Dungeon Entrance It was just another day for Korra, being a supporter, she was simply going to go down into the dungeon to pick up monster cores with her usual diving buddy. It was nothing out of the norm or a-typical for Korra, though she'd much rather be going deep with a girl, unfortunately her next best alternative was this unique kid who she'd been lending a hand. Korra had been his supporter even before she had a familia, he was someone who she could count on to do the trivial fighting work she didn't want to, and in turn she made sure that he wasn't reckless in the dungeon. It was a simple exchange and deal made up by circumstance she knew, but of all the men out there that she turned her nose up at, this one wasn't as bad at least. If there were no women left in the world, this might be a tolerable option. "Bags get, Knife get, Rations and water-- Are we missing anything?" She thought outloud sifting through her summoned horse's saddle bags. Naturally she packed enough food to tide them over for their time down in the dungeon. She wasn't worried about the added weight being hard for Kirin since the food would disappear as the loot increased. This was just their natural pattern and rhythm. "It looks like we're all set. I can't imagine us staying down there for more then half a day, and we have a day and a half's worth of meals. It should be pretty relaxed like this." She murmured rubbing her chin. As a supporter, prep-work was her responsibility, some would think of it as grunt work, but in her eyes the most work she had to do was gathering resources and tools. After that working out monster cores was the same as carving out the core of an apple, there was no reason for her to exert herself and be a fighter. "Alright, it looks like we're goo--" She started, but her words were cut off by a frantic sounding voice that darted up from the dungeon. Panting raggedly the man cried out to a few companions who joined him with worried expressions. "I still can't find her..." "Where did she go?" "Ugh, I.. I shouldn't have lost sight of her." "No, the important part is that we get a rescue party going." "Will they make it in time?" "Damn it Eliah--" Korra flashed a mellow grin, the thought of a damsel in distress once more making her chuckle. After giving it a small amount of thought, she glanced over her shoulder to her adventurer companion. "I don't think we'll be able to make it like this. How about we call it off and you spend some time out with your Goddess? I haven't had a chance to play white knight in a while~" She mused moistening her lips at the very thought. In the Dungeon It was as they were leaving the forth floor that Korra was starting to get worried. Glancing forward to check her partner's condition, a frown was visible on her face. "You'll have to be careful on this floor. My magic is only a temporary fix for your injuries, I'm not strong enough to make them disappear completely. Don't let them pour it on too hard." Her voice was stern unlike on the surface. Kirin charged forward through incoming foes not worrying about striking them down. This was a rescue mission, those they could finish quickly were killed, but those who were farther off were left alone as the creature tried charging forward for Eliah's location. "We still don't know where we're going to find her, so you can't keep attacking every little thing. Unless there's a group of adventurers in front of us, we'll keep charging through and lose the horde behind us deeper in." She explained giving Kirin's butt a pat as it dashed down the side she touched in reaction. Turning deeper down a tunnel. They were on the fifth floor anyway, running through mobs and murdering adventurers with the train wasn't something they needed to worry about since there were so few who went this deep. The more twists and turns they took though, the easier it became to see why as more and more goblins were pouring out of the walls. A frown touched her lips as she gestured forward. "Kirin-- Don't let them form a fence or we're dead!" She shouted over the chaos of it's thunderous hooves and the racing creatures at their back. In response, Kirin's gaze focused forward at the line of Goblins forming a tightly knit fence in front of them. Her steed practically snorted with disdain, these creatures dare clump up to try and impede it's path. It's feet striking like thunder, it dashed with more strength as snakes of lightning coursed beneath it's crashing feet propelling it forward as it charged. It's head turned downward, brandishing it's spiral horn, it was ready to skewer it's way through the goblin's defensive line and simply crash through their barricade with speed and weight rather then strength. @Kessler Cole @Eliah Tsundora
