Tournament: Xander vs Cyrus

    Its round two of the Tournament. Those that have beaten their opponents in round one, now move through the ladder to face off against their next target.

In this epic battle, Xander will be facing off against Cyrus, and they share one thing in common; Their friendship with Mikage. Who probably will have a hard time choosing who to root for if she is out in the stage!

As the battle time comes, the two have been summoned to the arena for their epic duel. Two man enter, one man with be victorious? Who will it be!!

    ... This is what you can figure this announce is probably going on about, as for the tanky Salamander, he is pacing a little waiting for the doors to be open. Trying to settle his nerves for this match.

When the doors do open and he can hear the crowd, the Holy Knight Salamander walks out with a smile on his face, giving a wave to the crowd as he does. Ignoring the fact his face is on those magical screens.

As he continues to make his way to the center, he draws out his sword and shield. Making sure he is ready for what comes.

"Alright everyone, take your seats!" Wait, that voice is familiar... "Our second round match is about to begin. Our first fighter is a hometown hero, hailing from the Holy Empire Westelande. In his first match, he showed remarkable tenacity and an ability to outlast his opponent! Let's welcome Scale Emblem's badass Salamander tank, Xander Scaleharth!"

Well, it seems that since Mikage would have issues figuring out who to cheer on, someone decided to put her behind a microphone instead. There is only a hint of nerves in her voice as she laughs.

"And on in the other corner, from the Fourland Dukedom, having already faced one tank this tournament and now up against another, we welcome Cyrus Frost, the Snow Leopard Cait Sith! This Astrologian leans heavily on his remarkable array of potions! Let's see what he has in store for us today."

The crowd begins to cheer on the two, but the Were Fang raises a hand, waving to them both from the announcer stage.

Cyrus' heart is beating fast, standing behind the gate to the tournament area. This is round two now. Last time, he battled a talented tank. And now he's up against yet another one. He'd only barely pulled that win out against Jurou, and this one - he's heard about. This one has more experience.

The nervous feline's tail twitches in annoyed patterns as he adjusts some of the straps on his harness, and then steps forward. One leg in front of the other, that's all it takes.

Take a deep breath...

And move.

Cane down, step. Step. Cane. Raising his hand as the cheers begin. They'd booed for him at first the last battle, but things had gotten more exciting in the end. Mikage may note that he isn't wearing his hat this time. Perhaps afraid it might get damaged during the fight.

With the hand holding the cane, he points forward, touching his menu, and then sends a PvP invitation to Xander. He waits for the man to accept, and for them to stand at an appropiate distance.

"May the best combattant win." The regal looking feline remarks to Xander, bowing his head politely, as the timer starts counting down.

5

4

3

2

1

Potions!

The youth runs straight forward and tries to get into melee range to Xander. Something very different from last time. He tries to suddenly kneel down and press the tip of his cane to Xander's shield or armor, while triggering the device and causing it to release a jet of flame up towards his face, so he might hide the bubble-potion he throws immediately there-after, trying to weaken their defenses.

    Xander smiles at Cyrus gently, "Good luck to you, Cyrus... and agreed. May the best combatant win." He then accepts and takes his stance.

He watches as Cyrus comes charging in and raises up his shield. The flame comes and the flame comes to meet a flash of light that extends off the shield as runes flash across the metal surface.

While some of the flames do slightly lick by, it wasn't long till the runes on the shield switch as another spell comes forth and Cyrus would find himself facing an electrical charge that bolts out from the shield.

    The dark scaled Salamander then takes advantage of this, as he drags the tip of his sword along the ground, whispering something, before he brings his sword up, and from the very area he carved in the ground vines shoot forth.

They shoot forth and attempt to tangle themselves around Cyrus, with poison barbs trying to cut into his skin.

The electrical charge zaps across the Cait Sith's form, blinding him slightly. The youth instinctively throws a heavy flame potion right at his feet, while touching his longcoat and activating a defensive spell! The sword comes up, carving those vines across the ground and out towards him, slicing into his skin and leaving red marks as he's forced back.

There's however a sudden green explosion in the midst of the flames, a poison detonating amidst the confusion, trying to latch onto Xander's body. Cyrus is shaking his head left and right, trying to shake the momentary blindness, and prepares to duck out of the way if something else might be coming!

