King of Thieves

Johann was sitting on his bed staring at his reflection in the mirror with his red left and his grey right eye, starting off his morning routine as he normally did when he had company issues to deal with, putting on one of his official uniforms of the West Fiore Trading Company, a white formal shirt and a comfortable, grey vest over it, a striped black and white tie around his neck with his amulet in the shape of a black cross dangling beside it. He put on his white gloves , tied the sheath with his rapier to his belt and, last but not least, tucked the pin with the Company symbol to his vest, right above his heart where he usually put it. It was a symbolic gesture that signalled what the West Fiore Trading Company and its members meant to him. Still, it was no coincidence that he had been pernickety while putting together his attire for the day as he had been tasked with a special mission by the CEO himself.

There were two things that required his attention: The first being the more urgent of the matters, a Company convoy that had been on it's way to Era seemed to have been attacked by a criminal organisation calling itself "The Cartel", or at least that is what had been reported by the members of the WFTC that were there. Johann's job was to locate the stolen shipment, bring it back if possible and teach whoever stole it the important lesson that the West Fiore Trading Company would not tolerate the illegal appropriation of its wares. He was also assigned a partner for this mission, leading to the second of his tasks: His job partner was Yona Hisamori, the newest member of the WFTC. He was to introduce her to the company's CoC and protocol when it came to representing the WFTC officially. Johann didn't mind, but he was still somewhat suspicious of the newcomer that had tried to steal from the Company herself, only being accepted as a new member upon the CEO's direct request. He sighed, leaving his room and locking the door behind him as he made his way down to the mess hall to grab his breakfast. He would take his time with that, there was no need to rush, after all.

Feeling refreshed and good to go he opened the mahogany front doors of the WFTC headquarters building only to see Yona already sitting there, seemingly somewhat annoyed, waiting for him. He gave her a friendly smile while making his way over "Good morning, Miss Yona. As you know" he explained to her "we have been tasked with retrieving a special company shipment. We will have to show some unfortunate souls that meddling in the Company's affairs means trouble, and we will be representing the West Fiore Trading Company while doing that. With that being the case, I expect discipline while on this mission ." he finished his introduction, knowing that the girl wouldn't like what he had to say, still he kept a warm and friendly tone. "If you think you are ready, Miss Yona" he followed up "would you follow me to a more quiet spot so we can begin our mission ." while stepping off the road and walking towards the woods behind the HQ.

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Word Count: 555
Word Count Total: 555 / 2.000

Johann sighed at the girl's comment. It seemed she didn't really understand why he was asking that of her. The Company's reputation was at stake, and she was representing the Company itself while out on a mission. Her mistakes would be the Company's mistakes, and Johann was not willing to tolerate any damage to the West Fiore Trading Company, his family. "Please" he gave back in a manner that the girl would certainly understand "just don't screw this up for us, alright ?". Johann would've prefered doing things his own way as well, but he was bound by company regulations and he wasn't necessarily bent on breaking them, and as much as Yona disapproved of that, he'd have to make sure to enforce the rules as her superior.

Johann turned sharply, heading straight into the woods, Yona following closely behind him. The whole reason he was walking away from the HQ was because he didn't want to make a spectacle out of what was going to happen like the first few times he did it, but he learned his lesson, trying to avoid curious spectators and collateral damage as much as possible. There was no need to let the whole world know that he could do what he was about to show Yona, the dry grass and leaves crunching under his feet as they made their way to a small clearing free of trees.

Johann stopped and turned around to face his job partner upon hearing her question. "We will be heading to the "forgotten desert", and as mysterious as that sounds, we know exactly where these lowly thugs have set up their base of operation thanks to the intel that has been given to us by the members of the company that have already dealt with them. Our goal will be to destroy the organisation by any means necessary and retrieve the stolen shipment. And no," he concluded "we will not be taking a ship. That'd give them too much time to act." Johann now spread out his arms, each hand making a fist, a large white magic circle appearing under their feet. "I hope you are ready." Both Yona and Johann turned into wind in an instant, reappearing just a few seconds later, a couple hundred feet outside the massive ruins where "The Cartel" had set up camp. What Johann hadn't told Yona, it may or may not have been intentional, was that she had to cover her ears or the air pressure in the teleportation spell would hurt them a small bit. Nothing permanent, just a little lesson to teach the rude girl some manners ... .

