[Training] notches in the spine

and the only solution was to stand and fight

Sometimes Deimos simply needed a large amount of space for all the notions he planned to conduct.

Halo’s vast tundra was often the foundation for any incantations he sent soaring; but he’d conjured the snow and ice enough that he wondered if it was a semblance of complacency, and pondered over finding other grounds in which to chase the filaments. King’s End – with its wide-open fields and serene backdrop, might’ve served a dual purpose. He could look in on the cabins he and Evie had clustered there, secretly tucked away, and then venture outwards, rendering motions across earth and grass, without ripping and tearing scenes away.

So it was only thereafter, when he’d secured wooden doors and roamed yards upon yards further, that he unfurled a stretch of air. It galvanized once over the picturesque flowers, bending and swaying them in the thirty foot range, before he mustered power further, elongating it as more than breaths and seething lungs, but a potent gust. The wind rattled and roared, and he stood in the center, amused, before calling it back in one undulating motion.

But they would need so much more for Starfall – for more monsters and more depravity and more rushes across the folds of that wicked place – so he harnessed and harpooned again, until he saw another figure nearby.

DEIMOS

-Zavien

I've walked through fire

and didn't burn

Treaded some water,

but I emerged

Rolls up like a dead man in the dirt

That's when I learned,

I am unbreakable

Sol spotted the Warden before Zavien did. He was gliding high above, enjoying the vast fields of grass and the views they provided, his scales like a glint of gold against the blue sky. It was nice to see the dragon more relaxed than before. After so long apart, there was a deeper trust between them, a belief that the other would still be there despite the distance. It made the bond that much stronger, and they basked in the company as they traversed the grassy hills. 

Feeling the pulse of recognition, the Dragoon looked across to a nearby slope to spot a familiar silhouette. Smiling, he made his way towards the Warden. Zavien waited until he was close enough to speak over the soft winds before he called out with a hand of greeting. "Deimos. I didn't expect to run into you out here."

and the only solution was to stand and fight

The dragon was a hint that the Warden took, tilting his head to study Sol’s movements above, before his piercing gaze landed upon the familiar Dragoon. “Zavien,” he nodded, granting a small smile to indicate nothing untoward. No enemies out here to squander. No poems to write. No Voxes to jump out from the atmosphere. “Halo has likely had enough of my magic practice,” he shrugged, if only to indicate the wide open expanse here had yet to suffer under his insatiable appetite for practicing strength and precision. “And I would like to have more training before another gardening venture.”

He knew he wouldn’t have to explain much more to the other man; the understanding well and true in the notches and spines of shielding individuals. “What brings you to King’s End?”

DEIMOS

-Zavien

I've walked through fire

and didn't burn

Treaded some water,

but I emerged

Rolls up like a dead man in the dirt

That's when I learned,

I am unbreakable

He laughed a little at the jest, sure that Halo was more than happy to handle the Warden's magic if it helped 'save the world' and all. But he didn't blame the man for seeking a change of scenery, especially if there was another 'gardening venture' on the horizon. Zavien nodded his head in understanding before revealing his own reasons for being in the area. "I had a meeting with some friends to discuss weapons." It had been more of a pissing contest than a conference, filled with loud men and beer, but Zavien had enjoyed it. 

His eyes looked up as Sol drifted gently down to them, landing at his side as he offered Deimos a chirp of greeting. Smiling warmly, he turned his eyes back to his friend, the offer easy on his lips. "You want any company for your training? I don't have any magic to fight against, but I'm happy to help if you want." Whether that was watching, fighting, or acting as an unfortunate target, Zavien would do what he could to assist.

and the only solution was to stand and fight

Kinship with armaments involved would’ve been right up Deimos’ alley – but perhaps that could be said for nearly every day spent with the soldiers in the barracks. He permitted a smile at that, and then rifled in his pockets for some treats for the dragon, tossing it along to see if he’d catch it midair.

