Mas Bagus

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

" If I may be so bold as to suggest-- we should take some of these fools alive, so they can sing about their keeper to the inquisitor."

"If you can do that, be my guest..."

Despite saying that, the prospect was laughable at best, but she didn't fancy explaining that the alignment of these soldiers couldn't be determined by the action of their captain alone. Sure they might be crooked, but the best answer you can get from them would be a defense that they were just following orders, and they were here to exterminate bandits and traitors. And here right now we were the bandits and the traitors.

Jazdia peeked from her cover and saw them reloading. Taking a stance to aim her bow, she downed two musketeers before ducking back into her cover. At that time, suddenly there was a thick fog covering their side of the hall.

Two muzzle reports echoed, but their shots failed to find any target and punched the walls, ricocheting, and eventually landing in a loud clang. With her eyes, Jazdia saw a soldier on their side of the platform rolling on the floor, groaning in pain, the ricocheted bullet struck him. It seemed to the other two also had been dealt with by Chonan and Kaito.

"Heya boss. Quite deep up in shit creek we are today."

Indeed, but it surely couldn't get any worse than that, right?

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

”Jaz, based on the documents I found the Black Serpents Guild certainly had the items and intricate knowledge of the underground tunnel systems required for the assasination attempt. I think we got enough and should make our exit.”

"Very well!" Jazdia checked the findings, intrigued by the map, but felt the evidence was somewhat lacking. Scanning the room for one last time. She found a container buried in the wall, and there was a thread from it to Gerrald's desk, straight into one of the drawers.

Heating up her blade to an amethyst hue, Jazdia walked toward a painting that seemed out of the place (seriously who would have hung a painting of a green meadow in an underground bunker?) and toppled it aside, revealing a metal container with locking mechanism. With two quick slashes, the door fell, and there she found assortments of scrolls, a copy of that map, and a small book, a journal.

Quickly she skimmed the scrolls. Those were neatly written letters with the name of the sender omitted. Several of it was vague, but the newest ones discussed the catacombs escape tunnel and how his Jormungand had found and connected the tunnel with their own system. Another letter describing agents that need to be guided throughout the system. No dates were specified.

She glanced at the head-sacked Gerrald before securing that extra evidence into her leather bag. "Let's go."

Jazdia led the team with Kaito following from behind. Behind the Fox Youkai were Yvonne and Chonan, guarding their prisoner who kept mumbling something incoherent. He shook his head and wagged his ashen ponytail "It's itchy! Take it off or you will regret this!"

Deciding to not regret anything, the party moved in haste as planned, Jazdia told them they will take the left tunnel that leads to the catacombs. The opposition should be less crowded on that route.

They finally arrived at the canal-hall. But something was amiss. There were soldiers, some with navy uniforms storming from the right tunnel. There were twelve of them and the last one that emerged from that dark tunnel was a familiar face.

"Soldier, halt!"

Two soldiers who had crossed the bridge took their position close to the bridge, while two others flanked Jazdia. There were many scenarios playing in her mind right now and at some point. the elf's thoughts raced to Henri but did not make eye contact with that golem man.

"Mr. Delving... Why am I not surprised? I suppose Mr. Tutor informed you about our investigation and thus here you are, moved by goodwill and a sense of duty to give this humble troupe of investigators a helping hand?"

Standing menacingly with both hands on his waist, the Constable glanced at their Plus One with clear contempt. "It doesn't matter." he rasped, his voice causing the guild master to straighten up his posture in an unknown zeal. "I see that you have done a great service to the Crown and Rascade. But I will take it from here. Miss Jazdia, please hand over that man to us. We will take care of him."

"Oh, we can bring him together just fine, you know. Our boss is just a few dozen meters above. We can present our findings together. Don't you agree?"

"No, I don't think it can be arranged."

One of the flanking soldiers approached Jazdia, but the elf signaled him to not take any step closer. "Why not, Mr. Constables? What makes you think this man is so important you have to secure him right here and right now?"

Aaron Delving's frown was clearly visible even in this dimmed hall. "Back to you. Why are you insisting on making this difficult?! Goodness, I don't believe it! One seal and you think you are above me, who have served the king for years and did all of his biddings exceptionally! I am the Chief Constable, it is my job to present this... this traitor to the king himself. Not people with unknown qualities like you lots. Though, I admit your capability, so come! Hand over the man."

