The Akalak (Solo/Flashback)

[Massacre]

The Akalak Timestamp: Summer 13, 497 AV It had been over a year since the horrible events that reduced Massacre's tribe to shambles and appointed him elder of the tribe. Massacre still harbored a great hatred for the akalaks for what they did, but as elder he had to think of the tribe first. They could not afford to get revenge, and so the tribe lived in secret. They avoided conflict and hunted only animals, and slowly things were starting to get better. Two children were born that year and actually survived, and things were starting to look better. Massacre was content to hold his anger in. Even though the specific akalaks who destroyed his tribe had been dealt with, it wasn't enough. One day Massacre would have revenge against them all. Beyond that he felt that the akalaks deserved to be punished. Not just out of vengeance, but because it should be done. He didn't have a word for the feeling, but he felt that it was right. The word he was searching for was justice, but it was not a term he had ever heard before. Being an elder was actually fairly boring for the Zith. He was still young, much younger than one would normally be when considered an elder, but he was the eldest of the tribe and the duty fell to him. Most of the time it meant making boring decisions like when to migrate and which direction they would go. It wasn't the exciting leadership position he thought it would be, and since he was the only one he didn't have anyone to share the decision making with. So when Katsu, a young female, came flying back to camp reporting she had spotted a lone Akalak out on the road Massacre's heart nearly skipped a beat. They had been avoiding confrontation for so long, but how dangerous could one akalak really be? "He's got a big sword on his back and one of those dagger things they always carry. He looks pretty tough, but he's all by himself," Katsu had said. Massacre mulled over the information for a few chimes while the little female and the rest of the tribe awaited his decision. Looking around at the faces of his fellow Zith he realized they all wanted the same thing he did. They all shared the same hatred and desire for revenge. Massacre knew the akalak needed to be punished, but could he risk his tribe for it? A few more chimes passed before he finally made his decision. "Alright.. we can't afford to loose any more of us. But.. akalak's need to be punished. Claw, Raid, Mira. Grab your bows. Katsu, show me where he is. I will punish him.. but if it looks like I'm going to loose, shoot him down. Either way, we're eating Akalak tonight." That brought a cheer from the tribe and everybody quickly sprung into action, retrieving their weapons and awaiting Massacre's command. The Zith elder grabbed his own bow, though he had little intention of using it. He didn't even bother to string it, though he did bring arrows and string just in case. He was looking forward to feeling Akalak flesh torn by his claws, and if he could help it he wasn't going to let some arrow steal the satisfaction of punishing the man himself. Word Count558

[Massacre]

The Akalak had been traveling alone for some time. He was finally on his way home, heading back to Riverfall. It would be the first time he had seen the city in nearly sixty years, the idea that something would try to prevent his return home was not at all one he wanted to entertain. So when he suddenly found himself surrounded by four Zith, three of them with arrows pointed his way, he was not a very happy Akalak. Massacre landed in front of the Akalak, the only Zith who didn't have his bow drawn and strung. He could tell by looking at him the man had seen many battles, but so had Massacre and many of them had been with Akalaks just like the one before him. Well, not just like him. Massacre had never seen a sword as big and intimidating as the one the Akalak slowly pulled from behind his back. Massacre didn't let it bother him, though, he was confident in his own abilities. "Throw down you sword, akalak," Massacre ordered in common. "You are to be punished for what your kind do to mine! Throw down your weapons and you will die quickly." Massacre knew the Akalak wouldn't surrender. He wasn't even sure if they were capable of backing down from a fight, much less from a Zith. The akalak was surprised that the Zith spoke to him, but he had no intention of backing down. Kill him now. No, I didn't even know Zith could speak. I should question him. Maybe we can learn something valuable about his kind first. Right, right. And then we kill him? He is. zith, what else would we do with him? Great. I'm glad we agree. The akalak did not lower his weapon nor toss it aside, but neither did he attack. As he debated with his twin soul he came to the decision that he might be able to talk his way out of the fight, even if he had told his other half he intended to kill the Zith. There was no sense killing one when the other three would shoot him down before he had the chance. "You speak of justice for your kind, but what of the things Zith do to us! You hunt us, kill us, and eat us! Do we not deserve revenge as well?" A smile tugged at Massacre's lips but he kept his face stern. Justice? So that is the word I am looking for.. Massacre tossed aside his bow and shouted at the other Zith to only fire if it looked like he was going to lose. Massacre flexed his hands, showing off the long sharp claws at the end of his fingers. "Justice. I think I understand what that means. We do seek justice! You hunt us out of anger. You make it into a game for your youths to prove they are grown! And when we are dead you leave us to rot! We hunt akalak, yes. But we hunt for food. You kill us for no reason! We will have justice!" Massacre growled in anger and charged at the wide eyed Akalak. He kept his wings tight against his back so they wouldn't get in the way, and slashed across at the Akalak's face. His claws struck only air. Word Count553

