Life 13: Round 2
Training Room
"What, some kind of alternate space?" Astra let out a hum as she looked around the training room of the Freelancer base, Soren nodding as he stood across from her, Lucina and Kuroka watching at the sidelines.
"Thank the fact me and my siblings wanted a private place to call our own. This training room can handle a lot, and is better suited for a duel then outside… I'd like to avoid collateral if at all possible." Soren stated slipping on a pair of fingerless gloves and popping his knuckles.
"Huh… that's not an issue." Astra chuckled.
"How do you think this is gonna go?" Lucina hummed, Kuroka's tail twitching as she gave it a bit of thought.
"If I had to make a guess then that girl is about as strong as the Gremory heiress, maybe a bit stronger. Soren's strong, but if I had to rank him based on Devil terms, he's still far below the likes one of Satans, but still well above someone on the Gremory girl's level. This fight is going less about raw strength, and who has more skill, nya." Kuroka rattled off.
"Yeah but didn't Soren win easily last time?" Lucina asked.
"I WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD!" Astra snapped, letting out a huff as she brushed a strand of hair back, "This time however, I won't be surprised. Now enough chit chat! Bloom, Scuderia!"
With that same flourish of rose petals, the mystical scythe burst into form in Astra's hands as she plucked her rosary off of it's chain, Soren taking one more moment before reaching into a magic circle, drawing out Balmung with a quick move, the glowing blade leaving a trail of light as it was drawn from it's scabbard with the same swiftness Soren had learned to use, Astra blinking at seeing the full blade herself.
"Balmung… oh I see now. Still, why is it the Black Dragon Emperor is strutting around using a Dragon slaying Holy Sword? I'm aware of the Sacred Gear you have and it's powers. Why not use it against me?" Astra asked, Soren merely taking a stance.
"Personal reasons. I don't use my Gear unless necessary." Soren flatly replied, not speaking a word as he shot forward, the air ringing as Balmung's blade slammed into Scuderia's, Astra skidding back but quickly keeping her footing, letting out a small growl as Soren kept on the force, though his next move was to go lax, his blade cleanly sliding off the other, Astra going for a swipe from the perceived opening, only for Soren to duck within the next instant and reverse his grip on his sword, spinning around and slamming Astra in the gut with the flat of the sword, knocking her away with a burst of air as Soren's lips moved, wind swirling around his sword as Astra recovered from the blow.
"Magic too huh? Heh, well ain't you full of surprises?" Astra hummed, Soren leveling his sword at her, "But so am I!"
The next slash was so rapid anyone who didn't have the eyes of a supernatural being would have merely though Astra had casually moved her arm downwards, but registered it enough to counter the incoming attack with a swift move, Lucina rubbing her eyes to make sure she'd seen what she had when a thin but notably gash appeared in the opposite wall after a glint of red shone in the air.
"What just happened?" Lucina tilted her head, confusion on her face as she watched the proceeding melee, the air ringing with the sounds of the clashing weapons as more gashes appeared in the wall whilst the air swirled from Soren's clear use of wind magic.
"Huh, that girl's scythe has some interesting properties now that I look at it." Kuroka hummed, "That attack we saw was definitely some kind of ranged moved. Wind magic can be used for cutting purposes, but that was different… hmhmhm, now I really wanna know who this girl is. She's not just some random Fallen Angel, nya."
It was that mysterious, catty grin that confused Lucina as she watched the ongoing clash of blades again… but as she watched, it stopped looking less like a fight and more like a dance. Astra moved with swift, twirling elegance like that of a ballerina as she made perfect use of her weapon's size and reach to try and get the edge on Soren's sword, but that in return only invited a response of Soren's nimble footwork and strong but controlled attacks as his sword not only spun in his grip, but also changed hands to counter or attack.
And it was a glint… a glint in Soren's ruby colored eyes that Lucina found similar to before, during the fighting against Raynare and her cronies. Those gem like eyes were bright, glinting with a pure flame. Soren was smiling as he clashed weapons with Astra, the latest clash ringing like a bell, the two fighters jumping back and skidding to a halt, both breathing heavier, but it wasn't missed that Soren looked outright thrilled.
"Is he enjoying himself?" Lucina asked, "He looks like he's having fun."
"Well it's not like this is a battle to the death. Besides, you'd understand wouldn't you? Dragons by nature find the world dull and boring. Beings like them, who can't even be killed by turning their souls into little pieces, are naturally quite separated. It's no wonder you and Soren click. Demi-dragons have to deal with human emotions and the immortal life of a Dragon." Kuroka explained, an amused look as she kept her eyes on Soren, "So finding something that gives a thrill, while easier… provides a certain relief, nya."
"Something that gives a thrill." Lucina parroted, her look turning pensive to that statement.
"Well… you actually know a thing or two about swordsmanship." Astra hummed, Soren swiping his sword as she stood straight.
