Log:Battle of the Favorites of Duod Dalux

2021/02/26 Artemis Talia Victory|Wade 1

Althea isn't at her desk. That's unusual for an executive secretary, but due to her looks, her lack of dutifulness is ignored. A light touch and a smile is often all it requires to male Ward Wolfram melt and forget about the tasks he assigned Althea. Besides, there are others in the office that will happily gather reports for Althea on her behalf. She's in the breakroom, opening up the box of a new, top of the line espresso machine that's almost completely automated. She peers into the styrofoam lining. Who thought having Althea installing this was a good idea?

Surely the installation of a mere contrivance of convenience should be no challenge for a Godflora! They know of great technological creations that hoomans couldn't even dream of, while this contraption is cheap hardware wrapped with a prominent brand and sleek colors to justify its pricetag. Besides, it includes instructions in numerous languages... written by some random intern and then translated by the lowest bidders (or other interns). How hard could it be?

Althea pulls the top styrofoam protective padding off and sets it aside, looking down at the machine. She plants her hands on her hips and orders it, "Assemble." Nothing happens. "Espresso Machine, Initiate." Nothing. What primitive technology is this that it won't extract itself from its encasement and install itself! They said this was the most futuristic coffee machine on the market!

"You must not be an authorized user for the device," comes an unexpected, deep voice from behind (and slightly above) Althea. "Perhaps it knows of your treachery." It is a voice unknownin the halls of Wolfram & Wolfram, yet ... not entirely unfamiliar?

Althea's head lifts at the accusation of treachery. Her? Treacherous? Never! And surely this espresso machine hasn't been programmed with the concept of such. She spins around, barely concealed outrage at the accusation. "I have committed no treachery," she says before she's even laid eyes on the speaker.

Laying eyes upon the speaker is rather easy to do, as he is conspicuous. His broad frame stands a good head-and-a-half, perhaps two, over Althea's; the ceiling her is comparatively low for him, to say nothing of doorways. His flesh is also a stark shade of deep blue, accented further by the gilded luster from his armored skirt. The rest of him is bare, save for strapped sandles lashed to feet and ankles. His arms are crossed before his chest as he regards her.

The visage is far more memorable to Althea than the voice, as she witness him far more often than she heard him speak. This is Pallad Djinn, a former champion and favorite of Duod Dalux; a favorite of many, in fact, even when he was not champion. His prowess in battle was known to be great, but his honor in such was even more memorable. This made him somewhat of a hero to the masses, as well as provided a weakness to his enemies. Not long after Althea first graced the stables, Pallad was felled and near-mortally-wounded in a match by (in Artemis' mind) a far inferior opponent. What became of Pallad Djinn after that is unknown; he quickly faded from public attention and was not seen in the stables since. Some assumed he perished, others that he was left too weak to compete and was relegated to house service or some other menial duties.

Althea's eyes widen. "Pallad Djinn, you live! And look fit to do battle again," she compliments, sounding pleased to see him. She leans to look around him. "Hath the hoomans witnessed thy arrival? Ye must go," she says in the closest thing to hushed tones for her, falling back into her normal speech patterns.

"Indeed," Pallad Djinn affirms the obvious with a slight nod, not otherwise moving. "They are unaware of my presence at this time, but I cannot depart without your accompaniment. My Lord wishes you returned."

Althea frowns at that. "Ye still not be free of Duod Dalux's hold? I shall not accompany ye. Ye may find Urth a suitable home in time." If he can't depart without her, that must mean he has to stay here.

Pallad frowns in response, and his arms now slowly uncross. His right extends out to his side and a golden, hooked/crooked staff materialized in hand, tip on the ground. "I am here to retrieve you, Althea Ignathio Constantine, Godflora of the Tau Spring, Dismemberer of Borgon the Blasphemous, Battle Maiden Adept and Bloodlit Chosen of the Ashildr. I prefer that you accompany me willingly, but I will remove you by force, if necessary. You will not be unduly harmed nor harshly treated by my hand."

