Standing between a pair of the school's great front pillars, Yellow Diamond and Zircon both gazed into the deep blue sky, with no trace of the scattered clouds from the day before. Behind them, their sheathed swords hung behind their legs, remaining motionless from a complete lack of wind.
"I was beginning to believe winter had finally come."
Passively looking aside to her younger partner's curly orange hair, Yellow waited until their eyes met.
"It is still on its way."
"But the sun is out, and the air is completely still."
"There's other ways to tell the changing of the season."
Turning fully to her elder, Zircon's visible curiosity prompted Yellow to continue.
"Living creatures begin their own manner of hibernation, like us. The air has already become much quieter, with less of them speaking and singing."
Both gems looked aside as Benitoite stepped up, drawing to a wordless halt. Then with Neptunite appearing just beside her, offering a simple nod as a greeting, Yellow realized her audience was mysteriously expanding.
"...Be sure to listen closer to the sounds of the environment around you. The land and all that dwells on it, speak their own forms of language. You simply have to discover how to hear them."
"I'm always so concentrated on watching the sky. How do I focus on the ground as well?"
"That's why you listen. Allow your ears to depict the earth, while your eyes observe the sky."
"Should I listen for the growing of the grass?"
"When the warmth of spring drives the snow away... You certainly can."
"Oh, you're being serious?"
"When the air is still, and the living creatures rest, it is easy to hear the growth of the grass."
Looking aside, Yellow passively studied the expanse of wild plants growing beyond the school's rectangular pond.
One day you'll understand what I mean, Zircon. Limiting your focus to the sky provides only a fraction of a scout's observational potential.
"The sky is nearly as blue as you are, Benito."
"Then yesterday's clouds looked like Euclase. White and blue."
Turning aside once more, Yellow blinked from the additional appearances of the Amethyst twins, thirty-three and eighty-four.
Seems we're attracting a congregation...
Mouth drawing open, however, additional speech simply faded into respectful silence as Master Kongo silently appeared beyond the group, waiting as small gasps and whispers drew their attention to him.
"...Sensei."
Head rising, his eyes panned across the pairs of scouts, two by two.
"Winter is indeed upon us."
Vision rising to the distant horizon, his arm drew outward, brushing Benitoite with the dark sleeve hanging beneath. Waiting as the gem peeked through the textile, joining the others in a group observation of the skyline, Kongo's index finger pointed towards the brilliant blue of the ocean beyond the shoreline.
"Do not fool yourselves with the change in weather. This is simply a lull, prompting a test of your character as scouts of our land."
Noticing the discreet appearance of Bort by his side, his arm turned outward, palm resting upon the gem's head. Seeing her eyes closing in a momentary disruption of her otherwise stern demeanor, several of the younger gems traded hints of smiles from the break in character.
"...To drop your guard on a day of uninterrupted sunlight, is to invite disaster. I'm sure all of you wish to be present for our upcoming rest."
"Yes, Sensei."
"Then be certain to return intact. I expect that of all of you."
Nodding in dismissal from the collection of voices offering affirmative understanding, his hand lifted aloft from Bort's head, and her attention drew upwards to him as the other gems began drifting away.
"Bort."
"Sensei."
"You are certain you can operate independently."
"I am."
"Do you feel Diamond to be a burden to your abilities?"
Mouth drawing open, her gloved arm brushed through one of her lengthy partitions of dark hair.
"I... Am not sure."
"Do you value her as your partner?"
Eyebrows furrowing, her face sank towards the sandals beneath his feet.
"I do, but... I'm not sure she understands the nature of my protective behavior."
"Perhaps she wishes to find strength on her own."
Eyes closing, a grimace spread across her brow, trying to identify the feelings plaguing her normally impervious structure.
"She's strong, but she is still fragile."
"Then allow her to contend with her weaknesses. Only then will she understand the reasoning for your actions."
"And if she doesn't?"
"Then that is her decision to make."
Head rising, eyes meeting the unwavering expression on Master Kongo's face, she stiffly nodded.
"I understand."
