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Bright Journey As the three Exalted rush through the woods, pursuing the missing child, the three of them finish a tense, clipped conversation about trust. Fortunately, it isn't enough to slow down their pursuit. Clearly, they had no difficulty tracking down the Blood Apes that had kidnapped--and no doubt planned to devour--the girl. As the three of them crash through underbrush and approach, the signs the Erymanthoi had been leaving fade...but they don't shake their pursuers. Not at all.

The three Exalted spotted the pair of Blood Apes almost immediately...hiding in the trees, preparing for an ambush, with the child bound tightly to a branch high above. The problem, of course, is why did they choose to fight here? Are there more of them? And there had also been discussion of cultists...perhaps the ones who summoned these two? This could be a much more dangerous fight upcoming than it initially seems, and despite their success, none of the three seem to be letting it get to their heads.

As the other two prepare to deal with the threat in their own way, the one doing the tracking, a young lady in white, black and gold smiles grimly and steps forward, right in view of the Blood Apes and anyone else around. Her orichalcum armor gleams in the scant moonlight, and the six foot tall powerbow in her hands gleams of moonsilver and bone. It's got an arrow nocked, but not drawn back, aimed at the ground for now.

Her voice rings out through the woods, not supernatural but certainly carrying well enough. A center-dotted circle of orichalcum shimmers into view on her pale forehead as she speaks. "As envoy of Ignis Divine Himself, the Unconquered Sun, I invoke diplomatic immunity. By the ancient pacts, I call for parlay." She chuckles slightly, looking up at the two Erymanthoi among the branches, for the first time revealing she had seen them. In a less formal voice, she calls out, "You may as well come out now."

Iron Reed Scholar Iron Reed trails Bright and Tenken, his long axe slung almost casually over his shoulder as he looks around the wooded clearing, his attention turns first to the child then to his surroundings. He watches with a frown as Bright calls for Parley, his attention on the trees. "We need to get the child free before this turns to violence." He speaks softly with a look of concern once more to the bound child. "These heretics may well be willing to harm the child to save themselves." He grounds the haft of his axe on the floor with a shake of his head.
Ignis A new voices rings through the area. Proud, clear, confident and amused sounding.

"Well, well, well! It looks like this just got far more interesting then I anticipated!"

The source of the voice very quickly makes its presence known. A man of decently tall, though not exceedingly so, height, dressed in dark leathers with gold trimmings and light armor that is sculpted fittingly around his form - bearing similar color pairings with visible motifs of the sun and creatures sacred to it embossed artistically around a large sun burst symbol on its chest.

A blade is drawn, a daiklaive that can't possibly be anything but wreathed in holy golden metal given its ornate appearence and a faint hum of power that can barely be sensed, like some deep thrumming musical tone.

With his free hand, the newcome reaches up and removes his hood - revealing a friendly if bemused looking expression on face that balances that humor with being careworn and also perhaps weary from what's possibly been constant tracking and hunting to get him to this point. But there is also steel in his eyes. He's here for a fight.

"I don't suppose that you folk mind some assistance? Given the speech I just overheard I'd guess we're here for similar reasons.. and our opponents would do well to lay down arms and surrender before this gets messier then it need be.."

Tenken Tenken glances sidelong at Iron Reed, scratching the stubble on his chin while considering the tree, the branches, its configuration, and the positioning of the child Alyssia, and the Erymanthoi in front of them. When Bright invokes the ancient pacts, the hair on the back of his neck stands up. He's not sure if this is a result of being in close proximity to another exalt's expenditure of essence and the resulting spiritual pressure that can be felt, or if it has something to do with his god-blooded nature - he was the progeny of a spirit after all. At this point he sometimes forgot whether he was more spirit or mortal, and most couldnt tell regardless.

As Tenken thinks on these points, a newcomer strides into the clearing, and Tenken manages to conceal his surprise. They had been tracking and hunting these demons for some time and had not noticed another party. Upon viewing the holy golden materials which the man's gear was made of, things began to make a bit more sense... but.. what were the chances that this could be coincidence? He had lived the first few decades of his life without encountering another being like himself, and now he finds 3 others on the same journey? This must be the work of the loom.

