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Fire and Wind Sol held her staff horizontally, watching the head glow with growing intensity.
“Sol Nemesis Nova!” A flaming ball of orange energy flew from the staff, streaming toward the shadowy figure before her. However, the figure turned, smiled, and moved agilely away from her strike. Clutching her staff tightly, Sol ran after the figure. “Are you all alone?” The figure had finally emerged from the shadows into the quickly fading sunlight, revealing an unusually tall man with flowing light blue hair. He studied Sol casually, his eyes roaming unabashedly. Sol’s mind raced with half-formed strategies, now realizing how vulnerable her haste had left her. ‘You had no choice,’ a part of her told. ‘Too many innocents have suffered already.’ The man placed a hand on his hip, the smile gradually fading. “I asked if you were completely alone?” “For the moment,” Sol replied coolly. The man laughed. “Then you had better hope your friends arrive quickly.” “Why is that?” Sol asked, her grip on the Sun Staff tightening. Sol didn’t even see the attack, which sent her flying through the evening air. She hit the corner of a wall several feet away. The masonry crumbled underneath her from the strength of the blow, sending clouds of dust in the rose-colored air. Her chest was burning from the blow, while the rest of her body screamed in pain. Forcing her body to move, Sol struggled to her feet. The man watched her misery with a smile. He circled her, assessing her injuries. His smile broadened as she swayed, using the Sun Staff as a crutch to keep her up. “The reasons you better hope your friends arrive soon, Sailor Sol,” he stated, creating another ball of energy in his hands, “because I am more than a match for you.” He threw the ball, eagerly waiting Sol’s cries of pain. However, with unnatural speed, Sol stood straight and use her staff to send the ball back at him. It tore through his side before hitting the ruined building behind him. Clutching his side, he watched disbelievingly as Sol took a defensive position. Sol smiled. “We’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?” “You will pay for this,” the man cried, pressing his hand against his bleeding side. “Sol Corona Flare!” “Fury of the Wind!” The two attacks met in a blinding flash of light and heat. When Sol opened her eyes, her vision was filled with blue-gray light. She screamed as the energy hit her, sending her to her knees, the Sun Staff clanging loudly as it hit the ground a few feet away. The man picked her up by the collar, lifting her until she dangled a several inches above the ground. “I am more than a match for you, you stupid girl.” Sol moaned as his bloody hand encased her throat and began to squeeze. “Wind fuels fire and can send it anywhere,” he stated, smiled as Sol struggled, trying to pry his hand away. “The resulting chaos can be lovely.” “Is that it? Chaos?” Sol croaked. He shook his head. “That’s not exactly what we want, but the girl will help.” “Leave her out of this,” Sol growled, only to have him restrict her air further. “You’re not in a position to bargain here. When will you realize that your feelings only make you weak?” Sol couldn’t answer. Her lungs were burning, yearning for the air his hand denied her. “Where are your friends now, Sol? Where are they in your hour of need?” Darkness was creeping in on her vision. Her struggles were growing weaker as her arm became heavier and heavier. 'Not like this,' she pleaded. “Emotions make you weak. You won’t have an opportunity to benefit from that lesson. You have interfered long enough,” he said calmly. “Goodbye, Sailor Sol.” Sol fought to keep her eyes open, to keep the darkness at bay. Yet, her body was growing numb, her limbs hanging limply. The darkness was winning. “Aurora Tranquil Dawn!” ‘No,’ Sol thought as the darkness closed in. ‘Run, Aurora.’ The man released her, letting her hit the ground in a crumpled heap. “I will finish you in a minute. I’ll take care of our interloper first.” |
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