Over the next few days, Yoongi intensified Yubin's training. She took everything he threw at her without complaint. Even though Yoongi had never said it, she knew exactly what Yoona would ask for. She would ask for his contract to be transferred over to her and neither of them would be able to refuse. Even Jimin and Hobi had lost a little bit of their usual cheeriness, neither of them wanting to lose Yoongi from the shrine.

“Again!” Yoongi barked as Yubin picked herself off of the ground. She wiped the sweat from her face, her legs shaking from the strain of training so much. She was panting hard as she dug down to the last reserves of her energy, facing Yoongi who was looking almost as tired as her, but hiding it just slightly better. “Don’t lose sight of your opponent. Yoona’s speciality is creating portals to move around, you’ll need to try and keep a lock on her energy as she moves. Try to anticipate where she will go next.” He said as he disappeared. Yubin tensed up, exhaling as slowly as she could as she waited for the familiar feeling of Yoongi’s energy to reappear.

She sensed him behind her and she threw a ball of energy in that direction but he dodged it easily, running up to her, hitting her square on the chest with the palm of his hand, sending her to the ground. She shouted out in pain and anger as she hit the ground, sending a wave of energy upwards, pushing Yoongi away from her long enough to let her get to her feet. “Good!” he shouted. “But don’t get cocky!” he said as he launched three balls of energy at her. She raised a wall of her own energy around herself, Yoongi’s energy exploding when it came into contact with hers. When the smoke cleared she had just enough time to see another ball of energy, larger than the others approach her far too quickly for her to react.

She raised her hands to cover her face as the attack knocked her off her feet. She lay on the ground, panting hard, her energy completely spent. Yoongi appeared over her a few seconds later, “You're still leaving yourself open. Remember, in a real fight your opponent won't wait while you gather your energy. Especially Yoona. She’ll attack without mercy.” He said, his eyes shining with concern.

Yubin threw her arm over her eyes, Yoongi’s expression and words making her feel weak and stupid. She knew he was saying it to help her, that it was entirely her fault that they were in this situation but she couldn’t help but feel upset by his words. “I know.” She said, her voice shaky. Yoongi sighed gently as he knelt down beside her. “Don’t worry. We’ll work this out.” He said as he gently pulled her arm away from her eyes, he was surprised to see that she had started crying. “Yah…” he said, too shocked to say anything coherent.

She sat up abruptly and wiped away her tears, angling herself away from him so that he wouldn’t see her tears. “I’m sorry.” She said with a loud sniff. “I just blew my top and agreed to this fight without actually knowing exactly what I was agreeing to and it’s put you in a bad position as well. I’m sorry that I don’t know anything about this world and the rules I’m supposed to be living by. I’m sorry that I’m so hot headed. I’m sorry that I keep on hitting you with herb baskets. I’m sorry that I’m so stupid and that I can’t pick any of this up and- “

She was cut off by Yoongi gently cupping her cheeks in his hands. “Hey. This isn’t the time for self-doubt. Or what is it they called it on that show you like… a pity party?” she let out a weak chuckle. After much persuasion she had convinced Yoongi to let them get a television, after promising that it wouldn’t affect her training. Even though he had resisted at first, and claimed that it was stupid, she had caught him watching it on more than one occasion.

“Get rid of all those thoughts right now, they won't help you win. You need to stay focused on what’s important. Don’t worry about me. Just focus on keeping yourself safe. Apart from that, nothing else matters, understand?” he said, his gaze and expression firm. “But…”

“No buts.” He said, cutting off her argument. “Now go shower. You smell.” He said as he stood up and moved out of her strike range. She chuckled, wishing she had the energy to even throw the herb basket at him, but she was completely drained. She pulled herself to her feet and slowly made her way back into the shrine.  She let the burning water wash away the dirt and sweat that had accumulated from that days training. Her thoughts once again returned to her fight which was in two days’ time. “I have to win this.” She thought as she turned off the water, determination flooding through her as she thought about the prospect of losing Yoongi to Yoona.

