The crowd roared their approval as the three newcomers took position in the center of the arena floor. The crowd cheered when the girls name was given and she gave a small flourish with her rapier. And when the slim lad in all green did a back flip and a wave right where he stood the peopled cheered louder. And when the funny looking fellow with the tail roared loud for the crowd, startling even his own friends, the thousands and thousands of people went nuts. They'd heard that the final newcomer fight would feature a new type of monster to the Colosseum The group scheduled for the last match apparently discovered what kind of monsters they were and forfeited the match, causing them to be bared from further entries and a massive loss of Fame. And from the confident looks on these adventurers faces they would put on a great show. The crowd was now stomping their feet as the iron gate on the far side of the newcomers now rose.
“By the way, what level are you guys?” Casden asked, while equipping his weapons with a few strokes of the menu panel. The others were doing the same, Tyden's Great-sword in a sheath across his back and a rapier and small dagger on the hip and lower back of Jessika. Who also sent them an invite and was also whispering to Kaylie, telling her what was going on since Dura was looking for her. They excepted and her chart appeared before their eyes. They quickly did the same for theirs before looking over the various information.
Status WindowName:CasdenAlignment:NeutralLevel:2Class:??Race:HumanGender:MaleTitles??Fame:5Infamy:0-Health:110Mana:100Stamina:20Vitality:10-Strength:16Agility:18Intelligence:10Wisdom:10Leadership:0Dexterity:17
Status WindowName:TydenAlignment:NeutralLevel:3Class:??Race:Were-catGender:MaleTitles??Fame:13Infamy:5-Health:133Mana:100Stamina:105Vitality:11-Strength:37Agility:15Intelligence:10Wisdom:10Leadership:0Dexterity:7
Status WindowName:JessikaAlignment:NeutralLevel:10Class:ApprenticeRace:HumanGender:FemaleTitles??Fame:27Infamy:0-Health:190Mana:145Stamina:75Vitality:15-Strength:15Agility:51Intelligence:10Wisdom:17Leadership:0Dexterity:47
When the two boys just stared at her incredulously she blushed. “What!? I get experience for designing and creating clothes. Since all I'm doing right now is coping stuff I've already done before I got some levels. Sheesh!” she said ignoring them now giving her rapier a flourish to loosen her arm. She flinched when the crowd started screaming louder. It was then that they realized they were being introduced. When Casden her his name he decided to do a standing back-flip and then waved at the crowd. And when Tyden heard his name he decided to go big or go home. He spread his feet, lowering his body toward the ground. Spreading his arms out showing off his dangerously sharp claws he roared his challenge. At this the crowd went wild, but just under the den the distinct sounds of a gate being raised was heard by the fighters.
Nick's eyes were focused solely on the rising gate wondering what would emerge from the darkness. The appearance of Mr. Henon with his booming voice didn't distract him from the three creatures that came rushing out. Three Lizards of various size, all walking on two legs caught sight of the kids immediately and with a roar from the last to exit they started running toward them.
“I don't believe it!” Mr. Henon's surprise finally managed to break through his focus. “Those are Lizard-folk, they inhabit the swamps of southern Grapass. The smaller one is a Greenscale darter and the one with the spear is a Greenscale hunter.”
“And the big one?” Chen asked.
“That's a Blackscale bruiser. Their strength is enormous!” Nick frowned at this bit of news. Especially when Casden and Jessika separated from Tyden who himself was running right for the Blackscale bruiser. It seemed that that Casden had chosen to face the hunter while Jessika fought the smallest of the three.
“Split up!” Tyden yelled as the trio answered the lizards call to battle by advancing toward them. “I got the big one,” he said with a feral grin just loud enough for the others to hear him. Casden who was on Tyden's left angled away drawing the attention of the spear-wielder while Jessika went right bringing the darter her way.
As Tyden closed the gap on his lumbering opponent he took in as many details as he could. The creature before him had black scales and wore a tattered loin cloth. It had a long meaty tail that he reminded himself was probably used as a weapon. It carried a massive stone club in it's hands that sported short claws of their own. It's eyes black and lifeless and it's razor sharp teeth dripped drool and saliva. Without breaking his stride, in a single smooth motion, Tyden drew his sword and met his enemy head on. The two beings, being the largest of their respective groups chose to start the battle with an overwhelming display of strength and both chose to swing their weapons with all their night. When their weapons collided between them, forcing the two to come to instant stops the sound of the clash reverberated throughout the Colosseum bring both shock and amazement to the crowd at the power being displayed before them.
