Forum Thread

*Benton turned around and dodged the strike of Irin's kanabo before lunging forward towards Irin, but Irin was ready to strike. Benton tried to block the kanabo with his sword, but his sword snapped in half. But before Benton realized it, Irin readied for another strick and hit Benton's legs, causing him to fall off the wall and to the ground inside the wall. After several seconds, Benton began to collect himself and saw a bone sticking out of his leg, causing him to cry out in pain. At that moment, he heard the cries of Marchhounds and realized his mistake. Before he knew it, several Marchhounds began to slowly walk into his view. Benton put his hands out and fearfully began to plead to them* No wait! I'm on your side! *The Marchhounds ignored him and began to move closer* Stop! I command you!! *The Marchhounds stopped and began to crouch down* Good! I'm on your side! I'm on your s- *At that moment one of the Marchhounds ripped his right arm off, causing him to scream in pain and terror, as the other Marchhounds pounced and began to rip Benton to pieces.*

*Maddy's sword sent sparks flying upon every impact of Talla's sword. Talla's sheer furiousity and power was much greater then when they last fought. Maddy managed to catch Talla's sword on her own and the two weapons made an ear piercing screech. The two looked eachother in the eyes as their weapons met. Talla then began to speak* I've waited so long for this moment sister! For 5 years I wasted away in that forest, but now it will be your time to die! *Talla pushed Maddy backwards, causing Maddy to fall down onto the wall. Talla ran towards Maddy and jumped in the air, causing Maddy to raise her sword in the air to defend herself. But when their swords collided, Maddy's sword shattered while Talla was thrown backwards by the impact. Maddy continued to hold the hilt of her broken sword in her hand. She looked at the pieces of it, scattered on the wall, in utter disbelief that the weapon she used to defeat Talla the last time, was now destroyed*

---

Star was hacking at the Cloaks slowly making her way towards Irin, Maddy, and Talla. She watched with a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach when Maddy and Talla both dropped over the side of the wall. "Maddy!" Star weaved her way through the crowd of fighters and to the wall. "Irin! Is Maddy okay?"

---

Irin panted, watching Benton get precisely what he deserved. Then, he whipped around and snatched his knife from the corpse of the Cloak, and ran to help Maddy. He was about to leap and swing his kanabō, but a shockwave pushed him back. Groaning, he stood up and looked over to Maddy. Her sword was shattered, she had only the hilt left. "Maddy!" He grabbed a knife from a dead Cloak and threw it, watching as it hit the ground in front of her and stuck, quivering with kinetic energy. It was hers to use. He seemed to have forgotten Star's question when the shockwave hit.

Star managed to climb up to Irin after a bit of a struggle, she paused at Betnon's fate. "He's. . .there's no way he survived that."

---

"No, there isn't." He started to spin his kanabō again, making sure Star wasn't in danger of it. Then, he started forwards, advancing on Talla and forcing her to stay in a smaller area between him and Maddy. His father's knife seemed to be tugging at him, as if begging him to draw it and draw blood again. But his kanabō was reaching maximum velocity, and there was no backing down from it now. He slowed his approach slightly, being careful not to get his feet in the path of the kanabō.

*Talla slowly began to stand up. She wobbled around for a moment as she grabbed her sword and readjusted. She was then saw Irin and Star walking towards her, weapons drawn. She then quipped at them.* So it appears my sister is having her friends die for her- *She then sarcastically shrugged and grabbed the sword of a fallen Cloak* So it seems you will both die braver then others. *Talla pointed both swords at Star and Irin. But then she heard a voice behind her* They wont die alone then. *Talla turned around and saw Dylan standing there, with his sword in one hand and a light shield in the other. Talla scoffed* You traitor! You work for me! *Dylan shook his head* I almost killed my friend because of you *Dylan made a fighting stance as he looked at Talla* And I dont intend on making that mistake again!

