[Kiril]

A hallway on the first level leads to the central circle of The Coliseum. The circle has been divided into ten large sections by towering walls. There is no ceiling to this open ring of sand. Embedded in the walls are brightly glowing crystals. All are spelled against damage, be it from fire, water, or any other element. A set of rules is posted beside each of the arches leading into the fighting squares.

Because The Tournament is far from beginning, this coliseum is open for people to practice their fighting skills. Unlike the inferior Scrapping Area, this training square is open to all beings of Level THREE AND ABOVE.

Rules:

LEVEL THREE AND ABOVE BEINGS ONLY.
Inflict no more than major wounds…At least try not to.
Weapons, elements, claws, feeding...All are allowed.
Set up your own rules of combat before scrapping, if you wish.

Xanth and her aides WILL ALWAYS BE watching. If the fighting becomes too deadly, it stops.

((OOC: It says one thread per fight in the introduction topic, but that one-thread-thing's for when The Tournament takes place. For now, just post your scrapping sessions here. ))

[Dazadi]

By the time Dazadi finally found the coliseum she was grumpy, grouchy and cranky. Her meeting had been a horrendous waste of time, but she hadn't really expected anything else from the bureacrats. When they'd started in on her about her absences, she'd turned a cold stare on them and they'd shut up. It wasn't until someone mentioned the Kurio, and someone else called him by name - Suka - that she realised exactly who Kade had been inhabiting. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed sooner, but she hadn't exactly been paying attention. There'd been too many voices in her head leading up to the point where Kade approached her and apparently Suka had been appointed - along with the new Arkiga, who Dazadi still hadn't met - by Xanth herself.

Interfering old busy body.

Taking her surprise as a sign of weakness, one of the older advisors moved in for the kill. Dazadi had expected something underhanded from him for years, ever since she caught him meddling in faction affairs and making promises to both the previous Kurios and Arkigos that he could give them a leg up into the Archangel position if they did him certain favours. Because of that, he'd lost any chance he had of making Archangel himself but he was still out for blood.

If she cannot even save a single person, if she fails in her duties as Aide despite all her powers, how can we trust her to protect an entire race?

Daz had almost reacted. Almost. If she hadn't spent the last few days with Kade, revisiting old wounds and learning to deal with the guilt where she could, she probably would have lunged across the table and ripped him apart. As things stood, there was a pockmark in the polished wood where his hand had been a split second before her dagger landed.

I'm not the one who rekindled the war out of greed, she'd hissed at him, circling the table. She'd only meant to retrieve her dagger, but he'd mumbled weakly and fled the room. As she returned to her seat, the other advisors had watched her, glancing at each other nervously.

She'd taken the opportunity, while they were quiet for a change, to outline her plan for rennovating the palace. They hadn't liked it, but tough. It was their job to make sure the Archangel didn't fail his or her people and in that they'd failed. They were as much to blame as she was. Time they realised that.

Finally, she approached the centre of the ring, looking around at the crystals curiously. In all her time as an Aide she'd never seen anything like this.

[Arkadios]

Following the directions he'd gotten from a passing Demon, Kade moved somewhat quickly toward the coliseum. It had been hell getting the books and documents, but in the end he managed to get every one partaining to the ritual. And a few with information about bonding. He figured, if she was up for a little heavy reading, a small dip into the bonding ritual might make for a good closer.

Getting the books, that honestly wasn't the hard part. The building, although updated to the time, it still had the same layout, and basic defenses. In fact, where he was expecting heavy guards, he found... none. In fact, he nearly had a fit about it. If the Wyvern couldn't even protect his own books from a Dragon still stuck in the past, how could he be fit to protect the entire race?

Kade could have told him off, but at the moment, his focus had one goal, and it would not be lost to him. His speed and agility came into good use as he made his was into the room. Either, he'd been extreamly lucky, or someone was watching out for him, but he managed to slip inside the room just as someone was coming out. When the door shut behind him, he'd quickly went to the books he knew would be of use, and began shoving them into a bag he'd aquired along the way. He'd heard the faint beeping sound, but still unaware of technology, he'd ignored it, and continued to stock up.

Not too long later, all the items he required in his bag, he moved to the door, and pushed it open. Not a millisecond later, the most loud ringing noise he'd ever heard erupted all around him. What he didn't know, as that he'd just tripped what they now call a security alarm. Not taking any more precautions of being seen, he'd kicked his speed into gear, and ran out of the building as fast as he could.

Looking back over his shoulder now, still, no one followed him. Instead of being happy, he still thought that the Wyvern was a fool to have let him get away with it. If he still had his title, no one would ever have gotten within ten feet of his books. Not without clearance from him anyway. Breathing in deeply, Kade finally looked around him to find him walking into the coliseum.

