TOA ROUND 2: Quistis VS True Omega!

[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

He was secreted away, far from prying eyes. Locked in thought and reflection of the battles that have since taken place before his eyes and blade. Those battles were gone, and would never be repeated again, save for in calm recollection. Aronel knew that he had to use and apply the lessons learned from the previous battles. In his minds eye flashed each slash and stab. He recalled each memorable technique and spell. He replayed the melee fights and the mystic fights, considering new techniques that could have been applied, or an old one that could be modified. Aronel thought over each combination in the shadows. A sound cut through his reflection, a soothing hymnal that awakened his spirit. Like the sound of the waves at sunset, it brought rest to the warrior’s darting mind. Now was not the time to live in the past, now was the time to fight for life in the future.

His eyes opened for the first time in hours, but were still as brilliant as they were then. What little light dwelled in the chamber came forth and submitted to his eyes. Two glimmers of false hope shined in the middle of the room.

The door opened. A voice beckoned, and Aronel responded. Without a word he took to his feet. Though immersed in the black void for hours, he walked without hesitation to the bright hall before him. With the door open, the waves of sound flooded in, as an unrelenting tide would rush unchecked through an open sluice. It was no longer the calming roar of the tide, but the roar of another beast altogether. It was far off, but still fierce. Aronel stepped out of the darkness with his second at his side. The Second was sort of his apprentice, a child that grew up around Aronel’s battles. Through maelstroms of blood, the child was conditioned into a tacit warrior. However skilled he was from Aronel’s firm hand, he was still far too young to participate. He was destined to be Aronel’s aide between battles, at least for this year.

The child timidly held out his hands, presenting the first of Aronel’s weapons, as well as his most cherished. He calmly took the sword and scabbard from the boy. In his hands, Aronel once again held the Chronium Aura, an ancient weapon that has passed from hand to hand in various ways through the ages. A weapon of physical and mystic strength, it served as one of the many pillars of strength Aronel built himself on. It seemed almost made personally for its master, a weapon of length just between a wakizashi and a katana. This mixture allowed Aronel full use of his power, as well as boosted speed. Though Aronel’s grip was fierce at times, he took great care with the sheathed weapon and the rosewood casing. He showed far more coordination and control than could be expected from his cold dull gray gloves. In a slight flourish, he withdrew his left hand and the blade from sight, but not from his mind. The weapon of moderate length was carefully set at his side, held fast but relaxed enough in a simple silk belt. Aronel’s second, and oft forgotten weapon was already in place, strapped close to his back. It did not favor Aronel’s combat style, it was far more barbaric in feel, but he kept it by his side regardless. This weapon was called the Black Soul, and for good reason. The obsidian used in its construction was pure black, to counteract the brittle nature of a solid crystalline sword; magics were used to infuse it the durability of steel. Another spell was hidden away in the broadsword. With the power to physically cleave through flesh and blood, and steel and bone, it was also found to be able to cleave through a weak soul. Wounds that were found to be non-fatal to the body would render the victim completely stone dead; only the death of the soul could explain them.

Aronel made a silent mental check of the situation, he noted both of his weapons present and in worthy condition for battle. He noted his dull gray body armor, the Sinner, to be in place. Aronel would be hard pressed not to notice such a thing, for the sheer weight of the trinitanium plates would be impossible to ignore. He checked the shoulders of his virgin white leather cloak, to make certain the runes placed on each were in tact. Aronel yielded ever slightly to his emotions, and let a slight smile pass his lips. He was satisfied with how things went in the first round, and was certain they would serve as a sign of things to come.

His eyes once again focused on Larvin, his Dueling Second, of sorts. Without sign of pride, or fear, or any other emotion, Aronel spoke to the boy. “Let us go,” with that, Aronel spun around on his heels, which left a modest sized divot in the stone, caused by the weight of both the man and armor that twisted on it. Even through the roar of the crowd, Aronel’s footfalls still rang loud through the hall. Silently by comparison, his cloak trailed ever so slightly behind him, and further back was Larvin. Aronel came to two great red double doors that towered over twice the height of the swordsman. He rested both hands on the black hardware, and forced the two open.

