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Eloquent Conversationalist
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 Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 4:23 pm
Ryugi could only grin. There, across from him, stood an individual every bit himself as himself. The silver hair, the Legendary Sword, and the fiery red eyes. And then the individual spoke to him in his own voice. Quote: I'm not sure who you are, but we've come too far, and quested too long, across too much of this country to back down now. We will win, and prove our worth to Ancalagon and have our prize. But your in my way. Whoever you are. As Ryugi spoke, he gripped the handle or Ragnarok, and only Ragnarok. The Sol Blade was Ryugi's second owned sword, and the first he'd purchased himself. It held a special place in his heart, but he and Ragnarok shared a bond together that only a warrior and his destined weapon could share. His red eyes locked onto those of his double as he gripped Sol Blade and spoke again. Quote: I'm sorry. I'm sure you have your reasons for fighting, and you've probably journeyed a long way as well. But I wont be stopped. Your journey must end here. This only steeled Ryugi's gaze further, and his gauntleted hand grew tighter around the black handle of Ragnarok, feeling the weapon pulse softly with energy. The sword wanted to help its partner as well. The can be only one Ryugi Kazamaru in this world. Come if you must, but know that I will not back down. Together we will show you our unbreakable resolve!
You will see the light of Ryugi Kazamaru, The Hero!! And with the thunder of his words echoing through the walls of the cave, Ryugi charged towards his double, every bit as determined and steeled for battle as his opponent. He would win this, simply because he had no other choice. He would not let Maximos down, not after all they'd fought through together. He refused to be the weak link in the chain. Maximos Within range, with is left foot leading, using his enhanced strength he swung Ragnarok, tossing his hips into the motions so as to make a wide right to left sweeping slash for Ryugi's midsection. He knew where his armor was. He knew he couldn't cut him. He also knew a one handed slash, even with his draconic endowments was not going to be as powerful as any two handed slash. But he did it anyway. His glowing red eyes never once leaving their set gaze on Ryugi's. With a fierce determination he shouted... Adamant....His double called out the first part of an attack. It could be anything, normally, Ryugi would know the flow of his own energy, and be able to discover what strike he was preparing, however, this double was different, simply gathering the energy for the move without first gathering it towards its targeted area. The counter would be simple... Ryugi charged in, Ragnarok at the ready, meeting the doppelganger Ragnarok with his own, the two mighty blades clashing in a shower of sparks and a pulse of energy as each spirit met its equal. Ryugi met the attack with the same force and tenacity as his double, his right hand leading the blade on top... He was ready...
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 3:42 am
The two Ragnaroks met with like thunder. The resounding impact kicked up debris in a ring around both fighters and sent it flying like dust on an unseen wind. Ryugi did not back down. Neither of him. Both were moved by an unbreakable resolve. Both now met in close combat. Ryugi was ready for a counter the called out magical attack. But was he ready when that, was not what came? The two Ragnarok's met. Ryugi with his two handed grip, and Reflection Ryugi with a single handed grip. To keep either sword for overpowering the other required footing, and stance. Otherwise weight is toppled, openings are made, wounds are caused. The blades met, and tasted each other. And then without warning, the clone Ragnarok retreated, instead of being held in an X, in tight opposition to Ryugi's blade, it fell back. The Reflection was already in motion, he was quickly leaning forward and bending at the knees in a move which focused full on another of Ryugi's assets. Speed. Because in the moment the faux Ragnarok fell back, it landed flat against the reflections shoulder, and then over behind his back, and Sol Blade, quicker than any Ragnarok movement. Wielded with all the speed both dragons held, stabbed forward with vicious intensity at Ryugi's thigh. Aiming to impale straight through it. Obviously, both Dragons had equal speed. But Ryugi was wielding a larger weapon, giving the speed advantage to his double. Sol Blade seemed to grow colder, stiller in the passing moments, it pulsed with nothingness as if on the verge spilling over, and yet not. Just a hair trigger waiting for a reason to be pulled. The calf, shin, and knee, were clearly protected by boots. But the only protection on Ryugi's calf were the dragonsteel threads, threads his improved draconic strength could easily tear. Needless to say, the reflection had not intentions on pulling Sol Blade back out if it stabbed home. The cut would be at a downward angle, so that the Real Ryugi could not simply move his leg backwards and free himself. And it would make moving that leg, very very difficult, and painful. But he was not done. Then, since his right arm was now free and unburdened with any particular sword, as well as protected from being severed by his arm guards...he would, in the same moment in which he stabbed with Sol Blade, thrust his arm forward. A human may never have been able to accomplish this but, these two were equal, all advantages were situationally gained and Ryugi unarmed was clearly faster than Ryugi armed, even with Ragnarok's assistance...and so he reached clear past the sword reach of the true Ragnarok, inside Ryugi's defense, past Ragnarok's ability to absorb and cried out. ....FIREBALL! And set free an Adamant Fireball, point blanc at Ryugi's chest. He didnt need spot on accuracy, and it was unlikely any swing by the Real Ryugi was going to move his arm entirely off target. He only needed an explosion, and force. Now, the reflection clearly knew Ryugi was fireproof. He knew his chest armor would likely steal away most of the damage, but that was never the point. The point, was to launch an attack with a good deal of push back. Because if all went according to plan, the Adamant Fireball was going to shove Ryugi backwards, even if just a few feet, it would be horrifically effective. Because, likely, by this time Sol Blade was jammed into the meat of Ryugi's leg. Unmoving. So, being suddenly forced backward, which his reflection held the blade