I Know What You Are prologue:Maemi's story

Episode 4:Martial arts mission

Celine:okay kid this is the last warmup before we head out
Maemi:okay then
Celine:you've grown so much in just a few weeks, after this we get to the real stuff
Maemi:do you think the martial artist is still training in the forest
Celine:trust me I know that guy, if he's bored like that he won't be back in town for awhile until he either gets stronger or finds something that appeases him
Maemi:do you think I'll be enough
Celine:*smiles* you're more than enough, you possibly could've surpassed him already
Maemi:*smiles* yeah
Celine:Simon at the ready
Simon:got it
Maemi:*gets in stance*
Celine:*clenches her fists then gets in stance*
Maemi:*taunts her* let's bring this one in close
Celine:sure you can handle that
Maemi:it's the last hurdle I have yet to cross and I devised something for that
Celine:okay then *walks over*
Maemi:*lowers her hands* heh
Celine:*steps in and strikes*
Maemi:*dodges with minimal movement*
Celine:*pivots and backhands*
Maemi:*dodges*
Celine:*low kicks*
Maemi:*steps out of the way into a spinning back kick*
Celine:*blocks*
Maemi:*steps in and left hooks her in the face*
Celine:*middle kicks*
Maemi:*hops over then steps off her foot and knees her in the side of the head*
Celine:*grabs her leg and goes to slam her*
Maemi:*falls back then pushes herself up off her hands as she kicks her back*
Celine:*centers herself*
Maemi:*steps into her range*
Celine:*looks down at her* hm
Maemi:*glances up at her as she smiles*
Celine:*front elbows*
Maemi:*right hooks her in the face as she dodges*
Celine:*puts her hand on her shoulder*
Maemi:*locks up her arm then steps in as she steps on her foot*
Celine:*goes to put her in a chokehold*
Maemi:*goes down and rolls back between her legs*
Celine:*back sweeps*
Maemi:*hops over then rolls to her feet*
Celine:*steps in and strikes*
Maemi:*steps in as she uppercuts stopping short of her chin* it's my win right
Celine:you punk
Maemi:*smiles* hehe
Simon:(she's truly gotten strong)
Shauna:*walks over* I assume you two finished playing around now
Maemi:of course, we can find that martial artist now
Shauna:that's part of the goal, we're also on a mission you know
Maemi:so do I get the blades now
Volkar:don't you love how I show up to answer your questions
Maemi:no, I hate it. You're never concrete with anything
Volkar:*smiles* you don't get them yet but I will give you two swords so you can be prepared for using such things
Maemi:okay then
Volkar:*sticks her hand out as she creates a massive great sword and a katana* here we go
Maemi:*grabs them* I wonder how different it'll feel when I get the real things
Celine:sure you can use those, we never even trained for weapons
Maemi:*crosses them as she puts them over her back* I'm confident, I'll learn along the way
Volkar:great, your mission is pretty simple actually
Maemi:what is it
Volkar:to exterminate the gang of trolls that sieged a small town
Maemi:trolls
Volkar:don't tell me you're scared
Maemi:*smiles as she clenches her fist* as a matter of fact, I hate trolls so let's go guys
Volkar:I'm sure if you walk along the path you'll get it
Maemi:what's that supposed to mean
Volkar:nothing, have fun *vanishes*
Maemi:tch, she always does that
Simon:I think I know what town she's talking about
Maemi:thank you for being useful
Simon:I'll take us there but it's a few hours on foot
Maemi:direction then
Simon:you mean directions
Maemi:whatever, just show me
