Wind And Earth (Miss Lockheart vs. Zotar)

[Zotar]

Long ago, The Cloud Elves built great land masses that floated in the sky. They quarried the rock from a Valley which they believed was sacred, the origin of life on their world. The land masses that still float along the sky's great currents are shrouded in clouds and are seldom seen, but the valley still remains, mountainous islands of rock still hover there. It is nestled deep in the mountains that few humans ever dared to traverse...

Lyt, The Pale Zephyr hovered downward on the cool air. He was on leave. He had just spent 21 years locked in a sculpture of Ice after a grueling battle with an ancient entity though extinct. Lyt's defeat was still fresh in his mind. At least his brother Leotor had managed to seal the library again... and release Lyt from his icy prison. Leotor too had suffered a grim defeat at the hands of off-worlders... but at least the knowledge was safe.

Lyt hadn't felt a need for R&R, but the elders had commanded it for both him and his brother, the Crimson Zephyr. Lyt sighed as he watched the dazzling sunset in the magic-woven valley. Perhaps I really should enjoy this time. The airboarne islands floated dead still in the mountain breeze. With his keen ears, Lyt heard an elvish couple laughing from on top of one of the nearer ones as he passed. This was a place for leisure and silence and privacy. Lyt shuddered to think of what humans would do to the place if it were ever colonized by them.

http://www.kingdomhearts3.org/picture.php?albumid=665&pictureid=7007

My Character:
Player name: Zotar

Character Race: Cloud Elf

Character name: Lyt, The Pale Zephyr (pronounced "Light")

Age: 171 (and still young)

Weapons:*
Heart-Seeker Bow: Arrows fired by this bow have a better chance to hit their intended target. Arrows will return to the quiver after being fired.
Wynd and Rayne: Twin scimitars, when thrown they will return to the wielder's hands. Wynd will knock back opponents with the power of compressed air when used to block an enemy's attack. Rayne will become encased with ice, freezing opponents when a critical blow is struck.

Abilities:*
Levitation, Telekineses, Wind mastery (able to manipulate weather), Lightning mastery (able to control lightning and channel it through his body without damaging himself.)

Appearance:
6'2" with long Blond hair and glowing blue eyes, Tan skin. He wares pure white robes that double as sails when he is drifting with the wind, and Blue-jeans. His cloak is midnight blue and can morph into sinuous wings of sealed fabric. He doesn't ever ware shoes.

(If anyone can find me a good pic for him please let me know.)

History:
The Cloud Elves are an ancient race, hidden from humanity for generations. But legends persist of those who dwell above. These legends are true. Their cities float high above the clamor of human history, shrouded in thunderclouds and hidden from beneath by rainclouds. Their powers are of sky and earth, which is how they got their cities off the ground in the first place. No human had seen these cities until the first flying machines.

Their government is run by a party of patriarchs, elves over 900 years old, They are the Council of Elders. When the race of humans and the race of Cloud elves finally made contact, the Council appointed 13 Sky Mages with the task of interacting with the human world, these messengers are called the Zephyrs.*

Lyt was appointed as Zephyr when he reached 90 years of age and gained mastery over wind. Lyt is able to ride jet-streams and travel over vast distances to accomplish many tasks. He is well trained in combat by his older brother Leotor, and by his parents who are direct descendants from the first elders. With prestige and familial wisdom, Lyt rose up in social standing, until he was give the title of "The Pale Zephyr."

21 Years ago, Lyt went on a mission to seal the Elves' treasured Library of sacred knowledge and encountered an ancient being with phenomenal power, and lost. As a result of the battle, Lyt was encased in a giant snowflake until his brother discovered the library, sealed it and released Lyt.

Personality:
Lyt is at best, cunning, calm and calculating. At worst, he is whimsical, and unpredictable. He can even be arrogant and stern, especially when dealing with humans. Of course, the latter could be the reason he was chosen to deal with humans in the first place, as the Council of Elders is notoriously wary of the industrialized denizens below.

[Miss Lockheart]

Username: Miss Lockheart
Age: O.O
Character name: Tifa Lockheart
Stars in: Final Fantasy VII
Game Platform: PS1
Character Attributes: My it's been a long time since I pulled her out of the bag!!

