Chapter 5: Engagement

  “Darn it, not here either!” Emily whined in disappointment. The two had been searching around town for hours, visiting all the secluded spots where the blue-haired expected to see at least one creeper.

  “Is this the same person,” said Viola, giving her companion a side eye, “who told me she’d know exactly and predict perfectly where the creepers will appear?”

  “I-I know! I’m trying my best here, okay?” She looked around the empty dark road lit up by the streetlights, hopelessly in search of any clue, before pointing gingerly at a road turning left behind some structures, with the woods adjacent to it. “T-There! We’ll definitely find something there! I can feel it!”

  Viola sighed heavily before following the blue-haired girl. They were in the outermost area of town, where people usually closed their shops early, leaving the place empty sometime after dusk. So, besides them, there shouldn’t be anyone—

  “Wait!”

  Upon hearing muffled voices coming from the far left, she immediately caught Emily’s hand and gently pulled to stop her. She then sneaked ahead to peek around the corner over a building wall, only to fall back with a horrified look on her face immediately.

  “I…hate to say it, but…you’re right.” Emily’s darkened eyes slowly light up. “There’s one here.”

  “I KNEW—“

  Viola swiftly covered the blue-haired’s mouth, before she could shout and blow their cover. “Shh!” Placing a finger upright on her own lips, she signalled her partner to whisper.

  “I knew it,” Emily spoke in a hushed tone once Viola retracted her hand. “What else did you see? Just the creeper, I hope?”

  “Unfortunately, no.” Viola cast her gaze downward, recalling the sight she just witnessed, “It’s not alone. Looks like a pair—a mother and her little daughter—have been cornered by the thing. If we don’t act quickly…” The dead bodies from that day flashed in her mind again. “We must do something!”

  “That’s where you come in!” Emily pointed her shivering hand to their left. “I choose you! Go fight! Use your superhuman punch!”

  “You’re seriously going to make me do all the fighting?!” They continued arguing in hushed tones.

  “Yes! That was our deal, wasn’t it? I’m the brains and you’re the muscle! Now go!”

  “B-But I don’t know if I can do this alone…I’m not confident enough!”

  Emily looked to the side and saw a small metal pipe lying on the pavement. She picked it up and shoved it into Viola’s hands. “There, you’re armed now! You have the advantage! Confidence boosted!”

  “I threw a damn table at that thing the last time, and it did nothing! What am I going to do with this puny pipe? Play catch?!”

  “Try it! M-Maybe it’ll work!“

  “It’s not a puppy!”

  “D-Don’t knock it till you try—“

  A loud, blood-curdling scream echoed in their ears, and Viola instinctively dashed into the scene, throwing the metal pipe at the creeper. Luckily, the mother and daughter remained unharmed, but the pipe that hit the creature’s face broke into several pieces upon contact, only achieving a moment of distraction.

  “Wow, that really did nothing, huh…” Emily said, following behind and standing beside the two civilians.

  “I know, right! I’m glad I informed you earlier!" The creeper hurled its arm downward at her, but she swiftly leapt to the side. Her vision caught the other three rooted to their spots. “Now don’t just keep staring, get them to safety! I’ll t-try to stop this thing!”

  Emily nodded and immediately led the civilians away from the creeper. However, it ignored Viola and instead turned its attention towards the escapees.

  “H-Hey! Where are you going?! I’m right here!” Viola picked up a broken pipe piece and chucked it at the creature, hoping to taunt it, but it didn’t even flinch. “Why is it going for the ones fifteen feet away when I was right here?!”

  “Viola—what is going ON?!” The blue-haired’s face turned horrified when she turned back to find the creeper chasing after them. “YOU HAD ONE JOB!”

  “I-I’m trying! I don’t know how to draw it towards me!”

  Viola thought about punching it, but she was reminded of her broken fingers. Besides, the creeper had gone far enough for her to reach in time. She picked up another small pipe piece, this one having a particularly sharp end. Her heart rate spiked up to her mouth when she saw Emily trying to shield the two civilians, with the creeper nearly closing the distance. “PLEASE WORK!” she screamed, tossing the piece towards the creature with all her might.

  Huh?

  Emily thought to herself when she saw a faint flash of violet emitting from the projectile.

  Was that…what I think it was?

