A Prideful Encounter

Welpen: “–Hey Isara, let’s go meet the king. Clara didn’t give me enough allowance this week. I need a new sword anyways. He’s pretty generous, so he might lend me a sword. Oh! Maybe two swords, so I can merge them and get really really lucky and craft a good sword…Do you have a luck chaplet, Isara? We can get a bunch of swords then and maybe I can even obtain a legendary or mythical sword. Wouldn’t that cool?!”

Isara: “No, I don’t have many chaplets anyways. Most of them are bad. Wait. King? Isn’t he going to look down on me since I’m not from here?”

Welpen: “No. Our king is a really good king. He protects both this place and the other town through the door. Any danger that comes here he takes care of it. He already pinned you when you entered at the front gate.”

Isara thought, ‘They call him a king? I have no problem with meeting him, but I wanted to see more around this place. Three different elemental realms inside a magical domain? How is this still able to stand when this so-called hero isn’t around anymore? Hey…Sarz. Are you awake?’

No response.

‘Liz, are you up?’ Again, no answer. ‘Ine?’ ‘I’m here, Isara. What’s up?’ A boy fairy this time answered from Isara’s sword with blonde hair and yellow eyes wearing only blue pants. Welpen continued talking, but Isara drowned him out and let him talk to himself basically.

‘Can magic elemental grounds stay even without the person present?’

‘Hmm…I suppose so, but you’d have to be able to use magic at a very high level. Also, your mana would have to constantly be used because you would be so far away. Although…Even for us fairies, that’s almost impossible. We have a lot of mana, but we could only maintain a separate realm with elements for about 1 hour. Morlin, the leader of the fairies, could forever, but Morlin disappeared a long time ago. As soon as we entered, I thought the same thing as you. Either this king we are going to meet is super strong or there is someone even stronger is commanding it from the outside.’

Isara pondered on why the land was like this even more. ‘I don’t think there are any problems anyways. I was just wondering how strong this person must be before meeting him. Thanks Ine. Wake Sarz and Liz when we get to the castle. We’ll be there soon. I want you guys to meet him too. Maybe he can help me free Kaibo.’ She looked in the distance with resolve in her eyes, stating a similar speech to herself that she made not too long ago. ‘I’ll free you, Kaibo. I promise.’

Welpen: “–Ohhh, Isara! We’re here!”

They came to a large castle building like Isara had seen before from the distant hills. Separated from the center town, the castle sat in between the red and snowy hills as if it was split into two different sides. The large circular symbol lit up half red and half white. On the ground, similar rings rushed towards them and hung around their bodies, making them unable to move.

“Wh-What?” Isara shouted out loud as her sword dropped on the ground. The fairies shouted inside her mind. ‘Isara! Spirit Embodiment!” Liz, Ine, and Sarz emerged from the sword and rushed inside Isara’s body. Red, green, and blue wavy lines rained down from the sky. Isara emerged from the light with long pointed ears, clear wings, long black hair, green plated armor, and multicolored eyes matching the fairies mana. The rings easily broke and Isara took up her sword in hand.

“Woah, woah, woah. Isara, it’s okay. This is standard. We approached the castle without an invite.” Welpen shouted at the castle. “Hey! We aren’t going to attack. I swear. It’s just me, Sir Reiken. I just wanted a sword!” He chuckled after that statement. Welpen sure had his reputation. He had been to this castle a lot apparently.

A tall man walked out of the doors ahead of them. Half white and half black hair dressed in a white shirt, long black pants, and a black looking cape. Looking closer, Isara saw that the man had one white eye and one black eye and was smoking a cigarette.

Four more people walked out behind him. A man a little smaller with black and red parted hair with orange eyes. He wore a black and red checkered shirt only covering a fourth of his abs. He held a sword on his shoulder entrapped with flames and a dragon tattoo on his right shoulder.

To his right, a small kid with black messy hair and red eyes wearing a black hoodie. He held large white swords in both hands that curved at the ends. The width of the swords was much larger than the handle with black lines running through the middle of it. The kid licked his lips and laughed as he walked out.

Behind both the men, two women just as fearsome approached. Both looking the exact same with long white hair and horns from their heads. They wore a white outfit with blood covering it as if they had killed for years in the same clothes, never washing them. Two dark black swords with red curved lines ran down the shaft. The swords both lit up yellow along with their eyes.

