Valkyrie's Page of Wonder

February 06, 2010

Fallen Angel - Midwinter Games, Part 1

Xannon enters Sarah's room and sit down in the chair by the desk. He stares vacantly out the window. Sarah comes around the corner from the small kitchenette and stops when she sees Xannon.
“You're back. I was beginning to wonder if you got lost. Did you get to talk to Celeste?”
“Yes. She confirmed what I thought, but also warned me not to rely on it. I need to learn the limits of my abilities.”
“I see. Well, even without those little bursts of power you are stronger than all the other students and most of the teachers.”
Xannon nods.
“So, now that they've secured Maerd, do you think Bast will continue to push?”
The mention of the war draws Xannon back to the present.
“If they're smart, they will try and retake Falcoma. The latest reports show its not heavily defended. If we can take it, we can use it to box in Kardis at Gaia City. Assuming of course that the Priests of Yehova are able to make a move that far behind the line. Once we have Gaia City, it will only be a few short months before we drive them off the mainland entirely.”
“Would you want to join them on the battlefield? Help them retake Falcoma?”
“What I want is for this war to be over. If helping them take the city will end this war sooner, then yes.”
Sarah walks over and sits down on the bed next to the desk.
“You know I wouldn't volunteer to go to the front lines. But I want you to know that if you went, I would be right behind you.”
“Thank you. It means a lot to me.”
They sit in silence for a moment as the wind beats against the window.
“Are you planning on attending the Midwinter Festival?” Xannon asks.
“Of course. One of the local schools is putting on a play about the annual rebirth of the world. You should join me. A little culture would be good for you.”
“As long as it's with you.”
“What about you? You going to participate in the Midwinter Games? Prove to the world that you are the best?”
“Are you kidding? Have you seen the kind of people that participate in that? They train for years just for a chance of winning. I highly doubt there is even a remote possibility of me winning anything in those games.”
“What about the Grand Melee? We both know you are good with the sword even without magical assistance.”
Xannon shrugs.
“I suppose I could try, but there are highly decorated soldiers fighting in that, generals even, and they don't play. Participants have been wounded and even killed in these games. Why would you want me to join?”
Sarah looks out the window for a moment.
“We both know you are good with magic, the best the school had ever seen, but if you are set on helping them retake Falcoma, you will need to be good with the sword too.”
“I did fine in Maerd, didn't I? I held my own against the elf.”
“Exactly, which is why I know you will do well in the Grant Melee. If anything, it will let you fight against the best and learn from them.”
He mulls this over in his mind.
“When is the Festival?”
“Only two weeks away, but registration for the Grand Melee ends the day after tomorrow. So if you're going to join, you better decide now.”
“Alright, I'll join.”
“Yay!” Sarah tackles him to the ground.
They land with a crash and Xannon lays there a moment while he catches his breath.
“Crazy woman.”
He proceeds to tickle Sarah causing her squirm and pull away. He chases her around the room a few times before catching her and tossing her on the bed. He pins her down and they both stare into each others eyes.
Something hits the window next to the bed, startling them both. They look over and see big fluffy snow flakes falling to the ground. Opening the window, they look down from the second story and see Kris packing another snowball.
“Oh I'm sorry. Did I interrupt something?” Kris asks from below.
“Maybe, and if you did?” Xannon shoots back.
“Then I accomplished my goal! Catch!” Kris throws another snowball at their window.
Xannon shields Sarah with his body and the snowball hits him in the shoulder.
“That's it! It's on!”
Xannon closes the window to prevent any more snowballs from finding their way into the room.
“Shall we go teach that trouble maker not to interrupt us?”
Sarah nods, “He's going down!”



