Arisa fought not to show her happiness of having to work with Zen. Even though there was a little chance for that to happen, she hoped that after defeating the Master, he would completely change his mind about their differences and return to the usual Zen she always knew.
She pushed away her delusions, telling herself that now wasn't the time to think about their situation. They had a dangerous threat to stop. She examined her surroundings, still seeing rain and vapor bothering her view.
"Well, it attacked us as soon as I unsealed it," said Arisa, looking back at the dark-haired boy in front of her. "So I don't have an actual plan."
"Oh," said Zen thoughtfully. "In this case, can you tell me how you fought against it until now? Maybe I can think of what we can do."
Arisa nodded and under the rain, she told him how she and Caris faced the Master. For a minute, her voice fought against the sound of the rainfall as she told him her tale.
"Interesting," said Zen. "So it can control sea creatures besides manipulating water."
Arisa replied with a nod, remembering the attack of the sea creature when they dropped in the pool of water after releasing the Master. She also remembered Garoh mentioning that they had been attacked by creatures that appeared out of nowhere. Arisa went on to tell Zen that the rain shifted into water and ice figures to attack them and the Master turned into steam as soon as Caris stabbed its chest.
"It really looks like a troublesome opponent." Zen touched his jaw. "No matter how much damage we'll cause it, it will still hide in the steam."
Arisa sighed, thinking of a possible way to stop it. Something switched on in her mind as she remembered the events her team passed through when they faced the Master of Earth.
"I don't think we have to hurt it in order to stop it," said Arisa with realization. "As long as it fights us in its physical form, I think we'll be good. I only have to touch it with the Crimson Flames."
Judging by what the Master of Earth told her in the Mammoth Cave before they were attacked by Taurus' soldiers, the only thing she needed to do after releasing it was to use her ability on it again to receive the gem. Remembering what she went through to catch the Master of Earth after it refused to be sealed, Arisa wasn't sure if using her crimson flames on the water would work to seal the current Master.
"The problem now is how we can force it to show up in that form." Arisa exhaled, defeated. "With this rain, summoning our element is impossible. I thought that if we somehow boiled the water around us, maybe it would show up. But it's pointless since it can control vapor as well."
"Yeah," agreed Zen. "Our flames would be switched off as soon as we summoned them."
Arisa sighed again, wondering if there was no other way to seal the Master. At this point, the worlds would be destroyed for real.
"There is a way to boil the water to the point that the tiny particles of its steam won't resist," said Zen, breaking the brief silence. "It won't have no choice but to show itself."
Arisa's eyes widened. "There is?"
"Yes," said Zen, folding his arms. "It's my special ability."
Realization flowed in Arisa's veins as she remembered what her mother told her at the Astral Sanctum.
"That's right," said Arisa, jumping a little. "Leo's Blue Flames. Your flames are so strong that they can melt even the hardest materials that exist in the worlds."
Remembering that detail, Arisa was so hopeful and happy that she didn't realize that she instinctively held Zen's hand.
"You should try it out then," she said, her tone excited.
Zen didn't show the same enthusiasm and looked away.
"What's wrong?" she wondered.
"There's a problem," he said, his tone quiet. "Those flames are too strong. Their heat can burn things that surround me. This means that they will harm you no matter how far you stand away from me."
For a moment, Arisa blinked her eyes. Part of her couldn't help but be happy that he was worried he could hurt her. The boy in front of her really looked like the childhood friend she always knew.
"I don't think there's any danger," she said, touching her chest. "I'm a fire attribute. I can withstand extremely high temperatures."
"Everyone has a limit." Zen's dark eyes met Arisa's. "There will be a point where your body won't take it anymore and burn. We shouldn't test your resistance against the Blue Flames; they're no joke."
Arisa gazed at him for a moment. She then looked at the ground that was flooding with water, thinking that they were back to square one.
"Then what should we do?" she asked.
"The flames can't harm me since I'm their master," replied Zen, examining his hand. "I'll shapeshift into my dragon form and protect you under one of my wings while I summon the flames. Let's hope you'll be safe under them."
