Two
Her arrival had been announced, and yet the Monarch was as delighted as always. "Hikari! Our light of a new day returns!"
"You summoned for me, your highness." She stated simply as she lowered onto one knee and placed her hand onto her heart. Her head bowed to grace her Monarch in her greeting; "I am forever yours to command."
"Then I am forever blessed." He placed a hand on her shoulder gently, then raised her head with a finger under her chin. She looked to him calmly, and stood to follow as he turned. "Come, child. You must tell me of your travels."
She nodded, falling into step behind her leader and wording her most recent journey with little enthusiasm. He frowned at the betrayal she spoke of, but his eyes lit up as she produced his long-lost heir-loom. She placed it into delicate hands, and bowed her head as he crowed with excitement. "This is most precious to my family and I, you have performed a most magnificent deed, young one. You must be rewarded."
Loyally, she stood upright and smiled gently; "Your happiness is the reward I sought."
"Nonesense!" He waved his hand in her face as he began to walk again, the other hand holding up the pendant to examine it. "Such valiant actions deserve a thanks, and I know just the thing!" He summoned her to follow, which she was already, and led her into a room she had never been in before.
He studied some of the cases which were labeled with words she did not know, an ancient language only the royal family would remember. His fingers brushed over some of the words, and he hummed at one drawer and pulled it out, picking out a small ring.
"This, is for you, child." He turned and held his hand out, to which she reached out too, watching in awe as her placed the band up past her elbow. It was woven in thick navy material, with gold threads weaving through delicately. She'd seen them on a few other fighters, and had seen an old friends red armlet many times before. It was the symbol of their kingdom, an adornment that symbolised nobility within the ranks. She was now a warrior.
She touched it delicately and looked back to the Monarch. "What an honour, your highness."
He grinned and nodded; "You serve our Kingdom with great loyalty, Hikari, you will go on much further than this." He gestured to the band. "Now!" He clapped his hands and wandered further down the hall, eying the drawers some more. "A warrior deserves much better weaponry than the standard sword, don't you think?"
Her hand flickered to the hilt of her sword, the very weapon that had saved her life countless times. "Sir?"
He continued down the hall, pulling a few strange looking blades out and shaking his head. She watched him, the man she'd often admired but never realised how truly wise he was.
Finally, he settled on one sword and pulled it out. "This one is perfect for you, like it was made with you in mind, Hikari."
She stepped forward and knelt before him, her palms held out for him to place the new blade on. Once it had balanced, she lifted it for close inspection. The metal was not the usual bright silver that glinted in the sunlight, but was so dark and dull that it could almost pass off as granite if it weren't so light. Along each side of it's blade were intricate golden patterns weaving to halfway down, and the hilt was coated in a strange substance for good grip, sown in with golden threads. The most interesting part to it though, was the golden sun that had been adorned on the top of the blade, as the rain guard. The patterns, she realised were the rays glistening down the sword, and three thick rays stood off the sword either side as the cross guard. Upon holding it, she realised her sentimental love for her own, original blade had been lost at the sight of seeing this beautiful creation.
"The Solar Blade, for the warrior who brings both light and dark in their presence." The Monarch read from an inscription in the sheath. "She who brings life to good and death to evil."
"She, sir?"
He nodded, musing as he scratched his chin, his eyes still on the inscription. "Specifically female. Strange."
Awe-struck, she glanced up at the Monarch, who was smiling still at her expression. "Your highness." She took the hilt and raised it upwards to hold in front of her face. He released his own sword and tilted it toward her, in which she tapped it lightly on the side with her new one.
"Welcome. Solaris Warrior Hikari."
She bowed her head once more.
The sound of metal clashing rang out through the grounds, echoed by the grunts of exertion. People had gathered to watch, as was usual in these areas.
"Again!"
The two stood back from one another, taking in a deep breath and springing forward to strike again.
"Use your agility Hikari!"
A tiny nod could be seen if people looked carefully enough, but not many dared to lean closer. She lunged without warning, and her opponent only just managed to leap aside, a large grin on his face. He took his chance and swung his basket-hilted sword towards her open side. Just as it was about to land, she fell towards the floor and rolled backwards in time to miss another swing from her attacker.
She sat in her crouch as she awaited her chance to spring. "Too predictable, Satoshi."
The audience clapped in excitement, muttering to one another as the two faced a stare down.
Satoshi's eyes scanned the arena; "Never used to be like this, eh, Hikari?"
"Don't try to distract me." She hissed fiercely, although the smirk on her face answered his question on its own. Her coiled legs snapped straight as she began her next assault. He swapped the grip on his sword in time to bring it across his arm and protect himself from her overhead swing. He didn't have to hold her back long as she twisted to one side and tried to slash at his side, but didn't land as he brought his vambrace up and shoved her sword back. His superior strength made quick work of her light weight, and she was thrown to the floor.
