paixaorpg | Blade [Completed]

Entry tags:

Blade [Completed]

Character(s): Chris, Yun, Possible NPCs/Nobodies, anybody inside/outside Morem O Lisboa
Content: Chris takes it upon herself to defend the hotel and to protect everybody inside
Setting: Inside and outside Morem o Lisboa
Time: Early afternoon.
Warnings: At the moment, none. Will be edited later.

Could these strange creatures be his doing? No... Luc's specialty was summoning the undead, and these, although very bizarre in their appearance and movements, seemed to be quite alive. And without Sarah, he couldn't extend his control onto other monsters.

Regardless of their origins and who their master was, it was clear that they were hostile and aggressive.

She knew what she had to do.

Not a stranger to coming under attack herself, Chris was fortunately able to take action ever since the monsters appeared earlier in the morning. Even more fortunate for her was that the civilians were being very cooperative and willing to do what she instructed.

Excluding the main entrance and a couple of others, all of the doors were to be locked and blocked with several objects to keep the creatures from coming through. The same thing was done to all of the windows, and Chris made sure to warn the people to stay away from them until they were safe once again.

With the doors and windows taken care of, Chris then told them to take gather as far back in the hotel as possible, preferably in a large windowless room. Once that was taken care of, she drew her sword, headed to the main lobby of the hotel and waited. Eyes open, and ears kept on constant alert. Or at least, she tried.

The fact of the matter was… Chris had yet to get a good night’s rest ever since arriving at Paixao. By now, she was well under the effects of fatigue and exhaustion. But she had to make it through this no matter what.

Too many lives were depending on her to get them through this. And so was Yun…

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While many of the ladies of Alma Kinan were skilled warriors, Yun was not one of them. Though it was likely that she had, at the very least, an inherent talent for rune magic much like her sisters did, she had never bothered to find out. The ways of war did not interest her, and she much preferred peace, and as such, she never regretted that lack of battle training. Today, though, she found herself wishing that she had learned how to use runes, or a bow and arrow, or -- well, something, anything really, that would be of some help to Chris and everyone else.

She had been shooed away from the hotel's entrance, and though she knew this was for the best, she couldn't stay away; partly for curiosity's sake, but mostly out of concern for Chris. The knight hadn't been getting much rest, lately, and Yun was aware of it... but that woman was stubborn; she was determined to protect everyone, and that was what she would do.

Frowning, she peered into the lobby and bit her lip. There was little she could do to convince Chris to rest or go somewhere safer, especially not now... All she could do now was pray. And smile.

Everything was going to be all right.

The Morem O Lisboa could be considered the jewel of Paixao. It was a gorgeous building, undoubtedly. The façade was elegant and impressive enough to let the dregs of society know they weren’t welcome. But what about the inside? Surely it was lovely too. Somehow, though, Axel didn’t think the inside was comprised mainly of the backs of chairs and couches and furniture.

Circling the building, Axel could tell it was well-barricaded simply by looking at the windows. Obviously the dusks had this area covered already. But someone was smart enough to rally up a bunch of people to protect the building. Axel was very curious who this person was. Undoubtedly an outsider with at least an ounce of battle strategy. Well, he had his orders. Perhaps that person was willing to be tested. He’d go see what they knew. Maybe he’d be attacked on sight. Maybe they would treat him civilly. Either way, it would be entertaining.

He could have done things the easy way and sent in some lower class Nobodies as emissaries. After all, there were dusks aplenty dancing around the area, just waiting on his beck and call. But Axel was never one for doing things the easy way. A personal greeting would be best! He headed around the building and tested the main entrance. The door seemed to be open and unblocked, so he helped himself and went inside as if nothing in the least was wrong. He was just another outsider, unarmed and confused, and he would act the part until it was time to get serious.

The lobby was large, elegant, and would have been perfect if not for all the furniture piled up in ungainly piles by the windows. It was all but empty as well.

Now this wasn’t unusual at all, was it? Axel raised an eyebrow when he saw a woman armed with a sword. “That’s no way to greet a guest. I’m going to have to find the manager and complain.” He grinned, making sure to show his palms as a gesture that he was unarmed.

Was everything really going to be all right now?

Chris stared at the man that had just entered and kept her eyes fixed on him. Naturally, she was feeling a bit on edge due to the attacks that were going on. That and his attire certainly didn't help shake away her feelings of wariness. She couldn’t help it, but his black clothing reminded her of a certain acquaintance of Luc.

Suspicious or not, Chris still had no real way of telling who he was or what his intentions were.

"My apologies." She said to him. "I'm afraid that the times have called for me to draw my sword."

Though she lowered Ervich, Chris continued to remain on guard.

