[Avain Manor] A Shadowy Reflection (Grim & Miro)

[Miro]

13th of Fall, 511 AV

Today was a lazy day for Miro and it irked him deeply. He had felt his performance lately unbecoming and lackluster. Today, though it was starting to get later in the afternoon, would change all of this. He grabbed his cane and walked outside. Once he found a comfortable spot in the front yard, he began to stretch. The burn in his legs felt good, it awakened him and brought his heart to a steady pace.

After getting his back stretched out well, he gave a quick yawn. Glancing up, he caught sight of what he could swear was a mirror. No, it wasn't a mirror at all, it was Grimkon! "Grimkon! Hey, what are you doing walking through this way? You should come in and play a game with me! We could have a fun day. If...you're not too busy are you?" Miro ran his hand back through his hair and crossed his arms awaiting a reply.

[Shazvagrimkon]

Walking through the town like he usually did, Grimkon was walking through a part of the city he had not been in before. The day was beginning to get a little later and he was thinking of how the day of the tournament was getting closer with each passing day. After walking for a while longer he happened to look over and notice a man with a strikingly similar appearance to his own outside stretching. Grimkon recognized him as Miro, his companion in a coliseum fight. Seeing his friend here brought joy to his heart. Grimkon walked over and stood, waiting for Miro to finish his stretch.

When Miro saw he lit up with surprise and excitement. Grimkon walked forward looking around and when he was closer he reached out and offered his hand for a firm and friendly handshake. To answer his friend’s questions, “I was just walking along the streets of the city like usual, and that sounds good. I’m not busy at all. What did you have in mind?”

[Miro]

Miro shook Grimkon's hand overjoyed with having something to liven up his day. Grimkon had asked what he had in mind, he wasn't quite sure. Looking down he saw Grimkon's blade. "That is a fine looking blade, perhaps we could do some sword training! Miro pulled his blade from its sheathing and took a combative stance. "What do you say? Perhaps we can see how good you are in a fight. He smiled to the man awaiting him to take up arms. The only question was who would make the first move.

[Shazvagrimkon]

Miro looked down at his handy short sword attached to his belt. Seeing Miro pull out his fine cane sword and taking a fighting stance brought a smile to Grimkon’s face. “It is a pretty nice sword. Helped me through plenty of fights.” Taking a step back, he tossed his backpack to the ground and pulled out the sword from the sheath on his belt. “I think a little swordplay would great,” Grimkon stated as he took a stance ready to strike or defend. He was not very sure how good Miro was with a sword. I’ll take it slow at first and see how good he is. I saw none of his fight in the arena but it looked as though he used his strange magic. After a few seconds, Grimkon took a casual swing towards the man in front of him not knowing the outcome.

[Miro]

Miro readied himself as Grim took a hefty swing towards his face. He was sick of all of the banter, it was time for action! He lifted his his blade up, catching the attack and holding firm in a deadlock. He was unable to fully parry the attack. Miro focused his djed to his offhand and began to emit res on the side of his arm. He transmuted it to ice and pressed it firmly against the top of the blade, pushing it towards Grim a bit more. In his right arm he let his djed pool around his muscles and in the joints of his arms. He pushed the Flux deep into his muscles as they soared forward with strength pushing Grim back. If it kept up like this, the blades would tip back and start to cut Grim. Miro smiled as he pressed further and further.

[Shazvagrimkon]

Miro’s blade came up just in time to block the swing, placing them in a power struggle. Grimkon knew he was stronger than a human but he knew nothing of Miro’s half race or what it was capable of. He was using his strange ice magic again though so Grimkon had no idea what other tricks his sparring partner had up his sleeves. With the swords slowly tilting back, Grimkon knew he had to do something or get cut. With a quick motion, Grimkon stepped to the side and stopped the power struggle allowing both swords to slice downward and he took a swing upward to Miro’s arms.

