The wind blew softly, ruffling the grass as it passed by and causing shimmering waves of light and dark to traverse the upward slopes of the hilly field. Clouds drifted at an equally lazy pace overhead, their dark color threatening to rain on the greenery below, but doing so in a non-urgent manner. There was probably a slight chill in the air, since the sun wasn't exactly shining full-force on the ankle-deep grass, but since this was a game world, Lyra couldn't tell the temperature. She wasn't much concerned with the other weather elements of the field, either, as she stood atop a hill scanning it. She was too busy humming loudly, trying to ignore the other main component of the area.

Somebody had decided to put "musak" in this field instead of one of the typical background songs, and it was getting on her nerves quickly. Every time she tried to put something like heavy metal or at least less elevator-music-ish over it, the simple little ditty seemed to get louder. She doubted it was a coincidence that Rayo had chosen this field to duel her in. He was the type to enjoy relaxing background music while he fought, while she much preferred anything that prompted adrenaline flow, but if she put on any music over the game, she'd be unable to hear any speech or quiet sound effects within the game, giving her a serious disadvantage in the evasion department.

Their last duel had ended in her death and a tie score, and near as she could tell, their quest together seemed to have produced similar results. Why she was dueling him was beyond her logic, but she guessed it had something to do with a combination of boredom and a special event going on which rewarded her for winning duels. Neither one made much sense, but most of what she did lacked reason, so she'd shrugged it off, and now she was standing in the middle of a fairly hilly field, waiting and feeling a bit like the elevator was being pulled by a turtle.

She decided to cast Ap Do, partly to pass the time and partly because she thought it might be a good idea. He'd made a rule of only one set of armor, which was easy for her to choose overall… until she got to the head armor. There were no real advantages to having Ap Ruem, given her class and his resistance to magic, but the choice between increasing her speed and increasing the power of her best attack had been a tough one. She still wondered if she'd made the right choice, but now she'd used her Time Headband, and she couldn't switch it out. Fun times. The spell had been cast, and so now she went back to her previous activity of standing there, waiting, and humming.

********
SP: 91/105

((
Equipment Choices:

Weapon-Great Elite:
Lv.20, MAt +13, MAc +16, Thunder +20, Darkness –20
Lanceor Ch(70), Lanceor(50), GiRai Rom(20)

Head Armor-Time Headband:
Lv.4, PEv +25
Ap Do(15)

Body Armor-Thunder Cloak:
Lv.31, MDf +3, Mev +12, Earth +2, Wood +2, Fire +2, Water +2, Thunder +4, magc +10
Rai Kruz(10)

Hand Armor-Storm Bracer:
Lv.31, MDf +3, Mev +12, Earth +2, Wood +2, Fire +2, Water +2, Thunder +4, magc +10
Rai Rom(10)

Leg Armor-Thunder Anklet:
Lv.31, MDf +3, Mev +12, Earth +2, Wood +2, Fire +2, Water +2, Thunder +4, magc +10
Dek Raio(10)
))

They were the correct key words at any rate. The wavemaster had been at the field for the past 3 hours for various reasons. Since he didn’t have anywhere better to be anyway, the mage had decided to simply show up a bit prior to the time set for the duel. Yet another valid reason to be here for so long was to familiarize him with the field. If the spell caster hadn’t arrived until the actual start of the match, there would have been the possibility that the duel could have commenced too soon. If the fox jumped him, thrusting him into battle before he had a chance to note the features of the field, the duel might have been over before it had even began.

The final reason was the tranquility of the field. It may just be data, but the environment was actually quite relaxing. The music wasn’t very distracting, and that was a good thing. There were no needs for unnecessary distractions during a battle. Those would only lead to mistakes. While he spent the time to say something, the unguarded moment bequeathed to Lyra could also result in her getting in a solid hit. Since he wasn’t planning to talk to her, that distraction didn’t exist. With these simple precautions, sound was one variable that had been limited, not eliminated, but controlled nonetheless.

The wizard considered his options when it came to his actual items that were equipped. With the rules set as they were, it wasn’t possible for a player to alternate equipment once on the field. For the most part, his usual set up would meet his requirements. However, one rule prohibited healing of any sort. His Thunder Torque would have added additional magical and elemental defense, but it would be worthless when it came to abilities. Rip Maen didn’t count for much when you were alone. La Repth, the other spell that the head armor allowed, was equally useless. The SP cost wasn’t worth it when you were alone, and the spell was disabled in any case. The Time Headband had been a very useful alternative choice. The only stat being boosted by the armor in particular was physical evasion. His greatest strengths statistically would involve magic, and Lyra’s best areas would be primarily physical. The rare head item wouldn’t be enough, but it would even the odds physically at least a small bit. If it was really needed, the Ap Do spell could also assist him greatly.

