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Main Site Navigation Home Fan Art Gallery Game Reviews About RPGenesis Link Title here Contact Us ForumHiroshi's World Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter TwelveGaming Platforms Playstation Portable Nintendo DS Playstation 2 Xbox GamecubeCredits Site ©ms_nintendoLayout © Oritsuru |
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Hiroshi's World! Chapter Twelve: Demon of the Desert Sakura, Orochi, Rikku, Kajin, and Shinji had just left the hot spring spa, on the way to the supposed location of the Guardian of Earth, at the southern-most point of the continent. It turned out it would take around just over a week to do so, since the climate was more unfavourable the further south they went. Suddenly, a bird came swooping in their direction. However... it was not just any bird. It was a hawk. And there was something strapped to its leg... Sakura: AHHH!!! It's coming at us!!! Rikku: I... know that bird... It came and perched itself on Rikku's shoulder. It pointed it's leg at Sakura. Attached to its leg was a rolled up piece of parchment. Sakura: Is this... for me? Bird: SQWUACCK!!! Sakura: I'll take that as a yes... She untied the piece of paper and began reading it. As soon as she looked at the writing you could see the excitement lighting up her eyes. Sakura: It's from Kenji! It's a reply from the letter I sent him! Kajin: Kenji? Who's he? You're boyfr-- GLOMP!! Orochi: Don't speak of such nonsense. Kenji is Sakura's teacher. Rikku: What do you mean nonsense?!? I'm telling you, THEY HAVE CHEMISTRY!!! Who cares if he's her teacher? Orochi: He's also your brother, is he not? Rikku: Yeah. So... what's your point? Orochi: Uh... Kajin: Ehh, he's just jeal-- GLOMP!! Orochi: As if I'D be jealous of some stupid mortal. Who cares? He's probably just another weakling like all of you. Rikku: He is SOO not!! You haven't seen my brother-- he's AMAZING. He'd kick your-- Sakura: SHUT UP!! I'm TRYING to READ THIS!!! Dear Sakura, Thanks for sending that letter. I and the rest of the village are relieved to know that you and Rikku are okay. Please give my thanks to the ones who are accompanying you on this journey, for protecting the two of you. When you return to the village, please remember to bring them along. I'd like to meet them and thank them myself in person. The villagers are very proud of you, Sakura. Congrats on obtaining the powers of Pyros and Zephyr! It must be cool to be a summoner! I can't wait to see your new powers! And Rikku, I'm really glad you're safe too. Please remember to watch over Sakura. I'll be waiting for both of you when you decide to return, you and your new friends. Kenji. The group began to walk further down the road, hoping to find some clues, some food, or hey maybe even a guardian spirit! Shinji: He sounds like a nice person. Rikku: He is. He's the nicest person you'll ever meet! That's why he and Sakura are perfect for each other! I'm telling you, they-- An uneven piece of terrain caused Rikku to stumble in her walking. Suddenly, the ground underneath her feet started to sink, and she fell along with it. Rikku: AHHH!!! It was a pretty deep pit. She was grabbing the edge with the last of her firm grip. Her hand slipped and she began to fall. Kajin: Rikku! He ducked down and stretched his hand to catch hers as she fell, but missed by a good second. She fell right to the bottom of the pit. Orochi: Smooth move, Romeo. Kajin: Hey! You sound like I let her fall on purpose! Shinji: Kajin, I thought you were fast..? Sakura: Rikku! Are you alright? She could only hear faint moaning from the bottom. Her voice echoed as if the pit were a cave. It was at least 20 feet deep, she concluded. Shinji: We should probably help her... Sakura climbed on Orochi's back and Shinji climbed on Kajin's back. Kajin and Orochi jumped down to the bottom, and Sakura immediately got off to search for Rikku. The bottom of the pit was very dark. Sakura: Rikku!!! Rikku!! Where are you??? Rikku: Uggh... Sa...kura.... She landed on her back when she fell, and at a forceful impact as well. Rikku could barely get up. She managed to lift herself into a sitting position at the very least. Sakura rushed to her friend. Rikku: Uggh... my back... I'm sorry guys, I'm such a klutz... Orochi: Hey, look at this! There was a deeper, darker tunnel connected to the pit. It seemed