decision on the whole. You know you can't win, so fighting would be pointless. I guess you really do care that much for your people, Princess. Willing to give your own life and safety... how noble."

"Antros taught me, that to stand up for what you believe in... I believe in what I do."

"Hpmh. You will regret ever having met my foolish brother." Idora reached out, when suddenly, as if from nowhere, a spear struck into the ground, inches away from Idora's foot. Idora backed away in shock and surprise, while Ayisa stared at the spear. She had seen it before, so many times wielded by...

It happened a few seconds later, a man in gold armor with the Gaia Kingdom royal crest on it and a blue cape came crashing through, ramming his full weight on Idora, knocking him far and onto the ground. He reached for the spear and pulled it out easily. Standing before Ayisa, but still facing Idora, he spoke "Stay away from our Princess, if you know what's good for you."

"Rekia!" Ayisa said surprised. She hardly dared to believe it, but Rekia was indeed the one standing before them, ready to fight. "Is that really you?"

"Princess, I hope you are alright, and forgive my lateness," Rekia said, before turning again to Idora, who was getting up off the ground. "Listen, your coming with me, whether or not you like it! You stand guilty of threatening our beloved Princess and-"

"If you think I will just come quietly," Idora began, holding his side "you're wrong. Remember this, you only caught me by surprise, but next time we meet, I will crush you." Taking something shaped like a ball from his pocket he threw it to the ground near them. A bright flash burst forth, as if light was trapped inside the sphere, forcing everyone to shield thier eyes. When things settled down, Idora vanished.

"Damn... got away." Rekia said, before inspecting the area. "Flash bomb..." He barely registered the fact Evia and Ayisa were watching him. Finally, he turned to face them both. "I assume your alright."

"We're fine." Evia said, shaking slightly. She didn't know why she was like this all of a sudden, considering he just saved them. "Thanks, Rekia."

Rekia nodded and looked back to where Idora stood. "I see, I have been mistaken. That man looked just like him, but from where I stood, even I was able to spot the difference in the techniques." Ayisa looked ot him dumbstruck but then realization dawned to her.

"Then... you don't think that was..."

"No, not anymore anyway. I see now, that was not Antros. But who was he?"

"Antros' brother," Evia began, "who wanted to take revenge on Antros by discrediting him and hoping you would hunt him down."

"I see, so Antros did not lie then. And I suppose until now, his plans were working. Princess, we must-"

But suddenly, Ayisa interrupted. "We are not going back! Not yet, not until we meet with Antros again! I refuse to go back to the kingdom without him."

Rekia and Evia looked momentarily stunned at this outburst. "Actually, I was going to say we must find Antros and get to the bottom of this, but I guess that would have been a waste." Ayisa looked surprised and blushed slightly, looking away. "Do you have any idea where he is or where he's going?"

"Yes, we are on the way to meet him." Evia explained. "We might as well tell you everything we learned too. Keep you up-to-date on this."

"Please do so." Rekia said, as Evia led the way onward, hiding from everyone the blush that appeared on her face.