The Rising Of The Hero Of Daggers

(8) Waves of Catastrophe

Waves of Catastrophe

"Do we honestly have to up three hours before dawn?" Umiko asked with a yawn. 

She was used to waking up early, but usualy at dawn. Never before dawn.

"Stop complaining, we need to be warmed up and ready for the wave in a couple of hours." Hyde stated.

Ren had stayed the night and left that early morning to meet up with his companions before the Wave. When he and Umiko had returned the day before, she had not spoken a word to him. They got home, she left to go train, and then retired to her room straight away after dinner. Hyde didn't hide any fact that he was confused, but he let it be.

"Whoopie." Umi rolled her eyes. If there was one thing she disliked about Hyde, it was that he always wanted to be prepared. Very prepared.

"You are giving me sarcasm now, but just wait, you'll thank me by the end of the day." the blue-haired boy bragged and finished his stretching. "Right! Let's start with a warm up morning jog." 

As he took off, the purple-eyed girl slumped her shoulders and followed after him. 

"What's the point? We're going to be running later anyway. I'll be more than tired by then if you're going to make me use my energy now." she moaned. 

Their training began with a long run through the local woods and then sparring. Although Umi would never admit it, she had an enormous amount of respect for Hyde for he was much better at fighting than she was.

Hyde began his training at the age of four, his great-grandmother insisted. And it was Hyde who taught the Cardinal Hero how to wield her blades. Although the blue-haired boy did like to bring out his 'mentor' act a lot, which would annoy Umiko to no end.

The two ran at each, swinging blades and blocking blows. They were nearly equally matched, as Hyde had more strength and Umi equalled with agility and speed.

Their blades clashed and they stood face to face. The blue-haired boy smirked.

"Not bad, you've been practicing." He stated and released his sword. Umiko smiled.

"Well, I did have a good teacher."

"Good teacher?" Hyde's eyebrows rose. "You mean excellent, powerful, awesome teacher."

The dark-haired teen sweat-dropped. Sure, Hyde was an amazing trainer, but he did allow it get to his head. She pushed him back and ran at him again.

The sun was on the peak of rising over the distant hills. The pair let out a joined sigh.

"I guess we better get going soon." Hyde suggested solemnly and offered a smile in Umi's direction. With a nod from her they went back to the cottage to receive any necessary items; potions, gems, etc.

When they reached Castle Town, they could feel the growing tension within the walls. Crowds gathered about the streets to wish the leaving soldiers good fortune in the battle. There were a couple of times when Umiko's heart clenched when she caught sight of a sobbing child for their brother or father leaving. Hyde led them to Erhard's shop to see two familiar faces standing outside with the blacksmith.

"Naofumi, Raphtalia!" Hyde greeted with a wave and smile.

"Ms. Blade, it's so good to see you again!" Raphtalia cheered. She was much older now, the age of a grown teenager. Umi sighed sadly, wishing that the demi-human was still but a child like the first time they had met. Even so, she still looked adorable.

"It's good to see you, Raphtalia." Umi said to the young demi-human. Then she looked to Naofumi. "You're looking well also, Shield Hero."

The man in green nodded. "You're ready for this?" 

"As ready as I can be." 

They moved to where other warriors and fighters awaited for the chaos to begin. Even though Umi looked stoic and poised, her heart hammered crazily. She wasn't sure how powerful this wave would be, she was't sure what creatures they would face. The clock in her vision counted down second after second, turning red urgently. She took a deep breath in order to calm herself down, failing miserably.

A hand touched her shoulder, making the young teen jump and snapped up at the person next to her. Hyde smiled encouragingly down at her. 

"Don't worry," he soothed. "I'll be right next to you."

That didn't help at all. 

"You know where I come from we had movies where the friend of the character would say the exact same thing. Just wait until we're on the field."

"What's a movie?" Hyde asked, and Umi sighed. 

Oh bothersome bother...

A loud ticking sound knocked against her skull and she unknowingly reach for her companion's hand. 

"This is it."

3...

2...

1...

The sky turned a dark menacing red and the pair felt their bodies glow.It was a spiritual tugging feeling and they were covered and blinded by light. 

When the dark-haired girl managed to opened her eyes, she heard a gasp beside her. Raphtalia gawked around at the trees they were surrounded by. Umi scanned the area until her eyes landed on Hyde standing next to Naofumi. She noticed the Shield Hero's eyes narrow at the sky and she followed his gaze. 

"There it is." 

Swirling mist and cloud-like phenomenons of purple, green and blue scattered the sky in chaotic colour. 

"The Wave of Catrastrophe."