Warming up and Rings

*Kyuu-san's POV*

"Another set of warm ups!"

With a raise of my fist, my student's striking fists commence another set of moves. Stupid brat! Stealing my chocolate pudding! I swear I'm going to give it to her once I get back! I look at the finished pavement on the training ground... well at least it's repaired.

"Hah!"

I paced my steps, walking through my student's formation. Calm down... I've got more important matters to address. How do I approach Goddess Myriam?

"Hah!"

I need to confront her about Sura's situation… it's too dangerous and unnatural. But Goddess Myriam… she harmed her… for what?

"Kyuu sensei?"

To draw out her powers? By pushing her to near death? Absurd! I cannot allow that, even if I must confront a God. Perhaps I should talk to Mokuren first.

"Kyuu sensei?"

Something gently touches my shoulder and I immediately jump.

"Nghh!"

"Waaa!"

Startling myself and the person in the process. I twist my body around almost defensively... to see Wukong. She cautiously asks.

"Kyuu sensei… are you okay?"

Oh god damn it... why did I get startled like that? Uhh... hmm? A soft, fluffy texture was between my fingers... wait! Those are my ears! Have I been rubbing my ears this whole time!? I quickly shove my hands away from them as a light tinge of warmth heats up in my cheeks and ears. It was a habit of mine… how embarrassing! And right in front of my students! Brushing my hands away and looking serious, I pray she didn't see me blush.

"Yes Wukong! What is it?"

I let out a nervous chuckle… god damn it! Does that give me away? Wukong almost seems hesitant to ask me as she cocks her head slightly.

"Are you sure you're okay? Your face is kind of red. Are you sick, sensei?"

You have got to be kidding she noticed!? I cough into my elbow.

"Ahem! I'm fine… I'm fine. What is it you need help with Wukong?"

Wukong puts her hands behind her back, seemingly in nervousness as the sounds of yells in unison continue around us. She took a deep breath as I wondered what she was doing… Wukong was always a little shy-

*Wham!*

My thoughts were cut off by the solid sound of true impact, fueled with momentum as it propelled itself across the training ground. Hmm… a good punch. Wukong's fist struggles to push against the palm of my hand. She pulls back and looks at me expectantly.

"A good punch Wukong, you've improved… you moved your body together with your punch in correct form very quickly. You're getting a lot better. Keep it up."

She replies with a doubtful expression.

"Really?!"

I place my hand on Wukong shoulders…

"Yes, you improved a lot. With more practice, training, and effort, you'll be great."

Wukong monkey tail starts wrapping around itself, tying itself into a nervous knot… come on now, it was an honest compliment. Her face lights up like blooming roses…

"What's wrong?"

"Hahaha! Dense as ever Kyuu! You have to notice when people admire you!"

A gust of wind hits my back and messes up Wukong's hair as Klara lands behind me. I raise my fist to my students, who were still diligently working.

"Alright warm up is over! Take a break and come back for your mock battles and training! Today we shall focus on weapons training!"

Everybody disperses and takes a break while some stick around, chatting with one another. Klara-san's cocky smile greets me as I turn to her, her hands on her hip.

"What's with that dumb grin?"

Klara raises her hands innocently.

"Hey, don't be like that. How about a sparring match with our weapons? It's been awhile and today's a loose day with no real lessons to teach."

Well she isn't wrong... but I want to get in contact with Mokuren first. Maybe I can call her to get here.

"Maybe not today..."

Klara-san continues her begging and prodding as she followed me from the training ground to the buildings...

"Kyuu-san, you're such a bummer... you're turning down such a dashing girl's request?"

I feel a vein almost burst in my forehead... have to deal with this attitude at the dojo and at home from the brat! Calm down... I close my eyes and walk into one of the empty rooms where my water bottle laid.

Klara slaps my behind with her tail and I nearly spit out my water. My soul throbs with rage as I instinctively yelled back in anger.

