The time was now. The water is deep in its touch. The grass is low in its reach. Still as the twirling of its breeze crawled to a stop. The Crestline paradise far away from the main city civilization of Joya, an oasis in beauty and reverence to the partnership of life and death. Pieces of battles, history, relics; hidden under the toiled soil stacked over time.  A stage for the scene of war! The battle of Chishi,  the first chess piece of this war.
 
With armor and weapons finally rated to pure completion. Refined. Food sorted, locations mapped, soldiers trained. Battles would've unleashed now! Oh how Jikan would have enjoyed training some of the lackys on their side, especially the ones that seemed to be a bit under prepared from her very own guild of all things. Or saying on the inner parts of the Shogun’s people; causing chaos, confusion, and freedom. But time had other plans. 

It was unclear when and where these two sides would clash. Either way, Jikan would carefully walk along their forces towards the War zone of Chishi.

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Well at least he was not stuck doing some background work in a forge. And yet he still did not care about this whole war affair despite being paid handsomly for his mercenary work. He was not sure how his guild mates saw this job, if they enjoyed what they did. But he did not. He wanted his partner to be here and gather the experience that he needed to get to regain his strength and be at his peak once again, not Tamas. Tamas already felt powerful and this event was just a run at the mill job for him. Thats the main reason he didnt want to be here. He was needed elsewhere, do something that was difficult, not meddling in someone elses affair fighting someone elses battles for them.
The only silver lining was that he met the Guild Master of Sleeping Calamity. A respectable woman. While she did say slavery is bad, he still doesnt understand why is she here. Surely she has better business to attend. Does this make him heartless?

But now was not the time for that. He was prepared to fight this senseless war. Fully armoured and his claymore in hand. He was ready to kill and cut down as many people as he needed. If there is one thing he enjoyed in all of this. It was to kill and have a good battle. He would see what these enemy were made of. Were they a challenge or is the side he joined just full of complete whelps. He wouldnt be surprised if his side was full of weaklings. Like why else would guilds have to come here and join them to help fight their wars. Pathetic. If there is one thing he couldnt stand, it was weaklings, cowards and... pacifists


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There he saw them on the horizon. Warriors, fighters, and shinobi. He heard Jikan with laughter say that the fun begins. He had to agree. This was probably going to be the most enjoyable part, so he best savored it. In one swift motion, Jikan was the one who led the charge of their troops. He followed suit behind her. And the two opposing forces collided.

And the bloodshed would begin. They needed to be careful because of ambushes and such. He even heard from some men rumours about forest and spirits. Tamas clashed with the enemy. The warriors offered a decent challenge, but Tamas was too brutal in the way of combat. He knew when to use pure brute strength and when to use skill strategy and tactics.

He was a skilled swordsman and knew how to put down enemies. He knew how to wage an enemy. Was it a tank, a glass cannon, a stealthy type. He could tell what he was dealing with and knew how to adapt. He was, as a mercenary, familiar with wars and fighting for other people for causes he cares not about.
He was here to help dwindle down the numbers of the enemy. So they may proceed forth in the war. Speaking of the enemy, they were not that much of a challenge to the iron giant, so perhaps his side was full of pushovers after all. At least Jikan was the good combatant. Granted he wouldnt see her much considering he was busy fighting his own battles. But when he gets the chance, he would help watch her back. Granted he doubted she needed that help anyway. But still, it was good to keep the number of friendlies up. The less casualties for us the better. He would occassionally see some of other guilds helping and assisting. But he focused mostly on dealing with the enemy

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A fierce grin brimmed on the shielded veil covering Jikan’s face as her body met the upheaving soil. Blade in hand being the only glimpse into the warrior that she was. The momentum of the gathered forces battered forward like a battering ram. Piercing through the initial wave of the Shogun’s army frontal line. The descension of opposition on the horizon closing in as if they would ws shrinking on itself. A picture framed for those of the outside to see.

A blade came down in a readied assault. Jikan’s blade slicing through the air towards her target. A steel dagger was shifted up in a last minute defense. Metal clashing against metal as Jikan’s feet pressed down against the ground founding footing. The moment of confrontation stopped Jikan’s movement as others moved forward from around her. Bodies continued to move as the ground began to shake a bit. An unknown cause for now but Jikan would only wonder if it was the pounding of feet. Whatever it was, it was big though. As she pulled her blade away to begin a series of clashes that would become a dance with an assassin duel wielding daggers, the two would zip across the battlefield in pursuit of one another.

