Battle! Lynk Eris (Jacogos) vs. Cypher Mu (AllTricks)

[Jacogos]

Colosseum Match

Deciding Factor: Death or surrender, if accepted.

Time Limit: None.

Lynk Eris (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10331&p=1626788&viewfull=1#post1626788) vs. Cypher Mu (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51642&p=1729506&viewfull=1#post1729506)



The field is set for battle and the voices of hundreds of people fills the air as they roar in dissonant unison, the hype for todays match filling them with a fever pitch of energy. The focus of the crowd's attention was the massive floating rectangle of a field that occupied the center of the stadium. The size of a football field at least, the field was a green pitch split into two halves with the center being a circle that was red on one half and white on the other, split by a black line. Beyond this field was a good 500 or so yards until one could reach the edge of the stadium seating, open air and a devastating drop greeting anyone who foolishly stepped over the edge.

On the far edge of either side of the battlefield stood two separate people, youths no older than a 12 or so. Both held in their hands spherical objects that resembled the circle that was in the middle of the pitch, red on top and white on bottom. As if in practiced unison, the two children pressed the center buttons on the devices, causing them to expand to fill their hands, at which time they tossed the balls into the air, crying out names of some importance.

The crowd roared as a waist-high, yellow rodent and a shoulder-high, purple dinosaur-demon appeared from the flashes of light that the two sphere produced upon being tossed skyward. The former cried out 'Rai!' whilst the latter roared wordlessly, brandishing its fearsome forehead horn while it stood its ground. The two stood at either end for a moment before charging, accompanied by the encouraging roar of the crowd.

"Alright Raichu, use Thunder-"

At that moment, thunder ripped through the air as two lightning-strikes landed directly on top of the children, lighting the area in harsh contrast for a brief moment before being followed by an eerie silence.

In place of the two children was now two completely different opponents. On one end, Lynk stood, with Cypher Mu facing him on the other side. At their feet, the ashes of the fallen children, whom they were completely unaware had existed just moments before their entrance. The yellow mouse and the dinosaur were likewise... 'incapacitated', two lumps in the center of the field that twitched occasionally.

As the two began to get a grasp on their surroundings, the crowd began to violently scream and yell as they proceeded to flee the arena, fearing for their very lives. A new battle had begun, and they weren't about to be around for it.

(You may proceed first, AllTricks ^.^)

[Steampunk Samurai]

This was a strange sight, Mu found himself in some sort of stadium. Though mere moments before he stood in watching a cloud of light engulf Hiroshima. Perhaps he was slain there and being punished for his sins, however that did not explain why the audience was running in fear. Surely demons would cheer at the slaughter. Mu looked to the opposite side of the ring, besides two unidentified shapes lying on the ground, there stood a man in seemingly fitting attire for this place. Except that he had concealed armor and weapons. It seems they were in a similar situation here.

"So...do you happen to know what's going on here?" Mu yelled wiping some sort of ashes off his shoes. Boy was it dirty around him.

- - - Updated - - -

This was a strange sight, Mu found himself in some sort of stadium. Though mere moments before he stood in watching a cloud of light engulf Hiroshima. Perhaps he was slain there and being punished for his sins, however that did not explain why the audience was running in fear. Surely demons would cheer at the slaughter. Mu looked to the opposite side of the ring, besides two unidentified shapes lying on the ground, there stood a man in seemingly fitting attire for this place. Except that he had concealed armor and weapons. It seems they were in a similar situation here.

"So...do you happen to know what's going on here?" Mu yelled wiping some sort of ashes off his shoes. Boy was it dirty around him.

[Jacogos]

Lynk blinked a couple of times as his eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness, torn from this dark room as he was. He disliked when this kind of thing happened. It usually ended up in bloodshed... However, first inspection of his new surroundings told him that might not be the case this time.

It certainly looked like an arena of some sort, suspended out over what Lynk guess was quite the drop. People were fleeing the stands of the stadium, making Lynk wonder what had happened to cause such a stir. His appearance? He had no idea what was going on before he had been summoned here, so perhaps he had intruded on something rather innocent... People did tend to be frightened by the unknown.

