"Well, that's… a thing," Hanna comments, not sure what to say about the block of ice containing the perfectly preserved corpse of Serpentine.
"So much for him returning to Brevon's side," Rob comments. "Of course, there's only two people on Avalice who have the ability to freeze people on demand."
"And one of those fuckers has cheated me out of a fight!" Hanna growls.
"Are you sure you want to pit yourself against someone who's already slain too many promising young Scarves?" Rob asks. "And put your arrogance aside before answering."
"You know damn well I can take her," Hanna affirms, though she does so oddly quietly.
"I'd prefer not to test that tonight," Rob replies. "Our mission's over anyway, so we may as well head home."
"I guess I can report in on the way," Hanna sighs. "Julian ain't gonna like it…"
"Shit happens," Rob shrugs. "Let's move before it's‑"
"You never get the fucking message, do you?" a new voice growls.
Hanna and Rob turn as one to see their only way out blocked by a very angry white falcon wearing a surprisingly light outfit for the environment: a fitted black t‑shirt with short white sleeves, black shorts, and black jika‑tabi.
"Believe it or not, not every Scarves mission here is about you," Hanna growls back forcefully.
"What my wife meant to say is, our mission target is the viper I assume you've tangled with previously," Rob interjects, placing himself between the vixen and the falcon to prevent an otherwise inevitable conflict.
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't," the falcon replies. "What of it?"
"It made our mission easier, meaning we can leave immediately," Rob answers. "And if the Leaders ask, we never saw you."
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" the falcon snaps.
"Yes," Hanna snaps back.
"No," Rob corrects before turning to his wife. "Put a lid on it."
Hanna glares angrily at Rob, but she co‑operates anyway.
"Thank you." Rob turns back to the falcon. "Apologies for my wife: she's… sharp of tongue. Anyway, like I said, thanks to you turning our target into a popsicle, our mission is complete, and we can depart immediately. Therefore, I respectfully request you step aside and let us pass."
The falcon remains firm. "No."
"You know we'll fight our way out if we have to," Rob informs. "If you step aside, it'll save all of us a lot of trouble."
"Or I could kill you both to remind the Scarves to leave me the fuck alone," the falcon growls.
"Well, so much for diplomacy," Rob sighs, drawing his weapons as Hanna draws hers. "One last chance: step aside, or we go through you."
"Try me," the falcon challenges.
"With pleasure," Hanna grins malevolently before charging the falcon, only to run straight into a brutal hit from an ice‑encased falcon fist that sends her flying back several feet.
Rob is next in to attack, blocking the falcon's ice‑encased fists before attempting to counter with thrusts of his sai. His attempts come close, but the falcon's agility is too much for Rob to counter effectively. However, the falcon's counter‑strikes also fail to land, with Rob able to block those he's unable to dodge, though she does steadily force him back.
And that's all the opening Hanna needs: now back on her feet, she dives around the duel and rejoins from the other side, taking the falcon by surprise and raining several heavy direct blows. Forced into defending on two fronts, the falcon's advance halts as she tries her best not to be overwhelmed by the combined onslaught of two highly‑trained Red Scarf Veterans.
Working together with practiced ease, Hanna and Rob quickly gain the upper hand and steadily push the falcon off‑balance before delivering a combined double gut punch that sends her crashing to the ground.
"And stay the fuck down!" Hanna growls as she slams a boot hard into the falcon's abdomen, forcing the air out of her lungs.
"Let's get out of here," Rob decides, walking away and out of the makeshift shelter, his wife following right behind and leaving the falcon doubled over desperately trying to get her breath back.
But the falcon has other ideas: without warning, she taps deep into her reserves and launches a barrage of icicles at Hanna's back, aiming to skewer the vixen and kill her in seconds.
The icicles instantly vaporise on impact.
Hanna stops dead in her tracks and turns to face the falcon. "Do you have a fucking death wish‽" she snaps, faint licks of flame flicking around her clenched fists.
Drained and unable to try again, the falcon can only stare in disbelief. That… That should have…
"Just leave it, Hanna," Rob instructs.
"But‑"
"Drop it or I won't do you‑know‑what anymore."
Hanna remains silent for a few moments. "…fine," she eventually relents, the faint flames around her fists dissipating. "You got lucky this time," she growls at the falcon. "Next time will be different."
The falcon watches as Hanna and Rob depart. Next time, I'll be ready.
As they're wheeling their ATVs out of their now unnecessary makeshift shelter, Rob's curiosity finally gets the better of him. "What did she try?"
"She tried to kill me with a barrage of icicles," Hanna answers flatly. "Fucking pathetic."
"And the cause of death of four of the Scarves sent after her," Rob recalls.
