Gareth would have expected to be nauseated by the sudden change in scenery. He was, a little. As he gained his bearings he noticed that he wasn't him anymore. He heard a voice speaking inside his head, the same one that interrupted his conversation. He couldn't tell you what it said verbatim, but he was rather quickly filled with a strange knowledge he didn't have before...

He knew the cards were used to do battle. He saw a black, shadowy figure standing across the swamp from him. His instincts told him that he probably didn't mean well. Time to fight.

The swamp in front of him erupts in smoke, as if it had been set alight. The smoke blows away to reveal a rotted unit of Foul Marksmen. The call of "FIRE!" is heard, and they begin to loose their arrows in an arc.

A Throwing Chakram appears in his hand, and using the marksmen as a distraction, he casts it, attempting to bounce it off a tree and around the marksmen, then into his opponent.

He decides to not use up too many of his resources before he knows what his opponent can do, and assumes a stance optimised for dodging.

The distortion surrounding Mayuri began as soon as she uttered the final word of her monologue, bringing about the same darkness she felt before, but stronger. Instead of shade, she felt a pure, pitch black darkness surround her being, encompassing her. The dizziness came once more, and her vision began to blur, and a voice just like last time. Yet when it faded, again as quickly as it began, Mayuri found that she was in a new location, one completely unfamiliar to her.
And as she felt herself become one with her battlemage, a new persona emerged.

Izayoi stared down his opponent with a fierce glare, watching with the same readiness he would when still alive. As the pair's knowledge of the game merged together, Mayuri felt herself understanding quickly what she had to do and how she would accomplish it. There was a strategy her grandfather used to play when she was little, and they would play with fake copies of the antique cards. It made her really upset whenever he used it because she always lost when he did use it. Naturally, this made her a bit upset. While she felt it could be a little under-handed, she wanted to make sure she would be starting the battle with her best possible odds of winning.
Besides, Gareth wasn't exactly wasting time in trying to hit her...
Izayoi's skin begins to take a dark green hue, turning skin to scales as Mayuri made her first card, Lizard Fighter, play. She didn't want to deal with getting easily shot by the Foul Marksmen, and so instead leaped up into the air, attempting to get over the arrows and rushing the Foul Marksman once Izayoi landed.

As he landed, Mayuri played her second card, Timber Pack, and third card, Etheral Wolf. She remembered her grandfather always made terrain an important factor in their battles, and the swamp was dark, which would allow the Etheral Wolf to go largely unnoticed. In a commanding tone, Izayoi ordered:
'Wolves, consume the enemy Battlemage, using the haze to your advantage!'
As he himself continued the charge against the Foul Marksmen as a Lizard Fighter, the swordmaster mentally prepared himself, Izayoi ready to leap around the battlefield to avoid incoming fire when necessary.

---

1. Izayoi attempts to jump over the arrows as a Lizard Fighter.
2. Izayoi summons Timber Pack and Etheral Wolf, ordering both to target the enemy Battlemage.
3. While they target Jacques, Izayoi attacks the Foul Marksmen in a frontal assault, using agility and a spear to combat the enemy.

The Foul Marksmen took careful aim, the murky swamp puddles and thick air made them take a little longer to aim their attacks, but they fired their volley regardless. Unluckily for them, they started late enough for their vision to be partially obscured by the haze of the Timber Pack.

Izayoi's Lizard Fighter Transformation gave him the ability to attempt a mighty jump over the arc of the arrows, but the murky floor of the swamp made his jump slow and clumsy, and he was stuck by two arrows for a total of 10% with his transformation halfway damaged in terms of life force. But he was able to dodge the Thowing Chakram which hit one of the Timber wolves instead. But his advance on Jacques was halted as he was floored by the projectiles.

The remaining timber pack managed to all get close enough for a bite of Jacques for a total of 14% Damage. The Etheral Wolf was stalking slowly, still making his way over to his opponent, but almost invisible in the darkness of the swamp.

Izayoi: 90 %
Jacques: 86 %

Lizard Fighter (transformation) and Etheral Wolf are still in play.

Okay, ranged combat really doesn't work. He's too quick. He thought, analysing his situation.

If he tried to attack with a bow, Izayoi would simply get out of the way. Out of the question

If he summoned units they wouldn't be fast enough to get to him, plus there was still one more wolf somewhere...

He didn't have anything to try to defend with... Unless... A good offense is the best defense. An ambush could work nicely, especially as he seems rather aggressive.

He decided that the ambush was the way to go. Standing still would give it away, so he rushes towards Izayoi, preparing to play Frontline Centurion and Wily Blacksmith as soon as he gets in range, in a pincer attack formation of sorts. He orders them to attack.

