Queen Diamandis Stellavera

Due to his increased magical potential and advancement, the guild master had reached out to Spirit by letter to undertake a last test in order to push himself further and show his worth to her. He was supposed to duel with and beat one of her closest companions, the previous ruling queen of the crystal world deep inside the sky above. He pondered if his experience as a Cavern Dragon Slayer would give him an advantage in this combat. No, he persuaded himself. That would not be the case. She didn't have crystal magic just because she was in a crystal realm. He was naive to assume such an assumption.

Looking to Emerald he'd explain to her that he had to leave and undertake a test for the guild. As it was a test he needed to do it alone.  He hoped he could use magic like his father one day and was thinking of asking him to train him soon. Bert Painite had a big horned wolf and utilized Bond Magic. The horns were stacked on top of each other, as if they were rhino horns. He had seriously considered asking his father for Bond Magic instruction. Then his connection to Emerald would be substantially strengthened, allowing him to bring her along on situations like this because they would be practically one in the same. And, if he's anything like his father, he'll be able to make use of more than one bonded partner. He despised being referred to as a pet by others since they were so much more. They were companions, friends, and being bonded was an extension of oneself.

He'd be directed to the edge of the cloud sea at night, arriving at the planned coordinates indicated in the message. As he glanced forward, he'd notice a bizarre, almost out of place observatory constructed solely of crystals that would change hues like stardust and the universe. A stunning golden staircase decorated in golden filigree of cosmic sheep leading up to its floating architecture over the crashing waves. As he climbed the stairs to the top he'd take in the sites. It felt as if he was transitioning to a new realm and the staircase was just a gateway. Even the stars themselves seemed to shift with the constellations forming around him. He swore that they were acting as a fortune telling of his past present and future life. Reaching the top of the staircase it would overlook into a giant room housing a strange crystalline telescope looking into the heavens. Spirit, without thinking, would absentmindedly lick his lips. His Cavern Dragon Slayer senses were picking up the crystal. It wasn't normal crystal but something he had never smelled before. He could physically taste it on his lips in the air. The celestial crystal was life and rock. In the center of the room would also await Queen Diamandis Stellavera, accompanied by a set of three golden baby lambs assisting her in stellar research as they viewed the stars. He could tell they were engrossed in some conversation. He wasn't all that surprised to see three talking lambs either given he had a talking dragon that rode his shoulder most the time. He had even heard there was a small beast creature that had joined a guild of late that could talk.

He'd approach her respectfully, taking a deep breath. Eventually, a mature, lovely and kind woman appeared in front of him. She had the sweetest smile, and her eyes revealed more knowledge and wisdom than virtually anybody he had ever seen. In reality, the only people who had eyes like hers belonged to the Magician's Spirit and he saw a lot of similarities in them. The Magician had been quite as of late. It seemed that the stronger he got, the more silent he became. He'd still speak up and provide guidance in times of crisis but the man he grew up with was more of a memory now. It was painful but he understood why. He just hoped it didn't mark the end for them but just a new beginning, a evolution of mind body and soul.

WC: 692

Holding up a hand she'd stop Spirit and walk right up to him, almost to the point of bumping into him. "My dear child. I know why you are here. I know you are eager so I propose this. I will spar you now. I will either defeat you, or you will win. After I'd like to talk with you and share some tea and fruit." She'd reach up and pat him on the chest like a loving grandmother. "However, this place is precious to me and I know well your power. You are too fast even for me so we will be sparing in another way. We will enter a dream realm. There I will be able to better match your speed and no damage will be done to this tower, or each other. I think this sounds fair, do you not?"

Spirit had to admit that he liked the concept. He dreaded causing any damage to this place or harming someone so lovely and gentle. Even the little golden lambs that emitted great magic from within their bodies were adorable, and he didn't want to hurt them. He'd reach up and grab her hand with both of his while she was patting his chest. "I believe that's more than fair."

Before he could say anything further, the world around him turned into a whirl of stars and cosmic energy. He found himself high in the heavens, standing on what looked to be an invisible floor that rippled like water with each step. He could see the observatory far below him, like they were gods and goddess looking at Earthland from their mighty thrones.

The constellations surrounding him moved and formed new ones as he glanced about. He saw the sign he was born under, then it changed. He had the impression that the stars were forecasting his past, present, and future as he ascended the stairway. Or perhaps they weren't forecasting but rather demonstrating it.

