Sparring match: TGO v Kai (invite only)

[Kaitou]

Takai strode across the hectic sidewalks of the city, hands in pockets and mind drowned in thought. The place where the battle was to be staged was so far away, it probably wasn't worth his time. To think, he could have been lying on the couch, wasting away his life in front of the television. He hung his head low and let out a deep sigh. Maybe this fight will do him some good. A broad smile slid across his face as his mood brightened.

By the time he arrived at the city limits the sun was beginning to set, its departing rays bathing the area in shades of orange. Rusted train tracks ran across barren untended soil. The scene brought back memories. Though they occurred but a few weeks ago, they were significant.

The setting sun cast a depressing orange tone on the area. Takai's shadow stretched far ahead of him. The sound of the railroad crossing bells rang across the barren land. ..He'd have to wait a good five minutes before the entire train passed. He hung his head low and let out a deep sigh. His feet dragged across the loose soil, lifting it up to be blown away by the steady winds.

Upon looking up slightly, he noticed a young girl standing on the tracks. She looked about fifteen years of age, with pale skin and blonde hair. Her hands gripped each other and rested on her lips. Her face displayed a serious expression, and her eyes were slowly releasing trails of tears.

The horn of the incoming train sounded. Takai's eyes darted to the train.

"Hey!" He called out to the girl, thinking she had not realized the train was near. She stood motionless. Takai ran towards her.

"Are you crazy? Move!" Steam poured out of the train's sides as it struggled to stop. The sound of screeching metal drowned out all other noises. The train was still moving too fast and would soon collide with the teenager. He wouldn't make it.

In desperation, Takai leaped towards the girl, arms held forward as he reached for her. At his distance, he would only land a few feet from the girl’s location. He shut his eyes. The moment his hands came into contact with the teenager's side, Takai wrapped his arms around her, letting his momentum carry her off the tracks.

The train zipped by as Takai and the girl landed safely on the other side of the tracks. He opened his eyes in amazement. Apparently, they were both unharmed, save a few minor scratches. Takai noticed a slight heaviness on his back and stood up. Large, dove-like wings had sprouted from his back.

The passing train brought with it a large gust that swept across the land, lifting up large amounts of sand into the air. Takai's eyes caught a few particles. The train passed by just in time for him to clear his eyes. Upon looking up, he made out a distinct figure in the blurred image his eyes relayed to him.

[T.G. Oskar]

It has been not much since Arrek was drawn into this strange world. A total stranger in a world where the strange concept of "non-magical technology" ruled the world instead of magic...

He could vividly remember what had happened. He was with his usual adventuring party, investigating some strange ruins at request of their employer: a nolewoman belonging to one of the strongest houses of the area. Her request was very odd, yet fitting: the ruins had some strange artifacts, but the members of the House had found rare warriors, wielding "magic wand-like weapons". The house, known in his world as House Cannith, or the mercantile house dealing with magical technology, wanted to know the nature of this weapons, and explore more of the area. She asked personally to Arrek's team, as she held a debt of gratitude for the countless times she had saved them. She went right into Arrek, and made the proposal, one he could not refuse...

"Arrek? Remember that time that you got imprisoned because of the brawl with the husband of the popular bakery you lived in front? The one with the gorgeous girl whose bakery was full of people, but not because of the delicacies? And remember that I released you out of prison? And...that you owed me a favor...?", she began. "Well...I need a favor of you...and of your friends, of course..." She had convinced the other members of the team to participate: the elven archer needed to find an elusive spirit to lift a curse, the mysteriously beautiful female magician needed asylum from a government persecuting her, and because of her people, the golem-like..."maid"...was repaired and brought back to "life". He had rested a lot since the last adventure, in which they had slain a lich, a remnant of a long-lost battle between elves and vampires, and escaped his subterranean maze.

"Uhhh, I thought that we had solved that...so I still owe you a favor? All right, I'm not the kind of man that breaks his promises. I'll go...but if we are endangered again, you'll be the one who owes me a favor. My wife has already lost her life, twice...she might not want to lose her life again...", he replied. He then proceeded to reuniting his tribe. The tribe of the Great Wolf was a very strange tribe: indeed, a sedentary tribe living in one of the largest metropolises of the land, in a residential tower located at the middle-class district of the city, was a rare sight. A tribe that kept their traditions while adapting to that world, was more of a shock to the usual citizens of the great metropolis. He spoke to them, in a stern voice... Listen, my people, I must travel again. I wish I had more time, as I want to recover the lost time in which we missed the Brightfest, and the Reach Run. But, my duty calls, and once again we are to explore the world. I shall claim more land for our tribe, and our people."

