1.43 – Dead on Arrival

Two Oni guards let go immediately, dashing towards their boss and the two Red Lily members. There were eight heroes in total. Nathan didn’t recognize most of them, but he remembered an older man with a beard. He was an A-rank hero just like Yukiko.

Relief flooded him. His arms began shaking from excitement as he looked at their heroic entrance. They came just at the right moment.

Alicia hopped down from Yukiko’s arms, who continued walking towards Nathan, putting herself between him and the five assailants.

“Nathan, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“I’m mostly whole,” he huffed, not daring to stand up yet. “Just took a piece out of me. Can’t really point with this arm anymore.” He showed off his lack of a finger, and something changed in Alicia’s eyes. She remained smiling though, and quickly hugged him.

“Aw! How sweet! But we didn’t finish talking, you know? How rude of you.” Mio sneered from the Oni boss’ side.

“Hammer Time, Potts. We’ve got the Red Lily members here. Like Alicia said.” Yukiko’s voice lacked the usual friendliness it carried.

“I see, Red Strike. Don’t worry too much. Those two are barely older than some academy students.”

Koharu’s face remained unchanged, unlike Mio’s, who seemed to deflate a little. “A-rank heroes? Really? That’s the best they could send? Kohaaaruuuu, I think they are underestimating us!”

“I don’t think they knew Red Lily members would be here.”

“Still. This feels like a bother, doesn’t it?”

“Such arrogance.” A younger hero who strolled into the room said, putting down another hero on the ground. There were seven A rankers here?

Oh yeah, these people were done for, unless the Onis had more of a punch in them than they’ve had back in the game.

“Yukiko.”

“Yes, Nathan?” She asked, not turning her side his way.

“There’s more of them outside. Way more.”

“I know. Rosy, with me! The rest of you! Dispatch these fools!”

Yukiko then lifted into the air, hovering about three inches off and turned towards Nathan. “Can you walk? Are you hurt?”

“Kohaaaruuuuuu! They are ignoring us again.”

“Don’t let that young man escape.” Koharu’s cold voice cut in. The Oni boss remained standing, holding a staff in his hand. His face was like stone, not showing an ounce of emotion.

“Yeah, I can walk. Get me the fuck out of here!” Nathan leaned on Alicia for a moment and stood up. His legs were still shaking, but he couldn’t remain here. Against people of this caliber, he would just be a hindrance. He didn’t need to try out his chances to know how that would end up going for him.

“Let’s go! We are getting you outside and hiding in the forests until everything clears.”

“There is a shit-ton of Onis here, though. A lot of them are probably powered. That guy is one of them.” Nathan pointed towards the Oni masked man who stood left of his boss.

“Don’t worry, my colleagues can handle themselves.”

“Yeah, Nathan, shut up and think of yourself for a moment. Let’s go!”

They went out of the same room they entered through and went out the same giant tree, which met them in it’s full, pinkish glory once again. This time, however, there were Onis sweeping in from all directions.

“Sorry guys, but I was told not to lose you.” A quirky voice came from behind them once again, and then Yukiko disappeared from sight. It happened so fast. Nathan glanced around him and saw Yukiko Stumbling on the ground with another woman. Mio had claws extended from her fingers, trying to tear at Yukiko’s skin as she tried to dislodge her in turn. They flew into the air, disappearing.

That didn’t stop the Onis, though, and they continued closing the distance with each passing moment.

“Alright, kiddos, behind me now”. Another woman said. This must have been Rosy, who Yukiko called on. Sounds of destruction came from behind them. Nathan didn’t dare look.

He began turning his arms, building up momentum, but he wouldn’t be able to stir enough. He enveloped his skin, feeling the crunch as the rocks snapped in place, but there were so many enemies. And besides, he didn’t have any AOE abilities yet.

Awesome. And help was nowhere to be seen. “Alicia, did you plan this out?”

“I don’t know. I just followed Yukiko, and she called out for someone. I think more should be arriving soon, but there’s only so many of us which can fly.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

One Oni, a particularly large fella, began running towards them, outpacing everyone around. The charge was bringing him closer and closer with each passing second, maybe a hundred feet separating them now. Rose outstretched her arms, and her hair hovered into the air. A chill ran down Nathan’s spine. And then, suddenly, the tree changed.

It seemed as if roots emerged from the center of the tree and they darted outwards, each root piercing several men at once. The smell of iron came instantly, but the roots continued stretching so quickly that it boggled the mind. A few of the Onis dodged, however, ducking or jumping. One even began flying.

The ones who didn’t have any ability, however, stopped, dead on arrival.

“Okay kiddos, there’s too many supers here. Backup should be arriving soon, but I need to hold off this fella.” Rosy pointed at the man who continued charging. She had maybe seconds left. The roots slowed him and made him bleed, but he was back at it again already. “I’ll take this guy and whoever else I can get the attention of. You two stay somewhat close behind me. Don’t die, or Yukiko will kill me.”

“Roger,” Alicia affirmed, and then they stood back to back with Nathan.