Bay 12 Games Forum

((Wow, Ian. Damn. You really are trying to steal Eirika from Mio.
I know I'm a douche, but damn that's cold, hitting her while she's down. ))
"L-look. I know this won't help you with.....those Trespasser things......but.....I'll tell you.

T-Two years ago, we were all on a mission. Chizuru normally leads our group, even though Mio's the veteran, but she was ill that day. M-Mio was in charge that day, because of that. It was just us six. A-and.......w-we were sent to fight three Vertex. Sagittarius, Gemini, Cancer. It was a simple task. W-we could do it, like we always did.

We managed to fight off all of them. T-The Cancer Vertex, i-it didn't disappear, like t-the others usually did. A-and Sachi....s-she.....she tried to get close to it, tried to finish it off.

It got back up, a-and......M-Mio was right t-there, trying to help her finish it off. S-she was.....s-she was going to.....but then Sachi....she....she u-used herself to.....s-stop the Vertex's attack.....then she just.....s-she just fell down. I-It happened so quick.....I-I can't. I just can't."
The girl starts sobbing herself, shaking her head and taking the thing back. It seems that even after two years, the pain of losing a friend in battle still stings.

Hikari sighs. She goes to grab a glass of water, and when she comes back, she takes a deep drink.

Without speaking, she produces a small picture from her pocket.

It is of the Hero Club; Mio, Chizuru, Ayane, Yuki, Hikari and Sora- all celebrating in what appears to be a small classroom, with 'Kamogawa Hero Club' written on a banner behind them. However, a seventh person is present with them, just to the corner of the picture next to Ayane, who's giving her a hug from the side. Alanis recognises them.

It's Sachi Honda. The girl she saw last night and the girl who asked her to protect Mio last night.
Meanwhile, Ian drowns in salt and is trying to steal Mio's girlfriend. Cold blooded bastard, kicking them while they're down.

Sachi nods. She looks....terrified. Of Eirika, mainly.

Sachi stands guard at Mio's door, not allowing Eirika in.
"I-I would just let Mio rest, for now. I-I know you're her friend, and all, but.....j-just let her have some privacy. She doesn't f-feel well."

The pendant doesn't seem to be working too well. Sora's still shaking, on the verge of tears herself. Even Hikari seems quite pale as they walk them back to the Honda residence.

Mio doesn't respond to either Eirika or Alanis, continuing to sob with her face in her hands. Sora looks up, shaking her head. Her voice trembles; it's clear that whatever happened to both of them shook them pretty bad.
"W-we should get Mio h-home. S-she's shaken up pretty bad."

Yuri closes her eyes and raises her staff.
"Be on your way, then. Good luck finding your friend."
A warm, bright light envelops the party, blocking the sight of the Jukai from them.....

---

Morning Phase
Abandoned Shrine
Kamogawa
The party finds themselves back at the shrine. Nothing has changed, except.....

Mio and Sora are by the pagoda proper. The former is slumped on the ground, sobbing, while the latter is hugging her tightly, trying to comfort her.

I'm trying. I can feel her and Sora, but they're not in the Jukai.
"If that is all, I will send  you back now. Is that okay?"