Arring

Scourge Nerscylla vs Venture Manix

Despite the horrid state many of the clan often found themselves in, there was one constant that always carried value as entertainment. Combat was a requirement, a lifestyle and leisure for most. Even Bloodsurge, ever misbegotten in all her aspects, was an eager participant of the art. Not that anyone wanted to willingly fight her, such contests were usually instigated one-sided.
Today was a special day however, as Wynten and Storge had promised a show for all the clan to see. For just this crimson morning, the sun yet to clamber over the Rotrock Rim, Bloodusrge stood patiently with the clan to witness this duel.

Arring had seen some vivid fights, but not at quite the same scale as this was supposed to be. If even Bloodsurge was willing to behold the battle, then it had to be quite a show.

Storge and Wynten walked together out of the main gate of the mutated castle they called home. They may be rivals, but they bore no ill feeling towards each other. There was no reason to show scorn or disdain for one another, both experts in their respective fields. Perhaps it would change today.

Wynten cleared his throat, a raspy sound leaving it as he tried to raise it audibly enough.
"There has been a breakthrough in our progress, and we are quite excited to pit our theories against each other. It is a pleasure to show you our projects in all their glory."
Storge nodded, carefully balancing that strange mutation that once was her pearl.
"Indeed. Unleash our champions, they have been writhing to test their powers for long."

Four large dragons, carrying "safety gear" which was probably more for show than any protection, strode out of castle Perdiciun. They dragged heavy chains behind them, their captive a black imperial dragon screaming with red fury. Sparks of plague magic was already surging from the energy packed contraption up her spine, begging to be released. They would not yet however, knowing well that the dragon would flee the moment she had the means to. Of course she would eventually come back, but that would not make for a good show.

Storge looked at the black dragon with curiosity, seeming to be calculating something. Before she cradled her orb, and started casting a spell as she whispered, the somatic gesture glowing slightly for each word.
The ground began to pulsate, as the fleshy "earth" collapsed before the black imperial dragon. It furled, then strained, and gave way as the body of another imperial dragon squirmed its way out. Slime was falling from it as the hideous dragon crawled out of the hellhole. It was already wounded it seemed, weakly trying to stand and look around at the familiar, yet alien arena.

Storge turned to Wynten, smiling wholesome at the display. "I call this Venture Manix, as he may not survive. But all may be worth it as it will be at the hands of the Scourge."
Wynten rapsily laughed, then shook his head. "You are always so humble, Storge. Now, unleash my creation so we can witness this critical moment."
The bleak imperial dragon turned to Storge, oblivious to the captors of the black one making ready to free their prey. He looked at the pearlcatcher, curious if she would give him praise or maybe something to ease the pain. Storge however exerted nothing, as testing his perception was part of the trial too.

Manix did not understand, before two iron claws buried themselves into his back. Nerscylla screeched and unleashed yet more energy into the claws, ley wires conducting the magic directly into the opposing dragon. To the younger of the clan, it seemed almost like the black imperial had already won, its many-limbed form crawling over its prey like a spider.

The bleak form was immobile, then stirred. Blood trickled from its wounds, but so it did always. He coiled his body around the Scourge like a snake, then to the hatchlings horror, opened its mouth. The entire length of the imperials' body was split open and lined with a singular long maw, jagged teeth the only thing preventing manix from eating everything he touched. It cradled around its foe, then bit down like a leech.

Desperate to get her assailant off, Nerscylla turned her energized claws and jabbed it hard into the flesh of Manix. The weapons penetrated all the way through, and then once more into Nerscylla herself. Blinded by pain and adrenaline, she fired off a surge of power anyway.
There was a display of red as the attack went through, then a moment of the two dragons stunned.
A clicking noise went off, as the safety trigger of Nerscylla's vestments broke. The following explosion had the entire area light up red, shrapnel and bone flung all over. Despite the carnage, the battle continued. Manix roared, ferociously wounded, but launched at the struggling black imperial dragon reeling from the damage.

Bloodsurge beheld the gruesome sight, then smiled. Not that anyone could tell with her freakish features, but this she did enjoy.

Manix spread his wings, bristling as he shook forth a dozen baubles of plague forming in the air. His head twitched, then waved forth the magic. The baubles broke apart and spread into thousands of particles as they closed around Nerscylla, the dragon unable to escape as they strolled into her immune system. She was as if prime for the slaughter, though only Storge knew it. Manix crawled forward, struggling to keep his limbs moving. ver the wound from where the power pack had detonated, Manix decided to strike.

Wynten looked at the display, nodding as he turned to Storge. "Pretty good stuff. Is that disease new?" He asked, as nonchalantly as if they were having their rancid morning tea.
"Indeed, something that was laying around the wyrmwound. I did not think it would work in combat, but it seems I was lucky today." Storge smiled, the wildclaw rolling his eyes.
"I had not foreseen that scenario, I will repair the energy genereator before next time. If she makes it out, that is."
The scientists looked at the slaughter, both woeful the experiment was not as accurate as it could have been. Everyone else however was in awe at the power exerted.

Arring thought she was a pretty decent warrior, but was terrified at the sight of these monsters. They had to far surpass many of the generals in pure power, if only their minds were not in check by the scientists.
Nerscylla seemed to awake, sluggishly, but burst out of her bleak coffin as she escaped the scene. The black dragon ran into the wilds of the territory, Manix unable to comprehend the situation before she was gone.

There was a cheering throughout the crowd. this time, Storge had been the victor. But before she could recieve any of the praise, Bloodsurge ran into the area of combat. Manix, so damaged and dazed from the first battle, was unable to notice the assailant once more. Bloodsurge stomped on him once, bit down twice, and the imperial dragon was downed. Bloodsurge roared triumphantly, then turned to Storge.

"THIS! THIS IS GREAT!" She gurgled, a long tongue licking the gruesome virus splattered on her from her prey. "WEAK... BUT BETTER!" the guardian snarled, then lumbered off into the castle.
It was quiet, no one having expected this to be the conclusion of the deal. Storge looked at her experiment smothered into the ground with awe, and Wynten wondered if its heart was still beating. He turned to Storge to ask, but found her blushing.
"She... complimented me!"