Round 2: Artifex Felicis vs. Mage Hunter

[Ther]

You guys will have until March 16th at 11 P.M. E.S.T. to finish. Good luck and make sure to finish your battle!

[Mage Hunter]

Drusilia made her way from the Citadel sighing a bit. The hunt was unsatisfying, her prey having run off after its anger had subsided and given way to the cowardice that pervaded all abominations. She made sure her bow was strung as she moved from the citadel, ignoring the monks as she did so. She didn't trust them, nor did she want any help from them. Their magic was proven in her mind, the portal the greatest example of magic she had seen yet. One day, she would return and spill their blood, if only to silence the monks and their blasphemous rebellion against the laws of nature.

Moving through the roads she sighed as she moved her gate simple and steady. She could see a few people also heading in the same direction as her, moving towards Radasanth probably for the night. As she did so she grinned, it would be all too easy to sneak into the city unnoticed if they were a group. Pulling her blanket from her pack she flung it over her shoulders and head, hiding her proud Drow features. The blanket began to form a sort of cloak as it continued to her mid back and draped over her shoulders to conceal the swords. Still she would have to be silent, a single clink of metal and she would be caught.

Moving a bit faster holding the sword at the small of her back carefully, lest it touch its twin, she remained silent listening to the group assessing the situation. She didn't have to wait long to see what was in their minds, "I can't wait to get to the tavern. The ale is good and the wenches the finest in the land..."

"And what would you do if the wenches actually accepted your offers? I doubt you could tell your head form your ass let alone what to do Joshua. Just get your drinks and go home. It’s been a long trip from Underwood," The second replied. The third and fourth grunted assent as she moved silently with them. Never letting them see her, but remaining close enough to be a feasible member of the group.

Their talk was crude, so like humans to be crass even amongst themselves. Had she the power to she would have killed them all by the time they hit the outer gates to Radasanth. However, she didn't have that power, not yet. One day, one day the miscreants and aberrations of this world would know what a true hunter was capable of. Until that day she had to bide her time, and prepare. Moving through the gates she smiled as the two guards on watch just remained still, not bothering to check the group entering. Remembering the trick and its success she stored it away mentally before she moved silently away from the group entering the back alleys.

Quickly stuffing the blanket back in the bag she felt her heart race. Radasanth was large, and more than capable of a few hiding spots. She was in, now it would be time to hunt. This night was not a waste at all. Looking up at the waning light of the moon she saw it at half strength. While it would light the streets she could not see as far as a full moonlit night. Accepting the odds being stacked against her she moved swiftly through the back alleys away from potential guards’ patrols before she stopped and smiled. She could wait forever for her target to appear, that was no problem.

Moving a bit faster holding the sword at the small of her back carefully, lest it touch its twin, she remained silent listening to the group assessing the situation. She didn't have to wait long to see what was in their minds, "I can't wait to get to the tavern. The ale is good and the wenches the finest in the land..."

"And what would you do if the wenches actually accepted your offers? I doubt you could tell your head form your ass let alone what to do Joshua. Just get your drinks and go home. Its been a long trip from Underwood," THe second replied. The third and fourth grunted assent as she moved silently with them. Never letting them see her, but remaining close enough to be a fasible member of the group.

Their talk was crude, so like humans to be crass even amongst themselves. Had she the power to she would have killed them all by the time they hit the outer gates to Radasanth. However, she didn't have that power, not yet. One day, one day the miscreants and abberations of this world would knwo what a true hunter was capable of. Until that day she had to bide her time, and prepare. Moving through the gates she smiled as the two guards on watch just remained still, not bothering to check the group entering. Remebering the trick and its success she stroed it away mentally before she moved silently away from the group entering the backalleys.

Quickly stuffing the blanket back in the bag she felt her heart race. Radasanth was large, and mroe than capable of a few hiding spots. SHe was in, now it would be time to hunt. This night was not a waste at all. Looking up at teh waning light of the moon she saw it at half strength. While it would light the streets she could not see as far as a full moonlit night. Accepting the odds being stacked against her she moved swiftly through the backalleys away from potential guards patrols before she stopped and smiled. She could wait forever for her target to appear, that was no problem.

