[Round 2] Vincent vs. Iden

VS.

Description: To debut the opening of the new Beach Selena, which sits on the western coast of the GTB plot of land, Midus has decided to host the second round of the tournament in this lovely place. The sun is shining brightly as the warm breeze blows gentle waves along the clear crystal waters. Boats, surfers, and ski boats trail the waters as a large crowd of spectators gather around a single large wooden platform situated out in the middle of the water. This platform will serve as the fighting ground for both fighters as they are transported out here, either via boat or by their own creative method. The platform itself is made of wood, but contains a solid slab of stone underneath it that is four feet tall meant to keep the platform from being destroyed. Though you may think you can destroy rock with your attacks, this stone is extra tough, meaning knocking chunks out of it will be your only capability, so don't expect to punch any holes through it.

Field Measurements: The platform is a square shape, with the distance measured from one side to the other merely 15 yards, which equates to 45 feet. You won't be able to run around this thing as freely as the last arena. The platform is raised a foot above water, so if you fall off, you can still simply climb back on. The platform is rooted underneath with a four pillars of the same stone at each corner, so it will always remain stationary. The pillars are ten feet long each (and quite wide), touching the sandy floor underneath.

Ten Count Boundary: Falling into the water begins the ten count. If the other fighter goes into the water, too, or makes contact with the fighter in count-out in any way, the count resets. This does not apply if both fighters are in the water. Only when a fighter has both feet on the platform does the count stop for them.

The flying rule remains in effect.

Other Penalties: Do not attack spectators or attempt to destroy the platform's rooting underwater. Doing so will result in a DQ.

Fight Ends: On July 9th, at 9 PM Central.

Why, oh why, did the accursed day star need to be present for everything this tournament hosted?

That was the single most prominent thought in the young DeSeer's mind as the boat drew near the platform. True to that thought, the sun shone brilliantly, bathing the open arena with what most would consider a beautiful day. People aboard the ferry were laughing, smiling, enjoying themselves; it was quite simply a good day to be alive.

All the worse for Iden; he wasn't alive to begin with. Because of that curse, he was dressed nearly identically to his initial match. His face, arms and chest were covered by bandages that would shield him from immediate harm. Still, from behind the shades that rested over the only exposed flesh of his body wary eyes examined the battlefield. There would be no shade to save him this time if things got ugly; this fight would mandate extreme caution.

Sigh.

Today was just starting beautifully.

Minutes later, the two fighters stood opposite one another in the arena. It seemed Vince had been waiting for some time; Iden was tardy to his own duel. Still, it was worth it; he flexed his fingers, enjoying the feel of his repaired gauntlets. This would be a good fight; he could feel it.

The fans were murmuring from their boats and behind their television sets. Both fighters had a precedent for particularly bloody battles; Iden for his mauling at KB's hands, and Vince for his controversial first round. Now the two were arrayed across from one another; a bandaged brawler clad in a duster and military garb facing a draconic beast of a man shod in more antiquated dress and armor.

Definitely a good fight.

It was a pity Iden was so wrapped up in his bandages; it meant the cameras couldn't see that damnable grin spreading across his features. He stepped forward, putting his right foot in lead as he lifted his arm. The gesture offered was a simple open hand, palm facing the sky.

Aye, lets give 'em a show.

Unseen behind the sunglasses was Iden's glacial stare. Even as he spoke he was scrutinizing his foe, trying to gauge strengths and weaknesses before the rush. The effect he was having over the arena itself warranted caution, drawing a less aggressive opener from the young DeSeer. Slowly he began to circle to the right, only barely edging closer as he wheeled about. His arms were held up in a solid guard with his leading right arm low and his rear left kept about his head.

Come on...come on...

Whatever he was planning could not be good. Iden's slow circle began to spiral inwards; inch by inch he was drawing closer to his foe.

The fuck is this guy?

If Iden had to guess, this man was a sorcerer of some kind. God alone knew what capabilities he possessed to cause such violent entropy in the environment around him. More likely than not it was the visible cue for some wealth of power to be channeled. Whatever the cost, he could not be allowed to fully manifest that power; the young DeSeer needed to take the initiative.

Blood pounded through his veins, spurring a sudden violent burst of speed. There was no moment of acceleration; Iden literally went from dead stop to full rush in a heartbeat as his vitae bestowed upon him abominable levels of speed and agility. The headlong rush looked like it would force him into a suicidal charge; a simple sidestep and slash would no doubt see the young DeSeer parted from his legs, or perhaps even bowled over and off the edge.

Yet just as he hit arms reach, the momentum hit a dead stop just as swiftly as it had started. Any mundane counter would be thwarted as he instead slid left, using the feigned charge to open a quick jab for Vince's sword arm. Leading left, he kept his right hand close to his ribs; as yet Iden was wary of the blade the dragon wielded.

It had been a gamble, attacking the way he was. Iden had known this from the very beginning; his maneuver placed him directly in the path of the blade. It was all depending on a single stroke of luck; if fortune favored the young DeSeer, he would be unharmed.