At the offer, the Sword considered points and purposes, possibilities and the pragmatics of it all. “If you would like. I need to either train offensively or defensively.” Considering any of the stakes, or what the Dragoon might have up his sleeve, he ventured over the likelihoods. Air wasn’t particularly deadly or nasty, but Deimos had enough powers to surge along and knock someone off their feet – or create storms. “You could always throw things at me? Work on your aim while I try to batter them away?”

DEIMOS

-Zavien

I've walked through fire

and didn't burn

Treaded some water,

but I emerged

Rolls up like a dead man in the dirt

That's when I learned,

I am unbreakable

Very pleased by Deimos's offering of treat, Sol jumped up to snatch them from the air, a grumble of delight filling the space. Once he was sure all the pieces had been consumed, the dragon trotted forward to give the man an appreciative look, his tail wagging and head raised in what may be interpreted as a willingness to let the Warden pet him - or begging for more treats. 

Zavien couldn't help the man there, chuckling softly as he turned his attentions away from his greedy companion and towards talks of training. "I suppose that works. Are rocks okay? I don't have any projectiles." It was one of the gaps he'd noticed in his own weaponry, something he'd been considering after seeing the other men's items at the 'meeting.' Perhaps not projectiles in particular, but a long-ranged attack would be beneficial for the creatures he couldn't get close to.

and the only solution was to stand and fight

Crouching low at the hint of the dragon, he scratched beneath the companion’s jaw, snorting all the while. He should’ve brought Belial, but had figured he would’ve been more of a nuisance out here, potentially harassing anything else nearby. Glancing back up at Zavien, once Sol had likely had enough, he regained his prior position, stretching back to his full height. “Rocks would be fine,” and given their smaller proportions, it might be more difficult for him to fine-tune and pinpoint exact locations. Idly wondering if it would be wise to mention the mere consideration of ranged weaponry, especially in Caido (where monsters were often large and one would want to steer clear of them while maintaining power), he kept it behind his teeth, tending to his own business at hand.

From there, he proceeded about twenty feet away, with intentions of maneuvering further to amplify the difficulty, once they’d mustered some sort of pattern and repertoire. “When you are ready.”

DEIMOS

-Zavien

I've walked through fire

and didn't burn

Treaded some water,

but I emerged

Rolls up like a dead man in the dirt

That's when I learned,

I am unbreakable

The little dragon gave a rumbling purr of sorts, stretching his head so the Warden could get the perfect spot. His eyes closed and he indulged until Deimos pulled away, satisfied with the treatment as he moved back to Zavien's side. Although by then the Dragoon was moving, gathering an assortment of rocks and pebbles that might serve the right purpose. The largest one he grabbed was the size of a large apple, the smallest a grape, all piled at his feet as he waited for Deimos to get ready. 

At soon as the all-clear was called, Zavien began throwing. He gave plenty of time between each, aiming mainly for near Deimos than at him, starting out with soft lobs so the man could adjust. 

After a few throws, he felt a prickle at his companion bond and glanced down to see the dragon flapping his wings, his feet shuffling with excitement. Chuckling, Zavien turned back to throwing as he said, "I think Sol wants to help. Would that be okay?" For emphasis, the golden companion gave a puff of smoke and a small chirp.

and the only solution was to stand and fight

Zavien’s attempts were appreciated – as it became very clear there was no ill intent behind the throws. Plenty of others would’ve taken the opportunity to launch at Deimos, knowing he wouldn’t be giving any fighting sieges or stances back. Watching as the pebbles were lobbed, his brows furrowed, concentrating, focusing, reeling the air outwards to catch and volley. Some of the stones were easily nabbed – shorn off to the side with great aplomb, soaring outwards and well out of bounds and range. Others required he envelop them entirely, far more precision required, before they reached his frame, descending in dramatic swoops.

