OOC: I dunno. I keep hoping someone will post more in the battles, but no one's even showed up... BIC: Hyperion and Xardius faced off, their swords clashing in tandem, Hyperion spinning in an elegant display of swordsmanship, Xardius' sheer power coming off...a crowd gathered, watching the two beat each other across the arena. Finally, during a break of the fighting, Hyperion spoke. "We're not getting anywhere are we?" he said with a small smile. Xardius frowned. "I'm getting the feeling that..." "You're too good for me to defeat otherwise," Hyperion answered. Xardius shrugged. "You won't defeat me either way. Come on then." Leveling Chomper, Xardius waited. Light ripped through the clouds above and hit Hyperion, lifting him into the air. The air around him began swimming as his power increased. Light began warping towards him, sucking towards him as if towards a black hole. Hyperion drank it all, sucking it in until the very world in the arena seemed black as night, and blacker still, then with a roar, the light rushed out and with it, Hyperion's next assault. The light hit Xardius like a brick wall, bashing him backwards. Grunting as he flipped over, he managed to get Chomper up to block Hyperion's light beam, which was about 8 feet in diameter. Unfortunately, it seemed, Xardius' physical strength wasn't enough to stop it. Chomper was knocked upwards and the second light beam hit him head on, slamming him backwards into the wall. Xardius gritted his teeth and began to stand up, but Hyperion sucked the light into his blades and swung them, sending incandescent blades of light into Xardius, burrowing him into the wall, back and back, until the only thing that could be seen was Chomper lying on the ground near the hole and the rising smoke from the cracked arena. Hyperion bowed, then turned to leave. "Where," Xardius coughed, "do you think you're going?" Hyperion turned. "You're still conscious?" Light burned down from the heavens and condensed into spheres around him. His blades glowed, and Hyperion's hair stood on end as the light continued to condense, sucking into him. "Heh," Xardius said, pulling himself with a grunt of effort out of his new crevasse. "Very well," Hyperion said, "as you refuse to give up..." Swinging his blades, Hyperion slashed them towards Xardius. His eyes widened as Xardius simply lifted a hand and stopped the light blade empty-handed. It burned against his palm for a second, then sputtered to non-existence. Xardius brushed himself off, and picked up Chomper. "Where were we?" he asked. "How?" Hyperion stammered. "There's no way!" "I'm really kind of sick of people telling me that," Xardius sighed. Holding up a hand, he slowly let the rest of the bandages fall to the ground. "After all...having to take these off for my first opponent is rather irritating." Hyperion's eyes narrowed. "I am the strongest, except for a very few. It is not abnormal for you not to be able to match my power." Xardius sighed. "You don't get it yet. Let me show you." His power surged and the ground cracked, heaving from his very presence. The crowd gasped as if the wind had been blown out of them. Sweat dripped from Hyperion, as he gritted his teeth. The very pressure of Xardius' power was stifling, so much that the onlookers felt heavy, as if it were hard to move. "Get it yet?" Xardius said calmly, brushing hair out of his eyes. "I'm holding back right now. After all, if I were to really let loose, I'd kill you too quickly." Hyperion shook his head. "I told you: I'm one of the strongest. That power you felt just now from me...That was just from this one star. I am the god of the stars...I can take that much from every star in all the worlds!" Hyperion's eyes glowed as more power streamed down from the heavens, lighting into him and sending his power skyrocketing. Hyperion's lips peeled into a feral smile as his power pushed against Xardius', slowly but surely pushing it back. Xardius frowned. "So...what?" Hyperion snarled in wordless rage as his power slammed Xardius' back, light ripping forth to destroy the UO member. But Xardius wasn't there. Without a word, he traced a rune into the sky, then slammed both hands onto Chomper. Chomper transformed as energy coursed through it, slamming upwards. A katana the size of the Masamune appeared. Leaping into the air, Xardius reached out with his mind and Ryukai changed form again, into thousands of light bolts that ripped down into Hyperion's power, piercing it and slamming into his light, burrowing through it. Hyperion once again gasped in shock. "Light can come from too many places to be final," Xardius said, landing behind Hyperion and slashing forward. Hyperion attempted to block, but Xardius released it all at that moment, catching Hyperion's power off balance and allowing Ryukai's steel to rip a line of blood from his shoulder to his waist. Hyperion stumbled, his power stuttering, then cried out as it imploded around him, slamming him back and forth in a buffeting cyclone of chaotic light. Xardius stretched out a hand, and gritted his teeth, forcing the light down with his own power's pressure, stopping the chaos and condensing. Grabbing the now hard sphere, he hucked it into the air and let it explode as brilliant fireworks across the sky. Hyperion lay on the ground, groaning. "Sure," Xardius said, picking his bandages back up and wrapping them around his arms. "You're powerful. But, you can't handle it. Guess your body just wasn't made for it." "No," Hyperion muttered. "I'm a god...I can't lose." "Hyperion, right?" Xardius said. He shrugged. "Never heard of you before." Hyperion slammed a weak fist against the ground and groaned again. Xardius smugly walked off the field, hopping back into the crowd of onlookers, who gave him some space. Smirking, he walked towards the fountain, ready for a refreshing drink...
