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Post by Reno on Jul 12, 2010 20:16:15 GMT -5
There was a pause, before the younger moved the hood from his head and smiled up at the elder man. He nodded, "Yes we are. We were uh... just flying overhead and saw that he was in trouble so we came down to help." He motioned to where Terra was.
"We didn't meant to intrude or anything." He apologized softly.
"Alright stop whining." He chastised to the wolf, his muscles flexing as he wrapped his arms around the creature and lifted him up with a soft grunt. He was a BIG wolf and not even full grown yet; it spoke a lot about the man's strength to lift him with little effort. He looked over the creature's flank as the Airbender questioned him. "He's a bull-wolf. You've never seen one?" Terra grinned, "There are wild packs of them all around this side of the Earth Kingdom."
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Post by Rikugurl on Jul 12, 2010 20:50:03 GMT -5
"No, no. Please, don't apologize. If you hadn't showed up, things might of turned out worse. I just wished that my nephew used his bending ability for aid instead of... what was it? Oh, manly yelling." He poked fun at the younger, making him blush under his bangs. "I guess it's just not everyday that that Airbenders visit the Earth Kingdom, especially not swooping down from the sky for a rescue." The man with the pulled back ponytail only gave Soran a reassuring smile though. "It's kind of nice seeing the benders slowly mending back as one, to work together. I'm Braig and this is my nephew, Terra. We come here so I can train him on how to be a great Earthbender."
Ventus watched Terra was he pulled the wolf over him, flexing his muscles to show the strain of the weight but handling it with ease. he caught himself staring and his cheeks reddened some, making him wish he had hair of his own to hide behind. Instead, he pulled his hood back over his head to shadow his face instead. "N-no. I've actually never been anywhere but in the Air Nomad village and the Northern Air Temple." This statement made it obvious that the young boy was an airbender if the fact of him wielding strong air didn't already give it away. To get his mind off the tanner fellow, he looked into the forest, wondering where those creatures had come from.
"Come on down to the village. I'll make you all some tea for your journey." The uncle offered before turning, heading back down the trail towards the small set up below. The other quickly joined, heading down the passage through the cavern. Soran stayed side by side with the adult as Ventus held back with the boy. "So, those shadow creatures are not native fauna to this area?" He was trying to figure out why those things had attack this boy and his companion. Were they afraid of the bull-wolf?
Before they could continue further, there was a sudden rumble in the ground, making the party have to stable themselves so they wouldn't fall over. "Ah! An earthquake!?" Ventus cried, stabbing his staff into the ground to steady himself.
"No!" Braig called before his closed his eyes and seemed to concentrate. "It's coming from Gaungxi!"
"Where is that!?" Ventus cried over the rumbling.
"Another village about a mile through the cavern!"
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Post by Reno on Jul 12, 2010 21:44:01 GMT -5
"Oh! So you're Earthbenders?" Sora said in surprise and smiled, amazed he was finally meeting some! He had worried he would not get the chance too, since Axel seemed determined to fly day and night to the Fire Nation. Now that made him curious too thought; why hadn't Terra bended? Was he just overcome by fear? He gave a shy glance to the elder teenager, seeing the way he handled his animal friend, petting him across the muzzle almost absentmindedly.
Or maybe he had just been worried about accidentally hurting his friend.
He turned back to Braig and bowed his head respectfully, appreciating the hospitality. "We would appreciate that, thank you!" He followed after the other into the small cavern, the other two right behind, since the cavern was small and did not give much room.
However, all of them were given quite a shock when the earth under them suddenly shook causing Soran to have to steady himself against the wall, though Terra and Braig seemed better fitted to the the movement.
"It could be another attack!" Terra called from behind and unexpectedly, it was Soran who jumped into action first.
"Well then we'd better hurry and help!" He said, rushing down cavern. There was a yell behind him, more footsteps following as he was told to take the left cavern.
