Round 1: Zook Murnig Vs Sahale

[Silence Sei]

You each have two weeks to complete your battle. May the best man win!

[Zook Murnig]

Gravel crunched and rattled under the magician's sole as he stepped into the arena. His senses were blinded by the sudden flare of setting sunlight, and the sharp scent of the evening primrose that hung in the air. An illusion only, he knew, as the sun had risen only an hour prior. The monks in Serenti were quite as skilled as their northern cousins, the yellowed stone of this false temple just as solid as any he could encounter in the jungles of Dheathain, and indeed had. Stretching high above, this ancient and fragmented ziggurat would prove an interesting site indeed.

The battles of Serenti were unlike the Citadel's in one important way, however. Style. Each battle was won not by survival, but by technique. The most creative offenses and defenses would prevail, successful or not. This place would be riddled with relics and traps, deployed or untouched, and it would be up to the combatants to employ and exploit them. Further, their own abilities would be tested by their surrounds as much as their opponents. A much more sophisticated breed of warrior monks were the Serenti Ai'Bron.

Cohen grinned at the thought. Straightening the lapel of his surcoat and adjusting the set of the kippah atop his head, he jogged into the ruin, excitement and nervous energy building in his muscles.

[Sahale]

Sickening confusion washed over Sahale as all senses except balance were turned upside down. Then, just as quickly as it had come, it was over. Sahale exhaled with a single chuckle. A most interesting experience indeed. This was his first time entering the fabled monk's arenas. He had not anticipated what would happen to his senses when he crossed the threshold into the illusory battle ground.

The air was heavy and moist, far more humid than Sahale's homeland of Concordia Forest. Perhaps the air was thicker, but it had the same layering of smells - earthy, woody, fragrant. Some of the smells were familiar, healthy soil, primrose and mahogany. Others were unfamiliar and the thought of identifying them in the lush bush excited Sahale. He seemed to be surrounded by crickets, their loud endless chirping the only thing betraying their presence. There were croaks and groans of frogs and Sahale quickly distinguished three distinct types of bird calls, all adding to the symphony of the jungle. It was clear that he was surrounded by all kinds of life, but he could not see anything but jungle trees, long swooping vines, rich herbaceous layering and a dense bush line directly in front of him.

Onora, shifting a little on his right shoulder, gave Sahale a soft but sobering chirp. He was so enthralled by his new surroundings he had forgotten why he was there. In that instant his body filled with an adrenal readiness that matched his perceptive alertness. He gently raised his right hand and gave Onora a thankful scratch on the shoulders. He promised himself this was the only time he would need reminded of his purpose here.

Sahale prowled silently towards the bush line, suspecting it was an edge layer between jungle and clearing. He shifted his head slightly to the right and quickly eyed Onora who only cocked her head, eyeing him back. She was content on his shoulder, awaiting his signal. He pressed onward through the bush, sweeping branches out of his path as quietly as they would allow. As Sahale had expected, a clearing began to emerge through the leaves. Rather unexpected was the remains of a large stone structure in the centre.

The ziggurat was massive and overgrown with moss, shrubs and vines. Even a few small trees had began to reclaim the space for the jungle, growing out of the cracks between the huge stones. Sahale could not see his opponent among the ruins, though there would be a great many places to hide.

Crouching low, still just inside the bush line, Sahale pulled out his bow griping it in his left hand. Next he pulled the small signalling whistle from around his neck and placed it in his mouth. Onora knew the routine, she began to unsettle herself upon seeing the whistle. Waiting a few moments to let Onora prepare, Sahale then pushed a couple brief breaths through his lips. His companion leaped from his shoulder and began her accent with the powerful beating of her wings. The tension in Sahale grew as he hoped Onora would spot his competitor. Seeing no visible entrance and believing his opponent was on the other side of the structure, Sahale began his own hunt. He turned right to circle around the ziggurat and began stalking through the clearing's edge.

[Silence Sei]

Sahale Advances into Round 2