Jazdia sighed and then suppressed the urge to rub her nose. There was a foul stench permeated in the air, stinkier than the sewer water below, she activated her eyes. Some of Gerrald's men had been reassembled in many checkpoints, and some had already made their way inside the tunnel and joined forces with the remaining soldiers.

"Ah, so that's how it is." She mumbled. Oh well, look at how smug Gerrald was behind that burlap! so this encounter was planned.
"What are you saying? Time is up. Give him up or we will take him by force, your call."

With a ragged smile, Jazdia looked back and said: "You heard that."

Everyone looked at her in confusion, but the Samurai released him anyway. The flanking soldier grabbed Gerrald's shoulder and removed the sack, leering intensely at Jazdia as they passed. "See you later bitch!"

Waiting at the other side of the bridge was Delving, like a disappointed father fetching a troubled son. Jazdia kept her cool, while the rest of her team looks disgusted by the travesty displayed. Nobody knew what she was thinking, not even herself.

"I am immensely grateful for your cooperation." He said and it seemed to be the only word he said without any hint of exasperation. The constable raised his hand. At the right side of the tunnel, lined four members of the navy. He, as their commander smugly proclaimed. "But I can't let you leave."

The weapon that was perceived as a spear turned out to be a long musket, and they were starting to take their aim.

So did Jazdia.

At that moment there was a twang of bowstring: an arrow whistled in the air and pierced the guild master from the back. He gasped, reaching his chest where a glowing, crystalized steel made its exit and stuck out. As Gerrald collapsed, a voice rang! "Kill them all!"

Followed by a small tremor... but nobody knew where it came from. A skirmish had begun, and Jazdia quickly leaped toward the stone pillar to her left. Her eyes activated, and as she saw four more men rushing from the bridge, she blinked, and an explosion followed.

That small bridge collapsed, and their poor prisoner launched mid-air before landing with a thud at the edge of the south floor.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

@wierdw

Jazdia shrugged, then with her typical trained smile, she replied. "Distrustful? No... unless if you really have something to hide. But let's omit the tedium of scrutinizing the trustworthiness of all parties because we don't have all the time in the world right now, don't you agree?"

"This Guildmaster was responsible for the infiltration and the escape of the intruders. By providing an underground passage that leads to the catacomb, and to an extent, the memorial park where they almost had your Highness' neck. We believe there is more than just that, but that will depend on how good Fred's jailer is when it comes to extracting the information." There was a purple glint in Jazdia's blue eyes as she continued. "That is all I can afford to say."

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Jazdia wasn't so sure if she liked the man's tone. But she remained focused; the prize was already at hand, and it would be better to leave it relatively unspoiled.

"No, need. We are done here." the elf said flatly. Then with her instruction, Chonan sacked the man's head and tied his hand. Muffled noises and all manner of curses known to men seeped from the burlap fabric, and the man kept wriggling until Chonan hit him at the base of his neck.

Then they headed to the door.

"We will hand the man to Fred and we will see what his torturer has in store."

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Jazdia led them toward the underground tunnels with many turns and crossings. Room after room, hall after hall, and warehouse after warehouse. Wide was the reach of the Black Serpent guild, almost like a prosperous empire. And with that, it was not surprising The Guild Master would cling to his hard-earned wealth, even if the world were burning around him.

Many valuables were stored here, from basic needs like flour and sugar to intoxicating beverages. Then, crates of irons, sacks of cotton, sugar, and one particular crate that piqued Jazdia's interest the most; It was full of sulfur, and next to it was a distilling table with several round metal casings stored on top of it. The smell and shape were identical to smoke bombs found at the park.

She pocketed a casing, and then, the hunt continued.

Probably thinking he had managed to fool them by leading them to the surface, the head of the snake must be very smug with his cunningness he only stationed five of his men to guard the crossroads that lead to his hideout.

"Listen, Gerrald's underling!" she called out. Her voice echoed in the cold and damp tunnel. "You are in the way between a criminal and Kindeance's Justice. Drop your weapon and show your hands where I can see them if you value your foul skin! Or I will tear you apart from tail to snout!"

Some thugs did not heed that warning and Jazdia intended to keep her word by preparing her explosive arrow. But one, mohawk guy who froze in place with his hands raised makes everything a little bit more problematic.

One arrow struck two henchmen, while Chonan took the initiative and ended two others. There was nothing bombastic when that mohawk redhead cowered in fear as the group passed him. "I yield! You promised right?!"

