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Post by Cap'n Failz on Oct 11, 2012 15:16:24 GMT -6
I am [darkness]
I am [night]I am [vengeance]
I bring [light]  ________________________________
His helmeted gaze stared up at the castle before him, lost in deep thought. During his travels, this place seemed perhaps the most...promising. It reminded him somewhat of his home in its basic structuring. It was well-defended, with a number of soldiers and knights who he had heard were quite powerful in their own right. And it seemed to constantly find itself the subject of strife and conflict. It was all too similar to his own home...though he had often found himself on the agressor side of such conflict. Loathsome as it was, he had done his duty and obeyed his Liege.
There would be but one last thing to know before he could make his decision.
He lowered his gaze and slowly strode forward toward the castle gates. His stride was slow, yet so great was his height and the length of each stride, it still carried him along at a great pace, the enchanted cape at his back fluttering lightly behind him as he went. The echoing clank of his armored footfalls announced his coming several seconds before he arrived at the gates. He was halted by the guards, and stopped obligingly. Of all of the guards of this castle, he had heard of one who was perhaps the most....personable. "I would speak with the one called Sparda, if he is available." His words were soft and gentle, belying his perhaps intimidating stature, but still carried the weight of the wrath that flowed through his veins.
His request relayed, he watched one of the guards depart with the request, and turned from the gate, pacing a handful of steps away, and halted to await a response. He had no other business to tend to, so his patience was limitless.
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Cloak and dagger, [cape and mask]
[Smoke and mirrors], guilty past
thoughts ► Let us see if this city needs another knight at its call.
feelings ► Indifference, tempered by mild curiosity.
[/size][/justify]
[I am the man behind the mask
[/color][/i]][/size] [/center]
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]
A winter breeze, [summer's past]
[the world is broken], I'm just fine
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Post by Sparda on Oct 11, 2012 17:37:29 GMT -6
The mysterious knight at the front gate had mere minutes to wait before the object of his interest strode out to meet him. The heavy double gates leading into the castle itself, opposite the wide courtyard gates beyond which the newcomer stood, swung upon with deceptive quickness and Sparda came strolling forth, stopping across the threshold and regarding the towering, armoured petitioner before him with slightly narrowed eyes.
Whoever this imposing figure was, he had obviously been in the city long enough to have heard Sparda's name and taken some manner of interest in him. The notion was intriguing, to be sure. Carrying himself with an amicable posture, the devil crossed the courtyard towards his hulking interlocutor. Above him, the great windows of the throne room overlooked the frontal courtyard; he was expecting Lori to be watching from that vantage point.
"Good morning, stranger," Sparda opened in greeting, smiling warmly. He waved the standing guards aside as he came to a stop, mere metres from the enormous knight. "And to what do I owe this unusual request for my attention?"
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Post by Cap'n Failz on Oct 11, 2012 17:53:10 GMT -6
I am [darkness]
I am [night]I am [vengeance]
I bring [light] ________________________________
He turned his gaze partially about as he heard the doors to the castle swing open. As Sparda began crossing the courtyard, the towering knight regarded him carefully with the one eye turned toward him. His posture and bearing were as had been spoken of. And while he was far from skilled in the art, the rudimentary magical knowledge he possessed enabled him to sense a faint glimmer of the power sleeping in the devil. This was indeed the one he sought.
Turning about fully as Soarda spoke up, the Black Knight dipped his head in greeting. "And a fair morning to you, as well," he responded. The hollow ringing given to his words by his helmet did not mask the amiable tone to his words, though it did add the ominous 'ghostly' tinge to his words many a soldier had been terrified of for whatever reason struck them.
"The subject of my visit is a simple one, though you may find it odd." He paused for a short moment, as if to gather his words for what he would say next. "I am a knight without a liege to serve, as it were. I have been in this city for only a short while, but what I have heard has taken my interest. I had thought to seek grounding my station here, though I must admit to curiosity on a certain subject." He brought a hand to rest on the hilt of Alondite at his left hip as he continued. "Therefore, it is my question to you. Sparda, the Legendary Dark Knight. Would you consent to something of a duel?" He lifted his gaze slightly, letting his words linger for the briefest of moments. "I would know the strength already arrayed in this city, that I would know if my service even be required."
________________________________
Cloak and dagger, [cape and mask]
[Smoke and mirrors], guilty past
thoughts ► The man physically matches the rumor.
feelings ► Curiosity at the inkling of power.