---

As expected, Gwen wasn't able to get very far. Sword fighting wasn't an easy task. It didn't take long to tire yourself out. It was almost as if the Cloaks could smell her weakness. Her muscles scream out in pain as she parries another attack. The parry forced her to step backwards. She stiffles a gasp when her shoulders meet the wall behind her.
"This is it, this is where the great general dies" the Cloak boasts sarcastically. He raises his sword up, and Gwen raises hers up to block. His high aim left her open and exposed for another attack. But before his partner could finish her off a sudden cry makes him hesitate. It was Benton.
Gwen uses this distraction to her advantage. She braces her heel against the wall and kicks forward. Her momentum was too strong, her sword passing over the Cloaks parry, the distinct sound of metal scraping over metal sounds, and Gwen's sword buries itself into his neck. She draws her sword back, and faces her final attacker, but he was faster. She cries out in pain and surprise when she feels his sword cut her cheek. He was toying with her.
"Do you honestly think you stand a chance?" Gwen asks, raising her head up to face her final attacker. "You should've killed me when you had the chance." The two lock into a sword fight, and to their surprise, they seemed to be evenly matched. They were both tired, so their attacks were slow and weak. They seemed to be playing a game, one would attack and the other would block. None could find a clear opening- but when they did, the other managed to block just in time.
Benton's final scream shocks the boy on place, he glances up at the wall then back at Gwen. An amused smile crosses over his face and he turns his head slightly. As if intrigued by her.
"Things aren't looking so good, that's my cue... Sorry princess, but we'll have to continue our little game later" he ducks underneath her swing and kicks a leg out, which makes Gwen fall back. To her surprise, instead of finishing her off, he runs away.
Gwen shakes off the shock and climbs the wall. Only for the wave of shock to return when she hears Dylan's words. Disbelief crosses across her eyes, he had to be lying. She slowly advances towards the group, but she doesn't attack, it would be stupid to jump in right now.

Irin put on a face that said "if we get through this alive, I'm gonna kill you." It was directed towards Dylan with all the ferocity he could muster without catching his feet in the danger zone in front of him. Shuffling forwards again, he spoke. "You're outnumbered and clearly outmatched. You might as well join Benton with those Marchhounds." He shuffled forwards again. "Drop your weapons, I'm sure a peaceful end can come from this."

Star was a few steps behind Irin as they both slowly inched towards Talla. Star's limbs were tense, ready to react, ready to fight and end this war. For good this time.

---

*Talla laughed and looked at Irin* No, my boy, it is you who is outnumbered *At that moment, Dylan charged forward towards Talla. Their swords met and this caused Star and Irin to charge forward as well. Talla pushed Dylan back and jumped over Irin and began to fight Star one on one. The two exchanged a few blows before Irin wiped his kanabo at Talla's head. She dodged the strike and used her momentum to kick Irin's legs out from under him, making him fall. But before she could strike him down, Dylan stuck out his sword and caught Talla's just before it hit Irin. Dylan kicked Talla backwards and Star began to fight Talla as Dylan attempted to help Irin to his feet. Talla dueled with Star, but having two swords Star was overwhelmed until Talla slashed Star's face, blinding her right eye. But before Talla could land a killing blow, Dylan charged Talla, causing Talla to kick Star backwards and focus her attention towards Dylan and Irin. Talla jumped over Dylan as to attack him from behind but was met with Irin's kanabo which she blocked with one sword and fought Dylan with the other. And after several more hits, Talla saw Dylans weakspot and exploited it, stabbing him in the side, nearly killing him.*

*Now Talla focused all of her attention on Irin, who spun his kanabo around and charged Talla. He hit Talla's borrowed sword with the kanabo, knocking it out of her right hand. Talla used his own weight against him once again and knocked him back, causing him to to fall backwards. Talla ferociously attacked Irin, eventually breaking his kanabo. He quickly grabbed the sword Talla dropped and fought her with it, but before he knew it, Talla's own sword was lodged into his gut. He froze and looked at her, as if he couldn't believe what had happened. She brought him close to herself and whispered into his ear* And now, you die. *Talla withdrew her sword and kicked him off the wall and down into the battle below*

---

And now, you die.


The sword was pulled from his gut, and he felt a hand grip him and throw him off the wall. He could hear words leaking from his mouth. Make me a legend. The last person he saw was Dylan, who he had been helplessly watching as Talla dragged him and threw his dying body. He heard the battle below him, shouts and metal on metal, as time slowed down around him. The blood that followed him formed small droplets, collecting in the air. For what felt like a few minutes, he fell. He shed no tears, felt no more pain. All he could feel was anger. Rage bubbling up inside of him. Swinging his arms in the slow motion he was stuck in, he felt himself turn in the air, felt a Cloak below him cry out as bones broke and kinetic energy was transferred. Shaking, he stood. Gasping, he looked around. Gritting his teeth, he started to shuffle, to trot away from the wall. He wouldn't die from being shot like a horse with a broken leg. He would die how he wanted. His fists formed around the handle of his father's knife and the tiny glass vial in his belt. The explosive powder, their notes hidden carefully away in his home. He knew one person would find it. Only they had seen him hiding them at his house before. Now, he struggled through the battle, living purely off of spite and malice. Had he been softer, had his father been alive still, he would have already died. Only now could he have survived. Silently, he cursed the universe, the world, the corruption that started all this. He could feel the ribs that were broken from the fall, feel how they ached to stop feeling. But still he continued, his eyes seeking a new target, one that would end this all. One that was corrupted, like Benton had been. Irin gasped, ever so slightly. Benton was dead. He had killed Benton. He knew who he had to kill next. In fact, he knew how to kill them. His eyes found nothing that showed him his prey, though. Only the red stained, glassy view of violence and gore made of militia men, Cloaks, and the Guard. His knife dripped with blood, both of the Cloaks and his own. Only now he realized how badly he bled, as the blood ran down his arm and covered the blade. Pulling his hand away from his gut, he swung the knife, slashing a Cloak across the face and shoulder. His own voice spoke on his head. Irin, you're dying. You're practically dead already. What choice do you have but to give up? Just end your suffering. Use that knife and- It was cut off by something else, another voice. It did not speak, but it had a presence. All Irin could do now was shuffle, find the target, and end this brutal mess.