Once again he entered the arena. And once again the crowd welcomed him with their hearts… or at least their very large and powerful lungs. He tried his best to shut them out, and proceeded to the center of the dusty coliseum floor. There the man waited for the engagement, as his hair and cloak flowed with the wind in unison.

[Quistis]

In the opposite side of the arena, there she stood, covered in a thick black velvet cloak, leaning against the old wall of this coliseum. The dried blood markings on it signified how many battles have been held here…how many puny lives were lost. She lets out a gentle chuckle, echoing through the empty corridor as she realized how stupid these people were-- killing each other for power and glory.

And now she is one of them.

She heard the crowd gave a thunderous roar as her opponent's name was announced.

"Aronel…" she mumbled under her breath. They were allies. The last time she remembered this man.he saved her life when they were going up against the clan called Tantalus. Weilding his powerful sword to suck the impact of a suicide attack directed towards her by one of their opponents. She has every respect on his battle skills. She knows how good this man is. But will he be good enough to be able to humiliate her in this battle?

Disappointed...dissatisfied at herself although it was really not her fault. She knew that she had proven nothing of her abilities to make her worthy of advancing to this round. She won her first battle because her would-be opponent did not show up. A 'convincing' win indeed. Grinning evilly, she thought that defeating Aronel in this fight will not only give her the confidence that she's lacking in this tournament as of the moment, but also the thought of being able to defeat a powerful warrior will give her satisfaction, beyond human standards.

What do I got to lose? What am I to win?..Nothing. It surprises me why I even participated in this event..perhaps of sheer boredom. I pity my existence.. she thought, pushing her back against the wall to give her enough momentum to stand straight as she slowly walked towards the light at the end of the hallway, leading to the center of the coliseum. Her cloak dzanced with the gentle wind that strangely occupies these closed quarters . The wild cheering of the crowd outside gradually became louder with every step she took.

Suicide, or to regain my self-worth..that must be what I long for in this battle.. She continued on thinking, her thoughts still not drifting away amidst the deafening voices of the crowd outside. Sometimes she doubts her own thoughts for she knew that her body is a host not only for her soul- if it still exists - but also to the dark being that came to possess her ever since that 'day'.

One step further and she will be inside the coliseum floor. Without hesitation, she walked outside as soon as her name was announced.

"Mina"

She smirked as she heard her name. It had always been the name that she used for as long as she could remember. But she changed now. Maybe for better or for worse..depending on how someone would look at it . Losing every bit of care for anyone deep within her, it made her stronger, or so she believed.

Now nearing the coliseum floor, she saw two faint figures..a child and a man. She continued walking until she could get a clearer view of them, stopping when she was about 10 feet away. Her cloak covered her body and face, except for her lips which lets out a grin after seeing her opponent.

"It's nice to see that you invited someone to see you die Aronel" she said softly but loud enough for Aronel to hear her.

Mina removed her cloak, revealing an emotionless expression on her face. She still wore her black catsuit, but it looked a bit different because it was not made of leather but of a light but tough material called mythril. It was uniquely designed to protect its wearer and enable free movement at the same time. Indeed, Mina prepared for this battle, because she knew it won't be an easy one for both of them. Her long brown hair is pulled back on a ponytail, with a few short strands framing the delicate shape of her face. Her emerald green eyes spoke of melancholy and looked fierce at the same time.

"Let's get this over with.." she said while exhibiting a defensive stance, waiting for Aronel to initiate the attack. The crowd grew wild as they saw that the battle is now about to start. Who will be the victor? Mina did not care anymore. But another soul falling to her hands won't be so bad, and thus she willingly took up to the challenge.

The wind blew stronger sending the smell of dust and stench of brimstone scattered across the arena. There is no turning back now.