Besides the Thunder Torque, the rest of the thunder armor remained. Their cumulative thunder bonuses would greatly assist all offensive actions the magician attempted. Between the three of them, they also provided all of the defense he would need from what a Heavy Blade could muster magically. They were quite a set…the same numerically stat wise and possessed the same element. Still, Dek Raio was the only support spell that actually helped the other spells.

Considering his own equipment choice for a moment, it made him think back to their last duel. During the fight, the fox had her own time headband that was donned long enough for a quick Ap Do. Since it was a valuable spell, there was a decent chance that she’d use that piece of armor. Many types of armor were upgraded as a player leveled up. The Time Headband, which was a relatively low level item, wasn’t measured by level in usefulness. If she did have it with her, her physical evasion would be even better and the chance of seeing her use Ap Do wasn’t exactly a pleasant thought. Even though his level was higher, Ap Do made a drastic change in the speed of a player. It would probably be safer to use Ap Do now, before finding her. Waiting until they actually met up could leave him open for an attack.

“Ap Do.”

As the light glow covered his body and the mage began to run, his thought process continued. Her improved physical evasion wouldn’t really matter though, since the wavemaster wouldn’t be relying on physical strikes. While his wand might be used for blocking, it wasn’t going to be used to actually deal damage in that fashion. The bag that normally carried his wands wasn’t in use today. Besides the fact that it would only hinder movement, something holding a single wand was not worth, it didn’t seem fair to have any extra equipment or an item.

Another fact he remembered from their previous fight was the use of lighter armor. The fox had displayed several spells that one wouldn’t find on heavier armor. While the wizard considered planning off of the fields they had gone to together, it was discarded. The most important times to take account of would be those where the female heavy blade had been expecting to fight another player. The field was a bit different from the last time, but it wasn’t drastically different.

After running for just a short while, the lightning user spotted the furry fox atop one of the gentle hills. Within moments, his ears picked up a quiet humming sound. Just wonderful, Lyra was humming. The fact he had seen her was good. The fact he had heard her was simply bad. Her ears were most likely better than his, given their larger size and such. If he was listening to her, she most likely could hear his footsteps. His plan to Dek Raio her from behind had just gone out the window. That was okay still, Lanceor would just be put on hold for a little while. Even if she hadn’t detected him yet, by the time he was close enough for Dek Raio, she would. There was still one “pleasant” thing that could be done though. An infuriated player is easier to defeat, though he doubted what he was about to do would accomplish that really.

“Evening. I suppose I could have charged you, though I’d hate to repeat history if you’ve been doing any planning there. You know, in between the transitions of one song to hum to the next. I’d hate to find myself sliding around at the start our latest meeting.”

The wizard was at about the top of a different formation that rose above the ground. The curves of the hill were quite smooth though, getting rid of that annoying feeling of stepping on or off of the hill. At his present location, his height was roughly equivalent to Lyra, though they were displaced by a moderate distance.

{205/205}
{SP=205}
{SP-15 for Ap Do}
{SP=190}
{SP+1 for the post}
{SP=191}

() Ah yes, I should list my equipment, shouldn't I?
Devil Blade, Time Headband, Frost Bracer, Winter Coat, Mountain Boots))

She cocked an ear to the side, listening to him and then raising an eyebrow as she turned to face him. "Yes, well, in my experience, WaveMasters don't charge so I didn't set anything up for you." His insults were getting better, she had to give him that, but by now she was used to his brand of cruel humor and so it didn't really phase her. She stood for a moment, her ear and eyebrow still raised as she surveyed him, noting that he had the same white glow as she did, indicating he'd used Ap Do as well. Well, that's gonna complicate things… she noted, displeased with not having a speed advantage. He'd chosen a spot outside the reaches of her blade to taunt her from as well, meaning he'd have time to react before she could swing at him. For now, her main concern would have to be getting close enough to strike…

That was the thing she disliked about WaveMasters. Out of all the classes, only they had a true advantage over hers, in that they didn't need to get within range of her abilities to attack her. Anyone else had to get at least within their own weapon's reach, which put them within a step and a swing of a few dozen lbs of steel. Not WaveMasters, or at least the smart ones who hadn't been reduced to healers. He just had to be within casting range, which really just meant he had to be able to see her. Hopefully he cast his before mine so I'll have a few extra seconds…

She debated false-starting, running at him just a couple paces to get him to react and then stopping. While a good idea, that gave him a chance to get farther away. Once she started running, she couldn't stop, Lyra decided, and so she mapped a path with her eyes then took off. To Rayo's left, her own right, there was a valley amongst the hills. She followed a line swooping down the hill a bit and coming up towards his right side, trying to get him to run down into there to keep them apart. He probably had a good advantage over her in speed, but a combination of the head start before he reacted and the speed he'd lose going up the next hill would hopefully allow her to close the gap.

