Completed [The Aylasa Cave]Corporeal Master, Ethereal Follower (Cyrus)

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri A hi- HEEEY!! Kouri had a surprised expression on her face as she saw Cyrus grabbed the dagger. Kouri shook her dagger to break away the dagger from Cyrus' grasp, but her master's strength was proving to be a major problem as he refused to let go. "Hauuumph!" Kouri pouted and made an annoyed look on her face. No faaair! Master is cheating! was her thought on the matter. While still struggling for the blade, a mischievous idea came to her ghostly mind. If this works, I'll end the fight, ehehe~ Though, I feel like that I'm cheating... hmmm... perhaps... ahah! Hehe~ I'll ask master to use his magic after this, I've never fought a wizard before~ "ehehehe..." Kouri stifled a giggle as she blinked to behind Cyrus' back and poked his neck with her finger, attempting to take advantage of her chilling touch effect to distract Cyrus long enough so she could break his grasp on her weapon.

[Cyrus Blackfire]

Cyrus had made a slight miscalculation in his move to take the dagger out of the air, he had disregarded Kouri's unnatural touch. It sent shivers down his spine but was not overly debilitating, though it was clear that was not her goal. He would have to congratulate her on this quick thinking on her part, it was really quite devious. If it hadn't been for the fact that Kouri touched him at every possible opportunity he might well have lost his grip on the dagger in surprise. He managed to summon his iron will and push aside his revulsion and finally managed to wrest the dagger from Kouri's grasp.

He quickly adjusted his hold on the weapon's hilt to make sure that he had a good handle on it. Cyrus turned to face Kouri, a grin on his face.

"Good tactic, my dear, however with the amount of hugs you give me I am a little too used to your touch. Don't feel bad though, I have had plenty of time to observe your movements and abilities so I already possessed a bit of an advantage over you, as you have never seen me fight. If you had been fighting someone with less foreknowledge you probably would have won." Cyrus said, his tone instructional.

"You may want to work on practicing using your soulmist more often to strengthen it. Since it is still relatively weak I managed to wrest the weapon from you, but with practice you should be able to eliminate this problem. Also work on your control, as your speed and accuracy with the weapon still needs some work." He finished holding the weapon back out for her to take.

Kouri would indeed be a fearsome adversary for someone ignorant in the way of ghosts. He had no doubt that if it hadn't been for the fact that her touch was something he was accustomed to or his knowledge about the strength of her abilities he might have indeed been bested. Hopefully she would correct her mistakes as they started again.

"Lets start again, make sure to watch me and study me movements carefully, knowing your opened can be the difference between victory and defeat." The man instructed, confidant that Kouri would prove a fast learner.

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri "Master~♪..." Kouri sing-songly whispered directly to Cyrus' left ear "Let go please~♥ " in an attempt to further amplify her chilling presence's effect on Cyrus, however her master, possessing an iron will, somehow managed to wrest the dagger from her grasp. "Kya?!" Kouri let out a surprised gasp as she felt the pressure on her Soulmist carrying the dagger disappeared. There she stood, mouth agape and hands at her side, as she watched Cyrus turned around to face her with a victorious grin on his face, it was somewhat a rare event for Kouri, to see her master grinned, usually as far as she could see he would only smile with closed lips, not grinning. "Good tactic, my dear, however with the amount of hugs you give me I am a little too used to your touch." "Hmph!" Kouri looked away, closed her eyes shut, and pouted complete with crossing her hands in front of her. She was annoyed and happy at the same time, annoyed at her master taking advantage of her constant hugging and nuzzling and happy at Cyrus getting used to her. Usually, people would scream in revulsion and tried to chase her away or run in fear... Ehehe~ Kouri sheepishly giggled in her mind, but did not let it show... somewhat, an observant person could see she was trying to stifle a giggle through her pouted face. "Don't feel bad though, I have had plenty of time to observe your movements and abilities so I already possessed a bit of an advantage over you, as you have never seen me fight. If you had been fighting someone with less foreknowledge you probably would have won." Cyrus' next statement broke her temporary annoyance completely and amplified her happiness as she suddenly beamed a smile at Cyrus and fidgeted with her ribbons "Ehehe~ truly? Ehehe~" In between her giggles, she blinked to Cyrus and hugged him again. Closing her eyes as she did so. "You may want to work on practicing using your soulmist more often to strengthen it. Since it is still relatively weak I managed to wrest the weapon from you, but with practice you should be able to eliminate this problem. Also work on your control, as your speed and accuracy with the weapon still needs some work." While still hugging Cyrus with closed eyes, Kouri said "I will, Master... I will..." Truly, perhaps Cyrus was the only person in the world who truly cared for her, aside from her father and mother of course. In her eyes, this man who in a sense can be called 'villanous', Kouri would disagree completely to that view for he was her saviour in this god-forsaken war-torn world. Kouri then opened her eyes and saw Cyrus offering back her dagger, Kouri released him and picked it up with her Soulmist, ready for another session. Hmmm.. perhaps I'll ask Master to show me his magics another time... Kouri thought as she still felt unready, if her Master could defeat her without his magic, she could only imagine what would he do if he used them. "Lets start again, make sure to watch me and study me movements carefully, knowing your opened can be the difference between victory and defeat." Kouri then blinked back, giving both of them some space before lifting the hem of her dress and bowing slightly. "Very well then, Master, let's begin again." "Here I come, Master!" Kouri then made a spinning motion with her dagger and launched them at Cyrus. I'll use a new trick this time, ehehe~ Kouri giggled in her mind as when the dagger was launched, she immediately let it go and quickly picked up a nearby rock to throw them at Cyrus' body as well. I'll alternate between doing this... Master's attention should be divided... I think? Oh well, no harm trying