The Entrance While Korra was busy with the troubles of a supporter, Kessler was relatively relaxed without much to commit to the supplying process. He kept a few bandages, medicines and rations on his person at all times. The rope as well was usually his responsibility just because of his Goddess's suggestion that he always have a length of rope on his person. Hearing her list off the things she'd found though, he couldn't help a wear smile crossing his face. "I... I don't really know what it is we're going to need..." He admitted with a meek demeanor. Korra was someone who was difficult for Kessler to deal with, ever since they first started adventuring he wasn't ever really sure about the kind of person she was. Villain? Hero? Foreign creature? Did she even qualify as Neutral? Kessler had an insanely time trying to judge and box her into one of his usual ideals. It was because of this that he often spent time trying to figure her out and adventuring with her, but even after all of this time, he made almost no progress. Hearing her give the green light though, he nodded back, pushing his judgements aside for the moment trying to join her beside the beast she used as the mount when he caught the conversation between adventurers much like Korra did. "Eliah..." He thought bringing a bitter smile to his face, almost self-mocking in nature. It was the girl who saw him trying to be a hero, and one of the few besides Korra who knew that he had already long given up on being a heroic figure because of his weakness and cowardice. "No-- Wait." He tried to stop Korra from taking off by grabbing onto Kirin and Korra's side. It might not have been the smartest reaction, but if they took off without him, catching up would have been impossible even if he was faster then Korra, he couldn't keep up with Kirin just yet. His bangs covered his eyes as he spoke, gritting his teeth as he held onto the two. "I'll go too... I'm not going to let her die either." He spoke, his eyes already narrowing to fine slits to convey his motivation to fight. "Even if you go alone... You won't be able to take her back so easily with the mobs chasing you and Kirin. Just let me handle the fighting and the blood Korra, you take care of Eliah when we find her alright?" He offered to her flashing a weary smile. His ears didn't rise, his war tiger marks didn't appear, but his fists began to clench with a bit more strength. There was a twinge of violence in his action, It wasn't savage, but his gaze was heated, it was clear he was pouring more motivation into this dungeon run then their usual cooperative dives in for some mutual process. This effected his creed, his code he lived by, the rules that shaped his life; As long as he still lived, the people he cared about weren't allowed to die, even if they begged him or pleaded, he would never allow them to die unless he died first. "You can't do it without me... You know that Korra-- Just bring me along." He spoke with a bit more strength in his tone. Inside the Dungeon Making it to the 5th floor, Kessler's breathing had already quickened, his chest rising and falling to restrain his emotions. His gaze was sharp and critical while he was riding Kirin, even if he seemed a little tired though, he wasn't wounded, no doubt thanks to Korra's magics she was warning him about. He didn't seem bothered by the words she was telling him though, he was used to this attribute of her healing magic, but more importantly his injuries weren't serious, scratches here and there from the goblins were superficial, the only injury he had that even slowed him down was the claw mark that scrapped over his shoulder, but even that had been closed temporarily by Korra. "It's fine-- As long as I don't let them keep striking the same place, it won't bother me." He explained, he knew that clearly, Korra's temporary healing would eventually open back up, so if he was beaten too hard in a single area it would superimpose causing a tragedy. After experiencing it once, Kessler channeled his attention into focus not able to afford his normal meek demeanor under these dire straits. Hearing Korra pouring more advice on, his expression grew bitter, knowing that she was right, he restrained himself as goblins began appearing, praying that nobody would get caught up in this monster train they were driving. Her shout about being dead though jogged him back to reality. His ears flipping up once more, his marks already firmly in place, he paid attention to the formation of the goblins as he began to move. Seeing Kirin spear his way through the first one with his horn, Kessler uprooted his body from the steed's back. Using Korra's bags and his strength to keep himself on the creature's back, Kessler swung himself to one side of Kirin using his arms. Thrusting his foot out from the Kirin's side he smashed it into one of the Goblin's faces trying to use it's face as a spring board to shoot his body to the opposite side to deal with the opposite end of the fence that was forming. Unfortunately, Kessler had no means of making it there before the goblins could do anything. A pair would leap towards the horse with clawed hands up trying to sweep at the horse's side and hind section at Korra before Kessler could deal with them. Swinging to the other side he tried to thrust the pair back with both legs letting his back land against the Kirin. He could feel his balance slipping a little, but once more using monsters as a spring board, he balanced his back on the mount hoping that Korra would make an effort to support him. "Don't worry about the line! Worry about what's behind-- The Kobolds will start coming out!" He called back taking a quick glance back to see their mangy frames appearing from the tunnel's green walls. Gritting his teeth he could see them starting to charge through the goblin hordes faster then the goblins could.
