Tournament Finals: Auroth Vs Odin

[Odin Reeves]

What seems like the most natural response a human may have, or any animal for that matter, would show when they’re being unwillingly lifted up into the air? In Odin’s case, and most likely a good deal of the human/animal population it was to grab onto the first thing he could, and then think of what’s happening. So, as he was lifted up his left arm wrapped itself around Auroth’s waist, both for control of his body and luckily to keep the majority of his weight behind Auroth, rather then on his shoulders.

With one leg free he threw it toward his opponent, his knee willing to strike anywhere it could, and after throwing his downward striking knee he’d release his grip with his left hand, planting his palm on the canvas behind Auroth. With at least one limb on the floor he’d be stopping Auroth from fully lifting and throwing him, and it was simply by spreading his weight out as far as he could. While his arm spread out to grasp the canvas his legs would try to tuck in and slip past Auroth’s grip so he could go into a roll. While this wasn’t a very classic moment, or even Odin-esque as some might put it, it was a part of real wrestling, though not always seen.

The hooks would be broken at this point, should Odin’s weight roll through that is. The grip on his thigh was questionable, as it seemed more for stability and control then dominance, not to mention Odin’s thighs were as hardened as his biceps, making them hard to get a grip on – especially this far in the match. Now, with both arms free – either by Auroth’s arms natural flow or by pulling it back with all his weight and dislocating it – Odin would finish his roll with his heels on the ground and basically sitting on his butt. Gymnastics having never been his friend he wasn’t quite talented at shoulder rolls. Regardless, he did what he had to in order to win.

Pushing up onto his feet he’d spin around so his right side was facing Auroth, who presumably would be standing by now, if not already attacking. His guard would be raised, his left arms a bit more off to the side in order to strongly block any unseen hooks that might be thrown. Though not as much blood has been shed in this match as compared to the last he was feeling more and more excited, his adrenaline pumping just as hard, if not harder then before. Simply put Odin was truly having fun, shown now by the grin across his lips, something that wasn’t present at the beginning of the match.

‘More, More, MORE!’

[Auroth]

Auroth was stunned. His opponent was so surreal... so skilled... so masterful. While, in truth, Auroth had noticed that Odin was going about this with natural instincts, he's doing it so well that it impressed Auroth. The tight grip on his waist was a tad annoying though, something he could do without, but never the less all this did was prove to Auroth how much of a worthy opponent Odin was. He was, for a rare moment in his life, happy.... Happy to battle such a powerful foe. No where else could Auroth feel the ecstasy of the fight than in this arena..... to live for the battle. Odin, Auroth could feel, had this sense too.... this growing desire of battle.

Well, Auroth would be happy to oblige.

First off, the knee struck Auroth right at the rib cage. The blow was powerful, but thankfully due to the awkward position Odin was in, on top of Auroth, he wasn't able to draw enough power to seriously injure the blond. Then with grace and speed Odin was able to save himself from the slam down. Through use of some acrobatics, the boxer was able to roll on top of and out of Auroth's grasp. His landing, however, was far from graceful.... but as long as it works right?

Immediately, the man sprung up. Due to the virtue of his position of having his back momentarily turned toward Odin as he stood up, the man knew his next course of action. As he got up, Auroth quickly and swiftly sent a spinning side kick toward the stomach of the boxer. Auroth hoped that he would have the element of surprise, as Odin would be just getting up and probably not paying attention to getting struck in the torso. To pull off the kick, what Auroth would do is as he got up, the man rotated his body so that he would spin upwards like a spiral. At the same time, when he was aligned with Odin the Martial Artist would fire off his right leg toward Odin. Since he was already spinning upwards, Auroth flowed with the spin and sent a kick... the power of the spin behind the strike. However, since he wasn't completely spinning, doing a 180 turn from his back as oppose to a total 360, the kick was not as strong as a regular side kick....

But it was certainly faster.