Arisa's heart sped. It was the first time that Zen was telling her that he could turn into a dragon. She remembered the many times he lied to her, saying he had a difference with his clan. Arisa realized that he only told her those lies to hide who he really was.
"Okay," said Arisa almost in a whisper. "I'll hide under one of your wings whenever you're ready."
Zen nodded. He then walked a few steps back and kneeled, placing his right hand on the ground. A few seconds later, Arisa saw a large pair of dark, bat-like wings coming out from his back. The wings spread as if they were stretching before they curled around Zen, hiding his figure. With every blink, Arisa noticed that the being not far from her was increasing in size.
The large wings spread again, exhibiting a dark scaly creature with horns. As the dragon growled quietly, realization hit Arisa.
So it was really you back then.
Arisa remembered her encounter with the dragon in Celestia. It was flying in circles around her house before it saw her and landed in front of her. She wondered what he was doing around there that day. Was he hoping she would show up with her family and catch her personally or he missed the times he spent there with them?
The right wing remained spread while the other folded. Arisa guessed that Zen was telling her to go under the right wing. With her heart racing, Arisa rushed towards that side, feeling even tinier as she approached him. As soon as she reached the spot, Zen covered Arisa's area. Arisa breathed heavily, finding herself in the dark and no longer feeling the rain bath her armor.
Still hearing the rainfall on the other side, Arisa touched Zen's scaly arm, anxious to know what was going out there. For a minute, Arisa heard something besides the sound of pelting rain. She guessed that Zen was already summoning his blue flames. Even though she was protected under his wing, Arisa could still feel the strong heat of his flames.
Another minute passed and Arisa no longer heard the rainfall.
"Who's this dragon that dares to challenge me?" asked a familiar voice.
Arisa's eyes widened, recognizing the Master's voice. As Zen spread his wing, Arisa quickly walked forward, leaving the area of safety. She blinked a few times when she saw her surroundings. It was as if everywhere was raining except this wide part of the island. Arisa stopped walking as she spotted a woman in a long flowing dress, glaring at them with irritation.
"It's you again." The Master tilted its golden head.
Arisa summoned her sword. "Until I stop you, I won't stop bothering you."
"Then that means I'll have to get rid of you first." The Master smirked.
Arisa dashed forward. The Master turned into water as soon as Arisa reached it. Arisa gazed at the small pond in front of her. She gasped, feeling as if a freezing air went through her armor and bit her back. Arisa fought for some air as her temperature dropped.
"I'm doing you a favor by doing this," whispered a voice in her ear. "You have suffered a lot. You will be in peace when everything ends."
As the cold spread in her body, Arisa attempted to raise her temperature by absorbing the heat around her. But as it was nighttime and the land was barely warm, Arisa struggled. She breathed heavily.
"There's so much pain," said the Master. "It's better to fall into an eternal slumber, don't you think so?"
Arisa could barely feel her limbs as she shakily glanced over her shoulder. No words left her lips as her eyes met a snow woman hugging her back. Arisa attempted to move her shoulders to remove the threat but failed. She breathed heavily, her heart starting to slow down.
A soothing song filled the silence. Arisa's muscles relaxed upon hearing it and as the song went on, Arisa's eyelids started to grow heavy. A minute after the melodic sound harmonized the atmosphere, Arisa closed her eyes.
"Don't sleep," said a deep voice in the background.
Arisa gasped and opened her eyes. Feeling warm again, she saw countless fireballs that switched into blue flames every few seconds.
"Zen." Arisa turned around and saw a tall armored figure approaching her.
"You should be more careful," he said.
Arisa's eyes met the rocky ground. "Sorry. I was caught off-guard."
Zen gestured his right hand, making the fireballs filling their surroundings, disappear.
"Maybe I should finish you off first," said a voice in the background. "You have been irritating me with your powers."
"Good to hear," said Zen.
A sound of thunder cracked the air. Zen turned around and grabbed the large hand of an ice creature that was attempting to strike his back with multiple sharp claws. Arisa's brows rose, seeing that Zen's armor was burning with orange-red flames. The spiky ice creature in front of him started to melt as its hand quickly dropped on the rocky ground.
