“Well now, look who decided to get up. You decided that you need more of an ass-beating?”
“Please, that cheap shot was nothing.”
Anna’s current appearance contradicted her retaliatory statement.
Blood was exiting through a gash above the bridge of her nose and running in between her eyes. Her left eye had remained closed, and her nose appeared to be crooked.
As Tsuru watched the standoff, she attempted to convince Anna to back down.
“Stop, Anna! You need to sit down! You’re going to hurt yourself more-“
“Tsuru, it’s fine. I don’t want to see you, or that useless dork, die.”
Max flashed a nauseating grin.
“Look who decided to step up and play hero. I’ve gotta admit, I thought you were just relying on that wannabe for protection.”
Anna responded with a face of conviction and determination.
“I always thought I was stronger than him. Now I know that for sure.”
“Heh, it’s cute that you think you could take me on. A high school girl vs a trained assassin. This should be really fun.”
“Hey, this high school girl is a black belt in karate. I also have training in other fields of martial arts.”
“Black belt? HA. How many kicks did you have to do to earn the belt? Three? Maybe four?”
“Laugh all you want, but you won’t be laughing when you get your ass kicked.”
“You’re right. I won’t be laughing, since that will never happen.”
“Guess there’s one way to find out.”
“You read my mind, babe!”
Max rushed like a cheetah towards Anna, aiming with his fist for a gut shot.
Anna slightly lowered herself, waiting for the precise moment to counter.
Vivid sunlight began to break through the overcast sky. A ray appeared to cross paths with Anna’s open eye, causing her yellow iris to shine like a freshly-bloomed sunflower.
Anna swung her right leg out, moving with such extreme force that the color around the area seemed to momentarily devolve into monotone.
Her foot impacted the left side of Max’s abdomen, which forced him into the wall on his right. Despite the violent crash, he appeared to maintain his balance.
“Damn… That was… a hell of a kick. Since when… did high school girls… become… such monsters?”
As Max struggled to maintain his composure, Anna radiated confidence. She brought her fists up to her face, resembling a boxing pose.
“Are you ready to give up, or should I make you grovel?”
As she sat and spectated the battle, Tsuru was left with her eyes widened and mouth gaping open, seemingly inviting the insects in the area to take refuge.
‘What the hell… just happened? Since when was Anna that strong?’
Max separated himself from the wall and began to run, appearing to repeat the same move that he initially attempted.
“DON’T YOU DARE LOOK DOWN ON ME!”
Anna geared up to counter, but then realized that something was off.
Max dove onto the ground, flipped over onto his back, and swung his legs around with tremendous speed, reminiscent of a breakdance. Anna dodged the trip by quickly shifting to the side. Max swiftly jumped up and lunged into Anna, attempting to tackle her. Anna responded by wrapping her arms around Max and hoisting him up over her head, slamming his back onto the asphalt ground. The slam had such maximal force that a brief blood volcano formed from Max’s mouth.
As Max laid on the ground, appearing to be dazed and winded, Anna walked over him and perched herself on his chest.
“Sorry, you told me to not look down on you, but here I am, looking down on you.”
“Sh…”
“So here’s the deal. I need you to leave. I’m not about to become a murderer, but I’m not going to let you be one either. So don’t make me knock you out.”
“Shu…”
“You could stay just a bit longer if you tell me who put you up to this. That info would be very much appreciated.”
“Shut…”
“So, who is it? Spill it.”
“SHUT UP!”
Max forced himself off the ground, knocking Anna backwards. In just a brief moment, Max had swapped roles with Anna, staring down at her while towering above her.
“You stupid bitch. I’M NOT LETTING YOU RUIN MY FUN!”
Max then proceeded to bend down, grab Anna by her shirt, and drag her off the ground. They were now inches from each other’s face, with the real battle seemingly taking place between Max’s red daggers and Anna’s sole yellow sunflower.
Max shouted directly in Anna’s face, spilling the left-over volcano blood from his face onto hers.
