FIGHTER'S LEAGUE: Odin vs. Victor

[Dain Gavyns]

(You guys have read the rules, I assume? Straight up streetfight on the roof of Legion this time, crowd all around you. Get your posts in by, oh, let's say 24 hours.)

[victor]

Club Legion...

Victor stood on the roof of the club as a crowd of spectators began to gather. Today was the day. He had been training like a madman for this moment as well as the future and now it was time to see if his efforts would pay off.

The Fighter's League had begun.

This wasn't like the tournaments. Here there would be no rules, no restrictions. It was all about winning. Anyone could do anything. That was both good and bad. Victor grinned. He was ready for anything and wanted to show his stuff. No sense holding back the more brutal aspects of his style here. Others would do the same, but he was willing to accept that. This would be fun.

Victor was dressed in black wind pants, black sneakers, and a black denim vest with cutoff sleeves. His hair was tied back in a ponytail. His tight, but powerful muscles writhed as he stretched his arms slowly under the sun of the afternoon.

"Odin Reeves... Of all the luck!" Victor mentally cursed.

Yes, it was bad luck for him. Odin Reeves was not just the recent tournament champion, but one of the most prestigious fighters both at Varron and at Hircine. He was a boxer, with some other elements thrown in, but Victor knew it was experience, not style that determined the winner. Odin had even managed to defeat some of the most powerful fighters alive. For him, that was bad.

But that didn't mean he would give up. Even if he couldn't win, he would still try. Victor wasn't going down without a fight, and perhaps he could learn a thing or two from Odin. His fighting style had changed recently. He no longer impulsively countered everything. Kyukaku had taught him a few lessons that, although alone would not win him anything, would at least give him a little boost.

Victor held up his hands and made one last check on his fingernails. As always, they were long, thick, and filed into dangerous, sharp points that could both slash and stab. He had tested these against human flesh countless times and had found they could easily inflict very deep gashes. Perfect for an all out street match.

And so he waited for Odin Reeves to show up.

OOC: Chances are, we'll want to see our bios, so here's mine:
xinrpb1.proboards99.com/index.cgi?board=approved&action=display&thread=1178500750

[Odin Reeves]

“Finally.” Odin spat softly as his co-worker told him that Dain had set up the beginning matches of the fighter’s league. He had been waiting since the tournament to try and perfect his new style of fighting, and without proper opponents or serious fights it wasn’t worth his time to even try. But now that the fights had started up he’d have plenty of chances to use, alter, and advance his style as necessary.

Slipping out of the employee’s lounge he made his way up a light of stairs, then headed for the roof access. Like he expected he had shown up a bit later then, well everyone. No matter fusing about it at this point, despite his usual punctual discipline to matches this one didn’t seem to falter his presence of mind. He didn’t need to be the first to arrive, but he would be the first to leave.

He was wearing his usual work attire, which to remain inconspicuous while on the floor consisted of a ‘hot’ t-shirt, something that drew attention to it’s design blending into the main color of the shirt, which was black. Following his shirt were blue jeans and a black leather belt, and finally to cover his feet were steel-toed boots. They helped prevent unlawful patrons stomping on his toes, a fallen threat stabbing or crushing his foot. They worked well, especially with stability.

Pushing through the crowd he made his way to the center of the ‘ring’, looking straight across from his opponent, the shorter, thinner Victor Richards. Despite the obvious weight and strength advantage, as well as reach, Odin didn’t feel confident due to his opponent’s ‘short comings’. Rather, his confidence spawned from his knowledge and experience, in both fighting via tournaments – underground and regulation – and helping his dad out with hunts back in Varron.

“You arrived first, you can start us off.” Stepping back with his right leg Odin went into his classic boxing stance, both fists protecting his jaw while remaining distanced enough to provide strong counters. His weight was roughly centered between both feet, but with his left leg flat on the ground while his right foots heel was raised.

[victor]

So this was Odin Reeves, one of the strongest fighters around. He was tall, muscular, and confident looking, all of which were traits that suited one such as Odin. Victor was slimmer and slightly shorter, but size meant nothing.

Victor met Odin's eyes and locked onto them. Any fighter knew that one of the most basic, but also one of the most important rules in a fight was to keep eye contact with your opponent so as not to let him or her see your technique. Let your gaze wander, and your technique will be given away by your eyes.

Odin gave him the first move. Victor obliged and slid towards him, keeping his hands up for protection. It was time to begin.

