The Violet Samurai

Pebbles fell from the ceiling, and the walls were cracking.

[Time to escape: 9:49]

"Sh*t, I'm going to have to get moving."

I looked at the door. But then I remembered Luna, who was resting in the corner. I ran towards her and shook her awake.

She opened her eyes, startled.

"W-what's happening?"

"No time to explain, the whole place is falling."

In a hurry, I picked her up.

"Hmm... light."

Then I headed towards the exit.

As we ran through the tunnel, I could hear the room behind me collapsing.

Sh*t, we're gonna have to get out of here quick.

As we exited the tunnel and arrived in the keeper's room. I summoned one of my spectral centipedes. As usual, it crashed into the ceiling and fell onto the ground. Now I wouldn't mind it doing that, but in this situation, I got frightened as the centipede could've sped up the process of this room collapsing.

When it fully materialized, I hopped onto its back and it dug slightly into the ground until only it exposed its back, then it started moving.

Crash!

A large stone fell next to us.

"Go faster!"

I ordered the centipede, and it sped up. As it dug through the ground, the rock split open as if it was a path for me to go through.

"U-umm... Noctem."

"Yes?"

When I looked at her, her face was all red. I wondered why, but right now wasn't the time for that. We have to get out of here quickly.

A few minutes pass and I suddenly realized that the tomb looked a bit different. It felt longer than before.

[Time to escape: 1:32]

Sh*t, c'mon. Where is the exit?

Then ahead of us, I saw stairs.

"We're close."

Luna stated. I nodded and told the centipede to go faster.

Crumble~

The sound of the ceiling was heard from behind. I gulped.

We were almost there. As the centipede began traveling upward, I could see light. But I also saw water. Water came flowing down the stairs. It wasn't a problem until a huge wave of water came plunging down the stairs towards us.

And just when things couldn't get worse.

"Watch out!"

Luna yelled. I looked up, and there was a large rock falling from the ceiling and it was directly above me.

I had to act fast.

[Distortion]

Quickly, I put Luna over my shoulder and aimed my palm at the rock and the air became distorted. Next thing you know, the rock was split into a million pieces.

Dom!

[Mana: 650/700]

A branch skill takes off 50 mana? Guess I'll have to use distortion wisely.

I then aimed my palm at the incoming wave and performed [Distortion] once more.

Splash-splash-splash~

The water flew past and over us and I did [Distortion]. At the same time, my mana was dropping at a swift rate.

[Mana: 600/700]

[Mana: 550/700]

[Mana: 500/700]

[Wind Magic level up (Lv3)]

Ok, now is not the time to tell me if I leveled up a skill or not.

After a few more distorting, we finally arrived at the exit.

[Time to escape: 0:23]

I put Luna on her feet and told her to run. She landed in the water and began limping towards the exit. Hmm... I might have forgotten that her legs were injured in the fight with Ichigo.

Then, as I got off the centipede, my vision suddenly became blurry and my legs collapsed.

Splash!

I fell into the cold water. Unable to move.

I must've exhausted too much stamina in that fight.

[Time to escape: 0:15]

Sh*t, if I can't get up, I'll be stuck in here forever.

[Time to escape: 0:14]

Well, if I do get stuck in here, at least I saved someone.

[Time to escape: 0:13]

The gates were starting to close and I could see more people appearing outside of the gate.

[Time to escape: 0:12]

Well, it was a short life, but it was fun.

[Time to escape: 0:11]

Clutch!

"Huh?"

I was being lifted. But by whom?

I turned my head and the person carrying me was a purple spectral samurai.

Is this... Mr. Ichigo? But I didn't order him to come out.

[Time to escape: 0:07]

The purple spectral samurai carried me over his shoulder and ran for the gate.

[Time to escape: 0:04]

The gates were about to close and before they did, Ichigo dashed at the last second and manage to slide through the crack with me on his back.

Splash!

He suddenly faded away and turned into a purple mist that returned into my body.

I felt someone pulling my arm, dragging me out of the water.

"Noctem?"

A muffled voice said. I didn't know who it was because there were other people speaking.

Then... I passed out.

***

I slowly opened my eyes.

"W-where am I?"

I looked around. I recognized where I was. I was in the room that Rox gave me.

I lifted myself up with my arms and got on my feet. I walked towards the door and slowly opened it.

It was busy, everyone was chatting casually like nothing ever happened.

"M-Mr. Noctem!"

A girl yelped as I stepped out. It was Nozomi, with cups of tea in her hands.

"I-I brought one for you."

She said, uttering a smile.

We sat inside, and she handed me a cup. I sniffed it and an aroma of what smelled like green tea came from it.

"Thank you for saving my sister."

Nozomi said. I took a sip of the tea.

"It was no problem. So I'm guessing she told you everything."

"Yes. I... I hope she didn't mess anything up."

She had a bit of uneasiness on her face. I shook my head and smiled. She must care for her sister a lot.

"You're worrying a bit too much. It's alright, your sister helped me a bunch."

She helped me discover Ichigo's weakness, so I should thank her for that.

"Oh, by the way, where is Luna right now?"

"Luna? She's having a meeting with mom right now. She... she broke an important rule."

"Rule?"

