Closed [Kendoka Sasaran] Showing Signs I (Septimus)

[Razkar]

She was not a natural fighter, maybe, but with a sword and a shield and muscles to wield them, she was certainly good enough for Razkar. The wooden barrier thwarted him again and again, and the Kelvic knew how to use it properly, too.

Not just as a defense, but a means of deception. To hide the swipes of her swords, the movement of her legs. She tilted it towards him and Razkar slid backwards just in time to avoid a nasty swing that would have taken his leg off had it been a real sword.

The two fighters circled each other, and Razkar felt his heart racing... but not his breathing. Hers was, however. Sweat shone on her pale face and her breathing was audible even from seven feet away. She was tiring, carrying the heavier weapon and the shield.

Razkar's eyes glittered. Challenges like this... they were what a warrior needed. Not jut endless enemies to be hacked apart but real worthy opponents that needed to be bested. His Goddess was that of War and Battle, true... but both of those things required another to be meaningful.

Victory. And that had to be earned.

Razkar darted forwards again, hammering on her shield with his ax, another shockwave rattling up her arm. He saw her wince and slash towards him from the side, but his gladius jerked down vertically and stopped the broadsword dead-

-and he kicked out with his right foot and caught her under the kneecap.

A yelp of pain and Razkar jumped back and out of range. More heavy breathing from the woman, and a flash of anger in those almost-ethereal eyes. She was tiring, and faster than he, by the look of it. Razkar cracked the muscles in his neck, flexed his shoulders and stalked forwards again, weapons raised to block or strike as he wished.

They wear armor in this land, he thought as he approached, if she was wearing it now, just imagine how exhausted she would be?

Then the Kelvic lashed out with her sword, sweat flying with wood, and his gladius blocked it-

-right before she taught him that a shield was for striking, as well.

[Septimus]

Septimus' plan was going as she hoped. Deception was her friend, in this case. At the cost of a slight more energy, exhaling a considerably more amount, she was putting on a disguise. Trick the enemy into thinking you're tired, they slack off where they should still be going strong. That's what she had noticed in the battle where some horses stopped going strong. The enemies they faced didn't give it as much strength that they needed to. She had a lot more endurance than the front she was putting on exactly said.

This of course, didn't simmer the fact that he was still using that wooden ax to chop at her shield and send more energy up her arm. She didn't like the attack and to counterattack it, she tilted the shield upwards some, like she had been shown, which allowed the ax to glide upwards some and her arm only then absorbed some of the shock while the rest of the energy was shrugged off the incline of the shield.

However, as she thought, she had new motivation to win and defeat this Myrian. No matter how much she fought, no matter how much pain she had to endear, she had to make Xuphim and Xalet proud. Would they approve of a defeat? Would the Knighthood approve of a defeat? No, it was unacceptable. Even if she went down bloody, she couldn't slack off and she had to give it every ounce of heart and will power she had.

Just as she thought of that, she felt a blow hit, right below her kneecap. It was unexpected and she wasn't counting on being hit with anything else today but a wooden weapon. Perhaps that where the game changed for some, as unarmed combat was a strength for Septimus. If this was the path to be taken, Septimus realized she must defend herself accordingly. Her weapons must come one with her body and mind. She must think quicker, act faster, and put more strength out.

With that slight singeing pain, she winced slightly, and no more. However, another emotion emerged from within in which was anger. With pain caused anger, and anger was energy. It was fuel that came with adrenaline and adrenaline acted like a boost when mixed. However, when both were lit on fire, the result was quite miraculous. And thus the actions grew stronger without more muscle, they grew more quicker, and they grew more deadlier.

Septimus lashed out with her sword, turning and performing a maneuver that Septimus had only done once and that was training with a dummy. She had never thought to use it here and now, but that same explosion had caused the move. This move was elegant, while all the same forceful. She came, blocked with her shield, then jabbed with her sword that was blocked by his gladius. Nevertheless, that explosion caused her to use her shield not only as a defense mechanism but a weapon to inflict damage as well. Septimus, while her sword was caught by his gladius, used her shield to come up from behind and strike him in the side by using the top.