Not bothering to pay attention to the area around him, his eyes landed on Dazadi, and he quickly made his was over to her. Setting down the books and documents softly, he snuck up behind her, sliding his dagger from his sheathe and moving directly up behind her. Qith one fluid motion, he wnt to circle his arm around her waist which would pin her arm to her side, while his knife moved up toward her throat. Tch, your back to the enemy, wanna die Daz? He scolded softly.

[Dazadi]

Daz grabbed the wrist coming at her, tightly enough to stop the momentum but not tightly enough to hurt, and spun easily out of his grasp, grinning. Do you?

Hands on her hips, she eyed the overflowing bag warily. When they'd discussed researching the rituals, she hadn't quite realised exactly how much reading would be involved.

Pouting at the thought of being cooped up like a bird in a cage while they read all those books, she crossed her arms and moved closer to the bag, poking it with the toe of her boot.

Any trouble? she asked, wondering how the Dragons had reacted to his presence.

[Arkadios]

Kade pouted when she grabbed his wrist. He didn't know what to expect, obviously, but he'd hoped to at least startle her. Grinning at her counter question, he watched her eye the bag he'd brought. As she walked over to it, he sheathed his dagger and followed her.

Any trouble?

Lets just say... I better get these books back soon, or else i'll have a bounty for my head. In reality, this wasn't possible, but to Kade, it very much was. Even if Dazadi didn't register it.

Moving closer to the bag, he reached in and pulled out the one book that had the most information on the ritual. It was what he'd used to learn about it. All the others had referances through out, but this one held nearly everything one needed to know. The rolled up documents held information on whoe preformed these rituals, the outcomes, and nearly every test that the Dragon was put though. He had yet to look at these, half weary of what he'd find, but he knew Dazadi would demand to look at them.

Handing her the book, he smiled, then moved the second book he plucked from the bag into her view. Placing it on top of the first book, he smiled weakly, then moved away from her, turning his back. He didn't really want to see her reaction to the book about bonding, but he wanted her to know he was still thinking about it. Maybe the book would help.

[Dazadi]

As distracted as Dazadi was with wondering how to do this research without any actual reading on her part it took her a second to hear the words 'bounty' and 'head' but when she did, her head shot up. He'd already moved on, putting a book in her hands. As she glanced at the title, she wondered why Dragons needed so many rituals. This book had to be at least two inches thick.

Her pout becoming more pronounced as he handed her another book - not yet realising what it was about - she let her arms drop, feigning weakness as if they were far too heavy for her to hold up. Kaaaade, she whined.

Catching a glimpse of the title of the second book, she straightened in surprise, forgetting her dislike of books. Insanely, perhaps, she'd hoped he'd drop the issue. At least for now. No such luck.

So now, not only did he expect her to help him train for a suicidal ritual, he wanted her to lifebond with him, the Dragon form of marriage, a relationship that was completely unbreakable according to stories she'd heard. Great.

Still incredibly grumpy in the childish kind of way a lot of people apparently thought was cute, Daz almost shrieked at him. Dragging in a deep breath, she moved to stand in front of him. Kade... You know I love you, but... I got so used to being alone. Would you... Sighing softly, she carefully placed the books in the sand and stepped over them to clutch his hand, looking up into his eyes earnestly. Could you just give me some time? I need to understand what you're asking me to do, love.

[Arkadios]

Raising his eyebrows, Kade prepared himself for the onslaught of denial about to head his way. Clasping his hands behind his back, he readied himself. Apperantly, weather he wanted so see her reaction or not, he was going to anyway.

Kade... You know I love you, but...

There was alyways a but. Why couldn't anyone just, suck it up, and leave out the but. All "buts" ever did was harm people. No good ever came after that word was uttered. And again, it would be uttered today, and again, no good would come after it. It nearly made him cringe.

I got so used to being alone. Would you...

Kade let out a sigh that nearly synchronized with hers. He hadn't expected her to say yes and fly into his arms. In fact, as more time passed, he had less likly of a chance. You'd think your lovers return from the dead would allow you to accept such an offer. But with Dazadi... he should have known. Actually, he did know. And he knew even more now.

Watching as she placed down the books and moved closer, reaching for his hands, he eyed them for a moment, almost tempted not to give them to her. Releasing yet another sigh, he moved his hand in front of him, plaing them in hers. Her gaze was...well, it was hard to look at. She had a way of making you feel for her, even though it hurt you to do what she wished. Maybe it was only him this effect worked on, but the fact that it worked on him just made it all the worse. He just hoped... someday... she'd love him enough to get over her fears and let him care for her. The way a Dragon should care for his mate.

