Open - Explode

_____Thunder rocked the skies, Lightning crackdown against the earth as the skies weep violent tears of rain that stung the bare skin of those foolish enough to be caught within the storm that raged without relent. It was not the only storm however, as the sound countless trades of physical blows resounded in the quiet forest. No matter the weather, no matter the threat, no matter the risk r strength they might have over this challenger he would not back down, that was just how this old man lived and he be damned to change it in his older years.

_____Thunder roaring above as the two figures once more traded blow for blow without yield. Each looked evenly matched in the darkness, but as lightning struck the ground nearby the flash of light revealed the sheer difference in the battle. One figure was burnt and bleeding, heavily breathing and clearly looked past his fighting years. While the other seemed untouched and still ready for more battle as they once more rushed to clash in the middle of the storm.

_____Morpheus moved to his right, body turning as he swung is right leg towards the target and felt it once more blocked by the raised arms of his opponent and soon after coughing violently as the figure got another clean blow to Morpheus’ chest sending him backwards and gasping for air, yet he did not fall to the ground fully. Frame sliding in the mud as he was left kneeling and looked up to the outline of his adversary.

_____As lightning once more gave light it revealed the grinning faces of both figures, Morpheus’ grin was more for the fact of a real fight, while the other seemed to grin due to the sheer difference in power and the near death state of his enemy. Once more rising Morpheus rushed again, his unyielding commendable if not reckless endangerment but the fight was not over until one man was down for the count or dead and Morpheus was not going to simply be the loser.

_____Fist clashing against fist, knee to knee as the two figures fought with everything they had. Both out of respect and out of display for might. Both trying to prove something to the other but no words as to what these two tried to converse as rain stung their backs through the light layer of clothing. If the setting was different it might have been a great display to watch, but with the setting it held was almost more to the nature of fighting to the death.

_____Thier even trades quickly breaking apart as Morpheus once more was left hit easily and sent backwards, bare feet gliding in the mud as he coughed up blood and wiped his sleeve across his face to remove it. Slamming his bloody and burnt fist together he once more rushed forward seeking to get a strike in himself against his foe. But as the lighting revealed the faces again, it seemed the other figure was no longer amused by the resilience to back down of the old man.

_____The flash of light catching his lips moving before his body ignited again, fist ablaze as he rushed forward and took hold of Morpheus’ neck and began to burn the exposed skin. The light of the fire showing, despite the likely large pain he would be under, the smile still remaining on morpheus’ face. The fight was still not over, right knee rushing upward to slam the man’s stomach to disengage the two as the cloaked man stumbled away.

_____Coughing and holding his throat as lighting revealed the smile had turned into a grin. He had struck a blow, not one that was evenly met or blocked, but a serious strike that only boosted his moral. If a being, even a god can be hurt or hit, it could lose. Taking stance once more and waving for the cloaked figure to try and fight Morpheus as the man steamed from heat and the falling rain trying to put him out.

”Now that I know i can hit you, time you lost ya damn mute fire cheat’n punk!”

_____His drive fully reignited, his care for his low health ignored as Morpheus rushed forward again giving the man no time to really set up for the attacks. His first strike a thunderous right hook, a heavy left knee to the stomach, and topping the sudden change of pace with his signature Overpowered uppercut as the figure took air and fell on his back. The mud cutting out the fire and lighting showing Morpheus’ face clearly not yet ready to say he won.

_____Frame hopping backwards as the cloaked man spun his legs trying to trip Morpheus and giving way to another growing change in his grin. Now THIS was a fight he enjoyed, eyes watching as the frame of the man pushed off the ground and jumped to his feet glaring down Morpheus. The sense of bloodlust setting over the men and Morpheus simply laughed, so the man was going to get serious now, well he had to do the same.

____Fist slamming open palm as Morpheus calmed his excitement, bottled it into his frame to use for fighting. Gentle grey seeming to shift to storm grey as his own body seemed to match the bloodlust and the two slowly began to circle one another. This was a battle of men, others could watch but it clearly looked like neither would approve help or other’s intervention. But who would win, Experience or talent? As the lightning struck and both rushed forward only time could tell.

