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Thread: Round 3: Duelist (Isobella) VS. Druid (Fiona) - Judge Kris

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    Default Round 3: Duelist (Isobella) VS. Druid (Fiona) - Judge Kris

    You wake upon hard wood, to the movement of the wind upon the water.

    You soon realize that you are at the docks of some town, but aside of you and your rival, the place is empty.

    There are 2 big boats upon you can climb and a small one standing in a row at that order. (all placed in horizontal row, as seen in this picture or this one)


    (Ship 1- big boat)___ | (Ship 2- big boat)|__________ |(Ship 3- small boat)|

    | _________________ | |________________________ | |____________________


    ----------------------------------- (ducks)-----------------------------------------------

    The waters are VERY cold so keep that in mind... If you fall into it, it may affect your movements and speed.

    After two posts are done by the both of you (4 posts in total), I will make a post to change the arena's setting a bit.

    Koti~ is to go first.

    Good luck!

    (You have 5 posts per person and 72 hours to respond between each post.)
    Last edited by Kris; 07-06-2015 at 08:26 PM. Reason: adding sketches and images

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    One cage to another, a prison is a prison…


    Her hand slammed down hard on the stone wall, the heavy thud echoing in the dim light. After having been brought back from the chessboard, her memory had returned. Flashes and images danced in her mind, all revolving around the simple point. Her eyes bore into the unforgiving stone.

    She was born and bred as a weapon, caged like a lion to be used at the ring leader's behest. The hatred that had burned inside, no where nearly justified from the scraps that she had. She pounded her other fist into the wall, pain resounding through her arm. It stung, like each slap of the blade, the cold metal biting into her skin.

    She wasn’t human to them, she was a tool. A dull blade to be sharpened and honed, to be passed off to the next general or commander who needed an easy fix, a tool that could be replaced with ease.

    And now … Here she was again. But worse.

    They had stripped her of her memory, had forced her to become a plaything, erasing the taste of freedom, the hard earned relief. Days spent training her left, honing and mastering her skill to take that vile man's life.

    The twisted game masters would feel her wrath soon enough. She wouldn’t falter now. She had come too far, had accepted pain and torture, the sleepless nights, and the unyielding pain to get her freedom. She stared now at her hand, her face devoid of emotion, a scowl the only show of disdain. The pain was there, the harsh surface leaving a dull pain in her right hand, now more familiar than ever before.

    These game masters thought they would break her, that they could get by so easily to strip her memory, only to return it when she performed her tricks for them?

    She would prove them wrong, with the cold bite of her blades. A beast from the wild is still a beast, and treating it like a toy would only end in one way. Someone will die.


    Isobella would not die twice.

    =========================

    The first blow. Bring the rain

    Isobella let out a deep breath as she appeared on the wooden surf. The first assault to her senses was the taste of brine and sea salt. It was bitter, sharp and prominent, demanding her attention. The second was the sight. Atop the wooden peer, she could see into the vast expanse of the sea, ending only with the ice blue sky above her. The joy and pride one would feel from the sight would delight any heart, no matter the reason for leaving.

    The silence of the place felt deafening to her. Not a soul was anywhere, the only sound was her steady breathing, flooding her body with the salty air. The wood, worn as it was, barred no marks of recent passage. None of sailors lugging materials and hauls for the ships. None of the drunken soldiers on leave from the navy. Not even of the lovers wishing their sweethearts goodbye. Either the heathens had stolen another world, or the ocean had claimed them. Either or, it promised that none save her and her opponent would be here. It seemed now just an empty shell, designed for the cruel purpose of a bored god looking to play with their new toys.

    It only made her seethe. To be put in such an inviting place, a promise of escape so close, yet the reigns held tight that she wouldn’t escape. Another inch she would drive her blade into the Game Masters hearts. She tore her eyes away from the sight to glare upon the ships, their sails pulled up as the ships rested. They looked worn; well versed vessels of the ocean and the many lands that lay between here and there. The many riggings and ropes made her envision a spiders web, deadly to all but those that know its means, and how to use them to save your life.

    Both katana’s slowly slid out of their respective sheaths, the metallic sound echoing across the waters and dead harbor. It was a sickening omen, one of bad things to come. For Isobella was enraged. The promise of freedom here felt as fleeting as her chances at freedom, within reach yet so far away.

    Her eyes roved, taking in the soaked and creaking pier, bent and warped under the mighty sea and weary traveler. They would provide more than enough movement for her, allow her blades more than enough room to end the life of the foolish enemy that would now dare stand in her way. They would stop at nothing to remove any obstacle, no matter the cost.

