Description: Team Ying Yang fights team Spiratualists in a fight that has an explosive ending!
The great hall of Strolheim is a glimmer in the night. Each fighter being greeting with a candle lit hallway that leads across its many arcing branches. They expand outwards, crawling out across the expansive region it was built upon. The architechture is unimaginable as well, lord and ladies clad in stone atop the many highly expanding roofs, sharing the imense space with gargoyles and other stone structures.
The focus is not upon that today, no, not at all. Not even about the many who must light the many torches that are laden across the hallways. With the regal structures all about, one would imagine that this would not be the place that would be used to hold a fight.
It is, however. The god of NESTS's team pitted against two others of a more spiritual chi, rather than one proclaimed to be a god. But Igniz expects that Alma will be ever so useful in this fight. Igniz especially would like to reach Krauser once more. What had happened before was more or less a test. It was potentially disasterous, but the god of NESTS has no qualms about learning first hand. The data produced is far better than what is digested from being thrown off course. To let the very best be witnessed is the only way to counter it all.
Now in the Great hall, Igniz stands, floating above the ground without hiding his idendity underneath the robe. The powerful rays of light that exude from his figure spread indefinitely, his jet black armor pointedly behind his flowing cape and hair. And that smile that never moves, never rests nor sleeps adorns his face.
He had looked forward to this for so long. And now it is finally here. NESTS makes their livings off of Tournaments.
Why should this be any different.
For Frei, the Strolheim tournament is actually his first major fighting tournament. Beyond that, his participation in the world of professional fighting has been limited to SNF and the Neo League... not exactly small potatoes, but something else entirely. The experience has been quite new for him, overall, and not exactly negative. His fight with mentor Chizuru Kagura against Ryuhaku Todoh and his team was, above all else, enlightening and challenging. Most certainly, the spiritually-minded Frei has found Chizuru's fighting style fascinating to watch, particularly the ease with which she seems to flow through the battlefield, weaving illusions in her wake. It's a trick he'd like to learn, impossible though that may be.
That said...
Something about this matchup closes fingers around his heart. The name 'Igniz' has been spoken to him before, only once... by Kula Diamond, as she attempted to put the hurting on the YFCC. A man she claimed was strong, stronger than anyone... and who is almost certainly her boss or benefactor. Meaning that much of the hardship endured not just by himself, but many of the people Frei knows, is likely due to this individual's command or influence. If he's the same guy, anyway.
Alma Towazu is his partner.
Hmm.
Thus the conflict in the young sage's heart. Anticipation for the tournament, excitement at the challenge, happiness at seeing his friend... concern about what's going to happen. Frei's hallmark, his strength, is staying calm in the face of adversity. Being even-keeled even when others can't. But is that going to be possible in this case? A heat, infrequently encountered, pulses in his blood; an anger, a sorrow, a thirst for vengeance. Emotions he is not sure he can express to his teammate just yet.
Words he expressed to Balrog when the clawed assassin assaulted him float through his periphery: 'Fights where the whole goal is to make some sort of *point*.' Perhaps all he can do... is try to make a point. Express something. Make a statement without giving anything up, without sacrificing who he is or what he's here for.
It might be possible.
He steps into the Great Hall with a calm expression, gaze not really looking anywhere, drifting around. Preparing.
Frei may not be calm on the inside, even though he looks it.
Chizuru is. She has encountered Igniz before; she has felt his energies. Sh eknows the feel of that power, unwholesome as it is; she knows she does not approve of it, or the just plain /wrong/ way it feels to her.
But she's still not worried. This will be a good opportunity to learn more about it; it isn't as if she came in with no experience at all. And, further, she won't be the most powerful person in the fight this time. She might actually be challenged, too. Chizuru l ikes that. Who wants to win all the time?
Chizuru does not say anything as she walks in, hands in her sleeves. She looks deep in thought, or perhaps meditation, and not paying much attention. That could not be further from the truth.
What is the point of this fight?
Alma Towazu -- nominal head of the YFCC, hero of Taizhou, and fighting model extraordinaire -- enters as silently as his fellows. He, just as much as Frei, has quite a bit to think about. What, even days ago, he would have given to be in Frei's place right now, to have the chance to pit himself face-to-face against the man who so much embodies everything Alma stands against, who would spurn humanity to become a monster. There would surely be a point to that fight. For even if violence and strength prove nothing in and of themselves, Alma would at least be able to demonstrate his sincerity. It would not be a proof of his rightness, but it would be a proof of his integrity-- and that foreign taste might compel Igniz to see the error of his ways.
For one such as Alma, such a proof is inherently valuable.
But fighting in Strolheim has been... complicated.
As soon as he heard he would be facing against Frei, Alma's feelings of serenity were reinforced. Both of them, he knew, had little need for prize money, and would surely devote it to his own ostensible goal: finishing the rebuilding of the YFCC after the destruction wrought by NESTS. Yet even were this not the case, Alma would be feeling fine. Standing by Igniz's side has challenged him immensely, in ways he has not expected. He does not doubt his faith in human dignity. Neither is he in any way uncertain that Igniz is in the wrong. But he realizes, too, that he himself has been naive-- and dishonest, perhaps, with his friends.
His humiliating defeat at Igniz's own hands was the first step; facing K' again, who has grown so much, was the next. And being able to face Krauser and Blood, and see the true strength of the men of Strolheim-- that reminded Alma of what, in the end, drew him toward fighting as a medium for self-expression.
So, what then is the point?
The young blond steps forward to stand by his master's side, casting Igniz a mild, thoughtful sidelong glance before looking toward Frei and smiling-- a little smile, soft-eyed and serious, resigned but not dispirited.
This is for the YFCC, its renewal, and its potential to be fulfilled.
This is for himself, the furthering of his light, and what he has yet to learn from the darkness he has only just begun to understand.
And this is for the fight.
This is for the clash of souls, that no matter what else--
"It's good to see you, Frei."
Matters.
"Do your best, alright?"
~ You know I won't hold back, so... ~
One last time, Alma's eyes shift to Igniz.
~ ...you'd better not either, Frei. ~
COMBATSYS: Chizuru has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Chizuru 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Frei has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|
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Chizuru 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Alma has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Igniz has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Igniz
The first thing that the others would see is the bright smile laden across Igniz's face. It stands there, completely unable to be wiped from his features. It's in all cases something that strings itself across the group, heavily weighing itself even as the others manuever here in the later ages of the day.
"Welcome." Igniz greets, towards both Frei and Chizuru, even Alma as he arrives. His very being here may very well be offensive to any and all about, but he finds solace in the fact that he is sure about the outcome, even if he will not speak a word of it. There is not second thoughts, or lingering thoughts about why he fights. The god of NESTS fights because that is what he has made himself into. He fights because he is a god. He fights so that NESTS may grow. He fights to take over the world, knocking down the many figures that stand in his way. It is a simple goal, one that must progress over great periods of time. One that he will reach when the time is right.
This tournament is declared as a 'business leave'. Such that, Igniz has left most of his responsibilities towards the others, and had joined the tournament to acquire this prize that Krauser is giving away. Even if he isn't. For Igniz? The god of NESTS knows fully well that he must be, even to him, even if he said so little.
Igniz gives no looks back towards Alma, even as he glances sideways towards him. His vision lays solely upon Chizuru who stands before him. She is there, and she looks almost as if she has no qualms. No particular thoughts about what the god of NESTS may produce to stand against her.
So be it. Igniz will gladly lend his strength to test her.
"Chizuru," Igniz muses, "I'm so glad that we are able to meet once more. I had figured you were above such things as tournaments." Igniz exclaims, machinations working against Chizuru, seeping into every crevise as his energies flare about him.
COMBATSYS: Igniz calculates his next move.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Igniz
Tall, blond. Confident. Yet a single thought flows through Frei's mind, as he observes his opponents: I thought he'd be taller.
It's a struggle to keep his emotions in check... or rather, not 'in check' as in blocked, but 'not in control'. In fact, the tingling of anger through his whole body, an unwelcome warmth like a too-hot summer day, he lets pass, channeling it, making it useful. The same with sorrow, dread, concern... in the end all he can do is walk into this fight with his head held high and do whatever is in his power to prove himself. Still, he can't help but glance over his shoulder at Chizuru, green eyes blazing, and saying in a calm tone: "I apologize in advance."
