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Post by Sprow on Jun 23, 2014 23:17:22 GMT -5
As Arin spoke of how he had met Amaya, she let out a chuckle. "That is very much like Amaya. Unlike her sister, Amaya has to fight someone to start accepting them. I am sure her reason for fighting you had to do with what she must do, however. It is a wise decision on her part to have done so." When Arin stated that he didn't regret his choice in joining forces with Amaya back in Hollow Bastion, Ai looked over at him curiously. "So long as you remain steadfast I am sure that you two will be able to do what must be done...no matter how difficult it will be." Ai returned her gaze toward Amaya trying her hardest to get all the petals.
It wasn't long before Arin finally voiced what had to have been bothering him. Arin wanted to know more about Amaya's armor. According to him, Amaya should have become corrupted like her sister and friends but hadn't. Ai let out a sigh when he had asked. "That is not an easy thing to say. The other armors are all alive in some way. However, they are not actually alive. The black Dragoon armor is what one would call alive. The previous wearer, a friend of mine, claimed the armor could think for itself and even speak to him. Unlike the other armors, the black Dragoon armor is wild. The power cannot be ever fully contained or controlled. I am assuming the reason why Amaya wasn't corrupted is because the armor wouldn't allow her to be. It likely fought with whatever force that tried to control her and by extension, it."
"Years ago, it was said that each of the armors was created by a dragon's gemstone. The dragon was that of light and when darkness corrupted its world, the dragon's sheer willpower was what had allowed the dragon to escape into this gemstone. However, the dragon was never fully able to return to the worlds and remained in that gemstone. Since the dragon was known for its power, a man had created the armors in desperation when the keybladers seemed to be failing in their tasks of protecting the light. His first four tries were the armors that Asami and her friends where. His final attempt was the black Dragoon armor. This one, it was said, had been created from the very core of the gemstone and is believe to have more of the dragon's essence within it. Hence, why it's wild and mysterious. It's as if the dragon part of it will only react to those really worthy to wield all of its power...other than that, the armor's power isn't fully understood since there hasn't been a single wearer that knows all it holds yet."
By the time Ai had finished saying this, Amaya had worked herself to the point of staggering as she swung. She was getting tired and would likely be done training soon.
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Post by Raphael on Jun 23, 2014 23:43:20 GMT -5
Arin thought over Ai's explanation of the dragoon armors, and thought more about the other armors "Well, since it has more of the dragon's essence, it makes sense it wouldn't allow the corruption to take control of Amaya…She once told me the Dragoon armors tested their wearers. Hers tested her by asking it questions, like it was testing her heart, where Asami's tested her physically. Is there a certain way that the other four armors test each other compared to the black armor"
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Post by Sprow on Jun 24, 2014 17:33:05 GMT -5
Amaya eventually seated herself down in the midst of all the petals she had cut and the ones that she didn't cut, breathing heavily after the rigorous training. It was the only break in the morning that she had allowed herself. At this point, it looked like she planned on staying that way for a while. She might not get back up to train again.
Ai slowly took her gaze off of Amaya to peer over at Arin as he spoke. "Yes, each armor has a special test for it. The Black Dragoon armor's test...I am not surprised that it tested her like that since it is said that it's alive. As for Reiko, Dante and Stella...the other warriors, their's tested them based on things related to the armors. Asami physically fought her's. Reiko's, she had to locate it in a sort of maze from what she told me, Dante's tested him based on speed and Stella's tested her based on spirit. However, none of their's ever spoke to them."
Ai turned her gaze out toward Amaya. "Why did you want to know?" Ai asked him curiously. There was no demand in her tone of voice like there had been yesterday when they had first met.
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Post by Raphael on Jun 24, 2014 18:59:16 GMT -5
"…So, one is tested physically, one mentally, one spiritually, and one was a trial by combat…" When Ai asked why he wanted to know, Arin leaned forward, propping his head up by his hands as he rested his elbows on his knees "…I have a theory on why Amaya and the black armor could have been protected the way that they were, but it's not a very sound one."
He thought for a bit, trying to piece everything together. "I've spoken to many people during my travels, and many of them were people who understood the existence of Heartless understand the strength of one person's heart, versus several hearts working together…I think since the black armor is a living thing, and not just a sentient object like the other armors are, maybe it has a heart of its own."
