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the fate of a people (CNRPS)


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OOC: Aww, come on, I was expecting at least a couple more responses...ah well, I have to finsish the rule negotiations anyway...

IC:

The previous day

The Dwarven delegation was in an uproar. Finally, when they calmed down enough, the leader sopke. "Are you proposing what Ii believe you are?"

"Yes. The end of the war, either way. The victor acheives dominance for his or her people."

After a long, reluctant pause, the dwarves agreed, and the general asked the first question.

"Weapons?"

"Any. Boundaries?"

"The space currently between our camps. To the death?"

"Combatant's choice."

A malevolent gleam appeared for an instant in the constantly shifting patterns of blue in Roxas' iris. Watching and participating in fights was something he was raised to do from the moment he came into his nonexistence. "I should most likely benefit from knowing the rules to judge by."

"For a start, the match is not to go outside the set boundaries--the landing strip over there, the cave entrance over there...and the respective people are lined up on the other two sides."

These dimensions encompassed an square approximately 100 yards on each side. As stated before, it was a fairly sandy arena.

"In addition, the combatants may use only melee weapons. The terms negotiated for this match also include that they start with one weapon, but they may improvise with whatever they can find in the arena."

"Just about the only move that is illegal is to throw something, and the match ends when one combatant is defeated. The terms of defeat for this match can either be death, complete incapacitation--or one can hold in check a killing strike and ask his opponent to yield. The one under such threat chooses either to die, or to yield, and may not use this moment as an opportunity to attempt a strike of their own."

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And, for once, Roxas bared his teeth in a predatory grin. "The rules are indeed as I suspected a battle for honor and country should be. They are fair and it will be a pleasure to preside over these proceedings."

Susul shivered involuntarily at the expression on this being's face, but it didn;t prevent him from doing his job.

"Also, as judge, you will give the signal for it to start once the combatants indicate they are ready. The signal is simply to raise your arm out and above you--then drop it in one swift movement."

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The translator took his place to the right of Roxas as the time grew nearer. Not long after, from the cave entrance the Dwarven combatant emerged from the cave entrance, wearing chain-mail armor and a helm, and wielding a thick, steel staff approximately a foot taller than he himself. At his waist were two sheathed knives. The dwarves in attendance cheered as he made his way to the center of the arena.

From the Mando'ade line, General Hukaat stepped forward, wearing leather armor that form-fitted to avoid interfering with his agility and freedom of movement. He carried a spear, and a short sword was sheathed at his hip. his appearance prompted cheers from his own people much like Hector's had for the Dwarves, and they did not subside until he also reached the center of the Arena.

The combatants bowed to each other, turned toward the podium on which the judge of their contest sat, bowed to him, then turned to each other again and took ready stances.

"They are now waiting for your signal," Susul indicated to Roxas...

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Within a split second of the signal, the two combatants tensed. A series of tentative strikes followed as they circled one another; no hits were landed, but that was not the objective of this exchange, but rather to test each other's reflexes.

Putting an end to the cautious strikes, Hukaat took a swifgt step toward his opponent, jabbing the head of his spear at Hector's midsection. The Dwarf knocked aside the thrust, and in the same movement, twirled and swung the other end of his staff at Hukaat's legs. The Mando'ade general nimbly leaped over the attempt to sweep his feet from under him, rolling upon landing and returning the favor...but his attempt was blocked by Hector's staff, which was pressed firmly to the ground to anchor it in place for that strike.

They backed off once more, each assessing the other again...

OOC: Reactions to those exchanges are fine, and in fact, encouraged from you guys...

Edited by Subtleknifewielder
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Star had actually brought a notepad, he was taking notes on the fighter's fighting styles. This would be interesting to the drill instructors and martial arts trainers back home to study so they know what they would be up against if they were ever in a battle in this area. Star was not suprised the lighter elf-like creature was using its dexterity against the sturdier dwarf.

Edited by Maelstrom Vortex
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OOC: Just note that any member of the military is a cross between Elf and Human. But yeah, anyone not extrememly familiar with the race might confuse him for an elf.

