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Post by Conrí on Sept 5, 2018 17:45:43 GMT -5
Right as Conrí was just getting comfortable, Jason outright scooped him off of Fenrir, who snorted a little, out of shock, but, he otherwise seemed fine. The wolf boy, however, immediately started, took in a breath, got semi-lost in the crimson pools in front of him, and then promptly felt a furious fire come over him. He struggled a little, but, he wouldn't have been had they been in private. When the kiss ended, he thought he saw Jason wink, and he exhaled. "What. The. Hell." Once the would be king actually caught his breath, he heard Jen's comment and felt his blush deepen, something that got worse when he heard Jason's comeback. "Ná inis mé, le do thoil, deirfiúr!" he growled. The language just tumbled out of his mouth, and he covered his ears like a child.
Ha ha ha.
Eh, ya shut yer trap.
Conrí had managed to catch some of what Hiroshi had said about finding Tori. "Do you have anything of Tori's, Hiroshi? Maybe I can still track her. If not, we have to go to that guild I stumbled on. Tori frequented there, so, maybe we can at least hear something about her whereabouts. It's the only option we have."
He folded his hands over his chest and stared at Jason, any embarrassment had lifted, and his eyes were haughty. He raised his head a little, so that it looked like he was looking down at Jason. "I can understand why you did that, but, I promise, if you tease me about this, I will find a way to make you regret it, chuisle mo chroí." His smile was half smile and half snarl when he turned on Jen, "That goes double for you, girleen." Once he thought his point was made clear, he hugged Jason. "Sorry," he whispered, "I was going somewhere dark with that thought process. I thought from the inside was the only way to take this down. Hold hands? Since, looks like everyone else knows, and we can't watch our movie yet. Might as well stay positive."
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 5, 2018 18:55:13 GMT -5
Hiroshi drew a bitter expression, and sighed, trying to cool down a bit from what seemed ignorance from their part.
"You don't get it -finding Tori isn't going to be the problem" he said, "I even have an idea on where she could be. The problem is going to be that girl. She's the Illusion's creator and, therefore, knows everything that happens within it. If you end up finding Tori, then she'll waste no time going after her, with my body. Maybe she'll get there even before you guys do."
He once again looked down, and let out a frustrated sigh. He clenched his fists, trying to not ruin his only chance for a normal conversation. He looked a bit pained, but it wasn't clear if that awas true or not.
"Rui..." he muttered, uneasy, "What am I supposed to do here...?"
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Post by Ziya on Sept 5, 2018 21:37:41 GMT -5
Between the embarrassment and the stress of being stuck in an Illusion Jennifer had finally had it. She stood up and and joined her sister before pointing at Hiroshi's face. "Alright, do you want to save her or not?" Lucia looked at her sharply, causing her to continue in a gentler tone. "Look, we both know how it feels to want to protect your child. Believe me, we know. But if you're worried that we won't get there quick enough or that we won't beat the master, you're mistaken. We are much more powerful than we appear, and if we need to we can move at over 100 miles an hour. Let us help, please."
Lucia noted that she neglected to inform him of their backups, but that was understandable. She was surprised to hear her sister talking about Zane and Mink though. She hadn't said anything about them since they left the previous week. She wondered how her kid was doing now, all those years in the future. "She's right you know. We've killed monsters, demons, Heartless, Nobodies, and even a few gods. We literally finished killing one that could destroy planets last week."
As the sisters continued to talk to Hiroshi Jason smiled apologetically at Conrí before grabbing his hand and squeezing gently. "Sorry about that, ástin mín. I was afraid you'd fall too far for me to reach. And if talk like that bothers you I'll try to keep from the topic, but it'll be a bit harder if you ever meet her husband. He's the one she took that title from, after all."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 6, 2018 5:25:20 GMT -5
Conrí started a bit when Jen started to go off on Hiroshi a bit. She said something about their powers, and the wolf boy grit his teeth a bit. "Yeah, the three of you can...that still leaves me behind, although, granted, I've no idea what good I am to you right now." He hung his head a bit. What Lucia was saying made it worse somehow, because the closest he'd gotten to fighting was the one skirmish against the Marks, and even that required Tori's help. "Also, I know you're frustrated, because we're basically trapped in a shifting puzzle box, but these things do take patience."
