Chapter 70 - A Light For A Brighter Future

At noon, there was a ceremony held in the Lotus Chamber for the surviving acolytes. During which, elders presented each of them with the customary set of [Black Dragon Robes], to commemorate their promotions into fully-fledged [Dragon Monks].

But Akira couldn't care less, and Kanna couldn't even show up while she was still being tended after by chi healers. Then there was the [Scrawny Monk], who had fallen completely mute ever since his intimate encounter with Purple Fox. So it would seem, out of them all only Ai was the least bit excited by the whole affair—running up to Guy Fly, who was present in the attending crowd of acolytes, monks, and instructors, just as soon as she'd received her black robe.

Kiki was also among those in attendance, bitterly watching the two kiss and hug before then walking up to Akira with a warm smile.

"I'm glad you're alive," she said, then bent to kiss Akira on the top of her head.

But Akira made no reply, betraying not even the slightest shift in her stony disposition. Remaining like this after the ceremony had ended, when Kiki walked her back to their dorm.

It was a claustrophobically small, sparse room with a bamboo-framed single-sized bed placed against the wall. A clay washing sink with a mirror and a wobbly tinder made dresser, but nothing else in the way of furnishings. A small rectangular window aligned with a row of iron bars.

Kiki had always thought it more like a prison cell; especially now, with the day's somber tone.

"The next delivery is in five days," she said, as she sat Akira down on the foot of the bed draped in plain brown sheets. Then softly, slowly laid her down, resting her head against the pillow. 

"I already made the arrangements for us. So please, just rest until then. Ok?" 

"Kiki…" Akira murmured, taking her hand.

"Yes?" Kiki lowered to her knees by the side of the bed, clutching Akira's hand in hers tightly. "What is it?"

"Shouldn't we both...give up?"

Kiki tilted her head down, grinning. 

"Akira. If you're about to suggest we break up again—"

"No, no. I meant adventuring."

Kiki grew silent. She knew that faded look in Akira's eyes all too well: a trial survivor, questioning if what they'd had to sacrifice in exchange for more power was truly worth it. 

She sighed, being brought back to painful memories.

"I was...the only one who survived," she said, casting her eyes away with a pained look. "So the golems all came after me at once, using"—she grimaced, crossing her arms tightly—"every hole they could find, even my ears and my nose. For the whole five hours."

Akira sat up in the bed sharply, concern growing on her face as Kiki continued:

"But, I still didn't give up trying to become stronger"—she looked straight at Akira—"not when I had a promise to keep. Or else, I would've gone through all that torture for nothing."

Akira furrowed her brow. "What's your goal now?" she asked plainly. "You've kept your promise to me, so what's driving you now?

"Why continue risking your life?"

In reply, Kiki held up her right arm and bent it to flex the large muscle, pointing at it with her other hand. "This is why."

Akira smiled, pinching to feel its firmness.

"I-Impressive," she said, mustering a tiny smile.

"That's not all—"

Kiki lifted her gi over her head and threw it off so that her chest was only covered by a black tube top bra. Then turned, so that her side was facing Akira, striking a confident pose: showcasing her bare sculpted six-pack body, still dabbed in steamy perspiration from her pre-dawn solo workout routine.

"You told me I have potential as a fighter," she went on to say, as she continued to flex and pose. "So, I've decided to make good use of it—by becoming the best and strongest there is!"

"What for?' Akira frowned. "Why risk it?"

"B-b-because, I…" she murmured, brightly blushing. Before shaking her head and abruptly becoming serious again, with an obsequious bow.

"I want my potential to be used by you!"

Akira sat back, wide-eyed. "Oh?"

Kiki's voice was rising in intensity: "I'll become stronger so that I can help you achieve all your goals!"

"You don't even know my goals."

"It doesn't matter!" Kiki snapped back, shaking her head as she remained bowing. "I believe you can do to many others, and even this entire world, the same as you've done for me."

She lifted her gaze, facing Akira with determination. "So don't give up!"

Akira was touched by Kiki's words.

However, still…

"Vash died, and Kanna was injured…" she mused, her face twisting with anguish at the very thought of something similar happening to Kiki.

"I don't want to lose you, next."

"But you won't! I'll keep improving—until I'm so strong, that you'll never have to worry again!"

"You'll try to reach Level 100?"

Kiki gave a curious look. "Hm? Is that the level limit in this world?"

