[Pyro_Ferno]

"I can take sky duty, but I would rather be taking a more advanced position, you know, scout and all. As for carrying, I really focused on agility more than power. Free-running is something I kind of want to get in to." Nero then flicks Nightshade into a shotgun. She scratches just below her scar and secures her hat. I'm ready for a fight, just try me Grimm, she thought.

[Dusty]

"Through the maze but not through it. Easy as pie" . Man, some pie would be nice right now. Better than walking through the death maze anyway. Least he wasn't alone, that'd really make this the worst day ever.

What was with rich people and distressingly large stuff. Everything had to be big and gaudy with them. They just couldn't appreciate the subtle things in life. This hedge maze was so ridiculously oversized and pointless it wasn't even funny. All it did was make the owner look posh. That and hide a small army of hidden threats that wanted to eat their faces. Fun for the whole family.

Holding Irvine across his body, Gwylan slowly began to step forward into the belly of the beast. It certainly wasn't the fastest advance in history, but he wanted to try focus his senses on the area. If he was lucky, he'd be able to pick out the nasty that'd try jumping them.

He got about halfway down before turning back to Aurora, murmuring softly, "Perhaps we should try leaving a trail of some kind? I don't want to risk being stuck here with no maps if something goes wrong".

[The Mythic Scribe]

"Go ahead on sky duty," said Aurora. "But I'd say that even if we're emitting slightly negative emotions, the other people here are much more scared. If in a last resort situation, we could use the Grimm to locate where the most people are." She looked over her shoulder. "Though, it doesn't really matter, because we're saving everyone." Then, Aurora turned back to look ahead of her, where Gwylan was taking the lead. "Could be useful if some bunkers are empty though. Still, big risk."

Aurora quickened her pace to hear Gwylan better. "Hmm? Like a bread crumb trail? Or a ball of rope?" Having none of those, Aurora looked around and just decided on making indentations in the side of the wall at intersections. "Wherever we turn, I'll cut off a portion of the maze. Dudes aren't using it anymore, right?"

Above, the Totocoatls were still far away from the maze, flying more over the orchards and jungle environment. Every once in a while, you could hear the whoosh of giant wings and the occasional gnashing of jaws. A closer threat, though, lurked ahead. At the current intersection, a rustle sounded from the other side of the left wall. Soft growling noises could be heard, and the footsteps light and nimble enough to be Beowolves. A quick peek into the other side confirmed this for Aurora, it was a group of three to be exact. She held on to Gwylan's shoulder to keep him from moving, and held up a hand so that Tina and Nero would as well.

Aurora moved away from the wall, careful to make as little noise as possible. As soon as the creatures rounded the corner, they’d be able to see the team. She motioned to the others to get ready. ’Attack first,’ she mouthed to the others, hoping that she could convey her thoughts to take the Grimm as soon as they rounded the corner clear. Aurora herself took two knives from the belt on her waist to ready herself.

[MonsterManic]

On seeing Aurora's hand signal to stop, Tina instinctively put both trigger fingers on the triggers, keeping her aim where she hoped any Grimm's head would emerge from around the corner. She silently gulped, slightly nervous but trying not to show it, running through her combat plan; on visual of the enemy, she would commence indiscriminate firing at the enemy, unless the sound attracted other enemies, or there was another order from her leader.

[Pyro_Ferno]

Nero heard the Beowolves before they appeared, as an extra sensitive set of second ears were that useful. She then pressed herself within shadows, as well as being downwind, thanking her lucky stars she hasn't shifted lately. I swear, it takes forever to get the smell of sulfur and ash out of these clothes, Nero thought. Prepping Death Bell to do most of the work, as Nightshade was already a shotgun, Nero prepped for a few silent take-downs.

[Dusty]

Gwylan nodded at Aurora and stepped to the right side, brushing against the opposite wall. He really wasn't in a good position here. Sure, he could fight in the maze, but there was every chance that he'd be knocked into the girls' line of fire and take a shot meant for the Grimm.