Oh, and the following exchange is too far away from anyone else to hear, though they would be able to see that these two are talking to each other.

IC: During a brief lull in their fight, Huukat wiped what little sweat that had accumulated on his brow. "Why are we fighting?" he mused to his opponent.

"For King and Country?" Hector joked, doing the same before jamming his helm back on his head.

"That's not what I meant," he clarified. "I mean, why are our two nations at war?"

"I guess...it was destined from the moment our cultures encountered each other. Two such honor-bound races...the attack on the mine, and the subsequent assassination of your ambassador, those were only the spark to the tinder."

"A shame a rogue attack like that was the cause of so much strife..."

Hector grunted noncommitally, but he did nod. "I suppose so..." he said, readying himself once more. "Now, shall we finish this once and for all?"

Twirling the spear almost like a baton, he renewed their struggle...

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Star let out a long yawn. He was actually envious of the ones in the arena. He always loved a good fight. He leaned down and rubbed his throbbing leg. He then chewed on a few more pain killers before swallowing. "Mrf..." He muttered wearily as he resumed watching the intense combat below.

He began to sketch Hector in his uniform on his notepad.

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Hukaat braced his spear head in the sand and used it as an anchor to push off into a flying kick, taking his oponent by surprise. The kick landed squarely on Hector's chin (which was unprotected), snapping his head back as he staggered. Hukaat used the kick to push off back and retrieve his spear, and drawing his sword with his right hand even as he landed next to the other weapon. Hoping to give Hector no chance to recover, he held out the spear to ward off any surprise moves as he stepped in close and swung the sword.

Hector was taken by surprise once again, but he managed to duck the blow that might have beheaded him, instead receiving a resounding clang to his helm. Hukaat wasn't expecting that, but he recovered quickly and swung the spear low...this time managing to sweep his opponent off his feet.

He thrust with the sword toward Hector's abdomen, a blow only blocked by the knife the Dwarf managed to draw. In deperation, Hector thrust his head forward, head-butting Hukaat in the stomach. A surprised 'oof' was all that escaped the Mando'ade General's lips, as he dropped the spear. He seized the wrist that held the knife, preventing it from making the last inch that would have it in his eye, and twisted. There was a loud crack! as the wrist broke. Crying out, Hector dropped the knife, his other hand in a clenched fist as it made contact with Hukaat's nose, resulting once again in the sound of something solid breaking.

Hukaat released Hector, and not just because the pain caught him off-guard...there had been sand in Hector's fist, probably picked up when he had been on the ground, and it was now in his eyes.

He stood there, futilely trying to clear his vision, as Hector drew the other knife and approached for the final time.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, as it descended toward Hukaat's neck. but the whisper had been a mistake. Hukaat's hand lashed out, gripping Hector's wrist once again, and with the application of a little pressure in the right place, Hector dropped the weapon, which Hukaat took.

Almost before either of them knew what had happened, the knife was at its owner's throat.

"Do you yield?" Hukaat cried out for everyone to hear...

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Roxas hissed in depreciation at the underhanded move; sand was a highly unconventional, low tactic that a true warrior never used. A small amount of electricity escaped him, forming a slight static field in his vicinity. He drew a deep breath, composed himself, and awaited the response from the pinned Hector.

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Roxas hissed in depreciation at the underhanded move; sand was a highly unconventional, low tactic that a true warrior never used. A small amount of electricity escaped him, forming a slight static field in his vicinity. He drew a deep breath, composed himself, and awaited the response from the pinned Hector.

The men and women on both sides tensed, holding their collective breath as they awaited the answer.

Susul shivered again at the hiss from Roxas, and his hair stood on end...almost like what some swere said to have felt just before being struck by lightning. He did not approve of the sand tactic either...nevertheless, it was not a forbidden move, as Hector had not actually thrown it. And they were allowed to use the envoironment in this match.

But despite its use...Hector had lost. And the Dwarf knew it. There was no point in letting himself die needlessly--his people would still need a military commander in whatever role the Mando'ade saw fit to give them, but still, his answer pained him as it rolled off his tongue...

"Yes."

