[Kendoka Sasaran] Showing Signs II (Razkar)

by **Septimus** on January 9th, 2013, 2:44 am

Continued from Here!

Septimus tried to brace herself as he kicked against her shield and she lost her footing and almost her balance. However, it was with great difficulty as she stabilized herself once more to stop some of the oncoming attacks from Razkar. He was much further advanced than her in this entire thing overall. That was something she hoped to have changed soon.

Septimus knocked away his attempted gladius attacks with her broadsword, instinct over actual thoughts now. Being hit wasn't something in her actual daily to-do list for today even though she had kind of already failed with that goal. Razkar then smacked her shield, he left an opening and Septimus instantly tried to bring in her shield in closer. Her muscles flexed even more and grew tense within a few good seconds as she realized what was soon to come if this kept up.

With that, she needed to try and stop it. She lunged out with broadsword, new motivation to try and not get that you-would-be-dead touch from his weapons and look from his eyes. However, the Myrian gave a twist, a turn, and then with his gladius, she found herself at defeat as it's tip stopped shortly before her tensed neck. There it was, that look, that feeling, it was quite something. Something she didn't like. After all, whom in the entire history of Mizahar liked defeat? Of course, it was nothing to get worked up about with something such as minor as this sparring match.

Plus, she had beaten him slightly as well for a small and friendly smirk was placed upon her lips. Much like her Knight had taught her to cut by flicking and turning her wrist in the right way, she had done it. Althought, maybe not as gracefully and quite as right, Septimus had the 'blade' right where she was aiming for it. A good play and pull from the sword, had it been real, could have done some damage. Right in the chest and torso area she had been aiming for.

As Razkar backed up, Septimus took a big breath and wiped the sweat away from her face sing the bottom of her shirt. In the process, slightly revealing a well toned abdomen as she put the shield right back where she had gotten it, then directed Razkar as she regained herself.

"Oh yes. Well, rather not a new weapon, but definitely less of one."

Septimus shook her now tingling and numb arm to try and get the feeling back into it. She grabbed the sword with her other hand and wiped the sweat from her palms onto her shorts. Septimus only then looked up at Mizra for approval and he nodded his head as she returned to the mat with a slight chuckle and warm smile.

"You gotta put away that damn ax, though."

by **Razkar** on January 9th, 2013, 2:52 am

"Oh yes. Well, rather not a new weapon, but definitely less of one."

Razkar cocked an inquiring eyebrow and his silent question was soon answered as the Kelvic discarded her shield. He felt a tiny thrill of uncertainty shiver up his spine. With a shield she was dangerous enough, but in a more... armored sense. Though her movement and agility was limited, her protection was enhanced. But without it? And wielding a weapon equally deadly in one hand or two? An even greater challenge.

"You gotta put away that damn ax, though."

He chuckled softly as she tried to work some feeling back into her left arm. She'd be feeling that for days, most likely. Well, all the better, he thought, maybe just a little sadistically, pain teaches.

"Not a problem," he said, racking the ax and tossing his gladius from hand to hand absently, testing the weight of it in his right as well as his left. He tensed and rolled his head on his shoulders. "And is fine ax!" His tone was hurt but his face was a mask of impish delight that seemed completely bizarre for a Myrian to wear. "No-one like my ax. Hurt her feelings..."

Then Razkar settled into his stance opposite her. Knees bent, gladius resting in his right hand, arm half-cocked back and wooden blade perpendicular. He could swipe, thrust or parry with equal ease. He was already circling, every step measured and light.

Most of the humor had drained from his face... but not all of it. That was his mistake last time: taking everything so seriously. He was not on a battlefield or in a brawl. He was, when everything else was set aside, a school.

Razkar smiled tightly, nodded... and lunged.

She was barely ready in her own stance but that was part of the lesson, too. Your enemy would not always do you the courtesy of waiting patiently for you to be ready. Death would not wait.

He swiped towards her left side and she jerked her wooden broadsword down to block it, sliding forward on her right foot to his left side. The end of her broadsword stayed with his gladius, but she twisted the weapon towards him, bringing the bottom of the broadsword up-

-he had to jerk his head back so the "blade" just above the hilt would not crash into him. Had it been a real blade, it could easily have opened his face open-

-and his empty left hand shot out, grabbed the wrist in front of his face, jerked her arm upwards-

-swiped the gladius across her stomach from right to left and slid to his left in the same movement. The Kelvic whirled and swiped but he batted the blow away, circling again...