Luke had come out of the entrance. His eyes were closed and he was listening to the battle. As a few cloaks approached and teased about how easy it would be to kill him, he took out a sword and sliced them all in one motion. They dropped dead on the ground. He walked foreword, and heard Talla say a few things. He started walking up. He knew that this was probably the end, so he would go down fighting, not sitting in a cave or if he was caught a cell to rot away and die. His sword dragged on the ground, covered in some blood from the Cloaks. He would do it. For all of his friends. For the Kingdom.

*Talla looked back and saw Dylan on the ground. He tried to pull himself away and to his sword. Talla walked to his sword and kicked it away, kneeling down on Dylans chest. He groaned in pain before laughing alittle.* You think you've won, Talla? Look- around you. These people have proven that you will not beat them. *Talla smirked and took out a dagger that she rubbed on Dylans face* Then death will not be a mercy I will grant them. *She stabbed Dylan's hand with the knife causing him to shout in pain. Then Talla heard Maddy's voice shouting at her* Your beef is with me Talla! *Talla looked up at her and saw her standing with a Cloaks knife in hand. Talla smirked and stood up, dragging her sword along with her. Maddy charged forward to stab Talla but Talla hit Maddy in the head, causing her to drop the knife. Talla began to beat Maddy up with her bare hands until Maddy fell to the ground with a bloody face. Talla grabbed Maddy by the throat and lifted her up over the wall. Maddy tried to break Talla's grip, but it was pointless. Talla looked Maddy in the eyes and began to speak in a deep and inhuman voice* Dicit enim Yeri avvos jinak fini- *As Talla spoke, Maddy could feel as though part of her was leaving her body* intelligere nisi lekh dothraki- *Maddy knew this would probably be the end. She tried to keep her eyes open but eventually they closed and she went limp* Yeri sunt quae dubitationem Anha- *A loud boom filled Maddy's ears and Talla shrieked, letting go of Maddy in the process. Maddy began to fall down onto the outside of the wall, hitting many trees along the way until she hit the ground with a thud. She layed there helplessly and as the sound of the battle came to an end and the voice of Talla filled her ears*

---

Chaos had unleashed in front of Gwen's eyes. She was rooted in one spot, at first she had assumed it was out of shock, but she learned quickly what it was. She was subconsciously analyzing the fight, trying to find a fatal opening.
Talla was a great fighter, but everyone had a weakness. If you can't find a weakness then you should instead create one. As she watches the fight she realizes that Talla seems to be a reactivate fighter, she was skilled, but her fighting technique wasn't planned. One has to fight like that if they are fighting a four on one battle. If she wanted to take her down she would have to come in strong, try to trick Talla, maybe then they would stand a chance.
"Dylan-!?" She calls out. Her thought process was cut short by Talla's attack. A familiar feeling hits her as she is suddenly taken back to her first battle. Gwen, he is a traitor a dark voice reminds her. She should kill him right now. But something stops her. Once again, Dylan makes her blind, she suddenly doesn't notice the fights happening around her. All seems to slow down.
She races back to Dylan's side, just as foolishly loyal as ever. "Don't die on me!" She demands as she tears strips of fabrics from her shirt in a desperate attempt to heal him. "I- have to get my revenge... Yes that's it, that's why I can't let you die" she lies as she stuffs the fabric into his wound. She suddenly flinches as if this were happening to her. She gulps back an enraged scream. The wound was horrifically deep. "You'll be fine I know what I'm do-"
BANG. The blast knocks Gwen away from Dylan. She was lucky she extended her arms out, which allowed Gwen to catch herself, otherwise she would've rolled dangerously close to the end of the wall. For a moment everything goes silent. She slowly sits up, feeling slightly dizzy and distraught. As her senses return, growing realization hits her. Two thoughts sweep through her head. Where was Maddy and Irin? Followed by, is Dylan okay?

