Clang!

The sounds of gruelling battle echoed from around the corner, and a harrowing sense of death pooled from the cleaving of flesh and clattering of blades. This immediately caught the group's attention as they abruptly stopped to listen. Before long, the lifeless body of an exorcist collapsed in view, multiple lacerations carved into his noble robe. Finally peeking their interest, the trio peered around the crumbled walls - the stench of daemonblight knocking Sarid's mind slightly haywire - as they saw the devastation.

Bodies. Daemons, exorcists, no one was spared. Their blood stained the cracked stone - causing a disgusting urge to coil in Velvet's left arm - as the ivory paved a dreadful trail to the perpetrator. A tall man, wreathed in samurai-style robes and armour-plating, stood confidently with his back turned. The colours he adorned contrasted the vile atmosphere, cleanly white and indigo accented in the hues of a beautiful sunset.

"More?" His voice called out, cool and disappointed, as he turned to face his new challengers. His hair was black as night, mid-length and extremely spiky, pulled into a low ponytail and waved to cover the right portion of his face. Despite the veil of strands, strange black markings could be easily seen trailing down into his upper body; even a glint of crimson seemed to flash between his shifting locks.

Seres instantly caught the hostile sheen in his single orange eye, "This one... He's a daemon!" Sarid silently cursed as their foe brandished two small blades from his sash, having been taken from a fallen corpse. Finally facing an enemy of no consequence, the half-malak dug into his pouch and unsheathed one of his two kunai, catching the eye of the opposing daemon. He smirked in earnest, seemingly exhilarated for the upcoming battle.

"Get ready!" Velvet grumbled, before streaking towards the opponent at blinding speeds. Holding his blades in a cross-guard formation, the man grunted as the daemoness' boot dived into it like a missile, hair flailing wildly in the halted momentum. She growled as she sighted his feral grin in the moment, until she flipped off him gracefully. Siezing his chance, the daemon man lashed out at the woman in blitzing slash; only to collide with her unveiled wristblade.

"You're not human," he assessed with sharp eyes from her inhuman reaction time.

"Neither are you," she bit back with a cold stare.

He let out a jovial chuckle, finding amusement in her statement, "True enough!" Wrenching their clash free to dodge a flail of kicks, he leapt back from a ball of flame that emerged from Seres' palm. In the cloud of smoke, dashed out Sarid, kunai in hand, as he found his chance at the threat, the smell of burning flesh stinging his lungs. Once again, the daemon's glance was caught in the masterfully crafted knife; not a single mistake or blemish in its creation. He soon pulled his gaze away as it spun around his opponent's finger, then stabbing out to gouge him. Letting the blade sail overhead, he once again assaulted his target. However, Sarid immediately caught his first dagger by catching his wrist, while the other glanced off his kunai's edge. The half-malak's mind was racing to assess the daemon's capabilities.

Taken aback for a moment, the daemon swiftly manuevered his head as the blade sang multiple times in its direction; buying him enough time to kick Sarid away and dash back as a newborn fire roared under his feet. As Seres gave them a moment of breathing space, the foe gave a wolfish grin. Sprinting towards the searing flames, his blades were coated in a rapid display of precipitation, as droplets of water were trailing off the moisture on the edge. In an impressive display of arte prowess, the daemon split the sea of flames and barreled towards them. Sarid's eyes widened in mild shock, as he sprung back and away from danger.

He witnessed the daggers lunge towards like a pair of hungry wolves, until a feeling sprouted within him. It was familiar; a feeling of dread, and nausea, and it was rising quickly. 'Damnit!' Digging into his pouch as fast as he could, the white-haired man released a strung-up ball out towards the incoming daemon. At such close proximity, he couldn't dodge, and the object discharged an explosion of smoke upon contact. Immediately, he felt the cold floor signal his timing, and he somersaulted backwards. It was instinctual, and he himself could only say it was a wild guess. Nevertheless, the result birthed a proud smile on his face, as a mane of darkness shot from underneath him, and lunged at the stunned daemon.

Velvet roared as her blade shot out and collided forcefully against the man's hurried block, a look of major surprise shooting across his face, as he was sent careening backwards onto the ground. Through the dispersing smoke, she could see him bounce up without a scratch, still invigorated for more. "...He's strong," she begrudgingly complimented.

On the other side, the daemon's sight was now cast over his own blades that he raised in hostility. "Chips in the blades already? Brittle, these exorcist knives," he spoke loudly, irritated at such low-quality weaponry. "I've got to reclaim Stormhowl."

"Stormhowl? That sword I found?" Velvet mused.

In an instant, his expression dropped with a gasp, and he abandoned his current blades onto the dust-ridden ground. He rushed towards the poor woman, who was caught by suprise, and grasped her shoulders desperately. "You found it?! Where? Do you have it? Please, tell me!" he shouted, a complete switch from his battle frenzy only moments before.

