The Zodiac Cycle

NO 3.26 Rage

the door slammed open, as if a dramatic entrance was a requirement. 

"Give up now Zach!" Carson shouted, pointing at the Vampire king, who didn't react to the theatrics. 

Amber pinched her nose, shaking her head. 

Carson, on the other hand, was satisfied. Alex and Rebecca backed him up, pumping their fists with his energy.

"alright, you all know the plan," Amber readied herself. "Now let's kick some Vampire ass!"

"hey!" Sakura and Olive said in unison followed by a furtive "Language!" from Olive.

"sorry, just his then." Amber shrugged. "lets go!"

the group charged forward, shouting loudly. Zach looked at them, annoyed. Hecate and some other soldiers were gathered around him, looking at the challenging group confused. 

phase 1: confusion. the group would attack sporadically, in pairs. they would most likely start the fight against Zach's guards rather than the king himself. he would intend to wear them down and figure out their patterns. the groups were the usual pairings; Amber and Carson, Rebecca and Alex, Nolan and Ash,  Avery and Elizabeth - and the other pairings - Sakura and Brianna, Clementine and Vel, and Olive by herself. their usual configuration was actually only their second best combination, designed less for efficiency and more to save energy. in this way, it was the best option for the first stretch of a battle.

they were right, as Zach ordered a wave of soldiers to charge, he stayed back to watch.

But when Hecate went to join the other soldiers, he stopped her, telling her something inaudible. 

the throne room was different this time. it was a far larger space, with no chasm around it. It had large maroon drapes hanging from the ceiling and lining the walls between intricate granite pillars. Zach's throne was against the wall opposite the entrance to the room, made out of a dark colored stone. the whole area was circular.

as the group fought off the guards, a large group of flying citizens entered the room, aggravated and armed. 

"Damnit!" Amber ducked as one swung at her. "Long range focus on the aerial enemies! mid and low range stick to the ground."

"what about me?" Alex swiped at one of the guards with his naginata.

"Olive! pair with Rebecca so Alex and Keith can go Aerial."

"got it!" Olive made her way over to the blonde human. 

"Get all of these guys down, then we'll go for Zach!" Carson heard Amber order as he sliced through a guard coming up behind her. 

Elizabeth opted to use her Kunai to pull fighters out of the air while Avery covered her back. Rebecca was actually using lethal ammo for once, while Olive reached her, allowing Alex to shoot into the air and cut down on the number of citizens fighting. Ash was crouched beside Nolan, firing his pistol upwards while the Merman did the stabbing. Vel stayed out of the way for the most part, saving her energy for Zach. Keith fought where he could, switching between flying and fighting on the ground.

Needless to say, the group made quick work of both the guards and the winged attackers. 

"that used more energy than I had hoped." Amber mumbled to Carson as he helped her up.

"well I hope you're ready for the real challenge." Carson glared at Zach, who was preparing himself as well.

"everyone's in position." Amber summoned her bow again. "go."

Carson nodded and stepped to the side, closing the last gap.

during the fight, the group had surrounded him.