AETHER BEASTS

Chapter 225

One of the dark affinity's greatest assets was its malleability. Darkness was just the absence of light, and so had no substance natural, but when aether was put into the mix, it did and could be molded and changed. From flexible limbs to spears and sharp blades. It allowed for a lot of versatility and was one of the reasons it went so well with almost any of the other affinties. There was something in it for everyone if they simply knew how to use it.

For Sandra when she had first gained the affinity, she had started off with simple projectiles like needles and daggers as that had been the easiest and at the time she hadn't had anyone to teach her. Then Zirani had come along and she had delved deeper and at her current skill, she could shape her darkness into almost anything within reason.

Half a dozen dark spears along with numerous blade tendrils formed around her, and before Lucy could do anything, she sent them out, deciding not to enhance them with her gravity affinity. She wanted to see how this Lucy would do first.

Lucy didn't move as the spears came at her, instead, she took an odd stance, and her arms flowed in a unique way before a surge of liquid darkness poured from her shadow and wrapped around her. It solidified just before the spears impacted. They pierced through only a few inches before, to Sandra's surprise, they melted into liquid and joined the mass.

'Interesting. She's given her darkness the consistency of a liquid.'

Sandra had to admit that the technique the girl had used was well made, but still lacking in many places.

"I'm sorry, but I'll be ending this now," Sandra said. "Though before I do so, can I ask why you wanted to fight me?"

Lucy glared at her. "You know why, now shut up and fight!"

Lucy shot forward, her liquid surging around her and morphing into dozens of tiny tentacles. It looked impressive, but once again it was lacking, and Sandra just waited patiently as the girl got whiting range.

The blades at the snd of her shadow tendrils widened and lengthened at her will just before the girl reached her. The dark tentacles didn't stand a chance and as they were shredded, Sandra dodged a flurry of blows from the girl who seemed to have been consumed by her anger.

Her eyes were filled with not just hate though, but anger and sorrow as she continued to try and strike at Sandra who just looked on in confusion. She probably could have ended it by now, but she wanted to see what else the girl could do.

Realizing she wouldn't be able to hit Sandra, Lucy jumped back and began to from another technique followed immediately by another. Two small geysers of water erupted on either side of her along with another wave of liquid darkness. The water and darkness merged, and Sandra had to admit that the girl probably had incredible deep aether stories since she wasnt using a lot and did seem to be tired by it.

If only she was more creative in her attacks as just like the previous attack, she sent the wave of water and liquid darkness out towards Sandra while changing the water in the front into tentacle-like limbs, though halfway to Sandra, a few bullets of water show out, surprising Sandra, though none got passed her blade tendrils, and when the wave hit fully, Sandra smiled and using her gravity aether jumped into air, dodging the wave completely.

Sandra didn't slow her fall, and instead just angled herself to land atop Lucy who was too slow to react. Sandra hand hit the girl's head for a few seconds which was all the time needed.

Lucy spun around, fist raised but it was too late. The girl's hate-filled eyes widened just before she slammed into the ground as though suddenly hundreds of wights have been placed on her.

Once the tentacles were dealt with, Sandra dispersed her shadow tendrils and placed a foot on the girl's back before turning to Zirani with a raised eyebrow. Lucy was still struggling and trying to from techniques, but her emotions and the pressure on her were not allowing her to do so. Whoever had trained her hadn't done well enough and hadn't taught her to be able to form tehnciues and use aether when in pain or under pressure.

'I'm glad Zirani taught us that.'

Zirani waited for a few seconds before she stood and declared Sandra the victor. The spectators applauded and many gave her appraising looks but she ignored them and leaned down to look Lucy in the eyes.

"Once again I'll ask why did you want to fight me?"

She didn't respond at first and only continued to struggle, but then she semed to deflate and her next words were spoken very softly. "Because I love him and if he wins then you and he will be together."

Sandra frowned in confusion. "Who? Pate?"

She shook her head. "I don't like him and he certainly isn't going to win. Is that why you did this because you like him and were jealous?"

Lucy didn't respond and Sandra spun around before walking away, a confused and annoyed look on her face.

'So odd.'

_____

"Well that was a bit anti-climactic," I said sitting beside Misty who had calmed down after the fight. Her arm looked fine and I held back the anger that rose when I thought back to it being cut off. I had stood from my chair and it had only been Zirani placing a hand on me that had stopped me from jumping in the arena.

I knew I couldn't always be there and that some battle Misty would have to fight alone and for herself, but it was hard watching a loved one be hurt, and immediately after having another loved one be challenged by someone who looked like they had a grudge.

I wasnt aware of anything Sandra had done to this girl, not that it mattered. The size of her attacks had been impressive, but her skill and ability to use the techniques had been lacking, to say the least. It was also clear the girl hadn't been holding back and wanted to hurt Sandra, now that the dark-haired arcanists had let her.

Sandra had acted cool and calm the entire time, and through the bond, I had only sensed confusion as to why the girl had picked a fight and hated her. That was cleared up a bit now as Sandra sent over a mental message explaining why Lucy had challenged her.

"I guess I'm up then," I said standing.

"Win," Misty said simply.

I smiled. "You two have, which just leaves me. Think I'm going to this end the streak?"

"Take care," Zirani said. "Your fight probably won't be as hard-fought as Misty's but neither will it be as easy as Sandra's."

After giving Misty a quick kiss and Zirnai a hug and nod, I made my down to the Arena, passing Sandra as I did. She gave me a smile. "Kick his ass for me."

"Oh I will," I said with a smile

The spectators had quieted down and were now waiting with bated breath for the main reason most had come here today. The fight that everyone wanted to see would supposedly decide the fate of the lost daughter of the Umbrin clan. In truth, even if he did win, which he wasn't, Sandra wasn't going anywhere.

Pate looked calm as he took his spot on the opposite side of the arena.

He met my eyes and for some odd reason, I couldn't help but think that they seemed awfully empty, as though they were unfocused, but at the same time not. I could tell he was looking at me, but it was also like he was looking through me. It was odd, even more so than his eerie stillness.

He was handsome and well built so I could understand why Lucy liked him, but he also made my instincts give off alarm bells, though that could just be because we were about to fight. His eyes were similar to Sandra's but less of a singing emerald and more of a dull green. His hair black was cut short in a practical manner.

"Now, for the fight that we have all been waiting for," Zirani spoke in a calm voice. "We have two extremely talented arcanists, one of which is my very own bonded who has proven himself time and time again to me and shall do so now to all of you. His opponent, a member of the Umbrin clan, and of a rising branch family. The main family has taken note of him I have been told and from what I have seen, his is promising. These two shall clash and only one shall come out the victor."

She turned to Pate then to me. "This is not a death match. You two shall fight till one is rendered unable to. Use all you have, but don't push it if you know it will kill or severely harm them. I will be watching and disregarding my words will be met with strict punishment, do I make myself clear?"

We both nodded.

"Good. Are you both ready?

Another nod

"Then as before, on the count of three. Three, two, one!"