Gate of Life and Death (IV)

Raz stomped a few times, causing the ground to shudder. Her energy increased dangerously overflowing with miasmic flames. Her cut off hand was replaced by black flames like hands that were much stronger than the previous one. Everything it touched, it melted it in seconds.

"Don't breath in the poison; it's going to stun you." Snow hissed, seeing how Micheal was easily effected, and Mr. Everrett had to pull him away to a safe location.

Dairen, Leo, and even Cleo were affected by the poison, immobilizing them. They couldn't help anymore as they slumped on the ground.

Snow noticed that the Players were a lot weaker and less coordinated than the Mr. Everrett, Tamaki, and her. In all honesty, she felt they were a bit more of a burden. Still, she saw potential in these Players, but she knew they needed time. If they died here, the Hero Mike couldn't assist with whatever bigger plan they were required.

Still, she unconsciously prayed that his Goddess would keep him safe long enough to become something more.

"Stay here and recuperate." Mr. Everrett spoke in a hurry.

"But, I'm the Hero. I can do more than this." Mike didn't want to sit back and do nothing. He shakily got back up to his feet, trying to go in and help but fell back down.

"Boy, there are times when one needs to know when they need to back away and let the pros handle this." Mr. Everrett rushed back into the fray. Powerful magical energy danced around his palms, making it glowing blue. Upon contact, a frightening sound of armor being broken was heard. High wind broke out from the impact, cutting the Dullahan.

In exchange, Mr. Everrett's fist was slightly damaged with cuts.

Snow quickly cast a healing spell, focusing on his hand as Mr. Everrett dashed back to let Tamaki stab into the same area that Mr. Everrett had injured.

Raz shrieked, she let out another poisonous gas. Both Mr. Everrett and Tamaki disengaged, pulling back to where Snow was.

"Ms. Snow, do you have any poison purification?" Mr. Everrett asked, hoping that she did.

"Yes, but it's not that strong to keep deadly poison's away. My skills isn't there yet."

"That is all we need, Ms. Snow." Mr. Everrett smiled. "Mr. Tamaki, let's combine our attack to finish off this demon spawn before our time is up."

Tamaki nodded.

"Give me five seconds." Snow bit her lower lips, she could already feel her magic pool is exhausted. The constant use of large scale magic for her party, assisting in attacking, and even putting out a continuous energy suppression on Raz. At the rate she was going, in less than three minutes, she was going to become empty. It was the same exact time as the suppression magic was going to go away as well.

The wounded hand that Mr. Everrett had just a moment ago healed. The damage wasn't as bad compared to Tommy, who had his bones broken into multiple pieces, which took more time.

When she was finished with the healing, she switched quickly to drawing in the magical forces around her. The magic inside her bubbled in excitement, changing swiftly into a white mist. Her mind was stressed; she couldn't focus as the white mist turned into weird bubbles and shapes that weren't doing what she wanted.

Tamaki and Mr. Everrett were exchanging deadly blows with Raz. Raz took every hit at the same time, giving back just as much. Both of them were injured head to toe, her healing magic could barely keep up.

At that moment, Mr. Everrett yelled. "Use a word to focus!" He sensed that Snow was having difficulties controlling her power.

Enlightened, she yelled, "Purification!"

The bubble that was hovering over Raz burst. Steam like mist sprinkled down like rain, covering both Mr. Everrett and Tamaki. She did not expect the massive explosion of magic that reached towards her and the others. Already, she could feel the magical effect of the purification magic settling in the air and taking out the poison that Raz had spewed out.

"No!" Raz screamed. She huffed and puffed, throwing an angry tantrum. "I will not die again!"

At that moment, a clash of dark energy spurted out as she created twelve different floating swords. She aimed at Snow in the intent to kill her.

Alarmed, Snow layered light magic barriers in front of her as tightly as she could. The first sword smashed into her barrier, breaking through the second. She desperately put up more and more, trying to buffer out the rest.

Already seven swords were destroyed alongside her multiple barriers. She was down to her last three. The eight broke through two more, leaving only one behind.

Fear gripped her heart; she could see the ninth sword, coming directly toward her. She knew that her barrier won't hold with how thinly it was holding up. Pouring as much magical power into the shield, the eight stopped from entering. But the ninth sword left a deep crack, Snow was low on magical energy.

"Ms. Snow!" Tamaki rushed in to smash away the ninth sword and the tenth.

"Thanks." Snow let out a heavy breath, breathing hard as she was exhausted. Her muscles screamed, and her mental magic was making her dizzy. She had never pushed herself to the point of emptying herself out like this before. "We have one minute." With great difficulty, she shook. Knees buckling, she was about to fall but stopped herself. She saw doubles.

Tamaki knew that they were on a time limit. He snapped towards Mr. Everrett, running towards Raz.

"Mr. Everrett!"

Mr. Everrett understood; he quickly synched up with Tamaki. Strong winds blew around Mr. Everrett, while an unusual energy that she rarely felt surrounded Tamaki blade. It took a moment for Snow to identify that it was Spirit magic. A phantom-like creature stood overbearingly behind Tamaki.

If one could describe the spirit, it reminded her of an angry Oni wearing samurai-like armor. Flares of fire spat out from the Oni as the sword matched in rhythm with Tamaki himself, giving him a formidable power.

Each crisscrossed in unison. Mr. Everrett dished out a hundred strikes in one spot, while Tamaki's sword glowed eerily green, cutting through the armor like butter. Their impact left a shuddering blow.

Raz fumbled from the attack; two large gushing wounds appeared on its body, leaving a large hole.

Mr. Everrett broke apart; this time, both his hands were severely damaged with deep cuts. He grunted but didn't say anything about it. Tamaki, on the other hand, became super sluggish, unable to move as quickly as before.

Raz stumbled. Unable to even lift a finger, she collapsed onto her knees as the energy inside the armor spilled out into the ground.

Everyone was silent, wishing to not fight anymore. They were all exhausted and injured.

Still, with whatever energy that Snow had, she got up with great difficulties. She mentally pushed her way over. She stopped in front of Raz, who looked at her with anger. They locked eyes, Snow could feel the pure hatred seeping through her very bones.

"I am sorry." Snow whispered. Her sword over her head, she stabbed downwards. "May you rest in peace."

An ugly crack could be heard as black flames spewed out from the hole. Snow yank her sword out.

The black flames flickered, quickly changing Raz's expression to relief.

"Thank you." Rabbit's voice whispered as she closed her eyes. The black flames burned up, leaving behind a white skull as it dropped onto the floor with a clunk. The weakened Raz stumbled backward. Its body touched the burning fire in the middle of the room. Suddenly, the body caught on fire as it devoured it whole.

The black flames puttered, spitting out something from the very flames. Snow walked over, leaning over to take a look, but froze. It was human bones. Not just one, but many.

Alarmed, she scurried as quick as her body would allow her. Whatever was happening, she didn't want to be caught up in its power. She feared that there would be another monster just as strong as Raz.

Once again, a burst of black energy crackled outwards, following after a pure white flames erupted, cleaning the very air.

Snow squinted as the lights blinded her. She didn't understand what was going on.

White flames eventually simmered down, changing into an oval shape. It was then what Snow saw next surprised her.

A gate was formed.

It was the outside world.