in place would only serve to tear, strength and basically ruin the musculature of the dragons forward leg. Tendons, muscle, even the famed femoral artery were likely to be severed. This would leave Ryugi down a limb and at half mobility, from the get go. Using such a low tier, but structurally effective, ability still left him his gathered, unfocused energy. Reflection Ryugi knew his own fighting style. He knew that to beat himself he had to change the game plan, to go against what was expected. To be unpredictable. Thousands of years of combat experience had taught him more than one way to gain victory. The Reflection's attack, was not as colorful as one might imagine. It was cold and efficient, it used a strategy which was planned and executed from before the very first swing was swung. This was a mercenaries cold efficiency, putting aside all else other than success. This was a warriors resolve to win. For all that was at stake. This would be the toughest battle he had ever fought. Perhaps Ancalagon had other plans for the two men in combat today. A test against themselves...and something more. Maximos had faced a version of himself wielding all the power the man never did, favoring devastating magical attacks over sword clashes. And it pit Ryugi, who favored creative and powerful supernatural attacks, against his own power, made scarily efficient. We should mention, that after all was said and done, Ryugi had another thing to worry about. Despite the big blast threatening to knock him back, and a possible unusable limb. Despite the energy still swirling in his opponent, Ragnarok had yet to have its say. When it was struck earlier, it had fallen back against its wielder and then over his shoulder. And now, at the apex of the moment, when Ryugi was faced with far too many attacks from far too many angles...well...Ragnarok was swinging from right to left fiercely toward Ryugi's opposite, untouched leg. Meaning in all of this, Ryugi still had see a hidden attack to move, at least 4ft away to avoid the swords berth, or risk immediately being down two legs. Ragnarok, being no where near as forgiving as Sol Blade. Ragnarok did this, because it was a partner. Because it knew when to capitalize on a weak point, and make the best out of situation. So did the real Ryugi's...of course. But the Real Ryugi, unlike the reflection did NOT know the full scale of the plan in motion. And even should he have released his sword, neither sword nor master would have known where to move, nor had the time. Ragnarok did this, because Ragnarok had sentience. And a mind is the deadliest tool of all.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 4:13 pm
((Just for clarification, Ragnarok hasn't quite "grown" yet. It has a will and desire, but it isn't quite sentient yet. Technically, this story takes place before HoH 2008, and before Ryugi's encounter with Death in Barthavos. It does have instinct, however. I'll let the blade move on its own this time, as if its the frst time Ryugi will ever see it happen. I kinda like that idea...)) Ryugi's mind was in overdrive. For the first time in a long time, he was faced with an opponent just as powerful, just as resourceful, and just as determined as he was. Ryugi knew all of his own weaknesses, but he knew better than to believe for a split second that that gave him any sort of advantage. Ryugi could be cunning, and so could his opponent, and he realized that he couldn't hold anything back in this battle. Ryugi surmised that his double likely wouldn't simply lead with an elemental attack. Yes,it was his typical style, to lead with a sword strike followed by an energy attack, but that was exactly why Ryugi knew that his double was likely planning something different. That same tactic of which Ryugi was so fond smply would not work on himself, especially with a weapon like Ragnarok that was capable of absorbing magical energies. This is how Ryugi knew that he wouldn't be able to unleash large magical attacks in this battle against his opponent unless he somehow removed Ragnarok or Sol Blade from his double. Ryugi's ability to weather magical attacks was virtually perfect with both blades in play, unless they were direct and focussed to a single area, and he didn't have enough time to move them into a suitable blocking position. Much like he was now... Ryugi knew something was coming. He just didn't expect Sol Blade to be first. Sol Blade in and of itself was a weapon of vast potential, simply because it was a blade that was virtually uneffected by any and all magical attacks. It could eliminate the largest and most powerful attacks as long as there was enough energy placed through it. And Ryugi's eyes could see, and he could sense physically, that Sol Blade was more than ready to put a stop to any magical attempts at avoiding itself, or whatever magical attack was left unfinished. Ryugi had to act. He remembered being told once that all great warrior are struck at some point in combat, but it is the warrior themself that determines the severity of the blow. One thing Ryugi knew for sure was that he was overconfident in his tactics at times. It was one weakness he was often ashamed to admit, and this time, Ryugi had to improvise his strategy. He had no direct tactics that dealt with strikes from multiple areas that didn't involve a magical burst. But with Sol Blade, that was not an option. As Ragnarok fell back, Ryugi knew immediately that something different was going on. He didn't fall back from a clash as soon as it was made. He tested the strength of his opponent. But he KNEW the strength of his opponent this time. That left him with one option. If he already knew the strength of his opponent, he'd make sure that they regretted getting so close to him. Close range, while not his primary mode of combat, was indeed one of Ryugi's strengths... As Sol Blade came, Ryugi ducked down into a crouch, his right arm moving away from Ragnarok to his side. Of course, such a move would not stop Sol Blade from attacking, but perhaps gripping the blade of the sword would help in limiting its range of movement. In effect, as Ryugi crouched, Sol Blade shot into the lower reaches of his ribs, getting snagged on the dragonsteel mail there, and directed by Ryugi's gripping hand off to the side and away from more vital organs. The pain was still excruciating, but there wouldn't be any serious damage other than one hell of a bruise and sore tissue. Then came the Adamant Fireball. Ryugi could see its formation as the hand started moving forward. It was an attack Ryugi rarely used, but when he did use it, it was usually at close range for added