[center]
[color=fff200]Karin Level 6: 53/60[/color] 
Location:  Astral Plane -> Midgar
Word Count: short
Points Gained: 1
New EXP Balance--- 
[indent][color=fff200]Karin Level 6: 54/60 [/color][/indent] [/center]

	[hr]

	Karin finished off the last Voidranger, and her allies succeeded in their respective battles, though not without some minor drama between Geralt and Goldlewis. Sakura had mentioned it in their travels- the trouble of absorbing a powerful boss spirit. [color=fff200]”My understanding is that someone had to do it, lest the monster revive at a later date. Fusing with it grants power, but it’s also a sacrifice.”[/color] Karin said. She was far too attached to her charming good looks to ever lose them to a fusion. 

	Regardless, it was time to fetch Iron. They found her, and an exit, and a very large monster with no reason, or means, to fight it. [color=fff200]”Toodles!”[/color] They hopped through the door.

	Karin looked at Iron, like she was going to start talking, but when Iron spoke the heiress seemed unamused. [color=fff200]”I suppose her time in the astral sea was quite traumatic. To be perfectly honest I expected someone a little more coherent.”[/color]
	Karin was even less impressed by Kyle’s logic. [color=fff200]”You cannot be serious. You intend to kill us? If you’re so eager for a second beating, then by all means I shall oblige-”[/color] Karin was cut off and surprised like the others when many of the hermits began to redshift.

	[color=fff200]”Oh, my.” [/color] Karin watched, suppressing her horror to get into a fighting position as Geralt chased after Iron. 

	Bernavas came at her once more, but it was not the swordsman she just defeated. He moved with greater speed and strength than before, catching Karin off guard and slashing her across the torso. With a cry she flew backwards and back rolled to her feet. Bernavas came at her again, and she jumped over the swing, kicking him in the back of the head as she did. While she expected him to try something different, he just lunged at her, swinging as hard and as fast as he could. Over and over and over again. There was no grace, no strategy, no thought. A mindless beast, ravaged by the redshift. 

	Karin’s face darkened as she became accustomed to Bernavas’ new pattern, countering and punishing his strikes every time. Her palms smashed him away and he came screaming in only to be countered and smashed away. The fight would have been boring if it wasn’t for the pit of dread in her stomach.

	Karin parried a follow-up strike, sent his sword flying, and delivered a swift barrage of EX-palm strikes. Bernavas crumpled against the wall and she delivered the finishing blow, a cracking kick to the neck. Steely-eyed, she watched as he turned to dust and ash. 

	It was a mercy. And he was too dangerous to be left alive- innocent civilians were only a block away. Her only regret was, ironically, giving him a Friend Heart too early. In that way, she had accidentally condemned him to his death. Countenance grim, she turned to battle the remaining aberrations and protect her allies.