Karoc hurried to the doors to catch up with him. "Many thanks." he said. "I'll keep that in mind."
Zane made as if to keep moving without acknowledging him. "Honestly." he said gravely, "Thank you."
Dust To Dust (Open!!)
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Zane paused to look over his shoulder at the other man. "I have done nothing in which you should thank. So why do this?" The crack of his fingers ominous in the empty hall.
Karoc slowed sensing danger. "Anyone who renders me assistance, in advice or battle, is a friend." he said cautiously.
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Zane's brows shot up in surprise. He stopped cracking his knuckles to cross his arms as he stared at Karoc, fully turning around to block the man from walking the rest of the way down the hall. The guards griped, but a glare from Zane had them biting their tongues. "Friends." He deadpanned, completely emotionless.
Karoc tensed, preparing to run. "Outside of the arena." he amended.
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Zane cocked his head, staring down his nose at Karoc. "And within the arena we attempt to kill each other?" Still with that eerily emotionless voice. Then, finally, a smile. "Very well. Friends." He clapped Karoc on his injured shoulder as he spun on a heel back towards the holding room. The excitement making him snap his finger bones once again. It had been awhile since he had an ally.
Karoc followed him, unsure of what had occurred. The man seemed dangerous. And yet he had refrained from killing him. He could be trusted. Yet his bleeding shoulder told him the opposite. He walked back into the large prison cell.
RATIONS FOR THE VICTORS!!! rang out a voice from in the chamber. A fraction of the prisoners yelled in triumph, celebrating their willingness to kill. For killing meant bread. And bread meant life. Karoc took his food handed to him, and made his way to Zane who had also received such a package. “I know not your name.” he said.
“Perhaps we may talk together if we are to be allies.”
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Zane made a sound of agreement around his mouthful bread, motioning for Karoc to be seated on the ledge he was quickly walking towards. He shoved several others out of the way, golden eyes flashing in the dim light. "I am Zane." He spoke after situating himself on the ledge comfortably. A scarred hand ran through his dark green tresses, making him look slightly more unhinged.
“Karoc. How did you get here?” He tore open his food and began to cram. It was so good to eat again.
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Zane tilted his head thoughtfully as the memory overcame him. "Regicide." He intoned finally, something about the admission softening his features. "One could say I did it for fun." He took another bite of food absently. "Yourself?"
Karoc sighed, “Murder.” His features darkened with crushing guilt. “I would have it changed it if I could. But now I must go on. Killing to live.”
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Zane looked up, mildly interested in the other man. He was much more intriguing than that girl. "Why do you feel guilt? Death is death." He shrugged. "Obviously you hated your prey enough to kill them. Why succumb to pity and horror now?"
“I did not want to kill. I did not want to be among the ranks of a murderer. I did it for the power.” Karoc looked at him, “I think you can understand that.”
“But now,” he shuddered, “I know I was wrong. Yet here I am.”
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"I did not kill my father for power." Zane said looking pensive. "I killed him to prove I could. I already knew I was powerful. What manner of power did you obtain?" He was honestly curious a this point. The fact that he had missed it during the fight irked him.
Karoc was afraid to tell him the complete truth so he settled on a half lie. “Power to be victorious in battle. I wished to be as strong as the one who trained me. I needed to feel the power in my veins. Alas, I have yet to complete the ritual I started, else I would have no chance of defeat.”
He looked at Zane curiously. “Do you regret killing at all?”
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Zane snorted, looking back down at his scarred hands. Most of them were self inflicted, from his psychotic habit of breaking his own fingers, but many told the story of his years here. "You have a great deal of morals for a murderer." A sharp crack punctuated his statement, Zane's left index finger at an odd angle. "No." He lied stiffly. "I regret nothing. I am here because I want to be."
Karoc nodded. “I will be the same.” It was not a promise, or a declaration. Just a simple statement. Nothing more. “Have you won many fights?” He asked.
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Zane arched a single deep green brow at Karoc. "In this game, I would not be here talking with you had I not." There was a strange sarcastic lit to his voice, almost as if he wasn't used to making jokes anymore.
“Truly.” he admitted.
(Another battle please? Not with me?)
(Not with you? Okay, let's give Dragoncita a chance to do something with his characters…Dragoncita, do you want to do someting with Medea or Yaguzul?)
(How bout Medea.)
(Possibly, or you could wait and have Karoc do something with her in the next fight since they already met and Karoc just fought)
(Nah, I have a plan for every move I make.)
