Kaori & Samira: Bringing Light to the Shadows - Private

Continuation Of:

Songs Collide: Ice Part 1
Songs Collide: Bloodfire Part 2
Songs Collide: Soulsmoke Part 3
Songs Collide: Shadow Part 4
Songs Collide: Requiem Part 5

The task of visiting all of the phoenix shrines had been completed. Finally. If Samira could go back in time and prevent the idea of even visiting them from appearing in her mind she would have. Some good had come out of it, but she still worried over the bad. She just had to trust that Kaori would be healed and recover, and in time maybe she could visit without Kaori mixing her up with that awful false version that had been created by the Soulsmoke phoenix. That had been her plan, after all. Samira would head back to Hargeon and return to her normal business, avoiding the ships on the docks that she knew belonged to her friend. They never ran into each other on a normal basis so it would not have been hard to remain in the same town. If that changed, Samira herself would just leave for some excavation project to force that needed distance.

Samira stepped out of the Wakusei portal building just in time to see Ikuchi slammed into and carried through the air in a fashion that resulted in quite the ungraceful landing. "So, he kept her after all," she said quietly to herself as she placed her left hand on its corresponding hip and watched the two of them roll with the comedic end of her being on top with her breasts on his face. They seemed to get along well considering he didn't seem to mind the overdone tackle. The identity of the angel was still fresh for it had not been all that long since the arena matches, and there was no way she could forget that Gabriella was someone Ikuchi had actually picked out as a prize. Samira remembered feeling slightly jealous back then due to how that entire night played out, but at that moment she felt nothing. She had no right to feel anything.

Samira had begun making her way over to them when a large ship materialized, and from it a crying Charlotte. Her heart instantly sank as the possibility that Kaori's treatment was not going well became realized. That would of been the only reason for her to be in such a state and away from her summoner's side willingly. Her pace quickened enough so that she had caught parts of the conversation. They couldn't contact Kaori? A spirit should always be able to make some form of contact unless they were purposely being blocked out as she herself had done before. Kaori was never known to do that, and it was a trait that had harshly been pointed out back when dealing with the Shadow phoenix. Samira's eyes narrowed as her worries grew. Something was wrong.

'I know what you are thinking, but no. The celestial world is a big place so we can't actually track down her spirits and see what is going on from there. If it's as dire as it seems they wouldn't stick around up here anyway.' Susano's voice entered Samira's mind. The unsettling feeling he had felt earlier had grown, and it seemed he would have to be the cautious one between his summoner and himself. He could feel how Samira worried and it resulted in him worrying that she would do something completely stupid. 'Stay cautious, and whatever happens know that we are here. Do not shut us out again no matter what you are feeling.'

The summoner quickly got on the ship as the others did, well, all aside from Gabriella who went after the books. Priorities. The ship teleported to the guild hall and as soon as she was off she ran as fast as she could across the bridge and through the entrance. For some reason it seemed nearly abandoned. Normally it was a lively place with other wizards making their way around the castle, but now it seemed everyone was gone, as if they were escaping something they couldn't handle. She took a turn once inside and began to head towards the medical area when a large steel fist came flying towards her, slammed into her stomach, and remained there to keep her pinned to the wall. To say it hurt was an understatement. She was not accustomed to being treated so roughly and the only sounds she could get out were ones of pain and whimpers before the spirit materialized himself fully. "Uggh...Iron..Fist?" Clearly he had not been informed of what really happened. That or he saw it the same way as Ikuchi had, only he was less merciful about it. Either way she was in trouble.

'Dammit! I was hoping if one acted like a rabid animal it wouldn't be the zodiac!' Susano could actually feel the pain of his summoner now and was about to summon himself rather than be called in order to save her even if he was technically weaker than Aquarius. There was some luck as another larger spirit appeared and sent Iron Fist flying, removing his fist from Samira's stomach in the process. She landed on all fours and with gasps of pain clutched onto her stomach with her right hand. Samira recognized the larger spirit and it seemed he at least knew some information since he was actually helping her rather than assisting Iron Fist. She pushed her free hand against the nearby wall and began to use its surface to force herself up. "Nurs...room six..fourth."

