Chapter 7:

[8:00AM]

Kinzo’s Apartment

Watching the opening ceremony together through the orb, Kinzo and Akari had thoroughly enjoyed the performances from each school within Dalhurst. However it was now time for them to make their move into the spotlight.

“Start Operation: Decent!”(Kinzo declares)

“Yes Sir!”(Akari responded playfully)

The two of them rushed around the apartment; Akari gathered her armour and gear equipping it, Kinzo materialized some new black sneakers and looking over them he gives them some useful enchantments.

{{Enchant: Auto-size, Increased movement speed, waterwalking, auto-lacing.}}(Kinzo recited)

After everything was finalized a small red button appeared on the side of the shoes. When Kinzo pushed said button the shoes flew onto his feet, they resized themselves, and laced up without issue.

“Quite handy...”(Kinzo muttered)

Inspecting his apparel, he nods in a look of approval before extending his hand outwards and casting forth a new portal.

“Gate: Idione”(Kinzo recited)

A similar mirror like portal appeared as usual, this time with it’s background that of a kitchen. A moment after the portal was opened, Idione had stuck her head out in greeting.

“I’ll be there in one moment Milord.”(Idione said before disappearing back into the portal.)

“Okay… Then Akari, are you all ready to go?”(Kinzo)

Nodding in agreement, Akari stood at the ready for her opening act. Although her resolve was unwavering, you could see the pressure she was under as her hands shook. Seeing this Kinzo reached over and pats her on the head.

“I’m sure everything will go just as you planned it.”(Kinzo)

{{Morph}}(Kinzo)

Releasing his hand from her head, Akari transformed into the appearance she had been given once before. A golden halo had adorned her head, her wings had changed in color and length. They again held true black feathers and seemed to have a large importance to her. Curling her wings in and around herself she marveled for a moment before returning to her dutiful posture.

“I will not fail you Kinzo-sama”(Akari)

Idione steps out of the portal, with a large basket on her arm. The smell of freshly made lunch seeped out from under the cloth covering. Noticing this, Akari reaches out for the basket, Only to be slapped away by Idione; who is now glaring.

“This food is for Kinzo-sama, You will not contaminate it!”(Idione said to Akari)

Continuing the staring contest, Idione places the basket onto the dining table and gestures for Akari to leave.

*Shoo* *Shoo*

“Gate: Dalhurst Plaza”(Kinzo recited holding his palm forward.)

“Make sure you’re on que!”(Akari said before leaping into the portal.)

As soon as she had leapt through the portal, she had become visible on Kinzo’s orb. Flying several hundred meters above the plaza, hidden in the glare of the sun resting behind her; Akari watched as the participants of the past performances left the stage and once again found their seats.

[{Akari-san, We are prepared, Begin!}](Kinzo->Akari)

Kinzo flips open a small notepad from within his breast-pocket. Numbered as a list, it outlined the performance that the two of them had worked on in advance. Looking to the first point, he places the notepad down beside the orb, resting both of his hands around it.

“Lights, Camera, ACTION!”(Kinzo cheered)

A cylindrical shaft of light appeared dead center on the stage; reaching up as far as the eye could see. Akari quickly noticed the light, but missed it by a few meters; awkwardly and swiftly she adjusted her position, and started to descend from the sky. As she slowly floated to the ground, bursting balls of light, left trails and images in the sky, both mysterious and beautiful.

[{Here’s your big part! Good luck!}](Kinzo->Akari)

Reaching the stage elegantly one foot after the other, she extended her wings as far as they could reach. The sight was quite mesmerizing, each wing over 3 meters in length; glowing with mana in their feathers. First retracting her wings to that of a normal manageable size on her back, she starts her speech.

“Dear residents of Ielara, I have come today to give introduction to our one and… ugk”(Akari said impressively until cut off)

A square trapdoor drops open underneath Akari, however only one of her legs was standing above it. Quickly falling down on her side above the open hole; she spots a young human girl with green hair who was ill prepared for having opened the door. The young girl had been smacked in the face as the door swung open, and was fairly disoriented. Akari looking down at the girl, still bracing herself in the hole; reaches down and pulls her out. The crowds were silent; still silent from Akari’s entry although this time for a different reason. The divine messenger had been tripped, leaving them in a cold sweat.

“Bwahahaha, Serves you right.”(Idione said looking at the spectacular fall)

Kinzo hovers his hand over his face and takes a few deep breaths. Looking down at his 27 point list he couldn’t help but laugh in defeat.