Dungeon Entrance Korra was stunned initially, looking down at Kessler, she didn't quite know how to respond at first. The man was usually very cowardly, she wasn't really used to him being quite this motivated. Glancing over his eyes though, a sly smile began to spread across her face though, knowing that look well, she took on a musing tone as she tried to question him. "You really want to go with me? Are you certain? It won't just be a little dangerous you know~" She tried to tease, but if anyone understood Kessler, outside of his Goddess, Korra was the second best. No, he wouldn't back down, instead, she used this chance to tease him when he was serious with a flashy grin. "After everything that happened dear, you really need to loosen up. If you keep going this hard for things that have nothing to do with you you'll run yourself ragged in no time~" She teased still knowing that this would only add fuel to the fire, but it was just too cute to her. "I don't have a problem with you coming along then Kess, but we have to rush, if things are already bad, we can't afford to move slowly. This isn't something where you should hold back like usual. Buying time will only hurt us here." She switched from teasing to a more stern tone. Her partner wasn't exactly a slow person, but his style of fighting was one that prioritized large groups over fast execution which wasn't quite the best for this situation. "We can make the best of your style later on... but when we're racing down we can't get bogged down okay?" She spoke glancing down to him once more. She tried testing him once more with a few words of caution, but if he wasn't perturbed or bothered, she'd reach out and offer him a hand with a mellow expression trying to pull him on board the Kirin with her. As a rider, Korra was someone who sat at the rear always, so she'd try to pull him in in front of her while hugging his waist with a single arm for balance. This position shouldn't be too alien to Kessler, but the boy was easily excitable and taken off guard by such things, she didn't expect this time to be any different, if it was though, that would only show the seriousness of the situation that much more to her. If Kessler was safely situated in front of her, she'd flash a grin from his back patting his side as she spoke rolling one leg over to sit side saddle as she usually did. "It's good that you volunteered though. I definitely wouldn't have been able to do this alone." She admitted in a lower voice, her eyes closing with quiet contemplation. She was a decent, even good supporter, but she lacked the fire power that Kessler made up for. "I'm going to count on you here, leave Eliah to me, but you'll have to take care of the mobs, understand?" She spoke more seriously, her smile curling into a sly grin of anticipation. It wasn't often she got to see her partner's serious side after all, if it were a normal dungeon run, she'd be able to expect higher quality returns and money, but they had to rescue someone before she could profit hardily from this mess. "Don't hold back. If we're lucky, she'll still be okay-- if not, it'll take me some time to support her alright?" She asked before Kirin would begin diving down the stairs dozens at a time racing down the spiral stair case towards the dungeon's first floor. In the Dungeon Korra visibly winced feeling the claws against Kirin's side, scraping along it's scale-y hide. Though it couldn't penetrate to draw much blood, they had managed to rip off a few scales here or there which made pain tingle along Korra's side causing her to shudder. It was painful, but fortunately pain was the only thing shared between them. If she had to patch up her body as well as Kirins this trip would have been disastrous for her even if she could take a blow better then Kessler at this point, it would have been tough for her to make it this far with so many monsters charging Kirin. The goblin speared on Kirin's horn quickly faded though, the monster core falling as it lifted it's head allowing Korra to reach up for it and chuck it down absentmindedly into her bag. It was fluid and practiced, clearly using Kirin this way was how Korra earned her money with no one to support, but she couldn't help wearing a grim expression when he mentioned kobolds. They were practically bipedal wolves, things that could keep up with Kirin, this was definitely bad. "We can't keep running with them chasing us..." There was a great amount of worry in Korra's tone, she bit and nibbled her lip seeing the Kobolds racing after them, but her attention flickered seeing the dungeon ahead opening up as well noticing other Kobolds and goblins spawning ahead. Finally she could only sigh and glance back to the kobolds tailing them. "We can't continue like this Kessler, we've got three behind and two in the front... How should we do this?" She asked with a deep concern, she was a good strategist in some ways, she understood prudent planning at the very least, but this wasn't what she usually plotted, combat was something she wasn't invested very much in. Her question however, she understood that she already knew the answer. Nibbling her lip, she glanced back to Kessler's back gripping his waist a bit stronger. "Kess... I know you usually don't like using it... but we can't just continue on like this. I can take maybe two out, but Kirin won't last against three even with my magic." She spoke with a bit of anxiety, she usually didn't get this nervous in the dungeon, she moved at one speed through life, but after seeing that side of this normally docile boy, she would shudder every time she thought back to that first time she saw him protect her from an axe wielding kobold. "Don't hold back Kess. I'll keep on going, to deal with the ones in front, but you need to handle the ones in back." She spoke with a more grim tone since Kessler had responded to her with silence at first. She was worried that even in this type of situation he would find it hard to cut loose his offensive skill. In the end though, she flashed a small smile trying to give Kessler a sharp shove from behind. "Hurry. We have someone to save here, we can't just die in a place like this before even finding her right? You'll be able to take them out faster then me and Kirin. We'll make as much distance as we can from the goblins, then get ready once we start clashing with the kobolds in front okay?" She spoke hoping for some reassurance from the boy in front, at the very least some hopeful words. This was far too dangerous a situation for them to be playful, but Korra tried with all her heart to move at the same speed as always.
