Jasmine Lockwood and Rajah
Ryujin listened to the anger-filled words that Penny returned fire with, accepting that he deserved anything she may want to say or call him. In whatever tone she wanted. He didn't quite understand humans or the companionship and kinship they felt towards others, their parents especially they shared a unique bond with, but he could appreciate it. In his youth, he hadn't but as he had grown wiser and older he slowly began to accept such foreign concepts. So to bring her Father's actions into such a light, this was to be expected.
Not that there was much he could've done to Penny in this situation regardless. As he had said before, he was merely an old spirit housed within Jasmine. He had little power beyond his memories and knowledge to spread. And of course communication with the outside, but even that was through a secondary lacrima. Linked to his own that dwelled within Jasmine.
Of course, there weren't many Phoenix Slayers. There weren't any of any slayer, and he remembered most Phoenixes as being a very secretive and lone creature that preferred isolation to others company. Her father Solias was an exception. Despite their stark differences in personality, beliefs, experiences, elements and, most important of all, races they had struck together a bond that upon looking back, shaped Ryujin into the being he was today. He had always been jealous of that Phoenix, with how he always managed to stay calm to how he could get himself out of almost any pinch. Perhaps his current persona was simply his vain attempt to channel and mirror his old friend?
Who knew. Anyway, he was getting distracted by unneeded thoughts. For he had two suffering girls to aid, though neither were helpless in their own right. Just from the small glimpse of memories he had seen from Penny, he knew she was the real deal. And he had known Jasmine for many years, watched over her even as he slept. Safeguarding both her magic and memories like the man and he had agreed he should do till the time was right. He still felt it was a little early, but a sudden intake of magic had awoken both himself and the magic. Without the ability to reseal it, he had little choice in the decisions made thus far.
"That isn't entirely true young one, there are many ways to kill any creature. Whether they be Phoenixes, Gods or...even dragons." His voice came out a little...bitter at the end. His mind still dwelled on that incident, the one where he had perished. That...monster that had slain him was still beyond his understanding. "
He asked you knowing you wouldn't, couldn't, deny him. No matter how desperate he was, it was selfish to make his own daughter feel this burden. But, I am not exactly one in a position to criticise such a decision. For I am just as foolish and selfish as he, if not tenfold more!" The dragon let out a hearty laugh. Reflecting on his own mistakes, how many there were.
“Ah, I suppose that is true, but not quite what I meant young one.” He said with a low chuckle. This girl was strongly minded indeed, much like her father. He would’ve wished to have met her mother, for only a woman with a strong will would’ve been able to put up with that stern man. He was familiar with the concept she put forward as well, but as he had said that wasn’t quite what he was trying to get across. It was pointless trying to argue such a fine detail though so he decided against it.
Not that he had much of a chance as Jasmine had chosen this moment to come over. Ryujin letting out an
“Oops.” as he and Penny bother quickly worked out the dots. Though Ryujin more knew how she possessed the knowledge she now did.
“I apologise, young slayer, I should’ve barred her mind from my own. It is my fault and not my young charge’s that she is now in possession of such knowledge about you.” Though Penny seemed more concerned with trying to cheer the water dragon slayer up than the fact that Jasmine now knew she had killed Solias, her father, it seemed like his apology wasn’t necessarily
Regardless, he felt like he still owed her one.
Hearing Ryujin’s apology, Jasmine shook her head. She wasn’t sure what he meant, but she shouldn’t have been eavesdropping on their conversation. She might’ve made an apology, it certainly sounded like she said
something anyway. But it came out as an incomprehensible babble between her sobbing and her speaking into Penny’s shirt. Penny might need a new shirt after copping the volume of tears and snot that the girl expelled.
When Penny pulled back to meet the blondes gaze, her eyes and cheeks had turned a big puffy red. Jasmine, still trembling and tears gushing down like a waterfall, couldn’t meet it and averted her gaze. She still couldn’t find the ability to form comprehensible words, her throat feeling so tight and sore that just breathing alone was like trying to climb Mt Hakobe one-handed.
She wanted to argue with Penny. But couldn’t, she physically couldn’t right now. So instead she just shook her vigorously to deny the older mages words.
She was useless.
She was a nobody.
She was selfish.
And she wasn’t strong. Not at all.
She was a burden, she knew it. There was no use denying it. Deep inside she wanted to believe Penny’s words. No matter how much she wanted to, however, she found herself unable to for she also knew herself.
“You are only a burden if you think as such. I expected no less from his daughter, but the young Phoenix is correct in her judgement. Perhaps it is time I show you.” With Penny embracing Jasmine again, the younger mage hugged her back. Like her life depended on it.
“It is alright young slayer, you are welcome to ask whatever you wish to know about him. I knew him for many, many years after all.” It would seem that whatever Ryujin had meant with his previous words, he didn’t seem like he was going to reveal to Jasmine just yet. Though his next words were certainly an ....interesting choice.
