dev 9 - fight with niklaus

Niklaus Rowan says, "Mmh."

Niklaus Rowan says, "Is the conversation done? Don't want to be rude."

Arthur Rowan says, "Yes. It's done."

Arthur Rowan says, "If you wanted to do that now, let's go, Niklaus."
And thus, they'd head to the fields. This was a place he had spent a good amount of time in youth and otherwise trying to hone and perfect what he was doing. He had managed to, finally, dance with whatever devils he had beforehand, too. Theodore had become someone he could contend with, Zen, Cameron, Dyle, Adriel, Taiga-- memories, so many memories that touched his mind.

At his feet, the grass began to wither, practically wilting beneath of his magic's embrace as the water was collected from the ground and from the air to begin spinning around him. A holy glow touched against the water there around his form as he drew in a short breath.

He wanted to contend with the man who gave him life. For himself, to be able to say that he could.

So, centering himself now, he would dig a foot against the ground as he prepared himself.

"Come."

Ah, very well then.
(Niklaus Rowan)

There's a big reason as to why Arthur survived this far - and Niklaus was about to see it.

In combination to the Necromantic energy he was in possession of, the lightning drew around him, pulling in the shadows and dark, if only to paint him dark blue- it's a protective barrier, upon which the Lich felt like at home. So much power amassed over all these years, and yet always more that he could always get.

Perhaps, that is why people fight him, afraid of his final ascension.

A small clench. Immediately, bodyguards spring up to action; like dolls manipulated by their puppeteer, each movement, each action was directed by Arthur. A perfect symphony, a perfect teamwork, one that was coordinated by the Lich King himself.

There's no doubt that Niklaus had a challenge before himself.

"You're bold, just like your mother."

"It's a shame she often loses to me. Let's see if youwill be different."
(Arthur Rowan)

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Taiga Voss is now observing Arthur Rowan

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While Niklaus had only heard and seen his father's power, now he felt it.

The domain over lightning, ice, water, blood, the Arcane, storms, and so much more... what came as surprise to many fighters as to how many things Arthur was in control of, now it crashed upon Niklaus; the attacks were ruthless, seeking to knock him off his feet by powerful winds and storms, if only to pack the place full of lightning. There's no doubt that he always had to be on the move if he even wanted to think of winning.

It didn't help that his bodyguards always sought to undercut his efforts.

But the Lich King had no qualms with harming his son- albeit superficially- if it meant for him to become something better, or learn something new. There was no emotion, no hesitation with each blast of ice and lightning flung upon him; enough to wound and hurt him, but not enough to cripple him.

Perhaps they'dbeen equal in lightning, the Lich had more trickery up his sleeve, and the sudden blast of Arcane combined with shredding winds had caught him. A moment of blackout, a moment when everything seemed to fade...

And Niklaus finds himself on the ground, with multiple undead holding swords to his throat, and several more aiming their bows. He'd lost.

"You're dismissed." - an obvious command to the undead, and they stepped aside from an heir of the Lich.

"Could be better. At least, you don't fall apart like most do."
(Arthur Rowan)

Feeling it was more than just hearing about it, that was an absolute certainty. Lightning crashed all around the area, and teeth clench together as he tries to manage the multiple bodies that had surrounded him. It was definitely nothing that he had fought, the raw power of the Arcane and more aiding his attacks.

Yet, Niklaus Rowan had no problem throwing himself against the grindstone. He couldn't stay weak, he wouldn't stay weak. It was what he would repeatedly tell himself above all else.

Water would crash, flushing out the likes of the undead that had come his way harshly. Spending too much time with divided attention, however, had caused him to miss the points that needed to be touched upon.

Caught harshly and dragged down to the ground, he'd give an audible growl outwards as the undead took their aim in his direction.

"...I'm not ever going to fall apart."

He's worn, but he stands upwards, the moisture clinging to his face as he felt the superficial burns and wounds beginning to heal over, and it was very much visible.

"I'm not going to be a pushover. Again."

...Yes, he burned. He held that passion. He refused to stay down for the count, and his demands were filled with clear and bruised pride.

He had to do better than this.
(Niklaus Rowan)

This almost reminded him of younger years.

Back then, in Academy, when he was just a young man who had a struggle catching up to the others. And now, his own son, training against his father - but unable to catch up just yet. With years, it would certainly change, but could they really afford to wait years with how shifty and chaotic Agartha is?

"It is good that your spirit isn't so easily broken. I would be disappointed in you otherwise."

Losing a battle is one thing, but losing the spirit is equal to losing the war. It is exactly that determined spirit of Dawn that caused Vampires to surrender in the early wars, that brought Arthur this far in his life, and now something that he wishes to instil upon his children.

Easier to do if they wish for it.

"Wish to try again?"
(Arthur Rowan)

A breath leaves him as he stands up straight and tall, a stern nod given.

"Yes, I do."

Perhaps due to the fact that he was basically a wild animal or otherwise, he wasn't going to stop. Not until he grew better, not until he did better.

Accepting any less was accepting your shortcomings, and he wasn't going to do that.
(Niklaus Rowan)

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Taiga Voss is now observing Arthur Rowan

Superiority in all of ranged combat.

There was no rivalry for Lich King, with so much bombardment of lightning, ice spikes and much more that was flung towards Niklaus; the ever persistent shroud of lightning protected him from invasive maneuvers that would otherwise harm Arthur, causing much of younger Rowan's attacks to be less effective than he expected them to be.

To his disappointment.

This time, it ended differently. A blast of Arcane, a spike of ice, and the scrapped Rowan was forced to the distance- except, where he thought he'd be safe, a sudden bolt of lightning was brought upon him, and shocked him to his very core - albeit, briefly, to not actually cripple or kill him.

The training against Lich King may be tough, but he would not go this far.

Still, he watched his son go down in shock. The flickering blue eyes of a skeleton surfaced behind the mask, and it's not too long until he spoke.

"Almost. Slightly better than last time."
(Arthur Rowan)

And it seemed that they had managed to accrue an audience much to his chagrin.

Even then, the youngest Rowan a lot to do, a lot to prove. Yet, each time he came just short of the goal in mind. It was like trying to reckon with unstoppable forces when he found himself gripped in tight by ice and blasted with the likes of Arcane magic.

It was very much stressful, but none so stressful as when he was slammed to the ground, a jolt sent through his system by the lightning that had been sent his direction.

Still, though-- through it all, he'd shift as his muscles trembled, a panting leaving his lips as he dragged his form upwards. Slightly better still wasn't good enough, and one could see it as he staggered to his feet, turning to face his father again.

Embarrassing to lose when both his mother and Taiga were here.

...Fuck.
(Niklaus Rowan)

With that being done, the Lich King merely walked past Niklaus; he would not embarrass his son further by assisting him, for he knew that he was very much capable of that on his own. And what is helping others in something they can do on their own, other than weakening them?

"Perhaps you'll fulfil this goal in the future."

A stride headed towards tower, and the bodyguards followed in tow, like they always do. For now, it was over.
(Arthur Rowan)