VitaVitaAR

Fate/Eternum

Saber - Benienma

"STOP AT ONCE!"

The voice was high and clear, even over the chaos. It sounded like that of a child with a lisp, so perhaps not the most intimidating of declarations, but at the same time the fact that it had managed to carry over the sounds of two Servants clashing in battle.

The source was the redheaded form of Benienma. Her casual clothing had vanished, replaced instead with the splendid garb known to be that of the enma in charge of acting as a guardian. One hand was on the hilt of her katana. The scene she had arrived at was a chaotic one, but it hadn't been hard to locate. Not at all.

And it was chaos that threatened innocent lives. There was no way she could accept this or allow it to continue, it had to be ended, and it had to be ended as swiftly as she could possibly manage.

Benienma descended swiftly through the air, platform geta clacking against the concrete as she landed, bending forward slightly as her grip remained on her katana.

"Both of you are to stand down immediately," she ordered, eyes narrowing slightly. A conflict like this in the middle of a populated area... it had most likely begun with the suspect. The Berserker. Hijikata Toshizo.

"Berserker Hijikata Toshizo," she said, gaze focusing on the man as she spoke, "By the authority of the Fusang Counter-Crime Force, you are under arrest dechi. Stand down."

To be honest, the tiny enma doubted that this would work. He was likely in the throes of Mad Enhancement. But she had to try. She had to make an attempt. She could not simply attack without giving the opportunity for surrender, even if it likely wouldn't be accepted. When acting as law enforcement, to do otherwise would be wrong, immoral, and something that Benienma could not accept.

But she was prepared for the offer to be rejected.

@Raineh Daze@PKMNB0Y

Mist City Story: An Urban Fantasy Mage RP

The remaining dolls, at Lillia's draining spell, began to slow. They were stumbling, quite clearly crippled by the magic that had been used against them. It wasn't as if Arinne had feared them at any point, but now that she didn't even have to be concerned about being attacked(at least not effectively, as they were struggling to even remain on their feet), the blonde girl was able to observe them quite a bit more effectively.

While the craftsmanship of their components were fine, what was notable was that the method of their composition, everything about them in terms of magical craft, was, to put it simply, shoddy.

If these were created by the killer, then surely that killer put vastly less effort into them then they had the killings themselves. The use of displacement to remove not just one organ, but many, was undeniably a complicated craft. But these dolls were, while dangerous, quite magically unimpressive. However, it also allowed Arinne to perceive the nature of their very creation on a deeper level. The use of human blood and an internal organ within a mechanical shell... some combination of necromancy and alchemy?

Even though the dolls were still somewhat active, Arinne decided to voice her opinion.

"They're trash," she said, "Complete fodder. Whatever their motivations may be, our new Jack the Ripper should be embarrassed."

She cocked her head towards the already-destroyed dolls, leaking blood onto the floor.

"Unless, of course, they're a byproduct and not the goal."

@Rin@Raineh Daze@TheFake

---

Soon enough, the remaining dolls had been dispatched. The closed space remained active in spite of this, the limb mechanical frames still lying there uselessly on the ground. They were quite clearly bleeding very real blood, however, and something fleshy could be seen inside of those with larger injuries.

Now, perhaps, was the time for a closer investigation.

@KoL@Anza@Bartimaeus

---

It seemed as if the dolls were unable to locate the magi in the alley... at least, for the moment. They seemed to know something was there, but not how to target them. They circled slowly, turning their expressionless heads about blankly as they attempted to locate their prey. There was a strange clicking sound, suddenly, and then each of their heads turned in unison to focus on the spot where the cloaked magi were hidden.

It was time to act, before the dolls did.

@Aviaire@Rabidporcupine

Mahou Shoujo no Hex Night: A Magical Girl Battle RP

@LuckyBlackCat: You could have her contact some other magical girls to ask about the mysterious figure and the mansion, then see if Shining Fist has found anything new?

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

Soon enough, the knights had been divided among the flanks, assembling themselves with a relatively even distribution. A contingent of footmen had been left behind to watch the supplies and prisoners, naturally, but aside from that everyone had been made ready for the assault.

And so, the Iron Rose Knights advanced. As they did, Fanilly took stock of what she knew of the enemy camp. The fact that there were prisoners meant that using archers to soften up the camp was far too risky. There was a chance that a stray shot could kill an innocent person, and that was something she couldn't accept. Even though they had crushed the attempted ambush, and then the sentries quit shortly afterwards, the young girl couldn't help but feel her heartbeat hammering in her chest.

The spikes surrounding the camp were of little issue to an attack on-foot. Dismounting because of the thickness of the forest also meant that the spikes were significantly reduced in their threat. Fanilly had to do her best to calm herself as much as she she possibly could. It wouldn't do for the captain to panic like this.

She'd decided to solve the issue of commanding the charge by assigning magi in the backline to send up a set of flares. That seemed like the wisest way to do so, and would still be quick enough that the unsuspecting bandits would not be able to respond adequately.

In total, the Iron Rose Knights numbered three hundred and fifty, without counting their footmen. The bandits were likely a somewhat greater number, but at the same time they lacked equipment and training, as well as armor.

The greatest threat remained the Bandit King himself.

It was not much longer until they could even glimpse the camp through the trees as they moved into position.

There was a roaring bonfire. Hundreds of men and women clustered all about the camp, entering and exiting makeshift shelters. Their arms and armor resembled the bandits they had encountered before. A few crossbows, some items clearly taken from the King's Men, but aside from that they were hardly very impressive.

"On my mark..." Fanilly began. Her heart felt like it was about to burst out of her chest. She could see some of the bandits cleaning blood from their weapons and armor.

The blood of innocent people.

They had to be brought to justice.

And the Iron Rose Knights would be the ones to do it.

The shield-bearers moved forward, creating a mobile defensive wall at the head of the charge. As they did, Fanilly noticed a makeshift wooden throne towards the center of the bandit camp.

It was empty.

She took a deep breath, hand on the hilt of her sheathed blade.

And then she drew it, edge slicing through the air as she thrust it skyward.

"ENAN UO ILSIR!" she cried, the old words meaning 'For Justice's Sake' leaving her lips. Just as they had done many a captain's. "CHARGE!"

The stunned bandits leaped to their feet, as the magi sent off their signals. In moments, the knights fell upon them.

The attack on the camp had begun.

@HereComesTheSnow@Raineh Daze@Asuras@jdh97@Psyker Landshark@Click This@OwO@Animal@TheFake@ERode@Crimson Paladin@ghastlyinc@PaulHaynek

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

Considering an update tomorrow, since while everyone hasn't posted yet I'd like to avoid going much longer without one. ^^;

Mahou Shoujo no Hex Night: A Magical Girl Battle RP

@Ammokkx: I'll see what Fake says first, but I'm considering skipping through the school day in that case. Does anyone have anything they'd like to do after that? I'm trying to adjust the RP a bit to give people more posting fuel. ^^;

Mahou Shoujo no Hex Night: A Magical Girl Battle RP

@Ammokkx: I could just move the school stuff ahead, it seems like a barrier in general.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

@FlappyTheSpybot: Since we talked about it over PMs beforehand, accepted.

Mist City Story: An Urban Fantasy Mage RP

At the moment I need people to post. ^^;

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

@HereComesTheSnow: To be honest, I actually agonized over who to pick for a while, until I decided most of the knights should be able to lead a flank in a relatively simple charge. ^^;