Naoto- *grins* Now then, *brings twin swords close to her face in a cross* be apt to being pulverized.
Kouen- *smiles* The feelings mutual.
Naoto- Hm.
With both Naoto's twin swords, she made them into a cross & derected them at Kouen.
Naoto- *murmurs*
After she murmured, Naoto shot multiple swings with her twin swords at Kouen which were visible. They revolved around him without striking.
Kouen- Not going to strike me?
Naoto- Oh, just watch.
Kouen- *raises eyebrow* Hm?
Naoto- *grins*
Then, the circulating strikes exploded. Kouen escaped the explosion before they got him.
Naoto- Aw~ It didn't get him.
Koumei- Is it me, or does Naoto seem different?
Hakuei- Different?
Koumei- *nods* She seems to be acting more informal than before.
Hakuei- Now that I think about it, she does seem more laid back & free spirited. Aside from what Hakuryuu has told me.
Hakuryuu- *keeps looking at Naoto*
Kougyoku- I just hope they don't hurt themselves too badly.
Judar- You worry too much Kougyoku.
Kougyoku- Of course I would! I care about them, so naturally I wouldn't want them injuring themselves. Especially since Naoto's leaving with Kouha later on in the day. I don't want her to go with injuries.
Judar- Is she your best friend now?
Kougyoku- She is! *pouts*
Judar- *smirks & whispers to Isham* So will it be soon?
Isham- *evilly smiles* Yeah, all we need to do is wait for the right time.
Judar- Can't wait then.
Hakuryuu- Are you positive that she'll remem-
Isham- Remember? Yes, only the forgotten memories from eleven years ago that is.
Hakuryuu- Very well then.
Isham- *looks at Naoto* 'However, her memories of the other world will have to be put on hold for now. Until she is resurrected again.'
Naoto- Ahahaha, your turn Kouen! Show me what your Fire Djinn can do! Let's see of it's mightier than my Aim's flames!
Kouen- Fine then. *holds sword in front of himself*
Kouen swiftly charged to where Naoto was in the sky & struck her in the back of her armor.
Naoto- *smirks* Heh~? You had to strike me there out of all places?
Kouen- What?!
Kouen's sword was stuck to Naoto's armor.
Naoto- Pardon me, but did you not hear me when I Djinn Equipped? I did say "pierce me with your sword made of molted lava", didn't I? *looks at Kouen with a pleasurable smile* You see, Kouen, my body as we speak, is burning itself up inside!
Kouen- You're burning your own body?
Naoto- Yes. *grabs Kouen's sword* Though, I'm also transferring some of the heat into this armor with my magoi manipulation. Which is how your sword got stuck to my armor, although I wont melt it because this is a fair fun match, so you don't have to worry. I wouldn't want to destroy your weapon in a friendly battle. However, as to how it is stuck to my armor is due to the heat flow being circulated.
Kouen- What do you mean by that?
Naoto- By having my armor melt over your sword, & then cooling my armor tightly around your sword once it touches it so it won't melt. Get it?
Kouen- That was clever of you. As expected from Sinbad's daughter.
While they chatted, Kouha arrived.
Kouha- What did I miss Mei?
Koumei- In just a short time, you missed quite a lot.
Kouha- What do you me-, *looks at Naoto & Kouen* what the?!
Hakuei- It is as it seems. Naoto is full of surprises, but so is Lord Kouen. Right now, we have no idea who'll win.
Kouha- *whispers* Naoto...
Isham- Hello, Kouha.
Kouha- What are you doing here?
Isham- I came to see Naoto.
Kouha- It's "Lady Naoto"! No one else but those close to her can call her by her name.
Isham- But she is close to me, *whispers in Kouha's ear* more than you think. *smirks*
Kouha- You little piece of-
Naoto- Kouha~ *giggles* Don't go fighting others while I'm fighting!
Kouha- Naoto? Why does she sound different?
Koumei- We don't know. I presumed that she acted this way with you at some points.
Kouha- Never. Yeah she'll lose her posture, but only with people she's known for a long time. She told me herself. Naoto's acted informal in front of me too sometimes.
Hakuei- Could it have been when she transformed?
Koumei- It could be. Besides, we have never encountered a magician who could Djinn equip. Kouha, has she Djinn equipped in front you?
Kouha- Once. It was when I met her. She was really peeved off when these bandits ambushed us, but I kinda didn't let her make a move because they pissed me off just as much. So I dealt with them before she could.
Koumei- That still might've been a short time before you could even figure out if her personality changed. Nonetheless, this change could be considered as a side effect.
Kouha- Maybe...
