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imaniamargria · 4 years

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Episode 14: Ranya, The Puppet Master

The face hidden beneath her opponent’s hood was a mystery to Horuna. She observed her with caution as her cold amethyst eyes trained themselves on her entire being. She felt them as they travelled slowly over her body, carefully watching her movement. They were watching and examining her, while waiting for the start of the round to be announced.

“After such an explosively intense fight between Rika Makoto and Kimika in the first round of this Exhibition Match, I know you are probably just as anxious and excited as I am to see the outcome of round two! I can see fire in both of these fighter’s eyes, but will they be able to carry the torch of our bloodlust expectancy? Or will this fight fail in comparison to last round’s? We will just have to sit back and watch! Only time will reveal the victor! And will it be Horuna? Or will the mysterious fighter from Team Kazeki, Ranya, win this round? Let’s find out! Round two begin!” Koto announced from the center of the ring. She raised her arm as she announced the start of the round; then stepped aside.

Those words echoed through Horuna’s mind, causing an immediate reaction to surge through her body. She felt her nerves race as the first seconds of the round ticked away. It took all of her strength to suppress her true feelings. She stood tall, but cautious and defensive; never removing her gaze from Ranya. She couldn’t see past Ranya’s dark cloak with her eyes; but maybe with her mind, she could get a glimpse at her opponent’s true power.

Horuna’s hesitation was immediately noticed by Ranya, making her neck tilt slightly in wonder and disappointment while she analyzed her opponent. The apparition girl was much smaller than her friend and even appeared to be younger; but something about the way she watched her, made Ranya sense that she might not be as naïve as she looked.

Despite her youthful appearance, the apparition girl’s energy was vintage and rare. Ranya could tell that the girl was much older than she appeared. She could sense a unique quality in her energy. Unlike many apparitions, who mainly had one source or element controlling their energy, she had multiple conflicting sources of energy. The actual number of sources was hidden from Ranya. This new discovery of her adversary intrigued Ranya.

She couldn’t sense the full extent of the apparition girl’s energy or the inner workings of her mind. Her eyes widened slightly at this surprising discovery. It was impossible for something like this to happen, especially from a mere apparition. No matter how strong the apparition, Ranya was always able to access their minds and gain knowledge of the complete extent of their abilities. Only beings highly skilled in psychic abilities could create such a defense. That was the only explanation. But Ranya couldn’t understand how a young girl like Horuna could possess such an ability?

If her suspicions were true, then it was obvious what was causing her hesitation. She was trying to access her mind and assess her abilities. Her surprise faded at this realization, and dark satisfaction took its place.

‘Brilliant move, little one. But as you will soon discover, it’s not that easy to assess me.’

“Well, you seem much stronger than your gullible, dim-witted, empathetic friend. You might actually be a very challenging form of entertainment for me. It’s been a long while since I’ve fought someone of your caliber. I’m very anxious now.” Ranya coaxed.

Horuna showed no reaction to Ranya’s jeers toward Kimika. But she sensed her brother was having a difficult time controlling his emotions. His anger was growing, and his energy rose frantically. She knew it wouldn’t be long before he did something rash. She just hoped the others would be able to hold him back before that happened.

“Why that smug…” Rage emanated from Hiei as he stepped forward ready to cut down his sister’s opponent.

However, his actions were stopped prematurely by Makoto’s arm. She blocked his path. Her presence was unreadable, as she observed her friend’s adversary. Her nerves were cold and unmoving like stone. Ranya’s insults didn’t seem to faze her.

Her reaction was unfamiliar to Hiei. Something like this would normally fill her with anger and a fire stronger than his own. But he saw neither of those in her now.

“Calm down, Hiei. Have faith in Horuna. Trust that she will take care of that arrogant fool for us all.”

Hiei didn’t respond. He just stared at Makoto with surprise and a new understanding; for he finally realized the identity of the emotion hidden behind her eyes. It was confidence.

She had what he lacked. She had confidence in his sister and trusted she had the ability to avenge Kimika. Hiei couldn’t understand how she believed so much in his sister, especially after knowing her for such a short time.

The rogue goddess was changing. The once blood thirsty goddess had grown attached to the very things she once loathed and hunted, apparitions. Her bond and affection for Kimika and Horuna betrayed her vow of vengeance against the ones responsible for her beloved Suzaku’s death. She had grown attached to not only to two individuals connected to her fiancé’s assassin’s bloodline’s, but it was obvious she was growing attached to his assassin’s as well.

“Having empathy is not a weakness, and being trusting doesn’t make one gullible. Just because you were able to manipulate Kimika, doesn’t make you stronger than her. I know there’s an extent to your abilities of mind control and manipulation. One that can’t affect me.” Horuna remained emotionless as she suppressed her true feelings. She fought to maintain control of her anger, so she didn’t give her adversary the upper hand.

Ranya could tell it was useless to try and provoke the apparition girl. She was wiser than she seemed. Horuna wasn’t going to attack until Ranya made her move.

“I see you’re as foolish as your friend. Well, it can’t be helped. You’ll die as a fool.” Ranya stepped forward her arms out to her side. Large amounts of energy swirled above her palms. Within seconds, the energy emanated an amethyst light as it formed into two giant swirling disks. As soon as they reached their final formation, she hurled them at Horuna.

The large disks whizzed through the air at a great speed, making it almost impossible for Horuna to dodge them. But she was able to maneuver her body with acrobatic flexibility and agility, avoiding their path and allowing them to impact the stadium ceiling behind her.

As soon as Horuna regained her balance and bearing, Ranya threw two more disks at her. Horuna dodged her attacks once again and readied herself to retaliate before her adversary attacked her again; but she restrained herself from doing so. She sensed immediately that she was still too weak to use any of her fire techniques, leaving her access only to her ice maiden abilities.

She couldn’t use those abilities even if it meant leaving her entirely vulnerable. She made a promise to her brother that she wouldn’t use her ice powers to protect her identity and their sister. She had to keep her promise for Yukina. She had to protect her sister no matter what, even if it cost her… her life.

Makoto watched the beginning of Horuna’s round in silence. Wonder and concern seeped into her skin as she watched Horuna’s actions.

Something was different about her movements. She sensed Horuna was an analytical fighter; but by the way she moved, she wasn’t just analyzing her opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. She moved in a peculiar manner. She was being overly careful, but she couldn’t understand why.

Makoto’s dark eyes pierced through the vast space and right into the heart of Horuna. Her ability to sense the physical and spirit energy of apparitions of their respective elements was a handy gift. However, she was hesitant to use it again. Compared to Kimika, Horuna was far more powerful and skilled.

Her youthful appearance was an obvious ploy to make her seen naïve and weak, but she was far from it. Makoto could tell from their last encounter that she was older and wiser than she appeared. Even though she read her mind during their first encounter in the forest, she hasn’t been able to do it again. That never happened to Makoto before.

For an apparition to have the ability to evade her scans, they had to be very skilled in the psychic arts, mostly in mind protection. Makoto has read the minds of the most skilled psychics and apparitions, who dappled in mind protection, but there were a few masters of the arts that she couldn’t penetrate.

The ability to read and scan the minds and abilities of any being, besides other gods or goddesses, was an advantage of being a goddess. The power to defend an apparition from a god’s senses was beyond those of normal apparitions or psychics. So she didn’t understand how Horuna was able to do so?

Even though Makoto was curious to know how Horuna was protecting herself from her ability, she knew it wasn’t a pressing matter at the moment. From what she could sense, Horuna had become considerably weaker. Makoto stood watching her friend struggle to avoid her opponent’s attack frozen in confusion.

“I don’t understand.” Makoto uttered in a low tone.

“So you’re finally aware of Horuna’s disadvantage.” The masked fighter looked back at the goddess frozen in confusion.

“What do you mean?” Hiei shot an intense glance filled with curiosity and fear at the masked fighter.

“Your sister has lost a considerable amount of energy.” The masked fighter explained.

“But how?” Rage, guilt, and concern grew inside Hiei at this new revelation. If what the masked fighter said was the truth, then Horuna was in grave danger.

“She’s lost a great percentage of her energy after she made that healing crystal.” The masked fighter responded.

“We have to stop the match, before Horuna is injured or worse.” Koenma interjected, fearing for the small girl struggling to dodge her opponent’s attacks.

“I’m going to stop it no matter what! I’m not going to risk her life for a stupid exhibition match! It’s not worth it!”

Hiei pushed past Makoto and ran towards the ring. When he was a step away from the ring, he froze in his path. A chill went down his spine as a faint plea entered his mind.

‘Big brother, please don’t interfere. I can handle this. Don’t worry.’

‘Horuna, how do you expect me to stop worrying? You know how much damage she caused Kimika. She’s dangerous. I don’t understand. What are you trying to prove?’

‘I don’t expect you to stop worrying. That’s a normal reaction. But I want you to trust me. I can handle her. Just have faith in me.’

Those last four words echoed through his mind. They seemed almost foreign. He rarely laid his faith in anyone. It was a weakness that created a vulnerability called hope. He couldn’t afford such a weakness. But he had to risk it for Horuna’s sake.

She was stubborn just like him. She was determined to avenge Kimika no matter what anyone said or did. She would have her vengeance. He just hoped she could seize it without sacrificing her life.

‘I guess I have no choice.’

Hiei retreated to Makoto’s side, once more, in reluctance. Makoto looked at him with a large expression of surprise. She overheard the mental exchange between the two siblings, and she couldn’t help but feel confused.

Hiei went through so much to rescue his sister. She could sense it was tearing him up inside to sit back and watch her fight such a powerful opponent. He longed to rescue her once more.

He wanted to prevent any occurrence that might cause her the same pain that she endured while she was locked away in the Tsuki soldiers’ camp. She could tell that the image of the horrifying state they found her in when they rescued her plagued him. He never wanted to see her in so much pain and discomfort again. He wanted to prevent it regardless of how he came about doing it. He cherished his new found sibling, and he refused to lose her like Yukina.

Makoto returned her focus on Horuna and watched her as she desperately dodged her adversary’s assault. Fear no longer weighed Makoto’s heart. Admiration took its place. She admired Horuna’s determination to see this match through to the end. Whether it was for vengeance or another reason, Makoto couldn’t decipher. She could only decipher that Horuna refused to give up until she accomplished her goal. And that type of determination Makoto admired most of all.

‘The events of the match seem to be in my favor.’ The leader of team Kazeki smirked, revealing a pair of small pink lips and ivory skin emerging from the vast shadows of her heavy hood.

Pleasure rushed through her body as she watched the goddess’s little apparition friend struggled against her minion. The small girl moved with slight precision to the untrained eye; however, to those with eyes as sharp as a wolf, she could see the narrow gap between Ranya’s attack and Horuna’s vital spots. The demon girl lost a great deal of her power, so she was limited to how she could attack and the strength of her defense. This was a great handicap for Makoto’s friend.

The leader looked over at the opposite side of the ring where Horuna’s entourage gathered. Her smirk grew with dark satisfaction as she scanned them. Nothing but worry and fear emanated from them, especially from Hiei and Makoto.

She couldn’t tell why, but Hiei seemed the most concerned about the demon girl. The level of his fear and worry were erratically increasing by every movement of the fighters. He seemed to have some sort of compassion towards Horuna. The reasons behind his compassion didn’t concern her. Only Makoto’s feelings fueled her curiosity.

The goddess’s feelings were torn. She was worried for Horuna, but she also carried doubt in her heart about her friend. She couldn’t tell what was the cause of her conflicting feelings. But the vacuum of despair they caused was growing stronger, and this pleased the leader.

This is what she wanted her to feel… Confusion… Worry… Uncertainty… Fear… These were only a few of the emotions she wanted Makoto to experience. But the ones she wanted her to witness the most were sadness, grief, and guilt. She wanted her to feel every ache and pain. She wanted her to experience the same feelings so many suffered at her hands, because of her selfish desires and actions.

“Hina, tell me what makes a great fighter?”

Horuna looked up at her teacher, eyes wide with assurance, as she blurted out the answer.

“Strength!”

