Chapter 8: Discovery

Long ago, there were two divine beings who governed the forces of Light and Dark.

The Goddess of Light embodied peace and served as a guiding beacon for her followers, leading them towards harmony and serenity. Her presence instilled a sense of safety and tranquility wherever she appeared.

In contrast, the Goddess of Dark was once akin to the Goddess of Light, but the devastation caused by endless wars shattered her innocence and drove her to the brink of despair. Witnessing the loss of countless lives, including those dear to her, she succumbed to her anguish. Consumed by her sorrow, she vowed, "If I cannot find joy in this world, then no one shall!" It was then that the Goddess of Light intervened, halting her descent into further destruction. She sealed her away from society, preventing her from unleashing further chaos upon the world.

To safeguard against the potential release of the Goddess of Dark, the Goddess of Light bestowed fragments of her own magic upon humanity. She divided her essence into five elemental forms: Fire, Lightning, Wind, Water, and Earth. These elemental magics were entrusted to those she deemed trustworthy, empowering them to combat the darkness should it ever escape its confinement. Alongside these elemental gifts, the Goddess granted selected individuals her pure light magic, bestowing upon them the responsibility to maintain the balance between light and dark.

Centuries passed, and fissures began to appear in the seal that bound the Goddess of Dark. Through these cracks, darkness seeped into the world, corrupting individuals consumed by the deepest hatred and resentment. These individuals, wielding stolen fragments of the Goddess's magic, spread chaos and misery wherever they roamed.

In response to the growing threat, the faithful followers of the Goddess of Light formed an alliance, dedicated to combating the encroaching darkness. They trained tirelessly, honing their elemental powers and mastering the light magic bestowed upon them by their divine patron.

Now, the story continues with us.

"Miss Claudia do you know the name of the goddesses?" Shiro asked. "I'm sorry Shiro, but I don't know what their names are." "Oh.."

"Anyways class. As the wind magic user, you all represent freedom." "Wind represents freedom! So, as the first class homework. You'll be showing me what freedom means for you. If you have any further question, don't be afraid to ask me."

No one asked Claudia any question and the class ended.

Shiro went to the park waiting for someone. Until she saw Misa. "Misa! Over here!" "Shiro!" Misa jumps and hug Shiro.

"So, what we do today Misa?" she didn't reply and kept cuddling Shiro.

"Stoopp.." Shiro begged Misa to stop cuddling her "Okay okay.." "So, let's go do some training again?" "Sure!" "Let's go!"

Misa started walking while holding Shiro's hand. "Where should we do some training today?" Misa asked Shiro. "Maybe in an open field?"

"Good idea! We haven't done anything in an open area before. This would be a good opportunity to familiarize ourselves in open fields."

And so, Misa and Shiro walked to find a suitable place for training. Until they found one nearby.

"This place looks beautiful!" Shiro is amazed by the view. "It is."

"So, since we always practiced in a closed area like a forest, an alleyway and even a small room. I got used to jumping around the room with your help." Misa unsheathes her sword. "This time, we'll have to learn how to fight in an open area like this."

"Shiro do you know anyone that could help us practice?" "Yes I do!" "Who is it?" "It's Nanako!"

"That girl huh.." Misa sits down on the grassy field. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just that girl is an absolute monster. She was even able to keep up with that fake light guy *sigh*.And don't even get me started on her trial. She summoned a wyvern y'know? She must be crazy strong just based on that.

"Well Misa can you think of anyone else that could help you?" Shiro stares at Misa. "Well.. No... Hey quit staring at me!"

"Well, why don't we just ask Nanako?" "Well.. I mean sure I guess"

"Alright then, I'll ask her tomorrow." "Why don't we just play around for now?" "Sure I'd love to!"

~Next Day~

During class, Shiro whispered to Nanako. "Hey Nanako, wanna practice with Misa and I later after class?" "Hmm.. But I'm learning how to do magic infusion right now.."

"Maybe Misa can help you. So you should join us." "Sure I guess.."

"Ahem.. Everyone, listen up. Today, we'll be learning a new wind magic. This one serves as a foundation to any mid-air movement magic."

"It's called "Step Towards The Heaven". This magic will allow you to create a wind platform that you can step on" "Let's go outside and give it a try class." "Okay Miss Claudia!"

