TOA ROUND 2: Finrod Felagund VS Rikku

[psychosyd]

Alright, the first round is done, half of the contestants are gone, only 32 remain, who will win it all? Only time will tell... remember to try and somehow include the fact that the whole TOA is near or in a huge staduim (or surrounding areas for you environmental fanatics) LET the fighting begin!
Ok a reposting of the rules

1. NO SIGNITURES!

2. No God Mods... you know the basics, "possesing characters", godlike abilities, cheapo moves, power dodging or Didging killing opponents stuff like that.

NOTE: The small time taking over, for like adding to battle posts are legal, as long as you dont hurt them or whatnot

3. 2 ways to win- Killing your opponent hte legal, way, getting them to accept the win, when you have bested them, or by a judges decision. ACCEPT it... if you have a problem with there decision, then PM me....

4. Judges will post who won, and a short paragraph on why they believe that person won

5. Round 1 starts on Sunday September 8th... and will run till saturday the 14th

Round 2 starts that following sunday

So each tournament round lasts a week, you will have that much time to defeat your opponent. Topics will be closed on Saturday night, or sunday morning... if possible, and the next round will start. This tournament will be done in 6 weeks.

You may begin anytime

Eowyn sat quietly at her desk, pen in hand. She carefully logged the events that had unfolded over the past week, making sure not to leave out any detail. The road was arduous but she managed to claim victory. Pausing to relieve her hand for a moment, she pulled out a small gold coin from her pocket… a memento from her last battle. She fingered it lightly, the cold metal sending a chill through her hand.

Suddenly, the door to her room burst open with a clang. Eowyn, startled, dropped the coin to the ground. The medallion slowly rolled across the bare oak floor, eventually colliding with the blackened boot of a large figure. She darted a glance at him, trying to act like she did not notice his disturbance. The figure bent over and picked up the coin off the floor.

“Hmph. Yet another souvenir I see..” The exceptionally well-dressed man walked over to the desk, eying the scattered papers strewn across the surface. “Why do you waste so much time logging all that nonsense? You should be getting ready for your next fight.”

Eowyn turned towards the man and said, “If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it”.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you…And you owe me..” The man stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The sound of his boots hitting the wooden floor echoed throughout the halls of the small inn. The man was the owner of the inn, hoping to get the money she owed him. He really did not expect her to actually give him anything, but he had the vain hope that this time… she would. Eowyn was a regular, stopping in every few days for a break from the local tournament. She had lodgings at the arena, but had no desire to stay there. Between the damp, musty odors and the constant scurrying of rats in the corners, it was quite uninviting. One would think that the tournament leaders could accommodate its warriors a little better than it did.

Eowyn glanced at the clock on the west wall of her room. Half past eight in the morning. She was late for her last battle and had no intentions of doing so again. This time… this time she’d be prepared. She hurriedly opened her satchel and removed her mythril armor. It still shined brightly in the morning light, even though she had used it quite frequently the past week. Without delay, she took the armor and went into the powder room. Within a minute she was ready to go. She thought for a moment how amusing it was… women. They spend countless hours every morning trying to look ‘perfect’, as if men wouldn’t notice them anyways. Eowyn had quite a different outlook on the situation. She could care less if a man liked the way her hair looked. In fact, she enjoyed the solitude. Who ever heard of a Master Thief having a boyfriend? It was preposterous!

Not wanting to spend another moment dwelling on nonsense, Eowyn grabbed the rest of her essential equipment and headed for the door. Down the hallway and out the front of the inn she jogged. The other guests quickly moved out of the way, not wanting to be plowed down by the obviously hurried girl.

