Arturia watched in awe, the girl fought like a wild animal. Tooth and nail she clawed at the two men, dodging their swings like it was nothing.
The first man took a downward swing with his sword, the girl sidestepped and grabbed him. One hand on the forearm, one on the elbow, and snapped it like a twig. The man dropped his sword and yelled in pain.
She turned to the second man, he took a sideways swing at her. She ducked beneath the blade and gracefully carried herself to his side. She placed a foot at the back of his legs, and a hand on his face, and with one swift motion flipped him completely into the air.
Watching it was… breathtaking. Time seemed to slow down for everyone but the girl. As the man fell, she spun around and raised her fist. For a brief moment, Arturia could've seen it flicker and glow, like a faint whisp of fire emerging between her knuckles. She slammed her fist into the man's face and sent him to the floor so hard the wood beneath him splintered and cracked.
The man didn't get up, or even move, he was knocked out cold. The girl clapped her hands together and dusted herself off, then turned toward Arturia.
"That's how a bad bitch fights!" She smiled and gave a thumbs up.
Arturia felt a flutter in her chest.
Then she saw it, the man with the broken arm had gotten back up with his sword in his off hand. The girl didn't notice.
"Look out!" Arturia shouted and reached out her hand. A beam of black energy erupted from Arturia's finger, slamming into the man and sending him flying back against the wall unconscious.
The girl looked at Arturia and blinked in surprise, then smiled. She walked over and patted her hat.
"Thanks for that, you're not too bad yourself."
"N-no! Thank you!"
The girl laughed.
"U-um! My name is Arturia!"
"I'm Asuna."
Arturia suddenly reached out and hugged her. "Thank you… Asuna."
Asuna blushed and let out a huff. She pushed the girl away and stammered, "Hey! We got more guys to take care of up there!"
"W-w-we?"
"Come on!" Asuna grabbed her by the sleeve and dragged her up top.
Together with the sailors, they managed to fend off the rest of the pirates. Most of the crew was dead, but they had enough left to continue the journey. They'd been on the outer edge of the storm, and soon managed to get back to peaceful waters and continue onward.
"Aye, thanks lasses." Said the captain as he patted Arturia on the head. "Shouldn't be too long now before we get there."
"I'm glad." Said Arturia "I've had enough of boats."
"Ever been to Glade?" Asked the captain.
"I've never even left Veridia till now." Piped in Asuna.
"Well I'll tell ya, it's a nice enough place. But the place we're landing at ain't so much so."
Arturia could see the coast approaching in the distance. It was… dreary. Swamps and dead trees bathed in the pale moonlight, and once rough water became eerily still and calm. It was unnerving.
"This here is Merravale. I hope you enjoy your stay lass."
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