Shinigami Twin Ch.30 "Tension Part 3"

The battle is about to begin! Mantis vs. Tyrin! An event you will not want to miss! Yes, this is a shameless sales pitch!

Mantis charges at Tyrin. Tyrin senses Mantis' presence and blocks Mantis' strike as he slides past him. Mantis turns around and strikes from behind. Tyrin dukes down and uses his wing to strike at Mantis.

Mantis evades the wing and strikes forward. Tyrin flies to into the air and lands on a tree branch. Mantis cuts down the tree Tyrin is standing on with one swipe of his claw. Tyrin leaps off the tree and charges forward. Tyrin clashes blades with Mantis.

Mantis flips over Tyrin and strikes upward. Tyrin parries Mantis' strike and steps back. Mantis strikes rapidly at Tyrin. Tyrin blocks and evades Mantis' strikes. Tyrin flips forwards and kicks Mantis backwards. Mantis regains his balance and climbs a nearby tree.

Mantis dashes between trees around Tyrin. Tyrin looks around and prepares for Mantis to strike at him. Mantis quickly strikes from a nearby tree. Tyrin frailly blocks Mantis' strike. Mantis returns to the trees and continues to circle Tyrin.

Tyrin: (I can't get a good read on him while he's moving between trees. Just waiting for him to attack is going to help either.)

Tyrin flies away from Mantis' radius. Mantis chases after Tyrin.

Mantis: What's wrong, boy? You can't beat me by running away!

Tyrin: Who said I was running?

Tyrin fires Shuuhas from behind. Mantis evades them, but is slightly hit by one of them. Mantis steps back and jumps into the air.

Tyrin: (I got him now!)

Tyrin charges forward and strikes at Mantis. Mantis swiftly evades Tyrin's strike and kicks him down to the ground. Mantis charges after Tyrin as he falls to the ground.

Mantis: You're mine!

Tyrin quickly turns and fires a Hauringu Shuuha. Mantis is hit by it, but evades it shortly afterwards. Mantis lands the ground and glares at Tyrin.

Mantis: That was quite impressive… reckless, but impressive nonetheless.

Tyrin: Told you, I was going to give you more of a fight.

Mantis: Indeed, however you still haven't experience my true power. I have only just begun.

Tyrin: Thanks for the heads-up. Now I can fight with my full power as well.

Mantis: Don't get too cocky, boy. I can tell you are rookie Shinigami from the way you fight. Let me tell you a secret, I have successfully killed countless of Shinigami who have entered this forest. And I don't plan on letting any of the eight of you leave here with your lives.

Tyrin: You know, for an "intelligent" Mons, you sure do talk a lot.

Mantis: You're right. Talking among ourselves is useless at this point. Let's let our blades do the talking.

Tyrin: Couldn't agree more.

Mantis and Tyrin stand off

Lewis: That's odd.

Toshiko: What is?

Lewis: I'm sensing large bursts of energy from two different sources. One of them is Tyrin's, but the other is definitely from someone else's.

Toshiko: Do you think someone infiltrated the forest?

Lewis: In a way, but this one's doesn't seem to be human. I think it's a Mons.

Toshiko senses a presence

Toshiko: This energy… it belongs to something… disgusting. Something even more than a Mons.

Perkins: Toshiko!

Toshiko evades a jump attack from Perkins

Toshiko: I knew it was you, Perkins. Nothing in this dead world is more disgusting than you.

Perkins: That hurts, Toshiko, but not as much as my face.

Lewis: Is there something you need, Perkins? I thought you were fighting with Arizo and Tyrin.

Perkins: Oh, yeah. We were facing our share, but then Tyrin sensed something wrong and went after Ai's group.

Lewis: Something wrong?

Perkins: Something about… eight Mons disappearing in thirty seconds.

Lewis and Toshiko are deeply shocked

Lewis: Damn, there is a powerful Mons in the forest.

Toshiko: Let's hurry up and go. I don't like the sound of this. Come on, Perks!

Lewis and Toshiko leave

Perkins: Why do people use that terrible nickname? I'm the one who makes the nicknames around here.

Mantis and Tyrin continue to clash blades

Arizo looks on

Arizo: (Amazing! He has surely has grown since the Shinigami Bout match, but at this level… he could already be called a Commander within a few months by his strength alone! How does he grow so much strength in such a short amount of time? I know he's Jones' son and all… but even this is majorly surprising.)

Flashback to 12 years ago in Jones' Office. Though it was in the middle of the afternoon, Jones was sleeping with his head down on his desk.

Arizo: Hey! Wake up!

Jones quickly awakens to Arizo's voice

Jones: W…What? What is it, Arizo? I was finishing my report.

Arizo: No, you weren't, you were sleeping again. This is the third time today.

Jones: Of course I was. Try taking care of two children with another one on the way in a few months. It's tough work.

Arizo: That's what you always say.

Jones: Okay, then you watch my kids. In a few hours, you'll be pulling your hair out.

Arizo: No thanks. Just try to stay awake.

Jones: So, you're going to work with me again today?

Arizo: I've been told to, so yeah.

Jones: Why sound like that? You act like you hate working with me.

Arizo: I do, I rather work with someone who can actually control his strength.

Jones: Come on, it was one time! You're still an apprentice, so you can't expect me to go easy on you.

Arizo: Hey, just because I'm training right now to become your Associate as a part of my studies, doesn't mean I enjoy being hurt.

