Ziku continues the training, gathering all of his chi and learning how to control the flow.
Kanju: "Before we can start, you have to be able to control the flow of your chi throughout your entire body."
Ziku just sits there concentrating and twitching. The same aura as before surrounds his body with electricity also flowing. Ziku's eyebrow starts twitching as he opens his eyes and looks past Kanju.
Kanju: "What is it?"
Ziku: "Its kind of hard to focus when you're hiding back there, just come on out."
Kanju turns around, and from around the corner Cayde walks out.
Kanju: "Cayde?"
Ziku: "Why didn't you go home?"
Cayde: "Omoi said you also use lightning as your main element. Is that true?"
Ziku: "Yeah, it's my clans main element."
Cayde: "If you don't mind me asking, what's your clan called?"
Ziku: "The Nakamuras."
Cayde: "And all of you guys can use lightning? Cool! Who's the strongest?!"
Kanju: "Uhhh."
Ziku: "It's only me and my mom left."
Cayde: "Huh?"
Ziku: "My entire clan was killed years back, it's just my mom and I."
Cayde: "I- I'm so sorry."
Ziku: "It's fine, what about you?"
Cayde: "Well I don't know who my father was, my mom never talks about him. My mom can't use lightning though. She always tells me I was born with a gift."
Ziku: "Yeah, it seems like it. Did you come here just to ask me questions?"
Cayde: "No, well yeah, but no."
Ziku: "What?"
Cayde: "Big bro Omoi assigned me to his team. It's not that I don't have respect for him, I just think it would better suit me if another lightning user trained me."
Ziku: "You know other lightning users?"
Kanju: "I think he was talking about you Ziku."
Ziku: "Oh, well sure I'll train you."
Kanju: "What about your training?"
Ziku: "I guess I'll just have to wait."
Cayde: "Are you sure? I mean you don't have to if you're already busy."
Ziku: "It's fine, my training can wait. Tomorrow is when we can start."
Cayde: "Cool! Thank you big bro Ziku!"
They fist bump and Cayde goes home to tell his mom.
Kanju: "Are you sure you want to put the training on hold?"
Ziku: "He came to me, the least I can do is give him 100% of my time and effort."
Kanju: "The classes only last about 5 hours a day though."
Ziku: "I know, but I don't want my training to get in the way of his. Mine isn't easy, requires a lot of energy and time. I don't want me being fatigue to be a burden on his training."
Kanju: "Ahh, I see what you mean."
Ziku: "Yeah, sorry Kanju."
Kanju: "It's fine, let's make them strong!"
Ziku and Kanju smile at each other, then they both walk out and head home.
Ava: "You ready?!"
Hiroyuki: "Are you always this cheerful?"
Ava: "Are you always this stoic?"
Hiroyuki: "Only on Friday's."
Ava just stares at him confused.
Hiroyuki: "That was a joke."
Ava: "Oh, I couldn't tell!"
Ava just starts laughing again, Hiroyuki just watching her and pausing.
Hiroyuki to himself: "There's that feeling again. What does it mean? Who exactly is this girl?"
Ava: "Let's go already!"
She says then immediately pulling Hiroyuki. Again Kokiruko is following them.
Kokimina: "Father stop! There's nothing more you can do!"
Kor: "I've spent my entire life trying to get my hands on one of the crystals! Our little village are the victims of war! Why's it fair that everyone else be granted power, but we stay weak! Your mother died for no reason! They go through our village like nothing to get to those they're after! We do absolutely nothing, but yet we fall victim to their fighting! No more! If Dark Moon magic won't bring her back, then I'll just have to be the one that avenges her death!"
Kokimina just begins to cry, filled with lots of pain and stress. She caresses her stomach wondering what to do.
Hiroyuki: "How are you always full of so much excitement and energy?"
Ava: "I ju-, I just love living life. Tomorrow isn't promised. My parents made me promise to always be cheerful, because it's the way to live. We all know how cruel the world is, but what's the point in living if you're scared, depressed, or have hate. When we die, we want to die happy. No matter what, we will die with a smile on our face. Because at the end of the day we lived the life we wanted."
Hiroyuki: "I wish I could say the same."
