2020-10-02: There Is Blood on My Hands...
- Log: There Is Blood on My Hands...
- Cast: Leon Albus, Jean, Matilda Whitehead, Day Muirwall, Ethius Hesiod, Hiro, Belize, Hilde, Pearl, Xantia, White Knight Leo, Gwen Whitlock, Citan Uzuki, Fei Fong Wong
- Where: Bevelle - The Walls
- Date: October 02, 2020
- Summary: The Guado have claimed their prize, and Spira has changed in the last year. Althena's Guard have laid siege to Bevelle itself, and Bevelle is where the Drifters must go. While some venture directly into Bevelle, to effect a rescue, others decide to create a distraction to encourage that.
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
For two months, now, Althena's Guard has laid siege to Bevelle. Its thick walls are made of red stone, often reinforced with steel, and manned by the Warrior Monks. They have not only machina rifles, but cannons and other weapons that have made the Althenan war effort grind to a halt. They have settled in for a siege, at least until more reinforcements arrive.
There have been many skirmishes since. Blue Dragon disciples have battled Guado Guardians; Neo-Vane mages have launched sorties against Warrior Monks; Aeons and Guard Golems have done battle more than once.
An equilibrium, however nervous, has settled. Violence is part of that equilibrium, but Yevon lacks the might to break the siege; Althena's Guard lacks the might to end the siege.
The Althenans know, already, that today is different. For one thing, some of the aerial machina that Bevelle uses have taken to the skies -- but rather than harry them, they gather around the Temple. The guards on the walls are on higher alert than usual, with Warrior Monks tracking movements carefully. Word came back to Borgan's tent: apparently, the Yevonites are having an outdoor wedding.
And the Rolance commanders aren't present.
At the moment, in the command tent, Lady Maltran stands tall. The redhead looks out -- then she blinks -- and then her eyes narrow, slowly. "That's... what is that squadron doing?"
'That' squadron is a group of reinforcements that arrived yesterday. They all wear dark blue and silver Hyland uniforms, and they march forward hurriedly. Then, they break into a run, as they rush the walls.
And, of course, they consist almost entirely of Drifters. Leon Albus is at their head -- by virtue of military experience (that he shares with others), he has the illusion of command. Whether he is, really, in command is another matter. But he also carries a large, well-wrapped item. Leon screams, at the top of his lungs:
"ALTHENA WILLS IT! ALTHENA WILLS IT!"
Then, like a player hurling a stone discus, he wheels back -- pivots -- and then he sends it flying. 'It' happens to be a large, sealed metal drum. There is an Al Bhed inscription on it: BYLGYKA
It flies up, then seams on it ignite red, one after the other. Yevonites on the wall shout and scream as it explodes apart into a fiery blast, and then pyreflies billow outward. A dozen glowing, red, and angry Bombs -- the leathery, fiery exploding fiend variety -- rush upward, slamming down into their midst, and then more explosions echo.
Shouts are heard. Then, gunfire, and then shots and blasts begin raining down onto the lines of Althena's Guards -- and a few confused squadrons begin charging forward.
<Pose Tracker> Jean has posed.
One of that squadron of 'reinforcements' is a brown-skinned woman with long green hair bound up in her helmet. She wears the dark blue and silver of a Hyland uniform, is armed apparently with spear and shield, charging along with Leon. She runs, rushing the walls! Leon screams out--
Jean' not so sure about 'Althena Wills It' but the ruse only had to last this long! And that woman happens to be Jean, throwing down her spear and pulling from under her tunic a pair of bladed fans, though she keeps the shield for now to duck down behind amidst all the gunfire. "Hiro!" she calls. "I think it's working!"
DC: Jean switches forms to Shadow Dancer Jean!
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
Ah, the false flag operation. Matilda is of course perfectly comfortable with this; she's done every component of this operation before, if perhaps not with this level of coordination. ... and previously it's been *her* coordinating, so she can take that as she will, of course.
As the package flies, Matilda immediately draws steel -- or, well, draws silver, in her particular case; the package is going to put a target on their backs from *evryone*, so she may as well be ready to accept that target. "... We're going to be surrounded shortly, no doubt," Matilda reflects, already looking for the most likely vectors of attack -- as well as a potential escape route.
<Pose Tracker> Day Muirwall has posed.
The rush through the heart of Home emphasized in Day's mind the rightness of doing battle against the Yevonites. Even if it hadn't, he'd be here without question anyway. A duty is a duty, and he is here to serve the Goddess.
He didn't expect his duties to be interrupted by some apparent members of the Guard being complete idiots.
"What are they doing?" he mutters with a frown from his position on a small rise, where he's been watching a detachment of Rolancian soldiers. He can see the Leon Brigade from here - and as the drum ignites, the young knight winces and shields his eyes from the explosions of the Bombs.
Shots and blasts pelt the turf around him. Day grits his teeth and raises his shield. "HOLD!" he shouts at the squadrons nearest to him. "Don't let them break your lines!"
Hovering just behind Day, a young woman in a grass-green tunic leans forward, lower lip gently bitten. "Sir Day, something's wrong. I don't think--"
"I know, Vess." Grimly, Day draws himself up, squinting at the group of alleged Hylanders a moment longer. "I recognize a few of those faces."
The young knight starts forward, drawing his broadsword and raising his shield - freshly re-enamelled to restore the rearing white pegasus on its face. As he storms into range of the little squadron, he raises his voice to a penetrating shout.
"You're not fooling anyone! Stand down now and spare yourself an even more severe chastisement!"
Welp.
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Among the Drifter party that has partaken in the ruse, one of the false Hyland soldiers - dressed as one of their sorcery specialists, appropriately enough - has elected to come near the front. During planning, he had given educated estimates about how close they could get to the wall and expect to survive an immediate counterattack should Bevelle's forces be on the ball.
They most absolutely are on the ball, and they're juggling knives and a bottle of nitroglycerin while being on said ball. His role is precautionary - they already altogether know the safe(...ish) range in which to disengage from the BYLGYKA. It's the return fire and artillery from the Warrior Monks that is coming in heavy and fast... and so, the soldier-mage that is not actually from Hyland, nor fighting for Hyland, wastes zero time with a heavy-duty Symbological incantation that ends as he crosses his arms inward.
"Quantum Repulsor!" An electrical shield forms around him as it wards off some of the return fire that is slamming down far too close to the impostors' positions (and catching some of the outer edge of the Bomb explosions too). Some of the sleeves of the uniform erode under the intense heat that washes past, revealing a number of complex Symbological tattoos underneath.
"I must concur with Miss Matilda's assessment," he says back to the rest. He respects that Leon has (illusion of) control of the operation - but then he hears shouting in the distance about how they're 'not fooling anyone.' He recognizes the voice, and soon enough, the silhouette.
It may already be too late for a clean withdrawal.
<Pose Tracker> Hiro has posed.
A young 'soldier' in blue and silver is charging the wall. He doesn't quite have the military precision of Leon in the cadence of his march. As Leon shouts that out, he says to himself, "I can't say that... it's too embarr-"
A smaller Hyland Private, who is draped in twin blue and silver washcloth tied around her neck to create a serviceable cape and a tin cup which has been squeezed over her head to look vaguely like the fashion of a Hyland helm, spreads her wings and flies off of his shoulder, shouting, "ALTHENA WILLS IT! ALTHENA WILLS IT!"
Leon throws the package, which blows up into angry Bomb fiends, and a Hyland private pumps a pink pawsie in the air and shouts. "YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Well at least she's into it." Hiro comments, before swivelling to face Jean on reflex he suddenly rips off his helm, and tosses it just over Jean's head as a projectile to bean a Gunman in the distance. "Looks like Jean! I'm heading straight for Leo!"
As he raises his shield to charge into the chaos, he calls out to the head of their 'column', "Leon - any sign of his banner? Just point me in the right direction and I won't let anyone get in my way!"
That's quite a boast given that he's in the middle of an active battle in a warzone but...
The best he figures, that if he has any chance to change things before things go too far...
... Leo is that one. So he can't let anything stop him.
As Day takes the field, Hiro makes a casual salute with his sword like he's going to engage him honorably and then... just breaks into a run, "CHASTISE ME LATER!"
<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.
Belize is truly, utterly sick of this war.
Not only has it destabilized the mental well-being of pure-hearted believers of Yevon, but it has also necessitated the use of forbidden machina simply to ward Althena's Guard off. It's precisely the thing that beget Sin in the first place--yet when their enemy also has machina, what can they do? Roll over and lose? There are only so many Summoners around, and with that--that *thing* the Guard has been doing, to seal away the fayth, and how Odessa outright *destroyed* the Macalania Temple and sank the fayth there, there's a sharp limit of how many more summoners can be born. At the very least, most summoners' pilgrimages have come to an utter halt. Without the means to train and grow stronger, they must be protected--preserved--for the battle against Sin. And so, here are the machina. Despicable. (That this is not precisely true, that Bevelle has been using forbidden machina for some time, is something Belize is willing to blame on otherworlders all the same.)
It's true that Bevelle has been under siege for months now. Even so, the planning of this particular attack is too good. An assault, just as Seymour and Yuna are to be wed? They suspect a rat. But Seymour bid them hold off the enemy so the ceremony can take place, and so they shall.
That this particular attack is not being put on by Althena's Guardsmen at all is beyond their caring. They rush up to the wall, shielding their eyes from the explosions momentarily, then glaring down at the shouts of 'ALTHENA WILLS IT!'
"Mindless slaves of the false, vile goddess," they spit as they draw their bow. "Today of all days, you shall pay dearly for your transgressions!"
Oh, they seem mad...
<Pose Tracker> Day Muirwall has posed.
"I WILL CHASTISE YOU NOW, FIEND LIEUTENANT HIRO... HIROSON!" Day shouts at Hiro with brandishing of his shield. "GET BACK HERE AND GET CHASTISED!"
<Pose Tracker> Hilde has posed.
Not back long in Spira, and already they move to war. It is... a little sad, perhaps, to Hilde, but that is a part of the oath she has sworn. Lady Maltran and others from her home are here, as well, and that does wonders to ease her concerns.
It is time to join in the siege on Bevelle. Hilde joins Lady Maltran in the command tent... and it is Lady Maltran's questioning that first arises her suspicion. Hilde turns to observe... and she frowns.
"...Those are no soldiers of Hyland." She says, shaking her head in disbelief. "You see it to, do you not, my lady?"
Hilde draws her shield.
"I shall go confront the matter." She turns to leave - and those near the Hyland command tent will spot a furious expression on Hilde's face as she marches out toward the battlefield. If Day's words hadn't already made it clear that the jig is up, Hilde's will as she draws her sword, pointing out to the false squadron.
"I am Hilde, Knight-Protector of Hyland. Enough with the deceit. I do not know who you are, but I will not tolerate any who taint the crest of Hyland, and the crest of the Goddess with such dishonorable acts." Hilde says. "Where did you get those uniforms? For your sake, I hope you did not spill Hyland blood for them."
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
Pearl had only returned to Spira very recently, and the ride to the siege had been uneventful. But now they were stuck in a stalemate. How grand. She'd had ideas, of course. She had a decent knowledge of Bevelle now, but sneaking in under a siege is difficult, as well as explaining yourself as a novice that disappeared for months.
It seems that a squad on Hyland are also sick of the stalemate, and are willing to take things into their own hands. That makes Pearl grin. Then pause, and then grin wider and more creepily. "That didn't take long." The other members of Althena's guard try to chastise or berate the or talk down the attackers. "There's no point in talking to them. We should deal with this directly."
Pearl rushes forward and aims her grapnel ahead. Her eyes have focused on a particular target. A target carrying a pair of fans. Everyone else in the battlefield. For once, Pearl does not attack first, instead landing ahead of the scattering group of false Hylanders. "I think here we shall find ourselves similarly limited." The scarred martial artist looks Jean in the eye, unmoving even as a shot from a Yevon soldier flies right past her cheek. "Let's find out how capable you are now."
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia is wearing a uniform. Xantia is wearing a uniform. That's new. She had a bit of a mental hurdle to clear to agree to this one, which Lily helped with. Afterwards, Fei in particular was informed by Xantia that she'd be doing this beforehand, which he may have been confused about, but Xantia had her reasons, presumably.
And now, here she is, feeling quite uncomfortable in her Hyland uniform. Not that the outfit is too tight - if anything, it's a bit too roomy. It just doesn't feel right, at all. Plus, she's been very worried about getting caught before the plan was put into action. She did what could: feeling like there wouldn't be too many people with waist-length, fiery red hair, she's been keeping most of it hidden underneath the uniform. An oversized cap is also keeping much of it contained, and by pulling it down a bit it could help to shield her face somewhat. Other than that, she felt it would be best to avoid eye contact and not talk to anybody not part of their 'squad'.
If you know Xantia at all, then you'll know that this has been an agonizing experience. But she's put up with it, for the sake of helping her friends. As uncomfortable as she is in a role of subterfuge, she'll have her time to shine when the inevitable time to fight arrives.
And so, when Leon charges, Xantia is right there with him. But not for very long. She was to act at the first sign of trouble - and that's Day, calling for them to stand down. Well, that's not happening. Xantia immediately starts heading in his direction.
"Oh, really? Well I'm glad I'm not fooling anyone, then I guess I don't need this anymore."
She halts a moment, puts her hands on her upper legs, then rips off the lower part of the uniform's pants. Not content with just freeing her legs, she next tears off her sleeves, one by one. Underneath her right is her bracer - her ARM, of course, she wouldn't part with that. And finally, she tosses aside the cap, and frees her hair from its confines, letting out a breath of relief as it flows down her back. Finally, she'll be able to move properly again.
"There. Now I'm ready. Come at me then, see what happens!" She drops into a combat stance.
GS: Xantia has attacked Xantia with It's Like Taking Off Weighted Clothing! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Xantia takes a solid hit from Xantia's It's Like Taking Off Weighted Clothing for 0 hit points! GS: Quick! applied to Xantia! GS: Hyper! applied to Xantia!
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
Bevelle is White Knight Leo's latest stop. Since his arrival, he's spent his time updating his mental map of Spira--a lot has changed since the attack at Macalania, and it behooves him to reconnect with all of it. Bevelle is the most crucial linchpin of it all--and Leo hopes that his presence here can help break the stalemate.
The White Knight steps into the command tent; the soldiers standing guard pop into crisp, sharp salutes. Lady Maltran, of course, has her back turned to him, and does not. "Lady Maltran," the White Knight says. "It's good to know you're keeping up the fight. What do you--"
She's looking at something. Leo pauses, and frowns as he squints into the distance.
'Those are no soldiers of Hyland.'
"I have your back, Guardswoman," Leo says.
Hilde and Leo advance on the 'Guard detachement' with considerable speed, and the more of it Leo sees, the more of it he dislikes. He hears a triumphant shout that could only have come from a certain meddling cat-dragon, and that means her sidekick isn't far away. In fact, there Hiro is, turning to face him as if seeking him out.
Leo's eyes narrow. Not only does he recognize Hiro, he recognizes the man who threw the explosives.
"VILE FIENDS!" Leo's voice cuts through the air, "Lay down your arms at once! Face the Goddess' justice for your crimes!" There's genuine anger in his eyes. His blade sweeps through a series of intricate, lightning-quick cuts, rending the air itself--sending a barrage of vacuum blades racing at Hiro. They flicker strangely on approach, as if infused with sorcerous power as well as martial might--Light magic.
Leo does not slow down. "Leon Albus, I presume," he says, his tone somehow even more acidic as he rounds on the mercenary. "Would-be assassin. I see no Black Wolf here--only a treacherous cur! Are you doing this of your own design, or did another's coin convince you?" The Goddess' blade rends the air again, sweeping through a full ninety-degree arc. Energy gleams along its edge, then rips free and races at Leon!
On the walls, a voice cries out. Leo recognizes it. His ears flatten back against his head. "Spew your lies elsewhere!" He gestures violently with his free hand, and the very wall beneath Belize's feet erupts into a shower of razor spikes. "Run back to your Maester!"
GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Belize with Rock Viper! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 1 Combo! GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Leon Albus with Demon Fang! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 3 Combo! GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Hiro with Buzz Blade! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 1 Combo! GS: White Knight Leo has completed his action. GS: Hiro critically Guards a hit from White Knight Leo's Buzz Blade for 30 hit points! GS: Hiro's Force Guard activates! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up! GS: CRITICAL! Leon Albus critically Guards a hit from White Knight Leo's Demon Fang for 49 hit points! GS: Leon Albus's Force Guard activates!
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
Gwen is... not so great at this false flag thing. Dressed in a general robe of a mage or some sort, the robe doesn't really do well with her ARM, but it's loads better than something that would chafe harshly against it. Or some other part of her body.
But, Gwen *did* say she owed Leon. That is a technical reason, and one of many that she's here. Gwen also owes Yuna, regardless of whether she said so or not.
Gwen owes... a lot of people.
Gwen also wants to be here.
"Just bear with it for a little while longer," Gwen encourages Hiro. "I'm 'bout ready t'trip over my robes. But look at how cu- er fierce Ruby's being!"
*rip*
"Althena, uh, wills it?"
