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Character of the Season
Frail in body but dangerously quick of mind, Nikandr is the sort of character who proves that curiosity can be just as perilous as any weapon. A necromancer, inventor, and problem-solver with more ambition than self-preservation, Niki approaches the world like a puzzle box begging to be opened, even when what’s inside has teeth. Blunt, dry-witted, fiercely independent, and carrying a history best left partially buried, he has a knack for making even failure feel fascinating. Whether he’s raising the dead, moving across Caido to King's End, or experiencing a hangover for the first time, Nikandr brings a wonderfully strange spark to Caido, and we can’t wait to see what trouble his brilliant mind wanders into next.
Congratulations, Niki!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
While Deimos found the barracks always suitable to hone his craft, today, with the inclusion of fire, he figured it’d be safer to unfurl massive ranges and displays out amidst the wide-open tundra. Therein, it was the flatter plains of constant white, the chilling wind, and a horde of defiance at the ready, eager to seek out the predilections of his power.
He conformed to its motions in rapid succession – a feverish, fervent tap into his pulse and the flames ascended in a blinding, brilliant array. It might’ve been a stunning display from afar, but closer still it was a nefarious predilection of stunning heat, power, and prowess, unwinding, unfurling, until he’d begun to make shapes in the sky amidst the embers and conflagrations. A dragon, looking as though it was breathing the incantations, before he altered it to a hellhound, then further images, one by one by one.
The flares and flashes of fire across the otherwise generally empty and unexciting stretch of frozen wilderness is extremely eyecatching. Enough so that Goose and Iskra both give pause in their travels, watching it from a distance with a coiled curiosity and a myriad of ideas as to what it could be. After discerning that it is neither approaching nor receding, Iskra feels inclined to close the distance, wondering if there isn’t something he should be contributing to whatever is occurring, because it’s out of the ordinary, and if it’s a threat to the city in some way he should do something.
Dog and man press in close enough to better make out what’s happening, so that by the time his voice can carry over it’s with a general grasp of why Deimos is out here burning down the tundra. ”Hey!” he calls out with both hands around his mouth to let it carry, one lifting in a wave, although Deimos likely saw him coming well before he could shout with how little there is to break up this region’s landscape. ”Want some help practicing?” Iskra offers with a raised ‘brow as he stops near Deimos, head tilting with expectation that he’s guessed right.
Lmaoooo your table is so fitting for an Iskra fight, stop
I think I lost my mind a while ago 'Cause I've been seeing some ghosts And I'd be lying if I told you I'm fine, but I lie
The strands and filaments of the embers rose and fell at his command, beginning to coil and contort in long ripples of infernal designs – even as his attention was briefly snagged towards approaching feet. He tilted his head to glance back, noting Iskra and Goose coming along from the Citadel gates; not wholly surprised, but glad to know the woodcutter would come to investigate a threat, even if it was currently only the Warden pushing powers and limitations. “Iskra,” he nodded, granting and indulging a slight smile as the offer flickered through. He took half a moment to alter the stance of the flames into some jettisoning image of a daemon, all ghostly, leathery wings elongating on conflagrations, before churning it into naught more than a bundle of fire, waiting for his next command and demand.
“If you want. Yours seems to have grown in power,” remembering the wall of fire during their time hunting down cockatrices. It would give the other man attempts, trials, and opportunities to play around and see what he could strive for, without too much risk; Deimos certainly wasn’t about to let things get out of hand. “I was trying to see how far I could push it.” How much prowess, how much potential, how much pulsed and placed within those limitations. “Let me know when you are ready.”
12-09-2025, 07:50 PM (This post was last modified: 12-09-2025, 07:51 PM by Iskra.)
ISKRA
There’s an easy set to his features with the familiarity of the Warden and the promise of practice. His smile tilts into something marginally proud at the clear notice of his growth, and with bright eyes Iskra nods in agreement. ”Yeah, finally broke through into my full potential with the fire,” he agrees. As if in evidence, his own fingers twitch at his side, the movement unnecessary but somewhat easier for him to pluck on the strands of potential humming in his veins, flame emerging in the air, shaped into an axe that rotates steadily in waiting.