“Hey! What about my…” The innkeeper couldn’t even finish his sentence before she bursted out of his inn. It only took her five minutes to make it to the arena. When she arrived, she was not greeted with the sounds of cheering fans. In fact, the air was stagnant with the lack of noise. As Eowyn entered the arena, she encountered not a soul. It was as if a bomb had dropped in the middle of the field and the entire crowed had been wiped out. Ironically, this did not bother her one bit. She was quite pleased with the silence. Most warriors are enthralled from the sound of a screaming frenzy of humans, but she… she could care less if there wasn’t a person in the whole town, as long as her battle took place. Eowyn set her satchel on a bench near the inner set of doors. She once again opened the bag and removed her belongings. Her trusty daggers were the first to come out. The blades were caked lightly with the blood of her last opponent. His fate was still unsure to her, but she did not dwell on her victims much. It was the past. All that mattered was the present, not the future, not the past.

There was a small pool of water nearby. Eowyn placed her daggers in the pool and gently cleansed them. Soon, they were both back to their original glory. The silver-metallic finish reflected the light from the windows of the hallway. She watched, as the reflections slowly moved across the room, like fiery lasers blasting a trench through the walls. Eowyn pulled out her sharpening stone and began to bring her blades to their full sharpness. In the past, her allies were often amazed at her ability to make a weapon excessively sharp. She once took a sword that had broken in half and sharpened it into a brilliant dagger. Of course, the hilt was a little large, but its owner was thrilled none-the-less. She spent quite some time with her daggers, making them increasingly sharp by them minute. Eowyn looked up at the clock on the far wall. A quarter past nine. Where was her opponent? She had no desire to stand around all day waiting. Placing the daggers in their cases on her side, Eowyn walked back to her bag on the ground. Digging around aimlessly in the bag, she found what she was looking for. A small pouch of Throwing Stars. She never left home without them. She tied the pouch tightly to her belt, making sure it would not come loose during battle. The small throwing stars clanged lightly together as she tightened the knot. “Now to check out the Arena..”

Eowyn walked towards the inner arena, opening the large double-doors. Just as she left it. The conditions were exactly as she remembered them… almost. The trees she dismembered in her last battle had been dug out of the ground and laid in a corner on the east wall. In their place was a large wooden crate. “The hell?” She quickly darted across the field to look at the strange box. “Why did they put a BOX in an arena?!?” She peered between the cracks between the wooden planks, hoping to catch a glimpse of the contents. Inside the crate was a small house cat, purring lightly. “Erm… a cat?” Eowyn walked back towards the entrance, pondering the latest mystery to be layed out in front of her. She waited on the southern wall for her opponent to arrive.

[The Edge]

In his first battle held in the arena, the tides have seemed to turn towards the Patryn quite easily. He took little importance on how his opponent was defeated, he had even forgotten how it all happen. For Finrod, it was like being in suspended animation. He knewe only this, it was not a fight where to men clash their swords with anger, desire, agony. No indeed no, it was actually a fight using the mind, for the Patryn's hidden blades where not stained with blood ... no, they are very clean and they haven't been used since the great nightmare of The Nexus. It seems that the sigla on his skin had once again become his own ally. Yes, the man was truly amazed at observing the many symbols glowing all over his body. Alas, Finrod had the answer to his first victory ... his own skin was playing games with his opponent, it outsmarted thr adversary and led to his defeat. Perhaps all this was accurate, but this was after all, a guess made by the Patryn. Alas, that battle no longer matters, for he saw more victory coming to him in his visions. Realising that he had won either way or not, it no longer mattered, for in the second round ... he will be in control of himself, and never again will he lose his head ....

The Next day, Finrod had awaken. It was morning, for the sun was so bright it could penetrate the leaves. But why leaves? The Patryn slept on top of a tree, recovering lost power if any was lost. But how in the world did he ended up the bloody tree was something he can't answer. So today means another round will come at hand. Well, a fight was a fight and it had to be settled. Finrod awoke from his long slumber and jumped off the tree. While walking along the country side like a knife in the dark, he saw the battle arena in the distance. Using the keeness of his ears, not a single scream was heard. So he guess it wasn't time to battle yet.

