5042/History Is Like a Dusty Library Shelf; Packed Together, And Oft Ignored

History Is Like a Dusty Library Shelf; Packed Together, And Oft Ignored
Date of Scene:	22 January 2017
Location:	The Quilt
Synopsis:	Revolution! Repressed serfs march on their literary masters with the Watch and Kirito assisting. The League push back! Oh yeah and the Bandits were there too.
Cast of Characters:	Starlight Bandits, 22, 399, Kirito, 857, August Kohler

---

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    The skies overhead are overcast, with thunder rumbling in the distance. The streets are empty, a mandatory curfew in effect with the recent rumblings. Not of thunder, but of rebellion, and the guards need roads clear. They patrol the streets in tight formations, on the watch for anything suspicious.

    The centre of these efforts lie in the city walls, where the defenders of the realm focus their efforts. The threats lie outside, so the walls must stand firmly. It is here that General Ligare greets Paladins and League members who have responded to their calls. "Thank you for coming," he says, a stern-looking man in his 40s or so dressed like a Roman centurion. The symbol on his armor's breast is a jacketed book with a shield, same as all his soldiers. "Our spy in the ranks informs us the attack is to happen today. They'll be coming from the front... but he said to 'expect surprises.' Apparently their leader likes to play things close to the chest." He asks where everyone would like to centre their efforts, since they know their talents best.

    Meanwhile, outside the city, the serfs mill as a giant mob. The smell of human and animal waste mix with impotent rage as they cluster into vague groups, farming implements repurposed into weapons, smashed wooden furniture and barrels turned into simple armor. Expressions cover the range from scared to anticipation. There will be blood today, and they have more of it to spill, more they can afford to lose.

    In the centre of the mob is the charismatic Perplex, a handsome young man with curled hair. He wears a broken flagpole on his back, flying a flag of a clenched fist crushing a scroll. By his side is his second-in-command, the cool-headed Dissimulo. Such a man is needed, as Perplex's face radiates hostility for the system.

    "Welcome, welcome!" he declares, pulling those who respond to his call into a tight embrace. "Once everyone's ready, we can set out. Let us know; would you like to free those in the mines, or march on the palace with us?"

    And finally, outside the city, the Bandits are putting their own scheme into place...

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    A city in danger of an impending attack... that is nothing new. Neither are spies. But they're a good place to get information. Grand libraries are rare, and perhaps helping to defend this place will give certain people access to the library. Books are invaluable, and many of them can last far longer than mortals do. The fact that the rules of this city just want to have it instead of taking advantage of all the knowledge within however... that is quite a shame. So what if people die excavating it? Some lives are less worth than the knowledge they can give. It is understandable that the people who gain little from it are a bit... upset.

    Medusa Gorgon stands with the League members, her expression calm and collected as she studies the people who have shown up. Once the General is done talking she does have a question. "Are we permitted to use lethal force in stopping the attack...?"

Taro (399) has posed:
    Inwardly, Taro mislikes the situation to which they've been called. If the servants are fomenting rebellion against their masters, he reasons that something somewhere along the path of their relationship something has gone teribly awry. That is now causing events to both sides' detriment - energy, time, and resources used against each other rather than working in concert to both their benefit. Whose fault that it...a mental shrug. Not enough data to determine. In any event, the knowledge of the library itself is of greatest importance here, and so that is his priority.
    Outwardly, the android priest's expression remains its usual dour mask as he listens to the General, gloved hands resting at his sides. Medusa received a nod and quiet greeting earlier, and now he glanes in her direction as she asks that question. Once it's answered, he ventures one of his own. "Are there any other means in or out of the city aside from the main gates? Side gates, other exits to the tunnel, sewers?"

Kirito has posed:
It was pure chance that brought Kirito to this distant locale. Pure chance that had him flying far overhead and spotting the strange mob forming outside of town.

    It was curiosity, though, that lead him to sneak up on the gathering of angry serfs and farmers, wearing a simple hooded robe over his outfit to blend in better, and listen to just what's going on...

    He's not about to step forward, but the boy's eyebrows raise at the mention of 'freeing those in the mines.'

    Whatever he's stumbled across... it sounds like it involves forced labor. Ancient, barbaric practice.

    Intrigued, the Spriggan decides this matter's definitely worth further investigation!

Eve (857) has posed:
    Her attention initially secured by mention of the great library within and underneath the city, Eve has found the entire situation surprisingly compelling. She's here to fight for freedom, a cause particularly dear to her heart. And well... if she happens to get to see this library for herself? That will be a pleasant bonus. But it IS a bonus, not the reason she came. She's here for the oppressed people.

    Drawn into an embrace by the 'charismatic' Perplex, Eve looks decidedly uncomfortable. Not unwilling, just stiffly distressed and slightly annoyed. So much for his charisma, at least towards this young girl. Then again, she didn't try to smash his head for his presumption. Maybe the pretty young man has an affect on Eve after all? Then again, she might just be annoyed at his flag. If there's any symbol that's more likely to annoy Eve, she doesn't know it. Crushed and broken kittens on a field of red, perhaps.

    She shakes her head, then addresses the leader. "We might be more aid to you by going over the wall while you march on the gate." she says carefully. "If we strike the defenders at the right time, the gates won't be the obstacle they expect." she suggests. After all, you break a walled city by siege, by tactics, or by bloody storm. She really doesn't like the last option. "If we can bypass the gates, you should have plenty of strength to deal with the palace. And the two of us can enter the mines, and maybe get you some more aid from freed slaves? I don't think the mine is a place where numbers are going to matter."

