Fit for Duty [Talon]

[Baudric]

B A U D R I C

Baudric stood uncertain for why Talon would know or even say thus. Still somehow he couldn't help be feel a bit more pride. His shoulders rolled back a bit and his head felt like he held it higher as he cast his gaze upon the blade as it was drawn. It's beauty matched with his Chapter's colors. Adding a new layer to the image of him than that of the standard issued blades given to him.

Taking a moment to marvel at it in his hands, testing the balance, and giving it a few swings in his grip. It felt so perfect in his hand. Like a forgotten piece of his soul had returned.
"Xue Ya."

Indeed it was a masterfully crafted blade. His eyes widened ever slightly more with each aspect of it listed out for him and still yet more was unknown and to be discovered over time. He glanced back to Talon and gave him a noble bow and salute. Grateful for this gift. He didn't know what he had shown Talon that made him worthy to begin with. Nor what he needed to stay worthy of it. But he didn't care. If he could save life after life. If he could prevent the chance of innocents coming to harms way, bolstered by these items to his natural ability to take a hit.

He followed the gesture to the dummy and understood he needed to test out the stances of combat. Digging he heel into the floor, giving it a tiny turn to really anchor himself in place, he dropped the tower shield before him. Taking care to watch the dummy. His minds eye turning it into a slavering beast beginning a string of strikes. Xue Ya held at it's side, Baudric used it in slow arcing but heavy blows to the dummy. Clear that his movements were meant to corral the opponent against the wall of metal. But he didn't just rely on this. His role on the field would be to act as an imposing wall taking the brunt of attacks, being the protection for his allies. However, that didn't mean that was all he was. With ease Baudric's swings sliced off chunks of the dummy with ease. Suddenly the dim glow of his rune flared into bright golden sunlight a soft glitter like particle reflected the light in every direction.
"Erweitern! Zerstören!"

A glow matching his appeared on the back of the Tower shield before the golden glow expanded off to each side of the shield effectively making it three times as wide. With a loud howl in his throat the battle cry lit up the golden flecks of his eyes. The energy from the magic was then thrust forward in a burst sending the rest of the dummy into splinters with the shield bash.

The magic faded and Baudric smiled proudly that his time in the hospital did not cripple him. He was weaker than before from the demonic corruption. But that would return in time. He. Was still useful.

[Talon]

T A L O N

Talon watched Baudric unleash his skills against the dummy. He observed through the lens of Semblance, allowing him to examine the knight’s movements. With a critical eye he watched the flow of aether within Baudric’s body, following where his arm intended to swing, watching how the remnants of his encounter with the demon that had injured him had affected him. Talon could almost see the potential that the knight had but it was overshadowed by a road to recovery. When Baudric marshaled his own aether and used it to create a wall of force that he then smashed against the dummy, rendering it to splinters, Talon arched an eyebrow.

“You are a Warden.” The statement was made plainly. His eyes followed the glittering particles of light that fell and faded. “Negation is a magic that is immeasurably useful in Kalzasi. There are many dangers here. With that skill alone, you may yet find other doors opened to you.”

He allowed Baudric a few more moments to test his movements before nodding. Noticeably, Talon did not carry any obvious weapons. Neither did Aoren. The two of them only wore the black vestments of the Skyforge Raiment along with a pair of silver circlets that rest upon their heads.

“You will find the straps on the shield can be fastened and unfastened. If you wish to carry it upon your back…” Talon stepped forward to show Baudric seam lines along the tower shield. He then pressed a button that was built into the shield so that it was within reach of the wielder’s thumb. The shield collapsed into itself until it looked to be a single panel of tall metal. Talon then pressed another button and the shield expanded. “Our artificers have spent a considerable amount of time building retractable shield work. I do not need to tell you the difficulties of wearing and carrying heavy armor with wings. You should be able to carry this along your back without it impeding flight.”

Talon was certain that the Imperium outfitted its Kathar with similar weaponry. A fighting force incapable of wielding armaments because they interfered with their natural anatomy was, of course, useless. Working to adapt to the varying types of anatomy and physiology present in the Kalzasern populace had forced Talon to often take a creative approach in designing his items.

“Now we go.” Talon turned and made his way out of the shop. Aoren fell into stride beside him. When they were in a clearing in the courtyard that was spacious enough, Talon took off at a run, spread his wings and took flight. With a strong downward beat of his wings, he ascended into the air, rising until he was a good height that allowed him to turn. He halted and hovered, angling his body so that he could see Aoren ascending into the sky right behind him. The two of them watched closely to see if Baudric was able to rise into the skies of his own accord.

