The Greatest Battle Of All Is Love!

by Raeror

Warning: Yuri Suggestions

Umi liked savory foods. The kind of food you could dig into. Ramen, spaghetti, rice with soy sauce, you name it. Not to say that she couldn't enjoy a strawberry shortcake, but there was nothing quite like good noodles at the end of a tough day.

Fuu enjoyed sugary drinks more so than actual sweet snacks. During Christmas time, she liked to try out any kind of hot chocolate she could get her hands on. She was always carousing around for new flavors.

Hikaru had a giant sweet tooth and she hated it; bemoaning the negative dietary effects of junk food between cramming more of it down her mouth. now the girl had willpower mind you, but once you tempted her enough to get the ball rolling it rolled quickly. "I heard these things were so bad for you." She said in-between multiple Oh Henrys.

Having friends of the glucosian persuasion meant that Umi could pay for certain...favors. For example, trading her two sugar cubes to Fuu in exchange for being the middle one in the bed. Not that she would ever do such a thing. And if she did, there would certainly be a perfectly normal reason for it. Not that she did.

I cannot believe that I did this. Her eyes were glued to the ceiling. Thankfully she had plausible deniability on her side. She told Fuu that she didn't like being on the end because she was afraid she'd fall off in her sleep, and it worked like a charm.

Fuu was asleep, right?

Umi turned her head.

Fuu was curled up in the fetal position; her glasses on the nightstand.

Whew! Umi looked back at the ceiling. I could never live it down if anyone ever found out about—about...

She squeezed her eyes shut and facepalmed. Come on Umi, get it together! Her breath became laborious as her chest rose up and down heavily. Don't let me wake the others because I'm like this. PLEASE. She felt a knot in her stomach growing, intensifying. She rolled over on her side, and she couldn't help but look at her.

Hikaru.

Hikaru was rolled over on her side; the moon was shining through her perfectly–shaped shoulder. She was breathing so softly, genuinely resting, and hearing her at peace, after everything that's happened to them—the comfort, the—the—the confidence, the reassurance...words couldn't describe how Hikaru made her feel, just by being Hikaru.

So she laughed.

Only for a second; she covered her mouth. Smush that ridiculous smile.

What am I doing? Am I attracted to my best friend's shoulder? this is crazy! I'm crazy! And...the only way I'm gonna sleep is if I split the difference between friendly and crazy. So, so...

Umi shuffled over right next to Hikaru; slowly sliding her arm over her stomach. God, Hikaru was just so...warm. Cuddly. Touching her for a few seconds already made Umi feel more toasty.

Somehow she gets even more perfect.

She let her lips press against her hair; giving quick little pecks up and down the braid as she slowly ascended to the top.

Don't. Umi tried to pull her gaze away from the top of Hikaru's head. Don't. Don't. Don't don't don't.

She planted her lips right into the center of Hikaru's head. Her heart felt like it would pound out of her chest as she moved in.

Hikaru shuffled in place a bit, muttering nothing for a few seconds. Ultimately, staying asleep.

Going even slower, Umi gave her a second, softer kiss. A third, a fourth. Hikaru barely flinched. That meant it was okay. More, more kisses. The only number that mattered anymore was enough.

I'm sorry Hikaru, but I need my fill of you. If only you would just give it to me and give me a sign that you want me even half as bad as I want you.

just go ahead and dream about whatever you dream about. dream about your dog dream about your family

please dream about me.

you don't love me, do you? not in the way I love you. If only I could tell you how I— "Blegh!" She had to pull a hair off her tongue.

"Fufu!"

Umi whipped her head to the side. Fuu was looking at her laughing in her pillow. Despite her best death glare food didn't seem the least bit disturbed. "Any noise you make is going to wake up Miss Hikaru, and we don't want that, do we?"

"I will end you." Umi buried her face into the pillow. Go to sleep. Go to sleep. Go to sleep. Go to sleep.

---

"Miss Umi! Wake up! Miss Hikaru is drowning!"

"WHAT?!" Umi jumped out of bed. "What happened?!'

"Miss Hikaru was swimming, and she started cramping up and she can barely keep her head above water!"

As Umi got to the lake, she could see Hikaru trying to splash about the water. Her head bobbed up and down until she sunk underneath the waves.

The swim was too far and the lake seemed deep. Only one thing could save her.

"WATER DRAGON!" The face of a dragon rose formed on the lake's surface. Its body of pure water shot up into the sky before bursting into rainfall.

Hikaru lay on the lakeside. Fuu knelt beside her. "Miss Umi! I don't think she's breathing!"

"Don't worry, I know CPR!" Umi pressed down on Hikaru's chest and blew into her mouth.

"GYACK! GAK! HUHK—YACK!" Hikaru spat out some water. "U—Umi..." She looked up at her rescuer; reaching out, Hikaru was picked up into Umi's grasp, bridal—style. "You saved me..."

"Shhhh, save your strength." Umi put a finger on Hikaru's mouth. She whipped the water out of her hair. "I could never let you die. You mean too much to me." She leaned in. Their noses almost touched. "Now hold still, and let me give your more CPR."

Their lips fit perfectly. Water and fire in perfect union. This kiss couldn't ever end. Even while Hikaru was soaking wet, the kiss tasted the way a hearth felt. It was just so good. Mmmm. Can't we just stay like this forever, Hikaru? Hikaru...

"Henggrrrr...Hueehnggr..." Umi gnawed on the corner of the pillow. Hikaru giggled and stroked her head. "It seems like she's having a good dream. Careful not to wake her."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Fuu prepared a pot of green tea; laying three cups out on the table. She looked out the window. Today was already looking very cloudy. "You're going out and that kind of weather? Seems like we should stay inside until it clears up."

"Nah, I want to do some training!" Hikaru held her fist up. "Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the Magic Knights from saving Cephiro!"

Fuu couldn't help but smile and nod. What else could ya do? Hikaru was just that kind of girl. Magnificent. "My my, you're so determined. Now I feel bad that we aren't traveling. Try not to stay out too long. We must spend some time resting."

"Don't worry, I won't be out long. I just—can't completely waste the day. Back in a few!"

A clap of thunder rocked the Round Table. Umi fell out of bed; flopping around like a fish. "What's the matter?! Are we under attack?! Another earthquake?! Where's Hikaru?!"

"She's fine. Just training outside." Fuu put 3 sugar lumps in her tea before looking at Umi. She gave a wry grin. "Were you hoping she would still be asleep?"

"Shut up shut up shut up!" Umi rolled around on the bed; kicking her legs up and down. "AGH! I can't believe what I did last night! I took advantage of her while she was sleeping! I'm a monster! Loser! Weirdo! Pervert! Creep! Coward!"

"Well if that's how you say hello, Umi, I might not stay around for very long." Ferio strolled on into the Round Table and drummed his fingers on Fuu's chair. "I take it Umi's as love stricken as ever?"

"Quite. Would you like some tea? I saved you a lump."

"Splendid." He sat down. Ferio, Fuu, and Makona all clinked their glasses.

"You–you told him?!" Umi started blushing and pointing furiously. "That's totally uncool! How could you?!"

"Oh as if she needed to." Ferio took a sip of tea. "Pretty good!" Makona nodded in agreement. "So Umi, when are you gonna tell Hikaru?"

"Well uh, never." Umi looked down, blushing furiously at this point. "Hopefully I'll die in a tragic yet painless encounter before it comes to that." She pushed her fingers together. "I mean, I'm not that in love with her."

Fuu looked at Makona. Makona looked at Ferio. Ferio looked at Fuu. "We know what you are, but continue."

"It's just a schoolgirl crush, okay?!" Umi stared out the window. "Besides, we have bigger issues than just talking about me and..."

Hikaru was doing wind sprints across the meadow. churning her legs through the grass. Back and forth. Back and forth. Even with the cold air, she was rapidly building up a sweat.

Umi's heart skipped a beat. "She's like a gazelle sprinting across the Serengeti."

"Maybe you should join her. Here, take some fruit for energy." Ferio reached into the fruit bowl and tossed a peach at Umi.

"I think I'll just observe." Umi caught the peach without ever taking her gaze off Hikaru. She proceeded to decimate the peach; spending several seconds gnawing on the pit.

"Poor Hikaru." Ferio and Makona shared a glance of concern.

"Lucky Miss Hikaru..." Fuu was fixated in awe.

"What?" The two looked over at Fuu.

"What?" She snapped out of it and looked back at them.

Hikaru jumped as high as she could and started making slashes in the form of a Z on the way back down. "33 times...34 times...31 times, come on Hikaru...36 times..."

Fuu stood up, walked over to Umi, and proceed to clean her drooling mouth with a napkin.

"Ruby Lightning!" Hikaru launched her lightning into the sky, illuminating the dark atmosphere. Red raindrops descended to the earth. She opened her mouth to catch some.

"I've never wanted to be a raindrop. so bad."

The tea party was rapidly disrupted by wiping noises as the couple looked over to see Umi dragging her tongue across the window. Umi ducked her head down from the window. Act natural.

"I wasn't doing anything. Anyways, can one of you see if my tongue is red?"

"Come on Umi. Seriously?"

"I want to just pin against a wall. I want to—" She started pounding into her hand with increasing intensity. "I want to love her to pieces. I want to feel her heartbeat, with my teeth, on her neck. I want to test every color of lipstick I have on her face."

"And they say romance is dead." Ferio facepalmed. This girl was even more hopelessly in love than he thought.

"I...do have a suggestion if you want to bring a resolution to your pining—granted, you might not like it."

Ferio raised a finger. "That just means if it goes wrong, you can blame her."

Fuu cut her eyes at him. "You could have let me say that part."

"Yeah, but that was too fun to say it myself."

Umi sighed. nothing could possibly be worse than this middling angst. "Alright Fuu, let's hear it."

---

"You want me to profess my love by fighting her!?" Fuu gripped Fuu's shirt.

Fuu chuckled a bit nervously. "You are bolder when you fight, and it might be a way to work out your nerves."

"But what if I hurt her? What if she hurts me?!"

"I can heal any wound with Winds of Healing as long as it is not fatal. There's not one vagous avenue that would cause such a happening, correct?"

"Well no, but, we have swords! Things can go wrong fast!"

"Do not worry. I will be watching over you."

"And it's not like you have any ideas." Ferio swiped both of Hikaru's sugar lumps for his next cup of tea "Unless you just want to tell her."

"Nononono swordfighting first it is. But, that if she hates me?!"

"Now your just letting fear cloud your reality. Miss Hikaru would never hate you. That girl smiles as often as the bird flies. There is nothing but love in her heart."

"Yeah." Umi thought about it for a second before giggling to herself. "And she has such a nice smile..."

"And even if she does hate you, at least you know where you two stand!"

"Ferio!" The both of them shouted at him.

"What? Conclusiveness is a virtue here." He looked at Makona, who just shrugged.

"This is why boys are so annoying." Umi opened the door and was immediately greeted by the rain. "Seriously?!"

"Well, good luck Umi. Go get her." Ferio saluted as Umi sauntered off into the rain. Man, normally it doesn't rain this bad in Cephiro.

"Hopefully it goes well. Umi's really fallen for her, and I can't imagine the rest of this journey with her heartbroken."

"While that's admittedly important, when are we gonna talk about us?" Ferio finished his second cup of tea.

Fuu gave him a sheepish look. "Us?"

"Yeah. Us." He stood up and embraced his hand. Fuu jumped a little, but she didn't pull away. "I told you that I had fallen in love with you. I meant it. And every day, I find myself falling for you even more. And while you're talking to Umi about her confession, I didn't exactly get one from you."

Fuu felt her knees get weak. This boy..."You know how I feel about you." She tried to look down, only for him to tilt her chin back up, brushing his thumb ever so slightly against her bottom lip.

"Not what I was looking for, Love." Between Umi and Fuu, Ferio wondered if all girls were like this in their world. Probably should have thought about that before he fell in love with one.

"I'm sorry. I've never done a confession before. You make it seem so easy. " Fuu put a hand on his shoulder. "I feel rather guilty now. Keeping you waiting.

"We don't have a wait any longer." Ferio's smile was so illuminating. Fuu's mind flashed back to when she was little. During the night, she would try to read her books so she put the blanket over her and shined a flashlight down. Of course, her arm would get tired holding the flashlight. One day, her parents brought a small lamp. And she would spend hours reading under it at a time. All the world and its troubles shrank down to her lamp and her book. Fuu realized she felt the same kind of comfort in his arms.

"Fuu, would you like to share another moment together? I sure wonder what the lips of a Magic Knight feel like. Perhaps if I was invited, I could venture to find out?"

"It's kind of embarrassing when you say it like that. I've...never had a kiss on my lips before." Fuu looked away, blushing. "You know, when I was younger, I used to read fantasy novels where the handsome rouge would steal a kiss from his beloved before setting out on another perilous adventure. I know that sounds rather trite, especially when I say it out loud, but I kind of imagined my first kiss would be this sudden happening. Spontaneous, like a bubble popping. And then I would just stand in place for a few seconds, taking it all in."

She turned away, blushing even harder. No wonder Miss Umi loses her composure. This raw admittance of her feelings felt so unfamiliar. "Sorry. I shouldn't put that kind of thing on you. Forget I said anything, please."

"Stop apologizing." He wrapped his arms around her waist. "It's okay to have a soft spot for things. Embrace it. There are so many other things to be ashamed of. But I must say, Miss Fuu, I didn't think you were capable of such salacious fantasies. I wonder what other naughty little thoughts are going on in that head of yours. Naughty little thoughts about...me?"

