Amy - The Call of Strolheim

Description: Having dedicated the first leg of her global journey to reaching Strolheim, Amy is soon to realise that her attempts to gain Krauser's attention have not gone completely unnoticed. Soon, but not before she is given a harsh lesson in relative skill - and comes to learn the true cost of becoming a hero.



Every day, thousands of people while away their paltry lives dreaming about something else. Something better. Believing that tomorrow, next month, or next year, they'll finally take that dramatically purposeful step into the greater world. Believing that they will travel freely, traipsing through the brightest and darkest corners of the Earth carried only by their own willpower. Unending happiness, they believe, will follow suit.

One issues that often goes overlooks is the problem of air travel.

There are few things more romantic than the notion of a questing knight - all glinting steel, chivalry, nobility and every hedonistic pleasure at your humble beck and call. But fantasies are exactly that; unrealistic, based on gross exaggerations of the truth. Escapism for scared human minds. At least one such warrior of yore does exist today, and her current predicament is enough to shatter all illusions. Power? Freedom? At this moment she can only create her own illusion of these things. Trapped on layover in a dusty airport (apparently some 'minor complication' with the fuel tanks), she has been forced to halt all personal and professional progress in order to twiddle her thumbs for an undisclosed length of time.

But surely it can't be all that bad?

...well. No.

Amy has ended up in the Turkish town of Bergama. It is small and littered with dusty ruins; the kind of place the average tourist would be loathe to spend any time without the assurance of a four star hotel waiting for their presence in the evening. For a relic hunter and historical enthusiast, the opportunities on offer are actually quite compelling. So it is that she continues a steep ascent toward the Pergamon amphitheatre, a dilapidated site offering majestic views over Turkey's dramatic landscape.

After climbing for an hour, she has finally reached the steps of the ancient structure, putting one booted foot onto the lowest of them. She is cast in a fine film of sweat, drenched hair pulled up into a high ponytail that keeps the majority of it from aggravating her baking skin. She wears a breathless smile through it all, looking up toward the peak of the theatre, at the tower which once housed a lavish royal box. It's a breathtaking sight... and she has almost forgotten about the walkie talkie thrust into the waistband of her trousers. Nothing can ruin this.

...right?

It is amazing what money can get you when you have enough of it. Such as paying off and disgruntled worker to make sure a certain flight never gets off the ground. A slight bit of sabotage never hurt anyone and it is just an unfortunant circumstance for all of those who were to share the flight of today's prey. Instead she shall stay where she is for at least another day so all tasks that have been planned can go off without a hitch. This modern day knight likes to travel alot it would seem and at this point the head of Strolheim's security is rather tired of plane hopping the past few days to keep an eye on her. He has seen enough and today Krauser's wishes will be fullfilled.

Eiji Kisaragi could care less about this girl that holds the interest of his employer, but when you are given the kind of money that this ninja earns even the most menial and mundane tasks such as recruitment are worthwhile. The letter that Krauser wishes to be delivered rests under the gi that Eiji wears nestled between it and the mesh undershirt he wears. He was supposed to simply deliver it, but he has had other ideas since day one. He will not let the weak into such a noble house without testing them himself. How could Krauser have such high thoughts of this woman that doesn't even look all too special. He understands the fact that this woman's father was a loyal warrior to the House of Strolheim, but that doesn't mean talent has been passed down to his offspring.

He has spent three days in the shadows watching every move that Amy makes. There was very little about her in the database and he wished to learn more before he made his attack. He has been disappointed so far. His thoughts of her have not changed a bit since he first laid eyes on Amy and he doubts they will change any time soon. His waiting has paid off finally since she has seperated herself from anyone else that was nearby. That is when there is the soft and quiet voice of the ninja that almost sounds as if he is right behind her when he finally speaks. "Amy Johnson, I believe this might be either a lucky or very bad day for you indeed." With that being said therre is a weird flickering several feet ahead of the woman and the ninja almost seems to blur into existance with arms folded over his chest and staring right at Amy with a rather murderous look in his eyes.

Many factors contribute to devalue the ideal Amy has come to adopt; just one of these that she must work within the stated rules of a society whose leaders would liquidate the Order if they knew about their goals, or had any inkling of the knowledge held within their secluded halls. It is an indication of the ninja's skill that she not been aware of Eiji's interference in her life, but it highlights yet another diminishing factor. To aim for greatness, however long one is willing to take in achieving that aim, attracts the eyes of others. Others with power and goals of their own.