to go on forever. Sakura: Should I light it up with Pyros? Shinji: Wait! I'll handle this. He drew an arrow from the quiver on his back and set it in his bow. He concentrated on the arrow very carefully, and sweat began to drip down his face. Orochi: What the HELL are you doing? Shinji: Heh, just watch me! He pulled back the arrow further, and it began to glow with a purplish aura. Sakura: It's... mana energy! Shinji let go of the arrow. About fifteen feet as it flew through the tunnel, the arrow set itself on fire. Rikku: Holy crap! Orochi: He used mana to create fire... amazing... Shinji: My mana arrows are faster than normal arrows. They can go five times as fast, and five times as far. Now, let's follow that arrow! They ran after the burning arrow, hoping it would lead them to something special at the end. Rikku: Uggh... hold up! I can't run that fast!! She tripped and fell flat on her face. Everyone else continued to run ahead. However, she felt something pull at her arm. When she looked up, she saw Kajin. Kajin: Need some help? Rikku: Sure... thanks, Kajin. She climbed up on his back, and he used the Speed of Fates to chase after the others. It wasn't to difficult to catch up, since they stopped running. Sakura: The arrow hit a wall! This must be the end of the tunnel... Orochi knocked on the wall. He could hear the striking of his fist echoing. Orochi: This tunnel... isn't over yet. Sakura! Summon Pyros! Sakura: You got it! *raising up staff* Pyros, Lion of the Flame... Lend me thy power! Pyros emerged from the necklace, and breathed an inferno at the wall. Sakura didn't even have to command him, because they already shared the same mind. She was establishing a deeper connection with the Guardian Spirits with each passing day, despite their violent first encounters with each other. When it felt it had breathed enough fire, Pyros vanished back into the ruby in Sakura's necklace. Orochi drew the Raitora from its sheathe, and stepped back from the wall, then ran at it, preparing for a powerful swing. Orochi: HAAAAA!!!!! As expected, the wall ahead crumbled as Orochi's sword pierced through it. He continued to run through, unable to stop after his massive acceleration. The group followed after him. Sakura: Hey!! Wait up! Shinji: What's up with him? Kajin: Uggh... slow down! I have an ogre on my back! Rikku: HEY!! What's THAT supposed to mean?!?! Kajin: Exactly what it sounded like! Couldn't you weigh just a little bit less? Rikku: So, you want me to STARVE myself, like all those women you ogle at? Kajin: Well, it would help me run faster!! Sakura: STOP ARGUING!!! Their running suddenly came to a stop when they realized the tunnel had come to an end. The daylight seemed blinding, after being in that endless abyss for so long. Shinji looked up. Shinji: Whoa! Look up there! The pit we fell into was at the top of that hill! Almost out of the blue, a female hiker came walking by, her weight supported by a thick wooden stick. Her long black hair reached her waist. She appeared to be very badly injured. Her stick slipped out of her hand when she went over uneven gravel and she fell forwards. Before she hit the ground, Kajin cought her in his arms, in a black blur. Rikku fell face flat in the dirt, since Kajin wasn't carrying her anymore. She lifted her head out of the ground, utterly furious. Rikku: HEY!! WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA, YOU JERK?!?! YOU-- Kajin carried the woman on his back, walking back over to the others. Rikku: you... you... Shinji: *sarcasm* speechless? Sakura: Nope, she's just jealous. Rikku:WHAT?! AS IF!!! Woman: I'm sorry for the trouble, but could you take me to the village of Tsuchirou? I have a package that I must deliver there... to my sister... She held up a beautiful silver chain, and hanging from it was a silver amulet, embedded with a diamond. It was stunning to behold. Woman: My sister... it's going to be her birthday next week, and I have to deliver this to her in time, or else... well you wouldn't want to see my sister when she's angry. I would have easily been able to make it on my own, but I encountered a terrible demon on the way, and it nearly killed me! I managed to flee from the beast, however. Please, I'm begging you to take me there! Kajin: No sweat, ma'am! So... choose your noble steed: me, or Orochi over there? Woman: Oh... I shall pick you. I am already