  Viola's eyes stretched wide when the sharp end of the metal projectile pierced through the back of the creeper’s skull far enough to reach out the other side through its eye. The thing screeched in agony, and Emily took this chance to swiftly escape.

  “It…worked? That’s great! But…how?”

  But the moment of joyous celebration at the successful escape of the innocent was cut short when scarlet-red eyes—the wounded one having already healed—glared death daggers at her.

  “Nope, not great! I’ve made it mad!”

  The creeper reappeared right in front of her in a split second. Her body jumped backwards on its own just in time to avoid a punch aimed at her, smashing the ground instead, forming a spiderweb of cracks on the road in a wide area.

  What do I do? If I attack, it will only end up hurting me! But how did that small metal piece affect it? Was it the sharpness?

  Ducking under a punch, Viola felt the wind rush against her hair before the blow slammed into a shop’s shutter behind her. Metal shrieked and crumpled inward, leaving a gaping hole rimmed with jagged steel. She tore off a piece of it and swiped at the creature’s gut with the sharp end. The edge met its flesh with a metallic ting—and snapped in two like glass. Her eyes widened just as a pitch-black fist came swinging toward her. The blow connected. The impact cracked through her skull like thunder, and her vision went white as she was hurled backwards into the forest. Trees blurred past—wood splintering, bark scraping—before she hit the ground face-first, the breath knocked out of her.

  Well, that wasn’t worth the effort—

  A chill crawled up her spine. She rolled just in time as another fist crashed on the dirt where she was. Pushing herself upright, she muttered between heavy breaths, “You’re really out for my blood, aren’t you?!”

  The creature’s response was a piercing screech. Viola touched the side of her face, wincing at the throbbing pain beneath her fingertips. Luckily, she was still in shape thanks to the durability that comes with her strength. But the world looked a bit blurred, making it hard for her to focus.

  It’s just like before…

  The creeper lunged with a sudden jab. Viola sidestepped, and the punch drove straight through a tree trunk with a deep crunch. Splinters exploded around them. As it shoved its arm free, wood cracking and snapping, she dove through the narrow space between its body and the trunk. Grabbing a handful of broken shards, she hurled them at its back. The fragments struck and shattered uselessly against its void skin.

  The monster twisted around with frightening speed and swung again. Viola crossed her arms to block. The impact sent a burst of pain shooting up through her limbs, her bones creaking under the sheer force. The sound of cracking echoed through the clearing as she was pushed backwards several feet. Her hands trembled, numb from shock, as pain spread like fire beneath her skin.

  No matter what I do, I can’t injure it, nor can I run away. It would easily catch up, especially now that I’ve taken some hits. I’m going to lose again…

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  Viola was yet to learn from her past mistakes.

  But that’s okay…right? The rest have escaped. My purpose here is done…

  The creeper’s next move struck Viola directly on her gut, throwing her out of the woods. She crashed back on the road again, and a metallic taste filled her mouth as she coughed up blood. Even though she stood her ground, she had lost the will to fight. The dark figure with glowing red eyes walked out of the woods, and a deep growl escaped from it, suggesting a mocking remark. Her shivering arms lay by her sides, refusing to obey. Or rather, she wouldn't command them.

  There’s nothing I can do but accept.

  As the next devastating fist approached her lowered gaze, Viola was pushed to the side by an unknown force. Falling to the floor with a thud, she looked to the right and was met by a familiar pair of ocean-blue eyes.

  “What were you thinking?!” Emily shouted with a worried frown. “Even with your superhuman nature, I don’t think you can take a punch head-on like that!”

  “Emily…why did you return?”

  “Why wouldn’t I? I’m just as afraid, but I’m not leaving my friend behind! And good thing I did return, you were getting ready to sacrifice yourself!” Emily flinched when she heard a loud screech from behind her. She turned to see the creeper clenching its fists. “N-Now get up! Don’t just surrender!” Noticing that the creature was no longer focused on Viola, she walked a few feet away from her companion.

  “I-I can’t…” Her voice faltered, tears streaming down her face. “I’m useless! I used to think that I was strong, but…against this thing…I’ve been proven wrong! I’ve done all I could, but I cannot win this…so please, leave!” Viola’s heart raced when the creeper dashed towards Emily, but she successfully dodged it.

  “It’s just like you said.” Emily smiled. “We’re in this together, so I’ll be dragged along with you.”

