Chapter 9: Dancing with a brute

Sister Min growers down at me with her ridiculous hight and apparent anger issues... She must be, what I would consider an average hight for a man. Probably 5'9' or 6 foot tall and I'm closer to 5 foot... give or take an inch... Then again, I obvious don't understand biology any more so I could be wrong about the measurement system too... " The members of the Phoenix Guard are the most elite soldier on this continent! They are as carefully chosen as high members of the temple! They are not people you can dismiss so lightly!" I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt at first. It's possible that she heard a variation of what happened and got angry on behalf of one of her soldiers without knowing the while truth. Kids make mistakes like this all the time. "Sister Min, Your guard was making unwanted advances on my personal attendant. I couldn't simply let that pass. It was an insult to him, as well as to the person he serves."

The look on her face didn't seem to change much. She still looked angry, entitled and arrogant. "Even if that were true, she would be doing him a favor! She is a member of the Phoenix guard and he's just the servants of a make-believe princess! He should be honored she would even consider him!" Welp... that was there goes the benefit of doubt... sigh... Still maintaining my soft smile, I look between Princess Min and the guard then stop back on Min. " Since you seem to have no interest in what I have to say, I will assume that you came here to throw a tantrum. I would appreciate it if you could to that at your own home. I'm quite tired today." (Translation: I don't want to deal with your childish bull shit so go home) Min's eyes widened and her face tightened into a look of pure rage. She grabbed me by the collar and pulled me towards her, lifting me slightly off the ground in the process. "Have you lost your damn mind?! You think I won't hurt you just because you're my sister?! Vermin like you should keep they're mouth shut and do as they're told!" Min released my collar but stayed at a close distance, leaning closer to get right in my face. "You wanna end up dead rat?!"

This is really starting to get on my nerves! I just want to sit down inside my own house. I'll give her one more chance to leave quietly. I would rather not stir the pot if I don't have to... "Sister, perhaps we should continue this conversation at a later time, after you have had a chance to investigate the matter further." Still inches from my face, Min continues to yell. "I do t need to investigate shit! You will apologize to my guard immediately!" I take a deep breath and sigh, My smile slowly melting away. " I will not be apologizing. I don't like to lie. Furthermore, it was the guard who disrespected my attendant and myself. I have done nothing wrong." Min gritted her teeth, her wild anger was reaching its boiling point. "Wrong answer!" She took a couple steps back and unsheathes her sword, making Lynn fly into a panic. "Your highness, Run! I'll try to keep them busy!" He tried to run past me to stand between my sister and I but I grabbed the back of his shirt before he could make it. "Lynn! I appreciate your concern but don't get in the way!" I pull him back to my side and look him in the eye, my smile now completely gone. "Go report this to the watch." The watch is another group of soldiers, responsible for the safety of the entire Imperial city. They are normally referred to as the Golden guardians. If I had to compare the two guards... The watch is like the police and the Phoenix guard is like elite military soldiers. The city watch may be weaker and lower in rank but at least they don't answer to Min... Lynn looked at me in fear, then nodded and ran off.

Once I was satisfied that Lynn was far enough away, I turned back to face my sister. "What's wrong? Don't want him to watch you die?" Min smirked with absolute confidence as she took a battle stance with her sword... I have done enough body refinement that I'm not too worried about being able to handle her but when I saw her unsheathe her sword, I was confused. I remember Lynn telling me that the Commander of the Phoenix guard had an artifact sword but that's just a normal katana. Was he not referring to Min? Who then?

Before I was able to finish my though, Min lunged forward with incredible speed. I stepped out of the way before the blade could reach me but I'm surprised! She is actually really good! Better than I expected! She rotated her body to turn in my direction, keeping her momentum and swung down at me. The fight continued like that for a few minutes. Min would attack and I would dodge. The guards that she brought with her become more and more confused with every missed strike. She was a warrior comparable to the Empress and yet she hasn't been able to land a single strike. Min became angrier and started to lose focus in her rage. My chance is coming up! I can't use my twin dragon techniques because this body can't handle then yet but I can still manage a few momentum and flow stepping techniques. As I dodge her attacks, I start to build spiritual energy and focus it in my legs, preparing to make my move. "Just die already, you useless rat!" She swings with intensity and power but less accuracy than before, letting out battle cries with every broad swing.

I can suddenly sence Lynn and several others, entering the palace grounds. If I want to actually get a hit in, I better make it quick! When I see her lunge at me again, I move slightly to the side, going into one of the lower level step techniques, 100 steps, Spring wind. (This technique is used to gain speed and disorientate your opponent) I dance nimbly around her, my white hair wisps behind me like a dandelion floating in the spring wind. Once I maneuver myself around to her side, I strike lightly at the pressure point between her neck and shoulder, making her arm go numb. She nearly dropped her sword when her arm went slack at her side. I come to a stop about six feet away from her and she, along with her guards, stare at me in shock. She was able to keep ahold of her sword with her left hand but her right arm is now useless. "Impossible! You're weak! You've always been weak! What did you do?!" I sigh and shrug my shoulders. I can't believe she's still barking after that...

Min looked behind her, at the guards she brought with her. "What are you waiting for?! Kill her!" The guards (who are supposed to protect the entire Imperial family) followed her orders without hesitation, all running at me at once but I wasn't too worried. By the time they got close enough to me to attack, footsteps could be clearly heard behind me. Lynn had arrived with the golden guardians in tow. I act like I haven't noticed them coming and get into a defensive stance. From the Watch's perspective, I will look like a small, unarmed princess, just trying to defend herself. I dodge the attacks of three guards before Lynn and the guard get close enough to be heard. "HALT! Stop this immediately!" When the Phoenix guard pause, I turn around to see who all Lynn managed to get. Five of them are basic guards with the watch but the woman who just spoke, looks to be of higher rank.

"What is the meaning of this?! In what circumstance is it permissible for a member of the Phoenix guard to ATTACK a member of the Imperial family?!" Woooooah... she sounds pissed. I put my arms down and sigh as if I'm relieved they are here then look at Lynn. When we made eye contact, he rushed over to me. "Your highness! Are you ok? You're not hurt are you? Should I call for a physician?! I'm so sorry I left you here all alone!" He looks like he's about to have a mental breakdown... I place a hand on his shoulder and smile. "Lynn, breath... I'm ok. see?" I spin an a circle slowly to show him that I'm fine. Lynn sighs deeply then slumps to his knees. He must have been running at full speed the entire way... I'll have to find a way to reward him later.

I turn around to look back at my sister and her guards. The important looking woman was talking to them and they seemed to be biting their toungs. She must be pretty high up to silence them like that... Once she was done talking to them, she has the watch guards escort them out of my Palace. She then turned her attention to me and walked over. "Greetings your highness, Princess Kaimera, Fifth small sun of the empire." (That's a really long title) I nod to the woman politely, still unsure of who she is. She is just as imposing as my mother. She is probably close to six foot tall, with muddled blackish grey hair and icey blue eyes. I hadn't noticed before but she is waring armor similar to Min's. "My name is Shizu Tamaki, Commander of the Phoenix guard. May I ask you a few questions about what happened here, your highness?" Ohhhhhhh! THATS the commander! I guess that means my sister is either a commander in name only or second commander... That makes sense... "Of course, I will answer your questions to the best of my ability." Super smile powers... Activate! Second form! Innocent Victim!