Chapter 11

          "Lords and Ladies, we are now ready to begin the next match. Would Lady Selena and Lord Arion please enter the arena!” Lord Eien said to the crowd.
Selena and Arion both entered the arena from their entrances.
          “I guess you were right Miyuki, Armon’s waiting just out of the way for when my mother calls him in,” Selena said to her beast as she reached the center of the arena with her brother.
          “My lord and lady this is going to be a timed match, if you defeat your opponent in the time allowed you will be able to advance, but if time is called you must wait to fight again, Are you two ready to begin?” The headman asked the pair.
          “Yes.” They both said as one.
          “Alright,” He began as he raised his arm. “Ready… Set… Begin…!” He finished as he brought his hand down as a gong sounded the start of the match.
           Selena stood in the middle of the arena as she waited for her brother to get ready. They each stood there looking at each other as if deciding on what moves to make.
          “You ready sister?” Arion said as he circled around her.
          “Ready and waiting, let’s see what you’ve got brother,” Selena replied smirking.
Arion, not one to wait for an opponent to attack he raced in looking like he was going to tackle her. He was going to use his brute strength to take her out.
          “What’s he doing?” Selena asked herself
          Selena eyed what her brother was doing. He was using no particular fighting skill as he raced towards her. She waited until he was close enough, as it looked like he was going to punch her in the face. Selena ducked under his arm as her leg came out and tripped her brother making him fall flat on his face and skid to a stop. She quickly turned and was ready for another attack as she went on the defensive.
          “Hn… what was that brother? You have to do better than that if you want to defeat me.” Selena said smirking.
          “Oh, you just wait and see.” He said as he quickly got back to his feet, as he faced off with her once again. He was curious to see how strong she was and how skilled.
            This time he took a fighting stance, as he got ready to attack. He saw Selena get into a defensive stance that he couldn’t recognize. He has never seen anyone use it before, but he was determined to win.
           He moved in, as he brought his fist up ready to strike but to his amazement, his sister just blocked his attack and hit him in the chest with such force that he took a few steps back. He attacked again but this time he was ready as he conjured a weapon and immediately countering with another move, that she was sure to miss. But he never expected what happened next.
          Selena noticed that he changed his fighting stance and she was prepared. He moved in again as she blocked his attack and quickly went down into a crouch as he countered immediately. She swept his feet right out from under him as she gave an elbow hit to the stomach and quickly moved away from his next attack.
          Arion was breathing hard he had still not recovered from when he fought his previous match and was left breathing hard, as he got back on his feet and waited for her attack.
          “Oh come on Arion, is that all you’ve got?” Selena said watching him closely.
          “Not at all, sister.” He said as he raced towards her again and Selena kept dodging his attacks until she countered with her own. Selena hit him on the side of his chest as he doubled over in pain.
          Queen Azume rose quickly from her seat and called out, “Armon… Now!!!” She finished and he raced out onto the arena and headed for Selena.
          As he raced towards Selena, Selena used her powers and flung Armon away from her. Selena was watching to see what would happen. She then moved quickly out of the way as a blast came from Armon’s sword. She just barely had enough time to avoid the first attack, when she saw another black object shoot up towards her at a fast pace. She didn’t have time to react to the second threat as she was hit and she went down hard. Quickly she got back up and faced Armon growling.
           “You seem a lot different Selena why is that?” Armon said circling her and growling.
           “Hn… of course I seem different, but that’s for me to know and you to find out,” Selena replied with her own growl as she takes out Chandrahas and stands firm.
           “If that’s the way you want to finish this, alright then,” Armon said as he takes out his sword and charges a Selena
           “Hn… good that’s what I was waiting for.” Selena replied lowly.
           Selena stood her ground as she got into a fighting stance and waited for him to attack. She didn’t have to wait for long as he sent a blast her way. A chioki whip that looked like fire came out of her fingers as she batted away the attack like it was nothing, and quickly attacked him sending him flying back a few feet.
           “Incredible power.” He said as he saw a change in Selena, she had truly transformed and has mastered her powers perfectly.
           “Ugh!” She sounded as she grabbed her arm. “Now what do you say to that Armon?”
           “Well, it's like you said, "I will die when I have fallen,” Armon said smirking.
           “Fine then,” Selena growled out and stood tall with Chandrahas in her hand.
           “Selena use the Dokuken,” Chandrahas said in her mind.
           “Don’t tell me what to do.” She replied back and started to run towards Armon.
           “Hn… cleaver, no matter you will not reach me. I will destroy you before you even get close to me.” He said in his mind as he raised his sword and called out his attack. “Ryusoryuha!”
           “I knew you were going to pull that trick,” Selena said as she slides to a halt and called out her own attack. “Ryudokuken!”
          The powers from their swords collided and canceled each other out.
           “Not bad Selena, you’ve learned the fire dragon, but my attack will finish you off.
           “Oh? You really think so?” Selena asked smirking.
           “Yes.” He replied.
          “Then let’s see what you’ve got brother,” Selena growled standing firm with Chandrahas in hand.
          Armon races towards her and tries to overcome the power of the sword, but it was too much for him to handle, and with Selena's power she flings him across the arena.
           “Selena use the black crystals’ power and you will win,” Chandrahas said in her mind.
           “I won’t use any black crystal, I don’t need it.” She replied as she watched her brother.
           "If you don’t use the crystal he may kill you,” Chandrahas said as Selena felt another pull in her head.
           “Selena. Don’t let the Chandrahas take control of you. Be strong!” Atomus said in his pup's mind.
           “I already told you Chandrahas I won’t let anything prevent me from winning this match. Including using a crystal to do it. I don’t need it.” Selena growled as she watched her brother getting ready to unleash his attack.
           “Hn, don’t be so sure about that,” Chandrahas said before receding into her mind.
           “That’s it I’ve had it, sister,” Armon said as he unleashed his attack.
            Very quickly Selena takes out her other sword and combines it with the Chandrahas and shouts, “Now behold my power Ryudokuken Hi!” The power from her sword broke through the power of Armon's sword and it flung him back a few feet.
          “The power... Where did you get so much power from?” Armon asked a little out of breath.
          “Hn, I realized that I had this power all along, and now I'm strong enough to take you out,” Selena responded smirking.
          “Fine then no more games. Come at me and let me see your true power sister.” Armon said getting in his stance.
          She lunges at Armon to attack him, but Arion called to her and stopped her in her tracks.
           “Stop Selena please…” She turns and looks at Arion as he continued. “If you use your full power it might destroy you.” He said hoping to distract her from using her full power.
           “I have to brother, I have no choice,” Selena replied looking back at Armon.
           “Take him out, Selena!” Atomus stood with speed shouting to her.
           “As you wish.” She replied as she lunges at Armon once more.
            Armon knew he wouldn’t be able to hold on any longer in his current state, so after she attacked him he himself made his power increase by transforming into his second form.
            “Ah. That’s better. I am at full power. Now die!” He said coming out of the transformation and stood tall before his sister.
             “Come at me then brother. Let’s see what you've got.” She replied getting in her stance and motioning him with her hand as he took off towards her.
           Armon was coming at her full force as Selena crouched down low. When he was about to strike her, she jumped up with her sword by her side as she brought it forward, but to Armon’s surprise when he was about to attack Selena, she flipped back avoiding his attack. Armon growled and swung again, but when he did Selena had disappeared. Armon looked around to see her running towards him. He rushed in as their swords meet in midair.            The power of both swords crackled in the sky as they both fought for dominance. It seemed that they were both evenly matched, as they pushed away from each other. They landed on the ground, each staring at their opponent, as they circled around each other.
           “Selena, please stop fighting. I can see that every time you use your power you lose your energy.” Arion shouted hoping now just to protect his sister from her own powers. His mother be damned.
           “Thanks for being worried about me brother, but I'm fine. I just have one more attack to do.” She said only so he could hear her.
          “Attack? What attack?” Arion replied wide-eyed.
          “You'll see.” She said turning back to where her brother had jumped to and noticed that he was on the ground. She never hit him so she knew it would be a trick and both her brothers were a part of it. She growled and stalked forward calling out to him. “Armon... are you ok?” He still didn't move, and she walked closer. “Armon…” she crouched down. “Armon... are you ok?” She growled once more as the crowd along with the queen watches on in wonderment wondering if her plan would work. Both of her sons were playing their parts well.
          Suddenly Armon's eyes started to open as Selena got up and started to walk away. In a blast of speed, Armon got up and raced towards her.
          “Selena, watch out he’s coming for you!” Doshi screamed out in her mind from the stands.
          “Huh…” She turned quickly and jumped away to avoid the blows. Then in return attacked him head-on with her swords.
           The power of both swords crackled in the sky as they both fought for dominance as Armon took this moment to speak with her. “Selena, you may have our fathers' blood coursing through you, but you are not strong enough to defeat me.” He said pushing her back.
          “Hn yeah, you think so?” Selena said pushing back.
          “Yeah. What do you think you could possibly do to me? I’m far more powerful than you.” Armon said breaking off the contact with her jumping back a few feet when she swung at him.
          “My so confident aren’t we brother. Fine enough games let’s do this.” She said as she starts to power up and transforms into her second form. “There, much better.”
          “Hn… what power,” Armon said as he looked at her aura. It was a dark gray in color meaning she was almost to her full power but not quite.
           Selena just coming out of her transformation takes off quickly to attack her brother.               As she headed towards him. Confidently he stood perfectly still holding his sword at the ready. Suddenly she stops just a few feet away from him, and he raised a brow at her wondering what she was up too. In the stands, Azume also sat wondering what Selena was getting ready to do, for she had never seen her do something like this before.
          “What’s wrong Selena, too afraid to attack me?” He asked with a snicker.
          “Hn…” She smirked. “Nope.” Suddenly everyone in the arena looked on in amazement as she raises her hand and used her telekinesis to lift him off the ground. As she did so she charged the energy around him with her power and began shocking him. Even the queen was shocked to find out that she knew that attack for she was the only one with that ability.
          “That’s mothers’ attack, where did you learn this?” Armon asked wide-eyed.
          “I learned by watching mother when she would practice with her abilities. Now Die.” Selena said as she continues to lift him higher into the air and then throws him across the arena. She runs to him just as he hits the ground, and stabs him with her sword.
          “That was a good trick, Selena.” He said softly.
          “Thanks, but I’m sorry it had to end for you this way. I know mother wanted you to win.” Selena said as she stood up to pull her sword out of her brother.
          “It had to be this way.” He responded before dying.
          That instant the queen declared Selena the winner. Then all became silent when Selena went over to Armon and lifted him off the ground with her telekinesis. She closed her eyes and concentrated when she opened her eyes and there was a dagger in her hands. She looked at her father and was please when he gave her a smile. Then she sliced through him and they both dropped to the ground. The queen looks on in awe to see her daughter was a lot stronger than before.
          Soon after she used her dagger he began to awaken, and everyone in the arena cheered.
          “Selena!” Doshi said as he headed towards her.
          Armon looked around for Selena. She was kneeling on her hands and knees trying to breathe. Doshi goes over to her to comfort her.
          “Doshi?” She said breathing heavily.
          “Koi, don’t talk, save your energy for your next battle,” Doshi said kneeling next to her.
Selena nodded her head slowly as she looked around for her brother to find him standing a few feet away.
          “I’m glad to see you’re ok Armon.” She said standing up slowly.
          “Same here.” He said back standing as well.
          Selena nodded to her brother and walked off with Doshi following behind her.
          Queen Azume was amazed at Serena’s new strength that she almost forgot to address the crowd as she shook her head, stood up, and said, “ Ladies and gentlemen very soon we will have our next battle.” She finished sitting down.