potency and accuracy. What better move to use in this situation? It was perfectly logical, perfectly suited, for the combo of attacks. Ryugi would grin if he had enough time to spare to do so. Unlike Ragnarok, Sol Blade was not a weapon that was only truly wieldable by him. Sol Blade, if somehow pried from his hands, could be used by his opponent against him, just as any other weapon could. And with Sol Blade in his grasp, it allowed Ryugi to make use of its power using his own energy. Negation!! There was a reason Ryugi almost always kept Sol Blade sheathed and away from hands when he was in combat, and it wasn't simply because he primarily used Ragnarok. He didn't want the weapon's power being used against him in combat unless he was ready for it. Of course, most opponents avoided the blade simply for its lethality and never thought to touch or grab it. But, luckily for the double and for Ryugi himself, Sol Blade's effects did not linger when used against Ryugi (as opposed to one Silver Moonblade, in which the blade effectively negated all his magical energy and caused his body to create more before he could use it). All it did was nullify magical energies in the target at close range, and cause them to regain more energy if they were to use energy based attacks later. In effect, Ryugi had negated his opponent's fireball using his own weapon. Two down, none to go, or so Ryugi thought, until he saw Ragnarok suddenly spring to life and swing towards his other leg. Luckily, his crouch also caused this attack to miss its intended target, but the blade crashed into Ryugi's side with terrible force, elicting a cry of pain as the mail once more did its job, preventing the cut, dispursing the force, but still causing injury. Ryugi swore he nearly felt ribs crack, and if they weren't cracked, they were certainly bruised. Ryugi still had his mobility, but he had gained a new weak point for the duration of the battle ahead. Now that he was crouched, Ryugi's mind was on the defensive. In one hand, he had the faux Sol Blade, in the other, the real Ragnarok. He was crouched, limiting his motion options, and the faux Ragnarok was still at his side, just after the impact. Ryugi knew exactly what he'd do if the situation was reversed, he was in the perfect position for it, and still had one free hand to unleash something if he so chose. It didn't take someone as well-learned in combat as Ryugi to know HE was the one on the losing end of things at the moment. But part of battle was turning the tide on your opponent, and Ryugi still had Ragnarok in his left hand... He was indeed down, but most certainly not out. Not yet.
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 2:19 am
Everything had gone completely according to plan.
Which in this case, is to say that nothing went completely according to plan. If the Real Ryugi had been downed or even gravely injured so very easily then this fight was nothing like what he had imagined. The dragon before him, reflected himself. If he was weak, then he was weak. And visa-versa.
The dragon double was smirking, as he heard a... Negation!! ...called out, and a wave of blankness, of cold nothing, washed over him, stealing away the energy held so tightly in his grasp. He felt a joy in his heart and a pride welling up tight in his chest, as Sol Blade came to a sudden grinding halt, through his fingertips he felt the blades edge grit against links of chain mail. He saw pain flash across his face, or rather a mirrored image of such, and sympathy from his warm, kind heart coursed through him. For a moment, just a moment. He wondered if there was another way. Where was the light in killing another...? But where was the light in letting his efforts, and Maximos' die in vain? It was a terrible conundrum. But his answer came swiftly. Real Ryugi let out a cry of pain, the sound was sobering, a foreshadowing of what he would sound like if he didnt focus. A blow was struck, Ragnarok, clearly did not share his doubts. And now was not a time for doubt. With a flash of white, the duplicate reached under his still extended left arm, and grabbed Ragnarok's hilt. He never released Sol Blade. He still had a charge, the other Ryugi did not. The Real Ryugi was not allowed a moment of rest, no mercy, and no quarter. The moment fingers curled around the faux Legendary Blade's grip, it ignited with a terrible red glow, as if it had just been dipped into a superheated forge. The Mirror was already twisting his body to the right to place his weight and all of his force into this blow. Into one slash. Not just any slash, a... Vorpal Slash!! Ryugi Kazamaru -Ragnarok releases a superheated slash of energy that cuts the air in twain as it moves. The blade is capable of cutting through heavy defenses and armor for moderate damage to the target inside. If used against an unarmored opponent it can heavily damage an opponent, if not be fatal. Luckily, the attack is easy to dodge, being a single slash, unless used at close range where the high speed of the attack is put to its highest effectiveness. Named in honor of a blade said to destroy a powerful and formidable beast. The attack is normally easy to dodge unless used at close range. And there simply was no closer range then what it was currently at. More so, the attack was designed to cut through heavy defenses and armor, which was the only thing protecting the dragon currently. With Ryugi caught in a pincer between two blades, dodging was going to be highly unlikely. But as Reflection Ryugi poured his hips and legs into the twisting motion of his slash, he also kept a keen eye on the other Ragnarok. Chain mail links were not likely going to be able to keep Sol Blade trapped, should he need to rip it free from its home and guard against the other sword. That was if the Real Ryugi had time. Because there was something more. Before the last engagement, Reflection Ryugi had gathered enough energy to launch the Vorpal Slash. Which meant by now, Reflection Ryugi had enough energy to launch something else. Something lesser, and yet in this position far stronger. Something that did not have verbal components, because it speak before said action would destroy the purpose of the action itself. This was...a Lightspeed Dash. A Lightspeed Dash timed to be executed together with the Vorpal Slash. The force and heat of which should have, if not ruined the Dragonsteel Mail by means of sheer force. Then again by sheer brutal force should have done something vicious and terrible to Ryugi's ribs and internal organs. Reflection Ryugi did not plan to loose his wrist and allow the faux Ragnarok to just wash over Ryugi's belly as he bolted to the side. He would hold it where it was, he would make it smash uncompromisingly into the soar spot. Likely bowling the other dragon over, and likely crushing into him until he was infact bowled over. Then he would come to a stop, several feet to the right. His boots skidding against the smooth glass. His back to the real Ryugi, and both of his blades held out to either side, angled toward the ground. He spoke, but there was something on his tone...something fiery. Something angry. And yet something kind. A true mixture of passion and light. It was as if he not only felt the heat of battle on his end, but also felt for the quest and friends that Real Ryugi was defending. It was as if he was not just determined, but actually cared for his opponent as well.  Is that all its worth to you? Get up. Come at me. You can do better.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 3:42 am