The path was getting dark, and after more sprinting, they arrived at a cavernous hall, It was much bigger than any chambers they had passed so far. It had two doors directed to tunnels at the Northwest and Northeast, and another one at the south where their target made his escape.

To the middle of the hall, the floor vanished and fell to a river, no, more like a huge, man-made canal that was part of the city's sewage system. The water that ran through it was black, foul, and filthy and the stream looked deep and swift.

Crossing a wooden bridge with rope rails, the party reached half the hall and rushed for the last race. Their target was hiding in a bunker and all they needed to do to reach the said bunker was through this tunnel, go right and then, left again...

The door was locked. An explosive arrow with a directional blast would do the trick.

Breach and clear! The party rushed in as the wooden door shattered. Jazdia was the first to reach the stunned guild master, bashing his hand with her bow as he tried to pick a lantern to burn the already pilings documents. The lantern crashed to the floor and topped sideways, extinguished, while the owner... also crashed, to the wall, face first.

"Got you! Didn't see that coming, huh?" Jazdia grabbed the man by his white mane and bashed him some more until she could hear his nose cracking. Then she let him tumble backward, hands clutching his bleeding mug.

"Kaito, check that documents. If they all are important, get a sack or something."

"Fuck! Do you know who you are messing with? You are dead! You are fucking dead! You hear me you bitch?"

But Jazdia paid him no mind. "Samurai! Take care of our man. Make sure he is unarmed. I don't care if we have to parade him naked."
Then she moved closer to the guild master. "Nice tunnel you've got here. I believe you had several interesting guests last week. Let's say the Kindeance Monarch wants to have a word with you, with four horses, ropes, and a hatchet. How's that sound?"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Jazdia followed. As she reached the stairs, the interference felt weakened, rapidly. She could use her enchanted vision again, and immediately, as she hiked from one stair to another, the elf utilized her power to scan the entire place.

There he was! Hhite-haired, prominent jaw! Jazdia climbed two more stairs and reached Yvonne's wrist.

"That's not the way! Follow me! Gerrald is heading toward the catacombs. It seemed our guy doesn't want to leg it to the surface. He has five goons blocking the way for him."

As the elf passed Henri, she took a moment to look at him with a mix of amusement and confusion. His bulky and unnatural interior no longer amazed her after the whole debacle. "Mister Henri. I am surprised to see you here. I presume Matilda sent you? You are... quite resourceful to be able to find us here."

Then Jazdia rushed toward the aisle, noticing how the pathing, the lighting, and the overall atmosphere gradually changed as they went deeper into the guild's massive tunnel system.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

@wierdw@Milkman
The bear bellowed. Clawing up the parasite before clumsily unbuckling his metal armor and throwing it aside. Then, before he could stomp the naked, shattered, and battered stoneman, a sharp pain assaulted him at the back of his head. It was Kaito who jumped with his blade, trying to impale the beast's gigantic head with his thin blade.

But the werebear's skull was as thick and hard as stone. Lacking sufficient strength and entering at the wrong angle caused the blade to slide sideward, ripping his scalp from the back of his head all the way to his ear. With a sheer of primal rage, the Bear tried to reach this cowardly backstabber. His right hand was injured but his left hand was free, and he was this close to grappling Kaito and subjecting him to a gruesome punishment.

Before more people could get mauled, a crystal arrow came whistling in and bit deep into the Werebear's muzzle. His rampages faltered in a loud gasp, and a pained grunt followed as he tried to reach for the jutting fletchings.

Standing on four, the werebear was pretty much alive, but struggle to keep his balance. His bloody scalp hung like a piece of carpet, revealing the thick skull that gleamed akin to a big chunk of marble. Everyone in front of him was ready to end him, but then a voice rang.

***

"Ohhh! Poor little lady! I hope she's not dead! I really do! Isn't her pretty face a fresh change in our little bloody game? Yes, yes, I can hear you hiss. I'm a fair commentator, and I put my career and reputation on the line to say that! No mistake! But still! I'll play along-- did Ted the Executor managed to bash in this pretty little face of hers?"