Mizra Aqdas glanced at them again. Circling. Testing. Observing. Silently studying the other, finding weaknesses, gaps, advantages. Even from where he stood the two shone and glistened... but neither would back down. There was still much to learn...

by **Septimus** on January 9th, 2013, 2:54 am

"Yes, I know it's a very fine ax. That's why you gotta put it away when I don't have my shieldc "

Septimus chuckled once more with a smile as she looked at Razkar then back to her place on the mat. Both hands on the hilt of her broadsword, she moved it around a few times to get her hands ready and used to the weight. With her left arm now slightly numb, it would be good to get a break from the shield. Needless to say, she would still be working it despite the pain. This would be good for endurance as well as teach her what the consequences for not being more agile and quicker.

Before she was ready and in stance, Razkar was already coming for her. Note to self, always be ready. she thought. They began circling again, and her footing wasn't exactly where she would like it to be. Needless to say, she looked down at her footing for a split second... and regretted it. Razkar lunged at her, but she instantly looked up just at the right time which shocked her entirely. To block it, Septimus reached with her sword and knocked it away with a forceful blow. The entire time, she stayed with his gladius, soon following it to where she bared down with both hands on the handle to the point it could touch his face had she knocked it back a bit further.

Septimus, using this to her advantage, whirled around then performed 'The Twister' in which Jerrad had taught her. She used her wrists to turn the sword accordingly to the point it went around his gladius once. She then used a maneuver quickly to knock it away from her and turn her arms to the point it was a rapid twisting motion, all the while close to her body so she didn't expose her arms as much. That's what her slightly throbbing wrist had taught her. However, Razkar came close to getting hit and saw it. He quickly twisted out of the position he was in and barely avoided it as it grazed his right side.

That attack was done and over and with a smile and nod of recognition, they were circling one another again. This time, Razkar came towards her with a great lurch of his body and thrust of his gladius. Septimus was quick to act however, and blocked it again, but this time Razkar used his gladius to somehow knock her sword back and expose her for a split second. However, Septimus was quick to regain herself and within an extremely short amount of time at most she had her sword back again blocking his attack. Septimus was once again acting on instinct rather than actual thinking as the ritual of blocking was beginning to become a habit.

by **Razkar** on January 9th, 2013, 2:55 am

Razkar found it hard to keep the smile from his face. He should have been frustrated, aggravated, annoyed and gradually angered that his best blows were being knocked aside. Septimus was reacting faster and surer, not over-thinking her movements and slowly finding the balance between attack and defence.

She was beneath him in skill, and they both knew it. But she had forced him into a stalemate... and he respected her all the more.

The Myrian lunged to her left, moving his whole body to her side swinging at her neck. The broadsword jerked up to stop him-

-and by the time wood met wood, the sudden kick from his left foot had stopped a respectful few inches from her crotch. He cocked an eyebrow and slid backwards.

"Would have made you bend." he said as they circled, tossing his gladius into his right hand. He needed more practice with it: what if he were to lose his hand ax? "Would have hurt. Pain would make blind. Bend, blind, pain-"

He kicked out into thin air, gladius where it was when she had blocked him, then twisted to his left and brought his gladius smashed down vertically, decapitating an invisible, doubled over enemy. Which would have been her.

"-and lost head. Never fight with just one weapon. Have two arms, two legs. Have forehead and teeth."

Razkar lunged forwards again, gladius slashing diagonally towards her chest. The Kelvic gripped her broadsword tight, footing good, met his blow in front of them both and there was a shattering impact. But Razkar shoved forwards, gladius held in both hands, forcing both weapons towards her, to her shoulder-

-bringing his mouth close to her face. Then he smiled, or something like it, and let her see that most of the teeth in his head were very, very sharp. He'd filed them for that very purpose.

"Could rip out throat now." He said matter-of-factly, eyes deadly serious as he tried to impart the most important lesson of war he had ever learned. "Only unfair fight is fight you lose. Not ever let anyone tell you this is not honor, or that is not fair. You live; they die. In world, that is fa-"

Spetimus was a good student. She proved his point by giving him a "playful" knee in the crotch.

by **Septimus** on January 9th, 2013, 3:01 am

Her blocks were becoming better, her lunges were becoming more accurate. She could tell she was advancing, slowly but she was getting there. Then he aimed a kick that stopped short as he held back and stopped it from making contact with her body. So not only was he emphasizing a sparring match with swords, but rather bodies as well? This was right up her alley for unarmed was something Septimus was rather quite good in. One problem, though. She was still armed.

