Adrastos/Noir VS Rocky/Esme

The temptation of death, killing, and brutal fighting was too hard to ignore for Adrastos once more found himself pulled into the intense battles that were in the Coliseum. This time, as he waited to sign up for his own Coliseum match, he saw the familiar form of his student, Noir, and overheard her take on a double match where she and another individual would duel two famous fighters from the hell hole itself. Adrastos couldn’t help himself as his lips curled upwards, like twisted vines climbing the side of a building. His precious little student who had no tongue and could hardly speak at times was here. It had been far too long since he had seen her. The last time was probably when they went to the Shrouded Isle. There was no doubt in his mind that she had gotten stronger, the desire having been fueled by the sacrifice of Ariella, a fellow magician who perished by saving Noir from a tragic fate. Perhaps it was now time for him to observe how far his student had come.

The last episode Adrastos witnessed Noir fight was back on the island. He had witnessed something unique, something that he could not take his eyes off of: the color of her irises changing from an orange gem to that of blood rubies. Adrastos had been captivated by Noir ever since then. He wanted to know more about her, her past, her present, and why her irises changed like they did. Would he see her eyes alter their color once again? It was something to look forward too, that was for sure. So, when Adrastos reached the front of the line, he placed himself in her Coliseum game as her ally. “Good luck to you two,” the receptionist said while the blue magician walked out onto the field where his trial would transpire.

Adrastos stepped onto the battlefield after Noir had been introduced. The cheering crowds got louder as if his presence invigorated them even more. It brought back memories from his previous fight, especially the one where he almost died. "And here comes our other competitors! On the challenger's side, we have Neo Mortem, a magician that has fought five others within these walls! On the other," the speaker paused for dramatic effect, "Rocky!!!!"

Rocky:

A mountain stepped forward to stand beside the seductive woman who licked her lips at Adrastos provocatively. He was a brute, and from what little he had heard, this man did not leave survivors. All the adversaries he faced, died. He wore a white bear skin as a cape, and a silver helmet adorned with horns. In his hand he carried spiked mace. One could mistake him for the devil if only his skin were crimson. The woman, Esme, was another matter. She had a reputation of distracting her male challengers with her feminine appearance. Hell, she wore an outfit that expose her cleavage. She would attempt to make a move of him just to catch him off guard and kill him. The blue magician looked to his pupil, then back at his opponents. The woman still stared at Adrastos with keen interest, her probing gaze observing him intently, while the man stood in an aura of death. [color=blue='This will be difficult,'[/color] he thought.

"Let' see how these two magicians face against these deadly opponents. Will they stand victorious? Or will they bite the dust and have their blood cover the battlefield?!" The crowd roared, their hype for a bloodbath apparent in their screams. As the audience continued to cheer, Adrastos found himself in a daze as the world around him melted, then molded into a new environment. He looked around, his eyes landing on the person who stood beside him. For a moment, Adrastos thought the woman was Noir, but upon closer inspection, she was someone he had not seen in a long time.

Back when he was a child, when he was in Kou after escaping from his shackles, he had met a young girl around his age. She had been a very close friend, the only one he made while he stayed in Kou before heading to Magnostadt. Together, they faced a similar situation as to what Noir and he faced now. They had picked a sparring match with the wrong people, and had to fight against a couple a strong kids who were older and more skilled in combat. His heart tightened and no air entered his lungs. Whatever happened to her? That girl with black hair and emerald eyes? His chest ached at the memory and feelings emerged that he thought he could no longer feel. Why the hell did he have this memory now? He’d rather just forget…

Adrastos was startled out of his memories when another voice broke through his distraction. “I wouldn’t be day-dreaming if I were you, handsome.” The magician looked up to see the opponents charging, Esme at him and Rocky at Noir. When did the host say fight? Was he so lost that he missed the signal? “But you can day-dream about me all you want as I kill you!” Adrastos stood on the defensive. “Keep your guard up, Noir. This will not be easy.” He saw the woman smile, her eyes gleaming with a certain attraction, and attacked using her Dancer’s Legs while Rocky used his own attack against Noir.