He leaned back again, looking at Ai as she studied her granddaughter "...When the corruption hit them all, I think the armor combined the strength and purity of its own heart with Amaya's equally strong and pure heart, and that sort of shielded them from what corrupted the other four. Sort of like how a keyblade shields many from the corruption of darkness" Just the sheer mention of keyblades was probably an obvious (or not so obvious) sign to Ai, since knowledge of them was very scarce among everyday people in this day and age.
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Post by Sprow on Jun 24, 2014 19:20:12 GMT -5
Amaya remained seated, her breathing slowing down as she started to catch her breath finally. She was still seemingly unaware of her audience or she just simply didn't care that others were watching her. Her entire focus then had been to train. It was a way for her to escape her thoughts for a time and a way for her to better herself.
Ai listened as Arin explained that he had a theory as to why Amaya and her armor had been protected as opposed to the others but it wasn't a sound one. According to him, he had spoken with many on his travels. Based on hearts working together, Arin believed the armor might have a heart of its own. That was a possibility. According to Arin, he believed the two hearts combined at that moment and the light in their hearts was what had prevented them from both being corrupted unlike the rest.
"That does sound like a possibility..." Ai trailed off before looking over at Arin. "How do you know all of this? Are you studying hearts and keyblades?" she questioned him.
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Post by Raphael on Jun 24, 2014 19:38:02 GMT -5
Arin was silent when Ai questioned him about how he knew so much, he figured now was as good a time as any to tell her "…Remember when I told you I had a more effective weapon against Heartless?" He held out his arm, and in a flash of white and black mist, his keyblade; Inner Confliction, was summoned to his hand.
He let Ai get a good look at the blade, before he recalled the key, and rested his hand on his knee "…I'm helping your granddaughter not only because I want to, as her friend (if she considers me one), but that is the main reason behind why I help her...I'm also being tested by Master Yen Sid, to see if I am worthy of the power I gained to wield a keyblade, and the apprenticeship I would earn by helping Amaya through this harsh time…Now that I have this theory about Amaya and the armor, and after seeing Asami at the Hollow Bastion library, now more than ever do I feel the need to protect her if things get intense."
He looked down at the ground, a somber look in his eyes "...I don't want to see her end up like the others…Not after what we've gone through together so far…"
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Post by Sprow on Jun 24, 2014 19:54:34 GMT -5
Ai watched as Arin, reminding her of what he had said about having an effective weapon against the Heartless, summoned a keyblade to his hand. Well, that certainly had explained what he had meant and how he knew so much. It was a magnificent piece of work. A weapon that was said to be alive.
"Oh my..." Ai stated, taking it in as she trailed off. She hadn't seen one of those for a very long time.
When he dismissed it, Ai listened as Arin explained that where he was helping Amaya as her friend but also because he is being tested by Yen Sid. It was to see if he was worthy of wielding a keyblade and its power. Whomever Yen Sid was, he was a wise person. Arin, if worthy, would gain apprenticeship. Now that he knew more on the subject, Arin wanted to keep Amaya safe more than ever. Ai looked at him carefully then, studying his expression before he continued. He was genuine in the things he said.
As he lowered his gaze, the old woman couldn't help but smile gently at that. It was a rare one considering how strict Ai could be. Gently, she reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It relieves me to know Amaya has found such a good friend in you. She will need one in a time like this. I am afraid the task set before her will break her. What she needs is someone as equally strong, if not stronger than she is. Knowing what you are, I am relieved. Take care of her where I cannot, Arin." With that, Ai had released Arin's shoulder and got to her feet. Slowly, she turned away and left for the confines of the household.
Amaya, in the meantime, had dismissed her armor and proceded to fall back onto the green lawn and use that as a sort of cushion under her to rest. She was sprawled out, looking skyward and unmoving.
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Post by Raphael on Jun 24, 2014 20:02:19 GMT -5
Arin smiled when Ai responded positively to his words, his somber expression still in his eyes as he raised his head "Thank you…I swear, on my life, and my honor as a keyblade warrior, I will keep your granddaughter safe, no matter what it takes."
When Ai returned to the house, he got to his feet, and approached Amaya while she was sprawled out on the grass. His hands were in his pants pockets. While Amaya stayed laying on the grass, he decided to try and keep quiet about how he and her grandmother were watching her.
