Tobi was in awe of the red armored Knight.  True to the young mage’s image of what an honorable knight should be, the man had battled against overwhelming odds and managed to rally and lift the spirits of soldiers who had all but almost dropped their weapons just seconds before. The knights obediently listened to his orders.  A strong voice that provided structure and direction amidst the chaos of battle.  The mounted knights followed his orders without question. 

 All knew who he was, especially Alexa Brightwind who had fantasized about meeting him since she first had seen him in a parade on their home town.  Her family was subservient to his and though they were a small house, the Brightwinds were proud. Indeed, the ancestral sword had been given to her ancestor by a Venray after the man had lost a hand and three quarters of a leg defending their wounded Lord.  
The blonde girl’s eyes filled with a fire that sincerely scared the young battle mage.  The tailor’s son did his best to protect and work in sync with the now battle drunk young knight.  She moved like an emissary of death and for a second, the cohesive and concentrated battle line that Tyrhallan directed was holding its own.  There was no doubt that the knights were skilled and well trained.  The pride of Belesio for sure. 

Now wanting to be left behind, Tobin dug deep into the Aether like Arn had taught him.  He had the benefit and honor of being able to bug and annoy Arn enough that the master mage taught him some things.  It had helped him stay alive on more than one occasion.  He suddenly caught sight of Lornias to his right flying a grey colored wyrm with a red haired middle aged knight.  The chubby mage had anger and fear plastered on his face as he manipulated the Thread.  

Lornia’s specialty was magnetism, and he was using it to deflect bullets and other munitions and at the same time using the torn pieces of ship’s, debris and shrapnel as deadly missiles against the enemy.  Other members of the Shooting Starts also fought gallantly and ferociously.  Arn would have been proud if he saw them.  After all, just like the knights were following their role model, the young mage’s were channeling their inner Hell Spawn. Currently, the mages were using their various skills to suppress or obliterate the firing positions to enable the knights to rally and form ranks. 

When the young pair reached the white haired Knight Captain he quickly briefed them on his plan.  Tobin wanted to interject at various instances but he could not and dejectedly sighed.  He understood why Arn did not really like working with these armored brutes.  Their love for battle was reflected even in their plans.  Standing in for Arn and knowing that the Venray would not leave until his duty was performed the young mage started to formulate a plan that would satisfy the requirements of this hastily drawn and balls to the wall plan. 

In contrast, Alexa all but brimmed with excitement.  In her view, the white haired lord all but glowed as he spoke defiantly in the face of certain death and overwhelming odds.  Despite the few seconds were she looked at the object thrust into her hands questioningly, there was no questioning in her mind.  Tryhallan was right. Desperate times called for desperate measures and she was more than happy to give her life to see Belisio protected. 

Looking around Tobin saw that he had Lornias, Valan, and Frer with him.  Valan was able to command mist and water and Valan was able to produce gales of winds and even lower temperatures.  Only high master mages were able to communicate telepathically so lower mages such as he and the other juniors wore transmission devices that activated with mana and basically used the Aether as the conduit.  The young mage tapped on the device and relayed his plan.  Being the one closest to Arn, somehow people always thought he was in charge….and Tobin seldom did anything to dissuade them unless his perceived authority was not a benefit to him. In this situation however, it came in handy that his squad mates listened and trusted him. 

All watched as the Knight Captain said a small prayer and they all raised their own.  Knights touching their swords to their foreheads and mages touching their third eye and then their heart, the sources were mages believe mana originates from. There was a slight atmosphere of camaraderie and unity amongst knights and mages. 

Suddenly, that moment was gone and they dove head long into the fray.  The small group moved behind him in an upside down V, with Tyrhalland taking the lead.  Mages and knights alike covered him.  Bullets and magic cutting into them taking a few down.  Tobi gritted his teeth as he saw a mage be almost cut in two by a high caliber bullet.  He saw knight scream in pain as a ball of fire cooked him inside his brilliant armor. 

Rage and fear mixed together as he rushed behind Alexa.  His battle which were shorter and more like wide pants than actual robes, still felt heavy compared to the quick moving Venray and the blonde girl. [color=00aeef] “Fucking robes, somebody should really change this damned design”[/color] He cursed as he used his magic in way that Arn had been working with him which basically converted his radioactive ability into lasers.  It ate a lot of mana but he was able to basically shoot short distances small bursts that tore through all but the thickest of armors.  

Following his directions, Valan conjured mist and Frer pushed it towards the bridge to cover their  approach.  Lornias having more than enough object to convert into ammo, showered the nearby area with fast moving shrapnel just ahead of the knight captain.  For a second it seemed that they were going to truly be victorious until out of the corner of his eyes Tobin saw a spear catch Frer in the face almost decapitating the poor lad.  

Lornias shouted in rage[color=f7976a] “You fucking bastards!”[/color]  His yelling must have given him away as he was suddenly showered with a barrage of bullets that tore into the young mage as if he was attracting them himself. Tobin and Alexa passed his bloody body, the eyes that had once held a shy and happy light now reflected only a glazed look. 

Tears began to escape Tobin’s eyes.  Valan concentrated but he was exhausted, the mist began to clear just as Tyrhallan was close enough to the Bridge.  He fell and it was unsure if he had been hit or he just passed out from exhaustion.  All around them, their small group was slowly being picked apart.  His breath came in ragged gasps as the young mage tried to keep up with the two knights.  Alexa seemed to have eyes only for Tyrhallan as she was true to her word and stayed only a two steps behind the Knight Captain. 

She ran so efficiently that the mine clutched to her chest did not even seem to move.  It was here that Tobin saw the skill that gave her family their name sake.  Infusing, her Ki into her blade and enhancing her muscles, she was able to move ever so slightly to block an incoming bullet or move out of the way a magic attack as if she was nothing more than a beam of light.  A slight glow enveloped her. [color=00aeef]“Brightblade…”[/color]whispered Tobin.  The trio made their way towards the bridge.  Behind them lay nothing but carnage, of their own people and those of the Viemese.  Ahead….probably lay nothing but death.