Hour of Battle. (Open to 1)

[~Humphrey_Nonyton~]

Humphrey stood alongside one of the Radasanthian buildings. It was a normal afternoon in Carone. The month was June. Humphrey did not like the smell of Radasanth proper. There were too many people in close proximity of one another, and the energy of the city was way too corrupt for his tastes. Humphrey just wanted to go home. However, as a Hunter by profession, Humphrey had heard of The Citadel in Radasanth growing up. He'd always wanted to visit it. Now, The Citadel stood in front of him. Thinking about his hunter's training, the young Makai Slayer proceeded to walk towards The Citadel proper. All his training had lead him up to this very moment...

***

Humphrey stared at chamber number fourteen for a long moment before taking a deep breath and entering. He'd asked for a random configuration of anywhere in Radasanth. What manifested before his eyes was The Jagged Mountains to the north of Radasanth proper. The peaks were massive, and clouds were visible at the very heights of the mountains. But that is not where Humphrey found himself. He found himself in a vast network of caverns populated by stalwart Dwarves, and other cave-dwelling entities. Humphrey had never met a Coronian Dwarf before, and was eager for the new learning experience. All around him was a grand hall that was well lit, and the walls composed of iron and bronze.

Dwarven symbols were etched upon the walls and powerfully built ceiling high arches. The chamber was well lit. Humphrey smelled good food being cooked, roasted on various open cooking fires. He saw several long tables with members of The Dwarven folk eating, drinking and generally having a good time. A nearby Dwarf, a blacksmith, walked over towards Humphrey with a serious expression on his face.

"Hey you! You're new 'round these parts ain't ya?" The Dwarf asked.

"Yeah, first time I ever been here." Humphrey responded. "It's a beautiful place." It was a city unlike any other that Humphrey had ever visited.

"Don't think sweet-talking will get you anywhere around here. You gotta work to make ends meet, kid." The Dwarf said. "And I got just a job for you. Follow me, kid." The Dwarf commanded, Humphrey knew better than to not obey...

***

He was in a mining shaft just then. It was empty and had poor lighting. But he did not mind that. What he did mind was being alone in the depths of the mine. Dangerous monsters lived around this area of the cavern network and Humphrey did not want to run into them unless it could not be help. Though Humphrey was no coward, he did have common sense. The Dwarves themselves sometimes had trouble fighting some of the monsters with a full military squadron. Humphrey was just one man. He was currently mining an Iron Node. Humphrey would get to keep some of the supplies he gathered after he'd mined the quota for the blacksmith who'd employed him. Humphrey did not know what was coming to him...

(Enter here^)

[Jack Frost]

Jack pushed past several travelers and entered the citadel with a scowl on his lips. His boss, Lorenor, had sent him to this accursed place to hone his skills. So he had put forward a request for a fight, and found one. He had chamber fourteen, and he was told to be prepared for anything inside it. He exhaled a cloud of fog from his mouth. This was going to be interesting. He paused and looked himself over, after all, he was going to need to make an impression.

He had black heaver trousers on, padded for comfort, and protection. He wore a black winter jacket, with plates of armor stitched on for protection. His skin was pale, like the first winters snowfall. His eyes were a deep teal, and teeming with a mystic aura. He ran a hand through his hair, making sure his hair was still spiked up, although it never went down. His hair was silver, and his body was well built. He was a handsome man, and he was proud of the fact.

He sighed, and entered the chamber. He found himself in a dark tunnel, facing another man. The door swung shut behind him. He paused and smiled at his opponent, revealing a set of perfectly white teeth. "Hello, whats your name?" He asked drawing his sword. He would have fun with this, even if it killed him.

[~Humphrey_Nonyton~]

The question hung in the air for a moment or two. Humphrey noticed the temperature change in the air from the presence of the newcomer. After he finished mining out of the iron node, he would have to wait for it to replenish. It would not take long. Humphrey stood up to his full height and turned to face the newcomer. He noticed a stout lad before him, but the cold air around the fellow suggested, perhaps, dark origins. Humphrey smelled blood on the man and he didn't like that feeling at all. Deciding that he would not be impulsive, for he assumed that his new Dwarven allies had sent the man to help, Humphrey decided it wise to answer the fellow.

"My name is Humphrey Nonyton." Humphrey spoke in a deep Akashiman accent that was heavy. But his common-tongue suggested he was well educated.

Humphrey's tail swished about in a nervous fashion as he looked at Jack Frost with a stern expression on his face. His eyes narrowed casually, there was that strange sensation again, but Humphrey did not feel the impulse to purify Jack Frost as a Demon--at least not yet. Humphrey tried to keep things quite social and level for the moment.