    Her eyes once again traveled to the wake of the water, the white foam looking none too comforting. Even now it seemed to pass a shiver through her, raise the hairs on the back of her neck of the cold that permeated the air, and the unknown shadows that lay beneath the surface.

    Another long breath passed over her body, bringing once again that salty taste, this time comforting. She would be like this ocean, consuming all and giving no respite. The anger that burned in her would temper her, strengthen her beyond any pain, stall any who would try to break her.

    She knew not her opponent, but it mattered little. They were just a stepping stone to her. Something to be passed over, or shattered beneath her foot. Anything would be fine to her. She had a new target, to get back what had been so readily taken, yet so hard fought to get.

    She headed to the far end of the pier, her back now to the ocean as she stared down the wharf, ships to her right and buildings to her left. Here she would make her stand. Her left foot took lead, firmly embedded on the wooden deck, her right pointed out more towards the ocean. Flicking the left blade up, she held it steady, the glimmering metal resting comfortably in her grasp, vertical with her body. Her right took the opposite, pointing down to her right foot, resting by, but ready to strike.

    “Come what fool may hide here, for this shall mark your grave. I will spare you no mercy if you choose to fight, so surrender your life now, for your chances of leaving are now forfeit.” She spoke into the waiting air, her voice harder than steel, the weight of her statement alone would make even the strongest pause in their actions and take heed, for there was no force on earth that could stop her now.


    "Even Dreams, can be a nightmare"
    Spoiler: Click it, I dare ya! 




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    Fiona was back in the cold stone cell again and it made her feel more constrained than usual. She paced back and forth across the cell in a predatory manner, like a tiger trapped in a little cage. It took her no more than five, maybe ten steps to make it all the way across the cell depending onto the length of her stride. She wanted to run, she wanted to get away from this cold, dank feeling that separated her from the warmth that she really wanted to feel. The warmth of the sun on her skin, the warm and yet cool earth beneath her bare feet. The rough feel of leaves or tree branches under her hands, not this cold, smooth stone.

    A squeaking noise distracted her from her frustration and she glanced to the cell door, where her mouse friend had come from. Quickly squatting to the ground, Fiona held out her hand and whispering to the mouse. They'd developed a friendship, since she'd been stuck here. Not that it was hard, she'd always had a way with animals. She remembered calling birds and all types of other animals to her with just her song. After this last fight she also remembered that she could, in some cases see through or even become another animal. She remembered doing it with birds, but she didn't know if it would work with anything else.

    As the mouse crawls into her hand, the young girl calmed slightly and went to sit down in one of the back corners of the cell. From here, she liked to imagine she could feel the earth on the other side of the wall. Holding the little mouse in her hand, she closed her eyes as she gently petted it's fur while beginning to sing a hauntingly sweet song, that could enthrall any who heard it. But she was alone, with only the mouse there to hear her. After a while she lay down, falling into a fit-full doze, the little mouse curled up on her neck under her hair.




    When she awoke she sat up stretching only to realize she was not where she'd fallen asleep and that her little mouse friend was not longer there. Instead she felt a cool breeze blowing through her messy hair. The squawk of seagulls in the background and the creak of timbers made her heart soar. She wasn't trapped in that darken cell, like Persephone trapped in the Underworld with Hades.

    Standing she felt the sun-warmed wood under her feet and the ocean lapping against the hull of the boat she was on making it rock gently under her feet. A bright smile lit up her face for a moment as she relaxed in the bright sun, feeling it against her skin. She just wanted to lay there like some great reptile and soak up as much as she could before she was forced back into that cold dark cell. Her happy moment was broken by that thought and she opened her eyes again, though this time narrowed wearily. Every other time she found herself outside of her cell, she'd been forced to fight another. This time was no different, she was sure.

    Sure enough, moments later she heard a female voice call out a challenge. “Come what fool may hide here, for this shall mark your grave. I will spare you no mercy if you choose to fight, so surrender your life now, for your chances of leaving are now forfeit.” Little Fiona glowered hearing that, she acted like she had any choice in the matter to come here. She no more wanted to be fighting now then she had in any of the other "matches" that she'd been thrown into.

    From where she stood, she couldn't see the woman. To her right was a smaller ship then the one she stood on and to her left was another ship of a similar size to the one she was one. Ahead of her was the mast of the ship. Up, she always had to get up. It provided an advantage for sight, it was the high ground. Fiona ran toward the rope rigging and easily scurried up it. She stepped out on the yardarm of the main mast and looked around keeping her balance easily on the rocking ship. It was no harder than standing on tree branches in the sharp winds. Down below, she noticed a woman with duel swords drawn as she looked for her opponent. Fiona crouched down on the balls of her feet, one of her hands resting lightly on one of the ropes that crisscrossed the area and the other rested on the warm wood of the mast. Fiona was as patient as the Earth that she thrived and as fierce as any natural disaster. She wouldn't fight unless force, but nor would she lower herself to surrender.