August Kohler has posed:
August Kohler's attention was secured for the opposite reason: people fighting for what they believe in who needed help to succeed. The redhead was there as well, dressed in a hoodie and with a cheap mirrored bracelet on his wrist, he quietly walks up to the rebels. And then gets hugged. Don't worry, Eve, August is entirely as uncomfortable as you are.

The boy silently nods in reply to Eve, adding in after she's finished. "I might double around to check out the palace, first, and see the status there so you guys have solid intel. If I can thin out a few guards before getting back to the mines, I will." August then moves to see if he can get a look on how high up that soil is, and if he can actually climb it.

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    General Ligare looks to Medusa with a bit of an uncomfortable look on his face. It's a valid question, but apparently not one he likes the answer to. "Permission granted... but try not to leave a mound of corpses, please." Looking to Taro, who asks a much more comfortable question, he shakes his head. "No. Our sewers go into an underground river to wash it away, and all the ventilation shafts for the library are inside the walls. The gates are all they have."

    Out in the mob, Perplex gives a grin to Eve. "Oh, I have the gates sorted out. But you scaling the walls and causing some havoc with the archers they no doubt have would be very appreciated. Freeing those in the mines will swell our forces further, so I do encourage you to do it!" Looking to August, Perplex smirks. "Oh yes. Keep a path clear for us. I'll have some choice words for the king."

    Everything's ready. The mob begins to move, Kirito concealed among them. Those in the city can hear their rancorous shouts as they get closer. Archers man the walls, and General Ligare goes to stand with them. Medusa and Taro are dismissed at this point to take up positions where they may. The mob gets closer, closer...

    And the gates suddenly open.

    There is instant panic among the soldiers. "GET THE GATE CONTROLS!" Ligare barks at someone, but the mob is already surging forward, a mass of a thousand voices and two thousand fists, ready to strike at their masters!

    But meanwhile, around to the dirt pile...

    It's a towering mass, but very clearly stirred so as to keep it from getting too high. Also, it's all very loose, which makes it hard to climb. But that's not stopping the Starlight Bandits. Molly is climbing the dirt pile on all fours with surprising grace as Irvine rides on her back. "Nearly there Irvine~!" "You're doing a marvellous job Molly!"

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    Whatever she thinks of the answer, it appears that the witch accepts it with a polite smile crossing her lips. "Understood." With that she turns towards Taro, giving her ally a knowing look. "I trust you will be able to handle one area, and I will do another? We will be more effective if she spread out." Taro is no weakling, and she fights better on her own. With her magic it should be easy enough to handle some mundane mortals.

    With their positions decided on, Medusa moves to the gate on top of the wall. This might be the best place for her abilities, and well... Taro ought to be able to defend the library. That's what they both are the most interested in here, after all. If the attackers don't have enough sense to turn around, then well... they are to blame for their own deaths. Then again, most of them are most likely unable to sense a witch's soul and the danger it gives off.

    As the gate suddenly opens Medusa turns her head, eyes narrowed as the soldiers panic. She herself looks rather calm, though her focus quickly turns on the mob as it rushes forward. So it begins.

    Without further thought the witch leaps forward off of the wall, throwing her left arm forward as the snake tattoo there comes to life, slithering out of her skin until it grows in size. Medusa lands with practiced ease upon its head as it flies downwards, and within moments she's muttered her mantra underneath her breath. From her back a myriad of black wriggly lines extend, convusling with evil magic. The next moment Medusa strikes, her arms shifting as she thrusts her right hand forward, two fingers extended. "Vector Arrow!" Said black lines shoot forward, aiming to strike down as many of the mob members as it can, all while her snake familiar swoops in in front of the mob.

Eve (857) has posed:
    Eve nods coolly to Perplex. He has the 'treachery' aspect taken care of, it seems. The fourth option, unless one groups treachery with tactics. It may seem odd that a tiny girl is conversant enough with medieval siege warfare and can share tactics... but Eve reads a lot. She has no practical experience here, and she might well have vast amounts of misinformation, but so far none of that has come into play. "I can do something about that, I think." she claims. Arrows do bother her, but ... she has an idea. Something a rat once told her.

    That was before, however. As she and August approach the excavation dumping ground, she frowns at what she sees. "Thieves." she murmurs in a low voice, repeating something August says over the tactical band. Well okay, she has no actual issues with thieves. She's not here to uphold the law, and August mentions they're friends of a sort. "I hope you two don't mind August going up with you." she says, craning her neck and rolling her shoulders. Smoothly, almost slowly, silver wings begin to expand from between her shoulder blades. "If you have a rope, I could drop an end for you. But I think the defenders need to see an angel siding against their cause. So I don't intend to take much time here getting over the wall." she states. Not that she's an angel, but ... well, these people might be superstitious! And when it comes down to it, she sides with the angels. At least in her own opinion. It's hardly wrong to try to use that to save lives. And if they shoot at her? Well, she's pretty maneuverable. Any such shots may well be completely wasted, and any shots on her won't be killing the beseigers.

Taro (399) has posed:
    Mechanical wings unfold and extend, and Taro takes to the air. He makes a quick circle above the city walls as he ascends, climbing high enough that he can see the above the city walls. Hopefully out of the range of any arrows that might be loosed by the rebelling mob, though anyone with a decent rifle may be able to get him in their sights. From this lofty vantage point, he makes his own personal assessment of the situation.
    < The attackers are in fact rushing for the gates, > he relays to Medusa over the radio, in a tone one might use for an uninteresting weather report. < I see no heavy equipment or weaponry as of -- > He breaks off there as the gates open. Not forced down as far as he can tell - too quickly, too cleanly. < the General is not the only one with spies. I suggest you hurry if you're not already in position. >
    Taking his own advice, he makes a straight path inward toward the entrance to the mine. A panel in his right armored gauntlet retracts to reveal the barrel of a plasma bolter, and as he descends he takes aim at the street that leads most directly from the gate. Tearing up the street may slow them a bit, giving time to both himself and the city's defenders.

