Raiding Ardent

The Archon led his troops through defences of the Ardent; likely, on their warpath, several guards have been killed, which is why there was security breach and Ardent was notified of the raid only now- all things considered, it was a rather sizeable force to behold.

And there he was, his presence made apparent to all those nearby; the flow of Chaos was seeping from Zaruma's visage, inspiring either terror or awe in those that have witnessed his form- depending on their alignment, it could be either of that.

Although, he notes the likes of Amyas in the crowd. The Archon's crimson optics befall the young Occultic, but... he speaks nothing. The words of a man in white cloak are ignored entirely, and instead, Zaruma turns his gaze to the forces behind himself.

"People of Aetherius and Crafthold."

"Today, we're here to make our intention to Ardent clear. For too long, they have hosted vile creatures that seek our destruction for too long."

"Lies is their weapon. Hypocrisy is their shield."

"Strike firmly, and do not hesitate."
(Zaruma)

Awa found an interesting guy, certainly, with a weird guy that he didn't meet yet... He decided to fight Zaruma. It is an honor, though, it is easy to notice his excitement by his features.

He pulls his Katana, pointing to the Archon right in his front, the confident look on his face is solid, it doesn't seem it is going to get out of his face.

He gets ready to say important words before the fight, closing his eyes and clearing his throat, he gets ready for the fight.

"Don't spare demons... Demons are monsters who will corrupt the innocent and prey upon the weak.

Do not be tricked into granting a demon mercy."

With these words said, his wolves get ready for the fight, his energy aura gets MORE intense, and his fighting stance gets obvious- the Ifrit style. "Good luck, friend. I hope we win. The chaos will never win."

He keeps his eyes closed, assuming an offensive posture.
(Awá)

No words needed to be said. Once the signal was given for the attacking forces to charge, Rha'kharo would close his eyes, taking his careful time to meditate. His mind wasn't clear. Ever since she had left, ever since she had dropped that note. It was all a mess, and the usually warmongering man wasn't even enthusiastic about this battle at all.

<font color>Lend me your strength Alnitak. I need it more than ever.

He said, a silent plea sent to the heavens. A second passed and there was no response, and then suddenly his body would be surrounded in a burst of cosmic energy. Calling from a foreign source. Fully empowered with vigorous intensity. He tugged onto his hoodie, calling onto his spirit friends to come to his aid as he rushed down, attacking the weaker ones.

Though he saw Awa in the distance, fighting off some non magi and weaker magi. He descended down, aiding the ookami with bursts of energymagic, shooting out bullets to put them down. Until of course the numbers dwindled and right before them was none other than

Zaruma

"...."

No words were said as he raised a hand, tugging down his staff which floated above him, getting a grip on it. Pointed towards the archon now.
(Rha'kharo)

The fight started, Awa was not aware of how the Lord would fight, but it would be an interesting fight in his opinion.

The first round was pretty quickly, Awa was not aware of how he should fight, his mind was serene, though. Awa would not wait for an advance- fool. Zaruma advanced on him, RAVAGED him, he went to the ground in few seconds.

On the floor, he only watched Rha'kharo fighting, that was shameful. The fight was close! Rha almost knocked him down, but Zaruma was faster.

"Do not allow yokai to grow. Kill any that you can."

With that said, he got up again. Ready for the next round. Zaruma ran after him again, but that was pretty foolish- Awa was not faster than him, but wiser at that moment! He blocked well all his foolish attempts to rip off his head, causing a quick victory against Zaruma.

However, the fight was not over yet. He got up, apparently confident. Awa would laugh if that were before, but he is another man. A fight like that need to be taken seriously! The course of the fight was different now, he ran after Rha... And knocked him down easily.

However, in the name of their honor, Awa closed his eyes. "They are flawed by design."

