AN: "~~~" signifies passing of time.
Raining Hard
Chapter 11:
"The great sun, benighted,
May faint from the sky;
But love, once uplighted,
Will never more die."
-George MacDonald (Phantastes)
Elemental's friends watched the scene from the nearby rooftop. They knew she was giving it her all.
The first clash was between powered up auras and a blaze of speed. Both had gone at it with everything they had. Then they would jump away and clash again, and then clash again, and again. Now it was a series of parries, blocks, and strikes.
Shartar fought incredibly well with its staff weapon, almost as well as Elemental with her sword. The length of the staff weapon was an advantage, but also a disadvantage. Elemental had used staff weapons frequently, so she knew all the moves and parries one could make with the staff. Elemental also knew that the obsidian helped to channel Shartar's destructive energy.
Elemental's sword was hers. She knew the blade almost as well as she knew philosophy; and she definitely knows her philosophy. Her special silver blade could also act as a channel for different runes. Shartar, having also fought with a sword, knew the katas and sword maneuvers inside out.
They were equally matched in knowledge and technique.
Shartar's aura was at a medium level, when Elemental's was at medium-low. Elemental was more advanced in the aura element of the fight. She knew how to strengthen it and when need be, to weaken it. Closer to the beginning of the fight she had chanted a rune in order to draw out the lightning and thunder. That was where she would regain her energy when it was lost.
Shartar regained energy from the rain and darkness of the skies. The stars were covered, the rain was cold, and the storm was its anger and rage. Because of the anger and rage, Shartar could keep its aura going longer.
They were equally matched in Auras and energy regain.
The time was 5:05. The fight started at midnight. Five hours was enough to tire the observers, yet the sky was still dark as pitch and Elemental and Shartar were on the opposite roof going at it.
This fight would last until morning breaks.
*~Hikari POV~*
Sensei was fighting on the opposite rooftop. Five of us had already started to sleep while one watched. I watched first. Alex, of course, wouldn't sleep until Sensei slept. I looked over at one of my best friends and fellow student along with me. Sakura was fast asleep. She needed it. I knew she hadn't been sleeping all that well.
Jade is asleep and warm in my jacket. I've really grown to love that little troublemaker. She is like the little sister I never had. I was so happy when she came to me to ask for help on her project, I have always wanted to help with those kinds of things. Maybe I should consider teaching as a career. At least Sensei...
I looked back at the battle scene. They had stopped the clashes and the parries and the strikes. They were circling each other. Come on Sensei, win this for us! Of course I couldn't say that out loud. The rules of any engagement dictate that none of the observers can say anything.
~~~
There was still no sun in the sky when I checked my watch at 7:39. The black clouds still covered every inch of the sky. Jackie would need to be woken up for the next watch pretty soon. The rain was falling a little more softly now. Sakura and I had created a rune shelter to keep the rain off of us as we watched the events unfold.
I looked over at Alex. His face seemed to be older than he was. There was no harm in talking...right?
"Alex?" I timidly went over to Sensei's best friend. "Are you okay?"
"I'm watching my best friend fight."
There was silence. Okay so talking maybe wasn't one of my brightest ideas, but there was nothing I could do now.
Then Alex spoke. "I'm sorry Hikari, it's just that I'm a little apprehensive is all. You probably have a little bit of worry about what is happening to K-chan."
"I do," I answered quickly, but softly. "However, I'm not the one that has known her since she was 14."
Alex nodded his head, but kept watching the fight before us. They were still circling, using their weapons every so often to cast a rune at the other.
I looked at my watch: 7:56. Time to wake Jackie up.
"Alex, please don't stay up the whole time. Sensei wouldn't like it."
He only nodded, but I was sure he wasn't going to follow my advice. Jackie woke up easier than expected, and for me, lying down on the ground was so incredibly welcome, that I almost forgot to put a one of the blankets we had brought with, around me.
*~Jackie's POV~*
8:00 to 12:00 was my time period. Apparently this fight wasn't over yet. The sky was black. Bad day Bad day Bad day. Jade and the others were fast asleep except for Alex. This was understandable, considering this is his best friend was fighting a very important battle. Only time would tell the outcome of this fight. Fate was to decide.
I decided to work though some of the basic exercises for my martial arts. It helped to take my mind off the fight for a long while. When I was done with that, I began the calming flow of T'ai Chi. With my eyes closed I could see the deep blue of the San Francisco sky and feel the warmth of the yellow sun, but when I opened them again, I saw only Black. He had woken up early and had decided to take the next watch.
"Captain Black, I-" I didn't know what to say to my friend. He was watching a woman he considered his daughter fighting her archenemy.
