by A Muse
“Get off of my son!” My father yelled and Ban looked at me and then at my father.
“I don’t hear him complaining,” Ban replied and I could see the rage flare inside of my father again. “Or maybe you’re just jealous that it’s Natsu getting all of my attention and not you.” Ban voice held a tease. I watched as he walked towards my father.
“Most fathers would look away. Emma and Amber couldn’t bare the sight of me touching Natsu. But you, you kept right on watching.” I shook my head I didn’t want to hear what Ban was saying. It was all nonsense anyway. “You can’t have him you know, Natsu is mine.”
Ban hand started to glow with a dark light. I watched as slowly a blade form. From his elbow down there was a long silver blade where his arm and hand once were. He walked behind my father’s chair as he held the blade to his throat. “You enjoyed my show.” Ban reached down yanking at my father’s pants. He was erected. I didn’t want to think about what that meant.
“Go to hell,” Father hissed at him. Ban sighed tapping the blade to his throat. What was it that he wanted my father to say? My father looked towards me. His eyes locking with mines. I could see the tears that slipped down his cheek. “I’m sorry, Natsu.” I shook my head. he didn’t have to say that to me.
“I love you, dad.” Ban swung his arm. It sliced through my father’s neck. I watched as his head came off in one clean motion. It rolled towards where my mother was. I was the only one left. My family was dead. All killed by Ban.
The air whooshed back into my lungs. Ban had dropped Rai and now she was bleeding on the floor. My whole body was glowing with the black flames that surrounded me. Blood tears fell from my eyes as I looked at Ban. He smiled as I went into my demon form.
This form changed since I got my newly found powers. Black letters crawled up my arms and neck twisting and moving as if they were alive under my skin. My eyes shifted to the others. They were all moaning in pain. Soji was still as he laid unconscious.
My eyes slide over to Rai. She was still moving, moaning in pain front the wound Ban caused. My left eye was red as the right was golden. The third eye opened on my forehead as I growled again. My wings flowed from my back, the left as black as night, the right as red as blood. I was ready. Ban laughed moving his hand as if to call me to him.
I moved towards him. My speed had increased yet again. I was across the roof in a matter of seconds. I kicked Ban and he went flying across the rooftop. I was behind him before he got there and punched him in the face. He slammed into the roof going through it.
I jumped down to follow. He was watched waiting for me. When I got down there, Ban punched me in the face. My head snapped back as my nose broke. I could hardly feel the pain of it as I reached out. My nails stabbed into his shoulder as he growled at me.
Ban sidestepped me getting behind me. He slammed my head into the floor making us break through to the next level. He was on top of me punching me again, and again until I was starting to black out. I grabbed his shirt trying to push him away. I felt him kick me in the head. Everything went black.
Don’t give up. Kill him.
Don’t give up. Kill Ban.
Don’t give up. Save us all.
Don’t give up, Natsu.
My eyes snapped opened again and I jumped up. My wings flapped as I rose back to the rooftop. I looked around for Ban until I spotted him. He was near Soji. He picked the white mage up by the hair tossing him back onto the table. My heart was racing as I thought about what Ban would do. Rushing across the roof I crashed into Ban moving him towards the edge.
“Why are you fighting me on this, Natsu?” He should have already known the answer to that since when have I not fought him. Ban was at the edge, I could see the portal below us. It was closing each second that passed. Soon it would be gone and this chance would be wasted.
Ban’s feet were planted firmly on the ground. I couldn’t move him over the edge even if I tried. Also, it was dangerous to try to fight him here. He would just toss me into hell and laugh. Gritting my teeth, I tried to think of what Ban would do if he were me. A demon never fights fair. That was what Ban would tell me.
His back was to the portal as I stood in front of him. He was smiling as he looked at me. Ban was so strong. I couldn’t beat him. I now understood that. He never shifted into his demon form and yet he always beat me. He wasn’t some S-Class demon. He was something in a class of his own.
Reverting back to my human form I looked him in the eyes. He was watching me as well. What did he see when he looked at me? I saw that he was beautiful. That I always thought so. I also see the blood that stained him. There was so much blood.
“I love you, Ban,” I spoke it softly, but I knew he heard me. Moving closer to him I could see his guard lessen. He never had much need to put his guard up around me. What could I actually do to Ban? My lips pressed against Ban’s as my fingers came up to his chest.
I could see them, all of the faces of those who I lost. I could see them flashing before my eyes. All of the people who Ban hurt I could see them feeding me their strength. Then I pushed, as hard I could I pushed Ban. He stumbled backward losing his footing so close to the edge.
My breath sucked into my lungs as I waited. It felt as if an eternity passed before Ban fell over the edge. Even as he fell, I could see him smiling at me. He looked . . . proud of my actions. Soon he was swallowed up by the portal and I exhaled the breath I was holding in.
Turning from the edge something grabbed my leg. It tripped me making me face plant the ground. Then I was pulled over. My heart was racing as I fell towards the portal. My wings snapped out trying to take me back to the top. Whatever had my leg tangled itself around my wings.
What was this? What was pulling me under? Looking down towards the portal I could see black tentacles around me. Why was I being dragged to hell? Was this Ban? Maybe he wanted company. My eyes shifted skyward. I could see Soji’s small face looking over the edge. His hand was outstretched towards me.
He was too far away to actually reach me. He was screaming at me. I couldn’t understand his words I could only see his mouth moving. Able, Ayase, and Fang were grabbing him trying to pull him back as he hung dangerously over the side. I reached my hand towards him though I knew it was impossible.
‘I love you,’ were Soji last words before the portal closed and I was trapped in hell.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A. Muse is a pen name. It’s a play on words from my name and a nickname a friend had given me. I was born and raised in Maryland in the 90s.
Dark fantasy and horror are the two genres I tend to stick with though I like to try others out as well.
BlOOD PRIZE is the second book that I have published.