It was a simple enough statement, her hand still grasping the others. Isa's breath, caught in her throat, eyes gazing across the woman's face. She didn't quite understand why her face was red, only that she were embarrassed; a fact that Isa could push to get that little bit closer to what she wanted.
"I can fight, Safine; I've been fighting my entire life. A monster or two - Anjanath or not - will not be my end here. I promise."
Her voice was raised in pitch a little, trying everything she could to get Safine to submit; she wanted to help. She wanted to fight whilst she were here.
Who knew, perhaps it'd help Rika back when they'd finally reunite.
Alas, her hands were eventually empty, the knight looking at her palms, slightly dumbfounded, partly disappointed in herself; partly upset.
Her body rocked with emotion, trying to figure things out. Why wouldn't Safine accept her help? Why did Isa feel so powerless, so worthless, right now? She'd only just got here!
"I can't sit idly by, so if you wont help me..."
She'd turned for the door, powerful strides taken, hand gripping the hilt of her sword; there was only a brief glance behind her before the door was swung open, the blonde preparing to step outside.
"Then I'll go help myself. I appreciate what you've done for me."
The door was closed behind her; despite the tone the knight held, she still gave proper respect for the building she were in; though, now, if she planned to go prove herself, she'd need to get out of Astera.
There was a gate near the blacksmiths, right? She'd seen other hunters leaving through it. That would be the best way for her to sneak out. She'd slay something - hopefully this Anjanath that Safine brought up - and would return with its head to show she weren't just a trophy.
She'd take off in a run, body kept low to avoid anyone that could possibly want to stop her; feet carrying the woman towards the exit and out, stumbling from wooden planks to dirt path.
It didn't take long for her to get lost, any landmarks completely lost; across a small river, around a corner, past a hive full of bees, and now...
A small opening, trees on all sides. Something aggressive, growling out to her side; yellow and small, but enough of a threat to her that she'd draw her weapon.
"I recognize the pattern from that book... Jaggras, right?"
Her words were spoken to herself, sword unsheathed and twirled around lightly to get ready; both hands, holding it steady. A swift strike at it should have dropped the creature, but instead it'd merely howl; more of its kin surrounding the knight.
It seemed that she'd really have to get her sword in it's jugular before it'd go down; so that was her plan of action.
It'd taken her a little longer than expected; blood dripped down her brow, sweat from the rest of her body. Her sword, held ever so shakily in front of her, yet the corpse of a single Jaggi rest below her feet.
It were as if the entire world was shaking; something much larger was heading her way, the knight both psyching herself up - she could do this, she was tough - and demoralizing herself - there was no way she'd be able to handle anything bigger! - at the same time.
It wasn't until the beast crashed through the treeline, a roar only akin to a dinosaur, flames spewing from its mouth did Isa jump backwards, stumbling over a tree branch, landing on her ass. Her sword, lightly grasped in her hand.
Her trophy, splattered underneath the claws of this monster. It's back, adorned with wings, its maw lined with teeth sharper than any weapon.
Whatever this was, Isa was sure it were some kind of boss; a large monster that, if she took it down, would earn her Safine's respect.
Why her mind wandered back to the woman, Isa wasn't sure; why she wanted her respect even more of a mystery. For now, though, Isa's heart thumped with rage, angry that she lost her one piece of evidence of her skill.
Then, it happened; it turned its attention down to her, golden eyes glowing as they turned into draconian slits, time slowing down for a second--
Her words echoed out as she'd throw herself to the ground, sword left behind as she'd avoid the flames spewed from its mouth; if it caught her, that was it. Game over.
She'd look down at her hand, noticing the loss of her weapon; that was fine. She was taught not to panic, to not back down, to re-assess and obtain her sword again.
It only took a single step forwards before its head crashed down atop her, flinging her into a nearby tree. The knight, promptly knocked out from the impact, slumping to the ground. Blood pooled down out of her mouth, eyes closed.
Whatever happened next, Isa didn't know.