Victym Vs Taxim

[Taxim]

The bridge was known as a wonder of the world. It was called the "Metallic Star" because of the original design and length. Over forty-thousand metres long, it was the journey for pilgrims all over the world from one temple to another across a deep chasm - from the Moon Temple to the Sun Temple. You were considered blessed if you could make it without rest, food or water, many died in the attempt of course but at least they had their faith.

It was made of strengthened steel and titanium, a bridge so long and so strong that it could (apparently) survive a full-scale assault by soldiers armed with RPG's. Though this could possibly be an attractive lie, there is no denying that the bridge is strong?

The bridge is shaped like a shooting-star, hence the name. The path itself is not a pure rectangle, deadly straight from start to finish but shaped like the trail of a shooting star. The southern start of the bridge from the Moon Temple is wide enough for twenty people to stand in a line from side to side, while at the end at the foot of the Sun Temple there is only enough room for six. The sides of the bridge are slightly wavy as if the artist is trying to show that it is flying or floating. There is a fence along the edges that stands at 1.2 metres high to make sure that accidents are incredibly few, except those that are deliberate. The bridge itself is suspended by massive stone and steel columns holding it up from below, they ascend out of the mist up to the sky, holding the bridge like the very hands of the planet itself. All around them were clouds and clear blue sky... it was such a pleasant place, all you could see around was space... and below, simply mist.

For now, the pilgrimage had finished and there was nobody travelling across. None, except one that Taxim knew of, and that was he (or they, depending on your view.)

The child was easily moving down the smooth surface of the bridge, heading back from the Sun Temple to the Moon Temple. He was a little more than half-way, meaning that the width of the bridge was currently somewhere around 11 people from side to side. Taxim was humming a light tune to himself, probably the work of the White Mask upon his face that was making him as close to “happy” as a boy with a fractured mind could be. The mask itself was a full-faced mask, coloured a brilliant white which made the clouds around the bridge look dirty. It was Venetian in design and was decorated with the occasional tiny diamond that made it look as though there were tears on the face. The child was wearing white and cream coloured clothes – a white robe with silver trimming and cream patterns covering the material. While clearly a robe of a priest, it was odd nonetheless. A simple wooden staff was strapped to his back by a few rolls of rope to hold it in place – it was an odd white coloured wood with a small glass-looking orb at the top that glinted in the sunlight. Half-way down the staff, there was a wrapping around the wood made of a deep purple velvet which was obviously used as a grip.

He was moving calmly along, riding a small child’s bicycle that meant the trip became oh so much faster. It was nonspecific item, a simple blue colour with only two or three extra gears used for travelling up hills or down slopes. Occasionally, the child would talk to himself…

~How much further..?~ grumbled a hissing voice. It sounded dark, evil, and would belong to a mask known as “Black.” From the tone of voice, it was easy to tell that the female voice did not enjoy long trips. ~I’m so hungry… I need to eat… food… please stop humming you ignorant child, I am trying to hear my stomach rumble…~
“You’re a mask. You cannot eat.” Taxim simply replied. Anyone listening in would not hear the first voice; it was a voice that only sounded in Taxim’s head unless the voice wanted to be heard by others.
~Shut up… just let me grumble.~
~Heh… you always were a whiner Black… just rest and keep quiet.~ This voice was softer, much softer. It sounded like an older woman, perhaps in her sixties who was used to being a mother. It was warm and caring.
~Shut up…~

Taxim simply listened to the conversation since he had no other choice and rolled his eyes occasionally before trying to speed up on the bike. Apparently he was meant to be on this bridge for a purpose, but he knew not why.

[Zerrer]

Victym was romping around when he smelled something. . evil. He ran towards it, wanting the smell to go away. He got to the top of some sort of temple, with a symbol of a moon at the top. He howled slightly, in sympathy, and then continued on his way. There he saw a little human boy, who was wearing a white mask and riding a child's bicycle.

"Hello, pup." The titan said, shaking his head up and down. It was supposed to be some sort of nod, like he saw humans doing, but it didn't seem to have the same effect. Then he smelled the evil again. It was coming from the child's bracelet. ". . . You must get rid of that arm-wrapping. It has evil in it."

