Tournament: June vs Tian

It is a beautiful, breezy afternoon today in Shibuya, with not a cloud in the sky as the sun shines down on the tournament grounds. The seats are filled to the brim for the last quarterfinals match of the Crownless Cup, and everyone is ready to see who will be victorious in this bout.

"It is a beautiful, breezy afternoon today in Shibuya... Nya? The narrator already said that purrt? Nyaaaaa.... Well, Our two combatants are raring to purrove who is the most skilled, nya! Over here, we have everyone's favorite Were Cow, or at least MYA favorite, June, the Sage of Scripture, nya!" Nyanta pauses for long enough to let the audience cheer.

"And in the other corner is the Silent but Deadly Were Fox, Tian, nya!" The audience cheers again, and Nyanta waits for them to die down, "Who will be the winner in this, the last meowch of the Quarterfinals! Keep your eyes open, nya! If you blink, you might miss something, nya!"

It has been a true surprise that Tian has made it this far in the tournament. The Cait Sith had come in as a bit of an unknown. As one of the Uncrowned, they did not really have the opportunity for such things during the height of the war. Fighting had been for survival. However, the lupine Cait Sith had managed to get this far, so there must be some measure of skill to it.

The fox-wolf steps out onto the sands of the arena, wearing their usual decorated armor and twin daggers, the outfit completed by the mask which covers most of their make-up painted features. Where others might find the roar of the crowd to be a problem, the deaf combatant doesn't really seem to notice. What they do notice is the slight mistake in their introduction.

Tian makes a motion like a muzzle near their nose, then turns it into an 'ok' like sign that they twitch next to it. "<Wolf-fox.>" The system translates. They are, afterall, a Cait Sith, not a Were Fang.

Turning to face their opponent, Tian bows forward briefly, ombre hair dipping across their face before they stand again, offering a foxish smirk of a smile as they sign, "<You are a strong fighter. Let us battle well.>" The most distinctive sign of these, being a motion that looks like fisticuffs. Then, motioning towards their weapons, Tian adds, "<I will not be able to speak once we begin. Good luck.>"

Then, daggers are drawn, flipped dramatically, and the Blade Dancer takes a fighting stance.

    June walks out into the afternoon sun, the small middle aged auntie looking woman in her Red Sonja cosplay. She waves to the crowd and smiles widely. "Now... if I say you have a nice tail... am I cat calling?" she grins and then iron scales roll up her skin, her muzzle growing and horns sprouting from her forehead. She tosses her heavy bovine head even as a pair of cestus apear around her fists.

    "Don't worry, I tend to forget to talk when I'm punching too." she smiles, showing off fangs and crushing teeth intended for grinding down stone. She clanks her fists together, the inscriptions along the metal flaring to blue fire. "I'm a Sleeping Knight, so you better believe I'm going to throw my all at it and grind you down, or go out in a blaze of glory." she blows Nyanta a kiss, then blows Tian a kiss... then shrugs and blows a kiss to the crowd.

The blown kiss is given a wink in return from the Cait Sith, and another of those wry sort of fox-grins. In response, Tian just gives a whistle, the sound seeming almost ominous as they wait only briefly for the signal, and then...

Feet pound across the sands, making for quick movement as the Blade Dancer starts to draw wind and air behind them. They almost seem to be able to whip it around them, creating a sandstorm out of the arena. Those who have watched one of their matches before, aer very aware of shielding their eyes from debris.

It's enough to make it difficult to see, churning sand and the occasional plush toy that was swept up by the wind. Then, out of this mass of near-blinding force, Tian launches themselves forward, striking out with their daggers time after time, the sharp blades coming from seemingly multiple directions within the cyclone.

    June sees Tian coming in hard right off the bat and a flare of holy light englufs the iron scaled cow girl. And then a flurry of small paper slips each with a few kanji painted on them snapping out, each exploding in a small ball of black blades as she tries to get her footing.

Nyanta lets his voice be heard, echoing throughout the arena, "The match has started, nya! Tian has taken the inyatiative, and my word, are they fast! They let loose a cyclone of daggers, much more frightening than one with sharks in it, in my opinion, nya! I would say less tasty, though-- I am getting distracted, nya! Will June be able to dodge this attack in time, nya?! OH! What a hit, nya! She wasn't expecting a blow so ferocious, nya! Hang in there, June, nya!"

The flare of holy light is nearly blinding as Tian raises their arms to ward it off, blinking and giving a very canine shake of their head in the process. There is a curious expression as one of the paper slips goes blowing on by in the breeze. Whatever the technique, it is certainly an interesting one!

However, the fact that they start to explode around Tian doesn't fully catch the Blade Dancer off-guard. Blasted back by one, they are quick to respond to the others, moving around them and deftly avoiding coming into more direct contact.

