TOA Round 2: B-B-B-Berias VS Tony Leone

[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

[Pete]

Round two of the prestigious tournament was underway. The warrior known as Lionheart entered the arena, recieving a hearty cheer from his fans. His dark eyes, like coal, glimmered slightly as a flash of lightning struck a target in the distance. He looked up into the darkening sky and stretched his arms out in a over- exaggerated yawn. He took his spear in hand and clasped the shaft tightly. Although he looked foward to it, Lionheart did not want to use his sabre- that was reseved for special occasions.

The men who had slain his family would pay for their actions. Winning battle after battle in a major tournament would not ease the torment of his soul, but it would relieve the demons for a few hours. Anything to forget the images of the lifeless corpses of his wife and son, lying in a pool of blood in the small house they shared so much in. Anything to forget that the murder was his besr friend, a fellow mercenary hired to murder the innocent in cold blood. This destroyed Lionhearts soul, making him a brutal man bent on revenge.

As he awaited his opponents enterance, he flicked a speckle of dirt off his black combat boot, and began to brush off his blue armor with his hands. He started at his shins, looking meticulously at the battle worn guards. They were scarred silver, not from the armor recieving damage, but from weapons breaking upon impact. His chestguard was much worse looking, but still in amazing shape. It was heavily scarred and even slightly dented. The chromium armor was one of the few safeguards in his life. Being a mercenary could lead one anywhere, so having adequate protection was a necessity.

Lionheart tied a lengthy black bandana across his forehead. This was the calling card of his nemesis. He wore it as to never forget.

Julius Abizaboah entered the battle and time worn arena and found that his opponent was already there. The sky above them was a painting of chaotic darkness, dark crimson clouds filling it, and the spectators' cheers echoed throughout the stone structure. This did not help Julius. Though he had made it to Round 2 in the tournament, this would be his first battle. Hot nervousness made him sick to his stomach and his throat dry and raucous. He knew that his opponent was much more experienced and the crowd clearly favored him. He took deep breaths as he slowly walked towards the center of the arena where his opponent, Lionheart, waited with a readied spear.

Julius felt a sense of respect for Lionheart because he had heard from another warrior in the break room that Lionheart was on a quest very similar to the one he was on. He heard that Lionheart was searching for the man that killed his wife, son and a dear friend. Julius was searching for the man who kidnapped his mother and younger sister, as well as killed his father and ruined the Abizaboah name, once a proud line of Paladins of Heironeous, god of valor. They were both searching for the man that ruined their lives. He saw in Lionheart's eyes a reflection of himself.

Julius was a tall, slender man with dusty brown hair and gentle brown eyes, but an occasional flash of a cold brown eye told of the hardening times he had faced. He wore a travel-worn black jacket that partially concealed a chain shirt of no decor. He wore black pants, black boots and heavy spiked gauntlets. From a leather belt, the black scabbard of his two-handed sword, Dark Blessing, dangled. Julius proudly held Dark Blessing out in front of him. The handle of the sword, which was wrapped in withered black cloth, was topped with a blood red stone that glowed eerily. The blade, made from a strange, dark metal, had macabre runes on it, which also glowed. The entire sword had a strange, evil aura about it. Though Julius was once studying to become a paladin, he became associated with mortal followers of Hextor, god of tyranny and nemesis to Heironeous, and other gods of evil after his father was killed and mother and sister kidnapped. Soon, Julius was studying black magic under his friend, Nikol-Balas Hennet, and using weapons such as Dark Blessing.

As a light rain began to fall, Julius got into a defensive stance with Dark Blessing held high across his chest and stared deep into Lionheart's eyes, waiting for his first attack.

[Pete]

Lionheart slowly scanned his opponent from the ground up, keeping his best poker face in the process. Smiling or frowning on the job would be a dead giveaway of emotion, and any merc knew that once emotions rise, thinking stops. When thinking stops, you lose your focus- as well as your head.

