Tirarrian jerked out the stand for her Crossbow, and carefully pivoted the weapon into place, followed by a snap movement and a click locking it into place. It hang there loosely while her little gnomish hands darted across bolts and the pouch Edict had thrown her. Evolution and practice had made Gnome's fine dexterity the stuff of legends, and they were but a blur popping in and out of her jacket, pushing her hat back up in the blink of an eye and already loading the crossbow, before bouncing back into her jacket and pulling out another bolt. It all took about 30 seconds, including the set-up time for the crossbow.

She looked across at the engagement of guards and skeletons. Perhaps the guards would get the upper hand, but things would go more smoothly if this worked out. Two of the skeletons lumbered horrifically out of the now ablaze inn, and started immediately towards her entrenchment, still on fire. She cursed and quickly loaded the specialised bolt into the crossbow, and moved onto preparing the weapon to fire by cranking a lever to get the bolt ready to fire.

One rotation, and about 30 yards of space from the skeletons. The perfect range for a shot

Two rotations, the skeletons picked up speed and reached about 20 yards, maybe more. Tirarrian was hardly focusing as she gritted her teeth and ignored her hat slipping over her eyes

Three rotations, four rotations! Raising her hat she realised the skeletons were but mere feet from her, they promptly swept around the crossbow's front to stay out of it's firing range. The first one took a swipe at her, but she ducked below it, pushing the back of the crossbow down, and the front up, the angle-ometer (?) clicked with the movement until it reached the perfect place

The Bolt shot free of the crossbow, and Tirarrian dived back away from the skeletons, drawing her sword.

The quarrel span through the air, and Tirarrian gave a quick prayer the package wouldn't offset it's balance.

The bolt sailed straight through the now mostly removed thatch roof of the inn and crashed into one of the tables, where the flame-proof paper stayed attached to the end. The shaft set on fire promptly, and acted as a fantastic fuse for a bomb stuck to the end. Shrapnel pierced the bag of flame-proof paper, which was also filled with all the blue dust of Edict's, sending it all over the inn, and extinguishing the almost out of control pyre in it's entirety as far as most could tell.

Had Tirarrian noticed, she would have been amazed at the effectiveness of Edict's materials. Unfortunately she was too busy waving her sword at the encroaching demons, her poisons useless against such a terrible foe. "Help? Anyone!" she cried for a somewhat more competent fighter

@notdeadyet@Inertia@ArenaSnow@Elitestpotato@Strafe@IcePezz@WanderingRebel@Plecy

"C'mon." Joseph muttered as he brushed past her. She was used to not being trusted, in fact, it felt better this way. To her, it meant that she didn't have to trust him in return. Always with your back to the wall because not a single soul will cover it better. Whether it was true or not, it was something she had faced many times. Violence was her life, she had known nothing else. All kindness ever was, was a bittersweet veil hiding the truth.

But now was not the time for truths or tales. Something was going on and death hung heavily in the air. She followed Joseph and the others towards the chaos. There was a twitch in her hand which ached for her axe, but she steadied the anxious anticipation for battle. She had spent years learning to control the rage, the fire inside her and shadows that consumed her. She wouldn't have it all undone, not like this, not here.

Just as they neared it all, a woman, looking completely disheveled, frantically came and grabbed a hold of Jason, running with him back into the shop. His mother she thought. He went with her so easily, reluctantly, like any child being torn away from a toy might, but without a fight or fuss. But then again, he seemed at such ease with these two.

Soon enough, he came right back. She couldn't help but snicker, though her daydreams and idle thoughts were severed short as they reached the end of the alley way, now able to fully gaze over the chaos that ensued. Flaming skeletons rushing through town, trampling anyone they could in their way. And something ... something large and foul had gathered a few with weapons ready, over by the tavern, which now seemed to be nothing but a hunk of rubble, soot and flames tearing whatever was left down. The large and loud one from earlier was there accompanied by a couple of others.

Guards had swarmed the city streets fighting back the minions that plowed out of the tavern. There were another two who seemed to have just entered the fight alongside the guards. A young girl flailing her spear through a few unfortunate foes, and an older man who was charging through with a sword.

Strategics weren't her strong suit, not in large situations such as this anyway. But she tried to think of where she might be the most help.

A bolt flew from some direction near her and suddenly there was an explosion from within the tavern. She ducked as if pieces of wood and other tavern remains went flying in every which direction. All of this in one day! There was a twitch of excitement as she pulled a large wrapped object from her back, her axe hidden under her cloak. It was simple enough. The shaft was about the length of her forearm, and wrapped with dark red and black cord. The rounded blades on each side were sharp and deadly, edges chipped here and there from use. Etched within the metal were odd markings; lines, void of any structure or straightness, going in every which direction colliding with each other. She was about to charge with it into a skeleton near the main group when she heard a cry for help near where the bolt had come from. "Help? Anyone!" She whirled quickly and moved in the direction of the voice.

