I'm neither here nor there,
I know this but lack that.
If i'm to know,
I'm to be guilty.
[Year 537 - May 13th]
The past few months have been unlike anything else Aspra and Rouge have had to deal with.
Under Roz's training, their limits are constantly pushed and broken.
The girls are forced to hike giant mountains, run barefoot marathons, and survive the dangerous wildlife of the western Kokino forests.
On a rainy afternoon, Rouge is nowhere to be found, the dojo is eerily quiet.
Aspra looks around everywhere for her, but can't find her.
Bewildered, she searches outside in the heavy rain.
The wind grows bolder, and eventually, she stumbles onto somebody, Roz.
Before Aspra can speak up, Roz takes the lead.
["Aspra Skura..."] she pauses.
["Or more like... Mavra."] She says, an uneasy calm expression in her tone.
Aspra takes a step back in shock.
["I-i dont know what that means..."] She says softly.
["Black flames... a black scar on the back of your head just like the one Rouge has on her back.] She points out with a grin. The wind blows purposefully on her face.
["You dont have to worry... i simply sent Rouge to run a few errands so we could... talk."]
["W-whats... t-there to talk about?"] Aspra asks.
["Well for starters... what do you want with Rouge?"] Rouge questions.
["You know what happend to her... she's quiet and lovely, but im sure she's got plenty of pent up vengeance towards your family... she'd try killing you in an instant if she found out."]
Aspra stares into Roz's eyes, knowing she isn't bluffing.
["I-i promise... i dont mean any harm... i came across Rouge when i was kicked out... she dragged me along and i couldnt resist her help..."] Aspra admits distressed.
["So then, why are you still with her?"] Roz questions.
["Where else am i meant to go? I have nothing now!"] Aspra says, her eyes swollen.
["Well then let me ask you this."] Roz approaches, pulling a blade against her neck, causing Aspra to freeze up.
["Were you sent to finish her off?"] She asks, pressing the blade on her neck.
Aspra listens carefully, her heart starting to beat faster.
["No! Thats not true at all! You have to believe me!"] She yells, now in tears, silenced by the rain.
["Then enlighten me, what is it you plan to do?"] Roz asks her, pressing the blade into her throat just enough to nearly draw blood.
["I'm telling you now little girl, you're already on bad terms with me just for being near her. So tell me, what is it you want?"]
Aspra's mind starts racing with thoughts of her life's purpose, constantly dragging on her psyche.
["T-the... the white flame sorcerer... if i can kill him... i can return home..."] Aspra explains tearfully.
["All... all i want is to get rid of that guy... I dont wanna harm Rouge..."]
["And what is this white flame sorcerer to you? Why must you kill him?"] Roz asks, her tone demanding.
Aspra pauses, for the first time ever wondering why it is that she was sent after him.
["I uh... i dont... know why they want me to kill him but..."]
["You dont even know why you want to kill him?"] Roz asks, taking the blade off of Aspra's throat.
["You're young, and you have potential. Dont waste it on stupid goals like that."] She adds.
["I-its not stupid... i have to do it..."] Aspra says, although her words have no fight behind them.
The rain slows down, Aspra and Roz stare eachother down.
["Listen kid... im not one to judge. Do whatever you want as long as Rouge stays out of your business, you got that?"] Roz says threateningly.
["Either way... I plan on training you both to be strong. But never forget, I'll make Rouge stronger so she can keep up with your black flames."]
Aspra tilts her head and stares at her in confusion.
["What do you mean keep up? She's much stronger than me..."]
Roz looks at Aspra with a wondering look on her face, mumbling to herself.
["Oh, just you wait. She'll have trouble. Your gift will outshine hers."] Roz says cryptically, and with that, walks off back inside, letting Aspra ponder.
As Aspra watches Roz depart, her mind is racing.
["I can't rely on these people..."]
["I can't drag Rouge into my mess..."]
["What if Rouge finds out?"]
["Will Roz tell her?"]
Aspra snaps out of it, looking down at the rain hitting her hands.
["Nothing i can do yet..."] She murmurs to herself dissapointingly, sighing and going back inside aswell.