Sparks Ignited

[a_linear_mind]

[Locked to Elys]

[A few days after a rather disastrous reunion with an old friend, Willis has taken Strahlend out (despite it's damage) and is using it to vent out his frustrations on the poor rusted targets that litter Fort Alhambra. After he finishes destroying everything around him he fixes the targets and then gets ready to destroy them again.]

....what am I doing?

[He collapses back into the seat of his cockpit, pausing the second round of mindless destruction. There was no reason for him to be acting like this. And yet here he was, he wasn't sure if he was more mad at Elys or himself but the entire situation between them just frustrated him to no end.]

Comments

[a_linear_mind]

I could say the same thing to you.

[Willis starts to runs his hand through his hair nervously, knowing that this wouldn't be the end of it.]

[a_centered_mind]

I just...don't understand why you keep choosing the option that's bad for you...

Do you think I can't handle it?

[a_linear_mind]

Because I'd rather bear it myself than have people that I care about have to worry about me or worse, get hurt because of it.

You should know, sometimes it's better to leave people you care about in the dark, for their sake.

[a_centered_mind]

I don't want to be lectured on that by you, of all people.

[Amagahara places a palm against its face, mirroring Elys.]

And we still have to come to some sort of solution.

[a_linear_mind]

You're the one that started all of this.

...but I agree, just trying to talk about this won't solve anything when it keeps leading to arguments.

[That's when Strahlend forms Quicksilver and points it at Amagahara.]

Since we both intend on being stubborn and childish...let's settle this like we did back then. If I win you tell me exactly why you left, if you win I'll explain everything. That sounds fair enough to me.

[a_centered_mind]

...

Fine.

[Amagahara draws its long sword, Kuchinashi, and takes up its usual stance.]

Talking was never my strong suit anyway.

[a_linear_mind]

That's unfortunate, because you're going to be doing a lot of it in a few minutes.

[Strahlend flicks it's wrist and in an instant the sword it was carrying seemingly disappears. A second later Strahlend swings twice with the missing blade, unleashing two bright crescents of energy towards Amagahara before it charges at it's sister machine. The machine swings with it's right hand, however this is merely a feint and at the last second Quicksilver reappears in the machine's left hand and is thrust towards the chest of the elegant machine.]

[a_centered_mind]

Where's all that confidence coming from?

[Amagahara intercepts the blade waves with swings of its own, though it doesn't fire its own waves with those. Which leaves the melee attack...]

...

[The feint almost works. Almost, because Elys suddenly releases her hold on her sword, and reverses her grip to deflect the left handed thrust, which goes off to the side and only scratches her machine's shoulder.

While that happens, Amagahara's left leg suddenly shoots out in a straight side kick directed at Strahlend's center mass to knock it backwards.]

[a_linear_mind]

Who knows, maybe I'm just an overconfident idiot.

[Willis focuses as Quicksilver is deflected, quickly changing the shape of the blade into a much larger broadsword and swinging it down at the same moment that Strahlend is knocked back by the force of that kick. The machine's grip on it's weapon is released, sending the sword crashing into the ground.]

Zephyr!

[He wastes no time in shifting Strahlend's form and ignites the newly formed thrusters, charging at Amagahara again. At the same time the machine raises a hand and the blade embedded into the ground begins to move and then swings upwards. A few seconds later, Strahlend catches the handle of the blade while moving towards Amagahara and swings the weapon down again.]

[a_centered_mind]

Well...

[Amagahara sidesteps as Quicksilver, embedded in the ground, begins to move. Sparks fly when the sword remotely swings upwards though, because it's parried again as Elys turns - her own sword still held in that reverse grip.

Willis' downward strike is likewise blocked as she completes this turn. The only difference is that she has to raise her weapon almost horizontal, and with both hands, to stop Strahlend in its tracks.]

At least you're acknowledging something.

[a_linear_mind]

I did say maybe.

[As his own weapon is stopped by Amagahra's blade, Willis could see the two nanothorn blades attempt to and fail at tearing through each other. The constant stream of nanomachines repairing each blade was a sight to be seen.]

Doesn't look like this will work... Spada.

[Strahlend waves out it's hand, spreading his own swarm through the area. He knew it was useless to attempt a nanomachine attack on a machine that had them also. As such, the swarm begins forming thin, arrow-like blades that quickly reposition around the deadlock.]

Let's try this then.

[And with a simple snap of it's fingers the blades encircle Amagahara and all charge at the machine simultaneously. Not leaving any room for escape.]

[a_centered_mind]

That's...