After this, Auroth would then complete the spin by turning to face Odin as he planted his feet against the ground. Across his face a smile was there... glowing in the light of the arena... His dukes would be up then, surrounding his face as his legs stood shoulder width apart. Auroth's side kick would be fast, very fast, and his follow through to the standard stance would be lightning fast...

[Odin Reeves]

Odin could’ve sworn his opponent was going to strike high, as that was something he had done all match. Not once in Odin’s vague recollection of the past moments did he remember Auroth trying to attack his body. The probability of him striking there now, on the turn, seemed low. But, there was a probability for it, and Odin failed to realize its significance, and would pay for it by taking an needed blow. As he turned around his right arm was raised higher then it should’ve, in order to guard his head, and so his body was left Odin. He didn’t have the time or peripherals the see the right-legged kick coming at him, and so it struck flush with his turning body. The only good thing Odin could take away from this brief encounter would be that he wasn’t winded, as their was no mass amount of air in his lungs. He took the shot fully in the tightened abdomen of his stomach, and once again weight lifting and grappling had prepared him for the worse. The constant motions of breathing out while lifting and standing up – even without weight – remained carved into his brain, and while he wasn’t forcefully exhaling to tighten his stomach, it was slightly clenched, and thus a bit more protective.

But Auroth now had the aggressive momentum; something Odin thrived on, and when lost would stop at nothing to get it back. His opponent had thrown in skill, this much was true, but this was a maneuver thought over by the mind, and thus showed the cunning that his opponent possessed. In this case he could no longer slow the pace down, he’d have to push his endurance and move to attack without mercy or hesitation.

‘This is the final exchange.’

The thought was instantaneous, breaking through his usually determined and hardened exterior. But it finished half way through his opening punch, a quick right jab with more of an outside presence. His elbow had been cocked more to the side before he threw it, giving him the chance to use angles and strike from the side in more of a straightforward hook. After his power jab/hook punch Odin’s feet switched step, his left stepping forward on a dime as his left fist came in at a slight downward angle, again just from the outside as his left came in to connect strongly with Auroth’s jaw. If both punches connected his opponent would be dazed, and they both easily had the chance to bypass his guard, which is what overhand punches and angles are used for. But to really push the pace, to really make his striking game unmatched Odin followed through with the momentum of his left punch and went into a spin, his left foot the pivot point as his right arm remained in guard until the last moment.

Just when his right shoulder would fall inline with Auroth’s Odin’s arm would extend so that the back of his hand would connect with the side of Auroth’s head. Actually, it would most likely by Odin’s forearm that connected, but that’s only if his lithe opponent hadn’t already moved back. What Odin thought of from his three punch assault was to distract his opponent with his first punch, his second punch would break and drag down his opponent’s guard, and the third would be the grand slam, clinching him the game.

[Auroth]

OoC: Last post for the thread... Let the judges decide who wins tomorrow okay Odin? :angel:

His kick had connected, and well at that. Yet, for some reason, Auroth was still a little disappointed. The kick had done little to Odin. Since Auroth couldn't draw out all of his power, it was understandable.... yet even so the blond thought that he would have gotten so more damage onto Odin, not this weak excuse of a strike. Regardless, a hit was a hit, and not even Auroth could complain about that. All that was left was for Odin's rebuttal and retaliation to his kick. Auroth knew it was coming.... and he also knew that both of them were tired now. After a hellish fight like this, both knew that they were at the end of their wits. However, if one of them gets knocked out.... it wouldn't be so bad. To go in a blaze of glory is something that many seek, yet few achieve. If the blond could pass out like that, it would be okay...

However, Auroth doesn't want to lose, he wants to win.

Then it came, the last exchange between the two.... The determining factor between who would win and who would lose. To kick off this event, Odin sent a punch toward Auroth's face. The man gritted his teeth, brought up his dukes and, in an instant, thought of what to do next. He could take the blow, but such a strike would obviously have a much more powerful and much more dangerous strike afterward, and not even Auroth could dodge that if he already took a shot to the head. On the other hand, there was still that slim chance that he could, if he didn't waste his arms blocking the initial move, that he could stop the power strike that was to come. Yet, Auroth knew that in this last moment, it was imperative that he be reserve while waiting for his moment to strike. The powerful punch probably won't knock Auroth out, but it would hurt like a bitch.

