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Post by Gilgamesh on Aug 6, 2016 19:39:23 GMT -7
The air around Gilgamesh was peaceful, almost serene as he sat atop the rooftop, legs folded under him and head bowed in silent contemplation. No longer concerned about coming out as Gilgamesh during the day he was rather enjoying this moment of peaceful meditation. The afternoon's sun gently beating down upon his shrouded and hooded form.
One of the city's police stations had fallen and the Bulwark had been pushed back with ease. He didn't know how many men and women died that day, but it wasn't enough. The corruption of the city and the influence of the Mafia ran deep and the tendrils of those that sought power through money stretched deeper still. But that kind of power was fleeting, fear could outweigh profit. And when cornered your money wouldn't protect you.
It was a sad truth that his work was far from done. There were still many threats to take out, and by the end of it he very well may have the whole city after him. Though often people were strengthened by their enemies. So he could take solace knowing that having several gangs of Super Powered people and the police force out for his head could very well make for good training. Certainly it would force him to push his limits against overwhelming odds. A different kind of challenge than the Dragon had been, but one he'd relish all the same.
He had his next target in mind however. And it was close by. Another police station deeper in the city, one that the building he rested on overlooked. He knew for a fact that it had a few crooked cops in it. He'd seen them keeping watch over a drug deal on the docks. Though that group of dealers had already been dispatched before his first raid on the police station. Soon another one would fall and the police would be forced to move inward, defensively. That meant less cops out there protecting criminal assets. It meant reporters digging into these attacks. The vast majority would decry him as a mad man. A terrorist. A criminal to be put down. But someone would dig into the why.
He wouldn't expect to see that on the evening news however, but things could move behind the scenes. And he knew someone that he could drop off a packet of information to should he need to give them a nudge. Edgar seemed like a good enough guy, and he'd trust him to dig into a story that fell into his lap. Even if only to debunk it. That seemed like the best plan moving forward. Take out the station to send a stronger message. Then gather up what he could on the mayor, the mafia, and the police and get it into hands he could trust.
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Pandaemonium
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Post by Blue Jay on Aug 6, 2016 21:43:48 GMT -7
Nightly, Blue Jay went looking for trouble, but it was rare for him to search someone specific out. The Bulwarks, and heros in general, were the reactionary sort; responding to the trouble caused by others rather than making initiatives of their own. The recent attack on the police station had been a perfect example of this and was an equally perfect example as to why these attempts at being reactionary were not enough. They - he - had failed and because of that people had died. Many good and innocent people. Even if they had succeeded, the time it would’ve taken for them to stop the attackers wouldn’t have been enough to fully prevent the attack. Innocent people still would’ve been hurt; possibly killed. And they’d been nearby that time. He’d been on a rooftop overlooking the station, a couple seconds’ teleportation away. What if the nearest help had been on the other side of the city? Murderers would not kindly wait for people like him to show up, and people like him couldn’t be everywhere at once.
Tragedies were still tragedies even if they were stopped halfway through. Three people dead and ten saved was still three people dead. The real way to prevent things like what happened at the police station, to do his job, was to stop them before they happened.
That’s why he’d resolved himself to taking to the rooftops tonight to find the person who had committed that atrocity. Gilgamesh, the dragon slayer. Blue Jay had done some research on the super; these were far from the first people he’d killed. Gang members, other police, drug dealers, there were rumors he’d been the hand in dozens of deaths. It was still astounding to him that someone who fought for the city against the dragon would be the cause of all this needless bloodshed.
Blue Jay was going to end it. There was no point in waiting, and there was no point in running.
He’d departed wordlessly early in the morning, before the boarding house had woken for the day. He’d left his room clean and his phone under his pillow. Titan had called a team meeting for that evening, and he'd given silent apologies out to Titan for not being able to attend. It was probably going on now, or due to start soon. He’d wondered if people would try to find him. Or, how long it would be before people tried to find him.
