The start of a crusade. (Open, The Lion)

[troxber]

Robert, son of Aaron Yellowthorn, more recently christened Troxber, Red Mage, was tired. He had arrived on this world a few weeks ago, and had wandered his way across a blank, grey plain, seemingly made of endless rock. He had fought some moderately tough Heartless on the way here, but had escaped relatively unscathed. Finally, Troxber had reached what had seemed like a castle town, a hamlet lying in the shadow of a massive, imposing castle. It almost felt like home. Troxber smiled wearily as he walked toward the city's gates. He was admitted by the town's automated defense system, and asked a random passerby for the nearest inn. Upon hearing that the closest inn was 2 blocks away, he thanked the stranger and headed for the "Lucky Chocobo". He needed to find one of those floating rabbit-things to fix some of his gear, and he needed fuel for the Valor, his 2 seater Gummi ship, which had almost run dry on the way here. He had left it hidden in a cavern about 10 miles from the city. With any luck, I'll be able to find a part time job here, perhaps hunting Heartless... Troxber mused. His Munny was running dry, and he estimated that he only had enough funds to stay 2 weeks at a decent inn. Maybe he would meet new people here, in this almost-familiar town.

[marcus]

Yawning a man sat at a table in the corner of the Lucky Chocobo looking out the window with half closed eyes. This man was none other than Marcus, who was not enjoying the calm afternoon. After all, calm meant no fighting and no fighting meant no fun. It just simply wasn't the kind of day he could see anyone in their right mind enjoying.

But that's what everyone else said about him.

What did he care though? He had munny from his bouts with heartless outside the city gates. He grew weary of fighting such weak opponents! Where were the strong people that supposedly came through so long ago? What was his name again... Sora... that was it. He would like to cross blades with the fabled runt.

Suddenly red entered his vision. Red sometimes meant blood which meant fighting was afoot. His eyes eagerly centered their focus on the red which turned out, to Marcus's dismay, to merely be a red cape. But attached to it was a fairly strong looking individual. Raising an eyebrow he did what any warrior did. He tried to size up what could be a worth opponent, noting the confident stride, the calm air about him, and the rapier on his belt. He was sure this man would have a hidden dagger on him somewhere.

He refrained from jumping up and through the glass separating him from, what could be, his next fun opponent. He had to stay calm until he knew for sure if he was strong or if the man walking outside was all show... his spirit would tell... He narrowed his eyes as if stalking his prey.

[troxber]

Troxber slowed down as he approached the tavern. Something wasn't right. His instincts told him that he was being watched. He let his hand go to his sword hilt as he cast about with his eyes, looking for who was watching him. Something in the air told him that this one was strong.
(Sorry for short post, it's late and I've gotta work early. ^_^

[marcus]

Marcus did his best to remain calm. A bored Marcus was never a fun Marcus to be around. But this warrior... whoever he was could sense that he was at least being watched. He was an experienced warrior...

Which was good, for Marcus at least. This man was aware of his surroundings. A good head on that one for sure. Well, it might not be there for long he mused. Pushing his chair back he stood up and stretched. It looked like the calm of the afternoon wouldn't be so calm after all.

As he headed for the door he made sure his sheath was securely tied to his belt. Satisfied all was well he pushed open the door and eyed the traveler outside with calculating eyes.

"Marcus Aldergash," He said as he drew his chipped sword and pointed it at the red stranger. The unpolished blade gave a dull gleam in the sunlight. "Introduce yourself so we can fight."

((It's okay, we all have lives away from the role playing boards =D))

[sai7x7vii]

(It says open so I guess it's okay if I join?)

Jameth had just recently gotten over his friend's death and changed his appearance in his honor. He was ready to leave his little hideout for once. He was kind of hungry and still need a place to stay. He went to the inn in the middle of the night and obviously no one was there but the workers. After a nice sleep in a actual bed he forgot what he missed. In the morning he came down and sat near the exit while he ate his breakfast. He wasn't a criminal but he didn't have any munny and he was starving himself for weeks. So once he finished he was going to hightail out of there.

Right when he was about to leave someone was also leaving. He also went out behind him following. When the guy pulled out a sword and challenged another to a fight. Jameth couldn't help but laugh a little at this. With a smile and walked in between the two.

"Two point where you failed..."

He said looking at the man holding the sword.

"First, apparently you already know his name, so what's the point in introducing himself? And two: fighting involves skill, get rid of the weapon and than it'll be a real fight, if you're using weapons than it's just a challenge of who's is better. Weapons are for pussies"

He said with a laugh. Than he looked at the other guy. He needed something to attract attention away from the door. Than, and since he would be in motion anyway, he wouldn't get noticed escaping.

