Ishnol: (Opens the door, visibly frustrated) The fuck is your problem!!
Tituba: (Forcefully enters the room) Speaking to me is a privilege!!! You do not have privileges!!! Do you hear me?
Ishnol: (Taken aback by Tituba’s assertiveness) What are you even talking about, Tituba? Why are you barging into my room like this?
Tituba: (Steps closer, her voice firm) I overheard your conversation with Unela earlier, Ishnol. The way you spoke to her was completely unacceptable. We are a team, and we treat each other with respect.
Ishnol: (Crosses his arms, defensive) And who gave you the authority to dictate how I should speak?
Tituba: (Meets his gaze, unwavering) It’s not about authority, Ishnol. It’s about the values we hold as Angel Assassins. We operate as a cohesive unit, and that requires mutual respect and professionalism.
Ishnol: (Raises his voice) So now you’re the judge of how I should behave? I don’t need you to tell me what privileges I have.
Tituba: (Maintains her composure) It’s not about power or judgment, Ishnol. It’s about fostering an environment of trust and collaboration. We rely on each other’s skills and support to accomplish our missions. That requires treating one another with respect and recognizing the value each team member brings.
Ishnol: (Grumbles, begrudgingly) Fine, I get it. But don’t expect me to change overnight just because you say so.
Tituba: (Nods) It’s not an overnight change we’re seeking, Ishnol. It’s a continuous effort to improve and strengthen our team dynamics. We hold each other accountable for our actions.
Ishnol: (Pauses, a flicker of realization) You’re right… I may not like it, but I understand the importance of respect within the team. I’ll try to be more mindful of my words.
Tituba: (Sincerely) That’s all I ask, Ishnol. We’re all in this together, and we need to build each other up rather than tear each other down.
The conversation continues, with Tituba emphasizing the significance of respectful communication within the team. While Ishnol may not fully embrace the concept at this moment, the seed of understanding has been planted, leaving room for personal growth and improved teamwork in the future. As she walks back to the Training hall she meets with Meral who stops her.
Meral: Crazy how peaceful life becomes when you decide you no longer have the energy to argue and you are okay with being misunderstood because people only understand from their level of perception. No argument is worth damaging your mental health.
Tituba stops in her tracks, turning to face Meral with a contemplative expression.
Tituba: You’re right, Meral. (Her voice carrying a mix of exhaustion and realization) It’s exhausting to keep arguing, trying to make someone understand when they’re determined to see things from their own limited perspective. Sometimes, it’s better to prioritize our own mental well-being over futile arguments.
As the room begins to shake, they get an alert from Unela’s room. As Tituba and Meral rush towards Unela’s room, the ground beneath them starts to tremble, and they hear the distant rumble of the room shaking. They quickly arrive at Unela’s door, finding it slightly ajar. Pushing it open, they step inside and witness a scene that fills them with both awe and concern.
Unela is in a deep meditative state, her eyes closed, and her body surrounded by an aura of crimson light. Her tattoos, usually dormant, are now alive, moving, and glowing with an intense red hue. The room feels charged with energy, and the air is thick with an unspoken power.
Tituba: (approaches cautiously, calling out) Unela, what’s happening? Are you alright?
Unela’s chanting continues softly, her voice carrying a mix of determination and vulnerability.
Unela: Part of having is the fear of losing. Part of creating is the fear of it breaking. Part of the beginning is the fear of your ending. Fear is never a choice. Never a choice. But letting it rule you is.
Meral: (watches in awe, her eyes wide with curiosity and concern. She moves closer to Tituba and whispers) What do you think is happening to her? This energy, it feels… different.
Tituba: (Her brow furrows as she tries to make sense of the situation) “I’m not sure, but it seems like Unela is tapping into something powerful. Her tattoos, they’re reacting to her emotions and her inner strength.
After the chanting ended, Unela stood up with her eyes darkened in red and her tattoos leaking black as they still pulsated with a red glow. Tituba and Meral exchanged bewildered glances as they watched Unela’s transformation unfold before their eyes. Unela walked out of the room, her determined steps echoing through the corridor.
Tituba: (called out to her) Unela, wait! What are you doing?
Unela didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the mission board. Without hesitation, she accepted a total of 20 missions, her fingers moving swiftly across the screen. The team had never seen her take on such a heavy load of assignments before.
Meral: (rushed up beside Tituba, her voice filled with concern,) Unela, this is too much. You can’t handle all of these missions on your own.
But Unela remained silent, her focus unyielding. As soon as she completed accepting the missions, she disappeared in an instant, leaving only a lingering trail of crimson energy behind.
Ishnol entered the mission board room, a wry smile playing on his lips. His presence caught Tituba and Meral off guard, interrupting their conversation about Unela’s sudden departure.
Ishnol: Well shit, (his voice filled with a mix of amusement and concern) I think I might’ve pinched a nerve.