The stoic face of the platinum ogre softened as he gazed upon the face of his foe. "Yes, let this be over with, so we can move onto happier times." He said with a smile and a coy wink. "Perhaps a drink after it is said and done, to catch up on old times?" He always tormented his foes, and people he held in indifferent regard with a sick twist of confusion, he took pleasure in setting them off balance and clouding their minds. But those few he considered friends received jiving and play several fold worse. As swiftly and spontaneously as it appeared, the pleasant smile vanished. What remained was the ice-cold shell of his eyes, which gazed unwaivering through the glare of the noonday sun towards the girl he once saved.

It was not a time to question what he did in the past, she was an ally at the time, and he still considered her one. If she died then, someone else would stand in her present place.

"No holding back on me, right Hon?" He said with a rarely heard maniacal cackle. With a flick of his left wrist, he pushed aside the folds of his cloak. The white leather waved slightly and fell back to a resting state. The little twitch served but one purpose, to bring the grip of the aura from hiding. Aronel stood at attention, as he prepared for the attack.

Under the pure white cowl, Aronel cracked his knuckles, one by one. Slowly and deliberately, his right hand emerged into view. Instead of grasping for the silk wrapped grip of the Aura, he raised it to eye level. His palm was pointed to the sky, his gloved fingers curled. Focus Aronel's right leg slid forward, leaving a deep channel behind it. Once again, Aronel slid into a stance for iaijutsu, a technique that hinges on a single strike. His right hand lowered to his waist, where the Aura waited patiently.

"May we both live through this... or die trying, right Mina?" He said with a smile that was quickly engulfed again by the hardened gaze of his steel blue eyes. No more jokes, she's fast, and strong of mind and body. He discreetly slid his left thumb along the rosewood scabbard, coming to rest on the hand guard of his weapon. Finally, he leaned forward, so his weight was entirely on his right foot.

All that remained was to select an appropriate attack. He was too close for executing the previously seen ryamokou Gatotsu properly. A magic strike would possibly take too long, and at such a close range, would possibly hit himself as well.

Using the energy he quietly held in his right leg, Aronel lunged forward, cutting the distance between he and Mina in half. The force from the touchdown cast up a modest plume of smoke. Aronel stepped forward, kicking more dust into the air. Using the debris cloud as a makeshift diversion. Aronel unsheathed the Aura. The unmistakable song of the draw silenced the spectators. Through the cloud, Aronel emerged before Mina, with the gilded pommel of the Aura aiming directly for her neck. It was too early to cause bloodshed, so instead Aronel decided to try and knock the wind out of his foe.

[Quistis]

"I see, you still haven't lost your sense of humor. That's good... " Mina smiled, referring to Aronel's taunting and somewhat flirty remarks. She calmly watched him prepared for his first attack. She watched his movements closely, like a predator eyeing its prey.

"And don't call me 'Hon', it makes me positively weak in the knees" she said winking back at him. Half-surprised that she could stil manage to flirt back on a battle. For all she knew, it's been ages since she did that.

Aronel moved gracefully as he lunged forward , raising the thick dust on the coliseum floor at their level, reducing visibility at the same time. It did not matter to Mina though, she was so attuned to the elements, particularly the air around them that she could even pinpoint where her foe is, with eyes closed.

Mina put her right foot behind her, placing it around two feet away from her left. She bended her knees a bit as she felt Aronel moving closer. Her fists are clenched, as if preparing for anything. The crowd waited in anticipation. Mina could even feel most of them as they held their breath.

She closed her eyes, focusing her mind on his movement, and suddenly, she felt a swift disturbance in the air. She knew his sword was coming towards her as Mina sensed his Aura sliced in the air. Its awesome power was not that hard to recognize. She felt that before, when they were fighting on the same side.

Instead of moving away, Mina ducked, pushing her right foot against the ground so that she could move forward to Aronel's torso, letting the sword pass by above her head while clenching her fists tightly as small tornado shaped wind covered them.. Without hesitation, she tried to connect a punch towards Aronel's body, as the tornadoes shot out from her hand and towards him as well. It did not matter whether her foe wears the toughest armor, for her wind magic penetrates further into anything, pushing through every gap between the molecules of the thing it hits through while converging once again if it passes through a less solid object, exhibiting a behavior of a sharp drill digging through soil, in this case-- Aronel's internal organs. Mina figured that it would be next to impossible for him to dodge them because she used them at a very close range.

