Soul Caliber Ascension

"Y-yes sir " Ginsu lowered his head, his elbow hitting Elise.

"Ofcourse sir." She responded, leaving the two superior Dreamweavers to their own devices.

Of the two rank three's it was almost impossible to tell who was stronger, however, given that his red haired enemy was so calm and relaxed, he didn't believe he was weak at all.

Orion stood up from his leaning position abruptly, prompting the soldiers to hurriedly step back ," Ohh my? Has the cult fallen so low as to not train their own initiatiats right? Tsk, your reputation as barbarians really is an understatement."

His words hung in the air like a provocation, though Yavon payed no mind, " I'm glad your so energetic," He held out his hands and spread them horizontaly," But if you haven't noticed, you are outnumbered." His eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Me? I simply got lost on the road of life....how fortunate that I ran into you when I did."

"A Fool who wishes for death? So be it." Yavon took a step forward, then another. Each on careful of any traps.

Grrr!

Tamiel stepped Infront of Orion, ready to attack at any moment.

"Sir! Do you want us to help?" Elise asked respectfully, only to be met with a manic laughter from their seemingly ignorant enemy.

"Haha" He looked towards the trees ,"Little girl! You have your own problems!"

Whoosh!

Elise's pupils dialated, the world seemingly moving in slow motion as her head struggled to look up. The intense shock and fear made her body stiff like prey caught off guard by a predator.

At the same time, Orion blinked from his spot, appearing directly Infront of Yavon. Their blades met with such force that the trees on either side of the road were uprooted in sa shocking display of strength from both men.

Ginsu, standing close to Elise felt his heart pound with urgency and adrenaline as he looked up above his companion to see a young boy clad in white robes and a haunting mask depicting the visage of a crow. The glowing yellow lenses locked onto his companions neck with ruthless focus.

In the blink of an eye the entire situation had turned on it's head. His friend was about to be assassinated before the fight even began.

'Shit! I have to use it in time!' Ginsus thoughts raced, his mouth opening and gathering power. The strain on his throat was immense as his eyes locked onto Elise.

"Move!" Every loud syllable and letter carried power that seemed to be reality and burrow it's way into his companions brain.

"Ahhh" Elise's body contorted forcibly in agonizing pain that almost broke her neck and spine. Under the effect of Ginsus technique she twisted her waist and contorted her body just enough to avoid the decapitating strike of her attacker.

Unfortunately, she could not leave unharmed.

"Regrettable." Cypher continued even as she dodged, his dagger tearing through the air and landing on her shoulder. It's sharp edge tore through the skin first, then muscles ripped apart before bone was cleaved cleanly. Finally, he landed on the ground with a stomp that caused both Ginsu and Elise to fly back and ragdoll on the ground.

"W-what?" Elise's Vision blurred, her heart beating as red liquid spurted out of her shoulder in torrents. Her eyes widened as she looked at her arm, or what should have been an arm. Instead she found nothing, only an empty stump where Cypher had severed it. Her eyes seemed to speak of unspeakable calm despite the situation,

"YOU FUCKING BASTARD! MY ARM!"

Down the road, Orion and Yavon moved thurther and further away from the caravan as to not obliterate their allies in the crossfire.

Orion bent his back and watched a long sword blad pass cleanly over his head. In such a battle his smile stretched from ear to ear as he flipped and let his foot hit off Yavons chin, launching him back a few feet.

"You hear that! It sounds like your Juniors might be struggling haha," his hand stretched and and a stream of lightning barreled towards his opponent, only to his an invisible dome like barrier that absorbed the impact.

"Arrogance!" Yavon Encased himself inside a forcefield, allowing himself to negate any damage as he rushed forward again, his steps like small earthquake's themselves.

Boom!

Orion once again collided blades with Yavon, however this time an invisible barrier enveloped his opponents blade, making it stronger and more durable.

"What an interesting technique!" Orion blocked a side swing with great difficulty and analyzed his opponent as best he could.

Does it negate all damage? Impossible. No ability had infinite energy. Furthermore...

Orion glances at Yavons feet....'How can he stand if theirs a barrier between him and the earth? Surely the lack of footing and friction would cause him to slip immediately.'

A one sided grin stretched across Orions face as he dodged another blow aimed directly for his head, slicing his cheeks open slightly.

In his mind, he signalled to Tamiel who was eating some mortal soldiers ,' Find some container of water. I have a suprise for our friend!'

Electrical energy arced off his body, his speed skyrocketing. His sword moved like lightning and and sliced at Yavons and untold number of times, leaving small cracks in his armour.

Around them, trees were cut in half and the ground lay scarred with sword marks. The toll on the land from the battle was astonishing, showing the might of a rank three.

Zapp!

Orion ended his combination of attacks with a large burst of electricity that directly struck Yavon and sent him flying into a tree that soon collapsed under his weight.

"I'll admit, your the strongest opponent I've faced." Yavons voice was filled with melancholy as he stood up out of the smoke of debris and dust, his barrier armour stitching back together.

"I could say the same about you." Orion complimented. Although he didn't actually care too much about praising the man, he could still start a conversation to stall for Tamiel.

"I'm curious, what makes you think that boy can win against two of our Weavers?" His voice was somewhat doubtful. From the brief glimpse of him in the ambush, he realised that Cypher was quite young, a rare sight on the battlefield. Most weavers were between the age of fifteen to twenty, and almost all had a much Greater than average height.

"Him? Heh, he never starts a fight without an advantage." Orion thought for a moment," Some people are born monsters. The prince of the empire, the daughter of the king Nova...and Cypher Ren. If he were to die here, I amagine he would claw his way back from the underworld in embarrassment."

His praise might seem high to others, but it was an honest description.

In the brief moment of silence, Yavon smirked ," So...if I win, I get to kill a prodigy." His body shivered in excitement, " Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity."

He waved his hand, and the barrier around him fully repaired. He reached into his waist, pulling out a set of five intricate pocket watches. Each one fully displaying the masterfully craftsmanship and gears that lay inside. Most strikingly was the glowing red stone in the centre that thrummed with barely contained power.

Orions face contorted in apprehension and cautioun. Each one of these could blow up an entire building with ease. Each one a careful creation of the cults alchemists.

In the hands of someone like Yavon who could use barriers to shield himself, it was far more dangerous.