"Oof!" Mikage sounds out over the magically enhanced microphone. "Cyrus starts off quick with a blast of fire, but Xander blocks with his shield! It's those bubble potions that can be dangerous, though. Look out!"

The shouts from the audience pick up a bit, as the match gets underway. It's hard to tell if the crowd is swayed one way or the other, though most just seem to be here for the excitement of the fight.

"Xander counters with an electrical surge and those dangerous plant vines. They were able to trip up other opponents, but will the cat be snared?"

    Xander watches as the bubble continues to tighten around him. He snarls gently, as he then goes to shove his blade against the watery substance to break from it.

It was in here, does he leap through the strange substance that Cyrus has thrown among the chaos, where he gives a little cough. His golden fiery eyes peer at the stuff, before he looks back to Cyrus.

As the Snow Leopard moves, Xander moves toward him still, a field of light moves around him, as he tries to counter the effects of the poison now in his system. Refusing to slow down because of it and swings his sword not only once, but twice as he comes around with a downward slash.

As Xander takes a moment to heal, Cyrus doesn't let up. "Tanks." Cyrus mumbles under his breath, knowing very well how long this battle might go. He's still mentally a bit exhausted from the last battle. But he's managing to keep his focus decently well.

As that twin strike comes in, he tries to roll with the blows. Using his cane as a makeshift shield to parry the blows before throwing a kick towards Xander's head - a bottle attached near the heel looking to crash against their face to blind them - his hands remaining close to his body to help him change the angle, and kicking off against Xander's chest - motioning his right hand down in the midst of that, aiming to send a quick lightning-strike down from the skies above.

    Xander was not expecting the bottle to the boot and takes it squarely in the face. He growls as that happens and tries to /not/ rub his eyes, but the effect is done.

Cyrus has placed the Tank in a slight disadvantage. With a few blinks he can make out Cyrus movements and he waits now. He waits patiently. Soon as he feels Cyrus bounce off of his chest, he lets out a gentle grunt. His foot slides back and he then raises up his shield.

    Just as the lightning strike makes impact, Cryus can see the shield flash brightly. The lightning hits, but some of it is bounce right back for the Snow Leopard man.

Cyrus would then see Xander blindly charge at him, his flame lightning up with fire, as he swings it twice yet again, trying to catch the witty feline in the flames of his blade.

Cyrus feels the reflective force of the lightning returning to him, making him brace his arms up as it coarses across his body. It almost disrupts his landing, but he manages to roll cleanly and use his cane to quickly get into a standing position again.

With his opponent slightly blinded, they would not spot the potion he'd dropped to the ground. Stepping on it in the midst of his swing, while Cyrus deflects it cleanly with his cane, and immediately slams the back of the cane across his head in an attempt to dizzy him, before throwing another flash-bomb right for his face.

He's trying to keep the momentum for as long as he can against this tank, but he can tell that this one is a heavy fortress.

"Looks like Cyrus is having trouble breaking through Xander's shield! We don't call them tanks for nothing." Mikage paces back and forth as she watches, unable to really keep herself still while her two friends are fighting it out on the sands. "Come on Cyrus!"

The fact is, she seems to be inserting cheers for both of them, luckily that kind of makes her unbiased. Sort of? "The cat is king of status effects, but can he stack on enough to weaken Xander's resolve?"

"Our foes are trading blows back and forth, but nothing seems to be landing solidly quite yet. That's what you get when two amazing fighters go toe to toe!"

    More and more vials come, more and more debuffs, and yet the Holy Knight does not break. Instead what Cyrus finds as Xander finds his strength trying to be taken away, his defenses cut down, was a loud warcry from the Salamander.

As the attack comes from Cyrus, Xander raises up his shield, it sets on fire, allowing the attack to make contact, but the flames to roll back toward him. As the holy light beats down, the Salamander hisses in pain, but he then uses that moment of the brightness to suddenly rush directly for the feline humanoid.

This time the sword does not come with a swing, but he stops himself hard, his boots slide across the dust on the cobblestone arena floor and he goes to try to impale the sword right into Cyrus.

