Chapter 2: A Heated Battle. The Flower of Spirits.

Who will win the Lighting Emperor or the Cosmos Queen?

Chapter 2: A Heated Battle.

The Flower of the Spirit.

                We went down the hall and into the elevator. Varnit selected the buttons and down we went. B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, B15 and soon enough the pressure rose and we dropped to the floor as we plummeted deeper into the ground; to B30. The elevator made a sudden stop and we were thrown from the floor to the ceiling and back to the floor.

                “Ow. They really got to do something about that-ow,” Jade complained.

                “No kidding. I think we just had a battle with the elevator and the elevator basically owned us,” Matthew agreed.

                “No time for caring for our pain. Let’s go before there are no arenas left,” Varnit said.

                We got up from the floor, exited the elevator and ran down the hall. The doors opened to an extremely huge cavern with hundreds of high tech platforms. We saw many Spirit Hunters all over the cavern.

                “Let see,” I said as I scooped out a free platform, “Um…Oh! There’s one!”

                I pointed at the east corner platform. My friends searched around until they spotted it. But unfortunately other Spirit Hunters spotted it too. Just as our eyes locked the 3 Spirit Hunters dashed to the platform.

                “DAMN IT!!!” Jade exclaimed. “Those d*****s are getting a head start.”

                “No worries.” I said. “Grab on to me.”

                My friends took hold of my arm and I used my super speed to dash past the other Hunters and clam dibs on the platform.

                “Damn,” Said one of the Hunters.

                “Fine then, have it! Let’s get out of here,” Said another Hunter.

                The three hunters left and Jade had a triumphed grin on her face as we stood on the platform. All the platforms were actually teleporters to a dimensional cyberspace. We used the teleporter and arrived in a large arena with thousands of seats circling around the arena, the sky was a green grid that made it known we were in some kind of cyberspace.

                Matthew and Varnit got off the arena platform and headed straight for the control booth. The booth can actually control the different rules, regulations, and setting of the arena.

                “Alright guys, do you wanna pick a setting?” Matt asked.

                “Nah, you guys pick,” I answered back.

                “Yeah, I’ll beat Kwasi no matter where I’m fighting,” Jade boasted.

                “Alright then,” Varnit said. “…Okay we got a place. You guys ready?”

                “Only if Jade is ready to get a*s kicked,” I taunted.

                “Oh I’m ready, ready to see your face smashed into that empty sphere you call a head,” Jade taunted back.

                “Okay then. Here we go!” Matt said.

                Suddenly the floor beneath us started glowing. There was a huge pillar of light that engulfed us. As the light faded we found ourselves surrounded by a large desert rocky area but the sky still a cyber grid. This is what I meant by setting of the arena. The arena can produce a hologram that produce off a real environment and its real properties. It’s a good way for Spirit Hunters to train in different areas.

                “You guys know what to do. When the buzzer sounds you are free to go wild,” Matt explained.

                Jade and I looked at each other thinking of the other’s move, creating the ultimate strategy, being ready to win. The buzzer sounded and Jade made the first move. She dash towards me and launched a powerful punch. I managed to block it and counter back with kick to the face. She ducked and kicked me in the gut. The force pushed me backwards as I floated in the air. I landed on my feet, without hesitation I struck again. Too fast for her to dodge Jade was hit will the full force of my kick. Jade’s determination wouldn’t allow her to be pushed back, took the force of the kick and tried to counter attack but it was blocked. Jade used her leg to push herself away. As she floated in the air I used I used my Thunder Technique. The lightning bolt struck her managing to stun her. Using my super speed I got close and used a variety of kicks at great speed, I release a powerful punch. The punch connected with her chin and sent into the air. With my super speed I was above of her; my hands electrified and my punch sent electrical pulses that blasted her back into the ground. A smoke cloud surround the crater as Jade got up from the ground with blood streaming from her mouth.

                “Alright; he is way better than I thought,” Jade said to herself. The smoke was blown away and her hand was glowing silver, “Star Flash!”

                A silver beam projected from her palm and came at me fast. I tried to move but it was too difficult in the air. The light engulfs me and the beam makes direct contact. A burning feeling erupted through my body. I crashed into the ground, as smoke rose off me.

                “Don’t even think for one second that I’m done.” Jade flattened her hand and swung her arm, “Stream Wave!”

