RE-UPDATED: 27/02/05
Disclaimer: Hi! I … I … don't exactly own it… but… well… own is such a hard to describe word… so maybe I do have one itty-bitty part of it… Heck fine, so I don't own a single scrap! But I own this story! So there! I do have something! Anyway, on with the fic!
A/N: By the way, congratulate me! Look! I can do special formatting! YAY! (Fine giggles I know that I'm acting weird! But my school examinations have just ended today, which is about the only reason I'm allowed to glue myself to this lovely work of art and give you guys this chapter!)
Dagger sat bolt upright on her bed, gasping for air and bathed with sweat. She narrowed her eyes; there was no pain in her body this time despite the shallow grooves that ran across her arms… No, this time, the greatest hurt was in her heart. Unlike her last experience of waking up in her bed without having the faintest inkling of how she got there, she could recall every single painful detail of her dreams, starting from one of her earliest memories to recent ones. She hissed angrily, remembering every one of those scenes, remembering how weak she used to be… And most possibly still was.
From the very beginning, when she was a mere child of six and being tossed like a rag doll in that pathetic excuse of a boat, she was useless. It was her fault her mother died, if she could have taken care of herself, her mother wouldn't have had to make that sacrifice.
The Summoner's Key! The thought struck her suddenly. She remembered… to save her and ensure good health for her daughter; her mother had performed that ancient ritual. It was rather like a trade, one summoner for the other, to seal the bargain, the Gods would watch over the one who lived until the danger or spell wore off.
Dagger fell back on her pillows, thinking about the white lightning that she had absorbed. She could only guess what the words that her mother chanted meant, but she had a feeling that she had transferred all the eidolons from her own body to her daughter's. Not only that, she seemed to have pleaded to the sky to cause Dagger to absorb other dead members' of the tribe's summons as well. Her heart began to beat slightly faster at that thought, I may be able to summon more gods that I can now! She realized that's why I can summon more than Eiko!
Suddenly, she remembered crawling on the ground as a man sliced her horn clean off. My father, she thought darkly, because of him, I have no memory of my past. And yet, he isn't here for me to berate because of that murderer. I will find out who he was. She swore silently, I will avenge my father's death! She felt a single tear trickle down her face as she recalled all of this. She understood that none of this would ever have happened if she hadn't been so weak. It was her fault her biological mother died, her fault she couldn't protect herself, couldn't save her father … and was ultimately responsible for the deaths of Lindblum.
Each time, after those painful happenings, she would promise herself that she would be stronger, each time, she failed. But this time, she countered mentally, this time is different. This time Garland is teaching me, and I will never be weak again.
Suddenly, she began to shiver, not from her chilling thoughts, but from the cold. She drew her blankets closer to her body and frowned. It was no wonder she was cold, she had been so deeply immersed in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed that there wasn't a single stitch of clothing on her body!
"GARLAND!" she screamed, clutching her blankets tighter.
"You called?" came a deep voice from the shadow by the doorway. Out emerged Garland, looking craggier and older than ever as he shuffled towards her.
"What did you do to me?" she shrieked angrily, one arm used to hold the sheets in place and the other held in front of her, signaling him to stop moving. "And how long have you been standing there?"
"I did nothing," he replied calmly, his face was in the shadow, so she couldn't see his expression. "I just teleported here at your beck and call," his voice contained only the slightest hint of sarcasm.
"Then- then why am I… am I-" she stumbled over her words, seeming unable to bring herself to say the word 'naked'. "Am I … like this?" she ended finally.
"In case you haven't noticed," answered Garland dryly, "You have been wounded again. Though this isn't as bad as it was a week ago, I'm afraid that you may not recover quite as fast."
"So?" demanded Dagger impatiently, wrapping her blanket tighter around her person.
"So I needed to clean you injuries, lest they should be infected," countered Garland, still calm and unruffled. "I highly doubt that your friends would be pleased if you returned to them scarred and mangled," he paused, waiting for her reaction, but she merely continued staring at part of a wall. "Besides, if it helps, it wasn't me who cleaned you."