Sarz began to speak to Isara from inside her body. ‘These people are strong, Isara. We have to run. Even with our trump card, we can maybe beat one.’ Isara scoffed at the thought of the overpowered enemies in front of her. The man in the front began to speak though before she could make a move.

Reiken: “It’s okay. It’s okay. Everyone relax.”

He began to smile.

“We were just in a meeting and felt some powerful mana, so we had to come check it out…Hey there Welpen.” He smiled and waved. “How are you doing?” He released the binding rings from Welpen’s body. “I’m good sir! I was just showing Isara around. She isn’t from here and I wanted to get some swords to craft because…well…some things happened earlier haha,” Welpen said nervously.

The man laughed at Welpen. “You sure aren’t the right person to be showing someone around now.” He looked at Isara. “I apologize on his behalf miss…?”

“Isara. I’m Isara.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Isara. I’m Reiken Ento, although I guess a lot of people like to call me King. Sorry for the traps, but we don’t like anyone interrupting our meetings. There could be spies in this place for all I know that want information…Oh…These people behind me. Forgive me. I am not the best at introductions.”

Isara just listened, unsure of what was going on. ‘He speaks very confidently. He certainly looks strong. Maybe he can help me if I can gain his trust.’

“This man to the right of me is Tenken Pew. The young boy to my left is Takeshi Ootoko. The two girls behind me both have the same name as they are twins named Sayaka. Nothing else. They prefer that name over anything else.” Try your best not to anger them. They can get mad.”

Silence filled the air. Nobody chose to speak after the introductions.

Reiken: “Hey, hey. Why does it have to be so awkward when I introduce you guys to people. This is the second time now and it’s the same crap.”

Tenken: “Sorry boss. It’s just…This girl commands the fairies of Zara’s Valley. I thought they were all wiped out cause I wasn’t sure which ones she has. I was just on guard this whole time.”

“Hahaha! Tenken, you scared?” Takeshi said as he laughed. He licked his lips again in excitement. The twins said nothing as the conversation continued, but peered into Isara’s eyes the entire time.

Tenken: “Shut up Takeshi. You would struggle too against this girl.”

He laughed again.

Takeshi: “Says you. I’m itching to fight right now. How about we go another round? You’re 0 for 7 against me afterall.”

Tenken: “Tsk! Cocky brat. You’re lucky we aren’t on my turf. I’d kill you in the blink of an eye.”

Takeshi: “Oh really? Then how about I just kill you right here?!”

He leaped towards Takeshi before Reiken stepped in between them and stopped them both.

Reiken: “Ahh. See, now what reason do we have for this. You two can settle this somewhere else…away from my people.”

He glared at both of them infuriated. They both stepped back. Reiken looked at Isara, telling her, “Sorry Isara. I hate making people wait, truly. Anyways, normally when the alarms go off it’s just some kid that strayed from the town, but when we sense mana like yours well…we have to come check it out. Be proud, you’re strong. I know you aren’t here to hurt anyone. In fact, I sense an overwhelming sense of pride and helpfulness from you.” Welpen chimed in. “I know, I know. Isn’t she awesome?” Reiken laughed. “She is indeed! Okay, well, we have to get back to our meeting. Nice to meet you, Isara…Stay out of trouble, Welpen.”

Isara: “Wait!”

Reiken turned around.

Reiken: “Yes?”

Reiken: “You’re strong. I know you are. I have a friend. His name is Kaibo. He needs help. Can you help me?”

Reiken: “Hmm…Kaibo? I feel like I’ve heard that name before.”

Tenken: “He used to be one of the 10 Great Swordsmen, but he got banished somewhere a long time ago. Rumor was he went on a killing spree. They needed 3 of the top swordsmen just to bring him down before they outcast him, but that was a long, long time ago. Surprised he isn’t dead.”

Takeshi laughed again in awe of the fighting that he could encounter. “There’s so many strong people in this world. I love it!”

Isara shouted out, “I know where he is. I can’t free him though. I’m not strong enough. Something about a sword that trapped him there that needs to be destroyed or used to free him.”

Reiken responded, “Well…I do like to help, but I have my own people as well. You understand this right, Isara? I would need something in return if I am going to leave this place essentially unarmed…How about this? A splendid idea just came to mind. You duel me 1 on 1 and the winner will do a favor for the other person. How does that sound?”