Tenken steps out from behind Bright, coming to stand on her immediate left and taking one half-step forward, positioning himself between her and the newcomer, while also retaining the ability take a line-of-sight path to the erymanthoi's tree. He nods to the man, and says, "It is some good fortune that we should meet like this, and yes it seems that we are after the same quarry." Just as he finishes the first sentence, the ground rumbles, as dust rises and foliage scatters around the clearing. Two blood apes land, though their movement was almost too quick for the eye to follow - almost. The massive gnarled ape-demons' rust red fur the color of dried blood also carried the scent of it, and their presence was close. It seemed they were trying to provoke a reaction of surprise and alarm from Tenken, who does not move an inch. Tenken knows of the old pact, teachings from his past.

Bright Journey As the pair of blood apes slam into the ground next to Tenken...well, Bright Journey was right next to him. One's on Tenken's other side, but the other landed right in front of her, nearly knocking her off her feet as the ground shakes. She squeaks in surprise and, despite her best efforts otherwise, takes a step back. She's unwilling to be quite THAT close to one, and it's all she can do to try to avoid taking in a whiff of that blood -stank- right in front of her. Ew.

"That...that's enough!" Her features firm up as tries to pick up what's left of her pride. "This is why I can't stand things like you. Well, one of the -many- reasons. Now, there's two of you and -four- of us. I don't know if you can do math, but you can't think you have any chance against us." Her jaw sets and her brows furrow, as the surprise modulates into something more like anger. "We will annihilate you both."

Tenken The erymanthoi bristle, hair rising on their backs and arms, and after Bright's momentary lapse in composure, the edge to her words 'We will annihilate you' had quite an effect. The effect the blood apes had hoped for had occurred, but maybe had too much of desired effect. They let out low growls and shuffle back a half step, while the one next to Tenken pivots to face Bright - the current source of its fear. Tenken hids a small grin, as the blood ape's ribcage was now facing him. His one steely grey eye locks onto the demon, as he says "You're full of openings".
Iron Reed Scholar Iron Reed is that half step back, so the Blood Apes land on the perhipherals of his vision, his grip shifts on his axe however, his stance shifting as he sets his weight in case he needs to fight. He takes a calming breath, his attention turning to Bright, then to the child again. "The Erymanthoi shouldn't be our focus, we need to deal with their masters. Even more pressingly we need to get that child down and home." He shrugs as he looks at the two Erymanthoi. "We can kill them later if we must, but for now they aren't a threat." He slips into Old Realm. "Where are the Order that summoned you? I would speak with them." His tone is sharp with obvious anger and disgust. "I have come some way for just that purpose."
Ignis "Prone to violence and stupidity. As expected." remarks the newcomer who rests his blade against the ground and leans upon it slightly with an almost casual, unconcerned attitude now. If he had been shaken by the previous display of the Blood Apes, he shook it off quickly enough and instead hoods his eyes as his lips tighten ever so slightly. "Stupid..yes..but perhaps not so stupid to lack -total- self preservation.." he nods his head in approval at Bright Journey's words and then pulls his blade up from its resting point. He inclines his head to listen to Iron Reed Scholar and then nods once more, "Indeed. Let's make an end to this before numbers are no longer an advantage we have."
Bright Journey Clearly, Bright Journey doesn't know Old Realm. Just from the tone of Iron Reed Scholar's voice, though, it appears he's building off the start she made working on the Blood Apes. That's fine, then, and Bright turns her attention to Ignis and the girl. She doesn't speak or interrupt Iron Reed, but points upwards, into the trees. The girl should be somewhat visible from this angle, if you know what to look for.

While they handle rescuing the girl, Bright starts scanning the trees intently. It can't be easy at night, but certainly, Bright wants to be sure no one else is watching...

