A Dragon's Loyalty [Open]

[Mathew Amtrum]

"Identify yourself."

He stepped forward, the stone around his body silently turning and twisting for use should he need it. The guy was not one of there Dragons, which meant he was in the wrong neighborhood. So he would either answer their questions and be escorted out, run away, or fall. Those were the three out comes, and considering how many Barker assassins have been trying to make their way in to their land. He had better fucking talk fast.

[Tobias Ross]

Pulling off his hat as he bent at the waist, Tobias executed a formal bow respectfully toward those who had sensed his presence. Though he couldn't hear her any more, he could still feel her in the area. The three had different projections of strength when he had been viewing them before. Usually the more experienced and better a fighter, it shows in the way the walk and how their body moves even in the slightest of actions. The one who portrayed the least experience of them hid while the one who's power was either around his own or better demanded answers. That left the one with the light and he was around Tobias' current level of power as far as he could see. Straightening up from his bow and placing his hat back on his head, his eyes finally adjusted to the light though it was still a bit brighter than he wished. The beast inside of him roused as it anticipated a fight and craved more violence, though it could easily sense as well as he could that this was a losing fight. Neither it nor he cared about that, but Tobias couldn't let things go the way they were headed. He danced to his own tune, no one else's.

"No."

Even against all odds, Tobias wouldn't change his views or nature to survive. If they wanted answers, they better damn well improve their manners. Though something struck him as odd. Something he heard the girl say before decided to hide. Though he was sure he only caught the tail end of what she said, it set his mind thinking. He was only able to hear that little bit due to he fact that sound traveled better at night and there wasn't any background noise to swallow up what was said. The names were what he kept going through his mind as he stood there. Earth Dragon. So another fool claimed that title. Many had claimed that title and when they had faced him, they had fallen. The other name was one that kept telling him that he should remember this person in front of him. He did look familiar, but from where? Levi....... Why did that name sound so familiar? The only Levi he could think of was someone from his past and though there was a resemblance, Tobias couldn't be sure. He would have to play this one out by ear for now.

"Levi?"

[Levi Kayamei]

(OCC: Fyi, I turned my light off when you got to us)

Levi looked at the stranger for a moment after hearing his name, then smirked as his memory paid him a favor. He recalled this man from long ago, though his histroy with him was shady at best, other than he could remember it being unfriendly. Levi spoke calmly with a deadly undertone, his steel eyes staring into Paul's unblinkingly.

"I am Levi.....and I do remember you.....you know you're standing in a Dragon's den right?"

[Kyrie Blaze]

From the 'view' from the shadows, Kyrie continued her silent vigil. She could see, and hear, but couldn't be seen or heard. Hiding. Something she was used to. But now, she felt a crawling sense of humiliation for it. Perhaps it was because she'd just stood up, came out of battle with cracked ribs, and knew she didn't really stand a chance if this went sour...

'...do I not feel pathetic... Still, best I stay out of reach; Levi and Mathew should not have to worry that I would get in the way.'[/color]

She detested being in the way. If she had to, perhaps she would jump out. For now, there was no need to give away her position.[/font]

[Mathew Amtrum]

It annoyed him when people didn't do what he said in the best of times. Add in the fact that he didn't know who this guy was, they were in Dragon territory, and yet another would be assassin from Barker showed up and hurt his apprentice. Needless to say he was not in the mood to put up with his shit right now.

"Right."

He said in response to the no. A small shrug of his shoulders even as his face turned in to a scowl. His hand lifting up from his side and pointing down at the man's leg. A spike of stone shooting out from under his sleeve to try and pierce the man's leg. If it worked, it would hook in to his muscle tissue to stop him from pulling it out. At least not without ripping out a hunk of his own muscles.

"Right, so anyways. Who are you?"

[Tobias Ross]

As soon as Levi confirmed who he was, Tobias leapt forward with the sole intention on verifying it through combat. The Levi he knew had a certain type of fighting and his style was one that could not be easily copied. There was only one thing that put a snag in his plans. An actual stone spike that snagged his leg and held it in place. A quick glance showed him who it came from and the beast within him reveled in the fact that it would have blood spilled tonight.

Narrowing his eyes as he focused them back on Levi, Tobias grabbed the spike and ripped it out along with some of his flesh. This was annoying, but not enough to stop Tobias. Moving forward once again toward Levi, he responded to what was said and to the attack.

"Cute." That was directed toward the Earth Dragon just before Tobias swung a backhand at Levi. Dropping to the ground, his next move was a leg trip intending to take out both legs. Tobias wasn't expecting either move to hit nor the next couple he sent toward Levi, they were merely to set the pace of the fight and to test Levi. His follow up to the trip was an elbow that came up from the position he was in that was aimed at just under the ribs. All the moves had fluidity as they flowed from one move and into the next. He didn't care if he lost here, some things were better to obtain than winning a fight. Tobias wouldn't mind winning, but even he realized that his odds of winning were low. He had no intention on losing though. Worse odds had been dropped on him over the course that his life had taken.