Maximos The dragon double was smirking, as he heard a... Negation!! ...called out, and a wave of blankness, of cold nothing, washed over him, stealing away the energy held so tightly in his grasp. He felt a joy in his heart and a pride welling up tight in his chest, as Sol Blade came to a sudden grinding halt, through his fingertips he felt the blades edge grit against links of chain mail. He saw pain flash across his face, or rather a mirrored image of such, and sympathy from his warm, kind heart coursed through him. For a moment, just a moment. He wondered if there was another way. Where was the light in killing another...? But where was the light in letting his efforts, and Maximos' die in vain? It was a terrible conundrum. But his answer came swiftly. Real Ryugi let out a cry of pain, the sound was sobering, a foreshadowing of what he would sound like if he didn't focus. A blow was struck, Ragnarok, clearly did not share his doubts. And now was not a time for doubt. No it was not! It was time for a Coup de Grace. Ryugi was down, but he was not out. He knew that if he faltered, the momentary opening that had been created by his hard-earned negation would fall through, and he would not let that happen. Ryugi knew that if he was in his opponent's situation, he would try to overtake him once more at close range, and once again, he could not let that happen. Not only could he not allow it to happen, he WOULD NOT let that happen! One thing Ryugi was known for was pushing back even harder when shoved into a corner, and that was exactly what he did. Ryugi may have been crouched, but a crouch was the perfect position to push off from, and at this close a range, it would take almost no time at all, even less time than the attacks that his double intended to use would take... In a split second, Ryugi pushed off with every bit of force he could muster, Faux Sol Blade being flung to his right side, possibly even being torn from its master's grip, as Ragnarok in his left hand shot up and across, between the two warriors, creating the single most effective battering ram Ryugi had at his disposal. All of that force would push past any pain in his sides, and crack the ground under his feet. Never did Ryugi use his full strength in combat against opponents he knew would not be able to withstand it, but if anyone could withstand the sheer ferocity of Ryugi's power, it was his own flesh and blood... In an instant Ryugi would be on top of his double. And that was without the assistance of what he did next. As his double was aware, this took absolutely no battle-calls to increase its power, and it could be deadly efficient when time called for it. Reflection Ryugi This was...a Lightspeed Dash. The lighting fast burst of power shot Ryugi and all the might of Ragnarok into his double with bone-crushing force, so fast that if he blinked he just might miss it. A bonus to this was that the sheer impact force, and the speed would effectively pin the double's arms in front of him, pinning Ragnarok out to the side where it could do little harm, and likely stunning him from the impact for just a moment. It was extremely rare that Ryugi let loose with his full power, but his double was going to find out just how stubborn he could be... Just as soon as Ryugi slammed into his opponent, imparting the force of impact into "himself," he'd do something he'd never done before... He used another Lightspeed Dash. But this time, it was AWAY from his double. The burst of energy would not only impart more impact force to his opponent, but serve to push Ryugi off of him before the doppelganger could grab a hold of him. Of course, that put quite a bit of space between the two of them. Space that Ryugi intended to use immediately... The form of Ragnarok that had been used as a battering ram was grabbed by Ryugi's incoming right hand as his body landed, skidding from the forces unleashed before he swung right to left, roiling energy erupting from the blade as Ryugi's red eyes bore down on his opponent.  - VORPAL SLASH!! -Ryugi's Bio Vorpal Slash -Ragnarok releases a superheated slash of energy that cuts the air in twain as it moves. The blade is capable of cutting through heavy defenses and armor for moderate damage to the target inside. If used against an unarmored opponent it can heavily damage an opponent, if not be fatal. Luckily, the attack is easy to dodge, being a single slash, unless used at close range where the high speed of the attack is put to its highest effectiveness. Named in honor of a blade said to destroy a powerful and formidable beast. The cry shattered the calm of the cave, surging with every bit of resolve the dragon had within his being. If the battle cry truly did impart the attack with more strength, then this strike would be even more powerful and destructive than the one used by the double, and while it wasn't quite as close of range, the momentum imparted to the double would make it all that much more difficult to avoid... And with that final (secondary) push, Ryugi would finally be out of range of Sol Blade's effective radius of direct attack, meaning that the blade would be unable to negate the energy within Ryugi's body. Of course, it would still be able to negate magical energy that was tossed at him, but that left Ryugi himself free to gather energy for his next strike, as Ragnarok's form finished its swing and spun gracefully, still in Ryugi's grasp, before stabbing into the ground at rest. And while it may have appeared Ryugi was merely watching, he was plotting ahead, calculating, already thinking of exactly what he would do in the given situation his double was facing as his left hand gathered energy into it, his right gripping the handle of Ragnarok...
