Fresh Blood Series 1.3: Veric V Razzak

A bitter chill touched the lips and noses of the gods assembled in the arena. Even from their elevated, heated seats they could feel the chill coming from the arena. The roof was open for this bought, and a light snowfall completed the icy vista in the ring. The floor of the area was replaced by a frigid arctic sea, and several small ice patches float lazily in the light currents. In the center of the arena a large ice patch, about 15' in diameter, lazily spun in a slow circle.

High above the arena, wrapped in a number of majestic cloaks and furs (and a single long scarf, knit by Dan's wife as a christmas present) sat one of the lords of the arena and commander of the immortal gladiators, Shib. Sympathetic to his scaled fighter's biological needs, he ensured that a spell was woven around Razzak before the fight to ensure that his cold-blooded nature would not be an issue.

"Gods and Goddesses! We are joined today by a special guests. The enigmatic Nordic Lords have contributed out lovely arena, and are in attendance to watch the battle- and a battle it shall be! Both of these fighters are fresh blood, but were fierce warriors in their lives.

Reeking of intrigue, poison, and the sea, the alchemic bomber who gives no quarter, introducing Captain Veric Skalker!

And, liberator of his people, scaled savior to the reptilian race of his homeworld, the grappling dragon with a venomous bite, Razzak the Unchained!

Fighters, the battle will be joined at <7 pm> and ended at <8 pm>. Avoid the freezing water and the slick ice and you may find victory on this arctic plane. Veric has been allowed the first move by a generous donation from an un-named patron. BLOOD AND GLORY! FIGHT!"

Just before Razzak was about to make contact with the boar-warrior he felt sudden surge and before he knew it was spirited away. Next thing he knew he was barreling forward and onto the ground a small *crunch* was made as he collided with the floor.

As he got up he realized several things. First, The gash in his side was completely healed. Second, he was standing on a block of ice, surrounded by cold waters, but didn't feel the cold as he should. Lastly, there were creatures of all shapes and sized sitting in seats surrounding this arctic arena. They all cheered, their yells were practically deafening at first. But this was no strange place for Razzak. He had stood in the Blood Pits many times before. However, for those fights the crowd booed an jeered at him. It was nice to have a friendly audience for once.

Just then, an echoing voiced called his name. As it did he, practically on impulse, did his usual intro. He brought his arms up in front of his face crossing them. Then as he brought them down let out the loudest roar he could flaring up his feathers. The crowd seemed to like it as met with another avalanche of adoration.

With the posturing finished he brought his guard up and waited for his opponent to appear.

Veric felt the cold before he saw the snow and icy lake that was to be their battlefield. He was working on preparing a new serum when a white fog entered his vision. The same fog now receding to show more of the arena including the stands and those who occupy them. It was now that he registered the announcement of his name, the roar of the crowd, and the violently unstable chemicals still in his hand. "Oh hell!" Veric yelled as he wound his arm back and threw the beaker into the water. A loud bang went off as it struck just below the waters surface and was followed by a large spout of water shooting skyward which caused a temporary rain to come down as the crowed let out an assortment of "ooo's" and "ahh's". After adjusting his hat and jacket, Veric then turned towards his would be opponent during his introduction. Veric gave a slight bow of the head in greeting with his hands spread wide. "Well....shall we?"

Veric dropped low to maintain balance on the ice plane and slid back to the edge where he drew his cutless and palmed one of his flintlocks from inside his leather coat and fired form the hip. With a flash of fire and puff of smoke he sent a bead of lead hurling the lizards way.

Razzak heard the loud bang.

"Some type of magic?" he thought.

He moved not knowing what to expect and was met with a stinging pain in his right left arm. This one has distance on his side.

He started moving in slowly, trying to keep his balance on the slick surface of the ice, the as he got more comfortable he moved faster and faster towards the bird faced creature. Then suddenly, he propelled himself forward, sliding on the ice with his belly. Once he got in close to his prey he suck his claws into the ice and swiped at his opponent's legs with his tail. He would make him regret getting so close to the edge.

As the creature closed Veric readied himself. He flipped his spent pistol over in his right hand and when the lizard swipe at his legs he jumped up and threw out a back handed slash with the cutless in his left hand.

Seems the bird man had anticipated his attack. As he jumped over Razzak's tail he set himself to strike Razzak. With no other reply, Razzak met the blade head on and caught it in his teeth. His acidic saliva began its work as steam rose from the blade's shimmering steel. He then tugged on the blade. As he did he opened his arms, hoping to drag its wielder close for a crushing bear hug.

Verics sword was caught in the maw of his opponent. Not only did the thing catch his sword but then pulled him toward it. Veric tugged on his sword and pulled himself into Razzacks range and brought down the club end of his pistol down towards his lazard head.

He had finally got the birdman close and was rewarded for hit with the but of a strange weapon into his head. The pistol met his skull with a thump.

"Did you really think that could hurt me?" Razzak mumbled, the blade still locked in his jaws.

"FINE! You can have your puny blade!" he roared releasing his vice-like grip on the sword and quickly rising to his feet.

As He moved his left arm went for the birdman's head. He would tuck it under his arm and limit his breathing and limit his vision. His right arm went for the sword hand. As his left arm would for the head down, the right arm would force the  sword arm up. If he could apply enough pressure, perhaps he could hyper-extend it. Or just rip it out of the socket.

Veric's whole world became green scales as Razzack tucked the plagueman's head beneath his arm and when about giving Veric's sword arm a good stretch. Too good a stretch. Veric's mind became clouded with pain as he felt his arm over extend and an audible *pop* signaled that his shoulder had given out too. He dropped his sword. Willing himself threw the pain he also dropped the pistol and grabbed the syringe from his coat pocket. Hopefully artificial strength can match real strenght Veric thought as he plunged the needle into his thigh and injecting the glowing violet liquid into his blood. A set of powerful convultions then began rocking threw Verics Body.

Razzak heard the satisfying *pop* as he wrenched the arm upward.

Yes! One down, one to go. he thought.

But something was wrong. Next thing he knew he saw the flash of steel. Another weapon? This one was small and was filled with a red liquid. It dug into the birdman's thigh and the red contents disappeared.

Razzak thought quick, released his grasped and motioned to push the birdman off the edge and into the water.

Veric awake in a rush as took stock of everything with hightend senses. He was falling. But he need not fall alone. Before going over he reached out to grab holed of Razzacks arm."Your coming with me!"

"HALT" roared the dragon, his mighty voice, amplified by his magic, echoing throughout the arena. The water immediately froze over, causing the entangled fighters to fall over in one squirming, writhing mass.

"Both fighters put forth an excellent show, but only come can win. Your victor: Razzak the Unchained!"