She looks over to see Hiroyuki just staring at the ground. She places her hand on his and just keeps looking at him. He looks up to make eye contact with her. She smiles at him as he just looks at her gazing into her eyes, his heart pounding and his brain completely scattered. Both of them close their eyes and slowly lean in for a kiss. After the kiss they both just stare at each other. Hiroyuki places his other hand on hers making her blush. Then he pulls her close and places his forehead on hers. She just continues to blush as Hiroyuki's eyes are closed and he's just sitting there with his forehead on hers.
Hiroyuki: "Ava."
Ava: "Yes?"
Asuna: "Shidai, Hiroyuki should report back to me soon. For the time being you're relieved of your time here."
Shidai: "Oh, Thank you Asuna."
Shidai walks out of the emperor's estate and heads to the villages gate.
Shidai: "Where should I meet you?"
He just stands there seemingly talking to himself. Tatsuma just watches him as Shidai leaves the village. Since shidai worked on the barrier team, he knows how to get past it undetected. Some time passes as Shidai is now pretty far from the village and is confronted by Mayonaka. Mayonaka stands in front of Shidai along with Zayn and Matoi.
Mayonaka: "What is it?"
Shidai: "The Chikara you're after is away from the village. He's training with his elder brother as we speak."
Mayonaka: "What?! Seems I'm a little late! Tch, damn!"
Shidai: "I'm sorry, I don't know exactly where they are at the moment."
Mayonaka: "No, you did well. Leave the rest to me. I know just where to find them."
Shidai: "How much longer?"
Mayonaka: "Just a bit more time Shidai."
Shidai looks down, Mayonaka steps to him and lifts his head up.
Mayonaka: "If not for me, you'd be dead."
When he says this Tatsuma throws a kunai and it goes through Mayonaka's hand.
Tatsuma: "Shidai!"
Shidai: "What are you doing here?!"
Tatsuma: "You- you're working with the enemy? This whole time, everything that's happened is because of you?!"
Shidai just looks down again.
Tatsuma tries to get into a stance and prepare to fight, but before he can Zayn is behind him holding his head.
Shidai looks up to see Tatsuma struggling. He starts to think about all the fun they had together training and preparing to work for the barrier team. Actually thinking of Tatsuma as one of his best friends.
Shidai: "Zayn stop!"
Mayonaka: "Finish it!"
Shidai: "No! Stop! Zayn let him go!"
Tatsuma makes eye contact with Shidai and in the same second Zayn snaps his neck. Shidai falls to his knees and slowly tears up, remembering how close he and Tatsuma were.
Mayonaka: "Bonds and attachments you formed with this village, let them go. It will just hurt more when they die."
Shidai: "I don't want to help you any-"
Before he can finish, Matoi grabs his head from behind and renders him unconscious. As time passes and he wakes up he finds himself tied to a chair with Mayonaka directly in front of him. Mayonaka grabs his head and breaks him of all his emotional attachments. Shidai just sits there, without any emotion almost lifeless.
Matoi: "What did you do to him?"
Mayonaka: "Out of all you, he's easily distracted with foolish feelings and attachments. I had to get rid of that. Shidai has come so far, it's not over yet."
Zayn: "If it's not over, what's next?"
Mayonaka: "We go get Tonamura. Shidai told me where he is. We retrieve him and from there we make our move."
Matoi smiles at the news of Tonamura.
Mayonaka: "What are you smiling at?"
Matoi: "I get to see Tonamura again."
Mayonaka: "Yeah? You might have to kill him. If not he's going to kill you."
When he says this Matoi's eyes widen and he becomes discouraged.
Hitomi: "Are you hungry Tona?"
Tonamura: "Yeah, do you want me to help you cook?"
Hitomi: "No it's fine."
Tonamura lays back down on the grass watching the sunset. He closes his eyes breathing in slowly and starts to see Totsuki and Mayonaka. All he can see is what they did to him, how they treated him and the harsh life he was living. He opens his back up and just continues to watch the sunset. Hitomi grabs tomatoes and onions from her garden and takes them inside to cut. As she's cutting them she stops abruptly with a concerned look on her face.
