Saifex Tsuchi: Tsuchi vs Melym I

Of all the places in Danarium that had seen renovation, the sparring fields were not one of them. Marred with hills and occasional patches of dead foliage it seemed far more like a true battlefield then a proper sparring area. Fitting, perhaps. Thematic even.

The fancily dressed Melym, covered in custom-tailored garb, followed behind the Regent as she led them both to the fields. Baradiel took his position amongst the souther hills, hair catching upon the westward breeze that flowed from the old Academy.

"I don't believe I got your name." The Melym's tone was cold and almost disrespectful, seemingly dismissing the soldier already. "Saifex, yes. But Saifex what? The first name rarely matters as much as the last, unless you hold no House to claim?" Gaunleted hands, in the colors of traditional Glacium, brushed against his clothes as he readied himself for combat.

Arcanium wristlets clinked together, conjuring a tall spear of sheer ice upon Baradiel's back. With a white-knuckled grip the knight brought his spear to bear, pointing it at the man. "You at least wear the colors of a Nivis. Try not to shame them with your efforts."
(Baradiel Melym)

Saifex eventually got to the battlegrounds, so far and different from Frostvale's own. The cold, it wasn't nearly as inviting as this... This was warm, an easily conductive atmosphere for him and his element. He took a nice, and full inhalation of the warm and soothing breeze that enveloped the moment. Never before had he realized such comforting conditions outside of a fortified structure.

In the moments he had to idle in place, he almost felt lost here... However, he was soon to snap out of it, brought to reality by Baradiel's less-than-respectful tone.
He, himself was still dressed in his Nivis attire, wearing the noble Tsuchi cape upon his backside, fluttering at the wind's volition.

Emerald hues glared upon his opponent, rather tested by the minor mistreatment, but not blown out of porportion. He's experienced far worse up north...

"I'm Saifex of the Tsuchi Clan... And you, you'll be my first opponent in my trek." He stated, sliding his legs apart for a sidebound horse stance; It was unorthidox in comparison to practicioners of the martial arts. A stance merged with that of a boxer's own, fists raised to protect his face, with a mild hop in his step. A final exhale passing through the gape of his lips, granted birth to a small fabrication of flame, rolling itself into oblivion.

"...Now, arm yourself, so that we may battle. Do not hold back..."
(Saifex Tsuchi)

Tsuchi. Noble house of Frostvale, same clan that gave way to the current Queen. Nobility through and through though their current 'head' carries no small amount of controversy to her. Still, upon hearing the name, Baradiel can't help but smile. This was no common soldier, no. Someone with a heritage that could be wielded well.

"Good, good. Tsuchi, I like that. It's better that I fight someone worthy of being fought then someone undesireable." Carefully, though still slightly clumsily, Baradiel twirled the spear of ice around his form as he began to warm up. It wasn't a display of a master spear-fighter, no, but one of an initiate.

Unfortunately for Saifex, this did not mean the Melym was weak. Quite to the contrary, as gales began to swirl around his form and snow began to fall, the power of his bloodline rapidly began to make itself known. Little by little the fields of battle became coated in a fluffy coating of ice and snow.

"You now my name and know it well. You know my direct descendants. You should know the power and name I have to uphold. Allow me to demonstrate why I am to be the next family head." The crystalline spear tip was pointed towards the Tsuchi, kneeling slightly and tensing his back.

Like a cat ready to pounce, Baradiel prepared himself for his lunge. No matter what flames stood in the ice-magi's way.
(Baradiel Melym)

With a burst of snow it began. Gale-force winds that swirled around the teenage Melym began to splatter crystals of ice against the fields. The harsh rays of the sun began to bounce from the newfound white of the field, rendering it extremely difficult to see anything withn.

And it was within this harsh atmosphere that the Melym teen found solace and peace, able to manuver as he pleased despite the slickness and rapidly forming tundra. An expert at fighting amongst the ice, fitting for someone who had lived in the snows of the north for so long, that had extra aid from the magic of his ancestors.

Naturally Saifex, too, would find the snows not so difficult to deal with given his upbringing. The envrionmental hazards Baradiel attempted to instill were nothing against the regiment of the Nivis. Still, it was not the only trick the knight had to offer.

Fast, quick lunges with the tip of the spear harassed and prodded at the drakan as he weaved his flames. Yet the fire wasn't yet hot enough to seal the deal, to ward off the enchanted potency of his spear before it could strike. In a singular sliding charge, Baradiel knocked the Tsuchi off his feet and planted the tip upon his throat.

A symbolic gesture, of course, to show that the round was over.