Chapter 10

          Once inside the arena, Doshi hugs his mate and goes to take his place on the other side of the arena and Selena goes to the other side of the arena to watch the next battle.

          As soon as all of the pups were in place minus Sierra and ready to begin Eien stood to address the crowd. “Attention everyone! It’s time to begin the next battle, would Lord Doshi and Lady Eris please enter the arena.”

          They both entered the arena and headed towards the middle where their mother’s headman stood waiting for them. When they reached the middle of the arena, Selena and Doshi lock eyes and nodded to each other as the headman said, “My lord and lady this is going to be a timed match, if you defeat your opponent in the time allowed you will be able to advance, but if time is called you must wait to fight again, Are you two ready to begin?” 

          “Yes.” They both said as one.

          “Alright then.” He raises his arm. “Ready… Set… Fight…!” A gong sounded as he brought his arm down.

          Doshi and Eris nodded to each other and turned the opposite way to get space between them as they faced each other once more and got into their fighting stance. Just as Eris got into her own fighting stance Doshi started the first attack.

          Eris drew her blade from its sheath and took a deep breath. Doshi made the first move, swinging his blade with deadly precision. Eris dodged the blade and moved in to strike her brother. She stopped midway and spun around, and parried quickly, barely avoiding the attack.

          “Is that all you’ve got Eris surely you can do better than that? He said racing towards her.

          His attack was head-on, and Eris brought up her left arm and blocked his first punch. Eris quickly took her right fist and slammed it into his chest sending him back a few feet.

         “I have a lot more than that I assure you,” Eris replied as she smirked.

         “Then let’s see what you’ve got.” Doshi countered.

          He lunged at her right side, and she dropped to the ground and rolled. She caught his feet, and he fell. She jumped up quickly and commenced her own attack. She arched her blade to cut into his side, but he surprised her by using his hands to backflip out of the way, and in turn, lunged at him with her sword and they collided trying to push the other back with their own powers. 

          Suddenly he pulled back and struck quickly, and she hissed when his blade made contact with her exposed side. She had avoided the brunt of the attack, but the sharp tip of his sword sliced into her flesh and she jumped back breathing hard.

         “Why what’s wrong Eris, getting tired already?” He asked noticing her breathing heavy.

         “Ha, you wish Doshi. I’m just getting started.” Eris countered.

         Eris was lying she was getting tired of all of this, as she got ready to attack again. She wanted to end this as soon as possible. She raised her hand and sent a volley of purple orbs towards him. 

         To her amazement, he dodged her attack this time as he came in to attack again. That was when she erected a barrier stopping him from attacking her so she could think of a way to beat him. She didn’t think long when she felt her brother breaking down her barrier to get to her.

         He finally broke through her barrier and rushed in. He threw a punch to try and knock her down but she avoided the attack completely. Eris countered quickly with a blast of her own power and connected with his shoulder, sending the blast throughout his body knocking him hard on the ground, but he was up in a flash and he attacked again. This time she connected, her claws slashed across his chest, as she punched him with her other hand sending him flying through the air where he landed hard on the ground once more, this time with the air knocked out of him.

        “What do you say to that brother?” Eris said confidently.

        “Hn… Not so bad Eris, your training has really paid off, but now it’s time for me to end this.” He said getting up quickly.

        “Ha, you defeat me; you’ve got to be crazy!” She shouted and giggled.

        “Oh, you’ll see Eris.” Without warning, he threw out his hand, and several small red orbs streaked towards her.

         Eris was startled but didn’t let on; she quickly dodged to the right leaving the orbs to hit the ground. Eris then summoned her own powers and prepared for a counter-attack. As Doshi threw more orbs at her, Eris leaped into the air, threw out her hand and unleashed three long spears of bright blue power at him. Doshi barely had time to dodge the attack. 

The spears hit the ground mere seconds after he moved, leaving a small crater where he just stood. Doshi had landed in a crouched position several feet away, awaiting Eris’s next move.

         “What now, are you ready to give up?” Eris asked circling him.

         Standing nearby Selena was watching on in amazement at her mate and his match.

         “My what powers my mate has, wonder if Eris is going to win this one,” Selena asked herself.

         “It will most probably be a draw again.” Her beast replied back.

         “Yeah, you’re probably right Miyuki. That’s the way it’s been going except for Sierra’s battle that is.” Selena said agreeing with her beast as she turned her attention back to the match.

         “No indeed not Eris.” That was when he caught sight of his mate leaning against a wall watching the match with her arms crossed over her chest and a smirk on her face.

He would not disappoint knowing that Selena was watching the battle. He streaked forward, slashing at Eris with his claws. She cleanly dodged each attack. Eris then dropped to the ground and attempted to sweep him off his feet, but she wasn’t quick enough and Doshi leaped away, landing back and to the left of her. She then quickly held her hands in front of her as if to clap, and a white ball of flames began to form between her hands, and quickly let them fly towards Doshi.

         The attack was quick, but this time Doshi was ready. He leaped into the air avoiding the attack and placing himself in a tactical position behind her to counter-attack. After landing behind her he quickly formed a large red orb and hurled it at his sister. Eris was caught off guard as the red orb plummeted towards her at blinding speed.

          "What to do, what to do? There’s no time to run.” She asked herself out of options as she saw the attack coming quickly towards her.

          “Put up a barrier my lady.” Her beast answered for her.

          “Oh yeah, good idea” Eris responded as she fell back onto her butt and threw out her hand and put up a barrier.

          “You surprise me Eris, you were fighting so well, why used a barrier now?” Doshi said as his attack exploded on contact with her barrier.

          “Don’t worry brother, you shall see.” She said smirking as she got up off the ground.

          “Doshi don’t attack her.” Selena quickly says telepathically to him.

          “What do you mean, why not?” He asked her while still keeping his eyes on Eris.

          “Because mate, that’s what she wants you to do, I have seen her attack before, and take it from me if you want to win to go against me don’t attack first,” Selena replied back to her mate and closed the connection with her mate.

           Doshi nodded his thanks to Selena, and then waited for Eris to attack. She feigned left, but he didn’t take the bait. That is what Doshi needed; in a movement that was unrealistically quick, he dropped to the floor and swung his leg in a semi-circle sweeping her off her feet. 

           Both got up quickly then Doshi pulled out his sword, lunging at Eris once more, he left Eris the opening she needed to end this. She struck just before he reached her and she quickly dropped to the floor and swept him off his feet. 

           Faster than the eye could see she had Doshi on the ground with her on top. She had one leg on his abdomen, with her knee firmly lodged in the juncture of his ribs. While the other leg was on the arena floor next to him. She had one clawed hand firmly wrapped around his neck while the other was poised with her sword ready to attack.

          “You have fought well Doshi, but it is time I end this fight,” Eris said as she got ready to end the match.

  Faster than the eye could see Doshi vanished from beneath Eris, and flipped her over somehow and was now on top. He was about to make the killing blow when he heard the gong sound signaling time was up, he looked over to Selena, and she nodded her approval.

Doshi stood up with a hand out to Eris and she took it, and everyone in the arena cheered.

         “That was a great match Eris, thank you,” Doshi said as he smiled at her.

         “No problem.” She said as they both stood before the queen and awaited her announcement.

         Close by Selena was thinking about the last match and ones that happened so far and wondered what her mother had planned.

          “Great another tie, what’s my mother planning?” Selena asked herself.

          “My guess is my lady is that she wants you to fight them one after the other in hopes that one of the others win the competition.” Her beast replied.

          “Yeah it does make sense doesn’t it, but no matter, I’m more than positive that I will be the victor,” Selena replied agreeing with her beast.

          “Don’t worry my lady I will make it so.” Her beast said as Selena closed the connection with her beast when her mother began speaking to the crowd.

          “Great match you two. We will now take a short break and we will announce the next battle.

           Eris and Doshi nodded as Doshi headed to speak with his mate, with Eris making her way to her quarters to rest.

           Selena saw her mate coming towards her, and she knew why. He wanted to know why she helped him to finish the match.

           “Hn… So, Selena, what was it that made you wanna help me?” He said out loud so other onlookers would be able to hear them and then continued in her mind. “I know why it was you helped me mate and I thank you.”

           She nodded at his last statement and said out loud, “Isn’t it obvious Doshi, I wanted you to win so I could go against you.” Selena replied at her mate’s playful nature and decided to play along.

           “Yeah right, what’s the real reason you helped me?” Doshi countered to test his mate as he folded his arms.

           “You doubt my words Koi?” She replied smirking.

           “Yes, I just don’t see why, I can beat Eris easily enough without your help, and you also know that I am far stronger than Eris is,” Doshi said.

           “That’s the exact reason Doshi. I can beat Eris easily, but it’s you that’s going to be the most trouble for me.” Selena replied honestly.

           “Yeah ok Selena; just be ready for me Koi,” Doshi said.

           “Oh I will, you can count on that,” Selena replied to her mate as she walked slowly away from her mate. “That was fun mate, we should do that again.” She said in his head with a giggle as she walked further away from her mate.

            “I agree mate it was fun.” He replied back shaking his head and smiling at her retreating form. When she disappeared from view, he turned and went to get himself ready for his next match.

