Conquering the Trophaeum

[Halcyon Hero]

“Hai, Katsura-sama.” The receptionist held out a slip in both hands, the paper marked in colorful designs and featuring a series of printed numbers. Koganei accepted the slip, smiling brightly at the rather beautiful girl.

“Your first match will be held in the East Castle, at sundown,” she proclaimed, bringing her hands together in front of her lap and bowing.

“Arigatou,” the ronin thanked her, tucking the slip into one of his wide sleeves. He smiled again; he was going to have some fun.

<====}=0 – 0={====>

An endless sea of fog and clouds surrounded the quadruplet mountain peaks, the gray granite points jagged and sharp like giant knives cutting into the sky. The four mountains joined together, forming a large valley high in the earth’s atmosphere. A castle, large and riddled with arcing walls and pointed towers, rose from the middle of the valley, an artificial mountain within the group of mountains. It dominated the area, stretching to rival the surround mountain peaks. Giant trees, oaks and redwoods, surrounded the valley castle, filling it to each granite face of the walling mountains. Four more castles spotted the giant formation, each sprawled atop a compassing mountain. Colorful pinions fluttered in the thin air atop the five castles, shining brightly as they caught the rising sun over the sea of gray and white. This was the Trophaeum. This was where swords clashed and blood spilled. This was where the best of the best came, to fight and rise to the top, to prove their supremacy. This was where men gave their lives for a chance at eternal glory. Koganei just wanted to have some fun.

<====}=0 – 0={====>

He hit the floor, hard. Bulging muscles covered his body, yet he was powerless against the smaller ronin. His arm was twisted in a way that it most definitely should not have been, and his leg was clearly broken in two places. His bald head was arched back, his eyes wide and blank and his mouth foaming and frothing. Cheers erupted all around Koganei, the thunder of the spectators cries almost deafening him.

“Winner, Koganei Katsura!” The PA screeched over the yells, serving only to egg the fans on. Grinning, the samurai shaded his eyes and peered around. Bright artificial lights shown down on the arena, illuminating everything for the crowd. Dusting his hands off, Koganei strode across the vast stone arena, gazing up at the open night sky past the lights. This was his third match, and he had yet to draw a sword. As he passed into the shadows of the exit, he hoped that his next opponent would be stronger.

<====}=0 – 0={====>

The last of the twenty-nine hit the pile of bodies, flopping over the tangled limbs unceremoniously to the roar of the crowd.

“North Castle Melee Winner, Koganei Katsura!” The PA declared, Koganei hardly listening as he walked off the raised platform and disappeared into the network of hallways that lead away from the arena.

“That was simply splendid, Katsura-sama,” an aide said, rushing up to the ronin’s side. The woman held out a towel and paper slip. He ignored the towel, but accepted the slip, curious to see when and where his next match would be held. “You’re only two matches away from the Finals, my lord!” She exclaimed excitedly. Koganei nodded restlessly, only hoping for a greater challenge.

<====}=0 – 0={====>

“Winner and Advancer to the Finals, Koganei Katsura!” The samurai could hardly believe that he had just passed the Semi-Finals. Not because he did not think he could win, but because he had done so with such ease. He glanced over at his unconscious opponent. This had reached the Semi-Finals? He had come to the Trophaeum to test the limits of his strength, to push himself as far as he could go and yet all he had faced could not stand up against him. His body and mind were restless, and he was almost at the point where he would give up hope of encountering a warrior that would rival him. Here, at least. Perhaps, he thought, it was a mistake to come to a publicized event to search for an equal in strength. He wondered if this Trophaeum was even real, and not just a hoax tournament. He hoped not.

<====}=0 – 0={====>

The rising sun stretched across the endless fog like God’s own hand, bathing the Trophaeum in golden morning light. The Central Castle was buzzing with excitement despite the early hour, thousands of spectators milling around the giant castle’s walls and passageways. Four towers dominated the Central Castle, rising from the structure’s four outermost points to mirror the four mountains that housed the Trophaeum. Thick, heavy chains several inches wide stretched from these four towers, reaching out to support a huge square platform held suspended between them. People practically spilled out of the surrounding castle towers and walls, hungry for a better view of the battleground.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Trophaeum Finals!” The PA echoed out over the Central Castle, drawing yells and cat calls from the masses. “The two warriors that shall do battle this morning have surpassed the hundreds that sought to conquer the Trophaeum, crushing all in their way! Now these two undefeated warriors will face off to prove who is the better! The winner shall be the Conqueror of the Trophaeum, and will be blessed with the utmost glory, along with the fulfillment of one wish!”