"You didn't know?"

"N-no...like I told you, the guards in Mithil sent me here right away.

"I barely know anything about this world."

Akira considered this for a moment, then returned with a realization:

"You don't have your Memento yet."

"A Memento? What's that…?"

'Damn it,' Akira thought, turning away sharply. 'I just went through Hell to gain my stupid chi powers, and now I have to deal with one of those bastard Oracles again?' Vash had told her there was one in every major town, so they would have to make a stop by the one in Mithil while the caravan was passing through.

"What's wrong?" Kiki could see the flash of anger on Akira's face. So, to comfort them, she placed herself in Akira's lap; sloping her firm, muscular body close enough that her teenage-sized diminutive breasts were squeezing into Akira's lush mounds. "We can talk about it. Whatever it is."

"It's...nothing," Akira lied, in a seething growl, her desire to rape the Azure Oracle reigniting.

Kiki moved her lips close to Akira's.

"So…" she said in a sensual whisper, biting her lip while she trailed the back of her hand through Akira's bristly red bob-styled hair. Coming so close, Akira could observe the tendons growing and contracting in Kiki's neck as her breathing became more rushed, more impassioned when she seized her by the waist.

"You're right," Akira said. "I can't give it all up now."

Kiki managed a slight laugh through her intense breaths. "I'm...glad. I want to become...the strongest...by daddy's side. To make you proud."

Akira could feel the sticky warmth of her passion oozing out onto her leg.

"I want to see it, too. So don't die."

"Then, I'll become immortal"—she giggled under her breath, bearing a lustful grin—"people will worship the ground I walk on like I'm a Goddess." 

She then closed her eyes, falling into a series of light moans from the pleasure she felt from Akira's soft, furry hands tracing down along her shoulder blades until they reached her lower back. "But no matter what, you'll still always be my daddy."

Akira's eyes widened from hearing this, along with remembering what Ai had said in the trial chamber. Words that had filled her with dread before, but now gave came as a light on a horizon that, so far, had been gloomy.

'Kiki...could she be the one? My very own bravest warrior, and most ardent defender?'

The very thought titillated her.

"I want to see you prove your devotion now, then."

"Nooo, but you need your rest…"

"So we'll cultivate until we fall asleep."

"Nooo, but I have classes—" Akira broke off her words with a kiss, then drew away.

"Not anymore. Today you're graduating."

The rest of the morning and afternoon passed by quickly, with the two making love for the next several hours before falling asleep curled into each other's arms.

Until, as daylight was fading, they were suddenly awoken by a loud banging at the door.

"Who is it?" Akira yelled grumpily.

Jumping up quickly, she donned her [Black Dragon Gi] and rushed to the door while Kiki remained wrapped in the sheets, as the banging incessantly continued.

"Who's banging on doors at this hour?"

She threw open the door, ready to deliver a staunch lambasting, but stopped when she saw—

"K-Kanna," she said, her face turning pale.

It was none other than Kanna, standing there: Her pastel pink hair a disheveled mess and her gi draped over her shoulders, untied at the waist. No pants, only plain white underwear. Long white bandages were wrapped across her chest, from shoulder to shoulder, covering the stubs that were left of her arms.

"Akira," she said in a brooding, low voice. 

She had her leg raised in a knee, as she was just about to hammer it against the door again.

Akira backed, panicking. "Kanna, I—"

"You're sorry, right?" she spat, breathing deeply—looking like she was about to explode on her—only to drop her head and release it with a long, defeated-sounding sigh. "It's not your fault, Akira.

"It's really...because of me."

Her teardrops pattered against the wooden floor as Akira nervously hovered by, wondering how to console her.

"I let my anger get out of control, and I attacked that golem," she went on to say, her voice cracking with emotion. "I forced us both into a fight we weren't prepared for, and now...Vash is…"

Akira slowly sat Kanna with her on the ground.

"It's also my fault," she sternly professed. "I shouldn't have allowed things between us to get this bad"—she held Kanna's head against her shoulder to cry on—"I've been neglectful of your feelings for so long, Kanna. I was so focused on always pushing forward. Always expanding. I forgot that you and Ai had needs, too."

"Don't guilt yourself. We're both only human..." she sobbed, glancing over Akira's shoulder to see Kiki lying in the bed, holding her breath nervously.

Sighing, she gave an amused look.

"Ara ara, you're the worst, Akira-kun."