Rain fell, switching off the flames that were covering Zen. As the rain intensified, Arisa noticed that part of the water was shapeshifting, with some figures solidifying into ice or snow.
"Oh no," said Arisa, taking a step back. "It's using that attack again."
Arisa clenched her fist, remembering that the first time the Master used that attack, she thought she would die fighting those monsters as they kept on popping up and attacking her.
"Then I'll have to use my special flames again," said Zen by her side.
Arisa prepared herself to battle, wondering if Zen would be able to shapeshift with their opponents targeting them with no chance to escape.
She almost jumped and used her sword as she felt something wrapping around her. She calmed down when her helmet met Zen's armored chest. Although Arisa had recovered from the scare, her heart wouldn't stop skipping.
Zen raised his arm to summon something. The heat in her surroundings increased as Arisa spotted streams of blue flames dancing around them. In between the small space of the streams, Arisa saw creatures attempting to attack them but vaporized as soon as they approached them.
The temperature rose as the fire became thicker and thicker, burning everything that dared to approach them. Several seconds later, Zen gestured his hand again. The flames followed his command and spread on their surroundings, disappearing as soon as they met a solid object.
With no sign of water and ice creatures, Zen dropped his arms. As dead silence took over the atmosphere, Arisa examined her surroundings. She only saw flat land with a small number of boulders.
"Where could it be?" asked Arisa, taking a few steps forward, looking for the Master.
Her brows arched as she spotted a woman standing not far from them.
"There it is." Arisa rushed forward, summoning her crimson flames.
The woman turned into steam and disappeared as soon as Arisa reached it. Arisa fell a few steps away as something heavy hit her back.
"Until I accomplish what I have to, I won't allow anyone to seal me," said a voice behind her.
Arisa glanced over her shoulder. Before she could say anything, she saw a blade traveling through the Master's chest. The Master gazed at the Guardian behind it.
"Nice try." The Master chuckled, turning into water.
Arisa saw the water figure attempting to counter-attack. It stopped midway as it met a wall of blue flames that disappeared as soon as the Master returned to its physical form.
"How irritating," said the Master as a thick stream of water surrounded its hand and solidified into a sword of ice.
Clanking sounds broke the silence as Zen's blade met the Master's.
"So you'll finally stop being a coward and fight us yourself," said Zen.
"I thought that there would be no need of me to fight such hateful yet weak beings," said the Master. "But you've been disturbing me. I can't work properly with flies annoying me."
Zen chuckled. "Let's see if you'll succeed smashing those flies."
The Master glared at him and attempted to strike his chest. The ice sword clashed against Zen's greatsword. Zen deflected the Master's sword and pointed his blade at its gut but it only went through a water figure. The Master attempted another counter-attack and as Zen evaded the attack, they engaged in a duel, slowly leaving Arisa's area.
Arisa shakily stood up, watching the duel. Amazement spread in her blood, seeing how Zen was keeping up with the Master. As the duel went on for a minute, Arisa noticed that the Master was so focused on Zen that it forgot her.
Arisa's eyes widened. This is my chance
Arisa gazed at her hand, summoning her flames. She took a deep breath and watched the battle not far from her, preparing for the right moment.
Looking at the duel, it seemed as though the Master had changed its strategy and attempted to strike Zen on other sides. Every time he would defend himself, it would turn into a water figure and pop on another side and attempt to sink its blade on the most vulnerable spot. For a moment, Arisa thought that it would succeed until Zen lowered his body and grabbed the Master's wrist before it would regain its posture.
"Hurry up," said Zen. "Before it's too late."
As the Master gazed at him, confused, Arisa rushed towards them, realizing that Zen was talking to her.
The Master glanced over its shoulder. As soon as it noticed Arisa, it looked back at Zen, who tightened his grip with a hand covered with blue flames.
"Trying to turn back into water?" Zen teased.
"You will pay for this," it threatened, trying to remove its hand.
