章 4: Chapter 4

"MOM!"

Mitsuki ran in, ignoring the flames surround his mother. His pulled off his jacket which had caught on fire and ran in front to protect his mother from the flames. Raze was coughing and trying desperately to block Mitsuki from the assassin but she was too weak from the lack of oxygen.

"Move." Mitsuki heard a quiet voice in his ear, as if carried by the wind.

"NO! I can't let you just kill my mother! It's my job to protect her!" Mitsuki shouted. The fire in the assassin's hands seemed to dwindle as well as the surrounding flames. Raze had collapsed on the ground, but she was still holding on to the hem of Mitsuki's trousers, begging him silently to run away.

"I don't want to hurt you. You are not the target," the voice said again. Mitsuki shook his head. He was starting to get lightheaded from the lack of air. But he knew if he fainted, he wouldn't be able to help his mother from this mysterious and very dangerous person. Taking a deep breath, Mitsuki formed two swords in his hands, replacing the guns he had created. He had never done it so quickly before, but he needed more magic in order to protect his family. He felt his mind focus and sharpen on the person in front of him, and he felt his magic rising. He ran forward, toward the assassin as one single thought ran through his head - I have to protect mom. As if it were a balloon ready to pop, Mitsuki pushed his magic even further, bringing more and more speed into his swings. He didn't have time to think how he had never been this fast before, never produced so much magic before. Without thinking, he swung his swords trying to get the person as far away from his mother as he could.

On light feet, Hana dodged the swords easily. She was prepared for close-combat battles because most of her assignments were in Sabel. She really didn't want to hurt this young boy in front of her, but she had a job to do. She couldn't pull the air around her because she was so focused on dodging, but she could still manipulate the flames around her to form her own sword. Magic on magic, the swords starting to ring out in the room with neither side giving an inch.

Mitsuki was holding on for as long as he could. He felt the pressure of the other's fire sword but he just kept pushing and swinging his swords. Left, left, right, parry, guard, all the skills he had learned at Saber University seemed to flow together. Then he felt a boom within his chest and a warm feeling spread throughout his body. His aura around his swords changed from orange to yellow to green.