The Mysterious city of Ashnaan (Drago, or Star boy)

OOC: Just a simple one on one, with one of my favourite BA'ers, or a new one who I've been dying to fight with. In this battle I will use Arlaus, you can find him in my siggy.

BiC: Arlaus wiped the dirt from his face, he had been walking to an unkown destination for months. He found himself walking along flat planes of land for three days straight. He had no hunger though, he looked as healthy as the day he "died". A dust strom was starting up. Arlaus could see the large undulation wave of dirt and pebbles rise up in the distance. Arlaus simply sat down and closed his eyes, waiting for the dust storm to pass. He did not care any more about the sand and grains that got caught in his black armor, nor did he care how the peircing winds mangled his hair.

The storm soon passed and Arlaus opened his eyes to find himself sitting infront of a rather large wooden porticus. He stood up looking at the walls of a great city. The walls looked like large slabs of sandstone, similar to the gateway to the undeworld and other various architechtures seen in Kosh. Arlaus placed his hand on the door which to his suprise broke apart with his gentle push.

Inside the city a gentle breeze rushd pass the warrior. Arlaus breathed in deeply and let out a sigh which echoed through the large dusty streets. The Warrior walked into a sandstone building that looked rather hospitable. Inside he found himself a jug of water and the leg of a lamb sitting on a wooden table. He took a large swig of water and quickly devoured the meat. Though Arlaus had no hunger, he still had his sense of taste, and in his mouth he tasted the sweet juiced of grilled lamb. But his moment of extasy ended abrubtly when the sound of cracking wood entered his ears. Someone had just entered the city the same way Arlaus did.
The warrior quickly ran outside to meet the stranger.

"I have come here for the treasure that resides here in these walls, if I must kill you in the process then so be it" Bellowed the strangers voice.

"I know of no treasure stranger, but I do know that if a man wants to fight me, then I must accepts, prepare for battle mortal" grunted Arlaus.

And thus the battle began

OoC: Ok Drago or Starboy, gimme your best shot!

OoC: Alright! I'm loving your character, vacum! He's sort of like mine in a kind of way I think. I'd be honored to accept your challenge, sir. ^^

I'll be using Aidan of course, and the link for him is in my sig. Let's get it started!

BiC: Aidan placed his hand on the hilt of his large sword.

"It seems as if I have no other option, stranger. I don't share. I hope you enjoyed the meat because now you're going to have to die for it," he said looking at the strange warrior. This man's appearance was particularly strange to Aidan. He wore a suit of black armor and had snow-white hair. Only a black stripe gave him any color. His face was the same ghostly white as his hair. However, it was marked with strange black markings unlike anything Aidan had ever seen.

"Well," Aidan said laughingly, "You may have to die for eating my lamb, but it doesn't look like it'll be the first time for you." Aidan drew his sword quickly and the sun gleamed from the blade. The bizarre stranger narrowed his eyelids. "You don't want to taste my blade, mortal. I shall give you a sweet death though. I'll give you a death of a warrior. It will be much quicker than what you have in mind though," he said emotionless, "And much more painful." His pale face lifted. Then his green eye glinted. Aidan saw two scythes hanging by the stranger's side. A wide smile crossed his face.

"Leave the scythes for the wheat fields, fool. You're not a farmer, are you?" Aidan asked scoffing the man, "If those are farmer hands you're working with there, I might bring you closer to death much faster than you could ever imagine."

The stranger lunged up the crumbled street toward Aidan. He pulled his broad sword, Astrioa, out and the two swords clashed with a furious force. Aidan's mighty blade was blocking the stranger's sword from lopping his head in half like a melon. Aidan leapt backwards landing on his left hand and bouncing from it back to his feet. He gripped the hilt with both hands and cried, "Show me what other weak skills you have, you pale freak!" The stranger shook his head. "You do not understand at all do you? I will crush you like a mere insect. And you can call me Arlaus," he said. Aidan grinned and shook his head to move a few strands of his long white hair from his face. "I'm Aidan. Remember my name because you'll be cursing it while you're burning in Hell," the former knight said almost mockingly.

Aidan's face went solemn and he started bounding toward Arlaus. He swung his huge blade and Arlaus met it mid-air with his broad sword. Sparks flew and Aidan grunted as he pulled the heavy blade back and attempted to end the battle quickly with an overhead blow. Arlaus moved to the side quickly and almost instantly struck with one of his scythes that flew up from his side. Aidan's blade weighed far too much to attempt to block the blow in time so he stuck his left hand up in haste. The scythe clanged violently into Aidan's iron gauntlet. The former knight thought for a moment that his hand had been cut off. Aidan shot his right arm up at Arlaus and caught him in his chin with the hilt of his sword. He fell onto his back and rolled backward only to leap back up to his feet.