The hem has come straight off, separating from the top and revealing Gwen's very Filgaian pants underneath. Seeing Xantia shed her uniform, Gwen shrugs. "Right, right, I guess that's a wrap." With one tug from her right hand, Gwen tears the uniform the rest of the way. "Okay, Jean, Hiro? I'll try n' cover you!" Stomping one foot on the long bell right sleeve of her mage robe, Gwen jerks it away to free her right arm, still unclosed in the sleeve of her blouse.
Bevelle manages to catch Gwen's eye at that moment, and she turns, pointing the palm of her right hand towards the archer, and firing a shot.
"No hard feelings!"
That was, of course, before Leo makes his own attack, and Gwen feels guilty.
GS: Gwen Whitlock has attacked Belize with Crackshot! GS: Gwen Whitlock has completed her action.
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
+pot
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
"Miss Whitehead," Leon opines, "we appear to have their attention."
Just as planned, then. He looks sideways at Hiro, then, and he bobs his head once. He reaches down to his side, and draws his sword. The long, thin blade of silver -- with its strange, wooden hilt that seems to have a hinge -- is swung to one side. His silver eyes glance at Day -- his teeth part into a grimace -- and then he looks up, as Belize rushes up to the wall.
His sword flashes. A blade of crimson light ignites along it, with a brilliant glow, and Argent Divider II's nature is revealed. "I'm with you, Hiro," he says. "We'll fend the lot of them off, if we must!"
He glances sideways at Hilde, cranes his neck, and then cracks a smile. "And if I did? Are we here to cast aspersions for fighting a bloody war... well... bloodily?"
He turns, and swings his sword up, and the blade of energy that Leo sends at him splits along Argent Divider II's energy field. Leon flicks the blade to the side, then, and the energy field crackles out of existence. "A successful assassin, thank you," Leon says. "And, for that matter, coin and my design happen to overlap this time."
He spares a brief glance at Hiro. Then, Leon rushes forward. He darts over the ground, leaps, and swings back his sword in both hands. The thin silver blade slashes down, crashing for Leo with a single strike and a burst of chi behind it.
GS: Leon Albus has attacked White Knight Leo with Riot Crash! GS: Leon Albus has gained 1 Combo! GS: Leon Albus has completed his action. GS: White Knight Leo guards a hit from Leon Albus's Riot Crash for 73 hit points! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Jean has posed.
At least Ruby's having fun.
Jean gives Hiro a thumbs-up when he uses his helmet, grinning his way. "I bet you're right!" she says to Matilda. "Familiar for us though, right Hiro? Good luck!" She's all set to follow straight after Hiro, in fact, to help him take on Leo, but... That doesn't happen. As the battlefield rages once more, Jean turns, and sees a familiar face as if that face suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
The rest of the battle can continue on--Jean's world narrows for a moment to a familiar face. Jean looks right back at Pearl, as another shot goes past her, too. "Why are you here?" Jean wonders first, and then sets her jaw, removing her boots. She then lets the shield fall as she stands up, reaching up to take off her helmet and throw it to the ground. Her long, green hair falls unbound, blowing in the wind. Taking one fan in each hand, and spreads her feet, adopting a ready stance. "...Fine, if that's what you want." Her arms are down, to start, extended such that the fans are away from her, just a bit. "I guess it's overdue."
Jean whirls into motion, tunic fluttering as she spins. Her feet start intricate steps as one arm rises, the other falls, and she swirls past and around Pearl. In her wake a cloud of violet coalesces into poisonous butterflies as Jean moves to backflip out of obvious range.
GS: Jean has attacked Pearl with Butterfly Dance! GS: Jean has gained 1 Combo! GS: Jean has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Pearl takes a glancing hit from Jean's Butterfly Dance for 65 hit points! GS: Poison! applied to Pearl! GS: Belize takes a solid hit from White Knight Leo's Rock Viper for 131 hit points! GS: Belize guards a hit from Gwen Whitlock's Crackshot for 69 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Belize gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Cripple! applied to Belize! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
A SHORT WHILE BEFORE
"And their last known position was... ah, yes. That could be a problem. ...Hmm... it appears there is no helping matters," Citan muses to himself, alone, as he prepares for the coming ruse. "Well then. Let us see how the cards fall, shall we?"
NOW
It is not the first time, perhaps, that Citan Uzuki, country doctor, has performed a ruse of this sort. Whatever one wants to make of that statement is up to themself. In any case, the uniform fits well enough and he seems to move and -- indeed -- fit in among the other, real, soldiers almost like he belonged among their number.
The trick, if he is asked later, is to talk a lot as if you know the others but say nothing of actual worth. And whatever one might think of that is also up to them to decide. He stays close enough to Fei and Xantia, though, and if anything about his disguise might give him away--
It's that he's keeping an eye on the both of them, even at a distance.
Indeed, when Leon charges -- there's the signal! -- and when Day gives his challenge...
...and when Xantia divests herself of her armor...
"Oh dear," the doctor remarks, then shakes his head. "I suppose the jig, as they say, is up!"
Divesting oneself of one's armor is not, in fact, a free action, technically speaking-- but he still manages to do so at speed. In the battle to come, armor like this will only get in his way. The style he learned from Yui relies on flexibility, after all.
"Xantia, be on your guard!"
The air around the doctor seems to shift oddly as he exhales, gaining a cast almost like -- blink and miss it -- the sun above had shone more brightly about him. He may fall in alongside Xantia, but he takes a more readied stance than she, as if preparing for a sudden strike from Day.
GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Citan Uzuki with Kouga! GS: Citan Uzuki has gained 1 Combo! GS: Citan Uzuki assumes the Stoic stance! GS: Citan Uzuki has completed his action. GS: Citan Uzuki takes a solid hit from Citan Uzuki's Kouga for 0 hit points! GS: Cover and Riposte! applied to Citan Uzuki!
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei Fong shouts, "WE LOVE SIMPING FOR ALTHENA!"
He wonders where he got that term from but shrugs it off and throws bomb, detonating it from afar with a chi blast against the walls.
"Though to be honest, I don't know how much longer I can keep it up, I'm not really a trained Act-Or." He murmurs to Xantia.
He llooks over to Day and then--well he doesn't remove the uniform. Instead he looks towarrds Day. He glances over ot tHiro. He smiles at him, and outright grins cheekily at Ruby's own behavior, before he finally looks to Day.
"No." He pauses. "Severe chastisement doesn't do much for me anymore."
He suddenly slides forward and throws a KICK for Day's midsection.
"Your friend Vess there might want to get out of the way a bit." He adds.
GS: Fei Fong Wong has attacked Day Muirwall with Hagan! GS: Fei Fong Wong has gained 1 Combo! GS: Fei Fong Wong has completed his action. GS: Day Muirwall guards a hit from Fei Fong Wong's Hagan for 72 hit points! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
"Right," Matilda replies to Leon, with a calm nod; she quickly orients herself to face the approaching Hilde, eyes narrowing slightly. "Althena's Guard is hardly in the position to act as though its hands are clean, and chastize others for such," she points out, "nor is the Hyland military above sabotage. Trust me, I know; I've done work for them before."
There's no particularly *great* escape vectors here -- which means, of course, that the Drifter group will have to cut its way out. Matilda is fine with this, of course; as with most of this operation: it's not the first time. She advances on Hilde swiftly, deciding to start with a fairly basic maneuver; bringing her shield up, she charges -- only to shift her weight low and forward at the last second, coming in for a swift strike to the legs with her sword before hopping a half-step back, staying in a tight guard.
GS: Matilda Whitehead has attacked Hilde with Pruning! GS: Matilda Whitehead assumes the Avenger stance! GS: Matilda Whitehead has completed her action. GS: Hilde guards a hit from Matilda Whitehead's Pruning for 88 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Hiro has posed.
"Too familiar Jean!" He shouts as he runs away, before lining up alongside Leon, "They won't know what hit them if it's us." Hiro flashes a grin at Leon momentarily, as if confident in both of their skills. "Let's not get too scuffed up alright? Don't want Lily to get too mad at me." All the same, he has a realistic approximation of what a fight of this level is going to do to them.
And then Leo takes the field. Hiro is charging at Leo even as he shouts at them. "You lay them down first Leo! And then we'll talk about justice!"
Hiro calls out with a sense of only mild indignation. And as Leo cuts the air with vacuum blades, flickering with sorcerous might... Hiro slices the blade in an upwards curve as it momentarily takes on a violet gleam that might give away the nature of the shadow magic he's learning.
The light magic of Leo's blade clashes against his for a moment, spoiling his charge. As he grits his teeth, and tries to push through. The two energies clash, then violently disperse over his armor.
And then he keeps charging right at him.
"Leo this has to stop! Every time this escalates, someone suffers for it! The Al Bhed were your allies at Operation Mi'ihen, and now they're getting slaughtered by Yevon!"
As Leon rushes forward, Hiro suddenly varies his charge, darting to the side in a quick sidestep. Waiting for the flash of his Chi. And then suddenly- "Azure EDGE!" -he carves his blade upwards. A gleaming blue curve forms in the air and smears across the air as it rockets at Leo.
"There's something else going on! Something that wants you here that has nothing to do with Althena's Will! We found proof of it!"
Meanwhile, Ruby who has lost track of Hiro momentarily is shadowboxing in the air right behind Fei as he kicks Day in the stomach. "As well it shouldn't! You're facing a way more confident and secure Dragon Slaying Slacker! This slacker doesn't slack on leg day!"
GS: Hiro has attacked White Knight Leo with Azure Edge! GS: Hiro assumes the Avenger stance! GS: Hiro has completed his action.
<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.
"Are those not your flags? Are those not your armors?" Belize demands of Leo, shouting down the wall at him. "If it *is* a lie and this attack is not of your doing, then how incompetent you must be to have let infiltrators muck about your ranks! Or are you still sniveling behind your so-called honor, pretending to have the high road when you secretly send in a rush attack and then pretend you have nothing to do with it!"
In other words, 'NO I WILL NEVER SHUT UP.' Their recriminations become screams of pain when Leo's spell sends jagged stones up into their feet. Gwen follows up with a blast that Belize manages to at least cross their arms to guard against, but they grunt and stagger back all the same. 'No hard feelings,' she says?
Arms spin in swift, decisive motions; feet twirl, bleeding and punctured though they are. The ambient temperature drops as a massive ice crystal forms down on the battlefield, and a pyrefly drifts down into it from above. The form of Shiva, the Aeon of Ice, appears within, and when she raises her head, the crystal *shatters* around her as she tosses her shawl back. It catches on the wind, and then on Belize's hand.
The giant woman regards Leo and Gwen with cool scrutiny. Then she lifts an elegant hand, brings it up--and then *down*, sending a block of ice smashing down onto Leo. Gwen meanwhile is sent something simpler and more direct: an ice spell, right to the face. It might seem like the exact same thing as what happened to Leo, but trust us: it's totally different. There's *nuance* to these hard feelings.
DC: Belize switches forms to Aeon Shiva -Cambria-!
GS: Belize has attacked White Knight Leo with Heavenly Strike! GS: Belize has gained 1 Combo! GS: Belize has attacked Gwen Whitlock with Blizzara! GS: Belize has completed their action.
<Pose Tracker> Day Muirwall has posed.
The last thing Day expected was someone responding to his challenge by taking her pants off. He stares at Xantia in disbelief as his cheeks turn pink. "Uh."
"Oh, look, Sir Day, you've made a new friend," Seraph Vesna quips from a few feet behind the knight, smiling archly.
"Vess," Day gasps with a sharp glance back before rounding on the gaggle of Drifters again. Bright eyes dart to take stock of the group of them nearest to him, Citan not immediately recognized but acknowledged quickly enough as dangerous. "yes, the jig is up. Come quietly and--"
Fei decides he's not that into chastisement. The young knight suddenly jerks his shield up as the martial artist makes his move.
There's a sharp clang as Fei's foot slams into the pegasus on Day's shield. The impact pushes him back a couple of feet and sends a numbing stab lancing up his arm, and he grunts with effort, bracing in his heavy armour. "So that's the kind of man you are, huh?" he growls. "Eager to put Vess in harm's way in the name of whatever deception you're up to? I won't tolerate that from you or anyone!"
Punctuation comes with the sweep of a broadsword. Day bears down on Fei like an oncoming steam train, voice rising to a sharp shout as he swings his blade at him - a hard hack aimed to either cleave through his guard or force him to back off.
It gives him a window to sweep forward and impose himself between Xantia and Citan. "So what idiotic plan are you trying to pull here?!" he demands as he jukes towards Citan with a sharp slash, then pivots to send the backswing arcing towards Xantia with a screech of heavy steel through the air.
Ruby's taunting is met by Seraph Vesna floating up a few more inches and poking her tongue out at her. "Yeah? Well, Sir Day doesn't slack on leg day or arm day! Bluhhhh!"
GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Fei Fong Wong with Sejant Cleave! GS: Day Muirwall has gained 1 Combo! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Citan Uzuki with Lion Passant! GS: Day Muirwall has gained 1 Combo! GS: Day Muirwall spends 1 Combo on Poison! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Xantia with Rizant Blade! GS: Day Muirwall has gained 1 Combo! GS: Day Muirwall has completed his action. GS: Gwen Whitlock guards a hit from Belize's Blizzara for 75 hit points! GS: Gwen Whitlock's Force Guard activates! GS: Xantia takes a glancing hit from Day Muirwall's Rizant Blade for 59 hit points! GS: Dispel! Hyper and Quick removed! GS: Poison! applied to Xantia!
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
"Is it not obvious?" Pearl says. She doesn't have the liberty to indicate her comrades, and she's not wearing the typical uniform of the Guard, so it may not be immediately obvious. "I am not here to aid Yevon." The implications of that might be important later. Worryingly so, perhaps.
Pearl gives a simple nod, indicating that yes, that is what she wants- a fight with Jean. She seems to always want that. Jean dances around her with infinite Grace, and Pearl tries to drop low and roll under the magic. She's not fast enough, and the poisonous butterflies surround her, even as Jean backflips away. She can feel the poison in her body.
"Good opening." Pearl says, as she charges after Jean, launching into a slide, with the clawed gloves she wears aiming to slice at Jean's leg. It's not the Shadow Dragon Style, but it also seems to be lacking some of the Shadow Dragon Attitude. It's wild and vicious, but not as malevolent. It also involves little to no channeling of ki.
Pearl rolls to her feet in the driection Jean tried to evadee. "Next?"
GS: Citan Uzuki takes a glancing hit from Day Muirwall's Lion Passant for 64 hit points! GS: Cover! applied to Day Muirwall! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up! GS: Pearl has attacked Jean with Running Takedown! GS: Pearl has gained 1 Combo! GS: Pearl takes 21 damage from Poison! GS: Pearl has completed her action. GS: Jean takes a glancing hit from Pearl's Running Takedown for 72 hit points! GS: White Knight Leo completely evades a hit from Belize's Heavenly Strike! GS: Reaction switch bonus! White Knight Leo gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Mighty! applied to Belize! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Ethius keeps gradually stepping back as the Quantum Repulsor barrier is trying to do the work in allowing the gathered fake Hyland soldiers more breathing room to escape from the Bevelle return fire - there is fundamentally no difference between them and any other invading force at this moment, after all, for what powder keg Leon just set off.
Matilda is already aggressing upon Hilde, which helps give him cover from behind as the electrical wall continues to disintegrate or redirect weapons and artillery fire. Ideological differences and gripes are shouted and spoken. The odd man tries to pay it as little heed as possible as he keeps moving backwards and is hoping everyone else is positioning themselves in ways they can keep moving away from the wall.
It almost seems forever ago that he worked with a princess of Hyland in order to deal with the matter of the war between Rolance and Hyland. One might wonder what could have happened if he were accosted by them at this point, but that's a theoretical. He watches over his shoulder to make sure Day and 'Vess' (he doesn't remember her dressing like that or floating before, huh) have their attention pointed elsewhere.
"I would advise abandoning your position," he says off-handedly to Hilde as he gradually crests striking range - not because of an intent to counterattack on his part, but more that he's quickly being sandwiched between weapons fire and an ardent Knight-Protector.
He might have not much choice but to help Matilda directly just so that they all can keep moving towards the intended rendezvous point with the extraction team - but for now his position is locked with the casting of that barrier spell from a minute before.
GS: White Knight Leo takes a solid hit from Hiro's Azure Edge for 101 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! White Knight Leo gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Mighty! applied to Hiro! GS: Ethius Hesiod has attacked Ethius Hesiod with Quantum Repulsor! GS: Ethius Hesiod has completed his action. GS: Ethius Hesiod takes a solid hit from Ethius Hesiod's Quantum Repulsor for 0 hit points! GS: Amplify! applied to Ethius Hesiod! GS: Cover! applied to Ethius Hesiod! GS: Fei Fong Wong guards a hit from Day Muirwall's Sejant Cleave for 97 hit points! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Jean has posed.
Jean's banter with Hiro comes to an end for the moment, focused as she is on Pearl now. Is it not obvious? It wasn't to Jean, but it starts to make sense--which makes less sense, frankly. "You're saying..."
