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RE: =Elemental Championships 2008= Grand Finals

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8/9/2008 20:05:21   
damselindigital
Member

The glaring brilliance that was the Light Pillar gave way to a bewildering sight.

Two?! How could there be two?!

That question, however, was swiftly answered as the Chosen of Darkness placed an odd looking weapon into the furry body of her adversary. She had not seen the shadowy one’s arrival, but if he wished to aid in the destruction of the small one, no objection would pass her lips. The thought that there may be even further copies of the annoyance from Energy did not even enter into her mind as a malicious grin curled Enya’s lips. The true one must be the one closer to her! Perfect!

Her attempt to sweat the creature from its position had worked, but no longer served a purpose. With barely a thought, she severed the link and halted the drain upon herself though she kept the claim in mind should need arise. Yet there were things to be done if she did not wish that arc of energy to reach fruition and jar into either herself or her ally.

She ducked low, continuing to use the Pillar of Light to mask her movements. She dared to edge closer to its shimmering luminescence now that she did not need to view it from her peripheral vision. As she did so, both hands dipped under her coat to rend the strings of the pouch which had so recently contained a bola. Small furrows were pressed into the sand as Enya pushed herself into a jog. The bag, held open strategically to the floor of the arena, filled itself three-quarters full thanks to the movement. Then with drawstrings loosely pulled, Enya hurled the whole high into the air towards Energy’s chosen with an elegant and practiced movement.

The projectile spun in furious rotations, sand spraying violently from the half-closed pouch. Anyone who found themselves too close to its path could easily find themselves covered in the substance, though it was far from a danger… yet. However, Enya was far from done. As her first attack approached her target, she launched a second. One of her unblessed short spears pierced the air on an intersecting trajectory. It would strike the bag, tearing gaping holes in the sides and cause a downpour of sand. Spewed forth at pelting and unexpected angles thanks to the continuing spin of the bag, her opponent would find itself in a position where allowing its eyes to remain open would be dangerous. Enya likened it to a blizzard where the snow was mixed with ice.

And that was why, brilliant light at her back and impending storm of sand before her, Enya charged. With a second ungifted spear in her sure grip, the woman’s noble features distorted into bloodthirsty snarl. The hunt was concluding and her prey was at hand. She would see it roast upon her spit!
AQ  Post #: 51
8/9/2008 23:37:52   
Guardian of Nekops
Member

After appearing out of nowhere and attacking the Energy kitten with an ineffectual odd paddle, the insectoid Champion of Darkness made a series of perplexing stabbing motions towards Roch with a puny metal fork. Roch continued his charge upon the cat, certain that the other little creature posed no threat and no advantage… until he threw his utensil through the Crusher’s target, reducing it to a mere electric charge that was quickly shunted to the Arena’s red sand.

Roch looked back to the odd little Darkness competitor with a newfound respect, just in time to see the white paddle hurtling towards him. It was not an attack, but an easy lob; instead of flying across the arena to intercept him as he ran it tumbled up and back down again in a gentle arc, landing well in front of him. The paddle’s head planted itself firmly in the sand, its handle sticking up towards him like a gift.

Like a trap.

Bearing an enchanted axe himself, a weapon that could be dangerous for any who did not know its power, Roch was by nature distrustful of strange weapons. Though it looked too crude to be heavily enchanted, this paddle was as strange as they come. It also looked too puny to be worth the risk, so…

Impact slammed into the handle of Darkness’s loaned paddle, its unstoppable force cutting the weapon cleanly in two and sending the pieces flying into the Arena wall. Roch kept running without a pause, the spikes on his boots digging into the sand as he turned slightly to charge the second cat-- the real cat that was now so obvious once the fake one had been dispelled.

Enya entered his field of vision from the right, hurling a bag that spewed crimson grains as it spun towards the diminutive Champion of Energy. Her spear was not far behind, tearing the pouch open and showering the cat’s position with enough sand to make Roch grin at the perfect smokescreen. Urging his steel-clad legs to still greater speed, he interposed his big metal body and spiked glass shield between the lady and the Energy-charged cat. Whatever else happened, at least he would keep her safe from the attack that their foe was gathering.

Roch crossed his arms behind the crimson tower shield and bent his shoulders and head in as well, putting all his weight and bulk behind the glass barrier as he blindly charged his tiny enemy. His shield dragged across the ground with each step, cutting off escape from below. If all went as planned, Roch would crush the feline between the barrier and its own pillar.

All along the Crusher’s shield, deadly points of glass glistened in the lightning’s crackling glow.
AQ  Post #: 52
8/10/2008 2:54:32   
Beebote
Member

A voice sceamed in Djaak's head as he saw the Ice Champion commit to its attack, "MOVE!" The icy blade carved its deadly way for Djaak's left side. His instinct and training provided him with his next move without even thinking about it. His left arm flew back across his chest to intercept the threat. The blade met his arm with a resounding clang as it struck the mirrored bracer that guarded Djaak's lower arm. It wasn't the first time he blessed the smith who had created them for him. Meanwhile, the chilling numbness was beginning to recede and Djaak now had his openning.

Forcing it to move, Djaak dropped the blade in his right hand and his mounth, forming an 'O' with his thumb and index finger, the other three extended and joined. He looked right into the snow warriors eyes. All pain had vanished from his face as he pulled his emotions back behind the cloak that always kept them hidden. Set in the pain's stead was the confident grin he had worn in Sky; the one that declared that everything had gone exactly the way he planned it. In his eyes coiled that patient snake that had seen its chance to strike, and the satisfaction of knowing his opponent was soon to meet a most unexpected obstacle.

Djaak took in a deep, hissing breath and held it for a split second. Unseen, the vortex that had formed about his hand condensed into the 'O' his fingers produced. Without breaking eye contact, Djaak released all the air in his lungs through the 'O' as he shouted a single thunderous syllable, "KHAI!!"

The air and sound passed through the vortex of wind magic and was amplified, producing a sonic shockwave that leapt out like a roaring tiger, expanding in a vertical disk to the size of a man's chest within the first foot, and would continue expanding outwards, throwing anything it impacted backwards with the strength of its impact until it dissipated. At their close proximity, Djaak was well aware that only a miracle would save his opponent from this attack. It would knock him back, stagger him and leave him open for the follow up Djaak was already planning. "Display my strength and you will not be forgotten." his Lord had told him. My Lord, let all witness this hour: the hour of Your glory; the hour that will not be forgotten.
Post #: 53
8/10/2008 7:48:26   
qbsuperstar03
Member

There was no chance of an effective reaction. His attack had failed, and the Wind Champion's swiftness was already starting to tell. Almost immediately, Cryoface felt the impact and was carried backwards several feet due to the proximity of such a powerful move. Just like he had entered, he then fell unceremoniously to the ground, stunned but still willing to fight...but for how much longer? He was already weakened from the fire attack, and while his little jaunt around the arena gave him a chance to compose himself, here he was again, on the defensive.

While he was innately resistant to the forces of wind, and thus little real damage had been done, the thunderous roar had stunned Cryoface. He got back up and shook his head before raising his katana in self-defense. No doubt such an attack was only meant to re-establish range or for a follow-up attack, but Cryoface had a trick of his own. Earlier, he had been leaving ice in his wake in order to move more quickly, but the time was not ripe to use it yet. It was Djaak's turn to attack, and Cryoface only had enough energy left for two Snowballs. Guessing that he wouldn't fall for the same trick twice, there was nothing left to do but sit and anticipate his foe's next move.

Cryoface had already failed to gain his Lord's favor once, but by the power of an Algorstorm, he wasn't about to fail again.
AQ DF  Post #: 54
8/10/2008 14:16:39   
The Dragon Knight
Member

The blood of his fallen opponent was already beginning to congeal, making the swordsman feel as if he was covered in a thin, sticky film. It was irritating, to say the least, and he had to suppress the urge to bathe himself in the pillar. Such sacrilegious treatment of his Lord's symbol of power would surely be met with force appropriate to such a heathen. The metallic taste of the blood in his throat was familiar, something he had been exposed to many times in the past. It only served to make him more determined.

With so much of his energy spent, and the severity his injuries unknown, Torrelle knew that the time for brute force was past. Now was a time for tactics, for cunning strategy. Over the years he had faced opponents of incredible variety and of differing calibre. From talented swordsmen to battle mages, he had fought them all and survived. Although he was greatly weakened by being away from his home and source of power, the sea, he was far from defenseless.

