[SP-F6] Pushing the Sanity: Affliction or Resolve? <<The Gemini>>

[Vale 1]

The blessing of the seasonal feel upon the rainforests of the sixth floor, A rushing massive waterfall falling over a path. A scenery above known to be one of the greatest sites that beholden the currently discovered floors of the floating castle of Aincrad. Many battles of one's own inner resolve occurred at this precise location, a known quest giver here demanded a challenge. Vale turned to look at the end of the path, a figure magically there after her being alone for so long. Vale sifted through her inventory and unequipped her entire regalia. Her match with this one would be a mirror of herself, she needed to know how much she believes in her ability to save this world from the horrors it placed upon the unsuspecting players looking for a casual escape from life. Her eyes would shift nowhere as the quest giver slowly approached her. This answer would be done by sheer conviction.

[Vale 1]

Vale knew what the quest giver was going to give her as her objective, the panther woman never stopped reading while she trained and honed her body. Making a monthly plan and regimen, she figured out the exact time schedule she had to hold herself to. There were many people she needed to help, many people she needed to understand, many others whose stories have come to an end but mysteries of them uncovered. Vale took a strong interest in the information brokers books. Each volumn of the book gave her more and more information. Those which strengths were unparalleled and those whose resolve were unquestionable. They all started a very difficult path in their life, the fight with themselves. HP bars appeared as the script opened up in her HUD.

The Gemini: 330/330 HP | 66/66 Energy | MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 660/660 HP | 66/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

Vale could feel the quest giver grinning underneath the darkness that shrouded its face. She reached out and selected accept to the Half-Life due, just as the duel set to one where she could no longer back of the duel. The rules of the duel changed to possible death duel! Her eyes did not widen, her heartbeat was at a steady calm. This was her zone, this was her equilibrium the martial artist devoted herself to, The zone she reached in her mind during her matches she had in the tournaments. The robe fell and the creature shapeshifted into the look of her own self. But one key thing she knew about the Gemini, it had a completely different set of ideal's than the woman. This match was never about living or dying, this match was a matter of ones only personal way of life.

The Gemini: 330/330 HP | 66/66 Energy | MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 660/660 HP | 66/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88552 | BD: 9 (Critical) | MD: 9 (Critical)

The Yellow-eyed version of Vale launched itself at her, one restriction of the skill was the inability to perfectly mimic another being. It could copy everything but the eyes, this gave Vale a strong understanding of the activation of the disguise skill. A thought crept up, but was quickly knocked away as the version was able to snake around Vale's guard and deliver a devastating blow. Vale winced in pain, her memory of taking hits and force behind them gave her a physically shocking feeling in her mind. She didn't wait a moment longer to counter with her own strength, bringing a violent charge of her right fist, unable to trigger the skill on her whole body due to the yellow-eyed Vale getting so close in. A ferocious right hook caused the Gemini to launch a good distance away, Vale didn't shutter or hesitate as she launched forward to keep the fight going.

The Gemini: 253/330 HP (135-58=77 DMG) |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 462/660 HP (165+33=198 DMG) | 49/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88553 | BD: 1 (Miss) | MD: 4 (Miss)

Vale tried to capitalize on the fact she had the upper hand in the combat at this precise moment having the second strike on an unbalanced target. The Gemini didn't hesitate to show it's combat prowess with martial arts, it attempted a power leg sweep to take Vale out from underneath. Having to jump up prevented her from getting an angle on the Gemini completely wasting a golden opportunity to take an upper hand in the entire fight. Quickly dive rolling to return to her feet, Vale flicked her hip and returned back to a boxing stance. She was ready to turn up the aggression with the utmost of her technique. The Yellow-eyed Vale placed it's fists up not showing any particular martial arts stance.

The Gemini: 253/330 HP |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 462/660 HP | 48/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88554 | BD: 2 (Miss) | MD: 3 (Miss)

The yellow-eyed was not taking this battle slowly either, it quickly rushed up on Vale. Again the purranther had to take a defensive stance, The creature that was mimicking the woman threw out a flurry of attacks. Vale flashbacked to a time during her boxing training days learning to see the tridgetory of each individual punch, adapting to the speed and power between each. It's almost as though she was predicting the creatures every movement. Though the Gemini had a good sense of martial awareness, dodging as well the counter punch throws that Vale was through. Every now and again the two would clash their fists re-directing each one's had away, but not throwing off the speed at which each of them were throwing punch after punch.

