Act 2: Upheaval IV - The Green Bachelor

Konrad can spot the Zerva family from here since they are sitting in the first two rows of the terraces. Nadzieja glances nervously at them and notices Saria waving happily at her. Combined with Konrad's sudden proclamation, this manages to embolden her resolve for the upcoming battle. She nods at the red mage and keeps her eyes forward, fixed on the gate on the other side of the Arena.

"The man with an unforgettable scar, and proud Captain of the Vulcan; Konrad Wildfire Graaaaaaaaaanger!"

This must be the first time Konrad has seen so many people cheer for him like this.

Konrad lifts his free hand skyward and roars with the din of the crowd.

Awareness 22
Spot Femke

Steve claps his hands and cheers for Konrad.

The crowd roars back at Konrad.

"The sly prankster with the magnificent hat, the Devil of the Citadel; Steve Oooooldturn!"

Steve can hear people "oooh" and "aaah" at this peculiar moniker, and he gets the feeling some of them have heard it before.

Konrad:

Steve takes off his hat and waves it at the crowd. While doing that, he grabs his nose and wiggles it. He repeats this pattern 3 more times, hitting all four areas of the stadium. He then puts his hat back on and tosses the last of his fireworks on the ground and laughs as they go off.

The audience has come to be entertained, and that's exactly what they're getting when Steve uses his fireworks for them. Zenobiusz and Nadzieja can't help but grin at this, and the crowd lets Steve know they're glad he did so. Many fairies points at the fireworks that launch in the air and explode in a multitude of colors.

"And the last of Nadzieja's champions; Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiihaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiii!"

The crowd gets a kick out of that, and the party can see many people smile and laugh at this introduction. The humor is clearly not lost on them, and they cheer for it.

Mihai waves casually - "Hey."

Steve laughs at Mihai's joke and claps and cheers for him along with everyone else.

The announcer looks at the gate at the northern side of the Arena, which slowly begins to rise on his signal.

"And now, their opponents; led by the Master of the Elements himself, and renowned bachelor, Zenoooooon Dumaaaaaaaaaa!"

The green mage enters the center of the Arena under the applause of the audience. He waves at the people while beaming with genuine glee; he obviously loves the attention. What the party members undoubtedly choose to focus on are his studded leather armor and the unusual bow he is holding in his left hand. Sharp blades are jutting out of the limbs of the bow, which would certainly allow him to attack anyone coming into melee range of him.

Szef Duma turns his attention away from the crowd and looks at Nadzieja instead. He waves at her from forty feet away and yells, "Hello Nadzieja!"

The young monk only glances at him, for she is much more interested in the champions he has chosen. Two women and two men, all of them wearing mage robes of different colors; black, white, yellow, red, and for Zenon, an elegant green cloak.

"How you doing?"

Smiling, Konrad yells back, "We're doing quite well! This is your only chance, Zenon! Throw in the towel, unless you're looking forward to bruising that tender hide raw and purple!"

"Be careful; I give back as good as I get!"

"Seems like our champions are itching for a fight!" the announcer exclaims. "Let us not waste anymore time and get to know the last of these brave warriors; first is Szef Duma's little sister, his second-in-command, Aaaaaaaaaangelikaaaaaaa Duuuuumaaaaaa!"

The black mage, a young woman in her late twenties, steps forward and respectfully bows to the party. Her shoulder-length blonde hair contrast heavily with her robes, and although it's difficult to see the resemblance between her and her brother, she certainly matches him when it comes to attractiveness. She holds a long metallic quarterstaff in her right hand on which are inscribed many woven runes, but they are unidentifiable from this distance.

Mihai can't help but nod respectfully at the bow.

Konrad winks from this distance.

Steve tips his hat to her in respect.

Angelika smiles back at the party members before facing the announcer again.

"Next, we have Zenon Duma's favorite healer, for she's healed all of his injuries since he was eighteen years old; Aaannaaaaaaaaa Gaaaaaaaawwwrych!"

