Fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee [Medaerus]

[Sheng Kaldres]

Timestampe: 25th 0f Immanis, Era XIV

Sheng had came to the Colosseum looking for some practice and he did fought someone. An elf approached Sheng for some sparring, though it must be said that the elf was a beginner.

Finding some space, Sheng guided Medaerus to the space.

"Before we begin, perhaps some exchange of information. What style are you practicing now?" And Sheng jumped nimbly on his feet to get himself warmed up for the sparring.

[Medaerus]

Medaerus followed the man into the ring, glad that he had accepted his offer of a fighting match. The lithe elf pulled his arm behind his head in a nearly impossible stretch to anyone else. Medaerus had always been flexible.

When his opponent posed the question, Medaerus quickly recalled his match with Roland. "I am a striker, although I have only practiced once with Roland Moonstar. Do you know him? And...I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name? Do you live here in Nexus?"

Bending down to grip his toes, the elf kept his eyes on the man.

[Sheng Kaldres]

"The name is Sheng Kaldres and I don't live in Nexus Prime. I'm here for some business concerning the government." Sheng replied as he went on to warm up. There was no need to bore Medaerus with needless details.

The warm up was simple, the stretching of the leg as he bended down and the turning of the waist to get his back to warm up. Next, was the arms and neck as he rotated them around.

"And what is your name?" Sheng asked. Sheng had given his name and it was Medaerus's turn. After the simple warm up, Sheng would turn his attention to doing a few simple punches and kicks to prepare himself for the sparring. The punches would be simple; the punches would be jabs and straight punch, while the kicks be forward kicks and turning kicks. It felt good that Sheng was finally getting some work out.

[Medaerus]

Medaerus gripped his foot behind his thigh, then switched. "My apologies - I am Medaerus. I currently living in Nexus, but will soon be moving to Paxia, I think."

Medaerus was finally shaking out his hands, rolling his ankles and his neck when a thought occured to him. "You say that you're new to Arium? You haven't heard of Jenius de Merchante, the governer, have you?"

The elf threw a few snap-kicks at the empty air before him. "So, shall we begin?"

[Sheng Kaldres]

With the warm ups done, Sheng balanced himself on the balls of his feet. Soon the fight would begin.

"Jenius de Merchante? I have heard of him and his deeds." Sheng said and silently to himself, Not of them good... Though Sheng did not think Medaerus to be a person that was prone to have strong political views, it did not hurt to keep some comments to himself.

"Yes, let's begin." And Sheng assumed a simple forward stance with the left foot slight in front and his legs about shoulder width apart. To provide maximum movement for attack or for defense, Sheng raised both of his hands with the left slight forward. For Sheng's body, Sheng turned his body to the side to present a smaller target for attacks.

With his stance ready, Sheng would let Medaerus make the first move. It was a tradition for those that are more learned to let those that are less learned in the art to start first.

[Medaerus]

Medaerus thought that he could sense a trace of distaste in the man's posture and voice, and satisfaction dawned on him at the answer. He would have to inform Roland soon...

Wheeling to face Sheng, the elf planted his feet, although not too firmly, for he was said to attack first, as one of a lower level should do. But Medaerus remembered Roland's trick of illusion, and did not want to fall for another one. That would be his most wary sense this time, and Sheng might spring before he could even move.

Bursting forward, Medaerus started with a simple, yet well-placed punch to the stomach, while keeping his eyes on Sheng's for disstraction.

[Sheng Kaldres]

There was no trick. Sheng would stand at the appointed place until Medaerus made his move. Then, Sheng would move swiftly to counter.

The attack that Medaerus chose to use was an interesting one; a punch to the stomach. Or was it a feint? With his experience and sensing of Medaerus' movement, Sheng judged that Medaerus was indeed starting with a simple and perhaps fast attack on Sheng with a punch to the stomach. Most opponent that Sheng knew would start with a jab or forward kick to gauge how fast was the reaction of the opponent.

A punch to the stomach could prove vulnerable....

While Medaerus could be considered to be quick, Sheng did have the eras of training behind and acted almost reflectively to counter Medaerus' punch. First, Sheng quickly stepped to the side with his front leg. With this step, Sheng would have Medaerus' back facing him, presenting an excellent chance to attack Medaerus.

At the same time, Sheng's legs were moving, Sheng's hands were also moving. With a quick tap to Medaerus attacking hand with one of his hands, Sheng attempted to unbalance Medaerus. Whether Medaerus was unbalanced or not was not important. What was important was how Medaerus was going to react to his other hand, a quick jab aimed at the chin.

In all, Sheng acted with simple actions and effective attacks. Medaerus had better react fast or he would be knocked out soon.

[Medaerus]

Medaerus realized Sheng's absentmindedness at his parry and the elf soon came to understand that this man had had many months of practice. When Sheng tapped his hand back to put him off balance, Medaerus stayed steady, although almost all of it worked to the man's advantage.