Swinging her axe, she managed to slice right into the midsection of one the skeletons, severing the body of flaming bones in half. She yanked the axe free of the flaming debris as the rest of the demon crumbled to the floor. A flash of surprise for a brief moment as she looked at the weapon. "Well that was easier than I thought" she mumbled to herself, not realizing the power that had went into her swing. The adrenaline was rushing through her as she swung her axe into the remaining threat. The second one wasn't as easy to deal with as the first. Adapting to her movements, it seemed to evade almost all of her attacks. As mindless as they were, she realized this wasn't going to be that easy. She had no choice but to do it. The skeleton took one last swing in attempting to kill Isabeau, and with that she shadow stepped around and behind him, dropping her axe to the floor and quickly reaching for the two daggers on her. Crossing her wrists, she plunged the daggers into the nape of the neck then pulled outward releasing the head of the skeleton to roll idly at their feet. Still in flames, the body of the skeleton staggered forward for a few moments before finally collapsing to the ground.

((@Strafe @Plecy @Ryciera @The Fated Fallen @WanderingRebel @ArenaSnow))

Tobias continued to lead a slowly growing formation of local guards steadily through part the main street as shield bearers held a steady line while advancing as other guardsmen wielding two-handed weapons followed in support cutting down any demons that got though or aiding the front line guardsmen as they tried to press on in combat. Seeing now they had a plan of action now fighting together as a group instead of spread out separate fights Tobias had brief words with one of the more senior guardsmen next to him both nodding acknowledging the discussion Tobias dropping out of the formation as the senior guardsman kept the formation going steadily trying to secure more of the street.

Tobias ran over to other isolated guards aiding them in cutting down the skeletons they where holding off and rallying another small group of fighters together when he heard someone yell "Help? Anyone!" he searched for the caller looking around when he noticed an oddity two skeletons facing away near what looked like a crossbow on a stand, after stepping two paces to the side to get a better view through the fighting around him he finally noticed a Gnome was trying to hold the skeletons off. Tobias turned to the group of guards next to him "Right lads stick together & try to push over the them guards in that formation over there!" He looked at the fresh faced guardsmen pointing at two of the less terror-stricken ones as he spoke "You and you follow me!" Tobias rushed off with two of the guards following him the rest heeding his orders as they headed off towards their comrades. Tobias could see the Gnome in trouble as he hoped she could hold out a little longer as he was trying to cut a path over to her but the skeletons where tenacious constantly getting in his as he tried pushing over towards her.

A skeleton almost leaped at Tobias grabbing onto his shield stopping him as three more rushed him & the guards following, Tobias grunted in frustration but thankfully as he glanced back over towards where the Gnome was another young woman had gone to the Gnomes aid slicing one of skeletons with an axe. Now returning his attention to the annoyance clawing at his shield & shoulder plate Tobias slammed his sword down into the ground then in almost one fluid movement with his now free hand grabbed the flaming skeletons skull & hurled it through the air into the side of a stone wall the creature shattering on contact landing in a nearby puddle its flames extinguishing as parts landed, Not wasting a moment Tobias brutally kicked at the nearest skeletons pelvis pinning the creature to the ground and under the weight of his armored boot shattering its pelvis robbing the creature of its legs as it continued frantically clawing at his leg armor before he lifted his leg & brought his foot down on its skull smahing it into pieces the creature immediately falling lifeless. Tobias grasped the hilt of his sword yanking it back out of the ground as he turned to the two guardsmen following him both having dispatched two of the skeletons on their own and giving them an approving nod as he lead on over to the two girls.

Tobias sheathed his sword as he approached them & lent over picking up the axe the woman had dropped in the melee as he then offered it back to its owner pointing haft towards her as he spoke "Good on ya lass!, not any other youngsters as pretty would be willing to fight these things". he spoke in a kind tone, not a moment after finishing his sentence however he heard a familiar & overzealous voice yell "YEA!, WHO'S NEXT!" Tobias smiled muttering "actually, never mind there are..." sighing slightly as he did so but still grinning at his own thoughts. Tobias then turned his attention to the Gnome taking note of the crossbow mumbling to himself further "they're definitely are... whats up with youngsters these days...". The two guardsmen grinning as they overheard everything though the younger guard kept trying not to noticeably look at the Gnome lassie while turning slightly red in the face despite the surrounding situation.

