Dawn of Heroes

Lydia watches her housemate return home as the half-fairy shapeshifts from some kind of rodent to human body that she uses all the time these days. Gone are the days where she would just take whatever appearance suited her fancy at the time as Tamara is the tall, black haired beauty that she works as.

Lydia giggles at the thought of the mysterious and feared Fairy Knight working as a maid. It has been that way for a few months now and Tamara has taken to the job like a fish to water. In fact, Lydia is half-surprised that Tamara isn't in her maid uniform instead of the brown shirt and blue skirt that she has chosen.

"Are you okay?" inquires Tamara, pausing and looking over at Lydia.

"It's fine," Lydia reassures her, "I'm fine. I just found it amusing that you're both the Fairy Knight and a maid. One doesn't really go with the other when you think about them on its own."

"Hmm, I suppose that is good for the secret identity," says Tamara thoughtfully, "It is useful if it is harder for my foes to locate my place of work and my home."

"Yeah, I suppose that is good," agrees Lydia, "I really don't want any criminals to show up here, looking to get at you. Not that I blame you or anything because you're doing good work, but you know."

"You are a civilian and my fight is not your fight," says Tamara, "I shall endeavour to ensure the safety of you and Ellen."

"I appreciate that," Lydia tells Tamara solemnly, "Um, if you don't mind me asking, are you okay? I haven't since you sleep in forever and I noticed you haven't been eating any of the food."

"Ah, that," replies Tamara and Lydia could swear that for a moment, the half-fairy looks sheepish of all things, "I have recently moved beyond such things. My body no longer requires sleep, food, drink or air to survive as it is now sustained by the magic it naturally generates."

"That-urr-that is-umm," starts and stops Lydia, unsure of how to respond to that kind of news.

One of the interesting things about having Tamara as a housemate is that she will say or do something incredibly weird that you have no idea on how to react to. Lydia decides that this is another of those moments.

"I will still help pay for rent and food," promises Tamara.

"Ellen will appreciate that," comments Lydia, "Me too. Not that I just want you here for the rent and the money. But you helping out is something that we both appreciate."

"I'm happy to help," says Tamara as she smiles at Lydia, "Speaking of which, I am happy to put my skills to work cleaning here."

"You really like cleaning, don't you?" notes Lydia, returning her housemate's smile, "Don't worry, we appreciate that as well. Real nice to just come from work or wake up on my day off and not have to worry about the place being a mess."

"I am glad that my efforts are appreciated," says Tamara before giving Lydia one of those knowing looks, "Is there something you wish to talk to me about?"

"Only that I appreciate you being a good friend," says Lydia, "You're a weirdo in the nicest possible way and honestly, I think that is a good thing about you. You don't have the same dumb hang-ups that most people do."

"Got something to get off your chest?" inquires Tamara suggestively and Lydia laughs at her friend's perceptiveness.

"Yeah, I just like how you don't give me crap about my skin not being white enough," says Lydia with a slight growl to her voice, "Doesn't matter that my father is a proper Englishman or that me and my sisters were raised in London and brought up to be British. The fact that I haven't got the right colour skin is all that many idiots care about. But not you, you don't care about that stuff at all. Heck, you just treat skin colour as...as a shade of dress. Like picking the colour of your clothing. I just of hated that you could just be white at a whim, but I like it now because you don't care about that stuff."

"If anything, I like it the colour of your skin," replies Tamara as she shifts to the colour of skin in question, "I find it exotic and appealing to look at it."

"If only everyone could be like that," says Lydia with a sigh, "I just hate it how some people will just assume that I'm not English because of my skin colour. I don't freaking care that mum is Indian. I never been there, I don't know the culture or the religion. Dad brought me and my sisters up right and we know only British culture thanks to that. I don't know about some backwater beliefs, just what a proper Englishwoman should know."

"Did something happen?" asks Tamara, "You aren't normally this angry."

"More frustrating than anger," admits Lydia, "I just gotten one too many comments today and I need to vent. You make for a good person to vent to."

"Apparently I am," says Tamara before elaborating after an inquiring look from Lydia, "You are not the first person to complain to me about their problems or look to me for support and I suspect that you will not be the last."

