S.O.S. (Open to 4)

Kyte made a joke, but Dar didn't laugh. This was hardly the time for humor. His tactics had proved ineffective against Eas. For Dar, who had always been able to deal with situations by simply adding more force, this was a terrifying concept. His worst opponent here, he decided, was himself. His old-fashioned weapon choice was meant to show off his empowered strength. But fighting a faster opponent, Dar's limited reach was a severe disadvantage. Again, he entertained the thought that there was no more room in the modern world for warriors of the sword.

He was useless.

Of course, he wasn't going to roll over and die here and now. Only a fool would end a purposeless life. Dar was no fool. He would find a purpose, no matter how long it took him. Perhaps that purpose had nothing to do with fighting.

Which opponent did he want? "Neither one." Dar took a moment to admire the black energy that swirled around them. He suspected it would protect them, at least somewhat. Unfortunately, a black orb couldn't be seen through, even from the inside. Dar now had no idea where the faster, better equipped Eas was. It didn't really matter, he decided, but it made him feel uncomfortable. "These opponents are too powerful for us, my friend. As a demon, I'm sure you have a healthy amount of pride. Now is the time to lose it. I am determined to not be killed by my hubris, and that's just who we are fighting here: Hubris."

As if to prove Dar's point, the black orb of energy suddenly cackled and collapsed. Something was present that could disrupt magic? It had to be Nth metal, Dar realized, like the dagger he had won from Gilda. Upon seeing the fireball approaching, Dar plunged his sword into the deck and cut a quick hole out from beneath his feet. He fell into the lower level of the ship. The fireball melted through the walls and even part of the floor Dar was hiding beneath. He dared to poke his head out again, only to have Eas shoot a laser...through his ear.

Dar let out a grunt of pain. He dropped back beneath the deck, back to the temporary shelter of hidden line-of-sight. Pressing his hand to his injured ear, he was surprised to find no blood. The laser had apparently seared the flesh inside the wound, closing it.

He was going to die here unless he could convince Kyte to retreat. "Kyte, I am injured, but I have wounded you, as well. My pride got in my way. I should have told you about this sooner, but I thought I could handle it by myself. You were merely meant to be my method of escape in case something went wrong, and someone to gloat to if I won. These aliens didn't hurt me at all. I injured myself with my own pride. Please, remove me from this situation of my own creation. You're the only one who can. Fly me away from all these lasers."

Far from being broiled into obedience, the prowler thwarted his attack and disappeared below deck in the wake of his cohort. A reply wave of blasts swept through the air about Wanjack, throwing his acolytes into disarray. A good thing the user had been holding the Forestone nugget, else his magical blast may have been more devastating. Heathens always were undone by their own greed. Except in this case said greed presented a humiliating blow to the Prior. Acting rashly had cost him something very valuable. He trembled with anger but otherwise did not demonstrate a concern, his expressions masked as they were.

"[Well? After them.]" Ekmed addressed his demand to Eas without turning his head, he managed to keep his tone level, "[They took something dear and precious. I am charging you with its return. Succeed and the Void will find you in high reverence.]" The notorious duo exploded out of the side of the ship. An extended groan proceeded the noticeable lurch of the vessel they were on. It was time to depart. Prior Ekmed consoled himself with the thought that the heathens hadn't gotten away in complete anonymity. His intuition had had time to activate. He knew the prowler's name. Kyte Avytrius.

Eas had a feeling the winged one was trouble and it didn't take much time for her to confirm it. She swiftly took cover behind the structure housing the bridge as the wave of energy passed. By the time she had her eyes back on where the pair stood earlier, there was a hole on the deck and explosions could be felt down below. Had the bombs gone off early. She tapped her communicator but there was no response.

She didn't need the Prior's order to go after them though, but as soon as she dropped into the hole, she found the pathway immediately blocked. She quickly returned outside to find another route but before she could, there was another explosion from the side of the ship. The pair had burst through, flying away at high speed. They had abandoned the ship, but not without taking a few of her soldiers down. It didn't matter much. The job was as good as done.

"[Apologies Prior, but returning to base with the salvaged cargo takes priority. We cannot spare resources to go after them.]"

It was an objective assessment. In the same way she easily dismantled the guards on this ship, the pair could do the same to their own troops. It would not help the war effort to go after them now. Though she was sure the Prior would not give up here. She could already picture him pulling a few strings to set up such a mission.

Her communication line finally went through. They had lost a number of coverts but the rest were able to return to the ship. It was time for her to go back too.

Dar closed his eyes as Kyte flew them both towards shore. "I don't care if they regret it, though you might find purpose in seeking vengeance. I am growing weary of this war. Unfortunately, it seems that I'm out-of-date. I was meant to be born in a simpler time, Kyte. Alien invasions, lasers, secret organizations, I should have avoided them all."

This feeling had been growing for some time. Eas' laser had simply pushed it over the tipping point. Dar opened his eyes. "I am going to leave Jump City. It won't be tomorrow, I still have things to do, but I will not die here. You were the first person I met in Jump City, so it seemed fit to tell you."

As they continued to fly, the battle that Dar could only view as a Zydon victory disturbed him. "Do you think we can win? I don't mean survive. I doubt the aliens could actually wipe out the human race. But will our civilization crumble before their ships do?"