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Description
Kara frowned in resignation, a large bag slung over her shoulder. Her cat ears lay low on her head as she looked from one house to the other. "Trace…Trace…Trace…" She stopped in front of a certain address, one hand on her hip incredulously as she noted the weather-beaten nameplate.

'XXXX Synclair Dorms.

Hiro Kauzome.

Trace Legacy.

Please use the intercom if you have business.'

She hesitated, putting a hand to her ample chest to steady her nerves. "It's alright, it's alright…this is a high school dorm so they can't be over 17. There shouldn't be any problems at all. Any way, this is the last hope I have of having someplace to live. I can't screw it up." With one last stomp she pushed the button on the intercom.

"Yo, Trace here. Welcome to the Synclair Dorms. How may I help you?"

"Y-Y-Yeah, it's me, Kara Strife. Remember me from our many IM's?"

"Oh yeah! You're a catgirl, right? Here, let me get the doors…"

Kara's ears twitched nervously as the gate opened in front of her. /A-Alright, time to see the face behind the mask…/ Kara strode down the marble lined path, eyeing the building in front of her. It appeared to be a two story marble building, complete with windows, a balcony on each side of the second floor, and pillars under each balcony. /Most likely for support./

She stopped, staring up at the painted steel door. /Seems nice enough from the outside. Let's see how it looks inside?/

She reached for the doorknob, but something made her stop for a second. A very, very, evil something. /Why am I getting such a bad feeling…? Nah, it's probably just my imagination…/ Kara shook her head, dismissing such thoughts as she stepped through the door. "Nice to meet you all!"

She cast a glance from side to side, confused. There didn't seem to be anyone there at all. "Hey, anyone here? Hello?" As she took a step, something hopped up and down less then a foot in front of her.

"Hey-there-nice-to-meet-you!" A young man, brown hair flapping in time with his jumps, kept popping in and out of Kara's vision. "Wow, you've got to be at least a foot and a half taller then me!"

"Not like I havn't heard that before. You earthling guys really are short aren't you?" Kara shook her head, shrugging. "I'm unusual, even in my home planet, trust me. Name's Kara Strife. What's yours?"

"Trace Legacy. Ah, you're the interplanetary exchange right? I take it you know how to fight, then?" He asked.

The question hadn't had any malice in it at all but it didn't sit well with her. "The hell do you mean by that!? You saying I'm weak!" Kara clenched her fists, ready to sock him in the face before her thoughts caught up to her. /He wasn't trying to say that was he?/ She gritted her teeth, clearing her throat uncomfortably. "Y-Yeah, I know a thing or two about fighting. Why do you ask?" /At least I wasn't going to…/

"Well, with all the Gates around the Earth, it's not uncommon for something to come from a different dimension, or a different reality altogether, and their usually not all too friendly, if you catch my drift…"

Kara laughed, smacking her hands together. /What's the worst that could happen? I could probably fight circles around any of these guys./ "So, what kind of weapon do you use Trace?" /Wait a minute, he's the guy I've been IM'ing all these years??? Why didn't I notice that earlier!/

"Ya know, I feel I should tell you…" Kara started before someone pushed Trace over.

"Damn Trace, how long are you gonna hog the new girl!?" The new comer, a boy with silverish hair, cleared his throat as he extended a hand in greeting.

"Nice to meetcha, name's Hiro Kauzome!"

"Likewise…" /Where'd he come from?/

"To answer your question…" Trace muttered, sitting up from where he had been knocked to the floor. "I know how to use a katana well enough, although I like not using a weapon equally as much."

"I fight with just about any kind of one handed weapon myself. Living in Frelarya for so long certainly paid off!"

Kara covered her mouth, staring at Hiro incredulously. "What planet is that? I've certainly never heard of it before."

"Explaining it would take too long. In simplest terms, Frelarya is an alternate reality. Conversation closed." Trace clapped his hands loudly, no room for argument in his tone.

/He seems to be a bit...high strung./ Kara couldn't help but think.

"I'm extremely sorry. You've been stuck here standing at the front door for several minutes while I bothered you with conversation. Here, let me show you to your room Kara. Alone," He put heavy emphasis on that last word, glancing at Hiro out of the corner of his eye as he grabbed Kara's bag, the unexpected weight almost dropping him to the floor.

"H-Here, this way!" He grunted, leaning drastically to balance the deceptively heavy bag.

