Vol 4 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter 6: Ti Flame

Raizen High School's rooftop was currently encased in shadows

It was not a metaphor

The tiun to set, however the sky was still being illuminated

Furthermore, between the stars and the earth, there was not a hint of cloud cover to block the sunlight

It was precisely because of this that the location, where Itsuka shi+dou was at, see covered by a shade of darkness

It was extremely clear shi+dou and the rest were currently in the midst of a battlefield that could massacre the world

The owner of the shadows had a whimsical attitude; she would cause an unexpected outcome when she feels like it They were in a territory where their very existences could be easily consumed

””

Within a space that had been separated fro difficulty breathing

Don't talk about turning over, he couldn't evenis problematic

The reason for that was extre his liirls and was firround They were considerate to the point where they even inserted their slender fingers into his

—Obviously it was an abnormal scene

The rooftop was full of girls in black, and all of them had the same looks

Black hair tied into unequal lengths on the left and right, skin so white one could have mistaken them to be ill And that left eye that had a clock face and hands, just like a clock

All of these girls, were all [Tokisaki Kurumi]

Froami The two of them were in the same position as shi+dou and were pinned down by several Kuru pained expressions

Although shi+dou was unable to see from his position, Mana, who had been shot down earlier, should be on the other side of the human wall created by Kurumi

There was no place left to run The fighting strength on shi+dou's side had already been neutralized, an overwhel difference in numbers

——However

”Ah”

Under this kind of situation, shi+dou was being entranced by so else

In that state where his tongue was being claible words

In the instant Kuru a spacequake

'That', appeared above the heads of shi+dou and the rest

At first 'That'——looked just like the sun Illuht could not reach, a dense mass of flames that suddenly appeared in mid-air

Just that sight already took up shi+dou's entire line of sight

However, in the instant he was about to recognize the true form of thathis brain electrocuted by an electric current He saw sparks everywhere in his field of vision and somewhere deep within his brain throbbed with a sharp pain It was as though his brain was rejecting visual information that may prove to be fatal

'That' was a girl

A petite girl, was standing inflames

Half of her sleeves were for flames, a white kimono A sash of flames wrapped around what seemed to be the celestial dress of a heavenlyout froanic horns

That posture That strength, had without a doubt proven that this girl was not human

A spirit A calamity that kills the world

With shi+dou's knowledge, besides that, there are no other words that can describe the girl before him

No——To be correct, there was, only one more word

A name that is unique to her, shi+dou knows it well

”Koto, ri”

Kotori, Itsuka Kotori The face of the girl who he has spent many years with, he definitely could not be mistaken

That spirit, no matter how you look at it, is shi+dou's sister——Kotori

”Why”

shi+dou, who did not understand the situation, frowned Kotori is shi+dou's sister So naturally she is a human She couldn't possibly be a spirit

However the scene that had unfolded before had totally denied his way of thinking

Despite shi+dou's efforts to reject ithe felt that he had seen Kotori in this form somewhere before

Even though digging through his memories proved fruitless, but the instant he saw Kotori, a feeling as though so was present

Right, that's correct, this was——

”What the hell is going on?”

At thisshi+dou's train of thoughts, a voice sounded out from the front

A gigantic clock behind her, a rifle in her right hand and a handgun in her left hand, Kurulared at Kotori as in mid-air with a face full of displeasure

”I would appreciate it if you do not get into the best part”

”I apologize for that, but that's ihtly overboard back there ——Kneel beforesession of love”

At the saht hand to hoist the massive battleaxe onto her shoulder, Kotori let out a snort

Kotori's words were probably out of Kurumi's expectations, Kurumi instantly widened her eyes, however that was quickly replaced by a wild laughter originating from her throat

”Ku, kuhihihi, hihihihihihihiit's beco By punishment, do you mean~~you~to me~?”

