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Chapter 2-A: Water Warrior

  <03/18/1972 – 08:13 | Eldora City, Junon Region, Sprawn Valley>

  "I take it you already know why I've summoned you here?" Danton played a guess using their intelligence he estimated earlier, ignoring how his voice echoed in his own chambers. Danny, Taylor, and Jane appeared much better this morning, like they've been reborn. Still...

  Yesterday morning, Gross City suffered a nasty attack from those losers of the Scarlet Syndicate. JDT was dispatched immediately after their arrival into Eldora City to head there and assist his personal team. Danton helped teleport them to the area too, since there was no time to waste. So last night, they had to take a very long rest.

  Danny still couldn't get the scene out of his head despite his deep sleep earlier. The man behind the destruction called himself Lance, and was exceptionally powerful for just being one man. He could have killed any one of them... It is easy these days to question what is happening in the world.

  Ignoring the delay in her friends, Jane Venn accepted the small favor willingly. "Of course, Sir Danton. You want us to revisit Gross City, and help with the reconstruction."

  Danton knew they needed just a little extra guidance, but Jane's guess is mostly true anyway. "And, you need to examine everyone there from a distance. Take notice of anyone acting suspiciously. It isn't impossible to believe that part of Lance's team would station an undercover agent of his there to check up on things, returning to the scene of their own crime."

  The north end city square was reduced to rubble and ruins yesterday. Jane remembered every little detail of that horrifying experience. All of those poor people that were put in harm's way, the fear they all must be feeling right now should have the entire nation in an upheaval. The citizens must be questioning Danton's rule right now. So much pressure from a small attack. The Scarlets know what they are doing, they just won't admit it. "Gross City will survive this Danton. We'll help everyone there."

  Danny let himself feel that invisible warmth from Jane. She's so devoted to the health of her country, and that of Leray magic, a true nationalist. To most, that would be inspiring. But for him, just knowing himself, Taylor, and Jane will be working together again is stronger music to his ears. "What do we do about Lance and his team? Are we even sure that Kite or Gleeon are really still alive and leading the Scarlet Cult?"

  The boy doesn't understand everything it seems. "Don't stress about it Danny. We have our backup Leray agents stationed in Gross City on patrol as we speak. Leave the tactical details to me. I know how those two think. After all, I've spent the most time with them aside from Mainne. You can believe me when I tell you that they're both involved somehow, even if we can't see them in person."

  He sounds more paranoid than certain, but Danny let it go for now. This little mission Danton is putting on is a simple and easy one. Actually, it feels strange that he and his friends are getting missions like these at all. Danny never officially enlisted into the General Army or any other agency group. Yet, Danton is giving him and his friends personal missions and calling them errands to avoid taking questions from council officials. Despite how strong he is, Danton must be scared out of his wits right now, though he'd never reveal it to any of them. "A little house cleaning in Gross City sounds like something we can handle. Just warn us next time you teleport us there."

  Danton nearly laughed, reminded of the severe tingling sensation of teleportation. "You'll be fine, Danny." A small fraction of people who undergo full teleportation get a knot in their stomach, a feeling of dread mixed with nausea. For a short moment after teleportation completes, they feel very sick, the symptoms similar to a full minute of sea-sickness. Danny will have to get over that though, since teleportation will become a new thing. "Make me proud you three. I'll send someone to return you here once I have a new assignment for you."

  <03/18/1972 – 11:59 | Gross City, Gulop Region, Sprawn Valley>

  "Don't worry," Jane reminded. "I didn't forget our mission assignment."

  Danny held his hands behind his head in rest, maintaining a smug expression of relief. "None of us did. They already finished rebuilding the place. We're not even needed here."

  Jane huffed while a smile curved through her face. "I was hoping you'd say that." Jane's curious expression got Danny to pay more attention to her attitude. Watching that battle on TV was the very thing she needed to remind her how awesome Leray battles are. The arena was supposed to finish construction a couple of years from now. But all during her quest to the Den of Purity, and a while afterwards, those clowns were gathering in additional workers to expedite the construction of that arena. So now, it's open to the public. Tickets to get in are not all that cheap though, and if you want to fight as a participant, you have to have a minimum skill level and credentials. Jane wasn't too sure how that all works, but she knew she would be battling there someday, forging her skills even further. If only she were there right now! "Today is a good day to train for more magical abilities!"

