The fight was approaching an unpredictable point. Baulder's child-like attacks threw Zenia off so much, she couldn't even decide on a proper course of action. To her, she was fighting a new villainous organization, that served one of the Deadly Sins. What was she to do in a situation, where a member of that same organization was seemingly trying to save her from certain death, at his own hands?
Even to a stout believer, this was definitely a bit too much. It drived her to the point, where she almost started questioning her own beliefs. Maybe they were actually wrong? But the Sins represent ways of life, that only evildoers would adhere to. So then, why would one of their own followers show signs of kindness, maybe even compassion?
"Why are you doing this?!" she exclaimed, as she blocked another blow.
Yet, Baulder threw another hit, not giving an answer. This was driving her mad. Why is he not even responding? Was he just mechanically doing this? Is this some sort of trap? From a certain point of view, it definitely sounded like one. Even though, she somehow felt this was good intention. She barely felt any hostility coming from the man named Karver, yet from the other side of the room, she couldn't feel anything else, than plain hatred, and murderous intent.
What was going on? Was this poor man brainwashed, and he was somehow breaking through that? That seemed like a potential answer to her. This man, bearing the power of [Temptation] was probably the most evil person she has ever seen, so then his underling would be like that as well. But he wasn't. He was showing respect, and care, which wasn't something that you'd usually show to your enemy.
To Baulder this was a much simpler situation. He thought that this woman might be of use. She was powerful, but she couldn't never beat him. Rather than fighting a battle, that was going to doom her, Baulder thought it to be more rational to capture her after she faints, or to resstrict her in some way. For that, he needed an opening, but creating one wasn't really his forte. Maybe, if he were to lull her into a false sense of security, she'd losen her guard. He didn't want this woman to just die here. Her capabilities and knowledge were quite important.
"Why? Just why are you trying my creed?" she shouted, probably as of her mental exhaustion, "You even turned my Master on us!"
That last part of the sentence made Baulder stop mid swing. Master? What is she talking about? Who is this Master, and why would they turn him to their- Caleb?! That just could be. That would be way to convenient, yet somehow believable. That pause in attack was just enough for the tides to turn again. Zenia took the opportunity, and started attacking the Big Man again. Blood splashing all the way to the other side of the room.
Baulder could stop the attacks with ease, but it made him uneasy. It was a race against time once again. He had to find a moment where he could- He made his shield disappear, and took a blade directly to his torso. This made Zenia pause in confusion, which was just enough time for him to catch her. Roots started to envelope her feet, which rapidly crept up to her torso, eventually locking her inside a full-on tree trunk. Her [Holy Sword] now lying on the ground next to her, she couldn't do anything.
This was a true victory for Baulder.
----
The inside of the bubble I made was nice and cozy. Well, for me. Not for anyone else, I'd assume. This was almost literally an extension of my will, and power, which made me the ultimate ruler of this little zone. No one could enter it, nor leave it against my will, that is. Claire was still freaking out from the bit of information she figured out.
"What do you mean, 'His Excellency'? Is my father some big-shot here?" I asked, faking calmness on my face. Truth be told, I was in shock. If my father was the leader of this little Order, than wouldn't that mean, he's actively hunting me? Is he that against me, being his son? Not that it changes anything. I was going to fight him at some point, but this sort of escalated that date. Just by fighting these folks, I was sure to become one of their greater targets. I guess, I already was, wasn't I? Being this 'Sinner', or whatever.
"He, Sthorm, is the Pontifex of the Order of Coins. What, you didn't know that?" she asked, with a weird smirk on her face.
"Me and my Father, we aren't really on great terms, you know," I answered her pointless taunt. She could get to me with that much, "I was already aiming to fight him at one point, and shoot him in the head, probably."
She seemed fairly shocked, and probably a little bit disgusted as well. I mean I did that to her daddy as well, so I guess she's not a huge supporter of patricide. I mean, I don't think anyone is. I know I'm the odd one out, but that won't stop me. I'm not about to change into something that I am not. I wouldn't be true to myself.
"You ever get tired of being edgy?" she asked. Typical stupid question from those, who can't understand that there are more types of people, "Bet you wouldn't be able to kill him. Not because he's strong, but because his your father."
"Oh come on. Stop being an idiot already," I snapped a little, "Does everyone have to fit into your small world of perfection? Everyone to you is the same, aren't they? They are just like you, but somehow worse, and if someone doesn't fit, you just ask daddy to put them in prison? Oh wait..."
"STOP! Don't you dare talk about my Father like that!" now she snapped, again.
"Or what, you'll kill me? Throw me into prison?" I grinned. She couldn't touch me anymore.
"I'll end you!" and with that, she jumped at me, with a few gallons worth of acid poison pouring out of her pipes, and her hands. Some were even dripping down her face, leaving a mark after. So, she was weak to her own ability, huh? I swiftly stepped to the side, watching her plummet into the side of the dome.
"You realize I rule this place?" I asked, but she didn't even feel like responding, it seemed. She turned around, her skin slowly melting away, and jumped at me again. This time, even before she could reach me, I had my Binders catch her, supsending her mid-air. This definitely was the end of this fight.
She almost looked like an animal. Screaming in frustration, agony, and anger, she almost lost all her humanity. I looked at her, almost pitying her for what she has become. I still do remember her from a time, when she commanded at least some levels of respect. A beautiful, glorious bitch, who was one of the worst bullies I ever had, and she was bound right in front of me. Anyone would have some ideas right here, but just the idea of touching her made me throw up a little. I'll decide later what is to come to her, right now, I had to check on Baulder.
I stepped out of the dome, sealing it right back in behind me. I looked around the room, and saw the sheer amount of devastation that we collectively caused. I noticed the head of Zenia, poking out of a tree-trunk, which lead me to believe that their fight was over. At second glance, I found Baulder, kneeling right next to Caleb. I walked over, and noticed that the man still hasn't woken up.
"You okay, Big Guy?" I asked my bodyguard.
"Yeah, you?" he asked, and I nodded in response.
"We gotta do something about all these three. You didn't kill the Combat-Deacon, I see?" I pointed at the tree.
"She has some information. And talent. We could use her," he explained. I looked at him with a bit more respect.
"That's a sound decision, friend," I said, "I also have Claire trapped. I still don't know what to do with her. Killing her just doesn't seem enough."
Then, I started to worry a bit. Francis and Meda still didn't show up. Did something happen to them, or are they just slow witht heir fights? Then again, if Baulder, the non-aggresive, defense based fighter of our group, could take down one of the Order's deacons, then I don't see a reason why the rest just couldn't do it.
Suddenly, I felt a breeze coming from the hallways. I couldn't exactly tell what it was, but it felt familiar. And with every second, the wind grew stronger, and stronger, to the point, where it was making my coat float behind me, washing away some of the blood, that accumulated on it during these past two days.
Was it finally over?