He has no doubt that despite his progress, Deimos’ strength is still bounds above his. The Sword’s got far more experience, not just with other elements, but battle as a whole, his prowess a legendary one. Still, even a man of myth could use a partner to sharpen his skills on, otherwise he could risk dulling them. ”Sounds like a perfect fit then,” he beams, undaunted by the risks, not with this just being a training spar. ”After all, they say to fight fire with fire.” He bounces his ‘brows before trudging a bit further away, turning and backing up until the distance feels good. Long enough to give him time to react to what Deimos throws at him and vica versa, but still within range of their abilities and speaking. Goose remains steadfast on the sidelines, digging into a snowy gopher hole like he might find a frozen treat yet.
”Ready!” he calls out, fire axe hovering a bit before him in preparation.
I think I lost my mind a while ago 'Cause I've been seeing some ghosts And I'd be lying if I told you I'm fine, but I lie
He arched a brow at the flaming axe flared into view, quietly amused, watching briefly as it went through its revolutions. At the very least, he was content to know, and see, that Iskra, like so many other residents of Halo, weren’t complacent. They were willing and eager to strive for new heights, rather than continuing on the same loops and trends, never quite amplifying the stakes, trying to extend limitations and power. “So they do,” he granted with a wrinkle to his nose; fully intent on doing just that.
Once Iskra had readied himself, Deimos continued backing away as well, figuring the yard and distance in between would give the other Abandoned moments of preparation, a longer time to study what the Warden provided and presided over, and then to reflect another action. The Sword nodded, the only other warning Iskra would receive, before the inferno burst outwards.
Instead of a wall, they came in many parts; pockets of maneuvering fires contorting in random directions. Some looked as though they’d veer off in sections or screech upwards, wholly out of Iskra’s wake – but that was the point, a distraction, and a lack of predictability, as he combined them with Air and sent them on a floating rotation towards the mage.
'Ready' seems like a joke the moment Deimos' elemental combinations flare up and out in a grand display worthy of any Vegas pyrotechnic show. The distance they'd set between them shrinks rapidly beneath tongues of fire and twists of wind, but despite the oncoming threat Iskra's features tilt into something excited. Early and managed as this little practice round is, it still sings a song of war through his bloodstream, the fire axe before him rippling with a blue wave of additional heat from tip to handle. Anticipation swells in his veins, and on unseen threads that weave with his abilities, his magic response in-kind and loops it back around until something hungry begins to roil beyond just his gut.
The flaming axe cleaves through the air before him, smashing into the most affronting blast that Deimos sends his way, blocking it from reaching him fully. Heat billows around Iskra as he sinks deeper into the brace of his knees, a hand raising to shield his face from the sudden whip of wind and temperature that arcs around him, some the wayward angles of Deimos' nonthreatening assault, some the resulting curve of their abilities clashing together, his own flame dwarfed by the other man's strength but still an obstacle that rolls into the hit and alters it.
A delighted laugh rises from the corners of Iskra's mouth, visible amid the frost. His hands tilt, wrist flicking, and his axe jettisons forward to Deimos, splitting apart and reshaping into a volley of flaming arrows that scatter in staggered and wide falls in their attempt to singe the Sword.
1/4 Blocks with his fire and then sends fire at Deimos
Fire Manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Action
I think I lost my mind a while ago 'Cause I've been seeing some ghosts And I'd be lying if I told you I'm fine, but I lie
Deimos’ magic had been a part of him over multiple lives; so familiar, so controlled, so contorted and coiled, that the thought of a ravenous hunger only leapt upon him in those moments of cold, stark rage. It wasn’t an emotion he’d felt for many months now, naught more than blips of irritation every now and again, so when the elements flared into his distinction, they were the same tried and true bits of power and prestige, with a promise of more hovering on the horizon. To protect. To defend. To shape. To mold and carve and scrape against any of those who’d dare bring harm to the ones he’d sworn to guard.
But in these little practicing moments, he indulged a little; an amused smile glinting in the corner of his mouth as Iskra’s axe flared and blocked the renegade portions of flame. Equally unbothered as the newfound arrows came reeling towards him, he took half a moment of study, before snagging at them, feeling the command drift back into his sanction.
From there, he shifted the arrows into another mass of conflagration, but this time, aimed it as if it appeared like a rolling, infernal fog, sending it rushing towards the other Abandoned on new venues of speed.
