Adventure of Astral Part 16: Protector

Astral knew his improvisation could last only so long. He pressed his aggression and turned into a passion for bladework. His attack looking closer to a dance as he got closer to reaching the Crown Jewels with his spear. Each step represented a new part to an elegant dance. He was stepping closer as his spear swings would not come close to them. Astral was appalled by this defense as they sat back and laughed. Focusing on their defense.

James set Tina in the corner for safety behind a pillar as Angel watched his motions. He wasn't attacking her back as she cut him open with shallow wounds. She stood blanky minded and confused as James patted Tina's head. "Don't fret, we can have quarrels between siblings." 'Usually they aren't this violent.' Turning back to his sister he smiles. "We don't need to do this." Angel sends all her fallen feathers at James as he stands still protecting Tina.

The barrage of feathers stops as James rolls to his right down the center part of the room as an avalanche of debris comes from the ceiling. One of the Queens struck it with a lightning bolt. Falling right on him he got buried for a moment, James expanded his aura as it sent the rubble flying forward. Astral jumped over it as it cascaded across the barrier the queens put up. James felt all the fatigue washing over him.

"I will not break." James stood still as Angel charged at him. He was able to read her attacks as each swing of her spear resulted in another slash on his arms. He was slowing down too fast. He felt the spear go through his stomach as his aura flickered off. His light fading from his skin.

Astral jabbed his spear forward as he had it mere inches from Topaz's head. Gliding it away it shaved a few hairs away as he smiled. Their barrier repels him due to aggression. If you act like you have none, breaking the barrier is easier. He pulled out his katana as they all froze. His spear and shield in one hand with Muramasa in the other caused them to all halt.

Astral felt a spear in his shoulder as he moved in the last moment to stop it from being a fatal blow. Tina watched from afar as James was struggling to stay upright. "LET THEM LIVE, WHY MUST EVERYONE CHOOSE VIOLENCE!" She screamed at the top of her lungs as all five of them turned and faced her. Above Tina stood a giant cat the size of the room. Tina collapsed to the ground as she exerted herself. James slowly worked on crawling over to her to protect her.

"Angel kill the two of them." The queen's commanded as the cat batted Angel into the wall and knocked her out. Astral dashed backwards as they hit his shield directly with another bolt of lightning. He threw his spear at them aiming behind them as it went through their barrier as they ducked away. Astral clasped Tina in his right arm as James waved them away.

"Go on without me, you cannot help me, save her, I will live." James got to his feet as Astral wrapped his arm around James as he dashed down the hallway. James clung as much as possible to Astral to make it easier to be carried.

"Are there any quick ways out of here?" Astral turned the corner as the path in front of them was blown open. Ruby stood there in their way as she charged a firestorm. Astral flung his shield off the wall as it bounced several times before blocking the firestorm in her hand.

She sent it upwards as it took out the ceiling as Astral sprinted past her. The rubble separated them as Astral kept down the hallway. "There should be a teleportation pad if you make it to the end of the hallway." James strung together the words as he dripped blood from the corner of his mouth. He would focus on staying awake, and that Astral would save him.

"Hold on, I won't lose you again." Astral saw lightning bolts come from behind as he bounced his shield around. Blocking each one as he sped past the tapestries on the wall. They fluttered upwards as Astral saw the teleportation pad. The shield thudded on the ground as Sapphire, Diamond and Topaz stood in front of them. Ruby sent a fireball from behind Astral as he dodged it. The three at the end of the hallway were defending the teleportation pad as they charged up a spell to end him.

"James, do you have anything to resonate with past me?" Astral shifted James to his back as James clung on with every bit of strength he had left. He shifted Tina to his left arm and had his hand on his katana.

"Breathe, then it will come to you." James whispered into his ear as he heard Angel coming. Astral took a sharp inhale in. Feeling all of his muscles stretch in one motion. He knew what James meant. The three sent a water bomb filled with an electronic pulse in the center. If Astral touches it at all. It would kill both James and Tina.

"Astral Breathing, First Form." Astral had a flash from inside of his mind of a man in gray showing him this as he copied the move. Dashing past them as he sent a broad slicing motion with his katana. It broke their barrier as Astral landed on the teleportation pad. Angel gliding directly at them as they vanished in a blink of an eye. Surrounded by the pine trees from a few days ago.

"Don't worry, we will get you patched up." Astral patted James on his back as he put his katana away. Astral scanned the treeline as he started sprinting forward. Trying to get any hint of where Sora and Lilac were. He felt the blood from James soak into his clothes as Astral felt tears forming. They were clear of the trees as James pointed over his shoulder directly in the way where a human village was.