"Damn," Aidan muttered looking at his iron gauntlet. It had been cut into but luckily his armor had saved his hand this time. Aidan looked at the strange man before him who was preparing to attack again.

"What the hell have I gotten myself into?" Aidan asked himself lowly preparing for the coming onslaught.

OoC: This will be an excellent battle I do believe!

Aiden stepped back a bit, the sound of his creaking armor echoed through the great sandstone city.

"I under-estimated you Arlaus, you fight well, you have seen many battles like I myself have, too many to count a presume?"
Arlaus simply shealthed Astroia and took out Hugin to accompany Munin.
"Well Arlaus, I garuntee this is one battle you will never forget!"

Aiden charged at Alaus holding out it sword as if too stab the black warrior. But as he neared Arlaus, he began to slow down a bit and suddenly skidded on the ground kicking up much dust into the air. Caughing, Arlaus quickly bashed one of his scythes agaisnt Aiden's deadly long sword, avoiding a fatal stab. Arlaus quickly turned to face Aiden who now, only 3 feet away, had come to stop. His gleaming silver armor nearly blinded Aralus as it reflected the hot sunlight in his eyes.
As soon as Arlaus closed his eyes, his stomach was pushed in by Aiden's foot.

The Gleaming warrior kicked Arlaus into the dirt street. "HA! a clumsy fool yes, can't you even have enough foresight to see a simply attack like that?"

"Nay, I let you have that" Grunted Arlaus, still on the ground, covered in dust. Aiden walked toward Arlaus gripping his long sword tightly. He began to swing to blade onto Arlaus, but the dark armored warrior caught the blade between his two deadly scythes. He now had Aiden's sword locked into place. Arlaus got up carefully, no matter how hard Aiden struggled, he could no remove his sword from the right grip of Hugin and Munin.

"Ha! The great Aiden and his forsight eh? Smells like rubbish to me!" laughed Arlaus. He grinned as Aiden tried to remove his blade. Arlaus quickly catapulted into the air, placing his foot on the hilt of Aiden's sword and pushed with all his might. Aiden stumbled back and Arlaus flew foward, releasing the lock on Aiden's sword. He had to perform such a taxing stunt because if he removed his blades from Aiden's sword while standing close to him, the warrior would have simply lopped Arlaus' head clean off.

Aiden fell on his back holding his sword, he quickly got up to his feet to see Arlaus roll into the hard earth and on to his feet. Arlaus placed Hugin and Munin back onto his belt and took out his long sword Astroia.

"It is unfair for me to kill you so quickly Aiden, you should thank me for putting away my scythes"
"Thank... you? No no no, I will thank the gods for guiding me to such a place, to such a battle, to such, a victory!" Aiden had a sly grin on his face as he spat onto the dusty street.

OoC: your move buddy!

OoC: See? I knew this would be an awesome battle!

BiC: Aidan looked at Arlaus as he brandished his long sword, Astroia. "This man is unnatural," Aidan said to himself as he observed the strange man. "Why don't you get the hell out of here and let me tend to my business? I'll spare you an unfortunate death if you leave now," Aidan said aloud. The wind stirred the dust and it swirled in the air. "I'm only ending what you started," Arlaus replied distantly. Aidan shook his head. "You were given your chance," Aidan shouted back to him.

Aidan and Arlaus both started running toward one another at the same time. Just as the two fighters were only a few feet from one another, Aidan plowed his sword into the ground where it stuck like a pole. Aidan jumped onto the hilt holding himself up with one hand and then just as quickly pushed off of it and sent himself up into the air over Arlaus's head. Arlaus skidded to a stop but before he was able to turn around, Aidan had landed behind him. The former knight gave the strange man a fierce punch in his lower back. Arlaus gasped and spun on his heel to face iron-clad man. Arlaus gave a growl as he delivered a ferocious horizontal slash with Astroia. Aidan hit the crumbling street to avoid having his torso cut in half. After the sword had passed, the former knight executed a violent uppercut to the ghostly warrior. His chin flew up as Aidan was finally able to draw blood. Arlaus swung his sword to meet with the scarred battler's head. Aidan was able to grab his wrist just as his sword neared his face. He shot a knee up from below and caught the pale man in his stomach. As his reflexes took over and he bent over, Aidan grabbed him by the throat and lifted his body into the air. Arlaus's face slightly reddened as his oxygen was cut off.