The Entrance Kessler could only meekly shake his head at Korra's awe and surprise. His gaze listed partially from shame knowing that his reputation had somewhat preceded him as a coward once more. "Geh... No respect--" He thought to himself not really knowing how to answer Korra's rude words. For a moment he considered trying to deny them, but shaking his head he tried asserting himself with a frail tone. "I-I don't care about the danger you know, I'm still the strongest in town, I can't help but feel like you're doing this on purpose." He commented with a heavy sigh somewhat wise to her teasing. Even so though the talk about wearing himself ragged resonated with what Eliah had told him before. His laughter grew dry as he shook his head back at her knowing his own limitations quite well after all of the scrapes he'd been through. "I know I have my limits Korra, you've seen me reach those, something like this wouldn't drive me that far." He explained with a heavy expression. If nothing else, Kessler didn't want to let anybody down, falling just because he didn't know when to stop would do just that. Having his style of combat called into question though, Kessler's motivation soured once more, he didn't really have a retort to that. Instead he sighed knowing what she was hinting at; Kessler was strong, but blunt blows couldn't finish a monster quickly like a blade could. While she was questioning his style, she was really prodding him between the lines. It wasn't that Kessler couldn't use blades, he fought with his hands, but his blades came from a skill, one that he always hesitated and was leery of using because once he did, there was no holding back any more. The Fists of a Tyrant; hands that could rip through things like blades, this was Kessler's combat skill that enhanced his combat power and made him a monster. His mother had a similar skill, it was something he felt he inherited from her, but he didn't want to become his mother who in her prime had lived without a goal causing destruction and mayhem until she met his father. He didn't want to end up directionless like that and felt that using that skill made it harder for him to control his destiny. "I'll hurry... If I have to I'll-- I'll use it." He spoke as if he couldn't quite accept it. Though when she confessed to really needing him, offering him a hand, he couldn't help a small and kind smile, this bard he knew well, it was only unfortunate that she knew him just as well. She was a good manipulator, he knew that just from being around him, even he who was usually oblivious to the mechanization of others recognized her manipulations just from seeing her so much. This sort of leading talk didn't bother him though... It was helpful. "Alright... Alright-- Let's do this!" He spoke bringing his hands to his cheeks giving them a sharp slap for motivation. It made his cheeks red and his armored hands weren't at all soft, but he felt motivated as Kirin took off pulling them down into the dungeon step by step. Tensions were high on him, he knew that he would be in for a lot of pain during this trip, but he would rather bare it all for others, take it all on himself and fight the best he could for the sake of the people who were important for him. Inside the Dungeon Kessler ground his teeth seeing the Kobolds coming from both sides. He couldn't help a bitter chuckle hearing Korra's explanations and feeling her pressuring him to bare his fangs to their fullest potential. Deep down he knew that against monsters, it wasn't a bad idea, he knew deep down he shouldn't be so hesitant to use it in this situation, but he remained silent despite her urgings. Riding on Kirin for a while longer, he'd wait until the creature was engaging the other kobolds to slip off and fight the ones at their back so he wouldn't have to run far to hop back on. "It'll be alright... I know when I should use it." He commented back, though at the same time he dreaded it in his heart. It was only when Kirin's first strike would come through that Kessler would slip off of the horse to one side and kick off from it's back and turn to face the trio coming from behind. Baring his teeth, he ground them knowing this wouldn't be an easy fight as he raised his face seeing them advance. He didn't hesitate to try and swat the first pair's claws away with his initial step forward. While he'd succeed they had another hand to strike him with making him grimace. Using their first strike as a springboard, he lifted his hands to the second trying to swat that away too before jumping up into a single legged stance to greet the third kobold's blow with his knee. Diverting their attacks the best he could, he advanced with a push from his remaining foot to bring his knee up and one of his elbows down onto the kobold's arm to try and crush the bones of it's arm. Though the strike probably wouldn't do more then deaden a single arm, he tried to turn his attention to the kobold on his right thrusting out his other fist towards it's face to try and stagger it before landing once more with a light step. "Can't allow them room-- High Pressure fighting-- Even if I have to take blows--" He thought as he thrust his shoulder into the third kobold to try and