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 Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:48 pm
Another evening spent wandering the back areas of the city. As the sun began to slip down across the horizon, the sand dunes stretching their shadows across the desert background of the city, even the previously bustling markets began to grow quiet. Other areas of Sulburi though started to stir while the normal crowds went home to retire for the evening, their doors locked against any nighttime prowlers. But there were a few who lingered in the markets, including Haikili, and instead of returning to his inn room the Kahi was venturing towards those darker areas of the city. Today though he was taking his time, strolling through the street with his hood pulled up over his face, but the peace of a quiet evening was quickly disrupted even before he got to the underground. It was only a few blocks away from the market that the Kahi felt like he was being stared at again. Haikili twisted around, the hybrid’s gaze narrowing as he surveyed the small stretch of street. Nothing appeared to be out of place in the area, the uneven stone pavement showed no sign of maintenance and was deserted like most of this corner of the city. It was a back area long forgotten by most of the public, one that only came to life at night and even then those activities were not talked about by others. Haikili had ended up here after spending another afternoon browsing the markets while trying to gather information. Kaipo had been gone for a week now and so far Haikili had only managed to help out foreigners by stopping petty theft and fighting scavengers who sought to take advantage of the evening dusk to prey on others. Unlike the other situations this sensation of being watched had haunted him on and off making the Kahi more paranoid each and every time he felt that chill up his spine. It was also getting fairly annoying and ever since Kaipo went to Jatine without the older storm herald’s presence to calm his own fluctuating emotions, it was getting harder for Haikili to remain calm. It showed in the crackling energy that surrounded him, the static there despite the lack of storm clouds in the region.
“Who are you?” He finally questioned. Enough was enough! Though the answer he received was not quite what he had expected. A body fell from an upper balcony, the unconscious Oban just bouncing along the ground and stirring up dust from where he landed, and Haikili found himself completely startled by the sight. What in the world? A fresh bruise was along the man’s upper jaw, someone had just knocked him out with an uppercut, but before Haikili could ask any further questions another figure was flying through the air above him with blades flashing.
“Watch out!”
[Haikili 1]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:48 pm
Gods damn it! Xylia cursed Valek out with every fiber of her being as she sailed through the air after another masked assassin. What was supposed to be a nice, easy going day with a friend had turned into another of those last minute missions that Valek dragged her into without warning. She had been browsing through some nicer leather gear, looking over pieces at an armory stall in the market, with Cahira at her side when the b*****d showed up. He hadn’t said anything, just winked at the pair of them, grabbed her arm and started dragging her away with Cahira on their heels. Could have at least let me buy those bracers. She bemoaned before realizing that they were actually pursuing masked assailants who were after someone else that was leaving the markets. So the shopping day had turned into another brawl, Xylia and Cahira backing up Valek as he took out members of the group that had gathered in this back alley.
“You alright?” Xylia twisted around so that her blades caught the heavy broadsword of a brute that was swinging towards Cahira. Though she probably didn’t need to ask that question considering how enthusiastically her friend grinned at her, the other swordmaster was more than capable of holding her own in a fight. As for Valek? Xylia didn’t even bother to look for the man slipping through the shadows ever since he had knocked the first brute out cold and sent him flying.
[Xylia 1]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:48 pm
This was fine as long as she didn’t tell Omari about it, right? Cahira grinned as her blade slashed through the air after another Oban, the hybrid meeting blow for blow which had surprised the larger man. Despite her petite frame there was an intense strength behind each of Cahira’s swings with her stone hard muscles gleaming with sweat during the fight. For someone that spent hours every day training this was just another refreshing workout. There was just the extra incentive of having her life on the line that kept her extremely alert as she pushed her way through the darker alley. Ever since meeting Valek, it had come as no surprise that he would somehow find a situation for them to get involved in. From hearing Xylia’s complaints to actually being involved in the action, well Cahira’s life had definitely been more exciting the past couple of weeks while visiting family in Sulburi. She should have known that a simple day of shopping in the markets before preparing to return to her school in Matori would have had a chance of chaos with Valek in the area. But while Xylia cursed him with every step they took along the way, Cahira simply laughed. This was thrilling!
“Just fine!” She called back, taking the chance to use her hilt to jab the man in the stomach since Xylia had intercepted his swing. The impact was successful with Cahira using full force on her opponent. Targeting the solar plexus was highly effective since it threw the man backwards, his air ripped from his body as he crashed into some crates littering the alleyway where he stayed still. She would have to remember to implement more anatomy lessons in her training sessions with the students, it truly was helpful. “Do you think we’ll still have time for the baths after all of this?” She joked lightly, spinning around so that she could cover Xylia’s back while they fought more masked men that approached.
