Even with no detours, the journey between Radiant and Chainsaws bases was a long one. As three level seven people, Celina, Xia and Kang didn't need to fear any attacks along the way—their combined presence was enough to discourage even the bravest attackers—so it was, at least, a calm one.
The closed they drew to their target, the more obsessed Xia grew with her goals. She drew maps and made plans, accounted for every possible option and used their pit stops—the car still needed to be charged more often than not—to practise hand to hand combat with Kang until they both were falling down from exhaustion.
It hurt Celina's heart to see Xia this way—not a sunny girl or a stalwart warrior, but a woman traumatised by man. Even worse was the realisation that there was nothing Celina could do to bring her out of it. So she did what little she could.
Starting this chapter, I'm going to name my chapters with Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance OST's. I think it's appropriate. >:3