Hinagiku feels herself caught in mid-air as she falls by one of the air spirits, her body suddenly floating aloft by a fierce gust of winds. The spirit, its wispy form barely visible, dances around her, laughing good-naturedly as it spirits her upwards towards the peak and deposits her at the top. Hua Xing manages to climb all the way up virtue of his own strength, but Joran slips and falls half-way up, and also needs to be escorted to the top by the spirits.
Isilme: 14
Ary: 12
Ehren: 9
Unafe: 9
Hua Xing: 8
Hinagiku: 6
Xanderghul: 6
Joran: 3
When the heroes reach the top, the find that there are already two people there waiting for them. One is an elderly bald man, clad in simple white and blue robes, who carries a walking stick in his hand. Sitting on the ground next to him, eyes closed, and in the lotus position, is none other than Shu Lien. Shu Lien is a Tien girl, now wearing a new fighting gi, this time in dark orange and black. She has long, straight hair and a pale complexion. She doesn't react when the heroes reach the top, her eyes still closed and focused on her meditation. Between them, at the centre of the spire, is a large square reliquary, carved out from the spire itself.
Once all eight heroes have reached the top, does the elderly man finally break the silence. "こんにちは、旅行者。このお寺の主人、クソジジイです。あなたは最後の裁判に至るまで強く、熟練しています," he says, first bowing his head towards the heroes, then turning to face the reliquary.
"これがあなたの最後のテストです、旅行者-私が観察するものです." Kuso Jijii says without taking his eyes off the reliquary. He strides closer to the reliquary, pressing his staff into a small indention at its centre, and in a matter of seconds, the narrow summit expands into a broad platform, like an unfolding mushroom.
"Greetings, travelers. I am Kuso Jijii, Master of this Temple. You are strong and skilled to have come all the way to the final trial."
"This is your final test, travelers - one that I will be observing."
The staff is activating a spell of stone shape. The reliquary, or his staff, or both, must be enchanted.
The extended parts of the platform is not particularly thick. While being sturdy enough to sustain the weights of those standing on it currently, if much more additional weight were to be added to the platform, it would probably break.
"囲炉裏は、内なる平和と知識が鍵であるだけでなく、武器による裁判で自分の価値観を守ることができなければならないと教えています"
"現在のトライアルチャンピオンであるシュウ・リエンちゃんと一緒にスパーしてください。囲炉裏が今日私たちを監視しているので、それを名誉ある戦いにしてくだ さい."
"Irori teaches that inner peace and knowledge are key, but also that one must be able to defend ones values in trial by arms."
"I ask that you each spar with the current Trials champion, Shu Lien-chan. Please make it an honorable fight, for the great Irori watches us today."
At this, Shu Lien stands up, her eyes open. She smirks. "その必要はありません、先生。一度に全部取ることができます。そうすればもっと速くなります。"
"No need for that, Sensei. I can take them all at once. It'll be quicker that way."
Kuso Jijii is much like Hinagiku. He does not give away his inner emotions, only pausing for a moment to consider Shu Lien's words. Finally, he says, "....まあ、シュウ・リエンちゃん、でもあなたのエゴがあなたを最大限に活用させないように警告します"
"....Very well, Shu Lien-chan, though I would caution you to not let your ego get the best of you. "
Kuso Jijii pulls out a large chest from inside of his robes, obviously stored inside some sort of extradimensional space. He opens it. There are a variety of wooden weapons - daggers, rapiers, a longsword, even a starknife. He gestures to it. "あなたはあなたの拳、またはこれらの武器の1つと戦うかもしれません。どうぞ、ご自分でお助けください。"
"You may fight with your fists, or with one of these weapons. Please, help yourselves."
Once the heroes have chosen a weapon (or refused any), Kuso Jijii simply floats up into the air, held aloft by the power of his own ki. After choosing a vantage point to observe, he says,
"チャンピオンは真ん中に立ちます。残りの人は、尖塔の端に沿って開始位置を選択する必要があります。参加者は尖塔に足を踏み入れるか、裁判に負ける必要があり ます。私が裁判の開始を宣言したときにあなたは始まります。さあ...自分を鍛えろ！"
"The Champion will stand in the middle. The rest of you must choose a starting position along the edge of the spire. Participants must keep their feet on the spire, or lose the trial. You will begin when I declare the trial to have commenced. Now... steel yourselves!"
Isilme chuckles at Xander's observation that shapeshifting had to be valid after her own feat of teleportation. "True enough!"
When the master prepares the platform for the combat, Isilme moves up to pick up the Star-knife in the chest and moves to the edge of the platform to wait for the others to prepare.
Xander has thoughts about his placement among his compatriots. Equal footing with Hinagiku, while Ary and Unafe soared highest, that started out bothering him. Then he remembered the purpose of the trials is to highlight one's strengths and weaknesses. It had always been true that Xander was the group's cleverest and weakest compatriot. He had merely decided that he wanted to change that recently. That he was able to outperform Joran did not surprise him at all. What did surprise him was the exemplary performance of Hua Xing. That monk really must be talented.
When they learn the details of the final challenge, Xander feels some excitement. Shu Lien! The last time they had battled her was dramatic and satisfying, surely this second time would be as well. And this time, Xander would get to hit her with a wooden weapon! Presuming, of course, that he would be able to strike her.
Time would tell.
