right," he replied but leaned in to kiss my forehead. "Kaito will be here shortly. He just got back."
"And brought me this sword? Isn't that like...illegal? Against the rules?"
"Not against the rules, apparently. It was 'chosen' for you. Just by Kaito," he reasoned like it wasn't suspicious whatsoever. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the note.
Placing it in my hand, he gave me a quick kiss and whispered, "I better go before I get in trouble. Good luck, Bri. We'll be up there watching you kick booty."
"Your confidence in me is always appreciated," I replied as we pressed foreheads and allowed ourselves to enjoy the sacred moment. He finally took his leave, and I watched as he walked out of the hall and waved back at me.
I waved in return and could hear Finnick. "What the-? The washroom isn't that way!"
"You thought I'd go to the washroom when our Notorious Queen is about to kick ass? I think not."
Connor was roaring in laughter as the door closed, but their support meant the world to me as I grinned from ear to ear and lowered my gaze to the note in my possession. Unfolding it, I quickly scanned the cursive, penned message.
* * *
Brianne,
I had a feeling I'd be slightly late, so I decided to get a helping hand in delivering this to you. I'm sure you're going to be the main lead for the exam, so a little helping hand will make things easier. I'll see you and the others shortly, but this gift is for you because you're my light and deserve a golden sword that represents the sunlight that greets us in the morning and says farewell as it sets. I know I've worried you, but rest easy. I'm back and will see you shortly.
* * *
- Kaito M.
* * *
I was going to fold the paper for safekeeping when a sentence way below caught my attention.
P.S. No matter what happens, follow the voice that guides you to the light.
"The voice that guides me to the light?" I pondered.
Wisdom for the foreseeable future.
Marianna’s statement intrigued me, but this was no time for us to ponder what the future may hold.
Time to get this exam over with and fight!
Folding the note and tucking it right into my bra beneath my suit, I zipped the tight leather up and took one final look at the dazzling sword.
"Time to fight for the Notorious Five's future."
"NOPE! NO, NO, NO, NO, HELL TO THE FUCKING AH!" My words were cut off as I fought hard to avoid the black sludge trying to swallow me, but got blown right off the path by a bomb that exploded at my feet.
"AH!" I shrieked and suddenly I was zapping further down the path, avoiding the sudden rockslide that seemed to come out of nowhere.
Literally nowhere!
"This exam is unbelievable!" I shrieked when my body surged into existence once more and I was sprinting down the black brick path as the playing field suddenly changed. I skidded to a stop and turned right around, pulling my sword out and charging it with my magic, which was finally getting the moment to come out and play.
The black slug that was racing towards me let out a heart-wrenching sound that left my ears ringing, but I was done playing silly games with this beast.
"I'm tired of you!" I snarled as I spread my stance out further, and I felt my eyes begin to burn while a red magic circle formed beneath me. Red shifted to orange which then moved to gold, the spinning circle of power growing bigger and bigger as I conjured up as much magic as possible. This ten-foot beast was about to feel my wrath as I twirled the sword in my hand before the words to the heightened spell left my lips.
"Moonla Re Va Flamendo Ra Ve. Destroy the dark that impedes your hungry desires and bring light to the surface!"
The spell was different but hit its mark as I took one step forward and was suddenly mid-air with my sword completing the final strike through the large beast. Its scream shook the room as the sliced pieces of its body fell to the side.
Within seconds, it began to fade into specks of energy, until all that was left was white butterflies that fluttered upward. They looked like they were truly parts of the light element.
I watched in amazement while being captivated by their mere beauty, one of them fluttering over to me until