Bridge from Nexxus: Enter Corban

[Demon Testicles]

It was early in the morning. Just when the sun's rays were able to crest over the curve of the Nexxus. There had been a heavy rain the night before, this had caused patchy fog to settle within the gladiatorial pit. They took a few feet off of visibility and clarity, but for the most part weren't dense enough to obscure forms completely. Some of the other gladiators had emerged from the tabernacles around the outer rim of the pit to begin drills, begin breakfast, and perform repairs.  

Corban was also taking part in morning maintenance. His towering form sit hunched over a table. Strewn across the table was a haphazard arrangement of half eaten food and tools. He'd just finished inspecting his O-katana. The weapon was lifted from the table and scrutinized intensely by it's owner. When satisfied with his patchwork on the handle, the cloth was wound tightly around the wooden handle in the traditional diamond pattern and returned to it's saya. After a moment of clean up, Corban departed from the impromptu work station

He was dressed differently than usual. He wore no cloth, simply straps two pieces of fortification. The first was a bony apparatus on the shoulder The second was a plated loin guard. He had no shortage of weapons: A yumi on his back longer than he was tall, three swords on his belt of eastern design, and resting on the small of his back was a quiver of massive arrows proportioned for that large bow. Prospecting for pretty much anything this morning, Corban avoided looking occupied with anything. He meandered around looking for people to size up.

[Delarinn]

Delarinn was not a native of Sanctum. Rather he was from a place, only one of the Primoris knew of, though similar to Nexxus in many ways but slightly more stable. Be that as it may, those realms were beyond, and here he was. A youth wearing loose fitting clothing of maroon and black. A vermillion scarf beneath his chin, and a crimson sash around his waist. Along his waist were several small gourds which were tied together with rope. He was rather short, standing at 5'6, with fiery red hair, and a boyish face. His eyes darker around their rims.

Pointed shoes crackled over old grains of sand as he strolled through the pit. A shiny creature upon his shoulder. "What?" He asked tilting his head towards creature. "Oh, hmmm." he seemed to contemplate whatever the being had told him. It looked like a small monkey, with bat-wings, but did not seem organic. Yet a strange light was in its eyes, that seemed "alive". He turned his gaze towards the dog-creature that was going over a vast array of weapons.

He stood from a far simply watching Corban intently. As if considering what to do.

[Demon Testicles]

Corban was tall, he was 6'7. His build was easy to distinguish as herculean but not overly bulky or awkward appearing. His chest was prominent and his abdomen thick. This attributed to an orientation to standing his ground and asserting the presence of his size over his foes. His limbs tapered out considerably. Still incredibly large, they held immense strength. Not terribly bulky, they were graceful and fluid in motion. His form possessed a wide array of natural weapons. Claws were large and sturdy whilst his mandibles were elongated; not something to trifle with  hand to hand.

Despite an imposing figure with predatory features, his features of the doge-man were pretty light-hearted and serene. Delarinn was aware of Corban before the latter was of the prior. Upon realizing he was being scrutinized, Corban's features gave away to an almost child like wonder. His ears had angled frontward and his bright blue eyes widened. “Hi!” He was about fifteen feet away from the other. Corban intended to change this with a hop-skip-prance closer. Of the distance between them, Corban would have easily halved it to about seven or eight before settling down in the gritty earth flooring.

“Like what you see, or can't figure out what your looking at?!” Corban's face stretched with excitement. This hyper-smile could have come across manic from the bestial anatomy. This soon changed when he'd come to the realization of his statement. Almost as if not anticipating the other to respond, he'd groan. “It's usually the last one...” Someone that wore their heart on their sleeves, Corban's features were altered dramatically. Features drooped and his pitch went flat.

[Delarinn]

The youth stood silent for a few moments, the cheery demeanor catching off guard. He was not a "mutant-chimerine" as he had taken him for, but Del already knew something was off about such an assumption. He knew none who would use weapons, or were capable of coherent speech.

He blinked once, and tilted his head towards the proxy-familiar on his shoulder. "What are you?" he asked simply?

[Demon Testicles]

It was always the last one! He rolled his eyes with disappointment of his own assumption proven right. After making their quick 180, His eyes would focus back on Delarinn. He gave an informal explanation as to what he was. He was a lunar half-caste. His daddy was one of the ascended champions of Luna, the fickle goddess of the moon. A master of the form  passed on vestigial genetics for some of that ascension. On the whole, his explanation wasn't terribly well carried out. He might have known well what he spoke about, but his lack of sophisticated articulation left him sounding like one of those unreliable news interviews.

Corban had started to rotate the other. Looking him up and down while noticeably sniffing at the other. He wanted to get closer, about five feet or so to inspect the other. Depending on the success rate of closing distance, he'd start to revolve around the other. Just figuring out his scent before orbiting back out to the seven foot mark. “So do you want to fight or what?” They were in the arena after all, not the market. Socializing was second to kicking ass.

[Delarinn]

The youth listened to the others explanation. It sounded as if he was some kind of "natural" Chimerine. Though the others were the result of the bonding of such a beings essence into that of Delarinns own kind. The Vaesper.

