Click HERE for the rules of this Round...

***Antes are Extra Challenges that add twice the points wagered if successfully pulled off. They come in 3 Flavors (Easy Medium Hard). No two participants can have the same kind of Ante. For more info, click the link above.

ErrorBlender has initiated a Medium Ante.

BirtDog has initiated a Hard Ante.


Scoring:
- Votes are worth 5 pts. each.
- CNC-ing an entry gives you 10 pts. Detailed ones get an extra 5 pts. Maximum 3 CnCs per participant.
- Bonus for the Round is 20 pts. Bonus for this Round is the best depiction of Irony.
- Fulfilled Antes give 10, 20, 30 pts. and lost 5, 10, 15 pts if failed depending on difficulty
- Judge's Blessing gives 15 points if entry caught the Judge's eye.

Here are the entries:

Bl.An.C. He retracted his helmet almost immediately to take in a deep breath. The air was fresh and he could clearly say that they were outside. Once he had his breath, Cooper gazed up from his position and gathered whatever intel he could.

From his vantage point, he was atop some sort of hexagonal platform where multiple lines spread and scattered across like a web. Immediately, his helmet whizzed back and his lone jade eye glowed alive. The emerald optic zoomed in on his surroundings, and saw the familiar faces of Ensiron and Chance as well as some recognizable ones from the lounge. The rest were new gladiators and these were the ones Bl.An.C. had taken note of.

Before he could do a complete scan on anyone, the ground shook slightly which set Cooper off balance for a moment. Huge slabs of stone arose from the ground and continued to do so endlessly until what seemed to be the peak of the sky. He was surrounded with massive walls of rock that created paths branching to every side of the hexagon platform he was currently standing on.

“Observation: A maze like structure built to keep us all in.” The android told himself and attempted to call for a wing pack in order to secure aerial superiority.

He waited for a few seconds until he realized nothing was materializing. Surprised, he attempted to reach Alice. “Query: Alice, are you there?”

All there was was the sound of static.

He was alone.

He retracted his helmet and placed his fingers on the bridge of his nose, he tried to think of what could have happened and what could be done. As he brought down his hand, it snagged something. His finger got caught in a string wrapped around his neck and allowed his digit to trace the string down towards what hung on it. It was some sort of amulet; a weird stone that glowed with power. He glanced to his side and noticed the sword from where he had stood. The weapon was stabbed to the ground and its handle stuck out at waist height. The android snatched it from its place and tested it out. He slashed at the air with unprecedented familiarity that even surprised him.

‘When did I – ?’ Bl.An.C.’s thought was cut short by a strong call from behind him.

“Milady!” A voice yelled from behind him. The android looked over his shoulder and saw a young man knocking ceaselessly on the stone slab.

“Query: Who are you?” The android called out to the young man.

“I’m Corvon.” He said, backing himself to the wall’s face. He wore a simple cloth garb, and his hair was neatly combed down. “Where’d you get that?” Corvon said surprised to see the Sword of Truth in the android’s hands.

“Statement: I found it.”

“Then give it back, it does not belong to you.” Corvon requested and even approached the android with his outstretched hand.

“Statement: No. It seems we are all gladiators here and I have the better weapon.” The android said. He twirled the sword in his hand and pointed it at Corvon. ‘How do I even know how to do that?’ he thought. The movement flowed out as if his body knew every movement, knew the weight of the sword by heart and the length of it as well. The point was already pricking at Corvon’s throat.

“Hey, wait.” Corvon stammered. “I’m no gladiator. I just accompany Kalena so that she remains unharmed.” He said, his arms raised to show no intention for harm.

Bl.An.C. retracted the sword and gazed around. “Query: So you are but a companion to the other gladiator behind that wall?”

“Yes.” Corvon answered truthfully. “Milady needs that sword to survive and me to make sure she does.”

The man took a few steps back. “So, I won’t allow you to leave without me getting that sword.” He said tersely as he shook. He knew what these gladiators are capable of. Slaughter, bloodshed and a bit more, there was an off chance that this one was like Trey but who could say?

“Observation: You are shivering, Corvon.” Bl.An.C. noticed. “Conclusion: You are not meant to be on the battlefield, only in the sidelines it seems from your movements.”

A booming voice echoed throughout the maze, it was The Host. "Listen well, gents. All you have to do is escape..." he began. The next sentences were elaboration on the rules, the runes and keys wringed on their necks with string and the switch ups. After his speech, The Host simply went silent.

Corvon and Bl.An.C. stood quietly, taking in the information given to them.

“So, I am stuck with you.” Corvon said.