"Thank my mother for that." Soren mused, "I don't get it… but this is actually fun. Hmm… well, not for part of trying, but this girl is better than she looks."
"Don't get any smart ideas. You know my policy on using your Gear, kid." Bahamut spoke up, Soren nodding.
"I know. Like I'd forget… besides… this is making me want to win straightly anyway." Soren stated, "So, you said you know what my Gear can do right? If so, why don't you tell me? It's information I don't like spilling."
"Seriously?" Astra scoffed, shrugging as she leaned on her scythe, "Alright then, if it'll prove amusing. The Ruina Draco has two abilities. The power to take, nothing more. It can sap power from whatever it touches on command without restraint, and then move that power to itself… but unlike the Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing, what makes the Ruina Draco different, is that it can actively kill the victim of its power draining."
"Huh?!" Lucina gasped at the statement, Kuroka nodding along to it.
"That's what makes those who have Bahamut stuck to them have to bear… I suppose it's safer to say being the Black Dragon Emperor is a curse. Born with the power to drain life itself. Sure the effect is temporary… but take too much too fast, or lose control, and who knows how much life would be lost from such an event?" Kuroka added, Lucina mystified as she looked at Soren, the nekomata letting out a small chuckle, "It's always the kindest people who have to carry the heaviest burden."
"So that's why you're fighting with that sword. Hahaha! Wow, either you have the luck of God or you're so horribly unlucky that you were born with a dragon latched to your soul, but also with the bloodline required to use that very sword. The dragon-blooded descendant of Siegfried cursed with the power of Bahamut. Again, either the luck of God is on your side, or you have a terrible sense of misfortune." Astra hummed, "You Descendants always seem to get the short end of the stick it seems."
"The heroes of old never met what one could call a happy end… I suppose their misfortune likes to cling to those like me out of some sense of spite." Soren hummed, gripping his sword with both hands, bringing the cross-guard level to his face, one eye visible as he turned the sword flat to him, "So I guess that's why my luck tends to be the short end of the stick."
"Really?" Astra hummed, raising a brow when the air around Soren swirled as his aura flared… but something about it seemed brighter as the flow from his sword brightened as well, "Leaving yourself open? Heh, that's a faulty move Siegreich!"
Astra shot forward again, readying her scythe for a swing, Soren then moving a foot back as he raised his sword high, letting out a yell as he brought it down while the light around it burst, the power being released in a twilight wave of energy, Astra screeching to a halt, but the rushing wave caught her, sending her careening back and into the wall, the Fallen Angel falling flat onto the floor, Soren sheathing his sword as Scuderia reverted back into its rosary form.
"HE WON!" Lucina cheered, shooting up from her chair as she threw her arms up, Kuroka not looking surprised by the outcome, but surely amused by the turn of events.
"That had to hurt." Bahamut whistled, Soren shrugging as he approached the seemingly unconscious girl.
"I didn't put that much energy into it. At best she should be unconscious… but you aren't, are you?" Soren kneeled down, Astra rolling over, her look flat as she stared up at the ceiling, letting out a sigh after a bit.
"I lost." Astra stated, "I thought that was an opening… I had no clue the Balmung could do such a thing, and for that, I lost."
"Huh, after last time I didn't think you'd-GWAGH!" Soren yelped when Astra's fist shot up and decked him square in the nose, Soren rubbing his face as a bit of blood started dripping out, Astra sitting up and brushing off her knuckles.
"I may be proud of my strength, but a fair loss is a fair loss. Don't test me on it though." Astra muttered, "Hmph."
"Well least I know you've got a good arm." Soren chuckled, wiping off his lip, "Still, you know your stuff. I haven't had that much fun during a fight since… uh… hmm, I'm pretty sure I actually got a kick out of dueling with Xander and Hyoga…"
"Yeup… Though most of the time I was the one having the thrill… you were always passive." Bahamut informed.
"Wait… you had fun?" Astra asked, cocking a brow.
"Hm? Yeah, didn't you?" Soren inquired, tilting his head quizzically, Astra looking to the side, running a hand along her ponytail.
"W-Well… kind of." Astra murmured, and as Lucina started walking over, the door flew open, all eyes turning to it.
"What's with all the noise?" The voice was quiet, soft, that of a girl's, Soren blinking to see the owner as she came into clear view. One would have thought it was Olivia or Artoria, but this girl stood out by wearing her hair in a looser fashion, the locks a creamy color rather than blonde, and her eyes a glimmering gold color, that and her gothic Lolita style of dress stood out… that and the fact the small girl was munching on a bag of popcorn, "Oh, just Soren."
"Chloe?!" Soren yelped, "Weren't you and Stolfo… actually, never mind, you always do your own thing."
"The crossdresser is off doing his thing anyway. I got bored." Chloe tersely responded, sticking more popcorn into her mouth as she looked around at the others, "Who're they?"