"See? I knew those cheeks could get some color!" Aidan said mockingly. Arlaus lowered his chin down onto the fleshy part between Aidan's thumb and index finger so he could stare into his face. "The only color you're going to see is the red blood spilling from you," he said choking. He reached his hands up towards Aidan's shoulders and grabbed on to them tightly. Aidan squeezed harder trying to choke the oddity to death. Arlaus gripped his shoulder's even tighter through the armor, bending the iron. He jerked Aidan toward him and headbutted him with the force of a thousand battering rams. The former knight loosened his grip but he still tried to hold on to the man with the now bloodied forehead. Arlaus gave him another terrible headbutt and another and then Aidan finally released his grip as he fell onto his back in the middle of the ruined street.

Aidan touched his face with a trembling hand and looked at his fingers which were now covered in blood. His head pounded as he let his cheek fall onto the dusty ground. He could see his sword still sticking into the ground out of the corner of his eye. He knew he had to get it fast.

He looked back up into the sky to see the long sword, Astroia, coming down to his throat. Aidan grabbed the blade with both hands and cried aloud as the blade slid more slowly toward his throat. He gripped the blade as tightly as he could as it slid closer and closer to his throat. The blade made a horrid and high-pitched grating noise as it cut and grinded through the former knight's iron-gloved hands. The point of the sharp blade came to a rest on his throat as he death clench had finally stopped it. Arlaus's arms trembled as he tried to force the sword into its mark. The ghostly man was trying to finish the battle. Suddenly Aidan shot his hands over away from his throat and released the blade. The blade plunged into ground mere cenimeters away from his neck. The iron-clad battler rolled over quickly and bounded for his sword as Arlaus pulled his sword from the ground. Aidan jerked his sword from the ground and pulled it up just in time to meet with Astroia.

They both stood their ground, grinding their swords with all of their strength.

OoC: Back to ya!

OoC: Holy cow, this is the most fun I've ever had in a battle, and we've only started!

BiC: Arlaus looked deeply into Aiden's grey eyes still managind to push Astroia into Aiden's long sword. Aiden heaved deeply, returning Arlaus' peircing gaze. Finnaly Arlaus moved back swinging his blade defensivly, moving Aiden's longsword to the ground.

Arlaus quickly swung his blade into Aiden's right shoulder, but the former knight quickly brought his sword up letting the flat of his sword defend his shoulder. Aiden then pushed Arlaus' blade back, lowered his pose and thrusted his longsword letting one hand leave the hilt. Now his heavy long sword was practically air born, the sword actualy brought Aiden with it. Arlaus was amazed to see the warrior move with such a large sword, not even Arlaus could move as fast a Aiden was.

The sword flew at Arlaus with amazing speed, but it was fast enough for the great warrior simply moved a few steps out of the way to catch the long sword between his left side and his arm. He once again was holding Aiden's blade.

"I thought you learned the first time Aiden!- ARGH!" Apparently Aiden did learn, and just as quickly as Arlaus had caught his blade, Aiden turned it, so that the sharp edge was in Arlaus' palm, Aiden quickly pushed his sword further in cutting through Arlaus' black gauntlet. Aiden quickly bashed into Arlaus, pushing him to the ground.

Arlaus still held on to Aiden's blade despite the immense pain he felt in his hand. He brought the former knight with him to the ground, and then turned himself over thrusting the butt of his hilt into Aiden's back, leaving a small dent in his armor. Arlaus quickly got up spitting into his wounded hand. He kicked much dust into Aiden's face causing the ex-knight to cough profously.

"Get up, you tricky bastard!, Get Up!" yelled Arlaus.

Aiden stuggled to his knees but just as soon as he did Arlaus swung the flat of his blade against Aiden's fair face, knocking him out.

"That should keep him down for a while, Ha!, tricky bastard, sometimes I'm too funny for myself!"

Arlaus quickly trodded over to the small hut which contained the food. He took another rip off the lamb leg and grabbed a sheep sking bag full of wine and ran out into to bleached city.

He ran past Aiden and many other empty buildings finnally reaching the large ivory temple that stood tall in the center of the city. For a split second Arlaus found it strange that such a magnificent palace would sit with such an old sandstone city, but then again, people will do anything for their gods.

"Now I'm almost certain the treasure Aiden spoke of is in this very temple. The further Arlaus dwelved into the bright ivory halls, the more he felt as if he were being followed. He soon rounded a corner to find his own foot prints.

"Damn, I've been walking in circles, but whats this?" Arlaus kneeled down to pick up a grey hair, this hair was not from his scalp, for it was far too long, Arlaus cursed under his breath-

OoC: Ok man your turn!

OoC: Sorry it took a couple of days. I've been busy around here lately. Anyway, I'm back at it now!

BiC: Arlaus looked all around him cautiously. He knew that Aidan was somewhere close.