The white mage, a woman in her late thirties, raises her quarterstaff high in the hair while the crowd cheers for her. She moves with such confidence and elegance, it's as if nothing could make her lose her cool.

"Intrepid adventurer and part-time weaver, Tytuuuuuuuuuus Skrocki!"

The yellow mage, a middle-aged man whose raven hair has just started to turn gray, gazes at the party members with interest and salutes them with the slightest of nods. He leans on his own quarterstaff, using it as if it was a cane, and appears to be patiently waiting for the battle to begin.

"And our very last champion, Zenon Duma's childhood friend and shield, the Grim Reaper himself; Maryyyyyyyyyyyn Auuuuugustyn!"

The red mage, a six feet tall man who wears chainmail armor under his red robes, finally steps forward. He holds a long black scythe in his hands, which he then swings in front of him to demonstrate his martial ability with it. Suddenly, the blade turns into molten lava and Maryn Augustyn finishes his demonstration by slashing at the sand, which the scythe turns black.

This crowd is in awe of the power of this weapon.

Konrad raises his shield. He's ready.

Mihai looks at the scythe, then at Maryn, and almost betrays a smile. He keeps Waterglass sheathed, for modesty's sake.

Than he looks at Duma, raises his hand to his sword's handle and raises his voice to match - "We don't want anyone to die, but we won't hold back."

Steve is impressed by the white mage and returns the salute of the yellow. But he's in awe of the scythe. He claps and cheers after Maryn Augustyn is done demonstrating his skill with it.

Konrad nods and adds, "We'll take a mile for every inch!"

"And you shall expect the same from us," Zenon replies. "Oh, I almost forgot; may the best win."

Nadzieja smiles at her opponent and says, "May the best win."

"Szef Duma, Szef Zerva," the announcer begins. "Please step behind the lines I've drawn in the sand."

The crowd starts to quieten down when they realize what is happening. Nadzieja signals to her champions to take position behind the lines, and Zenon does the same with the rest of his team. The sun is just past its zenith, and here in the middle of the Arena, it feels like spring has finally come.

"This fight ends when all the members of one team have either surrendered, been knocked unconscious, or have fallen into battle. If I believe it necessary to stop the fight, I expect each and everyone of you to abide by this decision. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Zenon says.

Nadzieja and Zenobiusz nods, and so do Duma's mages. The Arena has suddenly fallen very quiet all of a sudden.

Konrad nods as he steps into place.

Mihai nods, and grips his sword like he means it.

The announcer steps back towards the side door, his eyes fixed on the two teams. Standing next to Nadzieja, Mihai mutters - "I'm going left." - The crowd talks among themselves, waiting for the inevitable battle to start, until finally, the announcer brings the microphone to his mouth and says, "Fight!"

the Fight is on:

The White Mages stand at the ready, Konrad, Steve and most of Duma's party begin to cast, while Maryn raises his weapon - too late, as it's Mihai who's the fastest to seize the initiative and charges at the Red Mage. After the exhibition of the Magma Scythe, no one had expected to see him draw a weapon the caliber of Waterglass, which makes itself obvious in the crowd's reaction - none of which matters to Mihai so much as making his strike land as his ice blade blazes past Maryn's block and finds it's mark, tearing through the Red Mage's armor.

"Urgghh....!!" - he groans - "good one!"

The landed hit almost lets Mihai overfocus on his target, but he still catches Zenon Duma get into position out of the corner of his eye, readying his bow blade and nocking a strange arrow aimed at his head. - "I'm sorry about this, Mihai!" - He lets fly.

Muscle memory saves Breeze's Demon Hunter from the worst headache ever, as he nimbly jerks aside enough to feel the arrow graze the top of his neck. A split second later he hears a loud BOOM behind him as the arrow detonates once it strikes the wall, leaving a hole in it's place.

"Nicely done!" - Duma acknowleges, just before he snaps his fingers. Mihai is not amused, as a fleeting twitch of Horror betrays his eyes as he realizes what it would have done to him. He doesn't have time to recover from the shock, as the sand of the Arena rises in a swirl of magical energy, giving form to a hulking mass of Earth in the rough shape of Duma himself, holding a massive axe in it's hands.