“Affirmation: As long as this rune isn’t destroyed, you and the sword are bonded to me.” Bl.An.C. stared at the curious stone hanging on the string. Another was apparently hanging along with it, a golden card with a hole where the string could slip through and it seemed normal looking, except for the tribal design of an eye drawn horizontally with the words “The Saint” written neatly at the bottom. The card was obviously the key, the target of his opponent for him to get out of the maze.

Corvon’s spirits were lifted upon hearing those words. Maybe he could destroy that rune so that he would be free of this man and run off to find Kalena.

Bl.An.C., realizing the hope he brought when he uttered those words, glared at Corvon. “Statement: I know what you are thinking. You hope release by destroying the rune. Hypothesis: Let’s say you do and you manage to get the sword from me. How certain are you that you will survive the maze long enough to get to your companion?”

I have mage sight; I can find Kalena easily in this place. I can even dodge the gladiators!

“Continuation: Additionally, the gladiators are all hunting people and some know Kalena.” The android said. “…if they know you and your connection to her and manage to capture you. What are you to her then?”

Corvon swallowed. Dead weight… The mage was about to speak when Bl.An.C. immediately interjected.

“Assurance: I promise I will lead you back to your companion after my battle and an errand.” He said simply.

Corvon eyed Bl.An.C. watchfully, trying to discern whether he was lying or not. It was hard to tell since there was no intonation in his voice nor does the android move in any way as he talks. Then he was reminded that the person he was talking to had the sword.

Whoever holds the sword is bound to truth. He thought. Corvon breathed in deep and exhaled. “Fine. I will follow you for now.” He said finally.

“Suggestion: You may assist me in taking down The Saint. At least that way, my errand will end quicker and you will get reunited faster.” The android told Corvon as he gazed around to decide which area he was to go with.

“If that is the case…” Corvon said. “I will help. I know a trick, this might take a moment.”

The novice mage breathed in and closed his eyes. He removed any idle thoughts and gathered the magic he had. Slowly, colors began to spool into his head, threads of different spectrums moved sporadically until they had resolved into a sort of map of the stone labyrinth. The mage could see six spots running across the maze, one of which he could recognize as Kalena. He decided on tricking Bl.An.C..

“The Saint is this way.” Corvon said plainly. He pointed at the leftmost hall from where Bl.An.C. had stood.

“Query: How do you know?” The android stared at Corvon, his gaze unmoving which unnerved the mage a bit.

“I have mapped out the entire area already in my head. I can use my magic to pinpoint people.” It was an effort to keep from stammering but Corvon managed somehow. He followed Bl.An.C.’s stare eye for eye.

“Statement: Very well. We will go the other way.” The pseudo-android said, as he immediately faced the other hall.

“What? Why?” Corvon asked, as he ran towards the black suited man.

“Response: I wish to battle the Saint with my own weapons. I will have to find the person with my gear, in which afterwards, I will crush your rune and allow you to go to Kalena. I will escort you to her myself after I get my gear.” Bl.An.C. replied. “Request: If you may, keep tabs on the Saint.”

“Oh… sure.” Corvon said meekly. His plan failed and the novice mage sighed in disappointment. “What is your name then?”

“Statement: Bl.An.C.” The android responded.

Time passed by as the uncanny duo walked through the stone maze. Occasionally, they’d hear the scream of fellow gladiators and sounds of combat. The walls themselves shook as if they were struck with a powerful blast.

“Query: How close are we to the nearest gladiator, path wise?” The android asked suddenly.

“Well,” Corvon breathed in. “I’ll check.”

Bl.An.C. looked around as Corvon used his mage sight. He walked a few steps away from Corvon towards the T-crossing. The android’s auditory sensors immediately picked up the sound of steps increasing in volume.

“Statement: Corvon.” The android called out to his companion, the volume of his voice lowered to mimic a whisper.

The novice mage’s eyelids burst open and was about to say something when the android held his hand out to signal Corvon to keep quiet. Corvon nodded and stayed silent. Bl.An.C. held the Sword of Truth tighter this time. “Command: Attack when I give the signal…”

Corvon breathed in and nodded. His eyes widened. There really was a gladiator nearby.

Everything went silent, the android’s sensors picked up close to nothing. He inched closer to the intersection. The silence was broken when Corvon whispered as loudly as he could. “Bl.An.C.!”

The android looked up and saw the figure of a man with crimson red tentacles shooting out from his back. The tendrils flowed like a stream as they pierced the walls which allowed the man to traverse the maze easily. His jade optic zoomed into the tendrils, scanning the composition and returning viable data on what it was made of.

