A Matter of Perspective! Earling & Almadel!

[Vio]

^{Seere #1}

---

The blazing yellow sun was meeting its match that day, as thick cloud cover served to dull the rays, with a mild threat of rainfall. Yet the air was still decently warm — a few less clouds and one could have easily called it a pleasant day for an afternoon stroll. The tail end of lunch hour for most saw much of Stetson’s townsfolk returning to their life’s labours, some content with their standing in life, others a little more reluctant. It didn’t really change much, for this was the usual rigmarole of the people.

The usual, unperturbed by the presence of another.

Perhaps a mile or two from the outer limits of Stetson City, amidst the forests that swallowed much of the land beyond the farmsteads, a campsite had been set up. Dozens of tents, some bigger than others, had been raised with some sense of order. If not for their very temporary natures, one could have almost called it the makings of a small village. Smaller shelters simply served as barracks, with simple camping cots arranged in something of a Spartan style — rather close knit but organised. Larger tents served more practical purposes, including a temporary kitchen, a presently unoccupied medical ward, and an open forge.

A little further still, a stretch of woodland had been chopped down — trees completely uprooted in some cases — with its lumber currently being split and worked by a small handful of burly men. And there, sat upon a rocky ridge that nearly perfectly served as a seat, was an immense presence. Yellow eyes stared at a sheet of material resting upon her lap, observing the various blots that had been previously drawn upon it with an immense brush. Each and every marking had a meaning, whether obvious or not, and this one very much knew what she was looking at. After all, it was of her own derivation.

^{—— MEANWHILE ——}

Amidst the clear shirts and slacks and the variable dresses of the general populace, it was rather easy to spot a foreigner amidst the city streets. It was even easier to spot a large gathering of said foreigners as they emerged from one of the local taverns, ‘The Drunken Monkey Saloon’, whose signage had been missing the ‘y’ for at the very least a few months. All the same, a rather rowdy and raucous gathering of about a dozen men had spilled out onto the streets in the wake of a midday meal, bellies full and various bags of supplies on their backs and across their shoulders. Clad in jerkins or simple tops and pants, some with other adornments, they certainly looked out of place.

^{“Hey, which way was it again?” one questioned:
“To the west, right?”}

^{“Uh… S#¡+, I can’t remember…”}

“South, you bozos, now c’mon! Time’s a-wastin’,” commanded another, prompting a few rolled eyes and some off comments muttered under breaths. Some walking, some waddling, the group took a moment to gather their bearings and adjust their belongings.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
As Seere studies her most recent stratagems, some of her troops spill out of a local bar in town and debate direction.

---

NOTE: Mr. Moon

---

Almadel Seere | #98817b
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #1 

After his adventures on the Toroa Island, Hakon continued his journey through the West Blue towards the Grand Line. Bored with the lack of challenges there and eager to get back to his birth island of Elbaf, he was trying to make as few stops as possible, but his small ship and lack of supplies forced him to do few with the last being on the Stetson Island.

There wasn´t anything truly remarkable or at least interesting on this backcountry, at least not for Hakon´s eyes and so he planned to stay there only as long as he had to, to buy the necessary supplies and get moving. Well that was until he heard the strange rumors about group of mercenaries who were supposed to be camping somewhere outside the city. That alone wouldn´t probably be enough to spark his interest, as seeing mercenaries in these parts wasn´t so uncommon, but they were supposed to be led by giant or rather giantess and that was definitely something worth of his time. After all, it was more than few decades since he saw someone of his kind for the last time and showdown with someone strong enough to give him a real challenge was one of the real reasons he was going back.

The only problem was, as ridiculous as it might to seen, that Hakon wasn´t really familiar with this island and so he didn´t know where to find them. So he decided that the best course of action would be strolling through the city and listening to it´s people. And surprisingly it payed off. It took only hour or so before he spotted a group of people whose clothes, bearing and manners simply didn´t fit in the city.

He watched them from afar for a while, just to be sure and when he became certain the giant approached them. They were just coming out from “The Drunken Monkey Saloon” well fed and with a bags full of food, when large, muscular men with oversized sword across his back stepped out from a nearby alley with a grin on his face.

“Good morning boys.”
He greeted them obviously in a good mood.

“I heard some stories that you are part of a band working for a giantess. Would you be so kind and lead me to her? I have would like to discuss a thing or two with her.”

