Description: Grant comes to witness Kain's new tier of Ankoku power; At first things become manageable, before the Demon is dropped in a single stroke, rather effortlessly. Disheartened with the gap between them, he is prepared to make a final journey of his own... one where success or death are the only options.
In the woods behind the Heinlein mansion, Kain sits in the center of a clearing. He's perched upon a large flat rock, legs crossed and hands on his knees. A quick glance around is all it takes to realize that this clearing hasn't been here for very long. Blackened powder is all that remains of the trees and underbrush for a good twenty feet in all directions. Even the dirt is scraped away, radiating out from the point at which Kain sits. And when one reaches the edge of that area the plantlife is suddenly vibrant once again.
For anyone sensitive to such things, the area around Kain is almost poisonous with deadly energy. Even for less perceptive people the aura of black flame surrounding Heinlein's body should be enough to tell that something's up. This power is incredible... but Kain still hasn't reached the /full/ potential of it, he's sure.
How long has it been? How many decades have passed in the blink of an eye? Grant does not know. But he has finally accomplished what he believed long ago to be impossible. He has finally reached perfection; The Martyr of Might can go no further with what he is given. Such realization was subtle and long coming, but not until today has he accepted it as reality. The increase in physical ability had been microscopic to even his own eyes for months now, but now he merely retains the power he has gotten. He must slave, work, and train to keep the abilities grown and nurtured through a lifetime to the exclusion of all else. All his existence, down to his very namesake, he has made a living breaking barriers. Passing limitations. But there is no available exception in this case. To press even a nuance further will kill him. It will burn him out, make him weaker, and in the end claim his life. The burning Ankoku has hollowed him out and left little but foundation.
And his approach now towards Kain, feeling the venom surging in the land, has fully brought home the potential of his former student. So young, but already so much mastery. There's no attempt to hide his own presence, feet pressing into soot and ash as he strides the short expanse towards Kain, long blue cloak wisping across the ground. Such a display would almost certainly kill the Demon, for all of his ability to channel the power; It has always been within as opposed to without. Such isn't evident, and hardly surprising. His emotional control is to such an extent even Kain cannot read him, and any hints are hidden behind the coarse crimson steel of his mask.
"You have come far..." Grant mulls towards Kain, standing a couple meters away and merely observing. Gauging. He is not nearly upon his limits yet. But his current level... ...How far does Kain truly have to climb?
Of course, Kain has reached the truly difficult part of the path to greater power. At such a level it is quite difficult to proceed any further and mistakes can be very costly. But Kain has never been one to fear risk.
Heinlein doesn't immediately respond to Grant's statement, though he sensed his old friend's approach. It takes a few moments for him to reign in his power, having let much of it loose. Even with his control it can be dangerous to underestimate the deadly force he wields. Finally the flames are extinguished and Kain slowly rises to his feet. "And still far to go. I have seen the true essence of Ankoku... That ultimate power is, perhaps, beyond what a mortal can wield, but I will come as close as can be." Or die trying. But for both Kain and Grant that goes without saying.
Kain holds out his arm, gazing at his palm as a black flame begins to dance there, twisting and swirling, forming various shapes, rapidly morphing from one flickering form to another. "Always another step to take... Physically, mentally, spiritually. Perfection may be for the gods alone, but one won't know until one tries to drag them down from their thrones." Kain grins at Grant, the smile briefly reminiscent of a much more innocent expression that Grant has seen on a much younger Kain's face.
Patience born only of understanding is evident as Kain takes the time to pull in the reigns of that power, which truly gives Grant further opportunity to assess it and the separate roads. Raw amount and raw refinement. Internal and external. Finesse and brutality. At this stage, it is apparent which route truly leads to mastery of those dark forces... "The true heart?" is asked, with mild curiosity. He has seen only a haze of darkness, a hint of brimstone, dancing shapes in the shadows. Far, far from the heart. He has tapped into the fringe for so long, that which is raw and impure. But he continues with a stiff nod. "If I taught you nothing, Kain, it is that there is no limit or restriction if you are willing to take the next step." How sour these words now taste, knowing within his heart he has nowhere left to go. But he continues unperturbed. "Gato. Rock. Shingo. All that I have seen are wrought with flaws. Close but lacking. You are unique, Kain. A man of your talent and intelligence is born mayhaps once per century." Such open admiration is startlingly rare, much of it unspoken and alluded. There's a change in the old man for sure, but to what direction might at present be an educated guess. "I would like to see your art again, Kain. We have fought countless times, and each time our gap has grown wider... Show me now." The cape is swept open, revealing his physique sculpted through those endless vigors. "Show me the peak of your present ability!!" This has more meaning then spars prior. Far more meaning.
Kain clenches his hand into a fist, briefly extinguishing the dancing flames. He doesn't need to be able to see past Grant's mask to tell that something is troubling the man. And even with their long association, there have been few times that Kain has been able to tell even /that/ much about his good friend's state of mind, so the importance of this is clear. Kain slides into his deceptively casual fighting stance, although against Grant he leaves his hand out of his pocket. It's a both a sign of respect and a sign that he intends to take this fight very seriously.