“Observation: The man has Chance’s power” He murmured. The tendrils were no doubt made of blood and most probably belonged to Chance.

The man traversed above the two until he reached the point where he was between them both. The bloody limbs retracted themselves from the wall, inevitably allowing the man to fall to the ground. “It seems I have found my target.” The man with a scar across his eye looked over his shoulder. He flicked his wrist and out came the card; it was golden like the android’s but held a green eye radiated with three lines. He stared at his suited target. “…Bl.An.C.”

“Statement: Saint.”

Corvon stepped back slightly; he could sense the blood, the living blood circulating in the tendrils. He felt like puking.

“The name’s Mccaw Rindar. Saint is just a tag name.” The man shrugged.

Bl.An.C. kept silent and twirled the blade in his hand. He assumed a stance, somewhat instinctively.

“So no talk eh, just fight?” Mccaw asked. “Well, if that’s the case.” The Saint smiled maniacally as the crimson tentacles points sharpened into blades. Their sharp tips pointed at Bl.An.C. “I have to ask though. Who is that guy?”

Mccaw gestured his head towards Corvon. “Never heard that the tournament allowed spectators.”

“Statement: He isn’t” Bl.An.C. nodded. Mccaw noticed the gesture.

Rindar looked back and saw the look of affirmation in Corvon’s eyes which seemed to switch from idleness to quick determination. Before he could register the trap he had gotten himself into, Corvon had already uttered a few words before he yelled at the top of his voice: “Arc flare!”

Corvon directed the flow of fire at the Saint; the novice mage’s open palm surged a laser beam of flames which inevitably reached Rindar and enveloped him in an explosive array of yellow fire. The blood user screeched in pain, a faint shade of himself was visible from the fire fingers and body contorted in sheer anguish.

The Saint’s cries of agony quickly morphed into hysterical laughter that caught both Bl.An.C. and Corvon by surprise. The flames slowly dissipated, embers licked at what seemed to be a covering of red coagulated blood. Rindar’s smile peeked through the crust of burnt liquid. “Nice try, mage.” The Saint uttered, his grin the most prominent feature of his face. The blood flaked and slowly drifted down to the stone floor as he moved. Slowly, the crimson tendrils retook their forms, the tips began to spiral and speed up. “I will make you bleed for that.”

Corvon swallowed and stepped back as Mccaw’s tendrils advanced. The android moved quickly as he rushed in, the blade felt comfortable in his hands as he attempted to strike at the blood user’s back. Unexpectedly, Rindar faced the android at the last second and brought turning along with him. The crimson appendages slammed at the android’s side and threw him towards Corvon. The mage staggered back as he saw the android’s body thrown in front of him. “You okay?” He asked.

“Reply: Never been better…” The android said. He stabbed the sword to the ground using it as support to bring him up. As he stood up, he felt a sort of power course through him from the sword, a cool refreshing feeling that he could draw from the blade when it struck earth.

The Saint had his tendrils advance towards the android. “DIE.” He muttered.

He couldn’t help ask. “Query: Corvon, does this blade have special qualities?”

“Yes,” Corvon replied quickly. ‘This man is a lunatic! He’s not even moving away from the attack!’ The mage intervened with a shout; he stepped between the android and the tentacles of blood. “Aegis!”

Four plates of gold manifested before the mage, all of which formed an impenetrable shield against the Saint’s attack. The tendrils of blood exploded as they impacted on the shield, scattering droplets of blood everywhere.

The feeling of this sort of power was new to Bl.An.C.; it was both exhilarating and shocking, to think powers like this are just out there. Corvon looked behind him as he maintained the shield. “Yes, that sword has power. It can rend the earth as long as it touches it.” He said breathlessly, both his hands were outstretched towards the aegis.

Several more impacts hammered down on the shield until the mage felt an extra weight clamped on. Corvon looked at the top of his barrier and saw the bloodied grin of the Saint.

“Knock

Soooo... Should we still vote. .? Or..

Yeah lol. Please do.

Nuuuu!! I'm too nervous to see votes D=

EDIT~~Hewitt: Just a reminder on that Writer's Note. No rush just a reminder.

Let me kick this off by saying, Birtdog, that was hilarious. I almost wish that you made a character that had this personality so you could write like this always. Although, I'm not sure if this is how saint would have portrayed his own character, I think it's a much more pleasant change. Other than a few grammatical errors that I'm not sure if I saw this piece is good enough. Thinking of this entry, compared to your battle with Roche, you definitely are someone to watch grow.

