A weapon of hope. (Open)

[Kain Angelo]

Kain raised his hand and pointed a single finger towards Kyoki to halt him in his tracks "One more step and I promise I'll send you straight back into the hole that you came from." Kain was emitting a power of higher proportion to Kyoki. It wasn't strong enough to alert any enemies around but it was enough to let Kyoki know he wasn't playing around.

"Let's move out," Kain said, not wanting to spend any more time on the current conversation.

Kyoki was probably one of the craziest people Kain had ever met, too crazy to be properly used by Duo. Duo used people he could control like puppets and Kyoki simply did not fit that description. People like Kyoki are the perfect wildcard and as long as Kain used that card carefully it would be a huge advantage.

[annabelle]

Annabelle watched the interactions between Kain, A.B.A., and Kyoki for awhile, her eyes narrowing more specifically as Kyoki spoke about his mask. Her own connections with the divine picked up on another magical sensation at work around them, though she wasn't fully able to figure out what it was. Regardless, she could sense it, and the fact that it was as unknown as it was she deduced made Kyoki a creature of supernatural being as opposed to being just 'some crazy guy playing with dogs'.

Instead, the question was what crazy monster was he? Given her own interactions with him, she wasn't about to pick fights as her curiosity made her want to observe him more carefully. Maybe shooing him away with his dogs wasn't what they wanted. Maybe it was crazy to keep him around, but maybe if they kept their eye on him things were a lot safer.

"Do holler if you need anything, dearies," Annabelle called out to Kain as they made their move to split up, emphasizing with sure warning, "really."

Because sure, Annabelle wasn't scared at all to have a sociopath in their midst with undefinable magic that clearly insinuated he was something more than mortal. But that was Annabelle, and she couldn't speak for everyone else in the party--though if something were to go wrong, she'd prefer to be one of the first to know because of her lack of fear for the situation.

Otherwise, she marched on in search of the katana Kain was looking for.

"Onward with us then, Sir Whispersilk!"

[A.B.A.]

Suffice to say that Kyoki's reaction was not the one she'd been expecting, but it had been the one she was hoping for. As she moved back from the masked man, she thought that surely this would be all that Kain would need to see to either annihilate the man or to send him away. As she watched him raise his hand towards Kyoki she smiled a malicious smile, only for it to drop away as she saw nothing more. No lightning bolt, no incineration.

With a disappointed click of her tongue she turned away from the group and took on ahead of Kain, leading the way to the monument she'd seen off in the distance. While she said nothing aloud to her fellow Saint, she did send him a sternly worded thought.

If he makes a single slip up, we kill him. Agreed?

[Athereon Whispersilk]

Athereon crossed his arms in disagreement and disappointment as only an old stubborn man could. It was ludicrous! Bewildering! Utterly farfetched! The sheer audacity and evident insanity of this Cookie character was already causing rifts in the group and Athereon could only worry about the wellbeing of his new teammates in the presence of this lunatic.

Whispering gently to the winds, Athereon called forth the elements themselves to watch over A.B.A and Kain, causing the air to secretly whisper to the two, "Fear not, Sylvern's Winds are with you. Call upon them should you need them, but fickle beings are they such that they shall only listen once. Use them wisely and tread safely," before dissipating along with the errant gust that carried them.

Stroking his beard with slow methodical motions, the elder Archmage turned to face Annabelle, his stoic and somber look of contemplation hastily replaced by a charmingly wrinkled grin.

"Yes indeed, milady. What's say we show these young-ins how we seasoned adventurers do it?" Athereon quipped with palpable excitement. "That said, we old mages could probably use a leg up on these spry youths, eh?"

Holding his staff outwards, he dragged it slowly across the air, causing a rift to tear open, showing a close and present depiction of their directed destination. "Conjuring may not be what this old mage is known for, but dimensioning a door here and there is a simple enough feat. That said, after you, Ms. Fraus," the aged wizard directed with a gentile motion towards the open void.

[Kain Angelo]

What the rift opened to was a truly gruesome sight, in front of the bank were dozens of bodies scattered all throughout the surrounding area. Blood ran down the steps of the bank like small streams of water, the source being the limbless Marine or rebel who laid motionless about the area.

Among the dead were still plenty of unfortunate warriors who held onto the wounds, trying to stave off the approaching death. It was truly a horrifying sight, reducing the Marines and Rebels down to crying young men and women who begged out to the gods they believed in while others moaned the names of those they loved with their final fleeting gasps of life...

Beyond the dying young men and women was the bank they were sent to investigate, its large doors had been brought down and no doubt there would be plenty of rebels inside looting the building.

---

Kain glanced towards ABA just momentarily as they traded thoughts, He'll be of use. As an ally or enemy.

In the distance you could see the monument, its tall structure stood firm against the powerful gusts of wind and the raging smoke that choked the area. There was something unusual feeling about it, though...

"Do... you feel that, ABA?" Kain questioned, his senses perking as a strange feeling overcame the area. He mouthed a word just briefly before speaking it aloud, "It feels like Angels..."