*Dylan coughed and looked at Gwen* Gwen, I'm so sorry, I wish I had- *Dylan coughed up some blood and began to pant* I wish I had more time. *Dylan reached into his pocket and took out a note as well as some powder.* This will explain everything. *Gwen interrupted him and put the cloth on his wound. Dylan pit the note and powder into Gwen's pocket. But then Gwen was blasted back towards the wall. And when she looked up, she saw Dylan laying there, with blood running from his mouth and glassy eyes*

---

Irin found his target. An old man, similar to what Benton looked like. Before he met the Marchhounds, of course. Clenching his fist around the gunpowder, he held it to his gut, then picked up the pace. "My Lord! An urgent message!" The man turned, looked at Irin. "Who are you?" "A battlefield messenger, sir. A message for only your ears to hear, they insisted!" After a moment, Irin got what he wanted. The man bent low so that Irin, hunched over as he was, could speak. "From Talla, sir. She said as follows." A breath drawn in. "And now, you die." The bottle of gunpowder was crushed, the knife pressed to the bloody powder. Such a small amount... Infused with vengeful blood and exposed to sunlight for so long, it had grown potent, more powerful than even a ballista. He watched as everything slowed down again. The man opened his eyes wide, opened his mouth to shout an order, then was engulfed in flames. The mighty, concussive boom could likely be heard an entire province in all directions. And the fire, seen by the entire world.

He smiled, then. Irin smiled as he felt his father wreak vengeance upon those who wronged him. He smiled as he felt his bloodline end. Smiled as he knew his friends were being saved. Smiled as he got his own revenge for Maddy. Smiled as he knew Gwen might continue, might help Maddy rule the lonely kingdom with perfection. Smiled as he watched the battle slow.

Smiled as he became a legend.

*Talla watched in disbelief how her father was destroyed in a matter of seconds. She then walked down to the ground level. And while she never spoke, her men knew that they had to retreat. They followed Talla to the capital building where they got on their horses and rode out of town, with the Marchhounds following closely behind. The people of Telmar cheered as Talla and the Cloaks left once again. But now came the hard part, of burying their dead. They knew freedom came at a price, and that price would never be cheap. But they held their heads high as those who died didn't die in vain*

---

"No" Gwen breaths out. Grief crosses over her face as she moves towards Dylan's body. But she collapses after a single step. She tries to move, wanting nothing more than to return to Dylan. But her body refuses to cooperate. "No-" she says again. She stands up again, this time she finds that she can walk. "No-! No, no, no, please-" she places a shaky hand on his neck, desperate to find a pulse. Of course, she doesn't find one. "Please let this be a dream!" She cries, she allows herself to break down for a moment, lowering her head on his chest and desperately holding his hand as if that would bring him back. Her sobs were muffled against his bloodied shirt, but they were cut short by a sudden realization. The fight wasn't over yet. She shuts her eyes, trying to hold back the tears. She turns away from his body, but only for a second, she reluctantly turns back to look at him one last time. "I'm sorry too" she whispers, "I should've been by your side, I shouldn't have turned against you. I love you." Saying these things nearly breaks her, and the thought of leaving him now hurt even more.

She had to continue going, she had to finish this right here right now. She retrieves her sword and looks around, her vision slightly blurred by tears. "Talla!" She shouts out in rage. "Fight me you coward!" She was going to kill her, even if that meant dying. But Talla was gone. Her chance was once again over. She stands still, being torn apart by the task at hand. She knows she should find the others, but she wants to stay with Dylan. "I'm sorry" she whispers again. Guilt gnawing at her heart for having to leave him so soon. But Irin and Maddy were missing and she had to find them.

She smartly races to the end of the wall, and gasps at the sight. Maddy's crumpled body lay on the ground. The knife already in her heart suddenly twists. "Please, not you too!" She whispers as she makes her way over to Maddy.

*Maddy heard the footsteps of someone walking towards her. They called her name out as they went up to her. The person shook Maddy slightly in an attempt to wake her and called Maddy by her name. Maddy began to open her eyes and she saw Gwen sitting there. Maddy coughed and began to speak in a whisper* Gwen

---

Gwen gulps as she looks Maddy over. She didn't look good, but she wasn't going to let Maddy die. They already lost too much. "I'm here" she tells Maddy calmly. "This may hurt, but I have to pick you up so that I can take you to Emi." Pity hangs thick in her voice. She doesn't want to hurt Maddy, but this was necessary. She careful lifts Maddy up, buckling under the weight for a moment. But adrenaline was still running hot through her veins from her earlier fit of rage. She'll be able to carry her to Emi no problem.