Focusing on the far end of the arena, Lynk studied the man that appeared to have been brought here the same way he had been. He was dressed rather outlandishly, which is to say almost exactly like the kind of people Lynk had a habit of fighting. He too wielded a blade, a katana that outsized his own noticeably. Other than that, it was hard to tell what the man was; he resembled an elf with the pointed ears and sharp features, but he was hardly fair on the eyes like that mystical race.

Lynk's thoughts were interrupted by the man speaking. This surprised Lynk, as most times when he was summoned to a place, it was to fight. Did this man simply wish to talk? Did that mean he summoned Lynk here? If so, that meant he was magical and Lynk had little to worry about.

"What's going on with the people or why I was brought to this arena so suddenly?" Lynk asked in answer, shifting his stance slightly, his left side forward but still standing seemingly at ease. "I know the answer to neither of these, so I cannot help you there. Dd you summon me here?"

[Steampunk Samurai]

Mu was at a loss, this man across from him seemed just as lost as him, and he thought Mu had brought him here himself. Just as he was going to respond it appeared, the telltale symbol he knew too well. having looked through a sniper scope he knew it appeared much like a crosshair. Right on this man's chest was a mark to target him, of course he couldn't see it it was only meant for cyphers but there was no mistaking it. Which meant that Mu had no choice now. he drew his blade and took his stance.

"I'm sorry, whoever you are. I'm sure you didn't do anything wrong but, you've been marked for death." Mu steeled himself, he hated to kill with no purpose. But cyphers are weapons and clearly someone knew how to use them.

- - - Updated - - -

Mu was at a loss, this man across from him seemed just as lost as him, and he thought Mu had brought him here himself. Just as he was going to respond it appeared, the telltale symbol he knew too well. having looked through a sniper scope he knew it appeared much like a crosshair. Right on this man's chest was a mark to target him, of course he couldn't see it it was only meant for cyphers but there was no mistaking it. Which meant that Mu had no choice now. he drew his blade and took his stance.

"I'm sorry, whoever you are. I'm sure you didn't do anything wrong but, you've been marked for death." Mu steeled himself, he hated to kill with no purpose. But cyphers are weapons and clearly someone knew how to use them.

[Jacogos]

And there it was, the typical 'And now you must die' routine. Lynk did get the feeling that the man was seriously regretful of Lynk 'being marked for death' by the sound of his voice, but the hybrid had very little doubt that that regret would interfere with his ability to kill Lynk.

"Marked for death, eh? I see," Lynk responded, right hand going to his katana's hilt and drawing it out. Since the sheath was on his right side, Lynk was wielding the blade in a reverse grip, which he was used to. Perhaps katanas were not meant to be wielded that way, but logic usually didn't stop Lynk from doing something he wanted. "If that's the case..." Lynk proceeded to assume a ready stance, legs planted firmly apart and his form hunched, arms out and slightly forward, his left side still forward so that his sword arm was actually further away from the man than his gauntlet arm.

"You can call me Lynk," he finished, his face going somber as he focused. He was ready for this fight, no matter what this man might be.

[Steampunk Samurai]

Good, the man had a good feeling about him. He was strong, he could defend himself. Mu was tired of one-sided slaughter. Mu noticed Lynk took a particular stance keeping his empty hand closer to Mu. He noticed the strange metal device on his foe's arm. It must have been a weapon of sorts, though what it did was beyond Mu.

He decided to change tactics, sheathing his blade and unhooking it's holster from his side. Pointing the handle out at Lynk. Hopefully this would catch him by surprise.

"I am Mu. I hope you are strong because I cannot hold back." With that Mu ran full speed at Lynk, weapon held like before with one hand at his side.

[Jacogos]

Let's begin... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wismwZ65z70)


Just like that, the battle was begun... Lynk couldn't help a small smirk as the air tensed around them, ready for the bloodshed that was about to begin. He could feel a bit of primal hunger stir in his body from the anticipation, but he quelled it as an afterthought. He was beyond that petty form of sustenance. He was a demon hunter, not a demon, he told himself.