shatter it's stance not wanting any of the three to be feeling good after this initial exchange. He knew he himself would need some help as well, but he couldn't afford to focus on his own health as he wore them down. Meanwhile the two in front would try to handle Kirin's blow that came towards it, anticipating a charge, they both separated so they wouldn't both get caught by the creature. One trying to claw into the horse's chest meeting him from the front while the other split off to another side. The two weren't particularly coordinated, but seeing Korra exposed by the horse targetting the first kobold, it tried to charge the more vulnerable target at it's back. The bloodthirsty nature of the kobolds leaving them somewhat exposed, this would no doubt be a hard fight, but Kessler grit his teeth through the pain, still unwilling to use his Tyrant's fists so early. He could still fight he thought... "I don't have to massacre them-- This doesn't need to be a disaster zone--" He thought these words while trying to debilitate the kobolds one step at a time in hopes that their power will weaken and their following blows would be weaker then the initial exchange. Setting his stance firmly, he tried to anticipate their next round of blows "No arm is a weak link-- Jabbed Kobold recovers first--" He set his stance to deal with the follow up while exhaling his tension.
Having Kessler leaping off of Kirin to strike back, Korra was a little relieved that he took the initiative at least. Though what came next would no doubt me what tested him the most; She knew the stigma he had with his skill well, he was probably one of the only ones who tried to deny who he was and where he came from. Korra knew the tales of his mother, a person who was ruled to be a natural disaster because of how much damage she caused when she fought or went on adventurers. There was no way insurance could provide for all of the troubles she brought, instead they added clauses to their contracts that separated her from the usual destruction at the hands of another. That blood ran through Kessler's veins, and Korra had no doubt that he felt his mom was where he inherited his skills from. "Kessler, don't hold back!" She called back before turning her attention to the kobolds in front who were going to be targeting her, her gaze grew harsh and cruel as she looked down on the monsters charging towards her. "You think you're worthy of being Kirin's opponents?!" She shouted as if offended just as Kirin tried to thrust it's horn into the creature's shoulder as it tried to dodge around Kirin's attack. The horn skewering the creature's arm like a pike, the following scratch cleaved into the mount's chest drawing a bloody line along Kirin's front side under his neck, but the creature only seemed to grow more irritated. Korra on the other hand, felt a shiver of pain from her chest, wincing, she clamped an eye shut before strumming on her Lute. "Healing Hymn; Sing!" She called strumming the lute. The song would take a few seconds before activating to seal Kirin's injury, but the second Kobold dashing towards her made her sneer. "You're getting full of yourself... Thinking you can fight me when Kirin's right here." She spoke slipping off of Kirin's body to dodge it's attempts at hacking away at her. Korra was far from faster then it, but she only needed small movements and faint gaps to escape damage unlike the kobolds who had to dash at her around her mount's large frame to be able to reach her. Kirin wouldn't loose track of her in the chaos of the fight after all, rather it knew exactly where she was no matter where she ended up. The rage of being struck though caused the creature to lift up onto it's hind legs with an angered neigh. Slamming it's weight down towards the one who dared to claw at it, it tried to bury it under it's hoof with a flurry of vicious stamps. Korra on the other hand glanced back towards Kessler, seeing him still trying to fight with his fists made her groan, but she couldn't say it wasn't unexpected. "Healing Hymn; Sing!" She cast again even if it was starting to get harder for her to cast. She had to make sure Kessler could keep fighting. If he couldn't then they would definitely be in trouble. It was while she was casting though that the kobolds raged harder against their opponent. Kessler's flurry of blows did certainly stagger and knock back the kobolds, the one unfortunate enough to have it's arm shattered did indeed lose the use of it's arm but it wasn't over. The one that had been punched recovered first clawing at his side not wanting the human that hurt it to escape. "Kessler!" She shouted loudly as if trying to wake him up knowing that he was being pig-headed at this point. The kobold who's arm was shattered tried to leap forward and bite into his leg in retaliation for the deep injury to it's arm wanting this human to suffer, it tried to hold him down for his companions. The last kobold naturally was the one who was pushed back the farthest from the shoulder blow. The least damaged, it darted around, trying to claw down at Kessler from above with a leaping blow. If it succeeded, the resulting blow would be just as bad as the one he'd gotten on the previous floor!
