Bandit Battle Rock (BBR)

[Lady Blackwell]

Closed to Runeologic

Max opened his eyes as he stared at the top of a huge cavern he had found. He was walking through a forest with a very high canopy and when he emerged, he was in a field of waist high grass. The ceiling looked like it was carved purposefully out of rock for some sort of purpose. He was originally trying to find his old bandit clan's new base of operations when he stumbled across the cavern he was in. the one side of the cavern was open, all Max could see was open sky.

Max was laying down in the grass completely hidden from the outside world, relaxing as the grass gently blew around him. He sat up disheartened, he had spent five days looking for this place, and still couldn't find a scouting party or anything. Maybe he just wasn't meant to hunt down Antrio his old bandit lord.

Max sat up and looked around, he saw a man walking through the grass as well, and from the distance Max could barely see him, but figured it could a bandit scout, if so it was perfect he could use him to get back to the camp.

“Hey you!” Max shouted as he ran towards the man “My name is Maximilian cannon former member of the bandit clan Antrio, you wouldn't happen to know where I could find them could you? I am looking to rejoin”

[Runeologic]

Zander stopped across the field at the sound of a voice, he slowly turned and lazily looked towards the one that called to him. He said nothing in response, but gave him a vacant gaze as if he wasn’t really there. As the optimistic man ran towards him he listened to what he continued to say. A wannabe bandit, his eyes opened fully and he stood up straight as he came within steps of him.

He ignored the question; he could always pretend he never heard him. “Have you seen a blond haired woman and a strangely dressed man with long ears?” he asked, that was after all why he was here, to search for his companions that had went missing, everything looked the same, he couldn’t really blame them. With his scarf swaying in the wind in time with the grass, the blissful silence filled the air; the cool breeze brushed his face, lowering the scarf around his mouth, briefly showing the six black scars on his cheeks.

Zander’s eyes were shifting around, examining the man, and his surroundings; there were thick clouds in the sky and a mist slowly creeping in with the gentle air, it would be a while before it reached him but if he spent too long waiting then it would become even harder to navigate.

[Lady Blackwell]

Max stopped well out of stricking range of the man, after all he wasn't going to kill this man yet. the request from the man instead of answering the question was something Max was not expecting. He figured though if he answered this man's question he might answer his.

"No sorry mate, no one that looked like that. although i would be happy to help you find them i really got nothing else to do, i can't find that bandit camp so why not." Max said as he shifted his cloak hearing the metal bars clinking about. "My name is Max Cannon, former member of the bandit clan antrio, incase you didnt hear my the first time."

Max shifted his cloak again and rested his left hand on his sword hilt. the man looked bored, which meant he was use to alot of action, which usually meant he was somewhat good at fighting. just then Strong gust of wind came through the cavern as the two men stared into each other's eyes, the grass was swaying and Max heard it rubbing against his pants, as the far off sound of drums gently flowed to them with the breeze.

[Runeologic]

“I heard the first time.” Zander said, placing his hand on the grip of his sword, flicking the buttons, which held it in place, open with his other hand. Not even getting into a ready stance, Zander stood looking back at the man, his scarf and skirt being blown in the wind, his clothing was a disadvantage here.

“Bandits are dishonest murderers, rapists and pillagers, why would you want to be a part of such a horrific event?” Zander said, his eyes half closed…maybe this man could kill him, It would be about time, and he had avoided death for so long. “Arm yourself.” he said simple, as if he wasn’t really too bothered, his voice barely above an audible level, the rustling of the grass in the wind, It was calming, not a place he should fight but instead relax.

“My name is Zander Ross, The Knight of Nothing and after revealing your true colours to me I can’t allow you to live.” He said eventually, his eyes beginning to open fully as if he was paying attention for the first time. His hand squeezed the grip of his sword, the orb on it slightly illuminating the area but not touching the pure black blade. It had no contrast; it was solid black with 2 long slits along the flat of the blade. Any normal blade would break easily with such a poor structure, but beyond all logic the sword was sturdy.

He lifted his free left hand in front of his face, with an open palm and held the blade by his waist, inverted. His breathing deepened and steadied.

[Lady Blackwell]

Max chuckled as he wrapped his fingers around his sword.

"Knight of nothing? and whats with the outfit? you look like a begger that fell asleep in the wrong place and woke up dressed like that" Max said as he just about burst out laughing. he was taunting the man, he wanted the man to rush him.

After a few moments Max stared 'Zander Ross' in the eyes. He could be part of the clan a new member, and was testing him to see if he was worthy enough to get back in.