From the pile of available weapons, Xander selects a shortsword. He grasps its leather hilt and lifts it up. It was dull, of course. It would require that he get in real close, as well. Still, Xander bets that even Shu Lien would blink if jabbed under the ribs with it.
When presented with the platform, he frowns. As previously discussed, Xander was not strong. If Shu Lien, a fighter he knew to rely on raw power, wanted to throw him off this stage, he knew that she would be able to. Nothing to do about it, though, but fight.
Carried by the winds, which feels like the very flow of the world and ley, Hinagiku allows herself to let go of her failure, exhaling in one drawn out motion while her her whole body relaxes. However, the peaceful void of her mind is replaced by a series of emotions when she reaches the top of the pillar. Respect and consideration for her master, joy and relief at the sight of Shu-Lien alive and well. Respect taking priority, Hinagiku first bows to her old and wise master. Her bow is deeper than any she has done since she returned to Sakabe, her back coming almost at a right angle with her legs. She would normally introduce herself, however, she knows her master to be perceptive and Transcendent Sight to identify her. After straightening up, she gives a shallower bow to her senpai.
Silently, Hinagiku listens to Kuso-jiji sensei’s instructions, until the challenge is revealed and Shu-Lien states her intent to battle them all at once. Hinagiku knew herself to be one of the reasons Shu-Lien wanted to fight them. She pondered how she could appease her senpai emotions, how she could make her feel as though she could strive for perfection in a peaceful and harmonious way instead of through anger. She could not simply let her win.Hoping to lose might be a better solution, but even then she doubted that her senpai would find true satisfaction in that. If only she could show her how it felt… As she ponder’s these question, Hinagiku slowly walks around the circumference of the platform and chooses a place close to Ehren while leaving space for Unafe. She then carefully places Transcendent Sight over her eyes, trusting in its ability to guide her.
”Unafe-sama, be careful, the platform might not be strong enough to sustain your other form.”
"It's impossible to see everything the road could show from the clouds." she responds once she reaches the top, giving the Aasimar a wink as she attempts to sound wise.
Ary bounces on the balls of her feet again as she sees Shu Lien. "Shu Lien!...-San!" she says, remembering the honorific just a moment delayed. 「あなたはよく見えます！私たちはあなたに連絡しようとしました...何かひどいことが起こったのではないかと心配しました。あなたに会えてうれしいです。」 she continues, before nodding her head towards her, and then bowing. 「私はあなたの新しいローブが好きです。黒とオレンジは青と白のように何かを意味するのでしょうか？」 then nods her head towards Unafe, the only person that hadn't been met previously. 「ああ、これはUnafeさんです.」
She was somewhat glad that their challenge was to duel with someone that Ary knew... and for it to just be one person. She wasn't certain that she was willing to actually injure someone just for a contest... but she knew that the woman would not take it well if Ary refused her open challenge.
She looks over to the master of the temple, "Kuso Jiji...sama?" she says, looking to Hinagiku to see if she'd chosen properly, before bowing deeply to the man. 「明確にするために...プラットフォームにいる限りテレポートできますか？飛躍することはできますか？」
She waits for his response while she checks inside of the chest for what sort of gear might be present. She smiles as Isilme plucks out a starknife from the box. "How lucky."
She had a feeling some of these things would not survive this battle... she grins as she sees a small shield, which she takes out and straps on. "Sorry, Faith-chan." she offers to her backpack, before also taking out the wooden longsword. "Does anyone else prefer to use a long sword? I could be fine with just a shield, maybe."
She glances to Unafe, "No embiggening."
Ehren is not as surprised to see Shu Lien as he might have expected. To his knowledge, she never expressed any desire nor obligation to remain in the Worldwound, so it followed that she would return from whence she came. Even so, it must have been quite the journey, considering the far more expedient means by which they arrived in Minkai.
But of greater interest is Hinagiku's master, the man she has spoken so highly of in the past. At a mere glance he appears unremarkable, but by now Ehren knows better than to assume anything about a monk based on appearances alone. He looks over at his girlfriend, wondering what she must be feeling - this reunion was a lot to take in all at once. As Kuso-jiji magically alters the top of the pillar, the druid's attention snaps back to the matter at hand. He chafes at Shu Lien's arrogance, an edge that evidently hasn't dulled since he last saw her. Considering that Hinagiku has bested her in one-on-one combat with rules much the same as this trial's, it is a wonder that she believes she can take them all on at once, regardless of how much she has trained since then. Still, he has no delusions about Shu Lien's martial prowess.
With the conditions of the final trial set, Ehren eyes the chest of weapons but decides against perusing. With or without one, he has a feeling that his chances of landing a blow on Shu Lien are much the same. Likewise, even if he had any intention of shapeshifting, the platform they are on would be unable to support his more powerful forms. It would be better to rely on something that does not require force to be effective.
Keeping that in mind, Ehren takes his place along the edge of the arena and waits for the signal.
Unafe watches Hinagiku's bows, and tries to do the same (as best she can).
She listens with interest to Ary's questions, and adds her own. "クソジジイ様、それは足を地面から持ち上げることで敗北するという意味ですか？"
Whatever the answer, Unafe nods in understanding and takes her place in the ring.
On second thought, maybe there was something she could do. Stepping forward, Hinagiku calls to Shu-Lien.
"Shu-Lien先輩、私たち全員と戦うというあなたの願望に感謝し、敬意を表します。しかし、私はあなたが最初に私を一人で戦うことをお願いします。私が敗 北すると、私の仲間はあなたと一緒に向き合うでしょう。" Hinagiku asks, in her most aggressive tone (not really aggressive at all) to avoid aggravating Shu-Lien.
