Shut-in

Anti-social, shut-in – I could describe her in many ways, but I also see that she's scared. What did our goddess do…

Toki waves in front of her, trying to seem less awkward. “It's fine, really; it didn't really affect us in any way.”

“Oh…” she let out a sigh of relief.

Shina, sensing the direction where this is going, steps towards the apologetic girl, ready to commit to what she planned.

Toki, seeing her get closer, grabs his spear and extends it to his right side, effectively blocking her approach.

“We have to do this,” she whispered.

Toki shakes his head in denial, his spear not budging at all despite her insistence.

“Shina, I have doubted you from the start. You haven't given me a reason to extend my trust further towards you in any manner.” His mouth opened firmly and closed efficiently.

Shina grabs the spear handle, her grasp making best use of the borrowed strength.

She firmly states, “I’m not suggesting an alternative. You have proved to me that you at least care about us. So don’t break what you built with me, even if it's minimal.”

Ayuri, in the background, senses the situation evolving and prepares her drum major stick. At her command, she could ensnare both of them, completely stopping any sort of fight from happening.

The shut-in stares at their confrontation with an increasingly terrified expression, causing her to shiver. “I can apologise more; I can do anything if you just forgive my goddess’s wrongdoings. Please forgive us.”

I already stated that she did nothing to us… This is more trouble than it's worth. However, letting her die at Shina is already worse.

“Shina, this is your last chance.” He glanced down towards her right hand, seeing her orb manifested; her decision was already clear, but giving one final chance wasn’t going to be an issue.

Her voice softened, “Toki”.

Why is she using my name now? Her behaviour wasn’t entirely usual, and her story made no sense. The idea now, after all this, is that she decides to call my name.

He glared into her eyes; it was sharp and threatening. She was threading a line just like he was.

Shina’s face turned more sour, her face lowered. “I made my choice.”

She forces the orb from her hand towards Toki suddenly, the combined power she got from all her absorptions making her speed abnormally fast at such a close range.

I can’t dodge in time.

The orb urges closer to his face, just a mere moment away from clashing, until it freezes in place.

“Huh,” Shina mumbled out quietly.

Her eyes take in the sight underneath, golden threads hanging around her entire arm pulling themselves down into the ground, surely stunning her movement completely.

“Shina, that's enough.” Ayuri's voice rose higher and shifted to demanding.

Sensing the inevitability of her situation, she dissipates her orb away from existence, letting herself succumb to Ayuri’s demands.

“Let go of me,” a hint of annoyance in her words, not expecting Ayuri to intervene so fast.

She just tried to kill me. There's no choice for me either; she won't stop after Ayuri frees her.

Toki grips his spear before turning it around and sending a strike towards the immobile Shina.

He hears a tap moments away from the strike, the golden threads stopping his spear as well. Ayuri clearly wasn’t taking any sides.

“Toki, I expected that as well. Both of you turning against each other in such a moment.” Her voice was sharp, almost condescending. Ayuri never got like this, and it shows they pushed her far enough.

I should at least respect her decision. Ayuri knows that she killed Hiwo, most likely as well. If she decides to let her live, then I won't kill her yet. Once the games near their end, I will get revenge, however.

“I understand you, Ayuri. I promise I won't attack her.” Softening down his voice, he made sure not to speak of any ill intent.

She taps the drum major stick onto the grass, the tap shaking the ripples around it before the threads slowly retreat from Toki’s spear down into the ground, his spear more defensive, still unsure of Shina’s intent.

“Let me go as well,” Shina demanded.

Ayuri shook her head. “Promise me that you won't attack that girl or Toki.”

“I promise,” her calm voice clearly left nothing to imagine.

Tapping her drum major stick, she moves the binds of the thread off of Shina’s body, letting them flow down. Shina doesn't move despite her ability to try to prove she's not a threat.

“That promise actually worked…” Toki chuckled to himself.

The girl watching the scene thanks them, “Thank you for accepting my apology. Seeing your team member is unable to attack me because of your presence, I'm thankful for that too.”

“It's nothing really,” Toki exclaimed.

Ayuri nodded as well. Shina didn't even reply; she just stood frozen, watching her walk off in a bit of disgust.

“What's with the face?” Ayuri pokes the side of her cheek.

You shouldn't be teasing her like that, especially after what we just did…

A bit of sweat runs down his face at the situation.

“She used her power on me,” said Shina, still glaring towards the leaving figure.

Toki sighed, “She didn't even do anything? What do you mean, you used it on you?”

“He's right, Shina; stop being so wary.”

Her expression didn't change; she just kept glaring. “When she finished her sentence, I felt a magical restraint put on me, like my body got put under a lock. That's also why she worded that last part.”

enough time wasting

Toki sighed again. “What happened to Hiwo? We need to be fully certain.”

“Shina, please tell us,” Ayuri pleaded.

She keeps her promises, it seems. Based on her personality, she wouldn't be the type to lie, but judging by her beloved goddess, it might just be an act.

“I don't want to talk about it,” she said as she walked off towards the tents. She leaned into the middle one and just closed it from the inside, leaving Ayuri and Toki to ponder.

Toki looks at the locked tent, and an idea emerges within. “Ayuri, let’s sleep together tonight, so we’ll be safe.”