Part of him wanted to get locked in, and have Kira try using him. He was stubborn and had a literal beast in his head. But, then Jason grabbed his hand and squeezed it, which sent some tingling sensations up his arm. The would be king sighed as he heard Jason's apology, though, he also felt himself blush when the information about Jen's husband was mentioned. "A chuisle mo chroí, it's okay. I'm sorry that I scared you, too." The wolf boy thought a bit more about what he wanted to say to the other comments, "I just think some moments are meant to be private, so, um..." He leaned in toward Jason and whispered, "If...if we do end up having such...competitions, I'd rather they stay between us."
Conrí backed away a bit, but still held Jason's hand. He looked at Hiroshi, and something occurred to him. He took a step forward and mimicked the bow Jason did to Neku in the Training Grounds. This time, he knew it was appropriate. "Sir, I deeply apologise for wanting to beat you up when we first met. I consider myself a friend of Tori's, even if our meeting was almost by chance. I promised to help her, which, she rejected, but, I'm rather stubborn. I promise, I will do everything in my power to help her again, plus, there's a certain arse out there with your body who really needs to be taught that girleens shouldn't go around trying to destroy family. My judgement on her will stand, but, it shouldn't have been your judgement. We will work this out."
The wolf boy straightened his posture, and, looked at Lucia and Jen. "While I'm all for going in with everything we have, that still seems like a risky plan." He had one question for Hiroshi. "I know we're in Kira's world, but, does that mean she can hear our thoughts, or sense when an aura is being used?" He looked at Lucia as he said this. "Any planning we do is going to be done as discreetly as possible, okay?" The would be king realised he had just tried to tell his Master what to do, and a furious blush appeared on his face. "I mean, that's the best suggestion I have."
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 6, 2018 7:25:40 GMT -5
Hiroshi was left confused, and even in a bit of a shock, when he heard Jen and Lucia reassure him with confidence, seeing that they themselves knew what he felt. Conrí's a´pology left him even more in a daze, but he quickly managed to recover after some thought.
"If..." he began to talk, "If you truly believe you can help, then... I'll leave it in your hands" he finished, bowing politely towards them, "Please... Please, help us out."
He raised his head after a while, with a stern yet determined expression. Taking a deep breath, he proceeded to let the group know what they needed to do.
"That girl will be aware of whatever happens, regardless if she's here physically or not. It's a trait Spirits have -to be sensible to people's memories. Since your memories are here, then she'll most likely be able to trace them to wherever you may go. That's a fact, and one none of you can do anything about" he said, "However... If... If you think that you can stall her, or even yet, defeat her, then... I don't see why you shouldn't give it a shot. So, I'll let you in on where I think Tori might be... The Southern Shore. It's the farthest place from the town, and also the most dangerous, so not many people go there to begin with, making it the perfect hiding spot. If you've already been to the Eastern Shore, then it'll be no problem for you to reach the Southern Shore" Hiroshi finished, and bowed a bit again, "I'm counting on you. So, please... Don't let that girl take her way out."
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Post by Ziya on Sept 6, 2018 15:09:39 GMT -5
Jennifer and Lucia both nodded before turning to Jason and Conrí, Lucia taking charge once more. "Alright, we've got a location. Now how do we want to get there? We could use Aspects and carry you, Conrí, but at that distance we'd only be able to remain in them for a few minutes once we got there."
Jen and Jason both thought for a moment before the former offered her own suggestion. "I could always try that teleporting thing Riley's been teaching me and then you could make a Corridor to me." Lucia shook her head at that one. "You're almost guaranteed to end up on another world instead. Jason, what's yours?"
Jason hesitated a moment longer before replying slowly. "Well, we could always ride on Steve." He held his hands up at the immediate protests of his friends. "Hey, it's the fastest way other than Aspects that actually lets us get there reliably! And he's strong enough to carry all of us too."