  “No…don’t…” A bloody mess, a corpse, immense guilt and pain, her friend’s last smile. Viola feared seeing these images all over again in front of her eyes. “Please don’t make me regret my existence any further!" She took rapid breaths. "I’ve given it my all, but I can’t win this! Why can’t you understand? At least…let me save just one person!”

  “If you’ve truly done all you could, then let me ask you something.” Emily continued effortlessly avoiding the creeper’s attack, albeit with clumsy and shaky moves. “Why haven’t I seen you punch this thing even once, when it was the first thing I told you to do?”

  “B-Because it won’t work!”

  “Just because it didn’t work the first time doesn’t mean it will never work! Have you thought about trying a different approach?”

  Ocean-blue glared straight into violet.

  “Have you tried letting go of that fear and unleashing your full strength for once?!”

  Viola’s eyes opened wide upon hearing that one particular word, spoken by a stranger who still haunts her mind.

  “Fear was the reason why you lost. That otherworldly power within you is meaningless if you can’t overcome a single human emotion.”

  “Is that why…that piece earlier…” She recalled the moment when her move managed to hurt the creeper, when she hurled the metal projectile. “That time…I used my full force…” She got back up, aiming a punch at the beast. “I understand now.” Her knuckles cracked with how hard she squeezed her fists, and the world around her blurred away. Her irises froze over, glaring at her one true enemy.

  “Don’t ever hesitate to fight for the weak, for the innocent, for the good of humanity.”

  She took a deep breath, calming herself before the first step.

  “Make sure that when the time comes…you follow the path that best suits you, leading you to your purpose in life.”

  Her first step into a place branching away from the well-kept road she preferred, and into the desolate, thorny route leading towards unknown territory—the Void, and where she needed to be.

  “Do not make a choice that you’ll regret.”

  “Come on, Viola!” Emily’s luck ran out, and she was cornered against a wall. “Any time now—“

  Right before her eyes, a fist connected to the side of the creeper’s face. And then, she saw it, a faint flash of violet. Its jaw tore off, strong gusts of wind flew everywhere, the ground shook beneath them, and the creeper was sent flying several feet away, bouncing a few times off the ground, creating little craters, until it finally landed at the very end of the street.

  “Even a gift can become a burden if you are incapable of using it.”

  Emily turned to her rescuer. Viola stood calm and collected, wiping off a speck of blood trickling down her mouth with the back of her hand. “I knew you were abnormally strong…but holy shit!”

  “Thank you, Emily.” Viola glanced at her partner and smiled slightly. “I figured out where I was lacking. I understand my mistake now. You see, I’ve always had to hold back my strength in all my previous conflicts, to not kill my opponents, since they were only humans. No matter how much they wronged someone, this strength of mine wasn't to murder, but to teach a lesson. It’s become a habit now. I was involuntarily, and out of fear, using only half of my strength even against this alien creature. And I had almost given up, for the second time, after failing so miserably. But that’s no longer the case now!”

  A determined glare faced the creeper.

  “So, stand back, I will protect you. And we will win this, you and I, just as we planned!”

  The creeper slowly got back up, whining and screeching at her from a distance. Viola closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She clutched the pendant above her chest, remembering the person closest to her heart, and her reason to continue living.

  I can’t simply accept defeat here. I’m still yet to see you again!

  Her other free hand slipped inside her pocket and, a second later, returned with a ring. Holding it between her thumb and index finger, she remembered her failure, her reason to continue pushing forward, and why she cannot lose here again.

  I’m sorry, Bonn. My lack of confidence almost made me do the same thing you stopped me from doing that day. You gave your life to protect me, and I will not let your sacrifice go in vain. I will not falter again!

  Violet eyes reopened to gaze at the ring.

  And I apologise...for not being able to accept this sooner.

  She inserted the wooden ornament into the ring finger of her left hand before forming fists with both and stepping forward, sights locked on the creeper.

  Thank you for this gift, and for everything. I will cherish our memories for as long as I live.

  Determined violet eyes stared daggers into the empty, yet horror-filled scarlet-red orbs.

  My only regret is that…I interrupted you from giving this to me yourself.

