Rising Shards

“Mom, have you ever really fought a clybrid Cani before?” Kalei asked.

So far, 09 had been casually blocking every strike from them. Energy she could bat away with her hands, and her quick reflexes let her block bloodsaber strikes with her own blade.

“I was maybe saying that to look cool, I apologize,” Mahina said. “But I am cool about everything, so do I even need to fluff up stories about myself?"

“Cool about everything except about glass tables.” Ko said.

“I forgave you!” Mahina said.

09 laughed. “If you want, we can just talk about whatever that glass table incident was about.” She smirked and brushed her hair back. "Because this fight's not really going anywhere, is it?"

“OK, now I want to kick your ass more than I have all day,” Kalei started, “And you literally kidnapped me and have been Ovie’s little lapdog all day. That little cocky bit there, that was brutal.”

“I…just thought I was being nice…” 09 said.

"If that's your idea of nice," Ko said. "You need like basic social interaction classes, dude."

“Yeah, it was a bit much even for me.” Risa said.

“Hey, random, but since 09’s more on the defense than offense,” Kalei said. “Risa, what’s your Cani power?”

“I think Narkissa’s power is some kind of precision based one,” 09 said. “I think she mentioned something of the sort while we were on the hunt that brought us here."

“No, that’s my power,” Ko said.

“Two people can have the same power,” 09 said. “Kalei and her mother here both have ice-based powers.”

“Well, duh, but Kalei’s not related to…whoever the hell Risa is.” Ko said. She blinked. “Wait, Risa? Dude, isn’t Risa that one chick you said you had a—”

“Don’t finish that,” Kalei warned, regretting she ever even hinted at past feelings about things to Ko Matora while gaming late at night.

“You had a what for me?” Risa grinned.

“For the record, I didn’t say anything like that to Ko,” Kalei said. “I maybe insinuated some things.”

“And I’m really good at picking up on insinuations.” Ko said. “Damn, wish Lillia was here. I’d be able to have a sick line that also has a big word in it.”

“What are you, twelve?” Risa asked.

“Nah, just a badass.” Ko said.

Risa buried her face in her hands for as econd. “Kalei, your friends after me suck.”

“You’ve been hanging out with Ovie and 09, don’t act like you’re so cool.” Kalei said. She couldn’t help smiling at that. She always wanted Risa to jab back a bit.

“Alright, well I’m going to give you all a choice,” 09 said. “I get the sense things will be wrapped up outside shortly. You can come with me the easy way, and I won’t bind you up again.”

“And we’d do that because…?” Ko said.

“Because I’ll make it hurt otherwise,” 09 said.

“Do you even know where we’re going?” Risa asked. “I can ask this because we’ve spent a fair bit of time together, right?”

“Don’t bother,” Kalei said. “I tried the whole reasoning with her bit right before you showed up, she’s so into Ovie that’s overridden all her logic.”

“Ew, you’re into Ovie?” Ko asked.

“Fine, we’re doing this the hard way,” 09 said, sending a wave of energy out to the group.