A Wolf Among the Sheep

Keening Edges

Taking a deep breath, Dekeu waited for her trainer to move. He clasped his own weapon, or rather training tool, while she gripped two wooden blades. This was a practice spar, nothing more, nothing less. They circled in a clearing, near the trees. She had been practicing nonstop since then, only breaking for food and rest. Before, she had been soundly beaten, but now... now Dekeu knew not to underestimate her mentor. But... he wouldn't give her time to think. On Friday, he would, but now? Not so much. He charged forward, using his ax in a downward cut. She attempted to deflect, but it turned out to be a feint in order to break her guard. Instead of a blow from that, all he did was wind her with the end of his weapon slamming into her gut. Not taking this lying down, she dodged out of the way from the next attack, to the right, before launching herself back with her foot. With both sticks, she slammed into him, before whaling on him with a flurry of blows. The first two hit, but the last was deflected off of his own training weapon. The two continued, a dance between master and student, until...

Looping her "blade" under the ax, she pulled it away, disarming the dwarf. Discarding it to the side, she pointed it at his throat.

Durin grinned, pleased somewhat, but bittersweetly so. After all... since she won... she could leave. He didn't have to care anymore, but... it was a lot like his experience with Higari, in a way. Hopefully... her mission didn't kill her in the end.

With the student helping the master up, he stated, "So, you have won. As promised, ye are free to keep the blades ye've tried to take twice now." Pulling them from behind, he handed them to her. "Just know that ye may find what you seek."

"I understand." She bowed to him, before securing the katanas on her belt. She already wore rough garb, something that would be something a ronin of old would wear, before taking a pack of supplies. It was made before the fight, inclining her to believe that he may have known the result of this fight. Still, she accepted the gifts, and didn't look back. Back in the forest she had crashed in, Dekeu was ready for vengeance. Death to the Savage.

Dr. Garaki walked through the hospital, well, his hospital. Ever since the Master was killed... he'd been, aimless, for lack of a better word. Oh sure, he'd made more nomu, but there was no cause for them to exist for. No reason. He feared not the heroes, who had no clue, but someone different. Passing by a few doctors, he smiled at them warmly. It was always good to see people treating others. It was part of his passion for quirks, after all, and a large part of why he respected the Master when he was still alive. He had the potential to create paradise, and did, for a while. He could experiment and discover the nature of quirks without issues of ethics or anything else to get in the way.

Reaching his office, he opened the door, entered, and closed it behind him... only for a voice to reach his ears. One he was petrified of.

"Hello, Doctor."

Slowly turning, he found Apollyon, hiding in the corner of his darkened office, holding the door shut with her strength. There was no escape now. However... her sword was not at the ready. Putting on a smile, he welcomed her. "H-hello, Apollyon. I'm surprised you found me..."

"I put Giran to task, as well as combing through my own memories. When he couldn't find you, I remembered, that, yes, we had met before. Long ago, under a different name." Before he could be allowed to think about that, she continued, "Still, that life is dead and gone. And this isn't about me, but about you." Leaning closer to the diminutive man, Garaki couldn't see past the skull-like visage, similar to the life support gear the Master possessed for emergencies... before she started, standing tall. "Normally, I despise people like you. Weak, pathetic, yet pretending you're... special, in some way. You should have stuck to just medicine. Still, I'm not here because I want to kill you. I'm here because as much as I despise your work, I need your help."