"Don't worry about it Jackie. I know what you want to say. And thank you, for not walking away from this."
I smiled at him, before falling asleep before I hit the pavement.
*~Captain Black POV~*
Elemental was still fighting. Now was mostly relying on skill and technique. They would resume their aura charges later.
As much as I wanted to tear my eyes from that scene I couldn't. Elemental was as much a daughter to me as she was a close friend to Alex. I glanced over at the man that had not slept since the night before last and watched his face. It was completely stoic; not one expression or feeling. It was as though he was distancing himself from the pain that Elemental was feeling.
I looked back towards the opposite rooftop. Elemental caught a parry and gave back one of her own with a zing of magic to it. Shartar paused before she attacked again.
Then it struck me. Elemental and Shartar were soaked to the bone and lightning was striking only near Elem. The rain and lightning must be ways to retrieve power. If only they would break to regain power.
~~~
My watch was over at 4:00, but I stayed an extra half-hour until Sakura awoke. There was no reason to wake her up when I didn't mind doing and extra half-hour.
"Captain Black..."
"Yes, Sakura"
"You should have woken me up."
"Well, now you have a 3 and a half hour watch instead of a four. Don't you think that is much better?"
Sakura only rolled her eyes as I eased myself onto the rooftop to get some shuteye. The last image I had was of Alex, watching his K-chan.
*~Sakura POV~*
I immediately went over to Alex for and update.
"What's the status here."
He didn't even look at me when he gave his answer.
"There were aura parries and strikes, then they circled each other, then they attacked with technique and skill."
"How do you feel about all this?"
His eyes never wavered. "Sakura, I don't like it one tiny bit. I never have I never will, but that doesn't mean I won't support K-chan in what she does. I will stand behind her in all that she does, because I know it is for the good of us all and not just her."
I nodded and resumed my own chaotic thoughts.
"What if..." sencarios were circling in my head.
What if Sensei got hurt?
What if she uses too much power?
What if she fails?
Alex seemed pretty sure that she wouldn't. I had faith in Sensei, it is hard to see one of the persons you consider close to you fight for an incredibly long period of time. I mean, this is getting ridiculous. Me and Hikari have never had to fight this long. There is no reason Sensei should.
Alex seemed calm about this...maybe a bit too calm. I asked him.
"Are you all right?"
"Is your sensei fighting?"
"Yes."
"Then, of course, I'm not all right."
"Okay."
Then there was silence. I spoke again.
"When is this going to end?"
"When the dawn comes."
I looked around and sure enough I saw the black clouds with rain still coming down. It wasn't coming down in torrents but it was coming. I glanced at the watch Sensei had given me. It was 8:03. Time to wake up the last of the watchers.
I nudged Jade's shoulders gently. "Jade."
"Hmm?"
"Your watch."
"Okay."
She got up and went over to where Alex was standing. I took that as my cue to fall asleep. All that worrying sure tires you out.
*~Jade POV~*
Elemental was still fighting. She had been fighting since midnight and now at only four hours to midnight, again, she must be exhausted. I turned to Alex for some answers.
"Is she gonna be all right?"
"Yes."
"Will she have any injuries?"
"Possibly"
"Where has she gotten the energy to fight?"
"You are a very inquisitive child."
I hung my head. "I know."
"Curiosity is good sometimes."
"But not all the time." I thought of all the times I had gotten into trouble because of curiosity.
I thought I saw Alex almost smile. Then there was a silence, until I asked the question that changed everything.
"Why is Elem fighting?"
Alex took in a deep breath and started to talk.
"K-chan fights because she knows it is right. She doesn't do it for glory, fame, or for herself. She does it for others. That is a rare talent to be able to fight for those who will never know you saved them. "
I looked closer at the rooftop battle.
"K-chan will never give up, no matter how many odds are stacked against her. She will continue to fight simply because she knows that good must win and she is on the good side."
Then it clicked.
I would do my project on Elemental.
She was everything I was looking for and then some.
In my head I began to plan out my oral report. I roughly outlined it and imagined the responses of my classmates. I saw my teacher giving me a good grade. And then I realized that Elemental was the one who got me the desire to get those good grades. She taught me a lot in the short time I've known her. What I've learned from her, I would never forget.
Alex hand suddenly rested on my shoulder. I looked up into his tired face.
"Wake everybody up. The Victor will be decided soon."
I nodded and went first to Jackie and then Captain Black and then Hikari and then Sakura. They all got up and went over to the side closest to the rooftop upon which Elemental and Shartar were fighting.
And there we waited.
