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Tiamat was thinking how she would win without causing too much harm to Radhe. She had not seen the abyssal priest and had no idea if that dark mark was still of use anymore. Tiamat did not get too much time to think.
A pack of wolves to appeared from the forest, all facing towards Tiamat. Tiamat took up her sword in a defensive holding, facing the wolves while she moved towards Radhe. A larger wolf appeared from the forest. It howled and then all the other wolves attacked Tiamat. Tiamat easily cut through the wolves that she could hit but her sword was heavy and had too high momentum to be effectively used against all fast wolves that surrounded her. She remembered how Wardnan had fought and swung her sword into the ground which created a cloud stone and dirt. The wolves backed off but she continued to be surrounded from the other side. It was however easier to control the wolves from only one side than from both. Whenever a wolf came too close she simply kicked it back or punched it. It was not really all that difficult to control the wolves attacks when she got used to their movements.
She then noticed that the large wolf was not there. She looked towards Radhe who now was mounted upon the great wolf. Tiamat felt she was wasting time with the wolves even though she kind of had fun with them weirdly enough. They were showing teeth and probably wanted to bite her face off. "Ofan zu'u viing wah bo!" Her wings materialized and she dashed up into the air away from the wolves. Radhe had noticed and began to move towards the forest in rather high speed. Tiamat flew after her towards the forest. When she was only half a throw distance from the forest she realized that the dark cloud that was in front of her was moving towards her, in high speed. She continued forward and it became clear that it was hundreds of crows and not a cloud. They swarmed around her, picking at her while she tried to fend them off with both her sword and her free limbs. She managed to hit and kill dozens of them but they were just too many and she wasted momentum for each strike with her sword. She quickly declined into the forest, away from the crows.
Radhe rode on her great wolf through the forest. They were only solid delusions of real animals, she tried to remind herself of constantly, they are not truly real. She did not fully know what she was seeking for. Her guts tell her to move into the forest even though her battle with Tiamat could not possible be easier in here. She rode further into the forest where it became denser and darker. After a little while she noticed a ray of light that slipped through the thick forest roof. The ray led to a small open field with multiple flowers, all recognizable from those she had been introduced to by Sir Wardnan. She could even see some grey peacekeeper however there was one single flower that she did not remember from the flower garden in Legorna. In the middle of the whole flower bed was a single purple flower, exactly like that one she had during that dream. She stepped of the wolf and walked through the flower bed to the flower. It was sending out that same feeling she had been having from the seed she had been given by Sir Wardnan. She picked up the flower and held for a little moment before she closed her fist around it. When she opened her fist the flower had turned to a seed. She put the seed into a pouch she had and walked back to the wolf. She mounted it and continued past the flower bed.
Tiamat had finally outrun the crows in the dense part of the forest. She was somewhat annoyed. Parts of her dress had been ripped by the crows and she had minor scratches on her skin but nothing to even make her bleed a little. "Radhe! At least buy me some wine before you start ripping and tearing my dress." She cried out whith a small chuckle before she continued deeper into the forest. After a while she heard something move towards her. It was something large and powerful that broke trees on its way towards her. Tiamat readied her sword for what was coming. A tree broke down in front of her and a bear come forth in full power. It stroke towards Tiamat but she just avoided it. She took a position to strike the bear but something was stopping her. The bear continued its attempt to hit Tiamat but she was much quicker. She tried again to strike it as it felt like her hand holding the sword was powerless. No it was not that she was powerless to strike but she did not want to harm the bear for some reason. The large bear attacked again and struck trough a smaller tree beside Tiamat. She dropped her sword while she avoided the attack. She instead grabbed the tree and slammed it into the bear which collapsed by the strike. Tiamat looked at the knocked out bear for a moment and then she walked to it and lied down beside it. She did not know why but it was something that calmed her down about the bear. She later stood up and gave the bear a hug before she continued through the forest.
Tiamat walked through the forest past a bed of flowers, a small river and some smaller cliffs before she came out on the other side. Before her was the foot of a mountain. At the bottom of the mountain on a stone sat Radhe with the wolf beside her. She was looking holding a small seed in her hands. She seemed tired, almost sleepy as she sat there. The wolf saw Tiamat but did not care much, It just lied there beside Radhe.