{{hah, I really shouldn’t get my hopes up. We didn’t last 2 minutes.}}(Kinzo digresses)

Looking back into the orb, the two deities focus on the stage; where the girl who had ruined their plan, was now on her back in a daze. Dulan who was seated mere feet away from her, immediately recognized the girl. Standing up and gaining the attention of the crowds he begins to yell in an accusatory tone.

“How dare you! You have assaulted the messenger of the gods!”(Dulan accuses Ayumi)

The crowd catching wind of his words, begin to alter their expressions as well.

“Yea… Why are you even here!”(crowd member)

“Leave already!”(Another voice)

{{Damn! We need to get rid of that girl… She’s going to ruin everything!}}(Dulan)

Ayumi, who was asleep most of the morning, was awoken by the sound and light piercing through the floor as the messenger of the gods descended above her. Unaware of the happenings outside, she pulled a latch from under the trap door. One spectacular crash later; she is now laying flat on her back in-front of what seemed like thousands of humanoid creatures. Dulan continued his raving, and had lifted his arm into the air; readying his archers on the rooftops.

“What the hell are they doing down there?”(Kinzo asks Idione)

“It would seem, they are preparing to attack. Kinzo-sama”(Idione)

“Is that so…”(Kinzo)

{{Wait a second… This isn’t any time to relax!}}(Kinzo stood up from his chair)

“I’m sorry Idione-san, seems like we will have to have your lunch together another time. Things are about to get a little out of hand.”(Kinzo says)

“Huh, what?”(Idione)

{{Reverse Summoning}}(Kinzo recited)

Lifting his hand out once more, Kinzo faces it towards Idione. In a puff of smoke, she disappears, forced back into her own domain. Not wasting a moment, he stares back into the orb. Flaming arrows had been shot on mass; littering the freshly constructed stage and podium. Although what seemed strange to Kinzo was their lack of accuracy whilst Akari was still present.

“What the fuck do they think they are doing to my angel?”(Kinzo commented with a growing sense of bloodlust)

[{Akari, are you alright?}](Kinzo->Akari)

“I’m fine Kami-sama, Hah. They are surprisingly weak.”(Akari laughed, as she observed her surroundings.)

The arrows bounce right off Akari; Her skin and wings protected by what seemed like a thin barrier. Looking around over her shoulder, she had noticed Dulan, still standing with his finger pointed at the young human girl. It was quite easily understood, that the arrows were his doing; thus Akari walked over to the ill-mannered elder, and grabbed him by the throat. The other elders fled into the crowds as their response, leaving Dulan and Ichki alone.

“What do you think you’re doing Dulan!”(Ichki shouts at Dulan)

“SET OFF THE CHARGES!”(Dulan screamed out to his followers, with hand still wrapped around his neck.)

“What!?”(Akari asked in a concerning tone)

A single flaming arrow flew over the mass of people and landed behind the stage on a paper coated wooden post with several small cords attached. As each cord caught fire in mere seconds, their purpose was obvious. One after another; large explosions encased the plaza, as the main roads were destroyed and the exits closed off. But Dulan seemed to be confused; awaiting the explosion, that he had planted at the center of the stage, It did not come. Ayumi stood up trying to shake off her head injury. Looking around in a panic, Dulan notices the fuse sticking out of the sling over Ayumi’s shoulder.

“The girl! Shoot the girl!”(Dulan yells out)

“Oh no you don’t!”(Akari responded heroically)

Six arrows from adjacent rooftops launch off towards Ayumi. Narrowly escaping the shots with Akari’s wind magic; the arrows managed to pierce into her sling. As Ayumi was pulled back towards Akari; she was shielded from above by her expansive wings. Although it was a quick reaction by Akari; the damage had already been done. The fire spread inside the sling and an audible hissing became apparent. Akari noticing the sound before the girl, quickly removed her grip from Dulan, Which allowed him to quickly fly off into the distance without a second thought. Grasping the little girl, and trying to forcefully remove the sling, she was too late.

*Pop*

The charge had gone off, with no damage caused to Akari; although unfortunately, it was still wrapped around the arm of the poor green haired girl. She had not died, but her right arm, from fingers to elbow had been blown clean off. Burn marks continued down her body and up her face. For a moment she did not understand what happened. Still in shock and dazed from the head injury, she finally got her first good look at the halo wearing, black winged angel.

“You… know *cough* *cough* Kami-sama? I have to… save...”(Ayumi said before losing consciousness.)

Having noticed the bleeding right away, Akari began to cast the only level of healing magic she knew. Even if it was enough to stop the bleeding from her arm, it was clearly not enough to save the girl. Overwhelmed and frightened for the human, Akari looked up to the heavens.

“Kami-sama! Please! Help her!”(Akari screamed out to the sky.)