Velvet blinked rapidly, trying to catch up on what was happening. "It's in the storage room. Down below."

Relief bloomed on his face, and he shook his head vibrantly. "Down below? You have my thanks!" He began sprinting off past the group straight to where they came from. However, he had one last thing to say, "Hey! Snow hair!" Sarid raised an eyebrow as he pointed at him challengingly, "That's a nice blade you've got. If I see you again, it's a duel, got it!?"

The man sweat-dropped, "Sure..." In response, the daemon waved off vigorously and bounded down the hallways. Orbs still widened and caught in a stupor, Velvet turned to catch another glimpse of the running man.

"He's an odd daemon," she pondered to herself, shaking off the shock of what happened. Before they could continue on, the daemoness noticed a fist facing her direction. Looking up, she noticed Sarid with a sly smile looking down from the few inches he had over her. Groaning as she recalled the accidental teamwork, she stormed past briskly, not sparing a second glance. Slightly distraught, Sarid didn't let that peel off the grin he had; clearly proud of himself.

Continuing their venture through the grim hallways, Seres couldn't help but be fascinated by the foe they had just battled. 'Stormhowl? Could that daemon be...?'

Seeing the malak's inward pondering, Velvet questioned her look of thought, "What is it?"

"Nothing. That daemon swordsman was just strange. He was so full of fury, but when you started talking about that sword, his manner changed completely," she expressed.

Sarid decided to pitch in, "He was also weirdly interested in my kunai. Seems like he's quite the battle-hungry beast," he stated, slightly weirded out by the daemon's weapon obsession.

As per usual, the daemonette didn't bother wasting time on it. "Don't think too much about it. He's a daemon after all."

"How did you know about his sword, anyway?" the man asked, curious about her findings.

Looking off to the side, Velvet nonchalantly conveyed her disinterest. "Found a strange looking sword in the chest, back in the store room."

Even despite the daemon's uncaring attitude, Seres appeared a bit more surprised at such a revelation. "You didn't take it? It's a legendary weapon, revered by many."

"And if I can't use it, then it's useless," the woman coldly replied.

Letting an exasperated sigh, the red-head placed a casual arm on her waist as she spoke her thoughts outloud. "The prisoners here are all so unusual." Not immediately realising her mistake, she was alerted to her words when the daemon at her side growled in irritation. "Ah... Except for you..." she hastily attempted to console. However, a certain man seemed to find it amusing to continue poking the ravenous bear.

"No, she's pretty strange," he wryly joked. Although, his smile died with relative swiftness, as he winced when her golden glare locked onto him.

Grinding her teeth while her hand started twitching, she stepped forward threateningly. "What about you? What was with that ridiculous stunt earlier?!" she aggressively berated.

"Oh that?" Sarid chuckled disparingly, "It was just a hunch, that was all." He laughed grimly, scratching the back of his head. Until suddenly, he felt a blow knock his head downwards; an ache immediately siezing the back. Groaning in pain, he peered at the violent ravenette who stared at him darkly. "What was that for?" he barked in annoyance, as he massaged his skull from the fierce smack.

"I'll do it harder if you pull that again."

"Again? You might kill me!"

"If it comes down to it."

But, even through all the bickering and arguments, Seres couldn't hold back a hidden pleased smile at their interaction.

Rolling her eyes in seething irration, Velvet turned her back with a shake of her head. "Forget it. Like I care what you two think of me."

Pulling open the final wooden door to their destination, a sudden assault of horrendous stenches collided with their senses; Sarid grimacing in disgust as they laid eyes upon the massacre before them. Daemons of many varieties were sat lifeless in the hallway, meaning only one thing. The riot's main force had failed.

Clicking her tongue in vexation, Velvet pulled the group out of the way and cursed silently. "They've got the gate to the docks locked down. We can't break through." Turning on her heel, the daemon and the rest followed in tow, making a dash towards another doorway; before any exorcists could notice.

"The watchtower should be just ahead!" Seres stated, as they all entered a dark hallway of dust and cobwebs - a stairway waiting at the very end for their arrival. Raising a hand in the air silently, Sarid crouched down and once again placed the tip of his finger on the worn concrete.

For but a moment, he held his eyes closed, and seemed to listen closely. "It's clear, there's only three exorcists heading in our direction from the rear," he said, opening his eyes confidently.

Velvet hummed in response, "Seems you can be useful after all." The daemon then quickly dashed off to bound up the stairway. Seres and Sarid glanced at eachother, before steadily making their way up themselves.