August Kohler has posed:
August nods to Perplex. "Got it." After that, he moves towards the mound, but stops cold when he notices who is climbing it. He might be smiling a bit. "Oh! The Starlight Bandits!" He gives them a wave, before approaching the mound to begin climbing it. "It's good to see you're safe. Planning a heist here, I assume?" He scans the wall to see how high it is, before beginning his own climb up the mound. "We're here for a revolution. You guys can probably get good cover for whatever your heist is from us. Need some help getting up the wall?"

At the same time, August also can see the beginning of the attacks, if barely. He grimaces. "Eve, we should probably hurry."

Kirito has posed:
Medusa's magical blasts stream through the mob that's barreling through the streets. But a small helping of those arrows meet resistance! There's colorful flashes of light within the mob, crackling emerald wind, frosty-blue ice, and the gleam of... black steel?

    Hard metallic sounds ring out as some of the black arrows slam into the hooded figures' blade and meet their end, dispersed and scattered harmlessly.

    What the hell?!

    The instant the lightshow's over, Kirito pulls his robe tightly about him again and leaps sideways out of the mob and into an alley. From there he leaps again, straight up onto the lowest rooftop available. This perch is pretty visible, but that's exactly why he's wearing the robe...

    The perch does give him a good vantage point to figure out just what the HELL is going on and who's about though!

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    The serfs seem to be endless. Even as Medusa rains Vector Arrows and snakes down on them, they just advance mindlessly. Even as arrows are rained down upon them by the archers, they don't let up. The fear of living like this anymore is trumping their fear of death. They push into the main street, only for it to become hard to navigate thanks to Taro's blasts. Some just push forward, yelling obscenities to the android, while others disperse into alleyways to advance instead.

    But even now, more soldiers are being deployed to cover those alleys. A single man can hold them better than even 10 men could hold that main street in the face of that crushing mass of people. Thanks to Taro, the library mines are well protected for now.

    Meanwhile, by the dirt pile, Eve ascends to the heavens! Archers do shift their aim to fire at her, but they all miss. From within the mob, Perplex's voice rings out. "BEHOLD BROTHERS! An angel descends from on high to bless our rebellion! Strike harder, knowing the heavens agree, our cause is just!" The serfs hurrah, and seem to surge with more ferocity!

    But Ligare is not alien to the concept of morale. "Men! Behold, an angel from above, a righteous symbol! A being of peace, no doubt here to behold and weep what could be the end of peaceful rule. Are you going to let her down?! Pacify them!" The soldiers cheer also, and tighten their defences! You should have specified what cause you're here for Eve.

    Meanwhile, Irvine says cheerily to August "We are quite fine young man! In fact, it looks like you need help more than we!" He gestures at the departing Eve as Molly reaches the top! Standing up, Irvine leaps to cover the gap and grips the edge of the wall. Pulling himself up, he ties a rope around a rampart and tosses it down to August. "It's an exciting time to be here young man! Try not to miss it!" He then pulls Molly up and they rush along the walls towards the high cliff and palace.

    As for Kirito, as he takes his time to survey, the situation clarifies. The mob has been forced to disperse into alleys thanks to the main street being torn up. This has massively reduced their combat potential, as their main strength lay in numbers. An Elite seems to be raining snakes and magic arrows on them, while a cyborg guards the streets. There also seems to be people flying or climbing over the west wall! Some of them are manoeuvring across the cliff face somehow towards the palace...

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    Several people fall as the Vector Arrows strike them, with blood being drawn here and there. Yet it appears that a lot of them are only injured, with only a few dead bodies here and there. With how many people there are it will be hard to get all of them... Medusa herself surveys the area, though she's surprised to see some of her snakes slashed through as they desintegrate.

    That is hardly something she heard that the attackers would be able to do... yet whoever did it is fast, there's no question about that. Should she pursue...? No, let Taro deal with that person. If there's one Elite here, then there's bound to be more.

    And that proves itself to be true as she spots something in the corner of her eye by the western wall as /something/ takes to the sky. The cries from the crowd as well as the leaders for the various factions do not escape the witch, who looks rather amused. This suddenly became a bit more interesting, even if there wasn't an old library involved.

    As she rises to the sky, Medusa peers down at the incoming attackers. "Vector Plate!"

    Instantly several black arrows fill the area in front of the gate. Should anybody step on them, then they will be thrown in the direction the arrows point... which is away from the gate. Sure, it won't stop them forever, but it should make it very much harder for any people to get in through the front gate on foot. Either they have to be very skilled jumpers, or they need to fly.

    Right now the Elites are a bigger threat, and so Medusa sets her course for the area where Eve and August are with the bandits.

Eve (857) has posed:
    Eve really can't help but be annoyed with Perplex at that. She didn't descend from on high, she rose up from outside the walls. She INTENDS to stand (or fly) as a symbol here, and he's playing right into her intent, but she's still miffed that he's getting the specifics wrong. Maybe she's just carrying over resentment from the hug or something.

    She's even more annoyed at Ligare, however. Bad enough her side gets it wrong, but her enemy's side is trying to use her too? Well, she'll put a stop to that! Shaking her head briskly she swoops down on the archers, putting herself in immediate risk of getting shot in order to prove a point. It's probably worth it. Even if she does get shot, it'll let the bad guys know they don't have heaven's favor. Even better, it'll prove their leader WRONG, which should more than negate any morale gained by her initial presence.

