Predicting the movement from the Rogue, Chesed shouted, "Double Jump!" They had to act ahead of time- it was nearly impossible to react to the Rogue's speed properly.
Without hesitation, everyone kicked off their heels and launched into the air- and then again mid-leap, the signature Ranger skill, Double Jump. Less than a second later, the space they had been standing on exploded in a blur of flashing throwing stars.
The enemy was fast. Too fast.
Mid-air, a strange sensation floated over Chesed as he fired his shot. A sensation he was familiar with. This arrow… if it hit, it would be a Critical shot. It was an ability imperative for every Ranger to master.
It arced downwards, fast and clean. The Rogue twisted unnaturally, the arrow merely grazing his ribs. Blood may have sprayed but the man didn't even flinch.
At the apex of his jump, Chesed landed on a tree branch, raising his hand up to his eye, Okhen flared.
A streak of darkness flashed, aiming straight for his heart.
"Chesed!"
Maedyn let loose a shot, trying to intercept the blur with a hard-pulled Arrow Blow- three consecutive arrows launched in a fan pattern.
The first missed, the second scraped his thigh, but the third caught him in the shoulder, starring him.
The Rogue hissed at the pain and- knowing that stagger would get him shot down immediately if he didn't move now, suddenly vanished. It was the Rogue ability, Dark Sight.
Chesed had to make a split second decision. Should he use Okhen or- Chesed ducked.
Twin daggers flashed over his head, but he was already rolling, spinning, coming up with bow drawn. The Rogue had committed- and missed. Chesed took his shot.
It landed.
Directly in the Rogue's right arm.
That wouldn't stop him. Not two mere arrows. Not by a first job newbie.
The Rogue turned around, glaring at Chesed, and charged.
'Damn it! I'm being focused!' Chesed could only grit his teeth solemnly and prepare himself to use Arrow Blow, channeling his inner energy into the skill.
In the corner of his eye, he could see Bren preparing the same skill.
Whoosh
Haldyn let loose an arrow directly to the Rogue, who dodged by jumping into the air. With the Rogue's momentum locked, a harsh twang resounded as Chesed and Bren released their Arrow Blow.
Swish~
The Rogue inexplicably got faster- must be the skill Haste, still midair- the Rogue jumped again, redirecting his momentum both backwards, and further upwards, dodging all but one arrow which was angled more upwards, hitting him directly in the chest. Flipping sideways in the air, he unleashed seven glowing throwing stars mid-flip- into the unsuspecting neck of Bren.
He dropped without a sound.
Chesed winced- it was a disaster! 'Rogues don't learn double jump! Only at second job can they learn flash jump to… FUCK! And the Rogue was going for Bren from the start, using attention to Chesed as a diversion!' "Fall back to the ridge!" He called.
They moved, firing shots to slow pursuit. As Rangers, they needed to create distance! Especially now that Rogue was injured, his speed must be slower, right?
Chesed activated Okhen again, looking back to track the Rogue as they ran. With his other hand, he made the 'Ok Hand' once more, three fingers flaring up- but not for Okhen. He gripped his next arrow between his pointer finger and thumb- infusing it with power inherent to his Soka lineage.
Following the traces of energy- he tracked the Rogue's movements yet could not see his actual position. 'The tracks lead to…' Chesed suddenly realized- the Rogue must be under Dark Sight again, that was why he could only see the tracks left behind. 'He's following us… no, he's-!?' "Halden! Behind you!"
Chesed quickly aimed his bow- waiting for the right moment to hit the invisible assassin.
Halden swiftly turned, his pained, strained arm that had been holding a bow shot for a while, and released it on the spot behind him without even sight confirming. He understood a split second could be life or death.
Coming out of dark sight- a quick flash shined from the right, the Rogue had dodged ahead of time. The Rogue stabbed forth once- and yet two deep stab wounds appeared on Halden's stomach. At the same exact time, Cheseds arrow flashed by the Rogue- shining white. The lineage of Soka was not for show- the arrow was aimed directly to his eye. He dodged, barely, catching the arrow across the brow.. Blood now obscured half his vision. He jumped back, barely dodging yet another arrow, this time from Maedyn.
Halden collapsed, gasping.
The Rogue stood still for a second, assuming for a defensive posture to parry any attacks.
Chesed's eyes widened.
He saw it. There was something strange in the Rogue's expression. A flicker of… confusion?
No matter- if this provided an opportunity to kill him, it was good!