Vince's arm shot upwards, and Iden's fell to meet it. The left hand struck, but it was not the blow meant to cause harm. From his stance Iden's whole body pivoted, throwing his right arm into a straight punch for the dragon knight's elbow. The tactic was simple: hammer the joint in a direction it wasn't meant to bend, and it would break. If he disabled Vince's sword arm, he could hammer on the fighter with near impunity on that side.

The whole of the gamble was based on speed. Iden was built for it; he was lean, lightweight and nimble as compared to his far bulkier foe. The sword would strike his leg and likely force him off balance as it cut, but if he could crack Vince's arm quickly, the damage would be minimal. Afterwards the scramble to crawl to his feet would be no doubt short and intense, but the payoff was well worth it.

If it worked.

((What he said. I'm cool with things as they stand, having worked it out off-site beforehand))

Like carrion birds they circled; countless small craft watched the spectacle as it began to unfold. Though they lingered not in stands and sunlight, hundreds to thousands of souls watched the duel begin. Some cheered the dead man, others the dragon. Regardless of the champion of the day, the match was one of many to be aired with electric tension hanging on each breath.

Komm Süßer Tod!

Electronic melodies began to blast from one of the larger boats, providing an industrial ambiance to the brawl as it unfolded. As the volume began to rise, so too did the fighters clash...

Leather thudded on metal, making a loud crash as the blow faltered. Iden's gambit had failed, leaving him vulnerable. Swiftly after came a sharp sting of pain; the blade dug a shallow cut across his thigh. Clenching his teeth, the young DeSeer shifted his weight to the other leg in an attempt to retain his balance. Yet this too failed; his body was jerked aside by a sudden grasp about his throat. Were he a mortal man, this would be the end. One quick squeeze would guarantee submission in a breathing fighter.

Heedless of the damage that could be done, Iden's body moved with a fluid grace. Muscles flexed as his abdomen coiled, placing the whole of his weight briefly upon the grasp his foe held. For a brief moment the veins and windpipe would be constricted, but it was of no matter. His undead physiology rendered such issues moot, considering the gain to be had. His body had lifted itself parallel to the arm that had captured him; both legs wrapped around the dragon's bulging biceps. Vince had been saved from one strike, only to expose himself to a second.

This time, though, the punch would bear a more threatening aspect. The young DeSeer's fists were shod in steel and leather, but such was not the true danger; what would make the impact hurt was the pair of gleaming metal blades that erupted from the back of his gauntlet. Aimed for the wrist, Iden's strike was exceptionally swift and meant to pierce the flesh where the armor was weak. Such a tactic held considerable merit; were the blades to find their mark, then the sudden tearing of steel through muscle would dramatically weaken Vince's grip. Thus the dead man's right hand held his captor's forearm, while his left crossed his body to deal out the punishment.

Vintrict Wrote:

> The Time Wizard Wrote: > > The Time Wizard Wrote: > > > [ Note: Iden and I spoke on MSN about a few things pertaining to the post that I'm about to write. Basically, when my profile was sent in, Vintrict asked that I choose two pieces of armor, and suggested that the two main pieces be chosen, which was Vince's body plate and his leg armor. Iden and I spoke earlier and agreed that it was more than plausible for Vince's body armor to be fitted with armor for his arms, which some plate pieces are. This is how I've always played it, and I literally had a dilemma in which both of us agreed to allowing the arms to be armored. ] > > ((Yes, and I also said that the arms were separate from torso pieces, just like the legs are separate and the head. So, no, the body plate will NOT have armor protecting the arms. Whatever was approved on the profile is what you're going to have to stick with. No trying to curve around the rules like that, Vince.))

[ The profile you sent back said the standard suit of armor that I sent in originally. It was never changed. I remembered the two pieces of armor discussion, but I've always roleplayed the chest/arm as one piece. I'd be gladly willing to change it later, but the fight is already taking off after that point, and Iden is fine with it. We'd have to take back a post and re-do it totally, going backwards in our fight. If you let it slide, provided I make it to the next round, I'll just drop the armor completely.

It just seems as if it would be an absolute waste of time to go back two posts to switch something that we both agreed upon as fighters. ]

The Time Wizard Wrote:

> [ The profile you sent back said the standard suit of armor that I sent in originally. It was never changed. I remembered the two pieces of armor discussion, but I've always roleplayed the chest/arm as one piece. I'd be gladly willing to change it later, but the fight is already taking off after that point, and Iden is fine with it. We'd have to take back a post and re-do it totally, going backwards in our fight. If you let it slide, provided I make it to the next round, I'll just drop the armor completely. > > It just seems as if it would be an absolute waste of time to go back two posts to switch something that we both agreed upon as fighters. ]

((It doesn't matter what you two agreed on. What matters is what WE two agreed on, between you and an official judge. It wasn't edited into your profile the conversation we had, but we did clarify you understanding that. But for you to suddenly say that "it protects both the arms and the torso" goes completely against what I asked during the profile approval phase.

Therefore, you guys are going to have to go to those posts and do the appropriate edits. You must keep to what was agreed on, not try to jump around the rules like that.))

