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 Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:17 pm
Noticing the battle between bane and Tsunaimei, Valthis quickly dispatched the remaining mercenaries that attacked him. "That Light......Un....Holy...." Valthis said with curiosity. Valthis turned toward Tsunaimei, and the troops attacking her. Valthis at first merely watched. But as the Virgo vice-judge fought, Valthis felt himself being drawn to the fight. "Virgo......No Virgo?.....Death." He uttered unto himself, before casting Firaga upon a squad of troops that were trying to Flank Tsunaimei. "Revenge....The fallen......Revenge....." Valthis spoke cryptically while slowly stabbing, and burning his way through the men attacking Tsunaimei.
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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 5:35 pm
 Bane could hear Tsunaimei but couldn't find the words to respond. Her words had hit him like an arrow. Taurus...how did the Order fare now? It had been a long time since he had gone to visit his home Order. But he had made it a point to avoid it as much as possible. "I'm still....alive." He called out as he struggled to his feet only to fall back to his knees. He felt tired. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to do that last attack after all. He sighed and once more struggled to his feet.
Tsunaimei had already left at that point to Celine and Dmitri's aid. He couldn't help but wonder if she was in danger now and if it wise to be rushing after an enemy army after their battle. "Tsun! You crazy woman!" He shouted, limping in the direction of the cathedral. "Your gonna get killed dammit!"Dmitri noticed Tsunaimei in the midst of the fighting and a odd hooded man coming towards her. Dmitri cut down the mercenary in front of him and rushed to the holy knight's aid. "Tsunaimei!" He called out. "Your badly injured! I should get you to a white mage immediately!" He couldn't help but grin. "But knowing you, you don't want to. Heh. Its good to know some things never change!" He stuck by Tsunaimei's side.
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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 5:48 pm
Dominic was at first confused by the darkening of air around him, until he realized it was an attack and cursed his foul timing as the unholy attack wrecked havoc on him, causing the young man to yell out in pain. It actually brought him to his knees for a moment, the knight drinking the air heavily as he plunged his blade into the trodden ground and used it to steady himself. The White Phoenix member rose and after a moment of catching his breath, rushed after Tsunaimei, helping deflect attacks from her other side. The curious man with the hood caused him to double-take a bit, but the silver-haired knight didn't care much anymore. The cathedral was within sight!
Celine had been successfully holding her own, though the tide had started to turn once the others got involved. She heard Dmitri's cry earlier and looked at the Leo member. "Dmitri! Thank goodness you're here too! Judge Fiora is inside!"
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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:21 pm
Rushing to follow the battle as best he could, having been lost in the desert for three days prior to this was showing, wearing on the knight. He couldn't move quite as quickly as his two newest friends simply out of exhaustion. The world seemed to be spinning around him as he tried to keep up, soon he fell to one knee and simply watched. Breathing heavily he was hating himself for not being able to help more. Rising to his feet he began to give chase once again. Closing his eyes he pushed himself through the pain heading straight for the cathedral rather than the battle in front of it.
Deep in the swamps south of Goug, in an underground hollow underneath a large dead tree, Maluc had just finished his lunch. Climbing to the top of the tree he positioned himself at his seat on a lookout post at the top of the tree, still hidden from view from every angle along the ground he could see the sky and far away places well. Spying through a telescope he'd purchased in the machine city a few years past, he watched as Brynhildr met with a messenger. Reeling his gaze back along the tower he'd seen Alundra pace past a window far too often for her to to be calm.
"There's combat on the horizon." He said to himself already seeing the pieces falling into place. "I fear the King is making his move on the orders in less secrecy than he attempted on me. My hiding has failed, or perhaps just prolonged this inevitability. Whatever the reason it would seem my time to leave this place has come."
Dropping down a hole through the trunk of the tree Maluc landed soft among the pillows he'd been using as a bed. Moving around he gathered only what he'd thought he'd need. He suited up in his armor, wearing his sword at his hip for the first time in months. Moving to his entrance to the hole he secured it closed from the inside.
Walking back he opened a box that sat on his desk, the Holy Stone Leo inside. Taking a deep breath he closed the box, turning his gaze away from it. Looking back he moved the desk away from the wall, knelt down and pulled up a false panel of the makeshift wooden floor. Placing the box inside he moved the desk back, hoping that if anyone came to this place whilst he was gone the stone would still be safe. Climbing back up to his lookout he climbed higher and out of the tree then down the side of it. Walking slowly through the swamp wilderness he trekked stealthily back to the Order Leo.