Forcing himself to focus on the task at hand, Lynk noted that the man resheated his weapon, now hold it as it was, hilt outward. That puzzled him, but he knew better than to think that the man was crazy. He was up to something, and Lynk had to be ready for whenever that something came.

But first, he had to deal with the first attack. The man who named himself 'Mu' rushed him, closing the football field-sized distance impressively quickly. The hybrid man tensed himself, wondering what the warrior could be up to. However, the man covered quite a bit of distance without doing anything else, so Lynk settled for a simple test shot. Focusing his power, Lynk fired his Energy Burn at Mu, a bolt of grayish fire shooting from his left hand and directly at the Cypher. Lynk had no idea if the man was magical or not, but this would certainly tell him either way if it managed to hit. If he was mundane, the attack would simply wash over him harmlessly. Otherwise... Lynk was eager to find out which.

[Steampunk Samurai]

Mu was closing the gap as quickly as he could, being disadvantaged at a longer range. He was nearing Lynk when the man suddenly send some sort of dim flame at him. Not knowing what it could hold for him, Mu dived to the left rolling out of the way of the attack.

He covered little more than halfway, close enough for his own flames to be used in bursts. Mu clicked in the mechanism on the hilt opening up the dragon's mouth. Now it was simply a matter of time, Mu focused his energy into the hilt causing a flame to glow from within. He steadied himself, as he could not unsheathe the blade while charging, and spells were equally useless right now. He could only try to avoid his foe for now.

[Jacogos]

Predestined battle? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz2W8ORN01U&list=PLWVsAPVIcoHFNOYxBXYhrsg4xqopRs6Uw&index=1)


The man dodged, as Lynk had half-expected. This gave him no clue as to which the man was: mundane or magical. Sighing inwardly, Lynk shifted his stance to keep the man in front of him even as the man did something with his sword to cause its dragon-head figure to open its mouth. Within, Lynk saw the beginnings of fire forming, which caused him to blink in surprise. Is that... part of the weapon? Or is he creating it? Lynk wondered, steadying himself as he thought of a way to fight around this new development.

Using Immolation this early wouldn't be very helpful... I'll end up hurting myself too soon. Might as well just play offensive... Directing his thoughts to the only other consciousness that could hear them, Lynk ordered his second shadow to come out of hiding, splitting out from his actual shadow and quickly stretching itself out towards Mu. It could gather information about the man, including if he was magical or not... It'd be helpful to know, especially now that Lynk was going in for close-quarters.

Pushing himself forward with his left foot, Lynk began to sprint towards Mu, mentally activating Fukushu. The glaive-gauntlet flicked open, blades pointing forward in the 'single' form, ready to lay open anything that Lynk swung at. Short of his opponent retreating, Lynk quickly closed the distance and laid on the pressure, pivoting on his right foot as he swung his katana at Mu's upper chest, causing him to spin into the attack and bring Fukushu around to slice at his legs.

[Steampunk Samurai]

Mu had to act fast, first lynk's shadow seemed to move towards him. Mu could only imagine what the purpose of it was. But before Mu could react Lynk himself charged Mu, his gauntlet revealing a single blade. Mu had to dodge quickly, first Mu leaned back as far as he could causing the katana to only leave a shallow cut then Mu quickly raised both legs just above the gauntlet and kicked off Lynk's chest and falling to the dirt and rolling backwards to his feet. A little more time was all Mu's needed for a decent flame. But Mu wondered what the purpose of the shadow was, he had lost track of it and tried to scan the area for it's whereabouts.

[Jacogos]

Let's play with fire! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tlDYJaCO8I)


Lynk grunted as the man's feet connected with his chest, sending him backwards. Kicking his legs up in response, the hybrid managed to backwards somersault into a a crouched position a few feet away, Fukushu retracting for a moment to make the maneuver easier. As soon as he was upright again, the blades swung back out into their previous position, ready again to kill.