Lifting his arm to his face, the blond blocked the jab, deflecting it through his toned arms. Yet, in an instant, he felt the 2nd shot, the power shot as it collided with his chin. A his head moved violently back, as some blood escaped from the blond's mouth. Yet all the pain did was excite Auroth.... few could land a blow of such magnitude on the martial artist after all, and in the event of one the blond knew he was facing a worthy foe.

Then, it came... the opening he was seeking. Like lightning Odin twisted his body around like a hurricane, sending a back fist toward Auroth. While the blond could be a pussy and dodge the blow, the Martial Artist knew there was no honor in backing away when a opening had presented itself so openly to Auroth. Clenching his fists together, he shot forward toward Odin. His right fist then took off like a rocket, soaring across the arena lights as it homed in on Odin's face. With him spinning into the punch, Auroth was sure that this strike was not something the boxer could easily dodge or parry away and also that it would hurt like a bitch... He was moving into the bloody punch after all. At the same time, the blond felt Odin's back fist hammered on his face, the knuckles of the Boxer-turned-Mixed-Martial-Artist colliding very painfully with his pale face.

And here it was.... The moment of truth... Who would fall? Who would stand? Who would win, who would lose?

Yet even in the moment when Auroth struck and got hit back... All there was over Auroth's face was a huge smile... wicked and sadistic, with a hint of blood lust behind those shinning, bloody teeth.

[Kyukaku]

Wow.

Odin, Auroth, I got to say that this has been one of the best fights I've ever seen. Even if it wasn't so close, I might have prolonged it just to read some more. Still, now comes the time for judging.

The judges had called this fight one in favor for Odin, another in favor of Auroth. Calling in a third opinion, the winner has been decided. With that in mind, note that every one of us thought this to be by a thin margin.

Winner: Odin Reeves.

I expect to see an end deserving of those epic final strikes.

[Odin Reeves]

[Oh, Hell yeah. Great Fight Auroth. #3 will be even better. Hope you don't mind a TKO finish, seems fitting rather then a judge stepping in.

Itunes playing Blue Oyster Cult's Don't Fear the Reaper.... Seems fitting in a way. ]

There's instincts, and then there's gut instincts. Odin relied on both when fighting an opponent or the the flow of life, and while he found his fighting instincts had never been sharper he had a gut feeling that this exchange, should there be one, would be the last of the fight. Someone was about to get knocked out, or incapacitated to a point of not returning to their feet. Both men had taken a few, given a few, and now it was time to see who'd outlast the other.

Spinning around he looked straight at his opponent from over his shoulder. His eyes were ablaze, fueled by connection of his second punch. While Auroth could've backed down and made Odin consume more energy he dove in for the final attack. It was a beautiful sight to behold, both men charging in all guns firing. It was like two cars fulled stocked topping out at their top speed in a game of chicken where there were no drivers. No matter what a collision was the only outcome, and both cars were getting smashed.

Odin's head snapped back as Auroth's fist connected with gusto, and Auroth's in return cocked in a diagonal, his chin going to one side, his forehead going to the other. After that Odin lost sight of his opponent as he stumbled back. The shot was both powerful and perfectly time, since his feet were so close together he didn't have the proper balance. The prince on pays for using a more riskier punch.

Stepping back with the graceful efforts only shown by a drunk trying to walk away from the bar Odin's weight fell onto the top rope, his left arm hooking the top two as he tried to keep himself from falling. From this point there was only retreat, and after a few more stuttering steps he fell back and hit his head against the turnbuckle. That's when a voice rang through his years over top of the crowds frantic cheers and plea's of: "Get up!" or "Stay Down!"

The voice said in a very firm tone from the outside of the ring: "3!!!!"

'3? But...I've only just fell...did I pass out? Damn, I gotta get to my feet.' Noting the referee's count Odin pressed his back firmly against the turnbuckle, then using all his remaining strength forced himself to stand in the corner, arms hooking the top ropes on either side of him.

