I just recently learned the Japanese names are written backward for some reason. So Airi's name would be: 'Hakushi Airi'. Woooah...Yeah, I'm gonna start using her surname more, and not just her 'given name'.

But ye! Off you go. I'll be waiting at the end.


Encounter Number 7: Enemy Raider

Emora swiftly jumped off of her horse. She looked at her map and saw that she was where she needed to be. She looked around, her team tying their horses down in trees not too far away from the town they were about to enter.

"Are you sure this is the place we're supposed to be at?" Airi asked as she walked up to the Warden.

"Hm. I think so. We followed the right paths...And the Iron Legion outpost we went through a few miles back told us we were on track." Emora responded.

The Shinobi and Highlander stood in front of the two Heroes, waiting patiently.

"I guess this is it. What's our mission again?" Emora asked.

The Shinobi was busy tying her mask over her face. She struggled to tuck her long black hair into her mask. Airi was fidgeting with her horse's saddle, trying to unhitch one of her smoke bombs.

"Our mission is to kill a messenger that is somewhere in this town. His name is Gunnvor. He wears a solid steel helmet that he stole from Ashfeld, fitted to look like the helmet of a Viking. He wears brown bear animal pelts, he wears striped black pants, and he has green eyes." The Highlander responded after realizing that no one else was going to.

Emora raised her eyebrows, she was impressed. "Oh...Okay then. How do you know how he looks?"

The Highlander chuckled. "It's written on the back, connected to the corresponding number."

Emora flipped the map over. "Oh." She turned it back over, blushing in embarrassment beneath her helmet.

"We have to kill him before he delivers a message to an army that is out posted down south, near Ashfeld. The message contains information about routes that lead to the Azure Legion that we haven't covered up yet. We have to follow our colored line." The Highlander explained.

The Warden nodded in understanding as she traced her finger along the red colored line.

"We're red?" Emora asked.

"Correct." The Highlander nodded.

"Ah...I see. The army...You said it was down south. There's a blue and green line down there, are those other teams?"

"Indeed. The different colored lines are the routes that all the different teams will take. The reason there's a blue and green one there is because their mission is to take out the army when they're off guard after not receiving a solid attack plan from Gunnvor."

The Highlander walked next to Emora and looked over her shoulder. He was much taller than the Warden, who was already fairly tall.

"Four Heroes aren't enough to eliminate an entire army. So the green and blue teams are combining temporarily to get the job done, as indicated by the lines on the map. I believe that your friends Elea and Cyrus are the leaders of those two teams." The Highlander added.

Emora hummed. "I'm not sure. I didn't hear any of this! When did Cinder or Cindra explain this?" The Warden asked, lifting her visor up in frustration.

"They both explained it thoroughly in the ten minutes that you and Hakushi were absent from the meeting in the courtyard. You two were late...Remember? You missed the explanation." The Highlander smirked, his eyes darted around, observing Emora's face.

"U-Ugh...Yeah...I remember." Emora once again reddened. She laughed nervously, trying not to look bad in front of the Highlander.

"After this step, we follow our line—the red one...Up the map, and complete our objectives as we move. At the top of the map, the large fortress: The Warborn call it the Kingdom of Magna. Our final objective, where all the colored lines meet up, is to kill Einer Magna." The Highlander finished.

Emora noticed that all the colored lines met up at one fortress at the top of the map. According to the Highlander, their final objective was to infiltrate, weaken, and destroy the Kingdom of Magna. As well as assassinate Einer Magna, the leader of the Warborn.

"The plan is to make the Vikings believe that the Elio Legion did it. I'm starting to notice how much a genius Cinderus truly is..." Emora mumbled.

"Indeed he is. He's been the General of Fort Diamond for over 20 years." The Highlander agreed.

"T-Twenty years?! He was General since I was still a child! Just how old is Cinderus?!" The Warden asked, shaken by the fact.

The Highlander paused. "Uh...Fifty. He's a whole twenty-nine years older than you. I'm not sure when he took up the job...But Fort Diamond has changed a lot because of him and his children."

Cinder and Cindra came into Emora's thoughts, drowning her in emotions.

"God...I miss everyone already...And it's barely been a few hours..." Emora mumbled.

The Highlander smiled. "I miss my loved ones too. Longing something is common on these types of missions. We might not come back, and there's no way of knowing the outcome for sure. We just have to live it all out and see what happens at the end of the road. Everything is written in fate."

Emora's eyes were wide, her lips slightly wide in astonishment.

"Wow...You're good with words...Aren't you?" The Warden found herself blushing.

"Hm. I'm not like the Viking stereotype that the Knights and Samurai commonly believe us to be under. I hail from Scotland. Hence the uh...Accent." The Highlander chuckled and cleared his throat.

Emora giggled. "I love your accent! It makes your words really smooth, and it fits your deep voice perfectly! I find it super cute."

