FF/D&D Chapter 1, Title Not Withstanding

[Krylo]

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?

----

The holy banner of Lex Legim flew proudly above its troops, the brilliant gold of the holy symbol of the church of Maskari giving courage and strength to the faithful amongst its troops. Despite the loss of over half of their troops to guerrilla attacks, the army was still over fifteen hundred strong, and they moved with the determination of holy fire for the cowardly murderers of their comrades, the heathen guerilla warriors of Licentius were camped nearby. Their scouts had finally found the fortress which had been harboring the Licentius military presence in this area.

A fortress from ancient times, thought to have been abandoned centuries ago, yet as the army grew closer the lights of a living city, and the sounds of humanity were obvious. Alarm bells rang, and it became obvious that the holy military had been spotted.

Licentius troops flooded out of repaired ancient gates, while archers and mages lined up on the battlements, preparing their spells and drawing their bowstrings, waiting for their opponents.

When the forces met, the sun had not yet risen.

---

OOC: It SHOULD be obvious where you people are--depending upon your faction, and who you're fighting... again depending upon your faction.

[gurusloth]

Kai had been travelling for about two weeks, walking in whichever direction the roads took him, but always to new locales. After a few weeks, he met one of the many Lex Legim forces traversing the countryside and was promptly questioned as to his identity and destination. Kai, sensing that he was about to be forcibly recruited into the military, offered his services instead as a medical assistant, since he had some training in bandaging wounds and setting bones. The officer, low on trained physicians, accepted.

Three more days travel led Kai's unit to a formerly abandoned fortress, where the soldiers quickly formed into units and began to prepare for battle. Kai had yet to see action, but was nervous and jittery in anticipation of the clash between the two armies. Kai had offered his services as a medic to avoid having to take arms against men that he had no quarrel with, but he knew the opposing army might possibly attack the medical tent during the battle. He set his quarterstaff in the corner, in case he was forced to defend himself or the wounded men under his care.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

It was a dark night, an ominous feeling was in the air. Many men on this battlefield would never again see daylight. Many would likely fall to the minotaur who now strode out of the ancient, crumbling fortress to take his position on the battlefield. Men were rushing past Ultar, rushing to get into formation before the opposing force, but Ultar simply walked. There was no need for haste, not yet anyway, that would come later.

He reached the front line of the Licentius army and looked out towards the men of Lex Legim. In the darkness it was hard to make out too much of them and perhaps that was better, he would not need to look into their eyes when he killed them.

It was a pity, these men were only doing what they thought was right. They were given orders and they obeyed. But that was the life of the warrior, to go forth into battle, and kill or be killed.

He sensed that there were many skilled and powerful beings assembled on both sides, and that was good. Perhaps one of them would be good enough to take him down. Perhaps today would be his day to die. Perhaps he was one of those who would not see another sunrise.

He hefted the great battleaxe in his hands and pushed all thought from his mind. The time had come for battle to commence.

"May our deaths be honourable and noble, and may we all find peace in the halls of our fathers."

[TheBlindMime]

Nearly an hour before the mounting of the battle, when the Lex were still breaking camp to begin making their move a lone rider sped towards this command center atop his trusty chocobo. As he grew closer to the camp his armor revealed his identity to the few posted guard’s, all of whom were quick to shout. “It’s Darian, he’s returned from the mission!”

As the troops wandered from their duties to see the spectacle they were slow to see something was amiss, his movements were stiff and unyielding. As he drew into the torchlight though they all saw it, his armor dyed a dark crimson and his back so littered with arrow shafts he looked more akin to a porcupine then a man. Many of the men were new recruits, looking away and returning to their jobs hoping to burn the image from their mind.

A captain moved forward to steady the incoming chocobo, he failed to do so, simply because the beast seeming did so of its own accord. The chocobo reared back roughly tossing the rider from its saddle unceremoniously. Only then could the remaining crowd see him, a small Moogle clad in a dark steel armor just atop the chocobo’s back. He raised a salute to the Captain, “News from the front, Kupo!”

The captain, obviously taken aback took a moment for himself before replying, “What news have you soldier?”
“Might we speak over a meal, kupo.” The Moogle replied in his sing-song voice, rubbing his stomach thoroughly to illustrate his point.