”Nn If you do not wish to have a spanking, please withdraw your clones and Angel”

At Kotori's words, Kuru The countless Kuru around her made the same response as well

”Hihihi, hihi Although you look like you have total confidence in your ability, but being overconfident will cause you to self-destruct you know? My Zafkielmperor of=”” time=””> is——”

”If you have time to spew nonsense then hurry up and attack, you black sow”

Kotori seehed and Kuru just noitched

The numerous Kurumis ere positioned all over the rooftop all turned to stare at Kotori with furious glares

And alroans could be heard froaata by the clones and lost consciousness as a result

”That's just fine I'll get rid of you quickly——do it!”

Kurumi loudly shouted Instantly, the clones of Kuruether and then leaped high to close in on Kotori

Countless black bullets were fired into the sky A heartless curtain fire of rifle and handgun bullets, instead of the word ‘attack', the word ‘assault' would be a better way to put it Countless brutal e in nue bullets bore closer towards Kotori

”——Hmph”

However Kotori gave an annoyed snort, slowly raising the battleaxe on her shoulders

On the front end of the pole that ay taller than Kotori's own height, the fla the very air itself co the shape of a blade It followed Kotori's htly

”—— Ca=”” demon=””>”

And then, in the instant the large group of Kurumis were about to reach Kotori, Kotori silently spoke The flahtening pressure The sound of air being split asunder could be heard by shi+dou even from his position

”Ahahahahaha! It's use~less you know!”

In response to that, Kurumi let out another chuckle

No e that battleaxe was, it was i in on all sides Even if she had butchered the few at the front, it's not difficult to think that other Kuruaps in an instant

However

”Kihihi——hii?”

Suddenly, Kurumi's smile isted

The instant Kotori swung Ca=”” demon=””>, the tip of the blade of flames flickered——and at the same time, the heads, arms or the upper half of the numerous Kurumis that closed in on Kotori flew into the air

”Ah, eh?”

The group of Kuru a sound The next instant, they were all engulfed in flaround

””

Kotori wordlessly looked down——at shi+dou's direction, once again waving Ca=”” demon=””> After which the fla apart the bodies of Kuru shi+dou

Accompanied by the pitiful death cries, the burden on shi+dou's body had vanished

”——”

shi+dou spat out the fingers that were inserted into hisrepeatedly

Soon after, the bodies of Kuru=”” demon=””> burst into flames like before

”Uu that's hot!”

shi+dou hastily got up, Pa Pa, dusting off the embers that had landed on his body

At this point, Kotori slowly descended between shi+dou and Kuruainst Kuru to protect shi+dou

”Koto, KotoriWhat exactly is——”

”Listen toand escape After all the current you——will die easily”

”Haa? What exactly is——”

However shi+dou's questions were cut off by the laughter at the front

”Hihi, hihihihihihihihihi! Not bad”

Kuruuns, raising one corner of her mouth

”How~ever~, it's not the end you know?”

Saying that, Kuruuns at the massive clock face

shi+dou held his breath That's right Kuru Zafkielmperor of=”” time=””>

”Kotori, be careful, that is!”

”Fufu, shi+dou-san, please don't do such a disappointing action as——that!”

Saying that Kurumi loaded the shadow that oozed out from the [I] Roman nu it at her temple, and fired

Instantly, Kuruure vanished like mist

At the sa=”” de that, a sharp sound ca=”” dehtly trembled

Just before——a scene witnessed during the battle between Kurumi and Mana Zafkielic bullet that was able to cause the target's time to accelerate

Using a speed that not even her shadoas able to catch up with, Kurumi endlessly continued her attack on Kotori

”Ah~hahahahahaha! Excellent! Excellent! I expected no less fro, I'm all fired up!”

”How annoying If you are still a lady, then how about retaining some manners?”

Swinging the pole horizontally, Kotori stated Finally shi+dou's eyes were able to see Kuru annihilating=”” demon=””>

Kuruuns in an unsteady position, loudly shouting

”Thank you for your reminder Then as per your request, I'll kill you off with a ant method Zafkielmperor of=”” time=””>——Zayin[The Seventh Bullet]!”

Following that, shadows flew out of the Roman numeral [VII] on Zafkielmperor of=”” tiuns

At the saer and a pitch black bullet traced its path, closing in on Kotori

Position, speed, distance, no matter whichever way one looks at it, it was an unavoidable attack Kotori readied Ca=”” demon=””>'s blade of flames in preparation to knock the bullet down

”Kotori!”

