[Round 2] Saphen vs. Rikei

[Saphen]

The bard stood at the front of his boat, a small man (even by the bard's standards) stood in the back. Saphen's current gondolier wore a horizontally striped shirt, black and white in color, with messy black hair. But due to the musician's disability, face blindness, that was all he could really say about him. The gondolier moved a rather large stick into the water once more, pushing the boat ever closer to their destination...battle. Like George Washington before him the bard looked out into the distance, his black regalia fluttering slightly in the wind as his face remained emotionless...as always. Pain stung the musician's left side but it wasn't as physical as it was mental. A group of white magi had served to heal those wounds after his first battle, leaving only the memory of battles long past. An added bonus to this was that these healers were even able to help his water vine! Something that made the musician truly happy, saving the need to use one of his back ups for this particular battle.

Still, it didn't stop him from rubbing his left side with his wrist, a soothing feeling compared to the thought of what used to be there.

What new opponent do I face today? he thought to himself as the gondolier pointed one stubby finger forward. The bard's gaze turned to look and it was at that moment the bard sighed happily.

The arena had finally appeared, a great deal of boats obscuring Saphen's vision of it as they entered the spectator area. Saphen was quite surprised by how many boats could actually fit into such a small area. Moreover he was even more surprised by the fact that the crowd suddenly cheered at the sight of his boat drawing closer...something the entertainer would never get used to.

"Play something for us!" one child yelled, causing the rest of the spectators to follow suite. A growing uproar of excitement occurring at the thought of a small preview of the battle to come.

A hidden smile traced the musician's face as he raised his violin, to the excitement and delight of others. True to his form the musician began to serenade the audience with powerful music. With every firm pull of his bow one might almost feel like they were indeed in Venice...certainly the gondolier was smiling as they moved closer to the arena. There was a certain strength to his music that many violinists failed to equal, it almost sounded as if he had an entire orchestra to back him up. The song grew faster in pace by the minute, slowing down every so often to recapture the original tempo as the bard's body was rocked by both the water and his music.

With every quick flurry of notes the crowd would cheer, screaming and applause occurred when the bard had reached the side of the arena. With a final phrase of quick and energetic notes the bard ended his song...much to the sadness and delight of his audience.

Climbing onto the arena the bard twirled in place before taking a bow, moving his right hand across his body and his left behind him in a traditional sign of respect. His audience gave him a standing ovation, which for some meant falling into the water immediately after they attempted to stand...but that was neither here nor there.

When Saphen turned to see where his opponent was he remembered the words the gondolier had said to him before they got on the boat.

"Remember my friend...the crowd loves you...but your opponent won't show you such kindness."

Indeed...Saphen thought...He will gain no quarter from me either.  

[Saphen]

The bard's head twitched slightly as the man who would be his new opponent spoke. His right hand tightening around the frog of his bow to the point that his entire arm was shaking.

Al Bhed Translation

"Oui ryt paddan pa y kuut dacd cipzald. E fuh'd dumanyda y buun tasuhcdnydeuh palyica uv oui!"

"You had better be a good test subject. I won't tolerate a poor demonstration because of you!"

Oh no... thought the bard as he listened to his opponent's brash challenge, the very shiver that started in his arm moving through his entire body. One of the many skills that Saphen had was a vast knowledge of languages...but right now he wished he didn't. Out of all the humanoid like species Al Bhed tended to be stubborn, angry, and prone to explosions or other mechanical/electrical/chemical mishaps. Sure, there were countless reasons why such a race would not be happy.

Oppression, a ban on their precious machina, being forced to speak an incredibly confusing and annoying language that if one wished to learn had to hunt all over the world for BLOODY KNOWLEDGE OF IT!!!!!!!!!

Well maybe he just knows the language and is trying to play mind games... the bard thought hopefully. Lifting his gaze to his opponent's face, something he never enjoyed doing for anyone, he would study the man for a few moments. Taking a quick second to peer at his opponent's eyes he growled before turning his focus back on the man's torso.

Blond hair...swirling eyes...just perfect...id rather fight Erta...


No, that wasn't fair...no one would go that far but still Saphen wasn't very happy with his situation. There was no doubt...he was indeed an Al Bhed and for that the bard's characteristic cheerfulness faded.

"Tu oui ghuf ruf muhk ed duug sa du maynh ouin bnaleuic myhkiyka?!? YHT HUF OUI YNA KUEHK DU SULG SA FEDR ED!!!"

