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Post by Clair Feldsky on Dec 22, 2011 21:21:00 GMT -6
Clair cursed under her breath as more Etrurians showed themselves nearby. It seemed like there was always more right around the bend. Always they were being pursued. Richter dispatched on. Nearly bisected the man. Clair had seen worse, but it still struck a chord in her for how gruesome it was, even as she found their direction.
Someone stepped in her way and grabbed her pegasus by the bridle, trying to stay sheltered behind its head. It made no difference to Clair though. She simply shifted her grip, and swung her lance downward, the heavy tip penetrating his armor, and lodging into his collar bone. She pulled it out, and swung it at a man approaching from the side as she pressed the pegasus forward, trying to keep the way cleared.
Her hand hurt, several other places on her body were bruised, her entire body was growing tired from exertion, and if this kept up, her voice was going to go hoarse from yelling. Heaven help whatever stepped into her attack range, because it would need it.
"Dammit Richter! Leave them and let's get out of here. We don't have the time!" The Falcoknight snapped at him. Time was of the essence, and her patience with all the difficulties was already dangerously frayed.
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Post by Richter Abend on Dec 26, 2011 14:16:07 GMT -6
Richter shook off the dark appetency that was beginning to wash over him as the sharp ring of Clair's voice reached his ears. He steadied his gait as he blew through the man he had just killed, and couldn't help but allow himself to steal quick glance down at the blade in his hands before once again aiming his gaze forward. Mavick's words rang in his ears like an ominous warning:
"Should I be overwhelmed by the darkness, should I try to take on more than I can handle...It will consume me."
"What does it look like I'm doing?" shouted Richter abrasively as an approaching Etrurian attempted to block his path. Not skipping a beat, the Ilian aimed a well-placed kick at said soldier, his foot colliding with the man's knee. The force of the running kick caused the soldier's leg to buckle in submission, sending him to the ground, which in turn allowed Richter a couple more yards of safe passage. He growled exasperatedly. Hopefully this concentration of the Prophet's men wouldn't keep up, because at this point he just wanted to be free of this mess.
"Richter, Clair, this way!" came a shout. Looking over, Richter saw the pink haired man waving at them to follow, before disappearing like a blink over a hill. The rebel commander, not hesitating to take any way out at this point, made a sharp right turn and made a mad dash towards the hill.
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Post by Garith Valkyrie on Dec 26, 2011 19:23:20 GMT -6
"Hey are you alright?" Garith asked as he ran over to Cefia to make sure she was to alright to keep moving. The hit didn't look bad but it was still good to check it out.
Garith then looked behind him and saw a bunch of soldiers coming after them all looking ready to kill them. The blue haired boy looked around to see maybe if there was a way to ditch them and came up with an idea.
"Hey I think we can ditch them if we head into the thick of the forest losing them in the trees and making it harder for them to get to us and shoot us with their arrows," Garith suggested pointing in the direction they should go in. He hoped that Cefia would agree with him and that this plan would work.
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Post by Cefia on Dec 29, 2011 12:25:39 GMT -6
"Aye, fair nough," Cefia replied, ignoring the wound. She hoped it was just a normal arrow though. Strength in numbers were...questionable for her at this time. She ducked a branch, considering the other options. It came to her thought that, yeah, she better follow due to her size. Why did she had to be naturally tall?
She ducked another branch. This was going to be more difficult to maneuver, not just for the enemy but for her as well. The farther she went into the thicket, the more difficult it became to not get smacked by leaves. At the very least her greeness helped her blend in.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Dec 31, 2011 20:57:42 GMT -6
At this point, Clair was starting to question heading in this direction at all. It wasn't as though she could have predicted so many enemies would have made it to this section of the forest, but.... Sky and Clouds! There weren't supposed to be this many soldiers here already!
A voice from her right caught her attention, and she saw the other pink-haired man calling to them from further over in the trees. With nowhere better to go, she pulled a hard right, the winged mare she was riding skidding to a halt, before slipping through the brush to their right, and following Richter's companion. Hopefully, whatever he had, it was better than their current situation.
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Post by Richter Abend on Jan 1, 2012 18:17:34 GMT -6
Richter crested the wooded hill to see his comrade slip into a small cave below him.
A cave? Really? A small, confined hole in the ground was the last place the rebel commander wanted to be right now, but as the pink haired man poked his head out of the grotto to yell at both Clair and himself to follow, Richter realized that he didn't have many, if any, alternate options available to him.
