You can now start with a limit of one item per player.

Roused from his perch beneath the Mac anu bridge, the wavemaster Curia, slowly began to pace as he pondered a location for his upcoming duel. Thinking over fields he had heard of or visited, one immediately popped into his mind. Remembering the beauty of the treacherous field, he smiled as he began heading for the ever-swirling blue of the chaos gate. Pulling the fuligin robes tightly around himself, the wavemaster drew his large hood up over his head. The smile wiped from his face as he stood before the gate's golden rings, Curia called out the keywords. "Chosen Hopeless Darkness!"

Turning to face the town one last time as the trio of golden rings fell from the sky, the mage let his gaze wander over everything before being swept away by the gate. The figure in black turned and faced the town, the only things visible from beneath the darker-than-black robes, were a set of glittering golden eyes, a prominent nose, and a smile that was far from warm.

As the golden circlets dropped from the sky, Curia felt the cool breeze play over his face as the last hair on his head fluttered back into place.
Entering the field from Mac Anu, Curia immediately felt the smile spread to his face. The surroundings were the most beautiful he had seen in a long time. "I should come back here more often..." He stated into the gloom. Looking up from the narrow canyon, the wavemaster felt his heart pang as the rays of the dying sun reached out across the crimson sky. Faint traces of clouds began burning off in the final rays of the day, as the player looked on.

As the sun began to fade beyond the horizon, the stars just beginning to pop out from the heavens, the mage cast his gaze to the twin moons, both mere slivers of silvery-blue in the darkening skies. Moving further into the canyon, the mage was delighted to see the path widening as it rose. Reaching the peak of the wall, the warrior let his right hand fall against the smooth stone as he set his eyes upon the full majesty of the field; two sphynx sat facing each other, both monuments climbing a few hundred feet into the air, with the beauty of their intricate lines being fully illuminated in the golden glow of the sunset.

The large gap between the two statues spanned at least a few hundred feet; each statue laying on opposing walls of the canyon. The small rope bridge that spanned the deep precipice, was anchored in between the front paws of the two megaliths. Meeting the bridge in the center was a smaller offshoot, leading in a passage that only allowed a single file manner, as it touched the side of a large stone-work spire.

The stone monument, lay in the middle of a desolete wasteland, surrounded wholely by deserts and mountain. Climbing out to the middle, and then descending onto the spire's narrow walkway, the wavemaster closed his eyes and leaned against the smooth, cool stone of the temple. Spreading his arms, eyes still closed, the mage leaned forward, giving himself the impression of flight as the breeze blew past his face and robes. Looking upward after finally opening his eyes, the wavemaster followed the large monument with his eyes, till it passed through the far-off cloud cover. The inside had been barred on his last visit, the heavy stone doors bolted from within. Smirking as he pictured what lay inside, the warrior found his mind swiftly drawn back to his present purpose.

Having enjoyed the moment, Curia opened a menu and began to write a short flashmail.



*FLASHMAIL*

To: Sydolph
From: Curia

I am in Delta - Chosen Hopeless Darkness. Meet me at the temple. You'll understand when you see it.....


*END FLASHMAIL*

((OOC: I know I've gone past the 5-day rule, but I have my reasons. I didn't have school over the weekend (of course) as well as Monday. Tuesday, I went to the dentist. So I just now got on the school comp. I will have my first post tomorrow. Sorry for the wait and possible inconvenience.))

Giving a brief goodbye, Sydofh emerges from the small item shop, which he often dealt at. He wasn’t a big fan of the large crowds found in the almost super-market like stores, all located near the front or center of Mac Anu. It was a preference that many like him shared, although for more than just one reason. He enjoyed the almost tranquil silences that could only be found on the outskirts of the river city, and was his main reason.

Strolling down the pathway, the Twin Blade began to think of his plans. Today presented a new challenge, in the form of a duel. His opponent would be Curia, who just happened to be one of his clan mates. It struck him as coincidental but also convenient, as this would be a great opportunity to see the Wavemaster’s skill face-to-face. Along with the joy came a grim future that would befall at least one of them, as this was a duel, so one of them would not survive.