OOC: *innocent expression* How'd you figure that one out? lol, XD BIC: Oranos produced a wind sphere around him. Although he was called lord of the skies, he was nearing 600000000000 years old (srsly) and had slowed down so much as to not be able to hold a wind sphere around him for more than 20 minutes. He had that long before those bubbles hit him. Spinning forward, he did a combination of aero magic and his spear slashing, plus the effect of it breaking the sound barrier to daze Xegreny... EDIT: *** Xardius summoned Chomper and waited some more. Hyperion stood there, then suddenly a brilliant ray of sun slammed down, hitting Hyperion. To each of his side, two massive swords, reminiscent of Seifer's Hyperions, hit the ground. Reaching to each side, Hyperion drew his "hyperions" and then spun forward, using light to daze Xardius' eyes. Unfortunately, Xardius didn't really need his eyes to see. Spinning, he intercepted Hyperion's blows perfectly, blowing him back from the sheer ferocity of his defense. Hyperion flipped back and waited for Xardius' offensive, seemingly not concerned.
OOC: I'm skilled at that sort of thing. Go ahead and uh, choose a guy from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_gods#Olympian_deities That's where I'm getting mine. I'll do Xardius' too. It probably won't take long, XD. BIC: Xardius turned to a tap on his shoulder and only had to look slightly down at the man standing there. "If you'd be so kind as to step into the ring," the man said. "I would like to challenge you." Xardius raised an eyebrow. "Xardius Lionheart." "Hyperion," came the name back. Entering the ring, Xardius turned and waited.
OOC: I tried to pull out real gods and goddesses from Greek and Norse mythology...Oranos is God of the Sky, or Uranus. But I didn't want to call him that. BIC: Oranos circled Xegreny warily while he let his two "friends" tire themselves out. Xegreny easily dispatched the first one, and then the second, without breaking a sweat. Looking down at his axe, Oranos slammed it into the ground, and clapped his hands together. "I am the Lord of the Heavens, Oranos!" he cried. "To you I will give my all. I, who fathered the Titans!" Drawing them apart, wind howled into the space, creating a wicked looking spear taller than the already formidable 7 feet that Oranos stood at. Grasping the spear, Oranos twirled it forward, slamming it down at Xegreny's head at the speed of sound. EDIT OOC: Well, you could have left it...
Oranos turned his head. "You challenge me, do you? Very well, I accept." OOC: Oranos is...well, you'll find out, heh heh.
OOC: Go ahead and do the honors. BIC: Xardius looked on the notice board. "Huh, looks like you're one of the first ones Xegreny. It is different...you get to choose your opponent, and then based on that, fight other ones up to the judge. So, pick your opponent, I guess."
"I don't think you guys aren't strong enough to take this so-called gods," Xardius yawned. "Honestly, most of them are pushovers. But still, they might surprise you." He shrugged. "I don't care either way, honestly. But if you end up teaming up with me, and then have to fight me, good luck. Honest. Without any exaggeration beyond that." He shrugged again and looked around for Enigma, who he couldn't see. Frowning, he stretched out and began scanning the crowd. Wouldn't want anything to happen to the guy.
