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TABStage One -- The Fundamental Art
→ Before the user becomes familiar with both blade and skill, the simple work is to be explored, perfected and utilized flawlessly. Iado is fighting upon the draw and not just anyone can achieve such a feat.

Nagare ni (To Flow) - C Passive
The staple of the entire style and the basis of Iaido itself. To begin, one must draw their blade and to be able to do so without so much as a simple thought. To sheath is of a similar manner, to return the weapon to its scabbard in one smooth action without so much as feeling for it. This requires practice and perfection with complete dedication to the art. Upon the mastering of the simple draw, sheath -- and putting two and one together -- the user will no longer be able to be caught flat footed if there weapon is sheathed and they can draw, ready and then sheath as it were without thought.

Nukitsuke (Draw and Cut) - B Passive
To draw and sheath without much of a thought is one thing, but to attack accurately is another. Anyone can take a sword and swing, its another to swing and hit efficiently and from the draw at that. It takes numerous attacks while under pressure to truly master this skill in full and to become an expert at Iaido based combat. Upon training this skill, the user will become able to aim where there blade strikes and accurately execute the swing without so much as a second thought while being able to flick of any blood, fluids, etc. off of its edge in one flowing movement.

Both skills are always active when a Katana is used and must be learned before progressing with the rest of the style.

TABStage Two -- High Frequency Utilization
→ The basics of traditional sword combat are set aside and the true start of the style has just begun. Kirin's special blade is used and specializes in this unorthodox style to maximize its usage of the Konpeki no nami. This stage focuses on High Frequency Strikes capable of cleaving through thick steel.

Agehachou (Swallowtail) - C
Starting from the sheathed position as with the rest of the style, this technique follows through with a normal swing. Energy focuses along the length of the sword before it is even drawn and puts the very weapon into an overdrive. With the HF ability, the user swings and releases the facade of the technique and transfers the energy produced by the HF into a energized attack to slice across a four foot area following the trajectory of the swing itself, turning the melee attack into a short ranged wave attack. The energy wave has every property that is normally produced by the sword such as the ability to cleave metals.

Himeiwoageru (Scream) - C
A more unorthodox technique that uses the HF ability in a more bizarre way. Like Swallowtail, energy is built up in the scabbard before the actual swing and it is then released upon the next swing. Energy is trailed behind the sword swing itself and an opening of the energy forces air to rush through it much like a whistle. Using the airflow produced by the swing of the blade and the vibration of the sword, a high pitch whine is produced and upon the strike of anything the whine turns into a screeching wail to disorient those with sensitive hearing.

Tsukinukeru (Pierce Through) - B
Following the idea of Swallowtail, this technique focuses the energy around the sword itself with an overdrive very much like before. The sword is drawn swiftly as the hum of the HF comes into play along with a trail of energy follows suit. It is then thrusted forward rather than the normal swing and the energy built up is sent spiraling forward like a drill to pierce a foe six feet away and maintains the same properties of the blade with the HF. This works by transferring the kinetic force into a forward spiral that is capable of tearing a hole of a two foot radius.

Bureizukatto (Blaze Cut) - A
The user makes use of the HF property in a more clever way in which the blade is seen to be deadlier and more potent in some cases. With B-Ranked energy built up within the scabbard of the sword, when the user commences their next swing it is released immediately upon the swing. The speed of the sword is increased by 1 point and the very friction of the HF vibrations heats the metal to where it glows slightly. Upon the strike, this friction and heat is forcibly transferred into a blazing cut for a pseudo fire sword, capable of scorching a target with minor burns from where the sword is cut and igniting flammable objects. Upon the completion of the swing, smoke ascends from the sword and cannot be used again for one post.

Kinetikku tensou (Kinetic Transfer) - S
Very much similar to how Blaze Cut is performed, this technique utilizes the kinetic energy within the HF property that is produced from the vibration. When a swing is commenced, everything is done normally from the start to finish save for one very obvious detail. While the sword would normally deliver a precision cut into both flesh or an object, this very technique is exceedingly devastating to organic tissue. Upon striking a solid object and the blade is within the target, the kinetic energy of the vibrations is not focused but it is forced outwards in a wave like pattern along the broadsides of the sword itself. This move essentially redirects the kinetic power outwards to four inches, making the blade hack and slash as if it were a giant's sword while still maintaining the finesse of Iado. A single thin cut turns into ravaging gaping holes and objects blown apart from the sudden expansion of energy as a loud cannon-like sound occurs with each attack of this skill. This is truly the most devastating swing for a simple stab or slash turns the slash into an 'explosive' one.

