Taishi nodded continue to read "They are parctice riffles so I would say there is no harm in it" she say with a slight yawn, she had been on this same chapter for 3 days 'Deathless' she thought to herself guarding her thoughts. a hand came up "Maish tu" she say, as she did a target would appear in the opening near by "You can use that as a target, if you want it to move just ask it to move and it'll do so" her hand then came down

((Maish tu = shadow target))

"Thank you," murmured Scia, walking over to where he perceived the guns to be. Feeling around, he lifted out a light rifle and a pack of extra ammo, then reloaded the gun. His smooth movements made his amount of experience obvious, and in a short time, he had told the shadow to move and was now aiming at it.

Sensing shadows and light, as well as hearing the sound of pebbles against pebbles on the ground, he took a careful aim and fired. His first shot barely grazed the target.

Pausing slightly, he aimed and fired again. And again. He fired until he was out of bullets; he reloaded and fired again. When he had finally run out of ammunition, he called the shadow target over and felt for where the bullets had hit.

Taishi brought one eye off her book, she was curious besides she couldn't read with the noise going on. Closing the book she watched him continuing to shoot at the shadow "You know if you put that crystal i gave you around your neck it will help you see images in your mind... and magic bullets are quieter" looking at the shadow she relayed where the holes where, six in the heart, three in one lung, 2 in the other three grazes to the head, three in the center of the head and two misses

"There is no need to. The world isn't dark for me...I can see in my mind well enough," murmured Scia, with a ghost of a smile. "And...I have indeed gotten rusty. But before I continue, I'll go get a better tour of this place."

Sciathan placed the gun back into the storage and dusted off his vest. Then he thought for a bit and started walking around the camp, making a mental map of it.

Taishi shrugged she didn't mind, everyone had there own way of doing things. She continued to read "Touched by death but unable to be claimed" she say quietly to herself, thinking for a moment on what she just red and blinked "that is impossible" closing the book she went looking around for Espy

"It appears my battle with Blaqkin has added more damage to this planet than anticipated. I wish it hadn't come to this..."

Taiye sighed as she wondered around the grounds thinking to herself. Things had gone from bad to worse.

Scia returned after an extensive tour of the grounds. He now had a mental map of the whole place, and unless someone moved something in his way, probably would trip over anything. At least, he hoped he wouldn't.

Lucid noticed that her captain had returned after too-long of an absence. She was worried, after the tremors had started happening again. "Miss Taiye! You're home!" Lucid ran to greet her, and without thinking, hugged her. Letting go after a moment, Lucid awkwardly stared at her feet and muttered, "I'm really glad you came back safe."

Sakura touched down, her wings drawn out from the long flight and surrounded in sparkling dust. She surveyed the others at the camp, looking over them critically. Thus far she had only taken part in smaller skirmishes near her homeland, but this war had gone on long enough. It was time to end this.

She saw a few people standing off to the side, giving her skeptical glances--likely at her apparent lack of weapon. She smirked. They would learn soon enough.

Ashy glanced up from the book she witting down read, a newcomer had landed not too far from the tree she was sitting under. She smirked at the at the blatant lack of weapon. Many of the newcomers had become far too cocky with their skills, this had led to many losses.

I wonder how long this one would last for, she wondered to herself.

Sakura glanced to her left and noticed a woman with an axe at her side sitting under a tree. She appeared to be a fierce enough warrior, though Sakura could tell she was being underestimated. No matter, that wouldn't last for long.

She nodded respectfully at the woman. "Who is currently in charge around here?" she asked. "I would like to lend my services to the war effort. This destruction of our planet has gone on long enough."

Taiye stood shocked at the sudden embrace by Lucid. All her thoughts suddening vanished as she watched the young woman. She didn't know quite how to respond. Her cheeks filled with a light blush as she scratcher her neck nervously. "Oh..! T-thanks Lucid. It wasn't really a pleasant situation, but I'm glad it didn't turn out worse..." She smiled awkwardly, trying not to think too much about it.

Ashy cocked her right eyebrow. "What were you born under a rock? General Fenrir is in charge here." She placed her book in her pocket and stood to face the newcomer, "however she's not here right now." Ashy paused for a second. "you seem to lack weapons, would you like me to show you to the armoury?"

Ashy already knew the answer to this question but she decided to test her theory anyway.

Sakura raised an eyebrow at the woman's words and turned her head slightly, surveying the camp once more. "I am familiar with General Fenrir, of course," she replied, turning her attention back to the woman she was speaking to. "Even the most legendary of generals require sleep and sustenance, however, and I doubt very much that any of your comrades would be relaxing were she currently in the vicinity." She brushed a bit of powder away from her ear, and the spark at the contact was stronger than usual. She needed to find a sparring partner, and soon. "I would like to know who is in charge at the moment, please. I'm sure the general has myriad skilled Captains at her disposal?"

