Eclipse - Act 1 - The Healing

Chapter 27 - A Huntsman's Duty

Qrow

Their blades impact with a thunderous metallic bang, one that rattles the windows around the complex, blowing the ashes of war across the ground. Qrow grits his teeth, staring down into the unnatural glowing red orbs of flame inside of the swirling black smoke within the floating metal and rubble that has been collected. Qrow twists Harbinger round and then rolls over the shoulders and back of the Praetorian Knight, landing behind it and firing the shotgun into its chest. The impact knocks it back, and Qrow turns to Ruby and the others, nodding to them – they have the chance to get out of there and recover. Ruby needs time for her aura to strengthen again, to repair the bruises and cuts done to her face after being smashed into the floor like that.

The Praetorian Knight spins its sceptre through its fingers, before jumping high in the air, igniting red electrical sparks across the staff and spinning through the air. It then stops and blasts down into the ground, smashing the huge weapon downwards with all its might, a powerful bright flash of red lightning blasts into Qrow, pushing him across the ground, and then it darts forward with great speed, thrusting the blade forward. Qrow narrows his red eyes, and he swings Harbinger against the sceptre that crashes into the huge blade, sparks bursting from the impact and a flash of aura between him and the corrupted monster.

Qrow slides back from the impact of the Praetorian Knight, and he points the huge sword at the much larger entity that circles him with its Sceptre aimed at him over its shoulder. "Seems like Salem is making some more new toys to play with." Qrow comments as he circles the Praetorian Knight.

"Our Queen may do what she may wish with us – for it is the Praetorian's Promise to serve our Queen no matter the cost, no matter the order. And no matter what happens to us...it is the greatest honour any Grimm could possibly know." The Praetorian Knight states as it circles Qrow constantly, and he notices the absolutely fantastic footwork performed by this Creature of Grimm. He would be lying if he claimed that he was not impressed by something so simple, mostly Grimm are easy to predict when it comes to them waiting to attack.

This thing though...it is very different indeed.

"Then if you care about honour so much, then I guess you won't complain after never walking away from this Academy." Qrow snarls, leaping towards the Praetorian, spinning through the air and slashing Harbinger across the Sceptre of the Knight. The impacts of his sword repeatedly clang against the weapon and it walks backwards, deflecting each strike with the double ended Sceptre, sparks bursting out from every single hit. The Praetorian Knight rolls backwards before shattering into a thousand pieces and swirling around Qrow, and landing behind him. Qrow pushes his sword forward, and stabs straight through the thrusting fist of the Praetorian. The Knight snarls as the metal plates shatter, but then it takes the Sceptre and swings it round, smacking right into the side of Qrow's face.

Qrow flies across path, and then he grabs onto the cold metal pole of one of the lampposts, swinging round it and throwing himself right back at the entity, kicking it in the chest. The Praetorian Knight staggers back from the fast rebound of an attack by the warrior, and Qrow aims down the sights of the sword, firing the shotgun at him, and the shards fly towards the Praetorian. It recoils from the impact and Qrow keeps firing over and over again, walking towards it with every shot fired. The Praetorian Knight adapts fast, and it takes the Sceptre and spins it through its fingers, deflecting the shards of shell from getting any closer. It then zooms forward and takes the Sceptre, channelling the red crackling electricity through it, swinging downwards at where Qrow was standing. The impact blasts Qrow back, but as it dashes forward to slash him again, he ducks down, and jumps up, driving the blade of Harbinger straight through its stomach.