Stories from the North part 8

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Sorry for the long delay, but been distracting myself with gaming and school (mostly gaming) but on new years I felt the urge to write, so I started on this chapter. I hope you guys like it!

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Confidence was something that Miria understood the value of quite well.

As a leader, Miria knew you had to be confident in your own decisions.

Displaying a lack of confidence in yourself would cause others around you to lose confidence as well, in both themselves and in you.

Overconfidence could be disastrous as well; if you displayed confidence in the success of an operation only to have it fail, people would begin questioning your decisions as leader, and confidence would falter as well.

Both could lead to disaster, and that didn't just apply to leader, but being a warrior as well.

But Miria knew for certain it was the former, not the latter that was the problem this day.

"Guard your left Yuma!" Miria barked.

"Y-yes!" Yuma responded, her voice barely audible through her gasping.

Helen's blow was narrowly parried by Yuma's last minute defense.

Yuma was shocked that she actually defended against the strike.

Helen's eyebrows rose for a moment, but she quickly pressed the attack again, continuing her assault.

Yuma managed to defend herself for 15 seconds longer before their blades locked again, and Helen swiftly overpowered and disarmed her.

"That's enough!" Miria shouted, much to Yuma's relief.

Yuma collapsed to the ground, her exhaustion apparent by the heavy amount of perspiration coming off her forehead.

Helen housed her blade back into its sheath, a glint of sweat on her forehead and a grin on her face.

"Not bad Yuma, I think you lasted a few seconds longer that time!" Helen declared, obviously satisfied with her victory.

"7 seconds to be exact, maybe you're just getting sloppy Helen." Deneve stated, her voice as deadpan as usual as she sat on a nearby rock.

Helen stuck her tongue out at Deneve and began her stroll back to the cave for some food.

"Isn't it better to say that Yuma improved?" Cynthia offered as she plopped down next to Deneve.

"It's hard to tell when all she does is defend." Tabitha injected as she sat across Deneve and Cynthia's position on the stone.

"……" Clare simply remained silent; she had watched the entire fight while leaning on the wall near the cave entrance, and walked off as soon as the fight ended.

Yuma laid where she collapsed, gasping for air, content with letting the snow assist in numbing her sore body.

Her face displayed a barely noticeable hint of disappointment as she let out a sigh that almost went unnoticed.

Almost

Miria silently watched as the others started to follow Helen's lead and head towards the area were they stored their rations.

Yuma began to lift herself off the ground as Miria approached.

"You are on patrol with me later." Miria ordered in her "command" voice.

Yuma looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Huh? Isn't it Tabitha's tur-"

"I won't repeat myself." Miria said, cutting her off.

"Yes m-mam." Yuma replied, clearly intimidated by Miria's tone.

Am I in trouble for something?

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Several hours later Yuma met Miria outside the cave.

"You're late." Miria noted.

"S-sorry, it took me a while to explain it to Tabitha, you know how she get's sometimes when yo-"

Yuma stopped mid-word, sneaking an uncomfortable glance at Miria.

You're involved, they both thought, mentally completing the sentence.

Miria coughed, her cheeks turning slightly red.

"Very well, let's go." Miria said, taking a brisk pace.

Yuma followed her lead, already struggling to keep up.

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"Miria, p-please slow down." Yuma gasped out; Miria's near break-neck pace was swiftly draining her stamina.

"Very well, this should be far enough" Miria stated, seemingly satisfied about something.

A confused "Huh?" was Yuma's only response.

"I want to hear your thoughts about a few things Yuma, and I want you to answer me as honestly as possible."

"A-alright." Yuma managed, attempting to catch her breath.

"What is your opinion of your sparring match with Helen earlier?"

"Umm, I guess I did o-ok considering the difference in rank." Yuma began, her gaze directed at her feet.

"And?" Miria inquired, wanting her to elaborate.

"I-I guess I'm too slow to actually attack Helen, so I decided to stay on the defensive as long as I could" Yuma continued, unsure of what Miria was looking for, she began to dig her foot into the snow a bit.

Miria simply raised an eyebrow.

