Chapter 2: End of the Rivalry

I woke up late that morning, grumbling as mom clumsily banged pots to get me up... I think. I sighed, then tossed on my clothes before hopping out of the window without breakfast. Groggily I meandered to near where my grotto was, since I knew Natsu would show up sooner or later, knowing that was my favorite place to hang out.

She showed up not soon enough.

I had been napping down in the small crater when she finally showed up, announcing her presence by jabbing me in the stomach with her wooden sword.

"Ow... hey! What the hell?!" I shouted.

"I thought you wanted to fight?" Natsu asked. "You can't fight AND sleep... or can you?"

I sighed, unwrapping my nicked wooden sword. Everyone cheered...

"What the hell's this?!" I shouted at Natsu.

"Oh... nothing," she said. "I just made a little bet, and everyone wants to see the outcome."

I charged at her in a rage, moving to strike her as fast as I could in my half-awake state. She blocked my blow, but I quickly followed it up with a stab at her gut. This landed and knocked her back enough for me to charge at her again, which I did. She again blocked my strike, then hit me in the shoulder before dashing around and hitting me in the back while I recoiled in pain. I fell forward, but managed to avoid thumping into the ground by using my sword.

I got up, spinning as I did so, causing Natsu to jump back. I looked at her angrily and indignantly, then charged at her; Natsu mirrored my move. We clashed in a contest of power, though Natsu moved in closer... close enough to whisper...

"I didn't tell you who I bet on," she said. "I bet I'd lose."

My eyes opened wide.

"So... you see, either way, I win," she said, smirking. I shoved her back in a rage, charging forward with a savage yell, blasting her with several strikes, a few of which were parried. I stopped, panting and out of breath, before looking up at my friends...

They all smiled... they wouldn't mind. I furrowed my brow and nodded, then looked down at Natsu, who was just getting back to her feet.

"I see. You've improved," she said. "But is it enough?"

I sighed, wanting badly to take off the bracelets on my wrists. I let go of the temptation, then charged at Natsu again, using the same speed she often used to overwhelm me. However... I kept my usual force...

After a few more minutes of intense combat, I brought Natsu to her knees. She looked up as I pointed my blade at her face.

"Our rivalry is over. I've surpassed you," I said, then walked away amid everyone's cheering. I left my wooden blade there, resolved to make a new one signifying I had surpassed my rival. I had made sure to bring all the necessary materials... a hatchet and sanding paper. After whittling down a tree branch into the rough shape I wanted, I pulled out the sanding paper to smooth it down to the proper size... regardless, it came out a bit longer than I wanted, but I didn't want to destroy my worksmanship.

"I heard you finally beat Natsu today," Aki said, sitting down on the same tree stump I was on.

"Yeah, after ten long years, I finally surpassed her," I said without looking up.

"You've been chasing her forever, huh? I've only seen you fight her for three years, but you fight her with such passion..." Aki said, looking down. "Hey, why don't we hit the dusty trail now! Just us two?"

"Huh?" I asked, looking up.

"Oh... nothing," she said. "It was her idea, anyways."

"Yeah," I said, wrapping some tape around the handle. "Tomorrow's the day! We'll find whatever's past those clouds and the mountains. Even if I nearly freeze to death..."

"We'll be fine," Aki said, hopping off the stump. "Rest well. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day!"

I sat there for a few more moments, looking at the cloudy sky. I then went to my grotto to meditate, but sensed the unfamiliar presence again.

"What do you want now?" I asked angrily.

"This world will soon be assimilated," the figure said. "Drawn into the light... soon to be shone out of existence."

I dismissed the figure as a figment of my imagination. After a couple of hours, I went back home for the night.

CHARACTER PROFILE - AKI

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Age: 15

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Blue

A girl who moved to the Plains of Fate only a few years ago. She doesn't like to fight, but appreciates the others' willingness to do so. Despite her gentle and pacifistic nature, she will stand up for what she believes in.

She wears a white kimono with black underneath.