'Floor. Are you sure you can make it?'

"It could have been worse." The hit still pained her as she moved but she was moving nonetheless. She could have stayed there and let it be someone else's problem, remained on the sidelines as she usually did. This was something she had to see for herself though and therefore she could not be idle. She could not allow herself to be the cause of pain again!

Step by step she came closer to the medical area, and as she got near a cracked wall it exploded and two of the ninja warrior's spirits flew through and became surrounded by darkness. She looked through to see the room was in total chaos and in pieces. But that was not the sight that made her heart sink into deeper despair. The woman that was inside took the shape of her friend, but she was twisted into some creature of darkness. It leaked from her very being and she could tell Kaori had lost her mind. Did she really cause that much darkness to enter her heart? Even her weapons no longer had the white glow of light but instead had a blackness to them as if they were weapons forged for agents of darkness. "Kaori?"

'I'm going to go with no. Get out of there! Now! You can't fight her in an enclosed space like that! Get outside the guild hall!'

"But..."

Susano could already feel Samira not wishing to harm her friend if it wasn't necessary. She wasn't a fighter and normally disapproved of it if another action could be taken. That current moment was not one of those times. As a celestial spirit he could feel the absence of light, and if any remained it was buried deep within. There would be no reasoning with Kaori as she was now. 'GET OUT OF THERE NOW!' He didn't even care that Ikuchi was there to assist if need be. He wasn't sure how the beast would react to seeing his master in such a way and he was not going to rely on him to keep his summoner safe. Her best chance was changing the battlefield.

Samira jumped at Susano's yell and left the room, trying to make a break for it. In that room Kaori would cut her to pieces. She needed room to run and evade and room for her spirits to do their work without ending up like Scarlet and Jediniah.

(Word Count: 1313)

At the feeling of being pulled from her attempted escape, Samira gave a high pitched yelp before finding herself thrown out of a nearby window. Shards of glass cut through her clothing and skin and as she descended from the fourth floor an explosion came from the room she had been in previously. She had caught a glimpse of Ikuchi coming from it just before he vanished and reappeared in time to catch her before she hit the ground.

'Not really what I had in mind...' Susano would have to give him some credit for actually keeping some sense of sanity and actually caught the girl before she made impact upon the ground. Not like they would of allowed it to end in such a way anyway, but still, a tiny bit of credit.

There was no time to even regain her breath as Kaori came from the room up above towards her, the end result of barely being blocked by her own servant and pushed back. She stood still with her hand over her heart as she watched the scene unfold in front of her. Tears began to form and trickle down her cheeks as she listened to the conversation. Kaori had really thought those closest to her had betrayed her. She was one thing since she had no real attachments other than being a friend. Friendships often came to an end, even the closest of ones. However, for her to think Ikuchi would do such a thing or even her spirits was unbelievable. Kaori really was losing to the darkness that had taken root inside her is she came to such conclusions. Even though her body was right there her soul was getting farther away, sinking and being swallowed by the darkness Samira had created.

Then came the words she had been afraid of hearing ever since his personality changed when dealing with her. Her breath paused when she heard them, as a greater stab had been made towards her than the time at the shrines. Before he had just been attacking her pride, but now it was her heart that had become a target, however unintentional. "Des...pise?" Deep down she had expected it, but at the same time she couldn't believe it. It was too hard to hear that final truth. More tears fell as the world around her disappeared. She grabbed onto the sides of her head hard and fell to her knees. A voice played in her head as it seemed time slowed down. Not the familiar and kind voice of one of her spirits, but rather Ikuchi's. Several statements played like a mixed tape, going from their first meeting to that very place in time.

"Greetings Lady Nassar. My master did not tell me she would be inviting nobility..." "Master, I know what weapon I desire..." "Nonsense. Her beauty and adorableness would level any army who dares..." "I- I.. also... healed you... a bit..." "A fine woman with a strong heart, and a powerful hand- as well as a very beautiful face..." "But she'd make an invaluable member for our crew! Not only does she look comfortable to snuggle, she's intelligent enough to.." "Had I believed you were the one spouting those vile words, I would have killed you..." "She's nothing more than a human, and a stupid one at that..." "She's an abysmal wizard even compared to lady Lareci..." "I despise that woman!" "Despise that woman!" "Despise!" "Despise!" "Despise!" "Despise!"

