Decus·Pyre
3CostRequirement
Fire [Draconis Decus] to deal DMG to the target over 3 hits and inflict [Break], [Corrupt] and [Heartblaze] in sequence.
DMG: 1800% (Fire).
IK
Ikara
Mundus·Verdant Realm Alliance
A mysterious member of the Verdant Realm Alliance who's come a long way from the Empire. From her first day aboard the Eternal, the curiosity and quiet inquiries about who she is have never let up. Her appearance marks her plainly as a citizen of the Empire— a Reverberater, even— and her combat ability is beyond belief, yet almost no one else from the Empire knows anything of her past. Every piece of information about her is classified at the Eternal's highest security level, and those cleared to read it can be counted on one hand... and you are the only one here who has witnessed her true form.
Draw
Debuff
Buff
Cost
Fire
Gender
Female
Birthday
The end of the year
Birthplace
Access Required
Height
155cm
CV
Cucu / Kana Hanai
Most people from the Empire, when they first set foot on the surface, feel a great deal of astonishment and discomfort at its culture, society, and everyday way of life — and Ikara is no exception.
She arrived at your side as though descended from the heavens, appearing out of nowhere and slipping away again just as gracefully. She spent an unforgettable stretch of time with you at Freeport VII, and fought alongside you through the crisis at the Apoaster Bridge — going only by these memories, she seems like a girl wrapped in miracle. Yet back in the everyday routine of life aboard the Eternal, she still lacks no small amount of common sense.
She'll toss priceless clothes into the washing machine without sorting light from dark, or, unable to work out how to light the stove in the dining car, simply heat her food with her own flame — beautiful, but far too hot. Once caught doing this, she usually just tilts her chin up with pride and insists this was never something she was supposed to know. "If you're so willing, you could always come teach me yourself, senior?"
You don't mind teaching her how to manage daily life yourself. The trouble is, every time you find yourself indulging her cute, pampered, perfectly harmless little demands, you can't help but wonder — was she once some kind of princess, used to giving out instructions just like this?
"...So you came looking for me specifically to talk about the time we first met... That's a bit surprising, senior."
Contrary to your expectations, when you go to Ikara and tell her you intend to rewrite a report on your first encounter for the archives, she doesn't put up much resistance — she simply accepts it, quite calmly.
Your "first meeting" took place some time before you two crossed paths again at Freeport VII. Ikara — a child of dragon, addressed as "Draconis" — descended from the sky together with her sister, and showed you the power hidden within them. A mere touch of her fingertip was enough to grant even a mortal a brief taste of magic-like strength — and it was at that same meeting that she revealed her draconic side, even calling you "My Demon Lord." The meaning behind that title, the true extent of Ikara's power, and the reason for their appearance there all remain unclear, and looking into any of it is bound to be difficult. But judging by how Ikara carries herself and speaks now, she clearly sees nothing wrong with her current life.
"And I recall you're not exactly good at writing reports, senior. If you need help from your junior here... go ahead and say so — I suppose I could consider lending a hand."
At the end of the conversation, the girl with the power of dragons says this to you with a smile. Surprisingly mischievous, isn't she.
After the string of events at Freeport VII come to a close, Ikara finds herself with nothing much to do for the time being. In theory she should be starting classes at the academy the Verdant Realm Project has arranged for her, but with so many aspects of the project yet to move forward, this "holiday" of hers stretches on indefinitely — until she actually enrolls, she may well end up staying aboard the Eternal, by your side.
As she grows more familiar with you, she begins sharing pieces of her past. These are different from what's recorded in "Journey with the Demon Lord" — that book documenting you and the Draconis — these are more personal, and far more fragmented memories. She has no intention of telling you everything at once, but neither does she mean to hide anything from you. If you had to put it into words, her story is like a book of poetry meant to be leafed through gently, read aloud in murmurs — the lines still carry traces of dragon's blood and pain, and yet remain beautiful all the same.
The memory of once being treated as the "Draconis" in a small village, she tells you in the laundry room, amid the scent of coconut-fragranced detergent. The memory of once being an experimental prototype in the Royal Court, she tells you in the dining car, to the pleasant sizzle of frying eggs. The memory of fleeing alongside Lukavi, with Theo chasing close behind yet never quite managing to talk things through with her, she tells you in the passenger car, under the warm sunlight.
