Such A Sorry State [Kita, Amaranta]

"Of course. Why else would I be here?"

A familiar scent graced her nostrils. A pair of eyes, supernaturally blue, shined like a blazing star. Where was the worthwhile entertainment? There was likely a clash promising brilliance, a battle worthy of seeking her teeth into. Somewhere in the distance, she could sense a symphony of grand spiritual pressures radiating all around the wartorn plains of this fallen nation.

A single battle wouldn't even be enough to sate her lust for conflict. Soul reapers? Hollows? To deny herself of this divine feast was nothing short of damnable, but her spiritual energy reserves weren't quite at the ideal capacity for the battles ahead. What a shame. Perhaps, all was not lost.

This worn voice. This familiar spiritual pressure...

Vanishing in the blink of an eye, appearing a few meters before her within the den. Cocking her head to the side with a grin, she silently appraised the woman's appearance. Crimson hair, crimson eyes, a beastly stature, a familiar reiatsu. Genuinely, without any of that harshness her brash tone usually conveyed, she posed but a single question.

"Do I know you? Your spiritual pressure is familiar, and so is that scent... but your appearance doesn't ring a single bell."

"Kita, eh? You talk funnier than I remember. Then again, who am I kidding? We barely talked."

Amaranta grinned in humorous recognition of the woman, the green scale-like patterns a telltale sign of her identity. It was far more prevalent in her skin the last time they met. For a moment, the leonine woman idly wondered if she had learned to suppress whatever curse it was that had been laid upon her.

Though their duel was more akin to a contest of savagery, she hadn't forgotten the woman in the slightest. Indeed, even her presence was stronger than before. The spiritual energy was spicier than she remembered. Running a hand through the crimson woman's hair, Amaranta's sapphire gaze appraised the den they were currently occupying with their presence. How did she end up here, anyway?

"I remember ya. We fought like a pair of rabid fuckin' animals. What brings you here? Looking to sate your bloodlust like me, fellow predator?"

"Your Klein, eh? Interesting. Guess he has a thing for felines, huh?"

An upturned eyebrow marked an expression of interest at those peculiar words. What connection did these two share? There was rarely considerable interest in exploring Klein's personal affairs. He never revealed anything to her, and she never bothered to explore anything about him. Humorous, is it, then, that yet another revelation has been brought to her doorstep by another woman.

First, it was his connection with that serpentine woman, Safira. Now, it was Kita, revealing her pathetic intentions on how she intended to die, and how aimless she felt about her current direction in life.

Amusement was painted over by disappointment at what graced her ears. Occupying a seat a few meters apart from Kita, the bronze woman observed her with that penetrating pair of sapphires.

"What the hell do you want, then? Bloodshed or sitting around until you find something to validate your existence? Sheesh... Klein told me the other day that he didn't like hangers-on, that he wanted people that could handle themselves. What do I see here? A wounded animal in a land full of ferocious beasts? Or did he take pity on you? I guess if they look hot enough, he'll make an exception, but still..."

There were several questions. Each more infuriating than the last. Where was the ferocity she felt back on that island?

"There it is. Now you're speaking a language I'm familiar with."

Amaranta rose from her position on the ground, an air of bloodlust emanating from her frame as she strode toward the field. Whatever her connection was to Klein, Kita's passion rose as suddenly as a blooming flower the moment she spoke ill of her presence in his life, her animated ferocity far more desirable in comparison to the miserable form that graced her eyes moments ago. Claymore in hand, the leonine woman reached the center of what was soon to be another upturned battlefield within the plains of Africa.

"Give it your best shot, then, Kita. Complacency or not, I'm not here to help you get strong for his sake. What I desire is strength for your sake alone. Show me what that amounts to. If you fall short of even that? I promise that you will meet the end you desired not long ago."

Offering the first strike, the bronze leonine woman beckoned her forward. Eager to see what her talents as a fighter amounted to. The last time she was little more than a rabid beast without any sense of control. Now, she seemed more mindful, more aware. Ah, she sincerely hoped this outward appearance went beyond physical looks. Otherwise, she would be severely disappointed.

Kita appeared before her in a single flash of movement. Such was the boon of speed granted by Sonido. To sate her wild curiosity, she allowed the monstrous feline to land her first attack without any form of resistance. Curiosity prompted her to approach the battle with observation first. There was no need to devour the meal in one whole bite.

After all, Amaranta wanted to see what her fellow predator's will amounted to in the grand scheme. The localized explosion encompassed her whole body, but the bronze lion would allow her no more purchase as she brought her strength to bear to swing the woman off of her arm during the display of fireworks.

When the smoke cleared, trails of blood lined her forehead in a grisly stream. Marked with severe burns, a bestial grin tore across her lips as she licked at the blood at her mouth. It was an impressive blow, to be sure, but far from enough to rattle someone with her degree of bloodlust.

"Hahaha! Whoa... if I were any weaker, that might have killed me just now..."

Displaying her prowess in Sonido, she bolted forward like a monstrous cyclone of violence, ferociously swinging her blade forward to create a streak of flame that sought to hit her head-on. The friction created from the arc of her swing enhanced the immensity of her flame as she pursued the woman relentlessly. If she evaded her initial strike, she would simply warp behind her to attack from another direction, aiming to set a wild and frantic pace in this murderous dance.

"Show me more of that! Let your bloodlust roam freely! If you call yourself a beast, show me! If you crave blood, spill blood!"