Post by Atsuko on Feb 10, 2021 10:05:56 GMT
[Thread PL: 462] [Suppressed to 5 before climbing]
[X-01 Advanced Armor equipped, Double PL Gains for this thread!]
[Apprentice Guardian's Gear equipped, Double EXP Gains for this thread! 10% reduction to dodges]
Atsuko had spent plenty of time in the Sacred Land of Korin, and in so doing she had heard plenty of stories about the mysterious tower that rose far above the clouds. All legendary tales and rumors. At the top supposedly awaited great power, wealth, or vast knowledge. Plenty of wild, tall tales all related to this one strange location on Earth, and it seemed that no one knew the truth. A lot of people knew about this "Korin's Tower", but no one had tried climbing it.
A few tried to fly up it, whether that was through Ki or some other means, and all attempts were turned away pretty harshly for their troubles. For whatever reason there were exceedingly strong winds that would either force the intrepid explorer away, or send them crashing back down to the ground if they were especially stubborn and unlucky. Most got the hint after this, and didn't try to circumvent the matter any further; and they assumed that climbing the tower directly would go no better.
The other problem is that trying to climb it like that would be an incredibly long, difficult task. Fortunately, the Saiyan was not shy when it came to adversity. The Knight begins to inspect the tower. First a few probing tests as she glides her hand along the surface of the stone plates. Not exactly the most convenient of things to grab onto, but evidently it WAS possible.
The Albino Saiyan takes a deep breath, and then grabs onto the tower and starts to climb. With her newly crafted armor, and the jewelry gifted from Rumia, the task was fairly difficult. But that only caused her to push on through it. If she could handle the training from Aya, then this was just another task just like that! "If no one else could find the answer, then I will!", she exclaims mainly to psyche herself up for the upcoming obstacle.
What followed was a very long, long trip up the side of the tower. Atsuko was already a strong individual, and when it came to stamina, she didn't have to worry much. But pacing was still important, and it's not like she could just do something crazy like run up the tower. No, she wanted to tackle this challenge properly. That resolute decision in her mind, she continues the ascent. It was several minutes of nothing but climbing. By now the height was such that she had trouble seeing the earth below; vision now being obscured by clouds.
A bit more has her pierce through the white fluffy obfuscation, and her arduous efforts are rewarded with an amazing sight. A shape taking form just a little further above! This was a big shape, too. The kind of shape belonging to a structure. This implied that there was someone living up here; or at least, there was at one point. With her goal now in sight, Atsuko pushes herself just a bit further. Now, the entry to the tower was just a little awkward, to say the very least.
Because the bottom of it had no clear ladder, or platform to climb up on. Instead, the pole she had been climbing up was surrounded by four holes. Each big enough for a person to go through -- if you could somehow hoist yourself from the pole to one of the holes, of course. It takes a little bit of effort on Atsuko's part to close the distance just right, and then she rears up; she had to be careful not to use flight. With a purposeful jump, she manages to snatch the ledge of one of the holes.
From that point, she's able to pull herself up into the interior, and move away from the hole. She had done it. She made it to the top! The Knight was fairly exhausted from that, but she felt rewarded just for making it this far. After a moment to collect her strength, she stands and turns to the doorway with light shining through it. Standing in the middle of the doorway is a small, rotund white cat standing on two legs, with a cane in hand.
"You know, I gotta say it's been awhile since someone climbed up the tower like this.", the cat speaks; throwing Atsuko for a loop. She hadn't expected anything like this to be at the top of the tower!
Whether this being registers that fact or not, it doesn't seem to care. It simply points it's cane at the Knight. "So why are ya here, kid? You been searchin' for the Sacred Water?"
The Saiyan is a bit confused by this question, but begins to explain her predicament. "I'm afraid I don't know what that is. I came here because there were so many legends surrounding this tower, but no one seemed to know the truth. I decided to climb it."
The cat withdraws his cane, tapping the bottom of it against the ground. "Ha! THAT'S why you climbed up here? Sheesh. At least you're persistent.", the cat then waves his cane lightly, gesturing for the girl to follow.
He turns, exits the doorway, and begins to hobble up the steps with... Surprising speed, actually. The Knight didn't have to pace herself in the slightest to keep up with him, her normal walking stride was plenty enough to do that. The interior of the tower gives way to a circular platform with completely opened "windows" that let one see far to the earth below.