"He should still be unconcious," Arlaus said as he placed his hand on Astroia's hilt, "Where the hell is he?" The bizarre warrior looked all around him but could see no other sign that Aidan was close. Then he heard a creaking noise above him.

"Looking for me?" Aidan sat perched up on a wooden rafter well above Arlaus's head. The former knight quickly jumped off and grabbed the rafter with his hands and executed a swinging kick that landed square in the other fighter's face. Arlaus was sent sprawling to the floor after this vicious kick to the face. Aidan wiped the trickling blood from his nose onto the back of his gloved hand and spat on Arlaus.

"I didn't think you were looking for treasure, Arlaus. I guess you changed your mind once you figured out there was something here. It's not what you think though.." Aidan squatted down on one knee and grabbed Arlaus by the chin and lifted his bloodied face from the floor. "You are a great fighter, Arlaus. This isn't about you and I though. There's no actual treasure here. Well below this ruined palace is the Gate of Demons. I'm going through to find a demonic alchemist. With the power and knowledge I can gain from him I will be able to bring back my beloved Alexia. Don't follow me. Leave me alone now. Maybe we'll meet again in battle someday."

Aidan let go of Arlaus's chin and his head dropped to the floor motionless. The former knight left him lying there on the floor as he began to explore the palace. It was magnificent and in astounding shape to have been abandoned so long. The rafters had started to fall through the ceiling and were rotting, some of the walls were starting to crumble, and much of the gold that adorned much of the palace had lost its luster. Aidan strolled rummaged through a hallway with a collapsed roof for a passageway down. The debris made it difficult. Aidan through crushed rock and ruined wood over his head searching for a doorway.

"Aha! I'm on my way now," Aidan said as he uncovered the very top of a small opening.

"Yes, back on your way outside!"

Aidan turned around wide eyed but he had no chance to react. A hand grabbed Aidan by his long hair and swung him into the crumbling wall behind him. The former knight smashed through the wall and hit the ground outside the palace hard. He rolled until he came to a stop. "What the hell?" Aidan mumbled to himself. The dust had begun to swirl fiercely again outside. Aidan looked up at the gaping hole in the wall he had just been slung out of. A man stood there in black armor.

"Damn him!" Aidan growled as he staggered up to his feet, "Get your ass down here! Now I'm going to see you die for interfering with me." Arlaus jumped from the crumbling hole down to the ground. He landed with a loud thud because he came from such a great height. "I can't allow you to go through with your insane plan," Arlaus said.

"What the hell is it to you? It's not your life," Aidan said clenching his hand in a fist. "I don't care about you. Do you realize what else can get out if you try to go into the Land of Demons? Not only will you die, the rest of the world will become infested with demons that pour out of the seal that you open. It's sealed for a reason," Arlaus said solemnly.

"The rest of the world is no concern of mine. The world will owe me after I eliminate the threat anyway," Aidan said ignoring Arlaus's warning. "But you're not doing it for the rest of the world. You're doing it for you. I don't know who this Alexia is that you speak of but she is dead," Arlaus said angrily.

His words stung Aidan to the bone. He could not stand to hear someone else lecture him about Alexia being dead. "Get the hell out of my way," Aidan shouted drawing his sword, "Or I'll cut you out of it!"

Arlaus readied Astroia. "I'll not let you pass. You are an insane man. I fear that I may be all that's standing between you and the destruction of yourself and the world."

Both warriors gritted their teeth as they prepared to clash again.

OoC: Here they go again! Interesting story if I do say so myself! ^^

OoC: Oh man, this keeps getting better and better! oh, and if ya still want me to read your dark comedy you can send it by e-mail, vacumgod@yahoo.com, now its time to fight!

BiC: The two warriors lunged at one another, kicking dust up with each set. Now the two were feet away from eachother, both in the air, Aiden quickly grabbed Arlaus and tackled him to the ground. Arlaus tried to lift his free hand but Aiden quickly pushed his hand down upon his wrist, the hand holding his giant sword. Not even the mightly Arlaus could hold such weight, his hand gave away and fell hard. Now Aiden had the upper hand, he quickly punched Arlaus in his bruised face, then in the neck causing the dark warrior to gasp for air. Arlaus finnaly managed to manuever his body so that he could lift Astroia and bash Aiden's punching arm. The swift his dented Aiden's armor, the former knight cursed, he frowned, clenching his teeth not aware of the immense pain that was to follow.

Arlaus stuggled to lift his upper body while his right arm was being crushed by Aiden's force and sword. Arlaus managed to get up halfway, and bashed his head into Aidnen's chest plate, though not denting it, it pushed Aiden off Arlaus. Arlaus finnaly got up checking if his hand was ok, though extremely sore, only his ring finger and pinky were disjointed, he quickly relocated them without showing much pain, only a few drops on blood fell from his already bloodied mouth.

