Something to Fight For

(Shattered Dusk Guild)

There are shouts and crashs outside the building... The war with Koma Inu had begun.

Samarra Inari has already taken out many Dark mages but the Elitest members are still fighting strong. But without help the Dark Guild will be wiped out by the legendary Flash Tactician. Crowley rests on his throne with Nova standing at his right side, prepared to fight anyone who makes it up the tower.

"Sir."

"Yes, my sweet?"

"Do not call me that."

"I shall call you as I please," he replies menacingly," now what is it, kitten?"

Nova internally shudders but continues on as if unfazed," We are falling back. Our mages weren't prepared for Inari to be on the front lines."

"What?!" he shouts,"We will not be defeated by that wench! Demolish her, along with her weak 'family'."

"Yes, sir."

"And do hurry back, love."

Nova has no response as she walks to the window, gauges the distance, and slides out. She lands many stories below, the ground near her blasting away with sheer force.

Where is she...

Within seconds Nova locks eyes with Samarra. The redhead grips her sword and all in her guild part, making a path for her. No one is willing to get in the path of the Demon. With a composed appearence both females drawn their swords. Dark Vision radiants what lies under Nova's facade: rage. Inari on the other hand is the vision of a leader... calm, in charge, and ready to pay them back for attacking Ahneybeth. At the same time they step forward and launch off at speeds no one else can track. They land at each others startpoints and turn. Noa touches her side where Samarra gave her a warning hit with the flat of her blade.

"Is Nova outmatched? Could she really have missed? Is she-"

"I didn't miss." Nova states. Thats when they see the small scrape across the other woman's shoulder. Nova had made a thin slice, barely breaking skin and giving just as much of a warning. "I'm not here to play guild master. I will aim to kill and no less. And trap attacks will be no use on me. I'm faster than your throws. This fight will not be easy."

"I look forward to the challenge, but unfortunately I cannot hold back. Attacking my guild, my family, that is a mistake you will pay for." Inari responds.

"Try me."

With the they take off again. Metal slams against metal, a crash resounding into the town. The fight is between their swords only. Samarra is more expierenced and much stronger but Nova is a dirty fighter. When the two smash swords again neither one is willing to step away first. Nova's feet dig back into the ground and her hold begins to slip. Not willing to lose, she bashes her elbow into Inari's face. She reels away and Nova takes that time to regain her footing. They go back in again, Inari's nose slightly dripping blood but with a vicious look in her eyes. It's a dance between their blades until again Nova begins getting pinned down.

"Requip."

Inari lightly hops away as the other girl's sword becomes two. Unfazed she runs back at her.

"Why. Is someone. Like you in. A. Dark. Guild?" Inari gets out between sword clashes.

"Not your business, woman. You're just another scum from the upperclass."

"Scum from the upperclass? What happened to you that you would assume-"

"What happened? What happened?! People like you! I know who you are! People like you shunned me! I was a six year old girl. Do you know what it's like to have no memory of anything... at six?!" Nova's swings become wilder and Inari works on wearing her out. "No memory, no money, starved, and living on the streets! You ask what drove me to Darkness? You and the rest of that damn town." Nova's practically screaming, the fire in her eyes rages and is only blurred by the presence of tears.

Inari drops to the ground, takes out Nova's feet, and stands with her sword at Nova's torso.

"I can't make right what happened in your past, but sometimes it's better to let the hardships shape you and then let them go. Right now you have created something deeply wrapped in Darkness and hatred. I believe you can still break free of that and mold yourself into the bright, strong mage that walks with the light. You believe that Shattered Dusk has given you a second chance but in reality you are still running down the path of your childhood. Please, allow us a second chance. At Koma Inu we value our loved ones above all and accept anyone, no matter their past."

Nova looks genuinely moved as she whispers,"Anyone? No matter the evil they've done?"

"Anyone." Samarra says with a smile. She lowers her sword and offers her hand to Nova. As soon as she's up Nova locks her hand around Inari's wrist and her eyes swirl with anger again.

"You fool. Requip."

Inari's wrist burns with the force of Nova's magic and wrenchs it away. Nova stands in an armor that is meant for speed, agility, and strength... she's dressed as an assassin. Her double swords have also been returned to her.

"I'm not giving up on you. I know there's still good left in you."

Nova screams and runs at her opponent again. Inari is ready and pins the other's blades to the ground. Niether can move again without releasing the other. But with her Assassin's armor, Nova mind is able to focus on escape and attack easier. She drives her foot up to Samarra's chest, propelling them both away. But Samarra Inari is called the Flash Tactician for a reason. She's able to guess Nova's attacks and block them as she goes. She sees her opportunity and kicks the redhead in the stomach. Inari has once again pinned Nova down with a sword hovering over her chest.

"You have no way to escape. We both know it. Let go of your demons and walk with me to a new path in the light."

"Let go of my demons you say? You really shouldn't ask me to do that." Nova's voice and demenor have become insane. A dark aura surrounds her but before she can release it a new player joins the battle field.

"Nova! You are not aloud to release that without my permission. Stand down." Crowley snaps.

"No this is my fight! I can control it."

"Stand down," he repeats," you can fight next to me but not alone."

"Yes, sir."

Nova requips in an instant and beats Inari's sword away with Dark Vision. Three male mages appear between her and Crowley, only breaking to let Inari through.

"Together we can handle this one, Lady Inari, so you can take one the Dark Guild master." One boy, no more than a year older than Nova, states.

Samarra takes a stance against Crowley who releases his devil take-over magic. They begin their battle and Nova rushes to help her Master. A wall of fire stops her abruptly and a jet of water shoots her back.

"Sorry but you're not going anywhere." The fire mage says with a smirk. He looks at least a few years older than Nova but still semi-young.

"Big mistake boys. Didn't anyone ever tell you? You can't keep a Demon from their Devil. Requip."

The dark aura explodes around her and when it disperses... what lies before the boys is unhuman.

[To be continued...]