After handing the weapon back to its owner Tobias turned to the Gnome putting his hand on her head patting her like he would a child "Sorry i couldn't make it over earlier! littlin but you got lucky!" Tobias nodded towards the Gnomes rescuer, "You really should find a decent vantage point to fight from & not leave ure self out in the open in future ok!". Tobias totally oblivious to what the Gnome had accomplished with the burning building, Just then one of the guard cut down another skeleton that had charged them Tobias nodded "Right can't wait here all day!" he then drew his sword and readied to fight more of the skeletons approaching.


Meanwhile Katia continued to run rampant thoroughly enjoying herself as others fought on desperately for their very lives, She found herself now encircled by a group of the skeletons she'd distracted earlier grinning away like a demon-possessed as she checked her surroundings as one of the skeletons made a move before getting hit's head shattered from quick head-on blow from Katias spear, which she quickly followed up with a lighting array of moves swipeing the legs out from two of the skeletons, then immediately forcing her half turn from the swing back as she turned slicing at another skeleton smashing in in half before dropping to one knee & rolling forward still in mid turn as she stood back up slicing clockwise again taking out several more the third skeletons head sent flying and smashing into other demons skull in the distance killing another.

Katia having witnessed the totally unintended result snorted as she tried to refrain from bursting out laughing at the skeletons, before returning her attention to the remaining four that had formally been part of the group encircling her. Katia took several paces towards them spinning her spear from hand to hand before abruptly smacking the pommel of the spear a good couple inches into the ground allowing the spear to stand on its own as Katia walked four more paces towards them drawing a hand-axe from her left hip and one of her short sword from its scabbard at her lower back smiling almost seductively as she approached the skeletons. As if on cue one motioned to charge at Katia, who had counter charged on reflex cleaving downwards with her axe splitting the skeleton where it stood the one next to it barely had time to move before the tip of a short sword was driven into the skeletons forehead shortly before it's skull split in two as both skeletons dropped lifelessly to the ground.

As if on cue one of the remaining two skeletons now slightly behind her charged as did the other from her side, Katia dropped down to her left knee seemingly not even having to think about her situation. The demon approached from slightly behind grabbing now at air missing katias head as she dropped as the under-edge of an axe blade hooked onto the side of one of the skeletons leg swiping the creature off its feet, Katia raising back up as she did so her right arm swinging forcefully downward from overhead at the second skeleton charging her smashing its skull in from above, Katia in a quick & graceful matter stepped slightly to the side at the second skeletons body fell to the ground lifelessly. Katia now less gracefully rushed over to the downed skeleton stamping down on its ribs effectively crushing them in the process as she hammered the axe into its head killing it as well after which she stood up ran over to a bucket of water plopping her left foot into it to extinguish the fire after getting carried away and stamping down on the last kill remembering only afterwards that she doesn't wear full metallic body armor like Tobias so she cant mimic all of his fighting moves, at least against flaming undead creatures anyway...

Shaking off the momentary lack of judgement & slight embarrassment Katia sheathed her weapons as she ran back over to her spear prying back out of the ground just before more skeletons make their way over as she was still standing in between them & some of the more newly arrived town guards, taking up a new stance as she leveled her spear as excitement gripped her again, instantly forgetting her previous lapse in judgement as she yelled at her new attackers "YEA!, WHO'S NEXT!" before charging off towards them with sheer bloodlust & excitement.

Tirarrian crossed her arms indignantly as she watched the rude man hurry off. "Littlin? Lucky? Hmph!" she grumbled to herself as she moved over to her crossbow, and loaded it up for another shot. "I would be in a better vantage point, if you fellas had gotten here sooner and got the situation under control yourselves.. hmmm..."

The Gnomes eyes widened, in her anger she'd totally forgotten her actual saviour! She turned to woman with the axe. "Thank you so much for arriving when you did! You're pretty talented, and you probably know that." Tirarrian did a curt bow, "I am Tirarrian, and what is your name m'lady?"

She ignored the compliment Tobias gave, but dipped her head in thanks as he handed her back her axe. She dusted herself off and tucked her daggers back into place as the conversation continued, and then he was gone.

She was about to be on her own merry way when the gnome introduced herself. "I am Tirarrian, and what is your name m'lady?" "Izzy. You may call me Izzy." she said in a low voice and dipped her head a bit awkwardly in greeting. "He was right though, setting up like this, when there are still so many of these things crawling around was not the smartest of ideas. Despite all of that though ..." she glanced up at the building, who's fire seemed to be nearly all extinguished "That was one hell-of-a shot." She shook herself back to reality and looked at the gnome once more. "You keep yourself safe now. We don't need you dying needlessly, and I can't be your personal guard." she may have been a little transparent, but her voice was curt enough to get the point across. She wasn't in the habit of making friends for a reason, and wasn't about to change that now.