[Baudric]

B A U D R I C

Baudric nodded to the explanations given to him over the functionality of the tower shield. What he didn't understand was being called a Warden. No one ever spoke that word to describe him before. Nonetheless, he paid attention to his instruction as he strapped his new shield to his back. Following the other men outside to join them. He stretched out his wings flexing them wide and gave a few flaps. The owl like wings looked and felt like flight was possible again. Though the skill in keeping them silent like an owl would be difficult. Something He kept in mind to train on once again.

A couple more strong flaps to get the blood flowing and his strength warmed up, he launched himself into the air. Surprised to find they were not so loud as he anticipated. He had not lost all his ability. The twenty foot wings span looked to lift him effortlessly into the air. Their white plumage with black and grey mottled speckling reflected the daylight, light rustles in the wind made them dance. Catching up to his fellow Avialae.

"Right then. Shall we kill some demons?"
Hoping in his heart they three's battle styles would compliment each other. Though he was trained to fight as a unit with other Avialae, and no doubt both of them were skilled and could adapt. There was still something to say from a designated unit knowing each other's movements as though they all shared one mind. All Baudric had to do was grab the demon's attention and hold it. Get in its face and harass it so that the other two could chip away at it with their attacks. Getting his own attacks while the other two dipped behind him for cover and recovery.

[Talon]

T A L O N

Talon watched Baudric ascend into the air. Once the knight had joined them, he offered only a silent inclination of his head before turning to guide them in the direction of their quarry. Talon opened his senses, spreading his awareness across the expanse of Kalzasi as he tacked on to the sense of Justice that the wounded guardswoman had let burn fiercely in her heart. He followed the trail of it until it formed a path in his mind. He shared the path with Aoren across the Bond and the two of them fell into a flight that was easy for the two of them. Before long, they were arriving upon a cold road toward the Astralar Mountains. Behind them was a village that benefited from the nearby unique foliage that grew beneath the floating peaks of the Ebony Skymountains. As Talon landed, he quickly saw the evidence of the demon that was haunting the path.

Ice covered the bodies of froze animals and even the body of at least two unfortunate people that he could see. The sight of them brought a sadness to his heart but Talon well understood the dangers of living in the territory of Kalzasi. It was one of the reasons why the Sky Guard, the Dead Legion and other forces across the territory were so vigilant.

“It is a demon of Ice and Shadow.” Talon stepped forward, kneeling next to the corpse of a dead man whose face was half missing as it had frozen solid. The other half lay on the ground nearby. Within the frozen wound, Talon could see spots of darkness that festered within what was left of the body. It was a creeping cold that would spread if it was not purged.

“What manner of demons do you face, Ser Baudric?” With a creature like the Hellmaw of legend so close to the Imperium, Talon had to wonder about the types of beings he had seen. As he listened to the Orkhan Avialae’s reply, Aoren’s head turned in the direction of the path. Even before his bondmate said it aloud, Talon felt the shift in the air. A cold wind blew in their direction, causing the branches of the trees to creak and shift. Extending his hand to his side, Talon called for his Pact blade. The sword appeared with a mere flex of his fingers. Not far away, Aoren conjured his dual swords. As they faced the path, the winds picked up, brushing snow and dirt into the air that was soon accompanied by a low moaning.

Rapidly, the moaning grew louder until it became a piercing shriek. From the wind and snow shot out a skeletal creature that had jagged claws for hands, a long face and hollow eyes. It’s mouth was open, revealing rows of teeth that looked more like sharp spikes of ice. It was pale and moved with a speed that was unnatural for a creature so thin. It leapt for Talon out of the cover of the cloud of frost and shadow that followed it. Talon glared at the demon before he tapped into the power of Traversion and immediately Blinked out of the way of its attempt at a surprise attack. As soon as he was out of the path, Aoren bolted forward, the blades of his swords igniting in flames that he quickly slashed at the clawed hands that raked through the space Talon previously occupied.

The demon shrieked in agony as its hands and forearms were severed, the dismembered appendages falling to the ground and shattering into clumps of ice like broken glass. Before Aoren could swipe again, the creature’s form bent at a disturbing angle out of the path of the blades. It then took another swipe at Aoren before suddenly shattering completely.

Aoren blinked as shards of ice fell in the air around him, harmlessly landing on the ground. Talon stood with his arm outstretched, hand clenched into a fist. He had crushed the demon with his kinetic force.