Enter the Kisaragi. For three days, the Templar has continued to live as she sees fit. He has had a true and revealing glimpse into the nature of her existence, and likely into her very innermost self. Nothing is quite the same as experiencing these facets firsthand, but nonetheless it is a very personal invasion he has made. Subtle and insiduous in his approach, he is not even noticed now - not before the first hiss of breath emerges from his throat. It's some testament to the young woman that she starts just slightly before his first word is spoken, either feeling the odd nape-of-neck prickle that 'somebody is watching' or simply detecting the inevitable intake of breath that precedes speech.

She starts, but she does not move from her position, merely lowering her raised foot to settle back upon relatively flat ground- where a solid stance can be maintained in case of trouble. Fingers twitch at her sides, the left hand lowers, unhooking the thumb that has been casually slipped through a belt loop. She is wary, and her eyes reflect it; stare deepening, becoming at once more distant and more focused. She phases out petty considerations, the comfortable joy she feels at reaching this desolately beautiful location, in favour of hard caution. She has had no inkling of Eiji but... she always raises her hackles at unexpected interruption. The atmosphere never quite feels right.

But then, he is there. The ninja. His identity as such would not seem in doubt, as he so suddenly appears before her, radiating a quiet air of strength. His stare would be terrifying were Amy given to fear. She meets it with a defiant lifting of her chin, an eyebrow quirking upward in the initially unspoken question: 'Why are you here?' He knows her name, he moves with speed she cannot follow, and he threatens her; one way or another. To claim any influence over another's life is a threat, and must be perceived thus. After a moment, when she has seen all she needs to see, and assured herself that no further movements after being made in this instance, Amy speaks, calm but confident, "I'm glad you so freely share your beliefs with one who has never met you. Tell me how you know my name," she turns one cheek slightly, glancing askance at the ninja, "Then perhaps we can talk."

The way she asks how he knows her only shows how little this woman know of how some of the darker and more sadistic individuals in the world truely work. Be it for Strolheim or for pleasure Eiji is meticulous with whoever he is going to hunt. He scrounges for whatever he can find and does everything short of living in his prey's shoes in his attempt to find out what makes them tick. He remains where he is for now, his gaze still focused on the woman a few steps below him while seeming to ponder what she has to say. "You would be surprised how easy it is to gain information on anyone in this world with the right amount of money and influence."

He finally lowers his arms and he turns about to slowly take a few more steps upwards and he takes a few slow breathes as he tries to keep himself calm despite the bloodlust building up. He does not wish to exchange more words but to find out what is so special about this person. "I am not here for an exchange of words. It was not what I was paid for and I do not like deviating from what I am supposed to be doing." he turns back about and he reaches into his gi to produce the letter with Strolheim's seal on it before quickly placing it back where it was. "Your answers can be found after I am done. Now prepare yourself because you will die if you take me lightly."

It is as simple as that. He doesn't bother saying anything else and with that almost inhuman speed he leaps upwards and forward towards Amy. He twists his body in midair and there is a flash of red, an almost mist like look to it as he uses nothing but his hand to slice downward seeking to cut both cloth and flesh or whatever gets in his way with that bloody looking blade of chi that extends from his fingertips.

COMBATSYS: Eiji has started a fight here.

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Eiji             0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Amy has joined the fight here.

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Eiji             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0              Amy


COMBATSYS: Amy endures Eiji's Mist Slash.

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Eiji             0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0              Amy


'Money and influence'. The bastion excuse of madmen and overlords. An explanation which offers no real insight into the methods behind a series of actions, merely accounting for the type of person whose position has allowed the goal to be completed without undue fuss. Amy can only presume this mysterious man to be an agent of those her master has previously spoken of, those whom she has begun to suspect are responsible for the disappearance of her closest relative. This conclusion powers the vague sneer that pulls at the edges of her lips, quickly turning into a smirk before she show too much weakness before this stealthy warrior.

As he paces upwards, she begins to make her own preparations, allowing for the dawning certainty that this situation may very well turn ugly after all. Each hand flicks out in turn to loosen fingers and wrists, her shoulders rolling backward once this is done. With Eiji's back turned, she need not worry about concealing her intent, and even begins to channel her internal energies, breath deepening into a steady rhythm. By the time she is shown that letter, thin traces of her unique power have manifested nearby, near-invisibly licking at the steps of the amphitheatre.