Well. Jean at least can tell what Pearl is after. Or can she? Whyever she's here she's made Jean a priority for now, and Jean can't abandon the fight to stop and think too hard about it. "I've picked up a few new tricks since the Cult--"
Pearl slides her way, in a style less familiar to Jean. She hits the ground and starts to bound to the side, but that claw strike still slashes across her leg in the meantime, cutting a deep rent in stolen trousers that reveals skin and blood beneath.
And Pearl has already move towards her again. "What's your angle here?"
Jean slips forward again, headfirst with arms back as she step steps forward and then jumps, touching down with the ball of one foot and vaulting back upward to swirl her arms and execute a complicated run of steps up too close to Pearl's guard to get a claw in without dodging backward, almost as if dancing with her.
"Leo wouldn't work with the Shadow Dragon--"
Jean's quick steps leave blurring afterimages as magic weaves around Pearl and disappears, tripping up her balance if it works.
GS: Formation! Jean has attacked Pearl with Allegro Night! GS: Jean has gained 1 Combo! GS: Jean has completed her action. GS: Pearl takes a glancing hit from Jean's Allegro Night for 85 hit points! GS: Entangle! applied to Pearl! GS: Pearl's Force Evade activates!
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
Leo's initial assault meets considerable resistance. He's come to expect such swordplay from Hiro, and it's clear Leon is also skilled. Furthermore, that's clearly an ARM in the latter man's hand, and Leo doesn't know what it's capable of--there's no telling what dirty tricks Leon might have up his sleeve. "Am I to sit idly by and let you deceive my men?" Leo growls. "To lead them to their deaths?"
Hiro speaks up. "I was there," he says. "I saw Yevonites gunning down the Al Bhed as they fled. Would you blame that on us, Hiro? Would you dare, when it was only a matter of time before Yevon tired of accomodating such blatant defiance?! This war will not end until every last one of those murderers is brought to justice!"
Leon goes on the attack. Leo's blade whips up, the air whistling around it as he shifts into a defensive stance. Leon's strike slams into the Goddess' blade, and Leo skids back a few inches--but no more. The energy discharge burns into the Beastman's shoulder, cutting through his uniform to the light chainmail beneath. Leo grimaces. "How convenient for you," he says, his voice low and dangerous. "To spare your craven heart the choice." He bobs back, and drives his right foot forward in a vicious snap-kick at Leon's knee. He follows through with a cleaving swing, sweeping his blade from Leon's right hip to his left shoulder--Leo even leaps into the air as he does it, letting his momentum carry him.
Of course, this gives Hiro an opening. Leo sees the blue energy condensing, and braces, but it still burns as it strikes him. It rolls across his side, cutting through the chainmail and into the flesh beneath. Blood stains the White Knight's pristine uniform. Something else, Hiro says. "'Proof'," Leo says, through gritted teeth. "I'm all ears."
Of course, then Belize has the temerity to not go running back to Seymour in tears. For a moment, Leo wonders what they're doing, but their reply manifests soon enough--in the form of an Eidolon. Of course.
Leo leaps for it as Shiva makes her throw; the ice block could easily crush him, to say nothing of the soldiers nearby. He skids on his belly, twists up onto a knee, and clenches his fist. Spike-like pillars rip free of the earth, catching the block before it can do more than scare some of the nearby Guards. Leo's blade becomes a blur of steel. One Demon Fang rips free from its edge, and then another. Both seek out the flying form of the massive, icy Eidolon above. Of course, Hiro isn't left alone, either. Leo steps forward, and swings once, a clean, simple strike aimed at cutting Hiro across the stomach. The Beastman slips into a defensive stance afterwards, characteristic of Waning Crescent--allowing his attackers no easy angles.
GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Leon Albus with Rising Falcon! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 1 Combo! GS: White Knight Leo assumes the Avenger stance! GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Belize with Double Demon Fang! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 2 Combo! GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Hiro with Flash Blade! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 1 Combo! GS: White Knight Leo's Avenger stance ends. He enters the Stoic stance! GS: White Knight Leo has completed his action. GS: Leon Albus guards a hit from White Knight Leo's Rising Falcon for 96 hit points! GS: Hiro takes a glancing hit from White Knight Leo's Flash Blade for 72 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Hiro gains 1 additional Combo!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia is of course unaware of doing anything particularly strange. This was clearly a challenge to fight, so Xantia is just getting ready to fight, what's so weird about that?
She certainly is totally ready for a fight, smiling confidently. Allies arriving to back her up should only bolster her confidence, though that actually makes her smile fade a little. "Come on Doc, you don't have to worry, I can handle it. I've been waiting for this for days!" Only one day technically, but who's counting? And then Fei jumps in, causing Xantia to shout, "Hey, no fair, wait your turn!" Well, that'll teach her to not just start punching immediately. She knew she was doing it right all along.
If that wasn't enough distraction, she stares at Vess for a moment, softly repeating that name to herself as Day speaks it. Obviously she can see the Seraph, but she doesn't do anything else in regards to that right away.
Mainly because she soon has something else to worry about. Day storms past Fei more quickly that she'd anticipated, forcing an awkward dodge to not get cut herself. It doesn't work out in the best way possible, losing over footing and hitting the ground as a result. She quickly rolls back to her feet, remarking in annoyance, "These boots are terrible." Sure, blame the footwear, Xantia.
Now that a sword is in play, it's only right that she summons her own, activating her ARM to generate a red energy blade from her bracer. She charges in quickly, with the aim of getting Day's attention back on her instead of her friends. A single lightning-quick stab later, she holds the weapon defensively in front of her.
"Heh. You wanna know the plan? Well you'll have to ask someone else, I don't understand the whole plan at all!"
She sounds far too proud of this.
GS: Xantia has attacked Day Muirwall with Crimson Flash! GS: Xantia has gained 1 Combo! GS: Xantia takes 23 damage from Poison! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Day Muirwall guards a hit from Xantia's Crimson Flash for 78 hit points! GS: Riposte! applied to Xantia!
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"Yes, 'away from the fighting' is definitely where most of the danger is going to be. This makes logical sense." Fei says. Though he does hesitate a bit due to all the times trying to get people away from the fighting just resulted in even more dead people. Ugh...! Is Day right here?!
"I mean uh... Moohahaha. We're the evil Althena Church. We hate fayths." Fei says, bringing both arms and BLOCKING the giant broadsword with his arms. The sword DIGS IN but it somehow d oesn't get as far as i t should. Perhaps it's thanks to the power of a monk's body. Fei glances to Citan, worrying for a moment. He's a talented guy--
--but he's not really experienced in fighting swordfighters, he thinks. Better look out for him. "Careful Doc! This sword's no joke!"
He slides his foot back, twists, and then aims to kick up at his fist, trying to dislodge his grip on the blade--
--further augmented by a burstof flame that detonates out of his foot as it collides against his hand--adding an extra explosive BURST against it.
"You oky, Doc?" He asks.
GS: Fei Fong Wong has attacked Day Muirwall with Hoten! GS: Fei Fong Wong has gained 1 Combo! GS: Fei Fong Wong has completed his action. GS: Day Muirwall guards a hit from Fei Fong Wong's Hoten for 72 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
"I think she'll understand," Leon says with a flicker of a grin at Hiro. Then his eyes turn, from Hiro, and back towards Leo. "No, I fully expected you to come at me. Probably would do the same, in your shoes. The difference is that I do what I must, not what I fool myself into thinking is honorable!"
His blade clashes with Leo's. ringing off it. He gets a kick to his knee, but he adjusts his stance, and then catches the Goddess's blade on his; the swords ring again as they meet, and then he leaps backward. His feet skid off the ground -- and then his eyes shift to Belize. "One of those damned Aeons," he mutters, before he looks back at Leo. Then, he snaps his blade, as he considers how Leo stands his ground. The sword's blade telescopes back in; the two barrels of the shotgun snap together, and he lifts the weapon.
He takes aim at Leo. "Cowardice is the preferred accusation of those lacking a sense of innovation," Leon says. He takes aim -- and then fires, a bullet hurtling towards Leo.
His eyes glance at Hiro, and he waits -- and wonders -- for what Hiro will offer.
GS: Leon Albus has attacked White Knight Leo with RR-2 Suggestion! GS: Leon Albus has gained 1 Combo! GS: Leon Albus has completed his action. GS: White Knight Leo critically Guards a hit from Leon Albus's RR-2 Suggestion for 27 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
"Well, if you are certain," he replies to Xantia, falling in beside her nonetheless. "I can see you are eager to fight!" He turns his head, then, towards the other one he is keeping an eye upon today, and shakes his head. "I assure you, Fei, there is nothing to worry about. ...After all, you and Xantia are here! With our combined strengths, there should be nothing to worry about."
He, at least, presents the veneer of confidence--
Day wastes no further time. Neither does the doctor. "I am afraid that is something," Citan says, ducking to the right of Day's sword-swing and trading the knight a single short jab for his midsection as he passes, "of which we cannot say!" But the dodge and return-fire are not painfree -- the tip of the sword rends a single tear in the doctor's shirt sleeve, drawing blood.
Nevertheless, the wound earns a frown from Citan as he glances down at it, but at Fei's call--
"I am quite fine, Fei! Please, look after yourself!"
GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Day Muirwall with Shinrai! GS: Citan Uzuki has gained 1 Combo! GS: Citan Uzuki has completed his action. GS: Day Muirwall critically Guards a hit from Citan Uzuki's Shinrai for 26 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Hilde has posed.
"Then I shall see to it that you will receive due punishment." Hilde replies to Leon. She doesn't give the rest of his statement an answer - she can tell he's just trying to get a rise out of her.
And then, Matilda. Hilde glances toward her. She's never met her directly, but she sees no reason to discount her words.
"Then you must have participated in the Rolance campaign." Hilde concludes. As for the actions of the Guard and Hyland... "And does that justify this? Your actions are dishonorable and put the lives of my allies at risk."
Hilde shakes her head.
"I suppose if I asked why you are doing this, you would not answer me, would you?" Hilde asks. Matilda moves in for a strike to the legs. Her strike collides with Hilde's armor, but it doesn't seem to have unseated her stance - she retaliates by rushing forward with her own shield at the ready, thrusting it forward to Matilda in a crushing shield bash that will leave Hilde's own defensive stance still ready.
That is not to say that she ignores Ethius. She sees him preparing a barrier. A blue aura begins to surround her blade and she thrusts it in his direction, propelling a bolt of blue force right toward him.
"I will not." She says, at the suggestion that she abandon her position. "On the contrary - I advise both of you do the same. Surrender, lay down your arms, and leave this battlefield immediately."
GS: Hilde has attacked Matilda Whitehead with Shield Bash! GS: Hilde has gained 1 Combo! GS: Hilde has attacked Ethius Hesiod with Force Blade! GS: Hilde has completed her action. GS: Belize takes a glancing hit from White Knight Leo's Double Demon Fang for 46 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Belize gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
".... Really, we're kinda after the same thing!" Gwen admits aloud, to Belize. "A little bit of help was needed, is all! Just, we're not really on the best terms right now, n' all..."
Leon's truthful comment on where Gwen's ripped outfit may have come from forces Gwen to immediately take the rest of her own off, as discreetly as possible. Was there blood on hers? She doesn't think there was. .... Nah, it would have been hard to blend in if there was a bunch of blood on their uniforms, even if they were in a situation where blood would be a definite thing.
OH, THAT LEON! (TM)
Gwen tries to keep her eyes on Leo as well, convinced of the very real possibility that the fight may randomly head in her direction.
She watches, for a little too long, briefly awestruck as Leo manages to handle a fight between Leon and Hiro, as well as the further Belize. ".... .... I hope your swordsmanship hasn't got rusty on Filgaia, Hiro," Gwen murmurs, her breath drawing clouds.
Clouds.
In Spira, such things would be rare to see, much rarer than the sight of the large ethereal-looking blue-skinned woman, floating in the air near Belize.
One of those damn Aeons, Leon points out. "Oh, so that's who-GH!"
Belize has some feelings of their own. Those feelings are very hard, and very icy. Ice glitters against the arms crossed protectively over Gwen's face, skin flushed red against the bite of cold.
It would have been better if she hadn't engaged the summoner, but that's the boat she's in now, with.... Leo?
She'll just keep Belize busy enough so that they can't include Hiro and Leon in on this fight.
"Hey! Whatsyername! Catch!"
Drawing out a small pouch, Gwen throws it into the air and aims her ARM, neatly piercing the thin fabric as it arcs right about over Belize's head. Clay red powder settles in the air and falls down, like an alien powdering of snow.
"Have a taste of Filgaia's bounty!"
GS: CRITICAL! Matilda Whitehead takes a glancing hit from Hilde's Shield Bash for 105 hit points! GS: Cover! applied to Hilde! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up! GS: Gwen Whitlock has attacked Belize with Auntie Frea's Fire Chili Spice Special! GS: Gwen Whitlock has completed her action.
<Pose Tracker> Hiro has posed.
"Her understanding only goes so far when it's you!" Hiro quips back, with good cheer. Though since Gwen is not far away, he hears her, "Rusty? You know me better than that!"
Though his mood is soon soured by Leo's response. "I'm not blaming you for what Yevon did Leo. But you have a responsibility for where this war is leading everyone!" Hiro says with a scowl, "Is enough for you going to be only when every Yevonite is dead on your blade!?"
Hiro darts towards Leo as if he were going to offer him the proof, but then hastily has to run backwards as Shiva offers her icy fury in the form of the block.
The stroke Leo sends his way causes him to pivot to the side abruptly, as the flashing energy cleaves through a section of his tunic. The boy grits his teeth as it floods past the rings of his chainmail, burning his skin.
"The rod we stole from you and Corwynt! We exorcised it! And there was a thing inside of it! It was the same as what I felt back in that tower - with Zophar! Lucia never went near that rod! I swear it!"
Keeping his distance from the block of ice, he suddenly takes out a boomerang, and flicks it out with the curve of his wrist. It suddenly swerves around Shiva's block of ice, reflecting upon it in odd angles, before splitting. Causing the boomerang to appear like it's multiplied four-fold.
"After we beat it. We felt the real Destroyer's gaze on us... and Leo - it was the worst thing I'd ever felt. Before he ignored me but..."
Both of them sail towards Leo in an attempt to one-two strike him from confusing angles.
"... this time he was looking right at us. And we were all... all of us... it was terrifying Leo." Something in his voice cracks. "It's... something I can't even describe. Just... you used that rod to seal up Kilika temple. And now I know without a doubt that the Destroyer had a hand in it. Althena's Guard doing something to benefit Zophar - that can't be Althena's Will!"
Meanwhile across the battlefield. Ruby indignantly crosses her pink pawsies in mid-air as Vesna speaks back, "Hmmph! That just shows he lacks FOCUS! He's a jack of all workouts - master of none! I bet he only has a four pack or something!" Before she grimaces at the sword wound...
...and echoes Citan. "Yeah Fei - look after yourself!"
GS: Hiro has attacked White Knight Leo with Cross Boomerang ! GS: Hiro has gained 2 Combo! GS: Hiro's Avenger stance ends. GS: Hiro has completed his action. GS: Belize critically Guards a hit from Gwen Whitlock's Auntie Frea's Fire Chili Spice Special for 0 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Belize gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"Augh, Hiro, didn't want you t'hear me say that!" Gwen laughs. "You're doin' way better than I would, over there!"
GS: Ethius Hesiod critically Guards a hit from Hilde's Force Blade for 25 hit points! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Day Muirwall has posed.
Vesna waves both hands at Ruby and huffs. "You're so delusional! Sir Day has a twelve pack! He's got so many abs, he might as well worship at the Church of AB-thena!"
Then she holds up her fingers to her forehead, forming an O with thumb and forefinger. "Hiro, more like... m-more like... zero...!"
For someone in full plate, Day moves surprisingly fast. When Xantia draws that energy blade and comes barreling in, the knight maneuvers a little to one side to keep her from flanking him, lining her up between himself and Fei. It's a subtle maneuver, but an important one: He's trying to keep all the enemies in front of him.
He raises his shield again, but Xantia's a little too quick, and her energy saber slices across his heavy armour, scorching a nick into it and just cutting through to burn skin beneath. With a wince, he sweeps his sword out to parry the blow. "Tch...! So you're just along for the ride, huh? I admire that you're supporting your friends, but--"
That's about when Fei comes in and tries to kick his sword out of his hand. Day clicks his tongue and twists his shoulder, letting Fei's blow catch him in the hip instead. The blooming burst of flame washes across him and forces him to recoil, growling and bringing his shield up to guard against it. "Gh-- this isn't a joke," he snaps. "And if you seriously think that Althena's faithful are evil, you need your head examined. We're trying to prevent evil!"
When Citan steps in with a jab, Day's able to rotate towards him and bring his shield up. The doctor's fist smacks into the pegasus-emblazoned shield, ringing it like a struck gong. The swordsman shifts to the right with a narrowing of his eyes. "So be it. Whatever your plan is, my duty's clear - Bevelle will fall, and I will not allow anyone to prevent it!"
Dropping back with a creak of armour, Day brings one hand close to his chest and focuses for a second. "I swear this in the name of Althena," he whispers intently as a breath of wind ripples around him.
