Chapter 32: Rampage of the Bat-Man
Erodon's bat screeching ceased.
Many of the surrounding people remained frozen in place, eyes wide with fear and confusion. More people began to gather round, unsure of what to make of the visual before them. The spectacle was almost unbelievable, had they not watched with their own eyes.
Among the gathering crowd was Rose and Jewel. Their eyes were filled with a strong worry, hands clamped tightly over their chests as they muttered silent prayers for Takabi.
Watching them from a bit further down was Carlos. His expression remained unreadable, but when his eyes moved towards his best friend, he tightened his fist and grit his teeth in frustration.
The news helicopters focused their lights on the two in the center of the park.
Takabi had his arms raised in an x, guarding his face from dirt and gravel. A sweat bead dropped from his forehead, heart racing in nervousness and anticipation. That was when he finally looked around, noting the amount of eyes on them. He couldn't see Garuga, Nana or Raia. Just unknown humans, Rose and Jewel, and finally Carlos.
Kairas stood on the tallest building behind his twin brother, arms crossed and gaze locked on the battle below. "Now what will you do, Brother?" His voice was quiet. If you truly feel the way you do, will you fight and protect? Show me why my ideals are wrong, Kairas thought calmly.
The entire area was dead silent, tension rising into the already thicker air.
The transformed Erodon twitched his head, snapping it in every direction possible, before settling on a man towards the front of the crowd on his left, standing just in front of Jewel. A little girl with oddly blue hair and eyes watched, her hand intertwined tightly with the man's. The woman with them held the man's arm tightly.
The couple was first.
Nobody could react. Not even Takabi or Kairas saw Erodon move then. It was a swift movement, so fast that the couple's heads were high in the air, blood spewing from the large Os that their necks now made. The look on their faces was one of shock, heads hitting the floor as their bodies flopped and blood began coating the little girl's shoes.
The first scream was her's, before the entire crowd erupted in a panic, yet none ran away. Erodon sped towards one of the helicopters next, wings stretched out as he soared through the air, cackling madly. Takabi leapt after him fast, the ground collapsing from the force of his jump. Flames coated his fist, and he slammed his knuckles into the BatMan's back.
"Focus on me, you hairy fuck!"
Erodon snapped his head a full 360, Takabi momentarily freaking out and pulling back before the Bat turned and tackled him, driving him into the concrete and snapping at his throat. Takabi held Erodon back slightly, the Vampire's fangs grazing him with every other lunge. Takabi focused his flames around his wrists, before releasing them in a violent storm that forced Erodon off of him. He jumped to his feet, rushing up from the crater he created and looked around.
"Where'd he go?"
"ABOVE YOU!" Someone in the crowd yelled.
Takabi looked up, then quickly jumped back as Erodon crashed into the dirt, screeching once more and flying towards Takabi. The boy willed flaming stars between his fingers, throwing them and clapping his palms together, the fire stars enlarging and piercing all of Erodon's limbs. The Vampire roared in pain, and to Takabi's surprise, released a breath of pure magic in his direction. He slid back, preparing to evade, but stopped himself when he noticed how close he was to the crowd.
"Damn it," He growled, raising his right knuckles and punching the blast of magic, ripping it apart down the center. The impact knocked the people behind him off their feet, Rose and Jewel hitting the floor hard. Jewel looked up and reached out, catching the little blue haired girl and cradling her as she cried hysterically.
His knuckles shattered, bloody and arm burned and bruised. Takabi took heavy breaths, looking behind him and sighing in relief that no one was injured. His own wounds began to heal, but Erodon's instincts told him not to give Takabi any time.
The Vampire rushed him, jamming his mutated hands deep into Takabi's guts. The boy cried out, blood pouring from his mouth as he coughed, yet held his ground.
Erodon's head began to twist and turn, and his deformed bat face slowly shed itself and revealed his human head underneath. "Why do you protect these people? Fame? Fortune?" He leaned in close, whispering in his ear. "They know what you are… They know that a freak is living in their town. Their eyes judge you, hate you, scorn you and are jealous of you."
"You say with your hands in my stomach," He retorted weakly.
Erodon raised his head, twisting his hands. The pain ripped through Takabi's mind, the boy losing all feeling in his legs for a moment. Erodon supported his weight, beginning to levitate in the air.
