Colosseum - Quarterfinal - Shang Tsung vs Strazio Rockwell

[Strazio Rockwell]

　　In a choking cloud of dust and debris Strazio’s world crumbled around him. Large chunks of stone and wood came crashing down onto the scarred mage. Smothering rubble muffled his scream as the building collapsed onto him. Pinned against the unyielding weight Strazio could only rage against his imprisonment. His mind raced back to his childhood. Buried beneath the debris of his smoldering town all he could do was cry and scream. But now he was no longer a child. He was a goddamned survivor.

　　Small sizzling sparks ate away at his skin. Their greedy feast propagated more gluttonous particles until nothing remained of Strazio Rockwell. In his stead seethed a roiling mass of destructive energy. The sparks slipped between the cracks of the rubble, acting more akin to a liquid than their form would imply. A pool of crackling particles coalesced in the street, eventually forming one livid mage. Scrapes and bruises peeked out from underneath his ruined cloak.
　　
　　“Is that all you’ve got?” Strazio bellowed across the empty streets.
　　
　　As if to answer his challenge a burning skull erupted from the floor between his feet. The incendiary braincase slammed into his jaw, uppercutting him and sending him stumbling backwards. His mind scrambled to make sense of the world. Equilibrium was nothing more than a fancy word to the disorientated mage. Shang spared no quarter and emerged from behind a stone fence. Taking advantage of hi opponent’s stupor he raised his handcannon. Burning bolts of green soulfire spiraled into Strazio’s flesh. He yelped in pain as three of the bullets carved into his flesh.
　　
　　Nothing brought clarity like a gunshot wound.
　　
　　Instincts urged Strazio to get the hell out of the way, but his temper forced him to stand and fight. Another bullet whistled past his head. Sparks crackled along Strazio’s body and he sprinted towards Shang. Power surged into the Avatar’s legs, pushing them beyond human limits. With barbarous speed he tackled Shang, sending the both crashing into a nearby fruit kiosk. Brightly colored fruits scattered into the air. Both fighters wrestled in the multi-colored bounty of sweet smelling fruits. Blood and juice stained their robes in equal measures. The two sat deadlocked for an eternity. The Avatar's ferocity proved an equal match for Shang's impressive skill.
　　
　　Shang’s arm twisted and contorted into a pallid muscular limb. From beneath his forearm a wicked blade slipped through the flesh. The Avatar’s body shuddered with shock as the length of pointed metal pierced his side. Once again, against his instincts, he latched onto the pain and anger. Skewering himself upon the blade he pulled himself closer to Shang. An inhuman snarl tore itself free from Strazio’s gritted teeth.
　　
　　“I. Don’t. Break.” A splatter of sickly warm blood punctuated every word.
　　
　　Shang chuckled and responded, “I’m afraid you’re mistaken.”
　　
　　Using the skewer for leverage the sorcerer twisted into Strazio. The painful lever pressed into his wound and forced him to roll onto his side. The Avatar now found himself pinned against the shattered remains of the fruit stand. A raucous crowd framed the soulstealer as he tried to keep the rabid dog from escaping. The lethargic hands of fatigue gripped both fighters. Shang’s grasp slipped for only a moment, but a moment was all that Strazio needed. A scarred palm slammed into the sorcerer’s chest and his heart skipped a beat. Concussive force echoed into the soulstealer’s rib cage. A muffled burst of devastating magick smashed into his center mass. A trail of blood followed the tumbling sorcerer as he skidded into the cobblestone street.
　　
　　The weight of the world pressed down upon Strazio. They had only been fighting for a few minutes and he already felt spent. Even his bones felt weary. The hole in his side did nothing to help the situation. But even with such adversity bearing down upon him he couldn’t help but feel at home. He built his entire life upon the foundation of disaster and misfortune. “This is nothing” he muttered to himself as he stood. Sparkling fireflies danced around his open wound. They bit at the blood vessels to sear them shut.
　　
　　“You better be prepared,” Strazio spit into the air, “cause I’m gonna fuck you up.”