I questioned myself, What was that? It didn't feel bad. There was no trauma. I simply saw a lot of people, all in a single portrait. Among them was the person Mori drew, and... me.
With my sword in hand, I made my way to the bathhouse. After changing in the male changing room, I headed toward the bath. As I turned around, my sword bumped into a flower vase. I instinctively dropped my sword and dove to catch the vase.
"Phew! This looks expensive. I'd be broke if this thing shattered!"
I carefully placed the vase back in its spot, picked up my sword, and slid the door open. Grinning, I tilted my head sideways, pushing my bangs aside. "Guys, I have a great idea. Futoshi, are you thinking what I'm thinking...?"
"What are you doing here, Arisu? The male bath is on the other side," Yuzuha's voice rang out.
I blinked and realized Kaori was just about to step into the bath—fully exposed. My feet moved before my brain caught up, and I found myself standing beside her. My hand instinctively rested on her shoulder.
"Kaori, I swear, I didn't do that on purpose. I really didn't. But..." I lifted her chin slightly, my voice softening, "You look wonderful—"
Before I could finish, Kaori blasted me with water magic, sending me flying out of the female bath.
I landed with a thud, my body crashing right onto Mori.
"S-Sorry, Mori, I didn't mean to—"
"I forgive you, but could you... maybe get off? You're leaning a bit too much," she muttered, her cheeks tinged with pink.
She's soft... My mind wandered for a second, thinking I had landed on a bed.
"Are you okay now?" she asked, brushing herself off.
"I should be the one asking you that," I replied, feeling a bit guilty.
"Alright then, I'm heading in. And Arisu," she glanced back with a warning, "make sure you don't mix up the baths again unless you want more trouble, got that?"
"Yes, ma'am..."
After Kaori's magic sent me flying, I managed to drag myself to the male bathhouse with a bruise on my face. As soon as I stepped in, everyone turned to look at me.
"What happened to you?" Futoshi asked, though the smirk on his face suggested he already had an idea.
Before I could answer, the questions started flooding in.
"Did you see her?" Shikito leaned in. "Did you see the girl we all like?"
"Of all the girls, you ended up causing trouble with my sister," Kaoru added, shaking his head. "That must've hurt, Arisu."
"My face still stings!" I replied, wincing as I rubbed the bruise.
"Honestly, with Mori's strength, I'm shocked she didn't take you out herself," Shikito chuckled.
"Man, I wish I'd seen Sachi-san instead," Dwane sighed dramatically.
"I'm with you on that." Shikito gave him a knowing nod.
"Ryuko for me," Futoshi chimed in. "What about you, Kaoru?"
Kaoru thought for a moment before answering, "Coco, I guess."
"Oh, so you like the younger ones?" Kisaki teased. "Well, she's cute. Mine's Lisa."
As the banter continued, Tokiro turned to me. "I'd go for Cecilia. She's wonderful. What about you, Arisu?"
"He's obviously with my sister," Kaoru grinned, elbowing me.
"Is that so? I always thought Arisu was closer to Yuzuha," Tokiro mused.
"I could see Arisu and Mori as siblings, but they sure look good together," Futoshi added with a sly smile.
"What are you guys even saying?" I groaned, feeling the heat rise to my face. "Honestly, I'm not picking anyone. Everyone's important to me."
"Oh, so you're picking all of them? How bold of you!" Kisaki laughed.
"Really, Arisu? That's too much! Give us one, you jerk!" Shikito ruffled my hair playfully.
"Stupid! What are you guys thinking? I'm being serious—stop that, Shikito!"
After our fun in the bath, we headed to the dojo since we had the afternoon free. As we entered, we spotted Moritaka sparring with Amane. The two moved like blurs, their speed astonishing as they blocked and countered each other's attacks.
"Wonderful, Amane! You're getting better. From now on, I'll assign you to lend a hand at the other dojo," Moritaka praised, his voice steady and encouraging.
Just then, he caught sight of us peeking from the corridor. "Care to join us?" he called out.
Without hesitation, we all accepted his invitation, eager to be part of the action.
"You guys are graduating soon, right? If I said I'd teach you about the aura, would you accept?" Moritaka proposed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"That goes without saying!" I exclaimed, excitement bubbling within me.
