La la la... part of a holosim... -- The Middle of Nowhere

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Date Posted: 21:40:40 11/30/02 Sat
Author: Shifter, K'anta
Subject: La la la... part of a holosim...

"Filthy lizard!"
"Human scum."

The clash of blades punctuated angry snarls, two warriors rebounding from the massive impact agilely. Sachi flipped once, twice, and landed on the balls of her feet in a crouch, lips drawn high in a snarl. Her K'antan opponent, a skilled Raptor ninja, touched down lightly as well, unruffled. Wolf and Raptor stared each other down balefully, three blades glittering in the sullied light. Smoke from the nearby city -under attack by K'anta forces- tainted the sunlight, cast livid shadows, stark against the dry ground.

Sachi stood, bare feet splayed against the ground and muscles tensed under bronze skin. A ragged, torn tunic fluttered in the weak, scorched wind, the dark blues and teals muted under the red-tinged sunlight. Twin hybrid swords were held at ready, silvery blades gleaming wickedly, the tips and edges stained with blood, both fresh and dried - but none from this K'anta. She had yet to lay a mark on the ninja; the young Wolf is a good bladeswoman, but far inferior to an experienced, skilled K'anta, be he ninja or not. Red-brown hair curled into a bun set at the top of her head, keeping her lengthening hair from receiving an untimely chop by enemy blade, and golden eyes narrowed as she focused her entire being on her opponent.

The K'anta male stood tall and proud at nearly seven feet, jade green stripes decorating his copper-hued hide, and dressed in amber pantaloons, a yellow-orange vest, and a mahogany cap. Pacific blue eyes seemed to glow as he regarded his enemy, and the Raptor shifted into a battle stance, three-fingered right hand gripping the hilt of his five-foot behemoth of a broadsword tightly, the longclaw on his first digit wrapped securely around the leather-bound haft. His left arm cocked behind his muscular torso, claws extended, and his talons dug into the soil. His short but useful tail swung behind him, curling to an extent so that his balance is flawless. He is Reo'fas, and he will not be defeated by some slip of a girl!

Sachi furrowed her brows as she felt the typical surge of energy that forebode an attack. In preparation, she reached deep within herself and felt the power that lay dormant within, but then she remembered - no K'anta knew that Shifters were helping to defend Earth from their armies. K'anta in bi form weren't keen enough to detect the human-formed Shifters, but Shifter energy had a very distinct feel, and were she to use her strength, it would be like announcing to all the attackers - look! we're Shifters! now you know how we fight, so you can just get down to defeating us!

Reo'fas sprang to the offense, slightly-curved blade sweeping downwards in an awesome strike as he descended from a leap, energy adding speed and strength to his movements. The younger Wolf grinned tightly and shot backwards, flipping once and forcing her body to respond in earnest as the Raptor sailed at her again; three blades clashed, ringing metallically in a flurry of blows before the two broke apart once more. Sachi touched down with one foot before launching into another attack, twin blades whirling in a frenzy. Every vicious swipe and thrust was effortlessly blocked by the K'anta, who counter-attacked with blazing shots of energy. Sachi twisted and dodged, delivering a powerful kick to the ninja's chest in an effort to get him away.

Another landing was made by the fighters; the Wolf mutt slid into a fighting stance immediately, but the Raptor stood tall for a moment, gauging his opponent whom he erroneously thought to be a mere human. And then they were at it again, movements too fast to be followed by the untrained eye, blades flashing in the reddish light, and neither one drawing blood, though energy blasts hit hard, as did kicks.

...an hour later...

Sachi struggled upright, using her one remaining sword as an aid to rise. Tunic and leggings now even more ragged and singed, muscles sore but untiring as befits her Wolfish endurance, she delivered a burning glare to her opponent as he, too, climbed painfully to his feet. They'd exchanged drop-kick for blast this time, and had both been slammed into the ground. "Defe jayicah enura," Sachi muttered. This is getting old. To her surprise, the K'anta laughed. "Shair." Yes. Golden eyes widened in shock, and the young woman quickly switched to English, "You speak Wolfin?!" The ninja dipped his long muzzle in a nod, "Aye, and apparently you do too... Shifter."

Sachi sucked in a quick breath, but knew that she couldn't slip it past this K'anta, as wily as he'd been proven to be. He continued, mildly amused and leaning on his sword, "So all the trouble my brethen have been having destroying the cities is because of Shifters. I should have known. No humans can match us in blade-play." Pale blue eyes narrowed as the ninja focused in on his opponent. Sachi grinned wickedly, "I admit it freely. You've been plagued by a Wolf, not some mangy human."

"I never thought I'd find my match in one of the furred race at all... let alone a Wolf." Sachi's eyebrows shot up, and she laughed wryly, "Well, congratulations, you're the first K'anta, ninja, Bountier, or otherwise, that I've not been able to kill within this length of time." The Raptor regarded his enemy with some amusement, then abruptly sheathed his blade. Sachi, surprised, lowered hers and rested the tip in the dust, lacking a sheath.

"I'll make a deal with you, Wolf. Go, and fight. Return at sunset if neither side seems to be winning, and we'll finish this. We're getting nowhere as it is. I will be waiting."

Startled and wondering if she can trust the ninja, not to mention wondering at his motive for postponing their battle, Sachi peered up at the taller warrior, cocking her head curiously. Then, grinning, she approached him and offered her free hand - her left hand still tightly gripping her blade's hilt. Baring long fangs in a dangerous grin, Reo'fas grasped her hand, squeezing tightly and sealing the deal. The Wolf nodded and backed away, tucking her blade between belt and hip. "Then I'll see you at sunset. Somehow I doubt either side will lose easily." Ears twitched minutely back at the thought of losing comrades, but she sketched a bow and turned, springing towards the next city which, by the feel of its energy, desperately needed Shifter protection.

Reo'fas leaned back against a half-crumbled wall, pale blue eyes watching her go. And he smiled a cold, knowing smile.

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