The Rogue blinked, looking around like someone waking from a dream. He muttered, "Where… where is this?"
Chesed flowed his energy into the bow- preparing the special skill Arrow Blow. Maedyn released an arrow to the Rogue, with Chesed following with his shot to block off escape Routes. It caused the enemies attention to refocus. He swiftly dodged left- and swiftly parried two of the arrows, the last piercing straight into his right thigh.
Haste.
With explosive force, the Rogue flew towards Maedyn, his blade glowing with energy.
"No!" Chesed couldn't let this happen- if Maedyn went down here… he was next. "Dodge this!" Chesed yelled outloud- hoping his voice could help distract him and help Maedyn dodge. At the same time, he ran forwards into the Rogue, ready to unleash a point blank Arrow Blow.
The Rogue's gaze hardened, swiftly reaching into his cloak, lightly whispering, "Lucky Seven" and releasing seven ninja stars. It was as if time slowed down for Chesed- and seeing the trajectory of the attacks- jumped, double jumped. And caught two in his chest- digging deep. But none fatal- not in his throat or heart.
The Rogue reached Maedyn. And unleashed Savage blow- Eight hits in less than a second. Maedyn screamed, her bow flying from her hand as blood sprayed from slashed arms and chesed.
Chesed fell onto the Rogue, and Unleashed his Arrow Blow straight into the Rogue's abdomen, three arrows piercing deep.
The Rogue flashed his knife quick towards Chesed's neck- but Chesed was already jumping back, having predicted an incoming fatal strike.
Chesed instantly unleashed another arrow, to where the Rogue dodged left, and went into Dark Sight, startling Chesed. 'What should I do!?' His mind raced, his body instinctively readying another arrow, incase he was attacked instantly- a use of Dark Sight and running towards Chesed.
Which is when he heard movement to his left- he instantly turned, ready to release his arrow- but it was not the Rogue, it was Maedyn on the ground, somehow alive, pulling back the bow. Chesed made his choice quickly, dashing towards Maedyn, intending to cover each other.
The Rogue suddenly appeared for just a second- retreating behind a tree, his form flickering through dark sight- it was failing him. He even swayed- and whispered to himself in a voice no one else could hear, "My head… gods, the noise…"
He blinked. His expression shifted, contorting in hate, focus, and pain.
Knowing the position of the enemy, Chesed took the time to grab Maedyn and make some distance- leaping behind a tree.
The Rogue advanced.
Chesed stood his ground. Bow raised.
The Rogue hurled another Lucky Seven, but Chesed could simply hide behind the tree, which shielded him.
He didn't have time to use Okhen again. Not without giving the Rogue an opening.
"Maedyn," Chesed called, "Can you move?"
"I can shoot," Maedyn groaned, grabbing her bow with trembling fingers.
"Then shoot."
The Rogue lunged. Chesed and Maedyn moved in sync, launching coordinated volleys. Arrows crossed in the air like blades.
Arrow Blow from Maedyn. Three arrows in an arc.
Two hit. One embedded into the Rogue's calf. The other struck his left arm, twisting his attack wide.
No matter what- the Rogue advanced, "Damn you! I don't understand anything today!"
He ducked as the Rogue lunged for him, grabbing Maedyn by the collar as he rolled them both down the ridge.
The Rogue landed behind them with a crunch.
Chesed whirled, an arrow notched.
Maedyn loosed another Arrow Blow— all of them except one arrow parried, though the last made it to the Rogue, striking his side.
The Rogue fell to one knee, bleeding, swaying.
He looked up at Chesed, eyes blurry. "Who even are you. Where even am I? They were Nyvarran. You killed them."
Chesed nodded. "And we are Sogen."
The Rogue coughed blood, throwing a smoke bomb to obscure his position..
"Then this was war."
And with that, he vanished again. A final burst of Flash Jump and Dark Sight. Chesed raised Okhen again. He tried to trace—but the smoke, the blood, the wounds. It was too much.
He slumped against the tree.
"We're not chasing," he muttered. "We go home."
Maedyn groaned, holding his shredded arm. "Halden… Soriel… Bren…"
Chesed closed his eyes. "They died fighting. They died well."
Silence stretched.
Then Chesed stood. Pulled Maedyn to his feet.
They walked, the forest quiet again. A somber path. Bows in hand. Eyes scanning. But for the first time in hours, no threats. Only trees. Only wind.
Two of five remained.