Many knew that this day was to come. All the evidence had lined up for the eventual attack that was descending upon Revaliir. Kiba’s chest clenched tightly as he felt more panic than had ever felt before besides when the Void had swallowed up DaeLuin. Now he knew that all of his children were in this world. If this defense did not come to a proper end, than he had the potential to lose his family all over again. There were many that stood to lose everything if this did not go well. It was in moments like these that all had to hold together.

Hands flexed and relaxed between fists or stretched out hand. Only the slightest of sound was made as his armor shifted. Kiba was grateful at the gift he had been presented by Lokir during his time as a Champion. The armor felt like a glove over his entire body to protect him from harm, all while being commanded with a single thought. If there were ever a better time for his armor to be tried in true combat Kiba could not think of one.

His sapphire sword was strapped to his back as he pushed back the flap of his tent to look up at the sky squinting into rays of sun that managed to still warm the earth below. The crack in the sky was devastating to expose the monster that was looming to devour the world. Diowolf inhaled sharply before armored foot stepped forward to look for his guild mates. He needed to get them prepared for what was to come. He needed to make sure that they were ready for the attack to be made. Inside their encampment they were safe, but once they left it would not be the same story.

Kiba weaved between a few tents to find where he had settled the rest of the guild on this battle field. There was a proud smile that lit his lips as he looked up his granddaughter along with his daughter who were already preparing for the injured. Even with Alairia’s blindness, her fingers moved swiftly to prepare bandages and tonics. She had adapted well to her disability. His gaze connected with his daughter Teu. Her emerald eyes shone with worry as well as faith in her father. A small nod was shared between the two, before Kiba moved on to find the others of their guild.

His grandson Dae was far off at the edge of the shield along with Kiba’s followers. They were keeping watch while the rest prepared. ”Members of Nosse! Harken to me!” The diowolf let his voice boom out, it was time for them to set out. ”For those of you willing and able to carry arms we are going to leave the shield shortly. Make sure your armor as well as your weapons are in top condition. Those who are of a support capacity; see yourselves to Teu for instruction. We will need healing as well as care for weariness.” The diowolf took a large breath before releasing it.

”You have ten minutes. Then, we leave.”

Attie spotted her guild's encampment and ran over to it, with arms full of supplies. Her backpack was filled to the brim with potions, rations, blankets, weapons, and many other things. Most of these items had come from merchants and blacksmiths, all determined to keep their homes safe. She dropped off the supplies at the storage tents then ran off to meet with the healers to deliver the herbs that they needed. This was a job that she was best at, running between places to deliver things. Attie would join the battle but she noticed that the guild was lacking a few supplies so she had taken initiative and used her portals to get the resources. She made her way to the healers tent and handed them off to one of the healers. She didn't have time to stick around as she had to deliver the weapons to some of the soldiers who had requested them. These weapons were specialized for each of these soldiers. Attie was running around the encampment, trying to get everybody's weapons to them.

Eventually she had finished with that task and took a moment to sit. This was war. War for their very lives. War for everything that they held dear. As she looked around at the people in the encampment, she saw their determination and fear. They were determined to do their best to safe their homes but feared the monsters. Attie could sympathize with them but she had a different viewpoint on the situation. If she died in battle then there was nothing that she could do about it. She didn't have anybody who would miss her. There wasn't a family waiting for her back home and the few friends she had, well they didn't know her well enough to be sad about her if she died. Even this guild was far too new to really miss her. Still, she was determined to do her best and try to win against these monsters. If she didn't do her best and didn't live through the ordeal, then she would be failing everybody. That was where it really mattered to her. She had a responsibility to protect this world and these people. 

Attie pulled out a book from her bag. The book had a deep shade of green and had "How to go to war for smarties" sewn on the front cover. The first chapter described how disease was the first thing that killed most warriors during a war. The second thing that killed most soldiers and warriors was the actual battle. The third thing was a tie between starvation and lack of water. Attie decided that the book was bringing her mood down too much and decided to close the book. 

Putting the book back into her backpack, she began to ran off to one of the lady's tents so she could put on her armor. She had chosen simple leather armor so that she could move quickly. Attie knew that her two strengths were in agility and magic thus her outfit reflected that. Leaving the tent, Attie walked to the edge of the shield where the army was being gathered for a battle. She had her daggers and her backpack in case anybody needed potions or other materials. She listened as the Diowolf boomed out instructions to the group. Ten minutes. Ten minutes until battle. 

