Auz sat on a stump, polishing his sword. He was waiting for someone. A month prior, he had heard rumors of a supernatural warrior that frequented these parts. How does one get the attention of so rare and fearsome an opponent? Easy. Spread shitty rumors about their mother, and openly declare, in every tavern and pub, precisely what you'll do with their dismembered corpse. With power comes pride. Auz had little doubt the bastard would come and find him.
Nestled within a bushel of tree branches, Xavier stood upon a thick tree branch with his left hand resting against the tree. From within their cover he spied upon the man sitting upon the stump, his brow furrowed in a rough glare as the dark crimson light of his eyes smoldered in anger. There was something strange about this land that had caused the majority of his powers to be sealed away only to be seen on random occasions. Thankfully though he found that his physical enhancements were there to stay and so even though he was more than 150 paces from the man it was very clear that he matched the description of the big mouthed fool from town. Sunken black eyes, piss blonde hair in a butchered bowl cut and his starving face. Xavier replayed what was claimed to have been said by this man and in the beginning it had made him laugh. It had been well over 10 lifetimes since he had seen his mother so it wasn’t until the man claimed to befoul a corpse he could not create that Xavier dropped his mug and marched into the forest.
Now as he stood and stared while stewing on the matter his free hand began to twitch and throb before thin streams of blood began to ooze from the pores on his hand. Even his blood had been affected, it wasn’t as easy to will it into action and its form was easily broken if he lost physical contact. Within a few seconds he held a handful of blood and his hand returned to normal just before the blood jumped and took the shape of slender dagger. Gripping its hilt tightly in hand he leapt from the branch he stood on to the one infront of him, repeating this loud process until he would leap from a tree not more than 50 paces infront of the man. Taking no effort to conceal himself Xavier heaved the dagger in his hand at the man, the blade glistening from tip to hilt as it left his hand. Xavier would land 40 paces away from the man as the blade flew towards his target allowing his attack to introduce him. Should the blade hit the man it would simply break on impact, folding into a blood stain in an instant. The same would happen if it should miss and hit dirt.
Auz wasn't exactly the most cautious of warriors. Being able to return from the dead can have that effect on you. The blood knife splatted against Auz's chestplate.
Auz blinked in surprise, and swept a finger over the blood. He'd give it a sniff. Then a little taste. With a retch he leaned over and spat it out, panting. After a few moments of struggling not to throw up, Auz finally gave his attention to the newcomer. He stood up, tapping his sword against a plated boot.
"You threw blood on me. Actual blood. I hope to God you don't have diabetes or something. Do you at all realise how disgusting that is? I mean, who throws blood at people? Seriously?"
Confusion danced across Xaviers face as he could feel the weak impact of his blade. Such a reaction was unexpected, he had hoped for something just a tad more violent. Things were going to have to be much more hands on this time around.
With a quiet chuckle Xavier shakes his head and makes eye contact with Auz. Hiding his right hand behind his back as it began to throb and fill with his blood once again. This time however Xavier allowed it to gather, trying to collect more of his metal for a bigger weapon.
"You will need a stronger stomach than that tonight my friend" Xavier spoke, his attention never weigning. "Before the day is out, you will see much more blood than that."
Auz swung his sword back and forth a few times, warming up. He already had his helm on his head and the buckler strapped to his forearm. He then frowned, eyes flicking down to his breastplate; there was a dented in puncture mark where the dagger had struck. Odd. He'd never seen blood do that before.
"Besides, I hardly think the day will be out before we're done. You will be, though."
Auz dipped his sword low, point six inches from the ground, gripping the hilt in both hands almost like how one holds a golf club. His left arm was bent at the elbow though, instead of straightened out. He widened his stance, left foot forwards, and having readied himself, rolled his neck to an accompaniment of cracking joints.
Xaviers brow furrowed once again and he opened his mouth for a rebuttle, but closed it soon after. Only to open it again, the glare on his brow lessening as he fought the onset of a smirk before closing his mouth again.
"Fuck off." he shot in reply, no longer hiding his smirk. Perhaps there was more to this man than a first look could see. Experience had taught him to separate arrogance and confidence and while this man oozed both of them. The man still held himself with surety. Even while knowing exactly who he was up against. Maybe the battle could even turn out...fun after all.