[Artifex Felicis]

There were a lot of reasons why Leon loved Radenseth during the night. More than half of them based around the good, cheap food, drink and shelter, but beyond that there was a certain thing that made the city in Corone so much greater. The cat boy wasn't a poet or a writer, and never bothered to try and place what he felt about the city into words. Given a chance, he probably would have simply described the freedom, and the sheer opportunity to do anything within the city boundaries. It was like walking all over Althanas in the span of a few minutes. At one moment, you were in the heat of the Fallien desert as you stood waiting for food being cooked on large roaring fires. On another moment, it seemed as if all the marvels of Alerar were at your fingertips in the Bazaar. Beyond all of that, the cat boy loved the streets.

Every street was like a gateway into another country, and if followed brought a traveller to a whole new town and country. The cat boy had walked every street in Radenseth, knew most of the city by heart and probably would never get lost. Even still, he had spent entire nights simply sitting on a rooftop, sometimes with food and sometimes with drink, and simply watch Radenseth slow down during the night and began to wake during the day like an animal that knows no fear of the dark. He nearly envied the statues of old heroes for their chance to watch such a sight every day.

Leon brought a spoon to his mouth, biting off the piece of meat that was in the small utensil. Watching the city gave Leon piece of mind, something he didn't have much of the time thanks to many others things barging into his life. Still, he had it better than most in that regard. Not everyone had some warm fur to keep toasty on a cold night. He place the bowl next to him, and brought his drink to his mouth. The strange bite of the liquor hit his throat, and while not unpleasant definitely deserved a pause before having more. It was a cheap drink, referred to as the "Slop" by the bartender of the building's roof he was siting on. It was easy to make, though took a few hours to get a lot. The patrons of the bar often didn't finish all of the drinks before ordering another, and rather than waste the drink the bartender mixed it into a large jug. When the jug was full, he bottled it up and sold the entire thing for a couple gold pieces. As far as the boy knew, he was the only one who bought it. Despite the risk in taste, it could last the cat boy the entire night without trouble and not break his wallet. A jug of Slop that weighed as much as a long sword, and cost less than a single cup of the next cheapest drink.

It was also comforting to know he could still keep occupied and happy for such a small stipend. The life of counting numbers or praying for rain on dry fields would never work for Leon. He would sooner eat his tail than be condemned to such a lifestyle before he was good and ready. He took another drink of the Slop, noticing the distinct change in flavor from it not being mixed well, picking up a loose tile from the building and throwing it downward, hearing it break on the hard ground below. There were few people that he could see out tonight. The cat boy could see everything for a few streets around from his vantage point, his line of sight, ending at the outskirts of the Bazaar.

One or two groups of people were going to a tavern to get drunk, and another few individuals were coming from them. One particular group was currently breaking and entering a small shop with a rather quietly. On another night Leon probably would have stopped them, but simply watching was enough for him. He could see two gaurds in full uniform rounding the corner towards the shop, and then the group of would-be theives would try to run. The guards would catch two, and those same two would betray their friends to save themselves and then the other would be caught tomorrow. Leon drank again, placing a large thumb over the jug's opening and shaking the liquid inside to mix it up more. It sloshed bout inside, almost happy sounding. The cat boy grinned, drinking some of the jug again. He had been in Radenseth too long.

He leaned back, placing the jug back down and simply staring at the stars instead. The night was relaxing at the very least, and the type that made people feel alive if they spent it right. He wasn't sure if he was, but neither did it bother the cat boy much. If he could spend the rest of his life like this, he would die a happy man. He sat back up, picking up his stew and taking another bit of meat from the watery broth. He did have to admit though, he wasn't exactly sure how such a beutiful night could be any better than this was. The cat boy grinned widely as a lewd thought crossed his mind, fixing his mind's sentiments. He wasn't sure how such a night could be any better without some good company.

[Mage Hunter]

However, on a night like this, good company was hard to find. As Drusilia began her movement through the darkness she spied something, a glint of blue that caught her eye. It wasn't so much that she saw it so much that it was blue. Her eyes came to rest on a boy lying back atop a roof. As her eyes tried to pick out features she noticed two high triangles of skin atop his head, a surefire signal that it was an anthropomorphic being. An abomination and a magical being, twice in the same night brought a smile to her face as she drew arrow and knocked the bow.