"You see there Zan...der I'm not becoming part of the horrific event, for i already am, well besides the raping part, wheres the fun in that? Anyways, some call me a murderer others call me a saint. in the past few years since i originally left the bandit clan, i have fought in the citadel traveled into underground caverns in search of tomes for better skills. and all in the while i may kill people, but its the people. that other people want dead already." Max said as he took a deep breath."And your next on that list"

Max moved his left hand up to his neck and un-did the button holding his cloak to him, it hit the ground with a thud, as the sound of beating of some form of drum grew ever slightly louder. His tan patchwork leather chest piece finally got some sun. now clearly evident was another sword hilt sticking straight up with the sword hilt at the base of Max's neck. The grass was now buried under neath the one hundred pound cloak, the wind was cooling off Max's back and swayed the grass as the two warriors stared into each others eyes, waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Zander, you challenged me, so lets go"

[Runeologic]

“I don’t usually attack first but I refuse to let myself become just another kill for someone like you. You’re a monster, you kill for fun, even animals only kill to survive but you are lower than that, you have no right to be called human, you are but a monster and as such I will treat you like one.” Zander said before quickly dropping down into the grass. Leaning forward and dashing low. He quickly closed in on his opponent. His foot slammed to the ground in front of his opponent and his whole body twisted bringing the blade up in a wide diagonal arc.

As the blade travelled though the grass it easily sliced out a large section, getting caught in an updraft and filling both there visions with its twisting dance. Zander lowered his left hand by his waist, preparing his fingers as if ready to grab. He knew his strike would probably be deflected, someone with two swords tended to be fast and defensive or relentless. As his body turned to follow the blade he raised his knee too, he knew that is was a bad idea and had little chance of connecting but it was too late now.

[Lady Blackwell]

Max smiled as he heard what Zander said, he had heard it all too many times before. Before Max could say anything Zander was infront of him swinging in a wide arc.

The grass that was around them and acting as obstacles for the blade was being cleared away with ease. the man known as Zander had several things going for him at the moment. The grass that was cut was being blown upwards and in Max's view of the blade. The Grass was bending slightly before it removed itself from its lower half, giving an illusion of the blade being further back then it was. Zander also had the uncoming knee towards Max.

Max instinctvly blocked the sword slash, however from the illusion Max wasnt expecting an impact so soon. Causeing Max's sword edge to dig into his own thigh ever so slightly, just enough to register pain. max backed away slowly as the knee just barely missed him.

Max moved his sword from his thigh's edge and moved his sword from his left hand to his right, as his left hand shot up to grab the other sword hilt. and ripped it from his back, sheathe and all. He then took a few steps forward and swung both swords. the one covered in the sheathe to distract him as he followed through with a clash going from Zanders left hip up to his shoulder. as he quickly used his left leg, the one with the cut in his thigh, to kick out to throw him off balance.

Max knew that his leg would cry out in pain from the impact, but it was better then it's cries of pain from bearing all his weight if he kicked out with his right foot. plus if he had used his right foot, he ran the danger of slicing his own leg ... again.

[Runeologic]

Zander was spinning, without both feet on the floor there was nothing he could do, by the time he planted his foot on the floor, his back would be to his opponent and he would be sliced in half before he could move away. If only the knee had landed.

Using the spin it was easy to regain the balance of his blade, holding it inverted gave him greater control but less power and less range. He struck the sheathed sword with little force but enough to change its direction, bringing his foot down in the thick grass stopping the rotation of his body. The second blade of his opponent closed in on his side but suddenly stopped as it clashed against a stream of black lightning, forming into Zander’s blade; it had jumped from one hand to the other, just in time.

So focused on repelling the blade, Zander didn’t notice the foot come through the grass and strike the back of his knees making them buckle under his own weight. His now free right hand slammed into the ground, flattening the thick grass and leaving him in a crouched position. Zander took a few hops forward and turned his body to face max staying close to the ground. There was another howling wind that carried the soft sound of drums from the cavern. Zander threw his sword into the air and dashed at Max, using both of his hands to try and get a grip on Max’s arms so he could try and launch another knee into Max’s stomach.

[Lady Blackwell]

Max smiled as he saw the skill from his opponent, this man may have vowed to kill him, but Max was having some fun.

and with a counter attack the man, had grabbed his arms and was holding them there. Max knew what was next, he tried to back peddle a bit. and tripped over his cloak, sending the man flying over him, and Max got a knee and a foot in the face as they hit the ground.

this was the first time Max cursed his cape for being so heavy, aside from the time walking in the heat.

[Runeologic]

Zander let go of Max’s wrists too late and his face hit the ground, finally releasing his hands he rolled away from Max flattening the long grass under his weight. Using the momentum of the roll Zander placed his hand flat to the ground and pushed down as his body came forward springing him up into a standing position however facing away from his opponent.

