It's ironic how we often forget the things worth remembering, but remember the things worth forgetting.
Keiko wandered away from Yoshpet, determined to hunt down the thirteen brush techniques. She was met by Lika on her way. Keiko quickly transformed, as Lika never really showed a tendency to understand wolf-speak.
"Hello, Lika. Was there something you wanted to say?"
"Actually, yes, kind Keiko. You missed the Volcanic Incantation. Why?"
"It was far colder than normal. Do you have any idea why?"
"No, kind Keiko. But it was weird. Perhaps you should investigate?"
"I wouldn't, Keiko. If it was cold enough to stop you from attending your favourite ceremony, I would stay away until you learn Inferno."
"Miya, it's not fair to force the village to freeze until we find that page."
"Poncle?"
"Yes, little Oina. I am a Poncle. Me and Keiko here are looking for pieces of parchment with magic written on them."
"Parchment? One of those went into Ezofuji. Maybe you should look there."
"Thank you, Lika."
Keiko gently nudged the door, and entered the Wawku Shrine.
"Brr… you're right about that cold, Keiko. I should have brought a cloak." Keiko shrugged. She turned into her wolf form, and began to sniff around the tower. She had entered a large room when it occurred. Both entrances to the room banged shut. And an odd sense of foreboding lingered in the air.
"Hello, Oina. I had a feeling you'd arrive soon."
"Who are you?" Keiko demanded, becoming fierce at the drop of a hat.
"The real question is… who are you?" Miya asked.
"Miya, not now. If you spot that brush skill, I'd like to hear about that."
"Pssh. Foolish. Two bickering girls. One an Oina who has no clue of the divine elements, and a Poncle with her head stuck more firmly into the clouds than that Issun fellow. Why am I bothering to kill you two?"
"So… murder is your intention. What a relief."
"You were expecting worse?"
"You are unleashing darkness onto Kamui by lowering the temperature! I expected slow torture at best!"
"That was not my plan. That was the plan of another. But I cannot allow you to leave Wawku Shrine."
Keiko was shocked. She had made the accusation about freezing Kamui at random, but this stranger's words proved that such a plot was occurring. She had to tell Oki. But…
This villain had no intention of allowing her refuge. She'd have to fight her way out of here.
"Alright… stay calm…" Keiko found herself muttering. She leaped at the direction of the voice, but found no resistance.
"KEIKO! MOVE!" Miya's warning barely saved Keiko's life.
"Hmm… your bloodlust is strong… you'd make a wonderful servant of the Dark Lord."
"I'd never join the darkness. And this is considered very moderate battle potency amongst the Oina."
"It is not the ability, but the intent. You intended to damage."
"Stop pointing out my flaws. This is getting boring. Just let me find the brush technique in here and I'll be out of here."
"I've already mentioned this: I don't care about this plot. And you'll just come back anyway."
Keiko prowled the arena, desperate to find her opponent. In the heat of the battle, she found her sensitivity and gentleness clouded by bloodlust and intent to kill. That cloud of hers always led her into the disadvantage in a battle. By the moment she had noticed her mental state, she had taken a blow.
"Hey!" Miya leaped of Keiko's skull, and ran at the opponent, using Power Slash. The attack failed to land.
"Foolish Poncle." The unseen opponent flashed briefly, and swiped at Miya. The scratch hit Miya on her snout, as she had dived to save Miya, causing some slight damage to the general area of her eye.
"KEIKO!" Miya leaped at Keiko's bad eye, and combed her pockets for healing supplies.
"Oops. I have hindered you. It is no longer a fair battle. The result is guaranteed."
"Then do away with us, coward."
"I shall not. It is unchivalrous. However, I cannot allow such an easy victory."
What did the opponent do? He attacked Keiko and Miya, knocking the pair unconscious. What were his intentions with the pair?
Short, little plot events... but how exactly could I have expanded? I doubt this could have been added to the last part, and this ending has to end a chapter. I cannot begin the next section of storytelling without a pause.
This is why we can't have nice things. Or at least, when I put down something like Mother 3 to go back to my original style.
...Oh, right! The story! This character who hogged the screentime is an undoubtedly chivalrous foe. But to what intents is he in the Wawku Shrine, when he had no part in the plot involving it? A Dragon, perhaps? The Black Knight? Who is he? And what purpose does he stand to gain by pointing out Keiko's flaws?
Leap before you think!
