The Art of the Duel(Seiki, Invite only)

Someone once said that a sword was the way of those without the will to use words. But for Adrian it was a way of life. The sword could protect as well as harm. It could defend that which was most dear to you, and slay those that would take that from you. And that was dangerous. But it also represented what happened when talking didn't work with someone. A quick tempered person could surely be quick to draw his sword, but so too was he quick to fall. A calm collected swordsman was more than a match for nearly anyone that came at him. But such was how the world was. People saw those that fought as weak willed peons. Where as some people just couldn't deal with others. Adrian had known people that had been so thick headed you would have won an argument with a brick wall before you even had a chance to do so with them.

Adrian moved, his body shifting between the blade and his arms, his body weaving around the long black bladed weapon. The Devil's Teardrop danced in his grasp, something that very few could have done. He was out at dawn, his body well balanced. Adrian's style was literally balance itself. He did not dedicate himself to the path of one of the Kami, though if he had to choose one it would have been Fu Leng. Very few would have even considered it, for Fu Leng's way was known as "The way of the Oni." But he didn't dare dedicate himself to anything else. Though he might have once considered "The way of the Dragon."

In order there were the ways of the Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Oni, Phoenix, Scorpion, and Unicorn. Each focused on one of something else. They all focused on one thing or another. Defense, Speed, Balance, Attack, or one of any other countless thing. But it didn't matter, because those trained in "The way of the Oni" had to know about the other schools of kenjutsu and swordsmanship.

"The way of the Crab was defense focused, relying on light motions to force the opponent's weapon out of the way and then counter the attack. It was something that some only used in desperation. But it was something to try if you were beginning. But then again it was something that was extremely rare to see practiced. But those that are masters of it are desperate in many situations and it is never seen against a single person." he explained, frowning. "Among the schools of swordsmanship it was frowned upon because it was almost useless against a single opponent. And most people that use this school use armor of some kind. Something that covers you from all over, giving them the protection that a Crab has in nature. Thus the name of the school."

He was talking more to himself, or to Rubi as she flew just out of reach of his sword, watching him, her pink form fluttering back and forth. She smirked and swooped in fluttering an inch from his face as he worked through his motions.

"That may be but you're a fool to tell all your secrets." she said.

(537/537)

Adrian brought his blade back and then around before stopping the weapon just short of Seiki's throat. Rubi was poised to pounce, her ass high in the air, her body balanced on the blade of the Devil's Teardrop. She then jumped, her body landing on top of Adrian's head. Lowering his weapon the sword master, smiled and spun the weapon before slipping it into the cherry wood sheath at his hip. The sheath had the kanji of "Angel" over "Human" over "Demon" carved into it and painted white. He smirked reaching up, stroking the side of the pink cat that sat on his head.

"Seiki, this is Rubi. Rubi this is Seiki, my apprentice." he said, smirking.

"Hello." the cat said, one paw raising and waving in human style.

"So what brings you back to me Seiki? Are you after something to make you stronger? More training with your new sword? Or perhaps you'd like to play tag?" he asked.

It didn't matter why he was here. It only mattered that Adrian was ready to advance his own training. And if that meant he had someone to teach then all the better. But then again when he was alone he didn't have to hold back. And Rubi was more than powerful enough to give him a hand in his training. But then again she mostly stayed out of reach and spat on the swordsman from above. He was going to need something to help him get off of the ground.

(250/787)

"It doesn't matter to me. I am a swordsman and it is my duty to pass the knowledge on to whoever will learn it."Adrian said, smirking at his student.

"YOU SON OF A BITCH! LET ME GO!" Rubi shouted, her voice high.

Oh my god, you really can be this stupid...

"Listen to her..."

He turned his back as Rubi struggles, before she drew in a deep breath exhaling lightning toward Seiki's face as her wings batted, and her claws flailed. She wasn't going to be happy, but she wasn't going to let anyone look in her ass for anything. She hated being handled. Being pet was one thing but being handled like the way Seiki was handling her was NOT being pet. It was being molested.

"Put her down. You should watch out for her. She says she's a baby red dragon." Adrian said, taking his favorite flask out before taking a long swig from it.

He made a face before he shook his head lightly and screwed the cap back into place. He then tucked it back into his black yakuta.

(183/970)

Rubi's wings flap as she catches herself in the air before moving to sit on Adrian's shoulder. Released from Seiki's grip she grumbles before she folds her paws over her chest lightly. Her wings were folded back behind her, her tail twitching in annoyance as she watches the new males, her mind working to calculate how strong they are. But she gives up part way through it, figuring that they were too young to be any good. But that wasn't saying much considering she was only a baby herself.

Adrian stroked Rubi's fur as he watched the two young men standing before him. His blue-green eyes shifted from Seiki to Rei, and then back again, his left eyebrow quirking as he stood there.

"Yes Seiki, like a dragon, dragon. Nice to meet you Rei. You must be the... sword guy that Seiki was talking about." Adrian said.