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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:36 pm
Inside the cathedral's main room, past the entrance, Gwynn was getting irritated. It didn't help hearing the sounds of battle right outside. Glaring at the door, he then looked down at Gloria before finally resting his eyes on Fiora. "Sister," he began, pulling the brown-haired girl closer to his side. "You've run out of time. Speak or she will die here and now." He pulled her arm hard enough to make the girl yelp as the Divine Knight readied his blade.
Fiora could feel two mercenaries grab hold of each of her arms as the judge tried to move closer. "I...I..." she began, watching her daughter's face as tears left the girl's eyes. Finally, the judges resolve waned and her face drooped to the floor, appearing to concentrate. "When I was on my way here, I felt the presence of the stone in Finnath Creek. I was going to come back and get it after returning here."
Gwynn pushed Gloria away, the girl landing on the stone floor on her side. "Now we're getting somewhere," he said, his voice betraying his relief. The battle was being lost, even though he knew the victory would most certainly be his overall. The Virgo order was almost annihilated, and if Fiora was telling the truth, the Virgo stone would soon be in his hands. He walked over to the judge, and took her Save the Queen blade, casually tossing it on the ground to the side. "Now, let's take that passage you used to enter, and head for the creek. The rest of you, keep whomever is outside from following us. Use the two girls if need be, but keep Fiora's daughter alive...for now."
Glancing at both of the mercenaries holding his sister back, he motioned for them to follow him as he strolled over to the wall. After a moment, he found the trigger that opened the door and the four left, quickly pushing to get out the other side of the underground passage before the calvary arrived.
Hearing Gwynn and the other three leave, Gloria pulled herself up and went over to Kayla. "Poor Kayla..." the teen said, starting to cast healing spells on the squire. She was scared to death for her mother, but seeing as the young bard had no possible way to follow without being interrupted she did what she could instead.
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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 10:40 pm
Valthis, after slaying at least twenty men, was drawing near Tsunaimei. Valthis felt that this individual was important, for two reasons. She wore the emblem of one of the twelve orders, and many soldiers were trying to kill her. As soon as Valthis was close to Tsunaimei, he saw that she was badly injured, and needed help more than he thought. He then started killing more of the men who were trying to attack her. "Protect......No virgo.....death"
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 12:01 am
Tsunaimei continued to fight valiantly although her advance on the Virgo main building came to halt just short of the door. The fatigue, injuries, and never ending numbers proved to be too much for the Holy Vice Judge to handle in her current condition. Lady luck seemed to be on her side though as one by one, allies of Virgo converged on lending a hand to the overwhelmed female heroine. Looking over at Valthis she replied with much gratitude, "I don't know who you are but thank you for aiding me. It shall not be forgotten." She turned her head after deflecting an oncoming blade and saw that Dominic was next to arrive. "Dominic?!! Thank the Gods you're alive! Any news of Hyato and Raipheale?" She asked wondering about her other two commanders within the White Phoenix. Tsunaimei parried another attack when the discovery of Dmitri was realized. "Lord Dmitri?! It's certainly a most welcome surprise to see you here. I'm fine... I can still fight!" Nightbreeze replied slightly irked by his suggestion of falling back to get patched up. The weary Holy Knight looked over at Celine and was proud that she was holding her own against real foes for a change. "Everybody, cut a path to the cathedral so we can get inside! If what Lady Celine said is true, then we must aid Lady Fiora and defeat whoever was responsible for this massacre! I'll see to it personally that he suffers for his crimes against the Holy Order of Virgo! Forward!" Tsunaimei ordered as she tried to rally her friends together to boost their morale. After impaling an unlucky mercenary, Tsunaimei took a moment to catch a breather.
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 12:11 am
 A few mercenaries cheered as they saw Bane passing by and while a couple moved to offer a potion or a healing spell, Bane angrily waved them aside. He had to catch up to Tsunaimei. His mind was made up.