OOC: Forgive me for being hungry. (Actually I wasn't, but I had to eat with my family.) BIC: The next morning... Odin ordered all the contestants to meet together in the hall outside the coliseum and silently stood until everyone arrived. Xardius yawned noisily, making several men and/or women stare at him irritably. At the moment, he was too tired to distinguish. Odin cleared his throat and then spoke. "This is the morning of the tournament's beginning. I hope you are all in top shape for this tournament. Behind me stand your judges. We can and will participate in this tournament. We can also disqualify those who we deem unworthy to be in this competition." Odin drew himself up, cutting a rather imposing figure, if Xardius could ever find anyone imposing. "The first round will be the neophytes of this competition versus the founders, aka the gods of this world, including your judges. Each of you will go up against a different judge. This competition may be a little different than normal. Deaths are not allowed, however, we do not assure your safety. Accidents happen. Finally, you can work in teams of two or three, but remember, these teams are not final. Keep in mind that you may end up fighting the very men you're working with, so be prepared to pit yourself against your friends and foes alike." Odin nodded into the silence. "That is all. Good luck."
OOC: I'm going to blissfully pretend you didn't say that, so as to keep up the good opinion I have of you. *silently scratching Pirate off list* I need people here. Where are you blokes?
OOC: Looks like things went well yesterday. I'll be on later, so we'll start the tournament then. BIC: "Rufus" considered this, then smiled. "Me and my partners might be able to fix that one for you, but I can't make any promises. Keep in contact, please." Bowing slightly, Tyre Rutherford twisted around and walked from the door, restraining the impulse to unleash his other soul here and rip the entire building to shreds. After all, they were just worthless beings. And she wouldn't really want that. OOC: Oh and by the way, Enigma isn't crazy, there really was someone there...just no one could see them. EDIT OOC: Because she's porn incarnate, like FF10-2's girls.
OOC: I'm finishing FF12 so I'm not going to be on today, sorry. And I hate Fran by the way.
"Uh, you take this one, Rufus," Tera Roth said to Tyre, walking out of the building. Tyre sighed and nodded. "Yes, we've already entered the tournament, why do you ask?" "Rufus" answered. EDIT OOC: Oh, and it is a VERY excellent name in my book. Very good Xeg.
Xardius had gone to bed, but Enigma wasn't tired. He never really slept anymore. He was afraid he might accidentally "connect" while sleeping, so light naps was all he ever gave himself. Sighing, he ran a hand through his midnight black hair, and looked up at the stars. "So tell me," Enigma said to the night. "Who's involved in the tournament?" Silently he listened, creases etching themselves on his face. Enigma was only 30, but lines of worry and stress had lately made him look years older. His eyes followed the speaker, and finally he raised a hand. "So, our competition is laid out for us well," Enigma muttered. "The Ultimate Organization will find this no picnic. Hmm, what's that?" Enigma frowned at what he heard. "Tera Roth is here? With his troupe? What in blazes does he think he can do? Unless..." Enigma smiled. "Ah, that makes sense. No, you're right, I won't tell them. I'll let it be a surprise." Chuckling to himself, Enigma once again turned to look up at the stars. "Run it by me one more time, Sage: the competition is listed - the gods, the Brotherhood, though a meager force of them, Tera Roth, and various heroes and villains from across the land. Oh, and that unknown entity from the light worlds...Don't know his name. Little matter. I'm sure we'll meet in person one of these days." "Sage, how have you been?" Enigma asked suddenly into the silence, turning to face the addressed. "That's...good to hear. I've been worried about you. Remember: keep a low profile...I just like being cautious. After all, I don't know what I'd do if..." Enigma stopped, and listened. Slowly, he closed his eyes and nodded. Opening them, he looked softly at the empty space in front of him. "I'll be waiting for your next return," he whispered to the empty wind, before jumping from the ilium ship and heading into the gods' tavern... *** Meanwhile, Tera Roth yawned as he fingered the edge of his hat. He'd been sitting unobtrusively, watching Wing, Nulix, and Xane for the last few moments, even coming so close as to having the man who'd attempted to pick a fight with him blown back into a wall. The man had been drunk and now he