Stacey
The northern group did not even flinch or react to the yell and bark, and instead continued crossing the river, doing it at a slow walking pace due to the muddy ground.

The two warriors pushed around a tree, with Machi slightly slowed due to the bark. A ridge lies ahead of them - one that would be unwise to jump over in front of enemies. 

Meanwhile, the other group of bandits broke up their formation, funneling between trees, rock and the ridge to cross the river. The injured oni continued on, while the archer let out another volley, aimed at the two archers and onis on the left flank. All of them miss. 

The mage launch another war dart, but it bounces off the rock in front of the sword-equipped Oni. 

```
Turn 8
```
Michael
*Seems like they aren't stopping. That meant that they had to fight. Actions spoke louder than words, after all.*

*She moves east, trying to intercept the spearmen at the ridge.*

"I warned you!"
Robert
The Okamimi was saddened that none of them wanted to break ranks. Though a part of her respected that. She looked over the splintering groups, and decided to heard to engage the eastern group with Ling. She figured if they mopped them up quickly enough they could then engage the Western group before they got too close.

"We gave them the chance."

The Okamimi said, shaking her head a little.
Stacey
As the two approached the group of spearman, they would notice all of thei face looked a bit expressionless. They started to form a rudimentary battleline in front of Ling and Machi, with the two spearman on the side slinging their shield behind their back, leaving two hands to use their spear. 

The remaining bandits started to cross the river, and another ineffective volley fly at them.

```
Turn 9
```
Michael
*The warrior moves closer to the spearmen, but not enough to get into their reach. A spear could easily skewer her if she wasn't careful. Her left sword is extended outward in front of her, while her right sword is above her head. Perhaps aiming for the hands would be a good strategy.*
Robert
The Okamimi woman gripped her katana, taking in a deep breath. She followed Ling in getting closer. She readied her sword in a raised position, focusing on the fight ahead. She put all thoughts aside from battle to the side, for now. She looked over the spearmen, waiting for them to make a move, as a growl came up from her throat.
Stacey
The two spearmen in the middle - with their shield still up, rotated to the upper left, facing the two while advancing very, very slowly. 

The other two spearman - with two hands holding their spear, moved aside in an attempt to flank them if they charged. 

On the other side, another of the Oni archer was shot in the torso, and received a mortal wound, with him retreating quickly across the river to the back line. The other archer also pulled back with him.

```
Turn 10
```
Michael
*Spears were called the king of weapons for a reason. They were easy to use, cheap to make, and ridiculously effective, and difficult to fight with a sword or shorter weapon.*

*Ling gets closer and closer to the spearman, until she's almost in range where a thrust would be good. Her left sword raises up, into an almost horizontal blocking position, pushing the spear upward. Her right sword glows blue and white, swirling with wind. The blade is rapidly swung at nearly inhuman speeds, and the tip of the katana actually _extends_. The blow would be aimed towards the spear wielder's front hand, aiming to chop off his fingers or something similar. It would be too risky to go for a lethal cut, so disabling a hand would be best.*
```Hurricane Blade cast, 5 mana spent, 2.5 regained, 67.5/70 mana remaining.```
Robert
The Okamimi woman would raise her off-hand, which began to glow bright red, she then fired a fireball at the left-middle spearman. She moved a little closer, incase they tried to surround Ling, readying her blade once more for the fight at hand.

```Fireball Cast, 5 Mana spent, 3.5 regained, 128.5/130 Mana remaining.```
Stacey
Ling moved to the left of the spearman's formation. As Ling approached him, he made a defensive jab, only to be replied to with a parry. He did not see the next move - that of a horizontal air slash, which cut his forward hand clean off, making him let out a yelp of pain. 

He dropped the spear and backed off, attempting to put his shield down. 

Seeing his comrade surrounded, the middle left spearman advanced toward Ling, making a one handed thrust with his spear to Ling's face, in an attempt to stop her from making a follow up on the leftmost spearman. Then, as he did that - he'd eat a fireball to his leg, setting his pants on fire and making him drop onto the ground. 

```
On the left side
```
The other group of bandits turned their right toward the archer, and started sprinting and breaking formation, heading straight left. 

```
Turn 11
```
Michael
*Just as expected. She almost couldn't feel the sharp blade slice the spearman's hand clean off, properly _disarming_ him.*

*Soon, she saw the spear being thrusted at her face. Her left blade quickly moves to deflect the unstable strike, soon seeing that Machi's gotten it taken care of, his pants now on fire.*

"Pssh. Pathetic. Wielding the king of weapons, and you can't even give me a challenge."

*She approaches the spearman who still has his shield up, going for the same stance as before, ready to deflect a thrust to the face.*
Robert
The Okamimi woman smirked a little, with a nod. She looked towards the right pair, getting herself prepared to fire another fireball. Seeing Ling go for the one with the shield raised, she aimed her fireball, and fired at the other one's face.

"Should've taken the chance to flee, when you could."

She said, getting a little confident, perhaps a little more than she should be in that moment.

``` Fireball Cast, 5 Mana spent, 3.5 regained, 127/130 Mana remaining.```
Stacey
Ling managed to deflect the unstable strike easily, and then she approached the middle right spearman. The middle right spearman let out a shout, and then noticed Machi aiming at him. He raised his shield to block the fireball immediately. 

The rightmost spearman, noticing Machi casting a spell, charged in immediately, thrusting the spear two handed into Machi's right leg, trying to cut or stab her. 

The Onis continued running west. What are they doing? 

```
Turn 12
```