Victor glided across the ground, moving with that creepy snake-like speed that was one of his trademarks. As he closed the distance with Odin, he brought his right arm out in what appeared to be an elbow thrust. It was not a feint-training with Kyu had taught him that feints were pretty much useless against the better fighters-but simply something to get past Odin's boxing styled guard.

As Victor closed the distance, he suddenly swept out his right arm in an upward diagonal arc to knock Odin's front arm away from his face. As his elbow was close enough, Victor's entire arm would strike Odin's arm, and not just his hand, setting him up for a strike.

At the same time this happened, Victor's left hand would seize the upper left area of Odin's chest and use it's razor sharp nails to rip through Odin's shirt and into his skin, tearing deep gashes down Odin's chest. Victor's fingers wouldn't just scratch. He would use his fingers to grab into the flesh and tear for maximum effect.

True, Odin could probably grab him due to the close distance, but he had planned on that. Because Victor was in a semi-crouching position as he blocked and tore, he would be able to lean to one side, fall, roll away, and then scramble to his feet before Odin could get him.

[Odin Reeves]

[After having discussed this with another I’ve come to the assumption that your characters right side is forward. If this is incorrect feel free to tell me so, but please by kind enough to describe your lead foot, or at least your stance should we come to a stand still.]

Odin watched, mentally looking over the majority of his opponent’s body as he moved. It look half a second for Odin to decide whether or not he was going to simply defend or counter, but the end decision didn’t far well for his opponent. Adjusting his right side he twisted his hip a fraction of an inch to point more toward his opponent. It was such a small adjustment that it most likely did nothing but make Odin feel more at ease to perform his next move, but that fraction of an inch would remain unnoticed even by the most cautious of eyes. For it help no knowledge to display what he planned on doing, nor would it.

The noticeable preparation took part with his upper body, his right fists dropped down from being level with his cheek to under his jaw. It also crept a few more inches from his body and loosened its form from a tight fist to a closed hand. For those who knew Odin’s style this was a big difference, one not to be taken out of mind.

His action reaction to Victor wasn’t quiet in reaction to his attack, and perhaps that means Odin lied with his general phrase and hello. His movements began just before Victor would be in range to begin his own attack, where he was just within Odin’s range of motion, but that didn’t mean he was just performing a straight on attack. Odin’s left foot slid forward, slightly to the outside, but more so forward than anything else. His right arm snapped out with his movement, most noticeably because shoulders turned over. In a rather peculiar motion his left hand stayed in relatively the same place in terms with his shoulder torque, but obviously moved forward with his body.

The next set of actions occurred in unison with a unique flow from his slid forward. His right hand would snap forward to capture Victor’s, keeping the bent arm bent and preventing any immediate turn to allow his left side to help. Yet, Odin’s left side was in prime position, and would also extend from its position. Only his fist would snap out and then swing across, connecting with the close face of his opponent. But, this wasn’t so much a backhand as it was a forceful push with his forearm.

The forward movements of his opponent set him up, and Odin just followed through by attacking to his weak side. His left leg had moved out far enough so that upon Odin pushing against the highest point of Victors body he’d begin to lean back, find a leg blocking his stepping area, and then fall.

It wasn’t devastating, but it was demoralizing.

[victor]

OOC: Sorry about the misunderstanding. No hard feelings I hope?

"Note to self: Do not counter impulsively like you did before. Wait for an opportunity, than take it." Victor thought to himself.

In the past, Victor's biggest error in his fighting style had been impulsively countering everything that came his way with an attack. If not for that, he might have performed much better in his past fights.

But no more.

Victor did not see Odin turn his hip just slightly toward him, but he did see him torque toward him with his upper body and adjust the position of his guard. At the same time, Odin slid his left leg outward and forward and snap out his right hand. A clever move indeed.

Like before, Victor would have simply tried to counter with an attack or a dodge in an earlier time, but he had learned better now and it was time to see if Kyu's lessons had taught him anything. Odin was very large, fast, and strong, not to mention one of the elites, meaning Victor would have to finish him as quickly and as painfully as possible. Well that was just what Victor's technique was designed for.

Odin's leg slid forward and slightly out, giving Victor less room to maneuver. Victor's reflexes kicked in and he moved his left leg straight backward so he wouldn't trip. By doing so he could also give himself a solid stance that was very similar to the Zen Stance used in Japanese martial arts to generate power from his waist. He would not make it too deep however, so he could pull back or forward in case he needed to escape or attack.

At the same time, Victor saw Odin's right hand coming for his own. He dropped his right arm down and chambered it back, simultaneously torquing his body to the right while bringing his left fist out in a reverse hook aiming at Odin's upper ribs and pectoralis muscles which would be exposed as Odin's right arm crossed over for Victor's own. A strike there, if applied with enough force and speed, would inflict unbearable pain to even an extremely muscular fighter.