Drawing Bort into an embrace with the great length of his arm, a single, concise breath exited her mouth.
"The freedom of autonomy is one of many attributes that sets us apart from all else in this world."
"Autonomy...?"
"Acting on our own."
Remaining still, Bort patiently awaited further wisdom from him.
"...The living creatures around us are required to repeat their daily actions, simply to survive into the next day. And even then, their lifespans are limited."
"The pointlessness of such a short existence has always bothered me."
"They do it because they lack the immortality we've been granted. With only a finite duration to exist, they undergo an instinctive struggle to continue their species into the future."
"Why bother in the first place?"
"It would seem they lack any capacity for refusal. Species that have, however, are forever lost to obsolescence and extinction. That is why they are no longer among us."
"So... The plants and creatures don't know any better. And those that did, ended themselves?"
"Perhaps. Though we may never know their reasons for doing so."
Withdrawing from the comforting closeness, her mouth opened from her elder's ambiguous response.
"Then why do the rest of them remain? If they lack the capacity for autonomy, how will they ever understand the pointlessness of their own existences?"
Master Kongo turned aside, passively observing the green foliage of the surrounding plain.
"That is something I myself, have yet to understand."
Expression softening, Bort then stood at attention, regaining prior seriousness.
"Forgive me, Sensei. I do not mean to frustrate you with my own confusions."
"You have done nothing of the sort. I am impressed by your insightful questions."
Bowing with sincerity, Bort's hand drew back to the hilt of her obsidian sword.
"Thank you, Sensei."
"There are many ponderances about our world that I have spent great amounts of time attempting to understand. I assure you that your curiosity and confusions, are shared by all of your peers as well."
Turning to the stoic, dark gem once more, Sensei offered a single, firm nod.
"...As for Diamond, she will remain here at school for the day. Worry not for her safety."
"I won't."
"Today may be one of the last periods of concentrated sunlight, before the onset of winter's snowfall. Act with vigilance for the duration."
"As always."
Looking away from his silent dismissal, Bort began an authoritative march towards the grasslands beyond, her long hair flowing behind.
I can operate on my own. Nobody to protect besides myself. Surely this won't be difficult, on one of the last days of sunlight...
Eyes narrowing, her march increased into a determined run, swiftly storming through the plants that knew not of their own pointlessness.
No capability of refusal, a lacking of intelligent perception, and all else in the world steps upon them and consumes them. How strangely weak... And simple.
Leaning back against one of the great pillars of the school, Phosphophyllite rapped her knuckles against the unforgivingly robust material behind herself.
This school has withstood everything. Even the great power of Sensei's forehead... I wonder what the hardness of stone is.
Imagining the earlier shattering of her fingers, restricted by the alloy's framework within her hand, and then the subsequent repair, Rutile's fastidious expression remained visible behind her closed eyelids.
Our doctor sure has taken great interest in what we've done to myself. Patiently repairing the damage we both inflict... I'm sure its easier when it isn't my entire body shattering into pieces.
Imagination changing to Rutile's abnormal burst of laughter from her vibrational suffering, Phos' brow furrowed.
She's must be enjoying her inflictions of 'impact testing'. I don't think she's ever outwardly struck anyone besides me, as far as I know... Redeeming my mischief through creative punishment... Perhaps I should test my strength with someone else too.
Picturing the dark trail of Bort's hair, her very existence exuding an insatiable determination to crush anything in her way, Phos' eyebrows quirked above her closed eyes.
Hmm... I don't think any manner of durability can withstand Bort's insanity behind a sword. I should find someone less inclined to outright destroy me.
Eyes flitting open from the nearby approach of footsteps, her head turned, discovering the expansive plumage of Morganite's bright red hair, with Goshenite walking alongside her.
"Morga!"
"Hey, you. Got any sort of mayhem planned for today?"
"I need you to break me!"
Feet halting from Phos' blurting of words, Goshenite innocently laughed from her partner's perplexed expression.
"You... What?"
"I've become stronger. I need your help to find my limits."
"That's a rather provocative request."
