Dreadlords Evaluation

[Pawel Wilhart]

Pawel's jaw set for a beat, resolute in disapproving of Vel Anir's excuse for better practices. The man had a rough idea of how much worse life had been for the Academy's Initiates; the tales from former Anirian Guards of cruelty-stunted Dreadlords to whom mercy was an alien concept was proof enough.

Then, of course, there was Dreadlord Quinnick, a product of the system left with little aspirations other than exactly what she was trained to do. A young woman so burdened by misery that she seemed incapable of feeling joy. Meeting her had spurred his attendance today, steeling his resolve to witness Academy practices and test the merits of any so-called improvements. No matter how much the thought of pitting children against one another in an exhibition of violence turned his stomach.

What was this woman's story? He shuddered to think—poor thing.

"Glacial," came the single-word answer to Liliana's commentary on slow progress, his brow furrowing at the many roadblocks he had encountered so far in his fledgling career. "Vel Anir remains obstinate in the face of small changes."

It was expected. Anirians only seemed to be moved by violent revolution. That grim countenance faded, a smile blooming in its place, determined and optimistic. "Ah, not to fret. I won't be deterred so easily."

Without warning, the other half of his mutton sandwich was held beneath the woman's face, that smile shifting into a cheeky grin, far-flung from the grim Wilhart jaw from moments before. He imagined Lady Lorel did not often experience sandwiches being thrust upon her, but what better way to foster future friendships than with food?

"My appetite has abandoned me, I'm afraid. I wouldn't want it to go to waste."

 

[Takoda]

Sadly, it did not look like his opponent was going to be as forthcoming with his own attacks. Takoda would not complain, he would play the role of aggressor.

He knew Saderzaine himself held a magical speed that would allow him to keep up with Takoda, which meant he was not waiting because of inability, but simply for opportunity something that he would be more than happy to provide.

Shifting his weight as he flew forward, Takoda changed the grip on his spear, no longer focusing on the sharpened point but instead preparing to swing the long-staff weapon much more like a bat. While not as quick in its killing, a reinforced spear shaft would still leave a good-sized bump on anyone's head.

A battle cry ripped from his mouth as he reached terminal velocity,

Saderzaine Vult

 

[Saderzaine Vult]

Sader watched as Takoda changed his grip on the spear and decided he was being given an opportunity that was not to be wasted. If his opponent wanted to treat a spear like a hammer or two-handed sword, they fully accepted all the disadvantages that came with it. Normally when someone swung with such a weapon, the ground helped mitigate some of the weight of the swing, but Takoda was not grounded. Hopefully he hadn't thought of something to deal with that.

However, what if the blunt end could be used as a spear as well? Changing his own grip, he decided to go through with his new plan. He sent some of his magic to his legs and feet, waiting for the boy to get slightly closer and start his swing before using his magic to duck abnormally quickly. Again using his magic to spring upwards shortly after, he would attempt to use the force of the jump to stun Takoda with the butt of his spear. It was perhaps a brutish move, but he had to end this quickly.

For all his skill, he had to admit that if Takoda managed to change how gravity worked for him, he would be in unknown territory.

Takoda

 

[Takoda]

Vult was fast and Takoda had always known that, even though he was still watching for it, there was still a moment of surprise as his fellow initiate moved with speed that only a few in the Academy would be able to react to. Thankfully, he might be one of them.

One of the first mistakes others made when dealing with Tak was thinking he was just a flyer, but changing the gravity on anything he could touch was a different conversation. That being said, he would still need to get close and that was going to hurt.

Even as he sped up the speed of his swing using gravity on the spear, it wasn't going to be quick enough. Takoda clenched his teeth as the blunt of the spear crashed into his nose.

The first sensation was the feeling of warm blood spraying from his nose and covering his body, but more importantly was his free hand reaching out and just barely grazing Vult's hand.

He collided with the floor, trying to stop the spinning in his head, but none of that mattered. He wearly pointed his finger up as Saderzain would feel his own gravity invert directly upward and launch him into the sky.

Saderzaine Vult