Aoi vs Mana

-Musical Accompaniment-

Clouds were over head, it was bound to rain soon. What an ominous sky. So dark and dense, it just made this entire field feel so...gloomy. It wasn't much better on the ground than it would be in the sky, as a crackle of thunder gracing the thought of how unpleasant this place was.

A naturally happy creature, Mana was now less than amused by the recent developments. Well that was kind of a lie. He had preferred this stage over the others he had heard about, but he still didn't expect it to be so...wet and miserable. This place was just all around unwelcoming. Aside from the tree's that were very tall and slender, there was very little actual flora. Mana should have expected as much, after all, the canopy would likely prevent enough sunlight for to much to grow on the ground. The lack of green wasn't what bothered Mana though, it was ALL THE MUD!!!

Mana was quite light on his feet and so he often had no problem moving around on just about any terrain...but he could not say as much for this one. Mana was pacing himself through the woods, a light jog as he tried to get some distance in before things would start to much and so he could get a feel for the location. Normally, Mana could keep at this pace all day and not get tired, which could not be said for most other people, some of which even in this tournament. Even so, a 'light jog' to Mana was a little faster than most other people. His small lithe form was surprisingly well built for these kinds of activities. The mud here, however, made the story quite different. Mana was starting to feel a little bit of fatigue, not that it would slow him down to much. The way the mud seemed to suction cup his boots to the ground was starting to become draining. Weighting less than a hundred pounds, he could only guess how much more taxing it would be to anyone else. Perhaps if he took off his boots it would be easier...but then his feet would be all messy, ewwww. There was another option, now that he thought about it, but he would rather leave that open for when he had to full out sprint away from his opponent.

Looking around, he noticed that some of the tree's that had fallen were rapidly rotting due to the environment. It would seem that using them for support was iffy as they could break on you in a crucial moment. There were also root above ground, however. It made sense to Mana as the tree's probably had to have an extended base in order to keep themselves upright. What was more, the tree's were very dense and sturdy. Mana wasn't even sure if Ex-Shinigami and Team Captain Shige could clean slice through them without his sword getting stuck. Well, then again, it normally wasn't possible for many people to do that to tree's unless they were small, but these ones were slim. The tree's here as durable as they were would be able to withstand plenty of punishment, thought Mana.

Mana also noticed that, for some reason, the forest seemed oddly quiet. He could easily hear himself moving, meaning that he would be able to hear most other things moving, he hoped. Why was it so quiet though? Was it because of the storm that was about to hit them? Another crackle of thunder. Stopping for a moment and standing on a root while leaning on a tree, Mana's ears perked up to listen around him. It was almost eerie how quiet it was. Dryad was trying to nap, undine was just enjoying the day, gnome was complacent of the mud and shade was just slothing around, as he always did. The last thing he noticed about it all was how dark it was actually getting.

The place was normally shaded as was because of the tree canopy, but it was even darker now that the sun had been blocked out by the dark and brooding clouds. Mana was grateful for his cat like eyes at times like this. The dark setting mixed with the gloomy atmosphere and the treacherous mud would would make fast movement hard with all the roots that could possibly trip someone, assuming the mud wouldn't. At least his vision wasn't impaired. His hearing might be soon, though. If it started to rain, it would become much harder to hear where his opponent might be. Him and his target would be dealing with next to no senses to find one another. What made this even more hazardous was the occasional rock. Mana had slipped earlier and nearly slammed his face into one. The occasional rocks that were around made it even more dangerous to fall, meaning Mana had to be careful. He did note, that rocks didn't help much for stability in the mud, if anything they were worse than trying to walk in the mud. What a horrible, hospitable area. Mana had hoped for such a nice place when he had heard about it originally. What horrible disappointments.

Energy System and Spell's Cast Wrote:

Energy

Start of turn: 100%

No spells cast, uninjured

First turn end: 110%

...

......

.........

dot, dot, dot, DING!

And with that, there was a sudden jerk from Mana, his head attempting to turn but unable to. After a second or so, Mana replied in a way quite different than the others in the tournament.