"Don't get such a high opinion of yourself." She tried to push him away, but the best she could muster was a clumsy, gentle nudge.

"Heh," Ferio smirked at her. "While stealing a kiss from a Magic Knight sounds fun, I must admit," he put his hand against the wall and leaned in. "It's so much more fun to be given something you want than it is to steal it. I am a gentleman after all."

"If you want me to beg for something like a kiss, you're not getting it." Fuu tried to put her foot down. She balled up her fists and tried to make an angry face. Ferio giggled. Her pouting was adorable.

"I never said I wanted all of that, but I could probably get you to if I tried." He winked and stuck his tongue out. "I just wanna hear three little words, Miss Fuu. Your voice is like chimes, you know. Beautiful flutters of sound from the wind. I want you to say it, so can hear the words play through my head, again and again and again."

It's not that she didn't love him. Fuu was smitten by this boy. But once you profess your love, you are bound to those words and all that came with them. There would be no controlling the energy that would be irreversibly altered with another being in the universe. The highest level of self-exposure. A transcendental experience.

But ultimately, a risk worth the reward.

Fuu settled her nerves and let her heart flow free. As calm as she had ever been.

"I love you."

Ferio pulled her in. She tried to prepare herself for what was next. She closed her eyes and tilted her head; puckering her lips just a little bit. Here it comes...

She felt herself in fluttery motion. She opened her eyes. Ferio lifted her up and was spinning her around; laughing all the while.

"You said you love me! You said you love me!" He set her down, walked over to Makona, and spun him into the air. "Makona! Did you hear that? She said she loved me!"

Fuu smiled but felt a twang of guilt hit her heart. I seriously underestimated how much it meant to him. But it's nice to see him so happy.

"Thank you, Magic Knight, for brightening a poor guy's day. Here, let me give you a reward."

She gasped. A lingering peck on the cheek. Fuu put her fingers on the spot. She felt her face get warm.

"Want more?" After seeing her nod, he took off her glasses and placed them on the table. He took her hand, relishing to moment as their fingers interlocked. "Close your eyes, and think of something wonderful. Go to your happy place."

Happy place. What was her happy place? When she was a child, it would have been at the library. Books about facts. Books about fear. Books about love. She would keep a dictionary next to her so anytime she found a new word she could look in the dictionary instantly to see what it meant. the world was so vast and she wanted to explore as much of it as she possibly could.

As of now, it would just be the most beautiful meadow in all of Cephiro. Tokyo has some nice scenery, but Cephiro just had no concept of industrialism. Honestly, it was such a breath of fresh air. And her friends, her best friends, were right there with her, holding hands as they take the world in. Ferio's standing there with his sparkling eyes and he takes her hand, and they embrace. There's a nice breeze flowing through the air and the smell of hyacinth and strawberry cream cheese wafted around her nose. It was perfect.

Wait. Strawberry cream cheese?

She opened her eyes. Ferio was stuffing a bagel into his mouth. "I got hungry, okay?! I haven't eaten since—"

Fuu pulled out her sword.

"Wait wait wait wait wait." Ferio tried to scoop up armfuls of food while he backed away. "You can't see where you're swimming that thing watch out."

"I can't see because someone took my glasses off to make a fool out of me! Now out! Out! Out! Out!" Fuu tripped over Fuu as Ferio ran out the Round Table.

Makona had the rest of the tea. Hapless romance be damned my girl can brew a pot.

---

Hikaru looked at the sky while trying to shield her eyes from the descending rain. The weather in Cephiro was rapidly getting worse. This whole world really was a ticking time bomb like Clef said. Maybe they should have spent today adventuring out after all. Especially if the weather only gets worse from here.

Footsteps stamping in the rain sounded out behind her. "Oh. Hey Umi! Sorry, I didn't mean to drag you out here to get me. I guess it's time to go in."

"H—Hey." Umi already felt her chest pounding from Hikaru's earnest, silly little smile and the matching goofy little wave. "Actually," she took a deep breath. Here goes everything. "Do you mind if we have a bit of a sparring session?"

"Sure! I'm down!" Hikaru got into her fighting stance.

Really? That worked? Just...that easy? Umi shook her head. It's Hikaru I'm dealing with. Of course it would work. She got in her own stance. Umi didn't know anything about kendo, but the most important things about fencing were controlling space and the point of contact. Keep the feet spry and let's see what happens.

A couple of light strikes to get going. Both of them had been in countless sparring sessions before. It always started with a warm-up. Making contact with your partner's blade and getting the blood flowing. Hikaru had a mix of effort and mirth on her face.

Umi thought to herself to spar with Hikaru with her more often. Provided she'd ever want to spare again after today. This was going to be interesting—how to have a swordfight without trying to stab the other person. "That's enough for a warmup. Hit me with a good shot!"

Umi winced as the blades struck. Okay, there was Hikaru's power. Lightning-fast strikes. Where was this furball getting this strength? Not taking that head-on twice. Umi immediately stepped left. Hikaru let her.

"Hikaru, keep pressing. Show me exactly how you would fight if I was an enemy."

"Oh, okay. " Hikaru moved to the right to stay with her. Which was great. For Umi.

Hikaru's footwork moving right was understandably bad. Her dominant right foot was her lead foot, and she stepped right, her shoulders expanded; bending her arms out and broadening her chest, and that left foot was practically being dragged into position. Umi's movement right wasn't perfect, but it was significantly better. Noted advantage.

Hikaru swung again. Umi almost breathed a sigh of relief at the drastic reduction in impact power. Hikaru found her balance and leaned forward, pushing her power on Umi.

Yipe! Guess I can't sit still. She stepped to the left again.

Hikaru tried to cut her off. Umi made a quick thrust at her legs. A safe target she knew she couldn't actually hit. But Hikaru stopped; almost tripping over her own two feet.

"Oh wow, your skills are amazing Umi!" Hikaru did a few more attacks and waited for Umi to come back to her.

Umi realized she would have to attack too. Poking your crush's lungs out was not exactly romantic business.

Umi darted in and out, throwing quick thrusts. Hikaru caught them on the broadside of the sword and took a few extra shots to get Umi's attack timing. Hikaru sprung forth, crashing into the tip of Umi's blade and pushing it aside.

"Gah!" Umi stepped back diagonally and bent her elbow; pulling her arm in and turning her sword horizontally to create a barrier. What kind of a riposte is that?

Hikaru swayed her sword back and forth. In Kendo, duelists would feel out their opponents with the ends of their shinai. Fighting for positive control. Planning their next move before unleashing strikes as fast as they could. It was kind of like those American cowboy TV shows where they would have dramatic gun duels. Umi however, was not accepting the slightest bit of contact, either moving her sword away or throwing out quick thrusts before retreating. Umi was a fair bit taller and was heavily enjoying her significant reach advantage.

Hikaru lept off her feet with her sword ready to strike. Umi pointed her foot away and lunged forward band bent her arm with a twist. The blade went right into Hikaru's pauldron and stopped her in her tracks.

"Gack!" Hikaru stepped back, lowering her sword. Her armor had been cracked open.

"Hikaru!" Umi almost dropped her sword. "That didn't hurt, right? Are you bleeding?"

Hikaru looked down. A bottom piece had fallen off; lying between her feet. Umi was just looking at the crack, seeming checking for blood. Her sword was lazily at her side; the front half in the dirt. She was just standing there with that disgusted look on her face. Looking back at camp.

She swung her arm a few times, holding back a wince. "See? I'm fine. I don't want to stop here."

"Ehh." Umi's expression wavered. This entire thing was supposed to be about confessing to her. The last thing she should do is refuse. still... "O—okay. How about you attack me from now on? you should at least get me back before we go back."

"Alright. Here I come!" Hikaru raised her sword. "Kiai!"

Umi could backpedal and dart away as much as she wanted—Hikaru going forward was faster. She rapidly ate the distance while Umi moved away again, not throwing any more strikes. Her defense was worse now.

Not that it mattered. Because. No. Matter. How. I. Attack. I. Can't. Hit. Her.

She dodged some strikes; letting Hikaru's sword sail around her in the rain. She parried multiple time without a follow-up riposte. If she had to take a strike, she rolled her shoulder to take less impact on the block. Not a single solid hit. In what felt like a dozen of attacks.

Until Hikaru worked her way inside to point-blank range. As their swords clashed she pressed her sword against Umi's and started leaning in. Their faces were centimeters from each other.

Hikaru! This is only sparring! "For Christ's sake, slow down!"

Hikaru slipped in the rain and faceplanted in the ground.

That was AWFUL! Oh no! That was HILARIOUS LMAO! Umi looked down and tried to hold the laugh in. "Are you okay?"

Hikaru lashed out with her sword before scrambling to her feet. Umi just blocked the strikes and stepped back with a bit of surprise. "You know Hikaru. The rain is getting pretty bad. We should really go back."

"Don't feel bad for me, okay?! I can fight with you. Just, give me a minute." Hikaru was gasping for air. "How about we test our magics, okay?" She lowered her sword and held up her free hand.

"Uh, maybe you shouldn't exert yourself like this?!" Umi held her hand up. Please don't catch a cold. There was no stopping this, but hopefully Hikaru would be done afterwards. She already seemed spent. Here goes nothing.

"FLAME ARROW!"

"WATER DRAGON!"

The shockwave sent Umi flying back. Blinding light from the explosion hovered in the air for several seconds. When she opened her eyes again, all she saw was a giant fog. She held her hand out. At least she could see that. She stuck her sword out. It disappeared halfway. The air over the meadow was as thick as pea soup.

"Hikaru! Are you okay?!"

The responding silence was rather...worrisome.

Despite the rain still pouring down, she felt a strong warmth emanating from the fog. Hikaru was somewhere on the other side. The smart thing to do would be to retreat and get Fuu. But, if Hikaru was in trouble, there was no time to waste. With her sword skyward, Umi ventured in. The things I do for love.

"Hikaru?! Hikaruuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" Umi called out.

Her sword hit something solid. She sprang back on instinct. It took a few seconds to realize it was a tree. I'm in the woods now. Her sword stabbed into the trees, guiding her through the woodlands. "Are you okay?! Where are you?! "

With every step, Umi hesitated for the silence. If she couldn't see Hikaru, no way Hikaru could see her. This was a listening game now. She had already tuned out the rain coming down. She needed footsteps. Or better yet, words. "Hikaru, please just give me a sign you're okay! Hikaru!"

Ruby Lightning blasted a tree a ways from her. Umi turned her head. "That's not funny! I was worried about you!" At least she's okay. But still, Hikaru, give it a rest.

What was even going on here? This was supposed to be a sparring match that ended with a confession, and now she's searching for Hikaru in a fog. It's raining as hard as ever and she's drenched and worried and her feet hurt. This whole thing had been ruined.

The most worrisome part about all of this was that neither one of them were wearing protection. In fencing, they would have been covered from head to toe in padding, and even though she's never seen a kendo match she imagined that it was the same. Neither of them had much armor on now and they were wielding swords. Hikaru's armor was already damaged and here she was seemingly trying to ambush Umi from behind a tree somewhere. My defense might be good, but I'm not trying to bet my life on it anymore than I have to.

Umi swayed her sword back and forth in front of her, trying to parse through the trees. She needed to find the biggest, thickest tree she could. If Hikaru was going to attack her, she needed to set up a defense.

Maybe she could coax Hikaru out. "I see what's going on here!" She eked out a weak smile. "I can't hear you because I bet you're not moving! I bet you're hiding like a scaredy cat behind some tree! Waiting for me to walk into you! Don't shake in your boots too loud Hikaru, I just might hear you! You might as well come to the sound of my voice!" Her chest rose up and down. She didn't belive in a word she said. Hikaru had hid perfectly. She could be mere meters from Umi and she wouldn't have a clue. This entire thing was based on goading Hikaru into making a mistake. And even though she didn't mind some teasing, this felt too much. Just too much. All of this felt wrong. Tears were coming to her face, her smile twitched. I just wanted to tell you I love you.

Hikaru's back was plastered against a tree. She could barely hear Umi between the rain and her own heart pounding. Umi was fairly close; about a little over a dozen meters away. she had ran into the forest to regroup, but the chance to catch Umi off guard was too much to pass up now. Umi had been so dominant during their sparring. Hikaru hadn't been so outclassed in years. It's not that I was mad at her or anything. Its just—Hikaru shook her head. What am I doing? I'm putting to much thought into this. Its not that big of a deal. It's just sparring. Umi did seem genuinely worried. I've taken this way too far. If they went back to camp now she would get yelled at, but she'd been yelled at before it's not like she didn't deserve it.

"You have to do better than this Hikaru!"

Hikaru froze. Her heart came to a standstill.

Oh, so that's what this is about.

On their first night here, Alcyone attacked. Because Hikaru was the only one who'd unlock her powers, she was the only person who could fight back. Later on, when Alcyone attacked them again, it was up to Hikaru to defend her friends again.

And she was losing. If it hadn't been for her friends awakening their powers, they all would have died relying on Hikaru. Every now and again she could still feel spots of her body freeze up for a few seconds.

That battle with Hikari. She'd almost got them all killed.

After they fell out of the cave with the fake Princess Emeraude and were attacked by monsters, Umi saved both Hikaru's and Fuu's live all by herself. When Caldina hypnotized Hikaru and Umi, Fuu not only fended them both off, but then stood against Caldina on her own.

