The Blade Master, Xander

Mina knelt down, instantly brushing Rin's hair from her face.

"Asahi!"

The small bird suddenly became a Harpy, though she wasn't the only one to drop next to Rin. Lily had also dropped down, the pair of girls both emitting magic that quickly began to heal the severe injuries across Rin's body.

"You! Did you do this?!"

Mina looked up at the man, the very same one that had patted her head. His eyes were saddened, though her shook his head.

"Rin, what happened?"

Rin's eyes seemed to focus on Mina, though all she did was smile and giggle.

"Mina, she asked to be your slave. I think..."

Melody had gotten close, her eyes filled with concern for her former slave.

"The Wind Guardian..."

Mina held Rin in place, the Elf beginning to gather her strength.

"Get off me you bitch! You're holding down the next Elf Quee-"

Her voice was cut off as Mina held her hand over her mouth.

"Rin... look at me. This isn't you."

Rin glared at her, those emerald eyes piercing with hatred.

"Mina, just do it. She asked you to."

"I don't know how! You were a fluke!"

A knee suddenly came into view, Mina looking up into the eyes of the man. He gave a soft smile before patting her head.

"You can do this. Save your friend."

Swatting his hand away, Mina thought of how to make Rin her slave.

'The collar is gone. There is a mark on Melody's stomach... ugh. Not a sex slave, just a slave to prevent the corruption... dammit Rin. You just had to come back in this state.'

Mina gave Rin a soft smile, her tears falling onto the elven girls face.

"You fought hard to get back here."

Leaning down, Mina kissed her forehead. The fire in Rin's eyes began to fade as her cheeks became pink. Mina removed her hand, her eyes wide with shock.

"Lady M-Mina... you just? Did I imagine that?"

Mina moved back, shaking her head. On Rin's stomach, in the place where her scratches had been, was the same slave crest that Melody has.

"Good work."

Mina looked up at the man, his voice and words making her tilt her head in confusion.

"Wait... who the heck are you?"

The man was back on his feet, his serious demeanor gone. Mina could feel a strange warmth from him, though she was heavily wary.

"My name is Xander. I'm something akin to a wandering warrior, or a Blade Master. I've been honing my craft since I was a kid. If like to ask that you forgive me for earlier, you just... remind me of my sister."

Everyone in the room looked at Mina, every last pair of eyes were probing her.

"Oh come on! I'm like... a couple weeks old!"

Confused looks came from Mai and Lily, so Mina threw her Sword Body down next to them.

"That's me! This is just [Astral Projection], nothing impressive!"

Mina vanished, appearing beside the blade and lifting it back up.

"You remind me of my sister, trust me. I do not believe you are her. She fell I'll many years back, never to wake."

The sad expression made Mina feel like she was watching a beaten puppy.

"Well I'm Mina. I'm a Sword Spirit, though I guess I'm a Valkyrian now. Why are you here?"

"Just wandering, though when my magic left me I came this way to figure out why. I can usually enchant my blades with dark magic."

Mina shrugged, sitting down in Melody's chair.

"I'm exhausted... damn that was stressful. I can return your magic, but I don't know you. I don't trust you. You're human, so that's another worry."

The man gave a soft smile, everyone in the room not even caring... except for Lily. The Priestess couldn't help herself as she blushed in his presence. Nobody noticed, besides Mina.

'She's so weak...'

"Well Xander, thank you. You helped Rin get to me. I'm scared to think what would happen if she had been stuck without me."

Xander nodded, though Rin suddenly sat up. Her wounds were missing, her eyes bright.

"Lady Mina, my people! They can't... no they won't make an alliance. They've been corrupted, fallen to their own pride."

"So how did you end up in that state? You were covered in blood... I was scared you would die."

Rin scratched her head, the tips of her ears scarlet.

"Self inflicted. It helped silence the voice that kept trying to make me Elf Queen. I resisted for so long, it was impressed by me. It wanted me to control everything, but I'd rather get some sleep."

Mina gave her a blank look before Melody cut in, her giggles making everyone stare.

"You never had any desire to fight. You always enjoyed relaxing when I permitted it. Sorry for laughing, just glad that was part of who you really are."

Mina poked Melody, her thin finger making the more mature woman squeak.

'Cute.'

This time, Rin gave a small laugh. She looked up at Mina, her smile showing all the thanks that she held.

"Get some rest, Rin. You need it. Everyone else, we need to make some plans. The Fire and Wind Guardians have already become a problem."

Xander leaned against the doorframe, his voice breaking the rooms serious atmosphere.

"Could I help? I'd like to get my magic back."

Mina narrowed her eyes a little.

"I guess... but I still don't trust you."

"You could just make me your slave, though you seem to trust that girl quite easily."

He jutted his chin at Lily, making the girl swoon.

"Light magic barrier. She's confident in keeping herself sane, at least that's now it felt when I returned her magic."

Lily nodded, her body jiggling softly as she bounced.

"Xander, you'll need to prove yourself."

His grin just made Mina want to smack him.

--

Thank you,

JScott, croix and Tech!