Duel:Rydian v Thea

• Thea vs Rydian: June 8, 2009
• Location: Kelay Way
• Stakes: An auto-hit round, bragging rights and a public apology for insults.
• Judges: Iskaldor and Giacomo, no mid.
• Decision: Thea

Thea vs Rydian

Rydian stands before his opponent, several yards off from her, but he could still easily make out the expression upon her face, the darkness never hindered his perfect vision. A slight smile played at the corners of his lips, before they parted to emit calm words, "The dance has begun," Were the only words he offered the Pixie, as he burst into action. Buildings and people standing about whipped past his line of sight, as he charged in a neck breaking pace towards the other. This would prove to be quite a sight in this small, but most famous city in all of Hollow. With unparalleled speed, the Drow tore his dagger free from its confines within the leather hoop at his waist. It's enchantment pouring through his very being, turning his usually serene eyes to that of pure blood lust. Dagger in right hand, he slammed a left foot into the ground, leaping with grace that only one of his skills could match. Powerful fingers gripped the hilt of his dagger in a death lock, as he lifted his arm high in the air at the peak of his jump, bringing it down directed for the others rather fragile looking left shoulder. After his attack, the Drow would then jump back; clear of the other if she was intent on giving him a thrashing with her staff.

Thea watches his approach through a narrowed, angered stare. Sheer abhorrence for the insulting Drow is more than evident. Those same eyes widen considerably when the weapon is lofted, his intended area of attack almost predictable by the angle. As swiftly as she can, the Pixie adopts her most natural state leaving her to appear only mere inches in length. A much smaller target will hopefully prove more difficult to hit. Unfortunately for her, the transformation is not quick enough as the point of the blade catches just beneath her shoulder blade causing her to release a guttural cry of pain. Though injured, the Druidess is not without defense by any stretch. With a heaving chest moving in a steady rhythm that sets the cadence for the chant of Druidism known only to those of her kind, a prepared spell is well in motion. It is with a final word of power that the area is consumed by rays of light, no longer veiled in the darkness of night to aid her opponent of the Underdark. Thea's wounded shoulder proves hindrance, but she manages to retrieve one of the Enchanted dirks from her garter, a nearly innocent flick of her wrist aims the weapon purposefully toward the dirt beneath his soles. Landing there to split the earth, the remainder of her spell springs forth, allowing room for the growth of thickly spiked vines to sprout forth in rapid formation, hungrily seeking to ensnare Rydian's frame and hold him captive in their thorny prison.

Rydian smiles malevolently, bringing the blade of his dagger up to view for the other, brandishing it, the odd crimson hue to its body sparkled rather enchantingly. This act caught the Drow off guard, as the other lashed out at him with her power of the elements. A snaking tendril whipped about his upper right thigh, writhing about, it began twisting, seemingly trying desperately to imbed itself in the Drows ebony flesh. A scream found somewhere betwixt pleasure, and pain, rang out into the area, reverberating off of the buildings all about. A deadly stroke of his right hand, brought the dagger down to severe the thorny vines from its hold upon him. Jumping back, he landed solidly upon his right foot, sending a shock of pain racing its way up the right side of his body. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he let out a hollow laugh. This Assassin was clearly a masochist. His left hand vanished from sight, as it sunk back into the depths of his inky black cloak, probing his weaponry for something in particular. Finding the thing he sought, he quickly spun, black cloak billowing up out of his way, as he unleashed a swarm of needles, six in all, the added light from the Pixie having little affect upon his own eyes. Their glossy green bodies reflecting dully as they raced towards their target with extreme velocities; a rather powerful aphrodisiac coated the needles, capable of giving even an inanimate object lust. His cloak whipped about his form as he came to settle in a crouch upon the ground, hidden beneath the confines of said cloak. Nimble fingers began signing something under the tent-like surface, forming strange symbols known only to a few Assassin still in existence. He had a rather nasty treat for her.

Thea 's tiny form feels the sanguine trickling down her wounded shoulder, but pays it little mind for the now. Her attentions are focused on the movement of Rydian's hand, and indeed what it was being sent her direction now. Squinting slightly to gain better understanding of the weapons, she gasps and dives low to the earth, shielding against them with a summoning of a wind wall in hopes they will leave her without an unwanted piercing. Just as the fifth manages overhead, she makes a dire error and assumes it is the last, rising to meet with number six which finds it's way to penetrate just the first few layers of flesh in her right thigh. The intoxication is quick, but not enough to deter her off course just yet. Defensive instincts ride high in such a cautious psyche as Thea's. With her reflexes being tested by the Drow's cunning, she takes to the air, wincing with each stride of those lacy appendages that carry her to a nearby branch where magical reserves are harnessed and utilized to allow the Druidess to lunge forth at her opponent. Thanks to Thea's well practiced skills where nature's creatures are concerned, it is not an average nor larger sized Pixie that meet with her foe as exacting talons and a broad spans of wing descend upon him. In the form of a large hawk, she swoops in as the winged predator to extend those sharp claws in an attempt to remove the male's eyes as if they were her next meal. Hooked beak instinctively following suit to peck at his skull violently, until that lust settles in. This only incites the bird to react more viciously, dominant and intent on penning a breeding partner as the talons continue to constrict, feathered wings flapping uncontrollably in an attempt to lift him with her into the air, naturally. That is after all how a hawk would mate.

