OOC: I'm placing all my faith into this move...assuming it's not against the rules. XD

IC: Really, by comparing the strength of the two warriors, Xokorn wasn't surprised that he'd taken yet another hit. Unfortunately, he no longer was able to call forth magic to aid him... But sometimes life just isn't fair that way.

All he could do was...attack again. Merely defending would cut his chances of winning even further, so attacking would be best. Just then a powerful emotion puffed up inside his chest. It was so invigorating that he felt he could run a mile. The feeling let him completely forget the pain that was inflicted on him. Pyre was not far from him... All he had to do was swing his staff forcefully in a tight counterclockwise arc to make sure that Pyre had no time to jump out of the way. He didn't know how it would turn out, but it was the best chance he got. By the time the momentum of his staff slowed down, the invigorating feeling in his chest dissipated, leaving him to endure his physical wounds once more.

OOC: I'm using 4 willpower for this attack. Is that all right?

Xokorn's swiftly mounting determination is indeed fierce, and brings his staff around much quicker than would normally have been thought possible for the Mage. And yet, even with the added power emerging from his very Will, the Sheikah is still unable to hit the expert hand-to-hand fighter that is Pyralin (3+4+4[Roll+AGI+WILL]). No damage is done at all as the annoyed warrior leaps out of the way of the staff.

Pyralin: 51 HP, 3 SPL
Xokorn: 16 HP, 4 SPL

~Once again, the hylian deftly leapt out of harms way, repeating the same technique he used before. He didn't care if the sheikah would start to predict his moves, he was going to attack fast and furiously, and go for the win fast. This was lasting far too long.

Like before he had grabbed his opponent's staff, and stabbed with his scimitar, trying to hold him in place, but this time, he added another twist, letting go of the scimitar in mid thrust, turing the attack into a sword throw, and then with lightning swiftness, stabbed at his opponent again with his dagger with the same hand. The two attacks happened practically silmultaneously, although he only had to use one had. [Duel Wield]~

(((OOC: BEGIN THE WAR CHANT! TWO MORE HITS! TWO MORE HITS! TWO MORE HITS! *waves on the spectators*)))

Saber watched Sovelis' heroic save from a few rows away, sheltering his eyes from the splinters flying through the air after the blast. He looked back over at the Tempest to make sure he was okay as he began to pluck tiny slivers from the softer underside of his arm, then turned his attention back to the fight. It seemed as though Pyralin would finish it soon--A bit of a disappointment, Saber had secretly been hoping that the fellow Hylian would lose; He seemed to enjoy attacking the mercenary for some reason, and revenge would be nice. Although, if someone else couldn't beat the Ranger, that said more about the mercenary's skills. So maybe Pyre's victory wouldn't be too bad after all. He decided to try and rally the crowd, so as to end the one-sided battle and get on to the hopefully more evenly matched pair reserved for the next bout. Standing, he rose a fist, and pumped with each syllable of his chant. "TWO MORE HITS! TWO MORE HITS!' He yelled encouragingly, ignoring the snickers as the spectators recognized him as the coward from the first match before joining in the chant, until it resounded from every seat in the stadium, the sall children going ecstatic, and even the senior citizens were jumping around. This really had been a great display of skill, and they were pumped.

OOC: I do what I can

"And once again, Pyralin shows off an incredible feat of agility and control over his attack!" Tarlen yells, joining the crowd in being awed by the display from the Vagabond. Those hoping that the Sheikah might be able to dodge out of the way of the strike are swiftly disappointed as the difficult attack still is aimed true. Xokorn is struck by both blades in rapid succession (16+5[Roll+AGI]), dealing a familiar 12 DMG to the Mage.

Several members of the audience turn upon hearing Saber's sudden chant. Then one raises his arm up, pumping it up and down as he cheers Pyre on. "ONE MORE HIT! ONE MORE HIT!" Others are quick to join in, and soon the majority of the spectators are shouting it out. Yet...every now and then, the Sheikah's supporters manage to break through the din, calling out, "GO XOKORN!"

Tarlen smiles. Looks like this fight's gonna have a really intense finish. Just the way he likes it.

Pyralin: 51 HP, 3 SPL
Xokorn: 4 HP, 4 SPL

So this is how it ends... In a town square in front of countless heads against a very talented opponent. Xokorn had taken all of his previous hits rather well for someone unaccustomed to pain, but he collapsed on the last hit, dust rising up from where his body heaped onto the ground. He was so weak at that time that he could barely grip his staff. Heck, he could barely keep his head up. But he slowly got back up anyway, probably much to the surprise of many in the crowd.

