View source for 1370/D. Vs. Lute: Vengeance for Medusa's Death

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/01/19
|Location=Pokemon-2
|Synopsis=Lute and D have a duel, because of Medusa's death.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=85, 188, 232, 255
|Tinyplot=
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It is not often when Lute calls someone out for a duel for legitimate reasons. Most of the time he has done this in the past, it has been incredibly petty. But. Despite his stupid nature, despite his womanizing, Lute still has emotions. He still cares for his fellow Confederate Elites. And, D has removed one of them from the mortal plane. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And Lute is pissed about it. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The challenge was issued a week ago. And now, the two are to meet at the location of the duel. Route 14 of Kalos. Just outside of Lumiose City, it is relatively easy to get to. Just get to the City of Lights, and then leave. The route itself is swampland. Water is all over the place, though there is plenty of sturdy land about as well. Dark trees through the area, some even growing out of the water itself. Some fireflies would normally be lighting the area up at night as well, but, sadly, there will be none of that tonight. Why? Well. It is currently raining, and fairly hard at that. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute stands on solid ground. The battlefield for this duel has lots of room, but is also surrounded by swampland. There are some muddy bits that are hard to manuever around as well, though. One will /really/ need to keep track of their footing if fighting here. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In Lute's right hand, he holds a sword. He used the week before to have it commisioned as a rush job. It is crafted from melted silver crosses used by a Catholic church. And then he had it blessed by various religions as well, once it was melted. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He simply stands, waiting. D should be here soon. And even though it is currently /that/ Lute in control, not the smart one? Lute has an incredibly serious look to him. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:232|D (232)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vengeance had drawn the Vampire Hunter to slaughter Medusa Gorgon; now, the same spirit of heartfelt, helpless rage draws her avenger to the Hunter.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:xterm242">"You know what they say: 'violence begets violence.' Are you sure you want to go through with this? Peh. It's /raining/. You're an idiot if you stay."</span> The carbuncle's voice disdains the entire affair. D knows his erstwhile companion has no tolerance for drama, honor, or anything beyond surviving another day; for him to put his life on the line over something so small clearly rankles the creature.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Should either of us die, the violence will not end. If I win without killing him, he may be satisfied." The low sound of his voice is almost lost amid the rainfall and the slow wet clopping of his horse's hooves. He wouldn't be audible beyond a few feet. "If I lose, he will be satisfied twice over."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:xterm242">"If you lose, he'll kill you."</span><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D's dark eyes slant down to regard his own left hand. "You'll just have to do something about that, won't you."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He doesn't go out of his way to hide himself. He rides out in the open, and arrives without any deception. Making a smooth dismount from his saddle, he readies himself about a dozen yards from where Lute stands and waits, taking the time to settle his cape and to loosen his sword in its scabbard. Rain drips steadily from the brim of his hat.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Whenever you are ready, we can begin."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:85|Kagenashi (85)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a small black fox perched in the foliage of a nearby tree. She lies across a reaching branch, mostly shielded from the rain by the leaves above her. Quiet and curious, tail swishing back and forth behind her, she watches the proceedings as Lute and D meet and prepare for the oncoming duel.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's unlikely she'll move, or even speak; she's only here as a silent watcher, gazing out at the result of an event she was personally involved in not too long ago.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute lifts his sword, and points it towards D. Lute, though capable of using weapons? He is not a trained swordsman. He has heard that D is, though. And, in a duel such as this, one has to use the same weapon as the opponent. Even if it might give D a bit of an edge. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute, though? He has, quite recently, picked up a new trick. One which should at least balance it out. He is not entirely aware of the rain being one of D's weaknesses, though someone did suggest fighting D in the rain. He isn't sure whether a blessed weapon will actually work in his hands. Yes, he believes in Arceus, but he isn't a faithful worshipper. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; No. His trick is something he has yet to try before. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "D. You may of considered Medusa a monster. But. She was kind, in her way. She cared for her child. She cared for the other Confederates. And you killed her." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Suddenly, a number of things burst from the trees. Black shapes, that look runic. If D knew anything about the recent crisis involving Lute, he might be able to place these as Unown. They fly to Lute, circling around his body. Lute's gaze pierces at D. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I can not remember the last time I felt this way. Felt this determined. I highly doubt you have the same driving force as me, for this battle." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Unown continue to move in upon Lute. They are close to touching him now. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I will triumph." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And, with that, the Unown slam themselves into Lute's body. Lute seems unphased, though. As each one touches, they seem to merge onto Lute's body. And so, he has a large number of runic shaped Pokemon on him, covering his body. Strengthening his body. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Begin." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And then, Lute rushes forward, in a flash. His blade, held in both hands. His first attack is incredibly easy to read. His blade trails behind him as he goes, held towards the ground. And, as he gets close to D, he swings it up, in a quick slash. He aims his blessed sword straight across D's body. D is, quite likely, to be able to parry this. But, Lute is trying to overwhelm D with raw strength, to at least get a glancing hit in, hopefully. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:232|D (232)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lute is an experienced combatant, and more than capable of gauging the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents from abbreviated study. It's part of his skillset as a master Pokemon trainer. To complete any research on D should have prepared him to contend against superhuman strength, masterful swordplay, and uncommon speed, but even if he hadn't looked into any of D's history, the Hunter's reputation should have preceded him to /some/ degree. He's supposed to be pretty powerful, right?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So where's that power today?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Whether or not Lute understands /why/ it should be so, it becomes obvious to his eyes from the very first move: D is not at his finest. The way he draws his sword is almost sluggish compared to a more typical quickdraw flash. His reflexes are off. D's parry is mis-timed, and this allows Lute's sword to get a swift but shallow slash across D's chest, from which a holy smoke trails as D falls back in surprise. His fingers briefly touch the wound; then, he seems to forget it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then, he goes on the offensive.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Regardless of his reduced abilities, D lunges forward in a snapping blur of black, his feet flying across the ground to close the distance in a few swift paces. His longsword, trailing below and behind him to the left, comes up in a quick, silvery-bright diagonal stroke to the right, cutting at Lute from hip to shoulder. D immediately recoils to pull up into a defensive pose. His hair, wet from the rain, streams across his pale face in a messy tangle.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He does not seem to be comfortable at all.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute is somewhat surprised that D is struck. He spots the smoke from the wound though. The blessed weapon /works/. And D is sluggish before it even strikes. He has looked at videos of D fighting in the WMAT, to research him beforehand. This is /not/ the normal D's speed If he had been slown down after the holy weapon strikes, that would be one thing. He'd assume that the holy weapon slowed him down. But, that is not the case. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But. Lute quickly puts it together. He has encountered enough situations to know. Different vampires have different weaknesses. D is not a full vampire, but still has their weaknesses. So, it is one of two things. Either the rain, or the swampland. Lute puts his money on the rain, though. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He'll need to make a note of this for the future. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute is struck back. A reminder that, even sluggish, D is quite a fighter. The blade cuts him across his entire body, and quite deeply as well. But, where as D is feeling more pain from the blessed sword, Lute is seeming to react /less/ to the pain. The Unown serve as an armor of sort, strengthening Lute, and reducing the damage taken. Still, though, it forces him to back up, and try something else. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This time, he stabs forward, aiming for D's right shoulder. He puts a large amount of strength into the thrust. His main goal, though, is to weaken the limbs. If both limbs are damaged, that would make using the longsword a /lot/ harder. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It is, perhaps, a dirty trick. But, Lute /has/ to use these tricks to ensure he can win. Medusa /has/ to be avenged. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:232|D (232)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lute's weapon slips past D's defense to nail his shoulder. Again, smoke erupts from the wound like he's been struck by a hot iron, and where the sword makes contact, his skin is blackened. Cauterized, the wound fails to spurt blood; however, it also appears not to be healing, or at least not at its usual rate. Either the rain is slowing down his natural regeneration as well as his speed, or the holy powers blessing Lute's sword are to blame. The wound across his chest still looks quite raw whenever it /should/ by now be half-closed...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rather than take the hit and gain nothing from it, D uses Lute's own momentum and closeness against him. D's sword is far longer, giving him a serious advantage of reach, so as Lute thrusts forward, D thrusts back, the tip of his blade aimed in a non-lethal stab at Lute's own shoulder. He looks for cracks in the Unown armor Lute wears; looks for weaknesses where he thinks they should naturally exist. Whether or not his hunch pays off remains to be seen.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I regret the pain I brought you by ending your friend's life, but I cannot agree that the world is not improved by her removal from it."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D jerks back with a slight gasp, tearing his own shoulder further in the process of freeing himself.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The blade pierces into Lute's shoulder, leaving a wound quite similar to D's own. But, due to the longer blade, the sword actually manages to pierce through, completely. Lute pulls back, not even glancing at the hole. Why bother? It's there. He can't feel his arm. It'll be harder for him to fight, now. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Or... Maybe not? While he is having trouble feeling his arm, it's a surprise even to him that it is still moving. The surprise is even on Lute's face. And then he smiles. Ah. Of course. The Unown acting to strengthen him. This will be a major pain on his body to keep fighting with such a wound, but the Unown will make it /possible/. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; With newfound vigor, Lute takes action yet again. With his sword pulled back, he tries to move it fluidly into the next attack. He doesn't know blades well, but he knows martial arts. He knows the concepts. Let one attack follow into another, and keep attacking weak points on the human body. Or, in this case, the dhampir body. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And so, from a thrust, he pulls back. Hard. He swings his body around, stepping fast, even with the mud. His goal: Spinning his body, and bringing his sword around to D's other side, to make a slash at the left shoulder. He lets out a scream as he does so, a simple shout. Another martial arts thing: The noise can surprise the opponent, lets out air from your body so you are a bit tenser and can take hits better, and gets the fighter more psyched up for their attacks. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And, after this slash, he speaks. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Your view of what is best for the world is not shared by everyone. The world I want? The world I dream of? One of debauchery and chaos! And I think Medusa might of /shared/ that dream! I mean she let me date her daughter, after all!" <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:232|D (232)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"'Debauchery and chaos'? And what would you hope to gain from a society without reason or law? Humanity does not thrive in chaos; it drowns!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The shout alone isn't enough to surprise D; however, Lute's mobility and ferocity remain incredible factors he could not have foreseen at all, and these undermine his tactics yet again. This time, the holy sword cuts deep across D's left shoulder, and despite its cauterizing effects, blood does spray into the rain-soaked air at impact. The Hunter releases a shout of his own -- the pain too much to withstand in silence -- and the fingers of his left hand twitch in response to the fire pulsing along their nerves.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His left arm hanging useless for the moment, D retreats again, back-flipping to a skidding, mud-slickened crouch. He appears to hold his sword between his teeth as he leaps -- a risky move for any man to make -- which leaves his right hand free to release a spray of wooden needles in Lute's direction. The wooden needles are meant more to harry and harm vampires, but even a human will find their sting appalling and potentially lethal, if D's aim is right.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Anticipating the protection of the Unown, D doesn't expect for the needles to be anything more than a distraction. Beneath their spray, he charges forward again, a short leap carrying him into a pouncing sword-strike aimed at Lute's chest. The thrust of his sword exhibits extreme precision; if Lute does not move, the blow will not be fatal, though it might be very, very bad...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unless of course, he has some way of saving himself.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute lifts his sword, this time to counter. The spray of wooden needles covering his body, with some even in his face, make it harder for him to watch D's movements. When the time comes, though? He swings his blade hard at D's own sword. But, even weakened, D still proves strong. It strikes into him on the side. Luckily, nothing vital is damaged. But, even with the strength of his Unown boosting him, he is still bleeding out a fair amount. Even the spray of wood needles are not something he can just shrug off easily. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But, still. Lute frowns a bit. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "...And here I thought it'd be just /swords/. Fine, then. I was only saving this for if you pulled a dirty trick." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Yeah, Lute is normally the one who would pull the really dirty tricks. And, in fact, he kind of already has, by having it be in the rain, and the whole 'blessed blade' thing. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But, holding the blade with one hand, Lute quickly grabs for two vials in his pocket. One is holy water. The second is acid which has been blessed by a priest. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He ducks down, trying to get under D's sword. He's trying to remain at an angle where it is hard to be swung at. He slams the two vials straight into D's side. He follows up this quick, by crouch-stepping forward to get behind D. As he does this quick movement, he brings his sword at D's leg as well. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "And you /really/ should see the appeal of the world we want yourself. I mean, you killed a woman after befriending her daughter. You are basically /scum/." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:232|D (232)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The angle at which D holds his sword leaves the blade bisecting his face across the bridge of his nose. His dark eyes gleam just beyond the moonlight glimmering along his sword's edge, narrowed and hard, and lacking all trace of either remorse or pity. "You challenged me to an honorable duel, and came at me with a weapon designed to do me added harm. You'll forgive me if I do not develop a guilty conscience over a few needles."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The wind gusts, and D's cape snaps behind him like leathery wings. No emotion whatsoever warms the frigid words next spoken in quiet condemnation of Lute. Even Kagenashi, with her ears pricked and alert, will have a hard time hearing what is said next. "As I have suffered no guilt over Medusa Gorgon's death, neither will I suffer for making you regret your challenge."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet Lute already has an answer for D's remorselessness. The two vials crush against D's side, dealing pain in a sharpness so sudden and overwhelming that D's immediate hunch is accompanied by a bestial snarl and a crimson flaring inside his eyes. The smoke billows from his side as the acid eats through his armored clothing to expose his skin to the holy water's touch. Even the rain gives him no relief; it washes away the holy water, but can do nothing for the acid.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D drops into an awkward roll off the path and right into the swamp water and mire. Not only does he find some relief from the acid in the bog, but he manages to escape Lute's sword, too. Lute comes in low; as D falls, he swings his sword up, and brings it crashing down on Lute's shoulders from above. The edge doesn't lead, but the blow carries such awkward force that it might drive him down, anyway. D tries to further separate himself from Lute with a swift kick.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The sword comes in and slams into Lute's shoulders. He feels the pain against his back. Yeah, he kind of had that coming. The force pushes him down into the water a bit, and the kick submerges him more. Lute turns fast, though. He is struggling against the muddy arena somewhat. D is able to get the distance, but Lute still leaps after as much as he can. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He brings his sword with him, swinging it overhead. It is a brutal attack, trying to use the force of the jump and the gravity of the fall to make the blade strike harder. Lute prepares for the inevitable landing, though, trying to keep himself at an angle where even if D brings his sword up, he could simply push himself off of the sword to get back. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'll give you /one/ warning then, if you think I'm playing too dirty. Don't bother drinking my blood. I've been drinking so much Holy Water that I'm somewhat bloated with the stuff. I mean, you could try if you /wanted/, but. Really, how do you think that would work out?" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And, of note: The eyes on the Unown are opening. For the length of the battle so far, they have simply been merged with Lute's skin, eyes closed. But, all of their single solitary eyes are now open. For... some reason. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:232|D (232)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You have nothing to fear on that count, Lute."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The rain is a blessing in only one respect: it washes the blood-scent from the air. D endures no temptation to feed, despite Lute's being human, and without said temptation, he suffers few distractions. He can keep focused on the uncomfortably close duel, and also retain enough focus to reject Lute's attempts at awakening his temper.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not even pain can crack his serenity for very long.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D can only pull himself from the bog a step or two ahead of Lute; he doesn't have much time to react to Lute's renewed charge. Fortunately, he is prepared for such a circumstance. As he whips around, he holds the leading edge of his cape in his left hand, causing the heavy garment to flare out like a matador's red banner; then, as Lute's sword comes crashing down from above, D shifts his position beneath the disguising flare of his cape. Lute's descent is fierce, but D's finesse is greater this time, and as Lute commits to the attack, he'll find one waiting for him.