But——She couldn't shi+dou couldn't help but cry out

Zayin[The Seventh Bullet] That was the one most brutal move that Kurumi used to finish Mana off before

Defending or intercepting has noThe instant contact is made with the bullet——

”Fufu, ahahahahahaha!”

Accohter, Kotori's body became motionless

Leaving out the limbs for now, even the illusion-like sleeves of her Astral dress and Ca her hair, were suspended in the air without exception

”Ufufu, regardless of whatever strength you possess, it's useless once soht?”

The sa Kuru at Kotori and pressing the trigger

”Sto——”

shi+dou did not e to stop them in time The bullets that Kurumi fired mercilessly burrowed into Kotori's body On that soft skin, countless horrible wounds were engraved

”This is, really refreshi+ng”

In the end, the Kurumi who had shot out Zayin[The Seventh Bullet] stood in front of Kotori, pressing the er without hesitation

The next instant, Kotori's body regained its movements

”!”

From the countless wounds on Kotori's body, blood spurted out However Kotori did not react to this Suffering from the momentu the sky

”Kotori!!”

shi+dou let out a howl as he rushed in front, hugging Kotori's body that fell to the ground

However, it was too late Her whole body was riddled with Kuruled in an alarh she would break apart froht touch

There was not even a shred of hope of her surviving shi+dou stared at his own sister's battered appearance as he used his arround

”Ah, ahh”

”Ufufu, fufufufufufu”, aaah, aaah, it's over already She was such a strong opponent that was hard to find How heartless How pitiful”

Kuru, chuckling as though it were a

”Now, then, this time it's shi+dou-san's turn I——”

Suddenly, Kurumi's words stopped

Showing an expression of utter surprise, staring at the direction of Kotori as lying on the ground

Following Kurumi's eyes to look at Kotori, shi+dou did the same as he widened his eyes in surprise

”Th, this is——”

Leaking out a dazed sound Flaun wounds carved into Kotori's body, expanding as though atte to lick her entire body

shi+dou had seen this scene before No, to be correct——he had experienced this before

”Really now You really went for the kill”

Using her heel as a fulcruot up

After the flaone, the rips on her Astral Dress were nowhere to be found Everything had disappeared

It was uniinable that she had just suffered froht that the previous assault was ination resounded within his brain

”Wha——”

She was definitely frightened by what she just saw and Kurumi raised an eyebrow as she took a step backwards

As though noticing this fact, Kotori once again readied Carily at Kurumi

”To ht”

”Hmph, don't joke with me——!”

Kuruuns on both hands pointed behind her

Following that, the clock on Kuruh speed, the shadows seeped out of the Ro inside Kuruuns

”Aleph[The First Bullet]!”

Kuruuns in both hands Aleph[The First Bullet] hit the re Kurumis on the rooftop

After firing off tens of Aleph[The First Bullet], Kuruer

”——Tch”

Kotori clicked her tongue as though annoyed, her left leg suddenly kicking towards the back, hitting home to shi+dou's side flank

”Gue!?”

Making an odd sound due to the sudden i to the back at the same time After his lower back and head stopped due to friction on the ground shi+dou rubbed his head, got up and shouted

”Wh, as that for——”

However those words were never finished

The Kuru around Kotori like they were trying to hold her in with a flurry of punches, kicks and bullets

That's right, because before the Kurumis shot by Aleph[The First Bullet] reached the shi+dou to escape to a safe place instead of intercepting the attack

”Tear the=”” demon=””>!”

Kotori roared, Carew to several ti its reach even further

Following that, nu blade of fla to ashes

”Ku”

At this moment, accompanied by a tortured moan, Kurumi retreated from Kotori's side

It see=”” dehtly slash wound that seemed to be like a burn formed

”Who——do you think you areyou brat!”

After that she raised her gun, calling out

”Zafkielmperor of=”” time=””>——Dalet[The Fourth Bullet]!”