The Patryn came in front of a pond, filled with filthy water, not a good thing to see at all. Obviously, he would never set a foot on it, nor a finger. All of a sudden, his skin began to glow blue once again. It was neither a warning nor an approaching danger. Finrod was puzzled in his mind, trying to find an answer. He truly wanted to set foot on the pond,m for it's the best place to meditate. But why why was the sigla on his skin glowing bright blue? He traced the runes on his skin, trying to understand their reaction. Nothing, not a even a single good answer, just a voice buzzing on his head, telling his to show no fear nor disgust, just step into the pond and give back life to it as it once had. Truly, the Patryns had the ability to give life to the wounded, but not raise the dead. Either if it's a human, an aminal, or an element of nature, it made no bloody difference, just as long as it had a spirit. That was the intentions of the Patryn, give life back to the pond and become mindful. There is still time before procceeding with the fight, perhaps he could relax by returning the blue color to the dark water. In the proccess, perhaps he could find a new power inside him who knows....

Finrod F.: If that's what you ask of me, then I shall do this favor for you, for I also want you to do something for me.

All of a sudden, winds began to blow stronger by the passing seconds, the dark water of the pond began to shake. For a moment, it seemed as if an earthquake was active. For a moment, if anybody would see the Patryn, they would see a strange man walking on water. The polluted water rised towards the air, surrounding Finrod within, without even getting wet. It protected the Patryn, for a circle barrier around him. While it was doing it's part of the bargain, Finrod was rotating, creating the appearence of an atom. His skin glowed more blue than ever, for his rune magic was more active than ever. It was so bright, the blue light made the dark water turn crystal clear. For a moment, it seemed like an illusion, but after every passing second, it look as if the healing proccess truly made progress. When everything was done as it should be, it all came back to normal in an intense. The water was once again pure, good to swim, good to drink. Finrod was now at the bottom of the pond, already meditating. It was then, when the water essence spoke to him.

Water Essence: No need for that master Patryn, during the proccess of our healing, you have calmed your mind more than it needs. Your are now good as new.
We also took the time to read your mind ... a battle awaits you. Time has passed, you must leave immediately. But since you had the courage to give us back life, we offer you a safe trip to the arena, using our restored power. Do you accept this offer?

Finrod F.: I welcome it....

The water essence sent the Patryn to the surface. His handsome face was once again seen, his long platinum hair seemed to have been polished. His light elven clothing untouched. The sigla on his skin came back to normal. In an instance, the water essence created a column wich launched all the way to the arena. The speed was fantastic, it even brought the Patryn to the top. He landed on the edge, and thanked the elements for the favor, but they were even more grateful towards the man.

Once the column of water left towards the pond, the dark eyes of Finrod shifted towards the women down below. The keeness of his eyes could easily see what she looked like, and what he saw was true beauty. A young women wanting to fight ... the Patryn had not idea his next oppoent was a lady. It was truly a pity she had to leave this battle sooner than expected, for Finrod would only show her a lesson, and make her surrender before him. Even her charms would never affect the him, for he learned in the depths of the labyrinth nor to fall for women tricks. He had experience on the subject. Without wasting another second, Finrod jumped towards her, but made sure he had quite a good distance. Landing on the ground, the blue glowing skinned man deeply stared at the women, straight into the eyes, like a snake. He smiled at her, trying to charm her with his attractive face. He truly hoped she would be the one to fight first, a good way to study her moves ... however ... he also hoped he would not be disappointed ...

Strategy… it is the ultimate game of cat and mouse. Eowyn knew it fully. The true strategist is always two steps ahead, not simply one. Eowyn watched as Finrod stood silently in the distance. ”What is he waiting for?” She was not a fool. He obviously wanted her to attack first, hoping to quickly learn her ways. As any strategist knows, what better way to confuse the enemy than to give them exactly what they want…at least what they think they want.

She stared into his gazing eyes for only a moment. ”His eyes say one thing, but he thinks another”. She slowly unsheathed a single dagger from behind her back, making sure the action was completely covered. Eowyn carefully turned the dagger in her left hand so that the blade was facing towards her elbow, concealed beneath her lower arm. She then began to walk towards her opponent with a confident gate…perhaps a little too confident. Finrod continued to stand in place, not knowing what she was up to. He studied her actions, hoping she would make a move. She would not disappoint.