Once free, there is a swish of their fluffy tail as they turn to June. Light energy forms in one of the daggers while darkness surrounds the other. Tian arcs an arm backwards, throwing the light-enchanted blade straight at the Were Fang, while they seem to almost flicker with speed in the moment after, striking over and over again with quick slashes of the dark-enchanted blade as a follow-up.

    It's another duel! Which means the three regular attendees are in the crowd. Asuna, Yui, and one of the event sponsors, Wake. If you like cloth dolls, you can thank Eas for their fine needlework. Samples of special edition versions of June and Tian are currently clutched tight by Asuna's daughter. Adorable things with an adorable girl showing them off is great advertising!

    "Mama, do you think this will be another one of those fast ones?" asks Yui softly.

    "Not sure, really. Last time it was a bit of a mix. That was a pretty big, early hit, though! Most likely you'll see a lot of swinging back and forth. Tian's style is a fun one to watch, though. I'm looking forward to seeing June try to counter it."

    June's HP ticks back up, looks like that flash of holy light wasn't just a defense it was a HoT. It seems June is on her back hoof however as she keeps giving ground. Her iron scales continue to scintilate with light as she takes the hits. Only to wait for Tian to get in close and then green mist billows from her muzzle. A deep bovine bellowing along with the fog announces one of her must devistating powers granted by her monster heritage, Petrifying Breath.

Nyanta continues his announcing, "June counters with a quick barrage of incendiarty charms, nya! What an EXPLOSIVE development, nya! Still, the quick brown fox jumps over the alluring cow as Tian evades the attack and returns with one of their own, nya! And oh did that blade sting, nya! Nyat as much as one would think though, as June's wounds seem to be healing as we speak! Further, it looks like she's following the attack with a trademark Gorgon specialty, nya! How will Tian react to the dangers of Petrification, nya?!"

There is a flick of Tian's eyes towards the read out, noting that heal over time effect. However, it doesn't seem to actually change much about how the Cait Sith decides to deal with the fight. Instead, they continue to press the attack.

However, doing so means wading right into the horrific Gorgon breath that is spewed in their direction. A cough follows, then a rough gasp, but the Uncrowned pushes through it and sweeps the wind around themselves a second time, using the force of the whirlwind to dismiss some of the noxious gas.

Plucking up their tossed dagger, still glowing with holy energy, Tian adds it to the rotation of quick slashes and stabs, despite the fact that the gas has clearly slowed them down a fair bit.

    Having seen the green fog start to take effect with Tian's fingers starting to go grey along with the ends of her hair, June grins and then punches her cestus together. She does a shoulder roll into the siwrling of wind and blades that is Tian. She starts throwing punches even as blades dance against her iron hide. The burning blue scripture on her cestus flaring a holy white, the burning words lancing out in great arcs of light. The words themselves striking out at Tian. Ultima Scripta throwing down a lot of hurt with Ultima Ratio (The Final Judgement). The iron cowgirl isn't known as the Sage of Scripture for nothing.

Nyanta slams the announcer booth with excitement, "Tian purrserveres through the gas with the fortitude of Hercules as they purrsist, blades looking to come right back for the cow lady in red, nya! And it looks like Red is a purrpular color today, as the blows from those blades purresent a purretty Red Light show as they cut into June, nya! She isn't looking to great right meow!"

The stone-like effect creeps over Tian, but it doesn't stop them. Not even as June begins to use punches and blades empowered with those holy scripts against them. It isn't the same casual cast-off as before, however. No, Tian seems to struggle to ward off the attacks, still working to keep themselves moving and avoid turning into a statue. Thankfully the effect isn't too long-lasting.

With a snarl, which is about the most sound that one might expect out of the deaf Adventurer, Tian turns one blade backwards, causing a flare of fire along the edge of it, while they give an ominious sort of whistling sound. It's almost like a warning. A warning of something coming.

Then, they lash out, sweeping the flaming blade forward and then blowing with a heavy heave behind it, turning the quick motion into a flame-thrower.

    June has started raining down the heavy blows, and her HP is already looking a bit ragged. And the crowd knows what that means, even if Tian might not. A savage grin on her bovine muzzle leaves far too many, not cowlike teeth on display. Her power flares again, the scripture along her knuckles burning with white fire. Another flurry of punches each sending out the words Ultima Ratio in a streak of battering white light. And even when the light bleeds away and she keeps throwing punches, ignorning the fire even as it eats into her HP.

    "They aren't going to be hurt, right?"

    This is a question Yui always asks. Every duel it comes up, and Asuna has to pick her words carefully. She doesn't want her little girl to think there's no pain in the fight. She also doesn't want her to lose her joy of watching the duels, either.

    "It hurts, but not so much. Adventurers are tough. We're made to handle this kind of thing. I wouldn't let you watch if it was going to be scary for you, honey."

    Pain dampener for the win, as far as Asuna is concerned. It seems it's a good thing here, too, as some of these hits are pretty hard!

