Raid #62 [Plot]

Simply pathetic. Too many worlds were ill-equip to deal with an attack as it was, sans the presence of the particularly notable hero types. Even Xande admitted that those who traversed the worlds, regardless of what banner they fell under, were undoubtedly extraordinary people. But this place, with its miles of unsettled wilderness, was defenseless in every sense of the word. Even now, as his massive frame treaded through the dim forest, the sorcerer could kiss no sign of life. The only noises that were not his own came from the various woodland fauna. He had arrived with the purpose of claiming this realm, but he now grew doubtful as to whether there was anything to claim at all. What stake could he find in a land of untamed wilds?

The wizard soon materialized from the light cover of the woodland wonderland, entering some small clearing. Not so unusual. But standing within this island in the arboreal sea was, for a nice change of pace, a small residence. The thing was quaint and relatively unadorned, and only just escaped cottage status by merit of appearing to have a second story. Xande’s cold stare narrowed in the presence of the modest abode. Meager as it was, at least it constituted something in this drab domain. Houses contained people. People, more often than not, knew where to find more people. When he found such a population, the subjugation could begin. And should the residents of this dwelling somehow be the only inhabitants of this world, well, that just made his job easier.

Stepping forth into the sunlight, the great man of ebony began to make his way to the habitation. His movements were slow and purposeful. Would he find a living being within? Or perhaps he would have to wait a while? He was patient enough. And would the lucky homeowner be willing to openly divulge the knowledge, or would some coercion be necessary? Some people would be surprised to discover that Xande did not enjoy such interrogation techniques, but he was a busy man. If he had to snap off a few flash-frozen limbs to conquer this joke of a world, well so be it. This was not a prize worth the effort of the otherwise necessary hunt.

Xande grew ever closer to the poorly thatched lean-to that some imbecile called a home. He could not help but wonder what sort of person might be inside. Would he be the hermit sort, out here alone in the wild? Something more like a mountain man or a lumberjack? Perhaps something even more stereotyped, like a blind old fool communing with nature? Or could there even be a couple living here? Though he criticized the structure for its simplicity, it could easily be large enough for a second body. A family maybe. Oh, wouldn’t that just make life so much easier? Interrogating an individual was difficult and had a tendency to produce unreliable information, but getting his kids involved was like having a torture fact-checker. For whatever reason people suddenly became a lot more cooperative when they thought you were going to snap their offspring’s neck.

Just then, the wizard felt something. A sudden bright beacon in what was otherwise a world of gray. The magical energy was not immense, but that did not necessarily mean anything; only a well-versed castor like himself would give off a large magic aura passively, so even a great warrior could slip under his radar as long as he was not actively casting spells. He stopped, his final footfall producing the snap of a lone twig. Where-o-where was this sensation coming from? It was nearby, which was why he felt it at all. It was not coming from the house either, or Xande would surely have detected it upon laying eyes on the structure. No, this was from the great ocean of oak and elm that stood all about him. And, more fascinating yet, it was growing. Either the source was somehow gaining power, or else it was heading on a course to intercept him. He would surely bet on the latter.

And then, when his curiosity was at its peak, a voice. Barren white eyes narrowed in a cocktail of interest and realization, and he turned to face the speaker, his cape swishing almost dramatically as he did so. The sorcerer’s vision came to rest on a younger man - perhaps only just in his early twenties. Xande had to admit that he had a stunningly muscular build, and what he could see of the weapon on his back looked somewhat formidable as well. His curiosity somewhat piqued, he rose a limp hand in the direction of the man and, as the glow of mystical forces overtook his body, sent Libra to tell him what his eyes could not. There was a moment of silence as he poured over the information that flooded his mind unseen. And then, a sinister smile. “Oh?” Xande lowered his arm, appearing satisfied with what he saw. “It would appear that you are not weak, interloper.”

Xande watched on as the man prepared for battle, a tinge of perplexity lingering behind his reassembled poker face. This person went from zero to pumped rather quickly, and within the span of mere seconds he was already prepared for a fight to the death. The zeal was commendable. There was no point in facing an opponent who couldn’t put his heart into it anyway; many such “heroic” types were somewhat reluctant to actually put themselves at risk. He had seen the likes of such at Timeless River with his own eyes. It was reassuring to know that this man would instead put up a fight before being violently reduced to his base elements.

“Let’s start this party.” The sorcerer’s wicked grin returned for an encore. “Make it entertaining then!" Xande took one look at the other man’s formidable weapon and decided that, if he could help it, he did not want to spend too much time at close range. If he could get him in a battle of magic, victory would be well within reach. As Zack made his charge Xande brought a hand up and raised two extended fingers, as though calling a dog to him. This small offhand gesture signified his invoking Haste upon himself, and before his very eyes the enemy’s movements seemed to slow somewhat. If this individual was to be pushed to a reasonable distance, he would have to learn to fear the close range.

The first attack came. Xande was surprised by just how fast the large sword could travel, but ultimately this sort of attack would not reach his quickened body. Had it been a full attack there might have been a problem, but this sort of brushing strike was almost insulting. The blackened man took only a single step back, allowing the sword’s tip to fly right in front of him, cutting only air. The follow-up was somewhat more serious though. The man backed somewhat away, and then took a single oblique swing in his direction. Even from here he could tell that this sort of strike would not be easily dodged or blocked. At least, that would have been the case earlier. He gave me too much time to prepare with that first attack. I will punish him for it accordingly.

Observing the path of the sword through Hasted eyes, the wizard actually stepped into the blade’s radius. At the same time he released his grip on his stave, and then commanded its flight upward. Though his simple weapon could not possibly block the entirety of the attack itself, the hands that guided it were another matter entirely. The staff lifted up and into the path of Zack’s wrists, intending to intercept them before the swing could be finished. Then, while his levitating weapon hopefully bought him a few seconds, Xande cocked his right arm back and aimed a single punch straight for Zack’s exposed stomach area.