Match of the Millennium

Description: The Mad Dog has been let loose upon the world, and Heidern has been dispatched to hunt him. But will the old mercenary be up to Azrael's standards? After all, not everyone who puts themselves before him is worth eating. They need to have that certain, flavor, that Spice...

[AZRAEL]
Every now and again, as the times ebb and flow, certain warriors are perhaps not meant to walk free.

"Dangers to society." they're called. Most of them are locked up, then there are the ones that the prisons and cells can't hold. The ones that seek out other warriors to prove their merit. Warriors who, above all else, seek greater strength.

Azrael is one such warrior.

He just broke out of Supermax, reportedly telling the other inmates and police officers that they were too weak to satisfy his hunger. So it's now that the blue-haired demon is wandering the Dark Forest, looking abd hunting for the nearest populated area for warriors.

"I...need...the...fight."

[HEIDERN]
For every job in this world there is a man willing to take it. Some of these men are fools. Others are simply desperate. But the third? Those men inspire legends.
One such man now finds himself stalking beneath a heavy canopy of dark leaves, deep green trench coat melding with the gloom as he steps from shadow to shadow. Black boots touching down quietly upon the soft organic carpet. His intelligence had suggested that this is the area the monster might go. And if that should turn out to be true, the chase should be a short one. There is really only a single target of any size hidden within these trees, and that place has certain protections of its own. Though, judging by what is known of this Mad Dog, those protections might not amount to much if he catches their scent.
Pausing at the edge of a small break in the trees, the hunter stops to listen, seeking out the faint sounds of restless destruction that have guided him thus far.
Closer now.
Circling the edge of the clearing, the grim figure continues deeper into the woods, mentally reviewing what he knows of the target.
Participated in military actions during a small civil war. Was taken into custody by a private group known as Sector Seven. Seems to have escaped some years later in order to participate in the World Warrior tournament, and since then has been on the move, sewing seeds of destruction wherever he goes.
That stops here.
The sounds of destruction are much louder now, loud enough to bring a faint downward tilt to the hunter's serious features. Keeping his pace, he lifts first one hand, then the other, gripping the leather of his gloves and giving them a sharp tug to insure they are tight. That is all the preparation he makes as he rounds one final tree and steps calmly into sight of the hulking beast of battle, sliding free of the trees like a 2d image from the background.
"You."
The word is punctuated by a finger pointed toward the blue-haired man's chest, backed up by a one-eyed stare from a face as set as stone.
"Get on the ground, or I'll put you in it. You're going home."
There are very few people on the planet who could say such a thing to a being such as Azrael and have any hope of backing it up. But Heidern, Commander of the Ikari Warriors, just so happens to be one of those men. Perhaps it's the Mad Dog's lucky day.

COMBATSYS: Heidern has started a fight here.

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Heidern          0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Azrael has joined the fight here.

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Heidern          0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0           Azrael

[AZRAEL]
Azrael keeps moving.

That is, until he hears the classic tails of someone being followed. Watched. Hunted. Soulless eyes narrow in the curtains of his wild hair, especially when Heidern makes his presence known. Unlike Heidern, Azrael was never one for paperwork. He's a 'punch first, ask questions later' kind of person. He growls though, like an animal, before he actually howls in laughter. His appearance is rough. His skin is covered by 'tattoos' that seem to be mysterious, not reflecting much of a known language. He wears a rough cloak around his shoulders that bellows as he rises to his full height from a hunched position.

A height that matched Heidern's own.

Long blue hair comes down to shoulders, and his fists clench. Not in rage, but excitement. The words that Azrael speak first are not loud, soft as a whisper. If Heidern's ears are sharp enough, he hears a single word: "Finally."

Azrael smiles. "I've never been one to follow orders." His speech is calm and straightforward, but he has the eyes of a madman. "So I suppose you will just have to make me." he grins widely. "Tell me your name, brave soul, so I can remember your bravery."

His smile grows wider, like a wolf that has just found it's prey.

"I am Azrael."