"Interesting," she murmurs in response to his claim, and the assurance that she must not take him for less than he is. But what is he? How strong are the opposition, and what manner of men can they send against her? These questions have bothered her since hints were made toward the existence of a faceless foe. But something here does not feel right - that letter is tantalising indeed, and once offered it seems ridiculous that it would not be given. This is an intriguing game. Uncomfortable, but compelling. The youngest of the Knights Templar readies herself.

Which does little to prepare her for the impossible rapidity with which Strolheim's security chief moves. It forces a gasp from her throat, unbidden, uncontrolled, as she drops low, moving around the incoming slash such that while it wounds... it also propels her own leap heavenward. Aiming to lunge past Eiji as he falls toward the dusty hillside, she brings one arm up in a slashing motion. Blood follows it's arc, and even as her fingers clench tightly in the sizzling air she can feel that his slash has made a greater mark than it would appear. It /stings/. Hopefully so will her counter assault, as a solidifying tendril of mist chi whips up from ground level to secure a grasp about Eiji's waist and subsequently /haul/ him into the dirt.

COMBATSYS: Eiji parries Amy's Quagmire!

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Eiji             0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0              Amy


The movements are quick and graceful, the years of rigorous training showing through as the ninja seems to glide through and strike in an almost effortless manner. That mask does crease every so slightly too when he feels that slash hit him, a smile forming as the first wound has been given and the smell of blood is present. His precision will make sure it is a wound she will be nursing for quite some time. His aim was tried and true in this case and Amy will be paying for it for some time. His feet land on the step to balance only momentarily before pushing back off and send him into the air again and right towards the tendril that seeks to entangle him.

His face shows no change of emotion as he sails towards the ensnaring apparition aid it might be because he is already planning ahead. His hand flares red again and he slashes right through the tendril. "Child's tricks. I hope that isn't your only one because color me unimpressed." There is a slight hint of a growl in his voice when he speaks and the same hand that slashes through that tendril extends outwards as the ninja lands and dashes forward a step before launching forward to blur past Amy and deliver another slash one, this one aimed to come around as he passes by in an attempt to hamstring the other fighter.

COMBATSYS: Amy fails to interrupt Bone Cutter EX from Eiji with Bitter Crusade.

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Eiji             0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0              Amy


Amy feels Eiji's defence more than watches it, involved as she is in making space between her and the ninja. His techniques are clearly faster than she is consistently capable of - and in order to track those movements, she needs time and distance. She turns the lowering of her arm into sufficient momentum for a tight aerial flip, frowning inwardly when her booted feet slap down upon hard stone steps and she gets visual confirmation that her attack has been nullified. Worse, she barely registers her opponent's growled insult before he is upon her once again.

"Huh!" Grunting through clenched teeth, she thrusts her body into action. For the first time in many months, perhaps even years, she can already feel frustration at this situation. It nags at her as she moves, left hand flickering outward to dive past Eiji's extended arm, aiming to weather the initial manifestation of his attack in order to secure a grip. Her right hand clenches to a fist, but she hesitates for the briefest moment, eyes instinctively trying to track a movement they cannot hope to fully follow. It costs her dearly.

She drops to one knee behind a hissing arc of blood as muscle is easily sliced. Tears of pain spring into her eyes, clouding her vision before she brutally shakes her head and tosses herself into a sidelong roll. This hurts in itself; she had no time to account for positioning on this unfamiliar terrain, and harsh stone grates over her shoulders as she comes up in a crouch some way from Eiji. "Who are you?" She seethes, as much to herself as to Eiji, pushing herself to her feet and desperately forcing calm. Patience. She is better than this- her training should at least prepare her to mount some defence against this foe. Even her natural abilities should give her that much.

Breathing deep, she wills the pain from her wounds as she has in every other fight since she has been capable of doing so. She doubts her question will be answered, and that makes this all the more important. Even if she is left bleeding in this place, she can still obtain answers. She /will/ obtain answers. She raises her guard, and slides her feet apart on the ancient brickwork. One more time. She can do this.

