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"Make you the king?" Jack asked, "I should have known. I got carried away by your conniving words. I will never make you king! Ace was right, we should talk to them."

"Conniving? Wait a minute there." Blonde beard stood up. "We know the story of his misdeeds, but he is a good man now. He looks out for us and has been doing a great job around Kofka. You can't just turn on him."

"Besides that, what do you mean capture the king?" Red beard took a stand next to his friend. "You can't think of attacking out kingdom. Why did you bring them here Mr. Quinn? These aren't heroes."

"Sit down you two." Granny enforced. "They are the heroes we revered. They are the ones that made it for a reason. Let them talk, we have done our part."

There was silence in the room after the old woman spoke. Her authority made Jack feel like he was in over their head. Quinn's stupid words from earlier rang in his head. Was this too much? Was this their culture? Is this what the people would want? Is this saving them? Is it ego? Jack shook his head to reset. He looked around the room again. He soaked in as much as he could with his eyes. He had to look at the puzzle again.

"Jack. What made you want to be a hero?" Ace asked.

The stories. He heard the stories as a child. He would watch the soldiers protect the village and do cool things. He loved dreaming that he could be like that someday. They were the same. All of them were the same. Was he thinking about taking away their dream? No, what was happening here was unfair. They didn't need this to be heroes, they are all needlessly suffering. How needless is the sacrifice? What does it take to be a hero? Were they lucky?

"The stories. Ace, I can't figure—"

"Why do you enjoy being a blacksmith?"

"Blacksmith? What does that have to do with..."

Jack's mind flashed to his father oiling a finished blade. The smile under his moustache as the oil would seamlessly flow down the blade without wavering. A straight blade, filed to perfection. It was exciting. Crafting something from unshaped material. Why would Ace ask about that? Jack figured he would have been a blacksmith if he wasn't a hero. Wait. What if he never heard the stories of being a hero? Would he have still walked this path? What if they only heard stories of being heroes? Is this their only path? There is no freedom here. Freedom.

Jack turned his head to Quinn. His beady eyes were blank. He took a gamble, but he knew his odds. His teeth looked clenched behind those lips. Sweat seemed to form from his face. This place must be like torture for him. Kofka has no freedom.

"Freedom," Jack mumbled. Stella's eyes opened wide. The old lady had a smile on her face. Quinn stood with his mouth slightly opened, and his jaw no longer clenched.

"We are free! We don't have to work. We can do anything we want, all day long," Red beard yelled.

"I told you to let them talk. Behave." The old woman struck with her cane again.

"Boy. We will figure it out. I don't have to be king, just please. Save the people." Quinn's tone was unusual. This was the most defeated Jack ever saw the man.

"What!" Darius yelled from the back.

"Keep your voice down Darius. There is still patrol," Quinn said.

"Shut up! What do you mean that you won't be king? They destroyed everything we worked for. We have been humiliated every day since then. The least they can do is fix that. If you aren't the king, then nothing will change. We will have nothing. They will kick us out of this town again like it is nothing. You betrayed me!"

Darius pulled out his sword and lunged at Quinn. He was quick, but Jack was closer to Quinn. Jack leapt forward and placed his back towards the oncoming sword as he pushed Quinn to the ground. He felt a blunt push against his back. Just strong enough to make him take an extra step for balance. He turned around to see Darius to be holding a sword without a blade.

"What do you think you are doing? This is none of your business. Neither of you," Darius growled.

"No one needs to die. We don't do killing around here," Jack said.

"And well, I told you I wouldn't let anything happen to them," Ace said from the side of the room as he twirled the blade around his hand.

"Darius! You are wrong. It kills me too. I don't want this either, but it isn't as you said. I always do the thinking so don't think about it too hard. We will live in luxury still. Kofka will do great even if we aren't at the top. Trust me. We will be great again," Quinn pleaded. It seemed to work as Darius scoffed and returned to the corner of the room.

"Ace. I don't think I can do the talking. We need to act quickly before they build a force that we can't handle. We are going to have to capture them," Jack said. "We can do this tonight. If we can get a hold of them and hold off the guards, then we have won. Wave, do you think you guys can get to the king and princess? We can hold back the guards."

"No," Wave said. Jack scratched his head.