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Word Count: 440
Word Count Total: 995 / 2.000

Johann, along with Yona, now found himself close to their destination, the ancient ruins before them. Lucky for them, it looked like they had stumbled right into a duststorm that would mask their presence, making it easier for them to take a stealthy approach. As soon as the spells effect stopped the girl with the emerald green hair started complaining, Johann had anticipated such a reaction, it was his fault after all. He crouched, taking cover behind a large rock, signalling for Yona to get down as well "Shhh- keep your voice low. They will likely patrol the area. I don't want to be discovered right away, if possible. Let's try and take out as many as we can without alarming the rest." Johann, waiting for Yonas response, peeked over the cover their rocky cover, his red left eye slowly beginning to glow. The red rune that was situated on his pupil, normally invisible, started to show, enhancing his vision through the sand and dust of the desert by a great deal.

His eyes were wandering over the dunes and the old, ruined stone monuments and partially collapsed buildings, looking for any sign of activity when he spotted a group of 5 people closeby, about 100 meters away from their own position. The men, dressed in long coats and turbans well suited for the environment, all wielding a different weapon, seemed like a randomly assembled little band, far from what one would call a soldier. It was self-evident that these people were cannon fodder for The Cartel, not really used to the job, but criminals and thugs nonetheless. "A group of 5, around 300 feet away, all with melee weapons, don't seem to be mages." He gave Yona the quick rundown of the situation. "Confident enough for your first fight as a member of the Company ?" Johann asked the green haired girl jokingly, not expecting a response. He waited for a few seconds before once more leaning over their cover, his finger pointing at one of the grunts, taking aim with his magically enhanced eye. "Let's go" he said, accumulating and compressing air at the tip of his index finger into a bullet, shooting the projectile using even more compressed air at high speeds, giving off a soft "umpf" sound. A fraction of a second later, the most left of the small group collapsed, the shot had hit him at the head. The others now sprung up, alarmed, but confused about what had just happened. "4 more to go, your turn ..." he grinned at Yona, a twisted smirk on his face, before standing up and drawing his rapier, the sand and dust still whirling all around them.

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Word Count: 450
Word Count Total: 1.445 / 2.000

HP: 220 / 220
MP: 110 / 120

Defeated Enemies:
- 1 / 15 Cartel Recruits (weak)

Spells Used:
- Pressure Rifle (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 5)

Abilities Used:

Johann, rapier in hand, listened to the green haired girl named Yona telling him she had an idea before she stormed off, making her way from cover to cover, holding her hands in a manner that made him think she was preparing a spell. Johann stood, seeing her clearly as she got behind a broken wall and was approached by two of the group. Johann was prepared to make his way over to her, and if he had to, he would be there in less than a second, ready to protect the woman who was now part of his family, and cut down their enemies, but she seemed to have other plans as she got out of cover again, the two grunts following her closely. Luckily, she seemed to be able to outrun them failry easily and started making her way back to the spot where she had started out at, and Johann finally understood that Yona had encircled them with her spell. She arrived just seconds later, completing her encirclement and, for a few seconds, the tension was almost tangible before an explosion lit up the shade cast by the enormous clouds of dust. Then, another one, followed by screams and more explosions.

It continued for a few seconds, the explosions lighting up the area while giving off extremely loud cracking sounds, periodically interrupted by bone shaking screams of pain before eventually, all beside the storm around them turned silent. Johann took a few steps away from the cover and towards what he figured to be a minefield, seeing the havoc that the green haired woman standing before him had caused, the twisted and lifeless bodies of the 4 scattered all around, their blood staining the white sand red. "Very impressive, most certainly" Johann commented on the now defeated opponents "but ..." he didn't have to go into any more detail as the sound of more people approaching could be heard in the distance. "It appears as if we are going to have some company soon" he sighed, looking over to his right, spotting a group of around 30 more grunts approaching, incoherent screams, muffled warcries and the sand of the desert filling the air.

"Here we go again" Johann said to himself before getting down on both legs and his left hand, holding his rapier in his right, storming forward at inhuman speeds mere moments later, breaching the sound barrier with the characteristic, loud boom in an instant. The poor man had no idea what happened to him as Johann seperated his body into two with the blade of his rapier and the full force of his insane velocity, but he had no other choice. From now on it was either us or them he thought, being propelled forward by compressed air once more, ramming his rapier into a grunts chest, the man before him collapsing without delay. Another one got close to him, swinging a war axe at Johann. The attack was clumsy and it was obvious that his opponent had no real experience with melee combat, so Johann simply moved around the attack with his superior reflexes, knocking the man out with his elbow before sending a wave of pressurized air from his rapier at another one that was cut down by the force of the attack. Before he knew, he found himself in the middle of a small, yet hectic battlefield.