She now looked up at Tiamat. Tiamat was holding her sword at low point at a stone throw's distance from Radhe. "Is there anything more you want to send at me or can we finally finish this?" Tiamat said. She wanted to say more but she was interrupted by a large boulder that fell onto the ground at the mountain foot. Tiamat looked up. She looked straight into the eyes of a dragon. The dragon straightened its wings and revealed its size which was larger than that of those Stelladoran dragons. Tiamat backed off and raised her sword as the dragon sent out a mighty roar.
"I must win this Tiamat. Please promise me that you survive."
Tiamat quickly took flight and flew back over the forest as the Dragon took off from the mountain. Tiamat could not outrun the dragon by speed so she had to use quick movements instead. She flew down into the forest and took a sharp turn. The dragon as expected sprayed a line of fire through the forest as it flew over it. Tiamat took this opportunity and flew beside the burning forest to remain hidden in the smoke. When she had was close enough to the dragon she ascended with her sword in both hands. She struck the dragon just in front of its right hind leg. The dragon roared and turned while still breathing its fire. Tiamat who still ascended above avoided the fire but she could feel both the force and heat from it. The dragon that was now turned towards her tried to bite her but just missed and got a piece of her dress instead. Tiamat moved alongside the dragon's right side but was struck by its left claw. She dropped the sword as she fell without control for just a second. She flew after the sword that was falling down into the forest with the dragon chasing her.
Tiamat flew down into the forest and quickly grabbed her sword while still being airborne and on the move. Just the second later the forest roof where she had been was set ablaze and a wide stream of fire came down covering the surroundings in fire. Tiamat came to the small river and turned to follow it as the fire was spreading very fast behind her. She flew for a while longer before she reached the end of the forest again. She slowed down a little while still following the river in hope that her blue dress would cover her at the water surface. She was able to fly a few hundred meters more before she heard the dragon's roar once again. Tiamat flew up higher at an angle and looked back. The dragon had turned and flew straight towards her. Tiamat took a firm grip of her sword and flew straight at the approaching dragon. The dragon breathed out a stream of fire which Tiamat flew straight through and swung with her sword at the dragon. She hit the dragon's left eye but the dragon in turn managed to swing its tail and hit Tiamat. Throwing her downwards onto the ground with a impact. The dragon's fire had only managed to hurt Tiamat's skin a little but the impact from the tail and the ground had hurt her legs significantly.
The dragon that was now blind on the left eye landed on its four legs to regain its balance. Tiamat felt that her energy was beginning to run out. She would not be able to withstand much more nor fly much longer. The dragon was blinded on one eye and bled from its right leg but it was far from defeated. Tiamat would need to make the next strike hit it in the stomach or the neck where it where softer and more vulnerable. Tiamat took flight once again. She flew towards the forest where she could use the smoke to cover her movements and get a critical hit on the dragon. It did not take long before the dragon flew after her. Tiamat flew in over the forest into the smoke. It was burning in her eyes and the heat was annoying but not too dangerous for her. In the cover of the smoke she descended a couple of meters to get a better position. The dragon flew in over the forest and into the smoke. Timat took her sword and rose up from below the dragon in cover of black smoke but alike as she was covered by smoke so was the dragon. Before she could see the stomach she saw a swift movement from the dragon’s right claw that hit Tiamat straight on. She fell backwards down into the forest.
She fell and landed on the flower bed with a blood that followed and stained upon the flowers. She felt powerless as she saw the fire in the forest closing in towards her. She had to rest, her eyes closed and she fainted.
--------------------------------------------------
Tiamat was holding Nathan's hand as they through Legorna to the residential house. The stopped at the door and spoke for a moment and then Nathan asked the strange question. "May I have a look at your teeth?"
Tiamat wanted to say what but the only sound that came from her moth was a roar. A dragon's roar. Nathan just chuckled at her. He then moved closer to kiss her but as his lips touched hers she felt a huge burning feeling in the face. She pushed Nathan away and Legorna and everything turned to a burning forest. She did not hold onto Nathan but a burning stick. She looked around. She lied at the middle of the flower bed amongst the grey peacekeepers. Most of the flowers where stained with blood. She looked at her left side and noticed the large bleeding wound that reached from her shoulder down almost to her heart. Without thinking she took the burning stick and held it towards the wound to seal it temporary. The pain was intense but she was able to endure it. She was half dragon after all. That reminded her. The dragon was now flying all over the forest burning everything that was not on fire yet. She did not have much time before she would be in covered in its flames. Even though she was unable to move her left arm she had recovered some of her energy. Was it the flowers? Was it the memory of Nathan or was it something else? The dragon was now flying towards her position. She grabbed her sword that was lying amongst the flowers and flew up just before the fire covered the flower bed. She was able to keep to the left side of the dragon, thus its blind side. The dragon turned with fire still pouring out of its mouth towards Tiamat. When the dragon had turned completely the only thing that was left of Tiamat was her burning white cape that descended towards the burning forest.