"Though say this whilst I am unarmed. The Pallad Djinn I heard tales of would allow me a fair chance at retaining mine freedom," Althea says as she stands tall, making her a most imposing executive assistant to any customers or fellow employees usually. It does not make her taller than Pallad, though, and a pencil skirt, blouse, and jacket are hardly battlewear.

His eyeing of her grows more intense, and his frown firms even as it flattens to a neutral line. "If you would contest and defend yourself, it is your right to do so fully prepared. Describe to me your armory, and your preferred ground. I will transport us both."

"My armory lies upon the roof of this very building. As for preferred ground...there be a coliseum of small renown compared to the grand arenas beyond this system, but it will do. Or...nay, a better place be the virtualized environment. That will be free for certain," Artemis decides on the Workout Room's Coliseum simulation. "It can replicate a proper battleground."

"Very well. We depart." Pallad's left hand reaches to touch Althea's shoulder. The moment it does, the pair of them vanish from the room and appear on the roof of the building. "Retrieve your arsenal."

"I am glad thy reputation was true," Althea smiles. She walks over to some rows of air conditioning units and opens up one of the vents, where her armor and sword are concealed for work breaks. She rests them on top of the air conditioning unit, and since they're on the highest building in their area, she has no concerns as she disrobes and puts on her Ashildr garb and armor, then fastens her bracer and weapon onto her. "I am prepared. The arena simulator be that way, near the coast," she points to Bridgend.

Pallad observes her, albeit with a general, patient, dispassionate alertness. Once she states her preparedness, he closes the distance once more, eyes following the direction of her arm. He takes a moment to peer intently in that direction for a brief moment, and then his hand touches her shoulder once more.

As before, they vanish, only to re-appear within the training room's virtual environment. Fortunately (for gym attendees/employees) the room is currently unoccupied. Pallad takes a long survey of his surroundings, which are currently the bare room. "It is sparse. Good. There will no collateral damage..." he looks to her, "nothing to use for subterfuge."

Althea is pleasantly surprised that Pallad's aim was true, though she hears his comments and frowns at him. "Again thou disparage me. First with hints of suggested treachery, and now talks of subterfuge. I hath never done battle with ye, and face my opponents openly," she states firmly.

"Your deeds speak strongly to this," Pallad states with a dip of his head. "Such only makes your breach of oath and flight from My Lord all the more disappointing. I know not in what other deceits you may now choose to indulge... but I shall soon learn."

The tip of his staff strikes the floor firmly, once, creating a metallic chime that fades slowly. "Defend yourself."

Artemis scowls at the accusation. "I made no oath to the cowardly Dalux. My fall into his stables was not done willingly. For one as honor-bound as they say thou be, how can you tolerate the word 'Lord' on thy tongue when speaking of such a cruel entity?" she expounds as she summons her shield and draws her sword. "I was a prisoner and property, and as such, broke no oaths to re-secure my freedom. I am, however, oathbound to protect this planet, and I shall not be leaving with thee of my own accord!"

"You presume much, Godflora," Pallad states as his staff is raised to a ready position. "I do not serve the Dalux, nor did I claim to. Let us see what else you presume." He does not move to strike, instead choosing to study her.

Artemis falls into a battle stance, now confused as to why Pallad Djinn is here. "If he be not thy Lord you speak of, then who be it?"

"You will know when I return you to him." As he makes this simple statement, his staff is swung out and low, crook-first at Artemis' legs.

Her shift to defense is a hair slow and the crook catches her behind the calf. Her stance is otherwise solid, however, and Pallad is not able to sweep Artemis off of her feet.

Artemis fails to get her shield up in time. Her legwork is superb and keeps her stable. She thinks for a moment, and then realizes something. "Nay. It cannot be. Ye serve not the Would-Be Tyrant, Porter, do ye?" she gasps. She definitely won't be going back to his servitude. And is it truly subterfuge when he wasn't careful with his wording? She steps forward and to his right, trying to hook her arm around his neck as she spins around behind him.

Pallad is rather nimble despite his size, able to just avoid her grasp at his throat as he rotates away. "I am restored, as you noted. I owe my life to the hands which restored me." The rotation continues,as if a dance, to maneuever behind her as he brings his staff high, one-handed, across the front of her throat. His other hand waits to catch it in a two-handed effort not too different from her attempted sleeper hold.

