Children Of Infinity (IC)

[Ularn]

Kyrissa swallowed uncomfortably when Kal'kun mentioned sleep. She might have given some kind of noncommittal shrug in reply. The one thing she longed for was for this debacle to be over so that she could sleep peacefully, one way or another. Karl's next question went deeper though. Was she sure she wanted this? So much of her being cried out for her to say "No; I've made a mistake. I'm sorry!" but the words never came. Instead the only thing running through her head was a quote she'd said last night from an Auregin whose name she could not even remember, "It takes more courage to put down a sword than to pick one up."
Kyr realised then that she did not have that courage. To back out from this duel now would be humiliating even if it did manage to save her place at the academy from the destruction Gin had warned her of. She would have to admit she was wrong and she would never, ever apologise to Rache for speaking the truth about his vile, heretical beliefs. The knowledge that by backing down she would also disappoint the large number of people here to witness her fight was not a reason to fight in itself but it did also lean on her in that direction. Kyr did not care what a bunch of Gladeans thought of her since she would never have to see them again after a few more days but the idea of anyone thinking she was a coward was anathema to her.
"I do," she whispered to Kal, and might have added something had Rache not appeared right then bearing some kind of medallion and babbling at length. Aradain's name - it would be good to smash her sword pommel against that jaw if it would shut him up for a few moments!
"You exchange tokens to ensure your good faith?" she enquired incredulously when he finally finished speaking. The volume and pitch of her voice had instantly risen to a fierce admonishment as she spread her arms wide and proclaimed, "I'm here, aren't I? Perhaps your order needs guarantees to ensure someone arrives in the field but I am a Kerembor of the Phantom Blade! My word is my bond; my honour unquestionable; my heritage is my guarantee. The only thing I want from you now is my satisfaction!"
She spun away from Rache on one heel and her banyan whiled behind her as she turned to face Kal once more. She unclipped Gin from her belt and pressed the bronzed hilt firmly into his hands. "Look after him," she muttered sternly and with ice on her tongue, "This won't take long."

[Esternial]

Introductions out of the way, Ritz only had to politely bow to Rache before she could finally return to her own room. Shutting the door behind her and, with the lock in place, sat down on her bed, both hands supporting her head, which felt like it was becoming heavier by the minute. For only a moment she had closed her eyes when she suddenly felt something land on her upper thigh. With one hand she wiped her cheek.

Ritz smiled, bitterly. Her legs were shaking and tears were running down her cheeks. Today had drained her of everything she had. Not only did she push her body beyond the limits of mere physical exhaustion, but mentally she was now utterly depleted after having spent the evening in Rache's presence, listening to him lament his fate, almost being able to taste the melancholy in his voice. As if by osmosis she felt like she had absorbed some of the weight that rested on that young man's shoulders, and it was more than she was mentally equipped for to bear.

"I don't even know why I'm crying" Ritz whimpered. Eventually, she ran out of tears and slumped down onto her soft bed like a brick. A last drop ran down her cheek as she fell asleep, stripped of the warm blanket of energy she usually wrapped around her to carry her towards sweet dreams and happy thoughts. Ritz wouldn't sleep well tonight.

---

Ritz' room was already empty when the sun came up, and a damp towel in the laundry bin betrayed that she got up before most of the others - Kyrissa excluded - she had waited for her to leave before emerging from her room. Ritz usually took quiet pride in her impeccable appearance and lack of bedhead in the morning, but today she looked as roughed up as Aressa did any other day. Only after a long and satisfying shower did she feel slightly better, and with several pieces of spiced bread in hand she ventured outside.

It was still cool outside, as the sun had only been up for a short while. The first deep breath of crisp, clean air filled her longs and sent a wave of relaxation throughout her body. Quietly she walked away from the resort, exploring the landscape nearby. She came dangerous close to the edge of the cliff that overlooked the valley below. The intense feeling that gripped her last night had been dulled, but she could still remember it - more vividly than the physical pain she endured during the battle with the infidels. Dangling her legs over the edge with a complete absence of fear, she called forth her funnels from hyperspace storage and controlled them with a soft chant and the movement of her hands. Her angelic voice reached far across the valley, and it almost seemed as if her song cast a serene harmony over the landscape. The funnels moved - or danced - slowly and elegantly, drawing in energy from the abundance of life around them and feeding back across the thing thread that connected them with Ritz.

After a short while, Ritz was already feeling much more refreshed and vibrant, more resilient. Standing up, she felt the energy flowing throughout her body, building up and radiating outwards throughout her skin, a familiar warmth building up around her. Her thoughts flashed back to the battle as her eyes settled on a nearby rock, slightly taller than her. She proved Professor Xan wrong, at least to some extent. She could match a sword with only her bare hand and skill at unarmed combat, but the effort it took was substantial in comparison with the ease of fighting with a blade.

Still...

With all the focus she could muster, Ritz commandeered control of the natural flow of energy inside her body, preventing excess energy to be wasted as heat and focusing it inside her arm, collecting inside the palm of her hand. Focusing it all in one specific point, she condensed a great amount of energy before forming a fast. With one last gasp of air she lunged forward, fist extended, towards the large rock. As soon as it made contact, the dense pocket of energy traveled into the rock, and cracked appeared that traveled all across the stone surface, all originating at the point of impact.