"What 'ya say we make this a free for all? And if you guys absolutely need them, I guess we could use weapons. Ya' know, guess you just need the assistance?"

He enjoyed aggravating people. Of course he wasn't going to hurt these guys, he didn't know them all too well. He just needed to escape this place. Without putting his hand on his sword he stood there waiting for an answer. Even if they decided to be unfair about it and strike him with a sword when he didn't have it, he was extremely fast and could pull it out before they could move theirs an inch.

[troxber]

(I opened this thread so that Troxber could meet the Lion, but we've decided that we're probably going to eventually form an anti-heartless mercenary squad, called The Crusaders. If you wanna help make it happen, then let's all battle, and at the end, we can all ally against the Heartless, and form a mercenary squad. Sound good?)

(Also Jameth, Troxber was outside of the inn, and Marcus came out to meet him. So, shouldn't your character follow Marcus outside, then get between us? Maybe you could modify it a bit..)

Troxber blinked. Apparently, in the span of 10 seconds, he had gone from being at peace and about to get some food to being in a 3 way deadlock with some random psychos. One was obviously just itching for a fight, while the other one seemed to be running his mouth, and had no intention of attacking. Troxber sensed that the challenger, Marcus Whats-his-name, was tense, and a heartbeat away from attack. Red cloak swirling, Troxber stepped back with his right foot, planting it lightly in a ready stance. Keeping a hand on his slim sword, he called out, "Fight? Why would I want to fight you? You've done me no wrong, sir." Turning to the other man, Troxber stated "You're mistaken. I've never seen this man in my entire life. And," he continued, as a matter of conscience, "You're right. I've heard it said that only a fool trusts his life to a weapon. I warn you," Troxber said sternly, "Do not deign to test my strength, sirs, unless you're prepared to accept the consequences of your actions. We can all just walk away from this nonsense here and now." Troxber knew that the Marcus fellow was intent on a fight, but the other man looked more ready to listen to reason.

[marcus]

Marcus suppressed a growl as a kid stepped out into the fight. He would have shredded the kid on the spot but his opponent, the man he wanted to fight, tried talking his way out of the fight. He visibly cringed. Who wasted strength on avoiding battles!?

"If you want to die fast then be my guest and draw your sword," Marcus growled at the newcomer. His eyes stayed focused on the man in the red cape who had assumed a stance. "Otherwise stay out of the way."

"And as for relying on a weapon..." Marcus thought for a moment without relaxing his own stance. Finally a wide grin broke out on his face. "Where's the fun without the toys right?"

"I'll do more than test your strength!" Marcus said suddenly taking one large step forward instantly closing the distance towards the man in red. He swung down with a vertical strike knowing full well his target would either block or dodge. "En guard!"

[sai7x7vii]

Jameth saw the slash coming down. Gettin directly under it he simply pulled his sword out in less than a second. Blocking it with simply that. Than with a smirk he looked at the guy. He knew this guy was no good without a sword. Of course he was good with or without the sword. He was elite forces for quite a while. Of course this sword wasn't even his. He was disgracing it, but whatever.

"I guess you're just no good with or without a weapon huh?"

He was mocking the guy. Than he pushed back with very little effort but a lot of strength behind it. It would easily push this sword back, possibly even his whole opponent. He wasn't that tough putting a simple strike like that. Than he turned to the other guy and smiled.

"Hey man. It gets adrenaline pumping doesn't it? It's fun. And don't worry, I won't hurt you guys too bad. And I'll make sure this panzy doesn't either."

He said as he pressed the button the his music player which was already in his ears. As he waited for it to load he turned back to his opponent.

"I guess you refuse to let go of your precious weapon huh?"

He said as his song finally started. This song was perfect. He would kick as with this one. Fast paced, he could match it, and no matter what his opponent did he would fall behind. It was just the simple intro of it now. Slow paced, once the guitar finally started he'd be ready for action.

(Song: B.Y.O.B by System of the Down)

[troxber]

(Um, I hate to break it to you, but that attack wasn't directed at you, Jameth. He was swinging at the "Man in red", which is Troxber. Correct me if I'm wrong, Marcus.

"I'll do more than test your strength!" Marcus said suddenly taking one large step forward instantly closing the distance towards the man in red."

Troxber heard these words and reacted swiftly. This man was either foolhardy or reckless, launching an obviously sloppy attack like that. Troxber pivoted on one foot, letting the sword cleave the ground next to him. Putting one foot on the enemy's blade, he pinned it in the ground, quickly drew his rapier and pointed it at his enemy's throat. "You have one last chance to reconsider your course of action." Troxber's eyes narrowed. He didn't want to have to kill anybody; he should be killing Heartless, not battle-thirsty maniacs.