No more then a moment passed before the moogle found himself in front of a table laden with a fresh plate of steak and eggs, a mead and a plate of highly stacked Kupo seeds. He was quick to begin stuffing his face with the seeds and overlook the rest of his offering. As his rushed hands spilt some over the table the captain began to speak, he raised his voice just a hair to be heard over the moogles frantic munching. “So moogle what say you about the enemy?”

The Moogle replied, his mouth so full he looked quite akin to a squirrel, “Welch, ash oi seash eet ‘he mnage’sh rrr shthrong, kupo” He swallowed hard just in time to finish his sentence. “When he and I, your soldier and I that is, kupo, came under fire, not a single mage cast upon us kupo.”

“I’m not sure what you mean moogle.”

The moogle popped another seed before continuing, “When we got too close to the enemy fortress your man had spotted before finding me on his way back here the group fired on us, kupo. While there were many archers, mages and warriors only the archers attacked us, kupo. You see now, kupo.”

The captain nodded a yes with a definitive lack of understanding.

The moogle sighed, “The warriors stepping back for the archers makes sense, kupo. But mages stepping back for archers, I think not kupo.” Another seed found its way into his mouth, “Wait, kupo. You aren’t surprised about the fortress kupo.”
The captain smiled confidently towards the small moogle. “While Darian was a good man he was not our best, nor our only scout. Though your knowledge is beneficial, it would be best that you made your way home. War isn’t suited well for your people.”

“Hmph, kupo. I’m a dark knight, kupo. Not a war on this earth that isn’t suited for me, kupo!” With that the moogle stood up defiantly on the tables bench, opened a small sack stuffed it full of seeds and then made his was out of the tent.
After a moment of staring after the dark knight moogle he sidled over to the steak and eggs. No point in skipping breakfast before a battle.

Now just moment before the battle was about to begin an armored moogle stood amongst his fellow soldiers at the front lines, half a greatsword on his shoulder and a seed in his mouth.

[Mintaro]

Parn kept a swift pace through along the ground. His eyes piercing the weak starlight as though they were the sun. Parn laughed inwardly. "Stars being like the sun? That was silly." Off in the distance he heard the trumpeting sound of war horns. His ears shot up for a second and he'd have wagged his tail had it not been asleep on his back. Then he recognised it as a Lec horn. Then farther in the distance he heard an answering call. This time his tail did wag much to Shriek's hissing irritation. Parn apologized to his counterpart.

He picked up his pace. Finally after a week of wandering he would be reunited with his countrymen. Even better though, was the thrill of the battle that would await him on his arrival. Plus the satisfaction that he would come upon the rear of the Lic's. Soon many evil dogs would fall to his might.

He could make out the Ruins of a building that looked to have been made into a makeshift fort. In the distance he could hear the sounds of battle. Clearly this was the place. On the walls many archers and a few mages stood. Watching the rear. Parn crouched down in some brush. Sure it was dark but that wouldn't stop many races from seeing him. He slowly began creeping closer to the back wall. Moving from bush to bush.

[Tarrin]

Harlequin swept back into the air, his wings beating softly against the cooling air of the night.
The moon hid this night aonly the soft glow from the stars over head iluminated the battlefield, the Lex army had begun their advance their armour glinting from the stars giving away their position even if Harlequin's elven eyes couldnt see in the blackness of night.

Moving his attention from the incoming army he scanned the Lic's own lines, they were being drawn up warriors on the ground ranking up while mages and archers lined the ramparts, soon the battle would begin.

Something caught Harlequins attention, flying to the rear of the castle he could have swarn he had seen a movement, but now he was here he could see nothing only scrub and a few of the normal animals of the night.
"You men" Harlequin called to the guards on the rear ramparts "Keep ypur eyes peeled we do not wish to be wedged between two fronts of attack" Satisfied that the guards were doing their job he took flight again.

At this height he could see the battle lines approaching, soon the battle would be joined and then he hoped his training would keep him safe, He knew that some of his fathers men were amongst the Lex forces and that he was their main target his only real fear was how many of the men on his side of the fight were on his fathers pay role?

[Inbred Chocobo]

Ingram walked with a strange determination. The others around him walked that same determination, but looking into thier eyes, you could see a hint of fear of their deaths. Ingram however, only had focus. The forces were to meet within the minute as they marched closer, and soon everyone of these forces would meet.

However something bugged him. His logic dictated that he would be better suited somewhere in the farther regions, supporting with magic. Then when the forces managed to take out the front lines, he could move in with his blade. Yet here he was, skipping the whole magic support and going straight in with his blade.

