Description: Alone in Southtown's business district, Duke finds he is not alone. Unwilling to just let himself be shadowed, Hell's Executioner makes his approach. Unbeknowst to both fighters, however, is the past they share...
Southtown's weather forecast for the day promised sunny skies.
It's currently raining.
The day had been dismal throughout the long hours of the afternoon. The sun had only occasionally peeked out shards of warm light between the rolling, ominously gray clouds that stretched throughout the sky. They blotted everything out with a distinct feeling of gloom, a feeling with most passerbys carried with them throughout the day. There wasn't much of a transition between the afternoon and the evening in this sourness, save for one thing; it started to rain. Hard.
The night hadn't changed much since then. It's the time of day where the sun has /just/ creeped over the horizon. There would be lingering light to spare, save for the fact that the thundering clouds only spare the brief crackle of lightning that -booms- throughout their expanse. The gloom remains, and many the crowds have dwindled around Geese Tower, many people deigning to go back home and stay within the safety of indoors for the rest of the evening. Not everyone has such a luxury, however -- and not everyone wants such a luxury. Some people linger in the business district; they have work to be done.
And Duke has never known a day where he did experience the rigors of work.
Today's schedule has been relatively 'light' for the man referred to as Hell's Executioner. He has not had much in the way of activity -- beyond some shipments to deal with at the docks, the last of them, and some business to be resolved within the confines of Geese Towers. Paperwork can be tricky at times, after all. It's from there that Duke finds himself currently leaving, the oscilating doors of Geese Towers spinning to herald his exit. Some turn to stare as he walks out into the light rainfall of the evening; he's not the typical person to see leaving Geese Towers, after all, but those who see him simply write him off being one of those fighters in those oh so very entertaining tournaments they watch on Pay Per View. He brings no umbrella with him; instead, he allows the rain to pitter-patter across his broad shoulders as those dark eyes take a slow look around him, a thoughtful frown creasing his lips. His work is done for the day. And so, without much of a second thought, Duke turns to leave -- back to his 'home,' if it can even be called that, his tall form standing out amongst the crowds as he begins his casual stride away from Geese Tower. A busy day. And just like every day --
--Another tiny step towards his goals.
Though the rain falls with unyielding persistence, the dark skies overhead a gloomy shade of charcoal gray, it does not keep the city from carrying on with business as usual. Some brave the nasty weather with umbrellas, while others jog through the rainy streets with newspapers overhead, hands waving as they desperately hail a taxi.
And then there are those such as Duke, who walk through it without so much as batting an eye.
With his busy day otherwise over and done, the infamous Hell's Executioner exits the well-known Geese Tower, wandering through the streets by his lonesome. His posture and overall demeanor is imposing to those he passes, and they gladly duck and weave out of his way, if only to avoid possibly earning the man's ire.
However, not all are intimidated by his presence. Clad in a sleek black rain poncho, an unknown figure walks a good distance behind the large enforcer. For the most part, this figure keeps to itself, unseen eyes peering discreetly out from the lowered hood of the poncho. To the untrained eye, there is nothing particularly odd about this picture. Even as Duke wanders farther from the Tower and, as result, finds himself lacking company by way of pedestrians who pass him by, that figure just follows like a ghost, looking very much the part.
Whether Hell's Executioner catches on to the shadow which follows him or not is uncertain. However, what remains certain is the fact the figure persists nonetheless. Regardless of weather, regardless of darkness, that ghost-like person continues to follow.
When you've lived the kind of life that Duke has, you soon learn that paranoia is not so great a detriment, as much as it can be a terrific asset. In Duke's line of work -- and ESPECIALLY in Duke's line of ambition -- a person must constantly watch over their shoulder. It's the nature of the game. He learned this much before he even was inducted into the ranks of Southtown's Syndicate. Before he even earned a title as frightening as 'Hell's Executioner.'
