A moment's encounter -Andy, Rutger, Amphion-

[Andy Jammer]

Andy waited until he was sure the creature was totally focused on him when he ran up, he leaped high in the air and raised his sword to strike the back of the monster's neck.

That is when the oddest thing happened.

The head of the bat turned a 180, the sound of snapping was evident...but it was still alive. The black spot on it's head then shot out tentacles, Andy used his sword to cut them up as he redirected his fall to the sides. The head turned a complete 360 and it's body began shaking and shuddering, the black spot on its head began to spread out and cover the entire body. Forming tiny little jaws on the sides of it's body.

"Holy shit." Andy said as this goo began to expand and envelop the creature.

[Amphion]

Whatever this was it escalated from bad to worse within seconds, thinking fast Amphion soon started adapting a strategy to defeat this monster, he glanced over at Andy,"Young man, that move you had used before should be far more accurate now that it is on the ground. I'll even make an easier target for you!" He snapped his fingers and flames burst around it creating a cage hoping to keep the creature completely still. "We need to contain this thing before this grows out of hand."

[Rutger]

- [The Last Dragon]



"...!"

It seemed the monster had changed forms. The swordsman stepped back, still holding his Torch forward; however, its blaze was but a candle to the cage of fire summoned by the mage. It seemed the creature was restrained, but the swordsman didn't know how long that would last. Amphion seemed to think that Andy Jammer's special technique was the key to victory... the swordsman looked over at Andy and nodded in agreement.



"...Go ahead."

The swordsman stepped aside, adopting a more defensive position in case things got out of hand.

[Andy Jammer]

"I...alright, let's give it a shot..." he said, pulling his blade back and calling out. "Getusga Tenshou!"

Again another beam of energy arced out and slammed against the large creature, which blew off a giant portion of the blackish goo but the creature didn't seem to be in a great deal of pain. Or, it was in pain, but not at the amount expected.

"Great, this goo acts like an armor!" he yelled, firing another Getsuga Tenshou and this time dealing more damage. As the creature yelled out tentacles from the body shot out towards Andy, Amphion, and Rutger.

[Amphion]

"I've never seen a monster this powerful before, never mind that we have no choice but to kill this thing," he raised his hand and fire shot out at one of the tentacles that was flying to him, causing it to shrivel and burn.

"I'm giving you all everything that I have, finish this thing off," Amphion put all of his books back and held his hands out, a moment later magic started to form onto Rutger's and Andy's blade, "This power will cause magic to burst onto your enemy on touch with it, which should take care of it's little armor."

As he spoke he was already making the next part of his strategy just in case this failed to work.

[Rutger]

One of the tentacles lashed out at the swordsman, but he was able to swiftly sidestep the attack.



"...Close."

The swordsman pivoted around and counterattacked the tentacle, cleaving it cleanly in two with his Killing Edge.



Finishing his attack, the swordsman backpedaled and fell in line with the others.



"..."

The swordsman looked to Amphion, listening to him speak. Once the mage had finished casting his spell, the swordsman held up his Killing Edge, which appeared to have been enchanted with some sort of magic. He looked over and saw that Andy Jammer's weapon glowed with the same sort of power.

- [Blessing of the Eight Generals I]



"...We cannot waste this opportunity."

He turned and looked at Andy Jammer.



"...Let us both strike the monster at the same time. Hit it with everything... all at once."

The swordsman raised his Killing Edge, which was now pulsing with magic. Hopefully their combined powers would be enough to slay the beast.

[Andy Jammer]

Andy nodded at Rutger and raised his sword as the beast was passing through the flames towards them. He stepped back a bit before gathering energy around his blade, similar to using Getsuga Tenshou except he didn't fire the beam...instead he stored it in his blade. Adding an extra kick to Amphion's enhancer magic.

"You will fall!" he yelled, running at it and slashing across the chest as the creature was trying to pass all of the flames. All that was needed was Rutger's attack to end this thing.

[Rutger]

The swordsman circled around the monster, picking out the best angle to approach... then, when he saw Andy Jammer storing the energy in his blade, he knew the time had come.



"...Here we go."

The swordsman broke out into a sprint, raised his Killing Edge upward and lashed out at the monster with a powerful slash aimed at its left side. Amphion's magic enhanced the swordsman's Killing Edge considerably, resulting in an incredibly effective assault.



The swordsman skidded and spun around after he finished the attack, staring intently at the monster.



"...Was it enough...?"

[Andy Jammer]

The monster seemly froze in place for awhile...until there was a burst of the black goo and the entire monster collapsed to the ground. The goo melting away and slipping off the creature. Andy was confused, and yet felt back for the creature at the same time. It reminded him heavily of when he first encountered Trucido and met Jasmine...and the creature that the Sumata leader mutated. He remembered the anger and rage at the manipulation and what he swore to himself that day...

And what he still strives for today, he looked amongst the others and sighed heavily.

"This creature was being controlled."

[Rutger]

- [Path Of The Divine Generals]

Upon seeing the creature dead, the swordsman exhaled and started to clean off his Killing Edge with the cloth of his robe. Adrenaline was still pulsing through his body.



"..."

It had been quite an encounter; however, he felt like he had grown stronger because of it. Still, there were questions that the swordsman needed answering. He turned to Amphion and Andy Jammer and stared at them intensely.



"...What was that... and who are you?"

[Amphion]

"It seemed like a mutated monster for the power it displayed is not of it's nature." Amphion said as he stepped down to look at the black goo, taking a bottle he scooped it up. "My name is Amphion, I am a Sage... I think." He mumbled the last words before standing up to face the two men, "And what is your names?"

[Andy Jammer]

"I could ask you guys the same thing." Andy said, putting his sword away. "I'm Andy Jammer, warrior of Profeta."

He paused at Amphion introducing himself and eyed him oddly, did he seem...unsure?

Nah, all in his head. He then turned to Rutger to allow him to speak.

[Rutger]

The swordsman finished polishing his Killing Edge and looked over at the other two present. He could tell that they were very powerful.



"...Amphion and Andy Jammer... huh."

The swordsman went quiet for a moment, thinking. These were quite unusual circumstances. For now, he thought, it would be wise not to divulge any information until he had a clearer understanding of the situation.



"..."



Temporarily skipping over the questions about his identity, the swordsman allowed his gaze to jump between Andy and Amphion.



"If you do not know the monster... are you here by coincidence, then?"

His gaze eventually settled on the small vial of black goo that Amphion was holding; the swordsman was expecting some sort of explanation.

[Amphion]

"I was here meditating when I heard the two of you," Amphion answered blankly as he stared at the black goo, "I am unfamiliar with this liquid, if that was what you were wondering."

Amphion simply smirked looking back at Andy and Rutger, "Any reason why these things attacked you?"

[Rutger]

The swordsman glanced over to Amphion, acknowledging his statement. He did have a point; the monster had been attacking Andy Jammer first.



"..."

The swordsman looked over at Andy, waiting to see how he would answer Amphion's inquiry.