"As you wish, old friend." No pity, no hint of being condescending... Kain simply states the fact that he's going to give Grant a full display of his current level of power. There will be no holding back here... though it's a rare fight in which Kain /does/ hold back. And then Heinlein races forward. If this is to be a real fight, there is no time to chat. The space between the two men should be more than enough for Grant to get a feel for Kain's opening attack. Kain ducks down low as he runs, then launches himself into a low flying kick. Black flame trails from Kain's foot as he attempts to drive the kick home into Grant's stomach.
COMBATSYS: Kain has started a fight here.
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Kain 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Grant has joined the fight here.
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Kain 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Grant
COMBATSYS: Grant endures Kain's Schwarzer Stob.
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Kain 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Grant
Of course there is no assumption this fight is going to be truly different; Grant knows better then to think Kain had ever gone easy. The exception is that for once, the Martyr truly wishes for his long time friend to go hard. To fully and absolutely try to win by as significant a margin as possible. Not something many would ask of the other man, who has demolished Geese himself on national television, but he wants it no other way. Spreading his stance at the sudden approach, Grant steels himself while shifting, taking the blow into his stomach. It skids him back a solid meter despite leaning forward at the precise moment, flame washing over his stomach with a growl. But his foot ignites a moment later, and he unleashes a sudden immense kick towards Kain's stomach, trying to hit him with ungodly force and double him over. A shoulder drops thereafter, to catch him upon the face, and it is finished with a final open-palm thrust that displaces the very air -- aimed at the precise location of his first kick, to send Kain hopefully spiraling away. He shall fight his hardest as well; Although that has always been the case since the first time they locked fists, so long ago to be another world...
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Grant's Majin Gan-En.
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Kain 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Grant
Grant's striking leg is met with Kain's own, the two limbs clashing with a blast of light as the chi of both men is focused to the point of impact. In the end, Kain manages to hold his ground, swinging his right arm up to meet Grant's rushing shoulder. Heinlein can see the palm strike coming then, and pushes himself back from Grant, robbing the blow of most of its force. Even then, though, Kain can feel dull aches in his leg, arm and stomach.
And then Kain surges back in toward Grant, both fists igniting with black flame. He doesn't hold back, sacrificing his defenses for even more raw power as he throws blow after blow, weaving from side to side as he throws a series of pummeling strikes at Grant's torso. Each blow is accompanied by a searing blast of black fire in an attempt to break through even Grant's formidable defenses.
COMBATSYS: Grant dodges Kain's Fierce Punch.
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Kain 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Grant
And once more Grant shows he is significantly more then just a raw brute fighter, as he weaves away from each of the blows in turn, feet skidding deep marks within the blackened soot upon the ground. It's difficult however, and more then one grazes close enough to sear his flesh, but the wounds accumulate to almost nothing upon the titanic figure. With a significant lack of pizzaz he erupts forward, thrusting one fist in retaliation. Where Kain used numbers, he uses impact, trying to fold the Heinlein over it with a resounding crack. Nothing else comes; He retreats slightly thereafter, bringing up his guard as both forearms cross before his chest thereafter, stance spreading and a waft of his own Ankoku fire drifting lazily across. That dark energy... it is significantly more potent then what he held prior. That initial strike proves it by far... But he will persevere, and by no means is in a losing battle just yet.
COMBATSYS: Kain dodges Grant's Medium Punch.
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Kain 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Grant
People often underestimate those with power, thinking that they rely on nothing else. Kain is also fairly light on his feet, allowing him to swing to the side so that Grant's fist impacts with only the fluttering tail of Kain's jacket. That in itself is dangerous, however, and Kain is quick to hop back even further, before Grant can grab hold of the fabric. Now that Grant is in full fighting form, Kain is somewhat reluctant for a head on charge... Holding back doesn't mean throwing himself into the meat grinder. Accordingly he lifts both hands, summoning up orbs of black flame. A quick flick of both wrists is all it takes to send them zooming toward Grant, with Heinlein himself only a few moments behind.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Grant with Schwarze Flame.
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Kain 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Grant
Twisting around, an attempt was made to bring up his forearms and deflect the flash of fire, which fails; He's caught within the chest, biting deep as he grunts and staggers backwards, regathering himself. Now that he's at range and disoriented, the relentless offense is ignored for now; Instead he spreads his stance and begins to channel in his own energy. Drawing it forth from his very soul. He erupts into purple fire, the ground quaking, sea of cinders shifting around like in a dance. Fists glow so brightly that viewing them might be almost painful, but for all of this show much of it is wasted; He grasps relatively little, although few could argue the intimidating aesthetics of such a display. This is the worst he's done against Kain; And he intends to turn the tides and attempt to finish this in one fell swoop.
COMBATSYS: Grant gathers his will.
