Inquisitors

Me and Ami leaped out of the wagon onto the road and gained some distance before turning back around to face the wagon. My heart sank as I recognized the wagon as Tal's, and as the wagon came to a stop, all was confirmed as along with the slime ball baron who poked his head around, Tal also poked her head around.

"Tal! The hell's going on!?" Ami roared.

Tal simply smiled as she and the baron hopped down and slowly approached us. "Ah, there you are. I was wondering where you both went after we-"

"Don't play dumb! That's your wagon! I couldn't use magic inside it!" Ami trembled as she pointed her flintlock at Tal.

"You fool! I thought you confiscated her flintlock!" the baron fumed.

"Apologies, but I knew not she had one on her," Tal chuckled.

"You- I... Oh what's it matter? Unfortunately for you, witch, you were given the mercy to be executed on holy ground in Ova Sfongia, giving you more time to repent, but as you've gotten loose, I'll have to execute you here and now," the baron proclaimed.

Ami slowly began to go pale. "No, don't tell me..."

A maniacal grin lit up on the baron's face. "YES! I'm an inquisitor of the Church of Sirupus, Bishop Vasquez Trodheim La Floda!" he cackled as he ripped off his gold robes and wig to reveal white robes, a ringed hat, and a gold cross.

I clenched my fist. My hunch was right; this guy really was someone to be wary of. 

In Ova Sfongia, religious affairs are dominated by the Church of Sirupus, and the Sirupus faith, which asserts that Ova Sfongia was spared from the great flood after the great mage slayer, Sirupus, sacrificed himself to the sea. One of their core beliefs is that all magic, aside from a select few spells they deem "acceptable", is evil and all who embrace it must be purged. And the top enforcers of this faith were the inquisitors, an elite group of warriors who specialized in espionage and eliminating magic-users. 

Ami trembled as she pointed her flintlock at Floda.

"Oh, is your aim going to be better than last time? I've ditched the wig you like to practice on," Floda sneered as he slowly began walking forward.

"Can you use magic?" I whispered to Ami.

"His robes are enhanced to be magic resistant. Th- This is the only thing I can use," Ami shuddered as she began to tear up again.

This is the worst. Ami's not only down her most powerful asset, but traumatized to boot, and though I can probably hold Floda at bay, Tal's still a big unknown. I haven't sensed any hostility or danger from her this whole time, even now, which is truly unnerving me. However, we have a slight advantage, hopefully.

"Ami! Fly back to the nearest town and get the knights!" I shouted.

"NO! I'M NOT GONNA LEAVE YOU, YOU IDIOT!" Ami cried.

"Relax, I'll be fine. After all, someone wants to make me his play toy," I smirked as I stroked my cleavage.

"Oh my, she's seducing you," Tal chuckled.

"Yes, quite. Baron Goldsteel was a man wooed by exotic beauty such as yourself. BUT I AM BISHOP VASQUEZ TRODHEIM LA FLODA! I GIVE NOT TO TEMPTATION!" Floda cackled as he charged for me with his knife drawn.

I prepared to intercept, however, Floda leaped high into the air just before he could enter my range.

"You think you hit me back then because you were skilled!? I LET YOU HIT ME SO I COULD JUDGE YOUR STRENGTH!" Floda laughed as he hurled his knife towards Ami.

I bolted off as fast as I could to Ami, reaching her just in time to tackle her out of the way.

"Hoh, a fast one. Hmm... You're wearing those weird shoes the witch made. Heresy says I!" Floda scoffed as he landed and pulled out two more knives.

"They're called sneakers, ya slime ball," I glared.

"'SLIME BALL'!? YOU DARE!?" Floda screeched as he hurled both knives at us.

"Oh sorry, I believe, "Slop" was the proper term to refer to you as," I smirked as I princess carried Ami while dodging the knives.

"I'M ELITE! And elite... doesn't fail. My, look at the witch. She's become dead weight. Can you continue to dodge with her? What say this; offer up the witch for killing or kill her yourself, and I as bishop shall grant thee repentance and permit thee to join the church as a nun."