The Kelvic wasn't sure what the pain that came from the blow was, but it had to have a hard and forceful impact as she had rolled her hips and legs in sync and used momentum to her advantage, as well as the adrenaline, anger, and pure strength from her body and mind. All merciful emotions had been wiped from her face, and only a stern look of focus and discipline was showing. Her golden locks had fallen beside her face and shoulders and around her back and her sapphire eyes were now fiery.

To give another mark, Septimus used her broadsword to try and hold his gladius there for a split second or two longer but he did indeed have a great amount of strength and it came with a struggle to tr and keep it there. As her shield had done its part, Septimus gave another quick thrust from it, trying to give more damage to wear down her much farther skilled opponent quicker. Needless to say, she tried to control her breathing but it was beginning to pick back up. It was with great difficulty to try and keep it down again, but she finally somehow managed to somewhat tame it. This time, it wasn't a front and the sweat beginning to form on her face and body proved it.

[Razkar]

He wasn't sure if the ribs were cracked or broken, but either way, Razkar would be feeling that blow tomorrow. And for several days afterwards, most likely. The two of them broke apart again, circling, raw emotion flashing between sapphire and obsidian eyes.

Anger and surprise were chief among them, but then a new one blossomed in Razkar's eyes. Joy. She had deceived him, and proved a worthy challenge. He respected her for that.

Not that it would change anything.

With a growl that sent his lips peeling back from his teeth and hammered on her shield again. Another wave that almost sent her staggering and she reared back-

-barely blocking the thrust of his gladius with her broadsword-

-and then the Myrian had jumped back, walking quickly around her, circling, eyes never leaving her, then darting forward again-

-hammering on her shield, vibrations coming close to real pain by this point, only now she was ready, swiping at his side with his broadsword-

Razkar jerked his gladius down and the two weapons clashed together with a wooden crack, knocking her broadsword away and to her side-

-stepping forward in a single jerking step, straightening his bent sword arm at the same time-

-and slamming the fist gripping his gladius' hilt straight into her kidney.

A yelp of pain but before she could retaliate with sword or shield or the raging anger consuming her, Razkar had jumped back again, eyes wide and shining now with something very, very close to sadism.

Opponent now prey in eyes born of a jungle where every living being was enemy or food, the Myrian lunged forwards again without mercy.

[Septimus]

OOCSorry for the late reply! RL got in the way.
Septimus looked down on Razkar after the blow had been dealt, half way pleased with herself. However, soon his lips curled back revealing those teeth again and Septimus' eyes grew wide as her head disappeared below her shield to prevent any blow from hitting there. After all, this was only a sparring match. Not an actual fight with the two sought out to kill one another right? At least, these were her intentions and she wasn't sure if the thought was shared between the two. After all, he was a Myrian, born and raised for blood.

Soon, his blows continued to rain down on her shield, drawing her back step by step. Only after a few blows did Septimus manage to once again turn her shield at an angle and let some of the force from his hits be flicked off from the surface some more. She tried to push forward again, but his hits were now running on emotions as well and thus were fueled, much like hers. Needless to say, more adrenaline began seeping into her body as her instincts released that fight or flight response.

Probably to cover up the pain below her kneecap in which she more than likely would be feeling a few days from now as a throbbing pain was already weighing in. This, in the process, was making her leg weaker as she couldn't put down quite as much pressure on it to stabilize herself. Needless to say, when facing an opponent much like this, she needed all the balance she could get. Jerrad, as well, had opened full blast on her when she least expected it. But not in a way Razkar had. This was good in the future, for now she knew not to judge and predict an enemy before they fought. Expect the unexpected kind of thing.

He circled her, and her eyes never left him. With every step he took, she matched it. She once again got in a Triangle Stance and with every move he performed, she attempted to match it. Even when she was barely able to block his gladius with her sword. Her eyes widened, now realizing that she was fighting a losing battle. He was coming on too strong, and she knew it. Another few good hits in the right spots, and Septimus would be done for. The thing was, Septimus was a very durable person and could last quite a while in most sparring matches. Perhaps she needed to go harder and stronger.