The night of the fight arrived. Yubin stood in the garden in her usual training clothes, impatiently waiting. Yoongi stood behind her, in his usual jeans and t-shirt, she could tell that he was tense. His gaze was locked on the entrance of the garden while Hobi and Jimin stood off to the side, both looking nervous as they waited. No one talked as the minutes ticked by. Eventually a cloud of pink smoke signalled Yoona’s arrival. She stood, her hip cocked, her hair and makeup flawless, tight black jeans hugging her curves with a pink, checked shirt that was as indecently buttoned as the one she had worn previously. Yubin rolled her eyes. “Has she come to fight or to take part in fashion week?” she mumbled. A ghost of a smile flickered over Yoongi’s face before he schooled his features back to indifference.

Yoona sauntered up to the two of them, her attention completely focused on Yoongi. “Yoongi~” she purred. “Have you missed me?” she asked, stopping a few steps away from him as Yubin took a step forward. Yoona ran her eyes over Yubin before smiling. “Ready to lose?” she asked, her tone taunting. “No, but I hope you are.” Yubin said with more confidence than she felt. Yoona laughed, “Oh sweetheart, I’m going to enjoy this.” She said with a laugh.

Yoongi frowned as he turned his back to Yoona. “Remember what I told you.” He whispered to Yubin before he headed over to stand by Hobi and Jimin who looked almost as nervous as Yubin. Yubin squared her shoulders as she faced Yoona. “I assume you know the rules?” Yoona asked. Yubin nodded. “The match only ends when one of us in unconscious, gives up, or dies.” She said, her voice wavering slightly on the last word. Yoona grinned. “And your little spirits are not allowed to interfere.” She said throwing a look at Hobi and Jimin who glowered back at her. “They won't interfere.” She said confidently.

“Then let’s get this over with, shall we?” Yoona said as a dull, pink glow surrounded her. Yubin took a deep, calming breath, “Let’s do this.” She gave Yoongi one last glance before rushing forward, hoping to catch Yoona off-guard. Yoona dodged her at the last second, launching a ball of energy at her back. Yubin had already erected a shield of energy around herself, making Yoona's attack useless. Yoona smiled, “Impressive.” You can hold a shield up like that? I wonder how long you can hold it for?” she taunted as she formed her energy into a sword.

Yubin took another deep breath and copied Yoona's sword. Hobi had taught her how to wield it, he was patient and an excellent teacher. The two priestesses ran towards each other, swords swinging and clashing in-between them. Each time their swords connected, sparks of pink and purple lit up the garden and singed the grass below them as their energies collided. Yubin was panting with the effort of keeping up her shield, keeping her energy in the shape of the sword and keeping up with Yoona's relentless attacks. Yoongi hadn’t exaggerated, she attacked without mercy.

Yoona attacked hard, pushing her back a couple of steps, she almost tripped making her lose her concentration for a split second, but that was all Yoona needed. She saw Yubin's shield fall and in that split second she attacked. She swung forward, her sword opening a large cut on Yubin’s arm. Yubin screamed out in pain, her shield and sword disappearing as her concentration went to her injury. Hobi and Jimin cried out in shock as her white t-shirt blossomed with red as blood poured down her arm.

Yoongi took a few steps forward, his eyes and mind focused solely on Yubin when Hobi and Jimin pulled him back. “You can’t!” Jimin said frantically. “If you go there she’ll lose!” Hobi said as he pulled him back. Yoongi let out a string of curses as he watched Yoona swing her sword down on Yubin’s shield again, again, and again. Yubin grit her teeth as she forced herself to focus on stopping Yoona's attacks and not the searing pain in her left arm.

She risked a quick glance to Hobi, Jimin and Yoongi who were all looking on, their expressions grim. I can’t let them down! She thought as she turned her head back to Yoona, thoughts of losing Yoongi to her fuelling her anger which lent strength to her powers. She let her power surge forward into her shield, she let more power flow than he knew the shield could handle, letting it explode which sent Yoona flying backwards. Hobi and Jimin cheered loudly as Yubin got to her feet.

Yoongi nodded, impressed by her thinking. During their training they had discovered that she had a lot of spiritual energy, which is what made it particularly difficult for her to control. It was also the reason why she so often made things explode. She had taken that weakness and was making it work for her. Yoona got to her feet, surprise clearly showing on her face as she wiped the dirt from her clothes. “Lucky shot.” She spat. Yubin grinned at her. “It might have been lucky, but it still put you on your .”

