dev 16 - the beginning of the end

The Lightbringer's gaze flickers from one person to the next as they enter the room, staring long and hard at Sythaeryn in particular. Almost a scowl, though she calms herself and stays austere, for the most part.

"I've come today to deliver the response from King Alexander Petrakis II."

Serea speaks calmly, clasping her gloved hands together, before setting them on the wooden table with a thud. A deep breath, before continuing.

"The King is not interested in meeting with your group. He saw fit to ignore it altogether, but I'd rather you all be aware of our position, so things remain clear."

Gaze shifting to Mars now, steady.

"If your group intends to attack and claim that which has belonged to us for centuries, we will have no choice but to defend our interests. Just as we had done when Theria tried to destroy it."

"Baleford Bridge belongs to the Crown, as it has been for years."
(Serea lux Astor)


Owyn says, "...."

Basil asks, "Ah? He saw fit to ignore it altogether?"
Tiernay hums.
(Tiernay)

"What a bastard."

Well, that's the proper term, isn't it? He's without a father, or something like it. But, Owyn doesn't take too kindly to the news presented. Not because there is a no, that they don't want the negotiations to continue forward.

But rather. The brush off as a whole. "You'd think they would be more than happy to give us a little credit, since we're the reason that bridge even stands to this day."

At least, partially. Their hands are somewhat dirty in all purses and pockets.
(Owyn)


 She finds herself beginning to tilt her head for the moment, lips pursing ever so slightly. "...Is that so?" She questions with the slow tilt of her head. "Ignoring our requests to meet over the fact that your people have continued disrespecting and trampling over our own?" The inquisitive glance would slowly begin to narrow...But the slits within her gaze would turn into wide saucers. "Your people tried to send assassins after us and you...Think that it's okay for that to be ignored?"

 One hand moves briefly, she breathes in and out...The building only rumbling slightly. There is not much to say....But one thing is clearly....She's trying her very best to not say the next words. Instead, perhaps, the last attempt to quell her rage would be this.

"What are you thoughts on this. August. Sarea. What do you have to say for your kings actions?"
(Mars)


Mars says, "I'm starting to think that Alexander has never truly had good intentions for us in general. If he does not want to give up the bridge or compromise...."

Owyn says, "Stop."

Owyn says, "You never had expectations of that brat in the first place."
"I told you"

He sits down, the tension in the air was thick, the cool breeze that wafted from the nature wind would slow through the seriousness of the scene. He could feel the amount of density in the tone of the Lightbringer's voice, but the matter was clear. The bridge was going to be defended, it was a respectable position in the end of the day.

Still, it was a bit disappointing that the audience and their efforts were ignored, especially since they had fought along side Osrona to maintain the sanctity of the bridge.

"Having targets on our back by a disgruntled member of Osrona doesn't sit well, especially when they were at fault."


(Anthem Altin)

The drakanite's claws instinctively graze against the metal scabbard at his side as his eyes take in familiar faces. Garm and Serea. They warrant a glance so sharp it might cut them. Cerise gets a softer look. Afterward, he settled by Tiernay's side and hovered nearby to the left of the table.
(Sythaeryn)

Amara settled herself in the grass by the water, though her own gaze lingered on the back of Serea's head rather intensely. If looks could kill, the Lightbringer would have been facedown on the table by now.
(Amara Chance)

Tiernay smiles.
(Tiernay)

Garm had accompanied the two unawares of the message being delivered precisely, his wandering gaze acutely aware that violence was a very possible eventuality. Resting a palm upon the pommel of the dagger at his side, he waits patiently-- upon a knife's edge.

It probably wouldn't go as well for them as it had Asta, breaking such an encirclement...

(Garm)

Sythaeryn blinked rapidly, three times a second. His gaze snapped to randomly Tiernay despite the man having not said a word.
(Sythaeryn)

Sythaeryn whispers something.

"I think the message here is loud and clear, Mars."

There's little to be spoken about it; if anything, the fact that Serea brought about such message is rather.. very bold in his eyes. But when she remarks of that?

"Thanks for bringing the message, Serea, even if it's extremely stupid to be brought to begin with."

"No worries. Unlike Alexander, we won't be siccing our entire city on you as you visit."

The feelings of the Rhoynish were rather clear on the matter, though, with that being said..

"I think your little boy-king owes Ilburg an overwhelming amount of money, after he saw it fit to pardon the debts that were actually amassed by the people - and legally so."

"I also think that he knows very little of what's going on outside the walls - and considering his recent stunt with Asta, I think he's, by all intents and purposes, asinine."