His focus was flickering like a candle in the breeze. If he hadn't been in a pinch, he'd fall on the ground again right then and fall asleep. But he didn't. He used all the strength he could muster to try to keep him propped up on his feet. His legs felt like they were somehow turned to gelatin; his feet, iron. He could hardly see from his blurry vision, but he could still see his opponent standing in front of him, no doubt unsatisfied until he unleashed his final blow on him.

Xokorn's survival instincts told him one thing: use Shadowmeld. He was tempted more than ever to use it, and he almost moved his hands just right to perform it. But he didn't; he was no coward. He wasn't going to back down from that fight. So he charged at Pyre at full speed--about one-third of his normal running speed--and swung his staff. He tried to enjoy all the time he could while swinging. It was most likely impossible for him to get an even longer reprieve.

OOC: You fought very well, Pabru! It was nice being your opponent!

OOC: Who is supposed to post next? I can't take this, can we move on!!!!

OOC: Sorry, sorry...busy week...

IC: The crowd grows silent as they see the Sheikah Mage dropping in the ground, apparently non-moving. Whispers started between the crowd, wondering if the fight had just ended. Even Tarlen, flying above the ring, didn't seem to be certain. That is, until Xokorn actually got up on his own accord and once again prepared a charge. The spectators started roaring in his favor, drowning the cheers for Pabru - it seems like this last act of resistance weighed more than it seemed. "And the fight's not over yet!" - Tarlen booms. However, even with all that support, Xokorn's presumably final charge comes nowhere near the mark (8+4[Roll+AGI]), possibly due to his weakened state. It seems the end is quickly approaching...

Pyralin: 51 HP, 3 SPL
Xokorn: 4 HP, 4 SPL

~Pyre's anger was reaching a peak. It was time to strike. Time to end this all. His eyes lock on an invisible point directly in front of him. Without even looking at the incoming sheikah, he sides steps, and feels the staff right past him. Then still looking straight ahead, he stabs forward at Xokorn, using a combination of the sheikah's forward inertia and his own strength to support the attack. As a result, his scimitar moved very quickly. Right at Xokorn's heart.

The hylian was going for the kill. The tournament had a healing system, and in reality after it struck Xokorn wouldn't actually die, but it showed both how serious and how angry Pyralin was. He needed to have his strike count and slide straight into his opponent's chest to pierce his beating heart.~

(((OOC: Oh and thanks ZV. We needed that.)))

Pyralin's blade slices forward, dashing straight through Xokorn's clothing, skin, and heart as the Ranger's aim is proven once more to be true (16+5[Roll+AGI]). The Sheikah slumps forward as the sword is withdrawn from his skin, crumpling to the ground even as the dedicated team of clerics dart forward as quickly as they can, magical spells already being prepared. "And this battle is over at last!" Tarlen cries as he drops to the ground level. "The winner is the Ranger Pyralin!"

The crowd seems to give a mixed reply. Many cries of excitement fill the air, but are accompanied by many feelings of remorseful concern. Certainly, there are Clerics at the ready, just in case of this eventuality, but those closer to the battlefield have noted that Pyre didn't even hesitate to go in for the kill, while other options were certainly presenting themselves. The sheer rage is more than enough to make many question whether they were supporting the right person throughout the course of this fight...

Not that it really matters; Pyre has one, Xokorn is already regaining consciousness, and Tarlen is requesting that both remove themselves or be removed as expediently as possible, in light of the next fight of the tournament.

(((OOC: Yay. The tournament can finally move on. As RG put it "Pyre has one." )))

~Pyre felt the anger flood out of him as his sword slid into his opponent's chest. He ripped out the blade, watching the blood fly off the tip of his blade and splatter the ground around him a dark red. At first he was alarmed at the sight of Xokorn crumpling before him. He had been angry, and had went for the kill, but this was all getting a little out of hand...

At least until the clerics arrived. The hylian was still worried about Xorkorn's fate, but he was fairly certain that he would survive. These healers were highly trained, and rarely failed at their job. Parts of the crowd seemed to think that despite that, what he had done was a little scary, but he tried to not let that taint his victory.

Pyralin thrust his sword into the ground, and closed his eyes, praying to the goddesses in thanks. He had made it to the second round, and although it had taken some hard work, more hard work was sure to come. More hard work, and more worthy opponents. At the moment he would rather rest, but he didn't have to fight right away. He had plenty of time to get ready for the next round, which was sure to be just as exciting as this one.~