  She never changes. Taylor could feel the excitement radiating from Jane. Once she gets this pumped up, there's no stopping her. It's pointless to even try, but, Jane isn't the only one feeling this way. A day ago, all Taylor could think about was her hateful family, that and the Banshee issue. If she ever returns to Kalamo by any means, she'll be forced into the Banshee castle, a slave in secret. Her parents have the power to refuse, but they want her to go. Danny knew even without Taylor expressing it to him, that this has been eating away at her nerves for some time now.

  But who has time to worry about that? Leray magic is such an awesome practice, and the spells are so cool! Taylor's thoughts were already replaced by the potentials of tactical spell usage and battling already, her thoughts currently synchronized with Jane's.

  Danny wasn't about to stop either one of them. Practice makes people stronger with Leray magic. This excitement for battle is one he felt too with solace. The ability for people to come together to test and grow their skills with cool magic harm-free is the idea everyone wants to protect. He too could use the practice. After all, that defeat he suffered back in New York, being thrown into a trash can with minor stab wounds just proves how weak he really is in comparison. Leray magic gives one the power to become stronger, but not from having access to that magic alone. The pain and humiliation of defeat lingers in us once we've seen how much further there is to grow, but the only thing it really does is drive everyone to work harder. I want to be strong enough to protect Taylor from everything, even those Banshee scum! "Yeah," he agreed aloud. "I think it's time."

  Chapter Theme Music:

  


  Jane and Taylor lost their focus and glanced at Danny. He wasn't exactly clear by what he meant. "Time for what?"

  His eyes sharpened, fixated on Jane Venn, the bane of his strength after all this time. No longer shall his success remain so dependent on her natural talents. It's time to break this link. "Jane Venn? I hereby officially challenge you to a Leray battle. We can use the park in the city for space. I'm going to defeat you today." Predictably, their faces were both full of shock, but Taylor was first to protest.

  "No fair! I was going to challenge her first." Taylor noticed Jane letting out a confused hum, but she focused on her memory first. "If you'll recall, back when we were walking to Blue Port for the second time, I challenged Jane to a match first, even though we've never carried it out yet."

  I forgot I was popular with these two. Jane held her hands out parallel to her face gently, trying to coax them out of it. "Just hold on now. You want to battle me now? I've still got that mark though. It wouldn't be a fair advantage."

  Danny smirked with his confidence held high. "I don't care about that stupid mark Jane. Even if that does give you an advantage in battle over me, having that only makes me want to try harder!"

  Jane held back a solid laugh. Danny is so fired up and cute right now. He should try to be more nonchalant about this. But is Taylor really first?

  "You can go at her right after my turn." Taylor stood up tall from the stool at the bar welded into the wooden floor, her fists balled up. "A long time ago, I challenged you to a battle whenever you were ready for it. I did this because I knew one day, I would become stronger and better than you. Then, I could wipe that cocky look off your face you have sometimes."

  At that, Jane finally let it out, bursting with laughter while remembering their behavior from before, before she lied to everyone. She really did act all high and mighty, but only because she really was stronger than the rest of them. Now here they are, officially asking for a real battle between each other. Jane's heart was racing already from the anticipation of battle. "How could I say no?" No point in hiding it. Let's prove once more who the strongest one here is. Her response triggered such a volatile reaction of excitement among both of them, shoving their arms down in a victorious gesture.

  "One more thing before we battle," Danny offered. "You and I both know that waging credits is pointless since you have so many of them already."

  "I'm listening..."

  Danny knew that risking self-humiliation would be the only way to make Jane fight at her best. She loves Leray magic, but she also strangely enjoys harmless pain if Danny is the one experiencing it. It is risky, but... "If I win the battle, you have to take us both to your neighborhood, and go door to door, announcing that I am stronger than you."

  "That's all you got?" Jane asked while partially laughing, a reaction that quickly made Danny a bit nervous. After thinking about it some more, Jane knew she would not enjoy doing that. Some of the people in Fronas look up to her strength and skill. One person who lives there is also a current student at Dakota. What would they all think if Danny emerged more powerful than Jane, after everything she's been through?

  "And if I lose, I'll let Taylor do whatever she wants to me. It can be as humiliating as possible."

  "What?!"

  Jane laughed some more upon seeing how blind Danny still is to Taylor's dark side. He really thinks she'll be any less brutal about that stuff than Jane? This is too good to turn down! "It's a deal," Jane decided excitingly.

  Danny conferred with Taylor to delete her current confusion, only of surprise. "Don't worry Tay. I know you won't be as much of a burden about it as Jane would be. No take-backs."