Meanwhile, a tear ran down Ritz face as she silently cringed in pain. A solid unmovable object such as a rock, while heavily banged up from her attack, was still a rock, which she hit with her fist.

"Ow" She exclaimed as soon as her fist touched the rock, somewhat underplaying the effect her strike had. The pain was dulled by the high concentration of energy in her fist at the time, but it was still painful, and Ritz hadn't really expected to feel any pain, despite how obvious it was that she would to most others.

As she gently caressed her hand, she turned her gaze toward the resort, shimmering in the morning light. The duel was probably about to begin soon.

Her keen suspicion proved right, as she just arrived in time. More people had gathered than she expected, and for a moment Ritz wondered if Kyr or Rache would be feeling unnerved by the amount of spectators.

"Good morning" Ritz said warmly to Kal and Alfenn as she approach the pair from behind, smiling gently as they turned towards her and recognized their fellow student. Though she didn't really spend any time with either of them, Ritz had gotten to know them as classmates just the same. She mostly hung around with Jyn and the rest of her family. The were all nobility, so there was a degree of kinship and mutual understanding, but mostly because they felt more compatible with her own personality. At least Jyn did, to a degree, and Jon as well.

[Elysian Kentarchy]

Rache's Perspective

I slip the item back into the pocket of my robes feeling annoyed at this conclusion, even though I expected it. "Such arrogance." I remark calmly. "Though I expected you to say that in all honesty, to view a tradition that is grounded in respect for your opponent as pointless." I smile slightly. "And what satisfaction? Last I checked I was the challenger and you were the challenged, there is no satisfaction for you to receive, only to give to your opponent, that is your role in this affair." I nod a greeting at Ritz who showed up. "Good morning Ritz-san, I hope you slept well." I then turn around and walk away to where my starting position would be but I say over my shoulder to Kyr. "Just remember, Kyr-san, pride is always your companion before the fall. But I do honestly wish you all the best."

Kristina's Perspective

"Finally we have arrived." Sister Jule remarks cheerfully. "I trust everything is okay Sister Kristina?" She asks me and I nod in response. "Seriously though, a lawless ambush so far from home, who would'a thought? Ah well please stay here with your luggage while I go inform a member of the staff about our arrival and apologize about our tardiness, or you can wander around the choice is yours."

I nod again as she walks off and I let off a small sigh. "No offense to the Sister but she is much too chatty at times." I think while holding my hand on the hilt of my katana. After counting to ten to make sure she goes away I take out a small hand mirror from my robes and look at myself to straighten myself out. "I may not care about how I look but I think I should be looking presentable, to both the staff and Rache." I straighten my black robes and my hair and give a small sigh. So this is what its like to be away from home, unable to calm my hands down I shove one into my pocket and rest the other on the hilt of my weapon. "The sooner I can get these affairs out of the way and meet with Rache the better." I admit out loud, and openly admitting my dependence on others of the Ninth for long periods of time, though I keep looking around me to make sure no one tries to do anything to me. "What's there to worry about? Rache was sent here so it should be safe enough to let my guard down." I argue with myself but it doesn't improve anything, people... people can't be trusted no matter how well you know them, with some exceptions too of course but they can't be normal.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Like many others, the two aspirants of Group A-23 were also at the arena, and had been for a while, waiting for the two participants of the duel to show up, having gone there once they had finished their morning routines. Aressa was rather amused by the ammount of spectators that had gathered around the arena to witness the duel, a crowd composed of both curious Gladians of the surrounding town and of , while Arcander was still concerned about the fact that a challenge had seriously been issued iin the first place, and about how the tension between the two students could affect the group as a whole. He only hoped that some of that tension would be released today.

Whatever their thoughts, however, the two of them watched as the duelists arrived and spoke briefly before taking their places. At that moment, Aressa left Arcander on the fringes of the arena and walked to the center to assume her duties as the Marshall of the Field, looking at both Kyrissa and Rache.

"Warriors, before you take to the fields of honor, I am compelled to ask, will neither of you take a different path? If you would, then take a step forward." She spoke solemnly, as she had been taught, but she knew very well, even before the lack of action made it even more painfully evident, that neither Kyrissa nor Rache would back down from the fight or seek to make peace with each other, not before having had the chance to beat each other up at least.

After waiting for a reasonable ammount of time, the red-haired knight in training nodded to herself.

"So be it. The fields of honor beckon you." She said as she turned around and stepped away from the center of the arena, returning to Arcander's side before looking back at the two warriors, who even now continued to stare at each other. "You may begin." She sentenced at last.

"You're pretty good at this aren't you?" Arcander remarked with a chuckle once she was done playing her part.

"Shut up."

