What do you get when two ruthless assassins raise their daughter travelling through the wildest reaches of Caido? Take one look at Theea and you'll get a pretty good idea. Cheerful and tenacious in equal measure, and curious beyond all else, she began her journey on a mission to find those her mother once called family. And find them she did, soon rubbing elbows with demigods, leaders and even ghosts from the past. Her determination is resolute, her thirst for knowledge unmatched. We can't wait to see where her next adventure takes her!
Congratulations, Theea!
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Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
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There were several ways of fighting that Hadama was skilled at, from the fists which had been his earliest weapons to the trident that had been a gift from a goddess to the magic he had developed and practiced over the seasons. Aside from the trident, however, conventional physical weapons were things he had once made, but not used.
The sword he held now was a weapon that was fit for a King. A long, gently curved blade with a single cutting edge had been forged from dark steel with waves like the ocean and bound to a hilt of simple, unadorned silver with a grip wrapped in black sharkskin.
Standing beneath the stars and the bright light of a full moon on one of the Kuali'i isles, Hadama held the hilt in both hands, shifting his grip as he attempted to find a placement that felt right. A driftwood log had been set upright in the sand of the small island and served as a practice dummy as the Tidebreaker took tentative cuts at it. His stoic face gave no indication of his emotional state, but he continued to practice with patient focus, hitting first from the left and then from the right, making small adjustments of his hands and feet after each blow.
Bane stood a little ways off, watching Hadama with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. He shifted the sword in his own hand awkwardly, the weight of it still unfamiliar despite hours of practice. The blade gleamed faintly in the moonlight, but Bane wasn’t feeling all that impressive wielding it.
He glanced at Hadama, noticing the steady rhythm of his strikes. There was a quiet patience to the man’s movements, something Bane admired. Trying to mimic that calmness, Bane took a few tentative steps toward the practice log. His grip on the hilt was a bit too tight, his movements a little jerky.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked, his tone less cocky than his usual banter. Patience was definitely not one of his strong suites when it came to any form of battle, and his posture lacked finesse. This all came with Bane's jumping in head first, especially on things he shouldn't.
"Name's Bane by the way."
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
He had not been expecting company. Indeed, he had come out to the distant isle to avoid an audience while he practiced the unfamiliar weapon. Nevertheless, when someone approached he paused and turned to face the dark-haired man with courtesy. Emerald eyes were washed out to a silvery spring green beneath the moonlight as he studied the stranger with a quiet consideration for his question. His brown skin was darker at night, and the gold of his tattooed scars glinted a warm silver instead as they reflected the stars above. In contrast, the metallic steel sheen of his hair seemed lighter and nearly glowed; a color found naturally only among the Mer.
At his introduction, however, the Tidebreaker gave a slight bow and gestured for the tall stranger to join in at the log. "Bane. I am Hadama. A pleasure to meet you." Though he spoke quietly his voice was deep and resonant, reminiscent of distant summer thunder across the sea. "Please." He made space for Bane to choose a position and then moved to be opposite him, in the hopes that their blades would not interfere with each other. "Do you have experience with swords?"
Bane shifted a little as Hadama turned toward him, feeling the weight of the sword in his hand, still unsure and unfamiliar. The moonlight did strange things to the Mer's appearance, the glint of his silver hair catching Bane’s eye, but he didn’t linger on it too long. Instead, he met Hadama's gaze, giving a respectful nod as the man introduced himself.
"Hadama, huh? Nice to meet you, too." Bane said, his tone more subdued than usual. His typical cockiness was softened.
Taking his place opposite the Tidebreaker at the log, Bane adjusted his grip, feeling the rough texture of the hilt against his fingers. His movements were still jerky, unrefined, and it showed in how he shifted his weight uncertainly.
"Experience?" he snorted softly, though without much confidence. "Not really. Picked this up not too long ago. Thought it’d be... good to learn something new. At least something that I can help defend myself and others with..." (Especially others). He gave a small shrug, trying to play it off, but his posture betrayed his discomfort with the weapon.