"Isn't the grass still a little wet to be laying out here in just your clothes?"
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Post by Sprow on Jun 24, 2014 20:15:16 GMT -5
Ai smiled over at Arin and nodded. It was a huge relief to know that Amaya wouldn't be alone in this. "Thank you, Arin." With that, Ai had left with a smile on her face and a light chuckle in silence that Arin wouldn't have heard. He was a good lad, that Arin. Amaya had a good friend in him. Ai hoped that Amaya was smart enough to keep him around.
While Arin approached her, Amaya remained still. She could easily hear him coming. She couldn't see him but she knew that whoever it was wasn't an enemy. It was just by the way the footsteps fell that told her it wasn't someone to be wary of. Then, in her line of sight, she saw Arin's head looming over her. As he spoke to her, Amaya just looked back up at him.
"I don't...care..." She seemed perfectly relaxed despite the wet grass.
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Post by Raphael on Jun 24, 2014 20:45:25 GMT -5
Arin shrugged and decided to lay down as well, his body at a 90 degree angle and his head next to hers. She was calm, but that didn't ease his concerns. Just to break the ice, he decided to say something off topic first
"…I told your grandmother I was a keyblade wielder…"
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Post by Sprow on Jun 24, 2014 21:05:00 GMT -5
Amaya really looked worn. It was understandable that she wouldn't want to move after her tough morning that she had. She even looked as if she had bags under her eyes. She hadn't gotten much sleep last night. It was hard to when it was filled with nothing but nightmares. She didn't even budge as Arin decided to lay down on the grass with his head near her's.
After a moment, Arin mentioned that he had told her grandmother that he was a keyblade wielder. Amaya rose her brows as she glanced over at him. "Oh, really?" she replied.
"How did she take the news?"
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Post by Raphael on Jun 24, 2014 21:36:22 GMT -5
Arin smiled softly when Amaya asked how her grandmother took the news of him being a keyblade wielder "Surprisingly well. She heard my story, the parts of it involving you and Yen Sid, and I think she's glad that we met…She really seemed to warm up to me while we talked."
He rested one of his hands under his head, the one that wouldn't hit Amaya in the face as he turned his head to look at her. He knew that she would likely deflect at this point, but he had to do something about Amaya's urge to force herself to train
"…Do you want to talk about it?" His tone was softer than before, empathetic, but more serious, which meant he wasn't talking about the same topic as before.
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Post by Sprow on Jun 24, 2014 21:51:43 GMT -5
Amaya furrowed a brow as Arin went on to say that her grandmother had taken the news well. Ai had actually warmed up to someone? That was a first. Ai was usually very protective of Asami and Amaya. She always gave boys a hard time even if they claimed only to be friends. Dante had quite a time when he first met Ai until she finally realized his relationship with Asami and Amaya was truly just friendship. Ryn, Jin's brother and Asami's boyfriend, had quite a hell of a time thanks to Ai. Just what did her grandmother seem to think or was she on something that made her more mellow than usual? Amaya couldn't help but give Arin a confused look before looking back up at the sky.
"I'm not sure what you said to her but she doesn't normally give boys an easy time here. She likes to try and chase men away if she thinks...er, anyway, yeah...she's difficult normally so that's an achievement."
There was a moment of silence while Arin moved some. Then, the inevitable question that no one had tried to ask beforehand. Did she want to talk about it? She knew what he meant. "Not really...just that I need to train hard. I need to push myself. I need to be able to go through with this...but...well, how can one just...kill their own flesh and blood? Their friends?"
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Post by Raphael on Jun 24, 2014 23:29:54 GMT -5
Arin scratched his head nervously when Amaya commented on what he may have said, when Ai acted so approving of him "Well…I told her about Yen Sid's offer, and how I wanted to protect you, and make sure you wouldn't end up like the others…"
Then, after explaining that she needed to push herself to get through her ordeal with the other Dragoon warriors, she started asking how someone could just kill the people closest to them. Sitting up, he looked away from Amaya, silent for a few minutes.
"…That's something I don't think I can answer, Amaya…The only thing I know is that we're in similar situations. You have the Dragoon warriors chasing after you, and I have a dark doppelgänger after me…And they'll never stop until one side wins, once and for all…" He paused for a moment longer, trying to think of ways to make Amaya feel better.
