Chapter LVI: What You Make Of It

Further into the Midnight Garden, Ushio reached the end of her path. The road dead ended in a cliff. The flowery fields continued on below as she looked around for other paths. Not finding any, she leapt down, bracing her landing. She proceeded onward.

"Yo!" a familiar voice called out. Ahead of Ushio, a lone figure stood. She recognized the purple haired woman.

"You're here too?" Ushio said, facing down yet another member in her path.

"Hey now, what kinda greeting is that?" Kyra stated. "I was honestly hoping you'd come here. I'm glad that no one else defeated you before you got to me."

"What's up with your fascination of me?"

"That's easy. It's only inevitable that the hero of a story would draw the attention of the villain and vice versa. It's that entertaining back and forth that delights people."

"You sound like this is all a game to you." Ushio replied.

"Maybe it is." Kyra smiled. "Of course, I've been told to dispose of you. Guess you finally get that fight you've wanted. Now, let's make this interesting."

Kyra summoned her spear, spinning it around in a display of dramatics. Ushio brought her Keyblade up as she readied her fighting stance.

Having started to have enough of these fights, Ushio charged Kyra. Yet due to her weapon, Kyra had the advantage. She lunged forward, her spear barely missing the girl. The Keyblade wielder took advantage of the situation, her key making contact with the cloaked figure.

Kyra made the next move. Flipping back, she stood still as the spear hovered in front of her. In a show of offense and defense, the spear began swirling clockwise around her.

"What's the problem?" the Neo Seeker smirked.

"No problems." Ushio said.

Seeing a way around the tactic, Ushio fired off a Firaga. As the fireball approached her, Kyra's spear flew back into her hands. While it allowed her to block the magical attack, Ushio used the chance to sneak in another series of blows from her side.

"How's this for your fun?" Ushio egged her on.

"Oh, quite fun." she smiled.

Teleporting a short distance, she flung her spear into the sky. The weapon flew down as Ushio dodged out of the way. However, she wasn't prepared for what was next as lightning struck it. A shockwave shot through the ground, sending a jolt of hurt up the girl's body and having her fall.

"Hopefully that's not enough to keep you down." Kyra said as she approached Ushio.

Yet Ushio didn't take the time for her to get closer. Seeing her lower her guard slightly, she threw her Keyblade at the woman. True to her guess, it landed square in her stomach. Summoning it back to her hand, she launched herself at the purple haired woman. More blows connected as Ushio unleashed them.

A sudden clang sounded out as Kyra brought her spear into contact with the Keyblade. The two hobbled back slightly as they faced each other. Ushio shot forward as Kyra thrusted her spear in one last, strong blow.

As the dust cleared, only one of the blows landed. Ushio stood as Kyra fell back on the ground, the flowers scattering.

"Looks like you won." Kyra said to the girl standing over her.

"You sound…almost happy." Ushio was puzzled by her tone.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Kyra asked. "I got what I was seeking."

Ushio stood, unable to grasp what she meant.

"You see, I always wanted to have a fun, exciting life. Throughout all this trouble, I had fun. I suppose that's why it appeared like it was a game when I would approach you. You were finally a rival I could go against. Had the situation been different, maybe your father, or even the king could've been the one, but as long as I had one, that was all that mattered. Even this last fight as entertaining. Truth is, I have no regrets."

"So…that's your peace." Ushio muttered.

"Hey, a little advice." Kyra said, her voice getting weaker. "Show that Iwa something for me. Let 'em know I still got to have my fun." Having spoken those words, Kyra faded away.

Ushio looked up as the Neo Seeker vanished. Yet, it seemed she had one last trick up her sleeve. A single portal swirled, it's owner's demise taxing it. She knew it wasn't a trap. Run to it, Ushio rushed inside as she was carried away to her next destination.

—

"So it seems Iwa and I stand as the last members here." Aster spoke to himself. "The forces of light have proven themselves quite capable. Soon, everything should reach its finale." He gazed out among the flower filled land before him. "Come and show me to that which I seek!"