The War of Zethrex

Frostbite rolled out of bed clutching her head, and landed on the floor with a thump. She had forgotten about the obnoxious way the Alliance woke their soldiers and at the moment she was suffering from a minor hangover. Still wrapped in her sheets, she got up clumsily. She tossed her covers back onto her cot with a grunt and walked quickly to the showers. The war drums were still playing, much to the discomfort of her head.

Twenty minutes later, Frostbite was shoveling food into her mouth, alongside the rest of the soldiers. As she ate, she was looking for others that she knew in the mess hall. She wasn't quite sure why she was looking for them, surely saying a good bye at a time like this would only dampen people's spirits. But nonetheless she wanted to see a familiar face before she got off to battle.

She never did get that chance. No sooner was Frostbite done eating was everyone ushered into the briefing room. Frostbite listened with a cold, calculating look on her face, trying to quell the nausea in her stomach. She was going to war... There was a possibility she would never come back.

No, don't think these things, she told herself firmly.

She cheered with the rest of them and marched out to board her ship. Surprisingly she was assigned to one of the newer air ships. Frostbite noticed right away that the hull of the ship was thicker, probably meant to withstand whatever the Magi would throw at them. And it had more weapons too... Fancy. Once on board, she was told to be on the deck of the ship because her powers would help immensely with cloud cover. She strapped herself to the railing of the ship with a thick leather belt, noticing that everyone else on deck were doing the same. Her heart was in her throat when the airship lifted into the sky.

 
Mila quickly got into the first ship that would be leaving and did a quick supply check. Nodding to herself she quickly tied her knife to her belt. Watching as the ship began to move she put a determined face on and brushed her hair back slipping it into a ponytail. The woman toyed with a small pendant around her neck as others began to talk excitedly. No one was going to even acknowledge her until she earned her place back in the circle.

She knows that she might not even make it back but she doesn't care. It's been too long since she's been with the Circle and she's glad to be back even if the people she left behind are not. Mila clenches her fists as she watches the clouds pass by. Only an hour until landing.
 
The brief was over. Most of the other people in the room looked hopeful. They all boasted about their strength and about being smarter than the enemy. Except for one man.
Borosi sat in the corner sipping on his tea. Watching the rest of the people cheer and continue in their merriment. He frowned, thinking of the fact that many of these people, if not all, would be dead before the sun set today.
"People and their wars." He said to himself quietly. He stood up to join them, his cloak flopped down almost touching the floor. The cloak almost made it look like he was wearing a poncho because of the backpack he was also wearing.
 
Aminta heard the loud knocking and yelling at her door. Throwing back the covers, she quickly scrambled to her feet, "About time..." She whispered, as she scurried to her trunk. Throwing it open she pulled out her battle gear, weapon, and a hair brush. Quickly throwing on her gear, and strapping the sword to her belt. She walked out the door, in a mid job she brushed her hair. Once finished she thrust the wooden handle into the loop of her belt.

Following the crowd into the briefing hall, she managed to get stuck behind two huge men. Aminta wasn't able to see anything, how am I suppose to know who my commanding officers are? She though inside her head, a annoyed sigh escaped her lips. Listening very carefully hopefully she could pick them out by the sound of their voice. Every word was memorize each word to memory, once the briefing was over. She made her way to stand in the hall. Her back leaned lazily against the stone wall, it would be soon when they left. She was ready for this, she had been since she was young.

Aminta had hid her healing abilities, not wanting to be left behind to heal the wounded. She wanted to fight, and this was her chance. "I refuse to be left behind not this time." She said in a soft whisper, not wanting to draw attention to herself. No one would stop her, she would fight to the death.
 
0530 am; kicking open the door to the room his squad was lodged in, Siegfried burst into the room with noise and fervor.
Crashing his old Alliance style helm against each bedframe as he passed "Wake up! Get out of bed! You've got 15 minutes to be up and ready! MOVE IT!"

Siegfried had awoken some hours previous, sleep was never easy the night before a battle, he had donned his mismatched armor in the dark, each starp fastened perfectly, muscle memory making the task effortless and quick. He was alert, there was no exhaustion fuddling his mind, the cool night air heightning his senses. The city outside was quiet, many people had been evacuating en masse, fearful of the eminent desctruction coming with the dawn.