“Strength? What makes a fighter strong?” The grey thick brow of her master furrowed in response of his young pupil’s answer.

“You know, teacher. Being able to hit hard and fast, while not being afraid of any challenge because they know they can overcome it.”

The enthusiasm Horuna had for her answer amused her teacher. He kneeled down and pet her head, smiling with warmth.

“Your innocence is amusing, little one.” His words caused her face to color in slight embarrassment. “You know that just being strong, fast, or fearless doesn’t make a fighter great. There are a few qualities you’re missing, such as being cunning, observant, adaptable, and wise.”

“Horuna, a great warrior doesn’t make the first move without understanding their opponent. Wise warriors defend while their opponents pursue them and observe carefully their strengths and weaknesses, so they can plan the most effective way to counter. Wisdom makes great fighters; without it, greatness is just a fairytale.”

The speed of Ranya’s attacks increased incredibly, impairing Horuna’s ability to dodge efficiently. Ranya’s razor sharp disks whizzed through the air, piercing it as they narrowly passed Horuna’s petite body. Horuna contorted her body this way and that, trying to avoid the disks deadly path; but as time passed, she noticed that as they grew in speed the distance between her and them closed rapidly.

It didn’t take long before she was in the direct path of one of Ranya’s disks. Silence fell over the stadium as the blood thirsty demons watched in dark anticipation, as the first kill of the match seemed only seconds away from occurring before their eyes. Horuna’s friends were silent for a completely different reason. They watched, suppressing all emotion, as the longest seconds of their lives played the outcome.

Sparks flashed through the air as the disk made contact, but there was no cry of agony or pain. Instead, the sound of metal scraping the disk echoed through the stadium. The sparks were so bright that they blinded the sight of the onlookers, making it impossible for them to tell what was going on.

Luckily for the curious audience, the impairment only lasted a few moments, allowing them to see the outcome of Ranya’s last attack. Everyone looked down at the ring in shock and confusion. Horuna stood tall in the middle of the ring, unscathed, wielding a long sword, while her opponent, Ranya, completely vanished. There was no sight of Horuna’s opponent, only a horrifying vision of blood, gore, and death sprawled across the ring in her place.

The body wasn’t Ranya’s, but some random apparition. The poor creature’s body was sliced right down the middle. An expression of shock and horror was frozen on his lifeless face.

Horuna looked over the creature’s body, suppressing the sickening feelings building inside her. She had no idea how this happened, but she needed to find her opponent. She had to locate her before she wound up like this poor fellow. Although, no matter where she looked, Ranya was nowhere to be found.

Every one of Horuna’s friends seemed to be transfixed on the strange turn of events, except Makoto. Makoto’s attention was fixed on something else. Her eyes were trained on Horuna and the strange sword she was now wielding. Her eyes saw from the distance the markings on its hilt and the material it was made out of. She was familiar with that particular design and the swordsmith who made it.

“Sotaro Kuroyuki…” Makoto gasped as she recognized the sword.” She’s wielding the Black Soul sword, one of the four legendary swords of the ancient swordsmith of the demon world. But how?”

“I’m not sure how she came to possess it since the last owner of it was a powerful psychic called Naeki; but if that sword truly is the Black Soul, then our concerns about her energy has just been confirmed.” The masked fighter took his eyes away from the area where Horuna’s opponent once was to the sword she held at her side.

“What do you mean they’ve been confirmed??” Koenma questioned, looking over at the masked fighter with worry and confusion.

“The Black Soul blade, along with the other swords of Kuroyuki’s collection, has a special ability. The power and brilliance of the sword is a reflection of the wielder’s power, or their spirit energy. In other words, since that sword looks dull and ordinary, it means Horuna’s energy is too low to sustain it.” The masked fighter explained coolly as he watched the petite apparition in wonder.

“So what does that mean?” Koenma questioned in worry.

“That means the sword is as useful as a metal bat, until she regains her energy.” Makoto retorted in bland satire.

Hiei looked at Makoto in silence, as he suppressed his growing worry and annoyance. He could tell by her behavior and words that there was something else bothering her. Curiosity baited him to find out what, but the current events of his sister’s match convinced him otherwise.

Slowly, he was realizing there was much about his sister he didn’t know. Even though they shared the same parents, he knew nothing about her past or the life she lived before being captured. He could tell the truth about her past was slowly beginning to unravel; but he couldn’t tell if it was a truth worth knowing. Would he be able to handle these new discoveries? Or could her secrets be dark enough to sever their bond?

“Hina, tighten your stance. You are leaving yourself open in three major points.” Horuna’s master criticized as she wielded a wooden practice sword against a wooden dummy. Horuna drew her feet closer and sank deeper, grounding herself before executing her next strike.

With a few short steps, she glided forward and struck her opponent on the side of the neck.

“Better… Much Better, Hina, but you still have to be mindful where you strike.” Her teacher observed, walking around to the side of the dummy and looking where Horuna struck it.

“I don’t know what you mean. It’s an automatic victory for me if I strike him there.” Horuna looked at him in confusion, while withdrawing her sword from the dummy’s vital spot.

“That’s true in normal circumstances, but you forgot to keep in mind your disadvantage to average fighters.”

“My disadvantage?” Horuna’s eyes grew wide.

“Your height… You are a very small girl. Which means you have less of a chance striking the upper part of the body of an average-sized or tall moving target. You have to fight according to your physical capabilities, until you can increase your speed, agility, and flexibility. Do it again.”

Horuna repeated her attack while keeping her teacher’s comments in mind. This time she struck the torso of the dummy.

“Very good, but you need to loosen your grip on the sword. Remember, it’s an extension of your arm, so move it as such with grace and ease.”

Horuna stepped back away from her target, took a deep breath, then tried her approach again as her teacher instructed. This time as her teacher watched her move his face lit with pure satisfaction and pride. A large smile crossed his wrinkled face and his hands joined together in a rapid salute to her improvement. The sound of his applause echoed through the high wooden walls of the training hall. Horuna turned wide-eyed toward her master. Joy seized her when she saw his proud expression.

“Bravo, Horuna! You are improving quickly! Soon you will surpass far beyond your limitations and my expectations. I’m very proud of you.”

Those words echoed through Horuna’s mind many times during her imprisonment. His words were a few of the things that gave her hope and the strength to survive and fight during her darkest moments. The thoughts of his kindness, love, and wisdom sustained her hope and will to reunite with her long lost love ones. These flickers of a lifelong passed brought her mind stability and courage as she faced off against the most dangerous foe she has ever met. It slowly quickened the reconstruction of the energy she’d lost by healing her friend.

Many moments passed without any sign of Ranya. Only her mutilated victim was visible to Horuna and the spectators. Horuna cautiously paced around the ring, searching for the whereabouts of her opponent. An eerie silence fell upon the ring for a long period, before Horuna sensed two strong sources of energy rapidly heading towards her from behind.

She dodged the path of one of the attacks and deflected the other attack with her sword, sending it back in the direction it came from. The attack whirled through the air until the deafening sound of an apparition’s agonizing scream of death broke the silence. Horuna withheld her sensation of horror and to grimace at the horrifying sight, while searching past her victim for her opponent.

“Poor, little apparition girl, you seem to be having difficulties. How can you expect to defeat me if you can’t find me?” Ranya’s voice echoed through the stadium. The sound of it had a hypnotizing tone.

“You will never be able to defeat me in your current state. Victory is a certainty for me.” The atmosphere in the stadium became distant as Ranya spoke. Horuna’s vision danced as her surroundings intermingled with one another. Her senses raced as a strange aura settled around her.

This new interference of her senses began to rattle her entire body. She fought for control of her senses and physical functions. The disorientation caused her sense of balance to become askew, making it difficult to remain grounded and secure on her feet.

“What’s wrong, Horuna? You seem unwell.” Ranya’s voice echoed through the disorienting chaos. “If you aren’t feeling well, then it will make killing you much easier.”

The aura surrounding Horuna grew thicker. Her hearing became increasingly shrouded and muzzled, as if trapped underneath water. Ranya’s words were no longer tangible, reducing her ability to detect the whereabouts of her adversary.

She was blinded and deafened by the strange aura engulfing the ring. Only small flickers of opaque images were visible through the lavender fog. As it began to thicken, two large lights cut through its dense structure and aiming straight for Horuna. Horuna knew immediately by their speed what they were and used what strength and balance remained inside her to maneuver around Ranya’s new attack.

Ranya’s blades cut through the opaque aura like a powerful hailstorm, making it almost impossible for her to avoid their paths. Her free space narrowed greatly, but Horuna pushed her body to the verge of its limitations. She knew she had to surpass her body’s restrictions and limitations until her energy was fully restored. But how much more could she withstand until that time?

“What’s going on? How’s Ranya able to appear and disappear like that?” Koenma questioned in frustration at the current state of the match.

He knew nothing about who Horuna was or her past. He also wasn’t obliged to root for Makoto’s team, but he couldn’t help feeling moved by the events unfolding before his very eyes. He spent little time around Horuna, but somehow her dedication and loyalty to her new friends astounded him. It was admirable and contagious. It stirred up an overwhelming desire inside his body to do whatever he could to help her justify that loyalty. The only thing he could do was observe and pray she defeats Ranya.

“She isn’t disappearing. She’s using a simple substitution trick while hiding herself behind a psychic spirit-energy disruption technique.” The masked fighter answered, surprised at Ranya’s powers.

“What do you mean?” Hiei’s expression intensified as he turned his gaze towards the masked fighter.

The masked fighter didn’t understand Hiei’s new fascination for the girl. Ever since they defeated the Tsuki soldiers and their bosses, Hiei lingered around the girl like a shadow. He doubted they were romantically involved, but he wouldn’t rule it out just yet. Even though they just met Horuna, Hiei developed strange feelings towards her. What caused this sudden attraction was a mystery to the masked fighter.

“This aura Ranya creates distorts the ability to detect spirit energy, hindering Horuna’s ability to sense where she is. The dense atmosphere created by the aura also distorts Horuna’s sight.”

“So in other words, she’s screwed at the moment.” Makoto’s voice was low and emotionless, but it was clear by the way she looked into the amethyst mist that she was more worried about the new turn of events.

“Hnn…” Tension overcame Hiei, making it impossible for him to respond. This was the second time Hiei felt terror come over him and both times were because of Horuna. He desperately wanted to jump in and rescue her, but he couldn’t break his promise to her. If he did interfere and she was able to turn it around, she might hate him; Although, if she wasn’t able to turn things around and he did nothing, then he would lose her forever. There was risk, regardless, of what he chose.

Kurama sat in folding chair, propped up against the wall beside where Kimika slept. He watched his sister as she peacefully rested. Her wounds were almost completely healed, and her energy was almost at full strength. His fear and worry had completely vanished, but he couldn’t help wondering if the same could be said for Makoto.

She blamed herself for what happened between her and Kimika. Even after his attempt to reassure her otherwise, he saw the pain and resentment in her eyes. She took some comfort in his words, but she probably wouldn’t completely recover until Kimika reassured her herself.

He looked at the pink crystal hovering over Kimika’s body. He was amazed at this healing technique. It was very efficient and worked instantly. Horuna was much more powerful than they believed she was.

The crystal shrank to half of its original size. Kurama noticed that as it slowly withered away Kimika grew stronger. It was evident that it wouldn’t be long before Kimika fully recovered. Hopefully, then she would be able to quell some of the worries of Makoto’s heart.

Horuna’s fears quickly faded as she dodged Ranya’s rapid assault; instead of feeling exhausted, she felt her energy growing stronger, causing her to move faster and her sword to regain luster. It was apparent that her crystal was almost done healing Kimika, which meant she would be at full power very soon.

As the next series of attacks whizzed through the air, Horuna swung her sword creating a huge force of warm air that knocked the blades back to their source, while also dissipating the foggy aura. No death groans from decoy apparitions echoed from the amethyst mist. Instead, the sound of her opponent’s swears filled the air as she whipped through the air from the force of Horuna’s attack.

“Impossible! How were you able to create so much power?!”

