Duel:Alex v Leo, Match 7 of the 2021 Titans of Winter Tournament
Duelists: Alex vs Leo Duel: Traditional 3 rounds with final defense, 15 minute posting limit. Stakes: Standard, autohit delivered by winner with allowance for final reply. Judges: Mahri, Leone and Josleen.
Walled Courtyard
Passing through the impressive North Gate or standing upon the threshold of Frostmaw Fort, the courtyard sprawls out before you, securely fenced in by the mighty wall. High above upon the wall, soldiers march and sentries stand guard, ever watchful of Frostmaw city's borders and those that move throughout the fort. With the knowledge that sharped eyed archers oversee activity, one can move through the courtyard upon a stone-paved pathway, each piece handcarved with intricate, tribal designs beloved of Frostmawians. Bordering the path are grounds that should be nothing more than packed earth and snow, yet it appears to be a lawn of finely trimmed grass, of all things. How is such a thing growing in these harsh climes? Whatever the sorcery behind it, grass dominates this courtyard, a rare splash of color so far North, and dotted with statues of various famous warriors of lore. Lining the pathway are lengthy, tiered constructs of stone and ice: benches, you realize, cunningly wrought to provide seating for races of any height. Southward lies the gates to depart this area, well-guarded to prevent the ill-intentioned from fleeing. While northward looms Frostmaw Fort, a behemoth construct of stone, wood, and ice, riddled with battlements, towers, and a myriad of deadly defenses. As if the walls, mounted, giant crossbows, and guards were not daunting enough, to the east and west lie the courtyards of the Titan Sentinels, their earthen and frozen heads visible over the walls. The City of War seems to have earned its title.
Mahri absolutely hates the cold and yet here she is, in the courtyard of the Frostmaw Fort. Voluntold that she would be the Emcee for tonight's Titans of Winter match, the lycan makes her way to the center of the area and turns a small circle to catch the audiences' gaze with her own grey-silver eyes. Tugging the lapels of her duster closed against the bone deep chill, Mahri's voice rings loud and clear, "Ladies, gentlemen and others. For your entertainment we have a double header tonight. First up we have Alex - bard of Frostmaw, with the golden voice, against Xaileo the boy dragon! May the best fighter win!" With a huff of breath that puffs in a white cloud, the lycan turns on her heel and finds a seat along with a good hot drink to sip while watching. On the ooc side, fifteen minute rounds. If Em/Xaileo wins, Alex must write a paragraph and put it in his bio about how epic and awesome Em/Xaileo is. Alex - if you win what do you want? Anything?
Round One:
Alex spots Emilia and her child on the opposite side of the courtyard, the man unphased by the sudden realization that his opponent was a child, though he couldn't help noting the resemblance to the family in the crowd. Instead of tilting his head, scoffing, or even turning red in the face, the bard instead offers a courteous nod and bow to the boy before turning his gaze to the crowd once more after a feeling catches his chest. There, he spots her - Aira. A smile tugs at the side of his lips as the nervousness that had nearly consumed him begins to fade, and he's suddenly able to speak three names with confidence, each one causing the ears of another wolf to perk. "Alto. Andante. Arpeggio." He turns his attention back to the boy with a sudden sharp and feral intensity in his eyes, pearly whites forming a fiendish smile with his tongue pressed against his left canine. "Go". The instance begins immediately as all three wolves race to their feet and charge the boy with snapping jaws and strings of saliva flailing all over the path. As they close the gap towards their opponent, they split off from one another, with one going to the right and the other two heading to the left. All three intend to circle back and lunge at whatever exposed piece of flesh they can find. If Leo was worried about the animals rushing him from each side, he may neglect to spot the bard quickly closing the distance between them with his right arm hung low at his side to ready a fierce strike with the mithril claw aimed right for the boy's throat.
Emilia |Xaileo watched with caution as his opponent walked out into the arena with not one, but three wolf companions while sporting no armor to protect himself just glowing blue paint runes. The time allotted to study his shirtless foe was shorted lived. The signal for the fight to begin caused the dragon’s heart to with adrenaline and his demeanor to shift into fight mode. His stance immediately shifted from relaxed as he took grasp of his short sword and pulled it free from his waist with a fluid arc motion from previous position to in front of him at the ready. The moment the wolves began to move from their positions Xaileo began to move before he became a sitting duck. Three hard strides of a run toward the furry beasts while large wing of green began to flap hard to lift the dragon off the ground. Before the dragon was fully off the ground one of the wolves managed to grab onto his ankle during a lunge, sinking teeth between the protective armor. Blood immediately leaking from the wound, dripping onto the ground below and causing a pained grunt from the lad. The harsh movement of the wings close to the ground causing snow and dirt beneath to gust up cresting a short lived low lying fog created with intentions to distract the three four legged beasts. Airborne the dragon boy turned his sights against the incoming bard. Wings moving faster to create more gust of snow directed toward Alex as Leo speed toward him. His sword was drawn aimed to ram itself into the man's shoulder.