[HEIDERN]
The man-shaped beast is big. Though Heidern is not a small man, Azrael has nearly half a foot of height on him, and plenty of bulk. And yet...
"I am Heidern," the grim-faced mercenary replies, reaching up to pull his coat open even as his shoulders shrug free of the heavy material. Having given the criminal his one chance to come peacefully, he can't be held responsible for what comes next. "General of the Soldiers Of Fortune."
Whipping his coat free with the distinctive rustle of heavy leather, he tosses the garment away to drape itself over a low-hanging branch, leaving him in an olive-green uniform with a closed jacket, black turtleneck just visible at his collar. There are no insignia sewn onto the brown panels at his upper arms, but surely what he claims is true. After all, who else but a leader would have the guts to stand before the Mad Dog with such icy calm.
"I can see you're going to make this difficult, so I'll give you a final warning. Monsters like you disgust me. They may pay more if I bring you back alive, but the world will be a better place once your dead. Come quietly or I will personally send you to hell."
The single blue eye that is focused on Azrael stares up into his face with cold directness, perfectly matching the blunt dislike in his tone. He has no overwhelming aura of power, displays no flash of might to set the ground trembling. But there is an intensity hidden within his planted stance that gives credence to his warning. He is a killer, and he has no compunctions about plying his craft here.

COMBATSYS: Heidern narrows his eye dramatically!!!

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Heidern          0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0           Azrael

[AZRAEL]
Azrael just -smiles-.

"Heidern."

He repeats Heidern's name as if it were a prayer to some ancient Deity. "I've been waiting for this. Waiting for a worthy challenger to approach and attempt to claim my life." He actually starts to laugh, cackling, as he unclasps his cloak and lets the wind take it where it may. "I am He Who Carries Death. I am a monster indeed, but I am the LORD OF ALL MONSTERS!" as he says this, he flexes his muscles, and focuses his power as he stares directly into Heidern's eyes.

Lacking fear, he gathers his strength as he matches Heidern's eyes.

A similarity in strength.

This is going to be fun. Survival of the Fittest. There can only be one. "I welcome you to TRY!" Azrael howls with such force that the trees seem to cower, or he may have just timed it quite well with the strong breeze. Only Heidern would know the difference.

COMBATSYS: Azrael focuses on his next action.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Heidern          0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0           Azrael

[HEIDERN]
"Have it your way."
That single uncaring response is all that Azrael's howling challenge gets in response, the dark-haired mercenary wasting no more time trying to reason with him. One moment he is standing still, observant, and the next he has leaned forward into a sprinting dash, closing the distance between them in three long-legged strides.
Left boot planting itself in the grassy soil not 4 feet from where the Mad Dog stands, Heidern whips his right foot back and up, torso ducking to follow it as he twists a full 360 degrees. Chest sweeping up to press against his knee, he completes the spin and brings his right heel whistling down toward Azrael's forehead in a blurringly quick ax-kick. Every motion of the attack is precise and controlled, twisting weight balanced easily on the ball of his planted foot despite the uncertain ground.

COMBATSYS: Heidern successfully hits Azrael with Steiner Gale.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Heidern          0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0           Azrael

[AZRAEL]
Azrael's smile lessens until he is focused.

He's going to enjoy this, but he's not an insane wild beast. He is aware when a fellow predator is challenging his territory. Those eyes narrow though as he enters a fighting stance, then comes Heidern like a hunter ready for the killing blow. The beast charges, and he swings his heel down on Azrael's head, slamming his face downwards, though not quite to the ground. Though it doesn't appear like Heidern hurt him that much, the kick is effective.

In response...

Azrael growls, lifting his head in a rotational arch, his right hand clenched tight as he swings it at Heidern, his fist glowing with an aura of strength, but coming for Heidern with speed! Will he strike true? Or will the other warrior find a way to defend?

COMBATSYS: Azrael successfully hits Heidern with The Terror.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Heidern          0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0           Azrael

[HEIDERN]
The vibration of impact rolls up his leg as Heidern powers through the kick, retreating half a step to bring his boot firmly back to earth. There is no satisfaction on his face for a strike well executed, only a focused gleam in his eye that stares down at the mountain of muscle already surging back up toward him, taking in the minimal damage and speed of recovery.
He's going to have to hit him a lot harder.
Gloved hands knife down to try and intercept the oncoming fist, but they are only able to graze skin as the wickedly fast punch blasts through his guard and hammers into the tensed muscles of his abdomen, forcing a rough grunt from his nose as he is folded slightly forward over the bigger man's knuckles.
"HMMPH."
Driven backward by the force of the blow, Heidern's black boots tear twin furrows in the earth a good meter long, the lean mere flexing beneath his uniform to maintain near perfect poise. Only once the last of the momentum has bled off does he relax, bruised muscles aching beneath his jacket as he steps forward with sudden speed, attempting to weave neatly around Azrael's outstretched fist and catch him beneath both arms. If he can get that grip he will aid the monster back to his feet and beyond by heaving his bulk clear of the ground, his own lean frame falling backwards as he drags Azrael up and over in a brutally efficient suplex.