[Cahira 1]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:48 pm
Valek had been tracking this Kahi for the last month as he went through Sulburi. So far, the Kahi hadn’t stirred up any noticeable problems and had thankfully gotten rid of some pests that Valek was eyeing. It was strange though to see this one and his companion roaming the city like they were on the hunt for something and so Valek had followed them on and off through the shadows. It was his duty, after all, to keep an eye on anything suspicious that could interest the guild and over time he had gotten more fragments of what they were searching for from the merchants. It was intriguing, knowing that there were some wealthier targets in the underground that could be easily involved in this hunt for a missing friend, but Valek was worried about scaring them away if he showed up at their inn unannounced. It would be a shame to ruin the Kahi’s attempts at hiding as well, Valek had watched him scurry through the streets to try and get away from whatever or whoever was following him. Not that it worked since Valek was annoyingly good at keeping up with others thanks to how easily he moved in the shadows, the shadow monk not even bothered by how often the Kahi turned a street corner to try and lose him. What did bother him though was the assailants that tried to get his companion at the market, the other Kahi eventually heading to Jatine after Valek gave him a tip about a potential lead there. It wasn’t as if he was lying either, there were other houses owned by the collector in the other city, and he believed it best that the Kahi check there while getting away from those who were starting to look towards him. He had thought that both Kahi would go that way, but surprisingly enough the one had stayed here and so Valek lingered in Sulburi as well. It also helped that he was much better at acquiring information and had a lead now about the missing Kahi who fit their description. What didn’t help though was the fact that this guy was so alert to his presence that even Valek found himself startled when he called out. But that didn’t matter, not when there were others in the area waiting to ambush the Kahi. So after following this guy around for weeks the hybrid was finally forced into action, his fists flying out whenever one assailant raised a crossbow to shoot the Kahi. Thankfully Valek had figured out that they were waiting here to get the foreigner beforehand which was why he was even more delighted to find Moon and Cahira in the market earlier.
Now he just hoped the Kahi didn’t fry them all on the spot, Valek raising a hand in greeting as he ran past and caught another attacker in the face with the heel of his boot. One kick to the face and then he was gone again in a second, Valek blending in with the shadows as he raced around the others. He reappeared once to help out Xylia, giving her another wink before grinning at Cahira’s suggestion. “Only if I can join in!”
[Valek 1]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:48 pm
Haikili did not have much time to truly process what was happening. All he knew was to follow the fighter’s warning, the Kahi moving back to avoid a flying dagger that had been aimed for his throat. One of the masked earthlings rushed at him with a battle axe and Haikili barely managed to grab a crate to block the blow in time. He had braces on but even he wasn’t certain how well they would block that type of blade with its sharp edges gleaming in the evening light. A crackle of electricity surrounded him for the next blow, Haikili shocking the Oban and sending him flying into his companion who was already sprawled out on the pile of crates. Well, what was a pile of crates before and was now a sprawling mess of crates and broken wooden boards with various bodies in between.
All he knew was that he was caught in a fight and that the masked men were aiming at him and those who fought alongside him. One man gave him a cheeky grin even, darting along the walls and kicking another of the assailants in the back before disappearing again, while it looked like the one woman with pink hair was giving the same man the middle finger as he reappeared to defend her. Was he hallucinating? What type of madness had he walked into this time? Either way he didn’t have much time to ask questions since the fight was still going on, the four of them fending off the masked men that continued pouring into the alleyway.
[Haikili 2]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:48 pm
“I think not!” Hissed Xylia as she repositioned herself to support Cahira, the surprise attack on the left having been thankfully blocked by Valek. Not that she would openly thank him, especially when he had dragged them into this place and just given her some cheeky response about bathing together, but she did actually appreciate the help. It wasn’t as if he wouldn’t get something later on anyways from her, knowing him and their complicated relationship. But she would be livid if something happened to Cahira because he thought to drag her into these messes now. She was even more concerned when she noticed one of the assailants being thrown back from the hooded man that they were aiding, the static in the air not going unnoticed. Was he a mage of some sort? She hadn’t seen anything like that before with electricity crackling in the air that reminded her of one of those rare summer storms that hit Oba with heavy thunder and lightning. She just hoped Valek knew what he was doing and that the man wouldn’t turn on them. The last thing she needed was to be electrocuted in some back alley because that jerk dragged her away from an enjoyable day with Cahira. He had already ruined her last visit with Cahira, barging into her friend’s school all injured and the like while they had to defend him. And now this? He was most definitely not invited to the springs!