As she approached Finrod, she grinned lightly, the dagger still concealed in her hand.

“How about we be fair and honest warriors and shake on it, shall we?” Eowyn said calmly to the man, trying to sound serious. Finrod continued to stare suspiciously, not buying into her little game. She had no intention of the plan succeeding; it simply covered her true actions. “Come now, little mage-man… Are you scared?”

Eowyn continued to walk, her distance mere feet from her target. “Not surprising really. Yet another chicken-shit mage. The last one died a miserable death. Are you prepared? Are you prepared…” With one swift action, she re-oriented her blade upright, the hilt remaining firmly in her hand. She then made her move, charging head-on at her target, screaming, “…TO DIE?” Within seconds she was beside him, swiftly swinging her blade at his right leg.

[The Edge]

The Patryn stood there, still smiling in a grim way. His eyes contained an dark look. He wanted to look confident towards the lady, not wanting to arm her till she makes her move. In his thoughts, he was growing quite impatient. But during his gaze, he could easily read her eyes. Deep within, he could see fear even if on the outside, she's courageous ... Not knowing what she was about to face. While penetrating throught her mind, Finrod sensed the attitude of trickery, willing to strike at any time. The sigla on his skin began to itch, a burning warning to be mindful, for this little girl could be a danger.

Suddenly, he saw the lady a approach him with confidence, showing no fear whatsoever. The evil smile on the Patryn's lips vanished, turn into nothing. One could easily confuse him for a statue, for he stood motionless. Only the soft wind blew on his platinum hair. The runes made his skin glow blue underneath his clothing. Finrod observed how the mensch girl took a dagger and hidding it beneath her arm. "Foolish girl, like I would never notice."
When she was close enough, the Patryn still lay unmoving, listening to her sudden words. He completely ignored her words, he wondered is she had taken him for a fool. The last of her sentence was completey ignored, however, the Patryn noticed when suddenly, her tone of her voice suddenly changed. It was then, when Finrod's skin was brighter than ever. She even had the nerve to approach a few steps, only to meet more his eyes.

At what exactly did the man have, he was unarmed .. perhaps unprotected. Only his cleverness and knowledge would play win the game ... or perhaps not. When the girl pronouced the last words, without thinking twice, the Patryn back flipped once to keep a great distance from her, in case she planned another attack to follow. She had missed by an inch, for she was quiet fast, but not fast enough for the first attack. Finrod new's intentions was to make her beg for mercy, so he decided to scare her a bit.

Finrod calculated the distance in wich she was from her, instantly raised his right arm, lifted up two fingers and made a little motion. It was as if he was commanding a peasant to come forth. The little motion made the ground where the girl was standing berserk. The ground broke apart and shaked without stopping. All of a sudden, fire and ash came from the cracksand unleashed a tremedous magnitude. The attack could very well affect the Patryn, but using the power of the mind, he made sure he completely safe, however, the girl would suffer the consequences. Even if Finrod was using mere art of rune magic, it was more than obvious he was hidding something....

[psychosyd]

Hrmm.... this one is VERY tough to decide... both have highs and lows...

Rikku... your posting technique can get semi immature/childish... where its just kinda a groaner to read... looses intrest when it loses maturity... to a point. Your intro was interesting, but way to long, you went overboard on it...

Finrod- you kinda work the OPPOSITE end of the spectrum... sometimes you try to make yourself seem a bit TO wise and mature... leading to dry material, and occasionally confusing. You set your character up to be the typical snooty kinda overwise person... which is very interesting... but they get annoying with there superiour attitude, but then again, thats what most elves are... so you did pretty well, its a dangerous line to play with.

Though it rends my heart to be forced to choose a victor, im actually going to award this battle to Finrod... Rikku, you have good aspects, but there is a lot that isnt, and when you take that away, you don't have very much left.