The Gemini: 253/330 HP |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 462/660 HP | 47/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88555 | BD: 9 (Critical) | MD: 5 (Miss)

Vale was watching how their fists were colliding, how the flow of combat was going. Slowly but surely, the martial artist flexed her experience of combat and began to identify the enemies movement. With an opening showing up shortly, Vale kept the pace up with great intensity. Once their hands collided again, the opening was hot right at this moment. With a fully charged fist, she slammed her fist into the face of the enemy Vale. Back flew the creature losing a considerable distance. Due to the fight already having begun, Vale couldn't utilize her charge skill to give herself an edge. Her calculations were beginning to start, she was looking into just how much she could expend to win this fight. It was a matter of attrition and her nimble feet work.

The Gemini: 176/330 HP (135-58=77 DMG) |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 462/660 HP| 31/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88556 | BD: Disregarded due to Defense | MD: 4 (Miss)

The Yellow-eyed Gemini continued the offensive. Vale did the math in her head, in order for her to win this fight. She needed to maximize her energy conservation. To only use it when she absolutely needed it. The creature showed that it needed no rest between skirmishes, it was going to overwhelm Vale by it's limitless energy it possessed. Vale focused on controlling her zone, using her palms to smack the attacks of the Gemini away. Vale's eyes danced around watching the flow of motion by the shoulders of the creature, using that to pinpoint where his attack and be where. She needed to get the creature in a bad position on the often.

The Gemini: 176/330 HP  |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 462/660 HP| 32/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88557 | BD: 9 (Critical) | MD: 4 (Miss)

Again she studying the creatures attack patterns, systematically blocking an untold number of attack attempts. There wasn't a single person combatant she faced in the world who could give her this much oppressive aggression. It was a welcome challenge, she felt like she was in an actual disadvantage in this fight she was taking part in. While she made the creature fight it's way in a corner, it attempted a wide arching side hook attack. With a swivel dodge of her head in the same flowing direction of the fist, and a quick flick backward with her upper body she had her opponent in a defenseless position. Ripping her arm upward she uppercut the creature with devastating force to force the creature off the ground. An Exasperated sigh came out as the fatigue began to sink in with her energy reaching it's limit.

The Gemini: 99/330 HP (135-58=77 DMG) |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 462/660 HP| 16/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88557 | BD: Disregarded due to Defense | MD: 4 (Miss)

Swiftly Vale distanced herself from the creature, placing herself a specific number of steps away that gave her enough time to figure out her defense plan. Taking her stance up once again, the Gemini charged in continuing with the onslaught it was trying to perform. It was fruitless, Vale still had energy in the reserves and could figure out the angles the creature was trying to take to hurt her. Vale flowed around the path that sat underneath the massive waterfall. The moisture in the air kept the refreshing feeling she needed in order to keep her focus against her opponent. She needed to hold the upper hand but beating her opponent with wits.

The Gemini: 99/330 HP |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 462/660 HP| 17/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88559 | BD: Disregarded due to Defense | MD: 5 (Miss)

The creature was beginning to pick up speed, so was she. There was no limit to where they could take the fight due to the nature of the quest. Thus Vale began to jump up and backwards to being to scaling the wall. The creature piggybacking on the physical prowess of Vale herself, It followed at the same exact speed. The two of them were practically darting around and using the side of the wall as a substitute floor. Their speed was enough to prevent them from losing their footing, they had absolute control of which directions they were moving. Vale constantly keeping up the defensive knocking the Gemini around  keeping it's powerful fists away from her.

The Gemini: 99/330 HP |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 462/660 HP| 18/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88560 | BD: Disregarded due to Defense | MD: 8 (Hit)

The creature seemed to slowly get faster and faster as the battle progressed, it's like the creature inherited a demonic trait from a Berserk-like being from it's past at this location. She could almost feel the essence of an incredibly powerful warrior whose story she had yet to truly know. A named ringed in her head, but what the name precisely was made it difficult for her to focus on the defense as it wasn't an understandable name yet. With Vale slightly distracted, the creature power kicked vale into the path they started the fight in with a hard-hitting thud into the rock. Leaving a crack where she was ended up in the rock formations themselves, a memento for the battle.

The Gemini: 99/330 HP |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 297/660 HP (-165)| 19/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88561 | BD: Disregarded due to Defense | MD: 3 (Miss)

The creature had an evil aura about it, its eyes glared at her with a feeling of absolute deadness. Like a soul was trying to reach out and converse with her without being able to make contact. The creature launched off the side of the wall toward her, her following in suite by launching herself at the wall at the opposite side it was at. Quickly the creature redirected itself to launch at her again, she responding in kind to begin a chase scene between the two of them. Vale needed to keep her distance slightly and take advantageous attack paths and patterns. This was no time to rest on her laurels, she needed to focus and win this fight.