Kinzo who was watching the entire scene unravel from above had seen enough. Without changing his form at all; he closes his eyes and presses two fingers from his right hand against his forehead. Hearing her voice inside his head, he tracked down her energy signature before opening his eyes once more.

{{Instant Transmission}}(Kinzo)

Immediately appearing behind Akari who was hunched over the injured girl; Kinzo evaluated his new surroundings. The crowds that were once cursing the young girl, were now several hundred meters away from the stage; most of which gathered into dead end streets that had been closed off. The group of archers that Dulan had hired stood motionless, unwavered by his human appearance.

“Akari move.”(Kinzo said pushing her aside.)

“Kami-sama?”(Akari looks over to see Kinzo’s face, which was the most serious she had ever seen.)

Akari quickly flew a fair distance away, leaving the young girl to Kinzo. The crowds caught sight of Kinzo and had drawn closer once more. The quiet voices of the crowd murmured to each other at the sight of the black haired human; some even taking it as far as bowing in worship. Un-noticed by Kinzo, who was anxiously focusing his healing abilities, trying to reform an entire limb.

“Greater Restoration”(Kinzo said holding his hands over Ayumi)

Light swirled around the missing limb, and in no more than a few seconds; the entire arm had been healed and the green haired girl was giving off an orange glow. Inspecting the rest of his patient, burn marks still expanded past her arm and across her torso.

*Tsk*

“Still not enough huh?”(Kinzo muttered to himself)

“Healing Aura”(Kinzo recited to himself)

Sitting the girl up off the ground, he wraps his arms around her; As he does, the wounds begin to heal over with newly grown skin. It was considerably slower at healing, but her face which was initially pale, grew more red and healthy. With her major injuries just about gone, Ayumi opened her eyes to the partially glowing deity, Kinzo-sama; holding her close to his chest.

“Annnoo.. Kami-sama...?”(Ayumi looked up at Kinzo)

Giving a kind smile in return to her question, Kinzo was finally relieved that her life was no longer in danger. A few small burns, but something he could easily fix if he just stayed put for a moment.

*Phew* Kinzo wipes the back of his hand on his forehead.

“I really thought I was going to lose you there.”(Kinzo said to the green haired girl)

Staring around the plaza, Most of the participants had already bowed over in worship, with the exception of the resistance members who stood, shaking in a cold sweat. Worried that their escape would draw attention; they eye’d each other waiting for the moment that someone else would screw up and flee.

“Kami-sama! I need your help!”(Ayumi said sternly to Kinzo)

“Haha, my help? I thought I just saved you.”(Kinzo replied in a friendly tone)

With all of Ayumi’s injuries now nearly healed over; the strange orange glow from before seemed to increase intensity with incredible speed.

“No not me! My fam... ”(Ayumi cut short.)

*Bwoom*

Kinzo who was holding the little green haired girl, found himself in a crater; 10 meters in diameter, and about 4 meters deep. The bottom of the hemisphere lined in fresh red blood, Kinzo was kneeling in a pool of several inches. The crowd was blown back several meters; many of which were injured.

{{... What…?}}(Kinzo)

He was untouched, perhaps the explosion was too fast for him to process, but he looked down at his hands, then the ground. Bits and chunks were spread across the concave surface, an ear, fingers, and a whole slave collar floated around in the mixture unaffected. Akari, who had been far enough from the blast, could only stare thoughtlessly at the horror.

“... Where’d she go? She needed my help right…?”(Kinzo)

“Hey… This isn’t funny now… Where’d you go?”(Kinzo asks his voice starting to crack)

“Kinzo-sama...”(Akari)

Looking down at the horror show, Kinzo shook back and forth. He had never witnessed anything as horrifying as what had just happened. Scooping up some blood into his hands and staring at it intently; he began to cry.

“ry..I’m so sorry.”(Kinzo’s face now pained and erratic.)

The archers who were eagerly awaiting their escape, had a sudden change of heart seeing the bawling human. Pitiful, dirtied and distracted, they agreed that it would be an easy target for their trained warriors to take out. In unison, the team of 6 aimed and fired their arrows; lodging themselves into Kinzo.

*cough* *cough*

“... Whats... t..is? Fu..k...”(Kinzo looks down, touching the heads of several arrows sticking out from his chest.)

“KAMI-SAMA!!”(Akari yells and flew to his side)

Akari attempts to hold him up without increasing his injuries but can hardly support his ragdoll like posture. Leaning forward, further and further, Kinzo found himself in a situation he thought familiar. His face and hair wet with warm blood, burning sensations from within his chest, and finally; his since forgotten hatred boiling over.

{{Divine Transformation}}(Kinzo)

Chapter END