93 || Captain's Challenge! The Star Serval Bares Her Fangs!

Tara finds the Ordained Soul within the circulation hall. Msireta sits across from the clone who has their eyes closed. A larger version of the Demonic Slumbering Moon array is etched into the hall's floor as Msireta slowly guides Ordained Soul in how to channel the energy. This time there's no struggle or dissonance as the burgundy glow permeates through the Clone's body and gathers at their assigned Gates.

Msireta casts a glance at Tara before smiling and continuing on. This Sleepscape, Tara realizes, is akin to her own special chamber. It brings all three of her Guardians and Clones to a single place where they can spur each other's growth easily and without restraints. Each has been given their own space to train and practice.

Tara steps out of the circulation hall and into a combination of her Hufang room and her Dark Saber room. There's enough space for her to practice any of her Skills or simply focus on the Gates. It's only when she feels a unique pull on this dream body an unknown time later, that she's aware it's time to wake up.

The first thing she notices is that about half of her Solar Ember Wisps have returned. The second is that there's been some minute growth towards unlocking of the Tenebrous Gate though sealed. The South Gate of her eyes also has several more Light Wisps present!

She also feels more well rested than ever before. Completely refreshed, Tara spends the next day and a half checking on her family at the Academy and observing the Master Inscribers at work. At night she visits the Sleepscape, this time Oorun and Cluster Soma practicing the Solar Body Arts linked with the Hufang Body Arts, Wolyung and Mindful Dark sparring, and Misreta guiding the advancement of Ordained Soul's Elemental Raiment.

The day of the ceremony arrives as Tara transports to the capital using a teleportation array. It is packed with people from nobility, famous families, and local folk. Unlike the crowning of the Hufang Family as nobility, outside diplomats and messengers from other Kingdoms were not invited--only those of the Sharost Empire were welcome, but few in number.

Of course spies could sneak in but everyone besides Tara, who came via the teleportation array, was thoroughly checked by the gates. As this was a display of military might and future security, the city guard and Royal Guard were being extremely thorough.

The two guarding the teleportation array are caught off guard by Tara because of her lack of presence. Once they see her face, they immediately greet her and have another guard leader to the center of the city.

Underneath the statue of the founder, a large battle arena has been constructed. A raised seating area with several rows has been built where the members of the Royal family are chatting away. In the row below them are Tara's family, very excited and bright eyed at being the center of conversation for those below them.

Tara thanks the guard and then heads to their direction. It's as she's approaching the area that the figure stops in front of her. A strong medicinal scent comes from this handsome older gentleman who looks to be in his older 50s. In actuality, he's 200 years old!

"So you're the brat who sought me out?" The Nukura Patriarch questions, his voice carrying to draw attention to her. Everyone's eyes are now on him and Tara, hushed whispers breaking out. Tara catches her family beginning to rise and shakes her head.

"That I am! Why? Are the Nukuras those who don't keep her word." Tara replies, her voice neutral but equally as loud.

He glowers at this but doesn't take the bait. "I merely wish to ascertain whether the twins were telling the truth about your abilities. For that I'd like to suggest the Captain's Challenge. If you win, not only will I allow you and your friend to observe my pill making and refinement, but I'll make one for each of you."

"The Captain's Challenge? What's that?" One of the people on the seats asks.

"It's similar to the Squire Battle Royale, except it's all top 50 Royal Guard and Kingdom Knight squires fight against one person. If that person wins they become their leader and captain on expeditions. Except, the captain has always been a member of the Long Family since the foundation!" Another one speaks up.

Tara looks towards the arena to see 50 young men and women. The weakest among them at a glance is mid stage Billowing Muscle while the strongest is at high stage Vein Plating. They all were well armored with a variety of weapons.

"You gave your word before everyone here and the Royal Family itself! I'll take the Captain's Challenge!" Tara shouts, holding her head up high.

The Nukura Patriarch gives a snort of laughter before returning to his seat.

Tara turns her heel and heads to the arena stage. With every step, she slowly unmasks her presence. As she approaches the group, they step away as her physical vibrancy is sensed by all. Despite being at a lower stage, how could she give off such a strong feeling? This created a mental deterrence as a circle was formed with Tara at the centerpoint.

The current captain, a 26 year old Vein Plating, Long Fei. Strapped to his back is a massive and heavy staff. Before he can nod to direct one of the Billowing Muscles beside him, a young voice cuts through the air.

"All of you come at once, I'd like to warm up!" Tara comments, playfully arrogant. This provokes most of them as they had never been talked down to, especially a child.

25 of them rush her from all sides! The latter half, standing behind Long Fei, are the eldest of the batch and most talented. Only the brash newbies or mentally weak would fall for such words.

