Blood on the Sands: Free for all Tournament (Audroti's Pupil Hunt)

[Butler]

Noster's grip had been "precise". He had hidden something in his hand positioning that an Acolyte would miss. Having trained in the use of Trakata, Noster had already prepared a surprise.

His first attempt at Yakiya's leg was dodged. And when Yakiya plunged his sword forth Noster had already begun to "shift back" with the second strike, adding a twist of the shoulder to further dodge Yakiya's sword as it seemed as though Noster's second attack would slice right though Yakiya's wrist. Suddenly, instead, that top beam switched off and passed Yakya's attack entirely as Noster's right hand violently gripped onto Yakiya's fingers upon the hilt and wrenched both arms back and pulling Yakiya's blade over Noster's head with both a physical and Telekinetic Grip upon Yakiya's hands just before the underside beam, now solely in Noster's left hand, sliced up through Yakiya's right elbow -severing that arm free of its owner in a surprising instant.

"YAAAAAGH!!!" he screamed as his left arm bent up overhead, swiping the under-side-beam up through Yakiya's arm.

After the crimson plasma seared through the jointed flesh, Noster's arching body tensed - coiling his muscles to twist back in on himself towards his left as he stepped back, let go of the severed arm, and bent into a strong ready stance with a whip of his saber back behind him in a reversed grip. Right arm ready to protect himself before the severed arm even hit the ground, Noster looked as a scorpion shrinking for the inevitable attack that would come afterwards. It was an instinctual reaction to the energy he felt in Caden. Yet it was a caution that he had developed, a trained reaction to the unpredictability in both Yakiya and Caden.

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

Caden watched carefully as Yakiya moved to place the three of them in equal footing, only to move in on his opponent's attack in a gambit which would have worked against most others. Himself included, most likely. However, Noster was not one to rely on his bladework. And given his use of such a powerful technique earlier... Then it came, like a predator bursting out of the water to drag its prey down. As the beam switched off on the Acolyte's saberstaff, Caden smiled wickedly under his mask. The force had presented him with a clear choice, and as the moment slipped into an infinity his mind raced to take in every detail. Noster's use of Trakata was telling of his personality as well as his style. If Caden struck hard now and forced Noster to react with both blades in order to defend himself, he might save Yakiya's arm. He may even unbalance the more experienced Sith. However, was it truly worth it to place himself out there for a potential ally in the future? On the other hand...

His Sulfurous eyes darted towards Yakiya's outstretched swing. With a single slice, he could probably hamstring the acolyte and end this thing. However, he would lose the man's confidence which he may very well need in the future. So, the monster you know... or the one who can be predicted. The choice was clear and Caden released the energy he had been building in order to speed up his short slash and step. The entire move was like a jab, the tip of his blade arcing for the back of Yakiya's legs. In the same motion, he rotated his body and kicked for the man's shins. His hope was to save Yakiya's sword arm by knocking him back whilst removing him from the fight. In the words of his father, there is Always an Option C.

 

[Core]

Beneath a tumultuous sky clad in black clouds, ominously poised to release their incandescent lightning but never their life-nurturing tears, Yakiya Seiji had clashed blades with the strongest of his three foes, knowing the outcome. A gust of wind blasted sand against his face, and it would be here that Yakiya Seiji would taste the bitter bite of defeat. No sooner had he launched his attack than did he feel the sorcerous power of his foe combined with a simple grapple to assault his very discipline. Had it been so simple, Yakiya could possibly have defied the odds even without the assistance of the Force.

But the subtle machinations of fate were not so forgiving. His own hubris had caused his downfall. From behind, the duplicitous Arkanian pounced forth, catching Yakiya off guard even as he attempted to use redirect Noster's own physical power against him. With his built up power, Caden struck the first blow, his lightsaber lashing out to Yakiya's left leg, cutting through cloth and tendon. Gritting his teeth, Yakiya ignored the pain - a more dire threat presented itself - the churning blade of Noster, crackling with energy as it cooked through the air, seemed to slow in time. The gravity of Yakiya's fall sought to save him from this, the most humiliating of fates, but to no avail. Releasing his hand, Noster seemed as little more than a backdrop, Yakiya Seiji's eyes focused only on his fingers. One moment they were there, and the next was nothing but red.

The pain surged through his entire body, even as the wound was cauterized the moment it was created. He closed is eyes, clenching his teeth and withholding the bitter cry that he could not release. He fell upon his left leg in the sand, numb and useless as it was, and plunged his sword into the ground with his left hand, his eyes cast upon the singed stump that had replaced what had been his tool in life - his sword hand. His hatred and anger mixed with confusion and betrayal, but he spoke no words to either of his foes, instead he turned his eyes upon the lizard lord and the red skinned devil standing beside him.

 

[Butler]

Noster stepped back as intended into a deep stance as Yakiya fell between the two, revealing a clear sight of who has to blame. Taking Noster's mind a moment to catch up, he realized that it was Caden who tried to take his victory from him. His head lifted and he glared.

Though he had taken the warrior's limb, another had presented himself as an enemy to Noster's way of thinking. It was a bitter victory, one he had both earned and nearly lost due to his slow finishing of his opponent. But his defeated was marked by another, the scars of Caden's blade discoloring this day. Instead of Yakiya remembering his loss to Noster, he will forever remember the ambush of two. And just as an outsider of clan Eden would not understand the honor of the kill, the honor of facing 'test' or dying without fear, so would Noster not understand the thinking of Caden's clever mind. All he saw was ritual and rite stained by another. And it tasted fowl.

Noster was conflicted, staring at Caden with deadly intent, lock-jawed, but frozen by the rules stated earlier. There was to be two in the end. And so there were.

He would remember this moment in a darker light. One day he would revisit this travesty.