"Right," she muttered vaguely, still lost in her thoughts. When he mentioned her friends, she had felt so sad. Their faces kept appearing in front of her, but she felt as though she hadn't seen them in ages, and it was as if she was fighting her way through a heavy fog to recall what they looked like.
Fought. Fighting.
That was just about all she ever did these days. She got up, she hunted, she passed the exams that Garland gave her and she fought and fought and fought until there was nothing more to fight. Now, she was even fighting to remember how the people she loved most looked like. But she had no time to dwell on such matters, since there was a huge feeling of indignation at being stripped of her clothing and dignity welling up inside her which made her feel like yelling at him, seizing her normal clothes and storming out. Yet, this annoying, persistent little voice that kept on reminding her of her resolution to be strong, further tangled her already tangled web of emotions. With the sense of loneliness and longing, indignation and fury, determination to prove herself, she felt confused, puzzled and sad.
Finally, ignoring her inner turmoil, she raised her head and looked at Garland right in the eye, asking him firmly, "Did I pass?"
Garland seemed taken aback for a few seconds, but in the blink of an eye, his peaceful mask was back in place. "You passed … most of the test. Sadly, you failed the last bit… when you saw the dead awaken."
Dagger didn't know whether she was supposed to feel joyful or disappointed. In the end, she just said, "Why did you even give me that test? You know that I could have defeated them easily had they not taken the faces of my friends."
Her mentor's face showed no expression, the only reaction that she could see to her question was the slight tightening of the corners of his mouth and eyes. "That was the whole point of my examination. Your physical strength has improved by leaps and bounds, beyond what I have thought possible for one so weak before. (Dagger cringed at the word 'weak') Yet, I found myself unsure of how you had guarded yourself mentally." He stared at her, and she had to stop herself from shivering as she met his piercing gaze head on. She felt like he was penetrating into her soul and finding out how fragile and easy to break she really was. He continued, "How was I to know if you would falter the moment you saw an enemy take the image of one you held close to you heart? I had to assure myself that you would not have your vision clouded by he who is dear."
Dagger fell back onto her pillows again and gave a miniscule nod. Garland was right, if she had not hardened her heart in the beginning, she would easily have been pummeled to death. But, if she hadn't drawn back at the last moment and prevented herself from killing the image of Vivi, she would have won and remained conscious. With a start, she gasped as she realized the conclusion she had come to. In order to forever rid herself from her weakness, she would have to have no connections. No care for others. No loves. No friends.
She blinked several times in order to hold back the tears that were steadily forming in the corners of her eyes. "How long have I been unconscious this time?" she asked faintly, still stunned from her cold hearted resolution.
Garland seemed surprised by the sudden change in his student's demeanor, but he answered nevertheless. "One day, but I gave you an Elixir, which should enable your recovery to full strength," he eyed the cuts on her face and arms before continuing, "I suppose that you'll want to rest for a few days before continuing again."
"No!" Dagger retorted with so much force that she astonished herself and Garland. "I've been here for about over 3 months already! I'll need to leave in a month or so. I want to be strong! To be the protector, not the protected! I want to know how to fight!"
Garland eyed her sternly and appraisingly, with something of what may have been a hint of admiration in his cold eyes. "Very well," he said, walking out of the room. "There's a spare set of clothes in the closet. Your meal will be at the dining hall and it is now sunset. Your challenge will be ready in the training grounds in an hour."
Dagger didn't bother to reply as he had already closed the door behind him. The moment he left, she quickly swung her legs over the side of her bed. While she dressed in her usual set of training clothes, she shuddered at the idea of Garland touching her bare body. Then, she frowned, hadn't he said that he wasn't the one who had undressed her? But how could that be? As far as she knew, she and Garland were the only sentient beings around.