The sussurus of a spring breeze eddies at his hair, cape and surcoat, a gentle ripple that seems to bring with it a palpable relief and refreshment. When he opens his eyes again, it's to advance on Fei, Xantia and Citan with renewed vigor. Even before he gets into close range, however, he's drawing back for a strike.
"HOOOOOAHT!" With a battle cry, Day sweeps his sword in a wide crescent - and a wave of force blasts out from it. Turf and rubble kick up in front of the shockwave, most of the blast focused on Citan and Xantia as the knight tries to blast them away.
It's to buy him a moment to close with Fei, broadsword dancing with surprising speed and elegance as he moves in to strike with a couple of quick slashes, to the left, to the right, following up by trying to smash the martial artist with his shield. His eyes glint with intent.
"I can tell you're not used to fighting sword-wielders. You're skilled with your hands, but let me show you what a student of Lion's Heart can do."
GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Day Muirwall with Mistral Litany! GS: Day Muirwall has gained 1 Combo! GS: Day Muirwall heals Day Muirwall! He gains 200 temporary hit points! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Citan Uzuki with Salient Sword! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Xantia with Salient Sword! GS: Day Muirwall has gained 1 Combo! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Fei Fong Wong with Rampant Sword! GS: Day Muirwall has gained 2 Combo! GS: Day Muirwall has completed his action.
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
Herearl gives a small nod, trying to let Jean put the pieces together."Good. So have I. Use them." Pearl is not her usual anger fueled self. She's not calm, exactly, but she's more controlled than usual. She's not rushing in, she's playing it slightly careful.
A satisfying cut, but not as deep as she had aimed for. Good. Pearl looks Jean dead in the eyes, and says little. "It's not my angle," she says, as if that will explain it all. "It's his." Jean advances forward, and then gets too close to easily fight. The afterimages surround, and trips, landing on her knee.
"I think you are correct in that, at least. Commander Leo would not knowingly work with that organization. And yet..." Pearl suddenly changes tact. "Let me show you one of my new tricks."
And then a wolf's howl rings across the battlefield, and Pearl does channel her ki for once, but she uses it to strengthen herself rather than weaken others. An interesting decision.
GS: Pearl has attacked Pearl with Spirited Howl! GS: Pearl has gained 1 Combo! GS: Pearl takes 23 damage from Poison! GS: Pearl has completed her action. GS: Xantia takes a solid hit from Day Muirwall's Salient Sword for 175 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Xantia gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Disease! applied to Xantia! GS: Pearl takes a solid hit from Pearl's Spirited Howl for 0 hit points! GS: Hyper! applied to Pearl! GS: Citan Uzuki takes a solid hit from Day Muirwall's Salient Sword for 170 hit points! GS: Disease! applied to Citan Uzuki! GS: White Knight Leo completely evades a hit from Hiro's Cross Boomerang ! GS: Reaction switch bonus! White Knight Leo gains 1 additional Combo!
<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.
At least Belize isn't sending that aeon after *you*, Leon. Be grateful! But watch your back. +_+
"YOU invade OUR lands, defile OUR temples, besiege OUR cities, and you have the utter GALL to blame it on US?!" Belize yells down at Leo, though he hadn't been addressing them. "Keep your hypocrisy to yourself, Blackened Knight Leo!! Or better yet, bring it with you back to your evil goddess!!"
That Hiro is talking about those sealing rods having some kind of wicked energy inside them only further convinces them that Althena is a goddess of evil, really.
Below, at the bottom of the wall, Shiva Cambria dances to avoid Leo's Demon Fang attacks. The second one she nimbly sidesteps, but that moves her into the path of the second. She stumbles back, but then rightens herself, shaking her long, icy dreadlocks.
Gwen tells Belize that she and Leo are in fact on the same side. "I could tell!!" they snap. They don't deign to respond to the rest. There is that sack of spice, though, and Gwen strikes it so it splits in midair. Reflexively, Belize raises a long kimono sleeve to guard their face from whatever it is. Then there is a pungent scent... They sniff, then crinkle their nose.
"Bland," they decree icily, sweeping their sleeve to one side to brush away the chemical weapon. "Cambria!"
Shiva lifts her chin and her arm, then sweeps her arm around in a semi-circle. Motes of light glitter in the air, then freeze into rush of snow. She hops back nimbly, then leans down and *blows*. That little puff turns the floating snow into a localized blizzard--and it whorls out to envelop Leo and Gwen both.
GS: Belize enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Belize has attacked White Knight Leo with Snow Plough! GS: Belize has gained 2 Combo! GS: Belize has attacked Gwen Whitlock with Snow Plough! GS: Belize has gained 3 Combo! GS: Cripple expired! GS: Belize has completed their action. GS: CRITICAL! Gwen Whitlock takes a solid hit from Belize's Snow Plough for 154 hit points! GS: White Knight Leo critically Guards a hit from Belize's Snow Plough for 25 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! White Knight Leo gains 1 additional Combo! GS: White Knight Leo enters CONDITION GREEN!!
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
"That I did. And were it not for the dragon, I would've sped it to a conclusion," comes Matilda's calm reply; after a second, she answers the *other* question, affirming, "Most certainly not." And then, of course, it's *her* turn to get bowled over; while a quick shift of her feet means she doesn't take the worst of the blow, she *does* get knocked over by it for the same reason -- her stance isn't particularly stable.
Scrambling back up to her feet, she says, "Operational security is more important than your desire for the answers." It's not like it'd be particularly hard to reason out what the operational goal is here, of course, but Matilda is -- as always -- more in the business of bleeding the other side for every inch.
While the shield is nice to have, the sword, Matilda reasons, is something that she... *probably* can't outpace a Lunarian soldier with. It's just math. Accordingly, she sheathes it again once she's standing, keeping her shield up to defend herself... and then switches to her holdout pistol, instead. She takes several quick sidesteps before aiming and firing, making up a *little* of the ground she lost a moment ago but staying cautious.
GS: Matilda Whitehead has attacked Hilde with Repositioning Shot! GS: Matilda Whitehead has gained 1 Combo! GS: Matilda Whitehead has completed her action.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
The shield rings out as it's struck. But for a twitch by the doctor's mouth, though, he doesn't so much as wince, instead taking that moment as his to fall back and, one would hope, out of the immediate reach of the young knight's blade.
"Ah, yes. Your goal is in sight," he remarks quite calmly -- given the circumstances! -- to Day. "Tell me, what is your goal once you breach its walls?"
But it's that wind that seems to billow around Day that gives Citan pause; he draws up for but a moment, studying the other man more intently than before. "Is that...?"
Whatever it is that he's realized, it comes too late. "--! Xantia, look out--!" Even as he turns towards her, Day is already swinging his blade.
It comes in like a landslide. No, like a galestorm. It reminds him a little bit of...
He half rolls, half slides a short distance, flung back by the force of the impact. Still, he's quick enough to his feet, wince though he might. "That was... careless of me," he utters, shaking his head as he rises. "Xantia, are you all right?"
Pushing up and righting his askew glasses with a his left hand, the doctor bows his head, exhaling a long breath. It would be a simple thing to mistake this for mere exhaustion in his part.
In breath, though, there is energy. It is believed by many peoples that to breathe is to have life. They are not altogether wrong.
Call it chi. Call it something perhaps more arcane. The force is a subtle one that moves through Citan and Xantia too, and sets right to some extent what had gone wrong.
GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Citan Uzuki with Renki! GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Xantia with Renki! GS: Citan Uzuki has gained 1 Combo! GS: Citan Uzuki's Stoic stance ends. GS: Cover and Riposte expired! GS: Citan Uzuki has completed his action. GS: Citan Uzuki takes a solid hit from Citan Uzuki's Renki for 0 hit points! GS: Restore! Disease removed! GS: Hilde takes a solid hit from Matilda Whitehead's Repositioning Shot for 162 hit points! GS: Fei Fong Wong takes a solid hit from Day Muirwall's Rampant Sword for 169 hit points! GS: Xantia takes a solid hit from Citan Uzuki's Renki for 0 hit points! GS: Restore! Disease and Poison removed!
<Pose Tracker> Jean has posed.
"You're not trying to get me to lean on the Shadow Dragon?" Jean says guardedly, uncertain for a moment. There's a lot that's different about Pearl; Jean can't feel the rage that usually boils off of her, doesn't have to play on the defensive as quickly. As Jean bleeds, her feet come down again, and Jean's eyes widen when Pearl explains.
"What--You're saying--"
Pearl uses a new trick. Jean watches as her opponent, with the sound of a wolf's howl, empowers herself instead of weakening Jean. To some, this might not seem strange--but it doesn't fit with the Shadow Dragon philosoph at all to back up like that. "...The Shadow Dragon have infiltrated the Guard," Jean says, as if figuring something out she doesn't quite believe yet. "Our old Master..."
This is bad news--something she needs to tell Hiro, at the least. But Pearl is unlikely to let her break off to have a nice conversation. Jean's eyes flick across the battlefield, and she can hear him talking about the Sealing Rod, and Zophar.
Something with a friend makes a lot more sense all of a sudden.
But for now Jean adopts a wary stance, circling around Pearl for a few moments as she gauges her. "You weren't kidding before. You've been practicing other styles..."
Jean makes a decision quickly, and bolts to the side, leaping up onto a ladder and bouncing off onto a higher earthen outcropping, narrow enough for only two people--across from each other. As she does, she hurls both fans, sending them spinning down towards Pearl to slash at each arm before coming back to Jean--or not, if Pearl has something to say about it. Regardless Jean adopts a graceful, balanced stance.
GS: Jean has attacked Pearl with Fan Throw! GS: Jean has gained 1 Combo! GS: Jean has completed her action. GS: Pearl guards a hit from Jean's Fan Throw for 50 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Pearl gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Cripple! applied to Pearl!
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
The racing blade meets an electrical ping as Ethius pivots his upper body in the way of her strike, doing nary more than have him flinch once underneath only the forceful equivalent of a hard shove. A hard shove can still do a lot on a battlefield ravaged by war, where even footing is at a premium between new impact craters, strewn debris, and whatever-relevant-higher-power knows what else.
It's a highly visible barrier - a full grade up from the one he summons that generally cannot be seen by the naked eye. This one can be seen. This one can be heard - and that's what makes his current position precarious no matter who he's being aggressed by, because that's highly visible to the Bevelle forces too.
The temperature drops significantly as shards of ice blast off from impacts over from Shiva fragment towards his direction. The chill is uncomfortable and a reminder of how much cross fire they're at risk of taking by their current position.
"You do not want me to lower my arms," Ethius remarks to Hilde as he holds that defensive stance to ward off another round of artillery fire. How much longer can that Symbological barrier can he keep up? Having to dedicate himself to as much of this as he does, it really only leaves his feet free for acting.
A helmet found flying off another Hyland soldier rolls across the battlefield. As if not thinking much about the logistics of how ridiculous such a thing is, he draws back a foot and tries to punt it in Hilde's direction - shooting for about at her hip level. His attention is divided by necessity, as he looks back up to the Warrior Monks on the wall and gauges when the next artillery round is coming, and how much.
He doesn't have much to say about Matilda's involvement in the whole sordid ordeal - which may be curious given Ethius' vocal (and sometimes violent) opposition to the way those of Filgaia helped stir up hostilities between Hyland and Rolance. Which is... an odd thing for him to care about even in retrospect, since he is not from there and didn't know of them prior to showing up on Lunar.
GS: Ethius Hesiod has attacked Hilde with A Helmet Is Not A Viable Football Alternative! GS: Ethius Hesiod has completed his action. GS: Hilde guards a hit from Ethius Hesiod's A Helmet Is Not A Viable Football Alternative for 47 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei looks sheepish at being told to look after himself by TWO of his closest friends rather than one. "Geeze guys." He says, embarrassed.
"Huh?" He says to Day. "I fight swordguys all the time! Ramses is a sword guy! And he wasn't that bad..."
He is told he needs to get his head examined. "Well I probably do." Fei admits, regarding his own head. It always sucks when your opponent kind of has a point. "But not for this reason. I've seen enough of the wild nonsense you guys have been up to to know that your 'cure' is worse than disease."
Despitet his quip about fighting swordfighters plenty before, he is still caught by the blade under his guard. He slides back, a thick red line appearing on his gi. He takes in a deep breath, exhales it out slowly, and then darts in, striking--INTENTIONALLY at the shield with a sudden focused burst of power to try and damage his shield--and weaken Day's defenses!
"I can tell you're...uh...not accustomed...to fighting people... from the Althena's Guard???"
He gives Citan a hapless look.
GS: Fei Fong Wong has attacked Day Muirwall with Raijin! GS: Fei Fong Wong has completed his action. GS: Day Muirwall takes a solid hit from Fei Fong Wong's Raijin for 55 hit points! GS: Shieldbreak! applied to Day Muirwall!
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
"No," Leo says. Hiro's comment stung, though, and it shows on his face. "Yevon's so-called leadership is to blame. They cower within these walls, hiding from us just as they hide from Sin!" Leo's face is an open book--anger mingles with shock and horror. "Instead--instead--"
Belize shouts insults from above. Leo's entire face twists into a look of rage. "Silence, puppet! Are you blind to what's transpiring before you? To what the Al Bhed revealed to the world?! Your masters care more for their dogma--for their lives--than a world free of the torments inflicted by Sin! They take courageous souls, and they send them to die, so that they may live another day. Yuna is only the latest! How many have been sacrificed?! Would you kill yourself for them, if they told you to?!"
Shiva interrupts Leo's tirade. He feels the swell of magic flowing from the Eidolon, and wonders at how it's able to keep its shape--it must be immensely powerful, or a different beast compared to the Guardians. Likely both. Either way, that blizzard has enough sorcerous might behind it to freeze him solid if it connects.
Leo clenches his free hand. Earthen energy condenses around his fingers, armoring his hand in black-veined granite. He thrusts that hand upwards, and the earth beneath him curls into a shield--a wave-shaped wall between him and Shiva's assatult. Even then, the air grows bitterly cold; the rock begins to crack as the temperature shock sets in. It holds. It barely holds.
Which is good, because Leon Albus hasn't been sitting idle this whole time. Leo sees how the Drifter's weapon changes, and prepares. He's fought ARM users before, including the outlaw scoundrel Janus Cascade--and the trick Leon pulls isn't too different from some Janus tried. Leo's blade parts the air in a flash of steel. There's a sharp CLINK, and Leon's bullet digs itself into the ground on either side of Leo, in two distinct pieces. "How odd," Leo says, "Necessity is the preferred justification for those completely lacking in morals. Have you ever once felt guilt?" Leo's body becomes a blur. He swings at Leon's collarbone, then at his stomach, moving so quickly that both seem to happen at the same time. His stance shifts, subtly, allowing a single angle of attack to the ARM-wielder.
"Were you at Mi'ihen? Were you there when we tried--when we gave everything we had, and fell short? Or was that simply not your problem, cur?!"
Something whirls through the air. Leo's blade sweeps up to intervene, stopping Hiro's boomerang less than a second before it strikes him in the back of the head. That would've been bad, had it hit. Leo got lucky.
The Sealing Rod. Zophar. Leo stops where he is, ears twitching as he processes the young man's claims. "Again with this 'Zophar'", Leo growls. But he's rattled. Hiro can tell in the way he reacts--his pace is too quick, his movements a bit too reckless. It's not like him. Leo's lifeforce builds around him, a bright golden aura as he races at Hiro, throwing himself at the young man in a single, perfect strike. The aura forms the shape of a lion's head, erupting from Leo's body as he completes his strike.
Leo skids to a halt, whirls, and turns to glower up at Shiva. He drives his gauntleted hand upwards, and the earth surges to meet the flying Aeon. Lance-like stalagmites race up at Cambira, trying to impale her like a bug on an index card.
<Pose Tracker> Hilde has posed.
"That I can respect." Hilde replies back to Matilda with a nod, as she speaks on operational security. Indeed, it isn't difficult to guess - though Hilde, at the moment, is more interested in the why.
Hilde moves to reposition, and while Hilde's shield provides a wide array of protection, she is still not entirely used to defending against Filgaian ARMs. Several of Matilda's shots manage to get through as Hilde is forced to pursue her to avoid allowing Matilda an event greater range advantage.
Once she is close enough, however, her sword sweeps out in a quick, practiced motion in an attempt to deprive Matilda of her weapon without striking directly.
And that is when a Hyland helmet comes flying toward her. Hilde quickly reorients her shield to block. Ethius succeeds, at least, in getting Hilde's attention. She takes a quick step in his direction, slash her sword in a powerful arc toward him once, before pointing the blade at him.
"I meant arms in the weaponry sense. Should I have perhaps said 'stand down'? However... I see what you mean." Hilde says, as Ethius remarks that she doesn't want him to lower his arms. She notes the barrier - recognizes what it's for. "...This complicates matters. I do still have to apprehend you, if you will not surrender of your own accord."
Her shield is still at the ready, pointed in Matilda's direction to protect from whatever she plans next. She keeps both of them within her field of view.
GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Leon Albus with Flashing Crescent! GS: White Knight Leo enters a Counter stance! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 2 Combo! GS: White Knight Leo's stance ends. He enters the stance! GS: White Knight Leo spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Belize with Grand Upheaval! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 1 Combo! GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Hiro with Tempest Howl! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 1 Combo! GS: White Knight Leo has completed his action. GS: Hilde spends 1 Combo on Interrupt! GS: Hilde has attacked Matilda Whitehead with Disarming Strike! GS: Hilde has attacked Ethius Hesiod with Silver Arc! GS: Hilde has gained 1 Combo! GS: Hilde has completed her action. GS: Hiro critically Guards a hit from White Knight Leo's Tempest Howl for 34 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Hiro gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Hiro's Force Guard activates! GS: CRITICAL! Leon Albus guards a hit from White Knight Leo's Flashing Crescent for 179 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia being 'just along for the ride' is not unfair. Much of what she does is in fact motivated purely by wanting to support her friends. She sure didn't get into that uniform for fun, although the promise of violence at the end did help the motivation.
She tries her best to keep herself protected at all times following her strike, anticipating the counterblow... which doesn't come, not immediately. And when it does, it isn't a direct strike, but a crescent force wave. Citan's warning comes too late for Xantia to switch out of her defensive stance, and well, there wasn't much of a defense against that. Xantia's energy blade is broken through and dissipates, as she herself is knocked back and into the air, flipping end over end before landing face-first onto the ground.
That looked painful, and it was. Though it's evident soon enough that Xantia isn't about to stay down, when she pushes herself back up onto one knee. Her arms and legs are covered in tiny cuts and rapidly forming bruises following that. She bites back the discomfort.
"...I'm fine," she responds to Citan, but well, she would say that while she still feels good enough to fight, it doesn't say much about her condition. Whatever the case may be, one could surmise that she could certainly do without bleeding wounds, at least.
This is exactly what Citan causes to happen... somehow. Xantia can't rightly identify what it is that's happening, but she can tell something is, and that Citan is responsible for it. There's an unreadable expression on her face for a moment, as she might be trying to puzzle this out. As she feels better though, she smiles, and remarks, "You're a really good doctor, Doc."
And with that, she bolts. She can't just sit there and leave Fei to deal with Day by himself. Hoping to blindside him, she moves in a blur of motion as she darts around to his side, aiming to plant a single palm strike there before backing off. A deceptively simple attack, but a staple in the arsenal of Shevat Open Palm - focusing all of one's power in a pinpoint strike, forceful enough to make it seem as if armor is not providing any protection from it at all.
Only then does she finally respond to Day's earlier words. "So you don't think that Althena's latest decisions have been at all strange? Even some Seraphs have started to think something's wrong. What about your friend?"
She may not have said it straight out, but the implication's there - she knows about Vesna, somehow, despite not ever having seen her before today.
GS: Xantia spends 2 Combo on Headshot! GS: Xantia has attacked Day Muirwall with Shatterstrike! GS: Xantia has gained 1 Combo! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Day Muirwall guards a hit from Xantia's Shatterstrike for 117 hit points! GS: Hyper! applied to Xantia! GS: Day Muirwall's Force Guard activates! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up! GS: Matilda Whitehead guards a hit from Hilde's Disarming Strike for 0 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Matilda Whitehead gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Cripple! applied to Matilda Whitehead! GS: Matilda Whitehead has lost 2 Combo from Interrupt! GS: Ethius Hesiod takes a solid hit from Hilde's Silver Arc for 144 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
Leon's eyes, briefly, are on Hiro. He knows nothing of Zophar; he knows only that Hiro and Lucia have some mission. It isn't his own, but he has no reason to ignore it or disbelieve it.
His eyes are on Belize -- or, more accurately, Shiva Cambria. He watches her and her summoner carefully, though only out of the corner of her eye.
Leon sees his gunshot has been handled neatly by Leo. He glances at the two halves of the slug, and then back at Leo. "I've felt guilt," Leon says. "For not going far enough--gh!"
He steps backward, only just narrowly not getting bisected by the strikes. The blade slashes into his side, blood splashing, but the next slams into a shield of energy. A trio of drones, dropped from his belt, hold it between them.
Leon nods. "I saw what happened at Mi'ihen--and a noble but futile charge is still futile. I do what I can. And here, I can see something I can do."
He aims the shotgun again. Argent Divider II fires once, twice; two shots ring out, before Leon goes bolting forward, leaping up, and then swings his sword backward.
"I pick my battles, and that's why I win them!" He brings Argent Divider II's narrow blade down, guiding it with his other hand, and stabs it down straight for Leo's midsection.
"And the worth of this is plain to my eyes!"
GS: Leon Albus spends 1 Combo on Link! GS: Formation! Leon Albus has attacked White Knight Leo with RR-2 Insight Check! GS: Leon Albus has gained 1 Combo! GS: Leon Albus has launched an attack Link! GS: Leon Albus's stance ends. He enters the Avenger stance! GS: Leon Albus spends 2 Combo on Gatling, loading 2 into Gatling! GS: Formation! Leon Albus has attacked White Knight Leo with Black Wolf's Fang! GS: Leon Albus has gained 1 Combo! GS: Leon Albus's Avenger stance ends. He enters the Stoic stance! GS: Leon Albus has completed his action.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
'Bland', Belize says.
"Really?" Gwen squints, sniffs the fingers she used to take out the bag, then sighs despondently, her body sagging. "... Sorry, you got a bad batch." She sneezes. "... But ah, yes! I *am* on Leo's side! So... you got two dangers to deal with!" Technically, it is not a lie. She and Leo are fighting Belize. In the fight against Belize, Gwen and Leo are on the same side. In the fight against everything else, they are *not* on the same side. _At all_.
But that doesn't mean that Gwen doesn't believe in Hiro's need to warn Leo, even after he outlined so plainly Leo's responsibility in the war. She hears Hiro's pleas, as sharp as his attacks, for Leo to open his eyes, before it's too late.
The courier turns her head back towards the knight, her blue grey eyes wide. "Leo, it ain't like my word isn't worth that much more, but I was there. Hiro's tellin' the truth! We all felt it, on Filgaia. It wasn't like anything I've felt befor-"
Shiva's cold blasts past Gwen and towards Leo, bearing all the fierce frigid force of a winter storm in a small sliver of space. Frost begins to crust on Gwen's clothing, as she tries to hold her back against it, but quickly loses her footing, falling against the hard ground.
"Gh.... Maybe I should've kept that robe on..." Ice crunches audibly in the upward movement of Gwen's body.
Leo's disbelief is as strong as his belief in Althena.
"... Maybe it ain't somethin' you can just consider, right now," Gwen forces out, through chattering teeth, "but you ain't the sort that would be corrupted straight away by something subtle. But the day you fall into that dark... it'll be a great loss for Althena. Or whatever goddess is there, for any of us."
The warmth from the Mockingbird is welcomed, Gwen holding it close as long as she can before she's forced to hold it out, aiming-
-And turning towards Belize, and the being next to them, so much like a goddess herself.
GS: Gwen Whitlock has attacked Belize with Coil Cannon EX! GS: Gwen Whitlock has gained 1 Combo! GS: Gwen Whitlock has completed her action.
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
Herearl is very quiet for a moment, as Jean asks that guarded question, before a nod. "I need to see what you can do without it." And to see what she herself can do without it as well. She doesn't know every trick the master has, but Pearl's pretty sure he knows all of hers. She's not as strong in this school, but...
"Think carefully how you use that knowledge." She says, with an unspoken 'because giving it to you may get me killed'. But she's confident that here and now, in close range on the battle field, she is safe enough. This time. "The style was not my idea, but it was necessary. Nonetheless, I make use of it."
Jean launches up, and the fans come for Pearl. The fans lacerate her arms, but she's quick enough to grab them by the blade (earning more cuts) with her usual lack of pain. She casts them to the ground, and gives chase. She launches for the same ladder, but the second she lands, she launches straight for Jean, aiming to grab her and still her, even for a moment.
And then she opens her mouth and attempts to drive her silvered fang into Jean's throat.
It's no true test if you hold back.
GS: Pearl has attacked Jean with Jugular Fang! GS: Pearl takes 17 damage from Poison! GS: Poison expired! GS: Pearl has completed her action.
<Pose Tracker> Day Muirwall has posed.
Day clicks his teeth together sharply when Citan fires off an armour-piercing question. "You're implying that our intentions are anything but merciful," he growls. "You don't understand the Church of Althena at all!"
Whatever force Citan's calling on, it's not one Day immediately recognizes as menacing. The doctor is left to his devices for a moment as Day wheels to keep his attention on the two more immediately hostile Drifters.
When Fei regroups for his next move, Day defends himself the way his training taught him: He raises his shield.
Fei hits it off-centre, hard enough to tear it off his arm. The knight gasps as the shield goes spinning out of his grip. It lands a few feet from Vesna, who squeaks as she swoops down to grab it. "Sir Day--"
"Nevermind, Vess." Day takes the hilt of his broadsword in a two-handed grip as he rounds on Fei again, eyes narrowed. "I don't know what wild nonsense you're talking about. All I am here for is to serve the Goddess faithfully. There's nothing wild about that - nothing evil!"
He's so caught up in firing indignantly back at Fei that he almost doesn't notice when Xantia comes lunging up on him.
When Xantia strikes, Day catches a glimpse at the last moment. His eyes go wide, and he takes a short hop back - but he can't fully get out of range. The young woman's palm slams into his side with blunt force, turning his regrouping hop into more of a short flight as he's hurled a few metres. He lands on a foot and a knee and skids back, a hand pressed to the turf as he brakes as best he can before lifting his head again.
"What exactly do you want from me?" he asks with a grimace. "Do you question your god when their teachings don't agree with everything you think? Have you stopped to consider that perhaps the actual goddess of our world may see things that we do not? All I know is this--"
Day's hands wrap tightly around his sword hilt. "--that I have committed enough sins in my life, and I will not make an apostate of myself by defying Althena's very will!"
As he speaks, he's again bearing down like a steel wall. Shield or no shield, Day takes his broadsword in two hands and swings with force and finesse. Xantia's first - he comes at her with a couple of high, arcing swings aimed at her shoulders and upper body, clearing space before he wheels towards Fei and Citan.
Taking one hand off the sword, he lets his momentum carry him in a rapid spin around him. The blade rips through open space, then back as he snaps a lightning-quick backspin off, so quick that the sword leaves a gust of air behind. The blow is heavy and fast, enough to carve heavy armour.
GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Xantia with Lion Passant! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Fei Fong Wong with Courant Slash! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Citan Uzuki with Courant Slash! GS: Cover expired! GS: Day Muirwall has completed his action. GS: Jean guards a hit from Pearl's Jugular Fang for 92 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Jean gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Disease! applied to Jean! GS: Citan Uzuki critically Guards a hit from Day Muirwall's Courant Slash for 53 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Citan Uzuki gains 1 additional Combo! GS: COUNTER! White Knight Leo counterattacks Leon Albuswith Counter Attack! GS: White Knight Leo guards a hit from Leon Albus's RR-2 Insight Check for 124 hit points! GS: CRITICAL! White Knight Leo takes a solid hit from Leon Albus's Black Wolf's Fang for 228 hit points! GS: Xantia takes a glancing hit from Day Muirwall's Lion Passant for 68 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Xantia gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Cover! applied to Day Muirwall! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Hiro has posed.
Hiro just ??? at Gwen, "Huh? I mean... sorry if you didn't want me to know you were worried!" He says, utterly oblivious.
Meanwhile across the battlefield Ruby shouts at Vesna, "Bite your tongue! Even White Knight Leo has acknowledged my Hiro's abs!" Wait he has? "Otherwise he wouldn't have tried to recruit him the moment they met!"
Wait, does Ruby actually think that Leo's criteria for originally wanting Hiro in the Guard was based on his abs and not his sense of justice? Just a moment later though at Fei's comment on Day not being accustomed to that... Ruby says "... you're not wrong Fei!"
Back to the other fight though.
Hiro finds himself unable to respond to Leo's statement in the moment, because he's having to catch his boomerangs in a one two hop on the rebound. "Yes! Again - and again - with Zophar - until it gets through your head!"
And indeed, Hiro notices. That Leo is acting recklessly. He can see the subtleties in his sword form and it's just off as Leo charges at him, gleaming Gold. And something he wouldn't be able to stop before becomes something he has a chance to. As suddenly steps into a blow in an attempt to spoil Leo's reach.
Catching the blade in a quick parry between his sword and the edge of his shield up near the hilt, he suddenly twists it aside and down as the two break apart and Leo streaks on by.
"Yevon has responsibility for these atrocities... but so do you Leo! This can't be what you wanted Althena's Guard to be!" The boy shouts at him, "Stop running from those responsibilities Leo-! And set your own house in order!"
However, with a look towards Leo, Hiro suddenly seems to register something... in what he said.
There's a stark realization in his eyes, "Wind slice them to pieces - Wind Cutter!" Multiple streams of wind energy suddenly streak down around Leo, trying to capitalize on the openings he's making with the Argent Divider. Each current sharp as any blade.
"Leo is that what this is really about? That you tried so hard at Operation Mi'ihen..." Hiro says, in the wake of it, trying to be understanding... "... and failed? Is that why you feel you can't stop this madness?!"
GS: Formation! Hiro has attacked White Knight Leo with Wind Cutter! GS: Hiro has gained 1 Combo! GS: Mighty expired! GS: Hiro has completed his action. GS: CRITICAL! Belize takes a solid hit from White Knight Leo's Grand Upheaval for 235 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Belize gains 1 additional Combo! GS: White Knight Leo enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Belize takes a solid hit from Gwen Whitlock's Coil Cannon EX for 163 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Belize gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Belize has Fallen! They is no longer able to fight!
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
Matilda's sidearm goes flying, despite her trying to protect herself with her shield; she makes an intensely irritated face, considering going for it butultimately electing to just let it slide for now. She can retrieve it later, or not; it's not an especially valuable piece of kit (albeit maybe moreso on Lunar), and Ethius seems to have Hilde's attention for the moment.
That's a moment Matilda won't waste, of course. Rather than hang back, she decides to engage Hilde where she's strongest after all, if only because she doesn't have much of a choice; rushing in, she goes for something simple: an attempt to grab Hilde by the neck and simply force her to the ground as swiftly as possible.
If she can get her on the ground, she follows up with a quick, simple stomp with all the force she can muster. She's never been one to complicate things -- at least not in the heat of battle.
GS: Matilda Whitehead has attacked Hilde with Planting! GS: Matilda Whitehead has completed her action. GS: Hilde takes a solid hit from Matilda Whitehead's Planting for 146 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
As Hilde clarifies her position... Ethius' pacing is deliberate, trying to place himself so that Hilde would have to take note of about a hundred and ten degrees' field of view between himself and Matilda - and himself between the other two combatants and the machina wielders at the wall. An altruistic happenstance for all involved, in that it means not one of them have to deal with direct fire. (...Well, Ethius does, anyway.)
He backs up some as Hilde takes off running towards Matilda in order to prevent her from moving to a safer range - and in fact he overcompensates in his attempt to catch up to the two of them, facing his back at the worst time as Hilde swings her blade out and catches him in the side with a clean hit. Blood spatters against the ground, and Ethius falls to a kneel. If he sputtered or shouted in pain, whatever he has covering his mouth muffles it.
He's unable to face the two of them in that moment, but there's a reason beyond the pain - he can see just above, the tell-tale signs of a prepared cannon pointing towards their way.
"...Lower my arms, and leave this battlefield, is that all you request?" Ethius appears to be deliberately missing the 'surrender' part. His crossed arms get shaky from both the surge of pain in his side and how the maintenance of the barrier is eating at his energy reserves. The timing starts to come together as he stands up. If he can stand up, then...
"Miss Matilda," Ethius speaks up - he doesn't raise his voice much unless he wants to be heard, and right now it is absolutely critical to him that he's heard, "Move back! To your left!" That's exclamation marks, for emphasis, since she's putting herself on top of Hilde...
For he lowers his arms, and that barrier disappears. He takes off running in the direction he has specified to Matilda, and for good reason...
...For the walls of Bevelle have fired a machina cannon down in their direction. It will come up too short to hit Hilde directly... but it is not to say that she will be safe from the fire, fury, and force of the explosion that follows the impact.
GS: Ethius Hesiod has activated a Force Action! GS: Ethius Hesiod has attacked Hilde with Artillery Matador! GS: Ethius Hesiod has gained 1 Combo! GS: Cover expired! GS: Ethius Hesiod has completed his action. GS: Fei Fong Wong guards a hit from Day Muirwall's Courant Slash for 70 hit points! GS: Fei Fong Wong enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Hilde has activated a Force Action! GS: Hilde guards a hit from Ethius Hesiod's Artillery Matador for 82 hit points! GS: Jam! applied to Hilde!
<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.
"Once again, you demonstrate you know NOTHING of Yevon, of Sin, or of us Summoners! But then, I'm not at all surprised that an infidel bought the propaganda of other infidels so cheaply!" Belize shouts back down at Leo, not even slightly dissuaded by his shouts. "Do you think I did not know that when I chose, freely, of my own will, to become a Summoner? Do you think we do not know the price to quell Sin and bring the Calm so that others might live in peace? This is why we pay our deepest respects to the High Summoners, who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of all! Or do YOU care nothing about what happens to the world? Do you not care if countless innocent lives are destroyed as long as you, personally, get to be happy? Or are you simply too much of a *sociopath* to understand? The Al Bhed don't care, I can tell you that now! They kidnapped and incarcerated Summoner after Summoner simply to satisfy their own ego, more than happy to let the rest of Spira drown under Sin's crushing waves!"