"Klara-san! The hell!?"

She laughs holding her stomach.

"Come on, one match, first to break each other's quanta shield loses. Let's put on a show for our students... plus you seemed stressed, Kyuu-san."

That cocky smile of hers seems to mock me... she saw straight through me. Of course she did.

"What do you say? It'll help you relieve some of that stress and give a clear mind. It's also a valuable experience and match for our students to watch... What? Afraid you'll lose Miss fiery fox."

Oh ho? That pulled on my strings... as always with her taunts every time.

"Playing with my ego? Who do you think I am?"

Licking her lips, Klara-san mouths real slowly, making sure to show her forked tongue flickering at me…

"Looosseerrr…"

Alright then, you asked for it. I don't back down from a challenge. I need to blow off some steam anyways... fighting has always helped me feel relaxed afterwards and a great way to clear the mind... and focus only on the battle.

"Fine! You're on... let's meet at the open training fields on the platforms. Let's hold back some, don't wanna damage the platforms too much."

"That's the spirit!"

The weapons rack is arrayed on the wall... well... the student's weapon rack. A ball of blue flames form on in my palm. And with quick flick, I toss the flaming ball into a pedestal in the corner of the room. It lights up with with a poof, and the pedestal glows slightly as the markings on it light up. The floor opens up as a new weapon rack comes up.

Looking at my favorite weapon... there it is... its golden fire sheen and gleaming blade cleaved through the stale room. I wrap my hands around it's beautifully carved handles, and feel the etched grooves in my hand as my grip tightens.

The Blaze-fury, a guandao and naginata mix. I swing it around my body and rest it on my back… it is a medium weight and long weapon, built for offensive and deflective defense… just my style.

A glare flashes in my eyes to my great displeasure as Klara-san takes out her weapon, brandishing her massive great sword. She lifts the sword with an air splicing hum, its steel dark gray surface matched Klara-san's eyes. It was both a crude yet refined weapon.

"Oh Dragon slayer, it seems you may need some maintenance after this match."

What a stupid name. Despite being almost at large as her, the light-weight metal alloy that composes it allows the weapon to be swung extremely fast and account for the wielder's own weight. She stretches her wings and arms.

"Ready to lose and for me to take the lead?"

I crack my neck as we stepped out, our students noticing the heating atmosphere around us... following us excitedly.

"My ass, we'll be even 10,054 to10,054... that is if you win."

Wukong was there too, looking at us as we walked toward the open training fields. The gallop of centaurs, slither of nagas, sounds of steps, and flapping wings gather and are heard as more students begin following us, chattering to each other excitedly.

Making out to the raised platforms... the various high and low platforms cast an anticipating shadow over us as the sun shone brightly in the middle of the sky.

"Our sensei's are fighting again?!"

"Hey hey! What's their score?"

I chuckle a little with laughter and look towards Klara-san, her flexing at her female students. Show off her wings and tan muscles.

"Kyaahhh!! Klara sensei!"

"Klara sensei!"

Unbelievable...don't give her attention you prey! Don't you know what kind of beast she is?! I swear one of these days... Klara-san notices me and does a childish double finger point at me.

"Come on grumps! Show some energy!"

I look to my students and see Artemas, Wukong, and Pandora in the front. Wukong was waving her arms at me, jumping like the monkey she is.

"You got this Kyuu sensei!"

"Sensei hand it to her!"

Then there's Pandora with her boisterous, gruff voice.

"Kick her dragon ass Kyuu-sensei!"

Hahaha! I've got my students with me, I can't not give them a proper show now can I? I leap onto one of the platforms while Klara-san lands on the other side. She blows a kiss to her students and are met with even more excited, love-struck screams... god she's incorrigible.

Blaze-fury on my back, I swing it around my body as I thrust, cutting forward as I lower my body, readying my stance. The curved blade's marks ignite blue with blazing flames as I flow my quanta through the weapon and the blade is encased in energizing blue power... my weapon an extension of my body and mind.