Yoona frowned and disappeared, a move that Yubin was ready for. She closed her eyes, searching for the familiar feeling of Yoona's powers. She felt her appear behind her and she was ready. She spun around, her shield up and ready as Yoona's sword connected with it. Yubin grinned as two thick strands of her energy wrapped themselves around Yoona's legs, holding her in place. “What the hell?” Yoona said as she used her sword to try and cut the energy ropes around her legs but they only tightened. “What is this?” Yoona yelled as the ropes climbed higher, already wrapping around her waist.

Yoongi looked at Hobi and Jimin who were grinning wildly. “Did you teach her this?” he asked. They turned to him and nodded. “We tried many different skills but for some reason, this one worked well with her abilities. It must be because she has so much energy to manipulate.” Jimin said as they turned their attention back to the fight. By now the thick ropes were wrapped around Yoona's chest. She frantically tried to cut them with her sword, which was shining so brightly it was painful to look at as she forced more and more energy into it.

“Keep struggling, they’ll only tighten.” Yubin said with a smile. Yoona turned to her as best she could. “You .” She said as she raised her sword but Yubin was out of reach. Yoona let out a yell and launched her sword forward. The moment it left her hands it split into countless, needle like blades that struck Yubin’s shield. Yubin yelled against the onslaught of energy, her shield giving out, the tiny blades of energy breaking through and slicing her skin. She screamed against the pain, but forced herself not to lose her focus on the ropes that held Yoona in place.

She dropped to her knees, her body covered in small cuts. Her ropes had dropped down to Yoona's waist but she forced them back up to her chest, trapping her arms in place. Yoona let out a scream as she felt the oxygen being forced from her lungs. “Give up!” Yubin yelled. “Never!” Yoona screamed back. Yubin focused all of her energy into the ropes, Yoona realising too late what was happening as the ropes around her brightened to the point where everyone had to close their eyes.

There was a loud explosion, smoke and dirt drifted through the air, making them all choke. “Yubin!” Yoongi yelled, being held back by Hobi and Jimin as he once again tried to rush to Yubin’s side. He strained his eyes, trying to see through the smoke, Hobi and Jimin coughed as they held onto him. “Yubin!” he yelled again as the smoke began to clear.

He could just make out two figures lying on the ground. One of them slowly began to move, but he couldn’t tell who was who. “Yoongi…” Yoongi wanted to laugh at the sound of her weak voice as she pushed herself into a sitting position, Yoona lying groaning beside her. “It’s over.” Hobi said. “She won.” Jimin said, a grin slowly forming on his face. Yoongi pushed their hands off of him as he rushed towards her. He dropped to his knees in front of her. “Are you ok?” he asked as he looked over all of her injuries.

She nodded, wincing from the pain from the simple action. He couldn’t help but smile at her. “You were amazing.” He said as Yoona began to stir next to them. Hobi and Jimin helped Yoona to her feet, Yoongi remaining by Yubin’s side. Yoona chuckled, “I can’t believe I got beaten by a little girl like you.” She said, but there was no venom in her voice. “Looks like I’m out of practice. I’ll be looking for a rematch in the future.” She said. Yubin nodded, “I’ll be waiting.”

“Oh, that’s right, what do you want for winning?” Yoona asked. “You can’t have Yoongi, unless he goes to you willingly. You can’t fight me for him again. If he wants to go to you, I won't hold him back, but unless it’s of his own free will, he stays here.” Yubin said firmly. Yoongi was surprised by her request. He looked at Yoona expecting her to be livid but instead she let out a laugh. “Smart girl. Looks like I’ll just need to win him over with my good looks.”

“Until the next time, keep practicing. I won't let you win so easily next time.” she said before disappearing. Yoongi turned back to Yubin, “You didn’t need to do that.” He said, his voice gentle and grateful. She gave him a weak smile, “It’s the least I could do after… all… the trouble…” Yoongi caught her as she fell forwards. Hobi and Jimin rushed forward. “Yubin!” they cried in unison. Yoongi scooped her up like she weighed nothing. “She’s ok, she's just exhausted. She’s used up more of her spiritual power than she should have.”

He stood up and starting walking back towards the shrine, “Get my medicines and bring them to her room please.” He asked as he headed to her room a small smile on his face as he looked down at the unconscious girl in his arms.