Simon:okay then
All:*walk off*
Maemi:there are creatures out here right
Simon:besides native rundgar and xelia you don't get too many creatures out here
Maemi:those xelia, are they strong
Simon:they're actually peaceful creatures, they don't engage in conflict
Maemi:guess I'm going for those reptiles then
Simon:you don't have to
Maemi:I want to test out these swords
Shauna:the goddess made them so they should be fine
Maemi:guess I'll just wait till we get to those trolls huh
Celine:I'm sure it'll be fun once we get there
Maemi:I'm gonna decimate them
Simon:why do you hate trolls
Maemi:let's just say in the things I've read there aren't many trolls that are decent beings, quite disgusting
Shauna:these trolls tend to form group with a leader who orders them around
Maemi:so they're intelligent
Shauna:not really, they just use numbers to try and overwhelm their opponents
Maemi:basic tactics
Simon:but the leaders possess immense strength and they're pretty big
Maemi:shouldn't be too hard
Shauna:you're inexperienced with those swords so I doubt it'll be easy
Maemi:no, I have a pretty good gist of how to use these
Shauna:can't wait to see it
Celine:don't be too reckless even with your potential, you're not invulnerable
Maemi:no, I get to use to reinforcement magic now
Celine:oh
Maemi:I'm marking these guys with one swing each
Simon:can't wait to see it then
Maemi:*smiles* I'll be the strongest
*somewhere in the forest*
Dan:*straight punching a tree* I'm bored, there are no strong enemies to pique my interest. Maybe I should've went back to find that blonde chick, she was pretty decent
All:*walking*
Maemi:are you sure we're going the right way
Simon:yes, I'm following the map
Maemi:you're totally lost aren't you
Simon:I'm not, just trust me
Celine:pfft
Shauna:just give me the map, I'll do the directions
Maemi:do you even know how to read a map
Shauna:I'm not the one asking for directions here
Maemi:you wanna go!
Shauna:I don't waste time with children
Maemi:Simon give me your staff, actually no, I'm gonna do this with hand seals
Shauna:hand seals?
Maemi:*crosses her thumbs* just watch
Dan:(it's that blonde chick but who's that kid, she seems pretty strong)
Celine:come on, no time to be fooling around we have people to save
Dan:*runs over* (gotta test my theory)
Celine:kid this is your first real test, beat him in hand to hand combat
Maemi:*steps in* haha!
Dan:*strikes*
Maemi:*kicks colliding with him*
Dan:she must've trained you
Maemi:*lowers his hand as she hook kicks*
Dan:*pulls back and blocks*
Maemi:*smiles as she slams her foot down then steps in low*
Dan:*knees her in the face* guess it wasn't an-
Maemi:*steps up and uppercuts him* too easy!
Dan:*falls back* what
Maemi:*leans over him as she smiles* join my team loser, I'll show you true strength
Dan:(I lost?!)
Maemi:saw that, my reflexes kicked in
Celine:hey Dan, it's been awhile yeah? Last time we met we were just a couple of teenagers
Dan:what did you make
Celine:that's all because she's the one who will defeat the demon lord, all I did was give her lessons
Dan:*sits up*
Maemi:so that's your name, pretty basic but I like it
Dan:how did you
Maemi:it was simple, I just used the crouching dragon
Dan:crouching dragon?
Maemi:I knew you would knee me like that, the old me probably would've lost right there but thanks to Celine's training I'm confident in taking attacks like that
Dan:I see
Maemi:it was a good one though *sticks her hand out* so be my buddy!