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Word Count: 566
Word Count Total: 2.011 / 2.000

HP: 220 / 220
MP: 110 / 120

Defeated Enemies:
- 9 / 15 Cartel Recruits (weak)

Spells Used:
- Sonic Slash (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell
- Sonic Boom (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell

- Pressure Rifle (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 4)

Abilities Used:
- Ancient Odem (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2)

"What the hell ?" Johann couldn't help but be amazed at the sheer stupidity of some of these idiots. Yona would strike a seductive pose for them and they came running straight into a minefield without a second thought. The only real explanation Johann could think of was that the girl was using some sort of magic to manipulate these fools. Still, he took a second to watch, stopping completely in the midst of battle to spectate. Shaking his head, Johann turned his attention back to the group of grunts around him. This proved to be wise decision as just a second later Johann turned to see a blade flying in his direction. He raised his rapier just in time to block the throwing knife, looking up to see a robed man standing a few meters away, his hands full of blades. "You think you're a tough one huh? I'm the captain of these dirty desert rats" the man exclaimed loudly before continuing "and this is what you get for messing with The Cartel, grandpa !" , throwing all of the blades at once, the sharp projectiles cutting through the air towards him.

Johann had enough of wasting time with the small fish, figuring that setting an example would demoralize the bunch and cause them to flee, or at least he hoped so, especially if he could take out their commander. With that, for the first time ever, he spoke the words that had been engraved in not just his mind, but also his right shoulder, the set of runes covering it now glowing in an intense, deep blue. "Indomabilis", the words calmly left his lips as everything around him started to slow down until it all moved as if in slow motion. Johann, however, could still move freely and at his normal speed. As time was distorted to his benefit he, with no haste, walked through the sand that was slowly flying around before him towards the man that still posed as if he had just let go of the throwing daggers, hitting every single blade that was flying in his direction at a ridiculously low speed out of the air with his rapier before positioning himself before the man that had proudly proclaimed such arrogant words just seconds before.

Johann took aim with his rapier, holding his attack, and slowly, a horrified expression found it's way onto the mans face, before Johann's blade cut through the mans neck and seperated the head cleanly from his body. He decided that that was enough and time started to flow normally again, the daggers, along with the head of the man, fell to the ground. The rather violent sandstorm from before had now somewhat cleared up, allowing him to look around, seeing the horrified faces of men that were staring at him, taking steps back, dropping weapons or already running. His plan had succeeded and the undisciplined hoard was fleeing in all directions, and he couldn't help himself but smirk. He turned his head to see how his job partner was doing when he heard even more voices approaching, from what he could gather at least around 10 individuals, sighing at the inability to at least take a short break.

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Word Count: 539
Word Count Total: 2.550 / 2.000

HP: 220 / 220
MP: 115 / 120 +5 MP for regeneration every 3 posts

Defeated Enemies:
- 15 / 15 Cartel Recruits (weak)

Spells Used:
- Pressure Rifle (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 3)

Abilities Used:
- Ancient Odem (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 1)
- Prima - Indomabilis (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 5)

Yona quickly made her way back over to Johann, evidently somewhat impressed with Johanns abilities as the expression on her face gave away, the feeling of accomplishment making it's way into his thoughts. He wasn't one to show off really, but it was the first time he used the ability that his blood had provided him with, and he was pleased with the incredible strength and the impression that Indomabilis left behind. There was no time for pride or glory however as another group of warriors made it's way over to the two West Fiore Trading Company mages, quickly surrounding them.

The first one to act was not him, but the woman beside him, casting a spell that Johann had seen before, causing a shower of sticky, small drops of clear fluid to fall from above. She explained to him the exact purpose of the spell, Johann simply responding with a "Understood, nice job" before casting another spell himself, a grey magic circle appearing beneath his feet, streams of wind and pressure surrounding his body before he compressed it into a more tangible form, the compressed air encasing him to look akin to the armor of a knight, although in a highly aerodynamic shape, enhancing his acceleration even further. It was now that he realized that his job partner wasn't truly what he believed her to be, but actually a competent mage hiding behind a facade of snarky remarks and annoyed expressions. He was glad that the CEO made the decision to let her join the West Fiore Trading Company, although he kept it to himself as of yet.

Johann ran forward, a swordsman's scimitar flying towards him but ultimately missing him completely, striking the sand beside him, retaliating with a slash of his own blade across the man's chest. The group split into two, five going after Yona, the other four going after him, and he couldn't help but worry about the girl with the leaf coloured hair. She was a newcomer, after all, prompting him to glance over at her to see how she was doing just in time to see her finish off one of the men with two quick strikes and outstanding accuracy.