It's because of this very fact that a certain sense of unease creeps into the back of Duke's mind as he continues to walk. Someone's watching him, but that's not what disturbs him; most people he comes across stop to stare at him. It's just the nature of the man. No. No... someone is -following- him. He doesn't bother to look behind him, really. He knows that particular sort of sensation when he feels it. And rather than clue his guest stalker for the day as to his awareness of their existence, he continues to walk, polished shoes plashing against small puddles of rain throughout the various indentations in the concrete sidewalk. But still. As he walks...
...Duke smiles.
Large hands shove casually into the depths of Duke's pants pockets as he walks, dark gaze lifting to stare at the sky. He continues this trend, until he is well past the tower, well past the general thrum of activity that lingers around it. As soon as he's far enough... he makes a sudden twist, pivoting sharply on his heel as he turns to walk towards the alley. Perhaps on more business. After all, who knows where Syndicate lackies go to do their business?
Treading nonchalantly through the depths of the alley, he will wait to see if his pursuer follows. About halfway through, he comes to a slow stop. His right hand snakes out of his pocket; rough, calloused fingers lift to drag across the long pale line of the scar that makes its eternal mark across his neck. He pauses.
"Someone must really have a big death wish, if they've decided to follow me..." Murmuring thoughtfully, almost to himself, Duke slowly begins to turn -- to see if his pursuer has, indeed, followed him.
"Do you have a death wish?"
Whatever guides Duke through life, it seems of little concern to the figure following behind him. Clad in that dark rain poncho, it moves with no obvious purpose or clear intention; if anything, that figure in black just walks. And it just so happens that its path is the same path Hell's Executioner chooses to follow tonight.
Under a moonless sky the man walks, his shadow unrelenting. It is at least mindful enough to give him considerable distance, far from making itself imposing on the man and his personal space. However, he is more than aware, far from oblivious to the goings-on around him. Astute and alert, his path leads him beyond Geese Tower, beyond the busiest parts of the business district and beyond even that.
Is the mysterious figure aware that this may very well be a trap? It would seem unlikely; without hesitation the dark figure continues to follow, irregardless of the rain or even his destination. It just walks. But as he nears and ultimately enters the alleyway, the figure hesitates. Rather than follow, it stands there at the mouth, gazing with unseen eyes into the darkness.
Singled out by the imposing enforcer, that figure says nothing. It just stands there, silent as the rain falls around it, over it. Do his threats fall upon deaf ears, or is the mysterious figure in black worried about being caught?
Does it have a death wish?
The figure shakes its head.
Duke's dark brown eyes focus on the figure before him in the dim lighting the alleyway can provide. In such attire that they wear, the unisex poncho that obscures any telling signs of sex or even appearance, Duke cannot make heads or tales of the person. It's somewhat frustrating. Duke observes as the shorter frame of the person before him says nothing; merely shakes their head in response to his question. He snorts, his hand pulling away from his face as raindrops fall and gather against the palm of his hand. That collected moisture begins to stretch and fall as Duke's palm tilts downward... and his fingers curl into the distinct form of a fist.
"You don't, huh?," he muses aloud, shaking his head. "Then I imagine you want something from me. To trail me for... information, maybe? Or to kill me? If that's the case, then you should know..." Duke takes another step forward, closer to his pursuer, his shadow. His expression grows a touch darker, the smile that graces his lips far more sinister than the neutral line they once were.
"... that's impossible."
He makes no motions for a long time. Instead, Duke finds comfort in lingering in the silence, standing straight as his right hand unfurls and clenches into a fist over and over, an activity to pass the time. Long seconds pass, before he speaks again, voice smooth and amused: "Hmph. Who cares what you actually wanted. Whether you had a death wish or not... I'm going to grant it."
Slowly, the arms of Hell's Executioner spread out to either side of him. It's a sign of welcoming to the mysterious figure before him. An open gesture. "I'll give you one chance," he explains, rain beating down on his already soaked hair and suit. "One chance to kill me, or incapacitate me, before I kill you. Come on. Hit me." His head ticks backwards, a beckoning gesture.
"It's the only chance you're going to get."