[Taxim]

The small child slowly eased to a halt, making sure not to wear the tires down with a sudden and sharp stop. He leaned to the side, making sure he had one foot on the ground as he turned his head to the side, meaning he could see the voice behind him. A wolf on a bridge..? How amusing. No sound was made, did he just appear? If the wolf could see expressions through solid objects, he would probably not find the raised eyebrow and slight smile comfortable at all.

~"Evil" says the wolf-boy...~ hissed a hidden, sarcastic voice from somewhere behind Taxim. It was easily seen that from the way that Taxim had not moved an inch - his throat had not moved, nor did his chin.
"We cannot remove it. It stays, thank you." Taxim replied calmly, pronouncing every word as clearly as he could. The man/wolf had commented on the brace, so Taxim was clear to get his point across very clearly. If the wolf wanted to try and remove it, then there was a great possibility he could die from simply touching either his body or the mask itself - the spirits had a sadistic fashion of jumping from body to body for a split second upon contact, they very much enjoyed shattering and breaking the minds and insanity of those they could.

It was obvious by the fact that he had not yet dismounted the bicycle that the child thought the meeting was over. However strange it was that a wolf-creature had tried simply talking for once, it was not as strange as most of the other things that had happened to him but it was a nice release compared to the usual.

[Zerrer]

((I should specify that Victym normally walks about on two legs. In this case, he goes to four legs so that he can gain a higher acceleration speed.))

"Then I regret this." Victym said, tilting his head and bracing down on all fours. His teeth were bared. "If the brace cannot be removed, then the hand must be removed."

With a flex of his fingers, claws shot out. Then he charged at the child, using all four legs to boost forward. If one had a good sense of reference, they would notice that Victym was not charging directly at the child, and was just slightly turned to the side; he would miss Taxim by a couple inches. But Vic knew that.

[Taxim]

As the wolf charged, the distance between them* meant that Taxim had enough time to swing his remaining leg over the bicycle, dismounting it fully now before moving his foot a few inches slightly to the side, giving him enough room to turn sharply.

Taxim had not moved his hands from the handlebars since he stopped, so as he turned, he gripped the handlebars and spun with the bicycle in hand, gaining enough momentum to launch it towards the wolf. The aim was not particularly good, it had not been thrown with the same precision as one might try for an arrow, but it would roughly reach its mark and cause some kind of distraction for the wolf which would hopefully buy the child even more time.

As soon as his hands left the bicycle, Taxim reached with his right hand while his left hand pulled at the knot around his shoulders. His right hand gripped the wood just as the knot came free, leaving the staff free to move around as the child pulled it into a battle-ready position - right hand on the velvet grip in the middle, left hand on the bottom directly between the velvet and the bottom of the staff. With staff in hand, he could defend himself and attack.

All the while Taxim did this; there was a conversation inside his head about the oncoming battle.
~Why exactly is he doing this..?~ Groaned a tired, slightly irritated female voice. It was the Light Mask. ~Everywhere we go, there are always these idiots thinking that they know what is best... why don't they even bother to investigate before acting?~
~Because he's an arse?~ Sniggered the Black Mask. Every sentence he spoke was a grumbling hiss, full of disappointment and anger.
~ Touché dear brother. Though I suppose he's just another gruff, angry traveller... thinking he’s wise because he's been to a few places, talked to a few people. I hate them so... break his bones child.~

*(( You didn't specify specifically, but I'm guessing the fact that you're using four legs to build up speed means that we are quite some distance away. ))

[Zerrer]

Vic saw the way that the kid threw the bike at him; he was much stronger then a normal human child should be. Vic smashed the bike to the side and skidded to a stop. A different plan was in order. Vic got up and started pacing back and forth, looking at the mask-child and occasionally snapping his teeth at the smell that assailed his nose.

"What are you, pup?" Victym said between snaps. "You smell human, but you are not."

[Taxim]

The wolf wanted to talk? Good. This would work to Taxim's advantage.

"We are six people in one." Taxim began, pronouncing his words quite slowly to give himself even more time. As he talked, he removed the White Mask from his face and held it as it shrank back to normal size in a second; this was then placed back onto his bracelet. The instant the mask was removed, the white robes disappeared from the child, leaving the strange clothing he usually wore. It was a small suit tailored for children, black with silver trimming with frilly cuffs and a collar. It looked Elizabethan. The staff however, stayed with him, making sure that he had at least some defence if things went wrong. It did however, lose the white colouring. It was now a simple wooden staff.