Bullets of rain assaulted her features, like tears trailing down her fierce face. The pale moonlight shone down on her as she stood in the open air, at the precipice of the watchtower. Easily, she could catch the salty scent of far off seawater; wisping from the tips of surrounding bladed mountains. It was freezing, but she couldn't feel the shrill temperature of weather. Somewhere, deep within, a part of her yearned for a warmth - one that came from family, a close friend, someone she could hold some sort of love for. But, it was just her, surrounded by the chilling battlements that closed off her heart.

Caw!

An eagle called in the night, circling above her head in search of prey - a simple black shape in the white light. "Why do birds fly?" At the sheer remembrance of that man, coiled her bandaged fist in rage, anguish... sorrow. He took her chance at a normal life, and she was forsaken to a life of loneliness, and scorn. Even as the cold moon cast its stolen light over the world, Velvet slightly wished that the crimson hue was still evident. Just so the blood that she spilled wasn't so clear.

"Miss Velvet?"

The girl turned to see her companions; Seres and Sarid. In the briefest of moments, like a flash of lightning, she could catch a certain look from the man. A look of understanding, empathy. Brushing it off, she stepped towards the edge of the tower. "It's nothing. Let's keep moving. And drop the 'miss', or you're dinner."

Raising an eyebrow at the peculiar threat, Sarid brushed it off as the pair followed her over. Soon they all peered into the wallowing depths; only catching the freezing ocean roaring back at them. "The path has collapsed," Seres said disappointed. "We can't do anything here." However, Velvet didn't look despaired in the slightest. Suddenly, a choking feeling siezed Sarid's lungs, and an awful feeling of life-sapping hopelessness crawled up his back. His fists clenched reflexively, as he attempted to fight off a strained gasp; barely stopping his body from trembling.

Before him, the bandages that coated the daemon's arm stretched and groaned - desperately trying to cover what struggled under its vestiges - until it burst out in a flare of malevolent miasma. A giant daemonic crimson claw, adorned in fleshy veins and awful hooked thorns; pulsating with life in the chill of the night air. Just like that time. 'That can't be it... is it her!?' he shakily but silently expressed. Still, he fought through the gurgitating feeling from his chest, keeping himself composed. Despite this, he caught a noteworthy glance from the opposing malakhim; a minor worried look from behind her mask. Gulping as beads of sweat trailed down his forehead, he attempted to pull himself together. 'There are perhaps millions of daemons on this planet, it could be a coincidence. Focus on escaping, just... keep an eye on her, I don't want to get on her bad side,' he warned himself.

Unfortunately, the appendage almost seemed to growl and twitch in his direction as it was revealed, the disgusting hue flaring with thirst. Sarid could feel the momentary golden stare bore into him, until the ravenette cast her attention to the problem at hand.

Catching on to her intention, Seres jumped forward as Velvet set foot onto the ledge. "Wait, you're not seriously going to try it, are you!?" she berated.

"He fell further than this back at the shrine."

Velvet jumped.

Letting out gasps of suprise and disbelief, the pair hurriedly looked over to watch. Nearing the rocky outcrops, the daemon yelled, slamming her claw into the wall, tearing into it as the momentum continued to carry her downwards. Sparks rattled the cliffside, as the friction forcefully tried to snatch her to the rock - only slowing her fall. It still wasn't completely enough. The ground closing in, she released herself from the stone, and collapsed with a cry onto the harsh floor; dragging up waterlogged mud and staining her skin. Legs trembling, the scratchy surface protested against her actions, as a flash of pain shot up her arm. But, she refused to cry out, eyeing the wall before her.

Seres stared down, a hint of respect dawning in her voice. "I see you are truly committed to this." Laying a hand on the half-malak's shoulder at her side, a smoldering blaze erupted over their forms; disappearing from sight.

Down below, at the precipice of the ferocious ocean cliff, Velvet shuffled over to the outcrop - grasping her right shoulder in discomforting pain.

Crack!

The daemon cried out in pain as she smashed her dislocated limb against the rough wall, coiling her fingers to test for any problems. Suddenly, a surge of flames burst from behind her - Seres and Sarid materialising from the embers. An incredulous look flickered in her eyes as they briskly approached her. Strangely, Sarid was first, a scolding expression clear on his face, undermined by respect. "Velvet, that was extremely stupid," he said harshly. Placing his palm forward, a veil of water glazed over it, as he began to wipe down the mud she now shouldered. Being extremely careful to only clear the coat. "But, it was impressive. Keep in mind, that something like that will get you killed before you succeed in your goal," he explained with a stern but kind look. Deep down he was hesitant. Hesitant on interacting, let alone helping such a fiend. Nevertheless, he didn't have all the answers, and as far as he was concerned; she was just someone found in unfortunate circumstances. Like him.

Sarid would have to wait for more of her tale to be unveiled.

