03-23-2009, 09:58 PM
Plums of black smoke bellowed up contrasting that of the dust beginning to settle above where a scorched plot of earth gradually became visible where the ground had intercepted the missile. The fierce thrust of force from the explosion had sent the Saiyan wheeling back; twisting onto his side he skidded towards wince he had came with an arm before his face shielding himself from the shock, dragging his fingers through the sand in order to slow his speed.
Over the dunes a waning rumble quaked the sky, declining to the distant whistle of the coursing wind tracing grains of sand over the halfling. Growling he stood, hawking a fine mud mixture from between his lips. That was far too careless of him, with three heads of bounty at hand it would a loss to lose even one at the price of a brief overlook of the surroundings.
Nearby he caught sight of the princess, or Zasha, who ever she was recovering from the impact, appearing to have survived unscathed from the sudden attack.
"You okay?" he asked, not particularly caring for an answer as his attention wavered to the rising rooftops over a dune's peak. With two other missing from the group it was probably safe to assume that had been their route for cover within the decrepit buildings. "Come on." without waiting for a response he strode forward into the dusty streets not at all a stranger to this era of human history.
Stepping lightly they entered, observing the new surroundings sprawling with potential barriers and beautiful sniping points that, if more soldiers were here at all, would most likely be taking advantage of.
From inside one of the nearby buildings echoed out that of the familiar gender combination that had been lost from group. The two emerged from within, behind them the huddled body of a man lay peacefully on the floor that didn't attract that much interest.
“Well, well, well - What have you two been doing since we've been gone?” Ares smirked catching the familiar rush of blood draining from Sophia's cheeks as she exited behind Juno. They explained the situation, verifying Ares' assumption of the town's occupation by the gunmen who had most likely been tracking them through the caves.
“Well then, let’s go,” Zena exclaimed.
"Go?" the halfling answered to the mysterious new Zena still unsure of her true nature and relation. "Best bet would be somewhere central that this Balrog will be dug in."
"How are we going to know where that is? We don't even know where we are." Sophia noted. Laughing slightly to himself, the Saiyan shrugged already formulating how this could be made a little more interesting.
"Well, a base has to have a significant supply of able-bodied soldiers. That's a given. But create a scenario demanding that number to thin and you not only can diminish the potential that stronghold has against a full-on assault but also discover where it might lie from where the cannon fodder is coming from." Ares explaining while strolling out into the middle of the street surveying the line of buildings.
Curiously Juno raised an eyebrow watching as a thin veil of dust began swirling about the fiery warrior's feet, suspicious till his pupils widened in realization of what was about to happen. Lifting an arm, the mercenary's palm rippled as his energy began gaining intensity, centralizing itself as more fresh ki was piled on.
"Are you fucking insane!" but it was too late; Ares had tossed the sphere with as much strength as he could muster into what looked like an old drug store. The resulting eruption sent planks of wood, dirt and smoke high into the sky as if a bomb had gone off inside.
Turning, the Saiyan wasted no time in launching two more blasts down the street taking out two more structures that blew into flames upon contact with the heated blasts of spiritual energy. Feeling the rush of adrenaline was too much... the nearby fire-heated air licking across his face, the sound of destruction of the explosions, all of it bringing a malicious grin that spread across his lips so serenely it was almost as though it belonged.
As predicted the sound of yells in the distance ensued, encroaching on their position in what sounded like a good numbered squad all most likely armed with the essentials. Uncharacteristically an excited laughter lifted from Ares' throat as if he had been waiting for this moment to cause a bit of true chaos opposed to this petty little child's play he'd been subjected to.
He breathed deep, the scent of burning wood hung heavy in the desert winds. The sun blazed in glory above in a clear, cloudless sky- deep blue, graced with fleets of dark smoke withering away in attempts to reach what couldn't be touched. In the distance the soldiers rounded the corner, taking aim with their rifles before pulling their triggers not much unlike that of a firing squad.
Instantly the group ducked behind the cover of anything nailed down in protection against the marksmen, Shopia and Juno diving back where the boy's latest kill lay while the princess took hold in the surprisingly bulky remains of the building Ares had taken out. As for the hybrid, he found solace in a turned over horse-drawn coach that provided little if any cover against the charged shots raining down on their positions.
