"Are you insane?! You haven"t even done your familiar summoning ceremony! How are you going to battle me officially?!" Vera shouted. Ariana rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "That is my problem not yours. Are you trying to back out now?" Vera gritted her teeth and turned to Payton. "Professor Rain should be still in the Cathedral! Drag him out if you have too! We will make this an official match and see who will be shamed!"Payton looked conflicted as he stood rooted in place. "Vera, glorious leader... you do realize the risk of having an official match?" He said nervously as he kept his gaze glued to the ground. "Go Payton." Vera replied darkly. Payton gulped and started to walk towards the Cathedral doors. "Miss DuChamp please reconsider. It is as you said she has yet to do the official familiar summoning." Cayden started to say but Vera was having none of that. "Why do you care Cayden? It"s as she said, it is her problem not mine so I can only whole heartedly obliged."
Ariana turned to Edlyn and flashed a smile. "I will get you the best mentor!" Edlyn shook her head no. "You do-n"t kn-ow wh-at you are get-ting in-to." Edlyn enunciated with a harsh tone. Ariana looked at her with puppy dog eyes. "Do you doubt me?" She asked with a small whimper. Edlyn sighed and gave her a defeated look. "Do not o-ver do it." Ariana beamed. "Of course not!" Edlyn gave her an unconvinced look.
Edlyn grabbed Ariana"s elbow and pulled her close. They turned their backs to the on lookers and Edlyn brought her hands. "Your not using all of the Lumas are you?" She signed and Ariana brought up her own hands and flashed Edlyn a chilling smile. "Don"t worry I have a plan." Edlyn brought down her hands and looked Ariana square in the eyes. "Use Rah-ul."
Ariana quickly brought her hands up to cover her ears. "Master, Edlyn is a genius! If you use me in your battle you will be nothing short of glorious victory!" Rahul shouted clearly, Ariana brought down her hands in defeat. She thought she could stop him from speaking, she peaked behind her and then shook her head. "No, I have a plan." She whispered under her breath.
The doors to the Cathedral swung open and to Ariana"s surprise, Breeze stormed out. He quickly looked around the crowd and spotted who he was searching for. In a heart beat he weaved between the crowd, scooped Ariana up from her knees, had her sitting on his forearms as he looked up into her face. "What the h.e.l.l is wrong with you?!" He shouted as he narrowed his gaze. "An official battle?! Do you know what that even means?! Heavens knows what goes on in your head but I am against this stupidity! Why chase danger?! What if something were to happen to you?! I would be devastated if -?!"
"Breeze enough!" Rain shouted as he finally caught up to him. "Master you are too slow." Breeze said as he looked at Rain with a bored expression. "Put Miss Drake down." Breeze sighed as he gently placed Ariana back on the ground. Whispers started to fly in a frienze as they looked at the handsome, green haired man. Breeze heard their whispers and stroke a provocative pose as he flashed a devilish smile. "That"s right students! It is I, Breeze the newly born satyrs."
"Enough… sigh… someone please explain why an official battle is being requested on the first day." Rain asked as he looked at Ariana. "I was challenged and I accept." Ariana asked nonchalantly. He then turned to Vera and waited. "P-p-p-professor Rain it wasn"t my idea! I didn"t call for an official match!" Vera stuttered as her eyes welled up with tears. Rain looked at everyone and shrugged. "I"m sorry everyone, there must have been a huge misunderstanding. I will chalk this up to first day jitters and pretend that the request was never made."
Vera let out a huge sigh of relief but Ariana let a sly grin appear on her face. "Professor Rain, I can guarantee you there was no mistaking my asking for our battle to be official." She shouted loudly causing Vera"s hair to stand on end. Rain gave Ariana a warning look but she ignored it and continued. "Vera has insulted the Academy and tried to gain favour with the magical creatures in the area! She wanted personal gain from them to know doubt increase her own power or become a Student Council member and what better way to do this then to attach herself to Edlyn! She said she could see our magical energy and wanted Edlyn, I saw through her and I will not tolerate her actions!"