Hitomi: "This chi! How come I didn't sense it before?! It's already so close!"
She runs outside.
Hitomi: "Tona! Get inside now!"
Tonamura: "Huh? Why?"
Hitomi: "Please! Just come inside!"
Tonamura gets up, but not fast enough as Zayn grabs his arm. Tonamura looks back to see Zayn and his eyes widen with fear.
Tonamura: "Zayn?!"
Hitomi charges over to him placing a hand on Zayn, but he grabs her hand. She clinches his arm jumps up and wraps her legs around him throwing him into a tree.
Hitomi: "Come on!"
They turn around, but see Mayonaka standing on top of their house.
Tonamura: "Mayonaka! You're here too?!"
Hitomi: "What do you want?!"
Mayonaka: "The boy!"
Hitomi puts Tonamura behind her and gets into a fighting stance.
Mayonaka lifts two fingers.
Mayonaka: "Anyone inside?"
As he destroys the house from underneath him, turning it into rubble.
Hitomi sheds a tear, and just stares at the rubble.
Hitomi: "All of our memories, you destroyed everything! How could you!"
Mayonaka: "The memories of your family would have been destroyed with time anyway."
Hitomi: "Akuma, Azuma, Takeo, Asuna, Toko! I'm sorry!"
Mayonaka: "Instead apologizing, why don't you fight!"
Hitomi jumps in the air and dashes towards Mayonaka, he barely has time to react as he barely blocks her punch.
Mayonaka: "She's pretty fast!"
Hitomi continues to attack him, while Matoi walks up to Tonamura.
Tonamura: "Matoi?! Even you?!"
Matoi: "Just come back with us, make this easier on everyone."
Tonamura: "Matoi, you out of everyone else should know what I mean when I say I've finally found a home. And you guys destroyed it! Matoi you were like a brother to me, the only one that truly felt like family! You were the only one who understood me! You've shown me now that none of that means anything to you! I could never forgive you!"
Matoi just looks down , not knowing what to say or do. Tonamura tries to attack Matoi, but his body just won't move. Both of them stagnant. Meanwhile as Hitomi and Mayonaka are fighting Zayn goes to help. Hitomi holds her own against both of them and it would appear as if she has the upper hand. Mayonaka and Zayn both stand on opposite sides of Hitomi just staring. Mayonaka smiles as both his and Zayn's demon mark spreads across their bodies. Hitomi watching getting scared at the sight. She dashes forward trying to punch Mayonaka but he catches her fist and slams her into the ground. He picks her up by the throat and begins choking her. Hitomi struggles to break free, she punches his arm, tries to break it, she kicks Mayonaka in the neck, but nothing works.
Mayonaka: "You Namikayos are impressive, I thought only Asuna would make me have to resort to using this power."
Hitomi: "Y-y-you will die!"
Mayonaka: "Perhaps, but I'd be damned if I don't finish what I started!"
Tonamura: "Let her go!"
Mayonaka: "I will, when she's dead."
Tonamura: "No! Put her down now! Please! I'll go back with you, just please spare her life!"
Mayonaka: "Hmph!"
Mayonaka throws Hitomi, but before she can hit the ground Tonamura catches her. When he sees her face he starts to cry while also holding her tight.
Tonamura: "I'm sorry, I just can't see you get hurt anymore. This was never meant to happen to you, but I'll do everything to make it sure it never happens again!"
Mayonaka: "Let's go!"
Tonamura places her down and follows Mayonaka. As their walking away he keeps looking back and shedding more tears. Hitomi just lays there in so much pain. Barely able to move as a tear falls down her cheek.
Zayn: "Now what?"
Mayonaka: "Now, we go after Toko!"
Zayn: "What about Tona?"
Tonamura: "Don't call me that! You're not my friend!"
Mayonaka: "Calm down!"
Tonamura: "You took me from what I finally a called home! You tried to kill the closest person to a mom I've ever had! I know I can't beat you, which is why I decided to just go with you. It was all for her sake. So when I'm done helping you, I'm going back and living my life with Hitomi."
Mayonaka: "We'll see."
Asuna just staring out a window into the clouds.
