Magic Bracket - Match Two: Solvictus VS. Satrage

The crowds roared with bloodlust as the next competitors would arrive from the darkness of their gates. As Solvictus made his way through the corridors to the gate, these sounds would grow louder and louder like a stampede of bulls charging at him. This tournament was a grand event for everyone, especially the competitors in the event. While some were here to represent a nation, others were here for themselves. Solvictus was one who came here for his own personal reasons.

Solvictus, a dark mage from an unknown land, had never taken part in such a tournament before. The battles among his people in a coliseum were fueled by criminals and slaves who fought to the death for their chance at freedom. Solvictus had always found himself spectating these events, wondering what it would be like to be a gladiator in such a brutal sport, Darkness fueled this desire to prove himself among this new world and fulfill a childhood dream. Thoughts on this fight filled his mind like the What If game, constantly running scenarios in his mind, trying to stay focused on the fight.

The thoughts would keep flowing, slowing down as Solvictus laid eyes on the white and golden rays of light piercing through opening in his gate. His mind shifted from the thousands of plots and plans in his head to the glorious arena that rested before him on the other side of the light. The sands glistened like small shards of glass from the view within the shadows, casting their rays on the stone architecture that stood as the arena walls. His ears would take in the roar of the crowds as it fueled him like a methamphetamine. His mind was currently lusting after the desires of the crowd, to see who is the most talented mage. The closer he got, the more his mind started to focus, but it was still not focused completely on battle. In the back of his mind, Solvictus knew a loss didn't mean to make an enemy of this person, but another chance to learn.

From the pits of shadows within the gate, two glowing red orbs illuminated like a demons eyes. As Solvictus entered into the light, the demonic red glow would turn into two Brick Red irises that were slitted like a predators, producing a slight glowing effect within the shadows of his helm. After two steps into the sunlight, the full 6'8" mage figure was completely outside his gate free from the grasps of the shadows.

The sands would cast double the light on the armor and silks Solvictus was wearing when he first exited his gate, temporarily preventing the crowd or his competitor from viewing his actual form. The first rays repelled off of Solvictus like he was a diamond, reflecting in multiple colors instead of the basic white glare of normal armors and cloths. Once the eyes of the spectators adjusted to the glistening light on the magical iron armor, they would rest their oculars on the dark mage known as Solvictus who was hidden behind this glare.

The most noticeable article to be seen by the crowds on Solvictus was his red hood made from fine silks and hemp. Hidden within the majestic red hood was a magical iron helm that used a skeletal mask that was bonded to his head. The helm itself has magical properties that prevent the head from taking excessive damage from magic and certain weapons should they be used in this fight.

The upper body was also adorned by an iron armor with the same magical properties as the helm. This armor was plated to look like a muscular build and minimizing any hindrance in upper body movements. His upper torso would be more resistant to damage taken from magical attacks while wearing this upper body armor. This armor, like the helm, has a smokey grey color.

Attached to this armor is a set of red sleeves that hide the arms of Solvictus. These sleeves have cloths weaving around them for decoration. These cloths are outlined with a golden silk to give them a magical and quality appearance.

Adorning his lower torso is a pair of red pants and strands of cloths that form an ornamental skirt. These garments would hide the legs and feet of Solvictus as he moved deeper into the arena. From the top of his hood, to the base of his feet, Solvictus was covered.

Even after removing most of his armor, Solvictus still carried his menacing demonic appearance. The armors design wreaked of Darkness, but the magic that fueled the enchantments told the tale. The presence of the dark being within these demonic garments would send a message to any competitor he faced in this tournament or in the world outside the stone walls of this coliseum.

In the grasp of the right hand of Solvictus was a scepter that also stood as a two dual bladed axe head on each end of it, making this scepter a lethal weapon in close range combat. This axe scepter was one meter in length, made of iron, and crafted in the demonic style of his armor. The blades on the axes were designed for breaking armor and causing severe physical damage under the correct circumstances. Solvictus was not trained very well for close range combat with this weapon but he did know the basics. Solvictus used this weapon for the magical capabilities it possessed and when close range combat occurred, Solvictus had to rely on his moderate hand to hand combat skills to guide his weapon.

When Solvictus reached fifteen meters from his gate, he stopped. His head would turn to the crowds and gaze upon them like he was in the middle of million gold pieces. As his head moved through the crowds, his body moved with it so he could view everything around him. Beneath the magical helm Solvictus had a smile on his face as he fed on their primitive behaviors and his own desires. He was an unknown to these people, but they cheered as if they placed large bets on him. To be at the epicenter of this attention bestowed upon him one of the mightiest of feelings, and the more they cheered, the more he was fueled for this fight. The cheers for blood were like throwing gasoline on a fire to Solvictus. 

