This is a summary of Greyashe Episode 26

OP: OUTRUNNER

ED: Talim.

Chapters covered: 55-57.

Van is unsure if his eyes are open, as the room he's in is devoid of any light. He moves his hand over his face for some kind of signal, and sighs in relief when he sees his good hand waving back at him. His other arm still hurts slightly, and it's through this pain that he remembers the events that have brought him thus far.  He sits up to get a better view of his surroundings, and finds himself eye to luscious purple eye with Kani. Her precence in the room explains all of the lights and shades being drawn; which oddly enough puts Van at even more ease. She asks if he's okay, and he replies in the affirmatiave. Kani comments on how strange it is that Van isn't dead considering the injuries he has, and wonders if he learned magic while she was away, to which the boy replies that he's still the same. She seems pleased with this answer, and explains to him the events thus far.

The group had escaped from Pajari's house without incident, although it wasn't long until the flamboyant playboy called the authorities. Guy managed to out manuver them for a while, and then backtrack to Dayta's house so that everyone could rest. The fighter had grown restless, and decided to go scout around for anyone who might have seen them arrive while Claire kept a look out at the front entrance. Kani then says very loudly that she has been guarding Van from 'peering' eyes. In response to this, the door behind them slams shut not before a sound simlar to a disapointed groan is uttered. The boy laughs nerviously, remembering Guy's words about how Dayta is a sexual deviant who apparently has the hots for him. In any case, it was her house that they are seeking refuge in, so for now he'd have to humor (and stay far away from) her.

Meanwhile Guy jogs back to the house and meets Claire at the front door. He tells her that the authorities are nearby. He figures they should keep moving so that they don't get caught up in any sweeps. Normally they'd ignore any crazy sounding leads, but considering the trouble that he and Van (and now Claire and Kani) had been stirring up, it wouldn't be any surprise if they started taking every reported sighting seriously. Claire agrees, but before Guy can go inside and warn the others, she stops him with a question. Who is he really? Sure, some criminals get so accustomed to avoiding the law that they in a sense become it....but there's only so much that someone who is outside and looking in can acertain. Claire adds that she doesn't really care if he has his secrets, but it's probably best that he tells Van before he finds out himself, as after all his eye can peer into a person's psyche. Guy doesn't look at Claire as he responds, but states that she's one to talk. He doesn't need magic to know that she too is hiding things from Van...from all of them. Claire turns from him and softly says that there are things that she's not sure of herself, and Guy replies by saying that there are a few things he'd like to learn about himself as well.  With that, he heads in to gather Van and Kani.

Dayta reluctantly gives Kani an outfit to wear outside along with an umbrella to guard her from the sun's rays. She still doesn't like the young witch because she feels that she is taking her innocent plaything away, but Guy coerces her into giving the previously mentioned items to Kani, not before stoping the hacker from trying to jump upon Van again. The boy (after making sure he's a distance away) thanks Dayta for all of her help. Kani thanks her as well, and the two leave with Claire. She stops Guy and asks him if he seriously plans on following them. He answers that he does, mentioning that he suddenly wants to feel 'responsible' for the first time in a while. Dayta tells him not to go overboard, and the two share a long kiss.

The group walk down a path headed west; their original destination before the incidents in Auysdin. With Kani's WITCH tome out of comission they have no other leads to follow. After a bit of traveling, they find themselves at a beach coast. Without missing a beat, Van is enamored with the sound and sight of the waves crashing against the beach. Guy suddenly asks Van if he knows how to fish, and of course the boy from a snow town replies he doesn't know how. This sends Guy into a self righteous uproar, and he claims that today Van will learn how to fish. The boy tries to point out that the girls may not want to stop, but Claire nips this in the bud by expressing her desire to see the sea close up. Guy declares that they will all stop and have a bit of fun before continuing.

It isn't long until the group realizes that they do not possess the proper attire for cavorting on the beach. Van and the girls realize that during their struggles under and above ground that they lost their money. Guy stares at a surf shack nearby, and with a look of pure determination marches over to it. Van is agahst, and thinks that Guy may try something illegal. To his surprise, he goes into the shack and asks if credit is okay. Upon finding out that it is, he produces an amazingly clean Credit card. Glancing back at Kani and Van's surprised faces, he matter of faculty states that out running the cops or being caught by them often meant that he needed emergency funds, which is what a credit card comes in handy for. He goes on to state that he does keep up payments, and has good credit over all. After renting a boat and some fishing equipment, he then turns to Kani and adresses her as 'Van's woman.' The young lady turns to the boy slowly a fire of idignation burning in her eyes. Van waves his working arm and professes his innocense, claiming that Guy came up with the name himself. Guy then offers his card, telling her to go buy some swimwear, as it's the LEAST she can do for Van after what he went through to save her. Kani shoots back that she has a condition that dictates that she not come in contact with direct sunlight. Guy retorts that one doesn't have to be outside to wear a skimpy bikni, and the two of them bicker until Claire snatches the credit card, stating that she will go shopping for herself. She then says to Kani slyly that men don't like women who have it, but never flaunt it, and that there's a thin line between 'easy' and 'lonely.' Kani almost turns red with anger, but follows Claire to her shopping. Van wants to pursue the girls, realizing that they may start another argument with each other, but Guy grabs his collar; stating that it's now time to fish.