"If you're here to work, there are supplies right over there. Otherwise, state your purpose." Humphrey did not mean to sound rude, but he knew he was in The Citadel, and that meant that someone would eventually come around wanting to fight. That could be Jack Frost. "By the way, what is your name, Sera?" Humphrey asked. He called the fellow a sera as a custom from his tribe.

[Jack Frost]

Jack frowned, the fox like man he had encountered was either stupid, or forgetful. "Have you forgotten that we are in the citadel?" He asked coldly. "I am your opponent." Jack said drawing his plint blade. He grinned, blowing out a puff of fog. The tunnel was dimly lit by torches mounted on the walls. The air was damp, which he could use.

He stepped back into a darker patch of the tunnel, and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darker lighting. "You may call me Jack, Jack Frost." He said sighing. He watched the fog swirl mindlessly. He kept an eye on his opponent, but his mind was focused on something more important. His vision sharpened to the point where he could see the moisture in the air. He began to gather it up, keeping it dispersed to a point where it was impossible to see in the current lighting.

"So would you like to make the first strike? Or should I?." Jack asked coldly.

[~Humphrey_Nonyton~]

Humphrey simply smiled when the man spoke. Of course, The Makai Slayer was no daft fool, he simply chose a specific combat arena. Humphrey just wanted to work for a living. His eyes narrowed and Humphrey's face became decorated with a grin. The battle would become a good chance for him to test his basic training as a Makai Slayer. Humphrey drew his main weapon, Tenma-Kira, and without warning, Humphrey attacked.

Tenma-Kira was his primary finishing weapon. Drawing the mighty weapon from its scabbard, there was a distinct ring of Akashiman steel. Humphrey pointed his glowing sword towards his opponent, Jack Frost, for a moment or two and then lunged at best speed. Humphrey hoped to quickly subdue his foe. Best speed was still about normal speed when compared to the average Althanian Human Being. Humphrey's greatest strengths lay in his advanced reflex capacity and acrobatic capacity which he would employ in the battle. Moving with his advanced reactive speed, Humphrey rotated Tenma-Kira towards his opponent, then, at the apex of the movement struck. Aiming for the midsection of Jack Frost's body, Humphrey attempted to impale the youth, but any strike would do. Humphrey smiled the whole time.

"It is unwise to underestimate your foe. I haven't forgot that we're in The Citadel, I just wanted to have a friendly environment before the battle started." Humphrey said. "Do be so kind and die. Debiru." Humphrey would enjoy exorcising this latest demon.

[Jack Frost]

Jack smirked, and gathered some of the moisture moisture into a wall, he sighed and froze it. The resulting wall was not very strong, but would hold him for a little bit. Jack leaped backwards, and drew in more water to douse the flames lighting the cavern. The cavern was plummeted into pitch black darkness. It was a risky situation, his opponent obviously seemed to be of a bestial nature. He had no clue if his opponent could see in the dark. Jack couldn't either, but he had an interesting plan. He could feel the pulse of the moisture in the air, and with any luck he could use it to out maneuver his opponent.

He sighed willing the airs moisture from further down the tunnel to condense and make its way to him. With the lack of sight his other senses picked up. He could hear the breath of his opponent, he could hear his own pulse drumming through his veins. He had heard eating in the dark was a different experience, fighting in the dark would be interesting.

[~Humphrey_Nonyton~]

Confirming his initial gut reaction, Humphrey was surprised when Jack Frost was able to conjure up a wall of elemental energies to counter his incoming attack. Humphrey smiled at that. The boy possessed incredible power. His steel sword struck at what appeared to be ice. Humphrey noticed the temperature dropping several degrees gradually, but his fur was more than adequate for the temperature drop. Humphrey did not panic when the lights were snuffed out, he simply let the darkness sink in for a moment or three, and then, he adjusted his senses to access his night vision. As he willed that to occur, the night-world became vivid to him. Humphrey was able to see. As that happened, he tensed his muscles and once again readied his enchanted weapon.

Humphrey prepared his combat stance and moved in the general direction of his opponent, but not directly at Jack Frost. The tactic was deliberately chosen to throw The Demon off guard. Humphrey walked at a deliberate angle towards Jack Frost and then hesitated about a few paces ahead of his opponent. Humphrey was a quick learner, and he decided a dead-on attack was probably not a good idea. The Slayer then proceeded to attack indirectly. He hustled the last few steps towards Jack Frost and then slashed in a beautiful arching maneuver. He put his weight on the right side of his body, swinging the weapon with his right arm. He aimed for the area generally in front of Jack Frost, but suddenly, at the apex of movement, Humphrey slashed downwards in an attempt to clip Jack Frost's legs. If it worked, he knew that he could potentially sever The Demon's leg.