He then turns to Alma... after all, in this match up, he fully expects the task of taking on the psychic kung-fu devotee to fall to him. Fingers flex as he lets his stance slide closer to the floor, legs apart. "Nice to see you too," the redhead says carefully, watching Alma closely. Something's... not right. Of course, were the sage in his friend's shoes, he might be a little... unusual himself. "And... good luck."
He doesn't waste any time, deciding to take the initiative. Some urge in him wants to get this show on the road, in spite of himself. Ducking forward at a low run, he looks to run right past Alma at first, one arm extended to encircle the model's waist. However, if he gets a grip, Frei suddenly kicks off the ground, hurling Alma forward onto his back with a sudden burst of wind even as Frei himself is pushed backwards and away from him.
Chizuru's smile is a little more forced than usual. She does not like Igniz, but let it never be said that she was not polite.
"I have found," she says, "that sometimes that of most interest can be found when people are giving it their all. A tournament is quite enlightening." Quite enlightening indeed, although there's more than just the way people act that Chizuru is actually interested in.
She looks at Frei. Apologies. For what? She would like to know, but now is not the time to ask him. Perhaps that will be one of the other things she learns today.
Instead, Chizuru takes a step forward toward Igniz, then another - then a third, accompanied with an almost gentle sweep of her arm, tangling with her sleeve as she tries to trip Igniz to the ground. It's a very basic opening; she's chosen it mostly to distract him and keep him occupied, more than any other reason.
COMBATSYS: Frei successfully hits Alma with Medium Throw.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Igniz
Focus.
Usually when Alma steps into a fight, his mind settles and expands, the energies around him flowing in to dissipate his ego. Yet while before he felt as though he were at peace with all the many layers here, as he moves forward his conscious mind begins to clamour up at him, questioning, wondering whether this is right. Even after all he's done, even after the things that have been said and the people he's met, is he ready to fight by Igniz's side?
Alma is not ready, and Frei is.
"Hrrghh!"
That is all it takes.
Crashing to the ground with a blast of wind, Alma rolls instinctively, but only out of instinct. His mind is still scattered. Too many reasons for being here, too many reasons not to be. The light that is his faith and his conviction-- can he employ it here? The darkness that has been the things left unsaid-- is this the path to confronting it?
He sees his opponent moving farther away.
There's only a moment in which to act.
Hurling himself to his feet, a spark shines in Alma's eyes.
It might be wrong or it might be right--
"Haahh!"
But this is where he is right now.
This is where his path has taken him, and he does not doubt it.
Soaring high, Alma Towazu's feet ignite in white flame, a flame that may appear to Frei to be brighter than before. However disoriented Alma may seem, the recent evolution of his aura is undeniable: that white flame remains streaked with cherry blossom pink and royal purple, but blurring behind it is a mightier, royal force, a resplendant gold tinged with rose that seems to illuminate his form in an angelic radiance.
He feels it start to come together.
A kick, a second, a third, pursuing Frei into the air above the courtyard.
Yes, this is the shadow his own light casts: the problematic nature of the faith in his convictions. He cannot know; that is why it is faith. But he has tried, and put all his effort into this-- and he will take responsibility for whatever happens. He knows that he can. He believes.
So much has come from it already.
He can't give up here!
"Frei!"
Those kicks blaze upward at his adversary before he can land, and Alma's face towards toward the monk, revealing that the younger man's eyes have begun to brighten again.
"Let's make something of this moment!"
Strolheim... what will you become?
COMBATSYS: Chizuru successfully hits Igniz with Quick Throw.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Igniz
Chizuru manages to grasp onto the god of NESTS. Igniz is tangles by the sleeve before being thrown towards the ground. Igniz isn't able to react fast enough. The move itself is startling, something the god of NESTS should have seen coming. But without even a premonition, it matters not to him. A simple mistake will not completely give the fight away.
Igniz is tossed, clattering. But right as he falls, it only takes him moments to rise again, strength returning as he looks on upon Chizuru.
"Ah, so you figured out exactly my own percieved veiw." Igniz exclaims, a smile crossing his lips. "I'm astonished." The god of NESTS moves once more, swiveling towards Chizuru continiously, moving towards her without a moment to spare. What happens next is entirely unexpected by many. Or perhaps, expected.
A hand is thrust out, its glowing power explosive. Whatever the god of NESTS had in his grasp is given at the very moment, sent out towards Chizuru, a gap that rips through the air, at dizzying speeds, attempting to force Chizuru into a position she did not expect.
The god of NESTS would create a wall directly upon her, searing her with power terrible.
COMBATSYS: Frei blocks Alma's Rising Fury.
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Frei 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Igniz
Yeah, he's distracted all right. Even if Frei was only testing the waters, Alma's defense is usually fairly airtight from minute one... rather unlike Frei himself, who tends to have to ramp up as the fight goes on. But he can feel the shift of his friend's weight meaning that he struck home. At the very least, however, his immediate counterattack suggests that his distraction is momentary only.
That said, it's not as if the young sage is going to sit there and get kicked in the face. A swirl of purple-tinged black flares around his forearm as the two YFCC fighters meet in midair, the three kicks deflected in turn with three quick, sharp motions of the arm as both Frei and Alma sail through the air, the former landing in a crouch as the defensive aura he'd called up blinks out in motes of black. "Tell me something, Alma," he says as he stands, getting back into stance and taking a deep breath.
"Were you ever in a production of 'Rent'?" No day but today!
Is the non-sequitor the opening salvo in a sudden battle of psychological warfare? Probably not, but if it DOES leave Alma briefly off-balance, so much the better. For a second, he's distracted, green eyes slicing the air between Alma and Igniz as the blond would-be god speaks to Chizuru. Apparently they know each other? Interesting. But there's more pressing issues at hand, aren't there?
"Sorry..." he says to Alma, dropping his hand to his side, fingers extended. A swirling aura of gold and silver, metallic in sheen, flows around it... and in one swift step Frei moves forward, hand sweeping up in a parabolic arc, both hand and metal chi parting the air as he looks to drive both into Alma, the strike giving a sound like a struck tuning fork if it hits home. "It's... getting hard to keep focused on why I came here. So don't let up."
COMBATSYS: Igniz successfully hits Chizuru with Nega Genesis.
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Frei 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Igniz
The wall is sudden. Chizuru pulls back - too late, in fact. Just a hair too late, though; she manages to catch herself as she flies away from it, landing on her feet and sliding a few inches as her heels dig in to the floor.
She does not smile this time. She is going to have to deal with Igniz, because she can't leave Frei with him - and Frei looks rather occupied to boot. Chizuru is going to have to figure out why he apologized sometime. Perhaps later.
Chizuru keeps her pressure up on Igniz, launching into a series of palm strikes and sweeps. Two of her do it, in fact; an illusion flickers into existance and goes left, while Chizuru herself goes right. Both of them strike equally hard, though; ignoring the image is a mistake.
COMBATSYS: Alma endures Frei's Houken.
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Frei 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Igniz
Alma blinks.
A what of what?
He should really be in a musical, though, shouldn't he?
A fighting musical.
Where's Fei Long when we need him.
That or a reinterpretation of Stephen Chow.
"Heh..."
The chi slams into Alma as he lands-- and he holds his ground.
"I'd be happy to."
The young man smiles at his adversary through the fading coruscation.
This; this is something that makes sense to him.
~ I'm glad you're here, Frei. ~
That should be obvious.
His spirit clearly bolstered, his now magnificently glowing aura shedding Frei's chi and taking the brunt of the elemental strike as he lunges forward, body blurring with the aftereffect of his defense as he sweeps into a rhythmic series of strikes, his poise now once more effortless, his resolve ignited through the urgency of the moment. A series of twisting kicks and strikes, the young man never overextending or unbalancing himself as he continues the chain, seeking to keep up the pressure.
Just as he was asked.
To inspire the clash of souls...
That's a promise he's always bound to.
COMBATSYS: Igniz dodges Chizuru's Shinsoku no Norito.
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Frei 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Igniz
Chizuru should find that Igniz is a man of many weapons, secret or not, he stands ahead of many in technology, but not in skill. Chizuru is fed a terrible concoction of energies. Chizuru is right. For Igniz to be struck by Frei, it may be like splashing the ocean. A man who thrust chi forcfully into himself to deal with anothers may be almost futile.