                The same silver light burst from the ground and a large wave of energy came at me. I once again tried to move but the attack was too fast. I threw up my Thunder Shield to block the attack. But the wave cut right through my shield and hit me. There was a huge explosion and a large cut was left bleeding across my torso.

                “Heh, good move Jade,” I said. “Now let’s see you dodge this!”

                I raised my hand to the air and sent multiple, large lightning bolts at her simultaneously.

                “What!?” Jade exclaimed as the lightning bolts came at her.

                “Did you forget my Thundara Technique?” I asked. “It’s the advancement of the Thunder Technique. I send stronger, faster, larger versions of the Thunder at you simultaneously.”

                “No, Kwasi I did not forget,” Jade said ominously. “I just didn’t expect you to use it so soon.”

                “No one ever does,” I dash at Jade with my super speed. I launched a powerful kick aimed at her head. It directly connects but she doesn’t fall.

                “So predictable.” Jade smirked and a light came from below us. “Star Chain!” Suddenly silver chains came from the ground and tied around me. “I knew you would come and attack me head on.”

                “Damn.” I cursed.

                The chains wrap tighter around my body and lifted me higher into the sky. As the chains raised me higher into the air I saw that they were linked right into Jade’s back. Jade started to glow a silver aura which spread to the chains. As the aura flowed throughout the whole chain, the chains themselves exploded. The blast left me badly bruised as I fell on the ground. The more chains respawned from her back and this time they had claws on the end. Two of them grabbed me from the floor and rose me into the air. I quickly reacted and summoned electricity throughout my body, I let the electricity fly uncontrollably out of my body. The electricity used the chains as a conductor back to Jade. The moment it reached her back a large waves of electricity blasted Jade.

                “What!” Jade exclaimed as she dropped to the ground. “I can’t move.”

                The chains lost power and fell on the floor. I landed on my feet and backed away from Jade. I the fired my Lightning Saber at her. The attack sent her into the sky. I jumped above her and kicked her back to the ground. Thinking that would have finished her, I turned around and started walking away. As I was walking I felt warm air behind me. I tried to turn quickly to counter act whatever Jade was doing but I was too slow. Jade’s Star Flash hit me with full force. I sled across the floor and crashed into a rock.

                “Time for pay back.” Jade said. Her hand starts to glow again. “Star Shower!”

                Multiple beams of light projected from her hand and came at me. I used the rock as leverage and pushed myself out of the way. She then fired more of the blast at me. The numbers of energy blasts were overwhelming and hard to dodge. I used my super speed and came in close. Jade started to glow a dark aura and her hand started to form a dark orb.

                “Dark Space!” Jade exclaimed as the orb started to grow.

                I quickly backed away as I saw the orb continue to grow. I stood I place carefully analyzing the orb in a flash Jade used her powers of space to teleport herself behind me with the orb. She kicked the dark orb at me. I speed myself away from the orb and saw the destruction as it hit the ground and engulfed everything it touched.

                “Damn. I was hoping you weren’t going to run from it in time.” Jade complained.

                “You really want me lose don’t you?” I asked.

                Jade let out a loud roar of laughter. “Naturally, that what rivals do.”

                “Not bad you never see it happen,” I charged my hand and started to form the Thunder Wing but as I continued to charge to the max the wing shrank and an electrical blade extended from my hand.

                Without hesitation I ran towards Jade with intense speed. She continuously fired her Star Shower at me. The movement was clumsy but effective enough for me to get close to Jade.

                “Thunder Wing: Blade!” I struck Jade right in her chest; she groaned in pain and tried to counter but me a released a Lightning Saber to push her away.

                She crashed into the rocks and rolled across the ground a couple of times before regaining her footing. She held out her dark glowing hand and began storing Spirit Energy. Thinking it was the Dark Space technique again I backed away and tried to gain some distance and movement at the same time to keep myself from being an easy target.

                But I overestimated my knowledge of Jade’s move pool. She smile and look right at me as she said, “Zero Gravity.” Before I knew it I was up in the air, floating around like a balloon.

                “What the heck is this?” I stupidly asked.

