•Cerise•

That damned, blue crystal wielding bastard!

Two more seconds, and I would've had the Fifth Crystal in my grasp. All the work I'd done over the past couple of weeks to ensure that Blaine would be weak enough to kill just went down the drain.

I had nothing to show for it, and was now faced with someone who was best described as my mortal enemy.

My chest was heaving slightly as I recovered from our little grapple on the ground. My body felt warm. Whether it was from the physical exertion or the seething frustration boiling in my blood, I didn't know and I didn't care. I was gonna use it to fuel me and take my opponent down.

I tightened my grip on my red blades and brought my attention to the enemy standing a few feet from me- Azure, the Fourth Crystal.

The satisfaction in his blue eyes and goading smirk playing on his lips only made my anger grow. I wanted to wipe it from his smug face.

He held his usual boyish appearance that was matured by his defined jaw line and tall stature. His short brown hair fell stupidly perfect on his head and his blue irises were piercing, filled with a sense of nobility and honor. He was the biggest headache I knew.

"It's been a while since we've fought," Azure commented lightly. His gaze flickered from the blades in my hands to my face- his expression teasing, "You disappeared for a couple weeks. I was starting to worry."

I felt my scowl deepen as I eyed him with disdain. I hoped he could feel the sheer hatred I felt for him.

"Aw," I cooed darkly. "Can't go long without me can you?"

Azure's sapphire eyes glinted with mischief, "I've been counting the days until our next meeting."

The exchange rolled between us easily. It was a tactic to throw each other off. Right now I wasn't in the mood to entertain his antics though. I was out for blood.

I narrowed my eyes at Azure lifting my blades up in front of me, ready to engage.

The parking lot was draped in darkness. The moon's light was low and half obstructed by the clouds. Azure's blue blade glinted in the small beam of moonlight as he shifted the hilt absently. Despite his casual stance, I could sense the intentionality of his attention. His eyes followed me carefully, anticipating my next move. Azure rolled his blade in a forward circle as he eyed my red weapons.

"We don't have to fight," he stated, not moving into a combative stance.

It almost made me angrier that he would rather sit and discuss- being a peacemaker and all. I knew that was a waste of time. If he didn't want to fight, then he needed to learn to stay out of my way.

"I agree," I nodded, "We don't have to fight."

Azure rose a surprised brow. He had clearly been expecting me to disagree.

"You could leave me alone and let me go about my business" I suggested, "...but something tells me things aren't going to work out that nicely."

I didn't think of Azure as a personal migraine for no reason. He was here solely to make my life harder and I was feeling especially furious. It was one thing when he caused problems and setbacks during my missions, it was another thing entirely when he managed to actually stop me.

My gaze fell to where Blaine was on his side looking dazed, confused, in pain, but very much alive.

Azure glanced at Blaine as well, grimacing before returning his attention to me.

"Look things don't have to get more violent than they already have," he reasoned, "I don't want to continue this bloodshed."

I scoffed in amusement.

"Well I do."

With a disgusted snarl, I charged forward.

My weapons felt like extensions of myself, fluid and solid in my grasp.

The dual blades flanked me as I let the tips point down, brushing the ground, before I leapt into the air. The momentum sent wind against my face.

I brought both blades up, before swinging down at my target as I descended.

Azure twisted his blade in a horizontal slope, both hands gripping the hilt as he turned his body so that it was protected beneath his sapphire sword.

Our blades met in a violent clash that echoed around the lot.

I lifted my eyes to meet his over our crossed blades, the intensity of what was at stake waded between us.

"I must admit, I'm rather horrified that killing Blaine is your objective," Azure said- the judgement evident in his tone, "Then again Onyx has always played dirty."

At the mention of my boss I stiffened and sent Azure a sharp glare. The need to defend the man I worked for rose in my chest.

"Blaine's crystal hasn't been awakened," I shot back hotly, "I'm saving time and energy by taking it!"

"You're committing murder," Azure insisted, "Let's call it for what it is!"

He absorbed my energy, and used his own blade to push me away from him. I slid back, my feet scraping against the asphalt.

Azure rolled the hilt in his dominant hand once more, before gripping it again and swinging downward.

I thrust my right blade in front of me to block the blow, before bringing my left one around to strike at his neck.

Azure quickly pushed my right blade down and away with his own. He then brought his sword back up to block my second attack.

