Combat Exam #7

[The Designer]

MICHAEL TERRANCE vs. Eyvindr

These two warriors were relatively new to the school, a fact that the council organizing the fight new very well. The council wanted to over see the skill level that new recruits head and this organized this battle to observe it.

Currently, the judges here are Winklewood, Isis Stone and Kenji Rio. Seated between the sultry Dark Arts teacher and the Pervert..... Whatever the hell his teaching class is, was Kenji Rio, stoically standing between the hits and the let downs.

Anyways, at the center of the Roman stadium they were fighting in was Maedallus, a mike in hand as he awaited the two warriors to show....

[fishtie]

Machal Terrance sat in absolute silence and focused. he could feel the pull. No mater that outside the sun shined without a cloud in the sky. No mater that it was on the other side of the planet. Still... he felt the pull. 'No way! You aren't an animal! you aren't at the mercy of some hunk of inert rock.' he thought to himself as the hint of a growl began in his throat but quickly silenced. And Machal knew it to be true. If anything this was the time when his control was stronger. He could feel the pull and give a name to it. Waxing, but still a tiny crescent. Thought would be easy, no problem really.

And yet... it was impossible to be sure... This was the first time he would be going to fight. Sure he had gotten in a few scraps back home, but he had never gone somewhere at some time with the express purpose of fighting someone. What if he lost control? What if something went wrong? What if his opponent got infected? Machal would never be able to forgive himself if that happened. And going like this was even more dangerous. Perhaps this was a bad idea. There was still time to change.

No.

Machal had done enough running from what he was. Here he could be exactly who he was without running or hiding. If he had to do a little fighting to stay then he would. Besides, the laws of the Reklaw said that all Wenruru should know how to fight properly, it kept them from doing stupid things in a tight spot. This was an opportunity to find out how goo he really was. And as for the form? He needed to do this. If he couldn't keep control in a practice fight, how would he ever be safe anywhere?

Machal got up and began to quietly move toward the large double doors that led to the arena. The cool hard floor felt good against his pads as he drew close, soothing and reaferming. He was no beast, thats why he was here. As he reached the large doors he took a second to examine them. They had obviously been designed to merely service humans, but fortunately there was no latch. Matchal set his nose to the crack in the door and pushed with his weight. The doors slowly opened a few inches, but this was all Machal needed. He slipped between the two doors, he could feel them trying to close on his long slim body, but the large doors were only a minor discomfort against his fur covered sides.

The crowd had been making a bit of a ruckus, but quieted down quite a bit as Matchal entered the arena proper. They were probably used to a lot of strange and incredible entrances, but few had evidently been looking for a single quiet but impressive, almost noble, wolf to pad onto the field. Soon though, as any student audience will, they began to raise there volume again. Mostly with theorys of the strange entryent. Perhaps it was a familiar or servant? Where was the master. A transformation student ready to go? Most started in their natural form. Some kind of joke? Unlikely. Mixed in though a few female 'awws' and male 'cools' could be heard.

Machal, for his part, was doing his best to ignore the crowds. There stench was already covering the field, heavy with sweat, excitement, and traces of fear. Mixed here and there strong beacons of blood, probably from previous fights, lit up Machal's oder radar practically drawing the timing of the previous in his head. Machal tried to ignore all that. Still, it was obvious from a single moment that his keen smell would be useless in this fight.

Machal padded his way to the center of the arena with a careful dignity and sat back on his haunches. Machal wondered what his opponent would be like. He had heard the name and it had struck a cord, but he wasn't quite able to put his finger on it. Awaiting his opponent alertly and with deep breaths he thought back on the laws he must follow in combat. 'Battle with claw or tooth is forbidden. Take care of blood spilled, it is contaminated. Listen to the wolf, but do not give it control. Listen to the man, but do not give in to it's vices. Battle with claw and tooth is forbidden. These are the laws of safe combat. Safe for you and safe for your opponent.'

[Eyvindr]

Well, what was a still fairly new student like Eyvindr doing being chosen for something as important as a combat exam? He had not bothered to ask, but had come up with several hypotheses: It was interesting to watch people with less experience fight, newbies needed their combat examined more, and perhaps it was important for the teachers to know the extent of Eyvindr's strength in particular for something he was unaware of. But regardless, Eyvindr had recognized the name of his opponent; he had met Machal on Machal's first day.

