[Deleted]

The sword might be better in someone else's hands, and a knight would probably be better riding on the Solo Wing's back. Keil just chuckled at those words, "If these things worked right, worlds would only be saved by a hero who fell out of the sky. I'm a guy who replaced the hero, and we actually managed our task...so someone like you, who actually trained? You even said you Rocket Knight's protect the people...even in the past! I think those swords knew what they were doing when they fused like that. You're alright."

The Solo Wing chattered its teeth in what was likely surprise at the detailed illusions Sparkster spoke of. That was something only a Dragon or its rider could even think of doing, and it was never small but deadly illusions like that...did other people have power like that? If so, Keil was still in danger in this Life Sphere...this world was dangerous, unless he stuck near. What a joke. It seemed their partnership was to continue.

Keil himself tilted his head in confusion, having gotten a realistic perspective from his life, knew that a beast or even human fighting something they couldn't even scratch rarely won. Underdogs simply couldn't survive in reality. "So what then?"

[Arrow Rinehart]

The words again, just seemed to help him feel more up to task, as one of Sparkster's greatest foes happened to be that sense the 'what-if?' aspects always went too far. Sometimes he needed to stop questioning himself and even then, that might not be enough to cease these negative focuses that could come across him. Though these were quickly defeated, words again that made sense coming from Keil. It was that singular moment of his weakness and the timely intervention just by a comment that brought another light smile to his face. "To the rescue again, Keil. Are you sure you aren't a knight yourself?" a small joke, but a happy moment at that following it at least before he continued. 


"Though what happened next was more a trial in adversity, I spent a lot of time dodging, he...teleported around the field of battle. He spat fireballs, fired large blasts of lightning, dragged me towards him with some sort of force of gravity. There were huge blasts of just devastation. But I did find, whenever he was in the middle of these attacks, my opening to hit him." He showed with his hand, a darting thrust, that he shot forward with. "I hit him with my patented Drill Burst and Drill Rush, the moment he was vulnerable, I made sure to slam into him with all that I had.  Each blow was light against him, I mean he practically shrugged me off for the 10 strikes I managed to sneak in whilst dodging him." 

Though Sparkster looked a bit grim as he remembered it, mentally recalling the small explosion around from the battle's first phase end. "I thought I'd defeated him, I tried to find the Princess...after hitting him that final time, he exploded into flames, disappeared...and I thought he was through. And...t-then he became a giant." Sparkster's memory was powerful enough that the knight visibly shivered. "It goes a long way to say, that though I was scared before...battle never is certain, when I saw him, I trembled...he was massive: bigger than Spark Robo...so vast, that only his face fit into area we battled. I'd honestly began to think I was truly finished, at that point, I will be the first to admit to you, Keil." he'd felt despair and like he had no chance, but as any good knight would, he faced it gallantly, and that was something visible within his eyes.

[Deleted]

The words all sounded impossible, a fever dream, maybe. Beasts were giants, they both knew...but what being grew giant in a time of need? The Solo Wing racked its knowledge, and found nothing to it...however, people did not look like animals, as that too was impossible...yet here they were.

Information noted. It was only right to gather data.

Keil's eyes flashed with sympathy and he reached out with a hand...and reflexively drew back. Aw, what was he thinking? They were friends just today, he didn't even know many people who a pat would even be calming...reaching out was weird...

"S-sorry...that's a terror." Keil wasn't certain what he was even apologising for...the reaching out? Or maybe hearing this tale was the abhorrent thing. "Definitely terrible. I know your right here in front of me, but gotta ask...did you beat him?"

[Arrow Rinehart]

Eyeing the hand at first, Sparkster himself hesitated, though he looked at Keil with a light sense in his eyes. Part of the young adult knight's mind at focus was hoping for the petting or patting. It was a reassuring thing and though the opossum wasn't quite sure how to say it, he just came out with it. "...at the risk of sounding strange, I uh...I wouldn't mind a head pat? Or a few if you felt like it...sorry if that sounds strange." he'd even looked away a moment, but did step towards him, just a wee bit closer so the reaching out wasn't so far off from his head. Y'know, just in case Keil was still feeling up for a head pat?


But it did not stop him from telling the story, as the memory came to mind again and he steeled himself. Well aside from a little visible tremble in his shoulders, he cleared his throat and managed to keep the shaking from his voice. "Emperor Gedol's new form...it was a true terror, and I found the weakness of his quickly. As the rest of his face was something I bounced off of, with each blow. His eye lasers...they were massive energy projectiles that flew across the floor, the ceilings...they moved with such pace and at angles. But his weak point? It was a large red jewel upon his forehead. That...that was what became of this new bout. The gem appeared after he exerted himself, and so, I just...I flew around rapidly, evading laser fire, energy attacks; including a dark tornado energy vortex of some kind. I cannot say more of its just being desperation in my attacks, though I am just being careful. I was in the greatest struggle for my life."


