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

[Fubuki Kouri]

"Huhuhu... hehehe... HYAHAHAHA!!" Kouri started giggling in battle-frenzy as she kept swinging unrefined slashes. "Come on, Master, hehehe~ Use your spells~" Kouri taunted him. "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." Oh... Kouri made a disappointed sigh in her mind, but her mind suddenly concocted an idea, she wanted her master to take her seriously this time. "Ahahaha! Well then, Master... how about we take this... outside!" Kouri suddenly vanished and appeared near the corridor leading to the exit, she beamed an evil-looking grin at Cyrus before pulling her dagger close to her. "Race you to the exit, Master! Ahahahaha!" Kouri quickly turned around and made a dash for the exit, as she did so, she heard about Cyrus mentioning it's not about winning or losing. "No, Master!" Her ethereal voice echoing "I want to see you fight seriously this time, ehehehe..." her giggle slowly faded as she was gone from the location, heading to the exit.

[Cyrus Blackfire]

Cyrus slowly shook his head, exasperated at his protégé's excitement at the prospect of seeing his full power. Part of him, that small part that dwelled beneath his control, wanted him to unleash everything. It was a tiny echo of a thought, one that was crushed beneath the self discipline. He couldn't afford to go that far, not now at least. He would stick to using wind magic to wear Kouri out as she wasted her soul mist, which would essentially end this fight. He made sure that he strapped his greatsword onto his back as he sheathed his short blade.

The man slowly strode out of the cave in Kouri's wake, his hand on the hilt of his massive sword. As he exited the mouth of the cave he pulled his sword out, planting the tip into the ground and taking deep breaths. Preparation allowed for better use of reimancy, as distractions and casting under duress often led to mistakes.

Now that he could use his greatsword it would be much more difficult for Kouri to hit him with her dagger, as his sword was much easier to use as a shield. In combination with his magic it made him far better equipped that the average fighter. It wouldn't really matter if the person was a better sword than he was, if push came to shove he could just fry the person to a crisp with magic.

"Kouri, I am ready. Come at me with everything that you have." Cyrus invited, breathing out a cloud of res as he spoke.

Wind was often the easiest magic to use, as it was easy to attract to res and it was all around you. It also served as an excellent method of defense, as one could push back their opponent or block projectiles. Kouri's grasp on her dagger would likely be insufficient to withstand a very strong gust. All in all it looked rather like an easy victory.

[Fubuki Kouri]

"Ahahahaha~" Kouri's haunting giggle echoed near the cave's entrance. Master can't hit me this way... While waiting for Cyrus to arrive, Kouri hid her dagger in a nearby bush and 'dove' inside the ground, preparing an ambush for her master. Master would need to destroy the soil to hit me... Or at least that's what she thought. As Kouri solemnly wait, she could hear footsteps vibrating through the ground; the particular footsteps were accompanied by small sounds of metal clanking, most likely produced by a man in armor. That must be master~ A few moments later, she could sounds of large piece of metal being drove to the ground Most likely Master's greatsword... and her suspicious was confirmed by Cyrus' voice vibrating through the ground, announcing that he was ready. Kouri grinned maliciously and poke a small portion of her head, just enough for her to see, out of the ground. She was located just behind Cyrus, she could see his feet and his back if she looked up. Ahahaha, Go~ Fang~! Kouri commanded her dagger, oddly nicknamed 'Fang' now, to rose itself from the bush and charged at Cyrus, aiming for his right lower leg.

[Cyrus Blackfire]

The surprise attack was surprising enough that Cyrus opted against using wind magic and decided to simply block the weapon with his sword. The greatsword was a versatile weapon for one who knew how to use it, it's reach was long and what it lacked in speed it made up for in durability. He lifted the blade easily enough and moved it into guard out before him, knocking the little blade away easily enough.

This accomplished the warrior gathered the wind to the ringed cloud of res surrounding him and set a large gust of strong air around him, probably blocking any other counter attacks. The wizard released one hand from the hilt of his greatsword and moved it in a circular motion overhead, drawing more air to the remaining res. He looked rather like a conductor in the way he directed the wind to his will. When the flow of power reached its high point he released the powerful gust of wind all around him, likely knocking Kouri herself for a loop and wresting the dagger from her grip.