The cloaked figure sat alone on a rooftop. It was quiet when Blue Jay appeared on the neighboring rooftop’s edge.
“Gilgamesh.” Blue Jay was motionless in his crouch. His hand rested on the hilt over his shoulder, though he didn’t draw his sword. Even though he already knew how this was going to end. He took a deep breath, to calm the slight shake in his wrist and to again strengthen his resolve. “The police station. The cops and the people you’ve killed before them. Are you going to keep killing?”
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Post by Gilgamesh on Aug 7, 2016 14:18:23 GMT -7
A small smile appeared on his face when he heard his name coming from the side. It seemed he wasn't alone, and the voice was familiar. The young Bulwark from the police station. He heard the young man take a deep breath, perhaps to steel himself for what was the come? There could only be one thing he intended to do if he was trying to muster his courage after seeking him out like this.
He wondered if this would be the first life that the young boy had taken before? The first was always the hardest. The second was just as hard, but it would get easier every time he did it. It was an important lesson to learn in the world they both inhabited. Sometimes to end a problem you had to end it for good. Words could only take you so far, and when you hesitate others won't. His words sent an electric thrill through his nerves in anticipation. If anything he was excited.
Oh God is he going to do a villain speech? God that's so cool. I gotta come up with something bad ass and ominous sounding.
"This city is infected and I am the cure for the corruption that plagues it. The festering sickness that you and your ilk perpetuate."
Yes, that sounds good.
He didn't get to do this often, normally he stuck with stoic silence. But if this was to possibly be his first than he had to make sure it was memorable. Or in the more likely situation, let him die knowing that Gilgamesh was going to continue to stamp out the corruption that the Bulwark uplifted and shielded. That was how he chose to use his strength, he would be the terror of the night that would allow the dawn to come.
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Pandaemonium
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Post by Blue Jay on Aug 7, 2016 14:50:26 GMT -7
That’s how he saw it? Those innocent cops doing their jobs were the city’s corruption, and therefore deserved to be killed? His jaw tightened. He was an idealist given too much power to abuse and the will to abuse it. Other evenings, it would made him sick to think this is what happened to some supers, and that it could have such real and large consequences. Tonight it made him more sure of what he was doing. Blue Jay stood.
“Then I have to stop you here.” He said emotionlessly. He’d already worked through the anger, and the fear he felt was numb to his mind, only surfacing in the occasional shake in his wrist or catch in his breath. “I can’t let you continue killing, whatever your reasoning is.”
He began to draw the blade, but a couple inches out of its sheath, he hesitated. His gaze drifted down to the street and the buildings beyond. They were downtown, and though the standard workday was over, people still inhabited these buildings. Cars and pedestrians occasionally passed on the street below. Blue Jay wasn’t so concerned with the buildings, not for this, but the people… “I don’t really want to fight here.” He muttered. “There’s too many people around.”
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Post by Gilgamesh on Aug 7, 2016 15:02:13 GMT -7
He sighed, disappointment already creeping into his veins. Was he wavering already? Was he looking for a reason to back down? The environment? Really? Once again the Bulwark showed a lack of conviction to follow through with anything. He'd come all this way to challenge him and then what? Backed out because they were in the city? What did he expect combing rooftops for him?
Idiots. They are a bunch of idiots...
"Fine."
He'd say as he stood up from his kneeling position. His face still obscured by the shadows of his hood as he took in a deep breath. He could push the advantage here. If the Bulwark was really so worried about their battle ground he wouldn't be able to fight at his full potential. He'd be holding back or risk harming others. He'd seen the shockwaves in action. He could imagine that a well timed dodge would really fuck with the kid's head. It would be an easy win, the Bulwark had no chance winning a fight here. And Gilgamesh knew it.
"Pick a venue."