                “What does it look like?” Jade yelled. “Like name of my technique said, this is Zero Gravity. I created this move to disable ground loving fighters like you. You specialize in fast and quick attacks, so all I have to do is put you in an environment that you can’t use your speed, hence Zero Gravity. But to be honest I was hoping I would even need to resort to this technique to beat the likes of you.” Jade gave me a dissatisfied look as she cross her arms over her face. “Now it’s to finish you with some new moves.”

                Jade’s Spirit Energy grew and started to create shockwaves. The Spirit Energy around her started to change colour everything was shaking.

                “Now, Planetary Sign: Mercury!,” Jade released her arms and a sudden burst of large air pressure fell. Jade’s whole body (including her cloths) turned into a bright red metal alloy. As she signed even more air pressure was released. “You feel that right Kwaz? My Spiritual Pressure is much greater than the last time we fought.”

                Spiritual Pressure. The physical force/pressure that a person’s Spiritual Energy creates when released. Spirit Energy is the main form of power that is in every living thing in the world. The higher the Spirit Energy the higher the Spiritual Pressure. By feeling one’s Spiritual Pressure that allows them to determine the level of power that person has. And at this moment Jade is packing some serious Spiritual Power.

                “Now let’s end this,” Jade charge without hesitation. I tried to evade the attack but my movement was greatly limited due to the fact there was no gravity. Her punch made direct contact with my gut. The punch sent me soaring through the air.

                “Crap,” I cursed as I regained my balance. Jade gracefully dash through the air and kicked me in the face. I staggered back and tried to use my Thunder Wing but with no footing it was easily dodged. Jade knee smacked right into my stomach. The attack flipped me into the air.

                “Having fun?” Jade mocked as she continued to whale on me. As every hit connected I felt a burning sensation. My cloths even started to burn away. By the time Jade’s onslaught ended my clothes were on fire. I made a cold scowl at Jade. “From that look you found out what this technique does. It changes my body into a heated metal alloy. Every hit that connects feels like a metal ball heated to a 90⁰C and higher. And with enough force I can even set objects on fire as you can see from your clothes. And since you can’t use your speed due to there being no gravity you can’t attack back. This match is basically over.

                It angered me to my core but I had to admit that Jade was right. I was at a huge disadvantage and it didn’t look like I could when. But as I continue to think of what Jade said about not being to attack back it hit me. I may not be able to attack her but I could defiantly use counter attacks.

                Jade charged in for one final attack. Her fist made immediate contact with my face and created a small explosion. I shook off the pain and from point blank range I used by Thunder Wing.

                “Damn,” Jade scream! Jade tried to distance herself but I managed grab hold of her uniform. The uniform was hot but I just braced through the pain. I concentred and generated electricity to a single point in my body increasing my Spiritual Pressure.

                My Spiritual Pressure was strong enough to stun her. I grabbed her uniform tighter and yelled, “Bolt Stream!” The generated electricity exploded and created a huge explosion engulf both of us.

                As the explosion dissipated Jade and I were just floating in the air, almost lifeless.

                “Baka! How could use an attack like that at close range?” Jade lectured.

                “Oh Shu-“I was quickly interrupted by the sudden burst of air pressure. Jade and I look around as we soon realized what was happening. “Jade how long does your Zero Gravity last?”

                “10 minutes.” Jade replied, “Unless a large amount of Spiritual Pressure disrupts me.”

                “Right then…you know we’re screwed right?” I said sadly.

                “Oh yeah,” Jade sighed and we fell.

                Jade and I plummeted down the ground with no way of stopping or slowing down. “Jade can’t you use the technique again?”

                “Yeah…after 10 minutes.” Jade replied.

                “DAMN ITTTTT!!!!” I yelled as the ground quicker and quicker came closer to us. I had to react quickly so with the little spirit energy I had I used my Thunder Shield to soften the fall. I saw that Jade was thinking the same thing by using her Star Flash.

                The crash created a huge impact crater but luckily the damage was much less than it could have been. I slowly got up, cringing from the pain. My eyes meet with the much weakened Jade. I could hear my breath becoming more heavy and heard Jade’s heavy breath as well.

                “How ‘bout we finish this Kwasi?” Jade asked.

                “Ready when you are.” I replied.

                I charged every last bit of my Spiritual Energy into my Thunder Wing Technique. Jade was gathering all her energy into a blade the shot out of her wrist. In a flash we charged at each other without hesitation.

                “Distortion Blade!”

