Way of the Umbral Sword Ⅱ

[Siorey]

₪ 10th of Glade, Year 121, A.o.S ₪
Company: Dhasali| Thoughts: Lets Keep Going| Mood: Determined

₪ Deep within the first level of the Warrens, the sounds of light grunting and steel contacting with steel could be heard echoing about. The reverberations of swords clashing against one another filled the cavernous expanse as the black robe was at work, fine-tuning his sword technique. Slashes and stabs were thrown with amateurish style as the young man put his all in his spar against his guardian.

After several attempts to slice and stab Dhasali, the mixed elf was exhausted from her assault on the punching bag. "Fuck, that was tiring for sure." he exclaimed, watching as Dhasali chuckled at his exhaustion. He backed away from his protector for a moment to let his body cool down as it was hot to the touch from all the physical exertion.

Covered in sweat he stretched his shirtless body as he was doing things he hadn't had to do in years, and it was foreign to his body, evident in the tightness and sore feeling of his muscles. But he didn't give up, going in for another round with Dhasali. Siorey and Dhasali both danced the dance of steel and mettle as their swords clashed like a sweet song between the two.

It seemed to be the daily routine now for them to do so. Dhasali was impressed that Sio had gotten the basics of the Way of Umbral Style down so quickly, but was determined to refine them a bit, hence the Warren sparring sessions, though this time they were using their actual blades instead of the scabbards or wooden swords this time.

After some time, Dhasalitook a moment to catch his breath, though if he was honest it was more so for Siorey than himself. "If you wish to stop we can, no need to overexert yourself on mere training." he encouraged, though the prodigy mage was not in the mood to quit now.

"No I can keep going for a while longer, dont holdback." he engaged, getting into a fighting stance as Dhasali simply shrugged and came charging at him. This wasn't going to be like the last sparring match they had, no this one was for higher stakes, his life to be exact. The fact that Siorey knew he could die excited him, got his blood pumping but also terrified him. ₪

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"Common Speech"
"Mythrasi Speech"
"Inner Thoughts"
"Dhasali Speech"

[Reviewer]

Thread Title

Time Stamp

"Fuck... could you at least..."

The tunnel was filled with the sounds of grunting and shuffling as the pair made their way back toward the entrance, which was still quite the ways off. Areya was tucked under a heavy man's armpit, her face darkened and sweating from strain, his own pale and almost green.

"How is someone as fat as you still alive down here? It's been a full season."

The woman's voice was hoarse and frustrated. The pair slumped out of the tunnel into a larger, more open cavern, one that marked the halfway point back to their cells. She limped him over to the wall nearby, "Fuck's sake, I gotta rest." She slipped out from under the large man, letting him slump hard against the wall. She looked down at the medic, seeing his heavily bandaged thigh, "You gonna live while I rest?" The chubby man nodded, "Yeah... I should be fine. I need to rest too."

"What?! But I've been doing all the work!"

Areya huffed off from the man, slipping her pack from her shoulders, rubbing at them, trying to massage out the stiffness. She'd been carrying this man for at least three hours now, after a Shin took a bit out of him. The man was a talented healer, one who a nobleman's only child had died under the care of. He'd gotten a hung jury and sent down here. From what it had sounded like to Areya, the man was innocent, not that it mattered to her. But having a healer around had a lot more perks, so she'd gone far out of her way to bring him back alive. Still, the man could afford to lose some weight. Still sticky with sweat, she grabbed her waterskin, draining much of it, some of it spilling down her front. Once she'd emptied it, she grabbed some "mystery meat" jerky from her pack, tearing off a piece as she got her bearings.

Across the way were two people sparring, and Areya could only shake her head in disbelief. It never ceased to amaze her how many people came down here, by choice. There were so many people forced to come down here in repentance of crimes, all expected to die, and still, people came to seek treasures, glory, or in this case.... solitude for training? It would never make sense to Areya and she could feel her blood boiling. It was disrespectful to her, disrespectful to all of the Dead Legionnaires, and disrespectful to all of those who had died down here. Apparently they were so damn good at their jobs that people thought it was safe enough down here to just kill time.

Disgusting how soft people could be.

She continued to chomp on her jerky, watching the fighting. At least they were good. Probably better than her, not that that was difficult to do. Still, why were they training down here instead of somewhere up above in the sun? Part of her wished a monster horde would come and eat the pair of them, hoping that in their final moments, they'd learn their lessons. The other part was amused by watching the sparring. Entertainment was sparse down here. Areya found herself watching the way the woman moved, her own body heating up in doing so. She paid the man little attention, he was nothing compared to her. She bit her lip as she watched, the jerky hanging loosely in her idle hand.