"Do you know how long it took me to learn your precious language?!? AND NOW YOU ARE GOING TO MOCK ME WITH IT!!!"

The bard raised his bow to playing position, his body leaning forward as he prepared to rush in but thankfully...the music kept his anger in check. As the bow moved slowly along the strings, his baggy sleeves swaying in time to the tempo, he realized that rushing in was a fools game...at least directly at him. Every long and deep note reminded him to be wary of his opponent's tactics. After all, the bard had learned a few things from spectators after the first round had ended...there would be explosions.

On such a small platform such things are dangerous for both of us... thought the bard as he began to jog forward. Every calculating thought in Saphen's mind told him to be wary of this man. As he slowly narrowed the distance, making sure to stay light on his feet, the music grew stronger and more powerful.

The bard could create all types of sounds with music and magic mixed but at this moment...he would only use the traditional violin sound. Most people would not even realize that this slow ballad was a form of challenge but the bard was speaking with his music...

What did it say you ask? I shall tell you! It said...

I fear nothing, through music I shall surpass all!!

Plant Locations

Left- Eu Right- Agv Right Leg- VFT Torso- WV.

 

[Saphen]

Bottles whirled in the Al Bhed's hands, the sounds of swishing chemicals alerting the bard of imminent danger. Possibilities continued to flow through the raging river that was his mind but even with such a strong current…he just couldn’t keep up. Saphen had never battled this type of fighter before and even now he could feel the ocean of fear rise around him. The Al Bhed was preparing to throw a concoction of some type directly at him and there was no way for Saphen to tell what it would do. The poet was only left with vague assumptions and the fear that he would drown before this battle ever started.

Despite his fears, the bard was still able to consider his options carefully as thoughts organized themselves into perfect measures. There is only one thing I can do thought the musician as the electrical signals in his brain became the conductor, ordering his body into action.

Just like his opponent Saphen believed in the performance beyond all else and he would make sure not to dishonor that tradition.

The muscles in his legs tightened, each appendage lurching forward as an explosion of athletic power released from his slender form. Speed would mix with grace and with each virgorous stride he would close the little distance between himself and the mad scientist. The large, powerful, and dramatic motions of his right hand would crescendo the commanding music into a near deafening sound of fury.

It was this very fury, laced with magic, which would absorb into one of his many plants. Coiled around his left arm was the thick wooden stem of his Euphoria Milli, gray thorns covering nearly every inch of the plant itself as it slithered out of his baggy sleeve. The end of this plant would extend outwards, past his left hand, like that of a gauntlet blade. It would reach a foot past his left hand, every thorn folding down to protect the primary stem as he prepared to use this beloved creature against Rikei. But while the music was controlling every spine that covered it the Al Bhed had decided to strike. With a single swift motion Rikei had tossed his weapon, obviously filled with green kool aid and concentrated evil, directly at Saphen with a dexterity equal to that of a Texas Horse Shoe Champion.

The green liquid filled vial flew at the bard, his hidden eyes widening in shock as he raised his thorn plant in defense. His fingers would pull his violin against his arm, using both the plant and his clothing to protect it from the splashing liquid as the vial broke in front of him. At the same time his right arm would lower behind him, protecting the strings of his bow against the dangers of his new found chemical as well.

Splash!

The burning liquid would cover a decent portion of his upper body, most of it sizzling the clothing off his left arm. Groans of pain would ooze from clenched teeth as the bard continued to surge forward, fighting through the agony that was the Al Bhed’s attack.

Tattered fabric fell off his form, revealing more of the plant that rested beneath it. Various thorns of his Euphoria would begin to be consumed and fall off but out of all of his plants…the one he chose to defend himself with...was the most resilient. With a skin similar to that of steel any destruction would occur at a much slower rate. But if it was only the pain of burning skin and the consumption of his clothing that was the problem he would have been fine. But the liquid had also splashed on his mask, causing his right hand to rip it off out of sheer reaction to the liquid's biting pain.

My face....the bard would whisper in English as his vision, previously obscured by adrenaline, had regained focus on his opponent. The motion of his charge slowed down to a jog once more, the realization of what had just happened forming in his mind as the bard stared at his opponent blankly for a second.

Saphen’s hood would still continue to hide his face but it could not protect his nose, cheeks, and lips from exposure. The audience would scream in shock, for the first time ever in a fight tournament…part of Saphen’s face was revealed.