"--w-what the hell is that? Jumping from the shadow! Is that a Gollum? Crawler? A very ugly Ghoul?! Isn't that guy dead already!? Can someone--- oh wait, what in the hell! He is naked! And he burned the poor Ted! Oh! he forced the champion to disrobe! Ohhhh! He fucked him so bad look at that stone asscheeks! Goodness gracious I told you to not blink but this is disgusting, and I have seen a lot of and described shit to entertain you all! And finally that Gollum let go! It should be easy for Ted to crush him now--

Watch out watch out! It was Lady Stritzel's second favorite! Doing a sneak attack on her first favorite! What is this? A fight for Lady's favor! Whatever it is, Ted is in trouble right now! I don't know about you, but don't like this! Ladies and gents... I really do!

There was no shrill anymore except, even from the announcer who watched in disbelief. A shrieking fleabag Stritzel again demanded to forfeit the match, but nobody listened to her until gradually her demand came in a hurtful plea. Please! Stop the match! That fifty grand's all yours! Stop this. My boy is suffering!"

Then in desperation, she shouted at the fighters below, to those who really could decide the fate of her pet bear. "Champions! You have won! Please spare him! I beg you. I-I will see you compensated! Teddy My sweet Teddy Gugu! Stay there and don't fight them. You have done enough! Mommy's proud of you!"

Still, nobody listening. Not a single noble up there knew what the Guild Master had planned. That he intended to use all of the champions to kill these unplanned contestants and sow profit from selling their injured bodies. And now, seeing his plan had crumbled before him, the man stormed off from his throne.

"Seal the arena! Recall all of our men. The bombings were obviously their doing!"

"But Master, Grond is still there!"

"Do I look like giving a damn? Do it, and silence that Strezel bitch!

"So the match is over? Wait, boss? Boss?!!"

When the announcer looked at the arena again, he had nothing to comment on. Everything had gone to the south, and it became even more apparent when he saw the elf woman launching another dazzling arrow at the trap door... which had already been rigged with two similar arrows.

The explosion was massive it did not only blow the door away but also destroyed the surrounding wall and launched a good chunk of stone across the arena. Not even waiting for the dust to be settled, another arrow launched, and that time, the Announcer only knew two things:

That the portcullis gate would soon be history, and he needed to find a new job.

***

@Remuri
With Gerrald calling the match off, confusion filled the entire tribune. Some were angry, some had enough sense to smell trouble and go home without a fuss. Some were still watching the fight eagerly. The first ranker having a duel with an unknown fighter was a rare sight, and they wanted to be the ones who see the end of it, after all the ticket was paid and the guild offered no refunds.

Chounan did not care. His focus had sealed him from any disturbance of the mortal world and solely directed his attention to his enemy. The furious slash came swiftly, but all in the world seemed predictable in his eyes. He formed a stance, and then the blow exchanged. Metal clangs and bone severed. But was not his.

The werewolf had his arm slid away from him, and the next attack came like a violent hurricane. He managed to move his head before the small human could score a fatal blow on it, but he didn't predict it when the blade bite his shoulder deep and cleaved his chest open. Grond the Champion staggered for a moment before slumping to the gravel.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

@A5G
The attack deflected with a twang, for normal humans that recoil alone would have shattered the bone, but the noblewoman, either she was above normal or just due to sheer of ingenuity used the push to feed her own momentum and swing the poleaxe back to the bear's unarmored crotch.

Nasty burns he had there! Holly shit! —Hold on! Something's happening here! The small lady is at it again! The two of them are at a standoff, but she is using the weapon thrice longer than her size! What is happening here?! Is she hoping to take on Ted's gigantic bulk with that?! Unbelievable if you see how enormous the difference in both size and power!
I can't emphasize this enough—! The balls! Right onto the balls! We have witnessed many nuts busted in this sorry arena but the bear's nut! Holly hell! What an ugly sight! But we all must bear it together!"

It was Stritzel turn to rush from her throne. Despite her butler attentively ushering her, the old hag outpaced him. As she arrived at the edge, she watched in horror as the small lady from the newbie team castrated her occasional nightly comfort with a nasty-looking halberd. "NOOOOO!!! MY TEDDY BEAR NOO!!" angry and sad, she turned to Gerrald! "Forfeit this match, now! Gerrald! Don't you see these newbies are not ordinary people?!

***

The bear did not howl, did not growl, nothing. The pain was so immense he was not even registering his master's cry. But when he did, he had already made his stance, and when fully woke up, he held the polearm with his injured arm and let his body fall, giving the little lady tough choices; either abandon her weapon or get mauled.

