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In the resulting hole in the ground, the Metal sphere formed earlier lay with a cracked surface.
"Ah... you have seen through my hidden fortress technique," came an echoing voice from inside.
"By using my earth style to hide my fortress underground, I can attack without fear of retaliation. That is, unless it is countered by digging into the earth itself to reveal my location. But not only did you rend the ground I was taking shelter in, but you damaged my ultimate defense in the same attack... I commend your strength."
The orb's cracks began to vanish, rekindling its metalic luster.
"But I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. This is a cave, and thus earth encircles us. I can take shelter wherever I wish, and I will constantly have you surounded. Soon enough, I will be able to take you by suprize..."
Unvanquished's protective sphere once again merged into the ground.
"...What will you do next, master Xaiamut?"

"First, I'll take the edge off of your Lunar Arts..."
The opening in the ceiling from which the moon shone began to close as a yawning mouth, with the wind howling in protest.

"The ceiling was not the only thing I closed off."

Behind them, a few last trickles of light faded; Unvanquished had closed entrance to the cave.

"And now that I have cut off this cave from all outside air sources..."

As if on cue, the entire surface of the cave began to stir.

"Doku Hanabatake."

In a beautiful display, starting from Xaiamut's feet, a wave of blooming flowers emerged from the ground. Soon the cave was covered in luminescent petals, relighting the room in a pale, misty glow.

"You've probably guessed that the pollen from the flowers is extremely poisonous. I doubt they'll kill someone of your fortitude so easily, but I wonder how long you will be able to maintain consciousness."

At last, Unvanquished's voice faded with the words, "Find me quickly, master..."

In the massive gouge in the wall, Unvanquished circular fortress stood, the top left of the shell blown competely off, revealing it's master's shocked visage. This expression of bewilderment soon changed to confusion, then anger.

"Grrah... Damn you!" he roared like a wild beast, and charged at Xaiamut in a frenzied full body attack, bearing down on him with blades drawn.

The slash connected, and Unvanquished's face froze in its rage. He slid in half at the waist and disintergrated into leafy debris. All that remained was a single lightsword, which had been hidden inside the doll.

"You really think I'd have reacted like that? That hurts, master," came a smug voice.

But a few feet behind Xaiamut, another large earthen serpent reared its head and came down lunging at Xaiamut's back, it's fangs gnashing.

"Just one more thing..."

It happened as if in slow motion.
As the snake head fell apart, something that shined revealed itself. Unvanquished emerged from the falling snake, with a shield of seven lightswords blocking Xaiamut's slash!

It was at this moment that it became apparent Unvaquished had been attempting to control the flow of the fight.

He had known that Xaiamut would eventually see through his Tsuchi Yousai. He had known that mere walls of stone would not be able to hold Xaiamut when he first erected them. He had placed a lightsword as a decoy in the wall while attempting to hide his lunar energy signature by moving directly under Xaiamut in hopes that Xaiamut's lunar aura would overshadow his own. He then hid himself in an earth snake and launched it at close range to coax Xaiamut into a melee attack. Now the moon shined through the hole in the wall, onto Unvanquished as the power from Xaiamut's strike was absorbed.



Unvanquished channeled his energy into the counter he had spent so much time trying set up and perfect.

"Zero... Divide!"

Unvanquished slashed straight at Xaiamut, putting only his best behind the swing!

Unvanquished looked around at the cave, seeming to be lost in thought. After a few moments, he answered his master.
"... Thank you. I suppose it got a little out of hand, no?"
He broke the previous solemn tone with a causal chuckle, then extended a hand upward. His arm began to glow a faint bronze. Gripping his sword, he imbedded it's balde into the ground with a liberal thrust.
"Wax on, wax off."
The cavern gave a slight echoing hum and each and every fallen piece of rock rolled back into place and cemented itself into place. When the reconstruction was done, his weapon's disappeared. With a heavy sigh, Unvanquished dusted off his ukata and grinned.
"Thank you... for the match. I could never get tired of seeing a warrior of your calibur fight. But yes, I should think it time I left for a little while to sharpen my skills once more."
He dropped his arms to his sides and gave a deep, courteous bow, then turned to walk towards the exit.
"Staying in one place doesn't much suit a drifter like me anyway. I get restless."
Before stepping out, Unvanquished turned to Xaiamut once more.
"I will have mastered the Zero Divide by the time I return. For now, farewell."
And with that, Unvanquished stepped out of the cave and into the night.

"It's been a while, but I'm back. I've been so busy working, I almost had to wait until the holidays to return. That is-- not that I haven't been training..."