"When I first met my double, I thought I was looking through a faded mirror, and as we fought, he knew every single move I made, it was like I was fighting myself. But I knew in my heart that whatever this thing is, it isn't me, and it isn't human. I have to defeat it, and end its destructive path before anyone else gets hurt."
He looked back, his face softened somewhat "I know this doesn't compare anywhere near what you are going through…But if you don't finish this, they will not stop wreaking havoc on the worlds you swore to protect when you donned that armor for the first time, not until they succeed in whatever it is they want from you…And if it's what I think it is…I'm ready to give my life to make sure it doesn't happen, not just because of Yen Sid's test, but because it's the type of person that I am." He looked away again, propping one leg up in a bent pose and resting one arm on his knee "…Like I said before at Twilight Town…I want to protect people from corruption…from darkness…You're no exception to this…"
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Post by Sprow on Jun 24, 2014 23:56:35 GMT -5
As Arin answered her question, Amaya inwardly recoiled. No doubt, her grandmother had the wrong idea. Well, at least it worked in the sense that she wasn't trying to chase Arin off the premise. "...I...thank you..." Amaya just hoped her grandmother wouldn't tell her anything embarrassing now. She wasn't sure why but it felt like something was looming overhead.
When Amaya had asked the inevitable question that had been bothering her the most, Arin went silent as he sat up, facing away from her. It certainly wasn't an easy thing to discuss. Arin likely had to sort out his thoughts before answering. Amaya let him as she gazed at the clouds above and the sky. It was strange how one felt like they were floating even though they were grounded on the ground when gazing up at the heavens. She felt small and as the clouds slowly moved by, it felt as if she were floating even though she knew that she wasn't.
Finally, Arin spoke. He wasn't sure that he could answer that for her. What he did know though was that their situations were similar. Arin was running from a darker version of himself and Amaya was running from her possessed friends and sister. They were both running from their problems. Running from one's problems didn't solve anything. The darker version of Arin and the possessed Dragoon Warriors wouldn't stop until they were stopped. There was a pause then. Amaya guessed that Arin was right.
Then, Arin told her how he had felt when he first met his double. It was like looking at a faded mirror. It felt like he had been fighting himself. Yet, he knew that it wasn't him. Whatever that thing was, it hadn't been human. Amaya listened silently as she wondered what that must feel like. She guessed it had to have been unsettling and frustrating, maybe even despairing. He had made the resolve to destroy his darker self since he didn't want it to cause more damage and hurt others.
Then, Arin finally looked over at her, Amaya looking right back up at him from where she was as he continued. What he said was true. If she didn't put an end to it, no one else likely would be able to. On top of it, they were trying to get her for something. Amaya didn't want to think what it could be that they wanted from her, whomever possessed her friends and sister. Arin said if it was what he thought it was, he would give his life to prevent it from happening. Amaya sat up then and turned to face him.
"Arin, I don't want you to feel like you have to give up your life for me. I...I'll do my best, so you won't have to worry like that. I won't be able to live with myself if others gave their lives for me. My parents had already done that..." Amaya shook her head then. "Of course, I can't remember any of that but regardless, I will do my best so neither of us have to worry about giving our lives or losing them. You are right, I have to stop them before they hurt others...I...it's just that it's not going to be easy...what if I am not the same after all is said and done?"
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Post by Raphael on Jun 25, 2014 2:02:10 GMT -5
Arin listened to Amaya express her disapproval of him being ready to lay down his life to protect her "Regardless, there might be some situations where we might not be able to come out victorious. I'm ready to throw myself in harms way to make sure you are safe, whether you don't want me to or not."
She then began to talk about her worries about the aftermath of dealing with her problem, and not being the same afterward. This made Arin sigh heavily "…I wish I could say that going through with this won't change you, but I would be lying. What matters is if you let the changes from this experience affect who you are as a person. If you let it push people away from you, you will only fall into a downward spiral that leads to nothing but darkness…" He placed his hand on Amaya's shoulder softly, trying to reassure her "I promise…I'll support you through all of it, even the aftermath. And I won't return to Yen Sid for my training until I'm positive that you are the same person I met back in Hollow Bastion, and can carry yourself again while I'm gone."