Around the room his squad was scrambling out of bed donning their armor, fast and efficient. No buckles were missed, each soldier silently obeyed the order, he would hear no complaints. Not from this group. Discipline was paramount.
Siegfried strolled the aisle.
"You have all trained for this day. Many of you have not seen battle firsthand, but each one of you are prepared. We will be outnumbered, hundreds to one, and every one of those poor bastards we face today will feel the sting of fear. They will quake when they see our 100 in our earnest brutal efficiency. Today... today the Alliance will meet true might and be awed. Today they will see real soldiers for the first time in their miserable lives. The Alliance have never heard of the Purgers, but after today they will know us. After today they will utter the word Purger vehemently, full of hatred and loathing, but deep inside their hearts they will fear us... and they will respect our power. We will strike fiercely, forceably, and as fast as we strike we will be gone again. Today the Magi will see us strike the Alliance, and they will know... we come for them next."
Siegfriend grinned a humerously grin, one that at the sametime was frightening.
"Today we get see the Alliance Skyfleet up close and personal. We've been selected to capture The Fury of Haelin, a small assault class ship, and when I say small, I mean compared to their battlecruisers. There will be 50 men aboard the Haelin, and the 8 of us will ensure that those 50 men get a chance to practice how fly without the aid of a ship. The Haelin will unlock technology virtually unknown by the Purger high command. Technology that will turn our dedicated hundred into an invincible force that even the mighty Magi, high in their glass towers, will know what it means to be outclassed, outgunned, and overpowered."
Siegfriend looked over his squad, all fully armored, standing at rigid attention. He'd trained them, near brutally at time, but by the gods, he'd made them into the finest unit the ragtag Purgers had.
"We are the elite of the Purger army. High command will give a speech in a few minutes to all of us. Every other soldier there will still be rubbing the sleep from their eyes as they gather to hear todays briefing and when they see us, fully armored, disciplined, and fearless, ready to enter Hell at a notice, they will see us as a symbol of what this entire army can be, and they will know today we are victorious. Today will belong to the Purgers."

Siegrfried turned toward the door, "By now you all know we had a new sniper join our ranks bringing our number to 9. KeRahn Tysuva. Best damned shot I've seen, and who's service record shows he belongs with the elite. He may not have trained with us prior to now, but he is Tac9, just as much as the rest of us." He turned back to the room, "Be at the briefing at 0600. Dis-MISSED!"
 
The ship neared the island as sirens started to blare from the island. She tensed as the sound got louder and louder. Everyone around her fell quiet as the boat began to do it's last stretch of water. Minutes dragged on until finally the ship lurched as it reached land. Everything was still for a moment and a bang was heard as the ships doors opened. She ran out with the first line of people grateful to get out out the ships confines and anxious about the battle. Everyone fell into formation with their commanding officers and marched into battle.
 
By the time morning had arrived, KeRahn was already awake and dressed.

He had already donned his Purger armor and was shining the barrel of his beloved sniper rifle. Black bold words on it side read out DuskRage. KeRahn growled deeply, greatly pleased at the sight of his wonderful sniper rifle. His mental admiration of the weapon was cut short when Siegfried had burst into the room, yelling orders and barking at the men to get up. KeRahn watched as the men all put on their suits quickly. Siegfried than began the long debriefing speech of what was to happen and how it was to happen. KeRahn half-listened to whatever he had to say. His thoughts were wandering a little to things beyond the battle...
Near the end of his talk, Siegfried mentioned his name. KeRahn saw some of the men turn their heads to look and him and in response he grinned openly, not even trying to hide his smugness. Not that he cared if anyone in the room liked him. They'd all probably be dead in the next 10 minutes. He wouldn't though. He'd make sure of that. The men were dismissed, but reminded firmly on when to be in the debriefing room. KeRahn jogged out to his little tree he was in yesterday, wanting to practice some more sniper shots before the big battle. No harm in doing so. As he jogged out, he happened to stumble across Jenkins yet again, who looked no happier to see him.

"Tysuva, it's you! On the day of the battle as well." He was frowning again, but this time his helmet was lodged under his armpit.
"Out of my way." KeRahn tried to push past him but Jenkins jumped right in front of him again. KeRahn was surprised and snarled at him.
"Listen Tysuva, you need to get ready for the battle."