In the middle of this location was a pedestal, and atop that was a vial of what she could only assume was the Sacred Water. Atsuko seemed amazed by what she had found here. "It's hard to think that this is what was waiting at the top..."
The small cat lets out an amused chuckle. "That's because this isn't the top!"
That revelation is enough to floor Atsuko. She had climbed this far, and it WASN'T the top of the tower? But then, what was even further beyond? As if sensing her impending question, the cat waves it off. "Never mind that for now. So listen. I'm Korin, and traditionally when someone climbs up here, they do so for the Sacred Water."
He then clears his throat. "Now you may not have come here for that purpose. But given that I already spilled the beans, I know what you're gonna ask.", with a surprisingly swift hop, he manages to hook the vial of water onto the top of his cane with practiced ease.
"If you want it, you'll just have to take it from me.", he then stated.
Atsuko gestures for him to calm down. "I'm not here to steal it. I admit I'm curious, but..."
Korin lets out another hearty chuckle. "Steal it? No no, girl! I'm offering it to you. But you have to earn it. Think of it like training."
The Knight begins to relax as she hears this clarification. "Oh... Alright.", she then begins to ease into stance.
The little cat then gives a calm nod. "Alright, kid. Let's see what you can do."
Korin didn't let onto it, but he had already read the young Saiyan's mind, and found her intentions to be pure. While it was true she desired power, she intended to use it for just purposes; besides, it's not like this was the FIRST battle-crazy Saiyan he had dealt with. Ah, old memories came rushing back.
But, that was neither here nor there, as the frantic chase soon ensues. Atsuko was fast, but Korin was a wise old master, he had seen many come this far to the tower in hopes of claiming the water, and being able to outmaneuver her and outpace her was something he could accomplish.
Both were capable of forming afterimages, and both used it to their advantage. But Korin simply had much more experience than Atsuko did. The training went on for hours, with Atsuko no closer to attaining the goal than when she had started. When the sun begins to set, he finally calls an end to the training, as the Saiyan had slowed considerably, and the exhaustion that plagued her was clear.
'Gotta admit... She's not bad.', Korin thought to himself.
And unlike a certain other Saiyan, there was no fear of this one even being tempted with taking it when it seemed as though the cat was asleep. Atsuko simply let it be, focusing instead on resting for the night, to start fresh in the day. And sure enough, that next day came soon. Already, Atsuko was moving faster than before. But it still wasn't quite enough to get the drop on that tricky little master.
The training simply continues, same as before. Another full day, and it seemed as though the Saiyan was no closer to finally reaching the finish line. But rather than become frustrated, she simply resolves to continue. Because the Knight could already tell the difference herself; this was making her stronger. Korin hadn't lied in the fact that this was practically training.
When the third day arrives, the fierce chase resumes anew. But the first two days had been spent with her getting stronger -- and paying close attention to just how the cat moved. This was a much more narrow competition. It's not as though Korin made it any easier on her, but all the same. Atsuko manages to snatch the vial from the cane, and lets out a relieved sigh.
"Another one that managed to clear it in three days...", Korin muses aloud.
Atsuko looks down at him. "How many managed that?"
He simply taps the bottom of the cane against the ground a few times. "Not many. Don't you worry about that either. Drink up."
Atsuko gives a nod, and begins to drink the water; but nothing happens. Atsuko doesn't feel any different from having drank the water. Confused, she looks towards the master for answers.
Korin obliges even before the words leave her mouth. "It's just ordinary tap water. The difference in your strength came from your genuine effort."
Atsuko shakes her head, but chuckles lightly. Well, if she had a choice in the matter, then earning power instead of simply being given it was the preferable one. She hands the vial back to Korin, who proceeds to hook it to his cane once more. "Now. I did say that there was more to this tower."
He mentions. That was right! In all of her excitement to get the water, she forgot that this wasn't even the end of the journey. "Does that mean I can climb further?"
Korin gives a calm nod. "Sure, you're a good kid. Go ahead and climb up after you've rested."
Atsuko decides to take this advice to heart. Though the training didn't last as long today, it was still pretty exhausting. She would need to collect at least a bit of her strength before resuming the climb.
She was pretty excited, though. Just what was it that was beyond even this height? There was only going to be one way to tell...
[To Be Continued]
Notes:
Ki Suppression used at the beginning of the thread, but dropped as she starts climbing.