Radhe was standing up at the rock beside her wolf. She watched with terror what her dragon had done to the forest. Both Tiamat and the dragon however was hidden behind all black smoke making it impossible to see anything. The dragon had stopped and was now hovering in the air. Radhe summoned an eagle to search the forest in hope that Tiamat was still alive.
The smoke, heat and the air was too much for her eyes. She was blinded. Her energy was now gone. Her dress was damaged by fire and blood was dripping upwards from her wounds that had been open again. In her right hand she still held her sword as firm as she could. She tried to hold her position as she fell but it was difficult. Seconds felt like minutes in the smoke covered air where she was falling very quickly. The dragon was still hovering in the air, waiting for Radhe.
Tiamat got a quick glimpse of the dragon. She fell so fast that it was difficult to move but she managed to hold against the pain and take her left hand and take hold of the sword which she had pointed straight down. She took a deep breath even though the air was mostly smoke. She held her sword. She put all her force into her hands as she fell onto the dragon. The sword dug straight into the head of the dragon but the speed was far too great for Tiamat that she hit the side of the dragon's head with very high force. The wound opened completely as she hit her head. Everything became dull, both vision, sound and feelings before she fainted. Falling together with the dead dragon towards the burning forest.
She later opened her eyes and saw Radhe before her with a large eagle behind her. Her wound was covered with some piece of cloth that smell both human and dragon. "It looks like you won Radhe." Tiamat said with exhausted voice. Radhe looked at her and shook her head. "No, I did not. You manage to defeat a dragon I only managed to summon with the help of a gemstone I got from a friend in Stelladora. That dragon was a solid delusion of his dragon Etrish. I can only summon smaller ordinary dragons but with that gemstone I manage to summon her. It would not be right if I took the victory that you deserve. I wanted to win so much for a dream of peace that I even risked your life. I am very sorry Tiamat."
Radhe herself was very tired as well.
After a moment a body of liquid rose up and revealed Vateria. She put her hand on Radhe's should and gave her a smile. "It is a very noble thing you have done Radhe. Also to summon a dragon, even with gemstones is a very great feat and to summon such a dragon that you did. Only a very powerful summoner is able to do that." She then took up Tiamat and the liquid raised up and covered them both before they disappeared. Radhe waited for a little longer. She watched over to the body of Etrish. She then took out the seed she had in her pouch. She looked at it for a while. "Some other time."She put the seed back into the pouch and the liquid from earlier began to raise up and cover her before she disappeared from the arena.
@TenebrisNemo
First thing I want to say is that a fight between friends at this power level is difficult to write. At least that is what I think. Dragon battle is also very new for me so I hope the battle was done properly except for maybe some corny dialogue.
This was also a match were it is very difficult for me to pick a "best card" or "best character" since both are very well done.
I won't go too much into detail about the balancing but I have been thinking of it quite much. Tiamat is a powerhouse but more in the way that Rafiq of the Many is rather than the Ur-Dragon. She is very powerful in a vacuum. She requires 4 colors of mana but alsoe she has access to 4 colors of mana. She can easily be fed with lands but she can also easily be robbed of these returning lands from the graveyard.
Radhe might not give the same feeling of a powerhouse but that I would say is because she is worse in a vacuum but even more powerful than Tiamat in a specified built deck where she can be untapped and the top card can be manipulated.
So after thinking about it I believe both of these cards are balanced. At least from a commander perspective. Modern or standard? come on...
I think by design that Tiamat might be a little better designed from the perspective of a single card. From a synergy perspective I believe that Radhe is better designed.
Personally I believe that Radhe would be more fun to play with.
The signature cards from a design perspective I would say is mostly equal.
So if I would choose a "best card design" I would have to give it to Radhe I think.
Tiamat is still a very interesting card for me but Radhe might so far be my favorite card in the whole tournament from a personal playable persepctive.
What really gives the match into Tiamat's favor however is the character development and influence. Tiamat is very well written and very interesting. Of course I can't rate a character which has been given many open doors solely on these. Tiamat has however not only used paths that I have presented but also gone her own way.
The signature card for Tiamat is very well described in story what kind of connection it has to her.