Artemis raises her shield up as his staff swings towards her throat. It rebounds off her shield, never making contact with his other hand. She spins around and tries to hook her arm around him instead, but he's able to duck under it quickly as he recovers. "I took notice that thou did not deny thy connection with that Mad Tyrant. He would have crashed the Urth's moon into its surface if Urth's Guardians did not stop him or surrender."

"Even if I knew your words to be truth," Pallad states after avoiding the counterattack, "they would change nothing. My oath and service were pledged."

Artemis strikes with the pommel of her blade toward Pallad's throat. "I hope ye will see reason. He bought thy loyalty and will use thee to commit atrocities!" She grips her shield tight and prepares to use it to counter attack.

The strike hist Pallad Djinn's throat squarely, though it does not seem to interrupt his breathing. If, in fact, he even does so in a typical humanoid fashion. "My oath is my honor, by which I shall live, and die." The words form with rote memory, as if a mantra or creed. He strikes at her again with his staff, which is now swung at her core, rather than high nor low.

Artemis is struck at her core and grunts, and quickly retaliates by punching forward with her shield's edge and cracking him on the bridge of his nose. It's not meant to break anything, but hard enough to sting the eyes and make it hard to see.

Pallad Djinn's staff impacts ARtemis' mid-section with force, though a controlled force. One meant more to subdue or incapacitate rather than harm, as it doesn't damage flesh nor bone despite the impact. The retaliatory strike leaves Pallad blinking furiously to try and clear his vision.

Artemis feels herself driven by the pain. "And if ye find thy honor and code causes ye to be forced into dishonorable acts? That be the path he hath set before thee. What want hath the tyrant for me now that I hath fulfilled mine oath to the very letter? I take no pleasure in battling ye, but I will win this day to keep my oaths!" She stays her blade, and instead raises her leg to spartan kick him. This. Is. URTHHOLME!

Pallad is booted! Not to the head, but he is still sent careening back until stopped ungracefully by the wall of the training room with a rather loud SLAP of flesh on reinforced concrete covered by forcefields. He looses his footing aftering the impact, dropping to a knee.

"Then bound by oaths are we both," Pallad states as rises. The impact didn't leave a mark in the wall, nor did it incapacitate him, though it seemed to clear his vision. He and his staff flare golden for a moment, both vanishing from the wall only to appear beside Artemis. The staff retains its glowing radiance as it strikes at her from this new position.

And whiffs. glowingly.

"At least there, we are the same and I hope have an understanding." Artemis pivots to block with her shield, sword raising and dropping down on Pallad with crushing might. She knows his reputation in Dalux's arenas, and may be up against one strong enough to handle the Godflora's might.

"This is not personal, Althea Ignathio Constantine," Pallad re-iterates, possibly to confirm her statement and/or hope. This fact does not deter him from attempting a repeat swing with his still-glowing staff.

This time, when the staff strikes, it is searing radiance, rather than impact, that imparts discomfort upon Althea.

Pallad catches the flat of Artemis' blade and stumbles back several steps, though recovers and does not fall. "You are a powerful, and perhaps still honorable warrior, Althea Ignathio Constantine. I take no joy in the circumstances, but I do in the company."

Pallad adds no additional comment as he strides back to Artemis, lifting his glowing staff for another strike upon her. Personal preference aside, he appears thoroughly committed to fulfilling his duties.

Artemis is surprised at the comment of the company. Pallad is in a position much as she was. And if she were in his position again, she'd want her target to fight. "A shame we must finally meet in this way, then," she says as she tries to bring up her shield in time to block it.

Staff strikes shield, the metal on metal creating some sparks and the pulsing radiance warms the shield slightly.

Artemis raises her shield quick to block his staff, then swiftly follows it up by dropping the shield and slashing at Pallad with the flat of the blade again.

Her blade (flat) swings, but Pallad is not there. It seems he moved slightly during her block, and her shield momentarily obscured him? He brings his glowing weapon around for another blow to her midsection.