[sai7x7vii]

(Yes well he was in between the two. Wasn't directed at him but unless he did something he would be screwed over xD)

[troxber]

(Allow me to suggest a compromise: You force his sword into the earth, and then I step on it, and we're all ready to fight each other. Is that fair? Marcus'll probably rip the sword out from under me anyway. XD )

[marcus]

(Gah, gotta shift this around abit so it fits now >.>; And you were right Trox, I just forogt that Jameth was between them xD)

Marcus grinned as his sword was blocked. The man was pushing using both hands against Marcus's one handed swing so it was natural that Marcus would be pushed back. He twisted around and moved around the kid to strike at the man in red who quickly pinned his blade into the dirt. Experience... this fight was going to be fun!

"My course of action was set the moment I saw you!" Marcus' grin widened as he let go of the sword for a moment. Then he stomped on the hilt of his sword which would cut through Trox's foot at that point if he didn't move it.

Marcus was enjoying himself though he wasn't sure if he should go all out. A three way free for all... with some mouthy kid and a skilled warrior. He wasn't sure if he wanted to tap into his fighting spirit just yet... or bother to wield his sword with both hands. It might be more fun to leave things as they are.

((So, just currious but is the heartless gonna show up during the fight and stuff or is it gonna end with someone knocked out or...?))

[sai7x7vii]

(Idk. And by the way, he was only holding the sword with one hand xD lol it was a two handed block.)

Jameth pretty much had a perfect opportunity here. And along with the song it kicked in so it's time to use some fast paced action. With a simple dash forward he sent a hard kick with the force to break a brick wall right in the gut of the guy stomping on the sword. With one hand on his sword, onehand free, and another foot firmly on the ground he was in a great position with this kick and could quickly retaliate in case this guy decided to try and dodge it. No way he could escape this move, this was a move he practice over and over and no one could escape this completely without getting hit.

As he kicked he also twisted his whole entire body with the sword in his hand as he dug it into the ground and built up some rocks as he dragged it quickly. Once it came to the point where it was pointing at his other opponent he lifted it out of the ground and threw plenty enough rocks at him to cause a simple knockout. Two birds with one stone, or two opponents with one turn. Either way, these guys extremely underestimated him. He has gone through plenty more crap than he looks like he has. Which is why he looks like it, because he handled it well.

"Tell me when we're done practicing!"

He said with a smile as he made the turn. These guys may land a few simple hits. It was possible, but there was no way they could harm him enough to take the fun out of this. And the adrenaline of pain makes him a better fighter anyway.

[troxber]

(When Xepte comes back from Thanksgiving break, he'll post w/ the Lion, and then we can get some Heartless killing done! )

Troxber saw the man let go of his sword, and knew that he had to move fast. As the blade came up, Troxber shifted to his toes, letting the steel tips catch the edge of the blade. The other opponent had crushed some bricks at him, and Troxber realized that he had little room to dodge. The bricks came at him in a haphazard line, shattering from his enemy's fist swing. In a split second he let instinct take over.

The sword he had stepped on ground against his steel tipped boots and sent him flying around 10 feet into the air. Troxber used his momentum to backflip away from the majority of the bricks, although he took a bruising blow to his left shoulder. Landing strongly, Troxber could now see that the young opponent was between him and his blood-thirsty antagonist. Maybe they would scuffle a bit. Troxber focused muttered softly, and a basic Fire spell formed along his rapier's blade. The flames licked the metal, but otherwise left it unscathed. He hoped that he could end this quickly, and with minimal violence.

[marcus]

((Okay, so just killing time before hand... sweet XD))

Marcus grinned as he launched the red one into the air. Tricky... oh so tricky and crafty and cunning! It made his blood lust burn all the hotter as the sword flipped into the air after the red on. When the rocks came flying at him he gripped the hilt of his sword and looked right into the coming rocks and dust.

They cut and bruised him in several places but they were minor injuries and he barely felt anything from them. After all the scars he earned small cuts and bruises didn't even earn so much as a glance. Instead, before he could finish balancing from his attack Marcus moved.

Unlike his prior moves this one was fluid, precise, fast, and most importantly, while the opponents vision wasn't totally fixed on him. On top of that there was the cloud of dust hindering vision more. He moved to the left and swung horizontally with his chipped weapon. But at the last second when the boy's attention was totally focused on the left he shifted his weight bringing a solid fist right towards the soft flesh between the ribs and hips on the right hoping to cause major pain and wind his target.