The Signet Ring

Ashane Versus Cassidy

Laying back against his ivory throne, rubbing his fingers as his hands are closed together, with a raised chin, Neji is drowned in his thoughts whether he will fulfill his promise to his son or not. Days ago, before the incident about the message caster happened, he promised Ashane that he will do anything for him to win in his duel with Cassidy, and that includes commanding the signet ring to bless his son. Neji looks at the ring on his finger with so many questions in his eyes. Until now, I know all your abilities, your powers, you're such a great weapon, yet until now, all I could do with you is draw the sword out from you. He sighs. How could she have the phoenix? He thinks. Neji clenches his fist at the thought of Cassidy. Jealousy. Curiosity. It's more than those. She's a danger. Neji rose from his seat. Okay. Ashane has to understand this. He hurriedly rushed out from that grand chamber throne of his. I need to talk to my son. He thinks. 

Duel Day

 This is the last part of the tournament inside Netiara Academy wherein the overall winner of each class has to fight until the last one standing will face Neji, the recent ringmaster, and King of the Royal Tribe, in the last stage of the tournament. The students in Netiara Academy expectant, loud, and nervous gathered together in the wide quadrangle. Everybody knows that Cassidy has to fight with Ashane a student from the higher class, and son of Neji. Its no longer a secret to the school that Cassidy although, a daughter of a commoner possesses the same elements as Ashane, more than that, the phoenix is with her. Everyone in Netiara is excited about this duel for they think they'll be witnessing a good fight. The scent of dust draws into her nostrils. Cassidy feels the heat of the sun on her skin. She's sweating a bit in her fitted jeans, boots, and black hood. Her white long straight hair is tied up this time as if sending a message that she's prepared for this fight. She strides confidently towards the center dragging a long thick black spear. The sound of it rubbing against the rough arena is giving them chills. The crowd yells wildly. Cassidy walks forward-looking sharply at Ashane. Ashane smirks while watching her. He brazenly walks to the center and throws an insulting stare at Cassidy. The sound of the clanging bell creeps into their senses, a signal that the duel should start. Cassidy raises her spear. She decided to use this instead of the sword because she misses the sword from the ring. She remembers how that blazing sword could change into a dagger or a medium-sized spear. Let me see If I still know how to handle this. She thinks. Cassidy hears Ashane screaming furiously as he rushes towards her with a sword in his hand. She manages to escape his attack. Ashane pointed and tried to smash her again. She blocks her attack, using the spear. Ashane flares up seeing how Cassidy swiftly avoided his blade. She's really good in combat. He thinks. Their weapons clashes. The crowd cheers more wildly. The teachers are holding their breath except for Kapono, who sits there on his high chair with a blank face. Deep inside she wants Cassidy to win this time. It will be good for the twins if Ashane loses this. He thinks.

 " Let's finish this!, "  Ashane shouts, throwing his sword on the side. He knows he's not gonna win over Cassidy with that weapon. He flexes his palm and releases a sharp light running towards Cassidy. It moves fast and strong creating a strong wind and cutting the ground. Seeing that, Cassidy smirks. This is what I'm waiting for. She thinks. Cassidy stretches his arms gathering the hot air around. She motioned his other hand towards the sharp lights coming to her and absorbs its energy. There. She said in a whisper. Heat and wind collide. Cassidy uses Ashane's attack to create a cyclone. Then she raises her spear, moves it around as if pushing the cyclone she created. 

 " Don't you know that I can wield your weapon against you? That's the secret of the element which your Tribe possesses", Cassidy said pointing her spear at Ashane.

 "I guess you're a stranger to your own ability", and she smirks. Ashane groans in anger run swiftly towards Cassidy. But Cassidy pins him on the neck and slam him against the ground. She chuckles. Ashane continues to resist her strength. He should have made another attack now to defend himself yet he remembers his conversation with her dad.

 " Lose the tournament", Neji said to his son 

 " What did you just say dad? You want me to let myself be defeated by Cassidy?", Ashane replied. 

 " Yeah, change in plans", Neji said.

 " That's an order", He said firmly and turns back. 

 "You promised to bless me and now you want me to be a loser?" Ashane shouts at his father. 

His eyes are blazing in disappointment and anger.

 " If you want to become the next ringmaster and King of the entire Velaris, you must obey me" Neji replied.

 "Please understand that I'm clearing the way for you, son", Neji said the corner of his eyes crinkled. This plan must work out fine. He said on his mind. 

 The voices of the crowd cheering Cassidy's name draws back Ashane's attention in the duel. Okay. I'll let you win this time but I'll punish you myself later. He thinks as she's staring at Cassidy and hearing the people shouting her name. Ashane catches a glimpse of Ryse at the corner of his eyes. His brows furrowed. What is she up to? Then he sees her leave. Lately, Ryse is acting strange. His eyes move around the people in the arena. He sees Raye sitting beside Kapono. Raye flashes a mocking smile at him. Ashane holds back his temper. I have to lose this battle to gain the throne. He thinks. And when I get it you and your sister will lose your royal rights. Ashane thinks while staring fiercely at Raye.

 " Well done!", Kapono rises from sitting. He announces the end of the duel with a wide smile. Everything is drawing unto their favor now. He's glad. 

 " It's obvious that Cassidy got the higher scores in this match. Therefore, she's the warrior of Netiara to face the ringmaster King" Kapono said loud and clear. 

 The students cheered wildly. Cassidy is now making a legend in Netiara Academy. She had become a symbol of hope for the students there who's from commoners. A hope that even a commoner like Cassidy equaled the nobles though deep in the people's heart lies a question about who she really is. 

At The Elves Tribe

 The tribe of the Elves is known as the most peaceful people in Velaris. In their tribe lies the most enchanting garden in Velaris. They are known for the quality of their crops. They have the richest soil in the land. Zair, the Elves Tribe King is drawn in his thoughts. There's darkness silently creeping in Velaris and he's worried sick that this might destroy the serenity in his Tribe. He's the only Tribe King in the land who have not yet give in to the agreement of the ringmaster King, that each Tribe must contribute their people for manpower either be traded as a serf or as a servant in the Royal Tribe. He also refuses to agree for the Royal Knights to take control of the common elves' land. Zair told Neji that he still has not made his decision yet and he needs time for that. Although, some elves had volunteered to give their lands or their service to Neji, trap in their solid belief in him being the wearer of the signet ring. Yet, now Zair heard that they're regretting it. You may be the wearer of the ring but ever since I haven't seen it following you like how it obeyed Cassandra. And now, here's this schoolgirl from nowhere who might possess the water phoenix. One of the ring's power, which Neji had never drawn out since he succeeded Cassandra? Zair exhales caressing his chin. Why do I feel like something is wrong? He thinks. 

Meanwhile in Netiara Academy

 Cassidy fixes herself. She takes off her hood and sees how her bruises healed instantly. She gets a wet clean towel and wipes her face with it. The surrounding is quiet already. She should be resting also. It's like every day is a long tiring day. What is that? Cassidy pauses from what she's doing. The noise cracking from above disturbs the silence of the night. She sees a smoky-like energy beam coming down to her. Cassidy instantly falls asleep before she could shield herself from it.

 " Didn't I said I'll punish you later?", Ashane cackles. He lifts Cassidy and puts him inside the carriage. Ashane has a plan whom his father doesn't know but he's sure that if he'll succeed with this, his father will be happy. Let me see how blessed you are. Isn't it's nice if you'll wake up at Neifilhim? Ashane thinks and snapped out a shallow laugh.