[SP-F3] Master of the Sword and Mind - Death of Ulises <

[Itzal 0]

Itzal finally found solitude in the bedroom of his shop and sat down, closed his eyes, and attempted to enter his mind, seeking out Ulises' domain once more.  He was only able to do this with the meditation skill he learned during calming the soul and it allowed him direct communication with Ulises, face to face.  When he attempted to enter Ulises' domain he felt no resistance.  That's odd.  Recently there was some sort of unpassable barrier that Ulises had put up to keep him outside.  Itzal shrugged and figured that he was simply ready to talk about whatever issues he's been having.  He entered the realm and found himself standing in a much different view.  The grass was dark purple and the trees had no leaves on them.  Storm clouds rumbled in the sky.  Itzal looked around shocked.  Ulises had mad this place beautiful, what was happening?!  Itzal looked around but couldn't see Ulises so he began to run through the realm, searching for him.  Where could he be?  Itzal hadn't actually explored this realm Ulises had designed.  He honestly didn't know how large it is, if it had an end, if there were landmarks or-  He stopped when he suddenly received directions out of nowhere.  Well, Itzal was guessing Ulises knew he was here.  He turned to his left and saw courtyard in the distance and made his way out to them.

Edited September 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Ulises was sitting on top of the statue in his quickly designed courtyard.  The statue had a podium which he sat on, with two swords with their tips crossed.  Below the tips of the sword was the tri-force symbol.  The podium was decorated with flames and lightning across the rim with angels and demons battling directly below, hovering above the humans who were ever unaware of the raging war that surrounded them.  His right foot hung in the air while his left was lifted up so his foot rested on the podium.  His left arm rested on his left leg and he waited for Felix as such.  He wore exactly what Felix had now:  Niger Natio, Oblivion Ring and Retributor, all tier one as they hadn't upgraded just yet.  He stared through the hood as Felix finally approached in his Twilight cloak.  When Felix arrived he stopped to observe Ulises before analyzing the statue.  Ulises waited for him to finish before leaping from the podium and softly on his feet.

"I figured you'd get here at some point.  Luckily you're just in time.  I was actually going to ask for you to visit in a moment so this works out perfectly.  Felix, I'm challenging you to a duel.  Your skills and intellect vs my raw emotions and my now mastered technique.  Here and now."

[Itzal 0]

Itzal approached the courtyard and spotted Ulises immediately.  He realized that Ulises had grown much more powerful than before and was now completely equal to himself in the sense of power and stats.  They were even, totally and completely.  He then noticed the statue and was surprised at the design he had chosen.  Two swords.  He wasn't exactly sure what that represented.  Possibly their united strength.  He noted the Tri-Force and knew that it not only represented wisdom courage and power, but also their faith as God existed as a trinity:  God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit.  Three completely separate beings and yet at the exact same time, were all one whole person, not split personalities.  Completely whole yet completely separate.  There was no other way to explain it as there was no way mortal beings could completely comprehend the concept.  The podium also carried their belief, that the demons seek to corrupt and drag mankind into eternal damnation while the angels dutifully fought against them.  He listened to Ulises speak and was surprised that he had great timing.  Usually it was the opposite.  Then Ulises challenged him to a duel and his brow furrowed.

"Hold on, I came here to see what's up with you?  Why have you been so quiet lately?  And what's going on?  You seem to just disappear in battle.  You never do that!  In fact it's the battles you refuse to miss!!"

[Itzal 0]

Ulises watched as Felix began to speak and sighed to his response.  So that's why Felix was here.  To discuss what was going on rather than having a friendly chat like they used to.  Granted he understood.  A lot has transpired since those days.  Not only had Ulises been sparking out every now and then due to the cardinal system struggling to keep him running along with everything else, but after Kasier had kissed them that was when they both had a lot on their minds.  For Ulises it was trying desperately to stay alive long enough to master his sword technique, while Felix was focusing on trying to figure out what he was going to do with Kasier.  He was hopeless without Ulises when it came to girls but he was certain Kasier would be a good influence on him.  However.

