chaos 14 - fight vs verdict

Arthur Rowan says, "Surprised to see him here."


Ludovic Grauhimmel says, "Eh..."

Bei Rowan says, "Mhn."
Though the chill of winter was a very distant threat, the corvid that perched upon the Archon's shoulder was swift to relocate. Sort of.

To avoid the occasional updraft of winds that bellowed faintly through the cavern, it found itself nestling closer to Verdict, much to his probably discomfort.

It wasn't so much 'nestling' as it was a clear invasion of the creature's personal bubble, though. Annoyingly, it wedged itself between the crook of his shoulder and his neck. It did not enjoy even the slightest bit of cold.
(Raven)

"Ah, wow. A whole party of people."

The Archon looked them over a few times, watching Arthur and Bei particularly- not out of any specific spite for the other two, mind, but more because he'd already seen enough of Farin and Ludovic to recognize them on sight. They were...

Friends. Companions, perhaps?

Now, though, more like technical enemies, regardless of bonds. The demon thus flickered with Hellstorm, prepared, idly so, for what might come.

"What brings my newest Challenger to the caves?" he inquired curiously, watching the Rowans. "You hunt, I presume. Though I doubt you expected to find me."

He cradled the Raven as it apparently desired, shielding it from- attention, perhaps.

"I too hunt, though not for such large prey."
(Verdict)

"For you."

Both tone and the mood of the Rowan have drastically changed. No longer wishing to be the welcoming or enlightening man, he's grown terribly weary of postponing anything whatsoever- be it the fight with the others, or a simple business that he's had with others to be done.

"You picked a wrong side."

"Cruxati have allied themselves with Huangzhou, whom in return want all Demons to die. Perhaps in another life I could even give you refuge, considering that Huangzhou are being insufferable dogs now, but--"

"-- you wasted that chance."

A simple movement, and the staff is drawn.

"I'll give you two- no, three options here."

"One, you're coming locked up with us - which I sincerely doubt you'd take, and we'll see what Leland has to say about giving up his pursuit."

"Second, face off against me, one on one. I give no promises what's going to happen to you, should you appear in our hands after all."

"Third, try to run and... I won't give you the luxury of a reasonable challenge. Whoever catches you gets to bite you."

"Pick."
(Arthur Rowan)


 "Coming into our caverns to look for our people, I presume?" She questions, slowly beginning to tilt her head- her fingertips beginning to trail carefully towards the pommel of her blade...The draconic slits within her gaze narrowing into fine daggers. As twisted as this situation could possibly become...Even she feels a strange smile beginning to appear upon her features. "If you wanted a challenger, all you had to do was ask. There's plenty of space and opportunity in those plains to our right...And yet, you subject yourself to what the vampires must do." She tuts softly.

 "Resulting in those tactics almost seems rather low of you, especially, considering your own stature. However, I'll admit...We weren't looking for you. We were actually going elsewhere with our party." Her smile falters, the knuckles that wrap around the pommel of her blade beginning to whiten...The color surrounding the area becoming faint, slowly...

 "Although, you're right. The lot of us would be rather...Much for you." She says, her smile faltering briefly. "So, choose- which one shall it be, Verdict?"
(Bei Rowan)

"What, should I pick Ludovic or Farin for the easy way out?" the Archon suggested with a meager snicker, looking towards the two jokingly. Clearly, it was a friendly attitude toward the two- but not one that asked for forgiveness, nor for favors. Instead, Hellstorm flickered more viciously.

Apparently, the demon leapt at the opportunity for battle- even if he was injured and rather... downtrodden.

"No, no, I do not flee from things such as this," Verdict replied shortly. "Perhaps if you were opting to have all of you fight me- but you are not Huangzhou, yes? A duel is one I can enjoy, without the pressure of... fleeing."

A smoke bomb was tossed up and down in his hand for a few moments before being pocketed.

"Besides. There is no reason for such sincerity, Arthur and Bei Rowan- you are my Challengers, Arthur more by extension but a Challenger no less." Verdict paused, blinking across the gap in the cave flooring. "I never fled from Ithaca Blackwater. I instigated against Tragedy."