As Horuna’s vision cleared and her sense of balance restored, she followed the sound of her adversary’s voice to pin-point her location. When she found the path of destruction caused by Ranya’s attacks, she saw the tattered remains of Ranya’s cloak along with a few droplets of blood. Horuna followed the path of the droplets across the ring to a pale figure dressed in a long flowing white gown. Horuna suppressed her sudden explosion of shock as she glanced upon the true form of her adversary.

Long tendrils of ash brown hair flowed gracefully around her slender body. Her voice contradicted her appearance. It was profound and mature, resounding in a resonating hypnotic spell at certain moments. Even though her cloak was destroyed, a new one of bloodlust and darkness remained around her. Her new cloak diluted her youthful beauty and innocent guise.

Even though the true form of her adversary was revealed, Horuna knew she couldn’t become engulfed by her contrary appearance. She couldn’t become distracted by Ranya’s façade and drop her guard. If she was going to defeat Ranya and take vengeance for her treatment of Kimika, she couldn’t allow herself to be tricked by Ranya’s powers or her charms.

Darkness swirled around Kimika, creating deep uncertainty. She felt as if her entire being was captured in the unbreakable grasp of fear and weakness. She tried to call for help, but she couldn’t talk. Her lips moved, but sound wasn’t produced.

Her body trembled as weakness took hold. She tried to move, but she became paralyzed. She tried to pierce through the darkness to identify her restraints, but all she could see was the on-going blackness. She was helpless, unable to cry for help or break from her unknown restraints. Captured in the formidable embrace of her binds, her mind was plagued by mixed emotions of sadness, regret, worry, and joy. The source of these emotions were unknown to her, but they further strengthened her paralysis.

As time slowly ticked away, her torture strengthened, and the soft sound of a voice broke the silence of the dark abyss. First, it was gentle and unintelligible, but as time passed it grew in volume. Immediately, Kimika recognized the voice; it was Horuna.

She finally recognized the origin of the strange emotions holding her captive. They were Horuna’s. She was in pain and trouble. Kimika had to do something to help her. She couldn’t let danger overtake her, especially not before she fulfilled her heart’s desire.

Kimika struggled once more with her restraints. This time she could feel them loosen. Their grasp tore at her flesh, causing intense pain, but Kimika didn’t care. She only cared about breaking them, so she could rescue Horuna.

The whole stadium was frozen in surprise of the revelation of Ranya’s true face. However, the revelation didn’t concern the masked fighter. The new surge of power emanating from Horuna concerned him. She was slowly regaining her spirit energy, which meant her healing spell was almost finished.

The masked fighter turned from the group and walked towards the locker rooms. But before he could walk two steps away, Makoto grabbed his arm and stopped him. “Where are you going?”

“I want to check on Kurama and his sister.” The masked fighter answered, releasing himself from her grasp.

“Good idea. I’ll go with you.” Makoto insisted, following the masked fighter inside.

“You can do as you please.”

Makoto walked at a steady pace, with her arms propped against the back of her head, as she followed the masked fighter into the dark hallway. Her dark eyes remained trained on the pint-sized warrior. There was something about him troubling her, and she needed to know the truth.

“Why do you have this sudden interest in Kimika’s welfare?”

The masked fighter’s steps slowed at the goddess’s surprise inquiry.

“Is it wrong to care about how she’s progressing?”

Makoto’s eyes narrowed. “I guess not. But you haven’t been very honest lately, so I can’t completely trust your intentions.”

Makoto’s words caught him off guard, causing him to stop in the middle of the hall and turn to face his interrogator.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean you aren’t who you say you are.” Makoto responded, lowering her arms to her side and shooting a piercing gaze at him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His voice remained neutral.

“You cannot fool me. I can read the minds of those within my elemental domain. Even though you don’t use a specific elemental domain as your spirit energy. You were born within my seasonal domain, so I know everything about you.” Makoto explained, coolly, placing her hands in her jean pockets. Her gaze never wavered, but the masked fighter could tell she wasn’t bluffing.

“I forgot about that ability of yours.” He closed his eyes. Amusement seized his voice at the new twist of fate. “If you know the truth about my identity, then why haven’t you exposed me to the others?”

Makoto shrugged and closed the distance between them, examining him carefully. “Because it’s not my place to do so. Besides my feline instincts are curious about your reasons behind this façade.”

The masked fighter opened his eyes to meet her gaze before bursting into laughter. Makoto stepped back, surprised at his reaction.

“Why the hell are you laughing?” Makoto demanded, trying to conceal her offense.

“I’m sorry. It’s just Déjà vu that’s all.” He suppressed his amusement and laughter. “If you want to know my reasons, I guess I have no other choice but to tell you. I guess it’s true that girls are quicker than boys.”

“I have an old score to settle and an important goal to fulfill. I can’t afford for my identity to be known, especially at this tournament.”

Makoto scanned him one last time before shrugging and continuing down the hall to the locker room.

“That’s boring and uninteresting. As long as you don’t harm Kimika or Horuna, I will not stand in your way. Your secret’s safe with me.”

Since the start of the match, Koto watched from the sidelines, huddled beside the leader of Team Kazeki. She was frozen in fear as she watched the massacres of many innocent apparitions by Ranya’s strange defensive ability. She loved a bloodbath like the next apparition, but slaughtering innocent spectators who had nothing to with the match was where she drew the line.

If it wasn’t for the leader of Team Kazeki, Koto would have been among the slaughtered victims lying on the ring floor. Koto was confused and afraid of the reasons hiding behind the leader’s actions. It was clear she was out for blood; but for some strange reason, she safe-guarded Koto’s life.

Knowing about her teammates techniques, she grabbed Koto and told he there was no need for her to die, so she would protect her as long as she remained at her side. Koto didn’t understand the reasons behind her actions in the beginning; but now after seeing the gory massacre of apparitions, she was thankful for the leader’s protection.

However, she couldn’t understand why the leader would want to do something like that for her. It was obvious from her cold amusement towards Ranya’s ability to avoid Horuna’s attacks by using apparitions that she didn’t care about apparitions’ lives. So why did she save Koto’s life? What did she gain from sparing her?

“What’s the matter, Horuna? You seem surprised.” Ranya hovered above the ring, her arms outstretched as she showed her form. “Don’t let my appealing exterior fool you. If you become distracted by something so trivial, then you aren’t as strong as I thought you were.”

A strange energy emanated from her as she rose higher above the ring floor. “I was surprised by your sudden burst of energy, but I suspect that was a fluke.”

The energy pulsated around her, producing a strong force field that disrupted Horuna’s balance. As it grew stronger, apparitions from the audience were absorbed into its vortex. Horuna backed away, observing the powerful display and its patterns.

Fear was far from Horuna��s current state of mind. She was amazed at the strength of her opponent and mysterious abilities. She racked the recesses of her mind for an explanation for Ranya’s strange abilities. It was a unique ability that had her perplexed; but if she wanted to defeat her, Horuna had to discover its secrets.

“You won’t defeat me!” Ranya’s strange barriers of captured apparitions spiraled faster, drowning their screams in its violent torrent. She created multiple spirit blades and threw them at Horuna. The amount of blade increased, but Horuna noticed that the speed of her attacks decreased, making it easier for Horuna to deflect them. She cringed at the countless agonizing screams and the shower of crimson.

“You will never defeat me! Give up!” Ranya’s voice loomed through the stadium, while she sent her next arsenal of attacks. This time, instead of just sending energy blades, the remaining demons whirling around her took flight and lunged at Horuna.

Horuna could feel her years of training being put to an ultimate test. She was barraged by the strangest manipulation of energy she’d ever seen. Now, Ranya was manipulating her scapegoats to be her shields of flesh.

She blocked their attacks with all her speed and agility, taking care not to harm Ranya’s captives. Although she continued her relentless defense, she noticed a strange substance attached to their limbs. All the motion, made it impossible to identify what they were, but Horuna knew the strange substances might be key to Ranya’s ability.

Horuna maneuvered between the three apparitions attack. When one of them tried to tackle her, she avoided his pursuit and pushed him into his ally. She used their moment of distortion and confusion to focus her attention on the third demon.

He attacked her with a large club in a hectic fury. Horuna avoided his attacks with ease, redirecting them away from her and tying him up. With his guard down and his back wide open, Horuna jumped on his back to examine the strange particles on his limbs.

It took all of her strength to hold on to the apparition, who flailed his bulky arms frantically trying to remove her from his back; but it didn’t take long for her to identify the substance she was now seeing. And as her intuition suggested, this was a major key to piece together the mystery behind Ranya’s ability.

Horuna huddled on the temple steps. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying as she watched the spring sun settle behind the clouds. Remembering the events that happened earlier in the village, made her seethe with anger. Many years passed since she was an outcast of ice world, so she thought she left her ridiculers behind, but apparently not. The children were just as cruel to her as the citizens of her homeland.

Her crying drowned out the sounds of her master’s footsteps walking down the porch. He immediately noticed the ill manner of his protégé, and he hobbled to her side.

“Hina, what’s wrong?” Concern fueled him as he sat beside her.

Horuna wiped her face with her kimono sleeve, trying to mask her sadness from her teacher.

“Nothing’s wrong. I just had a moment of weakness. I’m sorry, teacher.”

Warmth emanated from her teacher’s expression, making his lips curl in understanding. He placed his hand on her shoulder, in an attempt to comfort her.

“Expressing emotion isn’t a weakness. Trying to suppress how you feel is. Now, tell me, child, what’s making you feel sad?”

“While I was delivering some of our herbs to market, the village children picked on me. The boys pushed me into a ditch. I hurt my leg and ripped my robe. I didn’t fight back like you said, but I wish I did.”

“You were outnumbered, weren’t you?”

Horuna nodded. “Yes.”

“And the boys were probably larger than you.”

Horuna nodded again as she slumped into her knees. “They might’ve been. But why does that matter, sensei? I could’ve taken them.”

“Little one, what did I tell you about deciding when you should or shouldn’t fight? You might’ve been able to fight them. But do you really think you would’ve won?”

“It doesn’t matter if I win or lose as long as I stand up for myself.”

“That’s true in certain situations. However, if you’re in a situation where defeat is the highest probability, you must observe the pros and cons of your opponents, so you can use them to your benefit. By doing this, you increase your chances of winning and preserving your life.”

Horuna looked at her master, confusion imminent in her eyes. “What if I have no choice but to fight first and think later?”

Her teacher shook his head in slight disappointment of his protégé’s narrow understanding. “Little one, there’s always a choice even if it must be made in a moment’s notice. That’s why you have to hone your skills to observe and analyze. You must make them as sharp as your reflexes.”

He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close to him. “Even though you might think otherwise, I believe you made the wiser choice.”

“What do you mean?” Horuna pushed slightly away from her teacher, so she could see into his eyes and possibly gain some inkling of the meaning behind his words; but she was unable to do so.

“If you gave in to their taunts and fought, then you would’ve received more than a scrape on your leg and a torn kimono. They could’ve severely injured you. If that happened, how do you think that would’ve affected me?”

Silence fell upon Horuna for a moment. Her jaw tightened and heat colored her face as she looked away in embarrassment.

“I didn’t think of that. I guess you would’ve felt very bad. Wouldn’t you, sensei?”

Her teacher’s smile returned to his face as he tightened his loving embrace. “That’s right. Remember this when you fight. Keep in mind how the outcome can affect those who care for you. It will help hone your skills and better yourself.”

“But you’re the only one who cares about me. That won’t be a strong enough motivator every time I face conflict.” Horuna shrank into his arms, remembering the loneliness and darkness she had known before meeting her teacher.

“That might be true for now. But you have a destiny that will reward you, if you stay on an honorable path, with many who will care for you because they see your true worth. They will love you for who you are aside from your differences. They will see the beauty within your heart and nothing else. Those are who you must keep in mind.”

“Do you really think I will find my siblings, and they’ll care for me as you do?”

“I know for certain it will happen. You will not only find them and make them love you; but you will find new friends who are going to help you on your journey and love you as I do. They’re the ones who will help you decide what and who are worth fighting for.”