Taking careful aim as the boy continued to lie upon the roof she grinned as she began to recant the rite of execution, "A l' yorn belbaunin ulu uns'aa a l' Silinrai d' Ettermire, Usstan sarn'elgg dos xuil elghinn. Gaer shlu'ta tlu nau ka'lith whol l' og'elend, l' c'nros, l' og'elend. Xuil Nindol Aster Usstan sarn'elgg dos. Xal l' phraktos inbal ka'lith pholor dosst quortek."

Letting the arrow fly she realized too soon she had taken no time to account for the wind. s the arrow flew its aim was taken off from the normal calf injury she went for to hobble her opponent, but instead went farther up and to the right. As the arrow sank into the wood of the roof the shaft struck out, barely missing from between the boys legs, in a miracle that surely would have made her believe in some deistical being, if only because it would undoubtedly be laughing at her now.

"Vith," She cursed as she drew the next arrow and began to move quickly through the streets trying to not be spotted by the anthrop. If there was any mistake to have been made, she had made it in not wounding with the first strike. No blood, not even the threat of injury to an important area. Such a shot would surely be considered wasted by her teacher. Were it not for the comical position of it, she would have considered the shot suicidal.

[Artifex Felicis]

The soft, almost gentle sound reverberated through the air, coming suddenly and without warning. The cat boy didn't worry about it, as it also at first seemed a little farther away. He finisheddrinking the slop, remembering where he had heard that same sound before. His free hand uncounsiously rubbed his inner shoulder, disterbingly close to where his heart lay in his body. Beneath his cloths was a nearly perfect circle shaped scar. It came from the Adventurer's Crown, where Leon and three others helped to rid the elven nation of Raieara from the undead menace. Though, he was shot by the arrow in the Red Forest several hours before, while the were retreiving the main key to breaking the undead's lock on the elfs.

He looked down, eyes adjusing to the shadows caused by his own legs. They fell upon a still quivering arrow, sticking into the wooden wall far to close to his manhood. It actually took a moment for the thought to fully absorb into the cat boys mind, and also took less time for him to fling himself backword and start to go down to the ground. The roof was not terribly high in the air, and with the aid of a yarn ball's string wrapped around a strudy post got down without any incident. On a more brightly lit day, he would have cut a dapper, and nearly liquid as well, figure.

He stumbled a bit, suddenly unsure of his footing. A curse escaped him as he did so, coming out in a growl not unlike that of a more feline creature. Alchohol didn't have as great of an effect on him as anything person his size, but anyone who had as much of the Slop as he had would feel something. He paused a second, letting the yarn refurl into its customary ball before continuing in half stumbling steps. He resisted the urge to drop to all fours, instead trailing a hand along the wall to help steady his stance. Leon was more topsy than he would have ever liked to admit, but that didn't make him any less dangerous. If anything, more so for not making him care just waht he was doing.

Still, there was a slight twinge of fear as to how close the assailent's last shot was. If anything, because a little bit higher and he would have been screaming for anyone to heal him or put a dagger through his brain. He wasn't exactly promiscuious like many of the furry people he knew of, especially the females, but losing his stuff would not be an easy thing to shake off. He stumbled, but recovered and crossed the street quickly, nearly running into a younger couple who smelled of bad habits. He didn't stop to apologize, instead making it to the wall and moving along. He keptt his ears tuned to the street, trying to pick out the strain of the aasailents bow.

[Mage Hunter]

The feline moved, quickly upon realizing the hunt had begun. His gate however, was sluggish and a stumble more than a walk. His reactions were a bit off, his timing delayed. This had to have been sheer luck that she had picked a drunken candidate. As she grinned she knocked another arrow quickly retreating down the way. She would get her second shot after all, rather than have to go to close combat. Waiting with all the patience she could muster she drew back on arrow, and then take aim again.

This time she made sure to take the wind into account, as she felt her hair pulled in a generally westerly direction. With that in account, she aimed off to the right as she tried to find the prowler. Finally seeing him as he was searching about the area she grinned as she muttered softly, "We'll see how you fair with your obscene luck now..."