Zen gazed at it. "Maybe in another life."
Arisa's fist met the Master's back. The crimson flames spread around it. The Master sighed as multiple runes glowed around its colorful skin.
"You have committed a big mistake," it said, looking at Arisa. "Not letting me clean the worlds, you have allowed hatred to keep spreading forever."
As the Master gazed at her, Arisa noticed that it looked as if its body was shattering and light escaped through those thin cracks.
"We're not perfect," said Arisa, her voice quiet. "There will always be hatred. But no matter what, we will do our best to not let it affect us. We'll try to convince others that violence and hatred won't get us anywhere and who knows, we might succeed changing them."
The Master gazed at her, unimpressed. "Your loss."
Arisa closed her eyes as the gem on the Master's forehead glowed even brighter. Several seconds later, Arisa opened them. Gazing around, she saw that it was no longer raining on the whole island.
"What's that?" asked Zen.
Arisa glanced at him and noticed that he had focused his view to the sky. Arisa looked up. Her brows arched, noticing that the heavy clouds covering the sky were gone and the stars sparkled alongside the moon illuminating the land. Besides the moonlight, something glowed in the sky with a deep blue light.
"That's the gem," said Arisa, her heart speeding. "We have to get it before someone steals it."
Arisa examined her surroundings, remembering that Virgo was still around. She remembered what happened in Mammoth Cave. She didn't want to lose another gem to a despicable Guardian again.
She sighed. If Kazuya was there, he would have given her the ability to fly.
Zen walked forward. "I'll get it."
Arisa saw Zen run a little before he jumped with the wings spreading on his back. They flapped as his figure changed and increased in size. One blink and Arisa saw a black dragon, flying towards the glowing blue gem.
Arisa watched the dragon fly in the sky, her heart pumping anxiety. She took a deep breath, telling herself that everything will end well.
Several seconds passed before Arisa saw the dragon cover the gem's light with its figure as it approached it. As soon as Zen grabbed the gem, relief calmed Arisa's heart. She saw the dragon land in an area not far from her. She quickly ran towards the dragon that was slowly taking a human form.
"You did it," said Arisa, her tone cheerful.
Her cheerfulness didn't take long to vanish as Zen pointed his blade at her as soon as she reached him. Arisa found no words and stared at him.
"Our partnership ends here," he said, looking back at the gem in his end. "You'll have to kill me if you want this."
Zen showed her the blue gem. For a moment, Arisa remained frozen, unable to find words to say to him. She curled her fingers, telling herself that she should have known that this would happen. Yet she couldn't help but have a tiny hope that he would change his mind about their differences.
Arisa looked at him, sorrow spreading within her. She wished she could see what expression he hid behind his helmet.
"Why?" Arisa fought to hold back her tears. "Why are you doing this to me, Zen?"
"It's the only way." Zen examined the gem. "This thing is important to you, so I'm guessing if I keep it, you won't hesitate to fight me seriously."
Arisa touched her chest, feeling as if something was tightening her heart. She couldn't believe he was giving her a choice between him and the gem.
The gem was essential to bring peace. She would do anything to live in a peaceful world. Yet he was important to her. He was one of her good childhood friends, whom with time, ended up to fall in love with. There was no way she would go so far to kill him.
But there's no other way. Arisa summoned her sword. For the worlds, I won't lose another gem.
With her heart hammering, Arisa swung her sword. Clanking sounds sparked the air as her blade clashed against Zen's.
"That's the spirit," said Zen. "Fight me and you'll get what you want."
Zen deflected Arisa's sword and attempted to punch her with a fire fist. Arisa moved sideways and almost fell as she missed kicking him.
Clanking sounds cut the air as the two swords met again. As the two fought to force the other to drop the weapon, Arisa saw that Zen used only his right hand for a moment. Arisa took this opportunity to grab his hand with a hand covered with crimson flames. Zen moved sideways.
"Nice try," he said. "But I won't allow you to take it back until you do what you're supposed to do."
Arisa tightened her grip on her weapon, curling her lips at the thought of killing him.