During this, Lynk's shadow had managed to slide across Mu's form, gathering information about the man while he was distracted by Lynk himself. He was indeed somewhat magical, though Lynk could only get a vague sense of what he could do with said magic. All he knew was it was mostly offensive. What exactly he was, however, was something completely unknown to Lynk himself. A Cypher? What the hell would that be? he thought to himself, the information only opening more questions as it tended to do.

However, he did know his opponent was magical. That meant that he had a counter for him. However, he had to wait a little longer before he could get his Energy Burn again. For now, then...

"You like fire, bud?" Lynk asked, holding his left hand palm upwards and fingers slightly curled and apart, as if he was holding an invisible baseball. Muttering something in a guttural language, green fire burst into life in his hand. Closing his eyes, the hybrid crushed the fire in his fist, which responded by engulfing him in Immolation. For now, the flames didn't hurt him... That wouldn't last for long, however. Let's do this then...

"How about now?!" Lynk roared, rushing towards Mu once again. A simple thrust with his arm-blade would suffice for an opening attack, but he pulled back quickly, bringing his katana around for a chop at Mu's head. Once again spinning into the attack, Lynk brought Kage no Musuko all the way around instead of following up with Fukushu again. This time it was a downward vertical slash, which was in turn followed up by Lynk bringing his left arm up overhead to shove the arm-blade downward toward's Mu's chest. All the while, so long as Mu was within a few feet, the fires of Immolation would be licking at the Cypher's body.

[Steampunk Samurai]

Mu had managed to get back but not for long as Lynk had engulfed himself in flames moving in for another strike. His initial thrust was easily avoided but then he brought down his katana. Mu only had one hand free put he managed to catch the blade between his fingers, slowing it just enough for him to move to the side out of the way. Though his hand had gotten a nasty cut that would need bandaging before he bled out, a problem for later. This whole time these flames were eating at Mu, but his resistance to it was strong it would take a while for the real damage to come.

"Haven't seen that shadow in a while, what are you planning?" Now was the time to act, it would hit him too at this range but Mu had to counter. So Mu released the burst all at once between them, creating a hose-sized ball of fire that engulfed them both in bright flame.

[Jacogos]

It's burning us all! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TSpd3mvl3A)


I think you should be more worried about yourseAAAGHH!!" was what Lynk managed to say before being engulfed by a massive burst of fire. Swearing profusely, Lynk lept back and rolled, releasing his hold on Immolation all while trying to keep himself from catching aflame as well. Now a few dozen feet back from where he and Mu had engaged, Lynk hissed in pain as he righted himself, crouching and panting slowly.

The fire had proved very effective, holes burned in a few spots on his shirt and pants. The skin on his extremities sported a few second-degree burns where the fire had burned all the way through, though his chest had escaped damage due to his chainmail. The metal was still a bit hot, but the underlayer of padding helped insulate the heat. His hair was scorched at the tips and missing quite a bit on his left side, where he also bore a nasty burn. It hurt to simply blink his eyes.

"Quite the attack, there..." Lynk said with another hiss of pain. Talking hurt as well. "Guess I have to try harder!" Standing, Lynk took a deep breath as he let himself regain his composure. A silly thing... Cause I'm about to lose it, he thought with an internal chuckle. No doubt that ability had a cooldown... Which meant he was safe from that fire for now.

Lynk went into his Blood Frenzy then, his eyes turning into slits as he roared a challenge at Mu, Fukushu splitting into its horizontal form. His speed drastically increased as he went into a complex series of slashes and swipes, effortlessly switching from one weapon to the other as he drove his barrage forward. He sought Mu's blood, and he would have it. Anything less would mean his defeat.

[Steampunk Samurai]

Mu bought a little time wit the fire, but now Lynk was going into some primal state. Mu would be disadvantaged with the speed Lynk attacked with, he'd have to move back a bit. Mu did the handsigns quickly, using his flame jet to move to the top of the stands in a flash. Now he'd have a little time to come up with a plan. Mu surveyed the damage he caused with the flame. He had lost his coat completely and his legs were fairly burned but not useless. Otherwise he was unharmed, now he drew his blade. Hopefully this primal form would not last the trip over to him.