He may not see it fit to meet the Lionheart..
But that might've been another huge mistake.

"But it's just like Mars said.."

"Osrona has been doing a whole lot of terrible things lately, don't you think?"
(Basil)

Sythaeryn whispers something.

Sythaeryn watched him suspiciously for a moment.
(Sythaeryn)

Sythaeryn whispers something.

August hummed, folding one leg over his thigh.

First, a glance towards Sythaeryn. Yes he remembered him well. The man who slayed Faira, his squire. Then he returned to mars, a click of his tongue offered in response.

"My thoughts? Serea is right. Baleford Bridge belongs to the Crown, and sieging it on the whim that we can't protect peace is a bit.. much." He moved a hand as if to gesture 'but whatever.'

"I also think that we are in no position to quarrel over it. I think, at a time, seeing you as allies was a hopeful insight of mine. Now here we are."

He leaned forward a bit, adjusting his footing before lying an arm across the table.

"I think this is all miserably pointless."
(August lux Astor)

Sythaeryn whispers something.

Cerise... followed along, mostly to try her best to keep things civil between all present. She inched closer to Garm as they entered, glancing at those present and trying to offer a small smile to the mercenaries and Sythaeryn both. Something Sythaeryn says makes her gaze linger on Tiernay for a moment longer, but she soon disregards it.

Her expression only slightly falters at Serea's words. She's definitely not panicking-- not at all.

"...Queen Nebula is willing to speak with you and yours," she offered to Mars and the other mercenaries, almost regretting it as she bit her tongue afterwards. "That's a... compromise you can make, isn't it Lightbringer?"

She cast her eyes around the room again, her expression hopefully.
(Cerise)

Sythaeryn's focus returned to the table. His stare was unwelcoming, and his lips a straight line, pursed.
(Sythaeryn)

"It wasn't a hopeful insight at all. It was of the moment, you know."

He waves a hand, August holding his attentions for at least a brief moment or two, or three. To speak his piece just before anything further evolves. "You employed us, we did the work, and while we held up our end? It took so damn long for you all to do the same. We were allies, for that period. And once that little bit of time was over. Well,"

Like a rock falling, his hand hits the table. "--Just like that? It was over."
(Owyn)

"Boring. We've all speculation for the purpose as to why we do things, and to be honest... I don't think I've much of a need to feign it at all."

A quiet breath flows beyond pursed lips, one that suggests not but agitation with this predicament in particular.

"We want because we're human, and necessarily what I want to do right now may contradict what you may want of me. As it stands, Alexander is quite content sitting in the safety of his walled city while you pass on his worthless messages."

His eye comes to a close.

"But he's oh so scared of us that he wouldn't bother talking with the lot of us face to face? Now that's damn disrespectful, I don't even know what we've done to warrant he hides from us."

Tiernay shakes his head.

"Queen Nebula wants to speak with us? Why aren't they here? I'm tired of talking, frankly... I don't want to hear another word."
(Tiernay)

"Stupid, yes, but honorable. I do not fear death, nor do I stand down before what could be potential enemies."

Serea's tone is roug and loud. After years of military service she had developed a commanding presence, her gaze shifting from one to the next as they spoke.

"I've never been one for politics. Lying, backstabbing, intrigue- that isn't me. I do what I must for my people, for my family, and I will stand behind my King as a knight of the First Light."

"Contrary to popular belief, I don't want war. It is merely a fact of life, unavoidable so long as differences exist between people. The bridge being one of those differences."

Serea shook her head, sighing.

"I like most of you, we've done good work together, you fought behind me in several battles. I have no desire to raise my blade against you either, but if you attack I will be prepared to fight for honor and duty both."

"I was not made aware of the assassins either. Something which I'd never condone, and I assure you that Vivian is being handled."

There had been too much trouble revolving around the girl to begin with.

"You are free to speak with Queen Nebula, yes, but we aren't going to compromise when it comes to the bridge. Nebula holds no formal authority over Osrona, she is simply the wife of the King."

"Something I know quite well, mind you."
(Serea lux Astor)


Basil asks, "...?"

Basil asks, "What's the point of meeting Queen Nebula if she holds no authority?"

August lux Astor says, "Ah, yes, Vivian was arrested just before we left."

Anthem Altin says, "Oh wow."

Cerise says, "She... does hold some sway. I think talking with her might prove beneficial."

