Getting used to things.

[Seeker]

"So this is the so called 'training grounds'?"

Yes, Seeker was looking for a place like this for quite some time now, and he had finally gathered the information that he was looking for. It was about time he found a place like this, but to be honest, it was quite a strange place. He was standing in the plains, a big field of nothingness, just grass under his feet. He had been walking around trying to make sure there was nothing funny there, like a random spike just suddenly appearing out of the ground, and slicing him to pieces! It never hurt to be cautious after all, this was a new place to him, and all he had to reference toward places like this was crummy movies he had watched in the past.

What Seeker had on was none other than his torn up pair of blue jeans, his white muscle shirt, and his pair of glasses like he always kept on. There wasn't many other people around at the time being, so Seeker was probably safe to just work out by himself without having to worry about others judging him. He didn't really know how training at this place actually could make him better, after all, push ups in here would probably be the exact same outside of the place, but it had to be called the 'training grounds' for something, right?

Well, it was only natural for him to get started soon, so he began to stretch in place just because he needed to get his muscles loose. Once he was done with that, he would probably begin working out, however the hell he was supposed to do that.

Little was he expecting for someone else to come.

[Tristan Knightrhode]

The hunter was on the training grounds once again. It definitly was his favorite place of the huge city, floating high above the earth. He could almost always find a sparring partner, or something more serious like an all out brawl. He could also seclude himself deep in the woods to just sit and relax. This day he wasn't exactly bored with the rest of Babylos, he was just looking for the first reason he'd liked this place, a good match.

And here one came, should this guy in surprisingly normal clothes feel like fighting. Tristan walked over to the boy who looked to be a little over half his age, and a few inches shorter. "Yo...Looking for a match? Or are you lost?" Was the deep voiced question of the crusnik. He looked like your average man except for the brooding presance of power that some would say flowed off of him.

There were some who just plain thought he was dangerous, some who were afraid, and some who were cocky enough to try and topple the pillar of a man. Tristan was clad as usual, all black except for the white, tattered fur lining of his dragon hide coat. Igneus, also a black dragon, was perched on Tristan's right shoulder in his smaller form. The hunter's Shireiutz, his single bladed, especially wide long sword, was strapped to his back over the left shoulder.

The upper part of the blade poked out from behind him on the right side, with part of the handle sticking up over the left shoulder. His hands were loose in his dark colored titanium gauntlets at his sides, thick black boots seemingly anchored to the ground. All of this garnished by his usual dark orange sunglasses completed his somewhat ominous form as he stood a few meters from what Tristan would hope as his opponent of the day.

[Seeker]

"Match?"

Seeker asked with his monotone and deep voice of his. Both of his eyes quickly directed over at the man who was there, Seeker's facial features lifting a bit in curiosity. It was obvious by his face he didn't know what this guy was talking about because he wasn't really accustomed to this place yet. With this place being called the 'training grounds', Seeker knew it probably meant a competition of some sorts, but how would they compete is what Seeker was trying to get at.

A few seconds after asking the question, Seeker stopped himself from the stretching position he was in, standing up straight. He turned his body where it would completely face the man, and he moved back a few feet to keep his personal bubble from being breached. So now he waited for an answer, expecting some actual details of what exactly was going on.

[Raiden Matsutani]

Raiden so far has been stumbling his way around the campus. So far he's explored the outer city surrounding the place and it was hard enough getting around. This place was nothing like the cities rushed around in back in Edo Japan. The training ground were probably the most familiar looking site he's stumbled upon yet. The place was primarily forests, which Raiden was accustomed to back in his days as a wandering demon.

Raiden just to the top a tree and looked over the whole area. After awhile he jumped back down, and continued on. After awhile he spotted two other men talking. Raiden felt no need to hide so he just stood there for awhile. It was undecided to him if he should keep moving or let his curiousity get the better of him.

[Tristan Knightrhode]

The hunter stood, slightly baffled at the fact that this kid didn't know what Tristan meant. He didn't show it on his face, but he was slightly taken aback until he realized [New guy....] the hunter himself had been on Babylos for a few months, and had already gone up a rank school wise. "This is the training ground...what do you think?" Came a slightly sarcastic responce.

His tone wasn't spiteful, as the guy geniuenly didn't know what he'd meant. "Fighting boy. Combat. Thats what most people come here for...that or to try new spells on a tree or something." He finished, dropping the small hint of sarcasm. Hey...If he didn't know, he didn't know, ignorance is just lack of experience and Tristan hadn't seen the boy before. Despite the vast size of the school, some one as attentful as Tristan would notice a new student at this point.

Tristan's senses perked as Igneus glanced over to the nearby woods, and sent images of another person who was watching the pair...Someone who wasn't human. Now normally- that being Tristan out on earth somewhere- the hunter would fire off a powerful spell or whip out his twin handguns on such unexpected company, but they were on Babylos. The city in the sky was home to several different species, including ones Tristan hunted for a living, most if not all meant no harm unless provoked.