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 1:09 am
It was too late. Far too late. The Real Ryugi was already shoving off the ground with all the speed and force of a pouncing dragon. Reflection Ryugi did not need to see his mirrors hands to know what Ragnarok was about to do. The Vorpal Slash, there was no chance of executing it with any level of effectiveness now. His eyes snapped open, and in a moment of surprise Sol Blade was ripped from his hand and tossed to the floor. React. Adapt. He didnt have time to be stunned. Time waited for no man, things were already in motion. Motion. The Vorpal Slash was never meant to be a singular attack. Time perfectly with it, Reflection Ryugi meant to Lightspeed Dash. Energy was already moving to perform the dash, while the Slash was lost, the dash need not be. He could use this and what energy remained. He had no time for complex motions, no time to counter, truthfully he didnt really have time to dodge and roll out of the way. Reflection Ryugi was also crouching, due to the attack he had made on Real Ryugi's leg, he was leaning forward aiming to push and twist into the Vorpal Slash. He used what he had. He opened both of his hands, letting Ragnarok fall to the ground. His arms were already crossed in front of him, he brought them back so they they formed a " = " shape, with both hands open, and his palms facing toward his opponent. Not an "X" where the pressure would be put on a midpoint and shatter his arms. He had forearm protection, and it was going to be put to use. His arms were a shield. As a mirror should. Reflection Ryugi, also crouched, shoved powerfully off the ground. He was already mid-way through releasing a Lightspeed Dash when his Vorpal Slash was canceled. So the timing of both Dash's was identical. Real Ryugi rushed forward. And in counter, Reflection Ryugi...also rushed forward. One Ryugi held a sword in two hands. One guarded with two arms. The sword was not being given the room to swing or gain momentum, and so it was really little more than a flat plank of metal between them. A point at which they both crashed into each other. A length for their charging forms to meet at. As both were using two arms, both equidistant from each other, what really mattered her was strength and speed... ...Which were both equal. So what happens when the Unstoppable Force, meets the Immovable Object? Everything else suffers. The air became alive with the sound of metal meeting metal and a transparent shockwave of motion, like when a rock falls into a pond, fired outwards. Ragnarok smashed into and crushed the guards protecting Reflection Ryugi's arms, the metal splintered like a spiderweb but was pressed in place by the force each dragon issued. Pain shot through both of his limbs setting them ablaze with a dull pulsing agony. The ground cracked and crunched, and as neither Ryugi would move back the force moved down and out, cratering the glass floor and sending rock and sparkling diamonds in all directions. Situations like this are usually only classified using a particular four letter word. It sounds like essex. Now, Real Ryugi and Reflection Ryugi were locked in an extreme close range stance for what was really only a second, but felt like an eternity. Ragnarok pressed between them, Reflection Ryugi's hands comically extended out past both sides of the blade, open wide like wings. Now Real Ryugi was about to unleash a second Lightspeed Dash. The mirror could sense it, he could feel it. He knew there was nothing he could do to stop the other dragon's motion, or flow of energy. He still had all the energy meant for his Vorpal Slash and then some. But Sol Blade was too far away, Ragnarok was out of reach. His hands were stuck facing his foe. Ryugi could move before he called out anything. Nothing would be fast enough except for.... Ryugi Kazamaru Flash Bang- Launches anywhere from one to several concentrated balls of light energy, explosion can temporarily deafen an opponent, and flash can temporarily blind, no real damage, only inflicts status change. The Reflections hands were already pointing forward, past Ragnarok. Thankfully that meant the blade would shield him from the Flash Bang....but not the Real Ryugi. He was far too close and too fast. Flash Bang brought light, and sound. And alot of it. It was truly a terrible thing to face...at point blanc...when all of your senses are supernaturally enhanced to 150% of a normal humans...like Ryugi. Should logic hold...about 150% more terrible infact. He could still dash of course, but could he see where he was dashing? He could still slash, but how could he aim it? And while the answers to these questions waited to be seen, what would Ryugi's mirror image do with the vast energy he had built up, having only been able to successfully release two minor abilities since the fight began? If all went according to plan, the Real Ryugi might immediately hear the rapid shuffling of feet, as if Reflection Ryugi had just run a quick lap around him. A single quick rush, something moving fast. And then the sound of metal scraping sand as swords were picked up. It all took no more than a few seconds. Not much more than the time it took for the light to clear. And then nothing. No swings, no attacks, no energy build ups. That was of course if he heard anything after the bang assaulted his supernaturally sensitive ears. Nothing, until he regained his senses.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 3:01 pm
Oh it was so perfect. Ryugi's heightened senses were more open to attack than those of most combatants. It was one weakness that was also a strength, and for that matter, a weakness that few ever tried to make use of while fighting. Of course, when facing yourself, one is already aware of such weaknesses, and what they can do to capitalize on them. Mirror Ryugi had done just that, of course, he'd capitalize on the weakness. It was too good of a chance NOT to. But Ryugi knew his own attacks inside and out. There was little he could do in his position for the bang, but Ryugi could easily shut his eyes to cancel out the flash as he recognized the attack being constructed. And thus, he did, the flash doing nothing, but the bang ringing in his ears and causing pain. Then again, Ryugi had other senses to account for hearing, especially in a battle with himself. Ryugi completed his second dash and landed some distance away where he would still do his best to fire off his Vorpal Slash attack. Of course, the double was moving, if Ryugi couldn't see him, he would still know where he was thanks to his Energy Sense. Quote: *Energy Sense – Dragons have the innate ability to sense magical energy and other energy around them. This ability is passed on to Ryugi in his human form. This can act as a warning system for Ryugi, allowing him to sense opponents even if he can’t see them as long as they have an energy force around them. This also aids him in working out defensive moves for attacks since he can feel where the energy is being built up around or inside a target. This also allows him to gage the magical strength of an opponent and can help him to decide on countermeasures suited to the situation. The double hadn't used any of his gathered energy just yet in anything big, which meant he stood out like a bonfire in a black room. Ryugi would easily know where to find him...