"And despite my wound..."

The Archon tilted his head down toward the gaping gash across his chest, which still leaking essence of Death and destruction.

"I greet you with a handshake, aforementioned Challenger," Verdict proclaimed, offering a hand to Arthur. "Now. Do you prefer the plains, or this cave? I don't mind either, though I think there's likely a preference for you."

"War is war. War is an opportunity for me to battle the greatest. It is a privilege, and not one I intend to besmirch by fleeing from a Challenge."
(Verdict)

He snorts.

Really, he doesn't have much of a concern for the Fox. In fact, he hadn't stepped towards Tragedy for no reason at all. While primarily for the safety of keeping Kestrel alright, it was also the feelings of comaraderie between them from their past.

''With how you are now? I'm not sure it'd be fair, En.'' He jests in return. It was obvious that he would battle Arthur, or Bei over them. And Farin was not going to stand in the way of that.

Besides. If left to him, and he -did- happen to come out the victor. There was nothing to even assume he would be perfectly willing to just hand over the demon like a play-thing.

As Ludovic had shown, and Farin had displayed many times in the past. Their kind, the beastkin, were rather possessive of things that they enjoyed. Even in times of war. Could he claim Enmerkar, or Verdict as he so liked to go by lately, was acting out of malice?

''It seems like you're up, Arthur.''


(Farin Wray)

Day by day, things that made him what he is were vanishing one after another.

Bloodlust. Hatred. Desire to ascend. Feelings such as those were taking more and more from Rowan with passing time, and when the opportunity to combat against Verdict presented itself, he wouldn't pass that up, no- despite knowing how some Archons are capable of being quite powerful, there's not even the slightest hint of anxiety.

The past was brushed off and forgotten.

"Save your handshake. You're still responsible for the injury of my wife."

"Plains. Let's go."

While he turned to walk towards the exit, inevitably, he'd still peer at Verdict. Who knows what sort of trickery he may or may not pull off? He was never really keen on trusting Demons, anyhow.
(Arthur Rowan)




Cavern

 The maze-like caverns of the mountains of Agartha are difficult to navigate, and as dark as a starless sky.






Forest

 The forest is ancient, its trees thick and old, with twisted roots. It's had a millenia of growth absent of the lumberjack's axe hacking away of it, and the light above barely shimmers through the thick canopy of leaves.



Raven perches on top of Farin's head. Comfy.
(Raven)


Ludovic Grauhimmel says, "It's going to poop on you."
Farin blinks. His gaze shoots up immediately at Ludovic's words, but otherwise he doesn't mess with the bird.
(Farin Wray)


Farin Wray says, "It's fine."

Ludovic Grauhimmel says, "To poop on you? Understood."

Farin Wray says, "Not to do that, no. The bird itself is fine."

Farin Wray says, "Stop trying to shoulder your interests on me, fox."

Ludovic Grauhimmel says, "Yeah, right."
Raven looks between the two, its head swiveling.
(Raven)


Ludovic Grauhimmel says, "I need to start cultivating these parts.."

Farin Wray says, "You need to wait until we cleanse them. The heart is yours to do what you please with."
The moment they arrived, Arthur's bodyguards were summoned to his aid- he'd expect the Demon to summon the lesser of his kind for assistance too, and besides, none of them matched the power of magi, so there was little relevance of those.

Instead, the scarlet eyes were locked upon Verdict; tired, but furious. It's the odd mix of silent anger that was brewing inside him all the time, and the weariness that was caused both by the Chaotic influence and the recent treacheries - all of such betrayals, after all, left scars on his heart, and that caused him to be less and less merciful.

'Take him.'
'No, kill him.'
'He's Chieftain's pawn.'

That and so many thoughts, some not his own, coursed through his mind as the Storm's lightning began to cross his body. His gaze furrowed, focused upon Archon entirely, before a quiet "Silence." escaped his mouth.

"I've heard a lot of praise to Archons, and yet the likes of Shiva disappointed me. She was only powerful at first, before she became utterly useless in what she does."