"I am, you fucking short-stop. Get the hell out of my way." The quills on the back of KeRahn's head began to rise dangerously, becoming sharp spikes in the back of his head. A male Thaash's spikes would become erect at times, depending on his moon. Right now, KeRahn was feeling very pissed. Thaash's were very unpleasant when angry. Some of the other men were actually staring at the confrontation, not sure what to do.
"So, wasting time is your way of getting ready? You Thaash people are really stra--"
Jenkins's head suddenly felt the full impact of KeRahn's fist. He staggered back, blood flying from his nose. Bruises were already beginning to form on his cheeks and nose area as he fell. Red was dripping from his face and staining the ground. KeRahn leaped at him, though was stopped halfway by the watching men, who had decided to step in at that time. It took the combined efforts of six men to stop KeRahn from beating Jenkins to a bloody pump. He snarled and growled at the injured human, trying to claw at him. His arms were held back by the men and one had to help Jenkins up and get him to the medical office. When he was out of the sight, the men let KeRahn free, though scurried out of punching distance. KeRahn's teeth were still bared as his eyes flared deep anger.

Eventually, he grabbed his sniper rifle from his hip and stormed away. Jenkins blood was still on his knuckles. After a while his quills relaxed, though some of his anger was still embedded in him.
 
Aminta walked back into the briefing room, her small stature made it easier for her to not be noticed. Each foot step was light, making the long trail of her jacket swing with her hips. Her hand was placed tightly on the hilt of her blade, she belonged here. The blood of her veins warmed at the sight of soldiers getting ready for combat. A bright smile pulled at her lips, she continued to shift through the crowd. A question crossed her mind, when shall we be leaving? I'm ready! Aminta tried to quiet her excited thoughts.

Though she couldn't stop the shacking of her hands, she was far to anxious. This could cause a problem, if she didn't relieve the excitement soon. The blue piercing of her gaze shifted around the room, only view that came into her gaze was the chest down. Her brows furrowed in annoyance, "I need higher heels....." she whispered to herself, as she finally came to a stop. Waiting for the next orders to reach her ears.
 
The moment had finally arrived. The Alliance Sky Fleet had reached the island of Ki'ar not long before the Magi's warships would be coming into range. Sirens went off on both sides, all hands on deck. The Skyfleet was hovering above the island, and it's battleships took aim at the incoming Magi ships, while the Magi began taking aim in return. Then, all at once, there was a series of deafening booms as the cannons fired in both directions. Streaks of explosive magic and magically charged cannon shells show through the air, impacting and ripping through ships and soldiers alike. The chaos had begun.

Ships on both sides were starting to sink into the ocean and fall from the sky, but it was clear that the Alliance had the advantage with air superiority. Magi carrier ships made a break for the shoreline, and slammed against the beaches, the doors flying open as they landed to release the troops. The island's coastal defenses were few and easily taken down. However, that was only the beginning.

As cannon fire was being constantly exchanged between the two fleet
s, the Alliance prepared to drop it's infantry. Alliance infantry would jump from the airships above, head first into battle. But the magi's numbers were comparable, perhaps a good match. It was still anyone's game in this fight.



Meanwhile, the purgers were taking off in their airships. Each soldier was equipped with a jump-jet pack, which greatly enhanced jumping ability and could be used to soften landings, but were not powerful enough to sustain flight for more than a few seconds, though were quick to recharge. Once the Purgers ships were in range, the raiding party would begin.
 
Aminta got the orders, she headed towards the airships. On the way a jump-jet pack was thrown into her arms, a small shocked expression pulled at her delicate features. She slung the pack onto her back, it was rather big for her small frame. Though that didn't matter to her, reaching back with her right hand she pulled at the long mane of blond hair. Pulling it into a high bun, she didn't want her hair to catch on fire. Once on the air ship, she sat and waited patiently. Listening to the other soldiers excitement, they seemed so anxious. Yet they did not realize this could be the last day the walked. Aminta's eyes shifted to the ground, long lashes fanned against her blushed cheeks.

Inside her mind, she planned how the fight might go. Even if it was unpredictable, she tried to imagine defending herself. Throwing the magi from their own ships to their deaths. The thought made a small smile pull at her lips, this is what it felt like to be on the front line. Indeed it was amazing, though she doubt her enemy would notice her. Standing below five feet in height, many wouldn't even notice she existed. Giving her the advantage of ripping their intestines from their bellies. Lifting her gaze she listened, waiting for the order to jump from their own ships.