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    Changing the game…

    Isobella had to count herself lucky in that moment. From the silence of the air, to the stillness of the world; spotting her enemy was rather child's play. The mousy creature, clad in a shawl so thin it probably would tear without hesitation, had darted up to the mast of the ship she had been on. Odds were that she had been dumped there by the game masters. With minor disdain, she took her time to watch the thing scamper up the rigging, quickly making it to the yardarm of the main mast. There it perched on the edge of the yardarm, balanced perfectly despite the gentle sway of the ship. Dropping her left sword some, she watched it, waiting for any sign of hostility or fear. She was able to place the creature as a female, the shawl stilled and the golden locks draped around her thin frame. It was strange, staring down this woman, who looked no more than 100 pounds soaked.

    Nothing about her gave away the fact that she was a fighter of any sort., no weapon or armor, and choosing to stay away rather than face her. Isobella was quick to judge this woman a magic user of sorts, as she had no bow or sling, no arrow or stone. Unless this woman was hiding away claws and fangs, her actions spoke of magic user. The thin frame and decisions to stay her distance were good inclinations. The next course of action would need to be careful, as a simple misstep could lead to her doom.

    Isobella took a slow breath then, steeling her nerves.. Annoyance and disgust were roaring inside her, damning the fools who had set this up, placing her against a cowardly mage that could likely cast fancy light shows and nothing more. After giving her back her memories of fighting for her freedom, she was now up against this lightweight of a fighter? It was an insult to her, and to her challenges. The woman looked like she barely had a challenge in her life. Now though was not the time to get lost in her thoughts, she needed to end this fight quickly.

    With the woman staying her distance, she would need to close their distance to stand a chance. The second major problem was the woman herself. With her actions of taking the high ground, she was at a disadvantage when the actual combat started. Eyes flicked around the dock, taking in the scene as before, settling onto the three ship masts, eyes darting back to the one the woman was rested on. Idea after thought popped into her mind, her right blade performing small circles near her foot as she planned. Settling on one, she was ready to make her move.

    Shift her weight; keeping her eyes glued to the woman, she darted to her right, body dropping low and swords scraping the grounds. Isobella headed towards the nearest ship and up onto the deck. She jumped at the top of the gangplank, hanging in the air before bringing both swords down on the ropes, cutting through the ropes that hung on one side of the main mast. Landing, she was quick to follow up and slice downwards on the center mast, blades cutting through the thick wood. It took seconds for it to happen, the sudden loss of tension from one side, and the 45 degree cut cause the mast to start sagging, leaning dangerously towards the other boat. She headed back though and stepped onto the edge, and jumped. She sailed, landing onto the mast before digging her blades in. The wood groaned, her added weight forcing it to fall faster, the sounds of rope snapping cracking through the still air deafening.

    Her mind was already at work as she held on. She counted her heart beat, bracing as the cut mast finally hit the deck to start its descent. It was jarring, but nowhere near enough to throw her. The beam groaned loudly as it finally began to fall proper, the last bit of roping pulling it down straight to the other ship. As soon as she could, Isobella pulled her blades free, both sliding out with minor resistance. On this sloped a ground, she would need to watch her footing most of all.

    Her blades pointed down and out, acting as a balance to her before she darted, heavy boots digging into the wood as the mast sank, scrapping and breaking the wooden deck, before finally colliding with the other mast. It cause it to jolt off, splinters flying off in separate directions as it threw itself onto the other ship. Isobella had already left the mast. She had jumped upon the collision of the mast, using the forceful crash to help propel her into the air. The world seemed to slow for a hearts beat as she looked down, the destruction almost beautiful.

    She watched below her as the destroyed mast crashed down onto the second ship with a jarring crunch, making it wobble and shake. Isobella landed heavily on the main yardan, digging her right blade into the wood to hold her steady. Her blade severed the furthest rope holding up the sail, allowing it to flutter down uselessly. She crouched there, allowing the world to catch up with her as her lungs began working properly once more, gulping down the heavily salted air.

    10 seconds. That’s how long she had taken. Standing slowly, she let out a soft sigh, hefting her left blade onto her shoulder. Her right hung by her side, pointing into the ground before re-locating her target, thankful she had avoided taking any hits at the moment. Her legs were still a bit shaken, the first jarring having thrown off her tempo a bit, the sway of the mast being the second.