Koganei, perched on the edge of an empty doorway overlooking the suspended platform, scratched his chin at that; he hadn’t heard about the fulfillment of any wish.

“Introducing our first combatant! A warrior who has won every battle thus far without even drawing a blade! Trophaeum, behold Koganei Katsura!” That and the eardrum-piercing screams were the ronin’s cue to enter, which he did. The swordsman strode out on the catwalk before him, taking note of his surrounds as he walked. The catwalk retracted as he stepped off onto the platform, disappearing back into the tower wall as another bridge grew out of the opposing tower.

OoC: Ehh, I don't know that I like how I wrote this. Meh, the battle will be fun, nonetheless.

[Zorolo]

Zorlo stood upside down, to make matters worse, suspended in midair, but how, no one knew. They all stared blankly at him, but that had been the same as when he had arrived. Then again, the Aura Master had hardly to lift a finger to defeat his foes thus far, and the fact he preferred not standing on solid ground shocked a few people. Still, the fencer had come here to find one of his assistants at the Dome, a man who claimed to be a legendary swordsman, and test this warrior.

However, before that would come true, the green haired man had to beat the fly that was flying beneath him, swinging fist upon fist towards the fencer. A fist moved forwards and the Aura Master blinked as he held a single palm up and stopped the hand with a very small bit of aura released. The fencer walked forwards on air and pushed the man's hand down. The warrior's eyes went white with fear as the green haired man raised one hand. With a light flick, light for Zorlo that is, to the forehead, the man was sent soaring into the wall, unconscious, but alive.

Just as boring as the last one. I hope this... Koganei guy will be stronger. After all, I hope I didn't take time out of my life to come here and defeat these poor, hard working warriors without just reason. But still, for a legendary tournament, so far I haven't met a person I've even needed to do more than flick or poke them. True, a little back up with my aura was needed, but these people don't know how I do any of my tricks, so it's all good.

Zorlo turned upright and landed on his feet and walked out of the arena to 'rest' before the finals. Fight after fight had provided nothing but let down after let down. Still, the fencer sensed a worthy foe nearby, which meant a challenge was needed. The fencer rested his right hand on the handle of Apollo and walked into the resting chambers.

o=)--------- ---------(=o

Zorlo yawned and stretched out his arms as he awoke to the sound of cheering. Well, perhaps the finals had finally begun. If so, that gave the fencer something to kill time with anyway. The Aura Master used Apollo to help him rise to his feet and smiled as he headed towards the entrance of the arena. The cheers and cries of love filled the arena and the Aura Master looked around as the announcer began talking.

"Introducing the second combatant. A man that has thus far used unknown but unbeatable skills to defeat his foes with barely the raise of a finger. Both of these combatants have so far barely exerted themselves it seems. So let's see how well matched they are!" the PA sounded as the fencer, in his normal manner, walked out onto the arena upside down. "The second Combatant! Zorlo the Aura Master and Fencer of Tasogare!"

The Aura Master chuckled as he looked up at the poor announcer who had become quite pale from his yelling of the fencer's name. As the green haired man arrived at the arena, he turned himself upright and held out his hand to Koganei. "It's good to finally meet you, Koganei. I'm here with only the purpose of testing you. So now, let's have a good fight," Zorlo stated with his normal smile.

[Halcyon Hero]

Koganei grinned back, one eyebrow cocked. He took the green-haired man’s hand, feeling its strength and returning it equally without conveying any attempt at intimidation or hostility. He identified Zorlo from his appearance alone, and needed no announcer to tell him his name. A chief teacher of the Dome, as well as a living legend in his own right, the fencer was known to many, even if he didn’t know them. And although the ronin had never seen the fencer or his abilities with his own eyes before, Koganei thought himself the probable equal of the man’s rumored strength and accomplishments.