~~Theme~~​

 

"Hehehe... will there be exotic mushrooms here?"

Majolica hadn't been to Druuk island in a good while. Between the issue with the Dissonance, the Bandit King, the newly formed Witch Ops, she had hardly had any time for herself. This was fine though, The Grand Witch was a very popular, well respected, and thoroughly idolized person. As they say, 'When famous, you belong to your fans.'

But, now it was time for a little vacation. The Witch Ops members had been initiated, which was actually pretty amazing due to all the unplanned slimes they had to deal with. the Bandit King had been dispatched, and whatever spirit or monster or whatever it was had probably left the bandit fortress. The incident at Naryu Canyon had been troubling, but there was little that could be done but rest and prepare for the battle she and her forces would eventually be thrown into. But for now, It was time for a rest, and with this frame of mind that Majolica decided to take a little solo vacation to Druuk for some relaxing mushroom hunting. As mushroom hunting was one of Majolica's favorite hobbies, she excited. Not only was hunting mushrooms fun, but they also tasted delicious and made for excellent snacks. It was for the reason, that Majolica often had more mushrooms in her stomach than in her basket.

"Hehe, oh! There's one!"

The Grand Witch lunged at a group of mushrooms growing on the ground. Quickly swiping them up, she shoved them into her mouth and gobbled them down.

"Hehehe! Very good! I think these were a new kind! The taste is a bit different from back home!"

As she gleefully munched the spoils of the hunt, Majolica thought she heard something in the distance. A thundering reverberating from afar. Looking up, The Grand Witch noticed there wasn’t a single could in the sky.

“Hehehe, there aren't any clouds so it’s not thunder… hehe, then what is it? A monster! Hehehe! I guess it’s time for The Grand Witch to investigate! Hehehe!”

Turning towards the sound, Majolica noticed something strange. Though the sky was bright and sunny where she was, further away a storm raged emanating from what seemed like a single point. In that small concentrated area, downpours of rain and forking bolts of lightning flung themselves through the atmosphere. Apart from the lightning, other flashes, faint from the long distance, could be seen. Whatever was happening, it wasn't normal.

Picking up her little basket, Majolica hopped on to her broom.

“Hehe, a little excitement on a vacation is a good thing! Hehehe!”

And off she went off into the storm following the noise.

“Hehehe, this storm isn’t very fun… maybe I’ll just turn back. THis is really more of a bother… hehe..”

As she made her way into the storm, the roar of storm grew even louder. Not only The Grand Witch began to feel waves of power emanating from the site, as well as not one, but two voices.

“A dual? Or a training exercises? Hehehe, this better be worth coming all the way out here! Hehe, I’ll just sneak out around and watch at first. Then, once I discover who’s making all the racket, hehehe, then I can show myself! When they see me, they’ll obviously be so excited that The Grand Witch herself was watching that they’ll pledge their eternal loyalty to me! Hehehe!”

Though Majolica was prepared to see a fight, she wasn't ready to see the two men going at each other like some kind of action movie. Hopping off her broom, Majolica forced some magic into the broomstick to form the bristles into an umbrella. Holding the umbrella above her head, Majolica peeked out for a tree and watched as the brawl went on. Wishing she had some popcorn, she reached into her basket, pulled out a mushroom, and stuffed it into her mouth.

 

_____Morphues missed the feeling of a real fight, a test of will, a test of strength, and above all a test of resolve. Each of his blows was met with a counter, but each of his foes blows befell the same fate as the two spoke through their fist. Both had something to fight for, something to prove to the other and it was no surprise to Morpheus considering who was under the hood and behind the mask avatar. Both breaking away from their close lock and sliding in the mud as Morpheus spoke again.

”Come on now, stop holding back, or can ya only flame up so long at a time?”

_____The other figure seemed to grumble for a few moments before he caught fire again and the two rushed back into a fist fight. Morpheus lifting his arm to deflect a punch before pushing the fist away and reaching to grab the man’s elbow and pulled upward. A moment of fighting strengths before the cloaked man rose up and was thrown onto his back with the follow up of thunder cracking in the sky. Morpheus wasted no time to push his advantage, body moving to slam his right knee against the man’s chest and began slamming his fist against the man’s face.