The air near Jacques' hands solidify. Gareth is amazed at this, but Jacques knows exactly what to do. While Izayoi is distracted, he attacks with an Arcane Longsword in one hand, and the Sword Breaker in the other.

---

Jacques does the following actions:

1. Jacques runs toward Izayoi, baiting an attack against an unarmed target.
2. Jacques summons a Frontline Centurion and a Wily Blacksmith in a pincer attack as soon as he is in range (~5 feet), and order these units to attack.
3. Jacques will use the time it takes Izayoi to block to launch an attack with an Arcane Longsword and a Sword Breaker.

Both these attacks gain a damage bonus from the Wily Blacksmith

'The wolf stalks his prey...'
Izayoi takes a step back from the deceased Foul Marksmen, scanning quickly for his target. It doesn't take him long: Jacques is close, seeing as he would be right behind the Foul Marksmen. 'Perfect...' He mutters to himself, as three more support creatures appear by his side:
Two Patrol Hounds and a single Man-Wolf. As a Lizard Fighter, Izayoi didn't need to summon weapons just yet, and instead opted to use up his transformation completely. The plan was to overwhelm the enemy with unrelenting sneak attacks; the wolves would join the Etheral Wolf and target Jacques, whereas the Man-Wolf would stay by Izayoi's side, protecting him from harm. The extended lifespan of the Man-Wolf from the three other wolves would provide it with some much-needed longevity, allowing it to deal more damage for longer. With the other wolves masking their presence, that longevity would presumably last longer.

'Wolves, stalk the enemy Battlemage through the haze and darkness. Wait for the perfect opportunity to strike. Man-Wolf, fight alongside me and protect me - draw on the strength of your brothers for a longer life.'
Izayoi's order was just long enough to be said before he was rushed by Jacques. With instinct he leaped into the air, using his spear to help catapult himself over Jacques so he could land behind him. Even if he landed a little close to him, he could use the spear to help propel him further along, planting it in the ground before he landed to give him just a little extra air.
That did leave the Man-Wolf alone to deal with the ambush, however Izayoi hoped its sheer ferocious strength could buy it time, if not kill an enemy support. Or attack Jacques.

---

1. Izayoi summons two Patrol Hounds and a Man-Wolf, ordering the hounds to hide in the swamp and attack at their discretion.
2. The Man-Wolf is ordered to protect Izayoi.
3. As Jacques rushes in (and he is very close), Izayoi uses the Lizard Fighter's spear to leap a great distance over Jacques, hoping to land behind him. He will use the spear gain as much distance as possible.
4. The Man-Wolf will be left in the middle of the ambush. Izayoi hopes it will live thanks to the extra support from the other wolves on the field, and deal significant damage to either other supports or Jacques himself, though has left that to the Man-Wolf's instincts to decide.

The dead swamp was now rife with action, both Jacques and Izayoi had thought out their next moves very carefully, and their teacher Nishikii could do nothing but 'watch' as he used his abilities to track the ethereal movements of the battlemages.

Jacques decided to rush towards, his opponent with a Centurion and Blacksmith, wielding two swords in tandem. Because the drifter Jaques was originally from the chess islands the swamp environment was not totally alien to him, and was able to navigate the murky floor with some effort.

Izayoi in Lizard Fighter form was again hindered by the swamp terrain, and his pole vault maneuver had him fall short in front of Jacques, significantly off balance! Jaqcues managed to hit him with the Sword-breaker for 14% (boosted because of the wily blacksmith) damage which was enough to finish off the rest of the lizard fighter transformation and attempted to follow with the Arcane Longsword, but the Loyal Man Wolf jumped in the way to take the attack for his master. Although powerful, the Man-Wolf's increased life was enough to sustain the hit and keep fighting. He then countered the attack, swiping with his own claws for 6% Damage.

Now reeling from the Man-Wolf, Jacques felt the cold terrible bite of the Etheral Wolf, who was pretty much invisible to him up to this point, biting his blind side for 10%, The Etheral Wolf then discarded itself after its lengthy time on the battlefield.

The Patrol Hounds were both making their approach to attack Jacques, but the Frontline Centurion with his improved blade was slowly getting himself in position. As one Patrol hound leapt towards Jacques the soldier positioned himself perfectly in defense, bashing the wolf midair and then peircing the hound's throat with his gladius in one fluid motion. Saluting to his master and plodding carefully to where the Man-wolf was.

Jacques: 70%
Izayoi: 76%

Man-Wolf, Patrol Hound, Frontline Centurion and Wily Blacksmith are still in play.

Jacques breathes a sigh of relief when the lizard shrivels on contact with his blade. He couldn't breathe easy quite yet, though. There were still two enemy support creatures on the field, and only one of them was covered. The man wolf must be fast, it intercepted a sword stroke with its body.

Although he was still at a life, positioning, and numbers disadvantage, he had an idea. It involved... lots of damage.