In her mind, she thirsts for blood. It did not matter whether it would be of her old friend.

As the butt of the grip neared its target, Mina simply ducked out of the way. At this time the Aura was unsheathed about a foot out of its scabbard. Mina dropped down and darted forward with her fist clenched. Is she throwing a punch against solid trinitanium? She’d shatter her hand. But in the corner of his eye, he saw his cloak react. The off-white branded runes on his shoulders glowed faintly as her fist drew close. A magic attack.

Without hesitation, Aronel released his grip on the aura, leaving it half unsheathed with the razor edge aimed into the sky. His hand dropped down and waited for the right moment. It didn’t take long with the speed Mina displayed in her strike. Aronel met her forearm with an open palm, and redirected the punch over his left shoulder. The runes glowed brighter as the trailing edge of her wind attack touched their surface.

Aronel leaned back and kicked the earth, sending him backwards several feet. While in the air, he removed the scabbard from its place at his hip and pressed it forward, resheathing the Aura in the process. Without a thought, his thumb wrapped around the hand-guard as the collar around the blade fell into its place. He replaced the weapon at his side, inside its silken belt without having to look where he was putting it. He touched down, and was already in an offensive stance without having to readjust himself.

“A blow for a blow…” Aronel said under his breath, referring to the attack he made, and the punch Mina met it with.

And a spell for a spell. He thought to himself, as his hand inched closer to the black silk wrapped grip. “Death allows you to dance with the angels…Tenshi Tsubasa no Kaze! (OCC: Angel Wings Wind… maybe…) Aronel pushed off with his left foot as the Aura was fired outward from its scabbard, as if from some powerful wind borne from within the rosewood sheath. He grabbed the grip, but due to the force that the unseen wind, he was twisted around. As he twirled in the hidden wind, it seemed to grow stronger. Aronel pulled the scabbard from his hip as he began to fall back to earth. His foot fell into the soft dusty coliseum floor, and dug into the earth until the twisting stopped. But his sword and right hand continued on their path, from his left to his lower right, he slashed and cast the wind free from his blade. To intensify the attack, he slashed his scabbard in the same manner, from the lower left to upper right, releasing a frightening howl in the heart of the arena. As the attack neared Mina, Aronel simply dropped the scabbard orthogonal to the earth, and pointed his sword upward. With a fluidic upward motion of the Aura, he sheathed it, and then replaced the sword and sheath at his side. He returned to his favorite offensive stance and awaited the response Mina would give to his Angel’s Wind cross slash.

[Quistis]

(ooc- I really apologize for not posting as often in this battle TO. I have been very busy with work and cant even concentrate on making a decent post in the office. And when I get home, I am usually too tired to think of a good post. Again, I apologize. )

Just like Mina predicted, Aronel sensed her attack. Mina hit Aronel's left shoulder instead. He kicked off and landed several feet away from her, resheathing his sword and making an offensive stance. Mina saw Aronel mumble some words under his breath. "A blow for a blow..." Mina thought he said, by reading his lips.

"Oooh, you seem to not want me to attack you 'up close and personal' " she said giving him a sly grin. It has almost always been her habit to taunt her opponents. Although she knew that most of them could recognize how she jokes around about these things all the time. Stoic as she may seem to most people, Mina still got some sense of humor left in her. Or maybe, it was just not her nature to take her battles seriously.

Mina felt a slight movement under Aronel's cloak. She realized it was probably his hand, holding his Aura-- an obvious sign for a preparation for an attack. And so she positioned herself in a defensive stance while preparing herself for the possibility of needing to cast another spell. The crowd started yelling and cursing, getting impatient waiting for their next attack.