He also saw something else, a brute of a man, wielding an enormous hammer, no doubt of incredible weight, appearing behind her, ready to slam the weapon down at the unsuspecting Yona. Johann lost no time, exploding into a stream of pressure and wind once more to launch himself at speeds that made him invisible to the naked eye, but it was too late to stop the attack, and all he could do was use his own body to shield her, taking the full brunt of the attack to the arms he had crossed before his chest. He was certain that the monstrous weapon would've broken his bones with ease had he not had his armor, but he was launched to the side nonetheless, his arms and chest stinging with incredible pain. Still, he lost no time, the man's guard was down, so he raised his arm, an unfathomable amount of air pressure descending onto the brute, crushing him into a pulp instantly. "Open your eyes, new girl" he called out at Yona not with annoyance or hate, but a streak of care, in his voice before spitting out a bit of blood, ready to keep fighting.

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Word Count: 565
Word Count Total: 3.115 / 2.000

HP: 180 / 220
MP: 100 / 120

Defeated Enemies:
- 15 / 15 Cartel Recruits (weak)
- 3 / 10 Cartel Swordsmen (normal)

Spells Used:
- Sonic Slash (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell
- Sonic Boom (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell

- Pressure Rifle (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2)
- Mach1na (Duration left: 4 / Cooldown left: - ; Used the stored MP of an item to cast this spell)
- Pressure Crush (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 3)

Abilities Used:
- Prima - Indomabilis (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 4)

Johann pulled himself back up, a bit of red liquid running from the corner of his mouth, before he got back into a firm fighting stance, his right hand still clinging to the hilt of his sword. "Never been better" he gave back to Yona's question, who now made her way over to try and assist him as much as possible, pulling out a blade from the ground and engaging two of the Cartel swordsmen in melee. Johanns arms and chest were still aching, but it was manageable, and when the green haired girl called out for him, he did not hesitate any longer. Before the man knew it, the blade of Johanns rapier had pierced the unarmored neck of one of the two with an incredible speed, launching the man off his feet and into the side of a dune. He wouldn't get back up. Johann, who had lost his momentum, took one step back before jumping forward, his blade clashing with the scimitar of the swordsman beside Yona, sending sparks flying everywhere.

For a moment he struggled holding himself against the much larger blade of his opponent, but he quickly compressed air in his left hand before shoving it in the mans face, speeding after him as the ensuing shockwave violently launched the swordsman back, kicking the man into the sand mid-flight before compressing air in his left hand once more, forming it into a small orb and throwing it at him. The spell made contact the man and exploded instantly, causing a small, glassed crater to appear where the man had been just seconds ago, his now mangled body in its middle. "Maybe this hunt is gonna be fun, after all" Johann thought to himself, spotting two more soldiers making their way to his partner, a grin spreading across his face under the helmet of his armor.

With the compressed air propelling him forward again, he made his way back to and past Yona at a superior velocity, his rapier striking one of the men at the base of his arm with hypersonic speed before slicing it off entirely, sending the limb that was still grasping a weapon flying, and ramming his weapon into the man's side. These men had armor, that much was true, but as Johann knew all too well, every armor had it's weak spots, especially the low end mix of random metal pieces and leather stripes these thugs were wearing for battle. Still, Johann didn't underestimate them for a single second now that he had witnessed their level of prowess in melee first hand, and continued to keep his guard up, dodging around the attacks of another swordsman with unrivaled agility before appearing behind the man with unparalleled speed, his weapon emerging from the other side of the man's chest before he, too, fell to his knees and forward. Johann looked up, the fury of battle shining in his red left eye, to see that only 3 of the 10 swordsmen remained, the visibly cowed bunch standing before them, a satisfied expression finding its way onto his face before he turned his head to his job partner to see how she was doing.