Tora: "Are you ok Asuna?"
Asuna: "Something just doesn't feel right."
Hitomi: "Asuna!"
Asuna and Tora both turn around to see Hitomi heavily wounded and about to fall. Before she can hit the ground Asuna catches her.
Asuna: "Hitomi! What happened! Hitomi!"
Hitomi loses consciousness, Asuna gets concerned and immediately takes her to the infirmary inside of the Emperor estate. As time passes and she starts to regain consciousness she opens her eyes and sees Asuna standing by her bed with his aura just spiraling out of control.
Hitomi: "Asuna, don't get your chi so riled up. I know who did this and they took Tonamura from me. As for what they're after, I'm not sure."
Asuna: "Who was it?!"
Hitomi: "Tonamura called him Mayonaka and the other one Zayn."
Asuna: "Mayonaka?! But how did he know where you were?!"
Hitomi: "It doesn't make sense how anyone could find me. But if he did, it must mean he's after all of us. Or just Toko since he guards a crystal and the seal."
Asuna: "So how do we go about this?"
Hitomi: "I'll go to Toko. You have to stay here, your village needs you."
Asuna: "You can't go alone!"
Hitomi: "Asuna, how do you think I got here so fast? It takes a lot of chi, but I can teleport to where Toko is."
Asuna: "B-But how?!"
Hitomi: "The chi I'm familiar with is what I use to pinpoint a location and use the light I emit to get there."
Asuna: "So why didn't you teleport to Toko?"
Hitomi: "Like I said, it takes a lot of chi. I was weakened and since you were closer I only managed to get to you for the time being."
Asuna: "Ahh I see, it seems to be a very useful technique that comes with its limitations."
Hitomi: "Obviously haven't mastered the technique, hopefully Toko can help me with that."
Asuna: "Yeah, when are you leaving?"
Hitomi: "When I'm at 100%."
Asuna: "Well, if you need anything I'll be two rooms down."
Hitomi smiles.
Hitomi: "I've missed you Asuna."
Asuna: "Yeah, I bet."
Hitomi: "You could say you missed me."
Asuna: "I could."
Asuna just walks out going back to his office.
Hitomi: "None of them ever express their feelings. Hard to imagine them with a wife and kids."
Tora knocks on the door, Hitomi sharply turns and just stares at her.
Tora: "Hitomi right? You're Asuna's sister?"
Hitomi: "Yes, who are you?"
Tora: "Oh, I'm Tora."
Hitomi: "Ahh, so you're the one Asuna sometimes talks about."
Tora blushes.
Tora: "H-he talks about me?"
Hitomi: "Yeah, when he sends me letters your name is mentioned quite a lot."
Tora: "Really?! What does he say?!"
Hitomi: "I don't know if I can tell you that, my brother is the type to tell me things and not want anyone else to know."
Tora: "I see."
Hitomi: "Wait, are you in love with my brother?"
Tora: "What?! Why would you think that?! It's nothing like that?! What gave it away?!"
Hitomi: "Well other then the fact that you just did, I could tell. When you said his name your heart rate increased. When I said that he talks about you in letters, you blushed."
Tora: "Well, I truly admire Asuna. He's the reason I'm strong."
Hitomi: "Then hold on to that, you don't have to tell Asuna how you feel, but there's so much you can do to show him. He's dense when it comes to stuff like that, but trust me, he'll appreciate it."
Tora smiles and blushes again.
Tora: "I'll do my best for the village and for him!"
Hitomi closes her eyes and smiles at the fact that Asuna has someone like Tora to bring him happiness.
Kanju: "Are you guys ready? My team follow me."
Omoi: "Am I missing someone?"
Shizuko: "Hmph, only the first day and already have troubled students."
Omoi: "Where's Cayde?"
Juda: "He's over there with Ziku."
Omoi: "Huh? Hold on."
Omoi walks over to see Cayde and Ziku training. All he can see is Cayde trying to hit Ziku, but it looks nearly impossible. Cayde trying his best, but Ziku just smiling and having fun. Cayde drops to the ground due to fatigue as he's just looking up at Ziku.
Cayde: "I- I can't hit you, you're t-too fast."