It's not like I even know much anyway, she though wryly, straightening her revealing skirt and picking up her Rod. She waved it slightly and muttered, "Cura," hoping to get rid of the cuts before they became scars. That would be easy to explain to Steiner if she came back looking like she'd been clawed by a Grand Dragon. Strangely, nothing happened. She glared at it and waved it more vigorously, but only a couple of white sparks came out.
"Alright," she said loudly and firmly to the weapon in her hand, "enough is enough. No more funny business. CURAGA!"
Dagger used the tip of the scythe to touch the ground while gripping the length of the Rod tightly in both hands. But, it stayed stubbornly magicless and quiet. She sighed and gave up, downing several bottles of Potion to make up for her strange lack of magic. She exited the room without watching her gashes seal themselves and headed straight for the dining hall.
As she walked down the wide and lonely hall, she couldn't stop her self from straining her ears for any sound that might indicate another human life form. She heard nothing but the slow whirring of machines and the sound of water dripping slowly from the cave wall. No harm, she decided, I'll just ask Garland later.
She entered the dining hall without getting lost even once, which was a vast improvement from before. The moment she glanced at the table, her stomach twisted into a huge knot and she began to feel extremely apprehensive. The huge mahogany table seemed to groaning under the weight of the numerous and heavy dishes. There were several different kinds of soups, a huge turkey, chicken, beef, lamb chops, mashed potatoes, South Gate Bundt Cake and possibly every kind of food that Alexandria was famous for, many including her favorites. Any other person would have been delighted and immediately tuck in, thinking nothing of the consequences, but Dagger knew better. In order to receiving such a feast, she had to have one heck of a challenge ahead of her.
She seated herself slowly near one of the huge pots of soup and began to serve herself. Everything was delicious. As she made her way steadily through her extravagant meal, she suddenly noticed that it was exactly like the meals that were cooked in the castle. In fact, she was fairly sure that the brownish looking sludge with yellowish green lumps was Quina's oglop stew. She could only assume that Garland had found some way to gain access to the castle kitchens for food, which would be the only believable reason she could come up with since she would sooner imagine Steiner taking off his rusty armour and doing a tap dance in the city square than Garland cooking up anything but a plan.
Despite the dark and forbidding circumstances that she was currently in, she couldn't help but smile at the image of Garland wearing a high chef's hat and a large apron that said "Kiss The cook", while frying an egg. But, her smile dimmed when that figment of her imagination reminded her of Quina and the life that she'd left behind.
The situation couldn't have been anymore different. In the life that she had had barely two weeks ago, she was a highly regarded and respected queen, the last descendent of the royal Alexandros family. Everyday, she woke up only to be forced into a tight, heavy, uncomfortable and breath-takingly expensive gown. The rest of her time would be taken up by the signing of documents, discussing the kingdom's welfare and mostly, dealing with snooty nobles who's only purpose in seeing her was to try to steal some land from her or demand for her hand in marriage. The only exercise that she got was walking around in those dreadful gowns and yelling at Steiner to throw out her would be courtiers.
Now, she was dressed in the lightest and subtlest of fabrics, which would have been inappropriate even for a peasant. She was made to fight for her life practically every single day with invisible chained heavy manacles attached to her limbs, the ones that Garland continually refused to take off, mumbling about speed and dexterity every time she asked. She was literally bathing in the blood of the ones she killed; her only defense was that she only slaughtered them after they tried to attack her. It was amazing that her muscles were still working under all the strain.
As she thought of all this, her heart ached with loneliness. She hated this dark dank cave that she trained in with only Garland for company. She hated the way he wouldn't talk to her about anything but the best way to kill a monster, the way she never had anyone to discuss her feelings with. She missed all of her companions and the bright sunshine that used to kiss her cheeks every morning. Stop it, she ordered herself mentally; you're only hurting yourself. I need only continue for a few more weeks, months at the most, until my physical strength can match my magic, and then… And then, she leaned back in her chair and savored her next thoughts, I'll be powerful enough to revive the dead, I'll have Zidane and Vivi by my side all the time... and I'll never be lonely again.
