dev 3 - courage and diligence

The trouble just doesn't end.

It's quickly apparent that the figure which was known as the roaming vampire has visited Levengard once more, and Shenlong couldn't help it- of course he had to get between him and whatever potential victim may appear around here, as otherwise someone else might suffer.

And what of him?

He already disregarded his own safety. Too much happened as it is- still, his own purpose was to keep others from harm, even if it meant that the risk would be too much; the ancestral blood of Shenlong stirs, and the sudden arcs of electricity blast the ground right in front of Reaper - he may be young, and fragile comparing to Vampire, but he didn't lack in spirit and courage.

"What do you think you're doing, going around here?"

The volley of electricity appeared as a 'cage' of sort. It began to restrict Vampire's movement, but left enough room to flee, should he choose so- after all, Keitaro mostly relied on getting Reaper out of here, rather than confronting him directly.

He wasn't ready to fight someone like him. Yet...

"Get out of here. It was made clear you're not welcome."
(Keitaro)

Vetani picks up The East Agarthan Alliance.

Reaper was merely running around the outskirts of Levengard, hoping to run into Taiga yet again. While Reaper did emerge victorious in their last bout, there was yet a score to settle - especially so after Reaper had found out that Taiga was the one to murder Salvas - something that the little Dhampir forgot to mention, and that fact alone, changes things.

With Taiga nowhere to be found, Reaper was prepping himself for departure, he held little to no interest in anyone else, after all - but then, just as he was about to depart sudden arcs of electricity blasted the ground right in front of him, causing him to leap backwards. Had he been even one second late with his response, this could've hurt - A LOT.

Soon afterwards, the said electricity formed a cage of some sorts, it was enough to somewhat restrict Reaper's movements, however, it was by no means enough to keep him cages, had he wanted to get out.

A brief sigh escaped his lips as he glanced over his shoulder, directing his gaze to the source of the said magic - and to his surprise, it was just a random teenager.

He pivoted about on his heel, about 180 whole degrees, and directly faced the said teenager.

"I think you're mistaken. No one ever made it clear that I'm not welcome here - the little bout the Dhampir and I had was over personal grudge, and nothing more." - he calmly replied whilst placing his dominant arm over his katana's hilt.
(Reaper)

"Are you honestly this clueless, or do you think I'm so gullible to distract with those words?"

The cage tightens. It should prompt Vampire's reaction soon - whether it's fight or flight, but the time was running thin. Buzzing, humming and ever enclosing against Reaper, the electricity was bent in the most myriad ways, ones that no normal human could possibly be capable of.

No doubt it's his affinity as Shenlong that allows him to bend it in such bizarre ways.

Sparkling with blue colors, Keitaro's eyes remained upon the cage, broadening its ability with a mix of holy magic to it- now it fumed with golden colors as well, no doubt displeasing to the Vampire. While some may or may not be weaker to holy magic, this art combined with fire was always displeasing towards them, even at least to smallest degree - their blood should revolt, reacting to the presence of holy magic like poison in the air.

And Keitaro knew that very well from lessons given.

"I'll say this again."

"Vampires and undead are unwelcome in Levengard. It's in the laws. Nobody has to make it clear to you personally - you should broaden your awareness."

"Now leave."

The overreaching arc of electricity was coming in close; there was no time for Reaper to only stay and chat. While it's possible to utter few words before any reaction is prompted, it was clear that it's intended to shut tight and thus shock the Vampire within.

Unless, he flees out of it.
(Keitaro)

The blank facial expression that Reaper was wearing so far, soon twisted into one of annoyance, and frustration - although that much wouldn't be visible to the naked eye due to the mask that he was wearing.

"Must I really needlessly spill more blood?" - he inquired whilst adjusting his mask with his vacant arm.

It sure was getting annoying. And the longer Reaper stood there, the closer the arcs of electricity came in. At this point, it was merely inches away from Reaper's own body.

And yet, despite it coming in closer, and closer, he simply stood there, seemingly idly.

"Is this thing-.. supposed to scare me?" - he genuinely asked as he extended out his arm and channeled Arcane Magic throughout his extended fist. The chaotic energies that his Arcane Magic gathered were so intense, to the point where one could literally see them with their own eyes; swirling about violently, causing surrounding vegetation to wither, and eventually die completely.

He then, unclenched his fist, and with it a powerful telekinetic blast erupted - causing Keitaro's lightning magic to dissipate, completely.

"I don't think you're in a position to be giving me out orders, child." - he spoke out as black, fog-like matter began to slowly form around his body.