That was unacceptable. If he wanted to do this than Gilgamesh would see it that he used his full strength. If this was to be a duel he'd not win it through trickery or happenstance. He'd see the Bulwark at it's full strength. Then and only then would grinding it under his heel be a test worthy of him. Only then could he truly see what was in Blue Jay's heart. Only if he gave it everything he had could Gilgamesh walk away satisfied from this duel.
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Pandaemonium
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Post by Blue Jay on Aug 7, 2016 15:32:56 GMT -7
Gilgamesh’s acceptance of his inferred request gave Blue Jay pause. He didn’t smile, but a bit of tension left his shoulders. He let his sword drop back into its sheath. “There’s a place in the docks that still hasn’t been rebuilt since the dragon attack. There shouldn’t be anyone else there, and the police shouldn’t bother us.”
It was too dangerous for the homeless people, who had better places to stay since Aurora had been rebuilding anyway, and the location was too out of the way for the police to quickly get to or important enough for them to care much about. This was not going to be a quiet or subtle fight by any stretch, so police were bound to show up eventually, but with any luck they’d let them be for as long as they would need it. He hoped the police had at least enough common sense to do so.
“Follow me.” But in turning to go, Blue Jay hesitated again. He looked back over his shoulder at the man he was going to be fighting. He knew from reports that Gilgamesh primarily fought hand-to-hand, but the recent battle between some supers, gang members, and cops, if one wanted to call another slaughter that, had suggested he also could use weapons.
“I’ll be fighting with my sword.” He stated. “If you want to get a weapon, I’ll wait for you.”
If Gilgamesh denied his offer, that was his choice. Blue Jay would displace a couple rooftops down, still in sight of the Pandaemonium, and wait for however long it took for him to catch up before doing the same again. If Gilgamesh did want to get a weapon, he’d keep to his promise and remain there until he returned and was ready. If Gilgamesh wanted to run, Blue Jay would simply seek to find him again. This fight was inevitable; but something told Blue Jay that Gilgamesh would not be running.
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Post by Gilgamesh on Aug 7, 2016 15:47:27 GMT -7
He let out a small scoff at the offer. It was cute, the kid had some sense of honor. But Gilgamesh felt no need to get a weapon. Not against this enemy. Besides, when he killed he preferred to do it with his bare hands. It was important to feel the weight of his actions, and no matter how easy killing had become for him he didn't want there to be a barrier between him and that action. Necessary sometimes as it may be, it was an action that could not be undone And it was with respect that he'd not cheapen the deaths of his victims by distancing himself from those actions. He also knew of the place Blue Jay spoke of. The Docks and slums were places he frequented, and if he wanted to give Gilgamesh home field advantage he'd allow it.
"I won't require a weapon."
He'd follow Blue Jay, hopping from rooftop to rooftop as they made their way to the seedier parts of town. His lips pressed together and his brows furrowed as he thought about what he should call Blue Jay. He couldn't use Bird as that was already Canary's name. Blue Balls was too crude. And calling him Mockingbird would probably be to obscure. Especially in the heat of the moment. Really he had to avoid anything with Bird or it would just be too much like Canary Claw, and she was not nearly menacing enough to have a duel with him. A fact that he silently cursed her for. So much possibility that would likely never be realized. Though he supposed he could forgive her since he kind of liked having her around. It would be a shame to kill her.
But that didn't help his problem with Blue Jay. Jay Walker just sounded dumb. And he couldn't think of anything with the sword. He could just go with swordsman. Or Swashbuckler. That might work. He'd nod as they arrived at the docks. Swashbuckler it would be. Unless something better came to him. But only if it came to him before he said it out loud.
Once they arrived at the desired location Gilgamesh would step forward. Putting some distance between the two fighters as was proper when starting a duel. He'd push back his hood as he turned to face Blue Jay, unconcerned if the man saw his face. This wasn't a normal fight, and there were certain shows of respect that he felt obligated to show the young Bulwark because of the route he chose to go.
"As it is a duel I'll not hide behind my hood but rather face you like a man. You may use any power, weapon, or tactic you like. This is your only warning however. If you do not back down now I will kill you."