[Jack Frost]

Jack hesitated, his technique failing him slightly. He was barely able to sense his legs were in danger before it was too late. It was too late to dodge, but he was able to conjure a slight ice wall, but the sword smashed through it easily. The blade was slowed enough for Jack to step back and take a slight slice across the leg. He growled and swung his blade, it was not a well practiced swing, nor was it the fastest, but at such close range it would do.

The cut on his leg distracted him, but he was able to focus enough to get a solid idea of where his opponent was. He sighed and conjured four small needles of ice, about the size of throwing knives, and about as strong as iron. He made sure they were out of his opponents realm of site, they would become useful if needed.

[~Humphrey_Nonyton~]

As Humphrey suspected would be the outcome, Tenma-Kira drew first blood. The blade easily cut through a last-ditch attempt at the hands of the demon to avoid what was coming. Humphrey felt the weight of his weapon as it crashed down through the ice and licked Jack Frost's leg. Blood streaked from the wound and splattered along the length of Humphrey's sword. Humphrey grinned a toothy grin at that. Jack Frost would definitely be exorcised in no time.

Preparing his mental powers for the act of exorcism, Humphrey would wait until Jack Frost was an inch away from death. Then, he would purify the demon's soul in the ways of his people: The Spirit Warders. Humphrey would be certain that Jack Frost's passage to The After would be unhindered.

Moving quickly, Humphrey Nonyton prepared his finishing attack. He wanted to end this battle quickly so that he could return to work. Winking at Jack Frost, Humphrey reacted at his best reflex capacity to his opponent's movements. Humphrey had no way of seeing the ice-needles that Jack Frost conjured so could do nothing to prepare. Instead, he was focused on cutting Jack Frost to shreds.

Following up his previous attack, Humphrey continued the movement. He rotated his weapon after the initial attack connected. Using an elegant strike, he swiped his weapon in an upwards arching maneuver. Then, he suddenly swing towards Jack Frost's neck. There was nothing to say at this point. Humphrey was determined to end the demon's life so it could be purified in death. The basic duties of the warders would be completed. Humphrey continued to smile as he looked in the eyes of Jack Frost. Humphrey would be certain that Jack Frost would remember The Makai Slayer's name for all eternity.

"...And you will remember my name for all Eternity, Debiru, for it is the name of the warrior who will send you straight to The After. A fate befitting of a devil like you." Humphrey said as he continued his attack. He waited to see if his attack would connect, or...

[Jack Frost]

Jack grinned, throwing his body backwards to avoid the finishing blow. He wathed the blad cut a sliver of his hair as he brought legs off the ground, and kicked off of his opponent to gain speed and increase the gap between them. He soared through the darkness, and landed about five feet away, sliding an additional three feet. He hissed, quickly finding his opponent in the darkness.

"Well its been fun!" He shouted, and then called forth his ice needles. He quickly threw them at his opponent in a manner that no two blades would be deflected in a single swing without some serious body contortions that would leave the target open to attacks.

Jack hopped to his feet and brought his sword up to an attack stance, just in case.

[~Humphrey_Nonyton~]

Taken slightly off balance when the demon kicked off his body, Humphrey expected many things to occur. He had not expected that to occur. Humphrey quickly regained his composure, but could not see the ice needles until it was already too late. Once his eyes settled back on Jack Frost, Humphrey maneuvered his center of gravity with his weapon so that much of his vulnerable upper body was covered by the long blade. Several of the ice needles that were thrown in his general direction bounced harmlessly off of his blade. The rest however, did connect. The ones that bounced off his blade smashed against the wall and floor.

One of the magical shards pierced his left shoulder making the kitsune snarl in the dark. Another pierced his chest on the right side of his body, but did not puncture too deep. The last few pierced Humphrey's left thigh. Some harmlessly landed against the floor and nearby walls. Humphrey had not expected that at all. He has mastery over the elements. The bastard got me good with that last volley. I will have to wear him down. Humphrey charged through the dark with best speed he could muster. Then, using his enhanced reflexes and acrobatics skilled attempted one last fail-safe maneuver.

This better not miss! Concentrating to the pain all over his body, Humphrey had to do his best to avoid making a costly mistake. This was his first real Makai hunt, and he did not want to botch it. Diving towards the wall in a strafe maneuver, Humphrey jumped at the last moment to become airbourne. Then, as he kicked off the wall, he maneuvered the weight of his body so that he could balance on his healthy leg. His injured leg was expendable. He sent a flying kick right in the general direction of Jack Frost's head. He was aiming for the side of the demon's head. If he was lucky...