Sorry about that, Mana was overwhelmed with the urge to run just now because that is Mana's basic instinct. Mana is of flight, not fight. Mana was told to stand his ground more often by Ex-Shinigami, Ex-Captain of Kido, and Current Captain of Team Fighting Spirit, Shige of the Haunting Blade, nyaa. Mana also want's to apologize about his accent. Mana will try to keep it tame.

It was very clear that even though Mana was trying to stay calm, he was very nervous about this. There was almost a wavering in his voice as he spoke. Perhaps it was because this was the first fight of the HoH. Perhaps it was because Mana wasn't really a fighter. It could have also been the fact that the man before Mana was about two feet taller than Mana and more than double his weight. At least they had the same tastes in clothes kinda. The light and somewhat baggy clothes seemed to be popular between the two. Mana didn't notice the gauntlet's at first, not until the man preformed the salute. It was to dark for Mana to notice a glint of any type, not enough light to make one. He did happen to notice the man had spiked knuckles though, which he assumed were either a weapon or that the man ACTUALLY HAD spiked knuckles...would that make it easier to climb? Never matter!

Mana think's we should let Drayd Recall a little more before we fight. Mana doesn't want to start a fight with a stranger. Mana thinks we should at least do a small introduction to each other. This may be Mana's last fight in the tournament after all, so shouldn't Mana try to make a friend or meet new people while he is here?

Mana will start first. I am Mana, but the people at the Academy used to call me "Mana, The Hack Cat" because of Mana's talents. Mana isn't really a fighter and given how young Mana is, this is a violently new experience to him. Mana would dare say he may be the youngest competitor... Unless Mr. Spiked Fists knows someone younger than Mana. OOOH! Mana almost forgot. Mana didn't really read the brocher, but Mana knows that tournaments usually have prize money. Mana is hoping to use it so he can go back to the Academy to further his education and learn many more things because Mana likes learning. What about you Mr. Spiked Fists? What should Mana call you? Do you have a nickname you want Mana to call you by? Why did you enter the tournament? What do you want to do with all that prize money? OH! How old are you? Mana is...Mana thinks he is either 13 or 14. Mana doesn't really know. Mana is an orphan after all. So Mr. Spiked Fists, tell Mana about yourself. Mana is all ears! After all, if Mana has a chance of dying, Mana want's to make sure that he can at least make some friends. Wouldn't it be better to have fun fighting a friend than to coldly fight a complete stranger?

show spoilerhide spoilerSprite Magic

Type - Fast Cast

Dryad Recall

Energy Used: 10%

The roots in a designated area recede and coil back

Mana had trust in the Man but, just like he had his spiked gloves on already, Mana was a bit worried for his safety. Mana made sure to tell Dryad to call back her roots so that, if the man decided to close the rather decent gap between them, that Mana would have more than enough time to turn and run. It would mean he would have to either circle around or go bear foot through the mud which would slow him down considerably. It was clear that Mana was, indeed, genuine in wanting to know more about the other man, but it was also clear that Mana was still a little frightened.

Mana did seem prepared to react to the other man if he chose not to talk and fight instead, but just by looking, one could tell that he was a scholarly person that was more than willing and waiting, hanging out to listen to a story about this stranger. You could literally see the mix of excitement and fear as his tail's hair was standing on end, but swaying back in forth eagerly.

Energy System and Spell's Cast Wrote:

Energy

Start of turn: 110%

One spell cast (10%), uninjured

Second turn end: 110%

Mana had a disatisfied frown on his face. He was about to speak up when another crackle of thunder moved across the stage. Mana wasn't sure he wanted to be standing next to a tree if the thunder was getting louder. As that thought hit him a sudden tapping sound came over the forest, far off at first but quickly covering up the entire place, like a blanket. The rain had started. If Aoi, the Raging Blue Storm, could see it through the dark clouds and he even further darkness from the tree's, the frown on Mana's face instantly got twice as big. It was clear Mana didn't like getting wet. He rotated his shoulder as he huffed his backpack a bit as he wondered if he had any way to keep dry in there. After a moment of thought, Mana finally answered Aoi, the Raging Blue Storm.