"Fire affinity," Hanna shrugs. He's right: that should have killed me. But it didn't, so I don't give a fuck.
Rob remains silent in thought. Maria told me about that plant she revived in the botanical gardens a few months ago by simply touching it… Has repeated exposure to the Elemental Crystals awakened something within us, or did they just let us know about what's been there all along? It's probably safe to assume the falcon has never held the Water Crystal, yet she has ice powers that rival those that took Neera years of hard training to develop…
"Something wrong, babe?" Hanna asks, concerned.
"Hm? Oh, no, just… thinking of what to do when we get home," Rob explains, covering his concerns. Not your best effort…
"Go straight to bed and sleep?" Hanna guesses. "After all, it'll be too late for anything else."
"True," Rob admits.
"First thing tomorrow, on the other hand…" Hanna smirks suggestively.
Rob shakes his head in amusement. "We'll see," he smiles. "Let's get moving before that falcon catches up."
The falcon crests the mound of scrap just in time to see the two ATVs accelerate away. You can run now, but next time I guarantee you won't make it out alive.
Early the following morning, Hanna makes her report to Leader Julian, who is understandably disappointed with the outcome of the mission and has requested her to meet with him at HQ.
"How the fuck was I to know he's already dead‽" Hanna protests in response.
"You performed as well as I expected, and I don't blame you for this failure," Julian assures. "Nevertheless, I'm requesting you to meet with me in HQ ASAP. I'd like to avoid making this into an order if possible."
"May as well be an order," Hanna grumbles. "You're not exactly leaving me any choice."
"A fair point," Julian accepts. "Very well: I order you to HQ ASAP."
"We're on our way," Hanna confirms.
"We?"
"Me and Rob."
"My order is for you alone."
"Why?"
"I'll explain when you get here."
Hanna hesitates.
"I promise, my motivations are honourable," Julian assures.
"…fine, whatever." Hanna hangs up before Julian can respond.
"Something wrong?" Rob yawns as he shuffles into the den.
"Leader Julian wants to see me in HQ ASAP," Hanna answers.
"He knows there's no way the mission could have succeeded, right?"
"Yes, but he ordered me in anyway."
"He must have a reason," Rob shrugs. "Guess we'd better get over there."
"He wants to see me alone," Hanna informs.
"Why?"
"Not a fucking clue."
Rob thinks a moment. "I have a strange feeling there's something funny going on here… I'd better come with you anyway."
"If you must," Hanna sighs. "So much for a pre‑breakfast session… Would have been a great way to work up an appetite."
"We'll make up for it when we get back," Rob promises.
A couple of hours later, Hanna and Rob arrive outside Leader Julian's sanctum, the wyvern answering the door just a few moments after Hanna knocks.
"I asked you to come alone," Julian reminds.
"You did," Hanna confirms. "Rob decided to come along anyway."
"With respect sir, any business you have with my wife can be shared with myself," Rob explains.
"Normally I would agree, but in this instance, I must insist on speaking with Hanna in absolute privacy," Julian replies, stepping aside to allow Hanna entry while blocking Rob. "I assure you my intentions are honourable."
Rob wants to argue, but he holds himself back, sensing that any attempt to pursue such a strategy will backfire. This doesn't feel right at all… but I don't have any choice in the matter right now. "OK," he relents. "Though I must formally declare my opposition to such clandestine activities."
"An odd objection from one well‑versed in the art of the shinobi," Julian observes. "Nevertheless, I take note of your opposition and give my word that nothing untoward will arise from this. Now if you'll excuse us, we have business to discuss."
Julian closes the door before Rob can reply.
With a sigh of defeat, Rob walks away from Julian's sanctum. If there's something going on, you bet I'll find out. But until then, guess I'll get something quick to eat, then train in the dojo while I wait.
In the sanctum, Hanna talks a seat while Julian makes them both drinks and fetches a handful of cereal bars. "So, what's this business you want to exclude my husband from?" she asks.
"It's not that I want to exclude your husband, more that it's not yet the time for his involvement," Julian corrects. "But first, I'd like to hear the full account of your battle with the falcon."
"There's not much to say that I haven't already told you," Hanna replies. "She cornered us where Serpentine's frozen corpse was hidden, refused to listen when we said we weren't there to kill her, tried and failed to defeat us both, then fired a cheap shot at me when we were leaving."
"Ah yes, the icicles," Julian recalls from the report, setting the drinks and cereal bars on the coffee table and taking a seat opposite Hanna. "Do you know you're the only Scarf to survive such an attack?"
"Rob did mention four others were killed by it," Hanna answers as she takes her fresh hot chocolate, holding the mug to allow the pleasant warmth to spread into her hands.