The only complication was this Man-Wolf. He darts around it, exposing Izayoi. He then summons a Sturdy Sentry between himself and the wolf. He orders it to defend him from the Man-Wolf, and then orders the Frontline Centurion to attack the Patrol Hound. Using his positioning, he carves a deadly arc through the air with an Arcane Longsword, more intending to make Izayoi recoil than to actually deal damage.

Attempting to use the time he gets from the recoil, Jacques summons his prize card, the Quartermaster on the opposite side of Izayoi to him. "Attack him from behind, and grant me the Sword Breaker and two Arcane Longswords!" He orders. He felt the cards return to him, ready for immediate use, if he so wished.

He didn't wish, however. He had a much better idea in mind. The Battle Halberd materialises. Taking it in both hands, Jacques swings the most buffed attack he can. He had the strength of both the Quartermaster and the Wily Blacksmith boosting the already powerful slash of the Battle Halberd, directing the slash toward Izayoi's torso.

---

0. Jacques sidestepps around the Man-Wolf. (no card used, so I listed it as 0)
1. Jacques summons a Sturdy Sentry between himself and the Man-Wolf, ordering it to defend him against the Man Wolf, and orders the Frontline Centurion to attack the Patrol Hound.
2. Jacques attacks Izayoi with an Arcane Longsword. (Gaining extra damage from the Wily Blacksmith)
3. Jacques summons the Quartermaster on the other side of Izayoi, recovering the Sword Breaker, and two Arcane Longswords. The Quartermaster is ordered to attack Izayoi.
4. Jacques slashes at Izayoi with a Battle Halberd. (Gaining extra damage from the Wily Blacksmith, due to using the edge, and the Quartermaster with his ETB conditional effect.)

The Lizard Fighter's lost form wasn't a surprise to Izayoi, but very much a concern. The hardened scales of the Lizard Fighter allowed him to strike more recklessly. He knew he had to be more careful and calm given his defensive transformation had been played.
And given the fact Jacques was making a move.
The enemy battlemage attempted to strike him with an Arcane Longsword, which Izayoi attempts to dodge. With his current cards there was no way for him to intercept the blow, and he didn't want to lose a Man-Wolf.

He had to carve a path. The easiest way, Izayoi figured, would be through the blacksmith - the one who didn't attack anything on the field despite its close proximity. A passive support. Of course, that could simply be a ploy and she could actually be a trap support, baiting him for another ambush.
That was a risk Izayoi couldn't take. But there was little in the way of options.

If he could get out, the haze from the Timber Pack would allow him to engage in hit-and-run tactics, as well as lessen the effectiveness of his opponents supports. Seeing as they were so close though, it would be hard to break through without some serious force.
So, Izayoi decided to employ brute force.
A Patrol Hound is summoned behind Wily the Blacksmith, and a Man-Wolf sandwiching Jacques. A Spiked Club appears in Izayoi's hands, and he makes his commands quickly: 'Wolves, attack the closest enemy!'
This would leave one Patrol Hound to attack Wily the Blacksmith, a Man-Wolf to attack Jacques, another Man-Wolf to strike the Sturdy Sentry, and the final Patrol Hound to attack the Frontline Centurion. Unfortunately that left the Quartermaster free of damage, and free to make an attack...

Izayoi himself had little options but to strike Wily the Blacksmith and hope the combined attack with the Patrol Hound to be enough to destroy the support, so he could charge through. He put as much momentous force into the Spiked Club, however the attack was slow, to say the least. Regardless of the outcome, Izayoi attempts to run past Wily the Blacksmith and gain some distance.

---

1. Izayoi attempts to dodge Jacques' Arcane Longsword.
2. Izayoi summons the Patrol Hound behind Wily the Blacksmith and Man-Wolf behind Jacques. Izayoi summons a Spiked Club in his hands.
3. Izayoi orders the wolves to attack the closest enemy, each being:

• Patrol Hound 1 attacks Frontline Centurion directly.
• Patrol Hound 2 attacks Wily the Blacksmith from behind.
• Man-Wolf 1 attacks Sturdy Sentry directly.
• Man-Wolf 2 attacks Jacques from behind.

4. If not destroyed already, Izayoi strikes Wily the Blacksmith with a Spiked Club. Regardless, he attempts to run past Wily the Blacksmith to avoid further damage from behind.

The two battle mages were crackling with magic as each card was tearing into the realm of the swamps reality, changing the usually dark grey sky into a light green. Sparks will fly.