[Ularn]

"Just so you know, Master Mathel," Gin quipped as he was handed over, "If you drop me, lose me, dent me or scratch me at any point in the next few minutes of my being in your care, Kyrissa's entire family will hunt you and all your progeny to the edge of the Known Universe and wipe your seed from existence. No pressure!"
Meanwhile Kyrissa had spent Rache's last sermon with her back to her opponent, studiously examining her own sword in a facade of preparation that was really just meant to demonstrate the utter contempt she had for him by ignoring him. When Arressa called them together and gave them a final chance to withdraw the challenge she had only growled, "Let's get this over with," and paced towards her starting place. "Armour," she spat impatiently and the flash of the hyperspace storage unit's light enveloped her. Where it subsided, Kyr was left clad shoulder to toe in immaculate shining black curves with a cloth of holographic light; the armour of the Silver Hand. "Helm," she added and her azure-tinted hair and the last scarlet skin of her face was instantly encased in a featureless black dome.
"You may begin," Aressa announced.
Kyr's right foot shot forward instantly into a combat stance while her blade ignited in crimson fire. It was modelled on Gin, the sword she knew even as a squire would one day be hers, with the same elongated hilt designed for wielding a blade that could be much longer than the one it had now, which she brandished in two hands, blade held vertical, hands in close; a defensive posture. She made no other movement but those closest in the crowd could hear a low, measured chant coming forth from the muffled confines her helmet.
"O nytv puv gies..."

[Elysian Kentarchy]

Rache's Perspective

"Her arrogance is amazing, she would fit right in with some of the more older Brothers and Sisters of the Order." I can't help but think this irony as I take up my position and draw Solace. "Fire." The word echos in my head and a memory flashes before me briefly but I shake my head. "It doesn't matter like I do when the lawless use it I just have to kill my heart for a while." And with that I wipe all feeling and emotion from my face, even from my eyes, as I always do, as I have trained myself to do, when I am in battle, some have called this battle sleep but it is how I cope with the blood I have to shed and the fighting I have to carry out thanks to religion. "The fire will go away if I end this quickly. That will settle it." I think deciding on how I will deal with this and I hold my sword up before my face and whisper to Solace. "Let our blades dance a dance and speak what words have failed to do, Solace, I don't know if you can hear me, but lend me the strength I need to defeat the enemy." As soon as the order for battle commences I prepare myself to mount a defense expecting Kyr to come at me blade swinging, she seems the type, but she doesn't instead she begins mumbling something. Probably just a spell to strengthen her defenses. So that's it. She wants me to make the first move well I shouldn't keep a lady waiting. I grasp Solace in both hands firmly and charge at her at top speed, and, thanks to the lack of weights, that is considerable, and I say... well more like growling at her as our blades clash "Let us end this farce." I move fast launching a series of fast strikes at her, the target of this is aimed at breaking Kyr's defense though speed.

Kristina's Perspective

"Where is that bottle blonde?" I think disapprovingly of Sister Jule. Of course given how the 33rd is staffed with idiots anyway it wouldn't be surprising to find she has offended some tradition or another here as soon as she got and got herself arrested. My spite concerning the 33rd surprises me for a moment but I shake my head. Even if it is spite it is still an emotion I have managed to recover after all of this time. I do notice crowds of people going off to an area, maybe something to do with the school. Which means Rache will probably be there. I actually feel some of my worries fade away with that thought and I start to head in that direction, I'll let Sister Jule either head back to Vigil or find me herself. As I walk down the path though I nervously keep my hand on my katana prepared to run at a moments notice, there are too many strangers here, so many who are not my Brothers or Sisters.

[Saleon]

"Just so you know, Master Mathel," Gin quipped as he was handed over, "If you drop me, lose me, dent me or scratch me at any point in the next few minutes of my being in your care, Kyrissa's entire family will hunt you and all your progeny to the edge of the Known Universe and wipe your seed from existence. No pressure!"

"gin," Kal pressured while gripping the handle, "let's talk..." Kal grasped the blade and knelt down. The blade lay sideways on his knees as he finally sat fully, "you my friend," he chided, "are an arrogant prick. I don't care how long you've lived or how much you value your owner... you tell terrible jokes. Now mistress Gin, as I believe you were called. What makes you so arrogant? Is it how you were programmed? Or did you spend to long in your sheathe?"

He raised his hand near the tip of the blade, a small segment of energy began to dance around his pointer finger. He streaked his finger, with a small but barely noticeable zap tracing with it. He looked deeply at Gin as he slowly creased the center of the talking sword. "my friend," Kal placated, turning to pure evil, "now if you want to tell some jokes... I can show you some seriously good jokes."

[Ularn]

Gin simply chuckled, power lines flickering mirthfully, "Oh put it away son. Whoever she is, she's not looking." The pattern of lights along Gin's hilt then seemed to shimmer subtly as the duel began, as though it's attention was no longer on Kal'kul.
Rache's opening sally was ferocious but uncoordinated in the face of Kyrissa's prepared defence. Her grip shifted abruptly to one hand only and she deflected each of her opponent's rapid thrusts with textbook precision yet made not attempt to exploit Rache's own weaknesses herself.
"She's testing him," Gin remarked to Kal, voice full of approval, "Though I suspect Olderen has better than this if his swordsmanship got him into the Academy. He mus- oh that was clumsy!"

---

Anticipating the rapidity of Rache's initial strikes from his advance, Kyrissa switched to a single handed hold at the last fraction of a second before absorbing the attack, allowing her to parry faster and perhaps throwing Rache off-balance by her change in posture.
"Gies ot vji nopf-lommis," she intoned, not breaking her chant as she melted away from he first lunge to flow around each subsequent follow-through. Her opponent's strikes were clumsy for all their speed and Kyr's mouth curved triumphantly. This'll be easier than expected, she thought briefly.
She should have seen it strike coming. Kyr caught the slight turn of the wrist too late and Rache's blade bypassed her slicing defence, connecting along her forearm. Her shield blazed dazzling white for an instant as it bled off the absorbed energies of the strike and the equal force required to counter it and Kyr reeled with the blow, almost losing the concentration needed for her building spell.
A step back gained her the second's respite she needed and Kyr gripped her sword with two hands again while she carried on her chant, "Gies ot vji movvmi-fievj vjev csopht vuvim ucmovisevoup..."

