Grima
Level 4
21/40 EXP
Location: Esaka - The Pools
Wordcount: 1013(+2)
For the second time today, Grima found herself standing in the Pool’s proper fighting arena, watching the other end with clear disinterest as a smaller girl walked onto the arena, a large hawk resting on her arm, “My first opponent was an arrogant braggart. And my second is a child. They let anyone sign up for these tournaments for the slightest chance of entertainment, don’t they?” the vessel states with a shake of her head.
“I’m not one to fall for such insults, but I will admit that the amount of people shakens me” the girl, Nakoruru, admits, reaching up to place a comforting hand on the hawk on her arm, who was currently locked onto Grima, “Such wanton violence is distasteful for me, but even still, I have my purpose for being here. To help the people and cleanse the darkness that plagues these streets. A darkness that I can sense in your heart” she explains, drawing her kodachi as the hawk let out a screech and flew into the sky, “I do not know how, nor do I know why. But the air balks at your presence… And I cannot allow you to continue in this tournament so long as that shadow remains cast over your heart.”
Grima simply stares back for a moment, then lets out a dismissive laugh, “‘A darkness in my heart’? That is a statement I have heard many times, child. I have no darkness, I am darkness. If you wish to see that firsthand, then by all means…” Grima draws her blade, twirling it in her hand as she took her combat stance, “Step forward”.
ROUND 1, FIGHT
Nakoruru spent no time hanging back, instead dashing forward, her hawk diving just ahead of her like a speeding bullet. The sight of which caused Grima to smile slightly, her hand rising to create a small barrier that the hawk slammed into, only to push off moments before Grima’s blade swung through the air where it had been. The Fell Dragon’s vessel quickly stepped forward, using her momentum to swing the blade down as Nakoruru swung their own kodachi forward, the two blades clashing with a ringing of steel, though Nakoruru was forced to brace her own with her other hand. For a few moments, the two struggled there, with Grima pushing her weight down upon the smaller warrior… Before Nakoruru twisted to the side, causing Grima’s blade to slam down to the floor and open them up to a swift strike to their chest, a strike that Grima barely avoided by stepping back herself.
Unlike the first battle Grima had dealt with in this tournament, the flow of this was one she was comfortably familiar with. A dance of blades and magic, where her mastery was put against a gnat’s speed. This mastery was demonstrated by how deftly Grima was able to deal with the latter’s swift attacks, her blade a whirlwind of both defense and attack. The two were naturally able to land light attacks on each other, but for a significant period, neither could truly land a solid hit on the other, albeit Grima was clearly holding onto the advantage, seemingly anticipating most of Nakoruru’s moves as they came. For a normal spectator, it would seem like Grima had the match locked down.
… At least, if it wasn’t for the hawk.
While Grima focused on Nakoruru, the hawk circled around her, its eyes taking in every movement of Grima’s with eerie precision. It was only when Grima committed to another underhanded swing that it made its move, diving down and slamming into Grima’s vulnerable back. The force of the blow caused her to stumble… Right into a rising slash from Nakoruru. It was mostly thanks to the Heavenly Principles that the slash didn’t cause any lasting damage, yet either way the blow caused her to stagger back as Nakoruru took the opportunity given to her by rushing Grima down further, the hawk flying in several times to stagger Grima even longer between Nakoruru’s attacks.
However, as the flurry of attacks reached their crescendo, a small gap in the assault let Grima finally plant her foot down, twisting her body just out of the way of Nakoruru’s kodachi. The other girl had barely enough time to widen her eyes before Grima’s own blade slammed into her torso, a rising slash from Grima that sent both her and the vessel into the air, with Nakoruru landing harshly on her back and taking a moment to breath before she leapt back to her feet. Unfortunately for her, Grima was already on top of her by the time she did so, reaching out her hand as a black, coiling mist swirled around her hand and shot out towards Nakoruru, binding them for a few moments as the sensation of her very lifeforce was drained from her. The binding did not last long, but the effects were obvious as Nakoruru staggered slightly from the sensation… Only for Grima to follow up her attack by blasting Nakoruru’s face with a dark ball of magic, the force from the blast sending her flying and tumbling across the arena.
GRIMA WINS.
For a moment, Grima stood with her arm raised, letting out a heavy sigh. Then she brought her hand back, running it through her hair, “... That damnable bird is a nuisance, but a useful one, I will grant you that child” Grima says as she twirled her sword in her hand. With a few steps, she returned to her initial position, a hand on her hip as she waited for Nakoruru to get up and prepare herself for the next round, “A costly mistake, nearly. But a bird and a worm cannot hope to overcome the night by themselves.”

