The next day they all showed up ready for what I had planned, well except of Kiba, he was running a little late, but to be honest I wasn’t really bothered as long as he wasn’t too late for when it really mattered.

They all stood in a line, waiting for me to give my orders. I looked at each of them a part of me thought this might have been a dream or something, but here they all were.

I spent the first ten minutes standing in front of each one, checking them for the dark mist, the corruption that would tie them to Dumah. To my relief everyone was fine, even Kiba who I thought had been exposed to it when he worked with Dumah during my test.

Ibiki was last, I knew he was safe, but I had to double check and treat him in the same manor.

“What are you doing?” whispered Ibiki.

“Just checking something,” I replied moving the subject on before it could even start. “Okay.” I nodded pleased. “Now we’ll begin training as a unit, follow me for laps around the castle.” I began running and they followed. I was warming them up for what they would be facing.

I began my real tests to see what they were capable of, their speed, and agility were good. I had already collected a lot of data on their capabilities from the sphere yesterday but needed a little more.

It was a setting I had discovered while messing about with it. It would examine the data once I tested them further and of course Brendan would be the true test.

They were all keeping up as we completely the tenth lap, Kiba and Finn were starting to breathe quite heavily; they seemed the only two who really needed some better training. I then headed out into the forests around Cathopia via the closest bridge, Wind fairy.

I stopped as we reached the opening where I told Brendan to wait, he was standing there patiently with his claymore Diluc in the ground.

“A simple task now,” I began. “That is my best friend Brendan, we spar quite often and to be honest for strength and no talismans to help me I can never beat him.” I lied about the talisman part, perhaps it was because I never took fighting Brendan seriously that I always lost.

“Seriously an Ursus,” commented Edge.

“Don’t underestimate him,” I smirked. “He’s been trained by Master Lance. Now all you have to do is remove the ribbon attached to his claymore.” I pointed out the little blue ribbon attached hilt of his blade.

“Is that it?” questioned Lin.

“Yes,” I nodded.

“Much easier I suspect than dealing with you,” grinned Edge. They had no idea what they were going up against.

“Good luck.” Larana’s wings appeared on my back, and I took off.

“Aren’t you helping?” asked Kiba alarmed.

“Consider this your first mission,” I answered, flying higher, moving more towards Brendan. I noticed he was smiling.

“Alright then.” Ibiki stared over at Brendan. “Fang didn’t say there was any restrictions on how to get the ribbon. So, Lin stick with melee attacks your lightning would just be absorbed by his earth.”

“Oh.” I listened to his orders through the wind. “I think I’ve found my second in command.” I hovered near a tree, pleased with how this was turning out so far, Ibiki had just started to issue orders and the others didn’t seem to object.

“What are you doing?” I felt my whole-body jump. I moved away from the trees startled. “I made you jump, some clairvoyance.”

“Seriously don’t sneak up on me Athena.” I put my hand on my chest trying to calm down.

“Brendan told me what you were planning, so I came to watch,” she smiled.

“I wanted to see how well they worked together as a team without me being their target and against someone as tough as Brendan, plus he still can’t say no to me.”

“He’s your best friend, he wouldn’t say no anyway,” responded Athena.

“I know,” I smirked. “Shall we watch the show?” She nodded and we watched as Ibiki made his move.

They had all split up, circling around Brendan within the bush. I saw Brendan’s head move slightly; he was keeping an eye on everybody.

Lin jumped out throwing her dagger, it split into ten, landing in front of Brendan, designed to distract him. Edge came in next with his talisman Rampage causing a massive explosion, in seconds the area was filled with smoke.

I would have used Larana to see what was happening but then I would have risked blowing all the smoke away.

I watched patiently to see what would happen next wondering if they’d actually get the ribbon from Brendan.

“Feel that.” Athena shivered, ruffling her feathers, the temperature had dropped dramatically. “What has Ibiki done?”

The smoke cleared to reveal Brendan in cased in a solid cube of ice, with only the ribbon exposed, that was some amazing accuracy.

Finn headed over to grab the ribbon, reaching out to claim their prize, but it was not over yet.

“It’s not going to be that easy,” I grinned as the ice cracked.

“Get back!” Ordered Ibiki, but it was too late.

Brendan had freed himself, his claymore posed to strike as he swung it at Finn. I noticed Brendan had put some braces over the sharp blades so he would not kill anyone but that didn’t mean they weren’t going to get hurt.

Finn was hit by the full force of Brendan’s claymore. He was thrown back into the forest where he smashed into a few trees.

Every single one of them backed down, lowering their bodies waiting to see what Brendan would do.

“I hope they realise Brendan is faster than most Ursus,” commented Athena.

“Ibiki knows that,” I responded.

“What’s your next move Ibiki,” snarled Brendan. “Surely you have another plan.”

“You’ll have to wait and see.” Ibiki drew his sword, it glowed ice blue responding to his natural power. “We will take you down.”

“Good luck with that,” smirked Brendan, I think he was enjoying himself. He slowly dragged his claymore against the ground, the earth cracked, and some rose in little mounds, his skill over his ancestor’s weapon was always impressive. Ibiki drew a little close, as did they all.