[Cyrus Blackfire]

Cyrus managed to block the flying dagger with his shortsword, noting that the blade was very difficult to block with. He had not expected the somewhat large rock coming his way, which pushed him back a step as it made contact with his chest. The warrior was pleased, Kouri seemed to be taking his words to heart and was using more creative methods of using her soulmist.

Unfortunately that placed him in a difficult position, not only to he have to watch the dagger but he also had to be aware of anything else his protégé could use as a weapon. Due to them being in a cave she had ample material to work with, as such he couldn't dodge forever. So that left few options other than attack, which would maybe cause her to lose focus for a moment so he could deal with the dagger again. Likely she wouldn't make to same mistake twice, which was a good thing.

His arm was far from tired in using the short blade, it was light as a feather compared to his greatsword. As such he stepped in with a controlled flurry of thrusts and cut, mostly designed to disorient. He felt like he was getting the hang of the weapon, it wasn't something he was concerned with mastering. It was simply the fall back plan if both his magic and greatsword were neutralized.

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri *Clang!* The sound of metal scraping against metal resounded in the cave. Kouri watched in annoyance and awe at Cyrus' display of swordsmanship. How could master block my dagger with that... thin... blade??? Aaah, silly me, he's my master, he can do anything, ehehe~ However, I won't lose this time! Kouri immediately used her Soulmist to pick up the dagger again and immediately spun it and launched it to Cyrus' back as he charged at her. Hmmm... Kouri concocted a plan in her undead mind. As Cyrus almost reach her, She used her Soulmist to kick the ground, causing dust and small rocks to fly into the air, unmaterialize herself, and 'dived' into the ground. "Ahahaha~ Sometimes I do wonder, Master. How can one defeat beings like myself without magic?" though her form was nowhere to be seen as she was inside the ground, her voice could be heard echoing through the cave. She then blinked and appeared at 3 steps away behind Cyrus. Her hands behind her back as she grinned mischievously.

[Cyrus Blackfire]

At first Cyrus had been rather disappointed that Kouri was using the same tactic as before, simply trying to hit him from behind with the dagger. He had prepared to catch it again when suddenly he found himself blinded by a small storm of dust and rocks. The dagger managed another blow against his armor, the warrior was rather frustrated by this tactic his protégé had employed. It was something different at the very least.

Cyrus heard Kouri's voice echo throughout the cave, and he managed to ponder the question as he cleared his vision. How indeed? It was something Cyrus had wondered himself, he had heard rumors of cold iron being able to harm ghosts but he doubted it could be as simple as all that. As for magic he was unsure that even his magic could dispatch a ghost, perhaps it could cause them pain but he doubted it could end a spirit.

Hearing rather than seeing the dagger coming around for another pass Cyrus dove to the side, his vision becoming a blurry kind of clear.

"I don't exactly know, child," Cyrus called out, "However I have heard that cold iron is potent when used against incorporeal creatures."

Perhaps, being a spirit herself, Kouri might have some insight there. It was unlikely but if anyone was to know a spirit's weakness it would probably be a ghost.

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri *Clang!* Hits! Ehehehe~ Kouri was delighted in their mock battle development, it seemed like Kouri managed to figure out that when fighting beings as herself, one must be worry of at least 3 things, the ghost itself, the ghost's flying weapon, and any objects nearby that can be used as a weapon by the ghost. Truly, fighting a ghost with physical weapons with no magical enchantment whatsoever is like searching for a needle in a haystack, possible yes, but very very difficult, bordering on impossible. Cyrus answered her question with cold iron. Hmmm... cold iron? Oh! One of the daggers I ordered from the Sultros Blades is made from Cold Iron, ehehe~ Then Kouri nodded her head and said "Aaah~ I see I see, so cold iron are deadly against beings like me, ehehe~" Kouri said. Go! Kouri commanded her dagger to strike Cyrus from the said, but he managed to dodge it. "Hmmm, Master~, seeing as it's kind of hopeless to fight me with... physical weapons, and I'm practically uuh... cheating by blinking and phasing around, why don't you..." Kouri inhaled her breath as she prepared herself for the next statement "...use your magic as well? I mean, fight using both of your sword and magic! How about that? Ehehehe~ I know it's dangerous, I know, but uhm... I'm sure... " Kouri fidgeted with her hair ribbon and shyly swayed her body from side to side slowly "...you would be gentle... Ehehe~"

[Cyrus Blackfire]

Cyrus lowered his weapon and looked at Kouri, his expression deadly serious. He had considered using his magic, just as a test to see its effects on the incorporeal creatures. It was certainly tempting to call upon it, however he checked his hand as his mother's lessons echoed throughout his head. He should only use magic on someone he intended to either manipulate or kill, unless it was a sparring match of some kind with another wizard. Kouri possessed no magic to speak of beyond her abilities, and he was unsure how much damage reimancy could do against her.

