Clash of the Titans, final master round., Sethyas Velas vs Serene Sarethi Options

[jack cloudy]

Alright, I haven't been active here for a while. For one reason, I think I'm suffering from a burnout of sorts. I'm too tired to either read or write. (Though rps are still ok for some reason )

Anyway, here's the first part of the next clash. I'll try to do the actual fight this afternoon, so hold back on the voting if you think you first want to read more. Also, I'm not sure this actually fits into the Clash rules. Seeing the end of this part. I won't spoil it though. So read on.



Clash of the Titans: Final Master Round: Sethyas Velas vs Serene Sarethi.

A swirl of red dust blew around his feet as Sethyas suddenly found himself suspended in midair. With practiced ease, he straightened out and absorbed the force of landing, drawing his Black Hands dagger as he did so.
“Oblivion, again.” He thought and peered around. He knew what was going to come. Yet so far, there was no one to fight yet.

Having made sure he was the only living being in the area, the Dunmer sheathed the dagger and relaxed somewhat and took in his surroundings. Unlike last time, he had materialized on a balcony, presumably the same balcony that had been suspended above the central arena all the time. Although to him, ‘balcony’ was a misnomer. The structure had been built with giants like Mehrunes Dagon in mind, not someone who was on a more mortal scale. To Sethyas, the balcony seemed as large as a canton in Vivec. A gate in the wall behind him led into the structure. There would be plenty of room to manoeuvre here.

A sharp ringing sound drew his attention to the left. Separated by a gap of about five metres and connected by a comparatively small bridge, there was a second balcony, just as large as the first. Now, a shimmering cloud of Magicka erupted over there. Slowly, the Morag Tong slipped his hand back to the dagger at his side as he watched how the cloud coalesced into a person.
“So, my opponent has arrived.” Sethyas thought. When he saw who his opponent was though, his hand froze.

His apparent opponent was a woman. Normally, he had no qualms about it. Man or woman, he’d killed both in the service of Mephala. But this woman was different. This was one he knew, one he respected, one he called master. She had her back turned to him, but he could still recognize her easily. Hand still clutching the hilt of the sheathed dagger, Sethyas walked forwards till he had one foot on the bridge.
“Serene.” He said.

Serene didn’t turn, but merely hung her head slightly. The blade of a Daedric Dai-Katana pierced the balconyfloor, its hilt situated at just the right height for her to draw it. But she made no movement towards it.
“Sethyas. Are you here to kill me?” She asked, though she already knew the answer. Mehrunes Dagon had brought them here, and only one would leave. Sethyas replied with another question.
”Are you reading my mind?” He inquired.
“Only enough to know it is you. Your thoughts, those are only for you to behold.”

Now the Dunmer nodded to himself and felt a small tinge of relief. While he’d gotten used to Serene’s telepathy, it still unnerved him to know that if she so desired, she could unravel his deepest secrets, his feelings, his very soul. All with her mind.
“I see. So you are another of Dagon’s victims.” He noted.
“I don’t want to fight you, Sethyas.” Serene replied.

“You don’t want to fight anyone. I know you.” The Dunmer spoke.
“But…I have no desire to fight either.” He then admitted.
“I have thought about it, during my earlier duels here. If we fight, I doubt there will be any difference between victor and defeated. The victor will simply be forced to fight again and again until death. As Sethyas Velas, I have my responsibilities, obligations to fulfil. I serve Mephala, House Redoran and myself. In that order. Mehrunes Dagon is no Mephala and my House demands of me not to slay a fellow member, even less the actual master of the House.” He added and released his grip on the dagger, letting his hand fall limply to the side.
“I can’t kill you, Serene.”

Serene turned around.
“And I can’t kill you either. Even if personal feelings weren’t against it, the oath of House Redoran binds me as well.” She said. Relief filled her voice now that she knew they were not going to fight. She had not read Sethyas’ mind, so she couldn’t be certain that he was speaking the truth. But the trust she had in him as a friend was proof enough of his intentions.
“I’m surprised Mehrunes Dagon hasn’t shown himself to make his demands known.” She added. Barely had she spoken the words, or countless dark shadows emerged from the gates. Sethyas swore under his breath and drew the Black Hands dagger with a swift motion.
“Apparently, he has decided to make his demands known.” He said louder.

The Dunmer turned around and saw that Daedra were pouring onto his balcony as well.
“You won’t fight against me, Serene. But will you fight with me?” He asked as he jumped onto the bridge. So far, he had only observed Dremora and Scamp. Nothing with ranged capabilities. The bridge could serve as a natural chokepoint. And with numbers against them as much as they were, a chokepoint was the one thing they needed. After a short hesitation, he dropped the bow and quiver of arrows on his back. Dremora were too resilient to take them down with arrows and the Scamps were just as easily dispatched up close.
Serene pulled the sword out of the floor and ran onto the bridge herself.
“Does it look like I have a choice?” She muttered.
“I will fight with you, Sethyas.”




