Moralin stared in shock at the... thing before him and the ruin of his blade, the metal shattering leaving only a length just above the hilt left, "Tia'Ren's tail!" He cursed in surprise, "I bloody hate it when they have a second form. Bah, at least you had the courtesy of revealing it now before I beat you black and blue and forced you into it. Damned annoying when you think you've beaten your foe only for them to come back like that. Tch..."
He took a step back, throwing the ruined sword away, "You're a challenge, I'll give you that. Haven't fought your like for a thousand years or so," he grinned, "Still, as much as I look forward to a second round... allying with you is a tempting idea," he glanced towards the minotaur and the beast, though he kept one eye on Doza, "Suppose we should wait until one of them is beten and take on the victor... meanwhile let's go pay archer boy a visit," he said with a thumb towards where Archer was waiting, "Boy's not moved at all and I think the crowd would be eager to see him eliminated, considering he's not had the courtesy to put on a show."
Moralin frowned, "I have no weapon, but considering what you are.. I'd probably need a true Terelain blade or a work of the Elves or Dwarves to fight you. Aye, I'll ally with you until we two are all that remains... and then what say you that we fight without weapons? A fight of honour, on more or less equal terms is something I look forward to with you."
He took a step back, throwing the ruined sword away, "You're a challenge, I'll give you that. Haven't fought your like for a thousand years or so," he grinned, "Still, as much as I look forward to a second round... allying with you is a tempting idea," he glanced towards the minotaur and the beast, though he kept one eye on Doza, "Suppose we should wait until one of them is beten and take on the victor... meanwhile let's go pay archer boy a visit," he said with a thumb towards where Archer was waiting, "Boy's not moved at all and I think the crowd would be eager to see him eliminated, considering he's not had the courtesy to put on a show."
Moralin frowned, "I have no weapon, but considering what you are.. I'd probably need a true Terelain blade or a work of the Elves or Dwarves to fight you. Aye, I'll ally with you until we two are all that remains... and then what say you that we fight without weapons? A fight of honour, on more or less equal terms is something I look forward to with you."
Archer watched the two beasts have at it. Well, more like one having at the other. " Interesting..." he said to himself before looking over at the other two. "So, one of them have a magical skin-shield thing or something. Well this will be fun." He looked on as the two started to head towards him, continuing to meditate.
The man beast's voice became steadily louder, as the mace collided into its thick kneecaps, "Stop! Stop! STOP! STOOOOP!" The red eyes in the darkness pulled back and their mouths opened. The fire that escaped their mouths directed itself towards the minotaurs form, lighting the darkness up. The scales of the two draconic heads glistened with the fire's reflection, both cones covering the crate's span.
"I doubt you've battled anything quite like me..." Doza said absentmindedly as he saw fire erupt from one of the cages on the other side of the arena.
Doza smiles at Moralin's suggestion, "Agreed. It is dishonorable to hide and wait for all battles to end and then win a war without so much as lifting a finger." Doza remarks as he turned his blazing gaze to where Archer was hiding in the shadows - it was as if he could see beyond whatever magic Archer was using to shroud himself. "I need not weapons or armor," Doza said as he let the last of his weapons and shields melt off of him. "-And I will gladly do battle with you. But first lets pillage a nest!" Doza said as he lunged forward towards the meditating archer with surprising speed for someone of his size and weight.
If Archer did not move he would find himself pinned to the wall with all the weight of Doza pressing against hims throat, if he attacked there was little a few arrows could do that a Terelian blade couldn't. Doza had true sight, he could see beyond the tricks of his opponents while the fire in his eyes raged.
Doza smiles at Moralin's suggestion, "Agreed. It is dishonorable to hide and wait for all battles to end and then win a war without so much as lifting a finger." Doza remarks as he turned his blazing gaze to where Archer was hiding in the shadows - it was as if he could see beyond whatever magic Archer was using to shroud himself. "I need not weapons or armor," Doza said as he let the last of his weapons and shields melt off of him. "-And I will gladly do battle with you. But first lets pillage a nest!" Doza said as he lunged forward towards the meditating archer with surprising speed for someone of his size and weight.
If Archer did not move he would find himself pinned to the wall with all the weight of Doza pressing against hims throat, if he attacked there was little a few arrows could do that a Terelian blade couldn't. Doza had true sight, he could see beyond the tricks of his opponents while the fire in his eyes raged.
Archer let the warrior get close before suddenly vanishing. He then was suddenly on Moralin's back, a dagger against his throat. "So, after the games, I'm marching an army onto your lands to sort out those cursed ruins." he said. "When I'm done, you should be able to use them again. Oh, and I won't count this as your defeat, since it was sudden." He then jumped off the man's back, landing in the center of the arena. He sat down and resumed meditating.
Moralin froze as Archer suddenly appeared upon his back, knife tickling his throat. A low growl rippled from him, "Takes some skill to get the drop on me, boy... I'll be sure you will not get the chance again," the feline glared at Archer once he'd settled himself back down, "You intend to march qn army upon Terel'Liren? What makes you think we would grant passage to you and your kin? No foreign army has set foot Within The Mountains for ten thousand years and I doubt Erisad is going to break that streak for someone so deluded. You go into Nias Thineral and you will die, or your mind will snap along with all those you drag with you.. and that's the best case scenario. At worst you'll all fall to the Corruption and we'll have to spend the next few centuries purging the lot of you and rebuilding the old wards."