    Not that it's particularly likely she'll be shot at, not if Ligare's telling his men she's on their side. They'd have to be idiots to continue firing, right? She keeps up a weaving defense however, because she has every expectation they're idiots. Her only real vulnerable point is when she buzzes the archers themselves, making her antagonism to their cause certain. A defensive pike might do her considerable distress, if any have the presence of mind to defend themselves effectively... or someone might shoot her from behind as she swoops away. One pass, that's all. One pass to disrupt the archers, then she's winging back towards the mines. Hopefully not shot too badly.

Taro (399) has posed:
     Taro has been commiting wanton acts of property damage, namely to the street leading most directly from the main gates to the excavation site, from above. Surely Kirito and Eve will be able to spot him from their respective vantage points. As the city soldiers move in to block the alleyways, he continues circling from above in a now tighter circuit around the mine entrance. He fires a volley of plasma here and there to further disrupt any rebels that are getting too close, but otherwise he's content to let the locals fight it out amongst themselves.
    Medusa kindly alerts him to the presence of another Elite that mustered past her, and his brow furrows slightly as he looks for him or her. Another flyer is spotted, but it appears she's occupied by archers on the wall. He location is noted and not discounted. Radio chatter points him to another...there, the robed one on the rooftop.
    A flick of the wrist drops a throwing knife into the android's left hand. No sooner there than it's sent tumbling through the air at Kirito. A distraction, mostly, though he'll have no complaints if it strikes the man instead of at his feet. It'll give him time to draw his beam sabre and ready to attack or defend.

August Kohler has posed:
Man, the Starlight Bandits can always support themselves. What awesome people, August is thinking. It's obvious why Will likes them so much. He can't help but grin as he grabs the rope, climbing up it. "Good luck!"

Once he's at the top of the wall, that cheer fades rapidly as he watches the chaos. The woman with the shadow arrows is dangerous, and needs to be distracted. She turns her attention towards the group on her own, but if she turns towards Eve, that's bad. So, he taunts her over the radio, before facing her from the top of the wall. August raises his mirrored bracelet to eye level, stares into it, and speaks, powerful words that cause energy to surge around him.

"PERSONA!"

Blue energy flashes out and surges around August, as a burned robotic soldier with a gun for a leg appears, standing in front of him. It points that gun upwards, and begins firing at Medusa. The soldier makes no noise, no creaking, no speaking, nothing. Just making itself known with a rain of bullets.

Kirito has posed:
The cloaked Kirito reacts even before the knife embeds itself into the ground. He kicks the ground seemingly lightly, but that's enough to send him rocketing three meters to the side a split-second before the knife slams into the rooftop. His gaze snaps Taro's way in the same motion. "... screw this... I was looking for the mines to begin with...!"

    Something odd happens as the hooded Kirito leans forward. Translucent black wings form THROUGH the fabric without touching it and vibrate into action. he kicks off the rooftop and takes to the skies, trying to locate these mines that were mentioned...

Kirito has posed:
And since those mines are pretty damn obvious, he has no trouble arcing around in the air and spearing straight down the mineshaft... though his wings will shrivel a few seconds after he's past the entrance...

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    Eve buzzes the archers, frowning intensely. Thankfully, they are not as stupid as she gives them credit for, especially when Ligare barks "HOLD YOUR FIRE!" at them! My goodness, is he actually willing to stop and listen? He walks up to the edge of the wall as Eve flies past...

    And attempts to reach out, grab her, and toss her to the ground. Very much not stupid.

    Meanwhile, the back of the mob is shunted back by Medusa's Vector Plates, and finally, someone has manned the gate controls again. They slide shut, cutting off those already inside from those outside. No escape now, they can only move forward. Which they are doing, slowly. One by one, those guarding the alleys are taken down, letting the rebels pour into the city centre. They're wary of the android in the sky now, and watch for him to be distracted by Kirito before making a run for the mine entrance themselves! Oh dear, this could go bad.

    Meanwhile, the Bandits cross the cliff. Using a rope tied on themselves, one will attach themselves to the cliff face so the other can swing beneath them, coming back up further along. That one will then hold on so he other can swing. In this way, they reach the palace windows and get inside!

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    The angel, whoever it is, seems more intent on distracting the guards... for now it appears that the young man on the radio intends to fight her, and well... Medusa doesn't mind entertaining him as he displays some power she hasn't witnessed before. Mental manifestation of some sort, perhaps? As the summoned soldier begins shooting at her the witch ducks low where she's perched on the snake familiar's head, and it quickly changes its course in mid air, taking an erratic route towards August. "Vector Plate!"

    More black arrows appears, one of them underneath the Soldier, with the intent of sending it flying off the side of the wall. The other arrows seem to be around August on top of the wall, all pointing in various directions.

    "My, are you a summoner~?" the witch asks, then leaps off of the snake... and towards one of the black arrows.

Taro (399) has posed:
    The slim wedge of an energy blade crackles to life as Taro activates his beam sabre. He's aware that Kirito can fly, though it seems he was not aware of just how quickly the spriggan's wings can carry him. He swoops down to intercept, but blade meets empty air as Kirito slips past him. With a grumble that's more internalized than voiced, the android tucks in the tips of his wings as he pursues.
     Down through the open shaft he follows, at the last moment furling his wings in tightly in an attempt to literally get the drop on Kirito before either of them reach the first landing.

Eve (857) has posed:
    Eve's on the watch for attacks, so her aggressive flyby isn't as aggressive as it could be. She's not aiming to knock archers off the wall or anything. Actually she'd be quite upset if anyone fell off or jumped. She's trying her best to preserve life, not to break people.