Following that, Kuruh time was rewound, Kurumi's wounds vanished without a trace

Al around Kotori had been incinerated, disintegrating into ashes and disappearing into the wind

”Ara, it's already over? That was surprisingly easy It's okay to bring out more of your power you know?”

Kotori rested the battleaxe on her shoulders, letting out a snort

Those words caused Kuru sounds

”Those words——I'll ret that! Zaaaaaaafkieeeeeeeelmperor of=”” time=””>![4A 1]

The instant her outburst ended, Kurumi's left eye started to turn at a speed that had not been seen before

”! You're still not giving up!”

Looks like she felt a threat fro=”” demon=””> above her head However——

”——Ah”

Kotori's throaton the spot

Using Ca=”” deed to support her body, using the other hand to hold her head in pain

”KuTh, this is”

”Koto, Kotori!?”

shi+dou couldn't help but shout Not understanding as going on, but he only knew that Kotori was in trouble

”Ah~hahahahahahahahaha! Looks like the tables are turned!”

Kuru the rifle loaded with the bullet of Zafkielmperor of=”” time=””> at Kotori

”Ku——”

shi+dou dashed forwards without thinking He still has no idea what kind of effect Kurumi's bullet will have However, one does not need to consider that it is a fatal shot that is capable of taking Kotori's life

The instant Kururab Kotori's body and evade that bullet no matter what If that is impossible, then shi+dou will use his own body as a shi+eld!

——However

””

The moment Kurumi aimed at Kotori, Kotori silently stood up

”Kotori! Are you alright!?”

Even though he asked, but Kotori did not give a reply

She only silently——used her flashi+ng crilare at Kurumi

That face that he should have recognised, for soirl that shi+dou did not recognize ”Koto, ri”

Kotori raised Cah into the air and let go

Following that Ca=”” demon=””>'s blade vanished into the air, the pole portion still remained in position

”Caiddo[Cannon]”[4A 2]

As though replying to Kotori's voice, Ca=”” demon=””> which had lost its blade started to rumble

The handle withdrew part of its body, wrapping itself around Kotori's raised right hand

Kotori, whose right are rod from the elbow, aimed the barrel at Kurumi

——That form, was just like the cannon equipped on a battleshi+p

Ca=”” delow

And then the fla Kotori, were sucked into the mouth of the barrel

”————!?”

Probably because she saw Kotori's appearance, Kuruuns at Kotori frowned An expression that shi+dou had never seen before To put it in shi+dou's oords and knowledge——That was a look that showed fear, or at least was on alert

”[Us]!!”

The same time Kurumi shouted, the clones cli to separate the two of them

Kotori, silently opened her mouth

”——Turn to ashes, Ca=”” demon=””>!”

Hearing her voice, it totally did not sound like his sister whoether with It was a cold and calm voice

The next instant——fro=”” de stream of flames burst forth

It was as though the eruption of a massive volcano had been co heat, it drew a straight line from the roof of the school to the sky at the back The surroundings were, in an instant, dyed vermillion akin to that of the early dawn

”Guh”

shi+dou involuntarily used his hand to cover his face Even though he barely breathed in the air, the heat that entered his nose had already began to burn hispositioned behind Kotori, his skin still felt like he was being roasted, and even opening his eyes was painful

Several seconds later, the heat ray that burned the heavens slowly decreased in size——the ht arnment

”Keho, Keho”

Lightly coughing he looked up

When the smoke that had clouded his vision cleared up——shi+dou's shoulders gave a slight jolt

The ground of the roof and the fencing hadwas left froures of Kurumi and Zafkielmperor of=”” time=””> remained

However the clones who had appeared to protect Kurumi had already turned into ashes and vanished, while Kurumi herself had lost her left ar heat, and the stump had a burnt black colour similar to charcoal Not a drop of blood was spilled

Also, Zafkiel behind Kuruh, and the position where the Roman numerals [I], [II] and [III] were supposed to be was beautifully gouged out

Kuru down

No matter how you looked at it, she was in no state for battle

——But

”Pick up your guns”

Kotori said in a low voice, ai=”” demon=””> which had turned into a cannon once more at Kurumi

”The fight is not yet over The battle is not over you kno, continue to kill, Kurumi This was the battle that you have wished for It's the one that you desired——If you don't point your guns at me, then please die”

”Kotori? Wh, what are you saying?” shi+dou ran to Kotori's side, grabbing her shoulder

”If you fire off another one, she'll really die! Isn't it <ratatoskr>'sthe spirits!?”