[Jack Frost]

Jack smiled at his opponent, "Is that all you have left?" he asked grinning. He exhaled a could of fog from his lips, letting the ice in his breath turn into needles. They were nowhere near as big as the others, about the side of sowing needles. He sent them at a much faster speed, due to their lighter weight. They were weaker, but were heading in a wide volley, and were numerous, meaning this attack would due a bit of damage depending on how his foe reacted. Each one would pierce the skin, and feel like a bee sting. Jack could tell he had the advantage, he only had a bad leg, his opponent had a bad leg and shoulder, and had taken a blow to the chest. Things were looking good.

Just to finish things off though he leaped backwards and chuckled, poised ready to strike. He would go in for the kill when his opponent passed through his swarm of needles, hopefully disoriented. He would shove his sword through his throat. A good clean kill. He thought back to the times he had sparred with many of Lorenor's men. They had taught him proficient skills with the sword, but this man was faster than normal. He would have a hell of a story to tell.

[~Humphrey_Nonyton~]

When his foot hit nothing but air, Humphrey frowned at this. I missed? How in The Pyre? Humphrey landed skillfully just as Jack Frost launched a second volley of ice needles. Humphrey had no way of evading so many needles all at once, so instead, he quickly shifted his center of gravity. He stood at an angle so that the majority of the needles would miss, however, many did connect. He was facing Jack Frost with his injured arm, and more needles connected to that same arm. Some punctured the side of his body, but in all, the injuries were not as serious as they could have been. Blood flowed from each of the needle's impact points.

Humphrey was getting tired, he was heavily injured and the battle was not going his way at all. His elemental prowess is beyond anything I have faced in my training so far... Humphrey was not a quitter however. He would continue the battle to he drew his last breath or until The Monks concluded the battle. Humphrey managed to rotate his weapon with both hands to get a quick feel for his current situation. Then, he lunged quickly towards his foe. Opting to slice towards his opponent with a skillful curving attack, Humphrey raised his weapon from a lower center of gravity to a higher center of gravity quickly. The attack was a downward-upward movement at a clean, forty-five degree angle. However, the attack was not meant as a complete offensive maneuver. The attack was clearly a defensive tactic meant to prevent any incoming counters from getting to Humphrey. Humphrey waited until his weapon reached the apex of movement...

[Jack Frost]

Jack was satisfied with the results of the mini needles, his opponent was on his last legs. He took his chance, timing his lunge with his opponent's swing. He added a little room for error, and went for it. The two blades rang like thunder as they collided. Jacks blade was aimed at his opponents throat, while the hand guard on his blade would catch his opponents, effectively blocking it. He grinned in triumph. This was definitely his battle!

"What now boy?!?" He asked in a mocking tone. He had a plan, a very nasty plan for his opponent. Said plan brought a sadistic grin to his face. He felt a colder stirring tugging at the back of his mind. One word hit his thoughts. Winter.

[~Humphrey_Nonyton~]

This is a terrible form of Makai. I have heard that Makai of this caliber possessed many powers, but somehow, this Makai has thwarted every effort of mine to damage it. I must resort on one last aspect. My aspect of Gingitsu...perhaps it will render this Makai to pieces. When his previous counter attempt was completely thwarted, Humphrey sighed, this was a losing battle. He would remember to train his skills in The Citadel further before confronting Elementals ever again. Humphrey had one final trick to fall back on, and then, if it worked, he would exorcise the bastard before him. Then, Jack Frost spoke and the words that Humphrey heard only served to fuel his hatred for The Makai in general.

Humphrey suddenly saw that he was at the wrong business end of a sword's tip, but his opponent had not capitalized on the movement. This will cost him, everything! Before Humphrey realized he was doing it, he was channeling the harvested Chi his body possessed for one last-ditch finishing maneuver. Humphrey was growing desperate. Somehow, his opponent had the power to evade every single of his attacks. If his opponent evaded what would come next, Humphrey knew he was toast. He would just not have it in his heart to continue fighting.

As soon as he willed forward The Aspect of Gingitsu, Elemental Chi began flowing around his body like an aurora. Humphrey felt power coursing through the very fabric of his being. As he channeled, he hummed the silent Akashiman prayer to his Fox Deity. It was a Warder spirit that most Warders followed back in Akashima that were kinsmen. The bright glow suddenly became intense around Humphrey's body. Still holding his sword with both hands, Humphrey did not react to Jack Frost's threats. They fell on deaf ears. Instead, Humphrey visualized what he was about to do to Jack Frost.