"Oh! Uh… well, one of them is uh… look, do not tell Camellia, else I'll never hear the end of it." Soren hissed, Chloe tilting her head.
"What do I get?"
"I'll bring you that sushi you like from a place I found in town."
"Done."
"He bribed her with food?!" Lucina yelped, shocked at how easily convinced the tiny Lolita was by the mere offer of food. "Wait, Soren, who is this?"
"Chloe Asheworth. I'm his sister." Again, a terse response from the small girl, Lucina making the mental note Soren almost had a full 30cm on her. Almost. "So, who are they?"
"Uhm… the blue haired girl is Lucina another demi-dragon and my… girlfriend." Soren found that still weird to admit, pointing at Lucina, who gave a wave and smile, Chloe just continuing to snack on her seemingly always full popcorn bag, "The girl with the cat ears is Kuroka…"
"Hello, nya!"
"And the one with the cape is Astra… she uh… is an associate." Soren answered, Astra just picking up her scythe and reverting it, Chloe humming, then pointing to each of the introduced girls in turn.
"Blue Girlfriend, Cat Lady… and Red." Chloe rattled off, all three other girls raising brows.
"She uh… isn't good with names." Soren murmured, "So everyone sans a few, that being our other siblings… tend to get nicknames she does remember."
"Give it some time." Chloe stated, "What were you doing?"
"Oh, well, Astra and I were having a duel and uh… I guess we kinda went overboard." Soren murmured, looking around at the room, also pointing at Astra so Chloe would get it.
"Oh." Chloe hummed, "That all?"
"Yes."
"Kay."
"This girl is so strange." Lucina murmured, "And so tiny."
"She's not that small… heck I'm not that much taller than her." Kuroka murmured, "Though it's interesting, meeting one of Soren's siblings."
"Yeah uh… she's one of the tamer of our bunch." Soren muttered, putting a hand on Chloe's head, the girl's look not changing, but one could sense the pleased air about her as she continued snacking, "So, deal? You won't tell Camellia as long as I bring you some sushi at the meeting this week?"
"Sure."
"And you won't take another bribe?"
"No promises."
"Ugh." Soren sighed, "Whatever, I'll just hope for the best."
"Well… it was nice meeting you." Lucina chuckled, Chloe just letting out a hum, looking to Soren.
"You're definitely bringing me sushi?"
"Yes. Since when have I not brought you something when I said I would."
"Good."
With that remark, Soren left with the other three girls, Chloe waving as they were transported out, Soren letting out a small sigh once they were back in the living room.
"Now I just have this really bad feeling about things." Soren murmured, scratching the back of his head. "So uh, you've been quiet for a while."
"Hmm?" Astra hummed, "What of it?"
"Nothing just uh… you seem a bit off." Soren added, Astra turning away, though it was obvious her face had a hint of red to it.
"Why do you care?" Astra huffed, "My business here is done… though don't think you've seen the last of me Siegreich. I've taken an interest in the goings on of this place."
Soren cocked a brow as Astra left with that, folding his arms.
"Is it just me or is that regal attitude kind of a front?" Soren murmured, sitting down on the couch, Kuroka not even hesitating to then sit down and use his lap as a pillow, much to the demi-dragons surprise, "EH?!"
"I'm gonna take a nap. Mind if I use your lap, nya?"
"Don't ask for permission after already doing it!"
"HEY! What are you doing?!" Lucina snapped, leaning over the back of the sofa.
"Taking a nap, what's it look like?" Kuroka retorted, but she was looking at Lucina with a small smirk.
"It looks like you're using Soren's lap as a pillow." Lucina grumbled.
"What, a cat can't nap on it's owners lap? Well, I suppose "owner" isn't the right word… hmmm…" Kuroka hummed, her ears twitching with her thoughts, Soren just stuck in place, a brow cocked in his confusion at the happenings, "Well, going by the contract we made… I suppose mate is a safer word to use, nya."
"MATE?!" Soren and Lucina yelped.
"That was just a thing to assure you wouldn't be hostile though!" Lucina snapped.
"Actually I was wonder about that. The heck was up with the lip lock?!" Soren added.
"Hmm? Didn't I mention how I took a liking to you?" Kuroka inquired, tilting her head.
"Well yes, but the context was kind of vague." Soren replied, "I have another bad feeling."
"Nekomata are cat spirits, and while we prefer our human forms we do think like cats as well. We are fickle but when we make a solid decision it sticks." Kuroka explained, "So when I say I've taken a liking to you I mean it in the same way as your girlfriend right there, nya."
"EHHH?!" Lucina yelped, blinking and giving an annoyed look when Kuroka flicked her with her tail, Soren meanwhile processing what had just been said.
"Clarify… because I'm just managing to avoid having a freak out right now." Soren murmured, Kuroka sighing, sitting up.