"That's the spirit, boy! You're Arisu, right? I've heard a lot about you from Mori. She mentioned you're one of the skilled ones in class. Care to show me your moves? Don't hold back against me," he said, a challenge evident in his tone.
Moritaka threw a wooden sword at me, and I quickly prepared for the incoming attack. I feigned a serious blow, deliberately leaving myself vulnerable. As he aimed for my opening, I ducked and assumed a low stance, targeting his lower body. I swung my sword, but he managed to jump away just in time.
"Letting yourself be vulnerable on purpose is good, but you're lacking speed. One more time!" he urged, his voice steady.
This time, I used the Dragon Dance technique, pushing him back toward the wall. Moritaka anticipated my move, flipping off the wall to evade my strike. I swung my sword at his landing point, but he stepped on it, nearly breaking the weapon. In a swift response, I shifted my attack, using my feet to push him away. I tried to chase him, but he suddenly vanished just as I swung again, sending me tumbling to the ground. When I looked up, his sword was pointed at me.
"Your stance is too wide, and you're not gripping your sword correctly. Just out of curiosity, is that the Dragon Sword Style you used earlier?" he asked, a glint of interest in his eyes.
"How did you know? Are you familiar with the Dragon Sword Style?" I replied, surprised.
"Our ancestors were once friends with the Kitahara clan. We have a textbook on a few sword styles. Amane, can you get it for me?" Moritaka instructed.
"Eh? Are you sure, Moritaka-sama? It's not something meant to be shown to just anyone," she replied, hesitating.
"This one is special," Moritaka assured her.
Amane fell silent and obeyed, returning with the textbook. The front cover read "Ancient Legendary Sword Style," prompting me to ask why the name was different.
"The name is still the Dragon Sword Style, but since it's the most powerful sword style in history, we renamed it the Ancient Legendary Sword Style because the users of this technique have become so rare," Moritaka explained.
"Does that make me a Kitahara since I can use the Dragon Sword Style?" I asked, curiosity bubbling up.
"Maybe. Now, try reading it. Listen up, everyone! I'll help you all get stronger before you graduate."
He began explaining. "Aura can be accessed through meditation, which involves breath control, the will of emotions, and physical movement to tap into the aura. There are a few ways to access aura, but this is the most common method. It's rare for someone to access aura differently; some need a certain event, such as a near-death situation."
The others are practicing. Mori and I had already accessed our aura, so I continued reading while she and Moritaka began sparring outside the field.
The first rule of the Dragon Sword Style is absolute breath concentration, with a relaxed body, mind, and soul, as well as movement speed, attack speed, and reaction speed. The textbook was daunting; each form required over 200 swings in just a few seconds. This was something that couldn't be mastered in a day. It would take months, perhaps even a year. The Kitahara clan was known for their unparalleled speed, making it rare for anyone to attempt the Dragon Sword-style forms.
I closed the textbook with a stressed expression, feeling overwhelmed. "I'm going to walk into the village to clear my head," I announced.
As I walked, I reflected on the stories I'd heard about the Kitahara clan. They were unmatched in their prime, standing alone at the top, especially the legendary Hayato and Kurumi, the first ancestors of the Kitahara. It was said that they learned the Dragon Sword Style from a real dragon—not just any dragon, but the Crimson Dragon named Echidna, one of the mightiest dragons in the Anima realm. Since Echidna disappeared from the world a hundred years ago, around twenty years back, the whereabouts of Kurumi and Hayato had become a mystery. Sixteen years ago, the clan was invaded by high-ranking demons, leading to chaos and devastation. Many clan members were taken control of by these demons, turning against their own family and friends. In a desperate bid to protect the remaining clan members and innocent lives, Akane Kitahara made the agonizing decision to kill her own people, putting an end to the horror wrought by the demons. Though her actions were tragic, they saved countless others from suffering. Yet, even after the chaos subsided, Akane herself vanished, her fate a lingering enigma. Many claimed she was deceased, but no one truly knew what had happened to her.
While I was in the middle of recalling the history of the Kitahara clan, my hand suddenly caught something in the air. I opened it to reveal a delicate butterfly, its vibrant colors captivating me. Yet, to my astonishment, it began to crumble into ashes before my eyes, leaving behind a scent that stirred a familiar memory.
