Chapter 14

          Meanwhile, Selena and Doshi are joined by Kasumi in the hall leading to Selena’s chambers.
          “Selena, are you ok?” Kasumi said as they continued walking towards Selena’s chambers
          “Yes I’m ok mother, just very tired is all?” Selena said as she looked at her mother with a small smile and stopped as they reached Selena’s chambers.
          “I could only imagine after a fight like that. Will you be ok for your next battle?” Kasumi asked as she opened the door for Doshi and Selena.
          “I will be fine after I get cleaned up, thank you,” Selena said smiling at her mother, and then let Doshi lead her into her chambers to get cleaned up.   
          “Alright, I’ll accept that for now, just know that your father and I are very proud of you.” She said as she stood by the door and watched her pup. “I’m going back to the stands to tell your father about your progress.
          “Ok thanks, momma,” Selena said as she watched her mother leave her chamber, and then went further into her chamber.
          “Selena are you sure you’re ok Koi?” Doshi asked as he helped her to sit on her sofa.
          “I’m fine my sweet,” Selena replied after a few minutes as she got up off her sofa and started pacing back and forth.
          As Selena is pacing Doshi instantly notices a change in Selena’s scent and wondered what was wrong for her scent to change that quickly.
         “Koi what’s wrong?” He asked while watching her continue to walk back and forth.
         Selena stopped her pacing and looked at him as she said, “Eris let up in battle, she was never that easy to defeat.” She finished as she began pacing again.
         “What do you mean?” Doshi asked sighing
         “I’m not really sure myself, but it’s just that when she and I spar together, she would always give me a good fight and sometimes even win. I don’t know why she let up in battle and let me win.” She said as she stopped pacing to sit next to Doshi.
         “I didn’t see anything wrong with the fight Selena. You won because of your talents alone, not because she let up. Now don’t worry about it anymore.” Doshi said putting an arm around her to bring her close
         “I guess your right, Doshi,” Selena said leaning her head on his shoulder.
         “Now let’s get you cleaned up for your next battle. Then I’m sure you’ll feel a lot better.” Doshi said helping Selena to stand.
         Selena nodded and let Doshi help her get ready for her next battle. When they were done they headed to the arena and waited for her mother to announce the next battle. Having the feeling that it was his time to fight Selena, he quickly went to the stands to talk with his adopted father and sat down.
         “Hn…” Doshi sounded as he sat down.
         “What’s wrong Doshi? I can tell you are worried about something.” Atomus said as he watched Doshi.
         “Something seems wrong with Selena, and I don’t know what it is,” Doshi replied as he looked at where Selena was.
         “Why would you say that?” Atomus asked as he too looked at where Selena was.
         “Well while we were in her chambers she became mad that Eris didn’t fight at her true potential. Then her scent changed quickly." He replied.
         “I’ve noticed that as well, but what was that about her scent? What kind of a scent change?” Atomus asked with a raised brow.
         “Well, it was like she had two scents. One of which was hers, but the other I couldn’t identify.” Doshi replied with a frown marring his handsome face.
         “I noticed that too as we brought her to her chambers,” Kasumi replied as she looked at Doshi.
         The king sighed and shook his head before saying, “I was afraid of that. I’m just glad her mother hasn’t sensed it yet.”
         “Why what’s wrong?” Doshi asked worriedly.
         “Remember the first time Selena transformed?” Atomus continued.
         “Yes I do, I was one of the persons that helped her transform,” Doshi replied.
         “Well since then she hasn’t had enough training with the sword I gave her, I’m afraid that the power of the sword is getting to her.” He said.
         “What will happen to her?” Kasumi asked looking up at her mate.
         “Well if she doesn’t keep control she will lose herself and will lose the competition,” Atomus said with another sigh.
         “Then we must take the sword away from her,” Kasumi said wide-eyed.
         “No, I’m afraid we can’t take the sword away from her if we do she may kill us instead. Her beast has already bonded with the sword, and may take it as a threat if we take it from her.” Atomus said with a shake of his head.
         “Then how do we help her?” Doshi asked as he looked at Selena and notice her glowing, and wondered why her father hasn’t noticed yet.
         “Unfortunately we can’t help her; she must learn to control the power of the sword herself,” Atomus replied.
         “Well, I hope she will pull through,” Doshi said standing.
         “She will. She’s strong and we all have faith in her.” Kasumi said as she looked at Doshi as he stood.
         “Thanks, well I must be going. It seems that it will be my turn to battle Selena next.” Just as Doshi finished he watched as Lord Eien stood to address the crowd.
         “Ladies and Gentleman the start of the next battle is about to begin. Will Lady Selena and Lord Doshi please enter the arena!
         Doshi walked out of the stands and entered the arena from the male’s side. Then the crowd cheered as they entered the arena to eventually meet in the middle to await the start of the match.
          “Are you ready for this Koi?” Doshi asked Selena telepathically.
          “I’m more than ready my sweet,” Selena replied and then stopped the connection with him just as the queen’s headman came to stand before them.
          “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?” Asked the headman as he walked up to the pair on the field.
          “Yes.” Came the reply from both of them.
          “Alright then ready…” He raises his arm “Set… fight…” He finished as he brought down his arm when a gong sounded.
          “So are you ready Selena?” He asked out loud as he watched her aura darken around her.
          “I have been ready since I started this competition,” Selena replied with a shake of her head. She was trying to clear her head of the voices that were telling her to kill her beloved.
          “Hn…” He sounded to himself as he sniffed the air and watched her. “I wonder what’s wrong with her? She’s different than before.” Doshi asked himself not knowing Selena had heard him.
          “Nothing is wrong with me Doshi. Now are we going to stand around and chat, or are we going to fight?” Selena asked watching him closely.
          “Selena, you are not yourself, what has happened to you?” Doshi asked as he saw her beginning to struggle with herself.
          Selena didn’t know what was wrong. Suddenly her beast took over without her transforming. Selena tried to call her back but was shut out of her beasts' mind.
          “I’m in no mood for your games Doshi, come at me and fight.” Selena’s beast growled out to Doshi.
          Doshi’s eyes widened in surprise at Selena. Her beast was taking over and she hadn’t transformed. He stood straight to his full height and said, “I will figure out what is wrong with you Selena.”
          “Just shut up and fight.” Growled Miyuki as she lunged for him with a speed that surprised him. He jumped to the side dodging her attack and drew his sword intending to bring it down across her back, but stopped before it actually met her flesh he did not want to hurt her before he knew what was wrong with her. But to his surprise Selena did something unexpected, she bent her body backward and caught his sword between her own swords.
          “How did you do that?” Doshi asked more than a little shocked. “And when did you draw your weapons?”
          “Maybe you should pay a little more attention, ne?” Miyuki answered with a grin as her foot swept out under him trying to get him off balance, but he jumped out of the way and landed in an offensive position.
          “Damn, what’s wrong with her, I can’t figure it out,” Doshi asked himself, but that’s when he noticed it, her eyes had gone cold, and noticed the sword that lay in her hands was glowing an eerie grey, and his eyes widened in surprise. He would have to get her beast to back down first before he could help his mate.
          “Ah, Doshi has figured it out,” Atomus said as he and his mate continued watching the pair on the field.
          “Miyuki, you must let Selena take control so she can gain control of her powers,” Doshi called out to her from his position on the field.
          “What do you mean? I have total control over our powers.” Miyuki said and just for an instant second Selena regained her control and her eyes flashed back to normal, giving Doshi what he needed to win his competition.
          “I’m telling you Miyuki, if Selena doesn’t control your powers you will end up losing,” Doshi said.
          “I will not lose.” Selena’s beast said growling.
          “Then come at me Miyuki and I will prove my point,” Doshi said motioning her with his fingers.
          “Fine.” Selena’s beast said as she lunged at Doshi with her sword and he countered with grabbing her wrist and flinging her into a nearby wall ushering a grunt from Selena on contact. Selena stood and ran at him, dropping down and spinning her leg out tripping him to the ground; she then backflipped into a standing position and lunged at his fallen body but he jumped up just before her sword hit the ground.
          “How are you doing this Doshi?” Miyuki asked slightly out of breath.
          “Why what’s wrong Miyuki? You’re not feeling tired already are you?” Doshi asked with a smirk.
          “Not even close,” Miyuki said while breathing hard, not noticing that her lady was losing strength fast because of the dark crystal draining her powers.
          She was about to lunge at him once more when she was stopped by a voice in her head, and Doshi stopped to see what was going to happen.
          “Miyuki, you must back down and let me take control Chandrahas has put bad things in our head. Please. Don’t kill our mate.” Selena pleaded with her beast.
          “Miyuki use Selena’s body with the power of the black crystal and you will win,” Chandrahas said to counter Selena herself.
          “Chandrahas I already told you I won’t use any black crystal, I don’t need it.” Selena countered for Miyuki.
          “Miyuki if you don’t use Selena’s body as well as the crystal’s power he may kill you instead.” Chandrahas countered.
          “Selena be strong my pup. Take control of your body and don’t let Chandrahas take control of you.” Atomus said telepathically to her.
          “Miyuki, that’s it. I’m taking control of my body and I won’t let you or Chandrahas take control of me, especially not with any crystal.” Selena spoke out as she began to take over her body.
          "Don’t be so sure about that.” Chandrahas countered as Selena started to glow an eerie dark glow, and she knelt on one knee.
          “Selena…No!!!!” Doshi, Atomus, and Kasumi said as one.
           King Atomus quickly rose from his seat as he said telepathically to Selena, “Selena, you must be strong. Take control of your powers, you can do it.”