    Her eyes darted down for a moment, the shattered mast having broken a hole into the second ship, and leaving large fragments of wood scattered about. It would be a dangerous place to land if she was forced to, so a second way down would be needed. She would worry about it when the time would come, but now was not that time.

    Finally, she felt ready, leveling her left sword to her side, her right pointing forward in order to defend herself, the left hanging by her side ready for any attack that may come her way.

    Corner and cage, that was her plan. Force the woman into the open, to draw out her opponent in a single line, and leave them no way to run. She wasn’t about to play a game of cat and mouse. No, this was hunter vs prey, and she was starved.


    "Even Dreams, can be a nightmare"
    Spoiler: Click it, I dare ya! 




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    Fiona's eyes met the woman's as she sized her up. Taking her own few seconds to make her judgments about the woman. The woman appeared older than her and her lightly pointed ears made Fiona think she may be elfin, of elf-kin at least. She and the elves had always gotten along well, though this woman clearly didn't feel the same kinship of nature as the others. The dwarf before her had recognized her, despite their slightly different natures. Yet when the two should be getting along, elf and druid, that did not seem to be the case. Instead, Fiona only saw distain, anger, disgust in her opponent's eyes as she looked upon Fiona. There would be no discussion, no chance of not fighting this time. The woman was out for Fiona's blood and it appeared nothing less would satisfy that growing hunger in her eyes. A hunger that the druid recognized. The hunger of predator for prey.

    She watched carefully, unmoving as the woman charged. It had been what she'd expected, as a close ranged fighter she had no choice but to get close. With her challenge so brazenly yelled out earlier, Fiona knew she'd be forced to fight. There would be no running away and avoiding her opponent as she was so often did. As the near embodiment of nature and immortal, time was normally on the girl's side and nature could out last anything given enough time. However, this one didn't seem so patient.

    As Fiona watched, she let her anger grow. Her anger at being forced into these damn fights, for while she preferred the company of nature and the flora and fauna that lived there, she was also had respect for all life and these fights kept forcing her to put that aside. She regretted what had happened to the other two opponent's she'd faced, especially the dwarf who'd been kind despite all what they had been forced into. However, Fiona's survival instinct was stronger than her general will to be non-combative.

    The gentle breeze brushed against her skin as the swordswoman boarded the smaller boat and took a flying leap her swords aiming for the mast of the ship. Had she not been so focused in her own thoughts, Fiona might have been appreciative over the woman's acrobatic abilities or the fact that she managed to cut enough into the mast to cause it to start to fall toward her ship, much in the way a felled tree would fall, slow at first, but building up speed as it's weight pulled it down to earth. The thought caused Fiona to bristle even more, again bringing up the memories of being trapped in that cold, stone cell.

    Fiona was meant to be with nature, to be in nature and to find herself removed from everything that she knew that she felt comfortable in...the feeling of being a caged lion was returning with a vengeance, but this time there was no little mouse to calm her. Now it only fueled her anger as her opponent drew nearer. The mast from the small ship bumped and jolted the mast she was on. In her position with the holds she had, Fiona was barely affected by the movement, instead rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet, easily keeping her balance.

    The woman landed in front of her, one sword embedding into the wood, probably to help her maintain balance. She didn't seem nearly as comfortable as Fiona was with the rocking of the ship. An advantage for her. Fiona watched and waited silently as the woman remained crouched for a second or more, but as the woman stood unencumbered so too did she. The woman held out her swords in a defensive position and one that helped her retain her balance, while Fiona stood there appearing somewhat relaxed, her hands hanging by her side. Neither reaching for a hand hold nor pulling the beautifully carved staff from her back.

    She'd cut off one route of escape by knocking down the mast behind her, that left escape only behind or to the crow's nest, but with the woman's apparent speed, Fiona knew even with her own considerable speed she would get no where in the long run. However, she was done with being the meek lamb led to slaughter. She'd show these game makers what was in store for them once everything was over. They'd see the lion's fierceness that rested, hidden in her heart only released when trapped, when caged. Fiona narrowed her eyes, this woman wanted to cage her too. Herd her, force her down. She'd show her...she'd show all of them. A feral grin crept across Fiona's face as she met the gaze of the woman.

