Chapter 9


Kaia tightened the sash she was using to carry her new sword. Despite its size, the sword felt surprisingly light. The strange thing about the sword was the fact that it radiated a glacier-like cold. This thing probably never bothered Pagetonas, he seemed to be quite fond of the cold. she thought. Turning around, she saw Nina had come to see her off.

"Are you sure you can do it? Now that you know who she is?" Nina asked.

"I don't really have much of a choice. If I don't stop her, then who will?"

"You have a point. I wish I could come with you, I might have been able to help."

"Hey, I'm your daughter aren't I? Don't worry so much, I'll be fine." Kaia said, smiling.

Nina nodded. "In that case, I wish you luck. Take care, Kaia."

"You too, mother." Kaia looked up to the heavens. Concentrating on her own time, Kaia then disappeared in a flash of light.

Moments later, she reappeared in downtown Wind City, now in her own time. A pillar of smoke was rising in the distance. That looks like it's coming from…Garderobe! Kaia ran towards the source of the smoke. After running for half a block, she stopped when a cloaked figure leapt in front of her path. It was the woman with the maroon cloak.

"You came. And it seems you've brought a trophy from your previous battle."

"Nah, it's more like a parting gift. So, what's this test you mentioned? Do I just have to kick your ass or something?"

The woman grabbed her hood. "I doubt it will be that simple." she said, pulling down her hood. The woman had long black hair and light purple eyes. "Hello, Kaia."

"V-Verona?"

"Surprised? I thought you'd be."

"Why are you working with Rao? Have you been possessed as well?"

"Not at all. I serve Notokishi on my own will."

"Noto- so you know the truth."

"She told me herself."

"But why would she tell you and not me? I'm her sister!"

"You would never understand."

Verona threw off her cloak, and with an angry glare yelled "MATERIALISE!" in a matter of seconds, she had dawned a pink and black robe with a black rose adorning her chest.

"Wha-? What happened to your robe?"

"Do you like it? I've been granted this new G.E.M created from Notokishi's machine." Verona brushed aside some of her hair to reveal a black stone pierced into her left ear. "Kaia Wong de Windbloom! I challenge you to a round of butou, to the death!"

"So, you're that serious about this then? Fine. I accept!" Kaia announced, summoning her halberd.

Verona charged at her, calling forth her now pitch black shuriken. Kaia managed to raise her halberd in time to block the blow, and shoved Verona back. Verona came at her again, this time throwing her shuriken. Kaia deflected the projectiles, but Verona had closed the distance between them and delivered a powerful punch.

"Uaah!" Kaia yelled as she flew back. Verona kept on the offensive, retrieving her stars and striking at Kaia. Still dazed, Kaia received the full force of the attack. She backed away, clutching her now bleeding stomach. Verona launched herself at Kaia once more. This time though, Kaia ducked under the attack and slammed the butt of her halberd into Verona's gut. Stunned from the sudden blow, Verona soon found herself pinned against the ground under Kaia's foot. The tip of Kaia's halberd pointed straight at her throat.

"That's it, I've won." Kaia said.

"Didn't you hear me? I said we were fighting to the death!" Verona shouted, kicking Kaia back. "Stop holding back and fight me with all your strength!"

Verona charged again and again, each time more relentless than the last. Kaia would only guard and counter with weaker blows. Why doesn't she understand? She can't win like this! I'm not supposed to be winning! Verona thought after striking Kaia again. Looks like I'll have to use it, it might be the only thing to get her to fight.

Verona stopped her onslaught and stood still. "What's the matter with you? I may have been your friend, but right now I'm your enemy! If you don't have the will to accept that, then just stand there and die!" then looking towards the sky, she shouted, "RELEASE MIRYOKU!"

An enormous amount of energy burst around her, and her elements separated into a series of smaller blades. A tornado began to form around Verona, spinning her elements in a deadly arc. "VORTEX OF THORNS!" she shouted as the tornado hurled itself at Kaia. Kaia disappeared inside the vortex, and all that could be heard was the sound of clashing metal. Verona retracted the vortex, and saw the damage she had inflicted. Kaia stood covered with cuts and bruises, and held both her element and the sword in a defensive position.

"How pathetic. Do you really think you can overcome your sister, when you cannot even defeat me? Impossible! So long as you fight as a hero, you will never prevail against us. The only hope you have is to call on your inner darkness, unleash your terrible Miryoku!"

Kaia was silent for a moment. "Are you done?" she said suddenly.

"What?"

"Have you finished running your mouth? Can we get on with our fight now?"

"I…Yes…"

"Good. You wanted to see me use my Miryoku? I'll be happy to fulfill your request." With that, Kaia planted the sword in the ground, raised her halberd and screamed "RELEASE MIRYOKU!"

A brilliant blue light surrounded her, blinding Verona. Such power…is this really her Miryoku? The light drew closer to Verona at alarming speed. When it was roughly 5 feet from her, something sharp suddenly tore into Verona's gut. The light crashed into her, and Verona fainted.

Sometime later, Verona opened her eyes. I'm… alive? She saw Kaia standing next to her, clutching the black sword. "Kaia?"

"You damn fool. I almost killed you. You're lucky I didn't hit anything vital."

"You spared me…I failed then…"

"I wouldn't say that. Thanks to you, I now know what needs to be done. I've got to destroy Notokishi, so she can finally be at peace."

Verona closed her eyes again. "I'm sorry for doing that, Kaia. I…I just couldn't bear to watch her suffer anymore."

Kaia looked down at her. "You love her, don't you?"

Verona nodded. "I always will."

"….Take care, Verona." Kaia started to walk away.

"Remember our fight, Kaia!" Verona shouted from where she lay. "Remember that light cannot destroy darkness, it can only conceal it. Only darkness can undo darkness."

Kaia stopped for a moment. "Then so shall it be." Then she continued to walk towards Garderobe, and to face her greatest foe.