Sythaeryn says, "Her budget must've been pretty empty if that was her assassin."
She chewed the inside of her cheek to prevent herself from laughing at the comment.
(Amara Chance)

"But they said it themselves." She says while beginning to glance elsewhere. "Nebula doesn't seem to hold any power despite being his wife. His Queen. Sway...? To someone that is stubborn and incapable of listening to reason? To someone who would start war over something as small as a look and a few pieces of cabbages? I....Hm..." She seemed generally confused. The overreach of Alexander is far, far beyond her at this particular moment. But what seems to dawn her mind is something rather simple.

"I have to admit- I enjoyed the lot of you when I was growing up. Even when I was angry at the slightest hint of something that had went wrong." A pause is given. "But there are just a few things that even I, cannot look over. Your king threatening us when our line of work is for Mercenaries, your king dismissing our presence in general...Refusing to meet. And his own inability to understand the lengths that your own knights and nobles have done to harass us. I'm appreciative that you have apprehended Vivian, but that's just scraping the surface." Her chin tilts briefly...

"Naturally...I am not one for war, but I'm afraid that if this is how it falls.." Magma would soon begin to appear over her features. Her voice is low. "Then war, it will be." She moves to a stand.

"Your king has no intentions of extending the olive branch for peace- if he had, he'd realize that our want over the bridge isn't to suffocate Osrona out of it's power. It's to control what happens on the west end of things while in the war. He could have kept to his side, we would have kept to ours. But clearly, he has no intention of the sort." With that being said. "I normally do not move do underhanded tricks but...I believe that there is no better opportunity than to get the point across. I'll let you know that I've enjoyed your presence here...However...

A pause.

"Lionheart. Seize them now."
(Mars)

Sythaeryn assumes the Garuda: Way of The Soaring Bird stance!

Could it end any other way?

Alexander, for all intents and purposes, simply became an asinine king that doesn't even know what he's doing anymore - dispensing his rule over things he should not be even touching, and asserting decisions that ultimately only hurt his kingdom. For as much as Serea remarks of that..

"You said it yourself."

"Queen Nebula has no power whatsoever. If King doesn't want to hear us, and if all you're willing to provide in return is just empty promises.."

"That's disrespectful. Very, very disrespectful.. don't you think so?"

Already he comes to a rise; it almost seems to be a simultaneous thing along with how Mars speaks up, which is soon followed by something entirely else.

"You follow a moron of a king. A false idol."

"We'll follow what we know best."

There won't be any agreement today. There won't be any particular discussion, and there most certainly won't be any sort of 'peace' if they're discarded into the heap like this - at least, from the side of Osrona.

Not after the countless times they've been harassed. Not after countless times they've been given trouble.

"Seize them."

But Basil does not hesitate either; the stardust spreads outward, already intending to immobilize those that came with Serea..

Whoever it hits, if at all? That's another story.
(Basil)

It wasn't looking good. Not for any of them.

Cerise bit her cheek, she clenched her fists at her sides and breathed in through her teeth, hissed and pained. Something had to be done, or Osrona's stupidity was going to get them in a war on all fronts, and she was going to be caught right in the middle of it.

"Wait!" she shouted, her voice cracking.

"Nebula holds more sway than that!" she shouted, her voice rising in pitch and fervor. "King Alexander declared war on her behalf, not because of stupid cabbages-- he declared war because Lady Asta did her invasive eye-searchy thing and summoned a million spirits to stare judgementally at Nebula! He would listen to her. Speaking to him through her is the easiest way to get this done without a war."

She stared across at Mars, hoping to speak some kind of reason.

"Let them leave. Listen to Nebula. She would come out her herself, and I can bring her."

She scuttled backwards, hoping her voice could be heard over the stardust that suddenly spread around them-- one last chance to try and save this...

...if she fought at all.
(Cerise)

Owyn assumes the Iron Fist stance!

Tiernay assumes the Caster stance!


'Sieze Them'


Oh, but of course. This was to be expected. It always was when they set off to come here. The moment felt like an eternity, gazes shifting about those present -- some specifically.

Owyn, Mars, Basil. He watched them all grow. He came to like them, he even trained some of them. This was only fitting, poetic even, if this would be the end for the young Radiant.

Within a moment's notice, those infernal flames flickered into manifestation about his form. Hazel orbs shifted into a more golden hue, resembling an ember. A hand moved to the hilt of his blade, withdrawn acrobatically -- simultaneously those potent flames shrouded the form of it's shaft.

Would this be the final time his flame would shine? Time would too -- but the way it flickered and danced you could only assume it was it's final performance.

Sights set immediately upon Basil, the first to move towards Serea. If it would come to it, despite Cerise's words, he'd move to act in a deflection without haste.
(August lux Astor)

August lux Astor assumes the Burning Blade stance!

Just why had Serea delivered such a blunt message in person?