He then nudged her teasingly "And none of that hiding your feelings crap! I don't want to have to return here to find out my only sparring partner, and -from my standpoint- closest friend, gave into the darkness in her heart while I was gone, and turned into a Heartless. Because then I'd have a new objective, bringing you back no matter what it took."
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Post by Sprow on Jun 25, 2014 7:35:25 GMT -5
Amaya knew Arin may be right about the situation but she didn't want others to die for her sake. She simply just shook her head in response to what he said. Considering what she saw in Twilight Town, however, she didn't think that things would get too bad. She just hoped she wasn't wrong in that.
Arin sighed heavily at what she said about thinking if she'd be the same or not after the fight and what she had to do. It would likely change her. The thing is whether or not she would be able to move on afterward. Gently, Arin had placed a hand on her shoulder before telling her that he would support her through it all and after. He wouldn't go back to Yen Sid until he was certain that she was the same again and that she could carry on while he was gone.
"Thank you. I hope I won't be too broken by then," Amaya said with a nod of her head. Then, Arin had nudged her shoulder. Amaya turned her head to look over at him as Arin told her no hiding her feelings crap. He didn't want to return to find that she gave into the darkness and turned into a Heartless. If that happened, then Arin would have to bring her back. Amaya rose a brow at him before letting out a small chuckle and a shake of her head.
"Hopefully, that won't happen...I'm not sure, I am pretty stubborn you know. Hopefully our being friends may cause me to not try to eat you or bite your ankles or something," Amaya gave a bit of a stretch before slowly pushing herself onto her feet. "We should probably get some food...then, if you're ready...head out." With a nod and a pat on Arin's shoulder, Amaya headed back for the house.
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Post by Raphael on Jun 25, 2014 14:35:53 GMT -5
Arin chuckled when Amaya' commented on her own stubbornness, shaking his head softly "You? Stubborn? I hadn't noticed…" He got to his feet as well, keeping a safe enough distance that was comfortable for Amaya as he walked with her back to the house "I'm going to be moving at your pace, Amaya, so I'm ready whenever you are…So long as you don't try and force yourself to exhaustion like you did today, I don't think I can handle four Dragoon warriors all at once.Not just yet anyway"
He looked over at Amaya, smiling confidently "But that's why we're traveling together now, right? Now we have each other's backs if things get rough."
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Post by Sprow on Jun 26, 2014 0:01:15 GMT -5
Now that they were on their feet, Amaya lead the way over to the house. She had heard Arin state that he would be going at the same pace as she was but not if she was going to push herself into exhaustion today. Arin didn't think he could handle all four of the other Dragoon Warriors by himself. Not yet, anyway.
"Don't worry, I won't be dropping dead or asleep anytime soon."
As they headed inside the house, Arin mentioned that's why they were traveling together. They were helping one another when things got tough. Amaya had given a nod then. "What are friends for?" she replied before the pair of them went down the hallway, took a turn and ended up in the kitchen after a short trek down the main hallway. Soon, there they were.
Ai and Seto were both already seated at the table with food on it in platters. "We figured you youngsters would be hungry seeing as you have a big adventure and goal set before you. Eat up, it's the least we could do." It had been Seto that spoke with a smile. Ai reflected her husband's same smile.
"Wow, thanks grandma and grandpa!" Amaya stated before taking a seat and filling her empty plate with food.
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Post by Raphael on Jun 26, 2014 0:40:28 GMT -5
Arin looked at the bountiful feast on the table in awe. He hadn't seen that much food in one place for a long time, much longer than he was able to remember. He took a seat beside Amaya and began filling his plate as well. He had to admit, the pizza did fill him up yesterday, but seeing this food, and the fact that he had digested pretty much all of the pizza overnight, he had a newfound hunger that needed to be sated.
Once he had his plate almost to overflowing, he picked up his silverware, and pressed his hands together as if praying "Itadakimasu!" After saying grace, he started digging in, trying to be as polite as possible, but not wasting time in stuffing his face. It had been a long time since he had been treated to a home cooked breakfast like this, and the memories of when life was simpler subconsciously brought a tear to his eye.
Since he was so focused on the hot food on his plate, he hadn't noticed the tear running down his face one bit, but it would probably be obvious to everyone else, considering how enthusiastic he was about the meal.
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