"Shu-Lien senpai, I appreciate and salute your desire to fight all of us. But I ask that you first fight me alone. Once I am defeated, my companions will face you all together."
"プラットフォームの範囲内にとどまる必要があります。技術を使用して勝利を宣言しようとしないでください。これは不名誉な道です。" replies Kuso Jijii.
"You must stay within the bounds of the platform. Do not attempt to use technicalities to declare victory. Such is a dishonorable path."
Shu Lien raises an eyebrow and tilts her head to the left. "自分に合ってください。とにかく、私は最初にあなたを破壊するつもりでした."
She settles down into her fighting stance, her hands curled into the shape of claws, and her center of gravity kept low. "これを早くしましょう."
"Suit yourself. I was going to beat you first, anyway."
"Let's make this quick."
Once Hinagiku is also in position, Kuso Jijii calls out, "トライアルが始まります！"
"Trial begins!"
Shu Lien tenses, ready to move forwards...
Shu Lien moves impossibly fast, darting across the battlefield before Hinagiku could hope to react, and striking her across the face. She then backs off, jumping into the air and attempts to simply kick her off the ledge with incredible force, but Hinagiku widens her stance and manages to stand firm against the onslaught. Shu Lien strikes again, and again, and again - obviously much faster and more accurate than the last time she faced Hinagiku, striking her several times across the chest and stomach before she can finally regain her bearings and raise both arms to parry her final blow.
Shu Lien fights using Tiger Style and Tiger Pounce and Power Attack.
Hinagiku is up!
Hinagiku has barely started moving from a greeting bow to a fighting stance that Shu-Lien is upon her, almost. Using the tip of the toe she had been sliding forward to adopt her stance, Hinagiku grasps at the surrounding ley lines which tangle into Shu-Lien’s feet. Following suit with her fingers, Hinagiku reflexively brings threads of ley over her chest to block the worst of her rival’s strikes which still leave her reeling, but not stunned.
With barely any time to be amazed by Shu-Lien’s speed, Hinagiku quickly falls into a defensive position. Using even the slightest whims of the ley to guide herself, even going as far as attempting to tune into any corruption and hint of malevolence that might reside within her, Hinagiku does her best to prepare a counter attack. Palm opens, she returns strikes back at her foe’s abdomen.
"These two are old friends..." Ary casually explains to Unafe as the two collide in epic fashion. "Or at least old... opponents?"
Ehren's eyes dart to Hinagiku when she challenges Shu Lien to one-on-one combat, picking up on the barely perceptible edge to her voice. He opens his mouth as though to protest, but then shuts it again. Whatever she felt she needed to do here, he would not interfere.
Shu Lien moves closer to the centre of the platform, then leaps up to kick Hinagiku once more square in the chest, hoping to knock her off the platform. She makes contact, but Hinagiku had already settled into a defensive stance, and doesn't budge an inch. Shu Lien strikes again, and again, aiming at her head, then the centre of mass, and again at her legs, but finds Hinagiku too fast for her to land a single other blow.
Hinagiku is up!
Above, left, below, above, right, with blows coming from everywhere, Hinagiku cannot weave ley quickly enough to deflect blows. She sees Shu-Liens kick approaching her chest, everything appears to slow down. She knows she cannot block it. She can only witness. Yet, she cannot allow it. That is when it happens. When she lets her mind be guided by the ley. It takes over her body and weaves a barrier of ley around her.
Not enough time to meditate on the implications of her newfound power. Hinagiku abandons herself to the flow around her, letting her strikes be guided rather than directing them. Again and again, she strikes palm open at Shu-Lien.
Shu Lien steps back once, aiming one kick at Hinagiku's throat, before rapidly back-flipping ten feet away, causing the other monk to temporarily see stars.
Once away from her, Shu Lien murmurs, "心非师，理非道," and crouches down into a defensive position, maintaining intense eye contact with Hinagiku the entire time.
"Mind is not the Master, Reason is Not the Way."
Shu Lien uses the ki power, Building Up Koan.
Shu lien uses the Sphere ability, Dizzying Tumble.
Shu Lien uses the Sphere ability, Counter Punch, along with the Sphere Ability, Violent Pressure.
Hinagiku is up!
Isilme watches the fight quietly, focusing on watching the fierce exchange between the two monks. She's surprised by the ferocity of Shu Lien's opening attack, and is relieved when Hinagiku survives the brunt of her initial attack and manages to gain control of the fight.
"You can do it, Hinagiku," she whispers under her breath.
Hinagiku is too focus on the fight to truly listen to Shu-Lien’s words, though they slowly insinuate themselves in her mind. It is only thanks to her strange vulpine mind that she is able to shake them off.
The flow of the ley immutably brings Hinagiku towards Shu-Lien who now lays on the ground. Without pause, the kitsune’s hands circle and strike from all directions, trying to break her opponent’s defenses and reach her weak points.
With Shu-Lien retreating, Hinagiku finally has some time to focus on her stance. Positioning her feet, getting a firmer grip on the invisible threads still in her hands, she is prepared for any further attacks from her foe with whom she now locks gaze. Intense gaze meets calm and peace. Hinagiku might never have met such an opponent, but neither had she ever surrendered herself so completely to the flow of the world. Her inner pool is a mirror through which slowly starts to shine a light, as if the sun was rising onto the ocean. The light intensifies, becoming visible to all around as it surrounds her. Her wounds begin to heal, her full abandon allowing the very air around her to lessen her contusions.