The both of them are so strong, and they've grown so much, and what have I done? I'm just here. I'm not just failing to keep up, I'm doing even worse. I'm holding them back and making it harder for them, and both of them are just too nice to say it. That's why Umi wanted to spar with me. And I did nothing but prove how far the gap is between us!

Hikaru trembled against the tree. Her sword rattled in her grasp; she could barely hold on to it. The pain from Umi's thrust was searing into her shoulder.

My family owns a dojo. I've been training since I could walk. How is Umi so much better than me? It's unreal!

"You have to do better than this, Hikaru!" Umi's words rang in her head. "You have to do better than this, Hikaru!" "You have to do better than this, Hikaru!"

What's wrong with me?! Why am I so weak?! Wh—wh—"

It was just so hard! trying to stay positive and maintain focus and embrace the beauty of this world and the mission when—

I'm the one holding everyone back.

Hikaru slumped to the ground. Her sword fell to the wayside beside her. I shouldn't be here. I was a mistake. She started sobbing. I want to go home.

As the sadness flowed through her body, she felt something else rising beneath it. Her sobbing steadily turned into seething.

Hikaru remembered when she was little all her older brothers would easily beat her when they sparred in kendo training. The only time they took her seriously was when she was absolutely furious, and that's the only time she could even hope to match them. Her mother and father told her to stop this. She can't always rely on her anger to get things done and she needed a more positive attitude much healthier.

This is what I need to do. Think about how my friends will die if I keep being this and hold them back.

I'll never see my family again. They're going to spend the rest of their lives wondering what happened to me.

Think about how everyone in Cephiro suffers as I'm supposed to be protecting them.

And all of this is because I couldn't fulfill my obligation as a Magic Knight.

I love Umi. She's my friend. But that doesn't matter anymore. We're fighting and I need to give it everything I have to win. I have to...allow my heart to get angry. And make that my power.

Her heavy pantings turned into guttural grunt. The drenched mud around her feet rapidly dried and harded. Fire started to roll off her body, clashing with the rain to form waves of steam around her.

---

Umi's sword came across an exceptionally large tree. She put her sword down and walked around it. Counting the paces until she came back to her sword. Oh, this thing is huge. Perfect.

"Ready when you are, Hikaru!" Umi ducked down, her sword only millimeters off the ground. No, I am not what the heck—

Wait.

Umi froze, listening.

Squished mud and cracked twigs. Coming from a distance right in front of her. Umi circled around to the back of the tree.

"Where are you, Hikaru...come out come out wherever you are." The footsteps were getting closer. "It's okay. I won't bite. At least not much." As soon as Hikaru swung, Umi would disarm her. With the huge tree in the way, the first mistake would be the last. It was foolproof. The footsteps reached the tree. Umi tightened her grip and held her breath. Bring it.

A giant hand with dark nails grabbed the tree, crunching some of the outer pieces. A cyclops with needle-like teeth looked at her snarling. Its red pupil dilated amongst its black iris. Its mouth was agape, drool leaking out in abundance as it lunged, instantly upon her.

"WHA—HOW DARE YOU!?" Umi parried and started chopping it up post-haste. "Look at you, interrupting a good date between two perfectly fine girls. Didn't your mother ever teach you manners?!"

As its ashes vanished, Umi remembered the task at hand. "Wait, if that wasn't Hikaru, then where the heck is—"

FWOOSH!

Oh, she's right behind me.

"KIAAAIIIIIIIII!"

OH, SHE'S RIGHT BEHIND ME.

"FUCK!" Umi ducked down as the fire sword sliced straight through the tree. It fell over with a heavy thud and there Hikaru stood; sword at the ready and blazing. The sweltering heat from her body was radiating hotter than Umi could ever remember before. The reds of her appearance had lightninged to a noticeable pink tink.

"Hey there...Hikaru..." Oh my God, she's so hot and oh my God I'm going to die.

"Umi." The rain falling down was boiling around her. Her shoulders rolled up and down with her every breath. Umi could see the stencil of her fingers through her gloves as she white-knuckled her sword.

"H—HIKaru!" Stick to the plan! Umi held her sword out. Its length went across the stump with the tip being right in Hikaru's face. "I don't know what your thinking but you better keep your distance! This stump is still between us!"

Hikaru looked at the sword, then at the stump. She brought her foot down on the stump and it instantly swelled into a ring of fire.

"U. Mi." Hikaru slowly walked across the log.

"Hikaru..." Oh, this is where my journey ends. I am going to do the not breathing very soon. Umi moved back with every step. "May I remind you that Fuu cannot bring us back from the dead so how about we all take a deep breath and—"

"UMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

Umi ducked behind another tree; Hikaru's slash cut through it like butter. Umi barely got her sword up in time to block it. She staggered aside, and Hikaru jumped into her next strike, bashing her sword into Umi's, pushing her sword broadside back into her body. Umi coughed as the air rushed out of her. Hikaru launched a series of attacks and Umi was beaten back with every blow; Hikaru rushed in to close the distance and strike again.

Hikaru slashed through another tree. As it fell onto her, Hikaru sliced upward with her sword splitting it in two as hit it the ground.

Umi saw her chance and ran for it.

"Get back here!" Hikaru gave chase, and the two of them dashed through the forest. "No fair! You're using the rain to slow me down!"

"No, I'm not!" Umi looked back. Hikaru was definitely more wet than she was. And water seemed to gather in front of her just a bit irregularly. Every few steps she would slide off to the side. Oh. So I am. Neat. "Well, maybe you should not chase me for five minutes!"

"GuAAHCK!" Hikaru fell down with a plop. As she tried to get up, she realized she was covered in some type of sticky dirt "What is this?! Quicksand?!"

"Neener neener!" Umi blew a raspberry and ran deeper into the forest.

Hikaru found herself half-swimmin, half-crawling trying to get free. This was like those pudding pool dreams. But so much worse. And this definitely does not taste like pudding!

Fuu stood atop a hill; trying to block out the downpour all around her. My my, they are certainly going at it.

FWOOMP! The pitter-patter of rain hitting plastic went off in her ears.

"Hey there." Ferio held up an umbrella with one hand and a bag of beef jerky in the other. "Jerky?"

"Hmmm," Fuu reached into the bag and grabbed one strip to snack on. "I don't even like jerky."

"You're welcome." Ferio looked out in the distance with her. "How's it going?"

"It's rather intense, to be honest. I know Miss Umi can lose herself in a battle, but this is more harrowing than what I had in mind."

"I know the girl can be kinda out there at times, but even she has to realize that thrashing Hikaru isn't the way to her heart. Well in a manner of speaking it is, but I don't think that's her intention."

"It's Miss Hikaru that I'm worried about. Her energy is...off."

"What do you mean 'off'?"

Fuu twisted her lip while trying to come up with an explanation. "Imagine your favorite dish cooked by your favorite person. Now imagine that same dish cooked by someone else. It's the same, but it's not. Sorry if that doesn't sound right, but it's the best explanation I can think of. I wish you could sense energy the way I can. She's radiating this burning sensation that feels so...so..."

"Dark."

"Well, I suppose—" BONK! The umbrella hit Fuu in the head before falling to the ground, carried away in the wind. "Ferio! Why would you—"

Ferio's chest was rapidly heaving up and down. His fingers were buried in his head, and his sobbing grew uncontrollable.

"Ferio?!" Fuu reached out to him. "Ferio! Feriooooooooooo!"

"Ferio, I know you're there." High Priest Zagato stared out of a window in the castle. "You have three seconds to come out from behind the corner and talk to me like a man."

Ferio, no taller than the table he was passing by, apprehensively walked into the corridor. Everyone else in the castle seemed to like Zagato, but he was so big and his royal clothing was so scary.

"I'm going to assume something of mine was lost, smashed, spilled, spilled on, or a combination of the four. Is that a fair assumption?"

"N—no! I wanted to talk to Emmy! I just beat Lafarga in a swordfight!"

"Did you now? You should have led with that! Tell me more!" His expression softened instantly. So much so Ferio completely lost his apprehension.

"Yeah! You should have been there! We were all like Pthick! Crahs! Tck! Katk! He put his hands together like he wielding a sword. And then I jumped up and stabbed him right in the heart!"

"Oh my. I hope he's okay." Zagato was trying very hard to hold back his laughter. Oh, Lafarga was not going to hear the end of this one.

"Well it was wooden swords, so it was fine. Where's Emmy? I haven't seen her all day! Is she in her chambers again?!"

Ferio looked back from Zagato to the bright red doors. Princess Emeraude's private chambers. As Ferio took a step past him, Zagato latched on to his arm, almost snapping it in two. "Wait, DON'T!"

"Ahh! Ahh! Ahh!" Ferio held his arm, it was glowing a bright red. "Why did you do that?! I'm telling Clef!" Tears were already coming to his face.

"Tell him whatever you want. Just do not go to your sister. Hey, hey!" He turned Ferio's head away from his arm straight to him. "Ferio. Do. Not. Go. To. Your. Sister. She has a very bad headache and she's not seeing anyone right now. Here," Zagato put his hand over Ferio's bruise, healing it in seconds. He then summoned a pouch of gold from thin air. "Go out into town and get whatever you want. My treat. If anyone asks, you have my explicit permission. Deal?"

Ferio stopped sniffling. "Okay." He walked away for a few steps before turning back to him. "Hey Zagato, do you think it would be okay if I got Emmy something?"

"Sorry Ferio, but it's for the best that you just leave her alone. She doesn't want anything right now. How about this—the next time she feels better, you and I will go out together and find her something. How's that sound?"

"You'd go shopping with me?"

"Of course! Anything for the young swordmaster." He ruffled Ferio's hair. "It is nice how much you care about your sister. I wish my brother was still here. I could really use his help right now."

"Help with what? I can do it!"

"Just...magic things. I've been talking with Clef about it. It is a highly elite magic that takes years of knowledge to master. You still have your swordwork to learn. Now off with you. Actually, one more thing: if you had good news, why were you just hiding there?"

Ferio looked down. "You seemed so upset. I didn't want to bother you."

"It's fine. Sorry about that. Have a nice day Ferio."

Ferio ducked back behind the corner with the coins in his pocket jingling all the way. Zagato sighed and looked out the window. It was a bit of a secret but...Zagato loved kids. They were such a breath of fresh air from...reality. They operated on a more simple basis. Ferio was a good kid. The sight of him and Princess Emeraude together was always heartwarming.

What a nice day to stare out the window. The sun was beaming on him, but a healthy dose of cloud and a cool breeze kept things kept the air comfortable. Relaxing. A bundle of leaves blew softly in the wind. Another great day in Cephiro, the most beautiful place in the universe.

When you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.

Zagato looked at his hands.

Black ichor dripped from his fingertips. Filling the room around him. Zagato had been consumed in an encompassing void of shadow.

When you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.

When you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into

"Hey, you." A giggle. Her long arms reached around him. Princess Emiraude's hidden form. Only he, Lantis, and Clef had ever seen it.

When a Pillar is created, the forces of this world take the being's heart and separate the good from the evil. Despite the division, the two sides still share one body. There is no way to separate the two.

He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Princess..." He loved all of her. There was evil in everyone. Love was about seeing the good and the bad in a person and nurturing them both. Accepting someone for who up they were.

"What's going on in that cute little head of yours?"

"I've been thinking lately. About you and me. About what's going to happen to us in the end. We're going to die together aren't we?"

"What would make you say such a thing?"

"The darkness in your heart. It would stop growing. Sooner or later, it's going to start consuming the world and causing destruction. We can't keep this up forever. Clef and I have been trying to find a solution, but we're running out of options. I had an idea: maybe we should tell the people of Cephiro the truth. The entire truth. Maybe if they understood your situation more, we could figure out something."

"Do you really think they would accept me when your own brother wouldn't?"

"I understand." He nodded somberly. "Still, we have to figure out a way before the Magic Knights—"

"Don't talk about them." Her fingers dug into him.

"If you bring them here, they will try to end you. I've decided that if that happens, I will battle them in your stead. I'm not the Pillar, so maybe I'll have a chance."

"You would do that for me?"

"I would rather die than let anyone harm you. Anyone. But I'm not sure I can protect you. We can't let it come to that."

"Yes." Princess Emeraude bit down on his neck, kissing her way up and then giving a playful bite on the ear. "That's the Zagato I know and love. Someone passionate. Decisive. Willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people he cares about, and he's so so strong and manly."

"Zagato! Zagato!" The young visage of Princess Emeraude came into being, appearing from the abyss. "It's Ferio! He entered my chambers! I'm afraid that with the state I'm in, I'll hurt him! Rescue him! Please!"

"Wait, he what?!" Zagato snapped out of it instantly and started running. After I told him... Sent him off! How did he? The chamber doors were locked. Did he use a secret passageway? How does he even know about them?!

---

"Hey. Prince Ferio, over here!"

Ferio stopped in his tracks. "Lady Mage Alcyone." He gave a bow and turned red as he bent over. Lady Mage Alcyone was very pretty. Her voice was sweet to listen to and whenever she wasn't in her mage robes, she had a very nice body. Last summer during pool party at the castle Alcyone wore a very small bikini around. Ferio still thought about that sometimes. Especially in his dreams.

THWACK! Alcyone's hand lashed against his head. "Aren't you listening to me?! I said, would you like to help your sister?!"

"Oh uh, yeah! How?!"

Alcyone held out a vial of green liquid. "Tell your sister to drink this. It's a healing potion."

"Oh-OH! Thank you so much!" He turned around to go back to Zagato, but Alcyone yanked his shoulder back. "Hold on, sweetie. I wanted to give you something as well."