Garm didn't care to ask them now that negotiations had completely fallen through. He was an experienced Knight by now, ever ready to fight if required-- and the mercenaries had done him a favour already in continually insulting his King.

In a singular step he pushes off the ground to gain some distance and ready his bow; At once, pushing back any dust throw his way in a gust of wind. His dark eyes pick out several likely first targets, though they'd likely descend upon the Lightbringer as a first pick...

"Respect is the last thing the likes of you lot can talk about! On His Majesty's behalf, I'll teach you what manners are."

He intended to fight, while covering the likely retreat of the others.

(Garm)

The Lightbringer had never been one to step down from a fight. She'd never been one for talking, either, but she had enough honor to deliver messages to those which she respected face to face.

Serea had always come into settlements like this, making demands and truthful threats. This would be the first time it'd catch up to her, the first time someone would actually attempt to capture her.

"I have always fought for my people, for my son. I stand tall with the honor of house Astor behind me."

The Lightbringer draws her blade, starlight materializing and swirling around it as she held it aloft. Outnumbered, tactically speaking not in the position to take them all on at once.

They had grown to all be capable combatants, but she didn't fear death.

"Prepare yourselves, Radiants."

A nod to the both of them, still uncertain if they'd advance on Cerise as well. The girl was with them, but she came as a neutral party.

Nonetheless, the Lightbringer focused on escape rather than attacking them. She would defend herself all the same, though, unless hostilities were to cease. Which wasn't looking probable.
(Serea lux Astor)

Serea lux Astor assumes the Astral Blade stance!

"I think that's fine. Let's get Nebula's opinion on this, yeah?"

Not simply by waiting, not simply by watching, but by taking action. If her word truly meant nothing then let the ones who claimed as such, say that to them. She, who this war apparently started over, she, who was all around someone who had fought with others to try and rescue one of their knights from the mischievous behavings of Asta.

It's sad how this turns out, but Owyn does not retreat into his own self. Rather, he blooms with heat, internalized, conceptualized as a flame. A burning radiance.

"Let's get to it."
(Owyn)

Flees.
(Serea lux Astor)

Yoink.
(Tiernay)

C'mere
(Mars)

come basil C:<
(August lux Astor)

ok august
(Basil)

runs around annoyingly
(Garm)

magma KING
(Sythaeryn)

flame slide
(Owyn)

i'm just a courier i'm not a radiant please
(Cerise)

zoom
(Amara Chance)

Sythaeryn withdrew his blade, cutting through the air while twisting the handle gracefully in his fingers. It seemed the Lionhearts were well matched for the Radiants, and he was on standby here - though he does take to the front of Cerise in case anyone (Owyn) might seek the courier out for capture. She has her opportunity to escape, at least.
(Sythaeryn)

Owyn wouldn't do that. He's got no eyes to capture a friend.
(Owyn)

Basil has engaged August lux Astor in Dangerous combat, with a capture roll of 2

You have gained a 24 hour vitality bonus of +5

You eat your Sandwich. (+15 ENERGY)

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Your body begins heating up painfully!

Your body begins heating up painfully!

Garm has lost 12 vitality from this battle for three hours.

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Your body begins heating up painfully!

August lux Astor has sustained an injury in battle...

August lux Astor has rolled 2 or under: they may be captured!

A clash like no other.

For he remembers seeing August before, where he seemed as if he was an impossible obstacle, a great wall he could never overcome. To see himself this improved.. it would merely mean that he's become far stronger, wouldn't it?

The clash between both flames.

It's a lot of fire, isn't it? A matter in which August could see just how far Basil has truly come.. for while the Rhoynish had seen the Radiant as something akin to something too great in the past - it now seems that the roles were reversed, and he could not stop the Rhoynish in his tracks.

"You shouldn't follow that king."

"You shouldn't follow someone who's so utterly blind to the needs of his kingdom that he's ready to sacrifice everything." The flames were made to severely injure August.. to the point of burning him whole- for as much as he resistedwith the flames of his own..

They singed Basil,
but not enough.

"And where following the authority like this becomes the maim point in life.." The stardust shimmers. Enough to blind August, enough to leave an opening in his defense..

"Where the freedom is taken.."

"There's only darkness."

A blast. The Radiant, perhaps, could endure.. but it becomes far too much- and it essentially knocks him out, leaving him vulnerable. It's an endeavour in which he secures August for himself, but..

He's quick to search what's happening to others.
The fighting was, no doubt, going on.
(Basil)

-- For better or worse, Mars would be Garm's first opponent.