The Mando'ade line erupted into cheers, while the Dwarven line remained stoic as every fighter laid down their weapons in silent submission.

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Star stood, he applauded, "Hail those who put their lives on the lines for their nation. Even in defeat the strength of your honor is magnified." He clattered in his own tongue of clicks and growls, waiting for the interpreter to repeat his words for him.

Edited by Maelstrom Vortex
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Star stood, he applauded, "Hail those who put their lives on the lines for their nation. Even in defeat the strength of your honor is magnified." He clattered in his own tongue of clicks and growls, waiting for the interpreter to repeat his words for him.

Baati relayed his words to the people assembled. The Mando'ade, if pausible, applauded and cheered even louder, and even the Dwarves' moods brightened a little. Whatever else, no one could honestly say they hadn't done their best.

The king kneeled before the Chairman, drawing his symbolic sword and laying it across his palms to present to the Elf.

The Chairman reached out with a hand wrapped in silk to take it, hiding his discomfort at proximity to such a metal. "Rise, Archon, King of the Atlanteans. Your general fought well, and you should be proud of him." Looking surprised, the King did as he was bidden...

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Roxas stood and clapped; an action conveying pleasure since time-immemorial. It had certainly been a good battle; one which had given him much food-for-thought. But his roles as an Arbiter were, apparently, at an end. He had one final request while he was there, though. He idly drew and expertly twirled the two ornate blades strapped on his back in intricate arcs while speaking.

"I should like to spar the victor. A simple contest of skill; you have me intrigued."

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Roxas stood and clapped; an action conveying pleasure since time-immemorial. It had certainly been a good battle; one which had given him much food-for-thought. But his roles as an Arbiter were, apparently, at an end. He had one final request while he was there, though. He idly drew and expertly twirled the two ornate blades strapped on his back in intricate arcs while speaking.

"I should like to spar the victor. A simple contest of skill; you have me intrigued."

The two rulers looked on in surprise as Susul translated Roxas' request, and so did the combatants, who had by now arrived at the podium. Finally, after exchanging an unreadable glance with Archon, Narir looked back at Roxas.

"I have no qualms about it, if Hukaat is willing."

Roxas didn't have long to wait for the General's answer. "I'm game...as soon as my eyesight fully returns. Clever ploy there, Hector," he added as an afterthought, slapping the Dwarf on the back. "I guess you could say I really didn't see that one coming," he joked, to the amusement of Hector, Narir, and Archon.

Baati shook her head. She would never understand warriors, despite her half-breed heritage. Susul simply stood there with a neutral expression, waiting for something else to translate.

OOC: Anything said can automatically be considered translated to Roxas unless I specifically state otherwise.

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OOC: Works for me.

IC: Roxas rolled his neck slowly, working out the kinks. A series of explosive cracks could be heard as the extremely dense iron-laced bones loosened in preparation for the coming battle. He strode purposely into the recently vacated fighting arena and stood patiently. His stiff, uncaring demeanor belied the excitement running through him nearly as intensely as the electricity in his organs.

An idle spark erupted from his fingertips, tracing a lazy path around the cloak, across the shoulders, and into the palm of the other hand. Roxas didn't notice; he was preparing himself mentally with the jin discipline passed on since a time long-since lost in the misty past.

'Unity is Strength. You are Unity, you represent the Unity. You are Legion. You are Many.' The ancient mantra burned in his mind and he drew strength from it. The electrical activity escaping his control subsided.

"Whenever you are ready."

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By this time, a number of the observers had drifted away...but few among those who had been observing Roxas. A few with well-trained eyes had seen past the calm facade, the seemingly unconcerned demeanor, to the movements of a true warrior. And the little spark of electricity did not escape their notice either.

However, Hukaat had not had the chance to observe his new opponent, as he was busy blinking the last of the sand from his eyes. Once he had done so, he retrieved his sword, considered and discarded the spear, and after asking permission, took Hector's staff instead, as well as one of his knives. He walked toward the Nobody leader, stopping approximately 6 feet from him. "I'm ready," he called. "Show me what you've got..." He held the staff (which was about as long as he was tall) in his left hand, and the short sword in his right. He had a faint smile on his face, knowing this would be a true chalenge of his skills. He waited for Roxas to make the first move...