was unconscious. Next to him, a disguised Tyre picked at his food. "So, had enough?" Tera Roth shrugged. "I'm masking our presence completely, so I think we'll be fine if we sit here some more." "Unless that spell-piercing eye of Odin's happens to glance over here," Tyre said, eying around the wall at Odin. "I heard he's entering the competition." "More fun for us," Tera Roth said. "But then again, our goal never really was to win." Tyre sighed. "This wasn't one of your smarter ideas." "That's what you said last time," Tera Roth said, "and that turned out alright." "Except that guy followed us here," Tyre muttered grumpily. "The guy who chased you and Highwind." Tera Roth frowned. "Yeah, I have a bad feeling about him. But I don't think he's Brotherhood." "That doesn't mean he isn't powerful," Tyre warned. "I mean, look at me." Tera Roth coughed, and Tyre flushed. "All right, bad example. Then look at Tifanitan." "Being open about that, are we?" Tera Roth said snidely, and again Tyre flushed. "Listen, it's not my fault that I have another soul inside me, and it's definitely not my fault she's a..." Tyre started, interrupted by Tera Roth's s******. "That's it, I'm leaving." "Fine, it's late anyway," Tera Roth said, sighing. "I've filtered enough alcohol out of my beverages to spike the entire world supply of water, and that makes me tired." Getting up, Tyre and Tera Roth filed out, Tera Roth giving a side glance to Enigma as he walked in. Enigma's eyes brushed his and lit up, and Tera Roth had the distinct impression that despite the complex spell he'd put up to disguise and mask his presence from the Ultimate Organization; Enigma wasn't fooled. Tera Roth felt himself stepping a little faster as Enigma's eyes moved on. That guy was something to be careful about.
OOC: But it looks like no one did... BIC: Xardius, meanwhile, was enjoying the chill night air, with Enigma, when Loki arrived. "Well, hello, there Xardius," Loki said happily. "I wouldn't think to see you here." "And why's that?" Xardius asked as Enigma looked Loki up and down. Xardius calmly leaned back against the balcony railing on top of the ilium ship. "Well, after what I did to you the last time we met," Loki started, but was interrupted by Xardius' snort. "Get it right, or don't get it at all," Xardius scoffed. "What you tried to do to me, and then we can go into what I did to you. You'd think to learn not to mess with me." Loki smiled. "This time I've got your trump card, Phoenix. I know your weakness." Enigma coughed slightly, and Xardius simply smiled. "Is that right?" Loki nodded. "So just watch yourself." Xardius considered this for a moment, then stood up and walked over to Loki. Still smiling, he leaned down and looked straight into Loki's eyes. "Get off my ship." Loki disappeared faster than light. And with that, Xardius decided he was going to bed.
OOC: I don't think we're continuing Darxess, he was just finalizing the battle with the effect that we didn't really kill the guy... BIC: Xardius pulled himself out of the sand and looked around. "Hmm, I fell asleep again," he muttered. "No way Darxess could have knocked me out with that." Standing up and brushing himself off, he looked around, noted the fact that power was surging around the UO in various heaps of trouble spots, and climbed a nearby sand dune to look. The instectoid humanoids they had fought earlier were hard at work slicing up an antlion, which was busy murdering as many and gobbling them up as fast as it could. Then, a giant red worm burst from the sand and ate the antlion. With a cry, the insects began rushing for cover, but the worm again ripped free of the sand and swallowed the lot. Xardius stared a moment, then realized that a slight bulge of sand was heading straight for him... "Uh, guys, I say we, uh, leave like now..." Xardius said. "Because, uh, we've got trouble...in the form of a Gigas Worm..."
Xardius shrugged. "Well, that was...interesting at least. By the way, Darxess, Orb got kidnapped."
OOC: *face palm* That reminds me, I need to check for another chapter of FMA...And I think we're doing too much leading up to this...Just kill it. BIC: Xardius nodded in agreement. "Just kill it already." EDIT OOC: But now I can't remember the site...
OOC: Yes, but did you read my "Enigma is so smart" post? BIC: Xardius yelled, "Back off Wing!" Who did. He'd been fighting. But no one had noticed. Saddening.
Xardius had the strangest urge to kill something....
"Deal," Xardius said. "Darxess is going to go insane when he hears this. If you don't want to help, I guess you can just sit here." Xardius, a little fed up with Nulix's attitude, which reflected his closely enough to be irksome, was feeling snappish.