Declaration of Kala - Sjach (Shadow) X
The pinnacle of a shadow knight's weaponry is the one feared by the world in terms of myths and stories. The harvester of souls and taker of lives, it would be the scythe. This particular weapon is one crafted not from metal or enchantment but from the very spirit and darkness of a shade known as Strife. It is made from his very soul and its power is linked to his physical and magical well being, its power growing as he grows as it is apart of him as he is apart of it. It's aesthetic design is a clear lush crystalline weapon head of an unknown mineral, possibly not in existence as the weapon is a product of his very soul. The mineral is keen to its edge and grows stronger, durable and more keen in its edge as Strife grows in power. The handle is a metal blackened by the influenced off darkness as it is only condensed energy along with the entire weapon itself as one downside of it can leave the user vulnerable to being detected by mages and other magical sensing techniques. When the weapon is summoned, Strife merely wills it to be with an exchange of physical energy to make the weapon manifest into existence, however one drawback is that the weapon takes a whole second to appear and cannot be done within two feet of someone else or their energy due to interference. When the scythe is either broken or dismissed, it vanishes into a black particle mist of dark blues and blacks and reabsorbs into Strife's being and soul.

Passive Skills
Summoning - E
As stated in the description of the weapon itself, this weapon is not a free of cost as it takes physical energy for it to manifest into existence. By exchanging a set amount of power, the scythe is summoned with a four foot shaft and a two and a half foot long blade. When the scythe is broken in combat and not dismissed by the user, it will shatter and become unusable for three posts. Summoning and desummoning takes one second.

Soul Reinforcement - Passive
The scythe grows and becomes one with Strife's being as it is apart of him. As he is of a low power level, the scythe itself is not of full potential and lacks the power to stand up in battle. But as time passes, it becomes stronger, more vibrant and much stronger than any conventional weapon that one may use. Eventually it will rival even the toughest of metals.



Soul Stealer - Adept Rank
An ability that lays dormant within the Declaration of Kala, its sole ability locked away without the power to harness it. But once Strife becomes strong enough, it becomes ready for use. When dealing a death blow (has to be a mortal wound) to a target, creature or humanoid, they will not only die but their soul will be ripped away from their mortal bodies. This move is a passive ability and will prevent reincarnation of the undeath, and revival of any who are slain by the Scythe, even to another shade or with a vampire if it is a killing blow. The soul stolen from the body is temporarily stored within the scythe until true death is upon the victim and it is then released. This ability was made to combat necromancers as a whole and to permanently kill ferals, ghost cars, and other similar opponents.

-Skills-

Soul Slash E-C
While all attacks made normally with the scythe are all but physical, this skill takes it to a whole new level. By channeling energy into the scythe, a black aura forms around the weapon itself and coats it depending on how much energy is therefore used. This enchantment of energy is the shadow knight's own corrosive energy and can be used to hit magical foes such as opposing shades and combat magical attacks. With each swing it produces, crackling energy lashes out with the sound very much like flowing lightning and extends the reach of the scythe by half a foot. In addition to the normal cutting power, the energy that follows burns and numbs the area of affliction with magical burns and corrosion that very briefly erodes away flesh but doesn't harm inorganic material. Lasts for three posts, power ranges from E -> C, B Ranked and up attacks will always defend against this. Holy skills C Rank and up will defend against this as well. Will always hit shades and other ethereal forms of other races and classes.

Soul Bomb D
Mirroring the technique Death Bomb of any other Shadow Knight, this skill is a simple manifestation of the darkness residing within the scythe and used by the scythe. When Strife wills it as so, a collection of black energy will begin to form a globule with orbiting wisps of darkness converging around the growing sphere at the tip of the scythe. With a thrust like a mage's staff, it can then be shot like a bullet or with a swing it can be sent out in an energy wave to cut foes from afar. Targets hit and struck by this spell are burned by the magical energy like normal and will disperse immediately after dealing damage. Multiple shots/slashes can be done at once with a half second interval inbetween.

Soul Recall - C
The Declaration of Kala is a scythe that is bound to Strife's being so to speak. In any case should it be stolen from his grasp or deflected out of his hands, his connection can manifest at an exchange of energy. An invisible tether of energy that goes through solid objects connects itself to the scythe and recalls it in a sense if Strife wishes not to disperse the weapon and keep it in its physical form. The weapon is pulled back to the user's arm as it spins through the air with the potential hazard to maim anyone foolish enough to be caught in its wake. This can also be used to throw the scythe and attack foes from afar. The maximum reach of this is ten meters -- any further and the scythe will simply disperse and reform into Strife's body.

Soul Extinction B -Requires Adept-
A simple skill but one with deadly execution should it catch the wrong foe unaware. When the scythe is ready to be dispersed or taken from his hands, Strife can choose to retrieve it or something more devious. Upon desummoning the scythe to recollect into his being, the scythe will erupt into a darkness explosion of three feet to burn everyone in its radius with magical energy. The scythe will then dissipate into its mist form and become apart of Strife's body once again but will become unable to reform for three posts. Can also be thrown and used as such.