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Word Count: 531
Word Count Total: 3.646 / 2.000

HP: 180 / 220
MP: 95 / 120 +10 from natural MP recovery every 5 posts

Defeated Enemies:
- 15 / 15 Cartel Recruits (weak)
- 7 / 10 Cartel Swordsmen (normal)

Spells Used:
- Sonic Slash (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell
- Sonic Boom (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell

- Pressure Rifle (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 1)
- Mach1na (Duration left: 3 / Cooldown left: - )
- Pressure Crush (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2)
- Pressure Bomb (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2 ; Used the stored MP of an item to cast this spell)
- Pressure Grenade (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 3)

Abilities Used:
- Prima - Indomabilis (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 3)

Johann tried to make his way back quickly, getting closer to the rest of the swordsmen and his job partner again when the three started spreading out, their weapons shining in the bright, scorching desert sun. They obviously had more experience and combat prowess than their fallen comrades given how their movements were more fluid, almost elegant,  in nature, quickly making their way through the spell that Yona had set up with little effect. They were obviously more intelligent and skilled, as they started getting closer quickly, two of them throwing something in Johann's direction. The spherical objects cracked upon hitting the ground before him, sand splashing up around, releasing a dense cloud of smoke with a sizzling sound that filled the area around him immediately. Johann was surprised and took a step back, readying his rapier in his right and crouching down a little, coughing as the smoke started to fill his lungs.

Johann was certain that this was to make it easier for them to surprise him, get a few hits and retreat back into the smoke before he could react, but he knew that his reflexes and speed would be faster, so he stood there, waiting for one of them to strike when he heard what sounded like steel clashing, realizing that he had misinterpreted the smoke. They didn't want to distract him to surprise, or even attack him, but try to separate him from his job partner. Johann had underestimated the three, but he knew that he wasn't gonna do it a second time, lifting up his left hand, a magic circle appearing beneath his feet. A bubble of concentrated air formed around his body almost instantaneously, exploding outward with a loud bang just a moment later, blowing away the smoke around him, sand and dust flying through the air. It looked like he had cast the spell just in time, seeing how Yona and one of the robed Cartel members quickly moving away from the other two and Johann while the two swordsmen had come rather close to him, their weapons ready to swing at the wind mage. In fact, one blade was already on its way to strike the elder male, slicing through the air and aimed at his back.

He barely had any time to act, but his incredibly fast reflexes saved him, another white magic circle appearing at his left hand that was pointing towards the man behind him. The air around him seemed to crystallize, being compressed so much that it formed a physical barrier around him, the swordsman's weapon simply bouncing off the surface. The air quickly dispelled, allowing Johann to move freely, the WFTC mage easily dashing around the robed man, stabbing his rapier through his shoulder, the sound of flesh ripping apart filling the air, before retreating back a few meters, two Cartel members now before him.

The one that was now injured had dropped his sword, fiddling in his pocket to try and pull something out, but Johann wouldn't give them another chance to use those smoke bombs on him, quickly storming forward, cleanly slicing off the hand that was holding the round object before slashing his rapier across the man's back with a large swing, backing off as the smoke lacrima hit the ground beside the other man. Once more, the smoke lacrima caused a large cloud of smoke to cover the surrounding area in a thick, white layer, only this time it wasn't Johann who was trapped in it. The man inside the smoke seemed to turn rapidly, disoriented, his head trying to make out any movement in the dense cloud, not noticing the WFTC approaching him from behind until it was too late and Johann catapulted forward, his rapier hitting the man's armor with the force of hypersonic speed, penetrating it along with the mans chest. He fell to the ground and quickly dashed out of the smoke, trying to make out Yonas position to see if she needed any help.

-------------------
Word Count: 667
Word Count Total: 4.313 / 2.000

HP: 180 / 220
MP: 100 / 120 +5 MP recovery every 3 posts

Defeated Enemies:
- 15 / 15 Cartel Recruits (weak)
- 9 / 10 Cartel Swordsmen (normal)

Spells Used:
- Sonic Slash (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell
- Sonic Boom (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell

- Mach1na (Duration left: 2 / Cooldown left: - )
- Pressure Crush (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 1)
- Pressure Bomb (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 1)
- Pressure Grenade (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2)
- Pressure Cloak (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 3; Used the stored MP of an item to cast this spell)

Abilities Used:
- Prima - Indomabilis (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2)

Johann watched from a small distance as the battle between the two women unfurled before him, Yona eventually striking down her enemy with a harsh blow to the neck, the foe lying before them in the scorching desert sands, motionless. With no more enemies in sight, Johann made his way over to the emerald haired woman, who seemed to have been injured a fair bit as well. "You okay there, new girl ?" it was more of a rhetorical question, he had seen the blow against her ribcage. "Here. Apply to the affected area" he jokingly told Yona before he spawned 3 little bubbles from his hand, sending 2 other to Yona. "That should heal the wounds entirely" he commented on the 2 bubbles floating towards her while he put the one he had kept on his arm, the swelling disappearing instantly. It were moments like these when Johann appreciated the natural affinity of Wind towards healing when he otherwise didn't need it.