Chizuru will attempt to batter this ocean. She strikes out, moving to thrust through Igniz, illusions flickering into existence as she attempts to move through, move into Igniz at speeds that would very well leave the god of NESTS in a terrible position. But Igniz makes no movements to stop Chizuru. He instead moves around her.
The battlearmor finds no Chizuru's upon it, instead, left with the swift movements of Igniz towards the side of the blow. Either blows, the image and Chizuru moving about.
Even after the illusion, Igniz gives no time in between. "That is a very interesting trick." Igniz says, a hint of curiosity, "Would you tell me how you do it? I may want to try it myself."
His hand flexes, a sword appearing in mid grip. Rearing back and striking out, the sword changes, getting longer, spreading out great distances to catch Chizuru in its grasp, and once there, batter her with the pure force and the spines on either part of the chainwhip.
COMBATSYS: Alma successfully hits Frei with Autumn Rain.
- Power hit! -
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Frei 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Igniz
Well, if Alma wants Frei's attention and focus, he's got it now. Why? He just punched him in the face. And the stomach and the arms and hip, the relentless combo slamming into Frei with impressive force. Rather atypically, he didn't try to deflect the strikes but instead tried to hop backwards out of the way, avoiding it entirely. It doesn't work; in fact it *really* doesn't work. The intial step twists his ankle the wrong way and only makes Alma's blows hit that much harder.
Interestingly enough, however, it's not enough to bowl him over. Not just yet. He does stagger backwards, though, bringing a hand up and wiping his mouth.
"I guess I deserved that... I asked for it, after all," he says, with a faint but good-humored smile. It is reassuring to see Alma -- who, perhaps, has more to force Igniz to answer for than Frei himself does -- able to keep his footing. In a sense, it's letting Frei keep his mind on things too. In fact, if anything, that surprising failure has only bolstered his resolve. "I hear you've been busy lately," he says conversationally, circling Alma a bit slowly.
With a sudden movement, Frei's hand sparks blue-white, and rather more quickly than normal, the air around Alma effectively flash-freezes, attempting to really, really put a chill on the fiery model's fighting spirit... literally or otherwise. Of course, the sparkling of ice crystals and the sudden drop in temperature are indicators that getting out of the way might be a good idea... but if he doesn't, the sudden hail of frost isn't going to be pleasant at all.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru blocks Igniz's Trans-Axial Slice.
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Frei 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Igniz
"No," Chizuru says, "I don't think I will." Igniz can figure out the trick himself, or he can not do it. She assumes that he will never figure out the trick. It's sort of a Yata trademark, and he's hardly a member of their rather small group.
Frei seems to be doing all right, so Chizuru puts it out of her mind momentarily. She 'catches' the sword with her sleeve, which defiantly refuses to rip or cut as she tangles it; she feels the force of the blow, and it tugs her off balance slightly, but it doesn't hurt as much as it might.
She steps back, considering Igniz, considering the energy flows through him and through her. While she considers this and traces the flows of energy, she opens her own, letting renewed energy surge through her body. It will leave her more tired later, to 'overcharge' herself like this, but it might be exactly what she needs right now.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru enters a meditative state.
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Frei 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Igniz
COMBATSYS: Alma overcomes Hatsuyuki EX from Frei with Divine Intervention.
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Frei 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Igniz
True passion cannot be denied.
Alma has remembered that for what it is: an expression of faith, not of certainty. For while it is reason that compels him to believe there is such a thing as 'true' passion, that his passion is in some important way superior than, say, Igniz's -- that his path is fulfilling, and that Igniz's is not for being misguided -- he can only assert that it cannot be denied. Perhaps there are those who are immune to sincerity, however potent. Perhaps integrity and conviction will not always be the key to victory. Surely if they were, then the victor would, indeed, have always been right; a roundabout method to a barbaric philosophy. No, it cannot be the case that passion is so obvious, and always revealing.
But it can be.
Perhaps there are some things that heaven cannot allow--
"Hrraahhh!"
Sometimes, watching Alma, one might think that.
For it is thrilling the way his eyes shine, the way they widen and burn as the ice closes in, before Frei's power shatters under the pressure of Alma's burgeoning spirit.
"It's been a challenging road," he says softly, amidst sparkling light.
Thrusting forth his palm, the power that has gathered there explodes forth, carving its way toward a potentially now vulnerable Frei, a beam of raw radiance.
~ But I think... it's been worth it. ~
His singing heart tells him so.
Chizuru refuses to give Igniz what he wants?! The god of NESTS's smile does not turn sour, even after the terrible news that Chizuru does not want to give away anything in turn. To give no ground or back up at all, Igniz will propell himself forward even if he must cut his gains to get what he wants.
Chizuru is right, Igniz is not a man to find the secrets of many himself. He must find out, through various data, through much experimentation. Through a great many things. It will take him too many years to find a simple trick that may not boost his power to any sort of olympian degree.
He awaits for Cizuru's movements, her counter assalt even as she keeps herself from his assault. But it never comes. Instead, she awaits. Her body, as Igniz finds, reinforces itself.
The god of NESTS gives a smile and a nod as he holds himself, looking out towards Chizurus's figure. She barely moves, allowing Igniz to slowly hover forward.
"That is too bad." Igniz says, "Knowledge is all I want, but in this case, I guess that I have no say in the matter. You're terribly inconsiderate." The god of NESTS annonces, devoid of emotion, thrusting out suddenly with a leg, whipping towards Chizuru in an attempt to batter her with his leg which, at the moment, is almost unseeable.
COMBATSYS: Alma successfully hits Frei with Divine Intervention.
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Frei 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Igniz
Shattered? Hardly.
Certainly, Alma's return shot has the advantage of speed; to say that it is the same as his full-powered version of the same technique is a bit presumptuous, however. Frei may not have the benefit of psychic flame, but his control over chi is both precise and prodigious; by the time the burst of soulfire reaches the sage, who does at least attempt to hop out of the way, the effect is less like a solid punch and more like a slap to the face, one he bears with stoic calm. "Well," Frei says, wiping a hand across his mouth again and getting into stance. "That's good to hear."
But the newly-competitive part of his mind is racing, thinking things through. How does Alma function as a fighter? Through confidence. Getting him to waver isn't realistic, nor is it something Frei would even feel like doing; he's just not the type of person, in the end. But an unintended side effect of that confidence is that it often makes *other* people feel *less* confident, particularly when it appears to be founded. Things turn on themselves, after all. Confidence inspires doubt by its very nature.
Frei doesn't have time to doubt.
"I wouldn't call it bragging," Frei says carefully, raising his arms above his head, wrists crossed, hands upstretched. "But I feel like I've suffered and gone through a lot to reach this point. It's hard to do that while staying yourself, however... I feel like I've accomplished that, though." Chun-Li's mighty blows. Kyo Kusanagi's sacred flame. Enough to make him bend, but not break. His arms sweep down, and the air around him bursts outwards in response, Frei twining his own spirit into the world around him. Becoming one. "It'll take more than that to take me down."
COMBATSYS: Frei gathers his will.
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Frei 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Igniz
COMBATSYS: Chizuru dodges Igniz's Medium Kick.
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Frei 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\0 Alma
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Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0 Igniz
Unseeable or not, Chizuru reads that it is there - reads, reacts, and clears out of the way with a lazy-looking slip to the side. For all that she makes it look effortless, it isn't; she's focusing intently on the action and her motions.
She ends up a little closer toward the Frei/Alma brawl. This isn't really supposed to be a paired-off match, and since she's close anyway, Chizuru does not feel particularly obliged to stay out of it. She listens to Alma and Frei for a few seconds - challenging, confidence - and, when Frei prepares himself, Chizuru moves up to take his place.
Chizuru comes up toward Alma's side, using the palm of her hand in a wide, arcing blow to strike. It is deceptively strong, hitting with a lot more force than her calm, steady motions make it look like it should, and comes in from Alma's back as she's doing it left-handed. It leaves Igniz free for a moment. She doesn't like that part so much.
COMBATSYS: Alma interrupts Strong Punch from Chizuru with Divine Intervention EX.
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Frei 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Igniz
Alma burns.
"I know what you mean... Frei."