(Reaper)

These similar energies were felt before, and in much greater power - from Fallen Angel himself, no less.

But unlike this encounter, he had allies by his side. Even though that fight was a failure, even if they had to retreat, he knew that backing away from any threat like this would garner him absolutely nothing. It's by facing his fears like this he would become anything at all - and as it stands, he felt like nothing.

Even if he masked that fear, he couldn't help but feel anxious.

"Vile magic. Should've expected."

And yet, the golden flow only intensified; the conjuring arcs of electricity came about stronger this time, taxing on the young Shenlong's circuitry, but no doubt capable. The ground itself began to shake slightly due to constant blasts of bolts that fall down unto the ground, exploding the earth nearby- one could tell that this issimulation of storms, but...

He was doing this with lightning alone.

To compensate for so many other things that lacked... it was too much. Despite the glow of blue in his eyes, despite the confident approach towards Reaper, it was clear at closer examination that this was terribly taxing on him - beads of sweat began to gather at the sides of his head, displaying first signs of fatigue. So quickly, already?

"Then I suppose I'll have to show that I'm not just a child."

Such a noble lie. The imperfect technique was clearly costing Shenlong too much, but the bravery and diligence carried him onward, closer to Reaper, closer to suffocate him in the golden lightning. Even if it would cost him his own health.

It was now or never.
(Keitaro)

Reaper fixed his malevolent, sanguine gaze upon the youngling who appeared to be all too confident.
Was it all a façade? Or did he really have the skill to back his words up?
Even full-fledged adult magis would shudder in fear after having seen Reaper's demonstration of Arcane Magic.

He squinted as he tightened his grip over the katana's hilt, a sinister wry meanwhile spreading across his face - he was excited. Perhaps Keitaro was really that skilled? If so, this could be a great way for Reaper to spend his time. He had nothing better to do, anyway. And combat was the sole thing he actually enjoyed nowadays.

While most of his attention was directed to the lightning magi, his sanguine gaze occasionally wandered off and scanned his surroundings.
He began to notice a lot of movement within Levengard, were everyone already waking up?

While facing Keitaro would've been amusing, facing a whole group of magis would most likely prove to be a deadly experience, even for Reaper.

"Interesting. It seems like it'd be a bad idea for me to stick around any longer - and do not mistake my intent, it's not because of you.
Therefore, I shall take my leave, for the time being. I'll come back at a later time to play around with you a bit, though. Then, we'll see exactly how skilled you are."

The previously mentioned black, fog-like matter continued to seep out from Reaper's body; it swirled and surged violently until it enshrouded him completely, subsequently transforming his physical body into the very same substance.
Reaper took on a phantom-like shape, which was coated and wrapped in the said black fog-like matter.

Using that very form, he zipped across the grassy landscape, moving at an astonishing speed, until he was no longer within Keitaro's line of sight.

His voice, however, stillechoed within Keitaro's vicinity, as if he was still there, but simply unseen.

"Worry not. I'll be back to play around with you." - and with that, every trace of Reaper's existence, disappeared.

(Reaper)

One could say it's insane for someone like Keitaro to even consider saying such things to a Vampire.

He wasn't even of age, and yet dared himself to do just that; though, it's not mostly due to overwhelming skill, or anything like that. It's mostly because Keitaro had very little regard to his own well-being, somewhere deep inside. Whatever caused that attitude to appear?

The swirling mass of Arcane energies and the dark fog could cause anyone to be afraid, and Shenlong was no exception; though, he swallowed that fear and pressed on. Nobody was in sight when all of this started, and Keitaro took it upon himself to chase out the Vampire, even if it would be gravely dangerous to do so.

Even if, in reality, he wasn't the greatest reason.

With apparent disappearance of the Vampire, his eyes widened and the arcs of electricity spread out, forming a broader, much more dangerous cage that was roaring with might of lightning within it; the taxing on Keitaro's mana was immense, and every second he was doing it, signs of fatigue were settling in. He merely endured.

"GET BACK HERE!"

He shouted after he heard the final words etch onto his mind, but it seems he was shouting to nothingness; confused, and unaware of where Vampire had gone, or how, the cages of electricity were discharged in the burst of lightning, shocking everything in surrounding area. Leaves scorched, grass blackened, all in hopes that he could maybe hit the Vampire, but...

It's in vain. He's gone.

The Shenlong exhaled. Was any of this even wise to do? Shouldn't he stall time for someone else to arrive, someone who could actually take Reaper on confidently? Maybe. He didn't want to think of it though.

With a huff, he turned and began to walk away.
(Keitaro)