Heat hung in the air, the humdity of the mountain truly being impressive. It was much more grander in sight than Alisa had made Jikan believe. And somehow, even from her position far far far away at the base of the mountain. It was already the hottest place she had ever been. Maybe it was the sun high in the sky, maybe it was the lava on top of the active mountain that had heat that oozed into the atmosphere from its cooking lava and hot rocks, or maybe it was just the wind and air pressure. Soaking up the heat and using its humidity to emphasis and empower the feeling of warmth to a powerful level.

Either way, Jikan was here. And she was a bit curious to check out the landscape and the cultural significance of this place. Perhaps. She could even catch the people of the island partaking in their cultural spars. Who knows, maybe she could even find someone to do a spar with??

Well Jikan could only wonder and hope that she would be entertained today. Either by finding an interesting piece of knowledge, be it in the purpose to further her knowledge of the world or her power. Perhaps just plan info that would better her magic or how to use it. If she was honest about it, she would not mind just watching two people fight it if was good enough. Either way, it was another day of her vacation on Luluhawa Island. A day to relax and enjoy herself in anyway she could.

With that being said she continued on her way, moving from the base of the mountain, by the shore. Leaving the area and slowly making her way pass the welcome center. Her red hair with black tips swaying slightly in the air as she walked passed the citizens of the island that were outside. She was going to go up the mountain she thought and see what she could find. But, before that, perhaps she should enter the welcome center? There could be a pamphlet or schedule for something...

She word a two piece bikini on this day, a white and purple mixed colored one, black shades over her eyes. Mia was with her, the adorable exceed dressed in a blow bikini, their bag right besides them holding items as usual.

Gear:

Stats:

Mia stepped stepped stepped on the sandy ground. Her cat tail calmly swishing as she walked beside Jikan. She looked up, seeing the face and shades of her companion shift from the path they were on that led up the mountain to the simple well made welcome center. Jikan had not said any word but Mia knew her red headed hair well enough that by simply gazing at the place. She was thinking something. "How about we go in Jikan? Maybe we can get some information about anything going on", she said with her little blue and white hat on her head. An item she pulled out of her bag as she walked over to the welcome center.

Jikan nodded her head, gazing at her exceed as she moved, Jikan began to walk slowly forward. Slow and steady she moved, walking peacefully until she walked into the welcome center. Her eyes free and flowing scanned, not covered by her helmet as shew as not wearing it yet. A few looks and gasps quickly looked at her. Seeing Jikan the Amazon in the flesh on the island. It was rumored that she was here but it was something else to see. An unease could be felt in the room. Jikan had been on 'good' behavior and even apparently helped them. But her mixed reputation did still make them feel on edge a little. She ignored all this and walked forward, Mia's soft pats walking behind her. Moving until she reached the counter.

"You", she spoke eyeing the man at the counter in her plain montone emotionless voice. "Do you have a pamphlet about the volcano or informaton about anything going on around it on this day??'. As best she tried to say this in a question tone, it came out much more as a command.

Mia finished walking behind her friend. Her cat ears picking up the gasping sounds and quiet quiet mouse like whispers a few faces were saying. A lot of fear, uncertainty, questions, and back and forth comments. Jikan name could be heard. Or her epithet. Question about why she was in the area, and if she did anything recent, especially in the area, that was common to be talk about the details. Sometimes accurate details being shared. Other times lies. Somethings truth but stretched or shortened. An annoyance to Mia but Jikan seemed to not care about such things. She apparently gave up a long time ago with clearing up mis-information among people and guilds towards her unless it was direct.

Out by the other booth that Jikan was at. The man stuttered before trying to answer. "Come on now. No need to shake and such man. I simply want information not to break an arm or something", she said in an exaggerated sigh.

"Ah..ah yes. He...here", he said reaching up and grabbing a pamphlet before handing it to her. "There you will find some general fun facts about the Volcano...a..and. Over there is a sheet with state ritual spars that will happen throughout the month. There's one happening today! Soon even, I think it may have already started...", said the man. Fear and worry still in his voice even at Jikan's behest.

She slowly took her hand out, softly taking the pamphlet out of the man's hand before turning and grabbing a copy of the schedule. "Very well. See? Nothing to be so jumpy about". She nodded her head after saying so. Moving with Mia behind her, exiting the welcome center and beginning to move towards the base of the volcano once again. The exceed reading out the information as they do so.

At the moment, if Jikan was being followed, her and Mia had no real idea about such a thing. The fact of such a thing was never something new. A guard trying to keep an eye on her, a curious civilian, some warrior wishing to test their mettle, or even an assassin hired by she got in the way off in the past. Someone was always often watching. It was not paranoia, it was a fact. The months of a figure watching her and Sleeping Calamity with an eye in the sky, literally. Proved that to be the case.