((This has nothing to do with the profile I sent you. I sent you that profile because you needed a copy of it, but that does not excuse you from forgetting an important factor to this tournament just because it wasn't edited with what we agreed on. I gave these restrictions on armor in the first place because this tournament is based on a certain standard. So it doesn't matter whether you guys are having fun or not, it's a matter of keeping to the rules.

You don't have to redo the fight, but starting from this point on, that armor is no longer protecting your arms. That is my ruling and that is how it stands.))

The dragon grinned as his hold around the man's neck found purchase. That grin just as soon faded as Vince witnessed in awestruck fury as the man twisted his neck into Vince's squeezing hold, just so he could try to achieve damage on the dragon. Vince felt the neck constrict and give way a bit, and so he tightened the hold just a little more, trying to prevent as much of the man's oxygen from getting to his brain as possible while not killing him at the same time, although something had begun to present itself in Vince's mind. The man had taken the squeezing of the neck and the wind-pipe without so much as a gasp, something that no human or other sentient being would have done unless they were down-right stupid or drugged beyond possible belief.

That raised the question in Vince's mind: "Just what the fuck ARE you?". Vince's eyes narrowed as he watched carefully, then realized something terrible that had happened just as the man's legs aimed to wrap around his bicep. The enchantment that held the spikes to Vince's arm-guards had grown unstable, most likely from contact with Vince's son's store of magical weaponry and innate magical ability. The metal that was wrapped around Vince's arms and all the way up to his shoulder disintegrated, blowing away in the wind as if it were nothing more than sand. The dragon silently cursed his son while Iden's hold on his bicep using his feet took hold.

The added weight put a bit of strain to the dragon's arm, but it was able to hold, for a few moments, anyhow. Just as Vince felt the man's weight shift a bit, evidence that a punch was coming in, Vince's sword in his right hand was discarded, allowed to fall from his fingers. The blade hit the ground with a clatter, though the right hand was already in motion. Vince's face turned into something more akin to beast than to man as his right hand, spiked gauntlet wrapped around his fist tightly, aimed to smash right into the left side of Iden's ribs.

At the same time, Iden's fist and the claws that came with it smashed into Vince's gauntlet, right at the wrist. The gauntlet held some of the blow back, but yet, as Iden had suspected, the metal at the wrist, what little bit it covered, was weak and shredded pretty easily. The dragon would roar as the blade snapped through the metal in a loud crash. Vince's fingers would weaken in their grip, but in no way were they done. The dragon's fist was probably already at Iden's ribs, and if the dragon could hold up for just a bit longer and deal with the damage that Iden was dealing, Vince knew he could do a considerable amount of his own.

That was what Vince was forced to think of. The pain could not, would not, deter him from his course of action. He would bring pain upon this man and use the suffering of his own pain as a catalyst to inflict more. The blood-lust was already returning to Vince's eye.

[Charge = 2]

[Note: The gauntlets, as stated in my profile, said that they held tiny claws above the knuckles. They are more akin to spikes and about an inch in length, made of the same metal as the gauntlet. ]

Vince's eyes widened slightly at the realization that Iden was indeed dealing with pain that would have otherwise crippled any living opponent. That thought struck Vince hard, his mind trying to wrap around the fact that he was fighting against something undead, meaning that almost everything he did was going to prove ineffective; in the beginning, at least. Vince felt a myriad of things happening quickly at this point. The first of which was the sickening crunch as the spiked gauntlet smashed HARD into Iden with little effect. The ribs were most definitely broken; Vince felt that much with a grim satisfaction, knowing that all though he was able to destroy his opponent's bones and squeeze the air out of him, it wasn't enough.

".. The fuck.. are.. you?", came Vince's labored response as he was forced to deal with the forced straightening of his left arm. While it is true that it was indeed his off-arm, the strength in that arm was pretty much comparable to the right; strength that was indeed impressive, to say the least. The dragon grunted as he felt the straightening of his arm against his will and struggled with all his might to keep the limb bent. Of course, Vince knew that it was a struggle he would indeed; as much as his arm had been strengthened to out-last and out-power people in a struggle of brute strength, Vince suspected he would not beat this man.. or creature, in a battle of left arm versus body.

Vince's teeth clenched as his arm struggled against the pressure being applied, and just as soon as his opponent had began his quest to snap the arm, Vince's right hand, whose knuckle spikes had just been dislodged from Iden's ribs, moved slightly above the creature's stomach, the hand harshly slamming atop the man's ribs, pushing roughly at them. In the same motion, using the right arm to guide it down, Vince drove his body forward, his legs folding slightly as he did so, his body bent over with his left arm and his clinging opponent aimed directly at the ground.

Vince's idea? To slam the man right onto the back of his skull. If that didn't dislodge the opponent in the next two seconds, it was indeed that Vince's arm would be broken at the elbow; Vince could already feel the pain beginning to eat its way through his mental barricade. The dragon grimly noted that if this didn't work and if he didn't find a way to shut the man down soon, he was going to have his work cut out for him.

Charge = 2