Eagleheart vs Tohru

[22:58] Eagleheart says, "Hello there."
[22:59] Tohru Snevets says, "...Ah, fuck. I know that voice... I think."
[22:59] Tohru slowly turned around, lazily and without much regard, his dark eyes fixated upon the hooded and masked figure before him. He quirked his brow.

"What do you want?"
(Tohru Snevets)
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[23:03] Eagleheart seemed to stand perfectly still in front of the man. He had barely reached the current place, after all, and there seemed to be a faint breeze running around the swamp at this time.

Unnatural, yet it was definitely originating from the Order magi. "We are looking for you, Tohru. I believe... That over your skin is blood?" The man asked, his voice calm and monotonous, yet bearing a hint of questioning.

"Whose blood is that?"
(Eagleheart)
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[23:03] Mei Xiang says, "..."
[23:08] Tohru didn't seem to be fazed at all by the presence of the Order magi, although a smart man likely would. Especially one of his limited experience. Unamused, his finger trailed to the charred and beaten corpse of a nearby Lesser Demon. It looked like he was venting his frustrations on things that actually deserved it, these days...

"I know you're lookin' for me... and I'm tellin' you, for all of our own good, you should forget you saw me... otherwise, things're about to get really hairy."

His eyes started to twitch a bit as he continued to look on at Eagleheart. It looked honestly like he was trying to hold himself back from doing a bit more at this very moment... his movements slowed and senses dulled by Lax Essence, it was definitely a struggle.
(Tohru Snevets)
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[23:18] Eagleheart seems to remain oddly calm. Even if there was a pointing towards the beaten corpse of a Lesser demon, the mask stopped any portrayals of his gladness to notice he wasn't at least killing fellow humans now. Or at least, right before he ran into them.

"Trust me, Tohru... Are you sure you don't want to come by your own will? Are you sure you don't want to try again?" His voice, even if the same tone as before, seemed... Almost pleading.

"If you don't do it willingly, you are out of possibilities to be saved, Tohru." Of course, Eagleheart was still for sure ready for combat-- But it was just as much as always. He barely moved, and still, the sensation of Order perscruted the environment.

A hand rose towards the occultist. "Make your choice, Tohru. Do you want it, or do I have to force your hand?"
(Eagleheart)
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[23:21] They had found their man, atleast, though Mei Xiang secretly wished she was the one confronting him rather than Eagleheart. Nonetheless, he was here.

She didn't move to join in, but simply stood to watch. She had faith in her mentor.
(Mei Xiang)
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[23:22] Tiff ventured through the swamps alongside Mei and Taro after they had apparently spotted the wanted criminal. Of course the trio had an errand to run that they had to attend to before returning, but once they did they were hot on the case. It wasn't long before they stumbled upon Torhu…

Facing off against Eagleheart?

Tiff's uncovered eye widens as she takes in all the details. She had come seeking action and adventure, but what could occur here...

The fairy stays upon Mei's shoulder, where she had relocated to at some point, and waits with baited breath.
(Tiff)
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[23:23] Taro stands to one side of the scenario, lips pushed together and hands idly fidgeting with the buckle of his belt. Truth be told, he had only heard of Tohru in passing, as a new resident of the Huang settlement. He knew that they had been searching for him for a period of time.

He has no idea how strong either of them are, and opts to simply remain silent as a result.

A few glances are tossed to Mei and Tiff, trying to read their reactions.
(Taro)
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[23:25] Reishi Guren whispers something.
[23:25] Mei Xiang whispers something.
[23:25] Taro whispers something.
[23:26] Reishi Guren whispers something.
[23:26] Reishi Guren whispers something.
[23:32] Tohru looked around him, toward Mei, the fairy, and the grey-haired boy that he had never seen before. Then his gaze turned back to Eagleheart himself. In his mind he now knew there was no way he could possibly leave this scene unscathed, should he decide to fight... however, the sight of yet another wave of Huangzhou warriors attempting to bring him into their prison for 'purification' had stirred up something from within.

He did warn them, after all.

They just kept coming for him, without relent. Sure, they offered him the choice to come in pace... but he simply abhorred these folks. They ignored him, dismissed him as irrelevant and a rude town fool before. Now, though?Now he was their center of attention... and all he had to do was the things he desired. Indulge and revel in the pain of those who angered him...