Shu Lien smirks, easily dodging out of the way of her foe's attempt to trip her, and then immediately seeing an opportunity as Hinagiku stands still and readies herself to heal. Shu Lien sprints across the distance between them, too fast for Hinagiku to properly react, and strikes the other monk hard in the chest...
Shu Lien is using the mythic ability Unorthodox Tactics.
Shu Lien is using the Boxing ability, Jolt Counter.
Combat Ends?
"Anyway, Daisy, Graukr, Hua Xing, and Shu Lien... and I wanna say Kong Woo? All came across the crown of the world for a contest between their respective temples. So far as I know, Daisy is the only one still competing in it, though I don't recall precisely what the goal was aside from to make the pilgrimage." she says, continuing to fill in the blanks for Unafe. Her eyes widen as Shu Lien moves away, giving Hinagiku unexpected room to breathe.
"Huh." Ary says as Shu Lien dashes across the field once more. "She has gotten really fast in the last year."
Ary applauds and smiles to Shu Lien. "Impressive! You've learned so much since I last saw you! Oh, wait. This is Ary, by the way. I forgot that I didn't look like the me that you remember."
Seeing Hinagiku get clobbered after her attempted challenge of Shu Lien (and regardless of whether this is the moment that she is knocked unconscious) Xander steps forward. Drawing his wooden sword, he barks, "Hey! You still want to fight all of us? You can start with me."
He waves his sword at her and sneers. If he could get her to go for him, he would almost assuredly be thrashed immediately -- but his other companions would have a few moments to get their act together. If Hinagiku still stood or one of his stronger allies stepped up to defend him, all the better. "I've been training too, you know," he says. "You don't stand a chance against me!"
Just as Hinagiku feels her synch with the flow of the world strenghten and light dawn upon her inner ocean. She sees a blurry Shu-Lien, feels a blow to the wound in her chest and after a pang of pain everything becomes dark.
Silently, Hinagiku folds backward, unable to fathom the meaning of her newfound connection to the flow of the world.
Seeing Hinagiku fall, Kuso Jijii flies down to the platform, landing softly beside of her. "もう一度、シュー・リアンさんが勝者です。彼女はトライアルチャンピオンです！"
"Shu Lien-san is the winner, once more. She is the trial champion!"
Shu Lien smirks, bowing once to Kuso Jijii, though her shallow breaths and the thin coating of sweat upon her body betrays the amount of effort she had to expend in that fight, regardless of how she attempts to play it off as something simple. She pointedly ignores Xanderghul, knowing that he was only attempting to rile him up. She didn't think he was a real threat, anyway.
Kuso Jijii kneels beside of Hinagiku, pressing his hand against her arm. He channels healing magic into her, resuscitating her back into consciousness.
Kuso Jijii is using the revitalize Spheres ability on his Cure, a Life Sphere ability.
"ひなぎくちゃん、元気でしたね。私が最後に坂壁であなたに会って以来、あなたはとても強くなりました。私はあなたをほとんど認識できません、そしてそれは確か に私のビジョンが私の古いもので私を失敗させ始めたという理由だけではありません," Kuso Jijii murmurs to Hinagiku, kindly, with a warm smile. He offers to help her to her feet.
"You did well, Hinagiku-chan. You've become so much stronger since I last saw you in Sakakabe. I can barely recognize you, and it is surely not just because my vision starts to fail me in my old age."
At the same time, Shu Lien nods to Ary, one eye-brow raised. "Bishop-sama. You look....different. Better. I like your new form." Ary (along with Hua Xing) was the only person out of the group at Drezen that Shu Lien wasn't generally cold or sarcastic towards. But even with them, she tended to be distant, preferring to spend much of her time while she was at Drezen completely alone.
"Thank you. I have trained hard, first with the noble Mammoth-riders of the lands to the east, before I met my new Sensei. He truly helped me unlock my true potential.... and I have a feeling I have only breached the surface of what I am really capable of." A small smile traces her lips, but she stops when Kuso Jijii returns to Shu Lien, also imbuing her with the same healing magic with a simple touch to the shoulder. "参加者が回復するまで、少し休憩しましょう。" he says. It only takes about five minutes for her to fully recover.
Shu Lien revisits her conversation with Ary with a simple, "I look forward to facing you." before closing her eyes and returning to a brief period of meditation while her body slowly recovers from the previous fight.
"Let us take a moment to rest, while our participants recover."
Once this time has passed, Kuso Jijii turns to the others "シュー・リアンはトライアルチャンピオンのままです。それで、あなたの最後の試練は彼女と向き合うことです。別の人が戦闘で彼女に挑戦する立場になりますか？ "
"Shu Lien-san remains as the Trial Champion. Your final trial, then, is to face her. Would another stand to challenge her in combat?"
Shu Lien crosses her arms and scowls. "ふむ。早く瞑想に戻りたいです。残りの皆さんを一気に引き受けます."
"Hmph. I'd rather get back to my meditation sooner. I'll take on the rest of you all at once."
She tilts her head and smirks.
"非常によく、その後。トライアルの候補者のいずれかが1対1の戦闘でShuLienさんと対戦することを好まない限り、開始位置に戻ってください。私が裁判の 開始を宣言したときに開始します。" says Kuso Jijii, floating for a moment above the platform before returning to the sky.