"I'll paint it simply pretty boy. We nekomata pick out mates for particular reasons, and it doesn't have to take long. In fact, I'll harken back to what the girl said. Things don't really need to take forever. So, while right now you may not think the same, I'm gonna do everything I can to be first. Second isn't bad, but since it's just me and Lucina I wanna try and be first, nya!" Kuroka cheerily stated, Soren merely blinking.
"I'm gonna go to my room…" Soren stood up and left, Lucina slack jawed for a moment as he sauntered up the stairs, though she got back into things swiftly.
"The heck is going on?!" Lucina snapped.
"What? You're the one who said you didn't mind sharing him didn't you?" Kuroka hummed, toying with a strand of hair. "Besides, I'm sure you're well aware you're not gonna be able to keep him to yourself for long."
"I know that! Naga explained all of it to me!" Lucina objected, "I was just hoping I'd have a while at least!"
"Blame my nature as a nekomata. At least neither of us can compete over who'd get his first kiss or virginity. We got beat to the punch on those." Kuroka murmured, tracing a finger on the couch.
"Don't remind me." Lucina murmured, hanging her head, "I mean at least Kira seems nice if… odd… wait, Soren said she was his first time… but he never said she was his first kiss… I mean they probably have but what if he kissed someone else before then?"
"I'll place my bets and say that too." Kuroka added.
"Okay look, I'll relent on this whole thing… but if this is going to happen, then we need to share Soren evenly! There's only two of us, so it shouldn't be that hard." Lucina stated, Kuroka humming.
"You're surprisingly quick on the uptake… and a lot calmer about this than one would normally expect to see." Kuroka hummed.
"Doesn't mean I fully trust you. I'm Soren's official girlfriend, that isn't changing. Besides… I kissed him first." Lucina murmured, Kuroka chuckling at the petty remark… though it was also clear Lucina wasn't intending to be petty despite so.
"Well at least you can be petty. Though you are a Dragon. Not surprising, nya." Kuroka chuckled.
"I wasn't being petty!"
"I know."
"UGGHHH!"
The two then stopped when they heard a few crashes from upstairs, followed by yelling from Soren and Bahamut, the girls looking at each other.
"Wanna watch a movie?" Kuroka hummed, her ears twitching, though she looked amused as she tuned into the argument upstairs.
"Way ahead of you." Lucina was already on the situation, "Let's just… let them talk it out."
"Yeeeup!"
"I'm home!" Astra shut the door of the apartment behind her, letting out a sigh as she kicked off her shoes, her look a bit troubled, "Tch… why do I feel so weird right now?"
"I haven't had that much fun during a fight since… uh… hmm…"
"GAGH! WHY IS THAT IDIOTS FACE POPPING UP?!" Astra yelped and then punched the wall, "Stupid stupid stupid!"
"And what are you getting to riled up about? You're going to leave a hole in the wall at this rate."
"Dad?!" Astra yelped and turned, "Uh, sorry…"
"Nothing to be sorry for. So, how'd your little duel go? Wait, let me guess, from the look on your face, you lost."
"Yes." Astra muttered, "But, it was a fair loss! I misjudged his abilities and didn't see an attack coming because it looked like an opening. I know when to admit I've lost a fight."
"Ah but knowing you, you're not gonna leave this kid alone are you? From what I heard, seems you're interested."
"It doesn't mean anything! I'm just interested in what's going on in the town." Astra objected, "But… there's something bothering me about the Black Dragon Emperor."
"And what's that?"
"His last name… it's Siegreich. The same as that man." Astra responded, her father letting out a hum.
"Interesting tid bit. I haven't heard a thing from that guy in nearly two decades… I think I'd like to meet this kid."
"Eh?! But, dad…" Astra stopped, letting out a sigh, "Actually I expected that… what else can I expect from having Azazel as my father?"
Azazel let out a chuckle, brushing back his bangs a bit as he stepped into the proper light, an amused grin on his face as he also adjusted the jacket of his casual suit.
"Not much else." Azazel hummed, "Well, I'm gonna be heading out for a bit. I would say call if anything happens… but not like I'd have to worry about that with you."
"Course not." Astra chuckled, brushing aside the pat on the head, and once the door shut, it was like some kind of tension in the air immediately broke as Astra slumped against the wall, a hand bunching up the edge of her skirt, "That was close… I don't know how I kept my composure… ugh, why am I feeling so weird right now?"
Astra let out a small growl when her mind went back to that stuck image of Shu smiling at her, the girl standing and trudging to her room, one hand messing with her belt as she opened the door.
"Forget it… I'll just… deal with it myself…" Astra muttered, her fingers already sliding below the line of her skirt as she shut the door, "AAAAHHHH! WHY IS THAT IDIOT'S FACE STUCK IN MY HEAD?!"