She frowned, remembering her resolution to have no connections in case an enemy could use them against her. Codswallop! She tried to reassure her self, I can still love them without being weak. I can still have friends; it won't do me any harm. She continued trying to convince herself for several minutes before getting up and heading towards the field, unsure whether she really believed her own thoughts, but unwilling to lock out the only people who mattered to her.
……
Dagger stood outside the adantium doors, staring at it instead of charging inside like she always did. For some reason, something was telling her that she wouldn't like what was in there. The instincts that she had developed over the period of time she had spent there were kicking in, telling her to run away and avoid that room at all costs. She frowned and chided herself for her suspicions. There's nothing in there that I can't handle, she thought firmly, trying to reassure herself and shut up the tiny voice, I don't care. I'll do anything to be strong. Anything.
She continued to stare at the door for a few more moments before taking a deep breath and swinging her arms to stretch the muscles. Then on her legs, calves, neck, back. Alright, she thought, giving herself a mental shake. It's so obvious that you're stalling. Get on with it. Taking another deep breath, she steeled herself for the worst, opened the door and stepped in.
It was total darkness.
She began to feel slightly panicky, how was she to fight if she couldn't see? Gripping her weapon tightly, she held it in front of her and tapped the ground, using it as a blind man would a walking stick. She felt a gust of wind in front of her, the swift movement of something. A human being. Her challenge.
"Garland?" she called out shakily, now practically wallowing in apprehension, searching blindly with her useless eyes.
"Yes?"
"AARGH!" she screamed and jumped backwards, landing on her behind.
Garland had simply materialized beside her with a handful of crackling cobalt flames held in front of him. He moved closer, the fire lighting up only a few feet of their surroundings. He continued watching her silently as she got up, rubbing her butt and glaring at him.
"What did you do that for?"
"I merely came when you called," he replied coolly after a slight pause. Then, he continued before she could interrupt him. "I would have come even if you hadn't called… because I have … something to do."
Dagger didn't say anything, simply staring at him while he walked around her, circling her slowly. After a few minutes of tenseness, he stood in front of her and suspended the blue flames in the air so that both his hands were free. He looked her straight in the eyes and muttered under his breath, his lips moving so fast that she couldn't understand what he was saying. Still mumbling, he proceeded to lightly touch her wrists, rubbing them softly, her ankles, shoulders, and finally, rapping her back sharply.
"Done," he declared, stepping away and slowly taking back the blue flames which continued hanging in mid-air.
"What's done?" she asked nervously, all the poking and prodding had made her feel strangely light headed, only adding to her worry.
"Jump," he said bluntly, throwing the flames up so she could see the ceiling.
"Huh?" Dagger spluttered incredulously, certain that she had heard wrongly.
"You heard me," replied her mentor, sounding slightly impatient now. "Jump!"
"A-alright…" she said uncertainly, he had asked her to do this before, but she always was a weak jumper and couldn't even go past her own height. She was now feeling rather dizzy and was seriously hoping that she wouldn't hurt herself.
She crouched and fired her leg muscles, springing up into the air. She yelled with surprise and gasped loudly, by the light that was being given off from the dancing flames, she could see Garland getting smaller and smaller. Right then, she shot past the light and rose steadily until … BAM!
"Ow!" she shouted, covering her head tightly with her hands, now falling with amazing speed. Unless she was highly mistaken, she had just slammed into the thick glass ceiling. But… that's impossible! She found herself thinking hazily, ignoring the ground that rushed up to meet her. I can't jump that high…it's just not possible…
Before she knew it, she had landed instinctively on the hard stone floor. But, instead of crumpling into a loud messy heap, she was standing, perfectly balanced with only the slightest hint of impact.
"But… but how…" she trailed off uncertainly, kneeling on the ground and massaging her head, which was throbbing and aching after being rammed into the ceiling.