COMBATSYS: Heidern successfully hits Azrael with Critical Drive.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Heidern          0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0           Azrael

[AZRAEL]
Azrael's fist crushes through Heidern's defenses and finds steady purchase! Though Heidern was driven backwards, Azrael howls in a beast-like roar.

"GIVE. ME. MORE!" he calls to Heidern, perhaps either hoping Heidern will make a mistake, or that he will hesitate and allow Azrael to strike again. Alas, this is not the case. Aazrael doesn't have a lot of time to react before Heidern catches him by the arms and heaves him ho, Azrael is suddenly upside down mid-suplex, and crashes into the ground hard enough to crack the patch of earth beneath him as his body hits the ground hard.

He gasps from the wind getting knocked out of him, but he swiftly rolls to his feet, doing his best to ignore the pain, and leap high into the air, both hands raised high as he descends upon Heidern, shouting out the name of his attack.

"SENTINEL DUMP!"

His intention is to descend upon Heidern with enough force to smash him into the ground with both of his fists. Something Heidern may notice? Azrael was having fun.

COMBATSYS: Heidern just-defends Azrael's Sentinel Dump!

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Heidern          0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0           Azrael

[HEIDERN]
While Azrael rolls one way, Heidern rolls the other, and they both make it to their feet at about the same time. Taking half a moment to run a gloved hand over the shoulder of his jacket and dislodge some clinging bits of grass and dirt, Heidern tracks the Mad Dog's upward leap, taking in the crazed glee on his face and the wild rush of power that rages within him.
"You want more?"
Left hand coming up, the stoic general catches the beast's left elbow mid descent and shoves him hard to the left, using the force of the shove to propel himself into a long leap away to the right.
BOOM!
Azrael's fists meet the earth in a storm of earth and shattered rock fragments, showering his surroundings with the splattered internals of his crater.
Having landed lightly off to the side, Heidern stands with his right arm tucked neatly against his side, left hand raised to shelter his remaining eye from bits of flying debris. It is a casual stance, the easy posture of one in control.
"Then," he continues coolly, left hand turning to present the edge even as all fingers straighten out. "Choke on it."
Bursting forward into a lunge, he brings his left hand sweeping down in a single, brutal chop, bluish-white energy gathering along the edge as it scythes in toward Azrael's hunched back. If all goes to plan he will cleave deep into the flesh just to the right of the beast's spine, the blade of his gloved hand far sharper than any mundane sword.
Continuing on, Heidern makes to slide to a stop just outside of the taller man's easy reach, whirling around in a gust of wind to put his left shoulder toward his opponent, left arm folded up across his body and right couched at his side.

COMBATSYS: Azrael fails to reflect Assault Saber from Heidern with Growler Field.
- Power fail! -

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Heidern          1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1           Azrael

[AZRAEL]
Azrael's fists shatter the earth beneath him, though he is disappointed to find that Heidern was not the subject of the crushing blow. He roars in anger, before his eyes shift wildly to Heidern himself, standing up to his full height as he tries to initiate a counter to the hand that is far shaper than any double-edged sword.

But, that is not what will occur. What will ever, occur.

The blade of Heidern's hand slashes into Azrael's flesh and it slashes in deep, causing Azrael to fall to a knee as he howls in pain. While still remaining in his body, Azrael tries to push himself away, his hand coming up to feel his wound.

"No man has ever cleaved into my flesh." he mentions with a smile that the devil would appreciate. "Well...done." he keeps his distance though, perhaps to try and anticipate the next move. But strangely, he makes no move to attack right now.