Airi's eyes widened, and her heart skipped a beat. She narrowed her eyes, her eyebrows furrowed as she angled them closer together in suspicion. She slowly turned around, saying nothing, but listening to Emora and the Highlander.

"Heh. Why thank you. You yourself are also quite...Cute?" The Highlander tried the word he had never really said himself out loud.

The Warden laughed at the expression and unsureness of how the Highlander used the word. The Highlander too began to laugh at himself, along with Emora.

Airi's eyes sparked with anger.

"Just what is that guy up to...He's talking to Emora like it's nothing! She shouldn't be so lenient with strangers." Airi thought, her entire body temperature rising with her building jealousy.

"Oh...I like you. What's your name, oh mighty Highlander?" Emora giggled playfully.

The Highlander chuckled a few more times, passing his hand through his bright blonde hair. His dark blue eyes shined like purified, refined, and pure gemstone sapphires.

"My name is Alban. It is a pleasure to be working alongside you, Lord Ryon. It's also good to know you have a more casual side." The Highlander smiled.

Emora didn't respond for a few seconds.

"His genuine smile...His gem-stone colored eyes...His cute accent and powerful voice...His well-chiseled face that perfectly shows off his strong facial expressions. Holy shit...I'm mesmerized!"

The Warden blinked back into reality with a short yelp.

"Yeah! I've always been really laid-back and casual. It's a big change trying to act high-rank and prestigious. I like being like this with friends and allies, not acting like I'm superior to them because of some promotion title." Emora said with a smile.

"Ah, I respect that. You're quite humble for being a member of the Conference Board." Alban said politely.

Emora rubbed the back of her neck and smirked. "Well, Cinder and Cindra can be relaxed too, but...They're completely different people when they're working. I don't know how they do it...Do you have any idea of hard I had to try to look all supreme? "

Alban laughed heartily, he grabbed Emora's shoulder, taking her by surprise.

"I'll tell you one thing. You looked very stiff and uptight while watching the matches to construct the teams. Your voice was also very different. Deep and...Thundery. Now it's soft and delightful." The Highlander grinned.

Airi gasped. She slapped her hand over her mouth and turned back to face her horse, her eyes were bloated with incoming tears.

"He's flirting with her..."

Emora felt her cheeks flare with warmth. "W-Well...Thank you for letting me know how stupid I looked! I appreciate it..." She groaned.

Alban took his hand off of her shoulder, leaving Emora feeling a bit insecure. She exhaled sharply, trying to stay normal-looking.

"Well...I guess it's my pleasure! Not to say you looked stupid at all, Lord Ryon." Alban smiled and bowed lightly.

Emora shook her head and laughed. "Please Alban, there's no need for any of that with me. Oh, and you can just call me Emora."

Airi grit her teeth. "Giving out your first name so soon?! You barely met him...!" The Nobushi shifted impatiently, fake-looking at her map.

"Okay, Emora. We should start getting prepared shouldn't we?" The Highlander got serious.

Emora got stern as well. She put her head down at a level angle, her lips closed and straightened out, and her cheekbones relaxed to carve her face into an intimidating, but calmed look of authority.

"Yes, we should. Everyone ready up! We'll start making our way to the checkpoint in a few minutes."

As the Warden and Alban inspected their weapons and double checked their horses, Airi was steaming near a tree.

"Her name...Coming out of his mouth...Being said out loud by his voice..." The Nobushi shivered.

Her fingers anxiously tapped against her staff, her muscles tensed, and her heart beat became slightly faster with her incoming feelings of intimidation.

"That Highlander...Alban. He's too comfortable around Emora and I hate it. I won't let him try anything...No way!"

Airi stuck her staff into the ground, making everyone turn to her.

"Is everyone ready?" She yelled out, taking everyone by surprise.

Emora's face turned to one of shock and worry.

"Y-Yeah we are...Just about. Why?"

Airi's eyes twinkled with a spark of white glare as she narrowed her eyebrows.

"Because we have a job to do."

The Shinobi, Alban, and Emora all stayed silent until Emora stepped forward.

"Yes, of course, Airi. Sorry to keep you waiting—"

"Yes! You'd better be!" Airi snapped, cutting Emora off.

The Warden's pupils grew large with the sudden drop her heart took down to her stomach. She blinked a few times, her lips parted to show her concern and surprise as to why Airi was acting so strangely towards her.

"O-Okay then, I'm sorry..."

Airi turned around, not responding to the Warden, but instead the entire group.

"Now let's move!"

The other three Heroes followed close behind the angsty Nobushi towards their destination, and target.


At the Viking's Village...

The four Heroes were walking up to the front of the town, right through the entrance. They were wearing black and orange colored armor and robes, giving them the appearance of Elio Legion Heroes.

"Who goes there?" A Viking Guard yelled.

Hakushi looked up, her three allies behind her. She frowned beneath her mask.