It's odd. This smells similar to something I can't quite place. It also crumbles… was it created by magic? Awesome! To think someone can fantasize a beautiful butterfly! I marveled, my thoughts racing at the wonder of it all.
Just then, an old man tapped me on the back, carrying a basket filled with goods. I turned to him and asked if he needed help. He smiled and explained that he was just a passing traveler promoting his store, soon to head home. With a twinkle in his eye, he offered me the last piece of his cooking—a slice of apple pie. I hesitated, trying to offer payment, but he waved it away, insisting it was free. Grateful, I accepted the pie with pleasure, thanking him for his kindness.
About twenty minutes later, as I approached the mansion, my vision started to blur, and the world began to spin around me. Confused, I looked outside, catching sight of the old man grinning as he walked away.
D-Damn it… I was careless… I muttered to myself before my knees buckled, and I collapsed to the ground, surrendering to the darkness as sleep claimed me.
After hearing the sound of my fall, Mori rushed over and quickly called for everyone. Moritaka knelt beside me, checking my forehead, neck, and pulse, but everything seemed normal.
"How strange. Did he eat something?" Moritaka wondered aloud, furrowing his brow in concern.
"It's not that. Look at his fingers! His left thumb is tucked in his palm while his right hand is closed over it!" Tokiro pointed out, his voice laced with urgency.
"If Arisu acknowledges it as a danger, then it's a real deal—" Kaoru began, but his words were cut short as dark smoke began to gather around the mansion.
Suddenly, a portal of black smoke erupted, and demons began to pour out, more than a hundred of them surrounding the mansion entirely. Moritaka's demeanor shifted, and he quickly ordered Mori, "Get your swords! We need to fight!"
With a swift motion, he called upon his magic. "Gale Art: Supersonic Wind Blades!"
As Moritaka swung his sword, a barrage of razor-sharp blades sliced through the air with deadly precision, cutting down the demons at their weak points.
Mori and the others returned, weapons in hand, and Moritaka turned to them, his voice steady and commanding. "All of you are under my division now! Move out and evacuate the civilians!"
They saluted him, determination etched on their faces as they followed his orders, making their way out to confront the encroaching threat.
"Brother, be careful!" Mori shouted, her voice a mix of worry and resolve, as Moritaka led the charge against the demons surrounding the mansion.
Moritaka turned his attention back to the scene unfolding before him, where he felt a distinct presence lingering in the shadows.
"Come out. You're not going to make fun of me by sending your armies to do your dirty work," he called out, his voice steady and commanding.
To his surprise, a figure emerged from the darkness. "You're better than I expected, Founder Land's third division captain, Moritaka Takanashi."
"I did not expect a high-ranking demon would show up before me. To mention, it's the 6th of Demon God. You're the first highest rank to appear here in decades. If I were to guess, you're the one who has been invading towns, aren't you?"
"True. But my only motive is to capture you. In order to do that, you must die first."
"Involving a lot of people just to capture me. What are you planning?" Moritaka asked, his brow furrowing in suspicion.
"Blackout. I have the power to turn people black. If I manage to capture you, it will significantly strengthen our army," the demon revealed, a sinister smile creeping across his face.
So that's the reason the demon army has been expanding, Moritaka thought, understanding the gravity of the situation.
With his hurricane-like eyes glowing with determination, Moritaka declared, "You're a threat. I must end you right here and now."
"Are you planning to fight against me? You lost to the 1st X Demon 20 years ago. You can't possibly kill me. Give yourself to me and get dyed black," the demon taunted, swaying his hands to summon another demon before Moritaka.
Recognizing the creature as the one he had fought before, Moritaka smirked, saying, "You're giving me a rematch, I see. But…"
In an instant, he lunged forward, passing through the summoned demon and destroying its body with a bare fist. "I'm not the kid you met before!"
The battle intensified as Moritaka stood firm against the encroaching threat, determined to protect his comrades and thwart the demon's sinister plans.
"Gale Art: Supersonic Air Trail!"
Moritaka got closer to the enemy and tried to cut off his head but evaded Moritaka's slash. Unfortunately, there was a second following slash and it slashed the enemy's eyes holding back against Moritaka.
"Moritaka, stay focused!" he reminded himself as he readied for the demon's next move.
"Gale Art: Supersonic Force Strike!" he shouted, unleashing a powerful wave of energy. The demon retaliated by blasting countless butterflies toward him, their vibrant forms swirling ominously in the air. Moritaka countered, blowing them away along with the demon's hand in a fierce display of strength.