Tenken As Bright scans the treeline, the light of the full moon glints off of a metallic surface just for a moment, betraying the location of a man crouched in the shadows of a large coniferous tree. Hiding within the roots, one of the cultists of 'the order' watches from a distance, in an area off to the left of the group, whereas the girl Alyssia is just in front of the group at approximately the same distances.
Tenken Tenken uses hes left arm to move his gray overcloak to the side with his hand gripping the wooden scabbard of his sword and using his thumb to raise the handle, slightly revealing an ethereal blade of starmetal. His right hand draws the blade in a slow and mercurial fashion, almost too smoothly, in a manner that makes one's vision seem to lose focus for a moment. He draws the blade and moves his arm in a circular motion from left to right, clockwise, and when the sword reaches '6' he appears to release it, and it drops into the ground which sends ripples through the dirt floor of the woods. Then he is gone. By the time the rest have caught up to his temporal distortion, he has cut the ties that are binding Alyssia, and has jumped up, his sorcerous wings waving about and carrying him behind the others where he sets her down next to Reed.
Iron Reed Scholar Iron Reed is more than a little taken aback by the time distoriton, yet he's been pretty solid about the fact that the child is his primary concern, so as soon as he sees her placed on the ground next to him he begins to chant quietly to himself. The muttered words old realm equations that seem to resound more than they perhaps should as he begins to shape a spell for a Cirrius Skiff in his mind, gathering the necessary energy.
Ignis The flurry of action seems to satisfy Ignis well enough. While it seems that there is just one cultist he can see - it stands to reason that others are nearby and there is no gaurentee the apes will leave the girl be. So as soon as he sees Tenken seemingly re-materalize with the girl in hand, Ignis moves, making an attempt to interpose himself between the shaping effort, the girl and the blood apes. His blade spins up into a flourish, ending up with is body sliding into a combat stance and an almost eager gleam in his eyes.

"I suggest, for the girls sake, that we make haste ..although some disruption to make sure we aren't followed won't hurt.."

Bright Journey Silver eyes narrow as Bright Journey peers out into the woods. "There," she says, "between those two trees. They won't leave us alone, will they? We know too much."

In truth, the Exalted knew too much to start with, clearly. At least three of the four people here all were chasing down these cultists. Not exactly a recipe conducive to them getting anything done. Still, Bright clearly isn't interested in letting -them- know that. Instead, she makes it plain that having her bow pointed down is no object, none whatever, to her having it up, drawn, and ready in a flash. She has the first arrow in the air before a hummingbird could breathe. It whistles across the wind, rocketing towards the not-so-well-hidden cultist!

Tenken As Ignis moves into formation to protect the shaping effort to spirit the girl away from the immediate combat zone, Tenken brushes her hair out of her eyes, and says, "Hi Alyssia, we are here to help you on behalf of your parents. We spoke with them, and agreed to help get you home. This nice man here is going to help get you away from this spot in case there is a clash" he says pointing to Reed. "Stand with him, and nothing will get past us until he gets you out of here, not one single thing, not a claw, not a whiff of spiritual energy, not even a speck of dust will reach you." Stepping forward to guard the other flank, Tenken moves to the other side of Bright than Ignis is standing, raising his hand to point in front of him. He seems to be in a relaxed posture, loose, and holding the sword with a loose grip as if it were light as a feather. His left hand crosses over his right arm toward his shoulder, and he whispers something under his breath, "Ashen Turret, Forbidden Blade, Archers of Heaven, Illuminate my Path" and the moonlight seems to be drawn towards his hand as the light bends in a magical fashion. Shadows coalesce and move as well, and soon a shadow mirror of his temporal blade is held in his left hand, crossed with his main-hand weapon.
Iron Reed Scholar Iron Reed doesn't stop chanting, yet his attention shifts to the arrow loosed by Bright, he shifts, moving so that he, Ignis and a large tree behind them form a protective his triangle around Alyssia, his axe is readied, the blade bared as he draws back the thin veil of silk. It seems to resonate with his chanting, the soulsteel giving the impression that the vaguely seen images beneath are moving and moaning in time with his chants, a combination of suffering and anticipation. The spell is almost complete even as Iron Reed turns his attention to the fight that now seems inevitable, letting the motes continue to gather through his hated axe.
Bright Journey The arrow flies straight and true. Some attempt to parlay, right? Regardless, the otherwise silent cultist lets out an almost hilarious squeak of surprise and tumbles backwards, the arrow very nearly giving him a quite long nose. Instead, it draws blood right over his ear and pins his hood to the tree's bole he was kneeling in front of. When he tumbles down, he very nearly loses his robe in the process before the hood rips its way free. He's not crippled, but he's ass over teakettle and just about freaking out. He has demonic minions! Surely this shouldn't be happening to him!

Just ask him.

Bright grins and whips another arrow to the nock.

