Colosseum - Quarterfinal - Shang Tsung vs Strazio Rockwell

[Strazio Rockwell]

Shards of glass carved into Strazio’s skin as he crashed through the window. The weight of the battle pressed against the Defender of Darkshire. His promise to Demitri felt like a heavy burden that exposed cracks in his willpower. The fresh cuts that adorned his body refused to stop leaking red, and he lacked the energy to cauterize them. Muscles throbbed with exhaustion, and his legs began to cramp. Still, against the pain, and against his body’s wishes he stood. He stood because that was all he could do, he knew not how to surrender.

“Are you dead?” The former monk taunted, “things were just getting exciting, don’t tell me that you’ve bled out.”

Strazio laughed. It started as a simple smirk that cascaded into a throaty gore-filled chuckle. Sliver of porcelain teeth and chunks of bloody flesh spattered from the Avatar’s maw. Inside the room a small ember of white light flickered into existence. The dim light began to tear away at Strazio’s form, devouring his flesh and bones. His skin peeled away to reveal a roiling humanoid mass of burning bleach-white energy. In the darkness two piercing yellow eyes focused their fury onto Shang. A devastating bolt of magick ripped free from the building, crashing open a hole in the wall. Chunks of shattered bricks and rubble pelted the super-charged sorcerer.

“Nine-hundred years of anger?”

From the cloud of dust advanced the Avatar of Anger. Hatred spewed from his mouth and his voice threatened violence. Now converted to searing energy his shattered jaw no longer hindered his speech. The unending rage of the Avatar turned his many injuries into minor inconvenience.

“That is all you have after nine-hundred years?” The Avatar snarled, “twelve years, twelve miserable years of undying rage is all it took for me to become this powerful. You’re outclassed and I’m going to fucking tear your god-damned limbs from their sockets!”

A smirk found its way onto Shang’s lips as he raised his fists in preparation for Strazio’s assault. As the Avatar rushed forward the heavy staccato of his boots filled the air. He halted only a few feet from Shang and raised his palm. The sorcerer’s eyes widened as he dove to dodge the inevitable shotgun of death. A blast of sweltering heat singed the edges of the ex-monk’s robe as Strazio’s attack erupted next to him. He took the moment of vulnerability offered him and tackled the Avatar. His opponent’s body were warm and smelled of fire and blood.

Once more their fight had devolved into a dirty wrestling match. This time each blow threatened to end their lives. Shang’s superior skill once again bested Strazio’s unbridled rage. The Avatar found himself pinned against the grimy cobblestone. A deep breath filled the soulstealer’s lungs with flame. He exhaled, spewing a torrent of stolen embers. Fire and fury swallowed Strazio, the only thing keeping him conscious was his hatred for Shang. The pain pierced through his veil of anger and he cried out in agony as the burning flames scorched his body. In the Omniverse even the Avatar of Anger could experience pain.

In his desperation he dared to tempt fate by calling upon the profane power strapped to his belt. The Necronomicon whispered promises of victory to the foolhardy mage. Blasphemous energy swirled around the skin-bound book and its obscene power became manifest. The gnarled hand of an undead troll erupted from beneath the cobblestone street. Unbeknownst to Shang Tsung the zombie freed itself from a prison of earth. The creature skull had no eyes, but the will of the Necronomicon was all the guidance it needed. With a blood-chilling groan the zombified troll hooked a meaty arm around the sorcerer’s throat. Terrifying strength peeled him from his dominant position, giving Strazio a split-second to act. The Avatar raised his palm for the final time against his opponent. All-in, this attack would be his swan song. Dumped into the assault was every last drop of hatred and willpower that Strazio could muster. Fear scratched at the back of Strazio’s mind, I cannot be found wanting.

Used the Necronomicon to summon one zamboni.
Activated the Avatar of ANger for 1 SP
Activating Tier-one offensive super move "Overload"
1/4 SP remaining