He shook his head, "Come to Terel'Liren if you wish, but we will not grant you entry to our lands. Attempt to force the issue and we will kill every single one of your people that attempts it, and if you still will not be dissuaded then we will have little choice but to retaliate and pull down your city to ensure you can no longer raise arms against us. Nias Thineral is forbidden for a reason, boy. Our purest champions, our greatest warriors, our wisest magi have all attempted to purify the city. Even heroes from other races have attempted it in the distant past. All have failed. Unless you mean to claim yourself as the Exalted One Who Shall Come then give up any intent of going there, we have no intention of seeing yet one more innocent fall to the shadows that lie there."
Magic flared around the Terelain Blademaster, a flickering aura of light as he took a step towards Archer and raised his fists, "Perhaps I can beat some sense into you. Lets give the crowd what they're craving!" The feline charged Archer, lashing out with his foot with lightning-speed. Even without a sword Moralin was a Master of Tae Kil Raan and was just as deadly with his bare hands and claws as he was with any blade.
He shook his head, "Come to Terel'Liren if you wish, but we will not grant you entry to our lands. Attempt to force the issue and we will kill every single one of your people that attempts it, and if you still will not be dissuaded then we will have little choice but to retaliate and pull down your city to ensure you can no longer raise arms against us. Nias Thineral is forbidden for a reason, boy. Our purest champions, our greatest warriors, our wisest magi have all attempted to purify the city. Even heroes from other races have attempted it in the distant past. All have failed. Unless you mean to claim yourself as the Exalted One Who Shall Come then give up any intent of going there, we have no intention of seeing yet one more innocent fall to the shadows that lie there."
Magic flared around the Terelain Blademaster, a flickering aura of light as he took a step towards Archer and raised his fists, "Perhaps I can beat some sense into you. Lets give the crowd what they're craving!" The feline charged Archer, lashing out with his foot with lightning-speed. Even without a sword Moralin was a Master of Tae Kil Raan and was just as deadly with his bare hands and claws as he was with any blade.
The Terelain's kick would find itself inches short from hitting Archer. "Shadows? Did you say shadows?" he said, standing up. "Then that confirms my theory. Thank you for the information. After the games, the ruins will be safe." He gave a slight bow to the feline, then to Doza. "I will take my leave now." At that, he vanished.
The crowd cheered up but all sat in silence as Archer simply left the stadium. What was his goal? The announcer spoke."Archer has been disqualified for leaving the playing field." A load roar erupted, but there was still some lovely dancing to be seen.
The sudden fire singed the Minotaur who roared loudly as he stepped backwards, nearly tripping as his fur had caught fire. He quickly patted it out, screaming in the process, clearly afraid of fire. Borge managed to get the fires doused, leaving patches of burned skin where fur used to be, including on his face. The Minotaur's eye seemed to have burned up. Any normal man would have fainted from the pain, but Borge was no normal man. Having his cornea burned off made the Minotaur mad. Incredibly so!
Borge let out not a frightened roar, but a shriek that would chill the bones of all those hearing it. In utter rage the beastman dropped his mace and charged leapt straight for the Abomination's gut! His goal was to make the creature topple over into the dirt, only to then run up to its dragonic head and proceed to smash it to a bloody pulp.
The sudden fire singed the Minotaur who roared loudly as he stepped backwards, nearly tripping as his fur had caught fire. He quickly patted it out, screaming in the process, clearly afraid of fire. Borge managed to get the fires doused, leaving patches of burned skin where fur used to be, including on his face. The Minotaur's eye seemed to have burned up. Any normal man would have fainted from the pain, but Borge was no normal man. Having his cornea burned off made the Minotaur mad. Incredibly so!
Borge let out not a frightened roar, but a shriek that would chill the bones of all those hearing it. In utter rage the beastman dropped his mace and charged leapt straight for the Abomination's gut! His goal was to make the creature topple over into the dirt, only to then run up to its dragonic head and proceed to smash it to a bloody pulp.
Though Archer had vanished from regular sight Doza had tracked his unseen movements all the way to behind Moralin, he would've approached the archer again if he hadn't pressed a blade to his ally's throat. Doza did not fully understand the hidden context of the conversation between the two of them - but he knew talk of strategy when he heard it. But figured he would at least try to sneak around to behind the two of them and pull the shadow-walker away from Moralin. Just as Moralin managed for get away from Archer and summon some physical enhancement magic to lay their opponent low he vanished once again. Doza watched as the unseen archer left the arena and listened as the announcer disqualified the man, he agreed; what was the point of joining a battle if you had no intention to fight? It would've been better in Doza's own opinion if the archer had never signed up.
Doza shrugged and walked calmly back to Moralin, "So that's one nuisance alleviated..." Doza smirked before turning to watch with interest the battle between the Minotaur and the dragon headed Abomination. "Feel up to bashing some oversized skulls?" Doza asked Moralin before taking a step in the direction of the main battle.
Doza shrugged and walked calmly back to Moralin, "So that's one nuisance alleviated..." Doza smirked before turning to watch with interest the battle between the Minotaur and the dragon headed Abomination. "Feel up to bashing some oversized skulls?" Doza asked Moralin before taking a step in the direction of the main battle.