"It would be difficult. We can come up with a better way for you to get into the castle. This is what Ace does. Don't worry." Jack placed his hand on Wave's shoulder.

"No. I mean no as in we won't do it. We aren't those kind of heroes Jack. I am sorry." Wave took Jack's hand off of his shoulder. "If you are planning a rebellion then we will leave tonight."

Jack felt completely blindsided. He had fire in his eyes the moment Quinn asked him to save the people, but it seemed that fire travelled to his head.

"What? What other kind of heroes are there? How can you call yourself a hero when you are running away from those that need help? You are impostors. You are going around and calling yourselves heroes when there are people that need saving!" Jack grabbed onto Wave's shirt. His breathing was the only thing anyone could hear after his outburst.

"Jack—" Rose walked forward but was stopped when he saw Wave's signal to stay back.

"Jack. Violence is a creation in which people get hurt. It is the literal purpose of it. Gray has told us stories. Stories that make us understand why Ace says that you should talk it out. Stories he probably saves you from. What is wrong with just wanting to help people and their happiness? What if we don't to force them into our brand of justice? Don't mistake our heroics, and take your hands off of me."

Jack released his shirt. His heart still pounding. He looked around. "Wave. People are getting hurt now. I just can't ignore their pain. People are getting hurt, and the powerful aren't. People die because they aren't strong enough. People die because we aren't strong enough. It's frustrating, but if we keep this up then those with the power will always be free to do what they want. That is what heroes are for. We are here to balance back the power for the people. We are responsible for bringing hope when situations look hopeless."

"And I am responsible for letting the people I love have a tomorrow. To continue to change the world, we have to continue being around. You are choosing to rebel against the empire. The damn Sovalan Empire. If they decide then they can wipe out the entire kingdom if they don't want it in the hands of a rebel. I won't be a part of this Jack. I am sorry. People die if they aren't strong enough, but aren't you inviting that idea by asking for a war here? Why are you putting them in that position in the first place? Count us out Jack. I do hope we meet again with happier stories."

"Fine. Do what you have to. We know that we will. Quinn, you will have to hold the king and princess hostage. It is something you have practice with. We will hold off the guards. We have to move tonight." Jack turned his back to the other team. They all collected themselves and headed towards the door.

"You are leaving now? Is it safe? Shouldn't you wait for Mr. Quinn," Tana started.

"It is okay. We are great at moving around. We will be okay. Keep well Miss Tana." Wave walked forward. The rest of the crew was quiet. Gray seemed content with what happened. He believed in his students.

"Ace. Are you going to do something? They made some great points. It is dangerous. Talk to them!" Tana grabbed Ace's hand.

"Wave." Ace walked forward while resting the blade against the wall. "You are a great leader and hero. Be safe and continue to look after your team. It was amazing meeting all of you. Gray, I will always remember you. You are the man that conquered a fear that I seemed to be stuck in. I am really glad I met you too."

"That isn't what I meant." Tana sighed.

"I know, but it is what I believe. I teach them, and I train them outside of situations like this so they can come up with answers to situations like this. If this is their answer, then I am here to lend a hand and talk to them about anything they learn after. I understand your concern Kyouko, but this is it. We will be there for them at the end of it. Isn't that right miss support."

"Yea, you are right." Tana sighed. "It is what I signed up for."

"Huh!" Wave said.

"This is bad," Noa said as he stood there in the doorway with his ears pointed at where the door used to be.

"Brother Noa!" The children yelled. He smiled at them before dashing away in an instant.

"Damnit! We can't let him get to them! Ace go catch him," Jack yelled.

"Woah. I don't fight Jack. You know this. I can't help you here. You are wasting time if you are going to try and convince me."

"Fine! Tenny!"

Jack sighed and dashed past all of them while catching a thin black blade on his way out. He was the quickest. He can't let Noa get to the castle. He felt green flowing to his left hand faster and faster.

"Darius! Go with him. We can't mess this up!" Quinn yelled. Darius took off after Jack.

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***

"I am going around. I will try and cut him off. Keep chasing him!" Darius screamed at Jack's back. That was too loud. There are still students working. There was no green trail, but footprints throughout the fresh snow. Jack was glad that all the trainees were working on the roofs and no tracks could throw him off. He broke the corner where he saw Noa turned around facing him. It was a straight path to the castle door. Did he think Jack would catch him?