"Ready?"

Klara-san smirks as she sweeps one of her foot in front of her and brings Dragon slayer to her side with both hands. The Hasso No Kamae stance... but modified as she rests the great sword on her shoulder, her legs spread apart low. It looks ridiculous for her with her overly massive weapon. She sends me a playful gesture with her eyes...

"As always... ladies first."

Hmph... don't regret it. In synchronization, we both encase our bodies with a thin film of quanta... first solid hit takes all.

*3rd person POV*

The silent, calm wind passes over Kyuu's ears as she zones in the moment, the sound of cheering dimming to a hushed background echo... Kyuu focusing on Klara. Amber to Ashen gray, their eyes lock as they dive into their own world of battle. Klara's tail swings slowly behind her, counting down the silence passed.

In a flash, Kyuu's Guandao strikes towards Klara, hurling a spear of blazing energy. With a growl, Klara heaves her weapon, twisting her body along with the sword in a massive swing to deflect the spear, sparks flying off as metal meets metal.

With whirlwind generating momentum, Klara pivots around using her tail as balance, her great sword crashing down upon Kyuu.

*Clang!!*

The the rippling and vibration courses through Kyuu's hands as she blocks Klara with the pole of her Blaze-fury. With an evasive side step and swing of her weapon, the blade sweeps low at Klara's feet for it to miss contact as she jumps.

"You always go for the legs Kyui!"

Shadowing the sun with her figure, Klara grips both her hands around her great sword as tarnished silverlight snakes around her sword, summoning a barrage of quanta swords with her, all slamming down at Kyuu like falling meteorites.

With a torrent of wind, Kyuu's guandao spins above her and shreds the falling swords into broken quanta glass. Sweeping her gunadao through the sparkling, shattered silver dust, Kyuu launches Blaze-fury at Klara with the sound breaking roar.

"And you always go for the fancy aerial attacks!"

Diving away from the guandao, Klara shoots through the sky with her wings, just as she thought to turn around to attack, the familiar sound breaking roar becomes louder.... with an air brake of her wings, she quickly flips backwards in mid air...

Catching only the cut strands of her dark gray hair, Blazfury spins around as it follows Klara. She grins... this is new, were you holding back you sly fox? She looks down and meets Kyuu's grin as well as she turns her hands, commanding her weapon to track Klara.

Persistent piece of metal! Klara thought as she blocks another strike from Blazfury... diving downwards... folding her wings as she gains speed and accelerating like a missile, Klara feels the air pressure against her face as she breaks the sound barrier. In a near teleporting flash, she appears behind Klara with air burning slice of Dragon slayer which barely misses as Kyuu ducks... unfortunately for one of her pony tails it can't be said as it was cut off... dangling in the air as Kyuu's eyes widen.

Just Blaze-fury flies back and Kyuu catches it, striking it at Klara... clashing with her great sword in an explosion of wind. The sound of grinding metal as they struggled. Kyuu spews.

"Klara your going to pay for that!"

Kyuu's hands press forward in an another explosion of pressure, forcing Klara backwards. Klara's feet digs into the platform and halts herself. She pushes pack...

"It's not my fault your hair is so long! Get a hair cut!"

With a forceful thrust, Klara sends Kyuu backwards. Kyuu flips onto another platform and senses something as she immediately brings up her Guandao as a chain of large blades grinds against her weapon in screeching sparks. She dodges out of the way as the whip like blades retract... forming back into the Dragon slayer Klara held.

"When the hell did it do that?!"

"Hah! You're not the only when with some tricks up their sleeve, Kyui."

Smiling, Kyuu leaps towards Klara raising her guandao to strike... and with another storm of lashes, Klara unleashes her Dragon slayer whip. As the first one approached... Kyuu-san fires quanta flames from her feet and hands, orientating herself in shorts explosive bursts of aerial movements as she weaves through the thunderous cracking of metal blades. Quickly retracting her whip, Klara intercepts Kyuu's blade in a shower of blue flames and silver light.