During this game of cat and mouse Jikan saw Tamas; prepared for combat against the enemy engaging with his own opponent. Making easy of each person that came to challenge him. A fierce level of might for such an unknown man, and question to how strong he truly was tickled her brain. Any tactics and strategies he used against them would not be seen by her though in her current situation. She had a much greater focus on the slithery opponent before her and the overall conditions of their unit. As Jikan pulled her blade away as it bounced off her match up. Bringing it forward into another clash!

"You not bad chick", a voice said swinging their daggers back into the fray. Form concealed just like their ambiguous voice, it was hard for Jikan to tell.

“Not bad yourself stranger. But...”, Jikan lunged forward, throwing an upward strike of her sword, knocking the dagger wielder's hands into the air. The metal daggers forming an X cross shaped guard before being shifted upward and away. “Focus on me, or else this will get dull”.With an audible grunt the Assassin shinobi responded. Sliding back from the force before running forward to meet Jikan once again. The assassin’s attack would come out in an underhanded manner, slithering into the crowd of people that were attacking to bounce out from behind like a panther.

The Amazon would shift around as they moved, listening and waiting for them at a moment’s notice. Prepared, her red eye scan the life spans of people fighting. Many destined to day on this day, many more for the upcoming time that this war would take. But destiny was a fickle thing filled with endless possibilities. It was always easy to see how, when, and why someone would meet their death. Like-, Jikan kicked a rock, the piece of earth going as a projectile towards one of her Sleeping Calamity members. The blunt object wheezing past their head to CRASH into the skull of a foe that was sneaking up behind them preparing to stab them in the back.

Fate was able to be changed by her hands. And any foe who fought here would witness that fully. And so Jikan’s left hand moved, guiding her blade as she spun in a twirl towards the assassin. Clashing her blade with theirs once again before reaching out with her gauntlet hand. Gripping the person’s face before pushing forward and smashing their head and body into the ground

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This is what he lived for. Combat and war. Killing and spilling the blood of those that oppose him. In the art of sword combat, this is where he excelled. He was forceful and brutal in the way he fought. His swings were swift, precise and powerful. At times he'd use his own brute strength against his foes to break their stance or to injure them in some manner. At other times, he'd be merciless, executing someone whow as already on their knees, with a downward stab to the head. It was a graphic and terrible sight. But this was war.

It was ugly. It was not meant to be pretty. He would show no mercy to the opposing forces even if they were on their knees or if they were begging for their lives. All that mattered to him that he was carving his way to victory to slim down the enemy numbers. And he did not care how ruthless he had to be.

If someone didnt know Tamas or his guild and background, one would probably think he belonged to a dark guild with how ruthlessly he fought. He wore his armour to defend himself as well as his Greed Magic to bolster the defence. He was a tank, a tank that cut down anything in his path. His cape turning red from the bloodshed and carnage surrounding him. Soon enough it would look as if there were no signs tying him to Paradise Dawn, which was in a way symbolic. Because in battle, he belonged to himself and fought for himself first and foremost. For his pleasure and joy. After all, the iron giant would eventually leave the guild, as soon as he bolstered enough power and experience in leading a guild. His goal to form his own.

But that was a quest for later. Focusing on the current one, he would continue to cut into his opponents. And he would laugh, finally expressing his sadistic joy for any to see. He was no benevolent knight in shining armour. He was a killer. A blood soaked killer. And that was displayed even in his armour design. The spiked shoulder pad to injure people when he slams into them. And even the knee pad is spiked when he kicks or knees people. It was a pretty much dont touch me design. Just showed the hostility and unfriendliness. The blood soaked cape that got torn by now also showed this was far from a noble figure who fought in his war. While he was respectful, he was only to those he deemed worthy and powerful.

His magic defended him, should one get through any crack or joint of the armour. He was able to swiftly punish those that dared to strike him. Eventually, during a brief free moment, he would glance at the Sleeping Calamitys guild master and watched her kick a rock to save a guild mate, which was impressive in the chaos that they were. Certainly she was worthy of her place. But as much as he would like to see how the lady fights and see her in action, his focus was returned to himself. Part of him wished this battle could last for ages. But he knew that all good things would come to an end. So he would savor it. And enjoy every second of this battle.

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With her hand enclosed over the seemingly unconscious assassin shinobi, Jikan loosened her grip over the person's mask before quickly letting go and standing tall. She stabbed down with her blade, embedding it into the soil under her feet.. Gazing down at them, she now for once took a glance at the number over the person's head. A thing she never cared to do that often when she had originally gained the eye, but now, after so much time had passed and her participation in this civil war revolt, she found herself looking at that bit of information now. Seventy years, six months, eighteen days, two hours, fifty three minutes, and seven seconds. Cause of death; old age.