Thinking back to his previous duel against Slicer, he contrasted his past and present foes. The first thing he recognized was that unlike Slicer, Curia would be more resistant to magical skills. Also to be noted was that the Wavemaster’s speed would be nearly as fast as his own. Luckily, his vitality would not compare, and would also prove to be his weakness. Sydofh knew his focus would be on striking with powerful blows as well as physical attack skills.

He suddenly remembered that he had not yet been notified of where the duel would take place. A notification flashes in the corner of his screen, and he quickly sees that he had been sent a Flash Mail.

Temple...? I guess I’ll find out when I see it.

Rushing to the Chaos Gate, Sydofh arrives and enters the key words given in the Flash Mail. The familiar feeling of teleporting comes once again. His body fades away and his sight turns to nothingness. Soon enough, the golden rings flow down his body and he appears in the barren canyon. Taking a moment to view his surroundings, no temple could be seen. The sky was dark as night, and the dual moons above glittered down the valley, lighting the way as the Twin Blade moves forward.

Two large stone figures come into sight and begin to show themselves as he steps towards them. It became apparent that both were gargantuan structures. Looking to the middle he notices the towering spire that had eluded his view. His eyes dart back to the two statues on the side, and sees that they are in the shape of sphinxes. A bridge connects the two; and at its middle, a second bridge intersects it, leading to the temple’s entrance.

I’m guessing the middle structure is the temple.

The Twin Blade takes a deep breath before making his way upwards to the bridge. He then crosses the rope walkway until he reaches the other, which appeared to be much thinner. He slowly makes his way to the other side, arriving at the spire’s entrance. Thick, stone doors greet him as he steps to the forefront, shutting out anyone or anything that would want to enter.

His attention turned to the robed avatar that stood next to them. He had noticed him as he crossed but did not heed him. Sydofh knew who it was before he even needed to ask. It was his opponent and clans mate, Curia. Walking up to the stone doors he places his right hand on them and leens to his side. His legs cross and he presses his lips together, determining what he should say or do.

Not wanting to sound cliche or corny, the Twin Blade blattered the first word that came to his mind. "Hello."
--------------------
SP 70/70

"Hello."


The meek words seemed hollow in the quiet expanse of the field. Frowning into the shadows of his hood, the wavemaster began to slowly walk backward onto the thin bridge, while speaking softly. "You see, there are a few defining rules that dictate how we act in The World, as well as in life....." He trailed off as his left hand closed around the diabolical wand tied to his back. Resting the wand's lower end against the boards of the thin rope bridge, the mage felt the pulsing of its power, screaming to be released.

Just a little longer.....just wait a little longer....

"And those rules are governed over by two small factors, the misconceptions we call Good and Evil." Placing his free hand on the thin rope-railing of the bridge, Curia paused. "I...I'm not sure anymore, if.....if what I'm doing, is....is the right thing." Looking at the puzzled look on the twinblade's face, the mage continued, hoping his foe would catch onto his meaning. "I used to follow the rules that were placed before me..." He trailed off, his eyes glittering in the darkness. "This duel, it has nothing to do with either of us, not our morals, not our opinions, not even if we're friends or not. This duel is for one purpose, to be the victor. There won't be any grudges bared after this, but there also won't be any holds barred." Resuming his backward movement, the mage felt the bridge sway in the light breeze of the evening. "I used to follow the rules that were placed before me......but then, I realized......that all my previous conceptions of good and evil were based solely on popular opinion." Licking his lips - they had become dry with the realization that had now set itself firmly into the wavemaster's mind - Curia reached the three-way intersection of the long bridges.

....this is it....I never thought it would be like this.....the beginning...................of the end.....

Pressing his lips firmly together as he placed the railing of the longer bridge against his back, the mage watched his companion slowly begin to realize what the wavemaster was speaking about.