As for Pip, he snorted. “Is he going to be launching fire at me?” That would require a bit more finesse, and well-timed measures – and probably implantation of other enchantments stored in his soul.

DEIMOS

-Zavien

I've walked through fire

and didn't burn

Treaded some water,

but I emerged

Rolls up like a dead man in the dirt

That's when I learned,

I am unbreakable

He continued his throws as Deimos worked, making sure that the last rock was clear before he lobbed the next. It wasn't too hard, more repetitive than anything, but he tried to focus on his accuracy, narrowing in on places around the Warden and ensuring that the previous throw had been successfully defended.

Meanwhile, Sol gave another chirp and flap of his wings, moving closer to Deimos in preparation for permission to join. It was with the eager excitement of a rookie soldier high off a successful mission, determined to assist his fellow warriors. How could Zavien say no to that? Chuckling, he said, "I think he'd be willing to breath fire or just drop rocks from above. Whatever you're comfortable with." He wouldn't force the man to face literal fire, but it might also prove appropriately challenging, and wasn't that the point of training?

and the only solution was to stand and fight

“We can try it,” he mused, figuring the combination of incantations and efforts would be sufficiently decent and a challenging aspect he could invest within. Dodging more of the rocks, he unfurled them through the blasts of wind or curls of air, segmenting them elsewhere, to be lobbed gently off to the side or battered directly behind him.

In preparation for the upcoming notions though, he opted for a different semblance. Figuring the dragon would strive for something above, and Zavien off to the sides, he extended a large, but invisible just the same, round of an air barrier – intending to utilize the intangible figments and fragments as a shield.

DEIMOS

-Zavien

I've walked through fire

and didn't burn

Treaded some water,

but I emerged

Rolls up like a dead man in the dirt

That's when I learned,

I am unbreakable

The agreement had Sol darting to the skies, his golden wings flapping to gain altitude. Just as Deimos had predicted, the dragon chose the upper angle for his attacks, blasting fire down onto the shield of air that had formed. The flames flared and dissipated harmlessly, but he didn't stop trying, diving up and down with an abundance of energy and enthusiasm. 

Being the more cautious of the two (ha), Zavien tried to take Sol's assaults into account as he launched his rocks. He didn't throw them at the same time as a blast of fire, careful to time them between so that Deimos didn't get overwhelmed, watching for signs of struggle. Still, he called out to be sure. "You doing okay?"

and the only solution was to stand and fight

The shield did as intended; the fire failed to pierce, and instead deviated entirely, looking like plumes of smoke and flames going nowhere, to fade whenever Sol deigned to cease. He’d wondered if he’d have to reach out with his fire incantations as well, and fight for control, but for the moment everything seemed fine.

His magic unfurled further and rapidly, extending the shield outward as Zavien’s rocks flickered and flew. The power undulated and rotated, sending the rocks in a more haphazard array, but everyone would either have time to duck or manage the barrage in return. “That is fine,” he assured, brows furrowing in concentration and focus, but not fatigue or weariness. If anything, his mind was quite content in the whole forefront, keen to exercise and divide and conquer.

DEIMOS

-Zavien

I've walked through fire

and didn't burn

Treaded some water,

but I emerged

Rolls up like a dead man in the dirt

That's when I learned,

I am unbreakable

At Deimos's confirmation, Zavien nodded his head. "Then we'll increase the difficulty. Let me know if it gets to be too much, or when you feel satisfied with your efforts." He didn't know what exactly the man was working on, or when he'd feel that he'd achieved enough. From his point of view, the air magic had proven more than effective, thwarting every attack that had landed in his vicinity, but perhaps the Warden had another goal in mind. 

Hearing that he could be more aggressive, Sol gave a small chirping roar of battle cry before diving down, letting his fire breath run rampant over the dome of air. Zavien didn't wait for the fire to cease before tossing rocks into the fray. He still didn't bombard the man with too much, watching for signs of struggle or faltering, but he made sure to leave less time between his own throws.