Vera started to tremble violently as Rain turned to look at her face. His eyes were hollow and menacing as half his face became slightly dark. "I did no such thing!" She squeaked but Rain did not let up on his glare. "Then why would you accuse me of having a fake ribbon? Professor Rain made this for me and presented it to me! Also you said unfavorable things to my friend Edlyn, calling me unstable and that she could only successfully grow under your wing. Fully knowing her magical energy acts as a magnet for the creatures! Don"t lie you said so yourself and there are witnesses that can testify!" She shouted and everyone except for Edlyn, Cayden and Vanessa dropped their gazes to the ground.
"I-I-I." Vera said as her teeth chattered. "Professor Rain, I can vouch for Miss DuChamp... Miss Drake is putting words in Miss DuChamp"s mouth so she can push your n.o.bel decision." Vanessa said as she rounded her eyes and batted her long eyelashes. Cayden and Edlyn stayed silent as Rain gritted his teeth. "Your name?" He growled making Vanessa shrink back. "Vanessa Brenton." She said softly, instantly regretting siding with Vera. "Do you know why everyone is looking down Miss Brenton?" Vanessa shook her head no, causing her ringlet hair to bounce gently with the movement of her head. "I can extract the truth easily or painfully. Miss Drake already knows this fact and would never dare to lie to me. Vanessa Brenton you are demoted to the average cla.s.s!" Rain shouted as he sliced the air in front of Vanessa.
She screamed as she fell backwards. Her ribbon changed from red to pink and her face paled as her watery eyes looked up at Rain with hurt and confusion."Miss DuChamp, I will preside over the official battle." Vera paled as her eyes grew wide. "But Professor!" She shouted in protest. "Enough! I have spoken! Now to the arena." He said darkly as he flicked her navy blue robe. He walked past Ariana and under his breath he whispered. "I hope you know what you"re doing." Ariana smiled. "I always do."
Ariana and Vera walked behind Rain, acting like night and day. Vera was pale, shaking, sweating and muttering incoherently as she bit on her thumb nail. While Ariana held her head high and looked around at the scenery, cheerful and carefree. Some third years started to make bets on who would win while Rain turned a deaf ear to their dealings. Rain continued to walk, to the left side of the school. There were four towers that stood proudly overtop of a beautiful blue, red, green, orange mosaic in the shape of intertwined circles. Each tower stood at the edge of the mosaic while the center had a small garden of white lilies.
"Vera, since Ariana called for the official match you may choose the battle grounds." Rain said as he turned to face the two girls. Vera seemed to have pulled herself together after she sorted out her thoughts. She looked at Ariana and saw her sweet smile, it caused her stomach to turn. She felt nothing but hatred as she looked at her face. Especially looking at the colour of her eyes. "Tower 3!" She shouted. Rain nodded his head and turned again. He walked to the tower in the back on the left hand side with Vera and Ariana in tow. He brushed back his navy blue robe and revealed a key ring tied to his tarnished, golden rope belt. He yanked the key ring and it slipped past the rope seamlessly.
He flipped the keys in his hand and skillfully grabbed a silver-bronze, twisted key with a turquoise stone embedded in the top part of the key that looked like a fleur de lis. He inserted the key and the door started to glow neon blue and green. Rain looked back, hand firm on the key. "Third years move the first years into position!" The third years shouted their understanding and grabbed a first year. They all quickly moved to stand behind the mosaic art on the ground. Ariana let out a small breath of relief when she saw that Cayden grabbed Edlyn and kept her close.
"I, Professor Rain will referee this official battle between these two students." He shouted as her turned the key then looked at Vera. "Vera DuChamp, third year, top 10%, I am wagering authority over the mentoring program." Suddenly Vera started to glow, a string of rainbow coloured light pulsed around her body. Rain turned to face Ariana. "Ariana Drake, first year, perfect score student, I am wagering my freedom for a month." Rain"s eyes grew wide, he turned back to Vera buy could no longer see her face. He know knew why she was so spooked about the official battle, she did something against the rules and thought she could get away with it. There was no stopping this battle.
Ariana"s body soon glowed and a string of rainbow surrounded her as well. Rain gritted his teeth and turned the key once more. "Battle begin!" He shouted as he let go of the key and walked over towards the garden. The towers started to spin along the mosaic art, moving to fast for the naked eye to see. First years were screaming as the third years held them in position, wind, dust and dirt flew past them. Soon the towers sunk into the ground, the outer areas rose. The entire area tuned into a coliseum. The third years released their first years and took their seats while the first years gawked at the battle grounds.
Down below was a ma.s.sive terrain of small canyons, mountains, geysers, rock formation and dessert. They had never seen anything like it before. Edlyn grew worried and looked back at Cayden. She could feel her throat tighten and her mouth go dry. She brought up her hands and started to sign. "Will she be okay?" Cayden turned his gaze to the glowing figures and watched as they turned into light and went to opposite ends of the battle field. They reappeared in full out battle suits, waiting for the battle to begin. "I hope so." He whispered and clenched his fist.
Ariana could now see the battle field before her and was in awe. She had never seen such a wonder before. In the distance she could see a single shot of water dispersing in the air and wondered what it could be. She looked down at her body and suddenly felt self conscious about herself. She was wearing a dark purple, one piece suit that hugged her body. They bottom half were shorts, she had hiking boots and a steam punk belt. The top half was like a halter top, the purple stretchy fabric went up to her neck and had a t shape in the back. Her hair was beautifully braided into a single braid and her hands had black fingerless gloves.
"Call forth your familiars!" Ariana heard Rain say, she looked around but could not see him anywhere. "Master, it is time for you to choose. I suggest Duko as the field closely resembles his element." Aroha advised but Ariana smiled wickedly. "Vasu!" She called and could imagine the faces of her Lumas, completely dumbfounded. A pink light shot forward and a chibi pink deer floated into of her. Vasu stared at her while Ariana opened her arms, her cheeks slightly blushed as her eyes shone with affection.
"You will be my main familiar." Vasu nodded his head and jumped into her embrace. "Stay close, you will know what to do when the time comes." She said as she snuggled her face against his pink, chubby body. Vasu started to wag his stump of a tail when suddenly Ariana heard a unison thud. "What was that?" She asked as she lifted her head and looked around. Vasu continued to snuggle in Ariana"s arm. "They face palmed themselves." He answered nonchalantly causing Ariana"s eyes to widen in astonishment.
She stared to laugh and released Vasu so she could bend over and try to catch her breath. "Please have faith in me." She said in between her laughter. No one answered. "Fighters ready.... begin!" Rain shouted. Ariana took a couple of cautious steps forward, when no immediate attack came her way she started to stretch. When she felt that she had warmed up enough, she stared to jog. She looked around as she went past the scenery. She was more excited to see the water that shot up in the air then the battle itself. "Master." Vasu called out lazily and Ariana stopped dead in her tracks.
She looked around and found some rocks. She picked them up and flung a few rocks forward. She held her breath and waited. No reaction, she threw a few rocks in a row, one after another, disturbing the sandy area. Suddenly a worm shot up. It looked to be 25 feet wide and stretched up 18 feet. It"s body was a smoke grey with patches of lavender purple, parts of it body started to spray out puss. Ariana jumped back as liquid landed in front of her. It started to sizzle and melt away at the earth. The worm had wide mouth with rows of circulating teeth., it bent its body left then right, causing more puss to spray before it roared in displeasure and sank back into it"s sand pit home.
"Thank you Vasu." She said as she wiped away sweat from her brow. She proceeded to tiped toed around the area until she was clear to continue to jog. She came up to a rock wall, she smiled broadly and placed a firm hand and foot on the wall. She started to climb, picking up her pace as the moments sped by. "Master, left." Ariana pushed herself outwards and swung her body her back hitting the wall just as part of the wall to her right exploded. A red winged snake shot out and coiled into the air while a flock of tiny orange winged snakes followed behind. A few rocks sliced parts of her skin but Ariana griped the rock, refusing to let go.
She took a sharp breath in and swung her body back, resuming her climb again. She made it to the top and looked around. "Vasu are you enjoying the stroll?" Ariana said in a chipper voice. Vasu bounced around in delight as his tail wagged. She looked around and saw in the distance a crater with steam coming out. "A geyser... I guess we should look for Vera..." She said in a sad voice. "Master?" Vasu said as his beady, black eyes stared right at her. "Sorry... it"s okay. I just want to get this done and over with."
