Eddie
Kuouo and the knight-shield attached to his horns slam into the sunlight-casted barrier, reverberating the bandit and stopping his fiery advancement immediately. The sudden stoppage of momentum lurches him backwards, causing Kuo to yelp as he lands on the small of his back with the added dead-weight of the knight now formally locked into his horns. 

```fix
"Ow, ow, ow owie... That was too close. I didn't expect that crazy bastard t' try and slice me in half like that! Why couldn't you deal with those other assholes doin' nothing around here, shit man."```

The bandit finished rambling, picking himself up off the ground. His horns, finally revealed to the open air once more, were stained in faded crimson as the blood that dripped down his blonde tufts of fur began to coagulate. His eyes now deadlocked onto his opponent. Despite the annoying sense of semi-solid red beginning to stick to his fur and the lingering sense of nausea, the thrill and adrenaline of being ambushed pushed those insignificant peeves aside and placed survival as the priority.

**```fix
"Infernium."```**

The dagger, having been knocked out of his paws after the spell was casted, scrapes across the ground before flying back perfectly into the palm of his left hand. It flashed a gleaming orange, the bandit now readying himself with a light stance as an indication that he might make the first approach towards the knight with speed.

```fix
"I'da rather we talked this out, but intendin' to kill us on the spot like that was justa no-go. I didn't mean t' use yer friend as a shield there, hell, I didn't really wanna kill anybody. I never have. But after doin' it, from then on it just becomes another option. And well, let's jus' say... That option is the best outcome for any of us right now."```
Marcus
"Damnit, they have good coordination. Shade! Help me out here!"
Sheldon
"You got it!" Shade de-attached from Josh's body, shaping himself into a large and dense sword-like object.
"Batter up bitch!" Shade yells at Josh swings his arms backwards, then forward, slamming Shade into Knight [R3] at a fast pace!
Sarah
As Kuouo tumbled back, the knight stabilizes itself. It cast its left hand back to its side, thus lowering the barrier of sunlight ahead of itself and allowing for it to again two-hand its brazen blade, in a polished, yet vicious stance exhibiting bloodlust. While injured by Cumhall's earlier attacks, the knight was still aptly prepared for combat, blade tightly clasped in each gloved hand and pointed directly toward the combatant opposite itself.

The false sunlight glimmers through the single window of the cylindrical room, the knight taking a singular step forwards, allowing for its golden rays to partially illumine and emphasize its facial traits, however hard they may be to see beneath its golden helm. Knight [F3] stared at Kuouo, its dimmed irises peering at him from within its helmet with a trenchant, scornful gaze. While its face could not wholly be seen, it was clearly displeased, its eyes of a red hue faintly visible and clearly emotional, locked solely upon his form. It is perhaps now, in this standstill and moment of calm within a turbulent battlefield, that a concept becomes certain: these knights, too, are *Conscious, living beings.*

*```fix
"You should have been ready for death from the moment you sought to trespass on the domain of the Ezer, cretin."```*
_ _

Knight [F3] mutters, her raspy, spirited voice cutting through the idle chatter of the battlefield. The RASWALT system mirrors her words in a language recognizable to Kuouo himself, as her towering stature firms, a chivalrous spirit engulfing her body in an aura almost palpable.

***```fix
"Oezuek."```***

***```cpp
"Sun that Destroys — Solar Imbuement."```***

An aura, like that of furious flames of crimson red, engulfs Knight [F3]'s blade. Within the light of the false sun, and the glow of the flame of blood-red, Kuouo can see the knight take a deep breath through her lips, moments before she **Charged forwards, her intent solely to take his life.** Armored footsteps stampede across the short distance between the two, as Knight [F3] releases a series of flame-enhanced swordstrikes in the following sequence of directions — **First from a lower blindsplot, rising to slash from the lower-left of his hip across his chest,** Following up with a **Second, downwards slash, that would cut across his chest, starting from his upper-right shoulder and ending only once it had descended down to about the level of his abdomen,** Where she would then **Finish with a forwards thrust, intended to pierce him straight through.** Proficient with a dagger, **Kuouo could likely parry the entirety of the series of attacks, were he not to slip up on a single beat.** *A single mistake could be fatal.*
John
Unexpectedly, her lack of action merely resulted in a complete avoidance of combat that was more or less unfavorable in traditional means. This could only be considered an unaccounted advantage, as she now had the luxury to preserve herself as they entered deeper into the *Vektet*. Their guide was dead, but evidently her associates were able to hold their own against opposition, albeit likely the weaker side of it. Perhaps, however, said associates would be outraged by her refusal to participate, thus resulting in weaker communication and dangerous consequence collectively. It would be *Her* At fault, which wouldn't do, but it was also possible they simply hadn't noticed she was here in the first place.

In summary, continuing to approach in the same light would result in probable safety and future leverage, albeit with potential setbacks.

. . .