Ziku: "You think that's fast?! Wait till you see me at 100%!"
Cayde: "That wasn't 100%!"
Ziku: "Haha, watch this!"
Ziku stands in front of Cayde as his body just creates a bunch of afterimages as he's moving all around.
Cayde: "Woah! So cool!"
Ziku: "Hopefully our training will help you get this fast."
Cayde: "I hope so! I just feel a little bad for just leaving Omoi."
Ziku: "Don't worry about it, I'll talk to him about it later. Omoi's the coolest person I know."
Omoi closes his eyes and just smiles, walking away.
Omoi: "Alright, you guys ready to start?"
Ace, Juda, Kenya: "Yeah!"
Shizuko: "Why are you guys doing this?"
Dor: "Huh? What do you mean?"
Shizuko: "Your motive! What is gonna drive you to keep going even when it seems like you can't?!"
Rei: "Are we taking turns? Or is there some kind of specific order or way you wanted us to respond?"
Shizuko: "Just go Damnit!"
All of them get scared.
Rei: "Well my abilities are my motive. Abilities like mine are extremely important. I could be useful as a warrior. I don't care about being the strongest, all I want to do is be able to use my abilities for the right reasons and be able to help anyway I can."
Shizuko: "Another damn Ziku goody goody, annoys the hell out of me."
Rei just stands there with a hurt expression.
Shizuko: "What about you?"
Dor just shrugs his shoulders.
Shizuko: "What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
Dor: "Never really thought about it."
Shizuko: "Hmph, well my training for you will be to find what drives you. Cause I'll be the first to tell you, not having something to keep you going isn't gonna get you far."
Negi: "I want to be strongest in the village that uses fire!"
Shizuko: "You think you can surpass me?"
Negi: "Its only a matter of time!"
Shizuko: "Hmph, I like that kid."
Kenya: "Hey Omoi, who was the best pure fighter of you class?"
Omoi: "Pure fighter? Honestly I think Kame. I don't know how anyone else feels. Shizuko would probably say himself, but Ziku and Kanju would also give you their honest opinion. Why you ask?"
Kenya: "Well, I'm a pure fighter! I want to know who's the best so when I'm done with this training I could challenge them!"
Omoi: "You really love fighting huh?"
Kenya: "Fighting and getting stronger!"
Omoi: "Yeah, sounds just like Kame."
Kenya: "What if I challenge everyone from your class?"
Omoi: "I mean, I don't see why you can't."
Kenya: "Ok so since Kame's the "Best" who's the second, the third, and so on so forth?!"
Omoi: "Hmmmm. That's actually hard, cause you would have to get the occasion to see everyone fight. Which I have not."
Kenya: "But the tournament?"
Omoi: "Even then, I haven't had to the opportunity to see everyone at their best."
Kenya: "I see."
Kanju: "Chi? What is it?"
Luka: "Life force energy within all of us. It's the main component in our lifestyle. It's how we use and control our abilities."
Kanju: "Nice, damn near perfect explanation."
Ryun: "I don't mean to be rude, but how can you actually help us?"
Kanju: "Well, out of my class I have the best Chi control. All of you have pretty unique abilities, I know what it takes in order to help you enhance them. "
Ryun: "My ability can't be enhanced, it's already at its peak."
Kanju: "That's right, for you it would be best to just hone your fighting skills and learn how to incorporate your abilities in battle."
Luka: "What about me? I don't really think there's anything you could do to help mine."
Kanju: "With every ability there comes limitations. If teaching you how to overcome them is what I have to do then I'll do it."
Luka: "Hmm, tell me this. Out of your class who do you think is the strongest? Mentally?"
Kanju: "Mentally strongest huh? To be honest, probably Shizuko, Ziku, and Hiroyuki."
Luka: "Interesting."
Time goes by an the day is over.
Omoi: "Guess that's it for today, you all can go home."
Kanju: "The three I pick don't seem to have any respect for me. This could be tough."
Shizuko: "Why would they?"
Omoi just starts laughing as Ziku and Cayde walk up.
Ziku: "Alright Cayde that's enough for today. Same time tomorrow."
Cayde: "Cool, I'll be here!"