He'd press his hands together and lower his head before bending forward, offering the Swashbuckler a small bow of respect and ceremony. These could be the last moments of either of them. He'd see to it that they were spent properly.
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Pandaemonium
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Post by Blue Jay on Aug 7, 2016 19:21:09 GMT -7
Blue Jay tried to put his mind to where they were going, even though he knew this city well enough that he was sure he could arrive at their destination without much thought. What he was doing rested dully in the back of his mind. He wanted to keep it there. He’d already thought this through, not just since last night but many times over before he’d even met Gilgamesh. When they arrived among the ruined buildings and roads, he was calm.
While Gilgamesh stepped forward, Blue Jay drew his sword. The opportunity to strike his opponent in the back was before him, but just as Gilgamesh had not taken the numerous chances he’d likely had on him on the way here, Blue Jay let the notion and pass without making good on it. He let the sword rest at his side.
Gilgamesh was his age, he realized when he saw the man’s face. Supers, who’re doing things like this, killing like Gilgamesh had been doing, were all so young, weren’t they?
Gilgamesh’s words drew out an certified something that had been weighing on him. He spoke loud enough for Gilgamesh to hear, but his words were mostly for himself. “If you are to be my final opponent, I’m not going to fight you as another nameless, faceless soldier.”
Blue Jay reached up and loosened the strap on the side of his mask, and removed it from his face. He placed it carefully on the ground. When he stood again, he raised the sword so it was almost horizontal before his chest, left hand tight on the hilt and right resting on the strip of cloth that guarded the first few inches of the sword’s top blade, and he locked eyes with Gilgamesh.
“My name is Kasty Doherty, and I am the current wielder of Evron. I want to fight you as me.
“Gilgamesh, I will not back down. I-” for the first time since meeting the super, his voice cracked. No, he couldn’t afford to feel nervous. He’d already decided he wasn’t going to, and like Gilgamesh said, this was not a battle either were going to take lightly. He knew this. He swallowed and began again. “I will stop you here.”
He waited only so long as to give Gilgamesh another word if he wanted one. Then, Kasty tensed his shoulders and his legs, purposefully making it obvious what he was going to do. The first move of a duel was not the time for surprise strikes.
He displaced. He vanished instantly from where he stood, appearing less than a second later directly in front of Gilgamesh. Arm moving faster than was possible for someone his size, he swung across Gilgamesh’s chest. The sword whistled like a high note on an organ. Whether or not the blow landed, about mid-way through the swing a powerful shockwave shot from the blade. With his concentration on the displacement and blow itself he was unable to manifest the strongest shockwave he could, but it was still enough for what force may not hit Gilgamesh to rip deep into the ruined building behind them, crumbling stone and bending metal in its path.
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Post by Gilgamesh on Aug 9, 2016 20:42:34 GMT -7
He hadn't expected to be given a real name and title. He was actually surprised by the show of honor and dignity from the member of the Bulwark. It was very out of character for those villains to do anything even close to resembling proper honor. Frankly he'd half expected the kid to just try and stab him while he bowed and claim it was for justice.
"Alexander Spencer. Current Fist Disciple of the Iron Fist."
They would now fight as men. No longer faceless nameless enemies. They would be able to look the other in the eyes and see that there was a person there. A human being with a name, hopes, dreams, a past. But, for one of them there would be no future. Gilgamesh was ready for that eventuality. He'd inflicted oblivious on scores of people throughout his life, and he was emotionally prepared for the day that he too would be struck down in battle. It was the way of the warrior, it was the path that he walked on. And the only path he knew, where all roads lead to death.