It was time to use some of that intelligence that had allowed him to survive on the open waves for so long. His eyes swirled with intense focus, the sea-gray color taking on an appearance as of a growing storm. Blood dripped from his lips and his burns screamed to be recognized, but he would deal with that later. For the moment, all sense of physical discomfort was ignored, suspended as he set his fertile mind against the issue at hand. If he was going to survive these trials, he needed to know something about his opponents, aside from simply their names.

Under the guise of kneeling before his pillar and gathering his strength, the wily pirate was observing the battles and gathering information on the competition. The late Sabadhai had provided him with one interesting tidbit already; the darkness user had the ability to teleport, it seemed. How Torrelle handled that ability would depend on how it was carried out. He knew from experience that there were any number of ways to make a person disappear and then reappear someplace else. Illusion, an invisibility spell, etherealness, dimensional shifting; they were all potential methods of travel, and they all had weaknesses of a sort. It was simply a matter of deducing the correct one. He would have to keep a weather eye on that bug.

The strange wintry construct that Djaak was facing did not seem to be too large of a threat. Having never traveled to the creature's home region of Lore, he had never seen anything quite like it, and knew little of its abilities. The snowball had numbed the Wind Champion's arm, that much was obvious. However, the creature's skills at actual combat seemed to be somewhat minimal. Still, the pirate considered, the being could simply be feigning weakness in order to lure its prey into overconfidence.

As for Djaak, the Maelstrom knew that he would have to deal with the man eventually, unless somebody else managed to eliminate him first. His ability to amplify his breath to create a shockwave was interesting. Torrelle saw potential there for a combined attack of some sort, while at the same time he began sifting through ways of countering it. There was no shame in being prepared.

As his eyes moved over to the distant battle between Earth, Fire and Energy, he took the brief gap in the action to begin gathering his own power. Much of the water he had been using had been spent, blasted beyond his current reach by the explosions. Through a cursory examination, he felt that he had less than half the volume that he had started with. His sword was fine, but the sash had been used up, along with the secret store beneath the ground. While it might be possible, he did not like the idea of trying to draw more from the Pillar. Such an act would use far more of his strength than he was willing to sacrifice at this time.
Instead, he began collecting the vapors and puddles that surrounded him, drawing the dampness that filled the sand towards his body. Rather than hide it, as before, he began forming three large globes that spun slowly just above his head. They swelled gently as more moisture was drawn into their sphere of influence.

As he fortified his defenses, the swashbuckling spellsword watched the three-way battle with keen interest. Roch and Enya could make a potent pair, if only they would actually work in tandem, and not so much as individuals. Roch had just now stepped between Enya and the furry beast, despite her obvious intention to attack it. The misplaced concern for the woman's safety would only hamper their movements as a team. That could be something, he realized, that could be used to his advantage when the time came.

For now, however, he would prepare himself for the onslaught that was soon to follow. He focused more energy into his crossbow, further condensing the bolt within. His fingers tightened around the leather-bound hilt of the longsword, feeling the rough texture against his skin. It wouldn't be long now.
AQ  Post #: 55
8/10/2008 16:22:38   
Guardian of Nekops
Member

Enya’s miniature sandstorm rained down upon her target, much of it melting into deadly knives of glass upon contact with the stream of lightning. Crimson grains and shards fell upon the familiar as one, giving Roch all the time he needed.

The glass roots of the Crusher’s Tree reached the Champion of Energy before the creature could unleash its gathered Energy, stabbing deep into the cat’s flesh. Roch rushed mercilessly onward with the impaled feline on his shield, each step bringing his prey ever closer to the unyielding steel of its own Pillar.

Even at the heart of Energy, Earth waits patiently to assist me.

Roch slammed into the Pillar of Energy at full speed, his thick barrier of glass cracking and splintering against the lightning-filled metal. Leaves, spear, roots and trunk all shattered as he threw his full weight against them, crushing the breath from his enemy’s lungs and pressing the broken glass from his shield still deeper into their wounds.

When he felt the little creature cease its struggling, he held it pinned a moment longer to ensure the fight was crushed out of it. He finally was convinced, and stepped sadly back to view his handiwork.

The feline’s body fell limply to the sand before its Pillar, blood staining its fine coat and broken bones sticking out from its flesh here and there. The poor creature still breathed in faint, shuddering gasps, but its pain-wracked body would not recover enough for it to regain consciousness before the fight was done.

“You’re no more threat to me,” Roch sighed sadly as he turned away. “For my part, you may keep your life.”
AQ  Post #: 56
8/10/2008 17:43:58   
damselindigital
Member

“No!”

The sight of her prey was completely obscured by the massive form of Roch. This time however, Enya took no joy in the view his backside presented. Rather, the flames of fury roared loudly in her ears as what she felt had been her right to kill was taken from her. Then realization suddenly struck and she screamed out a warning. Yet it was too little to survive the roar of the crowd. It seemed they understood the same thing she did and the blood thirst fueled their cheers. Someone was going to die.

The great Earthen fool! He was closing on an enemy charged with lightning and possessed no ranged weapons! Striking the animal would likely be self-damaging with the creature connected to the pillar. She did not understand why he would be making that sacrifice when she was in a much better position to deal with Energy’s chosen. He was not idiotically trying to protect her… was he?

He may not have been faster than she was, but he had a lead and without the aid of her voice she could find no way to halt his charge. The only thing that would be accomplished by rushing after him now was ensuring that they both perished together.

Enya didn’t like him quite that much.

Her own offensive halted, she watched helplessly as the impact became imminent. But then… nothing happened. There was no answering blast of lightning, no sudden dart to the side, just a small animal form impaled easily upon the spikes of Roch’s shield as the arc of Energy dispersed as if it had never been. And as Enya watched in dread, the ten feet of sand were crossed. Body, then barrier, slammed into the Pillar with a sickening crunch the woman imagined rather than heard.

Still the lightning remained silent. The falling of Energy’s chosen was marked by… nothing.

As Roch stepped back, shield shattered, Enya rushed towards him. He appeared to be speaking to the defeated, for his gaze was upon its crumpled and bleeding form as his lips moved, but she could no more hear the words than she could her own prior scream. When she had closed the distance, she stretched a hand up to slap him stoutly upon the back of his helmet. Then she began to yell.

“Don’t you dare charge foolishly in like that again! Especially not to protect me!”

There were other choice words said as well, but it was likely best that those were swallowed up by cheers the crowd.
AQ  Post #: 57
8/10/2008 20:06:06   
Guardian of Nekops
Member

Roch’s helmet rang like a bell under Enya’s slap as his head struck the steel. He reached up with his left hand to grip the armored spot, wincing like a big baby at the pain. As she had intended, this left Roch cowed and meek for her lecture.

Once her message had sunk in, however, the Champion of Earth drew himself up to his full height and glared down at the girl. He had heard the ‘be careful’ talk once too many times, and this time he wasn’t just going to take it lying down.

“Why do you think I wear all of this armor and carry this big shield?” he demanded angrily, lifting the giant slab of glass for emphasis. “Do you think I protect myself so well so that I can be CAREFUL?!”

“No! I carry all this so that I can be reckless, so I can rush headlong into danger and survive! So that I can take any chances needed to…”

He stopped himself here with a sigh as his gaze softened, his anger fading away to be replaced by a weary tenderness. It was too late in the thought not to complete it, so he looked at Enya with a wry smile and concluded, “To protect the people I care about.”

Roch turned bashfully away from her, ostensibly to survey the arena. In reality, though, his eyes saw little, as is the tendency when one isn’t really looking.

“So, what now?” he asked blankly.
AQ  Post #: 58
8/10/2008 21:09:50   
damselindigital
Member

The ‘girl,’ who had age wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, stood barely over five feet in height. This did not stop her, however, from drawing back her shoulders, puffing out her chest and attempting to overwhelm the massive man with her presence. Try to play his size advantage off on her would he?!

“There’s a difference between reckless and suicidal you great dumb bea…..”

Then his words and his meaning sunk into her occasionally thick skull and a flash of color painted her cheeks. Suddenly as bashful as the young girl he thought of her as, though this fact was still unknown to her, she shuffled her feet in the sand. With her shoulders hunched forwards and a great deal of nervousness, she spoke again, her tone contrite.

“I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have judged so quickly.” Her tone took on a defensive quality as she continued, “But I am capable of taking care of myself. I would not have been able to make it this far if I wasn’t. If you continue to jump between me and my enemies, you might find yourself accidentally injured by my own counter as well. And I… really don’t wish to see that happen.”