2/4 Snags at Iskra’s arrows and turns them into a fire fog aimed at Iskra’s feet
Having had little practice fighting magic-wielders, usually targeting monstrosities in the wilds or surrounding areas, or working on strength and weaponry in the barracks, it's a bit of a cold shock to him to see his ability swallowed up by Deimos. When he has fought others, it hasn't been with equal elements leveled against one another, so truthfully the thought never crossed his mind. The momentary loss of his assault to the masterful control of the Sword only further excites Iskra though, who releases his startlement in a loud, disbelieving laugh of triumph for the other man's skill and ingenuity.
Celebrating is always short-lived in the midst of a fight though, because soon enough Deimos is sending a new problem his way, this time as a creeping blanket of flame that hisses over the snow as it rolls closer. Iskra backs up a step, taking his toe and driving it into the snow in a cold spray that sizzles and snuffs out into sections of the flame. Eager to try his own hand at the newly discovered trick though, and needing more than a mild wave of frost to combat the heated fog, Iskra grabs out to wrestle control of this flame. Something greedy and proud flares inside him as he curls the fire fog into itself, wadding and tucking it up into a great, flaming ball. Grinning at the potentials of destruction for the massive, anti-snowball he's created, he sends it careening down the way towards Deimos. Although rather opposite of a snowball, it'll get smaller as the snow eats away at it, but it starts out impressive enough that it should still pose a threat by the time it closes the gap.
2/4 Iskra grabs up the fog and turns it into a flaming ball that rolls towards Deimos
Fire Manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Action
I think I lost my mind a while ago 'Cause I've been seeing some ghosts And I'd be lying if I told you I'm fine, but I lie
His brow arched at the laugh drenched in disbelief, allowing another quick quirk of his grin before he was watching the aftermath. Perhaps Iskra had been inspired, and he watched as the elements were snagged and stolen in alteration, twisting and turning the billowing ember-laden fog into one fireball.
It was his turn to be amused, nose wrinkling in juvenile formation as the other Abandoned had committed another flaw. Deimos would be able to take this one too; ignited and kindled, incensed and fervent. Maybe they could simply have a game of back and forth, batting and volleying until someone was either scorched or tired of the antics. As the flames beckoned closer, the Sword took the elements back into his possession. Instead of diminishing it though, he gave it more, feeding the flames until it was another incendiary projectile; though far larger, before sending it Iskra’s way on a swift gust of Air – waiting to see how he’d respond.
3/4 Deimos takes the fireball, makes it bigger, and sends it quickly back towards Iskra.
It comes as no surprise that his flaming ball is taken back under the Sword's control and hoisted back around at him. It's greater size and extra oomph through the air draw Iskra's attention skyward in a calculating arc of where it'll land. He dodges swiftly with a sudden jolt and skittering steps to the side, and for good measure wrestles control and flicks it opposite of him, letting it plummet and snarl into the snow. Ice forms rapidly under the heat, the Tundra bearing a scar that'll fade quick enough.
Still beaming with some amount of humor over their exchanges, Iskra doesn't hesitate to pluck the shimmering thread of his magic, conjuring a new flaming marvel into existence between them. A hulking ursur comes into being, an abomination to the usual as it boasts no frosty edges, just fur built of licking flame. It roars with a silent heat before it lumbers down their sparring lane, aiming to swipe and burn across Deimos. Given how adept Deimos is at slaying beasts, Iskra doubts this will pose him too much trouble, but he's eager to see how the Warden will reshape the threat and turn it back around. There's always the potential he's too slow and gets singed too.
3/4 send a fire ursur swiping at him
Fire Manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Action
I think I lost my mind a while ago 'Cause I've been seeing some ghosts And I'd be lying if I told you I'm fine, but I lie
Wholly unbothered by beasts nowadays, given how many he’d seen, and vanquished, the sight of the flaming ursur amused; granted another boyish wrinkle to his nose and a following grin. He watched as it soared into its hulking self, lumbering, swiping, striking to burn. The Sword snorted, then took complete control of it again; half-inclined for a moment to send it rambling right back towards its owner to see how he dealt with the flaming creature.
Instead, he altered tactics. At his behest, the animal curled back in on itself, returning to its original stature as one massive conflagration, before he sent it skyward. Ranging from above, it might’ve looked like its own sun, a beacon of light and heat; but he didn’t leave it that way for long, breaking it into chunks and pieces and portions until it lit up the radius.