The locker room didn’t change much since Makoto left it earlier. Kimika still laid unconscious on the bench, while her brother guarded her dutifully from the shadows. His focus was so strong that he didn’t notice their presence when they entered the room.

“How’s your sister progressing, Kurama?” The masked fighter asked, breaking the silence lingering over the room.

“Masked Fighter… Makoto? What are you doing here?” Kurama questioned, startled by their sudden appearance.

“Just as my previous question indicated. We’re here to check on the progress of your sister.” The masked fighter answered, turning his attention to Kimika. “If I’m not mistaken, her treatment should be complete.”

“What makes you think that?” Kurama followed his gaze to the space above his sister, then he realized the masked fighter’s meaning. “The crystal’s gone.”

“Yes. That means Kimika should be fully healed.” The masked fighter explained, examining the unconscious apparition girl.

He knew his hypothesis was correct since all of her wounds were gone. Not only did this mean Horuna would have a fighting chance to defeat Ranya, but Kimika would be fine. That was all the masked fighter cared to know.

Kurama crossed the room to kneel at his sister’s side. He felt joy overcome him when he noticed Kimika seemed to be fully recovered. He seized her hand and pressed it lovingly to his cheek as he expressed his relief. The moment his skin touched hers, Kimika’s hands fidgeted and her fingers gripped onto his in a firm embrace.

“Kimika…” Sound escaped Kurama’s lips as a soft whisper in response to her actions. The soft sound of his voice resonated through Kimika’s mind, powering her lips.

“Big Brother?” As soon as the soft words escaped Kimika’s lips, the airs of concern dispersed and was replaced by those of relief. Kurama tightened the distance between them, looming over her so she could see him when she opened her eyes.

“I’m here, Kimika.”

Without opening her eyes, Kimika let go of her brother’s hand and forced herself up right. She opened her eyes slowly, scanning the room as she tried to regain her senses.

“Where am I?”

“You’re in the locker room of the stadium.” Kurama answered, supporting her with his arm as she swung her legs around to face the others.

“How did I get here?” Kimika rubbed her head, trying to recall the last events before she passed out. “What happened?”

“That’s kinda my fault.” Makoto answered, stepping from her corner of the room to Kimika’s line of sight.

“Not entirely… You were manipulated by one of the members of Team Kazeki. She used her powers to control you and force you to fight Makoto.” The masked fighter further explained.

“Makoto?” Kimika’s eyes grew in shock of this revelation. She examined her friend frantically with deep concern. “Did I hurt you?”

“Did you hurt me?!” Makoto snapped annoyed by Kimika’s foolish concern. “You’re the one who was lying unconscious on the bench until a few seconds ago, but you’re wondering if you hurt me. You can’t be this dense.” She turned away from Kimika to conceal a small amount of amusement and relief that her friend didn’t seem to have changed.

“I’m not dense, just worried. I’m glad I didn’t.” Kimika looked around the dark locker room and turned towards her brother; worry shone clearly on her face. “Where’s Horuna and Hiei?”

“Hiei’s ringside watching Horuna’s fight against Ranya, the demon who manipulated you.” Answered the masked fighter.

“Horuna’s fighting?!” Fear pumped through Kimika’s body creating an explosion of energy to seize control of her body, propelling her to her feet and dashing towards the exit. Her unexpected movements made it difficult for anyone to stop her. Kurama worried by her reaction called after Kimika.

“What’s wrong? Where are you going?”

“To Horuna. She needs us now.” Kimika’s actions left no time for responses. Kurama, Makoto, and the masked fighter exchanged brief looks of confusion before following her to the ring.

Horuna withdrew her sword from its sheath and cut through the threads attached to the demon. As soon as they were cut, the apparition stopped struggling and looked around him in confusion.

“What happened? What am I doing here?”

Horuna jumped off his back and pointed her sword at him. “You remember nothing?”

The apparition shook his head no. “Run away then. You’re in danger if you stay here.”

While the apparition ran out of the ring, Ranya threw another horde of blades at Horuna. She nimbly avoided a few of them and deflected the others with her sword. With one swift movement of Ranya’s hands, the two remaining apparitions took their positions between her and her attacks. However, before she could move out of the way, her connection with the demons was severed and a sharp pain riddled her body.

Pain seized control of her body, crippling her and causing her to fall to the ring floor. Ranya looked at her side where the pain was originating. Blood poured from her side from a fresh cut. A pool of fresh crimson liquid formed beneath her.

“You injured me! How were you able to get past my attack and injure me?!” Ranya demanded, placing her palm over her wound in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding.

“I know how you manipulate these apparitions. I was unable to see them before because of my weakened state, but now I can see them. You use your spirit energy to link to those of the apparitions, so you could manipulate them and use them as your shield.” Horuna explained, walking around Ranya to her line of sight. “You use a great deal of your energy when you create those disks, decreasing their speed and making it easier for me to avoid them. Your underestimation of your opponent will be your downfall. Now, that my energy is fully restored this match is over.”

Ranya looked at Horuna in disbelief, but it soon morphed into worry. Unlike the cautious child from earlier, who was barely holding on for dear life, this girl stood stern with confidence and determination. Her eyes flickered with a new drive which grew by every passing second. Even her energy transformed into something much stronger and darker than what it once was. To Ranya’s horror, Horuna was morphing into one of the most powerful adversaries she ever fought.

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imaniamargria · 4 years

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Found another one of my old fan fictions. 1st chapter will be posted by next Friday on #Wattpad and Fanfiction.net. Cover art rights reserved to original artists.

After learning about Neji’s death, Lady Mera reflects on the moments she spent with him.

Past: After Team Guy’s hired by the daimyo to protect a mysterious treasure from thieves, Neji discovers there’s more to their mission than they were initially told. As he grows closer to the daimyo’s daughter, Neji stumbles across some of the dark secrets of their family. His new bond with the heiress leads to his eternal vow to protect her and an everlasting love.

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imaniamargria · 4 years

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Episode 13: The True Danger of Rika

Everyone watched in surprise at the new turn of events. Horuna looked on with a mixed expression filled with hope and worry; because even though it was clear Rika was winning, her expression towards Kioni frightened her. Rika’s manner had completely changed, and Horuna felt a strange shift inside her as well.

The woman standing before Kioni was not the same as Makoto. Horuna could feel a darkness, which she never felt from Makoto, inside Rika. Even though the match was now in Rika’s favor, Horuna feared Rika would not have the ability to restrain herself from completely destroying Kioni.

‘Oh Makoto please don’t hurt Kimika. You can’t harm our friend. You will never forgive yourself if you succeed in doing so.’

Horuna’s concern was realized by the masked fighter, who turned his focus from the ring and to Horuna. He looked at the small apparition girl, who stood with her hands clasped together and her eyes, focusing on her friends’ situation, wide with hope.

“I know you can sense the change occurring within the goddess’s demon form, but you cannot lose hope. If Makoto can maintain control of Rika long enough to knock out Kioni, then the priestess should revert back to Kimika.” The masked fighter voiced his observations.

Horuna turned her focus towards the masked fighter. Her eyes grew wider in surprise of the masked fighter’s words. Although they were reassuring, she could not understand how he knew about her concerns. She had not realized it until now, but there was something about her brother’s comrade that unnerved her. She sensed something strange about him that made her very wary about trusting him.

She used her bangs to conceal her eyes and the fear emanating from them. She nodded in response, while slowly taking refuge behind her brother. She took hold of his coat as an uncertain feeling seized her.

Hiei noticed Horuna’s strange behavior, but did not think it was anything more than her reaction to the current state of the match. He responded to the masked fighter’s observation for his sister.

“This information would be very useful to Makoto. I will let her know about this telepathically.”

“You can’t do that, Hiei.” The masked fighter warned immediately. “As long as Makoto is in her demon form, it will be impossible for you to reach her. Rika’s mind is heavily guarded, so only another deity of similar strength or a being who is psychically connected to her can access it. The only one who might be able to reach her is Kurama.”

The masked fighter turned his gaze towards Kurama to assess his reaction. He looked at the masked fighter with an eyebrow raised in confusion, but he withheld any other reaction.

“You seem to be very connected with the goddess. Your connection with her might be strong enough to pass her mental barriers, so you can communicate with her.” The masked fighter continued his explanation.

Kurama did not answer with words. He only nodded in agreement. Koenma watched their exchange in silence. For he was not sure if they could rely solely on Rika at this point. It was clear to him that the darkness inside Rika was taking over control. Makoto was losing her hold on Rika and her actions. If she did not end this match soon, then they would lose both Makoto and Kimika. And the entire island would be victim to the Rogue Goddess’s wrath.

Kioni tensed as fear rushed through her being. She clenched her jaw in an attempt to conceal her true feelings from her opponent. She could tell by her empty gaze that the goddess was not going to go back on her word even for the sake of her friend. She saw the darkness in Rika’s eyes. Her desire to kill her overcame her desire to save Kimika.

She watched paralyzed in fear while Rika’s power surged. Electric sparks flickered wildly in Rika’s palm as she drew closer. Kioni could feel the power emanating from Rika’s body as she prepared to attack. Rika was too strong Kioni could not defeat her in her current condition. Kioni closed her eyes shut when she saw the goddess raise her hand to strike. Kioni was drained of all her power. She could not defend herself. She could only accept her fate.

A wicked grin flashed across Rika’s face as she raised her hand to strike Kioni with a finishing blow. Her power surged through her, filling her with immense energy and dark-intense desires. She admired the strength of the priestess, at first, but she soon grew tired of her. Fighting Kioni, pleased Rika, but she was no longer entertaining to the goddess, since she became weak. She was no longer any use to Rika.

The electricity flashing rapidly around her hand grew larger as she prepared to attack. When it reached maximum capacity, she began her rapid descent, but was stopped by a loud cry in her mind.

‘Makoto, stop! You can’t kill Kioni, or you’ll kill Kimika! You are the only one who can save my sister. Knock out Kioni, and Kimika will be free.’

‘Kurama… That voice it’s him. I have to listen to his words. I can’t harm my friend. I must do as he says to save her.’ Makoto’s thoughts and emotions raced when she heard Kurama’s voice. The sweet-familiar sound of it fueled her will, helping her gain more control over her rogue counterpart. ‘Do you hear me, Rika? Do not kill Kioni! Knock her out, so we can be done with this and save Kimika.’

Makoto’s commands surged through her mind to the very essence of Rika. By her words, Rika ceased her attack and slowly withdrew her hand. The electricity around it slowly fading.

Kurama and the others watched with slight satisfaction when they noticed a hesitation in Rika. It was obvious Kurama’s message reached her, and Makoto seized control of Rika’s attack. But their satisfaction would be short-lived, since something else was attempting to influence Rika’s mind - something darker.

‘Are you, the Great Rogue Goddess - Rika Makoto, really going to set aside you own pleasures for a demon?’ The woman’s voice began echoing through Rika’s mind. ‘I thought you were better than that. I didn’t know the rogue goddess took orders from low-class demons.’

‘I don’t take orders from anyone.’ At this thought, Rika’s energy began to surge again along with her anger.

‘Then prove it! Show me your true power, and kill Kioni!’ The woman coaxed in a voice of dark amusement.

Makoto could hear the strange woman’s coax and Rika’s surge of energy and anger. She was not sure who that woman was, but she knew she needed to calm Rika down before she lost complete control of her.

‘Rika, Do not pay attention to that woman! You know why we are doing this, to save Kimika. Don’t fall into this stranger’s trap!’

Makoto continued to plea numerous times to Rika, but they seemed to go unheard. Rika was seething with anger, causing her energy to sky rocket. Makoto realized there was nothing more she could do. She could only watch in horror as Rika struck down Kioni.

Makoto’s own fury began to race. That woman was to blame for all of this, but who was she? The sound of her voice seemed very familiar to Makoto, but she was not sure from where she remembered it or who she was? She also did not know why this woman was targeting her. What did this woman gain by coaxing her to kill Kioni?

While Rika struggled with the goings-on in her mind, Kioni used Rika’s distraction and hesitation to her advantage by regaining her footing and evading her attack. Rika’s fist collided with the ring forming a huge crater in the place where Kioni once stood. Electricity pulsated frantically from the crater, surrounding Rika in a glow of electric sparks.

