[i]Dojo Courtyard // 1200 // Zachary Chandler[/i] [i]Standing in the middle of the courtyard as the clock struck twelve was Zachary Chandler, a dojo newbie. His jet-black hair was combed back neatly, his bright blue eyes scanning the courtyard analytically. His full lips were pursed, slight stubble on his square jaw. He was young, around twenty, decently muscular however built for a hundred yard dash. The man stood at five ten, with a slender build. He wore slim, blue jeans, and a simple, white t-shirt that was neither tight nor loose. Gripped tightly in Zach's right hand was a three foot long, inch and a half wide base, silver straight sword of New Magnesium; a metal as light as aluminum and as strong as titanium, which is indeed a real metal. His slender violinist hands wore a pair of worn, leather gloves, to protect his hands from callousing. Standing a few yards in front of Zach was another man, Ylon. He was out of his usual armor and without his usual greatsword, his artfully messy, scarlet hair matching his red t-shirt. His own eyes were a stunning orange, his cheekbones shallow with an angular face in contrast to Zach's more square one. Ylon stood four inches taller than his opponent at six two, his right hand wearing a steel, painted red gauntlet, which gripped a sword similar to Zach's in size, yet was made of titanium. His shoulders were broad, and the straight sword was rather small for him, as he was so used to his great sword, however he had switched swords for the sake of this duel. Ylon smiled at Zach, who smiled back only halfheartedly. Zach lifted his sword, and Ylon followed suit. All was silent in the courtyard, quiet enough to hear a pin drop. That was when a cold breeze blew through the courtyard, blowing a rock into the wall of the courtyard with a resounding crack. Both Zach and Ylon rushed forward, however Zach was faster; Ylon had only taken three steps before Zach was on top of him, picturing a quick, diagonal slash from top right to bottom left. Zach raised his sword to execute this, but Ylon was much more skilled in swordsmanship, and swiftly lifted his own sword up as Zach began to deliver his slash, his New Magnesium sword clashing with Ylon's titanium one. Ylon redirected Zach's sword to his own bottom left, the tip of Zach's sword striking the dirt. Ylon raised his sword, and brought his sword vertically downwards to Zach's back. Zach pushed himself forwards, his superior speed getting him out of the way of Ylon's heavy attacks. He spun, two feet to Ylon's left, gripping his sword tightly in two hands as he aimed a now horizontal slash towards Ylon's left arm. Ylon gracefully turned ninety degrees and blocked with his blade, a loud clanging of metal on metal resonating through the courtyard, Ylon's grip on his sword and his muscular arms remaining firm and steady. Zach swiftly brought his sword away from Ylon's, spinning the other way to deliver another horizontal slash, which was blocked, again, by Ylon. This time, Zach used the momentum of his previous swing to continue himself in a shoulder charge towards Ylon, ramming into him. Even thought Ylon was much larger, Zach's speed and quick acceleration was enough to make his opponent stumble back, off balance. Using this, Zach's face remained stony as he lifted his sword, pointing his blade towards the off-balance Ylon and with blinding speed, Zach's chin was above Ylon's right shoulder, the tip of his New Magnesium blade just touching Ylon's Adam's Apple. Ylon's eyes widened in shock, and wasn't sure if he hadn't recovered in time or if Zach was just that quick; regardless, he raised his hands, dropped his titanium blade, disbelief clear in his orange eyes—he was so sure that his skill as a swordsman was greater than Zach's. Zach pulled away from Ylon, sheathing his sword, and faking a perfect smile.[/i] "Well fought, sir," [i]He said truthfully, his forehead beaded with sweat; he had been dueling for five years now, and was still getting used to the fast-paced, action packed thrill of a swordplay fight. Not looking for a conversation, Zach turned away from Ylon, his fake smile disappearing immediately as Ylon walked away, his head hung low in disappointment.[/i] ((Open for interaction or duel.))