Dan:*blushes then grabs her hand* yes
Maemi:*pulls him up*
Dan:so where are you headed
Celine:towards a town that was sieged by trolls
Dan:you know I've been hearing shrieking sounds so it's possible that you're not far if you found me
Maemi:sweet, I can't wait to tear them up, I really wanna do this
Celine:*puts her hand on her head* calm down, save all that for when you fight them
Maemi:why did you leave the town
Dan:I was bored, nobody could beat me, nobody dared to challenge me, Celine had left the forces, there was nothing to pique my interest anymore
Maemi:I see, classic case of loneliness
Dan:I would've went for Celine but I sensed your strength, I didn't know you were the warrior
Maemi:yeah but I'm getting used to it now, I'll save your world okay
Dan:of course
Maemi:I like your eyes, the two different colors go really nice
Dan:*blushes* oh thank you, my mother was a Xelia so it was only natural
Maemi:oh
Dan:she was a strong one and my father was the master of the dojo
Maemi:so you were a child of promised blood, no wonder you're strong
Dan:I guess so
Simon:seems like they're getting along nicely
Celine:are you jealous
Simon:no, I couldn't be anymore happy that she's getting her objectives complete
Celine:fair enough, guess it's different for you male healers
Simon:what's that supposed to mean
Celine:because healers are usually women, this generation just so happened to get a female warrior, so your practical use isn't as valued I guess
Simon:oh, you mean those
Celine:not like she's that kind of person either
Simon:it doesn't matter, I'm just here to lend support that's all it is
Celine:fair enough
Maemi:come on, let's go
Celine:okay
Simon:mm
All:*walk off*
*at the sieged town*
Trolls:*walking around*
Maemi:that's the place
Dan:don't just rush in
Maemi:who are you to tell me what to do
Dan:because you don't have to waste time on the fodder, it's what they want
Maemi:then what do you suggest
Dan:we take out that big guy right there, once he's down the others will lose all sense of order then they're easy targets
Maemi:fine
Celine:*steps past them*
Simon:miss Celine
Celine:I'm giving you an opening besides, they can't even pierce my skin
Troll:*looks over*
Celine:*walking over*
Troll:*shrieks then pulls out a knife and runs towards her*
Celine:*looks back and smiles*
Troll:*runs in and stabs as the knife breaks*
Celine:oh sorry, were you trying something
Troll:*runs to the side*
Archer troll:*shoots an arrow from the roof of a house*
Celine:*dodges* too easy
Knife troll:*runs over and hops on her shoulders then stabs to her neck as the knife shatters*
Celine:*grabs it by the neck then slams it face first into her knee* I didn't want to attack yet but you stink
Archer troll:*grabs an explosive arrow then pulls back*
Shauna:*sticks her hand out as she holds her staff while the tome floats beside her*
Maemi:good one
Shauna:Pyrus casting:12th circle magic
Dan:flame magic
Shauna:*points in the direction then closes her hand* combust
Archer troll:*looks over as it gets hit by fire and disintegrates in the flames*
Shauna:go on now, we can handle it from here
Maemi:cover Simon
Dan:I'm not a babysitter
Simon:isn't it better we all stick with someone
Maemi:okay, then stick with the mage
Simon:okay
Maemi:you're with me
Dan:heh *cracks his knuckles* easy enough, first one to reach the big guy wins okay
Maemi:*pulls out the massive great sword* I guess this is what Dunkai would be like
Dan:wow
Maemi:come on
Dan:yeah
Both:*run in*
Celine:*standing there and yawning as she gets bombarded with attacks* you guys are boring
Sword troll:*swinging the sword as it does no damage*
Celine:*punches it to the ground*
Both:*run past*
Celine:(seems like they're having fun with this)
Troll:*shrieks as it grabs a rock staff*
Maemi:*slices it in half as she runs past*
Dan:*kicks one in the face then steps to the side and back elbows another one* too easy
Maemi:*runs in as she hops up and swings* you're mine now!
Vurg:*blocks with his hand* I knew they would send some people but you're a bit different than the others
Maemi:*hops back*
Vurg:*looks over* but that's fine, I'll decimate you and the whole squad by myself
Maemi:*smiles as she gets in stance* Chimera style
Vurg:*runs in and strikes*
Maemi:*loosens up as she dodges then turns and swings the sword into his side*
Vurg:*grabs the blade*
Maemi:*pulls it out of his grip then swings to his neck*
Vurg:*blocks as it goes into his wrist* are you really a warrior as they say, such swings will never penetrate my body, you are weak
Dan:*kicks one away then hops in and kicks* take this then!
Vurg:*blocks with his hand* I'll destroy you as well, just wait your turn
Maemi:*aura flows around her sword as she gets in stance* Tera casting:7th circle magic, five circle enhancement
Dan:*hops over*
Maemi:*slashes as she cuts his hand off before shifting her grip and slashing him across the body*
Vurg:*blood sprays from his body* what did you do?!