He looked about, returning his grip to his greatsword in preparation for any further attacks. He doubted Kouri had much more in her, her soul mist could take long periods of overuse. With magic and his primary weapon on his side their was really no need for him to worry. Though the desire to cast more magic was there he ignored it, magic was a tool for him to use, it did not control him, he controlled it.

"Well, have I satisfied your curiosity yet, Kouri my girl?" Cyrus asked casually.

[Fubuki Kouri]

"Ahahaha~ Ahahaha~" Kouri's haunting giggle echoed in the area. She lovingly mocked Cyrus as she retracted her head underground and stabbed her dagger to the ground when Cyrus launched his Wind reimancy, strong gust of angry wind emanated from him; for the moment, Cyrus looked like the eye of a small storm. As the wind dissipated, Kouri's haunting voice echoed in the area again; though her form was nowhere to be seen by the naked eye. "I know that, Maaaas-teeeer~♥" She said as she poked her head again from the ground; still located behind Cyrus, the steel dagger rose itself from the ground and began launching itself at Cyrus again; this time aiming for his waist. "Ahahaha~ I see, even with your magic, you still couldn't hit me can you, Master~? Unless you want to destroy the ground itself, ohoho~ Ohohohohoho~" Kouri's arrogant childish giggle hauntingly vibrated at their sparring ground, she knew that sooner or later Cyrus will tire out and can't dodge her strikes anymore and that she was completely safe underground, unless of course Cyrus found a way to turn over the soil itself.

[Cyrus Blackfire]

Cyrus supposed he should have been pleased that Kouri was adapting to fighting a wizard, and he was to a certain extent. He was also frustrated that his tactic had failed, however he was always one for switching up plans on the fly. His sword swung out, knocking the blade aside again, though this time it was only barely. His movements were getting more sluggish and he knew it, such were the constraints of mortality.

These were the moments where he wished that he was an earth reimancer, it would be far more useful in this situation. Unfortunately, he was not, so he would have to think quickly how best to turn this situation to his favor. He could simply stay on the defensive, it wouldn't be very tiring and he would simply have to wait for Kouri's soul mist to wear itself out. That was probably the best option at this point, besides he had nothing he could really attack.

The warrior kept his eyes on the blade, his sword in guard out before him. There was really no reason to use magic here, it would only serve to tire him even more. Besides Kouri needed to find a way around his defense, as such it would be a good test of her abilities. She was already showing herself to be quite quick to adapt to any situation, if she could quickly find a way of getting past his greatsword then it would show how far she had really come.

Cyrus kept his eyes on the dagger as it flew through the air, his blade ready to knock it aside.

[Fubuki Kouri]

"Ehehehe~ Aaaahahahaha~" Kouri felt great, really great; to think she could fight a skilled warrior-reimancer like Master to an even ground brought her much satisfaction. In her life, she sometimes envy the Vantha warriors who rode upon the mighty polar bear of Queen Morwen's Icewatch. Of course, being the only daughter of artists; her mother was understandably rather protective of her, Sora would accompany Kouri to everywhere she goes; it embarassed Kouri sometimes as some of her friends would mock her because they thought she was a spoiled little girl. But... that was in the past, Kouri now was not the little girl with flowing black hair, sapphire blue eyes, and beautiful voice anymore; she was now a phantom, an ethereal being that could strike fear in the hearts of the living. She would do all in her power to torture, break, manipulate, and crush anyone who dared to oppose Cyrus. "Master... perhaps you already know..." Kouri's voice suddenly became much more calmer and serious "do understand that... whatever happens... I will always stay by your side, even when the whole world is against you... even if everyone hate you... even when the heaven itself wage war upon your future empire... I will always.. aaaaaalways... be by your side... so even though I really want to defeat you right now, please bear in mind that this is only similar to a competition... I would never hurt you on purpose." After a period of silence, Kouri closed her eyes and concocted a plan. She was also getting tired, she could not prolong this fight much longer; this will be her final act, if it fails then she would admit defeat. Kouri opened her eyes as she put her plan into motion. The steel dagger spinning around Cyrus suddenly launched itself to his right side, it was a throwing motion as Kouri's Soulmist no longer grabbed the dagger once it was launched; then Kouri quickly rose up from the ground and attempted to grasp Cyrus' short sword by its hilt, if it succeeded, Kouri would use the short sword to gently press itself to Cyrus' neck therefore announcing her victory. This was an all-out gamble, this plan would grant her victory or defeat. OOCI've researched that short swords mostly weigh about 2 ~ 3 pounds and Kouri's Competent-level Soulmist Projection ability let her pick up objects up to 5 pounds of weight.