"You get people Tamara," says Lydia, "You aren't a talker or someone who can whip up a crowd, but you are kind, caring and know what makes people tick and you use that to help them feel better. Ugh, I don't suppose I could talk you into making dinner."

"As I said before, I'm happy to help," replies Tamara as she swaps out her clothing for her maid uniform, "Dinner is easy enough to make. Shall I make enough for leftovers for another mealtime?"

"Sure, that sounds good," agrees Lydia, "Cold leftovers for breakfast is something I can get behind. Saves me more time in the morning. You're the best Tamara."

"Not quite, but I try," says Tamara and Lydia decides that for the better or worse, she is glad that Tamara entered her life.


A side story showing the current relationship between Lydia and Tamara. I haven't shown as much of their relationship as I originally intended, but their stories just don't overlap that much. They share the same home and interact there, but otherwise, there isn't too much that they got in common.

I might to another one with Lydia and Tamara hanging out, maybe having a girls' night out. I'll have to think about it, but that could be interesting.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

[X] Return maybe with help. As interesting as the man is, intercepting Iron Fist and the weapon is the priority and you need to focus on that. But perhaps you can tempt the man along by offering to lead him to Iron Fist.

As the man terms to leave, you decide that locating Iron Fist is the priority. This man doesn't seem to be a foe or threat whilst Iron Fist is providing the Consortium with a weapon against you. You don't know how effective it will be, but as a rule, you don't like to take unnecessary chances.

Still this man is potential ally in your eyes and you got something to offer him, a lead on Iron Fist. That said, you aren't the best talker and perhaps you should like your squire take point on this. Making sure that you got Sapphire Squire's attention, you indicate towards her than the man before speaking out.

"We have a lead on Iron Fist or Eisenfaust as you call him Mister...?" you call out to the man.

He pauses at the sound of your words before turning around to face you and your squire again. He stares at the two of you for a moment before speaking in that accented English of his.

"Sturmschwert," says the now named Sturmschwert, "What is this lead?"

"While I haven't been able to read anything in German, the Consortium are expecting him tonight on the other side of the river," replies Sapphire Squire and Sturmschwert focuses his attention on her, "He should be arriving soon and we were on the lookout for him before we came to investigate what you were doing."

"I see," mutters Sturmschwert, "Fine. How quickly could you get me to the other side?"

"Can you carry him?" you ask Sapphire Squire.

"Sure," answers your squire as she gives Sturmschwert a thoughtful look, "Couldn't go that fast however."

"Carry me?" repeats Sturmschwert sceptically, "I am not-oh."

The German stops speaking as Sapphire Squire summons her wings and flutters down. Grinning beneath your helmet, you transform back into an owl as Sturmschwert gingerly lets Sapphire Squire pick him up.

Picking up the pace, you decide to scout out the other side of the Thames while the slower Sapphire Squire and Sturmschwert cross. Swooping about, it doesn't take you long to spot another oddity.

In an out of the way area, you spot a group of men, a pair facing a trio. You easily peg four of them as the usual set of criminal thugs that you face, but the fifth man in the middle of the trio stands out.

Tall and muscular, the man stands firmly with thick plate armour on his body whilst an oversized gauntlet covers his right hand and arm, going all the way up to his elbow.

This man must be Iron Fist with that thick, heavy gauntlet on his right arm being his namesake. Swooping in, you carefully manoeuvre in to get a better look on the scene. While you can't be certain, it looks like a couple of Consortium goons picking up the weapon from Iron Fist, who has brought two goons of his own.

Noting that Sapphire Squire has followed you over to the scene, you are about to set yourself up for a surprise attack on the group when Iron Fist looks up and shouts a warning. Following the man's outstretched arm, you see that the German villain has spotted Sapphire Squire and Sturmschwert despite your squire's best efforts.

It appears that while a fight is going to break out, you won't be starting it with the element of surprise.

Sturmschwert is the fastest to react, jumping out of your squire's arms and rushing at Iron Fist. Crying out some words in German that you lack understanding of, Sturmschwert swings his sword at his foe, who nimbly dodges out of the way.

