Shake it Up (Eric)

[Bailey Oleander]

Lesson learned the hard way. Bailey would jump back, striking at the spikes that came at her, knowing there was no way to dodge them at such a close range. The glow returned as she attempted to swipe them away, knowing that those that would hit would likely lead to another stone coffin. Something she would prefer not to have to deal with again. Respiration beaded her forehead and slid down the side of her face. No matter how many she might knock aside, he was faster.

This was going to be unpleasant.

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Ability #1: Due to her growing experience, Bailey's buffs are more stable. She can add +6 to a target's stat. (Bailey, Energy)
Zero Ability: Drawing on the surrounding energy, Bailey can now apply 1/4 of her energy level towards a target's chosen stat. At this stage, her buffs only last for one post. (Bailey, Defense)


Bailey Defense: 32
Qi Uses: 16/16

[Mathew Amtrum]

He'd not relent, as she moved back, swiping to try and deflect the spikes he advanced, his pounding footfalls sending another wave shooting at her from the ground! Though these ones were mercifully blunted.

OOC: Qi use 8/30

Stone Strike - Eric hits the ground and the shockwave sends out small pillars or projectiles of stone at his foe. 1/4th energy stat added to his attack.

Attack: 48

[Bailey Oleander]

She stopped backing up as he came forward, each step bringing attacks that did not matter how close or far she was away. Rock covered his visible flesh from her last attack. Her breath came in ragged gasps, feeling her qi like it was blocked behind a plexiglass wall. She could see it, new it existed, but it was so far out of reach that her fingers could only graze the surface of the barrier and not what lay beyond. The arm with the stab wound still bled, mostly useless with its slower, almost jerking reactions from the damaged tissue. Her legs felt like rubber, her steps haggard, her body still feeling the damage from the tomb that she'd been trapped in.

She'd never been pushed so far before. To the point that she was completely drained and out. And now, still fighting.

And there he was, looking almost impeccable still, like he'd barely used any effort. Coming towards her like a steady shadow in the night. A cat that knew it could pounce a cornered mouse whenever it chose, but chose to play with its food first.

Instead, she pushed forward, slamming her stick into the spikes, aiming to drive them back at Eric instead of merely away from her own body.

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Attack: 21
Def: 23

[Mathew Amtrum]

It would be a sound tactic if the force of the spikes were not as powerful. As it was, she may be able to deflect them away from her somewhat, but they would not turn on their Master. And right here, and right now the ground upon which they stood obeyed only one man. He'd continue his advance, launching more pillars at her. He could tell she was running on fumes now, there was nothing she could do to change the outcome of this.

He could kill her and she would be like a child trying to stop him. He could break every part of her body and she would be helpless to stop him. That was a feeling that he never grew tired of. Having someone's fate in his hands so completely. To have them at his mercy in every way.

"You've run out of juice it seems. You've no chance to beat me."

He smirked.

OOC: Qi use 9/30

Stone Strike - Eric hits the ground and the shockwave sends out small pillars or projectiles of stone at his foe. 1/4th energy stat added to his attack.

Attack: 48

[Bailey Oleander]

For once, he did not use the word "weak." But he was right in that she had run out of energy to boost herself, to give herself a fighting chance. The spikes were deflected, mercifully blunted, but did not return to him as she had hoped. No way to strike back, no way to defend herself past her own physical ability.

"Maybe so," she agreed, swinging the spikes away again, trying to come up with something. "But the battle's not over." He was still advancing, still attacking. She knew there were trees beyond, wondering if cover would help. If she could make it that far.

Another step back. Closer to the trees. And another, trying to keep the rocks from hitting her, mindful of any rumblings coming from the earth.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"There is a reason I eat stone."

He'd say, taking another step, but this time no attack followed his footfall.

[Bailey Oleander]

She took another step as he advance, closer now. She could almost see the shade from here. But instead, Eric didn't attack; he offered information, or a hint at it.

"I didn't think you did it for your own amusement." Her escrima stick was still held in a defensive position to block as much of her body as she could manage, her expression wary even as the interest glimmered in her eyes.

"Why?"

[Mathew Amtrum]

"Because I gain energy from it, replenishing the energy that I use."

He'd inform her, stepping forward again, though this time the stone would fire from behind her, at the back of her knees.

[Bailey Oleander]

Intrigue showed on her face at the revelation, a small understanding starting to show as she connected the idea of consuming an element to replenish his ability to use it, to fuel it, or him. The man of moving rock, at least as he was today.

"That...actually makes a lot of sense." Another step back as he came forward, certain that this was not the end of the fight. Her idea was close, but her body was screaming with every step and she could feel her arms shaking with the effort to keep up her defense. The stone struck her from behind, knocking her off of her feet, falling on her knees before him as her legs gave out, hands going to catch herself from falling face first, a cry of pain as the injured arm also caught her, the ground it touched crimson as it caved under the pressure.

She would try to push herself upright with her good hand, to grab for one of the escrima sticks she had dropped in the process. Anything to defend herself.

[Mathew Amtrum]

He'd not attack her with stone this time, as she hit the ground and tried to pick herself up, Eric moved forward to kick at her face with his right leg and knock her back to the ground.

[Bailey Oleander]

The kick landed, sending the world spiraling and going dark for a moment as Bailey was kicked back to the ground. She grunted in pain, tasting the copper sting of blood in her mouth and the cool mud against the heat of her cheek and eye. She needed to get up. He was definitely a cat toying with a mouse, blunted spikes when he could have ended it. Kicking her while she was down.

No sticks then. Bailey would pull her legs up, their shaking intensifying, trying to ward her face with her hand as she rolled onto her side, still trying to get up. It was difficult at best. If he kicked at her again, she would try to grab his foot and pull him off balance while her limbs still had use to them.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Nope, this time when she was picking herself up he'd stomp on the ground to send a pillar up right under her to try and slam her hard in the gut.

"Where did you go wrong"?


OOC: Qi use 10/30

Stone Strike - Eric hits the ground and the shockwave sends out small pillars or projectiles of stone at his foe. 1/4th energy stat added to his attack.

Attack: 48

[Bailey Oleander]

The stone pillar slammed into her gut, knocking the wind from her as it knocked her aside like a rag doll.

"I," she gasped for air, hand tightening into a fist, the grass between her fingers clumping with the force as she tried to think, to look back on the battle, to understand. What had she done wrong? Or done wrong first? Was it the stone tomb? Burning her energy to fast? Getting sloppy? Overthinking? Blake always told her she overthought things to the point she paralyzed herself from action. Had she fallen back on that without realizing it?

"I didn't change tactics," she offered, trying to draw in another breath before rolling to the side once more, trying to get up.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"What should you have done?"

He'd slam another foot down on the ground to send a spike up this time, aiming to erupt it out of the ground below her unharmed shoulder.

OOC: Qi use 11/30

Stone Strike - Eric hits the ground and the shockwave sends out small pillars or projectiles of stone at his foe. 1/4th energy stat added to his attack.

Attack: 48

[Bailey Oleander]

She cried out, still gritting at the spike impaling her other shoulder. Her mind raced ahead of her, trying to understand what he wanted. But she didn't know. She knew what she did wrong, but she didn't have the answer he was seeking. How could she?

She didn't try to get up, forcing herself to breathe through the pain.

"I shouldn't have gone in close, knowing you had spikes on hand." Still down, she took a jagged breath and rolled for her escrima stick, hurling it at him.

"I should have changed tactics."

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Bailey Attack: 21