Alma does not know what Frei has endured; he has heard only bits and pieces of the monk's unfortunate encounters with his family. Neither, however, has Frei heard what Alma recently told K'; of his mother and father, of the choice he made, and why he considers himself to be, like Jiro and K', a kind of 'hollow man'. Why he has always felt as though he belonged with men like that, even if no one else ever understood. But one thing is certain: however different their experiences and philosophies, Frei and Alma have traveled their paths, one might say, in the same direction. Despite somewhat similar personality aspects, they've always been very different men-- but the maturity they continue to share only further reveals their common ground.
There's no reason to doubt that they understand each other.
"I, too, feel I am only more myself for having changed."
He grins at the challenge.
Is it confidence? Yes, though Alma wouldn't call it that. He does have a certain strategic confidence in his ability, a confidence that he can overcome Frei if he fights well enough, even though the monk has upon coming into his own become more than a match for the young psychic. Yet even if he did not, even if he were facing an opponent twice his strength, Alma would rush forth with this spirit. This is for the sake of the fight. The pursuit of victory is merely an excuse to give one's all.
Here, his passion can flourish; in these flames, all fuse together.
That is why he plunges forth.
And that is why he is unfazed--
"Ah!?"
When a woman lunges from the side.
Chizuru Kagura: he had not paid her much mind, after sensing her superior aura. He assumed that he would have his hands full keeping Frei away from Igniz. But he has not been creative enough, and only now do his sense expand to encompass the entire battlefield. The punch streaks in with preternatural speed, and the power within him erupts forth spontaneously.
It feels so natural.
It feels so right.
"Haaaaahhh!"
Twisting away from Frei with a liquid, primal grace, Alma slams his left arm against the attack only to draw forth his right, his hand ablaze with a startling halo of light which he then thrusts into Chizuru's chest, letting the lance of Soul Power surge forth and blast her -- hopefully -- backward.
"Pardon me."
Momentum lost, Alma pauses to catch his breath, young eyes blinking.
"I should watch where I'm going."
He starts to grin, reaching up to rub the back of his head.
Ladies and gentlemen...
...after all that...
Alma Towazu's got his groove back.
Chizuru is fast. There is no doubt about it. The strike that Igniz sends, even with the skill and timing, isn't able to strike Chizuru. Instead, she excapes, moving towards Frei and Alma, particularly Alma. There is a fowl wind blowing, as Chizuru strikes out towards Alma, busting into him, a hand palmed strike delivered, only to be stopped by Alma in turn, thrust out by energies that even Igniz was not able to turn towards upon Chizuru.
Igniz stands, not moving at all, as his hands move towards each other. He claps for Alma, in the middle of the fight, he claps.
"Exceptional, my young aprentice. I did not believe you would be anything but supporting me. And I am not at all displeased." Igniz exclaims, even as those moments fall by, he finds no terrible hurry as he turns towards Frei in turn.
"It will?" Igniz announces with interest, a wry smile moving about his features as he approaches Frei. Step by step, Igniz makes his way towards Frei, his energies attracting Igniz like a fly is attracted to honey. His face is all too expresive while being emotionless, he comes as if he was moving quickly, but his speed is misjudged, just like that. A tactic or a presentation error, it doesn't matter.
Igniz manuevers forward, spinning as he does towards the figure of Frei, the cape sweeping forward as it attempts to cut into the edge of Frei, searing across his figure, while thrusting him into the air, juggling with a menincing intent, aiming to cut deep into his figure.
COMBATSYS: Frei just-defends Igniz's Cape Sweep!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Frei 1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Igniz
There is a horrible rustling sound, followed by silence. Igniz's cape is caught, immovably, between Frei's index and middle fingers as he literally reaches out and snatches it from the air in a blur of motion almost too fast to see. His face, unlike the godling's, is totally impassive.
"Yes," he says in an even tone, letting go of the cape. "It will."
Of course the young sage knew that Alma was doing his utmost to keep Frei's attention centered on himself rather than on Igniz; after all, Frei outright asked him to. But realistically, it would eventually come to this... in a way, he's thankful to Chizuru for giving him this opportunity. And why is that? Because facing the man, now, the redhead finds himself surprisingly free of the rage that had been building all this time. Standing in front of him -- obviously powerful, obviously skilled -- Igniz is impressive, but... a man. If nothing else, Frei's first impression is that he probably needs a hug.
It's an amusing image, to be sure.
"I've been wanting to meet you, actually," Frei says, bringing his hand back and taking a deep breath, getting into stance. "Just so I could get some clue as to why you've done the things you've done. And actually, in a way, to thank you." Slowly, Frei advances... foolishly, knowing that he should leave this to Chizuru, yet unable to stop the tide that is sweeping him along, a force that compels him. He knows this is foolish, bad for the tournament, likely to make him lose when he's come so far. But he said it to Balrog once already: this is where he is comfortable. Fighting to make a point. Expressing himself.
His hands glow greenish-gold as he continues walking, carefully advancing. The color of the wood element; the element Kentou helped him to explore, the young fighter's own element, in fact. Life, and righteous anger. Justice. "Because every time you've tried to destroy me, or my friends, I've had to fight that much harder to bounce back. And I have.... every time. Not the frosty girl, or your hired guns. I have to survive, I have to defend them. So I have... that's all. So I guess, thank you."
He breaks into a run.
Charging Igniz, Frei leaps into a low arc and then twists, hurling both hands at the blond titan, palms extended, the green glow becoming a whirling storm of cutting spectral leaves looking to give the NESTS overlord a nice shredding. "ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR EFFORTS!"
That hurt rather more than she was expecting.
Chizuru has felt Soul Power before, too - she's trained with Rose, although not as a student of the psychic arts, as she lacks that particular ability. She's also fought Vega and his Psycho Power, as well as some other Dolls. This means she is not totally without defenses when Alma surges against her.
Unlike Igniz's power, it doesn't feel /bad/. Oh, it hurts; she goes backward several feet before landing and takes another step to steady herself. But there is nothing /wrong/ with the power, and Chizuru smiles, very slightly. "Perhaps you should," she says, and turns back to Igniz.
Frei actually managed to defend the strike. She doubts he'll manage it so well a second time, and so Chizuru releases her own power. Chi surges through her and into her cupped hand, which is curled around a golden sphere of energy. When she charges forward, attempting to plant it on Igniz, she /pushes/ in a very specific manner, blasting into Igniz' chi centers to, momentarily, still them and leave them locked.
He should intervene.
Alma knows he has no particular edge at this moment, but his spirit is strong and, what with both fighters focused on his 'master', he has the chance to ambush one or both of them from behind. He could be of assistance during this moment of trial for Igniz-- and there is no resentment in his heart that would prevent him from acting such. Not after this.
That's not the nature of his 'darkness'.
Still, he hesitates, the mild-mannered blond watching thoughtfully.
Maybe it was the clapping that did it. That's a little patronizing, you know. Yes, of course he knows, he's Igniz. But, no, Alma doesn't seem bothered, for even if that deadpan calm doesn't reveal much his eyes simply continue to glitter with that rising power, the light that cannot be denied from the sea of flame within his heart.
He wants to see this.
His heart swells with the energies employed here. Frei's fury-- that incredible defense, this counter-attack. He wants to see it. He wants to see it in action.
And Igniz-- he wants to see what Igniz does.
These energies surging here-- Alma needs to embrace them, taste them.
Taking a deep breath, the young man takes it in, feels the rhythm that is beating so strongly within him, the rhythm of the heartbeat that is more in sync with him than ever, and gazes carefully at what is about to occur.
COMBATSYS: Alma gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Frei 0/-------/----===|=======\======-\1 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Igniz
COMBATSYS: Igniz blocks Frei's Reiki EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Frei 0/-------/---====|=======\======-\1 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Igniz
COMBATSYS: Igniz fails to reflect Reigi no Ishizue+ from Chizuru with Nega Genesis.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Frei 0/-------/---====|=======\======-\1 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Igniz
Igniz is a god, correct? He can only do so much. Even as Frei manuevers, even pushes away his cloak, which seems to strike out of Frei, he protects himself from it momentarly. It's not entirely surprising, the man has done that so many times before. But as the strike collides with Igniz's four forcefields, the chi stops dead, unable to go any further.
In the face of Frei, Igniz makes no movements but a chuckle.