Strong willed, a heart of gold and a fist of steel, Tifa Lockheart is one of Cloud's dearest friends and fellow heroes in the fight against Sephiroth and Jenova. Sometimes she lets her feelings get in the way of her goals, but mostly she has a strong analysis for terrain and is lethal with the kung-fu style she learned from her mentor. She'll fiercely fight to protect her friends.

Character Picture: http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/MissHowden/454324537.jpg

[Zotar]

Lyt hovered lower and lower, toward the lake. He breathed deeply, the cool mountain air calmed him. The clouds above were being painted by the sunset. Heavenly... Lyt's mind murmured. He found himself think back to his icy slumber. He had dreamed off and on for 21 years, he only remembered an occasional dream, probable a week's worth. Strangely, none of them had disturbed him. But Lyt remembered a face that had reoccurred in the visions. It was a human face, but feminine and beautiful. In his dream he knew who the person was, but awake now, he could not fathom her identity, nor why he had feelings for her in the dreams. The dreams had been of blood and conflict, but they had fought together.

Lyt reminisced as his bare feet touched the cool water. He didn't let himself sink into it but merely stood on the surface. He walk over to a tiny island in the midst of the lake and sat down look west over the rippling surface. Who was she? Why was she so important? Lyt had been taught that all people were connected, and those that one dreamt about would one day cross one's path, and then again later in life. Lyt couldn't help but wonder what or who this dream could portent. But then something caught his attention. The energy of the valley was reacting to something.

He could sense a disturbance, it was the same disturbance he had felt when the off-worlders vanished or appeared. Here?! Lyt stood up and listened ...

[Miss Lockheart]

How many years has it been... that I still haven't found a way home to you?

Roughly three years had been her best count, although she'd travelled through so many different worlds that it was difficult to measure time in them all. It felt like much longer, facing multitudes of battles as she had, and missing him as she did. Still Tifa had started to realize how small her chances were that the next time she hopped into another universe, another remote corner of the cosmos or another unassuming solar system, that it would be the one she called home. For roughly three years she had been missing to her friends and the people closest to a family.

She felt her feet touch soft dewy grass as the portal closed behind her once more. Now she was so used to being tossed through the cosmos like this that she suffered no headaches or dizziness as she had before, instead commanding a veneer of steel over her mind and soul. Fear was also a thing of the past, the result of clashing fists against thousands of millions of foes, a never ending dance of violence she had been sentenced to endure against her will. And yet this was the first time she'd found herself in an area so very peaceful and serene. A playful breeze scherzo'd through her raven hair, comforting and warm, and the scent was sweet with newly fallen rain. Culmulus clouds speckled the sky in a comforting blanket, encasing warm rays of sunshine. Tifa willed the sun to come out a little further to make the atmosphere complete. Sensations so calming, and inviting, and yet painfully close to life back in her home town of Nibelheim.

Walking softly through the grassy clearing she reached a small band of fir and pine trees, which she navigated through to find a vast lake stretching out before her. The water was almost still, undisturbed from its idle rest except for the odd ripple from the breeze. Tifa peered up from the water to see great masses of land floating in the sky, seemingly suspended on invisible wings. Awe filled her body at the majestic sight of them, and an enchanted smile lit her face for the first time in what seemed like centuries. She wanted to reach out and grab those land masses, climb aboard them, explore them, bounce along their beaten paths and hang from their trees, as she had in the Nibelheim forest as a child. Home... so very close to home... could it be that I'm getting closer? Or are the fates taunting me again?

As this thought crossed her mind she realized she hadn't been looking out for others who could be in the area, watching and waiting to strike. She couldn't sense anything, yet she felt a sudden unease wash over her as the familiarity of the forest lake and the realization that she'd let her guard down sat like a ball of solid rock in her stomach. I'm not alone here... but where are you?

(OOC: god I suck >.<)

[Zotar]

(OCC: You do NOT suck. That was well written and quite touching.)

From his tiny island in the midst of the lake, Lyt looked up in the direction of the disturbance. His sharp Elven eyes saw a lone form come up out of the forest to the east, and stop at the tree line. As Lyt watched, the strange woman looked first at the lake and then gazeed up at the floating Islands. Her face was alight with awe, and it was then that Lyt thought this person looked familiar... though Lyt was certain that this person had never been to this world before.

What does this mean?

Lyt then abandoned his usual subtlety and strode forward upon the water toward the off-worlder.