COMBATSYS: Duke has started a fight here.
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Duke 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Lien has joined the fight here.
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Duke 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Lien
Though it frustrates the man, it serves well to hide the appearance and practically every telltale facet of the figure in black. Clearly, this person wishes to keep it as such, unwilling to outwardly give away the slightest of clues. Even when spoken to, it simply shakes its head, no verbal response given. Male, or female? Black, white, Asian; it remains uncertain. It remains a mystery, and one that this figure wishes not to reveal. Not yet, anyway.
Duke elaborates, but the person before him says nothing. Unseen eyes just observe Hell's Executioner with mild interest, barely stirring as it simply stands in the rain. Its only response in regards to everything is another simple shake of its head. Its motives remain uncertain, and still it remains reluctant to approach the man.
Perhaps unexpected, however, is the beckoning of the man's hand. That dark figure tilts its head to one side, peering with those unseen eyes toward the dark-skinned enforcer as he all but gestures for her to make her move. For the longest time, however, that silhouette does not stir. It stands in the rain, watching Duke.
Then, rather suddenly, it breaks into a swift run before it pauses, crouches and leaps high, attempting to land atop Duke's shoulders...
COMBATSYS: Lien successfully hits Duke with Tisiphone.
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Duke 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Lien
Swiftly, that figure finds purchase atop the large man, heels burying against the muscle there. Judging by the fact it wears heels and weighs rather light, it would be safe to surmise that yes, this unknown person is a female.
Or a very effeminate male.
Regardless, in a show if impressive strength, the figure flips backwards and, in turn, launches Duke into the air. As he descends, however, the pancho-clad figure shoots a leg out and intercepts his fall with that painful heel. It's a brief gesture; a beat, and the other leg snaps out, striking Duke in the center of his back to launch him forward with surprising force.
And so they come. Duke doesn't even twitch a muscle at the rapid approach that the figure makes, intent to simply take the full brunt of the attack without even so much as batting an eyelash. And so he does -- though minus the latter half of his idea. Whoever this person is, they move quite fast. Fast enough to land on Duke's shoulders before he even realizes that they've leapt, and fast enough to follow through with an attack before he can fully brace himself. The figure lands... and he takes note of the heels.
A woman. Or, some kind of freak.
For now, Duke deigns to assume the former; not that he has much time to mull over this before he is launched into the air. Flying fast descending rapidly, he finds a heel jamming itself into his chest with piston-force before a second heel digs into his spine, sending him flying away from his would-be assailant. Surprisingly painful. However--
--not painful enough to keep Duke from reorienting himself in mid-air and landing smoothly on his feet. "That was your one shot? ... Pathetic. I guess I'll entertain myself for a little bit, then..." As the Southsynd lieutenant's voice rumbles out, he calmly lifts his right leg into the air. In one movement, he STOMPS into the ground with such overwhelming brutality that tremors begin to ripple out from his foot, as if he had caused a miniaturized earthquake. Only a moment later, fiery chi ERUPTS to follow in the wake of those tremors, tongues of flame lashing out in a circular formation from all around him to simply -blast- his assailant away with burning power. "GRAAAAH!!"
COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Lien with Seismic Impact.
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Duke 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Lien
The final kick administered, that figure in the rain poncho stands its ground, long leg outstretched post-attack. Only when Duke repositions himself midair does that figure withdraw its leg, recoiling it before setting it down softly against cracked asphalt with a quiet click of heels. The hooded head tilts up, regarding his form with unseen eyes. Is he being overconfident? Perhaps; but such is likely to be expected of someone in his position.
Not anyone can work for Southtown Syndicate, after all.
Observing as he lifts a foot, the figure attempts to simply leap up into the air and outright avoid it. Unfortunate for it, that impact is too swift, and thus it is caught and sent flying back a good few feet before it corrects itself midair and lands in a crouch before it rises to full height once more. Still unwilling to speak, that figure just moves in and, with a swift two blows to pressure points, attempts to fell him to the ground before it retreats.
