Garmadon had never met anyone who had made him feel calm, even for just a moment. And this? This was… Surprisingly nice. The crackling of the nearby flames were the only sounds floating in the air as the two stood there, locked on to one another.
Likewise, unknown to the warlord, a weird fuzzy feeling began to spark in the warrior's chest. Though she didn't understand why, Misako beamed back at the warlord. It seemed that her tactic of keeping Garmadon distracted was working marvelously… but she was completely oblivious to her own feelings for the warlord slowly begin to spark to life, somewhat akin to the blazing fires surrounding the two.
Misako again walked towards the warlord - she couldn't shake the feeling of being drawn to him. It was as though he was a magnet to her - she couldn't help but feeling as though she was caught in his gravitational pull. Misako shook off this unsolicited feeling, reasoning that she would have to be a little closer to him if she had any interest of getting a hold of that necklace or instigating a bout with him. She chuckled to herself as she saw Garmadon sway slightly from side to side as she approached him. It was as though he was lost in a spell of hypnosis she had cast upon him... and Misako felt oddly proud of having done this to him!
She gazed into his eyes, blood red locked onto lush green, and felt herself freeze. A warmth burst forth from within her own chest, which froze the girl in her step. It suddenly struck her that something was going wrong in her plan. She quickly looked away from the warlord's eyes, that strange unknown emotion gripped deeply into her heart as he bowed down slightly, trying to meet her gaze again.
Misako's heart fluttered quickly in her chest as a dumb smile worked its way onto the warlord's dark face. She smiled weakly in return, completely horrified of her own emotions as he drew closer to her again. She tried to shake the feeling away, but when she turned back and looked into Garmadon's red eyes, the same feeling burst forth again, like fireworks exploding in the night sky.
Misako chuckled nervously and stepped back from the monster. Ok, just a minor kink in the plan, she thought to herself, a blush growing brightly on her cheeks.
Though she hated to admit it, she had enjoyed the playful banter with him, but now she began to fear it wasn't just the warlord who was falling under her charms.
She couldn't possibly have a crush on the warlord!... But it definitely seemed that she did.
After all, whatever energy and words he tossed at her, she was more than capable of shoving right back to him. If their conversation went on longer, she wondered how long the two could keep ricocheting off one another. She hated thinking it, but she was kind of having fun with him. But then she stared at Garmadon again, with his eyes fluttering dreamily at her, and her throat went tight.
Uh, oh.
Misako's mouth was dry as she tried to gulp the feelings that were rising up her throat. She'd have to end this soon before she would make a horrible decision. Whether it would be falling into Lord Garmadon's arms, like a love struck soap opera actress, or letting the warlord vanish into the night, Lady Iron Dragon feared that she would break one of her cardinal rules.
Over a guy.
And not just an any guy.
It was this monstrous warlord.
Misako groaned to herself. How could she let this happen?! She growled and focused sharply on Garmadon, her expression suddenly grew angry. The warlord, though confused, was able to see she was now clearly primed for attack.
Garmadon shook the amusement from his face, but he still continued to grin as he pointed his blades towards her. "I've never been too much of a gentleman, but," he beckoned her toward himself with his free hand and stood upright in a prepared fighting stance, his katana all at the ready.
"I'm feeling… different tonight. I'll allow you my first and only exception. Lady Iron Dragon," he bowed dramatically. "Ladies first!"
As he stood back at his full height with three sharp blades equipped to his person and pointing her way, Misako felt a pang of doubt creeping up her spine. She had taken on many terrible foes before, but Lord Garmadon was already proving to be something else.
He was far more threatening, interesting and intoxicating than she would have believed from the rumors that had been spread about this blood thirsty man. There was also something enchanting and perhaps even charming in his voice, his eyes, the way he held himself…. Misako wasn't sure, but as she swiftly drew herself into a fighting stance, she breathed deeply. She couldn't let it affect her.
Once she released her breath, Lady Iron Dragon directed her blade at the warlord and ran at him in a full sprint.
Garmadon gave her a free opening, but as she struck towards him with unbelievable agility, he managed to blocked her. Apparently, his size did nothing to slow his movements.
Did he have any weaknesses at all?!
Misako drew back and groaned. She intended to find out.
She wasted no time in spinning around swiftly and cutting at him with her blade. In a moment of concern, Garmadon had dropped his guard and her sudden attack was too quick for him to react. Her sword ran sharply down the warlord's chest plate, resounding with a terrible shriek, giving his armor a large and very noticeable defect straight across his chest.
Garmadon refocused himself and laughed harshly. He replied with sweeping cuts from his blades, all slicing towards the warrior, one at a time. She blocked and evaded all three of his katana, then briskly drove her blade towards his abdomen, as he foolishly drew back his arms after his attack.
Regardless, Garmadon read her movements and he gracefully stepped to her side, dropping one of his blades to the ground in the process so that he could firmly grab a hold of her arm that was lunging forward with the blade in its grip.
In one fluid motion, he stepped behind her and adjusted his hold onto her wrist in such a way that as he clenched his fist, Misako's grip faltered and her sword fell from her hand.
Misako yelled out in pain as he turned her arm behind her back. He pulled her backwards and against his chest, eliciting a cry from Misako as she was drawn against his body. Garmadon's two remaining blades intricately wove around her neck, now catching her firmly in his trap. Misako bit her lip as a vehement growl tumbled loose from her chest while he leaned down to her, his breath catching in her ear. Both the edge of his blades and his sharp fangs were way too close to her exposed skin for comfort.
She clenched her eyes shut, fearing what he may do or say next, but opened them when she suddenly noticed that the warlord seemed frozen holding onto her. As confused and overwhelmed as Misako was with his strong, warm figure clasped around her body, she pushed her mind to think of a way out of his grip. While the girl quickly plotted her escape, Garmadon was almost caught in a daydream, completely unaware that the warrior was raising her leg in preparation of striking down on his foot.
Garmadon bore oni blood from his father and though no one had ever prepared him for it, he learned in his youth that many of his senses were heightened as compared to normal children near his own age. He was stronger, faster, and more courageous than any of his peers. He had fantastic eyesight and a strong sense of taste, but his sense of smell was by far his strongest of his senses.
As he drank in Lady Iron Dragon's scent, he was lost in a field of lavender and jasmine. It was like a sudden and unexpected journey into heaven, after his life had been purely hell up until that point in time. He was lost in her completely…
That is, up until the point that Misako's sharp heel drove into directly his toes.
Garmadon yelped out in pain and threw his arms back - katana and all - and away from the girl as he shook out his foot. Misako smiled as she pulled one of his swords from his loosened grip and she leapt forward, holding the blade along his throat. Garmadon froze in place and stared sternly at his blade, which was now threatening him, his mouth screwed up with a look of annoyance.
Misako took notice that his remaining blade was still in his hand and judging by the way he rolled his wrist, he was preparing to strike at her. Lady Iron Dragon smirked and closed the distance between herself and the warlord, tsk-ing at him playfully.
With her free hand, Misako gestured at the warlord to drop his katana. Garmadon scoffed, but he complied and he tossed the blade onto the ground by her feet. He was pouting at her like he was a little kid who lost a board game, not a warlord who just lost a battle that could cost him his life!
Lady Iron Dragon smiled to herself as Garmadon slowly began clapping with his lower set of hands, his top right still clutching to the jewelry from the temple.
"I'm not gonna lie, that was really impressive, Lady Iron Dragon!" His expression shifted swiftly and he flashed her a toothy smile. "I wasn't sure if you had that in you!"
Misako could feel heat rising in her cheeks, but now, she began to fear if it was the flames or that new fire in her chest that causing her to blush.