Isleen had not agreed to formally join the guild. She was incredibly uncomfortable with what that would mean as she took the ties of family incredibly serious. The last time she felt truly connected to one, the majority were also part of her Pack. The dark haired girl would have given up her life for any of them without question.Yet, things had changed since then. Fate tore her away from the Pack at a fairly early age and when there was a semblance of hope to return to them, the Void occurred. Then it was she and Ethan against the world in this new land. Now, her mate was still her reason for breathing but now that she reconnected with family, her universe expanded. If the wolf was to agree to being in the guild, there would be responsibilities and obligations. Had the clan been entirely composed of wolves, perhaps the decision would’ve been easier. Alas, she was a vampire-werewolf with an affinity for blood magic and psionics.

She trekked through the camp, stopping at the various sections. The girl raised her hand above her head and swiped it slowly across. The name of the zone sparkled in the air to help designate exactly what was occurring where to provide some order to the chaos. If they were facing other people, she wouldn’t have been so transparent in the structure of the camp but she was betting the creatures wouldn’t be able to read. At the healer’s area, she paused and placed a hand upon her sister’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “See you soon,” Isleen promised. “But not too soon,” Teu protested, her worry for her people and family undeniable. The wolf nodded and pivoted away towards where the rest were gathering.

Isleen had argued with Ethan and her father a few nights prior on where exactly she was going to be during the battles. Unlike Teu, Isleen’s role in the family and guild was never clearly defined. The girl could now heal grievous wounds but there were apprehensions about being around so much blood and chaos. It would have been safer to be among the healers but no one could be truly certain if she would stay focused and work quickly enough or simply be in the way. The other option was to have her on the field with them. Realistically, Isleen was not expected to wield a sword, though one of the men mentioned wanting her by their side, or even use a bow. She argued that babysitting her would only be a distraction, demanding not to be treated like a child. Finally, they agreed that she would be among the offensive forces but on the sidelines with the archers and the majority of the mages. Her magic could withstand the distance.

Her eyes, also mismatched upon that day, met with her father’s gaze moments before he spoke to the crowd. She lifted her chin slightly, pulled back her shoulders, and tugged her dark leather armor down. As one of his daughters, she knew she had a reputation to live up to. Her hair had been pulled back into many intricate braids to keep her wavy locks out of her face. Isleen swallowed hard at the given time frame as fear began to creep in. She weaved through the crowd to find Ethan once more. They wrapped their arms around each other, his forehead resting upon hers. The wolf breathed in heavily, soaking in his scent. Selfishly, she wished they had never left their home. Being tangled up in sheets with her head on his chest never sounded better.

Tick. Tock.

Kythe ran a hand along Valandil's scaled neck, her emerald eyes on the horizon. She had hoped and prayed that a day like today would not come; that the Nosse would not be called into battle so early in their existence… but that had been a fleeting, ridiculous dream, a dream that even she had not truly held much stock in. Was this eventuality not the very reason she had worked so hard to create the Guild? To defend Revaliir from such dangers? 
If experience had taught her anything, in her long millennia, it was that the prepared survived even the worst events… she had lived many years, been through countless battles and still prepared for the next, while hoping that she would never see it's beginning. They had been as ready as they could have been, the Void had swallowed DaeLuin during her absence, had taken away a world that had been a home to her, and stolen countless lives - many of whom had held a place within the Minadrian woman's heart. She owed a lot to that lost land, and she would avenge it today, she would not see Revaliir fall to the same enemy… she had not been there to protect her family last time, but she would give her life for them this time. 

The battle would be long and hard, the Gods had already assigned themselves sections and let the rest of Revaliir know their roles - Kythe had sent word to each faction, pledging the Nosse to them and stating that her Guild would move across the battlefield to support everyone where they were needed. Valandil turned on a wingtip, the colossal Dragon opening his maw and letting out a war cry at the offending horizon, his roar reverberating across the Plains. This was not the first time Kythe had ridden him into war, but today she would be joining him in the skies, to deal with the larger enemies and to protect their people with sheer brute strength. 
As the Dragon soared over the main camp, Kythe slapped his neck one more time, stood up, and launched herself from her position on his back, her own wings unfurling to slow her descent. 