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Kain 0/-------/-======|=======\====---\1 Grant
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Kain well knows how dangerous Grant can be, but he's not going to show his old friend the extent of his power by holding back and playing things safe. Kain observes Grant's stance, looking for any openings... and finds one. Or so he believes. Despite the surge in Grant's aura Kain shows no fear, charging directly in toward the larger man. It's no wild rush, however. He's prepared to quickly change his course almost instantly to evade an attack in response. Once he gets close enough his right hand shoots out, aiming to lock around Grant's throat, engulfing the man's head in flames as he digs his fingers in with an iron grip.
COMBATSYS: Grant auto-guards Kain's Schwarze Schleife!
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Kain 0/-------/-======|=======\====---\1 Grant
Ah... this is a new maneuver to Grant. He observes the weave forward, but through the wash of energy he still manages to react, snapping out his right hand and catching the incoming hand. Wrenching it aside, the waft of fire goes off adjacent, missing by scant inches. And also setting up Kain for a secondary assault that might be significantly more dangerous; His free hand shoots overhead, swooping down in an attempt to catch Heinlein upon the top of the head and /slam/ him into the ground with earthshattering force. His other would then sweep into an uppercut, with the intent being to send the white-clad man flying high with a grunt. Now upon his second wind, he tries to stay close and prevent Kain from gaining any distance... If he drops the pressure a second time, any chance of victory might vanish with it.
COMBATSYS: Grant successfully hits Kain with Gou Retsu-Shou.
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Kain 1/-----==/=======|=======\=====--\1 Grant
A grunt escapes Kain as he's slammed into the ground, along with a trickle of blood as his teeth clamp down on the inside of his mouth from the impact. There's no time to recover before he's then sent flying right back up. His whole upper body arches back from the force of Grant's blow, which sends him tumbling up into the air. But even as he's sailing up Kain manages to gain control of his body and twists himself to face down toward Grant, extending both hands toward the Martyr of Might.
The warning is brief. A spark of black flame appears before Kain's hands and a moment later erupts into a massive, dark inferno. The blast shoots downwards, but the initial impact is nothing compared to the explosion that erupts afterwards. What's left of the clearing is reduced to a smoking crater, the explosion enough that even Kain is sent flying back, though he is prepared for the blast and ready to land on his feet some distance away...
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Grant with Himmlischer Atem.
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Kain 0/-------/----===|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Grant
Things were going in Grant's favor; After shattering Kain's guard, he was posed to continue his onslaught and try to decimate the other man before he could regain himself. But this assault, this is something else. He has dealt with it before. At the first try, he absorbed it harmlessly and pointed at the flaw. But never in his entire life has he been struck this hard, by a significant measure. There was a good chance to leap away, but not good enough. He's consumed in the torrentous flash, letting out a single snarl. When it vanishes he is still upon the ground, but slowly pushes himself upwards, trembling. Turning back towards Kain, he spreads his stance, and summons up his last card that might possibly grant victory.
"Majin..."
And then he rushes forward, a vorpal flash of chi summoned as kinetic force moulds with the condensed Ankoku, trying to tear into the other man.
"ENGETSU-RIN!"
Three more swirls follow, before a final rush intending to slam into him and send Kain flying backwards. Before he crashes upon his knees with a grunt, doubling forward and catching himself with both hands. Defeated, in one massive stroke...
COMBATSYS: Grant can no longer fight.
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Kain 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Kain blocks Grant's Majin Engetsu-Rin.
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Kain 0/-------/--=====|
Kain is luckily granted some time while Grant recovers from the mighty blast. Without that he might not have been able to deal with the assault. His arms shake under the impact as Grant crashes into him and Heinlein finds himself unable to keep his ground. He's sent flying back, but not in an uncontrolled heap as he would be if struck full on. He manages to remain in a position to land feet first, skidding back a considerable distance but remaining standing when all is said and done.
Then Kain slowly lowers his arms... and looks at Grant. His great respect for Grant means he must tread carefully here... but their close friendship means he most say something. "As you've taught me, old friend, there are no limits but those we allow ourselves to have. One may die from the pursuit of strength, but to do otherwise is not to live at all."
COMBATSYS: Kain has ended the fight here.
Ah. Thoroughly beaten and by a significant margin. Such cannot be blamed on circumstance; It was my a razor's edge, but more clear then ever is the gap between them. Already the poison in his veins burns, his heart aches, weakness replacing his strength as a haze flutters around his eyes. "...You are correct." muses the Martyr, as he slowly raises to his feet. Every joint aches in protest, but he bears it quietly with long practice. "There is always a path. One must only find it." Inwardly, there is shame. Shame that he has fallen so far behind. Shame that he has reached the epitome of what he can do on the road he followed for so long, he knows no other. There must be another... There must! "You are strong, Kain... stronger then I dared to think possible." Marie would be proud; That much is unsaid. But slowly Grant turns to limp away, apparently having his unsaid question answered. He will not give up here. The pact they made ages ago stands. He will match his once pupil, or he shall die rather then slow him down. His training in solitude has come to a close... it is time to find what he needs on the scorching field of battle...
Log created on 19:42:41 08/29/2007 by Grant, and last modified on 18:47:59 09/07/2007.