The voice that seemed to get stuck on the word like an old record was forcibly blown away from Samira's mental space thanks to Susano, who had grown quite annoyed with hearing it. 'What the actual hell?! That's suffocating! Is that really what happens while we are shut out?'

'He...hates me. Always has. I do not understand.'

If Susano could have been seen rather than just being a voice she would of seen him rolling his eyes. Instead all she heard was a sigh. 'I do not know if he always hated you, but right now you will have to accept it for what it is. He mocked you for your pride, but I sense the demon of envy within him, and I do not think he realizes this. If he does his bloodline would not allow him to care. He is going to hate whatever and whoever gains more attention and affection than himself. You have gained a type of love from his master he has not.'

'Love?'

'One that is higher in scale than that of friendship. Consider the beast's words. His master has changed her ways for you, became more human for you. She has allowed herself to have a weakness even with the many battles that come in her future. Did you not see how she nearly died against one of the phoenixes because she let her guard down even for a false version of you? Or did your petty anger at the time blind you completely? She has protected and watched over you, put off her duty as a clan leader momentarily just for you, and had trusted you enough to be not only in the same room as herself but the same bed. I can hear now how she thinks you would never love her. I cannot speak on the romantic end but I do know you take your friendship with her seriously. There is a love there that she needs to see. Are you really going to sit there and get depressed over some stupid beast you barely even know?! Who deserves your attention more?! The woman that has become a dear friend and has shown her true face to you when so few will ever see a glimpse of it, or the animal that does not know anything about what it means to be human?!"

'Kaori...'

'He had even said she is more of a monster than he is except when she is with you, as if you were a poison that is corroding the side of her he wishes for her to keep. Is that what you want?! To allow him to influence her now with such words?! For her to always be a monster?! She is no such thing! Monsters do not, and will never, have such light. She is a human that has gone through hell but still finds a way to keep her heart. It had been protected by the demonic wall she surrounded it with, but you had broken that wall. Only you can break it again! Do not allow her heart to be sealed forever!'

'But...I...'

The world that had surrounded her came back into focus as her mind came back to reality. The feeling from the white particles and energy had brought her out of her case of mental instability. She felt the love and hope that came from it, and with it she understood Kaori's feelings for her. Samira braced herself for the collision of the two energy attacks and with the force everyone was sent back. She had been saved due to a barrier Ikuchi had formed around her and himself, but when it came down her eyes widened slightly as she watched the insane Kaori stab him and then proceeded to kick him aside as if he were garbage. "Ikuchi..." she muttered as she looked at him as he landed. Her eyes then closed and reopened in narrowed form as she turned her focus on Kaori. Susano had been right. Kaori was the important one and should be the focus. She needed to be saved. The summoner stood up, ready to face what remained of her friend.

"I am sorry, Kaori, for everything." Samira said with some pain in her voice after she noticed the hazel color of one of her eyes still remained. Her friend was not completely lost. She grabbed two keys as she spoke and prepared to call forth the spirits they were linked to. "I do not want to fight you, but I will do what is required of me..." The hand that held two keys raised above her. "So I can save you!" The hand with the keys then slashed down, opening two portals that connected to the celestial realm. "Open gates of Destruction and Winter! Kali! Skadi!" One spirit was one that distrusted Kaori a great deal, but she was one of the more mobile and experienced ones when it came to melee combat. The other Samira knew placed a lot of trust with Kaori and also had a desire to save her. She knew the winter spirit would go all out in order to make it happen.

"You will need these, foolish girl," Kali told Samira almost venomously as she tossed the Chakrams and dagger at her. Along the way they had gotten misplaced and ported back to the celestial world due to them having been crafted there. Kali prepared herself while wielding her typical two scimitar and trident, held by three of her hands while the fourth remained free. Skadi held onto a spear coated in ice and along her hip the sheath of a sword was attached with the weapon still inside. Samira now held a chakram within each hand with her star dagger placed on the other hip that did not have her keychain. Due to the unpredictable nature Kaori had originally, and sure as hell had now, the spirits remained near their summoner, and all waited for her to make the first move.