    Ligare will have to reach to grab her. He's probably not going to grab one of the silvered wings, seeing as they're both highly mobile and rather higher than the rest of her. Probably he'll have the easiest time grabbing her leg, since it'd be the lowest part of her body. She feels his grab, and it pulls her out of her flight line. She's going fast though, so he can't deflect her too easily, not without holding on and risking himself being dragged down with her. He can disrupt her flight, surely, but to change all her forward momentum into downward momentum would require superhuman strength.

    Eve doesn't calculate what happens next. She just imagines it, letting instinct and experience guide her. She pulls herself into a tight ball and her wing deforms, apparently dislocating to swing backwards. It actually does no such thing. The wing isn't a structure of rigid bone; it's living nanometal. And she swings it back, aiming to clip the general in the head with several pounds of metal before she tumbles past.

    It'll surely make her tumble in the air, no matter what happens. The pull sends her partway off course, the conversion of wing to weapon completes the job. But Eve's got sure instincts and a wickedly sharp mind. Snapping her wing back into flight position she flares her wings, breaking like a silver and gold eagle, rolling out of the dive. If she'd been at ground level she probably wouldn't have pulled out in time, but being up on the wall she has the time to save herself and fly on.

    It means she won't be dismaying the guards further, but she's occupied their attention for time enough to hopefully give an edge to the invaders. Besides, the archers will have seen their general attack an angel, and possibly get smacked upside the head by that angel. That'll hopefully count for something!

August Kohler has posed:
Medusa takes the bait, but as soon as she starts acting, August is immensely aware that he cannot take her on in a one-to-one fight. He's going to have to play this cleverly, especially as the Tin Soldier is flung off the wall. His human body is distracted, but the Persona keeps moving, shifting in mid air to point the gun leg up at the arrows in front of the ledge. "Like a monster summoner? No, my abilities are far more personal than that." And as he speaks, the Tin Soldier fires, shooting bullets straight at the black arrows in an attempt to move them out of the way or destroy them. If they're out of the way, August will then wave to Medusa as she's incoming. "Sorry, but I play by my own rules!"

And then run forward and leap off the ledge, looking to dive into the safest thing at the bottom. If there's nothing safe at the bottom...hopefully the Tin Soldier will cushion his fall?

Kirito has posed:
Taro comes tumbling down onto Kirito, taking a swing!

    But... his target becomes a blur of motion WHILE STILL FALLING, twisting like a cat. There's a shower of sparks as the beam saber meets a solid blade of enchanted obsidian... and the next moment...

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

    Kirito hits the ground feet first, driven to his knees by the android's crashing impact! Taro has no trouble seeing something ODD appear in the air around his opponent. A semicircular... health meter, full green. But the impact shrinks it down to sixty percent! ... Though, before his very eyes, the meter starts to rapidly refill too. Give it about ten seconds and it'll be back to maximum... what's up with this weird meter anyways?!

    Well, he might know. If he knows who he's fighting anyways.

    "What's... the big idea...?!" Kirito grunts from under the robes, anger and adrenaline both starting to pump through him!

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    As expected her plan worked as intended, and Medusa lands on the wall and on an arrow... and is instantly flung away from August? It appears that she's not surprirsed by this as she twists midair, just in time to land with her feet on another arrow further back on the wall. Better wait with advancing on August until that pesky thing has fallen down a couple of feet down! And adly for the tin soldier the black arrows are magic, and even as the rain of bullets hail down they remain in place. The first arrow she landed on disappears suddenly, and then the serpentine witch comes flying towards August with great speed!

    "What a coincidence, so do I...!"

    Laws are nothing that Medusa cares much for when it doesn't concern her, after all. And right now she is here to eliminate the threats to the library. But seeing as August isn't intent on staying to fight, Medusa rushes forward... to an empty spot as August leaps off of the edge, causing the witch to narrow her eyes. "Vector Plate!" Another black arrow appears, this one appearing right in front of Medusa and pointing in the direction that he leapt off to. But there is also the Tin Soldier...

    As Medusa is thrown after August, she throws her arms downwards. "Vector Arrow!" From above through the snake familiar swoops in, aiming to crash into August and the Tin Soldier!

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    Taro and Kirito crash into the mines, beating the elevator of serfs descending to free the miners to the bottom. The pit branches in several directions, going deeper and deeper. Shelves upon shelves of books and records have been set up here, mostly maps and geological information to assist in further excavation.

    There are no miners in the vicinity. Presumably they have all been moved deeper to make it harder for them to join the rebellion. But there is someone roaming around. A broad, unpleasant man with a cat-o'-nine-tails on his belt. He flinches and stares as the two come down. "What the devil are you doing?! Take it up there, don't rile the slaves!" he barks.

    Meanwhile, Eve clonks General Ligare on he head with her wings as he grabs for her. He staggers back, his helmet dented badly from the blow. He's dizzy, but still standing. And more importantly, he had to let go. She's free again, and the soldiers lose a bit of morale at seeing their commander attacked by the angel. They're streaming through the alleys now, pouring back into the unbroken streets to march on the palace!

    Speaking of those streets, August plummets into a conveniently-placed wagon of hay! He runs through those same streets, dodging rioting serfs and Medusa's attacks! On one hand, they might help confuse her aim. On the other hand, it means he's putting people at risk.

    And then, suddenly, the windows on the King's bedroom smash outwards.

    In the midst of the fighting, most miss it. But when two figures are suddenly dangled out of the broken glass, screams and pointed fingers draw the eyes more. One is the King himself, old and not entirely hale.

    The other is Perplex.