Ignis The arrow being let loose seems to be a signal enough for Ignis as the next instant he's blurring into action, stepping forward to fully interpose himself between the nearest Blood Ape and the efforts of his newfound allies to get the girl to safety. There is a flash of sunlight and a blurring streak of gold as his daiklaive blurs around in a flourish of movement to bear down upon the blood ape and force it backwards. He repositions his body, coming out of the strike into a readied defensive stance almost immediately, attempting to draw the attention of the other Blood Apes as well.

"Well done! But the sooner we're gone the better for the girl!"

Iron Reed Scholar As the fight begins in earnest, Iron Reed takes a half step back, his hand gripping tight under the head of the axe, he's raising the still screaming axe high and swinging it forward, his entire body is in the swing, the momentum incredible as his hand slides down the haft until he's holding the butt so far down it's almost a surprise he can keep his grip (wait for the botch). The arc of the axe wide and sweeping, as he seeks to for the Blood Ape back to his weapons impressive range. Still chanting even as he strikes.
Tenken Seeing his new comrades handling themselves splendidly, Tenken hops backward and hovers near Alyssia, keeping her calm and distracted from the violence below. He will engage any opponent that is necessary, but with his partners doing well there is no need for him to insert himself into the 3 combats at the moment. He find himself happy with these circumstances, as he spent so long fighting alone and carrying the weight of each battle that this is a welcome change.
Bright Journey With the cultist far more likely to have useful answers (and being a lot easier to control), Bright Journey turns her attention elsewhere, to the fights with the real threats: The Blood Apes. Truth be told, her fellow Exalted seem to have the situation well in hand, but there's that one on the right that scared the bejeezus out of her earlier. Yeah, she's still a little scared of the thing, but she still hates all Creatures of Darkness...a sentiment with which her bow, crafted with purity in mind, thoroughly agrees.

Between her fingertips, she draws three arrows and lays all across her string. Drawing the string back to her ear, the moonsilver powerbow sings its approval as her fingers move faster than thought. A flare of essence envelops each arrow as it leaves the bow in a rapid stream, bearing down on the Blood Ape as it reels from the initial attack.

Bright Journey Bright's essence-laden arrows strike true, one after the other. Reeling from the initial strike, it just could not get defenses up in time. First one eye, then the second take arrows with meaty, squelchy 'thunk' sounds, and then the third gives it a third eye of sorts, right in the temple. It roars and claws at the arrows, but it's too late. The thing is already sinking down into the ground, glowing a ruddy green, before vanishing completely. Three shattered arrows are the only marks of its passing.
Tenken Tenken watches as Bright's arrows fly true, pounding into the towering demon. As he scans the battlefield, he notices Ignis slowing, and senses that for the first time an opening has presented itself where his skills may be needed. His wings holding him aloft, he gazes down the edge of his starmetal blade, lining up a strike intended to completely eviscerate the remaining demon before it would even notice him moving. Ignis was doing a great job of drawing it's attention, and its ire, so this opening was one that left a large strike-zone. While he didn't get involved in violence unnecessarily, he certainly never shied away from battle when something was required of him. When he did get involved, he would exert as much effort as needed to maintain control of the situation and ensure noone he cared about was harmed. When he did strike, whether it was from the front, from behind, from overhead - he made sure that it would be a kill. That was how you protected the things you cared about in this world.

Tenken gathered spiritual energy into his legs, building pressure into the soles of his feet which began to glow blue. His blade could be heard with a keening and almost ringing sound with the overly sharpened edge cutting through particles in the air, vibrating with killing intent. His heartbeat slowed, as did the others' around him, until they had stopped; this gap between heartbeats was HIS time. In that window, he seemed to disappeear. No eye could follow it, supernatural or not, and it was the result of his techniques such as this one that his burgeoning legend was born.

Tenken Tenken disappears with a flash, with the most trained eyes only catching a few afterimages starting to appear just to the side of the demon, as the blur takes 3 steps that are so fast they appear slow, and then they coalesce into Tenken's actual frame standing about a yard behind his target, swords already sheathed. "Like I told you at the start - You're full of openings." A bright line as thin as a razor blade appears across the torso of the blood ape, stretching from its chest to its lower back, as it turns to look at him in surprise. This motion causes the demon to split in half, its arm dropping to the ground with a thud, its chest sliding off of its lower body to land in the foliage below it. The strike was so clean that no blood even flowed, as the speed of the cut had cauterized it.