Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
Skinning and hosting by the epically talented Kaons, and functionality fanciness by the coding magic of Neowulf. If you ever see either of them around, make sure to show them some love!
"Where do you think I can find the book on the grounds? I think I should look into it, something's not right and I'd like to know before I get surprised again." Darkeye had so many things he wanted to accomplish, and his personal goals kept getting pushed back, and he noticed that here, too. But Caido could not continue to go to the dogs. The war was coming and not many people seemed to be interested. Somebody had to do it.
Darkeye was more lucky than good there. But he was glad that Deimos didn't hold back as much as last time. Still, he was no challenge for the general. He was surprised that this maneuver was successful. He smiled since the fight had begun and had not stopped until now. The fun was back. He tried to turn his shoulder and lunge with the other spear at the same time. Deimos would definitely find a way out of here. But most people would have to keep their distance. The dance would hopefully go on for a while.
the ocean does not apologize for its depth and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
“You may be able to find some in the Atheneum,” if memory served him correctly – a ruin, rebuilt more-over by Jigano’s work and the Loreseekers; tomes collected and assembled over the once mottled and mauled pinnacles. He paused, reflecting. “I will look in our own archives when I get an opportunity.” Which may not have been anytime soon, given everything else going on.
Besides, there was more movement and tactics to be had; watching as Darkeye strived to set up another counter-measure. Instead of backing off, as most would do, experience and strength forged onward, catching the cleric’s spear with his own, and rushing, pushing, forward, intending to angle and render the armament effectively useless against Darkeye's frame.
Darkeye just nodded, glad that he had at least been given a place to look. Maybe it was just coincidence. But so shortly before the war and in two places that should have a warm climate due to their nature. It was simply mekrwürdig one would have been still coincidence but two woke the curiosity of Darkeye and he would look at the whole.
Darkeye had not seen this move coming. He had expected many things, but not that Deimos would close the distance directly. He could still try to drop his spear and grab the spear or just step aside. But he thought too long and Deimos hit him with a good blow with the not pointed end but a few feet he was pushed back. Deimos had built up good momentum. There was also a loud "uff" when he hit Darkeye and presst out all air of the lungs. The soldiers outside got a taste of the skills of their general. Darkeye needed a moment before he could pick himself up again."Again, I'm just still too slow?" He said with a grin and wiped something from the corner of his mouth. "One more round, or would you like to tell me what I did wrong first?" he said, hoping for an honest answer.
the ocean does not apologize for its depth and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
With notions of libraries and information settled for the moment, there were more fortifying measures to consider. The Sword’s brawn and power became an overwhelming fixture for Darkeye, surprising the former, as Deimos had presumed the cleric would strive for something, other than being pushed and mauled, forced and backed into a place ill-fitting for battle. Or at least, survival.
Shifting away, the General rested the bottom of his spear down upon the floor, ignoring the sudden whispers and volleys of his warriors off to the side. Patient and forbearing, as eager to teach and instruct as he was to fight, he nodded. “You have options.” Motions followed through on each statement, ensuring he ensued a visual so that Darkeye could have it in the frame of his mind. “Stepping aside, and not allowing my strength to undo yours.” And with this, Deimos did much of the same, his towering frame striding across to the left. “Disengaging,” placing the weapon down, so the momentum would’ve been lost. “Aiming for me before I can get to you.” Not being shocked or surprised if one’s enemy or adversary utilized their abilities effectively, and being capable of fast maneuvers, which would've caused Deimos to cease and desist instead.
From there, he paused again, waiting. “When you are ready.”
Darkeye was not looking for pushing as it seemed. He was looking for meaning, and the best teacher he had was, unfortunately, pain. Deimos was someone to look up to in Darkeye's eyes. He had taken him as he was and did not want to impose his worldview as some others, even Voice, tried to do. He was strong but did not rest on it and Darkeye admired that. However, he saw her driving where apparently Deimos did not see her. He would look into the matter.
He listened calmly to the general's words and thought about how the term "feint" was the one he knew. So he watched every movement that Deimos showed him again. He would try to make the whole thing better. He must train himself the whole knowledge again. He was not happy about it 130 years of training just gone, but now he was allowed to make mistakes again. Which was maybe not bad.
Darkeye nodded and charged at Deimos again, but he held both spears so that he could pounce at any time. Until the last moment, he paused and prepared for a double attack. That one strike was swung like a sword from left to right. Due to the weight of the weapon it would not be lethal but painful. The second attack would only sting like a scorpion's stinger when Deimos dodged it. The attack of Kor as it was taught at that time.
the ocean does not apologize for its depth and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
Ignorant to Darkeye’s inner musings, the Sword waited, biding his time, altering his stance, until the cleric was ready. He arched his brow as the two spears were brought into action once more, and the latter portion of his advice was snagged and taken – permitting a snort to volley through his chest.