Taro (399) has posed:
    Taro might have an inkling, even if he's not personally tapped into ALO further than what was necessary to the elfIN interface. It's also possible that floating meters and bars are not that far off from how an electronic person views the physical world anyway. Either way, the health meter hovering by Kirito gets an mild eyebrow arch but little more.
    He hops back from Kirito after the landing, though still facing him, the light of his weapon bright against the relative dim of the shaft. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I cannot let you interrupt this excavation," he answers. He doesn't sound overly apologetic, but neither is his apology completely glib. "No more than I can allow those ignorant masses," he makes a small hitch of his head above, "to destroy it. If you're going to insist on resisting, I'd rather keep the fight close ranged if it's all the same to you."
    The android makes the briefest of glances at the slaver guard, before fixing his eyes back on Kirito. "I believe you have more pressing matters, sir." Civil but cold to the guardsman. "There are others sure to follow in methods slower. Secure the lifts if you haven't already."
    To Kirito, "Either drop your blade or use it."

Kirito has posed:
"..." Kirito's silent for a good second after Taro disengages and he follows suit. The Black Swordsman just isn't one to flinch here, not when he has a blade in his hand. His dark eyes fix pretty hard on Taro, and only briefly take a look at the... SLAVE DRIVER, that's what that guy is! The boy's harsh face flickers towards the kind of horror and amazement that perhaps only the young can show... and his teeth clench. "I had a feeling... but now it's more than just an inkling."

    The boy's attention instantly mvoes back to Taro.

    "Now you said it," growls the Spriggan. He rapidly gestures downward with his left hand and pokes a few buttons that apparently only he can see... because the cloak he's wearing flashes bright blue and vanishes instantly, revealing Kirito proper. A second flash of blue heralds the appearance of a second scabbard across his back, and Kirito draws the crystal-blue longsword in his left hand. BOTH are brandished towards Taro now.

    "Wasn't planning on joining this revolution... but there's no justifying /slave labor./"

    Whoooooosh! In the very next moment Kirito's a blur of black across the rocky path, closing the distant to Taro instantly. What freakish speed! ... and not just speedy dashes. His blades whip about faster than the eye can see in practiced patterns of complementary slashes one after another! If there's a saving grace, it's that he isn't aiming for what he'd guess are Taro's vitals...

Eve (857) has posed:
    That actually hurt. Eve's perhaps stronger than she looks, but she's still a girl who hasn't hit her growth spurt yet. Being swung around by the ankle by a grown man is no fun at all. She doesn't have the time to really dwell on it though. Besides it could've been worse. She could've been the one pursued by snakes and arrows.

    Speaking of snakes and arrows, she can see August and his Tin Man being pursued. Much as she wants to dive in and see to the slaves in the mines, they're not going anywhere. And August is clearly not enjoying his run.

    With a sigh, Eve swoops down. Such a pain... but she's not the sort to choose a mission over a companion. Figuring she can best help by going after the one firing out black arrows, she drops at Medusa. Putting herself into a momentary ballistic arc, she coils one wing up into a fist, trying to knock some sense into the witch.

August Kohler has posed:
August wasn't sure if the bullets would actually work, and they didn't, but he managed to get past anyways. Falling down the ramparts, he lands in the hay, quickly coming back to his senses and climbing out, making a run for it. However, Medusa's hot on his trail. Eve comes in for the save, but there's still the matter of that snake familiar. The Tin Soldier mimes a roar, as it pushes August to the side and moves to intercept the arrow. The Tin Soldier reacts to the pain, and August does too, seemingly hurt as well. But once the arrow's there, the Tin Soldier moves to grab it...

And set it ablaze with that gun leg, fire pouring out. If it can, it'll grab the snake by the unburnt part and attempt to toss it at Medusa, with only one warning. "Eve, dodge!"

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    With several Vector Arrows shot out towards August they do offer some protection against those bullets from the Tin Man. Even as the snakes are torn apart the witch falls down, a look of wicked glee on her face as she plummets...!

    Only for Eve to come pummeling in, which means that Medusa has no choice but to focus on the incoming threat seconds before it lands. Raising her arms Medusa does avoid being hit anywhere lethal. But the punch isn't a weak one, and the League witch does get thrown back into the wall, causing it to crack slightly!

    The snake familiar is quite large and agile, but the Tin Soldier is lucky it seems while Medusa is struck by Eve, and the snake is grabbed by the tail, swung towards its mistress as she slides down the side of the wall. Though at that very instant, Medusa extends her left arm, and the snake glows as it... returns to her skin, becoming a tattoo once more. A chuckle rises from the witch as she raises her head, piercing yellow eyes pointed at the two. "... did you honestly believe you could use my own snakes against me? How... cute. VECTOR PLATE."

    A black arrow appears underneath her, and the witch is once again racing towards them, this time aiming a kick towards Eve's face.

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    Down in the mines, the serfs finally disembark from the elevator. The slave-driver and some guards rush off to push them back, but there are soon footsteps coming from deeper inside. Footsteps, and the sound of chains dragging.

    Soon, the miners emerge, the chains that hamper their movement broken. This is why you don't leave them with the sledgehammers and pickaxes. Immediately, they rush to crush the guards between themselves and the arriving rebels. The unpleasant man shrieks as a pickaxe is buried in his breast.

    Up on the streets, August is getting a very wide berth thanks to Tin Soldier and the snakes and arrows being launched at him. From his vantage point, he can see the window from which the leaders of both sides are being dangled. But then suddenly, they are yanked back in. A moment later, there is a bloodcurdling scream from inside.

    And then the wall next to the windows erupts outwards.

    A body falls, landing on the streets in a broken mess. It's Dissimulo, Perplex's second-in-command, and it looks like he's been savaged by a wild animal.