Radhe has a good mechanical connection to her signature card but no character connection.
You could say that Radhe wins by mind while Tiamat wins by heart and soul. If that makes even a little sense.
Somewhat conclusion:
Best individual card design: Tiamat
Best synergy and build around card design: Radhe
Personal card preference: Radhe
Signature card design: Equal
Character influence and development: Tiamat
Character connection to signature card plus flavor: Tiamat
@KalamMekhar The game is as you know not over for Radhe. You and her still has the opportunity to grab the bronze medal in the bronze match.
@KalamMekhar - Well fought! I wish you good luck in the bronze match.
Edit: I love the part with the bear. )
Nice work everyone! So much amazing effort went into this, and it's not even over!
@Faiths_Guide @Gelectrode @TenebrisNemo @KalamMekhar
The matches will be played next weekend.
Some things I want you to think of or know before the matches:
- If you want to redesign your champion, do so. You can design and submit a new design and later choice to go back to the initial design instead.
- Design your new signature card(s)*.
- If you need some opportunity to write some story segment but need a little kick story from me. Contact me asap and I'll write something short and quick*.
- You don't have to write any character development story for new character designs.
- Character connection to signature cards can be good. However - You are allowed to reveal new signature cards during the match if it connects to your champion's actions or other things during the matches.
- Your champions' character will be baised on everything you have written of them during the whole tournament.
So focus on the signature cards and their connection and eventual re-design. Don't waste time you don't have if your character does not have any important story blanks.
Your opportunity to write during the matches is to fill voids you feel you have and to have fun controlling your character during combat.
Your characters will have lore-wise have increased in power for the last match.
You are allowed to do mostly anything that is within reason and logic.
You are not allowed to cause so much damage to your opponent that it will completely limit their possibility of active actions later that match.
The following times are based on Central European Time zone
Bronze match
@Gelectrode VS @KalamMekhar
29th of Marsh to 31st of march
The match will be started on the evening the 29th sometime around 20:00 (8pm). This is the last chance to submit new champion design.
From match start you have a minimum of 36 hours of control. Approximately 12:00 on Saturday the 31st. This is the last chance to submit new signature cards.
I will after this time write the finish and conclusion of the match. Result can be expected some time later that day.
Final
@Faiths_Guide VS @TenebrisNemo
30th of March to 1st of April
The match will be started on the evening the 30th sometime around 20:00 (8pm) This is the last chance to submit new champion design.
From match start you have a minimum of 36 hours of control. Approximately 12:00 on Sunday the 1st. This is the last chance to submit new signature cards.
I will after this time write the finish and conclusion of the match. Result can be expected some time later that day or the following day.
Is anything unclear to someone?
She is mostly unharmed after exiting the arena.
There is an explanation to this but I shall focus my time on more important details.
A simple and not really correct explanation would be that the "arena" is a false reality without proper physical consequences over a vauge limitation.
There are some additional prizes as well. Some will remain secrets until the matches last day and others will be posted later this week.
The dome outside of Legorna is almost identical to that one in Crastine. Both can be used as portals to the locations not in the normal world. (sub worlds kind of that are connected to the main world like a branch is connected to a tree.) The gate to the abyss (earlier the afterlife) and the arena is such places. The arena is formed to look and behave like an area in the normal world but it does not stay permanent like it. (It had no damages from Mishra's and R5-T4's fight when Tiamat and Radhe entered it). This is however neither a perfect describtion since it is connected to the main world it can be affected by the real world of through influence that is not done with help of the portal. The flower that Radhe picked up is one such thing influenced by the main world.
This would be the last night for Radhe in Vazhendra so she spent it mostly with Arvon on another hunt. Radhe took the chance and asked what William had done that made him so hated in Stelladora.
"It was in the beginning of the war, when William was the only champion of Friyena. An army of Stelladora had taken over a city that earlier belonged to Lisakdonia. Most of the people were Stelladoran so the army saw it as an obvious deed. Instead of sending an army of their own to retake the city. The then noble knight William offered to go himself with only a hundred of their elite soldiers.
It was a huge mission for him to take back that city which had since been reinforced with a bunch of Dragon riders. William and the lisakdonian soldiers failed to retake the city. William himself was captured but the general decided to have mercy and let him go free. The general wanted to send a message and shame William for scarifying many of the other soldiers in such a foolish mission. Neither Lisakdonia nor Stelladora had a reason to hate each other then as the war was still young.