Juk Rom

The spell appeared mid-way across the smaller bridge, building a wall of green directly between the two fighters. Its swirling tornado of razor leaves, tearing into the fragile ropes of the walkway; The rope bridge began to sag as its supports began to fall to the rain of jagged wood. Seeing the look of betrayal appear on his opponent's face, the mage smirked into the gloom. You better move swiftly, that bridge is your only escape. If you don't make it, you're stuck, and an easy target. If you do, you'll have a nice time, making it through that spell unharmed....

Waiting for his opponent to react, the wavemaster began to retreat up the western leg of the larger bridge. "We can begin, when and if you make it across, twin blade...."


--------------------

-10 (juk rom)
+1 (my post)

SP 61/70

The Wavemaster responded, mimicking Sydofh's greeting word. It did not feel sincere however, but rather an empty nothing that held no bond to feelings. Curia then began to step back, speaking aloud about people's conceptions of good and evil. His manner was intimidating, cold and emotionless. Yet his opponent did not listen with his full attention, as he instead watched the smaller things that were going on. A strange comment by the Wavemaster caught Sydofh off guard, but he turned his focus on the fact that Curia had removed his wand, holding it at his side as he moved further back along the bridge.

I’m not the smartest person on the planet, but I believe that a ‘surprise attack’ of some sort is going to be coming my way in the near future.

He stood at a standstill however, as he did not want his foe to counter before he was ready to protect himself from an attack. As Curia continued, Sydofh only could imagine what had been planned for him. It strangely intrigued him but also left him anxious, his blood already pumping throughout his body.

As the Wavemaster reached the end of the bridge, he muttered two words, which in hand began the duel. "Juk Rom."

The simple sounds that exited his mouth put together, struck Sydofh with surprise as well as fear, as he knew full well of what the attack could and would do. The bridge was made of wood and rope that would easily be chopped to bits by the gale force. The whirling winds appeared at the midst of the bridge, virescent leaves that swirled at deadly speeds. Their edges became like blades, swift and acute, guided round and round by the artificial cyclone that had reached its maximum velocity.

At the sound of the first rope tearing, Sydofh broke into a mad dash. He prepared for the worst, but he was confident in his own agility that had gotten him out of many tight places. As the bridge began to give away under his feet he leapt, pushing off at the edge of what was left. His body sailed over the gap, and he curled his body up, covering his face and chest with his arms. The leaves shredded through his clothing as he passed through the twister; and as well created numerous cuts across his body. His fresh blood flowed from the wounds, lifting with the tornado and becoming one with it. Peeking through his arms he could see that he was about to land. His feet slammed onto the bridge, and he pushed off again. As he ran forward the bridge gave out little by little behind him. He suddenly stopped as the end appeared, his body skidding to a stop just before he flew over the railing. His head instinctively turned to his opponent, who had now moved down the left side of the main bridge.

"Two can play this game!" Sydofh shouted, his voice echoing through the canyon. He then turned and began to dash down the right side, opposite of his opponent. As he moved clearly away from its center point he slowed and turned his body. "Vak Kruz!" A fireball appeared before him and in a matter of moments had split into eight, dividing like the cells of some abnormally spreading disease. He pushed his hand forward, launching the spheres ahead. He did not aim for Curia however, but rather the middle of the main bridge. The fight would not be won on the bridge, as there was no room for him to maneuver in. This however, would force the two to move back down into the open canyon, wide and expansive where he could make use of his strategies. He turned and ran down the bridge as the fireballs hurtled towards their target. They converged only seconds before colliding and the combined sphere shredded and crashed through the ropes and wood. The attack alone cut away nearly the entire center, with only a single rope holding the bridge together. However, it did not last, as the fire left from the attack split and burned each thread, until finally the rope snapped in two.

As he ran away from the now collapsing bridge, he looked over the wounds on his body. His jacket had been ripped apart, and small lesions covered his arms and back. They were not life threatening nevertheless; and he refused to waste any of his Skill Points. At the end of the bridge he turned to see if Curia had escaped as well, although deep down he knew that the duel was long from over.
--------------------
-10 : Vak Kruz
+1 : My Turn
SP 61/70

Sydofh wins by knockout.