[LocoColt04]

OOC: Okay guys and dolls, I want to try something different this time. Considering the exceptionally long wait between rounds, I feel there should be some reflection of that in the roleplay timeline. This time, instead of there being a week of roleplay time between the fights, there have been two weeks to allow the fighters to recover from extensive injuries suffered in the previous round.

In order to thank all of you for your patience, I wanted to give you more creative freedom in this round. As such, whoever posts first will decide both the time of day and weather conditions for the round. The fight must still begin within the courtyard as is the traditional fashion of the tournament, so please keep the settings of the previous rounds in mind when you are writing your introductory post.

Don't worry about trying to do anything similar to the other semifinal thread... remember, it's a fantasy world, so we can let two completely different settings slip by unnoticed.

THE ROUND BEGINS IMMEDIATELY, AND ENDS FRIDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2006.

Good luck to everyone participating in this round. We're very excited to see what can be produced from this year's crowd. The level of talent in this tournament has been far more impressive this year than in years past.

[Psiko]

The hilt of Kurayami's sword connect's with Ryang's ribs, knocking the remaining wind from his lungs. His eyes tear up and his face pales as the pain overwhelms him. The last thing Ryang remembers is a sharp, flooding pain as Kurayami's skull bashes into his nose. After that, he remembers nothing. Darkness consumes him and he knows nothing but pain. It consumes his body, mind, and soul. Death will be a sweet release.

He wakes from his unconscious state to find himself in a bed, naked from the waist up. Someone has treated his wounds and, although he can still feel the pain throbbing in his shoulder, he feels better than he has for a week. An attendant enters the room and, seeing him awake, smiles.

"How do you feel this morning, Master Ryang?"

"I'm fine, I suppose. When do I leave?"

"Oh, you can leave the room whenever you feel up to it, Master Ryang."

"No, I meant when do I have to leave the building? I surely lost the battle."

"Oh no, Master Ryang. After you blacked out the judges decided to grant you victory. It was quite a long deliberation, but it came back unanimous."

Ryang says nothing after that, the news making him speechless. He still has a chance to win the tournament. He can still discover the identity of the six-fingered man and avenge his father! He tries to sit up and quickly becomes nauseous and light-headed, so he lays back down. Clearly the poison is still working its way through his body. If he can't find a cure, he is certain to be dead before the end of the tournament.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Oh, only two days, Master Ryang. Here, eat this, it'll help you feel better."

"Two days? Great, I've only got five more days to prepare!"

"Oh no, Master Ryang. The judges have granted an extra week of preparation. You have plenty of time still."

Ryang silently eats his lunch, pondering over everything he has just learned. The attendant finishes tidying the room and departs. Moments later there is a polite knock at the door and the attendant pokes their head back into the room.

"Master Ryang, you have a visitor. Should I send him in?"

Ryang nods and moments later a tall, dark-skinned man enters the room. He is dressed in black, complete with a makeshift hat that covers his eyes. The man smiles at Ryang, which sends a chill down his spine. Although it might just be his imagination, Ryang swears the room got darker just from this man's presence. Ryang chooses not to return the smile, and impatiently waits to hear why this man is here.

"Ryang Hiroto, we meet at last. I've been watching you carefully. You never cease to amaze me."

"I'm an amazing person," Ryang says with a sly smirk on his face.

"Truly. By now most men would be dead from the poison. You, my friend, seem to be slightly more resistant than we anticipated."

Several things come together all at once in Ryang's mind. He decides at this point to keep the snide remarks to himself and let the man say what he wants to say. Clearly, he is here for a reason, and Ryang wants to know the reason.

"In light of your most recent victory, we have decided to grant you a most generous offer. As I am sure the last battle proved, you cannot continue to compete in this condition. It won't be long before the poison kills you. In fact, I do not believe you will survive the extra week before your next battle. My master, in his infinite wisdom, wants to be certain. That is why I am here."

"You are here to kill me?"

"No, Ryang Hiroto. I have more honor than that. He wants to be certain that you do not win this tournament. He wants you to withdraw."

"I will not forfeit."

"Do not be so swift to decide, Ryang Hiroto. Your life hangs in the balance. You cannot avenge your father if you are dead. In return for your withdrawal from the tournament, we offer you the antidote to the poison. Both of us get something we want. Keep the offer in mind, Ryang Hiroto."

"What proof do I have that you possess the antidote, much less that you will give it to me upon my forfeit?"

"This is your nectar of life, Ryang Hiroto," he says as he pulls a small bottle from a concealed location in his clothing. He replaces it seconds later, but Ryang was able to see what he needed. The man turns to leave, letting Ryang have time to consider his offer. Ryang falls asleep, enjoying the most peaceful slumber he has had in years.

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That evening Ryang leaves the room, still a little woozy from the effects of the poison, but otherwise fine. He slowly makes his way back through the town, navigating the streets like he did a few weeks ago. This time through there are more people and merchants filling the streets, since it is still going to be a while before the start of the next round. All four of the final competitor's names get mentioned often as Ryang makes his way through the city.

"Back to find Yohan, eh?" the old man says when he spots Ryang in the crowd.

"Actually, no, not this time. I already have the answer."

"Ah, but is your answer the correct one?"

"I'm fairly certain it is."

"Koho thinks not."

"You don't even know what I'm looking for, old man."

"Ah, there you are mistaken. Koho knows. Yohan has the answer. Yohan knows the antidote you seek."

"And where might I find this Yohan?"

"You see him now, but you do not think you do."

"You're Yohan?"

"Smart boy! Yohan has the answer you seek. Here, drink this."

"This isn't the bottle I need. The markings are different on the cork."

"Different, yes, because this one is correct. The dark one misled you."

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The day of the next round arrives. Ryang's shoulder no longer throbs in pain, and all traces of illness have vanished. His arm is still a little stiff and sore from the injury and lack of use, but Ryang is finally able to utilize his naginata with reasonable proficiency. He dons his true attire for the first time in weeks and feels confident that victory will be his. He silently gives thanks to Yohan once again. If not for him, Ryang would likely be dead by now.

Ryang spends the entire day practicing with his polearm, hoping to work the sloppiness out of his system before the battle begins. Like the two times before, he has no idea when exactly the battle will begin. He looks outside the window as the sun goes down and frowns at what he sees: storm clouds. It appears that this battle will be at night, and in the rain. What a bad run of luck!

As the sky turns pink from the setting sun, Ryang is summoned to the courtyard for the beginning of the battle. The dwindling light still provides enough light to see without the aid of torches, but it likely won't last long. The dark clouds loom overhead, threatening to unleash a downpour at a moment's notice. Ryang bows to his opponent and opts to take the defensive this battle. He waits, holding his naginata firmly in his grip.

[LocoColt04]

No point in waiting for Friday.

At least the finals should be promising.