           Selena walked through the palace and came upon Eris’s wing and headed towards her door and began knocking softly when she reached her sister's chamber.

           “Who is it?” Came Eris’s voice through the door.

           “It’s Selena, may I come in?” Selena replied.

           “Sure come on in Selena,” Eris replied.

            Selena took that as her queue and walked in the chamber and was blown away with the room. The chamber was completely changed from what it used to be. It was now a pale blue in color, and in the middle of the chamber, there was a western-style four-post queen size bed with cream-colored curtains the feather pillows were covered in dark blue silk as was the comforter on the bed. 

           The floor was a light blue marble, with a fireplace across from her bed. A cream-colored rug that looked like her curtains was on the floor between her bed and the fireplace. A small table with cushions of every shade of blue and cream imaginable was situated in front of the fireplace.

          “Wow, you changed up your chamber. It looks nice.” Selena said looking around her chamber.

          “Thanks. So what’s up?” Eris asked.

          “Ah nothing, just wanted to see how you were doing after that match?” Selena asked as she sat down in a chair.

          “Eh, as well as expected I guess,” Eris replied sitting at her mirror and brushing her hair.

          “That’s good to hear,” Selena replied with a short nod.

          “So when’s your next battle?” Eris asked looking at her through the mirror.

          “Not long mother should be announcing it soon,” Selena replied.

          “Ok then, be careful out there,” Eris said turning towards her sister.

          “Oh I will, or I won’t be able to fight you.” She replied smirking. Just then the trumpets sounded signaling the start of the next match. “Well, I guess I better be off then,” Selena said standing as she headed towards the door.

          “Ok be careful,” Eris said standing as well.

          “I will see ya,” Selena replied as she walked out of the chamber and headed towards the arena to wait for her lord’s announcement of the next match.

Chapter 9

          It’s now two hours later, and a few minutes before the beginning of the first competition. Sierra and Eris are ready with their personal fighting kimonos and weapons on heading to Selena’s wing to look for Selena. Sierra was now wearing a navy blue fighting kimono with a silver sash and her personal symbol on her right shoulder in sliver. Eris was wearing a bright sea green fighting kimono with a pink juban underneath with a lilac and gold sash, and her own personal symbol on her right shoulder in gold.
          When they entered Selena’s wing they head towards her chamber door and noticed by her aura that she was inside preparing for the competition. They walked up to the door and Sierra knocked.
          From inside her chamber, Selena was getting ready for the competition. She was dressed in a blood-red fighting kimono, with a red-orange juban underneath, and a baby blue sash tied around her waist. With her own personal symbol on her right shoulder in a silvery blue color. With her hair put up into a high ponytail, and all her weapons in their proper places on her person. Just as she finishes putting her weapons on she hears her sisters coming towards her chamber to eventually stop in front of it and one of them knocked softly.
          “Selena? Oh, there you are.” Sierra said as she opens the door and pokes her head in. “Are you ready for the competition to start?” Sierra asked as she pushed the door open a bit further and both girls walk in.
         “Hey, you two.” She said sitting by her mirror. “I am not in a hurry to compete just yet,” Selena said sighing.
         “What do you mean?” Eris said as she sat down on her sofa.
         “I don’t know, I just got to thinking, and I don’t think I’ll be able to go through with the competitions,” Selena said turning around in her seat to face her sisters.
         “They will both go fine Selena, don’t worry,” Sierra said sitting on her bed.
         “Besides if you want the crown, you have to compete.” Replied Eris.
         “I guess you’re right… I guess I’m a little nervous is all.” Selena said as she stood.
         “Well you better get over your nerves because we have to get going,” Eris said as she and Sierra stood as well.
         “You’re right, let’s get going,” Selena said as they left Selena’s chamber, and headed to the arena.
          Just as the three girls got to the arena, they hear trumpets sound signaling the beginning of the competition, and they hear the lord begin talking to the crowd.
          “May I have everyone’s attention, I am here to finally announce that the competition is about to begin,” Eien said as everyone in the arena cheered.
          “Wow. Just listen to that crowd.” Sierra said looking into the arena.
          “Are you two ready for this?” Selena asked both her sisters.
          “I’m ready,” Eris said.
          “Me too, how about you?” Sierra said. 
          “Yes I’m ready,” Selena said as she sensed one of her brothers coming up behind her.
          “You all better be ready, I want a good fight,” Armon said. His clothes were white with black designs and a red obi. With his symbol on his right shoulder in silver. He stood tall as his pelt was larger now fitting more like a cape due to his strength. His hair was put on top of his head like Selena’s.
         “Oh don’t worry Armon; we’ll all give you a good fight,” Sierra said.
         “Hey... Selena.” He began as he looked at the sword strapped to her back. “Is that the Chandrahas, one of fathers' swords?” He asked her.
         Selena gave a slight nod and said, “Yes it is. He gave it to me the other day when I went to see him.”
         “Fine, whatever.” He said as he walked off to go take his place at the other side of the arena where his brothers were. 
         “Man, what’s got him so upset?” Sierra asked turning to her sister.
         “He’s mad because the sword I’m now wearing was entrusted to me by my father and not Armon, and my guess is, is that he wanted the sword for himself, but father saw that it would be better off in my hands, than in his,” Selena said.
         “Oh ok,” Sierra said as they all heard when their mother began speaking to the people in the arena.
         “It’s now time for the competition to start would Lady Selena and Lord Armon please enter the arena!” Azume said to the crowd as they begin to cheer and clap.
         “This is it, wish me luck,” Selena said walking forward into the arena.
         “Good luck.” Came both her sisters as they watched her enter the arena.
          When Selena and Armon entered the arena, the crowd cheered as they walked towards the center of the arena.
          As they entered the field Selena noticed two familiar scents, two of the scents belonged to her mother and father, and the other scents were the ones that she knew belonged to the two evil chaiura, Lord Talus and Lady Tatsuya. No one noticed it was them except Selena because of the disguises they were using. She was figuring they had come to the competition to challenge the winner for their chance to rule the universe.
          Selena looked around for a quick look for her father and saw him in the crowds next to her mother and the evil chaiuras. She tried to tell Armon, but the head man spoke out.
          “My lord and lady this will be a timed match if you defeat your opponent in the time allowed you will be able to advance, but if time is called you must wait to fight again, Are you two ready to begin?” Said the queen’s headman walking up to them.
          “Yes.” They said as one.
          “Alright then. “ He raised his hand. “Ready… Set... Fight!” He said bringing his hand down, and a gong was sounded to start the battle.
           Selena and Armon turned away from each other and got into their fighting stances.
          “It’s time to fight, let’s see whatcha got,” Armon said.
          She flexed her claws as she rushed in, getting ready to slash at him, but she missed when he caught her wrist and threw her over his shoulder, where she landed on her feet about 20 feet away from him.
          “Damn,” Selena said.
          “What’s wrong Selena, you trained perfectly when you were training with your master; did your training with your sister make you slower?” Armon said smirking, knowing it would anger her.
         Selena's eyes went wide for a moment before she growled out, “I’m just getting warmed up Armon.”
          “Well then come at me sister, or better yet I’ll come at you to save you the trouble.” He said as he takes out his sword and charges at Selena.
           She takes out the Chandrahas from it’s sheathe and stands firm and they collide. Selena tried to block the energy from Armon’s sword with her own. The energy of the two swords collided caused both of them to be flung back.
           “Not bad Selena, but not good enough, you have to better than that to defeat me,” Armon said.
          “All right then,” Selena said as she charges at Armon.
          “So you wanna play like that do you? All right then.” He said racing towards her.
          They rushed in as their swords meet in midair.
          The power of both swords crackled in the sky as they both fought for dominance. It seemed that they were both evenly matched, as they pushed away from each other. They landed on the ground, each staring at their opponent, as they circled around each other, like a predator stalking his prey.
          They were thinking about what to do next since it seemed to be a stalemate. They both were powerful and neither would give in to the other. Armon put away his sword and snarled before rushing at Selena. Everyone in the arena was in amazement as the female seemed to disappear into thin air, causing Armon to stumble when his attack had nothing to connect with. Whirling around, he found that his sister now stood where he had started from, essentially trading places.
         “Pathetic. How do you expect to injure me if you cannot catch me, brother?” Selena asked smirking as Talus looked on in amazement to see Selena so strong.
          Armon leaped at her once again, this time Selena stayed perfectly still until the last second, which made her brother believe his attack was going to connect. When Selena moved to the side just enough to avoid Armon’s claws, her brother continued past her leaving his back open. In a move too fast to see Armon now had four long, deep gashes running vertically the length of his back.
          “First blood, brother,” Selena said in an extraordinarily derogatory tone. Armon twisted just in time to catch his own claws on Selena’s side.
          “Second blood, then, sister!” While Armon was busy running his mouth Selena closed in again and punched him directly in the chin, sending him flying up and away ending in a slide on his bleeding back through the grass.
           The crowd cheers loudly as Armon gets up, and Selena starts to power up in order to save her energy. As Armon was getting ready to come at her, she jumped back to avoid the blows that were coming at her very fast.
          “You’ve trained well Selena, but I’m afraid you will have to die.” He said jumping back from her.
          “I will die when I have fallen, but not until then got it?” Selena said as she growls and flings Armon back with her powers.
          “Fine.” He said taking back out his sword and charges at her again. “Die!” He said.
          As Armon was coming at her, she jumped back and blocked every attack he tried and blocked his sword's power with her own sending Armon flying through the air finally landing on the ground with amazement that Selena could do that to him with so much power. His eyes widened when he noticed that his sword had been knocked out of his hand, and saw as Selena was racing towards it. He got up just as quick as he had been knocked down and raced towards his sword, but before she could get to it he snatched it off the ground and got his sword back and Selena jumped back in amazement.
           “That was a good try trying to get my sword Selena, but you have to be quicker than that to get my sword,” Armon said smirking at her.
           “Too bad I didn’t get your sword; I might have killed you with it,” Selena said smirking back.
          “That’s it, I’ve had it… Now Die!” Armon said as he growled.
          Selena puts her sword away and stands firm until he started to run after her trying to blind her eyes with the poison from his claws. Armon leaped into the air as his sword clashed with Selena’s. They fought an aerial battle, the only thing that you could see were the two blurs in the sky as they attacked each other. When Selena jumped back to see where he was. He was nowhere to be seen. Then he appeared right next to her as she jumped back to avoid the attacks.
          “You fought well my sister, but now I must end this.” He said to her.
          She starts to get worried and she tries to jump back from him, but he jumps at her in one leap, stabs her in the shoulder with his sword, tripped her, and struck her eyes with the poison from his claws blinding them with his poison.
          “Selena!” Kasumi called out from the stands.
          Slowly Selena got up hoping she could finish the fight suddenly she hears a gong sound.
          “Time!!!” Eien yelled to the crowd. “We will now take a break and continue the next battles soon.”
          When Selena heard him say that, she dropped to the ground mad at herself because she couldn’t finish what she started until she was able to fight again. Doshi standing by watching as the match ended, came onto the arena and went over to Selena, helped her up, and began bringing her to her chamber to rest. With her mother quickly making her way towards Selena’s quarters.                                                         
          “Thank you for helping me, Doshi,” Selena said as she laid her head on his shoulder and sighed.
          “You’re welcome, love.” He said as she fainted for a short minute. “Huh…” Doshi sounded as he picks up Selena to bring her to her chamber.
          “Selena?” Kasumi said coming up to Doshi with Selena in his arms.
          “Mother?” Selena said waking up and looked around for her.
          “Yes, my pup.” Kasumi nods to Doshi and he hands her to her mother, and she takes her pup in her arms. “Don’t talk you need to save your energy.” She said softly hugging her closely.
          “Selena, are you ok?” Doshi asked as he saw a tear run down her cheek. He reached up and wiped it away.
          “I feel that I let my father down today,” Selena replied putting her head against her mother.
          “Why? You did your best for your first battle.” Kasumi said.
          “I feel like I am not worthy to be in his presence after that match. It was all going well too.” Selena said sighing again.
          “Don’t worry about it Selena; your father loves you no matter what you do. Just as I do.” Doshi said
          “Really?” She asked looking towards him.
          “Yes, I really do, and no matter what happens out there, I’ll stand by you always.” He said smiling at her and putting his hand on her shoulder.
          “You’re so very kind to me Doshi, how can I repay your kindness?” Selena asked.
          “Just be yourself, that’s all you have to do for me.” He replied taking her hand in his.
          “Thank you for all your help Doshi,” Selena said as Kasumi placed her on her bed, and went to get a washcloth for her eyes. “If you want to go and see the next match, you may go, I’ll be fine here,” Selena said.
          “Are you sure Koi?” He asked her.
          “Yes, my love. I’ll be fine.” Selena said with a nod of her head.
          “Ok then.” He stood up from her side, leaned over, and gave her a kiss. “I’ll be back soon to check on you ok.” He said.
          “Alright then, be careful,” Selena said.
          “I will, you just worry about getting some rest ok,” Doshi said taking her hand.
          “I will Doshi,” Selena said as she let go of his hand.
          He then turned to Kasumi, when he saw her coming closer to his intended, nodded to her, and walked out of her chambers heading to the arena to see the next set of battles.
Kasumi came out of Selena’s bathing chamber with a cloth and some water, just as Doshi was leaving the chamber. When he nodded to her she nodded back and then he headed out the chamber, and she proceeded to help her pup.
          “Mother?” Selena said trying to see her mother.
          “Yes my pup, I am here,” Kasumi said sitting next to her on the bed.
          “Do you think father is disappointed in me for not winning the match?” Selena said lying back on her bed.
          “No my pup I don’t. If you had enough time I’m sure you could have defeated him.” Kasumi said placing the cloth over Selena’s eyes.
          “I don’t know it just feels as though I let him down,” Selena said sighing.
          “Selena, don’t worry, just as Doshi said you tried your best out there for your first match. Now sleep and restore your energy for your next match.” Kasumi said standing from the bed.
          “Alright.” She said nodding her head softly and fell asleep.
           When Kasumi felt her pups breathing even out she walked out of the chamber and made her way back to the stands.
          In the stands, Doshi was waiting for the next match to begin when he felt someone coming closer to him to eventually sit down beside him. When he turned to look he noticed that it was his adopted father.
          “I am very pleased with how Selena handled herself today. How about you Doshi?” Atomus said looking out into the field.
          “I agree. I thought she did very well for her first match.” Doshi responded
          “So how have you been fairing Doshi, are you still looking to compete in the next competition to dominate Selena?” Atomus asked looking at him.
          “I have been well, and yes I have been training every day since we’ve come to see you so I can be ready to fight in the competition to dominate Selena,” Doshi replied confidently.
          “Very good. I can tell that you really love her Doshi, and will take very good care of her.” Atomus said nodding and looking once more onto the field. 
          “I do. I love her very much, and will protect her for all our days.”
          “Very well then my mate and I give you our blessings; let’s just hope you win the competition to dominate her.
          “Oh I will, you can be sure of that. No other will have her.” Doshi responded confidently.
          “The next battle between Princess Sierra and Prince Arion is about to begin,” Azume said to the crowd.
          The king nodded to Doshi as his mate joined him in the stands sitting next to him. She looked at Doshi and nodded and in turn, he nodded back in kind. While they all looked to the field and awaited the lords' announcement of the next match. 