Moralin growled low in annoyance as Archer easily dodged his kick and then vanished from sight, "That... human tries my patience. The next time I see him I do hope it will not be in such a competition as this. I would not want to be holding back anything," his eyes narrowed and he turned to Doza, "Gladly. The sooner this is finished the sooner I can return to Oberoth. If Archer intends to send an army against Terel'Liren in some deluded attempt to reach Nias Thineral... he will find us waiting for him. No matter what he thinks he can do, we can not allow an entire army into that cursed place. At best it would mean the senseless deaths of most of his people, at worst it might mean a Third Black Crusade, I will not allow that fool of a Flicker-Life to destroy four and a half thousand years of peace."
Moralin looked over at the battling brutes, shaking his head, "This doubt this will take long. The one who wins that brawl will be half-dead already," the Lord-Commander started walking towards the minotaur and the abomination, "I don't know what that dragon-headed thing is, but I don't like it. Coronet goes too far with their experiments and dark magic. I shall certainly have to speak with Erisad about this too. The last thing we need is Coronet falling to Corruption on top of this Archer's foolishness."
Moralin looked over at the battling brutes, shaking his head, "This doubt this will take long. The one who wins that brawl will be half-dead already," the Lord-Commander started walking towards the minotaur and the abomination, "I don't know what that dragon-headed thing is, but I don't like it. Coronet goes too far with their experiments and dark magic. I shall certainly have to speak with Erisad about this too. The last thing we need is Coronet falling to Corruption on top of this Archer's foolishness."
The Beast of Coronet let out a quiet oof, as his back presses itself into the crate’s wall. Unfortunately for the minotaur, the Beast was already backed into this dark cage of metal. The Beast’s facial features, hidden partially by the darkness of the metal crate, twitch in fury. His throat’s veins bulge outwards, as his voice reverberates off of the metal walls, “I NEVER WANTED THIS! YOU DIE NOW!” The Beast’s clawed hands fold inward, his arms wrapping around the minotaur’s form. His blades would puncture the beasts’s back with tremendous force, hugging the minotaur to his massive stomach. The two draconic heads move to snap their fangs at and into the minotaur’s neck, attempting to pull the tender flesh there from where it should be.
"That... human tries my patience. The next time I see him I do hope it will not be in such a competition as this. I would not want to be holding back anything," Moralin all but hissed as his eyes narrowed before turning to Doza.
"Don't let him get to you, most of the Scouts of my nation act similarly if somewhat more serious about themselves and their duty to their nation." Doza replied as he walked with Moralin, a knowing smile spread across his face.
"...The sooner this is finished the sooner I can return to Oberoth. If Archer intends to send an army against Terel'Liren in some deluded attempt to reach Nias Thineral... he will find us waiting for him. No matter what he thinks he can do, we can not allow an entire army into that cursed place. At best it would mean the senseless deaths of most of his people, at worst it might mean a Third Black Crusade, I will not allow that fool of a Flicker-Life to destroy four and a half thousand years of peace." Moralin went on.
"Peace is always preferable to war, take this from a nation who has fought meaningless wars amongst themselves for several millennia..." Doza agreed.
"I doubt this will take long. The one who wins that brawl will be half-dead already," Moralin said as they were getting very close to where the other two beasts were battling, "I don't know what that dragon-headed thing is, but I don't like it. Coronet goes too far with their experiments and dark magic. I shall certainly have to speak with Erisad about this too. The last thing we need is Coronet falling to Corruption on top of this Archer's foolishness."
"I would not know, my people and I are still new to all this. The politics, the relations, the trades, the lore... All of it so foreign and strange." Doza said as he watched the two beast struggle against each other. "But I do know that I will get bored if I have to stand here for much longer..." Doza said as he waited impatiently for one of the beast to either yield or pass out from exhaustion. He would step in to break up the fight if things got too much more out of hand between the man-bull and the dragon-headed atrocity.
“I NEVER WANTED THIS! YOU DIE NOW!” The Beast’s clawed hands fold inward, his arms wrapping around the Minotaur's form. His blades would puncture the beasts’s back with tremendous force, hugging the Minotaur to his massive stomach. The two draconic heads move to snap their fangs at and into the Minotaur's neck, attempting to pull the tender flesh there from where it should be. It was at this moment that Doza leapt into action, what these two were doing was not a friendly spar, it was a death match.
"HEY!" Doza shouted at the top of his lungs as he jumped onto the back of the beast and wrapped his arms around the necks of the dragons in an attempt to either distract them or pull them off of Borge by knocking them out. "NO. KILLING. THOSE WERE THE RULES!" Doza shouted close to the dragon heads.
"Don't let him get to you, most of the Scouts of my nation act similarly if somewhat more serious about themselves and their duty to their nation." Doza replied as he walked with Moralin, a knowing smile spread across his face.
"...The sooner this is finished the sooner I can return to Oberoth. If Archer intends to send an army against Terel'Liren in some deluded attempt to reach Nias Thineral... he will find us waiting for him. No matter what he thinks he can do, we can not allow an entire army into that cursed place. At best it would mean the senseless deaths of most of his people, at worst it might mean a Third Black Crusade, I will not allow that fool of a Flicker-Life to destroy four and a half thousand years of peace." Moralin went on.
"Peace is always preferable to war, take this from a nation who has fought meaningless wars amongst themselves for several millennia..." Doza agreed.
"I doubt this will take long. The one who wins that brawl will be half-dead already," Moralin said as they were getting very close to where the other two beasts were battling, "I don't know what that dragon-headed thing is, but I don't like it. Coronet goes too far with their experiments and dark magic. I shall certainly have to speak with Erisad about this too. The last thing we need is Coronet falling to Corruption on top of this Archer's foolishness."