"We just came back from the other village down south, near Ashfeld. The Azure Legion is setting up defenses against the army down there. We're here to rest up, and to tell Gunnvor to hurry it up with his message." The Nobushi said firmly.

The Guard nodded once as his other guards stepped aside.

"We welcome the Elio's in with open arms. The Warborn appreciates what the Heroes have done to grow our wealth. We thank you!" The Viking cheered.

"Of course," Airi responded. She walked through the guards and began to make her way to a backstreet.

The Nobushi stopped and turned to her team.

"Okay. We're in. Now we just have to try and find Gunnvor, and kill him before he can get on the move to Ashfeld." Airi said firmly.

Emora nodded her head. She pushed her visor up and took a deep breath, turning to Alban.

"Alright. Let's get moving."

The four heroes spread out, looking for a Raider that fit the description on the back of their maps. Steel helmet that mimics the look of a Viking King, only brown bear pelts, green eyes, and black, striped pants.

Emora walked through the muddy streets of the Viking village, watching how the people were going about their day normally. Occasionally she passed by a few drunks, and sometimes a few who were fist-fighting. She saw houses that were in both good and bad shape and a ton of supplies that were likely stolen.

She came along the docks and finally spotted her target.

"Shit. There he is." She whispered as she stopped in her tracks.

The description was spot-on. He wore only brown fur and his pants were jet-black with golden stripes. His boots were dark brown and his shoulder pads spiked with steel bumps.

He wore a steel helmet that looked like it belonged to a Knight. He had torn off the mouthpiece and left it exposed. The eye holes were gouged out and made bigger. Large bullhorns were added, golden rings hung off of them.

He was talking to a group of men, who were pointing at a boat. A boat he would likely take to avoid Azure Legion patrols that were looking for him.

He turned around, his large silver Dane axe planted on his back. The axe-head was huge, sharp, and deadly. The two spikes on the edge were curved up and would hurt like hell if they struck someone's side. The shaft had two long pieces of steel welded on, to help provide reinforcement.

He turned around, his emerald eyes reflected the sunlight, sending a green flash Emora's way, and confirming her target.

"Alright. Let's do this."

Emora tailed the Raider; she walked closely behind him, staying on guard.

As he was about to enter a large house, the Warden called out to him.

"Halt!"

The Raider suddenly came to a stop. He didn't turn around and instead hung his head.

"So. You're finally here, huh. I expected this would happen." He said, his voice was deep and rumbly.

Emora narrowed her eyelids, her hazel iris shined in the thin eyeholes of her helmet.

"What are you talking about? You're Gunnvor right?" She asked.

The Raider slowly turned around; his hands were fists at his side.

"Yeah, that's me. Why you asking, Elio?"

Emora paused. "Elio's. That's what they must call people from the Elio Legion...Just like they call us Azures." She thought.

"I only have to ask you a question. You're the one delivering a message to a Warborn-led army that's stationed in a village down near Ashfeld, am I right?" The Warden continued.

"Indeed I am! Now it's funny you know that."

A stream of sweat streamed down the side of Emora's face. She inhaled and exhaled through her nose, trying to keep calm and collected.

"How come." She said firmly.

"Only a few people in this village know that. The people who run the docks and the guards stationed at the front of the town. They all took blood oaths to the Warborn to never leak secrets. So...That must mean we have spies amongst us." The Raider put his hand to his beard; he stroked it, pretending to think.

Emora's teeth chattered a few times, her jaw twitched with the frustration of the blatant taunt. She clutched her sword tightly. Her legs tensed up, and she began to look aggressive.

The Raider chuckled. "I knew it. Azures. Of course...The brilliant Azure Legion never ceases to amaze me. So...What are we going to do now?"

Emora's eyes gleamed with tears of anxiety, but she blinked a few times and sucked in air.

"I don't know. You tell me."

The Raider paused. "Hm. I think I know what we could do."

With surprising speed, a huge amount of strength, and with a loud roar, he took a huge step forward, grabbed Emora by the wrist, tugged on her arm, bent his legs, and launched Emora over his head.

"AHH!" She cried as she landed behind him, inside the house.

Gunnvor took the axe off of his back strap; he held it tightly in his two hands.

"Now you die!"

He raised it in the air, making Emora's heart skip a beat. She rolled to the side and got onto her feet as she dodged the attack. She charged into a wall, used her momentum to bounce off, rush forward, and lunge her right arm in a huge punch.

Blood shot out from Gunnvor's mouth as his head tilted to the side harshly, Emora's metal fist in his face.

He recovered and shot back with his own punch. He slammed his fist into Emora's metal helmet, stunning her. He used his axe with one hand as he tried to cut her, but the Warden blocked it using her gauntlet.

She began to back up into the house as she blocked and traded attacks with Gunnvor.

"RAGH!"