~oOo~

          In her chambers, Selena awakens when she hears her mother announce the next battle. Selena struggles to get out of her bed and wobbles on her feet for a moment before making her way out of the chamber and towards the arena where the next battle was going to start.
          Selena walks towards Sierra as she noticed her waiting outside the entryway waiting for their mother to announce her onto the field. Selena smirked when Sierra didn’t sense her walking up behind her and calls out softly to her.
          “Sierra,” She said waiting for her sister to turn around.
Sierra turned when she heard her name being called and noticed it was Selena as she said, “Oh Selena. You shouldn’t be out here you need to rest.”
          “I’ll be fine Sierra; I just came to see your match,” Selena said smiling.
          “How can you with your eyes still blinded with poison?” Sierra asked concerned.
          “For now while my healing powers take over I have no need to use my eyes to see your match. I have the ability to see aura’s when I close my eyes.” Selena responded.
          “Oh, really what does mine look like?” Sierra asked.
          Selena looked her up and down before answering her. “You have a teal aura around you now, and if you look across the arena at where our brothers are I can see theirs too. Arion has a blue aura around him and Armon’s aura is red.”
          “Oh cool, wish I had that power,” Sierra said turning to look back at her. 
          “Maybe one day if you’re really good I could teach it to you but for now…” Selena was about to finish when Lord Eien made his announcement.
          “May I have everyone’s attention we are now going to start the next battle. Would Lady Sierra and Lord Arion please enter the Arena?” Eien announced to the arena.
          “I would love it if you would teach me, but for now please excuse me, sister, I must go now,” Sierra said as she looked out onto the field.
          “Good luck Sierra and remember what you’ve learned,” Selena said as she watched her sister enter the field with a smile and a nod.
          As Sierra and Arion entered the arena they both saw Talus and Tatsuya their mother’s enemies, sitting close to their mother and father waiting to see whom they were going to fight.
           Before the battle began Arion took his chance as he turned to them and spoke. “I’m coming for the two of you Talus, and just because the others can’t see you don’t mean that I don’t. After I am completed here I am going to destroy both of you before you do any damage to my home or my family.”
          “Ha, well we’ll see. If you make it through this fight I assure you that we will fight someone even if it isn’t you or your sister. Your sister Selena though seems a better target don’t you think?” Talus said laughing evilly.
          “Don’t you dare talk about my sister like that, even if I don’t win she will fight and kill you make no mistake about that.” Arion barked.
          “Hn… well, we’ll see.” Talus said.
          Arion shook his head and then turned when the headman walked up to himself and Sierra.
          “My lord and lady are you two ready to fight?” The headman said coming to stop between the pair.
          “Yes,” both of them said as one.
          “Very good.” He said as he raised his arm up. “Ready… Set… Fight…!” He said bringing his arm down as a gong sounded.
          Once the headman was safely out the way Arion and Sierra turned in opposite directions and then face each other.
          “So little sister, do you think you’ve trained enough for this fight?” Arion said while starting to circle her.
          "You would be surprised to see that I have trained well for this fight,” Sierra said with confidence as she watched her brother circling herself.
          “Good I was waiting for a good fight,” Arion replied cracking his knuckles.
          “Well then are we going to stand here all day and chat or are we going to fight brother?” Sierra said smirking.
          “Fine,” Arion growled as he ran toward Sierra. While he was running at her he pulled out his sword.
          Sierra looks at Selena and she nods signaling to her to pull out her sword. Sierra quickly nodded back with a smirk, pulled out her sword, and raced towards Arion, and they collided. After they collided they fought with their swords for a while until the power of Sierra’s sword flings Arion across the arena.
           “Hn… You’re doing better than I thought you would.” Arion said with a smirk.
           “Ah well I had two good trainers to help me out,” Sierra said with her own smirk.
           “You’ve trained well dear sister, but you’ll have to do better than that to defeat me,” Arion said as he began circling her once more.
          “Oh I plan on it dear brother,” Sierra replied growling.
          Arion growled low as he took off towards Sierra, and she, in turn, raced towards her brother and they collided, but with the power that Sierra had, flung Arion farther across the arena.
           Just as the pair broke apart Talus got really bored and decided to go join the fight and in doing so he injured Arion. He then decided to go for Sierra, because he thought she was an easier target to kill, but he was wrong. She ran at him, and cut him with her sword. Arion looked on in amazement and wanted to help her, but Talus’s sword had injured him. Talus couldn’t bear to fight against Sierra and Arion so he jumped high into the sky and spoke with a roar.
          “Garr… I’ll be back here to finish this battle we’ve started make no mistake about that.” He said growling to the crowd of people. 
          “Ha well, I don’t think you or Tatsuya will ever be coming back here again Talus,” Arion said trying to steady himself.
          “Hn, what makes you think that fool?” Tatsuya said with a snarl.
          As soon as those words left Tatsuya’s mouth the pair turned to the other and nodded as they as one walked towards the evil pair of chaiura before them.
          “Ready?” Arion said still keeping eye contact with the chaiura before them.
          “Ready here,” Sierra said with a nod as she and her brother lifted up their swords at the ready and charged at them with speeds that their mother and father hadn’t seen before.
          “No! What are you doing?” Tatsuya said backing away a bit, but still staying strong.
          The pair didn’t answer and continued to run towards them very fast.
          When they were close enough to the evil chaiura they leaped into the air above them as they said together, “Power of our swords unite!” as soon as they completed their phrase they fused their powers together, and together they swung their swords in an attempt to kill them. But they weren’t fast enough and the evil chaiura disappeared before the attack could finish them off.
          “That was a good try, but we’ll be back soon enough.” Talus’s voice said before silencing.
          When they were gone Sierra turned to look around to find her brother when she noticed him not standing next to her when they landed. Her eyes caught movement and saw that he was kneeling on the ground a few ways back behind her.
          “Arion, are you alright brother?” She asked him while all in the arena waited to see what was going to happen.
          “I’ll be fine, let’s continue with our battle shall we.” He said getting up.
          “Are you sure you’re able to finish the battle?” Sierra asked him putting a hand on his shoulder.
         “Yes, Sierra. Don’t count me out just yet.” He responded smirking.
          As the two on the field were regrouping; Selena was still standing by the entrance of the arena waiting to see what was going to happen suddenly they began fighting again. That was when she sensed someone coming up behind her to eventually stand a little behind her to her right. She noticed it was Armon by his aura, and turned to him acknowledging his presence.
          “You know you shouldn’t be out here Selena, you’re still hurt and your eyes are still blinded with the poison from my claws.” He said calmly to her not knowing about her healing abilities or her ability to see auras.
          “Hn… thanks for the concern brother, but I will be fine. I just wanted to be here for Sierra’s match.” Selena responded turning back to the pair in the arena.
          “That’s good and all, but you need to go and rest. You need to regain your energy for your next match.” Armon said with a slight growl to his voice.
          “No, I’m staying. Thanks for your concern, but it’s not needed.” Selena growled.
          “Fine have it your way then,” Armon growls once more before he turns and walks off to prepare himself for his next match.
          During the battle, the queen noticed that Arion was having a difficult time fighting because of the injuries he obtained by fighting Talus. So she stopped the battle so he could have the proper time to heal so he could be ready to fight in the next round of the competition.
          Just then Lord Eien stood up to address the crowd. “Lords and Ladies, I’m sorry for that short battle it seems that my mate wants Arion to be at full power when he fights again so we will take a short momentary break and be back in about 30 minutes.”
          The crowd cheered as the announcement was finished all there couldn’t wait to see who would fight next. 
          “Good, now I’ll head back to my quarters and see if I can heal these wounds. Ugh,” Selena said to herself as she grabbed her shoulder and walked back to her quarters. Eventually, she reached her chamber and went inside and laid on her bed to rest.
          “Hn… well, I guess you can say that was one heck of a battle don’t you think?” Atomus said as he watched the pair as well as his pup walk away from the arena.
          “Though I didn’t like it when they were interrupted by Talus, I thought it was an ok battle until the queen stopped it anyways,” Doshi responded.
          “I agree, but I’m rooting for Selena all the way,” Kasumi said with a smile.
          “Same here,” Atomus responded with a nod.
          “I’m going to check on Selena, please excuse me,” Doshi said rising from his seat.                 When he got the ok from his adopted father he turned and made his way out of the stands and eventually towards Selena’s wing to see her. When he was leaving them Kasumi leans over to her mate and speaks so only he could hear her.
          “He’s so good to our pup mate, our little one chose very well.” She said smiling at him.
Atomus nodded his head and turned towards her as he said, “Yes I do believe you are correct. I think he will make a very good mate for her. He’s determined to make it to the next competition so he can compete for her.”
          “Well then let us hope it will be him that wins then,” Kasumi said as she looked back out to the arena.
          “I agree.” He finished as he too looked back into the arena.