Taro (399) has posed:
    Why do so many otherwise rational people consider slavery to be such an evil? A philosophical question that for now must be put aside.
    Kirito moves in blindingly quick, and the android is pressed to defend himself. But the same manual dexterity and liquid grace with which he wields a monoscalpel and and nanobrazer also serves him with a sword. Light splashes crazily about them as he parries and counters Kirito's twin blades, though the ferocity of the Spriggan's attacks forces him to take one step back after another. His upper arms are nicked, shallow cuts accepted to keep the blades from more vital targets. One slash gets through to slice into just below his ribs, and his face twinges in whatever he registers as pain as something in there sparks.
    Taro seeks an opening in Kirito's defenses when he can, though he has no choice but to hold his blade in close rather than swinging wide. Poking, testing, and then he's pushing in forward in an attempt to use Kirito's longer reach against him, pressing his own swift attack in a blindingly fast series of cuts and slices aimed mostly at his upper body. Nothing that would normally be a killing blow, assuming that human vitals translate to ALO Avatar, but he is more than willing to wound him now.
     There's very little he can do about the rescue going on behind him. Hopefully they are so intent on being rescued that there's no immediate danger of the library being put to the torch or crushed beneath the hammer.

Eve (857) has posed:
    Eve's defense is quick and solid when Medusa kicks her. She folds her wings before her, using them to absorb the impact. Thing is, she's still pretty tiny. Medusa may not be large, but the force behind a vectored kick is going to be every bit as strong as that of Eve's own flying punch, if not stronger. Eve goes flying back, smacking into a wall and cracking it in symmetry to the one Medusa ended up in.

    The two could trade blows like this for a while, Eve figures. Actually no, they probably couldn't. Huffing, she figures if she takes another hit like that she'll have a hard time maintaining her attack. And if she hits her head... well, she doesn't want to hit her head. It hurts plenty even with the wings to absorb the impact somewhat. Her head hitting a wall would be really bad.

    Besides, there's also August's advice to consider. Orders, almost. Orders or advice, his intent is clearly good. Shaking off the blow as best she can, Eve launches herself into the air. Medusa gets one irritated glower from the girl before she goes off, winging her way towards the palace.

    What happens then... well, that depends. If shrieking and bloody murder appears to be going on, she's just going to dive through the window. Hopefully the broken ones. She can figure out the next step once she sees what's going on.

August Kohler has posed:
Well, that didn't do what August expected, but he's away from Medusa and her snake is gone. But that's besides the point: something is happening in that palace, and they need to get in there, now. As soon as Eve is free and away from Medusa (August winces when she gets hit), the Tin Soldier turns and suddenly begins spraying fire from his gun. Not at Medusa, but in front of her, attempting to make a fire wall to slow her down. "Sorry, but gotta run, big things are happening!"

After that, August will attempt to dash towards the Palace, looking for a way up there. He glances at the body of the fallen only briefly. Whatever's up there is going to pay.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    Sure, Medusa could keep on fighting like this as she's done so in the past. And it appears she is planning another attack as she lands in a crouch, her eyes set on Eve even as she smiles sinisterly. But then Eve launches herself skywards again, causing Medusa to chuckle. "Wise choice, dear..." This one has survival instinct, that's clear. And my, the young man as well? At that the witch raises both her eyebrows, then glances in the direction of the palace. Indeed, things are happening. It appears that the Archivists have fallen with the palace fallen. Which means their employers... are no more. So why not get what they can from the situation?

    So Medusa extends her right hand, the tattoo slithering to life as it escapes her skin and becomes her second familiar while the other one rests from the fire. It's time to visit the library and take what she can, and possibly assist Taro if needed.

Kirito has posed:
"Ghhhh!!" Kirito's fast. Insanely fast. And he has twice the weapons Taro does. Both of them have considerable weight compared to a weightless plasma blade. ... so it's no easy thing to parry his machine-gun like assault of slashes.

    The Spriggan's face is frantic and focused beyond belief, and no wonder - as usually happens when he's fighting with his life on the line, Kirito's consciousness is accelerating. It's like a feeling of cold black sparks flowing through his mind, and oh man... every aspect of Taro's movements are clear to him. Every centimer his beam blade moves, ever strike it makes!

    But Kirito's defenses aren't perfect. A few of Taro's slashes graze an arm, a leg, or are parried a bit too late and burn an inch or two into his side before he fully intercepts and deflects it. Each such blow shaves off more of HP, leaves a glowing red wireframe gash decal that slowly fades... and feels like ramming his blade through thick, resistant gelatin very different from slashing human flesh.

    But more than that, each strike is painful. Kirito's face scrunches up with pain from each one, but they don't slow him down. Not even slightly.

    As Taro starts to push even further than that though, the Spriggan's gaze hardens and clears in decision.

    "You're pretty good with that thing... but try dealing with this!" Kirito does something pretty odd, considering the low ceiling. He... BACKFLIPS?!

    That's an opening! ... Right? N-no, it's not. Because the black blade in his right hand suddenly gleams a funky purplish. And sizzles with lightning. ELEMENTAL SWORD SKILL?!

    "Lightning Fall!" At the manuever's end Kirito SLAMS his weapons into the ground with a spray of sparks - and the lightning that follows utterly disobeys the laws of physics. It's a short range Area of Effect attack, thin arcs of magical electricity snaking outwards in every direction to scorch whatever they find!

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    Into the king's room! August takes the stairs through the broken-open doors, Eve flies through the broken windows. In the room is...

    No monsters. Just the King, Perplex, and the Starlight Bandits.

    Irvine is bleeding pretty heavily from a wound on his side, while Molly is pressing some bedsheets against it to staunch the wound. Her hands are already covered in blood. The rebel leader and the King just kind of... look away, avoiding each other's gaze. The atmosphere in the room is cut clean in two. Deep concern by the Bandits, and total awkwardness from the leaders.