"He's trying too hard," Hiro commented, shaking his head. "Anyway, you'd better go with him. Dinner should be ready at around 8 pm."

Kara glanced uncertainly at Hiro before she started walking, her long legged strides easily catching up to Trace's much shorter ones. Trace lay against a white marble wall, her bag resting in his lap. The hall she had been walking down sported an expensive looking red carpet, equally expensive looking silver chandeliers dangling from the roof, multiple lights shining.

"Look, you don't have to break your back lugging my stuff around. I realize it's really heavy. Here, I'll carry it."

Trace glanced up at Kara's outstretched hand, leaning against the wall for support as he stood. "It's all right, I got it, ok?"

Before he could take another step, Kara had grabbed the bag, unceremoniously slinging it over her shoulder, Trace included. Fortunately, he managed to keep his grip, although he wound up on Kara's back as she headed in the direction Trace had been going in. "Am I going to be on the first or second floor?" Trace frowned sighing as he let go, facing Kara.

"Your going to be on the first floor, room 134. It's this way." /Damn, so much for being a gentleman. More importantly, I have to wonder: Just what is she carrying in that bag to make it so heavy?/

By all appearances, it seemed to be a standard gym bag, no different then what most other active people would carry: Cylindrical, round, and large enough to carry a bat, shoes, and baseballs around. Soon enough though, Trace's eyes started to wander, taking in her long tight legs, her jet black short skirt, her long flowing black hair...

"-the place, right?" Kara turned abruptly, eyes narrowed. "Hey, are you listening to me? I just asked you a question!"

Trace stared into her eyes, shaking his head to get his thoughts back on track. "Damn."

He looked around curiously, spying a nearby room number. "Ya know, I find that particularly rude. I'm not trying to lead you anywhere, beyond the place you're gonna be living in. Is that a crime? In fact, your room's the next door over. Sorry for taking up your time."

With a spin of his heel, he returned the way he'd come.

"What was that all about? I just wanted to know if he'd be showing me around the place later. What an odd guy." Shrugging, she turned her attention to the unlocked door and entered.

In contrast to the hall outside, the walls were grey, and seemed to have been made of a material she wasn't familiar with. After several minutes of trying to figure out what it was, she gave up, turning her attention instead to the sparse furnishings: beyond a bed, a nightstand and lamp, and a dresser, there was nothing in the room.

"I wonder if there'll be a problem if I redecorated the place? I was honestly expecting a bit more then this, considering how the entry and hall way looked. Oh well, not like I have a right to complain..." Opening her bag, she transferred several sets of clothes into the dresser, staring at the lone window near her bed. A vista of purple and orange graced the sky, reflected in a small pond behind the building.

The view couldn't lift the darkness inside her heart though. /Am I really going to be ok like this? Will I be able to control myself? What if something goes wrong?/

Before she knew it, she was heading out the door, tracing Trace's path from earlier. Well within five minutes, she found herself standing outside a door, rock beats flowing through the door.

"-the hell is wrong with me!? My mom and dad weren't perfect but you still don't hear no crying assbitching from me, like there seems to be on everybody's CD!"

Trace, perhaps sensing that there was someone watching him, stopped the Karaoke machine, turning to look at the door as Kara opened it.

"Evening. Is there anything I can help you with Kara? I was just getting ready to get down to the kitchen, but I'd be happy to help if you need it."

After several seconds of silence, Kara shook her head, closing the door gently. "What the hell was I thinking? I need to relax, I'll be just fine, right?"

"Worried cause you just moved in?"

Jumping in shock, Kara spun on her heel, hand reaching for something over her right shoulder that wasn't there. "You're-!"

"Hiro. Remember? I introduced myself a while ago. Did you forget already Kara?"

Hiro was leaning against a wall, arms crossed protectively in front of him. "What's wrong Hiro? A-Ah. Sorry, you scared me a little."

"It's no big deal. I was just going to ask Trace if he needed any help preparing dinner. And you?"

Kara took a deep breath, feeling the tension leaving her muscles, albeit only for a moment. "I don't really know myself. Before I realized it, I was following Trace's scent and...-" Before she could finish her sentence, a great, audible growl rose from her stomach.

"Ooooh. I understand. You were gonna make Trace your next meal, right Kara?" A smash echoed loudly through the building, Trace having taken a swan dive as he heard Hiro's comment.