Taking in a deep breath Xavier tensed the muscles in his legs, lightly angling his upper body towards the man. Behind his back his right hand still collected blood, amassing over two handfuls in a jiggling mound in his palm. In an instant Xavier was mobile, using his left leg to throw him forward and causing him to accerlerate at an incredible rate towards Auz. Covering 43 of the remaining 50 paces in 4 bounds and 4 seconds. In the moment he first moved, so did the blood he held in his hand. Restructuring itself into the shape of a long rod, as there was not yet enough blood to create anything larger. The rod was 4 foot long and 1 inch thick when it took a solid metallic form, glistening with a dark red hue. Being held dead center at the 2ft mark so that only that exact amount would have to be hidden behind his back.
On the 4th bound he would land on his left foot, shifting his legs quickly so that his right was infront but not yet on the ground. With a quick thrust of his left leg Xavier slid himself along the ground the instant his right foot made contact, taking a wide stance himself while sliding an extra foot towards Auz. Putting him at a perfect striking distance with his 2ft reach.
As he slid Xavier would rotate his right wrist and arm to bring the rod into view, slamming it forward without any pull back. The metal shifting position of its own accord so that Xavier held thr very base of the rod instead of the center. Xavier Utlized the torque of his wrist to align the rod and add more power as he swung. Never once stopping his blood from feeding into the rod. The target would be the mans left hand side and a direct hit would surely crush at least the armor there. As even such a weakly initiated blow at Xaviers hand could surpass that of a master human striker.
Started at 50 paces.(feet) Closed 43 of them in 4 large steps. (7 remaining.) 1 extra foot to 44 in slide.(6 remaining) 4 foot rod and two foot reach make for a possible contact.
Auz bent his knees at the ready, only to gasp when his opponent shot forwards with more speed than he had seen anyone move with before. Auz had only a few seconds to contemplate a course of action. In those scant moments, he pieced together a few things.
The faster something moves, the harder it is for it to slow down. His opponent was bipedal and not as well armored, at least at first glance. Auz waited until Xavier was one bound away from attacking before he put those factors to use. He threw himself down into a tuck and roll to barrel into the rushing enemy's legs mid-stride (so that his upper back would impact Xavier's knees), releasing his left handed grip on his sword in order to raise his buckler up to guard against any attacks that might be aimed at his head and crossing his right arm over his midsection to keep his sword more or less out of the way. Auz's chin would be ducked behind the crook of his left shoulder, effectively insulating him from being knocked out by a miraculously timed knee or kick, by way of making it harder for his brain to be rocked. Not likely, but one doesn't get very far without being prepared. Auz was daring, not stupid.
The crazy counter Auz had launched might damage Xavier's legs and, probably moreso, send him tumbling head over heels like a runaway pinwheel if it worked well.
A short gasp slipped from Xaviers lips as his opponent lurched forward, attempting to slam his feet down in an emergency brake. The instant his foot hit so did Auz, the impact stopping the majority of Xaviers forward momentum. The remainder went to his upper body, sending him reeling over Auz in an instant. In this moment it was all he could do to reach down with his left hand and put it near Auz, calling to the blood there. What had not dried yet bubbled at the surface for an instant before lifting from the cuirass and onto his skin.
The extra blood was only a half handful, but it was enough to allow a 2 foot growth of his rod (oh yeah) as it transferred into his body. Now almost completely upside down Xavier thrust his hand and rod down towards the ground. The tip flattened just before impact, widening to the shape of a teacup saucer so that when it slammed on the ground it would resist penetration and propel him into the air. With a swift curl of the legs and a shift of his body weight Xavier flipped to reorient himself, landing 6 paces from the man. The tip of the now 6 foot rod thinning out so that he could slam it two feet into the ground as he dropped to a knee on impact.
"Quick Reflexes." the smirk was now a tiny psychotic smile. The hit left his legs a little sore, but his superior muscular density prevented serious injury.
While taking a very long and deep breath Xavier visibly tensed his right hand. For a moment his hand swelled before 'popping' and allowing blood to ooze from every pore onto the rod. This was intended to make the weapon grow, but its change was not visible on the portion out of the ground.
Auz sprang to his feet at about the same time Xavier did. He eyed the bloody hand, the crimson rod, then darted a look at his breastplate. Gears turned, pieces fell into place.