[Vio]

^{Seere #2}

---

A greeting caught the attention of the group’s self-proclaimed leader, whose hand rose flat to wave the others to halt. They did so, several looking more intrigued when the interruption spoke up. Some of them raised eyebrows or gave slight chuckles hearing those words. Others muttered to one another under their breaths, getting a better look at the man before them.

^{“Huh, news travelled fast! Bahaha!”}

^{“He looks pretty tough,” another observed:
“Might make himself a good addition!”}

“Well,” the pack’s ‘leader’ — a man easily as burly as Hakon himself, if a little more rotund, sporting a prickly beard and shaved head — began to say. “I’m sure she’d be fine with that, so just follow us. We’re headed back to camp,” he added, stepping past the swordsman and waving his hand to gesture everyone along. It would be a solid half-hour walk, perhaps a bit longer, before they reached the campsite again. All the while, or at least once they had escaped the city proper, a good portion of the men stirred themselves into singing sea shanties and other such folksongs, somewhat marching to the beat.

^{—— CAMPSITE ——}

^{“They’re back,” yelled a scout:
“They’re back from the town!”}

“About time,” another grumbled, carrying lumber over his shoulder and adding it to a pile near one of the tents. The workings of the camp ran like clockwork, such was the organisation of the about sixty strong selection, and even a newcomer could see just how efficient everything was designed to be. Not a scrap wasted. Sticks were being bundled, while a couple of carvers stripped their bark and fashioned them into arrows. A few others had returned from a hunt, in the process of skinning their catches.

^{“We got ourselves a tag along,” the bearded man bellowed:
“He’s come to talk to Our Lady! Is she around…?”}

One of the loggers pointed.

^{“Good. C’mon,” he nodded, looking to Mister Earling:
“And, when you speak to her, pick your words carefully…”}

Sure enough, Hakon would be led through the open centre of the camp, to a clearing being formed on the other side. A little secluded, but not significantly so — enough for what remained of the treeline to provide a modest amount of privacy. On the ground sat a proportionally massive barrel of tar-like substance, in which stood an equally immense brush, with a gargantuan sheet sprawled out across the ground upon which various symbols had been painted. From the ground, it was hard to discern its exact nature.

^{“Our Lady, we’ve return,” the escort gestured:
“This man would like to speak with you, ma’am!”}

^{“Is that so?”}

Sat upon a rocky ledge, the Giantess’ eyes shifted upwards from the battle plan that lay at her feet, to the two men. Her gaze sharpened somewhat, observing the miniscule being that was presented to her — of decent height for a human, with a partly shaved head, stubble beard, and fit frame. A heavy leather coat of near knee length and a comparatively large, but still very tiny sword slung across his back gave him the look of a warrior. More curiously still, it looked familiar. All the same, it paled in comparison to the woman, whose black hair and equally dark, form-fitting armour made her look as if she had been wrought from pure iron. Fair skin, ivory horns, and those piercing yellow eyes offered a startling contrast.

^{“I am Almadel Seere of Elbaf,” the colossus stated:
“Step forward, name yourself and your business…”}

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
The men take Hakon back to their camp, one of them escorting him to see Seere.

---

NOTE: ——

---

Almadel Seere | #98817b
Hakon Earling | #e66b19
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #2

These vagabonds were pretty confident in themselves, or maybe in their mistress as they agreed to lead him to their camp almost immediately. Although they may misunderstood his motives, Hakon did nothing to correct their opinion. In fact, he didn´t care what these lesser beings were thinking about him as long as they did what he wanted from them.

“Excellent, in that case, lead the way!”

Hakon´s voice thundered through the street as his owner joined the gang on their way home.

For some the journey might seem long, but the giant was used to travel much longer either on ship or by foot, so this was less then a short trip for him. And being high spirited he joined his voice to theirs once their started singing, remembering on the time he spend in similar position as them.

Arriving to their camp, the veteran mercenary had to admit, that he was impressed, not just by the sheer numbers of tent and people, but also by the order that was there. For a moment he regretted, that their objectives were obviously in the Blues as he wouldn´t mind joining forces with this band for some time...year maybe two. But than, if one giant found it hard to get any real challenges in the Blues how hard would it be if two of them jointed forces?

“No”

Hakon shook his head as he made his mind. He will speak with her, exchange few blows, maybe drink and than get back on his way. After all it was time for him to go back home.

With their numbers and giantess as their leader, the mercenaries probably felt very secured and so they didn´t make much fuss about leading him to their boss right away.

And so, after several decades, Hakon finally met one of his kind again. She was sitting on the ground painting some symbols on a sheet with something that looked like a tart.