Claire stops at a beach apparel shop, and upon asking for something 'classy yet daring' is told by the saleslady that she should really wait for her mother to help her shop. Claire wonders if she'd get in too much trouble if she were to burn this place down, but Kani convinces her otherwise. The young witch resigns herself to watching Claire shop for a while, until she turns and asks what she wants. Kani once again states that she can't go out into direct sunlight, so there's no need for her to even bother. Claire retorts back saying that she's only getting bent out of shape because she somewhat agrees with Guy's comment, that Van does deserve to be repaid somehow. Kani doesn't deny this, but realizes that she doesn't really know what he'd like. Claire states that all boys like the same thing, and hands her a rather revealing two piece bikini, which Kani smacks out of her hand out of reflex. She quickly picks it back up again when she remembers that Claire has absolutely no problem adding one more fire victim to her list. She begins to complain that no one understands what she means, and protests that in any case, Van is younger than her by two years. He should be the one trying to get HER attention......

She then turns slowly over to Claire who has a smile of pure michievous evil on her face. Kani asks Claire to forget what she had accidently said, in which Claire responds with a slightly (key word slightly) less revealing bikini. Kani bemoans this and once again complains that Claire doesn't get it. Claire confirms that she does, and tells her that there is plenty of time to regret, but no time to think and rethink a decision. A girl will only be a girl for a little while after all. Kani blinks and narrows her eyes, inquiring about Claire's age. She skillfully dodges the question by shoving the swimsuit in her arms, and commanding her to at least try it on. Kani's now red, but it's a shade of embarassment. She decides finally to do as Claire says, as it wouldn't hurt to just try it on....right?

Van and Guy are in a small rowboat, the older man teaching the younger boy the ropes when it comes to fishing. Although apprehensive at first, Van begins to enjoy the idea of catching his own food and hanging out in the water. After being taught by Guy, he casts his lure out and waits in eager hope of a big catch. It isn't long until he feels a tug at his line, and in excitement he tugs back. The next tug however pulls the boy clean out of the boat and into the water. Guy shouts at Van to swim back to the boat, but the boy replies that he can't. When Guy asks why, Van cites his broken arm as one reason, and the other being that the water that he's seen in his lifetime has all been frozen, and no good for practicing swimming in. He begins to sink, and Guy realizing that he has to act fast, takes off his shirt and shoes, grabs the flare gun in the boat and after placing it in his mouth leaps in. Van is sinking, but he manages to grab him. He gets a good glimpse at their enemy, which is a huge bass. Van's fishing pole is still in it's mouth, and Guy takes a chance by grabbing it. The fish turns and speeds away as fast as it can, causing a ripple and then wave to capsize the boat and drag the boys along with it.

Meanwhile Claire is already on the beach wearing her swimsuit. She makes preperations to build a sand castle, while Kani watches in the shade. Claire tells her without turning around that there's no point in wearing the swimsuit if she's just going to hide, to which Kani responds that she never intended to wear it in the first place. The ex-goddess killer rolls her eyes and asks if her courage is only for show. Kani doesn't hide her offense from this statement, but does not move from her location. Claire asks bluntly if she intends to simply live in the dark because life dictated as much, or will she take control and do as she wishes? After mulling this over for a bit, the young witch slowly makes her way out into the sun, wearing the second Bikni Claire chose earlier. Truthfully she had always wanted to go to the beach when the Savior was alive but had always used the sun as her handicap. Claire asks how she feels now, and she replies that she's only going to stay out until Van returns.

Guy and Van awake on a small island a few hours away from where the girls are. The boy states that he doesn't like fishing very much, which gets a loud laugh from the man. Guy finds the boat flipped over but otherwise okay on the coast of the island, and tells the boy that they should head back. Van asks Guy suddenly about how he got to be so strong, and just as suddenly, Guy states that his strength isn't the type that Van can handle. He should go looking for the type of strength that is his style. Van thinks about this, and decides that he wants a strength that can protect both his friends and enemies. He thinks back to Raferty, and how the man had been their enemy, right up to when he died. Even if the enemy doesn't believe in what he does, Van still feels that everyone has a right to live. Guy thinks for a minute, and then asks Van if he's ready to surpass the goddesses then. Van glances at Guy, and he repeats himself. Stating that there's no such thing as a human who's compassionate enough to save his enemies as well as his friends. That kind of forgiveness is more...divine.

The boy's reply is slow, quiet and lacking in some resolve....at first. But he comes around full circle and states if the goddesses forgiveness is what stands between him and his goals or his friends, then....he'll have no choice but to surpass it. Guy chuckles warmly, and then tells Van that it's time to head back. He flips the boat over, and the two begin to row back. When they're about half way, the killer fish from earlier reappears to taunt them, tossing the boat from side to side.  Van catches sight of his rod still in the fish's mouth, and with a nod to Guy, they reclaim it and begin to pull. The fish struggles aganst the boys, but they shout a battle cry and pull even harder.  The battle between man and fish continues until....

The night has come and Claire boredly looks at her sand fortress complete with turrets and a minature princess. Kani is still sitting and waiting for Van, her delicate skin now sunburnt as even the umbrella couldn't protect her from the heat. Claire feels slightly guilty, and prods her to come inside, but she won't move. The smell of something cooking catches both of the girl's attention however, and they head further down shore to find Guy and Van cooking a huge fish over an open flame. The boys had been further down stream for a little while, but wanted to surprise the girls with dinner.

Van announces to Kani and Claire his plans to overcome the goddesses while they eat. Claire is all for it, while Kani is a bit nervious with the boy saying something so sacreligious. He explains that he doesn't mean it literally, but wants a strength that can protect everyone, whether they be friend or foe. Kani smiles, and admits that if anyone else had said that to her, she'd think them insane. Yet Van's innocent seriousness seems...genuine.  Guy and Claire agree with her, and then point out a shooting star in the sky.  The journey to find each other had finally come to an end. Only the future knows what will happen to them from here on in, but the future is a teacher that relies more on experience than lecture to teach it's students.

The fact that there is a tomorrow, is in itself a victory for today.