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 Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 11:55 am
Speed. His most important attribute. That small bone would of smacked clear across Maximos' face, his nose would have protested if not gave in entirely, and his head would have jerked back almost immediately...his balance would have been tossed off and he would have been on his way to the ground. But, there was one small detail that stood in the way of this flawless execution. Maximos had Shouyin's wrist. Now the stone armed man was attempting a manuever that would require him turning and moving that arm away from the shadow. At the most that arm needed to be out of Maximos' grip to be comfortable, at the least, Shouyin would need to bend it at a 90 degree angle behind his shoulder, which would steal a good deal of his attacks thunder. Reading. Strategizing. Adapting. Shouyin whipped around, his back would be facing the Shadow. And Maximos would immediately shove off his right foot, carrying his body to his left, Shouyin's arm in toe. His left foot sliding forward behind Shouyin's right, considering his back was turned. The idea being that he couldnt complete a 180 if his arm was going in the opposite direction. The interruption would steal him the few precious seconds he needed to pivot on his left foot, so that he stood back to back with Shouyin, the stone arm over his left shoulder. Every motion had to flow into the next, no hesitation one fluid movement. Maximos' left took a grip above his right grasping Shou's forearm. His right foot leading, as he shoved his weight forward, bringing both his arms forward and down. His left foot sliding back against Shou's right, to steal some of its footing. The goal, being an old school, over the shoulder slam. The Stone Warrior, hopefully following his stone arm. --- Damrius had made a mistake. And opening in a fight is not the permission to zoom in for the kill. Maximos was loopy, that meant a punch, a kick, a lower powered move had a good change of getting through. But a bum rushing Maximos with his sword gleaming like a candle....was a poor idea. Maximos' could have been run through, organs sliced and ruptured. He could afford to take a punch, he could not afford a potentially fatal sword wound. Damrius had made the mistake of rushing the battle. And rushing, in battle is never a good idea. Patience is required, patience to wear down an opponent, especially one that is believedly stronger. The attack came swiftly just as Damrius expected, his body like a living arrow. Maximos Arian Training - Arian soldiers are trained from the day they are able to hold a sword to fight. There lives as humans are sacrificed in order to make them killing machines. Customarily the second eldest boy is taken and placed in live combat with his father, and the village healer. The boy is forced to face his father in real unholds barred combat. At the end of each day the healer returns the child to healthy status and the training begins. The child is forced to endure arrows and projectile weapons, at first being taught to withstand the attack and later to catch the weapons in both, and then one hand before the weapons reach you. As a result, Maximos is able to dodge and or catch most projectile weapons of a simple nature. The man cannot dodge bullets or most modern projectiles. But against a bow, a throwing knife or anything of the sort he is most agile. Rushing attack were so obvious its difficult, not to counter them. Maximos stood loopy until Damrius came into his range, the course of his flight, the angle, the direction. It snapped him out of his off state. The rest was instinct. He took a step back. His left arm swung forward pinching directly at its middle between the index and thumb of his left hand. The right immediately followed grabbing Damrius at the elbow, his left shoved down while his right lifted up. The idea being to basically alleyoop Damrius while his own momentum carried him back and away. If all went according to plan, Damrius' front should go down, and his back should go up, inverting him entirely, making him into less of an arrow, and more of a ball. Tumbling away.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:37 pm
With a pulse of energy, Ryugi Kazamaru arrived in the void. But as he arrived, the void wavered and changed shape, forming itself into a most unusual, but beautiful background of a battlefield. A soft breeze would stir the sweet smell of cherry blossoms and the warmth of spring would waft across Ryugi as he looked around. The breeze called down some of the weaker petals to dance in the air before settling on the ground below. It was such a beautiful sight, Ryugi nearly forgot where he was. Who knew a place with such violence could also be a place of such beauty.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:50 pm
Maximos stalked up in one of the trees waiting for that beautiful breeze to kick up a mess of the tiny leaves. With a leap he gave himself in to gravities whim, landing in the center of the dancing leaves, bent on one knee with his right hand flat on the grass, and his left pointing straight behind him.
Why? Because Maximos was a ninja. Didnt you know?
No. Not really.
But with that black track suit hood over his head, and the black track suit pants billowing in the breeze, he could have passed for one! He stood up, chuckling to himself and smacking some of the dust off his knees, and flipping the hood back.
Hey Ryugi!
Maximos called out, his fingerless gloved hand waving.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:54 pm
Ryugi turned at the familiar voice, and met face to face with his good friend.
Maximos! Small Void, eh? It's good to see you.
Ryugi grinned and looked around at the area around him, admiring the "natural" beauty of the scene in front of him. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the smell of cherry blossoms was strong and light.
Pretty place isn't it? Its hard to find places like this in the real world anymore.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:04 pm
Indeed.
He said, his bare feet making their way toward Ryugi. His right hand gently reaching out and catching one of the small leaves as it drifted by.
