Chapter 12: First Boss Battle

                                    

                                          
For a moment, time freezes. He is hovering in mid-air. Everything is stationary. Minato could hear the voices of his friends shouting his name. His sister is calling out to him too. He could feel his body aching. It's so painful. He could see his blood floating in the air. He could feel his heart pounding. Is he going to die like this? No.... It would be too boring to end his tale like this. It's only the beginning. Once he pulls himself together, time moves again. Even gravity seems to be functioning again. He stare at the train that is leaving him behind while falling.
                          
.......... 
                          
.....
                          
...
                          
THUMP!
                          
He lands on the metal tracks on his back. It is as hard as it looks. His blood splatters all over the train tracks. He couldn't feel his backbone anymore. His bones were probably shattered into pieces. He feel nothing but pain all over his body. He could hear metal clashing caused by his sword as it lands by his side. It's unbearable but somehow he couldn't scream in pain. His consciousness is slowly starting to fade away.....
                          
".........Minato........"
                          
Hm? Who could it be? Why are you calling my name? I thought....I'm.....dead....?
                          
"Minato.......can you.......hear me.......?"
                          
The feminine voice call out desperately. Minato opens his eyes. Huh? No one is here. Who...is calling me?
                          
" Minato....just please.....ANSWER ME!"
                          
Minato: S....Sen....pai.....? I....Is......that....you?
                          
He uses his remaining strength to answer that familiar voice. His weak voice fills the silent night.
                          
Mitsuru: *gasp* Thank goodness, you're still alive. You had me so worried. Are you alright?
                          
Minato: I'm...still alive...At least....
                          
Mitsuru: Just hang on! I'll be right there!
                          
Minato: No...don't....
                          
Mitsuru: But you're--
                          
Minato: We're on a....mission. You have to....assist....the others...*cough*
                          
He is coughing out blood. He don't know how long he will last. How long he has left to wrap up this conversation with his senpai?
                          
Mitsuru: But--
                          
Minato: Don't worry about....me....senpai... I'll be.....fine.... 
                          
His voice is getting weaker. His eyes feels heavy. If he closes his eyes now......would he be asleep.....forever?
                          
Mitsuru: Minato... But if don't go....you'll--
                          
Minato: I....I'll be back alive.....okay? *cough* For now.....please....protect the others....for me...
                          
Mitsuru hesitates. There's not much time left. She have to make a decision.
                          
Mitsuru: Alright. You better be back, Minato. Promise me!
                          
What should I say...? I don't think I'm going to survive. But if I don't promise her, she'll come here. And by the time she arrives. It'll be too late. Too late to save me, too late to stop the train. On the other hand, I don't like to make empty promises. Especially not to Mitsuru-senpai. Minato stares at the sky and smiles.
                          
Mitsuru: M-Minato...?
                          
Minato: Very well, I promise.
                          
Minato could sense that Mitsuru is smiling. Then, silence fills the air. She's probably busy helping out the others. He lie there for a few minutes. To be honest, he is feeling kind of lonely. Suddenly, he thought of something. Something important.