Crimson Paladin

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Fleuri Jodeau

Complying with Gerard's warning, ducked down as a spell came hurtling at them, striking the ground and exploding not far from Gerard. As the Hundi readied another attack in her hand, it was clear at this point that she was now done tossing magical hazards at the duo, and was now focusing on dealing with them.

If they did not react accordingly, they would quickly be removed from this challenge.

Fleuri was no mage, but he could deduce a few things based on what he saw from that first silver sphere. It was almost certainly a warning shot- a mage of such vast power wouldn't miss like that except on purpose, especially in what was explicitly meant as a challenge for the knights. Even in the unlikely event that its trajectory was a blunder on her part, she'd almost certainly correct her aim for the next one.

The most important detail is that the projectile exploded when it hit the ground, rather than bounce off or penetrate through.

If something hit it mid-air with enough force, that ought to make one of these projectiles explode prematurely, he reasoned. At least, he hoped that's how this worked. As Gerard grabbed some dirt, presumably either thinking the same thing or perhaps hoping to obscure himself, Fleuri pulled out the one object on him that he could use in for this purpose- his dagger. It wasn't exactly designed as throwing weapon, but in this instance he didn't need the blade to hit it.

For what it was worth, this ordeal of facing magic did give Fleuri some ideas as to where he wanted to go with his swordsmanship training. Between this and the fight in the Cazt tomb, it was clear that it wasn't enough to learn to deflect physical blades, he needed to learn to fight and deflect magic. He hoped that Rui- either the real one or the duplicate of this world- would be available and willing to instruct him on this path.

The moment that the Hundi fired a projectile as Fleuri, he'd fling the dagger in its path in an attempt to detonate it mid-air, then use the momentary concealment of the light of the explosion to move forward, weaving to the side to ensure that if another spell followed at the exact same trajectory, it would zip past him.

Reborn in a Fantasy World, This Time I Shall...!

Javal

??? - Forest

Javal's attempt to prevent the bird from taking off had failed, the bird's tail feather proving unable to support his weight. The loss of one tail feather did not appear to hinder it, nor did the not-inconsiderable weight of the knight in its talons as it flew off.

"No!" he shouted as it escaped with their companion. He endeavored to calm himself down, or at least appear to be calmed down- he knew from his former profession the importance of always remaining composed and calm. He wouldn't serve anyone by panicking.

They needed to see where the bird was headed. There was no way they could catch it on foot, but perhaps they could at least get an idea where it was taking its quarry.

Javal dropped his halberd and dashed towards the nearby cliff face. He took a leap up towards what looked like could suffice as a handhold, intending to get a better view of the metal bird as it flew towards the tree cover of the forest. He wanted to at least see where it was heading, and how their companion was faring in its talons.

Was there actually any hope of saving her, considering how fast that monster was flying and how ineffectual their weapons had proven against it? Maybe, maybe not, but as long as she might be alive he felt an obligation to try.

@PKMNB0Y@Crusader Lord@Thunder999999@Expendable

Reborn in a Fantasy World, This Time I Shall...!

Javal

??? - Forest

Javal leapt back the bird came down upon the knight, who had volunteered herself to take the brunt of the blow. Evidently she was confident in her ability to withstand the bird's descent, and from the look of it, she had calculated correctly. Unfortunately, the metallic avian was now taking off with her in its talons.

They couldn't let this thing carry off any of their companion to what would be almost certain death. They needed all the help they could get, and once that thing was finished with her, it'd come for the rest of them. Javal wasn't sure if they could kill it, but they needed to discourage this thing from trying to prey on them.

The two pointy-eared companions moved to attack, the mage trying to ice its wings and the knife-wielder attempting to stab at it. With how heavily armored the bird was, it looked like their best bet would be to prevent it from taking off with their ally. Fortunately, as Javal knew all too well, there were many ways to hinder something's airworthiness.

The former pilot dashed beneath the bird, keeping his halberd up to discourage it from bringing its beak down upon him. He then leapt onto the bird's tail, driving the top spike of his halberd into a massive metal tail feather. It might be metal, but he hoped it was thin (and perhaps soft, because surely something so nimble in the air wouldn't be encased head-to-toe in thick, hardened steel, right?) that his halberd would punch a hole into it.