"Very well, then. Unless any of the trial contenders would prefer to face Shu Lien-san in one-on-one combat, please return to your starting positions. We will begin when I declare the trial to have commenced."
Any expectations Ehren had about Shu Lien's prowess were immediately subverted when she closed in on Hinagiku with blinding speed and unleashed a ferocious combination. His hopes briefly swell when she manages to weather the initial assault with a technique he does not recognize, only to be quashed when Shu Lien claims victory with a decisive counterattack. Rooted to the spot for the entire duration of the short match, Ehren is quick to move to his girlfriend's side, though her master heals her before he can. The conditions of the fight meant she was in no real danger, but it was still hard to watch.
"You fought well," he says to her in a low voice, once she is back on her feet. His lips curl into a wry smile. "But you've left the rest of us in a rough spot."
As he makes his way back to the spot he chose along the edge of the arena, Ehren looks to Shu Lien, his somewhat irrational dislike of her overtaken by awe. He had thought her boast mere bravado, but whatever training she underwent since her departure from Drezen clearly worked wonders.
Once he is in position, the druid poises himself, readying whatever defenses he can muster. It is a somewhat feeble gesture - if the monk comes at him the way she did with Hinagiku, there was not a thing he would be able to do about it.
When Xander's challenge is ignored, he gives out a little 'hmph'. It wasn't totally unexpected, and at least he would get to swing his little wooden sword at Shu Lien at least once. Still, her new prowess was intimidating, to say the least. She had made quite a leap since the last time they had seen her. She was powerful before, but now there was something unique about her fury. Perhaps she had gone through a transcendence, or perhaps she had done something truly extraordinary. And this new master she spoke of was quite mysterious.
Xander wonders how Kuso Jiji might feel about being surpassed and replaced.
No matter, he returns to a spot on the edge of the arena -- but this time, he pointedly stands closer to Ary. Safety was always found at her side, and he did not want to be the first one knocked out. Xander was fairly certain that Unafe and Ary could beat her, especially aided by Isilme. Himself, Ehren, Joran, and Hua Xing he was not sure would be able to do much.
It wasn't exactly that he wanted to beat her, or that he thought he was capable of it. It was more like just wanting to be a part of the experience. Xander grips his sword tightly, wishing that he had a shield, or that he could could simply feeblemind Shu Lien.
Unafe lets out a long, slow breath.
Clearly she's a worthy warrior. It'll be a pleasure to spar with her.
She carefully takes her place.
Ary responds with an appreciative nod. "Thanks. It... feels better. More like home. The Mammoth Lords are across the Worldwound from Drezen, I think? That's... a lot further than I'd wager any of us has gone." She looks from Shu Lien to Hinagiku, and chews on her lip for a moment, wondering what the Kitsune had been thinking, and was now thinking in regards to fighting Shu Lien. She thinks about asking her but figures that now wasn't precisely the time. Something for later.
"Mmm..." Ary responds tilting her head to the side with a slight grimace, and raises a single finger, "I am not looking forward to being punched in the face, but I do look forward to seeing how things go." She watches for a moment as Xanderghul moves closer to her, a bit thankful for the less-spreading-out. She nods to Shu Lien, then bows once more, then raises her shield arm. "I'm ready when you are."
Isilme is surprised when the brief breather Hinagiku is given turns into a quick end of the fight as Shu Lien surges across the battlefield in a heartbeat. Clearly the fight they were about to have would be no simple task.
Steeling herself, she takes her position at the edge of the 'arena', changing herself into the form of a pink-haired gnome to make getting around invisibly easier should the need arise during the fight. After she finishes changing she gives Shu Lien, focusing her attention on the monk and listening for the call to start.
Once the heroes get into position, Kuso Jijii flies back above the platform and calls out, "トライアルが始まります！"
"Trial begins!"
Shu Lien's eyes flash open the millisecond that Kuso Jijii announces the trial has begun. She clenches her fists...
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Shu Lien moves first, taking in a sharp breath and darting across the platform towards Ary. Aiming her shoulder into Ary's center, she shoves her clear off the platform. She goes spinning, but the marshal's wings flare out and steady her before she falls. Shu Lien's face cracks into a genuine smile. "Too slow."
She turns towards the others, widening her stance as she prepares for her attackers to reach her. Her grin vanishes, her eyebrows creased together in a frown.
Round 1!
Ehren, Unafe, Xanderghul and Islme are up!
Ehren suppresses a grimace when Ary is knocked off the platform the instant the trial starts. It could have just as easily been him or anyone else present. As Shu Lien turns toward the rest of them and Unafe makes her move, the druid moves further into the arena. It increases the probability of him just getting beaten down instead of knocked off, but he at least has a chance of preventing that much.
Despite their elevation, the pillar of solid stone makes an ideal conduit for the ley. Ehren's eyes and scars glow with silvery light as he draws on its power, augmenting his latent magical power. Hoping to exploit what he perceives as an opening in Shu Lien's defenses, he wills into existence a surging torrent of water that threatens to throw the monk right off the pillar, just as she did to Ary.
Ary flips end over end as she gets shoved directly off of the platform, her wings flaring as she does, she comes to a stop in a lying down position. She catches Shu Lien's smile and erupts into a deep belly laugh. "So this is what I've been doing to people." she says as she moves to a sitting position. "Great job!" she calls as she stands up then flutters over to join Hinagiku along the sidelines.