You make a mental note of that as despite his looks, Iron Fist is quite agile. One of the Consortium thugs charges at Sturmschwert, apparently unaware of either your presence or Sapphire Squire's. The street soldier's knife fails to connect with your new German ally, who parries it with his own blade.

Iron Fist takes the opportunity to let out a hearty laugh before slamming his fist into Sturmschwert. Sturmschwert goes staggering back, reeling from the blow as he almost doubles over.

Reacting to Sturmschwert's sudden presence, Iron Fist's bodyguards both draw a pistol from within their coats. Yet before either of them can even begin to aim their weapons, a boomerang strikes each of them with enough force to knock both off their feet and out.

Pleased at your squire's good work, you enter the fray yourself, landing next to Sturmschwert in your Fairy Knight form, encased in Torlyn and while Talatine is ready to swing. And swing you do as you whip your silver blade across the air at the thug. A single blow proves enough and within mere seconds, you and Sapphire Squire have taken out half of the combatants.

The last thug has a moment of panic on his face as he recognises the presence of you and Sapphire Squire, but it lasts for just that moment before the street soldier steels himself. With a look of grim resolve, he charges at Sturmschwert with his knife, understandable as the German is the only enemy that he can see.

The Consortium thug misses, but the distraction is enough for Sturmschwert to miss his second attack on Iron Fist. As Sturmschwert straightens and recovers from the earlier blow that Iron Fist gave him, Iron Fist prepares to give him another. His massive gauntlet swings towards Sturmschwert and if left unchallenged, it would smash into Sturmschwert again.

You do not let it go unchallenged as you deliberately place yourself between Sturmschwert and the incoming attack. You wince from Iron Fist slams into your chest, knocking you backwards slightly and leaving you reeling from the blow, but it is nothing that you haven't dealt with before. Just a moment to catch your breath and you'll be fully recovered.

As you watch Sapphire Squire give a brief tending to Sturmschwert, you focus on Iron Fist. The man is both skilled and armoured, but you are also skill and you have Talatine. Your silver blade slashes across the man's side, the magical blade slicing through metal and flesh alike.

Yet Iron Fist doesn't even flinch from an attack which would have lain most others low. Taking it in his stride, the criminal easily dodges another attack from a recovering Sturmschwert before stepping back.

Pulling out a fist-sized metal cube, he twists a section of it and the sigils engraved on the cube flow blackish-white. Your eyes widen as you faintly see the signs of a route to another Realm being opened and something appears in a cloud of dark wisps.

"Deal with that," says Iron Fist before the criminal turns and runs as the monster appears.

You glare at the monster which has appeared alongside a freezing cold that engulfs the immediate area with enough chill to it that things begin to freeze almost instantly. The beast is gangly with taut grey-white skin and a hunched back as it walks on all fours like some kind of ape with its thin, skinny arms being longer than its legs. It has solid black eyes and maw full of fangs as you struggle to get a proper view of it due to swirling cloak of darkness that partially conceals it from the world.

This is not a natural creature and it should not be in this Realm. It is supernatural predator that will feed upon people given the chance and given its magical nature, it will be up to you to end it.

The only question is if ending this monstrosity is worth leading Iron Fist get away with the ability to summon more of these things. If you focus fully on fighting this thing, then that might be enough for Iron Fist to successfully get away. But if you split your numbers to both fight this monster and chase Iron Fist, that carries risk of your own if you leave just one person to pursue Iron Fist or battle the creature.

What does Fairy Knight do?
[] [Fairy] Pursue Iron Fist so he doesn't escape to summon more of these things or give the Consortium the ability to do so.
[] [Fairy] Fight this creature before it can begin preying on the people of London.

What does Fairy Knight tell Sapphire Squire to do? (Will obey to her)
[] [Sapphire] Pursue Iron Fist so he doesn't escape to summon more of these things or give the Consortium the ability to do so.
[] [Sapphire] Fight this creature before it can begin preying on the people of London.