Queen Diamandis Stellavera stood 100 meters away, a considerable distance, and her three little lambs had grown to the size of lions and were golden rams. Their horns dripped with visible power that glittered to the ground like stardust. Instead of dropping to the earth, the dust would spread out like a cloud as their great bulk shifted from time to time. The Queen stood tall, a giant of her former self with stars orbiting her of crystal gemstones. A staff that radiated magic in her hand was pointed at him noting she was ready when he was.

It would seem she was giving him time to prepare and that was a advantage he wasn't going to squander. He'd cast a slew of spells one after the other to buff himself to his zenith. He'd start with Cavern Dragon's Wings as he sprouted large crystal wings. He'd match them to the crystal gemstones that were currently orbiting the Queen. Next he'd cast Cavern Dragon's Rage. In his casting he'd flex his magical aura, making it semi tangible as it caused the area to become heavy with pressure. Soon the earth below begins to split, crack and shake as chunks float into the air and condense into eight small compact meteors that orbit him. Given their location they seemed more like mini celestial bodies from the cosmos. After that he would cast two more spells, starting with Combat Clairvoyance as he concentrated a moment by expanding his natural Clairvoyance. A wave of chrono energy as a result would be sent out around him. It would seem neither the lambs or the Queen bothered dodge it. His final spell of preparation would be The Lightning Dragon's Incarnation. Per the casting he'd fuse the spells Boots of the Lightning Dragon and Gloves of the Lightning Dragon into The Lightning Dragon's Incarnation. With spell is activated he created armor of lightning covering most of his body and two horns appear at the top of his head. While Lightning Dragon's Incarnation was active he gains all the effects of the two fused spells making it his most powerful spell in his repritor.

What didn't surprise him, but did impress Spirit, was that the Queen was matching him and casting her own magic with each of his own casts. She, too, was polishing herself. Yes, she had given him an edge, but she had also given herself one. This demonstrated her experience in not wasting a single second.

WC: 739

Queen Diamandis Stellavera would look at Spirit intensely, shedding the kind woman act and showing her serious side. "I hope you are ready now." She still had her same voice but now it was accompanied by a sickeningly sweet smile. That smile would turn into a glare as her eyes started glowing with solar radiance, striking a little fear into Spirit. "Constellation of Aries!" she would yell as a golden aura burst out from her shaking the area and sending ripples of magic towards Spirit. There was no where else to run as he began to sprint backwards away from the spell but no matter how fast he seemily was now, the spell seemed to overtake him and he was sent cartooning through the air and ground nearly breaking his arm.

Spirit's eyes widened as he felt the Queen's magic. He'd stand up and activate one of his attacks from The Lightning God's Incarnation to appear next to her. One foot was planted on the ground while the other came up to slam into her from the side. Thinking he made contact he'd see standing where a ram once was and the ram now in her place. It would seem she had the ability to transpose their locations. The audio crack of the golden rams ribs was heard as he poofed into a could of white smoke. With that same sickeningly sweet smile she'd continue. "Oh, looks like I need to be careful around you Spirit. You're fast and you can strike hard. That is no ordinary spell."

WC: 258

With the Queen so close now he'd take a few of the orbiting meteors around him that he created with Caven Dragon's Rage and shot them at her. Another ram would step forward and it's golden fleece would expand and expand and expand until it was a large shield. The impact from the attack was absorbed by the soft cushioned fluffball before returning to normal. As the ram returned to size the Queen was already ready with her on retaliation sending all her own orbiting stars at Spirit.

Spirit thanks to his Combat Clairvoyance was able to see them coming and they weren't so fast he couldn't' dodge normally. But he wanted to try to get the element of surprise. Casting Blinking Star he'd seemily vanish from sight as he teleported to being above the Queen. He'd raked down with his lightning clawed gauntlets only to have the Queen repeat her same actions from before. Before he knew it she was transposed with another golden ram again with the second one vanishing in a puff of smoke.

"Tsk". Spirit was having fun but he would still click his teeth together knowing he missed another decisive blow against the Queen. He was relieved, though, to have dispatched two of the three golden lambs, or rams in the current circumstances. It meant she just had one more switch in her. That didn't mean she didn't have any more tricks under her sleeve.

WC: 240

Being that they were in a type of dream state he knew he could let loose and go all out compared to normal without issue. Normally he'd need to eat elements to enter Dragon Force. With that force he'd effectively turn into a humanoid Dragon, gaining reptilian scales and traits, such as further elongated, and sharper, canines and scale-like patterns on his skin. It was the most powerful state a Dragon Slayer could attain; granting them power comparable to that which a real Dragon possesses: the power to utterly destroy everything and win him this fight.

