dev 11 - fight with adrian

As far away as they could.

None of these news were particularly easy to ingest, but Keitaro just learned to cope with it eventually. Still, he had a degree of concern - but not for anyone else out there, rather for his own well-being and how much telling Adrian such things would actually impact him.

After all, it can cost him a lot.

"Adrian."

"Before I begin, I need you to promise me something. You will not go around and tattle to everyone about what I told you here."

"And if they ask? You will simply tell them that I asked you not to. That's it. End of a story."

A pause. The Shenlong seemed as serious as ever about it; his gaze considerably darkens, turning to look upon the other dragon briefly. He was gauging his reaction to that.

"If you're about to say no, I'll call it a day and walk away."

"I'll need that promise before I say anything else."
(Keitaro)

Moving his hands up behind his head, he keeps his back to the ocean for now. Slites turn to focus on Keitaro, completely curious about what he was about to actually say.

''I can promise I won't tell anyone else, but that's all I can promise. Not to say a word to them, or anyone for that matter.''

Imagine using the excuse of his simple request of not wanting him to say what he said, did he really think people would settle for that? Adrian just waves a dismissive hand, huffing. ''I'll think of something.''

There was no need to stall though, the quicker things got said and done-- The better.

''But get on with it Keitaro, tell me what's so secret that I can't tell anyone else. Make it quick too, not to be rude-- But this isn't how I plan to spend your sudden appearance. We need to remove your collar.''
(Adrian Rowan)

"Don't be so quick to think of removing my collar... you might change your mind very soon."

A glance elsewhere, somewhere to the ocean before them. His lips purse; even if he wished to burn all bridges that held him to Levengard and all those that he ever cared about, he was one of the bridges that he could not burn so easily. Not entirely.

"I had to swear loyalty to Ashalle to save Hirai brothers."

He pauses. That line alone could say so many things... but before Adrian would suggest something akin to simply running away, he glanced towards Adrian once again.

"I cannot remove the collar. She will kill them if it gets removed. But beside that point--"

"I'm going to be studying what Ashalle has to teach me regarding elemental attuning. And... don't even think about talking me back away from it. I'm tired of being a nobody that anyone can just thrash away as they like. I'm tired of being so powerless."

"I'm going to conquer the heavens above us, Adrian. I will free humanity from their woes and I will stop bloodshed - my own way. With that said..."

"I'm not participating in war. At least, not yet. A lot changed in my plans, and I'll let things play out as they go."

This sounded nothing like Keitaro that he knew. But... maybe deep inside, that old Keitaro has already died, and all that Adrian sees is the Shenlong before him - just Shenlong, not Keitaro he had known.

"Rest assured, I can still go outside of Briar for purposes of learning, but I'm not planning to back away on the promise I made. Even if I were to selfishly do so, Hirai brothers will die for that."

He pauses.

"Before I get any further, do you have any questions?"
(Keitaro)

''I don't think I am going to change my mind, Keitaro.''

His words only cause the Dragons wings to stretch out, an odd feeling of need stretching over his very soul. That essence of greed taking it's hold, like a ghostly hand had just tightened it's grip around his neck. But that simply amplified his normal reaction, as he turns to face Keitaro.

''The Hirai twins are Gehenna's problem, they left on their own accord and got washed up in their own situation. They are not my problem, Keitaro. You are my problem because you moved out on your own when I was handling things-- And you got captured under my watchful eye.

And now you are here in front of me, preaching about how Ashalle is going to open your mind so you can tear apart the heavens. But you are simply a boat at sea and this is my ocean. You've made the turn to come here, and I shall reclaim you to the sea.''

Tapping his jaw, it seemed Adrian was very serious about this too. He did not care for the fate of the Hirai twins. One had screamed at Ashalle when he fought her for the toll price, and the other was so distant and gone-- He hasn't spoken to them in over a year.

''This is Levengard, and surely you remember what I told you? I am selfish, and you become my problem when you walked into those caves. So now, even if you don't like it... I am going to keep you here and even throw you in jail if I have to.

Returning to Briar Locke isn't healthy, it doesn't help us or yourself-- or anyone. That woman is a disgusting insect ridden hive, that needs to be burnt to nothing but dead bugs. And I think she must've put a worm in your brain or something.''

Clicking his tongue, platinum slits turn away from Keitaro for a moment. ''So now I am going to give you a choice, to comply or be humiliated by becoming a prisoner for your own city. You were captured, you were hurt. Do not tell me you've gone back to your ways of feeling sorry for yourself. I honestly can't stand it.''
(Adrian Rowan)

This was somewhat expected. While Adrian were to simply tell about Keitaro feeling sorry about himself... he didn't see it that way. It was only a desire to become something better than those other viewed him as.

