This was a most unexpected turn of events. So then, unheeding to my TRUE powers...Triskix had decided to make me a combatant in this farce after all. Very well then...but the collateral damage is his problem...
I looked at my opponent across the field. Her red eyes blazed fiercely with the intent to kill...Though we had just met, I had no idea as to whether I could call her a friend or an enemy. I could tell her mind was beginning to wander with the very same thought, and so, I made my move. A straight slice, with what had felt like a clean cut, yet she stood there unmoving.
I see...so that's your game. I thought silently.
Drawing out her black bow, she began with a barrage of arrows. Yet for some reason, she wasn't taking this seriously. The arrows that made contact only grazed my arms and legs...and others simply missed and encircled the floor around me. No, this move was part of a greater scheme as well. She was young, but seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. She thought every move through, and went as far as to trick me into thinking they were unintentional.
I couldn't let this continue...before long the entire ground would be melted into a pool of acid. She dropped her bow to the ground, it too melting, and though I knew it was what she probably intended to do...I took this opening as well. Moving in quickly, with speed I'm sure she hadn't counted on, I struck her...over and over. This time, I had a few lucky strikes. I could tell by the frost freezing over the wounds. I smiled slightly as she tried to melt it...my frost wasn't so simple as all that. It would continue to seep inside and freeze her...from the inside out. She finally gave up the attempt...big mistake. No matter how insignificant and small...it was exactly what I wanted.
I attempted yet another series of strikes...but suddenly felt myself entrapped. I was the coils of a snake...wrapping itself around me...attempting to stop me from moving. The wounds I'd received burned...and I became impatient quickly. Making it to my neck, that was the final straw! It had managed to survive longer than I'd expected...for simply latching onto my body had meant it's destruction. It turned completely to ice...and in a moment I shattered it to dust.
"I see you've quite a few little tricks up your sleeve." I commented, trying to ignore the burning sensation of my wounds. This was nothing compared to the pain I'd been put through in the past. I glanced nonchalantly at the frost burns on her as well. It won't be long now. My ice crystals were already coursing through her blood stream...soon I would be able to freeze her at any given time.
I see she'd had a similar plan from the very start as well...her poison was beginning to affect me...my vision was slightly blurring. I have to end this quickly...or this could get bad...every person in this ring will be in danger. Grr...Triskix...you and your boredom...
I readied my sword for a final barrage of attacks while I prepared something...special. Attacking quickly, I was surprised at how well Xiakis could move unarmed. Her movements were fluid, though as I continued my onslaught, I felt her reaction time slowing down. Muttering under my breath....I continued chanting a spell...feeling it was ready, I jumped back and raised my Great Sword up.
"I'm sorry...but this must end." I stated as a ball of ice formed above me.
"Go ahead." Xiakis muttered in defiance. "You know you can't destroy me with such a weak attack. You aren't even putting full force into it. At that size, I can still easily dodge such a blast."
"It's not my intention to destroy you....you only need to receive the minimum amount of damage for this to end." I clarified.
Jumping straight up with my final burst of energy, I cast the huge ball of ice at the ground between us. Upon contact, it shattered, sending blades of ice flying in all directions. The shockwave had even thrown the pools of acid, it flew onto the walls of our confinement, and began to melt through at alarming speeds.
Landing harshly, I planted my sword in the ground and used it for support. I never should've allowed the serpent to inject so much poison into me...that was careless. My body was beginning to feel heavy, and the only thing I feared was becoming desperate. Who knows what she'll do?
Xiakis had been unable to dodge the barrage of blades...all she could do was block, as well as was able. Yet she'd been pierced several times, and stood there in a great deal of pain. Now that I'd been able to pierce her with more blades of ice...her body was completely under my control. The crystals in her blood willing to follow my command at any given moment. I could tell she was feeling their pressure...her body appeared very heavy.
I approached slowly and extended my hand. "I know you must've figured out what's happened by now. You're a gifted strategist, I'll give you that...but even the greatest of plans will get you nowhere now. I'm afraid we've reached a stalemate..."
Xiakis bit her lip...while she was normally so talkative...she had nothing to say, but to admit I was right. "So where do we go from here then?"
"A draw." I conceded. "I can freeze you completely at any given moment now, if you so wish to continue... and even if you can manage to liquefy or regenerate...you'd never be able to melt my ice. And yet, I feel this poison of yours has become quite a problem as well....perhaps, if I'm not treated...my quest for vengeance will be cut short." I smiled coolly...feeling my eyes growing heavy. "So, your answer?"
Reluctantly, and with much effort, Xiakis extended her hand and took my own. "Very well."
With those in the cells next to us as our witnesses, we two combatants fell to the ground...our match a draw...and our bodies taxed.