Grinning, he whipped an arm around the side of his barricade, sending several blasts down the way at the attackers. Still chuckling under his breath, Ares called out across the way to the others. "Least if we don't survive it's sure a Hell of a good day to die!"
Over the dunes a waning rumble quaked the sky, declining to the distant whistle of the coursing wind tracing grains of sand over the halfling. Growling he stood, hawking a fine mud mixture from between his lips. That was far too careless of him, with three heads of bounty at hand it would a loss to lose even one at the price of a brief overlook of the surroundings.
Nearby he caught sight of the princess, or Zasha, who ever she was recovering from the impact, appearing to have survived unscathed from the sudden attack.
"You okay?" he asked, not particularly caring for an answer as his attention wavered to the rising rooftops over a dune's peak. With two other missing from the group it was probably safe to assume that had been their route for cover within the decrepit buildings. "Come on." without waiting for a response he strode forward into the dusty streets not at all a stranger to this era of human history.
Stepping lightly they entered, observing the new surroundings sprawling with potential barriers and beautiful sniping points that, if more soldiers were here at all, would most likely be taking advantage of.
From inside one of the nearby buildings echoed out that of the familiar gender combination that had been lost from group. The two emerged from within, behind them the huddled body of a man lay peacefully on the floor that didn't attract that much interest.
“Well, well, well - What have you two been doing since we've been gone?” Ares smirked catching the familiar rush of blood draining from Sophia's cheeks as she exited behind Juno. They explained the situation, verifying Ares' assumption of the town's occupation by the gunmen who had most likely been tracking them through the caves.
“Well then, let’s go,” Zena exclaimed.
"Go?" the halfling answered to the mysterious new Zena still unsure of her true nature and relation. "Best bet would be somewhere central that this Balrog will be dug in."
"How are we going to know where that is? We don't even know where we are." Sophia noted. Laughing slightly to himself, the Saiyan shrugged already formulating how this could be made a little more interesting.
"Well, a base has to have a significant supply of able-bodied soldiers. That's a given. But create a scenario demanding that number to thin and you not only can diminish the potential that stronghold has against a full-on assault but also discover where it might lie from where the cannon fodder is coming from." Ares explaining while strolling out into the middle of the street surveying the line of buildings.
Curiously Juno raised an eyebrow watching as a thin veil of dust began swirling about the fiery warrior's feet, suspicious till his pupils widened in realization of what was about to happen. Lifting an arm, the mercenary's palm rippled as his energy began gaining intensity, centralizing itself as more fresh ki was piled on.
"Are you fucking insane!" but it was too late; Ares had tossed the sphere with as much strength as he could muster into what looked like an old drug store. The resulting eruption sent planks of wood, dirt and smoke high into the sky as if a bomb had gone off inside.
Turning, the Saiyan wasted no time in launching two more blasts down the street taking out two more structures that blew into flames upon contact with the heated blasts of spiritual energy. Feeling the rush of adrenaline was too much... the nearby fire-heated air licking across his face, the sound of destruction of the explosions, all of it bringing a malicious grin that spread across his lips so serenely it was almost as though it belonged.
As predicted the sound of yells in the distance ensued, encroaching on their position in what sounded like a good numbered squad all most likely armed with the essentials. Uncharacteristically an excited laughter lifted from Ares' throat as if he had been waiting for this moment to cause a bit of true chaos opposed to this petty little child's play he'd been subjected to.
He breathed deep, the scent of burning wood hung heavy in the desert winds. The sun blazed in glory above in a clear, cloudless sky- deep blue, graced with fleets of dark smoke withering away in attempts to reach what couldn't be touched. In the distance the soldiers rounded the corner, taking aim with their rifles before pulling their triggers not much unlike that of a firing squad.
Instantly the group ducked behind the cover of anything nailed down in protection against the marksmen, Shopia and Juno diving back where the boy's latest kill lay while the princess took hold in the surprisingly bulky remains of the building Ares had taken out. As for the hybrid, he found solace in a turned over horse-drawn coach that provided little if any cover against the charged shots raining down on their positions.
Grinning, he whipped an arm around the side of his barricade, sending several blasts down the way at the attackers. Still chuckling under his breath, Ares called out across the way to the others. "Least if we don't survive it's sure a Hell of a good day to die!"