"We'll talk after the duel Felix.  I can't explain anything until this is over.  When have I given you a reason not to trust me?"  Ulises drew Retributor, the black blade gleaming brightly.  Whether Felix agreed or not he would not allow him to leave until he gave him the technique.  And it could only be done with a duel.  Or at least, that's how Ulises wanted it to be.  He leaped an inhuman jump behind him so that they were on opposite sides of the courtyard.  The cardinal system was attempting to keep him alive enough so he could remain but Ulises, with the art of coding as he was actually an AI given by the cardinal system, convinced it to give him full functions for the fight and then let him go.  He took a deep breath as he prepared for the duel.

Stats

6 Base damage  <>  +3 accuracy  <>  + 3 evasion  <>  1 bleeding  <>  1 recovery & one meditation  <>  290 HP  <>  3 MIT  <>  58 energy

Rank 4 Sword arts

LD:  3

ID#  68009

Edited September 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Itzal watched as Ulises sighed and looked at him curiously.  He seemed to be lost in thought for a little while.  What was going on Itzal thought.  He was a bit worried as Mina had lost Mira, her own split personality.  He had wondered if Ulises was also dying.  It was possible though Itzal doubted, or at least hoped it wasn't true.  And if it was it would explain why Ulises had been vanishing on occasion.  Ulises was a hardy and strong character and could survive most anything that the game threw at him.  Itzal was certain that if the game attempted to remove him he would fight the system until it allowed him to stay.  Itzal could never see Ulises back down and surrender to anything or anyone.  He was stubborn that way.  He heard Ulises tell him that he would explain after the duel and was about to argue when he asked him a question.  Itzal hesitated.  In all the fights he had been in, including the fight in the quest they first met in, calming the soul, Ulises had never lied to him.  Not once.  He sighed and watched as Ulises drew his version of Retributor before leaping back onto the other side of the courtyard.  Itzal drew his own sword and took a deep breath.  This was going to be very interesting.

Spoiler

 

Itzal and Ulises stood still, both at the ready.  Then they charged.

6 Base damage  <>  +3 accuracy  <>  +3 evasive  <>  1 Bleeding  <>  1 recovery 1 meditation  <>  290 HP  <>  3 MIT  <>  58 energy

Rank 4 Sword arts

BD:  4  LD:  8

ID#  68013

OOC- while in this realm they cannot lose energy from hitting or missing, only from sword arts

Edited September 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Ulises watched as Itzal prepared to charge and he shot forward.  Both fighters had the same amount of speed and skill so they both reached each other at the same time.  Itzal attempted to start the fight with a stab that was angled so that he could switch to defense if need be.  Good thing too.  Ulises had finally mastered his technique and would not rest until he had demonstrated it's full potential.  He parried the blade out of the way and slashed upward at Itzal, who managed to pull his own blade in close to block the attack.  And here was where the technique kicked in.  Ulises let go of the blade and allowed his left hand to seize it and drive it downwards.  Itzal barely managed to block the blade, ending it's movement a centimeter from his face.  However Ulises wouldn't allow the momentum to end and as soon as the blades made contact he twisted the handle so it slid off the blade and struck again.  The technique was an excellent one.  How it worked was to strike at the foe and let go of the handle immediately after the strike, only to grab it with the other hand right after it was let go and strike then, only to repeat the process.  It took a long time to perfect but he had finally done it.  He created a way to keep his attacks going at such an alarming pace that no one without a shield would be able to stand.