“I am Chris Lightfellow of the Zexen knights, though you probably haven’t ever heard of Zexen before…”

Judging by the unusual way his vivid red hair was styled in, Chris was able to assume that he was not from this city either and figured that it couldn’t hurt to try and ask him some questions about what was going on. She wasn’t expecting much though…

“Do you happen to know anything about those creatures that are attacking us?"

The newcomer piqued Yun's interest enough for her to step forward and enter the lobby. Friend or foe, she could not be certain, but she wouldn't find out by lurking about in the shadows. "Ah, hello," she greeted as she approached and stood beside Chris. Her voice was light and friendly, and she kept a calm, polite smile on her face. "If you're looking for shelter, we have plenty of room..."

She sincerely doubted that was what he was here for, however. But what else could he want...? She sent a silent prayer to the spirits that things would proceed peacefully. Things would not end well if this man attacked, Yun knew, not with Chris's fatigue.

So this armored woman was some kind of knight. She was the one with the experience. Going by how she held her sword, she knew how to use it properly, too. She looked weary, though. Going against her now wouldn’t be a true test of her skills. It could be fun, sure, but not an accurate gauge of how well she could hold herself in battle, or how strong her heart was.

He noticed another woman enter the room as well. She was hardly of interest to Axel, aside from the fact she too was clearly an outsider. From the way she dressed, though, he doubted she was a warrior like the other woman. She’d have to be tested anyway. The orders didn’t say not to attack unarmed persons.

“Sorry, haven’t heard of any Zexen knights,” Axel said with a dismissive gesture. He headed further into the room, examining the room’s improvised barricades. “Though I bet they’re a force to be reckoned with.” He stopped by the nearest pile of furniture and looked back at the armored woman.

“Those white beings outside have orders to attack everything in sight,” he said casually. “Good idea to hole yourselves up in here. I hope you have enough supplies, though, because they’re not going to just vanish when the sun comes up tomorrow. I fought some of them on my way around town. They’re tough. But it seems like you’re doing a good enough job fending them off.” Truth be told, he was the one holding them back from further attacks. As long as he was in the building, the Nobodies hopping about the streets would content themselves with other targets until directed otherwise.

“Anyway, I like your bottleneck technique.” He looked towards the door. “An effective way to thin their numbers, should they grow bold enough to barge right in.” He looked at the other girl who had offered him shelter. “Hey, thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather help keep these things away than hide in the back. I know how to fight, and it looks like Chris is getting tired.” He smirked. “If you’ll have me, I’ll help you right out.”

"Y-Yun? What are you doing?" She should've known that someone as young and curious as she was wouldn't be content with just hiding with the other civilians. But still... "You shouldn't be here; it's too dangerous for you to be near me right now."

Focusing her attention on the newcomer, Chris listened intently to what he had to say. Finally, someone who knew what was going on!

"I see." She didn't like it, but Chris agreed with the man's comment about the attacks not stopping anytime soon. But even so, the Zexen Knight was determined to fight for as long as she possibly could.

"This hotel has a restaurant, so there should be enough food to last us if we make sure to consume it wisely and in small portions." They had been fortunate in that respect, and hopefully Yun would be able to keep them calm and reassure them that they would be fine. If went back to where they had gathered, that is.

"Thank you for your compliments, but I am simply doing what I must to keep everybody inside form being harmed. Your help and any other information you might have would be very much appreciated though, sir...?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing out here," Yun said calmly. She glanced up at Chris and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll go back and join the others."

She turned to face the black-cloaked man, eyeing him carefully. If his offer of assistance was sincere, then that was wonderful, yes, but... Something didn't seem right, and it bothered her. But as long as she wasn't sure, there was little she could do.

"Is that so?" she asked him, still smiling. Her face was a serene mask, all to hide her worries and doubts. "If you are truly here to help, sir, then you have our thanks."

“Axel,” he said in reply to Chris’ hanging inquiry. “My name is Axel.”

He looked again at the younger girl. She was so calm that it was eerie. Did she suspect something? Better not help her along to any assumptions, then. He gave her a thin smile before turning his attention back to Chris.

“The white creatures are just empty shells,” Axel continued, offering help as she had asked him to. It’d be neat to see how others reacted to the truth. Of course, if any of his comrades got word of this, they’d be quite upset. “They’re just a vague memory of what they once were. They attack regardless of who their target might be. Maybe they’re jealous of people like you.” He looked Chris up and down. “You still have a heart, after all.” How did someone like her deserve so much? Axel closed his eyes for a moment, pausing to squelch the resulting anger, and then he continued on his little tour of checking the barricades.

“Anyway, I think I should go outside and send some of them packing, rather than waiting for them to come in here.” He glanced back at Chris. “Want to join me, or do you prefer being a sitting duck?”

