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Post by Valcrist on Sept 15, 2012 21:03:58 GMT -6
"So you are here for the honor of a good fight?" The words still remained in the front of his mind as he marched ahead nearly blindly. It was strange because... he didn't really think that was it. He just wanted to fight. Nothing special, no honor, no desire to win, no misplaced sense of entitlement, nothing but the want to fight. Did it really need to be so complicated? Maybe it made Valcrist a violent person, though he would never want to start a fight. It was the actual fight that he loved, it... was one of the few moments where he simply forgot about everything, all his preconceptions and doubts, all his hesitations... Hesitation has no place in battle.
He sat in the waiting room, he was up next, breathing slowly but controlled. Calm but completely nervous at the exact same time. The blade on his back, his untitled wind sword would have to sit this battle out. It will be all up to his newly forged blade, Fang cannot stand up to much more battle until it cracks. He could hear the crowd, they were wild, the cheering and the anticipation filled him with terror. That would all disappear once the fight started... But now? Right now he was absolutely petrified.
Biting his lip and staring at the stone floor with a gaze that couldn't even be bothered to pay attention to it, his distant eyes strained and tired. Maybe this was all a mistake? No, no, you're not Valcrist. Not today, you are The Lost Blade. A wandering swordsman without name. He is fighting here today, not Valcrist. A swelling of fake confidence filled his chest as he forced his frozen body to move, the world and all it's color and sounds beginning to rush in. A man came by, looking strong and ready to fight himself. "It's time to go, good luck."
The Lost Blade walked through the stone arch, passing many things his mind did not grab, he was focused onto a single point. He would fight. The clearing grew larger and larger as he passed the metal gate, it slamming into the earth behind him. "AT THE SOUTH END, THE LOST SWORDSMAN!" A voice roared above all the noise, one that announced his arrival. The arena was spacious, and on the other end of this large battleground was another man, atop a wyvern and with a spear in hand. It figured, his first battle was against someone with every possible advantage.
The crowd, well it didn't roar. Why would it? They didn't know this imaginary man, they had no need to get excited. It cheered all the same however, a singular dull buzz in the air that blanketed all other sources of sound. "AND AT THE NORTH END, GRAVEDIGGER YORICK!" The crowd erupted, deafening all sounds and filling The Lost Blade's ears with a sort of ringing that made him cringe. He was clearly well known in his own way, it didn't make him nervous though. No, no. The Lost Blade would never get nervous about such a thing. "THIS BATTLE IS UNTIL ONE SURRENDERS OR ONE IS UNABLE TO FIGHT ANY LONGER! READY... GO!!"
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Sept 15, 2012 21:51:10 GMT -6
[red]"The Lost Swordsman? Come on, what is with these boring names."[/red] Wyatt commented to Mana. [red]"A real warrior would let their ability speak first, don't you agree?"[/red] He asked, as he studied the two in the ring.
He whistled when he saw the other one. [red]"A Wyvern Rider? Yikes, looks like that swordsman is in for a rough time of things."[/red] He mused, watching them and trying to judge them. It was difficult from this point to say who had the advantage. I mean sure, the lance was a great weapon versus a sword, but he himself could fight sword users, so who said a swordsman couldn't fight a lancer?
[red]"So what do you think Mana? I'll put five gold on the Wyvern."[/red] He commented, getting pumped already for the fight.
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Edrick
Shaman
Even in darkness one can devote themself to the light.
Posts: 114
Sacae Fame: 1
Profession: Jack of all Trades
Affinity: Light
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Post by Edrick on Sept 15, 2012 22:35:27 GMT -6
"AT THE SOUTH END, THE LOST SWORDSMAN!" As a mostly hidden swordsmen walks out of the southern gate to face the wyvern rider at the north gate.
"A swordsmen aye? He will have a hard time against that wyvern rider." He mumbles as he sizes up the two contestants. "I think the rider will win this one......." His sentence fading out. "But that swordsman must have some tricks up his sleeve. I think i shall root for him". Then the roars of the crowd drown out his thoughts with their cheers.