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D's sword slips out between the rippling black folds to slash across Lute's stomach in a flash.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D falters back two paces, his body taxed by his demands upon it. He fights as if he is at his full strength, and not weakened by the rain. Almost sagging onto one knee, he turns to stare at Lute, his gaze intense --<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And he meets all those open eyes of the Unown.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What -- "<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute lands, and cuts the cape. He is incredibly frustrated to miss, but this is somewhat expected. It was quite an 'all or nothing' attack, after all. But, still, one that puts him a bit closer to D for his continued assault. Still, though. D is closer for his own counter attack as well. Something /else/ that Lute expected. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute lifts his sword, to parry the slash to the stomach. But, his blade is pushed back. It does its job, though; he is not cut open completely. It becomes just a nick. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And then /Lute/ realizes the eyes are open. And he has a bit of a weird experience. For, the Unown are bound to him, somehow. They are connected, albeit in a different manner than one would mentally link with a Pokemon. Their eyes? They are his eyes, as well. And so Lute now has 360 degree vision. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute /rushes/ forward, completely wrecklessly. He is trying to get /right/ up in D's face. He is opening himself up completely. But, something else has come to him. Another bit of insight into what he can do with his Unown. He tries to press his blade against D's, by making a simple slash. Something that D could block easily. But once the blades likely meet, Lute keeps his pressed against D's hard, to make sure it can't be used. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And Lute? He just speaks for a bit. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "She was fond of you. Incredibly fond of you. And you /killed her/." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The eyes on Lute glow. And then, Lute speaks, once again. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hidden Power." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Unown unleash a /burst/ of energy. It focuses on Lute's blade, surrounding it. And so, from Lute's blade, a burst of Bug type energy flies outwards, towards D. The ferocity of this insect-Pokemon energy tries to tear at D's full body. And Lute uses the opportunity to step backwards. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He smirks. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "...I didn't realize I could do that with these on me. Huh. Cool." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:232|D (232)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The world rushes past D. Thrown through the air by the unexpected energy burst, he doesn't stop until his body strikes the trunk of a tree and embeds a splintered imprint into its surface.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...nnnh..." The groan he lets out sounds muffled to his own ears. His head spins, awash in a dizzy tide, and his body feels too heavy to move. He becomes aware on some level of the blood seeping from a dozen or more lacerations cut into his body by a half-seen swarm, but the pain of these wounds is, on some level, a welcome clarification of his dazed senses. For every new pain he discovers, a bit more of the world is returned to him.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D presses his left hand into the mushy ground, and staggers back to his feet. Blood runs down his chin from his split lip. His head is bowed, and his expression is cast into impenetrable shadow.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The love she held for me was a sickness." D's voice is low and rimed in frost. "She did not love me as I was; she loved me only as the monster I could become. I will not apologize for killing her in cold blood. I wish you peace from your grief...but I will do nothing to mourn the death of a black-hearted witch like Medusa Gorgon."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D leaps into the air.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His figure is briefly silhouetted against the cold gray sky. Like the rain sweeping down from the heavens, his descent is as inevitable as it is relentless. At first, the gleam of his sword is unseen; then, it appears, a flicker of lightning aimed to strike Lute to his knees.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hnnnnh!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D's shout is as much warcry as it is defiance of his body's restraints. He pushes his limits in the same way Lute is redefining his own.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As D leaps, Lute moves back. Just barely enough to save his legs. He was preparing to block at his torso, as well. He didn't expect an attack to minimize his movement. But, even as he is cut, he realizes. It could of been worse. Much worse. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And he's going to use this slight edge he has, in this brief moment, to try and turn the battle /completely/ to his favor. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "HIDDEN POWER!" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute shouts this, still not knowing what it really is. He has a guess, though. Hidden Power is one of the attacks Unown can use. He must be channeling their power? But, the result of this surprises even him. A burst of ice flies out from his body as a whole. If D is struck, he will find his body covered in a layer of ice. Its main goal? To slow his movement. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And then Lute rushes in. He makes a sweeping kick at D's feet, trying to knock him to the ground. And, rapidly, he tries to follow this up with a stab, aimed at D's chest, whether or not he managed to knock D off the ground or not. Lute yells as he does this, anger filling him. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "OF COURSE YOU'RE A MONSTER! Who /else/ would kill and feel /no remorse whatsoever/! You're /worse/ than she was!" <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:232|D (232)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D's landing is heavy. The impact jars him to the bone, and again, he must fall to one knee to support his weight. During Lute's recovery, he remains crouched, breathing hard from the effort the fruitless leap cost him.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rising to his full imposing height is nearly as trying an exercise. The sword hangs heavy in his grasp, almost lifeless, the strength in his sword arm sapped.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the first snowflakes begin to gather around Lute in warning, D raises his left arm instead of his sword, and opens his empty hand toward the building blizzard. His long fingers stretch. His bare palm is an empty plain of white.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It becomes an endless, sucking void.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Every single snow crystal is sucked into the carbuncle's hungry maw. An immense vortex sucks the blizzard down into a tiny pinprick of ice which vanishes on touching the blackness formed in its mouth, never to be seen again. It's impossible for so much to be taken into so little; the carbuncle is a mystery...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lute's sword nicks at D's left shoulder as he side-steps at the last second and swings his own weapon in a vicious chop at Lute's side.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The words sear D's soul. /Monster/.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He lets his reaction be felt in his strike.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As the blade comes in, it hits. Lute doesn't even have time to react. It digs a few inches into his side. No matter /what/ happens, Lute is going to need massive medical care after this. He realizes this. The thought goes through his head. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If Medusa was still around, she could treat his wounds after this. But she isn't. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This gives him a second wind. He moves in, wrecklessly now. He's not even going to care if he gets hit. All of his rage is swelling up inside of him. But no. He won't let his 'beast' take control. The splintered part of his mind won't rule him today. He won't even let his 'smart' side take over. He has to win this, himself. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And so, he moves to stab. Not caring for his own safety. He aims for an incredibly specific place on D. A target that he knows, on Vampires, is one of the main places they fear being struck. Sure it's bad for humans as well. Almost certainly bad for Dhampirs as well. But, it'd be the best way he could speed along this battle. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He thrusts, aiming straight for D's heart. It's unlikely he will hit it dead on. But, Lute is putting much of his strength behind this stab. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "DIE, MONSTER! DIE AND JOIN MEDUSA! SHE MISSES YOU I'M SURE!" <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:232|D (232)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Several inches of blessed silver erupt between D's shoulder blades.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sword, propelled by Lute's rage, has gone right through its target without any trouble at all. Lute might even look as astounded as D does; the dhampir Hunter looks down at the weapon, now smoking as it burns off its coating of unholy blood, without real understanding in his eyes.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Somehow, it's missed his heart, as well as his spine. A miracle, or something else? D's left hand is wrapped around the blade of the sword, badly-gashed by having tried to stop its forward progress. Another intervention from the carbuncle? Raw, desperate instinct, perhaps?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He may have nearly lost his hand, but he's likely saved his life.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D reacts instinctively. Before he falters, before weakness overcomes him, before he does anything else to try and save himself, he thrusts his sword forward in an attempt to impale Lute through his gut in much the same way.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Softly, he answers through blood-stained lips:<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If you love her so, go and join her."