Could you just give me some time? I need to understand what you're asking me to do, love.

Kade looked back into Dazadi's eyes silently. For a moment, he just... looked at her. He knew what she ment, but he just wanted to block it out. He couldn't think about bonding right now if he were to take the ritual to become a black dragon. Thoughts of bonding would only weigh him down, and he couldnt have that. Not right now.

Releasing her hands, he moved around her and picked up the books she'd set down. Brushing off the invisable dirt, he handed the one about the ritual that she'd rather see him take, than the one where he couldn't possibly have a chance of dying. Taking the other book, he tossed it carelessly onto the stack, then walked away from it. With his back to her as he unsheathed his sword, he began to clean it of invisable dirt, the book hed thrown toppled to the ground, landing open in the dirt, its pages cringling under its own weight.

[Dazadi]

Knowing she'd hurt him and wishing she could just agree to bond with him without a thought for her own feelings, she cursed her own selfishness and ducked her head, her eyes shut, as he walked away.

She almost wished she was back in that meeting and that she'd let the bureacrats rip her apart. At least then she'd be the only one hurting.

Hearing the scrape of metal as he unsheathed his katana, she looked up and let the book in her hands fall, wincing a little at the loud whumping smack it made, but she didn't prepare herself for the fight she knew would come. She needed to make him understand something first.

Kade, if I asked you to kill a five year old boy... what would you say? He had to realise that Dragons and Anyeli were... completely different in a lot of ways. The Anyeli population was so slim, the war so destructive, that no one married for life anymore. Whatever it took to repopulate, that was the modern creed for relationships. It sickened her that her people had come to this point, but she'd grown up in it. Her parents were rare - they were married young and they'd both grown up in a small village on the fringes of human and Anyeli society where the war was just a story told to children to make them sleep at night. When they'd died, Daz had been dragged to the palace to be raised like any other fledgling, taught to believe that long-term relationships were just plain wrong.

Against all odds, she'd learned to oppose that view and she'd admired Anyeli couples who settled down for the long haul, even though she hadn't understood it. She'd believed that the relationship her parents shared was what her people should be striving for, not repopulation at any cost.

And yet... she'd been alone for a long, long time before and after his death. She stood on her own two feet, no matter how wobbly she got. And he was asking her to make sacrifices she couldn't fully understand for a commitment she knew extremely little about.

She just hoped that her tactics would work to make him realise exactly what it was he was asking. He was a warrior, he'd served as an assassin in some cases, but he wasn't a mindless soldier. He would never kill anyone without knowing the reason why - least of all a child - in the same way that she couldn't make an emotional move without at least knowing where her feet would end up.

At the same time... she was asking for patience from a man who was accustomed to getting what he wanted when he wanted it. She just needed to prove that she wasn't saying no outright, that she just needed to know she'd land on solid ground.

[Arkadios]

As Kade walked away, mindlessly fittling with his katana, he expected her to drop the subject and get on with reading the book, but apperantly not. He'd heard the book fall, but didn't react to it like he normally would have. Not startling, or picking it up. He just, continued to focus on his weapon.

Kade, if I asked you to kill a five year old boy... what would you say?

Closing his eyes, Kade let out a sigh and his arms went slack nearly dropping his sword. Turning around to face her, he shook his head. Daz... please. That has nothing to do with anything, and you know it.

Lifting his katana, he resheathed it, and looked at her. He knew what she was trying to do, and he wasn't going along with it. She could justify whatever she wanted, in the end, he'd never force her to do anything she didn't want to. Nor would she allow herself to be forced. Whatever it took for her to live with it was her own issue. He knew what he wanted, and he knew his reasonings. And just like hers, they were good, and sound. They could play this cat mouse game for the rest of thier lives, and frankly, he didn't want to. Not right now.

Dazadi was never one to give in easily. When she did, it was best to take advantage of it, because most likly, it would happen for a long time if ever again. But... when she was against something, it was best just to... let her come to tearms with it on her own. All he'd done was handed her some reading material. If she read it or not, that was her own decision. He wasn't about to pressure her. Hell, he hadn't even said a word.

Kade found himself gettin frusterated, tired, and generally a tad depressed. He didn't like feeling this way, especially since there was so much that needed to be accomplished. Now that he thought about it, he wondered why they came here. She wanted to read up on this stuff, before they jumped into training. And reading in the middle of a battle ground... it wasn't very smart.

Looking up at her after having been lost in his own thoughts for a moment, he tried to change the unpleasnt subject. Are we getting on with this or what? He asked, a little too harshly then he'd have liked to.