Empty shells indiscriminately attacking others..? Well, that was easier to understand than Chris thought it would be.

However... "They are jealous of my heart? I'm afraid I do not understand what you mean with that at all, Axel." What could they possibly want in her heart? And if they were jealous of her heart, did that mean that their own hearts were somewhat lacking? It would definitely explain their being nothing more than "Empty Shells" as Axel had called them.

Or could it be something more?

Whatever it was, she would definitely ponder about it later when she and the others were no longer in danger.

"Ah, yes, good idea. I shall join you." Chris headed towards the door, but stopped to look at Yun for a moment.

"Please be careful while I'm outside. And could you take care of the civilians until I come back?"

"I will. And you should be careful as well." Yun smiled softly at Chris. It was good of the knight to worry so, but she wished she would be more concerned about herself every now and then. "It will be dangerous out there," she warned. And I don't want you to have to use the Rune, she added silently.

She took a moment to mull over Axel's words, then. The information was more than she had been expecting, and while it was all a little difficult to wrap her head around, she at least had some idea of what was going on. She was grateful for that. "Still... our hearts... why would they be jealous of that, of all things?" she mumbled, frowning. She was not sure how to relay that information to the townspeople -- or if she should say anything at all.

Shaking her head, she turned to face Axel. He still made her feel uncomfortable, for whatever reason, but she forced herself to smile at him regardless. "Thank you for the help," she said, bowing her head politely. "I am Yun, of the Alma Kinan clan, by the way. And I am a little curious..." She tilted her head and raising her eyebrows, still smiling. "How did you come to know so much about those creatures?"

It was always the quiet ones that one had to beware of. Axel was surprised by Yun’s perception. Well, someone had to point out flaws in logic. Might as well be some little girl. He paused on his way out the door. He looked back at the nosy girl, giving her a thin smile. “One of them told me a little story before it died,” he said smoothly. Now there was no more time for games or kids’ questions. He boldly pushed through the door, just as he had entered.

He called the Nobodies outdoors to attention by his mere presence. As he stood in front of the Morem O Lisboa’s intimidating façade, he brought his right arm straight out from his shoulder. A band of darkness snaked its way along his arm until it reached his hand, where it spiraled and grew to become one of his spiked chakram. “All right, Nobodies,” he called out commandingly, as he did the same with his left arm, “attack us with all you’ve got!”

What was the loss of a few dusks, anyway? If they were smart, they’d know to relocate just before his blow landed on them. He stormed one dusk and raised his arm to strike hard. As he’d hoped, the dusk got the hint and teleported away just before the chakram beheaded it, making it appear as if it had been destroyed. He continued in this manner for awhile, glancing back at Chris to check on her progress. If she was any good, he’d go after her shortly.

Tired or not, Chris was not about to let a single one of those "Nobodies", as their guest had called them, anywhere near Yun and the others. With Ervich still drawn, she followed Axel outside and waited for the creatures to come and attack them, which didn't take long at all...

She watched as Axel called forth what appeared to be his weapons before he went straight on the offensive, prompting Chris to do the same. The creatures’ strange build and amazing flexibility made it difficult to land a solid blow on them. But no matter how nimble and agile they were, they all fell at the hands of Chris' superior swordsmanship.

Once the last Nobody in the area was dispatched, Chris took a deep breath and took a look around to make sure if that was really the last of the group. Once satisfied, she walked over to the red-headed man.

“You are a very talented warrior, Axel.” She looked at what he carried in his hands. "I have never seen anybody wield those weapons before. Much less use them as skillfully as you have."

Yun watched the pair leave, frowning, still feeling uneasy about Axel. He was an odd one, certainly, but she had no choice but to trust him for now. Beloved hero of the Zexen Federation or not, she did not know if Chris could handle all of those creatures on her own. Though there was the True Water Rune to consider... The Alma Kinan girl wrinkled her nose at that.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, I suppose," she said quietly.

She took one last glance at the door before turning on her heel and returning to the back of the building. If she could not fight, then she would at least do what Chris had asked her to do, and put the townspeople at ease. She offered them encouraging smiles, assured them that Lady Chris had everything under control, and she prayed. Hopefully it would be enough.

Just as he’d hoped, Chris had proven herself skillful in battle. She had impressive skill with that sword. Dusks could be slippery sometimes, but she managed to destroy every single one she went after, despite her exhaustion. What a remarkable woman, Axel thought as he pretended to destroy the last Dusk in the area.

He pretended to catch his breath, looking at Chris when he heard her compliment. “Thank you,” he said with a little bow. He couldn’t help but smirk just a little. “You might say I had these weapons custom made. You’ll never find their like anywhere.” Instead of putting them away, as one would usually do at the end of battle, he kept them drawn, spinning them back and forth with nimble fingers.

