Episode 2: The Dragon Lady and the Guiding Priestess
Scene: On the trail up Gastros Mountain.
Relying on Anne's ability to detect magical energy, Yuuki and the others headed towards the summit.
Anne
Ah, over there! It's a Gigas!
Grea
Somehow, it looks different from the one we defeated earlier...!
Kyaru
It doesn't matter how it looks, right? Let's just beat it down right away. Here I go! Yuuki!
Yuuki strengthens the others.
Anne
Wow, amazing...! I can feel my magic becoming more and more powerful!
Grea
Yes... This is truly a mysterious power. But, with this...!
Pecorine
All right, let's go! The battle starts now!
Gigas
Roaaar!
Anne
... It's fast! Then, I should start by slowing its motions with earth magic...!
Anne
W-Wha!? Pecorine!? Isn't it dangerous to run out front like that!?
Pecorine
It's okay, this is just my fighting style! Not to mention, I'd say I'm pretty sturdy!
Anne
I-Is that so...!? ... But she'll get caught up in my magic like this. What to do...
Gigas
Roaaar!
Grea
...! The Gigas is coming this way...!
Kokkoro
Lady Grea, are you perhaps not as much of a fighter?
Grea
Ah... N-No, that's not it...!
Kokkoro
No, it's perfectly fine. Please, take cover and leave the fighting to me.
Kokkoro
I will be sure to protect my Master's new friends.
Grea
Kokkoro...
Kyaru
I'll clean this up in one fell swoop! Get yourself ready...
Gigas
Roaaar!
Kyaru
W-Wait, I'm in the middle of casting the spell! Wait, wait, stay away!!
Ruu
Wahhh!? It's coming this way, what do we do -- oh, I can throw this rock! Take thiiis!
Gigas
Roaaar!
Ruu
Ahhh! I made it even angrier!!
Kyaru
Hey, Ruu! Just calm down a little!
Kyaru
Ahh, this isn't working -- we'll never be able to beat this big lug like this! Everyone, retreat for now!
Later.
Anne
Pant, pant... Is everyone okay?
Grea
Y-Yes... Somehow...
Pecorine
But that sure was a strong Gigas. How are we going to defeat it...?
Kyaru
How? It seems like that should be obvious. Yuuki, you could tell what went wrong just by watching, right?
Yuuki
1. "We were all out of sync."
2. "We were in too much of a hurry to beat it."
Option 1.
Anne
That's true... We weren't coordinating properly at all...
Option 2.
Kokkoro
Certainly, we all had an air of impatience about us... That was very perceptive of you to notice, Master. I am impressed.
End of branches.
Pecorine
Hmm, if we're going to continue fighting these Gigases, then we can't go on like this.
Anne
Then, how about we draw up a plan for next time? Let's work out what roles we'll all play!
Pecorine
In that case, let me handle the first attack!
Kyaru
Wouldn't Anne be more suited for that? If she starts by impairing the enemy with some powerful magic, then I think the rest of the fight will go more smoothly.
Anne
Ehehe... But Kyaru, your magic is nothing to sneeze at, either! You've got all sorts of spells that I've never even seen before...!
Anne
Compared to Mysterchia, the theory, the spells, and the operation of magic in Astraea are all completely different, it seems... Ahh, I'd love to hear more about it if there's time!
Grea
Anne, let's talk about that later... all right?
Anne
Ah, sorry, sorry... Ehehe.
Kyaru
All right, so, Anne starts by unloading a strong spell onto it, and then Pecorine follows up by charging in...
Pecorine
Yep, yep! I'm next up! I'll draw the enemy's attention to me, no problem!
Anne
That would be great! If you can make time for me to cast my next spell, it should swing the battle in our favor even more!
Pecorine
Yes! Let's do our best together!
Ruu
Okay! Then, what should I do?
Kyaru
... How about, when the battle starts, you turn your back directly to the Gigas.
Ruu
Uh-huh, uh-huh, turn my back! Like this?
Kyaru
And then, dash until you reach a safe place to hide!
Ruu
So you mean, I should run away. Got it! I've been running from stuff like classes and homework all my life, so I'd say I'm pretty quick on my feet!
Kyaru
I-Is that right...
Kokkoro
Um. If Lady Ruu will be retreating to safety, then perhaps Lady Grea should accompany her as well.
Grea
Wait, Kokkoro... You're misunderstanding. I apologize, but the truth is, I...
Gigas
Roaaar!
Anne
Eh, a Gigas!? Again!?
Kyaru
The one we couldn't defeat earlier... Or not!? It looks different from the other one!
Anne
It might be the same type as the first one we faced!
Pecorine
Then, let's put the plan into action! Anne, if you would!
Anne
Yes, I'm on it! Haaah!