“YOU THINK YOU’RE SO MUCH BETTER THAN ME?! HOW STUPID ARE YOU?! I’M NOT GOING TO LOSE TO YOU!”
With all of the pressure and anger swelling in his mind, Max attempted to release it all by slamming his head into Anna’s. There was a loud, hollow crack noise, and the yellow in Anna’s open eye began to turn white. A noise that was similar to a choking sound escaped her mouth. Her face was covered with agony.
After coughing up more blood, Max once again locked his eyes with Anna’s single eye.
“Huh… How do you like that? You’re done for. Now, be a good girl, and sit down while I go deal with your useless friend.”
After a momentary silence, Anna returned to reality. She looked to the side, appearing to take notice of something. She then redirected her attention to Max.
“You’re… still conde… -scending me, but I… kicked… your ass.”
“You put up a half decent fight, but I won. Stand down, girl.”
Anna’s lips slowly formed into a large and obnoxious smile, as if she had just won a jackpot in an arcade.
“You won? I wouldn’t be so sure about that. After all, I have a greater weapon than you can ever deal with.”
On cue, Tsuru threw herself onto Max’s back, dragging him back from Anna.
“WHAT THE-“
Just moments after beginning the assault, Tsuru dropped off from Max and backed off to his right.
“YOU PIECE OF SHIT! HOW DARE YOU-“
Max suddenly realized that there was a lot less pressure on his arm. He turned to find that he was holding Anna’s shirt, but the shirt’s owner had disappeared.
“The greatest weapon you can have is a friend that can back you up.”
Max turned to his left to find Anna, who was standing confidently with her arms crossed. As she stood there, now down to a simple black sports bra, Anna sneered at Max.
“Come get me, boy.”
——
Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEight
Episode: Framed Perspective - Part 10
Both Anna and Tsuru expected a fiery rampage from Max, but instead, he closed his eyes and grew quiet.Tsuru began to worry that he was going to blindside Anna.“Hey, please be careful, Anna. Don’t get yourself-““It’s fine. I know he’s up to something.”As Anna cautiously waited for Max to make his next move, he reopened his eyes and formed a conceited smile.“Wow, you truly are a worthy opponent. I haven’t had to fight this hard since I trained with my brother and the boss. You are one truly special person.”Max began to make his way towards Anna with a slow walk. His hands were in his pockets.“Huh, so you respect me as a worthy opponent now? No more ‘girl’ insults?”“I had my doubts, but you truly seem to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I have to acknowledge that fact and offer some respect to you. Let’s properly begin this
The fierce waters that were overtaking the island calmed down in an instant.The orange sky continued to radiate overhead as Charlie observed a woman who seemed to be standing on the ocean.“Wha… Wait…”“Get up already. I know I didn’t teach you to be such a dumbass wimp.”“Why…”The woman locked her glare with Charlie’s and formed a mischievous grin on her face.“Are you gonna get up, or am I gonna have to drag you up? Don’t make me start counting…”Charlie jerked away from his position as the woman started him down. Her bright blue eyes were a perfect match to Charlie’s gaze.“My dear son, I think I’m gonna kick your ass.”——Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEightEpisode: Framed Perspective - Part 12——“Anna… ANNA!!!”Tsuru
Dark, gloomy alleyways. Sky covered with gray clouds. The only sound that could be heard was the quiet rustle of a cat hunting a mouse.Just before the cat could pounce, it broke its stance and looked up. After staring for a brief moment, it bolted towards the nearest trash can.For a brief moment, everything was silent.Suddenly, a streak of lighting shot through the alley, sending trash cans flying in every direction. Just as fast as it appeared, the lighting was gone, leaving behind a ferocious thunderclap.After a few more moments, the cat reappeared from one of the tossed bins. It jumped onto the ground, shook, and began to look for its next prey.——Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEightEpisode: Framed Perspective - Part 13——“Oh, look who’s finally awake. How was your nap?”“Drop the knife.”“Or what?”Charlie closed his eyes