What does Fairy Knight tell Sturmschwert to do? (May not obey her)
[] [Sturm] Pursue Iron Fist so he doesn't escape to summon more of these things or give the Consortium the ability to do so.
[] [Sturm] Fight this creature before it can begin preying on the people of London.



This update took longer than I planned and while I'm not too happy with certain parts of it, it is good enough for me to post.

I've got to go out in a few minutes so I'm not going to say much. You got to Sturmschwert on your side, interrupted the meeting and discovered what the weapon that Iron Fist brought does.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

[X] [Fairy] Fight this creature before it can begin preying on the people of London.
[X] [Sapphire] Pursue Iron Fist so he doesn't escape to summon more of these things or give the Consortium the ability to do so.
[X] [Sturm] Pursue Iron Fist so he doesn't escape to summon more of these things or give the Consortium the ability to do so.

"Sapphire Squire! Sturmschwert!" you shout, "Pursue Iron Fist! Don't let him get away! I'll deal with this monster.

Sturmschwert is the first move, already in motion to chase Iron Fist even before you told him to. A moment later, you see Sapphire Squire going after both of the Germans as you focus on this beast.

The creature is ugly thing and you have no doubts that it is dangerous. This is a predator and from the looks that it is giving the people around it, conscious or unconscious, it clearly considers humans to be an acceptable part of its diet. You leap into action, bring up Talatine in a wide arc to hack the monster in two.

The creature ignores you reaching out with one of its long front limbs towards Sapphire Squire as she flies past. A murky tendril of cloudy darkness extends from the monster and splits up into multiple branches as it approaches your squire in a blink of an eye. Each section of the tendril wraps around a different part of Sapphire Squire and as your blade slashes across the chest of the creature.

Talatine penetrates into the monster's flesh, but at the same time, it doesn't. You feel something reject Talatine as your blade passes through the creature and whilst your blade has enough strength behind it to do some injury to the creature, Talatine is denied by the monster and the injury left behind is minor, barely enough to inconvenience the beast if even that.

You glower at the beast as Sapphire Squire topples out of the sky. You know that your squire will be fine, but you are still left angry at the monster for daring to attack her. The monster itself seems to harbour similar feelings towards you as it turns its head to face you and bares its teeth.

You swing at the monster, but your attack goes embarrassingly wide. A murky black tendril lashes out at you, but easily dodge it, rolling out the way. You dart in for another attack, but your foe scrambles back out of Talatine's reach before the blade can reach its flesh.

The monster sends another of its darkness tendrils after you, but it proves easy enough to dodge. You slash and hack with Talatine, but the monster keeps a healthy amount of space between you and you are unable to close the distance with your blade.

You eye the beast careful. It is quick and agile and while you have been skilled enough to hold it at bay for now, you aren't getting any attacks in either. As frustrating as it is, you take it as a sign that you have gotten to used to fighting mundane opponents since your exile. Magical foes usually present more of a challenge and you have been facing them against since the start of the year.

The monsters jumps in for another attack and you move to fight once again, but it catches you off-guard by pushing forward instead of jumping back. The tendrils of darkness wrap around your body and squeeze as murky clouds attempt to slip past your armour and up against your skin. You grasp you feel a sudden emptiness, a freezing cold that pushes down upon your spiritual being and drains your ability to move just as your physical body being frozen would.

But Torlyn holds firm, resisting this unnatural darkness whilst you grit your teeth and fight past the terrible chill sweeping through you. Gripping Talatine with both hands, you ram your sword up into the chest of the monster. The gleaming silver blade goes all the way through to stick out on the other side and the beast lets out a gasp before its body disappears into the shadows.

The damage done by Talatine is apparently enough to banish it back to its Realm and with the monster gone, the supernatural chill in the area goes away. The chill left by the darkness of the beast lingers in your body, but even goes with brief steadying of your mind.

Now the monster is dealt with, you need find Iron Fist. Sapphire Squire and Sturmschwert should already be after the villain, but you have yet to locate any of them yet. Taking the form of an owl once again this evening, you soar over the city below.

