Shout Outs...
Maxmagnus20019: The battle talk was something I made up on the spot. –Shrugs-- But hey, if it works, right?
Dragon Chyld: He's in a middle of a garrison of enemy soldiers. Kinda hard not to notice the danger, ain't it?
xlizx: You really need to get the game. But glad you can keep up.
For the most part we didn't stand toe-to-toe with the soldiers. We were, after all, heavily outnumbered, and taking everyone on at the same damn time just wasn't a good idea. We were still a little worn out from our overnight journey and the fact we still had more to do didn't help.
Taking them on three or four at a time? That we could do. Of course we had to hide in odd places to avoid the larger patrols.
James turned to look up at Nel, who looked back for a moment before they both looked down as they both held on to the rafters in the ceiling. Beneath them were at least a dozen guards who couldn't, for the life of them, figure out which way the intruders went. Eventually the bulk of the group left, leaving two soldiers to stand guard at the intersection of hallways.
"Man, what a job." The first guard said.
"No kiddin'. We gotta stay here while they go get the reward. It ain't fair." The second said, shaking his head.
"Ah, quit yer whining! Just do as your told."
"Whatever..."
James and Nel looked at each other before James lifted a finger to his lips.
Wondering what her companion was about to do she stayed silent as James quietly unsheathed his sword and lowered it before tapping the helm of the first guard, bringing his sword back up almost instantly.
"Hey!" The first guard said, turning to the second. "What'd you do that for?"
"Do what?" The second replied shaking his head. "I didn't do nothin'." The first relaxed and both turned forwards as the sword lowered again, tapping the same helm with a bit more force, pulling away before it could be seen.
"You did it again!" The first cried out.
"I didn't do nothin', I swear! Sheesh!" The second said as the first growled. Both turned to face forwards again as the sword lowed, hitting the second man's helm. "By the... I said I didn't do nothin', what'd'ya you do that for?"
"Me? You're the one..."
"I said I ain't done..."
"Oh really now?"
Soon after James clamped a hand over his mouth to hold back his laughter as both heavily armoured men dropped their weapons and wrestled each other to the ground, nosily rolling around and beating on the other man's plate mail.
Both Nel and James dropped to the floor and darted down the hall, trying to contain the occasional snicker.
"No one's here. I wonder if we're too late?" Cliff said idly as he and Fayt walked in the Fort's front door.
"Don't say that." His companion said sternly. Almost as if his voice was a trigger three armoured men with broad swords came barrelling around the corners. "Oh, a real fight huh?" Fayt quipped as he drew his blade as the card carrying Quark member brought his fist to bear.
"Let's take 'em on!" Fayt held his ground as Cliff met the first soldier in mid-charge, slapping his blade way with his open palm on the flat of the sword, his other hand balled into a fist and smashing into the knights face, caving in helm and skull alike.
Fayt parried the first attack before spinning on his heel, swinging his blade into the knight's helm, digging in past metal and into flesh, his opponent slumping to the ground.
The final one swung widely at Cliff who simply ducked under the blade, reared back his fist and slammed it into his foe's gut, his Klausian strength so great it forced his opponent into the air, slamming into the ceiling, before falling to the floor.
Fayt sighed slightly as he looked over the three fallen knights.
"What a bunch of pushovers." Cliff declared. "It'll be smooth sailing if they're all that easy."
"Still, keep alert." Fayt added.
"I know! Who do you think I am anyway?"
"Times like this, it just ain't worth getting outta bed!" James shouted out as he ran next to Nel, the noisy footsteps of almost a dozen guards behind them.
"You didn't have to come you know!" His companion shot back as they turned a corner.
"Yeah well, then it still wouldn't be worth getting outta bed anyway since I'd be feeling all guilt-like." Once again they turned a corner, running down a corridor only to come to a stop at the end. "Umm... where's the door?"
"It's a dead end. There isn't one." Nel added as the guards filled the other end of the passage. Both turned around weapons drawn.
"And she sounds so bloody cheerful about it too..." James said as he took a couple steps forward, nodding to himself. "I'm gonna take 'em all out in one shot..."
"What?" Nel shouted out as air began to swirl around her ally's blade.
Truth of the matter was, I had only a bit of a clue as to what I was doing. I knew I needed a more balanced move than Tornado, but I also needed something with the force to get me out of a jam. Thankfully I had a move in mind.
It's just this was the first time I would use it.
James charged forward as air swirled about his blade even faster. Half way to the guards he swung his blade in a wide arc, twisting his body as he did so.
"Cyclone!" As he said that the winds picked up even faster, speeding up and pulling blade and user into a spin.
Nel's eyes widened as the foreign swordsman spun like a top, blade held out. The guards watched on confused until James reached the first one, his blade digging into his armour like a saw blade.
As the first fell the next began to devise a counter only to be slain as the spinning warrior cut into him. Bouncing off the wall he cut into the next two, then a third and fourth. Ricocheting off the wall again James killed another two guards, before the remainder finally turned tail and fled. Nel smiled a bit as she walked forwards as James' spin ended. She then frowned as he stumbled about before falling onto his rear. "Okay... I think I need ta work on that..."
"Yes... One would think." Nel added dryly as she began to sprint, James clambering to his feet. "Come on!"
"Yeah, yeah..." James said, stumbling the first few steps before he was able to run straight forwards again.
