Ayumi pulled herself back alarmed by the contact. The scepter in her hand seemed to turn quiet for a brief instant before it started agitating again, glowing with murderous resentful intent more befitting of the other side, of the man that had suddenly appeared claiming his weapon, and not of the noble light queen's symbol as it was confronted by the weapon it had fought centuries ago and fell to defeat against it. Noriko's power had vanished, her only remains in this world now were her ashes and the people's memories of her... And at last, the sealed foe was finally able to break free from the tomb in which the late priestess had confined him in, sacrificing beyond her mortal breaths every last ounce of her power into years that spun into this current future.
In the shade of the scepter's sliver light and the sword's dark aura, a tall slim figure was illuminated. He was wearing a neutral smile as his hands gripped the helm of the sword tightly, his lithe fingers adeptly interlacing with the carved dragon. Though complicated to figure how one should position his hand to grip the sword, a jarring disadvantage testing the talent and dexterity of the wielder and probably a bold statement by the forger of the sword that the weapon was dedicated for one specific person to wield, still, the deed was easily and flawlessly done by the shadow appearing behind the sword, proving that he was the only true master of the weapon. Ayumi's heart raced unconsciously as her mind worked out that the fact in front of her the man who had slain the previous mighty queen was standing, and that she was far less powerful than her, far more vulnerable, possessing only one of her three weapons and yet taking her heritage and status. He probably could take her down with one blow of his sword without moving a single step from his place. Ayumi shuddered at the possibility but at the same time, the scepter was shaking more angrily in her hands and she clutched to it trying with great difficulty to maintain and control it. Reiha ceased all her useless movements in the void and stared directly at the man holding the sword, not swinging it yet. Her eyes were investigating the weapon with more curiosity than with which she was investigating its wielder, although flashing with contempt every time they fell upon that figure, while her mind was immediately flooded by the various scenarios the enemy's appearance could lead to; how can she protect Ayumi while denied her beloved wind to control? Should she fight insanely and wager her luck to avenge her queen and end the old tale of revenge and let Amaterasu finally rest in peace? Can she even do this noble deed on her own, as powerless as she was now?
"Took you long enough to break from that priestess's seal."
Laila's chipper voice brought everyone back to the reality preceding this dream – like situation. A low huff was heard coming from the man who was examining his sword with careful longing stares. He closed his eyes, his face twisting in distaste at the ugly recollection of his loss to that nosy priestess who never knew when to give up. Then, he opened them again raising his head, revealing for Ayumi's curious mind more of his details to look upon and therefore decide her next course of action. However, to her utter surprise, the fearfully anticipated enemy who made the princesses of the wind and the earth stand at their toes, waiting nervously and preparing lengthily for his return, appeared totally human, nothing like the demons or other princesses the girl had encountered so far… but perhaps he was a demon in a human disguise. Noriko herself said that she could not tell what he was exactly given the power he had displayed, an enormous destructive power that could not be controlled by a human, nor accept his commands. Ayumi recalled the priestess's warning but could not help staring almost impulsively at the personification of the danger threatening her and her friends.
Blending with the complete darkness surrounding them, his hair was loose cascading in waves past his shoulders down to his waist. His skin was pale like the moon, in total contrast to his black hair, a canvas weaved by a merciless dusk that kept nothing of the setting sun rays, only their glamour. The girl found herself staring stupidly at a pair of beautiful similarly dark eyes, deep in their color like a bottomless ocean that appealed sincerely yet dangerously for anyone's demise were the looker to delve deep into their mystic gaze. The only sign of any demonic power bestowed to him was the shades of dark blue and purple forging a tattoo around his eyes upon contacting the sword, like an eye – shadow that further pronounced the handsomeness of his delicate yet masculine features but also promised strength and remorselessness. Unlike Laila or the other princesses, he did not put effort to blend into modernity, merely dressing up in a traditional Japanese clothing, those similar to the ones dojo students wore, choosing the color black and purple. Upon the reveal, Ayumi could not process how such youthful brightness and alluring fairness that had combined to mold this creature could manage at the same time to give birth to the malicious evil aura engulfing her, making her hair stand on end, her heart race frantically, and her throat tighten beyond suffocation... This wickedly unyielding aura belonged to the foe and murderer of the most powerful queen and he was right there in front of her, only dense air and denser darkness separating them, while surrounded by passing souls. Before the awakened enemy could make any move, even speak, Reiha yelled in warning:
"You can do nothing Noboru! Your sword has been purified and depowered by Noriko's spiritual aura! You lack what you need most!"