Lucia pinched the bridge of her nose before turning to Conrí again. "He's suggesting summoning one of his tame Heartless, a Dustflier, to fly us over. You and Jason would likely be riding on it's back while it carries Jen and me in its talons. Or we could go with my idea of just using Aspect and one of us carrying you. Thoughts?"
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Post by Conrí on Sept 6, 2018 15:26:23 GMT -5
Conrí nodded at Hiroshi, a strange light was in his eyes. He dismissed Fenrir, seeing as he would be the slow option. He sighed and rubbed at the forming knot in his neck. He knew from the moment Hiroshi had suggested where to search, they would have to move. The game had officially started to get serious, and, for once, the wolf boy didn't feel like playing. Lucia's idea seemed to be the fastest, which was tempting, but, then she mentioned that they would be out of energy after. The would be king had a sinking feeling that what Kira really wanted was a fight, and not with them as much.
Jason's suggestion would at least get them there safely, with everything at their disposal. "Either way, we're going to have to finish things quickly. I know the clock has already started ticking. And, while speed at the cost of energy is tempting, if a stór is really okay with using Steve, then it would at least leave more at our disposal." He exhaled heavily, hoping his choice was the right one.
Conrí nodded at Jason. "Thanks, and, sorry. Let's go finish this." He let go of Jason's hand and backed away. Even though I don't know how or why I fit into all of this.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 6, 2018 15:53:18 GMT -5
Hiroshi looked at the group with an uneasy smile as the others began to choose, until they came to an agreement. He sighed, relieved, and let them go.
"I'm counting on you... Thanks" he said, calmly.
---
At an unknown shore, close to the sea, Tori was practicing a bit with her sword, against nothing but air. A few ways away from her, was a small, black creature, with a white bell-flower covering its head, akin to a helmet of sorts.
"Hey, Chiseko?" Tori asked, stopping a bit, and looking back, "What do you think I need to do? To remember about my Keyblade..." "Well... Maybe just training won't cut it" the creature replied, "Instead, why don't you try to focus on recalling any sittuations where you could've used it?" "I've done that already, geesh! And it hasn't worked!" "Yet. It might work soon enough, right?"
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Post by Ziya on Sept 6, 2018 17:11:56 GMT -5
Jason just grinned at Conrí as he backed away. "Don't worry about it, lilulf. I've been meaning to apologize to him anyhow." A snap of his fingers later and a large swirl of Darkness revealed the boss-tier Heartless known as a Dustflier. The creature landed hard, then began berating Jason in its language. "Hey hey, at least you weren't there right after! Yeah, I know you got squished, and I'm sorry about that. That's why I haven't called you for a month, so you could have a break."
The Dustflier grumbled a bit more before finally nodding, apparently forgiving him. "Great! This'll be easy for you anyhow. We need to get to the southernmost shore of this place pretty quick and look for someone." He summoned his armor again before jumping on its back, offering his hand to help Conrí on as the other two both summoned their armor and Jen created a link with her Telepathy. Once the wolf-king was aboard the Dustflier took off, grabbing one of the others each in it's talons before gaining some height and speeding south.
"Have I ever told you I hate traveling this way?"
"Yeah, pretty much every time we do"
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Post by Conrí on Sept 6, 2018 17:30:29 GMT -5
Conrí breathed in when the Heartless appeared before him. "Whoa. Wait...you named it Steve?!" He placed a hand gently on Jason's shoulder, "Ragnarok, or Dragnathar the Destroyer would have been better. We'll need to work on your naming skills," the wolf boy said with a quick wink. For a while, the beast seemed upset, but, then, Conrí found himself pulled up onto the Heartless's back.