Kessler couldn't help cringing hearing Korra's repeated warnings. It wasn't as if he didn't understand them, he still didn't want to lose himself, he didn't want to just start slaughtering if he didn't HAVE to. It made him grit his teeth thinking he just had to fight harder as he felt the Kobolds coming back for him. "I can take one-- Two-- Not the third--" he begrudgingly accepted knowing it would be difficult for him to fight if he got another wound like that and needed Korra to heal him several times to get him back into shape. Instead, he felt the claws of the first Kobold grazing his opposite shoulder that wasn't yet wounded. The searing pain of the claw taring flesh darted through his body as he leaned away from it and the kobold thrusting his palm out forward towards the kobold's chest to try and thrust him back away from the fray where he wouldn't have to deal with him again. A frown on his face as he grit his teeth, grinding them knowing he wouldn't be able to afford these hits much longer. They hadn't even found Eliah yet and he was already getting hurt again, he knew that there was trouble when he felt the bite at his leg. The teeth didn't penetrate his grieves, they were higher quality then any of the armor on his body save for his gloves, but feeling the body of a kobold weighing down on his body, he knew he wouldn't be able to lift his leg up. A frown on his face that deepened further, he glanced up to the third kobold who was preparing to strike. "Haha... Hahaha..." His bitter laughter came out clearly as the kobold leaped into the air to close the distance between him. Kessler rage clearly grew more as the pressure of his hate began to rapidly escape his small frame, the immense disdain for his opponents, the maximum amount of disrespect he could have for a living thing, the greatest of scorns he as an intelligent being could produce. They were all rapidly released as his innocent smile grew as sharp as his gaze. The kobold leaping at him would be greeted by a sudden raised hand. Rather then a punch though, he flexed his fingers, his knuckles popping from the flexing gesture as he swung his hand up. His fingertips sinking into the kobold's falling arm like a blade, taring through it as if his touch was shredding the meat like a grinder. The single blow caused a splash of red to paint the wall of the dungeon, Kessler's arm wasn't immune either as the red dotted the arm he'd used. "Haha-- HAHAHAHAHAHA--" He laughed louder, like a roar as he swing his other hand over from the first kobold towards the third as if channeling all of his negativity into the blow. His clawed hand cleaved into the creature's chest once again splashing red across the dungeon and his jacket as he cleaved through bone and flesh alike. "FINE! You want me to fight seriously-- Fine. Now that I'm serious though, nobody-- NONE of you will be leaving here alive." He shouted in protest as his ears twitched attentively coming to life and growing more animated. His laughter continued as he thrust the dying kobold from his side focusing on the other two as his disdain grew. "The likes of you all shouldn't be allowed to continue living in this world anyway, that would only cause problems in my ideal world." He complained as his knuckles cracked from his flexing gesture once more. Tyrant's Fists had been properly activated, much to his chagrin, he had to grant Korra's wish to see his violent side.
It was only when she started hearing Kessler's laughter that she knew things were going to end up okay. Her grin curled into a sly smile even as Kirin continued stamping down on the Kobold, the heavy hooves crashing down trying to keep it down as it turned it's head seeing the next one trying to leap over it's back after Korra. Despite it's speed, Korra wasn't hurried, moving at one speed, she plucked a few strings of her lute catching her breath as if ignoring the leaping kobold until Kirin thrust it's weight forward onto it's front legs to thrust it's hind end up to use it's rear legs to kick. The brutal action was jarring, Kirin's kick and weight was enough to thrust back a wall, let alone an airborne monster. Though the kobold wouldn't be finished from this kick, there was no way it would be able to recover quickly. Instead, she turned to watch Kessler fight with the relief of his change clear on her face. She wasn't ever really sure why he hated his skill so much, but seeing it in action was enough to make her sigh with some regret knowing that she wouldn't be able to do anything to match that level of merciless killing prowess. No matter how powerful Kirin got to be or how well she healed him, the creature wouldn't be able to tare through things like Kessler did. She knew it had to do with his mother; the 'natural disaster' who had been crippled from an accident when he was young, but she didn't know her adventurer companion as well as she should despite knowing each other for so long. It was simply because Korra wasn't interested, no matter the person Kessler was, he was her adventurer, and she'd support him if she had the time; that was how their relationship was, simple and clean, like childhood friends. "Hehehe... They're not allowed into your perfect world huh?" She playfully tried mocking him before slowly lifting her body up to get back onto Kirin's hind end to watch in wait. After all, with the Kobolds there, it would be incredibly difficult for them to escape, so she could only hope Kessler hurried and finished off his opponents quickly. The three who were fighting him were quickly reduced to one with the sharp sweep of his skill. The two remaining didn't understand or know fear, but caution against such a devastating attack wasn't so hard to believe! Seeing him baring his claws again, the popping of the knuckles seemed to be a precursor to it's activation making them more alert of their opponent they had been underestimating. Trying to slowly split apart, they tried to charge Kessler from both sides taking a much more cooperative approach. One striking high with claws, the other charging low with a thrust of it's body to try and disturb Kessler's balance. This fight would get more chaotic, but a problem was looming. The goblin army was approaching in the distance, Korra could see the cloud of their footsteps beginning to round the dungeon corner making it clear they hadn't given up. "We don't have much time..." She spoke with a more tense expression.
