First day back

[Rakel]

"It seems I have surpassed your level of skills now doesn't it?" Said Rakel calmly after a powerful swing of his weapon slammed into his foe's blade sending the fellow student flying back out of the ring he had drawn on the ground to mark the boundaries of the training area he and several other students from his classes used.

The other apprentice shakily got his his feet and glared at Rakel. Ever since he had come to the Academy five years ago Rakel had shown his skills were not to be underestimated. He was not anywhere near skilled enough to be recognized by the other academy students out of his class. But besides a few students nobody in his class had bested him. Most likely due to the fact he cared very little for anything but improving his skills.

Six other students were battered and bruised from being struck with the flat of Rakel's large blade. One of them who was a healer was tending to the defeated student as Rakel stuck the point of his weapon into the ground leaving it standing as he looked at the others. He himself had gained a few new cuts here and there but wasn't really damaged. Just some close calls. He knew he'd have to work on his defensive abilities more if he wanted to start being able to challenge the more powerful students he had heard about.

The other apprentices left the training area leaving Rakel alone. The young man closed his eye and thought back to the recent practice duels. He had learned much since coming here to the academy. He remembered his skills before hand and suppressed a chuckle at thinking he had the grasps of sword fighting.
No wonder I could never beat Melfice. He knows what it is to be a real swordsman. Maybe when he and I next meet I'll be able to show him what I have learned. He thought as he stood there silently letting the wind tug at his coat and scarf. Rakel knew others from the academy used this area often. He was going to wait for the first person who challenged him. He would actually have a battle on his hands where he might not have the upper hand against his foe. All he needed to do now is wait.

[Xia Tianku]

Xia Tianku observed from afar the manner in which this paltry swordsman had won his last series of bouts with significantly inferior sparing partners. He had been capitalizing on his strength, and the awesome size of his blade to instill fear into his opponents. The headstrong fellow had even gone so far as to taunt those he had "bested," if it could even be called that."The time is ripe Tianku, make your presence know to these impudent fools. Give them a glimpse into the strength of a Mobiae." the voice from within Tianku's head echoed. Yes, now would be a fine opportunity to play the braggart and establish a reputation here, in this escapists paradise far above all the strife and conflict the real world had.

Tianku strode forward, unflinchingly, into the ring and drew his blade. A fearsome, double-edged, serrated broad sword. He took up a position roughly 45 feet from the reigning "champion" of this arena, and issued his challenge: "I see you're in the process of training. I've further observed that they were unable to provide you with any kind of challenge. I hereby challenge you to a duel, so that you may gain additional experience with that unwieldy blade of yours. However, there is one condition to this challenge; 'magic," he put special emphasis on this word, as if to question the validity of the term, "is prohibited. Do you accept?" Tianku then stood there, with his sword in his right hand awaiting his potential foe's response.

[Rakel]

Rakel's eye snapped open quickly and the green orb locked onto the eyes of the person challening him. Rakel could see this man was at his own level of ability. Perhapes in different ways but still at his own level. A small smile appeared though under the scarf it couldn't be seen. He gave a slight chuckle as his right hand went to the handle of his weapon and he casually pulled it from the ground and then hefted it to rest on his shoulder.

"You are definatly confidant in your skills to challenge a person whom you have never met before. Very well Your terms are more than acceptable." He said as his left foot slide forward and the blade was moved to point directly at his opponet and his eye was locked onto his deuling partner's eyes.
"It starts now." He said and advanced with a casual graceful walk. It was clear he had a good sense of balance and was light on his feet just not very fast.

[Xia Tianku]

His terms accepted, Tianku immediately raised his blade so that the hilt was across his chest, and the blade in front of his face, in the shape of an inverted cross. The superstitious would take this as an omen to impending doom or ill happenings. But to Tianku, it was merely his way of heralding his opponent. He was praising Rakel, and rightly so, it's not everyday Tianku managed to string up a fight on such short notice, much less with a worthy looking adversary. He then lowered his blade's hilt to about stomach level, a level which could afford Tianku many different strikes fairly quickly.

His opponent shouldered his Zambatou and began advancing gingerly, straight for Tianku. Tianku had anticipated this and began to circle around to the right, trying to keep the gap between them enforced at the moment; his armored tasset clanking as he went, all the while keeping the eye lock his opponent had established. He watched his foe's foot work with his peripheral vision, and had come to determine that if his opponent were going to use his blade, he'd be weighted heavily to the front and try to balance himself by leaning back during the strike, or use the force of momentum to his advantage. Of course, this had all just been a surface analysis of this man's probable fighting styles. Tianku had encountered warriors of this type before, but what would really happen was up to time, and his opponent's movements.

