Unspoken Tactics

JP with Lorem, Lucian, Bandorchu, and Omni

Gonyaul had slowly taken on the challenge of getting back to his feet. He checked his chest with his hands. Thanks to the combination of the staff taking the initial impact, the wet sand and chest padding acting as a cushion, nothing was broken. The fact that his training kicked in, and instead of standing firm to resist the impact he had intentionally jumped backwards at the moment of impact to go with the force, was the most saving grace. He could feel the bruising settling in though, and it was uncomfortable breathing; most likely the muscles along his rib cage had been strained.

Gonyaul looked like a sugar cookie when he stood back up. He was completely covered in wet sand. It wasn’t just on the exterior either, the little gritty granules inside his outfit felt like sandpaper as he started to move.

He saw his broken staff up ahead. The first thought was not, ~oh no, my weapon is broken.~ Instead he thought, ~my walking stick is ruined~. Then he noticed the fighting and then the blue rod. He was about to head towards the strange acting object when a flash of lightning pierced down from the sky and got to it first.

Gonyaul shielded his eyes with his hand and heard a crackling of energy accompanied by a thunderous boom. Once again he was lifted off his feet and sent flailing through the air. He knew how to land, so he professionally maneuvered his body before impact back into the sand. His trajectory creating a crater like area whence he hit.

He rolled out onto his back, unclear if he had the ability to recover and sit up just yet. The rain in his face was making it hard to see. His entire body was on pins and needles, with a warming sensation returning. He just needed a second to get his bearings and he would try getting up.

His peripheral vision suddenly alerted him to an oncoming presence. It was the stranger and she was nearing him without being obstructed. Fear set in.

Yet again thrown to ground, Alexis could admit she was growing frustrated. How many tricks did that woman still have left to throw at them? Was she just untouchable?
…
One way to find out. Forcing her aching limbs to cooperate, she rolled around and got back on her feet, finding her sword and picking it up. Close to her, she could see Voah do the same.

With a mere look exchanged between them, the arbiter and the mercenary wordlessly ascertained neither was giving up just yet. Together, they pushed themselves into a sprint towards their overpowering enemy.

Even being on his knees besides Ekero, Tarmen felt himself leave the ground as his sight flashed white. The ringing was now all he could hear, though it wasn’t his main concern. For a moment he couldn’t breathe, something having hit his chest hard forcing the air away, creating a moment of panic as he fought to regain breath.

The lump on his chest was revealed to be the tinkerer, Tarmen struggling to move Ekero off of him with some gentleness.

Once able to sit up, he first had to contend with all of his chest being in pain, a sensation that nearly took his breath away again. Then with his vision completely returned, he saw the state of the fight.

Not knowing what plan was in motion between Voah and Alexis, Tarmen staggered to his feet and tried to build speed, feeding a dull hope that three blades would fare better than two.

Zin's Garden! That was too close! Voah was trained for facing magik, but nothing could ever really prepare you for the real thing when it came blasting at you in full force.

Her teeth were buzzing from the vibration of magik pulsing in the air. The smell of ozone permeated the coastal air. They were facing a Stormwielder. Once Voah freed herself from the thunderous shell-shock, she reached for her blade which was thankfully within a hand's length.

After so much time together, the team hardly had to speak to coordinate tactics. Voah and Alexis knew their next move would have to be cooperative. The two of them left behind their beds of the wet sand and sprang toward the silver soldier who was heading for Gonyaul.

Voah tapped her fist on the back of her other raised arm giving Alexis the Vauxian signal for shield, then with a flurry of other quick gestures, communicated a silent plan. The mercenary took the lead with Voah in tow.

Alexis gave a sharp nod, saving her breath for another burst of speed that took the mercenary in front of her friend, and between Voah and the Allosi.

When she felt she was close enough, she spun around abruptly, ending the movement on one knee to brace herself.

She raised her shield over her head and supported it with her sword arm, creating a platform for the nimble arbiter to boost off of.

The density of the wet sand afforded the arbiter some grace in her steps as feet tread lightly over the compact ground. With a renewed confidence and determination in her stride, Voah sprinted ahead, hopped up onto the shield of her friend, and sprang into the air as Alexis heaved her mightily upward.

As Voah flew through the stormy air, she saw Tarmen joining the fray from another angle and with two hands on her blade, she prepared to bring down a heavy blow on the silver soldier.