Belize sweeps an arm to one side, gesturing back to all of Bevelle. "*No one* who becomes a Summoner does so ignorant of what we must do, even if at times our Guardians are." They pause momentarily, features shadowing with genuine sorrow. They suck in a small breath, tears beading at the corners of their eyes, and shake their head fiercely before resuming a ferocious glare. "We do it freely, and we do it because we love this world and its people! Because we are all the children of Yevon, and we all dream of a world without Sin!" They thrust a finger at Leo. "Go! If you are so certain in your righteousness, seek out other Summoners! Any of them! All of them! Including Yuna! And ask THEM what they think of our chosen path!! But you won't, will you? Because you don't actually care what we think or how we feel! Just like the Al Bhed, your only concern is your own twisted self-righteousness and forcing it on others!!"
Gwen laughs at Hiro like this battle is all some kind of game, then apologizes to Belize for the 'bad batch' as if they were at some kind of tasting hall. Belize curls a lip at her. "Why are you even here? Do you think this some kind of playtime? Where is your conviction? Disgusting," they spit.
They pay the price for their vitriol, though. In making their impassionate speech to Leo, in letting themself get distracted by their disapproval of Gwen, their focus shifts from the battle to having their way. A massive crag of earth shears up from below to skewer through Shiva Cambria, who shudders and throws her head back in silent agony. Belize's eyes widen in an agony of their own, and they reach their hands out to her. "Cambria!!" they cry, as if the one attacked were not simply a summoned servant but a bosom friend--a loved one.
In that moment, Gwen opens fire with her arm cannon, aiming for both aeon and summoner. Belize shrieks when the beam hits true. Shiva dissolves in a cloud of pyreflies, and they stagger back, swirling with similar light--before falling off the defensive wall and out of sight.
...
*Crunch.*
...it doesn't sound like they'll be returning to battle anytime soon...
<Pose Tracker> Jean has posed.
"So that's why..." Jean is uneasy with Pearl looking for that knowledge, though she can guess why. Her green hair fans out behind her as she finishs settling up on her new perch, and looks down at Pearl in the mentime. Here, and now, maybe... "You bet I will," she answers, eyes narrowed. Then she sees her weapons grabbed and tossed away--that's one thing down, the option of range. Unless...
Jean hasn't been showing much sign of being slowed by the cut on her leg or by placing bare feet on the battlefield debris, herself. But that's not enough on its own--Pearl launches straight for her and Jean has only a moment to react. Quickly, she determines that she doesn't have the space to dodge with Pearl's momentum, so instead she reaches out to grab the other woman's arms at the same time. She struggles, but Pearl has the advantage just now. Jean manages to shove the other woman off-course, but not to evade the attack entirely. No, Pearl's silver fang bites down into Jean's shoulder, and Pearl can likely taste blood. Jean makes a single noise in the back of her throat of something like surprise, though even that is like crying out for one of them.
Her knee slams up towards Pearl's abdomen and she shoves her back, painfully disengaging and weaving back. She delivers a straight kick from below that turns into a second, and a third up, foot all the way over her head as she flips back and swings her knee for the next strike. As soon as she touches down, Jean delivers a punch, a backhand, a spinning elbow--trying to keep Pearl off-balance and avoid her taking advantage of the her new injury.
"It doesn't have to be like this! I told you what I plan to do!"
"I said I wouldn't try 'that' again... and I won't. But there's something important we're doing here--"
Speak and strike, in time. If anything Jean's gotten more aggressive, though not quite that level--but offense might be her best defense for now.
GS: Jean spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Jean has attacked Pearl with Swallow Dance! GS: Jean has gained 1 Combo! GS: Jean has completed her action. GS: Pearl takes a solid hit from Jean's Swallow Dance for 142 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Pearl gains 1 additional Combo! GS: CRITICAL! Leon Albus guards a hit from White Knight Leo's Counter Attack for 127 hit points! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Hilde has posed.
Hilde hesitates a bit as Ethius runs after herself and Matilda, revealing his back just as she goes to swing. She can't stop the blade in time, though she tries - she'd never intentionally strike an opponent in the back, if she can help it.
"My apologies... But, that was very reckless of you, sorcerer...! You must watch your stance more closely!" Hilde remarks, surprised - and it's this surprise that allows Matilda an opening. Hilde finds herself tackled to the ground, followed by a quick stomp with all of Matilda's strength. Hilde is pretty heavily armored - it's hard to tell how much effect it head, but it is enough that, as Ethius lowers his shield and ushers the two of them out of the blast range, that she is unable to get up and defend herself in time.
For a moment, there is nothing but smoke and fire where the artillery fire struck. Shortly after, there is a faint blue glow within the smoke...
...and then Hilde bursts out of it, her sword drawn up in both hands and a blue aura suffusing her body. She rushes Ethius down full force. Not even swinging the blade, a full-on shoulder charge to knock him away. Her blade is saved for Matilda as Hilde moves toward her. It descends in a single, powerful motion. This is a strike that has felled giants - though she holds back enough to prevent a fatal strike.
"Though I still condemn your deceit, I must commend your strength and tactical foresight - you two are no average combatants." Hilde remarks.
GS: Hilde has attacked Ethius Hesiod with Dauntless Charge! GS: Hilde spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Hilde has attacked Matilda Whitehead with Titan Cleaver! GS: Cover expired! GS: Hilde has completed her action. GS: Matilda Whitehead takes a solid hit from Hilde's Titan Cleaver for 188 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Matilda Whitehead gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Matilda Whitehead enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Ethius Hesiod critically Guards a hit from Hilde's Dauntless Charge for 31 hit points! GS: Cover! applied to Hilde! GS: White Knight Leo critically Guards a hit from Hiro's Wind Cutter for 39 hit points! GS: White Knight Leo's Force Guard activates!
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
The doctor simply smiles at Day. "I fear I implied nothing, sir knight," he replies, coupling the response with a shake of his head. In this moment, the look in Citan's eyes is positively ancient as he looks directly at Day. "You, however, have told me much."
Xantia's quick enough on her feet, of course, but his eye catches the little things she wouldn't dare complain of... and makes short work of them even at a distance. It's strange. There's not even a flicker in the air, no sense of anything except that he's (it must have been him) made some subtle correction in her chi.
"...Now is not the time for such things," he replies, when she remarks on his handiwork. He shakes his head and glances over at Fei, who does not seem much the better for wear for his own encounter with Day's blade. "..."
A different strategy is needed. But--
He doesn't get long to think on such matters, as Day asks of them what seems an almost personal question... and grips his sword with an intent that Citan marks well.
"You have committed sins, have you," Citan murmurs. But he says nothing more and merely exhales sharply.
It's not just a breath.
The air about them shifts its flow as Day advances, sword bared and the wind at his back. Citan doesn't move: he stands his ground as Day comes at them, his focus in this instant elsewhere.
The pressure in the air about them suddenly amplifies, catching dust within its wake as it pours downward, only just visible. It shimmers with the ambient light and dust, nearly a wall before Citan--
A wall that catches, slows, deflects Day's blade as it swings near to Citan.
--and then vanishes, imbuing the three of them with its stability and support. It is Ether, of course. It's always been Ether, but only here is it so obviously so. Citan never so much as moved a muscle, after all...
"Wind empowers your blade," remarks the country doctor. "Is that not so? However, turn that element against itself and..." He glances to the others. "Now then -- do not hold back!"
GS: Citan Uzuki has activated a Force Action! GS: You have activated the Force Action Extend! GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Fei Fong Wong with Gensoseii! GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Xantia with Gensoseii! GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Citan Uzuki with Gensoseii! GS: Citan Uzuki has completed his action. GS: Citan Uzuki heals Citan Uzuki! He gains 200 temporary hit points! GS: Surge! applied to Citan Uzuki! GS: Citan Uzuki heals Xantia! She gains 200 temporary hit points! GS: Surge! applied to Xantia!
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
No sooner has Ethius shouted than does Matilda hop back; it's a very small hop, but a very important one, because it means she conveniently does not get blasted with debris kicked up by the artillery. Unfortunately, the dodge again renders her unsteady -- which means that that blade descends directly toward her, sundering armor and piercing flesh. Mercifully, the armor has a much worse go of it than the flesh, instead of the potential horrible alternative.
"You aren't particularly bad yourself," comes Matilda's reply to Hilde, with a wince as she adjusts her stance. At last, she draws Freischütz again; it's been some time since she used it -- but she keeps it loaded now. After all, it's rare she needs it for its more esoteric purposes within a battle...
So naturally, she starts backpedaling, trying to regain some separation -- and more importantly, firing shot after shot from the black-and-red ARM. They're normal bullets, rather than gravel, this time... but she makes a note to herself to switch, now that she's on Lunar again, sooner than later.
GS: Matilda Whitehead has activated a Force Action! GS: Matilda Whitehead has attacked Hilde with Freeshooter! GS: Matilda Whitehead has gained 1 Combo! GS: Matilda Whitehead's Avenger stance ends. GS: Cripple expired! GS: Matilda Whitehead has completed her action. GS: Hilde guards a hit from Matilda Whitehead's Freeshooter for 103 hit points! GS: Hilde's Force Guard activates!
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
Pearl has the power advantage at the moment, but it also leaves her overextended. This is the problem using a style made for Werewolves who are 8 feet tall and broad as a house, and not a taller than average human woman. The other problem is, perhaps, underestimating Jean. Her fang drives into Jean's shoulder, and the spurt of blood is hard to stop. Pearl also doesn't have the liberty to spit it out, instead it goes in a spray as Jean's knee drives solidly into Pearl's abdoman, and vulnerable to an all out attack from Jean.
The kicks land, even as Pearl is getting her guard up. The first punch hits home, and the backhand slams her back. By the time the spinning elbow lands, Pearl is only then able to find her feet: by digging the claws of her boots into the ground. It's an area with only room for two. Pearl seems angry, but more at herself. There's something tempering her rage.
"You did. But I no longer have the luxury of inaction." Pearl says, grimly. "Not while he's here." This is an assumption, rather than solid fact. But he was in Spira the last time Pearl was here. By that time he may have returned to Meribia, but... "Keep what you have learnt today in mind."
5tAnd then with a vicious, wolflike growl, Pearl launches forward, and stirking out wildly and viciously. Slash after slash after slash, from all angles. It's not the careful sequence of blows that Jean threw, instead a mountain of strikes, with no thought to defence.
GS: Citan Uzuki heals Fei Fong Wong! He gains 200 temporary hit points! GS: Surge! applied to Fei Fong Wong! GS: Pearl spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Pearl has attacked Jean with Overwhelming Assault! GS: Pearl has gained 1 Combo! GS: Entangle expired! GS: Pearl has completed her action. GS: Jean completely evades a hit from Pearl's Overwhelming Assault! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Jean gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Jean's Force Evade activates! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
Those three little drones are new, and wholly unexpected. Leo's eyes widen as they take up formation, protecting their master from him."And how far," Leo demands, "is 'far enough'?"
The tone he takes with Leon is different from the one he takes with Belize, and with Hiro. Hiro he knows to be good of heart, but deeply misguided--tied to someone who was called Lord of Calamity by the Goddess Herself. Belize he knows as a particularly vocal heathen, someone deeply invested in their faith. Invested enough to become a Summoner, to start down a path of sacrifice. Leon is the odd one out. Leo has only his gut to go by, and his gut tells him that Leon is a product of Filgaia--a sharp-edged soul in desperate need of Althena's grace. Does his flintiness extend all the way to his heart? Leo doesn't know. But the way Leon talks isn't doing him any favors.
It's not Leon's words that catch Leo's ear, though. Despite the initial rush of vitriol, he can't help but hear what Belize shouts at him from atop the wall. They knew? he thinks, staggered a moment by the thought. They knew. Spira knew, but kept that little detail close to its chest--whether out of fear or guilt or reverence or suspicion, Leo cannot say. Moisture glimmers in his eyes. He wants to shout back, to tell Belize what he saw in Home, but he simply does not get the chance. The Summoner's look of horror lingers in his eyes, even as a shot catches them in the shoulder and sends them pitching back.
Leo doesn't hear that crunch. He's allowed himself to become distracted, and pays for it when Leon unloads on him. In an instant, the White Knight's stomach is a mess of bloody red. In the next, Leon's blade comes arcing in through the angle Leo left open, burying itself in his side.
Blinding agony flashes through Leo's eyes, but he still has enough focus to bring his blade down on Leon, cutting deep. He steps back, yanking himself off of Leon's weapon--normally, a quick route to exsanguination, but Leo has a few tricks up his sleeve. The bleeding begins to slow as he focuses his will, channeling the strength of the earth into his own body. Amber light flashes in his eyes, and rocky armor forms to cover his wounds.
"A distraction, then?" Leo says, recognition of Leon's skill warring with anger in his eyes. "Well played, cur. But it will take more than clever tricks to save this world, or yours. Do you feel it? The suffering of the innocent--or is your heart deadened to it? When I was your age, I--"
Leo trails off. He looks at Hiro, then, his jaw tightening. Now that Hiro has a frame of reference, it's easy to see just how much Leo looks like the Ronso--or rather, how much Ronso is left in Leo's line. The horn, the vaguely leonine features--all still present.
The White Knight doesn't answer. Instead, he slams a foot into the ground, willing the earth to rise up in his defense. A dome of solid rock erupts around him, meeting Hiro's shearing wind. The blades cut into the rock, sending chunks of stone and grains of sand everywhere. But Hiro is persistent, and wears down just enough of the dome to expose Leo proper.
"The Goddess has willed it," the White Knight says. There's something tense in his voice, and something hollow. His blade gleams in the firelight. "There is nothing more I can do."
Despite considerable injury and emotional turmoil, Leo aligns body, soul, and lifeforce just like General Heldalf taught him to. Firelight gleams off his blade as it flashes through the darkness in a single, perfect strike--so clean and fast that it doesn't immediately draw blood.
Leo sags, afterwards. Wounds are starting to catch up with him. "Zophar," he whispers. He doesn't know what it means. It keeps surfacing, like rot in an otherwise healthy tree. And yet, the Goddess has made Her decision.
There is nothing more he can do.
GS: White Knight Leo has attacked White Knight Leo with Earth Prayer! GS: White Knight Leo takes a solid hit from White Knight Leo's Earth Prayer for 0 hit points! GS: Hyper and Shield! applied to White Knight Leo! GS: Mighty! applied to White Knight Leo! GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Leon Albus with Reaping Crescent! GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Hiro with Reaping Crescent! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 1 Combo!
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei Fong Wong says, "If you think faith hasn't been used to do plenty of evil..." He pauses for a m oment. "Oh well I don't really believe in gods as an authority. I mean, the Guardians are okay but I wouldn't follow a religion based off 'em or anything."
He briefly marvels at Citan's own talents with wide eyes. Less the healing ether--that he's accustomed to--but the way he deftly handles the opponent's blade.
He kind of wonders if Doc is showing off because he worried for him... He knew he was good at martial arts but--
He shakes his head, clearing his mind of such thoughts even as the blade SLAAAAAAAMS into his guard and throws him back. Fei flips through the strike but his body is shaking--only the healing ether keeps him up on his feet. "Every strike is like getting hit by a boulder," He murmurs. "Made out of knives."
He swallows once and nods towards Citan. "No holding back then."
The guy hits hard enough he doubts he can afford to hold back too much. He darts forward in a smooth motion--
--only to leap up into the air at the last moment and aim his feet for Day's heads, bursts of red chi detonating out from under his feet as he aims to slam his feet into Day's skull in an attempt to knock the guy out--or at least...knock him for a loop!
GS: CRITICAL! Leon Albus guards a hit from White Knight Leo's Reaping Crescent for 14 hit points! GS: Leon Albus enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Hiro takes a glancing hit from White Knight Leo's Reaping Crescent for 127 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Hiro gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Hiro's Force Evade activates! GS: Hiro enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Fei Fong Wong spends 2 Combo on Headshot! GS: Fei Fong Wong enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Fei Fong Wong has attacked Day Muirwall with Tenbu! GS: Fei Fong Wong has completed his action. GS: CRITICAL! Day Muirwall takes a solid hit from Fei Fong Wong's Tenbu for 240 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia means to respond to Day as readily as in any casual non-combat situation, shrugging a bit as she starts, "Well, of course. I mean, I don't follow any gods, but..."
Day's already up and coming for her with that sword again. Trying to intercept it with her bare hands isn't something she's willing to risk considering the fancy sword tricks that might happen, so she moves - she sees that Day is going in high, so she goes down low, dropping down like a rock and rolling away across the ground. She loses a few hairs in the process, but that's fine, hair is something she's got to spare.
Unfortunately, such a maneuver means that she can't stop Day from going after her friends next. She lets out an alarmed yelp as she sees that happening, rushing to get back to her feet so that she can lend aid. It's too late to stop this assault, however...