She flashed him the smile then of one who is completely uncomfortable in such an emotionally open moment of time.

“So please… trust me?”

Like Roch, she too looked away across the arena, unable to meet his eyes. Her gaze, however, was focused and what she saw caused her to gasp. Why was the Ice Chosen by Fire’s Pillar? She understood the methods which those two elements, so often considered opposing, could work in tandem. Many others, however, were ignorant to such ways and felt the elements were destined to clash. Was that this one’s purpose; that his hatred for Fire was sufficient that her risked himself to do defile her Lord’s symbol? She certainly didn’t know, but she planned to find out. And unlike her questioning of the man in the Spike Arena, there was no reason this time to hold her spear.

Despite her newfound focus, the individual locked in combat with the snow warrior did not escape her notice. It was none other than the man who had dared attack them both earlier while they stood by the Great Tree. Somehow he had managed to survive the Earth Pillar’s Guardian and had gone on to attack another. That too was something that should not be allowed to stand.

A feral grin replaced her foolishly awkward expression as her focus shifted. The time of the hunt had not yet concluded and there was much left to be done. These two others would also fall this day. She was prepared to give her own life to see it so.

“I have found our next targets,” she rumbled, even her tone turned deeper and serious. “The one who allies himself with Ice shall be mine while you, I believe, will find interest in the man who currently opposes him. Let us partake in your recklessness and cross the arena directly and quickly. The quarry rarely waits and the hunt calls.”

With but a word of agreement, she was prepared to charge across the sands of the arena, unenchanted spear in hand. Then Ice’s Chosen would pay for daring plan against her Lord!
AQ  Post #: 59
8/10/2008 22:16:37   
The Dragon Knight
Member

The Crusher had lived up to his name. The sheer ferocity and force behind the armored tank's charge was startling, and Torrelle wondered what he could do to counter something like that. He had a few ideas but, unfortunately, the man's size was not the disadvantage it normally would be. It seemed that he could throw around his incredible weight as if it simply did not exists, and yet when he struck the impact was astonishing. He still wasn't quite sure how it worked. All he knew from stories and eye-witness accounts of Roch's previous championship showing was that it had to do with the enchanted axe the bear-like warrior brandished.

Ordinarily the seaman would have felt a twinge of pity or regret for the vicious assault, but having witnessed the powerful magic the feline had displayed, he was able to put such sentimental thoughts out of his mind. He watched, his face expressionless, as the near-lifeless body fell to the sands in a pitiful, broken heap. Due to his unusual situation of not being right in the middle of combat, the fearsome and large Maelstrom of the Western Seas found himself an impartial observer to a most tender moment. If he hadn't of been in the middle of a killing field, he would have turned away to give the two uncertain companions a moment of imagined privacy.

With the threat of a sudden attack very evident, Torrelle opted to keep his eyes on the arena and the star-crossed lovers. It had suddenly occurred to him that these two competitors were now without an opponent, and he had to be prepared in case they should try to finish the free-for-all that had begun in the Spike arena. Indeed, even as he thought about the possibility, he noticed Enya's gaze cast in his direction. Was she looking at him? No.... she had pointed off to the side somewhat, in the direction of Djaak and the unusual ice creature. Judging by the expression on her face, she was savoring the idea of confrontation.

It was certainly true that she owed Djaak for his ill-conceived attack upon her and her ally earlier in the match. Would they team up with the Ice Champion in order to defeat Djaak? If they did, Torrelle knew that he would be forced to intervene on behalf of his ally. However, it was also possible that the furry warrior and her towering metal counterpart would split up and engage both Ice and Wind at the same time. What should he do in that situation, then?

The pirate summarily decided that he would watch what unfolded, and wait. If Djaak requested his assistance, then he would enter the fray, but for now he would continue to bolster his own abilities and recover as much as possible from his injuries. Should one of them defeat the Ice Warrior, he would engage the winner in order to prevent them from teaming up against Wind, although he could not count out the Darkness representative either. It was still possible that the insectoid being would use the confusion to launch a surprise attack.

With a plan forming, he focused his mind on gathering as much water to him as possible. As he surveyed the battlefield, his sight came to rest on the stilled body of the Light Chosen, and the pool of blood that was slowly seeping into the crimson sands. A small smile crept onto the lips of the Water Lord's arena avatar, as he extended his influence towards the body. The water contained within the blood began flowing into the sands at a much faster rate, draining the corpse of fluids. A mite disrespectful, perhaps, but in battle one must make use of the resources at hand. Knowing that he would not likely have the time to concentrate on the fluids stored in the muscle, bone and fat of the cadaver, he decided to make do with just the blood. Seeing as half of the water in the body was part of that metallic tasting fluid anyway, it was more than enough to help increase his battle effectiveness.

The red-stained water trickled into the three spheres, swelling them further. Once they had reached the size of a watermelon apiece, he began forming a fourth and a fifth with the water that continued to arrive. The five swirling orbs spun lazily about him, the red color deepening as more and more blood merged with the clear water he had started with. They seemed to pulse with power as he readied himself for battle.
AQ  Post #: 60
8/10/2008 23:53:23   
xaxtoo
Member

Turning his head back, Karddicj took a quick glance up towards the floating black dot, just to make sure the thing was indeed being naughty with the timing and with the location of landing. Left up to chance, apparently the result is disastrous; the ball must not land without interference. Unfortunately when he looked, he also saw the tin can sending his newly made Swafan into the wall in multiple pieces! What a bastard! But he calmed his raging thoughts though, for the sake of the ride. That better eventually include a slide, a ramp, and a whirling section in between those two to make a spinning launch. Otherwise, more enjoyment might be had watching the harvester bugs chase after the man.

Occasionally taking a glance back at the ball and grimacing at the inevitable glimpse of the two pieces of the Swafan lying on the ground, Karddicj approached the centerfield. No one really interfered and for that, Karddicj attributed to his amazing dancing skills which probably made everyone think he was a little queer and thus inconsequential. And with one of his plans not quite working right, he will take whatever advantage he can get right now. Besides, sometimes one have to be lenient with mistakes, and in fact, he was counting on a mistake shortly.

When one foot touched the blackened terrain, Karddicj immediately stopped, sending the shock of the sudden change through the other leg. With both feet firmly planted on the homeland, he willed it to change. In mere moments, he was standing on a pillar of 4 meters high or so with a base about half that in girth. He had to suppress an urge to shout and beat his chest to show up the water dude with his odd crown, but it was too much for him to handle, so he ended up compromising by spreading his feet beyond shoulder length and pointing index fingers at the air in a grand fashion. And then as quickly as the pillar had risen from the ground, he was gone.

Immediately, those arms swung upwards further and impacted the fin of the lightning ship. He was counting on the thing coming close to the pillar slightly skewed and luckily, he had been right. Taking no time to think about the painful fall had he failed, Karddicj hooked his arms on the fin and pulled himself up as the forceship halted when the fin passed where the pillar had been. The pillar had gone when he phased it into the arena leaving only a patch of ugly red sand underneath Kard's feet--the driver would have no way of knowing about that though. Still horrible parking as always, but Karddicj will let the driver go today without a berating.

Picking himself up after rolling onto the fin from the climb, Karddicj started ascending the top of the forceship, which in fact is really the skin of a huge ancient bird fish hybrid species. It's been stretched and filled with air, so it looks a little bloated. Walking over it is a bit difficult as each step sank into the filmy top of the ship, pulling some skin down around the foot. Also the speed boost wasn't in effect since he isn't touching the terrain. Regardless, Karddicj made good pace running towards the head of the ship.

A good few meters short, he turned towards the right first-most fin, which provided much better leverage for what he wanted to do. Bending his legs a bit, Karddicj counted a few numbers randomly both to prepare himself mentally and to ensure all this effort wasn't in vain. At number 81, he inhaled deeply, then sprang his legs loose to jump and phased. Taking flight, he mentally noted two things he should do if he survives, forgive the tin can, and forgive the damn driver, but perhaps not completely absolution, some pain involved, definitely.

Still rising, Karddicj appeared once more in the arena. He can see the ball falling down, closing in on him very quickly being pulled quite harshly by gravity. Smiling at the thought, he twisted his body to start spinning in mid-air as he stopped rising in the air before quickly falling, slowly at first. At just the right moment, he stuck his leg out and imparted a resounding kick squarely into the round body of the ball just as it was about to pass him, a most satisfying hit which finally relieved him of all his ball frustration.

