Adi & Asai

As long I keep fighting, my fists will always burn hot! Look out, world! The Fist Of The Desert is here to show you who's the greatest fighter of all!

-- [Adi Badawi]

Adi Badawi; a young, determined, and feisty brawler of the royal Badawi Clan. Although she fights for the glory and honor of her family, she's always hungry for a great fight with a worthwhile opponent. Despite being undefeated in international fighting tournaments, every match, she's been caught in a constant stalemate with her longtime rival, Asai Kuniko.

Now with the God Eater's invite reaching to her and Asai, Adi will set out to the Crossroads, and prove to everyone that she can be the greatest fighter ever. What she plans to do with the wish? Adi has an idea, but stubbornly refuses to elaborate... unless you're willing to fight her for it.

Backstory

Adi Badawi was born as the heiress to a powerful merchant prince of the Badawi clan within the bustling city of Tinari'Wan. Born with a tenacious heart, she's aspired to be a fighter like some of the legends she's read about; the unlikely group of adventurers who faced off against a fire genie, a warrior who fought off an entire army on their own, and a legendary fighter that has taken down the fiercest opponents.

However, Adi's rise to stardom didn't start with unwavering ambition, but through personal tragedy. At age 4, her city was besieged by a massive band of marauders. Despite the city guard's best efforts, much of the citizens have met their unfortunate demise; one victim being her own mother. Devastated, Adi now vows to learn how to fight back, so no one else has to die.

Adi kept asking her father on getting her an instructor, but none of them really helped her grow as a combatant. None truly brought out the fire within her, until at age 10, she met a foreign fighting instructor from the enchanted lands of Xuonglin, named Master Masao. He came with a particular interest to Adi due to her father's invite, and is willing to find a suitable student to learn the art of "Hi'Ken."

For several years, Master Masao trained Adi to harness the ability to manipulate and bend fire, dancing and fighting with fire. This got Adi to be extremely creative with her technique, experimenting unique moves to surprise and defeat her opponents. At the age of 18, she was officially deemed ready, ending Masao's tutorship.

Adi demonstrated her prowess through various tournaments hosted across the Brass Dunes, to showcase her fiery temperament, and unrelenting determination. However, one day, during a massive international tournament, Adi eventually met her equal; a Xuonglese woman blessed with impenetrable skin, and a cold stare: Asai Kuniko (or Kuniko Asai). It was this day that their rivalry sparked, as it turns out Masao is Asai's father, and has been resentful towards Adi since. The two duke it out for three whole hours, both refusing to pass out or surrender, and as they clashed once more, both collapsed, ending in a historic draw.

Adi never got over her stalemate with Asai, and is willing to continue fighting and practicing, hoping that one day, she will best her in combat, and cement her status as the greatest fighter.

Personality

Adi Badawi is often seen as a cocky, but passionate woman, always excited about the next fight. Determined to better herself, and be a stronger fighter, she will not hesitate to accept a fair, yet thrilling exchange. When fighting, her tenacious attitude is what keeps her from ever conceding to her opponent, always persistent to see herself as the victor.

Despite her strong desire for a duel, Adi can be reckless before, during, and after battle. Her headstrong nature always causes her to make some questionable moves without thinking, and it can easily backfire. When angered, she can blindly start swinging and throwing fire everywhere unless she's told to compose herself. Adi can be easily provoked into a fight when being called certain words towards her, so always watch your tongue.

With her feisty fighting spirit, Adi is a benign and honorable person. She is constantly looking out for the defenseless, and always looks down on cruel and shameless opponents. She has a soft spot towards kids, but doesn't take lightly to brats. For being prideful of her victories, Adi never kicks those that are down, even if they are scumbags. She retains her virtuous traits, and if the fight is fair and clean, she will show respect.

Relations with Asai Kuniko

Adi Badawi have a long-standing rivalry with Asai Kuniko, since the first time they were matched against each other. Their first draw has motivated them to find ways of beating each other, and will do anything to claim the title of being the best. They've faced each other three times in the past, and most recently, the fourth time before they made a loose partnership for a tournament at the Crossroads.

Adi egotistically goads and teases Asai, just to get a rise out of her. The majority of the time, she calls her "princess" due to Asai's noble lineage, despite herself being somewhat of royalty. She can get furious by Asai's backtalk with the use of her expansive vocabulary, and the jabs she receives can be seen as fighting words to Adi, thinking Asai's goading her for a fight.

However, despite the back-and-forth, Adi has some form of respect for Asai, even admiration. Over the years of fighting her in arenas, and the constant bickering, she can't help but find her... somehow alluring. The way Asai is always holding her ground, her determination to beat her, and her respect for the duel, has made Adi reconsider her distrust. Unfortunately, Adi's too prideful and stubborn to even admit her true feelings to her, fearing that it would make her feel weak or pathetic.