The sidestep Jacques attempted was a little clumsy because of the floor, but it was fine as the Man Wolf went for the Sturdy Sentry. The power of his wolf brothers made his vitality something very terrifying, his eyes glowing red from the Lycan Lifeforce. The Sentry attempted a turning shoulder charge against the rabid monster, but wasn't able to establish a strong center of gravity because of the muddy swamp floor. The Man-Wolf overpowered the solider and knocked him to the side. Tackling him to the floor and mauling him with tooth and claw. But the brave Sentry was still fighting back, hacking and beating the beast with the hilt of his sword, although he was clearly on the losing end of the struggle.

Meanwhile Jacques himself was able to swing his Arcane Longsword at Izayoi and strike him across the chest. The crafty samurai wasn't able to dodge fast enough at such close range. The super powered sword hit Izayoi for a whopping 31% damage! And the effect of the sword made him discard one of his Kunai.

The Frontline Centurion was still in fighting form and faced off against another Patrol Hound, the hound charged but did not jump like the others and managed to nip at the centurion's leg, hit and run style and the Centurion missed his counter against the fairly small hound. He turned to face the dog again for another 'round'.

The Wily Blacksmith could do very little but scream as the Patrol Hound tore into her face, dropping her magic tools and meeting a grisly death. The Patrol Hound then quickly licked his chops and went to start ravaging the downed Sturdy Sentry that the Man-Wolf was already getting the better of and was able to finish off the knight fairly quickly, now that his sword power had been decreased due the blacksmith's death.

The Quartermaster came on to the field like a heavily armed genie and granted Jacques some of his discarded weapons back, he was ordered to attack but being a summon, he simply shrugged and vanished promptly.

The two battlemages now face each other, with the Samurai done recoiling from the Arcane Longsword, swinging back hard with his Spiked Club and clocking Jacques for 15% Damage. Jacques then attempted to counter once more with a Battle Halberd but the slow weapon didn't strike Izayoi in time until the 2nd Man-Wolf bit hard into his shoulder doing another 8% damage and causing his weapon attack to fail.

Izayoi: 45%
Jacques: 47%

Man-Wolf 1 & 2, Patrol Hound 1 & 2 and Frontline Centurion are still in play.

Izayoi turned and ran, smacking Jacques with his club on his way out. Jacques wasn't very happy with his situation. He needed to get out of there, so on a whim, he sprinted after Izayoi.

Just as he got past the Man-Wolves, he summoned a Sturdy Sentry behind him. He ordered it to hold off the wolves, using its sword this time, and focus on defense.

He ran across the swamp, using his familiarity with swamps to outrun Izayoi. While he's running, he summons two Arcane Longswords, and prepares to parry with one. With the other one he attacks Izayoi from behind, swinging low, towards the legs. He wanted to send Izayoi face-down in the mud, but he'd take anything at this point.

He didn't want to use his last sword, so called forth a Battle Halberd instead, opting for a gravity-assisted downwards swing if Izayoi fell over with the leg slash.

As a final action, he brings his other Arcane longsword in a swing.

---

• Jacques pursues Izayoi through the swamp, using another Sturdy Sentry for breif cover.
• Jacques plays two Arcane Longswords. He holds one for parrying, and swings at Izayoi's legs with the other one.
• Jacques plays a Battle Halberd, attacking Izayoi with it.
• Jacques attacks with the last Arcane Longsword after everything else has happened.

Izayoi wasn't about to let Jacques get near him. A bright light in his hands reveals itself to be a Bandit Sling, and, in a bold move of courage (and perhaps stupidity), Izayoi stopped dead in his tracks, feet firmly planted. His arms spin around and, instantly seeing his target, draws and releases the sling, hoping the projectile in question, if not overly dangerous, would at least cause him to dodge and slow his advance.

Immediately as soon as the sling discards from use, two more weapons appear in his hands: a pair of Thorn Whips. With these, Izayoi strikes fast, intending on not letting Jacques avoid them. Though low in damage, he hopes that the pair will either slow his advance enough for him to dodge a strike from Jacques, or deal considerable damage with both weapons. He would do the best he could to avoid taking the full force of an Arcane Longsword, however wouldn't compromise his mobility to do so.

While trying to avoid the swords, he orders his wolves: 'Patrol Hounds, hunt the one on the floor! Man-Wolves, kill the sentry and come to my aid!'
He could feel his energy beginning to give out. The pain from the fighting was undoubtedly taking its toll on not only Izayoi's body, but Mayuri's too. However, she had resigned herself to an alternate persona to deal with the pain, as well as continue fighting.

---

1. Izayoi stops in his tracks and spins around, Bandit Sling firing directly at Jacques.
2. As soon as the Bandit Sling dispels, a pair of Thorn Whips form in his hands, attempting to deal as much damage as possible.
3. Izayoi orders the Patrol Hounds to kill the grounded Frontline Centurion, and the Man-Wolves to come to him, killing the Sturdy Sentry in their way.
4. Izayoi attempts to dodge the strikes made by Jacques, however won't risk getting grounded to do so.