"I thought about maybe t-trying to counter attack or something, but I didn't feel like there was an opening for that, and Helen's speed just means that it would be unlikely to land, and it would p-probably open just open up my own defense." Yuma went on; kicking up a small bit of snow as she racked her brain for what Miria could be looking for.

"I see." Miria stated with a mildly surprised expression on her face.

Yuma looked up hesitantly as Miria stood in front of her, her right hand covering her mouth, she looked slightly disappointed.

"A-actually, I thought it might have been possible that one time Helen looked a bit surprised, b-but-"

"But you didn't think you could do it?" Miria asked, her face shifting to a more thoughtful expression.

Yuma simply nodded; she didn't think landing an attack was even possible considering the difference in speed. Even concentrating on defense, Helen would eventually overwhelm her with her superior stamina and strength.

"Why am I so weak?"Yuma asked herself bitterly.

"You aren't weak Yuma." Miria responded, surprising Yuma.

Oh no! I was thinking aloud. Yuma thought, making sure her thoughts stayed inside her head instead of projecting out of her mouth this time.

"B-but I am, I can barely keep up when we are running, and I'm always the first one to get tired-" Yuma countered.

"Yuma-" Miria attempted to interrupt.

"a-and I always need the most protection when we are fighting Awakened Beings, my Yoki sensing isn't very good either, and I always being a burden for everyone else-' Yuma continued, her feelings of self-loathing welling to the surface.

"You aren't a burden Yuma-"

"Yes I am!" Yuma cried out, surprising both of them.

"E-even though I'm rank 40, Clare is way stronger than me, I can't even keep up with her, she's a better sword-fighter then me, even without her Yoki-" Yuma said, her voice growing bitter.

"Clare is a special case-" Miria began again.

"That doesn't matter, it doesn't change the fact she is at least useful!" Yuma shouted interrupting Miria once more.

"Hell, I would at least be happy if I didn't perspire so much, at least then it wouldn't be so obvious how pathetic I am." Yuma was pretty sure her eyes were watering up now.

Great, I look even more pathetic now.

Miria chose to remain silent, listening to Yuma's outburst.

"Even the others know how weak I am, Cynthia and Helen try to humor me every once in a while, but Deneve is right, it is more likely that Helen was just having a bad day then any meager improvement on my part-"

Miria continued to be silent, though her expression grew tenser.

"I'm so useless, it would have been better if someone else had survived."

"Yuma, stop it." Miria said quietly.

"B-but Flora, Jean, Undine, Veronica, almost anyone else would have been better than me."

"That's enough Yuma" Miria ordered.

"It's true though! I'm just a giant weight dragging everyone else down!" Yuma cried out in defiance, tears pouring down her face.

"I SAID THAT"S ENOUGH!!!" Miria shouted furiously.

Yuma froze in fear, intimidated by Miria's outburst; she had never seen her so enraged before.

"No one thinks that, none of us that survived would ever think that, and not one of those who died would have thought that either!" Miria shouted, marching up to Yuma.

Yuma was too shocked by Miria's anger to respond.

"When we took those half-pills 4 years ago, we acknowledged that it gave an equal chance for both the weak and the strong to survive, everyone agreed that the plan was fair."

Yuma noticed, somewhat guiltily, that Miria's eyes were watery now as well.

"I never want to hear that any of you regret surviving all of that, not after I did the best I could to save as many of you as possible." Miria said, tears marring her angry expression

Yuma looked away; she couldn't stand to look in Miria's eyes anymore.

"I-I'm sorry Miria, I-I just want to be more useful to everyone, I didn't mean for it all to come out like that." Yuma managed to get out, feeling ashamed of herself.

Miria schooled her expression, wiping her tears before they could freeze on her face.

"If you really want to know your own strength, your own worth, then draw your sword."

"What!?" Yuma asked, a sense of dread overcoming her,

"Just do it Yuma." Miria said sternly.

Yuma complied, clearly reluctant to do so.

"We are going to have a match right here, if you don't at least try to win I will be extremely upset with you." Miria said, as she spoke Yuma's expression grew paler.