As the area began to become more and more isolated. Hotter and hotter. This feeling stayed in the air, but not quite on Jikan's mind. Hearing a voice suddenly call out her name, one that she did not recognize, she turned to face the source. A plain look of expression on her face while Mia on the other hand jumped into the air. Jikan listened while gazing at the person. She knew Erebus? And was most likely an underline or student given that she said Sensei. An Eternal Nightmare member then?? If so or not, ether way this was not going to be a simple interaction or talk. The look on this unknown figure's face gave her enough to decide that. That maniacal expression, eerie smile. Either she was crazy, a killer, or both.

Jikan would allow Nana to transform before she would move. The sun beamed from above them, the heat adding the the intense humidity caused by the volcanao. Without a word Mia went to work after she jumped into the air. Opening her bag and allowing flashes of light to glow and flow. Instantly leaving the bag and coming to Jikan. Putting her gear on over her causal attire for the day. Jikan felt a surge of power from this lady and soon she saw a familar transformation. One she had gotten use to thanks to her spars with Knuckles. Her purple eyes changes, turning to a dark blood red. Beyond Crimson even. Black Obscura covered parts of her body, wings spreading form her back. Two meters wide of pure demonic energy. But it was different, a...deeper aura came as well. Horns sprouted on top of her green head and more and more of her body was covered in blackness. She was different from Knuckles. She had...another level of demonic in her.

At the same time that Nana raised both of her daggers up, Jikan would raise her hands up. Her demonic hand on her left hand would be held alongside her right hand holding her Mero gauntlet in a boxer stance. Her knuckles facing the sky, hands level and elbows tucked in to her sides. Her body weight centered and her knees slightly bent. She eyed the 7.5 meter distance between them. And then she saw Nana move towards her in a run. Jikan's eyes stayed on the woman as she came and Mia quickly moved out of the way of the battle.

Jikan waited in her guarded stance for a time to rush, the green haired daemon moved and was in front of her. As Nana reached Jikan's arm reach range of 1.5 meters, Jikan threw out a right punch, aiming for the Daemon's chest. With the flow of moments, Jikan did not know if this hit would land or not, if the unknown foe would adjust their movement to avoid the punch or already had something. It was a size up attempt. If it somehow landed it would deal 1xS due to the minor physical resistance of Nana's armor. If the blow landed, it would break the piece of armor she was wearing and deal 1xA to her torso.

If Jikan's strike did not land due to Nana twirling and ducking under her, or simply had time to adjust her planned movements seeing Jikan's punch come. If Nana did decide to twirl and duck under her, Jikan swing out her left leg vertical kick. Angling it travel in between her legs and kick during the path that Nana would have traveled if went through her attempt to roll through Jikan's legs. If this situation happened and kick landed, it would deal 1xS after hitting whatever amored part of Nana's body that was hit.

Wc: 733
twc: 733 / 1800

(broke Nana's armor, dealt 1xA to torso)

As Jikan had watched the green daemon move she was impressed. She proved to be fast and agile. Almost, as fast as her(one tier above). Jikan right now just had enough to be faster in running speed from what she had seen. Jikan had swung her right fist in a jab, and found that Nana was ready for it.  The maneuver she went for sliding her body out of the path of Jikan's punch, causing the punch to glide past. Nana's body rolled, going under her punch towards the ground. Thankfully during the time that this was happening Jikan was able to see her movement and responded. Throwing out a kick that landed when the daemon attempted to strike at her hamstrings under her armor.

Her kick landed, feeling her foot to Nana's chest. Hitting for 3xA damage but being reduced to 1xS due to the physical resistance of her armor. Breaking the armor, Jikan's foot continued to move, carrying the rest of the 1xA damage to Nana's chest. The force sending Nana's body back 4 meters as she tumbled from the force. (speed reduced but still a tier below Jikan).

Normally, Jikan would have not let Nana have a moment to breath. Attacking her again when her body was moving after being knocked away. However, Jikan wanted to wait. Draw this interaction out a little. Find out why this woman was so blood thirsty. It didn't really matter in the end though. If she wanted Jikan's life then Jikan was going to get a thrill out of this. And make her suffer. Her eyes glared through her helmet as she watched the figure shift. Catching her moving body in the ai, 4 meters away from Jikan. An eerie cold feeling oozing from her as she watched. A lioness tracking a hawk.

Inside of her helmet an eyebrow as raised. So, she was a member of Eternal Nightmare? Well this feeling did not make sense then. They helped her break out of Jail, and before that, her fight with Erebus seemed to be only a light spar from her experience. This killing intent she got only made her scoff, she would have to be watchful of this group. More careful than she thought. In response to Nana, Jikan did not say a word, she learned enough from the raid that talking during a fight was only wasteful. Left a person vulnerable.