[Jacogos]

Where the Shadows lie... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtjUQ-rvFsY)


Panting heavily, Lynk knelt down to one knee, katana bracing himself in his right hand as he drove the blade into the ground about four inches. Not even a scratch... The man had reacted far too quickly for his liking, leaving Lynk drained and faintly hungry. Thankfully, the fact that the man had run away instead of simply dodging had allowed Lynk to pull back quicker, ending the frenzy before it consumed him.

Looking out over the massive gap between the platform they had fought on and the stands, the hybrid had to think for a moment about how he was even going to attempt to get over there. Looks like I have to resort to using him... Sighing in what seemed like defeat, Lynk stood slowly and bid his shadow to surround him.

Standing where he was, Lynk's form began to slowly fade into an ethereal state as the darker, second shadow swirled around him. For a moment, it seemed as if he was simply becoming an apparition, incorporeal and unable to be touched. However, if Mu did nothing, Lynk would simply disappear from view, completely Wrapped in Shadows.

[Steampunk Samurai]

There it was again, that second shadow. However now it seemed to play a larger role wrapping around Lynk and his form slowly vanishing.No time to reach him, he had used his only means of covering the distance. Now Mu had to react and his only choice was the armor. He began the handsigns, hopefully he could complete them before Lynk could hatch his plan.

[Jacogos]

When to strike? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tja6_h4lT6A)


Now Wrapped in Shadows, Lynk felt.... unclean. His vision of the world here was distorted, fading and growing sharper in odd places while also being hazy and consistently swaying at all times. That said, he was used to it by now, a feeling he did not relish. He didn't like resorting to his demon blood. It was a curse, not a blessing, something to be ignored, not used. He didn't like the sense of power it gave him... He preferred the power he had earned through the demon-hunter's training.

Straying out of his thoughts, Lynk Shadowwarped, stepping through the world and ending up a few feet behind Mu. The perfect assassination tool... To appear where you are not supposed to be, the easily able to disappear just as easily and without a trace to be found...

Too much power.

Lynk forced his shadow to bring him out of his incorporeal form, coming back into existence without a sound behind Mu. Without any preamble despite his distaste of surprise attacks, Lynk shot his Energy Burn at Mu's back, then lunged forward with his gauntlet-blades swinging into the frontal position, intent on shoving the weapon through his spine.

[Steampunk Samurai]

Mu turned when he felt the burn and quickly drew his blade desperately ignoring the pain swinging the katana, and connecting with Lynk's oncoming attack knocking his arm to the side. He would have tried aim for his heart, but the burning was too much. Mu leaps back a few feet barely standing but managing a stance. This burning was strange it reminded him of the burning he felt first obtaining his magic ability. Though this time much more severe. Could he be mimicking Mu's abilities somehow? No somehow he was using it against him. He could feel is flame dimming. "Not a bad trick." He said strengthening his stance. "I guess it's blades for a while then? Fine with me."

[Jacogos]

Music on Standby


Lynk smirked as he watched his Energy Burn strike true, meaning Mu was definitely going to feel the pain and emptiness for a moment. This would also tell Lynk if the warrior could easily regain his magical ability or if it was limited enough that one Burn would drain him completely. The hunter hoped for the latter, but wasn't about to count on it.

"Perhaps it is, at that," Lynk replied, recovering from his missed strike with practiced skill. The gauntlet shink'd into its sideways blade form, and Lynk readied himself as well, rolling his shoulders to try to get rid of the ache of fatigue he was beginning to feel.

However, instead of rushing forward, Lynk waited where he was. He had been the one to start engagements this entire fight, and it had gotten him a lot of nothing as a result. Time to see if the Cypher could engage adequately.

[Steampunk Samurai]

Lynk waited for Mu to strike at him, with this burning sapping his power his blade was all that was left to him. Luckily he was god with it. He sheathed it, and darted around Lynk striking for several small, shallow cuts. Mu moved quick, and struck randomly as he learned long ago. This was just to slow Lynk down. Mu had sharpened all of his sword skills. From the draw, to the kill, to re-sheathing. He never even left blood on his blade.

