Nemesis HQ

Erich sees the man punch Zedar twice, and he goes limp. Damn you. Erich thinks. Suddenly, the man seems to destroy the entrance to the cave. A massive sound goes off, rattling Erich's ears. He takes advantage of the time the big man is distracted to take aim on the small defenseless girl. He fires at her body, knowing that the poison will do the rest.

Nemesis HQ

Fate enters a state of clairvoyant focus. The whistling sound of the bolt triggers something, and everything seems to slow down. Without looking, he already knows. It's aimed at Sidia.

His heart leaps with panic, and he leaps to save Sidia, doing the only thing he knows to do in such a situation. Synapses go off and he desperately searches for a way to stop the bolt using magic. His panic prevents logic from gaining the better hand.

A moment later, he lies in a dust cloud in front of Sidia, completely still. Behind him, a grunt of pain emits from Sidia as she slumps to the side, a crossbow bolt protruding from her abdomen.

Fate still lays, completely still.

Nemesis HQ

Sidia cries out in pain as she rights herself and observes the wound.

"Motherfucker this hurts." she screams and trails off into unconsciousness.

Toya's House

Caed ignores the comment.

"The Rider is for all intents and purposes, Death. He took an interest in this war for unknown reasons and we need to figure them out and most likely stop them."

Nemesis HQ

Erich watches as the man tries to save the girl, but doesn't quite make it. Erich reaches for his sword, expecting and preparing for retaliation from the man.

Nemesis HQ

Fate slowly rises, focusing on Sidia.

"She will stay alive long enough for this."

His voice is filled with as much spite and hate as it can be without breaking it's near monotone. It bespeaks imminent danger of the utmost degree.

Nemesis HQ

"But she will not stay alive long enough to know what you have done for her. Think of her, now. Think of how you couldn't save her, no matter how hard you tried." Erich goads the man on, knowing his fate. It was a fate that all men in his line of work had to accept. Assassins never even thought that they would die of old age. It was best to accept the inevitbale rather than attempt to delay it. Erich stands in a defensive pose, knowing that it will make no difference.

Meanwhile, 2 dozen assassins are headed out the side entrance to discover what the noise is all about and why the main door caved in on itself. They find a man wearing a cloak and a mask standing over a dead girl, and Erich holding up a blade in a defensive stance. They all ready their favored weapons and get ready to attack.

Nemesis HQ

Fate ignores the other assassins and walks towards Erich with sober determination. Tough his eyes are not visible, his gait shows his grim intent.

Nemesis HQ

Erich stands still, awaiting his (seemingly) inevitable fate.

The assassins all jump at once from all the different sides, rushing at the large man, their weapons all held expertly.

Nemesis HQ

The ground beneath them erupts in an earthen explosion, sending several of the assassins more than fifty feet into the air.

Fate approaches Erich, just meters away now.

Nemesis HQ

Erich takes a wild swing at his fate, hoping to inflict some sort of damage.

A few assassins are blow back by the explosion, but the majority make it to Fate, attacking.