[Miss Lockheart]

Ripples started to form on the water, quite different to the soft ones caused by the gentle breeze. These ripples were more powerful, slightly more urgent, and Tifa now watched them with puzzlement as they grew wider and wider. Looking up with her brown eyes but keeping her face pointed towards the water, she saw a tall, strongly built man floating weightlessly across the water in her direction. Her body was still as she observed his features- golden hair, but not spiky like his hair. Wearing a strange cloak the colour of a starry midnight, but a cloak rather unlike his. How could she have thought to compare him with this stranger? The odd looking warrior didn't even wear shoes. But there's something about you... how could I not sense your presence when you were so close to me?

Tifa roused herself from her awe and stood up straight, making her posture strong and her senses sharp. She knew a battle was imminent, but had no fear of it. Yet she was determined not to let this man see her curiosity. How could she think he could be different? Would his blood not smell the same as the other millions of warriors she'd had to massacre to survive? And yet somehow the calm aura she sensed from this man made her not want to spill any blood at all.

[Zotar]

He could feel her eyes upon him, vigilant and cautious. The eyes of a warrior.

So humans now allow women to fight? No... Perhaps she really is from another world, so different even that the traditional roles of human men and women are switched or blurred. How intriguing.

He continued to walk toward the shore. On a whim he raised his hand to greet her.

[Miss Lockheart]

Tifa felt embarrassment flood into her cheeks, painting them bright red. The strange man had lifted his hand, almost in a friendly wave, and her arms had flinched almost far enough to punch the air in front of her. Were so many years of fighting mercilessly finally starting to take their toll?

"Who's there? What business do you have? Don't think I'm not aware that you're a very powerful being because I've fought so many like you before." Her voice wavered. Battle she couldn't fear, but the aura of this man (creature? Is he some kind of creature?) shook her to her very core. The ball of anxiety previously lodged in her stomach seemed to have jumped into her throat.

[Zotar]

"So defensive!" Lyt was stunned by the effect of his harmless greeting. She must be battle hardened indeed. Obviously not to be underestimated. "There is no need to raise such hackles here. Never in recorded memory has this valley seen violence. I do not intend to shatter that claim. I am merely curious. From what world or worlds doth come so fair a warrior?" Lyt was too late to stop himself. That question seemed absurd and even slightly rude once Lyt heard it echo off the floating rocks. He burned with embarrassment. Apparently, 171 years of experience had not tamed his ego.

[Miss Lockheart]

(OOC: nom :3)

"Defensive perhaps, yeah that would be one way of putting it...."

Tifa let her guard down, although she still kept her eyes transfixed on this man that certainly wasn't human, trying to understand his demeanor. He seemed so very gentle, and yet his power surged through his aura, electrifying the air around them. She knew that she couldn't underestimate him however cordial he may seem.

Gazing a little more softly now, she answered his question. "No need to worry about being abrupt, it's nice to actually have a conversation for a change. I've seen so many violent battles over these years that I forgot how to..." Her face relaxed and she began to tell him about the portal that had ripped her from her homeland and sent her on a never-ending quest through time and space, how she'd had to fight for survival every step of the way. All so that she could see Cloud's face again. Cloud, whose hair colour matched his so closely, and whose face never left her mind as she battled on. "I have to find a way back, he needs me even now. And yet here I am in another strange land, searching."

[Zotar]

Combine a loving partner with a cunning warrior and you get one with unfaltering strength and loyalty. Lyt thought. He felt even then a deep envy. This person, Cloud. He must be greatly blessed. Lyt felt touched. He had never met so interesting a human. Indeed this woman could make elven maidens jealous. Lyt spoke slowly.

"In recent times, there has been a spike in random spatial disturbances. Our alchemists and Mages, with the assistance of a few powerful beings that have come to this world, are conducting vigorous research into this phenomena. Apparently, our would is a conduit for instantaneous travel. But these occurrences seem to be random, and only effect those with special powers."
Lyt paused... then spoke again. "It has been an established protocol with our nation to test those from off-world, for their abilities, to discover any anomalies, and to help us pinpoint what causes this flux, and perhaps harness it. I challenge you to a contest of strength and power. Friendly of-course. After words, I wish to take you to my Elders, to assist in the research, through which we will find a way to get you home, to your beloved Cloud. What say you?"