The daemonette shuffled in his caring grip, once again caught in a stupor from the current events. Until, she furrowed her expression and batted away his hand. A sudden ache flared in her shoulder again, and she winced. Seres walked over this time, delicately holding a hand out onto her injury. A gleaming shine flickered outwards, a gentle feeling soothing the shoulder as it was properly healed. "...You're strong. I would almost think you made an 'oath'," she complimented. As Velvet cast a confused look towards the malak, she began to explain, "It's a ritual that grants special powers if the oath-taker abides by certain restrictions. The harsher the restrictions, the greater the power one may command. In a very real sense, an oath is a sort of--"

"Curse, right?" Velvet coldly finished, turning to venture onwards through their escape. "Well, guess what? You're the ones who did this to me."

The daemon, now thoroughly irate, stalked away from them. While Seres knew entirely what the woman meant, Sarid had cast a disgruntled look over to the female malak; expecting answers. Nevertheless, that could wait, as the innocent white light of the moon shed a whole new view on the world he once knew.

Hurrying through winding rocks, cave systems, and hostile daemons, the group soon came upon the supposed shortcut; a fairly cramped hallway with stairs leading downwards. However, Seres was concerned about the direction they were taking. "Are you sure? This leads to the main entrance," she warned, as they stormed down the stairway.

Velvet, as confident as ever, was unshaken, "If they know you're here, they'll have found your ship by now. The guards expect us at the rear, not the front!"

"Simple, but unexpected. Smart thinking," Sarid said, as they finally threw open the gate to the wide docks. The storm was firing masses of bullets rain still, churning the waves of the once calm sea into feral attacks, seemingly rocking the large stone docks. They sighted their target; one lone and decorated ship that would have to do.

"That's enough!"

On the other hand, a group was spread out in front of it. Adorned in widespread snow white they had seen a thousand times before, one stood out in particular. He was a man of fairly tall stature, with fair skin and stern green eyes. His neat blonde hair stood out among the faceless masses, and he bore a long white and inverted blue cape over the standard uniform; that was gilded with accents of gold.

Being a high-ranking malakhim, Seres had recognised the boy immediately. "Oscar... I had no idea an exorcist Praetor had been assigned to this island."

The praetor seemed disappointed in the actions of such a highly-valued malakhim. "You suprise me, Seres. Aiding criminals now, are you? Did Lord Artorias request this?"

Shifting on the spot, Seres spoke with an almost impudent tone, "...No. I'm acting on my own."

"A malak with free will? And yet... I sense someone's strings guiding you." He cast a serious look over to the daemon in question, who responded by tightening her fists aggressively.

"Hold on. A praetor is far more dangerous than an orderly," Seres stated.

Velvet didn't spare a second glance, "I'm all out of subterfuge. Besides, if we can't overpower this one, our end goal was helpless to begin with."

Oscar eventually cast his gaze over to the lone man at their side, "And, what about you? I can sense your energy, but it's so incredibly weak that I'm surprised someone like you got so far." Sarid glared in response to the insult.

He didn't waver at the sight of such an enemy, "I guess your sensory skills aren't too efficient, praetor. I'll kindly help you in seeing how I've come so far."

"Such a tactless remark, you truly are criminals. It makes sense why Lord Artorias personally ordered the imprisonment of that traitor's son," Oscar abruptly revealed, much to Sarid's sudden confusion. "I'll make a compromise. Truthfully, it is cruel to subject a malak such as yourself to live in this prison. So, come along quietly, and allow your pesky inmates to be brought to justice; and I'll have you transferred," the praetor 'graciously' offered.

Nevertheless, the half-malak steeled his feelings, and prepared himself for a difficult fight. "I'm afraid I can't do that. My current goal is above all of this, despite fighting you being an... inconvenience," he exclaimed.

"A shame. Now, watch how a praetor deals with scum like you." Switching his attention back to his main suspect, Oscar grasped the scabbard that lay on his waist. "You're a glotoun, but still a woman. So, let me pay my respects--"

Smash!

A large rock barreled through one of the standing exorcists, letting out a harsh splutter as it carried him into the far-off water. Baffled, the praetor stared, as Velvet rose from her throwing position; coldly placing her bandaged hand before her - taunting her opponents. Sarid eyed her with indecision, before taking a good look at the group of exorcists at the praetor's beck and call. Without a word, he raced off towards the opposing group, much to their bewilderment, and suddenly leapt over the praetor and landed behind them, effectively surrounding the force.

Sending a fierce grimace in his direction, Oscar whipped his hand out commandingly - the exorcists nodding in response as they turned - while he faced the two women. "I'll remember you're an insolent daemon," Oscar wrathfully glared. Clasping the hilt, the man unsheathed his faithful blade with a clean screech, and began steadily marching towards the pair.

"I am Oscar Dragonia, a praetor exorcist from the Abbey in the sacred kingdom of Midgand. As ordered by Lord Artorias, I will subdue you!"