[Massacre]

It took Massacre a moment to realize that he had missed, and by the time he did realize there was already a sword slashing his way. The Zith stumbled back in an attempt to get away but the blade still managed to knick his chest and cut a shallow gash. In truth the Akalak was just as surprised as Massacre, he had expected a killing blow. Suddenly both combatants had a heightened level of respect for the other, though neither had any idea how deadly their battle was beginning to come. What did you do that for? I told you I didn't want to fight him yet! Though the Akalak and his twin soul bickered inside, outside he was as calm as ever. His counterpart had ruined any chance at a peaceful conversation, at least for the moment, and he was prepared to do what was necessary to survive. Massacre had never intended to talk. The Akalak needed to die and he was going to be the one to do it. Massacre brought a hand up to his chest and dabbed at the blood, then lifted his fingers and stared at them curiously. It seemed he was always spilling his blood in one battle or another, would he ever run out? Massacre's eyes shifted back to the akalak and a smile spread across his lips. This was going to be a good fight, he knew. The akalak tensed, preparing for the attack. Why don't you use the gnosis? I want to beat him in a fair fight. This is no ordinary Zith, he will be a challenge. Heh, it's about time. I was getting tired of fighting weaklings all the time. Massacre launched the second attack as well, lunging for the akalak's face again with his claws. Humph. Same attack twice in a row? Maybe he's not as skilled as you thought. It was the same attack but Massacre had done so on purpose, and the Akalak dodged the same way he had before preparing another counter attack. Though the sword came from the opposite direction this time Massacre was ready for it and stepped in under the blade, clenching his fist and punching the akalak in the gut. The warrior realized what was to come and tightened his abs, absorbing the blow easily. Massacre moved away quickly before the akalak could bring his sword back in and raked a clawed hand across the akalak's chest as me moved away cutting his own shallow wound in revenge. I think he did that on purpose! Yes he did. The warrior gripped his sword in both hands, his lips drawing a straight line across his mouth. He wasn't about to be toyed with by some barbarous Zith, no matter how different he might seem. "Alright Zith, enough playing around. Let's end this." Word Count470

[Massacre]

So the akalak didn't like games? Too bad, Massacre had hoped for some entertainment. Perhaps the fight was a bit unfair, Massacre had no real fear of losing because he knew if he started to the other Zith would shoot down the akalak to save their elder, but the fight was still quite the challenge. The akalak went on the aggressive this time, his massive blade swinging down to sever Massacre in half, and the Zith had to dive out of the way to avoid being hit. The akalak was very quick with his blade and attacked again and again forcing Massacre to dance about the battlefield dodging blow after blow. The Zith quickly realized he was defenseless against the weapon. He couldn't hope to block the blade, his only option was to continue to dodge and retreat. Keen eyes watched the Akalak's every attack searching for some flaw, some weakness the Zith could exploit, but as the fight went on Massacre realized there were none to be found. At least nothing Massacre himself had the ability to exploit. Massacre tried to slash a the akalak but he withdrew his hand just as quickly when the sword came down in an attempt to cut it off. Later he dodged a little to slow and a gash appeared across his right arm just below the shoulder. Massacre hissed and swiped at the skilled akalak, but the warrior avoided the blow easily. It seemed that the longer they fought the more comfortable the akalak got with the battle and the more difficult it became for Massacre to dodge. It looks like we're going to win, one soul commented. Perhaps, was the calm reply of the other. The longer they fought the faster the akalak went. Massacre was beginning to think he would have to let the tall blue warrior be shot down, but then he noticed something. The akalak's attacks were coming in patterns. Granted there were several different patterns, but he was using the same set of patterns depending on the sort of attack he was trying to perform. Could he really be that much of an amateur? Massacre decided to test the theory. The Zith dodged to the right and sure enough came the pattern he expected, a series of three attacks that brought the akalak a few steps closer to the Zith and ended with him poised for his next move. Massacre began to test other patterns and sure enough he was beginning to learn to anticipate what the akalak would do next. What are you doing? Testing him.. It was impossible for the akalak to know for sure whether zith had spotted the patterns, not without Massacre exploiting one of them, but it was all part of the game the akalak was playing. If the Zith was as skilled as the akalak thought he was then surely it would make a move soon enough. The akalak didn't need his evantian aura to anticipate that outcome. It was what any good warrior would expect from another.