[Miss Lockheart]

"Challenge?"

The very word seemed so alien to Tifa after the violent struggled she'd endured. So strange, so refreshing...

She thought very hard about what the man had said, turning it over in her mind as a scientist studies a precious stone. Her apprehensive mood faded away- she knew she was not under thread. Perhaps her fear had come from this feeling of safety? Anyhow she knew that a challenge would keep her on her toes, should the portal open and sweep her away again as suddenly as she'd arrived. A sweet smile brightened her thoughtful face.

"I'm not sure how long I have in your world, but I could use a little challenge. How about you start?" Tifa giggled as she hadn't done in a long time, gazing mischievously at him now, feeling her defenses drift away and her long-lost playful side emerge.

[Zotar]

Lyt smiled. He felt warmer and that warmth was shattering the ice of his recent slumber. "I notice you don't have any weapons. Do you fight hand-to-hand?" Lyt had two swords, but he figured he wouldn't use them. He squared up his battle stance and moved forward slowly closing the gap. He called on the wind and felt it ready to obey his commands, charged with the power of the Valley. He cold feel untamed electrical currents flowing in the Deeps of earth below, ready to be tapped. Lyt felt a bit guilty knowing this. He knew that tapping into the power of the enchanted land could destabilize the region, but he wouldn't use enough power to risk it. This was a friendly match after all.

He brought his hands in front of his face... ready to attack. He waited a moment, thinking. Then he said, "I'm sorry I just can't go first. Chivalry and all that."

[Miss Lockheart]

The soft chuckle from Tifa's lungs surprised her. What a gentleman, he really isn't like Cloud at all. So very pure and thoughtful. She raised her own fists ready. She could see that he had swords under his belt and that he'd made a conscious decision not to use them. However I won't have you being too soft on me now...

Small gusts of energetic wind started to dance in the sky around them. Tifa could sense that this challenger was calling up energy from nature, and felt strangely energized by those small charges herself. The land felt incredibly powerful beneath her feet, it's lifestream coursing with untapped energy. Sensible people. Let the lifestream of this planet be, avoid the troubles we have back home... Home? Was there really time to think about that right now?

Focusing her sharp wits and honing her senses on her opponent, Tifa rushed towards him with her right fist forward, aiming for his chest.

[Zotar]

With reflexes born of his kin, Lyt blocked the attack pushing it aside with his palm. He lined up his upper body and went for her face with he other hand, as he did so he compressed a pocket of air around his fist, a sort of boxing glove. There was a sound of rushing air. He would have it explode, unsettling her balance with a concentrated, harmless blast of wind.

[Miss Lockheart]

Fast. Faster than myself almost! Tifa dodged and only just made it out of the way of the powered fist, feeling it tingle against her skin as it swooped past her shoulder. With her head cocked to one side, she knew she would have to think fast in order to overpower this challenger. Quickly she allowed her weight to fall to the floor and quickly latched onto his legs with her own, then pushed with all her strength to one side in an attempt to trip him up.

[Zotar]

"Woah! What the...?" Lyt felt one of his legs go out from under him. Wasting no time, he became weightless and lept upward on his other leg, the effect being that instead of falling down, he did a sort of sideways flip into the air. He used the wind to steady himself, and he hovered just above her upside down.
He heart fluttered slightly.
So agile...

[Miss Lockheart]

Grinning up at the blond challenger as he flipped out of harm's way, Tifa felt more alive than she had for a long time. He certainly wasn't going easy on her, and she hoped she could show him some of her strength. "You've got to be even faster if you want to win!!" she called gleefully to him.

Standing upright now she prepared her fists once again, knowing she only had her Restore materia left after all her travels. Who needs 'em anyway when I've got these fists? Focusing again, she lunged forward once again. This time she danced with fists around him, aiming small jabs at his neck and chest. The more of these that connect the better!!

[Zotar]

Lyt dodged and blocked like mad. She is like the wind. But so am I. The more blows he deflected, the more exited he was getting. "Who ARE you?" He said as he returned the attack. He could sense a magical prowess within his opponent, but she wasn't using any. He also sensed a strange aura emanating not from her but from an object she carried. It seemed to be a magical reservoir designed for a specific purpose. As fun as this was, Lyt still acknowledged with reluctance that he was to test her magical abilities. He needed to pause the battle somehow...