She moved, running forward to close the distance between the two. She would have to see in time what was an option to her as she ran 8.75 meters per second. If she continued her action she would reach Nana's position from below in a little bit after a half of a second.

Wc: 465
twc: 1198 / 1800

When Jikan decided to run towards Nana she knew that there was going to be a complexity. Nana was air born, and even if it that was not the case approaching a person always gave them at least a slight advantage on a response in her mind. At the same time, that advantage gave Jikan knowledge to go on to expect where they could attack from. Above would be simple and often what others did. But, experience told Jikan that people would change directions and come from odd angles. Trying to make reactions all the more difficult when it came to timing.

But, Jikan wanted to test herself against this never foreseen form and that was what she was going to do! And so, she ran towards Nana. Ending the 4 meter ground distance between them in less than half of 1 second. As she approached she kept her hands up close to her face and body. Not blocking her view but ready to strike or defend her front and top as she watched Nana descend down toward her. Foot first in the form of an axe kick. Where it was aimed at as Nana moved she was not sure, the head...one of the shoulders, but at least she could assume from the path that it was coming. Jikan planned to grab the foot and pull her into a punch. Perhaps even keep a hold and slam her into the ground.


However, it seemed that this fighter was laying a trap. A ruse. Just as Nana reached within Jikan's 1.5 meter arm reach she battled her wings and moved forward, gliding behind Jikan. Thankfully Nana's actions took time, and Jikan had not committed herself to an attack yet. And so as the Daemon somersaulted over Jikan's head to her back. Jikan would swing out with a wide horizontal swipe of her right arm. Hoping to either land a hit against Nana in an exchange or force the Daemon to retreat. The strike coming from her arm hoping to hit one of the arms that held one of Nana's weapons.


Wc: 355
twc: 1553 / 1800

The quickness of breath. The fluid and stiff movements of the body. A sense of challenge and excitement in her core that she could not really explain. Just that it had always existed within since she could even remember. Either way she loved it. The feeling of her blood flowing in her skin, the tingles of air...blades...metal. Against her skin and armor. And the unpredictability and adaptiveness of the art of combat. One that Nana gave nice levels of so far.

The dance of their cat and mouse exchange had ended. Jikan felt her blown hit, her right arm smacking into Nana's unarmed left arm. Hitting for 2xS Damage ( 3xA base, upgraded to 2xS due to melee con damage to a non human race [demi human included]).

It didn't come without effort or lost though. Jikan felt a slash on the armored arm, cutting the armored Calamity robe. She did not pay attention if blood was lost or not. That was a wastful thing to worry about in a fight where one sensed killing intent. Jikan has moved with her swing, shifting her body to face Nana. But after she saw the daemon travel backwards from the blow, Jikan felt her left arm spark in flames. Her demonic arm catching on fire, suffering B rank damage to the limb. Her arm would be hurt but unhindered thankfully.


As Jikan watched the daemon land her feet. Jikan stuck out her left hand, stretching out her demonic arm and letting a few popping sounds come out from her stiff fingers. At this point Nana's body would give out. Taking too much damage that her body could handle. Collapsing to the ground. Jikan would walk over to the unconsciousness daemon after she fell to the ground. She wanted answers.

Wc: 301
twc: 1854 / 1800
A rank wc completed

Note: forgot to input helmet effect on damage earlier. The blow to the torso is upgraded from 1xA to 1xS. This. Claimed hit deals 3xA and due to the upgrade becomes 2xS. Total that is 3xS and all of Nana's con so she become unconious. If you don't have enough wc, ple let me onownwnd we can just take a break tinrlibe and continue the fight in the thread to get the needed word count. Th, for the fight!

It was safe to say that Jikan....was not expecting this at all on this day. She though would be a simple day. Well....at least somewhat of a simple day. Walk onto this new part of the island that was before her eyes, told to her by the guardian of Luluhawa Island; Alisa Vollan, Guild Master of Blue Peagsus. It was a vacation spot that Jikan had chosen, and had hoped to meet or at least the famed witch. That goal was a success, and after a bit of a situation with a few sea monsters; a discussion of the different sites that the Island and its people had to offer. The one spoken about that grew her interest was this place. Ahi Mountain. A place with an active volcano that was connected to the islander's deity. The volcano being a sacred place that was used for ritual combats, spars, and even some ceremonies.

Jikan had come here hoping to see the cultural aspect of these ceremonies, perhaps even witness a few ritual combats. And. If she was lucky. Get to be involved in a spar or some sort of match. Well...perhaps a god smiled on her today, she got that wish. Albeit in an unexpected way...