As expected of someone like her, Sapphire Squire is gone from where she fell and you have no doubts that she is on the hunt. That said, she hasn't left any proper tracks for you to follow as she chosen to use either her wings or grappling gauntlets.

You have more luck looking for the trails of Sturmschwert and Iron Fist. Neither of those two have been that subtle and while neither has been trying to draw attention, there are enough clues for you to follow the paths that they took.

Within minutes, you have located both of them, perched on a rooftop as they view a building on the other side of the street. You land next to them, shifting back into your Fairy Knight form and to your mild annoyance, neither of them overly react to your sudden presence.

"We followed Eisenfaust, that's what he goes by, and he went inside," reports Sapphire Squire as soon as she notices your arrival.

"I assume there is a reason that you haven't followed him in," you say, observing the building and noting it is some kind of fancy restaurant or maybe a hotel.

"It is a Consortium building, but it is also a upstanding legitimate business at the same time," answers Sapphire Squire, "They do shady business in the backrooms, but you got civilians going for a nice meal as well. I'm also certain some of those civilians are influential upstanding citizens who we don't want to unnecessarily upset. So while I'm sure we're all agreed that Eisenfaust needs to be dealt with tonight, it would be a bad idea to just charge in."

"Got a plan then?" you inquire.

"I was kind of hoping that you would show up so you can use your magic to scout it undetected," admits Sapphire Squire, "Once we got some proper intel on what is going on in there, we can come up with a plan to take down Eisenfaust."

"And if I hadn't arrived?" you ask, switching to mimicry as you transform into a cat.

"I would have figured something out," replies Sapphire Squire, "Not sure what, but you know me."

"True," you say as you make your away down.

Looking like an ordinary alley cat, you make your way across the street with any observers none the wiser as to what you truly are. With the road crossed, you head behind some bins to transform into a rat as the smaller body should more effective at covertly entering the building. A little look around and you haven't gotten inside undetected via an entry point usable only by a creature of your current size. You have to be more careful once inside. Undoubtedly thanks to Iron Fist or Eisenfaust as he is apparently called, the people inside seem to be alert and there are abnormal amount of shady men prowling about. More than once you are almost spotted and if it wasn't for your small and unsuspecting body,

Once inside, you look around for a few things. Eisenfaust and the weapon are the main priority of course, but you also look around for possible entry points for Sapphire Squire and Sturmschwert alongside any opportunities to take advantage of.

It is a bit hard to get about with everyone on the lookout for you, but you eventually find Eisenfaust in one of the backrooms, speaking to a well dressed man in a suit.

Having confirmed where the criminal is located, you move onto your secondary objective of finding an entry point for Sapphire Squire and Sturmschwert to get in. While they could easily enter via the roof, that would risk disrupting the public and legitimate parts of the restaurant. So you look for a way into the back and underground parts of the building, especially as latter is definitely larger than it should be.

After a few minutes of searching, you find a guarded cellar with a thug standing watch over a set of stairs leading up to hatch. Or is it a set of doors? Whatever the correctterminology is, it is what you have been looking for. You just need a way to access it without the guard raising the alarm.

That means being discreet in taking out the thug. Remembering one of the prettier waitress you've seen running about, you head into the corridor above the cellar and make sure there is no one about. With no to spot you, you shift from a rat to a likeness of the waitress and use mimicry to finish off the disguise into something passable.

Putting your maid and deception skills to work, you enter the cellar, feeling oddly uncomfortable without your armour as you go to face a criminal.

"Oh," you say as enter the cellar, feigning surprise at the sight of the guard, "Sorry about this, but I was asked to fetch a bottle for a special guest."

"Just make it quick," says the guard, giving you a brief look before getting disinterested in your presence.

"I will," you promise him truthfully.

While you primarily wield Talatine in battle, you are no slouch with your fists. A couple of quick jabs later and you are catching the body of the unconscious guard before he can hit the floor.

Placing the body out of the way, you open up the door-hatches to the outside. You step outside and within a moment, Sapphire Squire swings over.

"Sturmschwert is just following," says Sapphire Squire, pointing to where the swordsman is climbing down a building.

You wait politely for your temporary ally to show up as without a hurry, a couple moments won't cost you anything.

