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[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
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Weeks upon weeks of facing the worst that Valheim, the Blight, and the Eidolons could muster had forged the Kirins into a unit that an ordinary platoon of men stood little chance facing. Their collective efforts decimated the Valheimr ranks, with Izayoi scything through the last few even as their leader fell from gunshots. There wasn't any time to waste. Clearly, Valheim didn't want them near Garuda. With few words spoken afterward, the party pressed on uphill.

At the summit, they beheld a [url=https://files.catbox.moe/cvjuui.png]large, humanoid birdlike creature[/url] facing off against what appeared to be...Ifrit? [url=https://files.catbox.moe/5t21po.png]If it were bipedal and far more humanlike[/url], at the very least. The impersonator of the Eidolon of Fire had Garuda clenched in its hands and slammed against the ground, choking the life out of the Eidolon of Wind as aether flowed from the latter to the former. If Eve and Siren were any indications beforehand, this pseudo-Ifrit was almost certainly another one of Valheim's mad projects.

And before them stood [url=https://files.catbox.moe/hdyaj3.jpg]a man, clad in dark armor, a rich purple cape, and a horned helmet terrifying to behold.[/url] A great slab of metal that served as a sword stood planted in the ground next to him as the figure turned, having seemingly been overseeing the battle. Around the edge of the hill and near the airship stood several more Valheimr soldiers, weapons lowered as they beheld the brawl between Eidolons. 

[b]"Ah, and you would be Reisa's killers."[/b] He turned in full, with little care for Garuda's anguished screams in the background behind him. [b]"Were she my direct subordinate, I would owe you a debt of blood. But as it stands, I can be satisfied with delaying you."[/b] One hand thrust his cape out, issuing orders to his men. 

[b]"Start the airship, and secure Hellfire aboard once he's finished absorbing Garuda. The enemy won't be adding another Eidolon to the forces they can muster. I will ensure our escape personally."[/b] His other hand reached for his massive greatsword, hefting it up easily with one hand. 

[b]"Now come, [i]Warriors of Light[/i]! I, Garland, will knock you all down!"[/b] Earthen aether formed in his free hand as he roared, and the Valheimr general slammed that palm down into the ground, sending a Quake spell cascading towards the Kirins as a group.

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