And, matching Xavier's smirk with a sardonic grin of his own, Aux neatly took a sharp step to his right, angling his left flank towards Xavier in order to preemptively evade what he guessed would be a piston of deadly blood shooting up from the spot he had just been standing in.
Or perhaps there was no secret attack. Auz might have just miscalculated his opponent's abilities. It never hurt to be paranoid though. If Xavier couldn't burrow through the ground with his blood, then it'd just look like Auz had assumed a curt side stance, left hand grabbing the midblade of his sword which was held up over his head. The point was levelled in Xavier's direction.
A guttural growl rumbled from within Xaviers chest as his muscles began to flex. The earth at his feet began to audibly and visibly crack before Xavier managed to get the rod the twist, a nearly perfect circle of stone twisting in the earth with it. With a grunt Xavier heaved the rod from the ground, revealing a 2 foot club of stone attached to the end. Xavier had used the last surge of blood to create a rough metal webbing throughout the stone. Allowing its form to stay firm as he heaved it back over his shoulder.
Though the weight of the rod was increased drastically, Xavier still swung it as though it were a piece if rebar. Rather than stepping into the swing, Xavier reeled back one step and withdrew the metallic webbing from the stone back into the rod. Commanding a minor change in the rods circumference within the stone so it would slip away with ease. The stone flew from the rod with haste, flying horizontally at the man from 6 feet away.
Watching the stone fly, the rod shifted its form once again. Melting into itself now. It created a finely detailed hilt before expaning to create the beginning of a blade. What it began to create was 10 inches wide and 2 inches thick. However its creation halted after 2 feet without the blades tip being created. It only took an instant to attempt the creation. At its failing Xavier cursed, the form molding back as his hand began to throb once again.
I see it as around 6-7 seconds from growl to throw.
Auz sprang forwards as Xavier strained to free his stone implement, but not to attack immediately; he sought to enter deep within his opponent's guard, intending to plant his right boot betwixt Xavier's own two shoes at about the same time as the stone chunk would have been slung back over Xavier's shoulder. Auz's intent was fairly obvious. He desired to see Xavier attack first, in order to counter said attack from up close so that the difference in speed (Xavier being faster at the moment) wouldn't matter quite so much. At this range, it could be anyone's game. Should Xavier step back and swing his club down, Auz would step sharply after him and with the force garnered from gripping his weapon with both hands, drive the tip down towards the base of Xavier's throat from less than a foot away.
Rather than make any move to defend himself, Xavier only grinned as the man closed the distance. As Auzs foot fell and the club pressed on Xaviers shoulder, the metallic webbing holding the club retracted, but the stone held firm now. With the club on his shoulder the angle was almost to perfect and the man was dangerously close. The rods position changed in an instant without Xavier physically signalling it . The base elongating at an incredible rate towards the center of Auzs breastplate. It would extend for an extra foot beyond the impact point. If he did not move in time the impact would be substantial. Enough to buckle the metal and potentially knock him off balance, possibly incuring physical damage beneath the metal as well. The extra foot extension would be used to shove him away after the impact should his balance be compromised. All the while Xavier watched for the mans reaction, not having moved and waiting to conduct a physical counter should the next action require it.
"Are you positive it isn't your breath you smell?"
I know for a FACT you added that insult after you posted! You ass lmao.
The attack caught Auz off-guard, him having not at all expected the weapon to be able to change shape so quickly on the fly. Hell, he hadn't expected it to change at all, though perhaps he should have. Still, Auz was a feisty dogged diehard. As he stumbled back he'd let loose his sword with his left hand in order to aim a backpedaling thrust at Xavier's own solar plexus, returning the favor with interest so to speak.
"More likely the crap coming out of your own mouth, I'd say!"
Xaviers left hand fell from the club on his shoulder as he dropped his left shoulder as well as angled it back. With a twist of his hips and A miniscule bow of his knees he was dropped and angled ever so slightly out of the blades path. A light tearing sound filling the air for a moment as Auzs blade just barely tears the fabric and opens a hair line cut across his left pectoral muscle. In the moment he was cut Xavier began swinging only his right arm in a horizontal swipe for the mid area of Auzs legs. Even though it was swung singlehandedly it held more force than a human could generate.
