The Finals!, Alkioth vs. Valcrist!

[Valcrist]

Valcrist swung his sword downward, meeting Alkioth's blade before it could deal any lasting damage. Valcrist found himself now to be in quite an akward position; he was holding his sword downward and to the right, having used what strength he could muster to deflect the attack. His current stance would have been fine if he had no need to rely on his triceps to stop the onrush of steel, but having to rely on weaker muscles was not the best position in which to find oneself.

Valcrist made a short hop backwards, while slashing in a wide arc diagonally in front of his chest. If the move had been able to reach Alkioth it could have been a powerful maneuver. Unfortunately, Valcrist would not have been able to unleash the attack if he had sustained his previous footing; it would have been simple for Alkioth to execute a quick slash or thrust well before Valcrist could act, thus drawing the blood necessary to end the match. For this reason, Valcrist was forced into a defensive position. At the least, his slash would force Alkioth to pause for just a second before resuming his offensive, but Valcrist was uncertain as to if this would grant him enough time to set up any form of defense.

[Alkioth]

Alkioth's attack was blocked, but it placed Valcrist in a poor position -- and he knew it. Alkioth was already bringing his sword up to deal another strike, but Valcrist jumped back and unleashed an attack of his own.

As intended, it drove Alkioth back a couple feet. But as he went back, he parried the strike with as much force as he could muster given his poor positioning. It wasn't much, but would help exert more force on the direction of Valcrist's sword. If it had been a harder parry Valcrist would have been put off-balance, but this parry was nowhere near that powerful.

Alkioth smiled. "Come on," he encouraged, raising his sword just a bit above the ground.

[Valcrist]

I may as well then. I'm a bit tired. Let's make this one count. With a smile, Valcrist spun his sword full-circle, perpendicular to the ground. It was flashy, and Valcrist was certain that Alkioth knew this, but in the spirit of things it was all in good fun.

"Here I come then."

Valcrist charged, raising his broadswoard to his right and beginning to launch a high slash across Alkioth's chest. But before Valcrist reached his opponent, he changed his grip and reversed the direction of his slash to aim at Alkioth's midsection from Valcrist's right. It would not be as powerful as the initial slash would have been, but either way the momentum gained from the charge would force Valcrist either into or past Alkioth. Valcrist guessed that it would be past. The deceptive attack might be enough to catch Alkioth off-guard for long enough to score a hit, but by now Valcrist had come to realize the extent of Alkioth's skill and was prepared for reciprocation. He expected it, and awaited it.

[Alkioth]

"Here I come then," Valcrist said, moving forward. He had shown how tired he was in the show of his sword. Alkioth lowered himself, and the attack came.

Alkioth waited patiently as Valcrist came at him. He lowered himself more, expecting a high attack -- it would not come. Before Valcrist was to reach Alkioth, his grip had shifted. He swung his sword down like a club at Alkioth's left side.

His eyes grew larger, and he immediately stepped into the attack, exposing his right side to Valcrist -- but too close for any attack other than a punch. With both hands tight upon the hilt of his broadsword, he blocked the surprise attack. The blades let out a KWANG! and a couple sparks were faintly seen. Tremors reverberated down the sword, but Alkioth held steady.

The next few moments of the duel would be imperitive.

[Valcrist]

Valcrist held fast. For half a second the blades ground together, then locked again, with only a few inches difference from their previous position. Another few seconds passed, and Valcrist thought about his current predicament. He was weary, too much so to desire to spend what strength he had left contending in such a manner with Alkioth. If the duel was winding down, as Valcrist expected it was, it would probably be more worthwhile to resume his previous attack. He shifted his footing, gained more distance between himself and Alkioth while sustaining the contact between the swords, then quickly pushed back with his legs, landing a few feet behind his previous position. Then, raising his broadsword again, Valcrist launched his Fallen Valor attack made use of in the last few matches. Again he began with the downward slash, then a rising attack again, and finally a quick thrust aimed at Alkioth's chest. It took a lot out of Valcrist. He most likely would be too spent to pull it off again, so he hoped that this time would be enough. If it was not, however, Valcrist would have to go on the defensive until he could summon up enough strength to launch another assault. As it was, the match had not gone poorly up to this point, especially since the two warriors had taken up only a single broadsword each. Now, Valcrist waited for Alkioth's response to the attack, and an ending befitting of such a duel.