A small, sad smile crossed her face as she heard Kiba's voice booming out a way off from her. She had her family to see before she took her place with Valandil; Luna was safe with the children and Pol in Mamlak… her youngest daughter had youngsters of her own to look after, and Kythe's husband had promised to watch over them in his wife's absence - though an argument had been had in regards to her own attendance given she was pregnant with their children. What choice did she have? Kythe could not ask her people to risk their lives then sit on her laurels! She had never been that person, and Pol knew that, no matter how much it broke his heart to think about. 
She found Teu and Alairia, pulling the women into her arms, kissing their foreheads and telling them she loved them. Turning away her eyes found Isleen and Ethan, and she hurried to their sides, pulling both against her (regardless of any protestations the latter may have had). "Stay safe, both of you. Do you hear me?" The woman said sternly, putting a hand on both their cheeks, her emerald eyes glistening with tears that would never fall. 
Again she turned and left them, finding Dae stood close to his grandfather, where her own daughter stood also. Kythe's heart ached for them, she had tried desperately to spare Kaya the life that she had led… and here she was, watching her daughter ready herself for war. "I've sent messages to the Deities, they know where we are and which squad leaders to call upon should they require our aid in any certain areas. Kiba, lead our ground factions, I will take the larger enemies in the sky alongside Valandil and Raith. Kaya, my darling…" Kythe's words failed her as she kissed her daughter on her forehead, reaching out to squeeze Dae's shoulder before she looked back at Kiba. "Stay safe, all of you. If I find out any of you have been killed I will bring you back to life and finish the job with my bare hands, do you understand me?" She whispered, taking the moment to hug Kiba briefly, before turning away from her son lest her emotions get the better of her and she find a way to send them all far from the front lines. 

A quick word was had with her honour guard before Kythe shed herself of her clothes, handing them to Mordekai, who was doing his level best not to fuss at his Mistress. Launching herself into the air Kythe transformed once she was high enough up… and the sight was quite impressive. Dwarfing even the large Valandil, Kythe's ebony black scales shimmered despite the scars that littered them. Three heads, each sporting her emerald eyes, all opened their mouths and roared in unison, Valandil answering his Bondmate's war cry along with a third black Dragon, smaller than the first two but by no means weaker despite his obviously blind eyes.
Together the trio landed, slowly and carefully, standing amongst the Nosse, towering over the Guild members as they furled their wings in unison… what a sight the Guild made - races of all kinds, having come together, backed by the three massive Dragons and who knew what else. 

"Nosse! Today is the day that we have been preparing for; this is the call that we have been ready for, the reason for our being. We are a family, we are a home to one another, and today our home is being threatened. Rise up! Rise with me and all of Revaliir! Today we defend our home and our family! Stay safe, all of you, I expect to see each and every one of you home tonight to celebrate our victory!" Kythe called, throwing back her heads and letting out another cry. 
Today would be their day. 

Aeolus had heard from Jace and Gideon about the nightmares that had happened to the trio, and had listened with intent. He had even come across something from their own nightmares when there was a crisis so long ago, things that existed in the Void of the Crossroads. Against all odds, he had fought against one, and had won. The entire sensation he had felt when he had encountered them was something indescribable, a vast wholeness that made him feel more alive and awake.

He had later learned that he had felt the fear of death. It was exhilarating. Intoxicating. He had not quite felt it since then, and thus felt a longing for the sensation again.

But not like this. He was worried for them. Rynn. Jace. Gideon. They had all survived a nightmare that he himself had not survived. Or at least, it was an alternate version of him from another world. Still, to see the fear on Jace’s face as he explained how the war came to an end.

He strapped the three blades across his armor, making sure that there was room for his wings when he activated them. Today would be the day he would break his limits. Aeolus knew well. Corydalis foretold it… Perhaps it was this, or perhaps it was something else Regardless, the warrior felt that the six winged angel would wake up today.

Or the dragon.

He knew that Rynn had joined Nosse, and thus had made his way to their encampment upon the Bohar Plains. While he wasn’t entirely surprised at the turnout, he felt as though it wouldn’t be enough. Not if this is the same as it was for the Alzrahi family. Still, he had arrived just in time to hear Kythe’s rousing speech. She spoke of reason, and family. Even to an outsider such as Aeolus, he felt the strength and compassion behind her words.

