Idoku's hand was around Kouji's neck, lifting him from the ground, as if it was nothing, like Idoku always does.
There was no sound, while Kouji was getting less and less air.
Kouji's fingers twitched, reaching into the air — trying to tear space open, for another sword — but Idoku grabbed his wrist mid-motion, stopping him from ripping the space.
"Trying to pull another trick?"
His one visible eye was a poisonous purple pupil, the other hidden beneath the destroyed half of his mask.
The long scar running down his cheek still bled faintly from where Kouji had split his face earlier.
Yumi locked her eyes onto Idoku, her eyes turning yellow — but Idoku shifted instantly, turning Kouji's body toward her, using him like a shield.
"Go ahead," he taunted. "Use your ability. Let's see if it still works through him."
Her hands trembled.
Her aura was unstable — and the moment she lost focus, Idoku laughed. "So that's how it works. You need to see me."
Kouji's vision began to fade.
The pressure on Kouji's throat was unbearable.
Dots appear in his vision, as he tries to juggle out of Idokus grip and put his hands on his throat, trying to open his grip just a tiny bit.
But Idoku was too strong.
His lungs couldn't pull air anymore.
And then, slowly his eyes closed — and everything went black.
When his eyes opened again, he was standing on solid ground.
The air felt... different.
He had just turned around from Idoku, trying to walk away, when Idoku was lunging at him, trying to grab his neck.
Kouji's instincts moved faster than thought.
He dodged, slashing upward with perfect timing — his blade cut into Idoku's arm and blood burst into the air.
"What—?"
Idoku staggered back in disbelief, staring at the cut, then at Kouji. "You... saw that coming?!"
Kouji didn't answer.
His breathing was heavy.
He gritted his teeth, sweat running down his face.
That was real... that pain... I actually died and it felt just like the first time. I guess I'll never get used to that feeling.
His eyes narrowed. "But this time... I'm finishing it."
"Finishing it?" Idoku asks in enjoyment.
Kouji leapt forward, with his sword.
He was striking for Idoku but he caught the sword bare-handed — and it corroded instantly, turning to dust between his fingers.
Kouji opened another rift and pulled out two knives.
With one he parried Idoku's sword, the other he threw at his leg, missing by only an inch.
Shit... I'm too exhausted already.
"You look tired, let me send you to sleep," Idoku said, while sweeping his sword at Kouji.
Kouji ducked under it and tries to cut with the knife, but it's not deep enough.
Idoku punches from above, but Kouji jumped back instantly.
I may have a new ability, but I can't get cocky. It might be similar to my old one, but its far more simple and only usable as a bag. Since it's only an inventory, I can't adjust the details while fighting him, like I used to.
He gritted his teeth, wiping blood from his lip.
Still... There's one thing I can rely on.
"Yumi!" he shouted across the chaos. "Are you ready!?"
"Hm," exhaled Idoku quitely.
Yumi didn't answer, only nodded once, filled with determination.
Kouji turned back to Idoku, but he was gone.
His pupils shrank.
"YUMI—!"
But Idoku was already behind her, lunging with his fist for her back.