"In case you might want to know," Garland stated, unruffled, seeming not even slightly astonished at the miraculous feat that she had just performed, "this room is 30 feet high."
"How… I?" she continued to choke out the words trying to see where the darkness ended.
"I know that you could have jumped higher... but I'm afraid that the dome is too low," he said consolingly. "You didn't by any chance crack the glass did you? I don't want dirt leaking in."
"You took off the weights…" she mumbles, gazing at him in awe, comprehending at last what was happening, "So… now I can…"
"Move faster, jump higher and have grace and dexterity that is almost unachievable," he finished her sentence. "That was the whole point of weighing you down," he acted as though he hadn't noticed her throwing punches and marveling at how her movements were so fast that they were blurred, he resumed speaking with a frown. "Though I wasn't planning on releasing you so soon… Watch out!"
"Oops… sorry," she apologized sheepishly, she had just delivered a high kick and had successfully created huge spider-like cracks all along a thick stone pillar.
"Your strength increases as well, even without the Rod," he scolded patronizingly. "Please bear in mind that this is only temporary, you have yet to reach your full potential. The moment you have defeated him, they'll be put back on you."
Dagger looked up at him, what he said was finally registering in her mind. She stopped kicking and said slowly, "You said that I'd be getting the weights back after I defeated him. You said him, not it…"
Garland nodded his head; his next words caused her euphoria of finally being free of those manacles disappear faster than food did in Quina's mouth.
"This will be a battle to the death. If you don't kill him, rest assured that he shall not hesitate to kill you. Be ready," he admonished her, beginning to away. "I'll be in the control room, constantly changing the scenery. The match will begin as soon as the room lights up. Oh, and no magic allowed."
Dagger tensed, wondering where her opponent was while listening to Garland's steadily fading footsteps. Waiting was unbearable, he seemed to be taking his time, enjoying seeing her look scared and jumpy. She didn't have the faintest clue when it would start. Every plink of water was a threat, every scrape of gravel against stone his footstep, every playful breeze his presence. Her overly active seventeen- year- old mind was definitely starting to plat tricks on her.
Suddenly, before she knew it, a huge gust of wind had knocked her to the rough stone… wait… sand? She sprang up, her vision blinded by the bright sunlight and grains of sand that were painfully attacking her eyes, another vicious blow of wind swept her off her feet, making her land on the slopping hills of golden sand, causing her to slip as the loose sand crumbled and slid.
Dust and dirt was swirling in front of her, she had to squint and cover her eyes even though she was sliding towards a small and shallow valley between the brownish yellow hills, near an outcropping of rocks. She finally reached the bottom and got on her feet thankfully, fortunately, the hills and rocks prevented most of the wind from blowing sand her way. She shook her hair; feeling annoyed at all the sand caught in it, and all the scrapes that she had already received from falling down the slopes.
Then… she saw him. Through the clouds and grime, he marched confidently towards her. She couldn't see much of him, he wore a black cloak with a hood that covered his entire face. The only part of her opponent that she could see that wasn't covered by the dark material were his thick, dark brown boots as the hem of his cloak billowed in the wind, allowing her to catch glimpses of them.
He skidded down towards her with far more grace than she. His posture was like an expert surfer riding a wave. From within the folds of his cloak, he withdrew two silver long knives. As he jumped, landing a few feet in front of her, she saw a hint of rugged blue jeans. They paused, sizing each other up, each trying to predict the others' move. Dagger was already trying to remember all the information that Garland had told her on long knives and their weak points, failing to remember anything but a few details.
Dagger held her Rod in a death hold, thankful that she hadn't lost it when she had first arrived. Abruptly, without any warning whatsoever, he attacked. He rushed to her so quickly and smoothly that it seemed as if he hadn't moved at all before he appeared barely an inch away from her with his long knives raised.