(Word Count: 2892)

Original MP: 120 (+10 from UA, +10 from 2 strong+ weapons)
Current MP: 95

"This be great battle worthy of honor," Skadi commented as the two other spirits took their place beside them. It was a fight to save someone dear to her summoner, and it would be a battle where they all had to work together to do it. Trails of ice and snow leaked behind her as she got ready to move and the winter wind that came from her body had the sound of howling wolves.

Kali remained silent at first, distrusting even of the spirits that had come to their aid and finding Skadi's words to be annoying. Honor was not something she cared about. Sating her bloodlust and growing combat rage was all she cared about aside from Samira's protection. That foolish girl of a summoner. She was making her soft. As much as she wanted to fight and beat that ninja woman down she would not be able to bring herself to end it in head cutting fashion.

The battle began as the larger spirit and more cutesy one took charge and attacked their own summoner. Kali charged forward as one of the clones came in her direction. The clone had jumped up and naturally the spirit raised her gaze to keep up with the target. Her two scimitars were raised above her with the obvious first reaction of blocking, but then she saw it turn into one larger weapon covered in black flame which caused her to second guess her original course of action. She jumped back, allowing the attack to hit nothing but air. The clone quickly recovered and came for her again to which she responded by lashing forward with her scimitars in an X shape in an attempt to block any incoming attacks while her trident would be positioned above her to take a downward stab if/when the two beings collided. If it worked the way she planned it and had the clone momentarily pinned then her free arm would be used to grab it and toss it away from her.

Skadi had prepared to go into the battle to aid Kali but she found one clone that had already picked her as an opponent. "I had gift picked out. I will fight you so I can give. Would be waste otherwise." The wolves that were heard within the chilly air her body gave off then appeared from the snow and ice particles that flowed in the air surrounding her form. Three of them there were and very mist like as if they had no solid form. Skadi held her ice spear vertically and then tapped the bottom end of it on the ground. A large and cold blast of ice and snow erupted as the wolves took full form and leapt from their spot behind their master to attack the Kaori clone. All three would have jumped one at a time, aiming to take a bite out of the clone before disappearing or destroyed. Regardless of the status of the wolves Skadi would have leapt up into the air and raised her spear that would aim downward as she descended as a fourth attack.

Samira did not let herself be distracted by how the battle was going with the spirits of both sides. She tried to focus her mind and remain alert for any of the clones that came at her. The lava hawk then came, destroying four of them, probably it too having sensed what had been going on and that his master was not well. That left one, the one that went for her. She barely dodged it as it quickly came for her and she stumbled and tripped over herself as she did so. The blade the clone held shattered the ground as it made impact, surprising Samira that so much power was behind it. There was no holding back for the insane version of her friend. The comparison between their skills was obvious. Kaori, even unstable, had such force and skill, whereas the summoner couldn't even dodge properly. That fact would not stop her though. Samira swallowed and pushed back the fear that was coursing through her as she quickly got on her feet and started to run to get some form of distance. Close up combat Kaori had too much advantage. One of the chakrams was thrown in the clone's direction, locking on with its cheat-like ability that had been blessed upon it during its creation. It would not stop going for the clone unless parried or if it vanished from range. The other chakram Samira held tightly and prepared to use it to block and attack close up if the clone made it that far. The first chakram would return to her whether it made impact or not, allowing her to add it into her close up swings and parries.

Celestial World:

Jing Wei was still doing her duties as a contract keeper regardless of what was going on in the mortal realm. The contracts of all summoners didn't just stop being a thing because her own was in trouble, after all! She could have been more worried considering, but she had faith in the rest of them to be used well before herself. They were all available for Samira to summon unlike before. She had been going through a massive pile of neatly piled scrolls when someone very unexpected approached. Her eyes nearly popped out of her skull and her jaw dropped. Iron Fist may not of been the original Aquarius but she knew who he was all the same. That was one of the perks of being a contract keeper. Her reaction would of been nearly identical to Serqet's, only more respectful and dignified considering she had a little more of a business approach and cared about her reputation, unlike the often carefree and silly venom spirit. She took the conversation starter seriously and smiled nervously. He was even more scary than Susano. "No scene then." Jing Wei replied while laughing nervously for fear the entire place would be under the ocean if she did. That was far too much paperwork to get back. "What brings you here? Zodiacs don't really tend to waste time here."