"Through wind, I am silent. Through water, I am swift. Through earth, I am strong. Through fire, I am power."

-- [Asai, Kuniko]

Kuniko Asai, or colloquially by tradition, Asai Kuniko, is a determined, calculating, and stern fighter of the famed Asai clan. Embalmed with the mythical Nemean Oil that makes her skin invulnerable to weapons and most elemental conditions, she's raised to be a perfect combatant at a very young age. With every consecutive match, she remains undefeated until she met Adi Badawi, the only person to be caught in a constant deadlock with.

With the Crossroads beckoning her AND Adi to join, Asai reluctantly accepts the joint with her longtime rival. Her wish remains a secret, and won't reveal it to anyone, especially to Adi.

Backstory

Kuniko was born as the sole heiress to a powerful Lord and Lady of the famous Asai clan. Foretold by a seer of her future fate as a fighter and symbol to the clan, Lord Masao gave permission to have her be bathed in a legendary elixir known as the Nemean Oil. From then on, her skin is impervious to cuts, bruises, and extreme lacerations by physical weapons, granting her a skin of steel.

From an early age, Kuniko was given a martial arts trainer to teach her the ways of combat, strengthening her physical prowess and mental fortitude. However, she wanted her father to teach her the ways of Hi'Ken, believing to be a sacred martial arts style granted by their patron goddess, Mokutan. Unfortunately, Masao refused, unconvinced that she has the burning desire to wield such a fighting style.

Displeased by her father's decision, Kuniko demands to be taught a fighting move that can potentially counter Hi'Ken. One master, named Takara, offered her services to teach her Tetsu no Tsuru, or "The Iron Crane." She explains that with her blessed skin, and her arduous teachings, Kuniko would be made into a terrifying force to be reckoned with.

Many years passed, and Kuniko have prevailed in mastering The Iron Crane, now, it's time to put herself to the test, to show her father and all of Xuonglin what she's truly capable of. She was put into a local fighting competition, and with each tournament, Kuniko has developed a notorious and fearful reputation amongst the fighting world.

One day, at an international tournament, Kuniko, or what the announcers called her "Asai Kuniko", was at the finals, and is ready to take on her final opponent. That is when she saw her father, Masao, alongside his prized student and her new rival, Adi Badawi; a foreigner of the Brass Dunes, who is now a skilled practitioner of the martial arts Kuniko thirsted for since childhood: Hi'Ken.

Asai, now resentful towards Adi, is more than willing to take her down to prove that a foreigner doesn't deserve such a sacred power. The fight went on, and both put up a splendid, yet taxing fight, lasting for three hours before both collapsed by exhaustion in a historic draw.

Embarrassed for this, Asai has now made it her personal mission to better herself, and defeat Adi in the ring. If she could beat her, then she will win her father's approval, and declare herself as the greatest brawler in the world.

Personality

Asai Kuniko, through her extensive training and resilience, is often seen and recognized for her calm, yet cold and stern demeanor. Reserved and cool-headed, even during a fight, she embodies the bold and determined spirit of a warrior. Loyal to her family and clan, and honorable within her skirmishes, she will show the highest respect towards those with a strong sense of integrity.

However, her stoic and no-nonsense nature has been pointed out by other fighters, and find her to be a stick-in-the-mud. Because of her royal lifestyle, she can be uptight with lawful regulations, and snobby towards lowly and arrogant fighters.

 Even with her stern attitude, Asai does display positive traits; always respectful towards others willing to show their determination, and is willing to help whenever she can. She can have soft spots for the simpler things in life, like good music and festivities, where she can let herself loose without the stress of competition on her mind. She's also a big fan of fine dining, willing to try out new and exotic foods from afar, just to give it a try. Food from street vendors is something she doesn't like to try publicly, but will always try to sneak one from prying eyes.

Relations with Adi Badawi

Asai Kuniko have a long-standing rivalry with Adi Badawi, since the first time they were matched against each other. Their first draw has motivated them to find ways of beating each other, and will do anything to claim the title of being the best. They've faced each other three times in the past, and most recently, the fourth time before they made a loose partnership for a tournament at the Crossroads.

Asai, at first, finds Adi's abrasive and rude behavior to be extremely annoying, having to force her to tone it down around people. Even if Adi tries to lure her in to a fight, Asai always brushes it off, knowing it's not worth doing so, at least, not until they're ready to eventually face each other officially. Adi never liked Asai being a stickler to the rules, while Asai finds it insulting for Adi to brush off all forms of manners just for a quick skirmish.

However, despite their indifference, Asai has seen some admirable traits within Adi, respecting her code of honor and tact. Over the years of fighting each other in tournaments, she continuously found more attributes to admire from Adi, to the point that she starts to feel... a strong sense of fondness. With each name-calling towards each other, none really mean it, but would rather not admit it due to their pride, fearing their reputation's on the line, even during a massive tournament.