[Seeker]

Seeker in fact didn't realize someone was there, so his focus remained directly onto the other guy who was in front of him. Since he had invited Seeker for some sort of fight, he didn't see the point in really refusing it. With that said, he could easily just fight against the guy, after all, as long as he didn't die, he would be back to full health the next day.

"Fine."

To be honest, Seeker hasn't really ever fought someone in the extent of 'training', though he has had a fight before. With that said, he really didn't do anything to prepare himself in any fancy sort of stance, he just kept his eyes glaring over at the other person, and adjusted his glassed with his right index finger while he was waiting.

"Maybe this will give me a good idea on what to expect in the future..."

[Raiden Matsutani]

Raiden leaned on a tree next to him and scratched his cheek with the taloned gauntlet he had on. 'These to look like interesting guys...'he said to himself while yawning. For the 400 years of sleep he has had Raiden was looking for some excitement. Maybe these to guys could get thing going for the demon again. Nothing like getting aquainted with running your opponent's blood through your fingers again. The pupil of his red eyes narrow and gleamed and he stood there, waiting for something to happen.

[Tristan Knightrhode]

This ones looking for a fight. Igneus projected into Tristan's mind. The hunter nodded slightly, appearing to have done so at the boy. Igneus shot off his perch and straight up to where the observer was. The weapon clad man hadn't pulled Igneus into any of his fights thus far on Babylos, and there was a chance that, that was about to change.

The black dragon soared over to where the, what he identified as a demon by the smell and look if him, was and landed on a tree branch none to far away. He was still in his tiny form but if this other boy wanted to get involved, he'd have a house sized black dragon on his hands, and it wouldn't be pleasant.

Now...back to the main situation at hand. Tristan took a small stance, then shot off at top speed. He hadn't bothered to draw a weapon since his opponent seemed unarmed. If the boy had armamants and drew them, weapons were nothing but a tiny motion away. The man came in quickly and made for a quick feinting right punch that was between a jab and a cross.

It would be pulled back a few inches before the boys face and a hard left straight punch would follow. Tristan would follow that up with a quick snap kick with his left that wasn't likely to be seen due to the left punch, blocked or not.

[Seeker]

Trying to think of what action to do, Seeker found himself remaining on his feet, taking too long to ponder some way to fight this guy in a correct manner. It wasn't long before he was right in front of Seeker going for a right punch right toward his face, and Seeker remained still, a bit thrown off by this. Of course, due to it being a feint, the punch did not hit at all, and actually succeeded in making Seeker aware of what exactly was going on. Both of his eyebrows widened when he noticed the left fist coming, and Seeker quickly bent both knees, then pushing backward to avoid the attack. It was a quick jump which would allow him to tilt his head to the side in time, and have the punch soar right past the right side of his face. Once that was done, Seeker's feet would probably land back on the ground, and Seeker would once again jump back to get a good distance away, as well as get himself prepared to actually fight back in the next series of attacks.

The second jump in fact made it where Seeker unintentionally dodged the kick as well, there for making him safe from harm, and allowing him to get into that prepared mind set to be ready to fight back. Luckily, due to him stretching before they actually began to fight, his muscles were stretched out, so risk of unintentional injuries toward himself due to the jerking of his muscles were decreased a lot. Anyways, he was safe, and ready this time to fight back against his opponent.

[Raiden Matsutani]

Raiden grew curious when suddenly a small looking lizard flew of off the man dressed and black. It appeared to be a dragon, the thing is Raiden has no idea what a dragon is for that matter, or what a dragon can even do. Raiden watched as the tiny thing flew over his head circling. Raiden's eyes narrowed focusing in on the dragon. 'What a strange creature....' He then watched it land on a perch not far from him. It seem the dragon was studying Raiden.

Raiden looked away again at the two men. He watched as the two of them began their battle. For the most part it seemed like the man dress in black would have an upperhand from apperance, but Raiden wouldn't count out the other. As he watched, Raiden began to grow alitte anxious. Raiden was fumbling around with a stone in his hand and then shot it by flicking it at the man in the black cloak.

[Tristan Knightrhode]

Tristan's attacks had been dodged. The boy wasn't bad, despite the fact that he hadn't purposely dodged the kick. His foot met the ground and he was in a sort of front leaning stance, also known as a left kibidatchi. The black dragonhide coat flowed down to a natural position, having blown back with the motion. Turning his head, Tristan cracked his neck, loosing two small pops.

He turned his head the other way, letting it release the same sound and bits of tension. On your right, from the demon boy. Came Igneus' thoughts as he blew out a jet of flame that headed straight for the intruders ass. Being in his tiny form, Igneus' flames werent very big, but they could still go far and were nearly as hot as your average plasma torch. Registering the thoughts and shooting his sight over to the observer, Tristan saw the glint of the stone.