The noblewoman failed to make her call in time and the bear's paw swatted her aside. Sending Yvonne flying and tumbling across the arena. It was due to pure sheer luck that she didn't move from her original position and get the paw instead. Had she tried to dodge backward, she would have faced the full wrath of the bear's claw, and the result would have been much more grisly.

Still, she took the full brunt. Some broken ribs and dislocations were in order.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

@A5G
As her foe arrived, Yvonne greeted him with a violent blur of steel.

But to her annoyance, the opponent did not storm at her as planned. This time because Jazdia's explosive arrow scored a hit on the Werebear's right side. The beast stopped on his track, grunting in pain as it returned to his bipedal stance, clutching his lower jaw before revealing the burned furs and charred skin beneath. While the beast was busy feeling his wound, Yvonne performed a series of jabs and slashes against the standing bear. One attack grazed his chest armor, one struck him right on the forearm, and the third attack never managed to deal any meaningful damage as the werebear parried it aside and angrily bring his whole body down to maul the nobleman.

@wierdw@Remuri
With no hesitation, the werewolf snatched Henri's mangled leg and was ready to lift-and-claw him to shreds. But his bravado was rewarded with piercing burns as the golem rapidly heated himself. The werewolf roared, almost humanely so. The pain brought back a flash of ugly memories. How he was branded with red irons by those humans, humiliated, and stripped of his pride. He clutched the heavy man's limb tighter, embracing the pain, and with all of his might, slammed him to the stone pillar nearby.

He howled. A curse to the humans who laughed at his misfortune, to those who were entertained by his plight, and to whoever stood in his way. A net suddenly entrapped him, and it brought back the day when those humans captured him as a cub. His eyes glared at the short human male with sheer malice. Not wasting a growl, he was so angry that all in his mind was to get there and exact vengeance.

No armor ever survived his razor-sharp claws, but the Wigerjurgen's net was unusually tough, even after years of competing with them, he knew escaping it couldn't be done easily.

That one shortie started to aim his bow at him. Seeing no quick way out, Grond rolled his body forward, ensnared be damned, and felt the arrow stuck on his back. He saw that Gerald was looking down on him, and he remembered that advice of his, to temper his rage and think clearly. He hated him with passion even more than that obnoxious announcer, but the bastard had a point. Finally using his brain, Grond held the net at one point to keep it taut and then tear it in a single line. With his head unraveled first, then hand and torso, he broke free, and in no time chased the short bastard with a bow.

Oh wow, oh wowser! We've seen Grond the Champion toying with his prey many times, but today the roles are reversed! We've got a circus show going on here! Clever move from our newbie! But oh watch it! He better think as quickly as his legs!

---

Where was Jazdia amidst the chaos? After hurting the Bear, the elf relocated to the left and realign herself with the gaps she aimed before. The result of the previous explosion was unsatisfactory. The wall was the real deal.

Seeing that there was no way she could help her allies by shooting her most devastating attack while they wrestled with the enemy, the elf opted for the more pragmatic approach and enchanted her arrows. The environment was against her, so she imbued the delayed command with a prolonged time to trigger and shot two of her arrows at the same gap, two meters higher than the first.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

The explosion left a very noticeable crater on the surface, revealing a tiny bit of metal that seemed to be the hinge of the door. Like any of her trademark crystal arrows, the explosion should have been loud and flashy, but it all drowned in a deluge of clamor and bombastic commentary as the final butcher-knight met its final fate.

"We've just had—the shortest duel of this entire season—! And the one who fell was none other than Wigerjurgen Crews! Completely unreal! Who could've seen this coming—! I ask you! Who could've seen this coming?!"

Certainly not that short slavemaster. He stomped his feet and pushed one of his girls, angrily making his way toward the sitting guild master. A few henchmen stopped him, but Ulgad's followers were equally numerous. "You cheating, insufferable lout, a stinking snake is what you are! This is staged! You killed my crew!"

Whatever the man Gerrald said was unintelligible, but the stubby slavemaster backed down when one of the guild master's henchmen came in between with a sword drawn.

"That won't do! Master Ulgad! Nobody is cheating our arena!~ (Hey! This stage's for commentators! Get off!)"

"Silence you clown!" Ulgad was as angry and red as a roasted pig, he stormed toward the elevated podium and pushed the announcer aside. "I paid Gerrald a hefty sum of money, but if you lots want to see him send his best you must pay!"