The Avatar did so, rushing quickly down the cavern the mile passing under his feet in moments with a bit of help with his airbending. The light of the tunnel could be seen up ahead and he burst out into the sunlight moments later.
His eyes widened.
It wasn't an attack.... it was a match!
He started down the hill into the center of town, where an upraised platform made of fine sandstone stood. It was surrounded by people who were cheering and calling and jeering at the two opponents on the stage. One was an earthbender, his frame tall and his shoulders wide and large. His hair was a russet color and his gaze seemed fierce and frightening.
His opponent was much smaller and lean. In fact, Soran imagined he was no taller then himself! He was just a kid. But the blonde, whose hair was in the strangest do imaginable with it's flips and swirls, didn't seem daunted by the other. In fact he was grinning with pride and certainty of a win, sharp dark blue eyes gleaming. In either hand he held a sword; one's blade was a brilliant white, the guard at the end has thin metal bursting out like a fine star and the grip wrapped in gold and a powdery blue. The other sword was the precise opposite, but Sora got the feeling they were twin swords because of their similar shape, size and length. The second sword's blade was a dark black, and it's guard also having thin metal that stretched out but it's appearance was more like a crown. The grip was wrapped in dark blue and royal purple.
There was a sudden yell and a rock went sailing over the field but the blonde seemed ready for it, twisting around the attack and charging forward where a second rock was sailing for him. He struck out in a fine X-motion, the blades crashing into the rock and sliced right into it, the pieces covering the arena.
"Wow..." Soran whispered, not noticing that he had been joined by Ventus, Terra and Braig until Terra spoke up.
"Heh, I can't believe he's here."
"Huh? Who?"
"That kid." He nodded to the blonde, the clashes and clangs of battle loud. "I've heard of him; he's becoming quite well-known around this area. He's called Roxas, the Dual-Blade Master."
"Dual...Blade?"
The brunette hummed in affirmative. "About... six months ago I think he started showing up to Earth Kingdom Villages and challenging any bender who would take him on. I heard he has some... mission or something to show the world that you don't need to be a bender to best one."
"He's not a bender himself?!" The Avatar said, even more amazed seeing the way the blonde weaved across the field with ease, seeming to be able to feel every attack that came at him from the earth-bender. "Wow... he's good."
Just then, Roxas spoke up, taunting his opponent. "Come on, is that the best you got?!"
"....but arrogant." Soran sighed.
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Post by Rikugurl on Jul 12, 2010 22:09:24 GMT -5
"I don't know how he thinks he'll beat Aeleus." A voice made some blue eyes look back at Braig, seeing him soaked into the sight of the battle. Ventus didn't have to ask who this Aeleus was since he was sure it was the bender this Roxas was battling. "It is one of the greatest earthbenders in these parts of the Earth Kingdom." From the way Terra suddenly tensed, Ventus could tell that a statement like thing from his mentor must of meant the man Roxas was facing was truly great.
Narrowed, strong eyes glared at the young child that was charging him without care. He suddenly rose a large weapon himself, mocking an ax and a sword together. Just the looks of it and him wielding it one handed showed his strength. It slammed down into the ground, tearing the earth apart. As the earth split, it threw up jagged rocks in Roxas's direction. This didn't seem to stop the blonde, his blades crashing right through them. Another sweep of the mighty ax kicked up a large cloud of dust that suddenly turned soil and shot right for the blonde again to halt him. But again, his efforts failed as the blonde ducked and kept running, slashing pieces from it that went flying back towards the bender.
As the rocks came flying towards him, his ax dropped to the ground which threw up another bolder and quickly his elbows came together before his hands lapse over each other. This threw up a triangular shield of rock. A wrist went limp before he punched out, making his shield fly out towards the blonde. It took the boulder with it and he knew there was no way he could slice though all those layers with his sword.
"Why did he start doing this?" Ventus asked as he watched closely, not exactly at their battle but at the blonde himself. Even from this far away, he could see anger that was built up in his body, making his actions impulsive instead of thought out.