Nyanta clears his throat at the reaction from some of June's fans, "The annyaouncer would like to make a correction to his last statement: June is always looking great, and the Red Light wounds only serve to accentuate her Red Sonya theme, nya. She counters with a POWERFUL blow from what looks to be a specialty technique of hers, and it deals some solid damage to the Wolf-Fox, nya! Tian counters with an impurressive flame breath technique that is sure to heat things up, nya! June is on FIRE, nya! Literally! But she doesn't care as she goes in to hit Tian REALLY HARD, nya! But will it be enough to overcome the lead Tian has taken, nya? It's still anyone's game, folks, nya!

As the blows come in towards Tian, there is a flare of light in the arena. From one of the Uncrowned, it is brought forth: The Crown of Hope. The technique creates a powerful sield, an aegis against despair and doubt. It glows like a halo around Tian, turning their dark wolf persona into one of light. Even their mask changes color, along with their ears and tail.

The white wolf-fox takes the hits, gritting their teeth from the pain of it, but still stands strong despite the challenge. This is the heart of the survivors, the Uncrowned, the Palace Land Adventurers who have fought so hard for their freedom.

This is what this tournament is about.

With a growl, Tian charges forward, despite the damage radiating across their form, striking out again with their own fierce backlash. It seems that neither combatant is about to back down or give up.

    June trusts in her own iron hide, but even so a sharp flare of holy light dances along her scales like a flashbang. She continues soaking up damage, but even so her fist just keeps going heavy blow raining down after heavy blow.

Nyanta winces, "Tian takes a MEOWSSIVE hit, which they just shrug off like it's kitty litter, nya! They counter with a solid hit, nya! Will it be enough to take June down, nya!? NO! She's hanging on by a thread! It's Nyaeck and Nyaeck, nya! Who will be the first to fall, nya!?!?

For the audience, it certainly must look like two individuals just going full force against one another. Blows rain down from June, knocking off entire portions of Tian's health, while the Cait Sith returns in kind with more slashes from their twin blades.

The wind begins to swirl up around Tian, that white light still radiating around them as some of June's punches seem to hit nothing but an invisible barrier. The now white-wolf glows like a beacon as they channel magic forward. Each strike of the dagger is a massive blow, throwing the force of light back with it, lighting up the arena like something out of the Kallamore fights, complete with a laser light show.

    June just keeps at it, horn and claw until she's brought up short by the system notification of a lost duel. The woman sighs, then climbs to her feet. Berzerk charges and punishing attacks only go so far when you're not part of a raiding team. Adventurers are always less predictible than raids. She ruffles her short iron hair before she walks towards Tian arms open for a hug.

The crowd goes wild as Nyanta almost has to scream over the cheers, "And Tian pulls it off! With one final blow, they have taken down the Sage of Scriptures, nya! It was a close fight for a while, but Tian has proven victorious, nya!" The healers all rush to June's side as Nyanta himself goes to Tian for the interview, "Tell me, nya. What were you feeling during the fight, nya? And more impurrtantly, will you take June on a date like you did your first oppurrnent in the tournament, nya?"

As the magical effect starts to wear off, Tian's colors return back to normal. The glow fades back into their darker fox-wolf colors. There is a little bit of a shake that has just a hint of animal qualities.

With the end of the fight, Tian crosses their daggers and bows once more before sheathing both. And then... they look all together very surpriesd to have someone walking towards them for a hug.

That confused puppy look that canines get sometimes, with one ear flopped over. That is Tian at the moment. At the very least, the Blade Dancer would be amiss to turn down a hug from a girl, even if it is a very large, monster-girl. Just how squished is Tian right now? There's probably a crack or two.

And then there's Nyanta. Tian gives a soundless laugh. Their hands move to sign, "<The Uncrowned did not come to this tournament to use it as a dating show. Though I have had the good luck of fighting multiple lovely ladies.>" Tian nods to June with a smile. "<I only hope to have made a good showing for my people.>"

    June is buff, and iron clad, right up until she hugs Tian. Then she's a short middle aged woman who looks like she belongs in a bookshop... if it weren't for the chainmail bikini and fur cloak. "Now we drink." she says giving Tian a firm hug and a peck on the cheek. Then she gives Nyanta the same because she's June. "Drinks!" she declares "I lost so I'm buying, Sleeping Knight rules!" she says with an arm around each Cait Sidhe.

    "Well, that was a pretty explosive finish," comments Asuna. She's not going anywhere yet, though. She feels safer waiting for the crowd to die down before taking her daughter anywhere. Lately she has noticed that there are some less than friendly eyes watching her. She's not sure what that is about, but for now, she can stay behind and appreciate the show after another great duel.

    "Better luck next time, Junie!" calls out Wake. "First three rounds are on you now, though!" It's tradition! Or something like that.

    Yui watches Tian closely, tilting her head as she interprets the signing. "Adventurers are so different," she observes sagely.