Xander goes on the offensive, and Cyrus is forced on his back feet. He doesn't know what is coming, so he puts up all of his defenses. Throwing a fire potion down while adding a shield to his armor, causing the sword to halt right against the firmed material of his longcoat, and a spray of fire to dart across Xander's body.

The youth then quickly smashes a potion towards Xander's face, before backing up. He realizes that he just overextended, and is already panting. Glancing at his cooldowns, which are now all out of sync. "Damnit." He mutters to himself, before focusing on Xander's next move.

    The fires continue to burn toward them both and Xander refuses to let out, even as the potion bottles come, the fire raging between them.

Because as the flames lick back toward Xander, the Salamander just ignites his own shield to take on more of the strikes and allow the flames to burn ever more between them.

    In the mix of dust, potion explosions, and flames, Xander once more uses a healing wisp that floats around him, as he catches the dust in the air with his sword, turning the very dust into harden vines that once more try to snag for the Cait Sith.

The fires continue to rage. It's getting hard to tell who started what fire. It might have already been burning, since the world's been turning! As the Salamander ignites his shield, Cyrus tries to duck in close. The healing wisp giving the Cait Sith enough of a chance to duck out from between some of the vines - though they do scratch him...

And then suddenly spins and smashes a glowing potion with his cane, pointing it right to Xander's back if he doesn't turn around fast enough! "PILLAR OF LIGHT!" He calls out, as a pure white line of light carves towards Xander's position, trying to burn straight through his armor and set his entire body on fire!

With the flames somewhat clouding the battlefield, Mikage squints, trying to see exactly what just happened. "Wow, that's a lot of fire. It looks like Cyrus might have mistimed one of his cooldowns. Oh, and Xander didn't read the opening! He bolstered his defenses instead!"

With the heat of the flames and the smoke rising to cloud the area, it's no surprise that some things get missed in the fray. "Looks like Xander might have come out of the exchange with a slight advantage, able to sneak in some healing."

"Don't let the heat get to you guys! You can do this!" You know, Miki, someone has to actually lose at some point.

    "Wait a minute. Now, you... you wait just a minute." Uta looks at where Mikage supposedly is, speaking for everyone to hear. She turns towards the person sitting right next to her. "We have /magical boomy devices/ in this world? Why wasn't I aware of this?!"

    She sighs. "All my getting creative about this for nothing..."

    She flicks a finger, navigates her menu, and materializes... a conical witch's hat? Rather battered, tattered, its brim frayed, its top bitten off, it's probably been discarded by the previous owner after some nasty battle.

    She raises the bitten off tip to her mouth, and holding it horizontal, pointed towards the combatants, as a makeshift megaphone of sorts, she breathes in deeply, then shouts...

    "Xander! You old cork! Why is it that every time I see you, you're either stuffing your face into bottles of suspicious substances or you're /just back/ from stuffing your face into bottles of suspicious substances? Just do the other thing you do best and make a complete fool of yours- wait, no, do the /other/ other thing you do best, and discharge heavy weaponry on unsuspecting people!"

    There we go. Her promise to Rylen. And to herself. It has been kept.

    "Hi, Cyrus!", she says, now, cheerful. "I loved going on slime duties with you. We should do that more often. Oh, while we're at it, can I borrow some of your wards when you're done? I think I'm gonna need some slime bait soon..."

    The worrying thing is, that didn't sound like mockery at all. She actually meant every word of it.

    Sadly, Uta's comments from the crowd may or may not been heard by Xander, much like poor Mikage who is cheering them on. Why is this? Because Cyrus keeps being an alchemist and trying to use these dark scaled Salamander as his experiment!

At least that is how Xander feels right about now. "Grah!" Is all the Salamander gets out toward Cyrus, as for the first time this fight, Cyrus managed to at last cause Xander to have to take step back. Along with destroy that bubble that is trying to encase him with water.

    Which was enough time to bring up his shield, ignite it with flame once more, and attempt to strengthen it with a muffled word or three. Though some of the light does sheer by the shield, causing the Salamander to growl in annoyance; Along with pain.

At long last, Cyrus can /maybe/ catch a breath.

