Match of the Millennium

Description: Sana should be in her element here. Not only is she on her home turf but the fight is taking place in a flower garden. Surely this will lead to success for the cherry blossom loving girl? New kid on the block Natsuki put in a magical performance in her last match however, so Sana might have to read up on her if she wants to stay ahead.

[SANA]
The air in Seijyun High's vast flower garden usually hummed with the gentle buzz of insects and the soft rustle of leaves, a serene escape from the school's rigid demands. But today, for Sana Yasuda, the tranquility was a fragile veil, stretched thin over the sharp edge of anticipation. Her violet eyes, so often calm and reflective, held a focused intensity as she stepped onto the winding path. At fifteen, a second-year student, her striking blonde hair often drew curious glances, a stark contrast to the traditional Japanese setting, and a quiet testament to her unusual lineage.

The scent of a thousand blossoms, usually a comfort, now seemed to mingle with the metallic tang of something akin to ozone - the faint precursor of unleashed power. Beneath the vibrant display of colors and shapes, where crimson roses intertwined with pristine white lilies and carpets of sapphire and amethyst blooms spread underfoot, Sana felt the familiar stirrings of her chi. This was no leisurely stroll among petals; this was her chosen arena.

She moved with an almost ethereal grace, a natural extension of her Sakura no Mai fighting style. Her hand instinctively went to the scabbard of Eienchi, the sentient naginata that felt like an extension of her very being. The weapon, usually quiet during her academic day, stirred within her mind, its ancient spirit, Kenshin Yasuda, a constant, guiding presence. "Are you ready, child?" a stern, familiar voice resonated within her thoughts, a mix of expectation and subtle disapproval, even before a single move was made.

The path cutting directly to the greenhouse lay untouched behind her; her true purpose was here, amidst the blossoming beauty. This enormous garden, usually a sanctuary of privacy, would soon bear witness to the elegant ferocity of her cherry blossom petals and radiant sunlight as they met an unseen adversary. The weight of her family's Yasuda legacy, the silent expectations of a prodigy, and her own quiet rebellion against a predetermined path settled upon her slender shoulders. For a moment, her composed exterior flickered, revealing the ghost of self-doubt that lingered beneath. Yet, as the first breeze rustled through the petals around her, Sana drew a deep breath, the scent of impending battle now sharper than the flowers. Her grip on Eienchi tightened, ready to dance.

[NATSUKI]
Strangely enough, Sana's opponent for today is also blonde. Natsuki's long silky strands of hair are left loose around her heart-shaped face, which also features intense teal eyes, a neat nose and narrow lips. She's dressed in the same clothing as her last outing in the Rivals contest, a tight-fitting teal coloured jumpsuit that fastens with a silver zip up the front. Two thin white stripes run down the sides of the jumpsuit on either side and its chest area is coloured the bright orange of the Justice uniform. On her feet are a pair of bright orange sneakers with black toes and laces.

The President of the Justice High book club is also carrying, somewhat appropriately, a leather-bound book. Oh and a really big container of soda with a straw sticking out of the top.

As she walks through the undeniably stunning flower garden, Natsuki's senses are stimulated by the variety of scents coming from the beautiful blooms on display. She stops to bend down and bring a vibrant red rose to her nose, inhaling its scent. "This would be a wonderful place to sit and read." She observes, turning now to look at Sana for the first time. Although the two girls have never met before, Natsuki is fully aware of her, having studied her three matches on the streaming service. "What are you reading at the moment?"

The idea that Sana might not be reading anything doesn't even occur to Natsuki. To her this would seem as strange as someone confessing to not breathing or eating. She pulls an elastic hair tie from around her wrist and manoeuvres her long locks into a high ponytail on top of her head.

Though Sana may not realise it, Natsuki has a family legacy of her own. As the daughter of the proprietors of Nakaza Books, a business that's been in their family for four generations, she is well known in the local community, as well as in more clandestine circles. Ones that celebrate the kind of gifts Natsuki possesses. Something that until her debut match against Keiko, she had kept a secret.

