The battle erupted in an instant.
Edgar's halberd collided with the Heavy Warrior's greatshield with a dull crash. His opponent fought with extreme caution, every step measured and steady, his shield always guarding his vital points, occasionally thrusting forward in a shield bash. Edgar's movements were a little sluggish. Unable to dodge in time, he took a blow to his left shoulder and grunted.
"Tch!" The castellan retreated half a step, breathing hard.
"Need a hand, Edgar?" Alexander rumbled over.
"Look after yourself!" Edgar snapped, though a flicker of gratitude crossed his eyes.
The Warrior Jar was tied up by the Veteran. The Veteran's arrows were as cunning as venomous snakes, each aimed at the cracks in Alexander's body-the wounds Radahn had cleaved into him, which he had yet to repair. Alexander could only keep turning, blocking with the strongest parts of his body amid sharp clangs, unable to get close at all.
Elsewhere, Mirian's battle with Bandage Man had become a grueling stalemate.
Bandage Man moved like a phantom, his dagger tracing eerie green arcs through the air, apparently imbued with some special curse. Mirian dared not block it head-on and could only keep her distance with Glintstone Sorcery, blinking from place to place. But every time she cast, Hornsent appeared near her destination as though he had predicted it, forcing her to teleport again.
"What are you afraid of, mage?" Bandage Man's voice rasped like sandpaper. "Too scared to face me head-on?"
Mirian did not answer. She raised her staff and drew a magical greatbow. Bandage Man smiled contemptuously, dissolved like smoke, then re-formed behind her, driving his dagger straight toward her heart-
Clang!
Blaidd's Royal Greatsword caught the dagger.
"Ganging up on someone isn't fair." The wolf-man grinned, baring his white fangs.
The Female Warrior's greatsword came