Akida: So this "training" was really just an excuse for you to let out some steam?
Tamiko: It'd make more sense for us to fight each other. Then at least the chances are even.
Siana: Calm down, kiddos. I'm not gonna fight with my full strength.
Siana reached into her pocket and presented small rubber bullets.
Siana: I'll fire these at you with one hand and use the other for close quarters. I won't make an effort to close the distance though.
Seigan: What about kicking?
Siana: I'll use my legs to block if need be but I won't attack with them, if I do…let's just say it's that team's win.
Siana glanced at her notepad one last time before shoving it back in her pocket.
Siana: Alright, here are the teams. Team 1 will be Takuro and Tamiko.
Takuro: Pleasure to be…fighting with you.
Tamiko responded with a subtle nod.
Siana: Team 2 will be Seigan and Sakiko.
Sakiko: Nice! Let's rock this!
Seigan: Yeah, we got this!
Seigan and Sakiko high-fived.
Siana: Okay, so that makes team 3 -
Akida: OH, hell no!
Siana: …Akida and Inezo.
Akida: Why do I get the lazy one?!
Siana: These are the best pairs.
Inezo: Honestly, I'm not too happy about this pairing either. Don't think I'll work well together with the "Kaigaku She-devil".
Sakiko: [Ohh no.]
Tamiko: [That wasn't smart.]
Akida looked Inezo up and down with a scowl.
Akida: Watch it, we can switch this match to a one-on-one whenever you want.
Inezo: Oh yeah, I'm sure fighting me would gas your ego.
Siana: Both of you cool it!
The bass in Siana's voice shook the room.
Siana: Whether you like it or not, you're teammates now! If you can't work together here then you'll die in the field. Now, who wants to go first?
Takuro: We're starting immediately? We don't get any time to prepare?
Siana: Nope! Even if you prepare for missions, they normally don't go exactly as planned. So you've got to know how to make quick decisions.
Akida's hand shot up from the group.
Akida: We'll go first.
Siana: Oh? You seem quite eager for someone who was so vocal about the pairings.
Akida: Might as well get this out of the way.
Siana: Inezo, are you ready to go?
Inezo: As ready as I'll ever be.
The two of them made their way to the middle of the room, facing Siana.
Siana: All you guys have to do is land one good clean hit on me, either one of you. But if I hit your foreheads with a bullet then you're out.
She turned to the four spectators.
Siana: That of course goes for all of you as well.
Siana stuck her hand in her pocket and pulled out her rubber bullets.
Siana: Ready when you guys are.
Akida sized Siana up before rushing her. She opened with three wide swings.
Siana easily pivoted out of the way of all three of them before she forced Akida backwards with a palm strike.
Akida had no time to react as a rubber bullet zipped by her face, colliding with the training room wall.
The impact sent tremors throughout the wall, causing an even bigger area to crumble.
Sakiko: Holy crap…
Seigan: And she's shooting those at our heads?!
Siana: Don't worry, that one was just a warning shot. *Wink*
Akida: Maybe this would be easier if my PARTNER actually did something!
Inezo opened one eye from his lounging spot.
Inezo: I told you I wasn't good in a fight back at the abandoned building. Not much has changed since then.
Akida: You could at least be a distraction.
Inezo let out a long sigh before he rose to his feet.
Inezo: Fine.
With a sharp inhale Inezo took three steps to his left. Faint afterimages appeared in his tracks before solidifying into solid duplicates.
Sakiko: Awesome!
Siana: Alright! Now we're getting serious.
The three Inezos fell in line next to Akdia.
Akida: I can work with these odds.
The four of them all pounced towards Siana. She took out one of the clones with a quick shot, it faded into mist on impact.
Inezo: I'm trying to tell you, all this did was give her more targets to practice on.
Akida: Just get me an opening.
The other two clones rushed towards Siana. As she unloaded her ammo at them, the clones continuously shifted to the left and right simultaneously.
Takuro: That's some coordination they've got.
Inezo 1*: Of course, we're coordinated…
Inezo 2*: …We're the same person.
The clones reached Siana and jumped in opposite directions. Akida charged straight up the middle.