The Raider swung his axe, trying to hit the Warden in the head. She ducked under the attack and gut-punched the Viking. She slashed her sword twice across his torso and then wound up a swift follow-up heavy, which she feinted. She tried to jab him with her pommel but failed when Gunnvor hit Emora in the cheek with his axe.

She stumbled back, her helmet dented, and her cheek a bit scratched. She watched as the Raider lifted his leg up and launched it forward towards her body.

"GUGH!" Emora grunted as she blocked the hit using her forearms, but the sheer force and stopping-power of the kick sent her stumbling backwards into a wall.

Gunnvor lunged forward and struck the Warden with a strong side heavy to her ribcage. Blood splattered onto the ground as the axe head harshly tore through her skin.

"FUCK!" Emora cried out, she gritted her teeth and sucked in the pain.

With extreme precision and efficiency, he swung his axe again, but instead jumped up into the air, moving his axe along with him, the two sharp spikes at the end of his shaft heading straight for Emora's forehead.

"NO!"

She placed her blade in the way, parrying the clever attack with ease. Gunnvor stumbled back, shocked. He lashed out in pain as Emora's longsword tore a deep slash down the center of his chest.

The Warden angled her blade with her pummel out to stun the Raider, but Gunnvor dodged the attack, knelt, and swung his arm in an arc at Emora's legs.

"AGH!" The Warden cried as she fell onto her back.

"DIE!" Gunnvor yelled loudly as he raised his axe in the air.

"OH FUCK! AAAHHH!"

Emora barely dodged the attack, she gasped as the axe head dug into the wooden floor right next to her head. She rolled on her side, grabbed the leg of a nearby table, ripped it off, and smacked it into Gunnvor's calf.

Wood and splinters went everywhere as the leg shattered on the Raider's steel calf. A sharp pain ran through his leg, reaching his thigh, and causing it to convulse for a few seconds.

"W-What the?!" He cried out, scared at what his body did to react to pain.

Emora got up onto one knee. Gunnvor angered, and slammed his fist down on the Warden.

"KCH!" She grunted as she blocked the attack using her gauntlet. She pushed the Raider back, stabbed him in the stomach with her sword, and kicked him back as she stood up.

"KCGHUUHH—AGH!" The Viking staggered back, blood leaking from his bottom lip.

"EAT DIRT!"

Emora grabbed a flower pot and lunged it forth. A loud crack and metallic bang rang through the house as the pot shattered on the Raider's steel helmet, and dirt went into his eyes.

"AAAAGGHHH!" He roared.

The Warden charged forward, letting out a battle cry. Her legs moved quickly, she set her arm out in front of her and ducked her head down low.

"FRAGOSUS FAXO HUMI!" Emora yelled in power. She rammed into Gunnvor, her forearm slammed into his heart, her entire body being driven by her strong legs forward into him.

"DUUUH—GUNGH!" The Raider flew back, and landed on a wooden table, completely shattering it. He growled as he stood back up, and swung his axe upwards.

Emora was still recovering from her massive charge attack; she was stumbling forward and received the attack head-on. Blood sprinkled from her wound and splat onto the roof, it dripped down, like a water leak on a house's ceiling.

She stumbled back, holding her wound. She watched as Gunnvor placed his axe on his back, grabbed a wooden chair, and launched it forward with all his strength.

"AAHHH!"

Emora's body quaked with rough force as the chair broke on impact, she moaned in pain and almost fell on her ass, but she placed her leg behind her and stayed standing.

"COME HERE!"

The Raider grabbed a small wooden stool. He walked up to the Warden, and with all his power, slammed it into the side of her head.

Wooden pieces of the stool went everywhere. Pain surged and tore through Emora's head as she cried out in despair.

Her head cocked to the right, her body following it, slowly collapsing, but it wouldn't fall, and would instead be ravaged. Gunnvor swung his axe, striking Emora in the arm and chest, and sending her body into the air.

She fell onto her back with a loud scream; she cut herself off when she cried out in pain as the Raider came down with a top heavy. Luckily, the axe head struck one of Emora's metal plates on her chest and didn't have full lethality.

But pain and blood still came; a reasonably large and deep gauge was dug by the axe head. She grabbed the axe and pushed on it, trying to get it off of her chest.

"AAAHH—GUH—ARGHAAAH! PLEASE—RAAHHH!"

Gunnvor laughed as he ripped his axe out of her chest, making Emora's chest come up off the ground a bit, before the Warden laid back limp, her chest releasing large amounts of blood.

Her breathing was shallow, but still there. Emora breathed heavily as she rolled over onto all fours.

"Ooh...You sound real sexy moaning in pain like that..."

As if lightning had rung through Emora's brain, she angered. Her eyes dilated, her pupil's small within her whites. She stopped breathing, her face reddened with rage as her teeth clashed against each other in her tightly shut jaw.

"Y-You...You won't touch me at all! Do you hear me you fucking bastard!"

