*Punching at a tree for practice. The bark has been almost entirely chipped away on her side.*

She could hardly recognize what she had become. Even after so many monsters slain by her hands, she is never quite able to accept that she is a far worse beast.

"The Devil beasts of earth were never as grotesque as the demons in hell, but if I let them intimidate me with size and appearance, I'll lose. I have to be confident. I have to become something greater than them!"

"Every creature on Earth has a natural enemy. A creature that preys on another is not evil, but a necessary bringer of balance. Humans have been left unchallenged for a long time. Could the beast syndrome simply be the natural order of things? Am I wrong to destroy them?"

@lucesatanica.bsky.social "Asuka..." An intense aura radiated off Jun's body as she stood in Asuka's doorway, clinging to the door frame. Her head hung low, bangs obscuring her eyes. "The urge... I can't fight it. If I don't defeat a beast, I'll never calm down!"

"You have your life here in the ocean now. It's a new beginning for you. You can do whatever you want now." Jun spun in place to keep Aoi in sight at all times. "I'll keep you in mind when I need a swim partner to race!"

"Good to know you haven't lost your edge. You were the best back then!" Jun smiled back as she gave her due respect. "Me? Yeah... All things considered. I've been okay. I'm hanging in there."

Jun flinches at being splashed. She gasps at first, but soon breaks into an alleviated smile. "I'll try not to." She then walked deeper into the water, submerging herself entirely. "Now how much have you improved since we last met? Are you still as fast as before? I have been practicing, you know."

Jun stopped, watching Aoi walk towards the shore. "Safe with me? Even though I'm the one that almost killed you?" She was standing just where the ocean crashed on the sand, only knee deep. There was still some uncertainty to go all the way in.

Jun gasped as she taken by hand and led to their home. She thanked Aoi for the swimsuit and got changed. Once she was ready, she noticed the fin on Aoi's back. "Your body has changed." She made a note of that. "I think you were always meant for the sea. Our bodies merely adapt to our dreams."

"Old times..." Her memory flashed with memories of a time they 'swam', their bodies transformed into beasts for a deadly battle. "...you mean like when we were in gym class? That doesn't sound too bad."

"Well... I'm glad to see you're doing alright now. Did you want me out of your way? I'll try not to bother you much."

"Mn. Sorry to hear that. You make a sacrifice in order to defend the sea life. That's honorable. Maybe the pain will be worth it in the end. At least, that's what I tell myself."

Jun blinked. It clearly wasn't the answer she was expecting. "Ah. That seems like a pretty noble thing to do now. Well I'm glad that you have that duty. It's nice to have something worth protecting."

Jun crossed her arms, with a conflicted expression on her face. "Well, you've been given a second chance now. What will you do with it? What will you dedicate your life to? Depending on that answer, I might forgive you."

"If it's means anything, I didn't want to resort to hurting you, but you left me no choice. That's all in the past now, I think."

That didn't make the shock any less intense. "...should I be scared? You and I fought back then..."

"Yes there a- You!" Jun's eyes went wide eyed with shock. She had to look over Aoi's face several times just to be sure this was the very person she thought to be dead.

"There's beasts running amok out there. Can I get to them before anyone else?"

When her sights are set, there is nothing that can hold her back, no force in heaven or hell!

It is a risky business, being put in the spotlight, when at any second she could be revealed. What would they think of her should her true nature be captured in these photos instead? How long can she pretend like she belongs?

Everyone harbors a destructive impulse deep in their hearts, though they might have the sense to control it. A strange transformation changes Jun physically and mentally until she is capable of violence and capable of enjoying it, regardless of how much it pains her.

More monsters with unrestrained hunger hunt in the night. They believe they are the only beasts to exist, granting them the confidence to attack freely. That behavior only put them on another hunter's radar.

Only when restraint is abandoned does she begin to attain greater strength from desire.

Destructive Sunday

"I sense a lack of Christmas presents coming my way. After all I've done too..."

Blood in the air. The scent of death attracts. She's bound to find her prey.

Jun would be happy to know that. Likewise, it would be nice to repay that caring kindness with some shared moments together.