Her own sword was dropped as she landed in surprise, and she felt the sharp point lightly pressing at her neck.
People cheered as she opened her eyes to look up at her friend, who was beaming down at her. "Too predictable, Hikari."
She rose an eyebrow as he pulled back his sword and instead reached out a hand. She took it gratefully and he tugged her up to stand.
"But we have been fighting for years." He smiled, releasing her grip and sheathing his blade.
She didn't bother gracing him with an answer, instead she adjusted her gauntlet and turned to her instructor. She placed her hand to her heart and bowed her head in respect, then purposefully walked for the barrier.
A laugh could be heard as she leapt over the wooden wall, and his hurried footsteps clearly meant he was following her.
"You can't beat me all the time, Hikari." He grinned; "I have been practising a lot longer than you."
She nodded quietly, aiming for the resting quarters and picking up her pace so he'd give up. Instead he began laughing; "You're far to serious Hikari."
"You are not serious enough." She turned and snapped. "There is a war going on, and we can do nothing but sit here and practice."
Satoshi sighed, they'd had this conversation many times already; "You know you are not ready yet, a warrior has to train for two decades before they are ready, and you are not yet seventeen."
She scowled up at him, her fast pace now a stalking prowl. He easily kept up with her, and he placed a hand onto her shoulder.
"You are a warrior," she muttered; "Why aren't you out?"
He stopped short, they had never reached this conclusion before whilst having this conversation. She stopped and turned to face him.
"Hikari, you should know better than to question me." He warned.
"But I-"
"Enough. You should go eat." It wasn't a suggestion, but a demand. Her defiance kept her standing there for a little while longer, but she gave in and bowed to him, then stalked off again.
Still standing in his place, Satoshi glanced down to his gloves and sighed, his breath sending the large gem on them glowing a calming blue. The light soothed him, and he glanced up toward the citadel, his strong sight quickly picking up on the flash of red hair wafting past the face of a beautiful woman. She smiled delicately, then turned and disappeared.
With a huge grin, he set off running toward the gates to meet her, the fray between he and his student forgotten.
"She is learning fast, your honour. Your prediction is unfolding perfectly." The warrior relayed in his low kneeling position.
The Monarch nodded carefully, and stood to walk the room in thought. "In which area does she excel?"
"None, your honour." The questioned man took his cue to stand. "She works hard to be equal to her fellow students, but as their teacher, I see she has potential to be whatever you so wish."
"She is versatile." The Monarch mused.
The teacher nodded, almost proudly; "Indeed, for what she lacks in strength she exceeds in agility and accuracy. I am working on building her strength so she will be able to fight any man."
"She will fight any man already, if your information is correct. After all, if she is quick enough, there will be no amount of strength to fell her." The Monarch turned to see the shocked look on the teacher's face.
"But your honour-"
"I will need to speak to her within the month. I have a job for her." He waved a hand as a dismissal, but the teacher persisted.
He knelt before his Monarch to show no disrespect in questioning the decision. "Your honour please, she is not ready for battle. She is just eighteen years of age."
A ringed hand lifted to silence him, and he did so immediately. "You said yourself she excels more than any student."
"More so than I have ever seen." He agreed.
The Monarch continued; "Even more so than you?"
Reluctantly, the teacher agreed; "By far."
"Then I sense the only reason you protest my decision is because of the attachment you have to her." He concluded carefully.
The teacher looked up in horror; "with Hikari? Your honour, I treat her as I would any other pupil, I care for her welfare, but not the way you imply."
"Then you question my wisdom." The Monarch retorted.
"I question your faith in this child. She has no experience, what if she were to be captured?" The teacher offered daringly. He met his Monarch's eye carefully; "She is wilful, but to what extent is unknown."
As he sat down into his throne, the Monarch thought for a moment before parting his lips as an idea came to him; "Our warriors are in battle, many have died to serve our cause."
"I know, your honour. May they sleep peacefully."
"And you, Satoshi, are our only one left within the citadel." He continued.
"I am." Satoshi kept his eyes low, not sure of the outcome of this idea.
"Then I ask of you, the great aura master Satoshi, whether you will offer to accept this mission in place of Hikari." The Monarch failed to keep the pain out of his voice as Satoshi stood and placed a hand over his heart as a symbol of honour to his leader.
With no hesitation, the words left his mouth confidently; "I will, your honour."
The Monarch repeated his gesture of dismissal; "Then let it be so."
Apologies for all the time jumps back and forth, I'm playing with time lines for this one. 8D
Thanks for the reviews guys! I'm so happy that you took to this idea so well. And I also love the fact that some of you were already asking for Paul after the first chapter! XD
He'll make his appearance sooner or later. :3