The moment they've moved so has Tara! The audience, be they aurator or commoner, is surprised as 24 Tara's run out in all directions. This was Illusionary Circle Steps new form granted to her from her new strength and using Force Raiment! In the flurry of black robes with basic twin daggers in hand, only those Marrow Sparking and above notice that three of the afterimages don't leave a triangular position from Tara.

The afterimages fade upon contact, but those that had charged were still flustered.

"Get some practice in. Don't kill anyone though," Tara orders quietly. Violet and lilac to the right, pink and black to the left, blue and white to the center--these are the colors that flash in these afterimages' eyes. Tara had summoned her Node Clones under the guise of her movement technique!

The clones splinter off and dash towards three sections of the group, their bodies flickering from using Focus Raiment on their legs and combining it with the Moonlight Stroll movement technique. Just as the other Squires realize they've been duped they were attacked!

Due to the wide variety of Body stages, the Clones get practice with how and when to apply force. Each strike is measured depending on the opponent as to either send them back a few steps or disable them.

Besides force concentration, there's muscle direction, which Tara's Clones are testing out. Inspect's new feature really helps in this regard, pointing out the minor stages for further clarification.

"The girl knows her worth and isn't afraid of a challenge. What do you think?" The King speaks to the empty void behind.

At first there's nothing but then a varied voice reaches only the King's ears. "As expected of Little Bei's disciple, she's a little terror. Hiding a true clone technique within a footwork, that's something even I couldn't do at the same stage. You reported that she's a dual elemental as well?"

"Similar to you, both Light and Dark." The King replies respectfully.

The voice gives a hum of interest. "Her disguising skill to hide her level is very strong. Only those at Navel Enshrouding or Eye Illuminating should be able to see through it. Low stage Billowing Muscles and yet it still feels like she's holding back?"

Tara's main body hasn't moved an inch since her Clones had been dispatched. Until this very moment, the Clones were only using the Riversword Blade Play and Lunar Body Arts. Given the disarming and flowing nature of the two arts, even those proficient in the Riversword Blade Play among the squires can't break through. Every few moments a squire was thrown off the arena and disqualified.

"Stand down!" Came a bark like thunder. It was Long Fei and he looked positively furious. The remaining few squires stopped and backed away from the Clones rapidly.

The Cluster Soma Clone drops one of the squires they lifted into the air with a one handed chokehold, tilting their head before deciding to target Long Fei.

"Arrogant!" He growls before throwing a half hearted punch.

The Cluster Soma Clone meets it with a Solar Body punch plus the Perihelion Strike's first trajectory. The only Clone capable of replicating an aura is the Ordained Soul Clone, as it has three energies in balance. So this strike was purely physical!

Long Fei eyes narrow as he's forced to take a half a step back. The Clone takes several steps back before stabilizing their body, shaking their hand as if they hit something hard. Tara raises an eyebrow at this.

Cluster Soma has been going full tilt with Oorun ever since the Sleepscape became a thing. When all out brawling, both were physically strong as low stage Marrow Sparking, maybe a little stronger. Furthermore, it took the full power of Elemental Focus Raiment to cause the Gigantic Stone Guardian to take a full step back. While the monster was Billowing Muscle high stage at least, its crystalline body's physical defense was 100 times stronger than a human or animus at Vein Plating. Long Fei should have been sent several feet back and yet!

"Warm up is over then." Tara says quietly but everyone present can hear her. Tara's Clones fade from existence leaving the last group to face her. However, seeing half of their number being thoroughly thrashed scared them from getting close.

"Is that all you have is some tricks!" One of the mid stage Vein Plating squires behind Long Fei sneers. This was Nukura Eru and it was clear she was frustrated at Tara's display. No wonder her cousins were defeated in two moves!

"If you don't want me to hold back, simply say so." Tara laughs, unfolding her arms. Her presence surges as she channels the full potential of her aural and Twin Sphere energies. Then her body emits a truly ferocious presence as Tara taps into The Blaze, Flood, and South Gates at the same time. Just the addition of one Fire, Water, and Light Wisp make even the Eye Illuminating and Navel Enshrouding aurators present feel dreadful.

Even the voice speaking to the King feels astonished! How could such a child have Wisps already?!

Amazingly, as those around him fall to their knees, Long Fei walks steadily forward against Tara's presence. It's only once he's right before her that he kneels on one leg.

"Vice Captain Long Fei offers greetings!" He shouts. His eyes that had disdain are now filled with loyalty and just a hint of reverence. The audience is stunned into silence before a cheer erupts from Tara's family. This has a ripple effect with everyone cheering, even the previously defeated Nukura twins.

The King rises to descend down the seating area, when a firm hand lands on his shoulder. A young person in their mid to late 20s has appeared, their eyes are river blue and their features are as handsome as they are beautiful. A gorgeous blue sheath rests on their hip, hiding a slightly larger than normal jian