[center][hider=Current Track][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UklYVHHQ4Bk[/youtube][/hider][/center]


(Gonna edit this when I'm more awake. Sorry if it reads choppily.)
Zephyr was, in a word, captivated. The lightshow that sailed out of Kano’s sleeves like a superb magic show single-handedly captured the youth’s reticent gaze. He was undoubtedly left in awe at the spectacle. Such a sight brought about the realization of how little he truly knew about the world’s wonders, and how much there was to explore. Even a former nomad didn’t know everything, regardless of how many vistas they have been graced with. The streaks of light retained its grasp on his attention and dragged his eyes along their purposive arcs. The sparkles greeted the air and embraced the earth and progressively took form. Life was breathed into the glistening foundations, rendering various manifestations of the elements. Entranced by their appearances, Zephyr watched silently as they drifted off from their spawn points and spaced themselves. It was apparent which one he would be facing off against. 

It stuck out like a sore thumb, a mountain among many molehills. An amalgamation of light and dark, two antitheses that starkly contrasted with one another, now tuned into a composition of perfect harmony. Kano’s words only affirmed the decision Zephyr had already set himself upon. Instead of any interaction on the verbal plane, the boy merely offered his mentor a slight nod before he advanced towards the battle was soon to ensue.

He could already feel the incessant thumping of the colossus slamming its clawed hands into the raised earth as soon as he set foot onto the platform. The boy beamed at his opponent, scrutinizing every facet that comprised the elemental. It had no discernable midsection between its head and body. Zephyr could sense the constant faint hum of shadow coursing through every inch of its being. He felt each morsel of its existence. The student could only describe the sensation as deafening. To him the foe was one of the most foreign things he has ever encountered, despite that for all intents and purposes it was his brethren. Though there was one finite quality that delineated the colossus from the youth: It had a heart of light. The other party’s bearing was more up for debate.

Standing at nine feet, it easily towered over the boy. It may have completely overtaken him with its shadow if it wasn’t for the fact that it was absorbing all of the darkness around them. Through its eyes Zephyr must have looked like a fine dish served on a sparkling clean silver platter. Slits of pulsating light squinted in deep study. The youth met the stared daggers head on with his composed an inexpressive demeanor. He gave no sign of angst, which may have just angered the colossus. Remaining at the opposite end of the field, Zephyr slipped off his satchel and deposited it in a safe spot. From here, he performed the usual ritual preceding a battle.

Even though he was currently faced with a not so patient opponent, Zephyr nonchalantly grabbed the headphones around his neck and slipped them over his ears. The boy then produced his cellphone and skimmed through the assortment of playlists meticulously organized with every ounce of his attention. Music was one of the few things he spent time unproductively on. A couple flicks later and his finger stopped over a certain song. [color=#d40b0b]”Ah, right, this remix. Sure, this works.”[/color] He murmured to himself as he clicked play and pocketed the phone.

With the colossus growing restless the darkness user decided it would be best to not delay the trial any longer. He was aware that this whole shebang was just something to get the adrenaline flowing, but since this was Kano in the equation, the challenges facing the students were surely not to be taken lightly. Having remained essentially motionless this whole time, the colossus perked up when the youth finally moved, raising his right arm to a perfect ninety degree angle to line up with his shoulder. 

Initially nothing transpired. To his foe, Zephyr must have looked like a nutjob. But after a few moments of silence and muffled grunts from the elemental there was a change. A thin but fairly visible line of darkness slithered its way up the boy’s side. It clung tightly to every crease of his skin during its ascent. It then wrapped itself around his arm as if it intended to constrict the ligament, but this would be proven false, since the darkness ended up sinking into the sleeve of the formal apparel instead. The essence was his soul materialized. His shadow has been with him since birth and will not abandon him even after death. He lethargically raised his other arm at level with the one already outstretched. Under a low breath the boy gave his resolute command.

[color=#d40b0b]”Azrael, to me.”[/color]

The premonition Gus made back in the forest didn't stray too far from the truth.

Darkness instantly shot through both grips and hardened into the form of a shaft. A curved blade manifested from the post just as quickly. He adjusted his stance to complement the scythe and fixed his handling on the weapon. The weapon’s design was simplistic, almost provisional. It lacked any noteworthy qualities and was overall dull in taste. Zephyr noticed his own reflection in the blade’s umbral luster. He released one of his hands from the scythe and fixated it vertically. The two only beings on the platform locked eyes yet again. The sound of the shaft slamming into the earth signified the beginning of the battle, followed by the parties rushing each other head on. Neither wavered from their course, only pressing onwards until the imminent clash. The colossus had already reeled back it arm in preparation for a straightforward punch, and Zephyr had the feeling that a direct hit would send him flying back a few meters- potentially off the platform. 

Before the two collided, the human skidded to a halt and stilled himself in spite of the punch flying straight for him. He quickly issued another command, [color=#d40b0b]”Facade.”[/color] Before the colossus’ fist to connect with Zephyr’s face, the boy’s shadow raced forward and took the form of an abstract wall. [i]Facade[/i] was giving it far too much credit. Despite itw gelatinous and unrefined appearance it was ultimately impermeable, sporting the same solidity as metal. Shadows exploded from the colossus’ strike and flew off without aim, quickly enshrouding Zephyr’s fortification and himself in the darkness.

The boy rocketed through the dark mist and soared into the air with Azrael raised high over his head, its blade poised to sink into its target. The colossus’ angled its head upwards to trace Zephyr’s swift form and leaped back just as the student came down onto his assailant. The blade sunk deep into the spot where the shadowy enemy had stood, but had thoroughly lodged itself in the earth. With his whole body wrapped around the pole, the youth swung his weight back and then forward, using the built up momentum to press the assault on the colossus. Dirt flew into the air when the blade was torn free from the ground. Not wanting to give his opponent even a moment of respite, Zephyr lowered his stature and executed coordinated swings at the colossus. Even with its bulky figure it managed to dodge or block the boy’s attacks, but as he had intended, the colossus wasn’t given a window to sneak in a punch. He shifted his grip on the post and lead the blade through the foe’s arm. The tip of Azrael protruded from the top of the appendage, a clear sign that he had made through the colossus’ bulky arm. From here, Zephyr yanked back hard, dragging the curved weapon through the ligament like butter and parting it into two separate halves.

The boy deftly leaped back and attentively analyzed the current state of his opponent. As he had predicted, the colossus’ arm regenerated at an alarming rate. The darkness that had bled out was vacuumed back from its source, as if time was being reversed. Obviously Zephyr didn’t intend to get through this one abiding by the book of [i]Hack and Slash[/i]. He was gauging his foe. Unsurprisingly, the colossus was doing just the same. They were analyzing each other, noting their individual shortcomings and how to exploit them. And right now, the elemental harbored the ability to outlast the youth and beat the living hell out of him. On top of that, it was a hybrid of light and darkness. Chances are it could utilize light in a manner that would neutralize Zeph’s weapons, which he would have to steer clear of. 

The fight had only just started.