"I would not know, my people and I are still new to all this. The politics, the relations, the trades, the lore... All of it so foreign and strange." Doza said as he watched the two beast struggle against each other. "But I do know that I will get bored if I have to stand here for much longer..." Doza said as he waited impatiently for one of the beast to either yield or pass out from exhaustion. He would step in to break up the fight if things got too much more out of hand between the man-bull and the dragon-headed atrocity.
“I NEVER WANTED THIS! YOU DIE NOW!” The Beast’s clawed hands fold inward, his arms wrapping around the Minotaur's form. His blades would puncture the beasts’s back with tremendous force, hugging the Minotaur to his massive stomach. The two draconic heads move to snap their fangs at and into the Minotaur's neck, attempting to pull the tender flesh there from where it should be. It was at this moment that Doza leapt into action, what these two were doing was not a friendly spar, it was a death match.
"HEY!" Doza shouted at the top of his lungs as he jumped onto the back of the beast and wrapped his arms around the necks of the dragons in an attempt to either distract them or pull them off of Borge by knocking them out. "NO. KILLING. THOSE WERE THE RULES!" Doza shouted close to the dragon heads.
There was nothing Borge could've done. He was pinned, trapped to this beast's whims. He was cocky, far too sure of himself, and now he was paying the price. The blades mercilessly pierced his flesh, teeth sank into his neck and all the Minotaur could do was scream. And how he screamed. It was almost worthy of pity, the way this beast screamed for mercy.
Despite Doza's heroic intervention, Borge did no longer move. As soon as the attacks ended, there remained nothing but a giant corpse, his eyes wide open out of the pain he had to endure. The announcer spoke once more.
"Coronet has been disqualified for killing one of the fighters!"
This did not go over well with the audience. Not at all. At least not with Vos Valkearians who started shouting angrily. The situation got out of hand quickly.
Monsters jumped down into the arena and Harpies swooped from the sky, all of them carrying some sort of weapon they had hidden on them."Kill the abomination!" One of them shouted."Vengeance for Borge!" Another one shouted. At least twenty monsters were on the field now, brandishing all sorts of weaponry, ready to lynch Coronet's monster."Coronet must bleed!" It sounded."Death to the abomination! Death to Coronet!"
Minotaurs, Lizardfolk, Bullywugs and Harpies were all edging closer and closer to the box Coronet's beast was in. Hopefully in their blind rage they would not try to attack the remaining gladiators.
Despite Doza's heroic intervention, Borge did no longer move. As soon as the attacks ended, there remained nothing but a giant corpse, his eyes wide open out of the pain he had to endure. The announcer spoke once more.
"Coronet has been disqualified for killing one of the fighters!"
This did not go over well with the audience. Not at all. At least not with Vos Valkearians who started shouting angrily. The situation got out of hand quickly.
Monsters jumped down into the arena and Harpies swooped from the sky, all of them carrying some sort of weapon they had hidden on them."Kill the abomination!" One of them shouted."Vengeance for Borge!" Another one shouted. At least twenty monsters were on the field now, brandishing all sorts of weaponry, ready to lynch Coronet's monster."Coronet must bleed!" It sounded."Death to the abomination! Death to Coronet!"
Minotaurs, Lizardfolk, Bullywugs and Harpies were all edging closer and closer to the box Coronet's beast was in. Hopefully in their blind rage they would not try to attack the remaining gladiators.
Suddenly, a wall of pure shadows surrounding the box erupted from the ground, shooting high into the sky. It effectively created a barrier between the beast and the angry mob. Archer appeared inside the box. "That mob out there will kill you. I'm offering you an escape." he said calmly. "Take my hand and imagine a peaceful place that you wouldn't mind living the rest of your life." He then held out a hand to the beast. If attacked, both Archer and the barrier would dissappear. But if the offer is accepted, the beast would also dissappear. Then Archer and the beast would appear at wherever the beast imagined.
The wall of shadows would fill any who touch it with large amounts of fear, but the fear quickly dissipates once you back off.
The wall of shadows would fill any who touch it with large amounts of fear, but the fear quickly dissipates once you back off.
Moralin stared at the minotaur's corpse, then at the gathering angry mob of Vos Valkearians. His left eye twitched, "Undhar's Singed Whiskers!" He cursed, "This is all we need..." he stepped towards the crowd, holding his hands up, "Enough blood has been shed this day, do not add your own to these sands. Attack the creature and you may kill it, aye, but a lot of your kin will lie dead at its feet before then! Coronet will answer for the death of your champion, on this I give my word of honour!"
Moralin approached the crowd slowly, eyes flickering from one monstrous form to the next, ready to fight or flee at a moment's notice, "Put down your weapons and let the beast be made to answer for his crimes, and for his makers to be made to answer. Killing it now will do little more than sully the honour of Vos Valkear before all the kingdoms here present. Restrain yourselves this once, show Coronet that you are more than brute monsters, primitives to be scorned. There is honour and nobility amongst you, equal to that of any other race or kindred! Show it now, act not in anger here and you will be able to bring the full fury of Vos Valkear upon the true murderers here - not the monster but the ones that made him, the ones that put such an unstable beast in this arena in the first place!"
Moralin hoped the speech would get through to them, but somehow he doubted it, he glanced quickly towards Doza, "I really hope you're ready for this because I can smell blood in the air... we will have to do our part in stopping any more senseless deaths... curse Coronet and their corrupt magics!"
(EDIT: Archer ninja'd me as I was posting!)
