The West Presses Forth!

Tilia cracked her neck, "Anyone here got a plan?"

Yuto proclaimed, "Leave this Ace to me. I want to see what the greatest they have to offer is."

"If you die quickly I will hold you responsible.", warned Ninn.

"No need to worry!"

Raising her hand Tilia formed the tower shield with her War Sight, "If, at any point, it seems like you won't survive I will hold off the Ace for as long as possible."

"Again, no need to worry. Just defeat the other two so I don't have to worry about it!"

"It's good to have confidence. It is faith in oneself.", spoke Pale.

Pale was donned in a set of heavy armor, a large shield resting at her feet and a mace in her hand. Her armor was azure, with gold designing. Her features were albino, and the air around her radiated a calming sensation. Her eyes flashed with an unknown glow, "And it is good to have faith."

"So these are their fighters? They don't seem like much.", Cain mentioned whilst doing some warmup stretches.

Pale shook her head, "Have faith in oneself, but not to an overbearing degree. To underestimate your opponent is to overestimate yourself."

"You always talk in such roundabout matters, but I understand. I'll be careful.", Cain replied.

"Then, let the match begin!", the West Province's voice spoke over, a sense of haste in his voice.

Boom!

Yuto charged forth, his scythe leaning against his back. His vision zeroed in on Pale, he truly was excited to see what an Ace was capable of!

Bzzt-

A line of green electricity passed by and Yuto stopped in his tracks. Their stood Cain, electricity crackling around his body, "You won't be touching Pale."

"I'd like to see you stop me!"

Swinging his scythe Yuto cleaved through Cain. Electricity fizzled and that made Yuto frown. Cain was crouched by his side, underneath his scythe, "It's quite slow."

"Slow?!"

[Whirling Scythes]!

Four scythe shaped attacks spread out in random directions, spinning quickly. One passed through Cain and electricity again fizzled. Cain stood just out of the scythes' range and commented, "I expected more. The South put up such a show yesterday. But I guess those were your Aces. I didn't think your strength would be so shallow."

"You saw two attacks from me, don't assume you've seen it all."

"At your speed I can do more than just read."

Yuto charged towards Cain, swinging his scythe towards Cain's neck. It passed through easily, and electricity fizzled. Cain was now gently sitting on Yuto's scythe, "See? Why were you even chose as a candidate? You're not bad, but nothing extraordinary."

"Why don't you find out?!"

~~~

"Truly some troublesome selections.", Horrow murmured.

"What's so special about them?"

"Pale, the Ace is someone many would fight to have on their side. A Paladin of the Sun."

"What's with her blue armor then?", asked Kan'na.

"Although she follows the sun, she also is the selector of a God's Chosen Blessing."

"God's Chosen Blessing. . . that's quite problematic."

"Indeed, which is why I am so concerned."

"What about the others?"

"Cain is someone who specializes in speed. One that can almost compare to that of The Wind Graced. Although his speed isn't that great now that he's Second Stage."

"Seems to be troubling Yuto though."

Aaron adjusted his glasses, "Yuto proved to be interesting through the data. We should have faith in his abilities."

~~~

Swish~

Cain narrowed his eyes and moved, electricity fizzling. A dagger passed through his previous location, hovering in the air. It slowed before flying backwards, returning to the person who threw it.

It circled around Ninn, gently swaying. Making the dagger spin she spoke, "Weren't you challenging the Ace? Stop wasting time."

"You think I'm intentionally fighting this guy?!", Yuto snapped.

"I'll handle it, so go take down the Ace."

Cain curled his lips, "You're talking like I'm not here. No one will be challenging Pale, not as long as I stand in the way."

P-Twing~

Cain vanished, a knife hovering directly where his heart just was. It spun before zooming to Ninn's side, hovering next to the previous one. Ninn lifted a hand, revealing an additional three daggers. Tossing them to the air she made them hover with the rest, "Like I said, I'll handle this."

Yuto grinned, "It seems like you're quite capable! I owe you one for this!"

Ninn flicked her wrist and sent a dagger forward. It nearly scraped Yuto's neck as it moved. Cain, who just appeared in front of Yuto to send a kick, rapidly retreated. Halting his attempts to stop Yuto he spent some time to reexamine Ninn. She had thrown the dagger before he moved, almost like she predicted his next move.

"It seems like you have your own tricks.", Cain commented.

"Don't we all."

Bzzt-

Cain dashed side to side, electricity shooting from his body and arcing towards the ground. His speed left only the sight of these arcs, making it look like a wave of electricity was moving forward.

Ninn swung her hand and the five daggers were tossed forth. Cain watched each of the daggers carefully, in attempt to understand how his previous move was read. As he moved to the side he noticed them arcing slightly, moving towards the position he was heading towards.

'It was actually so simple.'

Cain jumped upwards, the arcs of electricity growing larger as he left the ground. Watching the daggers arc upwards he grinned, "I've figured you out!"

Ninn didn't blink, but it almost seemed like she did. Cain was visible for a fraction of a second before vanishing. Cain appeared behind her and threw his fist forward.

Blood splattered across the floor and Cain grit his teeth. A wound appeared across his arm, and a dagger materialized at the farthest end of it. Ninn casually looked back, "You didn't think I only had five daggers did you?"