Medaerus, in starting with a simple attack, had made sure that his fist was clenched hard and his stance stable, that was why it was simple but stolid. When Sheng's hand came soaring at his chin, the elf wasn't quite prepared, but he did his best to seem so. Medaerus performed a simple back-bend, although he had judged the speed of the jab incorrectly and it came smashing into his jaw.

Invigorated, the elf danced backwards for a moment to recuperate, his sharp silver eyes emanating with heat. Roland had barely had any training in unarmed combat, but Sheng was an accomplished master. Medaerus figured that now would be the time to fly like a butterfly - use his natural gifts of swiftness to dodge Sheng's attacks, and throw one of his own occasionally.

Shifting back into a position where his thin legs could easily prance or bend in any direction, Medaerus waited for Sheng to advance. It was his turn to strike.

[Sheng Kaldres]

It was but a simple jab, and Medaerus seemed to do well by recovering quickly from the jab. Of course if Sheng wanted to do so, Sheng could follow up with another attack. Perhaps, forward kick or even an uppercut. These two attacks could potentially knock Medaerus out. However, Sheng was sparring with a beginner, someone who was just finding his own style, there was no need to dampen his spirit so.

So Sheng let Medaerus recovered from the jab and to regroup his senses and attacks. Sheng had expected Medaerus to attack once he was sufficiently recovered, but it seemed that Medaerus got other ideas, not that Sheng had any problems with that. Being in a real life battle, not doing anything might get you killed, but given that this was not a battle to the death, there were concessions. Times given for recovery and to wait were two of them.

With Medaerus recovered, Sheng was going to initial his attacks. From a forward stance that he was assuming while waiting for Medaerus, Sheng shuffled his front leg forward with minimum fuss. Then, turning his hips and waist about, Sheng aimed for one of Medaerus’ lower calves. The impact behind the kick was not to maim but merely to stun so that Sheng could follow up with yet another kick with the same leg. The second kick would be aimed for Medaerus’s soft sides of the body. When the second kick connected, it would hurt more than the one aimed at the calves.

Of course, Medaerus could always move and avoid the kick to the lower calves, but he would need to be quick. Very quick. Sheng was so proficient with this simple kick that he could kick very fast when he needed to.

[Medaerus]

Medaerus kept a wary eye on Sheng, not wanting to miss a hint as to which move the man would next exact. Though when he shifted his body position, Medaerus couldn't quite tell which direction he was coming from. Yet the elf could sense it by more than body language. All of their moves had been straight-forward throughout this fight so far, so the elf almost could garentee a surprise attack from the side.

And, of course, it came. Medaerus's heritage provided him with enough agility and speed to evade most moves, but his lack of training was not so kind. Together, the two components did not equal up to enough to jump out of the way. He did, however, twist around slightly so that his side was facing Sheng. The man's first kick made contact with his shin, which brought him almost to his knees. Almost.

Medaerus fought to stay standing for the millisecond before the second blow slammed into his stomach, sending him keeling over. The elf did not go down without a fight, though. He threw out his fist in Sheng's direction before hitting the hard ground.

Pushing himself up as fast as his sore stomach would allow him, Medaerus assumed a weak stance that gave him a slightly more comfortable position than his regular one. He just hoped Sheng didn't notice.

[Sheng Kaldres]

The kicks connected and Sheng felt the impact of them on his leg. Perhaps Sheng should have been kinder to a beginner by using techniques that are easier to dodge. But then, without seeing the more technical skills, how are Medaerus going improve his skills. Sheng’s role here was perhaps more of a teacher and trainer than that of a student or fighter.

Medaerus had done well up to now. Though he did not pull away successful from Sheng’s attack, he did managed to recover well from the attacks that Sheng executed. First from the jab and then from the kick. The kick connected and Medaerus had to kneel down from the impact. Then Medaerus recovered slightly to make sure that Sheng next kick did not hit him where it hurts the most, the kidney area. Thus, Medaerus was able to attempt a counter at Sheng; a punch at Sheng’s stomach.

At a moment there, it seemed that Medaerus would get his punch in. But at the last moment, Sheng hopped back, arching his stomach backwards. It was a good attempt as the punch brushed the surface of Sheng’s stomach. Of course, there was some pain but not enough to make Sheng stop in his tracks as Sheng’s action had minimized the impact. Always expect the unexpected as Sheng’s trainers would say.

If Medaerus was still standing and was able to deliver a punch with sufficient force, this would be a good time to launch an attack on Sheng. Sheng would find it hard to defend himself from the position he was in now. But since Medaerus was still on his knees, Sheng could take some time to recover himself to stand in a comfortable stance once more.

Perhaps, Sheng could do more.