As the warriors eyes met, Lionheart could sense the internal srtuggle of Julius. He could see the glimmer of hope in his eyes, the possibility that he could save his loved ones. Lionheart had once had this tiny fire of hope, unwilling to be blown out, in his soul. Only now, had it become a raging inferno of hate and revenge, eating away at him.

Lionheart pushed his chin sideways to both directions, listening for the popping sounds which eased him before beginning a difficult fight. He smirked a bit afterwards, indicating that the battle would soon begin. "Well now. Let's get this party started, shall we?" Lionheart rhetorically asked. Much to his expectation, he neither expected an answer nor recieved one.

Lionheart took his time in backing up to the far side of the arena, slowly anticipating the magnitude of his own attack. Yes, it was a rather arrogant thing to do, but the warrior believed in living every moment as it may be his last. He gripped his spears black shaft with his right hand and positioned his left hand a bit in front of the right. He began running towards Julius, slowly gaining speed until he hit his maximum.

The warrior leaped into the air and pointed his spear head a few feet from Julius. A mysterious aura encircled Lionheart as he began his descent. It lasted until his spear met the dirt floor. The energy encircling the warior created a massive upheaval of jagged rocks and fierce winds that sent sand flying at hurricane speeds. The damage was in a direct line that slowly branched out into a small cone, easily taking out a section of the arena, causing massive damage, before the battle truly began.

Julius was completely taken by surprised by the magnitude of Lionheart's first attack, expecting a much more simply attack. As the trail of destruction raged forward, unstoppable, Julius stumbled to the side, barely dodging the attack. But as the upheaval of earth and violent winds tore past, a large rock flew out and hit Julius directly in the face, knocking him down to the shaking ground.

A few snickers could be heard from the audience as Julius, shocked by what had happened, felt the blood running down from his nose and broken lip. Lionheart's attack continued on, destroying a quarter of the arena. Julius felt embarrassed and ashamed of himself, that he couldn't even avoid a simple stone flying through air. He thought that he probably would have been happier if he was hit by the actual attack. The feeling of respect that he felt for Lionheart was overwhelmed by a rage. He stood awkwardly upright, holding Dark Blessing in his right hand and clearly said "I can't wait to hear you scream."

He held Dark Blessing high into the dark sky and began to chant something quietly to himself. The red runes on the side of the sword began to flash brighter, as thunder sounded in distant mountains. Julius than pointed his weapon directly at Lionheart, who just recovered from his massive attack and was no doubt preparing another assault. Julius than began to run his fingers down the edge of the sword, and in their wake wisps of fire spouted. Soon, Dark Blessing was completely engulfed in a raging inferno. Julius began to swing his weapon around, the fires following the blade through the silent air, his stone eyes locked onto Lionheart, trying to impress his opponent and the audience with his move. This was just an example of the black magic that he had learned from a newly found friend, Nikol-Balas Hennet, a sorcerer who specializes in the documentation of evil outsiders. A smirk on his face told that he had learned many more tricks. Than he suddenly lunged forward, towards Lionheart, with his sword held high above his head.

[Pete]

Lionheart stood silently as he destroyed a section of the arena. His mouth, a small flat line, was now twisted into a smile. He had caused considerable damage, which for some reason was pleasing to the warrior. After admiring his own work, he rested his spear on his right shoulder.

That smile had quickly reverted to the stoic form it had previously. Julius had somehow avoided the attack, falling victim to a lone rock. Lionheart spit in disgust of his meager attack. It was meant to kill, not cause a mere nosebleed! "Oh well, I suppose that's what I get for underestimating my opponent. The next one will surely get the job done." As Lionheart got his thoughts together, he could see a change in Julius. He became visibly enraged. Now was Lionheart's chance, his enemy was clouded with rage, mistakes would be made... hopefully fatal ones.


"I can't wait to hear you scream." Julius vociferated.

Lionheart only smirked.


