Brucenorris007

A Hero Tale {Complete}

'He's moving in with more force this time.' Bruce thought, noting also that Jenso tended to lead with his right hand when attacking.
Bruce ducked just under the oncoming fist, snapping his left hand back up from beneath Jenso's outstretched arm and gripping it above the elbow. He made sure to keep his grasp tight enough to momentarily restrain Jenso's arm, but not so tight that they were locked together. The risk was that Jenso could likely break away with enough effort, but Jenso had the advantage in close quarters hand-to-hand. If it came to a downright clash of in-fighting, Bruce couldn't expect to keep up for long. Bruce dug in with his forward foot and jutted up the knee of his other leg toward Jenso's stomach, bringing his right hand back in front of him, palm open, in case Jenso chose to counter offensively rather than retreat.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce noted Jenso's form. Anything that might reasonably be construed as a tell or a habit, he'd make sure to memorize, in case the fight went on for any length of time.
'Given his style, he'll quickly use more energy.'
Bruce slid to Jenso's right, parrying the oncoming fist toward Jenso's left. Lifting up on the toes of his forward foot, Bruce swung his body around, bringing his other hand around in a swift circle, aiming for Jenso's head in the brief interval that his right side was open.
'But he'll never yield because of that.'

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce's hand involuntarily moved toward his empty sheath at hearing that weapons were disallowed. He blinked, then smirked, pulling it up from around his waist with not insignificant hesitance.
'Seems I'll be at a slight disadvantage in experience from the outset.' Bruce thought.
He'd been sifting through his Ki at odd hours the past days in hopes of better mastering it. Returning the output to zero combined with the somewhat vulnerable feeling of having no weapons but his own body caused a similar reaction to when his powers had been robbed by magic, though this was more artificial. He ascended onto the platform, keeping his eyes on Jenso throughout his short walk to a position opposite him, keen to observe his style. Bruce slid one foot slightly back, angled perpendicular to his forward foot, knees slightly bent, ready to pivot his weight in almost any direction. He reached out with one hand that could either attack first or receive one from Jenso, his other arm relaxed at his side with palm downward.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce's finger twitched at the mention of Jeff's projects, but he refrained from any other telling reaction. He nodded at Luke, glad to be working with his old friend again, despite his last encounter with this room being tainted by the memory of what had befallen Alvios.
He pulled his focus back, wondering at the purpose of whatever training called for assigning both himself and Jenso to Luke's instruction.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce leaned his head back against a wall. He couldn't fault Mikey for whatever his choice may be, but without him, that left the group one fewer member in their plans. There was still the issue of Ada even before any of them encountered Rajaka. The idea to break into teams, which still remained the assumed strategy for contending with her, at least if she was, indeed, the first one they ran into, made separation that much more likely the deeper into the castle they ventured. There would be little means of guaranteeing finding one another again once they split up.
Bruce rolled his eyes toward Jeff, pushing himself off the wall and whispering to the inventor.
"I know time is short, but I have a favor to ask you." Bruce said in a low voice. "Keep it a secret. If you can create a tiny bomb capable of destroying a body that's activated by being digested, please get it to me before the week is over."
Bruce walked past Jeff once he'd made his request to avoid inviting the curiosity of the others.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce listened intently, following the flow of the discussion, tracking it from speaker to speaker. He tapped his finger on his bicep, forming an image of the monstrous Order member in his mind. Contingencies upon contingencies would doubtless be formulated and a hierarchy of priority for each suggestion needed to be established. Bruce believed that, so long as each plan was solid and clear, it would benefit their cause.
"At the very least," Bruce said slowly. "In a fight like one against the Order, seconds may mean the difference between survival and failure. If Mikey can spare the energy without risk of being crippled by having the bubble destroyed, it's something to consider."
He glanced at Jeff.
"Given that arrogance seems a common trait held by these Chaos members, I think getting in shouldn't be the issue. The cause for worry is really how we can make the entrance on our terms as opposed to theirs, because giving them the opportunity to separate us would be little better than charging against any one of them alone."
Bruce scratched one side of his face, eyes flicking from one of his companions to the other. He let his imagination run wild for a moment, piecing together potentially effective combinations of their powers. He knew his abilities could complement Jenso's for destructive results. If the rest of them could find equally strong ways to coordinate, it might give them an edge over the Order, who seemed to believe they didn't need to rely on one another's powers.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce glared at the spot where the nearest creature had disappeared. Slowly, he turned his gaze up and surveyed the outer side of the walls. The extent of whatever damage they might have caused couldn't be properly assessed from his position.
'There was a reason for this.' Bruce thought, scratching his chin with his index finger. 'If not a distraction, then a message of some form. Are they simply telling us that they know where we are? Do they mean to say they can try to destroy us at any time?'
"Wait..." Bruce murmured, whipping his head around toward the inner chambers and quarters. He dropped to his knees and slammed his palm into the ground, expanding his presence to sense the situation inside.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce heard the sword break up, and he recalled hearing about Alvios' superior skills in ki control.
'It would be best to make this spar brief for both of us,' Bruce thought, turning his foot to give him a wider stance and therefore more momentum in pressing on. 'In the long run, though, if Mikey was correct, I should be able to outlast him in a battle of stamina.'
Bruce expelled more of his ki in a focused form of a chain that snaked around his body under his robe. The end of it then flew out and downward toward Alvios' feet, intent on taking away his footing while Bruce pushed upward with more force with his blade to upset Alvios' balance.
At the same time, he dug deep into his soul for the sensation that had struck him during his bout with Vale. Fortunately, he found it readily, even in the space somewhat removed from his element, and his body hardened in response. Beneath the building, he heard the planet's breathing, and he allowed his mind at ease that this sage form would be sufficient to prevent serious damage from Alvios' projectile weaponry and give Bruce an edge in power.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce summoned his blade of ki, electing to keep his other weapons out of sight unless they became necessary or advantageous. As far as he knew, Alvios only knew of his sword. He leaned forward and erupted toward Alvios, strafing to aim for his side opposite where he kept his own blade. In a short sprint, Bruce drew up near him, slashing upward at an angle. He kept his stance such that he could either press Alvios back or make a brief withdrawal based on his response.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Bruce nodded. He glanced at Ross, undecided on how he felt about the Gaian's showiness. But he had his assignment, and he fully intended to follow through. Jenso's enthusiasm was contagious, and the corners of his lips turned upward.
"Yes," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind."