Bonds of Sister's

"So, you are finally catching up," Himari said, "do not be discouraged, you might just be a late bloomer."

"Catching up? I just got started, sister," Maki said, "Hideaki, was honest with me; he said that I might not develop, like you guys."

"Master is an honest man, but have some faith too," Himari said, "Do not be pessimistic, it's contagious. Continue to train your body, and refine your swordsmanship, but I have to ask: what is it like?"

"It's a bit difficult to wield, this sword is heavy, for somebody like me. A bit helpful, when you lack a technique, like me, though," said Maki.

"No kidding," Himari said, "Do not tire yourself out. You grasped the concept of aura a lot younger than us. To think, you do not have potential is a ridicolous thought! I am sure, you will figure it out, and when you do, I will be there for you."

"Thank you, sister," Maki said, "but I did not bring you here, to talk with me. I want you, to spar with me, but I want a serious spar! The boys always refuse to take me seriously, or will you also do the same?"

"Uh," Himari murmured, "I do not think that is a good idea."

"Come on, sister," Maki pleaded, "the boys refuse to use their techniques against me; Hideaki, refuses to use aura against me too! Please, I just want to learn and get stronger, like you sis. You understand me, don't you?"

"How can I say, no, to those eyes of yours," Himari said, "Out of respect and slight admiration, I will fight you without restraint."

"No takebacks, sister," Maki said, "As Mother always said, the wise warrior never seeks out a challenge!"

Chuckling at her remarks, Himari replied, "But the warrior must always honor the challenge, when challenged!"

In a fraction of a second, Himari attempted the first strike, releasing a powerful jab toward her sister's neck, Maki resorted to her sword, to block the powerful blow, and released a flash of energy, when the sword made contact with her fist. Thrilled at the action, Himari retreated for the time being, as she began the chant and summoned Otharri onto the battlefield. For the first time, Maki sensed the presence of a spirit creature, and this excited her greatly, as she would grip tightly onto her sword.

Himari locked eyes with Otharri, and the creature nodded in agreement. Momentarily, the pair double-teamed her, as Himari overwhelmed with a barrage of blows. While Otharri released waves of fire, from its wing towards the ground, attempting to disrupt her footwork. Maki was stumbling, but she managed to keep her balance. Stuck on the defensive, she was unsure of how to counterattack. At that moment of thought, Himari, created three constructs of Otharri, and had the spirits fire flames in all directions.

This moment of thought put Maki in a great predicament. Essentially, her sister had secured a brutal victory against her, but Maki refused, to let this happen. In desperation to escape the flames, she concentrated her aura on her legs and feet, enhancing her speed to that of Hideaki's, for a brief moment. Once the flames had made contact, they would combust and this worried, Himari a bit, as she thought, 'Did I go too far? Master is going to tear me a new one, for burning her to a crisp!"

However, to her surprise, there were no remnants of her sister, this frightened her!

"Okay, Maki," Himari muttered, "I thought, this would help you to break past your limits...did I kill her?"

'Good, she's under the impression that I died,' Maki thought, 'This is my chance, to win!'

However, Himari's facial expressions would shift, as she chuckled, "Oh, please, Maki! As if I would fall for that, you mimicked Master's flash step technique! Sluggish, at best."She quickly brought forth another spirit, declaring, "With this contract, I bring forth, the one who gives rise and fall, to all! Come forth, Terra! The Vast One!"

'It cannot be," Maki thought, 'she has another? Where will it come from?'

At that moment, the abnormal humanoid creature emerged from the tree, Maki had taken refuge in, and it would deliver a powerful blow to her cranium! The impact of the blow was enough to create a pressure that would be felt from fifty miles away! Falling to her death, she was out of it, until she gripped onto her sword once more, piercing it into the tree.

This gave her a foothold, but before she knew it, Himari and her spirits were after her! Himari, had dismissed the clones of Otharri, maybe she could not afford to maintain the clones with a second summon?

Despite the presence of a second spirit, Maki smirked, knowing that her sister was expending her energy, to two different summonings; she is significantly weakening herself, by dividing her energy amongst these creatures. It's only a matter of stalling, and victory would be assured, she thought.

"Smirking, are you," Himari said, "You misunderstand, this is not the time, to be overconfident!"

Instead of waiting for them to arrive, she retrieved her sword and ran upward the tree, defying the logic of gravity! Himari had a habit of being the focal point of the offense, using her spirits as support. Changing her initiative, as her sister decided to take the battle to the treetop, she followed her upward the tree, as Otharri and Terra trailed!

However, at that moment, Maki mimicked, the flash step of Hideaki's, swinging downwards to put down Otharii, forcing the spirit to withdraw from the mortal realm. Unable to see them, she can sense the creature via its aura outline!

Heading downwards, Maki pierced her sword into the tree, to deaccelerate her fall! Terra closer to her, followed and engaged her in combat. The creature delivered a barrage of blows, but every time its pace increased, overwhelming her a bit. However, Maki noticed, that the creature tended, to leave an opening every third punch, allowing her to deliver an upward slash, to its face, causing the creature to stumble back.

'This was it', she thought, 'I will close in, and finish it off.'

And so she did, as she used her swift foot, to deliver a brutal slash across its torso, forcing Himari, to either withdraw it; or risk its permanent destruction. Having had her hands full, she failed to realize that Himari had seconds ago returned on land, as she delivered a powerful blow at her vertebral, putting her young sister down for the count.

Maki, dropped to her knees, foaming at the mouth. Before long, she fell face down, granting her eldest sister the victory. However, Himari too, was a little worn out, as she stumbled onto her back.

"To tell you the truth, Maki," Himari said, "you were the first, to force me to use such underhanded tactics. I would have liked, not to finish you off from behind, but I saw no other choice."

"This is all I wanted, sister, for one of you; to take me seriously..." said Maki.

This moved Himari, as she lifted her torso, saying, "She was still conscious? No, she's completely knocked out. Well, I guess, I might as well get up. I did not plan, to get this serious, but what about we head out of their sight? There's something that I can teach you, Maki."

'With my Master sleeping,' Himari thought, 'We the students get to be the master's for the day, right?'

Lifting her sister, Himari put her onto her shoulder, determined to teach her sister the basic techniques of aura. However, as simple as their world may be, elsewhere it's the opposite.

In the Usnia region, tension has been brewing. With the shift of power, The Retta has lost control of vast lands, since the victory of the Imperialists. At the risk of genocide, they made terms with the head of the rising imperial power, as a result, he provided them a pardon, at the cost of two-thirds of their land.

This has significantly weakened the former great power, as they combat famine annually. Since then, the Retta have poured all their efforts into their military, at the chance of a rebellion against the King. The Retta’s military powers consist of three branches. The first branch consists of twelve members. Each member is given a number, for where they fall in place, as the strongest. It’s a selective process in which the strongest are chosen; each warrior is thought to be a generational talent.

The second branch consists of twenty-four members. Each member has a type of technique, however, they do not meet the requirements to make it to the first branch. At times, the members of the second branch serve as companions for members of the first branch.

Last but not least, the third branch. Members of this branch do not possess a technique. They are forced, to go through the most brutal training. Soldiers of this branch are the ones, who guard the exterior of the multitude of Retta districts. The number of soldiers is recorded to be at two hundred.

However, the issue at hand is something quite concerning. Within the main district, the Head and his subordinates reside. Having summoned his greatest warriors, he says, "As I imagine, you four have an idea of why I have summoned you here, or have you forgotten that incident?

The Head, Retta Isamu, father of Akiyama-Retta Hideaki.

"How could I forget, my lord? It's about the runt, isn't it?" said Hanzo.

Retta, Hanzo, the No.1 of the first branch, a pristine warrior who's held his spot for three decades. Hanzo's swordsmanship has brought him great success, and he's one of the few that possess no technique. He is considered one of the strongest from the Retta.

"Retta Toshiero, sire? I recall, it was I, who failed to stop him," Shikibu grunted, "The cheeky brat deprived me of my eye, and I will have justice for my eye...!"

Retta, Shikibu, the No.2 of the first branch, is the only woman in history to have risen to the first branch. At the age of twenty-eight years old, she secured her spot, with her exceptional talent at Realm.

"Isamu, I do not question you, but is it necessary to send the four of us? Especially, for a kid of all people? Hanzo, is enough for that, no?" said Kenshin.

Retta Kenshin, the No.3, is a man of extraordinary energy. At the age of twenty-two, he stands out as the best of his generation, having killed the former No.2, with the prized Over Quintessence of the Retta.

"Uh," Hashi sighed, "I do not understand you, Kenshin, do you not get tired of being stuck at your post all day, huh? If it's to catch little Toshiero, why not go, and enjoy some time outside?"

Retta Hashi, the No.4, is a man with experience in wars against rival clans; and the last war between the Imperialists. At the age of thirty-two, he is greatly admired, for his accomplishments.

"Whether you think, this is a task worthy of your time," Isamu declared, "I will have you do it, and if there is any refusal, state it now and be flogged; for your insolence! Toshiero, is a potential heir to the clean, and I do not possess the amount of sons, I would like. He may be my brother's son, but he too, is my blood."