~oOo~

          Doshi was now just entering the beginning of Selena’s wing when he notices in the distance, Sierra entering Selenas' chambers and went to see what was going on.
          Sierra just entered Selenas' chambers without knocking as she walked quietly over to the bed and noticed that she had come back here and was still lying there in pain from her match. She walked around her sister’s bed as she sat down beside her and began thinking of ways to help her sister. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Sierra looked to the door and asked quietly to the being outside the door, “Who is it?”
          “Sierra, it’s me, may I come in to see Selena?” Doshi responded from the other side of the door and waited patiently to be let in. 
          Sierra gets up softly from her sisters' side as she goes over to the door and opens it to find Doshi on the other side.
          “Oh hey, Doshi,” Sierra said.
          “May I come in to see Selena?” Doshi asked her.
          “Of course you can Doshi,” Sierra responded as she turned and headed for her spot next to her sister. Leaving Doshi to come into the chamber as well.
          Very quietly as to not startle his mate he came into the chamber shutting the door quietly behind himself and headed to the other side of Selena’s bed to look at his mate.
          When he reached her side he looked down at her and noticed that she looked to be in pain as she slept. He shook his head and turned to Sierra and said, “How’s she doing Sierra?”
          “She was just feeling fine just a little a while ago. I don’t know why she’s still in pain like this, for her healing powers should have activated allowing her to heal herself. I think I may have to use some of my powers to help strengthen her own healing powers so she can begin healing herself.” Sierra said with a sigh as she looked back down at Selena.
          “Will that really work?” Doshi asked.
          “It should, it will strengthen her powers enough to where she can finish healing herself,” Sierra answered as she held up her fist and placed it on her chest. There was a glow beneath her hand as she began what she needed to do to help her sister. When the glow died down there was a crystal that appeared in her hand.
          “Wow, how beautiful,” Doshi said as he watched her work.
          “Tanz crystal, please lend my sister the power she needs to heal herself.” Just as she finished her statement the crystal in her hands activated. She holds the crystal above Selena’s head, and in the soft glow of the crystal, Selena began to awaken. After Sierra completed what she needed to do, she felt herself feeling faint. Just shortly after she was finished healing her sister she fell to the floor and didn’t get up.
          “Sierra?” Doshi called out to her softly as he made to go help her when he noticed Selena beginning to wake up and turned to his mate as she was sitting up in her bed.
          “Ugh, what happened?” She asked as she rubbed her head.
          “What do you remember?” Doshi asked her.
          “I remember you and my mother bringing me back here after my match with Armon. Other than that I don’t remember much.” Selena responded as she looked around the chamber. That’s when she noticed something lying on the floor of her chamber. She crawled closer to the end of the bed and noticed it was Sierra lying there on the floor not moving. That’s when Selena knew what had happened. Sierra gave some of her power through her crystal to strengthen her healing powers.
          “Sierra?” Selena called out to her as she got out of the bed fully and knelt down next to her. “Sierra?” She called out again as she turned her sister over onto her back and cupped her cheek. “Why did you do that you silly girl?” She sighed as she reached over and stood up with Sierra in her arms, and put her into her own bed.
          Standing silently beside his mate Doshi watched the interaction between the two sisters. He was amazed at the gentleness of his mate while attending to her sister. He smiled as he put a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. “Koi, are you ok?”
          “Yes, I’m fine now my Koi.” She responded with a sigh standing to her full height. “Now I have to revive Sierra.” She brings her hand down and it began glowing.
          “No, don’t do it my Koi.” He said reaching out to stop his mate.
          “Why not, what’s wrong?” Selena asked as the glowing in her hand stopped.
          “I just…” He sighed “I just don’t want what happened to Sierra to happen to you.” He replied looking at Sierra and then continued, “She said that you and she had the same power when it came to healing so I’m worried that the same thing could happen to you.” He finished and looked back at his mate.
          “Yes Sierra’s correct in that aspect, but my healing powers are very different than hers. I don’t intend on using any crystal to revive her. Just watch.” Selena finished as she closed her eyes, lowered her hand to her side, and balled her fist. Just then Selena’s power activates.
          Suddenly there in her hand is a dagger, she opens her eyes once more and smiles at the dagger she just created.
          “A dagger, but what will that do?” He asked impressed with her level of power.
          “This Doshi is how I intend on reviving Sierra.” Selena smiled as she turned to look at him.
          “How will that help in reviving Sierra?” Doshi said as he looked at Sierra lying on her bed.
          “Just watch my love,” Selena said as she raises the dagger.
          Just as she rose up the dagger Haru nocks and lets himself into Selena’s chamber and watches in horror to see Selena slice her sister with her dagger.
          “Selena, what did you just do to my mate?” Haru growled out. 
           Doshi growled back as he stood in front of his mate to protect her. Selena though knew what was going through his head so she raised her hand and put it on her mate's shoulder as she stepped forward to speak with Haru.
          “Haru, I just saved her life.” She turns back to Sierra. “She was almost dead.”
          “How I didn’t see her too hurt during her match,” Haru asked.
          She looked at Haru once more before turning back to look at Sierra as she continued, “She foolishly used her crystal to revive my healing powers and in doing so used up the rest of her energy. She will be fine now; I healed her completely with my healing dagger. She‘s just sleeping right now.” She made the dagger disappear. “Haru, will you stay and watch over her while I complete my next match?” She asked turning back towards Haru.
          “Of course, she’s my mate-to-be after all,” Haru said walking over to the bed and sat down next to her.
          “Very good,” Selena responded with a nod and a smile.
          “Shall we be off then mate; the next match will begin soon,” Doshi said ushering her closer to her door.
          “Yes mate, let’s be off.” She replied squinting her eyes in pain, not knowing that the dark crystal that was residing in her was taking its effect.
          “I wonder what’s wrong with Selena.” He asked himself as they headed to the arena.
          “Something’s wrong with mate. Can’t you sense it?” His beast asked him.
          “What do you mean something’s wrong with her?” He asked his beast.
          “Not sure my master, but keep your eye on her during her next match. For she grows weaker as she goes on. Must protect her.” His beast responded with a whine.
“I will my beast, nothing will happen to our mate I assure you,” Doshi replied to his beast as he closed the connection with his beast and continued on in silence with his mate watching her every move.

