Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [365]
“You’re not real!” With that as his battle cry, Wataru launched himself at his double. His look-alike broke into a run too, coming straight for him. Just when he thought his blade was in reach, the double leaped. His foot came down on the hand in which Wataru held his sword and jumped clear over his head.
Uh-oh! Wataru sensed the kick coming even before it hit him in the back. He went sprawling face first.
He’s too fast. There’s no way I can beat him like this. Despair and powerlessness morphed into fear. What do I do now? How do I win? How can I even survive? I need to hide.
Barrier magic!
Bracing himself against the pain, Wataru chanted a quick spell and moved the tip of his blade in the shape of a cross. His heart was already beating fast. The added strain of raising the barrier made his heart and lungs scream.
Wataru disappeared. His double narrowed his eyes, one hand at his waist, the other hand letting his sword point dangle down toward the lake. He was grinning.
Safe behind his barrier, Wataru began to move, slowly. If I can only get close enough to strike.
He could feel his strength draining away. The pain made his eyes pop out of his head. White noise filled his head. His consciousness began to slip.
His double stood straight and tall as if to say I have nothing to fear from you, little boy.
His back is turned. He can’t see me. Now’s my chance. I have to do this, I have to!
Three more steps. Two more. One more step and I’ll reach his back.
Wataru lifted his sword, and his double whipped around, an evil grin on his face. “Nice try!”
With a mocking laugh, the double thrust out his sword. Wataru was holding his own blade high over his head—he was wide open. The point of the Brave’s Sword slid deep into his chest.
Wataru’s mouth snapped open. He had been holding his breath and now he exhaled in one giant heave. Arms still raised over his head, he slowly looked down at the blade sticking into his chest. Blood was seeping out around the blade, soaking his shirt. The mirror-image Brave’s Sword was buried deep in his chest.
Wataru felt no pain, but he was freezing. The sword had found his heart and was pouring icy coldness directly into his body.
I’m going to die.
It was a logical conclusion.
My double defeated me. I’m going to bleed, and then I’ll die.
His strength left him and his legs bowed. Wataru dropped to his knees onto the surface of the lake. His arms hung limply by his side. His own sword fell loose from his grip, its sharp point hanging listlessly between his knees.
Wataru’s conqueror yanked his sword back. Now free of the blade, Wataru collapsed to one side. Laughter rang in his ears. “Pitiful boy. Sad little boy. It’s over.”
The assailant turned his back on Wataru and began walking toward the far shore. His gait was ebullient—he was almost skipping. Wataru’s blood dripped from the tip of the Brave’s Sword hanging from his hand as he left.
—Wataru.
The gemstones in his sword were calling to him.
—Steady, Wataru.
—Remember what the Goddess said.
—You mustn’t fight.
—Your double is you.
—Remember the Goddess’s words.
Blood flowed from his wound, spreading across the crystalline surface of the water. Wataru was lying in a puddle of his own blood.
The Goddess’s words?
Wataru hung on the brink of consciousness. He stretched out a hand, desperately trying to retain his grip on sanity.
—Call him back.
—The split soul.
That double? That murderer?
—Yes, yes. Because that is you, Wataru.
Wataru lifted his head. A stream of blood trickled out of his mouth. He had no strength left in him. I’m drowning in a sea of blood.
Somehow he mustered enough strength to sit up. The gemstones were all calling for him now.
—Wataru, Wataru, don’t die. Don’t give up.
—Don’t leave your other half alone. Acknowledge him. Accept him.
After much effort, he was able to sit at the edge of the lake. His double was already standing on the far shore and had begun to disappear through the swamp reeds.
“Hey!” Wataru called out. It took all his remaining strength to do