Hana Oshiro - The Last Samurai
When Isshum burst through the wave of cherry blossoms, Hana began to move her hands again. To prepare another attack and finish the fight her way. But, much to her surprise, the young Dragon Slayer relented and gave up on the fight. This earned a surprised expression from the older woman, who took a moment to lower her hands back to her sides. The cherry blossoms that littered the battlefield began to dissipate, vanishing without a trace and leaving no signs to prove how the field was so destroyed. Most of the ground appeared as if it had been run with a tiller while several trees in the distance were shredded and falling apart.
"How I got so strong?" Hana repeated, bringing a finger to her lip as she thought about it.
"I never gave up." The pink-haired samurai stepped forward with a smile, stretching her arm out to ruffle Isshum's white hair.
"I was born with innate power, but where we come from doesn't dictate what we will become. I've been training all my life, I still train to this day. I fight with honor, dignity, and diligence. And I haven't always won. Humility is important, too. But all in all, just keep fighting and you will grow stronger. Remember: I have many years of experience that you are yet to have." With another smile, Hana proceeded to ruffle his hair again before finally retracting her hand from his head.
"You have a powerful magic. I'm sure one day you will become the hero that you hope to be. If all else fails I know someone who can help you out. Another Dragon Slayer."Hana stretched her arm out, as if it was sore or otherwise bothering her. She looked at her right wrist with scrutiny before sighing and bringing her arm back to her side.
"But he is a busy man. One of the few to beat me in a fight, though he was kind enough to spare my life. But I'm sure you don't need any special instruction. Just a burning determination. Now let's get back to the guild. I think Vivian wanted to challenge me to a duel as well, but if I won't be using my magic then we don't have to fight in isolation like we just did." The pink-haired woman began walking back to the guild, expecting Isshum to follow suit. It was refreshing to spar with someone, even if it was brief and the gap in power is apparent. Simply put, Hana appreciated that she was still relevant.
Ever since the War, Hana hadn't felt as appreciated as she once did. While her power in the past was mostly considered beautiful it was now just seen as destructive. Her youth has been declining, so her visual appeal had been declining as well. With so many mages congregated and united in one guild it was easy to put the 'veterans' in the back to fit the newer ones. Her days as Lamia Scale's Ace have long been gone. Hana wasn't about to admit her feelings, but it was assuring to know that the younger mages still looked up to her.
"Hmm... I don't know why, but something feels familiar..." Hana spoke up as the two continued walking back to town.
"Like... I have a bad feeling..."Unknown to Hana the strange feeling she was getting came from high above in the sky. Two women, one that looked like a stereotypical
witch and the other that was bothering Hana: Stacy Kaiser. The two women sat on a flying broomstick, with the witch clearly in control and Stacy simply clinging to her for safety as they traveled across the sky.
"We're almost there, you can slow down now! Like please slow the hell down!" Stacy spoke up, barely audible over the wind as they flew across the sky.
"You can also let go of my breasts!" the other woman shouted back, though Stacy didn't oblige. It wasn't until the two reached Magnolia and descended to the streets that the pale, white-haired woman ceased her sexual harassment.
"Hey, thanks again for the ride," Stacy admitted, releasing the woman and hopping off the broom onto the cobblestone street.
"I don't think I'll be giving you one again." "Oh, come on. Don't be like that. It was all in good fun." "For you, maybe. And people say that I'm freaky." The witch didn't even wave goodbye as she sped off on her broomstick, kicking up a small gust of wind that caused Stacy to stumble backwards. The pale woman was quick enough to regain balance and stay on her feet, but a look of irritation had taken hold of her.
"Fine then! Didn't need you anyways." Brushing her long hair over her shoulders, Stacy turned and began walking towards the heart of Magnolia.
It didn't take long to find the Wizards of Fiore guildhall. It was common knowledge where it was, being it was presently the only legal guild in all of Fiore and would probably remain so for the foreseeable future.
"Reminds me of the good ol' days," Stacy began to reminisce, standing outside the doors.
"Back when I could just walk into these places and boss everyone around. Good times." With a swift kick, the doors flung open and Stacy Kaiser stepped inside, a confident grin already plastered across her face.
"Alright!" she shouted, likely grabbing attention.
"Who's still alive!?" The phrase may sound odd to most of the mages gathered around, but for some it would have a clear connotation: she was referring to veterans of the War.
"C'mon, I know there's gotta be a few of ya. Shouldn't be too hard to spot... Ah, Revan! You're still alive!"The white-haired woman approached the demonic man, rudely shoving past several others along the way.
"I would think you'd have died of old age or something by now. You were old when I first met you, yet you still aren't dead. That's tenacity for ya." Of course Stacy knew exactly why Revan hadn't really aged over the course of almost twenty years, but she couldn't resist irritating him. She had first met him soon after her mentor had died, long ago. Revan was one of the first mages she ever met, and periodically she had run into him on her misadventures. Even during her time with the Magic Council she had often bumped elbows with the half-demon.
"I bet you're wondering why someone so important like me would suddenly show up at the Wizards of Fiore, right?" Stacy began, toning her voice down a bit.
"Well, that's because..."
"The Magic Council fired me today." With that she burst out laughing, even giving Revan a hard slap to his back as she laughed at her own misfortune.
"Ever since that war the Council has been so different. Figured it was only a matter of time before they booted me out. But oh well. Figured I would surround myself with alcohol and mages, so here I am. Care to buy me a few drinks, Revan-sama?"