[Saleon]

Gin simply chuckled, power lines flickering mirthfully, "Oh put it away son. Whoever she is, she's not looking." The pattern of lights along Gin's hilt then seemed to shimmer subtly as the duel began, as though it's attention was no longer on Kal'kul.
Rache's opening sally was ferocious but uncoordinated in the face of Kyrissa's prepared defence. Her grip shifted abruptly to one hand only and she deflected each of her opponent's rapid thrusts with textbook precision yet made not attempt to exploit Rache's own weaknesses herself.
"She's testing him," Gin remarked to Kal, voice full of approval, "Though I suspect Olderen has better than this if his swordsmanship got him into the Academy. He mus- oh that was clumsy!"

Kal solidly took in his line. His face pulled down a frowning discontent. "I won't impress anyone," he burdened, giving off a soft, but adamant hatred, "but myself. My parents can be d***ed by how I act. It is better to wreck the lies, than keep up the farce. My path is my path, so don't act like any authority has my fealty, lest I know his actions are true." Kal remembered everything he thought of last night, despite the fun of the duel. He held up his guard and stern anger for more than a second

He quickly rebounded from the past as he looked to see Kyr's smirk. She forgot his advice for a second and in that second he saw Rache pass on through. He quickly made a small sigh, this time not for his parents, but for her. "dang it," he chided softly, "I told her to not let her confidence blind her." He looked back to when he gave the advice. "She seems to hold a lot of pride in the Kerembor title," he remarked, "I must ask, why does she hold on so fervently? Her heavy-handed pride seems to be her weakness, or rather, she grabs on to the name so highly as to forget to evaluate herself and her opponent. Rache has already capitalized on this, so she better learn quick."

[Elysian Kentarchy]

Rache's Perspective

Even though I have tried to wipe feeling from my face due to the fire I still feel my mouth twitch upward in satisfaction at my blow getting past her defenses but I turn my face back to its blank slate in the face of fire. Though now that the extent of her defenses have been tested I abandon what seemed to be an overhasty and reckless offense and I quickly close the gap she made, I still keep up my speed while being more coordinated though I still hold back because I expect her to take any gap in my defenses as a chance to strike back. I blot out her chanting and continue my assault. Her defense is formidable admittedly but a warrior who spends all their time on the defense will never defeat a determined attacker, especially if they have reserves of energy to fall back on. With that in mind I try circling her but she reacts quickly moving her blade to prevent me from striking her shields again but I keep trying to move flank her and manage to actually nick her shields but the damage is extremely minimal when compared to my earlier strike. She is clearly able to react to me quickly. "This is so much like some of my previous battles though, a skilled defense being able to negate my speed, it is just like the old days. Hmph. I may have to switch tactics soon. Clearly speed alone can't overwhelm her."

Kristina's Perspective

I reach what seems to be an arena where it seems to be a couple of people battling. "A sparing match? No... no sparing match would draw this much of a crowd. A duel then? That seems more likely. Why one so early though. On the other hand throw so many people together things like this would happen." Despite my height I have admittedly poor eyesight, my glasses are in the trunk, so I can't really see the combatants so I shoulder my way through the crowd so I can get closer to the front, my hand doesn't leave the hilt of my katana though, stopping next to a girl with golden hair so I can see them just fine now. One is wearing a helmet but by the looks of her she is female and then I look at her opponent he is moving a bit too fast for me to exactly pick up who he is but I have a feeling I know who it is taking into account his silver hair. And he slows down for a moment so I manage to get a good look at him. "It can't be." I say out loud staring at him but he doesn't hear me, the black robes, probably being worn over his armor as per the standard, could possibly be a foreign thing but in the Order only 6 people, including myself, have taken up the black. "Is him?" I look a bit harder at the image I got and there can't be any denying it. The silver hair, the robes, the presence of Solace in his hands... even if those weren't there you can clearly see the seal of the Ninth Platoon stitched into the sleeve of his robes and there is only one male left in the Platoon, but otherwise we are wearing the exact same outfit no matter how you look at it. He does a twirl with his blade and I catch a glimpse of his face. "Rache." I say out loud having to restrain myself from moving to the field. "What are you doing?" I ask loud enough for a normal conversation but not loud enough for someone who is fighting to hear and I run my hand through my black hair. "What is going on?" I look over at the girl next to me hoping she will answer me.

[Ularn]

"Because the family name is the only reason Kyrissa was ever conceived," Gin replied abruptly after a momentary pause, "I cannot explain more right now. Sit down with me once this is over, Master Mathel, and I will tell you the story of my people."
The sword's attention flowed once more to the battle and assessed it with powers of perception no flesh-and-blood eyes could match, filtered through generations of knowledge and experience. "Now he is testing her."