Then he saw it. Hesitation of the kill. He saw it in everyone one the soldiers next to him. Not one of them wanted to throw the first blow to start this massive battle. No one wanted to pull a trigger which would end up killing thousands.

Ingram realized why he was stuck on the front lines. He held up his hand as the forces came closer. A ball of ice formed in front, and soon spikes came bursting out in one huge blast, sending the first attack at his foes.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

Ultar saw the ice blast hurtling directly towards him and was unfazed. Men around him temporarily broke formation in order to avoid the sphere, but Ultar stood his ground.

At the very last second he raised his axe high above his head and struck downwards as the blast connected. His blade was a sharp as ever, and the frozen ball shattered into a million pieces. Ice shards scattered everywhere, some even stabbed into Ultars' chest, but they did not faze him either. Whoever had cast that spell was powerful. VERY powerful indeed. This pleased Ultar. There was at least one worthy foe on this field and Ultar hoped he could meet him in combat very soon.

For a second after the blast nothing happened. Absolute silence washed over the entire area. And then Ultar once again raised his weapon high in the air and let out a great roar in defiance of his enemies. The entire Licentius army followed suit as the line re-formed. The morale boost was all these men needed, because NOW they were psyched-up for battle. NOW they were ready and all fear left them. They would destroy the Lex scum, and they would do it with pleasure!

[TheBlindMime]

The sky was a clear deep black with the stars fading into a blue oblivion as the sun climbed ever higher, though it was still too low to shed light on the field far below the heavens, the one with electricity in the air and the thunder of battle roaring for miles around it.

Be it nerves or tactics, the mages had started early this battle, though their power was evident throughout. A blaze engulfed an entire wave of Lex soldiers, streaks of lightning cut down men of both sides all while blades of ice rained down from the heavens, or perhaps simply deflected from the axe of a minotaur.

Defensive lines were held, some were broken, chaos was wrapping itself around all the field’s inhabitants and those who were causing it reigned supreme. One of these overlords of chaos happened to be trudging through a freshly mage laid mound of snow and ice no taller then he, a petite three feet.

His sword was swung with great care, breaking bones and rending flesh as it did. Though his stature was small he found great ease in his attacks, striking points he found happily undefended. Their attention drawn forward to the threat in front of them and not to the one charging behind them with blade drawn. Furthermore, few men guard the backs of their thighs and ankles, his targets were open and welcoming to his blade.

Though his gambit was a risky one, many of the third and fourth filing Licentius soldiers had spotted the small form flitting back and forth down the line. As he made his way towards them they were ready, blades thrust down as the moogle leaped aside doing his best to keep the frantic pace he had built up running up and down the lines. Swords clamored down and around his head as he dived and ducked amongst, over and around them. His own blade’s swings stopped to quicken his pace, though it was set at the ready.

His job was done with these attempted assailants though, many of them finding they were cut down with their swords in the dirt and eyes on the escaping moogle. They all damned him, though it was not his sword that killed them, he was the one who had slain them.

Soon after the moogle slammed himself down, a small pocket free of fighting had formed their. Kneeling just behind a dying Licentius half-orc he took a moment to catch his breath, as it turned out the smell was atrocious. After killing him, he set his sword up against the corpse and pulled a waterskin from the it, “You won’t be needing this, kupo.” He took a large rewarding drink and wiped the dampness from his furry face with a smile. Tossing aside the still half-full skin, he surveyed the area next hoping to find his bearings and some more victims.

[Red Mage Black]

Naomi stood inside the encampment, watching outside as the battle commensed. She hoped that for some reason, she wouldn't need to be called out for extra help. It's not that she wasn't ready to help, but undecided that she wanted to risk certain death. Naomi smiled at those who remained inside. She enjoyed the company of extra people but didn't like what they may have been thinking.

The huge blast of ice came from the front of the Lex forces. Naomi drew back into the fort with the fear of being killed in the first attack. Yet, when she gazed out the window, one of the soldiers took charge and blasted away the ice, taking unflinching injury upon himself. His roar brought the troops together and once again Naomi was filled with hope.

Regaining her strength, she filtered out of the fort to watch the battle hoping that she may be able to help someone.

[secretskull]

Cobalt surveyed the battlefield carefully, ordering the soldiers under him to hold their ground. He regretted the deaths that would come to pass on this day. Many of the people that would die today could have been followers of justice, if only the circumstances were different.