"That may have been your biggest mistake my friend." He said jumping back after the seventh stroke.

[Jacogos]

Lynk nearly found himself smiling as he deftly deflected most of Mu's attacks with his combo of Fukushu and Kage no Musuko. A slice went across his cheek, split his left side, and nipped the front of his right leg in turn before he managed to get into the 'flow' of Mu's attacks. The man's fighting style disturbed the hybrid to no end, causing Lynk's face to darken in anger.

He fights like him... he thought in a hiss, flicking his katana at Mu after the man's last attack in retaliation, aiming for a cut along the inside of the man's arm. Meanwhile, Lynk deactivated his gauntlet weapon. The device closed in on itself with a snap even as he was moving his hand for something at his side.

With no reply to the Cypher's words, Lynk tossed his net trap into the air above his opponent. The faint click of him pressing the fuse's trigger was the only warning Cypher had that it was even dangerous. Five second passed and the explosive activated, sending the net trap earthward almost instantaneously.

[Steampunk Samurai]

Mu felt the sting of the blade on his arm but he was more worried about the explosive aboveLynk had activated. Mu decided the safest direction to go was towards Lynk. After all he'd have to have made it safe for himself so Mu thrust his blade forward hoping to finish it there. He didn't want to fight Lynk in the first place. But he was a weapon, and the one with the trigger wanted Lynk dead.

[Jacogos]

Lynk grunted as he felt the man's blade ram through his side; the hybrid had not moved quickly enough to avoid the attack entirely, and now what once was a small nick was an entire sword through his skin. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Lynk watched as the net trap entered the ground behind Mu, ineffective in its entirety.

"Blast..." he managed to spit as his left hand went for the man's wrist, hoping to hold onto him for but a moment. The demon-vampire's katana twirled in his right hand as he switched from the inverse grip to a normal one. Rage burning in his emerald eyes, Lynk made for a decapitating slice, determined to end this fight once and for all.

[Steampunk Samurai]

Mu had to leave his blade, and avoiding the sword would be impossible. So he slowed it down with his left hand. Giving himself the time to dodge out of the way. He lost all but his thumb. Guess there wasn't much left he could do. Panting he stood ready. "Guess I'm cooked." Mu saw the crosshair vanish. It was a failsafe to conserve cyphers who became too injured to fight. Mu needed both hands to do most of his attacks.

"What do you want to do Lynk? I can't change the fact that I attacked you." Mu took a stance, right arm forward."But that's a nasty cut you have too." Mu stood ready.

[Jacogos]

Lynk was clenching his teeth in an effort to keep himself from howling in pain as he slowly slipped Mu's sword out of his wound, cutting into his hand as he was forced to grip it by the blade to effectively pull it out without worsening the gouge. As soon as it was out all the way, Lynk let the weapon drop, listening to the Cypher speak even as he did so.

"I have no true quarrel with you," Lynk grunted, managing to slip his katana into its sheath without causing himself too much pain. "And if you spoke the truth, neither do you with me. That said, continuing to fight will kill me quicker than I believe you could without your sword, so I will withdraw." Lynk watched the man for a reaction, smirking slightly after a second. He couldn't keep the strain from his eyes and face, though.

"You fought well... Maybe we'll meet again sometime... to finish what we started." And with that said, Lynk began to Wrap himself in Shadows, fading from the world as he had before. It was not for an attack this time, however. Instead, Lynk was simply preparing to leave, to Shadowwarp somewhere where he could properly heal himself and rest.

[Steampunk Samurai]

"The crosshair will appear to all of us. So even if we never meet again. You may run into one of my brethren. beware of them and good luck."Mu watched as Lynk vanished im a vale of shadows. He decided he too should get treatment, his missing fingers would pose a problem. But for now the Cypher was left wondering who wanted Lynk Eris dead, and how he was able to use control spells. Mu picked up his sword walking out of the nearest entrance, clutching at his stumped fingers as he went.