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Post by Valcrist on Sept 15, 2012 22:37:40 GMT -6
The Lost Swordsman held his blade in hand, it was a simple blade that stood in such stark contrast to ornate blade that hung at his waist. Simple, efficient, a single sharpened edge and designed for quick, fluid strikes. This was a blade design known as the scimitar, a blade that was was designed in the deserts of Nabata itself. It looked positively flimsy compared to his foe's spear, one that could run through the average man in a single strike. From his hand that blade barely touched the ground as he held it low and to the earth, standing completely still. He hadn't moved since the battle begun, and his opponent looked rather confused. The man upon his mount looked ready to begin, but The Lost Swordsman was rather flat footed.
The world stood tense for a moment, waiting for the first movement. A burst of movement, like loosing an arrow erupted in the air, the spearman took off into the air quickly darting to the unawares swordsman. In an instant all life returned to the swordsman's body, fluidly dodging the spear strike having been given such a long time to prepare. This was not without reason, he wanted to make sure his enemy made the first move. He needed to see how he began a battle, how he moved when he began to strike, the little motions he made to command his wyvern. It wasn't much, but it was a start, in a battle as badly disadvantaged as he was, he needed every bit of information. The swordsman didn't need to best the man's lance, but the man itself.
The lance crashed into the earth, kicking up a cloud of dust and dirt, the swordsman moving out of the way completely, twisting his body away as the lance is retracted and thrust again like a bolt of lightning. Valcrist managed to dodge again, and the next and the next, this man had an indisputable advantage in range. Valcrist could dodge most of his hits, but even one mistake could cost him.
This was a battle against the nature of the sword, it was a close range weapon while the lance was good at mid range, and excelled at repelling unwanted intruders into its dead zone. Even if Valcrist managed to slip in, he could escape with his steed. His opponents speed didn't matter, it was all the wyvern. He could gain great momentum on everyone of his strikes, causing each strike to possibly be fatal. Having a natural leverage and each strike coming from above, it was all he could do is to avoid them as they came. The advantage he had was that each strike came straight and true, a thrust, so if he dodge to the sides it was easier to manage.
Another thrust, the swordsman raising his blade to redirect the lance to the left, but before he could possibly close in, the man drew his lance back once more and struck again. It was a flurry of strikes that made even the speedy fighter rethink his strategy, it was hard to pay attention to three different things at once. A sudden twist! Yorick commanded his Wyvern to do something, something he could not recognize. His mind raced and shouted and instinctively Valcrist brought his arms up. Just in time for the crushing hammer of the beast's tail to smash into his lightly armored body and sending him sliding back from the sheer force. Biting his lip in effort, a pain rushed through his body but it couldn't be anything worse then a bruise. That wasn't the problem though, this was obviously a well trained maneuver, as in an instant that man's lance came straight for his heart. The Lost Swordsman barely having enough time to manage to twist his body out of the way for it to pierce the ground once more. By the time he readied for another thrust, the swordsman regained his stance and composure dodging once more and putting more distance between the two.
"What? Too afraid to fight?" The man scoffed in laughter, and if the lost swordsman had paid it any attention, he would hear the crowd roaring with him. The masked man didn't care, he held his blade again, ready for another attack which he would dodge and repel. He would dodge and repel everything until his opportunity arose.
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Post by Tuatara 'Tut' Yamen on Sept 15, 2012 22:47:31 GMT -6
Tuatara happened to be next to the daranged shaman. "The wyvern? You should see my best friend, that wyverns nothing," Tuatara said, nudging the shaman with his elbow. "Swords always win. Do doubt about it, especially against a said excuse of a lizard as that." He watched the happenings of the fight.
"See? Totally winning," Tuatara said, yawning. He looked at the masked guy. "YOU CAN DO IT MAN!! TAKE DOWN THAT OVER GROWN LIZARD!!!!" He cheered, making a fool of himself as usual. Can't wait until my, turn, they won't know what hit them.
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Edrick
Shaman
Even in darkness one can devote themself to the light.
Posts: 114
Sacae Fame: 1
Profession: Jack of all Trades
Affinity: Light
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Post by Edrick on Sept 15, 2012 23:07:52 GMT -6
"The wyvern? You should see my best friend, that wyverns nothing." The person next to him said while he nudged him with his elbowed."Swords always win. Do doubt about it, especially against a said excuse of a lizard as that." Then after a series of dodges by the swordsman he said "See? Totally winning, YOU CAN DO IT MAN!! TAKE DOWN THAT OVER GROWN LIZARD!!!!"
A bit confused by the person next to him he asks. "Wait, who is your best friend? And as much as I would like for the swordsman to win he has little chance against such a team." The words of the man's sentence finally setting in. "Wait, did you just say to take down the wyvern? Shouldn't he go for the man instead?"