  A short pause, followed by a creepy, dark giggle emanated from Taylor's mouth, immediately shifting Danny's expression upon seeing her dominant side emerging. "Excellent. I've got so many outfits that you can try on while we tour Gross City next time."

  "Ou-outfits?" She wouldn't! Taylor wouldn't be that harsh on trying to make Danny uncomfortable! She's joking! Still, the thought of walking around so many other people wearing flashy dresses... Taylor wouldn't!

  "You said whatever I have in mind. And until your battle is decided, I can make any changes to this as I please."

  There it is. That haunting stare Taylor was giving him now is proof that she isn't joking. Even Jane is of the same face right now. Have they been discussing something like this behind his back? What else could Taylor even do to make Danny uncomfortable? Is public cross-dressing not humiliating enough? Are you serious? What did I just agree to?

  "Not so confident now, huh?" Jane could see Danny's sinking expression, the color leaving his face while he tried to pretend that everything was okay. He does know how to bargain. He just went a little too far today. "When I win, the first thing I'm going to do is buy one of those new digital cameras they've got. I'll be taking as many pictures as I want, with Taylor's permission of course."

  Taylor added shortly after, "Permission granted."

  "Come on you guys!" Both of them think this is funny, laughing at his situation before it was even decided. His idea worked to excite Jane even more, but she isn't getting overconfident like he thought she would. She's just toying with him instead. Thanks for the help Taylor!

  "In any case," Jane directed, "Taylor and I must battle first, pipsqueak. I'd ask if you need to make a wager of your own Tay, but I think all you want to do is prove that you've become stronger than me."

  She replied, "There's only one way to find out."

  "Then what are we waiting for?"

  It only took ten minutes to find the park in Gross City. Having not been here before, Danny expected a field similar to Meaj Park in Eldora City, but this place was different. It was the same size, but the layout felt much more open. Not many trees or structures populated the floor here, and it was easy to determine why. It's the same reason he's here right now.

  "It's been too long," Taylor admitted. "I've been looking forward to this battle for a long time." Feeling prepared already, Taylor started gathering her equipment. Already dressed for the occasion in official dress sphere clothing, she also prepared her primary weapon, the Marine Eagle. Wearing a T-shirt and light denim pants, Taylor knew that this kind of dress sphere is designed to appear inconspicuously similar from ordinary clothing. Though the protection level isn't all that impressive either. The Marine Eagle however is an extraordinary bow of craftsmanship, with a permanent magic aura already coated into the weapon's special effect. The strap containing her supply of arrows hung over her right shoulder, and Taylor waited to make sure Jane was of proper distance before getting started.

  "Get ready to lose," she snarled. Jane remembered ever moment of her training, most of which from before she met Danny and Taylor. Jane had been training for a very long time now, much longer than the two of them. Even without this symbol, she should be overqualified to defeat either one of them without breaking a sweat. "You must have forgotten who you're dealing with."

  "I like your spirit," Taylor remarked. "But I already know who you are." Taylor's preparations were complete, and she held her bow the perfect way that made her body feel comfortable and relaxed.

  "We'll see whether or not you've improved." Jane held up her hand openly for a moment, using what little concentration was necessary to generate the 100 meter Siriean dome around them. Danny would be trapped just outside to watch. The transparency of the dome shield was more intense, enabling any nearby spectator to come and watch without visual interference. However, the only spectator for the moment was Danny.

  Chapter Theme Music:

  


  

  With both energy scopes ready and both contestants holding their weapons in hand, the battle could begin. Taylor studied Jane with rapid thought, making sure there wasn't anything left out of her consideration. As usual, Jane is using her Rigel Runes, the daggers that helped get this far. Her dress sphere was one of the flashier ones Alyssa gave to her, ended off with something known here as a long tower skirt. She looks the part for battle and for casual settings, but mistakes will not be made today. Jane is very powerful on her own, and she also has the ability to use infinite power shields.

  "I'll let you have the first move." Jane knew she needed to make sure Taylor was up to the challenge. Take all the time you need in determining which skills to use. A symbol might be illegal and unfair, but power shield techniques are valid methods of fighting while defending.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Taylor wasted no more time. She creased her feet apart forward and back, hunching just carefully enough not to mess up her physical aiming technique. After loading an arrow into the special bow already in her grip, Taylor took a careful aim at Jane Venn, and unleashed her arrow. Without using any specific magic or spell while doing this, Taylor only used the non-magical skill known as Bow Charge.