He had a couple of targets in mind for the little ball when he first kicked it into the Wind Pillar. The first was the slide, but that idea unfortunately died when the slide did. He had also thought to fortify the area around his pillar, but since that pillar was no longer really accessible to him, there was no reason to defend an area. That thought had to be pushed down hard, for having something so black and evil it's hard to look at at the center of his base is indeed cool. Furthermore, with everyone else far from the pillar, it is a little impractical to stage anything. So he settled on the midfield which was exactly where the ball is screaming towards, quite literally too, for it emitted a high pitched "whee" that wasn't carrying. It will hit close to the pillar edge and transform an area that will be quite large if Karddicj sensed the energy stored in the ball correctly when his feet connected with the thing.

Stopping the spin as Karddicj found out was quite harder than stopping it. It seemed he could spin in the air easier in one direction than another, which will bring up something interesting to talk about at the next psychiatrist meeting. Still, he managed just in time to brace himself as he met the ground between the Light and Earth pillars. His impact picked up quite a bit of sand, quite annoying. But the important thing was he managed to land on his back. He took a few seconds to lay there, looking at the sky, idyllic and peaceful, quite belying the interior state of frenzy as he checked for broken bones. Luckily, nothing was broken, but almost everything hurt.

Finally, after getting nothing of interest from the sky, he started rolling very slowly towards the center of the arena. It was quite the ugly sight to see for he would push off with an arm while grimacing and cradling his body with the other hand. The momentum would carry him all the way around before he rested again, all very unnecessary, but he felt better pretending to be more hurt that he is. Also he reckoned his reckless action deserved some mention of heroism and his slowed movement accentuated that quality.

Every roll, Karddicj could see the ball closing in on the pillar--it won't be long now. He had originally planned to grab the cat swatter or pick up the pieces, but the metal man made that a little impossible now. Both pieces of the the Swafan were a bit too far out of his way. He'll have to collect both parts eventually, but right now his cat swatter painstakingly out of reach without giving up his game prematurely. Mentally adding a stick beating to the punishments to be received by the tin can, he continued his heroic roll, painfully slow to allow the fans to fully appreciate his effort. Showmanship, he had that by the loads.

< Message edited by xaxtoo -- 8/11/2008 0:37:29 >
AQ  Post #: 61
8/11/2008 16:28:41   
Kellehendros
Eternal Wanderer


 Slash spared only a moment's glance for the Dark Champion as his odd weapon sliced through the afterimage she had left behind. The creature seemed uninterested in her at the moment, at the shock that should have come to him from hitting the construct had seemingly no effect on him.

There were more pressing matters though. The Fire Woman had circled behind the Pillar of Light, and flung forth some object. Slash ignored it for the moment, concentrating on gathering more energy from the nearby Energy Pillar. The woman let fly anothe object a moment later, one whose course intercepted the first, and suddenly there was a puffing explosion of sand forming a hazy cloud around the familiar.

This was the least of the cat's worries though, for but a second later, the energy connection she had established to the Pillar of her Lord was severed. There was a moment of disorientation that followed the severing of the connection, and Slash staggered to one side in a most ungraceful manner. She shook her head, attempting to regain her bearings.

What had happened, had one of the Champions dispelled her link? Such a thing would be nearly impossible, especially so close to the Pillar.

She had to go, to move, to escape this situation. To figure out what had happened required both time and space, neither, she suspected, were a luxury she enjoyed at the moment. Slash had no idea just how right she was at that moment as she turned to flee to area. Distracted as she had been by the breaking of her spell, and by the confusion of the sand cloud, Slash neither saw nor heard the charge of Earth's Champion until it was far to late.

The familiar was jarred backwards, tumbled, and suddenly the world blossomed into hot intense pain that consumed all thought. She could feel the barbs of the metal man's glass shield scrape off bone and tear muscle and skin. Blood flowed and bone snapped as the man ground her against the humming Pillar without mercy. It took forever, and yet, no time at all as Slash writhed in agony against the pressure she could not have hoped to combat.

Suddenly, she was lying on the ground. Her blood-matted flanks heaved in the effort to draw breath into lungs, each effort rewarded with searing agony, each beat of her heart offering up the blood of her form to the sands. The Champion of Earth spoke, then turned and moved to speak with the Fire Woman, but they were so hard to understand, as though they were underwater rather than only a handful of feet from her.

Time dilated, seconds stretching out until it seemed to her that she alone moved at a speed that was normal whilst the world around her slumbered. She realized now what had happened, as she felt a presence building around her, she had lost. Lost? No, she had not lost, for truly to come this far was enough, it was that she was not deemed great enough to continue, for those who were left were superior to her in the regards of those they served.

"Why should it be so?" The man walking towards her across the sands wore a robe of black, stitched with red embrodery on its cuffs and hems. "Surely these paltry fools cannot stop your might." Slash heaved in another pained breath, staring at the form of Nemereth, one of her most hated masters. The man smiled cruelly, the sense of overwhelming presence around her building to stifling power. "Tell me, Settera, will you die in disgrace here on these sands, or will you embrace your nature, and take these fools with you?"
The familiar growled low in her chest, the sound faint and bubbling with blood. "Be gone, shade, you, are nothing."
"Nothing?" Nemereth laughed. "Ah, Settera, you were ever reticient to unleash your powers for me. You could do so now, you know." He grinned again, a slow growing smile of malice. "You were abandoned, by the Power you served. What do you care? Strike back at them, show them all. Bathe this Arena in your power and the blood of your enemies."
Slash mewled pitifully. She could feel the magic coursing through her, her bloodied body laying against the Pillar of Energy sapping at the infinite store of electricity there. "Go, away."
"Why Settera? I'm here to help you."
She panted, her vision hazing. Why would he not leave, could he not see that even to speak was torture? "I, I am not, not Settera." The power thrummed through her now, building to a peak that would not long be denied.
"Oh?" The black-robed man laughed. "You are Settera, you always were, and always will be. Elemental Spirits do not, and cannot change their nature. You are a tool of destruction, and you always will be. Now, unleash that destruction. Destroy them all."
It would be easy, so easy. A death curse, her lifesblood and the power of the Pillar against which she lay, she could bathe the whole Arena in lightning and death.

No. She wouldn't, she couldn't, not anymore.
"Why not?" Nemereth's visage was cold and angry. "Do it, you know you can!"
"No." Slash panted, the world had dwindled to herself and her long death former master, each word harder than the last to force through the building magic and the overshadowing pressure of the regard of the presence. "I am Settera no more. You, you are wrong Nemereth. I can, I have, have changed. I am different now. I am Slash. I am Slash." The magic crescendoed, she needed to cast it off or it would tear her form apart. "I am the, Chosen of Lightning. I am, proud, of what I, have done. If my Lord deems me, unfit, to, continue, then I shall withdraw."

There was a boom of thunder and the pent up electricity discharged itself harmlessly into the sands of the Arena. Slash's golden eyes cracked open slowly. Fire and Earth still stood nearby, and though it hurt her pride and her body to do so, she spoke to them. "Chosen of Fire, Chosen of Earth. I, I am broken, by your combined might. I shall, shall cede, cede this battle to you. I, I wish you luck, luck and skill, to, to defeat your enemies, and hold, the honor of, your Lords."

There was nothing left to say. Slash hissed in pain as she attempted to leverage herself to her feet, but bones grated together, and torn muscles screamed in protest, and she slumped down to the sand again. She wasn't getting out of the Arena under her own power. She had no option at this point but to remain where she was, and hope that none of the other Champions decided to end her misery. The Pillar of Energy hummed almost consonlingly against Slash's back as she lay on the ground, passing out into a haze of pain and unconciousness.
AQ DF MQ  Post #: 62
8/12/2008 0:43:00   
damselindigital
Member

Enya spun herself around so quickly she could feel her muscles burn in protest. The animal was still alive! No, not only alive but drawing power from the Energy Pillar! With the almost deafening boom of thunder causing her to wince in pain, a voice still somehow managed to reach her awareness. Apparently the trickster not only had methods of feigning death but could also meddle with Enya’s very mind!

The creature was obviously more dangerous than anyone had suspected. This time, however, Enya would be certain the beast was sent to the eternal embrace of its Lord. Never again would it lay paw upon this battlefield with the intent of harming others.

Believing the thunder to be an imminent sign of attack, the hardened huntress reacted. She relinquished her claim upon the sands before Energy’s monolith in order to impart it to her weapon. As before, it would be transferred to the first surface the spear point struck. Her throw was perfect, the aim true, and the projectile pierced easily through the throat of the deceptively frail-looking body. The only thing that stopped the weapon’s momentum was the proximity of the animal to its pillar; otherwise the creature would have found itself pinned to the sand.