This remark made Ayumi relax a little and sat her mind straight once more. Nothing truly dangerous had happened yet, and she was holding the scepter and the enemy seemed to be at a disadvantage already. Ayumi's eyes darted to the same empty place where an ornament was likely supposed to be held in the dragon's mouth, just as did Noboru's eyes. He tightened his grip around the helm, looking in Reiha's direction before he finally spoke.
"That depends on the master of the sword, Princess Reiha!"
Noboru had a deep voice, capable of sending a chill down the listener's spine just by speaking normally without anger or fury embedded in its tone, yet at the same time it was so captivating it could lure any woman or man into his arms effortlessly. His eyes brightened with excitement regarding the challenge he had just received and in response, he tightened his hold around the sword and swung it up, as if picking a toothpick despite the enormous length and heaviness of its fine craftsmanship and material. Reiha called for Ayumi to get back in a panicked voice. It was the first time the girl had heard Reiha speak in such fearful hurridness but there was no place or way for her to retreat. Ayumi could only place her hopes on the scepter she was wielding. Noboru's sword released a huge beam of dark energy and the scepter immediately retaliated, responding to the attack with an equal power. However, Ayumi's body and means were still limited compared to the other elemental princesses and she was pushed back violently. A cutting searing pain swept across her entire body, wounds flushed with blood, and crescent cuts tore at her arms and legs, with one cut near her throat, apparently a warning. Noboru cast a quick smirking gaze at the silenced Reiha, his own power alone were enough without the rest of the sword missing ornaments to take them down. He then shifted his gaze at the panting terrified Ayumi who was clutching at her injured skin with shock and panic, refusing to look at the blood seeping steadily. The man commented with sympathy.
"Such poor girl taking Amaterasu's place… what a shame! I don't even see the necessity of taking her life!"
His intention were not to kill her yet he had already left her in this miserable agonizing state with a single strike. Then what will happen if he actually desired to take her life? However, another thought was bugging Ayumi's mind, sprouting in the most worst timing. Ayumi had already acknowledged that Amaterasu was a powerful compassionate queen, strong and confident enough to destroy evil, understanding and kind enough to purify people's hearts from sadness and despair, bearing their burdens by herself, all sealed inside her heart and she fell far behind her. But the sarcastic degrading comment stirred her anger. Coupled with her perfectionistic quirks, she could not stand this insult for some reason or let it slide despite the bitter truth it held. Being looked down upon while she was the one chosen to inherit that queen's will and power… her self – esteem grew in that instant tenfold, not shaken by doubts for the first time since she had arrived at this dimension, and resonating with her determination, the scepter carried her command as she declared an attack at Noboru. The furious light beam, to her dismay, was easily deflected by Noboru's incomplete blade and frustration did not delay to show on her face. However, she did not give up and immediately prepared to summon another attack to prove herself till Noboru's words stilled her to a halt, freezing her body and resolve:
"Poor girl, at this point you are only attacking blindly. What reason do you have to resent and fight me?"
Ayumi was speechless for a moment while Reiha seethed in an anger she could not express in her perilous situation, left without a single gust of wind to command and use. Noboru did not swing his blade again as he patiently waited for the girl's answer, not that he was expecting any.
"Really, at this moment, you are only a puppet being stringed by the other remaining loyal princesses. It is truly sad… a pity!"
Laila joined in the conversation. Though she might have been bored during this journey, but Noboru's simple inquiry brought her heart malicious delight. Ayumi's grip on the holy scepter began to shake, loosening slightly, her lips trembles and she hung her head low, thinking.
"Seriously, what am I fighting for? What am I risking my life for?"
Her silence dragged on as she bit her lips, working her brain to the fullest, unable to find a proper logical answer. Seeing this, Laila kept her gaze on the lost girl. Shaking her head in pity, she narrowed her eyes and went on:
"Are you that empty and unfulfilled? Running after anyone or anything that can give a greater purpose? Do you have nothing for yourself to claim?"
The answer that hit Ayumi immediately after Laila's question was terrible, and she shook it off instantly. What did she have to claim for herself?
Nothing.
But wait... this was not entirely true...