There was another trick up her non-existent sleeve, though. She didn't know how effective it would be, but she cast her spell anyway, directing a Rue Rom barely behind him. His magical defense meant it wouldn't do much damage to him, but hopefully it would deter him enough to get him to run the way she wanted. Running through it instead of avoiding it would still slow him down, though, so it was a win-win situation. She'd aimed it close enough to make it still hit him somewhat if he didn't move, and to make it look like she was just a bad shot and had been aiming to hit him directly.

The fox's swooping rush came up at him, just barely from the right since she'd chosen the straightest line possible to keep herself from being slowed too far. If he was still standing there, she'd make a simple swing for his waist from her left, continuing her run as she did to transfer the momentum into her swing and maximize the force with which she hit. If Rayo had already run from that spot, she'd follow him directly, and only make that swing if she got close enough to catch him within her range. Were this to happen, her swing would be the same but likely hit from a different angle, depending on whether he was still running or had turned to face her.

********
SP: 83/105

She didn’t seem to care about his comment, though that probably was a good thing. If she was less emotional during combat, it should improve her overall ability. It also would be in his favor, due to the fact he wouldn’t have to hear her yelling as much. The wavemaster had become fairly used to annoying sounds but the lack of such a sound was still a boon. Still, it was slightly disappointing to not get more out of her from his little hello. Shame, though at any rate it was time to return to silence and focus on the matter at hand.

The fox seemed to consider her own options for a moment before dashing off towards the wizard. He stepped back slightly, pivoting on his left foot, and sped off to the left and behind him. There was a tight passage between the hill he was on now and a shorter one that was in his new path. The confined area could prove useful for a bombardment. If she followed him all the way into it, the wavemaster could drop one of his two rom spells in the ravine. Since there was a no healing rule in effect, it would be just as well to stick with the GiRai Rom for that strategy.

Unfortunately, the plan was defeated before it could even begin. Before she was even half way to where the wavemaster was, a Rue Rom began to erupt in front of his course. Either Lyra had detected his plan already or she was just trying to stop him from running away. His left foot turned towards his left and he continued his run away from the fox, skirting by the edge of the icy spell that threatened to swallow him in it. Logically, it was expected of her to keep him close since that was where her advantages lay. Still, a running battle while casting spells was something he had imagined happening from before he even came to the field. His mind had pictured it more of a running match side by side, separated by maybe ten feet while casting spells at each other though. This was more of a cat and mouse chase scene.

The wizard half turned his head towards the left to take into account the position of Lyra who was closing in fast. Between the fact she started moving first, the Rue Rom curving him closer to her approach vector, and his own glancing over his shoulder, she was close. Gesturing with his left hand towards the heavy blade, Rayo uttered the words of spell quietly before snapping his neck back in the direction of where his feet we going.

The very quietly spoken “Rai Kruz” still activated what was necessary though. The orbs with electric charges materialized around the fox from all sides, threatening to slam into her body. While the converge type spell would normally spread out of the different parts of the attacks roughly equally, the lightning mage had made slight specifications. The area around the fox’s legs were being targeted the most, with the head and shoulder’s region being the next biggest target. The spell caster gave vague directions due to his need to direct attention elsewhere, but the general idea would get across. The legs were being targeted to slow her down and the area higher up to punish her if she tried jumping to escape from the mess. Rai Kruz one of the more basic lightning spells, so it wouldn’t cripple her or anything along those lines. In addition, a portion of the glowing balls would probably not make contact due to whatever way she tried to dodge. There would be a certain power backing them though, thanks to the fairly high magical attack, magical accuracy, and thunder statistics involved in the wavemaster’s counterattack. The purpose of this attack was simply to delay the advancements made by the animal. Any damage actually inflicted was simply an added bonus.

If the spell actually halted her, the wavemaster would probably dash up the sides of one of the nearby hills to gain an advantage there. If the fox instead charged through, he too would continue moving. If they pulled far enough away from their current spots, the lightning specialist might be able to try the plan he had concocted prior to her aquatic strike. If the proper opportunity didn’t present itself, he’d keep on weaving through any spots that he was able without decreasing his speed or getting too close to her.

{SP=191}
{SP-10 for Rai Kruz}
{SP=181}
{SP+2 for each post}
{SP=183}