'Mana guesses he can't ask you otherwise. But Mana want's to make a request. If you fight Mana, do it from over there. Mana doesn't want to get even more muddy and Mana doesn't want to fall in the mud. Mana also doesn't want to see his new friend fall in the mud either. Mana is thankful that mud isn't sand though...'

Mana trailed off with those words as if a sudden thought had just hit him, though he was still watching the man across the way. It was simply an epiphany and he now knew how to attempt to defend himself.

Energy System and Spell's Cast Wrote:

Energy

Start of turn: 110%

No spell cast, uninjured

Third turn end: 120%

Mana tilted his head as he heard the sudden crunch of wood. He had been watching the man, but his mind wasn't all there originally. Why would he break the think that kept his footing? Wouldn't that be a bad thing? Mana didn- Oh wait...Is he?

The moment of thought made Mana's eyes go wide as the chunk of wood flew toward Mana. In a flight or fight instinct, Mana did what any animal would do if something was suddenly thrown at them, attempt to dodge! Having moved away from the tree a moment ago, Mana quickly gripped onto it, his foot sliding off the root and into the mud as he did. Hugging the tree desperately, as if it would help, Mana whimpered at first before he began to speak out, stifling his stuttering cries.

M-Mana gu-guesses he should ask for Dryad's Recall. It would just make it worse for Mana!

show spoilerhide spoilerSprite Magic

Type - Fast Cast

Dryad Recall

Energy Used: 10%

The roots in a designated area recede and coil back.

In this case, Mana is expanding the area where there will be no roots to use for travel between Mana and Aoi.

Mana wanted so badly to start scaling the tree, but he had to keep his ground. He had to for his team captain!

Mana really want's to run right now but if Mana does then he will let down Mr. Ex-Shinigami and Team Captain Shige! Mana isn't sure he can stay still for much longer though, nyoooow!

Energy System and Spell's Cast Wrote:

Energy

Start of turn: 120%

One spell cast (10%), uninjured

Fourth turn end: 120%

At first Mana was unaware of what exactly was going on at first but he quickly began to guess. He wasn't sure why the man had just suddenly hit the ground until he could feel and hear and see it like a splash in a pond, sort of. Mana was unaware it was aimed at the tree however. To Mana, he thought it was aimed toward himself. Had the shock wave not been so large, Mana probably would never have noticed it. The only thought that Mana had was a simple one. He recognized this to be the same thing that Ex-Shinigami Shige tried to do to Mana when he was hiding in a tree. He was trying to get Mana to abandon the tree and leave Mana open to attack (And I kid you not, this seriously happened). The second Mana abandons the tree, his opponent will try to pounce on him! While the means to get Mana away from the tree were a little different, both had aimed to destroy Mana's hope at defense in order to force Mana to run into a trap. The major difference was that this time, Mana had no choice.

His opponent was still far enough away though. If Mana abandoned the tree, even if the man could avoid getting stuck in the mud, Mana would have just a few moments to sprint away from him. If Mana couldn't make it in time, Mana would be in such a horrible situation. He would likely get his skull imploded by the man's fists!

Fight or flight!!! Mana pushed off the tree, keeping low and near the ground so that he could go into a sprint as soon as he landed. Which direction did he jump? Into the direction that would best help him if he managed to get away from his opponent. He jumped toward the mud that had no roots to stabilize one's self on.

Mana's heart was racing, his vision was pristine and yet blurred as fear and shock took him. All he wanted to do now was run. Run as far and quickly and as hard as he could away from his opponent. It felt like he was about to die. This must have been the world that Fighter's lived in. It's like the world was so slow and his mind was racing millions of times quicker than himself.

What was this that Mana was seeing? This sense that everything had slowed. Was it real? What was this feeling? As if he should be paralyzed but instead he was about to run with everything he had. What was he doing!? Putting himself in such a life or death tournament, was any of it real!? Stranger than fiction, but these could be Mana's last thoughts. Move...move...MOVE!!!