As the light sheers the shield, Cyrus doesn't let up at all. He throws a potion right at Xander's face, followed by sliding his hand down to send another shock of lightning for his face, and following that up by a quick grab-and-release potion thrown for Xander's chest, hoping to breach his defenses and set him aflame once more, before running around him. He's keeping incredibly close to the Salamander, but attempting to also stay out of sight. Just at the edge of his vision, to tire him out and force him to keep having to turn while wearing his armor.

He can't respond to Uta or Mikage right now. But no doubt he'll gladly go on more Slime Duties with Uta in the future!

"Looks li--" And then Uta interrupts Mikage mid-thought. The Were Fang stops, blinks, looks over towards the Spriggan, then points at the microphone. "It's magic. I have no idea how it works." This, gets a series of laughs from the audience, some of whom are able to pick up on Uta's commentary as they are close enough to hear her, others just think the interruption is amusing.

Oh, it is quite hard for Miki not to bust out laughing at Uta's idea of cheering people on. So much so that a brief bit of it slips through before she is able to clap a hand over her mouth.

"Where was I? Oh yeah, it looks like Cyrus' pillar of light has forced Xander to the defensive. However, that isn't always a bad thing! Xander fights best on the defensive. The two are still keeping so desperately close in HP it's hard to tell who will win! Are you on the edge of your seats? I am! Fight, fight!"

    Cyrus plan as working fairly well. He was attempting to wear down Xander and it seem to be opening the Salamander to a few problems. He did attempt to move his shield in time to take a few of the strikes, but he was not quick enough to keep up with the feline.

Some impacts made it in, some didn't.

    At one point though, Xander catches a glimpse of the Cyrus, and swings his sword, not to damage; But to try and maim the wily cat. Then in turn summoning vines once more with his blade to yet again keep the feline poisoned.

"One of us," Xander gets out between breaths, "Will go down." He then grins, "But whatever the outcome... This is /fun/!"

"Most certainly one of us." Cyrus agrees, rolling under the swing of the blade - but it manages to nick his shoulder. The vines grab at him, poisoning him once more. The youth stumbles, seeing the multiple status effects appear on his UI. "Shit." He mutters under his breath. But he can't stop now! He has to keep going. As such, he flings a bright potion for Xander's shield, and another to his face.

When dealing with a Tank, a battle is less of a 'fight' and more like a 'journey'. Constantly dealing with the tank being his own shield, and damage, all in one. Constantly dealing with the blowback of his own attacks. Certainly - he's got enough skills to ensure that Xander is dealing with some of the same. But the wily feline is starting to run out of tricks at this rate!

    Xander takes a step back as Cyrus comes in, each step he raises his shield to take the brunt of the attacks. Shielding himself from the fiery light and blasts.

All the while, while muttering once more as a healing light washes around him. Though Xander does peer slightly at Cyrus. Those draconic eyes judging the Cait Sith; Evaluating him.

What was the Salamander waiting for? Why didn't he attack? His eyes were fully watching Cyrus at this point.

Oh, Cyrus is getting a rather bad feeling about this. He can see that Xander is waiting for something. It's those same kind of eyes as a Tank waiting to use Anchor Howl. That coniving little glare. The youth feels his chest wrenching around his heart. "Shit." He whispers to himself. Damn Tank is even healing.

He is forced to heal himself with a quick potion, right before he swings around and throws another fiery potion for Xander, hoping to at least damage his health enough to offset the chance at healing he got. But he has this feeling that man is going to turtle him to death...

    The fires came and Xander hunkered down once more, then uses the chance to break the bubble trying to form around him yet again. While the fire does leave some glowing red marks around his body.

The Salamander continues to hold. His foot ever so slightly moving. His tail only slightly shifting. Those eyes still locked onto Cyrus. Even he breathing was slowly calming down. "Do. Better." Xander said lowly with a rumble in his voice.

"Xander is certainly taking a beating, but he's managing to actually heal through it! Talk about tough scales." Mikage calls out, "He's starting to build up a nice health advantage, but Cyrus seems to be still pressing on the damage!"

As they both seem to be in the lower realms of their HP bars, the audience starts to really get in to the match. There are people calling out from all sides of the arena, some cheering on their favorites, others jeering their opponents.