Freckles littered the pale skin of his cheeks as full lips tightened until they changed into an almost white hue. The only other time that this came close to happening was when Tenkai, the winner of the GTB the year prior, had managed to break part of his mask with a thunderous head butt. But even that year…his face was covered with fabric to keep him warm in the frigid climate that was their arena.

But there would be no recollection of this for the musician as pure....unrelenting anger consumed him.

“YOU STOLE MY FACE!!!” Saphen screamed in fury, his Al Bhed Cantata had quickly ended when the bard prepared his counter attack.

Even with the sudden pause the bard had pushed through the attack, allowing him to keep the chemist in reach before he could slither off. The bard’s left arm, still held across his body in a protecting position, was already cocked back and ready for Saphen’s next action. With a second scream from the very depths of hatred the musician swung his arm, plant and all, in a large arcing back swing. There was no dexterous aim to this attack as the green chemical that still covered many of the thorns flew off.

The bard had aimed for Rikei’s head, apparently attempting to smack the man to the ground with some percussion. If one were to ask Saphen what he was thinking at that moment...he would reply.

That this Cadence would not be ending anytime soon...that was my promise...

Buff Counter

Buff Counters gained: 1
Buff counters used: 1 (Eu)
Total Left: 0

 

[Saphen]

The sound of rushing wind filled the air as the bard's wild swing had hit just that. His arm continued to follow through with the attack, stretching almost past it's natural range of motion from the sheer power he had placed into it. But as he finally stopped his assault the anger he held inside would begin to fester.

Saphen's lips pursed even tighter in an attempt to close the wound his opponent had inflicted upon his psyche...but the damage had been done.

SPLASH!

The sounds of sizzling plant life was lost in his rage filled mind as he stopped his pursuit at the edge of the water. His feet skidding to a halt as Rikei vanished beneath the surf.

The throes of anarchy held his rational mind in check...but his calculating mind was that of a machine. This part of his cerebral cortex remained emotionless...with out care for his precious face or debilitating illness. The only thing it cared about was defeating his opponent and it was only this that prevented the bard from crashing into the water wildly in an attempt to remove the Al Bhed's head permanently.

Saphen's breaths became heavy and deep, fury swirling in his eyes just like the hues that did in Rikei's. But this was no birth mark or racial quality...but the omen that haunted him every day of his life.

Silence filled the previously chaotic battle field, the bard's still hidden eyes scanning the water in front of him. His left arm would drop to his side freely, the base dripping on to the arena floor as he watched the disturbed water ripple.

Soft whispers would escape his nearly white lips and to the audience it would appear that he had finally gone insane. Surely head lines would read "Bards gone Bonkers," with a nice little article on how music and mayhem just don't mix. The musician had seemingly gone the way of Beethoven but to the bard that would have been something to be proud of.

It was not the rambling of a mad man that broke the silence, however, instead it was the powerful magic that surged forth from his very artistic soul. Poetic words fluttered from his lips, energy gathering around him as Saphen waited for his opponent to resurface.

"The tide rises, the tide falls,"

Between every word a staggered breath escaped as he muttered the poem with speed and dexterity. Bubbles formed on the surface of the water as Saphen's right hand clenched in anticipation.

"The twilight darkens, the curlew calls; Along the sea-sands damp and brown,"

More bubbles surfaced, causing him to wave his right arm in that direction. His heart pounding faster then any metronome he had ever seen as he continued to recite the poem.

"The traveler hastens toward the town!"

He said even louder, his poem gaining volume as he pointed his bow at the water just waiting for something to happen. Nothing...the water became calm once more, anxiety consuming the bard's every action as he continued to gather strength.

"And the tide rises, the tide falls. Darkness settles on roofs and walls,"

The water's surface broke just as Saphen finished the next line of the poem. All ten thorned tendrils of the Agave plant being shot out at once in order to strike what ever was surging forth from the water. The bard screaming in mindless hatred as every sharp spike pierced the waves beneath him. Rikei's hand just breaking the surface in an attempt to relive the 4th of July right when the shotgun like assault crashed into him.

"But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls!!!! "

The bard laughed almost sadistically as he thought he might have destroyed the one who had 'destroyed' him.

Buff Counter

Buff Counters gained: 1/2
Buff Counters used: Level 1 (Eu)
Total Left: 1/2