Making a tactical retreat, the Radiant Ookami draws her away from the others before engaging proper with everything he could muster. While his previous tactics involved simply overpowering another, his skills had developed over a short few years of Knighthood.

He and the Felinae both make the earth tremble, flows of molten rock pitted against innumerable scattered bolts of lightning and gale winds. Whether down to the day's fortune or not...

Garm remains undefeated, when it comes to serious combat.

A final, terrible jolt of lightning overwhelms Mars' rocky defense and strikes her low.

"See this!?" He declares triumphantly, nocking another arrow as the wind shifts restless about him. He was the storm, and Mars was at his mercy 'til her allies intervene.

"That was the power of our King. Before I began serving him, I was nothing! Now, even you Lionhearts are no match."

He levels an arrowpoint toward her. He didn't have the time to drag her off, but to go aide his allies...

"...It's not personal, but you're a threat. Farewell, mercenary."

(Garm)
(Posted 5 minutes ago)

"Tch.." he grunted, reaffirming the grips upon his blade, a half lidded gaze fixated upon Basil as he staggered a bit. No response offered to his words of following Alexander. Of course he had his own opinions, though what point would it be to vocalize them?

His entire life's purpose was to remain bound to his oaths.. and while that was an easier goal under Serea, it was still his bond.

'Perhaps I've become too complacent for this blade.'

He spoke with a smirk as those hazel gazes traced Basil's final motions.. and as that flame moved, it was powerful enough to extinguish even his own.

The Internal Radiant.

What a joke.

He fought to stand, though his knees buckled as he moved towards Basil, eventually his body fell limply to the ground.. he was still conscious, though those burns, the exhaustion; it left him unable to even move with all ofthe will he might be able to conjure.

With a slow tilt of his head he set sights upon Basil, that flame in his gaze extinguished.. and in those moments he smiled as consciousness flickered.

'Let us offer one another an honorable death, on the field of battle, Bastiel.

Recollections of the past formed in his mind. Strange, not the scenario he envisioned. Still -- this was life for a man who lived by the blade.

Leonaus had guided his path.
(August lux Astor)

"House Astor, hmn. Quite feeble before the face of a nobody." She could hope that such conviction would guide her senses to the shadow magi, though to no avail would he allow for the searing light to burn through the dark which shields his person.

Every blow seems like a strike aimed into the void, and the shadows which creeped in only seemed to grow that much more apparent, that much more of a threat that'd approach from every which direction.

The claws at conjured from the same dark which creeps tears into his unsuspecting opponent, surging from within the Astor's blindspot to send her skidding into the opposite direction.

Some of the vicious blows had been real, and others had simply dissipated into embers which had returned from which they came. The vicious trade of blows however continued on until a claw drags Serea down into the ground, another, another poised to mortally wound his opponent had she not bothered to defend herself, and seek escape from her assailant.
(Tiernay)


'Call me whenever tears fall.'


Blood. It is quaint at how it spills so freely....Where this weakness is found within the trembling of her legs. When this heart flutters recklessly within her chest...And these winds cause the Felinae to falter time and time again. It is just as sickening as one would have imagined. Where the coalescence of elements angrily combine against one another....And yet.....The words that spill past her lips remain to be just as what one would have imagined..


'When you face your fears, you stand tall.'


"This isn't the end.." Gentle breathes spoken between the twisted anger. Where claws press upon the tile and crimson spills pasther lips- dripping freely upon the marble floor. Anger? No....She's far, far beyond that. For someone making her feel as if she were...Nothing. For someone, making her feel as if she couldn't amount to the King's will. This isn't the end. Where the body protests against the will of the Felinae. When her teeth gnash and the celestial blessing would flourish inward.

"For you. Or your king...I'm not going to forget this...You'll see. You all will." She speaks to this with images fluttering within her mind. When they laughed at her as a child; when they said that she was an insolent rat...And she swore that the world would need her. That it would need change. "I promised.."


'It's time to stop displaying weakness, child.'


 A lasting promise from the light- where the sun peeks through the roof of the castle and contradicts the unconsciousness that overtakes her vision. Even now, while reaching forward...

 She falters. So weak.
 So terrible.
(Mars)

It was all a mess.

No one wanted to listen to her.

And Cerise was grinding her teeth so hard that she thought she heard one of her fangs crack. A decision had to be made here, and she had to make it quick-- because very soon there wouldn't be enough time to make any decisions at all. If this was going to go well, she had to do something...

Just to keep the peace. It had to be to keep the peace. That was all.

Swallowing hard, she darted out from underneath Sythaeryn's wings with fangs and claws out bared, slashing a swipe of fire through the air as she made to keep Basil's final blow from striking true.

