Sylus v. Alexandra I: The Road to Greatness

Making his way from the north, Sylus sprints towards the south with a purpose. His swift strides gradually bring him towards the inn in which everyone seemed to be standing on. He makes quick work of scaling the building, no difficulty seeming to come about. Landing on the top in a crouch, his hand almost immediately moves to his side to withdraw a wooden sword. It had been famous for destroying the will of many that had stood before him.

Only not really.

Still, it's quite obvious that he's headed directly for the esteemed Queen of Tilandre, the woman apparently having her back turned to him. This could be the ultimate way to prove himself. If he could hold his own against her, then obviously it meant he was destined for greatness.

The wooden sword is drawn back only momentarily, lashing out in a streak of brown immediately after in an effort to strike her right in the back of her head! Even if it didn't land, he follows up with a flurry of attacks, intent on actually downing her where she stood. Hopefully the element of surprise was on his side.
(Sylus)


Unfortunately for Sylus, Alexandra was no stranger to head injury. So it stood to reason that, when he attempted to smack her head, she didn't reac in the slightest, apparently having not even felt it. Of course, he had grown in power a lot since last time, so once there was a follow-up to the blow to the head, it immediately caught her attention-

"Ow Ow. Fuck. Ow. That hurts. What're you doing?"

-But it was more ilke being stung by a few bees than anything worth worrying about. Of course, she didn't feel like showing much restraint, and responded to being smacked by a wooden sword with a large burst of lightning in every direction,aiming to throw him back... and off the building, if he wasn't careful.

"I think I got a splinter from that. What were you thinking?"
(Alexandra Eldor)



It was a familiar feeling. He was sure that he had been here before in the past. The wood connects with her head, but there was no reaction. Did he not swing hard enough? Or.. maybe her head was made out of steel or something like that. Either way, before he could even follow up he's hit with the abrupt burst of lightning, the potent magic being more than enough to lift him right off of his feet and send him flying back.

He's spinning out of control, nearing the edge. He would've fallen off of the edge if not for a hand managing to grip the edge. He's stunned for a while, the offending lightning coursing through his body. It took a small while, but eventually he pulls himself right up to the roof.

"You remember me, right?" he asks, twirling the wooden sword within his grasp. "There's somethin' I gotta prove, and last time you said you don't like hurting little kids. ..Well.." He began making a slow advance for her. Clearly he was asking for a fight.

"I'm not a kid anymore."
(Sylus)


Alexandra Eldor: Hold up Amber. I gotta deal with someone who forgets the letter L exists.
Adelaide Eldor: ....Wow Sylus. I didn't know you had a death wish.
Sylus: Shut up.
Alexandra Eldor: Wanna take it to the arena? If you damage this rooftop I'm charging you for it.
Ascelpius Haruke: The letter L is an important part of the Alphabet.
Sylus: I guess it's a good thing I don't know most of 'em. And yeah, let's go.
Alexandra Eldor: On a scale from 1 to 'Oh god please no my butthole can't take it,' how hard do you want me to go?
Adelaide Eldor: ALL THE WAY.
Ascelpius Haruke whispers something.
Adelaide Eldor: ELBOW DEEP.
Adelaide Eldor: <*cheers*>
Sylus: Don't hold back on me.
Ascelpius Haruke: Can you try to get a foot in there too?
Ascelpius Haruke: I want to see that...
Alexandra Eldor: ...
 Alexandra Eldor: Alright



Well, he asked for it. Alexandra was the most powerful magi in Valmasia for a reason, and if Sylus wanted to see -why,- she'd show him why. Maybe it was a bit overkill to go all out against someone so massively weaker, but sometimes it was good to prove your position on the totem pole to those who doubted. So, a sickening black aura surrounded her body, as occultic mana began to form a humanoid shape behind her.

"COME, GUARDIAN!"

...Of course, it quickly shifted from "humanoid" to "absolutely, horribly monstrous," and was likely to be on a level of sheer malice beyond anything Sylus had ever seen before. If anything established just how fargone Alexandra was, it was this... thing that she summoned.

"If you don't piss yourself by the end of this, I'll promote you. Now, c'mon."
(Alexandra Eldor)


He couldn't lie.. he was a tad bit nervous, but this was definitely something he wanted to go through with. The last time didn't end on a good note. In fact.. she didn't even lift a finger when he issued his challenge in the past. It was different this time around, however. He had grown a bit older, and more skilled as a result.

He takes deep breaths to compose himself. This was probably going to be the hardest match he had ever fought. He didn't actually think he could down her, but if he could hold his own at the very least it meant he was on the right path. Aside from that, though, she'd definitely have to earn his respect one way or another.

His gaze widens somewhat at the mention of a guardian. What the hell did that mean? Apparently his question would be answered soon enough as he sees the collection of tainted mana forming right behind her. It was.. taking shape..?

...oh shit...

He takes a small step back at the sight of such a thing, actually hesitating a bit. It was extremely intimidating, and he had almost thought about backing out right there. He doesn't, though. Deep down he knew this was something he needed. Although everything in him told him to run away, he recklessly charges forward at both her, and the thing she had summoned. He'd go all out.

