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| Twin Edge; Riley trains under the tutelage of Aku | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 8 2005, 10:49 PM (263 Views) | |
| Akukaishi | Jul 8 2005, 10:49 PM Post #1 |
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The wind passed by as the sun, brilliant and golden, dipped low in the western sky. Before Riley stood several pillars of rock. Moving them into position had been a taxing task, but now they were assembled in all their glory. Riley felt a twinge of regret that now they would be destroyed before the edge of his Demon Murmasa. They're assembled. Good. Begin. Riley sucked in a deep breath and closed his eyes, finding his center. Within a whirlwind raged, his inner spirit a hurricane of conflicting powers as his spirit and that of Akuryuu's. He'd enrolled just this afternoon, and had not even been to his dorms yet. His Do, or Way, came first: The Sword. Great men and women had lived and died by the razor's edge and now it was his turn to live up to the legacy of his nearly extinct Clan. The name Netsurai would not be lost from the collective memory of the people inhabiting this world. He snapped his concentration back to the task at hand, bringing harmony between the two souls raging within the confines of a single vessel. The spiritual winds raging within him ebbed and flowed, creating a maelstrom within his center. In the very epicenter of this spiritual conflict lay a small--almost too small to note--section of peace and tranquility...the Eye of the Storm. Riley willed himself to step into the Eye. In his hands, the Demon Muramasa hummed to life, pulsing with a soft greenish glow. His eyes snapped open and with one breath called upon the four winds to do his bidding. "Kaze no Shoumei..." Divine call of the Wind "KENJITENRAI!" The emerald blade flashed, glistening in the last rays of the dying sun. A gust of wind and all was still. Somewhere a cricket chirped. Then the pillar before Riley exploded outward, showering its brothers on either side with debris. "Ha! I did it!" Idiot! You did no such thing! A true Kenjitenrai doesn't even disturb the air as it passes, and cuts with a razor's edge, leaving a clean cut at a near-molecular level! AGAIN! "...fine." Leave the anger to me. Focus. Riley wanted to lash out and yell at the condescending rei-ryu, but in his heart he knew Akuryuu spoke the truth. Another breath, this time to calm himself, and he focused on the Eye of the Storm once more. Something had gone wrong last time. He analyzed his technique and focused, concentrating. It had lacked something to refine the energy he'd released, a guiding beacon to focus the spirits of the wind and force them to do his bidding on his terms...that was it! With a second deep breath, he called upon his spirit, letting the storm inside sway in favor of Akuryu's blood-red wind, pouring his shining green wind into his strike... "Kaze no Shoumei" Divine Call of the Wind "KENJITENRAI!" The blade hummed as it passed through the air. Nothing stirred. Riley stood, glancing at the rocks before him... |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 8 2005, 10:59 PM Post #2 |
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Just draw the ward, and focus. Become it. Your lifeblood is the ward. There is power in blood. There is power in your blood. Will it, and it will come out. Adel's pulse pounded in his hand, as his blood seeped out into the intricate geometric shape that had been traced in his flowing blood. The ritual knife was still in his right hand, left pressed firmly into the center of the pattern on the rock, eyes closed. Adel felt the power build, and... His concentration broke. Somewhere, nearby, the sound of an explosion, and lots of small bits of something hard colliding with rocks, trees, and earth. Growling, Adel pulled up his hand, and the blood flowing out suddenly hardened and clotted - forming its own seal, making a bandage unnecessary. Adel moved through the nearby foliage toward the sound, peering through the trees at the man with the blade, who was just finishing his second strike against the rock pillars, with one already standing destroyed. After he finished, Adel spoke up. "You. You mind not destroying something so loud? Other people are training and studying pursuits that take greater subtlety and concentration than yours, and you are disrupting that." He mouth pulled into a sneer of contempt, and he folded his arms, gazing at the swordsman - but retaining his grip on his dagger, now hidden from sight in the folds of the robes over his arms. |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 8 2005, 11:06 PM Post #3 |
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Teach this upstart a lesson. I'll do no such thing. Riley bowed low, sword still in hand. "My apologies for disturbing you. I'll practice somewhere else if you'd prefer." The blade swung around and slid into its carefully crafted wooden scabbard on Riley's back. As soon as the sword's guard slid against the metal guard on the scabbard, the pillars of stone behind him snapped and slid apart, both cleanly cut into multiple sections. Riley concealed his pride at successfully executing the Kenjitenrai, believing the current situation with the other student far more pressing. There would be time for self congratulations later. |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 8 2005, 11:11 PM Post #4 |