Jing Wei then frowned at the question. Samira did have light spirits listed for the future, but at that moment she didn't have any active contracts with one. "I am not really supposed to..." The tone of his voice scared her more and images of the building being lost forever appeared in her mind. All of that paperwork! Lost! The horror of having to redo them all was too much! "I...think I can make an exception," she said, laughing nervously once more. Her hand waved in the air and one of the scrolls that had been on the large pile lifted and floated to her. She opened it and allowed her eyes to read the names on it. "Lets see, death, no. War..nope. Time...definitely not. Sun, close but..." Jing Wei then stopped as the word sun seemed to click in her head. "Oh, you want Amaterasu. She's known as The Shining Light in our set. I think she's having a meeting right now with some of the others. You'll find her at some ancient shrine not far from here."

Elsewhere in the Celestial World:

Once Iron Fist found the shrine he would notice a few figures standing in a circle with quite the distance between each other. The shrine was one Amaterasu often visited and blessed and as such the place was practically glowing in a radiant light. Any other spirit would likely find it hard to see, but due to his power as a zodiac Iron Fist likely would of been fine making his way through the light without much trouble. The area was pure, having no sense of darkness. The air even though still and quiet was filled with love and joy, a trait she had been known to pass onto others in the past.

"It is clear. She will not survive long enough," said one spirit, glowing with the power of the sun and in the form of a bird of flame. He was not in his true form as he desired not to be so when in those sorts of meetings.

"She is weak, but her heart is strong. Our lesser brethren can handle it. She will prevail this day. If not, then Isis was mistaken, which is outside the realm of reality," another spirit said, this time a woman donned in armor of greek origin and a pair of large angelic wings on her back. "Do not presume to make conclusions before the battle has reached its end. Have wisdom, my friend."

"The heart may be strong, but the light still remains to be seen. Her path has been set for her by us, but the obstacles she faces are of her own making. Survive she may, to die is another possibility. She is close, but not there. The bonds of love and friendship are being tested. She only need pass and our strength will be hers to wield as she wishes. My brother will know when the time is right." Amaterasu would then turn, sensing Iron Fist's approach if he did not make his appearance obvious. "Aquarius," she would say bluntly, his identity being rather obvious to her due to the powerful aura he had around him. She would not have the same reaction as those that acted as if he were a celebrity. He was a spirit like any other and protected his summoner no matter the circumstances. "What brings you to my realm? Have you finally calmed yourself? The celestial oceans have been moving furiously during your stay in the mortal realm." Amaterasu was the sister of Susano, and like him came from a Midi origin. She wore battle armor that radiated her natural light and even though she seemed calm and a pacifist she was known to purge the world of any darkness that would harm those that were weak in heart and spirit.

(Word Count: 1674)
Total So Far: 4566)

Back In The Celestial World:

The three spirits made no attacks as Aquarius came in with his massive amount of water. He would of been welcomed to talk peacefully if his take action personality was not so strong as to lead him to the action of bringing a lake all the way to the shrine. The sun spirit in bird form was hit by a waterfall, creating a large amount of steam before the spirit had enough and completely disappeared, deciding to leave the shrine until the chaotic zodiac spirit left. The greek angel spirit was left with no choice but to remain in the waterfall made just for her, preventing her movement.

Amaterasu just stared at Aquarius with a blank expression. The contract floated over to her to which she put her hand over it and allowed it to raise from the ground and into her hand. She heard the demand, and as the zodiac spirit disappeared the water from the bubble that surrounded the shrine released over the two spirits that remained. "So, that's a no then," she said, almost amused by what transpired as she moved her wet locks from her face.

The sun spirit re-appeared, this time in his true form of a mix of man and hawk. "He disgraces his position."

"His actions are far too rash. He could have come without the glorified entrance and exit." The greek spirit said as she stood up and flapped her wings to rid them of the water that still remained on them.