Artemis hisses as she feels the burn of energy crackling through her flank that was left open from her swing. She reverses her swing to swipe for Pallad. There's raw power behind that swing as it cuts through the air.

There is raw power, but it seems that the alignment is off? Of stars? Planets? Lottery numbers? Much of that power is lost as the blow lands glancing, and skitters off of Pallad's stout blue skin. His head tilts, seeming to take what seemed a sloppy, overexertion as signs of fatigue and/or desperation. "You are faltering. I will make this brief..." His hold on his staff shifts both hands to its center, and he begins to rapidly rotate it, enabling both ends to be used in a likely lighter, yet far more rapid series of strikes at her.

There is raw power, but it seems that the alignment is off? Of stars? Planets? Lottery numbers? Much of that power is lost as the blow lands glancing, and skitters off of Pallad's stout blue skin. His head tilts, seeming to take what seemed a sloppy, overexertion as signs of fatigue and/or desperation. "You are faltering. I will make this brief..." His hold on his staff shifts both hands to its center, and he begins to rapidly rotate it, enabling both ends to be used in a likely ligther, yet far more rapid series of strikes at her.

Thunk.Thunk.Thunk. A trio of crook-tip-crook strike her shield.

Artemis draws up her shield in time to block his strikes. "I still have plenty of endurance to battle thee," she proclaims solidly. She deflects the final blow and feints before lunging to strike at Pallad.

For being a larger and somewhat impassive man, Pallad seems to be moved by Artemis quite often... mostly into walls. For the third time, her strike, this one somewhat unexpected, flings him into the reinforced structure of the room. A telling blow, though he doesn't look especially tired, either.

He removes himself from the wall (there is not yet any Pallad-shaped dimpling) and alters his stance and grip once more. "I hasten to end this struggle." In this case, likely from the building overhead swing.

This time, rather than a trio, there is but one solid impact on the shield. It even causes a brief chiming ring from the staff.

First was a trio of quick strikes, then a herculean single strike. None of Pallad's attacks have brought the conflict to the swift conclusion he intended, nay, promised. This struggle could well continue far longer than expected; perhaps it's best that it is occurring on this, Artemis' field of choice. "I invited you to yield before this came to blows, so I shall not ask again... yet I will accept should you chose to do so." It is a simple, direct statement, perhaps a reminder or re-iteration... that is delivered as his staff is lunged forward to strike at Artemis again.

Artemis raises her shield again and stops the attack and the lunge. Hoping to catch Pallad off balance, she steps to the side while she spins and lets him continue forward, hoping her slice will catch him as he goes by. "The Ashildr do not surrender! But I value thy offer nonetheless."

Pallad is, indeed caught off-balance, or at least vulnerable by the strike. He falters backwards a step or three, but stops short of hitting something due to his own reflexes.

Artemis charges after Pallad from behind, dipping her shield shoulder to crash into his mid back from behind.

Pallad was briefly rocked, though not fully unbalanced. He is able to avoid Artemis' incoming shoulder rush by twisting aside. After she steps forward past, he raises his staff with both hands and...

... slams the tip to the ground. The impact releases a spreading wave of energy in her direction that expands to spreads in an arc as it careens towards her.

Artemis is struck from behind by the energy, her shield deflecting some of it. She whirls around and sweeps her blade as it extends like a whip.

This time, reflexes are not enough as Pallad is flung into the wall. Again. It is good that the walls are reinforced; attempting to explain oversized blue butt-prints in the wall to the proprietors could be ... awkward? Fortunately, at least for Pallad, he does not appear any more damaged that the wall despite not standing as the wall does.

Pallad vanishes with a golden flash, only to appear behind Artemis. The two have been circling, trading, even dancing about for some time, now. Except when she's slamming him into walls, of course. Perhaps that is why he attempts to get his arms around her shoulders and neck?

Perhaps Pallad misjudges his own stature, or hers in relation, and barely brushes her hair. Her eyes are down here!

Artemis sees opportunity as he fumbles his attempt to grasp her. She calls upon her might to strike him as her blade solidifies again. "Ye may yield whenever ye wish," she returns his offer, smiling at a worthy opponent.