Omoi: "Seems like Ziku got respect."
Kanju: "How is you do it?"
Ziku: "Do what?"
Kanju: "Earn his respect?"
Ziku: "I don't know actually. He just naturally obeyed."
Kanju: "Of course."
Ziku: "Omoi Cayde feels it would be better if he trained with me."
Omoi: "I agree."
Shizuko: "Why does it matter? My students are gonna be the strongest anyway."
Omoi: "You think so?"
Shizuko: "No! I know!"
Omoi: "Let's say two months? We all get two months to train our students. At the end of the two months we hold a tournament. Thoughts?"
Kanju: "What kind of tournament?"
Shizuko: "Who cares?! You got yourself a deal?!"
Ziku: "Two months huh."
Omoi: "Doesn't seem too long or short."
Ziku: "You're right."
Kanju: "Somehow I knew this would become a competition."
Omoi: "What better way to get the best out of us?"
Kanju: "Good point."
Shizuko: "Hmph!"
Shizuko just walks away heading home.
Kanju: "You know, that's the most I've seen him smile."
Omoi: "I guess stuff like this is what really gets to him."
Kanju: "Ziku!"
Ziku: "Ahh! What!"
Kanju: "My bad, but is there any advice on how to earn their respect."
Ziku: "You have to think, what made us respect Aizu and Asuna right away?"
Kanju: "Authority?"
Ziku: "Well yeah, but other than that?"
Kanju: "Strength?"
Ziku: "It's easy to respect someone super strong. Cause you know for sure that they can make you stronger."
Kanju: "And how am I supposed to show my strength? I'm not even top 5 of our class."
Ziku: "Maybe you can use something else to earn their respect."
Kanju: "What do you mean?"
Ziku: "You see Shizuko used fear to get his, I'm sure they already respect you. It's just they're confused. Cayde was confused, but show them you can help them. We're all the students got right now, if they fail, we fail."
Kanju: "I know. I know how to go about this. Thank you."
Ziku: "No problem. Did you guys want to come over for dinner?"
Omoi and Kanju: "Sure!"
Cayde: "May I come as well?"
Kanju: "You never go home when we tell you huh?"
Cayde looks down.
Ziku: "It's fine, you can come."
Cayde looks back up in excitement.
Ziku: "Mom, I'm home!"
Natsumi: "Now I know I said it's fine if you go out again, but I still don't like the idea of you staying out this late. Just try and get home before the sun starts going down ok?"
Ziku: "Yeah, sorry mom. But uhh I invited Omoi, Kanju, and Cayde over for dinner."
He just stands there smiling rubbing his head.
Natsumi: "Goodness Ziku, I wish you would tell me sooner."
Ziku: "Sorry! I'll help you cook!"
Natsumi: "Good, get over there and start chopping."
Ziku runs in the kitchen, washes his hands and then starts cutting the vegetables. When he's cutting everyone's looking because he's cutting them super fast and it all looks like a blur.
Ziku: "I'm done! What's next?!"
Everyone just laughs.
Natsumi: "You guys could sit in here. The food will be done in about 20 minutes."
Omoi: "Oh ok."
Natsumi: "How's your parents Omoi? Haven't talked them in what seems like forever."
Omoi: "My mom's fine."
Natsumi: "How about your dad?"
Omoi just sits there not saying another word.
Ziku: "Psst! Mom!"
Natsumi: "What's wrong with Omoi?"
Ziku: "Mom, I don't know. He hasn't even told me. I noticed a difference since before we started the academy."
Natsumi: "I see, well you're his closest friend. Just be patient and understanding. He'll talk when he's ready."
Ziku: "I hope."
Natsumi: "Ok and I'm familiar with Kanju, but who's Cayde? He looks younger than you guys."
Ziku: "He is. Caydes 9."
Natsumi: "9? Guess that's not far from you."
Ziku: "He asked me to train him."
Natsumi: "Oh I see, what's his ability?"
Ziku: "It's lightning like us!"
Natsumi looks over at Cayde and realizes.
Ziku: "Huh? What's wrong?"
Natsumi: "Nothing, you could go sit Ziku. I'll take care of everything else."
