Asaki remains frozen as Sera explains the long awaited story. After she shakes her hand she still does not move. Once the young woman continues to clean up the debri, Asaki finally comes to. Her ears twitch and she blinks, trying to register everything that's been said. She places a hand on her hip.
"I'm sorry, did you just say that Kawanua...is your father?"
She grabs onto the string from around her neck and twirls the golden feather tied to the end.
*does that mean that samantha was kawanua's...* "Wow." The teenager smiles. "You're quite lucky to have found him. Parents are about the most important thing in life...that and a HUGE cheese pizza." She removes the string from around her neck and looks at it for a while, smiling at the beauty of the feather. She tightens a fist around the string then looks at Sera who is still busy with the clean up. "This was given to me by your father when we were battling an enemy. He said it should protect me. And, hey! I'm still standing," she grins big then smiles softly. "I've always felt that it was somewhat of a lucky charm...Here...," she holds out the necklace, "I want you to have it. I mean I know we don't know each other very well, but Kawanua's watched my back ever since we met. He's always been there for me." She puts the string over Sera's head and around her neck. "There. I dunno why, but I get the feeling I won't be needing it anymore. Heh, looks good on ya." She gives Sera a thumbs up then runs to the center of the room and looks up. "You know, I always wondered what a normal life was like. Being able to do normal stuff like hang around with friends your age, not because of a battle needing to be fought...but just for a good time out. Never afraid of what someone might think because of the way you look or what you do. Livin' it up and being a part of--of a band, or...," she pulls the photgraph out of her pocket, "...or a part of a family. Still...I've been everywhere. Seen everything." She extends a hand towards the ceiling. "In space, the stars were so close I could almost touch them." She closes her eyes and smiles, slowly lowering her arm. "Those guys in there, they're all my family." Her expression grows sadder. "All the family I got left. Guess that would make Stavarus the crazy uncle no one ever gabs about." She grips the photo a little harder before putting it back in her pocket. She turns to Sera and smiles. "So that makes you like family too."
She puts her arms behind her head and stares back at the room where the others are fighting and sighs. She then lowers her arms and tightens her fists in eagerness. "I can't wait till we find that staff! Everything will be all cool, and I'll finally give Khora the thrashing he deserves!" She takes a saber from the ground, smiles and playfully comes at Kasei.
Kasei: Hey! Oh yeah.
The massive beast places Gulver on the ground then transforms into a scimitar.
Asaki smiles and stands in a fencing position, narrowing her gaze at Kasei.
Kasei: Two can play at that game.
The duo begin to play at sword fighting. As the weapons clash, they create a shower of sparks. Kasei catches Asaki's saber, locking it, but the teenager merely laughs. "Ha! You'll have to do better than that, Kas'!" She withdraws the saber backwards so Kasei unexpectedely goes foward. Asaki leaps onto the scimitar and flips over it, landing gracefully behind it and jabbing it from behind.
Kasei: Hey!! Why you...!
The teenager laughs and continues to duel with Kasei. It comes down from above, striking over and over, trying to best the warrior, but she easily blocks all its attacks.
Kasei: Alright, that's it!
The scimitar zips towards the teenager incredibly fast. Asaki stands ready for the attack when suddenly a painful flash from within her mind attacks her.
The threads are all around, weaving through the air, drawing everything in.The teenager's eyes widen in fear as she stands frozen in one place. Kasei yells in horror and barely manages to dodge to the side of Asaki's head, preventing an injury. It changes back into a fire rod.
Kasei: Wha--!
The saber falls and clatters on the ground as Asaki reaches up and grabs at her heart, trembling. Her eyes are glazed over and her breathing comes out fast and furious.
The grotesque figure of their enemy comes closer, pulling the threads towards it...Asaki falls to her knees and clutches her head.
Kasei: Asaki!!
She tries to fight the images racing through her mind and her breathing comes out as strangled sobs as she wraps her arms tightly around herself, cold and trembling with...fear.
Kasei: I'll get help!
"...N...no..."
The firerod stops in mid air and turns back towards Asaki.
"They're...going away...it's ok.....," she pushes herself up from the floor and stands, somewhat shaky, "....I'm alright, see?"
She wipes the sweat off her brow with the back of a gloved hand and looks back towards the room.
*those were sensei's thoughts i saw, i'm sure of it. no! but that means...we're gonna be too late. i can't stay in this room. i might put sera in danger..."Please excuse me." She bows to Sera then dashes off towards the other room.
Kasei: Eh--Asaki!
"Stay with Sera and watch Gulver for me! I'll be back as soon as I can!"
Kasei: No, wait!--hmph.
The teenager races back into the room, worry, masked over her face. She rushes towards Damien as Stavarus continues his rage.
"STOP!!"
She slips between Damien and Stavarus, determined to break up their fight. She cries out as she gets sliced a few times by Stavarus's daggers, but holds her ground, nonetheless, waiting either for his temperament to cool down or for her own demise...
|With chaos as my guide, I walk the plains in search of a worthy battle....|