---

Kyrissa had neither Gin's faculties nor his experience but from the midst of the duel felt the shift in tempo as well as the sword saw it. Rache's strikes became less haphazard and more formalised. His style became familiar to forms that she knew as well, albeit with subtle differences; the same language spoken with a foreign accent.
Easier to counter though, she decided while executing a series of near-textbook parries against his near-textbook thrusts. He was more mobile now as well, trying to find ways around her guard instead of slicing through it. She responded by holding her ground and turning her defence to meet his attacks instead of spending time and energy trying to outflank him as he attempted to do with her.
"O xomm gedi na gies," she recited, voice rising faintly from a murmur, The spell was complicated; she had to not only forge it but also conceal what she was brewing from Rache lest he be able to counter it. "O xomm qisnov ov vu qett uwis ni epf vjsuyhj ni..."

[Mortelatuzia]

As Elysia eavesdrops on her fellow students and observes the duelists she finally pieces together some names. Rache Olderen and Kyrissa Kerembor. The two combatants were a match made in heaven as far as antagonists go. Mutual disrespect, opposing fighting styles, obsessive self-image, the only thing that would make the duel more generic would be if one murdered the other's father. She shuddered at the thought, too carried away with her emotions, shouldn't have brought back thoughts like that. Either way she continued to merely observe in silence until a black haired girl strode alongside her and began to show concern over the duel. The girl called for the male combatant, seemingly confused on the circumstances. As the girl looked at her for answers Elysia smiled warmly at her and replied softly as if to sooth the girl.

"Raché will be okay. You don't have to worry." Elysia knows all too well the look of fear that she saw in the girl's eyes. Watching someone you care about fight and not being able to do anything. The same look that she must have had as a child when she watched her father fight for his life in the arena. She watched closely as both combatants began to change their movements to try and counter the other. 'I hope its over soon.' She returned her gaze to the red eyed girl beside her still with a beaming smile.

[Pyrade]

Akkina
Akkina watched the duel taking place with her arms folded. She leaned casually against a nearby tree, watching the group. She rolled her eyes when she heard Kristina call out Rache's name and muttered moodily before she spoke to Kristina,
"He won't die. Might have his rear handed to him. But he won't die at least."
She appended to Elysia's statement, disdain tainting her voice. Her arms uncrossed, her sleeves slipping back down to cover the heretic scrawl across her arm. She sighed exasperatedly as she watched the pair duel,
"They're toying with each other. Might as well be playing patty cake."
She muttered angrily. The outing they'd been on had apparently provoked this fight . . . Clearly neither of them felt strongly enough about their cause to actually go for it. It made Akkina feel sick.
"Stop wasting time you two! I'm missing breakfast for this!"
She yelled at the combatants.

[The Starlight]

Ellyn stood at the front of the circle, having arrived early after snatching some breakfast. Not a day had gone by when she had berated herself for not bringing her art supplies. Instead of watching the duel she could be in her room, painting. Duels were always interesting, especially if you were the one fighting, and she respected Rache and Kyr just enough to come out and "support" them with her presence, though she was skeptical that the whole matter couldn't have been sorted with words instead of swords. The two of them had just gotten here, and she sensed that there would be tension and bitterness between the two of them for the rest of their stay, and she didn't want this to affect the rest of the group.

She wasn't particularly rooting for either of them, but went ahead and made a few predictions while observing the fight. Kyr had been totally on defense, which had been solid so far, while making a spell under her breath. She couldn't determine the nature of it, but assumed it was meant to either enhance Kyr or take Rache by surprise as the girl released her spell and started attack. Of course, if Kyr messed up one word whatever strategy she was basing on the spell would be ruined. On the other hand, if she successfully completed it but it didn't achieve the intended purpose, she doubted that Kyr would be able to make a spell of the same magnitude again. Meanwhile, Rache had been speedily attacking, just now adding some precision to his thrusts and slices, and she wondered if he even had a plan in mind, or when he would begin to use his own spells. Otherwise, he just tire himself out.

[Elysian Kentarchy]

Rache's Perspective

"Tsk. If she doesn't fight back the purpose of moving fast is rendered moot. A conservative stance will accomplish the same goal in relatively the same amount of time and with less energy expanded." With that in mind I quickly change my stance using my sword to jab and slash at her defense. Speeding up and slowing down occasionally so no clear pattern can be established. This works well since her being used to me going fast causes her to overshoot where her sword should be and allows me to get in a good stab pushing her shields down even more and causing her to be pushed back slightly. Though that spell she is doing is starting to worrying me so I guess it is time to prep one of my trump cards to be on the safe side. I myself begin chanting for my own spell. "Nith-qaddash shim-mukh katusha."

Kristina's Perspective

I nod slightly at the golden haired girl's words, tough I ignore the griping girl. "He hasn't failed yet." I say placing my hand in my pocket and feeling the cold metal of my Platoon Seal, together the Ninth rarely fails, to me that is a fact in my admittedly damaged mind. I give a nod of thanks to the girl though for her words and I focus back on the battle. I give a small nod of approval to his change of tactics. Against an unmovable opponent speed is rendered pointless largely outside of probing attacks so the switch is highly suited for this combat. It is similar to attacking a fortress with high walls on foot. Running at the walls can only accomplish so much and despite Rache's energy it would be best to conserve when he can, though admittedly she has a good defense which allowed her to negate his plan. Though even if I didn't know what spell he was planning initially after the first couple words I can tell and give another nod of approval. "What is this duel to anyway?" I ask the golden haired girl simply, not wanting to deal with the one with red hair.