"Come on, get in here!" shouted the man, vigorously waving for Richter to follow before disappearing once again into the cave. Sighing, the rebel commander sheathed his dark magic blade, and with a slight jump, slid down the muddy embankment before landing solidly at the mouth of the cave.
"Hurry, Clair!" shouted Richter with a hand to his mouth, not willing to duck inside until he knew his assistant officer was right behind him.
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Derick
Soldier
A deserter from Bern, struggles to reign himself in.
Posts: 170
Profession: Amateurish Mercenary
Affinity: Anima
OoC Alias: Derick
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Post by Derick on Jan 1, 2012 19:28:32 GMT -6
Derick plowed through the trees alongside his two companions. His armor was a mixed blessing; he was having more trouble navigating the tight squeezes and was making much more noise than either of his companions, but he was also protected against the thin, whippy branches that some of the trees possessed. He paused for a moment to catch his breath and realized that the whistle of incoming arrows had disappeared, that was a good sign. Derick resumed his battle through the branches as he noted a clearing was up ahead, "Just a bit further!" He called to Garith and Cefia.
Despite his armor troubles, Derick reached the clearing first. As he stepped away from the trees, a branch slashed across his face, raking across his wound from earlier, it was like a parting gift from the trees. "Argh!!! Dang it!" Derick stumbled forward blindly and tripped into the clearing. He lay still on the earth for a moment when he felt the ground vibrate and heard something coming, he looked up, startled.
"Tsk, tsk, one should expect such wounds after traipsing through the woods like that." The speaker was mounted on a horse. He wielded a steel lance and his fine armor indicated he was Etrurian. "Funny thing about that," a second rider approached wearing similar armor, he wielded a steel sword. "We've been instructed that anyone leaving the city is likely with the traitor." Derick sized them up, their armor was very fine, even by Etrurian standards, Derick just hoped that didn't mean-- "Instructed by whom?" Derick's voice was flat, more demanding than it was inquisitive. The riders' easy postures indicated they had seen combat quite a few times.
"By our liege, The Herald, of course," Derick tensed, this could get ugly, "You wouldn't happen to be seeking the traitor, Richter Abend, would you?" Derick stayed silent, unsure of how to respond. Derick's silence was reason enough for the cavaliers attack, they both charged simultaneously. Without conscious thought, Derick leapt back, crashing through the branches as he hid himself in the foliage, "S-stick to th-the trees!" he called out to Garith and Cefia, wherever they were.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Jan 3, 2012 16:47:35 GMT -6
A cave? Really? The winged commander couldn't think of a worse place one of her particular skills and equipment to go. She wasn't even sure the pegasus could be convinced to follow her into the darkened entry way. For a moment, she considered taking flight, and escaping separately, but there wasn't enough of a clear avenue through the trees here, and she didn't really want to leave Richter alone again.
Nothing for it!
"Move, Richter!" She yelled ahead of her. She was breathing fast now, but she knew what she was doing. Still at a fast trot, she picked her left leg up over the front of the saddle, and landed on the right side of the pegasus. She grabbed red cloak as she dropped, and ran to the front, taking secure control of the pegasus' bridle, and covering its eyes as they went. It nearly panicked, the winged mare calmed as Clair spoke to it, trying to keep it responsive.
The two blew into the cave, and Clair did her best to slow the winged creature, pulling it into a turn, and stopping it.... More than likely, this wouldn't work. Caves were typically known for being dark, dank, and too small for pegasi. She quickly looked around to confirm whether this was the case or not.
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Post by Cefia on Jan 3, 2012 18:47:56 GMT -6
Cefia looked back to where Derick's voice came from. This was disturbing for her. The young man had fell behind and she wasn't about to leave him back there. Thanks to the past few days they were together, she regarded each men here a sort of comrade. She wasted no time and charged back towards Derick's direction, getting smacked by a few branches along the way.
It wasn't long before she attracted the attention of one of the cavaliers. Soon enough she was being charged at by the man. In these sort of situation, it would have been best to run and hide. Her head was out of it and she was thinking like a brute again. Before long she charged forward again. Playing chicken with a cavalier was stupid but for some reason she felt she could manage.
Moments before they collided, Cefia brought up her steel axe against the lance. The lance point was aimed at her heart but she managed to slice through the wood that held the lance together. What she didn't expect was the other cavalier that came close behind. She somehow managed a fatal blow but the sword soon slid through her left ribs. As she fell to the ground and managed to row over. She slowly got up, holding onto her wound. The man with the broken steel lance looked at it without much concern before throwing it away and taking out an iron sword.