He didn't have enough time to think of a way around this problem, though, so he decided to do the next best thing: wait for the Grimm to get close, then pounce. If he could pin one against the wall, even for a second, it'd give the others the opportunity to finish off the others while he handled that particular problem. Plus, he'd present himself as the biggest target, which might keep them off Tina and Aurora. Something about Nero made him feel that she'd be annoyed if he kept the fight from her though. Still,not the best idea, but it'd have to work. Gwylan waved his hand to the girls to get their attention, and then used his trident to indicate slamming something off the wall beside him. Hopefully, they'd get the memo.

Now the fun was really beginning. Most would be nervous at the thought of fighting their first Grimm, but Gwylan was mostly excited. This was what he'd wanted in his life, the thrill of fighting and the glory of victory. No beast was gonna take him down, not with his skills, and his new team. This was going to be glorious!

[The Mythic Scribe]

This was it then. Aurora nodded to show her assent for Gwylan's plan, lifting her right arm to prepare to throw.

It seemed like an eternity to Aurora, but in reality it was probably only a few seconds. The first Grimm rounded the corner and showed some sort of surprise at seeing the three. It quickly got over this though, growling to the other two and snarling at the team. The one on the left used its claws to get a grip on the walls of the hedge maze, clearing the thing in one bound to turn back down and prepare itself for attacking from above. The other two slowly crept forwards, beside each other, not good for Gwylan's plan.

Aurora moved before the Grimm did. Quickly, she threw both knives at the Beowolf on the right, then used her semblance to repel the knives, both actions trying and succeeding to push the Grimm out of the way and hopefully giving Gwylan the opportunity to slam the middle one. Resisting the instinctual urge to hold out her hands while using her semblance, Aurora readied two more knives, but did not throw them, focusing instead on the pushing and hoping that Gwylan made his move soon.

Up on the wall, the remaining creature turned its head quickly from left to right before choosing Tina to attack, not noticing Nero in the shadows. It growled, hunched down, then sprung forward, leaping off of the hedge maze's wall and straight at the small girl who it'd apparently singled out as the least imposing target.

[MonsterManic]

As soon as the first Beowolf turned the corner and got hit by Aurora's knives, Tina opened fire on it, shooting the Grimm with 4 rounds from both revolvers, following her plan to fire indiscriminately. The sounds of the bullets leaving the chamber brought memories of her training at the old firing range to her head, each round making the sound she'd come to memorise, know and love. What was the quote again? "I love the smell of Dust in the morning."

Refraining from firing at the centre one for fear of hitting Gwylan, she almost failed to notice the third Beowolf leaping at her from atop the hedge. Yelping half in surprise and half in fear, she instinctively changed both revolvers to their melee forms and braced them in an X in front of her, hoping it would be enough to hold off the beast until something else got it's attention.

battle data: ShowHide

Rounds: 8/12 for both revolvers

[Pyro_Ferno]

Luckily for Tina, Nero was near enough to react. Moving with speed and grace that spoke of years of training, much longer than possible for Signal to have taught her. Interposing Nightshade between Tina and the claws, Nero gave three quick slashes to the Beowolf's chest and one to the left eye.

The Wolf was then redirected to be facing Nero, who was still within protecting distance of Tina. Nero was also growling at the Beowolf, very much like a canine. Her stance screaming 'come at me, you wouldn't bet the first'.

[Dusty]

Gwylan dived the moment he heard Tina's guns stop firing, throwing himself into motion he'd practised almost religiously, to prevent him impaling himself on his own weapon, which would be beyond embarrassing. Imagine the girls' faces if he'd down that. He'd never be able to live it down.

Not that he'd be doing much living if he didn't stop that Beowolf. At least he was in it's way now, and it looked hungry. But then, so do most things that are leaping at you with open mouths. Keeping to a crouch and slamming the base of Irvine against the ground behind him, Gwylan sharply swung the trident in an arc beside him, using the ground as a fulcrum to catch and swing the Grimm over his head, it's own momentum working against it, and slam it into the ground on it's back. A deviation of his original idea, but it worked nonetheless.

"Aurora, switch! I'll handle the other, you finish this", Gwylan called to his lovely leader, before withdrawing Irvine and swinging a kick into it's jaw as he spun, hoping to stun it slightly as he darted a few paces forward and levelled his weapon at the third Beowolf, waiting for it's move.