[/size][/justify]
[I am the man behind the mask
[/color][/i]][/size] [/center]
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]
A winter breeze, [summer's past]
[the world is broken], I'm just fine
________________________________
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Post by Sparda on Oct 13, 2012 11:48:06 GMT -6
The voice that rang from within the full-faced helmet was at once imposingly metallic and warmly human. Within that great, armoured husk, there was a man who seemed thankfully very agreeable at first impression. The air of chivalrous composure about this mountain of a knight had not escaped Sparda's notice.
"A duel?" he confirmed, permitting himself a questioning sideways tilt of his head. He had actually returned from a vicious sparring match with Arix not too long ago, and he hadn't fully wound down from the almost precognitive combat awareness that the Rockstar had forced from him. In this frame of mind, another battle with a brand new opponent sounded rather appealing.
"I would question the necessity of gauging our strength, sir knight," the devil continued. "Her Majesty's enemies are many and powerful, and we gladly welcome all the assistance we can get, so I would petition you to consider standing with us regardless. That said, though..." He trailed off and glanced down at Force Edge, strapped to his hip within a scabbard he himself had crafted. Arix had noticed how he was learning more and more of the finer Merjutsu techniques just from observation, and sheathing his most prized weapon thus gave him the perfect focus for his new skills.
"I'm in the mood for a fight, and it would be inexcusable of me to turn down such a formal challenge." He looked back up at the knight before him, the sunlight flashing almost menacingly across the lens of his monocle. "I accept. Guards, let our esteemed guest through; we'll take this to the training yard and out of the public eye."
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Post by Cap'n Failz on Oct 14, 2012 13:18:46 GMT -6
I am [darkness]
I am [night]I am [vengeance]
I bring [light] ________________________________
"There are other reasons aside from gauging the strength already arrayed, I do not deny that," he admitted, his tone growing a touch more thoughtful. "While I must deign to keep most of them as my own, for the time at least, I can say that I must seek to ensure I have recovered from recent ordeals enough that I would not be hindrance in such matters." For a brief moment, he grew somewhat pensieve as he recalled the events of his battle with the Goddess, Ashera, and what he was sure were his last moments. That he had survived at all was a miracle, not to speak of his being relatively unharmed. Physically unharmed, at any rate.
The glance the devil payed to his weapon did not escape the once-general's notice, and beneath his helmet, his gaze grew somewhat more intrigued. He could sense that his challenge had been accepted even before Sparda spoke up once more. And when he did, the knight merely grinned slightly. This might yet be far more informative than he had initially thought. At the signal for him to be let through, the Black Knight nodded sagely at the guards as the gates were opened. He strode forth through the gates, and would wait for Sparda to lead the way to the training yard he had spoken of.
________________________________
Cloak and dagger, [cape and mask]
[Smoke and mirrors], guilty past
thoughts ► The development of events grows more interesting.
feelings ► Eagerness; curiosity
[/size][/justify]
[I am the man behind the mask
[/color][/i]][/size] [/center]
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]
A winter breeze, [summer's past]
[the world is broken], I'm just fine
________________________________
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Post by Sparda on Oct 24, 2012 16:54:04 GMT -6
As the Black Knight strode on through the gates, which quietly swung shut in his wake, Sparda nodded cordially and turned on his heel.
"So," he began, having decided he might as well attempt some small talk as he led his companion into the castle. The hallways of the ground floor were wide and well-lit. "I'll hazard an assumption and say you're not a native to Genesis," The occasional passing guard or messenger would spare a long, inquisitive glance at the mighty knight who accompanied Sparda through the hallways, his armoured footfalls echoing in heraldry of his passage. "How long have you been here?"
Before long, the two had passed through the main halls and entered the inner training courtyard. It was a wide expanse, walled in on all sides by the castle itself, furnished with fenced enclosures, weapon racks and a medical tent where a team of healers stood by in case of emergencies. The team of Merjutsu trainees under Sparda and Arix's tutelage could usually be seen here, constantly honing their skills. In a smaller enclosure in the corner, in fact, Amilia - Arix's chosen apprentice - was sparring with one of the sergeants beneath her, Smalls.
As he approached the already empty central enclosure, the recruits stepped aside, eyes on him and his companion. The devil opened the gate to the large ring and smiled at the Black Knight. "After you."