Round Two:
Alex's smile grows wider as Alto manages to grab ahold of Xaileo's ankle and tear the skin, the boy's grunt of pain like music to the man's ears. His charge hadn't slowed as the fog began to rise around his companions and then himself, and suddenly Alex was surrounded in a shroud that left him vulnerable and he was moving too fast to stop clean. Thankfully, the bard had a way of thinking on his feet and quick calculations tell him to drop, and so he does. Diving into a roll on the torn path, the human tumbles several feet forward with the mithril claw held out above his head to prevent any accidental self-harm. Though he still can't see the child, Alex hears the wings flapping fiercely overhead and realizes that he's flown past him. Scurrying to his feet with little grace, which leaves him thankful for the fog, the bard regains his footing and parts his lips as his mouth opens wide - at this point, the blue aura glowing from his eyes and make-up bright enough to see from the audience even though the obstruction - he turns his head towards the sound of the child and then, he screams. The wail vibrates through the entire courtyard and causes loose pebbles to fall from the foundation as his banshee's cry blows away the fog leaving the bard with a clear view of his target who is now several feet away. Holding his arms out to his side with his palms turned to the heavens, he begins to belt out a heavenly hymn that would start to affect those in the audience who weren't protected by enchantments, or god-like will, to cheer in the bard's favor and boo to the child - a bit of vein reassurance as the wolves spot their target and start rushing the child once more as Alex reaches for two kunai from his leg, takes aim, and lobs them towards the child's wings in hopes of grounding him.
Emilia |Xaileo lost track of the man in the fog he had created, flying past him as he rolled low keeping himself from being impaled by his sword. The blue glow of Alex revealing his location before he let out a god-awful wail that caused the fog to depart and his ears to ring in pain. The dragon turned to natural instinct and training from his father as a smoke began to leak from his nostrils as he breathed out. With the chill of the city it was not easy to tell if it was from the cold like exhaled warm breath or something more. With a deep long inhale Xaileo turned toward the wolves and bard on the ground as his lips parted from one another. The exhale that followed was not breath, but a bursting jet of blazing fire. A putrid smell of sulfur came with the waves of heat that exited the dragon’s lips. His head turned from one side to the other sending the flames out in a sweep at each individual wolf with focus on catching their ablaze before honing in on Alex. With full speed put behind his flight path following the burning fire path he created Leo charged again at him with his sword. Leo's movements swift in the air, shifting his path ever so slightly to keep Alex guessing which way he would attack from. The first knife thrown clinks as it bounces off his metal shoulder piece before falling to the ground while the second managed to skim over the outer edge of one wing creating a slice in its wake, but not enough to take the dragon out of the air. Still barreling himself at Alex his sword once more aimed to take a strike against the bard on impact of any exposed flesh the boy could hit.
Round Three:
Alex stared in horror as his companions ignited into a gulf of flames. The cries, whining, and screeching from of Alto, Andante, and Arpeggio as they sprinted around the courtyard begging for mercy led to a heart-broken cry from the man himself, "NO!" The paint on his fingernails scratched and chipped as he rushed to pull the remaining three kunai from their holster and began targeting his own friends, lobbing the projectiles one after another to make contact with Alto's skull, Andante's heart and Arpeggio's throat to put the trio out of their misery. His flesh turned hot as his blood boiled, a feeling of deep rage and hatred consuming the bard as he directed his attention back to Xaileo who was already closer than he had hoped. Alex grabbed Hildegarde's cloak from his shoulder and in a single fluid motion of his left arm, launched it towards the dragon to serve as a makeshift net, or at the very least, very heavy blindfold. Throwing himself to the side in order to dodge the attack, the bard found his mercy killings to be a fault, as he wasn't quick enough to dodge the blade entirely. The edge cuts across the skin of his rib, causing the skin to peel apart like an open purse, and eliciting a feral cry from the man. However, as he collides with the ground, his hand reaches up to take hold of the wound and in a shaken voice, he begins to recite the healer's hymn, a renowned tool of Hollow's bards that slowly begins to pull the skin back together. But he doesn't have time to finish the job, not in the middle of a fight, so as he does this, he's picking himself back up and turns to face the dragon's direction and in a last-ditch effort to avenge his wolves, charges forward with another banshee's screech to try and ground the hopefully blinded youth, and rake his mithril claw across his stupid little fire breathing face.