"And so she's been defeated by me, everytime we fought. Let's see what you're worth."

A crackle, a thunder, and Adjudicator was ready to launch his attacks at any moment.
(Arthur Rowan)


Farin Wray says, "But the bones and scales, leave those for the ritual."
Ludovic Grauhimmel drops Bone Of The Raksha x2.

Ludovic Grauhimmel picks up Bone Of The Raksha x2.

"I too have defeated Shiva," the Archon refuted. "She deemed me the 'next vessel of the Arcane'. I then fought Tragedy and lost. Perhaps a faulty description of my future- perhaps I have no future. Either way, Archon Shiva was flawed."

"I will tell you in confidence, Arthur Rowan, that I am not Archon Shiva."

Hellstorm flashed to life. It wasn't as vicious before; before, it was mere static, a gentle crackling around his figure in comparison to the sheer magnitude of electricity he called forward. His wound in his chest ached, untreated and unfixed- but even so, Verdict behaved...

Well. As honorably as one could in this situation, to be sure. He was the prey here, and he knew as much. Verdict stood proud regardless, wincing only when Tragedy's lingering Death sought to take him down a notch. Lightning thundered from the heavens as Arthur summoned it himself-

And where clouds parted to reveal a wicked storm, they too parted to reveal a wicked hell, both intermixing into a violent combination of destructive lightning.

"I await your first move eagerly, Challenger. Show me what it means to be a Rowan."
(Verdict)

Farin returns his attention from the fox at his side, to the one battling in the fields. There still was the uncertain emotion of curiosity running through his body.

At himself, over this. But, then again. He had already made it known just what his stance on this whole thing had been. At least, when it came to certain factors.

If Enmerkar was captured, he most certainly wouldn't be treated kindly. But, as is the way he prefers to live his life. Farin wouldn't say much of anything.

''Well. Who will you root for, Ludovic?''
(Farin Wray)

Bei Rowan is now observing Verdict

Farin Wray is now observing Arthur Rowan

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Ludovic Grauhimmel is now observing Arthur Rowan

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Bei Rowan is now observing Arthur Rowan

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Verdict has rolled 3 or over: they may escape capture attempts (unless otherwise specified)!

No matter whether the Archon was injured or not, Arthur knew very well of just how much these Demons are capable of, so there was no restraint or holding back- where Verdict sought to struck Rowan as hard as he can with the palm of lightning, instead, he was met with the freezing ice and the shredding winds. It's only fair that in return Adjudicator would hurt him as much as possible.

Perhaps it's his own alignment to Storm, or perhaps it was a stroke of luck, but Arthur was able to withstand the pressure offered by Verdict, just enough in order to survive - and enough to defeat him after all, as the countless streams of his own bolts were flung his way.

It stopped being graceful. It's rage, brutal, each hit delivered with intent to take him down.

Eventually, when Verdict sought to take down the Rowan with the bolt of lightning, it was returned by establishing the waterflow between him and the Archon-as careless as he's grown, the desperate and almost suicidal tactics is what both scared Cruxati Chieftain and allowed him to take the victory.

In a moment, the bolt passing to Rowan, then through him, and then back to Verdict with the whip of water and blood shocked the Archon.

In a sense, Verdict was defeated with his own weaponry, through Arthur's mastery at redirection... but at what cost? He slumped down on a single knee, the steam coming off his form- he tried to move a muscle to pursue the blasted Archon, but it was all too much.

Perhaps if he'd stayed, there would be a chance. But only a madman would do that, right?

"Hhhhh… Remember this... Verdict."

"With him, you will die. With him, you will be nothing. With him, you will never ascend."

"Prepare for Huangzhou's treachery to get to you. They already refuse to aid Cruxati. It's only a matter of time."

As much as he'd try to speak further, the lack of strength was getting to him. Slowly, but steadily, he put effort to rise on his feet despite being shocked so much.

It's his chance to escape.
(Arthur Rowan)

It was a vicious fight between two master lightning magi.

But, as it happened, Arthur was more experienced. More creative. A fair bit more suicidal, too, and unrestrained. Verdict acted with hesitation here and there, attempting to avoid any conflict that was deemed entirely unnecessary...

