Crisis IV

Tianyi staggered up from the sand as if he could not feel the waves of agony coming from his right shoulder and internal organs.

He stumbled forward, step by step, dragging his heavy body along.

Toward that grotesque forest of Gold Dust spikes, now stained with blood.

When he reached it, he saw Aoi.

The companion who had always stayed by his side, working with him in medical rescue, quiet in words yet steadfast in her gaze.

She lay there silently now, her body pierced by several sharp Gold Dust spikes, a horrific sight.

The most fatal wound was the massive hole in her left chest, its edges shattered, flesh and blood mangled.

The sounds around him seemed to vanish. In Tianyi's world, only Mitarai Aoi remained before his eyes.

He slowly raised his left hand, which now trembled beyond his control.

His fingers reached toward Aoi with extreme slowness.

They lightly rested beneath her jaw.

There was no pulse.

All his fingertips felt was lifeless stillness.

Tianyi froze, holding that posture for several seconds.

Aoi's image slowly surfaced in his mind.

"Mm, your temperature is normal. The lingering fever has already gone down..."

"My name is Mitarai Aoi. And you are...?"

"From now on, we're colleagues, Sister Aoi..."

"What do you need that for? It's too dangerous..."

"Here. Study it quickly. This contains only the basics..."

A moment later, he raised his head. His Byakugan was filled with crimson blood vessels.

He stared fixedly at the Gold Dust sphere still floating in the distance.

A tear slid down from the corner of his eye.

He suddenly turned, picked up the sniper rifle from the ground, braced it with his left arm, and aimed at the golden sphere in the air.

"Bang!"

The first shot fired. The