The Forbidden Key

Fifteen

"Stella!" Aria cried out almost horrified. Stella swung her arm and the attack bounced back to Aria. Aria caught the attack, making it dissolve into her. 

"Why are you here!" She shouted.

 Stella smiled, "Kemono-Sensei gave me a chance to regain my studies... I'm his new apprentice. Not your Aria," 

"W-Why?" Aria asked. Stella's fist clenched and Aria felt a great amount of magical pressure grow.

"Who was the one who abandoned me!? Right when I had achieved so much! Who said I wasn't ready? WHO TOLD ME TO LEAVE!" Stella screamed.

Aria smiled "Hasn't he show you to control your emotions?" Stella flinched, Kemono stepped up and touched his pupils back, "Ignore her, love" 

"L-Love," Aria said surprised, almost gagging

"I always loved Kemono...you didn't accept that," Stella said. Aria was taken aback but didn't express it.

"I just said remain focused in your apprenticeship," Aria said shrugging. She didn't recall Stella ever saying that, but then again, it had been a while...

Stella gritted her teeth and flew forwards punching Aria in the gut. Aria gasped and leaped away. Aria gritted her teeth, she raced forward pulling Heiwa out. If she's his apprentice she's better and fist fighting than weapon... 

Aria flipped over Stella kicking her and swinging her staff against Stella's legs. Stella jumped and kicked Aria in the face, as Aria landed. 

"Aria!" Gray exclaimed reappearing into the scene. Aria looked at the mage, she tightened her fist and stood up.

"Star blast!" She exclaimed outstretching her hand, the attack easily being dodged by Stella. Perfect...

The attack exploded into the ground causing dust to arise. It a flash of gold Aria threw Stella down. Stella cried out and watched as her former mentor, sent kicks and punches at her. Aria said a final blow directly at Stella's face and Stella collapsed. Gray stood by the side smiling. Aria grinned and saw a burning Tritium falling from the sky. 

"Right on schedule Natsu" Aria smiled and the Mage appeared. Kemono looked at Aria. 

"Are you done...Kemono?" 

Kemono smiled, "Not unless you finish me off, dear" 

Aria gut flared, "Guardian form," Aria said her armor appearing. Kemono laughed as on his hands appeared gauntlets made out of metal and had spikes on the fists.  

"Monsters Arise!" He commanded. From the ground shot up huge monsters made out of metal and bronze. 

Aria jumped out the way of another one appearing under her.
"Guys take the sides!" She shouted, "Gray cover me for a minute!" Gray jumped a few feet ahead. Aria concentrated as a silver appeared surrounding her. 

"Sun and Moon aline, turn back time, stars form a path, seal away the cold, I'm the master of the sky and beyond, I'm the sky master and galaxies maiden, you now in my command. Illustraret oppugnare" Aria chanted. Her hair swayed and started turning a darker shade of silver, her clothes changed to her 2nd armor form, and she opened her eye they shined gold.

 "Gray jump" she exclaimed and a large arrow started forming in front of her. Gray leaped out the way as Natsu's Fire blazed behind her. She raised her had and the fire started moving towards the arrow. Heiwa glowed and transformed into Ginga and grew into a large bow. She drew back the arrow and focused on Kemono. 

"Natsu strike him!" She shouted in her head to Natsu, Natsu jumped and raced towards Kemono, "Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!" Natsu exclaimed the attack sticking Kemono. 

"Gray final blow!" Aria said through mind speak. Gray raced forward "Ice-Make: Ice Geyser!" 

"Star Force Release!" Aria said letting the arrow go. The arrow stroke Kemono sending him flying into the mountain, and threw him into the next field. Aria panted and she fell to her knees in normal clothing. Natsu and Gray appeared by her.

"You alright?" Natsu asked. 

Aria nodded, she heard footsteps racing. She turned and saw Lucy, Erza, Wendy, and the exceeds. 

"You're all alright?" Everyone nodded. Aria stood up and smiled, "Thank you, you two" she mind spoke to Natsu and Gray. They looked startled as she walked past them towards Stella and Tritium. 

"Thanks Aria" Tritium said from the side his body glowing. "Natsu you're a good Mage, don't lose focus, Aria...save us all. Eclipse is slowly consuming the real us, you have to beat the source...its in....his realm" 

"His Realm?" Aria asked.

"The one who had the kindest heart," Tritium said as he dissolved. 

"Tritium!" Aria exclaimed. Stella sat up, she turned towards Aria. 

"Your strong...get not enough let's see if you become the hero. And thanks for getting rid of Kemono...the fool. My heart doesn't belong to him, Aria your senses are a bit dull." She said smiling she stood up. And like glass, she shattered and disappeared. Aria watched as her former apprentice disappeared. Aria gritted her teeth. Stupid Stella.

EDITED 01/07/20