As the beast lifted above the ground, the would be king realised his knees were trembling, and he swayed back a little, and instinctively wrapped his arms around Jason's waist and squeezed his eyes closed while they were getting up to altitude. Speed, Fen. We need to work on our speed... Once things stabalised, Conrí opened his eyes and looked around. The island looked really different from up above. Still, the wolf boy pointed out where the East Shore was, and, to his dismay, Steve veered to the south and started to dive to their destination. The would be king's stomach plummeted and then felt like it was going to rise up through his throat. He squeezed Jason tightly, closed his eyes again and howled quite pitifully and loudly.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 6, 2018 19:58:48 GMT -5
Tori sighed, dropping herself down to the sand, looking up to the sky. Training while trying to remember was somehow tiring, but she insisted on doing it for the sake of her past memory. Chiseko was just there to keep an eye on her, and also in case Tori happened to remember something. It was something they'd usually do whenever Tori was on a run.
Chiseko stiffened up, looking up towards the east, shuddering a bit. Tori noticed that, and looked her way, confused.
"Hmm? What is it, Chise?" Tori asked, looking her way. "Something's nearby..." the creature replied, uneasy, "...A Heartless?!" "Huh? But... The Keyhole's closed, right? So how come? They weren't supposed to come back after the Keyhole was closed, right?" "That's... true, but..." Chiseko jumped a bit, "Ah... They're... Inside of that Illusion... Maybe it got there on its own? In any case, it can be a bit dangerous." "So... Are you suggestin' we go check?" Tori raised her head, unamused, "You DO know it's her Illusion, right?" "Yes, but... I can swap them to mine, remember? So that the Heartless isn't within Kira's Illusion, but rather my Illusion." "At least you thought that out... Okay" Tori stood up, and walked towards her, "Let's go see."
Chiseko jumped up Tori's shoulder, as a faint, bright Rift appeared before them. Tori simply touched it, causing the scenery to flicker, as she and Chiseko entered to the Spirit's Illusion.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 6, 2018 20:45:38 GMT -5
"I didn't name him, he named himself!" None of the trio heard Conrí's howl due to the wind, but when he started sending a song through the link they all noticed. "I didn't know we were having an in-flight performance!"
Jason leaned back into Conrí reassuringly. "Don't worry lilulf, we're gonna be there soon." The sisters laughed out loud, knowing that they couldn't be heard.
Soon enough the group approached the Southern Shore and began looking for Tori. Lucia in particular was on the lookout, having the advantage of her Auric Sight, but even she saw nothing until the area flickered like when they were cast into the Illusion to begin with. After that she finally spotted Tori near the sea, apparently looking for them. "Over there on the beach! Set down over there!"
Jason saw her a moment later and directed the Dustflier to a spot a few feet away, where it dropped the sisters before landing with a thump. Jason quickly jumped down as well before reaching up to offer Conrí some help, and Jen moved a little closer to Tori. "There you are! We've been stuck in this place for nearly an hour now looking for you!" Anything else she was going to say was cut off by Lucia putting her hand on her shoulder before speaking herself. "We don't care about what or who you are, but we know enough that we want to help you."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 7, 2018 5:49:21 GMT -5
Conrí blinked for a second. Wait, Jason, you never told me we could talk like Fen and I do. Oh, Steve named himself...huh. He calmed a little, and whispered "In that case, Steve is a fine name." He cautiously patted the Hearltess's body, which caused him to relax a bit more despite the diving. He heard Jen's voice in his head, and retorted, Consequences be damned has a few problems to it, sometimes, like when ye find yourself up in the air and then it clicks that ye've never been in the air before. If it bothers you, though, deirfiúr, I can stop.
As Jason leaned back a little, further reassuring him, Conrí sighed in contentment. This isn't too bad, a stór. I just need to get used to it is all. Hey, how cool do ye think it'd look if we were on Steve's back and I could actually cast Meteor Shower? The wolf boy sighed. Just because he'd read about the more advanced druid spells, it didn't mean that he could use them yet. "Guess I don't measure up after all." Lucia's voice entered his mind, and Conrí was relieved when the diving stopped. Thank Lugus.
