Race to The Finish!

Kardia Shore, Midday, Ruins

Immediately hiding behind a wall Kiizu took a moment to look onward towards where the path towards a now illuminating blue light soared high into the sky. Noticing other Chasers running towards the cliff she quickly ran after them as they began to engage in combat with each other.

"Out of my way I'm getting there first!"

"Piss off! Go take care of your girlfriend you idiot!"

"Please stop fighting you two!"

Running up to the figures she immediately slid past them which caught them off guard as the fair young girl zoomed past ignoring their argument entirely. The young men whilst engaged immediately separated and looked at her then at each other and nodded and gave a quick handshake before storming off after her leaving their friend behind.

"H-Hey! Wait for me!"

Not taking a moment to look back Kiizu pressed on then keeping her breathing to a rhythm as she learned from her brother from their daily runs in the forest how important it was to keep a steady pace while sprinting.

'I can do this!'

As she sprinted through the ruins, she noticed another figure swiftly running in front of her as well. It was another girl whose short hair would have confused others to be a boy if it were not for her feminine features reflecting in the midday sun. Taking a glance back Kiizu saw a hint of emerald as the girl soon sped away towards the rendezvous point.

Kardia Shore, Midday, Clifftop

Kien was standing above the peak looking around then scoffing at the trapped recruits in the distance. However, turning towards the ruins he noticed a familiar figure.

'So, the brat decided to participate as well.'

Calmly smiling to himself he stretched lightly then walking towards the goal point as he heard footsteps in the distance.

'Already? I guess they're not all trash then...'

Stepping in front of the goal, he awaited the arrival of a group of students who shuddered at his presence. Then, looking at them he glared as if disturbed in their eyes.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Come!"

Meanwhile...

Kiizu began her ascent as the other recruits soon followed after her though as they approached the peak, they stopped suddenly noticing the bodies of recruits strewed along the path. Noticing someone still conscious Kiizu immediately ran out of instinct only to notice the young boy covered in bruises while the others rushed on ahead of her.

"What happened here?"

"No one...can beat him...we're doomed..."

"Wait, who?!"

The boy lost consciousness before she could even ask further as cries were heard ahead of her. Quickly rushing towards the to the sound she was greeted by more Chasers groaning in pain as the sight of Kien tossing one to the side worried her.

"Kien? What are you doing?!"

Kien crossed his arms calmly as the calm winds filled the silence between the two of them. His face becoming more visible to her as she felt the cold gaze fill her with fear yet wonder at the same time.

"Teaching."

"Wha-"

Before she could even speak, he disappeared and went for a struck with his katanas where she was barely able to parry drawing her rusted blade as the ringing sound of their blades sounded in the area.

"At least one of you has good reaction timing."

Silently disappearing once more he appeared in front of her as her heart lurched as their faces were a mere few inches apart. Soon after Kiizu found herself being thrown towards the goal point, the rough ground coating her in dust Kien then returned to where he once stood as her blade laid in front of her.

"W-What are you doing?"

"You passed."

Struggling to move, she soon saw other recruits arriving as she stretched her hand out as Kien began walking towards them.

"Run away!"

Ignoring her cries, they charged at him with whatever they could muster only to shortly be felled by the swordsman who only scoffed wiping the dust from his coat.

"Useless."

As Kien looked at the sky he silently rested as Kiizu stood up then limping over to him pressing herself against his back for support as he stood silent.

"Why are you doing this?"

"You know nothing."

Shrugging her off him he began to walk forward once more as she soon realized she impulsively attached herself to him then flushing red stepping away as his scent filled her senses. Despite feeling a little stubborn about his previous behavior, she could only pout to deal with these feelings in her heart.

“K-Kien-?”

Cutting her off, the same girl that she saw before leaped out aggressively at Kien as he casually parried her with a light smile then pushing her away from him as she tumbled back readying herself for combat.

“Weak.”

“I’m not like the rest of them.”

Kien suddenly appeared behind the girl just like with Kiizu then pressing his blade against the girl’s throat his eyes opening behind her.

“I noticed.”

Meanwhile...

The trio of recruits finally caught up to where Kiizu ran and stumbled upon the littered bodies of other recruits. The young girl examined them as the boys pondered amongst themselves then picking up the dropped weapons from the fallen.

"What do you think happened to them?"

The young girl checked for a pulse and sighed with relief then standing up as the boys brandished their newly acquired weapons. The first held a greatsword in hand, while appearing heavy it's weathered use had rendered it almost useless whereas the other tested the strength of some battle gloves that were clearly worn but were at least usable.

"I can't say, they're not dead but someone or something purposely knocked them unconscious."

The two boys sighed then looking up towards the cliff wondering what to expect as the girl joined then hoisting a quiver of arrows then attaching a string to her bow.

"Great...you think that girl made it through?"

"Probably, I mean we're still alive right?"

"That's comforting..."

The girl pouted at the mention of the other girl but began walking towards the summit with the boys surprised at her behavior.

"Yeah well, you two lovebirds stay here I'll go check things out up there."

"Eh?"

"Wait, you can't be serious. What if you get hurt?"

Turning to them the girl put her hands on her hips and leaned towards them from above clearly expressing her dissatisfaction.

"We've been together since we were children, I can take care of myself just like you two."

The boys shrugged then laughing as they followed along with her towards the summit as the sun began to dip into the horizon.