Of Iron and Flame

The roar was deafening. Iori felt a bit heady as he stepped out into the noise and full glare of a number of people sanity would prevent from counting. Over the din, he could hear the announcer, calling out his credentials, which were rather few, as it were. He was Nakagojiri Iori, Rōnin of Lamia Scale, and he had come to test his mettle against the one called Orpheus Starlight. The name gave nothing away, unlike his own name. Maybe his opponent would use some sort of heavenly body magic? Maybe....

Truth was, it was stupid to think about what his opponent could do. Judging a book by its cover wasn't the smartest thing to do in such a situation. Iori would face Orpheus, and as his master had said so long ago, attempt to read him, and respond to what came his way. The face of the young swordsman was as emotive as steel, but his heart was aflame with all sorts of emotions. Fear was one of them. An almost invisible sheen of perspiration stood on his brow as he made his way over to the yellow-haired referee. He calmed his mind and closed his eyes as he drew his sheathed sword from his belt and held it in his left hand. He could feel Tetsuzora Mubiryu's essence, and it steeled him. The noise was nothing. The crowd was nothing. What went on down in the arena ring was everything. He would face this Orpheus Starlight with all he had. And if he didn't end up winning, by hell he would go out with a bang!

Orpheus stepped out onto the dry dirt of the arena. Even after his restorative period he could still feel the slight weariness of his full day's travel. His spiked hair begin to flow as the wind made its way around the competitors. His armor clanked with an obvious sound as looked around the giant arena. Not even the deafening sounds of the crowd around him could keep his crimson eyes off his opponent . The blond hair announcer seemed more than ready for them to start the battle and truthfully so was he. He brought his right fist to his side and extended a palm towards the man, with his leg spread slightly apart. His fist and hand lit ablaze. " I'm Orpheus Starlight. And today I'am your opponent. " He said with slight smile. He planned on winning, not a doubt of loss floated in his head. The only thing before him was barricade that he decided would melt under the flames of Volkan tutelage.

Around him he could hear the cheers and exaltation from his guild members. Many believed him to be the strongest mage they had, while other believed Fa was. Either way the two were there on behalf of their guild and would never disappoint such a high honor. The flames on his hands begin to burn brighter, heating the immediate area around them. " Let's have fun shall we ? " After the two had been prepared even the announcer looked on with some sense of anticipation. As he glared towards his opponent, he noticed many things about him. Many things that would eventually lead to his victory... hopefully.

Iori's opponent had come. Red hair, heavy-looking armor, and burning hands? Most likely a form of fire magic. As the fire mage introduced himself, Iori took a bow himself and said, his voice as flat as his gaze, which remained fixed on Orpheus even when he bowed, should the fire mage attempt a sneak attack while he was bowing, "I am Rōnin of Lamia Scale, and this is Tetsuzora Mubiryu." He held up his sheathed sword for Orpheus to behold. "Let us give our audience something to cheer about." This battle was hopefully to be interesting. Iori's face set into a steely expression, as he said, "Wake up, Tetsuzora Mubiryu. Today you dance in flame!" So saying, he charged.

If his opponent was wearing such an armor on this battlefield, Iori was going to assume he had a high defense, due to the armor, and most likely strength as well on his side, thanks to the fact that he seemed comfortable in it. Of course, without an armor, Iori was obviously going to be lighter; as to faster, he could not say until he had seen his opponent's response, and how he reacted to attacks. Drawing Tetsuzora Mubiryu with divine elegance, he made a quick, single horizontal slash at his opponent's torso. A straight-forward attack, more likely a 'testing of the waters'.

Orpheus's steel gaze maintained it's edge as he looked at the man's blade. A smile etched his face for a moment, thinking of how all the really good swords had names. Which probably meant that this blade wasn't no ordinary sword. As the man bow, Orpheus made no move. It wasn't in his nature to interrupt another opponent before the fight had established itself. Call it confidence on his part, but he was pretty sure he could handle anything someone tossed at him. " Let's Ronin. I would hate to disappoint these fans. " He said, lowering his technical stance and entering a more street fighter bearing. Truth be told, Ronin looked pretty strong himself. The fact that the two of them was match was probably willed by fate. Iron and Fire always had a strong rivalry going, dating back to several centuries ago.

The rose haired teen snorted out his nose and smiled warmly as he begin to step back. The man infront of him held a traditional samurai mind set - it had seemed. His boots took careful steps back, instinctively his body leveled out pro's and con's of the move he was about to use. As Ronin's sword sliced the air Orpheus could only smile as he seen it's tip in front of him. Orpheus waited patiently before back flipping out the way. Than with a swift movement his feet begin trail to the left of his opponent. Dry dust struggled to keep up, scratching at the heels of his boots. Without another moment wasted, the teen's armored boots lit ablaze and than suddenly in a display of spiral flames he arch one foot from off the ground and towards the man's face. A second later, his right foot would follow suite, aimed to take out the boy's jaw. The red cloak behind him seemed to dance with him and his rose colored hair swayed towards the side. " Fire Dragon's: Left Gauntlet !"He barked into the air.

80/100 MP

Left Gauntlet:

[OOC= Three Days Is Up Buddy. Sorry ]

Orpheus's legs flew in a whirlwind of fury, his flames spiraling around his feet as they made their mark. His heel sent Ronin stumbling and his foot sent the swordsman ten meters into the dirt. Orpheus landed back on the ground and looked on his opponent with studing eyes. Did that do it ? He asked himself. His crimson hair flowed when a silent air blew through the arena. A billow of dust spurted up from the man's slide in the dry dirt. The crowd looked on in peace, wondering like Orpheus if Ronin would raise to his feet. A moment later, the crowd burst into cheers and gasps, some raised their hands in jubilee while other looked on with disappointment.

" Well gents and ladies, it seems we have a winner. With a single blow Orpheus took out the mighty Ronin of Lamia Scale. It's astounding really. Congratulations to the Maroon Dragon of Sabertooth. Victory is yours !! " He declared.

Orpheus let out a quite sigh and stood up straight. Over the crowd, he could hear his fellow Sabertooth mages cheering and giving rough, yet pleasing remarks. Out of the crowd he could see a small, crimson spec rise and join him out on the field. Zarok flew out, waving at him with a quaint smile. " Congrats Orpheus. I'm proud of you ! " Orpheus looked up with affection. His hand raising up to rub his hair softly. " This bout was a disappointment. Though I appreciate the kind words Zarok. " He said. He looked up towards the shinning sun up above. " Let's hope everyone else isn't this easy. Or else this tournament would be for not. "