The murmur of conversation rippled through the corridors as students rushed to their next class. Girls wearing exquisite robes of many hues giggles in their groups of friends, and boys clad in armor and equipped with swords joked around with their groups.
One girl made her way hurriedly through the crowded corridor, wearing a pure white kimono embroidered with the pattern of purple orchids.
"Hikari!" A voice called out from the behind the young lady. Another girl in brilliant green kimono emblazoned with yellow butterflies caught up with her friend. Her short, brown hair bounced with her jubilant steps.
"Aren't you excited to see who'll get picked for the Trial of the Sword? Oh, I wonder who'll get picked!" The girl said excitedly.
"Yes Asuna, I am, but I hope I don't get picked." Hikari said worriedly.
"Why should you be worried? You'll be fine!" Asuna chirped.
The two girls climbed a spiraling staircase, walking through a large, red archway carved into dragons into an outdoor theater.
The theater was carved right out of the side of the mountain which the school was built on, offering a cool, calm atmosphere to the hustle and bustle of school life. Asuna skipped down to the middle of the theater, patting the seat next to her so Hikari would join her. The girl in the white kimono sat down nervously, looking around the auditorium. The two girls waited as the amphitheater slowly filled with students, until a silent hush fell over the theater. The school's headmaster walked up onto the stone stage, robe swishing quietly on the rock. He smiled a warm smile, wrinkles creasing around his eyes as he gazed upon his students. He stroked his thin white beard, waiting for everyone to settle in.
"Prophets, warriors, sorcerers, and students," the Headmaster boomed through the theater, magically projecting his cracked voice. "Welcome to the annual hosting of the Trial of the Sword!" The students in the stands cheered wildly. The Headmaster raised his hands for silence.
"As you may know, two students shall be picked, one boy, one girl, based on the judgement of the Blade of Chikara. The two will face each other in on honorable fight between blade and magic, and who ever rains as victorious over the other shall obtain the sword itself, keeping it for their use until next year's tournament," The Headmaster motioned to a veiled woman offstage. She walked up onto the stone stage, holding the legendary sword on a silk pillow. The Headmaster took the pillow and the priestess withdrew with a bow. "And now, the blade will pick the participants of this year's contest." The old man unsheathed the blade, laying it onto the cold rock. A long piece of parchment was spread in front of it, and as if by sorcery, the blade rose in a golden glow of light. The sword danced in the air, and furiously cut characters into the parchment, deciding the two participants. After its job was done, the sword laid itself back onto the floor. The Headmaster picked it up along with the parchment and sheathed it one again.
"And now, for the participants," The Headmaster spread the parchment in front of him, every student's eyes set on him in anticipation. "For the young ladies," the Headmaster began, all of the girls waiting with bated breath, "Hikari Kazuko!"
Hikari blushed at hearing her name.
"M-me?" She stuttered.
"YES YOU!" Asuna cheered, the theater exploding into applause. She pulled Hikari off her feet and pushed her down the stone staircase toward the stage. Hikari gulped and walked upstage, quivering.
"And for the young men," the Headmaster continued, "Shisu Beki!" Hikari paled as the boys broke into whoops and cries for their friend. Shisu Beki was the best sword fighter in the entire school, for he was the son of the legendary samurai Tsuyoi Bushi, and Hikari didn't stand a chance. Shisu waltzed down to the stage, standing on the opposite side of the Headmaster.
"Now that the two participants have been chosen, we shall wait no further." Before he made his way off the stage, he said quietly to both of his students, "The best luck to both you."
The Headmaster departed and at the signal of a dragon's roar, the Trial began. Shisu unsheathed his sword, the silver blade glinting in the sun. Hikari got into a battle stance, her hands glowing a pale lavender. Shisu unleashed a war cry as he charged at his opponent, blade in hand. Hikari prepared for this, and summoned a violent wind which swept the boy off of his feet. Shisu gritted his teeth against the wind, struggling to stand. He raised his blade, which glowed a rusting red, and sliced through the torrent of air. His blade then turned acid green, and stabbed his blade into the ground, causing vines to erupt from the stage and wrap Hikari into a cocoon. The girl remerged in a blaze of fire, and sent bursts of flame at her opponent.
The two battled like this for what seemed like hours, but despite this the crowd seemed to not lose interest. The two stood facing each other, sweat glinting off of their foreheads as they tried to predict their opponent's next move. Hikari had lasted longer than she had expected, and was surprised at how well she paralleled Shisu. But she didn't know if she could last much longer, for she was getting drained by the use of so much magic. She had to end this now, or never.
Hikari's fingertips began to glow a dark purple, purple smoke surrounding her hands. The crowd murmured in excitement at what she was planning; Shisu furrowing his brow in confusion. Hikari conjured two short swords, their blades emitting an ethereal, lavender smoke. The orchids on her kimono swayed, smoke emitting from the hems of her robe. Her eyes flashed with unnatural intensity, glowing bright with magic.Shisu reacted accordingly, his blade began to glow bright gold, his armor gaining a golden sheen. His eyes burned with the ferocity of a warrior, glowing aflame with power.
The two charged at each other, two sides of the spectrum meeting in a collision of energy, leaving the theater in a cloud of haze. Students coughed, unsure of what had happened. Everyone waited anxiously until the smoke cleared, revealing the two students, laying on their sides from exhaustion. The Headmaster rushed to their sides; the blast from their final blows almost knocking them unconscious.
"Headmaster, who won?" Shisu croaked feebly, trying to stand. The Headmaster glaced at the Blade of Chikara, which had unsheathed itself and laid at Hikari's feet.
"The Blade has decided," the Headmaster spoke across the theater, gaining everyone's attention. He lifted the two students off of their feet. "Hikari Kazuko is victorious!" The crowd burst into cheers; Asuna screaming her head off. Hikari lifted the sword to the cheering crowd, smiling her brightest smile. She joined in with the crowd, celebrating late into the evening.
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Author's Note:
This was another one of my assignments from school that helped inspire a story for Wattpad. I plan on turning this into its own book, so here's a little snippet until the full story is ready.
Don't steal it, you scoundrels. >:) Not that you actually would, but still.
