10/07/16

I played through X with my younger sister Shadowstar watching, when I got tired or stopped to eat she took over. We explored Mira together and it was a blast! Only sour spot is I think even after the game ended I think she still likes Traitor McTraitorson. Fuck that guy.

Anyway I remember talking with my older sister Daimashu after I finished the game about what i loved about it and this and that (she barely saw me play it at all) when I was running through all the Xeno races her thoughts on hearing of the Wrothians was "Of COURSE there are cat people."

While that is true, they are awesome cat people. Just felt like sharing things. Onward!


Testing

Standing Kruse spat on the sand before turning to face the Wrothian the floored him in the first place. Roaring the Wrothian charged him, Kruse responded with a yell of his own advanced as well. Avoiding his opponent's opening attacks he followed up with a powerful blow to the Wrothian's chest. Swinging about he struck his opponent several more times, throwing him to the ground. Taking a deep breath Kruse turned to the other two Wrothians preparing to charge him.

The Wrothian Test was a bit more intense than he thought it'd be. Counting the one he just felled, five Wrothian warriors were sent in to fight him and it's been an uphill battle ever since.

Ga Jiarg, Ga Buidhe and several other Wrothians watched from the sidelines as the battle in the middle of Oblivia continued.

Nodding to each other the remaining Wrothians charged Kruse's position. Focusing as best he could Kruse began to not only block their blades but watch for their leg sweeps and savage punches. He'd already been hit by a few of the latter and it wasn't something he was eager to suffer again.

Rolling aside he sprung to his feet and struck one of the Wrothians. In response the Wrothian then grabbed his weapon, holding him in place and leaving him completely open for his second opponent to leap in the air kick Kruse in the face, throwing him to the sand.

Despite his aching muscles he rolled over as quickly as he could, avoiding the Wrothian blades sinking into the sand. Getting to his feet he stopped an oncoming attack and delivered two kicks to his opponent's sides. Pushing the enemy blade away he ducked under another strike. Following it up he landed a blow on the Wrothian's arm only for him to counter back with a savage blow to the face.

Stumbling away Kruse spat again, looking at the two opponents before him really drove home how exhausted he was. There may as well be ten Wrothians standing before him with all the work he feels he has to do. Up till this point every Wrothian has taken longer to defeat than the last if only because his blows were becoming less fierce.

"Even with all the training I've done, this is a battle of endurance…and I'm losing…I've been losing, probably since the beginning."

Spinning his blade he moved in and collided with the first Wrothian, blades locked the second took that chance to charge in. Kruse moved back and began blocking the furious assault of his two opponents as best he could. Finally he saw it, a fist and narrowly avoided it giving him the opening to strike one of the Wrothians in the face. As that one took a step back Kruse leapt and kicked the other in the head.

Staggered he followed through with a few blows to the back then spinning and kicking the Wrothian to the sand. Before Kruse could even beg for him to stay down he was on his feet again. Kruse prepared for the Wrothian's next attack only to hear the other let out a savage roar.

Kruse was unable to protect himself as the full weight of the other Wrothian slammed into him, knocking the wind out of him and throwing him across the ground. Kruse struggled to catch his breath and tried to stand.

Cursing himself he shook his head "I swore to myself that I'd never overestimate my skills…yet here we are…"

If anything he figured he deserved this beating. He never believed himself to be overconfident and he knew Wrothians were proud warriors. Even so…

Opening his eyes, he was shocked by what he saw. In the distance, watching the fight, was Elma.

"That has to be a mirage…she said she couldn't come…"

However, she looked right at him, saw the state he was in and did all that he wanted her to do. She smiled.

"Now or never." He whispered before leaping to his feet and crashing his weapon into the closest Wrothian's head, the unexpected force threw the man to the sand, out cold. The last Wrothian roared and charged Kruse. The Wrothian blade struck his own weapon with so much force he felt it reverberate through his arms.

"This is nothing!" Yelling he brought his knee into the Wrothian's gut and spun around, striking the Wrothian's sword arm with his blade, causing the Wrothian to drop his weapon. Spinning again, Kruse's weapon struck the Wrothian's face, throwing him to the ground.

After a few moments the Wrothian stood again, dazed and tried to engage Kruse only to fall over, joining his four brothers.

Ga Jiarg smirked as the other Wrothians cheered in amazement.

"Kruse."

He turned to see Elma "You aren't a mirage right? Or head trauma?"

She shook her head.

"I thought you had something to do today…"

"I did. I had to be here. To support you."

Elma moved forward to catch Kruse before he fell over. "Thank you." He whispered.

She gently moved down until she was sitting in the sand, letting Kruse rest on her.

"Kruse!"

Slowly he turned to see Ga Jiarg.

"Your highness. I apologize for not standing…"

"Given the beating you received from my men I'm amazed that you're alive."

Kruse grinned at that "I have to say, I was not expecting the test to be quite this intense. I swear to never underestimate the Wrothians again…"

Ga Jiarg smirked "Well Kruse. I hope to see you at our stronghold again in a few days. I think you've sufficiently proven yourself. Be ready for the next step."

"Thank you, your highness."

With that Ga Jiarg called for his men to move. Several bent down to pick up the 5 unconscious Wrothians before returning to their stronghold.

Kruse remained on the ground, being held by Elma, his head on her shoulder. After a short while Elma whispered his name.

"I know…we have to go…just a few more moments…"

At that she smiled "Of course…"