Paradisic Sanctuary 2 - Purity's Challenge

Story by TikTikKobold on SoFurry

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In order to better herself in the Tournament she finds herself in, Purity needs to

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“Says the magical girl whose identity is known to those she protects," the imp quips. “The choice is yours alone, Libi, but you have every right to know your options."

“And what exactly," Libi inquires, “are they?"

The imp raises from her seat to hover towards her guest. “Your second option is to stay here, removing yourself from the conflict; your third," she adds, with a glance to Jaci, “is to earn a memory wipe from myself or perhaps that angel officiating the Tournament. If you have earned such good grace, then your identity should be quite safe, but admittedly, I am not entirely sure what the angel is capable of, or what, if anything, of the Tournament will be remembered after it concludes. I don't get out much."

“Not much out there that's worth it," Jaci snarks. “Let 'em purge themselves, wipe the planet; we're removed from all that, so it's a win-win."

“How can you be so cold to people on the outside?" Purity snaps. “After all, you've been quite intimate with someone there. Surely, there's some worth to you in something not of your sanctuary.

“You're here now," comes Jaci's response, “Same as every woman we've ever rescued. You're welcome to stay as long as you want and leave whenever you desire, just as they are. The world out there, though, is why this haven exists in the first place. It's why I'm here, and why I'd rather not go back to the butchers who'd rather see me dead."

“Well, you may have given up on the world outside, but I haven't," Purity says. “I've made my decision, Mistress Mori. I want to become stronger so that I can win the Tournament and protect those that are innocent. People need to be able to live in the real world without needing a haven like this to retreat to."

“People like Jaci confirm that's not always an option," Mori says with a solemn nod. “Her story is not mine to tell—none of theirs are—but there are those within who stay behind to help the newcomers in their way, and I believe that I know a few who can aid you in your trials for the Tournament. First, of course, we must assess what it is you seek to train."

“Well," Purity begins, “Jaci did say I need help accounting for multi-armed opponents. Got anyone who could help me with that?"

“Hm… well, we do have an arachne or two here," Mori ponders aloud. “As well as a scylla; I'm sure a group could suit your needs, except very few here are actually combative. This leaves two options who can provide you the single mind and united limbs you require for a one-on-one fight against a multidexterous opponent: Jaci…"

The scarred girl begins to speak.

Mori does not allow her to, floating out of her seat, her hands behind her back. “…and myself."

The benevolent air that once suffused the chamber broke away like a cold wind, leaving Libi feeling so utterly alone among the two powerful women before her. Instinctively, she draws the symbol of courage upon the air, initiating her flashy transformation to the magical girl known as Purity. Fully dressed in her battle outfit, the heart-eyed woman smirks and beckons the two with a curling of her fingers. “Sure. Let's see just how powerful you are, Mistress Mori."

Mori's smile never falters, though Jaci's nerves are much more on display. Though she may look like a bodyguard, she wonders sometimes if that's her true purpose when she sees her mistress so serious.

Fabric, perhaps from Mori's wrappings, perhaps manifested from nothing, launches towards Purity at alarming speed.

Purity calls up multiple heart-shields from the either, hopping back and away from the clothing assault, keeping a sharp eye, and sharp heart-shield, out for more of the offending strands. More come, but the ones she already evaded keep coming at her, weaving through the air with a carefulness not to tangle, but a speed that makes them catch up. Mori herself does not move from her floating spot as Purity brings up more barriers, deflecting ribbons one after another, only to see the deflected strips turn back around and lunge at her once more.

The magical girl surrounds herself in a pink barrier, encasing herself in her protection, but the cloth just latches onto that, wrapping the protective cocoon, until the whole thing is completely covered, blocking off all light, and any means of escape.

With not even a twitch on her face, Mori commands her ribbons to spin the bubble, first with a slow teasing motion, but gradually picking up speed.

Purity wavers a moment, bracing herself against her protective shield. She can't let Mori win, especially not in such an embarrassment of a situation. She's trapped because she trapped herself!

What was once a gentle swirl becomes a vortex of centrifugal motion, the heart swirling like a top for the amusement of its impish owner.

Still, Purity does not yield, even if she feels her last meal about to reintroduce itself to the outside world. She cannot keep this up--will not keep this up.

An explosion of energy breaks through the ribbons, forcing the strips away as Purity stumbles back only for her to fall upon an entire sheet of enchanted fabric, which engulfs her cartoonishly in a bundle, and then tightly, showing off the shape of its captive, struggling, bound, trapped.

Just as Mori had intended from the start.

The imp never loses her smile, though she glances at Jaci, the girl not having moved during the entire ordeal.

Of course she didn't. She didn't need to.

“Are you planning on continuing this little game?" Mori asks the girl, coated in white, struggling with muffled grunts. “Or, do you yield?"

It is with another silent command that the encased girl is brought before the imp, the cloth over Purity's face finally pulling down enough to allow her breath and a chance to respond. “Wuh… what was this supposed to teach me?" she gasps. “That it's pointless to even try to win?"

“This was to gauge your response time," Mori explains, “and provide a baseline for your multi-limbed combat strategy to build from. You also wanted a better idea of what I was capable of, yes?"

The imp trails a finger along Purity's jawline, from ear to chin. “Based on what just happened, can you tell me what you did wrong? And please, don't say anything to the effect of 'challenging you to begin with.' A Champion of the Tournament is beyond such defeatist talk."

Despite that reassurance, Purity sulks. “I'm… too defensive?"

“Very good," she commends Purity, like a tutor to their student. “Evasion is fine, even smart. Stay mobile. Stay out of reach. However, the best time you've ever used that bubble was against my Jaci. Controlling the battlefield works best when you're able to limit the opponent as well."