[Miro]

Miro began amassing res over his left arm as the power struggle tipped in his favor. Grim had just barely managed to parry and was now coming up towards his arm. He moved the liquid res up around the already padded arm catching the blade mid swipe. He felt a surge of pain rush in the bones as if they may collapse under the force. Gritting his teeth he poured more and more res around the arm. He thrust using flux making Grim step back. He forced the res up and around the existing res to make a flat covering most of his forearm and then some. Now able to parry attacks properly. As Grim came at him again he reinforced it once more The ice thickened filling in any gaps behind the flat surface as well as adding to the size of its surface. Miro was for once using his djed responsibly. Not relying on flux and using just the right amount of reimancy would allow him to keep fighting. In his time fighting Bones he learned a few things, and now it was time to put them into action. He got down low, rallying himself behind his makeshift shield. He had his cane ready in his other hand, waiting for the proper moment. He let the Flux surge into his arm, giving it stability, toughness. His arm sat adamant, ready to stop any attack, his blade, ready to strike true. His mind was sharp, having griever by his side eased his mind, allowing him to think clearly. This was going to be his fight.

[Shazvagrimkon]

The blade struck Miro’s arm and affected him none. Looking closer Grimkon noticed the thickness and padding that was not there a few minutes ago. The ice magic of his would make the fight harder. I’ve never fought an enemy with these abilities. There will no doubt be others with surprising abilities in the tournament. As Miro took a low stance ready to parry or strike, Grimkon prepared himself for the fight. He took a step back and raised the short sword up in front of him. Miro was more serious now and would be a good fight. Slowly Grimkon began to walk to his right, circling with his opponent watching closely and turning along with him. With a quick thrust of his arm, Grimkon stabbed towards his opponent and then quickly went low kicking towards Miro’s left leg hoping to catch him by surprise and cause him to trip.

[Miro]

Grimkon was getting just as serious as Miro now. He could see the ferocity behind his eyes. They started to turn, Miro readied for a quick parry. Then it happened, Grimkon thrust forward a good solid blow. It was easy enough to knock away, the Flux stored in his arm shoved back his blade hard. What he didn't account for, was the foot that had been swept low. Grimkon took the shift and momentum and used it against Miro. He fell forward over the leg sweeping against his. Miro slammed down, his blade pieced his gut going in a few inches.

Clenching his eyes he tried to block the pain he felt. Thankfully it was only Griever, it wouldn't hurt him too much, not fatally at least. Pressing the shielded arm against the ground he quickly got up. He pulled the blade from his body and watched the blood trickle down to the floor around him. Feeling slightly dizzy from the pain was not too unusual, but definitely not helping him. This was a fight. A minor wound would slow him at most, nothing more.

Miro focused his mind, watching as Grimkon waited for him to be ready. Miro felt ashamed. In a real fight, he would have been dead by now. He produced a heavy res from his left hand, amassing a decent amount. He moved the res under his shield and melted it, not letting a drip spill to the floor. With a mere thought, he moved it over the wound, wrapping it around his body. Transmuted to ice, it stopped the bleeding and kept his wound secured. The fight would continue.

Now, to get back on top. He held his hand loosely on the sword can and let his muscles loosen up slightly. The pain caused him to tense up slightly, but he would be able to react quickly, precisely, effectively. Holding his thumb to the top of the grip, he began to finalize his stance. He lowered his knees slightly, allowing him to be agile. His elbow was cocked back slightly, giving his room to lunge. Djed flowed into his arm, awaiting a time when he may need to use the Flux.

Miro began steadily walking forward, sword leading his advance. As he neared he began to swipe his blade in several directions to throw his opponent off. As soon as he found himself in range, an exaggerated downward slash was issued towards Grimkon. Going for quick stab at his body would be quite unsatisfying. With this, he would give him a chance to block. If he didn't, well, then he would get a nice slice down his center.

[Shazvagrimkon]

Grimkon watched as Miro fell and landed on his sword. For a moment there was worry on his mind but seeing his opponent stand and ready himself all that was on his mind was the fight at hand. His muscles were tense and ready to jump into action. Slowly breathing in and out he readied his stance.

Shortly after he finished getting up and readying himself, Miro began to walk towards Grimkon with his sword leading the way. Once he neared, the blade started swinging in different directions. He had no idea where the strike would come from. He watched the flashing blur come closer and closer when suddenly it stopped and a second later it was coming down in front of him almost on top of Grimkon. As quickly as he could, he brought his sword up and blocked the swing but the inhuman power behind it brought his sword flat across chest and Miro’s blade inches to the right of his face. After the blades stopped moving, Grimkon placed his other hand on the flat of his blade and pushed as hard as he could with his arms and legs hoping the unknown strength wouldn’t stop him.