Demonia Trail: Perfect Slim vs. Hyzenthlay

[Aerif]

The bottom of the lake was certainley an unusual place for a battle to be held, regardless the Demonia Fighting Guild never spent more than 100% of their effort into providing an enviroment that they deemed suitable for battle. And it just so happened that this particular battle was to take place on top of an wide underwater column, 50m below sea level.

The arena was protected from the deathly water by a bubble containing enough oxygen to preserve a match lasting up to an hour. The actual fight are was a bit of a pit, a circular area surrounded by high stone walls, the top of which the spectators could look down from.

La piece de resistance of course the enchanted whirlpool which made up of the arena's floor. The water was shallow, ankle-deep and swirling as though down a plughole in the middle, the current seemed fast but in reality was not enough to even sweep the ready warrior of his feet, unless of course he was unprepared.

As the last spectator made their way to their seat (arriving through a simple portal that lead to the suface). Aerif, the judge of the match, and the sole person responsible for the orginisation for the arena emerged from the whirlpool centre, with water cascading down her. Her face showed pride for her handiwork, and her voice echoed clearly thanks to the circular arena.

"We apologise for the delay of this match, however we hope that you forgive the guild."

There was a low hum as the crowd grumbled a little.

"Despite delays, however, I am confidet that you are about to witness a match that none of you will forget easily!

Today's Demonia Trial takes place between... Er... Nik-o-mas...? Oh, right, Nkomis! A qi expert who excels with Far Eastern Weapons! Against her we have Waarne, a Lidenn who specialises in his strength.

Our competitors don't yet know it, but this whirlpool has had an encantment placed upon it, while the water level may look even bar the centre, there are many parts that are lower than the others, which deceivingly look identical to the rest of the arena. The fighters will probably learn about this the difficult way, one is weighed down by weapons, the other by his own mass. Let's hope no one breaks any ankles or gets decapitated trying to climb out of the potholes!"

The audience laughed uneasily, they wheren't sure whether Aerif's prediction would come true or not, those with children with them stood up to leave.

An archway appeared at either end of the arena, the competitors stepped through the portals into the arena, squinting as they're eyes got used to the light. As Aerif descended down into the centre of the pool...

[Hyzenthlay]

Nkomis blinked wildly and panicked, her eyes had been suddenly flooded with light. Terrified she recoiled. It was her worst fear realised, bright light. She felt like a child cornered by a beast, but she couldn't let her phobia make her a slave. She decided to get on with it as quickly as she could. As she hid inside a shadowed area underneath an archway she slowly opened her eyes, adjusting her pupils to the sudden change in sunlight as her eyes stung in the blinding rays. When her eyes had opened fully she realised just why there was such a bright light, and it was not to her disadvantage after all. Around the "room" gushed water apparently shielded by some sort of bubble-like force field. She grinned as she looked at the stage, a swirling whirlpool of crystal blue water. She was in her element, literally. As her heartbeat stopped it's race she stepped out again into the light, the fear of which had left her.

Again she grinned showing her perfect teeth. Her jaw line a curved line that ran with a beautiful "chisled" way and somewhat resembled her smirk. The water it seemed reached only up to her ankles and rocked gently against her. She stopped dead in the centre of the arena, around her sat the spectators roaring with approval, whether for her or the promise of a bloodlust bout she did not know but would bet money happily on the latter.

She hated them all, if they knew what she was they wouldn't clap so hard, wouldn't cheer so eagerly. She bowed low anyway, she had learned respect from her sensei and knew it would gain approval and maybe even acceptance.

She turned on the spot taking in the arena, taking in every inch so as to best evaluate the upcoming fight. Stopping suddenly and closing her eyes she felt the movement of the water, the destination of every ripple and wave implanted in her mind solidly. She gasped quietly some sort of trap-like holes were scattered around the area. Her opponent surely wouldn’t know this; another advantage, but, she'd better be wary. Forgetfulness may lead to her downfall if she fell down one of these. Searching further she found no other real obstacle. The current of the whirlpool around her sounded a lot heavier than it really was, in actual fact it was fairly serene and soothing to her. She breathed in and smiled again, this time not with a sense of smugness at having an upper hand so early, but because she did so love to be around so much water. It almost felt like home.

As she heard a few distant splashes heavy footed, that were almost rhythmic she turned to see her opponent walking from within an archway that lay across from her own. He seemed like another muscle-bound blockhead to her, but she had learned better than to judge a book by its cover. His blue skin shone in the light of the water and the few teeth he had shot out pointed from his jaw. He had a beast-like look about him, he may be a threat but she held all the cards so far. She decided to show him what he was up against: she pulled her hands up slowly from her sides, palms facing the heavens she pulled at an invisible force, in front of her rose a layer of water resembling a beautiful and tranquil waterfall of fresh spring water. Walking through it she pulled her hands down back to her sides her hair and skin seemed completely dry though her clothes were clearly wet through, then, raising her left hand to her back, looking her opponent up and down from his black vest to his torn jeans and brown boots she smirked, withdrew her Daito and awaited her opponents retaliation.

