Shinka High - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Time to Play

An illusiory Deoxys burst into stardust.

Spere gripped his blade and raised his shield to block another Psycho Boost. The blast tore through a great deal of illusions, turning them to cosmic stardust, but Spere had become adapted to kneeling to keep his balance and sealing his legs to the floor with aura. The burst faded around him, and he slammed his blade through the illusion's chest. He twirled his sword, then slashed in a spin, unleashing a Dark Pulse that tore through the last of the Deoxys.

He located the stairs and stepped up to the next floor.

Halfway up the staircase, he leaned back against the wall to catch his breath, knowing that none of the illusions would attack him. So many illusions from beyond the stars. Even Spere - charged with aura beyond any other living being, he was sure - was tiring out.

He sheathed his blade and swung his shield onto his back, then held aura in his hands, trying to gauge his position. "Seventy floors so far," he gasped. "Twenty-four hours straight of nothing but fighting and climbing, and I'm nearly a quarter of the way there." He gasped for breath, his body aching.

"Three hundred floors," he stated, panting. "Three. Hundred. Sycha. Saken. Floors." He opened the chestplate of his armour, wishing for the seventieth time in seventy floors that he had remembered to return the Elemental Globes to his armour. They would return to his aura, true; but attempting to bring them out in the Tower of Ancients would decimate them.

He drew his sword, pulled off his shield, and stepped into the next wave of enemies.



Tamashi woke up to the side of a tower forged from pure platinum.

She rose in shock, then remembered where she was. When they had arrived, the sun had started to set, and Blade had reccomended they rest for the night before climbing the tower; they would need all the energy they could get. Tamashi had tried to argue, but the second she tried to sit down, she had fallen asleep instantly.

Blade was already awake, leaning against the side of the tower. "Morning, sleeping beauty," he said softly.

Tamashi turned crimson. "Morning," she said. She yawned and rose. "Alright, do you have any idea how tall the tower is?"

The swordsman looked up the tower. "Two hundred floors, easy," he said. "Maybe three hundred." He sighed and pulled out the green crystal, which faded into the Deoxys' Revive Robe. "Better hope you got energy out of that sleep, Tamashi," he stated. "We've got a lot of climbing to do."

Tamashi stepped up to Blade's side and stated, "I've got a better idea of how to get some energy."

Blade spun in shock and found Tamashi's lips on his. He was silent for a moment, and that was all it took for Tamashi to break the kiss.

She smiled softly. "Watashi-tachi ga okonatte miyou, ken no shōnen." Let's go, sword boy.

He smiled back at her. "Watashi-tachi ga okonatte miyou, mahōtsukai no on'nanoko." Let's go, mage girl.

The golden gates of the platinum tower swung open. Together, the two of them stepped in, and the gates slammed shut behind them.