"I was right about you guys. This place is pretty unfair, but they have big ideals. I thought you guys might not like what you see, and I was really hoping to have a reason to fight you," Noa said.

"I will fight you any time you want and as much as you want if you come back with us. We don't have to be enemies." Jack saw his breath flowing in front of him. The gentle fall of the snowflakes in the beautiful blue of the moonlight was a calming scene. It must have affected Jack's heart rate. It felt a bit slower than he normally feels in battle. He didn't want to find out if it was a good or a bad thing.

"What are you talking about Jack? You have no choice but to fight me now, and without holding back."

His first step was beyond impressive. He covered the distance in no time without being hindered by the couple inches of snow. His internal mana control must be on another level. Jack waited for the edge to of the blade to pick a direction. He knew he could glance the first strike, but he had to focus on a clue of where the second one will come from. Jack assumed the beautiful footwork from earlier must come with amazing technique. He had gotten so close with the swing that it was hard to keep track of his body. Step back to be in view. No, Noa would have to step back with his swing. This distance is at a disadvantage. Jack stepped in grabbed Noa's wrist. He used this motion to twist both of them before taking a step back.

"Now you are in my way. Are you trying to tell me to pass through you?" Noa took stance again. Jack stood tall and pointed his sword forward.

Another amazing first step. The distance was closed in no time, but Jack was glad. He dropped the front of his sword and twisted his entire body to launch the hidden red orb at the oncoming target. Noa was fast. He danced to either side of the action line like nothing. His strikes were forceful and smashed against the dark blade like a hammer strike, but he the connection of moves were fluid. Jack was able to continuously glance each blow just off to the side but holding the blade with one hand did not give him enough strength to stop the two-handed sword strikes.

He had to disrupt the motion. Jack's left hand constantly charged a red orb to try and land a blow, but Noa was weaving behind every attempt. The red orbs just dug into the snow or scattered on the wall of a building. Red was the mimic that required less thinking for it to be quick and forceful, but Noa knew from the little damage that they done on the building that he could withstand them even if he was hit.

Each step Noa took came with a swing of his sword, and Jack couldn't stop himself from being pushed back. He couldn't keep wasting mana on fireballs that only succeeded in kicking some snow. Noa had full control of the distance and this dance was clearly to his rhythm. Neither of them had been hit yet, but Jack felt like he was completely beat. He should have brought another sword. It would have saved him on mana, and he could counter the time between swings. Wait. Another sword isn't impossible. Jack charged green in his palm. He waited for the other glance and swung his free hand across his body. A green light whipped out of it like a crescent at Noa. He dove out of the way and crashed into the wall of the house. Jack dived after him with his sword in the air. Noa brushed it away before elbowing Jack into the face. Damn. He was impatient.

"That was really cool. It was like you had two swords just now. I barely made it out." Noa chuckled.

"You talk a lot in battle."

"Sorry, I can't help it. I am having a lot of fun. Dance more with me Jacky. Your technique is interesting."

This first step was shorter. Precaution against a mimic probably. Jack used it to his advantage to close the gap with a diagonal slash. His sword bounced off Noa's to almost the same path. Jack charged green and used it to blast back into the snow. Damnit, he couldn't mount a solid rhythm of attack. Does two handed swords make such a difference.

Ace's style of sword play was always wild. He wasn't able to teach a technique because it all varied each time. He just taught ideas. This strike into this strike. A step forward can be extremely useful if it is followed by a quick step back. There was no doubt in the effectiveness in Ace's sword play, but Jack felt like he could barely practice it. Stella and Luna both started adopting his style as well, and it became harder to practice the moves. Looking at Noa's technique was a complete opposite. Each of his sword strikes felt like they travelled the exact path that it travelled thousands of times. It was beautiful. Things could go really bad at any moment, but Jack couldn't help but feel like he was learning something he shouldn't be. He couldn't hold back a small smile.

"It's fun right. Smile more Jacky, it is just getting good. Your technique is fun. I feel like it has me thinking more than other duels might. It is adaptive, but far from consistent. No strike feels the same, but all your strikes feel unconfident. Why?"