His armored hand shot up to catch the rock. It had one shiny side, and one dull side. If that dull side had been facing the hunter, he wouldn't have been able to stop it. Normally he would have bolted after the demon with alchemic blades drawn, but his partner was taking care of him. So with a small grin, Tristan chucked the stone back at the humanoid demon and turned back to his opponent at hand.

The hunter rushed in at top speed once again, soaring in close. He brought up his right fist and made a quick right hook. It would hit if the boy didn't move, but it didn't need to. Mostly what it was supposed to do, was disguise Tristan's movements as he used the momentum of the strike to whirl himself around on his right foot and slam his left leg into the side of the boys head. If he moved back before the kick, he'd get the hard heel of Tristan's boot across his face. If the kick landed, either form of it, the boy would go flying to his right and back.

[Seeker]

The rock flying out had caught Seeker's eyes, seeing it go right toward the guy who he was fighting. It was quite awkward, but it seemed that there was a fight going on near them. Perhaps an accident? Didn't matter, it bought Seeker time, and a small dark pink aura began to outline his left hand. He didn't really want to go this far in the beginning of the fight, but he might as well go into the offensive right in the start. When the guy was in distance, Seeker charged forward himself, planning on striking the exact same time this guy's punch would strike. In chess, you have to sacrifice pieces to take the piece of someone else's, and that is exactly what Seeker was doing right now, sacrificing being hit to hit his opponent. When his right hook was thrown, Seeker's own left, dark pink colored fist shot in under the man's arm in an uppercut motion. The man's right hook would hit at the exact same time that Seeker's left uppercut would hit the man's diaphragm. Now you see, the dark pink colored aura just symbolized Seeker's strength had increased during the attack, but it was only about 20% stronger than it would normally be due to having little charge time. Still, it would all be unleashed with his punch, and since Seeker was going for a more vital spot, he was knocking off the bigger chess piece, assuming all of this worked out.

Now we had to see if the attacks worked out or not, but note, if this man's attack was to hit Seeker, then Seeker's attack was going to hit dead on toward his opponent. We also know how hard it is to pull back an attack already sent, and this guy didn't seemed to be much more stronger than Seeker after that first glimpse on how he fought, unless he was holding back.

Let's just see what happens.

[Raiden Matsutani]

Raiden flicked the rock at the guy to see what would happen. The man dress in black caught the rock and gave Raiden a glance. The rock came flying back at Raiden and he simply just flicked it away with his hand. Raiden could then feel the small feeling of heat apporoaching from behind. He glanced over his shoulder to catch a glimspe of flames coming from behind.

Raiden moved out of the way of the incoming flames, watching them go past him hitting the tree instead. He turned to see that the strange lizard was the culprit. At first Raiden was amazed to find that this lizard could spout fire, but that went away as he reminded himself he can spout lightning. Raiden had a stare down with the lizard for awhile looking into the dragon's eyes with his own red eyes. Raiden would then suddenly with one simple motion flick a stone at the dragon to see what would happen.

[Tristan Knightrhode]

The demon boy had moved out of the path of the flame and there was a bad score mark on the bark of the tree, even the remnants of flame. Igneus, seeing another stone being flicked, hopped to the right on the thick branch. The stone nailed the trunk of the tree with a dull thud and the currently tiny black dragon shot another jet of flame, slightly larger than the last one, directly at the observers head.

Aanndd back with the fighters. Tristan swung full force, abandoning his plan due to his opponents charge. The boy's attack came in, only partially in Tristan's sight. The hunter's fist burried itsself in the boys face with just about enough force to break the jaw if it was loose, probably to make it lock up if it was clenched.

The boy's attack stopped a couple of centimeters from the surface of Tristan's dragonhide coat. His glowing fist was stopped dead by the kevlar vest with its layered ward, originally intended to stop bullets, specificly the enchanted ones that would peirce the kevlar forty-nine material. The force of Tristan's attack would most likely send the boy reeling, with the hunter unharmed. Tristan then stayed where he was to take a more defensive approach to this part of the fight.

[Seeker]

The attack hit dead on toward Seeker, but unfortunately for his opponent, due to the position of Seeker's cheek, it hit directly toward the cheek bone. How did this end up happening? Well, it was habit for Seeker to direct his eyes where he was attacking, this being since he didn't fight for a living, and there for, instead of this harming him, it helped him by the attack hitting at a stronger point of Seeker's face than what it would look like. With that said, the punch managed to make Seeker's head turn to the side, and made his cheek grow read, other than that though, Seeker had no serious injuries. A bruise for the future, but that was all.

Seeker quickly retreated his arm and jumped back before this guy could continue with the attacks, and would then adjust his glasses with his left index finger quickly, since they got knocked loose after the attack. Seeker was taking any spare time he could address to assess the situation, and he had already come up with the advantages he had now in this fight. To simply put it, he had now figured out how to fight this guy for the time being, and if things continued at this pace, he would win.