Edge of Disaster

[Ankshar Kha]

Perhaps it was time to close the gap between them. Tathra was obviously a much more experienced fighter that had lived far longer than any Drael. He was also undeniably strong, and merciless. Would he disparage one of his own for using their intellect? She certainly hoped not as her kind excelled in that field. A warrior used whatever was at their disposal to claim victory.

As he advanced, Ankshar gripped the sword firmly in her left hand at her side. Its point angled upward slightly.

Once more, Tathra struck a blow unconcerned with waiting or testing his adversary. No doubt he wanted to push her until she overcame, or broke. She could accept those terms. In fact, the young Drael even stepped into the coming assault to close the distance between them -- the reach of his weapon was a tactical disadvantage, and risk would be needed to compensate. It was unlikely given his reflexes she could get behind him where he'd be weaker to assault.

As the shaft whipped forth, the gauntlet of her right arm lifted to shoulder level to block the blow, her arm bent with the gauntlet half an arm's length from the rest of her body. There wouldn't be time to stare incredulously at such a defensive move given the force before Tathra's swing, however. A melee shield flared into existence to take the brunt of the blow. Even with the shield, Ankshar could feel the impact throughout the length of her arm, and the strain in her shoulder to keep from buckling under the pressure. It was in that moment that the sword thrust out at Tathra; in part to try and stab him in the upper torso, but also to discourage the man from closing the distance any further.

Tag: [member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Contact, contact was all Tathra needed.

​Whilst his Marauder's form quaked from the sundering blow of his Axe, he felt little; the kinetic force made little impact as the massive Drael's blow was stopped before its full potency could interfere with a reaction to her thrust.

​The Marauder's sword shot outward, and Tathra replied; his right hand instinctively moved to block the blow - already waiting to grasp the shaft, instead now Tathra braced the comparatively light blade along the outside of his gauntlet. With little effort he redirected it aside, naturally extending his arm to push it away.

​At the same time, Tathra capitalised on the versatility of his weapon. Its length granted him range in ways the Marauder had perhaps not foreseen. Using the shield as a counterbalance, the Chieftain curved the Axe as his arm moved toward her - the intent to strike her in the chest with the blunt of the massive blade with great force with the intent of throttling Marauder Kha.

​If the strike connected, Tathra would use his right hands proximity to her left wrist to grapple her arm and pull her staggered body toward him and thrust his knee into her chest.

​| [member="Ankshar Kha"] |​

 

[Ankshar Kha]

Ankshar's hand moved to grapple with the weapon as it approached; the pressure from being used as a fulcrum heavy enough the effort did not stop the blow, but lessened it. She was forced back a step at the strike, and would likely be vulnerable to Tathra's grapple and knee. Unpleasant experiences both, but would have been far worse had she not sported equipment in the Circle.

With a roar she broke free of the man's grasp and stumbled back. The sword snapped back and to the left in preparation for yet another advance by the man. Ankshar's upper body was bent over slightly from the throbbing pain in her upper body, but she would not yield. Sharp intake of breath heaved between her lips.

There was only one option. She would need to wait for him to strike again, and then attempt to deflect in order to land a blow to an exposed hand or arm. If she could weaken his hold on the weapon, or even limit how he used it perhaps she would find an opening to get closer. Tathra's combination of reach, stretch, and reflex made landing a blow quite formidable, however.

Tag: [member="Tathra Khaeus"]

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Tathra allowed no respite, the Marauder attempted to pull herself free from his grasp. She made no effort to postpone Tathra's inevitable second strike. No thought was given to the weapon he held, nor the strength he possessed. Once Tathra had hold of her, even a Baedurin male would struggle against his grasp.

​Tathra loosened his grip, no longer fighting to restrain her as the Marauder staggered backward, he would use it to his advantage. Tathra's left arm realigned from the previous successful strike as he thrust the head of the Axe outward like a spear aimed at her chest. There was only so long this Marauder could delay his onslaught.

​The Chieftain would crush her, utterly.

​| [member="Ankshar Kha"] |​

 

[Ankshar Kha]

Ankshar barely had time to prepare for Tathra's next strike. The ax struck bludgeoned her chest and sent the Marauder back even further, only this time she was not unbalanced by a sudden release. Fortunately the man hadn't used the full motion of his body or the blow would have been even stronger. It was enough to have Ankshar collapse backward to the ground, however. She had just enough instinctual reaction to carry the momentum so she landed face down.