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Goddamn. I didn't even see the cut in the stone. I must be getting rusty. I have eyes; I must use them. And I have ears, and skin - a Wind Blade must see with more than eyes. "Impressive," commented Adel. "But I hope that's not all you can do? I've seen many sword-schools that blew hot air, but I've never met one dedicated solely to such things." He grinned, sliding his dagger up his sleeve - but not too far. He might need it. "Though I wouldn't be opposed to a demonstration..." |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 8 2005, 11:17 PM Post #5 |
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"Again, my apologies. I am still a beginner in my family's sacred Kaze no Shoumei school of swordsmanship. The initial--and final--technique, Kenjetenrai is taught to all novices and it is left to them to discover for themselves the other techniques used in the discipline. While I abhor drawing a blade without purpose, I also find great satisfaction in sharing a friendly bout with a warrior." Now we're getting somewhere! Aku! I don't like him. He's rude and arrogant. Destroy him. A true warrior need never take the life of his opponent! Riley bowed again, though he moved his head and didn't take his eyes off of the other boy. "I am Riley, son of Hajime, of the Netsurai Clan." |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 8 2005, 11:27 PM Post #6 |
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An internal grin. So serious, this one. Well, Adel decided instantly that he'd either break his dour exterior, or draw him out into such a rage that the battle would actually be worth his time. The dagger slipped out of robe into right hand, seeming to appear from almost nowhere, and Adel stepped into the somewhat-clearer area, standing behind the ruins of the first stone. He turned his body sideways, presenting as small a profile as possible to his opponent, and held up the dagger, half-bending his knees and slowly rocking back and forth. Do not fear him. If you fear loss, you have already lost. Fear is worse than pain. Quick as the wind, subtle as the breeze, forceful as the gale, biting as the squall. "I," Adel said, "am a Wind Blade. Oddly fitting, considering your technique. Let us match wind-blower against Wind-Blade, and see who is superior." |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 8 2005, 11:40 PM Post #7 |
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The Murmasa slid free from its scabbard, and the wind howled, crying its allegiance to the ancient blade. Then, the air stilled again. Riley took an offensive stance. Normally one to let his foe make the first move, Riley knew that his normal, defensive style would be of little use here at the school. Indeed, he felt in his heart that he would end up facing stronger and stronger opponents here--some friendly, and some not so friendly. He grasped the Eye firmly and lanced forward, covering the ten feet separating him from his opponent with startling speed...by normal terms. This was not a normal place, and Riley knew, somewhere in the back of his mind, that he would need to grow faster... |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 8 2005, 11:46 PM Post #8 |
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Strike quick like a snake. Hit lightly like a scorpion. Bleed him out. You are not his worst enemy - his body is. Adel, despite his bent posture and seeming feebleness, moved with a stark, surprising speed himself, thin limbs darting him to the side of his opponent, blade lancing out in close range to slice at his opponent's side - were it to cut, it would be light, only enough to draw blood - but that was Adel's intention. As he finished the slash, his left foot planted on the remains of the shattered stone, launching him forward into an acrobatic roll, from which he came up facing his opponent in the same stance he'd begun. Despite the suddennes of his movements, his breathing was even, and steady, and he watched his opponent with keen eyes. See with all your senses. Watch, and truly see. Watch his posture - check for patterns. A Wind Dancer misses nothing and sees all - let your opponent instruct you on his own defeat. |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 9 2005, 12:21 AM Post #9 |