Moralin let loose another flurry of curses, this time in his native language, a number of them so vehement that it was rather fortunate that few people in the audience would be able to understand even a fraction of the Low Terelain he was using. The wall of shadow blocking off the creature might have helped to prevent more killing but he was damned if he liked it! That blasted human! Who else would be using shadows like that?! Moralin found himself greatly disliking this Archer person... threatening his kingdom, poking his nose in ancient secrets and slumbering evils, fleeing tourney without even fighting, upstaging him with this flashy magic...
The instinctive fear of the barrier held little terror for him, the emotion barely rising before it was extinguished like a candle's flame. Fear was the mind killer, the little death that brings total obliteration. It had no place in the heart of a Master of Tae Kil Raan. Magic to manipulate emotion was infamously ineffective against those who had mastered emotion and achieved true Alaer. It was just another part of the wind of the storm that howled beyond the ever-calm centre, the ripples of a pool that always returned to stillness and quintessence.
Moralin sighed and massaged his temples, "This... this is why I stopped going to professional tournaments."
You'd be surprised the kind of insanity that happened when a bunch of magical martial arts masters decided to duke it out for fun and honour. The less said about the Great FUBAR Incident of '634 the better.
Moralin approached the crowd slowly, eyes flickering from one monstrous form to the next, ready to fight or flee at a moment's notice, "Put down your weapons and let the beast be made to answer for his crimes, and for his makers to be made to answer. Killing it now will do little more than sully the honour of Vos Valkear before all the kingdoms here present. Restrain yourselves this once, show Coronet that you are more than brute monsters, primitives to be scorned. There is honour and nobility amongst you, equal to that of any other race or kindred! Show it now, act not in anger here and you will be able to bring the full fury of Vos Valkear upon the true murderers here - not the monster but the ones that made him, the ones that put such an unstable beast in this arena in the first place!"
Moralin hoped the speech would get through to them, but somehow he doubted it, he glanced quickly towards Doza, "I really hope you're ready for this because I can smell blood in the air... we will have to do our part in stopping any more senseless deaths... curse Coronet and their corrupt magics!"
(EDIT: Archer ninja'd me as I was posting!)
Moralin let loose another flurry of curses, this time in his native language, a number of them so vehement that it was rather fortunate that few people in the audience would be able to understand even a fraction of the Low Terelain he was using. The wall of shadow blocking off the creature might have helped to prevent more killing but he was damned if he liked it! That blasted human! Who else would be using shadows like that?! Moralin found himself greatly disliking this Archer person... threatening his kingdom, poking his nose in ancient secrets and slumbering evils, fleeing tourney without even fighting, upstaging him with this flashy magic...
The instinctive fear of the barrier held little terror for him, the emotion barely rising before it was extinguished like a candle's flame. Fear was the mind killer, the little death that brings total obliteration. It had no place in the heart of a Master of Tae Kil Raan. Magic to manipulate emotion was infamously ineffective against those who had mastered emotion and achieved true Alaer. It was just another part of the wind of the storm that howled beyond the ever-calm centre, the ripples of a pool that always returned to stillness and quintessence.
Moralin sighed and massaged his temples, "This... this is why I stopped going to professional tournaments."
You'd be surprised the kind of insanity that happened when a bunch of magical martial arts masters decided to duke it out for fun and honour. The less said about the Great FUBAR Incident of '634 the better.
A man unhardened by war and the depravities of the Caves would've froze at a death like this before his eyes, but Doza did not. Using his strength he broke the jaws and digits holding the lifeless body of Borge, the beast would likely bellow in pain and attempt a retaliation but it would be like child trying to gnaw on a bolder – futile and a mouth full of broken teeth. Doza leapt off of the beast and to the body of Borge, Doza sized up the damage – multiple lacerations and contusions. The body was in terrible shape but there might be a chance to save him; Ahuachtlites were famed for bringing back men from death. Doza didn't have much time if he hoped to revive Borge to life, just as Doza hefted the large body of the Minotaur a wall of shadow rose from the ground as the sudden re-arrival of Archer astonished everyone in the crowd and in the arena.
Doza wouldn't have enough time to get out of the barrier with Borge so he chucked the body over the barrier before it rose too high. Doza was trapped in the box and barrier with both the beast and with Archer, “YOU!” Doza shouted to Archer.
“You seek to give this beast refuge? No, It and its creator will stand punishment according to the local laws for what it has done! As will you for attempting to obstruct justice!” Doza shouted as he rushed over to Archer before the slippery tenemancer to get away. He would grab Archer by the collar with a firm grip, he would not let go of the man as he tied his own magical essence onto the archer’s clothing like magical bindings. The skin on Archer’s flesh would likely begin to burn and blister as a single touch from Doza’s skin would be like touching a metal shield that was left in the hot summer’s sun for too long.
"And do not even think for a minute you are going to escape my grasp for it is as certain as the law." Doza sneered as he drew closer to Archer until they were face to face.
Doza felt the chill that the barrier radiated, the sense of dread and irrational fear. It was then that he got an idea, while still bound to Archer he dragged him over to the barrier. It would be unlikely that the shadow-caster was wise enough to prevent his own protection spell from affecting him the same way it would affect everyone else. Doza hoped for one of two things to happen – either the barrier fell or Archer got a taste of his own medicine. Whatever the barrier would do to him would be irrelevant the Caves did the same thing to everyone who entered them and because he had overcome the Caves he had overcome his fears he had nothing to worry about.
On the other side of the shadow wall...