Immediately after realizing her mistake, Rika pursued Kioni with multiple electric attacks. Kioni dodged as many of Rika’s attacks with swift acrobatic movements. She had minimal energy to use any of her attacks to counter, but she refused to fall victim to the goddess.

Kioni used what little energy she possessed to evade Rika’s attacks. But she could feel that it was quickly fading. It would not take long until she barely had enough energy to stand, let alone continue dodging the goddess’s attacks.

She felt the goddess gaining speed and power as hers slowly dwindled away. She fought to her best ability, dodging each of Rika’s attacks. She did not want to stop. If she did, it would mean forfeiting her life.

Rika’s dark grin grew when she noticed the priestess’s desperate attempt to avoid her attacks. She could feel the priestess’s power withering away. Kioni used what little energy remaining to counter Rika’s attacks with physical hand strikes, but her diminished energy and speed made Kioni’s counters easy for Rika to avoid.

When Rika noticed Kioni lingering the most from fatigue, she avoided her attacks and teleported behind the priestess. By time Kioni even realized what was happening, Rika seized Kioni in her strong embrace, pressing her flexed arm against Kioni’s throat and choking her.

Hiei and Kurama were frozen in fear when they watched Kioni struggling in Rika’s hold. It was clear Kurama’s words had gone unheeded. It was clear to them both Rika preferred a darker way to end the match.

Kurama could feel a darkness growing inside Rika. It seemed to feed on her energy, growing her fury and bloodlust. It was growing so rapidly and powerful that it was too much for Makoto to handle.

Although Makoto acted otherwise, Kurama could sense from the moment they were alone on the beach that Makoto was undergoing a great internal struggle. In contrary to her mask of power and strength, it was clear to him that she was suffering from more than just Suzaku’s death. She was struggling from a darker ailment that seemed to plague her long before Suzaku entered her life.

He did not know what the ailment was or why it caused this darkness; because if he did know more about it, then maybe he could find a way to cure it and save Makoto from it and ease her struggle. He wanted to do something to help her, but everything he could do failed. What more could he do to reach Makoto and save his sister?

Hiei’s body tensed as he watched as Rika ensnare Kioni in her deadly embrace. His temperature dropped as he watched the Rogue Goddess form a long sharp blade out of thin air and press it against Kioni’s neck. The pain from his arm subsided as he watched a small trickle of Kioni’s blood begin to flow down her neck as Rika’s pressure increased. Kioni was too weak to break out of her hold, and Rika continued to press for the priestess’s blood.

Rage filled Hiei because of his helplessness towards the current situation. Even if he tried to intervene, he was too weak to make a difference. Until his arm healed, he would not have enough power to hold her back and save Kimika. He could only stand here and watch restricted by his own weakness.

There seemed to be only one way to stop Rika, Kurama’s special connection to her. Hiei looked at his friend with an eyebrow raised in confusion. He could not understand how Kurama developed such a unique bond with the goddess. He knew her for less than a few days; so how could he develop a powerful bond like that in so little a time period? What stimulated this development of such a bond?

“Kurama, you need to try reaching Makoto again. You have to stop her from killing Kioni.” Hiei stated plainly, returning his attention to Kioni’s situation.

Kurama did not look at Hiei when he answered him. He just nodded in agreement while keeping his focus fixed on Rika. He looked at her as if by examining her entire being he could discover the key to the answers he seeks.

He longed to find them to help save her from the darkness consuming her. But so far, his eyes were blind. He could not see anything past Rika’s bloodlust. He could not even see Makoto.

‘Makoto, stop!’ The mental demand of Kurama to Rika echoed through her mind, weakening the pressure of her blade against Kioni’s neck.

‘You cannot harm Kioni, or you will kill Kimika! Please stop Makoto!’

Kurama’s pleas seized Rika’s mind along with her actions. But as soon as she began to bend to its will, another voice interrupted it, the dark voice from before.

‘Well… Well… Well… It seems the rumors were wrong. The infamous Rogue Goddess isn’t very strong after all. If you can be easily persuaded by low-level demons, then you truly are weak.’ The mysterious woman taunted darkly, rousing Rika’s anger.

The taunts of the mysterious woman and Kurama’s pleas fought viciously for control inside Rika’s mind. Makoto’s desire to save her friend and Rika’s desire to maintain her pride clashed with one another, increasing the inner struggle within Rika’s mind. Her embrace remained firm around her prey, but she could feel it slowly loosen because of her struggle with her current mental state. She was not sure which she desired to do more abide by Kurama’s pleas or defend her wounded pride from the mysterious intruder.

Rika’s rage seized control, causing her to apply more vigorous pressure to Kioni’s neck. The increased pain from Rika’s heavy embrace and the blade of her sword caused Kioni to wince and grunt in discomfort. She desperately tried to ease the pain of Rika’s sword by trying to push it away from her neck.

It took all of her strength to combat the strength of Rika’s hold, but still it was not enough. Her body was too weary from their battle and the unbearably high temperature to continue fighting Rika’s hold. Rika was winning, and the pressure around Kioni’s neck increased. The loss of blood increased, causing Kioni to feel light-headed. Also the increasing pressure of Rika’s choking grasp fueled the speed of Kioni’s fleeing consciousness.

Kioni used what little strength remaining within her to fight free, but her attempts proved to no avail. Rika was too strong, and Kioni had grown too weak to continue fighting. The more she struggled the closer to death she came. She refused to let the goddess claim her as a victim. She had to survive for Kimika’s sake, since the girl still had a very important destiny to fulfill for her people.

As Rika’s sword pressed closer to seizing Kioni’s life, Kioni reached into the very depths of her being to access the last of her energy. With it, she conjured a long crystal staff and used it to pry away from Rika’s sword.

Rika, who was still disoriented from the mental battle prior, could not stop Kioni as she slipped out of her grasp. The small reserve of energy Kioni used was enough to free herself and create a great distance between her and the goddess.

“Good. I think I’ve finally been able to alleviate Makoto of her hold on Rika,” The leader of team Kazeki observed with dark pride. “I can tell by her aggression that Rika’s bloodlust is at its peak. Makoto isn’t strong enough to control her demon form when it reaches this point.”

“So that means you will finally get what you desire? The growing bloodlust of the goddess’s demon form will prevent her from controlling her actions against the priestess. The priestess’s fate is sealed.” The other hooded member of Team Kazeki responded as she watched the reckless bout between Rika and Kioni.

“Yes. It is. Rika’s reckless nature will end her friend’s life and plunge her deeper into her darkness without any hope of recovery. Once she realizes what she has done to her friend, she will be destroyed by her own grief.”

Heavy, intense pants escaped Kioni’s lips as she regained her footing and freedom. Her heart pounded vigorously as she fought hard to maintain her remaining spirit energy. Her breathing grew heavier as she tried to retain her strength.

It was not an easy task in her current physical state. The small amount of energy she was able to find and access would not last her long. Kioni knew if she was to defeat Rika she needed to do so within the next ten minutes.

Rika’s eyes glowed a bright fuchsia as her rage surged through her body. Wild sparks of electricity whipped around her as she floated above the ring, her power rising immensely along with her rage. Disappointed at herself for allowing Kioni to escape her grasp, Rika wildly assaulted the priestess with a storm of electricity. However, her rage impaired her vision, making her aim unprecise and easily avoidable to Kioni.

Sweat poured down Kioni’s face as the strain on her body increased while desperately trying to dodge Rika’s attacks. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, resounding vigorously in her head like a booming thunderstorm. Its loud heartbeats made it impossible for her to gather her thoughts or hear their warnings or advice. The strain on her body was too much to maintain concentration. From now on, Kioni must fight on pure instinct alone, a feat the priestess was not familiar with.

As her time limit slowly ticked away, Kioni realized she could no longer remain defensive. She needed to fight back until the very last bit of her strength was gone. She remained agile against Rika’s attacks waiting for her moment to strike back.

When that moment finally arose, Kioni gathered the remaining of her spirit energy to the center of her body. A bright blue light swirled into a sphere of liquid, growing larger by each moment. Her hands bookended each side of the sphere, channeling all of her energy into the swirling sphere. When her remaining energy filled the sphere to capacity, she stretched out her hands in the direction of Rika and released it all at the Rogue Goddess.

“Hydra of the Abyss!” The priestess’s voice boomed as a large torrent of water rushed vigorously across the ring. It traveled along the ring eroding bits and pieces of it as it pursued its target. Rika watched in slight surprise for less than a second as the powerful water tunnel rushed towards her. It quickly faded and turned into amusement as she countered her attack with a powerful one of her own.

“Lightning Dragon of the Heavens!!”

A gigantic golden dragon of electricity rushed from Rika’s left palm. It whipped through the air at an immense speed and clashed with the priestess’s attack. The two powerful attacks struggled against each other for control.

Foamy waves mixed with strong sparks of electricity flew out in all directions as the two attacks clashed. The intensity of the two energies caused the ring and the grounds surrounding it to tremor. The spectators closest to the ring where the attacks collided carefully dodged the immense debris of concrete along with strong currents of water and electricity.

The power behind Rika’s attack was so great that the dragon grew to a massive size hiding the goddess’s form from Kioni. The strength of her attack pushed back on Kioni’s hydra causing a great strain on her body. She could feel the little bit of energy she accessed draining quickly from her body. She could tell by the pain surging through her that she had only a few minutes before she reached her ultimate limit. Which meant if she wanted to defeat the goddess, she had to use all of her power at that very moment.

Rika sensed Kioni’s attack weakening which sent a surge of dark pleasure through her. It was clear that victory was close at hand. The idea of defeating the priestess fueled her pleasure, providing her with more energy and fueling her bloodlust.

She watched as her attack grew larger. As Rika’s attack grew, Kioni’s attack shrunk. She could see the priestess’s desperate struggle to maintain her attack, as her dragon slowly consumed it. It was obvious Kioni was at the end of her ropes; it did not take long before she succumbed to her weakness, and Rika’s attack consumed her.

On impact, bright lights flashed through the stadium, blinding anyone who looked directly at it. When the light faded and the ring was visible again, Rika floated a few feet above the ring looking intently at the crater in the middle of the concrete floor of the ring. Closer inspection would reveal that the object of her attention was the weakened priestess.

Kioni was still very much conscious; although, her body was riddled with agonizing pain from Rika’s attack, and she was so exhausted that she barely had enough energy to move. But she desperately tried, especially, after realizing the Rogue Goddess’s attention was trained on her.

The pain surging through Kioni’s arms, as she struggled to prop herself upon them, was unbearable; but she withstood the pain, biting down hard on her lip to prevent her inner cries from escaping. She had to find a way to end the match and save Kimika. She would need to be thrown out of the ring.

She could feel the intensity of the goddess’s cold stare as she struggled on. Her eyes were wide in surprise.

“You are still alive. But how? You shouldn’t have survived so powerful an attack in your current state.” Rika questioned, marveled to see the priestess was still alive.

“You may have power over me, but I possess age and wisdom.” Kioni started weakly, as she forced herself upon her hands. “I knew I could never beat you in strength. So the moment I realized I was near the end of my energy reserve, I withdrew my attack and changed it into a thick ice barrier with a surface similar to that of a mirror. Since lightning is nothing but light energy, I reflected it upward, sparing my life.”

“Well… Well… Well… Bravo,” Rika clapped slowly as her lips curled into a small grin of amazement. “I guess the old priestess still had a few tricks up her sleeve. Too bad you have no more energy to continue your annoying attempts to avoid your fate.”

Rika’s fuchsia eyes flickered with amusement while she surveyed the current state of her opponent. Kioni could tell she had realized that she was in no way or shape able to defend herself any longer. Kioni tried to think of some way out of her current predicament, but quickly realized there was not one. She had sealed hers and Kimika’s fate. She failed Kimika.

Instead of hanging her head in shame, Kioni kept her eyes trained on the bloodthirsty goddess. She showed no fear as she watched her every move and breath. She watched as Rika forged a sword out of thin air, and slowly began caressing the blade with her tongue.