More movements and maneuvers and finally, she was hit in the kidney hard with the hilt of his gladius. She had never felt it, but it petching hurt. Septimus dropped her sword and grasped her side, as she was brought down to her knees. It was a pain that somewhat shocked her entire body and brought on a feeling of sickness. And a slight yelp of pain escaped her clenched lips as Razkar leaped back. He was coming back, he wasn't going to show any mercy, and she was on the ground soaking up the pain still coming from her kidney. She tried to force it out of her mind and to get back up, but even the adrenaline couldn't completely mask what the struck organ had put out.

Septimus, grabbed her broadsword once more, quickly, trying to regather herself. It was hard, and she stood up once more, masking the pained look. She appeared calm on the outside, in the inside, she was screaming. Screaming of pain, screaming of anger, screaming. Her sapphire eyes were set on Razkar as she took several deep breaths, trying to get over the pain from her kidney. She wasn't going down without a fight, and like she had thought previously, it would be in blood if she had to. Septimus brought her sword up in an offensive position and had her shield titled upwards once more. As her lips curled back, revealing whiter than average teeth, she charged Razkar.

[Razkar]

If a man does not learn, he is little more than a beast, doomed to repeat his mistakes. But inability to learn is one thing: ignorance to that which one has already learned is quite another, and much worse. Because most often, it is willing, and the victory of raw passion over reason.

Contrary to what the philosophers say, this is not always a good thing.

Razkar was put on the defensive again almost immediately by the larger, charging female, payback for that shot to the kidney writ large across her pale, raging face. He jerked up his gladius and blocked the broadsword - gods the strength that woman could put behind her blows! - and actually backpedaled away from her-

-just in time to avoid that shield, swinging towards him like a barn door.

Mizra saw the two sparring figures from across the room, and centuries of experience in arenas and battlefields told him much. Their movements had gone beyond sparring, training, the fierce yet restrained dance of practicing fighters. Now their blows an strikes and parries were desperate, forceful... mortal. Enraged.

The Akalak frowned and started striding towards them.

Razkar was forced back and back and with every step his anger grew. He knew he should be beyond it now, but it burned within him, this pale barbarian female having him on the run. The broadsword thrust forwards again, hidden behind the shield, and only luck and speed bought his gladius around in time to bat it away-

Enough!

-swinging his ax at the same time, smashing against her shield-

-once, twice, thrice, hammering until her arm was numb, knocking down her defenses, throwing her off balance-

-striking down with his gladius, aiming for her right leg, next to the kneecap-

"MYRIAN!"

His head jerked around from the wincing, hobbling woman. He saw Mizra standing there, eyes stern and body taut. Disapproval shadowed his face, and something else... shame. His voice barked out again:

"Remember your vow!"

And in a frozen flash of remembrance, Razkar did...

"I give my word. No harm."

His eyes snapped back to the panting woman opposite him. Her snarl and narrowed stare was a mirror of his own rage. He had made her into this. His anger and wounded pride, and why? Because she had dared to fight back? Was he really so proud? So childish that he would let a few blows make him forget his word?

Razkar breathed the anger out of his lungs. Another lesson from Mizra: anger was the easiest emotion for an enemy to manipulate. Sometimes the enemy was not always the one standing opposite you. After a few moments, he was himself again, or something like it.

The Myrian shook his head, eyes still as stone, but a glimmer of remorse in them.

"Not on battlefield." He said bluntly. "Not try to kill. We learn here, not just fight. Not be angry. Bad thing. Make you make mistake."

A deep, drawn out breath that filled his lungs and broadened his chest, and then was gone with a fierce exhalation. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, then his lids snapped open again.

Razkar settled back into his stance, and nodded.

"When ready."

[Septimus]

She was pushing him back, with her shield, and she had seen this move before as he was screened. He would more than likely swipe underneath the shield, coming below with either his leg or sword, to strike. Realizing this, Septimus used her sword arm to turn it slightly diagonal and at the slightest sight of either leg or wooden sword, she'd come down and block it with her sword all the while pushing back with shield.

Needless to say, there came the blows from Razkar's ax, hitting against her shield again. The result was another wave of strength sent up her arm, soon sending it into a numb phase. Septimus could move it, she knew where she held it, and she still knew how to control it. The only difference was that she couldn't feel the shield nor her arm. This was slightly good, for that meant she wouldn't feel anymore blows ahead unless they were extremely hard.