It was a wonder to see things like this. Time. Jikan drew out her blade from the earth's confinement. Lifting it reverse and lining it up with her foe's throat. She was not one to draw this out…usually. As with all things in life, too fast or too slow would just ruin it. Jikan heard the sounds of battle roar, and as they espunds dancing the numbers above this unknown person's face quickly spun as if on a wheel. Deleting in life with the descentions.

One second. Death by blade through the throat.

And with that Jikan pierced their throat before slicing out. Over kill in the need of getting the job done but perhaps giving a swift end instead of a slow bleed out? Turning her head, Jikan swung her blade out further to toss off the blood. Taking a quick glance across the growing numbers of the chaotic battlefield. Within the tether of wills she witnessed how the gathered forces were doing. It was a brutal clash with some severe harm being dished out. At least for now though it seemed as if it was one sided, the joined forces of the Fiore guilds and mercenaries just overpowering the troops of the shogun. Tamas was doing especially well, outplaying and killing all that came at him. Finesse, brutal power, and a forceful approach; they were simply outclassed as their form kept being dismantled before being put down. Merciless, a bit of a surprise in someone she knew was a part of Paradise Dawn; strength was a connection but she had never known anyone so brutal. Much more so than any before as he held his blade into a foe’s skull.

With a tilt of her head and spin, sliding out of the way of a warrior that charged towards her from the side. Jikan narrowly avoided the swinging ax strike before swinging down with her leg. Stepping on the staff of the weapon keeping it pinned to the ground. With a quick motion she moved her blade in that opened second. Plunging her blade into the man’s guts before pushing it from tip to hilt. The sound of laughter hitting her ears as she heard Tamas’ voice nearby. Bloodthirsty and sadistic joy, a dark side of the armored knight.

“Thank you lady Jikan”, the Sleeping member saved by Jikan earlier said as there was a moment of respite. The Amazon, hearing her guild members voice she turned. Seeing an unfamiliar face but the guild mark on them proudly all the same. “Ah yes, the one from earlier”, Jikan said in response after connecting the dots. She nodded her head in response to the man’s thanks, short for words normally and even more so in the middle of battle. “Understood, though. Do make sure to not have a close call like that again today”.

Saying nothing more Jikan lunged forward in a run, her feet gaining speed against the ground as her blade broke apart. Scattering in an array of pink mana petals that floated around her before following her hand. Shooting out in the form of a storm of arrows against an incoming wave of enemy troops

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He and Jikan and some other people maybe as well, fought the Samurai. There were a plethora of other guilds working together, but he focused on his fight. There was no one between him and his foe.
He would carve his way through the enemies. Stepping over bodies if he had to, to get to his next foe.

Indeed he was a different man. He can do this because he can. Everyone was a monster. But unlike others, he owns up to it and doesnt hide it. He didnt care or believe this foolish war. He cared not of Joyans who lived under the shogun. He was here for money and battle. He was a mercenary first and foremost. And the only people he cared for and protected genuinely were the ones that were close to him. A hand full of people that you can count on your fingers.
For them he'd move mountains, metaphorically speaking. And when he makes his own guild. He would protect them. Just as Jikan is doing with hers.

Speaking of Jikan, while she was conversing with a guild member of hers. He noticed one sneaky shinobi trying to go for a back stab. He quickly went over and beheaded the enemy that tried to do an underhanded attack like that
"Dont let your guard down" he'd speak to the Guild Master and let her off to continue to battle as she'd lunge forward in a run, she was gaining speed and preparing for quite the pinkish attack as her blade was scattering in an array of pink mana petals that floated around her before following her hand.
He thinks he knew what this was. He heard enough of Jikans reputation and had an idea what weapon that might be

But he wouldnt be distracted for much longer as he focused once more on his own battles. He did notice that the enemy numbers were thinning out. It spelt the end of this battle. It was saddening.
But that also meant the fewer the number of enemies, perhaps more of a chance of him to actually team up and fight alongside Jikan?
He glanced at her dealing with the enemies with her magic blade
"Or probably not?" he thought to himself as he remembered what her blade did.

Focus on battle, fight and cut and slice the enemies. Give them no quarter. Destroy. Them All.
He didnt need anything but his armour and trusty blade. His bare hands would do the work that was needed to be done. No magic. Just the effort of a man and the human body what it allowed. He trained for this. This kind of battle. He would cut down every foe he faced. Until there would be no more foes to cut? But then what would they do? Perhaps get some new orders? As long as its not background and blacksmitting work he would be fine. As long as it was here on the battlefield he was happyy

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While he did tell her to watch herself, he was not being condescending in any manner, infact he was respectful and wished the woman well. He had no history with her guild. Nor did he plan to stay at Paradise Dawn forever. He saw himself as a temporary Paradise Dawn member. He was looking forward to his goal. Though he still has not told Yuurei about it. He probably would say it in end, just at the last second.

The two battle allies would continue ripping and tearing their foes. Though he did surmise with their combined efforts that their battle was nearing its end. Eventually there would be no more foes to cut and this battle would come to an end with the allied victory. Though he knew while now it was the end. It was still the very beginning of something. Although if you ask him, it was not the beginning of something beautiful. Infact he dreaded this wars ideas. For he cared not of the Shogun and how they led the people of Joya, nor did he care of the usurper to the throne. He was here because of money and the fights.

As they carried on with their fight, Jikan would land next to him as she controlled her pink magic blade petals. Letting them rush forward traveling around him as it broke down into multiple streams of attacks to attack multiple foes as if it was a living octopus. It was a truly magnificent display of magic and skill. A brilliant confluence of skill and purpose. She did leave plenty for him to slice apart as well, which was appreciated on his end. She understood he enjoyed the thrill of battle as much as her, so she did leave him an ample amount of foes. Because there was not much more left.

Eventually there would be nothing left and the battle would be won. Everyone reacted in their own way. Cheering and celebrating and such. But Tamas approached the woman and offered her his hand for a formal handshake
"Thank you. That was a brilliant show of skill. I look forward to work more with you in the future. But do not mistake me for a mere Paradise Dawn member. I am merely someone who is there for the time being. My allegience lies to myself" he spoke and felt he had to emphasize his own views on Paradise Dawn, because he knew their guilds had an extensive and unfriendly history. He had to let her knew he was not like the others

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The battle was finally over, which was a bittersweet feeling. He did enjoy the battle somewhat. It was fun. But it did leave a sour aftertaste when he knew who and what was he fighting for. Infact he felt pity for this nation. He believed no side was good and that there was no good option here.

He noticed Jikan who sheathed her weapon. He held his close to him, although he did finally relax. As the celebrations began he thought the only polite thing to do was to show respect to the Guild Master and offer her a handshake. She accepted his gesture and the two shook hands. Hers were softer than he expected. It was surprising, but pleasant. Still like a true warrior she knew how to give a firm and strong handshake, but still gentle at the same time. It matched his very well.

He wanted to make sure she knows his allegience was to himself and to not lump him in with the rest of Paradise Dawn. While he did enjoy the people of the guild. He didnt really care much for it as a guild itself. North was not his home. It was just a training ground for later. While he was no empath by any means, he knew how to 'read the room'. And just wanted his ally to trust him. Well, trust him more then she does.
As she spoke, he was surprised to learn that he was allowed to contact her. He nodded and said "Thank you" it seems his efforts were fruitful. Indeed, it was wise not to make enemies, but make connections and allies. It was foolish to hold onto grudges that werent even yours. He had no reason to hate her nor her guild. He hoped to learn more of her story. From her point of view how things went down.

Who knows how things will go down. But he knew, after this war, he could finally move back to West and to Baska specifically. Return to roots. Protect what was not protected. And be his own man, not ruled over by anyone. And despite his respect, not being ruled by the Seraph either.

Now though the Knight would relax for his next bout. Return to sharpen his sword, fix armour if it needs fixing and just relaxing his muscles and tending to any wounds he might have. Because of the battle, he was full of adrenaline and able to surpress any feeling of pain. Now that feeling subsided. He wanted to check at least just to make sure he was fine. He had to rest now so he could prepare for the next battle.

He knew for the next few coming days he would expect the same ol same ol. Just fighting. Which on one hand thrilled him, but also made him dread it. He knew this war was bad, not good for anyone. This was a doomed country. But he was paid for this job and he had to deliver on it. At least he was interacting with Jikan, which was in his opinion the highlight of this trip as he hoped to get to know her and learn more from her. Alas there was not much he could do in a heated battle. They were too busy fighting for their lives to ask her anything, such as how she leads her guild and such. Still one can hope. He didnt want to pester her now and just wanted to let the woman have her own peace and quiet to rest. She had her own guildmates to worry about. The last thing she wanted to do was deal with him

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