“Test me?” Koganei asked, releasing his fellow instructor’s hand and giving a low bow. “I’m honored. Then I feel it only fair to warn you that I intend to test you as well. Please don’t hold back,” he added, looking up from his bow with a grin.

“I don’t intend to,” Zorlo replied, appearing genuinely humored.

”Fighters take their places.” The PA interrupted, drawing both warriors’ attention. The two separated, striding a good distance apart to face each other across the suspended platform.

“A word before we begin, if you will,” Koganei called, seeing the fencer reaching for his rapier.

“Go ahead,” Zorlo answered, putting his weight on one leg and preparing to hear the swordsman out.

“If you wouldn’t mind, I suggest starting out with just fist against fist,” the blue-haired warrior requested. “It would be a shame to rush things and miss out on a great fight because we drew our blades too soon.”

The green-haired man appeared to think the ronin’s words over for a minute before nodding and smiling, releasing the hilt of his rapier and accepting the proposal. Koganei smiled and took a stance, his right foot sliding back and his open palms held out before him, one at chest level and the other above his head.


”Fighters, BEGIN!”

[Zorolo]

No weapons, huh? This guy must be pretty confident in his skills with hand to hand combat. Then again, judging by his spiritual energy, I can tell he had about as much difficulty getting here as I did, possibly more. Anyway, I really should pay some attention to what is going on, or else I'll probably get- Zorlo's thought froze for a second as he took a palm to the face, thrusting his budy into the air for a few moments. With a quick movement, the fencer flipped backwards and slid to a stop on his heels.

Pretty good hit. That's what I get for not paying attention, Zorlo told himself as he crossed his arms and stood up, smiling. Still, that didn't really hurt as much as I imagined it might have. Then again, after being punched by Cadenza, this guy's hits are like Gentle Fist. Actually... comparatively, that's where his stance came from. Might as well fight style for style.

Zorlo uncrossed his arms from his sides and drew his legs close to his body, smiling as normal, and raising his left hand and bending his elbow outwards slightly so his palm pointed towards the samurai. Zorlo slid his right foot back and placed his right arm long his back as his left foot pointed towards Koganei. Not too fast now. I should be nice about this, the Aura Master thought silently with a smile as he slid his feet forwards and burst forwards.

A powerful punch flew right past the Ronin's face as the fencer narrowly missed him, causing the Master Swordsman to roll out of the way and catch his breath. "Little show there in responding at first, but now, I'm perfectly ready to continue. Now then, show me what you've got," the Aura Master stated calmly with a smile.

[Halcyon Hero]

Koganei grinned as he came up to his feet, automatically retaking his stance. The fencer came on again, fists flying. Skipping backwards, the ronin weaved in and out of the blurred green limbs, slapping them aside. He felt his shinzui awakening naturally within him, but forcibly repressed it. He wanted to drive himself to his limits and see just how long he could last against the legendary Zorlo with his physical strength alone. Koganei spread his legs wide and stooped down as an open palm blasted over the warrior’s head. His right arm snapped back and forth like slingshot, his own open hand pounding against Zorlo’s sternum and sending him flying. A blue blur replaced the swordsman’s body as he disappeared, flashing up behind the soaring fencer as he continued his attack. Turning a sharp cut on one pointed foot, Koganei’s leg snapped around, catching Zorlo across the back—no, the fencer had twisted around and blocked the kick with a forearm, though the blow ricocheted him the opposite direction.

The fencer let out a quick bark of a laugh and disappeared mid-flight, coming up behind the still posed Koganei in a blur. The swordsman half-blocked a blow to his side, tumbling through the air and sliding backwards along the ground on the balls of his feet. The two launched towards each other, furiously attacking and countering. Zorlo brought a hand down on Koganei’s shoulder, the blow almost sending him to his knees and the ground under his feet cracking. The ronin’s eyes flashed with determination, his left arm snaking up and around the extended limb, his hand closing on the fencer’s jacket and locking it in place. Zorlo’s trapped arm gripped Koganei’s clothing in return, both of their free arms pulling back.