"I'm really glad she didn't punch me in the face." Ary says conspiratorially to the Kitsune.
Xander is taken by surprise when Shu Lien launches herself across the stage and takes out Ary in one easy kick. He knows that he isn't far from the chopping block, standing right next to her. Still, he doesn't flee. It had to be someone, and if it was him that meant that it wouldn't be Unafe, who had the best chance of standing toe-to-toe with her.
Xander steps away from the edge of the stage and summons the power of shadow with a quick muttered incantation and several successive arcane sigils drawn in the air with an outstretched finger. At the conclusion of his chanting, he thrusts an open palm towards Shu Lien and a mighty gust of wind blasts forward into the monk. The wind is illusory, of course, but that wouldn't stop it from bowling her over the edge of the arena if she wasn't careful (or lucky).
"Halt!" calls out Joran, raising a hand while he moves closer to the centre of the platform, but Shu Lien simply ignores his command. She ducks out of the way of Hua Xing's thrown fist, then raises both arms crossed over one another as she weathers the blast or air sent her way by Xanderghul.
Unafe and Isilme are up!
Isilme falls to near the others, careful to give Shu Lien a wide berth. Once there she begins to cast a spell to bolster her allies' attacks and calls out to the group: "She is swift, and her blows terrifying, no doubt, but is that any different than our fight against Eustoyriax? Or Staunton Vhane? No, she is powerful, no foe can best us when we work together towards one end!"
Unafe smiles as the blessings of the Song of Spheres wash over her.
"My turn!"
She hustles over to their dueling foe and tries to shove, frighten, and grapple her. "Boo!!"
If she manages to grab Shu Lien, Unafe attempts to move her off the side of the platform, throwing her shoulder into it like she was trying to wrestle a stegosaurus.
Shu Lien is not familiar with Unafe, so she doesn't regard her as much of a threat as the two spellcasters. Unafe manages to catch her unawares, grabbing onto her. She struggles, but she isn't strong enough to wriggle free before Unafe pulls her over the edge and lets go. She falls a few feet before one of the air elementals catches her and brings her back up to the platform, just as Kuso Jijii himself lands.
"それは確かに素晴らしいスキルの展示でした！" he exclaims.
"That was a splendid display of skill indeed!"
Shu Lien bows deeply. "あなたの能力は私自身の能力を超えています、それはよく戦った決闘でした。さて、失礼しますが、私は一人になりたいので、自分のパフォーマンスと最善の改善方 法を考えることができます。"
"Your abilities exceed my own, that was a duel well fought. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to be alone, so that I can contemplate my own performance and how I can best improve."
Her eyes flash to Unafe. "Unafe, was it? Trust that we'll face each other again." She nods, and then vanishes from sight.
"おめでとうございます、あなたはトライアルチャンピオンを打ち負かしました...トライアルでのあなたの全体的なパフォーマンスについて話し合うために、私の 学生である新井と話し合う時間を与えてください。" says Kuso Jijii, flying down to the ground, where he greets Arai. The two have a brief, whispered conversation.
"Congratulations, you have bested the trial champion... please give me a moment to confer with my student, Arai, to discuss your overall performance at the trials. Please, follow me down to the bottom."
Once the heroes reach the bottom of the spire in any way they choose (if they simply leap off the edge, the elementals will gently guide them down), Kuso Jijii again greets the others, arms spread wide. "6つのトライアルすべてでのこれまでのパフォーマンスに基づいて、Va'ardaliaさんが新しいトライアルチャンピオンであると宣言できることをうれしく 思います。そして、いつものように." He then turns and bows to Isilme. "私はあなたに私たちの修道院で私たちと一緒に勉強するための招待状を送りたいと思います。お互いから学ぶことがたくさんあります。"
"Based on your previous performance across all 6 trials, we are pleased to declare Va'ardalia-san is the new Trial Champion! And as is customary, I would like to extend to you an invitation to study with us at our monastery, should you like. There is much that we could learn from each other."
Isilme: 15
Ary: 12
Unafe: 12
Ehren: 11
Hua Xing: 10
Xanderghul: 7
Hinagiku: 6
Joran: 5
Ary gives Unafe another round of applause when she wins the fight just as easily as Shu Lien had defeated her. "Great job, Unafe!"
"Wai-!" Ary calls out to Shu Lien just after she vanishes, then huffs. "Oh, well." she says as she flutters back up onto the platform. "Does that mean Isilme has to come back next year?" she asks Hinagiku quietly, avoiding stealing any thunder.
Unafe blinks twice, realizing that they won.
Unafe begins to answer Shu Lien, but trails off when she disappears. "あなたは強大な戦士、シュー・リアンサナです。 もう一度格闘できて光栄です..."
At Ary's praise, Unafe glows. "I must say, I've wrestled triceratops that went down easier! Surely the Ancestors were with me...and I have no idea if I could have prevailed without the divine blessing that Isilme channeled...or you taking that first blow, Ary.
"And you, Hinagiku? How are you fairing?"
As her companions gather, Unafe scratches her head. "Say, what do you think she meant by 'we'll face each other again'? Is that a cultural expression? Surely she knows we live on the other side of the world!"
After her eyes flutter open, Hinagiku’s gaze falls upon her old master, she smiles faintly through receding pain.