[HEIDERN]
Blood glistens against the black leather of Heidern's glove, its coppery scent filling the noses of both fighters as they size one another up. Azrael's slow retreat pulls the mercenary after him, boots crunching softly through the dirty grass as he circles steadily closer.
In truth, Heidern is no less a predator than the man-shaped beast before him. Both men seek out blood for their own reasons. But where the Mad Dog chases the thrill, Heidern is only interested in one thing.
Blood. The blood of any man even remotely similar to Him. Where Azrael hunts for sport, Heidern hunts for vengeance.
"You have never faced me. Are you frightened to know that today may be your last? Is this your first brush with death?"
Lips remaining quirked down into a frown of cold concentration, the mercenary commander shifts forward into another step...
All at once the Ikari Warrior is airborne, flipping forward through the dappled darkness in an arching descent toward his prey. Gloved hands lashing out, he attempts to clamp powerful fingers down on jaw and right temple, blood smearing across the right side of Azrael's face as the lean man uses his grip to swing himself violently forward over the beast's left shoulder. If all goes to plan he will use the momentum of his fall to jerk the monster's head violently around to the left, applying enough force and acceleration to snap the neck of a lesser man. It might give a creature as tough as Azrael a wicked headache, however, as well as dragging him off balance as the lean man lands neatly behind him.
Then, and only if he can drag the Mad Dog stumbling back, will he drop his bloody left hand from the bigger man's temple and bring the tips of his fingers to his throat, digging in with vicious intent before tearing them violently across, tips parting flesh in much the same way the flat of his hand did earlier.

COMBATSYS: Heidern successfully hits Azrael with Neck Roller.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Heidern          1/------=/=======|=======\=------\1           Azrael

[AZRAEL]
There can only be one Alpha between these two predators.

Though Azrael's blood glistens on Heidern's glove, Azrael is still fully able to fight. He cracks his neck audibly, an ironic foreshadowing as he waits for Heidern to approach him. Though Heidern's taunts? It just makes him howl with laughter, actually holding his ribs. "Oh, you poor son of a bitch..." he mentions as those soulless eyes match onto his.

"Death is my plaything. I have had more brushes with death than you likely ever will...and it is in this combat, that you will experience the true meaning of TERROR!"

Though before he can really enact on his threats, Heidern arrives and actively twists Azrael's neck, not quite shattering bone like it should, but definitely giving Azrael a god-forsaken headache, it knocks him slightly off balance in the meantime, allowing Heidern to bring his fingers to his throat and tear across. It breaks into his skin, and a steady bit of blood seeps from his throat.

Though as Azrael stumbles backwards, looking like he may yet fall, his fist is suddenly cloaked in an overwhelming flow of energy. He takes a strong step forward, strong enough to break ground beneath the step, and he thrusts his fist forward in a sudden motion, aiming for Heidern's skull.

The strike would immediately kill a lesser man. But Heidern? Heidern may yet survive, or better yet, dodge completely.

COMBATSYS: Azrael knocks away Heidern with Black Hawk Stinger.

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Heidern          1/-======/=======|-------\-------\0           Azrael

[HEIDERN]
Thick drops of crimson drip from the ends of Heidern's fingers to color the ground, his good eye peering between them toward Azrael's stumbling form.
"Terror?" he asks calmly, seeming not at all convinced.
The commander is still watching closely when the monster's stumble comes to a sudden halt, and that is likely what saves him from having his neck broken by the return punch that comes thundering in with unbelievable speed and power. Having just enough time to bring his other hand up, he catches the oncoming fist first on his palms, gloved hands smashed backward to drive into the mercenary's own face before he is hurled backward from the force of the blow. Flying a good 12 feet through the air, he impacts the ground back first, tumbles, then lashes out with his left hand to dig his deadly fingers into the trunk. The residual force of the blow causes his fingers to tear 5 parallel gaps clean through the side of the trunk, but the maneuver bleeds off enough momentum for Heidern to gain control of the tumble and emerge from it in a low crouch.
Facing back the way he came, the one-eyed mercenary stares coldly across 20 feet of scattered dirt and broken branches, hunched form covered in dirt smears and clinging blades of grass. There is a dark bruise forming in the center of his forehead where his own knuckles were driven into his face, but his grim frown doesn't waver for even a moment.
Right hand reaching across to his left, he laces his fingers together and pulls with an audible snap, straightening out the left ring and middle fingers that had been broken in the impact.
"You don't frighten me, dog. I have faced monsters that make you seem like an angry child."
Straightening from his crouch the grim-faced commander strides forward between the trees, closing the first half of the distance at a measured walk.
"I'm surprised your try at World Warrior didn't teach you more."
Final jab delivered, Heidern leaps forward as if going for another front flip, but half way up the arc he lashes out with his left foot, smashing his heel into a tree and propelling himself straight at Azrael, flying form whirling through a violent half spin as he brings his left shin sweeping up and around in a violent strike toward the grinning man's throat.

