Mock Fight: Esdeath vs Ballad

[Corporal Light]

Before his mind could process what just occurred right in front of him, he was on the sandy floor, his right side plagued by unbearable pain. Red blood gushed from his right flank, spilling out onto the ground as he bit his lip to prevent cries of agony. He instinctively swiped his left hand to his wound, cupping it as the liquid dripped onto the ground. A small pool formed underneath him, almost removing the dark green color from the cloth, the fur-like texture morphing into a slimy mess of crimson.

Continuing to squeeze his trench, he slowly dragged his right hand forward, clenching his fist around the sand. Looking towards his right, he saw the General also laying down in the sand just a few feet away. She was making similarly pained noises as she tried desperately to get back up.

Seeing her struggle, Ballad carefully grasped the scarf still hanging from his right shoulder. He slid it down towards his laceration, slowly wrapping the cardinal calico around his maroon-colored slice, tightening it so as to prevent further blood loss. Letting out another groan, he gradually placed his left hand on the grime covered sand, standing back up.

The inferno Ballad had created continued raging behind the two combatants; its orange chroma absorbing the forest. Esdeath could swear that, as Ballad stumbled towards her, letting out sounds similar to a suffering cow, that his contrasting visage made him look like a demon emerging from the pits of hell.

Esdeath, still struggling to stand, feebly whirled to her side, swinging her rapier through the air as she spun against the ground. Her heart sank as soon as she saw a boot smash against her hand, mangling her fingers as they landed against the rough ground.

His wound dripping red, Ballad bent forwards, grasping the handle of the rapier as a look of fear washed over Esdeath's face. Without a single word, he turned and tossed the rapier into the sea of flames.

Ballad looked down towards Esdeath, his eyebrows providing a false sense of emotion. He had lost most feeling from his torso already, and it was getting progressively harder to walk without seeing black spots in his eyes. He had to finish this quickly, or get the General to leave him alone.

Looking down towards the woman, he placed his right foot on top of her stomach, his left foot remaining still on Esdeath's limb. Esdeath looked up towards Ballad in preparation for what was about to happen.

"Soldiers... don't know free will.." Ballad muttered, his voice occasionally faltering into a monotone state, "fighting... for causes they don't believe in. For leaders... who do nothing but exploit them. Who use others to kill for what they want."

Ballad delicately stooped down onto his right knee, removing his left foot from Esdeath's hand, so at least her fingers weren't being mutilated. "That's why you've lost here, General. You are either too gullible or too stupid to face the truth: You fight for a cause you don't believe in. I, however, fight for no one but myself. Everything I do is to benefit me, and me alone. Call it arrogance; I call it sanity. I can see the lies in leaders. I can see when a war isn't worth fighting for. And best of all... I'm able to walk away from my leaders without punishment; free to do what I've always wanted to do without someone telling me I should believe one thing over another. Can you say the same... General?"

Those last few words struck the woman harder than a bullet piercing her flesh. It was probably safe to assume something like that had never been said to her, let alone from someone like Ballad.

Her face contorting with anger and shock, she took advantage of her left limbs momentary freedom. She thrust her hand to her left, forming several small ice daggers a short distance away from her and the man. Ballad flashed his eyes towards her limb, slamming down on it in retaliation, though not before the spikes launched themselves towards him.

Ballad let out another loud yell as he dashed to his right, finding himself back on the ground as Esdeath swatted her other hand against his legs, sending him crashing into the sand. He rolled to his right, narrowly avoiding the frozen weapons as they impaled themselves into the earth.

Spitting into the dust, he adjusted his head to stare at the woman as she barely pulled herself up onto her feet, still not saying anything. Ballad glared at her as he repeated her action, malevolently stating "Figures. People like you deserve whatever demise you get anyway. So you know what? I'll bring your demise" as he raised his fists, ready for their final showdown.

Around 799-800 words.
Moves used for Esdeath: Weissschnabel
Moves used for Ballad: N/A

Moves unavailable for Ballad: Flamethrower Pistol
And I think the rapier is probs not going to be used by Esdeath.

Final post for me. Good Luck Esdeath!