That match had gone incredibly well for Natsuki. She'd been quietly thrilled with her performance but had expected it to be a one-off, since she'd only been drafted as a replacement for Inei. When she was told that 'Spooky' (Inei's Justice High nickname) wouldn't be competing again in round three, she'd been elated. Now she's getting to do it all again.

Natsuki edges closer to Sana, eager to hear her response regarding the book.

COMBATSYS: Sana has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Sana             0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Natsuki has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Sana             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Natsuki

[SANA]
Sana's violet eyes narrowed imperceptibly, taking in every detail. The casual stance, the unexpected question, the aura of serene confidence. The words hung in the air, a curious pre-battle pleasantry. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched Sana's lips, a silent acknowledgment of the audacity. Her response was calm, direct, and delivered with a measured stillness that betrayed the coiled power beneath. "I am reading my opponents."

As the words left her lips, Sana's body seamlessly transitioned. Her feet adjusted, shifting into a low, balanced stance, and the naginata, Eienchi, was drawn with a fluid motion that left no wasted energy. Without a moment's hesitation, she began to spin. It was the Hana Mau Senpu No Mai, a dance of graceful motion and deadly intent. As Sana's form blurred into a vortex of movement, cherry blossom petals erupted around her, not from the surrounding garden, but shimmering into existence from her own infused chi. They swirled in a dazzling storm of light and color, bathed in the radiant glow of sunlight-infused energy, creating a wide, horizontal arc with the naginata. The weapon became an extension of the blooming tempest, sweeping across the space between them in an elegant, expansive slash, aimed to cover a significant area and make evasion a daunting task.

COMBATSYS: Natsuki blocks Sana's Hana Mau Senpu No Mai.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Sana             0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0          Natsuki

[NATSUKI]
Natsuki sighs, though her dramatic gesture is followed by a smile. "That's my second opponent in a row who's avoided answering my question properly. If you decide you'd like to read a book instead let me know and I can make some recommendations."

Taking Sana's lead, Natsuki too prepares to battle, readying both her body and her book. When the spinning starts, she watches in silence, her head moving with the motion as if tracking the Seijyan student's movements. "Nice dancing." She murmurs but she's smart enough to realise that it's unlikely Sana is just putting on a pre-match performance for her. Natsuki better prepare!

Rather than stepping away from the petals, Natsuki moves into their path. It's a risky approach that sees some of the blooms falling on to her face. By the time the weapon comes in for the follow up however, she's positioned her body to block the attack, meaning she manages to escape without further damage.

"It seems the location of this fight couldn't be better planned for you." Natsuki remarks. "Not only are you at your own school but you're in a garden full of flowers and sunlight whilst creating more of the same!"

The Justice girl doesn't seem annoyed by this. Her tone is more one of somebody who appreciates how thematic it is. "Perhaps when it's Justice's time to host they will have me fight in the library." She says hopefully, whilst also being aware that there's a chance that Inei may return to take her place by then.

The young witch opens her book and begins to chant. "Sunlight shining down on we, bless me with your energy."

A large energy ball of orange light starts to form in front of Natsuki before bursting outwards towards Sana in the form of a brilliantly bright bolt!

COMBATSYS: Natsuki successfully hits Sana with Mystic Missile.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Sana             0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0          Natsuki

[SANA]
The bolt of bright orange energy slammed directly into Sana, a jolt of raw power coursing through her. She hadn't managed to fully evade it, the impact confirming that this would be no easy combat. Her violet eyes, now fully alight with the intensity of battle, fixed on Natsuki, the subtle sting of the blow serving as a stark reminder of her opponent's unexpected prowess.

