- soulguard
- |
- Exalted Mythic Member
Stage 11: The Dark side of Troy
Covenant Cruiser: Life and Sacrifice
Slip Space time difference 4 hours:
17:49 October 21, 2552
Slip Space to elite home world; Dorenth
Massive strength, four fingers, seven feet tall, and quick reflexes; the elite warrior is a formidable foe for any Spartan to tussle with. Their complex mind is war torn, battle ready and always sharp. They never seem to relax in battle, always watchful, always ready, and impressively knowledgeable of combat. If God created a creature of war, the elite is that creature.
No ordinary man, short of being a Spartan, would dare stand face to face with these alien creatures without a weapon, but Eric Raynord was no ordinary man. He challenged the beast directly, showing no fear, no apprehension or doubt. He knew his limits, he knew his strength and he knew going up against the elite was not the smartest idea, but someone needed to put Gridolee in his place. Eric was very much aware that the other elites would continue to berate this aggressive warrior known as Gridolee, but only force would calm his hostility. Only a human could slow his furry and feed his blood lust. Eric didn’t want to, but it wasn’t the first time he had rumbled with an elite head-to-head.
Gridolee was the largest elite on the ship, and by far the most aggressive. Then there was also the added bonus of his training within the Mirratord. Gridolee was not only massive and far stronger then most elites, he was also agile, quick, and skilled at hand to hand combat.
Eric quietly wished that he were a full Spartan. The added speed and strength would be useful, but for now he would have to hope his own enhancements would be enough.
Gridolee landed the first blow, a deadly strike that slammed across Eric’s shoulder. The blow sent Eric to one side of the room; slamming forcefully against the wall. Gridolee roared as he dashed across the room, thinking that the Sergeant would be easily subdued.
Eric turned his head and glared at the elite that was bearing down on him. His vision began to sharpen, his eyes focused and he pushed the pain from his shoulder into the depths of his mind. The harder he focused on the elite the more everything appeared to be moving in slow motion. He could see things clearly, he could hear his own heart racing and he quickly ducked Gridolee’s massive fist. Eric planted his foot firmly on the ground and opened the palm of his right hand. Gridolee swung madly, and blindly at Eric, but missed completely as Eric ducked and countered with the open palm of his hand.
He struck Gridolee square in the center of his head, between the elite’s eyes, with his open palm. Eric used the full length of his arm, not just his hand strength. The combined speed and force of the blow was like a piston striking concrete. Gridolee’s head rocked backward and he groaned deeply. Eric wished he had a Spartan’s strength because the blow he hit the elite with would have surely knocked it off of its feet. Eric pulled his hand back and timed his next move. On cue Gridolee began to return his head to its normal level and Eric jumped into the air; raising his knee toward the base of the elite’s skull. Contact… or so Eric thought. Eric took notice that Gridolee had crossed his arms under his chin and blocked his blow.
“-blam!-.” Eric cursed. Gridolee gripped Eric’s leg and flung him against the wall. Eric’s lungs flattened from the impact and all the air exploded violently out of his lungs. He felt the urge to pass out, but gathered his composure. He couldn’t breathe, and knew that the elite wouldn’t give him a time out.
Gridolee was far too strong and much quicker then Eric believed possible. The only option to beating him was speed, and patients. He charged again and Eric waited. With each passing moment Eric tried to inhale, but searing pain filled his chest each time. He couldn’t breathe because of the sudden shock to his lungs. Short breaths were all he could manage for now. Eventually his breathing would regulate, but he couldn’t wait. Gridolee lunged across the room, catching Eric slightly off guard. He was thinking the elite would throw punches or kick, not dive at him.
Eric tried to side step Gridolee’s approach, but the elite stretched his arms wide and caught Eric by the arm. This was bad, and panic gripped Eric. Gridolee pulled him in and slammed his fist into Eric’s back. Eric screamed and tried to pull away, to little affect. Gridolee then gripped Eric around the waist and lifted him off the ground.
What was he thinking? Eric pleaded in his own mind. How could he possibly think he could beat this monster? Eric soon found himself weightless as Gridolee forcefully began to throw him backwards toward the deck.