The creatures surprise at it's attack being halted lasted but moments before it spun it's massive body around bringing it's long thick tail slamming down where Tyden had just been standing. Having jumped clear of the attack Tyden then darted in, attempting to strike at the Lizards exposed back which spun at the last moment bring it's club forth to block his attack.
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Casden had taken a moment to read the monsters name to know that it was a Greenscale hunter. Like the other two it had a tail though his seems to be the longest. It had three fins growing out the top of it's head progressively getting larger as they went. It carried a long-spear in it's left hand and a medium sized leather shield in the other and eyed him with killer intent. Once close enough it jabbed it's spear at Casden whom side stepped it easily to the outside but had to duck quickly when the beast swung the spear out wide. Casden seeing an opening lunged inside aiming a punch at the monsters torso only to be met by the creatures leather shield which absorbed the impact. Though he did manage to force the creature to take several steps back.
Nick was amazed at the ability being displayed before him. The power that Tyden displayed was downright incredible. And the speed at which his son moved was dazzling. Worry surged through him when the hunter stabbed at his son with it's spear but it was avoided fluidly and the following swipe was avoided as well. He saw the moment of hesitation in his son's attack which resulted in it being blocked. Before he knew what was happening his voice thundered over all others.
Casden was waiting for his opponent to make the next move. He knew he'd missed a chance for winning the initial clash and he vowed not to make that mistake again. He was focusing on his breathing, attempting to remain calm and focused, just as his teacher had taught him. Then over the roar of the crowd he heard something he thought he'd never hear from his father.
“COME ON SON! KICK HIS ASS!” and for some reason that and what Master Chen said earlier triggered a memory.
“Casden, I know you want to embody the teachings of Tai Chi, but sometimes Casden, sometimes, you just gotta be you OK? When that time comes, give'm a good show!” And with that Casden watched his Master walk away laughing while jumping back and forth on his toes shadow boxing and screaming at the top of his lungs.
Casden forgot about breathing, he forgot about focusing he forgot about the crowd. Their were only two things he needed to worry about. The Greenscale hunter before him, whom was readying himself for another charge slamming it's long tail on the ground in a display of anger and might. The other was his father. Who for the first time was watching him fight and was actually cheering him on, well he was going to give him a show. With a lopsided grin and a flick of the nose with his thumb he started bouncing on the balls of his feet bringing his fists up in a ready position
With a “WOOaahh!” reminiscent of the great Bruce lee he dashed forward. Surprised the lizard stabbed forward but once again Casden dodged. This time to the inside, he was met with the lizards shield who was attempting to bash him with it. He grabbed hold of the shield, and with a twist of the hip he sent the monster over his shoulder to slam into the hard ground. It was quickly on its feet again and the two were advancing together. This time when the lizard stabbed forward he dodged to the outside. Grabbing hold of the spear, simultaneously lifting his left leg and draping it over the spear he used it and his grip to leverage his body over the spear allowing him to bring his foot into range of its face. And with a sharp kick the monster was sent flying to the side only to slide to a halt several paces away.
Before it could right itself Casden was on the attack. He rained blow after blow down on his opponent, whittling it's life down. A low swing of it's tail knocked Casden off his feet however and a hit from its shield created some distance between the two. Casden reached down to his thigh taking hold of his weapon. As the hunter took a step forward and drew back it's spear in preparation of a lung the green clothed fighter attacked. Stepping forward in a sudden move, a white streak arced forward striking the hunter in the face with a scream and a smack which caused the angry creature to pause.
Nick was unsure what just happened. Casden's arm reached out, his wrist flicked and the creature was struck. The battle was going totally different than what he expected. His sons forceful and sure movements, accented by sharp war cries struck his foe time and time again while dodging multiple attacks. But the last attack from his son was to fast to follow. And as the creature stepped forward once again a white streak once again shot forward stopping his movement. His son ducked in low and advanced rapidly. White streaks could be seen extending from his body striking various parts of the monsters body. Starting at the ankles and traveling up the body. A strike to the inside of the wrist forced the spear out wide and before the lizard could bring its shield up for protection, Casden struck.