Koganei twisted his body inside Zorlo’s attack, his own landing on the man’s shoulder. Unrelenting, his hand flew around the fencer’s body like a crazed insect, pounding against his jacket furiously. The green-haired warrior seemed to ignore the string of attacks, his own arm landing a sizable amount of blows against Koganei. Determined though he was, the ronin realized his disadvantage against Zorlo’s armor. Catching the fencer’s incoming hand in a vice-like grip, the trained warrior twisted it around with its own momentum and locked it out so that the green-haired warrior couldn’t move it without breaking Koganei’s grip. But this left the samurai without any free hands as well, so he attacked with what he had left.

His booted foot lashed up before Zorlo knew what was happening, slamming against the green-haired fencer’s shin. The ronin’s foot snapped back and forth, attacking both legs alternatively in different spots. The method of attacking unarmored areas seemed to work, for the way the fencer quickly twisted around Koganei seemed to have a bit of desperation to it. The combatants’ arms were forced above their heads as Zorlo twisted around, their gripped on each other sliding down to their hands as they ended up back-to-back, their arms held out to both sides.

Now it was a contest of pure strength, each straining against each other to pull the other over their backs. Amazingly strong as he was, Koganei felt himself gradually losing, millimeter by millimeter. Rather than waiting for the fencer to sling him up over his back and slam him into the ground, the blue-haired warrior kicked against the ground, sending himself rolling up his opponent’s back and down on his feet in front of him. Before Zorlo could comprehend what was happening, the samurai snapped his foot up between their locked arms, crushing the man’s chin and sending him arcing back as their hands slid apart.

OoC: Remember, don’t rush things. We’re going to drag this out for a looooong time.

[Zorolo]

Zorlo's body floated across the air as he went through one of those moments where the body is arched in the air. At this point, the body is falling with his head moving towards the ground first. The Aura Master smiled as his mind slowly replayed the whole scene that had just transpired. Zorlo began planning out his next moves one by one, placing together things quickly and going over his initial assessment of Koganei.

He's fast, but not as quick as I am, and he's strong, but I am stronger. Even if the percentage is small, that percentage is still more than enough to create a margin of victory. Still, I'm sure he has more tricks he hasn't use... then again, I'm still relying on natural strength and agility right now. I have no need for my aura at this moment in time, the fencer thought quietly as he quickly placed one of his arms onto the ground and his hand slid along the ground until the fencer lowered his legs onto the ground and backflipped quickly, landing with a smile and standing completely upright.

The Aura Master crossed his arms and kept a keen eye on his target, sliding his right foot back and leaning forwards, focusing himself fully towards his next move. Mayhap my next move should be... Zorlo thought as he suddenly moved forwards, becoming nothing but a green blur bursting towards the samurai. The ronin braced himself for the attack, obviously preparing a counterattack; however, by the time he made his move, the green flash that had been Zorlo was no longer where it had been moments before.

The green haired man smiled as he flipped quickly downwards, bashing the heel of his boot against the back of Koganei's head as the fencer fell towards the ground head first again, his arms still crossed as he fell. That had been interesting. Still, the swordsman didn't wait long to respond, turning quickly and thrusting his elbow towards the fencer, who merely smiled as Zorlo caught the elbow and hooked his foot around Koganei's shoulder and pushed the samurai's arm away and launched his own body upwards.

Zorlo floated horizontal as his body moved upwards slowly and looked to meet eyes with the samurai, who quickly spun around, his arm swinging towards Zorlo's face. The fencer watched silently and caught the oncoming arm and pushed his body sideways, stopping the arm and moving the momentum into the fencer's body movement. The toe of Zorlo's boot now hooked around Koganei's neck and the fencer spun quickly past the ronin and pushed his foot forwards, pushing the samurai stumbling forwards, his balance broken for the moment.

As for Zorlo, his right arm caught the ground again as he skidded on the palm of his right hand and pushed his hand from the ground. His body spun around quickly as the fencer landed, on his hands and knees, the toes of his shoes scraping to a stop as his body slowly uprighted himself and the fencer stood at his fully height again. Zorlo smiled as he balanced himself and crossed his arms once again.