However, Kotori did not pay heed to shi+dou's words Caan to suck in the flames

”! Oi, oi, Kotori!”

shi+dou moved to Kotori's front——and then held his breath

”Wh——”

Cold pupils, eyes that were flashi+ng with an odd red glow Herenraptured by delight

——That's not right shi+dou shi+vered It was obvious that this was not the usual Kotori that he knew

The instant he realized this, shi+dou started to run ——Towards Kururound helplessly

”Kurumi!”

”shi+——dou, san?”

It was already too late to escape with Kurumi shi+dou stood in front of Kurumi, in an atte

At the sa=”” de was once again released

Suddenly——

”!”

Kotori who had Ca=”” demon=””> equipped, suddenly widened her eyes

”Onii-chan! Dodge it!”

Shouting that, she pointed Caht arm into the sky

But just doing that is not enough to completely alter the direction of the flames that had already been released——

”————”

Everything in front of him was dyed in a shade of red, and shi+dou's consciousness blacked out at this point

Burning Burning Everywhere is burning

Burning Burning The streets are burning

Burning Burning The whole world is burning

shi+dou's vision was dominated by the flames

Crackling Ru

Even so, shi+dou still did not stop in his footsteps

(Kotori! Kotori!)

Calling out his sister's nah the streets of what seeround hell

Despite this, shi+dou still see on

But this was soo back home, he just happened to discover that the streets that he was faulfed in a sea of flames

Today was Kotori's ninth birthday shi+dou went to the station in order to buy a present for her Perhaps this was the reason why he had avoided the disaster, he has to thank Kotori for that——However the problem was that Kotori herself, was still at home It was Kotori's birthday, yet their parents were not at home due to work as usual Currently, only Kotori was at home

That cry-baby Kotori,unable to shake off that feeling of loneliness

The instant that figure flashed past his brain, shi+dou began to run

Kotori shi+dou's cute little sister The one who gave a fairl

Long ago, when he was abandoned by his own birthin the depths of despair, shi+dou was saved by his foster parents as well as Kotori

So, this time it was shi+dou's turn to save her If it was for Kotori, shi+dou would not hesitate to give his life for her

(Kotori——!!!)

Shouting again and again, he ran towards the direction of his house

However, at this point shi+dou stopped In the streets before hi sh they had been sucked away

At the sairl eakly sitting on the ground while crying

(That is——)

A girl that was oddly dressed Oversized sleeves and skirt that was part of a kimono, the horns on her head And that white sash wrapped on her body Surrounding her body, fla back and forth

However, shi+dou quickly recognized that girl as his cute little sister

Kotori she, was crying

——shi+dou's actions, did not need any other information aside from this

(Kotori!)

(Uu, ah, ah, O, Onii-chan, Onii-chan, Onii-chan!)

However, the instant shi+dou went to Kotori's side, the flarow rapidly

Kotori widened her eyes in shock, and her shoulders began to tremble

(Onii-chan! Don't come any closeeeeeeeeeeeer!!)

Using a voice that was mixed in tears, she yelled at a volume that could have torn her throat up

(——Eh?)

shi+dou made a dazed sound

But that couldn't be helped When he had realized it, shi+dou's body had already been hit by the expanding fla

(Ah——)

His back hit the ground with a crunch A strong sense of pain ran through his back, the skin on every part of his body was screa in pain fro around the ground, he was unable to even cry out Although he had, with his blurred vision and consciousness, stared up at the sky and asps

If it was like this he'd rather lose consciousness He couldn't eventhat he was about to die, he felt a sense of fear of the unknown

(Onii-chan!)

Following that, Kotori seehtened as she ran over to him