Emilia |Xaileo readied himself for another burst of dragon breath at his foes. The smoke leaking from his nose in wisps of grey foreshadowing his next attack before he had even made contact with the bard. Distracted by watching the man kill his own wolves on the field mid-battle Leo did not see the incoming cloak thrown his way before he had left out another blast of fire. The cloak reaching the dragon first caught fire before landing over him, temporarily blinding the lad and giving Alex the time he needed partly mend his ribs. With a deep raging dragon growl the boy dropped his sword before he ripped the burning cloak in pieces off his face. Lucky for Xaileo he was a dragon leaving his youthful face only smudged with soot from the flames and a few hairs atop his head singed. Swooping past the bard Leo turned to circle back around for another go with his foe when Alex let out another of his blasted screeches. His ears still ringing in pain from the first one that the second caused Leo to cover his ears with both hands in feeble attempt to block out the noise. His decent was quick from the higher height to hover just above the ground with wings flapping in panic sending a gust of wind at Alex. The incoming hook missing his face, but catching his already injured ankle yanking him down to the ground with a loud thud of impact. As the dragon fell down Leo unclasped the whip from his left hand freeing it from his arm to flick out forcefully at Alex with aim to wrap around his claw and remove it from his person as he jerked the thorn covered ice whip back with the sound of its crack echoing in the arena.
Final Defense:
Alex wasn't worried about the Queen's cloak despite the embers that illuminated the frost-worm silk. Since he'd inherited it, believe it or not, it's seen much, -much- worse, and he was confident in its repair. Instead, he was fully focused on the task at hand, and as his claw missed it's mark, he grew irritated at how slippery this little one had proved to be. To say he felt satisfaction when his wail finally knocked the runt to the grass would be a grand understatement. No, Alex felt determined, he felt bloodthirsty and the primal fury that rumbled deep down in his gut gave him the energy to raise his hand high once more with plans to stab at Xaileo's armor over and over again, until he tore away the metal plate and found the sweet, juicy, steaming goodies that awaited inside. But as his hand raised, he felt the chilling prick of the whip and gritted his teeth so hard his jaw pops. The claw is successfully removed by the attack and flung to the ground disarming the bard and leaving him with a new wound that flowed with thick crimson that stained his hand and ruined his body make-up. Did this kid have any idea how long this stuff takes to apply!? Still, in the moment, Alex stood over the dragon and knew that he was now at a disadvantage without his claw, and fumbled backwards to retreat to a safe distance to give himself time to adjust and figure out his next move.
Winner: Alex
Auto Hit:
Alex is still staring at the child before him with animosity and hatred in his eyes, his heart pounds against his chest causing a throbbing and searing pain in both his wounded ribs and wrist. He looks over to his claw and then back to the dragon, debating the best way to reclaim his tool and finish the fight. Then Mahri's voice calls out over the calm and suddenly the human has his attention torn away from his target and looks up to the Lycanthrope as she pronounces him the victor. Suddenly, Alex remembers that he's not in the middle of a war, and that he isn't meant to be in a fight for his life. He looks out to the crowd, and spots several of the natives cheering at the announcement with claps and whistles in his honor leaving him to briefly wonder if his favor spell was still in effect, or if this was real. He's reminded of why this tournament exists, and what it stands for, and he's reminded of his promise to Hildegarde... to prove himself to the Frost Giants and properly reclaim his title among the people of Frostmaw. His eyes fall from the crowd to that of his slain companions and a wave of melancholy washes over him. He staggers away from Xaileo and makes his way to the wolf with the pierced throat, Arpeggio. Collapsing to his knees, Alex reaches out to the kunai with a blood-covered hand and yanks not once... not twice... but three times to dislodge the weapon which he then tosses to the side. He then places his palm onto the open wound and parts his lips, but his throat catches, causing him to look away with a grimace as he swallows it down. Returning his attention to the charred wolf whose blackened skin burns at the human's flesh, he begins to sing the healer's hymn. The illumination of mana in his make-up and around his eyes growing brighter as he tries to bring his friend back to the land of the living, but to no avail. He knew it was useless, but he had to try. He pulls his hand back and stares at the stained flesh that is fused with a blend of his blood, Arpeggio's blood, and black charred bits from the crisp, dry skin of the wolf. He forces himself to his feet and makes his way back to his opponent, with a heavy heart and tears in his eyes he looks down to the kid and nods. "You did well..." He hesitates and bites on his lip for a moment. "A warrior like you is someone that Frostmaw will always be proud to host." He nods again as if reassuring himself. "Come back next year, and kick my arse." Kneeling down, he reaches over and slaps the kid's hand with his bloody and charred hand for the worst possible, but crispiest high five ever. He then gathers his claw, moves to pick up his smoking cloak and turns to look out over the crowd once more to give an elegant bow to conclude his performance.