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Derick
Soldier
A deserter from Bern, struggles to reign himself in.
Posts: 170
Profession: Amateurish Mercenary
Affinity: Anima
OoC Alias: Derick
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Post by Derick on Jan 3, 2012 19:25:01 GMT -6
Derick leaned against a tree, grimacing as he fought his combat reflex off. His concentration was broken by the piercing crack of a lance snapping, followed by the unmistakeable sound of steel piercing flesh and a woman's groan. "CEFIIAA!" Derick was already moving when his combat reflex flipped. He remained marginally in control, just as he had with Clair. He closed his eyes briefly and felt a harmonious peace as he charged the cavaliers from a sideways angle. Then he was on them, his lance pistoned out, Derick forced his lance up, aiming for the rider rather than the horse. The point made contact and punched through the steel-sworded cavaliers side, ironically inflicting a wound quite similar to the one the cavalier had inflicted on Cefia.
The rider slumped for a moment, Derick felt his lance pull out and he struck again. The cavalier blocked the attack was a desperate swipe of his steel sword, he galloped away, nursing his wound for a moment. It bought Derick the time he needed. He charged the second cavalier but he too was distancing himself, Derick's lance was a valuable asset against two swordsmen. His feet changed direction, intending to pursue them, but Derick exercised his willpower and stopped in front of Cefia. He wanted to buy her a little time to recover...he just hoped Garith would have a good angle for joining this fight.
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Post by Richter Abend on Jan 5, 2012 17:00:26 GMT -6
His assistant commander now pulling into the smaller subterrane, Richter peered into the darkness of the underground and, seeing nothing, was met only by a faint, but cold air. His pink haired companion was nowhere to be seen, and though the cave was apparently deeper than he first thought, it didn't make Richter any more comfortable about going underground. Underground was cold, dark, and dead, much like Ilia, but unlike the wide frozen tundras of the north, it was small and confined and a single cave-in could mean dying of starvation and never seeing the sun again. And that was not a warrior's death. That was a horrible death; a coward's death, so their comrade better have a plan.
Just then, a hand shot out of the dark, stopping merely inches in front of Richter's face, and as it did the scrape of Ilian boots against dirt covered stone could be heard as the rebel commander reeled back, his hand shooting towards the hilt of his weapon. Had he walked into a trap!?
Within seconds, an orb behind the hand began to glow, revealing a shorter, brown haired, brown cloaked man whose features the rebel commander could not quite make out due to the shadows that cloaked them. As well, he held a long, slender staff, the head of which set with the orb producing the light. Upon seeing Richter drawing his weapon, the shorter man yelped, jumping backward, before leaning forward and grabbing the Ilian on the arm. With a blink of light and a loud crack, the two disappeared.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Jan 6, 2012 1:07:48 GMT -6
Clair could feel a growl of frustration building in her throat. More than that though, there was a knot of discomfort building in her gut. Like she'd felt in the city, she felt trapped in this cave. Flyers thrived in the air, and while she herself was very comfortable fighting on the ground, being underground was completely different in her book. At the same time, if she really was a Falcoknight, then she needed to make sure she was capable in all circumstances. Not just favorable ones.
She looked around, but it was too dark to see well. The other man was nowhere to be seen by her sight, and Richter himself didn't show up all that well in his borrowed Etrurian suit. She had to make some kind of decision now, uninformed as it would be, to help her move quickly and effectively down here. As rough as it would be, she'd be better off peeling her weapons and primary gear off of the saddle, and leaving the creature here. It would only get worse if it had to continue down through the cave.
Zap! A figure had stepped out of the shadows suddenly, taken Richter by the arm, and in a flash of light, both had vanished!
"Richter!" For a moment, Clair was completely dumbfounded, and lost. What did she do now? He just vanished! The entire reason she'd come to Etruria. The reason she fought. Perhaps the single largest factor on her life in existance. He just vanished?! Leaving me in this cave?! Right after I found him again!
Clair fought against the tides of panic assailing her. She knew she needed to remain calm, but Richter was gone. Again. She was dismounted down inside a small cave which was surrounded by Etrurians that were hunting them, and there was little chance of escape. She had to think. There had to be a way she ciukd think her way out of this!
Zap! Suddenly, there was a flash of white light which swallowed her, and her pegasus. When the light faded, it left behind only an empy cavern, with a few muddy prints left over.
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Post by Richter Abend on Jan 7, 2012 14:05:34 GMT -6
It only lasted an instant, but for that instant Richter's entire world was turned upside down. His existence swirled around him like a soup, and as solid earth gave way from beneath his feet and the cave walls around him melted away, things like gravity, light, and air lost all significance. It was like dying, but it was like being born again.
