Submerged: The Earth's Remains

Chapter 9

No backing down

Phoenix's POV

Phoenix knocks on the principal's door, wondering why she was called. Moments later, the door opens and she notices Oasis sitting down with the vice principal.

"Who are you?" She asks the young man, raising her eyebrow.

"I'm the principal." With a stoic voice, he informs her.

"Haha, I asked that too." From across the room, she mentions.

"Oh," She enters the room and takes a seat beside Oasis. "why are we here?"

"You'll see." With an amused smile, The Vice Principal says, cheekily.

Phoenix waits inside the room, not knowing what to expect, except for the fact that the rest of her team along with Aluna's team will be present sooner or later. After a few minutes of waiting, six people enter the room.

Aluna changes her expression, noticing vice principal present in the room. With a shocked expression, she greets her mother with stutters. "M-Mother..."

Standing beside Aluna, Xyphia grimaces at the sight vice principal, wry of her presence.

"Why are we here?" With a scared and confused look, Aluna fixes her eyes on the vice principal heading towards her.

"Aluna... you're strong right?" With a mischievous smile, she stares with expecting eyes. "So, my daughter, you're going to fight Phoenix with everyone around, watching!" Excited, she places her hands on Aluna's shoulder.

I thought I was in trouble.

The vice principal notices someone glaring at her. She turns to look at Xyphia.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" With a dead expression, she asks with a soft voice.

"Calm down." The Principal places his hand on her shoulder, reassuring the vice principal. Phoenix notices Aluna glaring at him, clenching her fists, ready to punch him.

Why is she looking at him like that?

Amethyst and Callista enter the room shortly, gathering around Oasis and Phoenix. Phoenix turns to Oasis for an explanation. Telling by the look on Oasis's face, Phoenix is able to tell that she knows something that others don't.

"So, because I'm not a patient person, the duel will be held in the court yard immediately." With a bright smile but a dark tones, she explains. "Come on Aluna, if you can't beat her then you don't deserve to be the heir of our family."

Aluna is scared.
She knows she will lose.
But she'll look even worse if she gives up now.
Therefore, she will try. Even it's inevitable.

"A-Alright." Hesitantly she says, trying to be confident.

"Phoenix, how about you?" The Vice Principal turns to look for Phoenix's approval as duels cannot happen unless permitted by both parties.

"I have a condition though. Force Aluna to release me from house arrest." Taking this chance, Phoenix makes a condition in order for her approval.

"Very well. You heard her Aluna." The Vice Principal says with a loud and clear voice to Aluna's dismay. "Now, follow me."

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Phoenix and Aluna face off in the courtyard, surrounded by stone and concrete. Being careful is crucial in their temporary arena as getting an injury is fairly easy in the courtyard.