She patted herself down a moment, making sure all was there, then headed off towards the main attraction, her axe slicing through the opponents in her way. They're here not as a real threat, well, maybe to the untrained citizen, but not to the warriors in the city. No ...they're here as a distraction, a means to draw more chaos into the fold and keep us all from the main fight ... from you Her brows wrinkled with disgust, her eyes darkened somewhat as she fixed her gaze on the tavern and the threat that sat inside. The rage was building, it wouldn't be long now until it all came crashing down. "We take you down and it ends" she muttered to herself. She glanced around, hoping to find Piper and Joseph, waving her arms as a motion for them to join her.

((@Strafe @Plecy @Ryciera @The Fated Fallen @WanderingRebel @ArenaSnow @notdeadyet @Inertia @Elitestpotato))

Joseph had seen scraps. He'd even glanced at death. But naught could prepare the man for the scene they had just walked in to. What were those things, even? Skeletons-- Yes. Flaming skeletons. But that didn't make any sense, that didn't just happen. It was beyond him, and like anything a man couldn't explain, it made him afraid.

It felt like an eternity of jarred staring before he was finally brought back to reality by the sudden appearance of what he assumed to be the mute child's caretaker. It would be apparent to anybody who knew him just how off he was, as he watched them depart with a wide, absent stare. This was all overwhelming. Even if he couldn't see the battle, he could hear it. The clash of steel on steel he could handle, but every scream made him look that bit more sapped. He couldn't avert his gaze for long however, and he locked back on to the maddening spectacle. He took an instinctive step back and reached for Piper's bicep-- Missing the first time. Did he have a plan? No. But he knew who he was bringing when it came to running.

"W-We... We can't..." His words were absent, involuntary, and soft as a whisper. He glanced to his cohort, helpless for a moment. He didn't even notice Jason returning. "W-We should--"

Bang! The alchemical explosion from the Gnome's bolt startled him like a tensed housecat. He jolted upright, took a sharp breath through his nose, and staggered backwards. Isabeau had already dashed off into the fray of burning bone and clashing steel. She must have been mad, he thought. He took a gradual step back for every second that passed as he sank from full height subconsciously. He didn't bother holding onto Piper anymore, he knew they'd see eye-to-eye on this. They weren't going anywhere near that fight, not ever.

He swallowed hard and his jaw tensed as he tried to summon some clear thought. Little came. "Wecan'tbeouthere." He shook his head and swallowed hard. "We can't be out here." He repeated with a shaking, forced pace. Part of him wanted to say more, but this was no time for tirades. He took another quick step back, slipping further from the tavern and the fight in front. It was only then he caught sight of Jason. ...He couldn't leave a child to this. With gritted, bared teeth, he gestured the boy over. "W-Will you move..?!" He figured harshness could be forgiven, given the situation.

Somebody beckoned from across the way-- The woman from earlier. A cry for help..? Joseph stared hard at her for a good few seconds. What did she think he was? He wasn't cut out for this! Every excuse ran through his head, and he turned his back on her, trying to lead his friend and if he came, their tagalong child, to one of the vacated houses at the nearest corner of the town square. Somewhere with a view, but not near that fire. He had to watch this.

@Ryciera@Strafe@Icepezz

Having two people tell her she shouldn't be out in the street was all the incentive Tirarrian needed. She took it as her curtain call and picked up the crossbow, wedging it under her arm and looked around. She saw a man and a boy hustling over to the far side of the courtyard and started moving over with them. Perhaps she could set up in a window or a doorway, and keep them safe

@Plecy

Durin had been carrying two bags of cement, one over each shoulder, for his current employer today. He was a contractor or something who was in the middle of doing some road work or some such. It didn't really matter to Durin. The job was simple, transport some bags of cement to where the other construction workers could use it. There were a lot of bags, so it would be about a day's worth of work for enough money to last about a week. For most, it would be rather difficult to carry one bag, Durin found that 2 bags provided enough work for him to feel justified in how much he was being paid. He was alone for the most part, but that was alright. It just meant Durin didn't have to talk, or think really. He could just let his body work, well he could until he noticed that the bar up the hill was on fire and burning skeletons were wreaking havoc.

Well Durin had enough money to last him awhile anyways. This could be put on hold. The Dwarf immediately began running home, inadvertantly forgetting that he was still carrying the two sacks of cement with him. This was an emergency situation, and an emergency dictated that he would need better gear.

Durin's house was a small, ugly thing, but it worked. It kept the rain out and it didn't get too hot in the summer. More importantly, it was where he kept his weapons and armor, which he hastily donned. All together he had his ultility knife on his left hip, his hatchet on his right, his shield in his left hand and his spear in his right. Despite his shield being wooden, he had faith in it. It was bound with hide, sealed with rawhide and reinforced with steel. Those skeletons would find it difficult to do more than singe its face.