Julius' blade bursted into flames, leaving a blurred trail from the heat as the warrior sped foward. Lionheart stood silently, digging the toes of his boots into the clay ground. He waited for his opponent to charge closer, locking his eyes onto the crimson blade. "Just another second," Lionheart muttered. Julius brought the blade over his head, and what seemed like in slow motion, brought it down. Lionheart whipped his spear downwards, trying to parry the sword, but he was too fast in doing so. The flames were minimized by Lionhearts armor, minimally burning his leg. The sword had slashed Lionhearts torso, creating a large gash. Blood spattered to the floor, continuing in the arc of the sword.

Lionheart knealt for a short period, preventing some blood loss. He spit again, at his own stupidity. To his surprise, there was blood in his spit. "I better finish him off and get some medical attention. I'll pass out from blood loss in a bit, so I'd better act now."

With his strength subsiding, Lionheart was still kneeling. He put his right hand on his bloody wound. He winced in pain, clenching his teeth. He then placed two bloody fingers on his forehead, making the ancient sign of death, fulfilling the prophecy told by his spear's runes. With the prophecy fulfilled, the spear had danced to life, propping itself up, and floating in front of Lionheart. He pointed his hand forward, and the spear aimed itself for Julius. Lionheart then read the words engraved onto the spear. The words were too old for a modern day translation, but the end result was devastating.

The spear had launched itself towards Julius, the blade was aimed directly for the heart. Suddenly the spear's shaft exploded, sending shards of razor sharp evlen ore through the air. The head of the spear was still headed towards Julius, along with thousands of razor sharp shards of metal.

Lionheart coughed some more, and remained kneeling. The end was nearing...

Julius' heart smiled at the sight of blood erupting from Lionheart's leg, though he was hoping for it to be more effective, as Lionheart had hoped for his first attack to be more effective. Julius stumbled passed Lionheart, and in the corner of his eye he caught Lionheart falling to a kneeling stance. He inaudibly chuckled. When he turned he saw that Lionheart's spear was somehow floating in front of Lionheart, pointed directly towards the ominous sky. Though the sight of the spear floating was puzzling, Julius knew that he couldn't waste the chance and he readied Dark Blessing once again.

He pointed Dark Blessing to the sky like he had before, and began to chant to himself. Than he pointed the sword to Lionheart, who was still kneeling and slowly moving his hand towards the hovering spear, and the macabre runes began to glow again. Julius began to run his fingers down the side of the sword again, and mists soothingly rose from the blade, which was turning a cold blue color. Suddenly, with a loud crack, the sword turned to ice. He gripped the handle of the ice sword tightly and prepared to charge again.

But when he took one step, the spear that was floating in front of Lionheart suddenly launched itself. Before it went far, the spear shattered and hundreds of metal shards were sent into the sky. The head of spear continued on course, followed by the mass of razor shards. Julius continued to stumble forward, in awe of the strange attack. Than time stood still.

He felt cold steel enter his body, just left of his heart. He couldn't believe the pain he felt as the head of the exploded spear tore its way deeper into his body. His eyes were giant with surprise and he suddenly began to uncontrollably cough up blood. He was knocked back to the ground, Dark Blessing lost its magical enchantment and fell to the ground next to him. He just lay there, feeling all of the pain, as warm blood oozed its way down his side. He lost all will to fight Lionheart with the sensation and just blankly stared up at the sky. He stared at the dark clouds slowly dividing. He stared at the lighting in the distant mountains. He stared at the origin of the cold rain that hit his burning face. Than a flash of light in the midst of the black rain caught his sight and he roughly gasped in horror.

He quickly lifted his right hand above his face, and the black gauntlet deflected a razor-sharp shard of elven metal. Another shard hit the ground next to his head. Another hit the ground next to his left hand. Than one hit his knee and a new type of pain surged through his bloody body. Than one hit his shoulder. Another the arm just above his gauntlet. Another in his lower torso. Many more cold shards of metal rained down onto him until he was nothing but a bloody mess. "Damn..." He whispered to himself. His head fell to the right, blood gently pouring down his broken lips and his eyes met the resting Dark Blessing. He slowly reached out and picked up the sword. "Not yet..."