Jumping from platform to platform they continue their dance of blades both on land and air... to the newer students, only the imperceptible explosion of pressure and howling wind, collisions of fiery blue energy and silver quanta is seen as they move faster than the eye can follow.

Artemas watches with abated breath alongside Pandora as Wukong cheers the battle on along with many of the students all in a crowd as they watched with unwavering attention.

"Where's everybody?"

Walking through the training grounds, Mokuren comes into the dojo training grounds to no one. Carrying her personally woven leaf bag with a smooth black case... holding something she wanted to discuss about with Kyuu.

*Clang! Clang! Krakoom!!*

The sound of clashing and battle of two old friends alerts Mokuren. How many times now? She wonders? Only the clacking of her jade heels is heard across the training grounds before the ensemble of cheers and hollering is heard as she walks towards the open fields of platforms.

"Go Kyuu sensei!!"

"Klara sensei!!"

Watching as Klara sails through the air and forms a massive ball of energy in the air and with her Dragon slayer, she flies towards it with a massive swing, batting the ball of devastating quanta straight at Kyuu.

Kyuu growls as she stands her ground, motioning her Blaze-fury in a smooth, masterful movement like flowing water, catching the ball with the flat side of her quanta blade, letting the energy and momentum carry her as she swings it around back at Klara in one swing. The silver quanta blast being infused with melting fire blue as Kyuu makes the attack her own.

Klara flies out of the way as the explosion of the ball reaches critical mass in a spectacular firework-like discharge of electricity and quanta flames. Klara flies straight down again as Kyuu also charges at her, bursting through the air with quanta flames. Together they clash through their aerial battle, as another strikes comes in, Kyuu opens her palm and flames fire out, quickly spinning her body out of the blades way while striking her guandao at Klara, thrusting her backdown to the platforms.

Kyuu comes down with splitting force as they continue their battle, a cross of the graceful arcs and slices of Blazingfury against the crude, fast and powerful swings of the Dragon slayer. Klara deflects a strike and swings, for it to be directed away by the blunt end of the guandao as the blade comes around. Quickly, she flips over the blade and unsheathes her blade into a whip, with a pull, the blade segments wraps around Kyuu's Blazing-fury. Kyuu's weapon yanked away with Klara's whip.

Kyuu now defenseless, Klara lands with her great sword whip snaking around her as she walks towards Kyuu... pointing the tip of Dragon slayer at Kyuu.

"Ha! I think I win this time."

Kyuu smiles.

"Check again lady killer."

The hum of the guandao just then registers, as Klara' eyes look to her neck... the floating guandao aimed at her. Both tap each other's quanta shields and break... and both start laughing.The crowd of students in their fervor erupts in dissonant cheers and claps...

"A tie!!"

"Woooo!!"

"Klara-sensei! Kyuu-sensei!!"

Among them was Mokuren, as she watches Kyuu, her lush lips parting in a small smile... glad to see she's doing ok. It was then that Kyuu notices Mokuren amongst her students.

*Kyuu-san's POV*

The lady killer dragon thinks she's won... ha! If it wasn't for her inflated ego she would have noticed Blazing-fury aimed at her. I stretch my arms and take a deep breath in... the battle really hit the spot and eased me up. As I was just about to round up the students for their own training I see a familiar set of star dew antlers and star emerald eyes.

"Mokuren!"

Klara-san's dragon fin ears perk up... as she turns to Mokuren.

"Hey there again beautiful! What brings you here? Is it because of..."

Resting her hand on her chest and showing off her figure... Klara-an bares her fang in a little growl and rolls her tongue.

"Moi?"

Mokuren snickers. She's here! Now's my chance to talk with her and it couldn't be better timing. I interject Klara.

"Actually Klara-san-"

"I'm here for Kyui."