He gave himself short time to observe her. Almadel was pretty tall, even for a giant and in very good shape indicating that she wasn´t stranger to a combat even among other of their kind, with black hair and piercing yellow eyes, she was wearing massive plate armor, together with large axe. Hakon couldn´t but smile, he liked her style.

“Nice to meet you Almadel Seer, I am Hakon Earling, fellow warrior from Elbaf, currently on my way home. However when I heard about your presence I decided to say hi and ask what´s new at home. I missed like...last three decades.”

He laughed.

[Vio]

^{Seere #3}

---

He proclaims himself to be a warrior of Elbaf…? But that name, it is familiar, Seere processed, all the while keeping an eye on the figure. His proclamation of being from the homeland did not sit well, less so when he dared to call himself a ‘fellow warrior’, and even less still when he finished his introduction was a jovial laugh. Did her presence — the true spectacle that was a Giant — not mean anything? Then, it dawned upon her. The name, Earling, was not an unfamiliar one.

“You say you are from Elbaf? Yet you stand no taller than a human — and not even a particularly large one,” Miss Almadel said, even leaning forwards slightly and further straightening her back as if to loom over the diminutive native. “Are you the rumoured ‘miracle child’ from nearly three quarters of a century ago?” she asked, already somewhat confident in her assessment. Though still only young at the time, perhaps in her second decade, rumours had still reached her ears. To some extent, she was almost surprised that she had recalled such a trivial droplet of information.

“Little has changed,” she explained, exhaling a little at that fact. “The Giants of Elbaf uphold our traditions, Dorry the Blue Ogre and Brogy the Red Ogre remain little more than absent legends, we maintain our hatred of that foul beast known as Charlotte Linlin, and continue to bend the knee to mankind for reasons I cannot fathom,” Seere growled, each facet of her peoples’ culture and history provoking a slightly more violent tone in her voice.

^{“But, why,” she quizzed:
“Would you want to return?”}

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Seere questions the origins of Hakon before explaining the stagnant culture of Elbaf.

---

NOTE: ——

---

Almadel Seere | #98817b
Hakon Earling | #e66b19
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #3

Glad he finally met someone of his own kind, Hakon could let many careless insults slide, but pointing on his height, or rather lack of it was clear exception from the rule.

“What did you said? I am true giant through and through!”

He yelled almost as if he was boasting, with his powerful arms folded on his chest. Getting dangerously close to the point of no return, the veteran would probably add some insults of his own if not for the later part of her speech.

“Hmmmm”

He muttered, letting most of the anger disappear just as quickly as it appeared.

“Yeah, they called me that, back in the old days, although it doesn´t fit well with me. Because as far as I am concerned, I am just your regular giant.”

For the onlookers it could look strange seeing this man talking back to a giant, even yelling at her without second thought. But for Hakon himself this was as natural as breathing. After all, he was making his voice to be heard among these colossal beings ever since he wasn´t much taller than their big thumb.

“Hmmmmm”

He grinned as she shared the news with him. It was good to know that nothing really changed back there. It made him even more eager to return. And as for the answer on her question…

“Don´t ask me...”
He shrugged his shoulders.

“As far as I am concerned, humans are dull, weak and incredibly boring creatures. They pose little to no challenge for us so...that´s pretty much I am going back home. I miss the frequent brawls with guys and gals who can actually punch back if you know what I mean. And what about you...”
He looked around himself with a smirk.

“Judging from the camp, are you on a raid, like great Giant Warior Pirates back in their days?”

[Vio]

^{Seere #4}

---

Hakon’s protest practically fell on deaf ears. Almadel Seere simply stared at him, perhaps unsure as to what to make of a ‘Giant’ who stood so small. Sure, his identity was no critical mystery, but the concept of his very being was an affront to her own philosophies and opinions. All the same, she saw no reason to act out. Not yet. If he wished to truly make himself a nuisance, she could have readily dealt with him.

^{“And what about you,” Mister Earling smirked:
“Are you on a raid…?”}

“Not a raid, no,” the Giantess replied. “I have grown bored with Elbaf’s contentment with their lives — the Giants’ position on the food chain. With all the strength we have, we sit idly, when we should be putting such might to good use. And so, I have made it my mission to expand and conquer. Lesser people should look up to Giants. We should rule them, fairly and justly, so that they are always aware of their positions. That is how the world works. The strong rule the weak, offering guidance and sanctity in exchange for unwavering loyalty.”