                “Thunder Wing: Bolt!”

                The two techniques clashed and sent both of us flying backward. The explosion caused the simulation to shut down the area around us started to dissolve, along with our wounds.

                “Nice…way to go guys, you actually managed to break the arena…again.” Varnit said sarcastically.

                “Oh man we are so going to get chewed out again.” Matt complained.

                “Ha, ha, ha. Oops?” I shrugged and gave an innocent face.

                “Oops! Is that all you can say! Do you have any idea of how much trouble will be in?!” Matt yelled.

                “Relax Matt. All we have to do is go before a Master comes right?” Jade suggested.

                “Um...Jade?” I warn.

                “It not like teachers are smart enough to link it back to us right?”

                “Jade; I think you should shut up now.” Varn warned.

                “Why; it’s not like those idiot Masters can hear us; they’re too dense.”

                “J-Jade!” Matt exclaimed.

                “What are you afraid of the “big bad” Masters, pathetic.” Jade taunted. “Ha, ha, ha...they’re behind me aren’t they?”

But much to Jade’s dismay they were.

                So after a 10 minute lecture we headed to the café on the 5^th floor to refill our spirits.

                “I’m so glad the arena automatically erases all damage in battle once it’s done.” I said gleefully.

                “Yeah cause the way you two carelessly, and pathetically battled you might as well be ghost. Epically after Master Thomas was done with us.” Matt responded.

                “Hey! Take that ba-“Jade and I were interrupted as we hear a cry of our names.

                “Hey guys over here,” Said the voice! We walked over to the table where the voice came from.

                We headed over to the table where the voice came from. There was sitting two last members of our weird group of friends, Eric Dang and Patience Hikari.

                Eric Dang is a short, messy haired, Vietnamese, lazy, and quite modest. But despite all of this he is a 12 Silver Hunter making him much stronger than me or Jade. He holds the famous Shadow Materia in him which is the last of its kind. With that Materia he can control all shadows at will. I’ve only seen rare times when he is very serious in a fight and it seems like all the shadows of the world bend to his will just to kill, it’s really frightening. But other than those times he is very laid back and doesn’t really want to fight and wants to solve fights diplomatically by negotiating, even with the Henkeis. His partner is probably the most beautiful person in existence, Patience Hikari.

                Patience Hikari is a nice, polite, well spirited, optimistic, courageous, smart, ravishing, and strong girl. She is half European and half Japanese. She is a level 11 Silver Hunter, so she is also very powerful and she is the same level as Matt. She holds one of the most rare Materia types; the Angelic Materia. A Materia that grows wings on a person and give the wielder the power of Photokinesis and holy magic. They also have the power to create pure Materia in their wings after seeing a different Materia being used. Because of this it is said that the Angelic Materia was the first Materia ever made. Either way Patience has amazing Spiritual Energy and is a defiant powerhouse. But even with such power she fights very gracefully and like her partner she rather resolve things peacefully. If you couldn't tell by now I have a massive crush on her. Patience is the love of my life ever since I first saw her.

                “So where we’re you guys?” Patience asked.

                “Yeah we missed you guys in history class.” Eric said.

                “DAMN IT! I KNEW WE FORGOT SOMETHING!!” Matt exclaimed.

                “Oh well. Can do anything about it now.” I said.

                “We could if you didn’t let your ego get to you Kwasi!” Matt lectured.

                “Fine, fine. Would it make you happy if we went to Master Cid and apologized?” I asked.

                “Yes, yes it would.” Matt answered gleefully.

                “You and your damn sense of justice.” I said. “Well let’s go.”

                “Kwasi! We need to tell you something.” Patience yelled.

                The table was quiet as Patience and Eric gave uncomfortable glances at each other.

                “Well…what is it?” Matt asked.

                “Um-well…you…see…about…Master Cid…he…he…he’s-he!” Patience was stuttering as tears rose to her eyes.

                I knew something was seriously wrong as I saw the tears in Patience's eyes.

                “Patience what’s wrong? What about Master Cid?” I came closer to Patience and put my hands on her shoulders.

                “He’s…he’s…” Patience still could answer, her tears were overwhelming her.

                “He’s dead.” Eric said bluntly.