[Shortly before the blades approach, the ring on the back of Amagahara flashes. Willis' projectiles are countered by similar weapons that manifested out of thin air.

At the same time...]

It won't work!

[The deadlock is suddenly shifted, as Amagahara swings with surprising might. It's as if all of the weight of Willis' previous blows were channeled in this one strike too!]

[a_linear_mind]

That's quick...but you should know me better than that!

[And against the powerful attack coming towards him, Willis decides to...step into the attack!? Against all common sense, Strahlend moves forward with a single step towards Amagahara and seemingly defeat. As he does this the summoned blades collide into each other, scattering the many weapons in every direction and completely tearing up the area around them. Strahlend reforms Quicksilver back into it's regular form and this time the blade disappears as he swings it in the step he took, breaking the deadlock of his own accord and risking himself to land a hit on Amagahara.]

One step.

[Any person that didn't have a death wise wouldn't do what Wiillis was doing, even if he was able to recover from severe wounds. Walking that easily into danger without hesitation was something he was uncomfortably used to doing.]

[a_centered_mind]

...You're right.

[Thanks to that move, Strahlend begins cutting into Amagahara. Begins, but doesn't quite finish, because it'll find its sword arm suddenly restrained.

In a matter of miliseconds, Amagahara's blade has shifted its form, mid-swing - partly becoming something more like cloth than a solid piece of steel. This moves like a snake to entangle Strahlend's limb.]

But what I'm holding isn't just a sword!

[The momentum from the slash is brought into yanking the opponent by the arm and swinging it up, away and into the ground!]

[a_linear_mind]

That quickly?

[Considering that they were in a very intense situation he was surprised that Elys was able to shift Amagahara's blade that quickly. Something about the form change looked different as well but he couldn't put his finger on it, and he didn't really have time to think hard on it. His opponent could easily shift the blade back into metal and carve up the arm along with Strahlend very easily in a few short attacks if he let her.

As the machine's sword arm is plunged into the ground the blade suddenly grows and expands into several different blades that all branch out into the ground. Since he was about to go head first into the ground while being tied up with a bladed cloth this move had to count. Strahlend pulls on the blade as it's new branches began to spread into the ground, lifting itself up using it's captured limb. As it reaches a vertical position with it's legs in the air it's shoulder joint breaks off almost intentionally, allowing it to continue it's movement forward and come down with an axe kick aimed towards the back of Amagahara's neck. To make matters worse for Elys, small thrusters as well as rounded almost buzzsaw-like blades emerge on both sides of the heel of the foot coming down at her machine and they are both activated to put even more power into the kick.]

Got you.

[a_centered_mind]

[Sparks erupt as Strahlend's buzzsaw axe kick makes contact.]

Well done.

[Contact though, in this case, is made with the ring on Amagahara's back, that is now glowing brightly to fend off the strike. A half turn was all that was needed to put the ring between itself and Strahlend. Good thing it was already doing so while trying to swing its foe around.]

You would have gotten me...had this not been here.

[But it doesn't end there, as the ring emits a burst of silvery blue energy to repel Willis!]

[a_linear_mind]

The ring...

[Strahlend is caught off guard by the sudden burst of energy, the machine's awkward grip on it's deeply rooted blade is released but thankfully Willis manages to catch the hilt of the blade with Strahlend's left arm as it's blasted back. The damage on the machine was very visible as sparks began to shoot out from exposed bits of the machine that were blown off thanks to tanking that explosion of energy at point-blank range. For some reason the self-repair functions of the machine did not seem to be working as quickly as they usually did.

This did not seem to deter Willis at all. Once again the thrusters on the feet of the machine are charged before exploding out, sending the machine whirling around the sword in the ground. The result was a tornado of bladed kicks all aimed towards Amagahara. In case Elys wanted to escape she would find it a bit harder to do so as a large amount of dart-like blades suddenly emerges from the ground, surrounding Amagahara and attempting to pin her up to stop any escape attempt.]

[a_centered_mind]

Still going. In that case...

[Another all-range attack approaches. The numerous darts are met by the sudden appearance of two floating swords, which quickly scatter into a hazy cloud that forms a barrier between the projectiles and Amagahara. They aren't meant to stop the darts; only slow them down and give her a bit of room...]

Seventh Grace...

[That's because the previous half-turn has also given Elys the proper footing to take up her normal two-handed sword stance. She raises her sword vertially before doing so, and after that, thrusts forward against the barrage of kicks as the weapon glows.]

Vanishing Point!

[A sizable bluish silver beam is fired from the tip of the long sword's blade - a point blank shot against the kicking tornado!]

