The line of blades dispersed as Nox was taken out of their view, ducking into cover behind columns, around the corners of corridors, and in the doors of side-rooms. The return fire from the revenants didn't find its mark, but between that and the wall, it succeeded on halting the rain of poisoned bullets onto Nox. Those blades targeted by the trail of goo attempted to dart away from them, moving clear of the centre of the hall. The lingering heat effectively cut off a section of the hallway, making it difficult for the dozen or so gunmen to get back into position for the time being.
In the same instant, however, the side-doors to either side of the room burst inwards, and more blades moved in from there to flank the group. At their fore, a blade from each of the two doors each lobbed a hand grenade towards the crater in which Nox sheltered, each primed to detonate a bare instant after they landed with a powerful blast. Four more followed after - two from each door, these recognisably armed with Exorcist rifles and wearing bulkier armour clearly designed to withstand the force of the recoil. They levelled their weapons at the cloud of dust kicked up by the hand grenades, and opened fire, each aiming to send a full clip of nine high-explosive rounds towards Nox, aiming to take advantage of his hindered regeneration before the bloodbane's effects could be fought off. They seemed horrified by the crackling visage of the lion, but were evidently disciplined enough to focus their fire on their instructed target regardless.
Finally, a single set of footsteps approached from beyond the wreckage of the double doors that the group had entered the hall through, as a long-haired man dressed in a crimson cloak approached. He held a large, silvery-bladed longsword in one hand - though it looked weighty enough that it ought to have been wielded with two - and in the other he clasped a hefty looking black pistol not dissimilar to a lawkeeper. He eyed Nox and his allies with a disdainful, ruby-red gaze, seemingly unphased by the horrific lion.
As he advanced, he raised the pistol and aimed it towards the beast, clicking a clip of consecrated ammunition into place and unloading several shots in quick succession at the demoness in the time it took him to begin closing the distance.
In the same instant, however, the side-doors to either side of the room burst inwards, and more blades moved in from there to flank the group. At their fore, a blade from each of the two doors each lobbed a hand grenade towards the crater in which Nox sheltered, each primed to detonate a bare instant after they landed with a powerful blast. Four more followed after - two from each door, these recognisably armed with Exorcist rifles and wearing bulkier armour clearly designed to withstand the force of the recoil. They levelled their weapons at the cloud of dust kicked up by the hand grenades, and opened fire, each aiming to send a full clip of nine high-explosive rounds towards Nox, aiming to take advantage of his hindered regeneration before the bloodbane's effects could be fought off. They seemed horrified by the crackling visage of the lion, but were evidently disciplined enough to focus their fire on their instructed target regardless.
Finally, a single set of footsteps approached from beyond the wreckage of the double doors that the group had entered the hall through, as a long-haired man dressed in a crimson cloak approached. He held a large, silvery-bladed longsword in one hand - though it looked weighty enough that it ought to have been wielded with two - and in the other he clasped a hefty looking black pistol not dissimilar to a lawkeeper. He eyed Nox and his allies with a disdainful, ruby-red gaze, seemingly unphased by the horrific lion.
As he advanced, he raised the pistol and aimed it towards the beast, clicking a clip of consecrated ammunition into place and unloading several shots in quick succession at the demoness in the time it took him to begin closing the distance.