ID#  68020

BD:  2

Edited September 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Itzal knew what to expect but he was utterly shocked at the power and efficiency that Ulises released.  Itzal tried to block his attack but his blade slid off and came in for another strike as if it was a parry.  Itzal kept his blade close to him, keeping in a defensive stance and technique.  Ulises didn't seem to be seeking out any weakness to exploit, rather he seemed to be attempting to blast through Itzal's defenses.  He recalled what he knew about the technique and remembered how he had grown rather physically tired from using it.  However if Ulises said he had perfected it that would mean that there was more to this style than he realized, without the extra drain.  Within seconds after the fight started Itzal began to take retreating steps.  He needed a way to counter this technique if he wished to emerge victorious.  His mind worked quickly and thought about momentum before coming up with an idea.  Itzal blocked the next incoming attack then prepared for the next move.  He watched the sword swing and swung his sword along with Ulises' while backing up, effectively pushing his blade farther with more force.  The extra and unseen momentum at that precise moment should have thrown the sword from Ulises' grasp but the action simply threw him off balance.  Knowing that the trick would not work a second time he acted swiftly, igniting his sword art and used Howling Octave, five thrusts and and three slashes.  He watched as the bleeding sign appeared on Ulises.

ID#  68024  BD:  10  CD:  9

Result

---------------

Itzal:  290/290  <>  51/58 energy (-8  +1)

Ulises:  229/290  (6 + 2 crit + Howling Octave - 3 MIT = 61 dmg.  Bleeding added)  <>  58/58 energy

Edited September 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Ulises grunted as Itzal attempted to use momentum against him and throw the sword from his grasp.  However it would not happen.  With his being wide open Itzal took his chance and released his strongest sword art on Ulises.  He saw the bleeding effect strike him and gritted his teeth.  A critical hit.  Figures.  He regained his balance and shot at Itzal, striking at every opening there was possible.  Itzal deflected his blows, keeping his own sword close to him so that he didn't need to waste so much energy attempting to maneuver his blade around.  The battle would seem long to these two individuals but in reality it hadn't even been a minute before that first hit.  Ulises would not allow himself to be taken down so freaking easily however.  He would defeat Itzal if he could.  If he didn't that was fine, just not too soon.  He flinched when the damage kicked in, not as much as it would being tier two but that would come later.  Itzal would become strong and Ulises was proud of that.  However he needed something that set him apart battle wise.  He needed the technique.

ID#  68030  BD:  3

Ulises:  217/290  <>  58/58 energy

Itzal:  290/290  <>  51/58 energy

Edited September 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Itzal saw the flinch and managed to slide his blade past Ulises' in time to strike him and withdraw back to a defensive tactic.  He noted that the effect didn't stack when he struck his friend with a critical hit but that didn't matter.  He just needed to focus on avoiding Ulises' blade.  If he could do that then he wouldn't need to worry as he wouldn't receive damage while Ulises had already lost over a quarter of his.  The bleeding was dealing damage to Ulises so all he needed to do was avoid getting bleeding himself.  If he could keep that from happening then he could win this fight.  Indeed he was guessing that the fight was his at this point.  He deflected attack after attack and was shocked to realize that he was wearing down already.  His physical strength was dropping slowly, his stamina draining.  It took too much effort for him to keep blocking and deflecting all these attacks Ulises continued to rain down on him.  Attack after attack, blow after blow, it never ceased, never stopped.  Ulises' tactic was to break his defenses and if Itzal ran out of stamina that's exactly what would happen.  When it did Itzal would be in trouble.  He needed to come up with a better tactic.

ID#  68033  BD:  10  CD:  5  This is not fair on Ulises, make it even Perma Roller

Itzal:  290/290  <>  51/58

Ulises:  212/290  <>  58/58

 

