[hider=The Family of the Burning Light] [u]Celest Gold Family Pagoda - Corridors[/u] After finding some bandages to close her wounds, Rayla kept going towards Bernard's Office. After a while, she heard a loud explosion coming from above. [img]https://i.imgur.com/LeC1iGW.png[/img] Rayla: (The battle escalated to that level? I have to hurry.) Then, she reached the top floor. Rayla could only feel a faint magic signature from the office. [img]https://i.imgur.com/MH0vdVk.png[/img] Rayla: So...It's over? She slowly approached the door, taking some deep breaths as she touched the handle, then opened it. Music: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCwgaK7dRz8]Hamel[/url] What she saw wasn't something she expected, but it was something she hoped it would happen. Bernard was laying near a wall, unconcious, while Drake, stood there, breathing heavily while he was trying to process what had just happened. [img]https://i.imgur.com/m0Vc3Bh.png[/img] Drake: I...did it? This...isn't a dream...is it? [img]https://i.imgur.com/LeC1iGW.png[/img] Rayla: Drake! [img]https://i.imgur.com/kLzRyfx.png[/img] Drake: Rayla? What are you doing here? [img]https://i.imgur.com/dcxL81A.png[/img] Rayla: Well, after that phone call of yours, how I would NOT be here? [img]https://i.imgur.com/IWyBOxf.png[/img] Drake: But...I thought...You wouldn't bother... [img]https://i.imgur.com/f1SDCrl.png[/img] Rayla: You thought wrong. I'm here now, believe it or not. [img]https://i.imgur.com/IeGxfPW.png[/img] Drake: ...Right...I guess you thought I was going to lose...right? [img]https://i.imgur.com/jdUIwsC.png[/img] Rayla: I was worried, sure...but deep down...A part of me wanted to believe you would pull through...or at least hang in there long enough. [img]https://i.imgur.com/vEdi87Z.png[/img] Drake: Really? [img]https://i.imgur.com/Qq6RqqA.png[/img] Rayla: I wouldn't lie about this. [img]https://i.imgur.com/bfGSAmP.png[/img] Drake: I see... (Those wounds...I guess she fought against Cousin Seila...And actually won. That's not something I thought was even possible. She went through all that trouble to help me...Wait, if she's actually here...that means.) [img]https://i.imgur.com/vbCnS1p.png[/img] Rayla: I was going to have a long talk with Bernard...but I guess that won't be necessary... [img]https://i.imgur.com/MH0vdVk.png[/img] Rayla: Still...Sorry for taking so long... [img]https://i.imgur.com/eyv648a.png[/img] Drake: ... [img]https://i.imgur.com/P0tA7zi.png[/img] Rayla: Right...I don't think that's something that can be forgiven so easily...This whole mess is my fault after all. [img]https://i.imgur.com/KLCj2EX.png[/img] Rayla: But now, we're going to fight together, in order to bring back peace to this city. [img]https://i.imgur.com/s4eYTua.png[/img] Drake: I... Drake grips his wooden sword tighter, looking at Rayla with a fiercer look. [img]https://i.imgur.com/4E1lvOn.png[/img] Rayla: W-What? [img]https://i.imgur.com/IcrFkaI.png[/img] Drake: Cousin Rayla, does this mean you're going to finally inherit the Family's Holy Sword? [img]https://i.imgur.com/ZmVwO9X.png[/img] Rayla: Well... The Holy Sword, a magic weapon that can only be inherited by someone who has the blood of the main family. A powerful sword that can amplify the user's magic ability to great levels. It's the embodiment of the destruction an Ancestor Mage can cause, a bright light that consumes everything. Rayla was supposed to inherit after her father died, but due to her negligence, she never got to use the sword, and thus, her base magic has no element. [img]https://i.imgur.com/q7DBS91.png[/img] Rayla: I'm not sure If I deserve it...After all this time just minding my own business, I don't think I'm worthy to use such power. [img]https://i.imgur.com/hwuQKXc.png[/img] Drake: But, if you don't... [img]https://i.imgur.com/Mh8rebK.png[/img] Rayla: Yeah...I know this looks like I'm looking away at the issue once more...but...I just can't do it. [img]https://i.imgur.com/n826NHI.png[/img] Drake: Rayla... [img]https://i.imgur.com/7KMnAu2.png[/img] Rayla: Sorry Drake...But I guess I'll just keep fighting as am I now. I think I'm strong enough right now. [img]https://i.imgur.com/Ptx5uRI.png[/img] Drake: ...I see...It's good to know you're confident in your strenght. [img]https://i.imgur.com/CjEnHlt.png[/img] Drake: Too bad the same can't be said for me. [img]https://i.imgur.com/FDvjSKu.png[/img] Rayla: Drake? Music: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyY-jxhrG9w]Innocent Tripper[/url] [img]https://i.imgur.com/IcrFkaI.png[/img] Drake: Rayla, prepare yourself. [img]https://i.imgur.com/eLqTRoQ.png[/img] Rayla: E-Excuse me? [img]https://i.imgur.com/mZSPpy1.png[/img] Drake: Even though I've beaten my brother, I still can't tell how strong I've become...That's why, I'll test my strenght against you instead! [img]https://i.imgur.com/EVJy7xR.png[/img] Rayla: Wait! N-Normally, I wouldn't mind, but, aren't you tired from your fight? [img]https://i.imgur.com/jsDBgMR.png[/img] Drake: Same as you, so we're even. I need to be sure if I can overcome anyone, if what I truly have really is enough. That's why, Cousin Rayla, I will defeat you! Then I'll truly know if I'm strong or not. [img]https://i.imgur.com/LYjcwOz.png[/img] Rayla: (Urgh...There's no talking out of this one.) [img]https://i.imgur.com/QRbO8cZ.png[/img] Drake: PREPARE YOURSELF, AND DON'T YOU DARE HOLD BACK! She jumped over Drake's slash, seeing a small hole from where she last stood. When she landed on the floor, Drake continued his assault, attacking with a flurry of slashes. Rayla managed to parry one of the attacks, but then, Drake immidietaly pushed her away to a wall, the same one Bernard was near to. [img]https://i.imgur.com/CkzRUy2.png[/img] Rayla: Argh... [img]https://i.imgur.com/tcuRsBF.png[/img] Drake: I've said not to hold back...I won't hesitate to go all out. [img]https://i.imgur.com/g3HxhxE.png[/img] Rayla: (This certainly won't be like Seila's battle...) Rayla this time, ducked under his next attack. Then, she spotted Bernard's wooden sword. [img]https://i.imgur.com/IcrFkaI.png[/img] Drake: Come back here! [img]https://i.imgur.com/kHfou2d.png[/img] Rayla: !!! She quickly picks it up, then blocks Drake's incoming strike, being pushed away a bit. [img]https://i.imgur.com/IeGxfPW.png[/img] Drake: Please...don't go soft on me. I really need this. If you don't, then I'll force you to use the Family's Holy Sword. [img]https://i.imgur.com/uzMSvQh.png[/img] Rayla: What? Why do I have to agree to that? [img]https://i.imgur.com/mZSPpy1.png[/img] Drake: Because we need to be strong Rayla! How are we going to overcome the challenges ahead if we don't get stronger? [img]https://i.imgur.com/g3HxhxE.png[/img] Rayla: ...Alright, if you really want to... Music: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNC6-hDcdMc]Keep Existing[/url] Rayla throws Bernard's sword away and starts powering up. Drake was a bit thrown back by the pressure, but managed to stand firm, powering up as well. [img]https://i.imgur.com/WUQ0b9G.png[/img] Rayla: I'll defeat you as who I am. This may sound like I'm abandoning our family's power for good...But I don't need to follow traditions or anything if it means protecting the city. [img]https://i.imgur.com/IcrFkaI.png[/img] Drake: This isn't about traditions Rayla. This is about what is necessary. [img]https://i.imgur.com/yJgvGWK.png[/img] Rayla: Then it won't be a necessity for me, plain and simple. I decided how I want to get stronger. Sorry, but this is how I feel. Now let's get on with this. It's what you want right? So don't come whining when I wipe the floor with you! [img]https://i.imgur.com/s4eYTua.png[/img] Drake: Well said! Let's do this Cousin! [img]https://i.imgur.com/i1OYpVn.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/mZSPpy1.png[/img] Both: HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Both clashed their strikes, creating a violent shockwave that made the nearby papers fly away. Suddenly, Drake saw himself being thrown away by Rayla's punch, colliding with a wall. [img]https://i.imgur.com/IeGxfPW.png[/img] Drake: Urgh...Ah! [img]https://i.imgur.com/ChuxIxk.png[/img] Rayla: Hya! Drake almost got hit by Rayla's flying kick. He took this opportunity to start attacking her again. They started trading violent blows, until Drake got punched away once more. [img]https://i.imgur.com/dAuf400.png[/img] Drake: ARGH! [img]https://i.imgur.com/yJgvGWK.png[/img] Rayla: I'm not done yet! [img]https://i.imgur.com/kLzRyfx.png[/img] Drake: (She's relentless!) Drake went for another slash. This one was something Rayla wouldn't be able to avoid, so she parried the attack and started holding the sword. [img]https://i.imgur.com/WUQ0b9G.png[/img] Rayla: So, is this good enough for you? [img]https://i.imgur.com/GV0FDBk.png[/img] Drake: I'm glad...that you didn't let yourself get weaker. [img]https://i.imgur.com/mTbEGke.png[/img] Rayla: You think so? I think I was stronger back when Mom was alive. [img]https://i.imgur.com/s4eYTua.png[/img] Drake: Really? [img]https://i.imgur.com/g3HxhxE.png[/img] Rayla: I guess...Never really tried to know...But that's enough of that. [img]https://i.imgur.com/kLzRyfx.png[/img] Drake: Wah! Rayla managed to throw Drake away to a wall once more, however, he kicked it as he got closer, then launched himself back at her. She ducked under the attack and fired a blast of energy at him. He deflected it once he landed. Then, they started trading blows once again. It was clear that none of them would back down at this point. [/hider] [i][u]Spring Zone - Streets[/u][/i] **Stationary Front Line still playing** [img]https://i.imgur.com/9YUBJ8t.png[/img] Tiane: Go to hell and take your nightmares with you! [url=https://youtu.be/IKsDklGAgRs?t=241]Tiane did a fierce foward stab[/url], striking a pose after she was done with the attack. [i][u]Summer Area - Streets[/u][/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/HO3fd7q.png[/img] Fear Mace: Yeah, I guess I'm up for some lamp chop. Ha! Taking stance, Fear Mace dealt a diagonal slash towards Doremy. [img]https://i.imgur.com/nYdiNch.png[/img] Yomi: Interesting, but not something worth worrying. The true purpose of Yomi's floating sigils was to set points where she could teleport to. Then, activating one of them, she teleported behind Rasel, following it up with a spinning slash with both her knives. [i][u]World Crossers Guild - Main Hall[/u][/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/PiVYoXD.png[/img] Kail: Right. Your mind's made up and I won't change it. I'm just worried about that weird glaive. Touko has been analyzing it all night and nothing has come up yet.