“That…was a lot easier than I was expecting.” Aoren stood up straight and looked around them.

“It is not over.” Talon looked to the growing whirlwind of ice, snow and shadow that was surrounding them. It grew taller and spread out around the three Avialae as multiple shrieking howls began to take echo within the building snowstorm. Finally, multiple skeletal shapes appeared in the haze as many more demons stepped out of the storm and began charging toward them.

“Ready yourselves!”

[Baudric]

B A U D R I C

Though it was not within warrant of stealth, his body automatically put his wings into stealth mode. Reducing the sound of each flap. Like an Owl on the hunt. Baudric knew every moment for him out of the hospital should be spent retraining his body. Quietly he flew behind the other two as they approached the chilled road. Frozen death around them as their feet touched down on the ground. The air had a hidden scent of rancid metal beneath all the rot of partially frozen corpses. His mind, already flipping through the classifications of demons in The Zauberbuch.

“The Zauberbuch teaches us of the known hierarchy to the darkness beyond the veil. Most of what passes through are lesser demons in one of the classifications. We suspect we have only categorized a small percentage however. Of those you have: Incubi/succubi, Nebiros, Orobas, Vassago, Sitri, Ipos, Stolas, Cambions. Each with their own grade rankings from peons to commanders. That is not including those that rank higher. This seems like something stronger than them. Something working for a Kalamität. Or Calamity. Putrid Iron in the air tells me of a demon that leaves a mess like this, but ice is not known to be in their arsenal. Perhaps a variant for this region?”

Baudric scanned the area around them. A demon like this would not be in the open. It would squat in cover letting enthralls do its bidding instead. Suddenly the greyscape triggered in his vision. Talon stood as a flame of contained light as Aoren looked like liquid silver. A shadowy nuar began to spread across the ground from all around them in tendrils like fingers of death crawling towards them. Baudric pulled his shield and Xue Ya from its sheath. Quickly Aoren was after the twisted creature. Baudric did not turn to look, he knew it was a feint to catch them off guard.

“It’s a distraction. Mass behind. Pincer movement! Watch our sides, I will push a path towards the point of density. There you will find your demon. Stay close.” Baudric Rune flared to life from its soft diffused light, golden fleck of light glowing in his eyes dropping himself into a battering stance. Drawing his anchor on the back of the shield to keep it safe. Focusing energy as it coalesced around his shield and grew like a pair of golden wings wrapping around the three of them. “Umhüllen. Startseite. Bastion Licht”

Xue Ya cut the grasping clawed hand of one rushing creature that reached for Baudric over the shield. The silandris runes lightly glittering in ruby light ready to heal it’s wielder as needed. Baundric, ran into an oncoming cluster of assailants leaving them to crash into the metal and negation spell.
“Pushing forward now. Don’t fall behind!”

[Talon]

T A L O N

Talon listened to the information that Baudric called out. He filed it away, hearing the note of certainty that came with experience in the Kathar’s tone. He was stepping forward to the rising wall of ice and shadow when Aoren moved. Talon did not halt his stride as the moaning shriek came out from the howling winds. His bondmate cut through the arms of the leaping thrall before thrusting up with his second sword to pierce its heart. Both of them came up to flank Baudric as he made quick work of his own demon, joining the Imperial knight in his forward advance.

“Talon?” Aoren’s voice carried over the rising howl of the oncoming ride of shambling demons. Their skeletal icy frames lent to the menacing chill that pervaded the air. But Talon looked deeper. Within the storm of frost and shadow, Talon could see something else pulling their strings. Just as Baudric had said, there was another demon laying in wait. Waiting for the opportunity to strike.

“I will clear a path to the prime demon!” He called out to his companions. “Baudric! Be ready to charge the creature! Aoren! Be ready to unleash a flurry from the side!”

Talon did not wait for them to acknowledge the order. He trusted that their abilities as warriors would guide them true. If they drew this battle out too long, the demon might use a distraction as an opportunity to escape. They could not allow that. Touching upon the power of his Kinetics, Talon grasped the aether flow of the conjured storm that whipped all around them. He felt the resistance of another will contending with his own to command the flow of aether in the air but Talon’s will was greater than theirs. He wrested control of the aetheric pathways away from the creature influencing them and rapidly accelerated them.

