It happened quickly...

Nosdyn recalled Hayate's speed and reflexes from before. It was hard to keep up with the speedier fellow but he followed with his eyes, the best he could. Nosdyn knew, if he took his eyes off Hayate...it was likely over. The mention of the term...friend...caused Nosdyn to raise an eyebrow. There was no suspicion in the gesture, he'd led a life of survival and constant battle. It was difficult to know who was sincere and who was not...strangely...Nosdyn knew that Hayate meant that.

It was a curious matter that would be explored after the match.

Chaos erupted all around him as old rivals new and old began to fight all around him.

When Hayate attacked, that's when it happened. During their first meeting...Nosdyn had made a lot of mistakes. Nosdyn observed the shurken stars, an exotic akashiman weapon...an reality seemed to slow down in his mind. The stars rotated towards him and he did not even flinch when they connected with his flesh. Nosdyn wore leather armor. His hide cloak dancing in the breeze that came in from the east. Nosdyn's eyes narrowed for a moment as he felt the initial impact of the shuriken. Sharp... Nosdyn thought to himself. As he stood in place he wanted to test the limits of his endurance and survival capacity. He let his rival...no...that was no longer appropriate. Friend...it is not even strange to call him that. In demon philosophy allies were made on the battlefield more oft than not.

You only know someone really after you fight them...

Nosdyn narrowed his eyes. "That is new I see." He noticed the artificial arm that Hayate currently equipped to replace flesh and bone. There was a familiar aspect to the craftsmanship of that item.

Then...Hayate struck. Nosdyn's eyes were still seeing a blur to everything...a slow down effect. He looked down at the fresh cut that Hayate had given him. Nosdyn was so used to pain on a personal level that he barely felt Hayate's really sharp sword cut through his puny leather armor. Demon blood spilled. Nosdyn noticed that the injury was not fatal...though it should have been. He'd not been given a proper chance to fully test his new power.

"There....thats more like it." Nosdyn said calmly. The pain coursed through his stomach area, but it did not deter him...no it merely began to make him angry. Nosdyn locked his eyes on Hayate. The Akashiman was fast...there was no doubt about that. But Nosdyn had also grown strong. He thought of another enemy turned temporary ally at that point. Jake. I will meet you again someday, Jake. Nosdyn shut his energy sword off and he opted to test his hand to hand capacity. He replaced his weapon on the latch in his belt, keeping his eyes on Hayate the entire time. Then, as Hayate was close enough to strike, Nosdyn clenched his left hand tightly, a pop from his knuckles and his hand began to shake from the tension. He swung his hand towards the side of Hayate's skull as hard as he could. Thaynes help them all if his attack connected with Hayate at that point.