She purposely avoided responding the inquiry about weapons. She had asked her question first, after all--and if this turned into a test of skill, as she thought it might, she wanted to maintain the element of surprise.

[OOC: Sorry it took me so long to type that Dx I can be slow sometimes. xD]

Overhearing the conversation between Sakura and Ashy, Taiye walked over to them and announced, "At this moment, I am in charge, in Fenrir's absence. I am Taiye, Captain of the Ghosts of Ascellus. And you are?"

Ashy grinned at the girl's fiestyness, she was starting to like her. "Captain Taiye just landed before you, shes the one being glomped over there by one of the other recruits," she waved her arm lazily in the direction.

Ashy nonchalantly picked up her axe, "but before I can allow you to speak with Captain Taiye you must pass a little test."

She brought her axe down right where the recruit was standing, lets see how she fairs.

But just then Taiye walked over and introduced herself to the newcomer, Ashy stopped mid swing and in one fluid motion slung her axe on her back. She would have to wait till later, until then she waited for the newcomer to speak.

[Dammit Taiye jumped in and i had to change my post ><]

Sakura inclined her head in respect to the Captain, then held out her hand. "It is an honor to meet you, Captain Taiye. My name is Sakura. I have come to join your forces in battle--I have seen enough of the damage this war has done to the world and can no longer stand idly by while it is torn apart."

Though Sakura's gaze remained on the Captain, she made sure to stay aware of the woman beside her. She had heard that axe coming down, and been a moment away from reacting. She would not fall prey to a surprise attack, should the woman attack again.

(lol sorry, xD my bad)

Taiye gave Sakura a firm handshake, "Glad to have you with us. We need all the help we can get to keep this world from falling apart and defeating the Corrupt."

She then looked to Ashy questioningly about the action she had done towards Sakura with her axe.

(Nuu, it's good that you're posting!! <3)

"Thank you," Sakura said gratefully as she clasped the Captain's hand. She followed Taiye's gaze back to the woman she had been speaking to earlier. "Do you have a sparring room?" she asked Taiye. "I believe she and I need to get...better acquainted."

Ashy saw the look Taiye gave her, busted. Ashy shrugged her shoulders not looking at her Captain, "I wasn't actually going to strike her."

Sakura laughed. "Weren't you?" she asked the woman. "Well, that does change things. Though I hope you won't be so lenient when in practice." She smiled. "I don't believe I caught your name."

Taiye laughed, "This is Fenrir's training grounds! Everywhere is for sparring." She looked at Ashy, then back at Sakura, "I'd actually like to see this. Show me what you both can do."

She grinned, stepping back away from the two of them. Even though Taiye didn't think much of fighting in this war, she still liked to see a good sparring match.

Sakura's hand twitched slightly as she turned to the other woman. Ashy, was it? Well, she would wait for her to make the first move, trigger-happy fingers or no. The element of surprise was one of the greatest advantages of her particular brand of fighting.

Ashy looked at her Captain and then at the Sakura, "My name is Ashy." She turned her gaze back to her Captain. "I'm afraid I must decline the generous offer, I have more important things to do."

Ashy turned and walked away from the two, the strike on Sakura had made both of her hands numb. There was no way she was going to admit this to Taiye or Sakura though.

Sakura swore colorfully under her breath, glaring halfheartedly at Ashy as she walked away. She needed to find a sparring partner, and soon! "I don't suppose you would be interested in sparring with me, Captain?" she asked politely. She smirked. "Testing out the new recruit, and all?"

As Ashy walked away the feeling reappeared in her hands, she lost her grin. This was battle time. A cold dagger slipped down her sleeve and into her hand, without looking she threw it at Sakura.

Taiye thought about the offer for a few minutes, trying to decide on whether or not to do it. She had always been one for participating in sparrings, but her fight with Blaqkin made her somewhat sick to her stomach when thinking about fighting at the moment.

Before she could answer, she noticed Ashy's attack and watched.

Sakura twisted her wrist, snatching a handful of Dust from the air. It coalesced smoothly in her hand, forming a lightweight but sturdy shield that was bright red in color. Ashy's dagger bounced harmlessly off the shield and Sakura smirked, tossing the shield to her left hand and reaching for the Dust again. The thrum of combat was running through her veins, now. What weapon should she choose?

Ashy strode forward circling Sakura and began to list her options, against a shield her daggers would be useless and her axe is far too bulky to be affective if she were to form a dagger with her weird dust morphing abilities. Shes like a moth she thought to herself.

Ashy grabbed for her axe, she would just have to take a chance. But this wasn't any ordinary axe and Sakura would find that out quite soon.

