[FIN]The Challenges of Soloing a Champion(Invi vs Shun)

[Blade Kuroda]

It had been some time since Shun last seen Invictus. No doubt the Horseman was busy, considering his title among the clans. A number of students may not really trust the Horsemen, but the Protector of Conquest had been considered his ally more or less for quite some time. Well, at least that was how he thought.

Regardless, there was something that he had been wanting to do for some time. He wanted to see just where he stood when it came to going against the Protector. No doubt Invictus was more powerful than he was, but he needed the challenge. The last time he had fought Candace... she had taken him down far too easily. The Reaper needed to continue to train and push himself. And well... actual combat experience was really one of the best ways to go about it.

Since writing a letter was out of the question to him, or even giving the Protector a call, he made his way to the horsemen reservation to seek him out. With any luck, he wouldn't be out and about elsewhere, not that he really know where else he could be.

Demon_Pachabel

 

[demon_pachabel]

Writing a letter was always an option, it was just a matter of if Invictus would actually get it, given that the Protector had become a wandering individual, in terms of where he'd be found. Yet, at the same time, he also seemed to have a sense for when someone wanted to find him.

Which might have been why he was standing at the edge of the lands with his arms crossed behind his back, seemingly waiting as the reaper made his approach into Horseman territory.

"Making a social call?"

Blade Kuroda

 

[Blade Kuroda]

Any letter written by Shun is almost always going to turn out to be a mess. In any case, he was mildly surprised to see Invictus standing at the edge of the reservation. It was as if the Protector was waiting for him. The Reaper nodded his head to the horseman in lieu of a bow as he approached.

"You could say that, but my purpose here is for a little more than just chitchat," he replied, "If you aren't busy with your duties, I would like to challenge you to a rematch. A fair bit of time has passed since we've last fought."

This battle was likely going to hurt quite a bit on his part, but he had to be ready for pain when it came to training. As he was once told... pain is weakness leaving the body.

Demon_Pachabel

 

[demon_pachabel]

It would have been adorable, really. Getting an itty bitty messily written letter of challenge. Face to face wasn't a bad alternative, however, though any approval wouldn't be found in his expression.

"That is has. Much can happen in that amount of time." Not that there was much of anything worth mentioning in particular. Perhaps it was less what had happened to the protector and more of what could have happened to Shun that he was expressing interest in.

"We accept your challenge." he answered, unfolding one arm from behind his back and reaching forward with it, gesturing for Shun to strike first.

Blade Kuroda

 

[Blade Kuroda]

A great deal had happened in the past year since their last fight. Shun could only hope that they've 'forged him into a better weapon' or so to speak. It was hard to say when his enemies were growing stronger at an alarming rate. There was a twinge of frustration in the back of his mind as he recalled his battles with Candace. Shaking his head to himself, he soon nodded as Invictus accepted the challenge and motioned for him to move first.

The Reaper bowed lightly, then summoned his daggers, crouching down as he prepared himself for a fight. The ground here was less even than that of the gym, which should prove to be valuable experience as well. Being able to maneuver properly in different terrain was important.

He let out a slow breath and got his focus together. Then, he made his move. Rushing forth, he was also trying to keep an eye on Invictus's body to try and anticipate how he would move. But it wasn't easy picking up on these things for someone of his caliber. Once he was close enough, he struck out with his right dagger, making a slash for his face.

HP: 50
Damage: 4
Using: Beginner's Dodge. -Fail  

[demon_pachabel]

When Shun summoned his daggers, the protector's other arm moved from the crook of his back - no, he wasn't doing this with one hand behind his back - summoning his feathered bow and pulling it in front of him, an arrow to follow.

However, he didn't attack when the reaper got close and quite literally in his face, leaning back from the blunt of the strike (mostly to spare his eyes) and waiting until he'd stepped back to loosen the arrow and send it flying.

HP: 116/120
Damage: 4  

[Blade Kuroda]

Shun saw the arrow coming at him. He was too close to really be able to do much, but in the least, he managed to not take a heavy blow. Grimacing as it hit, he didn't let it deter him for the time being. He knew he was going to need to be careful. The last time he had fought Invictus, he had taken a rather drastic point blank shot at one point.