"Didn't know. Don't care."

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi raised an eyebrow as Tobias ripped the spike out of his own leg. It was characteristic of the Tobias he remembered, though his next action was more surprising as the man began to throw a backhand at him.

"Che...as you wish"

Levi right hand rose up, staying tight to his body, allowing the backfist to stike the back of his forearm, Levi's body leaning slightly as it absorbed the impact. His eyes and senses follwed Tobias as he dropped, Levi's right foot flew straight out swiftly, a toe kick to Tobia's left cheekbone then retracted quickly. If this was not enough to stop the sweep kick, he would hop with his left and send a second to Tobia's jaw. Should Tobias somehow still manage to throw the elbow, Levi would lean back, falling to the ground, avoiding the elbow. He would then kip onto his feet while focusing a blinding light directly at him, lifting his foot above his head, bringing it down while aiming for his shoulder, hoping to dislocate it.

[Kyrie Blaze]

As Mathew's spike of earth shot out, Kyrie used the shadow from that to pass into Tobias' own shadow as one would traverse a bridge.

It was a good thing that his shadow wouldn't disappear with Levi's flash of light--though from within the shadows as they moved, it definitely caused a sudden shift in the spectrum of dark colour and mostly gray-scale view she had on the world outside of the shadows.

Taking the presented opportunity, however, Kyrie withdrew from the shadow, appearing in a crouch just behind Tobias. Her hand lifted from on top of the shadow she had appeared from, lifting and solidifying a shadow weapon. It may have been due to her injury, or a bit because of the bright light, but it wasn't a shadow dagger that was produced, but a nightstick. Gripping it firmly with two hands despite her ribs' protest, she pivoted from her low position, adding torque to slam the baton against the outside of Tobias' knee, hoping to score a hit and whatever injury resulted, or distract him long enough for Levi's attack to connect. It was just unfortunate she couldn't fully muffle the sound of pained discomfort from the motion.

The weapon disappeared quickly after, and the blonde would attempt to reset herself by disappearing back into Tobias' shadow, providing he hadn't leaped away.

[Tobias Ross]

As his blows were focused on Levi, he let his senses guide him as he fought. He was a relatively unknown person apparently intruding on their territory. Doing so netting him what he had expected. They were attacking him together in an attempt to take him down. The problem was the fact that this is where Tobias shined. He had not only made a name fighting groups and winning, he preferred that they attack this way. It was not only more challenging, but the thrill of the fight increased. The first kick that was sent at his head was avoided by simply moving his head slightly to let it go past and the second kick had missed due to Tobias making minor adjustments as he fought to avoid the blow. As much as he wanted to take the hit, in a group fight it wasn't advisable. This person in front of him was most definitely the Levi that he remembered.

As the light began to flare in front of him, Tobias heard motion behind him and reacted to avoid the attack. Leaping up and back, Tobias spun himself in as he flipped his body in the air to witness what had been transpiring behind him. As he landed behind the little fighter who seemed to have a nightstick that disappeared in her hands. For a split second Tobias was confused and curious just as a mastiff is when a kitten or small dog try to attack them. They know their own power and that they could crush that small creature, but are impressed at the tenacity that is shown by such a creature. It prevents them from harming the small creature more that a cuffing or a swipe that sends them flying harmlessly.

Tobias smiled as he cuffs her across the back of the head hard enough to knock her out temporarily. He did this for several reasons. She was female, obviously wounded, most likely weaker than he was, and the courage she displayed. He could easily break her neck and be done with such a weak creature, but she had impressed him. It took a strong will and spirit to attack someone stronger than yourself, especially when you are wounded and could easily ripped apart by person if they were vicious. As she fell, Tobias lifted her in his arms gently and faced the two in front of him. Tobias saw the crater in the ground from the attack he dodged and chuckled. Levi had gotten stronger. Good.

Hold her hostage? Not his style. Give her back to her allies? More like it. Throw her at her allies? Cruel and yet something he might due if he was in the mood to do so. Tobias wasn't in the mood and just looking at her reminding him of Autumn. His will to fight fled at that moment as she came to his mind and he turned toward the big guy with a rock problem. Striding toward him calmly, Tobias held her out to him with a serious look on his face.

"She has tenacity. I will not bully the weak or wounded. When she recovers her full strength, she can seek me out and we will complete our fight."

Looking at Levi, a ghost of a smile appears as he talks.

"You really are him. It is wonderful to see you again, Levi. Do you want to continue?"

