[center] [color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color] [/center] Between Rudolf and Eve, the remaining squadron of Valheimr were quickly mopped up, though not without the mishap of the alarm sounding. Inevitable, considering what they were up to. Izayoi ignored it, simply flicking blood off of her blade and sheathing it as she nodded to Esben. [color=#736AFF][b]"Understood. Forward, then. We've no time to waste."[/b][/color] All the while, Ciradyl's agents saluted Esben and stacked up to defend the entrance, though not without one slipping a map to Izayoi. "For you and Lord Hien's escape, General. Your exfiltration route is marked. We will distract any reinforcements as long as we are able before we retreat. Godsspeed." The Mystrel bit back her instinctual retort and simply nodded, checking the map briefly before handing it off to the others. They sprinted into the prison's secure zone with the aid of directions. Fortunately enough, it seemed any sentient security within the deepest bowels of the makeshift fortress was absent, with only the squadron at the entrance having been the apparent interior guard. A stroke of fortune. As a result, it wasn't long before they found the cell they'd been looking for. Its occupant was a young Osprean man with a beard and a high ponytail, tall and broad of shoulder. Though he was in a terrible state. Covered in bruises, one eye blackened, and his once proud garb stained in blood. Izayoi recognized him immediately, even through the sands of time and his wounds. [color=#736AFF][b]"It is him. Stand back."[/b][/color] Her hand fell to her sheathed sword, and she sucked in a breath as she focused. Visualize the line. Draw. Cut. Izayoi's strike cleaved through the cell's lock, the door swinging open as Hien looked up blearily. "Is that...it can't be." He chuckled hoarsely as he remained sitting against the far wall, unable to stand, much less move under his open power. "Tell me, am I dreaming?" [color=#736AFF][b]"Unfortunately not, young master."[/b][/color] Izayoi quickly knelt and bowed her head in deference as protocol dictated before rising, wrapping one of his arms over her shoulder and helping him up, slipping her sheathed wakizashi into his other hand. [color=#736AFF][b]"I see you've grown sloppy in the absence of my instruction."[/b][/color] "Ahahaha...ugh. Blast, it hurts to laugh." Hien wheezed as he was helped up, Izayoi leading him along every step of the way. "Never mind, of course it's you. I'm a man grown now, you know. No need for the 'young master' talk. Especially in front of your friends." He shot Rudolf, Esben, and Eve a brief, pained grin. "Speaking of friends, how are my men? How many survivors?" [color=#736AFF][b]"We can discuss this when you arrive at safe harbor."[/b][/color] Izayoi shot his request down, looking to the other three Kirins with her. [color=#736AFF][b]"You three must clear the path. I will keep him safe."[/b][/color] The route Ciradyl's people gave the infiltration team led them from the cells towards something marked on the map as a "shower block". Whatever that was. Upon arrival to the entrance of what looked to be some sort of bathing area, though without tubs, an explosion could be heard from the other end. "Breach and clear! Forward! We'll pin the intruders from the other end-" The commander in front halted his charge as he emerged, a dozen men in tow, staring gobsmacked at the aforementioned intruders. "CONTACT!" Half the Valheimr drew swords and charged, with the other half clambering up to higher ground in the shower block and taking aim at the Kirins. ___ Out in the streets, more soldiers poured [i]out[/i] of the prison, a quarter of them still with guns trained upon the makeshift fortress's entrances while the others rushed to engage the interlopers. "The mage! Kill that witch!" A particularly bright sergeant screamed, bullets whizzing from lower ground to try to hit Miina as she continued to throw spells. "Orders from Captain Reisa!" A soldier in common enlisted armor shouted, the large contraption upon his back evidently some sort of communications equipment. "She's arriving with reinforcements upon that airship soon! Einhanders deployed! We at least need to keep them tied up until the airship is in drop range! And keep guns on the entrances still! The rebel leader can't be allowed to escape!" The initial soldiers on the rooftops were quickly being cleared out, but the influx of reinforcements arriving from the prison were proving to be a problem, footmen bracing with shields to cover riflemen who took potshots at those up top. All the while, screeches were heard from the air as several winged shapes came flying from the approaching airship at high speed. As they drew closer, the shape of [url=https://i.imgur.com/CBGKhUv.png]great horned birds, guns somehow fused to their bodies,[/url] could be made out. The Einhanders began to fire as they dove in, their gunshots creating a pincer attack on the extraction team as the Valheimr in the streets continued to shoot as well, creating a killbox that would prove to have lethal consequences should it not be disrupted quickly.