The arrow was sent, straight and true at the feline. The target this time was not the leg, for she had learned her lesson all too well, when they were mobile legs were hard to clip. No, she aimed at the center of the mass, a true killing blow. This was not a moment of pity for her, she needed to kill and be done with it. The wolf man had left a rather sour taste in her mouth, and se wanted it cleared with the taste of victory. It would be then, and only then, she would be able to rest tonight at ease, only when the battle had declared her the victor.

She watched with apprehension as the arrow sailed through the air, this time, there would be no mistakes, it would be all on her victim, to avoid his fate.

[Artifex Felicis]

Any hopes that the arrow fired at him was merely a stray were dashed quite easily after the boy had made some distance. He managed to get into his mind a very easy to belive and workable idea that the arrow was merely a missed shot. Some apprentice that was trying out his master's bow and messed up. No doubt that same lad would be scolded and sent to bed without dinner, or more appropriately given the time of night, woken without any breakfast. Still, he hurried because he had to make sure, his motions becoming more fluid now. Half of the drunken swagger was getting his legs getting blood to them again. Still, he slowed for a moment, realizing just what exactly it was the shot meant.

That idea was pushed aside as the arrow impaled its sharp head into his side, disturbingly near his vitals. There was a loud crash as the bottle of Slop broke against the ground. A slight stumble and it managed to enter a hand's length above his heart, effectively crippling his left arm as neatly as an executioners's axe. The pain that surged from the spot was enough to make a loud roar of pain escape the boy. It was loud, and Leon could even imagine that the very window he was next to pushed outward slightly. No matter, it was more than enough to call anyone and everyone skilled in a sword to check out the area. Too bad the echo would confuse them for a few minutes before they would reach this particular street.

The cat boy turned, a loud and menacing growl escaping is throat. He had a general direction of where the arrow came from, and he would get whoever shot him before someone could stop him. The arrowhead just visible and poking from his shoulder was more than enough inspiration for such a malice. He searched, taking several precautionary steps as his eyes narrowed. They were already well adjusted to the night, but narrowing his vision helped immensely in finding a single figure who could have fired the shot. There was a very soft form in the dark, but he could recognize a female form and a bow.

The boy bounded forward quickly, as quickly, silent and graceful as his feline heritage towards the form. His left arm was limp and hanging listlessly, but his right extended wicked claws that were ready to tear the girl's flesh. He came into striking distance quickly, or how he preferred to attack. He leapt towards the girl with every intent of hurting her, claws on his feet as ready his single forepaw set. It was somewhat ungainly, his arm a dead weight, but more than enough to exact a quick vengeance.

[Mage Hunter]

Seeing the arm made useless made the attack all the more effective. However, the figure launching at her would require her full attention as she growled lowly. Dropping the bow, as blasphemous the act was, she drew the steel of her long sword, the first of the two. She didn't want to have to rely on the second unless she needed the advantage it afforded. Readying her blade she dropped into position as she spat, "You won't win this one easily abomination."

Slicing at the Cat boy as he came careening forward she aimed once again for the central mass, her sword swung with the efficiency of a soldier, of a hunter, of a Drow. Her grip was tight, her form less than perfect, but good enough to get the point across, and hopefully into her opponent. Dropping to a knee she slid to the side as she let the feline move beside her. The only thing she regretted was the fact that she had chosen the wrong side.

Her master would not be pleased at all with her performance. The bruises from the encounter with the Lycan, now a scrape, from the claws of the cat boy as it swiped at her hitting her across the face. The cuts were shallow, much to her luck, as the swing had been intended for where she was. However, the blood was distracting as the nerves of her face felt every drop spilling. Growling lowly she pulled herself together as she brought the sword around and stabbed backwards hoping to catch the cat boy off guard, more than certain it would be coming for her back as she hissed softly in the pain of her new wounds.

She knew she would have to fight harder, if she was to make up for her twin mistakes.

[Artifex Felicis]

The cat boy's claw was hindered only slightly by the girl's body. Still, the touch of flesh on the tip of his claw was comforting, though it was not deep enough to actually do anything. Still, his head turned as he saw the girl, a drow now that he got close enough, move forward with a stab. It made sense if she was a drow. He wasn't exactly a prominent figure in Raieara but killing him would easily send a message to the high elves from Alerar they couldn't miss. Sometimes saving a nation wasn't that good.