Mana had landed in a dangerous spot. He was now closer than he had previously been to his opponent, and he could see, with fear in his eyes, his opponent. Perhaps it was the fear, but it seemed like instead of a cat, that Mana was a mouse and that Aoi, the Raging Blue Storm was the cat. If Mana could manage to get away, it would make it hard for his opponent to pursue him. If Mana didn't get away, it was probably all over. Crouched low, hands and feet on the ground, he was ready and preparing to scramble away as quickly as he could, but he had a feeling that Aoi, the Raging Blue Storm was going to attempt to prevent him from doing that, as he watched, trying to keep from changing to an animal mentally and physically.

Energy System and Spell's Cast Wrote:

Energy

Start of turn: 120%

No spell cast, uninjured

Fifth turn end: 130%

The predator had lept toward the prey, and Mana now couldn't help but restrain himself from changing. The wide eyes full of fear would shift from human like to cat like as the predator was about to descend on Mana. All at once, Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm, would notice that Mana had gotten significantly smaller. With a poof of smoke, like a magic trick, Mana had transformed into an actual cat and had was darting away from the man as if the mud was hardly bothering him at all.

This was what Mana had realized when he first got here (1; para. 3). It was true that there was actually still a bit of a problem, but because he now weighed less and his weight was distributed among four points, he could move with much less of a problem than earlier. The actual thought was a lot more complex when he first did it with buoyancy and all that, but the point was, he could move even fast like this and not have to compete with the mud as much.

Attempting to dart away Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm, Mana would quickly spout out a phrase that would hopefully work. Mana didn't want to fight so this was the only idea Mana could come up with on how to stop it all (3; para. 2).

GNOME N' UNDINE SINK! QUAGMIRE!

show spoilerhide spoilerSprite Magic

Type - Fast Cast

Gnome Sink (Quagmire)

Energy Used: 20%

Causes the earth to loosen up and loses density.

Undine Sink (Quagmire)

Energy Used: 20%

Causes water to flood and fill in in order for things to sink.

Effect: Gnome and Undine are technically two different spells but are used in unison for this to create a quagmire or bog. Because they are two different spells / elements, each one needs it's own energy (which is why it is listed in such a odd way. Haven't had to make a format for this yet). The effect they have is to create something similar to quick sand except with mud (which we will call bog because I forgot the correct term). It is very similar to a liquid so it is very easy to simply fall into it and become stuck. While mostly liquid-like, it is best described as 'jumping into wet cement'. It is very dangerous because the water like mud has a tendency to pull the person in with greater tenacity than quicksand. While not impossible to get out of, it is life threatening and very difficult to get out of. The most important thing is how one lands in it. The initial point of landing is where all the weight is displaced and where one will be stuck from. From this point, it's a case of buoyancy for the most part (hint, I highly suggest NOT trying to roll from a tucked position with your head / shoulder taking the point of impact).

Special Skill's / Racials

Polymorph Self Feline

Free

Mana can shift his form from humanoid form to cat form and back at will. To make it less strange, and less were-beast like, it is usually done with a small poof of smoke. The only clothing that doesn't change into fur during the polymorph would be his hat, if he so happens to have one. Any Imagination Magic crafted items or so forth are instantly gone.

While in feline form, Mana is obviously a smaller target, weights less, moves quicker, and can easily land on his feet at just about any height. He also doesn't take nearly as much damage if he were to fall from great heights. His acrobatic skills are about the same whether humanoid or feline form. He is, however, physically weaker in his feline form and his magic is less potent in feline form. The power loss is greater in the Astral Magic and Arcane Magic as he can no longer make gestures as he could in humanoid form. Sprite Magic is not as handicapped as the others but is still weaker than in humanoid form.

All at once, the grounds that Mana darted away from would become soft, almost water like. It would seem somewhat firm at glance but do not be fooled, that is the worst mistake that could be made. Unless he had been caught somehow, Mana would just BARELY make it out of the area. As was a cat's nature, though, Mana would only run, at full speed mind you, a short distance before peeping up from some structure to see what had happened.