COMBATSYS: Duke blocks Lien's Quick Throw.
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Duke 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Lien
The figure -- now in Duke's mind to be a 'she,' and hopefully remains that way -- is blasted backwards as intended, with little look of happiness or even irritation on the part of the lieutenant. Slowly, Hell's Executioner lifts back up to his full, intimidating height. His dark gaze focuses on the figure as it recovers and then /approaches./ Sadly, she's not nearly as fast as before; the blazing power that Duke utilizes sees to that, and as Lien slams -forward- with those attacks at nerve clusters at his body, what she is greeted with... is the palm of his massive, right hand, stopping them without so much as a second thought.
"Ah, ah," Duke chides, wagging a finger. "Not nearly fast enough."
In one simple motion, Duke's right leg sweeps upward; his intent is to catch this figure in the ribs with a sudden, lightning-fast jab of his shoe, before he lifts his leg even higher, -thrusting- it sideways to impact solidly against the side of his assailant's covered head. "HMPH!"
COMBATSYS: Lien parries Duke's Light Kick!
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Duke 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Lien
'Her' attack intercepted by his palm, those gloved digits simply withdraw, disappearing once more underneath the lapel of its poncho. For a moment, the figure bows its head slightly, unseen eyes glaring at the powerful enforcer. She was pretty swift, there. He must be more than she gives him credit for.
Nevermind that. Eyes flicker swiftly to the side, catching sight of the wet fabric of his pant leg stir. Making note, the woman simply ducks and weaves aside, rolling once underneath his leg before it springs up and at Duke, attempting to grab him by the throat with that gloved hand of 'hers'...
COMBATSYS: Duke Toughs Out Lien's Caph Slam EX!
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Duke 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Lien
Snared, though he makes no immediate move to avoid it otherwise, a kick is swiftly delivered to one side of his head, followed by a second from the opposite leg. Pivoting harshly, the figure delivers a swift backhand blow, attempting to fell the Southtown Syndicate enforcer before delivering a swift kick to his form, to kick him away were he but trash.
He might be more -- he IS more. But this figure might be more than just some low-class spy as he had originally considered 'her' to be -- especially when she so deftly weaves between and out of the way of his attack. She springs to life. Fast. Most definitely -fast-.
But not fast enough. It's not something she may make note of to begin with due to the sheer speed of her attack, but the man known as Hell's Executioner accepts the sudden grab at his scarred throat fully, making no attempt to move out of the way. A blow is delivered to his head, and though it snaps to the side, he grins. Another, and his grin widens. Suddenly, he is backhanded, staggering. But as that kick comes...
... Duke is suddenly leaping -RIGHT- into it.
"SLOPPY! WEAK! Is this all you have?!" The kick strikes his sternum, but it does not knock him away. Instead, at the same time, Duke lashes out with his massive right hand, attempting to deliver a single haymaker straight across his 'shadow's' face, delivering with it titanic speed and even greater strength. "Don't make me laugh!!"
COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Lien with Strong Punch.
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Duke 1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Lien
Whatever the figure is, it refrains from speaking anything of itself. Instead, it simply moves, and impressively, at that. Ducking his leg, the figure leaps to life and, with a firm grip, grabs Duke by the throat, unleashing a series of blows before backhanding the man. He staggers, but doesn't fall. Just as the woman's kick comes, it strikes him in a strange fashion. Blinking, the figure's hood twists as it attempts to gaze over a shoulder.
Just in time to get caught in the face with a haymaker.
Struck fiercely, that figure goes flying to one side, but a hand lashes out, dampening its crash against the brick wall of the alley. Don't make him laugh, the man says. That figure says nothing. Instead, it pushes off the wall and suddenly slides across the alleyway, elbow-first toward Duke's midsection...
COMBATSYS: Duke interrupts Atropos from Lien with Tall Hammer.
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Duke 1/----===/=======|=======\=====--\1 Lien
"Pathetic," concludes Duke as the figure goes reeling backwards. "Absolutely pathetic. This isn't going to be any entertainment at all."