To the crowd, what had been fought in seemingly seconds had been little more than a flash of blue and green. They all stood silently, in awe of what they were seeing. If they had seen the whole tussle, they probably would have been on their feet cheering epically. What they had seen, though, had been pretty awesome. The cheers filled the stadium as the fencer kept his smile and uncrossed his arms, laughing a little.

"That was fun. I've been practicing a few things, one of which is a style of dance fighting. Very flexible it makes a person, but its great for defenses like that where I knowingly catch myself on the defensive. Anyway, let's continue," the fencer said as he waved on Koganei. Things were starting to get fun.

[Halcyon Hero]

“I have something I’d like to try out, as well,” Koganei shot back, launching forward. The ronin dropped back on a hand and kicked out in a powerful thrust. Zorlo, bringing his knees up high to his chest, hopped over the leg and landed back down on it, immediately springing right back off and spinning through the air, his heel aimed for Koganei’s face. The samurai shoved himself under the fencer’s descending foot with his supporting hand and rolled back up on his neck, his own foot connecting with the base of Zorlo’s skull. The fencer half-stumbled away, dropping down as he did so and sweeping his leg out at the reversed swordsman. His hands already planted firmly on either side of his head and his arms cocked, Koganei heaved himself into the air in a wide arc, over the sweeping leg and down towards Zorlo. The fencer caught the samurai’s leg and, heaving, brought him slamming down on his other side. Half-catching himself with one hand, the swordsman immediately used both the fencer’s and his won momentum to his advantage, clamping his other foot over the green-haired man’s hands and bringing him along over the samurai and smashing down past him.

The crowd went wild as they sprang to their feet, lashing out at each other as they did so. Koganei willing took a hit on his shoulder as Zorlo’s fist came barreling it, ignoring it and striking down with the index and middle fingers of his left hand. He hit by the right side of the fencer’s collarbone, and immediately felt the green-haired man’s arm go limp. Grinning, Koganei went in for another pressure point, the fingers of his right hand homing in on the fencer’s left knee.

[Zorolo]

Zorlo looked at his left arm for what felt like seconds as the man moved. Annoying, he hit a pressure point and has numbed my arm. Well, that's life. First off... the fencer trailed of as he smiled, kicking the forward moving hand away and kneeing his foe in the chest. Fingers twitched slightly, feeling slowly returning to them. It took a few seconds, but at least the fingers were moving. Anyway, this would be fun anyway. A good challenge, one would say.

The Aura Master raised his right leg up, smiling as he did so, and readying his attacks. A volley of fingers thrust quickly towards him, aimed to strike any number of pressure points, each missing by an inch here or an inch there. Just enough so it could seem like an accident. In reality, it wasn't. In reality, it was narrow evasion. The fencer didn't counterattack. The green haired man barely moved aside from the few inches here and there to avoid attacks. Buying time wasn't the plan, although this proved useful for that, but mostly to figure out, giving an inch or two, where Koganei was aiming.

Finally, the moment to strike opened itself and the fencer did a quick flip, kicking the samurai in the chin and flipping backwards with the aid of a single arm until he was out of range. "Good, I know now," Zorlo whispered to himself as he shook his arm a little bit. In the course of a few seconds, the fencer had guessed at eight or nine of the pressure points, probably aimed to stop vital defensive areas. "Now then, time to strike back," the Aura Master stated as he leapt into the air and launched a quick spinning kick, prepared for any need to change his next move.

[Halcyon Hero]

OoC: Some great fight music! Just skip past the first 1:15 of jabber.

BiC: Koganei caught the fencer’s leg, giving it a good tug over his shoulder and sending the green-haired man almost playfully spinning through the air. The fencer landed on his feet with ease and briskly advanced, grinning.

“You think you know, Zorlo-dono?” Koganei asked wryly, spreading his legs almost impossibly apart and holding his arms out parallel with them, hands pointed with the first two fingers. Leaning forward, Zorlo’s body seemed to snap, flipping in place through the air, his heels coming down in line with the ronin’s head.

“The pressure points on your body that I can hit,” the blue-haired swordsman flipped and spun his back-most leg up, his foot colliding with Zorlo’s and holding him momentarily in midair, “there are hundreds of them!”

