Lucina silently entered the white room, heading over to a small holographic screen as she began to set the presets for the arena. Link had showed her that she could even set a dummy opponent. Well not a dummy per say but a false opponent if she had no one else to face. They were good for single practice battles. Just as she was going to confirm her settings, the door behind her opened. Lucina turned around quickly to see who it might be.
"Ah Palutena. Hello." Lucina immediately greeted the other person, not being able to help a smile of greeting from playing on her face. Last time she actually spoke to the other woman was when Palutena came over to the common room a few days back. She was originally looking for Pit but ended up to stay and chat with the group. Not surprisingly the goddess was very social and was immediately loved by everyone.
"Hey Lucina. Getting ready for a battle now are you?" Palutena mused, motioning with her head to the computer. Lucina noticed she was wearing her battle attire as well, probably here for the same reason as her.
"Yeah, would you like to join? I was going to fight one of the automated programs anyways." Lucina responded, drawing her hand away from the confirm button.
"Yes that would be lovely." The other woman was quick to respond, her green eyes lighting up at the suggestion.
Now that Lucina thought about it, she never versed the other female in battle, nor did she know much of anything about her fighting style. This would be interesting. Lucina nodded, entering Palutena im before confirming the new settings.
The portal opened, taking the two to the battle stage. The voice of the announcer echoed, signaling that it was now ok for the fighters to start. Lucina drew her blade, charging immediately for her opponent. She was confused when Palutena didn't move at first, subconsciously slowing down slightly. However the moment she drew too close, Palutena raised her hand, a powerful beam of light coming from the ground and striking Lucina right in the gut. With a grunt, Lucina fell back, taking a moment more to jump back on her feet.
She looked back at Palutena, who looked rather pleased with herself. "Now it's my turn." She grinned, an almost cocky undertone heard in her voice. "Autoreticle" she purred, shooting her attack directly at Lucina.
Her attack was fast and well aimed, it hitting Lucina once again directly. Lucina however managed to land on her feet this time. The minute her toes touched the arena floor, she bolted towards her opponent, the Falchion barely scraping the ground as she dragged it behind her. Palutena held her staff up, preparing another Autoreticle. However Lucina was ready for this one. She jumped up to avoid, landing a mere foot in front of her opponent. She brought her sword up, striking as fast as she could. "Counter!"
Lucinas eyes widened as her attack made no contact, however she was thrown back by another attack. Taking a moment to regain herself, Lucina looked back up at Palutena. She had not managed to land a single hit so far. And she was already half beat. For a second her eyes met with the other womans. She froze completely as she noticed an almost cocky look, the corners of the Palutena's lips turning up into a slight grin. Lucina felt her heart freeze for a moment as her stomach tightened for the quickest of seconds.
Realizing she had been staring for a bit longer than she intended, she was immediately back on her feet and charging. Palutena drew her staff back, lashing forward and striking when Lucina came within distance. However this time Lucina was ready as she tilted her sword downward. The movement stunned the other woman for a moment and Lucina took that moment to strike. She slashed up with her sword, knocking Palutena back.
"Impressive counter." She purred, landing lightly on her feet. She raised her staff again and fired those projectiles from earlier. Lucina was quick to dodge them and aim strait for her opponent. Just as she got close though, two large white wings sprouted from Palutenas back, slamming into Lucina.
"What the!?" Lucina couldn't help but gasp as she was thrown back by the force. She landed flat on her back, picking herself up onto her shoulders to get a better look at what just happened. Her gaze was met with the wings that were there but a moment before now dissipating into light.
Her brow furrowed, realizing she only had a minute left to at least knock out Palutena at least once so she could at least tie the battle. With that in mind she was back on her feet in an instant, running lowly as the Falchion was drawn back. This time however Palutena ran, or rather floated, towards her as well. When she was but a hair away however, Palutena instantly vanished. Before Lucina had time to react, the other woman appeared behind her and slammed her from behind with her wings.
Lucina felt the force of the blow knock her forward, a grunt escaping her throat. Once she regained her footing she jumped up, back flipping backwards and over Palutena, landing behind the other female. She was met with her opponents staff just as she landed, her own blade recoiling slightly.
Both Lucina and Palutena visibly flinched as their weapons clashed, even Palutena seeming to loose her cool for a split second. Lucina pushed harder, pushing herself from the ground on her toes while leaning her torso forward. Palutena mimicked this movement, both of their faces only inches apart. This was the first time Lucina was this close to the other female for more than a moment. She took a sharp breath, taking in the scent of the other woman. It was almost enchanting. There had to be no more than ten seconds left. It was now or never. Lucina thrust all her energy into pushing her blade forward.
Palutena seemed to have the same idea the combined forces of the two pushing against each other threw the two away from each other and off the field. Lucina shot a glance over across the stage where Palutena had fallen, freezing as she noticed Palutena was staring at her too. Before she had time to fully register it however her body dissipated as she reached the bottom of the stage.
Re-appearing back in the white room, Lucina noticed Palutena had been deemed the victor, only dissipating a moment after her just as the game was called. "Good spar." Lucina was quick to compliment, clapping as Palutena appeared in the room as well.
"Thank you. You were a great opponent" she started. A sweet smile played on her features in its stead. "And I do look forward to sparing with you again." She purred, quickly winking at the other female before walking out, leaving Lucina dumbfounded for a moment.
After she was sure Palutena was gone she bolted out of the small room, down the hall, up the stairs, and into her own room. She felt the blush prickling at her cheeks and nose. Palutenas words replayed in her mind, Lucina more focused on the sweetness of the other womans voice. And just remembering that wink made her heart pause and her stomach tighten. She wanted to see her again, be in her presence. Just be closer to her.