"No, no I wasn't. What makes you think that?" Kara shook her head, waving her arms desperately. "I-I-I was going to ask him what he was gonna get for dinner!"

"Kara, if you're hungry you just have to ask me to get you something. You don't have to plot to devour me when I'm not aware. That's rather rude." Groaning, Trace stood up, brushing off his shoulders just in time to see Kara fire the most evil, twisted, threatening glare his way.

/C-Crap.../ Trace felt as though his entire body had just been thrown in a vat of snow. Ice cold pain shot up and down his arms and legs, Kara's eyes locked on his own. No, not on his eye. /She's not looking at me like a person...she's looking at me the way a starving animal would a piece of meat! A-Am I gonna die?/

A pulse staggered everyone, Hiro running to the window in shock.

"Hey guys, I think we've got a problem. Looks like a trio of Spartans fell through one of the gates near the city, about a half mile south. You guys think we should go take care of it?"

"I guess we should. I mean, that's the reason this dorm was created, right?" Trace asked as he ran to Hiro.

"True enough, true enough. I'll go in first, you follow me up behind. Got it?"

Trace nodded, leaving the room as quick as he could while Hiro grabbed an axe off the wall, vaulting out the window. Kara looked after both of them blankly, arms slack at her side. "Grrrr....DON'T JUST IGNORE ME LIKE THAT!"

------

Trace crawled, low to the ground, quietly watching the Spartans from a short distance. At the moment, they were milling around, speaking with each other in their own language. /The one with the bow keeps looking around. I should probably focus on taking that one out first. The other two seem to be just foot soldiers. Hiro could probably take them. Just hope Kara doesn't cause a ruckus./ Trace frowned, his heart thumping in his chest. The surrounding area was nothing but a flat green prairie. The grass was hardly more then 7 inches tall. The fact he was keeping stock still was almost the only reason he hadn't already been shot. It could probably be considered a miracle. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Hiro stealthily running up behind them on all fours, axe in his mouth. /Any moment now.../

Bronze flashed suddenly, one of the two foot soldiers giving up a cry as it noticed Hiro, pointing his short sword at him. The other two reacted quickly, nocking arrow and readying sword, both footsoldiers running up to cover the archer with their massive shields. Trace stood up quietly, hearing a shout as the footsoldiers charged. He drew his katana himself, giving a warcry of his own as he beared down on the archer. To his credit, the archer reacted admirably, turning and loosing the shaft without panic. Unfortunately, the arrow flew well over Trace's head, thudding into the ground several feet back from him.

Trace rolled, slashing as he stood upright, his cold steel met with firey bronze. The Spartan had discarded his bow in favor of a sword. Under his crested helm, the spartan shouted something at Trace in his own language. Sadly, it was lost to the lad.

/I take it he's telling me to surrender. Like that'll happen./ With a shake of his head, Trace broke away, ducking and spinning under the unsuing slash to strike at the Spartan's stomach, but his body armor bounced the strike away. Stumbling from the recoil, Trace let himself fall to the ground, rolling under a neck high slash as the Spartan fought to protect himself. Trace raised his blade, fire and ice again clashing in their blades.

/He's got his visor down, so I can't get him in the face, so that leaves the throat!/ Trace pressed against the clinch, trying to make him lose his balance like he had before, but it didn't work this time. Rather then continue the clinch, the Spartan broke away, stabbing straight for Trace's stomach. Were it not for his fast reflexes, Trace most like would've been out of luck. As it was, his side sported a jagged bloody gash, prompting a gasp of pain. Trace twisted, ducking under another overhead slash. His katana whistled like a hawk, picking off another slash, and another. The spartan frowned, trying to gauge his enemy, occasionally calling for assistance. At least Trace assumed that he was calling for help. Not that there was any help forthcoming. THe other two had their hands full just trying to get Hiro.

"Sorry Archer, but it looks like you've been abandoned." /Man, this guy's defense is rock solid! I can't get a hit in! Looks like my only chance is to disarm him and shatter that armor./ Trace pirouetted past another slash, his counter bouncing off his opponent's armor, before things got really confusing. Steel and bronze flashed in the sunlight for tens of seconds as the two warriors danced.

Suddenly, Trace broke away, hopping back several feet. The archer seized the oppertunity, running back for his bow. Turning to fire another of his shafts, he found Trace breezing past him. Steel flashed.

