[center][h2][b][color=8A0707]Willem Valentine[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

Why had it been Academy students who performed this march to Fort Orello? It is true that they were training to become members of the Empire military, but how could that equate to a mission into the far North of the Empire to visit a fort? Will did not like to have to travel even further away from his family than he already had to, the march north simply being another annoyance that he must experience for the ‘Good of the Empire’. Though, his annoyance faded and took second place to surprise as bullets began to fly at their camp. What were enemies doing this far north and why were they attacking all of them when they were so close to a Fort?

Willem had little time to react as a bullet landed to his right, nearly striking his leg as is passed by. It only took an instance for his sword to form and his knuckles to turn red from clutching it with anger. If they were going to try and kill them then they better not miss because Willem wouldn’t dare allow them a second chance at such a failure. Another bullet headed straight for him, then it was gone in an instant with him barely having moved. To Will, they were hardly a threat. His natural skills enhanced by his Vessel, his speed, agility, and reaction time all far greater than before. It only took him a moment before he took down one of the soldiers rushing towards him, the man seeming to have only noticed him after his blade has run through his lung. 

[color=E65C00]”I cannot say I am sorry for you, for you were foolish enough to attack us as if you had the advantage. You came prepared for this death, I hope. I’ll plead that we bury you when we can so that you soul can be free.”[/color] He slid his blade out of the man’s body, taking a short step back as he collapsed and gasped for air. It wasn’t the quickest death, but it was a death either way. Willem looked around, knowing full well that not even he could take on all the soldiers alone, until he found a group of students who were all together, protected by some fire and smoke. It took him only a short moment to cover the meters between them and land beside those at the forefront of the group.

[color=E65C00]”They wanted a fight and they shall get one. Standing around won’t do us much right now. We might as well do as much damage as we can here and now while they are distracted by the flames. Those of us with close-combat capabilities should engage the swordsmen and let those with a preference for range take care of the gunners. Watch out for each other though, we can’t tell when a bullet is flying at our backs.”[/color] Willem said with a plain face, they were outnumbered but the foes weren’t like them, they were Vessel users and they held the advantage even then. But killing people was no reason to smile, even if it was to protect themselves. He held his sword in one hand, a bit of blood trickling from his fingers, and looked at the group. [color=E65C00]”I’d say now is the time to charge and take them out. We’ll worry about our fellow Cadets once the battle is done.” He said as he took a step forward towards the chaos.[/color]

[color=E65C00]”Though, I would expect we won’t get much time to rest here soon, especially if there are enemies here when we are nearing the Fort.”[/color] Will was unsure if what he thought was true, but no amount of soldiers in this number should’ve made it to their position so easily if everything was okay in the Fort. He simply turned and ran forward, intercepting a soldier who had been brave enough to rush towards the smoke and fire.