Burden of Decisions

Sweat trickled down her forehead, the sun having only risen a moment ago, and was still pouring darkness over Kurodai. Her muscles were aching from the long hours of training, but the embers inside her hadn't died. Not yet.

Saya's earlier words echoed in her ears. "You're improving. But not fast enough."

She clenched her fists. I won't be weak. Not anymore.

Another day, another trial.

Saya came up to her, eyeing her up and down. "Today we're going to challenge who you are. Again."

Emiko nodded; resolute, her eyes became hard. "I'm ready."

Kaito stood off to the side with his arms crossed, watching. His trademark smirk had disappeared and in its place was an uncharacteristic look of seriousness. "Don't get too cocky, Emiko. Today's test will reveal whether you've really learned anything.'

Saya gave her a practice sword. "The last few days were no so much about conditioning the body. Now let's see if you can battle with the instincts you've brought out."

Emiko tightened her grip on the sword. In preparation for what would come next, her breath quickened. The energy was building up inside of her — embers that were, day to day, brighter, stronger.

I'll make it burn.

Saya moved like lightning. In a flash, she was on hers, blade drawn, striking with a force that would have crushed any ordinary human. Emiko hardly had time to respond, her sword coming up in time to parry the first blow. The pure power behind the strike rattled through her arms and into her fingertips, numbing them.

She gritted her teeth. I can't let her overwhelm me.

Saya didn't allow her time to think. She struck again, more quickly this time. The sharp side fell like a meteor and Emiko, unfortunately, jumped aside, escaping the score.

She wasn't fast enough.

Saya spun, her sword cleaving through the air. Emiko blocked the blow but was pushed back, her feet sliding on the courtyard floor.

Her heart raced. Her instincts told her to hurry, to predict Saya's next attack. But trying as she might, she still felt she was too slow.

Then, it happened.

The ember in her flared to life, a swell of warmth that spread through her chest and down her arms. She didn't think about it — she just did it.

Her body moved on its own.

She ducked the next cut from Saya, then slashed back with a quick cut of her own. The blow was awkward, but it hit — her sword hitting Saya's.

The force of the impact jarred her arm, but Emiko didn't faze. She pushed on though, pouring all her energy into the next series of attacks.

This is it. This is what I've trained for."

Saya picked up and beamed approval. "Good. Not perfect, but it's a start."

Emiko panted, attempting to catch her breath. "I… I landed a hit."

Saya smirked. "You're catching on. But that was only the beginning."

Kaito took a step closer, his bright eyes searching Emiko. "You've got the basics. Now let's see how you do under pressure."

Suddenly, Saya moved again.

But this time, she wasn't merely attacking with the idea of landing a blow — she was attacking to overwhelm. Her sword moved as a blur of even greater speed and precision, she struck faster than ever.

Emiko barely kept up. She could feel her body tiring, her arms shaking with the effort. Every strike weighed more, every dodge, less swift.

"Focus," a Kaito yelled from the sidelines. "Don't just defend. Attack."

Attack.

Emiko's heart raced. The ember inside her buzzed, crackled with heat, but it was a wildfire now — wild, untamable. Her body was a weapon, prompting faster than her mind could comprehend.

There was a moment where she gritted her teeth, then swung her sword with what she had, the sound of metal ringing as it struck against Saya's. The impact sent Saya stumbling backwards for a moment, enabling Emiko to gather her wits.

It was the moment she had been waiting for.

With Saya thrown briefly off balance, Emiko seized her opportunity. She pressed onward, faster than she had ever gone before. Her sword swept down, cracking hot against Saya's weapon.

Saya smiled, a twinkle of merriment glimmering in her golden eyes. "That's more like it."

Breathing heavy, Emiko stepped back and tried to get her breath back. She hadn't defeated her, not yet — but for the first time, she felt like she could really fight.

Saya approved with a nod. "You've got potential. But potential isn't enough."

Emiko nodded, clearing her forehead of sweat. "I know."

Kaito stepped forward, his expression grave. "What matters is that you're learning to listen to your gut. But don't get too cozy." He shot her a look. "There's a lot worse waiting out there for you than a few swings from Saya."

Emiko did not need to ask him what he meant.

The Council's shadow was long, and the storm was nigh.

Suddenly, a cold gust swept through the courtyard as Emiko trudged back to catch her breath. Her hair stood on end, and the air was thick and heavy — dark.

Saya and Kaito were alert now, however, and their faces turned serious.

"Do you feel that?" Saya, eyes narrowing, muttered.

Emiko didn't have to answer. She felt it too.

An evil shadow had settled over the city — a sensation that made her skin feel prickly.

And then came a figure out of the shadows.

It was Tsubaki.

As she felt his golden gaze shining on her, for the first time, Emiko saw the sinister motive hidden behind his placid face.

"You're advancing," said Tsubaki, his voice slick and frigid. "But it won't be enough."

Emiko tensed, fingers white around her sword. "What do you want?"

Tsubaki smiled, but it was not a comforting smile. "I only came to remind you something. The Council will not let you off that easy. And when they come for you, there will be no training, no games.

Kaito stepped forward, voice steady. "Get out of here, Tsubaki. This isn't the time."

Tsubaki raised an eyebrow. "Oh, it's already too late."

He took himself away into the dark before anyone could get over their shock, leaving only heebjeebees and an ominous chill.

Emiko froze, clutching her sword tighter. The silence of her rejection hung in the air like a heavy fog of abandonment.

The Council is coming.

She wasn't ready—not yet.

But she would be.

I will be.