  The arrow's travel was far more impressive than either one of them remembered. The moment the arrow left Taylor's bow, a sonic boom flushed air into her face, and the arrow itself became shrouded in a whirling spire of wind. In less than a quarter of a second, Jane was blasted backwards with the same kind of force that would be present in a Power Blast spell. Jane's backside and part of her head slammed into the grassy floor below her, which alone hurt like hell. A small pinching sensation flooded the side of her chest, right where the arrow impacted. Jane carefully got herself up, but she took her time, reminding herself that taking any Leray battle damage has serious consequences of pain and discomfort.

  Taylor knew she had surprised both herself and Jane with that single launch from her bow. The Marine Eagle has a magic aura separate from her personal one, meaning any shot she uses requires none of her personal magic to work. But to think that a single shot also has this much speed and power built into it... No, Taylor would remember something as strong as that. The bow is working even better than normally. Is there a reason for this?

  Jane got back to her senses quickly, but she had to consider how powerful that Bow Charge was. Taylor isn't chaining any additional spells. This either means she doesn't have any ideas, or she is also surprised to witness the power of the Marine Eagle. Does Taylor not realize that Bow Charge, while not officially a magical skill still improves in power level over time? It grows just like any other spell invocation. She's becoming a better archer already.

  With a hard exhale, Jane began charging her own energy. "That the best you got? Dualcasting!" Jane quickly surrounded herself with a thin green aura, enabling herself the ability to chain at least two spells together without waiting on long invocation durations. Now it can begin. "Rush Assault!" Sending herself flying towards Taylor at the speed of sound, Jane began unleashing a quick combination of kicks and punches, all infused with magical energy to boost her hit power, but as Jane began striking towards Taylor's body, she became less predictable.

  Using the entire side frame of her Marine Eagle, Taylor held it in front of her, shifting her arms and aiming to block Jane's physical strikes. Jane was really fast using her Rush Assault combination, but Taylor just barely managed to keep up so far. Even though Taylor can't use the frame directly to blunt attack anyone, it can be used to completely block enemy strikes if they are not too powerful. So far, Taylor's quick reflexes were saving her the damage.

  Taylor has improved! Jane knew that dishing out moderate attacks was going too lightly on Taylor. "Knight Dance!" Jane stopped using Rush Assault, and with the assistance of her Dualcasting aura, completed her next aura cycle of Knight Dance. The aura's abilities are closely similar. Knight Dance has no speed efficiency, but it makes up for this in increased power level and MP conservation. Jane's aura now only remained isolated to her hands, feet, and dagger blades after drawing them out to add to her combination, and each sides of the aura only activated the moment before impacting against Taylor or her weapon.

  Jane managed to score in a couple more hits this time on Taylor's arms and legs, but she was still adamant about using her bow to block the damage, working effectively well when Jane tried to dagger slash her opponent. Still, Taylor wasn't fast enough to negate all of the damage. Near the end of her sequence, Jane back-flipped, tossing her glowing daggers and blasting a small magical bolt at Taylor all in once quick instance, preventing her from blocking with the Marine Eagle.

  Taylor continued walking back for distance, doing her best to ignore the last two hits that dealt the most pain and damage. Jane's aura was already expended, and it didn't look like she was about to strike again. So using the bow as a shield actually worked! "Where'd you think you're going? Cold Spin!" Having charged her magical energy into both hands in secret, Taylor unleashed the power of her Cold Spin, a combination of Icy Wind mixed with Rotation. Taylor was fast enough too, catching Jane in the vortex of freezing wind. She was sure her health would take a massive dive from that. Taylor could also feel the cold draft seep closely to her, despite standing eight meters away from the edge of the twister.

  However, in light of catching Jane in that short-lived storm, Taylor made another mistake, dropping her guard. In a quick moment too fast for her to react, two spinning dagger blades carried with them a circular arc of magical slashing damage, which drilled out from the edge of the tornado, and continued through Taylor's skin. The blades cut deep multiple times towards her lower waist, stunning Taylor with the pain, while the daggers wrapped around and cut Taylor again from the back, now flying around towards Jane for her to catch. The moment Cold Spin ended, Taylor and Jane could see the results of their plight.

  Taylor realized her mistake shortly after. Jane knew she could get away with launching a sneak attack while shrouded in a cold twister. The wind itself from Cold Spin and Rotation are both highly opaque, which obstructs the view greatly. "Laser Rain!" Having learned the spell recently, Taylor knew she was more than capable of invoking a simple Laser Rain spell...

