Brawling Like Lions

[The Muri]

Closed to Black Shadow.

Kaida looked up from under her grey hoodie to the humongous building towering above her. Rays of sunlight beamed down to the world below, making the birds flying close to the tip of the building look like shadows.

She had heard of a place called the Citadel where warriors from far and wide could come to test their brawling skills on each other - and thanks to some monks come out without a single scratch. Kaida was curious, so she had decided to come and see for herself.

Kaida was amazed when she entered through the doors. The scenery illuminated to her eyes and the buzzing of the busy people around her tugged at her ears like a rubber band. Kaida looked around her with wide, purple eyes. She could already tell why people considered this place to be so grand. She jumped in shock when she was confronted by a monk, covered in a looming, brown, burlap robe. Given how short this man was, and how his hood almost covered his entire face even, Kaida was kind of creeped out.

The man spoke in an unenthusiastic, tired tone. "Welcome to the Citadel, are you looking for a fight?"

Kaida just starred at him with wide, weird eyes. "Um... Yes. Yes I am."

The monk spoke again, "Then come with me please." He turned away and walked into the crowd around them. Kaida obviously had her concerns, but she decided to just follow him. Kaida rushed after the monk, being able to keep site of him quite well. Eventually, after traveling through many, similar hallways, they made it to a certain door. It looked like any other standard door in this hallway, it was made of rough pine and a grubby, round nobe. The monk pointed at the door like a zombie, "Here you go." He seemed to have dragged the words out. Kaida raised an eyebrow as the monk walked away. She rolled her eyes and entered the room.



This... was... incredible! This room was amazing! It was an empty shed... a rather large one. Various farm equipment was leaning against the wall and strands of yellow hay littered the ground. Kaida noted the piles of hay in the corners and under the silo. Dust was also visible as it cluttered an empty bookshelf pressed against a random wall of the room. Another indicator of dust was that Kaida breathed in some and sneezed because of so. After her sneeze, Kaida blinked and looked around for her opponent.

[black shadow]

Black Shadow made another visit to the citadel. This was the only place you could fight without death, and surely, when he fought, he didn't want to die. The structure was huge, housing hundreds, if not thousands of rooms that were used for battles.

As Black Shadow entered the citadel, he was greeted by a monk. "Welcome back Black Shadow. Go ahead and talk in sign language, I decided to learn it after your last visit." The monk said.

Black Shadow smiled and rolled his eyes. Then after looking at the monk again, he decided to give it a try. "Algalman, It's nice to see you again."

"It's nice to see you too." Algalman said with a big smile across his face. "Are you here for another fight? I hear the there is someone with similar traits as you."

Black Shadow gave a surprised look to Algalman. "There is really someone with no abilities, just faster and stronger? that's surprising. Take me to the room if it is an open battle, I'd like to fight this person."

"Right this way Black Shadow," Algalman said as he began walking towards two huge doors that have been the smaller battle fields for as long as Black Shadow can remember. As he reched the door Algalman spoke. "You know the deal, you die, we heal, blah blah blah. Good luck." He said as Black Shadow entered the room.

The room was almost empty, very little was inside except a bookcase, some hay, and a lot of dust. Then Black Shadow saw his opponent. A young woman with blonde hair and fair toned skin. She turned and saw Black Shadow, causing her to draw he weapon. Black Shadow then noticed her eyes were purple. Black Shadow then pulled his sword out and was ready for a fight. There was no way he could use his bow in here.

[The Muri]

At the site of an opponent, Kaida instantly opened her throwing knives kit and drew out a spiked throwing knife. Her opponent sure was mysterious. He wore nothing but black clothes and more black clothes. The only thing that wasn't as dark as shadows was his sword. It was a simple sword with some form of writing she could not make a clue of. While the shed was small, so melee weapons would be preferred, she wanted to check how he could dodge first.

She put as much speed into her arm, and as much strength through her throw as she could. She threw the painful looking knife towards his chest.

[black shadow]

Black Shadow looked at the knife flying through the air towards his chest. He could tell the girl did not want to kill him, there was no way the knife was going to hit him. The aim was good, and she put as much strength into the throw as she could, but it was just not fast enough. Black Shadow stepped to the side, the dagger just barely missing his chest... Just the way he wanted it to. He put his sword up in his defensive stance, right foot almost directly behind his left, about shoulder width apart. His arm held the sword almost against his face and down his outstretched left arm, aiming at the girl. He eyed her, watched her movements, waiting to see if she would strike first.