Those piercing blue eyes shifted around, taking in faces. Even though she did not know any of their names, she hadn't wanted to learn them. Attachment was dreadful, and distracting. Aminta's lips pulled into a grim line, if they fall she would not rescue them. It was her mission to kill this time not save. If they are near she will try to protect, but nothing more.
 
After Command's brief, Sieg gathered his squad and gave them the details of their specific mission.
"We're taking a zep hard and fast to the Haelin, jumping over into the first escape craft bay from the aft, and we're taking that deck."
He slid a crate across the floor with his foot, the box stopping center of where the squad was gathered.
"Jump jets are in the box, grab one, and remember, short range only. If you miss your jump, you're fucked. Best you can do is hope it recharges fast enough and fire it again to break your impact before you end up a crimson splatter on the rocks below. In other words, don't miss the damn jump. As for boarding, KeRahn will be providing us with cover fire. As soon as the crew notice the zep raid, I want anyone on the upper deck and more importantly visable in any of the cannon windows to be too focused on the bullet in their head to even bother trying to stand up much less return fire. Got you set up with Johns on a seperate mini zep. Give you enough distance and maneuverability to avoid cannon fire if possible. If you need to line up a shot better, tell Johns where to go and he'll take you there."
He looked around to the others, assigning a few specific tasks as he went from member to member, "Rest of you are with me. Jag, you're on demo. KeRahn, soon as we disable the cannons and shut down their immidiate defense, or whenever you think you can make it over, you and Johns join us to help clear the remaining decks. Once we have control of the bridge, we're striking east to the rendezvous. Hit and run, we'll let the engineers take it from there. All right, let's get rolling, don't want to miss our zep."
Fastening his helmet, he began to head to the zep yard, his blood already boiling.
 
[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]As soon as the bombs exploded Mila flared in power. She sent several purple blasts high in the air to deflect aircraft and missiles. Quickly turning around she cursed as The Alliance advanced on her group. Quickly cutting herself with a cerimonial knife she sent a mind blast to momentarily confuse the group before send a ball of flame. Huffing she straightened up and ran across the beach into the collection of trees and climbed one. Momentarily she caught her breath.

Taking in her surroundings silently climbed down a set a small trap. It wasn't that Complecated at all, just a tripwire that sent of an explosion from before. Wasting no time after that the black hair mage ran out of the beach and quickly sliced the neck of an unsuspecting Alliance member. The mage it was attacking thanked her before running off. Smiling she used the blood on her knife to send a blast of black magic towards the group. In the middle of the battle a large shock wave occurred hitting magi, alliance and purgers alike leaving a small black crater and disoriented victims.

This is how a blood Mage fights, dispatch distractions and explosions and then dissapear into the shadows to claim another victim for their knife. Blood is power and makes powerful magic. The only problem is a Mage will start to depend on blood to be their energy source and lose that control and connection to their natural magic reserves making them very unstable when used. This could cause a huge burst of energy either killing the Mage or rendering the Mage magic-less. Loosing that magic will drive a Mage insane and that scared Mila greatly, her solution only use tiny amounts of blood to heighten spells but don't use it to create spells.[/FONT]
 
KeRahn listened to Siegfried as he barked out orders to the command. On his back, his jump jet was secured tightly. He didn't like the feel of it. It seemed too constricting for him and not enough free space. But at the moment, it wasn't really important. Already the situation was pretty intense. His quills were starting to stand up in response to the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He was to provide cover fire. He nodded at Siegfried.
"Alright. Got that." His sniper rifle was strapped to his side for easy access. By now his quills were completely standing up. Some of the other men were forced to move to avoid being stabbed by them. Maybe he could just ram the back of his head into some enemies...
He quickly started to focus. Now was not the time to be daydreaming.
 