  The two dashed forward at the same time, their fists colliding with a thunderous impact that shook the road underneath. The creeper launched another punch with its other hand, and Viola responded with equal intensity, their collision rattling the windows of nearby buildings. This cycle continued—both hurling jabs at each other at increasing speeds until their pace reached an inhuman level, each impact creating winds of such high intensity that they almost resembled a miniature cyclone.

  Fortunately, the creeper stumbled and couldn’t keep up. Viola managed to crush and amputate both its arms before launching one last fist at its stomach, carrying with enough power to force the creature’s guts out the back and leaving behind a big gaping hole.

  I’ll finish this here.

  Twisting on her heel, Viola launched a kick to the side of the creeper’s head, tearing it clean off. She froze, eyes widening as blood gushed out like a fountain, splattering the road and her clothes. “I did not know I was this powerful…” she spoke, half in disbelief. A drop hit her cheek, and she grimaced, wiping it off with a flick.

  It’ll regrow.

  The headless body began to twitch violently, and Viola stepped back. Flesh began bubbling at the amputated ends, before they expanded and reached out, recovering its lost hands, head, and the gaping hole in its gut.

  Wait…how did I know that?

  The creeper lurched forward, fighting back more intensely. Even then, Viola had no trouble blocking and avoiding its attacks, decapitating its head at least three more times. However, no matter what she did and how much damage she inflicted, the creeper would also have no trouble recovering. It can fight forever, but Viola had her limits.

  “Emily!” She shouted at her partner while keeping her sights focused on the conflict. “This thing will keep healing itself no matter what I do! But I know it’s not unkillable either!” She recalled back when the strange boy turned it to dust right in front of her. “Do you have any idea how to put it down?!”

  “I-It must have some kind of a weak spot!” the blue-haired answered. “It’s usually the heart, isn’t it? I-It’s just a guess, but try hitting there once! With your absolute full strength, don’t hold back at all!”

  Those suggestions sound a little too specific to be an educated guess…

  Nevertheless, she took her advice and began eyeing an opening in the enemy’s defence. Deflecting jabs left, right, and centre, she aimed right between the creature’s chest. She launched a fist that connected, but it was rushed and lacked the necessary power to even pierce the flesh. Continuing to block and evade its arms, she landed another blow to the supposed weak spot, this time with more effort and focus. Her punch went through, but she barely grazed the organ behind.

  “Channel your full power and give it your all!” Emily shouted from behind after noticing Viola fail twice.

  The creeper was pushed back a little, and she figured out an idea. She launched herself forward, landing a dropkick to the creature’s face with enough force to split apart its head yet again. But this time, before it could recover, Viola swiftly got back up and focused all of her strength in one single punch, even closing her eyes. So only Emily saw her fist glow a faint violet as it flew towards the target. And, as soon as it connected with the creature’s skin, energy was discharged into its body, resulting in a little, violet-coloured explosion, creating a large gaping hole in the area of impact and crushing the heart.

  “Did I…do it?”

  Viola stepped backwards, opening her eyes to stare at the creeper standing motionless. Part of her believed that it worked, but part of her feared that it would start regrowing the organ and continue into what would be a never-ending fight. Her heart raced at the silence, staring into the hollow she left behind, fearing she would see flesh bubbling up again.

  Please work—

  Fortunately, and to her surprise, the lifeless body fell forward with a loud thud and began crumbling into dust, until no evidence of its existence was left behind. Not even the specks of black blood that dropped on her skin, clothes, and all over the battlefield.

  “I…won?”

  “You did it!” Emily jumped in joy and tackle-hugged Viola from behind, inciting a sudden gasp from her. “I knew you could win! You just needed to have some faith in yourself.”

  “I just wish I had—” She paused when she looked at the ring on her hand, and smiled. “You know what, no more dwelling in the past. I’m going to press forward on the path you paved for me.”

  “Speaking of…” Emily pulled back and gestured at the ring. “Did you seriously…get engaged mid-fight?”

  “I-It’s none of your business!”

  Viola looked away from her with blushes forming all over her face. The blue-haired giggled at her response, and eventually, she laughed along.

  “Let’s go hunt some more!” said Emily, taking Viola’s hand and leading her towards the next location.

  She had slain her first. She had taken the first leap towards the path she was always meant for. But the journey had only just begun…

  “W-Wait…we’re already looking for the next?!”

  After all, even before this battle, she had already drawn The Void’s gaze.