"Nothing I can do about it", he sighed. "I can only put an end to their injustice, not change it." He focused his attention on the battle.

"Pike men! Ready your weapons, and attack!" The pike men ran forward, and formed up in their ranks, and began to strike down the Licentius troops with their long-hafted pikes.

A few moments of combat passed, the Licentius soldiers began to advance, hacking off the heads of pikes as they did so. "Pike men, withdraw! Infantry, charge!" The tactics that Cobalt used were not overly clever, but amidst the chaos of the battlefield they worked remarkably well.
Cobalt joined the fray along with the infantry, catching the opponent's weapons, and then smashing them from the other side with his morningstar. His fighting was slow and careful, almost tidy.

The two forces were now at a standstill, neither side gaining or losing ground. "Cavalry, charge!" From behind the swordsmen two horsemen charged forth. Both of the horsemen were covered from head to toe in massive suits of field plate, along with a lance and broadsword. The horses they rode were attired in much the same manner. They began to cut through the Licentius line.

[Mintaro]

As parn crept closer to the castle under cover of darkness, he saw a figure gliding quietly through the night sky. Moving quickly he scurried behind a nearby bush and pressed himself close to the ground. He was fairly sure he had been missed but not positive. Listening intently for any sign he may have been seen. From atop the wall he heard an order being issued.

"You men. Keep your eyes peeled we do not wish to be wedged between two fronts of attack."

Parn made an uncomfortable grumbling sound in his chest. There was not a whole lot of bushes he could skulk around. Like any intelligent military officer. The fortress had been cleared of debris and brush for 100 yards. All that was left there was the few scraggly bushes that had sprung up sense the clearing.

Parn froze unsure of what to do. In the distance he could hear the sound of the battle commencing. Hopefully he could wait until a few archers were pulled from the rear of the castle to the front.

[Tarrin]

Harlequin could see the battle well, one point that had his intrest was a unit of Lex pikemen starting to fall back.

A cruel smile crept onto his lips, his sotf wings dipped quickly bringing decent to his gliding form, Judging that he was close enough Harlequin released his spell.

Below on the battle field the pikemen started their fall back they were suddenly met by a wall of fire to their backs cutting off their retreat, The Lic warriors saw the panic grip the pikemen and pushed their advantage hoping to finish off their target.

Climbing back into the air Harlequin felt the whoosh of arrows fly past his form, the Lex knew he was about now and he'd have to be more careful when droping down to cast spells.

It was this time when the Trebushe(sp??) in the courtyard started their bombarding of the rear ranks of the Lex army, hoping to cause confusion and panic in the ranks of the enemy.

[Inbred Chocobo]

The blade cut through the armor, and the spear made of ice jabbed the foe coming to help. Ingram broke off the spear, causing the ice to form into another sword, and chunked it into the next Lic soldier. He wipped his blade out of the first on, and parried the oncoming attack of another soldier, the jabbed him with a spike. He was being effective in his kills, making no room for error or gaps. What did look like an opening, always turned into a trap as Ingram slaughtered the soldiers. Though he knew his real target, that billowing minotaur. That creature could cause damage some severe damage on this field if he left him unchecked.

With a few more kills under his belt, he whirled the sword in a quick motion, using the sword as a focus point, and a temporary storage, letting the magic build up. He launched the spell, sending a wave of ice as tall as a man and just as thick. It tore through the lic soldiers, and went for his target, in which he watched.

[IHateMakingNames]

Ashi had created a bubble free of fighting around himself. The Licentiaus soldiers stayed away from him because while the higher ups agreed to let the demon fight, the soldiers did not want to fight with a demon. So they hoped he would die in battle. While the Lex Legim soldiers ignored him for several reasons. The confusion as to why a demon is on the battlefield, unsure if he was a Licentiaus soldier, a natural fear of demons, or because he was covered in blood due to killing any soldier who attacked him in a needlessly bloody way. Plus he wasn't attacking anyone, so he wasn't drawing any fights to him.

The reason Ashi wasn't attacking was he didn't care. While he did support Licentiaus, his lowly actions in a single battle didn't matter. Ashi was here to find a powerful soldier, some one stronger than him. Before the battle he had stolen some potions, and he wanted to gather their blood in the bottles.

