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Saberstryke quickly tenses. The noise the girl is making distracts his hearing, but he is sure that he hears...something. Someone moving. But he cannot be sure. If not for Talpa's order that the girl be left alone and kept from leaving, Saberstryke would have tied up and gagged the girl by now. In fact, he is sure that her cries are acting like a homing beacon for- someone, if there is anyone.

At the barest edge of his vision, Saberstryke sees, or thinks he sees, one of the guards fall. It is distant, far off. He might be seeing a speck of green- one moment there and one moment not. It could be that he has seen spots in front of his eyes. He has, after all, been guarding Dannin for going on nine hours. Yet, something- was it red?- for the briefest of moments, came in sight. Some of Talpa's soldiers do have their armors colored something other than green; some wear gold armor. But red? Saberstryke tries to think and decides that he cannot really remember seeing a red soldier before. But, this too, might have been a spot on his vision. He places one hand on his single sword, a katana made by the swordsmith Tetsu Ozaki- in the service of the Netherworld- and decides that if he sees one more red spot or green spot blinking, he will raise the alarm. But, for now, he cannot be quite sure.

The rustle of tent flaps is unmistakable to Saberstryke's hearing. Wooden blocks had been placed all around the tent, too heavy for a young child to lift, preventing Dannin from simply walking off. Yet, if someone had come along, from the outside, quietly moved the blocks, and went inside...the intruder would want to check to see if Dannin had been moved, or was even still alive.

Saberstryke decided to have a look inside. When he saw two people instead of one, he yelled at the top of his lungs, the alarm that an intruder was present. His sword was already out. Someone had come to rescue the prisoner, as Saberstryke had thought they would.

"I do not care what the Wildcats need of her, or what your need is," Saberstryke said once he stopped shouting. He could already hear the heavy footsteps of soldiers running to surround the tent. "Talpa wants this girl, for what reason I cannot say, but I know that you will not get out of here alive if your intent is to take her out of here.

"Now, lower your weapon and surrender! You are surrounded!"

The cloth walls of the tent were torn away as spears and scythes rips through them, revealing large green soldiers, their white eyes showing no expression. One soldier swings a metal chain above his head. Saberstryke gives what he knew would be his last warning.

"I will say it this last time," He declares, "Surrender peacefully. You may be a match for these guards, but you will encounter me sooner or later. You cannot escape, and Talpa has no doubt been notified that someone has come. Surrender yourself peacefully and you will be treated with mercy. Resist, and you will be destroyed."

"I have given you your choice, and you chose destruction." Saberstryke raises his sword parallel to his body, holding it up like a pole. "Do you what think you must. By your own decision, your lives are forfeit."

The soldiers fall quickly, pale green smoke issuing from slashes in their armors. Saberstryke directs them to gather where the intruder and the girl, Dannin, are going. No sooner than his orders are followed, Saberstryke sees them turn again. His feet move rapidly, and, before long, he is face to face with the intruder, the Wildcat. He does not say anything, but waits for the intruder to make whatever move he is going to make. He can show them, at least, that he does not want to slaughter them out of malice.

"As I have told you, it matters not!" Sabestryke shouts at the intruder. His blood- if he actually had any- had been riled. He knew he would have to fight this intruder, simply based on the fact that soldiers of the Netherworld, Talpa's soldiers had been cut down.

Saberstryke flicks his wrist and the katana arcs towards the intruder...