The ronin clamped a hand on the overly green man’s ankle and whipped his other up, digging his fingers into the back of the calf as he pulled it downwards. Zorlo caught himself on the ground with both hands and brought his other leg snapping across the samurai’s hamstring, bringing him down and rolling away. The green-haired fencer, right leg dead from the knee down, flipped himself over and over on his hands and left foot, coming up on the samurai and spinning about to bring his heel down on the man. Koganei halted the blow with a forearm, using his position to his advantage and leaping up over the crouched Zorlo, bringing the fencer’s extended leg up with him. Turning in midair, the samurai struck a point on the back of Zorlo’s thigh.

Both legs dead now, though feeling slowly returning to one, Zorlo blasted both arms out at the man landing by his hand, his open palms catching the blue-haired samurai in the gut and sending him flying across the suspended platform. Half tumbling through the air and in line with the arena, Koganei steadied himself with his fingertips, his feet coming down as he turned the tumbling into controlled back flips. The ronin stepped back onto one of the massive chains holding the platform.

“This battle,” he called out to the unsteadily-rising Zorlo, “let’s make it a bit more interesting!” His wide sleeves fluttering behind him, the blue-haired man turned and zipped across the sloped chain, feeling the powerful presence of the fencer closing in behind him. A bit more than halfway across, the ronin spun around on one heel and raised his extended fingers against the approaching Zorlo.

[Zorolo]

To everyone watching, Zorlo looked almost like he was sky diving. His body was straight as an arrow, falling parallel to the chain towards his foe. The fencer, despite having limited feeling in both legs and one arm, knew better than to charge head on like this, but still, it was one of those things that people enjoyed the rush of doing. After all, the adrenaline levels that people felt when stupid things are done, like sky diving, are intensely high.

"Hmm..." Zorlo murmured to himself as Koganei turned around and pointed his fingers towards the fencer. The Aura Master merely smiled and began spinning around. His body sped up a bit, giving him the exact timing he needed. For what, one might ask? Well, to take his foe head on down the chain with him. The fencer's head collided with the samurai's chest and pushed him forwards, both of the two falling towards the ground. Still, the two fell along down the chain, Koganei taking most of the chain's force.

With a quick catch of himself, the swordsman grabbed the chain and tossed the fencer from himself, launching the green haired man towards the arena floor at a decreased speed. "Well, at least he slowed me down," the fencer told himself as he looked at the oncoming ground and smiled. "Now then, if I don't do this right, I'll probably die... or at least be a paraplegic," he said just loud enough so other people could hear him.

The gasps from the crowd were intense. The silence was easily broken by the fear of the green haired man hitting the arena and the battle ending in this mildly climactic way. In reality, Zorlo had no intentions of hitting the arena, nor in dying. The arena was drawing close quickly, and the fencer thrust his good arm out. Dust plumed from where his hand hit the ground and, as his elbow bent from the force of hitting the arena, he pushed himself upwards in a single handspring and did a backflip through the air, using his good arm to hit the ground and stop himself.

The crowd cheered loudly in awe as they watched the fencer perform. Zorlo could be a truly skilled crowd pleaser when he wanted to be, and the Aura Master had decided to make this a moment where he performed a little for the onlookers. The fencer lowered himself and stood up, feeling both of his legs and his formerly numb arm being fine. The green haired man waved up to his foe with a smile and then waved him down. "Come, I think we have a fight, or something, that we were going to finish," the fencer said with a mild chuckle. He hadn't had this much fun in a while.

[Halcyon Hero]

OoC: Hell yeah.

BiC: “You’re quite an interesting fellow, Zorlo-dono,” Koganei called, already planning ahead his next handful of moves. The samurai rocketed down the sloped chain and across the platform, his right leg twirling up. Zorlo bent over backwards and kicked out with his own foot. Koganei grabbed the extended leg and spun under it, his foot hooking under the fencer’s supporting leg and pulling it in. The green-haired warrior fell back, his hands catching him before he hit the ground. His powerful arms tensing, the fencer became a stationary green blur as he flipped over in place, spinning his own body with just his hands. The Aura Master’s legs became whirling clubs that battered Koganei’s blocking arms as he spun in place. Grinning despite the powerful onslaught, the ronin used his X-crossed arms to push Zorlo’s spinning legs up and over, leaving him vertical—and exposed. The blue-haired warrior brought a leg curled in close and kicked out with all the strength he naturally possessed, hitting the vertical fencer dead in the gut and sending him whirling and twirling across the arena. The fencer bounced once (Koganei caught a glimpse of a balancing hand on the arena) before flying over the edge and out of sight.

