At the Mountains

Pyrrha’s eyes narrowed and her grip around her sword tightened as the head of the mans hammer ignited. His booming voice echoed throughout the arena as he slowly began to approach. While he was certainly the most immediate threat, Pyrrha’s eyes couldn’t help but glance at the mysterious silhouette in the distance. With a flick of her wrist a powerful gust of wind would sweep across the wide open field. “You seem like you’re more eager to talk. How about telling us who you are first. And why you’re here.” While the man’s voice sounded intimidating and booming, Pyrrha matched it with a more commanding and collected tone.

She’d draw her blade holding it loosely at her side. The light catching the red blade, a small current of air flowing around it. “Stay back a little. If he charges in I want you to be able to move away from us and counter.” she’d subtly whisper over her shoulder to Blackjack, hoping that he’d follow her example and not reveal himself to their suspected invader. Numerically speaking the had the hammer wielding maniac out numbered, but that didn’t mean much. Those bots while not entirely pushovers were certainly no where near the strongest things Pyrrha had ever fought.

If it came down to it and their opponent showed a strength that was previously unrevealed then she at least had two other forms she could tap into, if needed. She knew she could rely on Blackjack as well, but hopefully it wouldn’t come to that. If she could help it, she’d try to keep the attention on her. So long as the young hero was safe that’s all that mattered. Pyrrha would remain unflinching as the hammer wielding man marched toward them. She hoped he’d be as vainglorious as many of the other bad guys she had come across in her journey. She was curious to learn more about him and the nature of the hammer he carried, especially since its now flaming head was something that wasn’t present in the damage dealt to the bots topside.

The Crimson Reaper stared at Pyrrha for a long moment, his gaze unwavering against hers. He could see her clench the weapon at her side, readying herself for whatever it was he'd throw at her. He didn't move from his spot, still several feat away, an invisible aura spread out past him. The ability was a simple one, to spread fear, make it rise up in a person, slowly...slowly. It didn't effect everyone, some people had natural courage that combatted that feeling, but if afflicted that dread could drown them out, choke them until that flight or response gave in.

He let out a thoughtful hum, considering the woman's question and how to best approach it. Slowly, ever so slightly, his march forward began again, those foot steps still echoing in the large empty room. "The costume, the face, the flaming hammer...? I am a villain, something I worked very hard on trying to convey.. I am here...because I was invited, but as to why I am here in this room...I was told there would be heroes." He didn't smile, the mask he wore couldn't really smile, but there was something of a sickened joy that drew across his expression. "So, I stayed behind to see how long you'd last. Afterwards I will deal with the man over there."

Sure enough, behind him and overhead in that raised room with the glass window a light would come on reveal the silhouette of a tall man. It was hard to read any features, though the right side of him seemed...wrong? He was lacking something there...an arm? Maybe? Or was it just behind his back? It was hard to tell from here and the way the light cast a shadow over him. Either way, he gave the aura of someone important, or at least confident enough to stick around and see what would happen here.

The Reaper continued to draw closer, moving in a slow steady stride. "Whenever you're ready then." He called out the pair, challenging them to the first strike. He sounded confident, but not overly so. It was like a father encouraging his child to do something.

Sam slowly leaned over to Pyrrha's shoulder, attempting to whisper something to her. "If you charge I can open a portal for you...I can put it right behind him to get a sneak attack if you want...I don't think he's the kind of person you can just...talk your way out of?"

By the mysterious figures actions, he was calm and collected. He wasn’t taken aback by the sudden appearance of Pyrrha or Sam. While he failed to mention a name in response to Pyrrha’s retort, he did provide some valuable information. As suspected, he had received the same invitation that Johanna and Black Jack had gotten. This opened up the possibility that there could be others that received the same message. How many brushed it off like Johanna did? How many had gotten here before them? Did any? Pyrrha’s mind wandered at all the possibilities. With a tilt of her head she attempted to focus on the task at hand.

Other than the pile of battered and ruined machines this guy had left in his wake, nothing imediately pinged him as a major threat to Pyrrha. The wind surrounding her blade would quietly die down, soon to be replaced with a singular shimmer that would ripple across the red blade of her katana as if a single droplet had landed in a still pond. She’d bring the blade forward, entering a more typical ready stance, but she only held this pose for a moment before suddenly shifting into an o gasumi pose.  Her eyes narrowed and locked onto her opponent.

She continued to let the imposing man walk towards them. The closer he got the better, but it was also a gamble. She had no idea what the extent of the man’s power was or what exactly he was capable of. If she misjudged this she’d have to be ready to face the consequences and react accordingly. Pyrrha would keep this in the back of her mind as she monitored the man’s advance. She was waiting, almost like a sniper. Waiting for the man to get into a sweet spot. Just close enough that he’d barley have any time to react to her attack if he had no sort of inhuman reflexes.

Once she felt the man had reached that point, she’d tighten her grip on her sword and flash an intense glare at the man. At this exact moment the blade of her katana would fire from the hilt of her sword, becoming a liquid metal projectile. It exploded forth as though it was fired from a high caliber rifle.