All in all it seemed very unwise to act without some kind of test, something relatively harmless. Lightning was absolutely out of the question, it was much to unpredictable, fire was also out for it could cause undue amounts of harm. That left wind, which seemed to be the most safe of all of the prospects.

"I would be hesitant to use magic against you without knowing the effects, Kouri. You have to understand that magic is powerful, but also incredibly dangerous and it is certainly not a toy to be employed lightly. I call upon it sparingly and only when I know it will be most effective, a form of surprise for any opponent I might be facing." Cyrus said, his tone instructional.

"It could be that my magic would have absolutely no effect on you, it could just pass right though you as if you were not there. However if it does effect you then there is no real safe, or gentle way to use it. Reimancy is a weapon, first and foremost, always keep that in mind, my dear." The warrior said, breathing out a gaseous cloud of res as he spoke.

Res was something that most wizards could detect as other users of magic were more acutely attuned to magical disturbances. Other reimancers were especially sensitive to its presence, as he had noted on multiple occasions. However it often went unnoticed by non-wizards, making it a deadly weapon of surprise.

"I am going to hit you with a blast of air, prepare yourself," Cyrus said, gathering the air to the growing cloud of res in front of him.

When it looked as though the energy was at a high enough point the warrior launched the blast of wind in the direction of his protégé. If it did work he expected it would send her for a loop and push her far back, if it didn't then she would probably be unfazed. Either way it would be interesting to see how the ghost girl was effected.

[Fubuki Kouri]

Kouri listened intently to Cyrus' instruction of magic, specifically Reimancy. He told her that it's a weapon and not to be taken lightly. Kouri already knew that, but she understood that Cyrus was concerned for her safety and wanted Kouri to ready herself should he decided to use his magic. "I understand, Master, I'll be ready~" Kouri said in a cheerful tone as to ease his tension. "I am going to hit you with a blast of air, prepare yourself," "..." Kouri gave a silent nod as she braced herself, her dagger dropped to the ground as she focused completely for the magic that was to come and then it happened, a blast of wind launched at her, it seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Hmmm... Winds shouldn't affect me... but this is not a normal win- ?!! Kouri's train of thought was abruptly cut short as the felt her Soulmist body being violently pushed. "W-what?! K-kyaaah!" The wind was a product of Reimancy, a branch of personal magic, and what happened to her further proof how magic is a very potent weapon, being able to affect corporeal and ethereal beings alike. Kouri's body was pushed back and as she was launched to the cave wall behind her, she phased through the walls unlike corporeal beings who would crash instead. Her body no longer visible in the cave by the naked eye, though her haunting voice echoing in the area, "Ahaha~ Ahahahahahaha~ Amazing, Master... magic is truly wonderful, winds shouldn't affect me and yet... your wind does... now then..." Kouri's voice was noticeable lower in pitch as she spoke the next sentence "since you're up to it... let's up the ante! I will use the full extend of my powers now!" Not a second pass after she said that, Kouri appeared from the cavern ceiling, grabbed her dagger with her soulmist, and launched them at Cyrus. "Ahahaha~ Dodge this, Master!" Kouri didn't let Cyrus a moment of respite as she swung the dagger at him again and again. Mages need time to cast their spells right? Hehehe~ I won't give him that chance!

[Cyrus Blackfire]

Cyrus had noted the effects of his magic on Kouri with great interest, noting that it definitely had some power over ethereal beings. He filed away this knowledge for future use, one never knew when they would have an encounter with a ghost who was less than friendly. He also decided that it would be unwise to utilize his magic further in this fight, at least anything other than wind.

At Kouri's declaration Cyrus quickly dodged to the right, the dagger whistling by and coming back around for another pass. He fell into a habit of dodging and ducking around the small blade, though it occasionally scored a glancing hit. His armor was not as heavy as some others out there, however it still restricted his movement which limited his mobility. Occasionally he managed to knock the blade aside with his short blade, however magic was not in the cards.

It was very, very unwise to use reimancy under stress or in tight quarters as it opened the door for disaster. It took quite awhile for him to near overgiving in ideal conditions, usually he could managed three large spells that effected a wide area before he wandered into the territory of giving too much. He could easily managed seven smaller spells without problems, however under stress that number became much lower.

"Kouri, I should tell you that using magic in these conditions is very unwise. Not only are we in tight quarters, but overgiving is far more likely in these conditions." Cyrus said as he ducked, weaved and dodged Kouri's attacks.

"Keep in mind that this session is not about winning or losing, it is about training yourself and learning tactics to better deal with the living." The warrior said, narrowly ducking another dagger throw.