Both hands struck the Circle floor beneath them, the sword ringing out still craddled in her left hand. Pain radiated throughout her upper body from the strike, but the armor and her natural plating kept her intact. Full range of motion the next day (if she survived this trial) might be problematic though. There was no time to lay there breathing in dirt. Tathra would be upon her soon, and so Ankshar focused on getting back to her feet as quickly as possible. If she had to defend herself from a low, crouched position she'd do whatever it took to survive the next onslaught.

Ideally, she'd managed to right herself, though a bit bent over from the ache in her abdominal muscles. She wanted to get a single blow in, but perhaps she needed to focus on just defending herself from the blows. That hardly seemed a worthy victory, however. Hadn't survival been insufficient to the Chieftain before? Though in this battle there was no capture by the enemy. Ankshar growled. There was no time to analyze the man's motives.

Tag: [member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​The blunt head of the Axe's blade connected with her form, throttling the Marauder. Tathra's posture shifted to a more formal stance as he observed, allowing the massive Axe to hang loosely from his left-handed grasp; nearly touching the floor. Everyone in the room knew that Marauder Kha was no match for Tathra himself. That was not her test, perhaps she did not understand yet but she would.

The Marauders form lay crumpled in a pile a few metres beyond the titan, he paced to the right as she returned to her feet with haste. His movements were intentionally slow, prodding at her mental defences now as Tathra did little to hide how unimpressed he was. He would break her here, her endurance would be admirable but he would do so. He took no pleasure in his own kinds pain, but there were no wrongs in this Crusade. He could commit no wrong if it pushed his species forward.

​"It is clear that during your time as Marauder, your skills have suffered." ​Tathra's voice lacked any rage or malevolence. Rather his expression grew pained, eyes falling away from the Marauder for a moment as he raised his Axe.

​"No more games. Fight. Me.​" ​Tathra spoke through partially gritted teeth, seething with impatience as his emotive voice jumped from one to the other. He raised his Axe now, waiting for the Marauder to draw close.

​| [member="Ankshar Kha"] |​

 

[Ankshar Kha]

Ankshar's fingers relaxed and tightened about the grip of her sword.She drew in one breath after another since the Chieftain so graciously paused the fight for her recovery. A small matter that rankled the fighter. The tail snapped from one side of her body to the other.

At his command, she strode forward once more. Strength and reach were in Tathra's rather, and his speed was hardly slow. But how quickly could he recover from one of those swings if she didn't leave him the opportunity to carry through? A deliberate approach despite its risks held certain advantages.

His words did not wound Ankshar, they infuriated her; but she could not mindless hack at him like a savage. That rage could be put into use against the man's assault. Let the ax fall where it may, and she would strive to push it aside to break the Chieftain.

Tag: [member="Tathra Khaeus"]

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​His massive form hunched slightly, left arm struck down and outward as the Axe remained aimed toward the Marauder, between himself and her hungering blade. Snarling widely through gritted teeth, Tathra waited as the warrior did as she was told; drawing closer with wide strides.

​He could feel her determination, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as her mind centred in on her opponent. Focused on killing him, no matter who he was.

Tathra bounded forward with two impressive strides, dashing from side to side as he toward her from her right. Axe now held higher and to the left, the pommel shutting out toward the Marauder; left hand clasping near the top of the shaft at the height of his shoulder, right hand holding the mid-way length of the Axe's shaft at waist level.

​The muscle-bound Chieftain moved with excessive speed, matching her own momentum quickly as he awaited her strike.

​| [member="Ankshar Kha"] |​

 

[Ankshar Kha]

Ankshar slowed to nearly a stop as Tathra bounded toward her. Legs bent, she prepared for a strike that didn't immediate come. The sword was held in her left hand before her with its point toward Tathra's chest; the blade was at a neutral forty-five degree angle able to move either direction, back or forth. Left foot in front, and the tail ready to help adjust her balance in the heat of the moment as needed. Both opponents stood facing one another for a moment with their weapons poised to dissuade the other from advancing further.

In the breadth of a heartbeat, the tip of Ankshar's sword feigned to dart forward like a viper, but quickly returned to position. A slight tip of the wrist and extension of the arm.

If she could goad him into picking a single strike perhaps she could deflect it, and counter. She would need an opening for any hope of landing the slightest blow; and the reach of the weapon made combat with a mere sword extraordinarily difficult. Bind his weapon then strike. It would need to be swift. Decisive. But she would gauge their Chieftain's actions now -- what did or did not provoke him. And if it came to it, she could use the energy shield, though it would not last long.