More and more pounding from his ax as she continued and attempted to continue to push him back farther as to where she could take individual swipes with her sword. Then it came, the strike from his gladius in which she used her broadsword to come down and block it slightly to the point it didn't hit her leg. Her sword, when it came back, only and slightly touched her leg rather than the forceful point of his weapon. The husky and stern voice of Mizra erupted and instantly caused Septimus to fall back as called out 'Myrian'.

Realizing he was talking to Razkar, Razkar stopped and listened. Septimus on the other hand took some steps back and gently dropped the shield on the ground. Her sword was still in her right hand, resting on her right knee, while her left hand was doing that exact same thing. She used a few seconds to catch up on her breath, then she stood up again, taking deep breaths to get her heart rate under control again, as well as figure out the easiest way to move since this wasn't it. Her side was hurting from the strike to her kidney, but not as terribly bad as she thought it was. It hurt but it was nothing she couldn't handle.

Septimus picked up her shield then watched as Razkar and Mizra spoke to one another. From what she had picked up on, Razkar was definitely a Myrian. He definitely was born a fighter and had that in his blood so whenever he fought, it did grow harder to resist fighting like it was real. From what she could piece together, Razkar had made some deal, some vow. Septimus assumed it was not to go too strong, not to try and inflict pain. Or at least something along those lines.

His words seemed like somewhat of an apology and behind a stern face and calm eyes, Septimus nodded. It was hard, she imagined, to be raised or be from a place where you were famous for being fierce, violent and, well, Myrian. She could understand where he was coming from, but yet, she couldn't understand where her herself let it escalate to that stage where they both were growing more violent and had more purpose behind their strikes.

Resuming her Triangle Stance in front of Razkar she chuckled, turning the situation a bit brighter. It seemed as though she was good as that kind of thing and it seemed like a decent way to lighten the tense mood in the air and try to release the frustration in which she still felt.

"I'm ready now as long as you don't nail me in the side again."

A small smile played upon her lips as she looked at Razkar, ready for the first move. After all, this learning and training was something she should be enjoying.

[Razkar]

"I'm ready now as long as you don't nail me in the side again."

Razkar's lips twisted into a sardonic half-smile and he nodded, sliding back into a position similar to hers, only with gladius and hand ax instead. Satisfied that some catastrophe had been diverted, Mizra strode away.

"Deal."

And they began their dance again, but this time Razkar was more clinical, more thoughtful, and it showed with every blow. He slid around her now, using his speed and agility to his advantage. Each time he struck on her shield with his right, he stepped that way, hiding himself from her behind her own shield.

He did like the reversal, but-

-she was hardly without her own tricks.

She stepped forward fast, shield at an angle, just as he struck out with his ax, knocking it away, opening up his chest-

-thrusting at his solar plexus with his broadsword.

Razkar knocked it away with his gladius just as the wooden sword made impact. It should have sent him reeling back; if it was reel, it wouldn't have. It would have just impaled him.

He smiled and nodded his respect as he found his feet again. As he circled her again, he decided on something different. The Kelvic angled her shield to deflect his blows. Slightly upwards, so his ax went over the top of it...

Well, why not? This was the place for experimentation, after all.

He lunged forward and struck out with his ax, gladius ready to deflect any counter-blows. The hand ax struck the shield but slid upwards, over the shield, over its rim-

-and when he saw it do so, he twisted it around, so the curved ax head served as a hook that caught under the rim of the shield, and he pulled it to his right-

-ripping the shield away from her body, tearing it to one side and opening her stomach and torso to a thrust from his gladius-

-which she parried with her broadsword-

-and he sliced the hand ax away from the shield and back towards the left side of her open neck-

Stopped it right before impact. He had made a vow. He would keep it. Point made, he stepped back, weapons ready again and eyes serious. He circled the Kelvic a little slower now, none of the fire and vicious delight on his face that had been there before. Even Razkar's words were measured and even, seeking to instruct, not demean.

"Ax not just ax. Is also a hook. Can get under shield-" he tapped the curved ax head with his gladius "-and make you open. Be careful not let that happen. And-"

In the air between them he repeated the ax hooking the shield away, and then the strike from his gladius... only that time it was a swipe, not a thrust. And would have been where the top of her arm was, just above the shield.