[a_linear_mind]

[That was a surprise, with the amount of energy that was being built up he was convinced that Elys figured out the same trick he did in his time in La Gias.]

Fafnir.

[To counteract this Willis changes Strahlend's mode once again. The hovering darts mirrored their counterparts and scattered into a hazy cloud as well. Instead of attempting to block the beam they clearly could not handle, the cloud gathered around the machine's right leg. He only had one chance at getting this right and if he messed up it would be his defeat. Willis waited as the sword was raised up, there was going to be a point...he just had to wait for the discharge.]

There!

[The exact moment the beam was fired Strahlend stopped it's motion and instead slammed it's foot down toward towards the sword before gathering a massive amount of matter and converting it into one burst of energy to counteract the Vanishing Point. Time seemed to stand still for a brief moment as the massive red blast erupted out to meet the blue beam. The two ridiculous masses of energy clashed and then expanded out in every direction. A massive explosion followed, completely leveling the area and removing anything in the radius around them. As the smoke from the devastation finally cleared the winner of the clash was made apparent. Thanks to Elys' beam being focused it was able to pierce through Strahlend's burst of energy and rip through the machine's foot and the rest of the body above it. When all was said and done Strahlend was now kneeling on the ground with it's remaining arm and leg. The U.I.I.N System working rapidly to restore the missing limbs.]

This...this is bad.

1/2

[a_centered_mind]

...!

[After the devastating blast, Amagahara does not fare much better. Various bits across its body are just gone, and half of its face having internal mechanics exposed. The UIIN system was likewise working on restoring the damage, which could prove crippling if this pushed on.

But more importantly, Elys had noticed something incredible...]

He was able to gather that much energy...with just the V1 system...?

2/2

[a_centered_mind]

[It's not the time to be amazed for long though. If the nanomachines could not be used further, then it was down to conventional melee fighting. To that end, Amagahara raises its blade once more.]

...You may say that. But I know you won't let this be the end.

[a_linear_mind]

Heh, I'm sure you don't want it to end on this note either Elys.

[With all of his nanomachines prioritizing repairs on Strahlend, the machine's limbs are at least restored to working order. Even if the were shooting sparks out every other second.]

I know I'm pushing you really hard for a stupid reason Strahlend, but this fight means a lot to me right now and it's the only way I know how to do deal with our arguments. So just hold on a bit longer.

[In response to its pilot's wishes the machine reinforces its joints and manages to stand itself back up. As it does its remaining eye flashes with a glint of red. Without warning it stomps its foot into the ground, causing Quicksilver to suddenly emerge from the ruined earth below them. Strahlend then rushes forward, catching Quicksilver in the midst of it's dash.

As this battle was coming to it's conclusion Willis simply had a large grin plastered across his face. There was no denying it, he was enjoying this. The thrill, the excitement, feelings from a battle that he could only truly enjoy when he was up against an opponent like Elys.]

Do you remember...when our machines had to fight like this? Without any tricks or secrets.

[And in the midst of this tense moment...Willis finally manages to speak to his former best friend normally. Saying these words as Strahlend closes the gap between them and swings down diagonally at Amagahara.]

[a_centered_mind]

[Likewise, a smile crosses Elys' lips. She knew there'd be trouble later on. But right now none of that mattered.]

I've never been in a fight like this in a while...

[This time, Amagahara uses only one hand to wield its sword, meeting Strahlend's charge. More sparks erupt as the blades make contact.]

Although I wouldn't say there was any time when there were no tricks at all.

[a_linear_mind]

Ah, that's true, you were always coming up with some pretty unfair shenanigans whenever you had simulator time...

[Despite how the sparring session had gone so far, Willis knew that dealing with Elys in pure melee combat would be the hardest part.

As the sparks continued to erupt from the blades' back and forth clash, Strahlend would suddenly weaken and pull back Quicksilver, allowing Amagahara to overpower it for a second. Once this happened Strahlend took another step forward. This was the most important step in this fight. Willis knew Elys' preference for longer blades, and this would be the only way he could take advantage of this knowledge. With the last bit of distance closed and his sword arm pulled back, Willis took aim at the chest of the machine and then thrust Quicksilver towards it.]

Feel free to surrender at any time, Elys!

[a_centered_mind]

I don't think so.

You're not the only one who can do this.

[This time, Willis wasn't the only one moving forward. In slow motion, Amagahara too takes a surprising step forth! The longer blade helps it here as it puts itself at risk of getting hit by Willis' attack, in order to deal the finishing blow!]