Glancing at Rubi Adrian smirked, and nodded. The winged cat then lept from the swordsman's shoulder, her wings flapping as she moved toward them. She circled them before she landed a good twenty-some odd feet away from them. Taking a deep breath Rubi opened her mouth before spouting flames toward the two trainees. The fireball was powerful, much more powerful than a normal fire. And the fact that this tiny cat-like creature was spitting it up toward them did nothing more than add to the thought that she might really be a dragon.

Adrian just stood there, watching the scene unfolding in front of him. He balanced on one leg, the left slipping up, his ankles crossing as he stood there. He folded his arms over his chest as he waited to see what the boys might do in response to the provocation.

(Rubi: Elemental Burst(Strong))

(290/1,260)

Adrian just checked his fingernails as he vanished, only to reappear between Rubi and the fire attack(Godspeed). His eyes narrowed as it came toward him, his arms folded over his chest. The attack slammed against him, his robes bursting into flames as he stood there. His arms folded over his chest as Rubi sprayed him with water to put the flames out(Elemental Burst: Water). He tilted his head left, then right, popping his neck as he stood there, sword at his hip. His hands fell to his sides as he let them ball into fists. His knuckles popped as he stood there, his eyebrow twitching lightly before he smirked. Drawing the weapon from the cherry wood sheath at his hip he released the hilt, his fingers causing the weapon to spin as it came up and around. Taking a step forward his left hand reached out, under his right. Catching the weapon he continued forward, not bothering to use the advanced speed technique he'd just show. He closed the distance between himself and Seiki as quickly as he could, the Devil's Teardrop flashing out in a swift arc toward the other male's mid section.

"WIPE CLEAN THE POWERS OF DARKNESS AND PURIFY THE LAND!" he shouted as he attacked.

From his sleeves sutra cards flew, the paper seals flying out lining the ground up to fifty feet away from the swordsman. He wasn't going to make it easy for either of them. But then again he wasn't using his full strength either. He wasn't out to kill them, but if they were going to get better they had to fight as if they were going to really kill him.

(279/1,539)

Adrian moved, forcing his former blade out of the way. He forced the crystal and black blades into position to block the katana that was coming in to attack. With the clang of the blades Adrian's slid against Goranova's bright crystal as he rolled, his back pressing against Seiki's for a moment before he continued. His body rolled around Seiki's as his blade thrust out toward Rei's gut, his body going to one knee. The attack, however was nothing more than a feint to set the vapire's other blade to block an attack that would never come. His weight came down on his knee before reversing direction his body turning more before he rolled along Rei's back, his blade reversing in his grip before he brought his left arm up and down lightly, only enough to press the tip of the blade against Rei's back. If it was successful and a true attack the weapon would have gone through Rei's frame. But it stopped, only enough pressure there to let the new swordsman know where the weapon was and that it might have been a killing blow.

Letting up on the pressure Adrian moved a few feet away before turning to face them. He smirked standing there, his eyebrow cocked. He waited the weapon at his side, still in his left hand. He just waited patiently, the black metal blade shining lightly as he waited.

"You've begun your mastery over lesson three Seiki. But you've completely forgotten about lesson one." he said, smirking. "Air... The wrathful aspects of air can capsize ships, tear down buildings, and lend speed to even the most swift of warriors."

With that he switched the weapon from his left to his right hand before he raised the weapon above his head. As soon as the Devil's Teardrop was in his right hand the air around it began to bend around the blade, making the weapon appear to distort almost as if it were dancing.

(329/1,968)

"You have a lot to learn. I told you once. I specialize in blade magic! NOW, BEHOLD WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I WIELD MY SWORD WITH MY RIGHT HAND!" he called out.

Bringing the weapon down he stopped it just short of the ground. The blade straightened as the air around it vanished. From the tip of the blade, spreading out to ten feet wide, a tear in the ground began to form, rushing the two trainees. The tear in the ground extended out a good fifty feet before vanishing, the debris grass and what not flying a few additional feet away. But Adrian didn't wait to see if he had struck the other two with the attack. He shot forward after the attack, his body moving swiftly as the sun began to set in the distance. His blade spun as he released it. His body turned, his left hand catching the weapon before he kicked off the ground. As he went up his body spun forward before he felt the ground under him solidify before he kicked off once more. He landed between where he figured the two trainees would be. He wasn't going to kill but he wasn't about to make it easy for them.

"Come now. Surely the two of you have what it takes to make me switch hands and actually take you seriously, right? I mean, how hard can that be? At the very least you can try, right boys?" he asked, looking between the two of them.

(252/2,220)

Adrian's eyes closed as he opened himself to the world around him. He let them open but didn't react to what he saw so much as he reacted to instinct. He turned his wrist and body. Taking a step back he slid out of line of the attacks, the Bastard Sword on his hand turning vertical, the handle over the blade. He caught the long sword first before he spun, his blade clashing with the Sword of Light. He then shifted, his body reversing the direction of the spin before he brought the weapon down in a slash toward Rei. But he wasn't going for a kill. If his blade was going to make contact he would stop it at the last second. Then again there was no telling if the two of them could even follow his movements.