Jumping back and putting some distance between himself and the Queen, he'd raise his magic and sense the darkness encircling the celestial bodies around him. With a roar, he felt the dragon's power surge through him. When he opened his eyes, he saw no alteration in his hands. When he looked up, he saw the Queen smile as wisps of stardust wrapped around him and tied him in place. "Fair play, Spirit, but just because we're here doesn't mean the nature of your magic has changed. To enter that force, you must still consume spells of your element. You're quite powerful, but you still have a lot to learn about magic."

As the magic began to seal him he'd raise his hand quickly to cast Cavern Dragon's Folly. In front of him, Spirit produced a large, flat, round pool of water. Its surface reflecting the wisps of the stardust, the picture of a spell being cast like a mirror. The appearance of these reflections counter acting the spell. Soon as it was negated the reflections then dispersed into water with a splash. "It was worth a try. Trying to capitalize on me shock of the failure with a binding spell was very reflexive. I can see your experience is one of your strongest suits."

WC: 310

The Queen would pull out a golden key and press it forward as if entering it into a keyhole that didn't exist. The two vanquished rams would resurface, and the three would revert to lambs. As the three lambs fused together, magic began to operate and form them into a fairly huge tall lady who loomed like a giant over Spirit and the Queen. Her shape was lovely, and she had a pair of curving horns that spiraled in on themselves. Her clothes were made of golden lambs wool and covered just enough for her to not be nude. Spirit could perceive near-limitless pure power within the Amazon. His eyes had never seen magic like what he was seeing before. It was pure, almost like the essence of magic itself. She continued to develop further and further until Spirit was about the size of her shin, at best.

"Tell me Spirit. If your life was on the line and someone used a key like I did just now, what would you do? How would you defeat a Zodiac or crystal?" The queen looked like she wasn't fighting anymore but instead standing there less ready and instead showing she wished to talk.

Dropping his own guard he'd keep up his spells but would match her relaxed state. "I have fought one with a key before, though it wasn't golden like that. It summoned a being of darkness and I saw it's power too. I see what I saw then and that you two are tethered. I would ignore the summon and go after the summoner to break that connection. I did have help when I did that but I would use my magic to immobilize."

Clapping her hands the giant golden lamb would would disappear. "Good, very good Spirit. You know at least that. It won't work every time of course but that is at least a solid strategy. Tell me, why do you not ask the Magician's Spirit within you for guidance more often. I know much but he is beyond even my vision."

The Queen would drop her magic and Spirit found himself back in the observatory. His own magic was cancelled as a result since it was never actually cast. It had all been an illusion of sorts; theater of the mind. "This was my trial and he is a dear friend and companion but as I age and grow stronger his guidance becomes more selective. I know that if I was to ask he would respond but I do not ask that of him. I want to learn and grow too. I don't want him to be a crutch. What if I was to rely on him too heavily and then he was to become sealed? That could be the end of me."

Waving her hand a pair of chairs would appear with a table. Laid out on it were varies snacks, deserts and teas. Spirit would take a seat across from the Queen and hear her thoughts. "I see. That is wise of you. I gazed at the stars before you came and I know your fears. I know having him sealed is a great fear of yours, or losing him. My greatest gift to you isn't to tell you that you passed my trial. It is that you will one day lose the Magician's Spirit. His guidance in the future will vanish."

Spirit sat there in stunned silence. Not knowing how to reply or what to think he felt a twinge of pain strike his chest. Slightly dizzy the Queen grabbed some tea and brought it to his lips. "Forgive me for being so blunt but news like that is best laid out or you might think it not true or that you can somehow stop it from happening. I can not tell you how it will happen or when, that was shrouded from me. I just know it will happen. So, my advice is to spend what time you two have together. Seek his guidance as much as possible, learn from him, gain as much knowledge and wisdom as you can and know that if you ever need someone to talk to you have the love of your guild master and guild mates. They will support you Spirit. They will help lift you if you fall after."

WC: 723

Spirit would spend the next few hours getting to know the stunning Queen Diamandis Stellavera. They exchanged experiences and ideas, and she continued to provide him advice based on what she knew.

Spirit would go away and down the stairs when all was done. He could have teleported home, but he prefered to take the long route, allowing him as much time as possible with the summoned ghost of the Magician's Spirit. He also wanted to enjoy the grandeur of the observatory one final time before leaving because he didn't know if or when he'd return. From what he could tell, he had a challenging occasion to prepare for and a fear to overcome in his life.

WC: 117
TWC: 3079