[Cyrus Blackfire]

The tall warrior was pleased by Kouri's words though they really didn't have to be said, he already knew that she was loyal to him. However there was something in her tone, the serious nature to it and the wording that put him on alert. It was never wise to cast off something as meaningless, everything had a meaning behind its actions, even chaos had some semblance of order behind it in the way it acted.

Cyrus smirked slightly as the blade came closer, it likely wouldn't be long until Kouri was to tired to do anything. In fact he was rather surprised she had lasted this long, if anything it was a sign that she was showing marked improvement. He would have to compliment her after this battle for her skills and quick thinking.

He easily batted the weapon aside, sending it spiraling through the air. It almost seemed like she wasn't gasping it any more...

A rasping hiss sounded out as his short blade was drawn from it sheath, surprising him. The warrior chuckled as the cold tip of the blade found its way to his throat, closing his eyes. He had let his guard down regarding Kouri, it looked like it had cost him.

He mused whether or not he should subtly breath out a cloud of res and blow her away, then decided against it. It was important for ones troops to have high moral, this victory would certainly boost Kouri's self esteem. Sometimes it was best to accept a loss and learn from it, and he had certainly learned much today.

"Well played, Kouri, well played indeed. I am impressed." Cyrus said warmly.

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri OOCI think your reply will end the thread. I'll post it to an ST office for grading after your last reply. Of course as usual, if you have something to add, feel free to do so, Cy. "Ha... fuuuh..." Kouri made long gasping sounds as the few seconds she did her planned actions felt very very slow, like time itself relaxing. "Haaaa..." For a moment, she couldn't believe it; she actually did it. She managed to grab Cyrus' short sword and put it against his neck, achieving victory. Woah... I did it... Even for just a moment, Kouri thought that her tendrils were not strong enough to grasp his sword, but fact proved otherwise. "Aha... ahahaha... looks like... this is my win, Mast- uuk..." Kouri was suddenly cut short as her 'human' body started to be more transparent than usual, her tendrils disappeared and Cyrus' short sword abruptly dropped to the ground. The same thing happened yesterday when she met Kise, a squire with multiple souls inside of him. Kouri's increasingly transparent body indicated that she had reached her limits and was now forced to rest, she couldn't do anything else. She had about half a chime of time to spoke her final words for today though. "Master... I'm gonna... sleep for now... please put my dagger... near my tree, okay..." Her haunting whispers echoed in the area before her human body vanished, leaving swirls of black mists in its wake.

[Cyrus Blackfire]

Cyrus nodded as Kouri faded from his sight, such were the limits of a ghost unfortunately. However today was proof of marked improvement, she had managed to think on her feet and devise tactics that might avail her in a combat situation. Indeed he had very high hopes for Kouri's progress, high hopes indeed.

He stooped and picked up Kouri's dagger, sheathing it on his waste, repeating the action with his short blade. The day had not gone exactly as he had planned, but it had certainly been interesting all the same. With each passing moment pieces fell into their places on the massive game board that was called Mizahar, most were not within his grasp or ability to bring to his side of the board, at least yet. But soon...

Cyrus was tired from his exertions, using magic in such a manner was bound to leave one feeling like they needed rest. He was also quite hungry, so after stopping by Kouri's tree he intended to head back to the city and get some food and rest, gods knew he needed it. Such were the drawbacks of magic.

The tall warrior managed one back glance at the cave behind him before heading into the forest, his mind going over the vital information he had obtained here today.