The dwarf left his house and began heading back towards the battlefield when he noticed a man off to the side shoot one of the local guards through the chest with an oversized icicle. Of course this was the work of magic users. Durin never liked 'em. They were too cocksure of the power of magic. Magical power isn't even really theirs, they are just messing with power that they don't really understand. Well whatever that guy was up to, Durin wasn't about to let him go about unimpeded.

Magic users excel at long range, it is imperative to get in close first, preferably unnoticed. Durin began following Artholath, first from a distance, but slowly decreasing the range as much as he could. If all went well, Durin planned to give the magic user a taste of his own medicine and skewer him from behind with his spear. The dwarf did have lots of experience sneaking up on both people and animals alike, but you never knew with magic users. They didn't follow the rules, being able to see where they weren't looking, not to mention that even over the noise of the background battle, this guy may still hear the sound of the armor he was wearing. No matter, whatever happened, Durin would just need to adapt to it, and plan around this guy's actions.

@ArenaSnow

Cyprian was half asleep, crawling on the ground in an odd stupor, he was in a place he had never been. Never explored with his own eyes, he could smell things he never smelled, tasted, sounds. Even the cool dirt almost moist from a waterfall blowing mist around just ahead of him. The scars on his body grew from his shoulders down to his fingertips and up through his face entering his eyes, He was blinded for a second all he could see was blue. Suddenly he woke up, in the back of his shop, he kept a bed so if he got tired working he could just stay overnight and finish in the morning. He figured there wouldn't be any work at this hour since it as a couple hours before noon. He walked outside to the door, he would allow people to make outstanding orders if they wrote notes and pasted them on his door, there was a note reading '2 Fur Trimmed Mantles, 3 Cloaks'

This order wouldn't typically take longer than 4 days to do if he spent half the day on one trying hard or perhaps spending a day on each but the difficulty would be near the bottom if read that he needed to finish it by This morning, probably around noon, with a couple hours to spare he was unsure if he would be able to do it. Actually he was more than discouraged, he knew he wouldn't be able to do it.

The person who left the note probably came last night, he didn't remember much but he couldn't waste any time, he gathered the materials he needed and started working, an hours passed and another came. He was trying to hurry as fast as possible, the task was just to much to handle for him alone with so little time to spare. He was becoming frustrated, he swore as he heard footsteps approaching the shop from the front desk, he was in the back working, the steps became closer and Cyp, more frustrated with their nagging creak on his floor.

"Shit, this can't b--" All the sudden Cyprian began to feel his skin peeling off his bones, a blue glow emanating from the back room of his shop, he looked up and was blinded by a blue glow through his eyelids. Suddenly the materials in the room he was using to make the cloaks and the mantles now seemed to levitate before him, he sat up almost in a meditative style. The objects in the room were materializing the clothing he needed, within a couple minutes he heard a noise from the front of the shop.

"Hello? Is someone working here" The voice grew in intensity, perhaps the man needing the clothing...

Cyprian spoke up after coming to, he closed his eyes and they returned to their regular form, the clothing lay in front of him, completed. He couldn't believe it, he was somewhat afraid however, he knew that magic was nigh forbidden the way it was frowned upon. Most would not think twice to shove a blade into any magic users. Cyprian stood up and brought the clothes to the man.

"I.. I suppose these are yours sir?"

"You supposed right, here is payment. Quite a fine job you've done, perhaps I'll return someday. See I am a trader, I buy and sell, with work this good you could be cut in here."

"Surely you jest, sir. Good day." Cyprian waved to the man as he left the front desk, and then off to the back room where he plopped down on his bed.

"This is... Fucked."

In a rage, Isabeau ran right through ... whatever was in her way really, she didn't quite take the time to realize what she was plummeting through. Tunnel vision had gotten the best of her, especially when at the end of that tunnel was the cause of all of this. She finally stopped, once infront of the tavern. It looked like an end of the world advertisement! Swords clashed here and there, guards were off fighting skeletons. She blinked a few times ... is that a dwarf fighting a ... what is that?!

She stared wide eyed for a moment or two at the dwarf and his foe, her attention swiftly yanked back to the battle infront of her as she was nearly sideswiped out of the way. She growled lowly at the combatants, an instinctive and defensive growl that probably couldn't be heard over the chaos of battle, but she growled non the less.

He focus finally returned, both hands grasped her axe fiercefully as she crept inside the dilapidated tavern. Flames still danced here and there, but for the most part, the explosive had done its job. Nearly everything was covered with a blue powder, and as she entered, she nearly choked on all the soot and smoke that still inhabited the large room. It's like she had walked into a nightmare, and what scared her the most was she had no idea what to expect next.