Pallad is struck once more, and still proves to be a resilient foe, even if he is also, once more, moved across the room. He manages to halt himself -just- before bouncing off yet another wall. "You are a formidable opponent. I have not had such an honor in many cycles." He straightens and... waits.

Artemis smiles at that and swings her sword once over her head as it lengthens into a bladed whip. "Mayhaps you shall have the chance again, yet I doubt this will be so under the Would-be Tyrant's lordship over thee," she says as she snaps the bladewhip at his staff.

The staff is moved so that the bladewhip slides along it rather than grasping it. "Perhaps so, perhaps not..." " Pallad Djinn states. His eyes then close and his weapon's glow intensifies for a moment. After it dims to its previous luminescence, his eyes snap open to reveal that they are now alight with the same golden radiance.. "... but My Lord is such, regardless."

Artemis snaps her whip again to try to snag that staff. "Ye will find thy honor slip away from thee the longer thee stay under his yoke. Defeating thee would be a mercy."

Porter says, "Sorry! I'm not doing it on purpose!"

Once more, the whipblade is batted aside with seemingly little effort. "It may be so," Pallad states, though the words are not quite as flat as before. There is a somber sobriety in their tone... even as the golden glow suddenly spreads from his eyes. In a moment, his entire form is wreathed and aflame in radiance and he charges towards her.

Artemis braces with her shield, but even that is not enough. She's knocked clear across the room from Pallad's charge, stunned by the force of the impact. She crashes into the wall and collapses to the ground. For a moment, she blacks out. Her eyes flutter open again, though she's still disoriented.

Pallad Djinn watches as she impacts the wall and slumps afterwards. While others might find some fistpump-worthy irony or 'That's how it feels!' vindication, he does not appear to. The somber expression matches the tone of his prior words as he steps to her.

"You fought admirably, and honorably, Althea Ignathio Constantine, but you are beaten." A hand leaves his staff to extend to her, open and palm up. "You will come with me to-" He pauses and his head tilts at a non-existant sound. "M'lord?" After a pause, he straigthens, offered hand retracting and moving to his side. "I understand, M'lord."

Artemis lays on her shield, trying to rally her senses. Fortune has been against her every step of the way. It makes no sense, until she recalls the whom he serves. Her thoughts drift to Wayne. She can't lose. Can't be taken. Even if there's no hope, she uses her sword like a crutch to help her stand on her feet once again. She gathers her shield close to protect. "I...am not beaten yet. I can yet stand, and so...there is still a chance." Except she barely has energy to swing her sword. She stands there, lifting her head to look Pallad defiantly in the eyes.

What lies within Pallad's return gaze is not agressive, boastful, nor is it something as disrespectful as pity. No, it is perhaps the opposite; respect. The hand at his side lifts, held before him at chest level, palm out.

"Stay yourself, Althea Ignathio Constantine. My Lord has recalled me. From this, our battle, he has judged you unworthy to return to his service at this time. Rest and regain your strength. If we meet again, I hope that it may be under different circumstances. If not, I expect you to fight as fiercely as you did this day. Farewell."

His staff strikes the floor and he vanishes in a flash of golden radiance, leaving only the fading chime in the air.

Artemis breathes heavily and watches as Pallad vanishes. She deserved to end this as a warrior, even if it meant losing. So then why does she feel relieved despite her pride?

In a bright flash of light, the alien figure that just knocked Artemis for a loop vanishes from the Workout room. She passed out briefly and is back on her feet...barely. She was still willing to fight, even though there's no fight left in her. Once the alien Pallad Djinn teleports away, her shield and sword sag in her grip, swaying unevenly. Unworthy? Her? The idea of it is inconceivable to her! Now if the planet would just stop spinning....

Wade steps into the workout room. He missed the fight, only catching the VERY end of things from the observation area. He had shown up to the gym, and was in the locker room while the fight was actually going on.

But if the planet stopped spinning there would be a lot of learning to fly needed in a very short period. Talia comes charging into workout room from the locker rooms (as well), having been alerted to danger by JULIUS. Looking around, Talia skids toward Artemis while staying alert for danger. "Artemis? Are you okay? JULIUS said you were in a major battle?"