Maemi:*slashes through his ankles* now fall
Vurg:*falls to his side*
Dan:*comes down and drop kicks him in the face*
Vurg:*rolls over and strikes*
Dan:*blocks as he's blown back*
Maemi:*sheathes her sword then pulls out the katana as she sticks her hand out*
Vurg:you damn humans
Maemi:Lightnear casting:10th circle, fifteen circle enhancement
Shauna:*looks over* that's impossible
Simon:she's stacking the magic then imbuing it into the sword
Maemi:*katana glows as she gets in stance before vanishing and cutting off his head* lightning blade cut
Trolls:*eyes widen as they look around before stumbling about*
Celine:guess she got it then
Maemi:*standing there as an aura flows around* haha, I like this feeling
Simon:(she truly is the hero of this world)
Maemi:*gets in stance as electricity sparks around her before going into a magic circle above her* Lightnear casting:11th circle magic, sixteen circle enhancement
Shauna:even more
Celine:what a show off
Maemi:*vanishes around slicing through the trolls* you're all dead!
Dan:(will I be able to catch up to such strength?)
Maemi:*lands as she sheathes the katana and exhales* what a workout, I didn't think it'd be so tiring
Celine:you just like to show off huh
Maemi:I'm definitely gonna be the strongest
Celine:well, the warrior of the next generation will most likely surpass you
Maemi:even so, they'll never be as great as me
Dan:so then, where do we go now
Shauna:this was our first mission
Dan:so there will be more
Simon:yes, the goddess should inform us or we'll make our way back
Dan:I see *sits down* that was something
Maemi:you weren't too bad but I was expecting more from you
Dan:sorry I'm not some chosen warrior like you
Maemi:*pats his head* just watch me and learn then maybe you'll get strong too
Dan:tch, I am strong
Maemi:wanna go then
Dan:hell yeah, you're on!
Maemi:*tosses the swords down* good, I need something to keep me entertained
Dan:I'm going all out this time, that was just a test the first time
Maemi:yeah yeah
Dan:I'll let you know, that technique you used before won't work on me anymore
Maemi:okay
Dan:so please try something new, like what you did against that troll guy
Maemi:*gets in stance* we'll see if you're worth it
Dan:*steps into her range as he crosses her ankle*
Maemi:*steps out and left hooks*
Dan:*pivots as he dodges then back elbows*
Maemi:*blocks and parries as she middle kicks*
Dan:*blocks then round kicks*
Maemi:*steps back*
Dan:*steps in and knees*
Maemi:*steps off his knee then vanishes*
Dan:hm
Maemi:*steps up and uppercuts*
Dan:*goes to block with his elbow*
Maemi:*turns as she hops up and kicks grazing his eyebrow*
Dan:*blood drips down as he steps back* just a lucky shot
Maemi:*smiles then catches herself on her hands as she pivots into an axe kick*
Dan:*blocks then grabs her ankle as he lifts her up*
Maemi:*turns and kicks him in the face*
Dan:*lets go then steps in as he strikes*
Maemi:*front elbows him in the face then turns and pele kicks him in the chest*
Dan:*slides across the ground*
Maemi:hehe, that was fun
Dan:(she really is stronger than me) damn
Maemi:*sticks her hand out* you're not bad, I'm sure you'll get up to my level in no time
Dan:I hope so
Maemi:besides I know you're holding back
Dan:hm
Maemi:in a world like this, there's no way that you don't have a special technique especially if you do martial arts
Dan:why would I-
Maemi:it's fine to have an ace in the sleeve, you shouldn't have to show me such things since I'd just take them from you anyway
Dan:*looking up at her*
Maemi:*yawns and stretches* now then, can we get another mission before I get bored
Celine:you can always train with me, not like I have much to teach but it's good to test out your strength
Maemi:okay
Celine:*sticks her hand out*
Maemi:oh I see *clasps her hand*
Celine:*pushes against her*
Maemi:*pushes back* I'm not the same person I was a few weeks ago
Celine:*flexes her muscles as she starts pushing her down* but that doesn't mean you've surpassed me yet
Maemi:*tightens her muscles and pushes back*
Celine:well, it's good you improved but it's still not enough *pushes her down*
Maemi:tch *lets go*
Celine:you've really lost your touch if you lost to a kid who can't even beat me
Dan:what, do you wanna go
Celine:I don't mind, at this rate you'll just be another name to the list
