NOVEL NEXT Episode XCI: The Icy Ambush
Jax stirred to consciousness in the heart of a sprawling field on the island. "Where are the others?" He demanded, his eyes narrowing at Yoji.
"I've tucked them away safely," Yoji replied, a smug grin playing on his lips. The remainder of the Kori family appeared then, Tokido slung over Kazuhiro's back like a ragdoll. With an uncaring grunt, Kazuhiro dropped Tokido beside Jax.
"Your brother is here too. Am I your hero now?" Yoji taunted. Jax scrambled over to Tokido's limp form, wincing at the sight of the numerous bruises marring his skin.
"You'll pay for what you've done to him!" Jax roared, his voice echoing across the field. Yoji sauntered over to him and pressed down hard on his arm. A scream ripped from Jax’s throat as pain exploded through him.
"And how will you do that?" Yoji laughed, releasing his grip on Jax’s arm only to haul him up by his collar. "Fancy taking a swing?"
With gritted teeth, Jax lashed out with his uninjured arm but Yoji deflected it easily before delivering two swift knees to his gut. "Try harder, Mitsuko weakling!" He jeered.
Jax threw another punch but this time he was slower and Yoji retaliated with a punch of his own. However, just in time, Tokido intercepted the blow aimed at Jax and kicked Yoji into Takuji.
Tokido immediately regretted it as agony shot through him. "I shouldn't have done that," he murmured grimly while cradling his injured leg. He glanced at Jax and winced at the sight of his broken arm.
Suddenly Yasushi and Kazuhiro launched themselves towards Tokido but before they could reach him, Jax unleashed a lightning pulse, halting Yasushi in his tracks. Kazuhiro, however, continued his charge.
"Your stench woke me up," Tokido spat at him. "What did you say?" Kazuhiro growled, his anger flaring. "You heard me," Tokido retorted defiantly. His fist morphed into solid green ice and he lunged at Tokido without a second thought.
Tokido managed to evade Kazuhiro's relentless attacks for several minutes until finally, he faltered. He attempted to activate stage 2 of Mitsukodorian mode but his depleted energy reserves prevented him from doing so.
"What the hell?" Tokido muttered in confusion. Seizing the opportunity, Kazuhiro landed a punch that sent him sprawling across the field.
Meanwhile, Jax and Yasushi exchanged blows until Yasushi struck Jax's injured arm causing him to stumble. With a swift kick, he sent Jax spinning into the air before transforming his foot into hard blue ice and kicking him again so hard that blood spurted from his mouth as he soared upwards before plummeting back down.
Just as he was about to hit the ground, Yasushi delivered an Ultimate Move; Frigid Horn Blast! A chilly wind coalesced into a sharp icicle which speared into Jax’s gut sending him flying before landing face-first on the ground.
"We've done enough damage for now,” Takuji declared smugly. “We'll finish them off when they're stronger...and their friends will be here soon too."
Yoji laughed heartily as they vanished leaving Lionel to discover Jax and Tokido battered and bruised on the field.
"We need to get them medical attention immediately!" Felix exclaimed urgently as they each picked up one of their fallen comrades and hurried towards the medical wing with Kiyoshi leading the way despite Lionel's doubts about their direction.
"Trust me, we're going the right way," Kiyoshi assured him. "Hey, over here!" Rin-Rin called out to them and Lionel detected a strong kitsune aura confirming that they were indeed on the right track.
"I told you I knew where we were going!" Kiyoshi declared triumphantly as they reached the building. Despite their arguing, they managed to get Jax and Tokido to the medical wing just in time.