on your back, after all. Rikku: Oh, great. Now who's gonna carry ME? I can't exactly walk, you know! Shinji: Orochi will, duh. Orochi: Hop on. She climbed on Orochi's back, and they all followed Kajin's lead. The village of Tsuchiro was pretty far to the south, so it would be a good place to rest before the showdown with the third guardian. However, it would be a week before their walk finished, at the very least. Shinji: Uh... Rikku, is something wrong? You look... sad... Rikku: Huh? I'm fine! Why would I look sad? Orochi: Probably because she has to ride on a demon's back. Sakura: Hey... why's Kajin so far ahead?? Rikku: Why else? That pervert... Kajin stopped walking. A strange wind blew overhead, and kept changing direction. The clouds in the sky began to darken and multiply. Why didn't the weatherman mention this..? Orochi: This is a demon wind! Everyone, be careful, and don't drop your guard! Woman: This wind... it's the same wind from the demon I encountered earlier! A massive shadow was cast from behind them. When they looked in the other direction, a beast stood before them. It was so grotesque, it could not be identified with just a single word. (well, except maybe ugly). It had thick, black fur that covered its entire body. It had a figure that resembled a black panther, except it stood on its back legs. Each claw on it's front limbs were the size of a small child. Instead of ears, it had long, curving black horns that pointed towards its foe. It had three heads, one of an orange and black tiger, one of a black wolf, and one of a lion, along with three corresponding tails. To top it all off, there were two giant bat wings coming out of its back as well. This was no pushover. Sakura: It's... big... Shinji: What IS that?! Rikku: Some ugly panther-fox thing!! Kajin: That... would be a chimera. Sakura: A what? Orochi: Correct. A chimera it would seem... a beast made up of two or more other creatures, combined in a single body. I see they never fail in being so grotesque-looking... The chimera lunged at the group without hesitation. It lifted a leg from the ground and attempted to squash Kajin, since he appeared to be the most confident-looking in the crowd. Predicting the enemy's movement, Kajin jumped out of the way, leaving the chimera's foot stuck in the ground with the force it used for a single stomp. Woman: Marvelous! You truly are swift, young man! Kajin: Well, of course! Not like that big tub o' lard could bring ME down! The beast was angered by Kajin's cocky remark. It was about to drive its massive fist right at him, when eight arrows pierced the arm he was using. Three of them were ignited with fire. Five of them were normal arrows. Sakura: Wow, Rikku! You usually fire three... I didn't know your bow could shoot five at a time! Rikku: Neither did I... Orochi: Rikku, I need to fight on the frontlines. You'll have to stay back here, I'm afraid. Sakura: I'll stay with you and Shinji, Rikku. You can still fire arrows while you're sitting down, right? Rikku: Yeah, of course! C'mon, Shinji! Let's show that chimera who's boss! Shinji: Right on! Wait till you see this! Shinji loaded three new arrows in his quiver. He concentrated hard on the arrowheads again, and fired. This time, instead of catching fire, the arrowheads became frozen solid! They left a trail of icy mist in the air. It truly was pretty. Sakura: Wow... he can use his mana to make ice, too? Rikku: Alright, now it's my turn! She fired another 5 arrows at the chimera, each at a different angle, but in the same shot. It was a secret Kozuka technique called the "Kozuka Archer Pin". One hit the chimera in each leg and arm, and the fifth hit it in the heart. The chimera's arms and legs begame limp with pain, but there was so much fur on its chest that the arrow didn't even pierce it fully. The heart did not get touched. Sakura: Damn... I guess that one only really works on humans. Shinji: But the aiming was amazing! The chimera was moving and you still hit each target perfectly! Meanwhile, Orochi was lending a hand to Kajin, who was vulnerable with the female hiker on his back. He used the Speed of Fates once more to rush over to where Sakura, Rikku, and Shinji were standing. He let the woman sit there, and then ran back into the fray of battle. Sakura: I'll go give them a hand... She raised her staff, and both the ruby and emerald on her necklace began