Jones: Tough training is the best training of them all.

Arizo: Yeah, I have a weird habit of not getting hurt, so that's a problem.

Jones: How old are you again?

Arizo: Fifteen.

Jones: That's right. The Child Program was just established a year ago. You're required to take a course that trains you with a Commander for a month.

Arizo: And I unfortunately had to pair up with you.

Jones: Twenty-eight days until you leave. That's a dream come true.

Lewis walks in

Lewis: You guys ready to go?

Jones: Yeah! Let me talk with my wife before we go though.

Arizo: Why does he do that again?

Lewis: It's because he worries he may die one day, so before every mission he talks with his wife.

Arizo: That's weird. A man as powerful as him shouldn't be worried.

Lewis: Let me tell you something, Arizo. Everyday could be our death day. Once you have a family you realize that one day you may never see them again. So take care of what you have and fight everyday so you can see your family again.

Arizo: That's a pretty damn good speech.

Lewis: I didn't make it, Jones told me that once.

Arizo: So now he's a poet too? He makes me sick.

Flashback ends

Mantis kicks Tyrin back into a tree. Arizo returns to reality and continues to watch the battle.

Mantis: This is getting interesting. I wonder which one of us is going to run out of energy first.

Tyrin: It's not going to be me anytime soon. *slightly breathes*

Mantis: Don't bore me so early now, I'm only getting started. This is the longest a Shinigami has ever entrained me, so I should congratulated you. Oh well, I guess I should finish you off now.

Tyrin slowly stands and prepares himself

Tyrin: Don't make me repeat myself. I told you I'm not dying today.

Mantis: And I told you to stop acting so cocky.

Mantis strikes at Tyrin. Tyrin frailly blocks Mantis' strike.

Mantis: Is this all you got?

Mantis once again strikes

Mantis: Is this all that you are capable of?

Tyrin is slightly cut

Mantis: Don't make me laugh, Shinigami! You're ten years too early to face me!

Mantis knocks Tyrin down to the ground and prepares to strike. Tyrin disappears in a blur. Mantis is shocked and is suddenly hit by a Tenka from behind. Arizo quickly stops the Tenka.

Arizo: I better be careful not to burn down the entire forest.

Tyrin reappears behind Arizo

Tyrin: Hey, what took you so long? I was almost dead.

Arizo: You're just glad I interfered when I did.

Tyrin: Yeah, but it's not safe to use your spirit here, almost worthless if you ask me.

Arizo: Well, I'm glad nobody asked then.

Mantis slowly steps out from the flaming attack, completely unharmed. Everyone is shocked.

Mantis: That was unexpected. I never thought I encounter a fire-type spirit in all places. I should've been prepared.

Arizo: How are you still alive?

Mantis: Come on now. You didn't think someone who can regenerate his own limbs can't also heal his own wounds right? However, the side effect is that it takes a hell of a lot of energy to do so. As of now, I'm completely tired.

Arizo: Looks like we don't have to worry about defeating you now.

Mantis: Ah, but who said I was staying? I have more important things to do then fight at this level.

Tyrin: So now you're running away?

Mantis: Don't think this is over, Shinigami. My plan is still in full effect. My power will grow tremendously once we meet again.

Arizo: What do you mean?

Mantis: You want to know what makes the mantis such a perfect being, its speed, elegant design, and strategy. Some say, it's the perfect insect. However, what I and the mantis lack is power. A mantis can hold its prey down, however it doesn't mean the prey is trapped. This is what I need. Power! So, no one can escape my grasp! All I have to do is absorb the nutrients from the richest tree in this forest. As soon as I'm done, I won't have to worry about survival or competition.

Mantis senses Lewis' and Toshiko's energy

Mantis: Damn, who would've thought that you have brought another Commander and Associate with you? Now I really have to gain power.

Tyrin: I'm not letting you get away!

Tyrin is stopped by his wounds

Mantis: The next time we clash blades is the last you shall see light. I bid you adieu, Shinigami.

Mantis disappears within the trees of the forest

Tyrin: Dammit! We were so close!

Arizo: It's alright, Saki. We'll just call in for back-up.

Lewis: That's not the point, Arizo.

Lewis, Toshiko, and Perkins walk towards them

Arizo: What do you mean?

Lewis: What I mean is that if that Mons absorbs the richest tree in the forest, then the entire forest itself will die.

Arizo: Huh?

Lewis: This is no ordinary forest. All the smaller trees are connected to one giant tree. The tree is the last of its kind and provides life to the forest. We can't let that Mons absorb that tree.

Ai: But, what about Tyrin and Johanna? They need medical attention.

Lewis: I'll go after the Mons and hold him off until you guys are done healing them.

Toshiko: I'm going with you.

Lewis: No. You don't have the proper equipment to face him in battle. Neither does Arizo. I'm the only one who can stop him.

Ai: Alright, be careful, Lewis.

Lewis: Thanks, I'll do what I can.

Lewis leaves

Arizo: That guy… sometimes makes me sick.

Tyrin: What do you mean, Arizo?

Arizo: Nothing really. It's just that he has the strength of a Commander, but refuses to be one.

Tyrin: Strength of a…

Tyrin remembers what Mantis said

Arizo: Yeah, sometimes people mistake him for a Commander based on his energy alone. But, it's not only that, it's also that spirit of his. If you ever seen it in true action, you'll wonder why Eda always asks him to become a Commander.

End of chapter