"If you listened to me, none of this would have happened!" she shouted. "If you actually wanted to work anything out with Osrona, you wouldn't do this!"

Hunched with her wings splayed out wide behind her, she looked quite feral-- akin to a true dragon of the desert, rather than the courier she was. Herslitted pupils narrowed on Basil.

"I'm keeping you from doing something you'll regret."

It likely wasn't enough to repair relations between any of them, and it wasn't very good for her reputation, but...

She charged forward anyway.
(Cerise)

You have recovered from fighting Lloyd Durages

Perhaps it could end differently.

But as far as he's concerned, Serea has blurted out that the Queen, actually, has no power whatsoever - and after that, simply going back on such word would feel as if they're merely deceiving themselves.. for as much as August was already within the possession of the Rhoynish, it appears it wouldn't be too late until another comes by.

Cerise.

And where she bares her fangs upon him, where she intends to strike the Rhoynish down.. there's a frown, the gathering of stardust proving itself to be all too quick.

"I have no quarrel with you."

"But if you intend to attack me, so be it."

It is a short response, true- but a more ample response is given in the way how he immediately lashes out his flame against hers. She desired violence, to free August.

She would have it.
(Basil)

Basil has engaged Cerise in Restrained combat, with a capture roll of 0

What Garm was attempting to do was much too cold for his old self. Yet, putting an abrupt end to what seemed the lead figure of the mercenaries was the safest option from here; He didn't hold out much hope for a peace after this.

Arrow at the ready, he peers over his shoulder at the muscular youth threatening to take his head the moment he carries out the execution-- his dark eyes briefly hesitate at mention of Cerise' abnormal attempt to get involved, but...

He could come to her aid soon enough, right?

She could probably hold them off for a minute.

"It should. But... I can do that after I deal with you!"

He steps off the ground, redirecting his arrow mid-flight from the defeated Felinae to his new challenger. Whilst not a bloodthirsty man historically, cold calculation dictated one thing.

If things stayed this way, Osrona and the King he served would be in further jeopardy.

(Garm)

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Your body begins heating up painfully!

The interception attempt for the drakanite has, unfortunately, failed.

Whereas her magics have intended to bind him down, the more that he found himself trying to resist it, the more that he found success in doing so- the constant pressure found upon his mind and body would a strenuous activity, intending to shrug off her magics.

A Rhoynish war cry.
A blood-curling shout.

And it seems that through this alone, her magics impaired the Rhoynish less and less.. the explosive force of his own intending to bring her down only becoming something more.

"...Troublesome."

Although, truthfully, she was not his target - never was. Whereas she attempts to take upon the unconscious Radiant, she finds herself repelled- with bruises and a bit of singing, at most, but nothing serious.

"--Times are changing."

"And you ought to change with them as well." But.. he can tell why she's concerned. He's heard of this before, hasn't he?

"Nebula isn't our target. Neither is Alexander, really."

"The moment he relinquishes his stupid ideas during his rule - it would be the moment that our conflict ends with him."

"Now.. leave me."

Mars wasn't responsive.. and in fact, she was nowhere to be found amidst all this mess. He goes off to search for her, dragging the unconscious Radiant along.

There were more pressing matters.
(Basil)

What Garm was attempting to do was much too cold for his old self. Yet, putting an abrupt end to what seemed the lead figure of the mercenaries was the safest option from here; He didn't hold out much hope for a peace after this.

Arrow at the ready, he peers over his shoulder at the muscular youth threatening to take his head the moment he carries out the execution-- his dark eyes briefly hesitate at mention of Cerise' abnormal attempt to get involved, but...

He could come to her aid soon enough, right?

She could probably hold them off for a minute.

"It should. But... I can do that after I deal with you!"

He steps off the ground, redirecting his arrow mid-flight from the defeated Felinae to his new challenger. Whilst not a bloodthirsty man historically, cold calculation dictated one thing.

If things stayed this way, Osrona and the King he served would be in further jeopardy.

(Garm)
(Posted 10 minutes ago)

With the drakanite repelled..

It was time for his search for the Ookami; the only one he hasn't seen across the battlefield yet, simply on the basis of the fact that him and Mars had seemingly gone off to fight. The entire way through, he carries the Radiant along over his shoulder, but..

What he finds is a picture he hoped he would never have to find.

Mars, as a captive; his eyes narrow upon that, and even though it's difficult not to lose himself in the moment such as this, to not commit to something that may be treated as mistake.. there's but a single voice that speaks.

"--Enough."

"Your Radiant is captured." He shows August; living, for his breathing pattern, while no doubt slowed as consequence of injury.. it is there.