"Oh and by the way my name is Edrick. Nice to meet you." he said extending his hand.
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Post by Mana on Sept 16, 2012 0:29:07 GMT -6
"Yeah, I think the name is a little weird. And the other one isn't better. Gravedigger...I don't like it." Mana seemed interested with the fight. Actually, she was more interested with the wyvern. She only saw the beast in rare occassion, a few times when she was a kid and few times when she and Wyatt came to Bern. "I want to have a wyvern," she thought.
"I think the wyvern rider would win. He has mobility, and can fly too, it would be difficul for the Lost Swordsman to attack his opponent. If the wyvern is counted, it's basically two versus one fight," she remarked. Mana was right, the wyvern launched his tail at the swordsman. That would be difficult to dodge, she could feel it, most people wouldn't be able to react to such attack. Mana watched the tail smashed the swordsman very hard, followed by a spear thrust. Fortunately, he managed to minimize the damage although it was a close call, he could have lose his life. "I will bet for the Lost Swordsman then. I don't know why but I really want him win."
The roar of the crowd grew louder as the taunt of the wyvern rider failed to provoke the swordsman. Mana bit her lips, this battle was a really difficult. This was kinda one-sided battle. She wondered if the swordman was waiting for his chance or simply unable to cope against his opponent's attacks. There wasn't any sign of surrender in his movement, he stood bravely before the beast and its rider, preparing for another clash. The Sacaen girl felt her heart throbbing fast, this battle was entertaining.
"Come on, Lost Swordsman. You can do it," she muttered.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Sept 16, 2012 8:35:55 GMT -6
Wyatt winced at that hit, looking to Mana for a moment. [red]"You can cheer. It sounds like he needs the encouragement!"[/red] He remarked, turning back to the fight. The swordsman was doing better then he expected, but he saw a lot of his own mindset in his moves. Defensive, wait for your opponent to tip their hand, and then strike at their weak spot. If that was the way he was going to do it, this might be a bit of a prolonged battle.
[red]"Hah, you're betting on the Wyvern, but cheering for the Swordsman, eh? Guess a tiger cannot change it's spots."[/red] He chuckled, as the man began taunting his opponent.
Oh great, a braggart. Now he wanted the swordsman to win, braggarts were annoying.
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Post by Valcrist on Sept 16, 2012 9:27:33 GMT -6
More thrusts, it never seemed to end. He didn't only need to compete against the rider, but the beast as well. He commanded that beast, and it moved for him, a battle of stamina is impossible to win. The rider did not need to worry about moving, so he could simply focus on the offense, that heavy spear would of slowed down an average man. It was the spear's weight and the strength of his mount that made his attacks so deadly, naturally above the Swordsman's head his attack all aimed down. Using gravity to build up their momentum, each hit crashing down from above like a bolt of lightning.
Each time the two broke, the swordsman took the distance. Outside of the lanceman's comfort zone, so that he would need to close the distance, and he always did. The attacks were fast, furious, and increasingly deadly, but the lost warrior was sure he could keep up his evasive dance. A short tango between the two, Yorick always taking the offensive and it was all the swordsman could do to deflect and dodge the hail of death. Each moment passed made the situation look more depressing then the last, to anyone's outside eye it was obvious, the swordsman could simply not keep up with the endless onslaught. It was foolish, fighting not only a man but his beast.
The earth was littered with small hole, almost as if someone was marking the site of a hundred graves, the dirty earth underneath their feet giving way easily to the many strikes. Still, the swordsman refused to give in, he never faltered in his movements.
"Come... on!" The grave digger grunted, almost sounding irritated. This battle wasn't hard, but it was trying his patience. In this entire battle, the swordsman had yet to make a single offensive strike. It was slightly unnerving, he did nothing but defend his self.
Some may call his style passive, even cowardly. Words the swordsman knew well, but...
Yorick struck again, and again, and again. Not showing a single chip in his onslaught, a well trained man, moving as if his body wasn't even needing input from his mind. An autonomous, unconscious striking, getting into a groove and going with it. He thrust his spear, and without even thinking pulling it back to strike yet once again. Closing the distance when he fled, it was almost like a pattern, but somehow he couldn't seem to pin the swordsman.