Esme saw Noir’s pet pounce, and used her Heavy Hitter to block. “Stay out of this! Children have no business in adult affairs!” While she was a bit distracted, her attack was blocked by the magician’s Borg, allowing Adrastos, who was to engrossed at the task at hand to notice Noir had sent her pet, to attack with his own spells. He spun with elegant grace, casting Aqua Cyclonas and Aqua Cyclonas II. Swirling cyclones of waters danced as they traveled toward Esme. She smirked and suddenly her chest expanded, catching Adrastos slightly off guard as his spells blocked by her breast. Adrastos felt his eyebrow twitch. She’d smother me if I gave her the chance. The thought of such humiliation made Adrastos shudder. Esme giggled aloud and stretched out one of her arms to wrap around the blue magician. Adrastos clenched his teeth with a groan as his feet were lifted off the ground, and she pulled him closer.

“You’re so cute when you tremble,” Esme purred while her elongated arm tightened and her hand stroked Adrastos’ cheekbone. “Imagine how much more gorgeous you’ll look once you’re covered in blood. Now, show me some fear, darling boy. It’s so exciting.” Adrastos, disgusted by this woman’s tone and actions, tried to pull his face away from the wench, but being unable to do so, he resorted to casting an icy glare, his lips set in a firm line, until he spat at her feet. “Do not think so highly of yourself, pig. I have been through far worse, so your empty threats have no meaning to me.”

Esme’s smile fell and the next thing Adrastos felt was something hard hitting his face, breaking his nose and cheekbone. Warm blood seeped from the magician’s nostrils and a giant gash in his right cheekbone. It slid onto his lips and into his mouth, where he tasted the metallic bitterness of iron, and down his chin, where it fell onto the magician’s black clothing and Esme’s outstretched arm. Spots danced in Adrastos’ vision from the impact, yet somehow, he managed to keep ahold of his staff and cast Glacialis Lamnia, a spell that created a frozen sword by freezing the water in the air, to slice at Esme’s outstretched arm which wrapped around him so tightly.

A scream was heard from the woman as she dropped Adrastos to the ground. “You’ll pay for that!” Her black hair began to grow until it formed two long whips and struck at the blue magician. He cast Lux Tenebris Fulgeo to block one hair whip, but did not have time to deal with the other as it slashed at his chest, ripping the fabric of his upper robe so one side fell from his shoulder, and cut into his flesh. Adrastos fell to one knee, his right hand still clutching his staff tightly. His silver eyes looked at Noir as if to tell her something if she were to look his way. You take care of her and I’ll take care of him, they said. They won’t expect it.

Adrastos remained kneeling on the ground as Esme advanced. Hopefully, Noir would understand his silent request and they could somehow surprise their opponents. Until he received some form of reply, he had to keep Esme company.

Adrastos quickly scurried away from Esme, placing himself in 15m between Rocky and Esme, while Noir distracted her. He sustained his Aqua Cyclonas and Aqua Cyclonas II, directing the swirling towers of water to Rocky, who blocked with his Painful Blow, but did not prepare for the second spell which caused his downfall. It was a good spot of luck for Adrastos since the warrior would most likely kill the magician easily because of the damage sustained earlier by the woman.

Gasps reverberated throughout the crowd, stunned that one of the most invincible fighters had been taken down by two simple magic users and a liger. Even Esme looked astounded, so much so that she did not see the attack that was sent at her from Noir’s liger, Haku. “What? How can… this be?” She slumped to the ground, and though their opponent had been defeated, Adrastos did not feel pleased.

The blue magician raised his staff into the air and swung, sending a black sphere of light, his  Nemesis Sol, at the fallen belly dancer, and sending a cube of frigid air, his Adrustum Aura II, at the fallen Rocky. While one carcass froze, the other was scorched, leaving Adrastos and Noir the sure victors of the match. The reaction from the crowd offered only stunned silence, until they erupted into applause for the exciting fight. Adrastos walked over to Noir, his face and front soaked in his blood.

“Nice work,” he said calmly, as if he wasn’t injured and had not overkilled two people. “You know, we really need to see each other when we’re not fighting. Perhaps we can talk over some tea, or lunch if you’re hungry.” He patted her shoulder, then walked off, waving at her from behind his back. “See ya!”