TOA Elite Eight: Skai vs. Indigo

[Shan'do Spike]

Ok, here begins the elite eight of this TOA. Make sure to read the rules, posted here. May the best fighter win, and good luck. I expect to see blood, peoples!

PLEASE READ BELOW

The closure post rule (previously known by a different name) remains in effect for this round.

[Indigo]

White light. The body was engulfed in it. Every fiber of every bone was surrounded in its vibrating brilliance – amplified a thousand times in the presence of her being. The recent attack of Malevolence still lingered within her mind. Now, this utter abyss of time and space had removed her from reality and replaced her among familiar settings – the confines of her room greeted her elven face upon her feet gracefully landing on the floor. The battle had been a good one – that was evident of the adrenaline still flushing her veins and the clotting cut on the back of her left leg. It was a subtle reminder of a lapse in concentration. Worse could have surely happened – but that was the past. Thoughts of the future now lingered within the walls of the fair elf’s head.

Knowing full well that both she and Taere would pass on to the next round in the tournament, she awaited her next summons with anticipation – apprehension building over the identity of her next foe.

The day her notification arrived, a rare glimpse into the demeanor of the elf was briefly visible. She found a neatly folded note within her room bearing the name and information of her next foe.

The next opponent you shall face will be Psiko – the red mage. This is the sweet 16 round of the tournament. Should you fail, you will be eliminated completely. Thank you for your time.

- The TOA coordinators

Raising an eyebrow after reading this tidbit of information, a light elven body slumped onto one of the pillowed couches in her room. She had fought Psiko before – months and months ago, and won. She knew that both of their fighting abilities had significantly increased in that amount of time. This worried her to some extent, but the cloud of distaste passed away from her features as she fell into slumber – resting for the match the following day.

Awakened by a soft knock at the door several hours later, a seemingly fragile frame sprung from its rest to answer the visitor. Much to the surprise of elven eyes, one of the subordinates of the coordinators was standing at her door.

“M’lady, your opponent has withdrawn from the battle for his own reasons. You will advance in the tournament. Have a lovely day.” He replied somewhat hastily, before shutting the door.

Yet another frown crossed the usually calm and collected face. Psiko had withdrawn? That was a shame. Such a battle did not often choose to make its appearance. She would have liked to have a rematch with the red mage. He was a worthy opponent. However; she was advancing. That meant there were two weeks before her next opponent would be announced. Until then, she could attend the various battles and gain knowledge of her future opponent’s fighting styles…

The time passed slowly for the indigo-eyed creature. Keeping a close eye on every action grew to be tiresome – it was easy to distinguish one fighting style from the other, as well as who would no longer be remaining in the tournament. Face cloaked from other spectators, she preferred to keep her identity somewhat shaded from the rest of society. In this way, she was free to watch and critique inwardly as she pleased. Days passed, and still the fights wore on – the warriors gradually tiring one another out. Even when the battles themselves had finished, more time was added onto the already agonizing wait of knowing the identity of her next opponent.

Lingering in a mental limbo in her lush room, a letter was slipped under the door. Hastily bending to reach it, her answer was given. Skai Genji. She had seen him fight occasionally. His style was somewhat unlike hers…she had an idea of what to expect. Placing the note lovingly upon the table in her room, she waited for the dense night to descend once more upon the earth before reclining her head into the familiar world of slumber once more.

________

Gentle rays of sun streamed over her lightly shut lids. A healthy glow appeared in her vision, and indigo eyes fluttered open as they adjusted quickly to the soothing light. The chirp of a bird resounded in her pointed elven ears. Glorious was this day; sonnets of old sang throughout her mind as she took in the subtle magnificence of the world beyond her window.

The morning was a time of pure relaxation. Dewy air clung to her lungs as she inhaled deep, soothing breaths. Afternoon was fast approaching. It was almost time to go. The dusk would cue the exit to her room. Rosy fingers of the sun began reaching their way toward the horizon – warning of the impending threat lurking beyond the reach of their grasp.

With sword fastened comfortably around her waist, the elf strode from her room and shut the door silently behind her. Once again, there was not a soul in the hall. Devoid of any presence whatsoever, her feet silently carried the frail frame within the main cavity of the place once more. The same guards still stood at the entrance to the arena, but one of them stopped her.