The overconfidence in the ninja only grows with each successful strike. His fingers are already red from blood now instead of the chi that he can call forth and he lightly flicks at the fingers to let flecks of blood smatter across the steps as he lets out a low chuckle. "I wonder what he sees in you. Perhaps he is growing too old and attached to old friends of the family." he muses aloud to perhaps pique the curiousity of the other fighter even further and make her wonder just what the hell she has been dragged into. She is badly wounded and perhaps another strike is all it would take to finish off the confused woman, but instead the ninja remains where he stands about five yards away from her with his back still turned.

Slowly he turns about and he gives a shake of his head while raising a hand as if motioning her to get to her feet. "Don't be so pathetic. I better not have wasted so much time on you to be so disappointed." If not for the payment he probably wouldn't even think twice about not killing Amy, but he has made a deal and despite his abilities Krauser is one man the ninja does not want to get on the bad side of. His eyes narrow some and he slowly begins to step to the right and down the stairs, a predator that is beginning to circle its prey while deciding when to strike.

COMBATSYS: Eiji focuses on his next action.

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Eiji             0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0              Amy


The plot thickens, and the subject of Eiji's musings could well be the Grandmaster whom Amy serves. Though he is not particularly late in years, the man before her hardly appears to place too much belief in integrity. Already he has demeaned her, attempting to reduce her confidence to a trickle of it's true self. His willingness to play games, and to delight in playing those games, is more than apparent. Whoever he is, Amy is certain that she cannot take anything he says at face value; even the letter he has shown her. True, there would be little point in fabricating it's existence - or the fact it has been written for her - but she allowed herself to be distracted by it. Could that be the key?

Seeming to reach some conclusion, Amy begins to descend toward Eiji, matching his pace in order that he not gain /too/ much distance. She has surely not seen all of his tricks just yet. She calls down to him as she moves, "You can call me pathetic as much as you like; tear me apart with words, insult all I stand for. Just, know this," she comes to a sudden halt, planting herself solidly and circling her arms to the fore, wrists crossed and fingers tensed, hovering, in the air. Focus overwhelms her; her voice becomes distant as she continues, "Whatever you know about me is irrelevant."

Energy screams out from the world around them, summoned through sheer effort of will by the girl standing above Eiji. First there are motes, but very rapidly her power begins to manifest in full, the skies seeming to darken as mist floods the hillside. It comes from nowhere; quite literally. For this energy was already present, intrinsic in the environment, knitting the world together. Someone of Eiji's abilities should be able to sense how readily chi responds to Amy's command. Within seconds they are surrounded, thick loops of grayish-white tricking the senses. Her image will be dimmed as he looks upon her, and yet the Templar appears infinitely more comfortable, completed by this great manifestation.

"You can cut me; I will bleed. But even if I believed you would kill me here... I know that you /couldn't/." Her lips twist in a embittered, passionate display of confidence. "I confess to inexperience, but my power will overcome yours in time. Observe the breath of the serpent whose form binds us all. Now... Come to me. Test me as you will."

COMBATSYS: Amy draws upon the Dragon's Breath.

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Eiji             0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1              Amy


Despite the fact he could easily outpace the other fighter at this point Eiji maintains one that allows Amy to keep up with him if she so chooses. "Such confidence from a woman. Times truely do change for the worse." he finally says not looking very impressed with the words she directs towards him. When decides to stop walking he too lets his pace reduce then come to a stop while standing back and watching Amy begin to gather that energy around her. It is a feat that could impress quite a few, but it seems like Eiji is not one of them. He has dealt with the likes of Vega and Iori. Men that have true power that they have refined and use it the best of their abilities. Amy may have some strength in the chi she wields, but it is still unrefined and something that needs much improvement.

"Make no mistake. You live for one reason and that is because I was paid a good sum to leave you alive and with this letter. This part? This is just icing on my cake. I wasn't instructed for this, but I wanted to at least try to have some fun." He then takes a deep breath as he closes his eyes and his hands clap together. That reddish chi of his gathering and flaring about his arms and growing bright as he murmurs something under his breath. "You wish to bind the true master of Kisaragi-ryu? Then let us see how you handle this, shall we?" With that said there is the blurring of his form before he bursts forward once again. He should collide into her in mere seconds, but there is the feel of a quick breeze of the ninja changing direction at the last moment and he zooms past before leaping into the air again. His body twists and he flings one arm downward before doing the same with the other as he releases twin blades of red chi right towards the other fighter at a astounding speed and with enough force not just to cut but to also knock Amy right off her feet if they connect.