Edited September 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Ulises growled as Felix landed one last hit on him.  He struck harder and faster, working towards weakening his opponent down.  With the surge of emotions that made up Ulises' force, as well as his already great strength, provided more than enough stamina for Ulises.  Felix relied on intelligence, tactics, and calculations while Ulises relied on raw power and efficiency.  Together they made a force to be reckoned with.  However when Felix entered the game the nerve gear began working on Ulises and allowed him to handle the excess of Felix' emotions since he wouldn't be able to handle it.  You couldn't hide emotions in this game as the cardinal system didn't allow it.  So when it calculated that Felix wouldn't be able to handle the amount of anger he had buried deep inside it created Ulises to handle it.  Now he had dealt with the extreme emotions and could give it back to Felix.  Together they helped him get over his past and work with others.  He was ready to vanish, and allow Felix' emotions to return to their owner once again.  But first.  He pushed Itzal back with his next strike, adding more force to it, and released Star Quint Prominence, moving within half a second to draw a star shape at Itzal before shoving the the blade in the shape he traced.  As he did the stunned symbol appeared on Itzal.

ID#  68055  BD:  7  MD:  10

Ulises:  200/290  <>  51/58  (-9  +2)  Bleeding ended

Itzal:  259/290  <>  51/58  Stunned for next turn

Edited September 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Itzal continued to deflect and parry and block all of Ulises' attacks.  He was surprised at how much strength was put behind each of them.  With each three strikes (about one and a half to two seconds) Itzal took a step backward.  He wasn't sure how much more of this he could handle.  He needed a better tactic to-  Suddenly the force behind Ulises' swing intensified to almost double, knocking his arm in the air and leaving him defenseless.  Itzal watched the grim smile on his opponent as his sword glowed dark red, revealing his intention to use a sword art a nano second before he did.  Itzal saw a flash of light and when it vanished he saw his hp depleted a bit...  And stun effect.  Itzal realized that his friend had outsmarted him.  While Itzal had placed bleeding on his opponent, Ulises was working toward wearing Itzal out and landing a stun attack on him to keep him down.  However...  Itzal had an idea.  With what movement he was able to do he moved his sword over to cover a specific area.

ID#  68064  CD:  10

Itzal:  259/290  <>  53/58  (+2)

Edited September 17, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Ulises watched as Felix attempted to make one last movement with his arm but it was all for naught.  He couldn't move, couldn't adjust or adapt.  He was frozen.  As Felix began to fall down Ulises prepared his attack.  He would make his comeback and there was nothing that would stop him.  He noted that Felix' sword hovered over his heart and while it was commendable that he would try preventing a critical attack so quickly after the paralysis effect took hold, it would not help him as Ulises could just strike somewhere else for a crit.  He dashed forward, his sword aiming for Felix' head.  However what he didn't notice was that Felix' hand was moving as his sword had and was positioned so that as he fell backward, the sword's blade was moved up even further, just enough to block his head.  Ulises' blade bounced off of Felix' and Ulises cursed as his charge pushed him past Felix.  Dang it he thought.  Of course he did that.  He knew Ulises well.  Which meant Ulises would need to be unpredictable, without a pattern and yet with such precision and skill that Felix could not counter.  He needed to change tactics while keeping his technique. 

ID#  68068  BD:  5  CD:  5

Edited September 18, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Itzal fell and if he could he'd grin.  He knew exactly what Ulises would try and made the proper defenses to keep it from happening.  If Ulises saw that his heart was blocked he'd shoot for a crit at his head instead.  Therefore he moved his right arm just enough so that as he fell his knee would make contact with his elbow, push it into his sword arm, and push his sword up to block his face.  And it worked perfectly.  Ulises' blade bounced off his own and by the time he felt the ground the stun effect was over and he....  Sprawled on the floor as his body wasn't able to prepare in time.  After a groan he heard the wind knocked aside and quickly pulled up his sword to block the attack that came like lightning.  The force of the strike pushed him back several feet and with his feet firmly on the ground now he pushed back at Ulises.  Itzal attempted to switch to a temporary offensive style but Ulises' own attacks forced him back into his original tactic, which Ulises seemed to be managing more easily than last time.

