The Will to Fight: Conclusion

[voidtreckermods]

The battles rage loud and ferocious at the gates of the city and off in the ruined wastelands of Erda, and on the walls a struggle of a different kind occurs. The team who stayed behind at the towers are small but determined as they move stoically across the walls to right the stones that have become misaligned, even as their friends battle not too far away.

The city begins to hum. It's a quiet hum, not loud enough to be heard out where the others are fighting but it vibrates even through stone. The recovering monks assure them that it is done, the wards are back up and no demon will be able to enter the city.

Eventually the battle is won, all three battles. The demons fought back and killed, a major blow to their gate system that will keep them back for hopefully a long time. Those waiting in the caverns return to the city and by the time they get there the illusions are gone. Everyone can see the world for what it really is.

But despite the ruins of their world the people are relieved, the adrenaline of the fight coursing through their veins and the mood is one of hope. They will build again, their people will survive.

All Voidtreckers please return to the Voidtrecker Express. Departure will be in a few hours

It has landed not too far from the city, cloaked to make it unnoticeable to the citizens, for all the good that does. No one has been particularly subtle this last week. People can begin regrouping, packing up the camp and getting any wounded not already healed to the train.

However roughly half an hour later another message appears on their SCA.

Passenger Persephone has requested we remain on system System #86525656412355 for an additional day to further assist the people of Erda. The Voidtrecker Express will depart on the morning of Day Fifteen of the month of Kazoo.

The train remains where it is, so the voidtreckers can use its facilities. There is definitely a lot that can be done to assist those of this world and the citizens will welcome any helping hands.

After an extra day they finally depart, returning to the void once more.

(OOC Note: Once the wards are up any characters who are demonic in nature will not be able to enter the city either!)

Comments

[happyends]

W-Well, it's still possible to practice something a thousand times and still not be very good at it, right..?

[ It's the sort of thing Madoka would never say about others. She'd praise other people's dedication and ability into the high heavens, but doing the same for herself? That's practically impossible.

She shakes her head. ] I mean, I'm not even very graceful or anything to begin with..

[redmeguca]

And that's when you practice it a thousand and one times. Like I said, talent doesn't matter, hard work and dedication does. As for you not being graceful, didn't I see you showing off your Kyūdō skills earlier? I think that requires a bit of grace, right?

[happyends]

Ah, it wasn't anything that formal..

[ After all, Madoka thinks that does look super graceful when other people do it! But it's not like she learned archery that way back home or anything - it's just her having had to learn it on the fly here between all these missions. She thinks it's more just enough to get by with a bow and arrow, rather than actually looking graceful doing it..

(Then again, Madoka is rather hard on herself.) ]

I just know how to aim a little, really.

[redmeguca]

And pretty soon you'll be able to aim more than a little, and after that a lot, right? Same principal. You'll never get better at anything if you keep refusing to try because you don't think you'll be good at it.

[happyends]

...

[ She quietly stares at the other girl for a moment. ]

Kyoko-chan, you like being nice and encouraging to people more than you usually pretend to, huh..? [ Warning: Madoka may be a little sharper in her perception than you'd think!!

If not just because she's incredibly good at seeing the good in everyone. ]

[redmeguca]

[Urk!]

Ehehe... What can I say, it's the big sister in me.

[happyends]

[ Too late, Kyoko. You're caught. You're rising in Madoka's assessment of you! Just look at the smile on the pink-haired girl's face - it's just written all over her face that she's added yet another positive traits in the mental list of friends she has. ]

Well.. I think you've been a good big sister today. [ Not necessarily to Madoka, though she thinks the encouragement was sweet. No, instead-- ] Just look how happy you've made all those kids.

[ She gestures over at the children in the distance. Apparently they were so taken by Kyoko and Madoka's own dance that they all started waltzing together too now, looking like they're having the time of their lives. ]

[redmeguca]

[Kyoko watches the children dance with a small smile on her face.]

...You know, I first learned how to dance from my Mom. It was a simple little routine, but I loved it instantly. I used to listen to all sorts of music to figure out how best to dance to it. I wonder when it became something I didn't want to do in front of others?

[happyends]

[ ...

That story turns Madoka quiet for a moment. She understands very well what it's like to be close with your mother. To look up to her, to want to do things together with her. To treasure the moments you've had with her in your heart.

Maybe that's why she wants to be gentle about this. ]

But.. you enjoyed dancing in front of everyone just now, right..?

[redmeguca]

Yeah, I did. Thanks, Madoka, I wouldn't have stepped out of my comfort zone like that on my own.

[happyends]

No, thank you for trying.

[ Because even if Madoka may have coaxed her, Kyoko still made the decision with her own determination in the end.

But she still can't help but add: ]

.. Let's dance again together sometime, okay? It was fun.

[redmeguca]

Heh, sure thing. And hey, I might be able to teach you a bit while we're at it.

[happyends]

Ah.. sure. [ Madoka may still be a bit insecure about her dancing abilities, but-- ] I'll try my absolute best!