Mokuren finished my line, waving at me. Klara-san looks a little defeated before she regains her confidence.

"Aww... I'm hurt."

I feel Klara slap my back and whisper in my sensitive ear.

"I'll take over the training. Go get her tiger."

What?! I feel my face heat up again.

"What are you saying!!"

Before I get back at her, she flies off to her students and greets her fangirls. I jump down and I'm met with Mokuren's smile... but her eyes aren't twinkling like they use to and I can't see the always present slight upturn of her lips when she smiles as if she's up to something. I knew it... what happened weigh heavily on her.

"Should we talk in private Mokuren?"

"Let's."

The sliding door closes. I sat down and crossed my legs, while Mokuren silently pulls her legs underneath her. She refused to meet me in the eyes. The dead air in the room was overbearing… usually Mokuren the one to talk. I speak first.

"Mokuren… it isn't your fault. The brat is completely fine and acting like a mischievous kid as always."

The green tipped bioluminescent tails of her back dimmed seemingly in rejection of my words.

"Mokuren… look at me…"

But she doesn't... and continues to look away.

"Kyui, I couldn't stop my mother and I couldn't help the poor girl."

This isn't the Mokuren I've known for hundreds of years. She chuckles, a mocking tone of herself.

"So much for a guardian of the people here huh? A healer?"

I grab her hands... I could wrap both her small, delicate hands in with one... she seemed surprised and finally looked at me, her emerald eyes stricken with failure and sadness.

"Mokuren it is not your fault… you did what you could to help… and I am grateful. Plus you helped her recover with your healing and now she's stealing my damn pudding first thing in the morning."

I laugh awkwardly... trying to comfort her... damn it! Why did I laugh! I only made it worse! Then, I feel my hand held a little tighter as I hear her chuckle. Her laugh is so beautiful... soft... and charming... what am I thinking?!

She is actually laughing, her eyes crinkling, if it could since her skin is too flawless, and warmth in her cheeks.

"You're such a klutz, Kyui... seriously laughing at the situation and talking about pudding out of all things? Hahaha!"

"Hey!"

Despite the feeling my cheeks warm to a piping degree... it was comfortable. It was the Mokuren I know… we sat there for a few pleasant minutes... before she takes her hands away from mine and into her bag. She shuffles around as she takes out a black case with an all too familiar emblem of flames.

"That's Prometheus clan's insignia! What is this?"

Again... the Prometheus clan is involved. Mokuren cleared her throat.

"I figured you'd want some answers… I can't keep any more information from you… not that I know everything."

She looks at me, seeing if I'm paying attention. I gave her a nod.

"My mother has gotten in contact with the Prometheus clan about the little girl. It seems they're observing the poor girl and keeping her a secret. I was suppose to keep track of her developments since I'm close to you... but beyond that I know nothing... I'm sorry for hiding this from you."

I didn't like it one bit, her apology. She shouldn't have to... I give her a reassuring but firm smile.

"Don't be sorry... thank you for telling me. Like I said you did nothing wrong and even in the face of all the disaster... you helped. I refuse to accept your apology as you have only helped..."

Mokuren smiles a little, knowing I won't take no for an answer. I continue.

"But even you are kept in the dark. I wouldn't be surprised if there are other things behind the scene. I've always had faith in the Prometheus clan... I... I don't think they really meant to hurt the brat like that."

Mokuren agrees but... there was hesitation.

"There are definitely things going... but you have to realize the weight of the situation Kyui. We're talking about a young girl apparently born out of nowhere possessing this... wrathful Primordial power... there hasn't been such a being since the Dark era."

She's right...

"So what will you do?"

Mokuren rests her hands on the black case and looks at me with determination.

"I'm continuing to do what I do not for them... but for myself. I want to help the little girl... but it means helping them too. I don't believe the Prometheus clan would so intentionally harm the girl and I have trust in them too. But I won't be blind."

