It was a thin sword that looked like the night on fire. The steel was pure black, its edges gleaming red. But the weapon was unfinished; the top part of it was serrated like it’d been sawn off, and it was only half the length of Zizi’s arm.
A broken sword.
If a spiritual weapon reflected the wielder’s character and ability, what did that say about Zizi?
“A new toy?” said Yuki. “What other secrets do you have?”
“If I told you, it would ruin the surprise.” Almost leisurely, Zizi pointed his sword at Yuki. “Any last words?”
Seething, the Hybrid flared his wings.
Zizi rolled his eyes. “Not that again.” He whispered two words under his breath.
There was a sharp whistle of metal slicing through air.
Yuki cried out. Half of his left wing had shattered, the violet spikes strewn on the road, fizzing out.
Yiran hadn’t seen the blow coming either. It was as if the other half of Zizi’s sword had appeared from nowhere, slamming down with a force so large, there was a split in the tarmac.
“Surprise!” Zizi whooped, brandishing his broken sword.
Yiran gawked at him. “What the hell?”
Zizi grinned. “Told you I was gifted.” He lowered himself, whispering quickly, “Each hit takes a lot out of me. I can’t keep this up for long. You should run if you can.”
But Yiran stayed where he was. He wasn’t helping the fight, but he couldn’t abandon Zizi.
Sweat dripped down Yuki’s face as he strained to re-form his wing. He barely made any progress when the sharp whistle sounded again.
Yuki sprang aside.
But he miscalculated the direction of Zizi’s blow.
He collapsed as Zizi’s sword took out his other wing.
“Say your prayers,” Zizi sang, flinging his sword arm out.
Yuki struggled on the ground, writhing in pain. It was becoming clear that he would not win this fight.
I’m tired of being hunted.
Instead of relief, Yiran felt a pang in his chest, even as his face was still hurting from Yuki’s assault. The Hybrid boy had seemed so alone, sobitter. And he would disappear from this world, just as alone and bitter.
Yuki’s eyes found his.
Yiran didn’t,couldn’tlook away in Yuki’s last moments. Yuki seemed to smile at him, and just when Yiran thought it was the last time he would ever lay his eyes on this beautiful Revenant boy, the night sky exploded with light.
35
Rui
The air crackled.
From the car, Rui heard a sharp whistle.
A force shook the ground, and the vehicle rattled loudly.
Zizi.
