Naima and the Ayakashi continued their intense battle on the icy battlefield. The air resonated with the clash of swords. Naima's agility and swordsmanship were pitted against the Ayakashi's relentless attacks.
The Ayakashi unleashed a flurry of icy projectiles from her hands, forcing Naima to skillfully block and evade each attack. Suddenly, the Ayakashi slammed her hands on the ground, transforming the soft snow into unforgiving, hard ice. The battlefield beneath them became a treacherous surface, adding an extra layer of complexity to their duel.
They cautiously walked on the icy terrain, aware that every move could determine the outcome of the battle. The Ayakashi propelled icy shards towards Naima, deflected the projectiles. Undeterred, Naima confidently declared, "You think a little ice could stop me?"
The Ayakashi countered by creating a sword of pure ice with a graceful motion of her hand. Naima, assuming her dragon stance, faced her opponent head-on. The clash of swords echoed through the icy expanse as they both charged at each other.
In a swift move, Naima exploited an opening and delivered a powerful kick to the Ayakashi's stomach. The Ayakashi stumbled, her sword flying from her hands as the ice cracked beneath her. However, before Naima could strike, she received an unexpected kick to her own stomach. Both warriors fell to the ground, struggling to regain their footing on the slippery ice.
As Naima quickly got back on her feet, the Ayakashi, undeterred, swung her ice sword. The blade cut Naima's face, leaving a bleeding wound. Naima winced, a soft "aaahh" escaping her lips as she gingerly touched her now bleeding face. The Ayakashi swung at her once more, prompting Naima to hastily step back, her senses heightened in the face of imminent danger. The relentless assault continued, each strike met with Naima's desperate attempts to block with her sword.
Amidst the chaotic dance of blades, Naima's mind drifted to the days of her training with her mentor. She could vividly recall the clashing of swords, the grueling physical exertion, and the unwavering guidance of her teacher. The memory played like a haunting melody in her mind, echoing the painful moments of her past.
In a fleeting image from her training, a younger Naima fell to the ground, her sword slipping from her grasp. The firm voice of her mentor pierced through her fatigue, his black spiky hair falling gracefully over his face. "GET UP, NAIMA!" he demanded, his words resonating with both authority and encouragement. "But I'm tired, master," young Naima whined, seeking solace in her weariness.
"Come on now, even if you're tired, you can do better. Pick up your sword and fight, even if it means fighting to the death. At least you will die with your sword in your hand. A slayer's pride is in their sword, but remember to live a great life and die a great death," he imparted, extending his hands to lift the young Naima from the ground.
Determined by the echoes of her mentor's teachings, Naima pushed forward against the relentless Ayakashi. As their swords clashed, both combatants were momentarily pushed back. Seizing the opportunity, Naima leaped backward. "I hate fighting because fighting isn't my thing; healing is," she muttered to herself, a brief respite allowing memories of her teammates to flood her mind.
In her recollections:
[Cory]
"Naima, I got a cut on my finger. Can you heal it?" Cory asked.
"Put a Band-Aid on it," Naima replied nonchalantly.
"You're so mean," Cory complained.
"Fine," Naima conceded.
[Kiyomizu & Ava]
"Naima, me and Ava were going to take a bath. You wanna join?" Kiyomizu invited.
"Yeah, come join us," Ava added.
"Sure thing, give me a sec," Naima responded.
[Yamato]
"Naima, could you pass me the screwdriver?" Yamato requested.
"Sure thing," Naima obliged.
[Elliott]
"Good morning, Naima," greeted Elliott.
"Good morning, Elliott," Naima reciprocated.
In the present struggle, Naima took a deep breath her unwavering determination echoed through the tumultuous battlefield. "But if it means fighting for my captain and my teammates, then fighting I must do," she declared, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.
With swift precision, Naima assumed her Dragon Stance, an artistry of battle that blended grace and lethal intent. Positioning her sword behind her, she skillfully coated it with her Haku, infusing it with the potent energy of her Soul Healing Magic Drive. The air crackled with anticipation as Naima's magical prowess manifested.
"Soul Healing Magic Drive, Dragon Sword Style: Nirvana Tamashī Rush!" she exclaimed, unleashing the culmination of her mystical abilities.1
In an explosive display, Naima dashed towards the Ayakashi, her sword leading the charge. With each step, the air around her seemed to shimmer, and a colossal mist in the form of a majestic black and white tiger materialized from the blade. The ethereal creature roared to life, its misty form pulsating with raw energy.
The Ayakashi, momentarily stunned, could only watch as the formidable tiger surged forward. Naima swung her sword with precision, directing the misty beast towards her adversary. The tiger lunged, its feline grace belying the ferocity of its attack.
The misty tiger seamlessly traversed the Ayakashi's body, leaving in its wake a gaping hole in the middle of her chest. A profound silence fell over the battlefield as the ethereal creature reappeared on the other side, the Ayakashi's lifeless body collapsing to the ground. In its ephemeral maw, the tiger held the Ayakashi orb, its misty form momentarily crystallizing around the captured essence.
Naima observed the scene with a mix of relief and determination. "Damn, I need to hurry up and find the others," she murmured,