*Purpura*
"Ready?" Seiya asked as we reached the ring within the labyrinth.
I stretched my arms forward and smirked. "I was born ready!"
He chuckled. "That's what I like to hear!"
We each walked to the edge of the ring.
"On the count of three, we will begin."
"I know how it goes," I said.
He blinked. "You do?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I got to see your dad spar with Sou a few days back." Although, I had to use my powers to make myself hard to see.
He smiled. "That Sou is really trying hard."
"Was he a slacker as a kid?"
"Oh? You wanna hear how Sou was when he was younger? You sure seem interested in my little bro. Do you like him?"
My cheeks heated up. "What if I do or don't?"
He laughed. "It's fine. I'm not surprised by it. Sou was pretty popular with girls and has attracted even a couple of guys. Of course, he never really paid much attention to the former."
I hummed. Were there more guys than just the Opal cousins and me who liked Sou? If so, I might need to be a little more vigilant. Ugh, there I went, sounding clingy again.
"Enough about your brother, let's start."
He snickered. "Alright. Tell you what, if you can give me a good battle, I'll tell you more about little Sou."
I laughed. "Not even defeat? Don't underestimate me!"
He nodded. "Now, three, two..."
"One!" we chanted in unison before rushing at one another.
As Seiya and I faced each other in the ring, our breathing echoeing off the cold, stone walls.
Our spar began with a clash, our fists and feet meeting with an echoing thud. Seiya was quick, his attacks precise and relentless. But I was no pushover. I dodged and countered, my own strikes landing with satisfying force.
In the back of my mind, I was aware I could use my psychic powers. Yet, I also knew that Seiya had the ability to neutralize attacks. It was a challenge, but it not one that I couldn't overcome.
Our fight became a dance, a rhythmic back-and-forth of strikes and counters. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, each jab and kick heightening my focus. Seiya was a formidable opponent, but I was determined to give him a good battle.
I feinted to the left, then swung from the right, managing to land a solid psychically enhanced chop on Seiya's side. He grunted, but quickly recovered, countering with a swift kick that I narrowly dodged.
We moved in sync, our bodies swaying and lunging in a dangerous ballet. I could see the concentration in Seiya's eyes, mirroring my own. This spar was not just about physical prowess, but mental strength as well.
As we fought, I couldn't help but think about Sou again. Despite our spar being a physical battle, it felt symbolic. I was fighting my own battle just as Sou was fighting his, albeit in a different way. I was determined to become stronger, to prove to myself and to others that I could stand my ground.
I pushed Seiya forward with a concentrated wave of psychic energy from behind, bypassing his energy canceling abilities. A weakness of the Citrine's power was that they had to know where the blow was going to come from. If they didn't, it was easier to bypass their energy absorption.
Seiya looked around as I teleported spammed him, striking at multiple directions. For once, it felt like I actually had the upper hand. Although, that didn't last as Seiya gradually grew accustomed to my attacks. I'd allowed myself to become too predictable.
He smirked as he cancelled out my latest attack. "Is that all you got, Purpura? Did you waste too much energy on that pup outside?"
I laughed. "Trying to get my blood boiling, huh? Taunting me might just backfire on you." I warped behind him, wrapped my arms around him, and slammed him to the ground.
"Eh?" Seiya said, blinking.
"What? Surprised a scrawny guy just manhandled you like that?"
He laughed as he got up and dashed at me. "As if. I'm used to it by now. Ziv used to like using that move back during our high school spars."
"Oh? Don't tell me that's what you like about him? Because if so, I guess you're into pain, huh?"
His face reddened. "I'm not into that kind of stuff!"
I snickered. This guy was probably easier to poke than Sou.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we both took a step back, panting and grinning. I could see the respect in Seiya's eyes, and I hoped he saw the same in mine. We had given each other a good fight, and it was clear that we both had grown from it.
"Thanks, Seiya," I said, catching my breath. "That was exactly what I needed. A reminder that I have the power to shape my own path, regardless of what others choose."
Seiya nodded, extending his hand. "Hmm? Why bring that up?" He laughed. "That said, you aren't wrong. We can't control what others do, but we can control how we respond and grow from it. We have the power to become stronger, to find our own peace."
I took it, shaking firmly. "Thanks again, Seiya. And now, I believe you owe me a story about Sou."
His laughter echoed in the labyrinth as we made our way out, both of us physically exhausted but mentally invigorated.
"Let's first get some rest. I'm out of breath."
I crossed my arms. Was he? His laugh sounded pretty hearty still.
"Alright," I said, sighing.
Despite the challenges that laid ahead, I knew that I had the strength to face them. And I was eager to learn more about Sou, the boy who had unwittingly become a significant part of my life.
As we walked out of the labyrinth, I felt a renewed sense of determination within me. Sou's desire for revenge still lingered in the back of my mind, but I knew that my own strength and growth were equally important. I couldn't change Sou's choices, but I could continue to support him while focusing on my own journey of self-improvement.
And with that realization, I embraced the path ahead, ready to face whatever challenges came my way. I was far from the perfect specimen that my 'father' thought me to be. But that was fine. I wasn't his tool. I was me, and that was good enough for me.