Aiden was coughing up a storm, the head bash to his chest managed to bruise his chest, and all the dust kicked up into the air got in his throat. Clinging to his chest he backed himself to a fragile looking wall.

"Why would you care, Arlaus, if I destroyed the world? I've heard some dirty bar tales about you, the great soulless warrior, a great many tales from drunken tradesmen from all over the world."

"I care only for my eyes, if you destroyed the world, I swear my eyes would get bored, aye, my eyes are the only thing that see true beauty, and I can't let you take that away from me, young one".

"I will go at any length to bring back Alexia, we are both chivilarous knights, well, former knights, right? We must do what we must for our maidens, do you not have one?"

"Aiden, we are not in the orient, we musn't have such talks in battle, revelations about life and romance, damn the samurai of the east, they no nothing, such talk shouldn't be here, not now."

OoC: yeah, just needed a bit of humor for the battle, you know how characters talk in anime fights aye *rolls eyes*

BiC: Aiden took his hand off his chest and readied his sword.
"Alright then, if we musn't talk, then we will fight".

"Right let us-"

Arlaus was quickly cut of by Aiden's sprint across the dusty street, he quickly slashed at Arlaus only to be blocked by Arlaus' quick senses. Again and Again until Aiden sensed fatigue in Arlaus.
His skill with the longsword is nowhere near mine thought the former knight.
Aiden quickly changed his footing, bracing himself for a hard swing, he pulled back his arms noticed Arlaus was simply holding up his own longsword in defense breathing heavily. Aiden then, with the fire of a thousand burning arrows rushing through his un-fatigued arms, he swung his long sword at Arlaus. Arlaus slowley moved his blade in defense, but it was no use, he quickly lost his footing, Aiden managed to put a large dent Arlaus' arm plates.

Aiden grinned and started for the broken wall, the new entrance to the temple in Ashnaan. Arlaus heard the sound of broken tiles being smashed by heavy feet and quickly sprung up, shealthing Astroia and whipping out Tilfinning. He rushed over to Aiden holding his gleaming short short to Aiden's neck.

"Oh no you don't" taunted Arlaus as he grabbed Aiden's arm and threw him back into the street.

OoC: Yeah! I think after this battle is done, we should fix this up into an awesome short story.

OoC: That's a good idea. We'll have to work on that for sure!

BiC: As Aidan was flying backwards toward the street, he flipped in mid-air and landed on his feet in the middle of the street. Arlaus flew toward him with both feet prepared to crush the former knight's skull with a flying kick.

"Oh no you don't!" Aidan cried as he grabbed Arlaus's feet. The iron-clad warrior swung the bizarre fighter around and around by the feet. "Unnnn.." Arlaus groaned as his blood rushed to his head as he spun around and around. Aidan gave a loud yell and released him in mid-spin. Arlaus flew through the air. He was able to gain control of his spiraling body and land on one hand. Before he could continue to flip over to his feet, Aidan rushed in like a mad man and caught him with a knee in his gut. Arlaus's limp body crumpled around Aidan's knee. Saliva and blood shot from his mouth as the fallen knight's knee compressed his organs. Aidan pulled his knee from the black armor and Arlaus's body was still in the air from the impact. He was sent flying back to the ground though by a crushing elbow to his back. Arlaus slammed into the ground so hard that the impact caused him to bounce back up. Aidan grabbed one of his feet again, but Arlaus was able to counter by using his other foot to kick him in the face. Arlaus's heavy black boot jammed into Aidan's face forcing his entire head backwards. His face felt like the bones were crushed. Aidan continued grasping the strange fighter's other foot trying to hurl him through the air again. Arlaus delivered another jaw-shattering kick to Aidan's face and then another.

Aidan's head flew back and he released his grip. He staggered backwards trying to gather his thoughts. His brain was badly jarred by Arlaus's vicious kicks. Arlaus took this to his advantage and rushed toward him to try and put him down while he was dazed. The odd but dangerous fighter caught Aidan with a hard right hand to the face, a left hand to the ribs, and then a straight palm to his face that sent the battered fighter reeling backwards. Sensing that the end was near, Arlaus jumped and came down to deliver a heavy blow to Aidan's bruised and bloody face. Just as his fist was about to pulverize the former knight's face, Aidan recovered from his dazed state and grabbed Arlaus by his striking wrist. Showing amazing agility for the weight of his armor and body size, Aidan flipped over Arlaus's head still holding the fighter's wrist. When he landed behind Arlaus, he had completely wrenched the bizarre man's wrist behind his own body. Arlaus howled in pain as he felt his wrist cracking under the intense pressure.