*No.*

She promptly turns to Knight r2, now likely recovered, and retrieves her pistol from the hidden holster, firing several times at the direction of his upper-body. With the swiftness of her movement, a *Killshot* To the helmet could've been order, but the shakiness of her grip forced the bullets to go off in sporadic motions around his neck to chest area. And *Still*, she didn't utter a word, or make much of an expression.
Eddie
Kuouo grimaces as they revealed themselves under the sunlight, snarling at their comment. He grips the handle of Infernium, surely angry but not entirely towards Knight F3. Perhaps in the moment that was given to the two to settle, the bandit's emotional realization kicked in. Knight F3 locked themselves in a brave stance, casting a spell that further intensified their aura — and their blade — with a fiery red emblazoned onto their sword by the sunlight.

```fix
"... That ain't fair. Not t' the shorty ya backstabbed, not to yer friend, and not t' me! But fine, if yer gonna come at me-"```

Kuouo beared his fangs, sharply inhaling as he grounded his stance. The goat planted his paws onto the ground with Infernium glowing an intense orange. With each step the knight took, Kuouo's blade grew brighter and brighter before suddenly—

```fix
"Infernium, Act Two!"```

Infernium Act Two was a rare sight to see. The flat of the dagger was longer, and wider too. The entire blade was engulfed by the caprine's fire magic and it solidified in mere seconds, transitioning the dagger into a sword.

Knight F3 began her onslaught with the ***First slash*** Rising diagonally from his left hip. With Infernium in his left hand, it'd be too awkward to catch her fire-powered blade's momentum here. He manages to tactically backstep, her blade nearly catching the loop of his right shoulders tanktop as the sunlit fire engulfing the sword *Singes* His fur.

In less than half a second, Knight F3's sword reversed its momentum, starting from Kuo's right shoulder. It was here where Infernium quickly sliced through the air, and with a flick of the bandit's wrist...

**```diff
- P A - K L A N G!!!!!!```**

Sparks flew as the two blades, now both engulfed in fire, clash with the flat of Kuo's blade knocking Knight F3's back. Using his agility, he steps forward. Although the temperature around the two was blazing hot, the look in Kuo's eyes was cold but not unfeeling.

He thrusts directly into her chest with the intent to end their battle entirely.
Sarah
A battle to the death, one-on-one, as the other combatants on the field lay waste to one another. The nameless knight's blade cuts through the air enveloped in an all-consuming flame whose heritage was from the nature of Sol, itself, sparkling in a lethal dance that enchanted the chaotic back-and-forth flurry. The deep-red sunfire mingled unto the inferno pouring from the bound-blade Infernium, each of their unique aspects conjoining, in a swirling mosaic of orange-and-red.

***`SWISH—`***

—the knight's lethal opener split the air, missing Kuouo by mere millimeters. The flame is hot, and hot unto the bone — it is of a nature that is distinguished as primordial when compared to that of typical fire borne by the breath of the arcane. Indeed, it feels more akin to the essence of life itself, holy, and dividing asunder of the just and unjust.

The two blades met in a howling parry, and the red flame of the knight's blade abated, weakened by its wielder's lack of ardor. The brazen sword hung motionless, unguided by the might that the Splintered Knight knew she could summon, and her red eyes that once overflew with zeal met the sight of the oncoming bound-blade. Now, in this very moment, she foresees the end of her own life.

**```diff
- Pierce. -```**

Thus the knight slowly blinked, as the blade pierced from metal to skin, and from skin to flesh, and from flesh to bone. The flame is searing, yet not unlike the sun's own, and so shared a sense of familiarity with the oathbound knight. She clenched her teeth, yet it was not the failure of today that she cursed, but rather the thought of a moment long-past — the Splintering, of the Knights of Sol...
_ _

*```fix
"Aaz..."```*

...The knight chokes, slumping. Falling to a knee, the knight of a stature that surpassed even Kuouo's own — for she stood at just nigh of 210cm tall — stared at the blade that pierced her chest, and sighed her last sigh,

*```fix
"...Kue, long may your sun shine..."```*

Knight [F3] has perished.
Erika
Cumhall composed himself, he thought about straightening his tie but just about managed to keep his head in the game, he was not at immediate threat but his companions still were and it would be a lot harder to complete the mission alone, or that's what he told himself, he probably would have helped regardless.
```diff
- "Some kind of knights you are"
```
He scoffed, observing the fact that only 2 remained alive, the rest lay slaughtered on the ground, the knights had the numbers, the home field and the surprise advantage and yet were utterly decimated.
Seeing as the threat in the room had dramatically lessened he did in fact straighten his tie, the components on his right arm began to shift, resetting to their starting position.
He placed the rifle back on his back and drew a knife from a sheath on his right arm, and suddenly he lurched forward, moving at a speed that was nothing exceptional for a normal human, but should be enough to allow him to flank around [R3]'s shield, he had originally intended to simply stab the incapacitated [R2] but was hit suddenly by the soldier's worst nightmare,*Morals*, yes the knights had assaulted them but he did not feel all too comfortable with killing someone who could not fight back, and also he was pretty sure that was a war crime, instead he moved past [R2] and came up behind [R3] grabbing them on the back of the arm as he couldn't exactly reach the neck, and releasing a sudden shock of electricity that would hopefully at the very least cause them to drop the shield spell.
Eddie
Kuouo gazed down at the knight with a somber look on his face. The solidified flames around Infernium melt away into wisps of fire, reverting it back into its original dagger form. The deceased knight's wound was cauterized on impact, so Kuo didn't have to worry about additional blood getting onto him as he tipped his fallen opponent over, ripping the blade from their chest.

```Aaz-kue or somethin' like that... Musta been someone important to them. They looked pretty upset too when I blocked with their friend too.```

He grabbed the dead knight's forearm, dragging her over to her cohort and sliding them next to each other. There, he pulled the both of them behind a pillar to ensure his safety whilist the others occupied themselves with the remaining knights. The bandit, being the thief that he was, inspected the valiant knights for any valuable belongings, clues, or information about the Vetket. Though others might feel disgust towards his actions, it was necessary to stay true to himself - Even after breaking his code beforehand.

Afterwards, he'd lightly toss anything of interest to the side of their carcasses. Although the bandit wasn't very religious, he still clasped his hands together and muttered a small prayer as his final sign of respect.

