Tantamount, What is the price for equality? Rating Options

[P-girl]

Axl had a different idea about how it worked, however, that would include outing himself as what they'd consider an 'abnormal', which might not be the best idea. Retreating his falling chains, he kept low and defensive for now.

[Nightstorm]

The lead soldier gave a slight grunt in frustration. “Fall back,” she ordered the others, “and defend the combatants.” As all three soldiers regrouped with Axl, Shiki, and Martin, the translucent Ing began to weave its way around the battlefield. Not being too particularly creative or clever about it, it appeared as though it were simply trying to decide what next approach would be best.

Gilgamesh… apparently hadn’t learned his lesson the first time, and was even a little ticked that his attack had failed. Dealing with an enemy he couldn’t touch was a new concept for him. That said, he attempted a second attack by lunging sword-first towards the Ing’s red core – and passed right through it. The instant he emerged on the other side, the creature suddenly materialized and spun like a wild top between all seven warriors, attempting to ruthlessly whip everyone nearby with its four tendrils.

Since Gilgamesh was the closest, and with his back still turned to the creature, he was immediately assaulted by the lashes and simultaneously thrown forwards into the ground. Fynt and the other two guards tried to act as shields for Axl and the others against the onslaught.

[mightymarty2]

Martin sighed it appeared Gilgamesh in what he could only assume was pride had not seen the mistake of his plan but he now had an opportunity to counter. Unfortunately the guards were now hampering is progress. As the guards tried to shield them he simply side stepped them almost as though they were attackers again slashing the tendrils. The guards and them needed to work together but the secrets were holding them back

[P-girl]

((I could've sworn I replied....))

"Gil!" Axl shouted, before using the reach of his chains to attack from behind the guards, throwing a scythe-blade at the creature now that it seemed solid with all the strength he could muster.

[Nightstorm]

((*grumble*I hate work*grumble*))

The tendrils Martin had slashed dissipated into a black mist, destroyed from his blade’s attack. At the same time, Axl’s attack ripped through the Ing’s body, leaving gaping tears in the creature’s cage-like body. The Ing ceased its spinning immediately as it screeched in pain and tried to back away from the group, simultaneously lashing out with its two remaining tendrils towards anyone in sight.

“Keep attacking, but don’t let it touch you,” Shiki warned the others as she used her knife to slash through the Ing’s attack, destroying its remaining appendages.

[mightymarty2]

Martin ran towards the Ing at a more human speed he still knew that a counter attack was the best way to finish the creature so was holding speed in reserve

[P-girl]

"Got it." Axl said, retreating his chains for another throw, but first taking some steps back for safety. Distance was his specialty, this should go pretty smoothly.

[Nightstorm]

The Ing ceased its retreat and gave an aggressive screech towards its enemies as the glow of its red core intensified. During the battle, Gilgamesh managed to recover the brains that’d been tossed around in his skull and sluggishly got back onto his feet. Meanwhile, the three soldiers moved as one and slowly marched forwards, keeping their stance defensive as they tried to force the Ing back towards the city’s giant outer wall.

[P-girl]

"Gil! Get away from there!" Axl shout, also slowly moving forward, preparing for another chain attack.

[mightymarty2]

Martin was still approaching his pace as slowed he was expecting the Ing to attack which was what he needed in order to try and end this battle

[Nightstorm]

“I’m just fine where I am, mon-!” Gilgamesh didn’t quite get to finish his statement as the lead soldier stepped forward to yank him unceremoniously backwards, forcing him to stumble, off balance, into a heap next to Axl.

“Leave the fighting to those who can handle it,” she angrily snapped at the seething King.

“Mongrel! You dare to lay a hand on me?!” Gilgamesh didn’t have time to get his answer as the Ing suddenly shook its body. Four new tentacles grew from seemingly out of nowhere within its body and instantly lashed out towards Gilgamesh, Shiki, Axl, and Martin, each tendril acting like a rapidly extending spear, aiming to impale each warrior through their chest.

[mightymarty2]

Martin was more than ready for it simply side stepping the attack by increasing the pace and slashing at the tentacle that came at him

[P-girl]

((Again! My posts are dissapearing....))

Axl quickly crossed his two small scythes in front of him, trying to catch the tentacle and protecting himself.

[Nightstorm]

Gilgamesh and Shiki mirrored Martin’s tactics by attacking the incoming tentacles. All three dark tendrils dissipated into smoke after receiving damage while the fourth that Axl’d caught between his scythes held fast. The Ing angrily attempted to yank backwards, trying to free itself from Axl’s grasp.

[P-girl]

"Oh no you don't!" Axl said, gritting his teeth and digging his heels in the ground, trying to keep the tentacle he caught close to him, hoping this would give the others an opening.

[mightymarty2]

This was the opening that Martin had wanted he acted quickly bringing his blade down on the Ing. While it was still solid

[Nightstorm]

With a pained, echoed screech, Martin’s attack tore through the Ing, instantly reducing it into a black mist that fizzled away into the air, while its red core faded away into nothingness. As though it were in direct response to the Ing’s death, the nearby Dark Portal destabilized into a Rift, cutting off any further attacks from the “other” world. As a unit, the soldiers of Kemla moved until Martin was in the same field of view as Axl and the rest; it almost seemed as though their target had suddenly switched from the dead creature to the heroes themselves. In the back of her mind, Shiki was expecting an incoming attack.

“Stand down,” the leader ordered. Gilgamesh wasn’t sure at first to whom she was issuing that command, but then the soldiers visibly relaxed their guard; Fynt and his Inkua counterpart eventually sheathed their weapons, but the leader kept her greatsword in hand. With her free hand, she reached up and removed the faceplate attached to her headdress, revealing an aging face framed by blonde hair that was showing increasing signs of greying. Her blue eyes bore down upon each warrior with the predatory gaze one might expect to find in a lion – inside its own den. The woman slowly nodded, seemingly in either greeting or thanks. “I am Meredith, Force Commander of Kemla’s armies and Head-of-the-Guard of Inkua,” she stated in a practiced introduction.

[P-girl]

Axl stumbled as the tentacle he was holding with quite an amount of force vanished, but soon found himself stable. As the soldiers moved, he decided not the sheath his weapon just yet, but to keep it down as a sign that he wasn't going to attack by his own volition.
"Uhm hi!" He eventually said with a small wave of his hand as Meredith introduced herself. "Pleased to meet you."

[mightymarty2]

Martin sheathed his zonpakto his hand was not far away from it but he did it as a gesture of good faith. He decided to keep things simple "Martin" he simply said

[Nightstorm]

((I think I’ve caught what you got, P-girl. I could have sworn I’d posted this a long time ago…))

Meredith’s eyes narrowed on Axl and Martin. “I know you,” she stated, as though reminding herself. “The fugitives that were brought to the Council yesterday.” A look of confusion crossed her face. “But, your execution had been reported as successful the following evening… Yet you stand here.” After a momentary pause in thought, the elder soldier returned her attention to the warriors before her. “I demand to know how it is that you are not only alive, but have also escaped custody.”