"F-f-for me?" His eyes were transfixed as she her hand went up. An icicle amulet gleamed between her fingers. "It's beautiful." He held still as Alcyone placed it around his neck. The icicle's cold touch was briskly invigorating.

"You're working so hard to be a great future Prince of Cephiro. I just had to give you a token of my appreciation. And one more thing," She looked around to see if the coast was clear. "Want to know a secret way to get to Princess Emeraude?"

Ferio shook his head up and down as fast as he could. Alcyone walked over to a suit of armor against the wall. "Simply tap the chest plate twice and rotate the polearm like so, and voila!" The suit slid to the side and revealed a path and a series of torches lighting up along the wall.

"Wow! Thanks Alcyone!"

"Anything for my prince." She bent down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Now, don't you have a quest to complete?"

"Yeah!" Ferio ran into the passageway, not even thinking about how fast it closed behind him. He had been moving for quite some time when he noticed long locks of flowing but rather dull blonde hair strewn about the steps. This looks like Emmy's hair. Why would it be here? I hope she's okay.

More and more hair appeared as he walked deeper into the passage. His nerves got the best of him and he started running Why did Emmy even have his much hair? I didn't even know this was possible. What if she was bald? I gotta tell her it's okay.

There hair ended where the passageway did: at a stone wall. He pressed his hand against it and instantly fell forward as the wall spun him around. Emmy's chambers, a large area made of marble and crystal. Much more vibrant lengths of blond hair were coiled around him so and he tiptoed the rest of the way. "Emmy! Emmy! It's me! I have medicine!"

He saw her bundled up in her bed. Oh, if she's asleep I better not wake her. I'll just leave this here and go."

The hair all around him glowed a bright gold before retracting wrapping the princess in a cocoon. It erupted in a flash of dazzling light. Ferio turned his head away and covered his eyes. When he opened them again, he felt someone in front of him.

"What are you doing here, Ferio?"

"Sister?" She was almost unrecognizable. He took a few moment sso take in this new form of hers. "You look soo... so..."

"So what?" She loomed over him with an intense sneer. The ends of her hair skittered against the floor.

"You look so cool!" He bounced around examining her all over. "You're all grown up now! I bet you're taller than Mom is! Where did you get those shoulder thingies? Can I have some?"

"You think I'm—cool?!" Emeraude was stunned. The power dissipated from her body. Only one other person had ever been this happy to see her like this.

"Of course I do! You look so pretty!" He saw the pained expression in her face. "What's wrong? You don't think so?"

"Lantis said I was a disaster waiting to happen." She looked away. "And I'm afraid he's right."

"What? No way!" Ferio shook his head as fiercely as he could. "If Lantis said that, I'm glad he's gone!"

"Ah! R—really?" Emeraude had to cover her face. Do not cry in front of your little brother. Do not.

"Yeah, Emmy! You're my favorite person in the whole wide world!"

She allowed herself to hug him while looking upwards to blink back tears. "Oh, Ferio...it's nice to see you."

"I'll always be here for you. I love you Emmy."

"I love you t—" She noticed the amulet. "What's this?"

"Oh, it's Alcyone's friendship necklace! You like it?"

She ripped it off his neck.

"Hey!" He reached out for it. "What the heck, Emmy?!"

"When did she give this to you?" One of Alcyone's Spycicles. Devices she used to pry into other people's business when she didn't want to be seen around. "I bet she's frustrated wondering why it doesn't work. Nothing in here works unless I want it to."

"Right before we sent me in here with this." He held up the vial. "It's medicine!"

"Medicine huh?" Emeraude held up the vial. "Barely good enough for the sniffles; let alone what's wrong with me."

"Hey, Alcyone used her strongest magic! You should try it."

"I bet she did." She cut her eyes at Ferio. It was natural for boys to develop attractions at this age. Zagato was only a few years older before he started following her around the castle. She would catch him asking Lantis, his younger brother, for advice. It was cute.

This was not. Alcyone was a old bitch who, first of all she sucks. Cleff brought both her and Lafarga in to replace Lantis. Now, Lafarga was quite a ways from replacing Lantis, but he was a good guy. Relativley respectable amount of power. Would have been a much better first crush for Ferio than Alcyone. Ugh, why couldn't you just be gay, Ferio? Would have had the option of Lafarga or Clef.

But anyways, Alcyone's one redeeming quality was her hopeless pursuit of Zagato. Zagato would tell the princess stories of her pathetic advancements, as well as demonstrations of her 'power' against the lower-rank guards. Other than that she was a drab, self-serving floozy. And now here she was, manipulating her brother to do something no one else would have approved of. Clef and Zagato would forbidden it without a second thought, and Lafarga may step in here once every few months on her good days. And here Ferio stood with a camera around his neck and a spicy drink of water. Ferio, I know you're young and you have a lot to learn, but you can do a lot better. I need to get more girls around you. "You really have a thing for her don't you?"

"She totally likes me back. She called my her special friend, and she kissed me and everything!"

"Did she now?" Her face was calm while her heart skipped a beat. "Where?"

"On my cheek." He pointed to it, right under his little dimple. "Right here!"

Oh thank God. I'm only going to slightly beat her unmercifully. "Is that so?" She held him up by the back of his shirt. "I bet she wouldn't like you so much if you knew you were a..." she got right next to his ear. "Beeeeeeedweteeeeeerrr."

"I am not!" He tried to free herself from his grasp. "I don't even do that anymore!"

"You wet the bed every night until you were nine. You're ten now! You are a 90% bedwetter! That's an A!"

"Shut up!"

"Bedwetter! Bedwetter!" She dropped him and laughed. "Don't worry, my stinky little brother. You have a lot more going for yourself than she does."

"Like what?"

"Well for starters...I hate her." She crushed the Spycicle and dropped the healing vial to a crash on the ground, spilling about.

Hey! Alcyone gave that to me and she worked hard on that healing potion! What's wrong with you?!"

"What's wrong with me? Oh brother, where to even start...how about we talk about you? Do you know what the phrase 'canary in a coalmine' comes from?"

"No?"

"Miners pay money to take beautiful canaries deep into the mines with them."

"Because the canaries are so nice?"

"Because the canaries would die from the gas down there, and their corpses were a warning for the miners to stay away."

"Wha—what?!" Ferio couldn't believe it.

"Yes. Sad isn't it? Those peaceful creatures who belong fluttering in the sky are snatched up at birth and raised specifically to die in a cage in some dark chasm underground."

"Why would the miners do that?! That's so mean!"

"Oh Ferio, no one gets to decide how life works. We only get to decide how to make the most of it. Those miners have friends and family who depend on them to make it home every day. Those miners kill the canaries not out of hate, but out of love."

"But, you're the Pillar of Cephiro! You can make anything you want happen!"

"Oh, if only that were so." Emeraude walked back to her bed and sat down. "Love hurts, little brother. And nobody knows that better than me. Now I'm going to teach you. Because I love you."

She held her hand out and concentrated a blast of magic before firing it at Ferio. He didn't even move as it reached him, blowing up the floor at his feet.

"This coalmine is getting rather deadly for you in here, my little canary. You know you shouldn't be in here, yet here you are. I suggest you get out of here before its too late."

Ferio stared at the charred ground in front of him, then back up at Emeraude. "Emmy..."

Another blast hit him in the chest, knocking him over. He instinctively felt the wound. There were some ash marks on his hand. A stinging pain vibrated in his chest. It took two more shots in his direction from the finally get up and start running.

These blasts won't kill you brother but you certainly can't take too many of them.

Ferio been to the next few moments running along the walls searching for the exit, all the while trying to dodge Emeraude's blasts. Which is a romantic way of saying Emeraude spent the next few moments trying to miss so badly Ferio couldn't even stumble into her blasts because he didn't turn his head around once, instead he was slapping every millimeter of wall he could get his grubby little hands on. He couldn't even be proper game.

"Come on Ferio, the doors were right there!" she pointed at the bright red doors which he had ran the exact opposite way from away from.

"But the doors are locked!"

"They lock from this side you could have unlocked the doors and escaped!"

Of course, she would have grabbed him as he unlocked the doors and dragged him back in, but that's besides the point. He couldn't even get far enough to be amusing!

"GAAAH!" One of the blasts hit Ferio right on the small of his back. He slumped against the wall and burst into tears.

"Ooh!" Emeraude pulled her hand back. "I didn't mean to—"

The echoes of his wailings bounced off of the walls. The reverberations of his voice burrowing in her mind. "Shut up!" She covered her ears. She could stil hear him. She could still hear everything. Every voice that cried out in need. The fabrics of this world that threatened to tear apart if she didn't personally hold them together every second of every day.

"I SAID SHUT UP!"

She let out shockwave of energy throughout the room as. She flew to Ferio and grabbed him right bt the nexk befor hoisting him against the wall. "Those little bruise you have are NOTHING! I'll give you something to cry about! You have NO idea how it feels to be responsible for an entire world. Every! Single! Day! You don't think I'm hurting Ferio! You were trapped in here for 2 minutes. I'm trapped in here all the time! It hurts ALL the time and I'm so alone! You couldn't even begin to understand but it feels like."

"You don't want to hurt the boy, Princess!" Zagato entered the chambers by almost knocking the doors down. "Let him go!"

"This is not his fault! He did not create this preposterous Pillar System!" You know that!"

"He needs to understand! I deserve to be understood!"

"He understands. Look at him! He understands, Princess."

Ferio blubbered out an indefinite amount of aplogies. He was barely struggling at all.

"Hmm. If anything, this presents a unique opportunity. I've been dying to do some distressing and while we hadn't been able to do it with our usual way, a rousing battle should be a close second. But," She put a finger to his side. "How about we raise the stakes?"

A beam of light shooting through his hip and out the other side. Gold coins scattered acros the floor.

"Emeraude!" Zagato could only look on in horror.

"Here's a warning; he has three minutes." She let Ferio sink to the floor. A pool of blood was already building around him. "If you can't save him, don't even bother trying to protect me."

"You're not going to let him die." Zagato shook his head. She couldn't really be this far gone. She couldn't.

"Are you?" Emeraude held up her hands. "Show me power worthy of a High Priest."

Amidst the buzzing playing endlessly in his head, Ferio could hear the sounds of battle happening around him. He was quickly getting tired. But he did see the doors Emmy was talking about. Slowly, he started crawling to the exit. Was someone saying something? Maybe? It was getting dark in here really fast. Who—who turned out the lights? I am feeling really sleepy though.

Ferio closed his eyes and the tired overtook him.

A deep breath. Ferio opened his eyes. Zagato stood above him.

"Zagato! You saved me?" Ferio blionked, and his vsion came into focus. Streams of red trickled down his robes. Zagato grunted, fell to his knees, and keeld over.

"He lost."

"Emmy, why?"

"Why?" emeraude gave a somber look, staring at th ceiling. "Ive been asking myself that. It was always me versus the world.

Until I found it's me versus me trying to stop myself from tearing down this world and taking everyone with me

Why, why, why, why?

Why, why, why, why?

"Ferio, can I tell you something anything Emmy I'm going to die soon there's something that only if you people know about the legend of the magic Knights the way the magic Knights save Saphira is by slaying the current pillar

what that's got to be a mistake it's not hi hi I won't let the magic Knights hurt you I'll do whatever it takes to protect you

Emeraude laughed. you protect me even after what I just did to you

I understand and me and I love you and I forgive you you shouldn't be so forgiving

I will never let you die for me zagato is already thrown on his life for me you do not need to join him somebody has to survive this and who better than my little brother.

I don't want to die. I'm scared. but I don't think I can stop it from. Happening.

let me help I'll do whatever it takes I'll never stop trying to save you

this situation is far out of the depth of a 10—year—old little boy and I will not let it consume you you have a lot of life left Ferio, and how's your big sister I want to see you grow up nice and strong. She put her hand on his head.

"Remember nothing. and while I'm at it let me take away those pesky feelings you have for Alcyone before she gets you killed. I proise you can do a lot better Ferio."

I love you Ferio. Be well... "

---

"Ferio!"

Fuu looked at him. "What's wrong, tell me!"

"Ferio, I — mmph!"

Ferio's hand cradled her head, pulling into into a kiss. Pulled his head back with an audible pop.

"I love you. No matter what happens next, don't forget that."

Ferio ran down the hill and sprintedinto the forest at a pace Fuu couldn't even hope to match. "What are you doing?! Where a are you going?! Ferio! Ferio!"

---

"Well well well how the turns have tabled." Hikaru stepped thought he forest slicing through trees. "Now im the one chasing you!" Dozens of birds flew away as their homes toppled over, squawking in terror. Several flew right past Umi's head.

"If you're not gonna come out, I'm just gonna force you out!" Hikaru held up her hand. Her flame arrow lay in her palm. The arrow got bigger and bigger. What is she doing? Umi peered out from the tree. The arrow curved inward to a sphere, and that sphere grew massively in seconds. She's not really gonna set that off. The sphere rose into the sky, where its magnitude grew even larger.

Ferio stopped in his tracks. Don't tell me I'm too late. He kept running forward. As long as it hadn't gone off, he had a chance.

It's the size of a building. Fuu couldn't believe her eyes. She could already see the woodland creatures of the forest run away in droves. Cracked twigs and scratched wood as the leaves trembled.What is she doing?

"Well, if you're not around Umi, I guess there's no harm in dropping this!" Hikaru through her hand down. "Wasteland Bomb!"