She had bonds with the other, she had her determination to carry on their dreams and reach their freedom... these claims might sound silly and cheaply idealistic but there were her desires nevertheless. She wanted to work forward them... Also, she had the power of the light bestowed upon her, she had the encouraging guiding words of Noriko. She had been given a mystical celestial power, and still chose to use it to grant the former princess and priestess wishes, to grant them peace, not thinking how she could indulge herself once with that power. Was not this a great claim? Was it not a worthy purpose?
Courage enveloped Ayumi's mind once more, as determination filled her heart. She held to the late queen's weapon tight once again, and looking the princess of the darkness in the eyes, she raised her head and answered resolutely.
"You manipulated my friends and turned them against me, and did not hesitate to hurt my other friends!"
Ayumi pointed angrily at Laila, who merely shrugged her shoulder at the accusation, taking pride in her brief play at the school ground as shown by her smile. She clearly did not think much of that goal.
"As for you…"
Ayumi addressed the dark – haired man, pointing at him now, and went on with her clarification:
"I may not have a personal beef with you, and I don't even know you… but I know very well that you are the reason behind my new friends' suffering!"
Reiha's eyes flickered for a moment with surprise, as she turned to look at the girl who was taking their side with unexpected yet appreciated furiousness. Although she was a princess of nature, a force beyond reckoning bound by an unbreakable vow with a no less terrifying power, being referred to repeatedly as a "friend" by someone relatively new in her life, a stranger in a sense, while the last person she had addressed as such betrayed her while believing at the same time that she was the one who had been betrayed left a sweet and sour taste in her heart. Ayumi's reason for taking their side might sound childish, even ridiculous to a point, but the girl was speaking with absolute conviction. She simply chose the rightful path without needing to ponder about the matter for long and calculate or hesitate... was not this the most suitable and admirable trait in the one supposed to hold the power of the light?
"And?"
Ayumi's enthusiastic speech was answered with a questioning nonchalance. Laila spoke this single word, and Noboru smiled in amusement at what he perceived alongside the princess of darkness as mere childish naivety, leaving the new princess recoiling disheartened. Not missing the vulnerability and hesitation Ayumi's body language betrayed, Laila went on.
"You do realize that these "new friends" you speak so courageously on their behalf, would have never acknowledged or knew of your existence in the first place if you were not the person reincarnated with their queen's power?"
Though born to tug at the threads of malicious intents and weak resolutions, the princess of darkness was speaking seriously, pausing a crucial question and seeking the answer to it, although her innate playful tune projected the inquiry as words meant for slight and humiliation.
"This is true but it still does not matter... because here we are standing together!"
Ayumi answered, firm and resolute. The beginnings always come unexpectedly and without one's efforts or speculations, luck and coincidences were the major catalyst to the start of any new chapter of one's life, they simply mold the key, but opening the door and walking through it, along the path it leads is one's choice, one's power and resolve. So in the end, it really did not matter and was not something to mull about or be disheartened by.
"But... are you together right now, all of you?"
Laila remarked, shifting her shimmering eyes between the princess of the wind and the young girl, and it did not take the latter two long to figure out what she was implying.
"The princess of the earth will finish herself on her own, if she had not done it already... the leaves the two of you for me to finish here, a crippled princess without her powers and another princess who is far lacking in abilities and strength."
Noboru joined the conversation, flexing his fingers around the hilt of his sword and the two girls on the opposite side to him immediately knew what he was planning to do. Ayumi held to the scepter ready to unleash her attack faster, while Reiha merely took a step backward, but her eyes still shone with the determination to fight. Noticing Reiha's movements, fear and worry trickled rapidly into Ayumi's heart. How will Reiha fight? Between the two of them, Ayumi was the more powerful under these circumstances, but was she strong enough to protect Reiha and herself? What should she do? She had to jump to Reiha's side and shield her with the power of the scepter as Noboru would probably attack her first. Deciding in the spur of the moment, Ayumi willed her injured body to leap in the void toward the princess, she reached her hand toward her so she can pull her faster back to the bridge, but Noboru still did not make a move, remaining in his spot as if petrified. And then Ayumi realized what was happening. He did not need to attack them separately, to take them down one by one, the attack he was about to unleash was capable of destroying them both with a single strike.
Ayumi's fingertips were barely touching Reiha's extended hand when a dark aura emanated from the cursed sword releasing a black beam of demonic power.