AN: Light gore warning

> Kira PoV

“>” (Flying fish)

{Run away! Now!}

Nano’s panicked tone cause my legs react before my brain could. The three of us run in separate directions.

“>” (Flying Fish)

*BU-DU-BU-DU-BU-DU-BU-DU*

And unearthly noise comes from behind me. Looking back, I see yellow flashing lines strike the ground, they're coming from the front of it.

{Ellie will keep him busy, don’t worry, she’s fought those before.}

Ellie is running to the left of it and the trail of yellow lights follow after her, but she isn't getting hit.

{Kelly, do not try to take those attacks. Kira too, your Barriers won’t last long. Focus on dodging the line of fire.}

Information keeps flowing in from Nano. This is completely unexpected so we don’t have a plan.

{There’s a person controlling it, diversions like smoke or noise are pointless. It can fly in every direction but can only see forward.}

So it’s a vehicle of some sort. Meaning we either have to wreck it or somehow get at the driver.

{Kelly, you’re not much use out here, go inside the cave and deal with any other bandits. Secure the hostages}

{“Got it, on my way.”} (Kelly)

{Kira, you should be safe here, stop for a moment and observe the enemy.}

I duck behind a rock and peek my head out towards where the metal fish is.

“>” (Flying Fish)

It’s chasing Ellie incessantly. The yellow stream of light hasn’t abated even for a moment, but Ellie is rapidly changing directions even in midair. She’s using those hooks of hers to swing rapidly between trees.

“>” (Flying Fish)

“Nano, what’s it saying?” (Kira)

{It’s just screaming profanity, ignore it. Listen Kira, it has a defensive bubble that will deflect most of Ellie’s attacks.}

{However, spells should have some effect on it. Hit it with a [High Thunder] from behind.}

I move slightly closer and prepare my staff.

"---- [High Thunder]" (Kira)

The familiar lightning bolt strikes it from behind, but doesn’t reach it. It crashes against a barrier-like hexagon that appeared out of nowhere. The spell disappears with a flash.

“>” (Flying Fish)

Its attacks stop and it starts turning this way, it definitely noticed me.

“----------- [High Vacuum Blades]” (Kira)

I resort to wind magic to try and knock it off balance. I'm not very good with this element so the mana consumption is bad.

A tornado of invisible wind blades appeared around the fish. Numerous hexagon-shaped barriers appear around it and absorb the impacts, but the wind itself is making it shake and spin out of control.

“>” (Flying Fish)

Good, like that it can’t attack for a while. More importantly I just felt a gap.

“Nano, how do I disable that barrier?” (Kira)

{What do- If you can hit it directly with as much power as a [High Thunder] then it should lose power for a few minutes.}

Nano abandoned his question and provided information. Good, there’s definitely a gap I can exploit.

“Ellie, can you hold it down with [Star Magic]? Just for a few seconds?”

{“I can.”} (Ellie)

“>” (Flying fish)

The fish has recovered! Two metal rods come flying out of its sides. They’re spewing a trail of smoke with a disturbing whistling-like sound. They’re coming right at me!

{Block them from a distance!}

“--- [Aegis] --- [Aegis]”

Following Nano's instructions, I summon two floating kite shields. The flying rods strike them at the same time and-

*KRAKOOOOOOOOM*

-explode violently. An intense shockwave rattles me down to my bones.

“AAAARGH!” (Kira)

There's a sudden sharp pain in my leg! I fall to the ground, unable to stand. My left thigh has a piece of metal sticking out of it and copious amounts of blood are flowing out!

“>” (Flying Fish

*BU-DU-BU-DU-BU-DU-BU-DU*

“KIRAAA!” (Ellie)

The fish bastard is trying to finish me off! Arm-like, red-hot pieces of metal stop instantly in the air, then drop harmlessly onto the floor. Ellie's a little further away to my side, arms stretched out in my direction, shaking.

I see, she’s protecting me.

{Use Ellie’s recovery item!}

Nano’s voice snaps me back to reality again. Right! Those things Ellie gave us this morning!

I reach into a pocket and take out the steel syringe. I stab it into the injured thigh. I press the little switch on the end and feel something cold enter my body. I drop the syringe, grab the metal piece with both hands and pull out.

“RRRGH!” (Kira)

That huuuurts! The cool sensation is now spreading through my leg, I feel it wrap around and instantly soothe the intense pain and heat. The wound closes itself in an instant as if time is running backwards.

“>” (Flying Fish)

*BU-DU-BU-DU-BU-DU-BU-DU*

That fish is cackling madly while attacking me. Ellie is holding on, but I have to- no, there’s a gap. Right now, there’s a gap.

I exchange looks with Ellie, she nods. Even while bleeding, her eyes give off a will that will not bend. That’s my girl.

*BU-DU-BU-DU*

I pick up my staff from the ground.

*BU-DU-BU-DU*

Reach out…

*BU-DU-BU-DU*

Grasp the mana…

*BU-DU-BU-DU*

Grasp the space and...

“-- [Blink]” (Kira)

“>” (Flying Fish)

I appear on top of the flying fish, some 30 meters above the ground. My feet slip slightly on the smooth surface.

The barrier blocks projectiles and manifested spells, but raw mana can pass through it. This is the gap.