As they watched it descend, Umi, and Ferio dove to the ground. Time slowed down. They closed their eyes. The explosion was deafening.

Fuu watched in horror as the bomb erupted in the forest. A giant mushroom cloud of smoke shot up. Despite the blinding blast, she couldn't even think to look away. Is this really happening?

Umi stumbled to her feet. The world was spinning. Animals were fleeing all around her. A deer brushed against her as it maddeningly bounded away. What hadn't been eradicated in the forest was completely engulfed in flames. Hikaru walked out of the flames, sword at the ready in front of her.

Umi held up her sword. She was already gasping for air as smoke put a stranglehold on her lungs. Hikaru struck, putting all her power into the blow. Umi stumbled back into a burning tree. The flames lashed at her back and she screamed forward into Hikaru, who knocked her down and kicked her sword away.

Hikaru knelt and pulled Umi up to a seated position. Her blade at Umi's throat. "What are you going to do now?"

"Nothing."

Umi could barely keep here eyes open while Hikaru was locked in on her. Her entire body was aching. This was a disaster. I have no energy left.

To her surprise, Hikaru dropped the sword, and grinned. "I got you!"

Hikaru got up and began prancing around in the burning forest. "I got her I got her!" I knew i could do it! I knew it!

She knelt down beside Umi. "Oh Umi, if only you could feel this... Hikaru looked at her hands. The vibrated for a few seconds before exploding in flames. "This power is amazing! I feel incredible. I feel like I can do anything. You have to try this." She sat Umi up. "Tell me everything I wanna hear. Tell me how cool I am. Tell me I'm your equal. Tell me you love me. Tell me—"

Hikaru's head snapped to the side He entire body jerked away. Hikaru went flying. Ferio's left fist was hanging in the air.

"Umi what are you doing?" He yanked her to her feet. "Look around you, idiot! This forest is on fire. Is this really the person you want Hikaru to be. Who you fell in love with? She just blew up everything! Why?"

"To...catch me."

"Seriously?! Umi, You need to wake up! Hikaru is on a dark path, and this is our only chance to save her. You need to save her!"

"Fiiiiiiiine. Just give me a second." This girl had been beaten to hell. Completely taken by surprise. Like he'd been. She was not even close to ready.

"Look, Fuu should be here soon. Get this fire under control! If you don't do something now it'll burn down the whole forest and even more."

"If I don't do something?! Why do I have to do it?!"

"You're literally the Magic Knight that controls water."

"Touche." Umi held her hand out. Ferio pulled her up. "What about Hikaru?"

"I'll stall her." He pulled out his sword. "There's something I need to do."

Umi heard a crack. a flaming tree was coming down on them. She jumped back. Ferio jumped forward. Divided by the tree, the two of them nodded before going their separate ways.

Fuu was running towards her. "Where's Ferio?

"He's stalling Hikaru!"

"You left him to fight Miss Hikaru?!"

"Stalling!" Umi put her hands out. "Sapphire Whirlwind!" The whirlwind tore through the forest, extinguishing any fire in its path. Some of the flames were extinguished but more fire slinked in to takes its place. The rain was barely slowing it down. "I'm not a firefighter but does fire really spread this fast? Especially while in a downpour?!"

"No. This fire is absolutely ravenous. Remember, these flames came from Hikaru's heart! And now Ferio is fighting her! I don't know how much longer he can fight with her!"

"We have to take out all this fire at once. If not, it could burn forever!" Umi launched more water to merely beat it back.

Fuu closed her eyes. Ferio is fine. You have to believe that. Make yourself believe it. He's been fighting monsters for years. Hikaru wouldn't kill him. Whatever happens, you can heal him. But these fire have to have all of my focus. Think. Think Think.

All fire needed three things to sustain itself: heat, fuel, and oxygen. The heat; Hikaru. Maybe if they calmed her down she could put the fires out? But who knows how long it would take to get her back to normal. Even then, it wasn't guaranteed that she could instantly put the fires out with no problem. Fuel; an entire forest's worth. This fire would burn forever if left unchecked. Oxygen; an entire world's worth. It wasn't like a building or a tunnel, where there would be a natural choke point and a limited supply of air...wait.

Fuu looked at her hands. "Brainblast."

"What?" Umi looked over at her.

"I know what I have to do."

"What?!"

Fuu started rising into the air, looking over the entire forest.

"WHAT?!"

I have to get all of this fire. She flex out her arms to the side. I have to smother all of it at once! I have to get back to the person I LOVE. "WINDS OF CHANGE!"

The wind shot outward from her hands, rapidly gaining size momentum until typhoons were bellowing about. Umi dug her sword into the ground to keep her balance. The wind circled the entire inferno. Fuu brought her herms into her center. The winds dragged the fireback, slowly wrangling it to a central position in front of her, forming a giant collum. Then the wind took the fire and swirled it upward. The spiral started to collapse, going down down down until it shot back up with renewal. "Umi, I can't collapse the fire. the pressure is too strong to keep the fire contained forever."

"I've got you!" Sapphire whirlwind ! The whirlwind engulfed the column of fire, extinguishing it.

Fuu descended back down, panting. Her harms were shaking. "Do you need a minute?"

"No." Fuu brought her breathing under control. "Let's go save Ferio."

---

Ferio locked eyes with Hikaru. Their swords were the only thing between them; faces millimeters away. "Who are you?"

"What are you talking about? It's me, Hikaru!" She swung her sword, and the two were engaged in another clash. This boy fought nothing like Umi. He was trying to go strike for strike with her. His attacks were so fierce, she actually had to go on the defensive a few times. Finally, something riveting.

"No, you're not Hikaru. The real Hikaru would never treat her friends this way. I know its not her. This dark energy I feel, it's the same energy like of the monsters that plague Cephiro. I felt from the other self of my sister, Princess Emeraude, who I'll give my life to protect!"

Hikaru swung to disarm him. Ferio dropped his sword into his other hand and did a quick swipe, slashing a small cut on Hikaru's hip. Hikaru winced but pressed forth and clashed their swords.

"But the energy you and Emeraude have is different. Definitely more advanced. I want to know the source of these other selves, and use that to save everyone! Violence can't be the only way!"

"Just because I'm a little angrier doesn't mean I'm a whole different person!" She brought her sword down in a cleave. Ferio blocked it with his sword and stepped away.

"A little angrier? Is that what you call it?" She brought her sword down in another cleave. He blocked it with one hand on his sword. With his free left hand, he swung and connected right into her chin. Hikaru stumbled back and he swung. Hikaru blocked it and try to push forward. Ferio pushed both blades down own to the side before stepping in. His shoulder rammed right Hikaru's nose. A KRCIK! went off between them. Hikaru jumped back. Blood was going down her lip.

Hikaru's brought her sword up. Another cleave. Ferio got ready to block overhead. Hikaru whipped her sword across her body and sliced back inward. Ferio dropped his sword to the side as Hikaru's hack reached him. Metal hit metal and Ferio's sword was driven broadside into his body. CRICK! Ferio staggered back, gasping for air. That was a rib...or three.

"I am me." Hikaru moved in with her sword. Pushing him back into a tree. Pain circulated from his side, and his grip on the sword weakened. Hikaru push pressed forward, and the and Ferio's blade dug into his shoulder.

HIAI! Hikaru swing her sword and Ferio was blown right through the tree. Splinters broke off in his body.

"GAHG!" Ferio held his side, unable to get to his feet as his legs merely shuffled against the dirt.

"Got you!" Hikaru brought her sword down. Ferio closed his eyes and held his hands up. I'm sorry, sis.

It took a few seconds to realize he hadn't been stabbed.

"Oh my, that almost took a nasty turn." Hikaru lifted up her blade and tossed it to the side. "Foolish boy. If you had gotten yourself killed here, you would have ruined everything!"

"Now I know that's not Hikaru." Ferio crawled over to his sword. Gripping it as tight as he could, he rolled over and pointed it at her. " I'll ask you one last time who are y—" Ferio's heart stopped.

Hikaru's eyes were completely black, two enveloping chasms staring straight down at him. It was as if the end of the universe was right before him.

"I'm sorry, were you asking a question? I don't believe you finished." She flicked her hands. Black fire roared to life in her palms. "This one has so much negative energy flowing through her that I can actually tap in and control her! It's been a while. Her heart so is fluttery, like a butterfly flowing into the breeze. Right before flying into the spiderweb."

She walked over to a tree and pressed her hands against it. The black fire enveloped the tree instantly, and Ferio watch as it slowly caved in, melting before his eyes like wax from a candle. Black ichor oozed from the tree and one stream of it snaked its way towards him. He backpedaled away.

Hikaru laughed. "I'm honestly impressed how volatile her emotions are. Would have guessed that blue one, personally. But here we are, only a few minutes after going off the deep end and she was about to gut you like a fish. Hikaru has such potential to be an amazing servant for me. But she shouldn't get ahead of herself. She needs to marinate in her agony...like your precious Emmy."

"What are you talking about?" Ferio leaned against another tree to get back to his feet. "What did you do to my sister?"

"Oh, it was a mutually beneficial relationship." Hikaru walked past him, taking in the sights of the forest. "I was...asleep. Adrift in a world I can't remember and you can't fathom. I was woken and pulled here, by your sister. And when I discovered the suffering of this universe, it was just too perfect. I had to stay. She called me to her side and spent every night with her, and I heard your sister's every grievance with the world. As many as the night was long. And to be honest Ferio, I was a better sibling to her than you were.

Ferio held his sword out at her, still holding his side. "Who are you? And what did you do to Emeraude?" He felt his legs twitch. Run. Survive. Get help. Fuu. These thoughts flashed through his mind. He put al his energy into holding up his sword. He wasn't running this time. As if I'd get far.

"Those poor previous pillars." Hikaru walked towards him. "Clef is good! Gotta give an angel his due. The way he's made the pillars feel loved, understood. Keeping the resentment back just enough for Cephiro to exists on its perpetual precipice. But Emeraude was different than the others...that Zagato." Hikaru snapped her fingers and smirked. "Shame they've got to put him down. What a lady killer. Charmed his way into Emeraude's heart and made juuuuuust enough room for me to walk in behind him. And all that I did was fan the flames of her own indigence. I only made her more of what she already was. Tugged on her heartstrings to set it all in motion."

"Set what in motion?" Ferio felt his heart sink. This thing, that had invaded Hikaru's body, was the one behind everything?"

"Why, the legend of the Magic Knights. The ones destined to save Cephiro from destruction! Of course, the nurse rhyme they tell every little boy and girl doesn't quite include the whole story." She laughed. "But you and I know better, don't we Prince Ferio?"

The tree behind Ferio burst into black flames. Ferio dove out of the way, trying to put out the little embers of dark flame on his back. "AHH!" He rolled over on his side. It felt like it was about to explode.

"You can just disregard trying to save your Emmy." She walked over and picked him up by his head. "I've worked too hard to her to survive this. You will not interfere with my—"

Hikaru gasped, stepping back. she looked down. A tricking red was going down from her abdomen. Ferio held up his sword, bright red."Get out of her body, now."

"I respect the attempt, but she can't die here either. She snapped her fingers. Her wound disappeared instantly."

Ferio charged. "No! I refuse to let this happen! There must be another way! If we just look for it, I'm sure we can save everyone!"

"If you really think you can save Princess Emeraude—" Hikaru held up her forearm as the sword made contact. It didn't even break skin. Ferio gasped.

Hikaru grabbed him by the throat and held him up. "I'M AFRAID I'VE GOT SOME BAD NEWS. Your sister is going to die at the hands of the person you love, and There is absolutely nothing you can do about it. Just as I willed it to be."

She threw his sword aside. "I'm the person that's going to murder you, and take Cephiro, take everything, away. I can already hear the tendons in your neck snapping as I rip your head off."

This stupid boy was still trying to scratch himself free. His pathetic resistance was incredibly amusing.

She threw him against another tree. "Your sister taught you a cruel lesson. I'll give you one now. And all it's going to cost is your everlasting suffering."

Hikaru cast out a dark energy ball. It hit Ferio in the chest and bound him, stretching his limbs outward as he floated in midair. "There is a time and a place for everything. But not everything has a time and place. It's not up to you to weave fate. It never was. That position is for me. And me alone."

Ferio could only watch as whatever was controlling Hikaru approached him. "The first chance I get I'm telling them everything. I don't know who you are, but we are going to stop you. Together."

"Now you do know too much, but as I said, killing you now would ruin everything. So how about I take a page out of your sister's book and ignorantly prolong your life?"

She touched his face. Ferio's eyes dimmed.

"Just relaaaaaaaaaaaax... until there's not a single thought in that pretty little head of yours. I did my time waiting, and now you must do yours. "This isn't our story, and it's about time we both back out of it. Until next time, my prince."

---

Hikaru blinked. She looked around. Some of these tree's next to her had straight-up melted. I didn't even know trees could do that. Ferio was laying on the ground in front of her. He seemed pretty beat up. They had been fighting, but she didn't remember doing all of this to him. "Uhh..."

"Ferio!" Fuu from behind her, pushing Hikaru out of the way to get to him. "What did you do to him?!"

"Wha—" Hikaru had an incredulous look. "I didn't do anything!"

"What do you mean you didn't do anything? Look how hurt he is! He's unconscious!"

"Well I mean, I don't remember what happened. I sport of...blacked out? My head hurts..."

"You went so berserk that you literally blacked out from rage? Ferio's our friend! How could you do that to him?!"

"Hey! He attacked me! You can ask Umi!" Hikaru pointed frantically at her.