"...All our minds are linked together, all as one but all are different." The child continued, plucking the Light Mask from the bracelet. It started to grow, expanding in a matter of seconds. "You, wolf, what are you?"

The wolf was like many creatures Taxim had seen on his travels. Some claimed to be un-dead while others told that they were simply the spirits of animals in a human form - the child had met many of these people, they who took the images of wolves, bears, owls and hawks. A noble race of people, this wolf was not one of them. But what was he..? He was a peculiar creature, but nothing to worry about.

[Zerrer]

"I was born to be a Titan, the hand of my owner, a god." Victym said, trying to keep from snapping his teeth at the smell of the bracelet. "But I was different. Too strong in one way, too weak in another. I was cast out to die." Vic hunched over, popping his neck loudly, then stood back up.

[Taxim]

~Oh, a ssshame...~ The guttural hiss of the Black Mask echoed out across the bridge, the first visible noise that Victym would hear of the masks. While not a good idea to enforce his idea that the bracelet was evil, it was quite funny and made the child grin. The story sounded as if it should scare or cause respect... did it? To be blunt, no. ~Come on child, just ssskewer him and end it please...?~

The wolf had not moved, so Taxim decided to use the time to place the Light Mask upon his face. There was a slight flash of light upon contact, radiating from the many diamonds that decorated the mask - it was simply a measure to cause attackers to blink, giving the user even more time to change. As soon as the flash started, it was over, and there was Taxim wearing what looked like white and gold Plate-Mail. He had obviously improved it since his last battle wearing it...

The staff had disappeared as was replaced by a large kite-shield. It was gold and white along the rim of the outside, matching the armour, though the main inside - the body of the shield was quite different. It was made of diamond and was completely clear, as see-through as freshly cleaned glass. This piece of armour had also been improved, the edges were now rounded meaning it was now cupped and looked slightly like a shell meaning that if Taxim wanted, he could lie underneath it and be sealed within giving him time. No doubt it was one of the strongest pieces of defense you would get. The item was bigger than Taxim was and judging by the thickness, it looked as though it weighed several tons.

[Zerrer]

"No. It is not a shame! I would prefer to be dead then to be one of those mindless servants, trained like dogs!" Victym was all-out snarling now, his lips quivering and his teeth glossy with venom.
Victym blinked at the flash of light, and then again as he noticed the change in the human pup's clothing. Hissing for a few moments, he was filling his mouth up with venom. The venom wouldn't kill the child, only paralyze him while Victym takes of the child's arm with the arm-wrapping.

He charged at Taxim, this time running right by him, not even touching him. He slightly opened his mouth, allowing a small mist of venom hang in the air across his path.

[Taxim]

As Victym charged, Taxim simply raised the shield and turned as he passed; making sure that the shield was always between Victym and his body. It was large enough to cover Taxim fully so there wouldn't be much harm coming if he simply held it with two hands - one arm holding the strap while the other hand rested against the diamond, bracing for any impact that was coming.

He passed simply by, seemingly slowing down though. Had he done anything...?
~Poison. In the air, he spits it. Careful child, don't breath it in.~ This was the Earth Mask. She was the poison user, skilled with senses and nature. If there was anything in the air that shouldn't be, then she would be able to see it. The child held his breath, glad that the mask would provide some protection, even if it was like a paper wall to a fire, at least it was some protection. Taxim made sure that the shield was facing Victym before walking backwards slowly, holding his breath.

(( How long does the venom last...? How large is the spray? Is it visible? ))

[Zerrer]

((Because he was moving very quickly when he spit, the spray is very close together. It lasts a minute or so, and it is visible.))

Victym looked back at Taxim. His mouth was open, and he was drooling more of the inky black venom. Popping his shoulders, he charged, his serrated claws ripping chunks out of the strengthened titanium. Using momentum, He leaped, several meters closer to Taxim. He caught the ground running, full speed, planning to grab the edge of the shield and throwing it off the edge.