Wicco arrived to the arena the same moment as the barrier rose from the ground, he watched as the lifeless Minotaur body was chucked over – he knew that Doza was inside and what any able bodied Ahuachtlites were to do in a situation like this. Wicco had been in battles before amongst his own tribe with other warring factions before the instilment of Great Peace, this was a common practice among warriors. Get the body out of harm’s way and have the medics or clergy or artificers get to work. Medicine wasn’t as much advanced as it was skilled, religion wasn’t as skilled as if was lucky and crafting wasn’t as lucky as it was advanced at bringing the newly dead back to life.
Such practice was forbidden unless the circumstances were noble and were performed within the hour of death – after that things got difficult and weird. Wicco as well as a few other Ahuachtlites from the crowd leapt from the stands and poured down to the inert body. Upon passing Moralin Wicco paused, “...Keep everyone back, we will do our best to save him...” Wicco said solemnly. He recognized out of the approaching group a fellow artificer, a trio of clergy (2 male, 1 female) and one medic – six total. The three clerics began to feverishly pray incantations as they formed a triangle around the medic, Wicco and the other craftsman; a ring of white runes appeared on the ground as they intoned – their tattoos glowing brightly on their bodies. Meanwhile both Wicco and his fellow crafter went to work taking objects from their tool belts and shaping them together to make a palm-sized disk of metal. They etched into it a series of strange runes that together made a larger rune that was equally strange. As they worked the medic was busy pouring liquids and powders into any open holes on the body, she was a healer. She wiped the sweat from her brow as she watched to wounds begin to close and the vitality slowly return to Borge. “You are not going to die and you will live to fight another day...” she muttered to Borge and to herself as she worked. “All potential poisons have been neutralized and his healing has taken full effect. Are we ready for the Heartalloy?” she asked as the clerics nodded with the artificers.
“We give you life!” The six said in unison. A wispy shape had collected within the area above the metal disk before sinking below its surface and illuminating the etchings upon it. The healer slammed her palms down on the disk causing it to fall into place on Borge’s skin where it became a part of him. Borge would appear normal, a few extra scars maybe, but the only real difference would be the metal disk in his chest directly above his heart. It had been only 3 minutes since his death but now he would be back and stronger than before.
Doza wouldn't have enough time to get out of the barrier with Borge so he chucked the body over the barrier before it rose too high. Doza was trapped in the box and barrier with both the beast and with Archer, “YOU!” Doza shouted to Archer.
“You seek to give this beast refuge? No, It and its creator will stand punishment according to the local laws for what it has done! As will you for attempting to obstruct justice!” Doza shouted as he rushed over to Archer before the slippery tenemancer to get away. He would grab Archer by the collar with a firm grip, he would not let go of the man as he tied his own magical essence onto the archer’s clothing like magical bindings. The skin on Archer’s flesh would likely begin to burn and blister as a single touch from Doza’s skin would be like touching a metal shield that was left in the hot summer’s sun for too long.
"And do not even think for a minute you are going to escape my grasp for it is as certain as the law." Doza sneered as he drew closer to Archer until they were face to face.
Doza felt the chill that the barrier radiated, the sense of dread and irrational fear. It was then that he got an idea, while still bound to Archer he dragged him over to the barrier. It would be unlikely that the shadow-caster was wise enough to prevent his own protection spell from affecting him the same way it would affect everyone else. Doza hoped for one of two things to happen – either the barrier fell or Archer got a taste of his own medicine. Whatever the barrier would do to him would be irrelevant the Caves did the same thing to everyone who entered them and because he had overcome the Caves he had overcome his fears he had nothing to worry about.
On the other side of the shadow wall...
Wicco arrived to the arena the same moment as the barrier rose from the ground, he watched as the lifeless Minotaur body was chucked over – he knew that Doza was inside and what any able bodied Ahuachtlites were to do in a situation like this. Wicco had been in battles before amongst his own tribe with other warring factions before the instilment of Great Peace, this was a common practice among warriors. Get the body out of harm’s way and have the medics or clergy or artificers get to work. Medicine wasn’t as much advanced as it was skilled, religion wasn’t as skilled as if was lucky and crafting wasn’t as lucky as it was advanced at bringing the newly dead back to life.
Such practice was forbidden unless the circumstances were noble and were performed within the hour of death – after that things got difficult and weird. Wicco as well as a few other Ahuachtlites from the crowd leapt from the stands and poured down to the inert body. Upon passing Moralin Wicco paused, “...Keep everyone back, we will do our best to save him...” Wicco said solemnly. He recognized out of the approaching group a fellow artificer, a trio of clergy (2 male, 1 female) and one medic – six total. The three clerics began to feverishly pray incantations as they formed a triangle around the medic, Wicco and the other craftsman; a ring of white runes appeared on the ground as they intoned – their tattoos glowing brightly on their bodies. Meanwhile both Wicco and his fellow crafter went to work taking objects from their tool belts and shaping them together to make a palm-sized disk of metal. They etched into it a series of strange runes that together made a larger rune that was equally strange. As they worked the medic was busy pouring liquids and powders into any open holes on the body, she was a healer. She wiped the sweat from her brow as she watched to wounds begin to close and the vitality slowly return to Borge. “You are not going to die and you will live to fight another day...” she muttered to Borge and to herself as she worked. “All potential poisons have been neutralized and his healing has taken full effect. Are we ready for the Heartalloy?” she asked as the clerics nodded with the artificers.
