[b][i]Jiao Hao[/i][/b]

Despite the war going on around him Jiao Hao appeared disconnected with the world around him. He showed little concern for the warriors battling around him. Blades cut through the air, their opponents dodging them. Armored warriors rolled across the ground in a last ditch effort to avoid that killing blow and lash out with their own attacks of opportunity. Rays of blood lashed out through the air. It was war, and there was nothing like it. 

Lowering his hands into a more prominent position at his side, the ronin smirked as the heads of two eager samurai warriors rolled across the battle field. Still strapped in their helmets, their faces showed signs more of disbelief rather than shock or awe at the quick draw they should have more reasonably been able to at least defend against. He would not make eye contact with the “ally” that cut them down, who he did not know. However, it was not because of some social phobia but merely because his concern for the samurai’s level of sustenance was not his concern. 

A few meters before him, a rather reputable member of the enemy forces presented himself. Jiao Hao would not be able to make out the lacquered plates that covered the General’s body, shimmering in the afternoon sun. Further still, he would not be disheveled by the blood that was smeared across the General’s mask. The General stood, clutching the lifeless head of a fallen “ally.” His other hand still clutched the blade, dripping with blood that had rendered it free from his body. General Touzon, a member of well standing amongst the enemy combatants was well worth the effort to succumb to the power of the ether. 

Jiao Hao took only a couple of steps forward before his attention was drawn to two members charging passed the heckling General. Both armored similar to their leader, one charged with a sword raised high above his head and the other a hand on the katana at his hip. The ronin would not have to move quickly before the conflict would ensue. 

Through Jiao Hao’s eyes, as the two men approached he would not see there armor only a blue hue that breached the gaps between the lacquered plates where their life force had shown. Of course, it was not his eyes that would lead him to victory but his experience in combat. Even a blind man could defeat an small band without nothing more than a walking stick if he remained observant to his surroundings. 

A samurai, drawing his katana from its scabbard was the first to approach the ronin. Jiao Hao dodged, dipping to the sword only to encroach into the warrior’s personal space. The ronin grabbed his first assailant by the risk, draw the arms behind the man’s covered head. With a precision that may have been to close for comfort, Jiao Hao used the contained warrior’s sword to direct the oncoming attack. He wouldn’t direct the warrior’s downward slash away, but down the contained Samurai’s back, carving a subtle gash. 

With a quickly twist of his own wrist, Jiao Hao tore the enemy katana from the man’s hands. In doing so the ronin thrust it upward punctuating the second assailant with a piercing strike that forced the blade through and through. As the original warrior turned attempting to draw his wakizashi the man’s hand was pushed away by a swift kick forcing the blade back into the scabbard. It gave Jiao Hao the opportunity to quickly withdraw his own blade swiftly lopping off the man’s head. 

Turning around the ronin placed a soft boot on the hilt of the skewered samurai’s sword, still stuck in his abdomen. He pushed the man over. Shaking the blood from his blade, Jiao Hao stepped over the enemy. He stared down the enemy, his covered eyes drawn to the General’s powerful aura.