[Dar Havark] A Blade in the Night

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Early Spring of Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIII Post Fractum

Upon the highest spire in the true centre of Dar Havark, a lone figure felt the cool winds brush against him, the change of seasons having only just come to pass with the aftertaste of winter still lingering against him. Looking down upon the assembled spires still deathly silent, the vast lands blasted from the black magic of one Lord of Chaos, it was all a stark reminder of how things had changed over the years. Closing his eyes, the striking figure looked upwards to the cloudless night sky whilst thousands of stars watched above him.

Bearing almost ivory skin, the shirtless man was toned and well built, strong muscles sculpting the figure of a dangerous warrior. As his eyes opened revealing ice like eyes of blue, it seemed almost aglow with unnatural focus, an inner power swirling deep within him ready to be explode at any moment. Feeling the weight of the very world upon his shoulders, the Arch-Knight certainly felt he was alone to lead his forces and fight both the light and darkness in the world.

Equipping his black guards of priceless metal and sliding his spider silk gloves on, the figure that was once a terrible demon renowned for his cruelty and skill within the pits of the AFCL began his dark work. Ignoring the four shadow wraiths that stood watch or the pulsing sensation of Nemesis imbedded upon the top, Avanthar Dra’Aran, Disciple of Kaith’Gar’Pirtis eased his breathing and calmed his mind, tapping into his true self as he fought back the growing cold upon his unprotected flesh.

A black amulet hung around his neck, a gem of old that no longer carried the many colors it once did. The last memento of Darkshade…

With relative ease he summoned forth the undead, discreetly as he could as he weaved the dark tendrils of death. High above the sleeping populace of Dar Havark, rotting figures emerged, some stumbling whilst others moved with lifelike ease, their black eyes rotting in malice. Avanthar however was unfazed, as they were his to toy with, petty creatures in his black domain. Slowly shifting into a fighting stance with his arms raised in defense, his body turned slightly sideways and legs apart for support and powerful kicks, the young man readied himself to strike.

Alacrity was at work within him, whether he knew it or not, the prize for his defeat of young Willow. Fighting senses sharpened as power surged through him, his fists tightening in an iron like grip as he shifted further down, very much like a mighty tiger ready to pounce at a moments notice. A frightening and dangerous figure indeed as the eager moon above watched on with silent interest.

OOC: Practice and private thread.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Dashing forward with a flurry of quick steps as the surrounding wings picked up tempo, the established fighter was a blur of movement as he delivered a crushing right fist to the nearest undead, using the momentum of his charge with deadly effect. Feeling the impact, Avanthar continued with the movement, using one foot to swivel himself as his right foot came up, evolving into a circling turning kick. Striking fast and hard as of his hart, several of the undead were almost thrown back by the force of the man’s titanic blows.

With each move flowing like water, Avanthar honed his skills as best he could, fighting fiercely as he adapted to each situation. Fighting against several foes at once and of varying skills, the lower undead were easily forced away, whilst the stronger managed several blows to the dark knight that he either evaded with swift movements, or skillfully blocked with his powerful arms. Shaasskah is often extremely powerful and offensive fighting style, and from the demon’s teachings he had learned that anticipating an opponent’s move was often the key to success.

As the night wore on Avanthar paced himself, varying his speed and movements when needed. Using various kicks and punches, acrobatic like movements, the necromancer was unaware of the time as he continued to fight. Beads of sweat glistened off his pale skin as he fought with silence. His steps were like an intricate dance, silent and with perfect balance, ready to change direction at a moment’s time.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

The howling winds did little to faze the lone fighter as he faced against one single enemy, a ghoul like creature that struck with powerful talons. Eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, Avanthar gauged the undead’s movements, seeking to anticipate its moves from the position if its body amongst other things. Sensing movement and the gleam of its insidious black claws, Dra’Aran himself unleashed his own as jet black mithril. In a blur of motion blade and talon’s met, the fighter anticipating his extended range as he fought with growing ferocity.

Only by training in real situations could one truly learn. As he felt his blood rush with excitement there was a sudden change, the sense of danger sharp and blinding. Deftly evading a crushing blow to the face, Lord Dra’Aran burst forward raging tide of powerful blows. Each jab, hook and punch molding into the next without pause like a river. In his mind ages of experience and training had twisted him into terrible foeman.

