Duel school round 2: Shaman showdown

[Thirteen]

Thirteen had to admit it to herself, she hadn't expected Asclepius to last this long. He'd weathered several attacks from a double Master and actually landed a few blows of his own.

Not that she was getting her hopes up. The odds hadn't significantly changed.

The man-eating flower was creative, for certain. The Life Arcanum could produce some creepy shit.

Spirit Arcanum? Also creepy, by nature. Despite the familiar on her shoulder, all that Shadow Realm stuff was still alien to the Acanthus.

Round 4! Asclepius gooooooo!

[Asclepius]

The Arrow watches as the gate opens, the spiritual hands coming closer and closer in an attempt to grasp him. However, one by one, the huddle of spirits that acted as a protective armour against Aurora's last onslaught begin to separate. Each spirit floating towards the gate and grasping a hand that reaches for the Arrow, which then is subsequently being dragged through the Gate in an act of self sacrifice.

The duel had taken its toll on him, fatigue was setting in as the Arrow struggled tiredly to stand back up. He was clearly sweating from the amount of effort that was being put in to get past Aurora's Shield.

The Arrow was not out for the count just yet and so he positioned one of his hands once again in the form of holding an invisible bowl, he then began to whisk with the other. With each twist and rotation of the whisking hand a papery substance formed in his grasp. The Papery substance grew until it got to the size and shape of a football. The Arrow winded back and launched it towards Aurora aiming just short of her feet. As the papery substance landed, a blur of yellow and black began to disperse out of it, a swarm of Wasps angered and and agitated began to converge on Aurora, stingers primed and ready to strike.

Duel Attack - 1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2026-02-11 09:10:46	Asclepius rolls 1 to Arcane Duel Attack: Sword 3 + Gnosis 2 - Defender's shield 5 (10 Again, Chance)	10, 2	1 success

Willpower 1/6

[Aurora]

It seemed the Arrow was not content to call it a day, and launched another attack.

Aurora could see he was tired, could see he was pushing himself. And while she could commend it, she could all tell it was stupid. Part of Dueling was knowing when to hold up a hand and call it.

But he didn’t want to, he wanted to push himself. And she would let him.

Eyes watch as he prepares and launches some sort of papery substance at her, well, her feet. And the wasps that emerged were a surprise, and even managed to land a sting. Which didn’t feel too good, but the rest were dealt with from the dire wolves.

It was a good attack.

And now it was her turn.

The sword was once again held up and she breathed into it, before quickly driving the sword into the ground. And nothing seemed to happen…at first. But then the Gauntlet appears, and opens, but not beside or behind him. No, not that easy this time.

Below him, Spirit hands reaching up to grab his legs and pull him in.

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2026-02-12 11:15:31	Aurora rolls 7 to Duel(Sword 5+Gnosis 5) - Defenders Shield 3 (10 Again)	6, 9, 8, 8, 7, 6, 2	3 successes

WP 3/8

[Thirteen]

Thirteen, as well, could see that the EMT was on his last legs. However, he was also an Adamantine Arrow, so she didn't expect him to give up. He'd fight to the end.

And he did.

Aurora's next strike was decisive. And scary as shit.

When the effects had faded, the Acanthus spoke to Asclepius. "Do you yield?" This was the result she expected, being the pessimist she was, but her voice still had a tone of respect.

Asclepius is at 0 WP now. Any further attacks from Aurora will cause Health damage. If you choose to continue, Jombot, then we'd move to Round 5 and it would be your turn. Otherwise, the duel ends here.

[Asclepius]

Almost surprised at himself as he watched the wasps land a successful hit against Aurora, despite the intimidating dire wolves that stood guarding her.

A deep breath taken in knowing her next attack was coming. The sword plunged into the ground and he tensed up expecting some instant attack... but nothing came directly from her. That's when he spotted the opening below him, and he noticed it far too late. An attempt was made to move away from it, but to no avail, as the hands that emerged from the Gauntlet had a firm hold on his legs. In a desperate attempt at escape he conjured a phantom knight to pull him up and out to safety. The tug of war commenced and he was certainly losing as he watched his hand slip more and more out of his phantoms grip before losing him completely and falling to the Gauntlet.

The effect subsided and he lay upon the floor, Thirteen's words eventually met his ears. His pride and ego, begged him to stand and keep going. However this was training, and even if he did continue there was still an uphill battle to fight Aurora. He raised a hand up into the air above him, giving a thumbs up before speaking. “Yea, I yield. Well fought Aurora.” He began to stand back up, head pounding and aching. Good thing I brought painkillers. The Arrow had lost, but there was still a smile on his face. He was taking the efforts he had done today as his own victory. At least I put more of a fight on then Chambers did when he faced her, It is a shame no one will see what I achieved as a positive thing, they will only focus on that I lost.

Asclepius Yields! 0/6 Willpower

[Aurora]

As the Arrow fell, and said the words, she releases her sword and shield, the Duel was over.

Walking over, she holds a hand out to him, offering to help him up if he wants, “Good fight Asclepius, you put up one hell of a fight.” Credit where it was due, offering a smile and nod of her head. “Landed some great hits and a willingness to keep going against the odds. You should be proud.”

[Thirteen]

"Aurora wins," she stated plainly. The Libertine released her spell, and the dueling ring she'd created faded back into Arcadia. Both duelists were free of it's obligations.

"Aye, she's got the right of it. I can respect stickin' it out to the end. Fightin' spirit, and all that." She nodded to the EMT. After that, Thirteen looked at Aurora a moment, pondering something, but she said nothing and turned to walk back to the others. Jinx filled the momentary silence.

"That was freaky! Better than special effects in the movies! Can we see more?"

"Witch and Skye are just gettin' started. C'mon, let's go watch."

[Asclepius]

He took the hand of Aurora Briefly to get himself up onto his feet. “I know on my end that it was a hell of a fight, I hope you at least felt something in the way of competition at least.” Comments from both Aurora and Thirteen seemed to match and so he addressed both at the same time.
I see it like this, once a duel has been locked in, I am going till either I mentally can not continue or until I win.” Did they both expect me to surrender after the first hit? What do they mean by sticking it out?

Given all that had happened, he was smiling and proud... even if he currently had a pounding head. “Yes should be a good watch.”