**"Are you going to be more careful, child?"** Eienchi's voice echoed in her mind, a low thrum of disapproval that Sana felt in her very bones. She ignored the familiar chiding, instead turning her attention inward. This wasn't just about reading her opponent; it was about understanding herself in this moment, reconnecting with the deep wellspring of her chi. She closed her eyes for a fleeting instant, a deep, centering breath filling her lungs, drawing in the very essence of the sunlit garden around her. It was a rapid, almost imperceptible meditation, a recalibration of her spirit and her senses. When her eyes opened again, they held a renewed, unwavering resolve. She could feel the ambient light and the faint essence of the blooming petals responding to her heightened awareness, ready to be called upon once more.

COMBATSYS: Sana closes her eyes for a brief moment, taking a deep breath as she attunes herself to the rhythm of the battle, her senses sharpening.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Sana             0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0          Natsuki

[NATSUKI]
Natsuki can't help but display her delight as the energy bolt strikes Sana. The whole idea of being able to demonstrate her powers in front of others openly is still a new and novel experience for the book lover. When they happen to be successful, it's a bonus.

Perhaps Sana is stunned by the impact of being hit by the bolt because she just seems to stand on the spot breathing. Natsuki watches her with interest and when she realises she's not going to retaliate, she decides to attack again!

Looking towards her trusty tome, she turns the page before beginning to chant again. "Words of wonder bring your heat. Help me have Sana beat."

As he speaks, the words appear in the air and then alight with fire in a long row. Natsuki reaches out for them, wielding them like a whip which she then guides towards Sana to strike her with it.

COMBATSYS: Sana reflects Scorching Script from Natsuki with Yogetsu No Mai.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Sana             0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0          Natsuki

[SANA]
Sana's concentration was absolute as Natsuki's fiery, whip-like words, burning in a long, ignited row, lashed out towards her. The momentary stillness that Natsuki mistook for being stunned was, in fact, Sana's calculated assessment. As the incandescent words approached, Sana didn't attempt to dodge. Instead, her body began to move with a sudden, fluid grace, already initiating the Yogetsu No Mai. As she launched into her dramatic, spinning leap, ascending into the air, Eienchi moved with her. At this precise moment of ascent, as cherry blossom petals shimmered to life around her from her nascent sunlight-infused chi, they met Natsuki's incoming fiery attack. The petals, charged with Sana's energy, didn't just block; they intercepted the whip's raw power, instantly reflecting its energy back towards Natsuki. This mirrored force then seamlessly blended with Sana's own burgeoning power, amplifying the glowing crescent of energy that streamed from Eienchi's sweeping horizontal slash. The weapon became an extension of this radiant counter-attack, cleaving through the air with amplified force, a beautiful yet formidable wave directed back towards Natsuki, its impact intended to be unavoidable.

[NATSUKI]
Well Natsuki hadn't predicted that plot twist! As her whip reaches out to punish Sana, it's met by the Seijyuan student's weapons of choice - one the source of beauty, the other of brutality.

Natsuki is knocked backwards by the powerful combo, landing on her bottom but still clutching her book. "Chapter two and the heroine is thwarted." She murmurs to herself. "But the battle has barely begun, so she still has time to redeem herself and continue on her epic journey."

As she rises to her feet, Natsuki begins to chat. This time the words aren't clear but whatever she's saying appears to be having a powerful effect on her. Her hair starts to blow backwards as if someone has turned on a wind machine and her teal eyes appear brighter and sharper.

"What's the best book you've ever read." She wonders of Sana, her mouth breaking into a soft smile.

COMBATSYS: Natsuki charges her next attack!

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Sana             0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1          Natsuki

[SANA]
Natsuki's unexpected delight at the impact, followed by her unbothered philosophical musings about "Chapter two," confirmed Sana's suspicions: her opponent was far from rattled. As Natsuki rose, beginning a new, unclear chant that caused her hair to blow and her teal eyes to sharpen, Sana knew a significant escalation was coming. The question about the "best book you've ever read" felt less like genuine curiosity and more like a deliberate attempt to probe or distract. Sana's instincts, amplified by the subtle hum of Eienchi, told her this was not the moment to press an attack, but to fortify herself against the impending surge of Natsuki's power.