Despite the harsh statement, Duke's tone is filled with a sense of amusement at the attempts of the beponcho'd figure's assaults. Is it condescending? It most certainly is. But what is she going to do about it? Clearly nothing worthwhile, the ambitious Syndicate lieutenant decides. And that just makes this all the more amusing.
For example, as the woman approaches again, sliding in such an elegant fashion, Duke's response is simple. He rushes straight IN to greet her before she can do so much as finish the starter to her technique. The elbow crashes painfully into Duke's stomach, yet at the same time a hand snaps /upwards/ with blurring spead, the massive appendage crashing into his assailant's jaw with enough upwards momentum to launch her straight into the sky. "GRAAAAAAGH!!" As she soars, Duke surges forward beneath her, his hand lashing out once more in a second uppercut. This one impacts just under the figure's ribcage, with just enough power behind it to send her rocketing again.
"... hmp. So silent, so mysterious. Who are you, girl?"
Despite his chiding remarks, the figure in black does not say a word. Instead, it moves swiftly, covering ground swiftly in an attempt to bury that elbow straight into his stomach. The problem is, however...her attempt is swiftly and quite suddenly thwarted. Though her elbow lands, she has no time to weave herself around him. Instead, that massive hand crashes into her jaw, launching the woman's form upward before he lashes out and launches her even higher.
Mid-flight, however, the figure twists her form and corrects herself. Using her descent to her advantage, the poncho-clad form flies at him, heel first, attempting to lodge the heel into his broad chest.
Who is she? She's still not telling.
COMBATSYS: Duke blocks Lien's Light Kick.
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Duke 1/---====/=======|=======\=====--\1 Lien
She descends. But Duke is more than amply prepared for it. As the woman falls, the Southtown Syndicate's enforcer reaches out with a single hand, almost... waiting. There is an unpleasant smile on his face as she lands, heel-first, into his palm. The resultant crash might be painful for some. For Duke, he merely exerts a grunt of effort before his muscles put forth a minor strain of effort. There's nothing more than a dull ache in his arm as he pushes the figure off and away from him. He is silent, for a time. And then--
"You won't tell me who you are, hm...? Then I'll find out for myself after I rip that poncho of your dead body. I hope you don't mind, but then..." As Duke speaks, he steps forward, and lashes out with his right hand -- intent on grabbing Lien securely by the face.
"... the dead don't care for much."
COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Lien with Treadmill EX.
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Duke 1/---====/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Lien
-Snap-. The woman is grasped, and lifted effortlessly into the air, held high above Duke's face as he stares at her wordlessly. Without a second's thought or hesitation, Hell's Executioner -SLAMS- his assailant into the ground, concrete cracking beneath the force he exerts.
"You're nothing but an insect... and I am going to squash you right here, right now."
His right leg lifts, and a second later, Duke is literally thrusting his foot -down- heel-first into the figure's throat. From there, he begins to grind mercilessly, somehow exerting so much force that with the final downward thrust... his assailant is blown -upward- into the air, away from Duke himself as his polished shoe slams into the ground.
"Hmph."
Her heel strikes his forearm, causing the woman to simply push against his arm and spring off, twisting her body midair before she lands in a slight crouch. Rising slowly, the lapels of the poncho slide against wet concrete, dripping from its tips as she comes to full height again. Peering out from beneath the hood of the rain poncho, unseen lips pull tightly across a smooth face. Is he threatening her?
When he moves, the unknown woman attempts to duck out of harm's way. However, she is snared; grabbed and palmed in the center of his hand, she's hefted up and then slammed into the ground beneath her. The follow-up is no less painful, a foot buried against her midsection and burying her into the earth before she's suddenly launched into the air, landing a ways away with a wet thud.
Slowly but surely, that poncho-clad figure rises. Somehow, she's still able to stand. Shakily, that mysterious person rises...before a hand shoots out and in its gloved palm, a blade. Then, with a ragged jog forward, she attempts to lodge it into the man's ribs. Nowhere lethal; just something to hinder him and perhaps buy her some time...