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 1:51 am
This, was an unfortunate, mistaken assumption.
In the time in which Ryugi dashed, in the moment in which the dragon had been blinded, during the shuffle of odd sounds which the other dragon likely did not hear, Reflection Ryugi had infact used energy. A good sum of energy. Light moves fast.
Ryugi, if honing in on his magical senses alone would become suddenly aware of not one, but three matching energy signatures. Three signatures that were completely equal in every way. And if he opened his eyes, he would immediately see, two Ryugi Kazamaru's.
One (R1), was standing exactly where Reflection Ryugi was moments ago, in a crater with his arms held in front of him and a sly grin on his face.
The second (R2), was standing beside the first (R1). The two split off and began moving to flank Ryugi.
And the third (R3), was behind him. It would appear that the sound of shuffling sand in a lap around Ryugi was not infact one Ryugi running around, but one Ryugi moving two Ryugi's into position. Ryugi had dashed backwards, and it, a heartbeat late had dashed with him. The time it took him to launch his Vorpal Slash was all it needed to seal its position. Clearly, Reflection Ryugi was counting on Real Ryugi being blind, but while he was able to see, for the purpose of aiming his attack it may just be accurate to say he was "blind".
This was an unfortunate situation. Or it soon would be. Once the mirror drake came to realize that Ryugi was able to counter even the quickest of attacks light attacks, such as a Flash Bang, made to surprise and shock the target...he would be and had clearly been absolutely foolish not to hone his senses so as to recognize such attacks himself, and be forced to use alternative less recognizable tactics. One might assume gathering if light energy would be recognizable, but mayhaps confusable with other light attacks until it exploded due to the rawness of its nature. Channel, then suddenly boom. But this was not the case. Light was fast, but clearly not fast enough. Which meant flame did not stand a chance. A vast repertoire of magical attacks had just been rendered entirely useless. The proverbial "Queen" of this chess game, had just been removed, but the game was still on.
Now where would the fight turn?
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 4:02 pm
Well, Ryugi thought, as he recognized his Light Clone ability, this was a bit of a pickle. Ryugi could pick up on the nuances of his own energy attacks to be able to counter them, indeed tell them apart, but telling the clones apart from one another with simply his eyes and energy sense would be absolutely impossible. The clones were perfect in every way down to the last strand of hair, and their energy signature was an exact match as well. Mirror Ryugi had created a House of Mirrors. Ryugi almost never used his Light Clone ability in combat for the reason that a single clone of this type was hard enough to manage without tiring himself, and the reflection had created not just one, but two such clones. He'd consumed a vast amount of energy to do so, and for a moment, Ryugi wondered how his stamina had been effected, if any. After all, the mirror showed a deadly proficiency with his energy attacks... But there was no time to think about it now. Ryugi had three of himself to deal with. Ryugi was a master of Area of Effect strikes, but against himself, anything with energy alone could easily be absorbed, or at least made to appear that way with the clones. However, there was one way of telling the clones apart. It was so insignificant that virtually no one ever thought of it during battle, and he himself most certainly did not on most occasions. The reflection might be aware of the weakness too, but there was no way for him to do anything to stop it, as it was simply a nature of the attack. Of course, in order to make use of the weakness, Ryugi would have to get close. And getting close to one of himself had proven to be terribly dangerous. He didn't want to think about three, but he needed to win this battle at all costs. He'd have to be more creative with his attacks than ever before, because he knew his mirror would be able to read them much like himself. But just because one sees what's coming, does not always been it can be fully countered, just like Ryugi's hearing loss... Ryugi sheathed Ragnarok on his back. Right now, he needed mobility, flexibility, and Ragnarok in his hands would only serve to dampen that. It was time to get up close and personal. And without further adieu, Ryugi would turn on his heels, pulsing to life with a quick Lightspeed Dash to push him towards the nearest "Ryugi." He'd need to get close for this to work...
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 9:55 pm
Ryugi was thinking, and none of the three clones seemed to be very apt to rush him.
This was odd, and a clue. Earlier, Reflection Ryugi had been nothing if not abstinent in attacking. Attacking more. Attacking harder. He had opened the fight with an intense combo and continued that intensity...until now. Right now, the clones were advancing steadily, but cautiously. That alone might have been a reflection, on the dragon doubles condition. Perhaps we was recuperating? Or perhaps that was what he wanted Ryugi to believe.
Regardless, the Real Ryugi was making the first move. He sheathed Ragnarok, and immediately all Ryugi's, the two in the front (R1, R2) and the Ryugi in the rear (R3), moved to a defensive position. That is to say that all Ryugi's placed Ragnarok in a high guard, with Sol Blade held low.
Ryugi dashed, and still holding their stances all three Ryugi's dashed along with him. None truly advanced any closer to the Real Ryugi, instead, when he moved toward the nearest duplicate (R3), the other two (R1, R2) moved into flanking positions on either side of him, equidistant from each other, and him.
