Battle of Prodigal Sons

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Standing in the woods that shielded them from sight Nikias waited with his men, this was his fifth mission he had been sent on since his return from the hands of the Attikan's. Each one more dangerous than the last and with dwindling number Nikias wasn't sure how many more attacks such as this he could wage. At least three of the four previous missions had been a success though with a cost. At one point Nikias had started with 1500 men. Now he was down to a meager 300 that remained. These were not real Makrosia warriors. The troops Nikias had been given were the rapists, thieves and all other sorts of vial to lead. Only those generals that failed Vinikias VII lead such troops. While Nikias had not intentionally failed his father, his capture at the hands of the Attikan's was served more than enough to mark Nikias permanently.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]It was the dead of night and there was a chill on the air, with the only light to see by being the moonlight and the lights cast by the city-state Vinikans. Vinikans was one of the lesser city-states that supported Attikan's and sent supplies to feed the ranks of Attikans. This mission was to strike fear and cast doubt upon the Attikan's ability to protect Vinikans. Possibly turn them away from Attikan's bosom and lead them to Makrosia's or any other city-state. Gold eyes scanning the city down below Nikias watched as the supply speeder he had his men capture the day before road to the gates. Thing was inside the speeder weren't the weapons Vinikans were expecting. It was a large payload of explosives and as it reached the gates a smile touched Nikias' lips. The Vinikans were nothing like the Attikan's they served. They were naive and willingly let the speeder within its borders. Pressing down on his datapad Nikias sent the commands for the speeder to explode. The gate had barely begun to close when the speeder exploded causing chaos in the city. "Attack!"[/SIZE] [SIZE=10.5pt]Nikias bellowed over his coms and falling upon the city from each cardinal direction were 200 men spread equally to each direction. Nikias did not lead the charge, instead he moved back to his command tent to observe the progress of his troops and give orders. [/SIZE]

[member="Aris II"]

 

[Zef Halo]

With the recent aggression by Makrosia, Attika had dispatched constant patrols around border areas. Aris' end date of military service was coming after a few more months and he had just been mobilized with peers of his on a dropship that patrolled around the borders of Attika with Makrosia. Fresh and green in real combat all of them, even fresh and green in combat itself all of them apart from Aris who had been lightsaber training since he was ten. A few of the two dozen of men in the dropship were lightsaber wielders like him, a few of those few even utilized lightsaber pikes. The rest were armed with blaster rifles and heavier armors.

"Can't wait to get my hands on one of those Makrosian imbeciles, show them the power of Attika." Isidoros said. He is an arrogant son of a noble that always stirred trouble for Aris in the barracks. "Especially that scum of a prince they have. Should've killed them the minute they got them. Not giving them the opportunity to escape and come back slaughtering our people."

"I wonder if you will be speaking the same way when you actually face the Makrosians, Isodoros." Eucleides responded with a scoff which made the rest of the troupe to laugh. Before Isidoros was able to answer, their sergeant cut them short.

"Alright shut it. I guess we'll find out now." He said with a tone of anxiety in his voice and pressed a button on the wall opening the large hatch of the dropship.

The view that came from below was that of flames and blaster fire. Immediately everyone knew what was happening.

Makrosian raid.

Aris took the slight pleasure of seeing the terrified face of Isodoros, but that pleasure did not last long by looking at the view again and hearing the sergeant confirm his fears.

"More than 200 Makrosian raiders down there." It seemed anxiety was taking over him by the looks on his face. Silence lingered as they all awaited on the sergeant orders which came after. "We await for reinforcements, I've already notified-"

Another explosion took everyone's attention to the city below.

"Wait? Are-" Aris started emotionally as he gestured at what was happening below.

"Yes. Wait for reinforcements." The sergeant cut him short with a stern look but his body language emitted fear all over. This was no leader.

Aris looked at him disgusted and scoffed.

"Are you a malaka?" The son of Damocles asked the sergeant with annoyance, his face still disgusted at the sergeant. Before the sergeant had the chance to talk, Aris darted towards the open hatch and lunged forward. They were all geared with proper low-altitude jumping gear. Midair, he looked back to see if anyone had done the same. To his surprise, it seemed as most, if not all, had followed. Aris had no time to count, he activated his lightsaber and the cyan blade came out with a hiss. Behind him, those that wielded such weapons did the same. The two dozen recruits were heading straight for the fray, all guns blazing.

The recruits landed one by one in a tight perimeter in an area where rubble dominated and was the front of the first wave of Makrosian raiders.

"For Attika!" His voice boomed through the destruction, echoed by others motivated by the small but available reinforcements. The Force flowed through him unconcioussly as he darted forward to lead the defence of the city. His first victim was the closest Makrosian raider his eyes laid unto, the cyan blade piercing straight through the man's midsection.

And so the defence of Vinikans began.


[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

Standing above the tactical display Nikias rubbed at the stubble that had begun to form on his chin, even the small buds of hair matched that upon his head. “The Attikan’s have finally arrived…” Nikias whispered as he tapped on a portion of the tactical display that showed the dropship hovering above the city. While not too much of a threat offensively It could still be a nuisance and its weapons would easily tear through the feet he had on the ground. Looking up from his musings Viru saw two others that stood around the tactical display… Sadly they were the best he had, at least out of the soldiers he had left.

“Whats the plan general?! It won’t be much longer before reinforcements arrive to protect the city!” Dinacus shouted his fist banging on the cheap display causing it to slightly flicker.

“He’s right General, if we don’t join the main force we may lose them all, and the bat-“ Kaidinus said but fell short at a glance from Nikias.

Nikias’ gold eyes burrowed into the two men that stood before him and as he opened his mouth they both visibly flinched. “You fools! This is not for victory. This is to send a message to the people of that city. That Attikans can’t protect them from Makrosia’s reach! It doesn’t matter how many of the main force are loss as long as the message is sent.” Nikias said scolding the two before activating his com once again. Watching the blips that had just appeared on the map denoting the Attikan forces, Nikias began giving orders. “Group A, move to engage the Attikan soldiers, give them no quarter!” Quickly switching coms Nikias activated another com.


“Group D, move to tower in the fifth quadrant, and bring it down. The trajectory should be enough to clip the wing of that dropship.” While it would seem pointless to many tacticians why an entire tower would be collapsed for one dropship it Nikias planned on it. No sane person would risk collapsing a tower for just a dropship, but doing so would bring the dropship to the ground allowing his men to take it and use it against the Attikans.

“Groups B, and C cause as much chaos as you can in the furthest edges of the town, I want the Attikans to have to split their attention.” Looking up from the tactical display Nikias looked at his first and second in command. “Any more questions?” He asked calmly eyeing the soldiers. “If not beginning prepping the remainder of the troops.”

Saluting Nikias, Kaidinus and Dinacus quickly disembarked the command tent with no further questions. “Imbeciles all of them…” Nikias said looking down at the tactical display. “What do I do now brother?” Nikias asked the air as one of his fists hammered into the table. “Father still has not forgiven me, I have even brought him victories on my last missions and he won’t accept me. What do I do?” Nikias asked the air. “WHAT DO I DO?!”

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Group A

“We bout to kill us some Attikan bastards today!” Said the maniac captain that had been placed in charge of the first group. Not because of his skill in battle or his tactics, but due to his sheer ruthlessness. The leader wouldn’t stop at anything to survive and complete his mission, even if it involved the slaughter of innocents, that’s what made him useful. Numbering fifty group A moved to the dropsite of the Attikan warriors. “Let’s finish this quickly! There were some women that I saw a few blocks back that I just have to say hello to!” The man cackled.

The troops of group A were ill equipped for battles against soldiers like the Attikan’s. Their armor was nearly paper thin and served little more than as coverings while their weapons had been brought down to mere blaster rifles. Firing upon the Attikans they paid no heed to such things as overlapping fire or tactics. Truly barbaric.

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Group D

Following the Generals orders the group of fifty soldiers moved torwards the base of the command tower for the city. On the way they mowed down all the local security and guards that had been mustered to defend it. "Can you believe how insane the general has become? First ransacking a city now we bring down an entire tower? What's next? Burn it to the ground?"

"Tch... Knowing him it will be much more than that if it comes to completing his objective. That man's insane... The White Demon people have begun calling him." Another of the soldiers said as they reached the base of the tower.

"As long as we get our freedom after this I don't care."

[member="Aris II"]

 

[Zef Halo]

Aris' men of 22 were doing quite good for a bunch of recruits that have still not finished their military service, but this quite good was not good enough. The Makrosians were laying waste without second thoughts, their firing was erratic, their damage too. As if their only goal was to destroy. This mentality that their opponents had was good for the reason that it was easier to eliminate them but bad for the aftermath of this battle.

If there was an aftermath for any of them to see...

His lightsaber swinged and passed through yet another Makrosian raider. Aris simply kept looking for cover while advancing through the Makrosian line to engage in melee range the raiders. The streets were not as full as before and Aris could not think of how their sergeant had counted over 200 men. He was sure they had not taken down so much that the enemy's numbers dwindled. And his relevation to what was happening came from the shout of one of his peers behind.

"ARIS! The sergeant received word from the local defences that the Makrosians have spread out, a party has moved towards the Coucil's Tower." The man pointed at the tallest building in sight. This did not sound good. They were spreading around and that is why their numbers here dwindled. Were they trying to outflank them? That was the main objective in battle, his father emphasised that always in his lecturing.

At least the sergeant was enjoying himself in the safe haven of the dropship that was quite well supporting their defence. If the sergeant was smart enough, he would notice if there were any outflanking maneuvers going on and notify them. No matter how much of a coward that man was, he knew well that the longer the recruits held their ground the better for the hopefully soon to come reinforcements. So what was the Makrosian's bloody purpose ?

"Cephalos, Iasos. With me." He ordered to both of his peers as he passed by them. His voice authorative, something that ran in his blood. They followed. No matter how most of his peers were terrorizing him due to his dynasty of the only ever existing monarchs in Attikan history, they knew very well he was the most adept out of them in this scenario.

Aris lead the two men, both carrying heavier blaster rifles while he dashed infront of them towards the Council's tower with his lightsaber on. Whatever the Makrosian's actions were, they were never good for the Attikans.


[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The battle wasn't going completely in Nikias' favor, but it was to be expected. While the Attikan's were no Spathi they were brilliant tacticians and knew how to fight. They actually knew battle formations, and were better equipped. So when Group A's numbers dropped from fifty to only fifteen Nikias did not even flinch. It wasn't too great a loss for what he'd seen. Those last fifteen men would fight till the end, but Nikias had no plans to let them do that. They had served their purpose and now had to be disposed of. Just like the members of group D they had explosives on them so as to destroy whatever buildings Nikias ordered. However, they also served another purpose... As suicide bombers, many of the soldiers did not know that Nikias had them supplied with explosives that he had the command keys to. Each groups had a special command that could be typed into his datapad to activate them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Even from inside the tent Nikias could hear the battles raging in the city, the screams of those filled with bloodlust along with the fleeing families filled his ears. Nikias had ordered as few civilian casualties as possible, mainly because it was to send a message that the kingdom of Makrosia would not tolerate those that supplied Attika. Another reason being he could not order the cold-blooded murder of civilians. It was completely against everything his father stood for. The current king of Makrosia wouldn't bat an eye and would order the entire city razed if it would serve his purpose. The underside of Nikias' eyes were black from lack of sleep and his black sclera were growing more and more bloodshot. All this indecision and guilt was beginning to get to him and the poison in his veins was feeding off of it. Taking in a few deep breaths Nikias fought against the beast that threatened to escape. The poison that flowed in his veins could at any point turn Nikias into a wild lunatic if he became too sad or entered a rage. Remain calm He told himself before getting back to commanding battle.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Looking at three blips disengaging Group A and moving to Group D's position Nikias grimaced. "Group D, tighten up on defense you have three Attikan's heading your way and accompanying them are a few of the local security. I want twenty-five to move and engage them. The rest remain behind and activate the explosive." [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Gotcha!" Came the voice of the captain over the coms in a quick chirp.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Absolutely no respect." Nikias said to himself as he switched com channels.[/SIZE] [SIZE=10.5pt]"B, move twenty of your group numbers to quadrant six and move into quadrant five. There should be some guards and Attikans to trap between you. Move in from alleyways, and through the main streets. Group C, move over to the farms and destroy three fields of crops."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Why only three general?" Came the voice of Group C's captain.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"I do not remember giving you permission to question my orders... Simply follow them. Captain." Nikias said cutting the com channels. Soon enough the Attikan's reinforcements would be arriving. Then the real battle would begin. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]

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[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Group D & B[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"You heard the general! Twenty-five on me! Let's roll out the carpet for these bastards!" The captain yelled to receive a mountain of cheers in return. Bloodthirsty monsters are what they were. As long as they got their fill of blood they would be sated and sleep well at night. Along with some booze of course. Moving in absolutely no formation the twenty-five men rushed towards the Attikan's and the city guards. Taking up positions behind walls, buildings, and even corpses the raiders prepared to engage the Attikans. "This is way better than getting sent to Aristis!" [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Yea we get fed here! And we don't have to worry about being a rancor or Taozins lunch."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Following Nikias' orders twenty of the soldiers from Group B moved around to cut off the Attikan's and the guards effectively cornering them between the two raider forces. Members of group B poured in from alleyways, the main streets with three even taking positions on top of buildings. "Take them!" A raider shouted and drowning it out were the sounds of blasterbolts.[/SIZE]

[member="Aris II"]

 

[Zef Halo]

Sweat.

Aris was sweating due to running and the heat generated from the numerous flames around. His mind was set on reaching that tower as soon as possible. Cephalos and Iasos were just a few feet behind him, while the local security's was following them a dozen feet behind. The tower was soon going to appear infront of them considering the directions the captain of the guards was giving them from behind and the fact that the tower seemed closer than ever. When the group entered the wide main street of the city that lead towards the entrance of the tower, all hell broke loose.

Iasos was first to fall, his death signalling their entrapment.

"AMBUSH!!" Someone from the guards confirming what everybod already knew.

Rain of blaster fire poured upon the Attikans and everyone jumped for cover. It seemed as blaster fire was coming from everywhere. Aris stood behind a rubble peeking around at the entrance of the tower. They were outflanked from both sides and there was no exit. The Attikans seemed doomed. Why the hell did they not receive any information from the sergeant ? Surely, he could've seen amassing of forces. That man was certainly uncapable. Fortunately, Cephalo was first to react - telling the sergeant of their situation. The dropship rapidly changed its position to lay waste upon the Makrosians. It was at that time that Aris realized how undisciplined the Makrosian raiders were. Were they even Makrosian soldiers ? The Makrosian kingdom was well known of producing by far the most disciplined Hellyni of all the Poleis.

The dropship's fire upon the enemy eased the Attikan's position but they still remained entrapped as Aris thought of ways to escape this bad position.

"INTO THE BUILDINGS!! NOW!!" He shouted through his comlink to the channel the local security guards were using, while Cephalos was close enough to hear him. With a vicious push, Aris and Cephalos rammed the door of the building. An averagely tall living complex. Aris nodded to Cephalos to follow him towards the staircase so they could reach the top and proceed from there. The main street separated two lines of buildings, Aris and Cephalos were on the left side of the main street that led to the tower.

Hurrying through the staircase, they finally reached the exit to the roof. Here the door was automatic so Aris punched the button to open the door. What they saw was a man aiming and firing with a long blaster rifle. He did not suspect Cephalo's blaster to the head. Aris looked at his peer, his facial expressions judging the man's shooting in the back to which Cephalos responded with a shrug:

"It's war, malaka."

With a sigh, Aris dashed towards the next roof. The good things about Attikans cities, they tend to be bustled up buildings in the center. Cephalo followed. What he planned to accomplish with getting all the men in the buildings, Aris did not know exactly. He only knew they'd find it safer there while the dropship obliterated as much as it could.

Suddenly, an explosion rocked the whole area and the view of the tower crumbling down was terrifying. More terrifying was the dropship that the pilot had lost control over and was heading straight towards him and Cephalo. Just him, actually Cephalo was already dashing towards the other roof. What Aris was trying was unbelievable. He knew about the Force, yet he had no training in it. Forcing as if all his mental power at the gunship to do something about it failed. Fortunately, he knew that early enough to dash to the edge of the roof and jump as the dropship slammed at the building and proceeded with the rubble towards the Makrosians guarding the entrance to the destroyed tower.

Standing on top of the building along with Cephalos, Aris panting heavily with intesive sweat running down his forehead overlooked the destruction around.

What now?


[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The sound of the tents flap opening caused Nikias to sigh. He could almost feel a headache beginning to form as Dinacus and Kiadinus returned. "The men are mustered general? Any news from the front?" Dinacus asked his grizzled voice for once sounding somewhat civilized. When the man was throwing temper tantrums he could be a somewhat good tactician if not sloppy. Yet that sloppiness and ruthlessness worked to Nikias' advantage. None expected such warfare as he brought on this day, it was something new, unexpected and completely insane. Which was why it was working. Most of the city had been destroyed while the civilians fled to the other nearby villages and mountains to await the end of the battle. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Group A is dead." Nikias said in a tone that revealed nothing of his emotions. The reason it revealed nothing was because he felt nothing for the criminals that had died. They meant nothing to him, they were the scum of the galaxy and deserved far worse than what they were being given. As of right now they were being allowed to live, eat, and sleep, when the only place they should be sleeping is a grave. "They did plenty though. They took eight of the Attikians with them to the grave." Nikias said.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Only eight?! Eight and thats plenty to you?!" [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Yes it is plenty, the Attikans are better trained than the lot of you. To take out eight of twenty-two is an impressive feat. I didn't even expect them to kill five." Nikias said looking to his subordinates.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Dinacus' hands flexed as though he was ready to go to blows with Nikias though Kiadinus rested a hand on his allies shoulder to hold him back from making a mistake. Nikias could and would kill them in the blink of an eye if they betrayed him, and he wouldn't even take a break to wash their blood off. They'd seen as much when the last two that were beneath Nikias tried to turn against him. Spitting on the ground near Nikias' feet Dinacus spoke up. "When do we join the fray?"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Soon enough my barbaric friend... Soon enough. The Attikans should be bringing reinforcements soon and I don't want to strike to soon. News of this attack should've reached them long ago, and they can not leave such a challenge unanswered. Turning away from the two Nikias went back to his task of issuing orders.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]

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[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Group C[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Standing in the fields of Vinikan the raiders of group C began dousing the three fields of crops with oil. "You still thinking about why we were ordered to only burn three still?" Asked one of the number to the young captain that sat upon a bail of hay looking out at the moon Tafos. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Yes I am." The captain said his voice hoarse as he took a swig from a canteen that smelled of liquor. "It makes no darn sense. Why not burn all the crops? Leave them with no food at all?"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Do you think the generals gone soft?" [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Gone soft?! That mudcrutch?! Nooo.... You should've been there when he cut down Limas a few days ago, he didn't blink an eye." The captain said almost reminiscently. "Hey who told you to talk!? Get to burning those fields!" [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]

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[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Groups D & B[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The dropship had definitely done some work on their numbers as out of the initial fourty-five that had been sent to engage the Attikians and city guards only thirty remained though most of the number had been lost from group D. Nikias didn't even have to tell them their job now as the tower didn't take out only the dropship but portions of buildings the dust from it collapsing filling the streets and reaching high into the air bathing the city in a cloud of dust. The only thing that would be able to see through it were those with infared sensors and such, but that's the benefit of the abandoned parts of the city being in flames. Everything would be thrown off. If one wanted to see they'd have to move indoors and even that wasn't a guarantee as dust and smoke filled some of the buildings. Moving into the buildings the raiders exploded through windows using shock and ruthlessness to their advantages as they mowed down any they could. [/SIZE]

[member="Aris II"]

 

[Zef Halo]

"So what now?" Aris heard Cephalo's blunt question. Apparently with his move of jumping in the fray from the dropship and additionally with the death of their sergeant, Aris had taken up the mantle of leadership. Earlier, he had received word that the recruits were doing quite well on their front but the ambush here that had turned into a brutal firefight inside the buildings seemed as it would go on endlessly. The Makrosian forces fought ferociously with no thoughts about their lives.

"We clean up the mess here and head to regroup with the rest." Aris told him as he moved towards the exit of the roof to the inside of the building. Screams and fire could be heard and seen respectively, still. The battle was nowhere near over. They were still 22 recruits and local security guards fighting against a suicidal force that outnumbered them heavily. Hope was nowhere near. With the dropship gone, their odds had gone from worse to worst. All they had to do was survive till that damn reinforcements came.

If they came.

The pair went within the building and the chaos of running feet and blaster fire within the living compartments brought Aris' cyan blade back to life. On their way down the staircase, due to the elevators obviously disabled, the two had to go through a couple of savage looking Makrosians. In close quarters such as this ones, Aris prevailed easily. All was close to the tip of his blade that delivered swift strikes to the opponents. As they kept going down, a sudden surge of pain engulfed him. He looked at his left forearm, the source of his pain - a large cut. Possibly done from the flying parts of rubble or metal from the fallen dropship. Either his adrenaline or the Force had kept his pain numb until now. He grinded his teeth as they continued downwards. It wasn't a light cut at all.

By the time they had exited the building, Aris was glad to have not found even one of the citizens around. Considering the wealthy area, they were possibly the first to be evacuated. The main street was barren with blaster fire going on in every building around. Security guards vs. the Makrosians. Aris and Cephalos could not stay in the wide open for long, they had to move through the buildings and sweep or at least support the remaining guards.

That is when suddenly a roar breaking the sound bareer filled everyone's ears. Followed by another. And yet another.

Admetus fighters.

Growing up in Attika, one could regularly hear their distinctive roaring sound. Every kid in Attika wished to be a pilot at one point of their lives and control these fast beasts except for Aris who was not particularly fond of the obsession Attikans had for ship operations. Yet now, he was immensely glad. Reinforcements had arrived.

The pair of recruits stood next to a window of an apartment enjoying the fighters wrecking hell upon places where the Makrosians were more amassed. These fighters were the wolves in dogfights, they could not precicesly hit land targets but the pilots, for which Attika was renown, were excellent. They knew how to operate their fighters in the best way to support ground forces. Soon dropships filled the sky as the Attikan reinforcements arrived, pouring soldiers after soldiers on the ground. The reinforcements were not many considering that they had to be careful if this whole ordeal was not a distraction but they were enough. At least the sergeant had given them good information about the raiders.

Aris and Cephalos had just cleared that aparment of a single Makrosian, scavenging through what remained of the apartment owners. Something quite atypical for the Makrosians. Looking more into the man's facial features, Aris frowned as he realized something. Unshaven, tattooed, very different in physique. These were not soldiers. Slaves, perhaps? But not soldiers, everything added up considering their strange behaviour and way of combat.

"Let's go. We need to keep doing our job here." Aris ordered to Cephalo and the latter nodded. The pair continued their operation.


((OOC: These two won't know about the crops burning and as such I havent mentioned them. The reinforcements though will definitely know about it though. You could RP what impact that would have if those crops burning are a really important part of your character's whole machinations))

[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"It's finally happened! Your machinations have led us to ruin! You bastard!" Dinacus bellowed exploding back into the tent after hearing and seeing the Admetus fighters join the fray. Dinacus carried a vibrosword in one hand and rushed Nikias like a mad man completely intent on killing his general. Swinging once at Nikias neck Dinacus found the young prince had sidestepped the blow. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"I've already killed my last supporting commanders, do not make me do so again." Nikias said trying to keep his voice calm, but the blade had come extremely close to his neck. If he'd been even a second slower his head would've been what was rolling across the tent floor.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"You don't care about us! You're a monster! You waste our lives needlessly!" Dinacus said this time going into a stab at Nikias' core however it was simply a feint as from behind his back he drew a knife aiming to slit Nikias' throat. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"I did not waste your lives, you did so when you landed in prison... For the last time, please drop your weapon." A crowd had begun to gather around the tent with the grunts staring at the two commanding leaders fighting. Kiadinus said nothing and simply stood off to the side looking between the two as if conflicted on where his loyalties lie. "Do not waste your life here..." [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"I'd rather die on my feet than on my knees serving you!" Dinacus screamed as he rushed Nikias once more.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"So be it." Nikias said and activated the Makrosian shield. Flaring to life with a hissing sound the golden shield appeared in time to intercept the blows from the criminal. Then with a simple backhand Nikias decapitated the man. The smell of ozone filled the air along with burnt flesh as the corpse fell to the ground a second after the head tumbled from its body. "Kiadinus..." [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Yes general!" The third in command said snapping to attention. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Take ninety of the men and rush the city." [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Sir but we're out-"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Don't worry about being outnumbered. I plan on evening those odds right now." Deactivating the shield Nik walked to the command table and began tapping on his datapad. "GO!" He said feeling his temper flare. Kicking into gear the raiders loaded into speeders and onto speeder bikes to descend upon the city. Nikias on the other hand continued tapping on his datapad and as he finished entering the long lines the sounds of multiple explosions filled his ears even from this distance.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]

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[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Group A, B,D[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]When the Admetus fighters arrived it ended up becoming a simple mop up exercise for the Attikan's as the reinforcements arrived. What raiders lived tried to flee but were cut down either from the Admetus fighters or the Attikan troops. All throughout the city their bodies lay spread, hewn across the battlefield. They had served their purpose and from those that still carried their explosives like group D had exploded those very same explosives being used to thin the Attikan troops and sew disorder and chaos. All throughout the cities explosions caused the ground to shake as buildings gave way to their power. More dust billowed into the street and the screams of soldiers caught in the explosion rang out. This was true horror. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]

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[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Group C[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"Admetus fighters!" Shouted one of the raiders as he turned to flee but was soon cut down by the laser canons that tore his body asunder leaving nothing but a skidmark on the ground. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]This is where it truly showed that these men weren't troops of Makrosia. They all began fleeing in different directions, some for the hills, others retreating to what areas they could to hide. They all broke off running for cover. Though the designated fields were already on fire. No longer would this city be able to supply Attika with extra food to feed their soldiers. The Attikan's patience and kindness would be tested if it came to them having to help rebuild the city. This would take money from their war funds and would add more stress on them at the end of the day.[/SIZE]

[member="Aris II"]

 

[Zef Halo]

Explosion after explosion tore apart the city. Attikans' force were quickly dealing with the Makrosian raiders as Aris and Cephalos passed from one firefight to another. They were heading towards where the rest of the recruits remained to hold their ground earlier. With the reinforcements arriving, Aris was sure their tension had been eased and everyone had earned a valuable experience from today. The Hellyn tried to look at the positives but the destruction around him was undeniable. They had lost more than they had gained, especially after the reports of burned crops had come in. Apparently, the Makrosians were able to burn only three fields of crops before fleeing at the sight of the Admetus fighters.

The pair arrived at where the recruits were simply sweeping through the buildings clearing pockets of Makrosian resistance with the help of the Attikan soldiers. They halted at the sight of Isodoros being tended by a few medics, he was bleeding substantially and the medics were giving their best to save the arrogant recruit.

"What happened?" Aris asked looking at Isodoros but asking the question towards the two others of his peers that remained with the wounded recruit.

"He valiantly saved a woman from being raped by one of the Makrosian bastards. Ended up with a blaster shot in his body." One of the recruits said with a smirk. Possibly being surprised of linking Isodoros and valiance in the same sentence. Then his smirk was washed away with a grim look on his face. "They're sick, Aris, these Makrosians...equipped with explosives on their bodies...We lost many because of that."

Aris' eyes grew wide. This was abnormal and unethical. Even Spathians were not as savage as that, let alone Makrosians.

"They've found out their base of operations - up on that hill." The other recruit told Aris and nodded at a hill not far off from the city. "One of the Elite Guard is here, plotting the attack. Says he wants to leave no one alive."

Aris was even more surprised and slightly excited. He had seen the Elite Guard march along the rest of the military on Military Day's parade and like many others, it was his dream to join them someday. Aris did not expect to be shoulder to shoulder fighting with an Elite Guard at this point of his life. As if reading his mind, the recruit pointed at a gathering of a few men a dozen feet away. Aris nodded and hurried towards them, Cephalos shadowing him.

"The only one we had been able to capture was due to his explosive malfunctioning." One of the man said. Judging by his armor he was an officer in the Attikan army. Next to him stood the tall and intimidating figure donned in black armor and a couple of silver stripes - an Elite Guard. A lightsaber staff hilt on his back. "Says it's that son of a kark - Nikias - leading this whole raid. Up from there."

"Then we have to move quickly if we want to catch him and leave no trace of his existence." The Elite Guard spoke with a determined tone as he pointed a few spots on the holoprojector that seemed to be a mapping of the area where supposedly the Prince of Makrosia was to be. "No fighters, Major. The moment these fighters start doing runs there, the moment he's left the place with no trail to follow and we-"

"What the hell do you want, recruit?" The officer of the Attikan army cut off the Elite Guard with a stern look beneath his helmet aimed at both Aris and Cephalos. The Elite Guard turned around to look at the recruits, his visor dropped, just like the officer's. His helmet though was slightly different than the Attikan army's. The same style but different curves (Greek helmets ftw).

"To join you, Sir." Aris bluntly replied to the officer, looking back and forth between him and the Elite Guard. He was able to catch the Elite Guard's look at his lightsaber's hilt that was clipped on his belt.

"Are you out of your mind..." The officer began but his speech gradually went silent as the Elite Guard looked at him. Then the black armored man's gaze came back upon the two recruits.

"You two will come with me from here." The Elite Guard pointed at a spot on the map. "Three squads of ten men. Spread out from three different spots. Surround their headquarters. Leave no one alive. Simple enough for you?"

"Yes, Sir!" Aris and Cephalos spoke at the same time.

"But, Capt-"

"What better way to learn, Major?"

The Major nodded reluctantly at the Elite Guard's decision to bring the two recruits with him. Aris, on the other hand looked very excited while Cephalos seemed as always neutral.

The plan was simple enough, indeed. Go with men, the least number possible. Spread out, as amassing would be quickly noticed, use the cover of the night to surround the place. Leave no man alive. Aris,though, was not a cold-blooded murderer. He would kill no one unarmed but every armed Makrosian would have to pay the price of their desecration.

[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

Nikias sat in the command tent with one hand resting on the corner of the table and the other near the datapad, the ninety blips signifying the last ninety men he had sent to their deaths showed them approaching the city at an incredibly fast rate. The reason Nikias had held the ninety in reserve was because of the speeders, the city had been all but destroyed, and the Attikan’s would be busy trying to calm things down and tally up their losses.

“You know that was wrong.” Said the dark voice in the back of Nikias’ mind. The one he’d come to identify as Trellos. “But you did it anyway! You enjoyed it!”

“Lies!” Nikias shouted back at the voice. “I did what needed to be done, this is war. I know I shalt not be forgiven for my deeds but I did what I must to protect my kingdom! To defeat the Attikan’s and purge the galaxy of these scum I lead.”

“If they’re scum what does that make you?” Trellos asked laughing inside Nikias’ mind.

“I am no better than then them. Though what I do I do for my people… And my brother.”

“Keep telling yourself you don’t enjoy it.”

“Hmm… I will. Begone I have a battle to finish.” Nikias said cutting the voice off before it could say anything else.

Looking down at the command table Nikias quirked an eyebrow as he saw red blips breaking off from the city. These were Attikan’s did they forget just how a command display worked. First one would release drones high into the sky and leave them hiding in crevices and in the cover of clouds so they couldn’t be spotted while the information they collected was fed to the tactical display. It seemed the battle would be coming to him as well. Due to the forests that surrounded them though he wouldn't be able to know when the Attikan's were upon him till the battle started. Activating a private com to the last ten men that remained Nikias told them to be prepared for anything.

---

---

Group X

Flying through the air in multiple speeders and upon speeder bikes the ninety men descended upon the city committing to doing strafing runs above the city raining down hell upon the Attikan’s that had landed upon the ground. Then ducking lower into the city and being protected by not only the flames that would block their heat signatures, but also the buildings that would be to tight of a squeeze for the fighters to fit in. These last ninety men fought like their lives depending on it as they flew through tight alleys mowing down all they could. Their flying wasn’t the best however and ten died instantly from not being able to navigate the city on speeder.

[member="Aris II"]

 

[Zef Halo]

The group of men encroached slowly towards the hill, spread out thinly between each other, the night's cover making them almost invisible to the naked eye. Luck was on their side as the moon was nowhere to be seen. Even Aris squinting his eyes barely made out the person to the left or to his right that were a dozen feet away from him. The slow pace that the Elite Guard dictate supported their invisibility.

Just before entering the forest he saw the figure a dozen feet from him raise his hand. Aris did the same and the signal spread out amongst the squads. A chain effect was necessary for everyone to stop as not everyone could see the Elite Guard giving orders. Synchronization was vital. Judging by the Elite Guard's body language, something wasn't going by the plan. So close to the damn headquarters, everyone from the Attikans could make it out the lights and the moving figures around. They did not seem suspecting it at all.

Why was the Elite Guard halting them ?

-----

Major Agis POV.


"Bring those karking anti vehicle rocket launchers on top of those buildings and blast them to pieces, men!" His voice boomed orders through the comlink as he made his way towards the destination the speeders were going to. Many of the dropships made another run, instead of firing though, they picked up Attikan soldiers and took them to the more heated positions. Mobility was necessary.

"Sorry, Captain. Speeders went in. The dropships are a negative, we can't divest resources for the initial plan of surrounding them. The city remains priority. Damage control." He informed the captain of the Elite Guard who should be somewhere close to the Makrosian's base of operation. No reply received.

That man's plan was good, indeed. Approach with men, not a big force, force the Makrosians' hand to attack since they would possibly judge the task force too small then the dropships would've carried men to surround the Makrosians. Excellent plan but the situation changed drastically. There was more menace for the Attikans to sweep. His orders were precise from the higher-ups. Damage control.

"Sir, they're unbelievably chaotic. Hard to see any possible objective they have in mind but easy to get blasted off." A private reported over the imbedded comlink in his helmet.

"Forget their objective, just keep clearing them. Try luring them into tight spaces, I had reports they've already crashed a couple of times." Agis ordered over the comlink back and continued his dash towards one of the very few speeder bikes they had. Jumping on it, Agis activated the thrusters violently and went to do his job. He always liked to be part of the action.


--

Aris noticed Cephalos, he was the man on his right, his body languaged showed impatience and he seemed as if he was going to charge straight through the woods. Then suddenly a signal came.

Lightsaber wielders to group with him. Aris repeated the hand signal and it went through the soldiers as quickly as the few lightsaber wielding soldiers amassed around the Elite Guard.

"We enter. Tight knit, keep their fire on us while it would be easier for us to block their blaster bolts as much as we can, the rest our armor should be able to cover for a bit." The Elite Guard explained then turned to Aris. "Keep your senses wide open and be as much covered from our blades as you can." Aris knew why he was telling him this, the young recruit did not have that much experience on deflecting ranged projectiles with his saber as much as the soldiers around him. And even they were not as the mythical Jedi that utilized the Force in such prowess that deflection seemed so natural to them. "Since we have the element of surprise, we won't let them group up well enough. Our sensors told us of a force equal to ours or even less (correct me if I am wrong.)" The experienced Elite Guard paused and then silently said. "For Attika, boys."

The Elite Guard gestured a hand signal that as it spread through the ranks, the melee warriors were already dashing towards the Makrosian encampement. Tighly knit, while the large line of soldiers, keeping up the line steady engulfed as a half circle the encampment. The moment they were close enough to be seen, multiple colors of blades suddenly shone in the shadows of the forest as the Attikans went into the fray.

"FOR ATTIKA!" ​

-The Attikans' roar​

[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

The plan was finally reaching its last stages and the blips that were being loss from Group X told Nikias all he needed to. There was no hope of them surviving the engagement and being able to pull back to aid him. Little use they would be, so he picked up his datapad once again prepping to send the command code to Group X. They had spread all throughout the city wreaking havoc on the Attika forces while causing enough destruction that it would cost Attika weeks if not months to repair the city. The only good part being that most of the civilians had been able to evacuate and enough of the fields left for them to sustain themselves. Another successful mission except for the living raiders. This was to be their last mission before Nikias returned to Makrosia, and he had to ensure it. Finishing the command sequence, he whispered. “You did somewhat decent Kiadinus” Pressing down he immediately hopped into typing in the command codes for the ten troops that he had kept behind. He didn’t even look at the tactical display as what friendly signals remained disappeared rapidly as their explosions engulfed the city. Considering they were in speeders the explosions would be larger and the metal from the speeders would be turned into lethal shrapnel.

“FOR ATTIKA!”

Hearing the battlecry Nikias turned datapad in hand while the sounds of multiple sabers activating filled his ears. The battle had finally made its way to him and he would be forced to engage them with the meager force he had left. Casting a quick glance back at the command display he saw that the odds were literally 3 to 1. The raiders didn’t stand a chance but the maniacs still fought. Not out of loyalty for Nikias, not for their land, but for their freedom. The raiders basically ran to their deaths when they moved to face the elite guards. They weren’t prepared nor equipped for such an engagement. “Goodbye.” Nikias said as he tapped one last time on his datapad and quickly ducked to the ground steadying himself for what came next.

The ten raiders exploded among the ranks of the elite guard, the ground shook from its might and even the command tent was uprooted and flung away. Flames spread engulfing the forest and those unfortunate enough to be caught in its wake, and kneeling where the command tent had once been was Nikias helmet upon his head as it dampened the sound of the explosions so he wouldn’t be deafened. So he rose to his feet the embers of fire casting light upon his slightly tan skin and causing his eyes to glow brighter. With a mighty roar he activated his saber and Makrosian shield and dove at what Attikan’s had survived.

[member="Aris II"]

 

[Zef Halo]

Aris was used to moving from cover to cover, deflecting just a few bolts at a time, and then proceeding on eliminating the threat. Now it was all different as he was in the midst of the battle. The Makrosians were erratic implying the fact that there were not typical soldiers of Makrosia. The Attikans advanced ruthlessly while Aris focused on keeping his senses open to the Force as the blade seemed to dance in his hands and deflect incoming blaster shots. The moment he got hit once, his focus detoriated but 'luck' saved him.

The ten blaster firing figures exploded sending a massive shockwave all around that sent the lightsaber wielding men flying. He landed hard next to a tree and felt his whole body ache. Around him smoke surrounded the whole scene while all blaster fire had halted. Looking around, Aris noticed a few of the unlucky men. Some had crashed right into the trees, their spine probably broken. He looked chaotically around trying to find the Elite Guard, a gasp barely escaped Aris' mouth at the sight of the black armored man's body lying lifeless.

Aris proceeded on scanning his surroundings as he dragged himself forward, the pain alarming the damage he took from the shockwave. The smoke began fading, his eyes found Cephalo. He was lying on the ground, trying to move. The recruit was alive but not well at all.

Hiss...

Aris looked at the source of the sound, dreading at the sigh of a man with a saber and the rare infamous Makrosian shield belonging to the royal family of Makrosia. He immediately recognized the face of the Prince of Makrosia. Anger surged through Aris' veins. The calm and composed recruit was puffing rage. This man was the sole reason of so much death today. Attikans and Makrosians. He had to pay.

The rage pumped as a fuel through him and the pain seemed to go number. Was it the Force or not? Aris did not care, it certainly helped him stand back on his feet and re-activate his lightsaber. He was the one that was supposed to take back the debt that the white-haired man owed to all that were dead and the ones he proceeded on finishing off.

With a snarl, resembling a wolf, Aris lunged forward towards the Makrosian prince. If he reached close enough he would attempt a feint towards the man's torso and then aim to strike home at the man's legs.

[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

“YES! Watch it burn! Watch them all burn! Let them know what it feels like to fear!” Trellos screamed inside Viru’s mind. The voice was full of joy, of excitement at the pain the individuals were feeling. It was gleeful and begging for Viru to wreak more damage among the Attikan’s even possibly kill the rest.

“Silence! We have accomplished what we have come for so we shall withdraw.” Nikias said trying to push down the sudden joy of battle, of once again clashing blades with a worthy enemy. Of avenging his brother’s death. Nikias had just finished cutting down one of the elite guards with his shield while swinging his saber in a large arc that hewed the head off another one of the guards. The Makrosian shield served many purposes in battle. Due to being a variation of a lightsaber it is incredibly lethal, but with the shape of a shield it served as a better defensive tool. Nikias had been about to turn to leave when he saw one of the Attikan’s snarl and rush towards him. The man looked maybe only a few years younger than Nikias’ and bore the traits common of their species. The traits that Nikias no longer had… Because of the Attikan’s.

Turning to meet the man head on Nikias saw the blow coming for his torso and moved his shield to intercept it, though realized almost too late that it had been a feint. Taking a step back and bracing himself Nikias brought his saber down to block the blow. Then pushed out with his right arm that bare his shield. It was more of a distancing technique than an actual attack as many dodged such attacks. One of the downsides to using the shield was that Nikias couldn’t bring his full strength to bear while it was active so he was forced to wield his saber in one hand.

Taking a step forward to close the distance Nikias would bring his saber down in an overhead cleave, before quickly swinging his shielded arm intending to bisect the Attikan with it. There was no taunting, no arguing or witty banter coming from this warrior. It would simply be a waste of breath and could possibly draw his attention away from the battle.

[member="Aris II"]

 

[Zef Halo]

All of Aris' training had to be put to the test now, the Force numbing the pain as much as the rage that boiled within him. He knew well he had to compose himself but found it hard to do so due all the waste he had seen today. His cyan blade was about to strike home when the opponent was able to parry his slash at the last moment. The white-haired Prince was quick to stand his ground as his shield was thrusted forward towards Aris. Having his feet a bit bended due to the slash towards the man's legs, he strained himself to gain momentum to move backwards.

Aris was succesfully backed away from the Prince and he struggled a bit before regaining his posture, yet the man opposing him did not give him much of a breathing space as a cleave went towards him. Fortunately, an over head cleave was typically one of the slowest types of attacks which gave enough time for Aris to react and sidestep it, he attempted on slashing down the opponent's weapon in order to disable him but the upcoming shield made him duck. He felt it graze through some of his hair and using his momentum he rolled to the side.

Standing up immediately and going for his next attack, a couple of blaster bolts took his attention. They aimed at the prince of Makrosia, the source was Cephalo who was still lying on the ground but firing erratically the blaster rifle he had gotten his hands to. Aris did not think twice, this might serve as a good diversion to the opponent's attention and the recruit rapidly dashed forward with a horizontal slash at the man. If the man would parry with his blade or shield, Aris would go for another horizontal slash from the other side.

[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Nikias was quite impressed by the Attikan that he was fighting. This Attikan probably would've been able to defeat a Spathi considering the tactics he employed, and if he could beat a Spathi he could definitely defeat a Makrosian in a fair fight. Nikias followed no such honor bound rules of combat, following those was a easy way for one to end up dead. He'd been about to continue his assault when he felt his shoulder rock back as a blaster bolt hit his pauldron. Taking a step back Nikias quickly shifted positions turning his body sideways where his shield arm was facing the blasterbolts that were coming his way. Relying on the shield so much had forced Nikias to forgo learning how to bat away blasterbolts with a lightsaber as the shield was much more effective at the job requiring no movement. So as the blasterbolts hit it and kept him busy he was forced to engage the other Attikan as well with his saber. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Due to having turned Nikias' body had also been made a smaller target, but that did not matter much when he was rooted in place forced to block the blaster bolts with an enemy also aiming to cut him down. Raising his saber Nikias blocked the first slash that was aimed for him, but just barely. As the Attikan had both hands upon his saber the strength behind the attack almost disarmed Nikias. With the saber still loose in his hand he moved to block the second strike that came from the other side. Upon colliding Nikias' saber was flung free from his grip and landed a few yards away. Not giving the Attikan enough time to strike him down Nikias lashed out with a backhand his fist balled up tightly and aimed for the warriors jaw before quickly bringing it back around in a punch aimed for the opposite side of his opponents jaw. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Without his saber Nikias didn't stand a chance in Tafos against both the Attikan's but what he could do was buy himself some time. Quickly shifting positions Nikias angled his shield so the incoming blasterbolts reflected off the shield and directly at [member="Aris II"] . Using this as a distraction he backed away shield raised making his way for his saber leaving the Attikan's to decide what to do. [/SIZE]

 

[Zef Halo]

With first slash being blocked and his second slash being delivered with double the strength in it, Aris was able to disarm his opponent. As if excitement of ending this immediately froze him for a second, the Makrosian did not hesitate twice to deliver a fist straight in the Attikan's jaw. It connected cleanly and for a moment he blacked out and staggered back. The impact of the first hit was enough to send him staggering a bit further in his feet almost tripping and that saved him from the second punch the man had lunged at him. Trying to regain his posture he focused his strength on balancing his slightly shaking legs, that was due to the first fist's heavy and clean landing on his face. #

Aris' plan to immediately charge back at the Makrosian while having the upper hand due to the other being disarmed were cut short as blaster bolts from Cephalo were reflected at him, the angle was not perfect but due to the close distance it was enough to divert two blasters bolts at him. One grazed his armor on his ribs while the other landed dangerously close to his liver. The armor withstood just a bit of the impact but possibly enough for him not to fall down, yet not enough to keep him from grinding his teeth as sweat ran insanely on his face.

The Force, it seemed, reinforced itself around the Hellyn but this pain was too great to be as numbed as the others and with a really desperate lunge forward holding his pain with his teeth grinded, he aimed to reach the Makrosian before the latter reached his weapon. It was an opportunity which he would attempt by slashing at the opening the Prince had due to his movement. A man with a shield standing was as a wall but moving made him an easier target, at least to some degree. Additionally, Aris hoped that the man's attention was divided between the erratic and aimless firing by Cephalos, getting his sword and furthermore the Attikan's desperate assault. If the slash would reach the Makrosian before the latter got to his saber, Aris did not know but it was a good try.

[member="Nikias"]

 

[Akhilleus]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Due to just how effective the shield was at deflecting blaster bolts Nikias didn't truly have to keep his attention on the Attikan firing the blaster rifle. Unlike a lightsaber the Makrosian shield was not a simple beam of plasma. It was wide and round and could change between three designated sizes depending on the Users preference. Nikias preferred the larger one for engagements such as this as instead of having to move it constantly to deflect the blaster bolts all he had to do was move it marginally to deflect what bolts were aimed at his feet. Using this time Nikias looked at his handiwork of deflecting the blasterbolts. He saw the two marks signifying where the blaster bolts had damaged the Attikan's armor. It was all well and good as Nikias proceeded to his saber though at a slow pace due to being unable to run due to having to deflect the blasterbolts.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The Attikan did not give up as he once again rushed Nikias. Did this man not care about the city that needed as much help as it could get. That had been ravaged and nearly destroyed, about his ally who lay injured in the grass? Was the death of a single Makrosian so important to him? Nikias hadn't been able to make it to his saber as it still lay a few yards away. He was no jedi nor sith that was skilled in the art of telekinesis so the weapon lay uselessly on the ground out of his reach. So halting his movement Nikias waited for the next two blasterbolts angling his shield. This time it was meant to send both blasterbolts back at the Attikan who was firing. One was to be aimed back for the weapon with the other for the man's core. Wearing the armor, it wouldn't be lethal, but it would hurt... Alot. This distraction allowed [member="Aris II"] to reach Nikias. Seeing the slash Nikias knew he would not reach his saber so steadying his shield arm with his other he lowered to one knee taking the blow. While he could use his shield as a weapon he would have to be more adamant about his defense while facing such an opponent as Aris. They would be at an impass with the Attikan constantly on offense with the Makrosian on defense, The duel would have no victor if it went on as such. "You fool! Do you not see what is happening in the city?! Your people did not protect it! Do you not see the embers surrounding us? Your dead and wounded. Yet you still pursue me?"[/SIZE]

[member="Aris II"]

 

[Zef Halo]

As finally seemed that the Attikan would end this battle, his eyes focused on the target disregarding the opponent's deflective actions with the shield. Aris had to reach first and this was the greatest opportunity for him, slashing fiercely at the Makrosian he undermined the man's reflexes as the shield went up and the kinetic force of the block made Aris stagger and pull back. He had numerous cuts around his body already, the bleeding lip and nose adding more of the red colored substance upon his armor.

"You fool! Do you not see what is happening in the city?! Your people did not protect it! Do you not see the embers surrounding us? Your dead and wounded. Yet you still pursue me?"

The stagger had brought back all the pain his body carried but the words spoken by the name seemed to engulf him back with that dark aura that lessened the pain, yet bearing too much pain mainly due to the explosion that initially hit had the dark aura and pain in conflict with each other. It resulted in a 'pulsating' feeling with each inhale he felt the pain and exhaling it seemed to disappear.

"Do not speak, murderer!!" Aris spat on the ground, a fierce grimace on his face as he panted. "All these unnecessary blood is on your hands!! I will be taking back that debt!!" Something made him look at Cephalo who lied unconciouss or dead which enraged even more the black-haired Attikan. He grinded his teeth to subdue as much as he could the pain, Aris went forward in an assault but almost tripped which made him stop. Enraged he slashed at the ground infront of him, the anger building within him. He had to avenge the dead.

Once again, Aris lunged forward in a straight stab, his posture gone and his movement erratic and chaotic. Anger was all that was pushing him on.

[member="Nikias"]