That however changed half a year later when William returned to the city. This time he was alone and he wore a different armor and had another sword. He was far more powerful this time and annihilated the army even after they had surrendered. Only a few hundred managed to escape. Many of the civilians in the city were also killed by him. The other generals later demanded that William was judged for the war crime he had committed but Lisakdonia denied it. Since then the hate has only grown between us."
The evening turned late when Radhe and Arvon returned.
Most of the townspeople gathered around a bonfire that evening with some song and food for that was the druid's wish.
Radhe woke up to the loud sound of something chewing. She stepped out of the door and was meet by a large dragon head that had half a barrel of fish in its mouth.
Arvon was sleeping on a pile of hay a couple of meters further away. He had his hunting gear on. The druid greeted Radhe and presented her to Etrish, the hungry dragon and its rider, Reddas. The druid explained that Reddas would be the one to bring Radhe the city of Zeislanta where she should be able to find someone to help her home. The druid also said to Radhe to not mentioned that she is a contester of the tournament and if someone would ask. She would say that she is a druid apprentice of Levirga.
Elaine who did not allow Radhe onto her own dragon had accepted to keep quiet about Radhe's backstory, even from Reddas.
Reddas helped Radhe up on Etrish who was larger than both Elaine's dragon and those that had attacked the Galatea. Reddas laughed when he noticed how nervous Radhe was. "Don't worry. She's like a dog. A very huge, fire breathing, hungry dog." Radhe did not listen. She just tried to hold on to the sadddle as well as she could. When Reddas sat down before Radhe Arvon came to say goodbye. He threw a small pouch to her. "It contains gemstones of Levirga. She said that you would need them sometime in the future. Also, take care of yourself Radhe and come and visit sometime." Arvon shouted while half nodding to her and half nodding to the old druid. Etrish spread out her wings and began to move forward. Radhe felt the raw strength of Etrish as she moved. Etrish jumped into the air and took flight. Reddas just laughed as Radhe held onto him as good as she could. Elaine also took flight but she was far more mobile with her dragon. Etrish however was strong and large. They flew higher and higher until the trees at the ground looked like teeth picks.
Even with their speed the trip to Zeislanta would take 5 days so Radhe would have to get used to the dragon Etrish and flight overall. Luckily Reddas was a rather funny and kind dude and Elaine who flew just before them had promised to not give her out.
@Gelectrode @KalamMekhar
You have 2 days left to submit any new champion designs.
You have 3,5 days to submit new signature cards.
@Faiths_Guide @TenebrisNemo
You have 3 days left to submit any new champion designs.
You have 4,5 days to submit new signature cards.
I need to be finished by Monday so one day is the maximum I can move the games forward if you would really need one day more.
Also about some prices.
The prices will be the following.
4th place: 5 favs - (Max 9)
3rd place: 7 favs - (max 11)
2nd place: 9 favs - (max 13)
1st place: 11 favs - (max 15)
plus one for each signature card posted (max 3 fav). Plus one additional for an alternative champion design or 9 mana version (max 1 fav). Alternative 7 mana designs can be used instead of your current ones. 9 mana versions cannot. They will only add one last fav.
Cards for these extra favorites are not needed to be posted before the matches for the extra favs to be added.
There will also be a trophy and a place in the hall of fame.
All these favs being of your choices among any cards (yours or anothers)
Grey rain clouds were approaching the city of Crastine. The golden midday sun shined behind them. Its rays reached the city through the cracks of the clouds. Calm ocean winds traveled through the city streets all the way to a quiet park. Warrior princess Vateria was walking through that park. The winds stroked her hair and her red cloak as she looked up. Green leaves rustled in the trees and the sky was almost completely cloudy.
When she looked around the park, she could see only one single person in the distance, who was sitting on a bench. As Vateria walked closer, she recognized the person's silver armor, blue dress, and the white cloak. It was Tiamat, who was reading a book with her left hand and eating something with her right hand. Even when Vateria stopped right before Tiamat, her eyes were still stuck at the book.
"Oyy, Tiamat! What are you eating?"
"Hmmh?"
Tiamat looked at Vateria's golden armor first, then she looked into her eyes while she was licking the pink and frozen foam, which was inside a waffle cone. Vateria tried to hold her laughter as she saw Tiamat's expression, then she looked at the thing in her hand.
"Is that an ice cream?"
The dragon girl closed her mouth, swallowed, then she opened it again. "Yeah. Strawberry ice cream. So what?"