"Do not fucking patronize me like I'm your property."

A low pitched growl. He may be wounded, and he may be weaker... but in the end, it was his own choice. In the end, Adrian wasn't willing to accept it, but Keitaro wasn't going to just let himself be handled like that.

"You, of all people, should understand that this is my choice. I don't fucking want you to feel sorry for me or make decisions for me. I want to become something greater. That's all there is to it."

"And you better respect that choice, if our friendship means anything to you whatsoever."

In truth, the Shenlong didn't enjoy any of this, and to some degree, he was growing somewhat... hostile to the proposition of simply being captured. He may not care about Hirai brothers - but Keitaro did.

"These are not your fates to rule, Adrian Rowan."

"My choice is to let Ashalle pass her mastery with magic to me, and then use her knowledge for purpose entirely different. My choice is to save Hirai brothers on that path, and my choice is to never feel sorry for myself, ever again."

A huff. Even now, partially, that anger still remained in him, but...

"I'm not going to let others rule my fate. I've had enough of that."

"Don't stand in my way, Adrian. Just don't."
(Keitaro)

''Hmm?''

A slow exhale is made, as the air becomes thick. The winds pick up, as even the sea seems to become violent behind him. Smacking against Agartha, threatening to swallow some of its earth back into the sea.

But them slits turn onto Keitaro, as the temperature drops low. Each breath becomes icy and cold, similar to how he looked directly at Keitaro right now. Tired eyes, as icy wings, swish to send wind dancing around them for a moment.

''You are wrong, Keitaro. If you got captured on your own, it wouldn't be my problem. But you got captured under my watch, you walked in when no one called for you. I was unable to protect-- And now I will do what I couldn't. I will claim you because you simply are my property.

Is that so hard to understand? You hung at my waist for so long, and now you want to eat the leftovers from a disgusting woman? How sad... The fact you are so desperately reaching for reason and strength is feeling sorry for yourself.''

Sharp nails are moved up, as he looks over the tips. Moving them to his neck, he gently taps it against his skin. Tilting his head back, those eyes fall on Keitaro again.

''Your fate was in my hands when you stepped in on my business. So now you'll be forced to do something you don't like, while those twins suffer a fate they walked into on their own.

I'll give you a choice to come nicely again, Keitaro. Do you really want to give me trouble before I have to fight in the war? That would be very evil... Not something a hero should do. Gehenna should give up their own people for the twins, but you aren't on the table for trading sadly.

What can you even do with that collar on?''
(Adrian Rowan)

This... brought a certain desperation to Keitaro's mind. To hear that the only person he still saw as a friend would treat him that way, all for personal reasons. His shark teeth were gritting, the nails forming into claws akin to a dragon.

"THERE IS NO HERO."

He shouted at the top of his lungs. He was so tired of this title... so tired of people telling him what he has to do. Of all people, to think that Pride had offered him freedom that no one else would - the freedom to be himself and be selfish in his own right. It's something that he had to learn the hard way, but learn nonetheless.

"You were fucking late, Adrian."

"If I didn't make the choices I made, I'd be long time dead. You keep saying like I'm your property or your responsibility - but it is MY EFFORTS that kept me alive for so long. It's MY EFFORTS that got me out of Briar. It's all mine!"

"And you didn't do jackshit to fucking save me!"

He turns. He may have a collar on, and he might be injured, but... the lightning still surged through him, potent in its own right. Though, he knew distinctly his own disadvantage here. He knew he would not fight as efficiently, but that didn't stop him from stepping up.

"I would be dead for over three times. THREE TIMES, ADRIAN. Where were you? Pompously strutting around, pretending like you have control over anything?!"

"YOU CONTROL NOTHING."

All of this only angered the Shenlong. To hear that Adrian viewed him as someone inferior, someone weaker, and yet refusing him to be on his own path to become stronger... it's almost like he was keeping him down on purpose.

"I will say this again."
"One. Last. Time."

A pause.

"Do not stand in my way. Do not stop me from becoming better."


(Keitaro)

Moving a finger up, he pushes it into his ear and twists. Wrinkling his nose, he clearly didn't enjoy the shouting right in his ear. A rather mocking gesture.

''You are right, there is no hero.''

He laughs, oddly. It was just funny to him, this entire situation. To think he was being shouted at, about how he was doing nothing.

''You do realize, the only reason you are alive, to begin with, is because they wanted to provoke me. I sent letters to them and they sent it back. Did you want me to run over and come fight in Briar Locke beside you?