Fools..if you are so eager to see violence, I could kill you all right now. One simple magic spell could make this coliseum crumble into pieces, killng you all in the process..." Mina thought while secretly casting a mild spell to shaken the ground beneath the bleachers of the audience, the ceiling above them started to crumble. She could hear some of them screaming in fear now instead of anger. She stopped the magic after figuring out that she's wasted enough time.

Foolishness could be one of her bad traits. If her old 'mentor' Ryk'en were watching, he would probably scold her now. But who cares, he is gone and she's free. Or is she?

Mina knew that she could never be free. As long as the dark being is inside of her. Mina can never forget that day -- the day when she realized that all along, her life was planned. The person who destroyed her village, the demonic laugh that echoed inside her mind since she was a child. All of her life she devoted on becoming stronger, finding him and take revenge. Her wish was granted only to open her eyes to the horrible truth..he really wanted her to thrive in anger and revenge, and when her powers were at their full potential, he took over her body..or rather "it". A strange energy being that had a mind of its own. Its motives were still quite unclear to Mina. But so far, she still managed tol hold on to her sanity. Or so she believed....

The number of spectators in the coliseum decreased considerably. Some may have left for the fear of the earthquake awhile ago, or maybe some of them got pinned by the fallen debris. Mina didn't care as she shifted her concentration back to Aronel.

Once again, Aronel, pushed off with his foot, giving him enough momentum to stay airborne for a time. Mina felt a strange wind blew around the arena as Aronel pulled out his Aura from its scabbard.

Another wind spell... she thought

Aronel twisted in the air, as if commanding an unseen force. The expectators were in awe as they saw him struggle to contain his spell. Mina held her ground as the wind became even more violent. It didn't take long before Aronel landed back to the ground, still struggling with his magic, using both of his Aura and its scabbard. Moments later, he casted the wind free from his sword, sending a diagonal slash in the air, followed by another slash from his scabbard.

The arena was filled with a deafening howl from Aronel's magic. She felt the strength of his spell. Normally, she would just fly and dodge the attack. But Mina had other plans...the time Aronel spent for casting his spell was also the time Mina used preparing herself for her next attack.

"A wind for a wind.." she said as the wind picked up even stronger, that quickly created a wall of strange dark wind around Mina, covering her inside the eye of a huge tornado. The force of Aronel's Angel Wings Wind cross slash, collided with the tornado. Mina felt it, even though the tornado acted as a shield to his attack and also a means to suck Aronel's wind spell in it, to try and combine it with its power. A small cut on Mina's left cheek appeared as some of the magic connected through. Mina ignored the pain as she prepared herself with a bigger concern at hand.


Lifting both of her arms up to the sky as if trying to carry a heavy load, the tornado raised itself with it, exposing Mina once again. The tornado stayed above her, its deadly winds howling, struggling to release itself from Mina's control. Beads of sweat started to form on her forehead as the burden of containing her own magic became even more difficult. The tornado emitted a dark eerie aura in it, covered by a black lightning of unknown force. It seemed that it was not of wind magic alone.

Her sufferings may also have their benefit, the dark entity made her powers stronger. And now she learned to combine a portion of its power with her own. Mina always cautioned herself not to use it in stronger intensities or she might finally lose her self-control. The last time she accidentally hit someone with it, he screamed as if his own body was being ripped apart and sucked into oblivion.

Many people may find it strange how she cannot get sucked inside her own spell. To her, it demanded a great deal of control. Small objects started to fly towards the turbulence that she made as the audience held on to anything that could prevent them from being sucked as well.

Fatigue started to appear on Mina's face as she moved her arms downward with great deal force, releasing the now cone-shaped tornado as it fell on the ground with its body on the floor and its 'mouth' pointed towards Aronel's position. It shot with blinding speed, sucking everything that gets to its path.

Any magic that you hurl against it shall be sucked into it..and its gonna follow you wherever you go.. she thought while catching her breath. Now will be the right time to try and regain back her strength. Although Mina hoped that it wouldn't be necessary anymore, there's nothing more rewarding than seeing this fight over, and hopefully, with her on the winning end.