The teleportation move was expected, having seen it in action before, but it was still fast. The key was to not blink and to remain focused. Gilgamesh's own arm shot out for Blue Jay's wrist as his body pivoted so that the blade's edge would more fully be facing his torso along with Blue Jay's elbow. He wasn't sure how the shock waves worked so this was his first test of the kid's power. However if he managed to grab the wrist and if the shockwave was cut off by the stop of force he'd slam his free hand into Blue Jay's elbow to snap it at the joint and twist the arm in an attempt to get him to drop the blade.
Assuming he couldn't teleport out of course.
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Pandaemonium
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Post by Blue Jay on Aug 9, 2016 21:16:54 GMT -7
Kasty had given a nod to the man’s name and title. It was more than he had expected, given Alexander had already shown him his face, but it was appreciated. Kasty wouldn’t forget his name.
The grab came as a surprise. He wasn’t used to people reacting so soon after a displacement. His swing was stopped abruptly with the jar to his shoulder. The shockwave still went off, but with an uncompleted swing fired with considerably less force and at an off angle, much like if a frisbee throw was cut shot. The narrow wave of force harmlessly flew past Gilgamesh to blow a chunk out of an important concrete support beam of an old factory off to their side.
Likewise, Kasty couldn’t let his reaction time drop. Wrestling free of Gilgamesh’s grab was an option, but the next strike left little time to attempt. He teleported, completely removing himself from the spot he stood before, and appeared about a foot to Gilgamesh’s right and backwards. He’d try a different tactic. Moving his blade down so the tip pointed towards the Pandeamonium, he displaced through the space between them and made a singular jab at Gilgamesh’s ribs. The jab itself was not meant to reach any further than his clothing. Rather, at its end, a second shock wave shot from the blade’s tip, a circular blast of force focused on that singular point.
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Post by Gilgamesh on Aug 11, 2016 15:01:34 GMT -7
The way that the shock wave behaved when Katsy's arm was grabbed and stopped was noted. The shock wave itself was then for sure a product of the sword swing. Or at least his arm motion. It was not something that the kid was able to produce from nothing. That could make it predictable and able to be evaded. Weakness one of Katsy was identified.
When Katsy teleported out of his grip Gilgamesh was already committed to the attack, his palm thrusting powerfully to what was not there any longer. He had just a moment to register the movement of the blade behind him. Spinning to avoid it the best he could. But point blank and from surprise meant he'd be to slow this time. The shock wave hit him in the side just as he'd managed to bring an arm back as some sort of guard to protect his organs. The blast was more than enough to rip through his clothing and break through some of his Qi infused flesh and muscle. Though it hadn't met bone yet. Clenching his teeth in pain Gilgamesh followed up with a counter, shifting his weight again as he brought a leg snapping in an arc for Katsy's head.
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Pandaemonium
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Post by Blue Jay on Aug 12, 2016 19:49:19 GMT -7
Fighting against someone who used only their hands was strange. While Kasty had an advantage at a couple of feet apart, up close, within range of Gilgamesh’s fists, he was tied to the slower-moving base of the blade and grabbable hilt. In line with this, the jab seemed to have worked - but before he could press for another strike, Gilgamesh made his own. Rather than dodge or teleport again, Kasty raised his blade to take the weight of the blow. The sword rang like a struck bell. His wrists stung as the brunt of the force transferred into them, jaring them much like Gilgamesh had his shoulder the strike prior.
Kasty brought his blade down from the block with another swipe to Gilgamesh’s chest. Continuing the advantage he found, he made several swift jabs at his opponent. First one to his left shoulder, the area closest to where he’d raised the blade, then one to the center chest and two to the stomach. Each was a short strike, not meant to sink much deeper than an inch, but at the end of every one the blade let off a small shock wave. With concentration on speed, each was only large enough and powerful enough to leave a dent about the size of a dinner plate in stone.
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Post by Gilgamesh on Aug 15, 2016 18:35:58 GMT -7
The initial slash was evaded with a hop back. Katsy had good instincts with the blade. Good reactions too. He was using it's strengths to his advantage. It's ability to block the blows rather than having his flesh take it. And the reach that it offered him. Though he seemed to switch between thrusts and slash's fairly commonly. Most swords were not built for both. In this case while the piercing stabs were possible the shape of the blade meant it wasn't balanced for the jobs, especially in quick succession without proper chance to line up his shots. And Gilagmesh had no intention of giving him that chance.