_____After a good four blows Morpheus found himself out of air, looking down as the cloaked figure slammed a second punch to his ribs taking the air from his lungs and forcing Morpheus to back away as his chest smoked from the flames. His grin still shining as Morpheus waited for his duel partner to rise back up before they resumed their close combat lock of block and punches. Neither really aware someone was watching.
@Grand Witch Majolica

 

The Grand Witch continued to watch the two men behind her tree. The fight was beginning to slow down a bit as the two men seemed to be getting tired, which gave Majolica an idea.

Hehehe, I bet if I ran in-between them I could attack them both and win! Hehe, then, after they realized how strong I was, they would have to pledge their allegiance to me and see how strong I am! Hehehe! But, it seems like they're having fun so I'll just wait until one of them wins and then show up! Hehehehe, that way I can be all like... 'hehehe, you've impressed me, the Grand Witch with you fierce fighting abilities and incredible endurance! You'll be working for me now! Hehehe!' Hehe, that sounds good! I wonder how much longer they're going to fight for? They look pretty even as far as fighting goes, I hope this doesn't take too much longer... hehehe, it's really wet out here and I don't want to get bored.

As The Grand Witch continued to view the two men duke it out, she started to become worried that this would be like one of those MMA fights where it's really exciting in the beginning and there's a lot of action but then as the fighters get tired it turns into this like sweaty grappling-hold thing where they just kind of writhe on the floor for a long time.

That's not very fun to watch at all, thought the Grand Witch, then again, this didn't really look anything like that. There was all this fire and lightning... comparatively, it actually looked more like a show Majolica had seen where aliens invade Earth and Earth's strongest hero has to defend the world while decked out in blond hair.

Hehehe, well, I'm already here so I might as well watch until someone quits or loses. Then I can go say hello! Hehehe, hmm but what if they both kill each other? Hehe, well they're probably player characters so they'll come back. I can just look for them after... hehehe!

 

_____The fight would not become a grapple of fading strength, neither of the two wanted it to be so and would make sure to bring everything to the table before that started to happen. Such being the case as the burning cloaked figure began throwing fireballs at Morpheus who, without much reaction time had to take them. Smoke blasting around as the older Man began losing ground and started sliding backwards from the continued force. Soon after thought the figure switched to a continuous flamethrower against the falling to his knees foe.

_____Morpheus could fight most battles, but against a range disadvantage and already partly worn down. The Flames scorching his arms and clothing top as he tried to regain his footing but failed while watching his health meter began descending. His temper starting to flare up at his weakness that, in his mind was because of his age and already walking to death’s door in reality. Growling as he pushed up and started to slowly march against the flames, his foe taking an Uneasy step backwards as the old man still seemed intent on fighting despite his disadvantage. The Morhpeus froze, the flames licknig at burnt skin.

_____He had to try a actual strategy, much against his one desire to overcome all with pure muscle. It seemed to begin becoming an issue in this game to think more then just swing and kick things. Waiting as the flames dialed down, the man likely assuming Morpheus died standing. Once the flames stopped Morpheus exploded, rather rushed with everything her still had in him into a cross arm low center strike. The force sending the cloaked figure airborne Before Morpheus spun and punched their upper body before finishing with something he missed from his youth.

_____Arms wrapping the figure’s arm across their chest before driving them head first into the ground while taking a knee himself. His beard burning slowly as Morpheus let go and the man fell forward, Morpheus falling backwards exhaling rapidly and feeling the pain start calling his name. Laying as the rain stung his burns but he relaxed under it anyways. He won the fight, and now he was rather sleepy and to hurt to move. A smile across his face still, the old man just seemed to have a screw loose in his noggin.
@Grand Witch Majolica

 