“Rynn chose her place well,” he said aloud, to no one in particular. Still, he had not spotted her in the crowd. He made his way through, asking every so often if someone knew of, or had seen his cousin. He had hoped to get to Kythe, the leader of the guild, as she would probably have the best idea of where to look, but Aeolus doubted he would get close in the current reign of affairs.

I just hope she’s all right….

The vampire was keeping his distance the best he could while within the encampment. Nosse was now a formal gathering that had those mostly of the Family that he had done his best to stay away from. Now, they were all together in a shielded location. The only way to remove himself from the awkward cluster was to leave the shield and go to war. Ethan contemplated this many times, but knew that he would not until Isleen was ready. His crimson gaze followed his mate as she made her path through the tents. Hand clenched into tight fists at his side as he recalled the lost arguments in regards to her going onto the field of battle. It had been odd enough for Ethan to meet Kiba once again, but to agree with him as well was almost too much for the vampire to take.

Standing off to the side, Ethan waited for Isleen to speak to the family as they prepared for the field. He thought about the reunion that had happened not only for his lover…but also himself. There had been whispers of the Family over the time since his arrival. Ones that he had ignored as he had dared not believe if possible they escaped the horrific Void. As time had gone by the whispers had become more reality. To know that Teu and her children had survived had been beyond any hope you could have ever had. Even knowing that they were alive, Ethan had kept his distance. They were better off without him. Any news that he could bribe out of people, he did. When Alairia had been found to be blinded due to torture it had nearly broken the vampire.

Now, they were all reunited. Ethan and Teu’s reunion had been a quiet affair. One filled with silent embraces. He had been able to meet the children as now they had grown into full adults. It was odd to see them in such a state, but there was no denying the magic that had effected them from the god Raktor during the transference.

Arms were crossed over his muscled and armored chest as he heard the two girls bid farewell to one another for the time being. He could see the sorrow in Teu’s eyes as she followed the back of her sister. Ethan’s crimson gaze met with Teu’s from across the distance. The pair managed to smile at each other before the healer went back to her work. He knew that she could not shoulder the anxiety of potentially losing her family out on the battle field. Instead, Teu would throw herself into her work.

Kiba spoke out to the crowd of guild members that had amassed. Ethan was not one of the little followers, but he was there for Isleen….that was all that mattered to him. When Isleen made her way back to him, it took no time for each to hug the other close. The male rested his forehead against her’s all while taking in her scent. Hands lifted to cup each side of her face, feeling the fear coming off of her slightly. ”You will hang back with the archers. We need ranged support against some of these things. Keep a healthy distance,” he ordered. This was not going to be up for discussion as he was already conceding that she would be on the battle field at all. ”I will be up in the vanguard with Kiba. What we need is for eyes keeping an eye out for ‘Plaugers.’ Apparently these creatures are easy to spot since they are bloated and grotesque. They spew poison as well as noxious gas. We have been warned to keep at a distance; they can be taken down with magic. Direct people to take those down as quickly as possible.”

An ache was pitted in his stomach at the thought of giving directions for war to his mate. They should have stayed in bed.

His hold on her face released as Kythe approached the pair to wish them both luck. Muscles stiffened as she gave him a hug. He felt no closeness with the woman, but he would not deny if Isleen wanted to have another family member to call her own. He arched a brow at her as she told them to be safe. No response was given even if he did not fully reject her. It was annoying. Let Kiba want a mother, Ethan already had one that could never be replaced.

Victory speeches before the battle was to even start. Yes little mortals. Get your hopes up. Roar up about victory, while many of you will beg to be dragged back to the healers to save your lives. The vampire resented needing to be clumped in with the Nosse, but again it was for his love. She was more palatable to the public than he ever would be. Even if he did not want to be there, he didn’t want to see these people die. It would upset Teu greatly if anything were to happen to them.

Hiro double checked his equipment.  His crimson armor was cleaned off and polished, and his sword, Empyrean, was sharpened and ready for action.  He had a couple other weapons stored away, ready to be summoned at a moment's notice.  He checked and double checked everything.  It was ready for the fight to come.  But was he ready for the fight?  He had wished his father was here to fight at his side, but he was no longer with the living.  However, he wasn't alone.  He had Aunt Kythe, Uncle Blaze, and these new guild members in Nosse, which he had just joined on the urging of Kythe.  A guild to protect that which must be protected.  Well, now they were fighting to protect each other, and those who could not fight.  They were fighting to protect this world.  The insects of madness, lead by Eldritch beings of power.  His father had fought creatures such as these in his world.