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The blow came too fast. The man was a studied warrior...and he apparently meant business. And then a thousand different possibilities unfolded. Was he really a student here? Maybe he was an assassin sent by a rival clan? Maybe he was a youkai who preyed on students...maybe...maybe...maybe... Clarity. The doubts dissipated as Riley pushed any other thoughts from his mind. The world did not exist. There was only himself and his opponent. That was his world. The knife mark on his side burned angrily, a flesh wound. His opponent was attempting to bleed him. Well, his opponent was in for disappointment, then wasn't he? The blade struck the ground tip-first, and a blast of wind shot forth from where Riley stood in all directions....and returned just as quickly, swirling around him. Again he grasped the Eye, feeling the pulse of green all around him... "Kaze no Shoumei...." Divine Call of the Wind "TRUE CROSS!" The gash closed, sealing, and then fading from sight. Regretably, the damage to the silk fabric of Riley's shirt remained. He frowned at that. They were always so expensive to fix. The sword left its temporary, earthen home and the wind died back down. He turned to his opponent, choosing not to counter attack. His newly learned offensive techniques were too new. Time to switch tactics... |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 9 2005, 12:26 AM Post #10 |
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Adel merely grinned, watching his opponent. The blade had a thin line of his opponent's blood on it, and he edged closer, darting to one side, then to the other - but remaining tantalizingly just out of his opponent's reach. Patience is as strong an ally as a thousand troops. Make him impatient, and you remove his armor. Impulse is a knife in one's own back. Always sure to keep his profile as small as possible to his opponent, Adel smirked at him, and waited... |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 9 2005, 12:42 AM Post #11 |
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Riley did not move, waiting for his opponent to strike. He had the patience of the mighty oak. He watched his opponent's every move, watching and waiting. This would be a war of attrition. Riley was convinced he would not be the one to crumble. |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 9 2005, 12:47 AM Post #12 |
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Sometimes, a snake must be lured out. Sometimes, idleness is not enough. Draw him out, and he'll overextend himself. That is when you strike. Quick like the wind. Fluid like the breeze. Brutal like the hurricane. A million tiny strikes. A dash. But not toward Riley - Adel dashed aside, leaping up and kicking off from a still-whole rock pillar, flipping high above Riley's head - just slightly out of Riley's range with his blade, he hoped, but he oriented himself to be able to deflect an attack, if it came. He rolled in midair, landing just outisde Riley's sword-range. Darting in - just within the range of Riley's sword, at least momentarily - he then feinted aside, before dodging the other direction, again out of range - but he hoped Riley wouldn't know that, and would strike anyways. |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 9 2005, 12:53 AM Post #13 |
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Like the mountain, Riley stood firm. He'd danced this waltz before, with multiple shinobi during his two years prior to coming to the school. They were alike in some respects: Both preferred to use their opponents' strength against them, plying their strengths against the other's weaknesses. In all likelihood, this bout would end in a draw. Unless...no. Use it. Unleash the power of your Kenjitenrai! I refuse! I do not wish to kill this man! Your hesitation is your greatest weakness. One you will come to regret. |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 9 2005, 12:56 AM Post #14 |
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Uh, but Adel saw it. Wind dancers truly see, rather than merely percieving. Perhaps his eyes dilated the slightest bit, or just looked distant, or a slack of posture, for the slightest of instants - but he took the invitation. Like a blur, he was in, dagger thrown up to block an impending sword-thrust, trying to get inside the sword's range to inflict another blow on his opponent - but he'd likely have to parry a strike, if one hastily made. |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 9 2005, 01:03 AM Post #15 |
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Two blades clashed as Riley saw what could only be a true attack. The no-dachi slammed into the blade of his opponent's dagger, the sound of metal on metal echoing across the mountain side. Sparks flew as the edges slid against each other...and a hand slid from the handle, striking forward, a left hook meant to catch his opponent square on the bridge of his nose. Only a fool keeps both hands on a weapon when one will do... |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 9 2005, 01:07 AM Post #16 |
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Adel's reaction was lightning-swift - having used only one hand to lock his blade to the no-dachi, he swung his other hand forward - slicing open the wound on his left hand, once more, and causing a thread of blood to emerge, before hardening into a spike-like shape, hard as bone or steel - and outstreched, palm open, in front of his opponent's encroaching hand, ready to let him impale his own knuckles on the blood-spike. |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 9 2005, 01:13 AM Post #17 |