(Okay, let's wait for Dragoncita) (If not, Chameleon - if she's still active - and my character could do something.)
(I've thought about this. Just use anyone who is not me for the next match and I'll go from there. Use whomever, Dom will stop being picky.)
group
Medea had started walking around, when once again she was caught. The guards, as per usual, treated her like the monster they thought she was…
"What are you doing out of your cage mutt! Get back in there!"
The chimera released a yelp as she was hit with a club. Her tail curled up between her legs as she quickly scampered back to the tight bars waiting for her. Medea crawled in, her fur catching on the edges, ripping tufts out from her form. The humanoid creature flattened herself on her stomach on the floor of her prison. She tucked her single arm close to her side, ears laid flat against her skull. Despite the title of 'monster' given to her, Medea more so had the appearance of a beaten dog. Her body was trembling uncontrollably, eyes shining, holding back the tears that threatened to fall.
"Yaguzul, on your feet."
The anubite's ears perked up in an instant. The creature's lips curled back, fangs showing in a cruel smile. He stood up, red eyes glowing brightly. His claws clicked on the floor as he made his way to the gate. The humanoid's eyes were gazing straight ahead of him, the grin still on his muzzle.
The screaming of the crowd outside was obnoxiously loud, least to Yaguzul. He cared not for their cheers, their excitement meant nothing to him. They were but a nuisance and possible distraction. On either side of him, were the heavily armed guards. The anubite's nose twitched, jaws partially open allowing better scent collection. Fear; a scent he knew all too well, as it was always heavy in this place, as was it out in arena.
"Do you fearrr death human?"
One of the guards jolted to attention. The man turned his head, looking towards the tall, nearly black beast next to him. He looked about ready to answer, when another guard told him to shut his mouth.
Yaguzul continued to grin, "Do not fearrr young one, forrr yourrrr fearrrr simply fuels those of us who do not know 'fearrr'."
Time seemed to slow down to a crawl. The door opened in what felt like a slow motion action. The young guard's eyes looked towards the anubite, but nothing could've stopped it. As soon as the shackles were removed from his wrists, Yaguzul lashed outwards, claws catching the guard's throat. A streak of crimson sprayed the walls and floor, the other guards quickly moving in to pull their fallen comrade away.
But there was nothing that could've been done, as Yaguzul was now out and in free roam. Before him, were a bunch of humans clad in armor and weapons. The anubite growled, so these were his opponents?
"Hmph, pathetic wastes of life."
Karoc watched the beaten Medea from afar. It was her choice to retreat, he thought sadly. If she would do nothing he would not be able to help her.
group
Yaguzul swept forward. The sand around him swirled, rising and falling. Yes, this was the fools own damn fault to use what he called his domain. He may not have been given his favored weapons, but he would make do with what was around him. His red eyes glowed even brighter, black skin like obsidian against the light colored sand.
The humanoid continued to run forward, the sand rising behind him in a wave. His feet did not falter as the humans before him rose their shields, creating a wall. Yaguzul took note of the spears rising just behind, waiting to pierce only those who did not know any better. He continued to grin, thoughts running through his mind.
~A strategy, but one only useful for mounted enemies~.
There may have only been one of Yaguzul, but that was all that was needed. He had his own ways, ways that struck fear into even the bravest of hearts. As the anubite seemed ready to collide with the shields and spears, his form instead started to crumble. The creature's form became nothing more than particles of the sand, swirling with the wave he created behind him. The sand wall slammed into the shields, denting several of the metallic plates, causing men to stumble backwards against the force.
Several moments and the wall of sand fell back to the ground, leaving the humans covered in a layer of the fine dirt. The humans stared before them, unsure, unknowing. It was exactly what he wanted, he wanted them to lower their guards, feel insecure…
The only sound to interrupt the silence was a choking noise. Heads slowly turned behind, seeing the dark shadow of a menacing beast behind them. In his hands, were a pair of swords, dripping with blood. Before him, stood 2 headless corpses that slowly slumped to the ground. His red eyes flashed, fangs grinning.
"I can smell you arrre acting so fearrrfully…Prrray to yourrr false gods…forrr they will not save you…no one will save you…"
Almost instantly the once stoic stances of the opponents turned into disarray, confusion, and above all, fear. The group scattered as the sand started to rise once again, making walls to cover and suffocate. Those who were not caught in the sand, were dealt quickly with by cold steel and wickedly curved claws.
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(Jeepers….I kinda love him?)