COMBATSYS: Amy blocks Eiji's Steel Wave Slasher.

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Eiji             0/-------/------=|=======\====---\1              Amy


There are titans in this world, true. Warriors with abilities that would destroy nations if left unchecked by those few who can oppose them. Darkness consumes their souls in return for physical rewards that only further diminish the spirit. Amy might feel humbled by such men and women, if she knew their like, but until this point she has only faced a single warrior who can compare to Eiji Kisaragi. And he taught her how to control this power, how to communicate with the beast behind the mist. If his strength can be believed in, then it can be drawn upon to defend her now. She is his protege, his ward, and one day - if he is to believed - the saviour of the Order. By extension, of all life. Does Eiji truly know the reason she lives?

"No!" Her voice rings out, clear and crisp through the fog binding the battlefield. "I live because it is my choice." In what seems an instant, he is upon her, raging through the mist. For just a moment, Amy pushes away all that she has been taught. Movements which cannot be followed /should/ not be followed. So she closes her eyes, extending her hands like a blindman who sees beyond sight, feeling the slightest nuance of movement within the energy she has conjured. "I fight because it is my choice." Eiji swoops past her, and she turns smoothly to face him, making no attempt to defend against an attack that does not come. "No man, however strong, may gain more than the illusion of control over another." His attack, it comes!

Great swathes of mist thunder toward Amy as she harnesses all the passion she feels. Rage, frustration, pride, self-confidence, doubt, and yet others. The Dragon raises it's own yell to aid her silent scream, and Eiji's blades are met with a veritable storm of hardening mist, a thousand lashing tendrils obeying the sweeping upward motion of their mistress' arms. With desperate focus she seeks to fight back the assault, grinding her heels in and windmilling her arms, palms launching forward at shoulder height. The mist broils, bucking and twisting against the sheer force of what it faces, and for just a second Eiji's attack seems to be failing. But then, with a thunderous crack, it breaks through in diminished form. Amy's eyes snap open, dark blue depths watching as red streaks come blurring toward her.

For all that she has done, the punishment is harsh. She seems blown off the hillside, utterly obscured from view amongst the dissipating light of chi. If her opponent stands perplexed, his confusion need not last long. As suddenly as she was consumed, Amy rises up again, a dull and defiant smack sounding at the ninja's flank. "You do not control me!" She sounds positively venemous, vengeance flaring in her eyes as she spins about, lithe body twisting into a vicious side kick. If it hits, the Strolheim warrior will be blasted away by the force. And yet, the Templar's work will be far from finished...

COMBATSYS: Eiji dodges Amy's Hound of Avalon.

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Eiji             0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0              Amy


There is a soft 'tch' emitted by the ninja as he seems to have perhaps slightly underestimated his opponent being able to handle one of his more tried and true tactics of taking a person out. Somehow she is still standing after so much punishment and even as he lands in close proximity of the other fighter. Annoyed? Just ever so slightly, yes. He does not allow that to consume him. He has unfinished work and before he is done with this girl he will make sure she knows well that he is higher on the food chain and she needs to respect him. All that pride and arrogance seems to even leave him quite open to Amy's plan and that kick looks like it is going to hit right on the mark, which it does. She can feel it plant firmly into Eiji at first, but then there is the strange feeling of things giving away as if she just kicked a board in two and even as she watches on the form of Eiji turns black and dissipates like some strange shadow.

All is silent for a few seconds, but it feels like it may be an enternity for Amy given the fact the ninja is somehow remaining hidden even in this sort of environment, ready to strike from anywhere. "I do not control you, no." the voice finally replies and there is a blurring all too close as Eiji almost seems to once again burst out of thin air, his hand swinging without the chi coming forth this time, a chopping motion aimed right at the throat of Amy. "But let this be a reminder that you are weak and despite my employer's thoughts of you I have come to one conclusion. You are weak."

COMBATSYS: Amy fails to interrupt Quick Punch from Eiji with Preserving the Myth.

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Eiji             0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0              Amy


COMBATSYS: Amy can no longer fight.

