AUTHOR NOTE : Thanks for still keeping up with my story! I apologize for all the late up dates and hope everyone will continue to show all the love. Please read and review, I love to hear everyone's comments and I really do get inspired by them. Thanks!
"Kougyoku, are you sure you want to do this?" Shirin asks as they stand in the middle of the courtyard.
"Why not? I'm bored," Kougyoku replies with a pout, fingers pointing at Shirin, emphasizing her command.
"As you wish," Shirin says and grabs the tear shaped blade pendant around her neck.
With a smile, Kougyoku pulls out her hairpin and calls out, "Spirit of Sorrow and Isolation, in the name of my Magoi, and my will to grant me a greater power, I order you and your members. Come forth, Vinea!". Immediately, Kougyoku transforms, a fishlike skin and white robe like skirt appearing. "Are you ready," she says with a laugh, flipping her blue hair behind her shoulder as she gazes at Shirin.
Shirin keeps up with Kougyoku excitement, yelling "Dear Spirit of Thievery and Forgiveness, I invoke the presence of thee, grant me the power of thine gifts, Come Forth, Räum!". With that, a long hooded cloak appears over a flowing chiton consisting of numerous fabrics stitched together. Shirin looks up, pulling back the long hooded cloak, revealing a trail of tears flowing down her face and dark scars crisscrossed across her cheeks. "I'll always be prepared," she replied, eyes glowing blue like a cat as she touches the upturned crown lying on her head.
With a wild smile, Kougyoku lunges at Shirin, her blue sword aimed at Shirin. "Don't disappoint me," she cries out.
In response, Shirin pulls out a bow which she quickly transforms into a staff. As Kougyoku swings her sword, Shirin blocks her move with her staff.
A large ringing fills the courtyard as their swords clash, ecstatic smiles appearing on both of their faces. After a few minutes, Shirin manages to land a blow with her staff, forcing Kougyoku to jump back.
The two stand there for a few moments, eyeing each other when suddenly, Kougyoku races back towards Shirin. "Vainel Arros," she yells, a spear of water forming around her sword.
Shirin calmly faces the onset, pulling out her staff, changing it back into a bow. She quickly notches the arrows that her pendant had transformed into and aims them at Kougyoku. With a calculated glance, Shirin lets a few fly at Kougyoku.
"Is that all you can do?" Kougyoku laughs as she swings the sword at the arrows, splitting them in half.
"Think again." Shirin says with a sly grin, setting her bow to her side. "Demelad Taselat," she calmly says. Instantly, Kougyoku is forced to the ground, the fragments of the pendant's arrow on her skirt forcing her to the ground.
"What's going on!" Kougyoku growls, trying to stand up.
"You underestimate me," Shirin says as she crouches next to Kougyoku, a knowing smile on her face. She stands back up and notches an arrow, aiming it at Kougyoku's heart. "Should I end it all here? All the revenge I need for what you've put me through," she mutters darkly.
A frantic expression appears on Kougyoku's face, the possibility of death sinking in.
"That was a great match," a voice calls out, clapping at the show the two had put on.
Shirin retracts her bow and the two of them look up towards the voice. They see Sinbad standing at one of the second floored walkways. "Is there anything you need?" she asks.
"No, just stopped by to appreciate your skill," he says with a stunning smile. For every part of him that was manipulative, he was just as much of a charismatic leader. Every action he took showed that, and it shined through to even his appearance.
"Kougyoku-," Shirin begins as she turns toward the princess, stopping as she notices the blush forming. Holding back a sigh, she turns back towards Sinbad and says, "The two of us appreciate you taking the time out of your day to watch our battle, King Sinbad," and curtsies at him, eyes locked on his knowing grin.
"What is going on!" Kougyoku mutters as they start heading towards the front of the palace. A few minutes ago, a part of the sky had ripped apart and Kougyoku had ordered her entourage as well as Shirin to follow her to see what the disturbance was.
They walk up and suddenly hear someone yelling manically, "And after that… This place … The Kou Empire will destroy Sindria".
"What do you mean … ? Judar-chan … ," Kougyoku asks as they stop in front of Judar, a shocked expression on her face.
"Kougyoku? Ah, Shirin! I forgot, we have six metal vessel users. Shirin-chan here also wouldn't lose easily to you," he says, turning towards Sinbad and then back towards Kougyoku. "Just like you heard! That's why you should not be here anymore! You probably ran away from Kou and came here because you lost you place after the error you committed in Balbadd, but …" he states, a sly grin forming on his face.
Kougyoku starts panicking, flashbacks of her failure floating back into her mind. She hadn't meant to screw up the whole situation, she just…
Judar recognizes her panic and takes advantage of it. "Come back, I'll make you into a general like Shirin! You want to fight as a solider of your country too, right?" he offers, his usual wild smile appearing.
Shirin looks on at the scene before her, hanging behind Kougyoku at the front of her entourage. She eyes Kougyoku carefully, trying to judge the nuances of her expression. Being caught between Judar and Sinbad was a situation no would would want to be in, and she was waiting to see just how Kougyoku would manage to ease her way out of this one.
"What's wrong, Kougyoku?" Judar asks, interrupting the tense atmosphere.
Kougyoku remains silent, a confused and panicked expression conveying her inner conflict to everyone watching and waiting to see how everything would turn out.
Judar sighs but steps back. "Oh well, okay. I'm going back first now, so tell this to Hakuryuu," he says and then turns to Shirin. "Oh, and Shirin, I trust you'll keep the two of them on track. I expect to see you back at Kou sometime soon".
Carefully, Shirin weighs her options. She could acknowledge Judar and properly tie herself to the Kou empire or show her support of Sinbad by not doing anything. "Of course," she says, bowing at Judar. In the end, Judar had helped her conquer three dungeons, her alliances still held closer to him no matter how much she hated him.
"Remember, this country is our enemy now." he says, a maniacal grin on his face. "See you!" he calls out as he flies away, leaving a baffled expression on everyone's face
"I request a leave from Sindria to go back to the Kou Empire," Shirin says as she stands in front of SInbad's desk. Immediately, the guards rush up to her, swords all pointed at her. If she was going to go to the enemy, it would be easier to do away with her now.
"Set them down, it's fine," Sinbad says, waving his hand at them. "Is there any reason that you're leaving now?" he asks.
"As you can see, there is quite a lot of animosity in Sindria towards me, and I really should be getting back to my household," she says calmly. "And I believe that neither Kougyoku or Hakuryuu will appreciate my presence on the way back".
Sinbad ponders for a few moments, and then finally says, "You are free to go," he says, a wistful tone in his voice.
"Thank you," she says and walks out of the room.