"Let her go - and you will receive August in return."

The terms are simple, really, but is there anything else to discuss about this?
(Basil)

Amara had been nothing but a spectator during the battle; she hadn't been fast enough unfortunately to even dip her toes into the fight not to mention it wasn't even her fight to have. But seeing Osrona suffer was something she'd always be around for, in the end.

To see one of their Radiants captured and at the band's mercy brought a smug little grin to her lips, twisting them upwards before she noted Mars was in the same predicament. That smug grin faded from her lips now, a glance being spared to Sythaeryn for a scant few seconds before she turned her gaze back to the issue at hand.
(Amara Chance)

If there was one manner of fighting that Garm consistently ended up falling on the wrong side of, it was one this up-close and personal. The maelstrom of destruction he wrought no doubt wore upon his assailant terribly yet...

They just kept coming at him.

His earthen eyes were sharp, barely following the abrupt and difficult to perceive footsteps of a pugilist. Blazing fist struck hard upon his cuirass from unpredictable angles, fists striking close enough to his face to cut and sear in one.

Through grit teeth, the determined Radiant's eyes blazed with his will not to let this go the way of the Lionhearts. However gruelling, the battle of attrition comes to an end when what would've likely spelled the Ookami's defeat is thrown back.

By that unfair, terribly strong gust of wind and a broad sweep of his arm.

"Ghh." He complained, turning away toward the defeated Mars dutifully. If they were an enemy ofthe Crown, then their lives were forfeit...

Or maybe not.

A voice off to the side-- Basil?

His gaze is drawn as he nocks a new arrow, eyeing the defeated August. No doubt, Cerise had been fended off without much trouble...

"Now you want to talk? August..." A breath. Reluctance. The man had gone around his back and rescinded an order recently. It wasn't quite enough to just let him die though, through cold calculation of a life's value.

It also seemed Serea had escaped.

"...Alright." He regretted it the moment he spoke the word. Damn, was being loyal to one's comrades difficult sometimes.

"You have your Smoothtail. Let us leave, and we'll continue this another way."

(Garm)

The dust had settled. In the aftermath of the chaotic battle, both the First Light and Alabstre had a captive-- Two especially important, influential figures, with Mars practically holding this entire village together as the intelligence of the operation. Sythaeryn, unlike the rest, was not battle weary or incapacitated.

He eyed both Garm and Basil. His serpentine eyes were alight and flickering a bright pink.

Sythaeryn began to walk in a leisurely pace, making a circle around the group with his claws settled against the handle of his weapon. "Quite the predicament," he half whispered, "What to do, what to do..."

...His gaze set on Garm in particular, cutting directly to the ookami. That look of his promised nothing good.
(Sythaeryn)

Amara Chance whispers something.


Unconsciousness never truly lasts long. The shuffling of bodies, the cracking of trees, and the rattling of flora are the things that wake her. Weakened and shaken...Her anger remains to be seen within the way she grits her teeth- hands clenching into tight fists. This....Creature. Such moments are found within the way she seemingly holds her breath. This...Dog. Malice remains upon her half-lidded gaze. Where anger forces her vision to tunnel and the promise of unconsciousness sways her thoughts..

...Life. So strange. Intention, all the more sickening. The promise of war remains upon the silence of the Felinae. Where she bets on her life that she would not only meet those like August and Serea on the battlefield, but also Garm.

She couldn't wait...

"...Fuck."
(Mars)

Unconsciousness never truly lasts long. The shuffling of bodies, the cracking of trees, and the rattling of flora are the things that wake her. Weakened and shaken...Her anger remains to be seen within the way she grits her teeth- hands clenching into tight fists. This....Creature. Such moments are found within the way she seemingly holds her breath. This...Dog. Malice remains upon her half-lidded gaze. Where anger forces her vision to tunnel and the promise of unconsciousness sways her thoughts..

...Life. So strange. Intention, all the more sickening. The promise of war remains upon the silence of the Felinae. Where she bets on her life that she would not only meet those like August and Serea on the battlefield, but also Garm.

She couldn't wait...

"...Fuck."
(Mars)

There are things more valuable to him than to see Osrona recoil from their ways..

For as much as he knew that establishment they have is harmful to him, he knew they could fight another day; but the same can be said about any knight that lives on as well. Even now, the Infernal Radiant he carries.. he knows that this one has been in combat - the wars, the battles to be fought.

And he'll no doubt meet him again, by this exchange.

Yet.. for all intents and purposes, he would rather have what he views as his own back - instead of eviscerating yet another enemy.

