Reporting for Duty (Leon/Research)

[Mathew Amtrum]

"I'll give you this. It's not often that I get to try. This is more enjoyable than I thought."

The King's speed was becoming more reasonable in comparison to his own, but he was still fast, and the sheath would slam into his injured arm and the hit was still solid. Solid enough that he'd drop the blade, but he wasn't out of the fight yet. His left foot would slam down to try and pin the King's foot down to eliminate his footwork. And should he pin him he'd bash his good shoulder into him to try and knock him off his feet where the point of his blade would point downward at him.

[Leon]

After the hit worked he felt the shoulder bash him and knock him to the ground. He knew this technique from Weigrif, he was prepared for hitting the ground so pulled his pinned foot in to bring his body closer.

Grabbing the sword on the ground or while falling he would deflect the blade as it came in to be painted and go for a slash with the Dragon blade for his leg pinning his foot down.

[Mathew Amtrum]

He'd hop back to avoid the slash at his legs. Quick thinking on the boy's part. But he was still prone, and Eric was still up and armed. Even if Arthur was now armed with his own blade.

"Careful, the Dragon might bight you."

He'd smirk. This was fun.

[Leon]

Arthur would chuckle flipping the sheath around to a reverse grip and stab it hard into the ground lifting himself up and into a spin first to his feet bringing the Dragon sword around repeating his opening attack with a downward slash however as seen as it became obvious his intended attack was the slash he would thrust the sheath from low for Eric's gut.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Here's where the gamble got fun. When he slammed the sheath into the ground Eric lunged forward. He'd done enough flips from prone to know where this was going. As he lunged forward he's slash horizontally hoping to catch the king on his ascent or decent. If it worked he'd hopefully stop the King's own attack from even launching successfully. And if it didn't, well he'd be in a world of hurt. But he was all in, dancing on the edge of the blade. His heart pumping and blood flowing (and oozing). This was what it was to feel alive.

[Leon]

Arthur would be caught on the way down being cut across his horizontal body however he would follow through with his own attack the battle already coursing through him. The Dragon blade hitting the top of the left shoulder of Eric and cutting down to the center of the chest while the sheath shoving it's way into the gut more or less pushing Eric back, however the cuts from both men would not be life threatening. However it was more than Weigrif could allow.

"This has to stop. I apologise for stepping in but please end this."

For those having watched they saw both attacks strike at the same time, blood shooting away with Eric's cut and blood hitting the ground with Arthur's.

However at the sight of the new injuries Weigrif would stop in. Seeing Arthur standing there with blood coming down his chest and arm. And Eric with blood from his shoulder

[Mathew Amtrum]

It went to show that Arthur was the better swordsman. He was pushed back with blood flowing from his open wounds. He'd not fight the request for them to end it. They were not trying to kill each other, and he'd seen what he needed to. And was impressed. The boy was as good as he claimed. It was refreshing to see such skill and talent with an equal amount of energy. He would be one to watch in the coming years.

"I see your abilities are not exaggerated."

Eric stepped forward once more, this time turning the blade around to hold the blade and offer the hilt to Arthur.

"You handled yourself exceptionally well under pain and pressure. You have honored yourself this day."

[Leon]

Arthur would reverse grip the Dragon blade holding it forward as he approached to hand to Eric flipping the sheath around and grabbing the handle offered.

"Appreciate the praise. You were definitely up to par with tales of your people, if not more. It was an honor."

Weigrif would call people over to take them to a medical building for tending.

[Mathew Amtrum]

He would accept his own blade and sheath it before returning to gather up his coat before allowing himself to be ushered to receive medical attention.

"My advice as someone that fought in the corps. Be aware that some enemies will gladly take the pain to strike their killing blows. You shouldn't have let me gain your blade there. However, I applaud your tenacity and ferocity in how you claimed my own blade and stayed in the fight. You are clearly a much better swordsman than myself."

[Leon]

"I will take that to heart with future training."

They would have their wounds cleaned and bandaged. They did not possess healer qi users so after having the wounds closed it was up to them. After they would be given a hot meal in the main building being used as a royal house for Arthur. Arthur would spend the dinner spinning tale to the soldiers who didn't see the fight and showing off the wounds he has. It was embellished with some facts on length of fight, explosions, inexplicable rain fall. Sword techniques being yelled and special effects to follow.

The night would finally crawl to an end and Arthur would bid goodnight.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Eric for his part was happy to take part in the festivities and let the young Lord embellish. If anyone pressed him he'd give a more accurate accounting, but he was more than happy to let Arthur have his fun and the spotlight. He was the dashing hero, after all, the Warrior King destined to lead his people to glory.

As for Eric? Not so much, he'd never been the hero. He didn't believe in destiny. And in his world, happy endings didn't come true. At least not for him. It was the hand he was dealt and he'd accepted it long ago. He lived not to pursue happiness, but to punish wickedness. He'd leave the light to better men than he.

He bid Arthur goodnight as the festivities died down and would return to the Barracks where he would pull out the gem once more. Peering into it, trying to guess it's purpose as he channeled Qi into it once more. Not that he expected that to suddenly work, but it was the best way he knew on how to awaken it to start. From there he would see what came to mind.

[Leon]

Once again the crystal would still feel empty and rejecting his Qi. Wanting essence, life.

[Mathew Amtrum]

This was what he was expecting, it was abstract, but he had an idea on how to proceed. He'd pull his Qi back inside of him, building up his energy as he tried to shift and churn his energy within himself. Rather than push his energy into it he'd try to push his will, his intentions into it. His determination as he willed it to reveal it's purpose.

[Leon]

This time there was something there, like another will, some other determination.

[Mathew Amtrum]

He would focus on that. Trying to overpower it with his will. It would submit to him.