Peeking towards Goshenite's amused expression, Morganite looked to Phosphophyllite as the the latter pushed herself upright from the stone pillar.
"Now Phos, admittedly you may be a bother throughout the year, but that certainly doesn't give me reason to destroy you."
"Are you speaking for yourself, or for Rutile?"
Mouth moving from Goshenite's statement, Morga crossed her arms from the imposition, only to realize a third option as Phos stood patiently.
"...You're fairly close to Dia, right? I'm sure she'll have an easier time helping you with your self-destructive dilemma."
Watching an idea illuminate upon Phos' features, Morganite's mouth opened to speak otherwise, but no words came out.
"You're right! Have you seen Dia? Is she out on patrol already?"
"She was on the third floor a short... Time ago."
Heads turning as Phos departed in a swift clatter of movement, vanishing around a corner, the pair listened to the echo of her footsteps fading into the distance.
"You're remarkably good at giving Phos ideas."
"I can't shoulder all of her mischief. Really wears down on one's energy after a while."
"I think you just can't handle her personality."
"Only a select few of us have such an ability. Fortunately Dia can physically handle the calamities that one brings."
Resuming forward motion, hearing the nearby calling of Diamond's name on a floor above, Morganite guiltily clutched the sheath of the sword behind herself.
Forgive me, Dia. It seems your endless patience for your friend is something we all tend to exploit...
Hustling past many of the gem's quarters, Phos' vision was suddenly blasted by a prismatic beam of light through one particular doorway, causing her feet to screech to halt.
"Dia!"
Quickly reversing, arms spreading and catching herself in the doorway, she squinted as Diamond drew upright from a row of fading flowers planted in her quarters.
"Phos?"
Stepping inside, she stood before her friend, catching herself in a gaze from the brilliant colors glistening across her hair and eyes.
"You, uh... Aren't you on patrol?"
"No. Things are a little different today."
Fighting an unintended loss of words, Phos' mouth opened, and closed, distracted by her friend's beautiful luster.
"I see."
Patiently observing Phos' bashful fidgets, Diamond's hands drew together in front of herself, fingers clicking together in intersection.
"...Is something the matter, Phos?"
"What? Nothing's the matter, really, I'm just... I need your help with something."
"Are you in need of another idea?"
"Uh, no, not exactly."
"I know you're not to work on that encyclopedia anymore, but you're so full of energy, and its the end of the year. I imagine you're quite restless, having discovered so much potential within yourself..."
"I, Dia, I'm... Actually..."
Stepping forward, she reached outward to Phos' shoulders, smoothing several wrinkles on the sleeves of her black shirt. Noticing a moment later that a curious red color had appeared beneath her friend's eyes, spanning the bridge of her nose, she straightened Phos' collar with a single tug.
"You know, you've changed yourself a great amount, and yet you barely have the attention of the others."
"Well that's... What I'm getting at... And what I want to ask you about."
"Honestly Phos, you're far more deserving of appreciation than myself. The others simply admire my natural radiance and hardness, but you've gone and found the strength you've been seeking, despite your original fragility."
Face buzzing with bashful emotion, the rest of Phos' body tingled from the unexpected honesty flowing from her friend.
"Dia, please... You're praising me so much, but that's not even why I'm -."
"To tell the truth Phos, I admire your energy and willpower. You aren't afraid to go on adventures, and get yourself into trouble. Your adaptability to situations, and different minerals and materials... Its inspiring."
Reaching forward and gripping Diamond's shoulders, she stared at her friend's pensive expression.
"Don't you dare compare yourself to me, Dia! You're the most dazzling, beautiful gem there is!"
"Oh Phos... You're the beautiful one here. Capable of changing yourself, whereas the rest of us just rely on our ow-."
Gripping Diamond's face, palms curling around the smooth edges of her chin, both of them drew in light inhales as their eyes met once more.
Staring at each other, an overwhelming surge of admiration manifested throughout Phos' structure, spiking as Diamond's expression softened, allowing another fleeting glimpse into her weakness.
"I will always admire you, Dia. No matter how much you think you don't deserve it."