[Siorey]

₪ 10th of Glade, Year 121, A.o.S ₪
Company: Dhasali| Thoughts: Lets Keep Going| Mood: Determined

₪ The two warriors continued to clash with one another, their blades singing within the air. He knew to face him was outrageous but it was worth the experience he knew he would gain from fighting him. Siorey's blade clashing against his rang throughout the cavernous expanse. Fighting Dhasali was both enjoyable and a pain at the same time. He had to maintain his composure and focus just to keep up with the veteran warrior.

Siorey was giving it his all but in less than ten moves Dhasali had already disarmed him. With a loud clang, his sword slid across the training hall floor. "That's no good Siorey, you know better." he chastised, going to pick up the young lord's sword, handing it back to him afterward. "What was the first thing I taught you when we first started training?"

His eyes glared right into him as his arms folded under his chest, his sword clasped tightly in his grasp. "Fight as if your enemy looks better dead than you do." he whispered, his eyes diverting from Dhasali's gaze. "Exactly, you were holding back, you know better than to do that remember." Dhasali reminded, causing Siorey to cut his eyes before rolling them at his scolding. "I know, I know"he hissed as he took his sword from Dhasali, taking a few steps back to get ready to go again.

"You have to fight as if it's your final battle. You never hesitate no matter who your opponent is. Friends can become foes at a moment's notice." he added, flourishing his blade. "Now let's go again young master." he suggested, entering his fighting stance. By this time there was a rumbling from beneath them, and several feet away the cavern floor gave way.

Both men watched as Shinaegri poured from the opening and began to lurk towards them. Siorey could feel himself tense up a bit, but Dhasali placed a hand on top of his head. "Change of plans young master, looks like you will be having some practical training this time. Just remember the basics, and go for the head. Dont allow them a chance to outnumber or swarm you." he warned, which made the black robe mage scoff.

"That's easier for you to say than me to do you know." he scoffed, both men entering a fighting stance as they awaited the shambles advance upon them. ₪

---

"Common Speech"
"Mythrasi Speech"
"Inner Thoughts"
"Dhasali Speech"

[Reviewer]

Thread Title

Time Stamp

Her mood was not improved upon hearing that little quip about 'your enemy looking better dead than you.' Who the hell cared about that sort of thing? Dead was dead. What sort of nonsense was this mentor teaching this man? She could appreciate the sentiment of not holding back, but why package it up in such... noble flourish? The three of them were in the Warrens, the most dangerous place known.

She had intended to nurse her sour mood more, but then she heard the cracking of stone, and her eyes grew wide. She half expected the floor to give way and to see the two freebies fall through it. Instead, she heard the hiss and chittering sounds she knew all too well. Shins.

Time to go to work.

She grabbed her torch from the mount on the wall near her. Taking a few running steps, she threw it end over end, hitting one of the lead Shins with it, sending a show of embers spreading out. It did negligible damage, but it served its purpose. The torch bounced down to the ground, better illuminating the fighting area while also causing the Shins to shirk away from the fire. Areya continued her running and slipped one of her tomahawks from her belt, heading toward the Shins that were shepherded of to the side Siorey was on, while the rest were shambling toward his mentor.

She had begun growing used to their attacks, being the most common enemies down here and she prepared for the first tentacle lash. She did so by twisting her tomahawk to the side, gripping it tight. Then the tentacle came streaking across, and as it did, she stepped to the side, twisting her body and bringing her tomahawk up in a chop, catching it from underneath, severing the limb. She turned back toward the undead creature, a hand shooting out to grab the injured tentacle, but the monster was able to retract it in time.

She pursued it. She'd learned that these were ambushers and fought more confidently when en masse. But they were also a prey down here, and were not particularly adept at being hunted. She charged forward, bringing her axe down in a diagonal chop. The creature lurched backwards, avoiding the attack. Areya pressed on, raising her leg, kicking out at the creature. Her boot struck it in the chest-teeth, sending the monster sprawling backwards and down into the hole it had crawled out of. It was by no means destroyed, but they need to divide and thin their numbers.

She turned, just as a tentacle slapped hard across her face and chest. She was sent sprawling backwards, but rather than fight it, she went with it. She fell onto her ass, rolling up onto her back. Keep moving. Always keep moving. She rolled to the side on her stomach just as the tentacle lashed where she'd been. She got a foot beneath her and used it to launch her forward, landing on her torso once more, avoiding the tentacle that had attempted to grab her foot. Keep moving. She got up, spinning to face the attacker, just as the tentacle punched passed her cheek.

She reached up, grabbing the appendance, entangling her arm in the middle portion of it. She then began pulling toward her. The creature in its panic, not expecting to have gotten itself caught, tried to pull back, hard, and as it did, Areya let go of it. The creature fell back on its own ass, and she was already scrambling over it, and with a thunk, planted her axe in its head, ending it. She quickly got her bearings, staying low over the creature, to see what the state of the fight was, feeling the blood from her nose pour down her front.