COMBATSYS: Azrael dodges Heidern's Medium Kick.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Heidern          1/-======/=======|-------\-------\0           Azrael

[AZRAEL]
BOOM!

The sound of Azrael's fist smashing through Heidern's defenses and launching him into the trees. Azrael keeps his fist in front of him, the hand quite literally steaming from the energy that used to reside within his grasp. After the blow, he cracks his knuckles. "Hnnh." as if the attack underperformed to his expectations. Or....even more likely...

Heidern is one tough son of a bitch.

Azrael takes this moment to spit out blood and wipe the dark mark from his lips. With a light shake of his head as he investigates the blood on his hand, he just starts laughing quitely. "Why do I doubt that?" He questions of Heidern, before he clenches his fists tight, before letting his hands relax, and gestures Heidern to come at him.

The kick finds nothing but air as Azrael manages to move out of the way, just long enough to swing his hand at Heidern, a swift backhand sent for his temple, meant to knock him away once more.

COMBATSYS: Heidern full-parries Azrael's Swift Backhand ES!!

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Heidern          2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=------\-------\0           Azrael

[HEIDERN]
"You shouldn't."
That is all Heidern has time to say before his kick is dodged, the mercenary left stranded in the air, unable to adjust his position to escape the backhanded retaliation sweeping up toward his head.
Or so one would think.
'FWAP!'
Gloved fingers close around Azrael's wrist just inches before impact. Arm locking in place, he allows the force of the swing to carry his entire body along with it, riding the blow to its full extension before swinging himself down and in beneath the beast's outstretched arm, boots impacting the grass deep within his personal space.
There is no time for banter or witty one liners. As soon as he has touched ground the commander acts, pivoting his entire body behind a pinpoint lunge of his right hand. Long limbs uncoiling, rigid fingers pointed like the tip of a spear, he aims to drive the blow squarely into Azrael's temporarily exposed ribs, fiery chi gathering around the lunging hand...
BOOM!
No matter what it manages to impact, the mercenary's gathered chi erupts on contact with the force of a balm, as if he had been smuggling a missile up his sleeve and decided to shoot the Mad Dog with it at point blank range. In the wake of the attack the dirt-covered man will rebound quietly away, boots touching ground as he stares coldly after the blue-haired monster.
"Who do you think took my eye?"
The question is delivered with such cold malice that it is surprising the forest around him doesn't freeze over, and every spec of that chilling hate is now directed at Azrael, the temporary stand in for his actual prey.

COMBATSYS: Heidern successfully hits Azrael with Heidern End EX.

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Heidern          0/-------/<<<<<<<|=------\-------\0           Azrael

[AZRAEL]
And maybe, just maybe, Azrael really shouldn't.

Heidern manages to catch Azrael's wrist and reels his hand back, before the impact of Heidern's strike blasts Azrael in the chest, causing him to fly backwards as if he were shot with a massive missile. He lands hard into the ground, his body bouncing until he manages to stop. It's quiet for a second, before Azrael lifts his head up from the ground. Blood trickles down from his hairline as he slowly rises to his feet. "Heheh...." he chuckles a tad, before he cracks his neck.

"Then it seems...a monster is needed to bring down a monster."

Then energy seems to flow from him again as he reels his hand back, then thrusts his fist forward at Heidern. "PHALANX CANNON!" and a burst of energy emerges outwards towards Heidern, intending to blast him with raw force! His target? Right for the chest. And with enough strength to even draw blood from one such as Heidern. Or will Heidern prove stronger?

COMBATSYS: Azrael successfully hits Heidern with Phalanx Cannon.