"Well... this rule technically only applies to us, the chieftain's daughter."

"And what is that rule?"

"Never leave our rooms after midnight."

"So she's in trouble because of that?"

"Yes."

She came to my room at midnight because she wanted to join me. Now she's getting in trouble because of it.

In my previous life, I had an older sister and usually, she always gets scolded because she comes home really late, always out late at parties. Personally, I never liked parties, too loud and obnoxious, I'm referring to teen parties. I like staying at home and hanging out at the park. Who knows, maybe even head to the library for a while.

But... Luna did help me with figuring out Ichigo's weakness, and that was a huge help. I guess I should go back her up.

"Can you bring me to them?"

I asked Nozomi.

"Huh? But-"

"It's alright, I can help your sister get out of trouble."

"Really?"

She looked at me, all worried.

"No need to worry about me. I mean, what could possibly happen to me?"

Nozomi gulped.

Huh? Seriously? What could Ms. Rox do?

***

Following Nozomi to the chief's room, I could hear two people arguing inside. Though I couldn't hear them clearly, I can tell by their voices they were Rox and Luna. As we got closer, I could hear what they were talking about. There was a little crack that was small enough for us to look through.

"But mother, I'm already 18, I can do what I want!"

"But what if I lost you?! Like I lost your father. I can't have that happening again!"

"I won't end up like him, I went along with Noctem-"

"Then explain how your legs were wounded?"

"I-"

Luna paused. Rox had hit the bullseye. Luna had nothing to say back.

"Yes, you may have traveled with Noctem. But not even he came back unscathed."

Nozomi looked at me. I scratched my cheeks and looked away.

Rox sighed.

"What would your father say?"

"B-but..."

"No buts... now go to your room and don't come out till I tell you to."

Luna stayed silent. Then she got up and exited through the other door.

As Luna left, Nozomi knocked on the door.

"Yes?"

"Mother, it's me."

"Nozomi... come in."

Nozomi opened the door and then looked at me. She signaled me to follow her, and so I did.

"Noctem..."

Rox said with a smile on her face. I gulped and scratched the back of my head.

"You know... it's not really her fault."

Her smile faded away.

"So you heard..."

She glared at Nozomi, who chuckled lightly.

"Well, she asked me last night if she could come along with me... well, technically, she forced me to bring her along."

"I know. I heard it from her."

"But she really did help. A lot. She helped me prevent the upcoming 'massacre'. She really did."

"And how exactly?"

"Well-"

Time to make up a lie.

"She took out every foe that we encountered in the Tomb. I kind of backed her up for most."

She looked at me skeptically.

"So explain to me how she got injured."

"Well, that's easy, t-"

Then an unfamiliar voice spoke.

"It was me."

I turned around and a dark samurai was standing behind me. If he was human-looking, you could say that he was in his late teens. He had a horn on his forehead and hair tied back.

"And who are you?"

The samurai got on one knee.

"I am a shadow. I have lost my name as soon as I was taken in by my master."

He said as he looked at me.

"I was the one that injured your kin. She proved to be a worthy adversary that I had to give it my all, but eventually, I fell into the hands of milord. He was the one that delivered the final blow to me. I humbly apologize for what happened with your daughter."

Wow, talk about a loyal summon.

"I see... but she still broke a rule."

"But c'mon now, would you really let your daughter stay here forever? She's already 18, don't you think it's time to let her free?"

I crossed my arms.

"And besides, I kind of want to see the surface for myself."

"You're asking if you want to go to the surface... and you want to bring my daughter with you?"

"Well..."

Is that really how I put it? Well, now that I think of it, kind of...

"I guess I can... she is at that age where she can venture the surface now."

"So you'll let her go with me?"

"Yes."

"Alright!"

"But... we will wait until her wound fully recovers. Which won't take long as a wound like that is nothing for my healers. All they need is till tomorrow."

"I see."

"For now, you can rest here and do whatever. Now off you go."

As I headed for the exit. Rox said one more thing before I exited the door.

"Noctem..."

"Yes?"

"If anything happens to my daughter... again..."

Then she gave me an intense glare.

"I'll kill you."

I gulped. Then I quickly left the room.

As I sat back in my room. The purple shadow came out once more. He knelt in front of me.

"So... Ichigo?"

"I have no name. But if my master desires to call me that, he may do so."

[Will you name this spectral "Ichigo"? (Y/N?)]

Huh? I can name a spectral? How come I can only name this one but not the others?

[You may name a spectral that is purple and yellow. Those that are red will retain their names.]

I can name spectrals that are purple rarity or yellow, but not red, huh? Well, that's alright with me.

[Will you name this spectral "Ichigo"? (Y/N?)]

Yes. I don't know what else to call him, so I might as well.

[This spectral is now called Ichigo.]

"Your name will now be Ichigo."

"I humbly accept whatever name my master gives me."

Man, he's like a royal knight. So loyal.

"Alright, but let me lay some ground rules. Like all my other spectrals, you will only come out when I allow you too."

"Affirmative."

He then burst into a cloud of violet mist and went into the star-shaped streak on my chest.

"Well, glad to know I have someone strong on my side."

But I wonder what would've happened if Ichigo had used his sword to fight against me. Would I have won... or died?