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Riley's hand impacted on the spike. Riley betrayed no outward signs of pain, but internally he was howling at the injury. Both arms now locked, Riley used his next best weapon. From a standing position, he performed a double round-house, doing a back flip that simultaneously brought both feet firing straight up at his opponent's head and remove both arms from their respective locks. He landed on his feet, bending at the knees to relieve the shock of impact, before straightening again and gripping his sword with both hands once more... |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 9 2005, 01:18 AM Post #18 |
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That... was unexpected. goddamnit, he cursed himself in the instant before he was hit, right hand furiously flinging down, aiming to inflict a heavy cut on the man's left ankle even as both feet impacted his chin, I need to see! He fell backward, blood leaking from his lip - he tasted the bitter iron flavor of his own blood, and grinned - it would come in handy, especially if his opponent didn't know he could use it. The blood spike on his hand dissolved, leaving only a clotted blood patch over the wounds on his hand, where there would one day be scars - and he grinned. "Your turn to make the first move, samurai." |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 9 2005, 01:36 AM Post #19 |
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Again the blade point entered the earth, and the burst of wind shot forth, before returning to swirl around. The wound on his ankle sealed itself, but his hand was too grievously injured to heal completely, instead scabbing over and shrinking 20% in size. It would continue to hurt, but at least he was no longer bleeding. "Kaze no Shoumei..." Divine Call of the Wind "TRUE CROSS!" As the winds subsided, he watched his opponent curiously. Like Riley, he wasn't as adept at striking as he was at counter-striking. Again, a game of patience would ensue. Riley stood, sword in hand, watching his opponent. Great spirits, someone strike me dead now. These tedious lulls are driving me insane! |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 9 2005, 01:38 AM Post #20 |
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Adel grinned. At his foot, a stone from the first pillar the man had destroyed - roughly half the size of his fist, he got his toe under it, and kicked it up at his opponent's chest. "C'mon. It's your turn. Let's do this," he taunted. |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 9 2005, 01:41 AM Post #21 |
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The sword flashed, batting the rock away, before drawing back into a defensive position. Riley did not move, did not flinch, his gaze never wavered. He was samurai, like his father before him. A soft breeze rustled a nearby tuft of mountain-side grass. The crickets began to chirp once more. |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 9 2005, 01:47 AM Post #22 |
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The voice in Adel's head, remarkably like his old instructor's, guided him. You need not tire him with cuts - he heals those too easily. Tire him with waiting. Tire him where you will not tire so easily. Swift as wind, elusive as time itself. Adel crouched, and then leapt - not at his opponent, but aside, behind a rock pillar. Another dash, and he rolled in front of another pillar, making a half-circle around his opponent, before doubling back behind the next one. Again he darted out, continuing the circle, and once even dashed just barely out of his opponent's reach, hoping to draw a mis-aimed blow - one that would likely be difficult to block, but would also be difficult to aim due to his speed. This is tedious, but I cannot make the first strike here. His reach is much greater - I must draw him out. |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 9 2005, 01:54 AM Post #23 |
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Riley did not aim what followed at his opponent, rather, he aimed the strike away from his opponent as much as possible. Riley wielded a Sword that Protects, not a Sword that Destroys. He reached within himself once more and grasped the Eye... "Kaze no Shoumei..." Divine Call of the Wind "KENJITENRAI!" Again, nothing. The night air and it's calm seemed, once again, unbroken...until two of the surrounding rock pillars split down the center, then crumbled into rubble. "Hide behind rocks all you like, I shall simply remove them one by one..." |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 9 2005, 01:59 AM Post #24 |