I pulled back quickly, letting his momentum turn me. I wielded both blades in a parallel manner as I brought them around myself and to Azure's mid section- but before I could make contact he'd shifted his sword to meet mine with a loud clang.

"I assume Vienna is playing the hero," I seethed, "She wants Blaine alive and brought to her side?"

Azure's eyes narrowed as I called out his boss. I wasn't a fan of the self righteous bitch, and I didn't hold back my disdain.

"You assume right that Vienna doesn't want Blaine murdered in exchange for his crystal," Azure clarified, his sapphire orbs flashing. "And I'm here to make sure he lives!"

I pulled back with a scowl, before sending a flurry of swings his way. Using my speed to my advantage, I attacked low and high, alternating blades in random patterns- trying to land a blow to him.

He played defense well and it only fueled my anger. Everywhere I moved to strike he was there to meet me. I became so focused on attacking, I was caught off guard when he suddenly went on the offensive. 

He swung up at me diagonally, breaking my rhythm. My blades swung back from the force. Azure didn't wait. He brought his blade up and struck again. With a grunt, I brought both blades up in an x formation to stop his sword from making contact.

I may have speed over him, but he had strength over me. I knew I couldn't hold this position for long. Shifting my weight, I kicked out toward him. My foot made solid contact with his stomach and the impact made him stumble back a few feet.

Our blades dislodged, the pressure releasing from my weapon. Azure looked to me, blue irises practically dancing with mirth.

"Haven't lost your touch."

My eyes narrowed, "I'm properly motivated."

I drew my blades in front of me, one across my waist and the other over my head- an invitation for him to launch another assault. One he did not turn down.

In an instant we were locked in combat again. Our blades clashed in an erratic rhythm. We moved back and forth, each trying to gain an advantage over the other.

Azure suddenly became more aggressive in his attacks, striving to be on the offensive. I couldn't help but scowl as I began blocking, alternating my left and right blade. Azure was relentless, his single blade continuing to push me backward.

It wasn't until we were nearly on top of Blaine's forgotten football bag that I realized Azure had a specific objective. Before I could stop it, Azure kicked Blaine's bag sending it skidding right toward the owner himself. The silver of Blaine's car keys flashed from its place in the side pocket.

He was giving him an escape- the bastard!

I nearly growled from the frustration as I began my own series of attacks with a renewed sense of vigor.

I launched myself into the air and began turning as I descended. I slashed my red blades at Azure in a circular motion. It was a whirlwind of quick attacks, barely giving him time to process.

Blaine getting away would set my plan back infinitely. I couldn't let it happen. I couldn't be responsible for such a major setback.

"Worried sweetness?" Azure grit out as he blocked my blade.

I swung at him again, the sharp sound of our fight echoed around the empty lot.

"I'm just eager to sever your head from your body," I snarled.

I quickly aimed my blade at his leg, using the momentum I had built. Before Azure could block it fully I managed to knick the flesh above his knee, slicing through in a clean cut.

Azure gave a sharp grunt and refocused on blocking my attacks. With great force he pushed against my blade, sending me away from him.

Even though I reveled in the small victory, I knew it was only a shallow flesh wound. It wouldn't do much to slow him down.

I glanced at Blaine in the small reprieve. He had grabbed his keys, not bothering to try and bring his football bag with him, and was stumbling to his truck. While still confused looking, he seemed to understand that he needed to get out of here.

"No," I muttered, intent on charging the blonde boy.

But Azure was advancing on me quickly. I saw him swing his blue blade toward me from the corner of my eye. I just managed to bring my left blade up to defend against his strike.

While I blocked his blade from touching me, his attack came with more force then I was anticipating. My grip slipped and my left blade was sent clattering across the lot.

My weapon rolled to a stop and then dispersed like smoke after being separated from my touch.

I quickly gripped my right blade with both hands, and swung as hard as I could at Azure's blade while it remained in a weaker transition state.

I timed it perfectly, but Azure seemed to anticipate the force of my attack. I didn't relent though, with my blade in front I wielded the red crystal with precision and tenacity.

I slashed again and again until I landed a solid hit that sent Azure's blade flying from his hand with a sharp cling. After loosing contact with its owner the blue weapon dissolved after a moment.