And then he commanded it downwards, towards Iskra’s current threshold, as if fire were raining down from the heavens.
4/4 Deimos reshapes the ursur into flames shooting down from the sky
It's no surprise to see his ursur melted away and reduced back into an orb of ready use, though it is enough of a letdown that Iskra huffs out a faint, visible sigh at the lack of mauling. Ultimately, he's happy Deimos doesn't bear (haha) any injuries, but he also had kinda wanted to see his fire beast rampage a bit. Guess he'll have to unleash it some other time, maybe on a toy village.
He'll have to consider his violent options later because the orb of fire swiftly rises up with all the promise of becoming a second sun. Iskra's gaze lifts at first, then shield behind a raised hand and a turn of his head. Well shit, if he can't properly see the attack, will he be able to dodge it? It soon enough becomes a rain of fire instead, streaking down with the apocalyptic force the dinosaurs must have endured. Still half-blind, the afterimage of the bright orb lighting up a void of white with every blink, he shrinks back a step and sinks into his knees, hands lifting like he means to only block with them.
He doesn't, though, but he's trying to feel for the greatest proximity, the highest threat, reacting quickly to impending heat and a roar of danger. With only enough awareness and view to snuff out the ones that'd directly hit him, Iskra extinguishes those, the rest whipping around either side of him and sinking into the snow with a hissing smolder. One clips his shirt, heat catching bright and brief before he yanks it out of existence, leaving a curl of faint smoke rising from his side. Grunting, he reaches into his pocket, rubbing at the wooly cloth there to create static.
Twining together two threads now, lightning and fire, Iskra steps forward, improving his aim and his reach. Once in range, he creates a crackling, spitting line of raw power. He whips it out towards Deimos, the energy like a serpent intending to coil around him and strangle him in the bite of electricity and heat.
4/4 combines fire and lightning in a line and tries to wrap it around Deimos
Fire Manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Action
Lightning manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can manipulate lightning. Must be within a 5ft radius, control is weak and unstable and requires concentration.
Type: Dark | Rank: Basic | Cost: Action
I think I lost my mind a while ago 'Cause I've been seeing some ghosts And I'd be lying if I told you I'm fine, but I lie
Deimos had figured Iskra would merely contort and take control of the descending flames; so he snorted and shook his head when the initial bearings seemed to rattle. Besides the burnt shirt though, he appeared to make it out unscathed, and so the Sword snorted mildly, before watching as other elements were suddenly coming his way.
Already considering the lightning as it threatened to scar and mark his way, he intended to utilize the earthen wares below, and give himself a bit of grounding and shield tactics. Beginning to raise the portion of snow in front of him, he was amused to find it wouldn’t hazard much – siphoning the static and sparks into the terrain. The fire, however, would have to be extinguished by his own command, and before long, he snagged at the raw power, segmenting it back to a single flame. “Will have to work on that one later,” he jutted his jawline, insistent towards the cloth, the static, utilized to create the elements. “Good work today. You all right?”
The brief hope that he might snare Deimos, however mild it had been, is extinguished with a faltering of his excited features. The Sword’s mastery lends his surroundings and knowledge into easy resources to draw upon, and without much concern he eradicates the lightning aspect and snuffs out the flame, a quick reminder that Iskra has much to improve upon yet.
Despite the yearning that sings in his blood to keep going, he wrestles back the feeling with a smile and a short laugh, acknowledging Deimos’ words with a nod as he straightens up and rolls his shoulders. They’ve tested each other enough for today, strength does not all flood into a body in one day, a thing he reminds the golden brush of waiting heat inside his thoughts, and it grumbles back into quiet, settling as the magic hum quiets inside him like something that is sleeping once more. ”Yeah, I’m hoping to break through on the lightning before long.”
His gaze drops with the subtle movement of Deimos’ jaw, falling to the small ruin of his garment. ”Oh this? Yeah, put it out fast. You’re just faster,” he grins back, head lifting. ”I think we worked up a good meal back in town, don’t you?” He tilts his head back to the Citadel, knowing Deimos had been out here before he found him, and magic use can sometimes be draining for prolonged periods, like any exercise. ”My treat,” he offers, patting his leg loudly to get Goose’s attention as they head back into town.
[FIN]
I think I lost my mind a while ago 'Cause I've been seeing some ghosts And I'd be lying if I told you I'm fine, but I lie
