The Phoenix That Rules Genten

Saya and the others made it to the beautiful springs by following Aria's lead. Saya looked around in awe and smiled happily. Miyuna ran to the water and smiled. The water was extremely clear and looked fresh to drink from. Tia and Ashe looked around and saw birds and everything flying around. Aria sat on a tree stump and smiled.

"This is where I trained before my legendary battle against Motonari then the battle that went down as the best battle in all of Genten, me verses Ginchiyo Tachibana. I'm still very close friends with her today." Aria said.

"I read about that battle! You awakened or evolved I should say during that battle! It was a battle that could have been seen throughout all of Genten! Ginchiyo acknowledged your power." Saya said.

Azami appeared behind a tree and listened. Saya looked at the tree and threw a dagger at the tree and Azami froze. Everyone looked at the tree.

"How...did you sense me so fast..?" Azami walked from behind the tree.

"I've too fought in a war at Stella's side. My senses are very heightened." Saya said.

"Azami, why were you trying to hide?" Aria asked.

"Well...I wanted to test if my sneaking abilities have improved..but I guess I have to improve more." Azami said.

"I guess you do." Aria giggled.

"Oh yeah! I got word from Stella saying she's willing to battle you!" Azami said happily.

"Oh?" Aria looked at Azami.

Kotome frowned and sat down, crossing her arms. She was heavily against the idea of me fighting. She knew about my draw backs because of my power.

"Something the matter Kotome?" Aria looked at her.

"No disrespect..but I don't like the idea of you fighting mom at all. Not because I think you'd lose against her because I know nothing about you...but because she's undefeated at a price." Kotome said.

Kotome was extremely protective over me when it came to fighting or training. She didn't want me to overdo anything.

"A price?" Azami asked.

"You think all that power doesn't come at a price. At one point that power turned my mother into a killing monster who only knew how to kill, flooding the entire land of Arcania in darkness. The more she used her power or weapon, the faster her life force was being drained. She soon broke free from that horrid curse but she can't break away from one curse. Her power strains her mind, body, and soul. It gives her unnatural pain and suffering to the point where if she overuses her power she could be at death's door." Kotome said.

Aria nodded and stayed silent. Azami looked disappointed. She was so excited to see me in action and possibly learn something from me.

"Don't be a sourpuss Kotome." Saya smiled. "Stella fought every Royal of Arcania last month, pushing past her limits. She should be fine fighting this one battle."

"No means no. I can't allow her to be put at such a risk. It's dangerous for her to continue fighting unnecessary battles." Kotome said.

"Then how about you fight in her place?" Aria asked.

"Huh?" Kotome looked at Aria. "A-Are you challenging me?"

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Who knows. But let's make a deal. If I defeat you in battle, I get to battle Stella. If you defeat me, I won't dare to ask her to a battle." Aria said.

"Sounds fair enough." Miyuna nodded.

"Y-Yeah." Tia smiled and Ashe nodded in agreement.

"I wouldn't underestimate me if I were you Lady Aria. I might be number 3 of the entire round table but I still hold my own." Kotome said.

"I wouldn't dare to underestimate you even if I wanted. What do you say?" Aria asked.

"You want to fight here and now..?" Kotome asked.

"If that's your wish." Aria nodded.

"Fine...I accept. I am not holding back against you!" Kotome stomped and her Frontier Arms appeared on her feet. The boots were called Dual Moons. Her aura surged powerfully and Aria was impressed.

Azami was excited to see this battle. She went to sit beside Avani and watched. Aria stood up and rolled her neck from side to side then got in a stance. Kotome glared and dashed to Aria in high speeds and went for a kick. Aria watched Kotome and sparks came from her eyes and her aura blocked Kotome's attack. Kotome jumped back and dashed towards Aria again and her aura turned dark as the Dark Side of her Frontier Arms activated.

"Take this! Lunar Crater!" Kotome jumped and kicked down.

Aria's light aura surged and repelled Kotome and everyone except Avani was shocked. Aria closed her eyes then opened them again and her eyes changed to the color red and one Phoenix wing appeared. Her flames surrounded her and she grabbed the handle of her katana. As Kotome was falling she bellowed and her aura began sparking. Kotome was shocked and looked at the sparkles around her aura. Aria stomped her foot down.

"Phoenix Mist!" Aria slashed passed Kotome and large amounts of aura burst from Kotome's body and Kotome's aura vanished as she fell to the ground.

"No way..." Miyuna said in shock.

"Kotome...lost...?" Tia asked in disbelief.

Kotome coughed and looked at Aria. She was astonished by her power. She stood up slowly. Aria's wing vanished and she looked at Kotome and smiled.

"You're extremely fast, yet predictable." Aria said.

"Predictable..?" Kotome balled her fists.

"Mmm." Aria nodded. "You ran to me in a straight line. Your right side is your dominant side so you lead off with that side and strike with that side first. You had planned to use your speed to fatigue me. Look around you. This domain is made for Light and Earth Elements, I can't get fatigued here because of how the nature of elements work here."

"So you mean.."

"Your attacks were a lot weaker than they would normally be." Aria nodded.

"I see...Well I lost fair and square.." Kotome said and sat down. "You're a lot more experienced than me I'll say that much. I'm sure if we fought on equal footing the result would be the same but I would have some advantage."

"Maybe. I would probably lose though." Aria smiled.

Kotome looked at Aria and smiled. Her light attitude made Kotome feel a bit better about losing. Aria sat down and talked to everyone a lot more and got to know them and they got to know her more. Azami stood up and vanished in a puff of smoke to find me. She was excited to see the fight between me and Aria.