[A.B.A.]

"No, what do you mean?" A.B.A. shot Kain a puzzled look.

[Kain Angelo]

"Angels," Kain repeated as the reality dawned on him. The fact angels were here changed the playing field altogether, not only were there now four forces playing (Marines, Rebels, their group and now Angels) but the allegiance of the new players were questionable. Were they working with Solaris or with him?

"Alright, we'll have to be careful-" Suddenly Kain stopped speaking as an overwhelming power flowed through the area right when a loud 'POP' was heard.... Suddenly the monument came crashing down, the large structure falling straight into a group of housing.

"WHERE IS IT!?" A voice roared off in the distance, followed by more popping as something very destructive occurred up ahead. Kain ducked down besides a building before glancing back at ABA.

"They're after Mani Katti..." Actually, they were after Kain, but they got the same idea that finding Mani Katti would eventually lead to finding Kain.

[Kyoki]

"OOOOOOOH!" Kyoki cried, clapping his hands together before pulling the sleeves of his long white robes up to his elbows, at which point they simply fell back down to cover his hands once more, but the deranged Archangel felt that he had made his point with the gesture. He started performing some bizarre stretches, making sure that he was properly limber as he felt the presences of the Angels up ahead. Although he did not look it, he was actually busy in thought as he turned to Kain and A.B.A., performing some jumping jacks as he did so.

"Angels! I could take care of these guys eeeeeeeeasy-peasy if you want me to?" He chuckled slightly as he bent over backwards, the tips of his fingers just managing to touch the floor, before he did the same leaning forwards. With that done, he started casually hopping from one foot to the other, raising his fists in a guarded stance, letting out little short, sharp breaths with every hop.

"Yeah! I can handle this!"

[Athereon Whispersilk]

As much as the elder adventurer's hunger for the profound and extraordinary called and beckoned him towards the unsung calamity towards Kain and his cohorts, Athereon could do not but walk through the void he created, all to ready to assist those in need. As the aged man stepped through the portal to reveal himself to those present, citizens and soldiers eyes flared in panic and worry before the elder mage assured them of his virtuous intent and put to ease their imminent worry.

Weaving the arcane energies and calling upon the spirits of water present, Atherone uttered a final prayer to Luna, imbuing the evoked water with moderate healing potential. Whilst he delivered it to those in need before him, Athereon knew well that these were not the only ones that needed it, and ushered forth the spirits of winds to carry the healing waters and douse those who needed it's magics.

With a wrinkled smile, the greying Archmage assured those around him that he would see that things were put right and those who did this stopped. With a gentle wave of his sceptre, a sudden gust rose around Athereon carrying him skywards, so as to properly see the scope of what had occurred here, and to give him optimal line of sight for his spells.

Lofting high in the sky, Athereon could only wince in sorrow at the terrible amount of death that met his gaze. Gripping his hands tightly around his Catalyst, the azure sphere began to brim with arcane energy as Athereon called out, his voice booming across the landscape like thunder.

"I'm am Atheroeon Whispersilk, Archmage of the Seven-Fold, High Evoker of Crepusculum and Sorcerer Supreme of the Elements! Know that I have seen your crimes, and that my hand shall cull such atrocities, for my army is the powers that be themselves! My will gives form to the formless, action to the motionless, and power to the powerless. Repent and be granted my forgiveness, retreat and keep your life, or stay and forfeit all!" the mage announced with a rumbling flash of lightening upon his last words.

Adventuring had taught the mage that even if one might not be able to take on an entire army, a fact that Athereon would never admit aloud, such things as intimidation or diplomacy were sometimes enough to end a conflict before it even began. In this case, he hoped it would be enough to push back the enemy forces, if not disband their assault all together, so that wounded could be tended to, deceased put to rest, and everything put as right as it could be.

[annabelle]

Annabelle glanced around at the dead and dying surrounding her and her partner-in-magic, the sight being nothing that fazed her in all of her years of war and tragedies. As Athereon immediately set to work healing the weak and injured and sought out their foes who caused this, Annabelle followed along to help provide aid in caring for the injured ones.

Her search for those in need took her up the blood-soaked steps carefully, hobbling quite fearlessly into the bank's front...archway of no doors and opening her senses fully to the darkness within.

"Anyone hurt in here? Speak up, help's here and you're only getting it if you say something," she called out, her voice echoing in the room, "...groaning also counts. Don't be shy, unless you're foul!"

She had a sword to find, and people to help. With that, her first actions took her to giving a table or two a swing with her staff to help move things out of her way as like hell she was going to bend over with these knees of hers. Magic meant moving things for her!

[Kain Angelo]

Kain simply stared up at the weird 'bunny' before shaking his head, "This is a needless confrontation, if the blade was there they'd already have found it." Kain pointed out, glancing over to where the monument had stood, "We should head for the church and try to avoid them. Angels are bad news..."

However, before Kain could even move the angels took another action - they began tearing the ground around the monument apart, throwing large pieces of rubble in all directions, smashing and crushing houses. Kain cringed, how many people were in the houses that those angels just crushed? How many people in a mere instance were killed?