The swordsman darted back to increase the distance once again, and the wyvern leapt into the air once again to make- wait. Wait! The second the swordsman leapt back, he began to sprint forward again! It was too late for the wyvern to stop!
The Lost swordsman rushed in, the man temporarily unable to strike with the wyvern rising into the air, a small downtime of his strikes as he could not aim with his entire body being shifted so suddenly, he tried to get his wyvern to stop, but it had already began to move and the momentum carried it on. He awkwardly tried to thrust his lance, but it was nowhere close enough, the swordsman twisted inside the man's dead zone, leapt to strike at him and-
A loud clang of metal upon metal filled the arena. In the man's off hand he held a shortsword, parrying the swift blow that had come unexpectedly. The leaping man's eyes opening wide as he came back to the earth. Landing awkwardly he was unable to balance his self properly to prepare for the swift counter attack. It took asll he had to barely manage to evade deadly damage, the steall tip of the lance grazing the edge of his arm slicing the flesh clean through. A shallow wound, blood dripping from the tip of the spear and beginning to blot the dark brown fabric of his clothes.
He never expected the man to have a sword as well, he almost had it. Now he's going to be on his guard, no way he would fall for the swordsman's trap once more. It wasn't a bad blow, he could still fight just as well, still the sting of the wound only made the lost swordsman chuckle. That was good, it couldn't be too easy, could it? The unexpected part only made the battle that much more fun.
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Aurek
Soldier
I hate the undead just a little more than I hate the living.
Posts: 122
Profession: Santa
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Post by Aurek on Sept 16, 2012 9:47:00 GMT -6
As Aurek watched the fight, he realized the man he had been talking to was the one out there. And he was getting beaten badly. Not understanding the man's strategy, Aurek figured he was doomed to never strike and fall beneath the fearsome lance blows. When the Lost Swordsman finally closed in for a strike the wyvern rider pulled out a sword! Things had gone from bad to worse it seemed. Aurek would probably never be able to speak to the man again. Not knowing what else to do, Aurek began cheering for the swordsman. "C'mon! Kill the dumb beast! And his wyvern too. Make him pay!" This was incredibly odd for Aurek. He had never cheered for anything. However, he was so caught up in the moment he failed to realize this.
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Post by Tuatara 'Tut' Yamen on Sept 16, 2012 10:02:08 GMT -6
"Nice to meet you Edrick," Tuatara said, shaking his hand vigorously. "My best friend is Aeros, he's a dragon!" Tuatara smiled. He watched the swordsman make his move. "AH HA! See, sword always wins!" He chuckled. He was refering to the wyvern rider. "But that wyvern has no chance. Nope, none!"
Huh, that was some amazing foot work, Tuatara thought. Though I would have tried grabbing the lance and take a free ride by now. "Oh, wounded. If it was me I wouldn't gotten hit by such a parlor trick! Well, maybe a little, but definately wouldn't have goten hit by that lance. Nope. Ok, well maybe..."
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Yaen
Swordmaster
Prince of Blades Mad Swordsman
Now let's play the Song of Swords.
Posts: 305
Sacae Fame: 2
Bern Fame: 3
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: Vagabond
Affinity: Thunder
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Post by Yaen on Sept 16, 2012 23:54:58 GMT -6
Yaen hadn't really noticed how tightly he was gripping his arms as they lay folded across his chest, watching the fight infront of him. He flinched as the lance struck towards the young swordsman, feeling amazing relief each time he dodged. This fight, it struck a chord in him that was ironic in every sense of the word.
"He's at a disadvantage." he stated, though that was obvious as day and night. "His opponent has the advantage of distance, not to mention that feral creature he's riding. If he's not avoiding being impaled, he has to keep from being eaten alive." Still, the footwork was admirable. That young swordsman had certainly learned the value of knowing where to step. "Wyvern knights are ruthless. They have no mercy or compassion. If he expects to come out of this alive, he must strike to kill."
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Sept 17, 2012 1:05:46 GMT -6
Wyatt heard a bit of Yaen's musings, but just rolled his eyes at them. Thankfully, nobody was really paying attention to either of them.
The swordsman on the field though, now that was interesting. In just a few short moments, he'd turned being on the defensive to a stunning offense, nearly ending the fight with a single blow. Of course, it didn't quite work, so now he'd need to find something else. Wait a minute, the rider had a weapon in each hand? That meant his grip on the Wyvern was at the weakest it was going to be, as was his control of it. His mobility was as limited as it was going to get...could he let this opportunity pass?