@Thunder999999@Expendable@Crusader Lord

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Fleuri Jodeau

As the advance begun, it became clear that the Hundi was not playing along with what Fanilly had predicted. The demon took flight and descended to where the captain was, while the slope that Fleuri and Gerard had taken cover on was being assailed by a pair of rolling orbs tumbling down. It would appear so far that neither the demon nor the mage were giving direct momentary attention to the two Reonites. Fleuri took cover near Gerard, poking his head out to observe the immediate threat they were facing.

The spheres, firing out randomly as they came down, were reshaping the hill, removing any cover that was present. If the knights tried to wait this out, they'd be left exposed for whatever the Hundi would next call down upon them. They needed to move. However, like Gerard had pointed out said, there was a pattern, and at least some predictability to them.

"I'm with you, Sir Gerard," Fleuri replied to the other knight as he emerged from cover and began to advance alongside him. Like Gerard said, they needed to take this shot, as it would be the only one they'd be getting.

@HereComesTheSnow

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Fleuri Jodeau

The Captain's plan placed Fleuri at the south face. It had plenty of cover (or at least concealment- he wasn't sure if anything could stop that witch's magic if she put enough power behind it), and not a difficult climb, but Fanilly believed that would be where the demon would be.

"It sounds like you'll get to face the demon after all, Sir Gerard," Fleuri remarked to his fellow knight as he readied his sword. He advanced towards the foot of the southern ascent, taking careful note of the cover that they'd have. With a demon standing between them and the mage, it'd probably be up to the other knights to reach the top of the hill, but the challenge of facing a powerful demonic warrior appealed far more to Fleuri than running a gauntlet of magical projectiles. Not that the mage wouldn't fire on them, of course- for all they knew, the demon might have immunities or resistances to certain magics that'd allow the Hundi spellcaster to sling spells in her direction without worrying about wounding her giant protector in the crossfire.

"We'd best get moving, we don't want to keep them waiting."

@The Otter@HereComesTheSnow

Reborn in a Fantasy World, This Time I Shall...!

Javal

??? - Forest

Their attempts to stay unseen by the metal bird had failed. Perhaps it would've been wiser to scurry out of sight as the bird dipped its head down to drink, but perhaps it had already seen them from the air. It didn't really matter, though- all that mattered was that this giant metallic avian had seen them and was coming their way, presumably to kill and eat them.

He hadn't expected to find himself facing something so dangerous so soon into this world. It'd be a true shame to have this second chance at life snatched away so quickly.

He didn't think they could flee from the bird, not with its incredible mobility, and the cave was too far away to take refuge. It looked like there'd be little choice but to fight it, regardless of how durable it looked.

This was definitely not the way Javal would've chosen to test their abilities and limits for the first time. While he certainly felt stronger and more agile even with the armor he had been reborn in, he hadn't yet put it to the test beyond a bit of hopping across obstacles as they had explored.

It looked like they going to have to hit the ground running, so to speak.

"Everyone get ready to fight for your lives! I'm not keen on dying a second time!"

Javal readied his halberd and prepared to jump back as far as he could as soon as the bird came down. He needed to know just what this new form of his was capable of.

@Thunder999999@Expendable@Crusader Lord

Reborn in a Fantasy World, This Time I Shall...!

Javal

??? - Forest

For a while, it appeared that their exploration was looking up. They had come across an open area with a river and lake. The river wasn't just another water source (and potential food source, if any of his companions happened to be adept at fishing), Javal speculate that it might potentially lead them to civilization.

Any thought that things were measurably improving quickly dissipated, however, when the shadow appeared overhead. Looking up, Javal beheld what it was- a giant bird the size of a small airplane, and seemingly made of metal. It passed over them and landed near the lake, having either failed to notice the group or paid it no attention.

The two elves discussed this, and he had to agree with their assessments- this metallic flyer was far too dangerous for them to take on, especially only after they had just gained their new forms. They absolutely did not want to give this thing any excuse to tangle with them. Javal complied with the suggestion to sit down, not wanting to be seen by that monstrous creature.