Chapter 8 The day of Competition number 1

           It’s the day of the first competition, and as the sun begins to rise, Selena begins to awaken. She gets up and starts getting ready for the long day ahead. She was dressed in a red-orange fighting kimono, with a baby blue juban underneath with the same colored sash tied around her waist. With her hair put into a high ponytail. After completing her morning ritual she went to check on her mother. When she saw she wasn’t in her chamber, she decides to go and wake up her sisters instead.
          Selena headed to Eris’s chamber first, and when she came to her door she could hear her inside already awake and getting ready for the day. She lifted her hand gently knock on her door.
          “Yes? I’m coming, be there in a sec.” Eris said from her side of the door, she finished up what she was doing and went to the door and opened it. “Oh hey, Selena, what’s up?” She was wearing a sea green hakama and haori, with a lilac-colored juban going underneath it with a white sash tied around her waist, with her hair put halfway up.
          “Oh nothing, just coming to see if you were up and ready for the day. Now that I see you are, I have to go and do the same for Sierra.” Selena said.
          “Alright, I’ll come with ya; I know how it is to wake up Sierra,” Eris said closing her door behind her.
          “Thanks.” She said nodding as they both turned and headed out of Eris’s wing.
          “So are you ready for the competition today sister?” Eris asked looking at her.
          “As ready as I’ll ever be I guess,” Selena replied.
          “That’s good, me too,” Eris replied as they kept walking in silence finally coming to Sierra’s wing.
          They went up to the door and Selena knocked. When Selena got no reply she opened the door and walked in to see Sierra still asleep in her bed.
          “Wake up Sierra. Today is the day.” Selena said as Eris opened her curtains.
          “Ugh, do I have to? I don’t wanna fight.” Sierra replies and covers her head with her covers.
          “Yes, you have to Sierra,” Selena said as she uncovers her head. “You know that.”
          “But why, I don’t want to fight,” Sierra said folding her arms.
          “Sierra, you have to, what happened to all the training that you did?” Eris said with a sigh.
          “I know, but even with all that training I did, how can you be so sure I won’t lose?” She said sitting up in her bed.
          “Sierra, we’re not saying that you are going to win or lose, we are just saying that you have to try. There’s no harm in that is there?” Selena said hoping to get her to see reason.
          “No, I guess not,” Sierra replied flipping the covers off herself.
          “Good, now get dressed so that we can go eat,” Eris said as they all heard her stomach growl.
          “Ok.” She said going into her bathing chamber and coming out in a white hakama and a light blue haori with a black sash tied about her waist. Her long blue/black hair was left loose to fall down her back.
          “Alright let’s go, I’m starving,” Eris said walking towards Sierra’s door.
          They all walked out the door and headed to the dining chamber, where their mother; lord and other guest were already seated.
         “Good morning girls, I hope you slept well.” Eien said as they sat down.
         “I know I did,” Sierra said.
         Selena sat down next to Doshi and her mother.
         “Good morning Doshi.” She said looking at him with a smile. “Good morning Kasumi.” She said looking at her mother with a smile.
         “Good morning,” Doshi replied as he looked at her.
         “Good morning Selena, sleep well?” Kasumi asked nodding.
         “Yes, I did. Thank you.” Selena replied.
         “That’s good; you needed all the sleep you could get,” Doshi said nudging her gently.
         “Yeah, that’s true.” She said giggling.
         “Ok girls, so are you three ready for the first competition, because I’m sure your brothers are?” Azume asked looking around at her daughters.
         “Sure.” “I guess so.” Came Eris and Sierra at the same time.
         When Selena didn’t answer she turned her eyes to her. She looked to be deep in thought.
         “What about you Selena?” She asked.
         “Yes mother, I’m ready as well,” Selena replied with a sigh.
          Feeling his mate’s anxiety he chimed in, “I am ready as well.” Doshi said from his seat grabbing Selena’s hand under the table to help calm her.
          When he grabbed her hand she looked to him and nodded her thanks, and with a wink and a smile from him, they both turned back to the conversation at hand.
          “Shall we eat then, because I’m sure you all are hungry?” Eien clapped his hands and the cooks brought out food to be served.
          After everyone got their food everyone began eating silently. After breakfast, Selena excuses herself from the table with Kasumi following after her and heads to her chamber.
          “Well this is it my pup, I hope you do well today,” Kasumi said putting an arm around her shoulder.
          “Yeah me too mother,” Selena said with a sigh.
          “I know you will be glorious my pup, just be confident and you shall win,” Kasumi said giving her a light squeeze.
          “Are you going to be there, or are you going back to fathers?” She asked looking at her mother.
          “I am going to meet him here; you shall see us both in the stands. Worry not pup if something goes wrong I will be there.” She said as she brings Selena into her embrace.
          “Thank you, mother. For everything.” Selena said hugging her mother fiercely.
          “It was my pleasure pup, now I must go meet up with your father, I shall be back soon,” Kasumi said as she pulled away from her pup and walked towards her door.
          “Alright be careful mother,” Selena said.
          “I will. Promise.” Kasumi said and turns and walks out of the chamber.
          Selena then, in turn, goes to get ready for a little training before the competition. She placed all of her weapons on her person in their proper places. Just when she was about to leave she feels Sierra coming towards her chamber and waits for her to knock. Suddenly she hears her small taps on her door and answers her sister.
         “Come in Sierra.” She said through the door.
         “Thanks,” Sierra said as she pushed the door open, walked in, and sat down in a chair. Sierra had on a light blue fighting kimono with a dark blue juban underneath. It was the same as Selena‘s but with her own personal symbol on it in silver.
         “So what do you wanna talk to me about?” Selena asked sitting on her bed while brushing out her hair looking at Sierra.
         “Um… I was wondering if you and I can go over some moves before the competition.” She asked with a light blush on her cheeks.
        “Sure, but haven’t you been training?” Selena asked.
        “I have but I just wanted to be at my best for the competition, and wanted you to help me,” Sierra replied.
        “That’s fine, let’s get going and see what you can do,” Selena said.
        “Ok,” Sierra said as they both rose from their spots and left Selena’s wing and headed to Selena’s training field.