There's no other choice.
Arisa deflected Zen's blade and attempted to punch him with a fire fist. Zen blocked her attack and as he attempted to strike her with his leg, Arisa walked sideways, avoiding the counter-attack.
Arisa saw an opportunity to pierce Zen's gut, but as she was too slow to initiate an attack, Zen punched her chest.
Arisa fought not to fall as she moved a step backward thanks to the impact. The sound of steel objects clashing filled the atmosphere again as Arisa protected herself with her blade. Both of them attempted another attack, cracking the air with clanking sounds.
For several minutes, the two of them trapped themselves in a cycle of attacks.
Seeing that their duel wasn't going anywhere, Arisa covered her right hand with crimson flames. As Zen attempted to pierce her chest, Arisa lowered her body and struck Zen's armored gut using her fist.
Zen's armor and sword vanished as soon as Aries' symbol showed its presence. Zen attempted to gesture his hand but was stopped by Arisa, who pointed her sword on his throat.
He smiled. "So you're finally going to do it."
Arisa didn't say anything, feeling heaviness in her arms as they trembled. She looked at him. She only had to push the tip of her blade and everything would be over. The thought of doing that made her stomach churn.
"You're a step closer to getting what you want," he said. "Go on."
Arisa remained silent and stared at the blade pointing her opponent's throat. She took a deep breath, telling herself that she could do this for the sake of the worlds. Several seconds passed and as her arm trembled, she couldn't find the courage to sink her blade in her target.
With her heart tightening, she dropped her sword and deactivated her armor.
"I'm sorry," she said, shaking her head. "I can't do it."
Even though she really wanted to help the worlds, she couldn't find the courage to take the life of someone who was once a good friend.
"You're a disappointment," said Zen, grabbing her arm.
He stood by her side and hit her neck using the side of his hand. Arisa gasped as everything around her blacked-out.
Zen held her in his arms as she almost fell on the ground. He kneeled on the rocky soil with her still resting in his arms. For a moment he stared at her, exhaling as he removed strands of dark hair that covered her face, guilt flowing in his veins.
"I'm sorry for making you go through this," he whispered. "But there's no other way. I guess you didn't grow a dislike towards me yet."
He rubbed her cheek. Her tranquil expression made his heart skip.
There's no way I can kill her. He sighed. I'm sorry father. I'm sure if you were in my shoes and you were supposed to kill mother, you would understand my choice.
He curled his fingers on her hand. "I hope next time we meet again, you will finally end this, Arisa."
Before he gently lay her on the ground, Zen saw a light brightening on Arisa's chest. He frowned, noticing that it was the necklace that was glowing.
A frail stream of light came out from the glowing pendant. Zen gazed at his front and saw that a figure was materializing. A few seconds later, he saw a young girl with silvery-blue skin and long dark hair.
As the girl bent a little, Zen found the creature's eyes curious. They were pure white with marine green ringlets.
The girl grabbed the gem in Arisa's hand, closing its hands as it regained its posture. As it closed its eyes as if it was concentrating, a blue light covered its figure for a few seconds. One blink and the light disappeared.
Zen frowned, noticing that the creature's eyes gained another pair of ringlets of a dark blue color.
"Salacia has been captured," it said. "Now only two Masters remain. Thank you for helping us."
Zen didn't say anything. Instead, he gave one last glance at the sleeping Arisa, rubbing her cheek. He sighed, wishing that everything they went through in the last few months was a terrible dream.
Accepting that this was their fate and there was nothing they could do, he gently lay her on the ground. He slowly stood up, turning around as he gazed at the starry sky and prepared to shift again.
"Why don't you tell her how you really feel?" asked a soft voice behind him. "Sometimes, it's better to listen to your heart."
Zen glanced over his shoulder and saw that the creature was slowly fading. For a short moment, his eyes met the ground as a short silence fell.
"The heart of the Dragon King belongs to his kingdom," he said, gazing back at his front.
He then jumped forward. His wings flapped as he slowly turned into a dragon and flew away from the area, on his way to Celestia.