Amaterasu could hear the countdown, which only amused her further. "Chronos."

As his name was spoken a blue skinned spirit that seemed to also be made as if he were some sort of clock mechanism materialized. "Yes, Amaterasu?"

The light spirit could hear the countdown get near its end but no amount of worry showed on her face. "Samira's key for you is in that very hall. You should be able to go there regardless of your key not having a contract. Take Poseidon and He Bo with you. You know what to do." She then turned to her other two spirit companions. "It would seem our recent guest wants me to break tradition and make a contract. What is your vote?"

"The pride and strength of her ancestors runs strong in her blood. I will allow her to pass her test."

"She has already shown wisdom by learning from her mistakes, and has shown courage by facing her fears and now even her friend. She has passed mine. Your vote is all that remains. Our contracts will be signed with yours."

Back In The Real World:

Skadi's eyes narrowed slightly as the Kaori clone grabbed onto her with such strength. She was not a physically weak spirit and yet the mortal woman nearly surpassed her own. If allowed to grow stronger she truly would of had the strength of a god. She had just begun to make a counter attack when she felt the sharpness of a blade run through her body. "Such power..." Then the explosion happened, taking the two clones and Skadi with it as she disappeared into several snowy particles.

Kali hissed as the clone she had thrown split into even more Kaoris. The girl was spreading like a cluster of roaches. Still, while annoyed, the spirit took no issue with it. Multiple targets was something she was good against. Her inner power activated and through it her attack speed greatly increased. Even though she was completely surrounded she was able to parry and cut through the clones with speed and weapons. Some of the strikes against her met their mark due to them being just as quick as her, but her number of opponents was decreasing. The clone that came for her lung was hit with a swing of her blade, but as she turned to strike the one that came for her stomach she found she was a split second too slow to counter the attack. The clone's weapon had run through her stomach just as her blade came to a stop along its neck. The demonic looking spirit smirked, seeming almost pleased with the result even though it was her lost. "Nice hit," she began to say with a tone of respect. Then it quickly twisted back into her normal pissed off self. "But I am taking you with me!" Her free arm grabbed onto the clone's hand that was attached to the weapon within her stomach and pulled it in, making a stab with all three of her weapons before disappearing to the celestial realm to recover.

Short cries of pain came from Samira as she was first hit in her stomach and then once again in her collar bone. Her weapons dropped as the attacks knocked her off balance and was then hit with even more martial art type of attacks. "That is...not..true," she managed to get out in pieces between her cries of pain from each hit. Eventually she managed to stop one of the hits by grabbing onto Kaori's arm with both of her hands. "No one hates you! We are all trying to save you even now! I know some part of the real you is still in there so stop and listen!" Her words seemed to have no effect as Kaori just effortlessly made another hit against the summoner that had latched onto her. Samira was hit once again with enough force that made some distance between the two. Now her whole body throbbing with great physical pain, Samira watched as Kaori aimed a bow in her direction, equipped with an arrow of growing darkness. "STOP!" And then as the arrow was released at her, and Ikuchi had made his own moves and got back into the fight, time came to a stop.

Amaterasu materialized at the top of the castle where Aquarius was, but kept some distance between herself and him. He had a very reckless nature and was quite unpredictable, so showing up there rather than do as he had told her to do likely would not have sat well with him. Aquarius would see that time all around had come to a complete stop, even his waters as Poseidon and He Bo worked to keep them at bay. The zodiac spirit was powerful, yes, but even his power could not last against the teamwork of a time spirit and two water spirits. She likely would be getting in trouble for making such a move, but not anymore so than the zodiac himself. "I did not come here to fight you," Amaterasu said bluntly just to get it out of the way. "Tell me, Aquarius," she begun to start her sentence as the contract scroll was lifted before her form in display. "Why should I listen to your request?" Yes, he had heard right. Amaterasu took his grand entrance, exit, as well as threat as nothing more than a request rather than a demand and promise to do what he would if it was not met. "Any spirit that fell in fright of your display of power would be too weak of heart to save your summoner. Is that really what you wanted?"