Vateria crossed her hands before her chest while smiling. "Nothing, I just didn't think a dragon warrior like you would be such a softie from the inside."
"I am no softie," Tiamat said as she tried to look tough and serious while holding back her smile. She failed.
They both chuckled, then the warrior princess sat next to the queen of dragons. Tiamat continued eating and reading. Vateria looked at Tiamat's white cloak, unbroken dress, and her shining crown for a moment.
"It seems you repaired your equipment after the match with Radhe."
"The dress and the mithril armor were easily repaired, but I had to fly to the clouds to get my cloak back," Tiamat said as she was finishing the ice cream.
"Fly to the clouds?"
"It's called 'cloak of clouds' for a reason. It was... sent to me right before the match. My late father owned it before me."
"I see," Vateria said as she leaned to the back of the wooden bench and looked at the cloak, which slightly reflected sunlight. Then she looked at the golden crown with the blue gemstone and pointed at it with her left hand's finger.
"Did that belong to your father as well?"
Tiamat ate the last piece of the waffle, which was left from the ice cream, then she took off her crown and stared at it. Her face wasn't as joyful as it was a moment ago.
"No, even though I got it with the cloak. My armor, my sword, and this crown were forged for the one who would rule all dragons in my world."
"Hey, nobody told me you're a royal warrior," Vateria shouted and gave Tiamat's left side a nudge with her right elbow.
"To be honest, I found out about it right before my match," she said and put the crown next to her leather bag. "Besides, it matters little since I'm in another world."
"Of course it matters," Vateria said and closed Tiamat's book. "Being the ruler of your kin is a great responsibility!"
"I know, but..."
Tiamat put the leather book on her lap and looked at her gauntlets. "This all has happened so fast. I didn't know my soul once belonged to the queen of dragons, which ruled my home world a long time ago. It has made me grow so I would be stronger when the right time comes. I didn't ask to be born with it! What if I'm a terrible ruler and I will turn into a tyrant? In my visions, the world around me has burned to ashes, and I've been responsible for it!"
Vateria put her right hand on Tiamat's right shoulder and pulled her closer. Tiamat looked at the seventh champion with tears in her eyes.
"Listen Tiamat," Vateria said with a serene tone. "You have a strong, noble heart unlike many past contestants. You've even risked your life and your position in the tournament in order to spare other people from harm. As long as you keep your benevolence, you won't turn into a monster."
After a moment, Tiamat closed her eyes and hugged Vateria, to her surprise. The warrior princess looked around the park to see if anybody was watching, but since there was nobody else in the park, Vateria also hugged Tiamat and smiled. A minute later, Tiamat let go, wiped the tears from her eyes, then smiled a little. Vateria looked at the book on Tiamat's lap.
"By the way, what were you reading?"
"Oh... this?"
Tiamat took the book into her hands and showed the cover. It depicted a large ship next to a sea monster, which looked like a serpent with multiple heads. Above the picture was the book's title, "Ocean Soul."
"It's a tale of a young pirate named Sang Raincrag, captain of a ship named as 'Majestic Sabre.' He inherits the ship from his father, but he loses it to a being which rules the seas. Even though Sang lost everything, he returns almost a year later as a captain of a legendary ship, named as 'The Blade of Seas.' With his old crew, they master the seas, once again, and rids the world from the evil being's tyranny. Since then, every mortal has been able to cross the seas."
"Interesting story," Vateria said and patted Tiamat's left shoulder. Then the warrior princess stood up and looked at Tiamat, who was still sitting on the bench.
"Once you've fought through this tournament, you'll have a tale of your own to tell. We should train harder, for you'll face the other contestant, who has also made it to the finals. Either him or you will become the 16th champion."
Vateria stretched her arms and looked into the horizon. The dark-grey rain clouds were closer. They completely blocked out the sun.
"We won't train today, though, since it'll rain soon."
"Hey, Vateria."
"What?"
The dragon girl bowed at the standing warrior. "Thank you... for everything."
Vateria chuckled, then she took the crown from the bench and put it slowly on Tiamat's head. "You're welcome, dragon queen. Let's meet up in The Hungry Lion later today with Sophie and Haide."
The silver haired warrior waved at Tiamat as she walked away from the park. She waved back. When Vateria was gone, Tiamat stretched her arms while leaning onto the back of the bench. Then she moved her right hand's index finger along the line, where her newest scar should be. However, there was no wound in her left shoulder and breast. Yet Tiamat remembers the pain, which the dragon delusion had caused in the match.