So Ashy would go for her axe, would she? Well, Sakura could handle that. She clutched some dust between her fingers and was soon holding an axe that was an exact visual replica of Ashy's in all ways but one--it too was bright red. Everything of the Dust was. Well, everything of her Dust at any rate. The others--

Sakura had been lost in her thoughts for too long; Ashy seemed ready to attack. She took up a defensive stance and waited for her opponent to make the first move.

Ashy continued to circle Sakura, she was unsure whether the replica would have the same abilities as her axe. She glanced over at the watching general, she would have to put on a good show. Ashy pounced in on Sakura and the sound of clashing metals was deafening, it had been a long time since she'd been in a good battle and this girl looked to be a challenge.

[sorry i took so long i was putting washing out]

Sakura twisted and turned through her stances as her and Ashy's blades met in combat. Ashy was a good fighter, she had to admit. But simple axewielding skills wouldn't have warranted the confidence she had seen in the woman earlier. What else did she have up her sleeve?

[OOC: Just to say, my character can't make something if she doesn't know/understand what it is. She thinks yours is just a normal axe, so hers is. I have absolutely no ideas what your secret awesome magic powers are, but I definitely want to see them. xDD]

Ashy decided to just go with her bladesmanship for now, she was one of the fastest in the camp and she could use this to her advantage. Ashy traded blows with Sakura trying to get under her guard, after a few minutes Ashy stood back to give Sakura a chance to show off her skills.

Sakura released the axe and shield, willing them back into the Dust, and contemplated her next move for a moment. She abruptly flung her arms out at her sides, gathering Dust as she went. She threw it up in the air and a creature quickly appeared, its head first forming in midair before the rest of its body materialized slowly toward the ground. Its closest likeness was a snake, but it had small curled horns on the top of its head and an arrowhead spike on its tail. Sakura raised an eyebrow at Ashy, wondering what her next move would be. The creature hissed and Sakura petted its bright red scales gently, a twinge going through her heart. In a few minutes this wonderful creature's time would be through, and it would return to the dust again. All living things had an expiration date; the Dust couldn't sustain them for long. Ashy didn't know this, however. Maybe this would be enough to force her surrender.

Ashy regarded the Snake cautiously, if the dust could create objects as stron as stell this creature could be quite formidable. She smirked, it was about time she used her trump card.

Ashy rose her axe above her head in both hands and dark clouds began to form thunder split the silence and many recruits around the camp looked up in awe. Lightning split and struck the axe and it broke in two, two axe's that looked identical. She brought both axes down on the creature just below its head in a shattering blow that would have cleaved the ground in half, yet the creature was completely intact.

Sakura gasped as her creature was hit, a sharp pain going straight through her heart. She waved a hand to dismiss the creature and snatched the released Dust from the air. It was never easy when the living ones disappeared, and a righteous fury burned in her blood that this one had had to go so soon. She twisted the Dust into a sword of lightning, the blade hot and crackling in her hands. "You will pay for that!" she snarled, leaping forward with the blade raised above her head.

[OOC: Uhoh. Sakura's a bit out of it now. xD Maybe El Capitan should step in and do something? xD]

Taiye watched as the battle drew out but she started feeling a bit uneasy after Ashy had beheaded the snake creature. Sakura seemed like she was losing control of herself. This was supposed to be a practice sparring, not a fight to the death. Fearing that it may get out of control, Taiye pulled up her gunblade and shot off a warning shot nearby Sakura, "Alright, I think that's enough for now. You are both worthy fighters. I am glad to have you both on my team, but from now on, I'd like you to work together to fight against the Corrupt." She gave them a smile and nodded.

Ashy got down on one knee and raised one axe above her head as Sakura came crashing down, this had to be finished soon before either of them destroyed half the camp. As the blow hit she began to lift the other axe to Saukra's throat using her own momentum against her.

And then she heard Taiye's words and rejoined her axes, "I guess we shall call it a draw then, if youll excuse me then Captain I have someplace to be"

Sakura snarled and twisted away from Ashy's grasp, conjuring a small cage to trap her in. Taiye's words had almost brought her to a halt, but such overconfidence from the one who had just destroyed a life... It hurt too much for her to bear. She didn't want to hurt someone who was on the same side, but at the same time, she just couldn't have just walked away. She turned away from where Ashy was trying to escape the cage and acknowledged her Captain with a nod. "Thank you," she said. "I did not truly wish to do her any harm. The cage...it will disappear on its own in a few minutes." She paused, waiting for the Captain's response. Had her emotional reaction cost her this test? She could continue battling the Corrupt on her own if she had to, but victory would come much more quickly if she were part of a team...

Ashy grinned at the poor attempt at trapping her, she glaced up at a tree top nearby and materialised herself there. She had fought with many a warrior but never anyone with such an interesting ability, but now this ability would be mine to keep. For the true secret of her axe is the ability to copy the abilities of fighters while their emotions are heightened.

[I just realised theres no point in me grinning or anything cos i have something over my mouth ><]