As for his explanation, Septimus nodded then continued on. Perhaps not only, if that was the case, then maybe she could score a bit more. However, she knew this wasn't the time for unarmed combat here. Not here and not exactly now. Needless to say, she would still hit occasionally, much like he was demonstrating. By this time, without her shield, she would be dead. Her shield was her prime form of defense and that saved her ass from being 'decapitated' or cut or even hit more than what she was noticing now.

As he pushed her own weapon against her with his gladius, Razkar showed his teeth to the point she could feel his breathing on her face. Septimus instantly noticed that they were definitely sharper than most. But that wasn't normal. Perhaps he had- "Could rip throat now." And it made sense. He had done it on purpose. Septimus wasn't exactly sure, but he had somehow done it and not just for show but rather actual fighting. Actual killing. With this, Septimus began to wonder about those tattoos on him and how many people he had actually killed. He had battle scars, and impressive ones at that.

Septimus showed her understanding by coming up to knee him much like he had, yet she stopped short with a chuckle.

"Should've told me that sooner, I could be working a bit on my unarmed."

She chuckled slightly as she took a few steps back then wiped her sweaty palms off on her shirt. Septimus picked her spot again and resumed it. This time she was ready and would not be risking any more surprise attacks just because she wasn't paying attention. She needed to focus and get in her mind that she was not here to play and mess around, not that she was. She was here to grow in skill and strength in the body but also the mind.

by **Razkar** on January 9th, 2013, 4:05 am

As they got more attuned to each other, they were giving each other less chances. Beforehand (one bell and a lifetime ago, or so it seemed to Razkar), they had not known the others style, and as they sparred and adjusted, every strike led to an opening.

By now, however, they both had tightened everything up, and not a drop of opportunity was leaking out.

Razkar circled her a little warily, gladius held in his right hand, left arm held out and half-closed into a fist. The female was mirroring his every move, broadsword held in both hands and dead in front of her, ready to block or parry in any direction he could come from.

And before he could make his move, she made hers.

He learned fast her ferocious a broadsword could be on the offensive, especially with the reach and power of an athletic young female behind it. She swung hard at his side and the gladius blocked it with a whack of wood, but she was too far for him to strike back-

-and then she was swinging again, forcing him to jump back-

-she straightened her grip and thrust it two-handed at his stomach-

Finally.

-he jerked his gladius from right to left horizontally, knocking her broadsword to the side-

His hand flashed up and grabbed the broadsword near the end, holding it in place with all his might-

-and hacking diagonally towards where Septimus' neck met her shoulder.

A pale blur as he hands shot up to grab his gladius, and Razkar found out that she could do the same trick-

React. Don't think. Won't have time to think in battle.

-he slammed his head forwards, forehead stopping a safe distance from her nose-

-then ripped his gladius free and jumped away to his right, away from her and her long wooden weapon.

His muscles burned, his arms were sore and his legs were starting to ache. But as a fresh wave of exhiliration rampaged through his body, Razkar just grinned again. He couldnt remember the last time he'd had so much fun without taking a scalp afterwards.

"Again."

by **Septimus** on January 10th, 2013, 3:00 am

SorrySorry I haven't posted today. I've been doing those essays and lat night I was up studying. Passed 'em in the B range!

Septimus had made a few more hits and overall was pleased with herself. Despite her body now growing tired, Septimus found a desire to continue. Not because of pride, but it was actually fun. Septimus was learning all the while doing it hands on and being punished by pain. Pain was a reminder and a damn good one at that.

However, he soon grasped her broadsword at the appropriate time, right when she was pushing back with both hands. However, Septimus quickly realized that it wouldn't be hard to reciprocate this action and thus, she used her other hand to grab his gladius. Razkar instantly shoved her head forwards and Septimus leaned her head back but he stopped either way. Then he jumped away and prepared to be thinking but then all he said was 'Again.'

Septimus nodded and backed away from a decent range so she could act quick enough if he attacked her while she was taking a very small pause to catch her breath. She was thinking now, on instinct and past moves he had done, rather than overthinking the situation and overestimating her enemy.

If Septimus wanted to be good in either simple sparring matches or even a battle she must treat every single thing and person like it was a new opponent and be ready at all costs as well as learn their patterns quicker and faster. That would help her quickly adjust her own fighting styles and techniques to try and outweigh theirs thus, in the end, making her just as unpredictable as she could always come around and use some of her own moves when she had them where she wanted them.