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute sees the blade coming. From multiple angles. His Unown spot it. All of their eyes stare straight at it. And so, from every possible angle across his body, he sees the blade. He realizes, almost immediately, that there is /no way/ he can dodge it. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And so, instead, the horde of Unown? They will handle it. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They burst off of Lute's body, moving to slam into the sword. They aim at its side, to knock it out of the way. Battering it, one after another, to get rid of it. To keep it front hitting Lute. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And then, the Unown move in, to slam into D's body. It is a repeated barrage, to cause D repeated battering damage. Some of them even burst with their seemingly mystical Hidden Power attack. Various elements strike forward. But, as luck is on Lute's side: The majority of them are Fairy type. Fairy type attacks are /quite/ strong on Dark opponents. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And, to finish this barrage, in comes Lute. He leaps forward. A foot, kicking at D. Trying to stomp into his chest, to get him to the ground. He brings his sword forward. And, this time, he aims to stab it into the right side of D's chest. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute is trying to impale D into the ground, trying to dig his sword /so/ deep into him, that it pierces the earth. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:232|D (232)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Unown do more than simply bat D's sword aside; their /refutation/ leaves him disarmed. The sword chimes once at impact before it's ripped from his hand. He is aware of it flipping thrice through the rain, but loses track of it long before it lands at the edge of the swamp water, far out of reach.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Hunter is given more pressing matters to consider than the loss of his sword.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The crushing blow to his chest upsets his unsteady balance. D stumbles backward, and another kick drives him down. Winded, he tries to rise, but Lute's boot pins him beneath a third blow, and he can do nothing. Blood wells up in his throat as the sword is ripped free, but that's nothing compared to the torrent of it driven from him whenever Lute finishes his strike and introduces the blessed weapon to D's heart.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D coughs out once before a horrible howling comes from him -- a roar of absolute torment framed by the flash of his elongated fangs and colored by a fountain of blood spraying from the wound. In a last desperate attempt to save himself this misery, he grasps at Lute's wrist, but his grip, though like iron at first, quickly loses its strength. D's eyes flicker, the shriek ripped from him falls silent, and he lies still on the cold wet earth, utterly unmoving.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; With D on the ground, Lute just... Looks down at him. Staring, for a moment. He lets out his cold laugh. He negotiates with the Union over the radio. And, even as he talks to them, gets to work dealing with D. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; First, he pulls out a pair of scissors. He cuts off D's hair. All of it. Next, he begins to strip D of his clothing. He'll take everything piece of it, except for anything that seems like it'd be /actually/ valuable. He's going for embarrasement here, not outright theft. He also will leave D's sword present as well. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And then, he pulls out his own blade. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "...This sword will be a good thing to add to whatever monument we make to honor Medusa." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Also, Lute takes a vial of D's blood. Because of course he's going to do this. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:85|Kagenashi (85)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kagenashi has been lingering in that tree for the entirety of the battle, and she stays there even as Lute disrobes and bleeds D before leaving again. Still silent and staring, she remains there until someone has come to retrieve D, at which point, finally, she slips off to vanish into the shadows again. Until then, however, she waits, watching from the solitude of the trees.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lute, of course, is away from the place by the time any Union Elites arrive. Even as he finished up negotiations, he's already walking away. Or more of 'stumbling and bleeding out on the way to the Confederate base'. And will probably be picked up partway there. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It is a rare occasion for Setsuko to be pushing one of the Union's loaned vehicles so hard that the very trip itself is damaging. But judging by the tortured whine coming from a fast-approaching vehicle, she's doing just that.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The demigod's expression upon finding the site of the duel begins at quiet shock, flows quickly through disgust, and then settles in a cold, hard expression that is otherwise unreadable. Kagenashi will be treated to a sight, as she watches; for the first time in months, the blue light of divinity boils off Setsuko for several seconds, before she forces herself to calmness and goes about gathering D and the remains of his clothes; calm, but quite visibly not happy. It is a matter of short minutes before she's off into the sky.<br> <br>


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