Claudia heads out first. As everyone goes outside, they're stunned to what they're met with. Claudia is standing on thin air, and it looks like she's flying.

"This is the magic known as 'Step Towards The Heaven'. Before you learn how to use your magic to glide or even fly. You'll have to learn this first." as she walks around mid-air. "Pretty cool right?"

Everyone clapped and Claudia descended back down with the students.

"So, does anyone here have any knowledge with barriers?" Nanako raised her hand. "I do." "Great! because you can visualize this magic as a barrier magic that you can interact with."

"Why don't you give it a try?" Claudia reaches out for Nanako. "Sure."

"First create a wind barrier." 'Wind Barrier' "Okay good. Now, let's try the magic together. Say it with me and visualize it as creating a barrier underneath you okay?"

'Step Towards The Heaven' "Now, try walking with me." Nanako walked alongside with Claudia. But after her first two step, her platform shattered and she fell down. Claudia helps her get up and congratulated her.

The rest of the time went with Claudia teaching the class how to cast basic barrier and to teach them how to use it the next class.

And as planned, Shiro, Nanako, and Misa met up at the area.

"So, Shiro. What do you two need help with?" Nanako asked.

"Well, Misa and I are doing some training in an open area since we usually trained on closed areas" Misa arrives and Shiro waves at her.

"There she is." Misa walked slowly towards Shiro and hides behind her.

"Why are you hiding..?" Nanako asked. "Because you're scary."

"Me!? Scary!? I watched you fight that wind mage and that gave me nightmares!" Both awkwardly stares at each other.

"Nanako, can you fight Misa and I together?"

"I mean I can.." "That's great!" Shiro hands Nanako a wooden sword. Nanako takes the wooden sword.

"Alright ready?" "Yeah!"

"Let's go Shiro!" Misa unsheathes her sword and takes a stance. "Alright! 'Godspeed'!"

"Try to immobilize me." Nanako unsheathes her sword and used her magic to give herself 'Galestride Agility'.

Nanako goes for the initiative and targets Shiro. But Misa blocked with 'Water Wall' and caught up with her.

Their blades clashed. And each strike was more powerful than the last. "Good job! Now let me try this."

Nanako raises her sword. 'Zephyr's Judgement' as she swings her sword, a strong wind pressure can be felt.

Shiro used 'Suffocating Wind' then ran towards Misa. "That should stop her." Nanako still used it anyways. Misa used 'Ice Wall' to protect their self from the attack.

"Ice huh?" Nanako used a 'Heat Wave' which melted the ice.

"Huh?!" both Shiro and Misa are shocked. "Shiro let me fight her alone okay?" Shiro nods.

"Alright, let's go. 'Element Infusion: Freezing Point'!" Misa charged towards Nanako.

Nanako stopped moving.

Misa was about to hit Nanako with her sword until she parried the attack with her magic and sheathed her sword.

'Flash Draw: Wind Cut!' Nanako hits Misa and she was unable to defend herself. "Misa!"

Nanako used 'Galestride Agility' once again and caught up with Shiro. She swung her sword but stopped before it can hit her. "That's all."

"That was amazing!" Misa stands up. "See? We're no match at all!"

"Hey.. If I was any average swordsman I would've died before I can even react!" Misa points at Nanako. "But you aren't any average swordsman!"

"Fair point." Nanako sits down on the grassy field. "So what now?" Nanako asked.

"Want to go to the nearby river?" Misa asked Nanako. "Sure let's go." Nanako replied.

Misa, Shiro, and Nanako went to a nearby river and played there.

On their way back, Misa spotted a cave.

"Hey look! There's a cave over there." "So? What about it?" Nanako asked.

"Aren't you curious about what could be inside the cave?" It reminded Nanako of her times spent with Hanako.

Nanako responded with a cold "No." "But why not?" Misa asked.

"It can be dangerous. There might be traps, monsters or just nothing."

"But what if there is something?" "Then it will definitely be dangerous."

"Fine, if you don't wanna come. Then Shiro and I are going to go in alone."

"I'll be waiting outside." "Please Nanako come with us!" Misa is holding Nanako's clothes. "We'll have fun in there."

"..." "*Sigh* fine fine let's go" Misa jumped. "Yes!" "Stop acting like a child!" Misa pouts.