Delarinn was no well established warrior, but a scholar. However he was one that could take care of himself, but his training was incomplete. He knew he lacked refinement and it rankled him. Despite this, fighting what sounded like some form of Chimerine did not seem smart, but then again this being seemed to be rather friendly. It could have been a trick. Delarinn expanded his perception, seeking to get a feeling for the Huskies actual intentions. He got the simple playful cheerfulness that any who had associated from Corban could attest too. Still he was perturbed by Corbans sniffing.

What did he have to lose? But Delarinn did not play fair. The monkey thing on his shoulder suddenly bounded off, and took the air. Small, about the size of a kitten its fluttering wings buzzed it around with insect like agility and speed. Aerial maneuvers were taken as it buzzed around the husky, and sharp taloned hands sought to go for the eyes, muzzle, and ears in quick swipes before it would bound away out of reach again.

Meanwhile Del himself brought his right hand aside, and it had a ring on it. A band inscribed with sigils, as several ruby stones dotted the craft-work at odd intervals. The gems gleamed with eldritch light during the motion, as Delarinn invested some of his will into the focusing-array of those sigils, which seemed to shimmer and dance in place shifting positions.

[Demon Testicles]

Scrying Corban would reveal pretty much everything that met the eye. The results were fairly transparent; Corban was pretty pure of heart and intention. His entire focus was placed on figuring out who he had just met. That creature that was resting on his shoulder was second to Delarinn up until the moment that it sprung up into the air. Depending on what time it chose to start it's attack, Corban' could have been anywhere from 5-7 feet from the young lad. His features noticeably shifted focus. His ears and eyes were the first to pivot up towards the fluttering creature. By the time it brandished it's talons.

Corban immediately set his stance with a reflexive action. A silvery glow was released from under his fur, casting a peculiar glimmer across his body. He crouched back immediately and his body almost appeared to displace downward. It was an attempt to screw with both the Boy and his pet's perception of depth.

He may have been primarily focused on the small creature, but he was still capable of sensing Delarinn. Considering how close they were and that they were facing one another, he would be aware that Delarinn was preparing for something.†

In deliberate action. His maw and fingers had begun to transform. Almost as the fur was being peeled back to reveal a glossy surface that radiated a pale, silvery luster. The same could be seen with his toes.



†  23:18:19 [Corban] perception + awareness
23:18:24 ( Corban rolls 10d10 => 6, 7, 3, 10, 6, 1, 10, 1, 6, 3 = 53 )

[Delarinn]

The creature was known as a Proxy. Delarinn had in fact, bound a "sprite" or artificial-spirit into the creature. The diving familiar relied on more than just sight. Even so, the shining coat was enough to cause its talons to harmless glance off at the moment, before the creature rose into the air.

Delarinn having finished his spell, would see the ring flash in a sudden blaze of scarlet-illumination. The area itself was set alight as intersecting trails of bright scarlet flickered through the earth and air seeking to surround the husky in an intricate intersecting neon web. A certain type of "Warding" but it was surrounding the husky rather than the caster.

Meanwhile the proxy circled around the air, along the rim of the "Warding-Circle" that sought to surround Corban, gathering speed as its eyes flickered between a prismatic array of colors. Its body leaving streaks of those shifting hues in its wake which seemed to emanate and ripple through the air, blending with the incandescent web-array that now surrounded the Lunar-Caste canine.

[Demon Testicles]

The creature had glanced off of Corban and took higher elevation. Corban's instincts warned him of preperation of attack. From the beast, his eyes focused back on the young man. It was still the wide eyed, almost friendly husky face, the only difference was his pupils were much larger. Threatening to crowd the pale blue out entirely.

His next action was to take the next step in his martial set. It involved another tell that something supernatural had been unlocked, for his fur unleashed a second shimmer of light. Will all his might, he lunged forward. With arms outstretched. The charm he'd used allowed for him to 'push' the spell. It was something that forced him to summon the extent of his grace and athletic capability. His goal was to push the spell right back into the Summoner's face whilst haphazardly flinging himself body first into the direction of his adversary.

If the scry was still active over the canine, it would be fed an array of thoughts and feelings back to it's caster. Corban had chosen to try and overwhelm the being with a quick chain of techniques.

[Delarinn]

The spell was well designed for this sort of thing. It was a "Trap-Ward" designed to react the moment it was interacted with. Those lines not unlike "trip-wires" which held the array of lines together. Corbans counter force caused them to give way and then snap not unlike brittle and taut metal. This would cause the whole network to come crashing down at the source of its fragmentation. This would result in the bound forces becoming "unbound" causing a contained "shockwave" of motion within the confines of the collapsing circle.

The result of the "tense" energies that were bound within the lines now being disturbed as they were freed from their confinement, would exert a potentialy damaging and crushing force upon the husky. Delarinn making a quick gesture as the Familiar above added its own support to hold that force in "stasis" around the Husky to constrict him with the great weight, drawing the forces back into tension. This particular variation of the "Warding-Circle" was typically meant for long-term security, requiring a latent energy source to operate, but one could hastily be put up and improvised by a clever user. Del was green, but he was also a prodigy. Perhaps not the most naturally talented Vaesper ever, but certainly in a whole different league in terms of his potential with the "average" of his kind.

