[sub][sub][h3][i]Unknown Location - Test of the Faceless / Marcus Roman - 450HP - 4/6[/i][/h3][/sub][/sub][hr]

	In spite of their otherworldly circumstances, it took a surprisingly short amount of time for the party to come together. The black Faceless stood with twisted transformations for arms at the ready - the massive tower shield and curved blade. It's head cocked to one side the same as its fallen brethren before it and though it still lacked an expression, curiosity emanated from the emptiness and morphed into a silent inquisition that sought to satiate its everlasting need to [i]know[/i]; to understand reasoning not made known to anyone currently present, but imbued within the fibers of creation that granted sentient life to the massive molding of ooze that formed this malevolent creature. It watched as Fiona, Nicholas, Annalynne, Erickson, and even Ytone mounted a multi-part, team oriented offensive strike. 

	For their part, Fiona and Nicholas dashed off towards the increasingly interesting creature Marcus faced. It spun and lashed towards the ex-knight with speed and rage, a hurricane of sword strikes moving to and fro pining for an opening. Marcus, now using a two-handed grip, moved purposely slower, but held onto more control as he strategically placed his feet and brought his sword up and down just in time to block key strikes while dodging and ducking under others when he could. He could feel the burn in his chest and expansion of his lungs as they gulped down air and fought to keep up with a body that demanded instinct where stamina had been lost. Despite his valiant defensive efforts, energy was being wasted on this valuable protection; there was no way Marcus would be able to finish the aggressive faceless if he could not launch his own attack, but it seemed that his enemy had somehow known that the man was aiming to finish the fight when he took a two-handed grip. The edge of Nicholas' sword came dangerously close to the neck of the faceless in a slim opening, but, once again with unnatural speed, the creature twirled its blade around and deflected the weapon sending Nicholas back into the following Fiona slightly, but not with too much force. Marcus took the opportunity to put some distance between himself and his foe before nodding at the twosome briefly in acknowledgement. Sure he was used to fighting alone, but there was no way he did not appreciate the help of new companions. 

	Erickson and Annalyne, for their part, rushed towards the towering black faceless. The God Eater moved like a man with something to prove and his unwillingness to give in finally paid off. He was successful in capturing the attention of the large beast as he rushed through its legs and even managed to slice at the area where hamstrings would be causing an oozing leg to fold at the knee and buckle, crashing to the ground and creating a small crater in the earth. In tandem, Annalynne dashed towards the fallen faceless and used the opportunity to brandish her daggers in an attack that was also successful in piercing the neck of the thing while Ytone added her own insurance to the mix bringing the creature closer to the ground on all fours with her chain. Though silent, the heat of anger boiled the air around the fallen creature and it burst upwards, unwrapping the chain from its neck forcibly and flinging Annalynne off and towards Ytone. Erickson was lucky enough to have already moved away from the immediate area as the giant enemy stormed to its feet. "You humans... Are tenacious. I grow tired of these games," It bellowed. Its arms returned to normal before it smashed a fist into the ground cultivating an earthquake that concentrated itself in the ground beneath Ytone and Annalynne and swept the feet of each lady from under them in violent fashion. 

	Marcus, Fiona, and Nicholas now stood together a few feet away from the lone, smaller faceless. Their enemy stood completely still, its sword menacingly awaiting the feel of flesh. "We need to finish this damn thing... I don't know how much I have left in me, honestly," Marcus said quietly to the two on either side of him. "If we're to have any hope of ending this fight at all... We're going to need to work together." Marcus took a renewed one-handed grip on his blade and pulled an arrow from the quiver on his back. Having witness their actions, he knew he could count on the Aspirant and the mercenary to follow his lead. With that in mind, and a second wind, he sped off towards the faceless. Anticipating a strike to the head once again, Marcus ducked under the flashing blade of his foe and pushed his arrow through the fold in its knee, bringing one leg down. Fiona and Nicholas followed swiftly behind and Marcus only hoped they would continue this small turning of tides and luck. 

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[hider=Battle Summary]
Erickson was able to damage and the boss faceless along with Annalynne and Ytone
Annalynne and Ytone were both the focus of the boss attack - 30 HP Loss each
Marcus was injured during his forced defense - 25 HP loss
Nicholas' attack on Marcus' faceless was deflected, but he suffered no damage
Fiona suffered no damage[/hider]