“You’re not in here today, M’lady. They’re pulling you out again, you see.” He murmured respectfully, holding up a hand to stop her progress.

Nodding thankfully, she instead left the stadium walls altogether to wander in the grass. In the last moments of freedom and relaxation, she slowed the beating of her elven heart to a comfortable pace and breathed easy. Just as this had been accomplished, a familiar tug grasped her body and released her from all thought and comprehension. It was faster this time – depositing her on the same pyrethian alabaster arena that had housed the warfare of herself and Taere. Evidence lingered of flame and battle. Scorches littered the floor and the columns were barely clinging to what had been their former states. The cool stone beneath her loosely covered feet was calming. The ever-present sense of dusk falling was a soothing feeling. Following her battle ritual, she drew a deep breath, and began.

Shifting her right hand to her left side, fingers found the hilt of Vala Runya – her sword - beneath the folds of fabric. Drawing the sword hastily with a certain grace and dignity, she swung it easily – the mythril blade glinting brightly in the light of the hastily falling sun. Mumbling a prayer in her own tongue, she knew the way she began each fight was not typical of other warriors, but she liked to think it distinguished her from others.

“Lothron I balan ned menel a ennor anna nin sîdh, I meleth nedi Valar beria nin, a nin gwaith, annin nin I bellas na brona. O I dúath, galad, o I faer, balan onnen, a ned I breno lû ned nin bellas…im îdh ned I ranc ned menel…”

(Translation: May the power of heaven and earth grant me peace, the love of the Valar protect me, and my people – give me the strength to succeed. From the shadows will be light, from the spirit, courage born, and in the final hour of my strength, let me rest in the embrace of heaven.)

Finishing her seemingly foreign prayer, she brought the sword to her face and spoke in the common tongue.

“Vala Runya…awaken and guide me.”

The sword in her hands ignited with an inner fire. Swirls of elvish script appeared in the silvery blade. Leveling the sword with her face, she tapped it to her forehead once, and the light dimmed considerably.

Letting the sword glide to its place at her right side, she gripped it firmly within her left hand. A light appeared at the other end of the worn arena. This would be Skai. Announcing his arrival, a breeze blew tendrils of her dark, earthen brown hair across her fair, pale face. The wind revealed the pointed ears of her heritage. Indigo eyes peered out from beneath the veiled lids she stared from. Her figure was clothed in a long cloak and loose fighting clothing to allow movement but keep the mystery of her figure still shrouded in the mystique she wore like a cape.

Standing with a straight back and a proud posture, footsteps announced the arrival of her opponent. Waiting patiently for the light surrounding his form to fade, the last portions of the sun began to fade from the sky. Her horizon was now tinted with the rosy complexion of flowers and ocean – pleasing to her elven eyes. Drawing herself out of her happy thoughts, she concentrated upon the new task at hand – Skai.

At least once more, it was time to leave Anghara in the shadows, and allow Lenith to come out.

[Skai]

When he is in deep thought, the aura around him shudders. The energy so pure, so soft, so gallant, that it appears and chases the shadows away. A pillar of light encircles him as he draws the spirits, which answer to his call with a flash. It’s glaring radiance brightens even the darkest of place, giving the dead zone a new life.

Seconds tick by as he continues his silent meditation, delving deep into his heart, the soul of his existence. A seal locks a monstrous power within him, guarding the frightening power with all its might. It is shut so tightly that it takes that of one who is assiduously pure to unlock. Only then, can he access a power beyond his imagination. But until then, he will have to see beyond his heart in preparation to wield such power.

Opening his eyes slowly as he adjusts to the light, Skai returns to reality. He could feel his chest aches with pain as he dispels the over gathered aura with the swish of his arm. The sudden movement sends a small current of wind flies through the room. Its soft and smoothing touch gives him a sudden shiver of surprise.

He slowly looks at himself and notice he was in his thinly clothed gi, its baggy size wears over his slender, yet muscular figure. Looking around the bed, he sees his gray fighting gi folded neatly by his side. He gets up from his meditation position on the bed and took off his sleeping wear to replace it with his fighting wear. He is ready for the day.