With no particular haste, she reached for her weapon, laying it across her lap and beginning to examine the blade’s edge — sharpened and clean. All the while, she made sure that Hakon remained within her line of sight, listening to what he had to say, if anything at all, before continuing on.

“I should make myself perfectly clear… I have no intention of conquering by force if it is not required,” Seere stated. “What use is a workforce whose morale has been crushed without reason? What is true loyalty if not something to be earned? You may find enjoyment in those mindless brawls, Hakon,” she growled, very much looking down on the diminutive ‘Giant’, “but I am no brute who raids for pleasure. I seek only glory and purpose for my kinfolk, to right the hierarchy of the species.”

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Seere explains her intentions to Hakon.

---

NOTE: ——

---

Almadel Seere | #98817b
Hakon Earling | #e66b19
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #4

As it turned out, Hakon wasn´t bothered at all that his outburst of anger had little to no effect on Seere, if he noticed it at all. Instead, he carefully listened to her speech bursting again, this time with laughter.

“Aaah, so you are one with royal ambitions. That´s nice. However for someone, who wants to expand Elbaf´s territory you are very far from home miss Seere. Or are you perhaps not trying to put them under our king´s banner, but under your own?”

His question was clear provocation and was meant that way, although he had no idea nor he cared about what would his royal majesty think about another giant building her empire in the blues.

“They wouldn´t probably care”
He concluded after while. After all, Seere was right in one thing. For nation of ruthless warriors, giants were surprisingly idle.

“Anyway...”
He continued after while completely disregarding his previous statement as if he didn´t cared about her answer at all.

“Your idea is quite idealistic so, let me share some wisdom I acquired as the brute who raids for a pleasure and glory.”
Although he wasn´t offended by her opinion on him, he felt the need to add the glory to the list as the thrill from combat always was only second to him.

“If you´ll go and try to conquer them without force, you won´t go anywhere. Humans, despite being small and week are surprisingly convinced of their own superiority over anyone else. The regular folk will flock to you but the ones who thing they have power?”
He shook his head.

“You should be prepared to get your hands dirty, because there are bunch of backstabbing cowards, who will offer you their friendship only for their lackey to poison your mead.”

Something from his voice suggested that he is speaking from his personal experience and so he did. Quite few lords or kings tried to skip the payment and get rid of them during his long career.

[Vio]

^{Seere #5}

---

“Let me share some wisdom,” Hakon stated, beginning some kind of spiel about human conviction and deception. As if she was not already aware of such facets of humanity. No. They weren’t exclusive to the human species. She had read many historical transcripts about treacherous acts committed by those of high and low standing alike, sometimes against other kinds, most often against one another. But as common as such acts of treason, betrayal, and rebellion seemed, the truth was that they were far less so.

“You seem to take me for a fool, Hakon,” Lady Almadel spoke sternly, the tone of her voice turning sharp and imposing — much as her weapon was as she slammed the butt of the shaft into the earth to emphasise her words. High above, steel glinted in the sunlight. Thus far, what had started as an honest audience had been insulted, spat upon, perhaps even defiled by the man’s proclamations and provocations. Maybe she was just overreacting? No. How dare somebody such as he speak so ill of her design.

“You are correct. Elbaf as a whole will care not for my endeavours, but I do not raise their banner for them. I raise our banner, for all Giants,” Seere announced proudly, minute links gently rustling like metallic leaves in an autumnal breeze as she raised herself from her rocky perch and took to her full height. Those piercing eyes of hers gazed down, giving a deathly stare. “However, I am already well aware of humans — I will conquer with force if it is needed and will show no mercy to those who betray me. That is who I am. But you, half-breed,” she seethed: “I am well aware of what you are, even if you are not. You are no Giant. Your blood is tainted by that of a lesser species!”

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Seere finally loses her cool to Hakon’s provocations and advisory comments.

---

NOTE: ——

---

Almadel Seere | #98817b
Hakon Earling | #e66b19
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #5

Despite his somehow brutish appearance, Hakon was quite cheerful person. He knew how to throw a joke just as to take one. Living his whole life among mercenaries and warriors he also knew how to shrug off every insult. Especially if the offender was fellow giant. Someone he didn´t meet for a decades. There was only one exception to that rule and Seere just crossed the line. It didn´t matter much if her transgression was accidental or not. The results were the same.

“What did you said?”

The giant asked coldly with his right hand on the hilt of his sword. Saying he was angry wouldn´t do it justice. With his ruddy face, and huge vein pulsing on the forehead he looked like fury incarnate.

