Elysia in Another World (Part 1)

Ch10 Eighteenth Birthday, P6

Chapter 10: Eighteenth Birthday (6)
~10.6~
*****

While Maya and Astarte fought Kaede, Elysia and Astraia were facing their own challenge. In front of them stood a near twin of Elysia, only shorter and with smaller breasts. Elysia was slightly taller than Kye, and the girl was a bit shorter than Kye.

"Greetings, Lady Astraia," the girl said, her voice softer than Elysia's, but otherwise she sounded the same. "I am Azalea of Athas. I have served as Lady Elysia's partner since my birth early in Athas history." She held a plain katana with purple tsuka-maki, and wore a sleeveless short kimono, colored purple with black accents and flowers. "I shall test you before you enter Lady Elysia's core. As a weapon, I am known as Jouten, Heaven's Blade. Please ready yourself. I shall begin as soon as you are prepared."

Kye nodded and turned to Astraia. "Before that, you should see the true me."

"The true you?"

She nodded, saying, "I entered here with the appearance that you already know, as Kye Akari. In a soul world, one takes their true appearance. This is only an illusion I cast on the way in." She suddenly released an immense burst of pure silver aether, the glow of her aura and eyes refined. Astraia's eyes widened as Kye's aether increased more and more, far beyond anything Astraia had thought possible. Once the initial burst faded, and the aether clung to her body tightly, her true appearance was laid bare. Her silver eyes remained the same, but her hair was white, her clothes changed to the same kimono uniform Azalea wore.

"This is the true you? The illusions you used to show us... it's different. It's as if... looking at the illusions were looking through foggy glasses, and this is crystal clear. Kye... Elysia, you're... words don't describe this feeling. And your aether... is... godlike. This is what you could be capable of in our world, given time?"

"This and so much more. What you see is just a taste. My power is the result of millions of lifetimes of experience and eons of training before that."

"No wonder the measuring orb shattered when it tried to measure you. To quantify such an enormity..." Elysia turned toward her and held out her hand.

Astraia gasped when she saw Elysia's eyes. "Your eyes!" I know those runes! I believed her, but this only further solidifies her claims. Those are the runes of Athas royalty. Does she know what they mean?

Elysia smiled. Astraia returned a smile, took her hand, and transformed into her weapon form. Elysia placed the weapon on her right hip so that she could draw with her left hand. "My weapon name is Hikarimaru."

Elysia stood ready, poised to draw at any moment. "Azalea! Begin!"

*****

Meanwhile, Maya and Astarte had just finished up their own challenge. Since they were inside her soul, Maya could draw upon her true power. The most that Astarte had ever experienced as a weapon was when she was wielded by Atalante. Maya's true power was so much greater, and her skill so much finer, that Astarte felt a sensation that she described as indescribable.

The match ultimately resulted in a draw, but the goal was not for one to defeat the other. Kaede would never allow another inside her master's core without knowing they could safely be wielded by her master. Once the match was over, Astarte returned to her human form. Afterward, Kaede bowed and confirmed that Astarte was worthy of Maya's hand.

Before she allowed them to pass, Kaede had one more important question to ask. "How will you find me once I reincarnate into your current world?"

"There are three main social classes. Commoner, noble, and royal. I was born a commoner and adopted into royalty. It is not likely you will be born into royalty unless you wait. Elysia and I may have children in the future, but I know you are too impatient to wait for that."