"HUMANS! Your time is nearing its end!"
"Jesus, you're gonna start monologuing now?" Takabi muttered.
"For eons, my kind, the kind of mystics, Angels and the like, have been hidden from your eyes. Why do you think that is?" Erodon's voice was projecting as if he was speaking into a microphone.
"You fear us! I have lived a long, prosperous life, and you have not changed. Beyond your power, you refuse to understand and attempt to hunt it down."
Takabi threw his fist at Erodon, who quickly caught it with a blood covered hand, paying him no further attention. "This boy, who fights so desperately to save you, is also the key to your complete eradication. I can kill all of you here and now, with no issue, but your souls would just pass into the next world. However, with this boy, all of that would be gone. Soul and all. You'd cease to be."
Erodon removed his other hand, gripping Takabi by what remained of the fabric on his torso. "I suppose I'm telling you this, not as a warning, but as a thrill to myself. The idea of all the blood on my hands, all of the red I would swallow and fill my belly with gives me nothing more than ecstasy and joy. Be grateful for your worthless lives will be a gateway to something greater, the eradication of humankind and rise of the devils!"
A bolt of light rushed up from the crowd. Erodon looked at it and turned, holding out his free hand and canceling the blast. His eyes scanned down below, spotting the source of it.
Rose and Jewel were the only ones standing, hands out and breathing heavy, eyes glowing with a strong, pink essence.
"So, THIS is that dire situation, right!"
"Cut the crap! You expect us to just sit here and let you destroy our right to live?!" Rose squeezed her palm shut. "I've lived a short life. I can't speak for everyone, but the time I've spent with that boy is precious. I've kept my true self hidden from him, and vice versa, but if you dare threaten his life or anyone else's, I will cleanse your body of your soul and send you down into the depths of hell!"
Jewel's expression was one that was freaked out. She was no longer normal, and it frightened her to no end. She had powers all this time and knew nothing of it until just a short while ago. She'd have to apologize to her mother when they go home.
If we make it back, Jewel thought.
"I was right. You are a special girl." Erodon looked at his burnt palm, tightening his fist. "I didn't think there were still any Priestesses around." He raised his hand into the air, a ball of magic about the size of a mini sun rising above their heads. "I won't hesitate then, ladies."
Takabi brought his knee upwards, striking Erodon's gut and forcing him to drop him. Pulling his arm back, Erodon prepared to release the ball of magic, but something struck it and forced it to detonate prematurely. A cold mist slowly descended into the park, the magic residue from Erodon's spell and explosive force blowing back the helicopters.
"Now what?"
Takabi landed on a car, picking himself up as his wounds finished healing in a thick steam. "It's cold…" His eyes looked around, and a small smile touched his lips. "Did I actually get through to him…" Thinking about Kairas, he shook his head and exhaled. "Nah, he's too stubborn."
Erodon screeched, his face once again mutating into the Bat's and he rushed at Takabi. The two locked hands, Takabi's feet digging into the concrete, the road breaking apart under him. "Enough!"
"Don't look so mad buddy. After all, you should know when the odds are against you." A white light began emitting around Takabi. "You wanna know why I want to protect these people? It's not for fame, for glory or for money."
His mother's face flashed in his mind. Her smile, and her words, "I wanted to change…"
White tattoos trailed up the right side of Takabi's body in an arcane like design. Flames, but controlled and neat. The tattoos rushed up over his right eye, the violet orb suddenly swapping into a bright white hue. The tattoo rushed around and coated his arm, side and down and around his leg.
"I want to change all of it! I want to fix this fucked up world so my Mom can rest in peace! Somewhere where crazed fucks like you can burn in hell!" His fist came around suddenly, striking Erodon's cheek so hard the impact ruptured the building pillars behind him and caused the empty structure to collapse.
Erodon flew back, smashing through the newly formed rubble. The crowd that was previously standing there moved aside, gaining as much distance as they could before Erodon came into view from the thick clouds.
Takabi watched him, exhaling a white flame, a thick aura of light covering him and shaking the air. Erodon locked gazes with the boy, a small smile forming on his lips. A smile of satisfaction. "It… It was actually true.. I had doubts but…"
Takabi craned his head aside, taking steps forward, the aura of light cackling with white electricity.