“Before you return the pendant young slayer, I must ask something. Why must you fly? Why do you not use the lacrima either yourself or Jasmine have in your possession to simply teleport there? I must admit I do not know the specifics of how they work, but if you wish to save time and magic power is that not the most prudent course of action?”While Ryujin made his mind-shattering suggestion, Rajah cast a glare towards Penny. Either unaware of the severity of the situation, or simply not caring, it mattered not. But the little Exceed ‘hmped’ before flying straight up into the Slayer’s face.
“Of course I am capable of it human, but why should I? Such brutish work is beneath me, that’s what Sir Ignatius is for anyway.” Following her arrogant words were equally obnoxious and over the top laugh. Even Ryujin was made to sigh by the Exceed’s actions.
“...I also suggest we leave this one here. For my sanity if not your own.”
By some sheer miracle, they had managed to convince Ash to get in the boat rather than launch herself towards the Island. Perhaps it was the fear that she might not make it and land in the ocean which convinced her, rather at least in the boat there was less chance of that happening. Regardless, all the while once aboard the little dinghy, she became a hopeless mess. Clinging to Enma like her life depended on it, screaming and breaking into tears at every little single jerk the boat made. It was quite pathetic really, taking the definition of the worlds to all sorts of new levels. It was even more so than Enma's seasick state. And god forbid if any water that splashed up went anywhere near her, the scream that would follow sounded more like a teenage girl having come across a cockroach, or that of someone being brutally murdered in the most gruesome and slow manner. This lasted the entire trip, but thankfully because of the state she found herself in the nature and thickness of the ethernano around them seemed to not bother her in the slightest.
Once the boat touched land, however, she seemed to vanish and could be found scrambling around on the beach. Hugging and kissing the sand beneath her.
"Land! Sweet, sweet land! Never leave me again!" Perhaps her reactions were a bit over the top, but the sheer relief she felt from not being out at sea in such a pathetically small vessel was quite evident. She had just gotten back to her feet when it happened.
First, she fell silent as she felt a powerfully ominous presence. Before she had much chance to work it out, the very air seemed to vibrate as the loudest, most terrifying roar shook the entire island. It caused even Ash to completely freeze on the spot from fear. Whatever was the cause of this ruckus was strong...just from the roar alone that was evident. She wanted to clasp her hands over her ears to at least try and block out the noise, but couldn't find the willpower to move. Her body feeling like it was made out of steel. But somehow, she managed to keep a stance that stopped her from losing her footing. Though, if it lasted much longer she mightn't be able to.
Once it subsided, she wiped some blood that slowly trickled down. Grimacing as her ears still rung quite violently, her vision swimming as she reached out for Enma or anything nearby that was sturdy to hold onto until she regained her bearings. Taking a moment, she turned her attention to that of Sasha and Ferrin. So these two seemed to be in charge then? She wasn't entirely sure who they were, but she hoped they knew what they were doing.
The third person that spoke however she recognised. That was Hunter, the jade dragon slayer of Dragon Fang. Yes, she remembered him from the games. He was one of many on the list of people she wished to fight, but that could wait till later. For she now she pushed away from Enma and approached the group, cracking her knuckles as she came to a stop before them. This could only end well.
"I don't really know what the problem is ya shady bastard, just let me at em and there won't be no problem for much longer. Simple." She didn't care for this whole planning process. Honestly, if they were going to make one they should've come here with one at least. But, if they were going to go for an option she didn't mind the second one. In fact, she would be one of the first to volunteer for the 'combat' wizard role in a group. She had come here for only one thing after all; a fight.
"Dragons, demons, humans, whatever. I'll reduce them all to ashes all the same. Just put me up front and there won't be any more 'disturbances' on this Island."
Well, the response was probably what one should've expected to be honest. James spent most of his time training after all, and now that Cody thought about it he didn't really see him interacting with the other members all that often. Not if he couldn't help it. Still didn't mean he didn't feel a twinge of disappointing at his answer. Perhaps it was just because he thought James held all the answers he ever needed and depended on him too much. That was probably it.
He knew not how to handle these conflicting feelings. While James inspected their surroundings, his mind continued to grind away. Maybe the right thing would be finding Amaya and talk to her about it? But what if she didn't feel the same way...gah. This 'love' nonsense was such a hassle.
"It would seem so." Sighing, Cody came to an abrupt stop as James signalled him to stop. Immediately tensing up, he quickly drew his own sword. Cursing silently under his breath. He had become distracted and had stopped paying attention to his surroundings, he was sure James would lecture him about it later. He definitely needed more training anyway. But luckily the experienced Paladin had noticed the rustling and assumed a fighting stance. Cody took a deep breath before releasing his magic power. Just in case.
"It would be in your best interests to do as he says." Feeling his magic scatter, Cody stepped behind James enough that in case of a projectile he could hide behind the Paladin's shield but still left him with a decent field of vision in front of them. Leaning in slightly, he spoke in a hushed tone to the older mage.
"Do you think it's one of the gangs?" Cody's eyes darted around to try and make out where their unknown 'guests' were hiding. To at least know how many they were up against if nothing else. But he couldn't quite figure it out, though he could sense at least two presences beside their own.
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