Book One- Teacher and Worse Enemy

Three days later Amber and Alina were heading out of town. The girls had spent the first day in the town celebrating their big victory and the next day recovering from it. On the third day the girls head out of the town and onto their next destination.

Amber and Alina had grown closer to each other. No longer did Amber consider Alina just a teacher she was now a close friend.

"So where are we headed next?" Amber asked.

"I don't know." Alina said, halting in her tracks. "Where are you headed?"

"What do you mean?" Amber asked, turning to Alina.

"I mean were splitting up and going in opposite directions. For you I recommend south." Alina said, pointing towards the south.

Amber gasped. "What do you mean? You don't want to travel together anymore."

"Exactly." Alina said. "Not only that, but I want your gem."

Amber shook her head and took several steps away from Alina. "No way..." The girl breathed. "I'm not giving you my gem. I'm not fighting you either!"

Alina giggled. "I haven't taught you anything have I?" The girl asked. "Out here it doesn't matter if you want to fight or not. You'll always find someone who wants to fight you no matter what."

Amber turned and started running as fast as she could. Suddenly from the sky Alina fell and landed a few feet away from the girl. She was now holding her sword. Amber halted in her tracks as Alina leapt at her and swung her blade hard.

Amber leapt backwards, avoiding the attack my mere inches. Reaching for her sword Amber unsheathed her blade.

"I'm not fighting you!" Amber cried.

Alina laughed. "You don't listen..." She said, running forwards. Amber and Alina's blades clashed in the air. Sparks were launched in the air. The two girls circled one another and continued to swing their weapons.

Amber was able to take Alina's attacks better then last time, but the girl was still powerful.

Leaping backwards Amber swung her sword towards Alina's nose, but Alina ducked underneath the attack and swung her sword vertically upwards. The attack struck Amber's sword dead on launching the girl into the air.

Amber slammed into the ground several meters away. Rolling a few feet the girl came toa stop. The air had been sucked out of her lungs.

"Where are you going?" Alina asked, running after Amber.

Amber jumped to her feet just as Alina grew close enough to launch another attack. Alina's blade missed Amber and instead struck the ground Amber was standing on moments before.

"Not bad!" Alina laughed as she dashed forwards.

Amber parried several of Alina's attacks and then blocked a heavy blow that was aimed at her chest. Amber's legs buckled and the girl fell to her knees.

"Alright sweetie!" Alina said, holding her sword over her head. "One more time and..." Before Alina could bring her sword down Amber threw her shoulder into the girl's chest knocking her backwards. Leaping into the air Amber slammed the heel of her left foot into Alina's chest slamming her into a tree.

Alina stood there a moment, swaying back and forth. Suddenly she fell unconscious to the ground.

Amber towered over Alina. She felt so many things at that moment. Anger, hatred, sadness. She wanted to continue being Alina's friend, but something told her after that battle it would be impossible.

Amber went to her knees and carefully rolled Alina onto her back. Grabbing the girl's gem she was about to slide it off her neck, but stopped. "I can't..." The girl said, shaking her head. "I can't take it..." Amber stood and took several steps away from Alina. "I guess you're right." She said, smiling warmly. Even though she knew Alina couldn't hear her she continued to talk. "I guess I haven't learnt anything after all..."

Without saying another word Amber turned away from her friend and headed back to the road. She hated leaving the girl out there alone, but didn't have a choice. As Amber continued her journey the girl wondered if she would ever meet Alina again.

She could only hope she wouldn't.

THE END