Druuk Island. Horizon was currently on an expedition using a makeshift rowboat she'd hobbled together from a fallen over oak tree. The tree had been basically hollowed out and the two twigs had been snapped off to form functional (but not much else) paddles. The whole thing wasn't working out all that well, but it was working out well enough anyhow. After circling the island twice, Horizon had made land with the intention of bisecting the island once down the middle while leaving some kind of markenclature along the way. From there she'd bisect the island the other way and do much the same. From there all that would be left to do is form sub-sector after sub-sector while identifying and sourcing the island's natural resources. Once that tediousness was done, she'd have a triangulated map. And once she had a map she cold begin the processes of forestry and quarrying. And once THAT was done, the real fun would begin. Making things. Things that Terrasphere did not yet have, and things that Terrasphere did in fact have but that Horizon would not be able to afford. Those thing, she would make better, and maybe sell them or something. That, more or less, was the plan. Booyah.

But none of that has anything to do with you now does it?

Horizon began walking down the island willy nilly from where she'd made land. She judged that it was probably north based upon the sun and her compass. She charted her progress as she went. Herbs, rocks, caves, potential dangerous monster camps you name it. And sure enough, after she had been doing this for about an hour, Horizon ran into her bout of trouble. It sounded like combat in the distance. Horizon decided to investigate. If one side were an adventurer in over his or her head, Horizon could either wait for them to die and finish the monster and take their stuff, or if they were super wounded upon victory, Horizon could sell them some medical supplies. There was zero way this could go wrong.

Horizon quietly, gingerly, parted the brush as she made her way toward the action. As best as she could anyhow, she was actually making a decent but not overwhelmingly massive amount of noise. Clearing the wall of natural flora, Horizon came into a sort of clearing. There she saw some old sweaty fighting some mask guy or something.

Am I witnessing a crime...?

Just as Horizon began to Homer Simpson fade back into the brush she spied her 'old friend' Majolica just kind of hanging out. Curiosity got the better of her. She gave a wave at the witch:

"Funny coincidence running into you here. I didn't know witches took vacations, or maybe it's a small world or something? So! Spill the beans, who's the sweaty old guy? One of your spetznaz or something?"

 

Majolica watched the fight contently. The fire magic was neat. Maybe she could learn a thing or two from the people fighting. She hadn't really seen many people using magic like this, in close range before. Most of the magicians had seen where more like her, keeping to the back lines and nuking the hell out of whatever was in front of her, but this way of fighting wouldn't be bad either. It would be good to learn some moves in case enemies got all up in her grill.

Taking mental notes, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

Hehe, the Space Goblin...

Turning around, she saw exactly who she expected she would. @HORIZON the strange explorer/inventor in the space suit. Since the whole town event, Majolica had found herself running into the space goblin constantly, whether at meetings with her Witch Ops allies, in random towns, or pretty much anywhere else. Due to this, Majolica perpetually half-expected her to show up out of the blue anytime she happened to be alone. Though honestly, she really had no idea what the space goblin did in her spare time besides show up randomly. Majolica assumed she invented things, but other than the cradle thing, she hadn't really scene any more of HORIZON'S gadgets. It didn't really matter though as long as none of the gadgets went haywire and attacked a town or something.

"Hehehe, of course Grand Witches take vacations. Everyone needs a little break to relax sometimes, hehehe. Why are you here? Trying to make a robot out of all the wood and mud? Hehehe, Mudbot 2000. What does it do? Dries into mud. And then what? It keeps being mud."

Majolica giggled at her own little joke while wiping a tear from her eye.

"I don't know who either of these people are. I came here to hunt mushrooms for a mini-vacation when I saw all the clouds and flashing lights. Hehe, I thought it was a monster but then it turned out to be these two people fighting. Hehehe, I've been waiting to see if one of them looses so I can go ask they why're they're fighting, hehe, but they just keep going. It's a pretty interesting fight, hehe, and I've never really thought of using magic in close range like this, hehe, so I figured I could take some notes while I watch. That way, if anyone tries to get the jump in Grand Witch Majolica, I can quickly destroy them... hehehe. You can watch with me if you want, hehe, but I wouldn't go into the middle of them unless you want to be smashed to bitty bits, hehehe."