--------

Hiro laughed joyfully, his two handed axe dancing to and fro with the speed one would've expected from a knife, picking off sword strikes galore. "Come on you guys, this is nothing compared to Frelarya! Can't you do any better then that?" With a lithe spring, he rocketed over a slash, burying his axe in a Spartan's helmet, wedging it securely just next to the crest. Screaming, the Spartan fell to the floor, blood oozing from the jagged slash in his skull. "Hurts doesn't it?" He turned, the other Spartan roaring as he stabbed at Hiro's neck. Hiro again falling to the floor.

Just like a cat at play.

--------

/Alright, this could've gone better./ Trace had succeeded in snapping the leather straps that secured the Spartan's mail, but his fight wasn't over yet. The Spartan archer still held his sword, and with his attack knocking his own blade out of his hand, Trace was more then vulnerable. He's evasive dodges could only go so far after all, and he was starting to feel the fatigue catching up to him. He glanced up, noting the sword diving straight for his head. /NOW!/

Ducking under the slash, Trace gripped the Spartan's arm twisting savagely, knocking the sword out of his arm. Twisting more, he brought the warrior even farther from his allies, kneeing him savagely in the gut. Again and again and again, Trace pounded the Spartan, rage preventing him from holding back.

Making one last desperate bid, the spartan grabbed Trace's leg, throwing him to the side, scrambing for his blade. Turning to impale the hapless fool, he found himself looking up at the sky, a burning sensation at his chin. Trace had uppercutted him just under the chin, his fist seeming to almost glow slightly. Spinning again, he got the Spartan in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him brutally. "Eat this!" Trace grimaced, hesitantly. He could feel the energy coalescing in his fist, but he couldn't release it. /Damn it, come on! Mag...Mag...aw, screw it!/

With a depressing sigh, Trace followed through with his punch, following the spartan as he rose into his strike. "Rave Knuckle! Aw man, I couldn't get out that other attack..."

"Still trying to learn that 'Magnificent Rising Knuckle'?" Hiro wondered, paying minimal attention to the spartan in front of him, infurtiating the remaining warrior.

Description
Kara frowned in resignation, a large bag slung over her shoulder. Her cat ears lay low on her head as she looked from one house to the other. "Trace…Trace…Trace…" She stopped in front of a certain address, one hand on her hip incredulously as she noted the weather-beaten nameplate.

'XXXX Synclair Dorms.

Hiro Kauzome.

Trace Legacy.

Please use the intercom if you have business.'

She hesitated, putting a hand to her ample chest to steady her nerves. "It's alright, it's alright…this is a high school dorm so they can't be over 17. There shouldn't be any problems at all. Any way, this is the last hope I have of having someplace to live. I can't screw it up." With one last stomp she pushed the button on the intercom.

"Yo, Trace here. Welcome to the Synclair Dorms. How may I help you?"

"Y-Y-Yeah, it's me, Kara Strife. Remember me from our many IM's?"

"Oh yeah! You're a catgirl, right? Here, let me get the doors…"

Kara's ears twitched nervously as the gate opened in front of her. /A-Alright, time to see the face behind the mask…/ Kara strode down the marble lined path, eyeing the building in front of her. It appeared to be a two story marble building, complete with windows, a balcony on each side of the second floor, and pillars under each balcony. /Most likely for support./

She stopped, staring up at the painted steel door. /Seems nice enough from the outside. Let's see how it looks inside?/

She reached for the doorknob, but something made her stop for a second. A very, very, evil something. /Why am I getting such a bad feeling…? Nah, it's probably just my imagination…/ Kara shook her head, dismissing such thoughts as she stepped through the door. "Nice to meet you all!"

She cast a glance from side to side, confused. There didn't seem to be anyone there at all. "Hey, anyone here? Hello?" As she took a step, something hopped up and down less then a foot in front of her.

"Hey-there-nice-to-meet-you!" A young man, brown hair flapping in time with his jumps, kept popping in and out of Kara's vision. "Wow, you've got to be at least a foot and a half taller then me!"

"Not like I havn't heard that before. You earthling guys really are short aren't you?" Kara shook her head, shrugging. "I'm unusual, even in my home planet, trust me. Name's Kara Strife. What's yours?"