(OCC: its okay, you're making it worth it, with these posts, heh)

As the energy of the tremor was once again absorbed into the earth, the crowd shut up for a moment. The turbulence of the dual wind strikes more than made up for it.

"If you can hear me." He yelled into the wind. "I must thank you for silencing those dogs for me. I want to save the wanton slaughter for later." His comments were met with a stronger wind that dragged his leading foot forward slightly.

This will be big... If she's still alive in that thing, she has complete control of it; it won't be something to be evaded easily.

Aronel drew the Aura once more, but took great care with the blade. This was not a sword drawn in anger or bloodlust. It was a sword of another kind, from a forgotten school that Aronel absorbed into the ryamokou ryu. A sword that protects was the sword he called on. The few spectators that were still paying attention to the match through the chaos also noted that Aronel drew the sword backwards. He did not draw the Aura with his hand at its side, but with his palm on the top. This odd draw further explained why it was so slow, but it did not explain why he drew it that way in the first place. He lifted himself up out of his offensive stance and stood tall and square facing the whirlwind. In one hand was the Aura, with the tip pointed to the storm, and edge raised to the heavens. His other hand left his side and joined in clutching the sword. As Mina released the bestial wind, it took off straight for Aronel. Like the unholy fusion of a bloodhound and a bull, the spell plowed through everything in its path. The aetherial force, sucked in to the heart of it, lifted the stones and bones that littered the arena floor. There they were rendered and obliterated, only to be absorbed by the body of the spell.

Aronel stood his ground, even as the runes on his cloak burned in anticipation of the spell. Even several feet away, it was too strong for the runes to diffuse. Fleeing was dishonorable, and futile. To fight the whirlwind without a plan would be suicide. His only ally…

Was irony.

In that battle it was used to save Mina, in this it would be used to hinder. The attack drew closer and stronger, drawing Aronel’s right foot forward. Almost as if submitting, Aronel’s grip loosened on the Aura slightly, and let his hand fall to his side. He drew his left hand closer to his face, in a sort of prayer. Though it didn’t matter where his hand was, it helped to mask the movements of his lips, in the event Mina could see.


“Realm of disorder, return to stability… Revert to Nothingness! Mu” (OCC: read that as MOOOOOOOOOO!!!! ) The will of his spirit, and the power of the soul of the sword merged with the words. Feeding upon their own powers until they emerged into the visible world. Aronel’s black will infused itself into the Chronium blade, producing a pulsing void of magic. Like in physics, where high-pressure systems are drawn to the low, and where heat is absorbed by the lack of heat, magic would draw itself into the void to bring balance. The irony was weaved, the skill that saved Mina one day would help to bring about her hopefully inevitable defeat.

Through the heart of the tornado was drawn a single strand of wind, saturated with dust and dirt that it collected from the coliseum floor. A black finger from the Aura emerged and danced before the wind, as a siren would sing to a sailor. It swayed and flickered drawing the magical wind to the Mu. The strand came to the black flame, but at the last minute hesitated. Though neither had a soul of their own, it was as if the tornado had an instinct in its recent moments. But it was too late for it to ‘enjoy’ its possible awareness. Aronel flicked the blade upward, urging the flame towards the retreating strand of magic. The black and brown threads connected in a whirling frantic embrace. The Mu reeled back into the Aura, dragging Mina’s spell with it. The thin strand of wind pulled from the whirlwind and became thicker with each passing moment, while the void merely continued to draw it away into nothing. Even with its energy draining with each second, the tornado urged forward towards Aronel. He could not just hold the sword and wait for nature to take its course, for that course would terminate with his life. Instead, he took the matters into his own hands. The Aura was nearly completely saturated with magic, and would only absorb a bit more before exploding in a hurricane like rage. But he had no choice. As soon as the attack was in range, Aronel slashed upward draining a bit of the storms ferocity with it.