Sana met Natsuki's intense gaze without flinching, her own violet eyes reflecting a grim resolve. Recognizing the need for deeper reserves, she swiftly planted Eienchi, the naginata sinking firmly into the soft earth of the garden. As her hands clasped the hilt, a radiant energy began to emanate from her, bathing her form in a soft, golden glow. This deliberate act was a deep draw on her inner reserves, a conscious decision to bolster her stamina and sharpen her senses, preparing her for the powerful technique Natsuki was clearly manifesting. The effort was profound, and Sana could feel the subtle, almost imperceptible drain it placed on her overall well-being, a small cost for the amplified strength and heightened alertness she now commanded.

She finally answers. "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima." She pauses before saying "Now bring it."

COMBATSYS: Sana plants her naginata firmly into the ground, her body glowing with radiant energy as she draws on her inner reserves.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Sana             0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1          Natsuki

[NATSUKI]
Natsuki is pleased when she gets an answer to her question. "An interesting choice given recent events." She muses. "I take it you heard about the pagoda in Kyoto burning to the ground last week? Such a tragedy with all that history lost. Shermie from Cee Why Es has designed a tee shirt to raise funds for a rebuild."

As she's invited to bring it, Natsuki shakes her head. "How about you bring it?" She reflects back, standing her ground as her hair continues to blow in a non-existent breeze.

COMBATSYS: Natsuki charges her next attack!

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Sana             0/-------/--=====|=======\====---\1          Natsuki

[SANA]
Natsuki's response about the burning pagoda in Kyoto and the t-shirt fundraiser, while delivered with a pleased smile, felt like a deliberate attempt to disorient Sana. The mention of the tragedy, which Sana was indeed aware of, coupled with Natsuki's continued non-existent breeze affecting her hair, solidified Sana's assessment: Natsuki was playing mind games, trying to lure her into a conversational trap or lull her into complacency. The refusal to engage in the proposed "reading" exchange, and the playful "How about you bring it?" simply reinforced the feeling that Natsuki was both aware of and amused by the situation, further confirming that this was a combat of wills as much as skills.

Sana recognized the shift in Natsuki's tactic and knew better than to engage in the verbal spar. Her internal reserves, now bolstered by her earlier action, coursed through her, sharpening her focus. This was her opening. With a light, almost floating motion, Sana stepped forward, her movement fluid and deceptive. As she advanced, cherry blossom petals began to spiral around Eienchi, creating a glowing, petal-strewn path that preceded her. The sunlight-infused chi intensified, concentrating at the tip of the naginata's blade as she executed the Hikari Tsuranuku No Mai, thrusting the weapon straight and true towards Natsuki's chest. The strike was designed to be difficult to counter, aiming for a swift and decisive blow, a sharp contrast to Natsuki's extended verbal jousting.

COMBATSYS: Natsuki blocks Sana's Hikari Tsuranuku No Mai.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Sana             0/-------/--=====|=======\=======\1          Natsuki

[NATSUKI]
As Sana steps forward, Natsuki nods in approval. The readers might have given up on their story if the pace hadn't picked up again soon.

The now familiar petals put in another appearance but this time Natsuki ignores them. Instead she focuses all her attention on the blade heading straight towards her. She brings up a leg, kicking high as her lithe limb intercepts the weapon. Sure, it still hurts but the damage done is a lot kinder than it could have been.

Once she's regained her balance, Natsuki turns back to her book. "Rain pour down as clear as glass. Knock poor Sana on her ass."

A multitude of clear energy bolts shaped like crystals shimmer and sparkle around Natsuki. They start to move together in a swarm, soaring through the air before descending on Sana and attacking her repeatedly.