"This one is mine." - Nadzieja declares unperturbed as she stands her ground. As if in response to the challenge, the Aspect makes for her.

Konrad however is distracted by none of this, as he quickly sidesteps the obstructions to his target, raises his ring and discharges the spell contained there. The bolt of energy hits Anna Gawrych right in the chest, and Konrad can see her skin begin to turn into stone. Tytus Strocky raises his hand in an effort to stop the spell, ultimately to no avail as the stone effect completely engulfs the distraught white mage.

The shock of what she just saw momentarily breaks Angelika Duma's concentration, unable to keep from shouting - "You don't attack her in this state, and we'll do the same for you! Deal?"

"Of course! Why would we do that?!" - Steve looks genuinely confused at the idea.

"Said it before, don't want any dying!" - Mihai can't help but shout back.

Konrad is a little shaken by the perceived threat, but it doesn't slow him down as he targets Tytus, a grim look stiffening the Red Mage's countenance the moment he acts. Pomp and swagger beforehand are all well and good, but things are serious now. He's determined to win. The Yellow Mage sighs as he realizes what's coming, and readies his quarterstaff with a lightning charge as he braces for Konrad's incoming blast, which hits him with full force in the chest and begins to set his clothes on fire, his attempt to minimize the damage having been futile.

The crowd exclaims shock at this, having partly forgotten about the faceless Earth Aspect that now stares at Nadzieja and slowly approaches her with its massive weapon at the ready. Suddenly, invisible magical energy expels from it, causing the sand around it to fly away in the air. The crowd is very much impressed by this display of magic, and they quickly quiet down.

Sensing what state the Aspect is in, Konrad yells out to Nadzieja - "That aura protects it! Don't waste your time!"

"NO SHIT!" - Nadzieja shouts back at Konrad with terror in her eyes as the Aspect raises it's weapon for one mighty swing. She's unable to block the power move, and the axe cuts deeply into Nadzieja's body, quickly spilling warm blood on the sand. The audience gaps at this sight.

"I'm really sorry about this." - The Aspect apologetically tells her, which does nothing to placate an enraged Mihai at the sight of such a massive red gash on her small frame. He immediately regrets looking away, as Maryn takes the opportunity to begin casting a spell of his own - "Ok, let's get ser--" - "Fuck that!" - before he is interrupted by Mihai's greatsword, leaving another frozen laceration on the Red Mage's body.

This doesn't stop Maryn's second spell however, as he brings his hand down to summon a massive bolt of lightning down on Mihai's head, in a thundering blast that leaves the swordsman charred and battered and struggling to keep his footing. The amount of magic flying across the Arena amazes and frightens the audience.

Zenobiusz has their backs however, as he raises his hands and casts a healing gush of Life Energy on both Mihai and Nadzieja. Steve begins to follow suit, but his attempt is thwarted by Tytus, who tries to Silence his ability to cast. Steve fights back, but the Yellow Mage is not taking no for an answer, intensifying his mental assault on the young caster. The two mages lock wills, until Steve's finally comes out on top, breaking Tytus' hold over him for good and throwing in a face at him for good measure, causing the Yellow Mage make a face back - though not nearly as hardcore - and also break from his group in anticipation of the return fire.

As the magical malestrom rages on, Nadzieja stares down the Earth Aspect and her fists begin to glow with Elemental energy. She steps in and unloads a flurry of blows on the Aspect's body, ending in a shattering wheel kick up it's face that sends chunks of shredded earth flying. It's body however, doesn't even flinch as it looks impassively at her. Nadia looks surprised to the sum of nothing, her effort being enough to keep the magical entity on her, and off the rest of her party.

Mangled bits of dirt pepper the opposite side of the arena, some crumbling to dust as they touch the swirling magical wash of Angelika Duma, who looks ready to unleash a storm of her own. Unable to tear himself from Maryn, Mihai can only brace for the oncoming onslaught, until a barrage of magical frost condenses past him and hits Angelika square in the chest before she can discharge her own.