The zeppelins sped quickly across the sky in a large wave. Siegfried stood at the front of the ship, armored boot planted upon the prow, a Castor rifle in his hands. The Pride of Haelin grew larger as their craft approached.
Cannon fire exploded from the warship's cannon bays, aimed at the Magi fleet below.
The Haelin's escape bay game into view as they rounded the ship... so far so good.
Huge crests of water burst up about the Magi cruisers, one shot hit creating an explosion of debris, a few faint screams echoed cut short abruptly.
Closer still the zeppelin lurched, the wing propellors blasting at full power now... have to get in closer... closer...
A voice sounded the alarm from an aft sentry bunker aboard the Haelin, it quickly echoed into warning cries across the deck.
We've been spotted... KeRahn and Johns had better keep a path open...
Bursts of magic lit up the sky as trailing streaks of fire left the seafaring ship below and erupted into magical flame igniting the hull of a nearby Alliance cruiser.
The Haelin's cannons creaked slowly, slowly gaining momentum as fire crews hurried pushed them around to face the new threat of zeppelin attack.
Sieg lifted his rifle to his shoulder, swinging the weapon into aim, "Fire!" he cried, his voice being cutoff by the crack of his own rifle...
The retorts of weapons' fire rippled through the air as his squad dropped a few Alliance soldiers on deck before they could reach protective cover.
Close enough to hear voices now, confusion in the Alliance ranks, 'What's going on? When did the Magi get airships?!'
Another cry of pain as an Alliance shoulder took a shot to the knee...
The initial confusion subsided as the Alliance returned fire.
The escape bay.
"Go! Go! Go!"
The cannons fired.
Sieg leapt.
Wood exploded around him.
One of the zeppelin propellors slammed into his arm as it broke free of the craft.
Sieg twisted and smashed against the floor of the Haelin's escape bay.
Made it.

 
Kite was standing on the top deck of a troop carrier ship which was being escorted by a large battleship named Knight's Lance. Looking at the nearby battleship was a sight to behold, but he didn't have time for that now. In mere moment, he and his entire platoon would be dropping onto the island in various strategic spots to fight off the Magi infantry. His unit was one of the Heavy Armor units, and he was dressed in his full gear for the occasion. His orders were clear: When the signal goes off, jump from the ship and freefall to the island, hard landing authorized. Which meant that he would be hitting the ground at terminal velocity, but his armor was built to protect him from the impact of hitting the ground, so he should be ok after he lands. He knew that the suits had been tested before, but he had never done a hard landing himself, so he was a bit nervous, but he was not afraid.

He heard things being shouted around him, and signals being sent out throughout the fleet. He looked around to see what was going on, and saw what looked like several primative airships coming up behind the fleet, and were already very close. He saw a small boarding party jump from one of the ships just before the zeppelin was blown apart, jumping to the Pride of Haelin. His instincts wanted him to rush over to help the crew of the ship, but he had his orders. Shortly after, the officer on deck gave the signal and shouted for them to jump. He quickly put the Pride of Haelin out of his mind, and stepped up onto the edge of the ship, and jumped.

He put himself into a dive, looking down at the ground below that was quickly getting closer and closer. He saw what looked increasingly like a person on the ground below, and happened to be standing right where he was going to land. He recognized that whoever it was, they weren't wearing an Alliance uniform and were obviously in the middle of a battlefield, which meant that it had to be a Magi. Kite held out his left arm, and his shield extended out from it. The shield was the primary focus of his combat style, and covered his entire front side as he held it in front of him, and was plenty thick enough to take a hell of a beating. He planned to land on the Magi below him, which would crush them into a fine paste. A fitting entrance into the fray.
 
"What's going on? When did the Magi get airships?"

That was what Frostbite was wondering as well. No sooner were her and the rest of crew preparing to land did their scouter say that there was someone behind them and had already infiltrated their ship.

Literally snarling, Frostbite unhooked her belt, releasing her from the railing. They had to pick the new ship, she thought darkly to herself. Chaos was all around her as everyone was scrambling to kill and survive. She could hear the cries of people being slaughtered from beneath her and it made Frostbite's blood run cold. They're in the escape bay.

"They aren't Magi!" someone screamed.

"I don't care who the fuck they are! Just kill them!"

She would let the others take care of the infiltrators in the escape bay. Right now there was a battle to be held on the deck.

Frostbite dove behind the mast of the ship as gunfire ensued. She dove once more behind a crate of supplies. Her head came up as she analyzed the battle around her. A small airship was nearby, possibly carrying some people. Immediately she ducked. Thinking quick, Frostbite inhaled deeply and as her breath was released a thick ice spear formed in her right hand. With a yell she rose from the cover of the crate and threw her weapon towards the small zeppelin. She didn't bother to check if she hit anything before her entire body was behind cover.