“My blade will taste so sweet once your blood is upon it after I run you through and put an end to your pathetic life.” A dark arousal filled the goddess as she felt the cold steel against the warmth of her tongue. Excitement seized total control of her senses. Her eyes flickered wildly like a fuchsia flame as she turned her focus down on her helpless prey.

Sweat began to pour down Kioni’s face when her gaze interlocked with Rika’s. She felt her nerves race as her fear began to seize control of her entire being, numbing her pain. She watched paralyzed as Rika moved closer. Rika moved with swiftness for a few moments, before completely vanishing before the priestess’s eyes. She looked around to see where she went, but there was no sign of her current position.

The goddess seemed to have disappeared into the thick hot air, but that was impossible. Although Rika was strong, she seemed very unexperienced as a goddess. Kioni was positive that she had not mastered that skill yet. So where was she?

A few moments passed before she received the answer for her wondering questions. The icy tip of a blade against her back rendered her paralysis permanent. She did not respond. She allowed Rika to wrap her up in her unbreakable hold. She remained still as the blade once again pressed against her neck. She had become completely submissive to her fate.

“There is no escape this time. You are finished.” Rika whispered heavily into Kioni’s ear before bringing her blade to purpose. Horuna and the others looked on in horror as it seemed like Rika was about to end this match and Kimika for good.

But before Rika could make her promise a reality, their surroundings disappeared, and they were surrounded by darkness. Rika was paralyzed by some unknown force. Surprise overcame her at this strange new occurrence.

How was this happening to her? It was clearly impossible for Kioni in her current state to do something like this. It seemed as if they had been transported to another world. Even if Kioni possessed such an ability, the execution of it would require too much energy which she did not have.

Before she could look for a way to free herself from this place, weak words sounded from Kioni’s lips that sent Rika into shock. It was not the words that shocked her, but the voice.

“Please do it. If killing me will spare the others from Kioni’s power and rage, then do it, Makoto,” Kimika’s soft voice echoed through the darkness and pierced right into Makoto’s slumbering heart. “Do what you believe is right. Just know I will not blame you or keep a grudge against you because I love you, Makoto. I’m thankful for our friendship no matter how brief it may be. I will never regret the time we spent together or meeting you.”

The cold shell of Rika’s bloodlust broke, allowing Makoto to seize control once more. She looked down at her friend, who was now unconscious in her arms with a peaceful expression on her face. Tears began to form in her tear ducts at her friend’s last request. She pressed her tightly against her chest; her sword vanished as she embraced her friend warmly.

She embraced her only for a moment before gently placing her back on the ring floor, as the darkness retreated, and they were once again in the stadium. She looked towards the announcer girl and motioned her to come over.

“Hey, fox girl, my opponent is unconscious. Call the fight already. I’m bored and wish to move on with the next round.” Rika said coolly, turning her head from the announcer girl as she passed.

The goddess tried to hide the few tear drops that escaped with her silver bangs, but Koto noticed them the moment they crossed paths. The goddess’s compassion towards the apparition girl baffled Koto. It made her even doubt the rumors of her reputation.

Koto knew that it was true the Rogue Goddess destroyed thousands of demons, but the reason she did baffled her. She obviously did not detest demons, otherwise, she would not have befriended the demon girl, Kimika, or she would not have fell in love with one of the Saint Beasts, Suzaku. There was so much about the goddess, Rika Makoto, which intrigued the announcer girl, Koto. She wanted to learn the truth about the Rogue Goddess. She wanted to learn the truth about her heart.

“Well, that was a very intense and surprising battle. The heat wave is over, and the winner has been revealed. The Rogue Goddess, Rika Makoto, has beaten the spunky apparition girl, Kimika.”

A roar of applause and loud shouts of approval echoed through the stadium. It was clear the audience was satisfied with the outcome even though it did not end in death. Their bloodlust was satisfied. But there were some who were not pleased with the outcome of the first round of the Exhibition Match.

“Well isn’t that something? I really believed the little lass had the match in the bag. What a disappointment.” The taller cloaked figure whined as he crossed his arms and looked down at the ring in disappointment. “I guess we can leave now. There’s no reason for us to stay anymore.”

“Don’t sulk. The match was actually satisfying to me.” The smaller hooded figure responded softly as he watched the unconscious Kimika being carefully lifted into Rika’s arms.

“Really how?” The taller hooded figure questioned in disbelief.

“Although I suspected Rika would win, I was surprised at Kimika’s growth in such a short time and the extent of her powers. For her to be able to give the Rogue Goddess so much trouble is an accomplishment in itself. That girl still has so much power remaining dormant within her. If she was able to unleash that power, the match might have turned out differently.”

“Well I guess with more training, she could learn how to unleash that power along with the power of Kioni. If the lass learns how to unleash them at will and control them, she would be unstoppable.”

“Well, that was very disappointing.” The leader of Team Kazeki sulked at the conclusion of the first round.

“Don’t worry. I will bring pleasure to your eyes with my match. I will make her feel the loss of her other friend. I will not fail you.” The other member of Team Kazeki assured her leader as she prepared for the announcement of the next match. Her leader did not respond to her words. She only focused on Makoto’s movements with hatred emanating profusely from her eyes.

Rika held Kimika close to her as she reverted to her human self while crossing the ring towards where the others stood waiting. But as she was nearing where Koto stood, the red-haired fox girl made an announcement.

“Because of the excessive damage done to the ring, we will need a few minutes to repair it. It will take twenty minutes to complete, so this will be a great time for any bathroom breaks or runs to the concession stands.” While Makoto walked past the announcer girl, she turned her attention toward the goddess, lowering her mic so no one else could hear her words. “I hope that will be enough time for you to take care of your friend, goddess.”

Makoto ceased moving at her words and turned to look at the small demon girl beside her with an eyebrow raised in confusion.

“You purposely made this delay for me? But why, fox girl?”

“I guess I wanted to give you a break after the horrible situation the committee put you and your friend in. You deserve that much given how much you seem to care about the apparition girl, Kimika.” Koto responded softly. Her eyes were serious, but Makoto noticed the compassion embedded in them. A smirk crossed her lips as she turned away from her in amusement.

“Thank you, fox girl. I owe you one.” With those words said, Makoto exited the ring and headed to the locker room. Kurama and the others followed hot on her tail as she left.

No one spoke for they were focused on Kimika and the shape she was in. It was obvious there were many question lurking in their minds longing to come out; but they refrained from voicing them because they could see the strain inflicting Makoto.

Her gaze never wavered from Kimika as she watched Horuna assessing her wounds. Horuna’s hands hovered over Kimika’s body slowly traveling over her entire being while she tried to sense the state of her unconscious friend. She did that for a few minutes before finally setting her hands to her side and turning towards the others with a large smile and her ruby eyes softened with relief.

“Fortunately, it seems Kimika will recover fairly quickly. It seems Kioni’s essence retained most of the damage somehow. She has minor wounds. It seems only drastic energy loss is her main concern.” Horuna started softly, as she returned her gaze to Kimika.

The tension in the air dissipated at Horuna’s news of Kimika’s recovery status.

“That’s good to hear. How long will it take for you to heal her?” Hiei asked after his worries settled.

Horuna did not turn to face her brother. Instead, she kept her focus on Kimika, who was laying peacefully on the bench before her. She took a moment to go over the damage she sustained and how much of her healing power would be required.

“Forty minutes at least… But that would mean I would not be able to fight in the next round of the Exhibition match.”

“Who cares about this moronic match?! Kimika needs your help now!” Hiei snapped angrily at his sister’s response.

Horuna’s smile faded, and her expression darkened. She turned to glance at her brother for a second before turning her gazed to Makoto. Hiei immediately noticed Horuna’s confliction. It was obvious she wanted to do what was best for both of her friends.

He turned his gaze towards Makoto, who was sitting on the bench across from Kimika staring at her intently. Her gaze never wavered and seemed heavy with many thoughts absent their current topic. She stayed quiet for a few minutes before finally responding emotionlessly without moving her gaze.

“I don’t care about this match anymore. I’m done with it. Just heal Kimika, Horuna.”

Horuna did not respond right away. She returned her gaze toward Kimika and a strange sensation grew inside her at the sight of her friend’s current state.

“We can’t give in now. It wouldn’t be right to Kimika. Team Kazeki must pay for what they put you through.” She could tell without looking that everyone was about to question her words. She raised her hand to prevent any interruptions before she finished speaking. “I will fight in the next round and heal Kimika at the same time. I possess a certain ability that can do just that.”

Before anyone could question her, Horuna began to cry. Her tears fell down her face until they reached the apple of her cheeks, then they turned into small white and red crystals. Everyone watched in amazement as she created these crystals. When ten crystals were created, five of each floating in the air around her, she combined them into a large pink crystal, using her powers to do so.

The large crystal floated right above Kimika’s body and began to glow flashing every few minutes. When Horuna was satisfied that the crystal was set in place, she turned back to the others and smiled.

“All done. That crystal should heal her completely. By using the spirit energy stored in the crystal from the smaller crystals, it sends waves of energy through her body that revitalizes her body and energy. It also speeds up the body’s ability to heal wounds by ten-fold.”

Before anyone could say anything in response, the announcer called the ten minute mark. Horuna excused herself as she headed back to the ring. Everyone, besides Makoto and Kurama, followed her.

Regret and grief seized Makoto, making her oblivious to the presence of Kurama. She wanted to reach out and hold her, but she could not because she did not want to interfere with her treatment. Besides her hands had caused enough damage already.

She withdrew her hands from their pursuit to hold her friend. She pressed them firmly to her chest. The sadness growing inside of her became too strong for her to withstand. It forced itself out of her as hot tears. They poured down her cheek in numbers as her heart constricted painfully. The pain caused by her sadness and guilt were too much for her lips to hold back. They released small cries as she fell upon her knees beside the bench where her unconscious friend laid.

“I’m so sorry for all the pain I put you through, Kimika. I don’t know how you could insist on still being my friend after all I’ve done to you. If you hadn’t stopped me, I would have taken the life of the most important person in my life.” Makoto apologized through soft broken cries as she hid her face in the palms of her hands.

Listening to Makoto’s words and seeing her tears, paralyzed Kurama in shock. He had never seen Makoto so vulnerable before. The sight of her tears and her heartfelt words moved him, warming a part of his heart that only her tears and true feelings seemed to be able to access.

He could not stand seeing her tears or her pain anymore; so instead of remaining in the shadows, she quietly crossed the room and made his presence known to her. He scooped the crying goddess into his arms and pressed her tightly to him to help console her.

Makoto’s tears skewed her vision, making it impossible to see who was holding her. And her pain was too great for her to push them away, besides she did not really want to push them away. Being in their embrace, made her feel safe and seemed to ease her pain. She let them hold her and nestled into their chest. Even though she could not see them, her heart seemed to already know who they were.

“There’s no need for you to cry or apologize. The situation was out of your control. No one blames you, especially not Kimika.” Kurama assured her softly as his hands held her tight in a soothing, protective embrace.

“Kurama…,” Her weak words weakly formed as she shook her head in response of his words. “You are wrong. I could have prevented this if I only trained harder. If I trained harder to control Rika, then Kimika would not be in this state. I knew the danger of using Rika, but I did it anyway.”

Kurama looked down at her softly with compassion and understanding, while wiping away some of the tears falling down her cheeks.

“You had no other choice. If you didn’t use her, we would have lost you along with my sister.”

Makoto shook her head again in response. “What would that matter to you if I was lost? I’m a stranger to you and everyone else. Kimika is your sister and a friend to everyone else. I mean nothing to you all.”

At her words, Kurama caught her gently under her chin and forced her to look him in the eyes while he spoke.

“Never say that again. Although we haven’t known you for very long, you mean something special to each of us. You have touched each of us in a very different but special way. I know both Hiei and Horuna see you as a friend. Horuna has grown so attached to you that losing you would be a pain she could never recover from. And when it comes to me, well…,” Kurama paused for a moment, breaking their eye contact to pull her closer to him. “Without you, I would feel an emptiness inside that I would never be able to fill.”