All this boy was doing... was creating more hate and defeat in hearts that he opposed.
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Post by Reno on Jul 12, 2010 22:30:39 GMT -5
"No one really knows." Terra responded to Ven, watching the battle with more care; mainly Aeleus. If he was a good bender, watching him may teach something to him. "People have speculated he's just some kid trying to get famous. Others think he's just testing his skill. But no one really knows for sure." His eyebrow arched, seeing the earthbenders lever move and was certain it was over for the egotistical teenager...
But Roxas wasn't backing down. Perhaps he was fighting with mostly his anger, but that didn't hinder the fact he was truly skilled. He thrust a sword forward, the black one, and let it go and it embedded itself in the ground half way between himself and the boulder and charged. It was like a race, to see who would reach the sword first.
Roxas jumped at the last few feet, fearlessly landing on the hilt of his sword before jumping again. From his weight the sword was dislodged and tumbled to the ground, forgotten as Roxas actually jumped OVER the boulders thrust towards him. He raised his sword high, catching the light of the sun. Aeleus, seeming a little baffled, as his opponent was suddenly missing, was drawn by a call.
"UP HERE!"
Aeleus looked up and the sun gleamed in his eyes, temporarily blinded by the clever and resourceful move. In the next second, Roxas had landed, sharp point of his sword pointed at Aeleus' chest, not an inch away.
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Post by Rikugurl on Jul 13, 2010 19:17:51 GMT -5
"Hmmm...." There had to be more than just that. There was something unsettled in the blonde's heart that made him want to challenge only benders. He had heard stories of old where a family would love and care for their child that could bend over one who could not. He didn't think any parents could be so cruel though. He shook his head, dismissing the thought before slowly walking away from Terra and in between his friend and the older man. He watched as the blade was put close to the exhausted bender's chest, threatening him to bend again or it was lights out. He was sure that wasn't the case but it sure looked like it...
"Haaa.......haaa......nnaah...." The bender panted, shocked as he saw the blade so close to him. He had never seen such talent, such speed, and such energy before in such a young child. He wasn't that young but he wasn't that old either. He had defeated many men and women in battles that were older than this one. "Alright.... y-you win...." He panted out finally, hearing the cheers and cries around him as his ax slammed into the ground in defeat.
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Post by Reno on Jul 13, 2010 19:40:49 GMT -5
Soran tilted his head, surprised at how quickly it had ended, and everyone around them burst into cheers. He heard someone say nearby, "Pay up," and glanced over. Two men stood nearby one grinning as he held out a hand, the other looking defeated as a pile of copper pieces were placed in his hand. A gamble?
Lips quirked in a satisfied smile, giving a nod to the other's defeat. "It was a good match." He commended. He pulled the blade away and turned away, going to fetch his other sword that lay on the ground, while Aeleus stepped down from the ring.
The blonde looked around, a cocky grin on his face as he paced around in a fine circle and called to the crowd, "So who wants to be next to fall to the point of my blades?" To the small groups surprise, he caught sight of them and paused, his gaze falling onto Ventus, whose hood had been pushed down at some point, revealing his tattoos and his origins. A gleam of a different sort shimmering in his gaze, and he approached him, pointing his sword in obvious challenge. "What about you? Wanna try your luck kid?"
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Post by Rikugurl on Jul 13, 2010 20:11:22 GMT -5
Blue eyes gazed around, seeing the copper pieces handed around too. Gambling? Why were people wasting their money like this? Was this the only kind of entertainment these people had? A frown ran over the blonde browed boy, not realizing the heat on his bald head. He realized it quickly when he was suddenly called upon, looking up at the ring that the earth bender had made and seeing a blade pointed down at him. They looked up the blade, seeing the hilt and then up the air to look into blue, challenging eyes, ones that reminded him of himself when he looked at his reflection in the water.
