[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/230205/f69dd2f75b7475275d406e055ff4e99c.png[/img] [color=537DAE][b]Mentions:[@HereComesTheSnow][/b][/color] [/center][hr] Arton brandished his sword in a way that, he hoped, would make Izayoi proud as he pushed to the front cutting down any opponent in his way with a maximum of two swings. The intensity in his eyes would have only succeeded by Izayoi and perhaps Eve. Their utter disdain and contempt for Valheim might have rubbed of on him. These thugs before them were worse than the soldiers in some ways. Arton had purposefully kept himself ignorant of the extent Mizutani's criminal organization conducted business. Those small details wouldn't help to bring her down any faster. His motivation to cut through their defenses he imagined was similar to Miina's. There was a chance Mizutani knew information about Reisa that would be useful. The shaped plate armor that made his various configurations had been custom-made by Cyth with his help. It was strong enough to endure more than a few shots from the best firearm Skael could produce...but it would eventually fail. His shield, on the other hand, was more than capable of shrugging off volley after volley of shot even if his arm necessarily couldn't handle it. It was for that reason he still took cover next to Rudolf. If he had charged headfirst into their formation there was a change he would overwhelmed by volume of fire alone. Rudolf grabbed his attention with his fierce declaration. Arton would be damned if he would left him go out there alone. He didn't know exactly what Rudolf had been planning so he kept a few paces behind him [color=537DAE]"I got your back!"[/color] It was a simple callout but it was enough to let him know Arton was following close behind. It might have been because of Izayoi's training but his eyes picked up on the dark materia that Rudolf had begun to focus on. Arton barely managed to stepped in front as a fresh volley peppered his armor and shield, breaking or bouncing against its surface. A chill ran down his spine as not long after Eve's voice roared with a violence that suggested what was about to happen. What came next was hardly a shock to someone who had fought with her before. The annoyance was clear and in her voice and he doubt any would object in that moment. Any issues he might have had with her response didn't matter. What was done was done. There was less likely to be much more serious resistance ahead of them if the thugs actions and words could be believed. [color=537DAE]"Rudolf, I'm going to take point. I ask that you back me up."[/color] It was the voice of someone that trusted in the soldier besides him completely. Arton had been one of the few not to speak to him privately after his 'trump' card was revealed. There was no need for clarification in his view. The others might have suspected his condition to be some kind of blight corruption but if that was the case his scar would have surely brought him to the ground with pain. No. Perhaps Arton was the only one who could trust him completely because of that. He led the charge upwards the soon burning building with full faith that the rest of the team would support him. This was his role and purpose as he felt the slight magical pulse of the Materia he held. They didn't possess any flashy ability or skill that allowed him access to spells. What they offered was an incredible defense bolstered by his hardened physique. All he had to do in this instant was draw their ire and Rudolf, with his superior offensive abilities, would be able to freely deal with any opposition.