[Rakel]

Hmm interesting. He's quicker than me thats obvious. But then again I don't really use conventional sword styles. In fact Omoide has memories of a move perfect for the situation at hand. He thought seeing his opponet dash to his right and Rakel's left. Rakel smiled softly and he bent his arm slightly bringing the blade slightly inwards. He then swung his arm out to the right and downwards while spinning to his right in a full circle.

His blade struck the ground and ripped through it. The result was that chunks of the ground flew up and outwards from the force of his move. Several large chunks flew at Xia. The intent was not to damage though if not countered properly it could do just that. But the real intent was distraction as Rakel came in behind the large rocks with his blade held out to the side. He swung it inwards and to the left in a surprisingly graceful arc. The attack was not as fast as many could attain but the speed was impressive for a weapon of it's size.

[Xia Tianku]

As Tianku continued circling his opponent, he noticed something strange, the man was strangely calm, but his own serenity paled in comparison to Tianku's. He saw the Zambatou strike the ground and send four medicine ball-sized chunks of rock in his direction. Tianku had now surmised this man's method of attack; to force him into an unfavorable position, and then strike. Tianku, being somewhat of literary connoisseur, had read the book written by Sun Tzu of old, and remembered this passage, "All warfare is based on deception." That was certainly true of this situation now. Tianku slid down with his right leg, and his hand gripping the ground, so that the space in between his body formed a triangle. The first projectile flew harmlessly over head. However, the rest had already began to lose altitude. He released the built up tension his left leg, and leaped left, and sprung off his right hand, completely out of harm's way. He landed with a resounding thud, followed by a loud clank from his tasset. He had traveled about 7 feet in this rather acrobatic maneuver and had taken only 6 seconds to perform it.

His opponent, expecting Tianku to have dodged to the right, swung his blade gracefully. Although completely off target. Tianku regained his stance, and shifted his blade up and held so that the handle was over his left shoulder, and the blade was extended and facing Rakel. He then rushed into the door his opponent had left at a blazing pace, and lunged low to the ground. His coiled arm exploded forth at Rakel's right side, the blade seeking out the soft and unprotected flesh there. The readjustment of the blade and the rush all together had taken Tianku a mere 7 seconds to perform. The strike, if neglected would almost certainly be a fatal wound. And even at that, there was little room for Rakel to maneuver and not be struck, as the serrated edges would undoubtedly rend his flesh.

[Rakel]

Noticing his attack would not hit Rakel surprisingly was able to stop his weapon in midswing and he swung it back the other way and diagnolly downwards for a parry. Though not as fast as his foe Rakel could shift his weapon's path without a problem.
Like I would ever leave myself that open. He thought almost insulted at the course of action taken. The way that Xia had avoided his distraction was good. But the counter attack definatly showed that his opponet underestimated him. He kept his blade against Xai's and his eye remained very alert and strangly deviod of anything but calculating ruthlessness. The message was clear though unspoken "Fight as if your life is on the line. Because it is."

Rakel would then push off with his left foot which was leading now. It would get him far enough back to be out of immidiate attack range. He stood strait up and his weapon was held ready for attack but downwards and out to the side.

[Xia Tianku]

Rakel was quick enough to get into a position to block Tianku's counter attack. The Zambatou knocked Tianku's broadsword into the ground. Rakel seemed to pin him there for a short while before backing off to ready himself against further attack. The pressure was now off his blade, and Tianku calmly raised it back to his starting position, with the hilt at his waist. He saw his opponent to be passively awaiting his next move. Rather than waste more of his time trying to fake his opponent out into an unfavorable position, he would now play the waiting game as well. He stepped back, increasing the gap between them to twenty feet.

He held himself ready to strike or move at a moment's notice; ready to act as the situation necessitated. "This man may have good control over his blade, but doesn't possess the speed to keep up with the tempo I'm about to set." Tianku thought.

[Rakel]

Rakel was curious as to why his foe had backed off instead of advancing. Basic logic would favor a faster person pressing the attack. But apparently this foe had other plans.