‘A duel? I can’t beat this guy. Is he crazy?’ Reiken spoke again as if reading her mind. “Wait, wait. That’s not fair. So silly of me. How about I use 10 percent of my power. That would put us at equal strength.”

Isara: “Wh-What? 10 percent. Are you sure? That seems unfair then.”

Reiken: “Don’t worry. It will be fair. Come, let’s go to an open area near the snowy hills.”

Welpen was excited. He was ready to see Isara in action. He felt terrible for breaking her sword and hoped that it would hold up during the fight and he could cheer her on against the King. “Isara. Good luck. I’m rooting for you. You’re gonna win.”

Isara: “Thanks Welpen. This snow is getting thicker. Is this what I’ll be fighting on?”

Welpen: “Don’t worry, Reiken will clear that out. He’ll make an even playing field.”

In an open space with no spectators or disturbance, Reiken stopped and kicked the snow in front of him. Just by doing this, a playing field leveled out to a thin level of snow. Isara and Welpen stood with mouths open, amazed at what he did.

Reiken: “Okay, Isara. Sayaka will be monitoring this fight. Sayaka, please state the rules for the young girl.”

Both twins began to speak simultaneously.

Sayaka: “Rule 1- All and any mana or magic incantations can be used during this fight along with any chaplets that you have. Rule 2- You may use any weapon at your disposal, even your opponent's weapon. Rule 3- If any magic extends beyond 3 miles to the town, then the fight will be stopped by the observers and will result in a draw. Rule 4- Reiken may only use 10 percent of his power. Anything more will result in a loss. Rule 5- The winner is determined when both knees of the opponent are on the ground or the fighter cannot fight anymore. In this case, this only applies to Reiken. Isara will win if she touches Reiken with 1 finger…Both of you please step forward.”

Welpen and Isara both shouted out, “What? One finger?” Welpen continued to shout out. “Isara! Get him! They don’t know how strong you are. They are underestimating you! That’s way too easy! You got this!”

Isara and Reiken both walked forward to greet each other. He towered over her not only physically, but in strength too. Although he didn’t look it, he was extremely strong underneath his layering of formal clothing.

‘I know this is going to be hard to win, but I have to do what I can to help Kaibo. I’ll show him there is more to this world. I’ll become strong enough to help anyone!’ Sayaka spoke again, “Please reach your hands out towards me. I will write a magic contract on both of your hands.” She drew in dark pink mana. Half a star on Isara’s hand and half a star on Reiken’s hand. They then shook hands and the symbols combined as one emitting a large dark pink star above their heads. “The contract is done. Both players may return to their original spots so that we may begin.”

As Isara walked back, she thought of how she could surprise Reiken. It was the only way she could think of how to beat him. ‘Liz, Ine, Sarz…Help me out here, please. This might be the only chance I get to save Kaibo. We have to go all out.’ Ine quickly responded, ‘We could use our trump card from the start, but we don’t know his abilities. He’s the strongest out of these 5 without a doubt.’ Liz jumped in. ‘He’s only using 10 percent of his ability. We can just use Spirit Embodiment again. It was enough to put the others on guard.’ Sarz finally spoke. ‘Isara, Liz, Ine. Listen to me please. This man isn’t underestimating us. He knows exactly how strong we are. In fact, he’s probably overestimating us. 10 percent is more than we can handle. We’re at a disadvantage… Ine, I would agree with you on using our trump card, but it might violate the rules.’

‘Can’t we force him to go over 10 percent using it? He will violate the rules before the attack reaches the city,’ Isara mentioned as a strategic plan. ‘And do you really want to test that out and put innocent people at risk?’ Liz said.

The four pondered for some more time. “You ready to go, Isara?” Reiken called out as he stretched and yawned. “Y-Yes. One second.”

The fairies argued about how to win this fight while Isara thought about what to do. ‘I have an idea guys. As soon as the fight starts, emerge from the sword. Ine, disrupt the ground off the start. Throw off his balance and change the playing field. Liz, use RainBuster and Fairy Dust to change the weather and lower his senses. It should make the ground slippery with the thin layer of snow. Sarz, stay connected with me. We’ll use your flames at the moment Liz lowers RainBuster. Combine with me after everything is done. We’ll do what we normally do. Keep the chaplets on hand. We got this! Everyone stick together and let’s win this!’