Despite his apparent indifference, Hector was intrigued, waiting to see the outcome of this fight.

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Roxas stepped up instantly, a blur of motion mind-numbingly fast. His ornate ebony-colored blade in his left-hand swung downward in an opening move designed to force a parry or side-step. Hukaat expectantly deflected the blow with significant effort, apparently surprised at the raw power contained in the Nobody's unimposing frame. The second, white-tinged blade flicked up at an angle intended to induce blunt-force trauma on whatever it hit.

Hukaat slammed both hands down into the blade and succeeded in catching it by the cross-brace. The Nobody standing across from him was still breathing easily; his eyes had gained an unfocused look. Out of nowhere, a pulse of power flared outwards from his body, forcing the two apart in a blast of electricity. Hukaat shook his head; teeth ringing from the output.

It would be an interesting fight.

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Blinking and shaking his head, clearing it. Such power contained in one being!

However, he now knew that to win this fight, he would have to utlize his full agility, and never close for more than a second with Roxas, as it was clear that this being was physically stronger than him.

Despite his bout with Hector and the near numbing power of the opening strikes from Roxas, the gneral was in good shape, and as such, had a lot of stamina left. Other than a bit of sweat, there was no indication of the exertion he'd put forth.

Quickly, in a blur of motion equally as fast as his oponnent, he dropped low into a crouch and swung the staff out. It was not entirely a feint, but he did doubt he'd be able to sweep Roxas off his feet like he'd done to Hector. If he did, he would take advantage, of course, but if he didn't...a lightning-fast spring from his legs would push him in toward his opponent, inside the reach of Roxas' weapons, and the Nobody would find the hilt of the knife connecting with his temple before Hukaat pushed off and back again, using his chest as a springboard.

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Roxas made a backwards leap to avoid the questing staff, easily bounding backwards a few yards and landing with grace. He glanced upwards just in time to note his opponent gathering his legs beneath him for a high-speed dash. The disturbing grin came to Roxas' face once more and he prepared to meet the blitz.

A flurry of strokes were exchanged at lightning speed between the two. Without controlling the pace of battle, Roxas couldn't bring his preternatural strength to bear and he let a low animalistic growl out through his teeth. Hukaat was good; he had managed to stay within range just long enough to gauge his speed and reaction-time. Getting a measure of your opponent was a good start to any battle, and this one had just begun.

"Shall we step it up a notch?" The Nobody didn't wait for a response and stepped forward, swinging his left-hand blade in a wide arc. As expected, the blow rebounded off of the block. Roxas pirouetted and brought the other weapon to bear, letting out a blast of energy as the blow impacted.

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Hukaat hadn't understood the exact meaning of the words, but he got the idea when two more blows came in quick succession. Roxas' swing with the left-hand blade had been blocked easily by the newly re-drawn sward, but it had not been the main strike, as he had correctly guessed, but a set-up for it.

No, the main strike came after Roxas twirled to get momentum for it, a massive swing from the other weapon. Fortunately, the electric blast wouldn't actually kill him, as the gloves insulated him from that, but the force of the blast could have blown them apart again.

However, this time he had expected it, counted on it. He dropped the staff immediately and side-stepped, throwing Roxas off-balance from the unexpected move as his blow encountered less resistance than expected, and simply sucker-punched the Nobody in the stomach, at the same time hooking his own leg around behind Roxas.' If the move worked, it would at the very least throw off the Nobody's sense of balance from the opposing forces, but idealy it would land him flat on his back.

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Roxas, an experienced fighter, rolled with the blow when tripped and flipped over. While he was turning in the air, his blade flickered up and smashed into the armor guarding one arm. He landed on his feet, leapt forward once more, and brought both blades crashing inward at angles designed to force a step-back.

Hukaat jumped to avoid the blow and Roxas took the opportunity. He launched himself from the ground and, after smacking away one weapon literally bulled his way into Hukaat, forcing him down and backwards. The Nobody stepped back a few paces to allow his opponent to regain footing.

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