Naoto- Huh, they seem very preoccupied with their chat there.
Kouen- You said you had your armor melt over my sword & then tightly cooled it around it, didn't you?
Naoto- Yeah, &? What of it?
Kouen- Then it means that I can do this!
Kouen firmly gripped his sword with both of his hands, & with all his strength he pulled Naoto down & plummeted her onto the ground. Kouen, with brutal force, was able to plummet Naoto down onto the ground, that he made a hole about seven ft deep hole.
Hakuei- I knew he had something in mind.
Koumei- That's Kouen for you.
Kouha- Naoto!
As Kouha was about to run towards Naoto, Isham stopped him.
Kouha- Get out of my way you perverted priest!
Isham- "Perverted"? I'm sorry, but I'm not like you. *whispers in Kouha's ear* Not like someone who takes advantage of a defenseless woman while she sleeps. *speaks loudly again* Although, you can't run up to Naoto yet. You have to wait, if she doesn't get up then she loses. If she does, then this battle still continues.
Kouha- *steps back a bit* Tch! Stop spying on what Naoto & I do for fun! Perv!
A couple of seconds pass by. Kouen was still in his equipped form. A few more seconds pass.
Kougyoku- Naoto isn't getting up.
Then a few more...
Hakuei- ... What should we do?
& a few more...
Koumei/Kouha/Hakuryuu- ...
...
Isham- *smirks* Guess now's a perfect time. 'Judar, do it now.'
Koumei- Hm?
Judar- 'I hear ya.'
Judar began murmuring a spell that Isham taught him. Once he was done, they waited a few more seconds.
Kouha- ... That's it, I'm going to-
Suddenly, before Kouha could run up to Naoto, she stood up. Blood spilled from her mouth, even more as she coughed. It became a mess when she wiped it with her arm, the blood was swept all over her lower face. A couple of drops fell onto her armor, only to evaporate quickly. Naoto didn't move at all after that. She stood there, looking down. Kouha then decided to walk towards her, only to be stopped by Koumei this time.
Koumei- Don't go.
Kouha- Why not?
Koumei- Something doesn't seem right.
Naoto- ...
Kouen- 'Is she going to make a move?'
Naoto- ...
Judar- This is getting annoying!
Isham- Be patient.
Naoto continued to stand there, until...
Naoto- ... Extreme Magic... *grins*
Kouen- Dammit!
Naoto's extreme magic circle illuminated on both the ground & sky.
Kouen- Two extreme magic circles?!
Naoto- Ahahaha!
Kouen- Something's not right!
Naoto- Never in my wildest dreams, did I ever think to regain my memories once more...
Naoto extended an arm to the sky & one towards the ground.
Naoto- *smiles widely* Burn, you Kou scum!
Kouen- Tch!
MEANWHILE
As the fight between Kouen & Naoto continued, her crystal ball activated when she handed it to Kougyoku before the match. Kougyoku held it within her hands near her stomach as she paid close attention to the battle. Aladdin was on the other side, observing with uncertainty for Naoto. As he saw her being smashed to the ground by Kouen, & rising again with an ominous feel to her. Aladdin knew that something wasn't right, despite not being there himself. As she said "Burn, you Kou scum!", he had grasped what had transpired. Naoto, regained her memories, along with her trigger word.
Aladdin- Naoto!
Titus- What's wrong with Naoto?
Aladdin- She... her memories returned.
Titus- Her memories?
Aladdin- Yeah.
Aladdin then explained everything to Titus.
MEANWHILE MEANWHILE
Sinbad, having used Zepar's sound magic, was able to listen & see through Kougyoku, hence why he used Zepar to beat her back in Sindria.
Sinbad- Naoto. *slams the table* I knew it! I knew it wasn't a good idea to let her go to the Kou Empire!
Ja'far & Yamraiha were observing through clairvoyance magic
Ja'far- I'd never imagined Isham appearing as well. I get the feeling that he's behind her memories returning to her.
Sinbad- & for him to be in the Kou Empire!
Yamraiha- If he is acquainted with the Kou Empire's magi Judar, as we just saw, then they'd be able to restore her memories. Though it requires a very complicated spell.
Sinbad- If Isham was able to hide within Naoto for Eleven years now, or even at birth, then he could of course, along with Judar, be able to bring back her memories.
Ja'far- What'll happen next is the question.
Sinbad- I'll go to the Kou Empire through a-
Ja'far- I can't allow you to do that Sin. I know that you want to rush in there & save Naoto, but think. You'll only be seen as a person who walked into the enemy's territory without permission. With Naoto it's a different story because she knows prince Kouha.
Sinbad- Rrg!