A split second faster, Steve runs to the left whooping like a loon and throwing magic in the air. It flies over the action and then explodes, raining down magical energy on Duma's team. Zenon, Maryn, Angelika and Tytus are all engulfed in Steve's bombardment.

The Black Mage doesn't let up and follows through with a second volley concentrated on Angelika. The blonde caster cries out in pain as she's tossed to the ground like a ragdoll, being spared the worst outcome thanks to Steve having thankfully channeled his power into his specialty stun blast. Tytus is similarly struck down by Snowstorm's barrage.

Zenon likewise takes the full brunt of the assault, but withstands it with little in the way of difficulty. Maryn manages to avoid part of it, but looks visibly strained now.

Being the good sport, Duma can't help but applaud his opponent's effort - "Nice one, ki-- not cool!" - he quickly reverses himself as he sees his sister trying in vain to struggle back to her feet, before collapsing on the ground. Tytus holds himself up, far longer than he should, but finally falls to the ground too.

Steve allows himself a moment to adjust his hat in triumph. As for Konrad - "I'm sorry, are we not fighting for succession?" - he yells out - "Take this fight more seriously or carry her out of here, your choice."

As the tide turns, Mihai feels all the damage he has incurred charging his signature technique something massive. He plants his feet, raises his sword back, but just before he commits to the strike he realizes with horror what would happen to Maryn if he hit him full force. He glares a warning at the Red Mage to get out of his way and switches his attention to Duma, raising his voice at the Szef - "Everyone is still alive for now. They don't have to wake up to find you dead. If you push me any further, there's a good chance they will."

The green mage smiles - "Likewise, Mihai." - He readies his bow, narrowing the swordsman's options down to a single course.

Mihai grimmaces and lets out an enraged growl, channeling his aggression into one final charge at the Szef of Dziki. He bolts forward, feeling Waterglass cut the air, and then the hard sand under his feet like it wasn't even there, as the icy blade flies unstoppable at Zenon Duma. The sand beneath them blasts upward, in a geyser of yellow dust and red blood under the massive force of the swing's updraft. It tears right through the Green Mage's armor, spattering him with blood sprayed from a massive flash-frozen gash across his chest. Duma's body shudders from the massive hit, and the Szef must struggle to keep his footing. But he does keep it. - "My..." - he struggles to speak, through the blood coughing out of his mouth, until he regains himself with a bloody smile staring right at the swordsman - "My turn now."

Duma takes a leap back, out of Mihai's threat range. The swordsman is still recovering from his swing and can't give chase quick enough to stop Duma knocking another arrow. The time he aims for Mihai's center of mass and lets fly. Mihai can't dodge in time, taking the blast square in the chest, blown away out of range of Maryn as well. He takes the force of the blow to flip back onto his feet, but is now powerless and knows it. There's nothing to stop Maryn from bringing another bolt of lightning down on his head.

Except Konrad. The Red Mage charges another blast, but Duma isn't done yet. He quickly nocks another arrow and releases the bowstring, letting fly right into Konrad's shoulder. The usual concussive blast doesn't occur this time however, but a swarm of raw magic tentacles spills from the end of the arrow, lurching at his head. Wildfire bites down, willing off the worst of the devastating effect it could have on him.

The ordeal however, leaves him mentally drained. Konrad's strength sapped, he nevertheless pulls himself together and resumes his assault, gritting through the pain in his shoulder and charging up a raging fireball he blasts at Maryn, bringing the enemy Red Mage down in flames. He prepares to do the same for Duma, but notices how the Green Mage is hanging by a thread. Judging that another blast would undoubtedly kill Zenon, he opts to cast a Scan instead. The spell confirms what everyone suspected - hitting Duma with anything stronger than a slap right now would end his life. Konred trusts his comrades to bring this to an end without anyone having to be buried today.

Mihai tries one more time to reason - "Duma stand the fuck down! You could be dead in seconds if you're not treated!"