She tells you so much. Before you know it, she's said almost everything there is to say about her past.
FROM: Strawberry Dragonwing
TO: President of COLUMBA
——
Dear Madam Medici:
I hope this finds you well.
I've settled into life aboard the Eternal. The crew hasn't pried too much into my privacy — they treat me like a friend. The one you thought so highly of, the conductor, I'm getting along with quite well too... Conductor is a good person, your judgment was spot on. Though a little unreliable at times as a senior.
Also, I hope to introduce my two sisters to you before long... though I'm not sure how well that will go.
Looking forward to your reply. This is my first time using the mail system, and I hope it won't intercept letters the way the Royal Court's couriers used to.
FROM: President of COLUMBA
TO: Strawberry Dragonwing
——
Dear little Ikara:
I'm glad to hear you've settled in well aboard the Eternal. When you find the time, do come back and visit me more — and if you'd like, you're welcome to bring the conductor along. I do miss the two of you.
"Strawberry Dragonwing" is such a cute name, haha! [smile] Though I do hope you'll change your username to your own name — it took me a good while to figure out it was you.
Little Ikara, I hope you keep on living happily.
"Senior! Y-you knew she'd see this username, didn't you?! Why didn't you warn me to change it?!"
Clutching her communicator, Ikara comes bursting into Conductor's cabin, face flushed red from reading the mail.
Ikara, here as the representative of the Verdant Realm Alliance and a future conductor in training. ...Someone told me that at school you call those who graduated before you "senior"... Am I to call you that as well?
Is there something you wish to teach me? ...Senior.
Senior, you stayed up late last night watching robot movies, didn't you? ...What? How rude. I'm not the sort who sneaks around— Dodo told me! Here, drink this coffee while it's hot. I only made it while I was at it, so don't read anything into it.
After coming to the Eternal, I tried using surface machinery to wash clothes for the first time. And that was how I learned that dark clothes and light clothes must not be washed together... rather a nuisance. May I put my clothes in your laundry basket next time? Then you could do it for me.
My tail... it's gotten a little untidy. I'll need to spend some time on it later... Senior, a presentable appearance does matter. How about putting some time into yours? If you have no experience, I could offer you a few pointers.
You were something of a "figure" at TMT, weren't you. I ran into a conductor from your year not long ago, and he kept calling you his rival, over and over. There's no use being embarrassed— that's a "title" you won for yourself.
Things have been rather dull lately... Everything's more or less on track, but it isn't as interesting as when we were at school together. ...Given the chance, I think I'd still rather be with you— no. I said nothing. Nothing at all!
Your hand... what happened? You scraped it while repairing something? Why didn't you tell me! Give me your hand— there, all better. ...Honestly, you don't look after yourself in the slightest. In that respect you're nothing like a senior!
In battle I set the "dragon" side of me apart, so that is me as well. ...There's no need to be afraid, since at heart— you say you "like" it...? From the standpoint of beauty, it is beyond compare, naturally. I'll allow you to like that side of me, but you're not to overlook this side either.
...I'm rather fond of sitting in the sun. The sun on the surface... haah... (yawn) it's warm, and it isn't like firelight or lamplight at all. It's very good for... sleeping...
Good work today, senior. I shelled these pomegranates just now. Please have them. ...Why do you look so surprised? I simply wanted to do something for you. I'm not going to seize the chance to ask for anything in return. ...You and President Medici are the ones who taught me that, after all.
I can cook a little, so if you need it, senior, I can help with the meals. When I passed the bento cabinet last time, I saw something that looked inedible... surely it wasn't roasted with flame the way I do it? Or was it roasted too long?
One, two, three... Senior? Ah, I wasn't watching anything... only a dance instruction video. ...I heard there's a ball when you graduate, so I wanted to prepare in advance. And as for who my partner will be... I already have someone in mind. I'll invite "that person" myself when the time comes.
That camera was taken away by Anita's people in the end... I understand. It's for research, after all. But I saw an advertisement for a new camera model the other day! If you have time, shall we go pick one out together? ...How about I take the photographs this time, senior?
Combat... you need me for something this simple?
There are still more of them...?
Let's go.
My other half, my blood!
Dragon— come!
Tch. How unseemly...
I want to go back.
Of course I'm all right. What are you worried about? You gave everything you had just to keep from getting hurt yourself— I know that much. Hmph, now hurry up and follow me back!