The Vice President started looking around and over the remains of the small horde that had attacked them before turning his gaze back to the ruins. "It appears we still have a fair bit of work ahead of us. I hope you are ready" he told the recruit beside him before setting a foot forward, making his way to a half collapsed stone wall before looking over, trying to get a good look into the open ruins, not expecting the fireball that came flying towards him and only narrowly missed his face, splashing at the other side of the wall, sending sparks flying in all directions. "Yona. COVER" he shouted to the newbie without thinking as more fireballs started hitting the wall, bathing the surrounding area in red light and glowing cinder before a stream of wind sliced through his cover, the heavy stone brick wall now collapsing as Johann dashed off and to the side.

He turned and, as the smoke cleared, saw before him a group of 5, each dressed in a long, crimson red robe and wielding a shining steel staff with feathers at the top. Johann had no time to inspect them closer as another wave of wind came bursting in his direction, this time carrying with it the sand of the desert. The Cartel mage was undoubtedly trying to impair his vision but the speed mage was faster, bursting through the sand and sending a wave of pressurized air of his own that looked like it hit the man at the head before he collapsed. The two WFTC barely had had any time to relax and now found themselves in the midst of battle once more ...

-------------------
Word Count: 445
Word Count Total: 4.758 / 2.000

HP: 210  / 220 +30HP from healing
MP: 100 / 120

Defeated Enemies:
- 15 / 15 Cartel Recruits (weak)
- 10 / 10 Cartel Swordsmen (normal)
- 1 / 5 Cartel Mages (strong)

Spells Used:
- Sonic Slash (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell
- Sonic Boom (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell

- Mach1na (Duration left: 1 / Cooldown left: - )
- Pressure Grenade (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 1)
- Pressure Cloak (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2)
- First-Aid Bubbles (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 5; used the stored charge of an item to cast this spell)

Abilities Used:
- Prima - Indomabilis (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 1)
- Tornado's Wrath (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2)

Johann was quick to realize that the one he had just knocked out had been more than just a lucky hit as another one of the Cartel mages came closer, searing flames covering the figures staff almost entirely before the man started swinging down, Johann just barely evading the blow by swiftly jumping to the side, the inferno instantly glassing the sand where he had stood just a moment ago. Before Johann could even stand up straight the robed figure had elegantly swung their staff around, the burning silver now rushing at his back. Inside him, at this moment his mind went completely blank and his instincts took over, the cold and analytical mind being blown away by a firestorm of rage and hate. "Suscitatio" with a single word, his blood was almost literally guiding him and his cursed left eye turned completely black, a deeply crimson pupil shining in its middle and the runes that covered the left half of his body burned themselves all over his skin, now covering not just both hands, arms etc, but also the face before they, too, started shining in a blood red. Johann's arm went up, blocking the hit with the staff that was now red hot from the heat, burning away his clothes and flesh, but he paid the pain no mind, grabbing the staff with his free hand, producing a sizzling sound and pulling it, ripping it from the obviously startled and more than confused person before throwing it away with a large swing, the Cartel mage hastily stumbling back.

The skin on Johann's lower arm and hands was gone and his flesh charred, the wounds starting to close and the body regenerating in a matter of seconds. Before he could do anything the panicking fire mage was sending a wave of flames at him but he countered with his own blast, a sphere of pressurized wind blowing through the spell and sending glowing sparks and flame everywhere before Johann dashed forward, invigorated by the raw strength that his blood would temporarily grant him, grabbing the robed figure by the neck and lifting her up with his left arm. Now that Johann had gotten closer he could see the face of a woman under the red hood of the cartel, her hate filled eyes meeting his normal right and his black left eye as he was staring up at her, the mage struggling, fidgeting and flailing wildly as she tried to break free by any means necessary. Johann tilted his head to the side, looking at the woman fight for a few second as she was kicking him, punching his arm and unable to breathe while he was debating with himself, turning and throwing the Cartel mage into a nearby stone wall that collapsed on top of her from the force of the impact that shook the ground. It wouldn't quite kill the mage but Johann made sure that it would hurt for a long, long time.