There was something about this girl, something that screamed "I want to win". Something that screamed "I will not lose". I'm sorry friend, but you will have to today. Black Shadow thought as he waited for another attack to be sent his way. Some people didn't, but a fire burned withing this girl, and soon enough she sent another attack flying at Black Shadow.

[The Muri]

Impatience growing... growing... grown.

After several moments of silence, Kaida growled, "I can't take this anymore!" And she flung another knife towards the shadowy man... but that was not all. She drew her sword Calcator and pushed the button which caused the edges to turn into miniature, blue spikes which began buzzing like a chainsaw. She then darted towards the man in a hyper sprint, the dusty wood boards creaking as she ran. With both hands on her one, large sword, Kaida aimed a swinging attack from the floor where the blade dragged up to his chest.

[black shadow]

Black Shadow's eyes did not move from his opponent as she charged at him. He took a step forward with his right foot, and swung his sword upwards, clashing steel together. Black Shadow grabbed placed both hands on his sword as the sword lock came into play. This would be a test of strength, and one that Black Shadow seemed to be losing. He stared into the eyes of his opponent, studying her, seeing the fire in her eyes.

Black Shadow, realising this sword battle would end in a loss for him, ducked down and placed his hand on one of his daggers. He then sent a slash for her leg and attempted to throw her over his shoulder.

[The Muri]

The man in black sent a knife towards her shoulder. Kaida had not to worry, soon the knife clashes against her plated armor she wore over her leather suit. Kaida was unable to act though when he flung her over his shoulder and onto the ground. Kaida landed with a *thud*. sending some of the hay scattered across the ground flying in the air. Kaida has also dropped her sword, still buzzing like a chainsaw next to her opponent. Kaida acted to get her weapon back by throwing another dagger towards the man then grabbing his sword while he either dodged or got hit by it.

Kaida grabbed her sword and turned the chainsaw mechanism off of Calcator. She held the large sword with both hands, shielding it across her chest as she faced her opponent again. This sword was "v" shaped, the upper part of the blade was so large is pretty much covered her chest completely. Kaida's eyes narrowed at the shadowy man, he kind of freaked her out. She sighed, "Not so friendly, are 'yah?" She chuckled, "Shadow." She had randomly come up with the 'nickname' out of nowhere and had no idea how much it actually was to his actual calling.

The reckless girl hoped he would reply her, she was trying to be nice outside the actual combat - she did not want to come off as some kind of snob or something... However, if he didn't cooperate with her thus fight may become more ugly than what she actually wanted. Kaida was okay with friendly combat, but when things got ugly she did not like it. What was the point of something fun turning into something that sucked? She had come here out of just curiosity anyhow, she wanted to know how this place really worked... hopefully not, once again, ugly.

[black shadow]

Black Shadow stood quickly, replacing his dagger into his sheath. This girl was not like others who came to the citadel. It was as if Black Shadow could see right through her, a young girl who wanted to have fun. Fun is what he would give her. Black Shadow held out his hand, offering a handshake.

A friendly fight. Been too long since i've had one of these. Black Shadow thought as the girl shook his hand.

[The Muri]

My mood was lightened up when he lifted his hand out for a shake. It was all only natural that I shake in return. Afterwards I gave him a smile (that appeared to be more of a smirk) and took a step back. "Can you talk?" I asked, just curious. This shadowy man never did talk once here. Why did he wear so much black? He seemed like an assassin or something... Why was he being so friendly if he was? What were his goals? I would try not to ask too many questions... maybe if I annoyed him too much things would go sour...

So we stood there, in the dusty, silent barn. I let go of his hand and blinked some dust out of my eyes. I suddenly realized that my guard could be down! I secretly got myself ready to snap into action if he try to attack. Meanwhile, I was grateful he hadn't yet already. All I could do now was wait for him to do just about anything.

[black shadow]

Black Shadow took a step back as the girl let go of his hand. He watched her, studied her, learning all he could as she was distracted. To answer the girl's question of whether or not he could talk, Black Shadow raised his hand to his neck and waved it side to side, hoping she would understand.

[The Muri]

I couldn't help but tilt my head. He was slashing his finger across his neck. Why? I stood there, my arms dumbly at my sides, then I felt my own eyes widen. My posture straightened as I raised my own pointer finger, "Ooh- ooh! Are you... do you have a cold?" It was a wild guess. I could understand that if one had a cold, they would prefer not to speak. But it just aroused another question which I let out abruptly, "Hey, why are you fighting if you have a cold dragging you down? ... Is your nose runny?"