 

______The battle was over, the victor decide, but the two seemed to still have that air of unease between each other as they laid on the ground. Despite one clearly being out cold after a full force tombstone piledriver. Morpheus moved to give the figure some space, and while crawling on the mud he noticed two figures had stopped to watch and now started talking. A light exhale as he struggled to wave at them before his arm went down and he began to snore lightly. The storm causing his sleep to end almost as quickly as it began as he shot up at the sound of lightning striking nearby the group.

”I swear I’ll make sure the kids go to school dear! Just let me finish my match of Dungeons and dragons!”

_____The old man looked scared out of his wit, then again his wife did once have that effect on the old gamer. Slowly regaining his focus, rather remembering the fact his wife was no longer alive stung his heart more than his burnt skin in the rain. Expression worn down as he rose to his feet with unease and Began going over his UI until he could lean on his cane. Grey eyes setting on the two, children? His free hand rubbing his eyes for a moment before he spoke again.

”Are you young children lost? This island is not exactly the place for kids to go roaming away from their families…

@HORIZON | @Grand Witch Majolica

 

As Majolica watched the fierce and roaring battle, she had begun to wonder if either of the men was going to get up. Or, if they were both dead now.

Hehehe, should I go shake them to see if they're alive? Hehe, but I don't have any healing magic... so the best I could do would turn them into frogs if they were NPCs. Hehehe, I don't think they are though, hehe, with all that lightning and fire and everything though.

After going over her options she saw that one of the men starting moving.

Hehe, oh good. Now I don't have to do anything. Hehehe.

Then the man suddenly fell asleep.

Hehehe, what...

... and got back up again.

Oh, hehe, there he is.

As the old man approached, Majolica wasn't quite sure what to make of him.

Hehehe, is he going to fight me now? Maybe I should let him get too close. Oh, but he was just asleep so maybe it's fine? Hehehe, I am the Grand Witch so I could beat him up if I need to! Hehehe! But I don't really want to beat up someone's grandpa... hehe. Maybe he'll be nice.

Majolica sensed a strength within the old man's aged body as he neared. It was as palpable as the storm that was still raging around them. Of course, this sense of power made sense, as the old man was just won a brutal fist fight with an unknown contender. It was very cinematic to be honest, which is why Majolica had even stayed to watch in the first.

As the man spoke up, he made a fatal mistake calling The Grand Witch a child. This was upsetting to Majolica as she was not a child, she was The Grand Witch, but even worse than being called a child was the fact that HE didn't know she WAS The GRAND Witch.

He doesn't know who I am?! I'm The Grand Witch! Can't this old dummy tell by my amazing hat and awesome broomstick! Hehehe, I practically radiate powerful dark magic everywhere I go! Hehehe!

"Hehehe, children? I'm not a child! Hehe, I'm The Grand Witch! Grand Witch Majolica to be precise! The ONLY Grand Witch and ONLY real witch in the whole world! Hehehe! I was on vacation gathering mushrooms and I thought a monster was causing a ruckus! Hehehe, I take down giant monsters in my sleep! Hehehe, you're lucky you weren't a monster or all that would be left of you would be a black smudge on the ground! Hehehe! And I'm not lost! I'm on vacation! I was mushroom hunting when I heard all the noise! Hehehe...."

Majolica crossed her arms and looked upward as she remembered all the little details of how she had gotten there.

"Hehehe, so i ran all the way up here to see what was happening and it wasn't a monster at all. It was you, hehehe, and that maybe dead guy over there. Now I'm all wet. Hehe, that's okay though. Witches dry quickly! Hehehe, I bet you didn't know that! But what is important is that you didn't know that I am The Great and Powerful Grand Witch Majolica! Hehehehe!"

Majolica made a humph sound as she looked at the man. She was quiet disappointed he hadn't heard of her.

"Anyway, why were you fighting that guy anyway? Hehehe, did he steal your mushrooms and wouldn't give them back so you had to beat him up? Hehehe, that's never happened to me because I'm The Grand Witch and everyone's too scared to steal from me! Hehehe!"

@Morpheus

 

_____Morphues blinked a few times as the child seemed to go on a rant like people claimed he had did. Moving his free hand to his ear as he leaned forward and moved his good ear closer. While it was silly, he seriously only heard half what she said and the order of it was rather jumbled together. Blinking again as he spoke up to the child.