She had almost no time to react, jerking her head away roughly before the knives were driven viciously into the spot it was a millisecond before. She dropped into a crouch and swung out her legs immediately, hoping to trip her attacker like she did against the image of Steiner the first time. But, he was too fast, and leapt high into the air. Refusing to be daunted and not liking the idea of being stuck on the ground waiting for him to attack, she followed him, flying up into the swirling, rough air.
Squinting against the harsh grains of sand and what not, she took several swipes at where she believed her attacker to be. But, each time, he ducked her blows effortlessly. She was astonished by his speed, most of the time; she could only see the faint outline of his form before he disappeared again. They kicked and punched each other in mid-air, trying to make contact with the others' body, but failing. After many minutes of futile attacking and evading, they landed back in the valley, kicking up more dust.
He gave a low growl and sped towards her like lightning, doing a beautiful yet deadly dance with his knives. Dagger needed every last bit of concentration to avoid his attacks. Her Rod was blocking each blow he delivered as she swung it in every direction. But each time it met cold steel, she could feel the jarring force running up her arms. If Garland hadn't removed those weights, she would've been sushi within seconds; he was so powerful, that she could almost see his battle aura shining around him. Already tiring, she stuck the scythe of her weapon into the ground, using it to propel her upwards, she flipped twice before using one hand to land on his shoulder, with the other gripping her weapon, so her body was straight in the air with only one arm for support. Then, she brought her feet down, contacting them with his lower back before jumping off. All this happened in a matter of seconds, giving him no time to defend himself.
He tunneled through the loose sand face first and on his stomach from the force of her kick, but before he even stopped sliding, she ran in front of him so fast that she seemed to appear out of thin air, swinging her Rod to finish him off. Quick as she was, he had already reacted, dodging the gleaming scythe but receiving the length of the Rod on his forearm instead. She heard a sickening crack, but if he felt any pain, he didn't show it.
Before she could blink, he had thrown both his long knives like boomerangs; she barely managed to step away. Even so, the tip of the first knife tore her sleeve, thankfully missing her arm. Keeping her eyes on him, she moved deftly to the right, away from the sliding kick he used, after missing his target, he lost his balance and skidded off. She was so intent on not letting him out of her sight that she ran straight into the second knife, which sliced her thigh deeply.
She let out a hiss of pain and rage, imagining the smug smile on his unseen face. Obviously, that kick was meant to be a distraction and nothing more. She imitated him, but with a far different tactic in mind. Holding her whirling Rod in front of her like a fan, it blew sand and grain directly into his face, clouding his vision. She grinned, knowing where he was and lashing out directly, feeling the impact. To her surprise, a boot came flying out of the clouds of dust and connected with her face, throwing her back and making her land about ten feet away. He returned every attack of hers; doing his moves so perfectly and smoothly that fear began to grip her heart. Her thrusts were getting more and more desperate and her defenses weaker. Yet, neither of them could win any ground.
Suddenly, they were in a thick jungle filled with towering trees and plants. She stood high on a thick branch, trying to keep her balance. Abruptly, she ducked, trusting her instinct that saved her from becoming a big messy stain on the mossy floor. Behind her, he had launched himself at her by using a vine to swing towards her, trying to knock her off.
After missing her, he somersaulted several times in the air before landing lightly on a lower branch. She gritted her teeth and jumped off, slanting slightly so she was aimed at the tree he stood on. A quarter to the base, her kick landed right on target, causing the tree to shake violently and his balance to wobble precariously. There was a crack and she could feel the wood splintering. Although her strength had increased, it was nowhere near his, and she sensed that it wasn't enough. Without hesitation, she sliced the trunk cleanly with her Rod before grabbing a vine to slide down to the ground.
The tree toppled, knocking down other saplings and plants, affecting the oaks and redwoods that surrounded it. Dagger continued cutting them down and pushing them so that they fell in the intended direction- exactly where he was-. Finally, she stopped, leaning against one of the few remaining oaks in the area and glancing down at the wreckage. Breathing heavily, she wiped the sweat from her face and gulped down a Hi-potion, watching her cuts and bruises heal as they had done so many times before.