"Here I come...!"
(Sylus)

Avrill Eldor: <*...just here to watch Sylus get creamed.*> Ah. Nostalgia.
Adelaide Eldor: Reminds me of always.



Well, that was about as easy as expected. It was so quick that she didn't even really have time to process it. When he made his approach, the guardian merely slapped him aside, and from there, it only took two of her all-powerful lightning attacks to bring him down. Hell, she looked... bored, although some of that boredom was fabricated to drill in the disrespect.

"What happened?

I blinked, and you were on the floor..."

damn

"Hell, at this point, I'd be impressed if you even got up after that."

Would this mocking motivate him to get stronger, or just kill the motivation altogether? Honestly, it didn't matter much to her- she found it hilarious regardless of how he reacted.
(Alexandra Eldor)


 It had been over faster than he could even realize.

The difference in strength was widely apparent, and yet.. here he was with more on the line than some stupid win. People might've called him crazy, or looked at him insane for his methods of obtaining answers, but in all honesty he was used to it. He was used to the demeaning insults, being spat on, and yet he still pushed forward with the hope of actually being something one day. It was as if he wore them like a thick coat.

Adelaide was right. He was constantly seeking validation for his own reasons. In truth, it was really the only thing that kept him going. Regardless of what anybody told him, he never doubted the basis of one needing strength to move the world. It had been proven time and time again with everyone he's suffered defeat to.

He's swatted aside like trash, landing harshly on the ground only to receive a fierce shock of lightning. He laid there un-moving, probably dead. It didn't look good in the slightest. He could hear her words clearly, however, as if she were standing right over him. Maybe he should've just thrown in the towel, just lay there and die. That would be the ultimate loss. Would anyone even miss him? These thoughts plagued his mind, and yet oddly enough his body began to move on it's own. He shakes violently, and soon enough he's in the beginning processes of standing up. It'd be both surprising AND foolish to do so. The fact that he was still alive was one thing, but standing to his feet clearly meant that he wasn't done with her. Not just yet.

His clothes are scorched and torn to tatters, and it wasn't long before he reaches his full height.

"I swear... all of your family is the same." The grip on his sword is shaky, Sylus clearly having trouble holding it. His grip tightens despite that, however.

"All of you can say what you want about me, I know I'm gonna be great! Then all of you will be the ones on the ground!" It was a nice image, and a great motivator that spurred his next action. He takes off in an odd looking sprint, appearing before her even faster than before. He had a strong will, but was ultimately reckless. It might get him killed one day, but at least he'd die believing against what everyone in the world thought of him to be.

Trash.
(Sylus)



He blinded her. Just like Lysander and Radu, he attacked her senses. -That- made her somewhat upset, so she decided not to hold back and slappedh im aside just as quickly as before, and just as brutally. Hell, she even used the same combination of attacks in the same order., so naturally, he didn't stand the slightest chance.

However, this time around, she was significantly less vitriolic. She approached Sylus, the Guardian still trailing behind her, but instead of dealing a final blow, she kneeled down to him.

"Strength is born through passion. Greatness is born through hardship. Sucess is born from a combination of effort and dumb luck. Today, you had both. Anyone else would've punished or imprisoned you for doing such a bull-headedly stupid thing. But me?

I like this sort of thing.

Beating your head against a wall will get you killed sooner or later. But you happened to beat your head against the wall that wants to see you succeed. Make no mistake- you're not me. You're not destined for greatness. You'll have to pull that greatness from the jaws of death repeatedly until it finally sticks.

I look forward to seeing you become amazing, or horribly dying in the pursuit of it. It'll be entertaining either way."
(Alexandra Eldor)


A second wind had been caught, the Ookami youth fighting with renewed determination. He was angry, that much was apparent in his gaze. It wasn't at her, however. It was at himself. For too long had he tasted defeat, and he was beginning to become sick of it.

He's faster, but ultimately proves to still not being a match. It was to be expected. He was certain that she wasn't made queen simply because she looked tough. His swings come from multiple direction, the boy moving so fast it'd seem as if there were three of him coming from multiple directions. That meant nothing to her guardian, however, as it still very easily stopped him right in his tracks.

The combination of brutal blunt force, and deadly lightning sends him flying far east. His sword arm snaps at the impact, and he's flipping out of control towards the spectator stands. He crashes hard, a small crater being made at the point of impact. His sword had been dropped long ago, and he's left with his fists and blurry vision.

He sees her approach -- well THEM approach. He's seeing double right now, and he was sure that this was where his story would end. It was a harsh life, but no one could say that he didn't give it his absolute all. He's on the verge of consciousness when she kneels before him, Sylus not having the strength to speak. His ears worked wonders, however. He couldn't tell if she was demeaning him further or.. actually giving him advice. He hears what she has to say, and his lips move as if he were about to speak something.

It never comes, and he falls forward flat on his face - un-moving.
(Sylus)