"I see. You're very into this." Igniz exclaims, "I'm afraid that my efforts do not go without their additions." The god of NESTS exclaims, pushed backwards by the greenish gold energy, only so much getting through the four shields of chi that comes at him.
But even then, after all that, Chizuru comes towards him. The god of NESTS was not ready to defend upon two fronts. He had made the best of it, put up a shield between himself and Chizuru, but it's too slow. Chizuru is able to break through Igniz's shield. He's locked before he can even respond. The blow striking him backwards as he fumbles. Is he out? Not at all. He's got a great deal of strength still there. From what he had accomplished, and what he was unable to, it was not a bad deal at all. The god of NESTS smiles, even as he's pushed back. A minor set back, if there ever was one.
"I misjudged you. You are more than a little nuiscence. I will not make the same mistake twice."
He lands in a crouch, practically skimming the ground, and then hops backwards in a tight arc, standing up. Frei's eyes close, he breathes in, and then lets a slow breath out as his eyes open. Unlike at the start of the fight, this calm is neither forced nor uncertain; he really does seem to be much more at peace than he was before. "I don't know if you mean me or her," he says honestly. "It's probably true of both, though." Almost as an afterthought, he tilts his head to Chizuru. "Sorry, Ms. Kagura... this is what I was talking about before."
And then, in an instant, Igniz is forgotten. Or, if not forgotten, then put aside. As far as Frei's concerned, his statement is made. Is the wannabe god more powerful than he? Almost certainly... but that's been no problem before.
Instead he turns back to Alma, nodding his head. "Sorry for the delay," is all he offers, before he ducks forward and snaps out a kick for his fellow Glory Hound's shoulder... but at the same moment, a 'clone' of Frei made of flame sweeps downward, fiery chi body looking to scythe through Alma's legs as well.
Chizuru's seals won't last forever. It's a matter of keeping him busy and battering him down while they /are/ working, which is why Chizuru does not turn away from Igniz.
"You aren't the first to have come to that conclusion," Chizuru responds, assuming - although not knowing - that Igniz refers to her. She /is/ a pest to people like him who misuse chi. That's part of her job. Igniz is hardly the first or last person she's annoyed.
She keeps pressing the attack, hands still shimmering with chi - yellow reflective chi this time, but it interacts oddly with her seals, pressing into them in a surge. She tries to keep him off balance, literally pressing him, trying to push him at odd angles.
Chizuru hears Frei, too. "I understand," she says, mid-push. "Everyone has their own tasks, after all."
COMBATSYS: Alma interrupts Kagerou from Frei with Absolution.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Frei 1/----===/=======|=------\-------\0 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Igniz
It's time.
Alma feels nothing in particular at Igniz's fate. No worry, no satisfaction. That itself is sufficient evidence. That tells him what he needs to know--
That he has risen above.
Even if Igniz himself does not believe it, he is human. Alma will not reject him-- not as a teammate, and not as a man. Even if he is a heinous person, even if he is a criminal. If Alma's faith in humanity is justified, then Igniz himself--
"Not at all."
Has a place in this world.
Something within him clicks.
Justice, integrity, they drive him against what Igniz stands for. But right here, right now, they drive him instead to victory. Nothing about this grates within Alma's soul any longer. Watching that fight blossom before him, seeing it brought to him, everything seems clear; everything seems obvious. At once, that faith that seeks to melt the world with its heat into a better image, into what it /could/ be were its inner principles fully understood, seems aligned entirely with what is around him.
The result is surely uncertain. Frei's double-strike would be difficult to anticipate even were one braced as Alma is, even with his senses heightened.
But--
A foot slams out, jamming the blazing strike of Frei's chi-based clone unflinchingly, that flame rivaled by the light that is now burning so brightly within Alma's eyes that it threatens to turn the orbs into pure fields of energy.
Uncertainty is what makes faith what it is. And that faith--
His left hand rises, simultaneously parrying the first kick.
--tells him that Alma Towazu--
And his right hand leaps forth, seemingly of its own accord.
--cannot be denied.
An explosion of raw Soul Power tears through Frei's defenses, striking directly at his will. It is something he has felt many times before. He is surely used to its power by now, as inured to it as one can be. But while it is always an honest power, a sincere power, one that strives for unity and to break down the barriers between minds, it is also one that has promised salvation. There is less of that, here, less pretention to the way it bulls through the boundaries of ego, those that must exist for any human being regardless of their stage of enlightenment.
It is simply a personal expression, an overwhelming fullness.
It is a force of awe, of beauty, that threatens to sweep one away.
In its wake, Alma is silent, sparks fading from his eyes.
Yes...
This is what he was looking for.
This is the light, and the darkness...
...and the light within the darkness.
COMBATSYS: Igniz blocks Chizuru's Tamayura no Shitsune.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Frei 1/----===/=======|=------\-------\0 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Igniz
Chizuru's seals will not last forever. That is the glory of the entire thing. Even as it works on Igniz, the god of NESTS manuevers to get himself up once more. That conclusion must be shared with many. He hadn't imagined that it would have come as such. But no matter, the god of NESTS stands fully well.
Igniz will miss use his chi no matter what, missy!
The god of NESTSfinds himself standing. And even as the shimmering chi, yellow and reflective comes towards him, she attempts to break through, strike at him once more to continue to seal it. The god of NESTS, if anything, is tired of this charade. He was finished with what she was pushing onto him. Igniz was tired of it all at once.
Four shields of chi begin to raise as the god of NESTS swells with energy at a moments notice. Manufactured chi, while still being chi, is much easier to call upon. This means dealing with Chizuru may be that much easier.
His energies are released. The god of NESTS is once more here. The slowed chi still strikes, powerfully at that, even through.
Igniz turns towards Chizuru with a soft smile, as if to say, you thought your little trick would work twice?
He makes no motions at first, but otherwise doesn't need to.
"My task, you see, is to rule over this world as I see fit." Igniz exclaims, producing a ball of chi in his hands at an instant. And once there, hurling it upon his intended victim.
COMBATSYS: Frei has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Alma
> ///////////////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Igniz
It's true. You can't have change without the courage to blaze a new path through to the future. Certainly that's the feeling that flows through Frei's thoughts as that burst of psychic energy courses through his system. A desire to move forward, to push on. Even as he's harmed by it -- or at the very least, pushed closer to defeat by it -- the young sage can relate to it. It's not something unfamiliar. After all, what had he said before? 'I don't want to be constrained by any rules but my own.' Freedom in its purest form: the freedom to be who one is, without restraint, boldly.
A hand snaps out and turns Frei's descent into a backwards roll before he can hit the ground. He stays there a moment, crouched, taking a deep breath. Then, slowly but surely, he stands.
"You must have come to the same conclusion I did," the young chi sage says to Alma. How could he not notice? The second that Chizuru broke off from Alma to head to Igniz, Frei spared a glance to Alma. That was going to be the telling moment. What would the model do? That he chose not to strike at Igniz when he was vulnerable, that he decided to stay true to the rules and, indeed, the spirit of the tournament despite all that's happened to him... that doesn't surprise Frei at all. But even though it's not a surprise, it's a confirmation, at the very least, of what he sensed about Alma's feelings. The model is a forthright individual, after all... subterfuge doesn't become him, on the average. So when Frei speaks, it is with confidence that he's right.
"You can't really hate him, can you? You can be angry, but hate is harder to do."
He doesn't attack; no, now it's his turn to prepare again. The idea of standing his ground and not striking doesn't please him, as it's perhaps not tactically sound. But Alma has yet to see the apotheosis of Frei's own training, and the redhead feels the need to show him, for some reason. Even if the model had his own trials while Frei was enduring his own, perhaps that technique -- so inspired by everything that's happened to him so far -- will send the message that words and memory cannot. So he stands defensively, motes of white and black light rising around him in a chaotic cloud. He has to endure whatever comes his way until he has his opportunity, but the rest of the fight is a blur, now. Just long enough to repay Alma in kind.
"It's because the past is an indelible mark. I think I've come to understand that, about hate. Hate is about wishing the past never happened. Anger, when it's used right, is about making sure the past never repeats itself. One of those can be useful, and one of them is hurling yourself into an inescapable darkness."