The landing sent a jolt through the wolf boy, and, he very nearly fell off of Steve because Jason had jumped down so quickly. He regained his balance, took the offered hand and jumped down as well. He looked at Tori sternly, walked toward her, and then smiled a little. He was sure Lucia and Jen's words would reach her, eventually, but, he didn't have time for that. The would be king knew that Kira was coming. He carefully and quickly embraced Tori. "I am so sorry that all of this has plagued you for so long." He also whispered into her ear, choosing his words carefully, "When we were in that cave. Remember that. It rejected me because it wasn't mine to take. You protected this place. You know the people here. And, you are anything but fearful. Try to let go of all the pressure."
Conrí backed away from Tori and went to join the trio. "We are going to make that witch pay. Especially if she tries to lay a finger on you, Tori." To back up his words, he summoned Lugus. "You can do this."
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 7, 2018 7:11:42 GMT -5
Tori covered her eyes as the Heartless dove down, a huge dust cloud rising up. Coughing a bit, she waved her hand in order to dismiss it, and managed to see the group dropping down. Had she a mouth she could show, Chiseko's expression would've been priceless. She was in complete shock, seeing the Heartless actually be docile to someone.
"B-But... B-But..." she kept saying, lost in shock. "You guys, huh...?" Tori asked silently, looking at them.
She listened to Jen and to Lucia, and then was caught off-guard by Conrí's embrace, and his following words. She blinked a few times, lost, and then looked at Conrí, as he then back away.
"Uhh... What was THAT for?" she asked, "It's not like I was in need for a hug, y'know..." Tori sighed, and then looked at Chiseko, "Well... It was nothing, after all..." "Y-Yeah... Let's get them out."
Tori nodded, and turned her back at the group. She reached forward a bit, stern, and even somewhat uneasy. Sighing, she clenched her hand, the sound of something fragile shattering to pieces. Chiseko dropped to the ground, and tried to do something, but was unable to. However, she didn't look upset by it.
"Done. Easy, right?" she asked Tori. "It was your Illusion, after all. Of course it would've been easy" Tori replied, smirking.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 7, 2018 13:17:52 GMT -5
As reality reformed around them Jen let out a little cheer and a hop, looking very strange in her new armor. Lucia just sighed in relief as Jason waved at the Dustflier. "Thanks a ton Steve! Say hi to Tina and the others for me!" The Heartless nodded before disappearing in a dark swirl.
Lucia looked at the pair, then at Tori and her companion's reaction to Jason and Steve, before sighing and moving forward again. "Thank you for that, Tori. illusions are the one thing we don't have much of a counter for, and I really didn't know how we were getting out of that."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 7, 2018 13:50:25 GMT -5
Conrí flinched when Tori sighed, half expecting to be smacked for embracing her so suddenly. Instead, the girl just made a remark, which, the wolf boy chuckled at, and then, without much thought said, "Well, sometimes, with friends, you don't need to say anything." Not sensing a threat anymore, the would be king dismissed Lugus. He looked at Jason with longing eyes -- they still had a movie to pick out -- but, he also knew that they weren't getting out of just leaving Tori, especially not after she saved them. "Hey, Chiseko. Thanks for helping Tori, and, thanks, Tori."
The wolf boy walked back to where Jason was and stood next to him. His hand brushed against Jason's. "Tori, you helped us, so, now, how do we help you? Also, I'm sorry to be saying this right now, but, I'm going with them when this is over. But, there might be a way we can keep in touch. They have things that would let us communicate on different worlds." He hoped this wouldn't get him in too much trouble. "I just need to find my home. But, thank you for giving me strength when I needed it, and, I promise this parting won't last forever."
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 7, 2018 16:57:24 GMT -5
Tori simply nodded at Lucia's, thanks, and listened to Conrí's suggestion, calmly. She took note on how close he got to Jason, a bit amused, yet no intentions of teasing them later. As he finished, Tori sighed, a bit irritated, seeing that he was still willing to help her.
"I don't want your help, Conrí" she replied, "While I do appreciate it, I don't need your help. I said it already -it's my problem, no one else's."
She didn't take his comment about him leaving to heart, since it was something she was used to. She would always see people come and go. Besides, the rule was only if Conrí wanted the islanders' help. It wouldn't matter if he found someone who wasn't from the island showed him a way to leave.