Turning his head to so catch his opponent in the corner of his eye Zander didn’t make a move as his Sword reached its arc and came down a few steps away from him striking the ground hard enough to keep itself upright but sinking, below the line of the grass, in the soft soil. Ignoring his opponent he took those few steps, leading him little by little towards the caverns. Reaching out he griped the handle wrenching the blade free from the soil but keeping it held in an inverted style, turning to face the bandit once more.

“Stand up, as great as the desire to kick you when you’re down is, I do not wish to sink to that level!” He said finally.

[Lady Blackwell]

"Well at least we agree to something" Max said as he got up slowly grabbing hold of his cloak, with a great big grunt. he sent it sailing towards his opponent as he rushed in behind it, aiming to tackle the guy to the ground.

Max smiled he was enjoying this fight, his opponent was a little bit better then he was, but Max was holding his own. He was hoping that the metal bars in the cloak would hit the man first knocking him off balance so Max didn't have to use too much effort to tackle him to the ground.

The wind blew carelessly through the grass creating an illusion of a wave cascading over the field. and the world entered slow motion for Max as he day dreamed of when he was a kid chasing after his friend in a field similar to this one. Max came to mere seconds before he figured he leap for the tackle

[Runeologic]

Though he had seen the weight of it before, the though left his mind as the cloak was thrown towards him, he threw his arm down at an angle to snatch it out of the air and out of his way, as it collided with his hand it wrapped around and carried on, pushing his arm back, with all his force he angled it away from his body keeping his eyes on it, it was too late as he pulled his eyes up to face Max, he was stuck full force and propelled backwards, move after move they had edged closer to the caves the hit knocked them back into the caves it was a 15 foot drop, and Zander wasn’t going alone, he threw his sword down before him allowing him to grab Max’s shirt and drag him down.

Zander fell into a narrow chute, carved by water over centuries, it was steep but it beat hitting the floor from a 15 foot drop. As they slid down his back would have been ripped to shreds if not for the large shield that formed on his back after a burst of black lightning. Sparks flew up beside them as they reached the end; there was a large rock that hit them both into the cave rolling over each other, Zander had ended up on top, he took a moment to sit up, straddling max he took a moment to reach composure, it was dark and he could hardily see but his eyes could be seen, the rune circles glowing on them made them stand out in the low light. The cave contained the same grass as outside but it seemed, lighter, a shade of grey instead of a lush green, without light in the cave, they must feed on something else, but plants were the least of Zander’s worries.

On top of max despite the awquardness he raised his fist behind him despite some restriction with the shield, opened his hand and forced an open palm towards Max’s neck with crushing force.

[Lady Blackwell]

Max smiled as his tackle connected, and not only that, but his opponent did actually grasp the full weight of the cloak.

as they fell backwards and slid down the want to be slide Max felt a glimmer of Fear grab him, as they hit the ground, max had landed on his right shoulder sending shock waves of pain throughout him. as they rolled to a stop his opponent was on top, Max took the few seconds to massage his right shoulder, and as his opponent sat up and went to crush max's neck he moved his hand to intercept his, connecting but still going with the hand.

Max stopped the hand mere inches from his neck as he took his right arm, and with great pain and effort swung his arm in a club like fashion at his opponent's head. as a damp musty smell filled his nostrils as the sound of almost war drums filled the air.

Max lost focus on his arm, as it slowed down drastically. Max looked around to where the sound was coming from.

"Hey, You hear that?" Max said lowering his guard.

[Runeologic]

“Don’t think that you can…” Zander snapped before trailing off. His body became relaxed as he listened, he could feel vibrations in his knees as he looked around the dark cavern. “…what is that?” He responded with equal confusion, looking back down at his opponent, eyes glowing in the dark.

He lifted himself up off of Max with some degree of elegance, stepping away from him. Zander patted and brushed himself down as he looked around

“It’s your lucky day bandit. I can’t waste my energy on the likes of you. Since I don’t know what that sound is, I don’t want to take my chances and be in a weakened state when I do.” He said void of any interest, as if with that sentence he had even forgotten of the bandit’s existence. He took a deep breath and sighed his breath visible but only barely in the darkness. It was obvious there was no way up where they had just fallen down. “Guess I have to go in further.” He mumbled to himself, voice laced with annoyance.

[Lady Blackwell]

Max looked around as Zander got up and brushed himself off, it was dark, but Max could still see ... somewhat.

Max couldnt help but let out a snicker as Zander proclaimed it was his lucky day. he grabbed his cloak that had fell off Zander's arm and was on the ground, and put it on adjusting it to be comfy.

"Well we definantly have to go in further, However i think this may be fun" Max said as he sheathed both his swords and walked ahead reaching out with his arm's to feel the side of the cavern as he walked. "Just don't die on me in here will ya? i was starting to enjoy that fight"