"They might be whittling each other down, slowly, but it feels like every attack might be the last! The danger is really exciting! They both wield fire, but who's will burn brighter!?"

That Nervous feeling of something coming does not leave Cyrus. But with his cooldowns down on so many of his techniques, he's just managing to pull things as they come off of cooldown. Potion after potion getting thrown. A poison potion frst, then he rushes in close, trying to thrust with his cane, trying to get through that defense.

    Xander creates a bubble of water in front of his shield, attempting to it to help protect himself from he potions as they continue to fly in.

One by one they crash on his shield, as his sword starts to glow with runes. He swings the sword forward and one more, the vines with their poison barbs come for Cyrus.

Though the Salamander doesn't go unscathed from this, as some of the liquid finds him just as he lowered his defense causing him to cough a bit. "Damnit!" He barks out in some frustration.

    Uta, meanwhile, seems perplexed. "Wait, I've been shouting all this time, but-" she looks at her improvised megaphone. "Is this thing even on?" She gives the rim of the hat three taps, then enunciates into the small end, "One, two, three, check...". She flips the hat, and tries to listen to the wide end.

    Unable to resist the urge, the person sitting right next to her whistles a convincing rendition of a feedback effect into the small end, at which point Uta pulls back with a wince. "...It seems to work alright!" She smiles. "Good! Cheering on it is!"

    And she goes back to cheering like a good audience member in the background, without trying to attract too much attention.

As Xander takes another hit, Cyrus gets a moment of clarity. A cooldown drops to zero that would help enhance his healing, and he quickly grabs a potion and drinks it up, just before awkwardly jumping back like a cat - trying to get away from the blade. That kind of weird bow-legged and bow-armed motion that is more instinct than anything...

Before landing and quickly looking around, making sure nobody saw that. Then rising up and stabbing his cane to the ground, pretending like he totally meant to do that! Still, there's a red mark across his chest. Luckily his healing is helping the situation for the time being.

He realizes he's lost the momentum now, but he at least managed to throw another one of those annoying bubble potions for Xander, to weaken his defenses further.

    Xander spots the opening he has waited for and charges in. As the water attempts to surround him, he keeps pushing on. Even as the poison tries to take away his energy; He pushes on.

The Salamander raises his shield as he moves on, it flashes brightly as it sends out an electric current that goes to fly by the Snow Leopard humanoid.

Then with a push-off of his feet, he summons another barbed vine to go for Cyrus, as the Tank lands behind the feline. His sword lights up on fire, as he swings for the backside of the cat, and then goes to whirlwind around for another strike.

There it is. The opening. Cyrus's heart just about jumps out of his chest. The youth turns... and runs. It looks almost comical as that shield comes up and the electric current rushes after him. He keeps going, trying to avoid the barbed vines, jumping over them. And right as that sword is about to swing for his back and whirlwind...

Cyrus jumps backwards in a backflip and ends on his shoulders. His face coming down, staring into the Salamander's eyes upside down. "You're a frightening combattant." He remarks, before dropping a flash-potion to the ground to blind Xander, and jumping off of him.

    Xander raises a field of water to protect himself from the shining light by nullifying it, but it's still saps some of his strength as he staggers back a bit.

He doesn't reply to Cyrus, only gives him a low growl in annoyance, as he then cuts the drowning field that is once more trying to break him. The Salamander once more twirls his blade and goes to start to slowly step to the side, trying to circle Cyrus, or at least nothing else, waiting to see what the cat does next.

Cyrus doesn't let up though. The wily cat jumps to the side as he tries to circle him, splashing another bubble-potion at Xander's feet. Then another at their shield, trying to get it to lift and make it harder for Xander to move around. The youth then suddenly rushes in, trying to set his cane towards Xander's chest, and triggers it with a little 'button' in his cane. A rush of electricity blasting through the tip as he tries to weaken Xander's defenses as much as he can. He knows the retaliation is going to be fierce! But right now... this is the one shot he believes he has.

    The debuffs stack up and the Salamander refuses to go down. He lets out another roar in defiance that almost sounds monstrous, his golden, fiery eyes locked on Cyrus no matter how he jumps around.

One could swear there was smoke actually come of Xander's nostrils from the sheer amount of emotion building up.

