A mighty blow splattered the foul ichor of his foes upon him, turning the initial group into mere pulp, but that wasn’t enough. Even with his limbs turned to lead by the exhaustion, the sheer power that the black pillar demanded, Aiv strove to answer the call of the next foe. He could envision it clearly in his mind, the next smooth, destructive motion.

But his body refused the call regardless, muscles screaming with agony at just how little stamina he had. Powerful, but exhausting. And now, open to a counterattack, Aiv could only hope for assistance as another scepter of a forgotten era left from the fog, a blade outstretched. Moments before visceral impact, a strike in the legs toppled him backwards, that rusty blade centimeters away from his face as he fell, before the clang of rained blows sounded.

Unpleasant. That was the sensation that seeped into his mind like a festering bolt. Someone else protecting him. A debt to be paid.

Paid immediately.

Aiv didn’t even think as that miniature cannon emerged from the folds of the fog, acting immediately with what strength was recovered in his bones. The writhing pillar shifted itself ever so slightly in front of both him and Orpheus, moments before the cacophonous roar sounded. Even shielded, the two were sent tumbling back, a concussive force knocking him further along the ground before he pushed himself up, ears ringing, red eyes alive. There was pain now. The dull throb of his entire body to the sharp wetness originating from his right side, crimson staining Nera’s white robes. His heart beat accelerated, the adrenaline turning pain into pleasure, every part of his body thrumming with lifeblood.

Beside him, the black pillar remained unbroken, still writhing like a living thing, but it no longer grabbed his attention. His eyes were elsewhere now, searching for a different weapon. A lighter one. The explosive strength provided by Nera’s gift was wonderful, but if they were to push back the scourge, they required something else. Weapons that didn’t cripple them in a single swing.

A part of him knew, then, that the handcannon had to be reclaimed.

The ringing persisted in his ears, but Aiv shouted out despite that. [b]“Grab that cannon! We’ll need it!”[/b]