  But on count of this, Jane had more than a few advantages given Taylor's lack of strategy. Laser Rain isn't the slowest or fastest landing spell, but Taylor is obviously new to using it. Jane knew she should have been hit already, from the moment she heard Taylor chant the name. And so, Jane rolled to her left on the floor, following the ear piercing sound of lasers crashing into the earth right next to her ear. Jane was just quick enough to evade the attack given how slow Taylor was to invoke it, but that was a close call. It would have been better to shield.

  "I missed!"

  "Shadow Wave!" Jane sent another one forward quickly. Her version of a Shadow Wave could deal an impressive amount of damage and travel faster than usual Shadow Waves.

  Taylor already knew that she could not dodge something that moves on the floor as fast as this. Might as well accept it and strike back before the pain sets in. "Ice Beam!" Taylor held her left arm up straight with a perfect aim at Jane, her bright blue glyphring shinning in color as it rotated holographically around her wrist.

  Jane was blasted with a solid beam of ice, just before Taylor was hit by the Shadow Wave. The results of Ice Beam were astoundingly painful for Jane to feel, her skin freezing up quickly as her mind panicked. Taylor was slashed in several places numerous times just before the wave exploded in forceful energy, blasting Taylor back off her feet, struggling to maintain her balance while stinging stabbing pains coursed throughout her body.

  "Unbelievable!" Danny knew all along that Taylor might struggle with this particular fight, but she's actually keeping up with Jane somehow. Those new spells she's been learning are really paying off too. Taylor already knew how to use Ice Beam, but only after training for it on her second visit to Route 787, and she must have learned Laser Rain in this morning's training before meeting up with him again. Has Taylor gotten this good in such short a time?

  Danny glanced to his left and right, noticing four new people standing beside him at the edge of the dome shield, spectating the battle because they have nothing more fun to do right now. Still, Taylor is going to have to increase her speed and chaining skills in order to win against Jane. Otherwise, it would prove Jane is letting her win.

  Jane gripped her daggers tightly again. "I'm not letting you get off that easily. Dark Strike!" Jane could see Taylor's eyes widen with panic. There isn't really a method of dodging version two of dark strike. With Jane's MP declining rapidly, she sent herself into the aura, zooming around the dome shield in and out of existence, following the evidence of a white hot line that would slash into Taylor's vulnerable body in different angles for heavy damage. Jane appeared again after the third hit high in the air, and smashed her daggers down on top of Taylor.

  Luckily for Taylor, her bow somewhat got in the way of Jane's final strike, though one of the two daggers still managed to slightly pierce the skin of her right upper-arm during her block. Taylor thus shoved the bow forward, launching Jane away and giving her the deserved chance to hold her free hand where it hurt the most. Jane managed to land on her feet that time too.

  Taylor noticed Jane moving again, and she reacted immediately with another glyphring to her left wrist and a steady aim. "Side-Liner!" Shooting off a small blue sphere heading for Jane, the trick with Side-Liner would take effect right now.

  "Splicing Vengeance!" Jane created a short-lived aura, boosting her speed with her daggers held out, all while ignoring that incoming bolt and accepting some more damage.

  Taylor drew her hand back, and cupped her Marine Eagle in front of her quickly. Behind Jane, Taylor watched in defeat as her Side-Liner bolt relocated to the side angle of the impact zone, transforming into an airborne version of Shadow Wave, and striking where Jane was from the side. Only, Jane wasn't there anymore, thus did she dodge the spell without even realizing it. "Hagh!" Taylor clenched tightly to prepare herself for the impact of Splicing Vengeance. It's supposed to be a quick lunge attack using daggers designed to score a critical hit, but Taylor wasn't going to let Jane get away for dodging Side-Liner, one of her newest learned spells.

  Despite her efforts, Jane's force was thwarted by Taylor's quick decision to once again block using the side of that bow. Jane thus tightened her muscles onto her daggers, trying to push Taylor back as much as possible, but Taylor was still matching her physical strength somehow. That bow's side-end is sturdier than it looks.

  "Ice Bolt!" Realizing she was losing her edge, Taylor stopped this farce by letting go of the bow with her left hand, and using it to blast an Ice Bolt straight into Jane's face. She had to be quick about it, but Taylor managed to score a hit, forcing Jane to stumble backwards. The interruption didn't last long enough for Taylor to counterattack. Jane wasn't going to let any amount of pain get in her way.