"B-but Miria, you're a lot stronger then Helen, and I can't even win against her so how-"

"Try" was all that Miria said to her, as she walked away, giving Yuma some distance.

Yuma already felt her palms sweating, she knew there was no way to win this fight, but Miria wouldn't go easy on her.

"Let's go." Was all Miria said before drew her sword and charged Yuma.

Yuma barely managed to bring up the blade in time to stop Miria's attack, but Miria didn't let up and continued with a blurring barrage of sword strikes, Yuma could do nothing but defend herself.

It's just as I thought, the strength, the speed, everything is on a different scale entirely. Yuma thought, her confidence eroding faster than her defense.

"You can't win if you don't try to fight back!" Miria shouted through her barrage of attacks.

"There's no way!" Yuma cried out as she was pushed back further.

Try, for some reason Miria's voice echoed that word in her mind.

Her body reacted before she really had time to think about what she was doing, and she performed a riposte without thinking.

Miria swiftly blocked the counter attack, and returned with a strike of her own.

Yuma blocked that as well and turtle up once more.

W-what was that? Yuma thought, amazed by what had just occurred.

"Can you do it again?" Miria asked her, not slowing down in the slightest.

Yuma remained silent, concentrating, trying to get that feeling back again.

It was another flurry of strikes from Miria before she attempted the impossible once more.

The exchange repeated, Miria blocking the counter attack and continuing her offense.

But nonetheless, Yuma was amazed.

Even though I open up my defense, she defends herself just long enough for me to recover! Yuma realized.

Yuma's confidence grew slightly, she attempted it again, the same scene played out once more, and again, and again.

Even though she was only throwing out one strike for every dozen or so thrown at her, it actually looked like a fight instead of an exercise in breaking her defense now.

But it didn't last much longer, when she tried to counter attack once more, Miria batted the counter-attack away with such force it took Yuma off-balance for a moment. Yuma barely managed to block the next attack only to have her legs taken out from beneath her by a low-kick.

Yuma fell on her back, and felt the sensation of a sword on her throat before she could even think of getting up.

"Well done." Miria said from above her, a satisfied smile on her face.

"I, that was, I mean-" Yuma gasped out, realizing how tired she had become.

"The counter attack was well timed, but you repeated the same pattern too many times in a row, so I was able to predict it eventually." Miria continued, lecturing the worn-out Yuma as she sheathed her sword.

"But still! You weren't holding back were you?!" Yuma asked a clear look of disbelief on her face.

"I was" Miria replied instantly

Yuma felt her ego deflate a bit.

"I kept my strength at about the level it was back when I first met Helen, Deneve, and Clare, back when I was the #6 of the Organization."

"How come?" Yuma asked, curious, but still amazed that she held out so well.

"I wanted a comparison of how much my strength and your strength has progressed." Miria answered.

Yuma's expression clearly displayed that she didn't understand.

"Not everyone knows to what extent, but we have all gotten quite a bit stronger, I would place your rank around the mid 20's now." Miria admitted.

"Me ranked in the 20's?!" Yuma cried out, clearly shocked.

"Yes, probably close to Helen's old strength, if not a bit better by my estimation."

Yuma really couldn't believe that.

"You did far better than Clare did the first time I dueled with her, although she was quite a bit more aggressive, I suppose because you're a defensive type while she is an offensive." Miria mused.

"U-um, you aren't pulling my leg are you?"

"Of course not, Clare used to be extremely weak, she wasn't exactly ranked #47 for no reason, at least not back then." Miria said, giving a slight chuckle.

"Then again, she still ended up saving our lives against an Awakened Being the next day; on her first real hunt no less."

Needless to say Yuma was amazed.

"If Clare could improve so much, maybe I can as well." Yuma pondered, thinking aloud again.

"You have already improved quite a bit, but growing stronger isn't the only thing that is important, confidence is important as well."

"Confidence?" Yuma inquired, curious as to Miria's meaning.

"Your combat power went up significantly in our little spar as soon as you attempted to actually attack me, by realizing that you could actually strike out you gained confidence, and thus you were able to keep attempting to strike me."

"I still lost pretty badly though." Yuma said, although she did feel significantly better.