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Adel grinned, leaning heavily on the rock pillar next to which he was standing, and then easing up - and something clicked in his head. A snowball may start an avalanche. A breeze is the start of a hurricane. A spin, and his knife again slashed open his left palm. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he slammed his palm against the back of the rock, pointing his hand at Riley - and engaged his blood-shield spell. The spell was designed to deflect powerful magic, but at his current learning, Adel could merely deflect arrows, bullets, and lower-powered spells. However, this rock pillar, a modest six or seven feet in height, was nonetheless stationary - and his shield impelled enough force to it to slide it forward - and cause it to fall, directly at where Riley was standing - undoubtably unexpected from the little man, who quickly clotted the blood on his hand, and stood there, nonchalant, knowing his shield spell had been invisible to the samurai, who would be left to draw his own conclusions. Adel held his dagger aloft, again in the Wind Blade stance, grinning, and waiting for a reaction. |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 9 2005, 02:08 AM Post #25 |
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Instinct kicked in long before Riley's sense of preservation of life did. Without even bothering to think, the blade slid up and through the air, his training taking over. "Kaze no Shumei..." Divine Calling of the Wind "KENJITENRAI!" The rock split into segments, the sections separating and sliding past Riley on either side of him, missing by mere inches. The attack, naturally, would continue on for another 20 feet. A flash of fear gripped Riley, as he hoped his assailant had already moved... |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 9 2005, 02:14 AM Post #26 |
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Percieve and see. The rock crumbles, much as the previous ones did. Even now it approaches you. Defend thyself. Wind cannot harm a Wind Blade. A grin. The blood now ran down his chin from the earlier kick, thick enough, yes, and still flowing... There is power in blood. All this in an instant as he ran through the magic in his head, the blood on his lip and chin drying supernaturally quick as the power, the live, was reaved from them to weave magic - and a lurid, blood-red shield emerged in front of him, barely in time to combat the wind-blades of the other man's attack. It took a great deal of willpower, and his lips paled as he used more blood to fuel the shield - but the attack broke on his defense, and the shield dropped, and he grinned all the same, color slowly returning to his face. He brought up his blade, and pointed it at his opponent. "I was hoping to get a chance to try myself against your wind blades. Unfortunately, wind blades are no match for a Wind Blade. Come. Let us dance, and I will show you the power of a breeze." |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 10 2005, 10:54 AM Post #27 |
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Impressive, I'll admit...but not entirely unheard of. Your Kenjitenrai is far too weak. I doubt his barrier could have withstood the power of a fully developed Kenjitenrai... Well, thank you for the confidence booster... "It was not my intent to unleash that strike upon you! I am grateful your barrier held, and apologize for endangering you..." Why's he taking this so serious? He's fighting as though it were life and ... ..Death? One does not draw his sword unless he means to fight with it. Your naivete will get us both killed. Why must everyone be so concerned with killing and murdering others? Stop romanticizing. That is what you are. You are Samurai. To kill is your art. No! I wield a Sword to Protect! I do not need to kill others to protect those I have sworn myself to! Again, your foolish sense of nobility will inevitably destroy us both. You lack the skill to back up your convictions, Riley son of Hajime. I am Samurai. I will grow stronger. |
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| Cronomagus | Jul 10 2005, 04:53 PM Post #28 |
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The look entered his opponent's eyes again. He was distracted. Quickly, Adel cut a slit on the tip of each finger, blood seeping out, and he slid the dagger into its concealed sheath amongst his robes. As blood coated the tip of each finger, he worked his magic quickly, forming them into razor-sharp, steel-hard, red claws. Licking his lips, his grin widened. "Hey, no worries. I am far harder to kill than a stone, I hope." And he charged. Directly at his opponent, with surprising speed, legs pumping and back bent, claws held at the ready to strike at his opponent, his right hand swinging forward to score at his opponent's torso as he entered range... |
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| Akukaishi | Jul 10 2005, 10:20 PM Post #29 |
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(OOC: If this seems like a mod, just let me know and I'll edit it, Crono.) The swipe came and Riley moved, again, on instinct. It was true he was distracted, which slowed his response time enough that a single cut appeared on his torso...but not enough to stop the counter-attack. Riley's hand caught Adel's right wrist and he turned with his whole body, using the force of the attack against Adel. It was a time-honored martial arts tradition: a standard throw. With a twist and a pull, Riley executed the manuever with near-perfection, sending Adel away from him as quickly as the blood magus had come at him... |
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