The first spear was evaded with a quick turn to the left, but he could feel the rallying pressure of its serrated edge billow by his tunic. For the second, he raised his own armament again, and as it came towards him, snagged, caught, and pushed it off his frame. “Better,” he announced to Darkeye, for it had been – and he’d give credit where it was due. “Use the opportunities that you have.” A swift nod of measure, before he utilized that instant into striving to raise his weapon towards the shorter man’s shoulder.
Darkeye had a broad grin on his lips again and was glad that the movement and attack were taken note of. He hoped that this time he could get Deimos to move more. The scorpion stance was something that had been taught in his church for many years.
He only nodded as he saw Deimos respond. He could be happy about it after the fight now it was a matter of how he dealt with this attack. He tried to aim his spear at Deimos' hand so that he had to keep his distance. At the same time, he turned his shoulder slightly to the side to avoid being hit too hard. The other arm was still waiting and would stab if Deimos tried to change direction.
the ocean does not apologize for its depth and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
Different intentions seemed layered and lacquered here, and it took a moment of careful analyzing to see where Darkeye’s motives were. But the Sword was always keen and eager to learn, and while experienced, certainly hadn’t seen it all. Machinations curling and unfurling through his mind, snagging at the intricacies, the beast simply raised his spear hand – with no need to alter directions, and permitting it to be free of the other armament.
The angle had been changed though, and from here, he intended to utilize his strength in a downward, descending facet, attempting to tap at Darkeye’s chest. Perhaps it’d be caught, snagged, or hastened away by the unmoving implement, or the cleric had another maneuver up his sleeve.
This was just getting more and more interesting we were meeting very different styles here. Darkeye had forgotten how he had fought before he had the strength and skill. He was surprised that Deimos simply let go of the weapon.
The sting of the scorpion would make a feint that Deimos had to react. The other spear concentrated on defense. He wanted to steer it only slightly out of the way. If he succeeded, he would try to pull off the attack of the stinger, if not, it would remain a feint. But the fight gets more and more interesting. He learns so much about fighting. It's like his body is reminding some of the power he once had.
the ocean does not apologize for its depth and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
Eyes narrowed, speculation coiling, and possibilities unfurling, the General’s intrigue remained. Another breath of concentration honed and directed, mind focused on movements and motions, on feinting and dodging, on striving to find the best method of progression, interaction, and snagging at weaknesses.
Clutching at his spear tighter, Deimos shifted towards the right, intending to miss the brunt of Darkeye’s motions, and perhaps reach the other man’s ribcage. Reaching forward, he intended to briefly tap there, to attempt at going around the alternative weapon, never once going full force or strength, knowing and understanding where his particular boundaries laid amidst skirmishes and practice.
It was this typical situation no one wanted to give himself too strong a ransom. A duel where Darkeye could learn a lot thanks to the consideration of Deimos. Deimos gave him the opportunity to reconsider each of his movements. It became almost a test of each other's skills.
Darkeye tried to dive under the attack as it seemed to him and at the same time stabbed with the spike as he liked to call it to hit the outstretched arm of Deimos. The other spear then resumes its lurking position. an attack the other weapon ready for a counterattack,
the ocean does not apologize for its depth and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
Oh no, the Sword wasn’t falling for that one again.
He might’ve had difficulty discerning some portions of the world around him, but not in combat. Not after years upon years of training, of being immersed into battlefield woes, of straying after loved ones and friends who somehow managed to get themselves into danger time and time again. Natural, inherent by the design of who he was – to be quick and fluid and agile when it came to these machinations.
A sidestep to the left removed the offending spear’s spike coming for his arm. Within the same breath, he strived to utilize that newfound position over by Darkeye’s side, hopefully alleviating the other spear as well, and aimed his training armament towards the man’s ribcage.
A broad smile was still visible on Darkeye's face - it almost seemed to be the face of a maniac. He was so happy about the fight that it was like a child enjoying his birthday cake.
This was exactly what he had been waiting for Deimos to do. Darkeye had been working towards this moment. He lunged far back to avoid Deimos' attack and stretched his back to keep his body tension up. The second spear was almost thrown forward only to be stopped short at the end. The scissors would hit. Theoretically. Deimos was now between the two spears. But Darkeye was sure that Deimos would find a way.
the ocean does not apologize for its depth and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
Was anyone ever truly trapped or snared? In Deimos’ experience, there were nearly always options, choices, and alternatives. He’d had many weapons pointed in his direction upon countless measures, and the scars to prove he’d been snagged by their serrated motions. Some he’d willingly taken to gain a new approach. Some because he’d had no defensive maneuver available in the time it took for a sword to rake over flesh.
But now?
With a grin, he lunged forward with his own frame, turning his figure slightly so that his shoulder was made like a massive battering ram, intending to hit Darkeye – and knock him, or his weaponry, completely askew.
