One week later...

Sapphire was nervous. She knew that it was just a play duel, and that nothing was going to go wrong. Nico would cast his spell that would prevent her from being hurt at all, and they could practice her weaknesses. So why did she have a bad feeling about this?

You're just overthinking, you'll be fine she told herself. Everything would be fine. Everything would be fine.

She got up and grabbed a jacket. She was about to head out when she paused. Should she take her daggers? She wouldn't be able to use them, but...

She grabbed the daggers and shoved them in them in her pockets. It was good to have a little protection.

She headed out of her room and started looking for Nico. He was the one who knew which house they were going to.

"Sapphire, you ready?" Nico says from behind her. She jumped.
"Gah, you scared me," she said. "Yes I'm ready,"
"Sorry. Uh, follow me." he said, gesturing and walking away.
"No need to apologise Nico," she said, smiling.

"Anyways, remind me what you'll be doing again?" she asked.
"I'll be refereeing the duel. That means no magic, missy," he said, grinning.
"Oh no! My whole plan has been ruined! Whatever shall I do!" she said playfully. Nico laughed.

They continued their banter until they arrived at the house. Sapphire paused before stepping in.

"Hey Larissa. This is Sapphire, remember how I said she would be coming over for practice duel?" Nico said. V

"Yeah, I remember. Your sword is over there," she said, smiling. Larissa's eyes reminded her of someone, but she couldn't remember who.

Sapphire pulled off her jacket and walked over to the sword. She picked hers up. A burning sensation made her immediately drop it and hiss. Nico hurried over and checked the sword.

"Dark magic, of course," he muttered. He then made a light box and drew what looked like tar out of the sword and placed it in the box.

He stood up and regarded her for a second. "Can I see your hand? Magic burns can be nasty,". She held out her burnt hand.

"Now don't tell Simmii, our nurse, because technically you're meant to heal that on your own, but doing this one time won't hurt you." Nico said. While he was talking, he healed the burn on her hand.

"Larissa, can I-" she barreled into Nico. Her left arm stung. "Wha- oh heck," he said, pushing her off him. He cast ice on the ground, causing Larissa to slip as she tried lunging towards them.

Sapphire darted away, trying to reach her jacket. Larissa tried following her, but Nico threw down a shield, causing her to focus on him.

She reached her jacket and grabbed her daggers, one in each hand. She turned to see Nico trying to get Larissa off him, the shields cracking every time her sword hit it. The dark magic. She made a vine and tripped her over.

Larissa turned to face her. Sapphire was then parrying hits from all sides. Eventually, she saw an opening and rolled through a gap, kicking her leg out, causing Larissa to fall over. She then made vines wrap around her, holding her down.

Nico removed the dark magic, putting it in another box of light.

"You can let go of her now, Sapphire," he said.
"No," she said. She could feel the dark magic in her.
"No? Why?" Nico said, nervous.
"It's just, uh," she spluttered. What could she say that wasn't weird. "Look at her eyes Nico. Can't you see it?" she pleaded.
"Oh,"

"Hold her still Sapphire." he said, moving closer. He muttered something before pulling the tar-like substance out of Larissa's head. "Thank goodness, it was just on top,".

To Larissa he said, "You feeling okay?"
"As good as one can be after being under the influence of dark magic Nico," she said smiling.

Her attention turned to Sapphire. "Oh dear, you're bleeding!" Sapphire glanced at her arm. She was in fact bleeding.
"Oh, it's fine," she said, trying to hide it.
"Oh no worries. I have a bandage here." Nico said, wrapping it around her arm. "There we go. That should last until we get back. I'll get Simmii to check it though," he said.
"Thanks," she said shyly.
"We'll be going now. I hope you don't mind," he said.
"No, I don't," she said smiling.

Sapphire and Nico walked back to the base.

"This is the medbay. Let me just find Simmii real quick." Nico said. He walked away, leaving her on a bed.

Eventually, Nico (presumably) found her, and started talking to her.

"Hi, I'm Simmii, your nurse. Nico says you have a cut on your arm. May I look at it?" she said. Sapphire nodded. Simmii unwrapped the bandage. "Oh good, it's not that deep. Mind telling me what happened?"

a/n *fade to black* Boom! Long chapter AND fight scene.

If y'all are confused on why Larissa attacked, basically, she had dark magic that influenced her to attack Sapphire and Nico