...But Citan steps in to handle that. Once again, it gives Xantia pause. She hasn't seen much of the doctor's use of Ether in combat situations. It's kind of fascinating to see the ways in which others can use it. Perhaps a bit too fascinating, as it takes Citan saying 'do not hold back' for her to remember that, oh yeah, she was going to over there and help. Whoops.
Though it may be a little late, she charges in that direction, counting on Fei to keep Day occupied. On her approach, her right fist begins to glow brightly as pure light flows outward, shining intensely. She doesn't close the full distance before throwing the punch that she had in mind. She doesn't need to, as doing so causes something akin to an atmospheric explosion, a burst of extreme force followed by a wave of intense light.
Xantia is left standing there as the light fades, perhaps surprisingly calm as she shakes the burning sensation from her fist. Even now, she's still of a mind to talk. "Like I said, I don't follow any gods, but I know when someone's wrong. Doesn't matter who it is, anyone can be wrong. A human, a Seraph, a Guardian, a Goddess, it doesn't matter! Wrong is wrong! And if you really care about someone, whether it's a friend, or family, or someone you worship, if they're doing something you think is wrong, you shouldn't just go along with it! I'll punch my brother any time if he does anything wrong!"
He's standing right there, Xantia.
GS: Xantia spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Xantia has attacked Day Muirwall with Exploding Fist! GS: Xantia has gained 1 Combo! GS: Riposte expired! GS: Xantia has completed her action.
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
"Needs must," Leon answers, bluntly. "I've no intention of being a monster, but I won't soften my blows against enemies that will not soften theirs!"
He grits his teeth, at that. A distraction -- one that Leo has seen through, and that has sent a summoner spiraling to their death. The value of the ruse is running out, but Hiro is doing his best to reach Leo. He isn't inclined to leave him, and thus he looks back at the knight. He grits his teeth, then lifts up his blade, and focuses--
--and it explodes to life, a fiery red energy exploding from it, and forming a large blade. The blast of energy slams into Leon, and he strikes back into it. It splits around him, but shakes him. Blood runs down from a slash on his brow, and he cranes his neck. "Gh," he spits. "If your Goddess wills some damned fool notion, then maybe you should rethink the source of your faith!"
The blade of light extends. Further and further outward, with a brilliant shine, and then it solidifies into a nearly ten foot-long blade. Leon runs, charging forward, and swings the sword back over his head.
He slams it down, slashing diagonally across Leo.
GS: Leon Albus has attacked White Knight Leo with Code.26 CLARENT! GS: Leon Albus has gained 1 Combo! GS: Leon Albus has completed his action. GS: Day Muirwall takes a solid hit from Xantia's Exploding Fist for 151 hit points! GS: White Knight Leo takes a solid hit from Leon Albus's Code.26 CLARENT for 183 hit points! GS: White Knight Leo enters CONDITION GREEN!!
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Ethius is hauling butt right the hell out of the projected blast zone, and it's no guaratnee that he'd get out of there completely unscathed - now that he's not projecting that heavier barrier, everyone's position here is at stake if Bevelle increases the volume of their strikes... and they just might. He looks back in a sweep of the situation to better take stock of where the operatives for the mission all are, and in that moment he catches the light coming from the cloud. That faint blue glow... he starts to back away.
Hilde's courageous charge is not something many people can outrun, and Ethius sure looks like he's trying for the next second and a half before he has no choice but to try and brace for impact. She clocks him shoulder-first, sending him spiraling further down afield - an injurious sequence about to happen that is mitigated by happenstance more than by any failing on her part.
The stolen Hyland mage armor cracks and rends where proper armoring exists, shattering and loosening attached cloth from the point of impact. Its strength is what saves him from the worst of the impact itself, but it is at the limit of its ability to protect against Hilde's unwavering charge.
Ethius himself tumbles along the ground in two rotations before he's able to smoothly draw his quarterstaff and plant it on the ground to halt his momentum - this is the best possible result he can muster against it. His success here is only measured in 'escaped even more grievous harm.'
He rises up, excaberating the wound suffered by Hilde's blade but manages to get up there as Hilde compliments the both of them despite the duplicity. "We no longer have time for niceties," he remarks coolly - a marked difference from Hilde. Hilde fights honorably and shows respect to her opponents.
Ethius tried to blow her up with lured artillery fire.
Planting the quarterstaff vertically for balance, he starts to extend his free hand to cast a spell, but there's a problem with the intention - there's enough free-floating dust about to weaponize.
...But he has to pull the free-floating particle matter from somewhere, and each one puts the other operatives at risk - he knows he has a reason he doesn't want anyone among the infiltration team to fall here. He doesn't recall why, but more that it's important that... some things don't get left behind. (What things?)
He ultimately elects to pull the dust clouds from around himself, giving those at the wall a clearer view of his positioning as he goes through the Symbological spellcasting ritual to its completion.
"Dust Compress," he calls the name as he directs all of it into a fast-moving rush of free-floating dust against a specific point - Hilde's - as if to try and bury her in a shallow stratum of dirt, soot, and other tiny detritus.
GS: Ethius Hesiod has activated a Force Action!
<Pose Tracker> Day Muirwall has posed.
Seraph Vesna, with Day's shield in hand, gets distracted from her returning it by Ruby shouting at her.
"Yeah, well, I bet my Sir Day would beat your Hiro in an ab-off any day!"
Coming out of his swing, Day narrows his eyes at Citan with a flicker of irritation. "You say that very smugly. It's not an attractive trait."
Neither is the healing. Day shifts to prepare to defend against whatever Fei and Xantia throw next, but his eyes again dart to Citan. "My blade is powered by hard work and training. If you doubt that, then by all means, try me."
Fei does just that. Day pivots to meet the martial artist as he comes darting forward, but he's not expecting Fei to jump. For an excruciating moment as Fei's feet plow into his head, a thought occurs to Day:
why am i wearing fullplate but not a helmet
That lasts until the force of the kick registers and he's thrown back, all thoughts ejected from his skull by the force of the impact. It's brief: He comes through in midair, managing a sickening "hurk" as he grasps for something at his hip - a tuft of something white and fluffy. There's a subtle surge.
And the fully armoured knight flips in midair and comes down in a three-point stance. He shakes his head vigorously, rubbing the side of his face with a grimace. It was much harder of a hit than he'd like - but it lets him square to the swing Xantia takes at him.
It lands much more viciously than he might like. With a growl, Day crosses his arms and tries to brace against the impact, but there's not a lot he can do to hold off the power of that blow. The explosion throws him back violently, the power and light nearly blowing him away.
"Ghh-- the Goddess has willed this," he bites out, though there's not a lot of conviction to it. "There is nothing more I can do."
He can hold a hand to his chest and bow his head again, though. Again a spring breeze stirs; the fire and smoke from the explosion eddy away, carried on a refreshing spring breeze that brings with it the subtle scent of grass and wildflowers. Day raises his head and draws a steadying breath.
"You're right," he says quietly. "Much evil can be done in the name of faith. That's why we're here - to stop Yevon's faithful from sacrificing the innocent."
He readies his sword again, jaw set. "And to oppose evil," he shouts, "is no vice, no matter how much you insist!"
Once more, Day drives forward, bearing down on the trio of martial artists to put himself in the thick of their ranks - and as he does, Vesna calls his name and throws something to him.
His shield. Taking it in his free hand, Day covers himself with it as he bores in on the trio. His sword snakes out in a series of rapid, vicious slashes. The knight's footwork is as elegant and bold as his handiwork, each stroke coming crisply and with little room in his guard to find weakness. Again and again he strikes out at the three with a series of heavy blows aimed to cut apart their defenses.
Day Muirwall is not as adept with Lion's Heart as White Knight Leo - but he's getting there.
GS: Ethius Hesiod has attacked Hilde with Dust Compress! GS: Ethius Hesiod has gained 1 Combo! GS: Amplify expired! GS: Ethius Hesiod has completed his action. GS: Day Muirwall spends 1 Combo on Inspire! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Day Muirwall with Sirocco Litany! GS: Day Muirwall has gained 1 Combo! GS: Day Muirwall takes a solid hit from Day Muirwall's Sirocco Litany for 0 hit points! GS: Restore! Shieldbreak removed! GS: Shield! applied to Day Muirwall! GS: Day Muirwall gains a Combo from Inspire! GS: Day Muirwall has activated a Force Action!
<Pose Tracker> Jean has posed.
Jean's resolve is something different from the last time she fought Pearl; she is no longer debating how to do what she must, planning to rely just on the help of a great man. She knows she has to be a part of this solution... And that means she can't fall here.
Jean is still bleeding as she strikes, the pain of the wound radiating through her. It calls to her; it suggests that if she only let it, it could empower her. It's a seductive call...
Jean presses the asault for a while, but she stops short of continuing her assault for now as they talk. On a low wall on the battlefield, amidst countless smaller battles, Jean stares back at Pearl and notices that something in her rage.
"...I see," Jean answers, and she breathes. Pearlgives her instructions and her growl, and then she starts striking. Jean ducks under one, flows away from another, blocks more. Awful claws versus gloved hands, Jean using the thickness of her sleeves to help insulate herself against cuts just from defending. Pearl moves too quickly to see, but Jean doesn't have to see to counter.
"I understand." With the last blow, Jean dives back in, blocking Pearl's forearm and knocking it up out of the way with a quick punch. Her feet shift together into a dancer's stance. "Then, there's no avoiding a fight like this."
Jean spins in place, delivering knife handed strikes at Pearl's chest with stone-breaking force, bending at the knee and whirling into a low kick. In fact, she uses its momentum--she leaps up, and lands to Pearl's side, delivering a set of kicks as she rises into a spinning backhand. "Then understand--"
Jean makes one last whirling motion, a dance step, lightly stepping on the tops of her toes as she steps back into a side kick. "I'll make it to Pentagulia!"
GS: Day Muirwall spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Fei Fong Wong with Forcene Pegasus! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Citan Uzuki with Forcene Pegasus! GS: Day Muirwall has attacked Xantia with Forcene Pegasus! GS: Day Muirwall has gained 1 Combo! GS: Day Muirwall has completed his action. GS: Pierce!! Day Muirwall's attack breaks through 100 temporary hit points! 100 remain! GS: CRITICAL! Fei Fong Wong guards a hit from Day Muirwall's Forcene Pegasus for 176 hit points! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up! GS: Jean has activated a Force Action! GS: Jean spends 1 Combo on Link! GS: Jean has attacked Pearl with Razor Step! GS: Jean has launched an attack Link! GS: Jean has attacked Pearl with Endless Whirl! GS: Jean enters a Counter stance! GS: Jean has completed her action. GS: Citan Uzuki has activated a Force Action! GS: You have activated the Force Action Accelerate! GS: Citan Uzuki completely evades a hit from Day Muirwall's Forcene Pegasus! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Citan Uzuki gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up! GS: Pearl takes a glancing hit from Jean's Razor Step for 77 hit points! GS: Pearl enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Cripple expired! GS: Pearl takes a glancing hit from Jean's Endless Whirl for 74 hit points! GS: Pearl has Fallen! She is no longer able to fight! GS: Hilde completely evades a hit from Ethius Hesiod's Dust Compress! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Hilde gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Xantia has activated a Force Action! GS: Pierce!! Day Muirwall's attack breaks through 100 temporary hit points! 100 remain! GS: Xantia takes a solid hit from Day Muirwall's Forcene Pegasus for 202 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
That brief moment that they talk feels all too long, a break in a furious fight. Before everything resumes, those few seconds can mean a lot.
And then they go for each other again. Jean is light on her feet and swift with a guard, and Pearl's clawed gloves can't find purchase. They are both moving too swift to see each perfect guard, each flowing step, each flawless dodge.
And then it happens, and Jean blocking Pearl's final strike, and punching away the offending limb. Pearl tries to pull lift her arm to block Jean's knifehand, but it's just moments too slow, and each one after it hits harder and harder and harder. There's no room to back off, and Jean's low kicks sweep at Pearl's legs, then slam into her side. The spinning backhand crashes into her face, and the a final kick slams into her midsection, and Pearl is sent flying off the small siege wall they were on. Those last five words echo in her head.
By the time she hits the ground, Pearl is unconscious, and she lands roughly. But she's still breathing, so there's that.
<Pose Tracker> Hiro has posed.
Hiro grimaces as he only manages to expose Leo within his rock dome. And then he sees a fireflash on his blade. "Leon!" Hiro shouts in alarm, before suddenly diving to the side. A gash erupts at the side of his ribs. Through tunic, through armor...
...it takes a few seconds for him to realize he's been cut. As the boy lands heavily on the ground, and rolls to a stop, holding his side.
"Nnnnn..." The boy tries to hold in a shout, by closing his mouth, but the sharp inhalation afterwards shows that Leo's technique well and truly took it's toll on him. He's finding it hard to breathe, with that cut alongside his ribs.
He does not hear Leo's contemplation on Zophar. Merely his invocation of the Goddess' Will. "Nothing...?" He echoes, as he slowly rolls himself over, and forces himself up to his knees. "The moment... we met... I think I looked up to you and your vision for the Guard. I respected your vision for it. Felt like... the world was a better place, having people like you in it."
Leon is still up, and he finds that he needs the time Leon is buying him. Every moment of it. He finds himself grateful for the Black Wolf's skill.
Slowly climbing up, still holding his side through gritted teeth, he says, "Always thought - the moment I convinced you you were wrong about Lucia - that it was a misunderstanding... you'd just stop. That things like right and wrong were just too important to you... to let anything get in the way of that."
Hiro actually has a smile, though it seems worn around the edges, like maybe he's doubting it a little, "If ever that wasn't true, then I guess we'd really become enemies. And right now... it kinda feels like that's... just how it is. But..."
Hiro suddenly starts channeling two forms of sorcerous energy in each hand, dark shadow, and swirling wind.
"... I still haven't given up on you. Leo.. because for however much faith you have in the Goddess..."
The sudden burst of swirling sorcerous energy forms a violent wind current that tries to buffet Leo upwards in a rip-roaring column of wind, and uproot him off the ground, as inky blackness takes shape in the air of shadow magic, that tries to dart upwards off the ground from its center. Lancing into him like up like so many daggers.
And then in the wake of him channeling so much sorcerous energy, he snaps his blade as it ignites into a spiralling wave of flame, and suddenly hurls himself up to the space where Leo is, cutting into it, through it. It's only once he's through it that the space where he's trying to cut into Leo ignites into a blaze.
"... I think... that I have even more faith in you..."
GS: Hiro has activated a Force Action! GS: Hiro spends 1 Combo on Link! GS: Formation! Hiro has attacked White Knight Leo with Black Storm! GS: Hiro has gained 1 Combo! GS: Hiro has launched an attack Link! GS: Hiro spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Formation! Hiro has attacked White Knight Leo with Battalion Sword! GS: Hiro has gained 2 Combo! GS: Hiro has completed his action. GS: White Knight Leo takes a solid hit from Hiro's Black Storm for 235 hit points! GS: White Knight Leo has Fallen! He is no longer able to fight! GS: White Knight Leo takes a solid hit from Hiro's Battalion Sword for 252 hit points! GS: White Knight Leo has Fallen! He is no longer able to fight!
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
A scream, and
*crunch*
Summoner and Aeon are gone.
Gwen's right hand falls slack to her side. She breathes, hearing her metallic heart pound a rushed rhythm in her ears. Was this really all a game to her? The joking, the laughing, the quips?
Really, did Yuna really want things like this to happen?
Gwen turns away from the wall, trying to shove it away in her mind, of what could be on the other side of that wall, right now.
And what is and is lacking in her own emotions and psyche.
Words begin to seep in through the sound of her heart in her chest as it slows.
'-hat you tried so hard at Operation Mi'ihen... and failed? Is that why you feel you can't stop this madness?!'
'If your Goddess wills some damned fool notion, then maybe you should rethink the source of your faith!'
'The Goddess has willed it. There is nothing more I can do.'
Gwen sees Leon and Hiro, and the line of Leo's body.
She walks forward, debating whether it would even be merciful to land the next blow, or if there was even need for one.
'... I think... that I have even more faith in you...' The courier stops, eyes wide.
"..." Her shoulders relax, and she smiles, closing her eyes. ".... Like I should ever have the gall to doubt a friend, even in jest..."
If things got bad, he'd be able to reach out to her. And if not him, there would be others, just as able, just as unique.
"... Your fighting's as sharp as ever, Hiro." Her footsteps are heard as she comes up to stand by Hiro and Leon, smiling. "Your words, though... sharper still."
<Pose Tracker> Hilde has posed.
Hilda lowers into a defensive stance as Matilda unleashes a barrage of ARMfire. There's only so much she can do to defend herself, so the best she can do is hold her ground as the bullets impact her armor.
She may need to consider learning a bit more about defending against ARMs, if she is to keep up with this world.
She turns her attention toward Ethius, then, as he speaks. No more time for niceties, is it? The meaning of that is revealed as Ethius calls out the name of his spell. As the name suggests, dust begins to compress, and then is sent after her - to bury her.
Hilde will not allow herself to be buried just yet.
She strides through the barrage of dust and debris, flares of blue light from her aura catch and disintegrate any that draw too close. Though the rigors of battle wear on her visibly, from their attacks and the artillery barrage - her cape burnt and tattered, a streak of blood down the side of her face unprotected by the eyepatch, her armor scratched and bearing the many impacts of ARMSfire - she still strides forward with her resolution held firm.