Head turning slightly, nudging against Phos' hand, a familiar smile lifted her gentle, glistening features.
"I hope you don't mind if I feel the same way."
Frozen in place, Phos' throat tightened.
"I don't mind... At all."
Withdrawing her hands from Diamond's cheeks, several of her fingers brushed through one of her locks, producing a marvelous tease of color as it fell back into place.
"Phos..."
"Dia."
Eyes widening from the endless potential of words to follow, the young teal gem remained still, waiting.
"...You came here to ask me something."
"Oh... Yes. I did."
"What would that be?"
Working through the overwhelmingly fuzzy sensation spread throughout herself, Phos straightened upright in an attempt of seriousness.
"I need you to help break me. So I can discover the limits of my own durability."
Blinking from the request, Diamond simply tilted her head.
"You need me to break you?"
"That's correct."
"Phos, I... I don't wish to harm you."
"I know you don't. But I am asking you anyway, because I trust you."
"You trust that I won't leave you laying on the ground, shattered into pieces."
"That too. I wish to know what I can endure."
"Are you certain you need my help with a task like this? Your capabilities of destroying yourself are well known."
"I, well, I'm... Yes. I know that."
"Still, you have changed yourself. With your legs and your alloy experiment..."
"Yes, exactly. You've always been the only one willing to help me with things like this."
Head tilting further, Diamond's smile bloomed even more.
"Only because you're so cute... And I can withstand most of the chaos you attract."
Turning away bashfully, Phos' fidgeting movements acknowledged her statement.
"So I cause a little bit of mayhem... At least I'm not boring."
Suddenly noticing the presence of another gem, both of them turned, discovering Jade peeking around the entrance to Diamond's quarters.
"That's an underestimation if I've ever heard one."
Eyebrows furrowing, Phosphophyllite's arms crossed.
"Yeah? Which part?"
"The former."
"Well at least I'm not stuck inside the school all day."
"I go on patrol too. Besides, my daily activities don't invite daily disasters."
Expression flattening, Phos arms tightened in a huff.
"They're not daily."
"You're right. I meant every other day."
"That's not true!"
"Its alright Phos, Jade simply can't handle your sense of adventure."
Blinking from the oddly confident counterpoint leaving Diamond's mouth, Jade's eyebrow rose.
"In any case... I heard mention of Phos' desire to be destroyed."
"And why would such a statement attract your attention?"
A smile curled onto Jade's face, from the possibility of otherwise forbidden mischief.
"With my hardness of seven, dear Phos, I could easily assist in your desire for breakage."
"Dia is already level ten."
"Then both of us can help you. You said you were what, level six?"
"Rutile believes me to be around six and a half."
"That's right. Knowing that, it shouldn't be too difficult. Even with your special alloy."
"Hah, don't underestimate my internal armor now."
"I'm doing nothing of the sort."
"Oh, wait... Who's going to explain this to Rutile?"
The gem's sparkling eyes met the others' in a trifecta of exchanged glances.
"Leave it to me. I'll make sure she understands."
"I truly do not believe you, Jade."
"If she doesn't, then its your fault for breaking yourself so much."
"How is that going to help?!"
Jade simply shrugged with a smile.
"Beats me."
"Phos, Rutile was the one that helped integrate the alloy, right?"
Turning to Diamond, Phosphophyllite nodded confidently.
"It was her idea, and I allowed her to try it."
"Then surely she'll understand your search for personal knowledge."
"I'm just hoping Rutile won't mind fixing me, again. She said I've only recently needed regular repair, unlike some of the others."
Easily deflecting Phos' pointed look, Jade's arms crossed.
"That's because you haven't actually been in combat yet."
Turning, Phos' arm drew outward, finger pointing towards the green gem's face.
"Then be sure to bring along a sword then, O tough one."
"Gladly."
"You too, Dia."
"If you insist."
Offering a smile towards Diamond's hesitance, Phos arms propped onto her sides.
"I don't know what my alloy is capable of, but being able to withstand swords would be pretty awesome."
Grin increasing, Jade nodded aside, inviting them along.
"Let's go find out then."
