Out in the wilderness, Asuka embarks on a spiritual expedition returning to her old home of Shura Village. It had been some time she had set foot in the peaceful shrine laden village and given her exit she was eager to return. As she made her way towards the entrance, the green-clad militia known as the Teisatsu, diligently watch over the village. Perched atop a protective stone wall, a young guardsman scans the forested perimeter of the village searching for signs of a threat. “Nothing yet.” He says as he places a telescope to his eye in order to get a closer look. He swept and panned his assisted eye about however instead of encountering an enemy he found a familiar face. “Sir! You’ll want to see this!” said the scout as he hailed for the attention of the militia captain. Ozu was his name, a large man with hair like the mane of a lion and a soft-hearted face that was equal parts calming and intimidating depending on his mood. The scout passed the telescope along to his superior who let out a slight chuckle. “Well I’ll be…! Someone inform Lady Izumi.” he seemed quite enthused to see his old friend return and surely the village leader “Lady Izumi.” would be as well.

As Asuka made her way toward the entrance to the village members of the Teisatsu who recognized her welcomed their former champion with a respectful salute of their spears. “Welcome, home Champion Asuka!” they shouted in unison. Asuka bowed to the two of them and politely greeted them by name. “Greetings Mine, Orrin!” and afterward made her way beyond the walls and into the village. Where many of the shopkeepers greeted their savior with waves and cheers. Normally Asuka hated unwanted attention usually turning as red like a tomato in most situations, but to her Shura village was her second home and she couldn’t be happier to have returned. Looking out at the large red gate in the center of the village that rested atop a large hill, and beneath it a steep staircase spanning thousands of small steps leading to its entrance. “It’s good to be home.” she said to herself basking in the adoration of the villagers who welcomed her with open arms.


“Asuka!” shouted a series of children who rushed the young with hugs and other childish displays of affection. Some of the children were even dressed like her, wearing oversized headbands and their arms wrapped in bandages just like their hero.

“Asuka, can you show us that move you used to beat that mean old witch!” One boy called out, and it was obvious that the rest of the children agreed for soon after they all began a chant “Show us! Show us! Show us!” Asuka did her best to calm the children “Hang on, not today kids maybe next time!” After breaking away from her pint-sized admirers she begins a walk towards her old residence. Upon arriving she set down her duffle bag and attempted to head inside but before she could do so an old friend called out to her.

“Asuka…” called out a soft voice.

Asuka recognizing the voice would look up and suddenly freeze in her tracks stunned to see her old friend once again. “Izumi…?” Lady Izumi, had looked as radiant and as beautiful as ever, truly embracing the role as head priestess even more so than before. When they last met Izumi was just coming into her own as she began her role as head priestess after the previous one was killed in a flood. But now Izumi seemed to be a tad more comfortable in her role as the leader of Shura village. Reserved and calm but still confident she had grown a lot in those few months and had developed into a much wiser young woman.

Sometime Later

The two friends would walk toward the village center where the large shrine was located. With Izumi, grandiose silk robes and headdress making her stand out from the other villagers. Many of them recognized her as their village leader and paying their respects by bowing to her as she passes for she would rarely make public appearances during her usual office hours, so to see in the streets was considered a blessing to many.

“It’s good to see you again…the village hasn’t been the same without you.” Izumi said her voice slightly trembling, her words subtly masking her affections for her former champion. Feelings she had held onto despite the uneasiness of Asuka’s initial departure. Deep down Izumi would always care for her friend even if Asuka did not reciprocate her feelings.

Asuka who wasn't oblivious to these affections responded in kind. “It’s good to see you too, I’ve missed being here.” Asuka had looked around at the village becoming slightly nostalgic as she remembered all of the memories she had during her brief time here helping out villagers and warding off bandits.

“So what brings you back to Shura village?” Izumi asks her friend with a smile.

“A religious sabbatical. Life hasn’t been hard or anything but I suppose I ought to count my blessings, and what better way to do that than here.” Asuka looks about noticing that seems rather upbeat which was a good thing but Asuka couldn’t help but wonder how they’d truly been fairing. Before she came along the village only had access to their small militia and not much else, and for some reason, the town always seemed to attract trouble. “So..how’ve you and the villagers been managing since my absence.”


Izumi smile fades her heart sinking a tad much like the expression on her face. “It has been hard defending ourselves without you, many of the animals and creatures have been rather disturbed lately and our village has been suffering more attacks and raids lately, but through it all we continue to thrive and trust in the strength of the gods.” Izumi’s voice seems a tad despondent as she recalls some of the tragedies that had befallen her people. But even still the priestess still manages to find hope which prompts a change in her tone.“But the Teisatsu have grown in strength since then. We’ve even recently uncovered a the whereabouts of a dragon ball, two of them in fact. It seems the gods have been watching over us, now if only we could get out hands on the other five.”


Asuka fascinated by said prospect looks to Izumi with a great deal of wonder and curiosity. “Two dragon balls! That is good news!” Asuka stopped to contemplate what she would wish for if she ever had the opportunity to utilize the dragon balls. “To have anything I could ever want, man what a concept.” She then turns her attention back towards Izumi. “Well, I hope your good fortune’s continue, the kai must be watching over you!” Asuka optimistically adds.

As their conversation comes to an end Asuka stops before the stairway that leads up to the gate that serves as the entrance to the shrine.

“Either way, its good to have you back Asuka, even if it is only temporary.” Izumi says as she looks to Asuka who stares off toward the shrine. “Once you finish your prayer, please come join me and Captain Ozu for lunch.” Asuka looks back as Izumi departs down the road. “Oh of course, it’ll be nice to catch up!”

After Izumi fades from view Asuka ascends up the stairs, she begins the ritual to enter into the sacred grounds where the shrine is located. Starting by washing her eyes hands and face in front of a small sacred fountain beside the gate itself.  Afterward, she bows before the gate of the shrine itself and then rings a bell closing her eyes to recite a prayer.

@amatricina

BATTLE TRACKER