[center][url=https://fontmeme.com/signature-fonts/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210501/9a3f76b0500227ccd02dfc9eb876ba36.png[/img][/url][/center][hr]Alistair couldn't help but let out a sigh as diplomacy failed. He had a feeling the Satanist wouldn't give up that easily, but with the option of mercy off the table, only punishment remained.

And punishment, he'd deliver. The very thought of it put a dark grin on his face.

Still, the exorcist couldn't help but lift an eyebrow in curiosity as another man entered the room. Judging by his choice of clothing, he must've been an exorcist that had investigated the mansion on his own. A commendable effort, if a little reckless. The Vatican Priest had little time to think on this, however, as the Satanist in front of him vanished into thin air-- a product of unholy magic. With Ryan Chambers gone, several other cultists teleported into the room. Armed and armored, these Satanists seemed well-equipped to face the group of Exorcists.

Even so, Alistair felt no fear in his heart. How could any man have fear, knowing that God is beside him, and allies watch his back? No, instead, he felt grim anticipation for the task before him. A cold bloodlust-- one he hoped to sate in the battle to come.

The priest counted ten Satanists, plus the armored figure playing the piano. He had little time to strategize as five swordsmen moved to face him-- Alistair would just have to trust that his allies could handle the rest. The warriors before him didn't seem like amateurs with the sword; their posture clean, their tactics sound, and numbers superior.

As they surrounded and isolated him from the rest of the team, Alistair found himself with his back to the table. He threw a quick glance at the feast behind him, before turning to his opponents. They circled and waited for his approach-- in a one-on-five situation, they held the advantage, after all.

[color=239C89]"By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground--because out of it were you taken."[/color] The priest said, resting the false edge of his blade atop his right shoulder, in a standard [url=https://www.swordschool.com/wiki/images/thumb/9/9c/Donna.jpg/867px-Donna.jpg][i]woman's guard[/i][/url].

[color=239C89]"For dust you are--"[/color]

He put weight on his front leg and leaned forward-- a low, aggressive stance.

[color=239C89]"--and to dust you shall return."[/color]

They did not reply with words, but with steel. One of the bolder Satanists swung his blade in a downward cut, but Alistair took a step forward and brought his longsword up in a [url=https://www.swordschool.com/wiki/images/7/7d/Fenestra.jpg][i]window guard[/i][/url] to deflect the attack. The opponent's sword now knocked aside, the priest moved from defense to offense, his own blade cutting through the air, like a ribbon twirling in the wind.

Much to the Satanist's surprise, the blessed blade found its mark, leaving a deep cut on the side of his neck. The dark protective magic of his armor was nullified in the presence of a holy relic, leaving only physical protection. Even so, armor at the neck and joints were the weakest-- something Alistair knew well. The wound was not immediately fatal, but had the Satanist been wearing anything except plate, he would have lost more than just an artery.

As the man stumbled back, the other armored cultists moved to support their ally, but the exorcist was not done. Moving from a forward thrust into a [url=https://www.swordschool.com/wiki/index.php/File:Longa.jpg][i]long guard[/i][/url], Alistair pivoted, moving to the left as he swung his blade in wide, flowing arcs to force them to either move out of the way, or to take the hit.

The key to fighting multiple opponents at once was to always be moving-- to always be on the offensive. To pressure your opponents, and never give them a chance to tighten the noose. There was no time to think, strategize, or fight defensively-- and so the best tactic was to deprive your opponents of their ability to do the same.

Like a raging storm, the exorcist was a veritable whirlwind of blood and steel, his movements causing the blessed smoke around him to move in turn. Slowed and weakened by Yu's alchemical concoction, the opponents were wary of Alistair's blade, for they knew that a single solid cut could be the end of them. The sounds of battle raged all around, and not just from him. Even now, the man knew his allies were fighting just as hard as he was.

He would not be left behind.

Alistair locked blades with one of his opponents, sparks flying as blessed silver met cursed iron. The priest twisted his wrist, gaining an advantage with the true edge of his blade, before positioning his sword's [i]forte[/i] against the opposing sword's [i]debole[/i]. He then gained a final advantage by putting his sword over the opponent's sword-- with three advantages over none, the cultist had no way to defend.

Seizing the momentum, Alistair switched into a [url=https://www.swordschool.com/wiki/index.php/File:Bicorno.jpg][i]two-horned guard[/i][/url] and rushed forward, crashing into his opponent's helm with a thrust that sought to end a life. There was a sickening crunch as the tip of the blessed longsword pierced through the faceplate and into the Satanist's left eye. The exorcist continued pushing until the sword ruptured the skull, and the brain matter beneath, before quickly pulling the sword out to face his other opponents.

...not quickly enough, however. His instincts shouting at him to move, Alistair switched into a [url=https://www.swordschool.com/wiki/index.php/File:Donnasinestrarear.jpg][i]reverse woman's guard[/i][/url] and [url=https://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~wew/other/Estratto.htg/guard2.jpg]yielded[/url] to the attack that came from behind him. The attack slid down the length of his sword and protected his back from a potentially fatal injury, but left his front completely exposed. The Satanist before him seized the opportunity and made a forward thrust aimed at the exorcist's heart.

Thinking quickly, the man twisted in place before hopping to his left once more, pivoting to face the opponent behind him while dodging the attack. Try as he might, however, he could not completely evade the heartseeking strike, the blade instead finding purchase on his right side, leaving a nasty cut under his sword arm.

Clenching his teeth and fighting through the pain, Alistair reoriented himself, swinging in wide arcs once more to threaten his opponents as he quickly took stock of the situation. Of the five enemies before him, one was dead, and another was injured, but not quite defeated. This time, thankfully, they were all in front of him, so while he no longer had to worry about surprise attacks (provided his allies were doing their jobs), he still had a long way to go.

And yet, he smiled, even as crimson began to bloom from his beneath his cassock.

[color=239C89]"Is that your best?"[/color] He spat out, venom dripping in his voice. [color=239C89]"Disappointing."[/color]

He let his words for a bit, but before they could get a response in, Alistair dove once more into the breach.