The drowning bubbles trying to build up around him. Suffocating. Enclosing.

    Red lights.
        Suffocating...
            ... No control...

    Then he uses his shield to take on the full brunt of the electrical charge, before he breaks past it and swings his sword trying to maim the cat once more, before sending another row of vines after him.

    Flashing red...
        No escape.

Debuffs. Buffs. It's clear that Cyrus is a Support Mage of sorts. Using his alchemy to reinforce his abilities whenever he can. Using supportive cooldowns that enhance the effects of his potions as he uses them. It's a somewhat complicated fighting style. But in truth, it's harder to read than anything else...

The youth watches Xander approach, and he instinctively drops a firepotion, forcing Xander to rush through the flames to get to him. The electrical charge slams into his body, sending him sailing back into the air, vines grabbing for him in the air and cutting at his legs and feet.

But once in the air, he throws a potion to the air, cane up, stabbing into it.

He swings that cane down, the same move he'd used to finally push back Jurou. A white pulse showing at the tip... then a fierce slim laser rippling over the battlefield. Rushing and circling around Xander a few times, trying to create a sea of detonations around him. To jostle him around and bury him a bit into the ground as those detonations follow right after where the line-laser hits the ground!

    What was it that Nureha tried to voice to him? Concern? Worry? A voice that he couldn't keep it in check. Yes-- something like that. Something like it when she pushed him to the other side.

But he had it under control

Under control
    ... It was never under control.

    The drowning orbs of magic at last start to encircle him, he can't break past them this time. It causes him to drop his shield, his sword to the ground. His claws digging at the magical enchantment.

    Suffocating.
        Drowning
            No control.

    The pillar of light comes for him, but he can't move.

    He can't move.
        He can't take his eyes...

    There was an electrical charge that suddenly danced around him, as his hands slammed down on the ground. Claws digging into the stone, and with one final effort he tried to sling around a massive bolt of electricity.

    ... save them...
        ... Sacrifice

    However it was too late, the pillar of light slams into him, knocking Xander completely back over, shearing his dark scales and body. The electrical charge goes wild for a moment; thankfully the barrier keeps the stands protected.

    ... but now you are alone

    Even as the winner is declared and the crowd lets out a roar of victory for Cyrus. The Salamander doesn't get up right away. His claws dig into the ground once more. When he does start to rise, it is sluggish; slow. His breathing is shaky.

    Get a grip
            But they are dead
    Not now
            I couldn't act fast enough
            I couldn't /save/ them

    Get a GRIP

    Xander at last lets out a roar at the ground, as his fist slams into the stone floor, causing damage to himself with the sheer force. He at last pushes himself up and he looks at Cyrus; But there is no light in those eyes. His words are monotone, forcefully spoken. His hand shaking, but from what? Anger? Frustration?

"Good job and good luck, Cyrus." He then goes to walk off the field, leaving behind his weapon and shield. He just walks out.

Xander is panting and goes to one knee, ripples of lightning coarsing past him and his shields. Deep breaths follow as he spots the bottom of that signal that he was in fact the winner. But he doesn't look up. He is looking to Xander, as he lets out his roar and then stares with that monotone look in his eyes. "Thanks. Good job to you too." Cyrus answers him, while getting up.

As him wandering off, the youth steps up to take the weapon and shield. He remembers Mikage talking about this guy - he figures he'll hand the equipment to her, as she'll more easily manage to meet him. After all, Xander isn't on his personal friends list, and clearly needs a moment alone.

"Oh no! It looks like Cyrus is attacking with all of his status effects. This could be really bad for Xander!" Mikage calls out, and now she is standing at the edge of the platform, some worry on her face. That same sound carries through into her voice as she announces.

"There's Cyrus's attack and..." She doesn't have to say it. The fireworks and <<Winner>> symbol that rises up over Cyrus speaks volumes. The crowd roars.

"What a fight!" There is still a somewhat anxious sound to her voice. Then, she hears that roar and it causes a sinking feeling to fall into her gut. "Crap."

And that is how she ends her day as a Master of Ceremonies, cursing and handing the microphone over to one of the officials as she runs off the administrative platform and down towards the fighter level, intent on tracking down Xander.