But it only lasted an instant. Little more than a second after first blinking out of existence did Richter find himself, with a crack, back in reality and left standing in a grassy field, a field that would have been completely empty if not for the large pink haired man standing before him. His head still spinning, Richter put a hand to his temple as he addressed his companion. "Was I just..." he muttered. "Warped?" asked the mystery man. There was another loud crack as Clair and her pegasus popped into view next to the him. They were accompanied by the small, brown cloaked man that had absconded Richter. "Yes. I would have warned you, but with the Prophet's dogs at our heels, I didn't really have the time."
Richter nodded in acceptance. Whatever magic had just been wrought, what was important was that they were safe, at least for the time being, and if this man was who the rebel commander knew he was, it all made sense why he had yet to steer them wrong. That knowledge, however, didn't make Richter any less malcontent. But that could be dealt with in a few seconds. "Clair, are you alright?" asked Richter, turning his attention to his assistant commander.
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Derick
Soldier
A deserter from Bern, struggles to reign himself in.
Posts: 170
Profession: Amateurish Mercenary
Affinity: Anima
OoC Alias: Derick
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Post by Derick on Jan 8, 2012 11:41:12 GMT -6
The two Cavaliers were speaking quietly to each other, where the heck is Garith? Derick's worries slipped his mind as the two came charging once again. Derick took a ragged breath as his combat reflex crashed into his system once again. He forced himself to stay in control and focused on the situation. They both had their swords raised, seeking to do a hit-and-run sort of slash on Derick. Derick brought back his lance and then swung it in a broad arc in front of them. His lance collided with the second cavalier's sword, disrupting the cavalier's attack and forcing him to retreat. Unfortunately, the other one anticipated the block and hung back a second before riding in after the swing. His blade bit into Derick's right arm, causing Derick to stumble back with a cry.
The pain disrupted his concentration, he felt the warm peace violated by rage and lust. He fought desperately against the onslaught, causing him to double over, the second cavalier saw the opportunity and set his steed into an all-out dash at Derick. As the hooves thundered towards Derick, he regained control, gasping for air. His eyes glanced up and fixated on his impending death. In a sudden moment of clarity, Derick remained crouched, but brought his lance to bear. As the cavalier raised his sword for another strike, Derick exploded forward. His lance slipped underneath the plate of armor shielding the cavalier's lower torso. The horse's momentum drove the lance through the cavalier's body until it caught on the armor covering the cavalier's back. The sudden stop strained Derick's lance until the cavalier was lifted out of his saddle and slumped to the ground.
With a cry of rage, the other cavalier began his own charge. Derick laughed heartily, an inhuman expression, and pulled on his lance, only to discover it was stuck in the other soldier's body.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Jan 8, 2012 13:12:50 GMT -6
The instant between the falcoknight's disappearance, and her reappearance elsewhere was brief, but probably the most disconcerting thing she would ever encounter. A moment in time where she was standing one place, before being siezed by some fearsomely savage power and ripped away. Light, dark, time, and strength had no purpose there. There was only the path. Your path, and where you were going.
Clair was more than glad when she staggered forward and caught herself, realizing they were in the open fields now, with air blowing over the grass lightly. She was breathing hard, and despite being safe now, was still struggling with the panic that she'd been fighting before. The pegasus was shivering in place as well, frozen by the terrifying experiences it had just gone through.
"... I'll be fine in a moment...." The blondhaired young woman turned around and leaned heavily on her pegasus, resting her forehead on the saddle of her winged steed. One hand was covering her eyes as she tried to wrap her mind around what had just happened. It had to have been a warp staff of some kind. A form of long distance magical transportation. But now where were they? Checking on Derick, Cefia, and Garith was out of the question right now, even if they were still in the vicinity. If she went up, it would just bring more soldiers to them... She'd have to trust in them to make their own way Eastward. She had mixed feelings on their odds, after how things had turned out today.
"...Where exactly are we?... And next time, give us some kind of warning." The Falcoknight's eyes glared daggers at the pink-haired stranger. One trip was enough to know. If it could be helped, she'd never take another trip like that again. The feeling of reliance on a magic so foreign as this during travel was detestable.
"And who are you, anyway!?" She stopped herself, realizing how she was acting towards someone who seemed to be an ally. She didn't like the situation they'd come from, and didn't like the event she'd just come through, but that was no excuse for behaving the way she was right now.
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