Dan:*gets up* don't be mad when I make you bleed
Celine:just try it
Maemi:then we do this together
Celine:sure I don't mind
Dan:don't get in my way
Maemi:you better use those techniques sparingly, every one you use will eventually become mine
Dan:tch *gets in stance* then I'll just start with the basics if you really wanna take from me then take everything from the ground
Maemi:this is why I like you
Celine:come on now, don't waste my time
Dan:come to me, I won't be moving from this spot
Celine:*appears beside him as she strikes* okay then
Dan:*deflects then chops*
Celine:*blocks the knees*
Dan:*blocks then back elbows*
Celine:*steps into the attack*
Dan:*puts his hand on her shoulder as he steps back then swiftly hits her in the body several times*
Celine:*right hooks*
Dan:*ducks*
Celine:*uppercuts*
Dan:*parries then upper palms her in the chin before stepping in and punching her in the body* Great fist arts:Basic strike
Celine:*smiles then clotheslines*
Dan:*blocks then puts her in and elbow hold* you still use those same brutish moves from before
Celine:*flexes her muscles then turns and tosses him off* and you're still too neat
Maemi:*steps in and kicks*
Celine:*blocks then chops*
Maemi:*parries as she holds her wrist out to the side then horizontal fist strikes her in the body* Chimera style:Great fist basic strike
Dan:(she really copied the format and put it in her own style) what a bastard you are
Celine:*front kicks her back* not bad, you have a knack for that
Maemi:*slides back then gets in stance as she smiles* of course
Celine:then you don't mind me taking this a bit more seriously do you
Maemi:not at all
Dan:*exhales then hops up and down* okay then
Celine:*runs in and strikes*
Maemi:*hops over her then back kicks to her head*
Celine:*ducks then turns as she right hooks*
Maemi:*parries and back kicks to her head*
Celine:*steps into the attack*
Maemi:*turns and kicks her in the face* triple air kicks
Celine:*upper kicks* I can kick too
Maemi:*backflips over as she lands*
Dan:*runs in from the side*
Celine:*turns and knees*
Dan:*blocks as he left hooks*
Celine:*parries then uppercuts*
Dan:*parries with his elbow then steps in vertical fist strikes her in the solar plexus*
Celine:*middle kicks*
Dan:*blocks then chops*
Celine:*dodges then kicks a piece of earth at him*
Dan:*centers himself then swiftly strikes several times destroying it*
Celine:*steps in as she cocks her hand back*
Dan:*cuffs his hand*
Both:*strike creating a shockwave*
Maemi:*runs in and strikes* don't forget about me!
Celine:*smiles then grabs his hand as she slides him over*
Dan:*parries then tosses her over* take the assist
Maemi:*turns and axe kicks*
Celine:*steps back*
Maemi:*hops in and knees*
Celine:*blocks*
Maemi:heh
Celine:*backhands*
Maemi:*blocks as she goes down and kicks her ankle*
Celine:*stomps*
Maemi:*rolls to her feet then hops away*
Dan:*gets in stance as a trigram circle appears on the ground* Great fist ultimate technique:Zero square strike
Celine:*vanishes then appears beside him before stepping around him and kicking to his temple from the side*
Dan:*deflects as he steps in*
Celine:*slams her foot down and steps out of his range*
Dan:*strikes an energy fist towards her* Zero
Celine:*blocks as she slides back* tch
Maemi:I see now *copies his stance as an aura flows around before she channels the energy into her fist and strikes a massive shockwave* Ventus casting:7th circle magic, two circle enhancement
Dan:using magic, I thought you said you'd take everything from me
Maemi:I'll get that one soon enough besides, I'm not here to take your techniques
Celine:*stomps her foot into the ground as she lifts up her hand creating an earth wall* Tera casting:10th circle magic
Dan:seems like that did well enough
Maemi:*smiles* so she's really taking this seriously now
Celine:*steps out from behind the wall* okay, let's take a break now
Maemi:what
Celine:*smiles* besides, don't you want to save all that for when we battle the demon lord
Maemi:fine
Simon:we've gotten far so quickly
Shauna:soon enough we'll be battling the demon lord
Simon:I'll provide as much support as I can
Shauna:yeah, we're all going to make it out of this
Simon:of course, no matter what happens as long as the demon lord is slain that is all that matters