ID#  68119  BD:  3  CD:  4

Edited September 19, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Ulises turned around and charged Felix, his blade moving fast with momentum on his side.  His first strike pushed Felix far and his opponent made a charge of his own, attempting to take him down with many attacks of his own.  Ulises had learned how to break past it however.  Instead of slashing at Felix he made a mixture of a stab and slash, the perfect combination.  Felix attempted to parry each blow that came his way but to no avail.  Even with the blade close to him he couldn't keep up with the strikes fueled by Ulises' pattern.  Even with Felix' quick mind it would take him a moment to see what Ulises had done:  Changed tactics while still using his technique.  Yes, he had finally mastered the technique as he had said.  He never told Felix that the technique was designed to be adaptable to any tactic chosen.  Even if his strikes were all thrusts like a fencing weapon would be used for, he could still use the technique of strike, grab with his other hand for an instant strike after and repeat.  It took practice but that's all Ulises had been doing.  Finally he slipped his sword past Felix and made a cut along his neck, finally managing a crit.  Gotcha he thought.  He released Howling Octave, using his technique to quicken the strike and therefore dazing Felix.

 

ID#  68121  BD:  10  CD:  7

Ulises:  200/290  <>  44/58 (-8 +1)

Itzal:  198/290  (6 + 2 crit + Howling Octave - 3 MIT = 61 dmg.  Bleeding added) <>  53/58

Edited September 19, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Itzal watched as Ulises switched his tactic so suddenly to a combination of a slash and stab sort of move.  He was completely unprepared for this sudden change and tried desperately to fend it off.  How was Ulises' technique compatible with that fighting form?..  Could it be possible that Ulises' truly perfected form meant that he could use this technique with any weapon?  Any style?  Anything?  It would need to be one handed but if this was true then Ulises had created the technique of all techniques, at least within offensive styles.  Over and over the strikes were made and further and further back Itzal was forced.  Soon however Ulises' blade broke his defense and unleashed Howling Octave on Itzal, the final move striking him in the heart and landing the bleeding effect.  Itzal grimaced as the first bleed kicked in.  The tables had turned quickly and now it was Itzal who was at a disadvantage.  He stopped retreating and attempted to make a comeback while he could but when he charged Ulises took an evasive tactic and twisted his body to avoid the strike before striking at Itzal with his free fist, knocking him back and leaving him open for an incoming strike.

ID#  68133  BD:  2  CD:  10

Itzal:  186/290  <>  55/58  -1 bleeding left

Ulises:  200/290  <>  44/58

Edited September 20, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Ulises charged again, attempting to lay another critical hit on Felix for good measure, but Felix managed to block the attack, pushing him back even further.  Ulises charged and struck at Felix, watching the bleeding effect occur.  At this point there wouldn't be much else Felix could do.  He was lower health than Ulises now and he not only had the bleeding effect, but in a moment he would be stunned a second time.  Ulises wanted to ensure his victory and what better way than to deplete your opponent's health while they are frozen and helpless?  If the stun effect lasted more than a second or two then Ulises wouldn't use it as he liked a fair fight, but if it denied Felix a single attack in return?  He wasn't afraid to use it.  Ulises struck at Felix who was desperately trying to regain his balance, his blade adding momentum to Felix which prevented him from getting a good stable footing.  Because he couldn't gain footing or balance Ulises could make any strike he wanted besides a critical hit.  And thus he made his move.  He charged the sword art and released it, the star shape forming on Felix' torso faster than he could register and suddenly he was stunned.