Stepping into motion, hearing the thumping of additional footsteps behind, the elder gem hummed with amusement.
Even Bort hasn't had a chance to strike Phosphophyllite with a sword... Marvelous! If Phos allows it, then who's to blame but herself?
Peeking aside as the three of them approached the nearby stairwell, her eyes then narrowed.
Even so... I can't help but feel that I'll be forced to shoulder the blame as Phos' elder. First with Rutile, and then with Sensei... Master would never approve of anyone chopping her into pieces. Besides Rutile, apparently.
Grunting in contemplation, she pressed onward towards the stone steps.
Although, if Phos has indeed gained strength, enough to reasonably withstand inflicted damage, then perhaps it won't matter. She's the one in search of her physical limits, after all.
Trudging out into the open expanse of wild foliage, motionless from the mysterious absence of wind, Phosphophyllite and Diamond walked with a shared sense of anticipation, with Jade trailing just behind. Above them, the sun drifted along the height of its daily voyage, its rays reaching through the deep blue of the sky and reflecting off of the gem's hair in a variety of radiant sparkles.
Listening to the clatter of two different swords within their scabbards, Phos stared ahead, maintaining a resolute expression while contemplating her approaching fate.
I asked them to damage me on purpose... And now that we're out here, getting ready to do that...
Drawing to a halt, Phos shoulders rose, drawing together every last fragment of courage in her being, and then turned around, facing the two as they stood side by side.
Diamond, I trust. She's here to help because she's sweet and wonderful.
Vision flitting over to Jade, her expression and stature displayed an unsettling amount of satisfaction from the situation.
Jade... As an elder, I'm sure she knows better than to annihilate me.
Watching a lengthy obsidian sword withdraw from behind her, whirling around in a momentary display of skillful manipulation, Phos' throat moved in a gulp.
...I hope.
Watching Jade approach, drawing the sword in front of herself, Phos' eyes grew wide.
"Alright, where would you like us to strike first?"
"Wait!"
Looking to Diamond from her hesitant outburst, Phos breathed silent relief.
"Phos... You should take off your shirt. Red Beryl wouldn't appreciate us cutting apart her work."
Blinking as her only source of salvation crumbled, she turned to Jade helplessly, staring at the glimmer of light drawing along the length of the obsidian blade.
Yes. It appears this is the end.
Hands timidly reaching up to loosen her collar, she winced from the distinct sound of Diamond's sword drawing from its scabbard, producing a reflected flash of light as Phos' eyelids closed.
The grisly, shattered end of all that is me.
Hearing footsteps, and then two separate breaths, the following silence forced Phos' eyes back open, realizing a distinctly dark shadow was cast over all three of them.
At first discerning the alarmed expressions on both Diamond and Jade's faces, Phosphophyllite blinked, and then slowly turned about face, head rising to the dark, churning mass floating above them.
"Uhh..."
Realizing the presence of two additional vessels on opposite sides, Phos stood in a paralyzed gape, only to be jerked around by her shoulder, discovering the fearfully concerned expression on Jade's previously devious face.
"Head back to the school and warn the others! Warn Sensei! Anybody you can find!"
Head spinning from the sudden situation, Phos blinked absently, peering towards Diamond and finding the same wary expression on her face.
"You can run fast, can't you?! RUN!"
Leaning forward into motion from Jade's shout, the whirl of disbelief inside her head ignited into an inferno of determination as her thoughts aligned back into order.
Run? Yes. I can run.
Blasting into a furious dash towards the school, the heaviness in her body faded among the blur of movement as her inclusions tapped into a great reserve of energy, ramping up her speed and riddling her with a fleeting grin of giddiness as she rapidly approached the great white structure ahead.
Ohhh we're in a lot of trouble but this feels amaziinnngggg!
Soaring across the rectangular pond in a single bound, her shoes met the smooth stone surface of the interior, and she twisted sideways upon landing, beginning a spectacular slide down the hallway with her hands and feet dragging along the floor.
Awesome...!
Skidding past Euclase, who simply blinked from the momentary blur of teal, she turned aside as Phos drew to a halt nearby, audibly clambering upright.