Amaterasu kept her gaze on him and if he had tried to attack at any time she would simply vanish and reappear elsewhere, much like the ways of the ninja clans of Midi. The funny thing about the situation is that if he had been more polite to begin with she probably would of aided in the situation without all the trouble. Now instead of looking for a reason to make an early contract that satisfied her, she was looking for some form of a please. She needed to see that he believed his summoner was worth saving besides throwing tantrums and using his power for gain. Through all the spirits of the celestial realm, the ones of light were the more stubborn and persistent. If they allowed themselves to concede over a simple threat and demand then there would only be darkness for no light spirit would ever claim victory. Amaterasu had no fear for him nor his power.

(Word Count: 1358
Total So Far: 5924)

Amaterau listened to Aquarius's words as well as read the last paragraph of his contract with a blank expression. The contracts contends were harsh and definite, and as a spirit he was obligated to act on it without regard to how he felt. Most spirits would of declined such conditions and the fact he was still fulfilling it proved his resolve. There would be no talking him down from his course of action. He would rather see his summoner and others die than break his contract with her. The power increase, his final words, and even going so far as to find her within the celestial realm and practically order her to make an early contract in the hopes Samira could restore Kaori told her all that she needed to know. He wanted Kaori stopped, he was out of all other options besides the last resort. "So shall it be." Amaterasu then vanished from the top of the castle with only her voice remaining. "Fear not, Aquarius, I will not allow you to kill her this day."

The waters now could only be stopped completely by Aquarius himself, she knew that. Her time now was little and so she had ordered Chronos to increase the rate of time around herself while also keeping the combatants below in their stopped state. She needed time to make Samira face her test regardless of the intentions of Aquarius. What he seemed to not understand was that not just anyone could handle her power. If their heart contained darkness her light would eat them away inside and as such would not be able to wield the power that comes from using her. Samira still had that darkness and had yet to truly confront it. She would be killing her summoner the very moment she was summoned, meaning both lives would of been lost to more than just the rising tides. It was a tragedy she did not want.

The time stop surrounding Samira stopped, having been freed from it on purpose so that what was to soon transpire could take place. She blinked her eyes in a confused manner as she noticed no one or anything was moving, including the arrow. 'Sister...' She heard Susano comment within her mind as he felt her presence. It was the last thing she heard from him before his aura disappeared from her mental state and the world around her became dark, leaving her to stand alone in a pit of blackness. "Susano?" Samira took a few steps back, unsure of what was going on or even what to do. Her mind wasn't being blocked by her so he should of still been there, but she felt no trace of him.

A cloned version of her then appeared several feet in front of her, its body having a cloak of darkness around it. "Do not lie to yourself. You wanted this to happen. Kaori should pay for not being able to tell the difference between you and the trick of that phoenix. Just desserts. Summon Janus and leave. You have that option. Your life is more important than theirs."

Samira narrowed her eyes at the clone of herself as she heard the words. "That is not true! I never wanted this! And I am not leaving here until I can save Kaori."

"But you cannot. You are too weak. Just look how she treated you as a rag doll, used your spirits and even her allies as targets for her weapons, and even right now demands you die by her hand. That love spoken about before does not really exist. You are a monster just as she is and monsters cannot be loved."

"No...I am not weak...I am not a monster."

The clone then approached and placed a hand on Samira's cheek and stared at her eyes. "But you are." The clone's other hand then jammed its way harshly through her chest and into her heart, which caused a smoke of darkness to leak from it. "You see? There is no light there."

Samira's eyes widened as she felt the pain from the action as well as saw what her heart contained. The clone removed its hand from her chest to then place both hands onto the sides of Samira's head, causing voices to play that would lead to another mental breakdown. The summoner shoved the clone away before kneeling down onto her knees and clutching the sides of her head. The torment of the shadow phoenix, Ikuchi's harsh words at the shrines as well as the ones spoken at the guild hall, Iron Fist blaming her for what happened to Kaori, the words her clone had spoken towards Kaori, even the conversation she had with the man that had gotten trapped in the Ancient Ruins with her course of action allowing him to die slowly, all of it played and eventually became a swarm of repeated loops that drowned one another. Her head felt as if it were about to explode. "H-help. Spirits." None had come to remove the voices. They had abandoned her and she was alone to face the torment. The voices began to be too much and she snapped. "STOOOOOPPPPP!"