"Trace Legacy. Ah, you're the interplanetary exchange right? I take it you know how to fight, then?" He asked.

The question hadn't had any malice in it at all but it didn't sit well with her. "The hell do you mean by that!? You saying I'm weak!" Kara clenched her fists, ready to sock him in the face before her thoughts caught up to her. /He wasn't trying to say that was he?/ She gritted her teeth, clearing her throat uncomfortably. "Y-Yeah, I know a thing or two about fighting. Why do you ask?" /At least I wasn't going to…/

"Well, with all the Gates around the Earth, it's not uncommon for something to come from a different dimension, or a different reality altogether, and their usually not all too friendly, if you catch my drift…"

Kara laughed, smacking her hands together. /What's the worst that could happen? I could probably fight circles around any of these guys./ "So, what kind of weapon do you use Trace?" /Wait a minute, he's the guy I've been IM'ing all these years??? Why didn't I notice that earlier!/

"Ya know, I feel I should tell you…" Kara started before someone pushed Trace over.

"Damn Trace, how long are you gonna hog the new girl!?" The new comer, a boy with silverish hair, cleared his throat as he extended a hand in greeting.

"Nice to meetcha, name's Hiro Kauzome!"

"Likewise…" /Where'd he come from?/

"To answer your question…" Trace muttered, sitting up from where he had been knocked to the floor. "I know how to use a katana well enough, although I like not using a weapon equally as much."

"I fight with just about any kind of one handed weapon myself. Living in Frelarya for so long certainly paid off!"

Kara covered her mouth, staring at Hiro incredulously. "What planet is that? I've certainly never heard of it before."

"Explaining it would take too long. In simplest terms, Frelarya is an alternate reality. Conversation closed." Trace clapped his hands loudly, no room for argument in his tone.

/He seems to be a bit...high strung./ Kara couldn't help but think.

"I'm extremely sorry. You've been stuck here standing at the front door for several minutes while I bothered you with conversation. Here, let me show you to your room Kara. Alone," He put heavy emphasis on that last word, glancing at Hiro out of the corner of his eye as he grabbed Kara's bag, the unexpected weight almost dropping him to the floor.

"H-Here, this way!" He grunted, leaning drastically to balance the deceptively heavy bag.

"He's trying too hard," Hiro commented, shaking his head. "Anyway, you'd better go with him. Dinner should be ready at around 8 pm."

Kara glanced uncertainly at Hiro before she started walking, her long legged strides easily catching up to Trace's much shorter ones. Trace lay against a white marble wall, her bag resting in his lap. The hall she had been walking down sported an expensive looking red carpet, equally expensive looking silver chandeliers dangling from the roof, multiple lights shining.

"Look, you don't have to break your back lugging my stuff around. I realize it's really heavy. Here, I'll carry it."

Trace glanced up at Kara's outstretched hand, leaning against the wall for support as he stood. "It's all right, I got it, ok?"

Before he could take another step, Kara had grabbed the bag, unceremoniously slinging it over her shoulder, Trace included. Fortunately, he managed to keep his grip, although he wound up on Kara's back as she headed in the direction Trace had been going in. "Am I going to be on the first or second floor?" Trace frowned sighing as he let go, facing Kara.

"Your going to be on the first floor, room 134. It's this way." /Damn, so much for being a gentleman. More importantly, I have to wonder: Just what is she carrying in that bag to make it so heavy?/

By all appearances, it seemed to be a standard gym bag, no different then what most other active people would carry: Cylindrical, round, and large enough to carry a bat, shoes, and baseballs around. Soon enough though, Trace's eyes started to wander, taking in her long tight legs, her jet black short skirt, her long flowing black hair...

"-the place, right?" Kara turned abruptly, eyes narrowed. "Hey, are you listening to me? I just asked you a question!"

Trace stared into her eyes, shaking his head to get his thoughts back on track. "Damn."

He looked around curiously, spying a nearby room number. "Ya know, I find that particularly rude. I'm not trying to lead you anywhere, beyond the place you're gonna be living in. Is that a crime? In fact, your room's the next door over. Sorry for taking up your time."

With a spin of his heel, he returned the way he'd come.

"What was that all about? I just wanted to know if he'd be showing me around the place later. What an odd guy." Shrugging, she turned her attention to the unlocked door and entered.