”Whacha just say, i can’t hear well since that grenade in my bunker. Oh that reminds me of the time my grandson tried to explain advanced algorithms to me and it sounded like gibberish. Use simpler words ya hear?”

______Moving to tap his cane against the mud for a moment as he kept his good ear closer to the girl so she could repeat herself and hopefully this time he heard what she had to say. Least so was his plan for the first few moments before he shrugged and started to walk away apping his cane as he went. One hand moving to wave for her to follow him.

”Come on yelp, let’s go find your parents so they don’t worry as much aboutcha…”

_____Seemingly set on this fact he just kept walking, if the girl wished to keep talking she could, but the chance Morpheus could hear her over the storm at a distance was not likely. Much more so since in this world he was not granted the blessing of a hearing aid or anything to a medieval version of it. A poor encounter for the grand witch it seemed.
@Grand Witch Majolica

 

As the old man asked her what she had just said, Majolica began to feel frustrated. She had just gave a long in-depth explanation of why she was important, and the old man couldn't even hear it? Was he senile? Did he even know that she was really there, or did he think she was a figment of his imagination? Well, whatever the case, conversation seemed pretty pointless.

Hehehe, he's not even listening to me. Maybe the battle damaged his ears, but I don't know, hehe, he's already really old. Well, I won't get mad because he's old and doesn't know any better I guess. Hehe, still, it's weird that an old person would play a video game. Well, now that weird I guess, hehehe, since they're fun but still. Hehehe, why would you be old in a game when you could be young and perfect like me? Weirdo.

Majolica was about to speak up to ask the old man why he was old, but then just stopped herself. He wouldn't have heard anyway and she felt like she had wasted a bunch of breath on him earlier. He seemed nice though, so maybe if they ran into each other again, The Grand Witch would greet the old man kindly. But right now, it just seemed a waste of both their times.

"Hehehe, I'm not a child, old man! Hehe, but anyway, I'm going to go back to my vacation. You seem like you're fine now so you don't need an escort or anything right? Hehehe, no I don't think so. If you get into trouble, I guess you can yell, 'Majolica' and I'll appear magically because I'm great and powerful witch, hehe, but other than that I'm leaving. Hehehe, see you later old man!"

Figuring that the old man didn't hear a word she just said, Majolica floated up to the man, tapped his shoulder, smiled, and waved bye bye. After her goodbye, The Grand Witch flew off to continue her mushroom hunting vacation.



[EXIT THREAD]

@Morpheus

 

EXIT THREAD DENIED!
You have enraged the old man, you must now deal with him! No escape!!!​

_____The veins on Morpheus’ head popped up when he heard those two words, only those two got to him. Rage flowing through his pained body once more as he locked onto the speaker of such words and gae chase with thunderous steps that would likely draw the girl’s focus back to his direction. His grey eyes glowing storm grey with rage as he pulled his fist back and like so many others held nothing back as he swung upward to try and hit her chin as he shouted over the storm the same words as others who dare called him ‘old man’ heard with his attack.

”I am AGED WITH EXPERIENCE!!!”

______Little kid or adult, strong or weak, fully alive or one uppercut from death it mattered not to Morpheus when he heard those cursed words. He lived a life of joy, adventure, hardship, love, sadness, and all that other stuff he forgot but never once did he dare set himself in the same group as ‘old men’. No, he still had a spring in his step, and a deadly uppercut to boot, there was no way he was some old man with a walker and no teeth!

”Ain’t nobody told you to respect your elders you child. Back in my day kids your age got swatted on the ass with a wooden-holed paddle for such disrespect. No question about it I’m gonna drag you back to your parents and see to it you get that spanking you yelp!”

_____Some could admire Morpheus burst of life, he barely looked like he was even alive but he just kept chugging uphill and showing just how much like his Nokia he actually was. No words would stop him from continuing to chase down the girl, nothing would stop him from trying to sling her over his shoulder, and from there he would march her right back to town and spend as much time as he needed to find her parents and give them a piece of his mind for her actions. Though first he had to catch her after all.
@Grand Witch Majolica