[Mortelatuzia]

Elysia grimaced as she watched the duel unfold and heard the obscene comments of the unknown girl. She was reminiscent of the dueling crowd back home, who used up what little wealth they had to bet on duels. Duels on Daemoria were the last semblance of order in an otherwise broken and lawless world, and yet it was still plagued with corruption by those who supported it. Elysia clicked her tongue, not out of annoyance at the other girl, just out of general disdain.

"Fighting isn't simply about speed and aggression you know. While they certainly aren't the best fighters, they aren't the worst either. So please, try to be respectful, Miss." She nodded at the red haired girl out of respect, despite her first impression not being the best. She turned her attention back to the dark haired girl and lightly frowned at her question.

"I'm not sure. From what I've gathered the there is some sort of conflict in ideology between them that can only be settled through battle." She sighed deeply. "Though it really doesn't solve anything, except what you people call 'honor.'" Elysia observed the duelists more closely and noticed something she hadn't before. The length of the chants they were listing for their spells were peculiarly long. Of course on her world very few people even learned of magic but those that did never lasted this long in preparation.

[Pyrade]

Akkina
"Preaching about respect when two of your friends are attempting to wound each other for something one of them said. . . "
Akkina mused aloud, her voice laden with sardonic criticism.
And they claim the lawless are savages. . .
She thought to herself, inspecting the tattoos along her arm wistfully. She was also struggling to understand the length of lawful incantations. In her clan, the magic she used was held within short, keywords. Things which translated to Blaze, Cloak, Burn. Perhaps it was because they were channeling stronger magics. Although, something that required as many words as Kyrissa had been murmuring was almost in the same league as the gravity mages of old.
"If he really wants to deal damage he's going to need to start taking some risks. Same for her."
She muttered quietly, watching the combat and wishing at least one of them would do something other than strike and block. It was infuriating. And honestly, speed always helped when fighting in her opinion.
"Anyway, you may keep fighting however, speed and aggression are the only way you'll actually bury a blade between someone's ribs."
Akkina said with a shrug of boredom.

[Mortelatuzia]

"Ah, you presume a bit much I'm afraid." Elysia stated coldly albeit disguised by her soft voice and unwavering glow. "I don't know them any more than I know you. People will do what they will, no matter how hard you try." She sighed and looked down for a moment. The arrogance, the dispassionate speech, it was all a bit too familiar. She shook her head, now was not the time to sulk.

"But, you're entitled to your opinion, Miss. I won't hold that against you." Elysia turned her attention away from the girls and toward the crowd that came to watch the spectacle. While the students that had come were quiet and carefully observant the locals were considerably rowdy. Their opinion of the female duelist couldn't have been great as it prolonged the fighting. People always seem to want what's quick and bloody. No margin for error. Get in and get out. She halfheartedly chuckled. It was the mark of a professional to be quick and efficient. But for all the death she has seen and known, none of it bore that trait. Perhaps everyone else was right, that a swift defeat is better than a prolonged victory.

Elysia looked longingly at the world around her. It was at times like this that she wanted to run away. Run from life and into the wilderness, where no one would judge you for your emotions. But most of all, where no one would try to kill you.

[Pyrade]

Akkina
Akkina smirked and rolled her eyes,
"Yes, I am entitled to my opinion. Until the council thinks my opinion is wrong, but keep reminding yourself, I'm sure you'll eventually stop slaying innocents for the sake of different beliefs"
She replied, recalling all the times her seed parent had been called upon to defend the clan from Lawful attacks. Or so she thought, the truth was wholly unknown to her. She also felt a hint of satisfaction as she casually lashed out at Elysia with scathing verbal responses. She had spent many cycles amongst the lawful order, having been forced to fight stronger, harder and better than anyone to achieve half the amount of respect. Purely because she was lawless, forget that she was barely a fledgling. Her heritage and tattoos singled her out, and that was what people saw first.
"Haven't you heard the rumours? That's what this is about. The one thinks lawless should all be slain, the other thinks lawless non-combatants should be imprisoned until they reach the end of their uselessness. At least, that's what I heard. Neither conforms with your Laws now do they?"
She murmured to Elysia, her satisfaction growing as she dealt one more blow she felt was earned by the lawful.
"Don't pretend you wouldn't gladly end the life of a heretic. . ."
She murmured with a smirk, assuming the girl was not aware of Akkina's heritage.

Orion
Orion sat under the tree still, avoiding the general disturbance amongst the crowd due to the duel. He watched the duellists carefully as he mentally assessed how he would have reacted to the blows they struck against each other. He admired their ability to form spell calls in mid combat. He used his mostly to get in close, allowing him a chance to dodge the swinging, scything blades until he was too close to avoid. He saw Rache's strike slip under Kyrissa's defenses, striking brightly against her energy shielding.
"Catch him while he's resting on his laurels Kyr!"
Orion shouted, unable to restrain the shout as he sat under the tree. He really didn't want Rache to win. That would just make things look terrible for the council laws.