Aidan fought to control Arlaus by wrenching his wrist until he could break it. Unforunately for Aidan, the black armor was preventing him from making the final twist he needed to snap the contorted wrist. Aidan saw that his efforts were futile and started slamming his fist into the side of the writhing man's white head. The ruthless Aidan was far too oblivious to notice that Arlaus was raising his right foot to attack him. After slamming his iron-gloved fist into Arlaus's throbbing head about seven or eight more times, Arlaus kicked his leg backwards with all of his might in a last ditch effort to free himself. His mule like kick landed directly into Aidan's groin which sent him flying backwards and then right to his knees in complete agony.

"Oooh," Aidan moaned holding his hands between his legs, "You...son of a..." He was cut off short because he vomitted because of the intense pain. Arlaus sat on his knees as well feeling at the sticky blood that was seeping out of his ear. Aidan pulled his face up from the ground and began to crawl towards Arlaus. He didn't make it very far and he fell over in agony again.

"What a....cheap shot.." Aidan moaned miserably, "You'll pay for...this...you bastard.." He could scarcely breath because of the intolerable pain. Arlaus looked over his shoulder at his fallen opponent. "It's none of my concern how I put you down. The point is that you go down," he said calmly. Aidan looked at him and growled, "You accomplished that...in a cowardly way." Arlaus sat silently.

"I did you a favor by not taking my sword to you," Aidan stammered. Arlaus still sat without moving. "I did you the same favor. I could have killed you at any time that I pleased, but I left my blades be."

Aidan managed to pull himself to his feet on trembling legs. Arlaus stood to face him. The former knight still kept a hand on his crotch. He still winced in pain.

"So have I halted your insane plan, or do we need to continue?" asked Arlaus. Aidan stood silently slightly bent still. Arlaus stared at him. The former knight still stood without saying anything. Arlaus began to walk away from him.

"Your silence tells me your answer. I bid you farewell," he said walking away. Aidan stood up straighter. "Arlaus," he said loudly. The man in the black armor stopped.

"How do you think I found out about the demonic alchemists in the Land of Demons?" asked Aidan gloating. Arlaus turned without a word. Aidan had an eerie smile that crossed his face. The crazed man in the silver armor reached inside the breast plate of his armor and pulled out a leather pouch containing a small vile. He pulled the vile out of pouch and shouted, "I had to visit an alchemist to find out about the demonic alchemists! Do you really think I'd leave from an alchemist without buying anything?" Arlaus ran toward him with full-speed but it was too late. Aidan threw the vile right at Arlaus's feet and it shattered. Smoke billowed from the concoction and Arlaus struggled to regain his sight.

After the smoke had cleared slightly, Arlaus scanned all around himself for Aidan. Then over at the palace, he saw white hair disappear through the hole in the crumbling wall.

"Oh hell," Arlaus exclaimed as he bounded toward the palace.

OoC: And it's back to you! ^^

Arlaus quickly made his way to the newly made entrance to the palace. It was very cool inside, at least compared to the burning streets outside. Arlaus bounded down the ivory halls trying to find some track that Aiden left. Arlaus stopped running for a bit to listen, he even stopped his breathing to hear for Aiden, the man who fought for love, but to Arlaus, Aiden was a twisted man who needed to be knocked in the head. After quieting himself, Arlaus could faint foot steps coming from somwhere ahead of him. So he continued his search running further down the ivory halls until he found himself in a rather large arcade.

The floor was almost stark white with a few blades of grass growing from the seams. It amazed Arlaus how just a large building could be left uninhabited and be so well keep. Even water flowed gracefully from the large fountain in the middle of the arcade. Arlaus noticed a shining figure kneeling over the fountain drinking the water.

Aiden drank the water without much care to his surrounding, the water felt so refreashing to his dry lips and throat. The water was like sweet ambrosia to his tongue, this was the best water Aiden had drunk in a long time. He got up to wipe his mouth just in time to see a small scythe spinning rapidly towards him. The former knight gasped and quickly dunked his head in the water to avoid decapitation. In the water Aiden cursed, he was so close to the gate, how could this man continue to fight? Aiden heard Hugin spin around him and fly into Arlaus' hand like one of those boomerangs from the far western black men of Austrilana.

Aiden lifted his head from the fountain, water dripping heavily off of his nose and chin.
"Come now Arlaus! Let us not kill eachother over such a simple thing, let me pass"

"A simple thing? Love may be simple, but what you attempt to perform is something of witches and warlocks, and I hate witches and warlocks. Now get your ass over here so that I may finish you off!" Arlaus declared.