The jab to the left shoulder was evaded simply by shifting and turning his body, creating an even smaller opening for the area he was aiming for with the chest. He'd also seen that the shockwaves seemed to have come from the sword, or with the point of the sword. So using the palm of his hand he'd attempt to push the blade away by it's flat edge while it was thrust out, which was also when Blue Jay would be most open to him advancing into his guard. This time with a knee for the stomach, which if connected would be followed up by his right elbow slamming down on the boy's head as he gasped for air.
"Is the weapon the source of your strength? If so, shame."
While skilled he wasn't currently using it to it's full potential.
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Pandaemonium
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Post by Blue Jay on Aug 15, 2016 19:42:54 GMT -7
When the first strike missed, Kasty felt a small bit of panic. The second came as an attempt to do what the first one failed, and three and four were made half out of final attempts to keep this ‘advantage’ and half made out of commitment. He knew he needed to get back and out of the way; he’d given Gilgamesh plenty of time for his own attack, but the knee was in his stomach before he could even think of teleporting. Kasty coughed and felt the burn of the air leaving his lungs. Then he felt something hard hit his head. His vision flashed black and he reeled backwards, all of his effort in keeping on his feet. It left his his stance wide and off-balance, sword held in both hands, tip pointed towards Gilgamesh.
His voice came in gasps as he tried to refill his lungs. “Yeah, it is. There’s no shame in using what power I have available to me.”
If this is how hard Gilgamesh could hit even with the sword’s protection… The temptation to let his mind zone out, let the blade take care of the fighting as he had at the end of the dragon’s attack was strong. Kasty knew he couldn’t, not just because this was not a dragon fight and the sword had no obligation to be helpful, but because then Gilgamesh wouldn’t be fighting him. He’d be fighting the sword.
He needed time to recover. Just a moment to catch his breath and gather himself. With a quick swipe of the sword, Kasty shot a shock wave at the ground beneath Gilgamesh’s feet. He was off balance and the shot lost accuracy because of it, but if Gilgamesh tried to rush him, he might be hit with the wave before it struck the dirt. He took another step back, trying to right himself.
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Post by Gilgamesh on Aug 15, 2016 19:59:29 GMT -7
"No, but you wield a power you haven't mastered."
He didn't know about the internal dilemma inside of the boy's head. Nor did he care, what mattered right now was the fight. The here and now. There was no room for doubts, for second thoughts. Of all times this was the time to be confident in one's abilities. They had bet their lives on their abilities, and here there was no backup. No one to pull Gilgamesh out of the rubble. No one to catch Blue Jay as he fell from the sky.
He wouldn't fault him for using the weapon, he wouldn't even fault him for getting supernatural abilities from the weapon if that's what it was. However, if the sword was the source of his strength that also made it his greatest weakness. In unskilled hands a blade was as much a danger to it's wielder as it was to his opponent. Perhaps more. So how dangerous was a power granting sword that one did not master? Ever curious in what the boy could do, and confident in his own abilities to fend off what was sure to be a desperate last stand from Katsy he'd commit to a gambit. He'd continue to push as Katsy retreated, surrendering ground.
The blade was swiped at the ground, and at this point he was all but certain he knew how the shockwaves worked. Their trajectory simple and predictable. Their generation only from the blade and only in harmony with the strikes. Leaving the wielder himself defenseless. So as the swipe and shock wave fired at the dirt Gilgamesh leaped into the air, raising up his legs to attempt to clear the worst of the shock wave and the explosion of dirt and stone that would likely result from it. Should he clear the blast and his advancement proved successful he'd attempt to use Katsy's head as a stepping stone to hop off of and land behind.
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