In contrast to the hall outside, the walls were grey, and seemed to have been made of a material she wasn't familiar with. After several minutes of trying to figure out what it was, she gave up, turning her attention instead to the sparse furnishings: beyond a bed, a nightstand and lamp, and a dresser, there was nothing in the room.

"I wonder if there'll be a problem if I redecorated the place? I was honestly expecting a bit more then this, considering how the entry and hall way looked. Oh well, not like I have a right to complain..." Opening her bag, she transferred several sets of clothes into the dresser, staring at the lone window near her bed. A vista of purple and orange graced the sky, reflected in a small pond behind the building.

The view couldn't lift the darkness inside her heart though. /Am I really going to be ok like this? Will I be able to control myself? What if something goes wrong?/

Before she knew it, she was heading out the door, tracing Trace's path from earlier. Well within five minutes, she found herself standing outside a door, rock beats flowing through the door.

"-the hell is wrong with me!? My mom and dad weren't perfect but you still don't hear no crying assbitching from me, like there seems to be on everybody's CD!"

Trace, perhaps sensing that there was someone watching him, stopped the Karaoke machine, turning to look at the door as Kara opened it.

"Evening. Is there anything I can help you with Kara? I was just getting ready to get down to the kitchen, but I'd be happy to help if you need it."

After several seconds of silence, Kara shook her head, closing the door gently. "What the hell was I thinking? I need to relax, I'll be just fine, right?"

"Worried cause you just moved in?"

Jumping in shock, Kara spun on her heel, hand reaching for something over her right shoulder that wasn't there. "You're-!"

"Hiro. Remember? I introduced myself a while ago. Did you forget already Kara?"

Hiro was leaning against a wall, arms crossed protectively in front of him. "What's wrong Hiro? A-Ah. Sorry, you scared me a little."

"It's no big deal. I was just going to ask Trace if he needed any help preparing dinner. And you?"

Kara took a deep breath, feeling the tension leaving her muscles, albeit only for a moment. "I don't really know myself. Before I realized it, I was following Trace's scent and...-" Before she could finish her sentence, a great, audible growl rose from her stomach.

"Ooooh. I understand. You were gonna make Trace your next meal, right Kara?" A smash echoed loudly through the building, Trace having taken a swan dive as he heard Hiro's comment.

"No, no I wasn't. What makes you think that?" Kara shook her head, waving her arms desperately. "I-I-I was going to ask him what he was gonna get for dinner!"

"Kara, if you're hungry you just have to ask me to get you something. You don't have to plot to devour me when I'm not aware. That's rather rude." Groaning, Trace stood up, brushing off his shoulders just in time to see Kara fire the most evil, twisted, threatening glare his way.

/C-Crap.../ Trace felt as though his entire body had just been thrown in a vat of snow. Ice cold pain shot up and down his arms and legs, Kara's eyes locked on his own. No, not on his eye. /She's not looking at me like a person...she's looking at me the way a starving animal would a piece of meat! A-Am I gonna die?/

A pulse staggered everyone, Hiro running to the window in shock.

"Hey guys, I think we've got a problem. Looks like a trio of Spartans fell through one of the gates near the city, about a half mile south. You guys think we should go take care of it?"

"I guess we should. I mean, that's the reason this dorm was created, right?" Trace asked as he ran to Hiro.

"True enough, true enough. I'll go in first, you follow me up behind. Got it?"

Trace nodded, leaving the room as quick as he could while Hiro grabbed an axe off the wall, vaulting out the window. Kara looked after both of them blankly, arms slack at her side. "Grrrr....DON'T JUST IGNORE ME LIKE THAT!"

------

Trace crawled, low to the ground, quietly watching the Spartans from a short distance. At the moment, they were milling around, speaking with each other in their own language. /The one with the bow keeps looking around. I should probably focus on taking that one out first. The other two seem to be just foot soldiers. Hiro could probably take them. Just hope Kara doesn't cause a ruckus./ Trace frowned, his heart thumping in his chest. The surrounding area was nothing but a flat green prairie. The grass was hardly more then 7 inches tall. The fact he was keeping stock still was almost the only reason he hadn't already been shot. It could probably be considered a miracle. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Hiro stealthily running up behind them on all fours, axe in his mouth. /Any moment now.../

Bronze flashed suddenly, one of the two foot soldiers giving up a cry as it noticed Hiro, pointing his short sword at him. The other two reacted quickly, nocking arrow and readying sword, both footsoldiers running up to cover the archer with their massive shields. Trace stood up quietly, hearing a shout as the footsoldiers charged. He drew his katana himself, giving a warcry of his own as he beared down on the archer. To his credit, the archer reacted admirably, turning and loosing the shaft without panic. Unfortunately, the arrow flew well over Trace's head, thudding into the ground several feet back from him.