Kessler's cheeks flushed a bit furiously even as he was fighting with the Kobolds. Having his cheesy desires called out on was something he was used to, but it didn't stop him from being embarrassed. He didn't like talking about his ideal world, but he was constantly judging people for it, to see who was worthy and who wasn't qualified. He wasn't strong, but he'd at least determined who was worth keeping and who was trash. He'd endeavor to remove the trash permanently when he was strong enough, at this point in time, he could even do it every once in a while, but he simply wasn't capable of fighting off everything the way he wanted. Biting his lip, he shook his head fiercely even as the kobolds continued to clash with him. Raising his arms to parry the blows coming from each side as he shouted. "D-Don't say it like that! That's-- My dream isn't something that silly, you know that damn it!" He complained even as sparks tore from his fingers as his hands clashed with the claws of the kobolds. He traded three blows with each on his sides. One to swat away their first blows, using rotations to sweep them away in different directions. The following blows, he was forced to take a step in retreat and bring them forward. His second attempt clashing with their claws once more trying to bring the pair to his front rather then either side of him. Though he succeeded, the following attack split up, one high and one low making him grind his teeth. "I can take the high one-- The low one is bad-- I can't lose footing here--" he reasoned out rapidly. Tilting his body, he lifted a foot to try and stamp down on the kobold reaching for his leg to steady himself. Trying to keep him pinned for a moment as he delt with the other one aiming higher. Kessler felt the sharpness of it's claws raking over his forehead but it didn't go deeper then the skin of his forehead. The blow was sharp, and he felt blood coming down his forehead but he didn't stop. Closing one eye to avoid the blood from splashing into it, he retaliated with raised hands. One slashing forward towards the kobold's stomach gouging out a good portion of it's side before thrusting his first forward towards it's head as his hand slipped between it's teeth clawing out it's cheek and the side of his face. Once more, two more splashes of red stained Kessler's arm and the dungeon floors, but he knew he was in a bad spot. Though he used a knee to tie up the kobold's actions, it wouldn't hold onto it for a long time. It was only when the kobold came up that Kessler felt his forehead and shoulder healing from Korra's sudden spell. He felt a bit more relieved, glad that it wasn't a big deal but seeing the kobold that Kirin kicked away landing near him, he grit his teeth seeing that it simply returned to a two on one. Though one had a shattered arm and the other seemed to be coughing blood, the goblin army was in the distance approaching like a small storm of sand. Gritting his teeth he'd have to hurry this up. "Korra-- Some help." He complained once more parrying a blow from the kicked Kobold causing sparks to fly as their fingers met each other, he tried thrusting it back knowing that this was getting harder the more time he spent on it.