Their faces were built much the same, their noses, lips, cheek bones and chins. Identical. He had not noticed any of this until he came this close. The only true difference was their clothes and their hair.
This resemblance didn't seem to phase his challenger though, still looking like he was waiting for an answer. Slowly, the boy took his hood and pulled it over his head, hiding his face before looking down at the earth. "I appologize. I do not believe in violence. I will only use my powers for self defense and to aid those in trouble. I will not accept your challenge."
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Post by Reno on Jul 13, 2010 20:21:09 GMT -5
Blue eyes narrowed at the other's response, displeased. It was obvious he wanted to best the airbender for some reason or another. "Self-defense huh?" Something in that tone was snake-like, and rose warning flags in everyone's minds. And then he grinned, as if he had the greatest plan in the universe.
"Then, I think you'd better."
Soran's heart stopped, seeing the black sword swing up, and then down for the boy and his mind was clouded by panic as he cried, "VENTUS!"
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Post by Rikugurl on Jul 13, 2010 20:57:04 GMT -5
Though the hood covered his face and his eyes did not see the danger, the sound of the air before him told him that something was slicing through it towards him. Without any hesitation, the blade came down and the boy quickly dodged it by spinning to the side. When his foot met the ground, an arm shot out straight and was mere inches from the other's chest. Instead of using bruit force to knock him back, a powerful just of wind did it for him. It hit the blonde hard in the jut and sent him back onto the stage.
The area became silent, seeing the new battle begin. They were actually shocked when they saw the young boy who was wielding bending powers other than earth here.
The hooded boy stood their silently for a moment before slowly ascending into the ring. This startled the Avatar some but as his guardian started to speak, he understood why he chose this option.
"That's right; for self defense. However, I believe that others still need aid from you. You are a bully who wishes to do nothing but hand out guilt and dishonor. I will not let you continue." His voice was strong and sturdy like the ground below him. He pulled the hood off his head, revealing the bizarre tattoos that stretched form his forehead to his back. He slowly pulled his cloak off, revealing tanned robes and light clothes that Air Nomads usually wore. The cloak was flopped onto the ground before some more clothed string were pulled and some cloth unraveled. These too were pulled of, exposing the boy's bare torso. The crowd marveled as they saw that the wind design traveled down his back and took over most of it, stretching out to his arms to end at his hands.
His body was relaxed but straight, bowing his head some to show respect and discipline. "If we must do this.... then let us start."
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Post by Reno on Jul 14, 2010 9:56:53 GMT -5
The powerful wind stirred everyone's hair and clothes, and Roxas, who got the brunt of the attack, was thrown back from it. But he seemed prepared for it, and he twisted his body, able to land in a crouch on the other side of the arena. He slowly stood, watching the other expectantly as he got on stage and even as the other spoke out against him, he just snorted, his eyes amused rather then offended. He spun the blades on his fingers, getting into a stance, holding a blade at either side of himself, "Tall words; but if you're trying to teach me a lesson you'll have to actually defeat me."
"Ventus..." Soran called nervously, but his friend couldn't hear him any longer. He was really going through with this!?
"Ah, double or nothing! I call the bald kid!" The gambler who lost could be heard saying.
On the field, the two seemed to stare at each other across the arena, the air tense around them as they sized one another up. Then, Roxas' eyes narrowed and he attacked, charging forward for the other boy.
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Post by Rikugurl on Jul 14, 2010 17:40:04 GMT -5
This is pointless. Aren't we just wasting time?
The young Air Nomad had to ask himself as the other sized him up, just standing there and holding his ground. The monks had taught him offensive moves for protection but was he truly protecting himself by taking this challenge? He knew it was for the greater good of the bending people, having to get rid of the red ant that bites the wolves feet.
If he backed down now, he would be put to shame and everyone would remember him from the cruel words and not the honorable choice...