Johann grinned sinisterly as the odds evened out, turning his attention to the rest of the robed mages to bear witness to something that completely wiped away the cruel satisfaction he was feeling, leaving him with the strong desire to hit himself in the face with his flat hand in shame. He discovered that Yona had not only made her way to the remaining mages, she had also raised her hands up, surrendering and pointing towards the brick wall he was standing at while telling them preposterous falsehoods, that he had forced her, that she'd give up and that she ... didn't like him ? The Speed mage was more than just confused for a second, truly believing that the woman was such a weak willed individual while doubting her allegiance when it dawned on him and he had to make an effort to actually keep himself from facepalming, realising that she was pulling the same trick she had used on those other ones earlier. He decided to play along. "She could really try and warn me about these things" the man sighed under his breath, annoyed.

"New girl ..." Johann called over in a dead serious voice, making an effort to put some of his anger into what he was saying "You do realize that traitors face a punishment worse than death ? When I will be done ripping out their organs and splattering them across the sands it's going to be your turn !" he kept talking, concentrating magic energy in his left hand, hoping that the group wouldn't notice the sudden shift of the wind around them. Lucky for him the bunch seemed intimidated by what they had witnessed just before, none of them attacking or even running as he got closer, one foot slowly following the other before he had finally come into an effective range for his spell, raising his hand to trap the 3 mages and Yona in a whirl of storm like winds that was picking up the sand of the desert, making it impossible for anyone in there to see a thing.

The green haired girl wouldn't exactly get out of that entirely unscathed, but it was a sacrifice Johann was willing to make to present the two of them with the opportunity to strike. He jumped forward, the pressurized air propelling him at enormous speed as he broke into the miniature dust storm he had created, flying into one of the robed figures fist first, the force of the impact launching them back and out of the whirlwind and into the side of a dune. That one wouldn't get up too soon either, and with that Johann maneuvered through the howling wind that carried with it the dust and sand that was whipping against the side of his face with ferocious force, trying to find Yona to pull her out of the spell that was turning everything within 30 meters into a potentially deadly projectile.

-------------------
Word Count: 992
Word Count Total: 5.750 / 2.000

HP: 220 / 270
MP: 65 / 120

Defeated Enemies:
- 15 / 15 Cartel Recruits (weak)
- 10 / 10 Cartel Swordsmen (normal)
- 3 / 5 Cartel Mages (strong)

Spells Used:
- Sonic Slash (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell
- Sonic Boom (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell

- Mach1na (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 7 )
- Pressure Bomb (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2; Used the stored charge of an item to cast this spell)
- Pressure Cloak (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 1)
- First-Aid Bubbles (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 4)
- Pressure Low (Duration left: 3 / Cooldown left: -)

Abilities Used:
- Tornado's Wrath (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 1)
- Suscitatio (Duration left: 5 / Cooldown left: -)

Johann, now standing in the middle of the whirlwind, turned and dashed out of the storm when he heard Yonas voice outside of the soaring vortex of dust and sand, his heightened senses helping him find his way through the wind since the farthest he could see was about 1 m in each direction. He broke through the thick layer of the dust storm , taking a second to come back to his senses as the desert sun blinded his enhanced vision , turning a few times to see Yona making a dash for a nearby wall, a tall man, wrapped in both a black coat with a white turban and excessive amounts of jewelry, a few meters behind her. He was about to storm off and help her as she drew out her own blade when the man drew his sword before he did something with his hand, a wave of pure energy gripping Johann by the shoulders and launching him back through the still raging storm, past the other two mages and into a sand dune a good 100m away from where he had just stood, crashing into the sand and sliding across, finally coming to a painful stop. For just a few seconds, he was lying there, his limbs and torso aching with pain as his cracked and crushed bones rearranged themselves and healed, a little stream of his own blood running from his forehead before the tiny drops splashed into the scorching desert sand and he spat out more of the crimson red liquid.

Johann slowly stood up, using his rapier to support himself before he raised his head. The attack had broken his own spell and the storm had dissipated, the two remaining mages now around 20 meters before him. One of the two was holding his side, obviously injured, his expression dominated by his pain and anger. The two men had dropped their robes for reasons unknown to Johann, revealing that they too were wearing the same black coats as the other Cartel members. "Looks like it's 2 on one now, grandpa. You're not gonna get past us. We'll make you pay for what you've done ..." one of the two bellowed out before a flame sprang forth from his hand. The other Cartel mage joined in, shooting a stream of wind from his hands as they combined their attacks to create a jet of flame that came rushing towards Johann, hitting the sand where had stood just a moment before as he acrobatically jumped to the side, glassing it instantly.