  "Mako Strike!" Jane charged energy into her dagger tips, preparing to shoot off pure bolts of non-elemental energy in Taylor's direction. This spell is quick and easy to invoke with these blades.

  "Ice Dagger!" Taylor countered this by ignoring her Marine Eagle dropped to the ground, instead using two small generation glyphrings to bring out a pair of daggers both already coated with solid curved circles of ice elemental magic. With both daggers, Taylor slashed upwards into the first Mako Strike sphere, then side-slashed into the second one just before it could cause any more damage to her health. Jane continued firing each Mako Strike bolt, but Taylor now had enough time to dodge some of the spheres, and slash the others out of the air despite how fast they traveled towards her face.

  This went on for many more seconds longer than they thought it would. Danny's eyes were glued to the action of battle before him. Watching this is way more interesting than watching the arena channel. But Taylor... When did she get so fast? It's like she's in some kind of zone of her own. Nothing is distracting her this time. Defeating Jane really is important here, and now Taylor might actually win. Naturally, these bands of light were growing a small crowd.

  "Creshendo!" Taylor shifted her attack strategy fast, trying to trap Jane into a closing wave of phased pillars, but Jane jumped out of their way as a means to dodge. Luckily, one of the pillars scraped the bottom of her leg during her leap away, so some of the damage was still inflicted against Jane as she fell flat on her stomach, though she didn't look all that hurt about it. While she's distracted, "Calling of Light!"

  Jane gasped silently, now charging energy into her right hand. She stood up carefully, taking her time since Prism won't be quick to charge up. Taylor finally just made a big mistake.

  Though it's true that Calling of Light is also one of Taylor's newer spells, she's already forgotten how to use it. Jane watched in pity as an aura building up around Taylor suddenly failed, leaving her slightly drained. "Idiot! That spell can only be used during nightfall!" She'll pay for that mistake. "Prism!" Jane took no chances standing still to use her Prism. She's seen her own skill interrupted once before, and Taylor is much faster than anticipated. Jane could feel her heart racing so fast, it might escape from her chest, but the fight isn't over until someone's health drops to zero!

  Taylor prepared to dodge the first Fire Bolt launched from Jane's prism, but she also noticed Jane running closer to Taylor, slightly sliding off as to not run in a predictable linear line. She's closing distance and making it harder for Taylor to interrupt her. Gotta move! "Shotgun Blast!" Taylor generated an energy blaster into her left hand, letting the frozen daggers fade away in trade. She then rolled down to evade the Fire Bolt, noticing that an Ice Bolt and an additional Fire Bolt were on their way. Taylor picked up her balance, and fired the weapon's dispersion energy towards the bolts of elemental energy. Taylor then kept moving around, running in a perpendicular direction from Jane's movements as to not get skewered by Prism's Lightning Strikes.

  Taylor managed to dodge plenty of Prism's bolts with her tactical movements, and she even shot some of the dispersion blasts into Jane as well. Shotgun Blast isn't designed to be chained together numerous times, but Taylor had long since figured out how to do so anyway, and with several blasts of low-power energy bolts, she made it impossible for Jane to hit her. Taylor instead scored a few hits on Jane using nothing but an energy blaster.

  Clenching her teeth in frustration, Jane launched a well-aimed Fire Bolt, shutting down her Prism shortly after to give her enough concentration to control her own Fire Bolt's speed and direction using telekinetic magic. This finally caught Taylor off guard, as she fired and missed with her last slug round of energy blasts. The Fire Bolt didn't hit Taylor directly, but instead blasted heat and force to the gun she was wielding in hand. Taylor shook her hand since it was about to burn from the explosive fire, while she in total lost her weapon. Taylor will need to pull out the Marine Eagle again, but there isn't enough time grab it before Jane tries something once more.

  "Marine Spin!" Having only last night to make use of the spell, and only in part, Taylor wagered her chances again. This time she engaged in pinpoint focus and accuracy while generating the spell. The target is right in front of her. Release the payload now!

  Jane prepared a power shield, but was surprised to see something new happen with Taylor's Cold Spin, upon realizing now that she was calling it Marine Spin. Taylor never tried this before in front of Jane, but the results were astonishing. Creating yet another unique spell that doesn't belong in the official spell book, Jane found herself instantly surrounded by another powerful Rotation spell, but was also being splashed around with droplets of water. The water traveling as fast as the wind made each impact on her skin feel like thousands of needles! But becoming soaked in all of this water was also very discomforting. When did Taylor learn how to do that?

