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Howl, Makai Knight! (Garo/Senran Kagura)

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[X] Go and say goodbye to Akio.

Forming stronger bonds between fellow Knights is always good.
 
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Arc 10.4: Black And White
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    • If it keeps dying, all I need to do is to keep raising it back.
    ====

    [X] Go and say goodbye to Akio.

    No, I realize. It's exactly because I don't know when Akio will leave that I need to say my goodbyes now, before it's too late and he leaves. "Let's go Mikazuki." I tell the Madogu around my neck. "We need to properly express our thanks to our sempai for everything they did for us."

    "Oh, I fully agree with that. It's just, you know." He replies. "I'm really, really interested in the ritual the he-she-devil and Ichiko-san are doing. If you give me just a few minutes I'm sure I can persuade her."

    "Sorry if I disagree, but knowing Ichiko-san's personality it's unlikely." I shake my head: the Makai Priestess is very headstrong, and from what I saw of her so far unlikely to easily change opinion. "Let's make a compromise. We go and say our goodbyes: when we return I'll let you try to persuade Ichiko-san as much as you like."

    "Uuuh, but by then they may have finished already... Fine, fine." He sighs. "I owe Raio-sempai that much."

    ====​

    When I step into the hall of the hotel where Akio is staying at I see him in front of the counter, speaking with the hotel clerk with two small cases behind him. I wait patiently to the side, watching as they go through a translation of sort, and then speak when the clerk stand up and leave. "Asahi-dono."

    "Ah, Kurogane-san." He greets back with a curt nod. "Why are you here?"

    "I wanted to say goodbye before you left." I throw a quick glance at the two cases. "I guess I arrived just in time?"

    "Correct. My train leave in two hours, I just finished paying the hotel bill." Akio casts a quick glance around, and seeing no one else in the vicinity he faces me. "I have a confession to make: when I was informed the knight assigned to this area was Kiba, I thought the Order didn't just send me because I was stationed nearby, but also to keep an eye on you." He crosses his arms. "You know why."

    "I do, but I don't think it was for that: Baskerville-sama already told me it's here to fulfill that role if necessary." I rub the back of my head. I may not like to think about it, but it remains a reality I must never forget.

    "I see. Yes, it makes sense." Akio nods. "The Makai Knight you want to emulate. What is his name?" He suddenly asks.

    There is not a single hint of hesitation when I answer. "Garo."

    Asahi's eyes widen minutely. "The Golden Knight himself? Did you meet him?"

    I nod. "Only once, when I was ten years old. He saved me from a Horror."

    "...So that's why." Akio mutters. "Striving to emulate the Golden Knight is a worthy goal. Considering your own circumstances it will not be easy, but you put your duty above prestige: that, I was taught, is what defines a Makai Knight first and foremost." He holds out a hand. "Even if you have much left to learn, lack in firmness and have questionable acquaintances."

    Well, he isn't technically wrong. Though the way he phrased it is not very nice: Asuka and the other girls are not unsavory, merely as inexperienced as me. Even then those words from Akio make me incredibly happy; I take his hand and give it a firm shake. "It has been a honor fighting alongside you, Asahi-dono."

    "As it was for me, Kurogane-san." He replies, a small smile appearing briefly on his lips.

    "Goodbye sempai, I hope we meet again. Thank you for all the tips!" Mikazuki tells Raio, low enough to not be heard by other people.

    "Oh oh oh. When you live as long as us meeting again it's inevitable. Even if it's cursed, we all share the same Karma." The old Madou Tool quietly laughs. 'Still, young Mikazuki, let me impart you a final lesson. From Madogu to Madogu.' He then continues though a mental link only shared by them.

    'I'm all ears!'

    'Makai Knights come and go. We Madogu remain.'     His tone is suddenly very serious, almost melancholic. 'And that's why, it is our duty to remember even when all others forget. Do you understand?'

    Mikazuki is initially taken aback by Raio's words and tone, but then he understands their meaning. '....Yeah.' He replies with a somber tone. 'I'll always remember Tatsuya. I swear it!'

    Raio smiles wistfully. 'I know you will.'

    ====​

    When I return to the site Homura and her friends are sitting on a bench, heavy blankets wrapped around their bodies and a thousand-yard stare in their eyes. I'm honestly confused by the sight, but since they don't look hurt it's probably something either minor or personal.

    "Just in time, Kurogane." Baskerville addresses me from its seat. "Those children's purification went off without a hitch, they're now cleared for active duty." It points a finger at me, the sleeve of its other hand covering its mouth. "Explaining what this entails is up to you. They will assist you in your duties, though for now interacting with Gates and Horrors is banned to them."

    "I understand Baskerville-sama!" I stand straighter and bow.

    "Good. Get to work."

    "So this is what hell is like..." Homura mutters with an emotionless tone. I guess the purification was very draining, and now they're tired: it would explain their current status.

    [] Let the girls rest for now.
    [] Teach them about Horrors.
    [] Teach them about Gates.
    [] Teach them about the Makai Order.
    [] Spar with them to gauge how strong they are.
    [] Ask the girls about their skills, combat and non.
    [] Write-in.
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Teach them about the Makai Order.
    best they understand about the order so they truly know what we do.
     
    [X] Teach them about the Makai Order.
    -[jk]Bring the enlightenment stick as well, just like your instructors back when you and others were learning, you've seen the technique enough times that's you're confident you can pull it off if you're new kouhai in the order decide to slack in their studies.
     
    [X] Teach them about the Makai Order.
    best they understand about the order so they truly know what we do.

    Good to be back.
     
    [X] Teach them about the Makai Order

    Honestly, making sure they realize why we do what we do is next on the list for me. Lore then reason makes sense.
     
    On the one hand, we've spent the entire past three or four updates pounding what we are doing into their heads.

    On the other hand, it's still not enough, not due to them but due to our occupation.

    Sooo... I guess we should continue. Grabbing a Makai Jackhammer ought to be a good idea as well.

    [X] Teach them about the Makai Order.
     
    [X] Let the girls rest for now.

    We've been hammering the whole 'the Order isn't a privilege, it's not a safe haven- it's a one way ticket to an eternal war with no survivors' button pretty hard. They've slain the latest big bad, they've entered a new phase of their lives, give them time to stop and reflect if they're that tired.
     
    [X] Let the girls rest for now.

    You know what, let's do that. It's been busy IC.
     
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