But since he was already here, he need to make the most of it. The Reaper needed to stay close to be at his most effective. Sure, he could throw his daggers, but it was always better for him to be able to slash or stab. Speaking of, as he shifted forth, he lashed out once with one blade before attempting to stab into the horseman's torso with the other as a follow up.

HP: 46
Damage: 9  

[demon_pachabel]

Invictus didn't seem to flinch - at least on the outside - as the blade struck at his torso, the Horseman leaning into the strike as his other hand summoned a new arrow, striking with it underneath the arm that had struck him, aiming to stab it into the space between Shun's ribs.

But even with his own strike, when he stepped back a thick and red stream of blood oozed down the chest of his clothing, staining it.

HP: 105/120
Damage: 8  

[Blade Kuroda]

Grunting as the arrow slipped between his ribs rather easily and painfully, Shun staggered back for the moment. His own blood was beginning to flow fairly freely from this new wound, and it was making breathing a little harsh on his part. But he kept his good eye on the Horseman. He could check on his injuries later on.

Crouching down, he let out a few slow breaths. Getting hasty on a more powerful opponent was going to get himself into a lot of trouble. And so he concentrated, seeking out areas that would best for him to capitalize on. Weakpoints. If they existed, that is.

HP: 38
Damage: N/a
Using: Y2 Eye - success! +2 acc for the next 2 turns.  

[demon_pachabel]

It probably would have been a good time for Invictus to sneak in a comment about leaving oneself 'open', but he didn't make any motion at an approach, instead standing firmly where he'd grounded himself after Shun's previous attack and notching another arrow into his bow.

One likely never could have actually praised Invi's aim - if it was unintentionally as bad it was it was at time. Then again, it was likely his goal was to not kill as he loosed this arrow as well.

HP: 105/120
Damage: 2  

[Blade Kuroda]

As he continued to watch, Shun narrowed his eye as Invictus notched another arrow. When it flew, he made his move. The arrow grazed against him, despite the fact that he hadn't really tried to dodge. It was hard to tell if that was a sort of 'warning' shot or what.

It didn't matter.

Closing the gap once more, he made a strike towards one of his arms. Perhaps he could slow down his rate of fire.

HP: 36
Damage: 4
Effect: +2 acc for this/next turn  

[demon_pachabel]

As before, Invictus actually moved forward into the attack as Shun closed the space between them. The effect of taking his one arm out of the game, if only for a moment, was as intended - but the fact remained that he had two arms, and the Protector grabbed the back of Shun's head with his other hand, a field of gravity beginning to form around it.

Despite being an almost maniacal method of attack, there wasn't a crazed look to go with it.

HP: 101/120
Damage: 11  

[Blade Kuroda]

Shun was relatively familiar with Invictus' gravity powers. Things have been flung at him at fairly high velocities. That and he had once been forced to his knees because of the effect. This, however, was something rather new to him, as he felt a great deal of pressure around his head as the protector grabbed it. It was painful, and he had to wonder if his head was going to implode as a result.

Not wanting to linger in this attack, he shadowstepped.

He first appeared to the side of the Protector, making a strike there, but then vanished once again to attack from behind. He rapidly teleported around Invictus numerous times, slashing or stabbing here and there as he aimed to whittle him down.

When he was finished, he crouched on the ground a number of feet away, breathing heavily as he was recovering from the exertion of the attack. It stung a bit too, given that wound in his chest.

HP: 25
Damage: 22
Effect: +2 acc  

[demon_pachabel]

He really was going to need to get a full-time seamstress or something with how often his clothing got ruined between knife slashes and bleeding all over it. Then again, it was barely an issue on the register at all outside of his player making note of it and giggling.

However, more than one person could play at a game of multiple strikes, and Invictus raised his hand, perhaps too familiar pieces of dark debris forming as he condense the gravity around them and then let them fly - even if the aim was awful.

HP: 79/120
Damage: omfg Invi, stop that.  

[Blade Kuroda]

There was that attack that Shun was more familiar with now. As they were ready to be let loose, he ducked down, not wanting to get shot through multiple times. As he did this, he just flung one of his daggers at the horseman before recalling it. With the debris flying all over the place, it was the most he could do without getting shot up.

Somehow, he managed to come away from that unscathed. He didn't spend time questioning it.

HP: 25
Damage: 2