Yet, deep down, Moritaka knew that despite his training and growth over the past ten years, he stood no chance of winning this fight. The demon before him was clearly holding back, enjoying the futile struggle. But Moritaka had a plan; he was playing it cool, using the opportunity to buy time for the others to evacuate the civilians from the mansion.
"You're getting good!" the demon taunted, a mocking smile crossing his face. "You could have saved your parents back then if you had been this strong! Now, let's see if you can block this one!"
With a flick of his wrist, the demon summoned a flurry of butterflies that formed a bird shape, rushing toward Moritaka. "Butterfly Curse: Fleeting Regret!" he proclaimed, the attack surging with dark energy. Realizing that the attack could cause catastrophic damage to the village and potentially harm innocent lives, Moritaka knew he had no choice but to absorb the blow, even if it meant risking everything.
"Gale Art: Supersonic Air Barrage!" he shouted, shifting into a defensive stance as he performed a series of quick, successive slashes. Bursts of wind shot out from his sword, hitting multiple enemies in rapid succession, but the overwhelming number of butterflies threatened to overwhelm him.
Moritaka felt the strain; every fiber of his being focused on maintaining his stance. He could barely keep up; if he flinched for even a second, more than ten slashes would carve across his body, leaving him vulnerable to the demon's relentless assault.
As the chaotic storm of butterflies descended upon him, Moritaka steeled himself, determined to hold the line until everyone was safe.
"How odd," the demon remarked, his voice laced with disbelief. "That could have reduced your morale to fight since that technique forces people to relive their greatest regret. Yet you seem unaffected by it."
"Regrets?" Moritaka replied, his voice steady and unwavering. "I have no regrets. People gave their lives for me to stand here today and take you down!"
With that declaration, Moritaka's eyes transformed, shifting into six swirling hurricane patterns, each representing a deeper level of power. The seriousness of the demon's attack compelled him to ascend beyond the Gale Two and Gale Three techniques; he now accessed Gale Four. A distinct gale mark appeared on his cheeks and forehead, signifying his heightened state. This transformation altered his presence entirely, marking him as a formidable opponent.
The demon couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the same Moritaka he had faced earlier. What happened? Thoughts raced through the demon's mind as he sensed the drastic change.
Once again, Moritaka unleashed the "Gale Art: Supersonic Air Trail" The demon attempted to evade, anticipating the next move, but this time Moritaka's attacks were sharper and swifter. Wind blades struck him five times faster and with far more force than before, ripping into the demon's flesh and nearly severing limbs. In a flash, Moritaka appeared behind the demon, ready to deliver a decisive blow.
"Gale Art: Supersonic Striking Whirlwind!" Moritaka shouted, unleashing a powerful strike that sent a whirlwind spiraling toward his foe. The force of the attack nearly obliterated the entire mansion, but Moritaka expertly controlled the wind to contain the destruction, ensuring the safety of those still inside.
As the dust from the impact began to settle, Moritaka followed up with "Gale Art: Supersonic Gale Lancer!" He thrust his hand forward, sending a concentrated burst of wind directly at the enemy. The sheer intensity of the attack left a trail of dust and debris in its wake, but Moritaka remained focused, determined to end the fight and protect everyone he held dear.
This connection enhances the tension and excitement of the scene while integrating the techniques and emotional stakes involved in Moritaka's confrontation with the demon.
Twenty minutes had passed since I fell asleep. I blinked, disoriented, and found myself lying on a cart, surrounded by a bustling crowd. The memories of what had happened flooded back.
"Stop the cart…" I murmured, my head still spinning.
"Arisu, you're awake! Perfect timing! We just got everyone out, and we're about to head back to help Moritaka-san. The others are there too, so if you can move properly now, let's go!" Yuzuha exclaimed, relief evident in her voice.
"Here, I've been holding onto your sword—" Kaori added, but her expression changed as she noticed something. "Your right eye turned red!"
In an instant, a vision struck me: someone was on their knees, and a demon trapped them within a swirling barrage of butterflies, the cruel insects compressing into a horrific force ready to consume us. I felt a connection to the figure, and in that moment, they pushed me away toward a portal, allowing the butterflies to devour everything in their path. I shook off the memory and focused on the present.