"Eisenfaust is inside, meeting with a man who I believe to be a representative of the Consortium," you inform Sapphire Squire and Sturmschwert, "I have disguised myself as one of the waitresses and taking out the man guarding this entrance, but I wouldn't rely upon this disguise to hold up if we encounter any actual staff members, especially since the woman I am pretending to be is still out there."

"Do you have a plan for entry?" inquires Sturmschwert.

"I think we should exchange some information first," suggests Sapphire Squire, "We aren't in a rush except to get this done tonight so I believe it would be a good idea to make sure everyone is on the same page."

"That is a good idea," you agree while Sturmschwert nods his approval, "The monster was magical, but I wasn't able to determine its exact nature. It was agile and hard to hit with what few attacks that did land encountering some of resistance that I was unable to identify. It's darkness tendril is capable of hurting someone to the point of death, but the main threat of it is a supernatural chill that prevents you from moving."

"That chill is nasty," confirms Sapphire Squire, "I got hit and it left me unable to move for a few seconds even though I didn't get hurt."

"Speaking of getting hurt," you say, reaching out to your squire with your healing spell.

"Right," says Sapphire Squire as you heal the scrapes and bruisers that she has picked up before she turns to Sturmschwert, "Fairy Knight has healing magic. It isn't powerful, but it is useful for healing with minor injuries."

"Ah, thank you," says Sturmschwert as he lets you heal his injuries with a touch through as his were more substantial, you keep the spell up for a few additional seconds, "Eisenfaust is a regular rival of mine. He is a former soldier and he has turned his skills to crime. While mercenary by nature, he has been kept on retainer by the local crime lord for some months now. He relies on brute force, both strength and endurance with the ability to both give out heavy blows and receive them. He is the closest thing I have to a regular enemy and neither of us have succeeded in defeating the other yet."

"I am similar from your description with my armour and sword through I must admit I am less dangerous without them," you say, "Beyond my armament, I have a handful of weak spells and my shapeshifting."

"I have my ultility belt, grappling gauntlets and my wings," volunteers Sapphire Squire, "My ring of invisibility also has a couple of hours of charge left in it."

"I have my sword and belt," says Sturmschwert, "My sword is modified to discharge a burst of electricity into whatever it hits to electrocute the target on top of any other harm. My belt is a bet of a leftover as it absorbs any electricity that hits me into it and I used it back when my older versions of my sword would electrocute the wielder alongside the target. It doesn't see much since I fixed that problem, but I keep as you never know when it might prove useful."

"Okay, now that we know what everyone can do, I can think of two approaches," says Sapphire Squire, "We can go either loud or quiet. Loud is where we got in and fight our way to Eisenfaust. Easier, but it would alert Eisenfaust to our presence and we risk upsetting the public side of the building if we get too loud.

The quiet approach involves trying to sneak up way to Eisenfaust, which I feel is doable. Fairy Knight has her camouflage spell and I can lend my ring to Sturmschwert. From what I've seen of you both, I got the best skills when it comes to stealth and I'm confident that I can do this without magic."

"I'm not sure how effective being stealthy will be," you comment, "They seemed very alert when I was scouting it out."

"This is your city and you have both proven competent," says Sturmschwert, "I shall defer to your judgement on how we proceed."

"Your call Fairy Knight," says your squire as both she and Sturmschwert look at you.

What does Fairy Knight choose to do?
[] The Loud Approach. Hit hard and fast to take down Eisenfaust before he can get away.
[] The Quiet Approach. Attempt to sneak in to maintain the element of surprise and keep Eisenfaust from preparing for you.
[] Write-in.



I was originally going to stop at the rooftop scene with this, but the update seemed a bit short so I decided to do Tamara's infiltration of the building as well and go from there with the vote. I given what are the two most obvious approaches to me, but you have something else in mind, feel free to suggest that.

As for the monster, the reason it went down so easily was because it was a minion and therefore goes down in one good hit. I don't really have much to comment on apart from the fact that I haven't shown as much of Sturmschwert as I would have liked or originally intended.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.

