Realm of Myths and Legends (WN)

...

A few moments ago...

Sychia rapidly approached Luxia undetected.

Not too long ago, one of the celestials in the group used an ability known as Disconnecting Light. This allowed Sychia and her group to blend in with their surroundings as the light around them was manipulated in such a way that it fooled one's natural senses. But, just this much alone was not enough to hide their presence.

In order to erase their breath, the Celestial of Stride, Tox, used something called Stride of the Specter.

With the two abilities working in unison, along with the black lake that obstructed one's sense of smell, the group was able to successfully sneak up on Luxia and the others.

Sychia was surprised that one of the celestials did not wait for the signal to attack; however, it ultimately worked in their favor.

"With this, there will be nowhere left to run," Luxia stated.

A cold look flashed through Sychia's eyes as she drew the sword at her side, causing a storm of cherry blossoms to flow outward from the sheath.

"Good," Sychia said as she arrived behind Luxia.

"?!"

When Sychia's voice entered Luxia's ears, a brief look of shock showed on the fifth princess' face. But, the shock was soon replaced by a heartless gaze.

The next moment, a wave of cherry blossoms washed over Sychia and Luxia.

During that small window of time when everyone was focused on the Celestial of Ripples, Kyamakri, after dealing with the rain of arrows shot by Tox, Sychia managed to catch Luxia off guard and isolated her from the others.

...

Sychia stood face to face with the princess of the fifth great clan.

The Thousand Blossom Maiden had succeeded in separating Luxia from her companions; however, that much was the easy part.

The two were surrounded by a dome of cherry blossoms that thoroughly blocked the outside view. The ground itself was also covered in a layer of cherry blossoms.

The area was neither too large nor too small and spanned roughly twenty meters in diameter. But, for someone like Luxia, a magic-user that thrived when it came to long-range combat, such a change in venue was far from ideal.

"My, you look much healthier than when we last crossed paths. You were in such a hurry to run away last time that I failed to give you a proper send-off. Seeing as how you returned to me of your own accord--it delights me." Luxia said as she presented herself in a friendly manner.

"Do you never tire of putting on such a facade? There is no one else but the two of us present. My Thousand Blossom Blanket ensures that no one can interfere with us. Is this not what you wished for, Luxia?" Sychia responded as she tried to maintain her calm demeanor.

Looking at Luxia smiling and presenting herself with a friendly attitude caused Sychia's stomach to turn.

She was one of the few individuals who knew Luxia's true personality. A woman with a twisted heart who would use others as she pleased before tossing them aside when their use had run its course.

At one point, Sychia truly did see Luxia as a close friend that she could confide in; however, that time had been long forgotten.

"..."

Luxia fell silent for a few seconds as the smile on her face vanished.

"Ah... I really can't stand you, after all. You're like a bug that won't die no matter how many times I squash you under my feet. Sorry, I'll apologize to the bug for comparing it to someone worth less than dirt like you. No, I take it back. Even dirt has a purpose in this world. But, you--your existence is an eyesore. Can't you just hurry up and drop dead already?" Luxia's attitude took a full turn as a look of disdain formed on her face.

"...That's it. That's more like you, Luxia." Sychia stated as she remained unmoved by Luxia's words.

"Hey, are you an idiot? Why did you come here just to die? What? Don't tell me that you think you can kill me just because you trapped me here. I'll laugh, you know? Or, perhaps--do you want to be friends again, Sy?" Luxia commented.

"Silence! I do not want to hear that name leaving such a foul mouth!" Sychia glared.

Luxia giggled and replied, "I see. I am no longer allowed to say that name. Well, it's fine. Ah, but, Sy--you really shouldn't give a magic-user time to set up their spells."

Rmmmmble!

Suddenly, the earth beneath Sychia's feet trembled as the cherry blossoms on the ground swirled energetically.

The following moment, a dozen vines emerged from the ground that swiftly closed in one Sychia's position.

Each vine possessed sharp tips like the head of a spear.

Swoosh!

Sychia leaped into the air and flipped backward to evade the vines. But, the moment her feet touched the ground, a large tree emerged.

