Shadows and Demons (closed)

[Hysteria]

Images blurred in and out of focus in front of Talen Shadowalker. His mind struggled to make sense of the kaleidoscope of colors and shapes around him. Suddenly the surrounds came to a stop and Talen was able to see where he was. White moon light bathed the scene in an eerie pale glow.

The setting was on the side of a cliff of sorts. The roughly hundred metre circular arena was made of nearly perfectly flat grey stone and surrounded on one side with a jagged cliff and the other a straight drop. Down cliff face in the middle of the arena there was a waterfall, ending in a large deep pool. The water ran down the middle of the stone circle creating a neat five metre divide between the two sections. Looking very artificially created, a dozen large half-metre flat stones checkered the river, creating an easy crossing.


* * * *

Talen had traveled for weeks to get to the citidal. An old friend had told him it was a good place to practice his skills without fear of death and that was what the Shadow Puppeteer was planning to do. Finally the giant stoic structure sat in front of Talen. Feelings of excitement and trepidation congealed in his stomach to form butterflies. This was where he was going to prove himself, this was where he was going to show that he had grown up.

Inside the citadel Talen had been ushered through different lines, answered various questions and finally now stood in a room by himself. What had been strong feelings were now replaced with ones of doubt and oddly, boredom. Talen looked down at himself. His black faded leather shoes were only slightly darker than his pants. Worn like only the cloths of a wander could be, his pants had numerous self-patched holes, just small enough to be overlooked. His shirt and cloak were also both black, starkly opposed to his pale skin. At his waist were his two swords, a Katana and a Wakizashi. He lacked any other real weapons just those and whatever tricks he could play with his magic. Talen ran a hand across his forehead and through his short black hair, if only to fight off the boredom.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Talen walked over and opened it. In front of him seemed to be a vortex of spinning colors. For a second Talen found himself enveloped.


* * * *

Talen looked over the arena he had been given for his battle in the citadel. It was unique, and the shadow puppeteer didn't know what to make of it. Across the river on the other side of the stone circle a dark shape started to come into focus. Talen pulled back his cloak and gripped his Katana.

[Dingus]

The sun was eclipsed momentarily by an ivory sea of clouds, which provided me just enough time to cross the cobblestone streets. For the first time in my immortal life I stood within a stone throw of the famous citadel. A place which had become a haven for the world's heroes and villains. I had often kept my business away from the mystic hands of the monks, but now it was time to test my skills. There was no room for failure on this trip to Radasanth, that was devoted purely to whatever rush this place could provide. The inner halls were a canvas, painted with stone and ancient relics as far as the eye could see. For a moments I was awestruck, but I quickly dragged back to reality by the stern voice of a monk.

"It has been so long since a Syver has entered the halls of the Ai'bron, which leads me to wonder what your purpose for being here is." I turned to face a short pale monk, wearing a flawless grin from ear to ear.

"The wait would've been longer if I hadn't finally been persuaded to test my skills. As you probably know, my kind like to keep our business out of the tinkering hands of the Ai'bron." It was the truth, my kind frowned on the art of healing magic. A magic that was mastered by the monks.

"Well if it's the way of the Ai'Bron you detest, you are surely lost young demon. This here is the citadel and we control all. From the battles to the very stone you are encircled by." The monk quickly waved his hand which altered the very room around me. The stone shifted momentarily to gold, but with another wave the monk had turned it back. "But if it's a fight you seek than follow me."

Before I could reply the monk had turned and started to pace down a wide hallway. As I followed the doors on both sides seemed to quake from unseen battles being conducted within. Magic like theirs was remarkable and I hoped one day I could harvest even a fragment of the power they pocessed.

"This way demon."


The monk had led me to a small pair of oak doors, which I guessed my arena and foe waited inside. I didn't respond as I entered the doors to a room that contained only a hovering blue flame. As the doors behind me were suddenly slammed shut, the flame began to dance. Within seconds the flame grew before engulfing the whole room. I closed my eyes and cowered from it but felt nothing but a breeze which hadn't been there moments earlier.

As I opened my eyes I looked across a circular stone arena. On each side were cliffs, but in the middle was a waterfall. I looked in the sky to see the moon encircled by a nest of stars and clouds. Across the water the separated the arena was a figure who seemed to be preparing for his attack.

"Hey there! Before we begin I wanted to give you the name of the demon who is about to kill you." I raised my arm above my head and began to concentrate. I wanted to land the first strike and gain the quick upper hand. "I'm Hifendorf, and this is for you!"

From my hand appeared a small ball of fire. I let it hover for a moment before throwing it at my opponent. Hopefully I would catch him off guard giving me a chance to cross the river and begin my assault. As the ball soared toward my opponent I lifted my staff and charged to the small rocks that lined the river.

[Hysteria]

It seemed that the dark shape across the river did not truly form, instead it was just a tangle of darkness and matted hair. For a second Talen thought that there had been a mistake and that his opponent had not properly been transferred to the arena. It was only with a careful look through the moon light that the shadow puppeteer realised he was facing a demon of some sort. Talen's heart gave a slight jump as he heard the demon speak.

"Hey there! Before we begin I wanted to give you the name of the demon who is about to kill you. I'm Hifendorf, and this is for you!"

Maybe this was going to be the end of Talen, maybe he would die in this pseudo-world and never see the light of day again. The courage that had driven him to the citadel in search of adventure dwindled up and died. Darkness seemed to stretch across the young man's eyes as a flame erupted in the demon's hand.

Blue eyes lifted up to the flame. The flicking light broke the grey moonlight as a voice came to Talen. You need to move, take the initiative in a fight. You opponent won't wait for you. Now MOVE! The voice of his friend and training echoed through his brain.

SHING!

Talen drew his sword and lifted it towards the demon, Hifendorf it seemed named. The flame ball arched through the night sky as the newly steeled shadow warrior ran forwards. The flame had been thrown from a fair distance, and Talen moved to the side letting it streak past. His vision streaked with an artifact of the flames passage, Talen leaped onto one of the first rocks into the river and stabbed his blade towards the demon.