Ariana ran down the slope on the other side of the rock wall. Jumping over rough terrain, dodging more attacks from predators that leapt out from all directions while keeping a vigilant watch for Vera. The scorching sun was blazing over head as time slowly ticked by. She wondered how long she had been searching for Vera. She finally came across a small canyon, she looked to her left then right. She figure she would go right and continued walking. Another hour went by and she finally reached a gorge. Water was running rapidly below, Ariana smacked her lips as she stared at the water.
"Master, it"s time." Vasu said as he snuggled up to Ariana neck. Ariana closed her eyes and started to take some deep breaths, her body slowly warmed up. "I"m ready." She said as she opened her eyes. Water sprayed upwards creating a beautiful array of lights and colour. In the middle was Vera wearing the same battle suit but she had a long marigold, scale covered tail. Marigold claws and jagged teeth. Her eyes changes and looked more reptilian then human with it"s slit like pupil. Ariana stood her ground as she watched Vera spin her body around and hit the ground with her tail as she landed. Dust and debris filled the air and Vera triumphantly looked back to where Ariana was standing.
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To her horror Ariana didn"t flinch. She stayed in the exact same spot she was before holding her pink, chibi deer as she eyed her curiously. "You missed." Ariana announced making Vera ball her claw like hands and growl. "You didn"t move..." Ariana tilted her head as she looked at Vera. "Why would I?" She asked with a confused tone making Vera"s blood boil. "Whatever! Arm yourself and fight me!"
"I don"t know how." Ariana answered truthfully but Vera just laugh. "Perfect! Arizona let"s destroy this first year." Vera said as she jumped into the air, she turned her body and her tail swished. Ariana let Vasu go and ran forward as fast as she could. Vera watched as she used her momentum to slide underneath, avoiding her arial attack. Her tail hit the ground with a loud thud, creating a descent sized crater. Vera turned around and glared at Ariana, who slow got up then waved happily.
Vera flashed her dangerous looking teeth and lunged forward. Her claws in the air, aiming for Ariana"s throat. She quickly moved into a squatting position, narrowly missing Vera"s claws and sent a single punch to Vera"s abdomen. Vera"s body started to shake violently. Ariana looked up and saw that Vera was grinning from ear to ear, her teeth were all lined up as she held in her laughter. "Do you think I"m that vulnerable? I am infused with my familiar! I am as strong and fast as the desert crocodile! Your pitiful attack will do nothing to my armored body!" She laughed darkly but Ariana just looked at her indifferently.
Vera pivoted on the b.a.l.l.s of her feet and swung her tail towards Ariana"s head. Ariana saw the attack coming and to everyone"s surprise she allowed herself to fall backwards, her back was now parallel to the ground while Vera"s tail sliced the air over her. Ariana looked up at the blue sky and smile. "Infused? Ha... ha ha... hahahaha! Vera you think that using your familiar will only give you a great advantage?" She brought her hands beside her head and laid them flat. "You are going down!" She shouted as brought her legs up and spun on her hands. Her kicks impacted the side of Vera"s head and she took a steps back to distance herself and focus her vision. While Ariana back flipped to her feet, completely unphased.
"Master, jump." Vasu said gently, Ariana ran at full then started front flipping. The ground started to shake and Vera snapped out if her daze. She dug her claws into the earth just in time to see Ariana soar above her. An indigo, two headed snake broke through the earth and Ariana was able to narrowly miss the rocks flying past her body as she jumped onto Vera"s back. "What are you doing?!" Vera shouted as she tried to release the ground but she mistakenly gripped it too hard when Ariana came at her. "Rodeo!" Ariana replied as the snake raised itself higher from the earth.
The ground around them started to crack and brake apart. Vera"s eyes widen as one of the heads of the snake turned and found them, it"s tongue stretched out tasting the air. Vera was frozen with fear while Ariana eyed the ground. "Hold on!" She shouted as she wrapped her hands under Vera"s chin and pulled her face upwards. "Wait! No!" She screamed as the snake opened its hissing mouth and jolted forward.