Another tried again and Bane backed handed the man. "GET OUT OF MY WAY!" The mercenaries began to suspect something was wrong with Bane but obliged and moved aside, the path clearing for him.Dmitri nodded and grinned, already beginning to make a path towards the Cathedral for the wounded holy knight to follow after. He felled another mercenary and charged ahead, on his own. -------------------------------------------------------------- Alundra sighed and ran a hand over her face before she headed down the steps. A squire approached her. "My Lady. Are you okay?" Alundra nodded. "I'm alright. Gather the Arc Knights and to tell them to meet me in the meeting room please. We have much to discuss." The squire nodded and headed off to round the Ark Knights. Alundra then winced and turned back to the squire. "Except Brynhildr....leave her out." The squire looked confused but nodded.Unaware that Maluc had seen her meet with the messenger, Brynhildr headed back to the Order of Leo and stretched. It was only a matter of time before the King gave the command for Leo to be ransacked and she'd head to the Castle, stone in hand and given a high rank. She smirked at the thought and cracked her neck.
"Tick tock, tick tock." She whispered with a sneer.
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 12:33 am
Valthis Turned toward the cathedral. "There?.... there.....Revenge...." Valthis muttered to himself before walking toward the cathedral, and fighting off mercenaries that tried to stop him.
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:10 am
Thanks to Tsunaimei taking a moment to catch her breath Mer'loct met with the side of the mercenary force, flanking the enemy and creating a second front for the assault. "Holy Explosion!" He cried with his opening attack sending a bright line of light through the first of the mercenary force. Plowing into the soldiers he began to cut a path closer and closer to the Cathedral doors, the mercenaries would soon see their defeat.
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:47 am
Standing in an empty courtyard was something new for Crimen as far as waiting for a client to meet him went. Soon enough a man in a red cloak and polished armor greeted him without introducing himself, fairly standard. Being told to follow Crimen complied without a word and crept silently where he was lead soon he was guided inside and brought to a room with a couch and two chairs. Sitting on one of the chairs the knight left and he waited. He was anxious for the first time in years. This job was big for him. His client was still a mystery but just the fact that he had been brought to Lesalia and was waiting in such a vast room, obviously owned by someone of immense wealth, was a step to his expansion as a killer.
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:31 am
Celine was most certainly motivated by what Tsunaimei said, and kept fighting her way to the door. A mercenary had managed to get the drop on her though and swiped at her side with his sword. However, Celine saw another blade come into view and block the assault. A glance to the side revealed Dominic. "Ah! Thank you, Dominic," she said, cutting down the one she had been actively fighting.
Dominic only slight problems dealing with the merc he had blocked from hitting the female knight. Hearing Tsunaimei's question, he jerked his head in the Holy Knight's direction. "No! Haven't heard from them in a while! I'm really becoming worried about them actually," he called back. Just a couple left before the way was clear...
Gwynn and the three quickly moved through the passage, despite Fiora's attempts to slow them down. They were already about halfway through the passage.
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:17 am
His world spinning Mer'loct saw only a few more soldiers standing in the way of the rest of the main group. Knowing he could grant them passage he swatted downward with his sword. "Lightning Stab!" He cried, sending bolts of lightning into those blocking Dominic's path. The mercenary directly in front of him came charging at him at just that moment. Only blocking the blade just enough for the wound to be made in non-lethal areas, Mer'loct took the steel just under his kidney, stabbing his blade up into the mercenary at the same time. Falling backwards with the merc on top of him, his world spun into blackness. Just before he faded away completely he heard the voice.
"You've done well knight. Soon you'll be needed in the south, soon you'll find your killer."
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:58 am
Tsunaimei still breathe heavily but a little bit easier now that she got a moment's rest in. She looked over and saw Mer'loct collapse and let out a gasp. The Vice Judge looked around as the fighting continued all around. She was trying to think of a way to get the fallen holy swordsman to a safer spot. Tsunaimei wouldn't be able to reach him in time nor could she compromise gaining entry into the main hall. She was about to call for someone to pull Mer'loct away from the fight when she suddenly lost all focus for a moment upon hearing Bane's voice. Hopefully, someone would pick up the task of their own volition. Her dark brown eyes immediately homed in on his position. She growled in angst upon the visual confirmation of the sword for hire. "Bane, you moron! What the hell do you think you're doing?! I thought you were dead!" Tsunaimei yelled she finally made it to the cathedral door. Despite the allies being outnumbered still by a 7:1 ratio, the mercenary army showed signs of their will to fight dwindle. Everyone seemed to have made it to the doorway as well as the enemy had them surrounded but did not advance on them. Tsunaimei opened the door to the fabled grand hall of Virgo and turned to see the stand off between the two forces. "Stand your ground here! I'll take care of the enemy inside!" Tsunaimei commanded as she walked inside, leaving the others to their own devices.