*~End POVs~*
Raining Hard
Chapter 11:
"The great sun, benighted,
May faint from the sky;
But love, once uplighted,
Will never more die."
-George MacDonald (Phantastes)
Elemental's friends watched the scene from the nearby rooftop. They knew she was giving it her all.
The first clash was between powered up auras and a blaze of speed. Both had gone at it with everything they had. Then they would jump away and clash again, and then clash again, and again. Now it was a series of parries, blocks, and strikes.
Shartar fought incredibly well with its staff weapon, almost as well as Elemental with her sword. The length of the staff weapon was an advantage, but also a disadvantage. Elemental had used staff weapons frequently, so she knew all the moves and parries one could make with the staff. Elemental also knew that the obsidian helped to channel Shartar's destructive energy.
Elemental's sword was hers. She knew the blade almost as well as she knew philosophy; and she definitely knows her philosophy. Her special silver blade could also act as a channel for different runes. Shartar, having also fought with a sword, knew the katas and sword maneuvers inside out.
They were equally matched in knowledge and technique.
Shartar's aura was at a medium level, when Elemental's was at medium-low. Elemental was more advanced in the aura element of the fight. She knew how to strengthen it and when need be, to weaken it. Closer to the beginning of the fight she had chanted a rune in order to draw out the lightning and thunder. That was where she would regain her energy when it was lost.
Shartar regained energy from the rain and darkness of the skies. The stars were covered, the rain was cold, and the storm was its anger and rage. Because of the anger and rage, Shartar could keep its aura going longer.
They were equally matched in Auras and energy regain.
The time was 5:05. The fight started at midnight. Five hours was enough to tire the observers, yet the sky was still dark as pitch and Elemental and Shartar were on the opposite roof going at it.
This fight would last until morning breaks.
*~Hikari POV~*
Sensei was fighting on the opposite rooftop. Five of us had already started to sleep while one watched. I watched first. Alex, of course, wouldn't sleep until Sensei slept. I looked over at one of my best friends and fellow student along with me. Sakura was fast asleep. She needed it. I knew she hadn't been sleeping all that well.
Jade is asleep and warm in my jacket. I've really grown to love that little troublemaker. She is like the little sister I never had. I was so happy when she came to me to ask for help on her project, I have always wanted to help with those kinds of things. Maybe I should consider teaching as a career. At least Sensei...
I looked back at the battle scene. They had stopped the clashes and the parries and the strikes. They were circling each other. Come on Sensei, win this for us! Of course I couldn't say that out loud. The rules of any engagement dictate that none of the observers can say anything.
~~~
There was still no sun in the sky when I checked my watch at 7:39. The black clouds still covered every inch of the sky. Jackie would need to be woken up for the next watch pretty soon. The rain was falling a little more softly now. Sakura and I had created a rune shelter to keep the rain off of us as we watched the events unfold.
I looked over at Alex. His face seemed to be older than he was. There was no harm in talking...right?
"Alex?" I timidly went over to Sensei's best friend. "Are you okay?"
"I'm watching my best friend fight."
There was silence. Okay so talking maybe wasn't one of my brightest ideas, but there was nothing I could do now.
Then Alex spoke. "I'm sorry Hikari, it's just that I'm a little apprehensive is all. You probably have a little bit of worry about what is happening to K-chan."
"I do," I answered quickly, but softly. "However, I'm not the one that has known her since she was 14."
Alex nodded his head, but kept watching the fight before us. They were still circling, using their weapons every so often to cast a rune at the other.
I looked at my watch: 7:56. Time to wake Jackie up.
"Alex, please don't stay up the whole time. Sensei wouldn't like it."
He only nodded, but I was sure he wasn't going to follow my advice. Jackie woke up easier than expected, and for me, lying down on the ground was so incredibly welcome, that I almost forgot to put a one of the blankets we had brought with, around me.
*~Jackie's POV~*
8:00 to 12:00 was my time period. Apparently this fight wasn't over yet. The sky was black. Bad day Bad day Bad day. Jade and the others were fast asleep except for Alex. This was understandable, considering this is his best friend was fighting a very important battle. Only time would tell the outcome of this fight. Fate was to decide.
I decided to work though some of the basic exercises for my martial arts. It helped to take my mind off the fight for a long while. When I was done with that, I began the calming flow of T'ai Chi. With my eyes closed I could see the deep blue of the San Francisco sky and feel the warmth of the yellow sun, but when I opened them again, I saw only Black. He had woken up early and had decided to take the next watch.
"Captain Black, I-" I didn't know what to say to my friend. He was watching a woman he considered his daughter fighting her archenemy.