Eyvindr now found himself in a locker room, changing into the clothes he was most comfortable fighting in. He only really owned one decent pair: A blue shirt, blue pants, light blue tunic. He liked blue. The tear and bloodstain across the stomach were still there from his first fight on academy grounds. Eyvindr got up and looked out the doorway to judge whether it was time to leave or not, opening it a crack and seeing his opponent approaching. He followed suit, leaving the locker room, entirely oblivious to the crowd. Not by choice, but because he was incapable of detecting sound; an unfortunate condition he had been born with. And as his eyes were focused elsewhere, the crowd meant nothing, and were excluded from Eyvindr's attention, which was focused solely on Machal.

"Is this your 'Terrible secret?'"

The contact was brief, but Eyvindr picked up something about claw and tooth. He could only imagine the rest of the sentence, but he doubted it was pretty. Just for safety's sake, he decided to ask something.

"Anything along the lines of safety rules I should know before entering combat with a werewolf?"

[fishtie]

As Eyvindr entered the arena Machal got his first look at his opponent... And froze. Evyindr?! Evinder was going to be his opponent? No wonder the name had seemed familiar but strange, up till he was informed of the match he had only herd the name in his mind. That's why he couldn't quite match the two. He hadn't been able to match the spoken word with the thought one... until it was too late. And now he was expected to face Evyindr in battle?

Perhaps it was best that Machal was covered in thick fur, it would be quite impossible for any one to see him shiver. Why did he have to fight Evyindr? Why? Machal had come to this school having been forced to playing an outcast almost all his life, and he had come here knowing so little. But Eyvindr had been there with open arms, completely respectful and kind even though he hadn't needed to. The silent telepath was one of the only people Terrence really counted as a friend. And now Machal was expected to fight him?

Suddenly, Machal's panic was interrupted by the now familiar feel of thought's entering his mind that were not his own. Anything along the lines of safety rules I should know before entering combat with a werewolf? 'What!?! Combat? No way! I can't fight you. It's too dangerous. I'm not going to do this.' With that Machal lowered his head silently.

However, the match was not destined to end right there. Floating up from Machal's memory appeared a passage from the second Wencagu. When a Wenruru is cornered he must fight. But to fight with nature's intention is to endanger all. So it is that every Wenruru must train to fight, thus that when they must it shall be safe... There was more, but Machal knew every bit by heart and there was no need to continue. Machal knew that he had to do this. If he couldn't make this stand now then he never would. This fear couldn't control him his entire life.

Machal's head re rose to a level position and he moved to stand. Now he poised, head body and tail all aligned like a furry dart, legs crouched slightly ready to spring. 'Fine, we will fight, and let's make it a good one. As for safety,' Matchal thought with determination, 'don't worry about it. I'll tell you everything soon, but for now I will keep you safe.'

Machal crouched a bit with his lean but fit wolf body and waited for his opponent's first move. Yes, he would see to his friend's safety. He wouldn't let Eyvindr become infected, he would rather die.

[Eyvindr]

"Understood. And remember, don't hold back any more than is necessary for safety's sake."

In one quick motion, Eyvindr opened the pouches on the side of his belt. From them flew at least fifty of the needles that he carried with him at all times, quickly forming a rotating barrier around his whole body.

"I also know how to fight."

And with that, Eyvindr made the first move. Ten of the needles detached themselves from the rest and flung themselves in Machal's direction. Two aimed themselves at each front leg, three at each hind leg. Eyvindr hadn't given Jason any mercy, Machal would receive no kinder treatment when it was time for battle.

[fishtie]

At the sight of the approaching needles Machal quickly sprang. Throwing himself to the side with a low ground skimming jump to avoid the attack. Landing a few feet to the right he then launched forward at a full run. He was fastest in this form and knew that he would have to take advantage of that. Especially with that barrier to deal with.

Machal had been looking to use his physical ability to end the fight, but with a wall of blades between him and his opponent that would be difficult. Best to buy a little time while he tried to figure something else out. The situation was even worse with Machal's learnings, he mildly cursed himself for not working harder at the combat spells that he could have been learning. Most of the miner charms that Machal had spent his time learning wouldn't be much use against a smart opponent like Eyvindr.

Machal was running with Eyvindr off about 40 degrees to his left. Machal turned his head to face right at his opponent and opened his mouth reveling his huge fangs. Focusing his power at them he cast his spirit fang spell. The ghostly replication of his teeth shot toward Eyvindr leaving a slight trail.

[Eyvindr]

Dodged. The first attack rarely hit, as the opponent was fresh and expecting an offensive maneuver. Eyvindr's golden eyes followed Machal to the left, letting the detached ten needles make a quick spin and stick themselves in the ground, perhaps for using later if there was an opportunity. For now, he had a charging wolf to deal with.

