Snippet #2764921

Akio was the last one to retrieve his artifact: a navy blue kimono with a golden fabric belt. He waited for everyone to go on ahead before he changed clothes. There were children present after all. And no...he was not just referring to the blue-haired boy.

"These people," he thought aloud, definitely out of earshot from them (well, except Aoi), "They only care for themselves. Which wouldn't be a problem if they didn't feel the need to constantly try and prove themselves better than one another."

He sighed as he tied a knot around the front of his kimono with the golden belt in front. He already felt the comfort of the new article of clothing was far superior to the old faded blue kimono he was used to wearing. It wasn't rough or rugged, but soft and silky. And something told him that it carried special properties of it's own, not unlike the other artifact the rest of the group had received. He would find out what uses it carried later.

He glanced at his katana, "I can't ask you all for guidance while I'm in here. That would defeat the purpose. But I don't believe I'm on my own."

He looked ahead towards the group that was heading to whatever awaited in front of them. "I am supposed to have these people to help, utilizing their own pasts and expertise to navigate through these trials while providing my own. That's what I think this cave wants us to do."

He glanced back at Southpaw Sentry, who had once again taken it's place in front of the hallway. The Impervious Door had shut behind them. No turning back now...

"I hope I can rely on them," Akio muttered as he jogged to catch up, "Because I fear if we can't work together, we're not going to get very far."