He RAN after Zaruma, not enraged, though... Few attacks after, Zaruma was almost losing... Awa ran to him and grabbed by his neck. "Avoid starting wars." With quick movement caused by his wild nature, he wrote "Kraus" on Zaruma's chest, shyly smiling while Zaruma got ready to run.
(Awá)

This motherfucker was fast. Fast as shit. He was trying his best to keep up with the man's speed but to no avail. Missing a lot of his shots. He clearly was a league above their own abilities. But if there was one thing Rha'kharo had learnt, it was to remain focused. And never to give up. Even if his heart screamed to fly the other way, go into the enemy hordes and swoop her in his arms and just, flee from all of this. He would reject his own wants as he concentrated on fighting the archon. A man on the job.
The first few moments of the battle was clutch. And the archon heavily cut through Awa while heading for Rha. He conjured a water whip and then shot it out, in a wild manner just before the archon struck, managing to strike him on the knee and cripple his movements temporarily before being knocked aside.

Rather than landing a direct hit, focus on the environment. Use it to your advantage.

Said a deep voice in hishead. Heeding to it without question, he rose up, shaking it off. He could not lose here. Not now, not while he had many promises to upkeep. Letting out a bellowing roar as loud as his lungs and voice box could carry. He surged with a large amount of cosmic energy, compressing the gravity around to make moving around very unbearable for the archon. And then following up with a blast of energy to strike at the demon.

Unfortunately that forced outburst had left him severly exhausted, and open for a strike, and thus Zaruma being an experienced fighter capitalized on it, knocking him aside. Luckily Awa capitalized on the distraction, grabbing the archon and using his claws to forcefully inscribe something on his chest.

"F-fuck.."
(Rha'kharo)

The fight was ferocious, one that Zaruma might've not survived; the slashes of Ookami's blade spilled his violet blood, all while the magics of Cosmic magi caused him to struggle in orienting himself properly in a fight. But no- he could not die just yet; despite the overwhelming odds, Zaruma fought like a cornered best-

Much like the beast of Occult that people paint him to be.

With the fight drawing close to the end, Zaruma could not feel but his life energy sapping away- all of the life energy stolen from countless magi that he has killed, at last, sipping out of him in the purple blood that tainted the ground.

His jaw was drooping, and each pant of the air escaped with harder labour than before. The wounds inflicted upon him were too much, and eventually, he found himself dazzed unable to resist.

'How is this... possible- me, a Lord of Aetherius... a Lord of Agartha to be... feeling this sick--'

The life essence that was leaving his body was apparent- and unluckily for the Archon, Awa seized this moment, if only to grab him by the throat.

'You--'

Before he knew it, a stab against his chest, intending to carve upon Zaruma's chest; it enraged the Archon beyond the limits, possibly what caused the Tempest to escape.

"YOU--"

"YOU DARE DEFILE MY BODY WITH YOUR PATHETIC SWORD?!"

The light of crimson sparked in his eyes, his rage focused down on a single point- that is, Ookami stood before him. With such anger, such desire to avenge the shameful act they've inflicted upon him, there was a sudden wave of pure, Chaos Arcane - intended to push him back, and yank the sword out of Zaruma's body.

"Hgnhh."

He grasped at his wound, the lit crimson eyes staring at the duo. His teeth gritting, his violet locks messy, and if looks could kill... they would certainly be dead.

"This is not-- the end... Ardent will burn."

"And you... with it."

The Tempest, on that note, disappeared. Becoming one with the wind, he flew away from the battlefield. There were no plans of dying today.
(Zaruma)

Wounded, covered in purple and crimson blood alike, and with a large carving upon his chest, the Archon made his way back to the forces of Aetherius; clearly, the Lord was in a lot of pain, the crimson hues burning bright in rage that was boiling in his heart.

But seeing Ardent forces pushed back, thrashed by his own army- seeing how many were killed on Ardent's side, how plundering was being a success- it brought a wry smirk on Zaruma's face.

Clutching his chest tightly, there was blood seeping from Zaruma's mouth; a result of internal haemorrhage, no doubt.

"Yes-- Lucan. You..."

"Order our forces to burn everything they can and take all that they muster to grab... we're-- leaving."

The rage was replaced by pain, letting the Archon reflect on his own failure. If anything, this was a shameful act - while his army was victorious and crushed the Ardent defences without any shred of doubt, his own battle was lost, leaving him severely wounded.

"Lucan--"

"You will lead our forces back to Crafthold. I- trust in your ability. I need... to rest."

With a pause, he exclaimed.

"Soon we will return--"

"And burn this place to the ground."
(Zaruma)