At the sound of Blaine's engine igniting I whirled around to make a break for his car. I took one step before I felt Azure's hand close around my wrist firmly, and tug me back towards him.

I nearly crashed into his solid chest, before pulling back and swinging my right blade at his neck. His eyes quickly flashed to my weapon. Before my blade could connect with his flesh, Azure's other hand shot out and caught my wrist- stopping my attack mid motion.

Azure was now holding both my wrists. I continued to try and push my blade forward, but his hold didn't budge.

He began to put pressure on my wrist. I grit my teeth as I felt my grip weaken- my fingers slowly uncurling around the hilt. After a moment, my remaining blade clattered to the ground next to us and dispersed into the air.

With a frustrated snarl I made to kick his shin, but Azure anticipated my attack and moved his leg before dragging me closer to him.

I stumbled forward, off balance and irritated. My wrists still solidly in his hands.

"Where do you think you're going?" He taunted, "I'm not quite finished with you yet."

When I looked up, his lips were pulled up in a smug smile and his blue irises were light with playful energy. I leaned back as far as I could and glared.

"My interest lies entirely elsewhere now," I hissed, "I'm afraid I've grown bored of you."

Azure chuckled, "Ouch."

Using the brief distraction, I quickly stomped on his foot. Azure grimaced and his grip loosened allowing me to jerk my wrists free.

"I would apologize but hurting you is kinda the objective here," I made to kick him where I'd previously cut his leg, but Azure dodged me this time and retreated slightly to create more distance between us.

Not wasting time on re forming a weapon, I waved my hand in a circular motion- summoning my red crystal shards back to me. The individual fragments appeared, dancing in the air and following the graceful movement of my hand. The gems glinted under the moonlight as they whirled around me.

I quickly brought up my other hand, separating my shards into two groups. I then thrust my left hand forward sending a group pelting towards Azure.

He immediately made a fist and his blue shards materialized to form a sort of barrier. The red shards collided with his blue, pushing Azure back further.

My hands readied to attack once more, when I felt Blaine's signature fade away.

I paused my onslaught. His crystal essence had dissipated and left no trace or pulse of energy.

I still had my hands up- ready to direct more of my crystals, but I let my senses wander to seek out Blaine.

I found nothing. He must be close to his home. He was now safe and in a place I couldn't track him.

Azure had won this round.

Fury burst in my chest as my eyes trailed to him. He'd relaxed and didn't seem to be itching to fight again. Instead he was just watching me intently, his piercing blue gaze asking what was going to happen now.

With a sharp flick of my wrist, I raised my red shards around me in response.

I was still thirsty for his defeat. My objective with Blaine couldn't be completed tonight, but that didn't mean Azure was off the table. If I could get rid of him for good, I would certainly do that.

He rolled his eyes, "As much fun as this has been my sweet, I suggest we find a new way to end this."

"This ends with you out of my way!" I hissed angrily. "Since you won't do that on your own, I will gladly make you."

Azure didn't seem too deterred by the threat, cocking his head slightly. "I can't say you look particularly distressed over the prospect."

I scoffed, "That's because I'm more than willing to carry out the deed."

I threw both my hands forward, sending my red crystal shards hurtling towards him.

I saw his eyes widen slightly before he dodged my attack and raised his hand to bring up his blue shards to block mine. Our crystal's clashed together again- blue and red obliterating each other, the sharp sound resonated around the lot.

Azure cast a sideways glance at me and shook his head. I continued to glare, hoping my hatred might make him dissipate.

"Now that is disappointing," he sighed, a lively mirth in his blue orbs, "With Blaine safe I was hoping we could settle this situation diplomatically, turn a new page."

"I don't know where the hell you got that idea."

He shrugged, "I'm an optimist."

"You're an idiot."

Azure's eyes lightened knowingly, an infuriating smirk pulling at his lips.

"Aw, I think someone's mad that Blaine got away safe and sound."

I shot another blast of crystals shards at his annoyingly smug head. Azure waved his own crystals in front of him to take the impact.

"I'll take that as a yes," he muttered.

I didn't give a response, sending another blast at his form while at the same time summoning my used shards back to me. Azure blocked once more, before his blue irises flashed in determination.

He flexed his hands, summoning more blue crystal shards. The sapphire fragments formed from the air around him, solidifying into lethal objects. The gems mimicked the confident motion of his hands- gliding around him with ease.