A silence then fell and the clone version of herself disappeared. A feeling of kindness and love then washed over her and a more soothing voice began to speak, one she had become accustomed to hearing during her adventures thus far. "Rest, Sammy. We won't let anything harm you." It was a voice clip from back when Kaori had allowed her to rest against her during the ride to the phoenix Soulsmoke shrine. She had remembered the feelings that were passed onto her that time, the feeling of being safe and the trust that came with it. Then more voice clips played since the time they had met to the current timeline.

"A lack of experience isn't equal to a lack of ability, and it certainly doesn't mean you're useless..." "And... I've never had a sleep over, so I wanted to try one and you were the first person to come to mind..." "Mister Fluffles is my most loyal clansman! He was with me when I was just two years old..." "Oyasumi, Sammy..." "Sammy!" "You're lucky I like you, I normally charge for favors..." "It's so soft, and cute, and OOOOHHH IT'S STILL A BABY!" "See? It looks cute, and now your hair won't get messy from riding!" "Sammy..." The happy giggles she had heard before also played and it caused Samira to tear up when she recalled how twisted Kaori had become. There would be no more of that, she was gone.

"I know you're not the strongest fighter but believe in the power of your heart and your body will inherit that power." The advice that was given to her during their first mission played and it had been something she never paid much attention to back then. The power of one's heart did not make sense to her at the time or even before all the chaos of current events started. Now she understood part of how Kaori's power worked. Her friend fought for those around her, protecting them even if she herself suffered. There was always love and passion in her power that she could feel time and time again with each battle she had witnessed. Her light was so strong underneath it all, and it sickened Samira to think people ever called her a monster. She had to somehow tap into that same power in order to save her friend.

A cloned version of Kaori materialized before her, unmasked and glowing with a radiant light. She smiled and then knelt down with her arm outstretched, allowing Samira to grab onto her hand to be pulled up. "Believe in the power of your heart and your body will inherit that power." The advice from before played again. Samira lowered her hands from her head and silently stared at the clone. She knew it was not real, but her heart surged with the desire for it to be so. Samira had wanted her friend to return to the way she was, and not remain as the lost soulless monster she was now. The clone blinked at the hesitation and frowned, but the smile returned as she tilted her head and giggled, waving her outstretched arm insistently for Samira to grab hold. Slowly the summoner raised her own hand and clasped onto the one offered to her. A white light pulsed from the touch and soon the world of darkness had exploded into a wondrous light that took over the entirety of the endless void. The darkness of her own heart had been purged as she now trusted the power it was capable of and the light that had been locked away inside from distrust, fear, and pride. "You have passed."

The time stop came to an end, allowing all combatants to move once more. They would however be interrupted as a large surge of light erupted from Samira and spread through the area in a bright radiance that could of blinded any normal person looking at it. Any clones that remained would have vanished, as the light would turn them to dust due to the darkness they were made from. The arrow would also be destroyed, and it was possible the real Kaori and Ikuchi would feel the force behind the explosion, dropping their time barriers if they were caught off guard.

When the eruption of light came to an end and the scenery became normal once more, there stood a full healed Samira but different. She glowed with a soft white light and even her clothes had changed to a type of red and white kimono that would of been commonly found in Midi. Amaterasu was not present fully but her form would shimmer into existence every moment or so. It was Samira's battle, not her own, and she had no place to fight it for her. What she had done was allowed Samira to make use of her power on her own. The summoner had the power required to use any of her spirits' power for herself, but due to her locked away heart and mind she was never able to use it fully. Now, with the barrier lifted, she could.

In her hands was a sword that also shone with light and purity. It was a weapon she had little experience in but she had Amaterasu's strength and experience with her. A new type of determination and resolve showed clearly within Samira's eyes. There was no longer any fear of Kaori's darkness or of the thought of losing her further. She was going to bring her back and there was no question about it. "I am not going to let you fall to darkness, Kaori. You are not a monster and never were." The sword she held then raised so that it was held vertically in front of her face in preparation to face her friend once more. "I will save you. I promise you..."