[red]"Wow, he's quite a swordsman. You're gonna want to duel him too, eh Mana?"[/red] He asked with a smirk.
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Post by Valcrist on Sept 17, 2012 1:44:38 GMT -6
He sprint from his spot in an instant, in this battle a debilitating disadvantages his only true superior quality was the swordsman's blistering speed. At top speed, he could never outrun a flying wyvern, but he didn't need to outrun it, he needed to quickly attack. It took time for a wyvern to get started, something that was not true for the swordsman. He moved and dodged the spear instantly, even before he threw the attack, shaking the spearman slightly. It was like the swordsman knew before the attack was even thrown where it would be, he tried to thrust again and it only happened again. He had deflected the man from getting too close any other time, but this time his off hand was busy with the shortsword he was hastily trying to sheath, unable to grab the reins and fly away. Damn it! He simply drops the weapon, it falling into the earth and grabs the reins as the swordsman readied for another leap, using the wyvern and his tail as a giant flyswatter, smacking him cleanly out of the air.
He fell to the earth again, rolling as soon as his body hit the hard ground. Quickly he readied his self again and sprint like he had been preparing for a race, bolting forward again. Again he dodged the attack before it came, not realizing just why it was happening. This man was well trained, all of his attacks were well thought out in advance, as a result as soon as you get used to them... You could pick up the small telegraphs he gave out for each attack, the way he twisted his body when he would thrust, the way he used his feet to help guide his beast to where it was going... He was beginning to panic, the gravedigger digging his own grave deeper and deeper.
He did something strange again, another sudden twist, the wyvern using it's tail as a heavy mace once more. The third time the swordsman has seen it, but the first time it failed to connect. The second the attack began the swordsman slid to the earth, the tall wyvern's tail sailing right above him, where his chest used to be. Quickly Valcrist grabbed something laying upon the ground and stood up to face the spearman wheeling back and already preparing a lance's thrust, just like the last time. He must of knew the attack missed, the impact and vibration of the attack was missing, so he aimed at where Valcrist was before it began, rightly so, he was at the same spot as before. What he didn't realize however, that the rush attack was a ploy to get his hands on something. The swordsman had not one, but two weapons! He parried the attack with his scimitar, and with the shortsword he... tossed.
He wasn't any archer, and tossing something as heavy as a blade was a fool's errand, but even a bad toss with bad aim could not miss at this distance! He brought his arm up instinctively to block the weapon flying towards him, and it crashed into his gauntlets, the loud sound of metal on metal filling the air, but the weapon falling to the side. The gambit having failed. Or, well, it would have if that was the gambit. His rein hand was free, having trying to protect his self, he didn't have the ability to strike, and his shortsword just attacked him. It was impossible for him to stop the jumping swordsman from crashing into him and sending him tumbling from the top of the wyvern. He fell to the earth, his heavy armor giving the fall a satisfying smack as it crashed against the ground. The swordsman's right elbow cried in pain, having been used as a battering ram to push the man to the earth, it was like tackling a wall of iron. The two tumbled to the earth for a few moments, but the lightly armored swordsman was up first. He readied his self once again, holding his blade aloft, ready for another charge.
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Edrick
Shaman
Even in darkness one can devote themself to the light.
Posts: 114
Sacae Fame: 1
Profession: Jack of all Trades
Affinity: Light
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Post by Edrick on Sept 17, 2012 3:23:21 GMT -6
"Nice to meet you Edrick," The man said, shaking his hand vigorously. "My best friend is Aeros, he's a dragon!" The man smiled. "AH HA! See, sword always wins!" He chuckled. He was refering to the wyvern rider. "But that wyvern has no chance. Nope, none!"
"Oh, wounded. If it was me I wouldn't gotten hit by such a parlor trick! Well, maybe a little, but definitely wouldn't have gotten hit by that lance. Nope. Ok, well maybe..."
"Wait, a dragon? But haven t they been gone since the scouring?" Edrick says a hint of disbelief in his voice. Either this guy is delirious or he has been involved in some crazy things.
Just then the tides of the battle changed as the swordsman threw the rider's own sword at him then jumped up and knocked him off his mount.
"Yes! GET HIM!" Edrick yells excitedly. Then he turns back to the man and says "You were right it seems swords do always win!"
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