"I'm not asking Umi anything! Ferio only got involved because you went haywire."

"Why won't you listen to me?!"

"Because you're acting like you've done nothing wrong, when all of this is your fault!"

A dragon made of pure water shot right between them, tearing down any trees in its wake.

Umi put her hand down. "Fuu, take Ferio and back to camp."

"What?" Fuu shook her head. "I'm not leaving you here all alone with her."

"This is what i asked for at the start of all this. I need to finish it."

"I—"

"Ferio needs you more than I do. Besides," Umi got in her face with a wry grin. "Think about how grateful Ferio will be that your nursed him back to health. You'll be the first thing he sees when he wakes up. Ever heard of Nightingale Syndrome? I heard it goes both ways."

Fuu looked down at the ground. Her face was already going red. "You know what? You two deserve each other." She picked Ferio up and carried him away.

"I wouldn't have said no to fighting the both of you." Hikaru lead against the tree in a pout.

"Hikaru, let's talk. If Fuu doesn't want to listen to you; I will."

"...Thanks."

"So I guess we should start with the elephant in the room: what's gotten into you, Hikaru?"

Hikaru crossed her arms. "You're the one who wanted this fight."

"It was sparring. Not a fight. And I never would have asked for this if I know you would get this mad. I know you can be intense when we battle Zagato's minions but I never imagined this versus each other. Do you see how much damage this new attitude has caused? And its only been one day."

"Exactly! Just imagine if I could control it! If you and Fuu tapped into it too! Umi, you have to trust me. This power feels amazing!"

Hikaru paused, trying to find the words for the emerging exuberance. "I'm angry, but I'm also happy! I feel excited! I feel free! I feel so in touch with my every emotion I could just explode! It feels so great to stop stuffing down my feelings. No more doubts. No more fears. No more distractions! Just plowing straight ahead! See how much better I am this way?! You can be like this! And so can Fuu! We'll defeat Zagato, save Princess Emeraude, and go back to Tokyo! Isn't that what you wanted?!"

"Of course it is! But what your doesn't work with how we do things! We're a team! We aren't going to save this world by destroying it. The way you bombed the forest. Whatever you did to Ferio, getting into an argument with Fuu. This isn't us! This isn't you!"

"Well maybe it should be. I'm so much better this way."

"You couldn't be more wrong. You think this new attitude is going to save this world, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure you know how wrong you are. This is a battle of ideals now." Umi held her sword at her side. "And I'm really stubborn."

"Let's settle this, then." Hikaru held her sword out, pointed right at Umi.

Umi stood there with bated breath. Hikaru's going to coming at her with everything she has. And I'm going to have it to step it up to keep up with her. Fuu isn't even here anymore. I need to get these swords out of our hands. Soon.

Umi ran off to the side.

"Wha—seriously?!" Hikaru gave chase.

Umi turned back to look at her. Let's see how much 'better' she actually is.

Her movement was still sloppy; there moments of her crossing her feet as she stepped through the trees, uneven terrain, even fallen logs and stumps. She could go from too forward to too narrow in a single step. Even worse, her sword was in front of her the entire time as she pushed past the rain; steam constantly rolling off of her.

One slip and she cuts her own head off. You goober, what are you doing? Don't keep the sword in front of you. You aren't even in the range of me! She sighed. Well, I know what I have to do. Keep her moving and pick my moment.

Hikaru realized she was approaching a propped—up log. There's my chance. Running along it to get vertical, she jumped off of it overhead of Umi. "KIAI!"

Umi rolled out of the way as Hikaru came crashing down. Hikaru slashed out and Umi blocked it down the center of her body. Umi bounced back and started to backpedal up the base of a hill. Hikaru slashed and slashed and slashed. Umi was rapidly being pushed up the hill as she struggled to block every single attack. Don't fall. Don't fall. Don't fall.

Hikaru stepped into another slash and slipped. Her sword wavered before dropping down with her.

Gotcha. Umi thrusted.

"Ahh!" Hikaru sunk to the ground, dropping her sword. She looked at her hand. A deep slit between her fingers and wrist. Blood was already rapidly pouring out.

"You!" She grabbed her sword and instantly let it go screaming in pain.

"I didn't want to do that!" Umi felt her sink. Well, at least the sword was out of her hands. If someone had to get stabbed, this was the best—case scenario. "Come on. Let's get back to camp. Fuu will heal that right up!"

"NO!" Hikaru grabbed the sword with her other hand and swung. Umi barely blocked it in time. The flames from Hikaru we're even stronger now.

"Come on!" It felt like Hikaru's attacks were even stronger now. No way I can stand up against it. And I can't separate enough to run. Rain please make this girl slip again.

Hikaru stepped forward and the ground under her dried and hardened instantly.

Seriously?!

Hikaru pressed her sword into Umi. The two stood there clashing. Hikaru pressed forward and the blades were getting closer to Umi.

Umi threw a kick that hit Hikaru right in the chest. Hikaru tumbled down the hill.

And stay down you goblin. As the thought left her mind, Umi saw Hikaru stab her sword into the hillside. Of course.

Umi ran up the hill and froze when she got to the top. She was staring at the bottom of a giant cliff.

"KIAI!" Hikaru brought her sword down, and Umi barely turned around in time to block it. Hikaru pushed her into the cliff. Umi's back was pressed into the rock. "There's nowhere to run now, Umi. I've got you!"

"You know," Umi turned her sword broadside, let's it hit her shoulder. She put one foot against the cliff, trying to push off on it. No good. How was Hikaru even stronger?! She wasn't even using her dominant hand! "You didn't need to blow up a forest for me to tell you I loved you, or that you were my equal. I was more than willing to do that for free. Especially that first part!"

"But now I've earned it! Now it's real! I'm not weak! I'm not useless!"

"I never thought of you as weak for a second!"

"I thought of me that way. And I hate that feeling. And I hate me!" Hikaru pushed Umi into the cliff, shattering the stone.

"Why?! Hikaru, you're one of the most incredible people I've ever met! What could possible make you feel so bad about yourself?"

"You and Fuu have been so incredible lately, and I've just been doing nothing but keeping everyone in danger! You guys are the real Magic Knights, not me! But I can change that! Just give this new me a chance!"

"First of all—" Umi pushed upward, sending both swords into the cliff rock. Hikaru tried to pull her sword out but Umi clenched down on her good hand. "This isn't a competition or some test! You don't need to compare yourself to Fuu and I. We're a team! You've done plenty for us! You can't always save the day! and you shouldn't expect yourself to. I'm sure you'll save us again sooner or later. Whatever you're feeling right now is completely ridiculous!"

"R—r—ridiculous!?" Hikaru's hand went ablaze. "Do you know how long I've been feeling his way?! This hurts! And I feel this way more and more now! Don't tell me these feelings aren't real!"

"Of course they're real! Everyone has them! But they don't define you. That's why its important to have friends to talk about them with. We could have talked about this anytime! And in your case, they definitely arent true."

"Yes they are!" Hikaru pushed Umi away and pulled out her sword. "And I'm not gonna stop until you tell me this angrier side of me is a better Magic Knight! She swung. Umi's leg slipped and she fell down to a knee.

"There's no way out of this except through me. You have to give up! Say you quit, Umi. Say it!"" Hikaru pushed her sword even further.

The blade sliced into Umi's cheek. "SAAA!" She dropped down to both knees. "I—I—I"

Just a little more. Hikaru lurched forward.

"I—I—ireee"

What? Nonono.

"Whirl... wind."

Water exploded outward up along the cliff. Hikau was on the ground, coughing up water. She looked up. Boulders dropping from the sky.

"Ruby Lightning! She fired and the bolts zapped the boulders reducing them to smoke and pebbles.

Umi walked out of the cliff. "Cephiro is a place of the will; where power comes from one's heart. Hikaru, you were the one that taught me the power of love. love fore the people around me. Love for the world. Love for myself! I won't let you second—guess yourself."

"I'm not second guessing myself. I was just wrong before." Hikaru got to her feet. For the first time, she actually looked tired. "This is where my heart's strongest!"

"Are you sure about that? Just because your more reckless doesn't mean this is the best version of yourself. If anything, its easier."

"Prove it!" Hikaru swung wildly across her body. "KIAI!" Umi parried and swerved away from the attack and moved in, ramming her bicep into Hikaru's face. Hikaru staggered back and Umi brought her heel down on Hikaru's ankle.

"Gah!" Hikaru hopped away on one leg before coming back, cleaving downward in an overhead strike. Umi blocked it and kicked Hikaru's bent knee.

Hikaru staggered back before throwing a hard thrust. Umi sidestepped it and smiled as the sword went into the cliff, down to the hilt. As Hikaru tried to draw it out, Umi drove her drove toe into the back of her leg.

Hikaru fell over grasping her leg. "I HATE FEET!" She ripped her sword out and rushed towards Umi keeping the sword close to her.

Umi pushed their swords up and immediately raised her foot and pushed it into Hikaru's bent knee. Hikaru fell forward, sliding chin—first into the mud.

Umi held the sword to Hikaru's face. "Checkmate. You lose."

"RAAAAAAAA!" Hikaru rushed forward, slicing her cheek open on Umi's blade. Hikaru's sword swiped across Umi's vision. She could taste the intention as the blade cut through air. And yet...she didn't let herself react.

Umi slid her foot in, putting her shoulder straight into Hikaru, knocking her back.

Hikaru swiped at her feet. Umi slashed downwards. Disarming her.

Umi ran to the side. When she crosses her legs, take the shot.

As Hikaru reached her, Umi juked back. Hikaru tried to catch herself and one leg went directly in front of the other.

Now.

Umi sprung forth. Their sword clashed, and Hikaru fell back on impact and Umi drove herself into her. Her sword fell out of her hand, skittering on the ground. She reached for it. Umi's foot cam down on it and she slid it away.

"It's done." Umi held the sword at her side. "You can try again next time instead of getting mad how about you train with me. I'd be happy to give you some pointers."

Hikaru looked over at her own sword, then she looked up to Umi, and then finally she looked down upon herself. She tried to stand up and her leg gave out immediately. Her nose was broken, her hand was cut open.

She started crying. "No matter what I do I'm not strong enough."

"Come on Hikaru, its not that bad." Umi sighed. Hikaru wasn't perfect. She wasn't perfect. She had fears, she had insecurities. After every engagement, she would lie in bed letting the near—death experience replay in her head, again and again, and again. Just like Umi did, and I'm sure Fuu and Ferio have done too. And she pushed herself harder than anyone else. And that wasn't always healthy.

She was so objective—focused, so busy trying to deal with the mission instead of her growing anger towards herself.

Hikaru wasn't perfect. But I love her anyways. I've seen who she truly is and I would do anything to support her.

A warm sensation awoke Umi from thought. Hikaru was staring at the ground, silently. Heat was radiating from her body.

"Um...Hikaru? You okay?"

"I'm not done." The energy around her glowed white. Her red had completely gone pink. Pink flames shot out from her body.

She held out another fireball. "I'm gonna make another Wasteland Bomb. One that's even bigger!" On command, it shot up into the sky and consumed the air around it, become a gargantuan mass and it only expanded further and further.

Umi stepped back. It was like watching a sun being formed in real time.The heat alone threatened to boil her. "Don't! You know what damage this could do!"

"But I do know that it'll do damage. Lots of it." She smiled. Finally, a chance to show her real power. This was her everything. All of her heart. All of her will. Put into a pink ball of fire.

Umi sunk to her knees and looked at the ground, Tears dotted the soil beneath her. "You don't have to prove anything! I already love you! Why? Why wont you get that?!"

She looked down at Umi. Did she really still not get it? "If you loved me, you'd accept all of me, even this anger!"

"You idiot!" Umi looked back at her. Her fists were now clenched. All of this and she hadn't learned anything. It was horrifying. It was was saddening. But most of all, it was aggravating.

"Its because I love you that I can't! and I never will!" Water started to pool around her body.

"I know that despite all of our close calls, you love being a Magic Knight! You love Cephiro! You love us! You love being alive! You love yourself! And...and...and I love you for all of it! So what I need, more than anything else in the world, is for your to wake up! Remember who you are, and come back to me! HIKARUUUUUUUUUUU!"

The ground began to roar to life. "Waauauhauhauhau—" She stumbled, almost dropping the bomb. This energy! It's...unreal! How is she generating this much power?! She looked at the sky. Holy shit. She blinked. No. No no this couldn't be happening. She couldn't be seeing what she was seeing. "Umi! What are you doing?! Umi! UMI!"

---

"Oh you poor thing." Fuu held her hand to Ferio's head. Thankfully he doesn't have a cold. After bringing him back to the Round table, she healed his wounds and wrapped him up in her green towel. Oh Miss Hikaru was going to get it when she got back. What had gotten into her? "I'm so sorry this happened to you." The timer went off on the stove. Another pot of tea ready to go.

"Oh...man..." Ferio opened his eyes. "Fuu, why am I on the ground?"

"Ferio!" She hugged him instantly. "I'm so glad you're okay!" She gave him a plate with a sandwich of every meat imaginable, alphabetized.

"Me too." Ferio took a bite and looked around. "Not sure what happened to me but I hope it happens more often!"

"Wait, you don't remember?" Fuu's expression dropped.

"I remember you chasing me out and then...then..." Ferio looked forward, lost in thought. "I have this really deep sense of sadness kicking in. Fuu, what happened to me?"

"You...don't remember." Fuu turned away, touching her first kiss. The way Ferio looked her in the eyes...and he didn't remember any of it.