Akida: I've got you know.
Akida took another wide swing, her arm collided with Siana's hand as she blocked it.
Siana: Alright, that had some good weight behind it.
Siana quickly ducked under the high kick Akida threw, she then grabbed Akida's leg.
Siana: Left yourself open.
Akida: Damnit!
Siana lifted Akida off her feet and threw her back towards Inezo's main body.
Akida: [This is unreal.]
A bullet soared across the room towards her forehead. Akida caught it right before it could make impact.
Akida: HA! Nice try!
A second bullet followed the first striking the cocky girl and leaving a mark on her forehead.
Siana: Alright Akida, you've lost.
Akida: Oh come on!
Inezo: Welp, this one's over.
Inezo stood up and began walking back towards the spectators, his two leftover clones faded away.
Akida: You're not even going to try and win?!
Inezo: Nope.
Siana: Hey, Inezo.
Inezo: Yeah?
Inezo looked back over his shoulder. A rubber bullet landed right between his eyes knocking him off his feet.
Siana: Now you're out.
Inezo: Whatever.
??: [You knowww, you could show a bit more interest!]
The air around Inezo shifted as his deity manifested. A young man with lemon colored hair that sticks out in every direction and wide yellow eyes. He wears a celestial-themed jacket with a zesty orange undershirt. His pants are baggy and follow the same theme as his jacket, the pattern on both of them changes every time he fades and reappears.
Inezo: [There's no point, Minus. We share a body, so you're feeling what I'm feeling from Siana.]
Minus: [Who knowsss? Maybe you could've overwhelmed her with numbers!]
Inezo: [There's no way you think that would've worked…]
Minus: [Yeahhh, I'm just jokinggg.]
Siana: Two groups left. Who wants to give it a go?
Tamiko nodded at Takuro and he took a step forward.
Takuro: We'll give it a shot.
Siana: Step right up.
The two of them made their way to the middle of the room and faced Siana.
Siana: Just like with Akida and Inezo, the fight starts when you guys make your first move.
Takuro dashed towards her. He closed the distance then took a blade draw stance while running.
As Takuro unsheathed his invisible sword flames erupted at his side. They molded into a steel katana with a coiled dragon guard. He sliced at Siana's stomach, she stepped back avoiding the attack.
Siana: So you make swords?
Takuro let out a small laugh and shook his head at her.
Siana: Don't feel like talking? Don't tell me I–
Tamiko appeared at Siana's side, and she aimed for their guardian with a strong overhead swing. Siana skillfully dodged, placing her foot atop Tamiko's weapon.
Siana: A giant calligraphy brush?!
Akida: Ahh, so that's what the ink was for.
A beaming smile spread across Sakiko's face.
Sakiko: [Good for you sister.]
Tamiko unlodged her brush and started twirling it while slowly approaching Siana. The bristles left ink marks every time they hit the ground.
Siana: Seems you can both summon things. This might be a bit tricky.
The three of them continue to dance around the center of the room. Seigan slides over to Sakiko.
Seigan: Hey Sakiko, what's your power? I think we can actually beat Siana.
Sakiko: Hmm, it's kinda hard to explain. I'm pretty fast though.
Seigan: Great me too. If you can hold Siana's attention, I can hit her with something that'll definitely beat her.
Sakiko: [Xeta, will those rubber bullets Siana's firing give me a good charge?]
Xeta: [Yeah, they've got some good energy behind them. Just one of them will get you to around 15%, so you're good to go.]
Xeta flashed Sakiko a confident smile and shot her a thumbs-up.
Xeta has rich brown skin that gives off a subtle glow. Her black braids that reach down to her waist transition to pure white on the ends. Her right eye is a calm black, while her left eye is a radiant silver. She manifests in casual street clothes. A big puffy white jacket with a cropped t-shirt, her jeans end perfectly right before her sneakers begin.
Sakiko: I can give you a good distraction, just stand behind me and let me take the shots Siana fires.
Seigan: Perfect! Sounds like we've got this.
The two of them turned their attention back to the action, Takuro seemed to have his opponent on the defensive.