"How about you?" Bane asked, glancing up at Hadama’s sword. "You seem like you’ve got a handle on this whole thing." He grinned a little, trying to mask his own awkwardness with humor.
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
As the other man stepped up to the log, Hadama remained at ease with his sword pointing down. If he had hoped that the other man might be able to provide some instruction he did not reveal it when he learned that Bane was as lost as he was. He simply nodded in agreement that it was good to learn something new, though hearing the reasoning behind it - the desire to defend - drew a deeper inclination of his head in respect.
"Mmh." A slight shake of his head accompanied the lifting of the blade, not to strike with it but to study the pattern of the steel in the moonlight. "I have made swords before. But I have never used them," he admitted, voice solemn. "This one was a gift. But it is... difficult to wield." He raised his gaze to Bane's once more, tilting his chin curiously. "What drew you to your sword? Above other weapons?" In place of a spear, a knife, or a bow for instance?
Bane shifted his glance down towards the weapon he had wielded, peering at his reflection in the sword. It was finely polished, and often kept clean. His emerald eyes reflected , yet distorted in the weapon.
Sliding his right foot backwards, he bent at the knee, bracing himself. His muscles tensed, as he had propelled with his right leg, pushing forward as he had swung his sword, slicing through the air with a /WHOOOSH/, and a /THUD/ as the blade hit the wood in front of him. Sliding it backwards to deepen the slice, he inspected it closely. The blade was duller than he'd like, but it would do... At least for training.
"What makes it difficult to wield? The weight, or just learning to use it?" Stopping where he was at, Bane did a near about face. Having been listening, his eyes shifted over towards Hadama.
"One thing I learned about swords is just like when you're making it, you've got to find the balance of where your grip is suppose to be. The further away from the hilt that you grab it, the less control over the sword. The closer to the hilt, the more precise movements you can make. That's why I choose to have one closer to the hilt, and one to the back. That way I can alternate the sort of strikes, and movements I do, depending on the scenario." Bane had said.
"Let me see you hit the target?" Bane asked him curiously, wondering what sort of stance Hadama was using.
A brief grin flashed along his face, a hint of remembrance in his eyes. "Mother would always tell me tales when I was a young boy about these protectors. The ones in the front of the battle field, using swords in the name of justice and honor. It's a silly notion, really - but... I hoped that using the sword would bring me a little closer to her. At least a memory of her."
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
Hadama watched intently as Bane prepared his feet and then stepped into a strike at the log target. His sword hit solidly, impressively so, and the former-Mer attempted to position his own feet similarly to how he'd seen the other man do so. "I am not used to weapons," he admitted, concentrating on finding his balance in the sand. "I prefer my fists. Though I have learned to wield a trident. But a sword is very different from either." And nothing at all like his magic, which was more powerful than all the rest combined.
He listened to Bane's advice and gave a slow nod of understanding before adjusting his hands accordingly.
His stance, now an approximate mirror of Bane's, was not quite right - but it was no longer a stance for wielding a trident. He stepped forward and cut at the log, the wood resounding with a solid Thok! as the blade sunk into it. He had to jerky it loose with raw strength and a grunt of effort before he turned his full attention back to the human and his explanation. "Hmm... the vanguard?" A word he had become more familiar with during the last War, when he had led the Mer in battle. "It is not silly at all." He paused, reviewing what Bane had said and then inclined his head in respect. "My condolences for your loss. Was she a soldier?"
"Well, we all start somewhere. Though, having built swords, I'm sure that you understand balance more than others when it comes to the weapons." Bane said with a casual smile. His emerald eyes lingered over Hadama, watching his balance shift through the sand. Hearing the experience that he had, from his fists to a trident, Bane gave a subtle nod.
"Both are weapons of great difference. What drew you to trying out the sword?"
As he had watched Hadama hit the target satisfyingly, a grin tugged along the man's lips. This time, Bane swung his once more and felt the sword land into the wood a little more. Landing in the same spot that the sword had hit previously.
When Hadama brought up the Vanguard, Bane gave a brief nod of his head. "That's exactly what they were called. No, she wasn't. She was a healer, believe it or not. She tried to help those injured, and ailing. Though, I couldn't ever see myself doing that line of work. It's... tedious, and a lot more to remember than I'd be ever able to grasp." He chuckled a little.