    Meanwhile, down in the mines, the arcing lightning from Kirito's skill catches the edge of a scroll, making it burn! The flame soon spreads rapidly, coating shelf upon shelf. Much of the mine is supported with wooden timbers... something should probably be done!

August Kohler has posed:
August checks over his shoulder to see if Medusa is following, but she isn't, so he focuses on the objective. He dashes through those doors...and just stops. Entirely. He takes several seconds to reboot his brain, before speaking up. "What the fuck happened here?"

He then proceeds to move over Irvine, attempting to check how bad his wound is, before turning to the whole group. "Alright, someone explain what the hell is going on here?" The Tin Soldier stands next to August to menace them into talking. Or, you know, just stand there. It's hard to tell.

Eve (857) has posed:
    Flying in through the window, tucking in close to avoid cutting herself on any lingering shards of glass, Eve touches down in a fluttering gleaming slash of silver. Even as she hits the room's floor the wings shrink, nanometal flowing through her body to pool in her hands. She rises from a crouch, prepared to lash out with any of several weapons depending on the needs of the moment, only to discover... what?

    Even Eve's quick wit is insufficient to figure out what's going on in the palace. She freezes, blinkblinks, looking between the wounded man, the resident, and the would-be usurper. She looks back as August comes in. He managed to speak before she did, mostly because she's too flustered to word right now. Okay, fine. She lets August word. She just stands ready, extending a thick and heavy cylinder from her hand in preparation. Because she might not be sure what's going on, but she's pretty sure someone deserves to get clubbed. She just doesn't know who, yet.

Taro (399) has posed:
    Taro does not allow himself feel too accompished for scoring a nick or three against his opponent - it's clear that the Spriggan is a fighter by trade, unlike himself. Still, he's succeeding in keeping him occupied and may yet drive him off.
    The brief flash of energy buildup somewhat ruins Kirito's suprise - he realizes that the disengagement is no opening, deliberate or otherwise. As the man flips, he himself hops back again to try and put more space between them, but that distance is not enough.
    Lighning flashes between them with a dazzling brilliance. Artificial muscles spasm as the current course through them, his arms flail, he tries to backpedal but his legs betray him. The beam sabre's blade flares brightly with the energy surge before something within it fries, and frizzles out before it hits the ground. In the sidden dimness, there's a second, heavier thud as he hits the ground as well.
    The dimness apparently does not stay that way for long, as it seems he's not the only victim of that attack.
    He blinks the electricity finally grounds its way out of him, noting the sudden tinge of smoke. "Lovely." Sarcasm.

Kirito has posed:
Kirito rises from the technique, making no move to close in and further assault Taro. Kirito's expression is pretty glum and rock-hard, and for the good seven seconds or so of Taro going down it looks like he wants to say something to the android...

    But then his nose twitches. "... Smoke?" The Spriggan turns about and - "... You're kidding me... ?!" Now, lots of people would hesitate to turn their backs on Taro here. But Kirito does just that! He turns towards the fire instead. Again and again his blades shine a frosty white one after the other as he unleashes simple low-rank Ice-element Sword Skills against walls and beams (though, these aren't tough enough to cleave deep into thick wooden pillars thankfully) and release EXPLOSIONS of arctic winds and sprays of ice and frost. There's not much to be said for throwing water on book fires. The books and scrolls are equally screwed, but this is MUCH better than letting it spread!

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    "Ah, young man... a shame you have to see your hero like this," Irvine says. Checking the wound reveals it's fairly deep, but with staunching and rest, he should make it. Molly pulls the sheets back and produces a needle and thread, stringing it with unsteady hands. "That man stabbed Irvine and was going to drop those two gentlemen, so he was punished," is all she says before gesturing for August to take her place as she stitches the wound. Irvine takes it like a man, with only the tiniest wimpers.

    Meanwhile, the King looks to August and Eve. "Children fighting... this has gotten out of hand." He sighs, sounding very tired, before approaching a pipe in the wall. It's one of those old-fashioned communication systems, like what you would see on ships. He speaks into it.

    "Everyone. The war and hatred has gone on long enough. Soldiers, everyone... stop fighting. I surrender. Please, let us find the path to peace."

    His words echo from pipes throughout the city and mines. An official surrender to the rebels.

    Kirito's frosty attacks staunch the fires. Thankfully, nothing to immense value was lost. The Opera Bibliotheca will survive.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    The witch swoops down into the mines on her snake familiar, looking rather irritated as she gets the gist of what's going on through the radio and through the fire of smoke. This place is dangerous to be in for long, but still... this place is too valuable. But at least it appears that the foolish youth is prepared to put out the fire he started.

    Rushing past the shelves of books Medusa gestures for her snake familiar, and it opens its maw as Medusa works on grabbing scrolls, books... whatever she can get her hands on. The snake has a rather large mouth too, so perhaps she and Taro can get their hands on information. Who knows how easy it will be to return here now that the Archivists might have fallen? The serfs might not be too fond of visitors...

August Kohler has posed:
While Molly's description is super vague, August can piece together what happened: Dissimulo tried to kill both of them and take the power for himself, and the Bandits retaliated. He just nods, moving over to take Molly's place and hold the bleeding back while she stitches the wound. "Hell, you guys /succeeded/. I think that's cooler than coming in here and seeing that guy holding you all hostage, yeah?" It's an attempt at reassuring Irvine.

And as the king gives the surrender, August stares at him for a moment, before turning to Perplex. "Do you need help arresting him? I don't think he's going to fight back, but after all that's just happened, I want to know what you need from us now."