"And it doesn't bother you that it should have killed you too?"
"I'm alive, so no."
"You seem surprisingly casual about this."
"Look, if it's my time to die, then so be it," Hanna shrugs. "But that doesn't mean I want to throw my life away. I just refuse to fear death, that's all."
"Hmm…" Julian remains silent for a few moments. Once again, she proves to be the ideal test vessel. "What would you say if I told you I was planning on developing a training regimen that will allow those Scarves deemed worthy a chance to develop the ability to unlock power and skills beyond even the late Coraline Tea?"
"I'd ask what the fuck you were smoking," Hanna answers. "Even I will admit no‑one compares to Coral, including myself."
"That can change," Julian remarks. "After all, you survived the falcon's ice attack because of your Fire affinity."
"Do you expect me to believe that?" Hanna questions.
"What other explanation can you offer?" Julian inquires.
Hanna opens her mouth to reply, only to realise she has no answer. "…huh… Would explain why I don't get cold anymore, I guess."
"You don't?"
"I wore this sort of stuff to the Snowfields yesterday and didn't even feel windchill," Hanna explains, referring to her halterneck crop top and capris. "It was a pretty strong breeze too."
"And if I'm not mistake, your friend Maria had a not too dissimilar experience soon after returning from the Gotoshi Naisen," Julian reminds.
"Now you mention it, she did tell me about that rose bush that was pretty much dead until she touched it," Hanna recalls. "And then it bloomed when she touched it again. How do you know about that anyway?"
"There's little that happens within HQ that doesn't eventually reach our ears," Julian explains. "Initially, we simply filed it away as a random curiosity, but now I'm not so sure. Of all the Red Scarves, only you and your friends have had any significant exposure to the Elemental Crystals, and with two of you now showing signs of being able to tap into elemental energies without their assistance, it's possible that they've awoken something inside you both."
"Neera and that falcon can use their magic powers even though they've never used an Elemental Crystal," Hanna replies.
"True, but Neera's trained in the arts for many years," Julian reminds. "And while we cannot yet be certain, the falcon has likely developed her abilities over a similar timescale, if not longer."
"What's that got to do with anything?" Hanna asks, getting impatient.
"The world has changed dramatically over the last two years," Julian answers. "Avalice has faced threats far beyond anything previously imagined, and it's the duty of the Red Scarves to adapt to the new world order. And that is why I requested your presence: I want you to be the first to follow a new training regime that will unlock your true full potential."
Hanna raises an eyebrow. "When you say true full potential…"
"Based on the evidence so far, it's very likely you have hidden abilities that extend far beyond mere combat prowess," Julian informs. "With the right training and guidance, you could learn to tap directly into elemental fire energy and become the first of a new breed of Elite Scarves."
"You mean if I want to enough, I can have superpowers," Hanna summarises.
"That's… one way to look at it, I guess," Julian confirms.
"I smell bullshit," Hanna dismisses.
"I must admit, I'm a little disappointed," Julian sighs. "I thought that you of all people would be up to the challenge."
"I'm up for the challenge alright," Hanna corrects. "What I'm not up for is wasting my time on bullshit that ain't gonna fucking work."
"Look at your hands."
"Why?"
"Just look."
Hanna rolls her eyes, then looks at her hands to find faint wisps of flame dancing around her fingers. "What the fuck‽"
"Still smell bullshit?"
Hanna watches with fascination as the faint wisps of flame flicker in and out of existence as they weave around her fingers and the mug. How… How is this even possible‽ "I uh… I guess not…"
"Excellent!" Julian smiles. "I still have a few details to work out before training can begin in earnest; I'll contact you when it's time to begin."
"Right…" Hanna replies, still watching the mesmerizingly intricate wisps of flame swirling around her fingers.
"Hanna? You OK?"
"Hm? Oh, sorry, I was just… distracted," Hanna replies, finally tearing her attention away from her hands.
"You're worried about losing control."
"Yes."
"The training will make sure you never lose control."
"Good," Hanna sighs in relief. "So, you'll contact me when it's time to begin training?"
"Correct."
"Can I tell Rob?"
"You can tell him about your affinity, but I must insist that the training aspect be kept in total secrecy," Julian instructs. "We'll bring him into the loop when the time is right."
"Understood." Hanna finishes her drink and sets the mug down on the table. "Is there anything else you need me for?"
"Not at this time, no," Julian answers. "Until next time."
"Looking forward to it," Hanna smiles before getting up and leaving.
Julian waits until the vixen's footsteps have passed out of hearing range. It took more persuasion than expected, but she's on board, just as I planned. It's a shame Serpentine's dead, and with it being too risky to involve any of the other infected, I'll have to learn what I need via other means.