[Dazadi]

Daz flinched. She couldn't help it. She was always more sensitive to emotional attacks than physical ones, and while she'd learned to block the effect of most of them, Kade was the exception.

Slowly, she stiffened, her face straightened, devoid of emotion, and her shoulders moved back, erect. Fine. She could fight, since that was apparently all he wanted from her right now.

Spreading her hands and tilting her head slightly in a nod of respect, she paused... Then leaped into the air, across the gap between them, drawing her sword and swinging it toward his head.

[Arkadios]

Kade saw the reaction in her face. He'd hurt her, and for that, he felt extreme guilt. He didn't like how everything seemed to be so tensed up since he'd gotten back. So much had happened between them. A liftime of events, jam packed into a few months. Less even. It was taking its toll on both of them.

Seeing her nod toward him, he lifted his brow, not expecting her to have jumped into battle so quickly. Before he had a chance to draw his own sword, or even ponder on if he wanted too, she lept toward him, her sword drawn and rised to strike. Without thinking, Kade's hand flew up over his head, his forwarm protectin his neck and face. Dazadi's sward colided with it roughly, ripping open his skin in a deep cut.

Ignoring the pain and sudden rush from the battle, Kade grabbed her wrist holding the sword, while his other hand slipped behind her waist. The force of her momentum, and the angle he held onto her forced her to colide into his chest with force enough to make him stumble back a foot.

Keeping his grip firm on her, he looked down into her face. She might has masked her sadness, or even gotten rid of it compleatly, but he still saw it. Maybe it was from before, but he saw it. And he didn't want it to end up like this. Not them. Releasing her wrist, her moved up to slide his hand to the nape of her nack, and leaned in, kissing her hard, desprate almost. He wanted her to know... he loved her. No matter what.

[Dazadi]

Seeing the rip in his arm, she winced, stunned as her own arm stung. Sympathy pain?

Before she could really think about it, he grabbed her. Prepared to fend off a counterattack, she didn't expect him to kiss her. He was so gung-ho about training earlier, she'd expected... anything but this.

Dropping her sword, she clutched his shoulders, kissing him back fiercely. When he finally lifted his head, her eyes were filled with tears but she blinked them away quickly. I know, she whispered brokenly. She did know. Which just made their arguing all the more difficult. They both wanted a future together, she wasn't objecting to that. She...

... wasn't really sure anymore what she was objecting to.

Stroking his arm gently, she twisted to check the wound, worried she'd hurt him badly. Dragon hide was tough, especially Red Dragons, but she'd put a lot of force behind that swing. Probably more than she'd meant to. I'm sorry.

That was the second time in a few hours that she'd apologised. The second time in her life. How did he do that?

Satisfied that she hadn't damaged him too badly she stepped with a shaky breath and bent to retrieve her sword, looking at him quizzically.

[Arkadios]

Kade looked down at Dazadi, as much emotion in his face as he was sure she felt in her heart. Hearing her words, he felt as if he'd been freed. From what exactly, he did not know. But he was here with her, and thats all that mattered.

Even hearing himself think this made him so confused. He wanted bonding, then he sacrificed it for her acceptance. He wanted training, but he'd rather hold her in his arms. he didn't want to keep thinking about bonding, about her, but thats all his mind would allow. it didn't make a lick of sense. None of it.

Watching her as she checked his wound, he didn't bother to look down at it. He knew it was there, he could feel the pain, ne he knew blood was making its way down hi arm, but it didn't matter. All he could see right now was her. Its all he wanted to see. She could ask him anything right now, and he didn't think he'd have the will to refuse. This scared him, but his love her for washed it all away.

I'm sorry.

Sucking in his breath, he took this to mean more than it probably did. Clutching at her forearms after she'd retrieved her sword, he looked deep into her eyes. No Dazadi, i'm sorry. Bringing her to him, he hugged her gently. Whatever this was, they'd get through it togther.

Pulling back, he smiled at her. Unsheathing his katana, he lifted it and nodded. He was ready to train, and this time, they'd fight hard.

[Dazadi]

Daz wasn't sure what the hug meant but it was soothing. Seeing the resolute look on his face as he took out his katana again, Daz couldn't help but grin. Tipping her head again, this time impishly, she raised her sword in a salute and skipped back a few steps.

Anticipating his movements was harder than it was for most opponents, but easier at the same time. She knew the way he moved, the way he thought, but he could still surprise her.

Swinging her weight easily from one foot to the other and back again, she feigned left, feigned right, then darted forward to swing her sword towards his waist with a wild whoop.

