[OPEN] Soldier On--

[bufudine]

Who: Serph and YOU
Where: The Park
When: November 14th, afternoon
Style: [brackets] preferred, but I can adjust
Status: WIDE OPEN

[It's been quite some time since Sera's departure, and since then, there have been others -- both Tribe and friends -- who have left Vatheon and not returned. Serph doesn't know if they'll return. Maybe they will. Maybe they won't. In the end, the decision isn't in his hands.

Before, there hadn't been time for these departures to affect him.

Which is why he's in the park, kicking a hacky sack. Signless had taught him the game when he'd noticed Serph watching him, so many months ago. In some ways, this is an imitation of that time; while Serph's content to play on his own, he's more than happy to play with people passing by.

Will you join in?]

Comments

[malik_caesar]

[Unfortunately, Malik is only human and the smoke does provide visibility problems. Malik is grabbed. He tries to jerk free.

The bladerang reaches its intended location, now empty of Serph, and begins its return arc.]

[bufudine]

[Serph's grip is strong and smoothly flows from the grab to a throw down, intending to follow it by pinning Malik down. But Serph senses the bladerang -- too late to avoid -- the moment before it strikes his back. Luckily for Serph, he has thick, spiked plating all over his back, but the bladerang sinks quite deeply into them, potentially getting stuck.

The force of the impact itself is enough to stun Serph for a split second, but it won't occupy his attention for long; he'll try and prevent Malik from putting distance between them.]

[malik_caesar]

[Now on the ground, Malik scrambles to get through Serph's legs, hopefully quickly enough to end up behind him and pulling his weapon back out.

Serph is fast and has been very effective in preventing Malik from getting the distance he needs in order to be most effective with his magic. He also noticed how quickly he seemed to react to magic and how Serph seemed to be less able to dodge his bladerang. His only chance is to recover his weapon. Without it - the only thing he has left are his fists.]

[bufudine]

[Serph can't stop Malik without potentially crushing him, so he allows Malik to pass under his legs. But Serph turns so the bladerang is out of his reach; it's obvious to him that this weapon is Malik's main defensive measure.

Serph can feel the weapon stuck between the plating on this back, and though he can't sense its shape properly, he has a good idea of where it is due to it restricting some of his movement. Reaching to yank the bladerang out with his left hand, Serph pulls it out and holds on to it tightly as he takes a step away from Malik. The cutting edge near the grip slices into his index finger, but Serph ignores it.]

Do you yield?

[malik_caesar]

[Malik takes a few breaths while measuring up the demon in front of him, debating on whether to continue this or not.

He decides to concede. It's only a friendly spar after all, though he is a little concerned over Serph's pincushion wounds.

He smiles a little and holds up a hand.]

I yield.

[bufudine]

[Serph nods before raising his left hand. Data flows around him -- the same as when he'd first transformed -- and soon he's back in his human form, with Malik's bladerang in his right hand. There doesn't seem to be any outward evidence of wounds, though the two locations where he'd been hit are pretty sore.

He holds out Malik's bladerang for him to take back.]

Are you alright?

[His gaze flickers to the wound on Malik's leg.]

[malik_caesar]

[Malik takes his bladerang back and gets up off the ground. He holsters the weapon on his back.]

I'll be fine. It looks worse than it is. It's just a scratch.
[He dusts himself off.]

But you though... [He looks over Serph.] not a visible mark. You're not kidding about being tough.

[bufudine]

[Serph trusts Malik's word -- well, that and Serph can see the wound isn't hindering him much -- and nods.]

I was fortunate.

[If the bladerang had struck lower in his back, then there would definitely be a visible wound.]

Your weapon is difficult for me to detect.

[malik_caesar]

And yet you seemed to find me almost the moment I started using magic.

It was impressive. Almost a little disturbing. [Malik isn't altogether comfortable with Serph's quirks, but their time spent together today has done much to change his mind. He smiles to show his good nature behind the comment.]

[bufudine]

[Serph nods, accepting that compliment.]

Magic in my world is quicker to release. It was a matter of life or death for us.

[So... it's not surprising he's learnt to trace magic quickly.]

Large projectile weapons don't exist in my world. Are they common?

[In Malik's world, that is.]

[malik_caesar]

Yes and no.

There aren't many who can wield a weapon like the bladerang. There are many more who simply fight with standard melee weapons, or more traditional projectile weapons like guns and tanks.

Quite a lot of people are able to use magic-assisted attacks. Those kinds of techniques are relatively quick to release as they are meant to enhance the weapon that's currently being used. For example, I can direct my weapon to change direction or do several different small magical effects almost instantly.

For those of us who can manipulate magic into more powerful effects, it takes more time - [He eyes Serph.] unfortunately.

[bufudine]

[Serph listens closely to Malik's words. Hm, so similar to the magic enhanced ammunition loaded in guns, except the magic is applied on the spot rather than pre-made. He nods before tilting his head.]

Do you have spells outside the binding one? I'd like a demonstration of those and a magic-assisted attack.

[There may be a way to cut casting time, if Malik's magic functions on similar principles to his own.]

1/2

[malik_caesar]

That was just the beginning!

First, let me show you a magic assisted attack.

[He takes his bladerang in hand and throws it about twenty-five meters in front of them. It hangs there in the air spinning.

Malik moves his hand and the bladerang dives towards the ground. A large magical crack of energy appears at the site of contact and the bladerang appears to embeds itself in the ground. The crack opens slightly more and a rush of magical energy flies up and out from it, forming a temporary wall of energy. A second later the entire spell is gone and the bladerang is spinning back towards Malik's hand.]

2/2

[malik_caesar]

[He catches it and holsters it on his back.]

Now for something a little more powerful.

[He closes his eyes and positions his hands in front of him. He beings his incantation.]

Wind, thou quickened dagger. No shield can repel thine unforeseen stab! Culling Flare!

[A large beam of light radiates down from the sky destroying anything in its path. It remains there for several seconds before dissipating.]

[bufudine]

[Fascinating. Is there something within the weapon itself that made it particularly suitable for channelling magic? Could his own natural weapons in demon form do the same? Would his demon be able to combine magic with a physical attack? He saves those thoughts and questions for later perusal.

Instead he focuses on the second, obviously more powerful, spell. Last time Malik had cast a spell, there had been no words needed. At least, none that he could hear.]

Is speaking those words necessary?

[malik_caesar]

No, not really.

When learning the spells, they're often taught with an incantation. It's more of a way to concentrate than anything else. As you get more comfortable and make the spell your own, most people change the wording to what suits them.

[It's a good way to show off.]