Once more Rakel slowly advanced. He could run sure. But he knew better to waste energy in such an action. He stopped a few feet away from his own weapon's striking distance and simply stood waiting for the attack. he was leaving Xai very little option. Either back off or go to the side and be persued by Rakel. Attack which worked well for him as well. Or decide to see if he could outlast Rakel in a small test of patience.

If I hadn't trained against Melfice the way I did I doubt I'de be able to go up agaqinst this person. it's nice having a challenge that doesn't outclass me and one I don't outclass. He thought as he stood there waiting calmly.

[Xia Tianku]

Xia Tianku continued to stand there, observing the manner in which his opponent acted. "I see, so he is nothing but a vulture. A bird of opportunity waiting to strike at the right moment." He thought to himself. Rakel never looked like the one to be reckless from the start of the bout. Tianku likened himself to an Eagle in times past, swooping in and crushing his opponent in his proverbial talons in a single swift, merciless blow. But such audacity would not work on Rakel at present. Tianku resolved to play the role of the Hawk. To bide his time and strike when the opportunity to do so is revealed to him. He would sally forth unto his prey unexpected, and in doing so would crush him like a wave crushes an infant in its flow.

[Rakel]

Still he does not attack. How interesting. I would think he would move in by now. I wonder if his defensive abilities are better than his attack based moves. If thats the case this could be very drawn out. Thought Rakel still standing making no move except the rise and fall from his breathing. If it was not for that he could almost be mistaken for a statue.

But if he wasn'ts this to be a stand-off than he's likely to get his wish.

[Xia Tianku]

Tianku's bottom lip quivered, and his pupils dilated. An even more piercing look had taken to his eyes now than he had worn before. The Mobiae had seized control of Tianku's body, although this fact would not be known to his opponent."If you will not move, I will force you to do so." Tianku said to Rakel rather coldly. His voice at this point was devoid of all emotion, he spoke in a frighteningly robotic monotone.

He then feinted to the left and then dropped down to a kneel, and brought his blade right across Rakel's gut. The result would be disembowelment if Rakel did not move, but even if he did, he would undoubtedly be struck. There was simply not enough room for him to evade in such a small amount of time. Likewise, at this range trying to parry an attack would be rather ineffective. However, in the event that this lightning fast strike (5 seconds) were to be thwarted, he was prepared to roll and jump in a similar way to when he dodged the stones earlier.

(Since you never specified the distance between us, and only said it was within your striking range, I'm going to assume that you're in my striking range as well. Good luck not god modding your way out of this one; you'll need it. However, if you think I'm just trying to kill your character I'm not, I'm just trying to end this quickly.)

[Rakel]

OOC: Thanks for specifying the time. you realize in combat five seconds is practically forever. IRL I can get in about six strikes in three seconds while going easy with a basic longsword. So a sword the size that my charater has could easily be used in that amount of time. Thats not lighting fast. But thanks anyways ;D


IC: So you insult me. Even I can move faster than that. Though Rakel finally norrowing his eyebrows as he leapt back and swung his sword inwards aiming to smash the side of his blade into his foe's head. Not enough to be fatal but perhapes enough to knock him out. If not it would teach him a valuable lesson.

If Xia wasn't knocked out Rakel would finally speak.
"Don't underestimate me." And that was all he said as his sword went back to the position at his side.

[Xia Tianku]

(Allow me to get technical and be a dick head here for a second. The following is your weapon's description copy and pasted from your bio:

Weapons/Gear:
Omoide (Memories): Katana/Zwiehander

This is a large katana crafted long ago. It holds within it the styles from previous owners. The sword bonds with it's owner and can not be used by anyone else but said owner. There are two ways to inherit this weapon. Have it passed down to you or kill the owner. Any person who has not met these requirements is not able to lift the weapon no matter how strong they are.

It also granted the ability to unlock a person's magic abilities even if they have never trained in magic. The weapon is also enchanted to be able and block projectiles weather they be bullets or magic attacks.

Other than that it is not a remarkable weapon. It grants no bonus to the wielder physically or magically.

Apart from simply saying it is "large" you give no specifications on length, width, or weight. Therefore, you can't just simply say you're able to move or jump back that fast and completely dodge my attack, much less get in an effective counter-attack. Do you really expect me to believe you can get off 6 strikes in 3 seconds with a blade that technically has no defining characteristics statistics wise? I'm gonna say the fight is pretty much postponed until we can a mod or admin's ruling on the situation.)

[Rakel]

Edit - Removed for pointless arguement