She surveyed the clearing that she had made in the center. All the trees that she had cut had landed there, crushing her adversary. Dust was flying, twigs and leaves were dropping, but she had already defeated him. She glanced at the hourglass that Garland always kept near the control room so she could time herself. Hours had already elapsed. Her world had become a swirl of offence and defense that she couldn't even keep track of time anymore, by the weariness and pains in her body, she would've expected it to be at least several hours. He was far by one of the most skilled men with a sword that she'd ever had the misfortune of meeting. He exceeded General Beatrix and Sir Fratley by so much! But, she couldn't help thinking that Zidane would've been more than a challenge to him.
Zidane… her heart still yearned to see him. What happened to "Time will heal everything, My Queen."? She wondered bitterly. Her body ached for him to hold her close, longing to hear his usual words of comfort and reassurance. She hastily brushed the tears welling up in her eyes, chiding herself.
Then, a twig snapped.
She spun her head so fast that she could feel the back of her neck crick. Blinking her eyes, she saw the leaves from the huge mess that she had created rustle and move. Slowly, as if time had stopped, he stepped out calmly. His cloak was ripped and tattered, but he appeared unscathed. But, that wasn't what frightened her the most and made her heart skip several beats. Not even close.
He was glowing a sliver blue shade.
Oh God… NO! she thought, shocked, He's tranced!
……
Far away, safe inside his control room, Garland watched his pupils battle. He had to admit that they were very evenly matched, which was surprising, considering that Dagger had started training much later. Both of them were dark blurs, not because they were far away, but because of their inhuman speed. He saw them leap high into the air, so fast the atmosphere around them snapped and crackled, they generated enough friction and heat to cause the rocky outcropping to chip and crumble.
The skill that both of them showed was undeniable. But, it was obvious that it was his old pupil who was the stronger and the more experienced veteran. Dagger only seemed to move and attack by using her senses and feelings. Which, admitted to himself, was just as good.
Already, he could see that they were emitting too much power, for, around them, sand was starting to swirl faster and faster, maybe turning into a tornado if they didn't stop. Still they continued fighting, finally forcing him to change the scene to a rainforest.
He observed the drama before him; they leapt from tree to tree, causing him to be afraid even to blink, lest he should miss any bit of it. Suddenly, trees began falling in a perfect circle, as he squinted harder, he could make out the squinted figure of Dagger deftly slicing the trees, with her opponent smack in the middle of the trap.
He leaned back in his chair. Very good, he thought, entwining his fingers. At last, she's to think in battle, all the while still managing to rely on her instincts. After a few minutes, his student still hadn't emerged; he saw her leaning against a tree and lost in thought. You assume too much, he mused, scolding her; I've got to remember to give her a lecture on letting her guard down. No trainee of mine can be defeated in battle do easily.
Then, he saw it. It had been a long time since his usually calm and serious pupil had been angered enough to trance, proving his theory that Dagger was one of the most aggravating people he had known, with a definite ability to tick him off. She was backing away from the ominously glowing figure. Garland stretched his arms above him and smiled. May the battle begin.
A/N: Well? What did you guys think! I need input! Stat! truth be told, even though I really love this story, I'm seriously thinking of stopping… I dunno… you see, I just started writing a new fic about Harry Potter… HP fans kindly go and read! Well.. I guess that what I'm really saying is that I feel no motivation… maybe because I'm getting more reviews for my other story. Anyway, leave a review if you want a next chapter… if not, this may be your last! Oh, and please! TELL ME THAT YOU PICKED UP THE HINTS THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE THERE OTHER THAN THOSE TWO!
Oh, and my friend told me that I made Dagger sound kinda evil… well, actually, she's not really turning bad.. I'm planning to elaborate more if I continue. Did ya see how long this chappy was? You people had better appreciate this! Oh, if you want shorter chapters, you better tell me… because… well… never mind, just tell me what you want.