"I feel outclassed. The way you can channel mana in your body feels leagues above me, so I feel I can't fight against your two-handed swings. We barely practice two handed swords because it messes with our fluidity. I feel like Tiger is laughing at me with every clash, but I am in awe right now. You are right. I am having fun."

"Right! I never learned how to use mimics properly. I can gather them, but they never hold up enough. I hope one day I can add it to my arsenal."

"It is probably the only way I can beat you." Jack raised his palm and launched a flurry of red.

Noa ducked and weaved as the falling snow was joined by the ones being launched from the ground. The orbs that couldn't be avoided had managed to be blocked by his sword enough to use the force to push him out of the way. Jack rushed in after a fireball had just made contact, but Noa was already waiting. Finally able to develop a rhythm of strikes caused Noa to find some difficulty bracing. By approaching at angles allowed Jack to hit closer to the tip of the blade so Noa couldn't generate enough strength to parry a slash.

Jack would have felt good about the progress but the smile on Noa's face stopped that idea in its tracks. Noa was now taking back steps, but something was different. The timing felt strange. He was taking the back steps before Jack took a forward step. He was drawing him in. Jack held back his step for a second when he figured it out but that was what Noa wanted. The south continent swordsman closed the distance by locking his sword guard against Jack's hilt. He drove his foot forward pushing Jack back into the snowy ground. Quick steps in any direction Jack scrambled towards. The sword tearing into the ground. Crashing against the buildings. Cutting air. Each one of these strikes barely missing the frantic hummingbird. Jack quickly swung an overhead swing. Noa raised his blade in a parry, but his eyes widened when his blade made contact. There was barely any force. The dark blade spun through the air behind Jack and stabbed into the ground. Noa had already committed and now his sword was high above his head. Jack's hand that released the sword now had fingers spread against Noa' face with his palm pressed against his nose. Jack quickly raised his left hand and collected green. The wind mimics shot Jack and Noa into the ground. Both crashing and dragged into the snow.

Jack rolled over quickly and ran to the dark sword. He turned around to face his opponent, but Noa was slow to get up. He shook the snow out of his hair and rub the back of his head at the same time. His teeth were clenched until he released a strong exhale.

"Gosh that hurt. That was a crazy move. Like so risky. This is what I am talking about, and I know that they can't teach a creativity like that, but you mentor must be crazy too. You can only try crazy things like that if you are around crazy fighters. Do you think he will fight me? Like if I crush you really badly."

Jack's mouth felt dry suddenly. Noa was taking his stance again. Jack readied his stance but he felt his heart skip a beat. The wisps were moving a bit. Jack quickly turned around. There was no sign of mimic light anywhere. There wasn't a student around either. Why was no one on the roofs anymore?

"Taking your eyes off of me?" Noa's voice snapped him back forward.

The first step was better. Even if Jack had prepared a mimic, he wouldn't have been able to react to this. He put up the sword, but the blade pushed him back. His foot gliding on the snow. Noa's step put him right there again. It was quicker than some Wind Walks that Jack had seen. Jack gripped his sword with both hands but each of the strikes were merciless. Jack could strengthen his hands well, but he felt his legs buckle. He was holding back his mana by this much? Of course, he wanted to draw out the fight. Jack felt like he should have kept his distance. Fight Noa with range, but if he gives him too much then he can just dash for the castle. Damnit. Noa has him right where he wants him.

Jack smashed into the wall after the last exchange. Noa came with a thrust, but Jack placed his hand close to the wall. A yellow pillar blasted out. Noa shifted but Jack went on the attack. He slashed with both hands, but Noa didn't parry. He barely slipped out of the way and used the hilt of the sword to crash into Jack's ribs. Jack jumped back but the slash was coming already. No stable footing caused Jack to be launched into the ground.

"I have to admit that you are making it hard to flat out crush you," Noa said. Jack was slow to get to his feet. They were closer to the castle gates than when they started. Jack felt like one more exchange would place his back at the door.

"You said your brother was stronger. He must be a monster. That swordplay is brilliant." Jack tossed the dark sword behind him. No sound as it sunk into the snow just before the castle entrance. He couldn't fight at a range, but mimics are the only advantage he could get. He felt tired already, but it was his only chance.