When I lied in the middle of the bloody flower bed, I didn't think I would survive that match... or even win.
She opened the side pocket of her leather bag so that she could put the book within it. As she put the book into the pocket, she heard the sound of rustling paper.
"Huh?"
When Tiamat took the book from the pocket and looked into it, she saw a wrinkled envelope. Tiamat took the old envelope from the pocket. It had her name on it. At first Tiamat was perplexed, but then she remembered.
Elidyr!
She quickly put the book aside, opened the envelope, and started reading the letter.
@Gelectrode @KalamMekhar
@Gelectrode VS @KalamMekhar
R5-T4 had been repaired and upgraded further from knowledge of his last match against Mishra. R5-T4's mind has become more intelligent and creative.
Radhe had through a recent action almost rendered the gemstones obsolete for her summoning. She is no longer in possession of the dark seed and now has a deeper understanding of the nature of the world.
Through a request to Friyena. They have been allowed to use the tournament arena to deceide between them who is the more powerful.
They have entered the arena and their match begins now.
From here on, you have 36 hours to write any action related stories for what and how your champion fight.
You are allowed to hurt each other badly but not so such a level that significant actions on their part would be rendered impossible or greatly limited.
During these 36 hours you are allowed to post new signature cards, (just remember to specify which 2 will be used for the evaluation later.)
Also since I havent provided any weekend time for you to design a new champion card I will also allow you to submit new designs during this time. (The story reletaded actions will be evaluated based on the current active cards of the posting of story/action segments.
I will not interfere in the match until after these hours but I will write some other stories which I had not been able to do because of work this week.
The arena has any regions that could be considered relevant for the battle.
Now I wish you both good luck and let the match for the bronze begin!
A young, hooded archer was riding a brown steed through the fields of Legorna under the evening sky. He kept staring at the city, which grew larger as they approached it.
I won't be late, not today!
His horse ran through the open gate and past the guards, who were chattering next to it. The archer made the horse run to the harbor's direction. The orange sun blinded his eyes as he tried to look at the ships in the distance.
Don't tell me they've already left!
As he rode down the empty street and through the bridge, which led to downtown, his arms began to shake. There weren't any people nearby. Shadows of frustration started to choke his throat.
Niven and the others are going to kill me!
When he finally rode to the docks, he saw a crowd of people before a great ship with four ballistae. The archer jumped off from the tired horse and tried to look through the crowd. He didn't see anything, but he could hear someone's speech.
"... in the tournament final where the 16th champion will be crowned. I wish you all good luck and farewell."
The hooded archer's heart didn't calm down. He pushed his way through the dispersing crowd until he saw the four contestants. The metallic construct, the man in the wheelchair, the plant girl, and finally, the human dragon. They were starting to board the ship.
"Hey! Dragon contestant! Tiamat!"
Tiamat stopped, then she turned around and looked at the crowd. The dragon girl was surprised as she saw Elidyr, the crossbow archer, waving at her from the crowd. She hadn't seen him or anybody else from Niven's squad since the night at The Old Vagabond. Tiamat walked back to the docks and watched as Elidyr ran past the people to get to her. Then he knelt before her and put his hands onto the wooden pier while staring down.
"Tiamat! I am... sorry for not getting a chance to... talk to you before today! I also... haven't had time to send you a letter. I do not have... any other good excuses except... my duties as a soldier. What I'm trying to say now is... that I'm sorry about what happened the last time we... were together. Please forgive me for my stupid and... irresponsible actions!"
Elidyr was sweating and breathing heavily. Tiamat stared at his green hood silently for a moment, then she knelt down and helped him to stand up. As Elidyr stood up, he saw the bandages on Tiamat's right hand and on her torso beneath her dress. Her face was gloomy as she just kept staring at him.
"Please... say something! Or punch me in the face, if it... makes you feel better! I didn't mean the things I said... about you back then."
Tiamat could see how Elidyr had traveled all day so he could make it to Legorna in time. His arms were slightly shaking. Captain Berend mentioned to Tiamat earlier today that Niven's squad was visiting another town and that they wouldn't return in a few days. However, Elidyr was right there before her, begging for her forgiveness. She reached her right hand towards the panting archer.
"I forgive you," she said silently.
Tears began to glitter in Elidyr's eyes under his hood. But before he could shake Tiamat's hand, she turned around as she heard Sophie calling her name.
