A warrior has two paths that they could tread in their lives. They are the path of strength, and the path of power.
The path of strength is the path of honor. Those walking it rely on their inner potential and train that potential to it's peak. Then they push that peak further. They follow a code and stick to it. They are warriors of valor and honor.
The path of strength is a truly dishonorable path. Those walking it use any and everything they can to reach their goals. They will throw away their ideals and honor in order to get a bit further on their path. They were warriors that brought suffering and pain.
Aigle had always been a follower of the path of strength. From all the way back with her family in mongolia all the way here in japan with the rumble roses. She believed in showing one's strength and never holding back. To push yourself against the strongest and win or lose hold you head up high. The fact that she rarely lost helped with that last one.
In fact the only one she ever lost to while in the Rumble Roses was Makoto Aihara. She was a worthy rival, a true friend, and an incredible tag team partner. They continually pushed each other to be better both by facing each other in competition and by encouraging each other in training. They had proven to be an inseparable pair. Until recently.
Recently Makoto had starting making mistakes in her matches. Started with a simple accent and spiraled down from there. Aigle watched as her friend started to lose her way and had done her best to guide her and keep her spirits soaring. However with each new mistake and foul it became harder and harder.
It became even more so when Aigle started fouling as well. It wasn't entirely her fault. Like with her friend they were accidents that the refs called her on. Makoto had tried to give her support but with the both of them messing up and having their spirits lowered…
Makoto left a week ago to go on a break. Aigle had thought about going with her. To take a break and spend time with her friend. A friend that she had been trying to guide down a path to being something more for sometime. However the innocent tornado was living up to her name. Aigle had thought that maybe if they went on a break together that they might get closer than ever before and together get through this mess. However she never asked thinking it was best if Makoto had time to herself. At least that's what she told herself.
With her friend gone Aigle had no one else to really turn to as the crowd slowly turned on her. With each foul Aigle found her chosen path becoming harder and harder to follower as it became fainter in her sight.
At many points in her life Aigle would come to a crossroad where she could choose between the paths of strength and power. She would always choose strength. Yet now as she stared at the newest crossroad she couldn't help but notice that the path of strength was uneven and hidden. Yet the path of strength was clear as a sunny day and was even and straight. The temptation to take the clear path was so strong.
Aigle was never one for giving up. She was raised to be strong and honorable. However she couldn't get past this hurdle and keep her honor if everyone else believed she had none. Every struggling step seemed to take her off her path. Was it even worth it to keep going? What would Makoto think?
Makoto would probably be disappointed. Makoto wouldn't give up so she shouldn't. Not if she wanted Makoto to stay with her.
But then again… many of those that treaded the path of power were mighty conquorers and emperors. They destroyed all that were before them. The great Khans from her own mongolia were huge examples of this. Maybe if she followed down the path of power she could truly conquer the roses and maybe just maybe make Makoto her own.
Did she really want that? Could her family still be proud of her? Could she stand herself if she followed the unhonorable path? Would Makoto be able to see her as a friend and possibly more? Would the young Japanese girl still want to be with her?
Did it honestly matter when she could take anything she wanted?
With a deep breathe Aigle turned to her new path and started down it. She already felt much better with her choice. Now just had to wait for her friend to come back so she tell her the good news and make a move she should have made a long time ago.