To be honest, Error is getting my vote because his story just felt more fulfilling to read. Seeing as how I've given you in depth CnC on another battle before this Error, I'll begin reviewing the other entries and comment on those; then I'll come back to this one and attempt to tear you both new ones. :D

Just wanted to leave my first impressions behind to give you both some good words.

BirtDog, I liked every bit of your work. I liked the creativity with the blood you used and I admit I should've been as creative. Anyway, the story itself was a blast to read, the dialogue kept me reading and the rest of the actions had me smiling. Keep writing, my friend.

Your tourney piece, Error, was described well with a pretty epic battle. I just judged another battle from you earlier, and honestly it felt like you had picked up my critiques from that one and fixed them in this. I enjoyed the outcome of the fight scene, and was able to pinpoint a couple of ironies in the whole entry, whether you planned them or not. ^^

I do notice a couple things however: Near the beginning you state Bl.An.C. retracts his helmet, but when he begins talking with Corvin he still uses the sentence titles, and it never states that he re-equipped the helmet. And Corvin's initial panic at being separated from Kalena just kind of dropped almost immediately. It was obvious he really wished to be reunited with her, but I didn't feel any sort of dread coming from him after his first line.

And the BIG thing...

Quote from Mecha-Hewitt

The Swap (Optional)
In addition to the chaos, The Host has also robbed from each of you an item or ability---something that makes you tick, and properly redistributed them to your fellow combatants for this Round. Note that he reshuffled your abilities but not your proficiencies, which means if you don't know how to use a sword, you won't be able to wield it as well as you think your character could. In other words, your abilities have been shuffled and there's nothing you can do about it!

Each gladiator written into your tourney was proficient in their new switched abilities. O_O LOL, I'm not sure if this was a requirement or a restraint or what, so I don't know how it will be judged. I do know, however, that this was not attention to detail.

Birtdog, your tourney piece was extremely funny, yet also bordering on insulting. I don't know why, but each of the names you had Saint make up for the opposing gladiators made me laugh, and then made me feel guilty for laughing. Each of these characters are a creation from a person's mind, and offending them creatively in your writings seems like an insult on the other writers' creativity.

However, it did not stop me from laughing. You have a talent for comedy, and in the end I used that to sort of give this entry a title to make it not so offensive. 'The Roast of Mccaw Rindar.'

As for the writing itself, it was very clear and to the point with nice descriptions. The anti-gravity battle did take a few slow reads to fully picture the actions, but that's understandable. Perhaps you could go into detail a little more in your future battles when it comes to the fight scenes. The spacing between paragraphs were very sporadic, so just check that next time, and every other time, before you post.

I have to give you major points for the awesome use of the Irony requirement at the end :D I honestly think it'll be at the top of the pack when it comes to who had the best use of it in their entry, it was so good.

Both were really good reads, and I'm torn between who I should vote for. I feel like I have a duty to vote for an O.P. member, as well as the fact that my vote would mean little if it went to Birtdog, seeing as he isn't going to the next round anyway. But that ability proficiency weighs heavy on the scale, Error, and I do think that Birt was able to get irony across better in his tourney.

It's a close call, honestly, and though this vote really counts for nothing (unless enough people vote as well to pull a W in his favor) in terms of the Tournament, my vote goes to Birtdog. ^^ You both are great writers, each worthy of being in the next round and your writings displayed that.
don't kick me out of O.P. Error T-T

Quote from Mecha-Hewitt

The Swap (Optional)
In addition to the chaos, The Host has also robbed from each of you an item or ability---something that makes you tick, and properly redistributed them to your fellow combatants for this Round. Note that he reshuffled your abilities but not your proficiencies, which means if you don't know how to use a sword, you won't be able to wield it as well as you think your character could. In other words, your abilities have been shuffled and there's nothing you can do about it!

Just kidding.

Remember that second item? The Rune? THAT is the source of your items and abilities. For as long as you own it, your (Clarification: The Rune looks like a tiny dodecahedral artifact, easily hideable in the palm of your hand. Upon closer inspection it appears to be glowing and throbbing with power. It comes with a strap initially found around your neck, but can easily be pockettable.) opponent's gear/ability is bound to you. That doesn't really mean anything, they can still steal your shit but they won't be able to leave the maze without it until your Rune is destroyed or the Round ends and your opponent escapes. But here's the thing: Your actual opponent isn't the holder of these Runes, but an entirely different person. A third-party. Whether or not you want to get your gear back is totally up to you. Now you may be asking "Why does it matter if I can or cannot fight my optional opponent for it if I'm just going to acquire it no matter what in the Semi-Finals?" I'll tell you why...