From the wound on his chest an almost excess amount of blood was coming forth. No more than what he would create with his hand only now it could flow more freely. Still worming its way along Xaviers skin until it found its home in the club even as it was swung.
Auz might have been able to avoid the blow had it come at a speed befitting that of such a large implement. In fact, Auz had been expecting the attack to be slow. Instead, the stone club flew in low and fast, and Auz wasn't ready. It hit him in the legs and knocked them right out from under him, accompanied by a nasty *CRUNCH!* Auz hit the ground hard, but his left hand was quick to withdraw a parrying dagger from his harness. Panting heavily and not making any attempt to roll away or recover, he looked up at Xavier and spoke, deadpan but with undertones of barely repressed pain in his voice. His legs were probably broken.
"Son of a bitch... That hurt. What the hell are you and where did you come from?"
That crunch was like music to his ears. The vibrations of it that reverberated into his arm sent a chill up his spine. Xavier couldn't help but chuckle now as the club came back around. Xavier following through with the momentum so it could be swung back around and replaced on his shoulder. The wound on his chest stopped oozing blood now, as Xavier had felt the majority of the fight to be over.
A smirk still on his face Xavier locked a fierce gaze with the man. He had survived longer than others here, maybe he deserved a little information.
"I don't know where I come from anymore." He spoke low and smooth. "I awoke here years ago able only to remember my surname: Bloodbayne. A name given to those who wield blood which is as tainted as mine."
Xaviers grip tightened on the clubs handle. "Now warrior. You die." In one swift and strong motion Xavier would bring the club down in what he thought to be one final time. The speed of this would mirror the previous strike. The force however would be doubled as it was being swung down instead of sideways. The target was once against the chest of Auz. Should this make contact his armor and body would surely cripple and break under the force.
The moment Xavier started speaking, Auz shoved his parrying dagger into his own gullet. It must have taken tremendous will to complete the follow up, consisting of him then scything the dagger down the right side of his throat, slicing his carotid wide open. Thick blood poured out in heavy gouts. Even more blood spewed out from the warrior's mouth, dressing his entire face in a crimson mask. His very eyeballs, wide and unblinking in their shock, were coated in blood.
Surprise.
After several seconds Auz would stop shivering and jerking. He'd have ended himself, apparently in a last rebellious act to deprive Xavier of the kill. Feisty to the end.
"I don't know wh-" the words hung loose on his lips as he watched Auz tear open his own throat. "-at the fuck just happened."
Lowering the club slightly Xavier used one of the rough stone edges to scratch his head quizzically. The struggling had wound down and the man lay motionless in his own blood. Xaviers brow furrowed once again.
"Damnit!" he screamed, slamming the club into the helm of Auz. The brief crunch and squish of the destroyed cranium was satisfying, but did little to appease his anger. The stone of the club fell to pieces on impact, leaving only the rod in Xaviers hand as he spun around. Bending at the knee Xavier squatted backwards until he was able to seat himself on a hunk of stone still embedded within Auzs skull. "That's a shit way to lose you know." he jabbed angrily at the dead body beneath him before sighing in exasperstion.
Xavier's improvised seat suddenly gave way beneath his ass, the corpse turning into streamers of glowing red mist that coiled away in all directions only to fade into nothing.
After several seconds the bloody etheric tendrils reappeared twelve feet to Xavier's right, weaving together to form the shape of...
Auz. That asshole mercenary, grinning like a devil and with his parrying dagger already out, slowly twirling it between his fingers.
"Why, stranger... You look like somebody just walked over your grave."
With a grunt Xavier fell from the shifting rocks to land on his back, watching from upside down as the red mist appeared around him. The whole spectacle which unfolded before him brought about a sickly grin.
Standing up right just as Auz reformed, the rod quivering in Xaviers hand as it shrunk back on itself. What was once a 7 foot long, 1 in thick rod back a 6 foot long 2in thick staff.
"Only because you ripped from my hands the chance to put you into yours." As he finished speaking he gestured towards the man with his open left hand palm. "Yet at the sametime you were so kind as to give me another shot. So tell me, what was that just now? I cratered your skull but here you stand. Or,there rather" as he spoke Xaviers hand throbbed around the staff, feeding it more blood over time.