Energy System and Spell's Cast Wrote:

Energy

Start of turn: 130%

Two spells cast (20% + 20% = 40%), uninjured

Sixth turn end: 100%

Mana was dumbfounded. The man must have been much lighter than Mana had thought for him to roll on top of the quagmire and stand on top of it before he began to sink. Perhaps he was wearing some enchanted clothing that made him as light as air? Mana wasn't quite sure, but what he did know was he was about to become EVEN MORE WET THAN HE ALREADY WAS!!! That is, if Mana didn't do something to prevent it from happening. Still stuck on the idea that trapping his enemy was the only method, Mana would only get one more chance to attempt to hold him within the mud before he would have to give up. Such spells, while not 'big' were very hard on Mana and if he kept it up for to much longer, he would be out of energy and pass out.

Gnome and Undine, Implode.

show spoilerhide spoilerSprite Magic

Type - Fast Cast

Gnome (Implode)

Energy Used: 20%

Undine (Implode)

Energy Used: 20%

Effect: Another command for elements to act in unison, each element has their own energy cost. The command here asks to redirect the force exerted inward instead of outward. The force will arc in on itself and be redirected backward and back to where it was. For one directional force, this is a simple reflection. For radiating force, all the force imploding on one point instead of splashing out will be significantly harder that it would have been by going outward.

Mana would watch as the deluge would arc up and around and aim to crash back in to their point of origin. It was kind of majestic the way Undine moved, despite the fact she was working with a stiff like Gnome, not to say that Gnome was always like that though.

Mana could hear himself beginning to pant a little. Using so much energy was starting to make him tired. He wasn't able to make such a move like this again so he had to hope that it worked this time. If it didn't, he would just have to run until he caught a second wind.

He was hoping that it would catch and drag the man into the hall he had made himself, but Mana knew, in the back of his mind, that there were simple and practical ways to avoid this. With as much in mind, he turned and began to run in the direction he originally had come from.

He was panting a little harder than he thought he would. This could end very badly for Mana. At least, heading in this direction, Mana knew kind of what would be obstructing his path so he wouldn't get stuck on any roots or trip over rocks in the mud or anything as easily.

He likely wouldn't get to far before his opponent got out of the hole. Mana had to create distance. Mana wasn't a fighter after all. Even though Ex-Shinigami and Team Captain Shige asked him to stand his ground, in the end he was outclassed in physical strength and Mana didn't know any type of martial arts. He would take a quick look over his shoulder for a moment to see what ended up happening, to see if he could see Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm. Most importantly, though, he needed to see if Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm had actually gotten caught or not. If he did, Mana would need to circle back to help to make sure his new friend didn't drown. If not he could see his new friend or hear him, he would have to keep running...running like his life depended on it...probably because it did. There was only one thing he feared...what if he couldn't tell because of the rain and he came back only to get slaughtered...

Energy System and Spell's Cast Wrote:

Energy

Start of turn: 100%

Two spells cast (20% + 20% = 40%), uninjured

Seventh turn end: 70%

Hiding himself under some roots, Mana sat quietly trying to gather his thoughts on what he could do. He could try the same maneuver he did with Mr. Ex-Shinigami and Team Captain Shige, but he wasn't sure if it was alright to use that kind of force. Mana only did it last time because Shige told him it was alright. He only had a few elements he could work with here, and while he wanted to get assistance from Luna, he wasn't sure how well it would work. The sky's were unusually cloudy which could affect is, possibly. He had never tried to evoke Luna on rainy days before.

'Dryad, Weaving Bed'

show spoilerhide spoilerSprite Magic

Type - Fast Cast

Dryad, Weaving Bed

Energy Used: 10%

The roots begin to gather up in a designated area, under the surface, to give a better structure to the ground and make footing a little better.

Mana was watching for the man, his eyes glancing around the rain to see if he could see or maybe hear the man's approach. The only fear he had was...~CRASH~ a thunderous sound echoed above. He hoped that it would not begin to be a lightning and thunder storm. He knew his eyes might give away his location if it did.