Rydian would have been rather startled to see the form of the Hawk, racing down upon him with lethal intent, except this was not normal circumstances. As the Drow finished signing his small spell, his form wavered in the air momentarily, before flickering from existence. But not without earning a few ragged scratches upon his neck and upper back; their sting bringing tears to his eyes, and a smile of pleasure to his wetted lips. Now completely invisible, and a few paces away from his attacker, he watched her through eyes of a killer, momentarily studying her, trying to take in her flaws, and strengths. Corded muscles flexed tightly under his leather, causing him to wince in pain, from the throbbing gashes upon his upper thigh, and back, but it was not enough to deter him in any means. Silent steps brought the Assassin ever closer to his prey. With uncanny speed, he pulled back his left hand, readying for a haymaker style punch; flexing his fingers into a tight fist, a thin metal rod shot up, jutting a scant six inches above his exposed, already turning white, knuckles. A audible 'click' from said rod, was the only warning given to the Pixie as he unleashed his fury. Power of his honed muscles backed his horrendous punch now thrown at the Hawk. His form would simply blink back into sight, his features looking rather weary from the strenuous exertion, though still filled with the extremely dangerous blood lust of his.

Thea 's feathery concealment prove little use as the Drow vanishes? Still somewhat inebriated by the former enchantment via penetration of that damned needle, she growls to herself as he fades from sight. Keen ears do hear that 'click' though, leaving her little to no time to avoid the inevitable as the thrust of a fist with concealed weapon make contact with the gullet of her chosen familiars abdomen. The piercing assures an immediate scream that rings through the air of their surroundings, assuring the Drow his mark has been made. She resumes her previous stature, small creature that she is and a nimble right hand moves to cover the area, sanguine vitae seeping through her delicate fingers. Though not a vital wound, it is deep and having had enough of this 'dance' concludes the minuet with a decided archaic endeavor that will leave her drained of stamina and magic, perhaps enough to prevent her healing herself. Visibly pained and infuriated, the Druidess' Adept tongue moves to summon each necessary component to do her bidding. Ebon strands begin to whip forcefully with increasing winds that tear several wooden shingles from their station atop the Tavern's roof. Bellowing robe sleeves raise with both upper limbs akin to a conductor preparing to direct a symphony and the rain moves in. Large droplets plop against the road at their feet, but this is no ordinary storm. Where it meets to the earth, sizzling pits are left in the midst with an increased velocity to both elements, bearing down on Rydian full force as the acidic downpour begins, massive gail aiding it to sheet toward the Drow in an attempt to strip his flesh from bone with the vile storm.

Rydian flashes a look of rage up to the Pixie upon the Taverns rooftop, having noticed the downpour of the apparent acid rain, he lets out a blood curdling scream, the acid was indeed beginning to burn away at his flesh. Growing frantic, he looked about, casting his arresting eyes upon the nearby rooftop of the tavern; a safe haven for him, hopefully. The Assassin bound into action, each drop of rain splashing upon his form, and causing an immense amount of pain. Coming to a skidding halt, he stops before slamming into the taverns walls, the eaves of the rooftop hanging out just enough to offer him the slightest bit of protection from the summoned elements. He had underestimated this Pixie, he had heard rumors, but he never expected she could call upon something of that scale. The sizzling of his skin brought a strong, rather gut-wrenching stench to the air, disturbing the ambiance, probably for the remainder of the night. There he waited, under the protective embrace of the tavern, as he knew well that this duel was now over, his heart still raced within his chest, the after effects of the heated battle.

Auto-hit Round

Thea's lips slow their movement and the rain dissipates allowing her to take to the air and alight in front of the Drow now sporting a goodly amount of damage from her elemental summonings. Weakened by the battle herself, and quite exhausted she approaches him slowly adopting a more formidable size for an attack with a clutched fist resting against her small stomach. Fingers now crusted over with her own blood retrieve the brethren of the dagger thrown at Rydian's feet, clutching it with a fierceness that transcends to her free opposing hand which grabs his wrist to steady it as the dirk comes down in a forceful strike at his left hand, severing several necessary digits there after recalling the quick finger-work that aided in his evasion and release of a poisoned needle. "Now, the next time you call me a bug, it will be more than your fingers I claim, aye?"

Rydian screams in agonizing pain as his fingers are cut free from their proper resting place on his hand. The Drow can't help but feel a bit of pleasure, coursing its way through his body as he revels in the pain that inundates him so completely. A flash of heated anger is shot to the Pixie, "Yes, understood." His words spew forth like the poison now coursing its way through her veins. "You had better be wary of my blood, its effects are dangerous." He chuckles maliciously, as he brings his now destroyed hand up to his chest, coddling it, in attempts at relieving himself of the horrific pain.