The Gemini: 99/330 HP |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 297/660 HP | 20/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88562 | BD: Disregarded due to Defense | MD: 7 (Hit)

Again the creature just proved it's superiority in combat, by just blitzing her giving her no time to react. Another power attack and down the mountainside she went. before colliding the ground, she dashed about to regain her balance and continue the move. The creature trying it's damnedest to keep ontop of her and give her no options and no chance for return. Vale was on the last legs of this match, she needed to take control of it quickly. With her timeframe of taking advantage slowly closing tighter and tighter. A wind of luck would need to bless her at this point, the creature was just too strong at the moment for her current level of power.

The Gemini: 99/330 HP |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 132/660 HP (-165)| 21/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88563 | BD: Disregarded due to Defense | MD: 1 (Miss)

Her heartbelt yet held still, the creature was too fast so the chasing strategy was just hindering her at this point. She redirected herself to get in close with the creature, the sudden change of direction for Vale threw the Gemini off with definitive. It instead dodged rather than taking a change for a match-winning attack. Vale took this into consideration as she redirected her body and got in close once more. The creature regained it's own balance on the ground and launched itself at Vale to try to commit to a close throwing of the hands to decide the winning of the bout. It was a now or never ditch effort to take the crown.

The Gemini: 99/330 HP |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 132/660 HP | 22/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88564 | BD: Disregarded due to Defense | MD: 5 (Miss)

The two of them descended from combo attacks to full throttle one-shot attacks. Vale holding back from attacking taking the opportunity to deflect every single attack the creature was throwing at her. The lack of consecutive attacks made it somewhat easier to defend herself. But the power packed behind each attack now shook the martial artist. She didn't feel powerless, but the feeling of being inferior was beginning to prick at her brain. Her training felt fruitless if she couldn't defeat her own self without the need of superficial items. It wasn't her to lose a match even though she was the underdog once again. She held herself to high regard when it came to combat in martial arts. It was a devotion she made to her sensei to accomplish what couldn't be accomplished before.

The Gemini: 99/330 HP |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 132/660 HP | 23/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

ID: 88565 | BD: 9 (Critical) | MD: 10 (Super Critical)

Vale finally got the opening she needed to unleash her strength upon the creatures face, but just as her hand collided with its forehead. A powerful punch from the identical arm of hers struck her directly in the heart. There she saw the slight difference they had in strength. It was the first time she read the words "Defeat" in front of her face before. The soul within her dropped, a feeling of emptiness enveloped her. She could have legitimately died right there if the quest had not saved her from the cease of existence. Vale dropped to her knees as the Gemini backed up from her, her gaze upon nothing but the ground.

The Gemini: 22/330 HP (-77) |  MIT: 58 | DMG 165

Vale: 1/660 HP (-231 [Cannot drop below due to Quest Parameters]) | 7/66 Energy | MIT 0 |

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

"Not nearly powerful enough." The creature hissed at her as it reformed into it's original look, cloaked once again with a dark veil over its face, "Come again and defeat me... I haven't amassed enough power." It grinned wickedly, "You feel the might of Dom, and the ferocity of the man who owned true rage!" It shouted at her as it dissipated into black mist. It challenged the martial artist to come back and battle it once again, regardless Vale was stunned to her essential core of her being. She was bested in a match of strength by something that didn't have her respect. The first time it had ever happened in her life. It was the first loss of many she would suffer, but the first that shook who she was.

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

The name Dom rung in her ear. She opened her inventory and shuffled over to her 30 volumns of the Broker Handbook. Looking back to the 16th edition was the last time she remembered reading the name, Dom. It was something specific but she had to look into it. She flipped the page over to the Azure Brigade, speaking of the time they announced the man 'Ssendom' to the Counsel of the Azure Elite. There was a small blurb about him as most of what he was about was shrouded in mystery, "A man of devilish strength, known to swing his mighty blade with a single arm. His power second to only that of the Strongest man to walk Aincrad, Zelrius. She made a mental note to try and find people who know about the Legacies of these two men.

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale

[Vale 1]

Vale picked herself up and walked her way back to town, she didn't have the same pep in her step knowing that she failed in defeating the Gemini. She came so close to defeating the creature but it had taken the crown just as she was getting herself in position to win. She needed to train harder, and far more frequently if she was going to stand a chance of defeating the enemy in hand to hand combat. She needed the loot from the duel, and it was not going to be an easy for her to do so without some assistance somewhere. Trying to take this world on with just the power behind her fists was pointless. If she was going to win, she needed to overpower the enemy with a quick flurry of attacks that would lead to her victory.

Edited September 20, 2017 by Vale