Now it was his turn.

He had his companions, he had his guild.  He trained all his life to fight against evil, world-eaters, and the like.  Now he would prove his training was not in vain.

He made his way to the group listening to Kiba and Kythe make their speeches.  He cheered at the end.

"Hell yeah!"

This was his time to shine.  The lad stood there in his crimson armor, fist pumping in the air.

It was time to shine.

His being here was inevitable. He did not particularly care about protecting Revaliir, not as such, but this was Alairia's home, or at least it had become such after the Void had devoured DaeLuin. Was it the same beings that had taken his birthworld, that had come to take this place too? Whatever it was, whoever it was, he would not allow them to take this place as well, not so long as there was breath in his body. He would not allow this world to be destroyed, not now that he had a reason for living in it, not when he had a reason to ensure it's survival… and it would always be her. 
Raith had spoken with Dae; letting his friend know that he would be better utilised in the air in his Draconic form for the majority of the time, he had, of course, asked Dae to ensure that Alairia was safe while he was absent… as though he really needed to ask such a thing of the man. There was something he needed to do first. With Silence helping him navigate the crowds of people quickly, he found his way to the very edge of Nosse's encampment. He moved further away from them before kneeling and putting his hand to the ground, head cocking to one side as he 'listened'. Good… there were plenty buried here. 
"I call upon the dead who lay here, rise up and answer to my command, I invoke you, rise and stand as my army, find your way out of your graves, I command you," he snarled, fingers digging into the earth as he felt the first stirrings of the dead clawing their way up, out of their graves as his order. Smiling to himself, the blind man turned away, they would come, soon, and he would reek havoc upon the creatures that dared to threaten the peace and harmony he was trying to build for his beloved Alairia. 

Alairia… he had to find her, had to hold her before he took to the sky to defend her. Striding back into the encampment he found his way to his lover swiftly, taking her into his arms and holding her tightly, kissing her passionately. "Stay safe, do nothing rash, and don't run onto the battlefield," he said, sternly and with a somewhat exasperated tone as though he expected her not to listen… which in a way he did. "I love you, I will come back to you. I will leave Silence with you, should you need me, or Dae, send him for us," he kissed her once more and left her side swiftly, he knew that if he lingered for too much longer, he would not be able to pull himself away from her, and he had to do this to lkeep her safe. 
With Silence's eyes, Raith saw his mother transform, and he swiftly shed his clothes to do the same. This would be the first time he and his mother had fought, side by side, it was an odd feeling, something that he had not quite got his head around yet, but he knew that it was necessary. Spreading his wings wide, Raith took off into the air, following his mother's scent and falling slightly behind her, listening to the powerful sweep of her wings. In the back of his mind, something niggled at him, that this was what he had wanted most in his life - to be in the air with his mother, soaring high above the clouds… any other circumstance he might have taken the time to reflect on that, but now was not the time. He heard his mother's speech and added his war cry alongside her and Valandil. 

Suddenly he heard the roar of something else, something answering their confident challenge. Silence showed him the oncoming storm of enemies… good…. let them try. Another roar escaped his throat and the dead rose from the ground, tearing their way out from the earth and clawing at those rushing to kill them. Their skeletal hands grasped at the limbs of their foul things the Void had spat out at them, felling some and swarming them with further boney bodies. At least his undead would slow them down. With a snarl the smallest of the three Dragons began to dive, opening his maw the moment he was above their enemy and letting out a devastating breath of flame at the monstrosities below, his tail whipping out at those that may have got out of the way in time, flicking them across the plains. He would see them ended here.  

Once. One other time in Isleen’s life had she gone to war that personally involved her family. Somehow, this felt different and perhaps more important. This time, she had family all around her and it was about saving all of them. She had just found them; the wolf couldn’t bare to lose anyone. The girl would always be patron of death and darkness but just this once, she asked both to stay at bay. She prayed for life and strength instead, not knowing those deities by name but confident they must exist. She thought of her life with Ethan and all that they still had before them. For perhaps the first time, she thought of a formal wedding. The declaration of being each other’s had been enough before. She didn’t need witnesses and vows to make their commitment any more real or important. And yet, something about saying it the world caused her to smile for just a moment.

