Morning light filtered through the grand windows of the imperial palace, casting a golden hue over the towering structures of Sakura, the heart of the Cherry Blossom Empire. The air was crisp, carrying the delicate scent of the countless cherry blossom trees that lined the capital.
Inside the palace, within the Empress’s private chambers, Kaguya stretched her arms above her head, releasing a soft yawn. Beside her, her mother, Empress Himiko, stirred awake, her long silver-white hair cascading over the silk pillows. Their night had been peaceful, a rare mont of warmth and connection between mother and daughter.
After freshening up, they shared breakfast in an elegant chamber, the table adorned with an assortnt of delicacies—stead buns filled with sweet red bean paste, grilled fish seasoned with delicate herbs, and warm bowls of rice porridge topped with pickled plums.
Himiko sipped her tea gracefully, her piercing ice-blue eyes watching Kaguya. "You’ve been growing stronger," she mused. "But strength must be tested, honed."
Kaguya smirked, setting her cup down. "Are you suggesting a duel, Mother?"
Himiko’s lips curled into a knowing smile. "I’m suggesting a lesson. Let’s see how much you’ve improved."
Excitent flickered in Kaguya’s eyes as she nodded.
The imperial training grounds were nothing short of a coliseum. Stretching over several acres, the massive arena featured multiple sections—ranging from traditional sparring areas to specialized elental training zones. Towering walls enclosed the space, lined with enchanted runes to absorb the excess energy released during battles. Training dummies stood in neat rows, their surfaces enchanted to withstand even the most powerful techniques.
Himiko and Kaguya stepped into the heart of the grounds, the vast open area resembling a battlefield. Palace guards and court officials observed from a distance, careful not to disturb the royal duel. Despite her position as Empress, Himiko had personally trained countless warriors, and it was known that she showed no rcy—even to her daughter.
The wind shifted, carrying the faint chill of winter, though the skies were clear. Both won donned their training attire—sleek, form-fitting combat robes reinforced with enchanted silk. Kaguya’s attire was navy blue with silver embroidery, while her mother’s was an ethereal white that glead under the sun.
Facing each other, they exchanged a silent nod of acknowledgnt.
Himiko raised her hand, and a light breeze fluttered around them.
"I will suppress my strength to match yours, Kaguya," she said.
"But that does not an I will go easy on you."
Kaguya’s expression turned serious. "I wouldn’t have it any other way."
With a flick of her wrist, frost gathered around Kaguya’s fingers before solidifying into an elegant katana made of pure ice.
Himiko, without moving a muscle, conjured her own blade—graceful yet deadly, its surface gleaming like frozen starlight.
A heartbeat of silence passed.
Then—they moved.
Kaguya lunged first, her speed leaving behind a flurry of ice shards. She swung her blade in a swift arc, aiming for her mother’s shoulder.
But Himiko had already disappeared.
A whisper of cold brushed past Kaguya’s ear. She barely had ti to react before a force struck her from behind. She spun just in ti to parry, her mother’s sword colliding against hers. The impact sent a wave of icy mist rippling across the ground.
"Too slow," Himiko murmured.
Kaguya gritted her teeth.
She pushed forward, launching a series of rapid strikes, each one sharper and more precise than the last. But Himiko parried them effortlessly, her movents fluid, almost lazy, as if she were rely dancing rather than engaging in combat.
Kaguya clenched her jaw and shifted tactics.
Leaping back, she raised her palm toward the sky. Frost gathered in a swirling vortex above her before condensing into a barrage of ice spears. With a sharp motion, she launched them forward.
Himiko didn’t even blink.
With a flick of her wrist, she conjured an icy barrier, the spears shattering upon impact. The ground trembled under the force of their battle, frost creeping along the stone floor.
Kaguya narrowed her eyes. I need to push her.
She shifted her stance and exhaled slowly. The air around her changed—her magic condensed, refined. The temperature plumted.
Then—she vanished.
A blur of movent.
Himiko barely tilted her head as Kaguya reappeared behind her, blade raised high.
SLASH!
The sound of ice shattering echoed through the arena.
For the first ti, Himiko’s white robe had a small tear at the sleeve.
Silence.
Then—Himiko chuckled. "Now that," she said, turning toward her daughter, "was an excellent move."
Kaguya, panting, couldn’t help but smile. I landed a hit.
But her triumph was short-lived.
In the next instant, Himiko raised her hand. The air itself seed to freeze, ti slowing as ice magic surged forth.
Kaguya’s breath hitched. She’s faster than before—
Before she could react, chains of frost erupted from the ground, wrapping around her arms and legs, pinning her in place.
A second later, Himiko was in front of her, her blade pressed lightly against Kaguya’s throat.
"...And I win."
The ice dissipated as quickly as it had ford. Kaguya gasped, stumbling slightly before catching herself.
Despite her defeat, she grinned. "That was insane."
Himiko lowered her sword, warmth flickering in her ice-blue eyes. "You have improved greatly, Kaguya." She reached forward, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter’s face. "But you still have much to learn."
Kaguya exhaled, nodding. "Then I’ll just have to keep training until I can beat you."
Himiko laughed softly. "I look forward to that day."
She turned toward the gathered court officials and palace guards, her regal deanor returning in an instant. "The duel is over."
As the audience dispersed, Kaguya looked up at the sky, her body still aching from the intensity of the fight. Despite everything, she felt stronger.
She glanced at her mother, who walked ahead with effortless grace.
One day, she would surpass her.
But for now—she would keep pushing forward.
"I will ask Orpheus to train harshly upon his return from his demon realm and the next ti I won’t lose so easily." Kaguya secretly vowed, determination blazing in her eyes. Her mother seeing this chuckled, looking forward to their next match but now ti to talk with her daughter. Those annoying geezers would start pestering so she must act fast.
"Sigh! Maybe I should just kill them all." For a mont she entertained this absurd thought before quickly shaking her head. It would beco quite complicated afterward. Imagining her daughter’s reaction upon learning that news she felt headache coming.
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