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Post by Cap'n Failz on Oct 24, 2012 17:55:11 GMT -6
I am [darkness]
I am [night]I am [vengeance]
I bring [light] ________________________________
The Black Knight followed behind the devil at a distance just over one that a single one of his amssive strides could have covered. But even that was still several feet. He lifted his gaze slightly as his companion spoke up. "You assume correctly." He offered no more immediately, waiting until the follow-up question he knew was to come was spoken. "The dual suns make telling the passage of time here yet difficult," he admitted. "But by my own count, I have been here but a handful of weeks, perhaps two months."
It might have seemed like a fair length of time to most, but to the long lives of the Branded it was less than the blink of an eye, and coupled with his prevalence for long missions and sojourns given to him by his former liege, which often lasted months or years at a time, it was indeed of minimal notice and time to him.
He did not miss the inquisitive glances he received from those they passed in the halls, but merely inclined his head cordially as they passed. His appearance might have been intimidating and ominous, but as a figure under the armor he was at least sociable and polite. It was an odd mix which tended to put most either at ease, or on edge....sometimes both. Always so curious, the mannerisms of normal man...
As they reached the courtyard, the Black Knight spared a long, sweeping glance about it, taking in the sight of all it had to offer. It certainly seemed well-furnished and equipped for a training yard, as it had been called. It was even more well-off than the training fields of such a massive kingdom as Daein or even Begnion....perhaps not quite so large or full as either of them, but just as proportionally used and active.
When Sparda spoke up again, he snapped out of his thoughts, inclining his head in the affirmative. "As you say." And he strode forward through the opened gate, crossing the arena nearly to the other side in but a handful of his massive strides. In one fluid motion, he turned back to face the opposite side, drawing Alondite from its sheathe as he did, and bringing it down to hand loosely in his grasp, a sure sign he was ready.
________________________________
Cloak and dagger, [cape and mask]
[Smoke and mirrors], guilty past
thoughts ► The development of events grows more interesting.
feelings ► Eagerness; curiosity
[/size][/justify]
[I am the man behind the mask
[/color][/i]][/size] [/center]
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]
A winter breeze, [summer's past]
[the world is broken], I'm just fine
________________________________
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Post by Sparda on Oct 25, 2012 15:46:09 GMT -6
The devil stepped into the enclosure behind his companion, shutting the gate behind him; and all of a sudden, all other activity ceased. The trainees stopped their own drills and turned to gather round, drawn by the knowledge that Sparda, widely considered one of Hallowton's mightiest champions alongside Arix, was about to do battle with this imposing new arrival, who himself looked nothing to take lightly.
"So how shall we do this?" the devil asked, his eyes lingering on the immaculate blade of the towering knight's weapon. "First blood, or first to yield?" As he spoke, the Dark Knight laid his left hand upon Force Edge's hilt, gripping lightly, his body tensing and senses sharpening in preparation as the crowd gathered to watch the spectacle about to unfold.
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Post by Cap'n Failz on Oct 29, 2012 0:12:39 GMT -6
I am [darkness]
I am [night]I am [vengeance]
I bring [light] ________________________________
A single sweeping glance about the area alerted him to the ceasing of activity. It would seem that this Sparda taking part in a battle against an unknown foe was worthy of some attention. That only awakened the primal hunger that only those who had known far too much of battle and victory could know. The desire to pit oneself against insurmountable odds and unconquerable foes just for the sole cause of testing one's strength. In a way, that was exactly his reason for his sojourn to this castle today and for this duel.
To ensure he was prepared for a real battle once more.
He rolled his wrist once, lifting his head perhaps an inch or so as if he pondered the answer to the query put to him. With the blessings inlaid upon his armor, a contest to first blood would hardly be fair...the armor's protection was nearly absolute. Nothing that would not pose a risk to everything within several hundred meters would do more than perhaps stagger him... Such a trial would be most unfair, then, indeed. The course was clear then. "I would suggest the first to yield." He did not wish to reveal his reason for it, but if this Sparda was half as perceptive as some rumors said, he would discover why in short order once things got underway.
________________________________
Cloak and dagger, [cape and mask]
[Smoke and mirrors], guilty past
thoughts ► Let us see if this city needs another knight at its call.
feelings ► Indifference, tempered by mild curiosity.
[/size][/justify]
[I am the man behind the mask
[/color][/i]][/size] [/center]
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]
A winter breeze, [summer's past]
[the world is broken], I'm just fine
________________________________
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Post by Sparda on Nov 24, 2012 17:34:52 GMT -6
Sparda nodded his understanding of the Black Knight's answer. On second thought, it would probably be difficult indeed to draw first blood through that imposing suit of armour, especially when Sparda himself had no such protection. No matter - this was merely sparring, after all.