Things weren't looking so good for Tyden. He'd lost his sword a moment ago, when the vibration from the impact of these two large beings was just to much for him and he'd lost his grip. Master Chen was so going to punish him for that one. He did manage to disarm the black scaled beast shortly after and now the two were going at it with tooth and nails. Blocking the strength of the brute was out of the question so he was forced to dodge and counter with swipes of his extended claws. The monster even used it's massive tail to strike at his foe but again Tyden was on the look out, and when the tail came swinging around, Tyden dropped low to the ground and was out of the monsters sight. When it faced forward once again it froze for a criticel moment when the strange cat like creature was no longer in it's sight. With a roar of pain it whirled around to face Tyden again after being struck in the back multiple times. Its health was now dangerously low and it closed the distance with the were-cat in a flash. The two locked hands and test of strength ensued. Tyden's strength grew at a much faster rate due to his were-cat race but he was still not strong enough to resist the push from the larger animal for long. Realizing his mistake in locking with the monster Tyden thought desperately for a way out.
Casden was having the time of his life. The Greenscale hunter before him had lost his shield. Now it stood holding it's spear, it's spirit crushed by the skilled human before it. It's breathing heavy, bruises dotted random parts of it's body. Casden reached down to his left thigh, grabbing the second pair of weapons their before bringing them up and showing them to his adversary. It's eyes darted momentarily to the two sticks with the this chain hanging from them. They stung when they struck and it's health was was very low. It could sense that it had enough for one attack and one attack only. Taking it's spear it both hands it charged at Casden in one last desperate attempt to end his life.
There was a loud crack as the spear was turned wide by the nunchaku held in his left hand in an across the body strike. He stepped in and before the hunter could lash out with a clawed hand or bash from its long tail Casden took one step forward, planted his right foot firmly on the ground, and did a split kick to the creatures chin that stunned it. Sensing the end Casden stepped forward and began attacking with both pair of nunchaku's. Worrying that the monster would regain it's senses before he'd finished it he increased his speed even more. And more. And more, until his arms were a blur and the only confirmation the crowd had that the attacks were succeeding were the occasional yips and whoops from the fighter and the distinct sounds of wood smacking scales repeatedly. Finally the creature disappeared in a cloud of pixelating dust and Casden was left alone, breathing heavily he looked around to see how the others were doing.
Tyden was loosing the battle for strength. The hulking brute he'd locked hands with was slowly pushing his back. Tyden's tail struck something on the ground and he realized immediately that it was the beast's stone club. Realizing that time had run out a distant memory touched his thoughts. Remembering the move from his favorite online story he released the tension in his back, allowing the monster to rush over him when the resistance from his pushing disappeared. Tyden's head impacted the dirt behind his ankles as the bruiser soared over him, until he reached out grabbing it's wrist as it sailed over. Tyden pulled on it's wrist to stop it's motion, with a push of his hips, Tyden walked over his head as he pushed off with his other hand curving through the air gracefully just managing to put his feet against the Blackscale's stomach. The creatures breath whooshed out of it's lungs as the Were-cat punched all of his weight down on the black scaled belly, at the same time as it's impact with the ground, driving his feet into it's stomach stunning it.
Tyden reached out taking hold of the creatures heavy stone club. Lifting it over his head he brought it down in a mighty chop that caused the monster to blow apart in flashes of color. Breathing heavily he quickly checked to see how Casden was doing only to see him turning in his direction at the same instant. And as they took in the cheer and roar of the crowd they turned in unison to help Jessika if it was needed. What greeted the two was a sight they never thought they'd see in a million years. She was skipping in a circle, a huge smile on her face while holding Tyden's sword in her left hand. She was waving at the crowd with one hand as she chanted over and over, “I did it, I did it!” The thing was very few people saw her fight, writing her small stature off as a loss. As a matter of fact only three beings saw what happened during her fight. One was Chen, win or loose he wasn't really worried for the boys, Jessika however he was concerned for. But after watching her in action he decided he'd work with her as well. “She has much potential.”The other two sat atop the Colosseum, their beady eyes darting here and there taking in all the action down below. And once the fighting was over they extended their wings and the large black ravens were carried away by large feathered wings.