"Moritaka is fighting against him—" Yuzuha replied urgently.
Without a second thought, I leaped off the cart and dashed toward the village. As I ran, I employed the breath technique, but instead of merely focusing on my breathing, flames erupted around my body, igniting my rage and propelling me forward. In mere moments, my speed surged, allowing me to reach the village gate in just thirty seconds.
Five demons loomed before me, blocking my path.
"Get away!" I shouted.
Channeling my anger, I unleashed "Dragon Dance", but the flames were fiercer and faster than before, consuming the demons in a whirlwind of fire. As more demons began to swarm around me, I gritted my teeth in frustration.
"Tsk! They keep coming!"
Just then, reinforcements arrived, charging into battle against the demons. One of them recognized me, eyes wide with surprise. "You're the kid from earlier! We saw you take down those five demons in no time. We'll assume you're more skilled than us, so we're here to lend a hand. With this army of demons, we won't make it far, but we'll clear a path for you to reach the mansion. Do we have a deal?"
"Yes! I appreciate your help!" I replied, determination flooding through me.
The reinforcements moved in, creating a space for me to advance. As I approached the mansion, my heart sank—the structure was in ruins, and everyone was down on their knees except for Moritaka and Amane. Desperation surged within me as I prepared to confront whatever awaited inside.
"Oh, I did not expect you to wake up sooner. I sensed something was different about you, but regardless, you're weak," the demon sneered, revealing himself as the old man from earlier.
Amane was locked in combat with another demon, and Moritaka was nearing his limit. The pressure was mounting on Amane as she faced her opponent, who relentlessly pushed her back. She could feel an attack approaching from behind, but she couldn't afford to divert her attention from the enemy in front of her. If she loosened her grip, she would be vulnerable to both the attack behind her and the demon right in front.
They're unaware of me because they see me as weak, The thought lingered in my mind. Amane-san is fighting a stronger opponent, and I know I'm no match for them, but if they don't notice me, maybe I can help.
It was a precarious situation. If Amane dodged the incoming attack, she'd be hit and weakened, but if she tried to block it, she would lose valuable strength.
I concentrated on my breathing, adjusting the muscles in my legs while gripping my sword tightly. Amane caught a glimpse of me and her eyes widened in recognition.
"Maiden-Art: Purification Light Flaming Strike!" Amane unleashed a radiant attack from her sword, striking her enemy and sending purifying flames that crawled across his body.
I saw the incoming attack behind her and, in a swift motion, cut through it, using the enhanced speed I had summoned earlier.
"Amane-san, don't worry about the blind attack; I'll handle it!" I shouted.
"I'll count on you for that!" she replied, determination in her voice.
But then, Moritaka's opponent grew tired of the game. With a dark command, he ordered Amane's enemy to eliminate us. Instantly, hundreds of plant roots erupted from the ground, aiming to pierce Amane and create chaos.
Moritaka yelled, fear evident in his voice as he realized that Amane wouldn't be able to evade them all. In that moment, I acted on instinct. While I had deflected the attack aimed at her, I had also made a tiny incision on her leg to draw a drop of blood, something she wouldn't have noticed amidst the chaos.
In an instant, I focused my energy and teleported her away from the oncoming roots just in time.
She's gone? She escaped? Who's magic? Moritaka's thoughts raced as he processed the situation.
He turned to look at me, noticing the serious expression on my face as I focused intently on the enemy's movements.
Suddenly, I heard a noise from the ground. Without hesitation, I leaped just as a root shot up beneath me. My instincts kicked in as I sensed something speeding toward me from behind, prompting me to lower my body and dodge. I felt a few more roots crawling beneath the surface, and I attempted to use Switch Magic to escape.
He dodges them continuously?! Moritaka thought, surprised.
"He's dodging them before they can even attack?" the 6th Demon God exclaimed, his confidence faltering.
The Demon God charged after me, moving faster than the demon I was initially facing. As the sense of danger heightened, my reflexes sharpened. When he swung a punch aimed at my head, I managed to evade a lethal blow, but his fist grazed my forehead, leaving a painful crack.
Shit! One more hit and I'm done—
Just then, Moritaka appeared in front of me, stepping in to block the demon's next punches with his sword.
"I'm your opponent!" he declared, his resolve unwavering.