“We give you life!” The six said in unison. A wispy shape had collected within the area above the metal disk before sinking below its surface and illuminating the etchings upon it. The healer slammed her palms down on the disk causing it to fall into place on Borge’s skin where it became a part of him. Borge would appear normal, a few extra scars maybe, but the only real difference would be the metal disk in his chest directly above his heart. It had been only 3 minutes since his death but now he would be back and stronger than before.
Archer sighed as Doza shouted and ran at him. "Nevermind." he said to the beast. "Just imagine that place and you will go there. Trust me." He then just stood there as Doza grabbed his collar. He felt Doza's magic seep into his outer robe, the heat dissipating before it reached his skin. "Didn't you hear the beast? It said it never wanted any of this." he told Doza. "So yes, I am seeking to give him refuge." He would of laughed at Doza's comment of not being able to escape, if not for the fact that he didn't feel like being snapped in two. He noticed that Doza was dragging him towards the wall of shadows. He remained silent as he was pushed closer and closer to the barrier. When he was mere inches away, he suddenly reached out and touched the barrier and disappeared, leaving Doza holding his outer robe. Archer reappeared inside the box again, facing Doza. He gave a simple wave before a huge fist of shadow erupted from the ground by Doza and punched him through the barrier, but the barrier didn't use its effect on Doza as he stumbled outside. A moment later, Archer poked his head out of the barrier. "Good try trying to give me a taste of my own medicine, but I'm unaffected by the shadows." he said. "It's part of being a shadow-walker. Now all of you, go punish the creators of the beast. He didn't want any of this." He then disappeared again, walking over to the beast. "Okay, let's go now." he said, a friendly smile on his face.
The crowd was empty of Coronet's citizens, as was the general city of which the tournament was hosted. Cyrille and the others' camp was empty; nothing but a spent firepit. The crowd was becoming mad, the stone-skinned man unable to jump upon the beast's back due to it being backed into the back of a crate, and the crate not having an available and open backing.
The Beast's claws, however, retreated from the corpse of the minotuar, soon covering his face from the others that neared itself. The two serpentine heads withdrew from the minotuar's shoulders, soon rearing back and opening their mouths as Dozer neared them. Fire would erupt, filling the crate with an intense heat. The Beast's claws could be broken, still, and it would bleed upon the floor of the crate, its massive head shaking back and forth, "I SORRY, I SORRY!"
If the shadow walker appeared once more, within the crate, the beast's gaze would linger upon him through the broken claws of his hands, gaping holes where the some of the claws once were. The beast shakes its head, "NO, DOCTOR GARY, I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK!" The beast shakes its head more, and it would push past the Archer, moving into the barrier of fear and outside. If the crate was still elevated, at this time, the beast's form would appear above those below, its crying growing louder as it neared the ground. It would collide into the ground, likely into any number of those below, its cries cut short by a solid and impactful crunching sound, its head twisted to the side and its eyes still open.
A member of the crowd slowly stands up, his face nonchalant, and his hands slowly rising to clap in a very even tone.
The Beast's claws, however, retreated from the corpse of the minotuar, soon covering his face from the others that neared itself. The two serpentine heads withdrew from the minotuar's shoulders, soon rearing back and opening their mouths as Dozer neared them. Fire would erupt, filling the crate with an intense heat. The Beast's claws could be broken, still, and it would bleed upon the floor of the crate, its massive head shaking back and forth, "I SORRY, I SORRY!"
If the shadow walker appeared once more, within the crate, the beast's gaze would linger upon him through the broken claws of his hands, gaping holes where the some of the claws once were. The beast shakes its head, "NO, DOCTOR GARY, I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK!" The beast shakes its head more, and it would push past the Archer, moving into the barrier of fear and outside. If the crate was still elevated, at this time, the beast's form would appear above those below, its crying growing louder as it neared the ground. It would collide into the ground, likely into any number of those below, its cries cut short by a solid and impactful crunching sound, its head twisted to the side and its eyes still open.
A member of the crowd slowly stands up, his face nonchalant, and his hands slowly rising to clap in a very even tone.
Archer simply seemed to flow out of the way of the beast as it pushed past him. The barrier was coming down as the beast went through, and it attempted to give the beast happy thoughts. Archer walked out of the cage and towards the beast, dark, shadowy figures appearing behind him as he walked. They kept appearing, seeming to reach hundreds strong. "Everyone stay back from the beast. He apologized." he said, standing next to the fallen beast. He then stood guard over his new friend. "The offer is still up my friend."
((I am terribly sorry but I can't allow Ahuachtli to resurrect people without any sort of backfire. The resurrection spell can be performed if you wish, but it will come with a price, that being the one who's resurrected is not the same, mentally. Otherwise Ahuachtli might be a bit too overpowered.))
Moralin had a silver tongue, it seemed. The mob had calmed down, but only partially. Soon enough violence would be incited once more."You would let Coronet walk, Old Man!? You would deny us our revenge!?" Another Minotaur yelled back at Moralin."Would you let Borge's corpse rot in the dirt and let his spirit remain restless in the name of honour? I spit on your honor, Terelian! And I spit on you!"
Soon the shadows emerged and the Vos Valkearians lost it!"Shadow's whore!" The angry minotaur cried out."How dare you! We will rip your eyes out!" All who tried to enter the shadowy barrier did not last, however. They all reared back, screaming in anger and fear. The approach of the Ahuachtilites did not help things out either.