Tears went down her face. Ferio got wide—eyed. He put his arms around her and pulled her close. "Hey, what's wrong?

Fuu looked back at him mid sobbing. "Do you love me?"

"Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes."

Fuu leaned up and kissed him. "Don't forget, okay?"

Okay." Ferio stared at her with the stupidest little girl on his face. And that's when he saw something moving his peripheral vision. "H—hey, is it me, or is that teapot flying?"

Fuu looked over. Makona was floating in mid—air, trying to wrangle the tea pot which seemed to be carrying him towards the window. Eventually the tea shot of of the pot and hit the window, and all of it phased through to the other side.

"What were you brewing and who were you trying to serve?!" Ferio gasped. "Fuu! your clothes!"

Water droplets were stirring around her clothes before pooling about and leaving the fabric, drying them instantly. The stains were being sucked out, and they too phased out of the Round Table. It's as if someone is rewinding the rain.

Fuu opened the door outside. Water was swirling up from the ground and shooting back into the sky. She followed the arcs and...

Holy shit.

Another Wasteland Bomb. The water was heading right for it.

"WHAT IS THAT?! IS THAT UMI AND HIKARU???? WHAT ARE THEY DOING?!"

Fuu got out her sword. "Stay here!"

He grabbed her arm. "I'm not letting you go by yourself!"

"I SAID STAY HERE!" Wind magic was forming on her hand. Ferio was pushed back.

He saw the look in her eyes. He missed a lot. "...Okay."

---

All of the water from the rose up from the ground, becoming one as a giant cloud formed above the Wasteland Bomb.

"This is what you wanted, right?! The power of yourself versus everything this world can throw at you." Despite all the brimming power in the air, Umi felt calm. She was either going to win this fight and save Cephiro, or she was going to lose and well, let's face it: defeat here meant she was always destined to lose. This wouldn't be her probably anymore, anyways. "Count of three."

"I won't back down." Hikaru's arms were trembling. She kept looking between Umi and the cloud. Even the Wasteland Bomb was getting pretty heavy. It felt like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

"One."

"I—i—its just water."

"Two.

"I can't lose! I can't! I can't! I can't!" One last surge of adrenaline shot through her body. She reared back and stretched her armed.

"Three." Umi brought her hand down. "Nexus Storm."

Gigantic water droplets plummeted from the cloud. A shockwave rippled out as each one collided with the bomb. Hikaru felt them throughout her body. Like drums banging on her very existence. She screamed. Her hands went numb. The bomb lurched forward, toppling over more so than being thrown. More droplets crashed down and repelled the bomb before fully burying it and Hikaru.

Umi watched the suppressed explosion impact the ground, conveniently making room for a new body of water. Hikaru wouldn't drown in the water and she survived blowing herself up once.

Silence. More rain poured into the new lake as it tried to balance itself out.

Hikaru floated to the shore, and Umi pulled her back onto land. Umi fell over. She really had but everything she and in Nexus Storm. Still, the job wasn't done. I need to make sure she's breathing. She looked over at her, leaning her head in. Mouth to mouth couldn't hurt...

"KGAHK! ARGGH!"

Hikaru's hand was clinched around her throat.

"You just dropped a lake on me. I am so going to get you back for that."

She pushed her away, and the two of them slowly got back up standing.

She cannot possibly have any energy left. It's not even swords or magic anymore. She put her fists up. "Hope you punch better than you swordfight."

It wasn't until Hikaru was halfway charging her down did Umi realize something; no way in fuck did Umi have more experience with fistfighting that this tomboy with three brothers.

Hikaru rammed a forearm into Umi's face. Then a slap. Umi's head rocked in place. Dug her toe into Umi's thigh. Umi dropped to a knee. Her head popped back as Hikaru spun his fist back into her.

"KIAI!""

Hikaru rammed her arm into Umi's neck. Umi hit the ground with a splat.

Kicks don't fail me now. Umi threw a giant front kick to the face. Hikaru dodged it, got behind Umi, and wrapped her arms around her waist. With a roar, Hikaru reared back and Umi's head slammed into the mud.

Hikaru kept her grip and rolled over, taking Umi with her. She planted her foot in the ground to get back vertical. her leg buckled instantly and the pain sent shock waves up her body.

Umi tried to pry her off. She punched down on Hikaru's wounded hand. Hikaru pulled her hand away and stepped back.

Umi spin for a kick, her foot shot up to Hikaru's head. Hikaru caught it. Hikaru yanked Umi over her shoulders. Her arms caught fire as she held Umi in place. Her knee buckled but she powered through and jumped up into the air, before coming back down. Umi's back crashed into her shoulders. Hikaru let Umi crumble to the ground before wrapper her arms around her body again and throwing her overhead once more.

Umi's head hit the ground again. She went limp. Hikaru rolled over again but as soon as she stepped on the ground her legs gave out completely. Instead of launching Umi, Hikaru fell back and Umi fell back on top of her.

Hikaru rolled over on Umi's chest; pinning her arms down with her knees.

"I don't need legs to do this!" Hikaru reared back slammed her fist into her face as hard as she could. Her right hand stung as as rammed it into Umi's cheek. She didn't care. She did it again.

"Don't you understand that my love for Cephiro hurts?! I'm afraid of losing everything that I love because I'm not strong enough! You can say that you and Fuu will always be there for me, but I'll need to be there for you to! I want to be there for MYSELF! That's why I need this power. It comforts me!" She punched her again. She heard a noise and felt pain shoot back up her arm. She held her hand up. Her finger was bent out of place. The swelling would start in moments.

"Gah!" She looked back at Umi and bashed her with her left hand. "I know you're scared too. I've seen it! You have to be upset sometimes. So why don't you get me?! Why aren't you angry too? Why—WHY DO I FEEL SO HELPLESS AND ALONE?!"

Hikaru rolled over, gasping for air while choking on her tears. Nothing made sense anymore.

The rain was still coming down. Hikaru just let it hit her as she took in the gray sky. She was tired. So intensely tired. She looked over at Umi who hadn't moved. Out like a light. This power. It was amazing. This is her at her best. Exactly what she needed to keep up with Umi and Fuu. Even surpass them. This is what she needed to save Cephiro. As long as she kept feeding her anger, she could be a hero. And yet still, the feeling of satisfaction from winning was already gone. I just want to curl into a ball and lay here.

It was then she notices Umi's hand close to hers. Surely, umi wouldn't mind if I... She reached out. As their fingers touched, a bolt of lightning came down. Hikaru covered her eyes, and we she looked back, Umi had sat up. She looked at Hikaru and swatted her hand away. "Oh if you think I'm letting you off the hook this easy, you really have lost it."

Hikaru crawled back. "You're—you're kidding!"

Umi wiped her mouth and looked down at the blood on her sleeve. The cut on the inside of her cheek wasn't going away soon. "You think using your hatred makes you stronger? You couldn't be more wrong. Our loving bonds for each other is the greatest power we have. I love you way too much to let you destroy yourself. So get up! I'm about to show you some tough love."

"I hit you as hard as I possibly could!" Hikaru got back to her feet, wobbling as she stood up again. Pins and needles running up her body. "You're bluffing."

Maybe just a little. Hopefully Hikaru hasn't noticed how hard she was breathing. You were the one that taught me the strength of my heart could shatter any limit I thought I had. And now I'm gonna make you regret it. Andthenhopefullywecanmakeout. "I love you and all Hikaru, but I gotta be honest." She spat out a mouthful of blood and put her hands up.

"You kinda hit like a girl."

Umi rushed her. If I let her win, I'd be justifying all of this. Who knows what damage this would cause later. Don't really know how I'm gonna win. Guess I'll have to find out.

Hikaru reached for her neck. Umi pushed her hands away and jumped into knee, catching Hikaru in the stomach.

"GAH!" Hikaru bent over gasping for air. Umi went around her and grabbed her arm. She spun her around and swung her other arm into Hikaru. Hikaru hit the ground high on her shoulders.

Umi turned her body into Hikaru, trapping one of her arms. Grabbing it and flipped Hikaru over, dragging her body into the mud. Hikaru rolled over onto her knees, looking at the ground when she heard a WHOOSH above her. She juked back as Umi's heel came crashing down.

"Gotcha!" She went around Umi again and get her hands around her neck in a full nelson. She squeezed down on Umi, trying to swing her around and crush her vertebrae. The two stumbled around and Umi's head went lower and lower. "Now give up!" Hikaru kicked her leg out and brought it back in, trying to sweep Umi's leg and drive her face-first into the ground.

Umi stomped on Hikaru's foot before driving her heel into a shin. Hikaru fell to one knee while Umi broke free. Umi swung her hips back and jumped up, careering her foot into the side of Hikaru's head. Hikaru fell over, barely clinging to consciousness. The entire world was spinning around her and went back and forth in light in dark.

Umi held both her legs up and stepped through with her left foot before wrapping Hikaru's legs up, turning around, and sitting on Hikaru's back! "No! You give up!"

Hikaru screamed. trying to shake Umi off only made it worse. Hikaru looked at her hands. Small flames came to life, only to be snuffed by the rain. I'm too weak! I'm too weak! I—I—I—

Umi felt herself bump up an down as Hikaru started crawling. An insidious feeling washed over her, and she decided to turn around.

Hikaru was reaching for her sword, mere meters away.

"No. nononono noooooo." Umi let go of her feet and went for her neck. Hikaru elbowed Umi in the side and punched her right in the nose with an audible KRICK! Umi fell over.

Hikaru made one last effort for her sword, getting her fingers around it and pulling it into her body. gripped the hilt and look into the blade. Even with the rain, she could see her reflection clearly. She was bleeding. She was covered in mud and grass. Several welts, scrapes, bruises, and knots were developing. but she was strong. She was persistent. She was winning.

A grin sprouted through Hikaru's lips. It stretched to the edge of her face. "Hehehehe." This feeling. This power. This. Was. It. The time for games was over. No more playing around. No more frolicking. It was time to gut something. Someone.

As she tried to turn around, she felt this pang in her heart. She and Umi had agreed to hand—fighting. And I lost. Time for a new strategy.

You act like no one else notices how pathetic you are. And you just allow this. Don't you want to take the next step in our growth? It's about winning. It's always about winning.

But we agreed— Hikaru shook her head and looked back into the blade at her reflection.

I know me better than that I'm gonna kill her anyways. The reflection pointed. Wait a minute is that a foot—

Hikaru slammed face-first into her sword. Umi winced at the muddy footprint on the back of her head. She pulled Hikaru back up to her feet and looked at her.

She sighed. Hopefully, you don't remember this. Umi tucked Hikaru's head into her side and fell back. Hikaru dropped face-first onto her sword again.

Hikaru's hair went back from a touch of pink into a deep red. Pink steam flowed from her body. In the midst of it, Umi felt a strange sense of hatred toward her that slowly dissipated but dissipated all the same.

She shook it off. Whatever this was from Hikaru was hopefully buried. Umi looked over at her. A stream of blood was trickling down her forehead. Umi put her thumb over the gash.

"You've been holding back so much. Trying to see the beauty of this world to distract yourself from what's happened to us we've got a lot of responsibility that was just put on us one day". She took her hand. "It's okay, Hikaru. I forgive you, and I...I...I love you."

Whatever was wrong was pretty hot, but honestly, I want her even more after fixing her.

Just, the thought of Hikaru pulling her soul out to her. Then Umi pulls her in close tells her everything's going to be okay and gives her a little smile on their lips getting ever closer...

Fuu can have all the sugar packets she wants the middle of that bed is mine.

Hikaru opened her eyes.

"Hey there, Hikaru," Umi whispered softly. "How do you feel?"

"Tired."

"Yeah, I can imagine." Umi pulled her in for a hug.

"Umi, I'm so sorry." Hikaru started crying in her arms. "I messed up. I'm sorry. For everything. You were right. I put you through so much.I don't deserve a friend like you. Thank you for saving me from myself. I'm so sorry."

"Look, there's something you need to understand. You are so much stronger when you fight with the love in your heart. Not the hate in it. When you use the power of your love for everything in this world, Hikaru, I would follow you anywhere."

"You'd...follow me?" Hikaru looked at her. Even with the rain coming down, Umi's eyes sparkled so brightly. And her smile seemed so genuine.

"Even when you mess up, I'd gladly be right at your side. No matter what happens, in the end, we are going to win, and we're going to do it together. Because of each other. Not in spite of. As knights. As friends!"

As lovers. As lovers.

As. Lovers.

Say it. Say it!

"Oh, Umi!" Hikaru hugged her as tight as she possibly could. Umi felt herself warm up instantly. It was like...gathering around the furnace at Christmas. So much better than the blistering heat she was giving off before.

Please say it.

Luckily, the rain was perfect for hiding tears.

"Hey, Umi."

"Y—yeah?"

"Can we keep hand—fighting?"

HUH?

"Gyah! WOT?" Umi white—knuckle gripped Hikaru's shoulders. "We are soaked. We tore up a cliff. I'm hungry. My feet hurt. I love you with the force of a thousand waves, but seriously, Firefly, why and how can you keep going?"

"I don't want our battle to end this way. I want...to know the power of my love."

Me and my big mouth. Umi looked down for a second before looking back up at her. "Of course. I completely understand." Hikaru my beloved, why must you peril me so?

Hikaru picked up her sword and looked at it disappointingly with a tilt of her head. She put it back into her glove and sighed. That side of her never needed to come out again.

"Ready?" Umi held her hands up.