COMBATSYS: Sana fails to reflect Empowered Ruinous Rain from Natsuki with Hinode No Mai.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Sana             1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2          Natsuki

[SANA]
The crystalline energy bolts, shimmering and sparkling, descended upon Sana in a relentless swarm. She steeled herself, drawing deep on her reserves, a fierce resolve burning within her. 'I can do this', she thought, even as the first impacts struck. She had attempted to reflect them with her own chi, a tactic that had served her well before, but this time it failed. Each bolt struck with the stinging force of a whip, pummeling her with repeated impacts. A wave of intense pain coursed through her, the sheer volume and unexpected nature of the assault leaving her reeling. Her breath hitched, and for a moment, her vision blurred. The sudden, overwhelming pain made it impossible to gather her focus for a counter-attack. She was hit hard, forced to endure the barrage without a chance to retaliate.

[NATSUKI]
The blonde book loving babe holds her breath as the crystalline bolts do their best to batter Sana. As they strike, strong and true, Natsuki can see that she's caused her opponent considerable pain. "Beautiful." She gasps, though it's uncertain if she refers to the damage done or the bolts themselves.

Desiring to maintain the momentum of the escalating drama, Natsuki begins to read a passage from her leather-bound book. "I call upon you Gargos, to aid me with your hand. I do so with respect, I hope you understand."

Such a simple rhyme and yet, such an intense result!

A green portal opens in front of Natsuki, from which the projected image of a scaly looking hand with long curved claws appears. The hand moves towards Sana, seeking to grapple her and wrap its fingers around her throat.

COMBATSYS: Sana reflects Vengeful Visitation from the Void EX from Natsuki with Yuyake No Mai.

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Sana             0/-------/-======|>>>>>--\-------\0          Natsuki

[SANA]
Sana's focus was absolute as the spectral Gargos hand lunged, its shadowy claws reaching. A flicker of fear shot through her, a stark memory of the pain from Natsuki's previous onslaught, and the recent failure of her attempted reflection. "Are you going to be more careful, child?" Eienchi's chiding echo resonated, a testament to her past misstep. Yet, it didn't stop her. This was a make-it-or-break-it moment, a defiance of all odds, something Natsuki likely wouldn't expect given Sana's earlier struggle. With a swift, fluid motion, she executed the Yuyake No Mai. Her naginata twirled in a rapid, circular motion, generating a glowing, petal-filled wheel of sunlight-infused chi. The instant the projected hand made contact, its energy was violently twisted and absorbed by Sana's radiant vortex. Instead of grappling her, the hand's own power was overloaded and surged back through its ethereal connection. The entire force, amplified by Sana's chi, rebounded, blasting back towards Natsuki through the portal, a sudden, bright flash confirming the successful reflection.Sana didn't bother with the downward slash. She was a bit too far for that. The goal was to conquer that strange and fear inducing attack and she had done it. Sana stood, naginata still humming, a flicker of uncertainty in her violet eyes. She had turned Natsuki's attack against her, but the exact consequences for her opponent remained an unknown, for now.

[NATSUKI]
It isn't completely a surprise to Natsuki when Sana sends her own attack blasting back towards her. It is however a disappointment. Not that Natsuki's ambition is so intense that she can't handle not succeeding, it's just that she wanted to see what the spooky hand would do!

Instead she gets to feel it. The clawed fingers wrap around her throat, digging into the flesh and starting to choke Natsuki. Not only does she struggle for air but there's something else happening.

A surge of poison starts to enter her bloodstream, causing Natsuki to fall forwards on to her knees. "What's happening?" She ask with wide teal eyes. "This isn't part of it."

She can feel herself growing fainter and closes her eyes, starting to chant words in a foreign and unknown tongue. As the strange sounds come from her mouth, she holds on tight to the book as if seeking solace in its familiarity.

COMBATSYS: Natsuki charges her next attack!