Emora threw herself up using her right arm, and swung her leg out in a wide sweep, kicking Gunnvor right in the teeth. He staggered back, his hand over his bleeding mouth and shattered teeth.

"YUUAH!" The angry Knight yelled as she jumped up into the air, her kneecap making solid contact with the Raider's jaw. He grunted loudly as his head flew back. Emora landed on the ground and jabbed her fist into Gunnvor's stomach.

"BLUUGHAAGHH!" Blood splat out from his mouth like water from a geyser.

The Viking shouted and grunted with every punch and attack he endured from the Warden. She threw a killer left hook that nearly shattered his cheekbone. She then threw another right jab to the Raider's temple.

He stumbled backwards, his face lined with streams of blood. Emora reeled her right fist back, released a huge, perfectly centered punch that struck Gunnvor in the center of his face.

More blood splashed onto the wooden floor as Emora harshly elbowed Gunnvor in the gut; she stood up, using the force of her legs to propel her fist upwards in the form of a devastating uppercut that cracked the Raider's jaw loudly.

"GAAAHH! DEH—BUUAH!"

Gunnvor collided into a wall as he fell back. He struck the back of his head as he sat up against the wall.

Emora grabbed her sword, and slowly raised it to the Raider's neck.

"You're...You're done for..." She said through heavy pants.

Gunnvor began to laugh quietly.

"No...No I don't think so. Not yet."

Emora looked confused. "What are you talking about?" She ridiculed.

The Raider chuckled, he grabbed Emora's blade tightly with his bare hand. Blood seeped from his palm as he held onto the tip of the longsword.

The Warden shook her head in disbelief. Suddenly, three Shamans broke into the house through windows. Emora staggered back, horrified at how the three women looked.

They were dirty, musty, grimy, and horribly filthy. They smelled horrible, and their teeth were somehow perfectly white as if someone else cleaned their teeth for them. They were dressed in thick leather and held small hatchets and makeshift knives.

They were all licking their lips, all moving towards Emora slowly with their silent sneak.

Gunnvor stood up. He brushed himself off and wiped a thin line of blood that was leaking from the corner of his mouth.

"Well...The Shamans will deal with you. I'm sure you'll make a fine meal." Gunnvor laughed. He ran forward, rammed Emora into a wall, and dashed out through the door.

"AH!" The Warden cried as she hit the wall, she slid down, and crawled on all fours, looking up at the three Shamans.

"You...You look so delicious!" Said one of the Shamans.

"Take that yucky metal off...We want to taste your delectable skin and drink your scrumptious...Warm blood!" Said the second Shaman.

"Come on tin-head...We just want a snack! Your body looks so young and lean...Your meat and flesh must be perfectly fresh!"

Emora yelped and scrambled backwards on all fours. She brought her sword close to her using her foot and cried out in fear as one of the Shamans stomped on the ground.

"Oh god...They want to eat me! They can't! How could they?! Who does that?!" The terrified Warden said to herself.

"Stay back! You human-eaters! Go back to where you came from...From hell!"

The three Shamans exclaimed glances, they were all far beyond the point of common sense, driven wild by their primal instincts. They all slowly turned to the shaking Warden, who carefully stood back up.

She held her sword out in front of her, standing at her full height.

One of the Shamans was panting like a dog. The second glaring into Emora's eyes. The third was licking her lips and showing off her teeth.

"U-Uh..."

A Shaman stomped her foot on the ground, pretending to launch forward.

"AH!" Emora yelped.

The three Shamans laughed but suddenly stopped when their stomachs growled. They cocked their heads sharply at the Knight before them.

"...No...Please don't!" Emora begged.

"We're..."

"All..."

"Hungry!"

The three Shamans pounced forward in lousy, but incredible speed. They rammed into Emora, knocking her back.

All three were wildly slashing their hatchets and axes. Emora using her longsword to block their hits. She felt a pain in her ribcage, she felt a stab in her thigh, she felt a punch to her breast, and she felt a slash to her knee.

"AHHH! GET OFF OF ME!"

Emora parried the attack of one Shaman's attacks and kicked her back. A second grabbed her leg and opened her mouth to sink her teeth into the Warden's firm thigh, but she failed, and instead was fed a knuckle sandwich.

Emora traded repeated blows with the third Shaman; she kicked the savage down onto one knee and swung her sword at her head. With a crooked body and unnatural flexibility, the Shaman bent her body and dodged the attack.

"HOLY—"

All three Shamans slammed into Emora, sending her flying back, near the entrance of the door.

She staggered back into a battle stance, and as the three savages ran forward, she rolled out of the doorway at the very last second. She turned around to see all three of the Shamans rubbing their heads in pain from crashing into a wooden wall. It was raining outside and the Shamans all slowly crept forward at Emora once they had all recovered.

Emora felt her adrenaline pumping throughout her body. She felt the rush of battle, the high of being outnumbered, the draining feeling of her life in danger.

