The Dead Forest (Increased Orc activity due to skirmish)

[Maximos]

Maximos wouldnt have dreamed of attack his downed friend, he had too much honor, respect and otherwise good will toward this man to do such a thing. His left hand felt a bit numb the icy chill in the rain and soothed his wounds for just a moment. The freezing aura around the glowing blue orb had turned the rainfall in a 10ft radius to snow. The tiny drops had been gently frozen into light crystals and carefully descended onto the Shadow's form.

The strike had much more meaning that simply seizing and opportunity. It showed how much his friend mattered, that Maximos would not only keep this item, but keep it with him at all times. It was not in a closet somewhere, it was in use.

He could see the frost form and Cris' body. And hear it shatter like a pane of glass when he struck the floor.

Of course I did.

Maximos responded, before lifting his hand and running it back through his hair, to clear his vision. Immediately after, he extended his right hand to help his friend stand. There was no sinister motive in it, just a friendly gesture. All with a bright smile on his face.

How could I forget?  

[Cristopher Reinhart]

Reinhart looked up tilting his head forward, then laying it back again smiling and laughing softly. It was only a moment but his hand reached for Maximos, the cold it harbored obvious from his touch. Gripping it tightly he pulled himself up and stood. Cold, beaten, and proud he looked down to one side with a reminiscent look.

Maximos would catch it, a slight moment, so rare it even surprised Reinhart when it showed. A moment of vulnerability and weakness soon to be erased by Reinhart's usual demeaner. He looked back to his friend, the snow now falling over them both casting a soft blanket of cold. Eyes locked. They were both beaten messes and standing in what was left of their battlefield.

He'd won. Reinhart was satisfied, we wanted nothing more form his friend but a shake of the hand and a smile. There was no need ot push themselves further, not this time at least, this round was over. Reinhart smiled, that smile only he could give and stuck his hand out the way anyone would for a handshake and said...

"You win old friend."

Win or lose, Reinhart was happy, he wasn't here to win in the first place, Maximos wasn't either and that he knew. He also knew Maximos would correct his wording soon but it was more a show of respect and honor to admit the 'win' to his good friend. It had come to a close, a close Reinhart expected and one he'd take with him everwhere he'd go.  

[Maximos]

Maximos met him with the brightest of smiles, providing as "firm", a grip as his broken body could to help his old friend up. They had started this match friends, and ended it just the same. There wasnt a reason in the world to thrown another punch. He just gave his friend a good pat on the shoulder and then reached out to give him a well deserved handshake.

True to Cris' expectations, Maximos tried his best to correct the wording. And not out of disrespect, but infact for the exact opposite. Their battle was intense, and fun! He didnt want to see it simply fall under the category of a win, or a loss and be pocketed away as a tally on a score card. He had seen that moment, of weakness, of vulnerability. For a moment he felt he knew Reinhart just a tad better after today.

Nahhh.

He said, almost shrugging off the mention of a win. But seizing his friends hand for a good handshake. A bright and warm smile spread across his lips.

But, I did have fun old friend. I certainly did.

It was the honest truth. This was a fight he would certainly remember. It was the type that lasts after the laundry cleans ones clothes and the herbs or spells heal ones body. From this day forward he could say this place, this Dead Forest, held at least one fond memory. And it all showed in the bright smile on his face.  

[Cristopher Reinhart]

"As did I."

He replied getting the color back in his skin, the snow still comforting his aching body like the end of their fight. No more needed to be done, they'd meet again somewhere as friends and if karma was real they'd be having a drink. There was no more reason to fight, they'd laid this one to rest as best they could and came out closer than before. Till next they met and whatever their future held they'd take this day with them. After the sun rose, their wounds mended, and their paths split once more this was their day.

"Goodbye old friend. Till we meet again."

With a half smile Reinhart lightly punched Maximos' chest then began walking forward, past him. They'd meet again soon, this round was over but thier fight would never come to an end.  

[Maximos]

Excellent!

Maximos said with the brightest smile. Like the cold blanket numbing his arm, he could feel reality return. His icy Reaper cold had worn away with the warmth of the man beneath. And he met his friend with a bright smile, and bright eyes. Despite the branch lashes on his face, or the stinging of every bone in his body, he smiled. This battle would stay with Maximos for years, until the next time these two men met. And they would meet again, it was simply their fate.

Goodbye Reinhart, I'll look forward to it.

He half winced as he was punched in the chest, a small light hearted laugh escaping him. He would never show it, but that actually stung, after the beating they had just take, even the wind stung. It was a good pain, the sort he looked forward to when these two men met again. He watched Cris walk away and then made his way back to the forest.

There, under a dome of black lay his prize. Which he whole heartedly seized up before continuing his way back to the stadium. His feet dragging behind him. He needed a shower, and some tea, immediately.  

[Xenin]

* The forest felt oddly comfotable to Xenin, although it wasn't anything like his home forest of Roven. Here the trees were of a brownish color, and the whole area had a feeling of mystery to it...it felt like a place where he should be scared. Xenin did not know exactly why he was in the forest, he guessed he had grown tired from searching for his old friends in towns. Besides, the elf always liked a little bit of an adventure. As he journeyed farther into the forest he managed to stumble into a small clearing, where a single ray of sunlight broke its way through. He stopped here and streatches for a bit before looking around*

I wonder if I am truly alone

*he said to himself in a very low voice for the feeling of being watched was constant in this place*  

[Abyssal Majesty]

"Dreary... Isn't it." A feminine voice echoed from above, amongst the trees.