COMBATSYS: Duke dodges Lien's Random Weapon.
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Duke 1/---====/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Lien
Buy her some time. It'd be nice if that were the case. Sadly it's not; Duke is still quite clearly aware of his surroundings by the time that his assailant gets ahold of herself and drags up out of the wet, dirty ground. He watches with a mild sense of interest as she struggles, not yet trying to pursue the route that will ultimately finish her off. Instead, he opts to buy his time; to wait, and see what this person has to offer him. And what she has to offer...
... is something so terribly predictable. A brow arches as Duke finds himself suddenly being approached by the figure's rapidly approaching form. Sadly, she seems to be so addled that her movements are considerably slower than before; at the least, far more predictable. That knife is considered with an arched brow, before Duke... laughs. It's harsh, condescending laughter, and far, far from friendly. As she thrusts forward with that blade, Hell's Executioner opts for the simplest route of all. He darts to the /side/, letting that blade sling off just beyond him before he leans in towards the woman.
"I could have killed you there."
The simple statement is delivered with an equally simple punch to the figure's ribcage; a swift, thrusting motion meant to take the wind -- and the fight -- out of her.
COMBATSYS: Lien dodges Duke's Quick Punch.
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Duke 1/---====/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Lien
Charging forward with movements predictable, that form in black moves nonetheless. Despite laughter, despite mockery, that unknown shadow lashes out, a glint of steel in lamp light flashing as it slides forward. And it's easily avoided; with a slide to one side, that blade cuts empty air, leaving Hell's Executioner unscathed. Easily, the woman discards of the knife, tossing it aside.
He could have killed her there? Likely, he could have. But his words earn him an unseen smirk from that figure; so amused, is it, the smirk can be felt.
"Or I was buying time," a woman's voice replies.
A punch comes, but, easily, the figure weaves to one side. But it doesn't stop there; in that motion she attempts to drive her elbow straight into his face.
COMBATSYS: Lien successfully hits Duke with Strong Punch.
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Duke 1/=======/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Lien
That sort of sudden, fluid movement isn't exactly expected. The fact that Duke's plans don't go /as planned/ is enough for him to know that something is amiss here. It seems that his friend is far more spry on her last legs than he would give her credit for. It's something he'll have to remember for later.
And it's a mistake that he is -not- going to make again.
The surprise of seeing her successfully move out of the way of such a swift attack, however, is enough that he is ill-prepared to deal with what comes next. The figure's elbow drives forward, and smashes into Duke's face. The ambitious Syndicate lieutenant takes a single, growling step /backwards/ as the blow strikes clean, but it doesn't stagger him quite as much as Lien might hope. Instead, after his second backwards step, Duke is LUNGING forward, intent on grasping his assailant FIRMLY by the throat before -SLAMMING- her into a nearby wall. "This is -OVER-!"
COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Lien with Quick Throw.
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Duke 1/=======/=======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Lien
Striking him harshly with her elbow strike, the unknown assailant plants it firm against his face before she steps back, distancing herself from the Syndicate enforcer. There's something to be said for the swiftness she employs, even when she's barely capable of holding her own, likely on her proverbial last leg. Still, the woman perseveres regardless. She has no choice here.
When he comes again, the woman attempts to lift a hand and redirect his hand while ducking to one side. However, his grasp is swift; snared, she's introduced to the wall behind her, leaving an imprint in the wall, a grotesque wheeze and rattle escaping her lungs. And even still, she refuses to bow down.
With a sudden swing of her leg, that heel comes down at him, to cut against his chest and ultimately lodge into the wall, and in turn summon forth a massive gout of pinkish-white, aimed toward Duke.
If lucky, it'll get him off before he can do considerable damage to her.
COMBATSYS: Lien has reached second wind!
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Duke 1/=======/=======|=======\-------\1 Lien
COMBATSYS: Duke blocks Lien's Assault Type - Shaula.
