★The Island Nation of Ashura★
-A mysterious and ancient island nation, located off the mainland masses. It is said to be the birthplace of elite warriors who follow a strict code of honor and discipline. Isolated from the rest of the world for centuries, it has also avoided the wars and conflicts that have plagued the mainland, thanks to its natural defenses and its formidable army. Renowned for its martial arts, craftsmanship, and its spirituality, many legends and myths surround the island, such as the existence of a hidden treasure, a secret technique, or a divine sword. Ashura is a land of mystery and adventure, where only the brave and the worthy may enter.
-The sound of wood crashing wood in a thunder rings from a still dojo.
Will- ” Hey, Jaya, can we take a break?”
Jaya- ” Pressure getting to ya?”
Will-
” I had to do extra drills yesterday while you got to relax…
“
Jaya- “That’s your own fault. Teacher adds the drills to your plate because you’re impossible to train.”
Will- ” Gee, thanks..”
Jaya- ” I’m just kidding!! What’re you making that face for?? “
Will-
” I don’t think you were kidding at all”
Jaya- ” Hmm…”
Will- ???
” HEy_!!?”
-Using the window of his bewielderment, Jaya’s wooden staff thwacks Will directly on the forehead. A perfect red circle imprint is left on his head
Jaya- ” Let’s go eat, then pick up later”
Will-
“She acted like she was about to say something just to get my guard down!”
” She definitely enjoys messing with me..”
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Jaya-
“What’s bothering you? Still beat up over our match?”
Will-
” No, its just,”
” This really is a beautiful country.”
“I’m glad that I was saved, and able to live here.”
Jaya-
“I sort of remember hearing about that.” “Years ago, a ship seeking refuge from the wars upon the mainland made its way here.”
” It was beseiged by soldiers from Lancaster, and everyone upon the vessel was killed. Well, except for a child.”
” ..Are you still hung up on not remembering such a traumatic event? There’s a reason that your mind doesn’t want you to recall it ya know.”
Will- “I know. But…”
Jaya- ???
Will- “It’s nothing.”
“What’re we going to get from the market anyway?”
Jaya- ” Let’s start with acquiring some more spices since we’re low on that front.
—————————————————————————————————————————
-Upon reaching the market square, the two arrive at a spice kiosk
Will- ” I’ve never seen this stand here before.”
Jaya- ” It’s to show that its foreign goods.”
“While Ashura isn’t opposed to trading with the mainland, the government wants to keep an eye on everything that’s allowed in at all points of delivery.”
Will- ” I get that, but, for spice?”
Jaya- ” You’d be surprised what a little spice can do to a nation. Not that I mind a little heat with my dish~”
Amata-
” Greetings! Is there anything I can help you two with?”
Jaya- ” Yeah, what’s the hottest thing you got here?”
– “Well, that would be our ghost pepper spice, but, someone already purhcased our entire stock”
Jaya- ” Are you serious!? Tch.. well this sucks.”
-” I take it you’re big on spice..?”
Jaya-
” Of course! Spice is life! ”
“Not everyone can live off bland food like some people, right Will?”
” Hey, are you paying attention???”
Will- !!!!
” Oh, yea,sorry.”
” Excuse me, but, what is your name ?”
-” Amata. I come from overseas on a trading visa”
Jaya- 
” He totally just ignored me “
-There is a multitude of screams from afar, drawing Jaya’s eyes
Jaya- ” Hey, somethings up .”
-The daylight slowly becomes engulfed by a spreading darkness
Will-
” What the-!?”
” Jaya, what’s going on?”
Jaya- ” How should I know!?”
-” WE’RE BEING INVADED!!!! RUN!!!”
-Chaotic movement and screams soon follow
-The trio see the townspeople beginning to pass them as a group of hooded figures walk into the square Leading them is one draped in crimson accented clothing.
Sindriza-
“Hah, so much for the valiant Ashurans!!!”
Sindriza- ” A place like this deserves to go up in flames!!”
-Flames shoot from the woman’s fingertips, as she brandishes a an accompanying sword that eschews fire
Will- “An invading force?”
Jaya-
” Will, let’s go, we need to find teacher!”
Sindriza-
” And where do you runts think you’re going!?”
Amata- !?!? ” They’re coming towards us!!”
-A sword and naginata are drawn as will and Jaya meet the group, standing off against the cloaked assailants
Sindriza-
” So there’s someone here with some spirit, good!!”
” Let’s make them our first batch of captives!!!”
Jaya– ” These are drow..But why are they here?”
-Jaya’s first instinct is to call for Amata to stay back, however, to her shock and maybe terror, Amata has already moved far ahead of the duo, straight into the group of drow soldiers She announces a holy word, which shakes several drow to their core
Sindriza-
” She has the powers of a cleric”
“But she is inexperienced. Her words barely had any effect against my men.”
“Hah, she’ll find that they don’t take kindly to runts who challenge them”
Jaya– ” I’ve got to help!!”
-Jaya leaps in, over Amata with wide swings of her glaive
Jaya-
” These aren’t just common thugs or bandits, their movements are more disciplined. I can’t even touch them”
-The drow surround the girls, blades dancing in unison
Will–
” I’ve got to do something…I’ve got to figure something out…but what..? What am I supposed to do in this kind of situation..? “
-Before the young man’s eyes, he sees the shopkeeper and his long time training partner wounded, wounds torn through the pair’s clothing.
Sindriza- “You ready to call it quits?”
-A smile of defiance responds
Jaya- “I’m just getting started.”
Sindriza-
” Hm, yea, you look like you have more fight in you. That’s why I like picking off the weak ones first!”
-As she speaks, a rapid firing of flaming needles shoot forth, piercing Amata’s torso the intensity of the heat concentrated in each bolt so severe, that she falls to the ground with only the starting whimpers of a cry.
Jaya- ” Amata!!!!”
-Another bolt flies into Amata’s side, this time without any visible response.
Will- ” Amata!!!!”
Jaya- ” Stop it, you’re gonna kill her!!”
Sindriza- ” Quite true, quite true.”
” I’d say she’s gonna croak any second. Unless.., you both surrender your weapons and accept your fate”
-Will’s mind races even faster
Will-
” What can I do…Teacher…what would you do right now…”
–
” One fails to even hit a target, ”
“The other fails to even make a move”
“What foolish students of mine!”
OST-(Jaya-
“That voice, it’s..!!”
Sindriza- “Who’s there!?”
-Sindriza is not allowed to even begin scanning her surroundings. As quickly as the words reach her ears, she grimaces at two cuts of a blade bearing down upon her
Sindriza- “Wh-what!?”
-A wild mane stands before Sindriza, katana gleaming in the stranger’s hand. Sindriza sees a plain white hakama.
A woman of unremarkable stature, with the half-orc easily dwarfing this interloper.
An aged scar adorns one of the woman’s eyelids, with the remaining eye staring with a razor focus.
— Will’s ears perk as the woman’s words call to him
–
“Help the girl.”
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To be continued |||||||||| Coming up next: Guard Dog!!!
Celestial Saga 
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