Wounded and bloody, the Green Mage merely flashes a red smile - "Guess you better heal me, then."

They all soon regret their mercy, as instead of relenting, Earth Zenon disengages from Nadia, completely unfazed by her otherwise devastating pounding. He goes right up to - "Hello, Mihai." - "Hey."

As Mihai gets ready to evade another axing, spikes begin to grow instead from the Aspect's shoulders. Realizing too late, Mihai does his best to block the incoming rain of deadly dirt - as does everyone else - to no avail. The ensuing barrage deals a devastating blow to the whole party. Zenobiusz holds on to his bleeding gut, barely able to stand. Amazingly, no one goes down.

"Good," - the Aspect says - "I was afraid i'd kill you."

In a likely bad idea, Mihai yanks out the spike protruding from his gut. From how dark the ensuing blood is, he guesses it's his liver. He glares at the Aspect - "Fucking idiot..."

Zenobiusz gathers the last of his strength and casts a final cure spell on the entire party. Their wounds promptly begin to close and some of their strength returns, but the White Mage looks exhausted. - "I can't do much more of this!"

Mihai begins to grimace darkly, as he sees his options quickly narrowing down. Until he catches Nadia out of the corner of his eye, walking toward Duma. Nadzieja stops in front of Zenon, who gives her a tired and bloody smile. "This is going to hurt, isn't it?" he says. "Please be gentle."

"I will," she replies.

And out of the blue, she puts her arms around his shoulders and kisses him passionately.


Steve looks grossed out. Konrad is taken aback. Mihai's jaw drops. Earth Zenon... is unreadable.

The crowd goes dead silent. Then a few seconds later, the Aspect crumbles into a pile of dirt, grass and flowers. As for Duma, he's shackled.


Konrad is at first shocked and green with envy, until he sees the shackles and snorts a giggle. Steve starts laughing. Mihai is still dumb-faced. Duma stares at the shackles in shock and chuckles at his own foolishness. "Fuck me..."

He falls head first on the ground.

Meanwhile, Nadzieja wipes the blood clean from her lips. The crowd breaks out in applause. Immediately, the announcer's voice resonates throughout the Arena. "Szef Zerva and her champions win this fight!"

Life, Cure and Esuna spells shoot out from the two gates and hit everyone in the ring of sand, restoring everyone to full. Konrad pulls out the spike that hit him in the chest while the healing magic flies out. Pulling it out almost feels good, too. After wrenching a spike out of his leg, he starts walking over to the two. "Well," he says, "that was painful to watch."

When Steve stops laughing, eventually, he waves at the audience and walk towards the others. "I didn't see that coming. Good prank Nadia!". The young monk doesn't seem to mind that the black mage called her Nadia. Between short breaths, she turns to Steve and says, "I didn't see that coming either."

The other mages begin to rise from the ground under the applause of the crowd. Many are chanting the Zerva name.

Mihai swings the blood off his sword and sheathes it.

Spellcraft 22
Effects of Duma's gear (curious to see if he has any HP bonuses

Still right next to Duma and Nadia, Konrad raises his arms and lets up a cheer. His name's not in the chant, but he knows they're cheering for the winners. And Konrad, he's a winner.

He brings them down and looks at Nadia. "That was certainly a passionate way to win a fight. Is that what they teach at the monasteries these days? Sign me up for that."

"You can practice on Master Avalon then," Nadzieja says. She faces at the section of the terraces where her clansmen and family are seated to find them all on their feet, cheering and clapping for her. With a look of relief on her face, she raises her fist and smiles at them.

The crowd erupts in applause again.

Meanwhile, Zenobiusz slowly makes his way towards the other adventurers.

"That was... unexpected," he says. "I'm glad nobody died."

The Arena's white mages approach the fighters to examine them and tend to their wounds if any remain. Angelika Duma isn't in the least concerned about her injuries however, as the adventurers can hear her reprimand her brother.

"How could you fall for that!?" she exclaims.

"I know, I know..." he weakly retorts.

Konrad: