With Erwin, Eiko and Johan taken care of and reverted back to normal, the situation was beginning to get better for Rodney. Well for the most part it was except for the fact that those he had used his skill on were yet to get back on their feet. While he hadn't sustained any major injury for the most part, he still felt the pain from Erwin's lightning shocks. And looking at the one laying next to him on the ground after successfully handling Eiko who also proved to be quite the stubborn one. He could see that though the mix beast had shifted its stomach giving it some extra from of protection, it wasn't exactly all successful as scorch marks could be visibly seen on it's stomach which had been turned into hard scales for the sole purpose of preventing more damage.
Then when Rodney checked himself, he could see that he had been bruised on the face where the shadow hadn't extended to. This wound probably came about the time he was tossed onto the other two mixed beasts. Their claws might have been the one that had done quite the number on him. But he could feel the pain slowly dying away. Although this wasn't something that was happening rapidly, it was quite noticeable as he paid attention to it. He was certain now that they all had some kind of subtle healing ability while in this state. Again, another reason he suspected the others were still able to go after the demon over and over again when it was obvious they were the ones taking the brunt of the punishment.
"We can't afford to go easy on them. Just look what they are capable of doing" The mixed beast with the red eye complained pointing at it's head for Rodney to see where a dark red blood dripped from it. Apparently this was done when Eiko caused the head of the blue eyed beast to bump the red eyed one and it was done with quite the force to back it up.
"I agree. While I understand you don't want to hurt them, we can't keep taking damages from them. Besides in this their current state, they can recover from most none fatal injuries. All I'm saying is that we will have to hurt them if need be..". The one with the blue eye added.
"So be it" Rodney replied simply. The reason he had given consent with out trouble was that from their actions and the way they spoke, he could see they meant well. And not to talk of the fact that he felt unusually comfortable speaking with them. The more he worked with them to stop his colleagues that were not in their right minds, the more his trust grew and he was starting to only see their human like face and forgot about most things they had on that were beast like. So it was irrational to him to let them go through more pain than they would have normally gone through if there was an alternative and a less painful one for him as well.
"There's something I need to do first. You go on, I'll be right behind" Rodney said to the mix beasts and they didn't question his words and only flew into action. Seeing that they were ahead, Rodney looked at them for a while to see if they'd turn back. And as they didn't and only flew towards where the demon was fighting with Blair and the rest, he finally said.
"I hope this works" ...
[System equip]..
*Bing*
[Gecko chest gear equipped(+10 defence)]
[Gecko bull brace equipped]
[+5 temporary stat points(Status: inactive)]
And as he said this, his gecko chest piece and arm braces both appeared. With the former appearing on his chest and the latter clinging tightly to his already shadow encased hands. The reason he was doing this now was for what he feared was to come later. And he wasn't actually sure the system equip would work because of the state he was in. But fortunately, it did work.
Now the reason he had done this behind the backs of the mix beasts was quite simple. Though he talked about how he was growing to trust them, the truth was that trust was only up to his arm's reach for the most part. In fact, he still had his doubts about them. Their origin and what their true purpose might be. Seeing how they were able to do things that were strangely not too far from what the demon the others were fighting could do was another factor. In his mind, there was a high chance they could be working together.
And while every time he had this thought it would be quickly countered by this strange feeling of connection he felt towards the beasts, it was still a possible thought that lingered through his mind. Hence, the reason he wasn't too keen on exposing everything he was capable of to people he didn't exactly trust enough. He had learnt the importance of always having an ace up his sleeves no matter what. It had helped him greatly against the hunters assault as they didn't know everything he was capable of doing.
"We might need your help here, its getting a little too cold" one of the beasts yelled out and as Rodney snapped out of his thoughts, he flew straight for them. Seeing who they had pinned against a tree, Rodney now understood how the remark "cold" came about. His frozen feet and arms coupled with his blue hair was a typical give away of whom it was that was pinned.
"Arrgh!!!" One of the beast yelled out in pain as right now before Rodney could reach them, Blair had already struck. Right now the beast with the red eyes had a sharp ice stuck through his palm. It had happened as the beast had its hands firmly gripping around Blair's hand to stop him from swinging punches. While the other had gone behind to grab hold of both wings so they were wrapped around the tree. But as that was happening, a piece of ice shot out of Blair's forearm and immediately went through the palms of the beast.
The beast let go of Blair as it figured grabbing him wasn't the best idea. But letting go was equally a terrible idea as an ice trail followed swiftly and spread across the ground and went up to the knees of the one in front of Blair freezing it's horse like feet. Then Blair raised a foot up and brought it down to the ice trail in attempt to stomp on the ice and break it. But the foot never made impact with the ice trail.
"You really are creative but sadly we don't appreciate your work of art" Rodney said as he had his hands out. And beneath Blair's foot was what looked like a table made of shadows that was slowly being compressed like a balloon. This was the shadow forge skill in use yet again. A skill that was part of the package given for the "Knight's rage" skill. Now without wasting time, Rodney went up to Blair and as he got close activated another skill.
[Shadow hand]
He then swiftly grabbed on to Blair's hands with the shadow hands. Then with his normal hands which were also encased in shadows, Rodney grabbed Blair by the face to stop his head from moving. Then he proceeded to do the next thing he would normally do as in the case of the others.
"Raaaagh!!" Rodney screamed and looked down to see a sharp ice bar stuck in his thigh where the shadow there looked to be dancing around but still his skin wasn't exposed yet he felt the pain of being stabbed. Blair dropping his own leg only to then lift it again and another sharp pointed ice came out of his knee and was once again buried into the thigh of Rodney. Then following it up very quickly Blair shot two into the shadow hands and they immediately flickered for some seconds and lost their strength disappearing away. But Blair wasn't done just yet as he grabbed on to Rodney's actual arms and began to freeze it cold.
[Shadow trance]
Rodney said amidst the pain.
"Arrrhhhh!!!" Blair screamed out letting go of Rodney and falling to his knees. And then immediately the ice he made began to disappear in odd faction as they weren't melting but simply vanishing. Blair fell face down and his body began to revert back to normal. And like the others, he didn't get up as well.
"Well?" The beast with blue eyes that held Blair's wings from the back of the tree came to say.
"I'm sorry guys.."..Rodney paused for some air.
" We are gonna have to kick your butts.." Rodney said with pain in his voice as he fell down and laid against the tree watching his knees cover up slowly but visibly.