Sidestepping Baudric, he moved forward, sword tip pointed down toward the earth as he raised his free hand. The snowstorm slowed for a brief moment before all around them a wall of violet-blue and white fire burst to life, following the path of the wall of ice and snow that had previously existed. Dozens of ear splitting shrieks filled the air as the demons thralls were all ripped apart by Talon’s kinetic flames. Talon raised his hand into the air. The fire rose up to become a column. As soon as it was airborne, Talon rotated his wrist condensing the kinetic fire into an orb. Smoke, ash and steam surrounded them but in that clearing, the true demon was exposed.

A towering figure of ice, skeletal spikes, and shadows, it roared at the three of them. Talon dropped his arm and hurled the fireball at the demon. It braced itself, bringing up a wall of ice that was shattered upon impact with Talon’s fireball. The demon was sent sliding backwards but was otherwise unscathed, having been shielded by its wall.

“Baudric! Aoren! Now!” Like a bullet, Aoren was flying forward, zooming into the air to come at the demon from the side. That left a full opening for Baudric to attack from the front.

[Baudric]

Amidst Shadow and Ice

The cloak of snow and shadow parted leaving the beacon of malice that seeped into the ground around them. Realigning his stance into Oberhau and charged forward. Like a Juggernaut building momentum and speed. Ice crushed and shattered beneath his boots with each heavy slam in thunderous protest.

You are a big lad aren't you? Going to be a beast with that blood of yours flowing in your veins. You won't always be the biggest in this line of duty though.

"Mein Licht, vertreibe die Dunkelheit, befreie meine Seele. Fliegen Sie in der Luft des Zufalls."
The Knights prayer of Solidarity in his Chapter sounded like almost like a song or poem. Regardless it bolstered his soul and pride. Clear sharp eyes locked onto his prey. Even with his size it was a reminder that he is not the biggest thing in the world. There would be other bigger than him.

There! You see how he was able to topple you? Do you understand how size in a fight does not equate strength! Run the drill again!

Reaching the right distance Baudric took aim of his shield. The spell from earlier still holding. Like before on the dummy He mumbled a few words sending the magic shield in a projected path. Leaping like a bullet behind it, his shield raised like a battering ram. First the spell crashed upon the demon's jaw sending his head back reeling. As it looked back to find it too late to react to Baudric's sudden appearance in harassment of it's face. Metal clashed causing its jaw to dislocate in a shattering CRACK! The beast stumbled backwards forcing it to work to regain its balance. Now was the time! Baudric quickly dug his blade into the demon's glowing eye of arcane energy. Cacophonous roar of pain!

"Aoren!"

"Mein Licht, vertreibe die Dunkelheit, befreie meine Seele. Fliegen Sie in der Luft des Zufalls."

[Talon]

T A L O N

Talon watched as Baudric charged in, commanding the demon’s attention as he unleashed his skills and power upon it. He had to admit, it was an impressive display. It gave him insight into the kind of training that the Kathar warriors received to the south. Aoren was a testament to his southern brothers ability but Baudric was a more recent point of observation. Knowing that the chained Avialae were still drilled and trained as warriors brought a confusing mix of strength, pride and resignation into Talon. It rekindled his desire to see all of his people free. The quest that his ancestor Synnar originally failed. He was pulled from his thoughts when Baudric called for Aoren.

---

Aoren could not help the swell of pride he felt at seeing one of his brothers in action. Though it filled him with a bitter anger to know that his people were still shackled to the south, it brought him some measure of comfort to know that they were still strong. Baudric commanded the attention of the demon. The creature roared in fury, sending a hail of ice down upon the Kathar’s shield, both magical and mundane. The demon raised its claws and swiped at Baudric, focused entirely on the Kathar warrior, rage pouring off of it in icy waves. This was Aoren’s chance to end the creature once and for all.

Aoren rose into the skies behind the demon. He held his twin blades at the ready, watching, waiting. He did not want to inadvertently strike at Baudric as he sought to deliver the final blow. That was when he saw his opportunity. Baudric’s shout spurred him into action. Angling his body, Aoren dove down. The blades of his swords ignited in fire hot enough to melt steel. He would suffer for the invocation of such flames later but it was a price he would pay for the quelling of such a ghastly creature.

Aoren came down upon the demon, sinking his blades into the back of the creature, plunging them through the center of his spine. His swords burst through the demon’s chest, piercing straight through its heart. Aoren willed his flames to spread outward until the demon emit a wailing shriek of fury before its form flash froze and exploded into a shower of ice. Aoren leapt back, covering his body with his wings. He reached into the wellspring of power that was within him and called upon the mark of Eminence to fortify his body. Feeling the jagged shards of ice strike his wings, he was grateful for the mark’s boon.

---

Talon watched as Aoren landed on his feet, body shielded by his wings and reinforced with the mark of Eminence. He let out a breath he had not realized he was holding. Keeping his senses on alert, Talon opened himself up to the flow of aether in the world around them. He scanned their surroundings with both Semblance and his Kinetic aether sense. While he was certain that they had managed to defeat the demon, he did not want to be caught unaware.

“Well done, Baudric.” Talon nodded to the Kathar. “Are you injured?”

“Him? What about me? I took a hailstorm to the face, thank you very much.” A smile tugged at the corner of Talon’s mouth as Aoren shook his wings, freeing them of snow and ice.

[Baudric]

.

.

Landing firmly on the ground with sturdy planted feet as the creature erupted. His attention turning to the corrupted thralls of evil's power. He watched as what had remained of their number from Talon's magic, fell no longer puppeted by fiend's corruption. It would seem they were safe now. Still he kept his eye out for further infractions of the natural order. Breath controlled with calm draws and releases, were interrupted as Talon called out.

Stifling a chuckle as he looked to Aoren who, taken aback, spoke out in immediate response instead.
"I am well, only a couple minor cuts on-.." Wait, he could have sworn he took a couple claws. The injuries were gone though. "Nevermind. Would seem I really am completely fine. Just a bit winded from inactivity of recovery. I must say you both continue to impress me with your skill. Talon being a God-prince aside. You both have no more skill then the elite of the Imperium when it comes to form and prowess. Yet, there is a real threat behind you both. I can't fathom how though. It is almost supernatural how well you fight alongside each other."

Baudric sheathed the sword once he had wiped the pale blue blood from its body. The tower shield too found it's way back to its perch on Baudric's back. He walked over to Aoren and began looking him over for Corruptions of any kind. Never had Baudric seen that class of demon lash out like that from a killing blow. Then again it was already far different from what he knew of it back south. Thankfully his knowledge was enough to at least find it and form a stratagem.

Satisfied Aoren was well, he clapped the man on the shoulder. A look of Kathar pride beamed to him.
"Gut gekämpft."

[Talon]

T A L O N

Something sparked in Aoren’s eyes as Baudric clapped him on the shoulder. There was an echo of bygone days that still haunted the Kathar warrior. He looked up at the Orkhan Avialae with a deep pride that could only have been born from a kinship to be found among his people. Seeing that look on Aoren’s face, feeling the emotions winding their way through his heart and soul, Talon’s face softened. It was not something that Aoren consciously chose to discuss often. It was not something that he even openly acknowledged, but Talon had always felt it there on the edges of his partner’s thoughts. Aoren missed his homeland. He missed his people. Even if he felt and believed that what he had in Kalzasi was a thousand times better, it was still there. Talon only had an intellectual understanding of the Imperium. He had never personally been there. He grasped that the Kathar were virtual prisoners there but at the same time, it had never been tangible to him until that very moment.

“Danke Bruder.” Aoren reached up and grasped Baudric in a friendly clasp before shaking off some of the emotions building inside of him. The warrior cleared his throat and stepped back.

“My Talon and I are Core Bonded.” Aoren looked over to him then. He felt the warmth of his partner’s affection pour across their bond. He embraced it, allowing some of his raven’s melancholy to bleed over onto himself.

“I recognize that you do not know much of what that means but…” Talon remained silent as Aoren searched for the words, recognizing that this information would better reach Baudric if coming from the Kathar. “...he is my heart. He is my soul. What I need, he is. When I need him, he is there. What I need him to know, he does. We complete each other.”

Aoren’s eyes drifted to the collar around Baudric’s neck. His expression was carefully blank but Talon could feel the storm of thoughts and emotions brewing behind that mask. His partner blinked and returned to himself with a nod.

“We should return to the village nearby. Inform the garrison there that the demon has been dealt with.” Talon offered up, gently, a path to disengage from what was undoubtedly a difficult conversation for both men.

“Come. You still need your rest, Sir Baudric.” He gestured for both to accompany him back in the direction of the village at a walk. When the three of them had found their footing a bit more, they could take flight but for the moment, perhaps it was better to take the road.

Talon thought that perhaps Baudric would need that. Though he tried to bury it, Talon could sense his partner’s excitement at being able to be next to one of his kinsmen, no matter the complicated emotions that were brought about because of it. Aoren wanted to spend time with Baudric.

Talon would give him that time. Talon would give Aoren most anything he asked for, if only to help his bondmate find peace.