With the sound of pressurized air, the case opened upon pressing a simple button on the case. Ice blue mist vents from the opened crevice as it crawls from the case and spreads around on the ground. The mist reaches my legs, a cold sensation starting to accumulate.

Within the black case, placed within soft material to ensure safety… was two, blazing gold rings. It has a metallic surface with small engravings on it.

"Metallic rings?"

It didn't look like it could do anything at a glance. Mokuren clarifies.

"Arm rings I guess more appropriately. It's to address and solve the little girl's issue of going out of control. My mother handed me these. They were from what I've been told, created by the Prometheus clan. I found a time to talk to you about it... and well... I also wanted to see you."

See me? I couldn't help but feel a bit happy that she would go to me for emotional support. But I digress...

"It almost feels like a Deus Ex Machina... the Prometheus created this convenient device. How is this going to solve the brat's issues?"

Mokuren takes one of the rings out and holds it out to her own upper arm. With a click, the ring opens and it closes around her arm… the ring opening into segments and adjusting itself as it is fitted to Mokuren's arm size.

"It is put on like this so no worries about the size difference for the little girl. The information from what I've been told is that it analyzes only Primordial energy. When Primordial energy reaches a threshold… it would lock up and restrict the user's energy flow. This is to prevent the girl from going berserk again."

Interesting… this could work… but what other things does it do without my knowledge? But such an unknown technology...

"A piece of primordial arcane equipment and you didn't mess around with it?

This brings a mischievous small smile to Mokuren's face.

"Of course I also tinkered with it a bit myself. It was made during the time the flower girl was unconscious and recovering... my mother must've informed them of what exactly happened. However, I couldn't crack it open… complicated mix of tech and primordial energy application for the layman… but..."

Mokuren ponders, inspecting the ring as she takes it off… it opens upon firm touch.

"But I wouldn't be surprised if it also has a tracking function. Kyui, it's the Prometheus clan we're talking about."

I wouldn't be surprised either… tracking... it really does seem the Prometheus clan wants to keep the brat a secret.

"Mokuren… is there some time I could meet your mother? I want to ask a few questions myself, I'm sorry but I cannot fully trust your mother… not now."

Mokuren nods understandably.

"She doesn't let on much too… I'll ask her in person… but I think she seriously regret her actions, you should've seen her haha! She's sulking away at home, berating herself for being a God of Life and harming someone."

She puts the ring back into the case and closes it… pushing it towards me.

"Take it Kyui… it works in theory, but it'll be best to test it a little and I think it will help. If you don't mind if I could be alongside you? I need to learn more about its functions and see how it works in action. This is the only safe way of helping the girl control her powers."

I've never questioned Prometheus clan's goals and code: protecting the innocent. Following them and the hopes of perhaps one day joining their ranks has always been a dream. But I was not naive enough to be blind to perhaps the methods they employ to do so to protect the innocent. I rest my hand on the case…

"Of course, but could you give me some time to think about it… I want to talk to my mom and inform the brat at the very least first. Don't forget you're always welcome... for me and my mom."

Mokuren stands up... and gives me a hug, pressing her soft body into me. I froze upon touch... unable to do anything... my heart beat a little faster as I blush again... how many times now?

"Hehe! Thank you Kyui."

She lets go and approaches the sliding door, before she left I quickly stood up and held her hand… soft and silky. This suddenly jolts her as she turns around. I look her in the eyes again…

"Mokuren… thanks."

She smirks, that same old teasing confidence back.

"You really are a player Kyui!"

"What?!"

She turns away, her natural green hair brushing against my face along with the scent of fresh, sweet Magnolia.

"Nothing Kyui! How bout we go clothes shopping for some cute dresses and clothes some time? I'll contact you!"

I try to reach out again but she opens the sliding door.

"Wait hang on! I didn't-"

With a twirl of her body, Mokuren slides the door shut, her mischievous glint of her starry eyes the last thing I see. I sigh…

"I don't want to be your dress up doll again…"