The tribe got excited and angered. "But, Chief Arrek...you are endangering yourself innecesarily!!!" "Chief Arrek, remember what happened to Lady Shiara!! Do not leave, please!!" "The rogue groups of shifters here may strike again!!! Who will lead us?", were between the replies. While he also wanted to stay, he had to comply with that favor. He calmed his tribe, and proceeded to leave, when a very important figure entered the tower. The figure was a very important member of their race: a Moonspeaker, who served as the link and support between the nomadic tribes. It also helped that she was Arrek's little sister, and a wise druid of the Watchers. She spoke to the tribe, voice full of prophecy...

"Listen, Great Wolves. It is fate that Arrek, my brother, must leave. He has an important mission, and he must comply with it. He shall return...as for who shall lead the tribe, I shall stay here until he returns." Arrek, very happily, hugged his sister, as she could control the urges of the tribe he led. As he was to express his thanks, she quickly muttered..."Brother...I must speak of something terrible. I can remain here as the Moonspeakers have allowed me, despite my mission. This means I'm no longer a Moonspeaker, as I must remain here. Listen...you must go there, but I must tell you this: you are not coming back, at least not for now. The great druid Oelian told me this...and the wise men accepted it. Now, leave...", as tears ran from her eyes.

After days of travel in airship, owned by the golem-like samurai and de-facto commander of the faction of which the party belonged, they had finally reached their destination: an alien metallic building, covered with dangling vines and large vegetation, as if many years had been since it was made. Or was it made? They entered, deep into the metallic walls, traversing the passageways, until finally, passing through a corner...

"Freeze!!!!" Soldiers in alien camouflaging raiments, wielding strange weapons, were facing them. Behind, a strange circle, much like the portals he had heard were found around the world, lay upon them. The fight was fierce: the soldier's weapons shot small projectiles, like sling bullets, that flew at very fast speeds. Their arrows could not work against the armor of this people, but well-aimed shots from him and the archer dealt quick work, coupled with the ferocity of Arrek's wife (and her equally ferocious greataxe), and the spells of the wizard lady. Finally, once the last of the strange warriors fell, the portal mysteriously activated!!! The portal was radiating a faint light, as it was black in color, with crackles and lines of energy swirling through. From the area, more soldiers emerged, as if they were summoned into the area. The archer proposed to retreat or to destroy the portal, but it was too late: Arrek's wife, reckless as she was, ran fiercely throught the portal, thinking that she could face all those puny soldiers in their home turf. Arrek, obviously, followed her, fearing for her safety. And, after he crossed that portal...

...the memories faded as a noisy train, obviously not the lightning rail he was used to see but a less fancy train, distracted him. The cloud of soil, lifted by the rush of the train, covered the area, yet his reflexes allowed him to fall back, away from the sand. The sand cleared up, the wind driving it away. He hated not being in the forest, but in the harsh desert, of which he knew barely nothing. He drank the last bits of water from his jug, a jug he found while escaping from the area he was, and spotted right where a mysterious figure had appeared. For such a far-away place, only one person could have been here...

...a challenger...obviously attracted by the flyer he placed on the city closest to where the place he escaped was. A crude piece of paper, written in nearly archaic language and letters, and crude, despite the attempts at making a calligraphic writing. Probably, he could catch one of those soldiers, or probably his wife would come, or...

But the figure was not a soldier, or his wife. He looked...like a commoner...

Drawing his bow, famous in his land yet unknown in this, he aimed a bow at the ground, close to where he was. With no words, he proceeded to shoot the arrow, filled with rare magical energy. At the area where the arrow landed, a swarm of beetles emerged from the ground, directing towards the challenger...

[Kaitou]

'…stupid sand,' Takai mumbled in his head as he rubbed the sand from his eyes. The figure took on a more discernable form. Takai was able to make out the figure's determined expression on his face. Just as Takai began to raise his hand to extend an introduction, he heard the distinct sound of an arrow piercing the ground. He jumped back and placed his attention onto the arrow. Since the arrow hit the ground a good many inches away from his location, Takai assumed the opponent was merely showing off. He gave his enemy a rather puzzled look.

Takai's eyes darted towards the arrow again as the sound of scuttling insects gradually increased in volume. He was shocked to find a horde of insects swarming towards him. The sight frightened him. Hastily bringing his hands in front of him, Takai released a burst of energy from his palms. Earth and bug guts flew from the black cloud.