[Alkioth]

Valcrist backed off for a moment, but it wouldn't last for long. Alkioth would not get to catch his breath -- he would have to keep moving and fighting. He was getting very tired. His leg was very sore and his sword was heavier. Alkioth was now leaning a bit forward, trying to provoke and unwise strike from Valcrist -- nothing untrustworthy of a friend, just something to expend some more of Valcrist's energy. They were both being worn down.

Suddenly Valcrist slashed his broadsword downward, then immediately back upward. Alkioth lightly parried it and took a step backward, so the following chest-aimed attack did not connect. They were both tired, and whoever could conserve enough energy would be the victor.

Alkioth chose to wait Valcrist out, hoping to provoke another attack that might open a spot for Alkioth to safely strike his friend.

Gott steh mir bei.

[Valcrist]

Valcrist held his broadsword to his front, the blade at a diagonal facing Alkioth. It was a basic stance, well-balanced for offense and defense, but more importantly it required little effort to sustain. At this point Valcrist needed to conserve what strength he could gather, and any particularly flamboyant or aggressive attack would counter such an attempt. Furthermore, as tired as he was, any offensive maneuvers would lack much force or precision. He therefore considered it wisest to remain on the defensive. At the moment, Alkioth seemed to be doing the same. This pleased the weary Valcrist, who was content to recuperate for the time being. The situation had an added bonus as well though; up to this point, Alkioth had established an impregnable defence, one which Valcrist could not find much hope in piercing. Perhaps, though, if Alkioth were to attack, it would be possible for Valcrist to find an opening to exploit. Regardless of Alkioth's next action, it would be to Valcrist's benefit to remain defensive. But with having lost as much vigor as he had, Valcrist would need to be most careful, at least for the time being.

[Alkioth]

He knows better, Alkioth thought. He knew Valcrist wasn't going to come straight at him for the time being. They were both fatigued, and the defender would have the upper hand in conditioning -- or at least it would appear so.

The moments of tranquility between them seemed to last for ages. Alkioth's leg was not bleeding anymore, but there was a dull pain eminating from the wound. It would be fine, and he'd adjusted to it quite well.

Alkioth's breaths were getting shorter, and while the body may enjoy that Alkioth knew better. Slower breath meant colder muscles, which meant failure. Quickly Alkioth stepped forward, letting his broadsword drop down a bit. Just before hitting the dirt, he brought it back up in a strong, swift arc aimed at just past the hilt of Valcrist's sword.

[Valcrist]

Valcrist had readied himself for an attack, and slashed horizontally to deflect Alkioth's blow. Yet again the blades clashed, and though it continued its upward movement, Alkioth's broadsword was pushed slightly to the right. To reciprocate, Valcrist brought his own sword to his left to attack with a rising slash of his own; but he had difficulty raising his arm for some reason. Looking down, Valcrist saw that the fabric of his cloak had been torn and was stained purple midway up his tricep. Suddenly the pain set in, and Valcrist's left hand went to cradle his wound. He closed his eyes, and let out a slight chuckle.

I must have been more tired than I had realized. Well...that's it then. Somewhat of a less exciting finale than what I had hoped for, but I suppose that having the duel last such a long time will do. Congratulations Alkioth.

"Well, it's over. I yield to a superior swordsman. But, what a match." Valcrist grinned and stood erect, still holding onto his right arm. "Alkioth, it was an honor."

Valcrist returned his attention to his arm. Pulling back the fabric of his coat and holding wider the cut in his shirt he was able to examine the wound more closely. It was not very deep - not enough to cause permanent damage at any rate - but it was enough to satisfy the conditions that he and Alkioth had agreed upon. The wound bled steadily, and would have been nearly debilitating had Valcrist decided to keep up the duel regardless of the agreement between the knights. Luckily, it would heal nicely and not leave much of a scar, if any.

I'll have to have my cloak repaired though dammit. I really should have removed it earlier. Oh well. Next time I'll just have to keep this event in mind. The duel was worth it though. I wonder when the next tournament will be held...

[Derhlith]

Sadly, with Alkioth's resignation from Dark Isles, Valcrist is declared the winner of this duel.

I had my notes somewhere around here, but Valcrist had gotten a 9.5 total score. Therefore he gained 2 levels. The gold will be determined in a thread to be posted shortly under Announcements titled "Tournament Rewards".