[Taxim]

(( We stated above that it is only the small rim of the shield that is made of titanium, not the middle which is made of diamond. ))

The child did not flinch as the wolf tore chunks from the titanium rim. While it was impossible to see how he would work his claws into the metal, stranger things had happened.
~Is he trying to buy time?~ asked the Black mask, groaning in tiredness and boredom of the fight. It was not an entertaining skirmish for any of the spirits. The Feral spirit had all but curled up and was currently trying to sleep. The child sighed and kept his eyes on Victym, following him with the shield once more as he dived over and tried to rip the rim from the shield.
~Probably, but at least the poor cub is trying...~ cooed the Light Mask, speaking in lulling tones as if she were taking pity on Victym.

A grin crept to Taxim's face as the wolf-thing laid claws on the titanium rim. As soon as he pulled, Taxim tugged on the grip to his arm by placing one hand on the diamond middle and pushing. This pulled on slots, designed into the shield that would pull on several large sections and unlock the rim from the diamond shield within. Hopefully, as usual, when most people tried to yank on a heavy item that was not so heavy and gave way, they lost their balance and either fell over or tried to stagger to their feet. Either way it didn't matter entirely.

As soon as Victym pulled, Taxim took a step forward and thrust the diamond shield forward, attempting to pan Victym in the face with it. Most children would not be able to put much force into it, even if they managed to lift the shield, but Taxim was not an ordinary child and the six spirits that lay within his mind gave him power. Lots of it. The blow from the shield would be enough to stop a charging bus, let alone a bull.

[Zerrer]

((When I said 'ripping chunks out of the titanium, I meant the surface of the bridge, BTW. But it's fine.))

Victym was knocked onto his back, his jaws snapping at air. Hopping back onto his hind legs, he nodded, trying to get control of his bestial instincts.

"I apologize again." Victym said, hunching his neck forward. His bones cracked. "In order to get that bracelet to destroy it, I must release my lesser nature."

Instantly, Vic's expression changed to one of complete and utter hatred. All of his teeth grew much larger, and started tinting yellow. Red lines, in a symmetrical pattern, sprouted over Victym's light blue fur. His human-looking pupils narrowed into red, cat-like slits. Black smoke started sprouting from somewhere near his feet and hands.

This whole change happened in a fraction of a second, and by the end of it, Victym was no longer himself. He was snarling and growling, black venom dripping out of his mouth. When it hit the surface of the bridge, it started burning through it, like acid.


((The 'Creatures' from the computer game 'Black and White', where Victym is from, have three forms; Good, Neutral, and Evil. Vic just turned evil, temporarily.))

[Taxim]

(( Oh, we apologise. We saw "shoulders popped" and guessed they must be put under some strain for that to happen. Our mistake. ))

"Oh dear." Taxim sighed, all with the sound of a parent who has just witnessed their child take a tiny tumble. The child began to formulate a plan, guessing that he would need to do something fast. The shield still covered his whole body, but it was three inches smaller because of him stealing the rim. Ah, this might work. If Victym wanted to change, then so would Taxim. Holding the shield ready, making sure to constantly keep it up unless the wolf-thing would charge, Taxim raised his right hand to his face and pressed it against a diamond of the mask.

As he pulled the sleeve down, using the diamond as an anchor to reveal the bracelet, the masks began to grumble once more. Victym would be able to hear the many hissing noises and conversations between them.
~If you were sssorry, you wouldn't be sso dictatorial. Shove your apologiess wolf, get out of our way or die.~ The familiar hiss echoed around the bridge oddly with the Dark mask being the one voice that stood out above all others, and while the mask was confident in victory and bloodshed, Taxim was not. He knew that he could win, but he lacked the desire to. Why were they fighting? Because Victym thought the masks were evil? Some where, the child supposed, judging on modern acceptance of what evil is, but the shield was heavy and as Victym had grabbed the rim it had taken a lot of force to pan with such a force. His arm ached. More power was needed.

The child removed the mask rather awkardly, always keeping his eyes on Victym to see if he would make a move while Taxim was preparing. He used the diamond to roughly slide the tiny mask out of it's bracelet, up, and pressing it into his palm where it began to grow. Victym had already changed, would he react?