"The trick is not simply to counter, but to use the opponent's technique against them." he thought to himself.

[Odin Reeves]

Fighting is often referred to as dancing: the boxers danced around each, timid to make the first move. In an essence this is what Odin’s counter was based on. Tap, tap, tap. He wasn’t being heavy footed when he moved; each was as smooth and fluid as a stream flowing near by a park on a warm summer day. All he had to do was adjust his weight accordingly from leg to leg, which wasn’t a problem when your use to moving around the ring with a power stance.

When Victor slipped back Odin’s base foot changed from his right to his left. He had already closed the gap, a gap that Victor had ignored on his backward retreat, and now he was about to take control with his brutal style of offense. Leaning more toward his left leg he carried the momentum and put his left foot in charge of being the pivot point for his body. His right foot pushed off lightly from it’s already provoked position. Moving his right side away from Victor he brought his open hand across in a soft arching motion, arching only because of his step around. When his opponent’s hook came in it would be stopped by the flowing motion of Odin’s palm, grabbed, and then continued forward rather then hooking over. Odin’s reach was longer then his opponent’s, and given that he was already far enough away he’d most likely be able to pull his opponent off balance.

Then came his offense and newly acquired weapon in his arsenal: The knee. See, as his pivot came to a stop his right leg remained bent, his heel off the ground, and it was once again considered his power leg. As the smaller, less experienced fighter was guided forward Odin’s right knee would come up at a diagonal, an unusual sight to behold in one of Odin’s fight, but alas it was a strong, balanced knee strike. His balance was strong because his left arm was up in a strong guard, not only protecting his head with it’s vertical stature, but a good deal of his chest as well.

[victor]

Subtlety could easily defeat dynamic techniques any day if the practitioner was skilled enough and knew what he was doing. Well now Victor was going to learn that first hand it seemed.

As his hook came, Odin moved his hand over and captured his fist. Rather than hooking it down or twisting it, Odin simply continued forward, unbalancing Victor and making him go upright, ruining his stance. At the same time, Odin brought his knee outward in a strike toward his midsection.

Shit, this was bad.

His biggest mistake in his previous move was that he had thought that he had done something good, but in reality he had acted impulsively. Now he had just a moment to think.

And it came.

His stance was ruined and he was unbalanced, but not unbalanced to the point where he couldn't do anything. Victor's captured fist couldn't do much, but the thumb was still free enough inside of Odin's hand to move around and inflict a painful scratch or two with the sharp nail. He would do just that to free his captured hand Odin's grasp.

At the same time, Odin's knee was coming for him. It was powerful, but Odin wasn't the kind to use his legs much. Victor could see a small, but vital opening in between his upper and lower leg. He would loop his right arm into the opening when it came close enough and hold Odin's leg there while simultaneously scratching open Odin's hand with his thumbnail. Once Odin released his hand due to the pain, he would release Odin's leg and deliver a joint kick to the same leg's kneecap with his own right leg.

[Odin Reeves]

Odin’s hands can be considered as rough as sandpaper, if not rougher. His youth was spent punching the oak tree in his back yard, toughening up his knuckles yes, but not his palms. However, all the physical work he did with his father, mostly on reconstructing the docked boat in their yard into a bedroom situation for the youngest Reeves member was but the starting point to his all around tough hands. So thumbs nail with little movement or strength capture inside his grip wasn’t going to inflict much damage. To think so is rather absurd, considering Odin caught the hand as it was performing a hook and from the inside, meaning the thumb would be locked in the punching position… Unless Victor had a different form of punching. Regardless, Odin wasn’t really paying attention to that aspect of the fight.

His knee may have been captured, but Odin still held the prime position. Why? It remained on the fact of fighting styles, and Odin’s was aggressive to a Tee, where as Victor seemed to be over calculating every move he attempted to do. Shifting his weight forward he’d move to slam his right foot down onto Victors feet, either one it didn’t matter as the transfer of weight was followed up with another attack flowing in unison with his downward press. Throwing his head forward he’d connect with the side of Victors, just above/around the temple. Can you say instant headache? But, that was only a small part of his ‘scheme’. His offense hadn’t even gotten brutal yet, as he’d move to end it right here with a clubbing blow.

With Odin’s weight pushing down combined with a head butt to the temple he’d most likely free his right leg. Whether or not he actually stomped on Victors toes didn’t matter, he’d rather prefer to hit solid ground, if only because his left hand would strike down from it’s raised guard with a hammer fist. His target was the back of Victors neck, it’s lower base that when struck often caused disorientation with a high possibility of someone losing consciousness… If enough power was produced. Well, in Odin’s cause that wasn’t much of a problem.