She had to act quickly. Her heart was racing, and her muscles felt ready to explode from being strained. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

The Shamans all shrieked out like feral animals, their horrible, cracked screams shot terror and hype into Emora's body. Her heart skipped two beats, and her chest and muscles bulged with power. The Shamans finally all charged forward, their eyes wide with savagery.

"RUUUAH!"

Emora raised her sword into the air, her hazel eyes teary with fear, but at the same time a burning fury.

All the Shamans fell on their back, panting heavily. The Warden growled loudly as she stomped forward.

"You horrid beasts...You all still call yourselves human? I'm surprised you all still remember how to talk." Emora said, her voice filled with power.

One Shaman scoffed. "We just want something good to eat!"

The second Shaman laughed. "Yeah, we want YOU!"

The third Shaman cracked her neck repeatedly. "Let us feast upon your mouthwatering body!"

The Warden shook her head. "Hmph. I'd say it's time for some fucking revenge."

The three Shaman's eyes all shot wide open with surprise. "W-What?!" They all cried out as Emora rushed forward.

She stabbed one through the stomach, killing her instantly. She threw her body at another Shaman, sending her staggering back. The third Shaman leaped forward, both of her weapons raised.

Emora craned her neck to look at the Shaman. She let out a small grunt as she sent her foot plunging into her stomach with tremendous force and shattering power. Blood blasted out of the Shamans mouth, splattering all over the Warden's helmet. The savage flew backwards and rolled to a stop, her lifeless body destroyed by the lethal kick.

She watched as the last, and final Shaman rushed forward. She leaped into the air, her fist flailing.

CLANG!

With a loud metallic crash, the Shaman's fist plunged into the Warden's head. She recoiled back, holding her bloody fist.

"OW! Ow! Ow...Ow! Ow!" She licked her blood from her fist as she stumbled back.

Emora's head was turned the other way. She cracked her neck as she slowly craned her head to face the Shaman. She said nothing as she dropped her sword, and threw an obliterating punch.

The Shaman's head blew up with blood, her neck snapped instantly, and her body flew back, hitting the ground completely limp.

Emora inhaled sharply and exhaled deeply. She turned around, picked up her sword, and huffed hurried words to herself.

"Hmph...Crazy cannibalistic bitches."

The Warden walked forward, watching as her teams Shinobi jumped from rooftop to rooftop, likely in pursuit of the Raider. She began to jog when she saw Hakushi and Alban rushing through the muddy streets.

"Damn it..."

Emora began to run, her legs splashing muddy water onto her pants and boots. She picked up the pace and pushed herself up to full speed.

She sprinted around the corner of two houses and spotted Gunnvor running down towards the wooden docks. Towards a boat.

"NO! FUCK!"

Emora sprinted forward; she leaned forward, pushing her speed up. Her legs were stomping against the ground, moving in front of each other rapidly with each high paced step.

"GET BACK HERE!" Airi cried, she slowed to a job as she panted heavily.

"Damn it! He's getting away!" Alban said in between long, slow breaths.

"Out of the way!"

The Shinobi jumped off from the roof of a house, rolled swiftly to recover, and lunged forward at a high speed. Her arms were out behind her, her legs swiftly tapping the wooden docks as she ran forward, gaining on Gunnvor.

"Why does she run like that...?" The Nobushi asked.

"Some Samurai are very strange." Alban bent down on his knees and began to catch his breath.

"Kch...You piece of shit..." Airi thought to herself.

Just then, both Heroes exclaimed out in surprise as Emora charged past both of them without saying a word, moving down the docks.

"E-Emora!" Hakushi cried.

"L-Lord Ryon!" Alban shouted.

Gunnvor turned around to face the Shinobi, who rolled forward and used her arms to launch herself into the air, both of her legs out to kick the Raider.

"Idiot!"

The Viking caught the Shinobi's feet and swung the light Samurai off the docks, and into the freezing ocean.

"NO!" Alban yelled.

"I'll get her!" Hakushi yelled as she dropped her staff, threw off her robes, and jumped into the water.

Emora charged forward, Gunnvor leaped into his boat and began to depart from the end of the docks. The small, long ship moved farther and farther away. The Warden kept sprinting forward.

"It's over! I've escaped!" Gunnvor laughed.

"No! No, you..."

Emora picked up her speed; she reached the end of the docks and leaped across the water. She soared through the air, her golden ponytail flailing from her helmet.

"HAVEN'T!" The Warden yelled as her hands grabbed onto the edge of the boat. Gunnvor panicked as he rushed forward to try and smash Emora's hands off of the side of the boat so she could fall into the water. The Warden was faster though.

"Ghuh!"

Emora pulled herself up and leaped over the side of the boat. She shot her leg out, kicking Gunnvor right in the chest. He flew back and cracked his back on a wooden seat inside the boat. He groaned as he looked up, Emora leaping onto him.