Artemis is breathing heavily, seeing friendly faces arrive. "Yes...I..." she says as she takes a step toward them, then another, and then collapses as her strength fails her.

Wade is surprised. It's a rarity to see Artemis actually down. He jogs over to her, "Sit and relax for a bit. Get your strength back. Take your time. There's no need to rush to get to your feet."

Talia bounds forward and drops to her knees next to Artemis, carefully rolling the alien goddess over and arranging her in a recovery position. "Hey. Wakey, wakey."

Artemis groans and decides to take Wade's advice. She almost passed out again, eyes closing briefly before opening again. "Aye...the battle be over. It was as though fate itself bent its designs against me."

Wade also takes a knee next to Artemis on the other side from Talia. "So...who was that you were fighting? I only caught the end of it, once you were already down."

Artemis remains reclined. "Pallad Djinn...a former gladiator, once in service to Duod Dalux. I heard tales of his honorable battles, but never battled him before. He serves a new Lord now," she says, still sounding in a daze. Finally, her eyes focus on Wade. "I think it be the same Lord ye freed me from."

Wade blinks and thinks about it. "The alternate dimensional version of Porter? Really?"

"I...think it is so," Artemis says, but isn't fully certain. "He came to me, saying his Lord wished me returned. I thought he meant Dalux." As she rests, her hand relaxes and her shield vanishes into her arm bracer. "He said it was not he."

Wade nods slowly as he listens. "Have there been other...people that you've served? Or are those the only two?"

"Well, I imagine she's also served the Tau Spring people? Or the Bloodlit gods?" offers Talia, looking curiously down at Artemis for confirmation.

Artemis nods softly at Talia's words. "Friend Talia speaks true. And there have been others that thought I was theirs to serve, but they be not capable of reaching these far sectors." She takes a breath and starts to recover quickly, regaining her wits. She sits up, then winces and places a hand over her torso. "Pallad Djinn called me treacherous. That would not mean the people of the Tau Spring. I was their protector."

Wade nods again, "So...if it's him, what does that mean? WAs there any indication?"

"Evil Porter is a selfish prick and pretty self-centered too," suggests Talia, "I don't know if he's specifically a malignant narcissist, but he's definitely got a lot of qualities in common with them."

Artemis thinks on what was said. "Just that he was honorbound to return me to his Lord. He never truly said the name, but he did not deny it, either. When I lost to Pallad Djinn, mayhaps...his interest waned. He considered me unworthy or recapture or punishment."

Wade raises a brow. "That makes no sense. If you beat him, he wouldn't be able to return you. By beating you, he could have. How could he have succeeded at his mission? Only if you willingly went with him?"

"You say that like it's a bad thing," comments Talia, looking a little confused as she studies Artemis.

Wade chuckles. "I saw it because I want to understand his motives and reason for doing things. To be prepared when he should return."

Artemis thinks on Wade's words and nods. "'Tis strange. Perhaps he suspected I would last longer before defeat? Or it was meant as way to insult me with someone whom thought me deceitful and treacherous...disloyal to my oaths." That seems to have worked, based on the sour frown on her face. "He is a petty and cruel tyrant. Childish in many a way." She looks to Talia. "I. It. It...be complicated. I wished not to be taken from a world that has more recently become like a home to me. Yet being called unworthy and full of subterfuge doth sting as well." She finally is able to sheathe her sword.

Talia shakes her head. "No, I meant Artemis saying that she's unworthy," Talia replies to Wade. She looks back to Artemis and cocks her head to one side, regarding her curiously for a while.

Wade nods. "Ah. I see." He takes a moment to think about it. "Artemis...I know it feels personal, but think of it this way...if he truly felt you were unworthy, then he wouldn't try to recruit you again. The fact that he has already said that he likely would in the future...means that he really doesn't feel that you're unworthy."

Artemis thinks on their words and feels...oddly better about that. "I...know I should not be content with that in this context, but...I cannot help myself. There be truth in both of thy words," she says, feeling less sullen. "And I think I did prove to Pallad that mine honor was still intact."

"Good," replies Talia. She lightly socks Artemis on the shoulder.