"Lady Fiora?! Lady Fiora?! Where are you?!" Tsunaimei called out while making short work of her foes inside. The mercenaries charged with watching over Gloria and Kayla made their stand by grabbing the Judge's daughter and holding a knife to her throat. "Stop right there wench! Unless you want these kids to die!" The enemy soldier demanded. Tsunaimei's rage was met with the fact she was helpless to do much. "Drop your weapon!" He ordered. Tsunaimei's eyes filled with defiance as her sword arm was visibly shaking in debate. "You despicable naive! Let them go and I'll spare your pathetic life!" Tsunaimei retorted a she took a step closer. The desperate man spat angrily while making a gesture that he meant business. The Vice Judge stopped dead in her tracks. She snarled at the man holding Gloria and Kayla hostage. "I said drop your damn weapon! Archers fire a volley!" The mercenary captain ordered as a line of 20 Archers moved into position inside the cathedral and fired a volley at the unsuspecting allies. "Look out!" Tsunaimei shouted to her friends but it was probably too late. Most of the arrows had overshot past the Virgo defenders and inadvertently hit some of their own unsuspecting soldiers. Three arrows had managed to embed themselves into Lady Nightbreeze. A shrill cry of agony echoed within the hall from the holy knight. She staggered to the floor as arrows stuck out from her right shoulder, left thigh, and lower abdomen. The Vice Judge was slightly hunched over as she sat on her knees bleeding profusely from her newly inflicted wounds. Coughing violently, Tsunaimei could no longer hold her sword as it clanged against the hard marble floor. Her vision blurred in and out as she gasped desperately for air. "No... not yet... not like this... It can't end like this..." She muttered weakly.
Kayla was slowly coming too when she noticed that Gloria was next to her. Completely aloof as to what had transpired while she was past out, Kayla looked around and saw that Gwynn had disappeared although his goons were still hanging around. "Hey, are you alright little girl? It's gonna be okay. We just have to wait for Lady Tsunaimei to rescue us and then she'll show these morons who's boss!" Kayla said to the Virgo Judge's daughter trying to not lose hope though it was more talk than anything else. Deep down Kayla was freaking out and was doing all she could not to scream and act a fool. A mercenary took exception to her motivational speech and back handed the spunky red head. "Ow! What was that for?!" Kayla whimpered. "Keep quiet!" The man barked back. "I hope you get here soon." She muttered softly. As if to be on cue, the door to the Virgo cathedral opened up and in came the Blue Dragon herself. "LADY TSUNAIMEI!! YOU CAME TO SAVE US! THANK THE HEAVENS!" Kayla beamed with excitement only to watch her idol be shot down with arrows. A whirlwind of emotions flooded the young Squire as she let out a loud roar of rage. It didn't help matters when she saw that Gloria was being held at knife point too. Overcome with emotion, Kayla jumped up and twisted the man's arm around and stabbed him in the neck with his own knife. Taking Gloria by the hand, she threw safety out the window and ran to the wounded holy knight. Holding the blue clad Vice Judge up by the shoulders, Kayla yelled as tears streamed down her face, "Lady Tsunaimei! Lady Tsunaimei! Please don't die on us! We need you more than ever right now!" The overzealous red head shook Tsunaimei repeatedly as she spoke.
Tsunaimei was fading until Kayla had caught her by the shoulders and shook her a few times. A shock of pain surged through her body but it managed to wake her up a little. "Kayla? Ouch, stop. You're hurting me... Glor-ria? Gloria, is that you? Are you alright? What are you doing here...? Where is your mother? I was told... she was here..." Tsunaimei said in between breathes. The Holy Knight traced Gloria's face with her hands as she looked at her 'little sister'. Meanwhile the Archers took the liberty of reloading their bows. The wounded Vice Judge's eyes widened and she quickly reached for her sword though just short of obtaining it within her grasp. "Kayla, my sword." She ordered while reaching for it.
"Sorry Milady. I... I just..." Kayla said while sobbing some more. After being asked to retrieve her sword, Kayla grabbed it and handed it to her idol. It was a lot heavier than it appeared to be as Kayla found out. "Here you go. You sure you can still fight? You're hurt badly and need help!"