The guardian spirits watched as almost instantly the creature was torn asunder by swift blade strikes, the air seemingly split apart by the ferocity of Avanthar’s terrible strokes. Flesh and bone were cleaved apart like butter as the creature crumbled into meaty lumps unable to defend against his nekode’s mithril edge. With a cold smile, the man that was Avanthar heaved a sigh, letting his pent up frustrations ease as he retracted his blades, his eyes darting at the various rotten bodies sprawled about in utter defeat.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Fixing his gloves almost casually as he slowly regained his breath, Dra’Aran seemed to ignore the mounting winds. With his signature cold smirk he stood amidst the open platform where several corpses lay sprawled about, their heads and limbs crushed with the heavy impact of the man’s fists and terrible kicks. Powerful indeed, Avanthar began to slowly work his fighting arts once more, striking with precision with various punches and jabs, seeking to hone the position that would produce the greatest force and shortest time.

Making a short sprint with light steps, he leapt upwards well a normal man’s face, delivering three swift kicks from left to right as if it was a blur. Landing lightly upon his feet was certainly not the end, twisting himself into a low sweeping kick that would unbalance surrounding forces. Lifting himself up with spry movements, he delivered several more punches and hooks, dodging invisible foeman as his arms moved to block and deflect blows.

Altering his speeds from fast to slow, pacing himself as to conserve precious stamina, Avanthar knew that in long battles the one whom could last the longest would prove the victor. Against foes of similar skill and with no clear end in sight, only through endurance could one survive. Gritting his teeth as he fought back the growing fatigue on his arms and legs, in silence he eased back into his fighting stance, arms upraised in defense.

Closing his eyes as he focused, in a sudden instant he pushed off with great momentum, unleashing a jumping turn kick that seemed to pierce the wind. Utilizing the powerful movement as the second rotation became a low sweeping kick before ending once more in a final turning kick. This was all executed with amazing speed and precision, striking in several vital points at the body and surely making it difficult to defend against.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Sitting with legs crossed, Avanthar was in a meditative state as he closed his eyes, his mind and body at peace. Losing himself in the perfect state of calm and concentration, the lashing winds did little to sway his resolve. Mori'Gurtha and Uuaina'Yaavan were worn proudly on his arms as for some time the dark knight meditated, making long and regular breathes. A man with various weapons, he was formidable indeed with very few surviving an open confrontation against him. Reaching out to the dark planes where chaotic forces raged and the chilling touch of death was within his grasp, it was there his mind lingered, honing his connection with the nether.

Rather then abruptly ending his connection, Avanthar let it slowly drift away, dimming his visions of what lay beyond as the mortal plane grew more real, more firm. Lifting himself up lightly as he retrieved his great sword, gloved fingers wrapped itself around its demonic hilt, the intricate designs of great demons and serpents appeared almost alive whilst its ruby began to emit a furious glow. Without needing to speak a word he understood, the bond between him and his sword was strong, the pair having endured much over the years.

Lifting the magnificent sword up with one powerful arm he raised it upwards, feeling its weight along his arm and shoulders before letting it drop forward, using the momentum as he began his sword practice. Avanthar wielded the blade with terrifying efficiency with both hands, a blur of skilled motion as cleave after cleave came without fault. The air itself parted under its keen edge as concepts recycled themselves in his mind. To find weaknesses in one’s defense, to adapt to situations and to always evolve one self.

Silent steps were made as he performed his Assassin’s Dance, his sword like a serpent that struck with starting speed. With powerful arms his blade seemed to fly, defending and attacking from all possible avenues as he himself dashed from left to right. Like lightning Nemesis moved from left to right in one intricate slash that crossed twice, marking a black X that could easily cut open even a giants heavy chest, even the most rudimentary of swordsman could see its brutal killing power at an instant.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

There was ample reason why he was an individual to be feared as he wielded his great blade with deadly skill. Able to unleash devastating cleaves that would prove fatal, even a small nick would bring intense pain as the victim’s life would be fed upon by its tainted edge. As he danced, each strike, block and parry evolved into a next, seemingly formless yet could easily force a skilled opponent back, Avanthar protective his vitals as he weaved his blade. Black as night, sudden strength and focus was gathered as he sprang forward in one explosive action… unleashing his signature Serpent Strike in an instant.

Thundering forward, he used the momentum as his footsteps danced along the cool surface as his feet were perfectly balanced almost instinctively. Spinning about like a living hurricane, several rotations were unleashed at varying heights that would either strike at the neck to the midsection making defense difficult. Intense with his Serpent Spin, it ended with a powerful piercing attack, stepping forward with unpredictable speed as both hands clenched on its hilt… Serpent fang.