That wolf then sent what looked like a spiritual copy of its jaw in Eyvindr's direction. Obviously an attempt to bite without actually biting. Eyvindr stepped to the right with his right foot, and then, pivoting, put his left foot to his previous right of his right foot. Then, pivoting again, he flung one of his four handle-less daggers; his only weapons besides his needles. With the momentum from the circular motion added to it, it was moving quite fast, but in truth, it was only a distraction. The daggers were not Eyvindr's weapon of choice: They were heavy and harder to lift, and it was harder to incapacitate an opponent with a blade than it was with a needle or two or ten. If he used the daggers, he ran the risk of hitting a major blood vessel; the daggers were killing tools, and Eyvindr was certainly not fighting to kill here.. No, the actual offense here were the six needles that swiftly followed, almost unnoticeable, behind the dagger from Eyvindr's spinning barrier. The dagger was aimed for the ground right underneath Machal's stomach, two needles were aimed at each hind leg, and one at each front leg. It was usually a good plan to rob an opponent of the ability to move, as once an opponent can not move, they usually cannot fight.

All that was left to do was to wait for Machal's counter.

[fishtie]

At the sight of the thrown dagger Machal reacted in a split second. Crouching for a moment he leapt straight into the air. After reaching an impressive height of about 15 feet in the air he slowed and began to drop. By the time he landed from the powerful jump the knife and needles had hit the ground. Machal examined the blade for a split second, something was definitely wrong here. How could the shot have been so far off mark? (Machal's bad eyes had failed to spot the hidden darts) Still, it was so hard to think, he just must have missed right? Everybody missed right?

Now Machal had to focus on the fight again. He quickly conjured up and launched another attack with his Spirit Fangs. This one however, would hopefully surprise his foe a bit. Machal would concentrate on it allowing it to twist and turn a bit to hone in on his opponent. If Eyvendr tried to dodge this one as minimally as the last one then he would be in for quite a hurting.

[Eyvindr]

Machal had jumped. Not wanting to waste the effort of making the needles follow him, Eyvindr let them hit the ground. He then turned his attention back to Machal, who was most likely unaware of exactly how foolish his maneuver had been. For once someone is airborne, every second of their flight is determined at the moment they leave the ground unless they are affected by an outside source. Therefore, dodging a long-range attack was almost impossible. Eyvindr's entire arsenal of attacks could be done at long range, something that Machal should have been able to guess. Regardless, Machal was now vulnerable.

All the remaining needles in Eyvindr's barrier shot out toward Machal, three for each leg, and the rest skimming the skin, causing a wound no greater than a paper cut that would sting like crazy. Thirty or so such wounds was quite painful, and would most likely briefly daze Machal, just long enough for him to land improperly.

But before Eyvindr's attack had concluded, Machal launched another set of otherworldly fangs toward Eyvindr. Eyvindr sidestepped, and noted the sudden change of course of the 'projectile'. Instead, he broke into a run straight under Machal, meaning that the fangs would have to turn all the way around to follow him. Quickly spinning around to see if they had, Eyvindr waited for what would happen next.

[fishtie]

Unfortunately for Machal his spirit fangs were not nearly agile enough to track Eyvindr's dash and curved a little but sank into the ground far behind the telepath. Machal's problems were just starting. In a split second he realized that there was little to be done about the incoming barrage, dodging would be quite impossible this time.

However, this didn't mean he was helpless. Machal deep and prepared himself for an exceptional effort. He had never used this maneuver, but had read about it in the Wencagu several times. Machal mover with most of his strength, wretching around his lower body with his upper following. It wouldn't do much, but it would turn him in mid air so his back was facing the assault protecting his vial organs and legs.

A few of the needles missed, but the majority still contacted. Fortunately for Machal, most of the shots oriented to scratch him were so light that they became tangled in his fur and did minimal or no damage. Still, quite a few impacted directly into Machal's back and stuck firm.

Machal landed clumsily on his side. Certainly not the prettiest way to land, and rather painful, but Machal didn't spend long on his side. He quickly scrambled to his feet and realized that his opponent was right next to him. The wolf cried out to counter attack and while Machal wasn't going to use it's suggestion of how to attack he placed that energy behind his next strike.

Machal threw himself to the side in a vague attempt to body slam Eyvindr. Now that the two combatants were close to each other Machal knew he had to do everything to profit from his advantage in strength.

[The Designer]

"That is enough!" Maedallus yelled....

Swiftly, he casted a quick spell, trapping the two warriors in place as he walked toward the two, mic in hand.

"Well, the winner of this fight is Machal......!"

EVALUATIONS:

Machal B -
Eyvindr: C+

REWARDS:

Machal 3 EXP + Winner's Amulet (+2 Str, +1 Dex)

Eyvindr: 3 EXP