"It definitely looks like it's plated in metal," he whispered to the elf mage.

This was, overall quite a troublesome development. If such massive avians lived out there, then every moment might need to be spent watching the skies. It certainly made the river and lake seem like a much less desirable place to be.

"I think we should be able to inch our way back to the cliff," he suggested. "I'm hoping it'll get a drink of water and be on its way, but I'd rather not leave it to chance."

@Thunder999999@Expendable@Crusader Lord

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Fleuri Jodeau

It took Fleuri a moment to process what had just happened to him. One moment he was listening to Erion speaking of the second challenge, next thing he knew, the knight had just been caught within the blast of a spell, same as Fanilly, and he was pretty sure it had just vaporized both of them. It was a good thing that there was no dying in this world.

It would appear that their next obstacle had arrived, and their next challenge had been announced.

Get to the top of the hill, try not to get blasted, seems straightforward enough.

Clearly this would be a higher-risk task than the previous challenge, and it seemed likely that at least some of the knights would be felled, potentially multiple times. sure there was cover on the slopes, but that wouldn't stop that mage. His utter lack of countermeasures to magic aside from trying to not get hit was a bit of a frustrating limitation.

As the other knights expressed their ideas and concerns to Fanilly, Fleuri looked up at the two figures on the hill. The presence of the second potential adversary up there may very much complicate this challenge. According to Gertrude, the other figure was a demon warrior of considerable strength.

"There is one other thing to consider, Captain," he chimed in to Fanilly. "The mage isn't the only foe we have to worry about. That demon warrior up there that Gertrude mentioned, I doubt she'll simply stand there and let us approach unimpeded."

@VitaVitaAR

Reborn in a Fantasy World, This Time I Shall...!

Javal

??? - Forest

Javal glanced around at the forest, then looked back up at the cave mouth.

"I agree," he said to the pointy-eared fellow assessing their situation. "We've no idea how close or far civilization is from here, and can't be sure about what manner of weather patterns we'll be facing."

The sky the position of the sun throughout the day, the, temperature, and state of the forest might give some clue as to what they'd be experiencing, but weather could be lethally unpredictable for those unprepared. And with no knowledge of this region beyond the most basic of physical observation, they were very unprepared.

"If we head into the woods, it'd be easy to get disoriented and be unable to find our way back to the cave if the weather turns bad, the night turns too cold, or we're unable to find water," he continued. "But if we follow the cliffs, it should be a straighforward journey back."

@Expendable@Crusader Lord@Thunder999999

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Fleuri Jodeau

Oh no, Fleuri thought as a Talderian knight, impaled on his greatsword, suddenly gripped the weapon and held it to them. He knew exactly what was going on- this fellow was using the last of his or her strength to hold Fleuri in place for a companion to strike at. Indeed, out of the corner of his helmet's eye slit he saw another Talderian moving in on him.

This wasn't the first time this happened to him. Back during the War of the Red Flag, when Fleuri and his paladin mentor confronted the necromancer behind the body-snatching of both the loyalist and traitor dead, the evil mage proved quite adept at controlling his undead servants. A zombie managed to grab hold of his sword as it ran out of momentum cutting through its torso, while another dead soldier came at him with a mace and if it weren't for his mentor stepping in, Fleuri might have died then and there.

It was fortunate that training with Florian and Rui had allowed him to work on improving his footwork. In battle, being mobile was key, and being immobilized could mean swift death. Fortunately, Fleuri wasn't immobilized- only the end of his sword was. He rotated around the hilt of his sword away from his assailant, taking cover behind his weapon and deflecting the incoming spear with the hilt and crossguard. He then gripped the hilt with all of his might, ripped it from the grip of the first Talderian, and swung it at the second with intent to decapitate, and continuing back around to hit the impaled knight in case the hole in their chest hadn't yet caused them to collapse. Merely fatal blows would no longer suffice- their strikes must be to kill or incapacitate.

Upon hearing Renar's command, he complied and formed up, following the other knight's lead in his attempt to punch through the Talderian knights' lines. As Renar pointed out, victory here was not to defeat the Talderians, but to get past them.

@HereComesTheSnow@Psyker Landshark@The Otter@Raineh Daze