But the Rowan?

The Rowan charged. Whip, beam, whip, telekinesis, beam, whip. Over and over again. Even if the Archon managed to dodge or reflect or endure, it inevitably came back to bite him in the ass. And eventually, even his own electricity would be used against him.

When his piercing strike connected with Arthur, it seemed to kill at first- but the Rowan was underestimated. Shortly after, it coursed back through the human and hit Verdict himself instead. It was an instantaneous blow, but far more than enough to knock the demon aside... and to scorch his entire figure.

He was laden in char and burn, covered head-to-toe with the evidence of the self-inflicted 'wound'. And even as Arthur fell to the weakness imposed upon him by such a redirection, Verdict found himself largely stunned. It took a second or two to regain control of his body, and to watch as his flesh knitted together over the center mark.

A gift from Leland, perhaps.

"Y- You are a creative m- mage, Arthur Rowan," the Archon stammered, holding his head. Truly, a demon's own element was its greatest pain. A hand raised to the left, aimed at the Raven to the north- attempting to call it over. "I.. Impressive. I look forward to our next battle."

"Trust that your s- skepticism of Xiuhcoatl is... f- fair. And understood. I will think on it," Verdict called, his voice regaining some of its volume. Hellstorm bubbled to the surface of his skin, failing to achieve the usual appearance of crackled lightning. Instead?

His teleportation indicator was almost confused, frying the grass below and opening the clouds as he prepared. If your name was Raven, it was probably best to get to him immediately.

"We will talk again s- soon. And not in battle."
"Farewell, Challengers."
(Verdict)

Farin's head of hair had served its purpose as the bird's nest for long enough-- and fortunately for him? He did not suffer the fate that Ludovic said he might.

He would find his hair a ruffled mess, though. As the corvid picked itself up, its talons pried a little annoyingly at the locks that entangled its feet. "'Ullo!" It cawed. An apology, maybe? A farewell? An all too late greeting? It was hard to tell.

But with the Archon's arm presented, the sudden flapping of its wings sent it propelling off of Farin's noggin in a furious flutter, and in the blink of an eye, it came to a landing halt upon the creature's arm lest someone actually sought to stop the measly bird in its tracks.

If not? Talons squeezed, clinging for dear life upon the demon's arm.
(Raven)

Well.

He doesn't suppose he'll have a bird perched upon his head for much longer considering Enmerkar had found himself at the suffering end of defeat. Though, there seemed to be no dangerous wounds to worry about, or injuries to tend to more than he already had.

Farin tilts his head and folds his arms over his chest. So, that was a good thing, he considered. But his words do drag out some contemplation from the Ookami. A wonder about it all.

Soon, to talk? Without combat?

A wince as his silvery white locks get clumped into talons before the bird is ejected of its own volition. A groan as he threatens to straighten the hair. Slashes, cuts? On his scalp? If there were any, they'd heal by the morning. Nothing to concern himself with at the time.

''Damn birds.''

But he does curse that bird the heck out!

"See you, En.''


(Farin Wray)

Inhale. Exhale.

It took Arthur quite a moment to restore his strength after such redirection, but eventually, the Adjudicator was rising to his feet. He was formidable enough to still attempt to pursue Verdict, provided he actually stayed around for long enough, but--

-- as expected, he did not. It would be foolish on his part to do so.

By the time he's recovered enough to run, it was all too late. He already knew that he won't reach him in time by the time he would be able to vanish away, and instead, he just stood there, his hand holding onto side where he was struck by lightning, and the crimson glare of his eyes pointed directly at Archon.

There was nothing, but silence.

There were many things that prompted Arthur to say such things, and in reality, there were myriad other facts that suggested that Leland would die - even if he happens to somehow win against Dawn, it spells nothing good for him, at all.

The Huangzhou has become too much of a threat, and in time, they all will be crushed. A single exhale followed from him, before he merely spoke.

"It's best you think."

With that, he simply trotted back to the rest of Dawn folk he came with, quiet.
(Arthur Rowan)