Of Love and Death.

The Future Chapter 17a: Third Battle! Belfyre VS. Minerva! Pt. 2

"Three! Two! One! Let it Rip!" The Masked Blader shouted, pulling back the ripcord. Across from her Crimson Eye did the same. The glare from his fiery mask reflected the shine of the beys in the stadium. They raced around, chasing each other down in circles. Circles which became the determined line of her opponent's mouth. Determined to get revenge for the last time that they'd fought.

Not that Crimson Eye didn't deserve the rematch. If anything, he'd been waiting too long. It had been three weeks since Minvera had been allowed to have a battle like this. All of her other blading had been training with her parents. Or doing her best to help Bel create a new Belfyre. Which had been frustrating, to say the least. The Masked Blader knew her brother would get there eventually.

But it didn't look too promising when Minerva popped her head in at seven this morning and the "Demon Prince" was passed out on top of the 3-D printer. Maybe he was still asleep, too. It was a Sunday, so they didn't have to go to school. And Bel seemed to need the rest.

Right, hadn't the Masked Blader been in the middle of something?

The shout from Crimson Eye drew the Masked Blader back to the present. "Glycon! Cult Bite!" He called out, charging straight for her. Minerva

narrowed her gaze, taking half a step forward. She blinked her eyes, and let her vision flip. Away from the human side of her, and into what was happening in the stadium.

It was strange, flipping the script like that. In the back of Minerva's mind, she could still see everything her other set of eyes could. Like how when you're staring off into space. Yes, the real world is still there. But you don't really see it. Instead, the battle in front of you is the only real thing. The only thing you feel, deep into your bones.

A great, sock-puppet like snake leapt at Minerva. She jumped out of the way at the last second, flying up into the air. Up up and up, as high as she could. Down below, the Glycon just circled around, not taking his eyes off of her.

There wasn't an opening. Not yet anyway. But the Masked Blader would be ready when there was. With a simple wave of her wing, she summoned her spear and shield to her. Made of silver energy. Ethereal and beautiful. Shimmering like an illusion in the air.

Out of nowhere, Minerva felt a gust of wind. Pushing her down, down, down towards where Glycon slithered. Okay then, no more time to look for an opening. Tensing up, she folded her wings and leaned into the dive. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. She kept falling.

And then the owl-like bey was barely whispering away from her opponent. She rammed her spear forward. Down into the Glycon's scaly back. At the very same moment, Minerva's prey tried to lash back at her. His fangs shining sharp. And he almost got her too. Whipping around with enough force that he would have definitely done some damage.

But, by some foresight or reflex or something, the Masked Blader was able to whip her shield out. Tossing the bite away, like Glycon was a mosquito. Flaring her wings out, she flew back. Leaping up and out of this strange gray world to settle in her human hands.

Blinking once more, Minerva looked up and gave Crimson Eye a polite smile. Alright, she was being a little bit mocking. Be nicer about that, The Masked Blader reminded herself. She didn't want to become a jerk or anything. Still though. There was something enjoyable about the frustrated surprise on her opponent's face. Almost humorous the way he was fighting but failing to keep his mouth closed.

"Well? Did you enjoy our rematch?" Jamie asked as she lowered her mask. She blinked her mis-matched eyes innocently. And then burst out in laughter at the face she was making. Crimson Eye didn't really chuckle, but he didn't seem mad either.