  It worked! Now it's time. Taylor pulled her Marine Eagle and readied the arrow into its bay. While pulling back, Taylor began infusing MP energy into the tip of the arrow, and unknowingly generated additional power to a floating glyphring too close to the tornado to notice visually. While Jane is being surrounded by this wet tornado, she'll never see this coming. The timing has to be perfect, right as Jane becomes visible again.

  When Marine Spin finally ended, Taylor launched her charged arrow with a glowing tip. The arrow shot forward as fast as ever, but it also traveled through the additional glyphring that Taylor generated unconsciously; a Molecular Boost glyphring. All she thought about was giving this shot more power, and that was the result of her unconscious mentality. With the tip of the arrow also infused with Taylor's aura carrying the properties of Power Blast, the impact against Jane was unpredictable.

  Combining Power Blast and Bow Charge with Molecular Boost like that isn't typical for a wielder to try, and the reason why was quickly made clear. Against what Jane expected to be another Marine Eagle arrow, the impact instead crushed the inside of her stomach, pushing air out of her lungs while launching her off her feet with new found speed. Taylor and her area grew in distance faster than what Jane would have noticed if her eyes could keep up. Instead, she was shoved through the air with a speed faster than 250 miles per hour, only to plunge straight into the edge of the Siriean dome. The pain flooded all over the backside of Jane's body. The force and impact strength of that Power Blast went rough on Jane's lower neck, possibly her spine. As soon as Jane landed the ground with her knees bend poorly as to not catch her fall, everything she could see began to blur in synch with her pulse.

  Of course, with a blast that powerful, Jane wasn't the only person affected. Taylor was launched back by at least 16 meters from the force of that shockwave alone. Her landing however was much less painful than Jane's. On top of that, the dirt and dust which settled on the ground was shot up so high, the earth had been damaged down the center, and apparently, the small group of people gathered around watching were also somehow blasted backwards, just enough to knock them down lightly. After getting back to her feet, Taylor brushed off what little damage she took, stunned that her single hit was that powerful. "Did I really do that?"

  Did Marine Spin do all of that damage? Or was Power Blast mixed with Bow Charge this incredible? No, something else had to happen. Jane is in that far corner, unable to move.

  "Raaaagh!" Jane let out painful gasps, while a raging headache and other pain flooded in with delayed effects. Taylor cannot possibly be this powerful. It isn't right... "No!" Jane concentrated quickly, trying to shut off and shut out that particular sensation. The top of her hand is tingling strongly now, energy is building there. It's a familiar sensation, the kind Jane remembers every time that symbol is beginning to activate. It likes to come out when it somehow senses that her body is in danger. This fight isn't over yet, and Jane isn't going to use her symbol to cheat. No! Not today!

  "Had enough?" Taylor held her bow carefully. Jane wasn't surrendering yet, but it also seemed like it would be difficult just to talk in her position. Taylor was only at half health, but Jane was almost done. On the other hand, most of Taylor's MP was gone, with just enough remaining for one last spell. This bow will have to finish her off.

  It's painful, but get over it! It's just pain! "No!" Jane stood up carefully. She knew she wouldn't be running around anymore. But Taylor is still not more powerful than her. It's too soon! "I'm not giving up just yet." Refusing to let Taylor have the time to wait on Jane chanting her spells aloud, Jane just sent her energy into the ground, causing a massive earthquake while the ground felt as if it were tilting around on a pointed fulcrum.

  Jane's not done yet! She's using Gyrobreak to prevent Taylor from aiming while masking her own attack spell. Whatever it turns out to be, it won't be a light hit to her health. Taylor concentrated on everything she's learned so far, mastering her ice elemental abilities to their maximum level. There is another spell that can hit Jane regardless of aim, with just enough energy left. Taylor let it charge, all while noticing Jane walking towards her. Jane wasn't able to run, but she still wants to get closer. "Try Ice Wall!"

  Ice Wall is another unofficial spell, based off the Fire Wall spell. An advancing wave of instant freezing air rushes forward in a wall formation all hugging together. Though bound to the ground, she'd have to jump twelve feet high to get over the damage boarder of the wall. Even with a power level of only 4, it would be enough to finish Jane off.

  Jane didn't react by trying to dodge. Instead, she unleashed a sudden Shadow Wave in front of her, quickly colliding with the advancing wall of towering ice. The Shadow Wave seemed to have more power to it though, as it broke and smashed through the center of the advancing ice wall without any trouble. Now it will pass Jane by without dealing any damage to her.

  Taylor is bound to realize her mistake just before her downfall. Now it is time to use it. Jane held a secret strategy all along in case something like this happened. It was originally planned for Danny's skills, but once Danny sees this spell, he'll be ready for it. The charge cycle is complete, glyphring ready. "Return Fire!" Under most circumstances is this spell risky to use since it is never the same per invocation. If used right after being dealt a terrible blow, this spell seems to always power up to maximum potential.

  Jane had to aim tightly, as Taylor was ready to dodge. Once the energy was ready to fire, Jane unleashed her Return Fire payload, which turned out to be a large horizontal beam of unknown elemental energy. The beam was glowing a hot orange-yellow in color. As soon as it began, Jane could feel the intense heat radiating from the tip of the spinning glyphring. As soon as the end of the beam reached Taylor, Jane could hear a raging scream of pain crying out. The beam lasted for several seconds, draining Taylor's HP out of that energy scope faster than any spell Jane saw before. This elemental energy must be fire, but the heat from this is stronger than any fire spell Jane has ever known, with only one exception. How is the beam this hot, to cause Jane's face to sweat from the radiating heat when she isn't even the target?

  It didn't matter. In another second, the beam shut itself down, revealing a knocked down Taylor, her skin and clothes smoking as though she would ignite. Jane quickly wondered if that spell exclusively inflicted Leray damage. But if it didn't, Taylor's energy scope would not remain that same orange color right now. Still, the readouts now say she has zero HP... So that's the end.

  

  Chapter Theme Music:

  It was still hard to believe somehow. Jane examined the palms of her own hands to reconcile how this one spell did so much damage. Then again, Return Fire is designed to be this harsh. It works better if you've taken a death blow right before using it. Anyone could have done that. But Taylor...

  She fought so hard, her skills so dramatically improved compared to before. And yet, she still lost. At that moment, the dome shield collapsed, as did Jane. She didn't fall out, but her senses were still fairly distorted. That blow to the back of her head could not have been great for her health. Luckily for her, Danny rushed in towards her side first.

  "I can't believe you two battled that hard! You could have destroyed the whole town if it were any more intense than that!"

  "Don't be a baby!" Jane snatched the healing orb Danny was offering aggressively. Doesn't he realize that fighting in a Leray match with virtually everything you've got is the only way to improve? Sure, that must have hurt Taylor badly, but it's not like she's going to be in poor health because of it. Besides, Taylor delivered Jane a painful blow first. It just wasn't enough. "Taylor will be fine. You and I won't battle until everyone's stats are back up."

  For a moment, Danny was silent. He noticed Jane using her supply sphere to bring out an opaque white orb. That's a painkiller orb, used to heal any painful injuries minor enough not to register as real time damage. So Taylor's blast had that much an effect on Jane, huh? "What the hell did she do?"

  "I was hoping you could explain that to me."

  So Jane didn't teach her that? Who then? While he waited, Danny delivered his deliberation. "Return Fire shot Tay out in one hit, but at least it's understandable given the tactical moment you just used it for. But then, how was Taylor's Power Blast - Bow Charge so effective?"

  "Are you not surprised that she came up with Marine Spin all on her own as well? She's learning to fuse new spells together without costing additional MP energy." That truly is impressive. "She almost had me."

  Jane actually seemed upset about that. What if Taylor is really all that powerful? Danny won't stand a chance against Jane... Then he'll have to do terribly embarrassing things in this city someday!

  Why does Danny look like he's about to puke? "Go on. Go help your girlfriend, so she can recover faster."

  Jane knows there is no way to boost the wake up time of automatic passive recovery when someone gets knocked out, but Danny knew he needs to check Taylor and make sure that blast burn didn't actually scorch her skin. On the way over to her, Danny counted the people growing in the area. There were at least fifty people far behind Jane, still lingering to absorb how crazy that battle was. Are they sticking around due to shock, or in hopes that the fighting is only going to get more intense?

  Now at Taylor, Danny helped her up to his shoulder, the quick examination failing to confirm his paranoia. Taylor's hands and bottom legs appeared to be fine. Even the dress sphere was undamaged, though dirty from how many times it hit the ground. Danny carried her over towards Jane's position, now remembering the large break in the ground caused by the battle damage. Even though most Leray spells avoid causing the ground any permanent damage, something wrecked that one spot over here. The park manager is going to yell at everyone later for this. Of course, Jane won't care one bit, and with his important bet on the line, neither will Danny.

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