“A good fight to you, may blessings be upon you, warrior” she said as if almost hypnotised raising her sword up at eye level ready to counter-attack or parry.

[Slim Perfect]

Waarne took two heavy steps through the archway, ducking his head to avoid damaging the beautiful architecture. The light beyond shone brightly, invading Waarne's tranquil stare; a frustrating annoyance.

"Hmph."

He grunts and pulls his headband slightly lower, increasing the shadow over his protruding brow. Much more suitable viewing conditions.

The blades of his "Bouquet of Steel" sing an almost undetectable song as the water rushes speedily around them.

Waarne reaches back and scratches his head with his right hand, being careful to avoid any harmful laceration by means of the long, sharp, blade attached to it.

He begins a quick once-over of the arena.

Nkomis, his opponent is staring him down intently. How cute. Minimal mind is payed to such an observation.
A whirlpool rushes rapidly around the battlefield, water splashing up against the side of his boots as he stands with his feet planted on a submerged surface. Not what it seems, no doubt.
Finally, a brick wall surrounded them preventing any withdrawals. Or perhaps it was just a nice accent to the arena; a little extra support, be said 'support' the actual structure of the building or the roaring crowd seated just beyond it.
Seated was a term used lightly.... many of the onlookers were already standing upright, being sure to eradicate their lungs with their incessant hollering.

No matter. Crowd's were always just incentive, anyways. Better put on a show.

Waarne was not done his investigation just yet. He took another few steps, stopping as his left foot is brought down, or left floating rather, in a pool of deepened water. The ground was not level. Potholes were sporadically placed at random intervals around the arena. He would have to be careful of this.

"Water can be so deceitful..."

Movement. Nkomis had drawn her weapon and was standing across the arena, Daito held firmly in place afront of her.

"So begins another chapter..."

Waarne leans way back, arms held flexing at his sides (pulsating with the very muscle they were made of), and lets out a mighty roar, threatening the survival of the glass dome above them. He straightens himself and retracts his right hand behind his head, the long blade shimmering as water fell from it rejoining with more matter of the like; his left held low to the ground in front of him.

“A good fight to you, may blessings be upon you, warrior.”

Waarne's enemy addresses him.

"Blessings indeed..." he mumbles to himself, "Make your move!"

[Hyzenthlay]

The attitude of her opponent irritated Nkomis like never before, he just seemed to grunt and his every word seemed a jeer. The crowd, however, stood and roared all the louder at the sight of the beast. She tilted her sword farther right to gain the correct footing for his position.

“Do not take my words so lightly, they will be the kindest you will hear from me and I have tried so hard to be polite” she smirked realising that his manners somewhat resembled her own.

She paid no heed to the small clink of her left foot as she moved slightly to face him whilst she changed into different stances, changing the direction and position of her blades edge as she shifted around trying to gain a better vantage point.

'He certainly looks confident' she thought as she returned to her original defensive position and remonving her right hand from her swords hilt to free a palm and so gain a "weapon".

Having already "seen" and gained a feel for much of the arena she thought instead to herself about nothing for a while except on how to take on his brute strength with her speed blocking out the crowd and environment. She couldn’t gain a height advantage here, of that she was certain. There must be another way to benefit from his advantage. She narrowed her eyes at him still smiling and again she brought her foot around as he took a step to the side, so he wanted her to go first? As she stood stone still holding her Daito out; she came upon a plan already fully formed in her mind. She kicked her left leg forward and stamped into the sapphire water, pointing her sword low and forward at knee height; this brought her low and out of his towering eyesight also sending water spraying upwards. This water retreated from her boot and she pulled up her free hand and created two orbs of cloudy water from it; one to go left and one right. She herself was shielded from sight within the one to go right. The water swirled at such a speed that it foamed white and hid her from eyesight. When it got near enough for her to act she did so and sprang out beside; bringing the Daito up to meet his chin with her left hand whilst her right fingered at the hilt of her Katana her eyesight never left her target, as the blow of her Daito was about to land, she summersault behind him swiftly so as to surprise him. The other water “orb” that she hadn’t been hiding in, which stood at least 6 foot high and easily as wide, came rushing from the left ready to collide with a crushing blow.

After her summersault she landed on her feet about four feet away and stopped, her head shot up and her eyes never left her opponent. Crouching low she moved one leg and outstretched it to the left until it, and she, almost touched the floor. She felt the water touch the underside of her thighs, though not as others would, she felt it absorb into her and giver ammunition for attack. Bending her right leg out slightly forward, better supporting her weight, she sighed hoping her diversion had worked. Whilst correcting her posture and footing she held her Daito diagonally out to mimic her left leg. Her right hand was held out straight as an arrow to the right so as to keep balance and ensure maneuverability. She was as low as she could possibly get without lying down, her opponent would have to do a downward blow or a swipe, or so she had calculated. This would be her time to act.