Azure then thrust his hand forward, sending a flurry of shards my way. I quickly waved my hand, sending a group of my own crystal shards to collide with his.

It was mayhem. Red and blue shards were being shot across the parking lot. The crisp sound of shattering crystal encompassed the atmosphere.

As we traded onslaughts, I advanced to close the distance between us. Wielding crystal shards like this was harder in close quarters. It required speed and I had that advantage.

I continued to block and fire my crystals with precision and efficiency, waiting for the moment when Azure would be open to attack. It appeared right after he sent his last round towards me, and before he was able to re summon used shards. It was a small window, but it existed.

Once I spotted the opening I didn't hesitate.

With a push of my hands, all groups of shards at my disposal were bolting towards Azure. My red crystals barreled through his blue ones and sent him off his feet.

The force threw Azure on his back. He was completely defenseless with his shards fallen. I could practically taste the victory on my tongue.

I ran to his position and pinned him down to the ground, sending my leftover crystals to hold his legs in place. I used my legs to pin his arms down while my body hovered over his torso. The image reminded me of how I had Blaine in this exact position earlier, before Azure ruined everything. It seemed Azure would be taking his place tonight.

I summoned the last of my red shards to form my red dagger. The crystal pieces fit together like a puzzle releasing a satisfying cling into the night. My fingers closed around the smooth hilt and with great satisfaction, I directed the blade at Azure's heart.

I couldn't help the smirk that formed on my face as I prepared to take Azure out of this game for good.

"I guess tonight wasn't a total waste after all."

Azure met my eyes, his orbs still filled with strength despite his vulnerable position.

"I wouldn't get too cocky," he advised.

I hummed in amusement, "You're finished, darling. And now Blaine will be left without protection. His crystal will be Onyx's."

Azure's expression hardened, a steely determination in his eyes, "I won't let you kill the Fifth Crystal."

I almost wanted to laugh at his predictability. Azure's compassion was easily his weakest point. Everything he did seemed to be in support of saving people. It was easily usable against him.

"I won't be killing the Fifth Crystal," I assured, "I'm simply taking it from its owner."

"Which will kill him."

I shrugged, "If you want to get technical about it."

Azure didn't look pleased with my response, but I couldn't care less. This was the end of the road for him. He wouldn't be around to see how all of this played out.

The sound of cars rolling up to the school reached my ears causing me to stiffen. My focus on Azure faltered.

I was suddenly reminded of the world we were occupying and how I needed to operate discreetly.

I turned my head to see two policeman stepping out of a squad car. Another one was following close behind, pulling up behind the first car. I internally cursed.

This was the worst possible timing ever.

I couldn't kill Azure now without drawing attention, and I didn't have time to dispose of his body. I grit my teeth as my mind whirled.

I had him and I was going to be forced to let him go. There was no way I was going to manage bringing him with me without him making a scene. I turned back to Azure with a tight glare at the realization.

He was looking up at me smugly. His blue irises were glinting in triumph and pleasure at my blatant frustration. The arrogant douche had come to the same conclusion I did.

"As much as I'm enjoying being in this position with you, I suggest we get a move on."

"Shut up," I hissed.

I was struggling with the idea of letting him roam free. I racked my brain trying to think of some alternative option.

When I heard the car doors close and saw the flickers of flashlights though, I knew my time was up. The mission was more important and I wouldn't jeopardize it for Azure's defeat- no matter how tempting.

I held Azure's infuriatingly pleased eyes for a moment before I got off of him and dissolved my crystals. Azure was up in an instant. We gave each other one last glance, then we separated just as a flashlight was shone in our direction.

I clung to the shadows relying on its dark cover to keep from being exposed. I easily evaded the policemen as they spread around the front of the school.

Apparently, someone called with an allegation of suspicious activity taking place at the high school. It didn't matter. The police would find nothing. I pushed down any bitterness and refocused.

As much as it angered me that Azure still remained a problem I needed to deal with, I knew I needed to use this time to rethink my strategy. My mission just received a huge obstacle.

With a sigh, I left the school's campus and took shelter in the darkness of the night. My mind was whirling with possible moves and counter moves I could take. While I accepted this setback, it wasn't over yet. I was more than prepared to do whatever it took to claim greater victory.

So let the battle begin Azure. Let the battle begin.