Yamraiha- It also seems like the red gem we implanted on Naoto's chest has broken... I'm deeply sorry, if only... if I had taken more precautionary measures, then surely...
Sinbad- *places hand on Yamraiha's shoulder* It's not your fault, Yamraiha. We didn't know that Isham would be in the Kou Empire, nor did we think that Judar & Isham would be acquainted with each other.
Yamraiha- Still...
Ja'far- It's as Sin has said, we figured that a lot of things could happen once Naoto went to the Kou Empire. Though something this grave, is something that was unthinkable.
Yamraiha- So what now then? Should we send help or-
Sinbad- No, for now we wait & see what'll happen. I know that, the predicament that she's in was led by her actions. She's my daughter yes... even so I-
Ja'far placed a hand on Sinbad's shoulder to reassure him that everything would be alright.
Ja'far- She'd be mad if you blamed yourself for sending her off on another journey. Remember what she told you when we brought her back to the Reim Empire after we nursed her back to health in Balbbad? She said she saw an island with many people who called you their king. Naoto even mentioned a few names of those with us who we later met.
Sinbad- I remember. Naoto even said that when she first met us, we looked like grownups to her. I became interested in her more when she spoke of people's names that we're friends with now.
Ja'far- That's right. In actuality, when we traveled back to Reim in order to check on our trading company, she slept for mostly seven days.
Sinbad- She'd wake up for a couple of seconds & eat so much. You were worried that Naoto would gain more weight than needed since she would eat & sleep without exercising, but she didn't. She still eats more than most girls.
Ja'far- At least she knows table manners, even as a kid. I'm fine if she eats to her hearts content. If she's never gained weight then it's because she's always had a lot of metabolism.
Yamraiha- Ahem! Instead of reminiscing about the past & about Naoto's weight, shouldn't we be observing her?
Ja'far- Ah yes.
Sinbad- That's right.
BACK TO THE KOU EMPIRE
Naoto's Extreme Magic unleashed tentacle like flames coming from both magic circles in the sky & ground.
Koumei- How are two Extreme magic circles even possible?!
Naoto- Oh but they are. That is if, *grins* you're up to my level! ... Ugh! AAAHHH!
Isham- She's here.
The tentacles went for everyone, they all dodged it in time.
Hakuei- We almost got caught by them!
Koumei- Make sure you're all on guard!
Kouha/Kougyoku- Got it!
Kouen- Extreme Magic...
Kouha- You gotta be kidding me! Does En consider Naoto a threat?!
Koumei- If Kouen is going as far as to present his Extreme Magic, *looks at Kouha w/ serious face* then yes, your lover is now our enemy. I'm sorry.
Kouha- That can't be!
Kouen- Astor Inqerad!
A white dragon made of flames appeared as it headed for Naoto. Naoto remained where she was without moving as Kouen's flames struck her.
Kouen- She didn't move?
Naoto/?- It's pointless! Astaroth has always had weak flames, even back in the other world!
Kouen- Other world?
Isham- Aim! That's enough! Such information would have to wait till later!
Naoto/Aim- Ah! If it isn't Lord Isham. Long time no see you bastard!
Isham- You're as resentful as always.
Naoto/Aim- Should I not be? You may be Ill-Il-
Isham- Save it for later. For now, you should kill all of these Kou.
Kouha- I knew I couldn't trust you!
Isham- & a wise choice you made. Though, don't tell me you forgot, Kouha?
Kouha- What the hell are you talking about?
Isham- Eleven years ago, you led a small army of five hundred men to capture a girl. A magician girl with talent for magic in a shunned village of magicians in the Kou Empire.
Kouha- If there was such a village, I would've gone to it to recruit them all! & to have them be acknowledge by the Kou Empire!
Naoto/Aim- How ignorant can you get? Forgetting everything after failing to obtain what you wanted. Eleven long years pass by without ever meeting or knowing the girl with special magic powers... Until six months ago.
Kouha- *eyes widen* No... It can't-
Isham- It was Markkio who told you about Naoto & her whereabouts. Of how she was special & hated by her village. Everything he told you was a lie. Her village loved her, they all cherished having a talented magician child. It was the village kids who would get jealous, so they ignored her. They knew she was out of their league.
Naoto/Aim- In a few days after finding out about Naoto, her village was annihilated by your men as you watched!
Kouha- *makes fist* I never intended to kill anyone! I was-
Hakuryuu- But in the end you did. Naoto told me everything about her village being killed off. She was the only survivor left. Even at the mention of the word "Kou", she would go berserk, while killing anyone related to the Kou Empire, or any anyone who was near her.
Kouha- She never told me that.