No, I didn't give in to their demands because I knew they wouldn't just kill you. A corpse is worthless to them, but maybe you didn't think that far ahead? So self-consumed in sorrow and pitty, that you actually convinced yourself nothing was going to happen.

Didn't you?''

The cold only gets worse, enough to make anyone unprepared tremble. As his tall form takes it's full height, wings spread out behind his back. Turning fully to face Keitaro, the ocean's wrath only grows worse... Even crashing hard enough to send particles of water up onto the grass below, the grass now turning to ice.

''You are an object to them, used against me. But now they realize it's not working, they are trying to twist you. And look at you? It's working well, just how weak is your will?''

Not anger, not sorrow. Sheer disappointment as those slits glare down at the Shenlong Dragon. ''You only stopped yourself from becoming better, time and time again. You've dropped low, and you keep sinking. You'll never reach the clouds like this, you'll just be another sunken ship.

You let too many things consume you, be it jealousy or even pity. I tried hard to pick you back up, but you kept falling on yourself. And now, I don't think I even want you anymore. So desperate to cling to a woman like Ashalle because she whispered sweet nothings in your ear? Please, save me the drama and display.''

His staff is promptly removed from his back, twirling around his fingers. The bottom is lightly pressed against icy earth, while flames slowly begin to grow over his horns.

The sea increases, even moving up to flood the ground below. A single puddle made around Adrian's feet before the ocean grows around him. Not one, not two. But three large necks begin to form from water, stretching out from his body.

''Sound's like you won't come here, and if you keep talking like this while locked up... You'll become a danger to yourself and other people. As your friend, I am going to drown you until you lose consciousness.''

Three large heads in the shape of hydras, as Adrian acts as it's body. They threaten to expand and get worse. Any attacks dealt seem to only make things quicker and worse too.

''Last chance to roll over, like the good dog you've always been.''
(Adrian Rowan)

"Cling?"

The mere thought offended him. In his eyes, this was precisely to actually improve upon his station - and eventually become something better through sheer strength. As it stands, he was nowhere close to actually reaching the heights of people beside him... and that was eating him away from the inside.

"You say that, but you keep speaking about keeping me below yourself, just to satisfy your ego. Somehow, you think that I'm inferior to you - that I should have a place below yours, that I don't deserve anything better."

"Maybe you were one of the people that just kept me down all along."

The fact that he no longer wanted him hardly bothered Keitaro. He could tell that he's being provoked, but... it's not the prodding at their relationship that really bothered him, it's the fact that Adrian so utterly disrespected his own worth. That he couldnot stand for.

"I've had enough of this."

"I've had enough of others telling me what to do, and I've had enough of your insults. I may be wounded and weakened, but-"

The electricity sparks up within and around him. He wouldn't simply roll over and let any of this happen. No... his dignity can't allow that.

"You'll get what you asked for."

A single leap, and the lightning surges- it intends to strike against Adrian, swift and powerful in its own right.

The time for talk was over.
(Keitaro)

This was more than just a simple fight.

To Keitaro, this was a test of his own worth. It was something that he needed to prove... that he wasn't just a simple nobody anymore. That he was more than just something to be shadowed by Adrian or by anyone else out there. The rage against such matters fuelled him.

"I TOLD YOU WHAT WOULD HAPPEN!"

Again and again, he rages against the flames and the ice of another Drakanite. Even now, he cannot help but wonder... where and when did it all go so wrong? Why are they fighting like this? Once upon a time, they were such close friends... but that thought is clouded by the sheer anger he feels for the words that Adrian had said.

At times, it was all too difficult.

The flames were scorching, and the winds were cutting against his flesh; with the wound he harboured, it's a miracle of willpower as to how he could still stand - but he called upon his ancestral blood, again and again, all to strike true. The grass below was painted crimson, and the lightning made everything so much more blinding...

For a moment, Keitaro almost felt himself give up.

"STOP DECIDING FOR ME!"

A strike, palmed thunder in his hand, and the embodiment of sheer lightning came at him- this was the very young man that sought to defy the heavens and conquer them, all for the purpose of humanity alone. In the past, this would not be possible. But now?

Now he's something different.

It hurts. It hurts so much. Keitaro almost reaches Adrian's heart with the push, almost pierces his lungs, but- something snaps in Shenlong's mind, and where his hand sought to burrow in Adrian's chest and end this quickly, perhaps even injure him greatly, he stopped.

Quickly, he rose up over Adrian.

The breath was ragged. This was close, so terribly close... but he made it. He stared at Adrian, and the whispers quietly carried themselves across the field that once was their zone for battle.

"Do not come at me with this again."

"For the sake of what we shared - don't. Let me do me."

Please.
(Keitaro)