COMBATSYS: Frei gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Frei 1/=======/=======|=------\-------\0 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Igniz
COMBATSYS: Chizuru blocks Igniz's Divine Arrow - Air.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Frei 1/=======/=======|=------\-------\0 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Igniz
The ball of chi smacks into the remnants of Chizuru's reflective aura on her waiting hand. It doesn't repel - the power remaining was not nearly enough to do that - but it does blunt the blow significantly, the excess chi forming bright auroras in the air for a few seconds until they finally fade away.
"Then I believe we will remain at odds," Chizuru says, as politely as she can manage to Igniz's face. Dislike, even hate, is not enough to be needlessly rude. Who'd /want/ such a goal? Igniz is as bad as Rugal, she thinks.
With a glance to spare at her rather battered comrade, Chizuru briefly debates interposing herself, but decides that will only give Igniz another chance to do something unpleasant. She keeps him busy instead, going low with a hooking movement of her foot towards his legs, using her hands to push him over her leg and to the ground so he can slam.
"Yeah."
It's ineloquent for Alma, but it more than suffices. The blond smiles, one red-tinged bang settling again to obscure a hazel eye. There is always a certain solidity whenever he appears at peace, as though to remind the watcher that he is not tranquil merely for forgetting the problems in the world-- but it is not always obvious. Here it is apparent, for the brightness in his eyes is not only that of Soul Power.
"Hate..."
Alma's eyes soften, but do not grow less intent.
"...arises only from fear, and weakness."
He tilts his chin down, but never lowers his gaze.
"I thought the strength within me would purge from me fear and weakness, but... fear and weakness is where my faith began. I was wrong about myself; I forgot that even my philosophy was born out of defiance, and not simply a search for harmony. But..."
He watches Frei's power build with interest, raises his own fist.
"...while fear and weakness are for humans... hate is for monsters."
Sacred flame erupts around dusky bronzed knuckles.
"And I refuse to be..."
That immortal fire erupts forth, a darting light to draw Frei out.
"Anything but human!!"
Immortal fire, taking a leap of faith from its mortal host.
Alma may have great dreams-- but he wants to live in this world.
He wants to see what this world has to offer.
~ Frei... ~
In these moments, during this 'clash of souls'...
~ Show me your way. ~
He thinks he can feel heaven and earth together.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru successfully hits Igniz with Strong Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Frei 1/=======/=======|=------\-------\0 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Igniz
Chizuru grasps a hold of Igniz. He's thrust forward, hooked over and then slammed into the ground. Even as he attempts to move, the god of NESTS is unable to escape. With moments that simply just leave him unable to react, one would imagine that the god of NESTS is growing ever more enammered with the present state of how things are going.
But he feels nothing at all. A smile carresses his face as he pulls himself up, his battlesuit battered and wounded, the god of NESTS is not finished yet. He has plenty of tricks available to him. And there is a great deal of time still yet to let them out.
"I'm enthralled." Igniz exclaims, smiling as he floats. The cape however, has a mind of its own. One of the many protrutions snake out, aimed towards Frei's figure, attempting to snake under his defenses and thrust him upwards, from there, it will smack him down, bring him up, and crush him into the ground as such.
Igniz does not even make any movements. It's entirely automated.
COMBATSYS: Frei blocks Alma's Sacred Wave.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Frei 1/=======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Igniz
COMBATSYS: Igniz successfully hits Frei with Red Noah.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Frei 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|==-----\-------\0 Alma
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Igniz
He was, perhaps, too focused on Alma. Chizuru was right to be wary of that, but ask him later and Frei will say with conviction that he doesn't mind one way or the other. He did what he came to do... faced what he came to face. In the end, he can ask for little more than that.
The blast of soul flame is dispersed through the growing haze of light around the redhead, flashing purple-pink-red through it before vanishing entirely. It's taxing to do that, and it's not as if the projectile is gone for good; remnants of its psychic force blaze through neurons and spirit alike, making the sage grit his teeth.
It's right then that he notices the cape, and it's rather too late to do anything about that.
Surprisingly light for how sturdy he is in combat, Frei's form effectively bounces off the ground, cracking poor Krauser's stone floor, chips of it flying every which way. But in terms of the energy Frei was summoning... it's a little too late for that. Critical mass has passed without question, and a blaze of white and black marbles and swirls around him as he stands... with effort, face bloodied, but stand he does.
He turns his head to Igniz, eyes heavy-lidded, as one hand extends again, palm up. "I'm not sure why you want to hurt others so much... I just hope someday, whatever is missing from your life that drives you to do that is fulfilled, somehow. As long as you're alive... it's not too late to turn back from what you've done."
Having said his peace, he turns back to his teammate, opening his eyes and smiling faintly. The aura of power spreads backwards from him, actually lifting Frei's body from the ground slightly, toes pointed toward the floor. It is two pure forces; ironically, forces for which his opponents' team has been named: yin and yang. Creation and destruction. Life and death. Pure light and pure darkness... not judging either, but existing as parts of a universe that requires them both.
"Ready?" he asks.
Then Frei is an arrow, perhaps slowed by fatigue and pain, but streaking across the distance nonetheless, not even touching the ground, flying right at Alma until he gets just close enough, then pivoting and extending both his palms. The aura of power explodes outwards, a person-high wave of pure force looking to envelop Alma entirely from head to toe.
The dust clears on Frei, face-down on the floor.
He did what he came to do; no more, and no less.
COMBATSYS: Frei can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Alma
> ////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Igniz
Chizuru, the Watcher, watches.
Igniz leaves her alone for an instant; she watches with interest as Frei summons primal force from within himself, filling his body and the air, and she watches with interest (and slight difficulty) as Alma does similar things with his surge of divine flame.
Those two... she doesn't think she has to worry about them. Even if Frei is beaten, and Alma close to, they'll be fine. She turns aside and lets them finish up.
Igniz, on the other hand, is her problem. Chizuru focuses her power for a split second before leaping, coming down at Igniz with a two-footed jumping kick. She attempts to plant both her feet on him before springing off, throwing herself up and over in a flip to land her back on her feet, the same direction she came from.
COMBATSYS: Frei successfully hits Alma with Samsara.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Alma
> ////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Igniz
"Ah!"
Alma only sees Igniz's attack come from the side. Fixated on Frei building up his energies, he makes a similar mistake to when Chizuru nearly ambushed him-- but he is not the one to pay the price. Yet other than his quiet intake of breath, he evinces no other sign or sound of surprise. His features are calm and still, his gaze serious and intent.
He knows that Frei has no regrets.
Why should he?
Alma's chest swells, eyes widening slightly, as he takes in the power that Frei has learned to muster-- and it is strange to him that it should feel so right. How did they use to be? Alma, for all his sincerity and warmth, genuinely self-righteous under his compassion, too eager to break down barriers between people, forgetting that he is more than an agent of his power. Frei, at one with the world, but sometimes to the point of amorality-- and was he not, too, running from something? Have not they both thought of what they do as embracing the world, yet... Did not they both forget that they had turned their backs on something to be what they are?
Now they've remembered.
They'll always have different ideas of the ideal, but--
"Always."
They're their own men, now.
That, more than any spiritual oneness, brings them together.
Alma moves with the attack, every sense straining.
Soul Power-- isn't it just a metaphor for this?
He feels the might of the attack growing, and pivots with his opponent.
"Frei, I--"
Whatever he was going to say is lost, as they are found.
The wall of force is almost evaded, in his effort to keep up with Frei's own movements and control the momentum of their final conflict-- but the strike comes too swiftly, too forcefully, for Alma's own awareness to keep up. It catches him on the leg, but that is all that is required; he is swept up entirely, cast up and then aside, and soon after Frei himself collapses so will Alma, hitting the stone floor with a resounding crash.
For a few moments, neither of them stir.
Then, grunting, Alma rises to his knees.
"...Not bad... Frei."
Grinning weakly over at his fellow Glory Hound, Alma Towazu shakes his head once briefly, and then turns to glance over at what is occurring with the two other fighters. This fight is not over yet; not by a long shot. But he cannot force himself to his feet just yet. Even if it gives away his weakness, he wants to, /needs/ to, take in the power of this moment one last time.
Even with a man like this as his teammate...
He feels so free.
Taking a deep breath, Alma lets energy once more begin to pool around his kneeling form, keeping his sparkling eyes trained on his final adversary, waiting for his moment.
He won't run away anymore.