With a large heave, he pushed Emora off of himself, and into the side of the boat. He stood up and held his axe tightly.

"Shit!"

Emora bobbed and weaved through every attack that Gunnvor threw with his axe. She had left her longsword behind to run faster, and could only use her fists.

"YUAH!" The Warden punched the Raider straight on the center of his chest, then stepped back, and jabbed her knuckles into his neck. He staggered back, holding his neck in pain.

"Ggh...Come here!" Gunnvor roared.

The two grabbed each other by their necks and began to violently thrash and bash around. The boat rocked and tilted as they stumbled and crashed everywhere.

Gunnvor smashed Emora into the mast of the sail, cracking it. The Warden cried out in pain, her head spun and she couldn't tell where she was looking.

"Fuck!"

Emora, flustered with disorientation, began to flail her arms out in front of her. She bashed her knuckles into the Raider's cheek, cocking his head to the left.

Nearly falling off the boat, Gunnvor grabbed onto the side of the boat and threw himself back with more strength. He rammed into Emora full strength.

"GUUAAAHH!"

As her back hit the side of the boat's railing, her body crippled, and she fell forward. She moaned quietly, her head hung low as she sat back up against the side of the boat.

"HURAGH!"

Gunnvor slammed his kneecap into Emora's head. He repeated the motion and attacked her several more times. Blood leaked from the bottoms of Emora's helmet.

"LOOK AT ME!"

The Raider grabbed Emora by the collar and lifted her up. With a soft moan, the Warden looked up, her hazel eyes begging for mercy.

Gunnvor savagely uppercut Emora. With blood streaking out from her mouth and nose, she flopped back, and wearily held onto the boat's side.

"Now...I think it's time you go for a swim."

Emora clenched her teeth and opened her eyes in anger. She yelled out, blinded by rage.

She grabbed the Raider's neck, wrapped her arm around it, and then went overboard, and into the cold, frigid water.

Her body stung with the freezing sensation of the surrounding water. Her armor became heavy on her exhausted body, and she struggled to breathe with her helmet on.

The two Heroes struggled and thrashed within the water, grabbing and latching onto one another, trying to push themselves up.

Gunnvor thrust himself up and kicked off of Emora's breasts to swim upwards. The Warden reached out with her hand, her legs flailing in an attempt to swim up. She grabbed ahold of the Raider's boot, and she pulled herself up while pulling Gunnvor down.

Emora felt her lungs running out of air, and she began to panic. Her body was getting numb from the cold water, her metal armor felt like solid ice on her skin. Her chest hurt and her lungs begged for oxygen as she shut her mouth tightly, trying not to intake any water.

She grabbed ahold of Gunnvor, who was yelling violently underwater, his voice muffled and bubbly. Water flushed into his mouth and nose, air bubbles being released from both. Emora grabbed the Viking's neck and began to squeeze.

She used all her strength to put the Raider's body beneath her. She squeezed as hard as she could with her frozen fingers, she gritted her teeth tightly, a bit of water leaking into her mouth.

Finally, Gunnvor stopped thrashing and went limp. Small little bubbles of oxygen emerged from his mouth as he let go of the Warden, and began to fall back into the depths of the water.

Emora turned upwards; the surface of the water was visible, with rain droplets splashing down into the water. She strained her entire body to retain from opening her mouth. She began to shriek and squeal loudly as she felt her last bit of air run out.

Her mouth shot open with her survival instincts, in an attempt to suck in oxygen. Instead, water rushed into her mouth, down her throat, into her lungs. Water flushed into her nostrils, and she became constricted by all the water that was entering her body.

She yelled and cried out, flailing her limbs as she tried to swim up. Her hand was reaching out; fingers open up towards the surface. The Knight watched as her fingers went numb, and slowly began to curve back normally.

Her arm went limp, and Emora's eyes began to close. Her body was giving up; she would fall into the depths of the water and drown miserably.

But suddenly, someone grabbed Emora's arm. She felt the faint sensation of a powerful force embracing her body and wrestling with her helmet.

Emora's head slowly floated backwards as her helmet was taken off of her. She felt warm lips press up against hers, their mouth wide open, blowing air into her water-filled mouth

Someone was giving her air.

With a bit of oxygen in her lungs, Emora regained just enough strength to begin to sway her legs back and forth. She held on tightly to whoever was saving her, begging them to not let go.

As Emora's face came up above the surface, she sucked in a huge amount of air. Her eyes were closed, and her body was still weak. Barely conscious, she let her savior swim her to shore.

She rested on the shore of the docks, sucking in deep, desperate breaths of precious oxygen, and fresh air. She couldn't move, her entire body freezing cold.

She felt as someone turned her over and began to unstrap all of her armor and chainmail. She could hear faint screams of horror in the background.

Her chest was being pumped, giving her heartbeat more strength. Once again, someone blew a bit more air into her mouth.