Then, he released the remaining grip he held on the aura, releasing the power of the tempest with his grasp. All the dust and force the Aura collected was thrust outward, which at the level he held the sword at, was right at the first few rows of the spectators. Fortunately for them the walls absorbed much of the rage, then fell with a collective crash to the floor below. The black imbued blade was ready for another go, as Aronel’s grip closed on the sword, it twisted to the way it was meant to be held, instead of backwards. Then came a second slash, a diagonal blow from right to left that further hobbled the spell. Finally, against the final obstinate heart of the wind, Aronel released a lateral slash from left to right across the width of the spell, clean through its core. With the attack dispelled, Aronel brought his right hand and the Aura up to his face. He placed two of his fingers on his temple as he slung the blackened blade over his shoulder. As if he were flinging blood from it, he whipped the sword in a crescent that ended before his right foot. The remaining tempest was released with the centripetal force of the arc.

As Aronel weighed his current options to attack, he heard a gong from behind. The fierce battle was almost at an end, without much more time for attacks to be batted to and fro. He looked to the Aura, which was still filled with the waning void, just enough to be converted into his next attack. Instead of sheathing the Aura like he usually would, Aronel pointed it forward, and then brought it up above his head, being held at the tip by his left hand. ”Furies and wraiths, unhinge the gates of Hell… Dark Wave!” The Aura was once again being filled with the enmity that Aronel held in his heart, but this was not an attack that drained magic, it was an attack that would drain the soul. Whether it would be the opponents, the attacker, or some other random victim, the rage that was summoned in the blade would not be sated unless it destroyed something. Aronel wound up and slashed once more, maybe for the last time this round. The sudden changes in speed and direction jarred the spell from the blade, which was then thrown outward in an arc that swelled and grew with each passing moment.

[Quistis]

All hell breaks loose as Mina let go of her magic, directed towards Aronel. Like a beast unfed for weeks released from its cage, it devoured anything that got on its path.

Mina stood there, waiting on how Aronel would stop it. She never underestimated this man. Although she hoped he could be destroyed now, she knew it was only wishful thinking on her part.And so, she prepared herself. Buying the time to regain her strength. This battle is not over yet.

Looking through the eye of the dark tornado she hurled towards him, Mina saw Aronel chanted a spell... a very familiar spell...

His sword drawn, pointed towards the ceiling of the coliseum, the magic within Mina's tornado being sucked within it. She knew what's going to happen next, for she was standing next to him when he casted the same spell in their battle against Tantalus-- he is going to unleash that magic contained within the sword and direct it towards something. And in this fight..it will probably be towards her. Mina can choose to try to strengthen her magic once more, hoping that Aronel's sword will be overloaded with magic and eventually kill him in the process. But she chose not to. This is a time to rest, a time to prepare for what could come next. Horrifying screams from the spectators are faintly heard around the arena, trying to overpower the hellish sound of nature's fury and magic from both warriors. Mina momentarily looked around and still saw a few of them holding their ground.

Even some people would exchange their lives for entertainment. How pathetic she thought smirking while turning to look back at Aronel. Who looked like his sword has contained enough of Mina's spell. Slashing the Aura upwards, Aronel drained a part of the tempest's fury in his sword at the time the tornado was so close to swallowing him. She thought this was the time to prepare for the worse. But to her surprise, instead of her own spell being hurled back to her, Aronel seemed to be aiming somewhere else. Or was he?

Aronel released the magic contained in his sword- a tempest of wind purely unimaginable as it hit the first few rows of the spectators hitting mostly the wall behind them. The audience on the other side of the coliseum gave a thunderous roar, seeming to enjoy the great display of magic they were witnessing , obviously most people there were in a sadistic mood.

If I were him, I would give them a direct hit Mina thought, eagerly awaiting what could come next.

And she needed not wait long...

Aronel unleashed the remaining magic contained with slashes that directed the magic towards where she was standing. Mina grinned as her own magic was coming towards her.

"Come to mama.." she said grinning, as a gentle gust of wind formed under her feet. It's not wise to counterattack in this position. The tempest was too fast and it's not far enough for Mina to try and concentrate on a counter spell. Besides, to her, these people deserve more than a huge chunk of wall falling in their midst.