However, none of these puny mortals were worth it. Everyone in the front line were peons, quantity over quality. Before Ashi could plan some more, he noticed a rather large Lex Legim soldier bowling through his own men towards the demon. Apparently he noticed the lack of fighting, and wanted to fix that. Ashi could already tell his blood wasn't worth it, but a demon never let a good kill get away.

[Red Mage Black]

"I better help him out", Naomi said to herself climbing out on to the battlefield. A big chunk of ice was headed towards one of her comrades, a rather large minotaur. Reaching as far as she could she began to chant, keeping the farthest away she could. "Silent light, shield from evil! Shell!" A faint red bubble formed around Ultar before dissapating. "This should help against the impact of the spell. Good luck to you." She said silently before drawing farther back from the front lines.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

As the mages from both sides began their assault after the initial ice blast, Ultar seemed to crouch down like a runner awaiting a race to start, his head bowed as his right foot began to scrape backwards across the ground. He was gearing up for the inevitable charge. He knew what came next and a second later he was proven right, as the order finally came.

At the same moment as the Licentius line began their charge, Ultar powered forward ahead of them, running flat out into the Lex army. The Lex troops ahead of him knew one thing: They were going to die. Charging towards a minotaur was suicide. But charge they did.

The Lex forces smashed into Ultar, and he into them, as the great axe swung to the left, cutting down a great many men before reversing direction and doing it again as more men were forced to the front of the line. An army to their backs and a massive minotaur to their fronts, the Lex soldiers stood no chance. A third strike sent another group hurtling backwards through the air, already dead before they hit the ground.

A great opening had been made in the Lex line as the Licentius troops finally caught up four seconds after Ultar had struck his first blow. It gave them a slight advantage and they took it, following in the wake of the destruction being brought about by Ultar.

Ultar however, didn't care about this, as he paused a moment and quickly scanned for the warrior he sought. He paused a moment too long, as a pair of spears suddenly pierced him in his side. A roar of pain burst from him as he brought the axe to bear on his enemies, cleaving one of them clean in two from head to toe, before using the flat side of his weapon to bat the other aside. He now grabbed at the spears, breaking one of them like a toothpick and leaving its head imbedded in his lower torso, while he pulled out the other and swung it in a great arc like he would his axe, catching another two soldiers across their necks with such force that this spear too, snapped like a twig.

And then he saw it; a wall of ice was speeding towards him. Clearly it was the same caster as before and it appeared he too, sought a duel. Ultar smiled inwardly.

As the wall appraoched him, a red bubble enclosed him. He realised that one of the Lic mages was trying to shield him, but it was unneccesary, because as the "wave" of ice came closer he saw it was only half his size, no taller than a man. He ran at it and after only three thunderous footsteps Ultar leapt, easily clearing the obstacle. He landed hard in-amongst the Lex troops who had moved into the alley created by the waves passage. His huge form crushed four more men and his axe ripped through two others, while his left hand had shot out and grabbed another by the head and pulled him to the ground, where his skull soon impacted.

Ultar rose slowly to his feet and faced his opponent, who now stood directly ahead. The fighting continued around them, but neither were attacked and the battle seemed to be giving them a wide berth.

Ultar hefted the mighty battleaxe in both hands.
"For the honour", he muttered inaudibly to himself.

With a speed that seemed impossible for a creature his size, Ultar moved forwards and spun, the axe gripped at the very base of its pole-arm so as to extend it to its full and considerable length, as he struck towards his opponents head.

[Tarrin]

Harlequin had left the battle, he did not run away and was not retreating, Instead he flew over the Lex incampment.
Only a hand full of men stood around most in a small group looking towards the battle far in the distance, each man imagining the carnage their battle brothers were enacting on their enemies.

Harlequin started his casting finishing his spell by whispering "Meteor", a mass of small fiery stones fell apon the encampment settinf camp, wagon and anything else that could catch on fire.

The warriors paniced starting to run for the water barrels to attempt to douse the flames, Taking flight back into the darkness Harlequin hoped that some of the forward contingents would assume a second Lic force had attacked to their rear and be drawn off to deal with it.

Flying back to the battle he hoped that his small diversion hadn't left his comrads in a position that would lose them the battle.

[Mintaro]

After much waiting a man with a plume in his helmet came running along the wall top. "Archer squad 6 your needed at the front gates the forces are preparing a regroup. We'll need cover fire. The rest of you watch double hard. Sound the bell if there are any problems." With that he ran back towards the front gate with about a quarter of the archers in tow.