Asherah's chilly yellow eyes glowed softly from the tree she was perched in, following the man as he walked into the clearing. Perhaps a little game of cat and mouse was in store. 'Perfect' was the only word she could think of as she lowered herself to a small branch, but she was still concealed. A small gust of wind picked up some of the dead leaves from the ground and swept them in little circles, also providing a cover of noise for her to move further.

 

[Xenin]

*Xenin did not react to the voice. He acted like this female was not even there...How had Xenin been so foolish? His suit could have concealed him if he had used it porperly. His suit was made from a type of leather only crafted by elves, it was modified to turn into any color sorrounding, thus camouflaging its target completly. Xenin thought quickly about his following actions, and shaking his head he ran into the forest ahead activating his suit as he ran find cover behind trees. To the normal eye he would look like a bumb in one of these trees. The elf hoped that wahtever person ahd spotted him would have the dignity to show herself before he ascertained if she was a threat or not*  

[Abyssal Majesty]

A cat like grin formed on her face as she say him run to the very tree she was on and cloak. Sinking her nails into the bark of the tree, Asherah began to descend, inching closer and closer.

"Heehee.." A little giggle escaped her lips as she grew even closer to then man.

Taking a deep, silent breath, she jumped down in front of tree where she knew he was, albeit a few feet away. Landing on her feet, she gradually stood up and crossed her arms.

"What's a little elf like you doing out here..." She turned to look at the tree, knowing he was still cloaked. "You might run into something scary."

Her eyes were fixed on the spot as a smile painted her face.

 

[Xenin]

.Antique Heartbeat.

A cat like grin formed on her face as she say him run to the very tree she was on and cloak. Sinking her nails into the bark of the tree, Asherah began to descend, inching closer and closer.

"Heehee.." A little giggle escaped her lips as she grew even closer to then man.

Taking a deep, silent breath, she jumped down in front of tree where she knew he was, albeit a few feet away. Landing on her feet, she gradually stood up and crossed her arms.

"What's a little elf like you doing out here..." She turned to look at the tree, knowing he was still cloaked. "You might run into something scary."

Her eyes were fixed on the spot as a smile painted her face.

*Xenin was not scared of his woman, he felt that she was of little threat to him. The elf stood 6 feet ttall, he had considerable quickness, streangh and a vast arrangement of daggers and poisons. Still something felt funny about her, so he moved slowly, making no sounds whatsoever creeping inch and inch away from that spot until he actually managed to move in behind her, and then he spoke in his soft deep voice*

And what...

*Xenin moved away to the far left without makign any sound of making tracks*

could that

*Xenin jumped up a tree*

something scary

* he climbed higher*

be?  

[Abyssal Majesty]

Her elongated ears twitched as she turned around and reached for her hip nonchalantly. Asherah pulled out a small knife and flung it in the direction of a tree she thought he was on, hopefully hitting somewhere close.

"Something you'll have to find out yourself."

Though she was immensely smaller than him, she had an advantage over him. He didn't know what she was. Holding up her hand, she softly snapped her fingers, a small pocket ace she had. The knife in the tree began to make a small sparking noise as a large plume of smoke began to spill from it's handle. Asherah backed up against the tree behind her and let her eyes snake about her surroundings, hoping the smoke would contour his shape.

 

[Xenin]

*As soon as she threw the knife at him, Xenin jumped away from the tree. In mid air he reached into his suit and pulled out one long black dagger, as soon as he landed behind her he attempted to grab her weapoon hand with his left hand, and with his right hand place the dagger at the short woman's throat*

Now we have a problem...

*he whispered into her ear as he played with his blade drawing it closer to her neck, one small move and he would cut her thrat and set of a blood geyser right there...or so he thought*

(btw im not saying that he actully suceeded in holding you down, thats what would've happened if he did suceed))  

[Abyssal Majesty]

-*smiles* Right-o.-

Blinking softly, Asherah reached down her thigh with her left hand and quietly grabbed the handle of her blue sai sword. With a flick and twirl of her fingers, she had it pointing right towards a most sacred male area. A smile grew on her face.

"It seems we do indeed. Let me go and you'll still have children to look forward to..."

 

[Xenin]

You women are al the same...

*he said as he pushed her away gently enough not to hurt her, but hard enough to get some distance between them, before he took of his disguise. Seeing as now the woman knew where he was there was no point in keeping his act up. After his clothes had returned to black Xenin took off his hood, only to reveal the face of a handsome young elf. His wasn't perfect however, because of the several scars on it. There was one acros his left eye socket ( a light scar nothing that did not permit him to see), one long gash on his right cheek...and a burnt mark on his forhead that spelled: D. Xenin's most prominent feature was his flaming red hair, which contrasted deeply with his pale skin. His eyes were also interesting, they were ocean blue...a feature that was unenhanced by the circles around his eyes that showed many sleepless nights...Xenin then said*

No sense of honor you should cling to our only true weakness, without any shame...

*his voice was full of tease rather than malice or hatred*  

[Abyssal Majesty]

Asherah stumbled forward and quickly turned to look at him. Her eyes were poised and locked onto the elf. She herself wasn't bad to look at, she wore a simply pair of low riding, black leather pants with slender combat boots to match. To the top, she was wearing a simple black camisole, that showed off her mid section and little navel piercing. Her hair was short and layered to the point of spikes, it was also an odd color to contrast her pale skin. Colbalt blue, which reflected off the silver earrings on her rounded elongated ears.

"All the same huh? That's sad you really think that."

Asherah slowly pulled into a defensive stance as she put away her sword, and instead, held up her fists.