OOC: So yeah, I just couldn't think of a good enough reason to make them fight. Even having an angry Mehrunes Dagon kinda lost its effect after we've used that hook a couple of times already. Oh, and I'm still accepting volunteers for the Telina vs Luper match.

[jack cloudy]

Well yeah, it is rather wonky. So maybe I should try to change the title. Who will survive longest? (And subsequentally win the 'duel'.)

Anyway, I'm not sure if this fight really worked out, especially since I skimmed over a large part of it. Oh well, it should be a reasonable start.




The Dremora and Scamp lined up at a safe distance. Then one Dremora, apparently the leader although he looked exactly the same as all the others, spoke up.
“You know what your task is, then why do you hesitate? Do you fear Lord Dagon’s anger that little?” The Daedra asked with a snarl. Neither Serene nor Sethyas answered. They merely gripped their weapons slightly tighter and retreated further to the center of the bridge.
“If you have forgotten, I will remind you. You are to shed blood for his pleasure. Fail to please him, and we will make sure blood is shed. Would you rather take on scores of our kin over one of your own?” The Dremora continued.

Neither said a word. For them, the choice had always been clear. They would either fight each other, or battle against an endless tide that would rush at the bridge from both sides. For them, the choice was easy. The Dremora waited for an answer which he would never receive. He observed the two mortals, their eyes that shifted across the ranks of Scamps and Dremora. Finally, he put up his hand.
“I see. Well then, you have chosen. Such loyalty towards your kin, I admit I respect you. However, I shall fulfil my duty to Lord Dagon. Fight, with all you have!” His hand swung down and the Scamps rushed forward. The Dremora however stood motionless were they were, biding their time.

In their mad rush, the critters forgot that the bridge was only so wide and many of them fell to their doom as they were pushed off the side by other Scamps. As it was, the bridge was barely wide enough for three to stand side by side. Serene drew a deep breath as the first wave reached her. Physically, this was easy. All she had to do was swing her blade horizontally to cleave all three Scamps. Mentally however, it was far harder. Even against mindless minions whose only desire was to rend her flesh, she still felt bad about killing them. Still, she forced her feelings aside for the moment and did what she had to. One managed to dodge her blow and was about to strike when it stopped and shrieked. Then, it toppled over, it’s mind destroyed by the far greater power that had forced its way into the Scamp’s soul. The wails of death hammered at Serene’s resolve, but she no longer hesitated. The second line was struck down as soon as either her sword or her mind could reach.

Sethyas, by contrast, found it mentally easy to slay the Scamps. They were little more than rats and he considered them as such. However, he did not carry a weapon large enough to cut a Scamp in half, nor could he direct his thoughts as a weapon. He lunged forward at the one in the middle, catching the charging Scamp off-guard. The dagger pierced its eye, driving through into its brain. The Dunmer kicked the one on the left against the side of its head, sending it hurtling off the bridge to the sandy arena below. Simultaneously, he tore the dagger free and plunged it between the third Scamp’s ribs, into its heart. As two fresh carcasses littered his side of the bridge, he pressed on towards the second trio of opponents while drawing a second knife, a silver one coated with an ancient toxic.

The Dremora’s expression was hidden by the mask he wore, but his eyes gleamed with approval. As Scamp after Scamp was easily dispatched. Slowly, the tide ebbed. Finally, the last Scamp had fallen, one last body on the pile. Sethyas meanwhile had forged forward to the edge of the balcony while Serene had slowly retreated to his side. Now both looked at the leader of the Dremora who still stood as motionless as his brethren.
“You have survived the first challenge, that was unexpected. I offer you my congratulations.” He now said. He noticed they seemed tired, worn out from killing one foe after another.
“I shall give you both a moment of rest to regain your strength. After that, we shall test your power against the finest of Dremora. No tricks, no unfair advantages. One pair of Dremora, one pair at a time.”

Serene lifted her hand.
“No need to delay. Let’s get this over with as soon as possible.” She said as she put a hand on Sethyas’ shoulder. Power flowed from her to him, rejuvenating his muscles, easing the ache in his bones, healing minor wounds. The same renewing force flowed through her, restoring her strength. Sethyas nodded.
“Yes, let’s get this over with. Bring on your best.” He said. Meanwhile, he opened his mind for his friend.

“Serene, I know that you can still hear me if I direct my thoughts at you. These Dremora, their armour is made of the same material as your blade. It will not yield easily to any weapon we have. Aim for the back of the legs, or other openings. On the other hand, magic could bypass that armour easily. Try not to get hit though, they’re brutal. I will have to dodge as well.” He thought.
“I know. We will not be easy prey. There are still some secrets they haven’t learned yet.” Serene replied.
“Knowledge is the key to victory.” Sethyas concurred.