=== Alear & Saphir === --- C --- [Alear] Thank you for sparring with me, Saphir. [Saphir] No problem. Always a pleasure to find an opponent who can help me work up a sweat. [Alear] Glad to hear it, since I barely kept up. I see now why Brodia holds you in such high regard. [Saphir] Don't be too modest. You're good, and you've got lots of room to grow. [Saphir] Strength, skill, speed... You're full of potential. Keep training─you'll see. [Alear] Maybe, but what I really envy is your intensity. The way you press the attack...it's relentless. [Alear] Do you think I've got the potential to be as ferocious a fighter as you are? [Saphir] That's... [Alear] Saphir? [Saphir] Ah, sorry. [Saphir] Listen... You'd be better off not modeling your fighting style too much after mine. [Saphir] Ferocity doesn't suit you. You're too kind a person for it. [Saphir] Just be yourself, and hang on tight to that kindness. Don't let it go. [Alear] I understand, Saphir. Thank you. --- B --- [Saphir] OK, that's enough sparring for today. [Alear] Thanks again for indulging me. [Saphir] There really is such kindness in your eyes, even when you're fighting. It's refreshing. [Saphir] Anyway, thanks for the warm-up. I'm off to do some strength training. [Alear] One training session straight to another? Your stamina's amazing. [Saphir] When training is all you have, you give it all you've got. [Alear] What do you mean, "training is all you have"? [Saphir] ... [Saphir] Yeah, OK. I don't usually talk about this, but you deserve an answer. [Saphir] I've always been strong, even as a kid. But back in those days, I had a friend I could never beat. [Saphir] This friend trained hard─and I mean hard─with the goal of becoming the strongest knight ever. [Saphir] One day, Elusia attacked my village. My friend was killed. [Saphir] After that, I figured someone should honor her wish to be the strongest. Might as well be me. [Alear] I'm so sorry for your loss. [Alear] I can't help but feel that isn't the only reason you train so hard, though. [Saphir] What makes you say that? [Alear] That ferocity when you fight...it doesn't feel like grief to me. It feels more like vengeance. [Saphir] ... [Saphir] I really should get back to training. Muscles'll tighten up if I stand around too long. [Saphir] Thanks for letting me talk your ear off, though. I'll see you later. [Alear] Saphir... [Alear] I went too far. I should apologize... --- A --- [Saphir] Divine One... I'm sorry for how I reacted to what you said about the way I fight. [Alear] Please, don't apologize. It was insensitive of me to pry. [Saphir] You weren't wrong. I'm still holding on to hatred of Elusia. [Saphir] But being the only one who lived...somehow that's even more unforgivable. [Saphir] If my friend had survived the attack instead of me, Brodia's knights would be stronger for it. [Saphir] I think that's why I go all out in every battle. Trying to make up for the loss. [Alear] Thank you for confiding in me. [Alear] Hearing it actually makes me feel a lot better. [Saphir] How do you mean? [Alear] If you trained so hard purely for revenge, I'd have to try to talk you out of it. [Alear] Even if it leads to strength, that path is too full of grief to follow. [Alear] But now I see that you push yourself to fulfill the wish of someone you care about. [Alear] I'm sure your friend appreciates it, but I still don't think it's worth the pain you're carrying. [Alear] If I were her...I'd just want you to be happy. [Saphir] You know...I never even considered that. [Saphir] Maybe you're right. We are talking about one of the kindest people I've ever met. [Saphir] But how can you be so sure what she'd think in this situation, Divine One? [Alear] It's easy to know that sort of thing when you care about a person. [Saphir] Ah... [Alear] Was that the wrong answer? [Saphir] No, of course not. It's...nice to hear. [Saphir] Thank you, Divine One. It means a lot to me. --- S --- [Alear] Hyah! [Saphir] Hah, nice one. I yield. [Alear] Thanks for the match. [Alear] That's enough training for today, though. Phew, you really wore me out. [Saphir] You gave it your all today, Divine One. That was some intense stuff. [Saphir] I know I said you had potential, but even I didn't expect you to develop so quickly. [Alear] If I have, it's thanks to you─and not just your encouragement. [Alear] I want to be strong enough to protect you. [Saphir] Protect me? [Alear] Haha, I'm not sure I've ever seen you blush before. [Saphir] No one's ever said anything like that to me before. I have no idea how to respond. [Alear] However ferocious you might be, you still have a tender heart. [Alear] I love that about you. [Alear] That's why I want you to have the Pact Ring. [Saphir] Uh... [Alear] You're the person I care for most. This ring is a symbol of how precious you are to me. [Alear] So, what do you say? Sparring partners forever? [Saphir] I... [Saphir] Can I really let myself be so...happy? [Alear] I know it might seem impossible. You've been through so much pain and struggle. [Alear] But that's exactly why you deserve to have some happiness. [Saphir] You're right, . Thank you. [Saphir] I'll take this ring and your offer happily. [Alear] Good, because I'm going to be there for you from now until the end. [Saphir] That goes both ways. I'll fight with all I have to protect you...and to make you happy.