"NO!" Aiden screamed with all of his life, he ripped two peices peice of ivory. One in each hand he started at Arlaus. The shining warrior quickly threw an ivory chunk at Arlaus which barely managed to graze his leg armor. Arlaus grunted as he held the side of his leg. Now closer to the dark knight, Aiden lifted his hand and smashed the large peice on ivory into Arlaus' face. The rock impacted so hard that it turning into a white powder that clouded the air around Arlaus and Aiden.

Arlaus screamed in pain, blood covered his pale face and his newly broken nose. He back away from the cloud waiting for Aiden to come after him. The former knight came out just as Arlaus had expected, Aiden grabbed Arlaus' arm and tried to twist his to turn Arlaus into the ground. Though Arlaus kneeled slightly, he would not touch the ground, not for the "life" of him, he spun out his leg and kicked Aiden square in the knee. Arlaus wanted dearly to push Aiden's leg in the wrong directed, but unfortunantly he only bruised him. Arlaus managed to kick himself up again and punch Aiden hard in his already bruised chest. Aiden let go and Arlaus took out his short roman sword ready to cut Aiden's foul brain out.

Aiden once again unsheathed his long sword and the two warriord rused at one another. Aiden let his blade fall upon Arlaus, but the dark knight quickly parried and lightly kicked Aiden in the leg. Aiden didn't feel much and quickly bashed his shoulder into Arlaus pushing him over to the fountain. Arlaus quickly slashed his blade at Aiden, but instead of flesh, he met Aiden's long sword. The swung again, this time from the left, but again he met Aiden's steel. Arlaus quickly bound to the right of Aiden and swiflty moved his sword. But Aiden quickly dropped his sword to his right and blocked Arlaus' swing.

Aiden turned to Arlaus and swung his might sword like a log at Arlaus, the dark knight moved into the swing with his sword held tightly to his side like a sheild. Sparks flew as they collided. Aiden's swing rebounded off Arlaus. Now Aiden held his blade up high and swung down up Arlaus like a priest expelling demons from the mortal realm. The long sword fell onto Arlaus but held up Tilfinning, almost like staff, using both hands to support himself against the increasing force of Aiden.

The former knight grunted and gathered himself upong Arlaus, pressing downward with all this strength. He was able to get Arlaus down on one knee.

"Don't tell me your going to propose now Arlaus" breathed Aiden under his breath.
"I'de marry a demon from the realms of chaos than propose to a dog of questionable parents! And with that taunt Arlaus rolled back with blinding speed. Aiden stumbled foward and his sword dug into the Ivory tiles.

Arlaus got up and cracked his neck while spitting out a tooth. Aiden quickly pulled his blade from the white flooring. The two warriors looked at one another with great disgust.

"Your move" The both said at once.

OoC: Keep it a-rolling dude!

OoC: Finally I'm back. =P I picked a busy time to take part in the best battle ever! Sorry about the delay, but here we go.

BiC: Aidan looked at Arlaus's lone tooth laying on the floor.

"You mean you've still got teeth left?" Aidan asked laughing. "You mock me now, but you won't even be able to open your mouth when I finish with you," Arlaus retorted.

The two fighters suddenly started running at each other ready to being a final desperate clash. The crumbling white floor beneath them cracked more and dust flew with each pounding step. Aidan delivered the most powerful overhead strike that he was physically able to. Arlaus quickly pulled Astroia up and met blades with the disturbed man. Arlaus's eyes became wide as Astroia made unnatural noises almost as if were about to break. Aidan used all the strength in his body to try and eliminate the only defense that was keeping his blade from killing the bizarre Arlaus. Astroia hissed under Aidan's powerful blade. Arlaus could feel the heat radiating from the friction of the two swords grinding against one another.

"Damn, if I don't stop this then Astroia will break," Arlaus muttered. Aidan's face was twisted in agony as he strained to apply more and more pressure to Astroia. Sweat dripped from his brow. Astroia's noise continued and the heat grew even greater. Just as Aidan thought that the upper-hand was his, the skillful Arlaus ducked to the side and pulled Astroia out from under the former knight's blade. Aidan's blade flew down into the flooring and grazed the black-clad fighter's armored leg. His blade hit the floor with astounding strength. Aidan quickly looked to his left and Astroia was heading for his face. He effectively countered Arlaus's blade by striking the bottom of the strange man's sword with his own. Aidan moved his head to the side as Astroia plunged into the air beside his head. Aidan jumped backwards away from Arlaus.

"That was too damn close," Aidan said aloud as he brushed the sweat off of his forehead. Arlaus pulled his sword back up to his readied position. "Get back over here and fight me," he said solemnly.