Taking a deep breath, Takai regained his composure. He looked up again at his opponent and proceeded to question his opponent's action. Opening his mouth, he made an attempt to speak, but was once again reminded of his recent disability. 'Ever since that incident.'

Takai raised his left hand and began gathering energy from its palm. A small, white glow appeared and slowly grew in intensity and size. He then clenched his right fist and coated it with energy. Takai ran towards his opponent, holding the energy in his left hand steady while preparing his right hand for an attack. Upon nearing his foe, Takai pulled his fist back and thrust it at his target's chest, letting his arm extend fully before contact.

[T.G. Oskar]

The desert was not the kind of environment Arrek preferred. Arid, lacking vegetation to hide, and a very open place. In such an area, though nearing a city, his hunting skills and ability to ambush were lacking, or seriously impaired. And, he couldn't stand the heat. He was used to know the way of thinking and the tendencies of humans, as he had studied them for quite a while. Living in the city, it helped him earn a living tracking for people and understanding them better. He tried to watch his challenger, as it looked somewhat human, but...his opponent wouldn't give him a chance.

At that moment, his opponent was already rushing towards him, a glowing sphere of light growing slowly. He was clearly baffled...why would a spellcaster use a utility spell, such as Light, to strike him at point-blank range? He must be one of those guys that mix spellcasting and martial combat, but that Light spell wouldn't work... He still attempted an evasion, by preparing to roll upon close-up. The position to properly shoot his bow was something he would study once he got a more favorable position, but right now...

The boy didn't gave him a chance. The strike was faster than his reflexes, and he had no chance of even moving. He took the blunt strike, the glowing ball exploding upon impact. The blast drove Arrek back for about 30 feet, something quite amazing for a strong guy not used to be bull-rushed in such a way. Even the blur effect produced by the bow did nothing to help: the warrior had apparently studied the blur carefully, and pinpointed the best way to strike him. He managed to move away very slightly the warrior's fist with his bow, but that didn't helped: the attack still landed, and in a very bad spot. Right in the torso...

While still in the air, Arrek managed to roll back, tumbling to receive lesser damage from the blow. Kneeling, and in pain, he studied carefully the situation. He knew that the warrior would not allow him to shoot and stay away for long, thus he risked himself to breach the distance. The move obviously was not a Light spell: spells of Light were utility spells, not attack spells. He knew very little of clerical magic, but he knew of some spells that were of "holy" alignment and dealt damage, but not much. And...he was at a very favorable distance, one he could not miss. Pretty much point-blank range...an easy shot.

Arrek knelt in proper archery stance, finding a proper place to shoot. He aimed carefully to the stomach area, a spot dangerous for most humanoids to be struck at. He stretched his bow, but no arrows were placed in the bow. Two of his fingers were acting like the arrow points, for purpose of aim. Suddenly, a commanding voice bursted from Arrek's mouth, uttering a simple command...

"BURN!!!!!"

In that same instant, he released the bow's string, and two rays of flame were released from the string into his opponent. The "arrows" didn't acted like arrows, actually: the rays left a trail of fire that didn't burned the bow, and hadn't the shape of arrows. If he was a spellcaster, and if the nomenclature of spells were the same, his opponent would know that he was facing, actually, a spell casted from the bow, by virtue of the bow and not of the archer...

[Kaitou]

((OOC: ..I didn't mean for my character to attack with that ball of light in his left hand. He struck with right hand, rather. But I can't complain, I guess. It hit.))

A hit. He was pleased to see the effect of the attack as his opponent was sent several feet back. Takai didn't hesitate to proceed with his next attack. While his opponent was still midair, Takai rushed at him. He drew both arms back and created a ball of energy in each palm.

Just as he had started to run, the foe tumbled back and assumed a kneeling stance, bow aimed towards Takai. His opponent was apparently quite nimble. Takai stopped himself, almost falling forward from his haste. A direct hit from an arrow would prove fatal if well-placed. He was equipped with nothing more than casual clothing, after all. He positioned himself to make a ready evasion.

Takai looked at the bow suspiciously. 'What? There's no-'

"BURN!!!!!" his opponent cried.

Yet another surprise. The bow unleashed what seemed like rays of fire at him. He was caught off guard. He didn't have enough time to avoid the rays. Takai shielded his face with his arms and positioned himself to take the blow.

'Barrier!' he cried, though no words left his mouth.

A thin barrier, constructed of hexagons of faint shifting light, appeared before him. The flames collided into the shield, dancing wild on its surface before breaking through. Takai took the brief moment his barrier gave him to jump to the side, evading the heart of the attack, though only barely. The flames managed to singe the right side of his abdomen.

