Brucenorris007

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce leapt backwards, out of range of Vale's forward thrust. He knelt down and pressed his palm against the floor, immediately spreading his presence throughout the chamber. Tiles erupted upwards between him and Vale, and several portions of the walls changed into spiked pillars that shot out at alarming speeds toward Vale.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce noted the instant that the pressure from Vale slackened and he used the moment to slip out from under the blade, skirting his feet in a semi-circle on the floor around Vale and using the same spearhead again to try to stab toward his side, keeping his blade of ki at an angle directly between himself and Vale.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce strafed to the left, still moving his own blade up over his head to parry Vale again. He used his other hand to take another spearhead from his waist, swiping his hand at Vale in an arc in an attempt to cut the same area he'd kicked.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce let out his ki in a rush, focusing it into his preferred blade in an instant and hoisting it up with the tip pointed down to parry Vale's attack. At the same time, he slid one foot backward to give him leverage to aim a kick at Vale's torso.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce's brow furrowed, taking in Vale's ravings.
"You claim to equate yourself with reality," he said. "Yet you preach of fate and predetermined events as though you're a player within it."
Bruce shook his head.
"I'll say it again- I couldn't care less. I don't care to know what drives you."
He let a small bit of ki leak out, sensing that the schism between Vale's tone of voice against his physical posture was about to break.
"And I've faced numerous self-proclaimed executioners. I don't expect you to be much different."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce felt a shift in the air once Vale's blade was directed at him. He sighed silently.
"I couldn't care less about whatever nonsense you're spouting," he said, shifting the stance of his feet. "But I can't help feeling pity for you, so I'll let you know one thing."
Bruce pointed at the sword.
"When you direct a weapon at someone, you should expect a fight."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce didn't dignify Vale's childish banter with an answer. He had taken several moments to steady his temper and recenter himself. He watched the door that Jenso and Luke had entered close, and he stood in the same place, one hand still on his sheath. Slowly, he turned his neck until his head faced Vale, his eyes half-lidded, his expression almost bored on the surface. But he maintained eye contact for several seconds, unblinking, following every shift Vale restlessly made. In the blink of an eye, Bruce took one of the several spearheads on his waist and thrust it toward the final carving preceding the passage into the next room. The projectile lodged itself into the forehead of one of the looming six men.
Finally, Bruce turned his head back, facing the door once again. He'd made his statement.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce briefly bared his own teeth at Vale, unimpressed by the psychotic glint in his eye or the blood in his mouth. He gripped his sheath tightly with one hand, veins visible on his forearm. Vale's term for Bruce didn't bother him, but his already grated nerves were being further tested by Vale's pretense that he could order him around. Still, apart from shifting his footing in anticipation for a possible sudden skirmish, he stayed where he was.
"Oh," he said, his tone conveying a biting sarcasm. "I will, will I? How fortunate that you told me, because I wasn't aware of that fact. And what, exactly, does your precious fate foretell you will be doing?"

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce, normally composed and patient, felt his nerves being tested by whoever this was, speaking in condescending tones and trying to reaffirm ridiculous beliefs that the events of history and the world were predetermined by some unseen force. Uncharacteristically, despite not being addressed, Bruce spoke out of turn.
"I take no issue with the idea that there are forces beyond our control," he said, his face caught in a grimace. "But nothing is decided for anyone unless they allow it."
Bruce pointed a finger.
"Your fatalistic attitude is the difference that makes people like Jenso capable of more than you'll ever be."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce stood just behind Jenso, taking in the sight of the paintings with somewhat less awe. He didn't doubt that Jenso's retelling of his adventures thus far were true, but he couldn't bring himself to be convinced that these depictions truly reflected future events. He scowled once they reached the final carving, and his expression harshened at Jenso's reaction.
"Nonsense." he spat. "Jenso, I've made a decision. I will join this guild of heroes that your friend started."
Bruce clapped his hand on Jenso's shoulder, and looked him straight in the eye with his brow furrowed.
"I will fight with you against this Order of Chaos," he said, raising one hand and pointing at the carving of the fallen figures where six others loomed. "And I'll tell you this- I refuse to die, out of spite for this so-called fate, if nothing else."