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Eiji             0/-------/-----==|


As contact is made, Amy's resolve sets more firmly. Maintaining the thrust of her limb in that split-second it should take to send the ninja hurtling, she is prepared for something she has now gauged and measured. She has accounted for it. The sudden realisation that she has struck nothing physical is harrowing, and destroys her martial form, the subsequent stagger all that is needed for Eiji to maintain his upper hand. Though she still has a moment to prepare for what comes next, his mind games have already worked to reach a conclusion. Blood spatters steadily against the monument steps, and the self-aware Templar knows that she has but seconds in which to stand.

This is an environment she should now be able to exercise her own form of control over, illusive as it might be. The fact her opponent can continue to remain hidden is astonishing. She adjusts her senses to the absolute optimum; as if they were not already so heightened. It is worthless. Even availing herself of these senses cannot help. She can feel the seconds ticking away with each drip that tumbles from her body. It's maddening. Amy starts at an imagined shadow, then twitching again as Eiji appears.

He must be stopped from throwing a final blow. Instaneously, the mist pulls itself into indistinct shapes, perhaps a dozen blurred forms that begin to rush toward the Strolheimian in tandem with the launching of his conditioned hand. There is no possible way they can intercept such speed, however. Amy's last attempt at fighting back is blown to the winds - quite literally - as his chop impacts, drawing a pained 'hrk!' as her windpipe is crushed. She staggers, places far too much weight on her wounded leg, and topples on her side down the steps. Only desperation saves her, a hiss of expelled air leaving her nose as she grips TIGHT with her entire body, bending toned musculature about unyielding stone. She forces herself to look up, toward the man who has so handily felled her, attempting to meet his gaze with blazing eyes, boring the full depth of her malice into his soul. For the first time she is truly shamed, for the first time she /feels/ as if she has learned nothing...

So that was all she had, was it? In the end there is only one thing that the ninja feels and that is disappointment. So much praise was given to someone who could not even touch the head of security in combat. He will have to include this in his report. Perhaps once he hears of what happened Krauser will change his mind about inviting this useless fighter into the sacred halls of Strolheim castle. There is only one thing left for him to do now and that is finish up the mission and complete what Krauser intended him to do. "I feel rather sick in having to hand this over to you. I do not think you deserver it." he says in that same quiet tone he has used almost the whole time when dealing with the woman.

He walks closer then leans down while peering downwards at his fallen foe and lets out a soft sigh. "Almost not worth doing this either." he admits while reaching out with a hand and taking a kunai out with the other to cut free a lock of Amy's hair. "When you think you are strong enough to reclaim your honor. Come and get it." He stuffs both kunai and hair away before producing the envelope again. He then places it on the forehead of Amy before standing up fully again. At least he can now return home and look for stronger prey. One that might actually be a challenge. He believes he shall call in for a small vacation hunt once he gets back.

As for the letter? Once Amy does, and if she even bothers, to open it she will find a letter written by Krauser himself. One that praises her family and their affiliation with the House of Strolheim in the past. It is an invite to come and stay in the castle and learn her true strength and gain power through fighting other fighters seeking their own form of self improvement. Of course there is no mention of the fact that she has just met one of the main men that oversee the training and perhaps a future boss if she does well enough to be enlisted in the security corps.

COMBATSYS: Eiji has ended the fight here.


Defeated. Destroyed. Defiled.

Like those who dream of endless travel, of personal conquest and discovery, those whose utmost desire is to become heroes among men are oft among the most misguided human beings on the planet. As Eiji departs with his trophy, Amy Johnson is left in a position not uncommon to those who fulfill the role she is being groomed for. Her spirit is the only part of her still capable of functioning, the only thing that might see her answer the device still somehow held at her waist. One leg may not function for at least several days, and it will be several weeks before the pain Eiji has inflicted will fade completely.

She watches him for as long as she possibly can, unable to respond or react to anything he has done. Reclaim her honour? There is no choice there... one day she will do so, because she must. Because the future demands it. A fool's decision perhaps; a hero's decision most certainly. The contents of that letter will be read in time, but it will change nothing regarding Eiji. As he admitted this battle unfolded according to his own, personal reasoning, so shall the reckoning eventually unfold according to hers.

For now, she lies bleeding upon the steps. It's a hard day to be a hero.

Log created on 13:37:54 09/07/2008 by Amy, and last modified on 18:25:28 09/07/2008.