“---- [Discharge]” (Kira)

I jump off and slam the staff head into the metal as I activate the spell. Bright white-blue tendrils of lightning instantly envelop the fish. Its bubble-like barrier shines, shivers and dissipates. Black smoke starts spilling out of the fish’s underside.

Looks like that one hurt!

I’m okay since I jumped off, but now I’m falling toward the ground.

“Ellie! Catc-” (Kira)

Before I can even finish my sentence, Ellie swings in with her hooks attached to a tree. She catches me with one arm and safely brings me to the ground.

After quickly making sure I’m safe, she looks up. We’re directly below our enemy. Ellie raises her hand towards it.

*Fwump* *Clack*

The metal hook flies up and attaches itself flawlessly to one of the metal protrusions on the fish's underside.

*Vrrrrrrrrrr*

She’s pulling herself straight into it with her sword drawn. She swings around and stabs it directly into the reflective glass-like front.

*Crik* *Cra-crack*

I hear a cracking sounds and see bits of the front fall off, but it's not shattering.

“>” (Flying Fish)

Suddenly a bright purple light flashes out from inside it.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” (Ellie)

"Ellie? ELLIE!?" (Kira)

She’s falling while clutching her head! My body moves on its own and I manage to grab her before she hits the ground. My arms complain but I ignore them.

Ellie’s face is covered with blood, she’s out cold!

“Nano! What’s going on?” (Kira)

There’s no response.

Just like a corpse.

“NANO! ELLIE!” (Kira)

I lay her down on the ground and check her condition. She’s bleeding from the nose all four of her ears! She’s not breathing!

The recovery item! I still have one more. I take it out and stab it into her chest and press the button.

“>” (Flying Fish)

The flying fish cackles madly above me. I don’t have time to bother with him now!

With a sharp gasp, her breathing returns. Her complexion gets a bit better. Her face twitches, but she’s not opening her eyes.

Kira… Kira... (Ellie)

“Huh? Ellie? Is that you!?” (Kira)

Kira!? Yes! I’m here! (Ellie)

“Ellie! You’re alive! Are you okay?” (Kira)

Yes! I can’t move right now, but I’ll get better! (Ellie)

Relief washes over me.

“I’m so glad! Wait, where’s Nano?” (Kira)

He broke. I can’t wake him up right now. But Kira, what about that Fishface? (Ellie)

Fishface? The flying fish! I look up and see it spewing smoke from the side while retreating into the mountain. He’s already a grain on the horizon.

“I won’t let him get away. Hang tight sweetie! Kelly should be back soon!” (Kira)

Okay! Go get ‘em Kira! (Ellie)

For a brief moment, I felt like a smile broke out on her motionless face.

I stand up and refocus my mind. I’m still worried about Ellie, but if she says she’s okay, then she's okay.

Right now, it’s payback!

“------- [Flight]” (Kira)

My body starts floating. I accelerate through the air by using my mana as fuel. I pump more and more mana into the spell, rapidly increasing my speed.

Kuh! I'm overdoing it, my mana is draining away! I’ve already used up about half of it today, but I can’t let that Fishface escape!

The wind slashes across my face, it burns and my eyes barely keep open, but I’m catching up to him. He’s leisurely floating along, spewing smoke as he goes.

Looks like it still hasn’t recovered, good. I stop in midair and channel my spell in his blindspot.

"---- [High Thunder]" (Kira)

The lightning bolt hits it dead on. Sparks and flames gush out from underneath and behind it.

“WAAH!” (Fishface)

I hear a scream from inside. More in confusion than pain. I see, I see, he’s just surprised is he? Well then, let's hope he loves surprises!

"---- [High Thunder]" (Kira)

Another one!

"---- [High Thunder]" (Kira)

Another one!

"---- [High Thunder]" (Kira)

Screams, sparks and smoke gush out with each hit. Fishface tries to dodge sideways. But it’s a giant flying lump of metal, dodging lightning is impossible for you.

Another one!

"---- [High Thunder]" (Kira)

*BA-KOOOOOM*

That time something gives. A side of the flying fish erupts with an explosion and it starts rapidly falling. Good, I only had about 3 more shots in me.

The remains of the reflective surface are blown off with a gush of smoke a chair with a person in it flies out, but starts falling after a few seconds.

Several cloth circles shoot out of the back of the chair. They're attached by a thin rope. The cloths gathers air as it falls, expanding into a group of domes. The chair's fall slows down to a gentle descent.

The flying fish falls hundreds of meters below, crashing into the ground like the [Fallen Star].

I see, so the driver escaped with his life.

I float over to him and meet him face-to-helmet. He’s wearing a strange suit, like the one Ellie had on when we met. I match his falling speed, looks like we have a few minutes to ourselves.

“You. You can understand me right.” (Kira)

“Hiii!” (Fishface)

He recoils in his chair with a pathetic noise. We're hundreds of meters in the air and he can't fly. There’s no escape.

“Come now. You were working with those lowlifes so surely you can understand me. Right?” (Kira)

“YES!” (Fishface)

He screams and covers his head with his hands. Good. He can understand me. Communication is important.

Now then.

What shall I do with these feelings of mine?