EliteCommander

Relics: Trials of Kheris

At the arena, Jana took little interest in the fighting below. In her feline form, it certainly could appear strange if she was taking the same level of interest in the same things as all of the Humans around her. Fortunately, she had little love for bloodsport, so she was missing little by keeping her eyes, ears, and nose on the people around them. They were keeping to the outskirts of the crowd, as per usual. Jana preferred to avoid being the center of attention as much as possible, though with the god-king Kheris addressing his subjects, that was hardly a difficult task, no matter how exotic of a creature she appeared to be. The crowd was completely enraptured by him.

Jana kept close at Hadar’s side, often enough to brush against him. She was in her usual feline form, with a few “accessories” to identify her as being his. She wore a chain collar around her neck that could be used to bind her, as one would with a tamed animal, along with bags strapped to her back to help carry some of their belongings. Her fur even had the appearance of being painted like a war horse, with colorful, swirling markings, though it was actually Jana herself who had changed the coloration of her markings. It was one of the few chances she now had to express herself in the way she used to.

What Jana did notice, and what caused her to finally glance down towards the arena, was Kheris’ mention of the “demons” that would be fighting. Evokers, just like her, but even less fortunate. Her heart ached for them under Kheris. Even for those that might survive the day, Jana did not envy those who had been exposed to the god-king.

Suddenly, as Jana’s gaze went up to Kheris, she felt…strange; like nothing she had experienced before. She felt a tingling warmth emanating from her relic, which was currently fused into her body beside her heart. The feeling grew stronger the higher she looked, and it took a few moments for her to realize that the source was not Kheris, but a strange bird hovering over him. From what she could see, it was white and black, with bright red feathers on its head. The warmth inside her grew stronger, until it ended just as suddenly as it had begun. It had not been painful exactly, but it had caught her off-guard, and she still appeared visibly uncomfortable.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

For Meesei, it seemed that she also needed to be aware of new forms of magic. The essence of it was familiar: dispelling magic, but it was being applied in a way she had not seen before. It still should be blockable with a ward, like virtually any other form of magic, but it would still stress it just like any elemental destruction spell. Perhaps even moreso, given the nature of the magic. Still, Meesei wanted to get a sense of the strength of her magic before trying to block it directly.

Raising up one hand, Meesei conjured forth a portal in the ground, from which a tentacle from Apocrypha emerged and slapped away the dispelling chain before it could hit her, while Meesei gauged its strength. Since the tentacle was just as much corporeal as it was magical, the chain could not simply pass through it.

In an instant, Meesei bolted away once more, this time to the side, and from her new position, she was already prepared to launch a cloud of frost magic towards Teroiah. Then, she just as quickly bolted away again. The ice was nothing exceptional, being comparable in strength to the spells of the average destruction mage, but she was launching them quickly from rapidly changing positions. If Teroiah made a single mistake with her ward's direction, or slipped on the patches of pavement that were freezing around her, she could be in danger. Although, Meesei's movements were not completely unpredictable. While Meesei could vary the distance she bolted, she had to follow the same straight-line direction as her momentum immediately beforehand. Concentrated, precision spells would not be reliable, and the swinging chain was not quite quick enough for Meesei to be unable to react, but Teroiah could launch wider area attacks predictively.

"Ahh, that explains it." Hal-Neesa commented, any hints of potential confusion disappearing from her expression. "Apocrypha: a tool of endless potential knowledge for the willful and talented...or a trap for the weak-minded. Or strong-minded, if Mora doesn't like them. Well that decides it, this fight is only going to get better, even if I can already see how it's going to end up. And I am not going to enjoy the show without food."

With hardly more than a flick of her wrist, Neesa released a spell that summoned a bright violet light beside her. In only a few seconds, it materialized into the Dwemer spider that she had confiscated a few days prior. Evidently, she had some sort of spell or enchantment to recall it to herself at will. "Machine, bring me food. Bring me...grapes. Yes, I would like grapes. Does anyone else want anything? I will not be summoning it back again."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei knew that Teroiah would have to dedicate some of her magicka resources to even come close to challenging the kind of agility that came naturally to a werewolf. If this turned into a contest of endurance, it would be a helpful advantage in her favor. And Meesei was certainly willing to force her to use as much as she could. She lunged forward, dashing back and forth, and slashing at Teroiah with her claws. Even if she could not easily hit the Altmer, just being close to Meesei was enough for her lightning form to start sparking electricity towards her. It was not a dangerous amount of lightning, and certainly would not cause the kind of wounds that would end the duel, but it could be painful and drain some magicka if unblocked.

Of course, all the while, Meesa was keeping a sharp eye on Teroiah's spell. She felt its energy grow, and watched every movement she made. Teroiah was more than able to be deceptive, but there were still signs when she was just about to cast it. Meesei started to charge a strong ward, but its magicka was a mask for the other spell that Meesei intended to use. In the instant that Teroiah fired her spell, Meesei gave her second demonstration of a lost technique. Fittingly, it was bolt escape that she used to avoid Teroiah's attack.

In an instant, Meesei bolted forward as pure energy, passing straight through Teroiah and appearing some distance behind her, imparting some of Meesei's lightning onto her body as well. Again, the shock would not end the fight, but it could stun her, and Teroiah would quickly be forced to react to a physical threat as Meesei slashed at her from behind.