"True, but nothing a little variety in your movement wouldn't fix, unpredictability is key in combat, it is one of the reasons Clare has become so strong."

"But my fighting style is pretty linear." Yuma replied soberly.

"And that is why you will be training with Clare and I for the next few weeks, it should help you significantly.

Yuma remained silent for a few moments.

"Do you think I'll be able to hit Helen next time?" Yuma asked hesitantly.

"Oh, I would most certainly like to see that." Miria replied with a smile.

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Upon returning from their patrol Miria wasted no time in gathering Clare to discuss her plan.

Clare was silent through most of the exchange and merely stared at the uncertain looking Yuma.

"Well, are you willing to help?" Miria asked, even though she already knew the answer.

Clare stayed silent, which only made Yuma more nervous.

"P-please Clare, I really want to improve." Yuma managed to stutter out, visibly sweating.

A small smile made itself known on Clare's face as she nodded, though it disappeared as swiftly as it had appeared.

"I'd be happy to" came the response, which was swiftly followed by Yuma's sigh of relief.

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Over the next few weeks, the strict (brutal in Yuma's opinion) training yielded noticeable results.

Yuma sparred almost exclusively with Miria and Clare, and generally when no one else was watching.

It was almost a month later before her "mentors" considered her ready for another try against Helen.

"oho, it's been a while since we lasted sparred Yuma, I'm looking forward to it" Helen proclaimed with her trademark grin.

Yuma merely nodded with a nervous smile on her face.

"Calm down, being nervous will only affect your ability to fight, and don't forget to breath." Clare spoke while putting her hand on Yuma's shoulder.

Clare was acting as the "coach" for Yuma in this match while Deneve was doing the same for Helen.

Yuma nodded in acknowledgement and stole a glance at Miria, who simply nodded at her.

Deneve watched the interaction between the three with a mild amount of suspicion, she had noticed that the three of them had been pairing up a lot recently.

"It will be fine Deneve, you don't need to worry." Helen said, noticing Deneve's "concerned" expression.

"I'm not worried, but you could stand to be a bit more cautious, you should take Yuma seriously this time." was Deneve's reply as well as her advice.

"Hmm? What are you talking about, I always take Yuma seriously." Helen stated with a smile as she stood up.

"Is that so?" came Deneve's doubtful reply.

"That's so." Helen shot back with some humor in her voice, glancing at her long time friend.

Deneve stayed silent for a moment carefully studying her long time friend.

Always full of surprises. Deneve concluded, keeping her thoughts to herself.

"All right you two, get ready." Miria called out to the two warriors.

Yuma and Helen swiftly headed towards the area that was chosen. They always had to search for areas to practice in further away from the cliffs due to the risk of an avalanche, but it also had to be a place that wasn't easily located, due to their situation.

Helen stretched her shoulders as they faced off, while Yuma was performing some breathing exercises to calm herself down.

It will be ok, I'll just follow what Clare and Miria said; this isn't a life or death battle or anything like that. Yuma consoled herself, doing her best to shake the tightness in her muscles.

Helen and Yuma were finally in position, the other Ghosts giving them sufficient room.

"Ready?" came Miria's dreaded question.

Helen nodded as she drew her sword, her expression as vibrant as ever.

Yuma merely nodded, not trusting herself to speak, her breathing finally normal.

"Then Begin!" Miria shouted, signaling the start of the match.

Helen charged out with a joyful cry as Yuma stood her ground, preparing to lock blades with Helen.

Their blades collided sending snow scattering in every direction as Yuma was pushed back slightly due to the impact.

The rest of the ghosts watched silently.

Helen, not letting up for a moment, pressed her advantage by sending a flurry of powerful strikes out, hoping to use her superior strength to overwhelm Yuma's defense. Yuma's defense appeared to barely hold up.

So far, it was a typical match between the two.

Maybe I was wrong? Deneve pondered, glancing over at Clare and Miria.

Clare wore her usual expressionless mask while Miria wore her analytical one.

Ok, ok, ok, ok, ok, it's ok, just do what Miria said and I'll be fine. Yuma thought as she warded off Helen's blows.

Just remember what she said:

"Although you definitely have skill, it doesn't change the fact Helen is faster and stronger then you, but that doesn't mean you can't catch her off guard." Miria had lectured her.

"Helen is a very aggressive fighter, and she gains momentum the less she has to defend, but if you break Helen's offense too early then she will just defend herself until she feels ready to attack again, and you can't allow that with your current strength."

"So what do I do?!" Yuma remembered crying out.

"That's easy, let her gain confidence by giving her the illusion that you are stuck on the defense, and then when she feels like she is about to win-. Miria pausedand looked Yuma in the eye.

"Attack!"

Upon remembering that command, Yuma deflected Helen's sword, catching her off guard and snaked out an attack of her own.

Two gasps of surprise could be heard from the "audience," most likely Cynthia and Tabitha.

But neither of them could be more surprised than Helen, who only just blocked the fierce counter attack.

But Yuma didn't let up.

A flurry of precise sword strikes rained down upon Helen's impromptu defense, keeping Helen on her heels.

Yes! It's working! Yuma felt exhilarated, Helen's expression alone made those weeks of terrible training worth it.

Now I need to break her defense before she recovers, otherwise I'll lose my chance.

"Just because you catch her off guard doesn't mean you'll win with that alone" Clare's voice rang in her head.

"Helen may act silly most….well all of the time, but she is a very skilled fighter in her own right so if you wait too long she will recover and you'll be in trouble.

"A-and how do I do that?" Yuma remembered asking timidly.

"Easy." Clare said, a rare smile on her face.

"Do something unexpected."

Yuma angled a sword swipe low, causing Helen to try to intercept it, but Yuma's target wasn't Helen.

It was the snow-covered ground.

The flat of Yuma's blade swept up a huge amount of snow, all up towards Helen.

Helen cried out as a flurry of snow swept into her face and obscured her vision; she jumped back, her reflexes telling her to distance herself.

Yuma followed the blinded Helen and struck out, both of them mid-air.

Helen barely managed to block the blow through her obscured vision, her sight clearing just enough for her to see her opponent.

"Not bad Yum- ooof!" Helen cried out before a blow took the wind from her lungs.

Their swords were still crossed, but Yuma's boot was firmly planted in Helen's stomach.

Helen was knocked backwards, clear into a nearby snow mound, kicking up even more of the crystallized rain.

Silence prevailed once more, only a howling wind could be heard.

"I-I did it!" Yuma cried out, her expression one of shock and exhilaration.

Miria looked somewhat amused, and Clare merely sighed.

Why aren't they more excit—Yuma pondered as her train of thought was suddenly interrupted.

Yuma felt something grasp her leg and trip her.

Helen's extended limb had come from beneath the snow and tugged her footing away from her, taking advantage of her shock.

Helen swiftly charged back out of the mound and jumped on top of the fallen Yuma, straddling her.

"Hahaha, that was great Yuma!" Helen cried out while pinching Yuma's cheeks.

"No-no fair!" Yuma cried out, trying in vain to ward off Helen's "attack."

"Oh don't be that way, you know what they say; all's fair in love and war, or something like that!" Helen roared, clearly enjoying herself.

Yuma finally gave up on defending herself and sighed.

"I was so close too…."

"Yup, almost lost my lunch there" Helen moaned slightly, freeing Yuma's cheeks from her grasp to cradle her stomach, her adrenaline wearing off.

Everyone began to head towards the two warriors, bearing expressions ranging from surprised to impressed.

Yuma looked at Miria and Clare specifically, both of them seemed satisfied with her performance.

"Hehe, maybe next time eh?" Helen said, offering to help Yuma up.

"Hehe, I'll do my best" Yuma replied, allowing herself a small smile.

Wait, does that mean I still need to train with Miria and Clare? Yuma expression displaying her dismay.

Miria's amused expression suddenly seemed much more sinister, as did Clare's half-smile.

Ah crap, were the only words Yuma's mind could produce for that thought.

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End of chapter 8

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Hope you guys liked it, the fights were a bit difficult for me to write out, but I figured to stick with them since they were, for the most part, necessary for this chapter.

Please Review and tell me what you thought!