COMBATSYS: Alma gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=======\====---\1 Alma
> ////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Igniz
COMBATSYS: Igniz dodges Chizuru's Heavy Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=======\====---\1 Alma
> ////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Igniz
Igniz awaits Chizuru. Even as Frei is defeated by his hand, it doesn't allow Chizuru a moment alone. She thrusts herself towards him, coming down. Too much of her attention was focused towards both Frei and Alma. Igniz had taken a terrible liking to this, and with the moment there, took it upon himself to come down upon Frei hard. Even with Alma in grave shape from Frei's final strike, the god of NESTS makes nothing of it.
Chizuru comes down, Igniz swiftly floating backwards, his cape swaying with him as he moves. Now it all comes down to a single person. Chizuru. And look, Alma is still standing, if only by a small margin.
Igniz makes no movements, instead, watches Chizuru like a hawk. Her movements, her personage. Everything is taken in by the god of NESTS and his machinery.
He leaves her the freedom to do anything. Which, in the end, may be the entire problem.
COMBATSYS: Igniz calculates his next move.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=======\====---\1 Alma
> ////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Igniz
Chizuru manages to land on her feet despite the lack of impact with Igniz's torso; it's a bit of an awkward landing, but she manages it nonetheless, and even if her landing was less than graceful she still pulls it off decently well.
She looks from Alma to Igniz. Well, this could get rather dangerous rather quickly. Best to eliminate the weaker one first - and she can tell Alma is weaker, even if his force of will is quite strong. Soul Power is not her strong point, but she can make that judgement at least.
Chizuru elects to save her chi, to hold it back for a moment, and instead acts more directly against Alma. Her attack is fast enough, but seems like it's been pulled back just a hair, as if she didn't want to risk opening herself too far and wanted to be ready to react. Perhaps with Igniz around, that's a wise decision.
COMBATSYS: Alma blocks Chizuru's Quick Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=======\====---\1 Alma
> ////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Igniz
Alma's force of will is quite strong--
"Hrnn!"
--just barely strong enough.
"Ms. Kagura..."
The beautiful youth's arm trembles; his whole body trembles with the absurd effort of just holding the woman back, even braced as he is in his half-kneeling position. But he looks up at her with his unshrouded eye, and his gaze is clear and bright even for all his fatigue.
"You mustn't hold yourself back."
He smiles at her as one might into the sun-- for his senses are fading, and all he can now detect is her shining, overwhelming aura. Who is this woman? What great destiny has been thrust upon her? There was an opportunity here, for him to learn more about her. But he has no regrets; he did what he had to do. He is happy, at least, that he has this chance--
"Please allow me to show you..."
To once more give everything he has to offer.
"...what I mean!!"
From whence emerges this scintillating light, this pure power? It swirls up from a seemingly endless fount within him, as though a key has been placed deep within his heart to unlock a door to an entirely other world. Could any man's soul contain this much energy? Can a faith truly be so invincible?
Didn't he already do this before, is what I'm saying?
Maybe so, but he seems no less adept for that, even so weakened. Indeed, he appears inspired by his own state, his body somehow managing to still wield the spirit that surges through him. Thrusting her punch away, his whole body seems to tremble yet faster, and-- no-- that's--
He vanishes.
Image blurring into nothingness for a split second, Alma reveals what he can perform only in the process of performing this, the strike that lets down all barriers, surpasses all his limits. This, the hallmark of the wielder of so-called Psycho Power--
He roars out a battle cry, from behind.
The teleport.
He lashes out at her back, with a piercing lance of light...
Putting her, conveniently, between himself and his teammate.
Igniz stands unmolested by Chizuru. He can see exactly what Chizuru has elected to do. The god of NESTS smiles. What will come is nothing less destructive than it is impossible to fathom. The team, Ying and Yang, will be combining in effort to defeat Chizuru.
The god of NESTS finds himself no longer floating, but standing upon the ground with his feet. He walks, even as Chizuru's gambit is undertaken. The god of NESTS moves with a rather unpredictable sway, his features found to be laden upon with a dazzling chi that begins to coallese his hand.
"You've come so far," Igniz begins, "You are no doubt skilled. I will grant you that. But it does not matter." Igniz quips, his once so relaxed, untaught figure exploding into action, quickly whipping across the floors of the grand hall with a single outstreched hand laden for Chizuru's throat.
"Let me show you why!"
COMBATSYS: Chizuru dodges Alma's Absolution.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Alma
> ////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Igniz
COMBATSYS: Chizuru blocks Igniz's Brutal God Project+.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Alma
> ////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Igniz
Just as Chizuru expected, they both use the pinnacles of their respective arts on her at the same time. There's a reason she held back a little on her last attack - she thought they might try something like this and she wasn't disappointed.
She whirls into action with a speed she has barely shown this entire fight, choosing to deal with Alma first. The sudden teleport does not surprise her - but for all her skill, she cannot tell by body movements where someone is going to teleport before they do, and she is unsure of the destination. She trusts to her instincts, moving with her spin to the left, the pulse of light passing just to her right after she moves.
Chizuru does not rest. She turns to Igniz. She has never seen this attack before but can feel the buildup of energy and she reacts to /that/, bringing up her hands and stopping his grip before it reaches her throat. The energy courses through her anyway, and /that/ hurts, but she fights it.
Taking advantage of the proximity, Chizuru goes for another sweep with her foot, trying to drag Igniz down before he gets away. This time, however, she follows it up with a swing from her hands and sleeve, trying to tangle and yank, ignoring the burning sensation she still feels in her fingertips from Igniz' chi-imbued grasp.
"Ghh--"
Alma stares at nothing, baffled, as his body sags, his power dissipating into nothing. Rather than flow fluidly into another movement, he cannot but stumble, trying confusedly to trace Chizuru's constant movement in his moment of utter surprise and disorientation.
"K-Kagura-san..."
The young man blinks.
"That was..."
Are his cheeks faintly pink?
"...what spirit..."
This woman is really something else.
But Alma Towazu does not have time to dwell on that. He has to act. The moment of truth has been extended! And his teammate needs his help. Regardless of the character of that teammate, Alma cannot but push himself farther, forcing his half-broken body to yet greater heights of glory, even with the best part of his energy spent.
That's just who he is.
He couldn't be more certain of that.
"Hrraahhh!"
Hurling himself at Chizuru, buoyed by whatever Soul Power remains within him, he soars upward in an attempt to -- despite how poorly it works last time -- catch his adversary from behind again, this time with a series of scything kicks to the head. White flames explode around his legs as he leaps and attacks, and though they sputter and flicker, their light not so bright as before, the persistent youth refuses to be swayed from his determined assault.
"Igniz! Take care!"
The words just emerge.
Whatever else--
They're teammates, after all.
COMBATSYS: Igniz counters Kaiten from Chizuru with Void Genocide.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Chizuru 1/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Alma
> ////////////// ]
|=------\-------\0 Igniz
Chizuru has done almost the impossible. She has, in a nut shell, effectively destroyed much of the offensive capabilities that either can produce. Striking down the great divine between them. Even Igniz's grasp is unable to grasp her effectively, leaving her able to move. But the god of NESTS would not be so easily persuaded to go down.
Even as thrusts his assault away, dragging forward with a sweep of her foot, Igniz comes forth, a single hand raised towards Chizuru as she outstretches her own, attempting to drag him down.
The single hand produces a violent effect, a flare of white chi ripping out towrad Chizuru to thrust her backwards for her assault.
"The fight isn't over yet." Igniz quips, "It is just beginning."
COMBATSYS: Chizuru reflects Rising Fury from Alma with Iotsu no Utamai.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ]
Chizuru 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Alma
> ///////////// ]
|=------\-------\0 Igniz
Igniz's surge of chi strikes solidly and blasts Chizuru back. It is not controlled, not nearly so much as before - she's getting to the point where she can no longer spend the time or effort looking unhurt from the impact and the blows. She lands, one hand low and one high - and the high one is radiating chi, a soft golden glow.
It catches the glowing kicks and repels the force, pushing them away from Chizuru with bright flashes. This may not be the most damaging attack in the world, but it is more than enough to keep Chizuru safe from harm and pulse some of that power back at Alma.
She straightens, then. "Perhaps it is - I am certainly not ready to stop fighting you. Please, continue." Chizuru smiles, just a little. It's not really a happy smile; it's anticipatory.
"Ggghh!"