The good news, Cyclone worked. The bad news, the room started to spin after I stopped spinning.
Maybe I should come up with a new attack...
"Where is the other Crimson Blade spy and that man?" Shelby said, sitting lazily on a throne. He lifted his mace and slammed it into the floor. "Capture her, you bumbling fools and kill that man!"
A bowing knight grimaced as Shelby The Heavy Handed let go of his mace, the weapon falling to the floor. "We're sorry my lord. We had them cornered but they put up quite a fight..."
"I ordered you to at least apprehend them both, not admire them both!"
"Yes, m'Lord!" The knight exclaimed clambering to his feet and leaving.
Soon after his departure another knight approached. "Sir Shelby!"
"What is it?" He asked. "You've got the Crimson Blade spy?"
"No sir..." the knight said, kneeling in front of Shelby, a scroll in his hand. "A report-- and a missive from Duke Vox."
"From the Captain of the Dragon Brigade? Hmph. Give me your report, first."
"Our sentries have spotted two suspicious men within the compound. Based on our intelligence, they might be the two escapees..."
"Hmmm... So they've come to the rescue, too? This is unexpected. I thought sending only one Crimson Blade was a bit light. The compassion of these followers of Apris is really playing into our hands. Find and capture them all. Do not fail me."
"Yes, m'Lord, and here... the missive." Shelby took the scroll and opened it reading it for a few moments before tossing it behind his with a laugh. "What is it, Sir Shelby?"
The large man laughed a bit longer before replying. "This is rich! It seems Albel will not be back for some time."
"Our Captain? But why?"
"Seems the Captain of the Dragon Brigade has little love for our Captain... Albel is being detained for a while, based upon his recent... failures. We're supposed to take care of things in the mean time."
"I see. By capturing the two escapees before Sir Albel returns, m'Lord will get all the credit. With such accolades, you might even be promoted to Captain yourself!"
"Exactly. Our prey is now within our grasp. We must act quickly-- before he returns. Don't kill the escapees. They must be taken alive."
"Sir!"
Of course we ended up running around a hell of a lot more. Although I'm proud to announce that the Kirlsa Training Facility will be hiring lots of new staff, since the current staff was retiring unexpectedly...
James hacked through the armour of one knight, spinning around in time to stab a second who tried to charge him. Nearby Nel threw a firebolt at a pair of pike-wielding knights, cooking both within their armoured shells.
Positions opening daily.
Eventually though we got cornered into a room by six mean looking knights. This wasn't beyond what we can handle, but I must admit by this point fatigue was an issue...
"I'm sorry..." Nel blurted out as they eyed the knights.
"What for?" James replied, eying their opponents as well.
"For getting you involved in this..."
"Hey, I choose to come along, remember? Besides, don't give up yet..." James began as two other figures emerged from behind the knights. "Cause it looks like the cavalry's arrived. Late, as usual."
"Fayt! Cliff! What are you doing here?" The lone female in the room shouted out as a few of the knights turned to face their new opponents.
"That can wait until later!" Cliff called out.
"We're here to help!" Fayt added.
Taking advantage of the distraction James charged ahead, one knight returning the charge to meet him half way as four edged towards Fayt and Cliff, the last knight holding his ground. James leapt over the first one, pushing off him with his feet and coincidently into Nel's twin blades as he rose higher into the air, only to come down and dropkick the one whom held his ground. He fell back into two of the other knights, causing them to stumble to the ground. The other two turned in an attempt to figure out what happened.
One met Nel's twin blade with his shoulders.
The second met Fayt's blade with his back.
The remainder had no chance as Nel and Cliff struck them down before they could get up.
Nel was the first to speak, glaring at Cliff and Fayt. "Why did you come? If you'd gone to Aquios you would have been free!"
"We know-- Clair told us." Fayt replied.
"So, why then?" Nel demanded. James shook his head.
"Don't sound so surprised Nel, sheesh! I just wondered what took so long. Wrong turn?"
"Very funny, Kid." Cliff said shaking his head.
"Nel, weren't YOU charged with bringing us to Aquios?" Fayt began turning to Nel. "How could you neglect your duty?"
"I..." Nel began softy. Nothing else left her mouth, so Cliff spoke up.
"Yeah, what he said. Besides, I didn't appreciate the fact you BOTH left without saying goodbye."
"Cliff..."
"Meh, I knew you'd be by sooner or later." James said, stretching out.
"Oh?" Cliff began turning to James. "How you figure that?"
James grinned, crossing his arms. "Call it... a hunch."
"Oh, now don't go saying that Kid. That's my line!"
"We'll give you two a piece of our minds later." Fayt said, looking at both James and Nel. "Let's rescue Tynave and Farleen first."
"With all four of us, we won't even break a sweat!" Cliff added.
"All for one and one for all!" James said, tapping his nose slightly a smile on his face. A moment later Nel smiled back.
"Thanks guys."
And then it was official. The four of us went into the elevator and took it up to the roof. Awaiting us there was one of the toughest battles yet.
But with these guys by my side there was no way we were gonna lose. And as for Shelby I've got one order of Whoop-Ass, Extra Large with a side order of onion rings just for him. Hope someone brought the plates...
He was about to get served.
Next chapter: Shelby The Heavy Handed against on of the group's members. And, of course, the return of The Wicked One.
C&C Please!