    With an anger and hardness in her old eyes, Fiona pulled fiercely at the wind with her mind. Calling it to her bidding, feeding it with her anger and it came. It came with no warning, such was the sudden fierceness of Fiona's released anger. The wind whipped in from land suddenly at a startling speed, nearing 60 miles per hour. The force hitting the woman would be enough to knock her from her unsteady footing. The fall down to the ground below could prove fatal, especially now with all the littered debris from her destructive method of getting up to the girl. If the woman was lucky, the wind might have hit her with enough force to knock her clear into the water, if she was lucky. Serves her right, Fiona thought unsympathetically as she stood amidst the gale force winds appearing unaware and unaffected except for her whipping clothes and hair. She stood have stayed on the ground.
    Last edited by Megilwen; 07-11-2015 at 06:15 PM. Reason: Grammer type things

  6. #6
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    Something's rising from the depths. The water rippled under the dock in a clear pillar of a gushing stream and the waves are licking the boats as they are crushing into the woods.

    You are able to avoid the impact but soon something emerges; A giant octopus.

    Spoiler:  


    How long can the fight last now?

    Water impacting, pieces of wood scattered to the winds and it all starts to crumble around as it flails its tentacles in a rhythmic tempo, smashing down one leg at a time

    It can and will hit or even grab you, so your only chance to survive is to take your use of the now damaged surroundings to the extreme

    [For the coming posts you are going to fight while avoiding the octopus as its tentacles hitting water and slamming on the wood].

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    Ocean of time, Patience of steel..

    As Isobella finally regained eyesight with the woman, she was pleased to what she found there. The feral eyes and wild snarl had her pleased internally, her face still just a mask of cold logic. The cowardly woman finally seemed willing to fight. Upon closer inspection, she spied the woman’s weapon, an ornate wooden staff on her back. Close inspection could show the beautiful carvings upon it, along with the decorations upon the top. She bared no worry to it though, the woman's small, thin stature didn’t give any credence to the force of her physical strength. She ignored it for now as she focused on the woman.

    The woman could be a danger to those who had a heart. Her smooth and porcelain features would make her eye catching to any man, while those alluring green eyes would lull even the vicious of them. To Isobella, they were just another obstacle, put before her to stay her hand. She focused, spinning her right blade a few times as she studied the woman, watching those soft green eyes fill with more anger, fierce as any wild animal, and hard as the earth.

    What she hadn’t expected was the sudden burst of wind that slammed into her. Mild annoyance masked her shock, her body reacting before her mind could retaliate. Her right hand dropped, plunging her sword deep into the wood of the yardarm just enough to stall her at the tip. She was now crouched, bent low and holding onto her sword as her cloak snapped around her violently. With the strength of the wind, Isobella couldn’t move forward.

    Was this a trick of the game masters? A way to keep the two of them off balance, both of them rather lightweights.

    One peek up told her otherwise. The woman, save her violent moving hair, and nearly disrobed from it, was still standing still in the hurricane. The howling winds nearly drowned out her thoughts, pulling her hood down and forcing her to squint. She had been right to call this woman a mage, though she had been off with the caliber. With the force of the wind, she wouldn’t be able to get close to her. Her speed meant nothing on this mast and this wind. If she had more playing field other than the tiny stump of wood she was now crouched on, she would be able to force her way forward. No, a new plan would be needed.

    If she could manage to slip behind her, and into the crows nest, she could form a better plan. She studied the beam, figuring that she might be able to the sail to slide down to the next one and head up, though now that she could tell that the woman could draw out the wind, she would need to remain in cover during her movement.

    Her thoughts were suddenly jarred as the boat rocked badly, the creaking sound of shattered wood just barely reaching her ears over the winds. Her attention was pulled for a minute as she managed to hold onto her blade as she had slipped from her seated position so that she was now hanging with her legs dangling in the air. Looking down at the water, she watched as the water pulsed and churned, a large purplish pink object appeared.

    An Octopus. A giant octopus with bulging black eyes, and massive writhing tentacles. Its purplish pink flesh greatly contrasted the clear blue water, while it’s pinkish underside could only be seen for brief flashes when its tentacles rose up to slam down on the water. Constantly moving and thrashing about, the water beneath seethed and frothed, the boats reacting in kind as it battered those as well, sending them into the docks.

    This, she knew, was the trick that the game masters had sent her. Last time, they brought giant chess pieces alive to try and squish her, but now they send her an Octopus. It was thrashing and swaying around, breaking boat and dock alive, as the water splashed aroud both. As their boat jarred again, Isobella went from thinking of how to get at the mage girl, towards the thought of getting somewhere safe and stable. Sheathing her left blade, she pulled herself up more to the wood as her eyes darted around more. Her mind snapped from the less damaged boat that was rocking against the wave, to the sail beneath her, fluttering harshly in the wind. Taking a few moments to think, she allowed her mind to plan as she gazed back at the woman, slipping her knife out and staring down at the sail as her plan clicked in place.

