Almost Home

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Astro was just clearing the base of the mountain, wiping sweat from his brow with a closed mouth smile on his face. 'Almost Home' he thought to himself, with his guilds home less than a few hours away now. From his left his heard something moving through the few trees scattered here. He could smell the sweat too, he peered over the land. "Whose there?" He asked, not in a scared tone but more so an excited one, hoping maybe it was a guild member come to greet him.

"There are independent mages, but by our age they are already S class mages. Most independent mages of any worth are Wizard Saints." Astro said taking a drink. "Those guys are scary strong."

"If that's the case then I want to fight them all." Owain had a grin on his face, Astro could easily tell that Owain was serious about that. "Beside it wouldn't fun if you can't learn from a battle."

"I would love to see you get thrashed without them even using magic, because that's what would most likely happen. Your enthusiasm and optimism is good, but they truly are monsters." Astro sat back rubbing his stomach. "Not even I could help you take them on haha."

"Well then I guess I should get stronger than if I hope to win against such monsters. Surely a truly feat. like that is worth wild." Owain rubbed his chin thinking, he leaned back in his chair. They done so much damage to the food, mountain of plates.

Astro burped staring at the cieling. "We should find one and challenge them. See how far off we are. Or better yet train against a Council Member, surely Marcus could hook that up don't you think?" He said voicing his idea.

"I don't know, I would rather get to that through my way." Owain closed his eyes. "Ready to bounce when you're ready." Owain opened his eyes, and grabbed his water finishing it off.

Astro was asleep, the itis had got him after such a strong meal. He didn't even hear his friends response, instead snoring loud enough now for the whole eatery to hear. Dreaming, sadly, about more food as the waitress that had waited on them fulfilled his maid otaku fantasies.

Owain sighed, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. "I'll join you since I can't get up." Owain quickly knocked out, the two left nothing but plates for the staff to pick up. Aside from that the two had slept in the restaurant.

Astro jolted awake, grabbing his gut for leaning forward to fast. He jostled the table to wake his rival up. "Jeez sleeping in public,how embarrasing for you." He said jokingly. He waved the Maid over smiling at her like they were old friends because of his dream. He gave her the neccesary money and a generous tip. "Where you off to next Owain?" He asked watching her walk away.

Owain jumped up after Astro woke him, he quickly grabbed his blade holding it in hand. "Oh sorry, well it was good rest. Even if it was short. But I'm relaxed and well." Owain stretched a bit, he turned to Astro. "Well now that we are well fed. May I interest you in a battle."

"A battle" Astro said burping, rubbing his stomach. "Sure why not, should burn off some calories and make myself preventable before I return to the guild. It'll be fun." He said sliding his chair and walking back up towards the Fire Mountain. "This way so we don't endanger any citizens."

Owain followed after him, as they walked back to the mountain Owain rubbed the back of his head. "Aye." As they reached the top, Owain stretched a bit. "Ah so what are the terms."

"Terms?" Astro asked "What do you mean by terms? Like rules of engagement? Uhh don't kill eachother is the only rule I can think of." He said pondering if there were others.

"Well, never crossed my mind. I want to keep a worthy rival around." Owain stood there waiting for Astro. "Terms? Hm... Maybe... I got nothing." Owain was confuzzled.

"Well then you attack first, it was your idea." Astro cracked his knuckles, inhaled deeply and sunk into a combat stance. Maybe Owain would prove more of a challenge than the Guild Member of the guild he just destroyed did. He motioned with his hand "Bring it on" with a smile.

Owain took a deep breathe, and exhaled slowly. Owain charged at Astro, before reaching Astro he flipped in the air over Astro. Owain landed behind Astro, he quickly dropped down and sweep Astro's feet.

"Whoopsy daisy" Astro said as he was swept upside down holding his hands out to land and spun in a breakdance manner, with waves of fire coming from both feet, creating a towering tornado of flame that engulfed Owain. Nothing too hot, just something to let his rival know what he was up against. He flipped himself back to his feet watching to see how he got out.

Owain quickly jumped back as he saw the flames from his foot. Owain quickly pulled out Horn-Edge, he slashed at the in coming flames, back flipping away from the vortex that Astro had created. "Ah, interesting." Owain bounced back on his toes, his foot shifted, and he took a stance. As he raised one foot he dashed at Astro with blinding speed. He quickly sheath his sword as several slashes went at Astro.

Astro dodged a few and intercepted the last slash by creating two blades of fire on his hands, locking Owains sword in place. He smiled "Smooth moves, you might be a worthy rival after all." He said unlocking them by throwing his hands up he spun on his heel bringing an elbow to Owain's ribs, coated in red light "Star Burst" he said sending Owain flying upon impact, and a shock wave leveling trees.

"I can say the same for you." As Astro locked Owain's blade in place, Owain prepared to counter-attack. When Astro spun around to elbow him, Owain bounced back slightly to avoid the full trust of Astro's attack, but the blast did send Owain back. He recovered in the air quickly sheathing and unsheathing his sword, sending a stream of energy slashes at Astro, the left the terrain in front of them in shreds. "Kamaitachi!"

Astro summoned etheral wings of blue light around his hands, flapping them to release blue slashes that clashed with Owain's "Nova Phoenix: Azure Wing" the impact created a dust cloud from the destruction their attacks caused when they met. Through the smoke hundreds of tiny blue feathers, with sharp tips flew at Owain.

Owain landed on the ground, he could see the feather, they were small but they bunched together enough for Owain to spot them. Owain channeled his Eternano into his arm and into his sword. As the feather flew at Owain, with quick movements he made shreds of the feathers. He swung his sword in front of him in a 180 degrees pattern after he was done with the feathers. Copies of Horn-Edge were seen in front Owain, with wave of his hand the blades rained at Astro.

Astro spun creating a dome of blue light, that gained more strength as he spun to block the blades before dispersing the dome in an explosion. He smiled "Good, I was hoping you at least knew how to imbue your sword with magic." He kicked his foot on the ground and waved one hand out to his side, a concentrated blue star blade appeared in his left hand. "Now I won't have to worry about melting your partner." He blitzing at Owain making hundreds of slashes in a second. He was going to see what his Rivals swordsmanship was all about.

Owain didn't move, instead he sunk into a stance. He unsheathe his blade, holding onto the hilt. As Astro dashed in, Owain quickly sheathe his blade. As he did several slashes rivaled Astro's slashes. Owain smiled. "Oh really?" Owain did the movements again, but instead of several a onslaught of slashes poured onto Astro with out letting up. Owain seemed to stand still but the slashes just didn't stop. They were flashes of light and barely visible to the eye.

Astro parried a few slashes before he knew he was in over his head swords wise. Barely dodging one slash it grazed his cheek to create a superficial cut, he smiled and in a blinding flash of light was some distance away again outside of Owain's dome of slashing doom. He shook his head in approval "hehehe we are going to be fun rivals. But I've got to start off the rivalry with a win." He said as the cut on his cheek slowly healed itself. He held up two fist before flinging them open, with thousands of little balls of light scattered across the battlefield. "Star Mines" Astro said, not letting Owain know the moment he touched one it would detonate. A red glow covered his hands as he moved them slowly until thrusting them forward, with two red phoenix swirling towards Owain. "Red Star: Twin Phoenix" The heat of the phoenixs was melting the ground as they approached Owain, drying out the atmosphere.