When the time came, Solvictus would stop his crowd gazing and focus on his opponent. Beneath the skirt of cloths a motion occurred that placed his feet shoulder length apart. His chest would slightly puff out as he lowered his head. With his head lowered, the hood cast a shadow over the eyes of the skull mask revealing the same red glow that had in the shadows of the gate. To finish off the stance preparation, Solvictus lowered the top ax blade of his scepter to point at the ground in front of him and the bottom blade raising to point behind Solvictus slightly above the gate he hailed from.

Solvictus raised his left hand into the air towards his opponent, "Hail wah Faal Vuloh", greeting him as he would any from his home land. When he finished his words, he lowered his left arm slowly. He flipped his hand and arm over while balling a fist at the same time. Once the forearm was up and his fist balled, the fist found itself located inches from his ribs showing the cloths that formed gloves that clung to Solvictus knuckles like an extra skin. 

As the red orbs made their illuminating presence, the mind of Solvictus became focused on one thought; defeat his opponent. The roar of the crowd turned into a soft hum within his eardrums. The light became focused as if time itself slowed down in Solvictus's mind. The beads of sweat that formed beneath the garments of Solvictus rolled down across his skin cooling him until they were soaked into his cloths to act like a wet cloth keeping him cool. With every gust of air Solvictus would get a sensational feeling that would rejuvenate him while cooling him. The battle had not started, but Solvictus was ready, having complete faith his abilities.

The lift of the left hand and the draconic words spoken were a salute to Satrage as Solvictus would do towards any soldier from his home or any honorable competitor. This salute was the only respect Satrage would receive in this fight as Solvictus's dark powers had no intentions of showing any sign of mercy. Solvictus remained at a fair distance of thirty-five meters from his opponent creating a range that would require a ranged magic attack or charging on foot.

As the announcer gave the signal to officially begin, Solvictus began to work his dark magics. The red lining on his armor began to flash light a light being turned on and off. As the armor activated itself through it's connection with Solvictus, so did the ax scepter. A red orb began to glow on each end of the handle, offering one orb per dual ax heads. 

Darkness would begin to fill the air around Solvictus's form from his beneath the cloths and armor. The darkness moved like a visible miasma that oppressed magical attacks on Solvictus(when the opponent attacks. Does not oppress Solvictus's magic.) within the five foot radius surrounding his form, reducing the damage Solvictus would take from the attack. This miasma was a creation of the armor that would lessen after each magical attack on himself. 

When the armor activated, Solvictus began his charge, creating a brighter glow of red from beneath his hood. The black miasma began to coil around Solvictus scepter like a snake as the red eyes flashed once. The black miasma would thicken to a goo as it coiled around the ax scepter. When the miasma reached a certain density it would root out over his his cloths and up his arm. The spell was in the works and the Darkness had begun to plague the battlefield, his opponent just did not know it yet.

From a spectator's view, one would see a transparent cloud surrounding Solvictus that cast a large shadow on the ground. The shadow was large for the size of the cloud of Darkness, some spectators might notice while others were more focused on the miasma like Solvictus hoped his opponent was. This shadow would be tied to the miasma that was coiling around Solvictus scepter that the crowds were unaware of unless they were a strong mage or trained warrior.

"Hail wah Faal Vuloh", Solvictus chanted again softly to himself as stage one of his spell was set in place.

Satrage had a response prepared, but the intervention had served as a wakeup call for him as well. He waits patiently for the gong, stopping his advance to assure he remains the proper distance away, hoping the drawing of his sword did not count against him as a battle action.

Solvictus’ response earns him an eyeroll from Marceline. Part of the terms for participating in the tournament were to read the rules of conduct and comply with them. He’s not even cute.

Regardless, with a great huff, the chains release Solvictus, depositing him precisely ten meters away from the center of the ring, and twenty meters away from Satrage. Afterwards, the chains retreat into their cube. This twenty meter starting range is standard across all matches, as a sort of intermediary distance to allow those who wish to close to close quarters combat a chance to do so, and those who do not a chance to back up before their opponent can immediately close the gap between them.

After taking a moment to ensure that each competitor's protective tournament magics are properly in place and that neither have any prepared magic charged, Marceline nods in begrudging approval, and steps back, tossing one final remark over her shoulder.

“Fight within the rules, or I’ll not be so gentle next time. Match begins on the gong, and not a moment before.”

With that said, Marceline motions towards one of the upper seating boxes, and shortly afterward, the sound of a gong rings out across the arena, signaling the official start of the match.