I rubbed my chin, continuing my speech, "You know that the best way to handle a cold is to rest, right? Oh- and eat spicy foods. Oh, I love spicy foods! I love when they throw that one herb on chicken wings and- Oh- um- Yeah, a-and another way to handle a cold is to drink lot's of..."

I just kept going on and on. My opponent was a fair guy, but he needed to understand how to properly handle a cold. I couldn't fight a sickly person in good conscious, it would be unfair to him! I would try to help him out instead, and then look towards giving a fair fight to him when he was well...maybe? I don't know. But yeah, poor guy, why was he fighting with a cold?

[black shadow]

Black Shadow put his hand to his face, knowing that this girl did not understand what he meant. the girl just continued to babble on, not paying attention to Black Shadow. He took a few second to observe the girl, talking away.

Seeing his chance, Black Shadow took a few steps forward and knocked the girls legs out from under her. Her back hit the hard dirt floor in the matter of a second. Black Shadow just took a few steps back and crossed his hands.

[The Muri]

I barely caught the man suddenly attack me. I was unable to react before he swept me right off my feet! He wasn't done yet though. Only when I was half way towards the ground, he aimed a kick at my chest.

It felt like a three hundred pound weight had been knocked onto me. The sudden force smacking into me sent me flying like a flying saucer! I felt the heavy force of my back ramming into a shelf. I could hear farm equipment falling to the floor, causing a small cloud of dust. Alongside the heavy ouchie on my back, now I was also heavily coughing. What was it about dust that made me instantly react like this? Was I allergic or something??

Yet another danger awaited me though. I could hear the creaking of the shelf behind me...

The shelf was falling down, falling down, falling down. I decided to bail out, my fair lady. I pushed myself to role away from the shelf just as it fell over. The oak case broke all over, causing even more dust to fly up.

Coughing like I had influenza, I glanced up at my opponent. He was across the room from me, not saying a word. I gasped between coughs for the pain in my back. I couldn't help but wonder if it was broken, it hurt so much. I next found myself growling. For someone who I had shaken hands with a minute ago, this guy wasn't being so nice...

[black shadow]

Black Shadow laughed under his breath, This girl was easily distracted, though the fire in her eyes was very evident. Black Shadow looked at the girl, coughing up a storm, and waited for her to stand again. She stole a quick glance at him, and Shadow could see he had angered the girl.

He took a step back and pulled out his bow. He knew that this would probably make her even more angry, and this was his goal. Let's see how fast she is. He thought as he readied an arrow and aimed it at the girl. He waited for her to stand, as he did not want to completely cheat her.

[The Muri]

No matter how much I tried, I could not get myself an inch off the ground. The pain in my back was excruciating. I was shaking violently. Growls of frustration turned into cries of pain. Something was wrong with me.

A suddenly realized that the pain wasn't just in my back, but my entire body. Something was seriously wrong.

I sighed, giving up for a moment and going limp. It hurt so much. My eyes were getting watery, and not just because of the dust. I couldn't even look up at my opponent, I was now unable to move. What was the matter?

How could I have been so dumb?? Taking my eyes off an opponent only for a moment? - Well, at least I think it was a moment. How stupid I was! Careless! Reckless! I could completely understand a fighter doing this to me, but I was still infuriated. I so desperately wanted to get up and show him. I wanted to get him back, make him pay. But I was unable to move. Everything was a haze around me, I thirsted for this entire thing to end. Pain, pain, go away. Don't come back another day...

I suddenly wanted my opponent to finish me off. Ease my passing. I knew it was stupid and cowardly, but I already looked foolish enough already, I could be humiliated one more time...

[black shadow]

Black Shadow put his bow and arrow away and ran up the the girl, the pain on her face evident. He took his pointer and index finger and ran it up her spine. She screamed in pain and Black Shadow could not feel her vertebrae. Her back bones were shattered. Black Shadow looked down at his hands in amazement. He had no idea he was strong enough to do a thing such as this.

The screams of the girl came again and he began to feel terrible. Black Shadow stood and turned to a corner of the room and said, in sign language, "Stop the fight. She is in serious pain and has clearly lost."

The room suddenly turned to a solid white and monks began to rush in. The pulled Black Shadow away from the girl and placed her on a cart. They then wheeled her out of the room and into a medical room. Black Shadow watched as the door shut and he was led out of the arena. He felt terrible, and hoped to never do such a thing to anyone ever again.


Completed

[Quentin Boone]

The Muri receives:

648 EXP
88 GP


black shadow receives:

765 EXP
88 GP


Congratulations!

[Lye]

EXP & GP Added!