[Arkadios]

Kade shook his head and grinned at her antics. She was obviously having fun, something that he needed to have more of himself. Of course, he'd always liked sparring with Dazadi, but it was never... "fun", persay. More, exciting and stimulating than anything. Where it lead to was fun.

His grin growing with the memories, he followed her movment with his eyes, trying to figure out what her first attack would be. Using his arm as a shield might work on anyone else, and even on Dazadi to a point. But just because he refused to the the pain effect him, didn't mean he didn't still feel it.

Seeing her come at his waist, Kade flipped himself backwards, ducking under her sword, his hands landing on the ground, the one flat against the handle of his katana. Moving his leg to kick her sword from her hand, he continued his backflip until he landed on his feet again, his own sword still in hand.

Enjoying the taunting he was now giving her for avoiding her attack, he grinned, bracing himself for the fight to continue, but still not attacking himself.

[Dazadi]

Daz giggled as her sword went flying, diving after it and sliding in th sand to catch it just as she slowed to a stop. She was just in time to see Kade backflip again, grinning at her.

Flipping to her feet she arched an eyebrow at him, her own grin still in place. Scrapping with him was the most exhilerating thing she'd ever done. Before, it was no holds barred. Now, she'd have to be careful not to use her Aide powers on him, but seeing him dodge her attack boosted her confidence - not in herself, but him.

She felt guilty at the realisation but yes, she'd worried that he couldn't handle himself. If he could hold his own against her, he'd be fine.

And she wasn't going to cut him any slack.

Her wings snapped out, a decoy - most opponents would assume that meant she was about to attack them from the air. Instead, Daz used the forward momentum to roll, coming up on her knees close enough to knock his legs out from under him with a single swing of her arm if he didn't dodge.

[Arkadios]

Letting loose a small laugh at her giggle, he found himself behaving as if he were a child again. Having fun, and yet, training at the same time. If he thought about it too much his head would explode, but he deffinatly welcomed the feeling.

Watching her, preparing himself for another attack, he saw her spread her wings. Trying not to grin even more, and having a hard time of it, he waited to the attack he assumed would be coming. She used this trick on him many times. At first, he fell for it every time, but as the years went by, he learned more and more. Even when he fell for it hald the time, he shouldn't have. Granted she was fast, but he was just as fast. If she propelled into the air, it would give him a few seconds to adjust his target. But if he assumed she was going into the air, and she attacked on ground, those seconds would be lost, and he would loose as well.

However, that was then, and although it wasn't on his mind at the moment, she was an Aide, and he abilitied had a great power boost to go with it. Just as he assumed, she lunged at him in a ground attack. This one however, he wasn't quite expecting, making his reaction not as smooth as he'd of wanted it.

Instead of diving like he assumed she'd expect him to do, he took a swipe at her body, blocking her path to his legs with his sword. She'd have to move away to avoid being cut, or continue her assult and be hurt.

[Dazadi]

The instant he blocked her attack, Daz pivoted in the opposite direction, standing as she turned a full 360 degrees to backhand him, her back towards him. She was still gripping her sword lightly but it wasn't her main weapon at the moment, she was more interested in using her hands.

If he caught her and blocked her attack, she'd swing back, turn into a crouch and go for his knees again.

She couldn't believe how much fun this was. It didn't matter who won, just the act of sparring with him... She'd almost forgotten. She was glad to have it back... to have him back.

[Arkadios]

Seeing her avoid his attack, then manuvor atound her, Kade dropped to a crouch, avoiding whatever hand blow she might have given him. As he did so, he swung out his leg to trip her. Positioning himself to be able to see, if she avoided his trip by jumping, he'd grab hold og her ankle and pull her down while his other hand would move forward, his flat palm knocking her stomach until she'd fall back onto the ground.

Any move he could do, she knew she'd have one to counter it. And honestly, at this position and angle, he was wide open for an attack. His defenses, compleatly down.

[Dazadi]

Daz jumped to dodge his sweeping kick and 'umphed' as his hand hit her stomach, knocking her back slightly. Her feet touching the sand briefly, she used the backwards momentum to leap further away. Facing him, she grinned, touching her hand to her stomach in a brief salute before waving at him mischievously.

Preparing for another round, she tossed her sword into the sand, wrinkling her nose as it threw up a spray of the coarse particles. Whose idea was it to build a huge sand pit anyway?

Not waiting for Kade to toss his own weapon aside, and not minding if he kept hold of it - though she'd no doubt tease him about it later if he didn't - she launched into a full frontal attack, leaping up into the air and coming back down almost on top of him with her feet extended in order to kick him.

He had two options, that she could see. Catch her and throw her away; or dodge out of the way.