Siana lept backwards while firing a bullet, Takuro deflected it with his sword. Siana landed on an ink stroke Tamiko had previously made.
Tamiko: [Focus.]
Tamiko: [Ink Manipulation - 滑 (Suberu / Slip)]
The ink under Siana's feet turned glossy, and before she knew it her legs were sliding in different directions.
Siana: Okay, that's pretty cool.
Takuro: [I can hit her, I just need enough reach.]
Takuro reached towards his back. Just like before flames roared to life, this time taking the shape of a spear.
Siana: [Multiple weapons?!]
But before the spear could fully manifest Takuro put both hands back on his sword.
Takuro: [I can use my sword, it's just a few extra steps.]
He flashed towards Siana, once again aiming a slash at her midsection.
Siana: Guess I'll go all the way.
Siana dropped into a full split, smiling as Takuro's katana soared overhead. Without skipping a beat she fired a rubber bullet towards him. Takuro tried to dodge but his legs didn't obey.
Takuro: [Why can't I move?!]
Takuro looked down to find both his legs caught in an ink stroke. But unlike the one Siana stepped on, this one was sticky. The rubber bullet bounced straight off his head.
Takuro: Damnit…
Siana: Takuro's out.
Tamiko once again appeared in Siana's blind spot, she swung her brush like a baseball bat. Siana casually caught it.
Siana: Almost had me. *wink*
Tamiko dropped the brush and took a jab at Siana. Her fist met the woman's knee and a rubber bullet met Tamiko's forehead.
Siana: And that's two for two. I'm liking what I'm seeing so far.
Seigan: Our turn!
Takuro: Wait! Tamiko, why'd you stick my legs to the ground?
Tamiko: Accident.
Takuro: You could've at least warned me, I had her.
Tamiko: You would've had her if you actually made that spear of yours.
Sakiko: Can you guys argue later?
Tamiko: This isn't an argument, it's the truth.
Seigan: You ready Siana?
Siana: Make your move.
Sakiko: If you insist!
Sakiko took off, charging at Siana with her arms raised. Seigan fell in behind her.
Siana: Seems you've got a strategy. Hopefully it holds up.
She let off three quick shots, one after another. Sakiko took each rubber bullet head on, after every hit more strands of her hair turned white.
Sakiko: [Xeta, what's my charge?!]
Xeta: [You're at 50%, those shots hit harder than I thought.]
Sakiko: [Perfect!]
Sakiko: You ready Seigan?
Seigan: The floor is yours.
Sakiko: Kinetic Release - 40%!
The floor caved under Sakiko's foot as she blitzed towards Siana at the speed of a car. Siana managed to pivot out of the way at the last second, right before Sakiko could grab her.
Sakiko: Wait what?! You weren't supposed to dodge!
She stormed headfirst into the wall of the training room, leaving a massive crater on impact.
Siana: Haha, I can't just let you hit me.
Siana felt the air shift, it was vibrating. She looked above her and saw him.
Seigan: Sound Amplification - Beat Drop!
Seigan descended with an axe kick. Siana countered with a punch of her own. A pressure boom erupted the moment his heel made impact. The clash sent shockwaves across the room.
Akida: Damn!
Inezo: I think we know who made the most of their sleep last night.
Seigan: [Damn, her punch didn't let me get the full amount of momentum.]
Sonia: [Agreed, you should back off and reapproach.]
Siana suddenly retreated. Seigan's momentum carried his foot into the floor.
Seigan: Shit!
He heard the whistle of the rubber bullet as it made its way towards him. Seigan sharply moved his head out of its path. Two more followed, he unlodged his foot and rolled out the way.
Siana: You've got some solid reflexes there Seigan.
Seigan: Thanks. Though I'm pretty sure you could've shot those faster.
Siana: True.
Seigan approached her again, unleashing a multitude of punches and kicks. Siana expertly dodged and deflected all of them, she shoved him away with a palm strike just like she did to Akida.
Sakiko pulled herself out of the rubble from the destroyed wall and locked onto her target.
Sakiko:[Kinetic Release - 10%]
Sakiko wasn't as fast as her initial attack but she was quickly approaching Siana's back.