@Diabolic @Dragoknighte @WanderingRebel @ArenaSnow @Strafe @Elitestpotato @Inertia

A little ways across the town, shit began to hit the fan. Flames bursting every which way, people running and screaming. And... Skeletons? Burning skeletons?

Cyprian through his shop and slammed through the door, sword in sheathe. He felt his skin peeling again, trying to supress it the way over to a tavern. Cyprian shot left and right like a shuttle through a loom, just before reaching one of the tavern windows, a skeleton burst from the side of the wall. Attacking Cyprian, he was blindsided, a small group of individuals were across the road from him.

"Damn!" Cyprian shouted, trying to hold off the skeleton, he grabbed it by the vertebrae and it was singing his hands.

"Ahh, damn fire!" His skin still crawling with magical prowess. All the sudden, the scars on his arm elevated and shot out through the air, grabbing the burning undead fiend and slamming it into the wall across the street. Cyprian stood up, the skeleton tried to dive at him again, Cyprian now more reactive than before, wasn't even looking at the skeleton when he dodged.
The demon fell on the ground once more, Cyprian tossed his sword to the side, not needing it at the moment; threw his magical tendrils towards it, the skeleton dodged the attack and sent a counter attack swing straight into Cyprians ribs with burning bone.

Cyprian was almost unphased by the blow due to his magical adrenaline. He aimed his arm towards the skeleton after backing away and finally got ahold of it. The demon, looking as if it leviatated, was torn apart by Cyprians threads.

He then looked to the people across from him, and spoke. "He and I are the same; through him I am met."

Cyprian then fell on his hands and knees choking, gasping for air. "Gah, dammit... Skeletons... Burning, skeletons."

Jade wasn't surprised by the chaos erupting in the city, it was about damn fuckin time that the bastard showed itself, and here she thought it would take another three weeks for anything to happen. After twiddling her thumbs for nearly a month, the brand in the palm of her hand was burning like she couldn't believe. Strapping the last buckle on her boots, she slipped her daggers onto her thigh holsters and clipped her brass knuckles onto each hip. Grabbing her Kansa, she made a mad dash from the hotel that she had been staying at, only to be met by mass chaos in the streets.

Ignoring the smaller demons, Jade had a much bigger fish to fry, taking off through the streets Jade hissed as her hand burned with pain. She was getting closer, looking up she saw a pillar of smoke rising from the tavern she had frequented many times over the last three weeks and as soon as she arrived at its door...the pain disappeared from her hand.

"Finally..."

Slipping her brass knuckles onto her fingers, Jade slowly stepped inside. "Here...kitty...kitty...kitty..." She taunted as she heard someone else inside, expecting it to be the demon, she dashed forward and went to throw a punishing blow...when it was just a woman. "Ya' wouldn't happen ta be the bastard that set my favorite tavern on fire yeah?" Stepping back from the woman, Jade crouched down below the smoke level to try and catch her breath sweat beat down her brow. It may not be the most optimal place to fight...but at least they weren't outside where the demon could get away from her.

With an attitude more sour then a pineapple, Jade screamed at the building, aiming her vulgarities at the lurking demon. "Come out you minsid fuck! I ain't got all fuckin day!" Coughing hard, Jade Grabbed a cloth wrapped it around her face. Looking to the woman next to her she asked. "Can you wield magic or no?" Jade didn't seem like the type to be ignored, her tone and demeanor demanded an answer, otherwise the result would end in her being severely perturbed. Either way, she could face this thing down, like she had done before in the past, without back up...she would just rather emerge from this in one piece....Unlike last time.

@IcePezz @ArenaSnow

She was good at keeping quiet. Her breath steadied to a soft inhale and exhale, barely audible, especially over the crackling of wood in the background. She moved around slowly, an eye scanning the tavern for the thing ... whatever it was that started all of this.

Just then, someone else came in. "Here...kitty...kitty...kitty..." Her focus was shattered and one false step sent a creek in the wood beneath her feet giving her position away. dammit! The newcomer dashed towards her ready to attack, but Isabeau dodged just in time. Crouching low to the floor, she steadied herself once more, her eyes locked on the woman before her. "Ya' wouldn't happen ta be the bastard that set my favorite tavern on fire yeah?" Isabeau didn't answer. The woman seemed to be capable enough, but Izzy couldn't help but think of running her axe through her head. Of course I'm not the one responsible for all of this...

The woman screamed a string of words that only made Izzy chuckle. She could like this one, if only she didn't give their damn position away. "Are you a fucking idiot or something? Do you see the damage this thing has done? You want him to have the upper hand here or us? Let us hope the others get here quickly or you might have just killed us all" Izzy scowled and slowly moved away from Jade "Magic is a tricky thing unfortunately. I doubt what ... whatever is in me will work very well, but I'll give you what I can." she nodded slowly still backing away. She made herself small and hid behind a crate. She held her breath a moment and let the lingering smoke surround her I am not afraid she whispered to herself and suddenly she disappeared from view. She was still there obviously, but the smoke and shadows of the nearly destroyed tavern hid her well enough from the human eye.