Gigas
Roaaar!
Ruu
Okay, then, I'm gonna dash away!!
Anne
Pecorine, now!
Pecorine
Yes! Here goes, hi-yaah!
Kyaru
Not bad, you two! The monster's attention is on you, so I can attack as much as I want!
Kyaru
I'll bring you down... Take this! Yaaaah!
Gigas
Roaaar!
The Gigas falls.
Pecorine
We did it, Anne, Kyaru! We defeated the Gigas together!
Kokkoro
Excellent teamwork, everyone. It seems we have little to worry about for the rest of our journey...
Gigas
Roaaar!
Kokkoro
What!? No, another Gigas is approaching!!
Anne
Ah...!? Grea! Kokkoro! Watch out!
Kyaru
No, Kokkoro's in danger!
Gigas
Roaaar!
Kokkoro
Ugh...!
Grea
Kokkoro! Take cover! ... Haaaaah!
Gigas
Roaaar!
The second Gigas falls.
Kyaru
Wh...! What was that power just now!? She took down the Gigas in a single blow...!
Pecorine
Ohhh, she was like a fire dragon! Wait, that appearance... Could it be?
Grea
Hah... Kokkoro, are you okay?
Kokkoro
Yes, I am unharmed. Lady Grea... So you had such an incredible power all along.
Kokkoro
But why were you hiding it until now...?
Grea
... I'm sorry for not fighting alongside you earlier. But... I was afraid to use this power in front of you...
Kokkoro
You were afraid to use your power...? Why would that be...
Grea
Well... You may be able to tell from my appearance, but... The blood of both humans and dragons flows within me.
Kokkoro
Then, in our world's terms, that makes you a dragon tribe member. It's rare, but there are also those in our world who have appearances similar to you, Lady Grea.
Grea
I see. But... My draconic powers are truly capable of destroying nearly anything. Even when I want to protect my friends, I end up destroying much else...
Grea
That's why, out of fear of being feared, or even hated, by others... I've always kept to myself. Always, up until I met Anne at the academy...
Grea
And so, just now, out of fear of letting all of you see this atrocious power of mine... I cowered. I'm truly sorry...
Kokkoro
... I understand. Lady Grea, you are truly a kind person.
Grea
Me...? N-No, I can't say I am. I've been having you handle all of the fighting, Kokkoro...
Kokkoro
However, when I was in a genuinely dangerous situation, you cast aside your own fears and doubts and helped me.
Kokkoro
I can only think of that as a kind deed, Lady Grea... And not as anything to be feared.
Grea
Kokkoro...
Grea
... Thank you. You're also very kind yourself.
Anne
Grea, are you okay!? Are you hurt anywhere!?
Grea
A-Anne...! No, I'm perfectly all right...
Anne
Really? Really, really!? What about here? Are you all right here, too!?
Grea
Waahh...!? T-That tickles, Anne!!
Anne
What a relief...! A-Ah. Um, uh, Kokkoro! I'm not sure if you were shocked by all that fire, but Grea is just...!
Kokkoro
Ha ha... It's all right. I already know, Lady Anne.
Kokkoro
... Lady Grea. You and Lady Anne's relationship bears some resemblance to that of me and my Master, it seems.
Grea
Eh?
Kokkoro
Because I met my Master, things also improved for me. All manner of things, more than I can even count.
Grea
Ah...
Grea
... Yes, I understand. After I met Anne... Many things also became better for me.
Grea
Yes, you and I... are just a little similar.
Kokkoro
Yes. Just a little similar.
Grea & Kokkoro
Ha ha ha...
Anne
E-Eh...? What are you two talking about?
Grea
Um... It's a secret.
Anne
Ehh!?
Pecorine
Ahhhh! Is this a treasure trove of ingredients!? Everyone, everyone, look at this! Look at all of this never-before-seen, never-before-tasted food!
Kyaru
Wait, Pecorine, there are still more Gigases around, so don't run off on your... Waah!?
Kyaru
That's grotesque! What are you doing!? Don't hold that out towards me!!
Ruu
Kyaru, Kyaru! There's a bunch of amazing stuff here too!
Kyaru
Wha, Ruu!? Not you too!!
Pecorine
Ahh, Kyaru! It's a waste to just burn everything up! We should hunt this place clean!
Kyaru
Ugh, this is too much for one person to handle...! Hey, Anne, Grea, Kokkoro! You all come help, too!
Grea
Ah, yes! ... Let's go, Kokkoro.
Kokkoro
Yes. Let us return to Master.
After defeating the two Gigases, Yuuki and the others gathered up rare ingredients while advancing up the mountain.
Anne
Hey... Wait, Grea! What do you mean, it's a secret!? Tell meeee!!