The WFTC mage had just about enough of the Cartel with their constant need to boast, their sketchy tricks and whatever else they came up with. He cared not for the two men, his real target was their leader, the tall one with the abnormal magic and the large scimitar. He had to end this sooner rather than later, and with that exploded forward towards one of the men. The other one however saw it coming and a wall of flame rose up before him as the other sent out a blade of wind, with the speed mage only narrowly avoiding the blow with the help of his magic and his lightning fast reflexes. This was bad. Johann couldn't make his way past as long as these two were still active. Yona would have to hold off the big boss on her own for a short while.

-------------------
Word Count: 575
Word Count Total: 6.325 / 2.000

HP: 160 / 270
MP: 70 / 120 +5% MP every 3 posts

Defeated Enemies:
- 15 / 15 Cartel Recruits (weak)
- 10 / 10 Cartel Swordsmen (normal)
- 3 / 5 Cartel Mages (strong)

Spells Used:
- Sonic Slash (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell
- Sonic Boom (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell

- Mach1na (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 6 )
- Pressure Bomb (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 1)
- First-Aid Bubbles (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 3)
- Pressure Low (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 5)

Abilities Used:
- Suscitatio (Duration left: 4 / Cooldown left: -)

Johann quickly dodged a fireball that came flying in his direction, creating a trail of sparks in the air around. The scorching desert sun combined with the flames and fire springing up everywhere made the air unbearably hot, and Johann jumped back a bit, trying to regain his composure. The battle had taken its toll on him, and he was breathing heavily, his rapier hanging in his blood covered right hand and dragging across the sand as he moved, the blood periodically forming small drops that splashed onto the ground and mixed with the sand. Johann raised his weapon, seeing that he had no other choice than to end this quickly, his sword sucking in the surrounding air before an aura of circulating air burst forth from the blade, coating it in the magic. The wind was spinning around the weapon at extremely high speeds, creating a razor sharp edge that would cut through pretty much anything, and Johann would use this to his advantage.

He held his weapon up, pointing the tip at the already injured Cartel wind mage before storming off again and towards the man. For the untrained eye it would look like the West Fiore Trading Company mage was teleporting across the battlefield, and his opponent was startled by the insane velocity of the speed mage, stumbling back. For a second, Johann could see the naked panic in the man's eyes before he was met by a hastily performed wind spell, quickly countering it with his own, neutralizing both before his sword slammed down and into the man's shoulder and chest, dragging across it a bloody red line before the Cartel member dropped to his knees and collapsed forward, his face hitting the sand as the life left his now motionless body. "Now those odds are fairer, don't you think ?" Johann turned to the remaining mage who, with eyes that made no mystery of his anger and hate, glared at Johann and bit his lip. "Save your sarcastic remarks, grandpa. Eat this !" the remaining Cartel mage bellowed out before a wave of flame dug across the sand and towards Johann.

The speed mage was tired of this cat and mouse game, a wave of pressurized air flying towards the firestorm as he released the magic from his blade. The spells clashed and flames were bursting into all directions, spreading across the desert sand bits of glowing ember and turning it black in a few places as the speed mage dashed through the flames, much to his opponent's surprise. Flames sprung up around his hands in an attempt to stop Johann but it was too late and the WFTC mages blade sliced through the man's chest, emerging from his back before Johann pulled it, knocking the man over before turning around towards where Yona and the big one were clashing. Johann's white company uniform was ruined, that much was certain. The left sleeve of his shirt was completely gone, burned away by the flaming staff of a Cartel mage. The rest of his formal shirt and his grey vest were stained with bloody patches and blackened spots that had been singed by the flames. However, at this moment he paid no attention to that as his eyes found their way to the other two, seeing the bamboo pierce the brute of a man at his legs and the sword rush towards Yona. "Hold out, new girl" he muttered under his breath as he got down on both legs and his left hand, accumulating around his extremities as much pressure as possibly before shooting off at the two with a thunderous and enormously loud cracking sound and at extreme speed, whirling around sand and dust where he had stood just a mere moment ago.

-------------------
Word Count: 628
Word Count Total: 6.953 / 2.000

HP: 140 / 270
MP: 80 / 120

Defeated Enemies:
- 15 / 15 Cartel Recruits (weak)
- 10 / 10 Cartel Swordsmen (normal)
- 5 / 5 Cartel Mages (strong)

Spells Used:
- Sonic Slash (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell
- Sonic Boom (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: -) Signature Spell

- Mach1na (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 5 )
- First-Aid Bubbles (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2)
- Pressure Low (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 4)

Abilities Used:
- Suscitatio (Duration left: 4 / Cooldown left: -)
- Ancient Odem (Duration left: - / Cooldown left: 2)
- Tornados Wrath (Duration left: 3 / Cooldown left: -)