Tag: [member="Tathra Khaeus"]

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Ah, a practical strike. The Marauder pressed on his defence in motion, striking outward, Tathra would move to catch her blade, and put her off balance. Tathra stopped to intercept the blade, left arm guiding the right; swivelling to the right and downward in a circular motion to intercept the blade, his body hunching slightly in the motion.

​However the Marauder adapted, and retracted her blade almost immediately. The head of Tathra's Axe hung low, his guard exposed temporarily as the titan snarled, left hand releasing its grasp on the Axe.

​No doubt the Marauder would strike before he could retaliate.

​| [member="Ankshar Kha"] |​

 

[Ankshar Kha]

[Dupe by 504]

 

[Ankshar Kha]

[Dupe by 504]

 

[Ankshar Kha]

Ankshar quickly stepped into the attack a bit to her right to jab the sword at Tathra. She'd strike for the shoulder to weaken her opponent unless Tathra's left hand was so far out of place it left his head exposed. While not over analyzing her position, she did not wish to entertain the man's grasp; a fate she would earn if she threw herself at his head or heart. The sword was not overextended -- not too eager to land -- but kept at a reasonable distance until certain a thrust would strike true. A killing blow was good, but weakening her opponent so the later killing blow did not get herself killed (or captured) was better.

If the blow did land, Ankshar would quickly withdrawal in preparation for a counter. She'd already had the pleasure of being in close quarters with her sire; it was a position she did not wish to repeat.

Tag: [member="Tathra Khaeus"]

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Tathra's prediction came to fruition as the Marauder struck to the right, blade reaching toward Tathra's left shoulder. Tathra reigned in the length of his arm, unable to stop the blow as the blade chipped into his shoulder; pulling away small chunks of rock-like material from his natural plating.

​Instead, his left wrist moved to align with his shoulder; mitigating the penetration of the blow as right hand brought the Axe to a neutral position to the left of Ankshar. His reach would be his advantage - Tathra thrust the Great-Axe outward like a spear, aimed for the left thigh as the left half of his body rescinded, pulling back slightly as to edge his right half forward evermore slightly - hoping to cut open the Marauders thigh.

​If the blow struck, he hoped her agility would be mitigated. Then, he would push on her defence.

​| [member="Ankshar Kha"] |​

 

[Ankshar Kha]

A glancing blow did little to bring cheer from Ankshar. She could cheer if her enemy lay dead at her feet. She could cheer if she managed to skewer Tathra of all challengers in their number. A trivial strike was not worthy of celebrating, but it was a start.

Of course the Chieftain was not idle for his part. The axe was brought to bear just as it always was. The Drael the man sought to test hadn't forgotten its reach or how quickly Tathra made use of it even single-handedly. Prepared for it, Ankshar's tail helped pull her body further to the right with a slight twisting of the left side of her body away from the large male. Like her own strike, the axe grated against the armored female's plating along her leg.

Inertial would need to be obeyed. Two steps before the tail would pivot back the other way to steady her course. If by some chance Tathra did not turn to follow his opponent, Ankshar would strike at his exposed side or shoulder once more. However, more than likely Tathra was prepared; in which case she would hope to grapple the axe with her own blade. If she could pin it or guide it away from their sire's center there could be an opportunity for another strike. Mindful of the man's freed left hand, Ankshar would try to keep the pressure on; at least at a closer distance the sheer length of his weapon could not be easily brought to bear.

Tag: [member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Tathra was aware of his advantage, his experience and strength primarily focused on keeping the Marauder on the backfoot. It seemed as though at every turn, the Marauder was barely surviving his onslaught - constantly pulling back as to avoid injury. Good, this would perhaps humble her, allow the Drael grace in her future servitude under the Titan.

​As Tathra's blade struck, his right foot angled; ready to press the attack. Tathra already resting his gargantuan mass on the toes of his right foot due to the sudden shift of his torso toward the left, allowing him to easily transition into his next move. He would wait for little more than a split-second as Marauder Kha evaded his strike. His mass anchored left, tracking the evasion of his opponent. Dull glowed eyes followed the Marauder, soon accompanied by his form.

Body already poised to strike; he leapt forward, needing no time to physically react to his opponent- pushing himself directly into the Marauder with a powerful dash, left hand free, forming a massive clenched fist as he struck at the Marauders face, several tons worth of kinetic energy would rivet through her form if the strike connected. Weakness was a cancer to all, Tathra would act as teacher now. He would instruct, even if the Titan had to do it through a beating.