Its much prettier than my gymnasium.
He took a deep breath in through his nostrils, holding it for a moment to savor the silky sweet scent, before letting it wafe out from between his lips.
But I suppose if its here, it has to exist somewhere at some time.
He gave a stout nod, releasing the leaf and letting his hand slide along one of the trees, taking in the rough texture.
I should definitely like to find it. Until then...I suppose we'd best put this place to use!
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:17 pm
One moment my friend. I have some preparation before our little bout begins.
He smiled and moved to one of the trees. The Ethereal Void, where one could die and come back alive just as if nothing had happened. Ryugi smiled as he removed Ragnarok from his back, and placed it against the tree.
Its been such a long time since we last fought, Maximos, that I think we should make this one special.
As he spoke, he unbuckled the strap that contained the sheath of Sol Blade, and the blade itself. That, too, he placed on the tree near the larger blade.
No powers. No desperate moves.
He unbuttoned his white coat and removed it, folding it nicely before placing it at the foot of the tree, followed soon by his gauntlets and forearm guards.
Think of it as a play fight, something between good friends.
After a bit more, a different Ryugi could be seen standing in front of Maximos. One without his armor, only his boots and shin guards. He wore a simple white cotton undershirt, one that was sleeveless at that, and one that showed off his shoulders and fit trim arms and biceps. And on top of that, even his scarf had been removed, and lovingly folded and placed with the rest of his gear.
So, my friend, shall we get started?
He smiled, his red eyes warm and content as he took up a readied fighting stance.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:40 pm
Ok, sure.
Maximos said taking a step back. He was sort of expecting a ritual of some sort, but found himself most surprised to see his good friend shedding his weapons and armor.
Yes, definitely I agree!
A special occasion? That sounded wonderful! It had been at least a year since they had their conflict on Shadow Island. This was great!
Indeed, just hands and feet. Your a much greater challenge, than the shadow duplicate I had in my gym too!
He watched Ryugi take a fighting stance and took one himself. His right hand slid behind his back, his left extending forward. His right foot slid forward taking the lead, with his left a bit behind, Maximos himself just slightly angled.
The first move is all yours.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:46 pm
I knew you'd say that. Ryugi chuckled and made his move. No trashcans this time, and no fireballs. He ran forward, his left elbow leading low. It was surprising how fast Ryugi was when he wasn't wearing all that equipment. He was pretty quick as it was, but the difference was quite noticeable. As he approached Maximos, his left arm would come up, which was meant to deflect any blows coming towards Ryugi's body and head, as his right arm shot forward in an open palmed strike to his friend's chest as Ryugi placed his momentum into the blow. Surely Maximos wouldn't get hit by his attack, but it was a change of pace for Ryugi, attacking first with such a move.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 5:34 pm
A billow of cherry blossoms filled the air as Ryugi burst forward. Maximos' eyes widened for a moment. Yes, he was faster...alot faster. It made Maximos wonder exactly how heavy dragons made their armor.
Ryugi kept the high left, Maximos knew better than to make any direct strikes. He waited for the Dragon's strike. An open palm came soaring for his chest, Maximos immediately kicked off the ground, leaping back. His right and left hands grabbing Ryugi's offending arm. Maximos threw his weight back, his left foot coming up aiming to simply rest on Ryugi's chest he tried to land his back on the ground. And basically roll Ryugi forward and over in sort of a flip toss.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:42 pm
Before Damrius knew what was happening, he was rolling on the ground, and slammed through a few of those smaller pillars, and cried out in minor pain as his sword came up, cutting him across teh chest.
His clothes now red instead of their usual white and black, he stood up and looked at Max.
Well, that was mostly one of my more stupid moves. But hell...
Damrius pulled in a charge, and then mad ehis move. First, he sheathed his sword. No need to use something he had totally just cut himself with, it would only work against him.
As he stood in the rubble of the las pillar he hit, roughly ten feet from Maximos, he brought his right foot up, kicking a larger rock at maximos, and repeating it several times. If Maximos decided to counter them the same way, then so be it. But, Damrius was using the crushed rubble as a weapon, testing his reflexes, seeing if anything had been affected as he acted any different. Muscle instict was one thing, but concious movment was another.
His chest hurt, and the more he moved, the more the cut bled. It was only a minor gash, across the right side of his chest.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:53 pm
Maximos A billow of cherry blossoms filled the air as Ryugi burst forward. Maximos' eyes widened for a moment. Yes, he was faster...alot faster. It made Maximos wonder exactly how heavy dragons made their armor. Ryugi kept the high left, Maximos knew better than to make any direct strikes. He waited for the Dragon's strike. An open palm came soaring for his chest, Maximos immediately kicked off the ground, leaping back. His right and left hands grabbing Ryugi's offending arm. Maximos threw his weight back, his left foot coming up aiming to simply rest on Ryugi's chest he tried to land his back on the ground. And basically roll Ryugi forward and over in sort of a flip toss. Up and over Ryugi went, easily being tossed by Maximos. While Ryugi was much faster, he was also quite a bit lighter, as Maximos would have noticed. But less weight meant more speed, and less armor also meant more maneuverability. So, Ryugi was tossed, but he quickly moved his hands down to catch himself and flipped up and over to land on his feet, facing Maximos. First moves never seem to hit do they?