"Tiamat! We're about to leave! Come to the ship already!"
The dragon girl glanced at Elidyr, then she started walking back to the ship. The archer quickly took an envelope from his pocket, ran at Tiamat, took her left hand from behind her, then put the envelope in it.
"It's from us! We got your message yesterday. Farewell, Tiamat. And good luck..."
When Tiamat boarded the ship, she looked at Elidyr, who was one of the few people still standing at the docks. She held onto the envelope in her left hand for a moment, then she put it into the side pocket of her leather bag. The captain gave order and the sailors began to lower the sails and prepare for the open sea. Elidyr waved at Tiamat and watched as the ship began to move out towards the ocean horizon. When it was far away, he walked back to his horse, then he began to walk to The Old Vagabond's direction.
Tiamat remembers now. She had too many things on her mind back then. She had tried the same strategy to the last, harsh days in Legorna which she had used for the hunt in the Trogon forest; leave those memories behind. Compared to Zaralim, Elidyr wasn't really that bad of a person. He actually felt bad for what he had done. The only one who deserved her hatred was Zaralim, but now he's, hopefully, gone forever.
Her mind was in the present time again. Tiamat was still holding the letter in her hands in a quiet park of Crastine. The rain clouds were closer now, but the rain hadn't started yet. Tiamat didn't care about it, though. She began to read the letter while still sitting on the wooden bench.
Tiamat
We heard what happened to you in the barracks. The news about Sir Wardnan's death spread across the country. I'm sorry for not being able to message you earlier. Being a squad captain doesn't really give me lots of chances to focus on things other than my duties. Sir Wardnan saved your life, and that was the last, noble thing he did. Don't you think that he died because of you. He died because of the vampire, which didn't deserve the title of a champion.
If someone deserves to live on, then it's you, Tiamat. I clearly remember our hunt in the Trogon forest, how the corrupted drake was ready to finish me off, but you saved my life just in time. I am writing this letter with my healthy arm, which got injured back then. Only the scars remain from that conflict, but those are marks, which the life grants for those who lived on.
I never thanked you for saving my life. When my arm was bandaged, I realized how much my life matters to me. Every day I've been happy for still being able to breathe and work with my friends. I bet Sir Wardnan would want you to feel the same, Tiamat. You are a hero, who is destined for greatness. I've felt it, heard about it, and deep down, I know it.
May you ever come back to Legorna someday, then please join us at The Old Vagabond, once again. We want to compensate from the last time, since it ended the way it did. Don't let it be our last time together. Elidyr has learned his lesson, and has volunteered to deliver this letter for you as fast as possible.
Me, Caron, Wedge, Biggs, and Elidyr, sing for your success in the tournament, and await your return.
Your friend
Captain Niven
A raindrop fell onto the letter when Tiamat finished reading it. But when she looked up, she didn't feel or see any raindrops. Then she felt how a tear trickled down her cheek from her right eye. She wiped it away with her right hand and smiled a little.
"I need to stop being such a crybaby..."
The dragon girl folded the letter back into the envelope. Then she packed the envelope and the book into the lather bag, took it, and walked away from the park. The first raindrops started to fall onto the city of Crastine afterward.
Seems like I won't return home for a long while, mother. My friends need me... and I need them.
@Faiths_Guide VS @TenebrisNemo
The day is growing late.
The sun is lowering beneath the horizon lowering and is sending a dark orange light over Crastine.
Soldiers is lighting up torches all over the central plateau and the bridge towards the palace. Masses of people had gathered to get a last look at the two last contestants before one of them would be declared champion. Some people where singing in choirs, probably for good luck.
Mishra and Tiamat was going separately to the palace.
Friyena greeted the two in her chamber and all the present champions where standing up in front of their seats. Vateria, Johanna, Skaforlin, Blazagni and Jessica. William however.
Friyena spoke to both Tiamat and Mishra separately and gave them a kiss on their forehead before they entered the portal room and entered the arena.
Mishra seemed to have gathered all his assembly workers for this fight as he had a large bunch of them. However 5 of them and Mishra had a different color shade on their armor while the other had more general metal. Mishra had during his last fight against R5-T4 found out how the aktorium metal could be infused to give it similar properties to Johanna's own work. Not exactly the same but in practice it should not make any significant difference.
Tiamat had mostly what she have had during her last fight. She was however much more experienced with her powers now after the fight against her dragon. She could let the energy flow more harmonic through her and keep a better defense while still maintaining her flight and offense.