Hakuryuu- Because she had her past erased. Even her trigger word, "Kou".
Kouha- ... So I-
Hakuryuu- Yes. You are the one responsible for killing Naoto's parents, & her village. For causing her so much suffering & agony all these years... You even had the nerve to seduce her & to sleep with her!
SINDRIA
Sinbad- WHAT!?
Yamraiha- 'Good thing I wasn't the one to tell him. But this will become an issue once Naoto returns!'
Ja'far- ... T-, to... have a Kou prince touch Lady Naoto... Is unforgivable!
KOU EMPIRE
Kouha- I never tricked her! She said it herself, she fell in love with me despite both our countries being enemies... Naoto's been the only & first woman to have made me fall in love. Or are you just jealous?
Hakuryuu- Jealous? Of someone who killed their "beloved's" home? I think not. Naoto would never forgive you if she found out that you murdered her family, her home. Because of that, she wandered around aimlessly until she was found unconscious by Sinbad in Balbbad. She was harassed, unwanted, days without eating or bathing... she even came close to death a few times! Isn't that right, Kougyoku?
Kougyoku- Huh? Uh... *looks at Kouha & then down w/ sorrowful eyes* she did.
Hakuryuu- See?
Hakuei- Hakuryuu, that's enough!
Hakuryuu- Forgive me sister, but I don't have anything more to do with you. From today onward, I will protect Naoto along with Isham & Judar.
Hakuei- What are you saying?!
Koumei- So I guess you're rebelling against us?
Judar walked towards the middle of the training field. Naoto's body which is now being controlled by the fire Djinn Aim, didn't move. Right now, the Djinn felt what Naoto felt, & Naoto felt betrayed at everything she had heard. Even after the spell being cast on Naoto for the Djinn to come forth, Naoto was still conscious.
Judar- Hey Naoto! Your brother told me to pulverize you! Don't take it as an offense, got it? He cares about you enough to make you fall into darkness again!
Kouha- Brother?
Koumei- Yes. I thought you'd at least find it odd that both Naoto & Isham look alike?
Kouha- Well, it did a bit. But I thought it was a coincidence that they looked so much like each other.
MAGNOSHUTATT
Aladdin- Kouha... did you really just say that?
SINDRIA
Yamraiha- True, but at first glance you would definitely think that they would be siblings at least.
Sinbad- Was he that dense?
Ja'far- You could say that.
KOU EMPIRE
Naoto/Aim- Forgive me Magi, but nothing will get through to Naoto anymore. Kouha!
Kouha- What do you want?
Naoto/Aim- Naoto has heard everything.
Kouha- *eyes widen in shock* Sh-, she couldn't have...
Naoto/Aim- If that isn't enough to convince you, then here...
Aim went back into her metal vessel once she let Naoto have control over her body again. Kouen being near Naoto flew to her & catched her as he gently placed Naoto on the ground. He too returned Astaroth back into his metal vessel. Kouha ran up to the unconscious Naoto, kneeled besides her, & held her in his arms.
Kouha- *holds Naoto's hand* Naoto! Naoto please wake up!
Naoto- ...
SINDRIA
Sinbad- ...
Ja'far- ...
Yamraiha- *whispers* Naoto
MAGNOSHUTATT
Aladdin- Please...
KOU EMPIRE
Kouha- Naoto! It's me, Kouha!
Naoto- *gasps & eyes widen* ... Nnooo!
The frightened Naoto backed up until she felt Kouen behind her & hugged him.
Naoto- I... *looks up at Kouen* Ah! *blushes a bit & backs away* My apologies!
Kouen- It's fine.
Naoto- *turns slowly towards Kouha's direction*
Kouha- *stretched out hand to touch Naoto* Are you-
Naoto- Don't touch me!
Kouha- Wha-!
Hakuryuu- *smiles* Hm.
Naoto- ... *stands up* ...
Kouha- Nao-
Before Kouha could say Naoto's name, Judar charged at Naoto & held her by the neck in the sky.
Judar- Ha! Man, don't tell me that that's all you've got? When we fought over Aim's dungeoun, you nearly beat me!
Naoto- *grabs Judar's arm* J-... Jud-, ar! *wheezes* Le-, let go! Plea-, se!
Kouha- Let go of her!
Judar- Calm down. It's not like she'll die from simply being choked! It takes more than that to actually kill her.
Isham- Enough chit chat! Judar! *smirks* You may beat her until she falls into despair!
Judar- *cynically grins widely* It's about time!
HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE IT. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER. WHAT WILL TRANSPIRE MIGHT YOU ASK? OOHHHHH YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAITSIES.