[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/JS8jLJq.png[/img][/center]
[b][color=000000]Time[/color][/b]
🌑 Late Morning.

[b][color=000000]Location[/color][/b]
🌑 Riverport - Deep Forest.

[b][color=000000]Interactions[/color][/b]
🌑 [@funnyguy] - Darius.
🌑 [@Alivefalling] - Dante.

[b][color=000000]Mentions[/color][/b]
🌑 N/A.

[b][color=000000]Equipment[/color][/b]
[hider=🌑 Blackguard's Casuals]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/sK6gTru.png[/img][/hider]
[hider=🌑 Ebony Thorn, Ebony Ward]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/v7YyneW.png[/img]
[/hider]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ToiIM6a.png[/img][/center]

Thoughts encircled the boy’s mind, questions of why he was here, why he had deigned to walk down this particular path. Monster Hunter? As of recent unfolding events, Ashari had rather taken the role of rescuer and guardian than hunter of beasts. [i][color=b18f71]’He’d think you’re pathetic,’[/color][/i] came a thought as the lad’s spectral gaze trailed the forest floor beneath his feet. His father’s words echoed as if a mantra, teachings of strength and pride, a raised sword with singular intent. Halting his advance, the demonic lad took a moment to ponder, memories of a past he had once known parting its lips to breath down a slender neck. What was his role in this? If Ashari was to scrutinize his father’s words, so much had been left unsaid. Why did they ever leave the Abyss? Where were the other Blackguards? What was the purpose of chasing battle in infinite pursuit of primitive bliss? 

Exhaling a heavy sigh, the infernal allowed for his eyes to fall shut. Bird songs echoed through the forest, soft padding of furred inhabitants seeking their next meal amongst branches and leaves, and the addition of a warm breeze licking past the lad’s exposed arms, caressing skin gray as ash. In that moment, Ashari was struck by something he had not confronted in some time; serenity. Silence wreathed in warmth, a harmonic beat to an otherwise chaotic existence. Would the boy’s father disapprove of this, as well? 

In brief, whispering silence, the flora and fauna serenading a tired soul, Ashari’s respite soon found itself shattered. As if glass crashing onto an unforgiving surface, a scream cut through his moment of peace. He would argue that it was through reflexive action that the demon burst forth at a mere utterance of this echoing sound, his steps bringing him ever closer to that most peculiar point of interest. 
[i][color=b18f71]’Here I go again, running into battle not for the sake of it, but for others..,’[/color][/i] Ashari shook the notion from his mind. Now wasn’t the time, he would argue. An excuse, for when was it more appropriate to contemplate one’s teachings?

Again, Ashari heard a scream, a screech traveling through the forest. Was this the demi-human he had come in search of? No, that wasn’t a possibility, for those tracks led in the opposite direction. Clenching sharp teeth, Ashari picked up his pace, the boy’s advance weaving past trees, twigs, and stumps as if a flowing wind. [i][color=b18f71]’Every goblin in the forest will hear those screams,’[/color][/i] the demon seethed, his thoughts given life as he witnessed scurrying shapes racing him to their prize. 

[i][color=b18f71]’Two of them.., and humans no less,’[/color][/i] Ashari frowned beneath his hood, the scene painting itself into a full display before him, traps sprung and goblins on the warpath. Leaping into the clearing where an inevitable battle soon confiscated an onlooker’s gaze, a dark shape manifested itself between his claws, an ornate sword of deepest black, coated in a layer of gold finding home within his grip. The motion was echoed, a shield coming into view mere moments before a loud clang emanated from an emerging goblin’s spear meeting its surface. Ashari stood between an ever-amassing gathering of green-skins and these [i]’saviors’[/i] of Avalia.  

A single glance over his shoulder afforded the boy enough to further question his choices, attention cut short by an arrow whisking forth from behind a bush, its jagged tip clashing against Ashari’s trusty shield before another was met by a deflecting motion of his sword. 

[i]’And what do you do, when you fight an enemy in their territory, Ashari? You won’t always have allies, you will be outnumbered, and the enemy will use the environment against you.’[/i]

[i][color=b18f71]’Cut off the distance between yourself and the furthest enemy, make sure that attacks from range won’t impede you.’[/color][/i] Exhaling a breath, Ashari danced between his enemies, sword and shield alike seeking to prevent bladed wrath from carving a memory into his skin. With a graceful twirl, the demon finally went on the offensive, having ignored his melee opponents, if briefly, before his Infernal Regalia connected with bow-wielding green flesh. Its dark edge sunk through the goblin’s shape, little resistance meeting Ashari’s sword as it proceeded to unseam the beast from shoulder to hip, an attack which allowed for him to spin, shield rising as he felt the weight of enemy strikes clashing onto its ornate surface. 

[i]’A Blackguard’s greatest strength isn’t our Regalia, it is our prowess. Others will underestimate us, a pretty face and spindly shape drawing a picture for them. Remind them otherwise with supernatural force, Ashari.’[/i]

Swiping the shield against his opponents’ attacks, Ashari managed to stagger them, his overwhelming force causing the two goblins at his front to stumble. It was an opening to allow for a quick swing of his blade, separating head from body.

[i]’When fighting those weaker than you, there will always be a knife at your back. Always.’[/i]

Shifting his position, as if yet another choreographed movement of this dance, a display akin to a flowing breeze, Ashari spun and found a sword clashing onto his Regalia. 

[i]’If you’re getting overwhelmed, abandon your position and find a better location. Turn the environment into your weapon rather than theirs, if you can.’[/i]

And overwhelmed amongst bushes, trees, and leaves the young demon was starting to find himself. Another arrow came flying at him as he was caught up fighting an additional three goblins, the projectile nearly digging into the boy had he not disengaged and gracefully dashed away from a bout commenced with spear and blade.

[i]’Are there soldiers available? Captives, an animal in a cage, a hostage? They, too, are your weapons. Do you find yourself in enemy territory? Create your own army with their resources.’[/i]

Another graceful leap, the lad’s feet firmly taking stock of a tree’s shaft before he launched himself skyward, Ashari’s blade leaving a dark, glimmering path in its peerless swing where he cut down the brothers from their prison, all before landing on the forest floor once more. [color=b18f71]”If you intend to live, humans, pick up your swords and fight.”[/color]