”ありがとうございました。あなたは私を尊敬しています。しかし、挑戦は困難でした…彼らはうまくいき、私の限界を見せてくれました…しかし…。
” Hinagiku stops, the feeling she had during the fight having shaken her understanding of her own abilities and limits.
She then turns towards Ehren, her smile widening almost imperceptibly.
”Thank you.She has greatly improved, and seems much better centered. I am glad for her. ” she says, holding on to Ehren’s arm to stand up. ”She might be good, but so are all of you. Be confident.” she continues, encouragingly.
While Shu Lien speaks to Ary, Hinagiku turns towards her and bows. While paying her respect, she catches glimpses of the conversation she’s having. Not wanting to distract her before her next fight, Hinagiku returns to her place in the circle, encouraging the others with her usual gentle smile.
Hinagiku’s eyes are riveted on Shu Lien for the whole of the second round as she studies and does her best to understand and learn from the woman’s moves. She was impressive, much more than she had been before, and much more in control.
”Her punches have gotten quite strong. She is much quicker, isn’t she?” Hinagiku answers to Ary just before Unafe pushes Shu Lien out of the ring.
After the spirits have brought Shu Lien back to the platform and she has had the time to salute Unafe’s skills, Hinagiku calls to her, softly yet with confidence. Only to see her vanish from sight. Instead, she turns to Unafe to congratulate her.
”The pain has subsided thanks to my sensei’s powers. Thank you for asking Unafe-sama. You did quite well. Hua Xing senpai asked Sosiel-san to contact Shu Lien-san before our departure. Her response was that she could come and go from here to the wound without problem. I believe she might already be back to wherever she lives right now. Maybe she even camen here only a day ago.” Hinagiku responds to Unafe.
”I do not think so Bishop-sama, although I am certain Va’ardalia-san would enjoy it.”
Once they have rejoined with Kuso Jiji and Arai, Hinagiku nods in appreciation as Isilme is given the title of champion. ”Congratulations.”
Hinagiku then waits patiently for her old master to be done speaking before approaching him and bowing once more.
”もう一度先生の前にいてくれてありがとう。私の仲間は、私の要求に応じて、ここから傷を隔てる広大な距離を越えて私に同行してくれました。戻ってきて、あなた の知恵を求めたいと思っていました。今日はたくさんのことを学びましたが、まだ一つ質問があります。今日はお忙しい日ですので、お祭りが終わったらお会いをお願 いできますか？”
"Well played everyone, and nice moves Unafe," she says, walking up and patting Unafe on the shoulder after resuming her human form. "There is no challenge we cannot overcome together!"
"You did well, Hinagiku. Shu Lien certainly is lighting quick at this point. Neither you nor Ary had a moment to react."
When she is declared the champion, she turns to the master and bows deeply. "しばらくの間、皆さんと一緒に滞在してトレーニングできることを光栄に思いますが、やがて他の人たちと一緒にMendevに戻る必要があります。 ご注文のストーリーや歴史も知りたいです！" she says without hesitating. Though their training was quite different to anything she would normally do, the experience seemed too good to pass up, and she didn't doubt for a moment that there were many fascinating stories to hear within their temple.
Ehren never gets the chance to enact his plan - by the time Unafe has closed the distance with Shu Lien, the battle is already as good as over. He is left standing there a little lamely, having passed the trial by virtue of doing absolutely nothing. It is not exactly what he had in mind, but he supposes it beats getting pummeled into submission in one-on-one combat. At Kuso Jiji's prompting, Ehren simply steps off the edge of the spire, allowing the air elementals to carry him down to the bottom. When his feet safely touch the ground, he offers the spirits his thanks.
"Congratulations, Isilme," he says with a broad smile when the aasimar is named champion, not entirely surprised considering her performance in the previous trials. As for himself, it was satisfying enough to explore his limitations and weaknesses. While "perfection" may not be his goal, addressing them could only serve to make him stronger. But that much he would have to do on his own time, back home.
Ehren looks to Unafe and shrugs. "Quite some time has passed since we last met her. I would not be surprised if she took the long way to get here."
Ary floats down behind Ehren as he goes, offering anyone who wanted a ferry ride down... or they could simply use the spirits as he had. "I was going to see if she wanted to come back the way we came, but... she seems to have her own way, now." Ary says, tilting her head, "But on the bright side, she seems to have found her own way to cross the battlefield - and maybe much more - quickly. She didn't need my way, after all." she says, offering a small smile.
"Even still... to have journeyed to the Mammoth Lords realms. That's... a pretty huge distance, yeah?" she asks, not entirely certain that she knew exactly how the lands were divvied up outside of the Worldwound.
"優れた。私たちは毎朝夜明け前にトレーニングのために目覚めます。必要に応じて、私たちに参加して、私たちの寮で寝ることを歓迎します。" Kuso Jijii says warmly to Isilme with a smile.
"Excellent. We awaken for training each morning just before dawn. You are welcome to join us, and sleep in our dormitories, if desired."
"今のところ、トライアルチャンピオンとして、トライアル中に尖塔を拡大することに成功した挑戦者と戦うために、一日の残りの時間は坂壁にとどまるようお願いし ます。"
"For now, as Trial Champion I kindly ask that you remain in Sakakabe for the remainder of the day, to duel any challengers who manage to scale the spire during the Trials."