Korra couldn't help a bothered expression when Kessler asked her for help, it wasn't that she couldn't give it, but seeing the goblings getting closer she knew that they had no time left to waste with the kobolds. Swinging a hand downward towards Kirin's side, she gave the horse a sharp slap to urge him forward. "Kirin, we can't be slow about this! Give him a hand." She spoke with a tone that was growing more worried as time went on. Seeing the goblins approach, the steed turned and dashed towards the Kobolds trying to help as it was asked. It's head turned down horn first as before trying to spear the kobold who was already damaged and weakened from the earlier kick it used to create distance. Even as it charged though, Korra watched that group of goblins get closer. They were already close enough for her to throw stones at if she had any, it was a grave cause for concern. "We're running out of time." She murmured biting her lip as those thunderous hooves stamped towards the Kobold. The rough collision resonated through Kirin and into Korra even as it thrust through the creature's side while it tried attacking Kessler. The creature's reaction was swift, but it couldn't escape being gored as that horn slashed through it's side piercing deep into it's body. The kobold didn't die immediately, instead fighting as it pushed off the horse's head trying to steady itself, but it was bleeding profusely, it's body slowly degenerating as a crystal fell out of what was left. "Hurry Kessler-- We can't stay." She complained practically feeling the breath of the kobolds at her back and on Kirin's body. They weren't armed, they would also probably have troubles penetrating Kirin's scale-y hide like that, but even so she didn't want to exert herself before even finding Eliah any more then they already had. It would be best if she was able to save enough energy to at least make it back to the stairs. Without Kessler being ready though, Korra didn't forget the magic cores that fell, tossing them into Kirin's saddle bag, she waited for Kessler to finish off the last Kobold before reaching out for his hand to help pull him back onto Kirin's back in front of her. By the time they started heading off one more, the goblin army had managed to scratch Kirin's hide; feeling a few claw marks lining it's scale-y hind quarters, Korra winced, but knew the damage didn't even draw blood as the steed turned down the tunnel to once more carry them down the dungeon. The Kobolds were a close call, but Korra's grim smile made it clear that they were in a bad spot. "We haven't even found her, at this rate, we'll be in trouble..." Korra complained, once more nibbling at her lip knowing this was a big chance.
Kessler grit his teeth knowing that Korra was right, he could see the goblins, knowing that being covered by them would only be trouble so early, he reached out for Korra's hand while the other slashed out towards the kobold that was still clashing with him. Feeling the creature's claws coming closer, Kessler decided on a risky move to finish the fight now. The creature's claw slid up his shoulder towards his head, jerking his head from it's path, he felt the claws rake across his head and human ear. His human ear was a useless appendage, it didn't provide him with any senses because of his hybrid nature, it was merely for show, but it didn't mean it wasn't a sensitive area. Wincing sharply, his hand slid up towards the creature's face trying to jab his fingers into the creature's face. It was a mutual destruction, but Kessler tried not to be on the losing end as he felt skin being torn from his side. His armored hand reached into the creature's face, his tyrant's fists digging into it's eyes ripping flesh and bone from the Kobold's face as it tore downward to finish it off. It was at this time that Kessler'd be pulled onto Kirin, still feeling the burn on the side of his head. Though Korra's healing magic did well to ensure it wouldn't scar, he'd have to medicate it when he got back home. A deep frown came to his face as he glanced back towards Korra, feeling just how close a call this exchange happened to be, he couldn't help a weary sigh even though he hadn't calmed down from the change in his hands. "This is a rough place, now I know why we stick to the third and second floor now... Why do you think Eliah ended up this deep? Do you think this was a trap or something?" He asked with a weary expression, concern deep on his face even as his murderous feelings began to slowly burn out. Glad for the change in his heart, it let him maintain a deeper calm as he glanced back to Korra not exactly sure what to say at this point. "That was a tough fight, but you know they'll catch up to us when we're bringing Eliah on board... It's only now that I'm starting to realize I might have been conceited for not wielding a weapon." He spoke with a self-mocking tone as doubt washed over him. He was starting to feel the limitations of unarmed combat, but was uncertain of how to fix it. Regardless though, he held onto Kirin and made sure Korra was secure and safe at his back as they began to get more distance between them and the goblins. At least this way it would be some time before they were washed over again, but Kessler couldn't help thinking back to just how close a call it had been, if he'd used Tyrant's fists earlier, it wouldn't have been quite so close. Sighing heavily, he realized that something had to change, whether using a weapon or being less picky, he had to do something. "Less picky..." was his decision, a bitter expression on his face, but he liked using his hands, they were much more dexterous compared to a weapon, and less sloppy. He lacked a lot of reach but made up for that with technique and instinct that blended well together. He knew that and could make that assessment quickly, but the demons he felt were associated with his dangerous skill made him leery, so much so that it showed on his face. "Korra... I don't think I'll ever be forgiven if my dream comes true will I? It's not... Something I'll be able to take my time with either is it?" He asked with a bitter chuckle.