[Massacre]

For a chime more Massacre continued to study the Akalak's fighting patterns. The warrior's execution of the attacks was flawless, but the fact that he didn't change them up proved that Massacre was the superior fighter. Finally the time came. Massacre feinted to the right and sure enough the akalak moved in exactly the way the zith expected him to. As the sword swung in one direction Massacre moved in the other, his claws darting out and ripping into the akalak's flesh. At least they would have except that, in the blink of an eye the akalak twisted and reversed the direction, bringing his blade back across and into Massacre's ribs landing a heavy blow. Massacre's flesh absorbed a tiny portion of the impact before splitting and allowing the blade to cut it. Blood gushed out around the cold steel and Massacre was flooded with a nearly overwhelming sensation of pain. Is that what you wanted? For him to figure out the pattern? Seems like a bit of a cheap shot taking advantage of him like that. Actually, the calmer soul replied, I was hoping he wouldn't fall for it. It seems he is just an ordinary Zith after all. It's time to end this. The other Zith watching cried out in surprise and bows were pointed the akalak's way, arrows nocked and strings pulled taut, but Massacre wasn't done. He knew the battle was lost, he had no chance of winning with the wound, but neither was he some amateur that allowed pain to cloud his judgment. The akalak had put himself into a perilous position with his counterattack and Massacre had every intention of taking advantage of it. His claws raked into the warriors rips, the wound inflicted far more brutal and bloody than the sword in Massacre's side, and the akalak stumbled away in surprise. Massacre's vision wavered for a moment before he mustered the strength to attack again, charging forward and raking the warrior across the chest. The akalak raised his sword arm in defense but Massacre bit down on his wrist and pulled a chunk of flesh free. Crying out in pain and surprise the akalak dropped his sword and stumbled back. Massacre had a moment of clarity and used it to note the fact that the akalak was rather tasty before he sunk down to his knees, his body weak from loss of blood. The Akalak recovered quickly and drew his Lakan, seeking to end his opponent then and there, but deep down he knew he wouldn't make. The arrow that lodged itself in his shoulder was no surprise, nor were the half dozen or so others that made their way into his chest. Massacre's vision began to cloud, he could barely remain upright. He saw the akalak, filled with arrows, fall dead to the ground. Massacre nodded slightly to no one before passing out. Luckily his tribemates were right there and were able to tend to his wounds immediately. If he had been on his own Massacre would have likely died, but he survived. The Zith was out cold for several days, but when he finally awoke he demanded to be taken to the akalak.. or what was left of him. Massacre was not in the least bit surprised to find that his kin had already devoured most of the warriors flesh. The tall Zith knelt next to the body and picked up the akalak's sword, running a clawed finger along the blade's edge. Massacre smiled and set his new weapon aside, reaching into the torn warriors chest and ripping free the heart. Of course they had left it for him, he was their elder, and the akalak was his prize.

[Massacre]

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[Massacre]

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[Stranger]

Hi Massacre.

I always enjoy grading threads that involve Akalak, since it is my little slice of Mizahar, and I never mind helping out in the Sea of Grass. Always feel free to come to me with threads that need the love of a grading mod.

For this thread, however, I feel as if there are a few points that need to be addressed before I attempt to dole out XP and lore.

The most glaring issue is the notion of any sort of pact between a Zith and an Akalak. Akalak warriors are, by their very nature, an honor-bound race. To say that they readily despise Zith would be an understatement. Destroying them is a way of life for Akalak. Given the psychology of these warriors, I cannot foresee any conceivable circumstance in which an Akalak would make a pact or deal with a Zith. He'd die with honor well before he would even consider it. In fact, I believe the whole element of grudging respect you have between them is out of character as well.

I do not mean to be a spoil sport, but the idea of an Akalak using his own weapon to teach a Zith to fight is too outrageous to permit.

If you would like to rewrite/tweak the thread with appropriate changes, I would be glad to grade it for you again. I see some leadership points for Massacre, as well as the obvious combat points. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to pm me.

-Stranger