And that time was fast approaching.
Elena blocked Fyr's next attack. And the one after that.
Fyr re-doubled his attacks until the sound of their staffs banging against each other reverberated through the room.
The arrogance on Fyr's face pissed Elena off. The assumption that he'd automatically win.
All the frustration and fear she'd buried since her arrival bled into the fight, giving her strength as she returned his blows with decisive ones of her own.
Satisfaction filled her when one of her strikes snuck under his guard.
Take that. Who is the easy mark now?
Elena blocked his next head strike. He followed it up with a blow to her torso. Also blocked.
She leaned back almost parallel to the floor to avoid his staff to her face.
She recovered her balance a second later. "You asshole. Were you trying to disfigure me?"
Wreck the adorable features that had convinced Auntie to go against her better judgment on more than one occasion?
She bet that was exactly what he was doing. It wasn't the first time either. From the very beginning, he seemed to be gunning for it.
Elena didn't stop to think, attacking Fyr straight on. Anger gave her energy as she rained blow-after-blow on him. Not giving him time to attack. Only defend.
She scrutinized the play of his muscles. His reflexes. The way he responded if she were to do this. Or that.
All the while looking for an opening.
Not to take it. Honest.
She just wanted to prove to herself she could end this if she wanted to.
Elena evaded an attempt to hook the top of his staff around hers in an effort to disarm her.
Instead, she closed the distance, head butting him in the chin.
He stumbled back with a grunt.
An opening.
The surprise on his stupid face made bad habits rear their ugly head. The impulsiveness that so often led her into trouble whispered that she could take it.
One strike and the win would be hers.
Her hands clenched around the staff as the opening started to close. It was now or never. Already, his body was shifting, turning to meet her follow up attack.
Do it, El. He'd do the same to you.
Fyr read her intentions a second before Elena lunged. His staff came up.
She was going to be faster, Elena realized with excitement.
A butterfly sensation brushed across her mind. Easily ignored as she focused on the win.
The lu-ong spawn wrapped around her bicep shifted.
A second later Uncle Jin's groggy voice sounded in her ear. "Where are we?"
Elena stumbled. "Uncle!"
She forgot the fight for a split second. By the time she realized her mistake, Fyr's staff loomed large in her vision.
Uncle Jin's scream sounded in her ear as something seized control of her ki. Either instinct in response to severe danger, Uncle Jin, or some combination of both.
All she knew was that it flooded her veins, a tiny bit leaking into the air around her head.
An instant later, Fyr's staff collided with her skull.
Kira - Rothchild's Surface
A cloak was thrust in front of Kira's face, obstructing her view of the snow covered landscape.
"What's this?" Kira asked, looking at the item in front of her.
Pallas jiggled the cloak impatiently. "What does it look like? It's a cloak."
"I can see that. Why are you giving it to me?"
The balial material that made up her clothes was temperature regulating. She didn't need to worry about freezing to death while wearing it. The parts of her uncovered might experience frostbite. Such as her ears and hands. But gloves and earmuffs would protect her well enough.
"Anti-Consortium sentiment has grown in the last few years. The planet's inhabitants didn't appreciate their sacrifices being forgotten and glossed over by the rest of their government. Since you're the one responsible for the moon, I thought you'd want to keep your identity hidden to avoid pointless fights."
Reluctantly, Kira took the cloak from Pallas, holding it between her thumb and forefinger like it might bite.
With Pallas, you never knew.
He watched her with a tiny smirk on his face as if he found her actions adorable. "I suggest you keep the hood up. The Phoenix is rather famous around here."
Kira's snarl was silent as he sauntered back into the ship.
Alone, Kira scrutinized the cloth. Except for the fur lining the hood and edges, it looked average. The color a deep green that could be mistaken for black at a distance or in dim light.
Considering that night had already fallen, she'd blend in nicely.
Finding nothing that might pose her harm, Kira settled the cloak over her shoulders. The bottom brushed the tops of her boots.