Windborough Venturers Volume 1 Astral-Touched

Sketch 4 Zodiac Shining Summon

Sora's POV

"Stop right there!" I heard someone say. I stopped and looked around to see where the voice was coming from, but I didn't see anyone..that was until I ran outside to the dock.

There, standing before me, was a girl with fair skin, auburn red hair tied in a ponytail and sapphire blue eyes that glistened like the gem itself. She was wearing a lilac sweater with a lavender scarf on top, light blue denim shorts, a brown belt with a pouch on each side, black fishnet leggings and black and brown boots. But what shocked me the most is that she had a greyish lilac gun with what seemed to be a guild's crest on the handle. She gave me the most freaky look on her face, like she would strike at me at any given time.

"W Who are you?" I asked stammering.

"I'm Arista Iris and I'm a huntress. I'm here to take that Zodiac Gem from you," She points her gun at me as she said this. "And if you don't hand it over, I'll have to fight you for it, Astral-Touched girl!"

"W what did you say?"

"You heard me. I know you've been Touched by the Aquarius Avatar. Because I have been Astral-Touched too."

What she did next was shocking. She lift her hand up to face. There was an M with an extra curve at the end. It was glowing in a navy blue color. "The Virgo symbol," I shouted in pure surprise.

"Yeah. That's right. I was given this mark by the Virgo Avatar, as well her Zodiac Gem. Air and Earth co-exist but don't always get along. What's it going to be, water girl?"

" 'Water girl'!? Okay that's it! I accept your challenge.." I pause looking at the town. I couldn't allow the people of this nice town to get hurt, nor cause destruction while we're doing so. I looked around and eventually spotted a floating island nearby which appears to have nothing but a few trees and a beautiful meadow there. "That island. We'll battle there instead."

I heard her mumble something under breath that sounded like.."Too soft.." before finally nodding. "Fine. Let's get going. I just wanna get this over with."
We both got on my boat and headed there.

****

Arista's POV

After some time, we finally arrived at the island. Even though I tried to hide it, I couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful it is. If it was this peaceful, who knows what I can do with it. But that's besides the point. My task is to defeat Water Girl and take the Aquarius Gem from her for my "client"...whoever she is.

"Okay. This is far enough," I heard Water Girl say as she finally stopped. She turned to face me. I can sense bravery in her sunlight colored eyes but I can also see another emotion too though I can't tell what. But I just shrugged and readied myself.

"About time, Water Girl." I scoffed. "I was starting to grow bored."

"I have a name you know!" She interjected.

"Yeah yeah. Let's just get this over with."

I charged at her and started to throw punches at her. She managed to dodge and block some of them but I could've sworn I had hit her at least a few times. That girl managed to kick me to the ground before blasting the wind my way against a rock wall. When I looked up at her, I saw her panting but she was trying her best not to smirk at me.

"Tch!" I clicked my tongue. "Very funny. A little kick and blow my way and you think you're in the lead? Come on, Water Girl!"

"I should..be the one.. saying 'come on'," she said through tired puffs of breath. "I wasn't giving it my all yet. You're the one who tried to beat me to a pulp."

"You got sass that matches your spunk. Fine. You got me there. But can you do this?"

I held up my Virgo Gem in my hand and said in a reckless tone. "Zodiac Shining Summon! Virgo!" I tied the gem to one of my guns with a small chain and threw it up into the air as the Virgo mark glowed on my hand. My gun changed into a navy blue revolver with the Virgo symbol on the helm and two pansy shaped protectors on each side. "Maiden's Revolver!"

****

Sora's POV

'Maiden's Revolver?' I thought. 'No way! That's one of the legendary Star-Charmed Weapons! I can't believe that girl was able to do a Zodiac Shining Summon! B but how can I do that?'

My thoughts were interrupted by her suddenly starting to shoot at me. Fortunately, I managed to dodge them one at a time. But I have to find a way to strike back somehow.

"Man, I've missed many times. Why won't you stand still!?" Arista shouted.

'Sora, you need to perform the Zodiac Shining Summon!' The voice appeared in my head again.

I gasped and looked around. 'It's you again! But how do I do that? I don't know how!'

'Your keychain, it has the Aquarius Gem right? Throw it into the air and say 'Zodiac Shining Summon! Aquarius!' Sora, don't be scared. Be brave. You're a strong girl. Stronger than you think. You can do this.'

I finally nodded and put on a brave face. 'Okay. I'll do it. I won't be afraid anymore!' I took my keychain out of my pocket and looked at it. 'Aquarius..please guide me through this battle.' Then I show Arista the Aquarius Gem before shouting, "Zodiac Shining Summon! Aquarius!" I throw my keychain into the air and through a gust of wind, it transformed into a large boomerang shaped like the Aquarius symbol; a vase pouring out water that turned into clouds near the end that represent air.

I catched and looked at it in awe. I cannot believe I actually did it! This is incredible! This is my Star-Charmed Weapon! How cool! I faced Arista with more confidence before shouting it's name. "Water Bearer Boomerang!"

"What the!?" Arista squealed in shock. "How did you-? Never mind! I can still beat you!" She readied her Maiden's Revolver again before shouting, "Navy Chariot Shot!" She shoots what looks like navy blue bullets but they suddenly let out a pansy shaped aura but I manage to block them with my boomerang. "No way!" She shouted!

'No way indeed,' I thought. 'This is awesome!' I closed my eyes and concentrated. I try to imagine the wind swirling around me and into the boomerang. When the time is right, I will be able to send Arista flying. I hear her charge at me ready to fire again and I open my eyes. 'Now!'

"Aqua Whirlwind!" I let loose my boomerang at her, the wind following it and swirling around Arista. As it finally hit her, she was sent flying and hit her head on a tree nearby causing her to lose consciousness.

I'm sorry for leaving this on a cliffhanger but trust me. What happens on the next chapter will be worth it (maybe..)