[Mortelatuzia]

Elysia observed the tattooed girl closely. She was more pressing than the duel which was still held in a stalemate. It was obvious that she had a deep seeded hatred for those around her but she couldn't figure out why. The entire conflict between those of different beliefs seemed ridiculous to her. Could people not just be left alone to do as they please? She sighed heavily. Of course not, she knew well that those who believe in their ideals strongly would always conflict with those who believed different. Perhaps it is just nature to fight, to find an outlet for powerful emotion. She waited for the girl to finish before speaking.

"I don't know what your life was like, but I can tell there is a lot that bothers you. Either way, I don't think it's right to kill anyone no matter what their beliefs are. My father taught me that there is a goodness that resides within all sentients, one that can be twisted or tainted but can be found again in time." Elysia smiled warmly at the girl. She blinked and tilted her head to the side as a show of friendliness.

"I know there's a lot of wounds you have that my words can't mend, but please don't be upset. I meant no disrespect."

[Ularn]

"I was wrong," Gin muttered slowly and grimly as the tide of the battle shifted once again, "She was not testing him; she was not doing anything."

---

Kyrissa had started the duel waiting for Rache's attack. She had taken it, absorbed it, deflected it and interpreted it and found no threat behind it. She was a far better swordsman than her opponent and she had reacted to his thrusts and strikes on her own terms with practiced, near-perfect precision. She watched him make mistakes, leave gaps in his defence, and had left them unexploited because there was no pressing need totake advantage of them. The longer the duel went on, the sloppier Rache would become and the more mistakes he would make. When Kyr did bring her sword to bear, she would end the duel quickly, assuming she did not finish her spell first. There was time.
Only Rache had been studying her defence as well as she had studied his attack. When the change in posture came it took Kyrissa by surprise with the deft, coordinated strikes that systematically dismantled her guard. Rache's blade ceased to be the battering ram wasting itself against the indestructible walls of her fortress; it was the sappers' tunnel that penetrated deep beneath them and in her hubris she had allowed it to happen.
Pulses of light flared again and again against her diminishing shield and Kyr's helmet concealed her panicked features as she tried to rally her defences. She attempted a few probing thrusts to shift the initiative back in her favour but Rache deflected her pitifully rehearsed stabs as easily as she had defended against the standardised katas he had used moments before and in doing so her attack left her open to further retaliatory punishment.
Kyr was losing but there was still time, still a chance if she could only hold out long enough to finish her spell. It would devastate Rache and turn the tide of the battle in less than a second.
"...Epf xjip ov jet hupi qetv O xomm vysp vji oppis iai vu tii ovt qevj..."

[Elysian Kentarchy]

Rache's Perspective
As I make another blow against her shield Kristina's words from when we developed our shared style together with Anastasia come to mind from when she was completely sane. "This tactic is best for when facing multiple opponents, it allows you to overwhelm one and go on against another. Against a single opponent though, especially one who has a good defense, it has very glaring issues so a refined course is needed compared to our normally wild styles." I chastise myself in my head. "If Kristina was like how she was before she would probably smack me for forgetting that. Ah well Anastasia will do the smacking anyway, knowing her." A small smile tugs at my face over memories but I keep up my offensive.

Admittedly Solace is a bit unwieldy for this type of fighting due to him being a long sword but I don't want to whip out the short sword and use it for fear of it being taken badly, especially since I did not make it know that I had it on my person. But I have had enough practice with using him like this to render it moot. I mix up my foot and blade work keeping it random and doing all I can to keep her off balance. I continue my chant, since she has failed to fight back no matter how open I left myself she is clearly having some offensive spell planned, I need to finish this spell quickly but wear down her shields at the same time, a couple more times and her shields will be gone completely. Thus it is only a matter of time. And that is why I keep up my swordplay aimed at reducing her shields to nothing and keep up my chant.
"Plundrar Bråd De våldtar Dod. Nyet Rika Il mua espíritus nuhra Haw lan Fortis"

Kristina's Perpective

"Kristina I order you to not start a fight with anyone under any circumstance, the exceptions being orders from Rache or cases of self defense." That was Adina's last orders to me before I left. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a correct order, in the end Rache and Adina were the ones who led me back, they are my saviors, my shepherds, my 'father' and 'mother', so in the end they know better than me on these affairs, that is why I have faith their orders are the right thing to do, I won't allow that faith to waver, not now not ever. that is why I do not react at all to the lawless girl even though under normal circumstances a hostile reaction is dictated. Killing someone like her, or at least taking her out of commission for a while, would be my average day back home yet I have my orders and I will follow them, only if to make those two happy. Though her mentioning the duelist's viewpoints causes me to mutter. "So that is what this is about..." Of course it is clear to me which one Rache picked and I do think that Rache was correct by virtue of our wartime mentality, with our long life spans maintaining a prisoner of war population for extremely long periods of time, until they die, is actually a massive negative and a needless drain on resources, especially when our people are better off dead than becoming lawless prisoners, where they are typically killed, tortured, or have other actions carried out on them, which is why any of our Order who are taken prisoner are rescued by our hand. Both Rache and myself can testify to that and that has led to retaliatory executions. Such is the cycle of violence we have been condemned to. But it doesn't matter. Rache said our cause is holy and just, that we fight to defend our faith from infidels, that in the end we fight in Aradain's name because someone has to, and Rache can't be wrong, he can't be, even if he was just repeating platitudes to make everyone feel better.. The words of an old battle hymn comes to mind. 'Into battle facing the fire, Aradain thy will be done.'.