The rune, I'd understand, also gives the proficiency. Also, that just kidding remark kind of made me think that proficiency was also switched around.

Anyway, I don't mind you voting anyone else. Heck, I shouldn't mind at all. :) This is a tourney and if your vote is actually veered closer to my work because of being in the same clan as me then that may be a reason. I don't like that kind of voting. Keep it black and white, true to CnC and whoever is truly better.

Quote from ErrorBlender

Anyway, I don't mind you voting anyone else. Heck, I shouldn't mind at all. :) This is a tourney and if your vote is actually veered closer to my work because of being in the same clan as me then that may be a reason. I don't like that kind of voting. Keep it black and white, true to CnC and whoever is truly better.

LOL, I know :p I was just stating how I felt about teammates and the already chosen advancer of this round, but I wouldn't vote based on favoritism. I totally agree with voting for the better battle.

As for the 'Just Kidding' comment, I had originally believed that it was directed to the final part of the paragraph. "...there's nothing you could do about it. JUST KIDDING." <-- Like that. But if I'm wrong and I misunderstood, then that would give me total reason to change my vote... and I would. If the proficiency of the abilities didn't matter among the new user, my vote would have gone to you, and if I could take back my vote and change it, I would.

But I don't think I'm wrong. It was a close decision, and I think I made the right choice. ^^

I vote for Birtdog. His entry had me LMAOing in the beginning and I was interested in so much of it. Though it had was very long, it was still great (that’s what she said)! I think that you did great portraying the characters and I think that you couldn’t have done any better. Though there were some great parts, the beginning definitely won me over, because humor drew me in and I stayed for the action. Saint was hilarious in the beginning with his “drunken stage”. When he’s talking to the bartender, I almost fell over in my chair. You have definitely earned my vote! Good luck, I hope you win.

OkHere we go then.

Error: I really liked how you added Corvon to your story as a side character, and Kalena at the end. Your read was fairly fulfilling. I also pretty much agree on Night with all of the critiques.

Birt: Bro, probably the funniest entry I’ve read here so far. Nice job! Your depiction of the characters was great and you had nice descriptions in just about everything.

So, over all, I think my vote goes to BirtDog. I really liked his entry. Plus, errors advancing even if he does lose.

Quote from BoomerangReturns

Error: I really liked how you added Corvon to your story as a side character, and Kalena at the end. Your read was fairly fulfilling. I also pretty much agree on Night with all of the critiques....
...Plus, errors advancing even if she does lose.

Thanks for the comments BoomerangReturns but I'm a 'he'.

I realize that this might be a typo but... O_O

Quote from ErrorBlender

Thanks for the comments BoomerangReturns but I'm a 'he'.

I realize that this might be a typo but... O_O

For god sakes. I always do this. Seriously I even call my own character a she sometimes

Quote from blakphoenix

Let me kick this off by saying, Birtdog, that was hilarious. I almost wish that you made a character that had this personality so you could write like this always. Although, I'm not sure if this is how saint would have portrayed his own character, I think it's a much more pleasant change. Other than a few grammatical errors that I'm not sure if I saw this piece is good enough. Thinking of this entry, compared to your battle with Roche, you definitely are someone to watch grow.

To be honest, Error is getting my vote because his story just felt more fulfilling to read. Seeing as how I've given you in depth CnC on another battle before this Error, I'll begin reviewing the other entries and comment on those; then I'll come back to this one and attempt to tear you both new ones. :D

Just wanted to leave my first impressions behind to give you both some good words.

The ending Writer's Note that Hewitt has yet to add explains almost ALL of your critiques lol. (let me see if I can find a copy of it and post it here)

Quote from ErrorBlender

BirtDog, I liked every bit of your work. I liked the creativity with the blood you used and I admit I should've been as creative. Anyway, the story itself was a blast to read, the dialogue kept me reading and the rest of the actions had me smiling. Keep writing, my friend.

Thanks man. Wanna know a pretty hilarious secret? I'm hemophobic....like...I fainted in health class one time when they were just EXPLAINING how blood travels through veins. I had a hell of a time writing about blood without scaring myself and I always feel like I miss out on those areas of creativity because of my phobia.






Dat Writer's Note

So... Fighting Chance is a no? XD

Anyway~ the only gripe I really have with your works is how you portrayed Saint.. He seemed a little too violent and I'm not sure if saintmccaw woukd done so... But that's about it... Great reads :D Error wins my vote though, like blak-burd previously stated: it's more fulfilling.