"-enemy might not go for chest. Might go for arm holding shield. Take shield. Take arm. Let you bleed out."

Razkar readied himself again, waiting for her to move now.

"When ready."

[Septimus]

With one word from Razkar, the two began another round of moves. Except for this time, the maneuvers were less violent. This time, there was a purpose behind them that was meant to teach rather harm. Educate rather than bring blood.

Septimus was here to learn, and when he started using her own technique against her, it made her slightly nervous. Her enemy was concealed, and that was something she didn't like. Something as a natural prey animal, but also when fighting. Needless to say, she could counteract it. She did this by rapidly stepping forward and she cocked her shield at the right angle. She threw open his guard, and thrust her broadsword forward. Had it been her real sword that she had left at her sleeping quarters, it would have impaled him. Needless to say, it was knocked back by his gladius.

It was a move that had been good on both ends. Good deflects, good lunges, and with patience and a good understanding of what was going on, Septimus realized it could come out in the direction the thinker wanted it to be. That was, of course, if the thinker thought of possibilities and quickly analyzed and considered possibly what the other(s) was/were thinking. This was apparent when Septimus failed to realize the fact that her main form of defense, her shield, could be grabbed ahold to and taken away much like she had done with his sword for the time being to 'hit' his abdomen.

However, as Septimus came at his again, he used a different tactic to hook his ax up and over her shield to tear it away, and cause her to lose that form of defense. Had she been thinking of anything other than the gladius that was coming at her, she might would have managed to drop the shield and begin using the sword double-handedly. However, she instead quickly blocked his gladius and attempted to tear up, once more with her shield. However, the ax's grip on the shield was there and firm.

Then again, he ripped it away, and placed it where if they had been in a real fight, would have killed her. This was because, it was beside her neck. With a respected recognition of her defeat with that moved she nodded with a grin that soon faded. He explained how the ax could be used rather than just an ax and she was slightly upset with herself that she did not see it as such before. With every few words he spoke, she nodded in understandment.

With the new demonstration, Septimus nodded. Not only could they strike her in the neck, but they could take her arm off as well along with her shield. Septimus seriously needed to work on her defensive techniques. Perhaps even get a sword styled with more rounded edges so a weapon couldn't grasp it as easily until Septimus could see it and stop it. She had come a long ways from where she first started, but she still had a long long ways to go before she reached where she wanted to be. Or rather, where she needed to be.

Razkar readied himself, and waited for her to strike. This time, she would give a slight nod rather than speak. Septimus rushed in again, but instead this time, she crouched down. This protected her knees and chins as she came in and swooped up once more. She angled the shield slightly once more, but this time, spotting her mistake, she angled the shield upwards out of reach from the ax. With this, it would take more time and concentration to reach to rip away her shield from her.

This also, in the process, screened Razkar for just a moment. That being said, one would be concentrated on the upper half of her body while she silently swooped under it at the last second. If Razkar blocked the quickly approaching thrust to his abdomen coming from her broadsword, her entire approach would have failed. If he failed to block it, however, Razkar would feel a slight poke from the tip of her sword.

[Razkar]

He should have seen the thrust coming. It was almost a replica of the last strike she had managed on him, and yet, screened as she was by her shield, he was still blinded. The one benefit he had was that she was now at least a little closer to his level, crouching down and shaving off the half-foot advantage she had on him.

But it also meant he could get any more blows to her legs in too easily.

She moved fast, and Razkar saw the wooden broadsword dart towards his chest. She moved in close, too, shield limiting his movement, and he did the only thing he could do that close.

Twisted.

To his left, specifically. The broadsword touched against his sternum and then slid off to his right, her arm extended-

-and he swiped at her wrist with his hand ax, not too hard, just... educational. Enough to teach her not to overextend, because in a real battle, she would have jut lost her hand-

-and she replied by bashing him with her shield.

It was the best and quickest move for her to make, and the only word to describe it. She stepped forward, tight and strong muscles backing up the wooden circle and slamming it against his right side. The impact knocked him off balance, already skewed by his twist to the side, and he staggered back.

Septimus didn't press her advantage, sparring smart and cagey now. She had overextended once, and paid for it. Now she circled again, shield and sword ready, breathing even. Razkar mirrored her, footsteps soft, thinking around this problem...