Julius slowly stood, blood began to quickly drain out of his body, as he strained it. He slowly lifted his hand to the sky, metal shards sticking out of the black gauntlet, and than quickly lowered it. With his hand, a blanket of darkness fell onto the arena. Gasps of surprise came from the audience as they stressed to see the battle through the thick darkness that suddenly appeared. In the darkness, Julius got into a battle stance. Suddenly, on the blade of Dark Blessing, an orb of black energy began to grow. It grew bigger and bigger as it slowly began to suck up the darkness that had overtaken the arena. The sky began to go back to normal, the darkness disappearing as the orb of black energy on the edge of Julius' sword grew larger. Black lighting began to whip out of the orb, ripping up the dry earth in its wake. Julius was straining his body to support the weight of the two-handed sword, Dark Blessing, as well as the growing orb of energy. Blood began to the drain faster and Julius began to go light-headed and lose his balance. Finally, when the blanket of darkness was completely gone, Julius launched the orb from his blade at Lionheart.

[Pete]

Lionheart smiled weakly as his opponent was riddled with shards of metal. Neither of them would last much longer, but Lionheart knew he had some strength to spare. He continued to kneel, even as Julius set a blanket of darkness over the arena. This attack was going to be massive, undoubtedly. Soon, the sword gathered the darkness in it's blade, lumping it into one orb. One final attack that would make or break a legend. One attack that would shatter one dream.

As the blade continued to grow darker, Lionheart pondered to himself, contemplating his life. He thought about his wife and child, their bodies lying on the floor. Sprinting up to his wife and sliding up to her body, lifeless. Then, picking up his child; a bloody wound to his chest. The tiny lad uttered his first and last words:

"I love you... Papa."

The killer was running outside, escaping from a window. It had been his best friend, paid by the family of a man Lionheart had killed. He remembered seeking the assalliant to no avail, vowing revenge would one day be his.

The orb was sent forth from the blade, scorching the ground as well as ripping it up. Lionheart was standing upright, now sprinting to the side. He dove out of the way, yet it did not matter. The orbs gravity was much to great; Lionheart was assimilated into it. A new sensation engulfed his body. It was not a physical pain, but an attack on his soul, the very essence that kept him alive, and made him what he was. He could feel his own hatred consuming him, eating away at him.

He could not die now! Not with the immense burden of avenging his wife and child. He struggled to remain mentally intact. He fought to keep his soul together, letting go of his hate to remove the constraints of the orb. As he forgave the inforgivable, the orb became smaller and less dense. Soon, Lionheart broke through it, almost as if being reborn.

He was hurled into a wall, and was left unconscious for a moment. He awoke to the blur of the arena. The arena was bustling with life, booming with sound, yet in the mass confusion, Lionheart was taken aback, until he slowly arose. He became dizzy once more. The arena spun around his feet. "Am I dead? No, I cannot be dead. My opponent is lying on the floor. He isn't moving, so he must be dead, and I must be alive." He staggered for a bit, clutching to the wall for support. He was too weak to attack, but he was strong enough to stand.

This could not be said for Julius though, who was on the floor...

UGh.....this really sucks, Tony. I'm sorry, but you've lost this round.

Its clear that you both have great talents for the RPB arena. But his description is just.......better. -_- Yeah, I know. It sucks ass. But B-B-B-Berias is good. You're Good. But he's better. You're both descriptive; he's more descriptive. His description of how h feels, and his surroundings, surpass yours.

Congratulations, B-B-B-Berias. You make it to the next round.

[psychosyd]

I would like to say...

damn...

this swung back and forth

Tony, you owned the first few posts... its that simple... but as the battle wore on... your technique and style... kinda faded... not as creative... not as interesting... it really just sagged, while Berias just threw some stuff out there that just was really good... Berias, you started kinda weak... childish, showing a begginer side... but your description, and interesting spell ideas payed off...

the little stabbing episodes kinda hurt you both... but those were some seriously powerful attacks to face

Berias... you got this one...