"Huff, huff!"
I can't keep running anymore. I'm seriously at my limit.
Looking around I had reached a path with countless trees to my left and right. All of them lined up to form a big straight.
I guess I'm really finished now. There's no way to go except forward, and the only reason why I've survived for so long thus far is because of my constant changes in direction.
"Why did this happen to me." Frustrated at the entire situation he began stomping his feet on the ground and ranting profusely.
"I haven't even repaid my sister's kindness. Also, my name isn't even Shinano Yukihime or whatever!"
"That's a girl's name, stupid!"
"My name's Oanh! Oanh Camellya!"
"Seriously.. Where are all the inhibitors in the area!? We're in the epicentre of Stabilizers after all!" In the length of time it took him to finish his small rant, footsteps kept inching closer until eventually..
"Ah. I guess you're here now." Turning around he saw him. The mysterious man was now in front of his very eyes again.
Out of options now the only choice was to stall as long as possible, making enough noise, Oanh thought it might be enough to alert nearby Stabilizers.
"Hey, you crackhead with the scythe. What's your name?" He didn't respond at first. Instead he just stopped walking. It was the first time since the bridge they faced each other head on.
"Does anything even matter anymore?" As he uttered a cohesive sentence his stance lowered. Furthermore the scythe was positioned behind his back preparing for a rapid frontal assault.
"No particular reason. I just want to know so the heavens can curse you." Oanh's aggravating response worked as it did make him visibly smile.
"Reo." Was the answer. His sinister expression was adding onto his already really creepy aura.
The atmosphere turned deathly quiet. You could hear the individual leaves fall onto the pavement, the breezy wind, your beating heart.. but also heat?
"Heat?"
Both fixed their gazes up and saw dozens of marbles embedded with a rich fire red colour at their centre. Several flew by while others descended rapidly.
When they all eventually made their way onto the ground, it felt like time had crawled to a stop. A unique shape had formed around the both pairs, resembling a sun.
"Expand. Great continental blaze."
"Ignis Murus."
"Huh? What's happeni-" The marbles lit up with a fierce light before exploding upwards and connecting with each other forming a massive fire wall.
"What the hell!" I exclaimed loudly while having an arm in front of half my face. The flames were blinding, yet also somewhat mesmerising.
I can't see in front of me. Although it seems I've somehow been separated from the sicko. This is probably my best chance to make an escape.
Just as I was turning around I caught a glimpse of a massive flaming arrow heading straight past, almost grazing me on the process.
"AH!" Completely startled, I lost all remaining balance, falling down to the ground.
"Ouch.." I fell down by the sheer force of it passing me. What's even going on anymore.. It entered the wall and disappeared insanely fast. Did it hit that guy!? No I can't think of stuff like that right now, I need to escape!
"Get up child. It is going to get pretty hot here in a moment." A hand reached out to me.
As I looked up I saw a figure around a head taller than me with long white hair. Her face was pale like snow and the bangs were spiky while some were slightly flat. She even had half a metal headband, shaped like petals and holes.
Furthermore, the woman's eyes were flaming orange and her dress reminded me of a traditional Japanese Kimono. With her helping hand I managed to lift myself up and recompose.
"I suggest you take several steps back. My subordinates are going to arrive soon." Her confidence felt formidable.
"I'm going to defeat him." She said while smiling at me. Her honesty kind of made me believe in her, although I still had no idea who she was at all.
I nodded at her before turning around and walking. Just as I was far enough away I looked back seeing her entering what I presumed was her own flames. And when I did her demeanour had completely changed. It was one of pure focus, commitment and will to win. Her monolid eyes burned with hatred.
On the other side..
"Guh!" Reo was coughing up a lot of blood. Although he did manage to parry the flaming arrow. It wasn't enough to stop the release of energy at impact.
With the walls made of pyro contorting around him, the same woman now appeared before his very eyes.
He didn't recognize her appearance at first, but at last. Her aura told him exactly who he was about to face.
"You don't look the same as before right now.." She was, after all, one of three to have survived the era of calamity. The god of Sun.
"Amaterasu..!"
"Found you. Reo."