OOC: I got her permission to do what I wrote.

[Kyrie Blaze]

It was a disappointment and slight surprise that the intruder leaped up and over her. However, neither compared to the alarm that rose up: she could no longer escape to his shadow, and her own wasn't connected to his, considering he was up in the air. Even when he landed, she didn't have enough time--had only started to turn her body slightly to roll away. Everything had seemed to slow down as her adrenaline rushed, but within the span of a moment, everything sped up, becoming too fast for her to react to. Tobias' blow connected.

Kyrie crumpled forwards, succumbing to the dark world of unconsciousness with a muffled sound of pain.

...at least she couldn't feel the pain of her injuries, now.

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi's composure shook for a moment as Paul knocked Kyrie unconscious. The injury on the man's leg, though grave, had obviously not stopped him from moving completely, at least not yet. As Paul picked Kyrie up, Levi moved in front of him, his brow furrowed and his steel eyes looking into Paul's. Without a word, he gently took Kyrie from the man by placing his arms under her, assuming Paul didn't stop him, and took her to Mathew. One would not do as he pleased with a Dragon in its' own den. Paul's words about his fellow Dragon served to make the expression on his face more permanent.

Arrogance....

Levi closed his eyes as he spoke to Paul, still holding Kyrie and facing away from him.

"What? Are you suggesting we continue this fight with a hole in your leg and the odds against you? The answer will never be no, but know that I fight you as an intruder in Dragon territory and will show no mercy despite your unenviable situation."

[Mathew Amtrum]

"God you are boring."

He said shaking his head. The guy had a lot of fucking nerve, strolling in to their home, not even telling them who he was. Ignoring him, and now going on about her tenacity. He could not roll his eyes hard enough at the dude. And he apparently only wanted to talk to Levi. Fine, Mathew wouldn't talk. Instead he would just stomp his foot.

Several pillars of stone would erupt from the ground, infused with his Qi to slam in to the intruder at several points. Those points being both knee caps, his stomach, and his forehead. All of the pillars should hit simultaneously, but really he had better things to do than deal with this idiot. Like finding the person that Kiyr had been taking them to for instance.

[Tobias Ross]

As the pillars hit him, Tobias felt their power and he immediately reassessed the situation. This was a time were he was outgunned and outnumbered. Then again, this wasn't the first time that this had happened and most of the times he had been able to squeeze out a victory. As his body was thrown in the air by the force of the attacks that came at him, Tobias saw the other person he had been dismissing in a new light. This was not the time ignore people, especially since he wanted information. As his body hit, pain flared in his leg where he had ripped out the spike that had impaled it. Pulling off his bandana and stuffing it in the wound, Tobias grabbed his belt and tightened it around the wound to slow the bleeding.

Looking around he could easily see all the blood that had been shed from his leg and it was a lot. This also made the fight much worse in his favor. He was wounded, outgunned, out-manned, and quickly running out of time. Climbing to his feet and wiping away the blood and earth on his forehead, Tobias faced two in front of him and weighted his options.

"You are annoying."

As the blood trickled down his leg, Tobias shook his head and grinned. This was a bad situation with worse odds than he had seen in a long time. It might be prudent to leave and come back when he wasn't in the shape that he was in. His knees hurt and he was getting tired of being a punching bag, especially when the person was using powers to do it.

"If you are going to attack me, at least be honorable and fight me with your own fists."

[Mathew Amtrum]

"I might, if you were not a disrespectful little twerp."

Who was still trespassing, the fact of the matter was this guy came to the wrong neighborhood at the wrong time, and then acted in the wrong way. Mathew was under no obligation to conform to this man's version of honor just because he was losing. This is the man that decided to skulk about in their home, who showed blatant disrespect, and chose to fight. If not by throwing the first blow then by his attitude. This guy had coming whatever happened.

His foot slid against the stone as a slow smile worked it's way across his features, the stone sliding from his body with subtle, but rapid shifting over to the man, which upon being under him would shift in opposite directions from under his feet. If he wasn't quick enough the man would be forced to do the splits.

His body bending down with the shifting his hand swiped across the stone in an arc which would send a wave of pillars at the man, shooting up from left to right.

[Levi Kayamei]

Levi shook his head with a sigh, content to watch Mathew teach this man some manners. One did not simply walk into Dragon territory uninvited and disrespect on the of the leaders, let alone any of the Dragons. Levi certainly had much less invested in the Dragons at this point and it almost seemed appropriate that one of the leaders teach Tobias respect. Levi continued to hold Kyrie as he leaned against a pillar, not wanting to set her on the ground. He spoke to Tobias he fought Mathew.

"You know, you could simply apologize and go home.....starting fights in someone's home for no apparent reason is a bad habit."