"Don't worry about it Jackie. I know what you want to say. And thank you, for not walking away from this."
I smiled at him, before falling asleep before I hit the pavement.
*~Captain Black POV~*
Elemental was still fighting. Now was mostly relying on skill and technique. They would resume their aura charges later.
As much as I wanted to tear my eyes from that scene I couldn't. Elemental was as much a daughter to me as she was a close friend to Alex. I glanced over at the man that had not slept since the night before last and watched his face. It was completely stoic; not one expression or feeling. It was as though he was distancing himself from the pain that Elemental was feeling.
I looked back towards the opposite rooftop. Elemental caught a parry and gave back one of her own with a zing of magic to it. Shartar paused before she attacked again.
Then it struck me. Elemental and Shartar were soaked to the bone and lightning was striking only near Elem. The rain and lightning must be ways to retrieve power. If only they would break to regain power.
~~~
My watch was over at 4:00, but I stayed an extra half-hour until Sakura awoke. There was no reason to wake her up when I didn't mind doing and extra half-hour.
"Captain Black..."
"Yes, Sakura"
"You should have woken me up."
"Well, now you have a 3 and a half hour watch instead of a four. Don't you think that is much better?"
Sakura only rolled her eyes as I eased myself onto the rooftop to get some shuteye. The last image I had was of Alex, watching his K-chan.
*~Sakura POV~*
I immediately went over to Alex for and update.
"What's the status here."
He didn't even look at me when he gave his answer.
"There were aura parries and strikes, then they circled each other, then they attacked with technique and skill."
"How do you feel about all this?"
His eyes never wavered. "Sakura, I don't like it one tiny bit. I never have I never will, but that doesn't mean I won't support K-chan in what she does. I will stand behind her in all that she does, because I know it is for the good of us all and not just her."
I nodded and resumed my own chaotic thoughts.
"What if..." sencarios were circling in my head.
What if Sensei got hurt?
What if she uses too much power?
What if she fails?
Alex seemed pretty sure that she wouldn't. I had faith in Sensei, it is hard to see one of the persons you consider close to you fight for an incredibly long period of time. I mean, this is getting ridiculous. Me and Hikari have never had to fight this long. There is no reason Sensei should.
Alex seemed calm about this...maybe a bit too calm. I asked him.
"Are you all right?"
"Is your sensei fighting?"
"Yes."
"Then, of course, I'm not all right."
"Okay."
Then there was silence. I spoke again.
"When is this going to end?"
"When the dawn comes."
I looked around and sure enough I saw the black clouds with rain still coming down. It wasn't coming down in torrents but it was coming. I glanced at the watch Sensei had given me. It was 8:03. Time to wake up the last of the watchers.
I nudged Jade's shoulders gently. "Jade."
"Hmm?"
"Your watch."
"Okay."
She got up and went over to where Alex was standing. I took that as my cue to fall asleep. All that worrying sure tires you out.
*~Jade POV~*
Elemental was still fighting. She had been fighting since midnight and now at only four hours to midnight, again, she must be exhausted. I turned to Alex for some answers.
"Is she gonna be all right?"
"Yes."
"Will she have any injuries?"
"Possibly"
"Where has she gotten the energy to fight?"
"You are a very inquisitive child."
I hung my head. "I know."
"Curiosity is good sometimes."
"But not all the time." I thought of all the times I had gotten into trouble because of curiosity.
I thought I saw Alex almost smile. Then there was a silence, until I asked the question that changed everything.
"Why is Elem fighting?"
Alex took in a deep breath and started to talk.
"K-chan fights because she knows it is right. She doesn't do it for glory, fame, or for herself. She does it for others. That is a rare talent to be able to fight for those who will never know you saved them. "
I looked closer at the rooftop battle.
"K-chan will never give up, no matter how many odds are stacked against her. She will continue to fight simply because she knows that good must win and she is on the good side."
Then it clicked.
I would do my project on Elemental.
She was everything I was looking for and then some.
In my head I began to plan out my oral report. I roughly outlined it and imagined the responses of my classmates. I saw my teacher giving me a good grade. And then I realized that Elemental was the one who got me the desire to get those good grades. She taught me a lot in the short time I've known her. What I've learned from her, I would never forget.
Alex hand suddenly rested on my shoulder. I looked up into his tired face.
"Wake everybody up. The Victor will be decided soon."
I nodded and went first to Jackie and then Captain Black and then Hikari and then Sakura. They all got up and went over to the side closest to the rooftop upon which Elemental and Shartar were fighting.
And there we waited.
*~End POVs~*