“Who do you think you are talking to you pup? I am Hakon Earling, great warrior of Elbaf and I won´t be insulted by some dimwit who can not see how great I am over that human sized brain in her hollow skull!”

Furious, he didn´t even notice that something else than his vein popped up. His tail, huge fluffy, squirrel like tail with dark red color left the safety of it´s usual hideout and now was towering above Hakon´s head, all bushy as that of furious cat getting ready for war.

“If I am half-breed”

The mercenary continued, releasing his blade

“Than you are nothing more than over sized human spawn!”

As blade moved in wide arc over his shoulder the warrior was forced to grip the ground under his feet firmly to keep his balance resulting in several crack running from his feet to every direction. When facing humans this was usually more than enough to frighten them into submission but there was little chance it could work against giant. Not that he would care because insults like that could be cleansed only by blood.

[Vio]

^{Seere #6}

---

^{“Who do you think you are talking to?” Hakon bellowed:
“You are nothing more than over-sized human spawn!”}

“I apologise,” Almadel Seere retorted, her words laced with tones that could never have been described as sincere in their application. Yellow eyes took in the sight of a meager abomination, his fluffy tail having been loosed from its confines, much as his blade had been drawn from its sleeve. The tension in the air was near enough palpable, crackling like static in the clouds, waiting to surge as lightning and roar as thunder. The Giantess’ own weapon was flipped in her grasp, both hands grasping the shaft as the butt pointed at the overgrown squirrel.

^{“It seems I hit a nerve,” she mocked:
“Allow me to hit the rest, knave…”}

In a single motion, Seere’s bardiche was thrust forth to the ruptured earth upon which Hakon stood. Gigantic strength focused through the weapon to crush the man like the ant he was, ‘neath the blunt end of her spear. His display of strength and corrupted bloodline was of no consequence, nor were the musings of those amongst her following who watched tentatively from distance. Better for them to keep to themselves and observe than to get in the way and risk unnecessary injury. Successful or not, Seere’s movements were certain, pulling back the weapon as swiftly as she could and adjusting her grip, ready to swing the moment the aftermath presented itself…

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Seere mocks Hakon before making the first attack!

---

NOTE: Seere’s attacking with the butt of the shaft, rather than the blade end.

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Almadel Seere | #98817b
Hakon Earling | #e66b19
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #6

The giantess tried to apology for her behavior, but even if her words were honest, it would be already too late as she crossed the line after which only blades could do the talking. Seere reached for her weapon, preparing herself for a thrust. Where normal human would be running for his life however, Hakon stood his ground, his blood boiling with the mixture of rage and excitement. He wasn´t afraid, because fighting giants was what he was doing for major part of his adolescence. He understood their peerless destructive capabilities better than anyone, but he also knew their greatest weakness. Their weapons had to travel incredible long distance to hit anything. Meaning, he could see their attack coming from miles away. Under this conditions the rational strategy would be to dodge, but rationality was something he never bothered with in his life and so the warrior from Elbaf developed unique way how to deflect them.

Just as Seera thrust her weapon against her, Hakon start spinning around his axis, using his unique spiral footwork to keep the rotation going while moving slightly forward with each step. With one hand on the hilt and the second on the blade he adjusted it´s trajectory to meet the gargantuan spear from bellow, while using the momentum of his heavy weapon to his maximal advantage.

“First Blade: Grass Cutting Slash!”

The power of this technique was usually enough to end fight with normal human right away, but Seera wasn´t normal human, so instead of sending her flying he focused on hitting her weapon and knocking it up to push her out of her tempo and balance even if only for a moment.

“Bring it on human!”

The veteran fighter yelled his challenge as he interrupted his technique and sprinted towards his opponent, dragging his blade slightly behind him.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{First Blade: Grass Cutting Slash}
Basic technique that is using special cyclical step, during which is the user spinning around with a great speed, like a spinning top, while constantly moving forward, against his enemy. The arm with the sword is kept close to the body and free arm is placed on the blade, so the user can adjust trajectory of his sword while moving forward, which gives him the ability to attack anywhere from ankle, to neck height against the target. Hakon can choose either left or right sided rotation depending on the circumstances.

[Vio]

^{Seere #7}

---

Clang…! Weapon met weapon, might resounding with an almighty clamour as Hakon’s bizarre defence interrupted Seere’s strike, much to the latter’s surprise. To see somebody perform such a reckless manoeuvre was one thing — it was another to see it successful. Despite the fact her weapon had barely been knocked from her grip, the mere fact that this diminutive half-blood was capable of deflecting such an attack was as interesting as it was intriguing. All the same, she was not disarmed yet.