[victor]

"What else can I expect from one of the elites?" Victor thought.

Victor was strong enough to hold Odin's leg, but the fighter's heavier weight pushing down onto the leg was too much and he was forced to let go. He barely had time to move his right leg out of the way as Odin attempted a foot stomp when Odin's head came rushing at the side of his temple.

"Oh shit..."

Victor couldn't completely avoid it. Odin was on his side and his hand was still trapped. The only option was to minimize the damage. Victor leaned his head in the direction his adversary was attacking, and Odin's head slammed into the side of his face rather than his temple. However, it was still powerful, inflicting heavy pain on him. The inner area of his cheek ripped open, and Victor tasted blood. The only mercy was that it did not disorient him as it would have had it struck him in the temple.

Even worse was was the fact Odin was also aiming a hammer fist at the back of his neck, a technique which promised to end the match. There was no time to analyze the move. He couldn't afford to be analytical anymore. The only way to defeat Odin was to attack with everything he had. However, a reckless attack was not an option either. He would simply have to switch to a more aggressive style of fighting.

Victor's left arm had been turned around by Odin's right, and the elite was on his right side. Victor did not think about it. He simply turned in that direction, sliding into extremely close range to Reeves. His left hand would still be locked, but now Odin was going to feel some pain of his own. C.Q.C. was all about fighting under dangerous conditions of all sorts.

The moment he was close enough, Victor used his right leg to launch a knee strike at Odin's crotch, which would be followed by a second to his stomach. At the same time, he snapped his right hand out at Odin's left wrist, intending to grab and twist Odin's wrist around, then use his nails to perform a "grab and tear" styled slash to Odin's wrist veins and open them up. A tad brutal but... anything goes, right?

[Odin Reeves]

How quickly can one change their tactics? This was the defining truth to fighting against a new adversary, especially on the street. If you gained the upper hand early its easy to stay on the same path, but if neither body has garnered the advantage over their opponent then adaptation is solution to the question at hand. The path to victory was set, and only by Victors own movements would Odin get into position to do the technique possible. Close quarters combat is a strong style, but shouldn’t be altered in order to remain true. This boy was altering it to suit his own means, the wrong thing to do against Odin.

In some ways Odin held the upper hand. He had his opponents left arm clasped in his right, able to direct it’s flow wherever he wanted should he choose to. He wasn’t directly in front of his opponent, meaning most strikes wouldn’t be able to reach him without some sort of turn. Where as Odin was facing his opponent, yet again another advantage. The final advantage was the placement of his descending left hand. Yes, it was moving to strike, but with his opponent stepping in to dodge the heavy handed attack it became the opportune placement for a choke.

As Victor spun Odin helped by pushing his right hand – still holding Victors left fist – across his body. This would spin the lighter, momentum stricken fighter past his goal so that Odin had his back. Can someone say ‘choke hold?’ In a fraction of a moment Odin’s hands closed in on Victors neck. His right having let go of the boy’s hand after the spin had been manipulated beyond salvation. His left hand would, for the most part, already be in position. They’d form around Victor’s neck in a hold he most likely knew well. It was a double-handed clasp, one pushing on either jugular while his fingertips pointed toward his wrists. If the persons neck was small enough his finger could just barely touch flesh, though that wouldn’t be the case here.

A marine holds this technique for thirteen seconds to ensure their target is unconscious. Odin would do the same, but even abnormal men go to sleep before a count of ten.

[victor]

OOC: I forfeit the match. Part of it is that I would eventually lose anyway, but the main reason is that there is a much more important matter in my real life.

[Dain Gavyns]

"Alright, tough guy, that's enough."

Victor had been asleep, and the victory by submission had been achieved. Dain walked out from the crowd, eyeing Odin with a rather well-concealed distaste. Something about the boy's obsession with combat never set well in the more peace-loving Dain's eyes. However, his cleverness wouldn't allow him to blatantly show it, and he looked upon Odin with a face of rather bland geniality, much like anyone would expect a referee to appear.

"He's unconscious, and you get the win. Congrats, see you in a few weeks."


WINNER: Odin. As an aside, Victor, when you get back to read this, I understand your reasons and am giving you no repercussions for this forfeit, but please, never again use "I'll eventually lose anyway" as a part of your reasoning. It really cheapens the rather noble and completely understandable underlying reason. You're not being disqualified, only given a loss.