Gallery link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1regXSMC8NSazNlv039eVxPzhQc3VUhfsNiU9zA4cFoY/edit

Setting:

The setting is on a Boeing 787 aircraft specially called to pick up people going to the swordplay tournament, with the text “SPWF” on the tail. Vequora jots some notes down in her journal:

“I’m thankful that the sponsoring organization of this tournament offered transportation. Though I’m wondering what may happen should I lose. I signed a waiver that stated that competitors could be potentially killed, and that has been hanging over my head ever since. I’m writing this on a plane en route to Dallas for the qualifying round. I’m hoping my training in secret pays off. This is so I can start anew… apart from the life I was forced to live. I am not going by some traditional name my mother fabricated for me, I’m using what I should have always been called, the name my late father gave me… Vequora Roseline.”

Vequora closes her journal and places it in her carry-on bag. She sits back and closes her eyes before she feels someone sit down next to her.

Zazushi: “So my suspicions were correct… you are competing.”

Vequora flinches. Zazushi chuckles.

Zazushi: “Haha… I mean no harm to you as of now Vequora-chan. Save the violence for the arena.”

Vequora: “Get away from me, you perv!”

Zazushi: “Relax, I mean no harm to you right now, as I just said.”

Vequora turns away towards the window, clearly annoyed, and she closes her eyes, trying to catch up on many days’ worth of sleep.

Zazushi: “I wish you the best of luck…”

Zazushi walks back to his own seat. Vequora sleeps soundly until the plane lands on a massive runway behind what appears to be a massive colosseum-style arena with stadium lights everywhere, right next to what appears to be a large hotel. She steps off the plane with her bag in hand. She walks towards the hotel, and as she enters, she sees what appears to be an office complex inside of the lobby. The lobby has marble pillars and a white floor trimmed with gold. She walks up to the front desk, where her name is listed on a room key. She takes the room key and enters a long hallway with doors on either side. She walks a while before she makes it to a room, which she then enters. Korie, her roommate, is already sitting on one of the beds. She runs up to Vequora and hugs her randomly.

Korie: “Vequora!”

Vequora: “Nani?”

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Korie backs away slightly, looking extremely happy.

Korie: “I’ve waited to meet you for so long! I saw you were my roommate and—”

Vequora: “Do I know you?”

Korie: “Oh… Did Mom really seclude you that much from the rest of the family?.. I’m your little sister. Dad took me with him after he saw how she was raising you.”

Vequora: “You mean to tell me I had a sister all this time?”

Korie: “Yep! That’s me!”

Vequora hugs Korie briefly before walking past her and setting down her bag next to a bed. Vequora and Korie sit on the edges of their beds.

Korie: “So I guess that you never got my letters then.”

Vequora: “No… I didn’t. On a different note, why are you in the tournament?”

Korie: “Funny you should ask, I’m actually in it because I wanted to afford a flight to Japan to see you.”

Vequora: “Oh.”

Korie: “But I’ve already signed up, so… I might as well try my best.”

Vequora: “I hope you don’t mind if I go freshen up real quick.”

Korie: “Not at all.”

Vequora steps into the bathroom of the room and changes into more comfortable clothes, having to shed multiple layers, revealing her incredibly muscular body. She has a tattoo that is a light blue outline of a heart around her navel, with dark outlines of wings coming from the heart. She then undoes her hair, letting it fall to her shoulders and back. Vequora lets out a sigh and emerges from the bathroom.

Korie: “I didn’t think you were that jacked!”

Vequora plops on her bed and slides the covers over herself.

Vequora: “I worked hard… and lost many hours of sleep…”

Vequora yawns. There is a long pause.

Vequora: “I can’t believe I’ve gone almost my entire life not knowing you…”

Vequora rolls onto her back, staring at the ceiling. The soft glow of the room’s overhead light creates a peaceful contrast to the chaos in her mind.

Vequora: “I feel like everything’s about to change... and I don’t know if I’m ready.”

Korie turns toward her, her face soft with concern.

Korie: “You’ve already taken the first step by coming here, sis. You’ve trained for this. And you’re not alone anymore. We’re in this together.”

Vequora glances over at her sister, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. Korie, despite her youthful energy, carries a confidence that is strangely reassuring.

Vequora: “I appreciate that. But this tournament... it's more than just a competition. If I lose, if I... die... what happens to everything I’ve worked for?”

Korie smiles gently, leaning forward.

Korie: “You won’t lose. And if you ever feel like giving up, remember why you’re fighting. You’re not doing this for someone else. You’re doing this for you. To break free. To start a new life. That’s stronger than any sword strike.”

Vequora lets out a deep breath. Korie’s words hit her like a calming breeze after a storm.

Vequora: “You’re right. I can’t let fear stop me now. I didn’t come all this way to just run back to my old life.”

Korie hops off her bed, bouncing on her feet with excitement.

Korie: “You have me to cheer you on! I might not be as strong as you, but I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve too."

Vequora chuckles softly, feeling a spark of hope light up inside her. Having Korie around makes things feel a little less daunting.

Vequora: “We’ll see about that, little sis. Don’t get cocky now.”

Korie grins and flops back onto her bed, arms sprawled out.

Korie: “Cocky? Me? Never.”

The two sisters share a laugh, the tension from earlier dissipating. For the first time in a long while, Vequora feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders. As the evening wears on, Vequora finally drifts into a peaceful sleep, her body and mind exhausted from the long journey. She dreams of flashing blades, roaring crowds, and the faces of her competitors – all blurred except for Zazushi's. His haunting smirk is a constant presence in her mind.