"Hey Phos!"
"Where's Sensei?"
"Oh, he's in the middle of meditation."
Hearing Phosphophyllite's hand slap onto her face from Obsidian's matter-of-fact response, Euclase stepped further into the hallway, looking between both of her fellow gems.
"Are you sure? Right now?!"
"He's been in the atrium for a little while now."
"Phos, is something the matter?"
Eyes meeting, Phosphophyllite readily nodded.
"There's a lot of sunspot activity. Three vessels. Diamond and Jade are both out there still."
Face becoming serious from the mention of her partner, Euclase looked towards the sword in Obsidian's grasp, and then set aside the clipboard in her hand.
"Is Bort with them?"
"No. It was just the three of us."
Looking over her shoulder in distress, Euclase then approached Obsidian.
"Is that blade usable?"
"I just finished balancing it, actually."
"Then your timing is excellent."
Extending her hands towards the weapons smith, she firmly nodded as Obsidian easily handed the sword over.
"Do you want the scabbard?"
"No need... But I thank you anyway."
Turning to Phos with a nod, and then twirling the sword between both of her hands in repeat motions, a fleeting smile of pleasant surprise graced Euclase's lips.
It is balanced. Wonderful.
Blinking from the unfamiliar seriousness emanating from her elder, Phos watched with hesitation as the blue and white gem hustled into a run towards the looming danger.
"Hey! Wait up!"
Launching into motion again, vanishing from sight with impressive speed, Obsidian watched both of them fade into the distance with a humble smile.
"Let me know how that sword does!"
Slowing to Euclase's speed, Phosphophyllite matched her elder's pace with ease, watching with amusement as she discovered her presence alongside herself.
"Phos! Shouldn't you be back at the school?!"
"Nope! I'm not hiding from danger anymore! I was already out here!"
"But you don't know your own durability yet!"
"Then this is a great way to find out!"
"If you say so!"
"I've changed a bit, Euc! You'll see!"
Peeking ahead from the following silence, three great spectral masses of darkness and light hovered in the open air ahead, and both gems increased their speed in tandem, seeing glints of arrows hurtling towards the ground below.
I'm going to prove my worth. Even without a weapon. Even if it means discovering my durability the hard way.
Approaching the shadow of the center vessel, their paths split apart, and Euclase halted beside Jade, destroying several inbound arrows with a powerful swing of her sword through their shafts.
"Euclase! Glad to see you could join us!"
"How are you holding out?"
"I'm fine! Did Phosphophyllite... Nnngh, warn the others?"
Casting aside several trident arrowheads stuck on her own sword, Jade's bow-tied ponytail flicked around as she stanced herself beside Euclase.
"She only found myself and Obsidian. Sensei is currently resting."
Blinking from unfortunate update, both of the elder gems stepped in matching movements, dodging and disabling several additional volleys of arrows with rapid swipes of their blades.
"Oh, marvelous!"
A short distance beside them, Diamond hustled left and right with precise, conserved motions, narrowly dodging a cluster of spears and cleaving one spectacularly in half with her sword. Blinking from the startling accuracy of her opponents, her hair tossed aside in a brief shimmer, from a blur of blue-green motion disturbing the local air.
Distractedly peeking aside, holding her sword in a defensive block, a hint of a smile met her lips from the distant swiftness of her friend, circumnavigating the vessels and drawing their fire away.
Phos. Maintain that speed if you can... We can attack if you keep their attention.
Seeing the predictable movements of archers on the closest, largest vessel above, Diamond's eyes narrowed, fingers tightening around the hilt of her sword.
As for you, I'm standing right here, aren't I?
Tensing up as a volley of arrows were let fly, heading directly towards her, she held firm, bracing herself for the coming danger.
And all of you...
*CLANG*
Wincing from the shocking repetition of half a dozen tridents colliding with her sword, her arm vibrated sharply, prompting a stiff gasp from the painful sensation. Allowing it to fade, her eyes flicked open, eying the mess of shafts and flights embedded into the surrounding grass.