But I turn my focus to paying a deeper attention to the battlefield. Rache intentionally leaving himself wide open for any form of counterattack, frequently I might add, failed which is baffling, even if she was dedicated wholeheartedly to defense if your opponent exposes a weak spot you should take it. Otherwise all she will become is a fortress under siege, no not even then, you just become people who hide behind their walls and wait for the storm to pass, and thus the only possible conclusions is to either starve them out or for the enemy to run out of steam. And trying to wait for Rache to run out of steam is completely pointless, he has more energy than a lot of people I have seen. So Rache decided to put on a show for the others with his speed and used a tactic for fighting multiple opponents, what this also allowed him to do was find weak points in her defense and to see the scale of what she could do defensively. And Rache is taking advantage of it. Her defense is good but it more or less seems to be coming down to theory versus experience. In the end though this will be open soon. That much is clear.

What the golden haired girl mentions the idea that good is present in everyone I quietly, and very slightly, shake my head, remembering that I too once felt that way. But after what I had seen and what I had felt for the past ten years I no longer believe that, not in the slightest, so I ask. "What of those who refuse to repent? Those who pretty much leap into hell laughing? Those who do not feel an ounce of guilt or remorse over their actions? I do not disagree that anyone can do a good deed or action but some do good for the sake of convince because it allows them to progress their goals. That is not good, that is making good a tool to further your own ends, which may not be moral in the slightest." I am seriously unused to talking to a stranger this much which causes my voice to tire slightly and have it show in a strain on my voice and on my face but I smooth it out to the usual emotionless expression and I turn my head back to the combatants so I can focus on them.

[Pyrade]

Akkina
Akkina smirked as she listened to Elysia's words of peace and harmony.
"A fine sentiment. One which will help you nought when your enemies are preparing to plunge a blade into your sternum."
She said with a wry chuckle, the amusement she found in the naivety she found on a daily basis amongst the lawful was a small source of entertainment for her now that her only life was training and the academy. They seemed so hopeful that there was good in everyone. She wasn't entirely sure there was even this thing called good to begin with. Her brow furrowed in confusion as she heard Elysia speak of her supposed wounds. She rolled her eyes and shook her head,
"My wounds are long healed scars from real blades. They do not cause me upset in the slightest."
She replied before shooting a glance in Kristina's direction.
"Those who leap into hell laughing? How very apt, I shall have to remember that."
She said with a chuckle, recalling the drop coffins her clan used to deploy for combat. There was very often laughing involved on days when drops needed to be made, combat was surprisingly light-hearted when you were already considered dead.
"Those who are unrepentant usually have nothing to lose, meaning they can fight harder, stronger and longer than you. Because there is nothing tying them down but their purpose to their blade. Those men will fight until the very last sliver of life. It would be best if you simply did him a favour and unseamed his head from his neck. Have either of you actually fought heretics before?"
She asked them in a more amicable tone. Her snide undermining of their beliefs temporarily on the back burner as she engaged in conversation. She also knew she had . . . In a round about way, fought heretics before. Thus she was curious as to the ways of the other knight corps.

[Ularn]

It was no good. Kyrissa was on the attack now but her delay had let Rache get a read on her and exploit it. He parried every strike or dodged around it and used the opening she left to attack her again, carving away at her shield. A warning light flicked red in her helmet; Kyr could only withstand a few more hits.
How had she let this happen?
Still a chance though; still a way out if she could hold on long enough to complete her spell, her spell that would obliterate Rache's defences and make up for all her mistakes. She could still win and Kyr continued chanting as her shield blazed with the absorbed energy of another hit, voice rising in desperation, "Xjisi vji gies jet hupi vjisi xomm ci puvjoph..."

[Zarkenis Ultima]

As the duel raged on in the small park in the center of the minute Gladian town, there was someone on an otherwise empty area on a nearby hill overlooking the park, sitting on one of the many benches laid out for the comfort of any visitors and reading a book on an electronic device.

Unfortunately for her, another girl then arrived, casually removing the device from the other's hands and then looking at it with a blank expression.

"What are you doing all the way over here, Jun? There's more interesting stuff happening down there, right in front of your nose." Elsis said to her younger sister with nonchalance, depositing the artifact next to her on the bench after ascertaining that, indeed, it was some boring book like so many others that her sister seemed to enjoy. "I mean I get that you like this kind of stuff but honestly, you keep burying your head in these and you won't make any new friends or learn any of the stuff that really matters." The older girl said, figuring that now that they were back on good terms, she could bully Juna a little. In her mind, it was a far better alternative to treading lightly or awkwardly trying to find a topic of conversation, as this felt far more normal and helped her feel like everything was just like the old times.

Naturally, though, she had no desire to do much more than poke at her sister, and so, after that, Elsis simply ran a hand through her coral red hair as she glanced at the fight. "You do have to admit that now that you're here, with nobody labelling you an undesirable or calling you four-eyes or anything like that, you have much better chances of making a friend. Don't you think you should take them?" She said afterwards, this time with genuine concern.

"You'll have plenty of time to read, anyway. The teachers are probably going to put us through a lot of that." The braveblood said with a pointed grimace, clearly displeased with the idea, as she leaned on the metallic fence that had been put in place to keep any little children from falling and rolling down the hill. With a mildly bored expression, she observed the fight taking place below.