Starbits

Wrath of Doctor M

Axle and Dorian's blades clash! The Dorian has a definite power and skill advantage, but he is having a hard time keeping up with Axle's incredible speed. Dorian usually fights on offense, but Axle's overwhelming rate of attack has kept him on defense! During a flurry of strikes, Dorian sees an opening and lands a cut on Axle's cheek, but he instantly eats a side kick from Axle's strong legs. Axle notices blood drip from his face onto his shirt. He wipes his face and quietly says. "Radical..." Jericho looks at Malka frantically. "Axle's in trouble! We have to do something!" Malka holds Jericho back. "Just wait!" Jericho looks back at her. "Axle's no warrior, his sword skills come from banging sticks against trees! That guy is gonna kill him!" Cassilda smugly says. "He seems pretty skilled to me!" Axle and Dorian continue their clash. As they again lock blades, Dorian attempts to get Axle off his game. "You are getting tired." Axle Smirks. "I could go all day, you are the one breathing heavy." The two exchange strikes as they lock up again. "I gassed you up to make you agree to this fight, I know the young Dragon is the one with the Star sign. No self respecting star spirit would attach itself to such an insignificant person." Axle hears his words, but keeps his composure. Dorian kicks him back to gain a little space, Axle remains silent and readies himself again. "You aren't too bad with a blade. But you are clearly a novice. As much as I have enjoyed our little spat, it is time for us to finish this." Axle says nothing, but notices the whole left side of his shirt covered in blood. Dorian lunges in and faints a strike to the left and diverts his strike to the right! To his surprise, Axle knows the technique and spins into a side swipe that cuts through the blade of Dorian's sword and cuts into Dorian's stomach!
Dorian falls to his knees. "Aggghhhh!... there is a lot more to you... then you let on... isn't there..." Axle Stands, still ready to fight. "I just played with a lot of really cool sticks when I was a kid." Dorian looks up at him with embarrassment covering his face. Malka shouts. "Your Ass just got handed to you, son!" Cassilda and Constance look rather pleased. "How's Queen Anne gonna take this news? She is gonna love it when she hears that one of her best swordsmen lost to a guy whose training consisted of playing with sticks!" Dorian grins a sinister smile. "My master isn't going to hear about this... KILL THEM!" Axle simply touches the tip of his blade to Dorian's throat, the Darklings look up to see Narsil and Underil standing above them, just waiting to rain Fire down on them. "Wait... men, I've changed my mind." Axle raises his eyebrows. "Smart move, Dude." Two of Dorian's Darklings help him to his feet. They back up to all gather together, Malka trips one that is running to get in the circle. "This isn't over... even now the influence of Darkmane is being felt on your surface world. The great purge is gonna do a lot more than just cleanse the Below World." Jericho runs forward. "What!?" Dorian laughs. "You'll see soon enough, Sign bearer." he says as they disappear into a portal. Jericho hugs Axle, to even his own surprise. "Whoa, little bro, you like hugs now?" Jericho mutters. "Don't read too much into it, it's a one time thing." He says with relief in his voice. Malka turns Axle's head. "Look here." She says, as Axle puckers his lips for a kiss... only to be met with Malka sticking a bright green bandage over the cut on his face. He smiles and softly says "Thanks, Malka!" Constance and Cassilda flash an ok symbol up to Narsil and Underil who nod in acknowledgment. Jericho looks at Constance. "What do you think he meant about Darkmane influencing the surface?" Malka places her hand on his shoulder. "I assume he was bluffing, to get a reaction out of you, which he did." Jericho's head shrinks between his shoulders. "Ohh..."
Axle looks at Malka, he wants to say something, but can't quite build up the courage. Malka bounces up onto the stairs leading into the old temple. "What are we waiting for!? Let's go get these stupid pages!" Everyone agrees as they make their way into the abandoned church.