          “Yes…” Selena now partially in control growled loudly while clenching her fists drawing blood.
          “Selena my Koi you must take control,” Doshi growled out softly.
         Just then, there was a while light surrounding Selena. She was taking control of her powers as well as her body. She stood up when she felt her own energy returning to her, but she screamed out in pain as she forced the evil power of the sword from her body, and knelt on the ground exhausted.
          “Selena?” Doshi said kneeling next to her and putting a hand on her shoulder.
          “It’s ok my Koi…” She replied with shortness of breath. “Thanks to you Miyuki will be subdued for a while. Now let’s do this battle the right way.” Selena stood up and sheaths Chandrahas, and draws her other sword.
          “Finally… Come at me then Koi and show me what you’ve got.” Doshi said as he got into his stance.
          “That’s my girl,” Atomus said as he sat back down and relaxed.
          Selena noticed a change in his stance and how his eyes became clearer and more focused. Neither of them notices their father watching in awe as the match continued with Selena now in control.
          Selena lunged at Doshi with her newly formed sword, his own attack coming towards her catching her off guards and sends Selena flying back across the arena. Selena leaped into the air as her sword clashed with Doshi’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. Doshi was thrown back from a powerful punch that Selena released.
          He quickly ran at her and dropped to the ground spinning his leg out tripping her. She then quickly got up and backflipped into a standing position and lunged at him, but he jumped back avoiding her attack. Disappearing from sight Doshi quickly made it next to Selena’s side, and Selena’s head snapped to the side just in time to be punched in the jaw and sent sprawling yet again onto the ground.
          “Wow Selena, I never knew you had it in you,” Doshi said with a playful smirk.
          “You have yet to see my full powers, Doshi,” Selena said holding her side.
          "Ok fine then, this time I won’t go easy on you,” Doshi said getting into a stance.
          “Take it easy on me? Please I know you can do better than that.” She countered with her own smirk. She stood tall, spat blood from her mouth, and wiped the corner with a chuckle as Doshi looked on calm and collected on the outside.
          “Hn… This is no time to be laughing koi.” He said circling her.
          “Oh, why not Doshi? Do I intimidate you that much?” Selena said watching him circling herself.
          “Not at all. It’s you who should be intimidated.” Doshi said lunging at her.
          Selena’s power rose quickly as she quickly transformed and said, “If that’s the way you want it Doshi then so be it.” She held up her sword as he came closer and shouted, “Ryudokuken!”
          Doshi slid to a halt and fired his own attack back at Selena. As soon as Doshi let his attack fly that’s when Selena disappeared and appeared behind him, but as she suspected of him he tried to jump behind her to catch her off guard, and that did no good as he was about to bring his sword down to cut Selena when she grabbed his hand and flung him across the arena. Just as he was getting up, Miyuki quickly took over and with the last of Selena’s strength, Miyuki jumped and flipped behind him once again before he could even blink, held her sword up, and stabbed him in the back killing him.
           “Miyuki what have you done?” Selena screamed out as her powers spread out into the crowd and Miyuki receded from her own mind to fall silent. She walked carefully over to her intended and knelt before him. With the entire crowd watching to see what was going to happen.
          With a tear dripping from her face, she used her powers and formed her healing dagger, like she had done to her other siblings. “Doshi… I’m sorry my love.” She said as she brought her dagger down across his chest to heal him. She fell back on her heels and dropped her eyes to the ground in front of her. She knew that she was no longer able to look upon him for doing what she had done.
          Suddenly there was a bright light surrounding him when the light died down Doshi slowly opened his eyes to see his mate with her head bowed and her bangs covering her eyes silently crying to herself. Doshi’s heart went out to his mate, she was getting more powerful as the matches went on and it was taking everything she had to control her powers as well as her beast.
          He got up from where he was lying to a kneeling position before his mate and silently called out to her, “Selena?” When she didn’t respond to his call he tried once more, “Selena my Koi look at me.” Doshi said with a little more force. When she finally lifted her head he smiled at her and said so only she could hear him, “Finally… you had me worried for a few minutes there. Are you alright?”
          “I… I mate…” She started but he stopped her.
          “Mate I know what happened and I don’t blame you one bit for it. Miyuki is now beginning to get more powerful as you do. I will stand by you so that you may become strong enough to control her and your powers to come.” He said softly while inching closer to her. “With my word as your mate to be I am not mad that you won this fight. I am glad that you won because you have given me the chance I need to finally claim you as mine when all this is done.” Doshi finished as he watched her reaction.
          “Thank you mate for everything…” She said as they both stood and turned towards the Queen and the lord.
          “Very good match Selena and you as well Doshi.” Said the lord as everyone in the arena cheered.
          The pair on the field nodded and then turned to rest up before Selena’s next match.
          “Ladies and gentlemen, we will have a 30-minute interlude and the next battle will begin soon after.” The Lord said to the crowd.