    Focusing, the knife became an arrow in her mind, a steel tip ready to stab or pierce anything in its path. Allowing herself to slip from the wood once more, she hurls the blade, slicing through a third of the roping on the sail before it was caught by the wind and flung away, sailing through the air to parts unknown. It was a small sacrifice.

    Bundling up the now much looser sail, she planted one foot onto the yardarm and pushed, dislodging her blade and sending her swinging on it. The second she was out of the hurricane winds, the world of sound returned to her, allowing her to hear the groan and crack of wood. Each second she flew on the sail, she was jolted just a small bit, the remaining section of rope break under her weight. Quickly sheathing the remaining blade, Isobella made short work of her ride as she reached the apex, the sail pulling free and a bellow of pain. She released her hold and send herself sprawling through the air, her mid air spin half broken by the tentacle that nearly slammed her into the water, having caught her leg and sent her into a tail spin.

    Her trip was short, before she managed to land abruptly into the rigging on the other ship, upside down and tangled into the rope. She rested, allowing her mind to catch up with her body before she moved, quickly pulling free and slicing the netting, sending her into a sprawled heap on the deck.

    She was quick back to her feet, eyes snapping to the octopus, thrashing much more violently before at the boat she had been on, a glint of metal coming from its right eye, half closed in what appeared to be pain. Her knife, having been guided by the woman's wind, had managed to pierce the creature in its eyeball, further enraging it.

    This was helpful to Isobella though. Now with a broken sail and rampaging octopus, the mage girl would have to move, lest she risk getting sucked into the water, or smashed into the ship below. Once the woman landed, with what few options she had, Isobella would take her chance then, giving her opponent no respite in her running, nor a chance to compose and focus her magic again.


    "Even Dreams, can be a nightmare"
    Spoiler: Click it, I dare ya! 




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    Disappointment flittered across Fiona’s face as the warrior woman failed to be knocked off the yardarm by the wind. She narrowed her eyes, this woman was apparently stronger and quicker than she’d thought. Saving herself from what would have most likely been a deadly fall. Fiona watched the emotions that played on both the woman’s face and in her eyes and was pleased. If she could get to the woman mentally, then she’d start to make mistakes in her desire to win whatever game that they were in. She wanted to win, Fiona wanted to survive.

    She was about to step forward intent toward the woman, intent on truly sending her blowing away in the violent wind, when both her thoughts were broken as the ship rocked suddenly under her feet. Fiona was able to keep her balance but reached out one hand to the mast next to her for extra support. From the depths of the water came a magnificent beast that she’d never encountered before.

    She read stories about the mighty sea creature. It’s shining black eyes holding an intelligence that she only wished she could understand. It had eight long, sucker covered tentacles that waved about slamming against the water, ships, and docks. The tentacles sent wood splintering and scattering across the water. The octopus appeared angry at their intrusion on its territory. Before she could ponder about the reason, a ripping sound pulled her attention in time to see the woman swinging away on the sail of the ship. She stepped to follow her only to hear a loud screeching noise from the beast.

    Turning her head, she saw a knife imbedded into the creature’s as it squealed louder in pain and its thrashing tentacles began slapping the water and the ships in each reach with more force than before. Fiona felt her heart squeeze as she listened to the poor animals pain. Her fight against the woman forgotten in an instant as she released her control on the wind, it dying down immediately to the soft breeze from earlier as she ran swiftly along the yardarm. Getting to the end, she only had to wait a second before one of the long tentacles of the creature came slamming toward her. Timing her leap, she managed to land on the tentacle and began to slide down the sloping length.

    The slick skin of the tentacles aided in her quick speed, though the Octopus was not pleased at his new companion and one of the tentacles swung past her causing her to have to duck in order to not be hit. Running, leaping, and dodging as she needed, the whole trip just made her think about her time in the forests moving and leaping from tree branch to tree branch as she raced the animals there. Fiona managed to make it to the creature’s giant head that stuck out of the water and with one final jump, she landed on its head. In a swift motion, she pulled the knife from the animal’s eye increasing its anger in the moment.

    She clung to the creature’s massive head as the tentacles swung fiercely around the ship and the water that they sat in. The slick skin of the octopus made it difficult to hold on and it’s trashing made her slip a few times nearly falling into the cold water that splashed at her ankles. The middle ship that she and the woman had been on had begun sinking down to the ocean floor. Cooing softly to the angered and injured creature, she began singing to it sweetly, trying to calm the creature as she hung on. The song echoed across the open ocean for any to hear. Even the woman who’d somehow made it safely to the other ship would hear it above the noise.