"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess. We seek it thus, and take to the sky. Ripples form on the water's surface. The wandering soul knows no rest." he said, grinning darkly as he stood there.

Something was different but he wasn't going to complain. The Devil's Teardrop still weighed in his hand, but it wasn't nearly the burden he had had before. There was a time he'd had no choice but to use it with both hands, and now he was slashing the large weapon with no trouble at all.

(52/52)
(Sensing package unlocked)

Adrian's eyes narrowed when his blade clashed with Rei's. The other male was able to match his strength, with a two handed grip. Though Adrian only held the Devil's Teardrop in his left hand. His eyes widened when Seiki's punch came at him. He took a deep breath, setting himself for the blow. As it struck home he grunted, his eyes narrowing. As the force of the blow passed through him, he released the Devil's Teardrop. The weapon fell to the ground as Adrian shot back and away, his body vanishing before reappearing beside the discarded Sword of Light. He grabbed the ivory hilt, pulling the crystal blue blade from the ground, flinging dirt as it was torn free.

He smirked, standing there, his right hand twitching. As his fingers curled into a holding position, the Devil's Teardrop vanished in a swirl of mist. That same swirl of mist appeared in his hand before vanishing, revealing the black metal blade of his favored weapon. Spinning the Devil's Teardrop he slid it into place at his hip, slamming it into the cherry wood sheath.

"Air is mercurial and enigmatic. That is lesson one. What you just saw me perform was lesson five.. But before you get there you'll have to learn your other lessons. Seiki, you cannot rely on your fists if you wish to get stronger with a sword. But if you don't want to get stronger, I suppose you could mount her on your wall." he said.

He raised the Sword of Light, and brought the flat of the blade down, resting it against his shoulder.

(267/319)
(Sensing package unlocked)

"COME ON! IS THAT THE HARDEST YOU CAN HIT ME!?" he shouts, his arm bleeding from the cut.

With the strikes that followed the swift movement Adrian was thrown into the air a few inches. His eyes widen for a moment before he comes back down, his body doubling over. His eyes glow softly for a moment before it vanishes. He wouldn't draw on that strength with these two. They weren't worth the effort it required. He grinned, a small thin line of blood coming from the corner of his mouth. But something was screaming in the back of his mind. It was like some kind of urge, or maybe an instinct that was warning him of something. He didn't understand it but he barely paid it any mind. His body shifted before he brought the Sword of Light around, shifting the other swordsman's blade in a small tight circle, time and again before he threw his opponent's blade out wide. And still he used only his left hand.

But he didn't press at the opening. Instead he vanished, reappearing near where Rubi was. His right hand extended his eyes focused on both opponents, as Rubi took in a deep breath. She lept onto Adrian's shoulder and ran down his arm, leaping off toward them, expelling a large burst of electricity toward Seiki, while her wings flapped. Adrian mean while was muttering, his eyes focused on Rei.

"Heed me now, thou who are darker than dusk. Heed that which is more red than blood. In the name of that, which was buried in the bottomless abyss of time eternal... I summon thee, master of the ultimate darkness!" He chanted, his voice growing in strength.

"DAMN! NO! ADRIAN, STOP IT! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" the flying cat shouted, her body arcing around back toward her master.

(305/624)
(Rubi: Elemental Burst, Lightning
Adrian: Godspeed to move, chanting)

The crystal blade of the Sword of Light clanged against Rei's long sword. They threw up sparks lightly as his free hand shifted. It stopped inches from Rei's face as he continued to chant the spell his voice getting louder as he grinned darkly.

"HAVE NO PITY ON THE FOOLS WHO STAND IN OUR WAY! INFUSE ME WITH POWER, LET YOUR STRENGTH BECOME MINE! TO WIPE THEM FROM THE FACE OF THIS EARTH!" he shouted, his body glowing darkly as he grinned.

Rubi dropped to the ground and took a deep breath before she raised her head, singing as loud as she could.

Ieyui
Nobomenu
Renmiri
Yojuyogo
Hasatekanae
Kutamae

"TO DELIVER UNTO THEM THE Ul...Ultima..." Adrian seemed to be losing his train of thought as the baby dragon began to sing.

He blinked a few times and let his hand retreat from Rei's face before he looked to Rubi, who was continuing to sing. He stepped back from Rei and rubbed at his eyes. He growled something and stepped toward the dragon, his left arm coming back as if he were going to cut the thing down. But he came to a stop after two or three steps. He let the weapon lower to his side as he began to breathe slowly, his eyes closing. The glow his body took on banished as he regained his composure. He threw the Sword of Light toward Seiki, tossing the weapon in simple underhand fashion.

"That... That's enough. Before I... Before I do something I regret." he said, before he began walking away.

(260/884)

Updated Seiki

Updated Rei
Updated Rogue