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Duke 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\1 Lien
That should be it, really. At this point, the figure should simply go down; there's very little else she can logically do. But... once more, she proves Duke wrong. In a sudden and powerful movement, the assailant attempts to swing her leg straight into Duke's torso. Luckily, he reacts in time: releasing his opponent, Duke launches his arms up in a rapid defense to the attack, that kick doing little more than cause him to stagger /backwards/ a step before the second strike comes -- a gout of chi. The first time he's seen it from this foe, it's more of a clue that she knows what she's doing. But even so...
... it's still not nearly enough.
The pillar of pink-white fire consumes, but in a single moment, the enforcer's arms snap OUT, crashing through the wave of power and dispersing it all with a blood-curdling bellow. He does not pause, nor hesitate for his enemy to come up and put up a proper defense. Instead, he lifts a single hand into the air, crackling with black electricity. The air around them stills for a brief moment--
--and then, Duke releases all that power crackling in his palm. It ruptures in the form of a massive, churning sphere of black and crimson chi, a churning sphere which seeks to crash into his enemy and send her slamming FORCEFULLY back into the wall once more. Apparently, Duke is done playing games.
COMBATSYS: Lien dodges Duke's Gravitational Wave.
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Duke 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Lien
The roar of energy is loud and deafening, flashy and bright enough to illuminate the alleyway in a brilliant light. It's in that brief moment, should Duke see beyond that flash and not be blinded, he can catch the briefest of glimpses of his assailant's face. A woman, clearly, features fair, auburn eyes hooded in determination. Not about to be taken down so easily, those eyes burn with intense resolve.
But as swift as the revelation comes, it fades with that light. Darkness consumes the alley once more, and the woman is given distance. Released, she slides slightly down the wall, panting visibly beneath the hood of her poncho. A brief moment, broken by his sudden attempt to launch a massive sphere of energy at the woman. In one smooth motion she dives to one side, avoiding it entirely as it crashes against the wall.
Rebounding off the wet concrete, Lien lunges at Duke hands first, attempting to snare him by that thick neck of his and, with a sudden surge of white chi, explode the air and launch him away. The threat he poses is considerable.
COMBATSYS: Duke dodges Lien's Al Niyat.
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Duke 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Lien
For a brief instant, Duke can see the face. It is distantly recognizable, one that scratches on the very edge of realization -- but the features are still too obscure and the glimpse too brief to draw any conclusions. This in and of itself is confusing enough, which may be why when that sudden expulsion of power comes, one of Duke's faster displays of power, Lien is still able to rather swiftly deal with it before it can strike her.
The massive sphere of energy is snuffed out the instant that Duke notices it hasn't struck its mark. Instead of trying to follow up with another blow, however, Duke finds himself on the receiving end of one of his target's -- or would, if she were perhaps a second faster. Instead, Hell's Executioner launches himself -backward- a single step as she attempts to grasp him by the neck. The resultant explosion goes unseen and uncared for. Duke has pushed himself too far, and underestimated this person too much. It's time to end this.
In one smooth movement, Duke attempts to thrust /forward/ with a single, powerful kick aimed straight for the woman's gut. If it strikes, it delivers behind it more than ample force to lift her off her feet, and rocket her -straight- backwards and away from him. "GRAAAGH!!"
COMBATSYS: Lien counters Light Kick from Duke with Tisiphone.
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Duke 1/-----==/=======|=------\-------\0 Lien
Whether the woman is familiar to the likes of Duke or no, it remains unimportant to the woman. As far as she is aware, he means nothing in the scheme of things. He is just a Syndicate enforcer, one of a handful of them in the employ of Geese Howard. He's a part of the group, nothing more.
How wrong she is. Sadly, she isn't aware of this fact.
Avoiding his blast, the woman attempts to lunge at Duke, to grab him in her awful embrace. However, he shows himself to be more deft than she'd imagined; avoiding her grasp, the man jerks backwards, avoiding her hands entirely. That's when those unseen auburn eyes hood in annoyance. This has gone on too long for her liking.