Then, during that slight time in which she was catching her breath and trying to get more feeling back in her arm, Septimus realized she was beginning to grow tired and worn from this work. She had been fighting for a good bell and then some so far. This meant she needed more practice but not today and not now for she would finish this session and then perhaps return a few good other times. Needless to say, there was still this battle here she was doing. Not exactly battle but sparring match.

They began doing the circling maneuver and Septimus realized that she could make some pretty good attacks offensive wise but she also needed to change it up a bit every now and then. Needless to say, Razkar had made her mind up for her as he came forward with his gladius performing a swiping maneuver. Septimus, with her appendages kept close to her body, saw the attack coming and quickly maneuvered her sword to block it with both hands. She used her left palm to back up the blade of the wooden sword and push him and his gladius back with a good bit amount of strength that of course had been held back as it was educational.

Razkar came at her again, and Septimus quickly repositioned her hand to where it was free and she was now fighting one handed with her broadsword in her right hand. She would use her left hand to grab at his weapon and eventually try to tear it away if she got the chance. If Razkar did allow her to grab at his weapon once more, Septimus would grab the hilt of his sword, but somewhat closer towards the blade to have better control over both parts slightly. She then would come slightly like he had done with his ax and her wrist and swipe at his other free arm if he used that arm to try and gain full control over his gladius again causing him to 'lose' that free arm.

by **Razkar** on January 10th, 2013, 3:27 am

Cool!Good for you, love! It's no problem, and I'll be around less, too. Got a new job starting tomorrow, and maybe a second on in the works!

The sparring session was dragging on, and now Razkar was starting to think of it in those terms. Well, correction: his body was. His mind was still sharp and keen and eager for more and more. But his muscles were tightening up and sweat was now rolling off him, not just settling. The Kelvic lunged forward again and again, and her blows were coming stronger. Was he weakening, or was her endurance just better?

He didn't know. What he did know was that he still had a few moves left, and he'd learned much today.

He lunged at her weapon-less side and swiped at her, trying to keep his distance. She was wielding one-handed now but closed the distance with a single long step. Ah, she was learning. Her broadsword swung to his ribs and he only just jumped away-

-but her hand shot out and grabbed his gladius close to the hilt, tight, not letting go-

-and with a triumphant grin she swung the wooden broadsword against his ribs. The weapon stopped a few inches from his ribcage, and the lungs beyond them. A hit, a loss... but.

Like I said: tricks.

He stepped forward, his free hand, on his left, where the broadsword was by his side, shot down and grabbed the wooden sword by the hilt, where she was holding his gladius-

-then the Myrian bent his knees and let himself fall backwards.

The look of shock that exploded across her face was something special, that was for sure. He fell onto his backside, then the small of his back, a half roll, tucking his knees in, feet planted against her stomach, carrying her over his body-

-but she reacted. She didn't panic, didn't cry out, didn't screech or fall apart. Like a true warrior, she adapted and survived.

Septimus didn't land on her face, but did let go over his gladius. She twisted in mid-air, landing on her left shoulder and rolling out of her fall rather than crash on her front. She ripped her broadsword free, spinning up and around and to her feet, broadsword coming with her-

-and smacking into his gladius, her horizontal blade stopping dead against his vertical one. The paused, panting, looking each other dead in the eye... then he smiled. She felt the tapping against her stomach...

... looked down to see the wooden dagger against her stomach. Her eyes flashed to the rack of training weapons and, sure enough, there was one missing. The Myrian must have palmed it when he returned his training ax, stuffing it down the small of his back and waiting until her back was turned to reveal it.

Her eyes asked the question. Razkar shrugged, mirth and mischief playing on his eyes.

"We say single weapon, I know. But that is other rule: always cheat."

Her face clouded, but then he stepped away, both weapons held low... and bowed to the Kelvic. She had taught him much today, been an able and challenging foe, and that was the best he could ask of anyone. Besides which, he knew now the Kelvic could outlast him, and he had no desire to slow and fall apart, chime by chime, until he could no longer prove to be a challenge to her.

Not to mention it would be bloody embarrassing, too.

"But victory is for you, mistress."

by **Traverse** on February 2nd, 2013, 3:57 pm

Thread Awards!

Razkar :

Septimus :

Shared Lore:
A Mutual Understanding of Your Opponent

Additional Notes :

Questions, Concerns? PM me and we'll be to the bottom of it. Safe Travels!

Closed [Kendoka Sasaran] Showing Signs II (Razkar)