Exodia : Tales Of An Unwilling Raven

Sword Fight

The clang of metal against metal echoed in the courtyard. I leaned against my rooms window, looking down and observing the training session.

It had been this way ever since Shiba and Shira came to the Nest. Constant combat and physical training. Today , it had been going on for three hours.

“You guys have gotten weak.” These were Shibas words

Weak? If this was them weak then I’m basically useless.

I sighed.

“You are slow Lina!” Shiba boomed.

Her blade sliced the air, barely missing Lina. She quickly followed up with a kick to the gut that sent Lina flying back.

She was quick. And not just for her size. She glided across the yard, attacking in short yet effective bursts.

“Come on Sylvi. When last did you actually practice your magic.”

I glanced over to Shira who sat quietly on a rock. Arms crossed and legs wide. Sylvi on the other hand sat on her crossed legs. Her eyes were closed and her arms rested freely to the side. Her lips moved as she quietly muttered words I couldn’t make out.

Then. An explosion of mana ripped through the yard. The air scattered and the ground cracked into webs.

“Control it!” Shira yelled out.

The air hummed. A small explosion followed, sending Sylvi flying across.

Crap! I hope she’s alright. I can’t have the princess getting harmed on my watch.

I quickly dashed down, jumping several steps and headed straight for the door. I walked into the yard swiftly.

“Shiba! Shira!”

I called out with a firm voice. They both shifted their gazes to me.

“That’s enough for the day.”

I glanced over at Sylvi who slowly stood up. Her breath was heavy and her pale skin and silver hair were covered in black soot. She dusted her clothes and shook her head.

Then my gaze shifted back to the twins. They glanced at each other and nodded.

“Didn’t know you cared so much Captain.” Shira teased as she stood up. A grin spread across her face.

I hissed. Anyone would care if they had the princess on their unit.

A low growl suddenly echoed.

“I’m not satisfied.” Shiba said.

I glanced over at her. A wide grin stretched from each end of her face. Her body hunched and her eyes, sharply focused on me.

“How strong are you Captain?”

Her question sent my hairs up. The air thickened and I felt my bones rattle. My instincts flared and I reached to my side.

Crap! I cursed as I realized I held no blade.

I knew what was coming. It had been this way for days now. Shiba had been trying to know if I was worthy enough to lead the unit. Each time I usually talked my way out of it. This time it didn’t feel like I could.

I glanced over at Shira, hoping she would interfere but she smiled instead. She reached to the rock she sat, picked her blade and tossed it in the air.

“No escaping this time Captain.” She yelled out.

I could hear Shiba charging at me. Her maniacal laughter joined with the sound of earth cracking beneath her feet.

I caught the blade, instinctively pulling it out in one motion. Quickly I turned. My muscles twitched and memory kicked in. I pulled into a guard stance. Just in time too. She swung. Quick and hard. It clashed against the blade. The force so heavy it sent ripples through my body. The weight shattering the ground under me.

Are you kidding me?

I barely held myself up. For a moment, I blacked out. My vision blurred. Then I heard that laughter again and my body reacted. I pulled myself back. I jumped to the side, avoiding another blow that sent debris flying.

Mid air, I caught glimpse of her eyes. They had whitened. Her teal eyes vanished into a mist. The air around her distorted, gaining violent red color.

What the hell? I thought to myself.

My feet hit the ground and immediately I gave distance, jumping back few feet.

“Shira!” I yelled out. “Is that normal for your sister?”

I pointed at her eyes.

Shira stopped smiling.

I’ll take that as a no. I thought.

“What is it?” I asked, still keeping my guard up.

“Berserk.” She replied, stepping forward. “You might want to sit this one out.”

She lowered her stance. Her eyes narrowed and the air around her began to shimmer.

“Come sister! Let me bring you back to your senses!”

Shiba instantly charged. Her laughter growing wilder as her feet pounded against the floor. I jumped back, keeping my distance from them. Lina hid behind a nearby rock and Sylvi leaped on to a tree.

“Winds of change blow.

Turn the seasons and the times.

Find that which is lost.

Restore. Restore.”

Shira chanted in a low voice.

The air began to violently scatter. Golden light enveloped her, creating a silhouette of her body. Shiba still charged, faster. She launched herself. Her blade swung swiftly.

“Gale Of Calm!” Shira yelled.

The wind gathered at her palm. Condensed and giving a visible shape. She closed both her palms together, leaving a small opening. From it a massive blast of wind erupted, sending Shiba flying back and crashing hard into the ground.

Quiet. The Nest was silent.

I watched in awe, amazement.

Is Shiba alright? Just as the thought crossed my mind, she jumped up. Her teal eyes now back. Her hair less wild. She dusted her armor and her grin appeared once more. She looked up at us and I caught a drop of sweat trickling down the side of her head.

“Did I go berserk?” She asked, turning to her sister.

Shira nodded. She let off a soft sigh.

“You fought the captain.”

Fought? That was an attack. I couldn’t fight, just defend.

Shiba shifted her gaze to me. Her grin grew wider and she walked towards me. She towered over me, her shadow blocking the sun.

“You look alright Captain. That means you are strong.”

She let off a hearty laugh and instantly, the tension died. Everyone joined in the laughter. Everyone but me.

How the hell was I supposed to lead a squad of this strength? This is just ridiculous.