There was a loud booings, and the announcer persuaded the angry slavemaster to step aside. He was a lean and physically unimpressive man, and his style was ridiculously flamboyant; Mohawk red hair, baggy pants, and a shirt with excessive accessories. A clown was an understatement, but this clown this time came with armed henchmen and carrying Gerrald's will.

"With all due respect sir, but you are a lousy talker. Let me handle this!" "Ahem! We had a little interlude just now, but both sides have regained their composure! Master Ulgad had some words with management and we're back on track—Hang on!"

The announcer cleared his throat. "Interesting match we've got in this early morning, but you want more?! of course you are! If you don't have your own fighter (like Master Ulgad) to put your money on yet, then let me introduce to you once again— The Savage Crusher of the Black Serpent! Ladies and Gents! Gives applause to the Black Roarer! Grond the Mutilator!!!"

The trap door opened with a shriek. Inside that tunnel, behind another portcullis gate, stood a very large wolf. His rear leg was thin but muscular, and the rear ones, not much different from the former, were two efficient slashing weapons in a form of elongated arms with razor-sharp claws. Eagerly he peered from the gate. Presenting this nasty muzzle with a grin.

"Now the interesting part. Of course, we are not sending our first ranker to be ganged up by those newbies! Yea! Yea! They are newbies so what? Gotta give em proper respect by arranging a proper match. Ladies and Gents! The offer is still open! Your champion with our best champion! The winner takes all! You know the rules!"

There were myriads of voices responding to that offer, but the announcer only noticed one requested by a classy middle-aged woman at the other side of the arena. Like any noble, she was sitting on her own throne. And judging from the number of men voicing her request, she seemed to have her own faction in this guild. It was a very surreal display considering the hag was so ugly she tried to mask her face with heavy makeup, but it only made her appearance becoming more disfigured. She pointed at Kaito, and if one could look closer, it looked like she was drooling.

A well-dressed man, her personal butler stepped forward from his lady's side. "The lady wishes to appoint her champion for fifty thousand gold coins. Kill all. But leave the... ahem 'fluffy and manly fox boy alive'."

Whatever it was, her involvement had brought liveliness back to the crowd. People began crying a name in unison. Grond! Grond! Grond! countered by the other audiences who sponsored another name Ted! Ted! Ted! You all will be dead"

As if projecting the same expression of his boss, the announcer smiled. Seemed delighted with the prospect. He then peered at the arena before addressing the audience.

"Well well! If it's not lady Stritzel herself. Everyone! Please calm down! I know how excited you all are right now, but please calm down a little! Try to give the newbies a little space, ya!? If they get stage fright and call it quits, the Guild won't be issuing any refunds. Hahahaha! --That's right! Support your champion with the cash in your wallets, not your voices! There's nothing more exciting than seeing your favorite fighter reign victorious with gibs and entrails on their neck, thanks to your support, especially the monetary kind! Yes, I can hear you complaining! I've got to get a word in for our sponsors. That's no less important than the events themselves! And so— Now hold your horses, we're getting there. Our newbies will soon be facing the judgment of the fiercest storm of their lives! give Applause to our second ranker! The Furred Manace from meche! The champion of Stritzel clan! No further introduction! Ted The Executor!!!"

Joining with the wolf was a bear, and like him, he was standing in two. The portcullis gate raised, and the two beasts sprang to the open with the werebear taking point. Unlike his agile brethren, he wears iron chest armor, leather shin guards, and knee protectors. A kite shield was strapped on his right shoulder, overreaching some part of his back.

Jazdia nocked an arrow on her bow, and engulf it with magic that instructs heat and solidification. The shot fired and hit werebear's plated chest, soldering through but it did not make him flinch. Now charging in all four, he speeded up for Kaito to fulfill his master's wish, but the next arrow, the explosive one landed on his shoulder, shattering the shield and throwing him off track.

"Behold! Ted's starting his hunt-- wait. The elf lady is shooting at him and it hits! Hold your breath, dear audiences, and don't blink! Here comes another arrow. But Ted was not slowing! Is he going to take that hit straight on like last time?! A flash! The arena is suddenly filled with a blinding light—Let's take this opportunity to look at what happened!!!"

While the Bear took a straight beeline, the wolf opted for the left route and rushed straight to the recovering Henri. Maybe he should brace for another impact...