```fix
"By the power of the Delta Rune, may the angel watch over yer SOULs."```

Kuouo peeked out the side of the pillar, watching the combatants he entered the ambush with deal damage out to the rest of the knights. ``Now``, he wondered, ``these guys didn't give me a shred of fuckin' help save for dude that shot energy at those knights.`` Although Cumhall's help was noted by the bandit, he still found it insufficient. He gathered up his new belongings (if any were acquired) and dashed into the darkness with the occasional cover of the pillars in the room.

Behind the sunlight and at the end of the corridor were two flights of stairs. The bandit leaned back against the last pillar, unsure of what direction to wake. 

```When it's a super-structure, I guess it really doesn't matter. If I need to get out, I guess I could use the varet thingy or whatever the hell it's called.```

He reached into his pocket, taking a gold coin out and flipping it high up into the air with the simple flick of his thumb.

```fix
"Heads, we go up. Tails is down. Seems simple enough..."```

He mumbled to himself before snatching his coin out of the air and smacking it on the dorsal side of his paw. The heavy gold coin shimmered in the bit of sunlight that hit the coin's depiction of Kuo's hometown, the Capital.

*``Tails.``*

```fix
"Down it is. Hope these idiots partake inna little Upward Movement."```

And so, in the darkness the bandit enveloped himself in, and despite moving downwards he continued to move *Forward.*
Sarah
Knight [R3], still positioned to intercept attacks on Knight [R2], is now the direct target of **Both Tabby's and her automata's attack, as well as the oncoming attack from Shade.** A shield manifested ahead of itself, it appears prepared for the group's head-on attacks, steadfast in its protection of Knight [R2]. The two appeared to be a duo, and an efficient and loyal duo at that, never allowing one or the other to be singled out in combat. The shield would block the au—

*However, its shield had already been bypassed.*

Outnumbered, and now outpositioned, by multiple members of the group all-at-once, Knight [R3] did not foresee the oncoming stealth-maneuver as performed by **Cumhall.** Within the moment that it notices him, the knight has already been struck by his shocking attack, and its **Barrier falls, leaving it open on its frontal flank.** The shocking efficiently courses throughout its armor, leaving the knife briefly within a state of convulsion, dazed by the electrical assault. It would almost collapse, yet—

*First, a strong, metallic, blunt impact.*
*And second, a bodily impact.*
_ _

**Tabby's Steel Defender** Missed its mark striking Knight [R3]'s arm, it having lowered its defense in the moment that it struck. However, that inadvertently lead to a **Much more critical hit — one straight to the chin.** The immense impact, backed by even more immense force from the Arcane Jolt, sent waves of kinetic shock throughout its entire body, its head snapping back in a motion less-than-healthy for one's long-term health. Perhaps, at this moment, the knight is already unconscious — however, it is only struck again.

Shade bodyslams the knight.

Knight [R3] collapses. From the combined forces of multiple attacks, **It's quite likely that the knight is already incapacitated, if not dead, outright.**


As its comrade falls, Knight [R2] recovers from its state of shock, staring down at the damaged form of its fellow knight. Its sword at its side, it prepares to strike...

...But is swiftly overwhelmed, by not one, not two, but three-four-five-six-seven—and perhaps even more—ranged attacks. Two crossbow bolts strike their initial target — Knight [R2] — without Knight [R3] to guard, as the knight only just begins to regain its bearings. Twofold does electricity course through its body, as it is helpless to move. Were that not enough, **Mae, who had been silent and unseen by the knights up until now, took action, unloading from afar a ballistic weapon unknown to the Splintered Knights.** Her sporadically-fired bullets rang throughout the cylindrical room, echoing, as they **Tore through the knight's armor and into its flesh,** Sinking the final nail into its coffin. The knight, given not a chance, is utterly overwhelmed in the outnumbered circumstances, and **Falls flat to the ground, undoubtedly dead.**

***And so the ambush had been cleared.***