For his hands were trying to show it, a smaller object, two fingers of his bouncing around a small enclosed area, as even with the blade's holy aura and protection: he tried to show how the darkness surrounded them all else, everywhere...all terrible. The attacks, nay the one sided assault is deadly and he knew it, there he did his best to try and show that with his gestures. But one can only animate a life or death battle so very much. 

[Deleted]

Keil briefly startled as he realized that Sparkster had noticed his brief conflict of to comfort or not, "Oh, really? Are you sure?" Keil asked cautiously, reaching a hand out and robotically offering a few pats on the head, clearly having no idea if what was acceptable or not in such a situation. The Solo Wing sniffed in amusement as Keil reached out another hand and patted it, as if to normalize this...entire situation, really.

Trying to get his mind off of his actions, Keil tried to imagine the battle, helped along with Sparkster's own attempts at showing it. "You're better than me, wouldn't have managed. We fought differently...ran lots." If they could get away from the opponent and blast it before it saw them, they would, "Close quarters, against all that? Rocket Knights have it tough." An understatement, he was sure.

[Arrow Rinehart]

There was nothing that he could feel within his mind or heart that wasn't stirred by the fear in his heart. The memory had not left his soul it seemed since that day had come to pass. But as it were, he leaned in a bit closer, at that test head pat from Keil being met by his head. He just wiggled his ears a little bit, for a moment those goggles nearly falling over his eyes in the moment. Though stopping just shy of it as he picked up for the moment of the story. Though, first he had chosen to respond to what it was that the Hunter had said, he made some good points on all of those accounts.



"You're quite right about how difficult that was, I admit I was really in a pickle there. I don't know how many times I'd just barely avoided being turned into some kind of fried opossum on the spot. I did continue to maneuver, thankful for my training and conquering the dodging course my father prepared when I was younger. Uh...we Rocket Knights have to learn to dodge a LOT of things in mid flight. We cannot be hit once if possible, not that it means we are never to get hit. But if you can imagine it this way, the more hits we take, against a greater opponent who has numbers on their sides...we are lost then. Being stopped, having no ability to boost off or trying to recover while being hit from the air by anything. We have mere seconds at most to dodge...to move, we are otherwise doomed if the force is big enough."



For a moment he talked about the depth of the style in combat, one form based in speed, precision, accuracy, and evasion being the best defense. It was the way of the Rocket Knight, it had been quite harsh on him, and yet it was simply the way it was. The era that he grew up in, raised by a strong foster father who was the best that he could be as a step father. It molded Sparkster into the capable knight that he was, it allowed him to survive alone long enough. But survival, was not necessarily really living, this...ironically of all times, this was what really living was for him.



"I just thought might be necessary to share at least, because it was all of my training keeping me ahead of Emperor Gedol's might...his size. As you see, in between each Burst thrust of my sword against his mighty unnamed red jewel, I was left with time to dodge. As he hid his weakness away in between each moments and I simply had to bide my time, dodging...was a bit hellish I admit. I do not use the word lightly, but eventually even he succumbed to his weakness."

Sparkster placed his gauntlet clad hands together and placed them before his audience, to show what happened to the Emperor at the end of the battle.  "After I destroyed his jewel of power, the source of it, he finally froze in place. Weakened beyond compare before I bisected him with a powerful, magical boosted Drill Rush. I utterly destroyed him, at least as I could be sure. I had mere moments as his palace began to crumble...I gathered the Princess quickly and flew off with her, we escaped the realm he'd brought us too. I wanted to say, as I think I did...he'd dragged us into some dreamscape...how unreal it truly was. And he, still had his effect, I find myself still trying to wonder how I actually won."

[Deleted]

Keil had to admit, he took pride in his eyes and aim, he knew he could take down most creatures with simple shots...but damn, Sparkster made him feel like a lesser man! In a good way, really! His hopefully comforting pat got more natural, stopping before he spoke, "...maybe determination beats dreams...I dunno, I'm not a magical guy." He directed the doubt at himself, not much he could do was special, so he probably didn't know anything about magic. He had to guess though.

"That was...one adventure?" He questioned in a haze as he tried to imagine everything. "W-what did you think, huh, Solo?" The Dragon paused a long moment, as if not recognizing the name briefly, then it's eyes blinked deeply as it took in all of this information. Impossible findings, but possibly useful. Falling into another world was apparently possible, and shockingly common. However long its life and returning bodies needed to serve their duty, Dragons now had the information of other worlds and this elusive "magic". So this Sparkster deserved recognition. The Solo Wing's head dropped low, in an unorthodox bow, and Keil tilted his head, "Never seen this before, think they're thanking you? Probably is happy we found someone helpful, Dragons are all about completing their duty, sorta like you! Looks like we both were amazed!" It was a funny thought to those used to other legends, Dragons and knights sharing similar sentiments? Hogwash! But none could deny the Dragon thanking the knight for the story, then laying its head down in a position different from its previous resting posture. The Solo Wing was actually relaxed around this Sparkster, though one eye stayed slightly cracked open.