"Why would I do that?"

"For salvation! You don't use the wicked magic of these fools, and you are a beautiful woman, one who shouldn't be wasting-"

"Ami, snap to it! I need both hands to kick this guy's ass!"

Ami let out a gasp. "S- Sorry... I've been a burden... Alright, I'll do my part, but I'm not abandoning you, LaNorne," she sniffled as she flew up into the air.

"'LaNorne'... She called you that, did she not?" Floda glared.

"And?" I scoffed.

"Forget what I said, you must be killed immediately for the sins of your father!" Floda shouted as he charged in.

"Why? I'm not him," I scowled as I easily countered Floda's blows.

"That demon sunk over 30 ships! We had to use a holy blade to stop him, but even then, he- ACK!"

"Sorry, could you repeat that? I couldn't hear clearly," I growled as I landed a hit on Floda's face. 

"Then stop hitting me!"

"Alright," I shrugged, as I relaxed my arms.

"FOOL! I'D NEVER MAKE A- BLAGH!?"

And did he really think I'd stop attacking? Kicks are more powerful than punches anyway.

"Are you ready to retreat?" Tal smiled as Floda splatted to the ground.

"You think we can!? The witch is before us and so is the daughter of the demon! We must kill them in the name of Sirupus!" Floda snarled as he picked himself up.

"And if she overpowers you?"

"Then I use the holy blade, just as Pompi and many others did," Floda scowled as he pulled a dagger out of his cloak.

With its gold blade and jeweled hilt, it certainly could count as a holy blade in terms of looks. However...

"IT'S A DYBBUK BLADE! DON'T LET HIM KILL HIMSELF WITH IT!" Ami shouted.

"Do not slander this holy blade with your Blintzian heresy! This is a holy blade that grants an inquisitor the blessing to become a living soul, capable of entering the bodies of foes of Sirupus and using them to further the will of Sirupus! For such blasphemy uttered forth from your lips, DEATH!" Floda shouted as he charged for me.

"LANORNE!" Ami cried as she launched a massive fireball down towards us.

The message was received as I pushed my legs to the max to run around behind Floda, all while keeping an eye on Tal. Tal's gaze followed my movements, yet no sign of movement from her presented itself to me.

"Floda, she's circling behind you," Tal called out.

"You think I can't imagine that!? Well let her. I have the holy blessing protecting me!" Floda proclaimed as he planted his feet down and crossed his arms.

I squinted my eyes as it appeared like an invisible barrier formed around Floda. He's going all-in on defense. Then I guess I go all-in on attack.

"LANORNE! DON'T HIT HIM! THAT'S AN IMPENETRABLE MAGIC ATTACK THAT REPELS ANYTHING THAT HITS IT BACK AT THE ATTACKER!" Ami cried.

So it is that... Good thing I was going to do this attack anyway.

Ami's screaming intensified as I picked up speed, but I wasn't going to stop, I knew how to bust up this barrier. After all, my father once showed me first-hand how to shatter the "impenetrable".

"It's useless! This is a barrier that cannot be repelled, cannot be broken, for it is a blessing! A BLESSING THAT SHAN'T BE CONQUERED BY EVIL!" Floda cackled.

No, Paul's barrier was a bigger pain. This? Just an automatic victory for me. Assuming of course this fight is one-on-one. If Tal was going to make a move, now was the time. However, my instincts didn't trigger, and so, I readied my fist as I sped towards Floda's back.

SMASH!

"GAH!?" Floda cried as he hurdled through the air before smashing into a nearby tree. "Muh- My body! I can't move!"

From above, Ami slowly began to hover down. "LaNorne... What were you thinking? And... how did you do that?" she scowled as she struggled to choose between being angry or amazed by my actions. 

At least she didn't seem shaken by Floda anymore.

"I'll tell you when things are over," I smiled before scowling and turning to face Tal.

"TALIA! I can't move my hand! The blade is in my cloak! Bless my flesh with its gold so that I can continue the mission to kill the witch!" Floda shouted.

Tal nodded and slowly began walking forward.