[X] The Quiet Approach. Attempt to sneak in to maintain the element of surprise and keep Eisenfaust from preparing for you.

"We'll take the quiet approach," you declare, "Stealth may not work, but if it does, it will get us and the advantage and if it fails, we haven't lost anything by trying."

"Alright," says Sapphire Squire as she disappears her gauntlet and take off a cheap ring, "This is my ring of urban invisibility, It makes you impossible to see with the human eye in urban environment. While it is a ring, you can just keep it on you and it will work. You can also make yourself visible for up to five people. That's why you and Fairy Knight have been able to see me while it has been active."

"Thank you," says Sturmschwert as he takes it from her, "If I place it on my belt...?"

"It works," declares Sapphire Squire as the German disappears from your view, "Everyone ready to go?"

"Yes," answer Sturmschwert as he reappears, "I'll have questions, but they can wait until later."

"I shall lead the way," you say as you switch from the waitress back to your Fairy Knight form, casing yourself in Torlyn and activating your urban camouflage spell, "Try not to get spotted or bumped into."

The journey into the building is eerily quiet as you lead Sapphire Squire and Sturmschwert to the meeting room where you spotted Eisenfaust. There are a couple of close calls where your squire is nearly spotted, but Sapphire Squire proves to be quite skilled at staying out of sight. She is certainly better than you as you are certain that under the same circumstances, you would have been spotted.

"We'll go straight in," you whisper as the three of you eventually make it to your destination, "We cannot afford to dawdle and our enemies to be alerted to our presence."

"I shall deal with Eisenfaust," Sturmschwert whispers back as you approach the door.

After checking that the door isn't locked, you kick it open, having previously decided that opening it normally would be too slow. As you survey the room for the summoning cube, Sturmschwert rushes in as he charges at Eisenfaust. The villain brings up his fist to block, but Sturmschwert has the element of surprise and for once, his blade hits home.

There is a flash of lighting where the sword strikes Eisenfaust and the man jumps back from it as electricity courses through his body. Yet despite the blow, Eisenfaust just straightens himself up and glares at Sturmschwert, no worse for the wear.

You focus on the other occupant of the room however. A reedy looking man, he clutches the cube in one hand as he stares at you wide-eyed. You move swiftly, slashing with Talatine at the hand holding the cube. Your blade connects and with a cry of pain, the man drops the cube and Sapphire Squire swoops in past you to grab it.

"Nein, du dummes Mädchen!" shouts Eisenfaust as he barrels past Sturmschwert to stop Sapphire Squire.

Eisenfaust's fist some hurtling towards your squire as she retrieves the cube. A strong, well-aimed punch it would have left a nasty blow on Sapphire Squire if it wasn't your actions. You physically place yourself between Eisenfaust and Sapphire Squire, letting the punch slam into you.

The blow rocks you, but you stand firm and tall as Torlyn refuses to yield to Eisenfaust. Glowering at the air where he knows you are, Eisenfaust almost doesn't see Sturmschwert. That said, you are fairly certain that Eisenfaust didn't and just has some good reflexes combined with some poor aiming on Sturmschwert's part as Eisenfaust jerks away from Sturmschwert's lighting sword.

Yet the dodge has left Eisenfaust out of position and you seized the opportunity as you slash him across the back with Talatine. Eisenfaust lets out a grunt of pain as you draw blood and as Sapphire Squire exits the room with the cube, you reposition yourself in front of the doorway to block Eisenfaust from pursuing your squire.

"Get out of the way woman," sneers Eisenfaust as he glares at the seemingly empty space that he knows you occupy.

"Make me," you tell him.

And so he does. Charging at you, Eisenfaust slams his fist into your gut and you let out a gasp of pain as the heavy blow leaves you reeling. Almost doubling over, you feebly swing Talatine at Eisenfaust as Sturmschwert makes his own attack, but it is nothing more than a gesture of defiance as your sword has no chance of hitting.

Ignoring his rival even as the blade tears into his flesh, Eisenfaust continues to focus on you as he smashes his fist into the side of your face. You cry out in pain as it knocks you off your feet and sends you flying, The world blurry and unable to focus on anything, you slam into the doorway with a loud crack.