And so, they explored the cave. It was a smooth exploration. No traps, no monster. Until they saw a light.

"Hey is that an exit?" Nanako was interested. "Maybe? Let's go check it out!" Misa ran towards the light.

The light led them to an big open area in the cave with sunlight coming from the ceiling lighting up the whole area.

In the middle of it, there's a boy laying down unconscious. Misa pointed at the boy. "Hey look, there's a boy over there!" "A boy? What does he look like?"

"Hmm I can't really see well from here. Let's get a closer look!" Nanako sighs. "You just want to play around don't you?"

"Whaatt?? No no I'm not just playing around!" Misa runs towards the boy. "So you are playing around."

"He's cute..." Misa whispered. "I heard that Misa." "Shut up Nanako!"

"Still, what's that boy doing here?" Nanako asked. "Maybe he fell down from that hole there?"

"Maybe... Hey Shiro can you try healing him?" Nanako asked Shiro "I can only heal someone if I know what the problem is.."

"Let's bring him to the academy clinic then." The two agreed but there's an awkward silence between them.

Shiro pointed at Nanako "You carry him Nanako." "I will I will.." Then the three of them headed back to the academy with the boy.

"They took the bait Hikari!"

As they carry the boy, Nanako, Shiro, and Misa wondered about the boy's identity. How did he get there? Who is he? and more questions.

They reached the academy clinic and Nanako gently placed down the boy. "What happened to him? And who is he?" The nurse asked.

"We found him unconscious in a cave. We still don't know who he is." Nanako explained. "Can you check his condition? Is he going to be okay?"

The nurse examined the boy. "I checked the boy's vitals and his condition is stable. However, his magic seems to be pretty unstable. There's two different magic that's fighting in his body and he can't seem to control them."

"Two different magic? Just like Marcus?" Nanako asked. "I guess you could put it that way. But the magic inside him are way powerful than the elements."

Suddenly, strong and menacing aura can be felt across the room.

Nanako felt dizzy while everyone else felt nauseous.

"A wyvern!?" Nanako exclaimed. The boy had finally woke up. "Where am I?"

"No, that's wrong. There's no wyvern in the area. But why do I feel this heavy burden on my chest."

"Um excuse me miss are you alright?" The boy asked Nanako. "I feel better now." Nanako hurried to his bed. "What about you? What's your name?"

"My name..." The stares off to the distance. "My name is Hiroshi. Hiroshi Tanaka" "And mine's Nanako Takahashi." Shiro and the rest gets up and comes to Hiroshi.

The nurse checks up on Hiroshi and his condition seems to be stable for now. His magic has also stabilized but he'll stay in the hospital for a few weeks or longer.

"I'm glad he's awake now. I'll visit you whenever I can Hiroshi but now, I need to go back home. I'm tired after everything that's happened today goodbye." Nanako leaves while Misa and Shiro stayed to talk to Hiroshi.

Nanako got back to her room and rested on the bed. "Aaughhh I'm so tired!" Nanako scratches her head. "Why did I have to carry him to the clinic, Why did I sense a wyvern's presence when he woke up. Just what's happening right now."

"Because he's not normal."

"Who's there!?" Nanako stands up and pulls out her sword.

"Your goddess." A woman on black dress with an umbrella is sitting on her bed.

"My goddess?" Nanako points her sword towards the woman.

"My my, how brave of you to point your sword towards a god." She chuckles and stands up then faced Nanako.

"Just tell me who you actually are!" "I am The Goddess of Darkness." Nanako was shocked.

"Goddess of Darkness? I thought you were sealed.." Nanako slowly puts her sword down. "Me sealed? Never happened."

"Then what's your purpose of coming here?" Nanako asked. "That's simple, I want you."

"Me..?" "Yes, you. I want you to use my power." "Use your power..? What do you mean by that? Are you going to take me away?"

"No silly! If I wouldn't be talking to you right now if I came here to kidnap you."

"Then?" "I'm simply going to let you use most of my power. But you'll be sharing your senses with me. Basically, you'll be able to use dark magic but I'll feel everything that you feel."

"I don't want it." The goddess chuckles. "Did I say that you get to refuse?" She covered her mouth with her hand and pinned her against the wall. She then pushed a dark ball to Nanako's chest and she falls unconscious.

"Have a goodnight Nanako."