Another idea came to mind, taking advantage of her lower stance.

He charged forwards, crouching in mid-step and swinging his hand ax towards her left side, at her lower leg. She was fast, though, saw it coming, dropped her slanted shield low, almost touching the ground to block him. Her broadsword thrust out again at the same time-

-but Razkar had already twisted to his left and thrown himself against her shield, body turning and spinning as it his the wooden surface. His right shoulder made contact first, but he kept twisting, back crossing the center of the circle, and by the time he was facing her again-

-he was behind and to the left of her, hand ax swinging towards her open back-

-but she swung around with her shield, a powerful, roundhouse blow with her wooden weapon (because that's what it truly was)-

-and Razkar had to jump back to avoid it, barely missing a blow that could have knocked him off his feet. Breathing a little heavier and nodding his approval, they circled again.

Strike faster if you get behind an enemy with a shield, he told himself. All they need do is swing round to stop you, so bury that iron before your feet hit the ground...

[Septimus]

With that one specific move, Septimus felt the tip of his hand ax hit her hand. He had held back as it was just a reminder. A reminder she would never forget and more than likely cause her to never commit the 'crime' again.

Needless to say, she crashed into him with her shield once more, not hardly though, just a reminder that though she didn't have two main attack weapons, a shield could be just as helpful. The hit wasn't too hard, it was just much like the hit he had given her with his ax. Educationally. If it would have been a full powered attack, Razkar more than likely would be on the ground right now. Especially after his twist.

Septimus considered hitting him again with her shield, and perhaps even striking a few times with her sword. However, one quick flick of her eyes towards her wrist reminded her not to overdo it and not to risk it. After all, she had to think smarter, lest her hand be cut off in battle or her arm for all she knew.

Strength and speed were nothing on a battlefield without wits. You had to have wits to know when to move, where to move, how to move, and how to position yourself. One slight adjustment could mean your life or your funeral. With Razkar, she was slowly learning this but with a few more moves, she should have it down.

Razkar charged again and Septimus' eyes grew wide at first for she wasn't expecting it. Nevertheless, her reflexes were beginning to seep in as instinct and she quickly reacted, bringing her circular shield almost all the way to the ground as she tried to match his height. That was a disadvantage right now and one of the reasons she didn't exactly like being tall. It was good for intimidating your enemies, but they had the advantage of going at your legs and torso more easily. She chuckled slightly for she half surprised herself when she successfully blocked it. Then, another shock came. He spun across her shield before she could ram him with it again. Perhaps she was becoming too predictable?

He was swinging again as he whirred behind her back, about to come across on her open back, but her peripheral vision caught it and once again her reflexes acted much like instinct for she whirred around, using a foot to push off and gain momentum as she rammed him with her shield once more. Once again, not as hard as she could, but educationally. This wasn't a real match. For if it had been, she would have no hand right now. Plus, it didn't even hit Razkar. He had dodged it just in time.

Septimus gained a nod of approval so surely she must be doing something right so far. She just had to keep her distance close and short ranged. Razkar began circling again and Septimus decided she needed to become more unpredictable. More opponent worthy as it was apparent that he was unpredictable and fully capable as he was a good well built individual with obvious muscle from training. However, Septimus on the other hand was predictable. She had no true 'poker face' but instead relied on intimidation to help her out a bit more instead.

She was trying to plan out new tactics, new experiments, but instead, perhaps she could wing it. She just needed to keep in mind that she could use her speed and evasion to dodge attacks better. She needed to work on her agility and this was the place. Septimus rather than charging Razkar this time, taunted him to strike first. She did this by stepping back then nodding her head backwards in which sent Razkar into striking with his gladius once more.

As Septimus came in to do another clobber to the side with her shield, Razkar saw it coming and dodged. She needed to work with her attacks and rather than defense, cut.

Septimus came at him, doing a somewhat of a fake attack. She acted as though she was coming to strike but instead pulled back and readied her stance once more. She did this once more, but this time, she only pulled back slightly, then rushed in with her shield. This time, her shield was close to her body as well as sword. Septimus was also observing his body language intensely to see his reactions as she was ready. If he whirred around, she would match it. She would be ready for an attack from one of his weapons.