Takai flinched from the intense pain and failed to properly land on the ground. He hit the barren soil face down. Takai struggled to push himself up, his body still trembling in pain. Several obscenities flashed across his mind. He pounded his right fist, only to bring about more pain and causing him to fall back down.

Without a sound, Takai began gathering energy in his left palm, hidden from his enemy's view by his body. He lay there, motionless, waiting for his opponent to approach.

[T.G. Oskar]

Arrek's favored technique had given up fruit. The warrior had tried to block himself using abjuration magic, but, strangely, no sound emerged. He had not casted a spell? Then, what kind of power was that? Psionics, the power that his wizard friend's race mastered? The power that flowed from the crystal short sword he wielded? Truly, this was not an act of magic...

...but, it was to no avail. The barrier broke instantly, forcing the boy to move away, and the flames had penetrated fast enough to burn his abdomen. Albeit mute, he was groaning in silent pain, and sound-less suffering. That was something he could not tolerate. He was accustomed to slaying evil fiends, hideous monsters...not young boys!!! He knew that he had to show him who was boss...but he would be merciful. He wished he still had his wand of Cure Serious Wounds...that way, once he went unconscious, he would stop, and heal him before it was too late. He was almost an animal, but a noble, caring animal...not a bloodthirsty fiend.

His opponent was apparently hiding something, as if he was expecting to get close. An arrow would suffice...to convince him that he had to strike from afar...and then...closing up to confound. Arrek drew a single arrow, again focusing carefully on a particularly weak spot. He paid attention, however, to the hidden hand, ready for a surprise move. Instead of simply aiming and shooting, he did something else: he expected for his opponent to attack, while still aiming. The fact that the arrow was slowly filling with an electrical charge was also noticeable.

Arrek simply thought, while the arrow of energy drew more power from the bow..."Feel the power of the Shocking Legacy...and retreat, boy. For your safety...and for my own sanity..."

[Kaitou]

'Heh, how stupid of me, expecting a bow-wielder to come within close range.' Takai could here the distinct crackling of electricity. He expected yet another magical projectile attack. He never considered the lengths to which the battle would go. His opponent could very well want him dead. By the determined look on his enemy's face, Takai could tell how far he would go to accomplish whatever it is he wanted. Yet somewhere, perhaps his eyes, Takai sensed a hint of compassion..or maybe..pity.

Faint wings of light became visible on Takai's back. Takai released the energy he collected in the form of a bright light that engulfed the area. He intended to temporarily blind the foe and attack him from outside his field of vision. Unconcerned as to whether his attack worked, Takai quickly threw himself onto his feet and swiftly ran towards his opponent from his right side. Gathering energy in his left palm, he threw another fist towards his foe's torso, his arm only halfway extended at his distance.

[T.G. Oskar]

Very few shots were a challenge for Arrek. He was, after all, known as the Headhunter for the uncanny ability to aim to the head and dealing deadly strikes. But this...was clearly a shot that required all of his training and skill. Aiming at something he could not clearly determine what could execute, Arrek kept charging the power granted by his mystical bow.

The young lad, as he watched in his stony glance, gathered mystical energies from the surroundings. Such power was not like what he was accustomed with: he was used to arcane arts, and the arts of nature, which he favored the most. The lad swiftly rushed, once again attempting to close the distance between both, as it appeared that he lacked long-range weaponry and abilities. But, this time, the outcome would not be the same.

Watching as the hand once again released a sphere of glowing energy, Arrek swiftly changed aim to the hand. Properly, to the glowing ball he had formed while he was watching. He would not strike the body, but the weapon, and the energy crackling from the arrow would hopefully be enough to disrupt the attack. Arrek was not used to attack in order to disarm, as his pride was felling enemies. But, there is always a first time for everything, and this day, he would test the properties of his Shocking Legacy.

Arrek shot the energized arrow at the boy's left hand, with a speed and precision shown by dedicated archers. At the same time, the lad rushed the fist, seemingly holding back on the potency of the fist attack. What he was going to do, Arrek barely knew, but he had to cancel the attack or his opponent's hand would taste the painful sting of a lightning arrow...

[Kaitou]

Before Takai could fully execute his attack, and before the bright flash had faded, an arrow, energized with electricity, struck his hand. The arrow easily pierced through the ball of energy and straight into his palm. His mind was numbed by the sharp pain that followed. Clenching his wound with his right hand, Takai leaped back and distanced himself from his enemy.

His opponent was clearly able to see through the bright flash, proving to be a disadvantage solely for himself. His strategy backfired.