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Sana             0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0          Natsuki

[SANA]
The chilling sight of Natsuki falling to her knees, the spectral hand she had summoned now choking her, brought no sense of triumph to Sana. Instead, Natsuki's pained, confused question-"What's happening? This isn't part of it."-and her desperate chanting in a foreign tongue stirred a new kind of unease. Despite the opportunity to press her advantage or even to recover from the previous impacts, Sana instinctively knew that this intense, unexpected backlash meant Natsuki was about to unleash something even more formidable in her struggle to survive. This wasn't the moment to regenerate; it was the moment to double down.

With grim determination, Sana reiterated her commitment, planting Eienchi firmly into the ground. Her earlier decision to draw on her inner reserves had been a calculated risk, and now, seeing Natsuki's desperate state, Sana knew she needed even more. A familiar radiant energy pulsed from her body, enveloping her in a soft, golden glow as she pulled even deeper from her inner reserves. This forced surge of chi would further enhance her stamina and sharpen her senses, preparing her for whatever dark, desperate power Natsuki might conjure next. Though she felt the pronounced drain on her own combat health, the cost was necessary. Sana needed every ounce of strength and alertness to face the escalating, unpredictable nature of this fight.

COMBATSYS: Sana plants her naginata firmly into the ground, her body glowing with radiant energy as she draws on her inner reserves.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Sana             1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0          Natsuki

[NATSUKI]
As Natsuki chants, the spectral hand of Gargos releases her, before vanishing into thin air. She gasps, inhaling as much oxygen as she can and then turns to look at Sana. There's a determined look on the Seijyuan student's face and she seems to be gathering herself. Apparently this fight is taking a toll on both young women.

Now feeling somewhat restored from her unfortunate encounter with the very thing she summoned, Natsuki turns again to her book, this time opening the pages instead of just using it as a prop. "The time has come, we've reached the hour, for you to bring your deadly power."

As she speaks, a short range bolt of light erupts in a sphere around Natsuki. Should it manage to make contact with Sana, it will explode with the impact.

COMBATSYS: Sana dodges Natsuki's Empowered Dome of Destruction.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Sana             1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0          Natsuki

[SANA]
Natsuki's gasped recovery and her determined focus on Sana were clear signals that despite the backlash, she was far from defeated. As Natsuki opened her book and chanted, Sana knew this was her moment to exploit Natsuki's recovery, to deny her the space and time to fully unleash her next spell, after this one.

With a surge of newfound resolve, Sana didn't hesitate. As the sphere of light expanded from Natsuki, Sana executed a swift, almost imperceptible sidestep, allowing the explosive pulse to harmlessly expand where she had just been. Her movement was a blur of calculated precision, a testament to her heightened alertness. Without breaking stride, she then burst forward, closing the distance between them with surprising speed. Her naginata, Eienchi, shifted in her grip, and she thrust the blunt end forward, aiming for a quick, precise strike to Natsuki's sternum, seeking to disrupt her concentration and break her rhythm.

COMBATSYS: Natsuki blocks Sana's Quick Strike.

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////                  ]
Sana             1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1          Natsuki

[NATSUKI]
Sana doesn't realise how fortunate she was in avoiding that explosion. Unbeknown to Natsuki, the poison that had entered her veins via the spectral hand had been channelled into her sphere. As Sana's skilful sidestep sends her to safety, both girls will remain innocent to what the outcome of that may have been.

"Well done." Natsuki compliments, her words genuine despite the underlying hint of disappointment.

There's no time to keep the conversation going though because Sana is coming straight for her. Natsuki swiftly raises her left forearm to block the blow, protecting her from a potentially far worse fate.

Despite deflecting some of the pain, Natsuki is not up to retaliating right now. Instead she tries to gather her strength, chanting and channelling whatever reserves lie within her until she's ready to go back on the attack.

COMBATSYS: Natsuki charges her next attack!

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Sana             1/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1          Natsuki

[SANA]
Natsuki's pained expression and the fact that she was actively chanting to gather her strength after blocking Sana's strike was all the confirmation Sana needed. This was the moment. She wouldn't give Natsuki the time to recover or unleash another spell.