Giving Medaerus time to recover, Sheng went on after a few moments, “I’m going to aim for your chin once more. Prepare yourself.”

The warnings given, Sheng launched his attacks. Sliding forward again once more, Sheng pushed himself quickly to shorten the distance between him and Medaerus. This made many of the kicks useless at the distance between Sheng and Medaerus. Of course, there are some kicks that Medaerus could use, but they are usually difficult to execute at this distance.

Shortening the range to that of the hand attacks, Sheng jabbed at Medaerus with one hand, aiming for the chin. It was a straight forward attack. At the same time, Sheng was preparing himself to follow up with a hook punch with the other hand. Whether Medaerus could block both of his punches depend on what kind of defense he would put up.

[Medaerus]

The elf felt his wild blow skim the human's stomach, but that was enough for him. To tell the truth, Medaerus had not expected it to make contact at all.

Sheng's warning made Medaerus curious. Was it another attempt to fool him? He had already fallen for one trick from Roland, and he did not want to risk another. Sheng did seem to have an honest tone...maybe the man was assisting him in learning the basics instead of having a good fight, like Roland.

This was still a fight, Medaerus reminded himself. He would prepare for a chin-jab, as Sheng had prepared him for. It made sense; the move had happened here before.

The human came on him, his move clear. An arm darted forward to strike. Medaerus felt confidence in himself that he could parry the blow; after all, that was what it was for. Raising a solid fist to fend it away, the elf realized the side attack just in time to knock that away also. Pride shone in him like another sun.

A step back by Medaerus ensued, becaus he wanted to get a good kick in. If Sheng moved with him, the Sylrosian would simply raise a knee in hopes of hitting the man's stomach. If Sheng did not advance, then Medaerus would snap his leg towards his side, hoping to get an opening for a good jab like the one he just blocked.

[Sheng Kaldres]

With advance warning, Medaerus proved that he was able to defend himself. The jab he stopped with a block, and Medaerus lifted his arms just in time to deflect the hook punch. Of course, if Sheng wanted to be critical, Sheng would want Medaerus to defend and then slight leaned forward to block and to unbalance Sheng. But as a beginner, Medaerus was performing to the best of his abilities.

After the block, Medaerus moved backward. This was usually a good move to make if Sheng was not so well-versed in the maneuvers of the empty hands….

After launching the jab and the hook punch, Sheng waited for Medaerus to react. There were two basic possibilities that Medaerus could take; one was to step back, then attack and the other was to attack at the original position. Either way was possible for an efficient attack and depending on your proficiency, the possibilities of the attacks could vary. But if one took a step back, there was a high probability that it would be a kick.

With this in mind, when Medaerus took a step backwards, Sheng moved with Medaerus. At the same time, Sheng deployed a technique that he had learned at the higher levels. Moving int Medaerus’ space, Sheng lifted one of his knees to protect his lower part of his body. At the same time that he was doing so, Sheng guarded his upper body by pulling one hand close to the chest, while the other close to the chin, ready to deflect any blows. Then, when he was close enough, Sheng would just push out by changing his lifted knee into a side kick by pivoting the leg about the knee. This took coordination and timing.

With luck, Medaerus might be able to block this but he would still be pushed back, presenting a good chance for Sheng.

[Medaerus]

Medaerus cursed inwardly when the man moved with him. Jabbing his knee toward his opponent's stomach as quickly as possible, the elf hoped that Sheng wouldn't be observant enough to realize his move and possibly deflect it.

He was.

Sheng rose his leg and his hands. Medaerus took a faltering step backwards from the unexpected block. Then came the side-snap kick. It snapped straight into the elf's side, sending him jerking sideways, pain permeating his body. But he wasn't ready to give up quite yet.

Medaerus swung a slightly lazy punch at Sheng's side, quickly following it up with a jab to the chest. Neither were very strong, but would hopefully buy him some time to exact a cunning move.

[Sheng Kaldres]

Again, Sheng’s strikes hit Medaerus. Did Sheng expect this? Perhaps considering Sheng’s experience in fighting but again, Medaerus made an attempt to counter. But the counter was weak to say the least. Thus, it was not surprising that Sheng moved away quickly once he had the advantage.

Of course, having the advantage, there were a few things that Sheng could do to press his advantage, but seeing that Medaerus was not handling well, Sheng stepped away and gave both of them some space. The space should be enough for Medaerus to recover.

“Take note of what techniques that I used. It was very probable that you may be able to use them the next time.” Sheng said as he gave Medaerus the time to rest.

When Sheng had judged Medaerus to have rested enough, Sheng executed his next move. It was going to be a simple attack.

The move that Sheng executed was simple; a quick double kick with the same leg. Turning with one of his leg stable on the ground, Sheng twisted his waist and executed a forward kick by pivoting his foreleg about his knee. Once he had this momentum, Sheng used this momentum to jerk back and to execute a second forward kick.