Now, the Real Ryugi was rushing for very close range, and he may just reach it, though his goal (R3) seemed to have his eyes set and focused, occasionally darting his vision to Sol Blade, gathering up energy and yet keeping it on the brim, like a hair trigger. But like a well played game of Chess, there would be price for his move. Any advancement, or attack made on the third Ryugi (R3) would likely open him up to any number of attacks from the other two (R1, R2) despite not being in melee range. Likely, despite even being able to see or sense the attacks coming. And of course, if he turned to defend an attack for either flanking Ryugi (R1, R2) he would be leaving himself open to attack from his target (R3).
Ryugi was in a very tight situation. His foes seemed to already have planned ahead, each one gathering energy. Each one patient. Every move mattered.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 2:38 am
Each figure had moved into place, and each had their Roles to Play. Every move mattered indeed, and it was high time for Ryugi to make one. As Ryugi charged towards the nearest copy (R3), he suddenly crossed his arms over his chest as a flash of light erupted from them. Instantaneously, the copies would know that Ryugi was using his Light Manipulation ability to manifest something. But, what they wouldn't know was WHAT he was creating. Quote: He'd have to be more creative with his attacks than ever before, because he knew his mirror would be able to read them much like himself. But just because one sees what's coming, does not always mean it can be fully countered, just like Ryugi's hearing loss... His Light Manipulation was a true wild card. It could be anything Ryugi could think of, and all that would be read would be the pulse of energy used to create it. But the real question was, what had Ryugi created? The answer would come, but likely not in time to be of any use to the nearest Ryugi (R3)... As the flash lessened, the duplicate would be facing down a wall of white where Ryugi once stood. Or, more precisely, he was milliseconds away from being slammed into by a massive shield of energy that had taken up residence directly in front of Ryugi that would not only act as a defensive barrier to virtually all frontal attacks, but also act as a battering ram as Ryugi Lightspeed-Dashed straight towards the rocky wall of the cave behind the both of them (Ryugi and R3). As for the other two (R2 / R1) they hadn't been forgotten, and were far from out of sensing range, but Ryugi was more concerned with the duplicate in front of himself at the moment. If the doppelganger being rammed chose to unleash its Sol Blade's attack, it would negate itself, and Ryugi's energy and likely open him up to damage from the other two, however, Ryugi didn't care. One way or another, part of himself was going to be left open when in a battle with so many opponents, but he was counting on his own ingenuity to get himself out of whatever trouble he got himself into. He would trust his judgment, trust himself, and follow it through no matter the cost. Even the mightiest of warriors could make mistakes, but it was how they recovered from them that made them truly great... It was time to see how Ryugi recovered...
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:57 am
Yes. They each and every one had their roles to play. They were dragons each, four of them. And even beyond that idea that some were light, playing at being a dragon, all of them were a mirror image playing at being Ryugi. Ryugi, a dragon with thousands on thousands of years of experience in his built. Training from the most ancient of ancient masters, and skills untouched by most mortal beings. One might argue that these skills had made an unbeatable, super powered, invincible warrior. But they had not. Ryugi fought with humans on a day to day basis, sometimes even, nearly losing. These skills gave Ryugi a foundation, but what they had created was not unbeatable. What they had created, was a Ryugi. A Ryugi Kazamaru, and despite whatever surrounded the dragon now, there was none other like him. Now, Ryugi charged himself (R3). And the being, clone or dragon readied itself in a defensive stance. It brought its faux Ragnarok up to defend. Its face seemed strained as if the effort took more than expected. And then Real Ryugi met him, full on. Any, and every sense the dragon might have used to tell of the being before him was real or fake, would inform him that this dragon...was a lie. Ryugi hit hard, harder than expected, harder than planned for. The reflection (R3) did all he could to hold back the charge...and then failed. His foot gave and Ryugi's Light Speed Dash finished its length, carrying a quickly fading...and by the time he stopped...completely vanished light clone. Unfortunately, Ryugi could not see the look of sudden shock that covered the faces of the two behind him. (R1, R2) And before he stopped Ryugi would hear something else... SUPER NOVA! And immediately following the outburst the dragon would feel it...and explosion. A Super Nova. Because there were not four Ryugi here in this cave...there were five. Three clones, one real, and one airborne reflection. And while the Real Ryugi played with clones and was hopefully locked in place, Reflection Ryugi meant to crash down a Super Nova on his head...That was Reflection Ryugi's plan. But thousands on thousands of years of dragonic training had not produced an unstoppable force. They had produced a Ryugi Kazamaru. And...even the mightiest of warriors could make mistakes. No one was perfect. Humble and yet skilled as he was, perfection was never on Ryugi's agenda. He was a country kid with a sword, a warrior forged of experience and circumstance. His heart never overcome with the desire to kill, or hurt so hard that corrupted him into becoming a fighting machine. Efficiency never overtook necessity. Ryugi fought because he needed to, because he had to. Because he was a Hero. He was, a Ryugi Kazamaru. And he missed. The two light clones remaining were meant to rush in and finalize the attack into a three fold self destructing explosion, but with the Real Ryugi so far away they'd never make it in time. The cave went bright, and then dark again as the explosion rose and died. In it wake, was left a sizzling crater. Liquid glass poured in over fissures and stress lines carved into the rock beneath. Reflection Ryugi looked, physically, in every way defeated. His shoulders were slouched, his breathing was hard and ragged and his grip on Ragnarok and Sol Blade seemed to be quivering. But his eyes...they shown red, as deep as blood and as strong as steel. Unwavering in a strength of heart, that belied each of his shaking breaths. He looked at his opponent, his lips pulled into a fierce straight line...and he stood. Strong. Proud. Exhausted, but ready.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:04 am
