To the Limit

[halfemptyglasses]

Mirai adjusts the ring on her little finger and carefully unwinds her bandages. She takes a deep breath and draws out her blood. She closes her fingers around the hilt of the long, featherlike sword it forms.

"I'm ready," she tells Tahno.

Comments

[hot_water]

Tahno whistles softly. "That's cool, little miss," he says, and dances back, digging his bare feet into the sand of the lake's shore. Water breaks on his ankles, and he raises his hands, gathering massive amounts of liquid about his arms.

He starts slow as he did before, letting her be well aware of his movements as he sends sculptures of ice--each one with an eye--flying her way.

[halfemptyglasses]

She never thought this would be described as cool. But she has work to do, and her sword makes short work of the first wave of ice. It swipes faster, cuts cleaner, and does a better job guarding her when she blocks.

The ice doesn't stand a chance.

[hot_water]

Tahno's pretty impressed with how fluid her motions are. Previously, with the practice sword, she'd jerk against the ice when she hit it, clearly used to cutting through things. Now that she easily slices through whatever he sends, used to her sword, he can see how skilled she really is.

He picks up the pace, whipping his hands forward to send wave after wave of ice creatures at her. Big, small, medium-sized, and at varying speeds. He claws at the air, splitting a larger one into three smaller ones, which dart at her--and she takes care of them effortlessly. He also sends water whips which might bruise if she doesn't get out of the way, and at the very least will get her soaking wet.

[halfemptyglasses]

She's still quick on her feet, though she has to run a few steps to get her balance back after one jump.

She shakes some time later, though not from the cold. But she holds out, stands as long as she can. Who knows how far she'll have to push herself in her world? She mentally designates a spot as safe and swears she won't let herself give out until she gets there.

[hot_water]

And Tahno attacks her relentlessly, swirling so much ice and water around her that he can barely see her in the maelstrom. His creatures of ice launch themselves at her, trying to force her to give up even as she cuts them down.

If the goal is to wear her out, well, he's giving it all he's got, flooding the air around her with enemies.

[halfemptyglasses]

At this point, fighting her way out is the best strategy. She finds the weakest point she can manage and jumps to it without hesitation, peeling out of the ice like a can opener somehow cutting through from the inside.

She reaches her spot just as her legs give out.

"Okay..." she gasps. "That.... that's enough..."

[hot_water]

Tahno barely hears her, but he sees her drop. He lowers his hands, feeling the burn in his arms, and the ice clatters to the ground behind her while the water splashes down.

He jogs over to her as quick as he can. When he reaches her, he waves his hands near her shoulders--an almost gentle motion after all of the whips--and bends any water that soaked into her cardigan out of it.

The boy narrows his eyes in concern, looking her pale face over for any cuts or bruising--any sign that the ice got through. "You awright, little miss?"

[halfemptyglasses]

"Yeah," she answers with a little nod. "I'm all right. H-how long was that?"

[hot_water]

Tahno checks the watch in his pocket. "Forty-three minutes," he says, almost apologetically. "You did good, little miss. Now, let's get you to the bar so you can rest up. Can you stand?"

[halfemptyglasses]

Mirai pulls herself to her feet and gets out, "I think so," before her knees give out again.

[hot_water]

"Tch, stubborn," Tahno drawls, shaking his head. "You wanna piggy back ride?"

[halfemptyglasses]

"H-hey, I'd have to walk home myself," she protests about being stubborn. "Ah, I guess I could."

[hot_water]

Tahno's smile is soft, but clearly amused. "That's why today's a test, and y'got me. C'mon, I'll get ya some tea."

He crouches in front of her and wraps his arms underneath her, to carry her back to the bar.

[halfemptyglasses]

"Ah, be careful," she goes as she flops her arms over his shoulders. He could probably watch her wrapping fresh bandages over her pinprick wound.