The Pickle Knights of Nohr
Ophelia has a new idea about what it means to be a chosen one.
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Hisame swung the practice katana with refined force, scarcely missing Ophelia, who had sidestepped it with cygnal grace. The book carefully perched on her outstretched hand was wide open when she exclaimed, "Ember of Hope!"
A small spit of fire didn't directly hit Hisame, but it did elicit a hiss of pain when it grazed his neck. He gritted his teeth and swung again, this time managing to score a clean hit on Ophelia's shoulder. Hisame barely managed to deflect the next shot from her ember tome before another shot, with an exclamation of "Flames of Light," hit his sleeve squarely, catching it on fire.
Hisame recoiled at the sight and pulled away from the fight, then blew it as hard as he could, leaving nothing but a few dying ashes and charred cotton in its wake. "Hisame, did I smite you? In that blast of flame was the power of a thousand candles!"
He glanced down at his sleeve, feeling a rushing sense of indignity. The uniform itself was still usable, but if one saw it, they could see it as a sign of weakness. Nonetheless, he looked to Ophelia with a slight smile on his face. "No need to worry, Ophelia. Your Ember spell was the perfect strength - not enough to destroy me, but enough to win this match."
She winked. "Or perhaps you stand mightily enough to resist its true power, hmhmhm?"
Hisame patted his sleeve once to make rid it of the remaining ashes. "Er, something like that. I think your action this round was superior, though, Ophelia. You win today's matches, considering our tie before this." That meant, of course, that Ophelia got to choose the activities for the day.
"Truly?" She laughed once. "In that case, let us join hands on yet another adventure. Today, we shall become one team, bringing delectable pickles to all."
Hisame cringed back a bit, though his heart skipped a beat at the mention. "You're choosing to do something with… with them? Might I ask why?"
"A chosen one must be versed in all, silly Hisame," Ophelia replied, some amusement in her tone. "Among the skills of a heroine is being the creator of fine pickles!" Her own confidence grew a bit muted as she added, "Don't you adore pickles with everything you've got?"
A blush rose to Hisame's cheeks as the words tumbled out of her mouth, and he bristled. "You don't need to say it like that!"
Ophelia giggled. "You misunderstand. If anyone can be the mentor who teaches me about their briny goodness, it's you. With the knowledge you bestow upon me, I'll become the greatest pickle knight in all of the land."
"A pickle knight, huh…? People seldom show such an interest in my hobby. Are you sure?"
"I've never been uncertain. Being the greatest pickler is the only way for me to be the greatest heroine of light of all!" A determined look settled over her features.
"That… It's the greatest way of becoming a chosen one I've ever heard of." Hisame smiled calmly, though inwardly he felt quite excited. "It'd be sin not to help the chosen one. Come, and I'll demonstrate." With a moment of hesitation, he added, "Perhaps I'll indulge you and become your fellow 'pickle knight.'"
Even the prospect of spending the afternoon with his lovelies didn't quite match Ophelia's brightened expression in his favorite things to happen that day.