~oOo~

         As they got closer to the spot where Selena’s training field was located, Sierra wondered where they were going and decided to ask, “Um Selena, where are we going?” She asked looking at her and then looked around.
         “You know where we’re going; we’re going to my training field,” Selena replied.
         “Oh so we’re going to yours I’ve never been in or seen yours before,” Sierra said excitedly as they approached closer to Selena’s training field.
         “You haven’t seen it before because I keep it hidden so others can’t see me training, and try to copy my moves,” Selena said as she stopped and turned to look at her. Not aware that she had someone following them. She was so focused on Sierra that she didn’t sense the persons following them.
          “Ok, then so where is it?” She asked looking around.
          “It’s right here silly,” Selena said with a wave of her arm and suddenly a barrier was dropped letting Sierra see her training field for the first time. Selena looked to her sister and giggled lightly at the look on her face and began walking into the field. When they were both inside Selena waved her arm again and the persons following them made a quick move into the field before the barrier was back in place. Suddenly the barrier was back in place preventing others from peeking into their training.
          What Selena didn’t realize was that she now had an audience her intended mate was off to the side getting ready to watch her and her sisters training.
           As they entered Selena’s training field Sierra looked on in amazement at the beautiful place they were going to be training in.
          “So, what shall we do first?” Sierra asked as she turned to look at her.
         “Well, I have to know what you can do first in order for me to determine where to start.” She replied tugging on her wrist band.
         “Ok, um…” She said as she stood thinking.
         “Oh come on Sierra. There has to be something that you can do.” Selena replied putting a hand on her waist.
         “Well I can do hand to hand, a little weapons fighting, and I learned a few spells,” Sierra said with a blush on her face.
         “That’s all, surely she made you train more for this. She knew how important it was for you to train." Selena sighed and shook her head. “I know I'm going to regret this later on, but I will train you myself before the competition starts."
         Sierra's eyes went wide at what her sister just said. She was going to train her and help her to be better. "You're serious? You're really going to help me train?
         Selena sighed once again and replied, "Yes Sierra I'm serious. I'm going to help train you to the best of my abilities so you can at least be prepared for the competition."
          "Ok then, what shall we start with first?" Sierra asked.
          “Well, what do you want help with the most?” Selena responded.
          “Everything.” She said blushing.
          “Sierra, I thought that’s what you were training to do while you were away?” She asked.
          “I know, and it was, it just wasn’t as much as I could have,” Sierra said back.
          “It’s ok. So then how do I go about training you?” Selena asked.
          “I don’t know.” She said growling in annoyance while putting her hands on her waist.
          “Hm… I know. How about I train you like I trained myself?” She said ignoring Sierra’s growling.
          “Will it help me get stronger?” she asked.
          “It will if you train with me long enough,” Selena said back.
          “Ok, what do I do first?” She asked.
          “Well let me see what you can do first before I train you any further.” She said getting into her fighting stance.
          “Ok.” She responded getting in her own stance.
          They begin to fight, but nearby Doshi was watching them as they began training.
          “She will make a wonderful mate. Look at how she helps pack to become stronger even if it would cost her the competition.” Doshi’s beast said.
          “Yes, she will make a fine mate, and eventually mother to our pups.” He said back to his beast.
          “That she will.” His beast said as Doshi was brought out of his thoughts by Sierra falling to the ground; he was soon joined by their brother Arion.
          “I knew it, I can’t do it,” Sierra said getting up on her knees and punched the ground.
          “Yes you can do it, now stand up!” She said in a commanding voice. “The first thing I noticed is that you need help on how to dodge and attack.”
          “And how do I do that?” Sierra asked putting her hand on her hip.
          “I’ll show you. Ok. Let’s say you are fighting against our brother Armon, and I’m him.              Let me see how you would dodge one of his attacks.” Selena said as she turned and walked a few distances away and got her claws ready.
          Doshi and Arion look on from the sides.
          “Hn…I wonder how those two got into my training field, and what my brother is doing here, he should be training with Armon. Oh well, might as well give them a good show.” She asked herself
          “Ok, but how do you know Armon’s attacks?” She asked.
          “I don’t know what his attacks are, but I discovered some of mine a long time ago when we trained together and they are almost the same as his,” Selena replied.
          “Oh…”
          “Ok, enough chitchat Sierra let’s do this.” She said as she raced towards her.
          “Wait, Selena, what are you doing?” Sierra said as she began to take a few steps back.
          She ran at Sierra, while she made her fire claws appear. Sierra tries to block Selena’s harsh attacks, but Selena hits her and she flies back, hitting the ground.
         “Selena calm down,” Sierra said jumping up quickly.
         “I won’t calm down Sierra, you need more training. You don’t know what our brothers will try on you, so you have to be prepared for anything they might try on you. I also said that my training would be tough on you, didn’t I?” Selena said.
        “Yes you did, but it’s just so hard. I just want the powers that you have; it would make this a lot easier.” Sierra said crossing her arms.
        “Sierra, I already told you that you can’t have the same powers as I do. You have mother and your father’s blood coercing throughout your body so you won’t have the same powers as I have, but maybe at the competition, you will really show me the extent of your powers.” Selena said putting both of her hands on her waist.
         “Hn... You can definitely count on that. I will show you my powers at the competition, and when we do go against each other, don’t hold back, come at me with all you’ve got. Ok.” Sierra said walking forward towards Selena.
         “Alright then. Do you still want to train some more?” Selena asked.
         “Yes, I want to be at my best for the competition,” Sierra responded with a quick nod.
         “All right then,” Selena said as she walks away from her sister and makes her nails grow again for another attack.
         When Selena turned around her eyes widened in surprise when Sierra also makes her nails grow. Sierra smirked at her and then both girls bolted towards each other to attack, and Sierra managed to strike Selena as they passed each other.
          “Wow, that was very good Sierra, you’ll be ready for the competition in no time,” Selena said turning around gripping her arm.
          “Do you really think so?” Sierra said as she stood there waiting watching her sister’s every move.
          “Yes I do, and for my next part of training you will be weapons training,” Selena said lowering her claws.
          “Weapons, oh man…” Sierra responded as she paled.
          “What’s wrong? When you were training on Adina, didn’t you train with any kind of weapon?” Selena asked.
          “My trainer and I briefly trained with a wooden sword, under mother’s orders. Why?” Sierra responded.
          “Man, that woman doesn’t expect you to win today does she?” She shakes her head again. “I’m asking because our brothers, Eris, and Doshi have different weapons, and you need to learn how to use one in case they use there’s.”
          “Oh ok,” Sierra said calmly.
          “For now we need to get you a real weapon to fight with during the first competition because in the second one no weapons will be allowed,” Selena said walking towards her.
          “Ok I understand that, but where are we going to get weapons at a time like this?” Sierra asked closing the gap between them.
          “I have a few that I can give you, and if you do well with my training you may keep them all if you like,” Selena said.
          “Really, that would be wonderful. What kind of weapons do you have?” She asked excitedly.
          “I have a sword, a whip, a dagger, and an iron circle that you may choose from for you to use,” Selena replied.
          “Hm…” Sierra sounded as she thought. When she came to an agreement with her beast she told her, her decision. 
          “Could I have the sword, whip, and dagger?” Sierra asked.
          “Fine choices Sierra. Yes, you may have them.” Selena said getting herself ready to call upon her weapons.
          “Where are we going to get them?” Sierra asked.
          “I can summon all that you need but the sword. That I will have to make for you.” Selena responded.
          “Make a sword? I didn’t know you could do that.” Sierra said wide-eyed.
          “Yes, I can. Would you like the sword first or you’re other weapons first?” She asked putting her hands together.
          “Whichever is easier for you sister,” Sierra said as she watched her sister.
          “Alright then,” Selena said as she closed her eyes and brought up her hands.
          Using her power she began forming a new blade for Sierra. Within a few heartbeats, her hand began tingling, and when she opened her eyes there was a perfect blade made just for her sister. She stared at in awe, and then glanced up at her sister and noticed the surprised look upon her face, and smiled.
          Not finished with the sword just yet she reaches into the sleeve of her top and pulls out a tiny shard of a jewel.
         “What’s the shard for sister?” Sierra asked.
         “Just watch,” Selena said bringing up the sword and the jewel to eye level.
         She used her powers once more to combine the shard with the sword. When the shard combined with the sword it began glowing. When the glowing died down there in her hands was a now completed sword for her sister to have and use throughout the competition.
          “Wow, how beautiful.” She said watching her sister with the sword in her hand. “Is that for me?” She asked walking over to see the sword.
          “Yes, Sierra. I had to use my power to create the sword, but it would only hold its shape in my hands only. So I had to use a shard of a special jewel so you would be able to use and hold it.” Selena replied with a nod and a smile handing it to her hilt first.
          “Thanks so much, sister. It’s so beautiful.” Sierra said holding up the sword.
          “No thanks necessary Sierra. Now for your other weapons.” Selena said as she brings her hands together again, but this time to summon the rest of Sierra’s weapons.
With another pulse of her powers, there suddenly on the ground was Sierra’s other weapons of choice the whip, a new sheathe for her sword, and dagger now lay at Sierra’s feet.
          “Wow, how do you keep doing that?” Sierra asked picking up the sheathe, putting her sword away in its new sheathe, and looked down at her new weapons.
          “Well with the power I have, I can do things like that. I can either summon weapons to my hands or create them for me to use.” Selena said as she bends down to the weapons, picks them up, and hands them to Sierra. “Here are the rest of your weapons. Use them well Sierra.”
          “Thank you, Selena, so very much,” Sierra said taking the weapons from her hands.
          “So what weapon should we train with first?” Selena asked as she watched her sister situate her weapons on her person.
          “All of them, if that’s ok with you?” She said as she finished putting her dagger in the place she wanted, and looked up at her.
          “Are you sure you can handle it?” Selena asked with a smirk.
          “Now I can. Yes.” Sierra said nodding.
          “Ok then let’s see whatcha got, sister,” Selena said backing away a bit and getting into a fighting position.
          Sierra did the same and they began fighting again this time with Sierra’s new form and new weapons.
          Selena saw Sierra coming towards her with her new sword. As she pulled her own sword from its sheath. Selena rushed in as their swords meet in midair.
          The power of both swords crackled in the sky as they both fought for dominance. It seemed that they were both evenly matched, as they pushed away from each other. They landed on the ground, each staring at their opponent, as they circled around each other, like a predator stalking his prey.
          Sierra, although was just practicing, was not about to let her sister beat her in battle, as she started to cast her spells to defeat her.
Selena felt when her feet were grabbed and she was unable to move to fight against her sister. Her chioki flared around her body trying to break the spell that held her. She saw Sierra coming towards her as she lashed out with her whip. Selena got her sister in the chest as she sent her backwards in pain. Selena then put her sword into the ground as she channeled her power into her sword to release her feet.
           Selena succeeded in getting free just in time to avoid another attack from Sierra. Selena the leaped towards Sierra as she noticed Sierra raising her own sword. Selena drew her sword forth as she connected with Sierra’s sword. The energy in both swords crackled as they fought each other in a display of strength.
           With a surge of strength, Selena pushed Sierra back as a wave of chioki came out of Selena’s sword. It impacted on Sierra as she was thrown back about 20 feet from her sister.
Just then Selena felt as her mother lowered the barrier to her training field and began walking towards them.
          “You are both training well together, but both of you could be a lot stronger. You Sierra” She said turning to her. “Even though you may not have the powers that Selena has you still need to work on how to defeat your opponent no matter how strong they may be. And you Selena.” She said turning toward her pup. “You are still doing fine, but with what I can see you still don’t have enough power to control your fathers’ blood. If you don’t learn how to control it, you could end up hurting yourself very badly.”
          “I understand, but how do I do that?” Selena asked her mother.
          “Well as I was watching you both train, it showed me that I need to teach you something other than what you’ve learned,” Kasumi said walking around the two girls.
          “And what’s that?” Sierra asked watching the female in front of her.
          “First before I get to that, we need to go to a special place that will slow down time so that we can train and heal before the competition starts.” Said Kasumi as she begins walking away.
          “Alright then let’s go,” Sierra said as both she and Selena walked behind the female leading them to her special spot to train.