"She was very good at what she did. And no need. I'd rather her remember the world beautiful like she did, than face what we're facing now." He admitted solemly. It was a sad thought, but it was something he came to accept in his own time.
"I do need some practice blocking. How do you feel about trying to land some hits on me? Without... killing me." Bane chuckled a little, looking over towards Hadama with a light hearted expression.
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
"Mmh. Balance underwater is... different," he murmured. Still, it was a place to start, and he focused on finding the balance point of the blade while Bane took another swing. Hadama shifted his hands and then stepped forward again, the sword landing close to his previous cut, though sinking deeper. He did not answer until he had freed the blade and examined its edge thoughtfully. "It was a gift," he repeated. He paused a moment before adding: "From someone I do not wish to offend."
He turned his gaze to the human, listening quietly as Bane spoke of his mother. The Tidebreaker inclined his head in respect for her profession, though he made no comment of Bane's decision to take a different path. His stoic expression was thoughtful, however, at his reasoning. He was still weighing his words when the request for practice came, and something suspiciously like amusement twinkled in his eyes, reflecting the stars above them.
"I would appreciate the opportunity to practice the movement," he agreed easily. "I have healing water from the Fountain if it is needed." One of the perks of working next to it when he dealt with the paperwork at the Court of Stars. He stepped around the log, moving into position just barely within striking distance of Bane. "When you are ready," he offered politely, waiting for the other man's signal before he swung.
Bane adjusted his grip on the sword, his movements more sure than playful this time. There was still a spark of amusement in his eyes, but it was clear he was focused now. “I wouldn't be able to dream balancing anything under the water. I can hardly stand up straight in the waves as is.”
As Hadama spoke of the gift, Bane gave a thoughtful nod, his tone more serious now. “A gift like that carries weight. It's thoughtful of you to think of the gifter.” He understood the importance of sentiment behind a weapon, even if his path had taken him away from his family’s traditions.
Stepping into position opposite Hadama, Bane rolled his shoulders, loosening his muscles with ease. His eyes remained sharp, watching Hadama’s stance, gauging his readiness. “Alright, let’s start slow. Focus on your footing, keep your center of gravity steady." There was a calm authority to his words, the two men casually sparring, practicing with one another, assisting one another in what they needed to improve in. For one, Bane lacked patience. This was a great prospect in waiting for a counterstrike, rather than lunging initially.
Bane raised his blade in a respectful salute, a small grin tugging at his lips. “No one’s getting knocked out today. We'll both get the hang of this in no-time.” And with that, he waited to watch Hadama's movements.
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
10-04-2024, 02:45 PM (This post was last modified: 03-16-2025, 02:19 PM by Hadama.)
It was a very airbreather approach to the sea, and Hadama did not try to correct what so clearly worked for those with legs. Perhaps someday Bane would want to train beneath the waves as Koa had, but until then the future-vanguard was the teacher for land-based combat, and the Tidebreaker was the student.
He inclined his head in acceptance of the compliment, but his focus had already shifted to trying to use the new weapon successfully. He took his initial stance, but listened intently to the advice Bane gave. He shifted his feet slightly in the sand, finding a more secure footing, and then he waited. Watched.
...And eventually realized that Bane was waiting on him to make the first attack.
Ah.
He moved slowly, respectful of the edges of their weapons - not deadly-sharp, both a little dull, but still far from safe - and stepped forward. With both hands on the hilt he raised his blade over his right shoulder and brought it down, still slowly, towards his opponent's left shoulder in a careful diagonal arc.
And so it went, each man moving slowly as Hadama learned what worked and what didn't, taking mental note of Bane's teaching until he could move with more speed and confidence. When both men were sweating he raised his hand to call a halt. "Thank you," he rumbled, a respectful tilt of his head accompanying his words. "This is enough for today." A promise of an owed drink followed before he clasped the other man's hand. He had a great deal of work to do back at the Court of Stars, and he slipped back into the waves with a final nod of farewell to his new acquaintance.