To Hinagiku he nods. "もちろん。一日の終わりに、私は自分の部屋にいます。"
"Of course. At the end of the day I will be in my chambers. "
Arai Kyo helps guide the heroes on the trail back to Sakakabe, while Kuso Jijii heads back to the top of the spire. As they leave, they see him reverse the magic that had caused the platform to extend, leaving just the spire in the distance.
By the the time they return to Sakakabe, the sun is setting. The streets smell delicious - various stalls are selling roasted meats, giving ample options for dinner. Once the evening falls, colorful lit lanterns illuminate the festival stands, and the festival organizers set off fireworks.
Xander is unsurprised when the contest ends the way that it does. He always knew that he had very little chance of doing anything to Shu Lien, and that it would be down to Hinagiku, Unafe, or Ary to defeat her in hand-to-hand. Despite his taunt, he was glad that she had elected not to attack him. He hadn't been looking forward to being punched or thrown anywhere.
When it comes time to leave, Xander uses a spell to fly back down to the ground, alighting softly on the grass behind his companions who had chosen to jump and allow the wind elementals to carry them. The monastery and its trials were truly wonderful, he supposes, through his bitterness at losing.
It was true that his companions were generally superior to him at everything, but it was also true that Xander had managed to not embarrass himself in any of the competitions. That was something that he could not claim he would have been able to do a few years ago. Despite his vast experience, it would seem that he was still able to learn and grow.
With more timidity and quietness than usual, Xander goes into the town. He does not eat any of the roasted festival food, but he does stand to watch the fireworks and enjoy the colorful lanterns. If allowed, he will make his own lantern, or use illusions to create colorful displays to entertain people. He does not seek out the company of anyone, instead simply setting out to do things. He does not dismiss anyone who wishes to join him.
”She did incredibly well… not only in skills but also in her demeanor, I did not feel the lack of balance she used to have. I am glad she found a master who was able to show her such a way. But you did incredibly well too Va’ardalia-san, even better than her it would seem. Good luck with future challengers.” Hinagiku says to Isilme before leaving her with Kuso Jiji.
For the first half of their walk back to Sakakabe, Hinagiku remains silent, brow slightly furrowed as she further ponders her experience. Then, after a soft nod to herself, she addresses her companions. Carried by the spell that unites them, her soft yet firm voice reaches all.
”This competition against Shu Lien senpai has given me much to meditate on. I am thinking of staying here for a time so that I can benefit from Kuso Jiji-sensei’s wisdom when needed. I could even come back with Isilme when she feels she has spent enough time at the temple. I realise how much it is to ask of you Ehren-kun to come back for us in a few weeks… but without fully refocusing my mind and having a clearer path to follow, I do not think I would be able to continue bringing much to our group.”
After bidding farewell to Arai senpai, Hinagiku gathers the others around (including Xanderghul) to discuss the plan for the evening.
”In an hour or two there will be 花火... hummm, it translates as flowers of fires.They will fly up into the sky. It is a beautiful sight, especially from the hill over there. I used to go there with my friends every year. I would suggest that we gather some food and climb up there to watch them. It makes for a wonderful picnic, and maybe we will also get to see some of my old friends.”
During the evening, Hinagiku approaches Joran to see how he is doing.
”Vhane-kohai, what do you think of your visit so far? Would you be interest to stay a bit longer to discuss more with the people at the temple? Or did you already make any interesting discoveries in town?”
Once the fireworks are over, Hinagiku leaves for the temple alone. She easily makes her way through the now darkened corridors and courtyards, memories resurfacing and guiding her to her master’s doorstep. Whispering to announce herself, Hinagiku politely waits to be invited in.
Finally alone with her old master, Hinagiku sits on her knees before prostrating herself.
”クソジジ先生、私が最後に天下にいたのは久しぶりです。それ以来、多くのことが起こりました。これらのことについてお話しする前に、まずお詫び申し上げます。 あなたは世界の傷であなたの戦いのスタイルを代表するために私を選んだが、私はあなたに失敗した。私はオニスとの戦いに陥ったため、他の寺院に対するこの裁判で 勝利を主張する権利を失いました。私はあなたの教えを尊重することができなかったことを非常に残念に思います。” Hinagiku pauses to let her sensei speak.
”幸いなことに、私は2度目のチャンスを与えられました。私の仲間は、この新しい体の中で、私を生き返らせることができました。それ以来、私は多くのことを実践 し、成長してきました。しかし、ここ数週間、私の瞑想は、私が価値があるとは思っていなかった道を考えるようになりました。あなたが私に教えて以来、私はマスタ ーのマスターの教えに従いました。それでも、目を閉じて自分の奥深くを覗き込むと、もっと何かがあると感じます。世界の本質とのつながりのようなものか、私には わかりません。マスターのマスターが私に触れたのはどこにでもある力のように感じましたが、このエッセンスと比較すると、今では狭い道のように感じています。こ のエッセンスのささやきは常に存在しています。それがすべてです。または私はそれができると思います。それに合わせるのは私自身の道ですが、私は恐れています… いや…私は感じます。そうです、もし私がマスターのマスターの教えに従って自分の道をたどるとしたら、私の信仰はより大きな何かへの第一歩であることが明らかに なるだけだと思います。つまり、自分の道と完璧さを真に追求することによって、囲炉裏の教えを真実として没収する必要があります。彼らは衰退し、アドバイスにな るでしょう。” Hinagiku slips as she refers to the Master of masters by his common name without realising it.
”先生、これはプライドですか？妄想ですか？それとも、これは歩く価値のある道ですか？私は…わかりません。
”