Energy System and Spell's Cast Wrote:

Energy

Start of turn: 70%

One spell cast (10%), uninjured

Eighth turn end: 70%

What was Mana to do, what was Mana to do, WHAT WAS MANA TO DO!!! He couldn't use solid attacks against his opponents fists, but if it was liquid he could pull himself out. The bog had been his best bet. If he had fallen in well enough, he could have used Dryad to have held him in the bog and kept him there till the match time was over. Mana had to try to find a way to subdue him without harming him, which was very hard now that Mana looked back on it.

He would have to make it so that his opponent had little to no movement from his legs or arms. Mana was not a professional of fighting in any way, but Mana seemed to notice a lot of the force from punches can sometimes come from the feet. The proper movements or good footing could help make punches stronger.

What could he do...Mana had a couple ideas such as a 'Undine Prison' but he wasn't sure he could pull that off well enough. He would have to channel his energy into it every turn, but the water would be able to absorb the force of the attacks for the most part. If Mana COULD do it, he couldn't do it for long before he would become to exhausted to keep it up. Whatever he did, it would have to be a combination. Something to absorb some of the force and displace it and another to hold him still. What did he have to work with here? Undine, Dryad, Gnome, and Shade. He wasn't sure how much he could depend on Luna or Jinn and Wisp and Salamander were hardly here at all. Even lightly using either of those two would take a large amount of energy. Perhaps he could try it again, as a last shot last ditch effort...but this time using Shade to make it work more easily...But he needed a few moments to get the power to pull it off.

Over the sound of the rain and the thunder, Mana could pick out something. He wasn't sure if it was his opponent, but he couldn't respond just yet. He would have to keep hiding until he had the power to attempt one last everything or nothing effort.

Energy System and Spell's Cast Wrote:

Energy

Start of turn: 70%

No spells cast, uninjured

Ninth turn end: 80%

What was Mana going to do...Mana really wondered if his plan would work. There were so many chances for it to go wrong. What if it didn't work and Mana failed? What if he is the reason his team fails the tournament was because of Mana? Over the rain, Mana heard a twig break, just barely however. Glancing around frantically, he looked until he barely saw something moving up a tree...Was that...Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm?

WHAT WAS HE DOING!? Mana thought the tree's were strong, but if he climbed to high, the tree was likely to break and that would cause him to fall and maybe land on something sharp and kill himself! Maybe Mana has the wrong idea of how this fight was supposed to go. Mana was trying to win for his team. He didn't want to let them down, but maybe Mana should be doing what Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm is. Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm could have just sat there and waited from a well guarded place so that if Mana had come near or tried something, he could have quickly reacted. However, Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm was...climbing a tree...

Mana was unaware that he had even started to move, and at a decent pace, but he froze all at once when he was able to see...Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm had a smile on his face. Maybe Mana should stop worrying about what he was worrying about and he should enjoy it more like Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm was.

Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm. Is that what Mana should be doing? Instead of worrying about how his team feels, Mana should be having a good time and enjoying himself? It sounds much more fun than just running around and being scared...Not that Mana wouldn't still be running around...Is that what Aoi, The Raging Blue Storm was trying to tell Mana as he climbed the tree? Also...MANA THINK'S YOU SHOULD GET DOWN FROM THERE BEFORE YOU HURT YOURSELF!!! Mana doesn't want to see you accidentally fall and hurt yourself really bad, states Mana the Sincere Cat as he expresses worry for his new friend.

Mana thinks this is what your goal was the entire time...For Mana to realize it isn't about trying to win but to let loose and enjoy himself because that way, even if Mana loses he will still have won, nyaa.

ALRIGHT! Mana will make sure to try to end last till the end having fun then, but promise not to kill Mana alright? Also, Mana will make a soft landing so you don't hurt yourself alright, states Mana the Epiphany Cat as he nyow has a nyew glint of fire within his eyes, NYAAA!!!

Undine, Cushion!

show spoilerhide spoilerSprite Magic

Type - Fast Cast

Undine, Cushion!

Energy Used: 5%

Allows Undine to make a sort of landing area to lighten the impact so from falls or jumps.

Energy System and Spell's Cast Wrote:

Energy

Start of turn: 80%

One spell cast (5%), uninjured

Tenth turn end: 85%