[Pyro_Ferno]

Nero is completely relentless in her face off with the destruction of her challenger, not really stopping till it's dead. Her attacks are a dizzying array of slashes, stabs, and even hitting with the back of the blade, transforming Nightshade into a sword to help, all the while being perfectly quiet, with a focused glare. Once that happens, she moves on to the next closest foe.

[The Mythic Scribe]

The Beowolf that was targeting Tina was not happy at all about being interrupted. It bared its teeth and was about to attack when Nero did first, too confused with the girl's speed to be able to react well. It reacted quickly though, growling and jumping away from her, in the direction the group had come from, then turned to face Nero. It leaped once again, swiping a front leg at her.


In the meanwhile, Aurora nodded at Gwylan, pulling back the two knives embedding in the third Beowolf to then throw at the one that was starting to recover. They both stuck, one in its shoulder and the other in its abdomen. Taking advantage of the moment, Aurora removed her machetes from her back and descended upon the creature, ducking under a clumsy swipe and slashing at its legs to bring it to the ground. She sheathed her machetes and finished it with a throwing knife to the head, using her semblance to push it all the way through before pulling it back once again.

That done with, she noticed the third Grimm leap at Nero, immediately reacting by throwing one of the knives that'd been embedded in the recently killed one at her feet at the creature, striking the other one's front leg, throwing it a little off balance. Nero would have to deal from there.

The last Beowolf was viciously swiping at Gwylan, but cleverly retreating quickly, trying to stay out of the range of Gwylan's trident. As it saw Aurora turn her back though, it quickly turned its attention to her instead.

[MonsterManic]

Tina had closed her eyes in anticipation for contact before Nero thankfully intervened, fighting off the Beowolf that had set it's sights on her. Thankful for the reprieve, she moved back a few paces and surveyed the battle. One was already down from Aurora's knives, while Gwylan was fighting the other.

Turning back to her own fight, one of Aurora's knives knocked the Grimm off balance. Taking this opportunity, Tina swiftly aimed and fired 6 rounds from Sunrise, hitting the back and head of the Beowolf, further knocking the beast away, though accidentally toward Nero. She then turned and, noticing the remaining Beowolf targeting Aurora, she took a step forward and fired a shot from Nightfall, mostly to deter it from attacking her unsuspecting leader. Another two shots would be fired as soon as it turned toward her.

[Pyro_Ferno]

Thankful to her team for the generous opening, Nero prepared to finish off her current rival. Making sure to be able to block any counters from the Beowolf, she turned the flat of her blade to slam into the side of the Grimm's face. Her lack of much strength training more than lifting herself up a ledge made her need to throw her weight into the swing. This action would normally be impossible on a stable foe, but hey, at least she isn't built like her mother.

After successfully knocking the Grimm off its feet. She pinned it by standing on it, transformed Nightshade into a shotgun, and fired a shell into its face. Shire that it's dead, Nero rushed directly at the remaining Wolf, Nightshade acting as a guard again and Death Bell ready for a swipe.

[Dusty]

Gwylan snarled as he ducked under a vicious swipe aimed at his face. The beast was smarter than he'd given it credit for originally, either dodging back from his trident or getting in close so he couldn't wield it effectively. Using his dodge as an opportunity to snap the butt of his trident into it's abdomen and drive it back a few steps, Gwylan took a moment to assess his options while hopefully blocking his team from any charges it'd make.

Or maybe not, as the Beowolf leaped forward suddenly, growling it's superiority while knocking Gwylan's reactionary thrust aside, sending him stumbling to the side and leaving an opening for it to barrel through to Aurora's opened back. Thanking his lucky stars for Tina's quick thinking, and cursing his own stupidity for letting himself get caught out, Gwylan spun on his heel and took a few running steps after the Grimm and leaping into the air, throwing Irvine like a spear straight into it's back, knocking it off it's feet and sending it into a tumble towards Nero.

Gwylan, meanwhile, landed and stomped forward to retrieve his weapon and maybe beat the wolf to death, if the girls didn't get it first.