Vanessa screamed as she fell backwards. Her ribbon changed from red to pink and her face paled as her watery eyes looked up at Rain with hurt and confusion. "Miss DuChamp, I'll preside over the official battle." Rain announced. Vera paled as her eyes grew wide.
"But Professor!" Vera shouted in protest. "Enough! I have spoken! Now to the arena." He said darkly as he flicked his navy blue robe. He walked past Ariana and under his breath he whispered. "I hope you know what you're doing." Ariana smiled. "I always do."
Ariana and Vera walked behind Rain, acting like night and day. Vera was pale, shaking, sweating and muttering incoherently as she bit on her thumb nail. While Ariana held her head high and looked around at the scenery, cheerful and carefree.
Some third years started to make bets on who would win while Rain turned a deaf ear to their dealings. Rain continued to walk, to the left side of the school. There were four towers that stood proudly overtop of a beautiful blue, red, green, orange mosaic in the shape of intertwined circles. Each tower stood at the edge of the mosaic while the center had a small garden of white lilies.
"Vera, since Ariana called for the official match you may choose the battle grounds." Rain said as he turned to face the two girls. Vera seemed to have pulled herself together after she sorted out her thoughts. She looked at Ariana and saw her sweet smile, it caused her stomach to turn. She felt nothing but hatred as she looked at Ariana's face.
Especially looking at the colour of her eyes. "Tower 3!" Vera shouted. Rain nodded his head and turned again. He walked to the tower in the back on the left hand side with Vera and Ariana in tow. He brushed back his navy blue robe and revealed a key ring tied to his tarnished, golden rope belt. He yanked the key ring and it slipped past the rope seamlessly.
He flipped the keys in his hand and skillfully grabbed a silver-bronze, twisted key with a turquoise stone embedded in the top part of the key that looked like a fleur de lis. He inserted the key and the door started to glow neon blue and green.
Rain looked back, hand firm on the key. "Third years move the first years into position!" The third years shouted their understanding and grabbed a first year. They all quickly moved to stand behind the mosaic art on the ground. Ariana let out a small breath of relief when she saw that Cayden grabbed Edlyn and kept her close.
"I, Professor Rain will referee this official battle between these two students." He shouted as he turned the key then looked at Vera. "Vera DuChamp, third year, top 10%, I am wagering authority over the mentoring program." Suddenly Vera started to glow, a string of rainbow coloured light pulsed around her body.
Rain turned to face Ariana. "Ariana Drake, first year, perfect score student, I am wagering my freedom for a month." Rain's eyes grew wide, he turned back to Vera but could no longer see her face. He know knew why she was so spooked about the official battle, she did something against the rules and thought she could get away with it. There was no stopping this battle.
Ariana's body soon glowed and a string of rainbow surrounded her as well. Rain gritted his teeth and turned the key once more. "Battle begin!" He shouted as he let go of the key and walked over towards the garden. The towers started to spin along the mosaic art, moving to fast for the naked eye to see.
First years were screaming as the third years held them in position, wind, dust and dirt flew past them. Soon the towers sunk into the ground, the outer areas rose. The entire area tuned into a coliseum. The third years released their first years and took their seats while the first years gawked at the battle grounds.
Down below was a massive terrain of small canyons, mountains, geysers, rock formation and dessert. They had never seen anything like it before. Edlyn grew worried and looked back at Cayden. She could feel her throat tighten and her mouth go dry. She brought up her hands and started to sign. "Will she be okay?"
Cayden turned his gaze to the glowing figures and watched as they turned into light and went to opposite ends of the battle field. They reappeared in full out battle suits, waiting for the battle to begin. "I hope so." He whispered and clenched his fist.
Ariana could now see the battle field before her and was in awe. She had never seen such a wonder before. In the distance she could see a single shot of water dispersing in the air and wondered what it could be. She looked down at her body and suddenly felt self conscious about herself. She was wearing a dark purple, one piece suit that hugged her body.
The bottom half were shorts, she had hiking boots and a steam punk belt. The top half was like a halter top, the purple stretchy fabric went up to her neck and had a t shape in the back. Her hair was beautifully braided into a single braid and her hands had black fingerless gloves.
"Call forth your familiars!" Ariana heard Rain say, she looked around but could not see him anywhere. 'Master, it is time for you to choose. I suggest Duko as the field closely resembles his element.' Aroha advised but Ariana smiled wickedly.
"Vasu!" She called and could imagine the faces of her Lumas, completely dumbfounded. A pink light shot forward and a chibi pink deer floated in front of her. Vasu stared at her while Ariana opened her arms, her cheeks slightly blushed as her eyes shone with affection.
"You'll be my main familiar." She said happily. Vasu nodded his head and jumped into her embrace. "Stay close, you'll know what to do when the time comes." She said as she snuggled her face against his pink, chubby body. Vasu started to wag his stump of a tail when suddenly Ariana heard a unison thud.
"What was that?" She asked as she lifted her head and looked around. Vasu continued to snuggle in Ariana's arm. 'They face palmed themselves.' He answered nonchalantly causing Ariana's eyes to widen in astonishment.
She stared to laugh and released Vasu so she could bend over and try to catch her breath. "Please have faith in me." She said in between her laughter. No one answered. "Fighters ready.... begin!" Rain shouted. Ariana took a couple of cautious steps forward, when no immediate attack came her way she started to stretch.
When she felt that she had warmed up enough, she stared to jog. She looked around as she went past the scenery. She was more excited to see the water that shot up in the air then the battle itself. 'Master.' Vasu called out lazily and Ariana stopped dead in her tracks.