Whoosh… Wood and steel cut through the air with force and elegance as Lady Almadel turned her opponent’s strength against him, guiding her weapon around in a circle, priming the blade for what was to come next. If she had learned anything about combat, it was that momentum was a precious resource best not wasted, especially as a Giant — the one species in the world that could generate immense momentum. Hakon, however, would now find himself with the leading edge of the enormous bardiche pointing straight at him.

SPOILER: Click to show

{

^{Rag!
“Garmr!”}

}
_{Seere unleashes a powerful strike with her weapon by thrusting it down at her opponent, typically after a leap, with the intent to impale or embed with the leading point of the weapon’s head, as opposed to hacking with it. Backed by Giant might, the strike is incredibly powerful, and is typically executed with the blade of the head pointing upwards.}

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Seere’s attack is blocked by Hakon, but the Giantess quickly resumes her offensive out of frustration with a non-aerial version of her Garmr Technique!

---

NOTE: N/A

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Almadel Seere | #98817b
Hakon Earling | #e66b19
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #7

She was good, Hakon had to give her that, especially as his anger was slowly disappearing, making a space for the pure join of battle with a worthy rival. Seeing as she turned her weapon in huge circle, the Warrior from Elbaf used his incredible strength, to jump above the incoming weapon. The ground cracked under his feet, as he propelled himself up, but something was off. While his body was flying higher and higher, his sword still held with only one arm stayed down, it´s tip rising only few centimeters above the ground, almost as if even Hakon´s titanic strength wasn´t enough to lift it up. Or maybe it was, and Hakon loved to gamble with his life. Because as the giant blade passed under him and hit the lower part of his sword, the blade was knocked up in an arc, pulling the giant warrior himself into incredibly fast pirouette.

Dodging the incoming blade by few inches, Hakon let his sword to go full circle, striking against Seere´s own weapon with improvised “Climbing Mountain” in an attempt to knock her weapon down in the ground to steal away her momentum to gain few precious seconds.

Whatever he hit or no, the veteran fighter lend back on the ground in somehow shaky position similar to an athlete starting from a bock. With his boots firmly planted against the ground and one arm as an additional support he charged straight against Seere, leaving behind cloud of dust and stones knocked in the air by his powerful start.

So far so good. Although his sword arm was somehow overstretched by his reckless maneuver, it wasn´t something his unusually sturdy body wouldn´t be able to cope with. And so he still he can win this one.

[Vio]

^{Seere #8}

---

The tip of the bardiche struck the ground with earth-shattering might, rending soil and asunder as Seere’s strike came down upon Hakon, but the half-breed’s smaller stature and surprising strength afforded him more than enough movement to dodge — a risky movement that saw him strike the poleaxe’s body with his own blade. And there it was again, much to Lady Almadel’s chagrin; an impossible strength channeled through the sword and hammering her own weapon deeper into the dirt. She resisted, pulling back on the weapon’s shaft, but the petty creature had managed to turn her own momentum against her.

How…? How is he capable of such things?! His blood is dilute, lacking the true strength of Giants, yet his parries and counters manage to fend off my blows all the same…! Yellow eyes sharpened their gaze upon Earling as he landed roughly, his stance shifting into a runner’s start only for him to turn that bizarre strength into a release — a powerful acceleration that brought him to speed as he rushed towards her. Not that he could do much from where he resided, as far as she was concerned. Dark steel greaves protected her lower legs, though she at least remained cautious about his physical strength.

^{“You are,” she grumbled:
“Extremely annoying…!”}

Adjusting her grasp upon her weapon, Seere actually shifted her stance to a much lower position, boots grinding dust as she placed much of her weight upon the bardiche. Thigh used as a fulcrum, the weapon’s shaft twisted, causing the blade itself to burst free of earthy confines and fill the air with grasses, dirt, dust, and small stones. The effort had freed her weapon, but hardly was it in a good position to strike the minute swordsman. That didn’t matter. Her stance shifted, as quickly as cumbersome size could allow, transforming her lowered stance into an offensive all its own. With a powerful swing, her left leg was drawn across into a powerful kick to catch the man mid sprint, at least partially concealed by the brief showering of earth…

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Seere is confused and angered by Hakon’s defences, but manages to mount a counterattack upon the man despite his previous efforts.

---

NOTE: N/A

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Almadel Seere | #98817b
Hakon Earling | #e66b19
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555