"You want destruction. I will give you destruction!" she shouted as she flew upwards, using a bit of her wind magic and a mild touch of gravitational manipulation on her part. Her position was a little off-balanced as the wind from the tempest affected her flight. But it was enough for her nonetheless. The unleashed storm passed just below her. Mina could feel herself being pulled with it, but she had rested enough, and had enough strength to fly to the other side of the arena, as the magic from Aronel's sword crashed to the spectators behind her, resulting on a loud explosion and thick clouds of debris. Without a doubt, there were casualties, as Mina saw a large ray of light from the outside pass through the thick cloud of smoke. A sign that that part of the coliseum was completely destroyed. She landed on the ground on the other side. Mina grinned as she heard the audience behind her scampered to leave their places. Finally scared of the threat her presence might bring to them.

The gong sounded. Signalling that the fight will almost end. Was it a good sign that she was still standing in this fight? Or was it disappointing on her part that her opponent was still alive. Whichever it was, the fight will end soon. Mina knew that Aronel realized this as he did not sheathed his sword this time. Instead he pointed it forward yelling a few words before unleashing the fury of hell..

”Furies and wraiths, unhinge the gates of Hell… Dark Wave!” He cried while slashing once more. A huge arc appeared in the arena. A void created to drain the soul. It grew as it neared her.

"A void to a void..." she said.

My heart is filled with darkness unleashed. A dimension unimaginable. The dark being within me is more than just an entity, it is a gate to an unknown universe..A gate to a void or energy of darkness. Of pain and sorrow. A parallel universe that had been wanting to swallow through this world. And right now, I will feed its hunger with a portion of this dimension..

Her eyes glow a faint dark blue energy. Her long hair dancing through the wind in all directions. Her body slowly enveloped with a black aura. A deep eerie sound occupied the battlefield, perfectly in contrast with the deafening tempest of fury that almost shattered the coliseum.Mina slowly floated in the air, levitating a few feet above the ground. The arc of hellish magic Aronel's Aura formed was coming at her, getting bigger with every distance it undertook.

My body is a seal, I shall open it a bit her thoughts, seeming to fade away from her slowly..her sanity is at stake here. But she must control it. For once, she seeked the darkness within her to cooperate. And she knew it will. It only wished to be released anyway. And she's giving a portion of the freedom it seeks right now.

Pointing her finger towards the arc's direction and Aronel's as well, a black void started to appear on its tip. It flickered with dark energy like a fire, trying to escape through a small hole. The arc, now only several meters away from her, cannot be stopped by any elemental magic she could cast right now. Maybe she can, but this was how she wanted to end this fight.

Not a single whisper from the spectators were heard, none of them were in the coliseum right now, perhaps they left or their souls were sucked right into Aronel's magic.

"No one has pushed me into using this level of my magic just yet..you are indeed a worthy fighter.." were her last words before she opened her palm. Slicing the space that occupied this dimension, replacing it with the dark universe she contained within her. It grew exponentially till it now exhibits the shape of a huge tidal wave coming towards Aronel and his magic.

"Your magic can't be stopped, I will just let it linger within the 'other side'..to the unknown oblivion..and hopefully, with you in it as well..."

[psychosyd]

Alright, to this date, this is EASILY the best battle weve had

And the hardest to judge...

I want to state first off.. there IS no clear winner... its impossible, the winner was marginal... and mostly luck

One momment, I could completly lean towards TO... then Mina would come back and friggin just plow herself a lead.... even as type this, my mind swings back and forth on who should be the victor... and honestly, I can't really give a total good judgment... this is TO close to give one on... its really just a matter of who stands out a more...

And I am awarding this one to True Omega.

Quistis... your fight and posting technique were fuppin BEAUTIFUL... but if you read your posts carefully... you have some childish actions and word use, which really stand out in your overall more mature style... and some grammatical errors... so really this whole battle is thrown over a couple sentences that were misworded or just seemed odd...

I wish I didnt have to judge this one...

*twitch* im going to need therapy after this tournament is over... this is one battle I will never be totally resolved on... I would rather go and rejudge NS/Cyros' battle