Before the spear finished quivering, the fur around the injury burst into roaring fire. It spread unnaturally quickly, consuming the whole of the small body in the space of a few heartbeats. Flames licked hungrily at the air, so fueled by Enya’s own fury and power that they extended several feet. They crackled and spat, throwing sparks and droplets of liquefied fat onto the arena floor, which in turn began to melt. Even the body’s blood had no chance to soak into the sands before it was engulfed as well. This blaze had an insatiable appetite and anyone who gazed too intently into the Chosen of Fire’s eyes would see the determination to feed it.

It took less than a minute for the crackling flames to finally sputter and die out. All that remained in their wake was a pitiful pile of blackened and smoking bones upon a disc of crude glass. In the end, even the proximity to the Pillar of Energy could not save the beast from Fire’s rage.

Enya turned back towards Roch as she cinched her belt a great deal tighter, her voice betraying nothing of Fire’s recent frenzy. “This time, it will not be returning to life.”

She reached for another spear.

“Now then, where were we?”
AQ  Post #: 63
8/12/2008 7:24:31   
qbsuperstar03
Member

Roaring flame...behind him? Cryoface had no choice. He had to disengage somehow to deal with this new threat. Turning his head, he saw the roaring flame had consumed the broken form of the Chosen of Energy.

"It seems my ancient foe, the Fire Lord, has chosen one with a passion for wanton destruction of life," Cryoface said in a feeble attempt at diplomacy to the Chosen of Wind. "I say we band together."

Trusting in this battlefield agreement, Cryoface whipped around to see that she was not alone. Apparently she and the Chosen of Earth had a mutual agreement to not attack one another and pool their strength to increase their odds of survival.

"My Lord will not allow one such as you to remain on your own two feet for long, woman! You," and here he turned to Djaak, "you keep the large one busy. The Fire Champion is mine!" With that, Cryoface charged once again, this time away from the Fire Pillar, towards the center of the arena.

< Message edited by qbsuperstar03 -- 8/12/2008 11:39:27 >
AQ DF  Post #: 64
8/12/2008 18:43:36   
Guardian of Nekops
Member

Roch shivered at the intruding voice in his mind. Though most unpleasant, it was somehow familiar… and though he could not place where he had heard such before, he knew that the creature would do them no harm.

As he turned to the broken cat to better listen, however, he saw Energy surrounding it, suffusing it. There was easily enough of it to remove any hope of survival from the one it struck, enough, perhaps, to bathe the entire arena in crackling death. All this magic, more than any mortal should have been able to bear, suddenly exploded without warning into a great roar of thunder that gave the lie to the Roch’s comforting feeling.

The Crusher’s first instinct was to cover Enya with his large glass shield in a vain attempt to protect her, but the Champion of Fire was far too quick to allow him action. In the blink of an eye she had whirled to face their treacherous attacker and flung a spear into its throat, a spear that burst into all-consuming flame as she urged it on.

Roch opened his eyes wide at the raw heat and fury of her attack. Even behind his nigh impenetrable armor, the woman's rage was terrifying.

When the deed was done, his ally turned back to him calmly. He saw that there was no malice in her eyes… she had done what was necessary to ensure their lives, that was all.

Bowing his armored head low to her out of respect, he said, “You are certainly more that capable of taking care of yourself. I apologize if I implied earlier that you were not, and thank you for your swift salvation.”

Looking back to their next targets, Roch narrowed his eyes as he saw the Chosen of Ice charging them. Perhaps he had grown bored of his clash with the still-living pup of Wind, or maybe they had reached an accord to bring down the Crusher’s ally… such was not yet clear. Nor, frankly, did it matter. Enya wished to take the snowman on, and Roch had reasons of his own to deal with the fool who had somehow survived the fury of the quicksilver guardian.

Staring the at the Champion of Wind, taking in the man’s injuries and stance, Roch said, “A blessed day for you, it seems. Your chosen mark approaches… I’ll keep Wind off your back. Good luck!”

With that, Roch charged across the arena sands, choking up on Impact’s handle slightly to balance the weapon better in the one-handed grip necessitated by the cracked shield of glass.

Wind’s Champion had escaped the Crusher’s wrath once before. He would not be so lucky again.
AQ  Post #: 65
8/12/2008 21:46:16   
The Dragon Knight
Member

Enya's sudden strike against the, apparently, deceased familiar was a surprise. Had she really been so enraged that her prey had been stolen from her that she would take that fury out on its shattered corpse? His distance from the actual events prevented him from seeing the slight movement of the animal's lungs, and he was not party to the telepathic message the beast had imparted to the Earth and Fire duo before its abrupt passing.

As far as he was concerned, it was simply a puzzling display of aggression. The intensity of those flames could not have come without some kind of price, although even his keen eyes were incapable of piercing her thick coverings to see just what price that might have been. However, he could not afford to be puzzled for long, as several different events began to unfold at once.

He was close enough to the battle to hear the Ice Warrior's words to the Champion of Wind. The fire seemed to have sparked the strange construct's interest, and it had decided to pursue its elemental opposite with a single-minded purpose. Hoar frost crackled as it formed a trail under the creature's feet, allowing it to move much faster than it had been able to in the loose sand. As Torrelle's eyes took in the icy trail, he became aware that a good portion of the sand not too far away from the Water Pillar had been similarly transformed during the Iceman's battle with wind. The magic that had formed it was not allowing the trail to melt, although the crafty pirate saw a future opportunity for more material should the katana wielding walking snowball meet its end at the mercy of Enya's fiery personality.

At the same time, the warrior of Darkness had disappeared. It was the action that Torrelle had been waiting for. His senses swept the entire arena, and he focused intently on the water molecules in the air, looking for the slightest hint of the bug-like creature's location. As he searched, the Crusher began his charge across the sands as well, eyes glinting with determination from within the shadow of his helmet, his gaze pinned on the swift Djaak. Earth was on the warpath. The Water Champion wondered if Roch would bother to attack the Ice Chosen as they passed, or if he would ignore it entirely.

Movement caught Torrelle's notice. His head snapped up, catching sight of Darkness. The Dark Warrior had appeared in midair somehow, and was rising as if he had leapt from something. His foot impacted the strange ball-like object that somehow disobeyed the laws of gravity and fell much slower than its master. The odd combatant plummeted to the red sands below, impacting in a large cloud of dust, and then slowly began rolling towards the center of the arena.

The seaman's mind carefully considered the evidence. The Dark Champion's ability would be very annoying, and the strange creature had gone relatively unchallenged so far. It could very well be laying a trap, waiting for the rest of the fighters to wear themselves down before launching a surprise attack. However, simply charging the thing would be foolhardy without knowing how its technique worked and what it was capable of. The facts were clear: after disappearing from sight, it took some time, no more then twenty or thirty seconds, before it reappeared in midair. Also, after its disappearance, Torrelle's ability had been unable to detect any form of movement from the creature's supposed location.

The time delay indicated that it was not using teleportation. Also, the fact that no movement could be detected during the time when it was out of sight suggested that it was not using some form of illusion or invisibility, either. That left the possibility of becoming ethereal, or phasing into another dimension. Because the fighter had reappeared in midair in a manner that suggested it was leaping told the pirate that he was most likely dealing with dimensional phasing.

How best to test this theory? It would be a mistake to leave an opponent unchallenged, since further delay would likely mean more energy spent and the possibility of even worse injury to himself, but the pirate was not absolutely certain of his opponent yet. Well, if phasing was, in fact, the ability being used, then there was certainly a way around it. A plan quickly formulated within the Pirate Lord's skull, and he prepared to put it into motion. Three of the spheres that had been circling his head dropped to the ground, their watery forms shattering as they impacted the sand. Three pools of liquid spread out over the arena floor, and then disappeared. Not even a trace of dampness was left to show that they had ever been there.

Djaak had earned the ire of the Earth behemoth by attacking the man and his ally at the great oak. No doubt Roch saw this as an opportunity to even the score, or perhaps even finish what he had started. Torrelle hoped that the Wind assassin had more than just summer breezes up his sleeve, otherwise the ebony skinned warrior would be in a whole world of trouble.