"5!!!!"

'I'm up, I'm up.' Odin pleaded mentally, unable to speak without getting a drink of water first. His heart was pounding, making the pain in his head all the more present. If only his heart could've rehydrated his mouth he could've protested.

"6!!!!"

Forcing himself to continue fighting Odin launched himself from the ropes, looking directly over at the referee standing on the edge of the ring. But, the ref wasn't looking at him, rather across the ring at another body, a motionless body.

"7!!!!"

'So....Auroth's down... Breath, control your breathing. Focus, shake out the cob webs, he'll be up in a second and the fight will continue.'

"8!!!!"

'I can't believe I was almost knocked out, I was to reckless, I've still got a long way to go."

"9!!!!"

'Alright, lets get started.'

"10! IT'S OVER!!!"

'Lets do th---- What?'

Having never consider the possibility that his risk power strike had worked considerably well Odin stared down at his rival. It wasn't every day that someone got such a decisive victory over one who strives to outdo them, so this was a glorious moment. And then the round set in to Odin's mind. This was, in fact, the finals. His only hard match of the night was the finals, and thus this clarified him as a champion once more.

'Third time, who would've thought. And over a fellow Varronite, guess Hircine is lacking a bit.'

With a soft chuckle to himself he dropped his guard, as well as his chin, and raised his right hand high into the air, signifying his victory. The same had been done the night he beat Aryck, another individual similar to his rival, though in no way the same.

After having checked on Auroth, and given his congratulations on a great fight and near victory - though said so out of the publics prying eye - Odin continued on with his night. This time as well he was asked for signatures, a strange thing for him to agree to, but done none the less. Afterward he'd need to ice his eye, lip, and stomach, but that could wait. Now, now was the time to celebrate.

[Auroth]

OoC; Now this was a good fight. Hope to do it again sometime old buddy ^_~

Here it was! Here it was! The moment of truth. The moment where the die was cast, the cards were thrown down and the hand was revealed. His fist had collided perfectly with Odin, and at the same time Odin's fist collided with his face. While at any time both fighters could've stopped and do something else to avoid the strike, this was the glorious and better way of ending a fight. Both were injured and tired, exhausted from the long drawn out battle..... This was truly the only way to go. Anything else would be less than worthy of respect.

Auroth's head shook back violently, a ringing sensation in his ears as he gritted his teeth. He was standing, his body full of adrenaline as he stared defiantly forward. If it was one thing Auroth has going for him... It's the will he has.... The will to go on and keep fighting. Even if his body breaks down, his mind weakens or his soul succumbs to temptation.... His will is the eternal holder... Never backing down... Never running away...

Never stopping. The blond's body, however, was a different story.

The feeling hit him, the same dreadful yet enjoyable feeling he has when sparring against his sifu. He was going to pass out. First the sensation started with his eyes losing focus... and then his muscles weakening. His knees shook, as he tried to force himself up. Yet despite all his efforts he began to sink steadily to the ground, and with one final act he collapsed entirely on the arena floor. His mind yelled to remain awake... to get up... to fight...

"1"

Yet Auroth couldn't do it... He tried to force himself up, yet all that happened was his mind began to slowly get darker and darker.... Until eventually... Everything turned to black.

A while later, Auroth woke. It was about ten minutes after the fight had ended. Where one may expect a face of anger or sorrow, instead there was a distinct look of serenity.... Of joy and peace.

"So... Odin truly is a worthy fighter. It is good to know that among the rubble of Hircine, there lies a fighter like Odin to which I can truly have fun with."

With that, Auroth got up. With a cloth in his hands the blond wiped away the blood and sweat from the brawl and handed it over to a nearby official. Then, with a slow stride, the man walked out of the arena and toward the exit. His pace was slow and yet regal, masking the accumulated injuries he acquired in this battle. However, all there was across the blond's face was a huge grin....

For one day, He and Odin shall do battle once more.