"...Are right where I want you!"
Spinning in place and swinging the sword outward in a grunt of great strength, she flung the previously captured arrows directly back to their senders, watching several puffs of smoke confirm successful strikes. Attention drawing to her fellow combatants with cautious interest, Euclase leaped towards Jade in an unusual manner, feet landing onto her partner's hands, and legs curling tight. In a split second of motion, angling up towards the vessel overhead, Jade thrust her arms upwards as Euclase launched aloft with great power, soaring up into the air from the assist.
Witnessing the scene just before passing the others in another circular revolution, Phos' mouth opened in wonderment from the flash of white and blue hurtling through the air, twirling around in a spin and violently slicing through the central lunarian deity, disposing of one entire companion vessel in a cloud of smoke.
Whoa. I didn't even know Euclase could do something like that!
Witnessing a flash of black pass directly in front of herself, Phos' circle of revolution tightened, head ducking low as another group of pointed projectiles fell just short of her.
Seems Bort has arrived... And Euclase has landed. Maybe I should switch directions!
Stomping to a controlled, sharp halt, Phos blinked from Diamond's temporary glance towards her, only for both of them to watch Bort rocket upwards a short distance away, requiring no manner of upward assist.
Showoff.
Gasping with alarm as a spear landed just shy of her foot, Phos ripped the weapon from the earth and cast it aside, hurrying into a sprint in the opposite direction. Passing Jade and Euclase as they slowly revolved in repeat blocking motions, a grin split the young gem's face.
Those two make an awesome pair! Why aren't they in battle more often?
Gasping from the uncomfortably close whistle of an arrow behind her head, Phos' body lowered into a relentless fury of speed.
Aim's getting better, huh? Try and hit me when I'm going s-
*CRUNCH*
Insides ringing from the piercing shriek of an impact, her speed faltered from a ripple of sensory shock, realizing an object - an arrow - was thoroughly buried into the depths of her lower arm.
Eyes widening instantly, her legs locked into an abrupt halt, tangling and uprooting several clumps of grass with her feet. Fingers curling from the disturbing image, Phos' lips pressed tightly together in a grimace, enduring the painful whine of resonance lingering through her head.
Unable to focus in any manner, and otherwise devoid of ordinary thought, she silently reached over to the shaft of the offending projectile, ripping it out of her limb with a jerk, and then watching absently as a spurt of silvery liquid ejected from the now-open hole in her arm. Eyes following the dribble of the alloy onto the grass below, her mouth hung open as the arrow was simply released from her grasp. Staring at the blob of silver by her shoes as it visibly hardened, she then gaped at her arm with a return of cognitive clarity, realizing the alloy had coagulated across the opening in herself.
Inspecting the obvious fractures and breakage expanding from the sizable split beneath her wrist, she twisted her limb back and forth, mortified by the easy departure of the internal alloy.
It just... But... You're six and a half. Aren't you? Aren't I? Level six hardness can't withstand arrows? Is this normal?
Realizing the sudden presence of Euclase and Diamond by her side, focused on the ongoing battle above, Phos sank to her knees in the grass as their swords whistled through the air.
"You alright, Phos?"
Blinking from Diamond's concerned speech, the young gem's mind whirled uncontrollably from her newly discovered vulnerability.
"I... Think so."
But I'm... I don't know. I don't know anymore. The alloy is a liquid inside me? But it solidified. But how did it fall out of my own body, when the rest remained? When is it solid? How does it become liquid after being solid?
Hearing the unseen swipes of swords, and the summarily swift disposal of another lunarian vessel above, Phos hunched over, gripping the chunk of platinum alloy that previously escaped her limb.
Why would you do this... After I've given you a new home? Is this something you've failed to show me until now?
Twisting aside in a shockingly close avoidance of another arrow, she hopped up past Euclase, but after a spare few bounds, her foot caught between a low-lying branch and an unseen rock, sending her into a tumble. Reaching outward, her arms and neck curled, absorbing the motions of her body in a successful roll, but then a distinctly familiar pop of a fracture emitted from beneath her chin, dropping her flat onto her back, and bringing her free hand to her neck in a slap.