Before either of the fighters could strike though, the floor began to shake beneath them. There was a loud crumbling noise and the floor dropped a few feet and then the movement halted abruptly sending both of the fighters to the floor hard.

"What the hell's happening?" Aidan shouted. "The floor," Arlaus shouted, "It's giving way!"

The awful groaning of the floor continued as both the fighters slowly got back to their feet. Aidan bent to pick up his sword that had fallen to the floor. "Don't move!" growled Arlaus not raising his voice much. "Relax," said Arlaus as he grabbed his sword. The floor then groaned loudly and completely collapsed. The fighters went falling along with the crumbled stone from the ceiling and the floor around them. They both slammed into the ground over a hundred feet below. The rock landed on and all around them.

An enormous piece of the flooring had landed on Arlaus and he was pinned down. Aidan sat up. He was very dazed because of the fall. He looked around at the surroundings. They seemed to be in a sort of holy place. There were all sorts of markings and symbols on the stone walls. Then Aidan saw what he had been looking for from the start. Against the far wall was a massive arch with a giant rectangular stone just within it. The arch was intricately detailed with demons wrapping around the pillars on either side and a group of crying angels sitting upon the arch itself. The stone door was etched with an ancient text.

Aidan pulled himself to his feet. The sun shown in from the outside world above and dust danced all around as Aidan stood only feet away from the Land of Demons.

Aidan looked at his sword and then at the mighty door that was meant to seal the Land of Demons away for all of eternity.

"Seals are like rules I suppose," he said pulled his sword up to his shoulder, "They're meant to be broken."

OoC: Here we are! Now what?

Aiden stared at the massive porticus in front of him. The great door had the markings of demon kings so great, they musn't be mentioned, not even written. There hung two torches, each with a short blade hanging from them. The fire light bounced off every surface in the room, even Aiden's cold face. The door itself appeared to be made of solid gold, but, this portal wasn't made with any precious metal from the overlands. It gave off a strange noise as Aiden approached it, like massive drums sounding in unison. Aiden was close enough for his shadow to crawl upon the demonic markings that adorded the door. But, no shadow was cast, instread, the markings on the door started to shine with an evil white glow.

"Sweet Goddess Yitri!" Aiden swore as he gathered his composure. He paced around the massive door wondering what to do next.
Now what did that foul alchemist tell me, stand before the temple of Ashnaan to seek the gate of demons on the fourth day, drink the water of Ashnaan to show your hosipitality, then.. yes!

Aiden quickly took seventeen careful steps away from the door, not noticing the moving rumble behind him. He took from his pocket a large crystal, almost pure white save for dark granit veins that flowed through it. Aiden bent down to place the crystal in a decorated nitch on the ground. This was certainly the lock to the great door that Aiden wished to pass through. The former knight was about the drop the crystal in place when suddenly Arlaus leaped up from the large pile of Ivory wreckage.

Arlaus roared over to Aiden and swiftly kicked his over, knocking the crystal from his hands. Aiden rolled over toward the nearest wall quickly getting back to his feet.

"I though you were dead!" exclaimed Aiden
"I'm already dead fool!, now stop what you are doing before I tear you arms off!"
The two warrios circled eachother, watching one another with the eyes of a panther.
Aiden quickly made the first move by kicking his foot into some rubble, throwing peices of ivory into Arlaus' battered face. Arlaus started to cough heavily as the dust entered his lungs, and his eyes started to leak, he put his arm in front of his face blindly trying to protect himself.

Aiden swiftly delivered his fist into Arlaus' side, then his other into Arlaus' vulnerable stomach. Arlaus fell back on a large slab of Ivory, finnally his sight was returning, his vision cleared too late however, Aiden smashed his fist into square between Arlaus' eyes, and all the dark warrior could see was red. He managed to get up, wiping the blood and sweat from his eyes.

"Come on Arlaus, you have nothing left, give up!"
"To you? A brash young fighter who beleives anything about resureccting his dead wench? I think not"

Arlaus leaped at Aiden weilding Hugin and Munin. Arlaus quickly twisted his body in the air, spinning like a hurricane he flew at Aiden. The former knight managed to duck at the last second, he turned, facing Arlaus, and swung his might long sword. Arlaus backed away from the swing and quickly slashed at Aiden while he was vulnerable. He managed to scratch his silver armor a bit before Aiden pushed Arlaus back.

Arlaus spun his two scythes in his hand elegantly, "Come now Aiden, lets finish this!"
The great subterrainian walls shook as Arlaus spoke.

OoC: This will definantly be one of the best fights in the history of ZU