He was going to fight fire with fire. As he focused, he gathered enough Chi to get the job done. The Chi gathered around his hands, and he prepared the holy energy to purify the creature before him. In death, Jack Frost would know peace. In death, Jack Frost would pay for the very moment he was born a Makai. Humphrey suddenly turned his blade towards Jack Frost and launched a single, powerful beam of concentrated Gingitsu Energy towards Jack Frost's chest. Since the fellow was unarmored, the beam would potentially punch a hole through Jack's chest if it connected. Humphrey prepared his follow maneuver knowing that if his opponent evaded this attack, despite their close range, Humphrey was doomed. All he could do was pray to his Fox Deity for good fortune.

If Jack were to fall in battle, Humphrey would exorcise The Makai to be certain his soul went to The Great After.

[Jack Frost]

Jack growled, there was no way he could dodge that beam. He was going to die, he knew he was. He snapped his fingers and brought the newly formed icicles at his opponents back. If he was going to die he was going to take his opponent with him. He threw his sword at his opponents neck, and then took the hit to his chest.

His chest damn near exploded, and Jack died instantly. He only had time to contemplate one thing, a word to be more exact. Winter. Then he sank to the ground. He no recollection of what happened after his head died. But his body fell and sank to the ground.

[~Humphrey_Nonyton~]

Before Humphrey could realize what had happened, he had actually killed Jack Frost. But alas, the victory was short-lived. In his desperation, Jack somehow managed to launch a final volley of ice-power and his sword at the same time. For Humphrey, it was just enough to know that another Makai had fallen in battle. That was one less Makai that would torment the living. Both of the warriors had dealt one another devastating blows that would be lethal in nature. Humphrey felt blood surge up his throat and out of his mouth as the volley of ice punctured his larynx.

Humphrey did not scream. He did not cry in anger, fear, or hatred. Instead, he smiled. I am taking that bastard with me! By Gingitsu's grace, that bastard will fall. When blood touched the air, Humphrey could taste his opponent's life ichor in his mouth. As well as his own. Blood sprayed everywhere, and The Makai Slayer knew he had won. Humphrey faced death with dignity and pride, and said one last final prayer to Gingitsu, the fox deity. Humphrey prayed for the salvation of his own soul, and use the last bit of his Chi on himself to purify his own spirit. Even though the kill had been righteous in the name of his Deity, Humphrey had killed and committed sin. In that sense, Humphrey was no better than The Makai himself!

Tears of joy poured down the snout of the kitsune warrior. Humphrey's smile was decorated with streaks of blood flowing down his chin. Humphrey would die. But it would be a good death, an honourable death. His eyes were locked on the eyes of his opponent as they went dead. Humphrey only had enough Chi left to use his Warder powers on himself. Jack Frost's evil soul would be lost. Humphrey fell to his knees. The last thing he recalled before the darkness took over was The Jagged Mountains fading away revealing a cold, empty, unforgiving chamber in The Citadel with two dying warriors.

Humphrey would be the only one smiling at the face of death.

Fin.

****

Spoils Request-(1x's) Masterwork Mining Pick. A Dwarven Mining Pick made for the sole purpose of gathering large supplies of Iron and Steel. For it to gather Ores of higher tier levels, Humphrey must earn Pick upgrades. Currently, The Pick can only harvest Nodes of Iron or Steel. These Ores are then manufactured into bars that can be used to manufacture blacksmith Items. The Mining Pick cannot be sold but it can be upgraded through Questing or The Bazaar.

[Silence Sei]

• STORY ~

Jack 15/30

Humphrey: 20/30


• CHARACTER ~
Jack: 10/30

Humphrey: 15/30


• WRITING STYLE ~

Jack 7/30

Humphrey: 10/30
Wild Card:

Jack: 1/10

Humphrey: 5/10

Total:

Jack 33/100

Humphrey: 45/100

Primary problem here was that Jack was using abilities not mentioned in his profile. Ice walls are not in your profile, Moisture infra red vision is not in your profile. As such, you scored incredibly low in Wildcard. Not to mention you deflected almost every attack Humphrey threw at you. Try to regulate yourself to what you listed.

Any questions/comments, PM/IM me.

Humphrey gets 500 Exp and 45 GP. Also, the craftsmanship on the pick will be average, as your score did not really warrant anything masterwork.

Jack gets 100 EXP and 33 GP

[Silence Sei]

Exp- GP added.