"No sword? Is that the best idea?" Noa questioned.

"I think it might be. Let's finish this." Jack took a deep breath in. He was able to dodge the fire mimics last time and now he is moving faster. That was the fastest sure spell he had, but maybe he doesn't need speed. Just don't give him room to move.

Jack called green in both palms. He swung both of his arms in an arc like he was giving himself a large hug. A high and low green crescent ran wall to wall towards the swordsman. Jack followed them with a wind walk just barely keeping behind it. Noa cut the crescents. Jack hesitated his following step. He had expected Noa to jump. Jack turned his Wind Walk into another crescent as Noa dodged this one.

"I didn't think I could cut it. You really are trying not to hurt me huh," Noa said as he dodged the small spells. Jack kept blue in his hand as he weaved around looking for an opening to blast into him. He felt like Lynn.

"I thought you would have jumped but trust me when I say that I really am trying to hurt you." Jack ducked down and raised yellow pillars, but Noa continued to be nimble.

"It is fun right? I feel like I am stepping up my skills for sure." Noa was able to shift most of the attacks. Jack was weary of the blade, but Noa was able to take advantage of the transitions or get a few blows in. A shoulder. An elbow. He was adapting his technique to the fight. Noa couldn't keep back the smile.

"Yea, I feel pretty inspired right now. I don't think I can lose." Jack said as he dodged the blade again. Noa was amazingly fast, but Jack felt like the blade wasn't going to touch him. He didn't have anything to rely on. Once he could control this distance then it was his fight, but being this close did allow for his opponent's elbows to make their mark.

"Can't lose. Tell that to your face." Noa laughed.

The snow kept falling. The radiant moonlight sparkled on the sword edge at times. Jack felt like he forgot what they were fighting for. It felt like when he fought Stella. She would barely edge him out on skill, but he was close enough to have her worried he would win. He could catch it today. He could catch Noa today. Broad spells didn't work. He wasn't sure how much mana he could use again, but he was definitely closer to the end of the rope than Noa. Might as well risk it. He was feeling inspired.

Jack took a collected green and launched himself to a safe distance. It was just far enough that Noa might require a second step. Even if he didn't, Jack should have enough time to react. Red was the basis. Stella said to gather as much as the majority colour first. Jack kept gathering red as Noa charged. His left hand went close to the ground to create pillars aimed at Noa, while he kept his distance. He had to avoid him. Red. He had enough red. Green. He had to focus and gather just green inside. Just enough. He knew he couldn't hold it for long. He felt the mimic changed. He looked down to see some green orbs collecting inside. They began to swirl barely. A little faster. A littler faster. Jack began to sprint at Noa. The swordsman invited the challenge with a sprint of his own.

Jack threw the orb with all his force, but instead of the normal path, the colours accelerated forward in an instant. Cutting the air like a spear but it didn't travel in a perfect straight line. The colours took slight bends up and down with red and green flickering off in some paths. Noa didn't have time to avoid this one as the colours came crashing into his chest. He crashed into the wall. His feet barely holding him up, until Jack flashed in front of him with a punch to finish the duel. Jack crashed to the ground as well. His energy was at his limit. He probably could have kept going but the tension vanished from his body, and he just wanted to lay in the snow a bit. The stars blending with the falling snow. His breath appearing in quick burst in front of his face.

"Lightning huh? That was crazy. Why didn't you use it at first?" Noa asked between breaths.

"That was the first time it worked. It normally fizzles out before it connects. I think it helped that you ran at me."

"First time. That is awesome. We really unlocked something in this battle. I am glad I told those kids to take a break. They would have interrupted our fight."

"Is that why there was no patrol? Why would you do that? Why didn't you run to the castle?"

"I wanted to fight you. I wanted to fight you from the moment we met. I planned to go to the castle after I beat you. I was sure I was going to win."

"Maybe next time."

"Yea, I look forward to working with you."

"Huh?"

"Isn't that what happens? You beat me and spared my life, so now I work for you guys. I am glad to have you as an ally."

"I guess so. Welcome to Lunar Eclipse. By the way, can you move?"

"Nope. You?" Noa laughed.

"Nope. I am glad the moon looks so pretty tonight."