"Stay back!" The monsters screamed nearly in unison as they stood guard over their fallen comrade. They were not going to let this Human try their witchcraft on Borge. But solace came in the form of Leem. The Harpy gracefully landed in the middle of the field, in between the Ahuachtilites. Her arms were stretched. In her left hand she had what seemed like the handle of a sword. At this time, the main gate the arena opened, and through it walked three gigantic constructs, with Heidman in the middle of them.
"My children." Leem began."I have witnessed all that happened, but do not put the blame on these Humans, despite your prejudices. I can sense they mean no ill will towards Borge. I believe they have the power get him back among us. Let them try at the very least." She then pointed towards the box and Archer."These two. These two monstrosities of the Ruins and Coronet are the ones who must pay. Pay in blood, they shall. But not today. We are not a nation of savages. We abide by laws that set us above the likes of Coronet! But know this, children. Your bloodlust will be satiated. Not today, but one day soon." That last sentence had something eerie about it. Those who could sense magic could feel a large amount flowing from the Harpy.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Angus Heidman shouted towards everyone."This is not what I wished to happen! Leem, remove your people off of the fields at once lest they are forced by Golems to do so!" The Minotaur spat on the ground."Go, child." Leem spoke to him."Your brother is saved. There is nothing for you here." The minotaur looked over to Borge, who stood, drool coming from his mouth and blood still pouring from his wounds."Take him to our camp to patch him up." Borge's eyes looked... Vacant.
The Vos Valkearians left together with the Ahuachtilites, but not without a word of thanks from Leem, who gave a curt nod to the two remaining gladiators before flying up. Her last look was down at Archer."Would you accept my apologies if I just killed your siblings, Shadow Child? You should not have done this. My people will seek blood for this, and in the end you will be the one paying the price." With that, she flew off.
"Next order of business, Coronet's fiend is to be taken into custody and to be questioned. Coronet's citizens disappeared and this creature is our only link to it. Golems, seize it." Voiceless, the magical constructs grabbed hold of the two headed abomination and dragged it off of the field. No matter how much it squirmed, the beast would be unable to even slightly damage the golems.
"My apologies, brave fighters, for this intrusion. I know this is a very unlikely and shameful event, but I still feel responsible. You two are the ones left, and there is an entire audience hoping for a good show. Would you be so kind as to duel it out? The contest needs a victor." With one last bow, Angus Heidman left as well, leaving only Doza and Moralin in an empty arena.
Moralin had a silver tongue, it seemed. The mob had calmed down, but only partially. Soon enough violence would be incited once more."You would let Coronet walk, Old Man!? You would deny us our revenge!?" Another Minotaur yelled back at Moralin."Would you let Borge's corpse rot in the dirt and let his spirit remain restless in the name of honour? I spit on your honor, Terelian! And I spit on you!"
Soon the shadows emerged and the Vos Valkearians lost it!"Shadow's whore!" The angry minotaur cried out."How dare you! We will rip your eyes out!" All who tried to enter the shadowy barrier did not last, however. They all reared back, screaming in anger and fear. The approach of the Ahuachtilites did not help things out either.
"Stay back!" The monsters screamed nearly in unison as they stood guard over their fallen comrade. They were not going to let this Human try their witchcraft on Borge. But solace came in the form of Leem. The Harpy gracefully landed in the middle of the field, in between the Ahuachtilites. Her arms were stretched. In her left hand she had what seemed like the handle of a sword. At this time, the main gate the arena opened, and through it walked three gigantic constructs, with Heidman in the middle of them.
"My children." Leem began."I have witnessed all that happened, but do not put the blame on these Humans, despite your prejudices. I can sense they mean no ill will towards Borge. I believe they have the power get him back among us. Let them try at the very least." She then pointed towards the box and Archer."These two. These two monstrosities of the Ruins and Coronet are the ones who must pay. Pay in blood, they shall. But not today. We are not a nation of savages. We abide by laws that set us above the likes of Coronet! But know this, children. Your bloodlust will be satiated. Not today, but one day soon." That last sentence had something eerie about it. Those who could sense magic could feel a large amount flowing from the Harpy.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Angus Heidman shouted towards everyone."This is not what I wished to happen! Leem, remove your people off of the fields at once lest they are forced by Golems to do so!" The Minotaur spat on the ground."Go, child." Leem spoke to him."Your brother is saved. There is nothing for you here." The minotaur looked over to Borge, who stood, drool coming from his mouth and blood still pouring from his wounds."Take him to our camp to patch him up." Borge's eyes looked... Vacant.
The Vos Valkearians left together with the Ahuachtilites, but not without a word of thanks from Leem, who gave a curt nod to the two remaining gladiators before flying up. Her last look was down at Archer."Would you accept my apologies if I just killed your siblings, Shadow Child? You should not have done this. My people will seek blood for this, and in the end you will be the one paying the price." With that, she flew off.
"Next order of business, Coronet's fiend is to be taken into custody and to be questioned. Coronet's citizens disappeared and this creature is our only link to it. Golems, seize it." Voiceless, the magical constructs grabbed hold of the two headed abomination and dragged it off of the field. No matter how much it squirmed, the beast would be unable to even slightly damage the golems.
"My apologies, brave fighters, for this intrusion. I know this is a very unlikely and shameful event, but I still feel responsible. You two are the ones left, and there is an entire audience hoping for a good show. Would you be so kind as to duel it out? The contest needs a victor." With one last bow, Angus Heidman left as well, leaving only Doza and Moralin in an empty arena.