Head spinning from the series of overwhelming developments, Phosphophyllite squeezed the silvery chunk of alloy in her grasp, watching as both Jade and Bort cooperatively eliminated the occupants of the central vessel hovering above them all.
Okay. I think I've found a few of my limits now.
Sitting in the depths of the wild grass, legs crossed and arms resting on her knees, Phos sat in silence. Staring at the alloy fragment in one hand, sporting several visible splinters of her own teal-green structure, her vision then moved to the large, translucent yellow shard in her other hand.
"...Honestly, I wouldn't have believed it to be possible, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."
Peeking up and over her shoulder from Jade's statement, Phos' simply blinked.
"You're telling me."
"So you've actually gotten tougher... Enough to catch arrows with your own arm."
Turning to Euclase, watching her arm extend towards her, Phos reached up and deposited the sparkling shard into her palm.
"Seems so."
"That's impressive, although frightening. I wouldn't make a habit of it, no matter what your new hardness level is."
"She was about to let Dia and I cleave her into pieces earlier."
Looking towards Diamond, the three gems realized she was engaged in a determined staring battle against Bort, who stood a short distance away. Moments after realizing she garnered the attention of the others, however, Bort summarily turned and departed towards the school without a word.
Several pairs of eyes followed the dark trail of hair into the distance, only to return to the profile of Diamond's unwavering expression.
"...Everything alright, Dia?"
Turning aside, hair tossing in a radiant sparkle, she simply nodded, offering her hand to Phos below.
"Bort was told by Sensei that I would remain at school today... I think she's upset from finding me in the middle of battle instead."
"Its not your fault, Dia. We can't predict when the lunarians will show."
Pulling Phosphophyllite to her feet with ease, her gloved fingers patted the gem's ruffled sleeves, looking over Phos' damaged arm with a tilt of her head.
"I'm sure she knows this. Bort will simply have to accept the circumstances."
"Euclase, let me see that fragment there."
Eyes meeting, Diamond offered Phos a smile as the other two elders inspected the specimen.
"Seems you didn't need a sword to find your limits."
Shrugging sheepishly, Phos waited as her friend tugged on both of her sleeves, straightening them one by one.
"I think if I can withstand an arrow, I must be tougher. Might not be the same against a sword but..."
"...I think you are. If it had been any other time before, you'd already be a broken mess."
Laughing lightly, Phos gazed at her friend's pleasantly calm smile.
"Yeah... Thanks for defending me earlier... After I was hit."
"Oh, its normal to protect those who are damaged. Euclase shielded you as well. Be sure to thank her."
Peeking over her shoulder, Phos watched as Euclase distractedly realized her name was spoken, and then smiled sweetly towards them.
"Don't worry about it, Phos. I shouldn't have underestimated you before we arrived."
"No worries. I thank you anyway, Euc."
Trading nods of equivalence, their attentions perked towards a grunt of realization from Jade.
"Call me crazy, but this fragment... I think its from Chrysoberyl."
Eyebrows quirking, her head rose, eying the others.
"Chrys? Really?"
"If that's true, that explains why it was able to penetrate Phos' alloy."
"Oh yeah? How tough was Chrysoberyl?"
Trading a look with Euclase, both elders nodded in confirmation.
"Eight and a half."
Heads turning from the distant clang of the school bell, the four of them stood silently, listening to the number of chimes echoing across the land.
"...Everyone gather at the school. Haven't heard that in a while."
"Might be from our battle."
Gazing out towards the ocean, Phos' undamaged arm rose, finger pointing towards a wall of storm clouds growing on the horizon.
"Might be from all of that, actually."
Following her pointed finger as the sunlight began fading, obscured by the great white expanse of a quick-moving cloud barrier, the four of them hesitantly began walking into motion.
"I told you there was weather coming."
"Yeah, yeah. You've been around longer. You know these things from experience."
Stepping up beside Phos, Jade handed over the yellow gem fragment, dropping it into her opening palm.
"Anyway, nice catch, O naive one."