Meanwhile, Neesa let out a chuckle. "Hmm, she had a plan alright. You coy little Breton. Now this might actually be a show worth watching; something actually entertaining for once. Now what I could really use is a snack to go with...hmm." Her voice trailed off as she started to frown, looking around at the others. "Did anyone else bring any food? I don't know why I didn't think about that." It was somewhat strange to hear of a vampire wanting anything but blood, though they were perfectly capable of eating if they chose to.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

So just to clarify, is she using magic to make herself faster to avoid Meesei as she charges her spell?

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Based on the landscape, it could be Hammerfell, near the Illiac Bay. Or High Rock. Or the Summerset Isles. Or Elsweyr. Or basically anywhere else.

Really, it didn't actually tell much, except that it will exist.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Also, HYPE!

It's just going to be hard to keep up the hype for however many years it takes Bethesda.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Even if Meesei could not feel the type of spell being used, her sharp eyes could certainly see that it was coming, and she had been ready to react just as quickly. It was a quick projectile, something likely meant to be difficult, or even outright impossible to dodge, even for a being as fast as a werewolf. It was a sensible opening, given that Teroiah had no reason to believe that Meesei had any option open to her except evasion. Meesei had been careful not to show her hand too quickly, but just as the spell was being fired, Teroiah would be able to feel in her opponent what should not have been present at all: magicka.

Holding her ground, the ward Meesei cast forward was a strong one, as she did not want to underestimate the strength of any spell that Teroiah used. Instead of lunging forward like an animal, Meesei was standing straight and tall, towering over Teroiah. For at least the first spell, Meesei’s ward held, and much of its energy was funneled into Meesei’s own reserves.

The sheer impossibility of what had transpired hung in the air for anyone with even passing knowledge of lycanthropy. Marod, perhaps, if he indeed was not magically inclined, might have suspected some potion or enchantment had come into play, but any doubts would not last long among anyone present. “Steel yourself, Teroiah. Bring everything you have, everything you are to face down the Champion of Hircine.” A sudden burst of power swelled up from within Meesei as she cast a spell of lightning form upon herself: her first demonstration of a spell from a bygone era. The magic surrounded and encompassed her, making her appear as if she were a werewolf made from pure electricity. The radiant energy would protect her like armor, from steel and spell alike, and shock anything that came too close. She returned to an aggressive stance, her glowing eyes finally staring down Teroiah like a predator gazing at its prey. Her voice lost the polite professionalism it had carried up to this point, and instead was replaced with deadly severity. “You will need it.”

In her seat nearby, Neesa leaned back and crossed her arms, a grin creeping across her face. "Oh, now that is interesting."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I do like how interesting this is getting. There is a storm here right now, so I'm hoping the net/power stays up.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Despite her voice's change in timbre, Meesei still had a hint of respectful professionalism to her tone. She was watching Teroiah closely, in case she decided to suddenly start throwing fireballs, but so far, the reactions had been exactly what Meesei had been expecting. "Do you take issue with how I choose to fight this duel, Teroiah? Nothing in the rules I was given restricts me to fighting in the manner you prefer. I am sure you are confident in your abilities, Thalmor, and I stand ready to test them in the way I choose.”

Meesei took on an offensive stance, as if she were ready to charge on a moment’s notice. “I see no reason to delay further. Throw your first spell, Teroiah; you shall not be disappointed.”

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Were it not for her experience in Dwemer lifts, Meesei might have given more of a reaction to their ascent up the tower. Neesa had braced herself before Siloune had even activated the platform, so she had identified it right away. Neesa did not act terribly impressed once they reached the top, though Meesei did not mind showing a hint of her awe at the view. It was her first time visiting Alinor where she was actually able to see the outside. It was a city built upon a hill, with even taller spires reaching towards the clouds. Its stonework was as ancient as the Altmer people, and as pristine and beautiful as any outsider might have expected. The roof of their spire did not give a clear view onto the streets below, unfortunately, though Meesei supposed that was for the best. This duel was not meant for the public eye.

Meesei had brought a few magicka potions in case she needed to be ready for the duel quickly, but since Hal-Neesa had contributed the lion's share of magicka for their portal, she did not even need them. The Thalmor seemed intent on getting through with this affair quickly, and Meesei had no reason to argue. While her witnesses were escorted to their seats, Meesei walked leisurely to her own side of the pavement, her eyes still on the skyline around them. "You have a fine arena, in the midst of a beautiful city. Alinor has a reputation that is both mysterious and larger-than-life among other parts of Tamriel, and I can certainly say that it does not disappoint." Meesei commented, though as she spoke, she untied the straps of her dress and allowed it to fall down her body, telekinetically pushing it aside once she stepped out of it. Immediately, she began her transformation, her body growing and contorting into her werewolf form. It was a form that finally gave her greater stature, and magnitudes more strength than any Altmer around her, but she did not expect Teroiah to be intimidated, particularly as one who had faced down Daedric hordes before. In fact, for a battlemage as powerful as Teroiah, it was a choice that would have made the duel much easier for her, against any other opponent aside from Meesei. But, she would see soon enough the reasoning behind her decision.

"It is a wonderful vista for battle with a worthy opponent." Meesei added, finally setting her gaze upon Teroiah.

By this point, the others had been seated, and for the first time since they had met her, Neesa was outwardly showing some genuine confusion. She leaned in slightly towards Sabine, while still keeping her eyes on Meesei. "Has she gone...insane, or something? Or did her lucky win against me really go to her head?"