~oOo~

           After a bit, Kasumi raised her hand and suddenly they appeared in this small field. Nearby Doshi and Arion continued to watch what was going on.
          “Alright we are here. Let’s begin.” Kasumi said turning to the girls.
          “Ok.” Said Sierra as Selena nodded in agreement.
          “Now as I was watching you both train, and it showed me that I need to teach you both how to bring out your full potential,” Kasumi said looking over at her pup.
          “So how do we do that?” Asked Selena.
          “There is a power deep within everyone that comes out when you want to protect. You can only access this power when you are protecting something that is dear to you.” Kasumi said as she paced back and forth looking at both girls.
          “But how do we do that?” Asked Sierra.
          “When you began training with me Selena, I never realized that I have neglected a certain portion of your training. In my lesson for the two of you, you will tap into this power or you will die trying. I will not let up on my attacks not even if you go down. If I have to hurt you to get you to release this power then so be it.” Kasumi said as she took out her sword, and got ready to attack.
          Selena looked at her mother like if she were crazy, and realized that she wasn’t when she started running towards them. Selena took out her sword and got ready to attack. She didn’t understand what her mother was talking about because no one bothered to teach her and because she had thought she did very well in her training.
          Selena was so deep in thought that she was not ready to defend herself when Kasumi came after her. She would have been hurt if she hadn’t come out of her thoughts when Sierra came and blocked Kasumi’s attack from hitting her. And in turn attacking Kasumi with an attack of her own.
         “Come on Selena, pay attention,” Sierra said looking back at Selena.
          Selena saw a flicker of movement out the corner of her eye as she put up a barrier to protect them both from the next attack. Selena got a smirk on her face as she turned and pulled out another of her swords, and ran towards her mother, with the barrier still up around Sierra. Their swords collided with each other in a test of strength, but to Selena’s surprise, her mother easily pushed her back.
          “Yes, very good Selena, keep it up,” Kasumi said as they pushed each other back and forth.
           Just then Kasumi disappeared from Selena’s sight, so she stood still and concentrated on her mother’s movement in order to find a possible weakness, but to no avail, she was too fast and out of the corner of her eye she sees Kasumi with her sword about to come down, but luckily she was now thinking clearly and dodged her attack.
Selena got a smirk on her face as she turned and put away one of her swords and stood ready for her mother‘s next attack. If she were to prove her worth she would have to defeat her mother.
           Kasumi saw the smirk on her pup's face, and smirked herself. Selena thought she was going to go easy on her but she was mistaken, Kasumi then lashed out with her lightning whip as Selena countered with her own fire one.
           This is what Sierra needed and charged in as Selena batted away her mother’s attack and she rushed in. Their swords met for the first time in a test of strength. But to Sierra’s surprise the woman easily pushed her back.
           “Very good, keep going,” Kasumi said breaking the contact off with Sierra.
Selena noticed that her mother was a lot stronger today, she saw her mother’s sword come down again as she moved with speed to avoid the blade.
           “Good Selena, you are improving greatly, now we need a target,” Kasumi said as she snapped her fingers and looked around the field.
           “Wait, what target?” Asked Selena while looking around in confusion.
           “There…” Kasumi said and just then a fake image of Eris appeared on the field, and she takes off towards her.
           “Wait Kasumi what are you doing? Sierra stay here…” Selena said taking off after her mother.
             As Selena ran after her mother to get to Eris, she used her powers to quickly make a new sword and increased her speed to get to Eris, finally coming to standing in-between Eris and her mother.
            Just then Kasumi sent a volley of lightning bolts from her claws towards them. Selena moved with speeds not even her mother knew she possessed trying to attack in hopes of protecting Eris with her own attack. But then Kasumi took her chance and turned her attack on Eris.
            The fake Eris was completely caught off guard as she saw Kasumi coming towards her, and erected a barrier to protect herself, but to no avail Kasumi broke through her barrier with her sword with a simple swipe hitting the fake Eris with such force that she went flying through the air, landing on her back.
            “No Eris!” Selena and Sierra said as one as Selena raced towards Eris.
             The fake Eris was on the ground gasping for air after getting the air knocked out of her. She was struggling to get up before Kasumi would attack her again. Selena saw that her mother had intended to attack Eris again, her eyes started to bleed red as power that she never felt before started to rise within her. It came up quickly as she moved faster to get to Eris blocking her mother’s attack with her own. Selena then quickly jumped over Kasumi and stood in front of Eris to protect her as Eris healed herself just as Kasumi came at Selena exchanging blows with her.
             “That’s it Selena. Let me see it. Let it out.” Kasumi said while still attacking.
             Sierra noticed that Selena’s aura had nearly doubled in size, as she was still fighting with Kasumi, so now it was her turn to see if Kasumi could handle herself so she ran at her.
               Kasumi was caught off guard when she noticed Sierra coming at her to protect her sisters. As Sierra continued to race towards Kasumi she pulled out her other sword ready to attack her.
             Still fighting with Selena, Kasumi knew Sierra was coming closer so she erected a barrier and when Sierra got close enough to the barrier, Kasumi got the break she needed to attack Selena with her own blades.
           “So you wanna attack me do you, Sierra, let’s see what you’ve got,” Kasumi said looking back at her and breaking away from Selena.
            They started to go around in a circle, trying to find an opening in their opponents’ defenses so they could attack. Sierra moved in and swung her sword to attack and Kasumi countered, blocking her sword, but as quickly as she attacked Selena came in fast an attacked with her own blade.
          “You are both doing well but not good enough.” Kasumi said as she looked at Selena and noticed her eyes were blood red with rage and pressed on. She broke away from the girls and headed towards Eris once more.
          “This time you won’t succeed in getting to Eris,” Selena said in her chaiura voice as she raced after her mother.
          She raced with speed towards her mother and Eris, just as her mother was about to hit Eris with her sword, Selena came up to her side and blocked her attack from hitting Eris.            Kasumi now noticed that her pups’ aura had nearly doubled in size. She had never seen such power coming from her before. She was now protecting both her sisters from getting hurt.
          Just then with one final blow, Selena sent her mother flying across the field finally landing on the ground, Selena jumped at her quickly before she got up, and pinned her to the ground with her sword to her throat declaring Selena and Sierra the winners. Kasumi snapped her fingers once more and the fake Eris disappeared.
          “Selena that’s enough,” Kasumi barked at her pup to release her. “Let me up this instant!”
          “I will not, you’ll hurt sister, won’t allow you to do so again.” Selena’s beast growled out for her.
          “Pup you will release me or I will really show you who the dominate one is here,” Kasumi growled back and released her chioki over the area to show she was displeased with her pup.
          “Selena let her up. The fight is over.” Sierra said pleading with her sister.
          “If you let her up she could hurt your sister again do you want that?” Miyuki asked her as she growled again at her mother, and in turn, her mother noticed the change in her eyes indicating she was conflicting with her beast.
           “No Miyuki I don’t, but if you don’t back down, we will really be in trouble.” She said to her beast.
           “Oh come now, she can’t be all that strong.” Said her beast.
           “She is that strong can’t you sense that, now be silent.” She said to her beast and then focused on her mother beneath her. “I will release you if you promise you won’t hurt Eris.”
          “Selena, Eris was never here.” Responded Kasumi.
          “What? What do you mean?” Selena said cocking her head to the side in confusion.
          “Let me go and I’ll prove it to you,” Kasumi said as she waited for her pup to release her.
           Selena released her mother and her eyes returned to normal, “What just happened? Where is Eris?” Selena asked standing with her mother.
          “Selena, Eris was only a decoy for you and your sister to release your inner strength, she was never here. And I am very impressed with you Selena, you have done well. Do you both now understand what I was telling you about your inner strength?” Kasumi said brushing off her clothing.
           “Yes, I see now… I am sorry I attacked you mother.” She said telepathically to her mother.
           “There was no harm done my pup, in fact, it was expected of you to do so.” She said back to reassure her pup.
           “Thanks for the lesson, my lady. So what shall we do before the competition starts?” Sierra said.
          “Let us go wash up, and then you two can continue to get ready for it.” Kasumi said as she began walking away.
          “Alright,” Sierra said as she and her sister fell in step behind Kasumi.
          “Let’s be off then,” Kasumi said as she led the girls out of the space.
           As the three of them left the space they were training in they all turned and headed to get washed up, while Arion and Doshi watched in amazement, on how well they were training with each other.
          “Wow, I can’t believe how powerful Selena has become. She even went as far as helping Sierra transform, and finding her inner strength.” Doshi said in amazement.
          “I agree. She won’t be easy to beat.” Responded Arion as he nodded in agreement.  “But I’m sure you won’t have any problems with her.”
          “I don’t know what you mean,” Doshi said with a light blush.
          “Oh I think you do. I’ve seen the two of you, she loves you, and that’s not an easy thing for her. We both know how hard it was for her growing up. The question is do you love her?” Arion asked as he turned to Doshi.
          “How? How did you know?” Doshi said wide-eyed.
          “Mother said that we were no longer related and I just put the pieces together, and also you wouldn’t be here now if you weren‘t in love with her,” Arion said as he turned to look out onto the field.
          “You’re right I do. I love her with all my heart, and wish to make her my mate.” Replied Doshi as he too looked onto the field.
          “I can tell you do, and I can see that you are going to have trouble dominating her so I am going to help you out,” Arion said.
          “Really, how?” Doshi responded.
          “Are you attending the competition, or are you still fighting in it?” Asked Arion.
          “I am still fighting in the competition,” Doshi replied.
          “Good that will give you more time to watch her matches more closely. When Selena and I go against each other I want you to watch our match very closely. She does have a weakness, and she will show it then. I can’t reveal to you what that weakness is, but you will see it.” Arion said as they both looked up to see the three women coming back onto the field.
          “Wow, she really is something isn’t she Arion?” Said Doshi with pride in his voice.
          “Yes she is Doshi. Well, I’ve got to get back with Armon so we can train some more before the competition. Remember what I told you, and you will win your prize.” He said rising from his spot.
          “I will thanks. You just be ready for Selena.” Doshi said as he stood as well.
          “Oh, I will be. See ya later.” Arion said as he quietly turned and left Selena’s barrier undetected, and headed back to Creeus to finish up training with his brother.
          “See ya.” Doshi said.
After a second glance at his mate-to-be once more Doshi headed out of Selena’s barrier undetected and went to change for the competition.

~oOo~

           Now on Creeus Arion enters the field where Armon was still training.
          “Where have you been, we need to finish training? The competition is in a few hours.” Armon demanded as he walked towards him.
          “I was watching our sisters train for the competition.” Arion replied.
          “So how are they, are they stronger than the last time we trained with them?” Armon asked.
          “Yes, they definitely are. All but Eris I’ve seen so far has transformed, so with that there powers have increased as well.” Arion nodded.
          “Well, then we better get back to training so we can beat them.” Armon said as he started to walk away.
          “Yeah let’s get back to it,” Arion said agreeing with him and moved into a spot to prepare for his brother’s attack.

~oOo~

           Back on Ainashiko Selena is now in deep conversation with her beast.
          “My lady, our brother just left.” Her beast said.
          “Yeah, I sensed it as soon as he left my barrier.” Selena replied back.
          “Are you not afraid of what he might tell our other brother about the way you fight?” Asked her beast.
         “Sierra, let’s take a break a second.” Selena said calling out to her.
 “Ok.” Sierra said as she goes to sit down, and began meditating.
          Selena walks away a bit, sat on the ground, and began meditating so she can concentrate better on what Chloe was saying. Soon she was in a grassy field with Miyuki beside her.
          “Ok Miyuki, why should I be afraid that he saw us training?” Selena asked her beast as she sat down.
          “Not your sister my lady, it was you he was coming to watch train.” Said her beast as she sat beside her.
          “Why would he only come to see me?” Selena asked
          “Because my lady, you are the biggest threat to all of them, even if you have a weakness.” Said Selena’s beast.
          “A weakness, I have no weakness or at least none that I know of.” Selena snapped not really meaning too.
          “But you do my lady, you don’t realize it when you’re fighting, but I sense it, and I can help you.” Miyuki said looking at her lady.
          “You can, how?” Asked Selena.
          “Just trust me my lady and no one will know of your weakness,” Miyuki said nudging her neck.
          “Alright I trust you, just don’t let me down Miyuki,” Selena said leaning her head on top of Chloe’s shoulder.
           “You have my word, my lady.” Her beast replied as Selena came out of her meditation and walks over to Sierra.
          “You ok there Sierra?” Selena asked bending down next to her.
          “I’m fine just resting a bit.” Sierra said nodding her thanks.
          “Ok girls, I’m going to drop the barrier, and let you finish your training. I have something else I need to get done.” Kasumi said walking up to the two girls.
          “Alright, thanks.” Sierra said.
          “Yes, Thanks Kasumi.” Selena said nodding to her mother.
          “It was my pleasure girls.” Kasumi looks at her pup once more nods, turns, and walks off.
          “There’s something I don’t understand Sierra, you have done so well, so why did you wanna train with me?” Selena asked.
           “Oh, I just wanted to spend time with you before the competitions start. I also wanted to be at my best before then, and knew you could help me.” Sierra replied smiling and standing from her spot.
           “Ah ok.” Selena replied.
           “When we do go against each other, don’t hold back ok. Come at me with all you’ve got. I wanna see your true power.” Sierra said walking up closer to her sister.
           “I will, I promise you. You just remember to do your best in all your fights.” Selena said closing the gap between them.
           “I will just let's go out there and do our very best ok.” Sierra said holding out her hand for her sister to take.
           “Yes, we will.” Selena said as they grab hands, and begin walking walk back to their quarters to get ready.