Makoto’s eyes grew wide in response at his words. She could not believe them. How could she make him feel that way and mean so much to him in so little a time? He was opening his heart to her, letting her see and know things she shouldn’t know or see. She could not understand why. But she knew what he was doing and saying was dangerous, especially with someone like her.

Everyone who opened their hearts to her became hurt because of her – first… Suzaku and now Kimika. She would not allow Kurama to become hurt as well. She gently pushed out of his embrace and looked at him warmly. Then she leaned in and kissed him softly on the cheek. The touch of her soft lips against his skin made heat rush to his cheeks, making him slightly flustered.

“Thank you, Kurama. If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve killed the first real friend I have ever had in my entire life. She’s the first person to see past my horrid reputation and directly into my heart. If I’d lost her, then I would’ve lost the second person to see directly into my heart, you.”

Makoto did not give him time to react or respond before standing up, excusing herself to the ring, and disappearing. Alone with his wondering thoughts and his unconscious sister, Kurama replayed Makoto’s words and the moment they had just shared together over and over again in his head.

However, it was not the sweet parts of their encounter occupying his mind. No. It was Makoto’s internal struggle to control Rika. He had seen how hard it was for her to regain control after Rika seized complete control. If he could use something to help her restrain her powers enough so she did not reach the breaking point, then he could help ease Makoto’s worries and struggles.

The final ten minutes of the break flew by quickly. Before Horuna knew it, Koto was back in the center of the ring raising her mic to her lips to announce the fighters of the next round.

“The break is now over, and the next round of the Exhibition Match is about to begin. Can both teams send their next fighters into the ring?” Koto announced.

One of the members of Team Kazeki was the first to step into the ring. Their features were hidden from Horuna and the others by their long dark-hooded cloak. Horuna stepped forward to enter the ring, but was stopped by the masked fight, who was observing Horuna’s opponent warily.

“Be careful. That fighter has the same energy as the one that was controlling Kimika.”

Horuna nodded in understanding as she proceeded into the ring. When she was positioned in the ring opposite her opponent, Koto continued her announcement.

“Before we begin the match, can both fighters say your name, so we can place it on the scoreboard?”

“My name is Horuna.” Horuna answered first, then she turned her attention toward her opponent, as she waited for them to introduce themselves.

“I’m Ranya.” The voice of her opponent was almost hypnotic as she spoke.

From her distance, Horuna could barely see her facial features, but her amethyst eyes shone through like the jewel itself. Her gaze was so cold and unnerving. As their eyes met, Horuna could feel a strange dark presence attempt to overcome her. She had no idea what she was sensing, but she could tell defeating Ranya would not be as easy as she hoped it would be. Especially, since her powers and abilities were a complete mystery to her. She had no idea of their extent, and that would be her greatest challenge.

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imaniamargria · 4 years

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#aiko's treasure #imania margria #imaniamargria #article #2020 #new year #resolution #happy new year #happy new year 2020 #new year resolution #literary magazine #art magazine #articles #author #writer #blogger

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imaniamargria · 4 years

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#booklover #bookworm #books and libraries #bookaddict #bookblogger #bookstore #book cover #book #bookshelf #book contest #vote #cover contest #allauthor #imania margria #the pacemaker #the pacemaker book

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imaniamargria · 8 years

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Episode 12: Ancient Priestess vs Rogue Goddess

“I can’t believe it. That demon girl just defeated The Rogue Goddess.” One demon exclaimed in surprise as he watched the match on the giant screen outside the stadium.

“Impossible. No one can beat her. This must be some stunt for dramatic effect.” Another one responded.

A huge crowd of apparitions was gathered around the giant television on the stadium wall, frozen in shock and awe at the current turn of events of the first round of the Exhibition match. Everyone, including the security guards, was fixed on the television screen. Exclamations of disbelief and murmurs of conspiracy and publicity stunts echoed over the crowd.

Their unwavering focus on the television screen made them completely unaware of the two hooded figures passing behind them and entering the stadium. Their swiftness cut down the time it took for them to reach the balcony overlooking the ring.

“I can’t believe that we missed the entire match. I told you to get up earlier.” The smaller of the hooded figures snapped in slight annoyance towards his comrade.

“Sorry. I was still tired from our bout last night. But that should be the least of your concerns. I can’t believe the little lass was able to defeat Rika Makoto.” The taller of the hooded figures responded as he looked where Kioni was standing in the ring, admiring her victory over the goddess.

“I can’t believe it either, but I have a strange feeling that it might be too early to count the Rogue Goddess out.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean there’s a slight elevation of temperature coming from the ring. That’s not an ability Kimika possesses, which means it must be the goddess’s doing.”

No. It’s possible. There’s no way that Makoto would lose. There’s no way that she could be so easily defeated. She was the strongest of them. There was no way that she could lose so easily. She couldn’t.

Horuna could feel her heartbeat began to slow as her fears began to take hold. She didn’t want Kimika to lose, but the match had taken a dangerous turn for the worse. She didn’t want to lose Makoto for the sake of saving Kimika. There had to be another way. There had to be some way that she could save both of her friends before it’s too late.

“I can’t believe it. Is it really possible? Can a goddess really be defeated by a mere apparition?” Koenma questioned in shock as he watched the surprising outcome of the first round of the exhibition match.

“I would never think it could be so, but we’ve just been proven otherwise. However, now that Makoto has been defeated by Kioni, how can we save Kimika from Kioni’s control? Our window of opportunity is closing fast and we are no match for her.” The masked fighter stated plainly as he tried his best to conceal his shock of the surprising twist of the first round of the Exhibition Match and his growing fear.

“No. You’re wrong. There is no way that Makoto would lose that easily.” Kurama snapped in refusal and denial of the current situation Makoto had been placed in.

“What are you blind, Kurama, or just stuck in denial? It is obvious there is no way for Makoto to overcome this current situation.” Hiei questioned sharply as he looked over Kurama’s entire being cautiously with an eyebrow raised in confusion.

It was very clear to Hiei that there was no way for Makoto to escape the ice tomb Kioni trapped her in; but it was obvious that Kurama, for some reason, didn’t see that. Behind his frozen expression of shock, there laid a small bit of hope deep inside him; but what fueled it, Hiei wasn’t sure. It was obvious, though, that his new found affections played a large part in his reasoning. His affections were crippling it, causing him not to be able to see the truth right before his eyes.

“I’m not blind. I see the situation as it is; although, for some reason, I feel as if it’s not over. This match between Makoto and Kioni isn’t over yet. I’m not sure why you can’t sense it, but I sense a great change in the field that I know for certain isn’t coming from Kioni. It’s coming from Makoto.”

Hiei and the others stared at Kurama for a moment in surprise at his words. His attention was fixed on the ring where Makoto stood trapped in the giant iceberg. They turned their attention back to the ring as they tried to sense what Kurama spoke of, but it was useless. The energies of the two fighters didn’t seem to change. Kioni’s energy seemed to surge immensely, while Makoto’s energy had completely faded. They wonder the validity of their friend’s words. Could it be possible that Kurama’s denial was corrupting his abilities too? Or was it possible that he was developing a sense that even they couldn’t fathom?

Even with the defeat of Makoto, the intense arctic winds, snow, and hail didn’t cease. Their velocity and intensity increased, causing the poor little announcer girl, Koto, much difficulty as she tried to get closer to see the actual outcome of the match. She braced onto herself fiercely in an attempt to protect herself from the ferocious weather and the freezing temperature as she trudged desperately through the building snow across the ring to draw closer to the goddess and priestess.

She moved with caution as she neared the giant iceberg in the center of the ring. She looked around for the priestess nervously because there was no sight of her among the wintery abyss surrounding her. She didn’t search for long because the icy winds were increasing around her, so it wasn’t only slowly freezing her to her core, but it was greatly impairing her vision.

“Oh, goddess…” Koto exclaimed softly in shock and disbelief as she observed the current state of the rogue goddess.

Grief seemed to seize the announcer girl, but she couldn’t understand why. As she looked at the opaque ice, where a faint silhouette of a feline trapped inside was, Koto felt as if her heart was being wretched out her chest. It took all the strength in her body to hide these strange feelings, so she could announce the outcome to the anxious spectators.

“I can’t believe it. It seems the apparition girl, Kimika, has trapped the goddess, Makoto. From the goddess’s current state, I don’t think she’ll be able to recover from it. However, since the goddess seems to only be incapacitated and not killed, I must start the countdown.” Koto stood tall before the iceberg, raised her arm, and let it fall as she began the countdown.

“One… Two… Three…”

‘That sound… What happened?’

Makoto’s thoughts began to race as she tried to make sense of the environment around her. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t move any part of her body. Her entire being was trapped and she had no idea what was the cause. Her mind was blank of the events that preceded this moment.

But, a strange feeling seized control of her, causing her to hear faint cries in her head. They rang through her mind like sirens until she was able to sort them one by one.

‘Makoto… No. Please don’t go. You cannot leave me. I thought that you weren’t going to leave my side until you saw me attain my desires. I have accomplished one of them thanks to your help, but I still have one more to reach. It will be the most difficult to accomplish, so I will need your help. I need you and your friendship to help me reach it. I also need you and your friendship to fill the hole that years of torment have created, so please fight on.’

Makoto could feel the temperature around her rise as she heard those precious words within her mind. Her chest began to throb as her heart raced in response to the emotions multiplying within it. She couldn’t forget that voice, nor could she forget her promise to Horuna. She wanted to be there for Horuna and help her fulfill the desires of her heart; but how would she be able to do that in her current predicament?

Before Makoto could think of some way to set herself free, another set of thoughts seized control of her mind.

‘They are wrong. You can’t be defeated so easily, Makoto. You’re too strong to give in so easily. Prove to me that I’m not wrong for believing in you. Prove to them your true strength. You must there’s no other way to save Kimika.’

By the sound of that voice, Makoto found herself consumed with even more emotions. Emotions that she desperately tried to hide. By just the sound of the voice, her heart went into a frenzy. It fueled her with desires that were forbidden to her. Only one being could cause her to react in such a way. It was Kurama.

His voice oh how she longed to hear it near her. Nevertheless, her desires didn’t matter. Only the meaning in his words mattered. She had to save Kimika.

“Four… Five…”

The countdown continued slowly along with the thoughts of another familiar voice.

‘I’m not sure if Kurama is right or just mad. But if he is right and you are still able to fight through this, then do so quickly. I hate to admit this, but you might be the only hope we have in rescuing Kimika from Kioni’s hold. So don’t give up now, goddess.’

The thoughts of Hiei, although blunt, raced sharply through Makoto’s mind. Their singular focus helped to fuel her growing motivation, which slowly helped her start to melt some of the ice surrounding her. But his words still weren’t enough to drive her weakened body to escape fast enough as the countdown continued.

“Six… Seven…”

Makoto’s heart began to falter as she heard the countdown growing closer to its conclusion. It seemed that she might not have enough power to break out of the ice in her current state. There seemed to be no other choice. She would need to change into one of her most dangerous forms if she expected to escape. But could she really do that? Even though she would be able to escape, she would have little control of what her form would do afterwards. She couldn’t assure herself that she would be able to stop it from giving into its bloodlust and fatally hurting Kimika. But there was no other choice, was there?

Confusion seized Makoto’s heart as she tried with all her strength to break her ice prison. With each failed attempt, hope seemed a fleeting fantasy, but a final voice seized control of Makoto’s mind sealing hope’s existence.

‘Makoto… No… What have I done to my friend? Please be all right, Makoto. I’m sorry. I wish I could control what she does. Please forgive me… You must break-free and stop Kioni no matter what before she hurts anyone else. Please, Makoto. Protect our friends.’

Those selfless words coupled with a voice she longed to hear once more. Makoto undoubtedly knew the owner of the voice. It was the voice of Kimika. It was her true voice fueled by her pure heart; for even though she was in great danger, she only cared about what happened to everyone else.

‘You, silly girl, how could you be more concerned about everyone else while in your current predicament? I don’t know if I’ll ever understand you. But I guess I will learn. I will do as you wish. Hopefully, I can control my other form long enough to rescue you. I must try for you, Kimika.’