His arm swung up, catching the girl's wrist and digging claws across the top and almost going deep enough to permanently injury and cripple the girl. She wasn't lucky, as her squirming prevented him from doing anything more than shallow and generally useless wounds. His tail whipped around quickly and almost whip like, the heavy appendage gaining enough momentum in the small space to hurt. It would be a weak shot, hardly more than an annoyance but such an act would be more than enough to divert her attention. Sometimes in a battle that was all it took. He was lucky, though he would never notice it. His coat had caught the girl's first, unseen strike on a hidden metal plate and saved the cat boy from any harm.

He grinned savagely at the girl, eyes lighting up at the sight of her in his grip. She was smaller than him, considerably so. It was enough that he could probably over power her without much trouble. He shoved his arm to the side, claws retracting and let the small wound on her wrist bleed. His grip was hard however, and the blood did not loosen it at all. His grin widened, revealing all too many teeth before is whole mouth opened and he leaned forward, going for the girls neck.

((Bunny approved))

[Mage Hunter]

"Naut pholor dosst dro dos tonaik fuer'yon," Druisilia spat as she pulled back the teeth clacking just from the tender flesh of her neck. Her wrist hurt from where the thing had clawed at her, trying to hurt her. Further was the insult of the tail hitting her in the ribs, sending a distracting bit of pain from the dull impact. He was trying to overpower and overwhelm her. She refused to cower, and she refused to simply lay low. No abomination would upstage her.

While she was rough and the worse for wear, she refused to give into that thing. Her hand rose as she gripped the hilt of her second long sword as she drew it and brought it down in a cleaving slash, in an effort to catch her opponent off guard, with her good hand. While that attack was underway the second Sword swung for the side, her eyes looking for where the stab had been missed. She could have sworn she heard the sound of metal upon metal, but the cat boy had no such weaponry, the mysterious metal hidden perhaps on his body.

I was careless, I didn't inspect him for armor nor weapons. I will not make that mistake again, She thought as she brought both blades down before she sent a savage kick for her opponents more precious area. The arrow had been almost a prophet for telling of the cheep blow she would use to destroy and dismantle her opponent. As she unleashed the kick full blast she hissed, "Dodge this you filthy cretin."

*Not on your life you dirty beast

[Artifex Felicis]

The clack of his teeth was sad to the cat boy, but nothing he couldn't deal with. The girl wormed her hand out from his grip in time however, as well as drawing a second blade that was hanging from her back. She was a smart one, and probably somebody he would have enjoyed talking to if she wasn't trying to kill him. Pity the interesting people were all like that. Then again, if they weren't, they also probably wouldn't have been sent to try and kill him. It was a curious problem for him, but one he could solve later.

Two strikes hit his body, but his armored coat saved his life both times, though making unsightly rips in the black fabric that helped cover him. It was worth it however. His tail had connected solidly then, and it was well worth the arrow through his shoulder to hurt her like that. What he did not expect in the very least however, was the girl's leg coming up, as well as he catching him flat footed, he tried to move, but if anything made the attack worse.

His entire stomach seemed to suddenly be pumped full of scorpions and imploded at the same time. He could feel his eye twitched as he resisted every single urging in his body to drop to his knees and cover his mashed manhood. It was curious to suddenly notice everything as his senses were opened, including the police that were nearby. A growl escaped, though it was half hearted. The shot to his nuts had killed more than enough of his fighting spirit, and he was ready to fight as dirty as he could when every step hurt more than the arrow sticking out of his shoulder. He darted, though it would be more accurate to say he fell quickly, and two large strands seemed to fly like snakes in the air. He felt his knees hit the ground, focusing entirely on wrapping the strong strands around the girl's chest as quickly as he could.

[Mage Hunter]

The string wrapped about her chest, as it began to constrict and tighten. Looking at the sounds of footsteps she saw the guard approaching before she cursed yet again, "Vith." Bringing her sword sup she tried to cut the yarn, only to watch as her swords bounced off the strong fabric. Cursing this time more vilely she reaching into her pouch as the Guard even then began to ready their crossbows and take aim. As she gripped the stone she gripped it tightly as she focused her will into the thing, how she had been taught by her master.