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Heidern          1/----<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\0           Azrael

[HEIDERN]
Light reflects in the blue of Heidern's eye as he stares into the gathering storm of Azrael's attack. The surrounding shadows are banished by its brilliance, lighting the dark belly of the forest like the noon day sun.
"Hmph."
Flexing his broken fingers, the mercenary bends his knees, gathering his strength for the moments ahead. He waits, heart pounding in his chest, time stretching, and begins his leap just moments after the beam is released.
Energy flashes across the distance and explodes against his chest, sending him tumbling backwards even as he continues up, dragging his abdomen and left leg through the destructive blast. Shoulder clipping a passing tree, he spirals out of control and falls crashing out of sight into the distant underbrush, trailing flecks of blood and torn cloth in his wake.
And then there is silence.
Though the local wildlife has long since fled, the lack of combat brings about a profound sense of quiet. The wind has stopped stirring the leaves. There is no distant roar of traffic. Everything is completely, absolutely, silent.
A living shadow drops from the canopy directly over Azrael's head, landing crouched before him with the grace of a hunting cat. Glaring up at the beast with one steely eye, there is a single moment in which the monster can appreciate his handiwork.
Heidern's jacket is gone, and the black turtleneck he wears beneath is scorched and torn, revealing flashes of bloody flesh through long rents in the fabric. The destruction continues down his chest and around his left side, where the upper leg of his pants is scorched and blackened but still managing to hold.
"Go To Hell!"
Command given, Heidern uncoils from his crouch behind the rising spear of his right hand. It is this he attempts to plunge deep into Azrael's gut, to widen the wound with a violent twist of his hand that sends blood fountaining down his wrist to drip from his elbow. Only if he can get that bloody satisfaction will he sling the bigger man hard to one side, tearing his hand free and bringing his left foot up, then thundering out for a brutal side kick that flashes with white-blue energy on its way toward the side of the beast's head.

COMBATSYS: Heidern successfully hits Azrael with Final Bringer.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >                                ]
Heidern          0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1           Azrael

[AZRAEL]
Azrael says, "ow."

Well, that did not go as planned.

Azrael was able to perfectly strike Heidern with his Phalanx Cannon attack. It strikes the chest, tearing into him with pure energy. It was in that brief moment where Azrael thought he had won.

But he knows better than that. The shadow that moves above him though begs to differ on the outcome of this battle. A startled look in his eyes as he looks up, eyes wide in shock as he's commanded to go to hell.

The hand plunges into Azrael, causing him to cough up blood...then comes the kick that rips out towards his head, knocking his head back. The last two words he says as he falls?

"Enchant Dragunov."

COMBATSYS: Azrael can no longer fight.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Heidern          0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Azrael dazes Heidern with Enchant Dragunov!

[                       \\\\\\\  <
Heidern          0/-------/---====|

COMBATSYS: Heidern takes no action.

[                       \\\\\\\  <
Heidern          0/-------/---====|

[HEIDERN]
Heidern can sense the change in atmosphere as those final words leave Azrael's lips. Can tell that what is coming will be bad, and has just began turning away to dash for safety when the explosion of raw chi erupts in all directions.
Caught up in the expanding wall of energy, the Ikari Commander is blasted head over kettle, body smashing clean through the trunk of a tree and sending shards of wood spraying in all directions. All around him trees tip and fall, shredded leaves spraying into the air like loose confetti.
Another tumble, a jolting smash of his shoulder against a large boulder, and the mercenary finally slumps to the ground, chest heaving to draw air into his empty lungs.
Remaining eye drifting about with unfocused pain, it takes the usually unflappable man a moment to gather himself. But once he has, a gloved hand reaches up to dig powerful fingers into the side of the boulder, dragging him back to his feet with a single pained grunt. This is no time for weakness, there is still work to be done.
Staggering away from the filthy rock, Heidern makes his slow way back through the trees. Limping, bloody, and conscious only due to the power of his will, the commander returns to the spot he abandoned his trench coat and finds it still hanging there completely undisturbed. Fishing a small communicator from the left pocket he brings it to his lips, thumb triggering a button along the side.
"This is Commander Heidern requesting Ariel Evac. Medical should be on stand by for me, and the other guy. We've got a package to deliver."

COMBATSYS: Heidern has ended the fight here.

Log created on 01:00:12 03/29/2021 by Heidern, and last modified on 11:48:53 03/30/2021.