‘Hmmph… Something is disrupting my beautiful arctic paradise.’ Kioni looked around her at the small particles of ice and snow flying through the air. It was a slight change, but it was evident that they were beginning to melt before they hit the ground. ‘The temperature is rising. This is not my doing… It can’t be.’

Surprise seized the priestess’s visage as she turned abruptly towards the giant iceberg in the center of the ring. Immediately, she realized her suspicions were true. There were multiple droplets of water flowing down the iceberg as it began to melt.

The silhouette of the trapped feline became devoured by a bright light growing inside. As the magnificent light grew brighter, its colors rapidly flickered from orange, red, yellow, and a translucent blue. While the light’s intensity increased, the droplets on the iceberg increased as well. Within moments, the massive tower of ice rattled and shook profusely.

Priestess Kioni watched on, half in surprise and half in amazement, as she watched the powerful display. The announcer girl took refuge away from the tower of ice when she noticed the strange commotion. She huddled into a ball to protect herself as a loud explosion sounded and a strong shockwave of ice fragments and warmth pulsated through the air immediately after.

Kioni didn’t move after it burst into millions of shards of ice. She watched on in slight intrigue with a wry smirk expressed on her elegant features. Before the debris and snow dust faded to reveal the goddess, Kioni could sense the great change in Makoto’s power.

‘Finally, it seems the goddess has decided to take me seriously. So this is her true power that she feared using against me? Interesting… I might have finally found a true challenging opponent in this goddess.” Kioni’s smirk grew when the snow dust finally settled, revealing her new challenger, the Rogue Goddess, Rika Makoto.

“Well… Maybe Makoto isn’t that foolish after all…” The voice of the cloaked leader of team Kazeki broke in dark amusement as she watched as Rika Makoto stood tall where the iceberg had once been.

“I don’t understand. Why do you seem pleased? Doesn’t this mean she can defeat Kioni now?” Her comrade questioned in confusion as she observed the appearance of the Rogue Goddess carefully.

“Yes. Precisely.” Her comrade’s delicate voice responded frankly.

“But wasn’t the whole point of this plan you concocted for Makoto to be defeated by her friend?”

“No. The whole point of my plan is that Makoto suffers for this foolish path she chose. Whether it was from defeat at her friend’s hand or vice-versa, I do not care. Either way my goal will be achieved.”

Her dark amusement faded for only a moment as she responded. It quickly returned when she focused her attention to the expression on Rika’s face. Her fuchsia eyes were void of any emotion. She could see the fury begin to manifest deep inside them. She recognized that look from before, and she knew what it preceded. It wouldn’t be long until the darkness inside her took hold. And then her tragic fate would be sealed.

“Well maybe you weren’t completely mad after all, Kurama.” Hiei said acknowledging Kurama’s previous belief in the goddess.

Hiei’s eyes were fixed in surprise at the sudden appearance of the Rogue Goddess. He was not stunned by her sudden arrival, but by the timing of her arrival. It had been mere seconds since he sent her a telepathic message. Was it possible her quick recovery had something to do with it or was he becoming worked up for nothing?

“Thank you. I think.” Kurama looked on with a small smile of satisfaction on his lips. “Now that Makoto has broken free, she can defeat Kioni and break her hold on my sister.”

“I wouldn’t place all my trust in Rika just yet, Kurama. If Makoto isn’t able to maintain her control over Rika long enough to save your sister, then Kimika will be dead anyway. Makoto’s demon form is too unreliable and uncontrollable, although it’s strong, to a place all our faith in.” Koenma warned as he looked at the form of Rika standing motionlessly in the middle of the ring.

“That’s a risk we must take. She’s the only one strong enough to stop Kioni and return control to Kimika. It’s too dangerous to allow Kioni to roam free. If I remember the legend correctly, Kioni has a vendetta against demons and wouldn’t hesitate killing all the apparitions in this stadium. Rika would probably do the same, but she probably won’t since both Horuna and Kimika are here. The goddess seems to be attached to them and won’t put them in harm’s way.” The masked fighter responded rationally while he observed the turn of events.

“You might be right.” Koenma replied half-heartedly as doubt weighed heavily on his heart.

He wasn’t sure if it was his own bias attitude toward Makoto that was weighing on his mind, or another mysterious cause that was greatly affecting his judgment. He knew he had no other choice but to trust Rika. He just wasn’t sure if she could save her friend before her dark curse caught up to her.

Even though Rika was able to break out of her ice prison, she was still trapped in the arctic blizzard Kioni conjured. The thickness of the snow and the ice falling around her only increased as she slowly trudged through the white tundra. The winds were still too violent for Rika to fly or float, but that didn’t concern her. She only cared about one thing finding Kioni and defeating her.

Her sight and hearing were proving useless for the treacherous weather made it impossible for her to use her senses. Kioni’s energy was strong. Rika could sense her presence within the storm. She closed her eyes, blocking out all the commotion around her, to focus on Kioni’s exact location.

Within moments, Rika was able to pinpoint Kioni’s location. In the swiftest of movements, Rika opened her eyes, dashed to where Kioni was, and attacked her. But to Rika’s horror her attack went right through her.

A confident smirk formed on Kioni’s lips when she noticed Rika’s expression of dismay.

“What’s wrong, goddess? You seem frightened.”

Rage surged through Rika at Kioni’s insults, causing her to fight her more wildly and with greater speed. However, no matter how powerful her attacks were, they went right through Kioni. Kioni roared in laughter as she watched the rogue goddess continue to fight vigorously to no avail. Rika’s growing rage and confusion further fueled the priestess’s dark amusement.

Rika couldn’t understand how Kioni could remain so invulnerable to each one of her physical blows. Each blow went right through her body as if hitting air. How could Kioni do that? How could she be so strong? Kioni had to have some weakness. What was it? Kioni used Rika’s confusion and reckless fighting to counter. With one wave of her hand, Kioni sent Rika flying across the ring from an onslaught of huge ice crystals striking her in the abdomen.

“I’m surprised that the little lass harbored such an impressive power inside her all this time.” The taller of the hooded figures cooed in amazement as he watched the current outcome of Kimika’s match.

“I’m not. I suspected she possessed such power since the moment I laid my eyes on her. Kimika still has so much untapped power in her that has yet to be seen.” The smaller of the hooded figures responded in a calm tone of slight intrigue and pride.

“If that is so, then she might have enough power to give the goddess a run for her money and win the match.” Confidence beamed from taller hooded figure’s voice as he watched Kioni counter Rika’s moves with ease.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Even though Kimika possesses a lot of power, I doubt she has enough to overcome Rika. Rika is a goddess of great power and renowned infamy. She has defeated many beings more powerful than Kioni. Do not underestimate her.”

“Is that all you’ve got, goddess? I thought the whole reason for your transformation was for you to grow stronger not more pathetic?” Kioni taunted. Her booming laughter seemed to drown out as the intensity of the blizzard increased.

Kioni’s power was constantly increasing along with the ferocity of the elements. Rika could sense this strange phenomenon as she struggled against the harsh blizzard to rise to her feet and gather her bearing. The furious storm made it impossible for Rika to see where Kioni was, so she had to rely on instinct as she dodged the attacks of the priestess.

Hiding in the white opaque bosom of the blizzard, Kioni attacked Rika with swift razor-sharp shards of ice. Rika easily dodged them and countered, but once again Rika’s attacks went right through Kioni. It was clear to Rika at that moment that she wouldn’t be able to defeat Kioni as long as they were stuck in the blizzard.

She wasn’t sure how, but somehow Kioni was using the snow to avoid her direct attacks. She had to figure out some way to separate her from the snow. Only then could she finally defeat her and put an end to all of this before it was too late.

Rika prepared herself to counter as Kioni charged at her with another physical attack. Rika allowed herself to be hit by Kioni’s punch, but to Kioni’s surprise it didn’t affect her. Rika caught her attack with her hand.

“What?! How is that possible?! You shouldn’t be able to touch me!” Kioni exclaimed in awe.

“Your arrogance will be the end of you. I’ve finally seen through your technique and know how to defeat it.” A devilish smirk crossed her face as she pushed away Kioni’s fist and countered with a punch of her own. The strength of her strike sent the priestess flying clear across the ring toward the side where Team Kazeki stood.

Stunned the priestess looked at Rika with fear as she brushed her cheek with her hand. Not only did Rika make contact with her, but her skin felt as if it was on fire. Her fear and surprise successfully hid Kioni’s pain.

“You use your energy to merge with snow. By doing so, you are able to avoid any strikes rendering you almost invincible, except with those attacks dealing with heat or fire.” Rika moved closer toward the priestess, who was frozen in shock. “It is a marvelous trick, but limited. You want to see my true power. I will show you!”

Rika’s eyes began to glow as her hands became engulf by flames. The flames grew wildly and her eyes flickered as if filled with the very flames she held. A brief moment passed, she brought her hands together, raising them above her head, and allowing the two flames to merge into one massive fire. Once they merged, they shrank rapidly into her palms causing them to glow a bright red. After the flames were completely absorbed, an orange-red mist began emanating from her palms and pulsated throughout the arena.

“Heatwave of the crimson desert!”

Rika’s voice boomed as the mist pulsated through the entire stadium, melting away Kioni’s arctic paradise. The sudden warmth was welcomed by most of the spectators immediately, but their rejoicing quickly faded because within minutes the temperature rose rapidly high. The heat became so high that many of the spectators panted and perspired. Only a few of the spectators could withstand the effects.

With their combined abilities, The two hooded figures on the balcony were able to control the climate around them, making their own air cooling system and protecting them from the effects of Rika’s attack. With Horuna’s ice maiden and fire abilities, she made a cool barrier that could withstand the effects of Rika’s heatwave. Team Kazeki also withstood the effects, although, Horuna and the others couldn’t tell how.

But Kioni wasn’t as lucky. The rising temperature was slowly draining her power, making it impossible for her to make any counters. She tried to gain her footing but the loss of her energy made it impossible.

An expression of dark satisfaction crossed Rika’s face when she noticed Kioni’s struggle. “It is useless. The temperature will continue to rise slowly. You will not be able to withstand it, Ice Priestess. You are through.”

Koenma watched in fear at Kioni’s desperate struggle against Rika. It was clear to him that Rika had turned the tables on the priestess. It was obvious Rika was winning.

With each attack, Kioni was growing weaker and Rika’s hidden darkness was being fed. Koenma’s hope that Makoto would defeat Kioni before Rika’s frightening weakness was revealed slowly faded. He feared if Makoto continued using great amounts of her power, then it wouldn’t be long before she lost complete control of Rika. And if that happened, then they would all be doomed.

The incredible heat made Kioni’s body feel weak as she tried to defend herself from each of Rika’s attacks. Her speed and strength were quickly failing her. Rika’s strikes, which had one been wild and reckless, were now precise and strong. Kioni saw that the goddess took pleasure in her pain. Kioni didn’t want Rika to overcome her, but the elements plagued on her being, making defending an impossible feat let alone any counter measure. She seemed doomed to become a victim of the Rogue Goddess.

Rika used Kioni’s weakened state as an opening since she refuse to allow her to gain advantage again. At the first opening she noticed, Rika threw a large bolt of lightning at Kioni. The strength of the attack knocked the priestess off her feet and onto the floor of the ring. The strong surges of electricity paralyzed Kioni, making quick recovery impossible. Her skin burned. Every part of her being felt as if it were trapped in a powerful inferno. Screaming wasn’t an option for she no longer possessed control of her body or its functions.

She watched in terror as the Rogue Goddess trained her fierce eyes upon her. She could tell by their empty soulless gaze that the woman standing there and the girl from before were not the same. The girl from before fought to save her friend, while this woman seemed to fight for her own dark pleasure.

“It seems you’ve defeated me. Now what do you plan to do with me?” Kioni inquired smirking slightly as an attempt to conceal her fear.

“That’s an easy answer.” A dark smirk crossed Rika’s face as she trained her sight on her weakened opponent. “I plan on making you suffer a slow and agonizing death.”

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