Fixing the path of the insectoid Kard in his mind, Torrelle began preparing a trap of his own design. It was still too early to directly engage this enemy, but when one takes the time to prepare beforehand, they have already won half the battle. His adversary was still rolling, making his way steadily towards the center, and closer to the waiting Maelstrom.
AQ  Post #: 66
8/13/2008 17:06:17   
xaxtoo
Member

The ball has landed, creating a rather seemingly endless patch of black, or that's how it seemed to Karddicj rolling on the sands. But in reality, it could be not much bigger than a 5 meter radius circle or so, a giant penguin skin carpet for the arena. Karddicj smiled, but reserved laughing for another time when he wasn't hurting so.

Suddenly, Karddicj heard thunder by the Energy Pillar and he almost laughed if it didn't hurt. The little kitty being well affirmed that he had underestimated the bugger when he first attacked. He took comfort in knowing that his strategic mind was still sharp despite that he has been away from the game for so long, but perhaps his judgment of the opposition needs a bit of work. Scouts would have been useful; too bad he didn't treat the battle like a match until the first dribble, then it was way too late to get them anyways.

With the rumbling of the thunder still fading in his head, Karddicj saw the frost witch hurl a spear towards where the sound emanated from. Now what was that about? Rolling at such a lackadaisical pace gave him plenty of time for thinking, which he used to his full advantage, but even then, he couldn't really figure out the attraction of hurling missiles at energy anyways, rather useless waste of a good weapons. Yet soon, the answer reached him in a pleasant smelling aroma of cooking meat. Quite an unexpected surprise, yet it was welcomed whole-heartedly plus more gratitude from his stomach as Karddicj quickly changed the direction of the roll to speed towards the new smell.

In the beginning, he had fruitless desires of taking a break sometime in the competition to just enjoy life a bit. However, when everything started, he just had no respite, especially not while needing to keep his reserved form intact. So this, this was quite a favor the frost, nay fire witch unintentionally did for him. Let it not be said that Karddicj doesn't know how to take advantage of opportunities when they happen, especially not one this golden. It's not even halfway yet as he had planned! Instead, he gets to snack a little earlier.

No longer keeping up appearances for the sake of the fans--they will have to wait on him to feel heroic again, he pushed harder with his arm with each roll, even twisting to aid the motion, which resulted in him picking up quite a bit of speed as he approached the Energy Pillar. Unfortunately, without getting very far, he had to stop. The fat lady isn't bulging from her spot, like a mother standing guard over a babe. She doesn't need the cat remains and she had burned the fur which might have been useful for her, besides, Karddicj had prayed for something like this. Sure, the fire witch might have cooked it, but she was the preparer, who needs to get out of the way so the eater can enjoy the food. She wasn't completing the entire service. Karddicj's stomach growled. Move!

Karddicj fumed which eased all other feelings such as pain letting him easily push himself up from the ground. Straightening, he shouted to the lady garbed in furs, "You want the cat?" Not waiting to hear back, he started walking away, quite leisurely and seemingly tracing a circle around the arena only he can see. With the Light Pillar glowing on his left side, he turned into quite the cool silhouette, sauntering without a care in the world. He did however, cup the left hand over an ear to funnel in the response. Awesome pose for the lady!
AQ  Post #: 67
8/14/2008 12:12:59   
qbsuperstar03
Member

As Cryoface advanced, he got a better view of his adversary; but what was this? The Earth Champion was charging at him? Cryoface decided to let him be. After all, getting in the way of someone that big going that fast was never a good idea. He just hoped Djaak knew enough to take advantage of the ice laid down in that area earlier.

Closer now...whoops, looks like someone else had also taken advantage of their ability to manipulate the terrain. Somehow, there was a patch of black, a cancer on the chosen chessboard for the Lords to send their pawns into battle. Testing the properties of this black area was something that would kill his momentum and give the Fire Champion a better shot at him, so he decided to avoid the area by a safe margin in case it was expanding, because it probably wasn't here at first.

Closer...he could make out the features of his mortal foe now. A woman in the Finals? Cryoface wasn't that old himself, but he figured that stranger things had happened in the eternal rivalry between Fire and Ice before his time. From the prodigious amounts of furs she wore and the spears on her back, she was probably a huntress of some sort. Silly humans and their need to prey on others for their sustenance, Cryoface thought to himself. Being a construct, he had no need for food, and his nature offered him several other advantages in combat with humanoids. One drawback, however, was that she was probably going to try to potshot him before he could close to within effective range for his Snowball spell, let alone to the range at which his Ice Katana would be effective. Cryoface had never learned the nuances of distance fighting, being able to use his chosen terrain to his advantage. But left in this neutral ground, where the only resources you had were the ones you carried into battle with you, things were much more difficult.

There was someone else investigating the fire at the Energy Pillar as well, but Cryoface decided to ignore him. He was probably inconsequential, with the way he seemed to be more interested in a snack than a fight. He was looking way too intently on the charred form of the former Champion of Energy to be much of a threat to those still in contention for the title right now, in any case.

No doubt the Fire Champion had seen him by now. Cryoface was never one to take advantage of the element of surprise, anyway. He had abandoned all thought of the concept as soon as he saw that the arena was one where there was no place to hide, except possibly behind one of the great pillars. He focused his attention on the huntress now, waiting for that first spear to come flying in his direction, attempting to end his weakened form before he even got a chance to engage.

< Message edited by qbsuperstar03 -- 8/14/2008 12:21:00 >
AQ DF  Post #: 68
8/14/2008 14:52:22   
Beebote
Member

Djaak stared after the retreating form of the snowman with anger raging in his eyes. Why were his opponents snatched away from him at the last moment? Why was he always failing to finish off what he attacked? Were the other Lords so afraid they’d lose their champions that they prevented them from facing him? Or was there some invisible force drawing them away from him? He couldn’t think straight. His mind was searching for a reason that it just couldn’t find. In anger, he let a feral roar escape his lips, winds lashing around him as the fury of wind was unleashed. The sand of the arena floor flew up into the winds creating a sandstorm that raged around him like a cloud. Within that cloud, Djaak brooded.

He sat on the ground and began going over the events that had led him to this point. He calmed himself and rewound the clock in his mind, letting it re-analyze the events as they occurred. In the sky arena, he had begun by attacking fire, losing that opponent when fire decided to turn assault its rival, ice. Djaak then began to take that anger out on energy, but was called by his Lord to fight in the finals before he could see that fight through to completion.

Here in the finals, he had proposed an alliance with his sister element, water. Then proceeded to overconfidently take on fire and earth, only to be repelled and nearly killed by the Earth pillar’s guardian. He then proceeded to attack ice, but had lost that opponent to its rival element. Djaak sighed as he saw the trend that snatched away his opponents.

It was an invisible force, one that had bound the world of Lore since its creation. It was the ancient elemental rivalries: Fire and Ice, Water and Energy, Light and Darkness, Earth and Wind. These, like opposite ends of a magnet, would be drawn to each other in battle, foiling the attempts of all other elements to draw them into battle. Djaak reconsidered his own rationales upon his arrival to the finals. He had rushed headlong to meet his rival of earth. Was that the solution? Should he rush to meet his rival in a struggle that perpetuated the ancient traditions?

He looked at what had happened when he did. He had been outwitted and almost slain by earth and its powers. He had been unprepared. Was he even now prepared? His blades were not designed to pierce armor, and he could accomplish little at the level of wind manipulation he was at. No…he was not prepared. There was no point in it now. Perhaps his Lord was seeking to teach him that the ancient rivalries were the way things should go and that, in order to participate, he had to better himself first. He had the power to be the Champion of Winds, but not enough to be the Elemental Champion.

The winds in the arena died down. The dust settled. The Champion of Wind was nowhere to be found. He had forfeited the finals, leaving in a method of his own machination. None had seen him leave, but the fact he had left was clear. He would return one day; perhaps next year, perhaps in several years. But he would return, and the arenas would be filled with the roaring tempest of the Lord of Winds and His Champion, the elusive Djaak Hiirst.
Post #: 69
8/14/2008 15:46:15   
damselindigital
Member

Roch’s words warned her of the approach of Ice’s Chosen just as she was turning to observe him. Somehow he had either guessed at her plans or had reached his own conclusions and was now rushing across the red sands towards her. That suited Enya just fine. Her tactics altered naturally, from considering a somewhat foolish charge to now having to counter that exact maneuver. It was not a difficult strategy to formulate.