The Demon God sneered. "Huh? The opponent is someone you acknowledge as a threat. You're not even close to being a threat to me."
I don't really have any choice, Moritaka thought, determination igniting within him as he prepared to confront this formidable enemy head-on.
He returned his sword to its scabbard, and a vast amount of wind swirled down from the sky, enveloping Moritaka's body. As he absorbed the powerful gusts, a shockwave erupted from him, blowing everything away, including the entire mansion. My grip faltered, and I began to fly away, but thankfully, Amane caught my hand, preventing me from being swept off.
"Listen up, Arisu. As soon as the wind stops, send everyone away from the village. This is Moritaka-sama's Gale Five. It's his ultimate power. If he releases a single punch, it could obliterate the entire village. This is beyond our capabilities, so we need to evacuate."
"But—"
"I know. I want to fight, even if it kills me. But Moritaka-sama wouldn't want that. He understands he can't win, so he told me that if he ever uses Gale Five, it'll be the signal for us to flee. I don't want to admit it, but…" Amane's voice faltered, and I realized she knew the truth.
"Moritaka will die here… just as I feared. It appears that what I saw is true…"
I asked Amane to hold me at my hips so I could perform a summoning magic circle. I summoned an Eagle, usually used for sending messages between towns, and handed kunai knives to it. The Eagle took off, soaring through the wind.
The shockwaves intensified, and Moritaka's magic power continued to rise. The demon that Amane and I had been fighting earlier vanished, leaving only Moritaka and the Demon God standing, both with intrigued expressions on their faces.
"That! That's it, Moritaka! Entertain me!" the Demon God taunted.
Finally, the wind ceased. Moritaka's marks glowed fiercely on his face, and his surroundings pulsed with overwhelming magic power.
I focused on the Eagle's perspective and saw the village becoming almost invisible beneath it, flying incredibly fast through the sky. It dropped the knives, and as Moritaka prepared to unleash a punch, I braced myself to switch everyone to the kunai.
I used the heavenly sphere around us and told her not to move. As the wind touched the heavenly sphere, it grew stronger, consuming the air.
"Gale Magic: Supersonic Boom Strike!"
Moritaka infused Gale Magic into his arm and threw a punch with such velocity that it broke the sound barrier, generating a shockwave of compressed air that blasted through the opponent. He sent the enemy flying into the sky at an incredible height, then flew after him, pulling the air as he spiraled around.
"Gale Magic: Takanashi Sacred Art: World Cyclone!!!"
The sound of the wind rang like a blade as it spun around. Moritaka hurled it toward the enemy, heavily damaging him and cutting him in half.
Did he win? I assumed, but I had my doubts, knowing what I had seen was not yet over.
The demon's lower body disintegrated, only for the rest of his body to regenerate in a heartbeat.
Moritaka gasped but was still in good shape. Unfortunately, despite all that power, it appeared to be nothing to the demon.
"Is that all you got, Moritaka?" the demon grinned.
Moritaka can't continuously attack above four techniques in a row. His magic disorder, a consequence of a battle twenty years ago, has left him with this limitation. Back then, Moritaka had pushed his limits, releasing all of his magic power, turning it red—something only possible through the use of the Ego Techniques. This technique is obtained when a mage pushes themselves beyond the edge of their magic power, physical stamina, and even brushes with death. But there's a dangerous cost.
Acquiring the Ego Technique by reaching this limit doesn't mean you've transcended; it means you've reached the brink. When your magic glows brighter than usual, you're nearing the boundary. But if it turns red, that's a sign. A warning. Prolonging that red state leads to magic loss—the complete depletion of one's magic. Yet, in those fleeting moments, when magic turns red, the power becomes a hundredfold of what it once was. Moritaka, once weak, had stood toe to toe with an X Demon because of this.
But his body gave in.
Just when death seemed certain, the demon vanished without explanation. That experience left Moritaka damaged—now, he can only unleash four techniques every five minutes. His magic capacity is low, and using his power recklessly against an opponent like this demon won't be enough.
I realize that now. Attacking frugally won't get us anywhere.
Moritaka's strength lies in his relentless techniques, but now that he's vulnerable, everything has shifted in the demon's favor.
Seeing Moritaka struggle, the weight of the situation pressed down on me. My mind screamed for me to act.