The full brunt of the mighty Super Nova attack thundered through the cave. Smoke, dust, charred chunks of rock, and molten ground shielded Reflection Ryugi's view of the cave from sight. In the afterglow of the mighty strike, the arena was oddly quiet other than the sizzling of liquid glass and cracking of ground. The Super Nova attack was one of Ryugi's finishing moves. In fact, it was his favorite. Its sheer force alone was enough to obliterate most buildings if used correctly, and the heat from it was hot enough to almost instantly cause plants to burst into flame. In every sense, it was a finishing move, used on only the toughest of opponents. The Real Ryugi would likely think that to have it used on him was nothing less than a testament to his own strength by his double. However, the afterglow would temporarily give no signs of magical energy a chance to fully show themselves. But after the odd silence, something soon became more apparent. There was a cracking, sliding sound in the dust, and as the doppelganger looked, he would see a faint glint of metal as the dust began to clear. There he was, walking out of the dust from the far wall where a massive crack was to be seen, evidence of the shockwave sending him slamming into it with terrible force. His red eyes burned as brightly and as strongly as those of his opponent, and they spoke volumes of his determination as well. There was only one, true, Ryugi Kazamaru. He was not perfect, he was not unbeatable, but his determination was unwavering, his resolve unbreakable. And right now, that drive, that burning of passion's flames was clearly evident on Ryugi's face. Ryugi's light element gave him purity and strength in the face of darkness, it kept his spirit bright, and made him a shining beacon of hope for those around him. But, his fire element gave him desire, drive, a flame to keep him going no matter the situation. And right now, both were shimmering across his being. An aura of gold light shone around Ryugi, the passion of his flame, and the purity of his light mixing together to push him forward towards victory. He stood looking across the field at his double, his red eyes burning. As he looked into the red eyes of his opponent, he felt an understanding there, a respect. But now, it was time to strike back... Ryugi's right hand moved to Ragnarok, gripping the handle of the blade as it pulsed with a golden light and he moved it off to his side. As he did, more and more energy began to flow around him, but not just around him, it seemed to flow to him, to Ragnarok... Super Nova had not always been the only finisher of choice for Ryugi. There was one that struck with all the fury of Ryugi and Ragnarok combined, one that Ryugi had not used in a very long time. But it was time to show the might of both Ryugi and Ragnarok together, fighting as one, for Ryugi was only as powerful as his partner in battle. With a pulse, golden energy erupted from Ryugi and flowed along the length of Ragnarok's blade, tendrils cutting into the earth around him, kicking pieces of rock into the air. His opponent had weakened himself considerably with his last attack, and it was time for Ryugi to take advantage of that weariness. Then, it all came together, with a mighty pull back on Ragnarok, golden energy flowing around the blade, Ryugi let out the name of the attack, shouting it out with all the force and power he could muster. HOLY DRAGON- CRESCENT SLASH!!! With a mighty swing, with Ryugi's boots digging into the earth from the force of Ragnarok and he unleashing together, a massive cutting blade of energy was sent surging down the length of Ragnarok, heading straight towards the exhausted double. Rocks ahead of the golden blast were torn asunder and ripped away as the attack shot ahead with terrible force. The strike was virtually a much larger and far more dangerous version of the Vorpal Slash, used against only the toughest and most stubborn enemies, and, knowing himself, it was a good choice... Then, not wasting a beat, even as Ryugi left the massive strike fly, he shot ahead, chasing after the blade as he leapt high into the air, near the roof of the cave itself...
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:48 pm
Three Light Clones, Three Self-Destructs, wielding two blades, and launching one Super Nova.
Reflection Ryugi, for all his power, for all his strength...was spent. Ragnarok was an ally in his hand, a hope, and a friend, but he barely had the strength so very soon to lift it again. Sol Blade might give him a moment of hope, but what would follow? What could follow?
Like muscles burn after usage, leylines ached with strain. Not only were his magical senses blinded, but so was were his physical senses. Red eyes slanted like the edge of coins, peering through for whatever he could find. He needed recovery, and rest. He needed to lie down for a while, but would never have that chance. Giving up was impossible, beyond the physical, it was his determination that was unbeatable, untiring.
In a moment, the two dragons shared a glance, and an understanding. And then time raced on, the fight raced on.
Reflection Ryugi had no choice, no choice in the world but to face the attack bearing down on him even as he recognized it. Even as he realized the undoubted effect it would have on him. There was really only one choice left. One hand tightened with a hard leather squeak on Ragnarok, while the other curled tight fingers around Sol Blade.
All Ryugi could see, was a wall of gold racing toward him. An impossible foe, but just as impossible as giving up. Ryugi rushed the brilliant tower of gold, he charged with everything his legs had. His roar echoed off the cave walls as sparks rushed in a shower beside him.
Ryugi charged, because there was no other way. Ryugi charged and rushed straight into the light. At the last possible second the replica Ragnarok and second Sol Blade rose into combat positions, the dragon's face steeled, and then the rushed over him.
Real Ryugi would see Holy Dragon Crescent Slash strike Reflection Ryugi, he would see it engulf him, and pass him. And then, in its wake he would see and hear...nothing. Nothing save for the sound of two weapons clanging to the floor, and slowly fading from view.
Victory, was his.
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