"Hello, Conrí" Chiseko smiled, "Fancy meeting you here, actually..."
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Post by Ziya on Sept 7, 2018 18:01:37 GMT -5
Both Jennifer and Jason were irritated by Tori's refusal to let them help yet again, though for once he was the one that spoke first. His voice was cold as ice as he stepped forward, eyes hard as rubies. "It became our problem when both Jen and Lucia swore to your father -the real one that's been trapped for seven years- as fellow parents to help you. Or do you care nothing about him as well?"
Jen was shocked by the sudden barb, for an instant worried that he had somehow slipped back into his old self again before realizing that couldn't have happened. He had moved past that years ago, after all. He was right though, and one look at Lucia showed her that both sisters were in agreement in that fact. They had made an oath, and they were not going to break it.
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Post by Conrí on Sept 7, 2018 18:22:35 GMT -5
Something in Conrí snapped. He'd finally had it. He was done, and more than willing to go home, his oaths be damned to this wee lass. The would be king, who nearly winced when Jasson opened his mouth, stood as tall as he could. He narrowed his gaze when he looked at Tori. He held his stance. "Ná bí dána, ye wee spoiled girleen!" His growl nearly caught him off guard. "Whether you want my bloody damned help or not, you are getting it. I don't mess around with people like you for a reason. Peasants like you aren't worth my damned time."
The fury just burned in him hotter the more he thought about just how long her father had been in that illusion. "It's as Jason says, girleen. We took an oath for your da, who's been trapped in that bloody hell of a void for far too long, and that's who we're going to help." He didn't step toward her, and he outright ignored Chiseko. Instead, Conrí turned around and started walking away from Tori and the group. "A stór," he said a bit more sternly than he'd meant to as he started to pass Jason, "Please, call me if there's trouble. I'm taking a walk before I absolutely lose it."
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Post by therunawaygirl on Sept 7, 2018 20:02:57 GMT -5
Tori groaned, looking away from the group. She puffed her cheeks a bit, and, after a while, let out a sigh.
"...I know that" she said, "I know that he's trapped within Kira's Illusion... And that's exactly the reason WHY this is only my problem. Got it? Seriously... I understand if you guys made an oath or something, but I insist, this once - this is something I alone will take care of. After all... There's a score I gotta settle with Kira, to begin with..." she added, groaning unamusedly. "Tori..." Chiseko looked worried.
Sighing once more, Tori was determined to leave, but a noise startled her, forcing her to glare back with curiosity. Chiseko seemed aware of it, as well - a very familiar sound to them both.
"A...Chocobo...?" Tori looked confused, "But... I haven't called Pearl... Huh?!"
A single gunshot was fired, and Tori insictively blocked it in a flash, a blade materializing in her hand as she raised it. She groaned, standing in defense, as Hiroshi -the fake one- dropped from a yellow Chocobo to the ground, and the bird quickly running back to town.
"Heh..." he smirked, "Thanks for the info, you lot..." he said, looking at the trio. "..." Tori glared at them, "So... That's how this is gonna go? You're just gonna lie at me, saying that you know him? Tch... Looks to me like you were looking for a way to stab me in the back." "...You're not getting away. Not today, Tori" Hiroshi said, in a tone much more fitting to the silver-haired girl.
Tori smirked, as Chiseko jumped from her shoulder to the ground, causing the scenery to flicker once more. Tori dismissed her Keyblade, as Chiseko told her to run away -thing Tori did immediately, quickly rushing to within the forest. Hiroshi tried chasing her, but Chiseko stopped him mid-way.
"Hold it right there!" Chiseko shouted, stepping forward. Instead of the black creature with a white bell-flower for a "helmet", it was a grown woman, with a simple beige dress and brown hair tied in pigtails, "This is as far as you go. I won't let you hurt Tori!" "Out of the way, kid" Hiroshi threatened, "I won't hesitate to shoot." "Haa... So, even here... You're unable to get back, huh, father...?" Chiseko sighed, as she held her two daggers firmly, "I'm not afraid of you."
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