A Daemon before her who appear with...a bit of killing intent from what she could sense. It was odd. From her words, the unknown fighter seemed to want to just test Jikan's strength. She had a relationship with Erebus so she assumed it was through Eternal Nightmare. But...that only created questions...

"Mia", Jikan said her exceed quickly moving towards her. "Yes Ji?". "...get the rope. I think the site seeing is going to be postponed a little".

wc: 296
twc: 2150 / 2000
A rank wc completed

After Jikan had tied Nana up to a tree, the red headed warrior and her exceed moved away. Mia, moved far far away. Jikan on the other hand, still dressed in her battle gear. Eyed the form. The transformation that seemed more than a simple daemon transformation, now appeared back in her normal human like appearance. The power up coming to an end when her body went unconscious. The peaceful sleeping face a contrast to the twisted look that Jikan had met earlier.

Jikan's eyes stayed on the unknown beauty as she slept...knockout. It was a good thing she kept her gear on, the woman regained consciousness and seemed to be spooked and startled upon opening her eyes once again. Jikan was standing, hands held at her side as she eyed the awakened attacker. Within her helmet though a raised eyebrow as son as the woman began an exuberant unexpected laugh. An...uncontrolled one that did not feel like it was done in mock of her as well. Just... odd. Very odd for the several seconds Jikan heard her laugh.

"So...I take it that Erebus...is this teacher". Jikan said titling her head down to the woman. Angling to have a bigger glee of her eyes within her helmet. "So you wanted to test your skill. But, tell me this. What. Were you intending on doing if you had won against me?".

After speaking, Jikan remained to stay at her position. Her voice showed no emotions or care about how Nana's answer could possible. But her hidden face showed her feelings. Aggravation and interest, curiosity. If she was lied to or not, she would be getting an answer today, information. She demanded such. The Daemon wiggled and fidgeted her legs after Jikan spoke.

Jikan simply continued to look at the gushing Daemon. "Yes, yes we do. He fought in a spar not long ago and he happened to come during a break out I was in. Something about wanting to get me out due to some reason that we weren't able to talk about". She gave a dismissive wave of a hand. Taking the statement to put aside in her head. So Erebus was her teacher. Was this a test for his student then? ...Jikan enjoyed fights....but she did not enjoy being a tool. Unstated or agreed upon. A bit of agitation built in her after that sentence, although, she did let Nana continue speaking and moving as the Daemon turned her head to both sides to see if anyone was nearby. All she would see was Mia, the exceed staying nice and away from the scene.

Oh the Daemon was not helping Jikan's attitude towards her. Her master did not have any ill will towards Jikan. Or at least that was what was said from Nana. It was not even a test, well...that lowered Jikan's attitude. But the nerve of the person. To think she would dare to try and take Jkan's life if she could. ...she was disrespectful...or a little crazy or bold. From how she switched talking and her attitude...Jikan was not sure if it was not all three.

"You. Are a very...different person". Jikan said flatly. She was not sure, but she was really not liking this person. A sweet smile but killer head. It felt like a snake was in her presence. Or a bomb with a half light match going. Fake. Unreal. Unpredictable. "Whatever your teacher does is between him and you. Orders and rules are there between your relationship I assume. What happens from following or not is up to me".

"....Unless...".

This was truly an unique situation Jikan had found herself in today. It had been a long time since she found herself face to face with someone so twisted. She had met a few people that could ve consider concerning or freaks or just monsters in the past. But the last time she had been around someone that gave her a twisted aura like Nana was Ariel, the first guild master of Sleeping Calamity more than two years ago.

And even then, Jikan did not recall Ariel being so...spontaneous and giving a sense of multiple true intentions. You could always tell what evil was going on in the man's head. But Nana. This Daemon seemed twisted in mind and soul. Demented and....cracked. Blurry. Like she was wearing multiple masks. A testament to her skill of social awareness and usage.....or perhaps just a truly crazed individual that was on her way to becoming a monster....no, a devil?

....the cheeky little.

Jikan eyed her as she listened to her response. ...she thought it was annoying. Erebus did not tell her to not attack Jikan. But that also did not mean that Erebus did not tell her to attack Jikan. That is. If Jikan was going to even believe her in the first place.

Perhaps it was all a ruse, Nana trying to cover her tracks in a failed fight or possible assassination attempt. A personal decision or code possibly if it was the case. If not, Nana was just the pain in the butt that took all the possibilities to do any and everything. If she wasn't commanded a no, it could be done. If specific instruction were not given, nuance was given.

....sounded like how Jikan somewhat handled the members of Sleeping Calamity. Huh....how troublesome things could be because of a hungry dagger...

Either way....

"Hmmmm....that answer will depend on the future and my mood. But for now, how about you focus on growing stronger and come at me again in the future?....with the whole.murder crazed eye thing".