A few minutes went by, and the Warden finally recovered enough strength to open her eyes. She saw Airi grabbing onto her face tightly, crying out her name.

"Emora! Oh my god, you're okay! You're alive!" The Nobushi cried. She hugged the Warden tightly.

Emora began to cough, and out came water. Airi retreated backwards and watched as the Knight sat up, coughing and gagging uncontrollably.

"CAH! KUAH! KG—ACH!"

Emora was on all fours, regurgitating water from her mouth and nose. She moaned and panted in exhaustion. She shivered from the cold water and air. She closed her eyes in exhaustion.

She lay on the ground, letting Airi comfort her.


An hour later...

Resting almost fully naked, in a warm bed, with candles all around her bed, and with a ton of covers and fluffy pillows, the Warden woke up abruptly, panting.

She looked around, confused. She gasped when Airi threw herself into her arms, hugging her tightly.

"EMORA! You're awake! Oh, I'm so happy you're finally awake Emora..." Airi cried.

The Warden shook her head and coughed a bit more.

"Wha...What the hell happened...?" She asked.

Airi frowned. "You and Gunnvor fell off the boat; you almost didn't make it back alive." Hakushi explained.

Emora nodded her head slowly, remembering the events. "I remember...I've never been more scared in my entire life. Drowning...It's horrible..." She mumbled.

"Of course it is! I started crying when I didn't see you surface, but when I did...I was so happy. I cried for you to wake up, to cough up all of that water! I thought...I thought you were going to die Emora!" Hakushi cried loudly, she hugged Emora once again, who this time wrapped her arms around the Nobushi in return.

"Hey...I'm okay now." The Knight grabbed Airi's face and softly pushed it back, smiling. She planted a short kiss on her lips to reassure the scared Nobushi.

"Wait...Airi...Someone...Someone saved me. Someone grabbed me from the water right as I was about to succumb...W-Who was it?"

Airi's dark eyes downcasted, she fidgeted with her fingers and angled her lips in unsureness.

"Well? Was it you?" Emora asked.

The Nobushi shook her head slowly. "I was getting Katsue out of the water when Gunnvor threw her in. The other one did it..." She said after a bit of a pause, her voice sounded guilty...As if she didn't want to tell Emora anything about her rescue.

"The other one? Who?" Emora pushed.

Airi sighed. She looked up at Emora and shook her head, she opened her mouth to speak, but before she could even mutter a word, someone walked into the room to interrupt.

"I did it. I saved you from drowning."

Emora's eyes widened in shock. Airi gasped, and she quickly covered her face in hate. She scowled and swore under her breath.

The Warden stared at her savior, her face red, her hazel eyes glowing gold in the warm candlelight.

In the doorway, stood the mighty Highlander that had befriended Emora, Alban.

"Alban?! You saved me?" Emora stammered.

The Highlander nodded his head firmly. "I couldn't just let you die in the water. I swam out to save you."

Emora's removed hair from her face, smiling at the Highlander with gratitude.

"T-Thank you. Thank you so much, Alban...You saved my life. I'm forever in your debt." The Warden managed to put herself back together, and respond accordingly.

Alban smiled and nodded his head, he glanced at Airi, who had her fists clutched and her face set in a frown.

"Okay well, I'll leave you two alone."

Alban exited the room, leaving the two girls alone.

Emora tilted her head in confusion. "Airi? What's wrong?"

The Nobushi flinched and opened her eyes, they were shimmering.

"I-It's nothing...I'm just...I..."

Emora leaned in to listen to what Airi was going to say.

"I...Agh. You know what—Nevermind. Everything is fine. I'm just happy you're alive."

The two girls kissed once more, and Airi left the room to let Emora rest. She leaned up against the wall, her head back in stress.

"Ugh...That stupid...Highlander..."

Images of Alban locking lips with Emora to give her air ran through the Nobushi's memory, making her jealousy spark.

"Tsk...He did it to save her...But..S-Still! Dgh—Why am I being like this?!" She thought to herself.

Hakushi remembered what Emora had said.

"U-Um...T-Thank you. Thank you so much, Alban...You saved my life. I'm forever in your debt." The Warden's voice echoed in Airi's head.

The Nobushi clutched her fists and strained her entire body. She tensed up, her veins popping out of her arms and hands. The Samurai grew angry.

"He saved her life...He did it once already. He hasn't even known her for a whole week..."

Hakushi slid down the wall and sat up against it. She tucked her legs up into her chest and dug her head down behind her arms and knees. She stayed there for a few minutes, completely silent, trying to destroy the maliciousness within her heart.

But she failed.

She looked up and glared at the wall in front of her, nearly burning through it with her laser-like stare. With a small grunt and through gritted teeth, she whispered to herself:

"No...I won't let him...I won't let him take her from me."


The end! Sorry that it took so long to release, but like I said...The weekdays are tough.