"There is always time for niceties - even on the battlefield. But if you insist, sorcerer, then so shall it be." Hilde says. And then she lunges forward. Her sword strikes the earth at a point between the two of them. Where it strikes, the earth is torn apart, sending cracks through it - cracks that echo out the force of her conviction, releasing blue shockwaves that lash out at the both of them equally. And then, Hilde straightens up sheathes her sword.
"Our fight ends here. I must see to my allies - I suggest you do the same for yours. Should you wish it, you may face me again, anytime." She says. She turns to talk away. It is not without some effort - she doesn't know how much longer she'll be able to stay standing. But in that time, she must do what she can.
Despite that, it probably still wouldn't be a good idea to strike while her back is turned.
GS: Hilde has attacked Matilda Whitehead with Giantslayer! GS: Hilde has attacked Ethius Hesiod with Giantslayer! GS: Hilde has completed her action. GS: Ethius Hesiod takes a solid hit from Hilde's Giantslayer for 120 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
Leon's ARM does something unthinkable--impossible. Leo's eyes snap open, and his blade whips up to intercept the colossal energy sword before it can cut him in two. Blessed steel meets with ancient technology, and there's a sound like a tremendous bell being struck. The force of the blow almost sends Leo stumbling back--instead, it forces him into a crouch, the energy searing into his shoulder as his own guard is almost shoved aside. It's a testament to Leo's strength and skill that Leon doesn't bisect him then and there. "Do you understand," Leo grates out, "what you ask of me?" One final shove frees him from the deadlock, at the cost of a second energy burn, deeper than the first. Smoke wafts up from his uniform.
Then Hiro attacks Leo's real weakness--praise. This is no idle flattery. This are the heartfelt words of someone who truly sees him as a hero. Leo wasn't expecting to hear them here, of all places, and he's not sure how to respond. Hiro is a heretic by affiliation, yet--
He doesn't have time to think. Hiro's sorcery rips him off his feet, envelops him. Despite the blood and pain and flame, he hears Hiro's words. It's a well-known fact that White Knight Leo has a massive ego, but Hiro cuts right through it, perhaps because he's cutting through Leo, literally. For a moment, there is no bravado on Leo's face--just pain, and regret, and grief, and a soul-deep ache. And yet, despite it all, hope remains.
Leo manages a bloodied smile, and two words: "Thank you."
From the ground, it's not entirely clear what happens, but the White Knight flies out of the conflagration, hits the dirt, and rolls. He's badly wounded, and bleeding into the dust, but he still manages to find his voice as he struggles to rise. "FALL BACK!" Leo roars. "FALL BACK, IMMEDIATELY!"
Another wounded Guard limps past; Leo offers the young woman a shoulder to lean on as they retreat.
There is nothing he can do. His duty lies before him, set in stone. But there has to be a way to stop this nightmare--there has to. And he can't just leave Hiro to do it himself.
Hiro believes in him, despite everything he's done. Leo won't let him down.
GS: Matilda Whitehead takes a glancing hit from Hilde's Giantslayer for 72 hit points! GS: Matilda Whitehead enters CONDITION GREEN!!
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
FEI MEANWHILE HAS NO FAITH IN LEO LIKE A DICK.
But he also doesn't really know the guy. He does, however, have a great deal of faith in Hiro. He believes in him even if he doesn't always believe him. The truth matters less to him than his heart which ,as far as he's concerned, is always in the right place. And Ruby?
Well Ruby is especially dear to his heart.
Even with Citan's aid, Day's s trikes plow through Fei's defenses--again and again. He may not be as adept as White Knight Leo, but he doesn't exactly have to be. Fei is--a distraction, he doesn't want to hurt this guy too badly for the sake of distraction. They seem misguided to him, despite his lack of willingness to be diplomatic here. He takes several more thick slices across his body even as he sinks to his knees, panting for breath. Part of him is screaming at him to unleash his true full power upon the guy. But he just can't justify it. Not to himself or to others. He looks to Xantia for a long moment. "What...she said." He says. What else is he ogoing to say?
He pushes himself up and sends another fire burst out of his fist towards Day's body, trying to blast him back. It isnn't everything but--
--he can't really bear to bring out his power. Not after what happened earlier. Best he avoidd relying on it.
GS: Fei Fong Wong has attacked Day Muirwall with Kakei! GS: Fei Fong Wong has gained 1 Combo! GS: Fei Fong Wong has completed his action. GS: Day Muirwall has activated a Force Action! GS: Day Muirwall guards a hit from Fei Fong Wong's Kakei for 81 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
"Perhaps so," Citan allows, with a shake of his head. "However... consider again the nature of your vows, once these walls come down."
Moments later, when the knight reflects on the source of his blade's strength, the doctor nods the once. "Yes... of that there can be no doubt. But I do not believe I am mistaken. There is 'more' to your technique..."
But no time in which to study it -- just to craft a defense, of sorts, against it a mere part of its whole. One wrong move even with the Ether barrier in place and--
And he's all-too-aware of just how vulnerable the other two are right now.
They're here to stop the sacrifice of the innocent, Day claims. "A noble endeavor," is Citan's response. "However, we have our own goals here. And to that end, I am afraid that we must continue to do battle."
It is, as it so often is in a real pitched fight, a poor situation. If he but had his--
But there is no sense lamenting what needed to be cast aside. There are other ways.
Perhaps those 'other ways' are in some sense what prompt the doctor to make a desperate gamble. The blade, for the long instant as it cleaves its way towards him, is the only thing he sees. A single sickle of silver, glinting in the sunlight. Even the attacks on Day by the others fade to mere background noise.
It's always strange the way the world narrows at these moments. He doesn't think or decide so much as act, his whole body moving towards an end that he can only partially see and cannot be certain of.
As he reaches out to catch the blade that lances towards him between both hands.
"Ha..." he exhales with the effort of it all, when it is done, gazing at Day across the distance.
"...What do you say? Shall we put a stop to it here? I have no desire for the end you seek."
GS: Citan Uzuki has completed his action.
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
Leon's silent to Leo's request. The truth is that he does not; he is not much of a believer, and his belief in his nation never carried him far. He looks after Leo, as he calls to fall back, and then glances about at the Drifters. Presumption or otherwise, he assumes he is in command. He flicks his sword -- the energy field dissipates, and a snap of the wrist turns Argent Divider II into a shotgun.
He slides it into a holster.
"Fall back!" he shouts. His eyes drift up, to the temple. From here, they can only make out a few flashes -- maybe some smoke. Those, too, could be a trick of the eye.
It would have to be enough time.
"No need to stay here, and see if one or the other thinks to give chase!"
<Pose Tracker> Jean has posed.
Jean breathes tightly as her foe flies off the platform, carefully regarding herself. She's trying to stay in absolute control, not to draw on old habits, old desires, old ways. In, and out. Pearl hits the ground, and Jean turns towards her on the low wall, watching her there on the ground. "...For you, too," she murmurs quietly, and jumps down, jogging across a short stretch of battlefield to fetch her fans again. Her uniform is thoroughly ruined, but it isn't necessary anymore anyway. She doesn't find her boots, or her helmet, or her shield. Jean just looks out across the battlefield, seeing numerous Guards in retreat...
With one last look at Pearl, Jean starts to move, low to the ground and quickly, towards Hiro. She's careful to try to avoid fire from either side in her own retreat. But...
She feels at least that she's moving toward something, rather than running away from it. She watches Leo as he goes...
...And moves to Hiro's side in that time. "C'mon," she says, gently.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
The Goddess wills it. Xantia has developed a real distaste for that phrase. It no longer feels like it means anything except an excuse to do bad things. She couldn't even get herself to say it during the charge, even though she was told doing so would be helpful. She doubts it would be possible for her to fully understand what it means to feel the way the members of Althena's Guard do, but she doesn't doubt that, in the end, they're still capable of making choices. So why? Why choose not to question such horrible things?
She hears Day's words, and can't disagree there either. The Yevonites are also wrong. But there has to be better way. Because, "Innocent people are getting caught up in this stupid war, they're suffering either way!"
Not that she has any better ideas. But one thing at a time. Even after taking blows like that, the man still seeks to continue fighting. It's impressive - she doesn't know if she'd still be going if Citan hadn't been there to help keep her on her feet. But it's also dangerous, if things are left like this.
With the shield back in action, and the amount of momentum gained, it's pretty much impossible to stop Day physically. Xantia still tries, of course. Pure light seeps out from her body, forming into a protective barrier. She focuses on her hands as she stretches them out, digging herself in and intending to stop the knight cold.
It's all she can do to weather the sword strikes against her aura of light. It does nothing to keep her from getting bowled over. She hits the ground hard, her aura evaporating. For a while, it doesn't look like she's getting up.
But no, she's merely waiting things out. Gathering strength. Forcing herself back to her feet, even though her body says to stay down. The light returns, fully focused in her hands once more. This time, it solidifies, into the shape of an enormous two-handed sword. As soon as she gets the chance, she steps in to wordlessly strike a single blow against Day. In spite of its nature, it's quite solid upon impact. Only afterwards does she speak again, sounding quite different from before, more calm, and soft-spoken.
"...I have a dear friend to thank for this power. A Seraph, servant of Althena, said to be formed of her very power. For one such as she, going against her will is acting in opposition to her very being." She regards the sword in her hand, as if admiring it. "And yet, having seen everything that's happening now, to stand in opposition is exactly what she's chosen to do. Think about that."
She turns a faint smile towards Day, as she states more insistantly, almost pleadingly, "...Please. Think about it."
GS: Xantia spends 1 Combo on Gatling, loading 1 into Gatling! GS: Xantia has attacked Day Muirwall with Radiant Blade! GS: Xantia enters a Counter stance! GS: Xantia has gained 1 Combo! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Day Muirwall guards a hit from Xantia's Radiant Blade for 108 hit points! GS: Reaction bonus! FP up!
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
Matilda gives Hilde a slight raise of her eyebrow at the mention of there always being time for niceties; she doesn't say anything, but her skepticism is... pretty plainly obvious. No sooner has she done so, though, than does Hilde lash out with that blade one last time; those bright blue shockwaves bowl her over -- though not harshly enough that she's laid out.
Leon gives the call to retreat, and rather than try to give pursuit to Hilde, she *absolutely* decides to retreat. They have an escape route, and they've accomplished... well, as much of the operational goal as they can on *this* end. Why stay?
She makes sure to retrieve her pistol during her retreat, though; *that* would be something unfortunate to lose, now that they're on Lunar again. As she does so, she gives Ethius a brief, wordless glance.
<Pose Tracker> Day Muirwall has posed.
Things seem to be falling apart on them. With wide eyes, Vess suddenly darts away from the fight, slipping through mostly-unseeing Guardsmen until she's able to float up to where Pearl has fallen. She touches down beside the martial artist and looks up at Jean, her lips pursed, eyes full of a quiet appeal behind her glasses.
"Whatever has passed between the two of you, she deserves to live. I hope we can find agreement there."
She'll hope like hell that Jean won't argue. One way or another, she'll attempt to draw Pearl's limp form into her arms and begin to float up and away, drifting towards safety.
She's counting on Day to handle himself, but at this point, most of the other Guardsmen on the scene have begun to withdraw. Day's increasingly cognizant of the fact that he's alone and outnumbered.
Fei comes in with another sheet of flame. Again the young knight guards himself, sheltering behind the steel tower of his shield and letting the magic bloom across it. The shield is brought to bear on Xantia as she brings that enormous two-handed sword down. The energy blade screeches against the pegasus-blazoned shield, forcing Day down to a knee and leaving him clenching his teeth in pain and exhaustion. The blows are beginning to add up, even with his armour to bear them.
But he's not finished yet. He strikes out again once the attacks pass, Fei's flames leaving scores behind across his armour. A swing, and--
Day's sword suddenly stops in mid-swing as Citan Uzuki does something truly ridiculous.
Day widens his eyes as a bolt of shock races through his expression. For an electric moment, he stands there in complete disbelief. No human being should be able to do what this unnaturally calm man has just done.
Xantia speaks, her words quieter. Day's eyes lower, but he doesn't say anything.
His face speeks for him. A quiet anguish roils behind his eyes. They pinch a little at the outer corners as he knits his brows, jaw working a little from side to side. Sparks of colour rise at his cheeks.
He wants to say something snappy and brilliant. He can manage one sentence.
"I wish it were that easy."
Gingerly, Day begins to draw his sword out from between Citan's hands. For all that he's fought the three to a standstill, it's a surprisingly respectful gesture: He's trying not to cut Citan's hands off while he reclaims his weapon. Only then does he step back, raising his sword in a short salute before turning to dart back into the ranks of the Guard, bent on finding comrades to carry home.
...but how could I ever live with myself...?
<Pose Tracker> Jean has posed.
Jean breathes tightly as her foe flies off the platform, carefully regarding herself. She's trying to stay in absolute control, not to draw on old habits, old desires, old ways. In, and out. Pearl hits the ground, and Jean turns towards her on the low wall, watching her there on the ground. "...For you, too," she murmurs quietly, but pauses when she sees Vess float down there. Vess mentions that deserving...
"I agree," she says simply, and jumps down, jogging across a short stretch of battlefield to fetch her fans again. Her uniform is thoroughly ruined, but it isn't necessary anymore anyway. She doesn't find her boots, or her helmet, or her shield. Jean just looks out across the battlefield, seeing numerous Guards in retreat...
With one last look at Pearl, Jean starts to move, low to the ground and quickly, towards Hiro. She's careful to try to avoid fire from either side in her own retreat. But...
She feels at least that she's moving toward something, rather than running away from it. She watches Leo as he goes...
...And moves to Hiro's side in that time. "C'mon," she says, gently.
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Ethius crosses his free hand inward when Hilde emerges from all of that. He's working out any number of possibilities surrounding them too - such as the worrisome call for retreat by the White Knight Leo himself.
It is true that I do not wish for the Guard's ambitions to progress, Ethius has the moment to think as he considers what comes next as Hilde reassures them that there is always time for niceties, but this may not be enough time for those inside--
His thoughts are interrupted by a giant wave that has felled giants. As Ethius is not a giant, this may be one reason he is not felled. As he is not a giant, however, a force that otherwise slices clean through instead uproots him from his spot and sends him flying no small distance about the battlefield before hitting the ground in a far less controlled tumble.
'Our fight ends here,' Hilde declares - and she's probably right, as his vision swims. He can make out Matilda's glance as Hilde invites them for another challenge - but it's clear that everyone involved is choosing to try and withdraw. He just barely hears Leon's call for it - and he can't disagree with it as he crawls up to a kneel.
"...I do not have the strength to project that barrier anew," Ethius remarks without making eye contact with Matilda. "If the wall forces choose to open fire again..."
He saves the rest of his words, because the implication is clear enough and the leftover oxygen is better spent trying to keep moving back, back, back.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia answers Day's sword-salute with an identical one, before letting her blade disperse into motes of light. "He'll think about it," she states confidently to the others present after the knight has withdrawn. She thinks this to be a pretty alright outcome, her smile already back to its usual level of brightness.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
As Day begins to withdraw the blade, Citan parts his hands and takes a step back, ducking his head and shoulders in a simple bow.
True to his word in this, he doesn't give chase or strike the man as he departs back towards his ranks. Indeed, the doctor watches him go for a long moment then sweeps his gaze towards Bevelle's walls then back over at Xantia and Fei.
He'll think about it, will he. "I suppose that we shall see," he says to Xantia.
But it's movement nearer to them that draws his attention. "...I believe that is our cue!" he says, gesturing towards Leon, who is making his own retreat. "Shall we go?"
<Pose Tracker> Hiro has posed.
In the wake of his attack, he pretty much collapses into a slight stagger and has to plunge his still smoking sword into the ground. He's panting hard after the attack, but as Leo says... 'Thank you.'
Hiro knows there's still hope too, and his careworn, battlewracked smile just gets so big. Hiro's had such a horrible time since he came to Spira for the first time. The Dragonmaster's death, all the deaths in Operation Mi'ihen, the war between the Guard and Yevon. Brad's death. The Al Bhed massacre. Just the knowledge that...
... there's still hope. It causes such a positive upswing from him, that even though it feels so inappropriate to smile on a battlefield such as this... smile he does.
Leon gives the order to fall back, and so too does Leo, and Hiro just murmurs a phrase. "See you soon Leo..."
Before looking over his shoulder at Gwen, and there's a faint pinkening across his cheeks. "Aha... Gwen... little embarrassing getting talked up like that." And yet, she gets to see that smile of his too. Which hasn't dimmed one bit.
And then, as Jean tells him to C'mon. "Just... needed a little breather Jean." He says, with a grin at her, as he forces himself to rise. "Promise... I'm good to go." As he starts limping along with her and Gwen to follow Leon's lead in the retreat.
"Hey! There you are!" Ruby lands on Hiro's shoulder as he runs along with Jean and Gwen. "Sorry Hiro - I lost track of you in all the ALTHENA WILLS IT! And thought I'd cheer Fei on." "How'd that go?" "Pretty good. Fei's alright! Got into a fight over your abs."
"... My what now?"