She looked up at him and nodded at his orders. In any other situation, Isleen certainly would’ve given him a hard time for thinking he could tell her what to do. “I know,” she replied softly, putting her hands upon his. She forced a smile. “I can do this – we can do this. Don’t be a hero, come back to me,” she added with a more stern tone. Accountability went both ways with this pair.

Isleen’s attention shifted to Kythe as she approached. The wolf put an arm around their leader with a smile. She breathed deeply, wishing to remember this moment and the Minidrian’s scent. “Of course,” Isleen answered, cheeks flush from the vulnerable moment. “You’ll keep those boys in line, won’t you?” The wolf added with a chuckle. Kythe left to finish making her rounds. Isleen looked back at Ethan and felt the color drain from her face. She could feel the hesitation between them. She was the one that made them come - and it was she that demanded she be useful. This meant if something happened to one of them, it was ultimately her fault.She flinched slightly at the sudden uproar. So it was less obvious, she leaned up and took a last kiss from her love. “See you soon,” she promised against his lips before peeling herself away from his form.

“Ranged units, let’s go!” she called out as the signal of colored sparks danced across the sky. The wolf began jogging towards the front of the team she would be with. Isleen was certainly not a commander but until someone else stepped up to direct them, the vampire would step in. She put a hand in the air and motioned for them to go forward. It took every fiber in her being not to turn around and look at her loved ones one more time. You are the Unfading Star - Watch their backs on the field, Isleen Amara, she thought to herself.

The rangers naturally fell into place while mages divided themselves into groups based on their specialty. She planted herself somewhere in the middle, prepared to go back and forth. The dragons had taken to the sky and new creatures had broken through the cracks in the planes. “This is what we trained for, this is why we’re here - Attack!” she bellowed. Then the wolf kneeled down and felt for a ley line. The moment she connected with the magical current, bright sigils shone on her exposed skin. Her breath caught from the sheer force of energy she was channeling. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the earth, breaking through any roots in her way. She looked forward to the guild members below that were now racing on the ground. “Grom crios,” she growled. Blue energy danced across the battlefield before enclosing on itself as a large circle of arch protection. Then her gaze went to a few of the monsters that were moving quicker than the rest. “Claíomh Solais,” she shouted, sending bright bursts of light to help illuminate them as targets.

“Plaugers! Do not let them get close to our comrades. They’ll spit poison and emit toxic gas!” the dark haired girl shouted.

Attie looked for somebody to talk to during her ten minutes but couldn't find anybody. The guild was nice but sometimes it felt as though she was outside looking in. She had come to realize that a large majority of the guild were already friends or were close friends. Finding a place to insert herself was difficult. The thought of going into battle with strangers was both a comfort and a worry. At one point, she would never have to worry about mourning a loved one dying in battle. But at the same time, if she died, there would be nobody to mourn her. Did anybody here even know her name? Though that was mostly her own fault. She was the one who wasn't friendly enough. Attie didn't socialize enough and simply was too new to have a deep connection with anybody. It wasn't anybody else's fault but her own. 

But that was no reason to not smile! A depressed face was all it took to lower people's confidences. She needed to be happy and to not worry about those unpleasant thoughts. Attie smiled and began to walk towards the rest of the group who was gathering to their own lines. Besides even if they weren't close, the guild was always nice to everybody so she would do her best to make them feel safe and protected. Attie had decided to join the front lines as she was better at using magic in close combat than ranged. And if anybody needed a potion then she would be able to quickly toss it to them. Soon the battle had started. 

A blue magical energy ran through the battlefield before creating a large circle of arch protection. Attie gripped her hand on the whip on her belt as she began to run in front of the group along with a few other mages who had chosen to be on the front lines. Her eyes focused on the illuminated Plaguer. The Plaguers, she remembered them as she had fought with them before on another front. Attie held out her hands and a column of flames shot out, burning a Plaguer to a crisp. She was far enough that the Plaguer wasn't spitting at her but was close enough for the flames to incinerate it.  Attie was relying on the archers to take out most of the Plaguers but she had her flames ready in case they didn't. The fight was just beginning.