                My heart sank as Eric said those words. Dead...dead...the very word brings my mind back to the past. The word is a destructive venom and I hated the very thought of someone close to me dying and to hear that Master Cid...my master...the person who was always there for since I first became a Spirit Hunter is dead...my heart just refused it to be true.

                “Wha...what? That some stupid joke? I am I serious suppose to believe that Master Cid is dead! There is just NO WAY!!!!”

                “It’s not some joke.” Eric looks right at me with dark cold eyes. “Master Cid died two days ago in battle. The time you guys were on that mission in BC.”

                “THAT’S A LIE!!!” I yelled to the top of my lungs and slammed the desk. I grabbed Eric by the shirt and looked right at his cold expression.

                “If it was a lie would everyone in the café be silent.”

                I looked around the room and saw the sad, tragic expression on everyperson's faces. They look as if they have lost something great. Some had their heads down, other’s cried, there even those who raised their head and tried to stop the tears. But no matter where I looked my eyes always became focus back on Patience. Her face covered in tears and at that point I knew. I knew it was true. My brain knew the truth but my heart wouldn’t accept it. I slowly let go of Eric and clenched my teeth.

                “Shut up.” I muttered.

                “Kwasi...” Jade reached her hand towards me; but I instantly rejected it.

                “SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!” I turned around and ran. With my super speed in high gear I was gone in a second. And in a flash I was on the 28 floor the Mission and News floor. I stop and looked at the news board and saw it in the F.H.S; Fallen Heroes Sentiment “Cid Raines, Gold Hunter; Status: Deceased. Living Status: March 18^th 1988 �" September 21^st 2011.”

                There are words that are too great for people to handle. Triggers that make them exploded and make them want to deny reality itself. These were mine. I ran even faster out of that room. My tears blocked my vision, but I didn’t care. I just ran, ran as far away as I could. But no matter what I couldn’t get away from reality. “Master Cid is dead” my brain said. But my heart just kept yelling no.

For me Master Cid was a very close person to my heart. He is my God Father. Ever since my parents died; I had to leave home with my older brother and sister. We had no one to turn to at the time we were kids looking for a home. My siblings had to work for food for 2 years, which left me so alone. I hated being alone I hated it more than anything so much so that I almost gave up on life. But Master Cid found us and gave us a home. Master Cid Raines “Man of Miracles”, Gold Hunter. Expert at Spiritual Fighting. He was like a second father and now that he was gone I felt that loneliness coming back, grabbing a hold on me. Wrapping its darkness around my neck and I could get away.

My running came to a halt as I tripped and rolled across the floor. I couldn’t run anymore, all I could do was cry, cry in pain, cry in anguish, cry in anger, and cry in sadness. As I cried my brains out I felt my head being lifted and slowly embraced.

“It’s okay, it’s okay to cry.” The voice was warm and soothing, if felt like god’s light was shining on me. “But you must remember what Master Cid always said: “Just because you have lost doesn’t mean you should be lost. You must wipe your tears get up and walk again. Besides the one you lost isn’t lost; because you gave them a place to be in your spirit.”

Master Cid’s speech. The first words he said to me after my parents died. Words that I have long forgotten.

“Whip your tears...get up...and walk again...” I said softly. Saying those words made me feel my Master’s presence. I could feel him watching me. “I can image what he would say if he saw me like this: “What is wrong with you! Man your weak! Come on and get up already twerp.”

I lifted my body and stood up and looked around me. I was on the roof of the Academy also known as “Hero’s Ending.” This place is to commemorate those who lost their lives. I only come up here two other times: first is when my parents died, and second is when I lost another love one. Three times I have been here, and three times I felt great pain. But there I made a resolution, a promise that make there is never in a life time ever a fourth.

"Thanks Patience." I turned and held out my hand.

Patience looked up and gave the same warm smile that fills hearts with joy. "My pleasure." She took my hand and I pulled her up. "Shall we?"

"We shall." I said as we walked to the door. I turned around and remembered something Master Cid said: "You know what my favourite flower is the flowers given to remember the dead. Why? Because they are beautiful no matter where they are. They are the wonderful symbols of the Spirit. I call them Spirit Flowers." I looked all over the roof and saw the may flowers planted there and said "Enjoy your Spirit Flowers...Master."

Author's Note

Tell me what you think of the sorty it's self. And please tell me if I made any grammer mistakes, spelling errors, or ways to make the story better.