Grand Battle (S?) (Round 1: SUDDEN DEATH)

One broken spear. Defeating this demon would not be simple, but it would happen.
The moment it broke, The Three-fringed Destined Shell Rider dove into the mental abyss. He was in a bubble, from head to toe. Nothing existed beyond it. It wavered at the edges, allowing detail to feed it, and expanded. A shape entered his bubble, and The Three-fringed Destined Shell lashed out with his held spear in a violent, sudden motion, intended to kill.The other eight spears at his back briefly resist his motion, but followed his body.
His weapon was turned, but it didn't matter. He would defeat anything that entered his bubble.



Clash, clash, clash.
Ganger smiled outwardly, but he felt mild irritation as he rapidly swung his blade side to side. A blade wasn't suited for combating spears. Usually it was a non-issue, but this fish was skilled and powerful. Graceful too, even though it had that ridiculous fan of spears sticking out of its back. Somehow, they barely slowed the merman down. Even the merman's aura of arrogance was gone. There was just emptiness.
Gritting his teeth behind his smile, he pushed himself forward through the rain of spear blows.
Clash, clash, clash.



The Three-fringed Destined Shell Rider slipped his hands closer to the center of his spear with each exchange, shortening the distance between the combatants and accelerating his spear motions. Suddenly, he pulled his spearhead back, forcing Ganger to miss his expected parry. The Three-fringed Destined Shell Rider threw out the butt of his spear in the same motion, catching the end of Ganger's parrying motion, knocking his weapon free.
The blade spun above The Three-fringed Destined Shell Rider's head as he thrust again with the spear, aiming for a fatal blow. Then, Ganger disappeared from in front of him, leaving his spear to pierce air. The beginnings of confusion attempted to reach him, but they were warded off by his bubble. An instant later, The Three-fringed Destined Shell Rider realized that Ganger's missing presence had moved above him, grabbing the free blade.
Knowing his opponent's new location, The Three-fringed Destined Shell Rider simply turned to thrust in the new direction.


Clash, clash, clash.
What is up with this guy? Ganger thought, noticing no surprise in the merman in the face of his teleportation.
He was back where he started in this fight- at an unsure stalemate. He was beginning to doubt he'd be able to win like this. He quickly leaped backwards, giving him the breathing room to think of a new plan.
Then, his hearing was momentarily overwhelmed by sound. He winced. It was the screaming clam again. He really hoped his better half would be able rear the thing under some degree of control.


The scream! My friend! It must be crying for me! What have these demons done?
Even The Three-fringed Destined Shell Rider's trained focus was wavering. The edges of his bubble shook unsteadily, and he knew his fighting abilities would inevitably fall.
Yet, he needed to finish this quickly, and fly to his destined friend's aid. It was time to use more than his martial talent.

One of his Adjuncts flew by, riding a piece of coral resembling a stingray.
"The situation is troubling, sir! Scores of our people are dead! Do you require assistance?" He yelled down to The Three-fringed Destined Shell Rider.

"No need!" The Three-fringed Destined Shell Rider replied in a commanding tone. "I will move independently! Follow the Redfin's commands, and settle this matter!"

The Adjunct nodded and flew off, and The Three-fringed Destined Shell Rider faced his opponent.

"DEMON!" He bellowed. "YOUR SKILLS ARE ADMIRABLE, BUT YOU MUST BE PURGED IMMEDIATELY! PREPARE YOURSELF!"


Ganger blinked. The merman was yelling some nonsensical gibberish.

Ignoring that, he realized the merman's emptiness was gone.
Finally, an opening!
He dashed in, then circled to the left as a spear was thrown towards his head.
"Throwing your weapons now? Ha, desperate aren't you?" Ganger taunted. "You must-" he stopped, noticing the fan of spears along the merman's back moving. Seven crystalline tendrils burst from the back of the merman's armor, each wielding a spear.
Ganger smiled grimly while backing away. It may be time for a retreat.


Tome Jones was silent, wary, staring at the being at the shore. This one gave off a more dangerous scent. A heavy, bloody smell exuded from its clothes.
However, it didn't seem to want to fight. The Shell Beast glided into the shore, and Tome Jones bounded from the top of it, hissing at it for it to stay calm. He landed a fair distance from the figure, and gazed cautiously at it.


Doppel slowly put down his hands. Thankfully, it looked like Tom Jones could be reasoned with.

"Hello! Thanks for stopping. I've got a little preposition for you." Doppel said, gesturing smoothly, using his hands to help convey his message. "How about you and me partner up for a bit?"

Doppel looked to Tom for a response, and received none. Instead, the deadman began slowly circling him animalistically. Ignoring the strange behavior, Doppel continued.

"You have a lot of power right now, right? Think of that power as currency. You can buy my allegiance. I promise you, deals with me are good. I would never take back my word first."

Doppel smiled his best reassuring smile.



Tome Jones heard nothing. The strange man just seemed to be moving his mouth. Instinct told him that he had disabled his hearing to repair it. For the moment, he could hear nothing. Tome sensed that he'd be better off that way, subconsciously evaluating his follower's deadly screams.

Now that he was closer to the man, Tome began to bristle. Beyond the smell of blood, there was something unknown- unknown, and therefore dangerous. Tome wanted to back away. He wanted nothing to do with this thing. Instinct told him to leave.

Beneath even instinct, he wanted to kill.

The corners of Tome's mouth curled into a sickeningly wide and curved smile. He screamed at the figure. Moments later, the Shell Beast followed suit.