[center][h1]Alain & Ari[/h1]
[sup][i]Only one who understands their power can truly decide how best to use it.[/i]
~ Dorian Justis[/sup][/center]
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Lingayen Beach. In some other era, or in some other lifetime, it could very well have been a beautiful place to visit. Today that wasn't so, however. Trenches out in the empty fields leading to the beach, armored vehicles and, of course, the Chinese Navy floating offshore. No, this wasn't a vacation spot, it was a warzone. Soon to be sullied by the blood of the innocent and guilty alike. Soldiers milled about, making whatever preparations they had been ordered to make. Most of them had M16's or M4's slung over their shoulders, and naturally an assortment of other tools in their packs that were not openly visible. You could always tell who the Arms Masters were, they were commonly younger than the soldiers, dressed differently, and some carried no visible weapons. Whether this was due to arrogance or faith in the power of their Noble Arms, none could say.

To be fair, the two of them weren't exactly exceptions to the rule. The Austrian Siblings were situated in almost the dead center of the defensive points. This was per Ari's request. She knew her Noble Arm would be critical in preventing an outright slaughter, and so she had specifically requested to be positioned as close to the center of the defense as possible so that her power could protect as many as she could. That was just like her, thinking of how many within a specified area she could cover with her shield and basing her positions and movements accordingly. Her brother, Alain, was positioned nearby as well. She knew eventually he would charge off on his own, seek out those in need of saving and providing that timely rescue. It was in his nature. But he was remaining close by for the time being, both having long ago realized that they were often strongest when working together. But Alain was never one to stick around in one area for too long when battles were raging around him.

She would occasionally look to her brother for some kind of sign about what he was thinking right now. But as always, he was almost impossible to read. His stoic nature was at its strongest during the lead up to an inevitable battle, and now would be no different. Still, it worried her sometimes, that he could just put himself in a warzone like this and show little or no signs of any emotion. It was a strength sometimes, but could also become a weakness if things went a certain way. For Ari, it was the waiting that got to her the most. Waiting for the first shot to be fired, and being unable to act until it happened.

The loudest shot to be heard first was, of course, an Arms Master. A particularly powerful one who flew down toward the beaches in the most unsubtle way imaginable. They then proceeded to attack multiple ships and even crushing them with their powers. Ari decided that now needed to be the time to act. An opening attack like that would never be allowed to go unanswered. The Chinese were definitely going to try retaliating with something equal or bigger. And Ari wanted to be certain that whatever was launched back at them would collide only with her shield. She reached forth her hands, calling the red tower shield Adamantius to her hands. She closed her eyes, and spoke almost as if in prayer, "On my life and upon this Shield, I swear to protect them... WALL OF LIGHT!" the light from the shield expanded outward, rapidly increasing its size until the resulting barrier covered as much of the defense's line as Ari could muster. And then she braced herself, preparing to grit her teeth and come what may, keep that wall up.

Meanwhile, Alain glanced back his sister when he heard her voice. He watched her summon her shield and Wall of Light then turned back to face forwards again. Without words he cracked his neck and knuckles, then reached forth his own hands to summon his mighty sword, the Claimh Solais. He didn't charge yet, though, he had already decided he would guard his sister as long as he could before going his own way, and that was exactly what he would do. Even if he had to face the denizens of Hell itself, he would stand his ground and cut them down.