Alma goes sprawling.
Alright, that's it, kid. Really, you've had enough. Alma can't even muster up his Soul Power properly at this point; after expunging so much, opening the floodgates of his mind, his /own/ ego needs time to heal, to restore the natural and personal boundaries that constitute that mental gate.
But it's there.
However weak he becomes... however unable to harness it...
That fire still burns.
"...nnghh..."
It's already over for him. He can't match anyone in this state, and certainly not Chizuru Kagura. But his soul demands of him yet more, that he continue to move until his body denies him utterly. Somehow, defying unconsciousness, Alma staggers to his feet. Even if it just means being dismissed, thrown back again...
"Hrraahhh!"
This passion must be expressed!
Hurling himself into the air one last time, Alma unfolds into a smooth and graceful flying kick, arcing into a hook around which beautiful flame curls and ripples, tearing its way through the air.
Whether or not it tears its way into Chizuru is another story.
And a story that Alma will not be awake to see told. For even as he shifts into this last, picture-perfect technique, revealing despite himself the depth of his commitment to this fight-- the darkness claims him, and like a shooting star he falls, not to rise again.
COMBATSYS: Alma can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Chizuru 1/-----==/=======|=------\-------\0 Igniz
Even as Chizuru strikes down towards Alma, Igniz is unable to prevent anything. Alma should have known better than he did, but such is the meaning of fate. The god of NESTS allows it to continue, to go on without a second thought. He has no way to intervene anyways, but if he had the chance, he would not.
Igniz begins to move, even as Chizuru speaks. The anticipatory smile of Chizuru gives him a momentary thought, one that is quickly washed away from Igniz's own smile as he moves, quickly approached Chizuru even as she moves. Alma has given his all. That is just enough for Igniz. He's pleased.
And now, for Chizuru, Igniz strikes out, a singular punch that rips forward, struck out in an attempt to strike Chizuru as it blurs in motion. The speed bely's the actual strength, no doubt.
"Good, good. Then let us see what happens, shall we?"
COMBATSYS: Chizuru dodges Alma's Shooting Star.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Chizuru 1/-----==/=======|=------\-------\0 Igniz
COMBATSYS: Igniz successfully hits Chizuru with Fierce Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Chizuru 1/--=====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Igniz
The burning flame is nowhere near Chizuru. She almost appeared to dance to the side, spending only a fraction of her attention on the attack, pretty as it is; most of her concentration is on dealing with Igniz.
Although it doesn't seem to help very much, because he strikes her with incredible force. Chizuru doubles over under the force of the blow, straightening up a moment later through the pain, forcing herself to not show it as much as she's physically able.
She stares at Igniz, as if daring him to try that again. She stares so long that he might be forgiven for thinking that she was not going to do anything else - but at the very last instant, her palm surges forward as she tries to match his blow. She, however, goes for speed and accuracy rather than power.
COMBATSYS: Igniz fails to interrupt Quick Punch from Chizuru with Trans-Axial Slice.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Chizuru 1/--=====/=======|=------\-------\0 Igniz
Chizuru thrusts herself directly towards Igniz. The god of NESTS, even as he strikes out, thrusts her back. But that isn't the last moment. What happens next changes it all. Chizuru vaults forward, even after the terrible strike upon her, and aims a single punch towards the god of NESTS, attempting to drive him back.
It succeeds. Igniz isn't able to move fast enough, his whip thrust out in an attempt to strike out in turn, aimed to clatter with her figure.
But the god of NESTS isn't fast enough. Chizuru's punch rips forward, striking his chest as he backs off. The punch didn't do a terrible amount, but it strikes none the less.
Igniz is a god yet still. And he will not stop until her falls.
One punch can make all the difference.
Chizuru straightens afterwards, holding herself in a ready position. Once again she hesitates, as if allowing Igniz a time to act - but this time it is real. She watches, but she does not charge in. This time, there is no fast punch or any punch at all, as Chizuru holds her power steady.
"You are, for all your flaws, quite skilled," Chizuru says, neutrally. "Where did you learn your power?" Equally crude, but some people like to talk.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru calculates her next move.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Chizuru 1/--=====/=======|=------\-------\0 Igniz
One punch making all the difference? Perhaps. But. Perhaps not. The god of NESTS is now facing down Chizuru. She has, if anything, a rather induced style. But one punch can only do so much. The god of NESTS finds himself unstruck, Chizuru now deciding that, out of everything, should would approach Igniz slowly.
She awaits Igniz. But he is prepaired.
"Oh, I gave it to myself." The god of NESTS declares, "Training and linneage can only do so much. Strength is more than simply being born into it. I am a god, after all." Igniz declares.
He is a god, after all.
A single punch can not dispel his presence, and not a single kick either.
But that is what comes towards Chizuru, a single kick, thrust upon her with a great strength behind it. If a single punch can do so much, what can a single kick do?
COMBATSYS: Chizuru just-defends Igniz's Medium Kick!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Chizuru 1/--=====/=======|-------\-------\0 Igniz
"That has yet to be seen. Even gods can be bound," Chizuru says, absently, as she keeps both her eyes on Igniz - narrowed, now. She has to wait for him to come -
He comes. Chizuru catches the foot with her sleeve, which seems as hard as iron, like a shield. It doesn't even bend under the impact of Igniz's foot, the would-be god's attack stopped dead. That cold smile comes back, just for an instant -
Chizuru's chi, held back for some time, surges. She reaches forward with a gold-glowing hand in an attack that Igniz might find familiar as she tries to touch him at forehead and chest, pressing the bindings into him in an attempt to once again block his power. For a brief time, anyway.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru successfully hits Igniz with Reigi no Ishizue+.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Igniz
Igniz is once more sealed. The god of NESTS, a man who has much with him, Chizuru finds a way to stop his foot. And then she surges forward, thrust out to touch him at his forhead and chest. She seals his chi away. Igniz, god of NESTS, is once more thrust backwards. He's wounded. Terribly beaten and bruised, but the god of NESTS does not simply die so easily.
"You think so?" The god speaks, unable to move, unable to access his chi. He takes the very simplest movement.
A simple punch, thrust out towards Chizuru's figure, in an attempt to spear her with a powerful punch, even as the binding hold. The god of NESTS will not go down easily.
He will take as many as he needs with him in turn.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru dodges Igniz's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Chizuru 0/-------/--=====|=------\-------\0 Igniz
"I know so," Chizuru says. "You are failing, aren't you? I am but one woman. I make no pretensions to godhood. And yet..."
She thinks, briefly, of what she is supposed to guard. It would /definitely/ be best if Igniz never heard of it. Chizuru makes a note to ensure that he stays very, very far away from it.
Chizuru cannot simply block this attack - and so she doesn't, ducking it instead and, perhaps surprisingly, moving forward. She tries to get inside Igniz's guard, to grab at him and sweep him to the ground with one of her arms while keeping so close that it is difficult for him to respond.
COMBATSYS: Igniz fails to counter Reigetsu from Chizuru with Void Genocide.
- Power fail! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > // ]
Chizuru 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Igniz
COMBATSYS: Igniz can no longer fight. Is this the end of lovable Igniz?
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Chizuru 0/-------/=======|
Igniz is unable to stop Chizuru. She comes at him, grasping towards his figure as she does, aiming to grab a hold of Igniz and sweep him around. He thrust even as he puts a hand out, aiming to stop Chizuru.
But he's unable. He's thrust towards the ground, unable to dodge, unable to get out of the way. Unable to do anything. The strike is too perfect for the wounded god to deal with. He crumples terribly under the weight of the strike.
Igniz moves about, sort of whoozy and complacent.
"I am a god." Igniz repeats. "A simple loss in a tournament is nothing to declare ones value. Are you so face deep?" Igniz declares as he falters away, disappearing almost like a ghost. In truth he had used the rest of his energy to leave.
Be it godhood or not.
Chizuru does not respond - /she's/ woozy too.
But she is still standing, although it may not be by all that much anymore. She lets Igniz go without the added indignity of trying to do anything to him as he vanishes - in her condition, it probably wouldn't work anyway.
She goes to check on Frei instead. And Alma, since he has been abandoned by his partner, and she sees no reason to leave him lying there.
Log created on 20:24:51 12/06/2008 by Igniz, and last modified on 17:52:49 12/26/2008.