A bright flash filled the air as it threw the guards off; the bolts that flew through the air were wide as she felt the yarn slip and fall away. Quickly sheathing her swords she scooped up her bow as they cried for her to stop. As she began to rise up she hissed, "You were lucky this time abomination, next time I will finish what I began." With those words she began to run feeling a stitch in her side from where the tail had connected. The guards were already fiddling with bolts and reloading as they began to give chase, only concerned that somehow a murderer had gotten inside their city.

Her gate was quick as she pushed her body further. She had to escape if she was to survive. They wouldn’t let her live, not after disgracing the very name of the guard. Human pride was notorious and they would probably rape and torture her for her arrogance. A soft smile crossed her lips as she saw a pile of boxes and a bar. Running swiftly she bound up the boxes before she jumped and grabbed onto the bar. Moving swiftly she used her momentum to begin a twirl about the bar. As the guards watched in awe she used the force of her twirl to rocket her forward, right into the next alley some feet away. As the guard scrambled to reach the wall she moved swiftly to hide in the shadows. It was there she stopped to catch her breath and compose herself.

A hunter could show no weakness...

[Artifex Felicis]

The cat boy's good arm clutched where his legs met and actually fell to his side. It hurt a lot, and the girl hadn't even tried to pull any punches. It didn't matter how many times his rational mind told his he would be alright, and that the healers would still let him have a kid. The sudden gripping fear of losing all chance of a son or daughter he could raise himself not being possible told that same rational portion of his mind to shut the hell up and leave. Nevertheless, he welcomed the guard's voices that came near him, pointing at him with a surprised look. The boy was not entirely beaten, but from the way he was huddled in the corner it was pretty obvious he was hurt. If anything, his credibility in Radenseth at least was lost a bit. One of them poked him in the side with his pike, and the boy let out a small mewl. He was coming back to his senses at least. The same guard helped him to his feet, and the cat boy managed to catching a breath.

"She got a f***ing lucky shot," he said hoarsely. He leaned heavily on the gaurd, letting the yarn coil quickly back in his pockets. It was a good sight to see the girl nearly taken down, and if he wasn't hurt as bad he was would have probably crushed he chest. Still, the anger bated out of him as he the guard did most of the walking towards the closets magical healer. The cat boy knew that person would exhaust himself trying to heal the boy's wounds, but he would welcome all white magic now even despite his apparent resistance to it. Still, he did have to say that his balls could be in a lot better shape.

Still, now that he had a moment, a thought occurred to him. It was a mere curiosity about the damn drow, but what the hell was she doing in Radenseth. Alerar wasn't a stupid nation. They would send a human to kill in a human's city. If anything, drow were the least common people on the island of Corone. A grin appeared on the boy's face as the healer's house came into view and a man carrying a small bag probably containing herbs to help the pain approached them. Damn girl was probably a reject from whatever creepy assassin school she went to, and figured if she could have killed enough people she could come back to her order. The boy's smile stayed him as magic began to work its way on his body. It was a comforting thought to know he only infuriated a drop-out even more.

((WOOOOOOO))

[Atzar]

Good battle… this will be close. Regardless of the outcome, you both should be commended for finishing this thing and making it a good read in the space of one day.

Artifex Felicis

Continuity: 6
Setting: 4 (What happened to Leon being half-drunk?)
Pacing: 6

Dialogue: 6
Action: 6
Persona: 6

Mechanics: 5 (Quite a few typos in your writing)
Technique: 5
Clarity: 7

Wild Card: 5 (Thread was finished, so I won’t take off for lateness)

Total: 56



Mage Hunter

Continuity: 6
Setting: 5 (I would have liked to see you use the environment a little more)
Pacing: 6

Dialogue: 6
Action: 6
Persona: 5 (Cold-blooded killerof ‘aberrations’… I want to see that third dimension emerge on this character)

Mechanics: 6 (Quite a few typos… not as many as Artifex, but still noticeable)
Technique: 5
Clarity: 7

Wild Card: 5 (Thread was finished, so I won’t take off for lateness)

Total: 57

Mage Hunter gains 1250 exp + 500 exp for finishing the battle. Mage Hunter advances to round 3.
Artifex Felicis gains 375 exp + 500 exp for finishing the battle.

[Cyrus the virus]

EXP added.