[Xylia 2]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
Oh thank, On’os. Cahira let out a sigh of relief as she saw Valek block an attack for Xylia. She hadn’t been able to react in time, her own sword held up by a quicker opponent who was trying to weave her way into disarming Cahira with a flurry of blows, but the distraction of another fallen comrade had given Cahira an advantage in her fight. Forcing her blade into the handle, she twisted it out of her opponent’s hands and managed to swing a leg to knock her down at the same time. It was a tricky move and had she lost her balance at any moment the momentum could have ended up severely harming Cahira, but thankfully it worked out in her favor. But it did cause her to stumble backwards afterwards, Cahira thankful that Xylia had recovered and was now guarding her back again. “How many are there?” She already counted at least seven opponents, five of which were on the ground, and it looked like three more were barreling towards them. What type of trouble had Valek found this time? She didn’t even get the chance to flush at the suggestion of the three of them sharing a bath, Cahira too focused on trying to figure out an ending to this battle. She had plenty of energy left but even she worried that if they kept getting attacked like this in such a narrow space that eventually they would be overwhelmed. Their attackers did not look like guards either and some were already starting to fight dirty, making her wonder if there was more to this trap than a few straggling fighters.
[Cahira 2]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
“You’re no fun.” Teased Valek as he moved away from Xylia again, this time focusing on the Kahi. He was starting to worry that this area was not the best for an extended fight, his thought process similar to Cahira’s own worries. His gaze skimmed over the alleyway, the open areas blocked by new fighters joining in, but then he noticed a boarded area. If it was boarded up then that meant there was an opening behind it, right? The very thought made his lips curve upwards into a devilish smirk. “Hey! Care to blast that for us?” He asked, blocking a blow intended for the Kahi and turning so that he could guard his side. “I think an escape is in order and then maybe we can finally talk?” It was probably something he owed the foreigner after keeping an eye on him for so long now.
[Valek 2]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
Fighter after fighter kept throwing themselves at him. Each one was promptly thrown back, the last one taking longer than the first as Haikili started losing momentum. Haikili was trying his hardest to keep in control, the energy swirling up inside of his chest threatening to send him into a rage, and if not for his sudden allies in this fight the Kahi may have lost control a while ago. But even he had his limits and as his gaze started to glow, Haikili found himself listening to the stranger’s words. Blast what? His lips pressed into a tight frown, Haikili still not wanting to truly trust any earthling but when the next wave of fighters appeared it seemed he had little choice but to follow along. “Get your companions behind me.” He warned the other man, nodding towards the women who were fighting too close on the side. The last thing he wanted to do was worry about dragging their bodies along. Which in itself was a strange thought considering he was actually taking some caution about their safety in this matter. The very thought made his frown deepen, Haikili quietly adding. “They need to move now, I won’t wait long.”
[Haikili 3]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
“There’s a bit too many now for my liking.” Replied Xylia as she pressed her back against Cahira, the hybrid intent upon protecting her friend and chewing out Valek later. “But don’t worry, I’m not going to give up that easily.” She smiled through the words even though her whole body was beginning to ache from the flurry of blows that her last opponent had gotten in. Her hair was sticking to the side of her face, the longer bangs dampened and tinted crimson from a dripping cut along her forehead where a piece of broken wood had gotten her. Her bracers were definitely needing replaced after she used them to block a swing from a mace, the leather jagged now from where the spikes had nearly impaled her arm instead. And she planned on taking it all out of Valek’s pockets the next time she went shopping. That much was for certain. Which speaking of the devil, where was he? Xylia’s bi-colored gaze narrowed until she spotted him working with the hooded stranger. “Looks like they’re plotting something, we should move closer.” She recognized the look that went across Valek’s features, the urgency in his gaze as he sought her out in return and nodded in their direction. “Ready to move?” She asked Cahira, her voice low as she slowly started backwards away from the approaching attackers and towards Valek.