Tsunaimei gripped her legendary blade and began pouring every last ounce of her remaining strength into the weapon. She knew that by doing so she'd probably end up dead but figured it was the only option left to save her beloved Order. "Oh holiest of blades. Hear my cry and guide our hand upon those who have wrought evil into this world. I beg you. Lend us your strength." Tsunaimei silently prayed as her weapon glowed with a golden aura brighter than anything she had ever seen. Struggling to lift up her weapon, Tsunaimei held it up and said, "Kayla... take my sword. You'll only get one chance so use it well... and... please tell everyone... to forgive me... Especially, your mother Gloria..." Tsunaimei collapsed onto the floor.
The fiery red head nodded as she took Tsunaimei's blade. It seemed as light as a feather now and still shown brilliantly with holy energy. Kayla turned around and looked at the Archers about to fire another volley of arrows. As if being guided by the sword itself, the young Squire lifted the blade high and then arced the blade down in front of her. A bright golden beam of energy shot forth from the blade and completely wiped out the cathedral. Little did she know that, she had unleashed a holy explosion. The dust had settled revealing that the Virgo HQ was completely obliterated save for the half of the hall leading to the main door. The enemy forces within vanished along with the ruined building. Kayla turned around and was at a loss for words as Tsunaimei fell to the floor. A low male voice echoed in her head as she looked on. "Young girl, If you wish to have any chance of saving her life then I ask of you that you return me to the hand of my master. Know this young Squire, I will do all that is within my power to preserve her life but I cannot guarantee she will survive." Kayla looked around confused but immediately obeyed placing Excalibur into Tsunaimei's sword arm and closing her fist around the hilt. Kayla looked on in desperation as tears flowed from her eyes once more. She looked over at Gloria and held her tight said, "I'm sorry... I couldn't protect her. Please, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I... I..."
The remaining energy within Excalibur flowed into Tsunaimei's body. A small golden glow melted into her chest. It was barely enough to keep her alive. She still showed no signs of life to anyone who gazed upon her limp body.
(Guess I got a little carried away. sweatdrop )
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:06 pm
 Bane glanced up with a smirk as Tsunaimei had turn back and tossed an insult to him before heading inside the Cathedral. He was still limping towards it, using his blade as a crutch. Just as he was nearly there, the place glowed and exploded, sending him flying back a few feet. He was knocked out for several minutes before he slowly regained consciousness and sat up, holding his head. "W-what the?! What the hell happened?!" He shouted. Bane continued to sit for a moment before he dug his blade into the ground and used it as a crutch to rise to his feet and limp back to the ruined Cathedral.
It took a long while for him to reach the Cathedral, spotting a small growing crowd murmuring and whispering to one another. He grunted and pushed past them, wondering what they were surrounding. As Bane's eyes followed what they were staring at, he could help but gasp and felt himself grow weak in the knees. Bane knelt by Tsunaimei's side and brushed a hand against her cheek. "Tsun? Its not funny. Your scaring people. Hell, your scaring me! Tsun? Wake up god dammit!" He gave her cheek a smack. "Tsun!" He cried. Bane blinked a few times and thought of something to say to awaken her.
"Tsun! If you don't wake up, dammit, I'm gonna marry you!" There was silence and Bane hung his head for a minute before it snapped back up and looked to the crowd and anyone behind it. "SOMEONE! ANYONE! WE NEED A MEDIC!" Bane then began to scour his pockets and pouch for a potion to use in the meantime and only found a half bottle of a potion. He uncorked it and forced it down Tsunaimei's throat.Dmitri was worried about Tsunaimei and the others no doubt as the Cathedral exploded but there was someone else who needed his attention too; Mer'loct. He had glanced back to ensure the others were following and noticed the man collapse. Dmitri growled as he really wanted to see if Tsunaimei, Celine and whoever else was in the Cathedral was safe, but headed to Mer'loct's side. "Ser! Are you alright?" He stated, giving the man a rough shake but received no answer. "DAMMIT! STAY WITH ME!" He growled as he began to uncork a X-Potion and pour it down the man's throat. Delita had moved locations while waiting for the victory report to come in and was beginning to wonder why it was taking so long for it come. The knight lead the assassin he hired in and waited a few minutes before he appeared to the man, who was sitting down calmly. He took the other empty chair and poured a drink, offering it to Crimen.
"I have heard you are excellent at what you do and I am in dire need of your skill. I hope you can help me." He stated with a wry grin. "You will be well compensated for completion of the job should you accept it and there will be more offers waiting."
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