Koganei knew full well of Zorlo’s aura powers—and subsequently, his ability of flight. So he was neither shocked nor unprepared when the fencer came floating back up over the edge. His body was a blue shadow as it launched across the arena to collide with the fencer’s rising body. The Aura Master caught Koganei by the shoulders as he came barreling in, but the ronin pushed him along like a steam engine, rapidly closing in on one of the four towers. Laughing, Zorlo brought a leg up under the rushing samurai and heaved him up and over, leaving him to collide with the tower alone. A small explosion of dust and debris engulfed the contact point, shrouding the swordsman. Screams were heard among the cheers of the crowd, the spectators within the tower in question crying out as it shook and trembled under the impact.

Zorlo floated back, his legs slightly outstretched and his arms crossed, a wide smile splayed across his face. The dust shrouding Koganei was suddenly dispersed, a swipe of the samurai’s arm cutting it in half and sending it away. His smile matched Zorlo’s. He was sitting in the shallow crater in the side of the tower, cracking his knuckles.

“I feel bad,” he proclaimed suddenly, his smile growing even wider. “I know all about your abilities, but I doubt you know very much of mine.” The ronin pushed himself out of the hole and stepped out—on thin air. “If that is the case, I think I should reveal some of them to you.”

The master swordsman heaved his fist back, turning his body with it, and threw it forward, an orb of blue energy rocketing from it to collide with the fencer’s chest.

“Kujiku!”

[Zorolo]

Zorlo's smiled expanded a little more as he heard these words. This boast that this man knew the full potential and powers of the Aura Master, yet the fencer knew none of this samurai's. That, to Zorlo, almost inspired a bit of a laugh. After all, there were few people of interest that were beyond the fencer's radar in terms of observations. The green haired man uncrossed his arms for a moment and kept his eyes hidden behind his hair.

Slowly, the Aura Master lifted his head and lifted his right hand, holding it palm out towards the orb moving towards him. As the orb seemed to definitely impact, it suddenly stopped. A thin layer of aura stood between the ball of Ki and the small aura defensive that had ceased its movement. The fencer turned his palm upwards, and the orb followed as he outstretched his hand. Slowly, the fencer's fingers curled upwards, but just so that they were away from the barrier.

"Hmm? You say that you know all about my powers and I know none about yours. You give me too little credit, Koganei-san. Long have I existed in the Dome, and I know many of its secrets better than most could imagine. You must not know of how observant I am, then? Most people of interest I have kept an eye over, and you, sir, are one of them. After all, it is, a small world," the fencer joked as he made the orb begin to rotate in his hand as the aura beneath it began to swirl.

"However, that isn't important," the fencer said as his smile returned to normal as he closed his hand, crushing the ball of energy inside of it. The fencer shook his hand out and slid his right foot back. "Anyway, you've made things more interesting, after all, I had hoped to hold back my plethora of tricks a little bit longer. I'm sure you've got the same feeling, correct?"

The crowd was getting anxious. They had seen their first bit of the battle between spirit and soul, and were now wanting more. Like a ravenous dog that hadn't been fed in months, they cheered and roared, demanding more. This wasn't to be unexpected, but still, there were a few thoughts the fencer had.

The first of which he vocalized. "The one thing I hate about arenas is how confined you are, but hey, that's not something you can change." A second though crossed his mind as he looked at his finger and a small, green flame like essence burst to life. "The other thing is that you have to be careful," the fencer said as a small sphere formed on the tip of his finger and he threw it. The fencer closed his hands and, with a smile, opened them again, shooting out another ten small balls of aura that zipped around the arena, mildly remotely controlled by Zorlo, for safety reasons. "Have fun," the green haired man said as he rushed forwards with his hand ablaze with aura.