 
Aminta had already relocated from below deck, the pack still strapped to her back she jumped over board. Her body turning face down her arms stretched out she went into a free fall. Her small body cut through the air, the sound of whistling filled her ears. Wind whipped past her, pulling at her hair and clothes. Thankful for the dark blue she blinded in well, the ground below started coming into view. Twisting her body forward, her whole body spun into a circle. Aminta's legs straightened towards the land below, each hand grabbed at the control panels. Almost fifty feet from the ground she pushed a large green button, flames exploded from behind her. Launching forward she landed into a crouch, right in the middle of a battlefield.

She by passed all the air ships, Aminta wanted to be amongst the battle. She pushed herself to her feet, and unsheathed her sword. Lining it up to her face, turning the sword so the edge came into view. A small smile pulled at her lips, the first Magi soldier came into her sights. Each foot began to move into a rhythm. She ran straight at him, her sword pointing backwards as she got ready for combat. The man turned just a second before she could strike. Throwing up his own weapon, that seemed to be a glowing tipped axe. Sparks flew from their weapons, a loud hiss escaped his lips. Spinning quickly, she stepped five feet back. The smile had faded, instead a grim line took hold of her lips. Lowering her sword, a small chant escaped into a whisper, "Protect with the gift of light, to save the from the devil of the night."

A glittering bubble covered her from head to toe, once again they circled on another. Striking violently at one another, Aminta knew the shield wouldn't last long. At her healing trait would surely grab attention. "Disappear." She screamed aloud, and ducked as the soldier swung at her head. Thrust her sword forward the glowing blade, stuck him in the abdomen. Slicing through his intestines, going straight out his back. Blood poured down the edges to drip onto her face, a hard shove. The man fell backwards, with a loud thud. Turning slowly she scanned the area, other soldiers had seen the bright light that gleamed from her. Leaning back, one leg straight while the other bent. Lifting the sword above her head, and her free hand out stretched. Aminta's fingers lifted were pressed together, and lifting towards the sky. Her open palm faces them, she began to take aim at the first that seemed closest to her.
 
Mila gave herself a nod at her accomplishments. Sensing something she looked up and frowned seeing something come at her. She knelt down holding her hand up. Out of her bare hand came out a purple aura surrounding her being. Standing up she began to move. Almost out the way the suit of armor smashed into her shield and sent her flying.

With a grunt she landed on the ground skidding. Her face and hands had scrapes on them bleeding a little bit. Making a sound of displeasure she shot up and a wall of flames surrounding her shot out in a radius of twenty feet.
 
A tall, heavily armored figure emerged from the tree lining into the clearing where the main infantry. It was Damien, the soulless bodyguard of Taiberius. He was dragging his demonic looking sword in his right hand through the ground behind him lazily, as he trudged forwards, deeper into the battlefield. His head was tilted down towards the ground, moving almost like a zombie.

Two soldiers from Kite's heavy armor unit charged at him from his left and right side. In one swift movement, he raised his sword up and stabbed it clean through the chest of the soldier to his right, piercing through the thick armor like butter. At the same time, he grabbed the head of the soldier to his left, who's helmet was suddenly frozen, then crushed like a tomato in Damien's hand. The lifeless body fell tot he ground in a headless heap of metal.

Damien looked up towards Aminta, his glowing blue eyes locking onto her from only about 20 meters away. He then swung his sword towards her, which sent the dead alliance soldier that was impaled on it flying towards her. After that, he simply stood his ground, staring at Aminta, as if waiting for something.
 
Kite had hit his mark, but unfortunately it wasn't enough as they had used a barrier to escape death. He hit the ground after knocking off of Mila's barrier, and took a moment to get up to his feet. He was a little shaken by the impact, but luckily his armor had done it's job and kept him safe from it. He got up just in time to see a wave of flames shooting out and coming towards him. He quickly held his enormous shield up in front of him, which took the hit from the flames for him. He was pushed back a bit by it, but managed to keep his footing.

He moved his shield to his side and looked at Mila as he drew his sword into his right hand. He pointed the blade at her, telling her that she was his mark now. His blade began to glow with holy light magic, and he started to charge at her with his shield held out in front of him to help block any incoming attacks she might send. If he managed to get close enough, he would send a hard slash from his sword in a horizontal sweep towards the middle of her body, in an attempt to slice her in 2.