His eyes quickly focused when he felt a disturbance in the air and looked ahead of him, seeing the other suddenly charge. His body wanted to tense, wanted to panic, wanted to flee but he took a deep breath and stood still, watching the other getting closer and closer and closer. When he could hear the sound of the other's breath, he suddenly lowered himself and swiped his arm out, his fingers pushed together to make a chopping motion. It released a strong just of air that tripped the blonde and as he tried to catch himself with a sword, Ventus quickly swirled around him, his arms quickly moving in a circle which brought on a small cyclone around the blonde.
The power of the wing pulled Roxas right off the ground and a stronger downward motion from a swirling movement sent Roxas shoot back to his corner of the ring.
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Post by Reno on Jul 14, 2010 17:59:50 GMT -5
Roxas wasn't sure what to expect. He'd fought Warthbenders, Firebenders, even plenty of Waterbenders; but he never got to his ultimate goal. To fight an Airbender. He knew each nation had a different styles of fighting; different stances and different movements.
But his eyes weren't trained and his mind unprepared for the evasiveness of an Airbender - nor the power of wind. That was why he was taken by surprise by the other's move, sending him off-balance and with a short cry was sent up into the air and back into the ground, his bones jeering at the impact as one of his swords slipped from his hand. He heard the sound of it skidding and was quick to roll over on his hands and knees, his white sword catching the black by it's guard and a sharp movement sent it skidding back to his left hand.
He glared towards Ventus, looking like a fierce pygmy Puma with the way he was crouching, before he was up and on his feet, charging for the other again. He watched the other's hand movements carefully, and as he got close he saw the hands jerk up for him. He stabbed his sword into the ground and twisted getting to his left flank and his other sword sliced out for him.
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Post by Rikugurl on Jul 14, 2010 18:31:24 GMT -5
As the pygmy Puma boy gave him a glare, he pulled his neck and moved it int a circle, letting it crack to loosen up his muscles. This made spectators cheer when he got into a stance. Some fans of Roxas, who journeyed to watch him fight, didn't seem persuaded that this would be the last fight Roxas would win. They had seen him falter a few times but only when it was his first time battling a new bender of an unknown element.
Roxas was up and charging again, making Ventus tense a bit. The gleaming of the swords was something he was not use to. When they trained, they would only use staffs and fans, things that could definitely hurt and break bones but could never cut. He knew it would hurt if he got nicked with one and telling from the energy and anger this blonde had, he wouldn't show much mercy. His arms came up which much of spooked the boy and as fast as he could compute it, the blonde flanked him and was slashing down. "Naa!" Blue eyes closed as his body lowered to the ground. He got so low that he was actually able to pass between Roxas's legs as he came forward. The blonde stumbled in onto his planted sword.
Using the momentum of being on the ground, the bald Air Nomad planted a foot into the ground and pushed himself in a circle with the other. As he spun, he kicked himself back and his arms circled around each other, making another powerful gust of wind blow from his arm, hitting Roxas square in the back. This only made the blonde falter more and Ventus knew what was coming. A quick flick and the sword was out of the ground, Roxas's body swinging around to try and jab him but he was only met by another strong gust of wind that came blowing from the boy's mouth as he cupped his hands over it. This again blew the blonde right across the stadium.
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Post by Reno on Jul 14, 2010 18:59:06 GMT -5
Unlike before, Roxas didn't lose his footing this second time, his shoes sliding back quickly and the sounds of swords screeching into the ground met the ears of the audience as he punctured them into the earth to slow him down. He panted as he came to a stop, sweat darking his bangs and plastering them against his forehead. He looked up shortly, and his eyes gleaming with fury and determination. He wasn't through yet.
"RAAAH!" Came the battle cry and with a burst of energy, he was across the arena within moments. But this time there was no testing of the playing field, as he swung his swords in a dangerous and fast dance against his opponent hoping to barrage him with attacks and keep him from bending as he avoided swing after swing.
"Ventus!" Soran called in worry, the gleaming of the swords so near his friend making his heart beat in panic. This was getting out of hand!
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