    The notes floated on the wind, drawing the attention of every creature in the area, in the sea or above. Calling them toward her, whether intentionally or not. Fiona merely wanted to calm the great sea beast. Guilt wracking her small frame. She was responsible for its injury. The wind that she’d called had to have carried the knife out her. The woman’s knife that she still held in her hand. Fiona threw the knife into the sea, wanting to be rid the cursed thing. As the octopus calmed under her hand and at her voice, Fiona’s anger grew again. How dare she harm such a creature?! Fiona would make sure by the end of this contest, that she’d never harm any living thing again.

  9. #9
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    Forgotten and alone ...

    As the woman began her move, Isobella took her time to study the woman. She was swift to move, agile and at ease on the rather unsteady surface. Her body showed no hesitation as she leaped from the yardarm, flowing like water down the octopus’ arm. It made Isobella maliciously gleeful to watch the woman running towards the wounded creature, flying like the wind that had been forgotten. Even the monsters attacks didn’t faze the woman as she moved about, bending and swaying like tall grass on an open plane. It was obvious what she was doing, their fight all but abandoned by one of the combatants.

    The mage cared for the creature, to some extend. Enough to risk victory and her life to comfort the poor beast, shown by the wispy girl yanking the dagger free of the creatures eye, only to be followed by a loud bellow from the octopus. Even the violent thrashing of the octopus wasn’t enough to throw the stalwart woman off of it. What made Isobella pause with mild surprise was what the woman started to do next.

    She sang.

    It was a soothing and eye catching piece. It held weight, easily enticing those who would be in range of the song. Isobella, even at her distance, could hear it well, the words flitting on the wind with weight. Her hands eased a tiny bit as the woman continued to sing, holding onto the octopus. It showed power and care, something that felt foreign and strange to Isobella. She took a few moments to allow the woman to sing, allow the soothing song to float through the air. Even the wounded creature began to relax. It wasn’t until the thrashing had stopped that it became clear what was happening.

    Between the weight of the song, and the soothed creature, it dawned on Isobella what was happening. This woman, who had risked her life to get to it, was soothing and calling to the creature. It was hard to tell, but from how lax the creature had become, it seemed that the woman was commanding it in some way. If she tossed in how at ease she was in the wind storm earlier, along with the suddenness, Isobella began to figure out this strange woman.

    She wasn’t just an ordinary mage. She couldn’t recall many of them, but few seemed as docile and caring as this woman. Isobella couldn’t place seeing a mage sing to calm a creature before. This woman was more than just a simple magic user. She was more akin to a druid or nature tamer of sorts. It spoke ill then that she was now rested atop the giant octopus. If Isobella allowed her to stay out there, along with her magic, this fight would be one sided quickly.

    She needed to even the playing field, and fast. Looking back to the creatures closed eye, she began to formulate a plan of motion. It was short, but it would take care of one threat at least, and it was what she wanted. She had a move that could help her, but with her dagger floating down to the bottom of the ocean, she couldn’t risk losing another.

    Being on a ship though presented plenty of options for her to be able to reclaim her weapons when needed. She glanced around quickly, sheathing her left blade as she looked, making sure that nothing was overlooked. Spying what she needed, she dashed over to the bundle of rope lying near the side, a flotation ring attached to the end of it. One quick stroke severed the rope, before she stuck her blade in the floor boards. Sh tied two knots into the rope, testing the strength and length, which would be more than enough for what she needed. One of them she tied over at least two times, making it as thick as she wanted.

    Grabbing her wedged blade, she lined it with one of the knots before stabbing home, wedging it tight inside the binding while also keeping the knot intact due to it’s size. The second she wrapped around her arm and hand, making sure the knot was held firmly in her grasp. It was a strange plan, but would prove more than useful.

    She headed to the far side of the ship, away from the woman and octopus, wanting to get as much distance as she could. She flicked her arm harsh, sending a rippling wave along the ropes length to fully stretch it out. Isobella aligned herself then with her target, her eyes dead set on the woman before taking a hold of the blade, adjusting for the added weight of the knot.

    Now she needed to breath, taking in the air she could and counting the measure, stealing her focus and sights on the woman. Holding her left hand up, she held up her blade, one quick glance down to assure she wouldn’t trip on the rope.

    Now.

    Taking in a sharp breath, she held it, her chest expanded before darting forward, grace as the wind. She exhaled, throwing her full weight and speed into the toss, the sound of cut wind hitting her as the blade sailed forward, the slither of roping on the deck cascading around her, before the blade struck.