She was too close to the Energy Pillar; that had to change immediately. This served a duel purpose of preventing her from being a stationary target as well in case her largely unknown adversary should have means of attacking from a distance. Light’s monument had served her purposes well enough in the past and so it was in that direction that she headed. This time, however, she would not interpose it between herself and her opponent but stand before it and too the side. Even as she began her run, she heard the strange Dark creature shout at her to move. Although she was uncertain as to why he was so anxious for her to do so, it suited her as well and so in this instance she complied.

Keeping track of the warrior of Ice from her peripheral vision, she hurried to the spot she had selected three quarters of the way to Light. As she approached and tried to halt, she let her feet slide out from under her so her right hand naturally dropped to the sand in order to balance her. It was a basic trick, allowing herself to appear clumsy and uncomfortable with the arena sands when in reality she had just claimed that place for her own.

The advantage was now hers, as she poured forth her own heat into her claim and gradually began raising the temperature to levels that would cause an average human to sweat uncomfortably. She could not use her connection with Fire’s Pillar, for here, away from his protective symbol, she feared it would even set her to burning. However, she was anxious to observe what effects her own power would have upon one so fully made of snow, a substance very easy to melt. Standing, she abandoned her spear there in the sand beside her, choosing instead to draw forth the one her Lord had blessed her with. She suspected she would need its power against the katana her foe wielded.

He was close now. So close, in fact, that she could clearly observe the layer of ice that marked his way across the sands. She gripped her weapon in both hands, appearing defensive, unsteady, and shaken as she waited for him to cross the last stretch between them and truly join the battle. Her thoughts, however, were far from scattered.

Come, frozen one. Come into my trap and see what power Fire can hold even in the most frigid wastes. Your foolish confidence shall see your end at my hand!
AQ  Post #: 70
8/14/2008 16:12:27   
qbsuperstar03
Member

Despite the unsteady stance his chosen foe had assumed, Cryoface thought the worst...that she had a plan for him in the time it took for one to cross the arena. Spears were ideal weapons to set against a charge, but there was one trick Cryoface still had; his two remaining Snowballs. Deciding it was better to remain charging, Cryoface pressed forward, even though his quarry had dashed for the Light Pillar.

As he neared to melee range, intending to shatter that spear, Cryoface got an unexpected surprise...the sand suddenly became too hot. He had no choice but to back off, fearing what might happen if he decided to press the attack when it seemed that the terrain itself had been turned against him...or did he? It was no different than what he had done with the battle against Wind's Chosen, with one exception: His body was composed such that he was inherently vulnerable to fire, and he didn't want to taste any more of it than he had to after getting scorched with fireballs in the Sky Arena, which, for some reason, his Lord refused to heal.

But no. He had come too far to be stopped by such an easy trick. Obviously, her hand was in the sand to transfer her power into it. Cryoface didn't like how this human had forced his next move, but she really left him no choice. He unleashed his second Snowball of the Finals, aiming for her lower torso. If all went well, her ability to transfer fire energy into the sands would be temporarily halted, giving him time to make the battleground more to his liking...encrusted with ice. If she resorted to such tricks, then her melee skills could probably use some brushing up, he thought.

Provided, of course, that she could find a way to survive his wrath at all...at being tricked so easily into fighting on her terms, at even making it as far as he had on a technicality instead of through his own effort, and most importantly, at everyone who thought he was just another monster to be slain for the sole purpose of pursuing their own dreams of personal glory. But Cryoface knew he had to temper his anger with confidence in his own strength and training. He was a warrior, not an uncivilized barbarian like some Frost Giant that thought one needed only to be bigger and stronger than their foe to ensure victory. It was a hard balancing act, but in finding that balance was the key to victory over any foe, including wielders of fire magic.

< Message edited by qbsuperstar03 -- 8/14/2008 16:46:14 >
AQ DF  Post #: 71
8/15/2008 1:06:08   
xaxtoo
Member

Now then, how to best insult a moving blob of snow so it'd get angry and charge him instead. Karddicj doesn't really have too much experience with snow, let alone a snowman. He could go after the ever popular mom, but he has no idea if the snowmom was a entity that even existed. He could try to go after the roundness of the thing by calling it rotund or something, except that could be a compliment. What Karddicj really needed was a better understanding of the rolling pack of snow, which he would have if he had scouting reports. Now for the second time in the competition, he regretted not employing the scouts. Besides, where was his response from fire witch cat mom?

Taking his hand down, Karddicj looked over his shoulder to spare the woman a glance. To his surprise, she was running in his direction. Jeez lady, it's just food! She certainly seemed to want it pretty badly, but that's no excuse for charging. If to avoid a raging lady, Karddicj would almost give up that food, almost mind. Well the fact of the matter is, she simply can't have it. She cooked it, so it's not for her to enjoy. Simple as that.

With the charge drawing the fire witch closer, he no longer needed to change the direction of snowman's charge to lull her away; thus, he discarded the frosty insults still forming inside his head. It would seem the silly over-protective woman would be saving him a little bit of work. Smiling, his world turned black as he phased out of the arena. So she would run at him would she? Karddicj ran directly for the incoming woman. As he neared her, he threw out his arms in succession, flailing them at her otherworldly position as he ran through. Take that!

After the little show of spiteful vindictiveness, Karddicj continued to run towards the location of the Energy Pillar. Yet he didn't actually quite get there, for after a few more seconds of running, he phased back into the arena and picked up a half of the Swafan before quickly disappearing once more. This time, he continued running in his home soil until he reached somewhere close to the Energy Pillar and phased back in.

Always meet the food, don't expect it to move to accommodate, which was exactly what Karddicj did as he fell sideways facing the Energy Pillar and propped his head up with a hand. With the Swafan butt, he swung it towards the remains of the cat, which seemed to be just bones and fat. He hooked bits too close to the threatening pillar away from it. But without skin and muscle holding things together, the structure of the newly dish fell apart at his slight provocations. Jeez fire lady cook, presentation, presentation, presentation! When everything was satisfactorily far enough from the dancing lightnings, Karddicj opened his mouth and sucked.

Sand, fat, bones all flew into his mouth creating a interesting mix of flavor and textures as they went down his throat. A decent porridge Karddicj guessed. The grainy sand was a good enough of a base, albeit a bit metallic in taste, but nevertheless good enough when fat seasoned it while making everything smooth. And the bones were really good bits, hard, different, but good kind in contrast, and possibly chewable to bring out more flavor had Karddicj desired to move his mouth. If there were gripes to be had, they would be small and minimal. Still, they detracted from the experience. Karddicj, used to specially prepared meals, thought the bones were too charred and the portion size was small. All in all though, the dish was satisfactorily if hastily made in the middle of a battlefield, so its manner of existence and convenience Karddicj had to applaud, yet the experience went downhill from there, leaving an end result more or less average. No kudos to the chef and no future referrals, but more dishes so served would be eaten.

Coaxing energy through the arm propping his head up, Karddicj pushed with it and assumed a sedentary position before spinning to face the middle of the arena. Then he started fully leveling himself up with his legs. Perhaps a little desert, Karddicj mused, and then Karddicj felt a little thirsty too. Deciding on drinks and desert he started circling the arena once more, except he is walking counterclockwise, the exact opposite direction as last time, yet the path was eerily similar. If one creased the arena in two, the two sets of footprints in the sand would line up on top on each other like mirror images. With the Swafan stick though, he swatted imaginary clawing hands of crazy fans trying to get a touch on him. He had heard of this thing called the mirage, let the others think of him slightly delusional from eating so hastily.
AQ  Post #: 72
8/15/2008 1:32:02   
Guardian of Nekops
Member

As the Champion of Earth charged across the arena, just beginning to process the odd circle of black that marred the red sands before him, his foe vanished. Not with a flash of light or a puff of smoke, but as the wind left… all of a sudden that which had been there was gone, and was the more noticeable for its absence.

The metal juggernaut skidded to a stop well before the dark zone’s border, perplexed. The snowman charged past him unchallenged on its track of ice, meriting no more than a quick glance to see that he was indeed rushing towards the fiery doom that was Enya. The creature was his ally’s prey, after all, and it would not do to aid her again where she did not require his help. Not so soon after the incident with the cat, at least.

So the Champion of Wind had fled the arena. It was probably a good choice. After all, the fight with the quiksilver guardian could not have been easy on him, and there was great value in knowing when one had reached one’s limit… but his departure left Roch without an opponent. His ire gone for the moment, he ran a calculating eye across the arena before him, searching for his next mark.