Ziku: "But-"
Natsumi: "Now Ziku."
Natsumi to herself: "Could it be that Sasori had an affair with this boys mom before everything happened? He and Jin look almost identical! How can Ziku not see it?"
Yumi: "Oh hey Aiko! What are you doing in here?"
Aiko: "Well, I come here once a week to do some reading. Just so I could get out of the house."
Yumi: "Ahh because Ziku forgot about you?"
Aiko: "What?!"
Yumi: "Aww I'm only kidding, he would never."
Aiko just looks down and heads over to her favorite shelf.
Yumi: "Why are you in this section?"
Aiko: "These are the books I enjoy."
Yumi: "Angelic Romances?"
Aiko: "Hey you have your favorites, I have mine!"
She grabs a book and walks away heading towards a table. Yumi follows and sits across from her.
Yumi: "Aiko I wasn't making fun of you or judging. I read all kinds of books varying from a diverse range of genre."
Aiko: "These books are beautiful, just pure genius."
Yumi: "There you go! Embrace it!"
Aiko: "Sorry, what are you reading at the moment?"
Yumi whispers: "The Mark of Athena, Armageddon, and Dark Moon magic!"
Aiko: "Umm , what are those books about? And why did you whisper with so much excitement?"
Yumi: "The Mark of Athena is about Sela! The demon Queen! Armageddon is about the other realms and how everything came to be! Dark Moon Magic is just a bunch of spells and summons forbidden amongst humans! I whispered because I'm not supposed to have them, but took them anyway!"
Aiko: "This makes me uncomfortable, am I guilty by association now?!"
Yumi: "Haha of course not! I just want the knowledge, that's all."
Yumi suddenly jerks in her seat from hearing the voice in her head.
The Voice: "That's enough! You've said too much now! Head home!"
Yumi: "Well, I'll see you later Aiko."
Aiko: "Wait Yumi!"
Yumi walks out without saying anything else or even looking back.
Aiko takes the book and decides to head home. While on the way she opens it and starts reading it. While walking she's looking up and down, trying not to run into anything, but completely interested in the book.
Kireina: "Hey! Aiko!"
Aiko jumps and ends up falling. Kireina runs over to help her up.
Kireina: "You ok?"
Aiko: "I'm fine."
Kireina: "How come you didn't train with us?"
Aiko: "I-I just don't think it's for me. I'm better off just staying home out of everyone's way."
Kireina: "There's not too much I could say to convince you. And I won't force you, just think about it. We'll be at the training grounds for now on."
Aiko: "Thank you, I'll think about it."
Kireina places her hand on Aiko's shoulder and smiles at her. Aiko continues walking home.
Kireina to herself: "She's so fragile. We all want her to get stronger, yet we can't force her. Guess now it's matter of if and when."
Asuna: "Have you recovered?"
Hitomi: "Yes, I'll be leaving soon."
Asuna: "Be careful, and tell Toko it's begun."
Hitomi nods.
She takes a few steps back and closes her eyes. She takes a couple breaths, aura surrounds her body and her eyes begin to glow. A beam of light shines over her and she vanishes.
Asuna: "Well I'll be damned!"
Tora: "If you don't mind me asking, how many siblings do you have?"
Asuna: "Besides my sister you just saw, I have 3 elder brothers. Only 2 are still alive."
Tora: "What happened to the other one? Oh, I'm sorry I shouldn't be asking."
Asuna: "It's fine, he died when we were younger. He was the oldest at 18. His death completely changed our family. We continued living and doing what we can, but it didn't feel like enough. After 2 years Akuma decided to just leave, without saying a word. Azuma stayed for only one more month, before deciding he wanted to leave as well. Azuma said he's done with all the fighting. He told us he wanted to start his own family and just live a normal life. So when he set out, I just watched him. He turned around and said: "The next time you see me, hopefully the world has changed." It's been over a decade since I've seen them."
Tora grabs his hand and stares deeply into his eyes.
Tora: "We all want the world to change, if we're gonna do something about it, we might as well do it together!"
Asuna closes his eyes and then clinches Tora's hand.
Asuna: "I want you with me every step of the way."