He observed his wound, teeth clenched as he tried to endure the pain. The arrowhead had driven through his hand entirely. Takai channeled energy through his trembling hand, burning away the wood in direct contact with his flesh. The halves of the arrow fell off, leaving behind an open wound; it would have to heal later.

Takai attempted to regulate his breathing. He looked back at his opponent, the expression in his eyes now serious. Takai extended his right arm before him, pointing his palm towards his opponent. Loosely, he fired a volley of rays from his palm at his target's general area, spreading his assault to a wide area to ensure damage.

[T.G. Oskar]

The arrow of lightning struck the boy's hand, piercing the sphere and the momentum of the attack. It was lamentable that such a kid would keep on the attack instead of noticing the arrow counterattack. The flash had briefly blinded him, yes, but he had seen worse. He was used to the shows of dazzling lights, and his eyes were used to flinch faster than normal, thus minimizing the blur. That, and the careful examination helped minimize the lost of aim. The rest, just history: the arrow struck, and the boy was now readying his next move.

At roughly the same distance, the boy was extending his right palm, open, almost in the same position his rival extended his arm when his weapon returned. He saw this all too well: an orb, or a ray, would emanate, and he would have to dodge it. And, from the looks of it, it was an orb. Arrek knelt, ready to hop back and evade the moves, when scattered blasts of light had emerged from the open hand. The move looked hard to evade, but he insisted in jumping back, slanting to the side in an attempt to minimize the attack.

The sight was confusing. As Arrek jumped, a blur emerged from the original position, a trail that followed him. A few blasts passed this blurry image, as if nobody was there. The slanting made Arrek evade some more blasts, but three blasts managed to strike. One was deflected away by the bolt, another hit the archer's glistening shirt, dealing minimal damage, and yet another scratched the wild man's thigh, opening a very small wound. The trail of a fourth blast got one of the archer's braids, burning the hair in an instant.

Arrek landed, slightly pushed back, the blasts flying away from them. He grabbed his burnt hair, grabbing a burnt braid clothpiece in his hand. The braid was all too familiar: it was recent, and it was made as an oath that he would get his wife back, and return to his tribe. He was not amused at the sight.

Noticing that the desert's wide open area was too much of a risk, Arrek decided that moving into the city would give him greater advantage. He moved, passing aside his opponent, slightly crouching. In the wake of his move, he pulled again his bow, and shot with no arrows. Three small projectiles emerged, arcing and flying right toward his opponent, as if they would not fail...

[Kaitou]

Though they had not been long into the battle, Takai was quickly reaching his limit. He had suffered significant wounds; he felt weak and fatigued. He would not last long. If he was to emerge from this battle victorious, or alive, he would have to end the battle quickly.

His opponent jumped back in an attempt to dodge Takai's assault. He was hit by a few shots, each dealing feeble damage. After mourning over singed hair, his opponent began making his way across the tracks from Takai's side. He pulled back his bowstring, arrows absent, and fired three small projectiles. The projectiles did not fly in a straight path, but rather arced towards Takai, homing in on their target.

Takai hesitated to create a second barrier. Doing so would grant his enemy enough time to move to a favorable distance. He dropped to one knee and placed both his hands on the rusted tracks he stood on. The projectiles lodged themselves into his body, one into his left shoulder, one into his right leg, and another into his torso's right side. He ignored the pain.

Immediately, Takai began to transfer holy energy into the tracks rapidly. The tracks glowed with a pale blue light. His plan was to overflow a section of the tracks with energy, causing it to explode and damage anyone on it. He hoped to include his opponent.

[T.G. Oskar]

Arrek's desperation attack, while granted with the power to never miss it's target, it had very simple ways of defense. Almost every magician knew the attack he made: indeed, the projectiles were the symbol of his marksmanship. They were also powerful versions of Magic Missile, a spell that virtually every wizard and spellcaster knew by heart. They also knew that a simple abjuration of projecting force could block the move. Why, then, he hesitated? He knew, by experience, that most wizards had a force barrier active just in case. He was not a spellcaster, it seemed: if he was, he was not very smart, it seems.

While driving his enemy towards the city, he noticed the train tracks were glowing with a faint blue hue. The glow reminded him of the lightning rail tracks, which could spell death to whomever touched them. He wished not to reveal his power such fast, but a simple boost to his speed, and the increased agility and strength would ensure a simple jump to evade touching the tracks.

Slowly, Arrek slowing down. Taking his bow and hanging it from the shoulder, he retroceded a bit, ever faster. Then, Arrek sprinted, beginning in two feet but ending in all fours. His