[Siorey]

₪ 10th of Glade, Year 121, A.o.S ₪
Company: Dhasali - ???| Thoughts: Well Shit!| Mood: Nervous, but determined

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₪ Siorey was not as confident as his guardian but he didn't falter as he watched the horde mass in front of them. His nerves seemed to buzz as he could hear the shambles as their twisted frames squirmed and meandered towards them. Dhasali smirked as he glanced over, readying himself to attack when someone beat him to it. Both men watched as the woman came from out of the sky, well from above them as far as Siorey could tell.

From her armor and the way she fought it was clear to the young noble, she was a conscript of the Dead Legion. She was obviously watching them from the safety of her perch which didn't sit well with Siorey. He watched her as she fought the horde then watched as fires illuminated his left peripheral. Dhasali had summoned a blazing lion of some sort, almost instantly.

"Tear them apart." he commanded, to which the flaming spirit let out a mighty roar and went forth, tearing into the horde around them. Dhasali took to ripping through the horde as well. "Go and help our guest young lord, remember what you've learned." he suggested with a smirk. Siorey always hated that, but he was right, as from the looks of things.

Running to her aide, the young noble was intercepted by two of the monstrous bastards, causing Siorey to freeze in his tracks. He was frightened at first, but his resolve tightened him up, and he charged the first of the two carving off the tentacles that came his way, till he got to the source and rammed his blade through the creature's chest. Wrenching the blade free he turned as the other came to catch his flank, just his luck.

It would take some getting used to and perfecting the timing but he would make each swing of his sword count. His blade came arcing around, hitting it with a solid horizontal slash with the blade. In that same motion, he would uppercut the blade vertically into another one that leaped into the air, before slamming the blade down. Another demon duo went for Siorey and the unknown woman, and Siorey wasn't going to allow them to take a bite out of them.

So he ran as fast as he could to intercept them. The mage came sliding in, spinning in a clockwise manner, delivering a giant arcing blow from left to right and bisected the front one in half. With another swing, he swept the blade horizontally back to the left to behead the other one before it could reach the Dead Legion conscript. With newfound confidence, he was taking his fair share of shamblers in the battle to protect them both. ₪

---

"Common Speech"
"Mythrasi Speech"
"Inner Thoughts"
"Dhasali Speech"

[Reviewer]

Thread Title

Time Stamp

She quickly saw that the pair she'd been watching spar were not useless in the least bit. That helped to ease some of the off-the-cuff judgment she'd formed about them. There was some sort of fire spirit in play now, as an ally, and the one who seemed to be the trainee was now at her back. She growled quickly, "Don't hold ground. Charge against them." It was not said with venom, but was a way of her giving advice in her own heat of the moment sort of way.

Areya snatched a spare, unlit torch from her belt, and rushed over to the fallen one she through, getting the oil soaked rags blazing once more. She then kicked the fallen torch down into the hole, sending up startled noises from the Shins that had not yet shambled out. And then she was charging toward the hole. Aggression worked best against these creatures. As she neared the hole, a tentacle snapped out, and she blocked with her torch. The appendage briefly caught ahold of it, before a sizzle and a screech were heard, and it was retracted.

Down the stony ramp, Areya chased, forgoing her typical stealthy caution. She needed to disrupt their advance or the Shins would overrun them with sheer numbers, exhausting the trio of combatants. It had happened too many times to Legionnaires, Sky Guard, and adventurers alike down here. Once down the ramp, she found a curious scene, though, one that she didn't quite expect, but was also not surprised by.

The torch she'd kicked down here was sitting directly in the middle of the tight tunnel the Shins had discovered and used to ambush them. Likely by accident, they probably heard them through the floor and just began to attack the floor to get at the voices. But now, she saw three Shins just at the light's edge, on the opposite side of the torch from her. She could see them leaning forward, wishing to attack, but the fire was keep them back. Calling up to the two topside, "Light as many torches as you can. They won't cross fire."

Then she decided to test something out. She chucked her torch forward, watching the Shins squeal and run into the stone walls to avoid it, as it passed through their group, landing behind them. The trio of Shins were now trapped between the two torches. She watched as the bumped and shambled into one another, clearly confused but unable to escape from their space.

Areya jogged back up topside, seeing if there were any more that had already come through that needed dealing with, drawing her second axe now. She had an idea to share with the two, but it would wait until it was safe again.

[Paragon]

R E W A R D S

Name: Siorey
XP: 8. Not to be used for magic.
Requested Lore:

Blades{Broadsword}: Slice & Stab
Blades{Broadsword}: Cutting down Shinaegri
Blades{Broadsword}: Piercing the Chest
Blades{Broadsword}: Clashing with another weapon
Bodybuilding: Training forges the body
Bodybuilding: Muscle Memory
Leadership: Moving to protect others
Resistance: The pain of combat training
Resistance: Going beyond tired limits

Note(s): This was going in a fun direction, sad to see it end!