Parn was quite happy, he had learned two vary important things. Firstly that three squads were left on the rear wall. Secondly that the bell was the signal. And thirdly that the battle was well underway and likely both groups were about to signal a regroup. Searching through the night Parn found the bell. Wiggling his tail to wakefulness he growled quietly to him. "We're going in, ready for battle."

"I am always ready." Shriek hissed back.

With that Parn tensed himself up crouched and ready to pounce. In the low light he would take them quickly and by surprise. They were many but up on the wall they would have little room to fight him. His sleek form suddenly shot through the night. His long strong legs pounding towards the wall. As he grew quite near he leaped into the air beating his powerful wings twice. He shot up at a sharp angle. The last thing the surprised archer saw was the gaping maw of a beast as it closed around his neck. Snapping his spine.

Parn spun quickly Shriek lashing out taking another guard in the throat puncturing his arteries. The Venom acted quickly as it was carried straight to the brain. With the two bell guards down he shot along the top of the wall. Panicked guards were now quite aware something was wrong. The sound of Horse hoofs on the stone was a dead giveaway. The bestial sounds of combat further confirmed it. The ones closest quickly case off bows for short swords at their sides. Those farther away readied to fire.

Parn gave them little time for either. He was big, and the space on the wall was small. He barreled down it using his great weight and powerful claws to push men off the top. Those that were lucky enough to fall inward landed on the makeshift buildings and stables below. Saving their lives. Those that fell outwards had a nothing but a quick stop to greet them.

Shriek hissed out a sudden warning causing Parn to leap to the air narrowly dodging three arrows that clattered against the stone where he had been. Turning around sharply he saw three archers that seemed more specialised then the others. Wouldn't you know it? They were right by the bell. The clang of metal on metal rang out as a fourth archer rang the bell signaling and attack on the rear wall. That was all the cautioning Parn needed. He was a beast of battle but he could not take on an entire fortress by himself. Taking to the air he flew hard and fast upward and away from the wall. Then quickly let himself drop out of the sky. Gliding swiftly away from the wall and towards the ground. Hopefully it would be enough to give the blurry eyed humans the slip.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Ingram's attack served its purpose. It got people away from him and this minotaur, so that he wouldn't have to worry about stray dogs trying to jump one of them. It also got the minotaur to attack, which was what he needed.

Then the minotaur made its attack, some kind of spin move it thought would work. It was fast, but then again with that much muscle put behind a run, it could probably run a good bit fast. He would have to test the flexibility of this animal next. He ducked, but formed a barrier of ice that arched upwards. When the axe hit the ice, instead of shattering it if it would've hit dead on, as in if he aimed for the torso, it scrapped along the ice, causing the axe to go high, and hopefully through the minotuar off balance.

The second the axe was off the ice, it suddenly sharpened itself, and shot forward, moving to strike at torso and legs of the beast with its angled shape. Ingram himself stood a little back, watching what the minotaur did.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

it scrapped along the ice, causing the axe to go high, and hopefully through the minotuar off balance.

And so it did, but not for long. As Ultar staggared back slightly, the ice re-bounded and came at him again. Before he could react, it struck... about two feet from him on an invisible barrier, the shield spell from a few moments ago still in place. The ice shattared slightly and fell to the gound, its forward momentum suddenly repelled.

Ultar didn't know how long such a protection might last, but it would certainly, HAD certainly helped already against this foe. And with the possibility of lowering the impact of his magic, he might be forced into melee combat where Ultar could simply soak up the wounds and use his natural strength and speed to his advantage. This was going to be an interesting battle.

But yet, he sensed something was wrong. It was almost like this man was merely here to distract him and keep Ultar busy. Well, that was ok, all Ultar cared about was his own personal war with this being, the men around them could all lay down and die for all he cared.

Ultar, now recovered from this last blow, looked toward his enemy, who seemed to be just waiting for Ultar to make the first move, so Ultar obliged.

He hunkered once more, his feet alternately scraping back the ground again before he was suddenly a blur of motion as he charged forward again. A lone warrior appeared before him, emerging from the battle around the pair, perhaps forced into the clearing by an ill-timed parry from whatever enemy he was facing. He was knocked to the ground and crushed by the immense form of the minotaur. Ultar didn't even know what side he was on and nor did he care, as he continued onwards.

[secretskull]

OOC: I won't be able to log on for the next few days. I'm going on a hike to the South. I'll post again when I return.