Seigan: [Pincer attack!]
Seigan sprinted full speed at Siana. Moving just as fast, if not faster than Sakiko.
Seigan slowed his speed so he and Sakiko reached Siana at the same time. But right before impact…Siana jumped.
Seigan: [Ahh…]
Sakiko: […Damn]
The two of them collided head-on, tumbling across the floor. They both sat up and were met by a rubber bullet to the forehead.
Siana: And that's the match.
Seigan and Sakiko stumbled back over to the others. The only one still standing up was Takuro, the others were sitting down exhausted.
Siana: Not bad kiddos. I saw many great things.
Akida: I saw four people who were all more active than my teammate.
Seigan: Do you ever stop complaining? What's your issue?
Akida: My issue is, we all decided to fight to get our lives back, and one of us just laid around during our first training session.
Takuro: I kinda agree with her, Inezo we need you to apply yourself.
Inezo scoffed looking at the two of them.
Inezo: There's no point, Siana wasn't even trying. All six of us could try our hardest and we'd barely last a minute against her.
Siana's ears perked up at that comment.
Siana: What makes you say that Inezo?
Inezo: Gut feeling.
Siana: [Interesting. Taking this into account as well as his natural affinity to Serava… Could he be…?]
Akida: Oh wow, maybe your gut can tell us how to solve world hunger next.
Siana: Let's calm down. We still have more training to do.
Siana pulled out her notepad again jotting down a few notes.
Sakiko: Hey Akida, can you look at this for me?
Sakiko rolled up her pants' leg to reveal a bruise on her thigh.
Siana: Yikes, let me get you a med pack before that gets any worse.
Akida: There's no need.
Akida took a deep breath and held both her hands over Sakiko's bruise, her hands gave off a faint glow. The bruise slowly shrank.
Sakiko: WOW! Look at that, it's like my leg never even got injured.
Sakiko jumped up and down a few times before latching onto Akida and repeatedly thanking her. Siana watched the scene with slight astonishment.
Siana: [A healing blessing?! That's ridiculously rare, as far as I know there's only a single other Blessed that can heal on the entire island.]
Siana cleared her thoughts, regaining her composure.
Siana: You all need to train. I personally recommend using this room, but if you feel like you need more space you're welcome to go outside. Just don't leave the property, wouldn't want anyone getting lost.
Akida: That's pretty vague. What should we train specifically?
Siana: Hmm, as far as abilities go I'd ask your deities, they would know better than me. But I can say you all need to work on hand-to-hand combat, even if you end up using a weapon like I do, it's never a bad idea to be good with your hands. I recommend sparring with each other but you don't have to of course.
Siana walked past them and began moving up the stairs, fixing her jacket.
Sakiko: Where are you headed, Ms. Siana?
Siana: I have a meeting with Madam Haruta, I should be back in about two hours. After that, we can do something fun. Sound good?
Sakiko: Sounds great!
Seigan: Two hours isn't too long, just don't push it.
Siana let out a chuckle as the basement door slid open.
Siana: I'd appreciate it if my house is still here when I get back.
The second the door shut behind her, Inezo kicked up off the ground.
Inezo: I'm going to sleep.
Without hearing any arguments from the rest of the group, Inezo ran up the stairs and out of the basement.
Seigan let out a disappointed sigh as his friend left.
Seigan: Tamiko, would you mind sparring with me?
Tamiko hesitated for a moment before answering.
Tamiko: I don't mind, seeing as it would benefit me as well.
As the two of them moved to a more spacious part of the room Takuro rolled his shoulders.
Takuro: I'm going to head outside, some sun would be great right now.
Sakiko: C'mon Takuro!
Sakiko was already halfway up to the door as he finished his sentence. She was dragging Akida along with her.
Siana rode the elevator in silence. She pushed open the doors to the council room. All the chairs were filled except hers.
Haruta: Siana! Welcome. How was the training with your kids?
Siana took her seat at the hourglass-shaped table.
Siana: It went pretty good actually, I'm sure you'll be quite surprised with what I have to say.