"--The talk before was not possible because of what Serea said, because of the message that Alexander passed onto us."

"The courier- the drakanite. She should know."

There's no point to drag out this debate; he's more than certain that neither side would be really willing to listen to another, nonetheless, but..

"Very well."

"August for Mars, and you get to leave in peace."

He approaches, wary that the Ookami may back off from his word, or otherwise attack, but..

For all intents and purposes, he intends to carry through with exchange - to grasp onto Mars the moment that August is allowed to be grasped by Garm.

And let them leave, lest it takes an unexpected turn by their initiative.
(Basil)

August lux Astor whispers something.

Sythaeryn whispers something.

Sythaeryn whispers something.

Sythaeryn whispers something.

In, out, in, out.

He tries to grasp as much air as he possibly can into the lungs that have nearly been collapsed at the pressure of wind that whipped him back and away from Garm.

Close. So close.

So much so that he could taste victory on the tip of his tongue and had even grown to be just slightly loud in his hubris. A miniscule thing, how much pride seems to filter through. The battle is a good one, that is for sure.

He and Garm?

Wind against fire?

It is a sight to watch. But this is more than that. This is for the sake of his leader, and yet he falls short. dangerously so. Owyn coughs as the shockwave leaves him bereft of breath.

His eyes seek out Cerise, who had also found failure in their attempts to try and save someone they care about. Or, was that simply duty, to them?

His flames burn as anger overtakes him and the tile scorches black beneath his fervor. "Dammit. I failed."
(Owyn)

An agreement.

Or, so it would seem... If Sythaeryn wasn't circling like that. Just maybe, Garm's willingness to set a whole lot of people against him was about to bite him back hard for a change. He was worn down by two difficult fights, and needed to drag the other Radiant out of here...

Paralysed in thought briefly, he tries--

Something quite unlikely to work.

"He's one of yours, now? I can only assume so."

The man's arrow remains trained upon Mars. Doubtless, he'd be able to end her if he wished yet. His gaze shifts from Basil to Sythaeryn.

"...A pardon. If you stay out of the way, I'll promise you that. On my word as a Knight."

For what that was worth to a man abandoned by his nation.

"No more bounty. Tempted?"

(Garm)

"No, I'm not 'one of theirs'," Sythaeryn answered through his fangs, the smile lingering still.

"And why would I want the bounty to be erased? I want it to be larger. I welcome the infamy." The ambitious drakanite said as a matter of fact, before his clawed hand gestured for the door, "...Go on, I won't chase after a wounded dog. There's not much fun in it..."

"Besides, I owe someone a favor. Just this once."
(Sythaeryn)

A frown.

To see that Garm was so willing to take another approach would be something that puts him on alert- for as much as the arrow is trained onto Mars, preparing to end her..

The flicker of stardust, of condensed explosive that could go off anytime at August's head - it is prepared too.

"--No. He is a guest."

"His business is his own as well."

A pause. The wariness remains, but..

"..Let her go, have your Radiant, and go."
(Basil)

Well, this was certainly far more intense than one could imagine, and yet? It seems that he still couldn't find himself satisfied with the events which took place.

The pace had gone from a rushing stride forward into one that'd warranted not but a stagnant halt. One, that warrants the magi sucks his teeth as he steps to join those at his side once more.

"Well, war. Though I'd have adored the announcement more with a victorious roar."

For now though, they'd lick their wounds and come out stronger. Could Osrona say the same, when there'd been so many eyes staring them down? The mere thought has him laugh a bit beneath his breath.

"Farewell, see you soon." He murmurs, while waving towards the departing opposition.
(Tiernay)

It was a tad optimistic back then, to offer redemption in the first place. His earthen eyes linger sharp upon Sythaeryn a short moment, before he turns away once again. Garm would just have to take him at his word, and be as ready as he could be.

"...Very well." He concedes just that, tense yet but lowering the arrowpoint from Mars-- carefully watching Basil and the Drakanite exile, as he heads over to drag away August without much giving the man any dignity in being dragged by the scruff of his neck.

"-- Reconsider. Or the might of the Order will make you unable to."

A parting word, as he heads out of the door.

Hopefully uncontested.

(Garm)

There's too much at stake here.

The moment that Mars is released from captivity, so is August- essentially, Garm is allowed to collect August, all the while Basil is quick to grasp onto Mars. The tense situation was clearly evident, and the consequences of such would most definitely let themselves be known soon enough, but..

Whatever business Garm had with Sythaeryn? He only observes.

For now, the fighting is over. They're able to leave without a contest - for Basil makes no effort to chase after them anymore.
(Basil)