Having registered for the Midwinter Games, Xannon begins an intensive training regiment. Daily workouts, frequent duels with the other priests and even some simulation training in the Temple's magic room. He faces off against Kris who wields a pair of short swords. The rules of the Grand Melee allowed almost any weapon into the fight as long as the combatant could carry it. The purpose of this particular match was to prepare Xannon for dual wielding opponents. They begin slowly allowing Xannon time to analyze Kris' attacks and counter them. As the slow motion fight goes on the speed gradually picks up.
Sarah watches from the sidelines and cheers for Xannon. Gatomon, who had learned of Xannon's entrance into the games, relaxes next to Sarah.
“Why did you convince him to do this? From my point of view, the only thing he is gaining is more training time, but that could have been accomplished without entering the Grand Melee.”
“Because its important to have a goal to work towards. He could have just started training harder, but it would only be more of the same. Because he is training for the Grand Melee, he has a direction with his training. He knows he will have to defend against all different kinds of weapons very quickly. In our normal training, its always against the same people because that is who we fight. The forces of Kardis are all armed the same. Very rarely do we encounter anyone with a different fighting style.”
“Like the elf,” Gatomon adds.
“Exactly. He managed to hold his own against the elf even with a gushing wound. Imagine how he would do at full health.”
“Who all is going to be in the Grand Melee?”
“Champions from all over the world. Katta, dwarves, elves, humans, even a few Kitsune will make the trip from the other continent to participate.”
“Anyone famous?”
Sarah grabs the sheet of paper sitting beside her.
“General Emerson from the Southern Army, Priest Kalies from Gryphia, Go'dern Shadowmire, Silvia Luna, Adam Lightwalker, Mongo Darkslayer...”
“Mage Knights? This will be interesting since the rules forbid them from using magic. Who else?”
“Let's see. J'Kanto Flamedancer, Hugh Chiller, Captain Robert Cross of the Gaia City Self Defense Force, Priest Wagnard from the Temple of Kardis.”
“What?!” Gatomon bursts out. “How can they even think of letting someone like him into the arena?”
“You've heard of him?”
“He's only next in line to become High Priest. He's not the most honorable person either. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he broke the rules about using magic in the arena. Make sure Xannon is prepared in case that little weasel does use magic.”
“When I was looking over the rules, it stated that anyone that uses magic is disqualified.”
“Well, then we will have to find a way to defend against magic without using magic. Any other surprises we should know about? Did they let any orcs or trolls register?”
“Not that I can tell. I wouldn't think orcs or trolls even cared about these games. They are still such primitive races.”
“Perhaps, but you can never tell what's going to happen these days. If you'll excuse me, the wind is picking up and giving me a chill.”
Gatomon gets up and starts to head inside.
“I'll be cheering for you Xannon!”
Xannon hears her but keeps his focus on his training. Kris was fighting at the normal speed for a battle. Despite his greater fighting skill over Kris, Xannon was beginning to have difficulties against the dual swords. He was forced to move twice as fast to be able to block all the attacks which wore him out much sooner. Still he kept going, his muscles beginning to burn and scream under the stress.
He watches Kris' eyes, trying to decipher his next move when his expression begins to change. The attacks begin to come quicker and stronger. Xannon fails to block one of his attacks and is forced to dodge to avoid being stabbed. Kris presses his assault, forcing Xannon back a few steps. His expression has changed from casual to determined. Xannon's adrenaline begins to pump as the training turns serious. The boost gives him a second wind and he executes a series of maneuvers that puts Kris on the defensive. With Xannon now having the upper hand, he regains his lost steps and forces Kris back.
By now, a crowd had gathered. The quick, loud clanging of steel on steel drawing spectators from as far as the sound could carry. They begin cheering for the combatants and bets are made over who will win. Neither Xannon or Kris even take notice of the spectators. As long they weren't a threat, they didn't even exist to either of them.
They continue to fight, neither one gaining any respectable advantage over the other. As the battle drags on, they begin to show signs of fatigue. Unsteady blocks resulting in weak counterattacks. Weak counterattacks lead to deflected attacks, leaving them open to attack. However, because they were both wearing down, neither of them could take advantage of the openings. They lock swords for a moment, their stern faces inches from each other. They push off and back away.
Panting heavily, they face off, each one waiting for the other to make the final mistake. Xannon brings his weapon down and behind him. Kris immediately charges in, swords ready. In one final quick motion, Xannon brings his sword into an upward strike catching both swords, sending them flying out of Kris' hands. Kris dodges at the last second, but the tip of the sword catches his jaw on the left side and puts a long gash up the side of his face and across his eye. Kris stumbles back a step then collapses to the ground, his strength finally gone.
Cheers erupt from the crowd for Xannon and they both stop and look around, seeing the crowd for the first time. Xannon sheathes his sword and holds his hand out to Kris. He takes it and Xannon helps him back to his feet. More cheers greet them as turn to face the crowd.
“Is this what it's going to be like at the games?” Kris asks.
“Pretty much. Only more people.”
Sarah rushes over to them and begins healing Kris' cut. He takes her hand after she had stopped the bleeding and repaired the eye.
“Leave it. It will heal on its own now.”
“But it will leave a scar,” Sarah states trying to continue her healing.
“I know,” he says pulling her hand away from his face. “It's alright though. I don't mind. At least I can see again.”
Kris smiles, then turns to Xannon and bows.
“I put everything I had into fighting you today. No matter what I tried you were right there waiting. I don't think I ever told you this, but my hometown had their own version of the Midwinter Games. I was the best of the best. You, my friend, are the best of them all. I'd be surprised if you didn't win the Grand Melee, even against generals and Mage Knights. If you'll excuse me.”
Kris bows again then turns and heads off through the crowd, several of the spectators pat him on the back as he passes. Xannon watches him disappear in the crowd then looks back at Sarah as those around them settle their bets and return to what they were doing.
“You were amazing, Xannon! I couldn't believe how fast your attacks were. And that final strike seemed to be instantaneous. You'll definitely win the Grand Melee.”
“I hope so. But right now I just want to sit, that fight took everything out of me. I sure hope the Grand Melee doesn't take that long.”
Sarah walks him over to the sidelines and sits him down on one of the benches. She then begins a renewal spell to sooth his muscles. As the spell begins to work it's magic, Xannon relaxes and within moments, falls asleep.