Cobalt was not happy with the way the battle was going so far. While his group was doing well, the rest of the Lex Legim warriors seemed to be dealing poorly with the unorthodox methods of the Licentius. One of these "methods" took the form of a demon on the battlefield. He was not yet actively participating in the fight but his presence was a distraction to the Lex Legim soldiers.

Carefully he began advancing his men toward the area of the demon. "It would be difficult to force the men to combat that demon; I will have to do it myself," he thought to himself, as they began to draw nearer to the demon. Cobalt altered his body slightly, making himself smaller and quicker. Against a demon, he reasoned, speed would be more valuable then strength. "All I need to do now is draw his attention."
"I challenge you to combat, demon!" As his men began to fight the surrounding Licentius soldiers, Cobalt entered the circle around the demon, both weapons drawn. "That should get his attention," he murmured, unaware that he was speaking aloud.

[Tarrin]

Harlequin saw the dark figure flying in the darkness and heard the bell from the rear watch ringing, obviouly that was not on the Lic's side of the battle and had attacked the men on watch.

Calling forth a spell Harlequin unleashed the vortex of wind towards the creature hoping to force it to the ground or closer to the archers where it could be delt with before it could deal too much more damage.

[IHateMakingNames]

"I didn't know mortals were so eager to die." Ashi mocked the new Lex soldier that decided to challenge him.

Instead of simply killing this one, Ashi decided to have some fun. The body of the last Lex soldier to attack him was still at Ashi's feet. He reached down and grabbed one of the soldier's arms, placed a foot on his back, and ripped the arm off. Then in the same motion, he threw the arm at the new Lex soldier. While that arm was still flying, Ashi started to remove the other arm.

[Mintaro]

The vortex of wind caught on the tail end of Parns drop from the sky. Causing him to catch even more speed. He shot off away from the castle like a furry rocket. Flapping his wings quickly he kept himself a foot or so above ground coasting along the wave from the spell. Finally letting his feet hit the ground. Taking to hoof and paw he ran off on a path perpendicular to the castle wall he had left. A path that would take him past the battle given the time.

[TheBlindMime]

Lex was being pushed back, this was quickly turning into a losing battle. Should the Lex be pushed back they would regroup and charge once more only to have more men cut down by an initial volley of arrows and spells before they could even reach the Lic soldiers again.

"Do you see it too Cornelius? The flaw in our strategy." The moogle asked the corpse with a subtle smile, "That's right, we leapt without looking and now we must learn to fly. Fortunately, I know a thing or two about flying." The marginally wiser then crazy moogle sheathed his blade over his shoulder before taking a bold step forward. "Watch carefully now Cornelius, you are about to see a craftsman of war at work."

Clasping his hands together and whispering words forbidden in most tongues the moogle was weaving a careful tapestry. He took little notice of what was happening around him, a gaint of some sort stumbled over him while other spells flared painfully against his fellow soldiers just to his left. He sucked in a final breath before he charged stopping just behind a frenzy of both sides fighting for their lives.

Throwing his arms forward as if he held an invisible bucket he freed his breath and his spell, "POISONGA!" The buckets contents spilled forth, it was a dark and sinister smoke, entangling all those unfortunate enough to be close, Lex and Licentius alike.

As some dropped within it, others ran from it, the moogle just raised his sword and charged into it.

[Mintaro]

Parn took a sharp turn towards the fighting. Barreling down upon a few lic soldiers that had taken a moment to break away from the melee to catch their breath. One moment the men were standing leaning on pike and sword. Breathing hard. The next a massive beast was among them. Parns sharp teeth snapped the neck of one. Wile Shriek sunk his teeth deep into the eyes of another, causing instant blindness. The third picked up his blade and took a swipe at the beast. Parn hopped away from the clumsy attack and then leapt into the air. Beating his massive wings once causing a gust that knocked the man off balance. Then coming down on top of him Parn began raking him with his fore claws. Tearing away mail and opening his chest. When the man was sufficiently bloodied he ran further into the battle.

[secretskull]

OOC: Sorry for taking so long, I’ve been busy.

Cobalt jumped aside rapidly, letting the gory missile fly by harmlessly (to him).
“Was there any point in that macabre display?” He asked with bravado, trying to intimidate the demon.
He began chargin toward the demon, wielding both his weapons.
“Or was its only purpose to further vex me?” He added as he viciously swung his morningstar toward the demon, aiming for the hand that was ripping apart the body.