Set in a stand in between the bed and the window was his equipment. Consisting of armors for the body, hands, legs, and feet, the dragon scales’ armor provides great defense for a swordsman. What’s even greater about this set is that it was created with the scales of a wind dragon, so it boasts incredible dexterity and enhances great agility. Defense is important for a swordsman, and so does the ability to perform well.

Taking his time slowly, he begins to put on his combat attire. Customly forged, the armor fit Skai’s gentle frame with ease, covering every part that’s meant to be cover. Just like the fighting gi, the gallant suit of armor embraces the swordsman. Energy begins to fill his every nerve as the body shield come in contact with his body. He feels good.

A stream of aura suddenly connects to his mind, it appears before his thought as spiritual messages. He turns around and sees the source of such energy, which is confined in an elegant broad katana. Its streaming glows of energy flows throughout the blade as it lay in the rising sun’s rays.

“It’s almost time Skai. Are you ready?” A voice hidden within the sword spoke.

Skai nods to the vibrating blade and gently wraps it with a light cloth besides it. Picking up the broad katana by its hilt, Skai ties it to the back of his body with another cloth. The broad katana, although large is not at all heavy to the swordsman, because it is forged with the scales and bones of many dragons, which are light as a feather.

Already gathered what he needed, Skai begins to make his way to the arena, eager to face his opponent for the battle. Slowly he walks to the door. Before he reaches it, it suddenly flies open with a swish. Beyond the door is a tall man with blue streaks on his hair. He approaches Skai with an arrogant face.

“So you’re ready for the next battle eh? Before you go and lose, let me tell you this.” He said confidently. “You can only be defeated by me. Understand? You lost before, but I won’t let that slide so easily. You will fall under my fists one day!”

Stepping aside silently, Skai walks through the man as he jerks his fist in front of him. He passes through the door and turns around before he continues.

“It’s going to take forever for that ‘one day’ to come.” Skai said with a sigh.

That is all he said as he walks away and toward the hallway that leads to the arena. Ken’s body shakes with anger as he leaves the room and follows Skai. Of course, Skai said it jokingly, but Ken always takes what Skai said seriously. He continues to follow him as he throws angry looks at the swordsman.

It didn’t take as long as Skai thought to reach the arena. Ken stops the following and walks through another door that leads to the spectator area. He reaches the corner and pause.

“Yuki said good luck, so you better do well. And good luck from me as well.” Ken said blatantly.

Skai turns around and gives Ken a nod before he left the area. Smiling, he continues walking to the arena. He stops before the entrance that leads to the ring and slowly closes his eyes. The cheers and cries of the people outside reach to his ears. The suspense and excitement that rose majestically during a battle are caused by the people. It is what makes tournament battles so exciting.

“It feels good being here . . .” He said in his mind.

His eyes open again and he slowly marches out into the open. Bright light shines into his azure eyes as he dully brings an arm to shield it. Quickly adjusting to the light, he lowers his arm and continues his walk toward the battle ring. He hops softly onto the ring as he reaches it.

“So . . . she’s already here.”

The elven figure at the other side of the arena stood proudly as it continues to wait patiently for Skai. Standing a good distance from her, he smiles and bows courteously to the female warrior. So now it will begin.

Swiftly and elegantly, Skai clasps his hands together in front of him and suddenly, a black aura with purple shades of energy begins to encircle him. It towers into a pillar of light as it covers him in its wrath.

Higher and higher the pillar of dark aura reaches into the sky. When it seems that it has attained the peak of its power, a long object falls from its reach. Faster and faster the object pierces the air and down into the earth. With a great zoom follow by a shing, a giant sword falls from the sky and thrust into the solid ground before Skai.

The blade, wide and large is engraved with bizarre designs, giving it the most mysterious appearance. Standing about six foot and a half, the great sword towers in front of Skai. He pulls the great sword with both hands and holds it besides him. The mighty sword seems too big for him, but it’s not.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we start?” Skai smiles as he beckons the gallant elven.

[psychosyd]

Ok, Close one here, both of you had a lot going.

Skai your intro seemed on the heavy side, not as easy to follow. It went well, just got a bit rough at sections.

Indigo advances