Still, he had to maintain and modify the parameters of the spell in order to keep it from breaking once it had achieved what it had meant to do. Another testament to his natural proficiency. More of his will was used to exert extra control over the amount he had invested into the enchantment. He let out a deep breathe upon doing so, as it took a toll to hold it together and improvise the modification against its natural inclination. A metaphysical chain was the means of control. His innate-will, acting upon the semi-independent focused-will which fueled the spell. However his familiar added more control to the mix and after his direct intercession, he began to chant under his breathe as he brought his hands across his body in a short pattern.

[Demon Testicles]

Corban had made the mistake of over anticipating his adversary's actions. He made this discovery through the force that snapped through the area towards him. His face scrunched after the effects of the triggered trap had been unleashed. Immediately he was caught in the web and unable to continue on his flight towards the mage. The weight of the cage was borderline unbearable. He strained to breath as if his chest was crushed under the weight of several leagues under the sea.

His form set splayed on all fours much like a faun on the ice. The net hung over his form like glue. He wasn't able to drag himself further, but he still refused to let it drop him entirely. Unable to utilize his sanctioned claws, the moon-silver virtue melted away. As it dissipated, It was clear that he'd been effectively immobilized in the metaphysical net.

[Delarinn]

Del had considered doing a binding a spell on the Husky, but something held him back. He did not know why, but something told him it might bite him in the ass to try and enslave the creature. He did not know who its friends were, so for now he canceled the spell and swayed slightly as his will was recalled.

The proxy above came back to Del to land on his shoulder. "I am not really much of a fighter, more of a scholar..." he explained. That being said Del did have some proficiency in direct combat, but he was still green. He watched the Husky from a far wondering what it might do.

[Demon Testicles]

All he really had the strength to do was to support himself under the net. Despite the gnawing urge to go berserk, Corban restrained himself by focusing solely on baring the load of the net. “What the heck happened?!” He groaned under the pressure of his burden, “That was supposed to push the median back onto you!” Slowly he attempted to change positions. From an awkward squat on all fours, a lotus position was assumed with his hands braced against the ground.

[Delarinn]

Del contemplated for a few moments, wondering if he should answer. "The medium was indirectly separated." he explained. "The spell was designed too destructively break upon being disturbed... Its a security-ward." he said. "You might have been able to resist the pressure however." he told him. "Are you new to these parts?"

[Demon Testicles]

Conversation helped to quell the panic that had started to arise from being snared under the weight simulation that this spell was creating. Corban had chose a stable position so that he could best resist the power that the web was imposing upon him. The concept of a ward was completely lost upon him. This much was easy to tell by the way half of his face gnarled when it was explained to him. He had to take some time to process what he was told. Eventually, it made sense to him, resulting in the expression of brain constipation to resolve. It wasn't his happy-go-lucky expression that his face reset to, but something of dismay and slight woe. It reflected an internal disappointment that his judgment had failed him.

He didn't feel sorry for himself for very long for when Delarinn asked him about his origin, He immediately perked up.  “Not... nrrraugh... at all!” He flashed a smile upon admitting his offworld origin. “I... come from... hnngh... A nexus.” He'd strain with explanation of his home, “Think about.... the constellation. Only... denser. They are held together by... Mmph, a Maelstrom of chaos. And each...nyeagh... Each star represents a plane or world. Now, they're all inter linked, but the links are always changing because... of the currents created by an anchor, the Maelstrom.” His response would continue as long as Delarinn would permit it.

The longer that the explanation would continue, the more speculative and apocalyptic it would begin sound. He began to mention names. Azuhl Bizarre, Beckett, the Sinister Accord. “Nobody really... talks about it. But These—Hnng—guys wanted to ruin the Nexxus. Reduce it.. to apa—apathy?” The longer his explanation of lore went on, the more apparent it would become that the canine wasn't at all adept at speech. “Anyway, they must have... Must have succeeded. Reams appear and vanish much faster. But—mmph—vanish at an even faster rate. I reckon the maelstrom is gonna eat the whole Nexxus one day.”

This was a reality that sunk in once he'd finished his history lesson. Something that left him expressing much woe and sympathy. His long torso slouched. His arms propped up in his lap provide support to his hung chin. For now, He had curled up into a more spherical shape and sat in silent reflection, crushing weight be damned.

[Delarinn]

"I see..." Dellarinn contemplated for a few more moments. His short frame sneering slightly. The creature did not seem to be of much use to him, he did not understand it, and its earlier personality, well Dellarinn's perceptions extended far beyond the physical. He could see that that him and this creature would probably not see eye to eye, and causing damage or capturing Corban might illicit unseen consequences. He snapped his fingers and the pressure made its point. Without a word his proxy flew back to his shoulder as he turned and walked out of the pit. "Come Leri." Not saying another word to Corban unless stopped.

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