When he comes forward, the woman does something rather odd. As his leg launches out she leaps up and lands onto it, before she springs up and lands on his shoulders. Again, he is heft up by her heels into the air, and when he descends she intercepts him on her heel, the opposite leg swinging up, to launch him away, into a wall...
...leaving the strange woman all but gasping for a breath.
... This has gone on far, far enough. There is nothing more than surprise and frustration on Duke's face in the wake of his blow being deflected with such seeming ease. His recognition of her face, however faint, goes forgotten. The moment he feels her land on his leg, and then springboard off, he is already fuming. Lines of red-hot vapor lift up from his hands, just as she lands on his shoulders in that familiar move. He's launched up, and then slammed into the wall in the wake of a sudden kick. It stings at best, but still -- he's been pushed much to far, now.
There is no more words. There is no more taunting. He's clearly underestimated this girl, but no more. As soon as he lands from the wall, he lands on his feet, and he lands literally STEAMING. Rain that falls on him instantly evaporates as he clasps his hands together directly in front of himself. Slowly, he lifts both hands into the air, lips peeling back in a snarl. And as the strange woman lands...
... Duke literally -hammerblows- the ground beneath his feet.
"GRAAAAAGH!!" With that blood-curdling roar, flames BURST from the ground in a sudden fiery, explosive line that races straight forward, in a beeline for one person alone: Duke's mysterious assailant. That line of flames lifts up high, higher than the woman is tall, surging forward to crash into her in the wake of a sudden, fiery explosion.
COMBATSYS: Duke successfully hits Lien with Sledgehammer.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ]
Duke 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Lien
It HAS gone on for far too long. Perhaps surprised herself, the unknown woman--since forgotten by now--continues to fight regardless. Moving along his leg, the enforcer is launched and ultimately disposed of, sent flying toward the nearest wall with a loud thud. Holding her ground, she desperately gasps for breath. She's barely able to keep going for much longer. That much is evident, even with the poncho all but hiding her form.
Her head lifts as he moves, those large hands--steaming, no less--slam fiercely into the ground, causing it to explode in a line that races right for her. Struck, and struck hard, the woman is launched upwards into the sky. Yet, she doesn't come back down quite yet. Instead, a blur of steel cuts the air between them, aimed for his chest. It's small, hardly obtrusive...but should it impact, a burst of stinging smoke will cloud his vision and allow the woman her swift retreat.
"Thank you for the dance," she calls, her ethnicity far more apparent as she speaks in an obviously British accent, "But I must flee. It's almost midnight, Prince Charming."
COMBATSYS: Lien has reached third wind!
[ \\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Duke 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Lien
COMBATSYS: Duke overcomes Thrown Object from Lien with Thrown Object.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Duke 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Lien
Unfortunately... Duke is far too used to people managing to get up miraculously after his attacks to be surprised that his assailant is still able to stand. Thusly, her attempt doesn't quite end the way she'd hope. Blown back from the force of Duke's raging fury, that annoyance only momentarily subsides as he stands up to his full height once more, panting as he attempts to catch his breath. But--is she not down for the count yet?
Duke peers almost thoughtfully as the woman begins a swift skyward retreat, using the force of his own blow to aid herself. A blur of steal comes, and as it does, that distinctly British accent touches his ears. England -- he knows something -- someone he had left behind there. It's a memory he long forgot, but--
--he shakes it off as coincidence for now. Instead, he has to deal with the sudden flinging of that strange steel object at him. What he does, is brutishly simple: he picks up a piece of rock created from his sudden, brutal strikes into the ground, hefts it into his hand... and CHUCKS it at the incoming weapon. Smoke EXPLODES, obscuring his own vision -- but the rock continues onward, likely towards the origin of that thrown weaponry as Duke coughs. While he might not be able to see her -- maybe he'll be able to give her a -parting gift-.
"You'd... better HOPE... I never see you again, girl."
Log created on 00:41:57 06/25/2007 by Lien, and last modified on 21:57:56 06/25/2007.