Trust, but don't be an idiot.

As if sensing the actual intent to rest, Keil leaned back onto its side, rambling on, "I liked this, a lot actually. It was fun...and this place is pretty." His cheeks tinted a red at such a simple like of appearances, "I just can't shake the feeling that I'm going to wake up on my partner's back, and then I dreamt you and this place up, back in the dead deserts. Crazy...I don't even got enough imagination to think someone like you up. I'm gonna be really damned happy when I get up, and I'm still here...I'm safe and sound here." Oh gods, he was rambling, "Maybe I'll actually be able to tell my tale all proper-like, or hear another tale. Hehe! I must b funny, I'm the idiot who thinks this world is nicer!"

[Arrow Rinehart]

The Rocket Knight for all intents and purposes had finished the two of his tales, well it was a serious trip through memory lane for Sparkster. Though it was one to share for the ages in his mind, he had never really shared with anyone just an adventure or the scope of its passing with such detail. Certainly while he'd left the Princesses names out of it, he had still settled with giving the details in layers that could only be rivaled by by the expressions he shared during those moments. Even still his mind seemed to be settled in comfort by the end of Keil's pet-patting. His ears had been only just perking back again while he'd listened to those words again, to him Keil seemed to find the best way to relay thoughts that got to the point. "It may have been...I think I can agree with you there, on some level determination and intermixed with my hope for the future? Hm...plausible at least." 


Though no words minced or lost, he settled in with a smile on his face while he looked to Solo, seeing the dragon look at him once more, those intense eyes grabbing the opossum knight's attention completely. "I...w-well...thank you." the words stumbled out were joined by a return nod, a small dip of his head in light. Though within Elhorn Culture, one did not dip their heads lower than the other offering the gesturing. His nod was kept level, but deep enough to show some respect in turn, this was a pretty big honor! He had little in way of words for being acknowledged by a being in his mind that he'd considered to be great.


"Should Solo-Wing be thanking me, then I am grateful for that in itself. I mean with such presence, I cannot help but feel respect towards him in such a gesture." humble to the end it seemed, even when he was the one being thanked at that.


"If you'd be an idiot, then we both must be my friend, I...kinda think its more peaceful here too. While I miss the sights and sounds of Elhorn, it does not beat a chance to not just...fight war right away. I do intend to train hard while here, but still Li, it is an intriguing place. One that will do as a home away from home, I shall endeavor to relax while here, see my friends. Those I happily count you and Solo-Wing among, Keil. Though I can certainly imagine I've drained some of day with my lengthy tales! Ha ha!" a hearty laugh rising from his laugh in purpose of portraying his jovial nature.


He'd felt pretty good now, a bit more relaxed and as if a weight was lifted just by sharing the stories he had. In a way with the closeness of those missions, those parts of his history now, there was some mental closure or perhaps it was just ease after accepting them in whole? Still at word of hearing Keil say next time he could share a tale, the smile upon his face brightened. "So the next time we meet, if you are to share a tale? Count me in, I'd love to hear what you have to share, Keil! It must be indeed, worthy of you and Solo to have saved your world." He could not wait for the chance to hear what kind of heroic venture Keil had with his partner, Solo-wing.

[Deleted]

Keil smiled proudly, taking the Solo Wing's praise like his own, "They don't talk, at all, but there's something there. Human-like." Whatever the Solo Wing thought, it was with a mind, Keil knew that much. Nothing formed such determination by being a mindless beast, and an animal would definitely not listen to the story of a person. Intelligence was in the Dragon's eyes, a mind that seemed to take things in a much calmer and robotic manner than his. He'd be grateful for thanks as well.

The friends concept came up again, but this time Keil seemed more adjusted to the idea, "Yeah, this place is pretty nice, but it'd be lonely just me and Solo Wing. Don't worry about the time, it's not like I had much to do, I don't got a job or anything yet!" That was a problem he'd have to consider...later.

"I'll have my tale decided by then. Hopefully, it won't take long." Keil promised, before taking a look around his surroundings, "I think I'm just going to hang out here for now...I think my partner needs to rest...and me."

[Arrow Rinehart]

Finding that things had worked down to a good way, he'd been happy enough to have finished the tale with his friends here, things did come out pretty well with all things considered and for this now, as he let his tail lightly tap against the ground. "They have presence, Solo has showed me that here, I really think that things have been rather enlightening and in its own way enriching. I'm really excited to see you two again, but for now, I will take my time and depart from this moment alright? But, it has been a genuine pleasure, Keil and Solo-Wing, we are friends from here on out, I shall look forward to see you again. Until then, both of you rest well, Good Bye!"

Having that come and rise, to sink into his soul, this had been a fantastic day it had been. Even as the light of the day faded, he'd felt really solid about the whole day. But before long he'd taken flight, giving a small visual of his flight abilities, the jetpack took off and he flew off rapidly.