    Just off the center between the octopus’ eyes. The shriek from the creature was deafening and painful, Isobella nearly jerked off her footing as the creature began to jerk and spasm painfully in the water, churning the waves into a violent froth.

    With an almighty jerk of the rope, the blade slipped free of the creature's head, a second pull with her right hand bringing it closer outside of the tentacles range. The blade itself flashed blue as it finally dipped into the water, splashing quietly considered to the creature.

    Isobella rapidly pulled the blade back to her, detaching the rope quickly and wiping it off as she pulled it free. Small bits of grey matter could be seen on the roping as she threw it away, looking back to the octopus, its thrashing slowing as more liquid oozed from the second open wound.

    Isobella figured she must have hit something extremely vital as it’s spasms became further and further apart, its voice having all but died out already. This was certain to bring the woman closer somehow, as the only other thing out there with her was the currently dying octopus, flotsam, and the ice cold water.

    Last edited by Koti~; 07-21-2015 at 03:39 AM.

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  10. #10
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    Fiona had closed her eyes as she’d sung to the creature. Her little blonde head rested against its wet rubbery skin as she felt it calming from her song, slowly at first and then more quickly as the soothing song did its work. Not only was the great octopus affected, but so to were many other creatures of the sea. Dolphins, jellyfish, schools of Tuna, sharks, swordfish, whales, and many other sea creatures came to the surface and they were all docile around each other, lions and lambs peaceful in their coexistence. The song not only affected the sea life, but also other animals and birds that lived around the sea came flocking to listen. On the rigging of the now mostly sunken ship as well as the rigging of the two still floating vessels, sea birds of all sizes landed on the arms of the masts and ropes of the rigging. Even a few mammals come out onto the nearby shores.

    The small girl, was unaware of the gathering that her singing had produced, her eyes still closed, one hand gently stroking at the skin of the creature she stood on and leaned against. As if she was trying to wrap her arms around its great head that stuck above the water like an iceberg. Her feet had grown chilled from the water that lapped around them, but the concern was far away from her mind as she sung.

    She was nearly finished with her song, when a whistling noise filled the air followed by a soft thumping noise. Fiona barely had time to be curious about the noise when another shriek, she recognized as the octopus before she was thrown high into the air from her perch by the octopus’s violent spasms. She was able to see the cause of the Octopus’ death spasms as its dark blue blood dripped into the water. The woman. The cruel, callous, and uncaring swords-woman.

    Fiona’s body splashed into the icy, cold water and she sank beneath the surface. The creature’s death pained her. It cut her deep to the heart, made her emotions bleed as shock, sorrow, despair, anger, and hatred, all flooded together. Pushing herself to the surface, her salty tears fell to join the salty water that slowly covered the great beast as it sunk to the depths of its final resting place.

    As the creature disappeared from view and the water calmed again, all that was left was the floating wreckage of the ship and a dark blue, nearly black now pool of blood that spread slowly out across the water with every wave that lapped against the shore. Soon there’d be nothing left to remember the titan that had ruled the oceans below.

    Treading water, Fiona turned her face toward the woman standing proudly on the ship and she pushed aside the feelings of regret at the creature’s death, leaving only the hatred, the anger at the woman’s rash and arrogant nature.

    The girl's small body suddenly disappeared as a dozen or so birds took flight out of water where she last was floating. The seagulls flocked together circling the docks cawing out the pain, anger, and hatred that Fiona felt down to her soul. The noise the little flock made as it flew was grating to the ears, annoying by all definitions of the word as the druid turned bird gave voice to her feelings, screaming in the only way she could for the moment.

    Despite being separated into many birds, the girl’s thoughts were still coherent and as one. She wished. She prayed. She longed for the woman to feel the pain she felt. To feel the pain that she’d inflicted on the majestic creature that had been alive moments before. She wanted to teach her to respect life, as she herself did, but she also felt that such teachings would fall on unwilling and deaf ears. It was clear the woman wanted nothing more than to cause death to anything that stood in her path. Fiona’s in specific or just death in general, Fiona couldn't be sure of. However, someone who held such little regard for life, could not be allowed to continue to take the lives of others. Fiona valued life, all life, even that of this woman’s at the beginning of the fight. She hadn't wanted to fight, merely survive to continue her lifelong commune with nature. Now she was unsympathetic of the life that stood before her on the deck of the ship that still rocked from the Octopus’ death throes. In Fiona’s mind, the woman’s life was now forfeit.

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