@Tabitha Jade @ArenaSnow

"Me? An idiot?!" Pausing for a moment, she shrugged her shoulders and retorted. "I may be an idiot, but your the fool who thinks that taking the defensive position when your already in the belly of the beast is wise. Were already on its playing field...might as well beat it to the punch before it kills us first...

Shaking her head, she looked out into the now burning bar and lounge area, the fire place was the source of the flame...so she grabbed her Kansa and started to swing the dagger by its chain. Letting it sling out, she struck it at the heart of the fire only to forcibly rip it back out. Recoiling the blade back to her feet, she picked it up and watched the fireplace intently whilst still spewing vulgarities and idle conversation with the now hidden woman in the room.

"Well I've never known a demon to be a coward..a daemon...or even spirits...but really? By the way, little girl, im gonna need a boost here soon, are yeh gonna back out on me when I need ya or find your self a set of balls and help me out?"

"Well I've never known a demon to be a coward..a daemon...or even spirits...but really? By the way, little girl, im gonna need a boost here soon, are yeh gonna back out on me when I need ya or find your self a set of balls and help me out?"

Isabeau growled loudly, the sound emanating from no where in particular. The rage within her was near to boiling over, but she wasn't going to let it get the best of her. Letting that happen would more than definitely get her killed. She wasn't used to open combat, it wasn't her thing. She kept rationalizing it to herself as she continued to creep alongside the walls. It wasn't that she was a coward, but that this is what she was good at.

She made her way back to the woman who had spewed out the insults and crept up right behind her. Her mouth up close by the woman's left ear she whispered "Say what you will, when we're done with this, you'll be lucky if I don't cram my balls so far down your throat that you choke on those words." she backed up quickly to avoid any retaliation from the woman with a soft chuckle.

As she retreated, her hood lifted just enough that if Jade looked back, she would notice her eyes. What was left of the fire in the dimly lit room reflected off the gold ring in her eyes, making her seem a bit inhuman. She was of course nothing but human, but in that moment, the rage seemed to seep from her, like an ooz dripping to the floor. Dusk was settling in, the evening sun shown through the windows and cracks within the building's foundation. Illuminating enough that whatever shadows cast in the room, seemed to be drawn to Isabeau.

"That's no way to ask for help, but no, I had no intentions on leaving this room. Not unless this demon, as you're calling it, does so.

@Tabitha Jade @ArenaSnow

It was a rare occasion for someone to get the drop of Jade, though she wasn't infailable, Jade chocked her failure up to the loud crackling for the burning building. The woman's words brought a smile to Jade's face as she leaned into her as the woman spoke into her ear. As she retreated away Jade retorted, "Oh baby, you keep talking dirty like that and I might hide in a corner with ya..."

Jade couldn't hide the laugh in her voice as she turned to look at the woman, Jade's brow furrowed as she saw the inhuman likeness in her eyes. Instantly on guard, Jade knelt on one knee in the room, sweat rolling off of her as the heat seemed to intensify. She was suddenly re-evaluating her battle partner...and wondering if she might actually be her opponent, rather than her ally. Whilst assessing the situation, Jade continued the idle conversation.

"Glad ta know yer not a coward though...wouldn't that suck for me! Tea time is about to start, get your crumpets and spoons cause its about to get crowded in here..." She said, as though she could feel the demon coming, her entire body frozen, all except her eyes that continued to scan the flames around the. "Damn this fucker takes his time...I could have at least eaten dinner before I showed up."

@IcePezz @ArenaSnow

Aezophyl wasn’t entirely surprised when the entire fire in the other room, as he detected, went out. There was apparently someone wielding either magic or that damn powder coming in.

Sure enough, he heard someone come in. he grasped his sword and prepared himself to charge when he noticed someone else enter. Shortly after, they had a rather… interesting conversation.

They don’t trust each other? Now how could that be? he thought sarcastically.

He had an idea… one to possibly worsen the situation. Although he would have the surprise advantage, it would be infinitely better to drive them against each other and then kill one while the other was regretting a hasty decision.

The skeletons outside were decreasing in number, losing the former upper hand. He would need a new drawing point and decided to switch locations once this matter was settled. But for now…

Zargon aid me.

He first allowed his heat to sweep around the edges of the room just ahead of him, upping the temperature. One of them was not completely human. He would bank on that advantage.

He had to see what was going on. Otherwise it would not work.

