Zone E -- Highlands

[Strazio Rockwell]

“You sure you don’t wanna run old man?” Strazio asked.

“I’m not worried,” the stranger answered.

Strazio shrugged, “shame.”

In one fluid motion Strazio rushed forward, shucking his cloak and bellowing a warcry. His bare forearms crackled with energy, the beginnings of a devastating attack. Odin took a half step back and leveled his spear at the aggressor. And for a moment it seemed that the hot-head would skewer himself. Instead he stopped short, his boots skidded in the dirt, and he threw his arms forward. Two thunderclaps smacked across the forest. A spear of white lightning tore forth from each arm and barreled towards the Allfather. One bolt was sidestepped, but the other found purchase in the old man’s shoulder. Equal measures of heat and pain chewed at his flesh, a reminder of his mortality.

Strazio began to charge another set of attacks, but a sudden lunge sent him scrambling. Spurred into action by the drawing of first blood Odin rushed forth and delivered a dizzying series of thrusts and slashes. One foot stumbled over the other as Strazio backpedaled to avoid the blender turned against him. A line of scarlet was carved into the mage’s thigh followed by a long scratch across his cheek.

“Back off already!” Strazio shouted and delivered a boot to Odin’s chest.

Respite, if only temporary, was enjoyed by both combatants. Odin studied his opponent, his divine eye gleaning handfuls of insight into his opponent’s abilities. Warm blood dribbled down the mage’s cheek and stained his white shirt. He touched the wound and winced.

Strazio growled and shouted, “you better have more than just a fucking spear, asshole!”

Odin chose not to reply.

The mage glanced down at the gash across his thigh. Thick globs of life poured from the open wound, painting a picture of carnage across the floor of the gentle forest. Energy pulsed through the wound, searing the flesh and cauterizing the lacerated blood vessels. The acrid scent of cooked meat and burnt blood enveloped the two. Not quite good as new, but good enough to fight on.

Sizzling motes of energy swirled around the mage’s left arm. The tiny fireflies gnawed at his skin, leaving char marks in their wake. After a few second he unleashed another lance. This one, however, arced wide, so far wide that Odin did not even consider the need to dodge. The bolt roared past him and crashed into the base of a dying tree. Splinters soared through the air and the tree fell towards the Allfather. Gungir was brought to bare against the falling timber. With a few well-placed chops and a backstep Odin avoided most of the debris.

He knew the tree to be little more than a feint, but he was not prepared for the devilish speed of his adversary. Strazio tackled the god and sent them both sprawling against the earth. After a few seconds of wrestling Strazio ended up on top. They held Gungir between them, both struggling for control of the weapon. A magick-induced steroid swimmed through Rockwell’s muscles and filled them with tremendous strength. The two locked eyes and in that moment Odin realized that his opponent was about as crazy as a sack of ferrets.

“Die!” Strazio screamed.

As amped up as he was the mage’s strength began to falter. In a few more seconds the old man would overpower him and beat him into the dirt. His cheek sprinkled blood on Odin’s chest and the boy grinned. A few more drops fell and Odin’s heart fluttered. His true sight gave him knowledge of many things and of all the things he learned of Strazio one thing resonated in his mind - the boy’s blood was explosive.

*BOOM*

Strazio activated Overcharge and cannot do so again unless he self-inflicts 2 pnts of damage