The voice in his mind, was it right all along? He was overtaken with these thoughts once again, as his eyes started to haze over with the same purple glow it always did while he began to channel his mana with the casting method of the Visionary.

You can take him... bend each of his fingers back so that the only person he can point at is himself... and remember the shame of standing against you, Tohru...

You're not the sick one... they say you need saving... but the only ones that you need saving from are them. Only once their breaths are replaced by screams of agony will you then be saved... Make it happen.

The very same occultic flames of purple hue rose around his body as they did when he branded the boy known as Armis with his mark of agony. It didn't look like he was intending on going in without a fight... once again, he simply wanted to cause these people the same suffering that he has felt from their words and actions.

Blinded by rage, it seemed he was entirely ignoring the hole in his chest that sparked with electricity. His reminder of the encounter he had recently with the Jiangese known as Arashi Zao and Nu. His hand gripped tight upon his staff, and he directed the end pointed with a gem toward Eagleheart.

The gem started to catch ablaze with flame, stained purple by the influence of the occult, and he spoke.

"Come to me, then... 'save' me, preacher. Kraus himself only knows how badly I need it... hahahaha!"
(Tohru Snevets)
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[23:36] What did this 'Hero' run into this time.

While doing his routes he was making his turn to Gehenna, only to find people in his SWAMP- not really his swamp but people were here! Why? He noticed the famed man himself, one that many of Huangzhou had been after.

"Interesting."

Eagleheart has this, Reishi decides to just watch. He literally has nothing better to do at the moment.
(Reishi Guren)
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[23:41] He was still. Almost too still. There was no indications that he looked at the boy, or even paid attention to any of the energies that surrounded his body.

However, he perceived the obvious will to go down only with a fight. Of course... Eagleheart could never have it that easy, could he? It would just make everything so good for him. If only he'd listen... Unfortunately, he didn't.

And chances are, he wouldn't. Unfortunately, Eagleheart had to make him listen, no matter what. The hole that sparked with electricity, at least, Eagleheart would have to make one final attempt.

It was obvious from the floating hammer around him, however, that he was prepared for a fight. "One last chance, Tohru. Don't force me to do this. We can help you. We can heal you."
(Eagleheart)
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[23:52] It didn't seem the words of Eagleheart got through to him at all. It was like he weren't even listening, the rage and inner ire of the man known as Tohru brought to the surface as he stared down Eagleheart. There was no fear behind his eyes, no uncertainty. It was clear this was not the look of a killer, though. The look in his eyes was that of someone with intent to bind someone to a stationary object and inflict as much pain and suffering as he possibly could.

He spoke to him, but the voice was no longer sounding like Tohru in his ordinary state. It was now consumed with that very malice and hatred that was seeping into the very air that surrounded them.

"You don't know when to quit, do you?... Gahahaha... I'm not forcing you to do anything, friend. You walked into this hornet's nest all on your own..."

He sent a ball of purple flames across the swamp toward Eagleheart, just narrowly missing him.

Intentional.

Behind him were a set of trees, which immediately caught blaze. While this was happening, the occultist was laughing madly. It seemed whatever humanity he may have possibly been showing previously was now absent. Without incapacitation, it did not seem he'd be open to any sort of proper conversation.

The only real option was a battle.
(Tohru Snevets)
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Unfortunate.

This was the only thing that Eagleheart could think about. And perhaps those that were most sensitive to him, to the very nature of which his Order magic conducted itself, it'd be easy to tell that he wasn't simply fighting.

He was holding back, massively, to stop from hurting the much more frail magi. This was like his spars, and somehow, less aggressive than when with people at similar power levels to his own. It was true-- He wanted to give the man a second chance, and this involved at the very least not crippling him.

To his hardest extent. It pained him to have to hurt someone that was so close to salvation -- Yet denied it at all costs. But he knew what it took. He knew what it was supposed to be.

He knew that, no matter what, he needed to do this.

He had to.

In due time, the man's order magic tried to restrain him... Yet, due to some unlucky twist of fate (or perhaps lucky on Tohru's side), he saw himself free from the Order Magi's grasp, able to flee away.