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[Ankshar Kha]

Tathra was strong, but Ankshar was defiant. Her legs started to bend as the swing swept in toward her face. The Drael's shoulders pivoted slightly back on her left side; though there was little time to turn, there'd been no effort to somehow avoid the strike. In fact, she accepted it. Not out of a mistaken belief it was deserved, but because it was necessary.

Slight motions helped absorb a sliver of the strike rather than eating it head on. Much like a blade of grass can weather a storm a mighty tree cannot, Ankshar body bent and twisted to let it course through her length. It was still a mighty blow, but then creatures large as they and strong as they there was no other kind. It could splash the ground with blood, but it could not break her spirit.

Her legs had gathered strength even as her senses blurred in the moment of impact. Instinct kicked in. Her body knew what was needed, and it carried through. With a roar she returned the man's burst of energy, only she sought to slam her right shoulder straight into the man that left himself open knowing his own strength. Stagger and strike. If he was off balance even for a moment it would dull his ability to grapple with his hand or strike with his axe; she would skewer the chieftain where he stood.

They were Drael. If Tathra sought to test her commitment to victory then she would bash through his defenses even after absorbing his wounding blow if that's what it would take. Did he wish to see her not 'show off,' then perhaps he would enjoy watching her bleed as she fought to claim his head -- for no other reason than that was the way of things.

Tag: [member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Tathra steadied himself, the strike connected and Marauder Kha was reeling - but only for a second. A roar escaped her, the beast inside her was lashing out. Tathra would put her in the ground first, leaning back slightly as his right hand still held the Axe in a spear like grasp. Tathra jabbed out as she leapt at him, putting the Marauder's abdomen on a collision coarse with the head of his Axe.

​Thrusting outward, aimed to puncture. Aimed to deliver the satisfying sound of her shell cracking as the weapon pierced her. If the strike was successful, Tathra would grasp her small spindly neck within his massive hand and rip the Axe from her flesh. Watching the shock resonate through her, savouring what small progress they'd made.

​| [member="Ankshar Kha"] |​

 

[Ankshar Kha]

Kha hadn't leaped so much as thrown herself forward as Tathra stood near, his massive form having closed the gap to pummel her face. Though the amount of force would ultimately not matter. What mattered was the sensation of being punctured by the enemy's weapon. Or so it would be regarding the inevitable outcome of this fight, but it was not the only thing that mattered.

Ankshar's right hand clutched to the Chieftain's arm to hold it in place. Most would know the dangers of a wounding being left to bleed openly. However there was a more important manuever she sought to accomplish in that moment. One where her left fought to stab the point of her sword into Tathra's right shoulder with everything she could muster. It would not be the strongest blow if it connected as her torso would not be behind it, but surrendering without a fight was not her way. Perhaps he would finally understand that about the 'failure' that had led to all of this.

It might be the only thing he understood, as there was little else she could do to oppose the man in that moment. Mobility would be difficult at best provided Kha could keep her feet under her. Tathra's hand about her neck made sure she couldn't withdraw or reposition.

Tag: [member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Tathra watched, her hunched form curling inward as her right hand grasped his forearm, steadying herself. A moment passed as the Titan looked down on her, face alight with fiendish glee at his pertinent victory. Kha was beaten, foolishly acting on little more than emotion. At least, at the end. He had already won then. Emotion was a blade, but for Kha they were shackles.

​No. Not to brace. Her hand feigned weakness, a false surrender. Her blade rose from her left, arm moving with as much speed as she could muster toward his upper torso. Tathra's left arm motioned right, body bending as to pivot slightly and consequently twisting the Axe's head trapped in her flesh. His left hand caught the blade.

​That glee faded, looking upon his creation. Disdain choked his gullet. There was no weapons between them now, the fight was over and all that was visible was failure. On his part. She embodied that. In that moment, he wanted to kill her. Tear her spine out, plant her skull on his wall.

​That would be the cowards way out. To hide his failure.

​No. He could fix her.

​"You don't know when you're outmatched." ​Tathra's voice was quiet, eyes holding her blank ceramic features - her blade almost shattered in his raging grasp. ​"Yield to me." ​Tathra's words were that of a request, but no doubt she knew her fate was not her own now.

​| [member="Ankshar Kha"] |​