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:58 am
Maximos wasnt to say the least surprised. Honestly, if Ryugi had as much agility as he did with his armor, this was the least he could expect without. He was pretty fast.
Maximos with his back on the ground immediately brought his hands up to around his shoulders, lifting his legs up to his chest and kicking forward in a kip. The rustle of bare feet stepping on the grass more than audible. With a spin, he rotated on his heels to face Ryugi, his hands and feet resuming their previous battle stance, and a bright smile plastered across his face.
No they sure dont. But they're good for seeing what your opponent is capable of!
He made a waving motion with his extended left hand, as if to hint that Ryugi come forward again.
---
Maximos began walking at Damrius. While the warrior kicked his first rock.
No.
Maximos' right hand came forward grabbing the rock. The claw-like pointed fingers of his gauntlet dug deep into the craggy surface.
No.
His left foot slid forward cementing his stance, his right immediately swung sort of like a pitcher tossing the ball, simply instead of actually releasing the rock he had caught up in his hand, he use it to smash the second incoming right. Immediately took a wide step, tossing body weight into a pitch, so as to send the rock soaring at Damrius before he could kick the third.
You must close the gap between your opponent and yourself...
He wasnt done. His feet immediately broke into motion, right following left. Speed was Maximos' key attribute, it was with that speed he followed the rock he had tossed. Nearly able to pass it. Damrius had a rock to deal with and immediately behind it, a Maximos, the shadow would extend his right hand straight out to this side, just before reaching Damrius to clothesline the unsuspecting fighter.
...without leaving yourself open for attack.
This attack would test Damrius' ability to do just that. Simply charging or blasting could not get him through this.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 7:42 pm
Maximos Maximos wasn't to say the least surprised. Honestly, if Ryugi had as much agility as he did with his armor, this was the least he could expect without. He was pretty fast. Maximos with his back on the ground immediately brought his hands up to around his shoulders, lifting his legs up to his chest and kicking forward in a kip. The rustle of bare feet stepping on the grass more than audible. With a spin, he rotated on his heels to face Ryugi, his hands and feet resuming their previous battle stance, and a bright smile plastered across his face. No they sure don't. But they're good for seeing what your opponent is capable of!He made a waving motion with his extended left hand, as if to hint that Ryugi come forward again. Ryugi would charge in once more, but this time as he approached Maximos, he leapt up, curling into a ball, and shot both of his feet out towards his opponent's chest. It probably wouldn't hit, but he was having fun, and that was all that mattered right now.
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:34 pm
Ryugi was entirely right. And Maximos honestly felt a bit guilty for playing the defensive roll, he sprung into action, right foot following his left matting down the grass and leaving a trail of cherry blossoms blowing in his wake.
Ryugi took to the air, Maximos followed, only as the dragon rolled into a ball the shadow cocked his right fist back, his left held out in front of him seemingly helping him aim the shot. Without rolling Maximos got a tad bit more height than Ryugi placing him just a bit above the dragon.
--SMACK--
Ryugi's legs flung out impact the shadow at the exact moment he sent a stiff punch toward his good friends chest. Ryugi's legs were powerful to say the least considering how far he was able to carry himself into the air. Meaning, Maximos was going to be going for something of a ride in reverse. But if his guestimation was correct, he should be sending Ryugi for something of a trip as well.
He really couldnt say for sure about that though, only that he saw a blur of blossoms. A second or two later he could feel his right hand scraping through blades of grass dragging him to a halt. His legs flipping over his body, landing the shadow kneeled trying to find his opponent.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:46 pm
-CLASH-
Both fighter's moves hit and their targets went flying in their proposed directions. Blossom petals flowed in the air current left by Maximos' speedy flight, and bloomed away from his body as he landed. The two fighters would dance away in the blossoms, and the blossoms would dance away with the fighters. Ryugi was struck by Maximos' punch, surprised by just how much force the shadow had in his arms. Afterall, he'd never taken a solid blow by him before. It caused his adrenaline to rise a bit in a way he hadn't experienced for years. The force caused Ryugi to shoot down into the ground, landing on his back with a THWUMP that sent petals flying out and away from him. Maximos wouldn't have to look too long to spy Ryugi as he chambered his legs from the fall, and pumped them out, shooting him into the air where he curled once more into a front flip, and landed in a crouch, before bursting forward towards his good friend to close the gap as petals floated away from him, drifting in the air currents.
Nice shot!
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