ID#  68207  BD:  6  CD:  12

Ulises:  200/290  <>  37/58 (-9 +2)

Itzal:  153/290  <>  55/58  -Stunned for next turn

Edited September 20, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Itzal tried very hard to keep his balance.  As Ulises struck again and again Itzal did his all to keep his balance, but his body continued to bend backward more and more as his legs attempted to keep up with it.  Finally Ulises threw a strong blow at Itzal, the momentum and strength knocking the rest of his balance out.  As soon as it happened Itzal knew what was going to happen.  Ulises would strike at Itzal's now defenseless self and stun him, allowing Ulises to strike a second time with full force and Itzal could do nothing about it.  If Itzal covered his vitals again Ulises wouldn't make the same mistake last time and instead shoot for any area of the body to deal damage.  So Itzal needed a different approach.  As Ulises' blade traced the star shape on Itzal's torso, he swung his sword and let it slip from his hands to leap after Ulises.  The attack would be unexpected but at least it was one last strike before Itzal fell backwards, stunned and unable to move for a little bit.  He was thankful for his quick thinking.  It got him out of most situations fairly easily.

ID#  68207  CD:  12

Itzal:  141/290  <>  57/58 - bleeding over

Ulises:  200/290  <>  37/58

Edited October 1, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Ulises watched as Felix began to fall backward.  As Felix did Ulises was preparing his strike, watching Felix' blade with extreme caution.  As he began to move forward however, he saw Felix throw his blade at Ulises, startling him and he needed to twist his body to avoid the blow.  He could nearly feel the blade as it missed him by a centimeter and watched as the blade flew across the courtyard, clattering across the floor until it came to a stop a good distance away.  That was a stupid move, even if he had hit Ulises.  Felix was now weaponless.  Ulises rushed forward and slashed at Felix using Howling Octave again, bringing his opponent's health down into the second digits.  At this point the battle was sealed unless Felix' luck changed for the better.  He grinned as he came to a halt after his attack and watched as the stun effect wore off.

ID#  68911  BD:  6  CD:  9

Itzal:  96/290  (6x8-3=45 dmg) <>  57/58

Ulises:  200/290  <>  30/58 (-8+1)

Edited October 4, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Itzal thought that the surprise attack would have been enough but it seemed his friend Ulises was getting better at adjusting to unexpected situations or even ignoring distractions.  He just dodged and struck at Itzal.  Itzal saw his health finally drop past the hundreds section and he knew he was going to lose.  However he also knew that Ulises would not stop until his health finally hit zero.  Well, actually technically half health.  Since even in this world that's how Ulises seemed to have set it up.  Maybe to represent an actual duel?  Or was he trying to reduce the length of the duel?  Either way Itzal couldn't tell.  All that mattered was that he was losing.  Badly.  The moment the effect wore off he rolled to the side, avoiding as stab Ulises made at him from above and leaped to his feet.  His sword was behind Ulises and he needed to get it.  Ulises wasn't going easy on him without his sword however and continued to use the technique.  Itzal wasn't a master in martial arts.... Yet, so he needed to resort to evasion skills.  Trying to keep out of the way of Ulises' blade he tried to maneuver the two of them so that the sword would be closer to Itzal.  At last resort he could use acrobatic skills.

ID#  68993  BD:  2  CD:  2

Nothing changes

Edited October 4, 2016 by Itzal

[Itzal 0]

Ulises turned and saw Felix getting on his feet again.  He did not hesitate to strike again, attempting to stab him in torso.  However his friend reacted swiftly to this action and rolled out of the way, his sword burying into the brick ground for a split second before he slid it out again and swung once more at Felix.  He knew what Felix was after and he was going to keep that from happening as long as he could help it.  He struck repeatedly at Felix and although it was a different feeling for Ulises to use the technique without feeling any resistance of Felix' blade, it did not throw him off.  He continued to strike at Felix, never stopping, moving closer and closer attempting to do his all to deal more damage.  Felix however was still a master of evasion and he couldn't seem to land a hit.  Felix tried to fake a charge and Ulises struck in the opposite direction, almost hitting him but failing.  Soon Ulises struck at him but Felix charged and slid beneath the blade.  Ulises swung after him but was too late, his sword striking head on and meeting it's duplicate.

ID#  69003  BD:  3  CD:  11

Ulises:  200/290  <>  32/58

Itzal:  92/290  <>  57/58

Edited October 5, 2016 by Itzal