Darkened skies turned the alleyway into a grayscale landscape.“I’ll start by making you regret ever coming here today.”Unsteady scene.As Max began to shift his attention to his left shoulder, Charlie swung his left elbow towards Max’s face.The smooth and swift movement of the elbow was met with the quick action of Max’s hand.Max’s detailed eyes. Fiery rage.“Wow, you’re fast. But… I don’t need any fire to deal with you. I’ll end this quickly.”Charlie’s picturesque blue eyes.“Wow, you really think I’m gonna lose to you? In your dreams.”Charlie lifts his left knee and drives it into Max’s chest. Simultaneously, he shoves Max down with the hand he had on the shoulder.Falling backwards. Coughing blood.Moments before impact. Cocky smile.Max lands on his hands and swings his right leg out. Char
The day was unusually bright and sunny for an autumn day. Leaves danced through the air and collected on the grimy sidewalks and streets. The tender breeze that carried those leaves served as a deterrent to the minimal heat. There was a sense of calmness that swirled within the soft and gentle breeze. As Tamashi stepped out of the house, he turned his head to the sky, glaring at the cotton-like clouds against the cool blue sky. As his mind began to drift towards the clouds, one thought looped through his mind. ‘Charlie and Anna. I need to find them.’ —— Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEight Episode: Framed Perspective - Part 15 —— ‘I need to talk to Charlie and Anna, but how do I do that? I can’t go near the school and I don’t have a phone. So am I just gonna have to stand around in the streets and hope they pass by at some point?’ As Tamashi thought about his next steps, he began to approach an int
“Well, it’s not great to see you, you pile of dust.”Rai pointed at Tamashi as he spoke.“I’m currently spending my precious time plotting in Tamayo’s cozy mind space, so I’d appreciate it if you left me-““STOP CALLING ME TAMAYO!”Tamashi jumped to his feet and marched towards Rai and the old man.“Listen, I’ve had enough of your shit. I was just trying to stop someone from getting run over, and then you show up, and everything goes to hell, then WORST OF ALL-“Tamashi planted himself in front of Rai and grabbed his shirt.“-YOU WON’T STOP CALLING ME TAMAYO- Wait, this shirt… HOW ARE YOU WEARING THE SAME SHIRT AS ME?”“Oh, the shirt? I’m simply mimicking what you’re wearing. I’m not really a physical being, so part of my shape and appearance is determined by you. So, can you let go of-“&l
Tamashi remained planted on his knees, paralyzed by the pure force of the electricity flowing through the room.Rai towered over Tamashi. The electricity was causing his brilliant white hair to float as if it was being blasted by a sea breeze.Rai presented Tamashi with a devilish grin.“Come on, Tamayo, I’m waiting for you to make the first move!”Tamashi moved his left arm up to shield his face.‘Shit, what do I do? This is bad…’As he withstood the pressure in the room as if he wasn’t affected by the situation at all, Sensei continued to observe the situation.‘It’s unfortunate for Tamashi, considering he has to battle and win over the strongest of the five.’Sensei’s arm began to move outward.‘But… That doesn’t have to happen at this exact moment.’Rai reared back his fist.“If you’
“I’ll teach you how to fight.” As Tamashi processed those words, he became visible suspicious. “Are you saying that just because you want me to call you Sensei?” “No, I’m saying I’ll teach you how to-“ “I mean, if you really want me to call you Sensei that badly, why don’t you just admit it?” “But that’s not what I’m trying-“ “I mean, if you really want me to call you Sensei that badly, then I guess I have no choice.” “Please- wait, are you finally going to show at least a bit more respect than Rai does?” “Sure.” Tamashi’s response was accompanied by an expression of deceit. “‘Jiji-sensei.’” —— Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEight Episode: Framed Perspective - Part 18 —— “Oh wow Bri, your snacks are so good! MMM!” Max observed in disgust as Kaze stuffed her face with an assortment of sweet snacks. “I didn’t know there was a Seishin that