In the blink of an eye, several thick branches rushed out of the tree's trunk and wrapped around Sychia, pulling her into the tree and sealing her movements.

Luxia approached the tree and looked up at the helpless Thousand Blossom Maiden.

"Do not blame me for being merciless. Blame yourself for being born in the wrong generation, Sy." Luxia said as she snapped her fingers.

Phhhtk! Phhhtk!

Sharp spikes that resembled the thorns of a rose protruded out of the thick branches that locked Sychia in place, skewering her from every angle. Simultaneously, an array of flowers bloomed around the thick branches.

"Nature Magic: Exquisite Inflorescence Display."

During their brief exchange of words, Luxia set up several magic spells all throughout the cherry blossom dome. Why would she wait until they finished speaking to make her move? Even more so when she was already at a disadvantage.

Still, Luxia expected Sychia to at least put up somewhat more of a fight. She could not help but feel somewhat disappointed.

"Hm? Why hasn't it disappeared yet?" Luxia internalized as she frowned.

Despite Sychia's defeat, the cherry blossom dome was still functioning.

However, it did not take long for Luxia to get her answer.

All of a sudden, Sychia, who had been impaled by her attack, turned into a mass of cherry blossoms!

"?!" Luxia's eyes widened in shock. A clone--it was actually a clone!

"Impossible! How can a mere clone exude a lifeforce strong enough to deceive my Mind of Nature?!" Luxia thought to herself.

Luxia's Mind of Nature could detect the lifeforce of anything as long as it was within her line of sight. However, Luxia did not notice the slightest change from when Sychia swapped her real body with a realistic clone!

Phhhhtk!

Out of nowhere, Luxia's felt her entire body jerk forward. Her gaze drifted downward as she a thin blade protruding from the center of her chest.

Luxia opened her mouth as if to speak; however, she coughed up a mouth full of blood.

"...Y...ou...!" Luxia uttered.

"I told you--I do not want to hear that name leaving such a foul mouth." Sychia's voice sounded from behind Luxia as she held the sword that was driven in the fifth princess' back!

The blade of the thin sword started to disintegrate and transform into the petals of cherry blossoms.

These cherry blossoms circled around Luxia and started to stick to her one by one in quick succession.

In the blink of an eye, the cherry blossoms covered the fifth princess from head to toe.

"Blossom Sword Fourth Outlook: Peak Spring Blossom Festival."

After encompassing Luxia entirely, the cherry blossoms scattered in every direction, leaving nothing behind before raining down from above.

The scene mirrored that of a cherry blossom festival during their blooming season.

Sychia released a sigh of relief as the blade of her sword returned to normal and she placed it in her sheath.

However, Sychia did not seem pleased with the outcome as her eyes landed on a cracked forest green orb on the ground where Luxia stood just moments ago.

"To think she would send one of her three main bodies to this Secret Realm instead of coming in person. She is still just as cautious as I remember." Sychia said to herself as she furrowed her brows.

"Regardless, since I destroyed one of her main bodies, the backlash she receives will not be small. With this... There is no longer any hope of reconciling..." A saddened look flashed through Sychia's eyes.

In the end, she was once close to Luxia and a part of her secretly wished that those days could return. However, after nearly experiencing death, Sychia had been given a wake-up call.

If there was someone who wanted to scheme to claim her life, then she would not go down without a fight!

...

Sometime before Sychia's fight reached its conclusion...

"Was it you who liberated me?" Hakros asked as he looked directly into Izroth's eyes.

"That's right," Izroth replied nonchalantly as he met Hakros' gaze without backing down in the slightest.

Hakros narrowed his eyes as he sized up Izroth. He did not pay much attention to him back at the Moonlit Dove Garden and merely dismissed him as one of Zouren's lackey.

"Tch... to think that bastard would directly seal my consciousness instead of fighting me head-on..! What Heaven's Strength? I'll be sure to repay that coward for wasting my time!" Hakros snarled as he averted his gaze and removed the chains on his body, dropping them to the ground.

"Anyway, I guess I owe you. One time, anytime, anywhere--I'll lend you a hand. All you have to do is say my name and I'll be there." Hakros stated.