He consigned himself to steadily raising the temperature, hoping that the two would attack each other out of distrust. The small scar created by the magic user outside was quite healed; that would not give him away. He hoped his aura didn’t. He slightly repositioned himself to crouch besides the door, just in case they went to investigate.

(@IcePezz,@Tabitha Jade)

---

Artholath went around a few more corners and walked halfway down the main one. However, he noticed something… odd.

There was a smell. It wasn’t the skeletons, or the demon, or even that putridness coming from the other block. What was that smell…

He decided to ignore it and walk further down the path, forming a long, sharp icicle on a raised finger.

(@Dragoknighte)

---

Zargon watched as Artholath was approached by what appeared to be a dwarf. A tall one, though.

He can take care of himself. He doubted that whatever the dwarf threw at him would do any critical damage.

He repositioned to scry on Aezophyl. The main room was cleared of flames. The powder… an annoying creation. He heard Aezophyl give a sort of prayer for assistance.

Yeah, right. He had already stepped beyond his boundaries. This was his matter, and his only.

What was interesting was the two figures in the main room. One was distinctly inhuman, yet no real combatant. The other… a hunter. He spotted the Kansa.

An Orthell? Uridial should have killed them all years ago… Zargon was already recruiting Uridial. If Aezophyl did not take care of this matter, then he would.

Durin was closing in on Artholath, he estimated that he was less than 30 paces away by now. If he had a bow, the magic user would be easy pickings, but conversely, he would have to stay in his effective range. No, his patience would have to stay firm. This was easily the better option. Durin's mark may be concealing a dagger or something that would make getting in too close dangerous. With a spear Durin could at the same time engage in melee and outspace his target.

Even still, Durin keeps his shield up as he turns the corner. If the thing in front of him decided to turn around and blast him, doing so after turning a corner like this would be the best opportunity, since it would be hidden from both Durin and anybody in the public eye. A good sturdy shield would better protect him than that guard with the icicle in his chest behind. The Dwarf could have probably charged and impaled the mage before he turned around at his current distance even with his short arms and legs, but he decided to wait until he was roughly 15 paces away. It's still too risky from here.

@ArenaSnow

She remained quite, but couldn't help the chuckle that escaped from her at the woman's words. For the first time in a long while, there was a thrill to it all, and her fear of losing control had started to dissolve into the shadows that smothered her appearance. There was no feeling of safety, no, that wasn't it. But finally something that told her she wasn't alone. Of course she made every effort to conceal every inch of whatever this was as she crept back towards the walls. Not to mention, the talk of food only made her hungry again. Come to think of it, she hadn't eaten since she got off the boat. She placed a hand on her stomach as if to quiet down any complaints it might have made and grimaced at the thought of the dinner she'd missed.

Something was different this time though as she melded in with the hard surface behind her... it was getting hotter in the room especially towards the walls, despite the many places, how many cracks and holes there were for the air to vent out from. Sweat dripped from her chin and drenched the cloth that covered her. They needed to end this ... but how? What little was passed down by her mother and her mother's people ... it was nothing. There was a reason why she was disowned, and being some unwanted princess from a far away kingdom wasn't even half of it.

Her eyes widened in a panic as she scanned the room for this thing. She didn't even know what it looked like. She never got a good view of it before it came inside. This wasn't her ideal setting and now she began cursing herself for even coming this far. She had no power over this thing? What could shadows and fire do to something like this? Something that did all of this? If this truly is a demon, spawned in the depths of hell, how the hell am I going to defeat it? The temperature was only rising, but she kept to her little corner at the edge of the room. She was suffocating in the heat, but at least here, the heat was all she had to worry about. For now ... she thought.

Another few minutes passed by. She couldn't take it anymore, the temperature only continued to rise. What was building inside her ... it was now or die here from heat exhaustion. But she had no idea where he was or where to aim an attack. "Fucking coward!" she shouted, her anger directed at the demon. "Afraid of being beaten by a little girl?"

@Tabitha Jade @ArenaSnow

"Fucking coward! Afraid of being beaten by a little girl?" Jade smiled equally surprised and excited grin and nodded her head. Jumping back and forth as though she were warming up for a MMA match, she rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck and hollered to the burning ceiling. "LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTED!! WOOOAH!"

Retuning from her drunken frat girl moment, Jade pointed to less likely part of the burning room and she started toward the door. Looking back at the girl, all thoughts of her possibly being the demon fled as she too seemed to be effected by the happenings within this building. "You go that way, first one to scream wins the Jackpot!"

Moving tentatively toward the door, Jade clashed her brass knuckles against each other, making them spark as the runes began to glow. Her veins in her arms turning a light glow of ultra violet, she glared at the door. "Man...if that door hits me on my way in...im gonna break your face with it, demon swine...."