"She's waking up," says Sapphire Squire and you frown at the sound of her voice as your head throbs with pain.

"What happened?" you demand as you call upon your healing spell to deal with the pain in your head and the lesser pains in other parts of your body.

"Short version?" replies Sapphire Squire as you realised that you are on a rooftop with her and Sturmschwert, "I got out with the cube and distracted the guards, Eisenfaust knocked you out, Sturmschwert knocked Eisenfaust out and he got you out and we met up here."

"I see," you state, feeling annoyed at how you've been taken out once again this year, but you don't let that annoyance show as you face Sturmschwert, "Thank you for saving me. It must have been hard to let Eisenfaust get away."

"It was an easy choice," replies Sturmschwert.

"Nonetheless, thank you," you tell him before turning to Sapphire Squire as you get to your feet, "The cube is secure?"

"For now it is," answers Sapphire Squire, "I put up a temporary ward around it in a concealed location to keep the cube safe, but we'll want to take some long term measures sooner rather than later. I did have to go into the public area to get out, but I was able to avoid looking bad by yelling I had the bomb and holding out the cube. Hopefully people will think I was there getting rid of the bomb rather than something bad."

"Good work," you say before switching back to Sturmschwert, "Do you still wish to continue your hunt for Eisenfaust?"

"The deal was foiled and the weapon is ours," answers Sturmschwert, "While I would like to see him arrested, I am content with tonight's work and I am unsure if he could be held under the local laws."

"Probably not," admits Sapphire Squire, "He has committed crimes, but nothing we can prove unless we want to give up the cube, which we can all agree is a bad idea. Eisenfaust might be held if bad feelings against the Fritz and the Consortium hangs him out to dry, but that doesn't fee like justice to me even if he does have it coming."

"Your call," you say to Sturmschwert, "My squire and I have achieved our goals, but we are willingly and able to assist you if you wish to continue your pursuit of Eisenfaust."

"I shall not," replies Sturmschwert, "I do not see how beating him up against is a good use of our time and I am growing tired for the night as I lack your magic. While I hoped to start my journey home tonight, at this point, I would appreciate somewhere safe to stay."

"I believe that I can manage something along those lines," you tell him as you share a glance with Sapphire Squire, "Our base is secure private property with some living space. You can sleep there for the night."

"That is most welcome," says Sturmschwert, "Could you lead the way?"

"Of course."


"I'll spend today on a proper long-term warding," you tell Sapphire Squire as you meet her in the workshop the next morning, "I spoke with Mr Wallis and he agrees that we ought to safely secure the cube so he has given me the day off to do so."

"I'll help where I can," replies your squire, "I'm going to be going soon. I'll spend a few more minutes fixing up my gear, but I got to go soon. School and all that."

"I understand," you say before glancing in the direction where you know Sturmschwert is sleeping, "I'm going to speak with Sturmschwert before he leaves."

"What about?" inquires Sapphire Squire and you pause as you consider just what you are going to ask him.

What does Fairy Knight speak to Sturmschwert about? (Top three will win)
[] His past encounters with Eisenfaust and why their rivalry is strong enough for him to follow Eisenfaust to another country.
[] Why he became Sturmschwert and compare notes on how you operate as costumed vigilantes.
[] If he knows how Eisenfaust acquired the summoning cube or any other information on where it came from.
[] Inquire after any other encounters with the supernatural or weird things.
[] Small talk and just generally trying to socialise with him.
[] Ask about how his sword and gadgets work and offer to show him of your magic in turn.
[] Write-in.



After this fight, I'm definitely going to give options to boost Fairy Knight's defence in the next time skip. It might be just me, but it feels like she has been taken out too often recently, but that might just be the result of me giving her foes within her power range rather than below it.

The next update will be socialising with Sturmschwert and getting some info on either him, the larger world or whatever else you feel like asking about. I'm kind of hoping to expand the world to be something beyond the British Isles or even just London, but these things take time as I can only introduce so much at once without rushing things and/or scrimping on details.

Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.