to glow. Sakura: Pyros, Lion of the Flame... Zephyr, Wings of Wind... lend me thine power! They emerged from their respective jewels, and rushed into battle to aid their comrades. Pyros bellowed a raging fire from inside his lungs, while Zephyr flew high into the sky, blowing overwhelming gusts at te chimera. Occasionaly it would swoop down and peck at one of the heads. Orochi: Hey, Kajin! I'm gonna give this guy a big swing! He's coming your way, so get ready! He slashed at the armoured fur of the chimera beast. It was not pierced, but Orochi's forceful demon strength caused the beast to go flying, despite it's large form. Sakura: Way to go, Orochi! You rock! Orochi: *blushing* HEY!! I'M BUSY!! SHUT UP!! Sakura: geez, can't you even manage a "thank you"? The chimera soared in Kajin's direction. He ran at it before it could recoil. He slashed it with his dagger. Kajin: KI!! He used his sword to slash it vertically, sending it up even higher. Kajin: RO!! He jumped after the beast, slashing it with the blades of his two weapons, rather than the hilts. He was really serious this time. Kajin: SHI!! NE!!! The beast was about to plummet to the ground, but it spread its large bat wings before it could feel the impact of the earth. It flew up into the air, and gained the upper hand once again. Kajin, shocked, forgot to land on his feet. He fell flat on his face, too injured from the fall, and too exhausted from the Kiroshine technique to protect himself any longer. Kajin: Crap... I... messed up... Woman: He's going to be killed! Rikku: Not if I can help it! The chimera came swooping down at its prey, eager to tear it to bits. Kajin bowed his head in defeat. The chimera was feet away from him, when all of a sudden, seven arrows came flying through the air, each slicing through the chimera's paw. It was remarkable. Each arrow successfully pierced AND went through the chimera's body. Kajin, baffled, looked back in the direction of the others. It was Rikku who fired them. But what really amazed him was that she was standing up! Rikku: Heh... bullseye. The beast fell backwards, and disintigrated into dust. Perhaps its hand was its weakpoint, and Rikku nailed it on a whim. Sakura: Rikku! That was amazing!! Orochi: I never knew how strong regular arrows could get... Shinji: You fired seven arrows at the demon... you used up your entire quiver, Rikku! But she didn't appear to be listening. She ran over to Kajin, who was sitting in the grass, with a strange look on his face. He was half amazed, and half confused at the same time. He looked up at Rikku, standing right in front of him. Kajin: Rikku, I... Rikku: You IDIOT!! Didn't you realize that thing had wings?!?! You're such a dough-head!! Aerial attacks don't work on birds with working wings!! You could have gotten yourself brutally maimed, or even killed! How could you be so reckless? How could you-- Kajin: I'm sorry, Rikku. Rikku: You're such a--- huh? Kajin: Sorry for being so reckless. And... thanks for saving my life. Rikku: Hmph. You're welcome. Kajin tried to get up, but his legs were too weak. Rikku, feeling sympathetic for him (for once) reached out her hand to him. Rikku: Heh... need some help? Kajin: Don't mind if I do! She lifted him off the ground, despite his weight difference and armour weight. He began to fall again, and abruptly put his arm around her shoulder for support. Rikku: *blushing* Uh... what are you doing? Kajin: Standing up, duh. Now help me walk to the others, we have to get moving again. Orochi: What is he... doing to her? I thought she would have slapped him by now... Sakura: Oh shut up... you'll ruin the moment, Orochi... Rikku: Oh? And what's that? Kajin: Sorry for leaving you in the dirt when I went to carry that other woman! I didn't know you could get so jealous! Rikku: Why you... She slapped him across the face, and he fell to the ground. Orochi: You said I'D ruin the moment, Sakura? Rikku: Moment? What moment? Kajin: How can you be so cruel!!!!!!!!!!!!! The chimera had been slain. Now the desert was rid of this dangerous beast, thanks to our heroes, especially Rikku. They continued to travel with the female hiker, hoping to reach Tsuchirou soon enough. Will they deliver the birthday gift on time? What kinds of horrors will impede their sidequest? Find out in the next chapter of Hiroshi's World. |
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