Surprisingly, there was only one choice to be seen. The pirate Enya had fought in Spike stood at his Pillar, water swirling about the man in faithful subservience. Glancing indecisively back to where Enya had been, he frowned slightly. It would be wise to have her aid when he tried to take down the formidable sailor on the man’s home surf, but as he could not wait for her or interfere in her hunt he had little choice but to go it alone for now.

With a deliberate nod and a slow first step, Roch began gradually to build up the momentum he had sacrificed as he skirted warily around the strange circle of black sand. As he passed it, the Crusher struck the circle a light blow with Impact that sent the dark earth flying, displaying his range and power to his next chosen mark. Enemy or not, the man deserved to know what kind of force he was up against.

The stroke accomplished and the strange patch of earth bypassed, Roch raised his tower shield before his armored chest to cover him from any ranged attacks the pirate might make. While he had distance and therefore time, he raised his right arm high above his head and loosened his grip on the Gravity Axe. The weapon slid down freely through his hand until the broad head clanked against his gauntlet and he clutched it tight once more. The move left him with nearly no range at all and a long shaft stretching out behind his fist that would make the axe unwieldy to a ridiculous degree, but the Chosen of Earth grinned confidently behind the steel mask of his helmet.

Though his Alchemy was nearly spent, the Crusher had other tricks up his iron sleeve.
AQ  Post #: 73
8/15/2008 2:19:43   
The Dragon Knight
Member

Torrelle could not help but grin at the sudden change in the battles surrounding him. Combatants were switching partners, and yet he had gone relatively unchallenged since his somewhat swift victory over the Champion of Light. The wily pirate's current interest, the bug-like humanoid that answered the Dark Lord's will, seemed to be far more interested in Enya, the Snow Warrior, and the charred corpse of the familiar than in Champion of Water. While the seaman would not ordinarily strike at an opponent unannounced, the nature of this battle dictated that he must put aside civility on occasion and simply strike when the opportunity was available.

Focusing his power on the water buried beneath the sandy surface, Torrelle was preparing to move on to the next phase of his plan when things took a sudden, and rather surprising, turn. It happened without a word, without a sound, even. The whipping fury of his ally's wind suddenly dissipated, leaving an unsettling stillness in its wake. This strange turn of events was enough to shake his concentration, as he whipped his head about to look in the direction of his supposed ally. Could it be a treacherous attack of some sort? It was entirely possible that the dark-skinned warrior might have taken advantage of Torrelle's focus on the odd insectoid being to strike from behind.

The pirate's worries were unfounded, however, as his gaze met only empty space where once his ally had stood. The watery net that spread its innumerable, invisible fingers about the arena told him the story of his comrade's swift departure. Why the man had chosen to abandon his place in this final bout was unknown to the Pirate Lord, and the fears that had faded along with Djaak's presence were replaced by ones. The sound of iron-shod feet coming to a sudden halt announced the Crusher's awareness of his opponent's vanishing act.

Turning his head to view the stunned Earth Warrior, Torrelle came to realize a very unsettling fact: he and Roch were utterly alone now. True, the Chosen of the Land still had an ally in the arena, and other fighters still strove for dominance within their view, but none of it mattered. The fighting was taking place on the opposite end of the arena now. Considering who it was that now faced one another, those people may as well have been on the other side of the world.

Roch. The Crusher. Chosen of Earth. An immense, armored golem of a man, whose legendary skills with his enchanted axe, Impact, had been heard of far and wide across Lore.
Torrelle. The Maelstrom. Pirate Lord of the West and Chosen of Water. A man whose swiftness and skill with the sword had laid low many who had deemed themselves unstoppable.

A light breeze, all that was left of Djaak's power, swept between the two warriors as they stood eying one another, carrying with it the scent of sweat, blood and charred flesh. Torrelle had a feeling that his magic would be mostly ineffective against the iron-clad axeman. He would have to rely on more primitive methods in order to survive and defeat this foe.

The Crusher nodded in his direction, a silent show of respect. Even though confrontation was essentially a foregone conclusion at this point, he still felt obligated to announce his intention to engage the pirate in battle. It was that brief sign of civility that buoyed the Maelstrom's spirit.

The spellsword became of a change within himself. He was refreshed. While his body still suffered the effects of fatigue and injury, his will and determination were filled with a renewed sense of purpose. With no ally that he had to worry about, the master seaman was free to do as he pleased. He now had free reign to fight to his heart's content, without holding anything back in reserve. The same thrill of battle that had filled his heart back in the Spike Arena returned now to fuel his passion. A wide grin formed, and as the great axe split the earth asunder, Torrelle's head was suddenly thrown back in laughter. The pure, joyous sound of it was unusual in such a dark and dire situation, but the lord of the west could not help it. He was happy. Here, at last, was an opponent worthy of his attention.

Bringing his gaze back to the imposing figure before him, he could not help but express his gratitude and excitement, his voice rich with with amusement. "Thank you for this, Roch. I look forward to the chance to face you in battle. Let the heavens themselves shake with the fury of our onslaught. En guarde!"

Bringing his mirth under control once more, the crafty swordsman raised his weaponry, his smile confident, and he bowed low to the Chosen of Earth as the man began his charge anew. Drawing back into a combat stance, the Maelstrom's teeth gleamed white against his tanned and weathered face as he mentally grasped the water beneath his feet, drawing it forward beneath the sand's surface. His original plan for the Darkness Warrior would also work well here, if he was lucky. The water waited below the surface a fair ways now, no longer moving. It would remain there until called upon.

In the meantime, Torrelle decided to test the capabilities of his opponent's defenses. The cracked shield of volcanic glass was held forward, its protective umbrella shielding the bulk of the charging monstrosity. Time to see just how sturdy the damaged defense was. Torrelle figured he had enough time to replenish his weaponry after this before the man reached him.

The Pirate Lord's left arm shot forward, short sword held parallel to the ground and his fist aimed squarely at the center of the great oak emblem. In the next instant, the condensed bolt launched from its housing, the magical crossbow depositing its payload in a swift blast of fury.
AQ  Post #: 74
8/15/2008 22:51:24   
damselindigital
Member

As the snow warrior’s charge came to an abrupt halt at the border of Enya’s heat effect, the woman felt a rush of triumph. So her adversary was easily balked by warmth, even forced to backpedal along his icy trail from such a simple alteration to temperature. That of course did not bode well for him in their upcoming conflict since she had far more powerful tricks and traps she could lay. Yet if he was intent on pursing this battle, she would oblige him. It was, of course, his decision if to die if he wished.

She might have warned him of his vulnerability, given him a chance to withdraw before irreversible damage was concerned, but he did not give her the opportunity. From less than a handful of feet away, he threw a sphere of snow towards her midsection. Enya was, in fact, so puzzled by this that she almost completely failed to move in response. Had her adversary so underestimated her abilities that he felt an attack more suited for children’s games would be sufficient to affect and deter her? Did he neglect to take into account her rather thick winter protections? Was he truly so blind not to be able to deduce her origins?

Apparently the answer to all these questions was ‘yes.’

Due to her startled state, Enya had wasted too much of her limited time in order to fully dodge the projectile. Merely able to shift herself to the right of its intended course before the sphere impacted, she grunted softly as contact was made. A touch of cold seeped through even the thick protections of layered hides about her waist, contrasting noticeably with the ambient heat she herself had provided. He was trying to freeze her out! Mind set to reeling once again, Enya unknowingly portrayed a vulnerability to his attacks that was not present. He honestly had no idea who the woman before him was! Even she was aware that if judged upon looks alone, she would be far more likely serving Ice than Fire.

This was not even going to be a challenge. How disappointing.

She abandoned her claim upon the sand, having a far better use in mind for it now. The heat would naturally dissipate unless, of course, her adversary had some method of cooling the air as well. Taking in once more the trail of ice behind him as well as his continued existence in the direct sunlight, she gave herself a mental nod. He likely did. Let him think then that he could control their battlefield, even turn it into an icy wasteland if such was in his taste and abilities. It would fuel his confidence and make him believe that he possessed an advantage over her, while in truth it only caused her to feel more at home than the arena sands ever could.

A response to his aggression was warranted, however, and she planned to provide. Needing to be within melee range to best enact her plans, Enya lunged. It was but a single step forward to cross the distance between them sufficiently for her spear to threaten him. She thrust towards his torso, timing the attack perfectly with her forward momentum to provide the weapon with the most power and speed. Knowing it did not matter where precisely her spear impacted, she prepared to channel her power through her Lord’s weapon.

Then she would see how well the man of snow survived when the heat was channeled inside him.
AQ  Post #: 75
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