"Not bad. Better then most." The tip was removed from the Tsuchi's neck as Baradiel stepped back to his starting spot. "Care for a round two?"
(Baradiel Melym)

Bested, set down and brought to the tip of a lowered spear at his neck. All he could recall, was the constant buffeting of snow and hail, vented around his person and chilling his fires down to frosted ash stains. He was catching his breath, groaning at aching that encompassed his figure, eyes trailing back up to his victor with an evident snarl plastered upon his visage. He -hated- the idea of losing; Especially to one whom lacked Drakanite attributes.

It only made him look bad, feel bad... To imagine what sort of humilation he'd face, should fellow Nivis hear of his defeat... Then again, where on the powerscale did Baradiel even lie?
He didn't know, and he didn't care, trembling upon the grounds he was force to lay upon, unmoving even after the spear was withdrawn. A reptillian growl rumbled from the depths of his gullet, and a sapphire glow illuminated through the crevices of his armor: Where steel ended, and the flesh began.

Seia's mark upon his body was taking it's course, swallowing his being in an azure haze as he rose to his feet, off balance at first.
He wobbled, and even caught himself, barely with his dropped right hand, sustaining his ascension with mere fingertips. Grit teeth were revealed in a hostile new turn-out, unwilling to accept the loss just yet.

"I'm not..." The air seemed to tremor, refracting; The atmosphere heated within the immediate proximity, and slowly, light trickled to life seemingly from the pores of his flesh. It enveloped him in mere seconds, encircling him to craft an overzealous display of his pyromatic capability. A silhuoette within, contorted, elongated, all of which accompanied with the ear-stinging sound of his Nivis armor bending, and tearing apart in the wake of his transformation. Finally, one adopted the signature mutation that was: Draconic wings.

The ground that was once at Saifex's feet was scorched, reduced to crunchy char, riddled with gleaming lines of tangerine and maroon hues. The Tsuchi, on the otherhand stood proud in Half-shift, prepared to take up a second coming.

"Finished yet..."
The sapphire haze that took place earlier was far more notable now, shrouding him with the similiar effect of an energy aura, yet lacked the properties of pure mana. It's movement was relative to the flames he bent prior, yet opacity sorely lacking. It was a form of Soul Resonation, far from par when compared to Seia's version of the sort.
(Saifex Tsuchi)

Sapphiric flames did their work, the tundra of snow abating under the wrath of the Tsuchi's inner magic. The carefully wrought fields of ice evaporated under the intense heat leaving Baradiel with no ice to glide on for enhanced movement. A detriment, but not one that would provide an overly large hassle.

The knight was trained to fight in any element, even if that element was a firestorm.

The glacial spear, for once, began to show signs of fatigue as he dashed in and out of the fray. Droplets of water began to form upon the evercold manifestation of his grandmother's bracelets, melting under the duress. A decisive strike had to be made soon or one wouldn't be available at all.

With a final flurry of snow, compelling winds to kick up the ash of the burning plains, Baradiel concealed himself within a smokescreen as he awaited his time to strike. A blast of fire, narrowly missing his form, left the Tsuchi exposed.

And the exposure was capitalized on.

One more Baradiel engaged with a celestial powered dash, the pact made with his father's star giving him the bolt of mana needed to ram hard into the soldier of the Nivis and down him once more. Half-melted spear of ice dripped cold water upon his neck as it was, once more, positioned at his throat.

"Finished." A wicked smirk carried upon the Melym's face, fully engorging himself on the superiority he felt in the situation. Few had bested him and his record remained strong. A sickening euphoria came over him as the spear was removed, hand lowered to aid the Tsuchi to his feet.

"Not too bad, Tsuchi. You do your House well with your technique. Is the Regina proud?" Perhaps contrary to his wicked grin and inward emotions, he still had a level of respect for the man due to his name. None of his words were malicious or aiming to shame. "She should be. I wouldn't be suprised if you were one of the stronger soldiers she had."
(Baradiel Melym)

His words were accurate, to some degree. Saifex was always willing to go and overachieve, granted the opportunity, showing off both his power and capability to ascend, alongside his strife to grow--
But it simply wasn't enough to win this fight. Atleast it wasn't as one-sided as a few matches prior, and even as he laid in defeat, the flames of his soul failed to wither as quickly.

Contrary to common belief they did not radiate the heat they did prior, infact, as dull as the temperature of his flesh itself when grasping hold of the hand lowered to aid him.
For once, he accepted the help. The last he needed, was getting himself in trouble far away from home.

"As for you, Melym." He responded, rubbing at his face that suffered some damage from the final ram into his figure.
He was sore, but not entire incapacitated. "I should've expected powerful magi when I started my trek." He started to roll his right shoulder, clutching at it with his left hand, as though to condone to stretching exercises post-battle.

"Anyways, before I continue southbound, I'll be resting abit, and perhaps, battle a few others amongst your ranks prior to leaving. Would you mind informing me on other warriors I could take my sights upon?... For a later time, of course."
(Saifex Tsuchi)