Round Two: (1) Blank v (9) Baneblades

[AsukaStrikes]

"Hey, Rheawien. Who are these people we're fighting against?"

The dusty road leading to Team Baneblades' destination, though falling into disrepair from years of neglect, was surprisingly well-travelled and the two fighters never quite found a stretch of road without LCC fans or over-enthusiastic hawkers to join in their travel. Their overzealous gawks and chatty mouths, coupled with with the fact neither one of Team Baneblades was able to acquire a ride to their battleground was starting to get the best of the redhead. She decided to veer off the path and into the damp, ankle-high grass off to the side. It was a wonderful respite from the billows of dry, itchy brown powders being thrown at her from the merchant cart in front. The sun just peeking out from behind the dense foliage lining one side of the path. Her past life in Akashima had always been in and around the furnace, watching her father strike his sturdy hammer on the glowing piece of metal soon to take the lives of warriors, thieves and the innocent alike. The heat of the sun was nothing like that. Not the warmth she experienced being so close to the burning coal and charred steel. The sun was imposing. So distant, yet unforgiving.

The throng of spectators hurried ahead of her, unconcerned about whoever was going to be fighting their beloved hero reincarnate. It seemed as though the multitude didn't care what kind of devious plot was bubbling away at the top of his mind. All they wanted to see was whether the revered elven general Damon Kaosi had indeed been reincarnated.

Asuka wasn't enjoying this tournament a lot, either. Not since the team they were supposed to be fighting dropped out even before she could even see a shadow. It irked the lass to have to wait for her opponent and it turned out she was going to find no thrill, no rush of adrenaline to slake her thirst for battle. Hopefully, this round won't be the same.

The Akashiman swordsmaiden listened intently to the words of her drow partner as she went on about the Ice Elemental and his partner, a rather young kid with unimpressive looks. Ashiakin... heh. I remembered that guy. It was a vague recollection from loitering in the Lounge back in the Serenti. The supposed Ancient was said to have lost to a young, upstart fist-fighter. A mere child at that as well. What a laugh.

Of course, Asuka couldn't help reminding herself that she almost ended up in the same position, nearly swept to her demise by the chilly embrace of the southern ocean. At least, Asuka contemplated as the Baneblades neared their destination, Mine was an equal.

Ever since the encounter at the swampy battleground, Asuka still knew little about her drow partner. The lass figured Rheawien wasn't much of a talking type and neither was she. But a little communication couldn't hurt from time to time, now that she thought of it.

The voices around Asuka drifted into the back of her mind, growing quieter by the second until only the sound of blood coursing through her temple was the only thing she could hear. It was irrelevant how many people came to cheer for Team Blank. How skilled the legendary Ice Elemental and the supposed reincarnation was and how easily they both demolished their previous roadblock.

Yamihara.

The one and only reason why she was ever in this cursed tournament, or any kind of battle at all. She needed to find her. Find out why they are alike in more than just one way. What that girl's connection is to her.

Fame is one way to go about finding a person. Her loss in the Serenti would forever leave a scar, physically and mentally. The Lornius Corprorate Challenge was perfect for her to regain the drive for battle and buffer the spirit after losing so badly. And with the island as the prize, it couldn't be any better.

((OK, let's get to that pagoda. You can bunny Asuka as she snapped back to reality.))