Slowly, the air heavy with anticipation of the display about to be put on, Sparda drew his blade. There came a shrill, metallic ringing as the edge scraped very lightly against the inner wall of the scabbard, a song of readiness rarely heard from the legendary blade. Just as slowly, the devil swept his arm forward, levelling the weapon horizontally and gazing down its length at his opponent.
"...Begin."
He allowed a fleeting moment for the Black Knight to acknowledge that call to action before Sparda lunged forward, sprinting with blinding speed into a low, quick Stinger aimed at a tiny gap between two plates of the knight's armour.
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Post by Cap'n Failz on Nov 24, 2012 17:48:47 GMT -6
I am [darkness]
I am [night]I am [vengeance]
I bring [light] ________________________________
He watched in silent anticipation, masked behind the ominous, faceless visage of his helmet, as Sparda drew his own blade. He could already tell that in terms of reach and immediate range of the weapon itself, he would have a decided advantage over the devil. Though such a thing was far from a deciding factor in a duel -- even in such a sparring match as this one -- but it would make things interesting for the dark knight, to say the least.
As the beginning of the match was called to begin, he lowered his helmeted gaze a fraction of an inch to signify he was ready, though he made no move to adopt any sort of recognizable stance for battle. His sword arm remained hanging lazily at his side, his grip on the sword seeming loose and almost as if the blade could slip through his fingers at any moment. But when he did make a move, it was lightning-quick, and almost impossible to see. Like a silver flash, Alondite's blade swept up in a blazing arc from its position at his lower right side. The power behind the blur of motion became readily apparently, striking like a shell from a cannon despite the relatively minimal range and time he had had to 'wind up' the swing.
The momentuom of the blow barely halted by knocking the Stinger wide of its mark, the blade swept up in a blow that would cleave Sparda's arm off mid-bicep if it should connect.
________________________________
Cloak and dagger, [cape and mask]
[Smoke and mirrors], guilty past
thoughts ► The Legendary Dark Knight...a worthy challenge, if the rumors are even half true.
feelings ► Steele; ready; eager
[/size][/justify]
[I am the man behind the mask
[/color][/i]][/size] [/center]
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]
A winter breeze, [summer's past]
[the world is broken], I'm just fine
________________________________
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Post by Sparda on Nov 30, 2012 15:20:40 GMT -6
He wasn't pulling any punches. Even that short swing had packed colossal force, and was aimed well enough to knock Force Edge aside and slice Sparda's leading arm off in the single swing. The Black Knight clearly knew exactly what he was doing, as expected.
At the very last moment, Sparda hurled himself aside. He was little more than a violet blur, pulling his thrust and spinning around his opponent with deft footwork.Almost in the same moment his Stinger would've hit home, the devil was slashing across the Black Knight's back with a wide, cleaving swing; a precise Bautha Zotreth, honed by near-constant personal training.
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Post by Cap'n Failz on Nov 30, 2012 15:36:15 GMT -6
I am [darkness]
I am [night]I am [vengeance]
I bring [light] ________________________________
As expected, the devil was fast. He was able to not only dodge the oncoming blow so quickly as to appear to have teleported, but in the same instant turn it into an attack against his back. It was an interesting technique, to say the least, and he would need to react just as quickly to avoid it.
As Sparda hurled himself to one side, the Black Knight let the momentum of his own blow carry through, stepping forward into a swift pirouette. Even then, the blade of Force Edge still swept through the Black Knight's cape, though it failed to inflict even the faintest of cuts in the strangely pristine fabric. Displaying surprising dexterity for his massive size and the apparently unwieldiness of his armor, he deftly spun on one heel. Quick as lightning, he brought Alondite to bear once again in a brutal overhand slash, the blade whistling through the air so quickly it was little more than a silvery-white blur.
________________________________
Cloak and dagger, [cape and mask]
[Smoke and mirrors], guilty past
thoughts ► The Legendary Dark Knight...a worthy challenge, if the rumors are even half true.
feelings ► Steele; ready; eager
[/size][/justify]
[I am the man behind the mask
[/color][/i]][/size] [/center]
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]
A winter breeze, [summer's past]
[the world is broken], I'm just fine
________________________________
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