“No!” Eric screamed. The shout caught Gridolee’s attention as he forcefully throttled Eric toward the floor. Eric quickly took advantage of Gridolee’s loose grip and turned over. He raised his arms and braced himself before hitting the deck. With a solid thud Eric landed, absorbing the majority of the fall with his arms. Gridolee added more pressure by pushing down, but Eric held firm. There was a sudden explosion of pain in the back of his neck and Eric’s body quickly went numb. He could still feel but any form of pain in his body quickly vanished. He sprang to his feet, smoothly raising his right fist, and caught Gridolee in the chest. The elite groaned, wincing in pain. He kicked out, striking Eric in the stomach. Eric was tossed across the room again, but felt no pain. He hit the opposite wall of the room and repelled off of it; dashing at full speed toward Gridolee. Gridolee swung wildly, missing as Eric dodged and blocked with his left arm. Eric then used his momentum and once again struck Gridolee between the eyes with his open palm. Eric’s momentum carried him forward and he locked his elbow and pushed harder into Gridolee’s head using extra force from his shoulder. Once Eric’s back foot landed on the ground and he pressed even harder with the full weight of his body.
The two warriors tumbled and rolled to the ground. Gridolee grabbed Eric’s hand and tossed him over his head and he once again slammed into the wall.
Gridolee slowly stood to his feet. His face throbbed and his mind was slowly fading as consciousness began to slip away. The human had wounded him greatly, and the pain was coursing down his spine. The blow to his face had reared his head back so suddenly, and violently, that Gridolee’s spine had compressed. Gridolee dropped to one knee, cursing to himself in his own tongue. His aggression had blinded him and he failed to judge the human’s abilities. His legs were becoming numb and his thoughts clouded as the pain began to intensify. He looked up and spotted the human charging at him again.
“Focus.” Gridolee thought to himself. “This human has strength, but he is nothing compared to the Demon. I must focus, remember my training and push aside the pain.”
Eric kicked out with his foot and Gridolee grabbed it with little effort. He pulled Eric closer and gripped his neck with his left hand. Eric was stunned at the sudden fluid speed Gridolee had displayed. He hadn’t seen the elite react and was caught off guard by the fluid movements. It quickly dawned on him that Gridolee was beginning to take him seriously.
Everything about the elite had changed. His movement, his breathing, his stance and his posture were all different. He held Eric in his hand and slowly began to squeeze his throat like a vice. Eric grabbed his arm and violent began to struggle to get free, but he couldn’t escape the elite’s hold. Gridolee then brought up his free hand, and with both hands he squeezed tighter and tighter.
Eric felt darkness consume him. He felt light headed rapidly and new that this wasn’t a good thing. He was stupid for trying to fight the elite in such a small room, stupid for thinking he could best something twice his size and speed, but he wasn’t going to give up.
He grabbed Gridolee’s arms and lifted his legs. The sudden shift in weight forced Gridolee to bend over as Eric’s back rested against the floor, but the elite never released Eric from the death grip. Eric wrapped his legs around Gridolee’s arms as his vision faded. He could no longer see the elite’s face, but he knew it was there. With his left foot he felt for Gridolee’s head, and when he found it he used his left foot as a guide for his right foot.
The first blow sent a mind numbing surge throughout Gridolee’s body. The size eleven boot felt as though it had gone through his brain, but it was nothing compared to the second blow he felt. Eric’s right foot impacted Gridolee’s head with such force that Eric pushed himself free and sent Gridolee backwards; slamming into the opposite wall.
Gridolee felt tremendous pain in every inch of his body. His face felt numb, his back screamed, and even his feet seemed to feel the blow. He opened his eyes and couldn’t focus, his vision was staggered. He tried to gaze at the human lying across from him, but all he could see was the silhouette image of Eric lying on the floor. Gridolee could no longer stand the pain. It had been too long since he had last used his Mirratord teachings on how to ignore pain, and now he was suffering for his lack of training. He slumped against the wall and slowly slid to the ground as consciousness escaped him.