“Since you’ve shown such interest in them, I can show you what else they do.” He took a few steps back. Now the grin on his face was undeniable. With eyes wide and wild, he raised both arms, holding the chakram over his head. Fire began to circle around the weapons’ edges before they became outright balls of flame, and then he wound up and hurled them both, close-range, at Chris.

The speed of the balls of flame, the short distance between them and their target, her own fatigue... It gave Chris too little time to attempt to sidestep them. She raised her arms over her face, and attempted to at least defend against Axel's strike. The strength of the impact pushed Chris back several feet, but thankfully, the armor she was wearing had managed to protect her against the fire.

Or could it have been the rune she held? Regardless, it appeared that Axel was not all that he seemed to be.

"W-What is the meaning of this?!" A noticeably angry Chris demanded, with Ervich still drawn. "Explain yourself!"

There was a loud clanging sound as Axel’s two chakram slammed into Chris’ armor and went ricocheting off. Axel raised his hands, commanding the weapons to return. They flew back as directed, slowing their spinning so he could pluck them from the air. The fire from them faded as well, and Axel dropped his arms, standing defensively now.

“Oh, that’s a good one,” Axel said with a laugh. “You expect me to explain myself? Maybe if you prove yourself, I’ll spill.” He took one step towards his opponent. “That’s if you survive this!” Taking another step, Axel then burst into a run, storming Chris suddenly. A reaction test, of course! He drew his right arm back in preparation for a strike.

So this was how Axel was really like. It was a very good act he had put on before, probably one that he had used many times already. "If that is it'll take, then I shall force the answers from you." Both warriors had formed their resolve and were determined to come out victorious.

She may have been caught off guard once, but no more. Assuming a defensive pose, Chris started running towards Axel with her sword held out in front... He would not get the best of her two times a row.

Like hell this outsider would force anything from him!

Axel quickly switched from offense to defense, reacting to Chris’ drive at him. He used the chakram to parry the woman’s blade, leaning away from her as he did so, his speed carrying him past her at a run. He skidded and slowed then, turning back to face her. He hadn’t expected her to react so quickly, but she had, and it surprised him.

Time for some quick fancy talking, then! “So, Chris,” Axel said with a smirk. “I think much better of a woman when she begs for her life. I’ll let you go get some well-earned rest if you get to your knees and plead for your life!” He set his weapons alight with fire again, mostly to threaten her better. “What do you say?”

Talking to your opponent and see if you can aggravate them enough to make them lose their focus and concentration on the battle. A clever tactic, but one she had encountered before.

"Do not mock me, Axel." Chris raised her sword and held it with both of her hands. "I would rather be defeated by you today than to put myself through such shame and humiliation." Asking such a thing from someone like her... The nerve of him! Rude as Axel was, he did have the skill to back up his talk. It was a real shame to see such talent go to waste.
If his specialty was commanding the element of fire, then maybe the True Water rune could be used against him... No. It was too dangerous to use the Rune here. There was no telling what would happen with her poor control over it.

"The same trick will not work on me again. I have already seen what flames can do when commanded by someone else."

“So you’ve seen fire in action already, then?” Axel asked lightly. “I’m sure that whatever performance you’ve seen before pales in comparison to what I can do. Have you ever smelled a burning village before? It’s wonderful.” He brought his chakram before him again, still fiery, ready for a strike. “The wood lends a delightful smoky flavor to the charming scent of roasting flesh. I think I should show you what it’s like.”

He pointed with a chakram towards the Morem O Lisboa. “You know, you’ve done such a wonderful job of barricading the place that if I were to set it on fire, I doubt anyone would escape. I’d start burning this front door first, ensuring that no exit would exist. And I know you have a lovely young friend in there. You know, the little girl with the intense eyes. I’d hate for you to have to hear her scream as the skin burned right off her.” He laughed. “What do you say now? Still want to fight me? I’d love to. A flaming hotel would make an excellent backdrop to our epic battle.”

Chris remained quiet towards Axel's question about the scent of a burning village. Why? Not only was it something she had already experienced, but she was the one responsible for what had happened. Although it was the only way to save to the other knights, it was still something that Chris didn't like to openly discuss with strangers...

Her eyes then widened at her opponent's threat. How dare he even consider doing such a thing! And yet, if he did follow through on those words, there would be no way she could save all of the people inside. Which included... Yun.

She would not lose her again, especially towards some as detestable as Axel.

There was no choice.

"I strongly recommend you think twice about what you plan on doing. I do not want to have to resort to using the power of this Rune." Chris removed her right hand from Ervich’s handle and held it towards Axel as it started to give off a faint blue glow.

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Blade [Completed]

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