Trace rolled, slashing as he stood upright, his cold steel met with firey bronze. The Spartan had discarded his bow in favor of a sword. Under his crested helm, the spartan shouted something at Trace in his own language. Sadly, it was lost to the lad.

/I take it he's telling me to surrender. Like that'll happen./ With a shake of his head, Trace broke away, ducking and spinning under the unsuing slash to strike at the Spartan's stomach, but his body armor bounced the strike away. Stumbling from the recoil, Trace let himself fall to the ground, rolling under a neck high slash as the Spartan fought to protect himself. Trace raised his blade, fire and ice again clashing in their blades.

/He's got his visor down, so I can't get him in the face, so that leaves the throat!/ Trace pressed against the clinch, trying to make him lose his balance like he had before, but it didn't work this time. Rather then continue the clinch, the Spartan broke away, stabbing straight for Trace's stomach. Were it not for his fast reflexes, Trace most like would've been out of luck. As it was, his side sported a jagged bloody gash, prompting a gasp of pain. Trace twisted, ducking under another overhead slash. His katana whistled like a hawk, picking off another slash, and another. The spartan frowned, trying to gauge his enemy, occasionally calling for assistance. At least Trace assumed that he was calling for help. Not that there was any help forthcoming. THe other two had their hands full just trying to get Hiro.

"Sorry Archer, but it looks like you've been abandoned." /Man, this guy's defense is rock solid! I can't get a hit in! Looks like my only chance is to disarm him and shatter that armor./ Trace pirouetted past another slash, his counter bouncing off his opponent's armor, before things got really confusing. Steel and bronze flashed in the sunlight for tens of seconds as the two warriors danced.

Suddenly, Trace broke away, hopping back several feet. The archer seized the oppertunity, running back for his bow. Turning to fire another of his shafts, he found Trace breezing past him. Steel flashed.

--------

Hiro laughed joyfully, his two handed axe dancing to and fro with the speed one would've expected from a knife, picking off sword strikes galore. "Come on you guys, this is nothing compared to Frelarya! Can't you do any better then that?" With a lithe spring, he rocketed over a slash, burying his axe in a Spartan's helmet, wedging it securely just next to the crest. Screaming, the Spartan fell to the floor, blood oozing from the jagged slash in his skull. "Hurts doesn't it?" He turned, the other Spartan roaring as he stabbed at Hiro's neck. Hiro again falling to the floor.

Just like a cat at play.

--------

/Alright, this could've gone better./ Trace had succeeded in snapping the leather straps that secured the Spartan's mail, but his fight wasn't over yet. The Spartan archer still held his sword, and with his attack knocking his own blade out of his hand, Trace was more then vulnerable. He's evasive dodges could only go so far after all, and he was starting to feel the fatigue catching up to him. He glanced up, noting the sword diving straight for his head. /NOW!/

Ducking under the slash, Trace gripped the Spartan's arm twisting savagely, knocking the sword out of his arm. Twisting more, he brought the warrior even farther from his allies, kneeing him savagely in the gut. Again and again and again, Trace pounded the Spartan, rage preventing him from holding back.

Making one last desperate bid, the spartan grabbed Trace's leg, throwing him to the side, scrambing for his blade. Turning to impale the hapless fool, he found himself looking up at the sky, a burning sensation at his chin. Trace had uppercutted him just under the chin, his fist seeming to almost glow slightly. Spinning again, he got the Spartan in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him brutally. "Eat this!" Trace grimaced, hesitantly. He could feel the energy coalescing in his fist, but he couldn't release it. /Damn it, come on! Mag...Mag...aw, screw it!/

With a depressing sigh, Trace followed through with his punch, following the spartan as he rose into his strike. "Rave Knuckle! Aw man, I couldn't get out that other attack..."

"Still trying to learn that 'Magnificent Rising Knuckle'?" Hiro wondered, paying minimal attention to the spartan in front of him, infurtiating the remaining warrior.