Sana didn't hesitate. Her body flowed into the Sen Ji No Mai, a whirlwind of focused precision. With Eienchi becoming an extension of her will, she launched into a rapid series of slashes and thrusts. Each movement seamlessly transitioned into the next, creating a dazzling storm of offense. Cherry blossom petals and golden light erupted with every strike, a brilliant, almost blinding flurry of energy and grace. As her naginata cut through the air, her sunlight-infused chi amplified each blow, leaving behind a brief, shimmering golden outline of her form with every hit. It was an overwhelming torrent of precise strikes, designed to consume Natsuki with speed and power, denying her any chance to regain her footing or concentration. If the final thrust in the series landed, Sana didn't pull back. Instead, she pressed forward, using the momentum to try and pin Natsuki close with her naginata, aiming to maintain the relentless pressure and keep her opponent from creating any distance.

COMBATSYS: Natsuki auto-guards Sana's Sen Ji No Mai.

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Sana             0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1          Natsuki

[NATSUKI]
Sana comes towards Natsuki in a whirl, slashing and thrusting her way towards the Justice student.

It's an impressive display for sure, but somehow, every time Sana strikes out at Natsuki, she instinctively blocks each blow with her book, using it like a shield. Miraculously, the ancient tome also escapes unharmed.

When the flurry of attacks is finally over, Natsuki seizes her moment to strike back. The chanting turns into words as she invokes the spirit of a Greek God. "Apollo, hear my voice and send the sun my way. Help me use it's power to secure victory today."

As she speaks, glowing golden energy starts to gather around Natsuki, bathing her in its light. She brings it together in the shape of an arc, its size and intensity growing with every second she holds it in place.

Once the arc has reached it's full potential, she releases it towards Sana, sending laser-like energy her way!

COMBATSYS: Natsuki knocks away Sana with Empowered Amaterasu's Arc of Annihilation EX.
- Power hit! -

[                                < >  /////////////                 ]
Sana             1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0          Natsuki

[SANA]
The laser-like energy arc from Natsuki struck Sana with devastating force. She had attempted to dodge, to weave away from the concentrated blast, but it wasn't enough. The impact slammed into her, a searing wave of pain that left her reeling and her body screaming in protest. This was it. Every fiber of her being knew this was the absolute last gasp, the final surge of chi she could muster.

Despite the overwhelming pain, a fierce, desperate light ignited in Sana's violet eyes. This was the end, but she wouldn't fall without one last, powerful strike. Mustering every ounce of remaining chi, she launched herself into the air, initiating the Nagareboshi No Mai. Her ascent was fueled by raw determination, a final, graceful leap. As she rose, her legs became a blur of motion, delivering multiple kicks aimed at Natsuki's head. With each strike, shimmering, crescent-shaped sun chi slashes erupted, cutting through the air, accompanied by a final, desperate flurry of cherry blossom petals that danced around her. This was her last effort, a desperate, powerful assault. After this, win or lose, Sana's body would betray her, crumbling to the floor, unable to fight.

COMBATSYS: Sana can no longer fight.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Natsuki          0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Natsuki dodges Sana's Nagareboshi No Mai.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Natsuki          0/-------/-------|

[NATSUKI]
Natsuki watches in stunned silence as the arc of energy hits with such force. She can see that Sana is starting to falter but something in her eyes hints that she won't go down without a fight. Natsuki braces herself for whatever will come next, ready to react.

Sana becomes airbound, putting everything she has into striking Natsuki's head with her rapid kicks. Natsuki is nimble though. Each time a leg comes in, she manages to duck, avoiding harm and the petals from the cherry blossoms, which she now knows aren't just there to look pretty!

It seems for a while like the kicks will never cease but eventually Sana is spent and falls to the ground of the flower garden. Natsuki waits, her eyes darting between the fallen girl and the referee until eventually it's called. Natsuki once again takes victory for Justice!

Log created on 07:35:44 06/04/2025 by Natsuki, and last modified on 09:19:45 07/01/2025.