Kain stood up, "I take that back. The angels will die."

---

The rebels who faced Athereon must have shit their pants at the sight of this Archmage, they had seen magic before - Marines were skilled in water magic - but this was like a messenger from heaven coming to strike them down. Most of them in his path dropped their weapons and ran in opposite directions, the few who didn't, mostly commanders and the few demonic creatures from Duo's army, charged straight at the Archmage.

Meanwhile, the booming noise of Athereon's magic echoed into the bank where Annabelle was. There was noise in its dark halls, and before Annabelle could speak another word four sets of eyes lit up in front of her. The magic signatures that flowed through the room was hardly demonic, it was actually warm and chaotic feel...

It was angels. The Angels turned towards Annabelle, their heavy breathing clearly heard as they took a couple steps towards her.

"You..." One spoke, "Smell of Kain Angelo."

[Kyoki]

"Alrighty then!" Kyoki cried, giving Kain a quick thumbs up before gripping the corner of his white robe and giving it a sharp tug, pulling it clean off of his body. As the white material fell to the ground, it revealed that the Archangel had disappeared, leaving nought behind save the robe that had been on his body and a small pile of white porcelain dust, which swiftly blew away on the wind. With little evidence as to where Kyoki had gone, it threw the idea of his allegiance into even more question.

Whilst the Angels were going about their business demolishing houses and slaughtering innocents in the search for Manni Katti, they didn't seem to notice that one of their comrades was missing. They went on without them for a few more moments, before one raised his head and frowned. Garnering the attention of his comrades he asked them all a question as they gathered in a circle to listen.

"Say, where's Bail?"

WHAM

The corpse of Bail suddenly landed in the middle of the circle, with a curiously masked figure sat on his back. They wore a light form of chain that clung tightly to the body, with plates on the wrists, shoulders and thighs. With metal boots (normally covered by a robe) on the feet and a pair of white leather gloves, they cut a bright figure. All of the angels took a step back at the sudden and somewhat surprising appearance of this new opponent.

"Who in Hellious are you?!" One of the angels demanded, hand clutched at a sword, which they swiftly drew and charged forwards, clearly not giving poor Kyoki a chance to answer the question. Their loss. As Angels they might have known him by name...

As the armed opponent drew near, Kyoki rolled backwards off of the corpse, putting it between himself and his next victim. Landing on his haunches, he placed his hands on the floor in front of him and looked up, before pushing himself off of the ground towards the angel with all of his might. Driving his shoulder directly into their stomach, he knocked the wind out of them and sent them crashing to the floor. Using the forward momentum of the tackle, Kyoki's legs swung upwards into the air, so that he was positioned vertically with his head near the ground and his feet pointing upwards. From here, using the strength in his arms, he pressed himself upwards so that he flipped in mid-air, before crashing down boots first on the angels face, resulting in a relative mess.

There was an awkward silence.

"Ewwww..." Kyoki cried, wiping the sole of his boots on the dead angels shoulders. "That's just gross and inconsiderate." He was gone again.

"Wh-where did he..?" One of the angels started to inquire before their words stuttered down to an incomprehensible gargle. The others turned to the source of the sound to find a red-stained, white leather glove protruding from the angels throat. A bunny-masked face slid into view from behind them, a dull red glow pulsing from behind the mask.

"I am your worst Nightmare."

[A.B.A.]

"We can't save everyone sir. We need to get the blade and get out. Frankly I don't even understand how they'd know to come here to find you, or your blade, in the first place." A.B.A. gave the besieged area a momentary glance before turning away towards the church. "I think I saw a pathway leading through some of the residential buildings that can get us there. It'll take a bit longer, but it should keep us out of sight."

[annabelle]

"And you smell foul but I wasn't going to make it a big deal," Annabelle said through an unfazed grin as the angels approached her.

"You kids better be playing on my team. Speak up, this is your only chance to clear yourselves."

Her staff in her hand glowed softly, the faintest blue colour as she awaited a reply from the group, and one she hoped that could be dealt with with words.
Then again, she always dealt with her problems with words. Just some of them involved spells coming out of those words...

[Kain Angelo]

Can't save everyone... Those words really hit Kain, he had been feeling such guilt lately because he couldn't help think this was all his fault. He didn't want anyone else to have to die because of it...

ABA's words reminded Kain of the past, it was almost like a refreshing slap. His eyes narrowed before looking back at ABA, "Let's move, then." Kyoki would serve his purpose and keep the eyes off them for now...

As the angels looked around for their attacker, it seemed that Kyoki had this entire fight down. That was when there was a sudden increase of pressure as a powerful angel arrived - an archangel, for that matter.

"My brothers!" A voice roared, the long haired man approaching from behind the surviving angels. "What fool have you let ravage your comrades?"

"My brother, we can not locate him!" The angel cried.

"Oh?" The archangel smirked, his eyes centering right towards where Kyoki was, "I see the fool there." He held out his hand, clenched his fist and in a blink of an eye, the area around Kyoki burst into flames.