"Y—Yes." Hikaru stutter—stepped in place.

"Then let's finish this." Umi ran forward. You deserve to know exactly just how great you are, Hikaru.

After trying to decide whether to attack or hold in place, Hikaru charged.

Umi left her feet and dove at Hikaru. Hikaru jumped over her and ran back, ramming her shoulder into Umi and knocking her down. Umi got to her feet and turned around into another shoulder tackle by Hikaru.

DAMNIT HIKARU. Umi got back up and swung wildly. Hikaru ducked underneath and picked Umi up, rotating her in midair before slamming her back into the ground.

Hikaru raised her hand. With The torrent coming down around them, she could practically catch a handful of water.

She waved her hand in front of Umi's face. "You'll never see this coming!"

Hikaru ran away from Umi and then skipped back, counting each hop. "Dō, hidari, men, migi, tsuki. She jumped over Umi's body and did the same thing coming back. "Tsuki, migi, men, hidari, dō."

She raised her fist and brought it down on Umi's head. An audible BONK cracked off in the air.

"OOOOOWWW!" Umi grabbed her head, trying to get back to her feet. She stumbled right into Hikaru, who lifted her over her shoulders.

NONONONO

Umi tried to wrestle out of it, but Hikaru's grip was too much. She stumbled in place, the mud under her feet destabilizing. Time to do the next best thing.

Umi rammed her elbow into Hikaru's face. Hikaru's neck cranked back more and more with every blow.

"GAH! GAH!" I—I can't— "GAH!" "GAH!"

Umi wriggled off, pushing Hikaru away. Hikaru tried to throw a punch. Umi plucked her up and spun her around with her own momentum, slamming her into the ground.

Umi rolled back her sleeve, exposing her elbow. Umi swung her elbow.

Hikaru rolled underneath, got back to her feet, and threw out a kick, connecting with her elbow. Umi's arm went limp.

Hikaru Crossed her fists over her chest. Flicked her arm, smashing her fist into Umi's chin. All of Umi's momentum came to a halt, and she stumbled in place. Hikaru lifted her over her shoulders again. Umi tried to elbow her again.

I will never give up!

Hikaru flipped Umi up, and Umi came back crashing into the ground back first.

Hikaru grabbed Umi's leg and flipped her over, trapping Umi's leg with her own. Hikaru reached forward, put both arms around Umi's neck, and crrrranked back on it.

Hikaru's hand was on her free shoulder; locking it all together. "I've...gotcha Umi! I knew could do it! I knew I could!

GYACK!

The darkness in the outlines of her vision crept in. And yet, She had not accepted defeat in her heart. In fact, she was having the time of her life. This girl is going to be the death of me and I'm proably going to enjoy it.

Umi grabbed both of Hikaru's arms and ripped them apart.

"WHAT?!" she had that hold locked in. Hikaru realized her body was shifting

Umi had planted her free foot in the mud and was halfway to a vertical basis.

Tried to choker with her other hand. Umi caught it. And bashed her head into Hikaru's nose. Again. And again.

Hikaru. Got weak. Umi slung her sideways on her shoulders.

Slammed her forward, down onto her back.

Umi pulled back her sleeve, revealing her bare elbow.

Winded it up. Waiting for Hikaru to get back feet.

Umi swung with her elbow. Hikaru ducked under.

Hikaru grabbed her neck and tried to yank her down with a spin. Umi pushed her away. Hikaru tried to grab her again. Umi swatted her hands downs and wrapped one arm around her neck and grabbed her waist. She hoisted her up for a slam, but Hikaru rammed her elbow right into her jaw. Umi stumbled back. Hikaru jumped up, put a knee into Umi's chest. Umi caught Hikaru completely and Pushed her upwards. Popped right up into the air.

Umi swung with her full body into the rotation. An audible crack as her elbow drove into Hikaru's head.

Hikaru crumpled into the ground. Facedown. Umi fell alongside her. She took a few moments to catch her breath. She rolled Hikaru over on her back.

The last of the rain descended upon them, a welcome silence beginning to permeate in the area. Umi looked out at the lake they had made. Honestly, it was a pretty nice view.

Hikaru nestled herself on Umi's shoulder with a somber look. "I lost again, didn't I?"

"Hey, don't worry about it." Umi parted the hair out of Hikaru's eye. "I got lucky."

"I wanna get lucky." Hikaru turned her head away and started sobbing again. "Umi...I'm sorry. I wish I was as strong as you and Fuu, but I'm just not there. I fought with everything I had, but I still couldn't win."

"Oh hush now. You leave Fuu and I in the dust. Your willpower, your drive to always keep going. I love that about you. This fight was never about you being any kind of weak. Trust me."

"Winds of healing!" Vibrant waves of air dusted over head, pushing the waters of the lake forward. The two of them closed their eyes and smiled as they allowed the energy to take hold of them.

"Seems like you two are done." Fuu cut her eyes at Hikaru. "Are we alright?!"

To her surprise, Hikaru instantly latched onto her in a hug. "Fuu, I'm so sorry about the way I acted and all the destruction I caused. I've just been so frustrated and angry and I just let it all out in the worst way. I'm so sooooooorrrrrryyyy."

"Well, its Ferio you should really apologize to. But you seem back to your more merry self so... apology accepted."

"You know if it helps, I forgive her." Ferio popped out of the bushes with Makona on his head.

"Ferio!" Fuu stormed over to him. "I thought I told you to stay at the Round Ta—"

Ferio leaned in and kissed her, catching her as soon as she reached him. "You're cute when your angry."

"Ah!" She punched him in the chest. "Next time listen you jerk. And wipe the crumbs off your face."

"Ferio! You're okay!" Hikaru hugged him too. "Sorry for what I did earlier."

"Forget about it. I already did. Did I get any good shots in?"

Hikaru pointed to her face excitedly. "You broke my nose!"

"Sweet." He gave a thumbs up. "Call it even."

Fuu looked at Umi and whispered. "Now would be a good time."

Umi took a deep breath. Welp. Here we go. She put her hand on Hikaru's shoulder. "Hey."

Hikaru turned around curiously. Even now, her eyes seemed to sparkle like the finest rubies burning softly as they hinged on Umi's every wood. She cupped Hikaru's face and parted the wet hair from her cheeks. "I'm so proud of you, Hikaru, and I'm so glad I met you. The truth is, I needed to fight you because I wanted you to know how I felt. Hikaru, I—"

Umi looked down. Panting, shaky breath only disrupted by a few nervous giggles.

"You don't have to be nervous, Umi." Hikaru grabbed her shoulders to hold her steady. If today taught her anything, it was to always be there for the people you cared about. "You can tell me anything!"

"Anything?"

"Yeah!"

Umi smushed her lips against hers. Fleeting moments together that made her feel frozen forever in time, pulling back as her face got too hot. "...I wanna be girlfriends." All she could do was stand there and blush as she waited for an answer with baited breath. Hikaru just gave an apprehensive stare. Umi turned away, trying to hold a smile. "If you don't want to date, th—that's fine, but I'm glad that I told you how I felt about you. You deserve to be with whoever you want."

"Did you just kiss me?" Hikaru looked at her quizzically.

"Y—Yeah. How do you feel about that?" It was getting really hard to hold the smile. Umi was already trembling in place.

"I...didn't know girls could kiss each other."

"There's a lot of things girls can do to each other!" As Ferio took his next breath he felt Fuu's aura looom right over him. "Not that I would know."

"Well, yeah. He's right." Umi finally exhaled just a little. "Girls can kiss girls and boys can kiss boys. Girls kiss each other at my school all the time when they're in love."

"Oh. That's nice." She looked at the ground pointing her fingers together touching. "I've never had a kiss like that before. Was it good?"

"It was everything I'd ever dreamed of." Umi took the opening, giving a kiss on a cheek. "I'm willing to bet girls kiss more at your school than you know. You've never heard girls tell each other they love them? Sneaking out together to the bathroom, or behind the school, or in a corner of the library?"

"All the time. But...as friends!"

"Really now?" Umi's catty smile was as strong as ever. "Do these friends say they love each other other and hold hands?"

"Yeah?" Hikaru looked on as Umi took her hand.

"And do they look deep into each other's eyes?" They were nose to nose again. Hikaru felt the warmth in Umi's eyes. How could she have ever have gotten angry with her?

"A lot of times, yeah..." Hikaru felt her heart come to a standstill. She had never felt this way before in her life. Nothing even close. If this was love...it had an entirely new meaning seemingly out of nowhere.

Fuu held a finger up. "I'd like to add that love counts as friendship." Ferio and Makona nodded.

"Go easy on her Umi." Ferio wrapped his arm around Fuu "It took me multiple weeks to drag a confession out of this one."

"Stop making this about me!" She pushed away while trying to hide her blushing.

"Heh. Sorry about being so direct." "You don't have to say anything right now. Confessing my feelings for you was enough. I know this can be a lot to process so—"

"Wait." Hikaru pulled her in tightly. "I've never had a girlfriend before and I've never really thought about dating and stuff like that. But I do trust you. And I do love you so—please be my first girlfriend Umi!"

EEEEEEEEP! Umi bounced up and down. "I have so many dates planned! We can ride bikes and do each other's hair andgetRamen together andwatchmovieswhat'syourfavoritemovieIwannawatchitwithyouand—AHHH!" Umi tackled Hikaru to the ground again. "HIKARUUUU! I LOVE YOU! I love you! I love you! I love you!" She hovered her a goofy grin before dropping down and kissing her again. "I have a girlfriend! And she loves me! And I love her!" She went back in for more and the two rolled around on the ground for a little while before Makona hopped on them to get up. They got to their feet. Umi took Hikaru's hand and they started walking.

"You two make a lovely couple!" Fuu waved them off and held Ferio back. "Give them a head start back. They could use the alone time."

When the others were out of earshot, Umi took a deep breath. One last thing to do. "As much as I'd like to let it go," She pressed her finger on Hikaru's nose. "The kind of anger you had isn't something that just comes out of nowhere. You've been holding in a lot of stress trying to press onwards. There's no need for that, and I don't ever want to see you like that again. So from now on, everyday I want you to tell me exactly how you feel. Especially whenever something makes you upset. Got it?"

Hikaru was taken aback for a second, but she closed her eyes and nodded. Umi was right. Fuu was right. They were a team and they had to communicate like it. "Got it."

"Good. Let's start with this." Umi gave her another kiss holding it for a few seconds. "How do you feel about that? "

"Weird, but like a good way. " She turned her head away and blushed. "I feel all tingly and..happy." This girlfriend thing would take some getting used to but it didn't seem so bad.

"I'm so glad they're together." Fuu leaned her head to Ferio's shoulder. "This isn't exactly the best time to be dating. But once we make it home maybe things will be easier."

"Yeah." He interlocked his fingers with hers. "Hey, Fuu?"

"Hmm?"

He tipped up her chin and softly pressed against her lips. "Surprise."

Fuu's legs gave out and she slouched over for a second before Ferio hoisted her back up. "Nah ah ahhhhh...you don't get away from me that easily." He whispered oh so gently into her ear before pulling his head back to stare at her. Fuu looks absolutely bewildered. Her hands were weakly pressed against his chest. "May I proceed, Miss Hououji?"

"...Ah?" She blinked, the question taking a few moments to sink in. "Ah..."

It wasn't that she hated this. Fuu might have never been happier before in her entire life. It was just...surreal. Surreal to have all these feelings brought forth like this. In a strange land, she had been whisked away to not too long ago during a field trip by an everyday school for an everyday girl. And now, here she was. Just having her first kiss taken by this rouge they found wandering a monster—infested forest. It all felt like a dream. And I would give anything to never wake up.

She slid her hands up his chest; past his shoulders and clasped them around his neck. A quick exhale. "Please, Ferio, proceed."

Their lips met again. The hair on the back of Fuu's head was pushed up between his fingers. Fuu made no attempt to stand; her legs had completely gone from under her. Their energy was stolen by this dastardly rapscallion. He had stolen something even worse: her heart.

Ferio pulled away again and the two paused to catch their breath. They couldn't hear anything over the sound of each other's exhales.

"I will...ha...say," Ferio gave her a wily grin. "it is nice to hear you beg for me, Fuu. I finally have you right where I want you."

"Other way around, Love."

"Wait, what—"

Fuu tugged on his shirt and brought him in, giving him a quick, deep kiss before she pulled back with a pop!

"Heh. Wasn't expecting me to steal a kiss from you, huh?" She fell against his chest, and Ferio had to pick her up bridal style. That was the last of her energy. Very well spent.

"I'll get you back for that." All Ferio could do was grumble as he carried her away. How dare she do that to him? Please save Cephiro immediately so she could do it again.

The party walked back to the Round Table, settling in and taking a moment to get clean. The clouds were parting in the sky, and the sun started beaming over the world once more.

"As much as I'd like to hang out with you girls all day long here, you do have a princess to rescue and a world to save. So in my opinion, we should get a meal in and then head out."

"We?" Fuu's eyes lit up. "Does that mean you'll be accompanying us?"

"I don't see any reason not to at this point, so—URGH!" Ferio was interrupted as Fuu gave him an exceptionally tight hug, lifting him into the air.

Makona beamed a large pile of food onto the table.

"Ooh, miso soup and pot stickers!" The girls took their seats.

"Alright everyone." Ferio raised his glass. "Whatever happens next, we face it together. Let's all do our best to make sure we save Princess Emeraude and Cephiro. To the Magic Knights!"

"TO THE MAGIC KNIGHTS!"