"Tsc. I shouldn't have..." He spoke, upon seeing the man fleeing.
(Eagleheart)

You have stopped scouting! (Total ENERGY used: 208)

Tohru had truly been giving it all he had in the battle... but it was an uphill fight much further than any other he had experienced. Even going five against one, he still had a better chance against those opponents he faced...

The wound on his chest wasn't helping him either. All throughout this fight with Eagleheart, he would find himself clutching painedly his chest. His wound was reopening, and even through the warm sensations of the Lax Essence he could feel the jolts of Arashi Zao's brand of justice upon his body.

Eventually, and inevitably, he was defeated by the Order Magi... and he knew it, too. There was no chance of victory, so he did all that he could think of to elude his grasp. Not an action he'd normally take - fleeing, that is - but one that was necessary if he would be able to persist as he was...

Which, strangely... in this state, that was all he wanted. To be left to his vices of suffering and agony.

Suddenly, the eyes of his that usually glowed a vibrant, occultic purple had shifted in color. Now they were pitch black, even moreso than usual. Pitch black... just like all that Eagleheart would be able to see, under his spell of illusionary darkness.

It was then that he made his way to try to escape, all the while thinking to himself,

Close one... close one... close one... next time, I'll have my revenge.
(Tohru Snevets)

She watched the two magi clash. While it was an impressive display, Mei Xiang noticed something distinctive about Eagleheart's style currently.

She had sparred plenty of times with the masked man. She had also saw him fight seriously.

Well, she saw him fight seriously once.

When she realized he was holding back, Mei Xiang frowned. As the fight ended and Tohru made his escape, she could only feel disappointment.
(Mei Xiang)

Tiff's eye narrowed as Tohru escaped. It wasn't easy to see a wanted criminal, and someone who wielded occultic magic to boot, go free. The illusions that assaulted the area made it difficult to follow, and even if she wanted to the fairy knew it would be both dangerous and nearly impossible to do keep up the chase. And so instead she flew to aid of Eagleheart, another failed patrol...
(Tiff)

The fight had long since been over much to his own disappointment, so he decided to continue on his way, paying no mind to the others around.
(Veltol)


Eagleheart says, "... He'll come around again."

Eagleheart says, "Soon."

Mei Xiang asks, "How come ya were goin' easy on 'em?"

Eagleheart says, "... Mei."

Eagleheart says, "If I fight with you going full out, I'm likely to kill you."

Mei Xiang says, "..."

Eagleheart says, "If I fought with him moderately, I'd likely kill him too."

Eagleheart says, "Or, at least, tear a limb off."

Mei Xiang asks, "So... ya just wanted to capture 'em without hurtin' 'em too much?"

Eagleheart says, "Yes. I had to... Try, at least."

Eagleheart says, "If I fought more aggressively, I was likely to only get him wounded and escaping anyway."
Mei gently kicks the dirt.
(Mei Xiang)


Mei Xiang says, "Maybe it woulda been better, so he doesn't go around maimin' people."
Tiff sighs.
(Tiff)


Eagleheart says, "He wouldn't stop, Mei."

Mei Xiang exclaims, "Maybe, but still, it woulda made it more difficult for 'em to hurt people!"

Mei Xiang says, "...but, whatever, he got away."

Eagleheart asks, "Y'know what, Mei?"

Eagleheart says, "I felt guilty."

Eagleheart says, "I felt guilty for being punching someone I felt could be saved."

Eagleheart says, "Even if he doesn't admit it, I felt."

Mei Xiang says, "Oh."
Mei seemed somewhat surprised at his words.
(Mei Xiang)


Eagleheart asks, "... What?"

Mei Xiang says, "...nothin', that makes sense. I just- I dunno. Just felt it would be right if ya didn't worry about hurtin' 'em. He hurt a buncha people 'n caused a lot of trouble."

Mei Xiang says, "I'm not sayin' kill 'em, 'cause he's... redeemable."

Mei Xiang says, "But I wouldn't be afraid to hurt 'em, I think."

Eagleheart says, "... Y'know what."

Eagleheart says, "I need to meditate."