[Xylia 3]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
“You better not. I still haven’t gotten that present from you yet.” Cahira taunted even as she wiped the blood from her blade, her leggings already ruined from all the grime. She had been trying to avoid giving lethal blows, the swordswoman still not comfortable with taking a life, but she had come close since the last opponent had nearly gotten a lethal hit in against her. Thankfully though she shifted her blade away from any major organs at the last moment, Cahira managing to cut their upper chest closer to their shoulder and sending them to the ground instead of killing them. How much longer could she just keep knocking them back though? Eventually something would have to change and she had the feeling that their assailants did not care if they lived or died which made for a very unideal situation. So it was a relief when Xylia spotted Valek plotting something and Cahira was more than willing to give anything a shot at this point. “Let’s go.” She agreed, kicking a fallen crate towards those approaching them in an attempt to slow them down so that they could make it safely over to Valek’s side.
[Cahira 3]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
“Got it. Blast away when they get closer.” Valek was relieved to see that Moon got the hint and was already on her way over with Cahira. The timing would be tight, but he had faith that it would all work out in their favor. Not like he had much of a choice when they were being completely surrounded by this point. Whoever had caught wind of the Kahi had plenty of money to hire a whole group of bandits, that much was quickly obvious with their gathering crowd. “Might be a bit confusing at first, but we’ll have to work together here.” He reached out to tug Xylia against him as the girls got closer, a blade wiping past her face and embedding itself into the wall across the way. “Now!” He whispered towards the Kahi, the shadows exploding around them as he kept hold of Xylia and hoped she grabbed Cahira in time for them to race forward with their new companion.
[Valek 3]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
Even though Haikili didn’t completely understand what was happening, the Kahi was not going to lose out on the chance to escape this mess. And so at the earthling’s instruction, he moved forward and gathered the charge that he had been feeling so that he could blast open the boarded up alleyway. The wood shattered with a loud explosion, shards flying everywhere in the sudden darkness that erupted around them. It was definitely chaotic as the man warned him but somehow Haikili managed to navigate the darkness to emerge in a worn down alley that looked just as hazardous as he had expected. Worn stone, cracked walls in an abandoned area that looked like it needed to be completely rebuilt, all of that came into view as the shadows started to fade away. But there was no time to sightsee, not when their attackers were starting to figure out that the group had gone through the broken boards. So Haikili started running, the Kahi jumping over areas of debris and large cracks that could open up into holes at any moment. Eventually he saw another opening, one of the ruined houses having a window with loose boards that they could break into. Haikili slammed his arm into it, breaking the boards and climbing through the window without even looking to see if the others followed. There wasn’t time to waste, not if they were going to climb up through this building onto the roof and hopefully use the upper levels to get to another street without their pursuers noticing.
[Haikili 4]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
Xylia didn’t even have time to protest as Valek tugged her closer. Her mouth opened to snap at him, but the blade flying past and nicking her cheek made her think otherwise. Later. She would chew him out later. For now though she recognized the severity of their situation and so she focused on escaping. She was familiar with his shadows, Xylia knowing to reach out for Cahira’s hand so that she could stay with them as Valek guided her through the broken boards and after the hooded stranger. “I hope you have some sort of plan for this.” She hissed towards Valek, her boots thudding against the ground as she dodged debris and dangerous crevices in the path. At least the stranger had some sort of idea, Xylia climbing up into the window after him and tugging Cahira up with her so that they could enter the abandoned home. But it looked like he wasn’t content simply staying here either. Xylia let out a soft sigh as she watched the hooded stranger heading up the stairs, the hybrid realizing that they would need to follow him. At least once they got to the roof she could survey the lower streets, Xylia noticing that their abandoned alleyway only stretched for a block before opening back up into wider streets. It was evening though and not many souls were out on the streets save for the few drunkards who were already stumbling towards a new tavern after being kicked from their first. So far it didn’t look like any of their pursuers had broken out of the other alley, Xylia taking another glance before gesturing for the group to follow her across the roof and towards the right. Maybe they could get to those baths, after all.
[Xylia 4]
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:49 pm
Well, that was exciting. Cahira took a deep breath as soon as they reached the roof, the hybrid happy to see the stars shining in the sky as night settled over them. “Not over yet, right?” She questioned, watching as Xyila surveyed the scene and then gestured for them to move. “Right.” It looked like they would have a bit of running yet before anything was decided. She straightened her sword that she had hastily sheathed, the hybrid looking behind them with a frown before starting forward after her friend. If she recognized the path then it would lead to an older part of town with a bathhouse that was recently closed, the waters and facilities still there for them to use if they broke in. And knowing her two companions, Cahira had no concern about their ability to break into any building in this city. “You should stay with us. It’ll be a good idea to wash off all this grime.” She mentioned, nodding towards the hooded stranger with a small smile. If Valek had dragged them to help this guy then surely the stranger wasn’t an awful person. At least that was her hope.
[Cahira 4]
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