Tiring it was, Avanthar maintained pressure on himself as he fought with lightning fast attacks that were known to kill in one fatal blow. Moving from offense to defense and mixing several moves between the two with his set of defense known as Sentinel’s Guard, the winds continued to howl as it masked his movements, his pale skin aglow under the dancing moonlight.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Blade in hand, its keen black edge cut a swathe through the air as Avanthar’s movement was a dazzling dance, a mixture of balance and practice as sweat dripped from his clean brow. Powerful muscles rippled as he continued with his furious swordplay. The fact that he had fallen under a traitor’s sword burnt ever so deep in his mind, his pride, and there was nothing that he wished more then to have Rincewin’s bloody heart in his grasp. Or when the whole world shifted at the freak destruction of the Aethergem…

Weakness in will and body would never come to one whom had fought so long to claw his way up from it all. Dashing forward as his feet skidded across the smooth surface, from defense Avanthar moved to offense, fighting against invisible foemen as images of his past victories flashed through his mind. Mythical beasts and skilled assassins, he had fought them all before… but there were always more… he fought an endless battle…

Figures began to emerge, rising up from the shadows as the crackle of magic snapped in front of Avanthar, the Lord noticing a slender figure in black smiling at him as she summoned creatures to test her love’s fierce skills… Kyoko’s intense eyes watched with growing interest. The Dark Knight swept his blade around him, ready to meet the coming onslaught without fear, without hesitation…

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Hiding amongst the shadows of as the eerie glow of the moon was slowly covered by the growing clouds, Dra’Aran knew instinctively that it was his beloved Kyoko, her vis and weave was a signature that he could recognize with relative ease. Creatures of death rose as they were summoned, Avanthar standing firm like the black sentinel that he was, eyes gleaming like a predator. The Lord was now focused on further honing his sword play as ghouls and zombies, nightmarish creatures from the depths of Umblat stood before him, ravenous as they were with deathly eyes aglow in a maddening crimson.

The forces of death were numerous, but they relied upon numbers to deal the killing blow when fighting against skilled and powerful components. In all of his life battling the forces of both the light and darkness, he had yet to truly meet a powerful force of the Undead. Perhaps it was why Jorel had ripped the balance of Aeternia away from him. Or maybe it was Jalat’s nature to be patient and act more subtle. Whatever… it mattered not, for Avanthar was now Jalat’s key general.

Nemesis’ edge burnt, seething in cold anger as Avanthar dashed forward with a sweeping forward motion, leaving a trail of darkness as the unnatural cries of the undead ran through the nights silence, growling like a pack of rabid beasts. Mindless they were, the Shadow Knight feared them not, knowing that they were mere beasts with little intelligence. Brandishing his heavy blade, the forces clashed as powerful arms again unleashed relentless cleaves that tore through their ranks.

Using the length of the great blade and his graceful movements, his steps like an intricate dance as they lightly tapped upon the hard stone surface, Avanthar used the momentum of his attacks to deliver devastating damaging, tearing away at arm, torso and leg as he swept before them in bloody tired. The ghouls were quick and agile, whilst the zombies and skeletons were a mixture of lumbering creatures and swift strikers.

Sweat dripped from his brow, powerful muscles rippling as the Archmage unleashed strike after strike, some using greater force then others as he mixed light and hard attacks, using it to conserve stamina. Splattering blood and guts all about him, Kyoko continued to summon the undead to meet Avanthar’s relentless slaughter.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Furiously unleashing a clever Serpent Spin, Avanthar drilled into the centre of the beasts, not a particularly smart move considering he was armor-less, yet he didn’t care. He yearned to enter into the midst of battle, the sensation of being surrounded by all sides, trapped and cornered and having to summon the very strength hidden within to deliver victory. Fearful they were of Avanthar’s devious blade, the power within it pulsing at an alarming rate as it tasted blood… whether it was freshly drawn or of the dead it did not matter.

The ruby that possessed the ancient spirit of Quen’Tal blazed in an unholy light as Avanthar continued to carve relentlessly as he fought off the dead upon the highest spire of Dar Havark. Channeling his furious emotions, the inner powers of the Archmage awakening its dormant power as azure flames ran along its edge….

An instant change could be felt as they fell back as one body, struck by a numbing fear and awe as they sensed the very essence of their being burning brightly in their opponent’s sword. The power, the titanic wave that held their core was growing, the tension in the air shaking them. In an instant, Dra’Aran leapt forward, flame and blade proving a terrible combination indeed. Manipulating the essence of Aeternian flame, a column of great fire itself was enough to bring full dozen into ash…