imperial_stage | Round 1: Arturia vs Drake

Round 1: Arturia vs Drake

Who: Arturia Pendragon, Francis Drake, and all the spectators
Where: Imperial City's coliseum
What: First rounds of tournament have begun!
When: March 24, morning
Warnings: Violence, possibly

Even the Coliseum was decorated in the flowers and colors all over the Imperial City. More people had shown up than ever to watch both notable and obscure fighters all over the Empire duke it out with one another. It figures that the holders of the Destiny Crystals would have all made it this far into the matches. The pink-haired woman in red, Drake, stands across from the King of Knights holding in her hand a saber.

Although, at this point, she realizes that it's foolish to use such a weapon against her queen whose proficiency with swords was said to be unmatched. Nothing less should be expected from a woman carried the title of King of Knights. Drake just gave a smirk.

"... Can't help but feel this doubles as a performance review. As long as everything right now is even game, though, you can bet that I'll be going all-out, Queen. ... I take it that's fine with you?"

Drake points the saber at Arturia. Her response would be quite clear. At the moment, allegiances and employment mean nothing. It's just a battle among two competitors for the gold. Speaking of, her men and admirers have presented her with a favor or two before the battle had started. What they are, however, are yet to be seen.

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To her it feels cheap to have brought along such a blessed sword for a tournament, but her hands have grown all too used to it. How her thumb feels over the groove of the hilt and how the weight of the sword is unmatched with duplicates. Trust her, she's tried. The authentic blade glistens in the light, the words Whosoe'er pulleth out this sword of this stone is rightwise king born of England engraved along the silver serve as a reminder to her nobility.

Yet, she chooses to do battle on the same level as the rest of the tournament participants. She wouldn't use the powerful Noble Phantasms at her disposal unless it meant to save her life. With a smile that's kind, but twisted in confidence, she nods at the woman's words.

"If it were not acceptable, I would hardly waste the time of yourself or the other guests." In short: come at her, brosis.

That is quite the treasure, but as long as Britain is patron to Drake and the Golden Hind, it's one that would never be touched by her. Despite all her ruthless and sometimes cruel behavior, Drake has retained a sense of honor over the years. Ultimately, she would never turn her blade against the one funding her expeditions. There were exceptions, of course, like this particular scenario right here. Even while under a contract, Drake has no reason to stop teasing Arturia. Why, yes, Drake has been preparing for a little prank all up until now.

"Who knew such a virtuous queen could be so greedy for victory? Well, then..."

Drake hurls the saber at Arturia and draws out two pistols hidden on her person. The blade, like a throwing knife, zooms towards Arturia followed by several shots. Drake overwhelmingly lacked in swordsmanship compared to Arturia. If she wanted to win, though, she would have to employ more modern weapons. These pistols were gifts from her crew and admirers. Can't let these go to waste.

Before she can argue that it's not greed that will bring her victory, but instead the promise of the golden blade in her hands, she's busy formulating a strategy of survival. With the instinct of battle high on her mind, she knows dodging that many things at once would be near impossible.

Not wanting to give away herself so easily, she forces herself to the ground with speed that's almost questionable, bracing herself on the edge of steel toes. Pistols were a nuisance - if not for the loud shots that left her ears ringing, than by the speed in which bullets can travel.

"Hoh, you intend to win by shooting me?" It's a jest really, but a sign of her ire all the same. Pushing herself up, she rushes towards the other woman with her sword ready to sweep up towards her lower body. The speed in which she approaches is more human-like in nature at least, supported only by her own two legs and not a third influence.

"Oi, oi. If it's a proper swordfight you want, don't expect one from a pirate. My fortunes would run out a lot faster if I tested that brittle piece of metal against the Sword of Promised Victory."

Arturia was undoubtedly stronger than Drake. Maybe she could endure more as well in that armor of hers; however, if there's one area where Drake had an advantage over Arturia, it happens to be footwork. Granted, the advantage wasn't great enough to help seal the privateer's victory; however, it was enough for Drake to keep a distance away from Arturia's blade.

The surprise attack failed. Drake begins running away, shooting at her back all the while. Had these been pistols that needed a ball and gunpowder, the battle would be decided in Arturia's favor, but the force was about the same. The pirate continues firing as she flees from the knight.

"Oh, get back here!"

Really, a game of chase isn't what she signed up for with this tournament. It would be too easy to implement the wind she knew well to help boost her speed, but then it might make those bullets hit her easily. Fear of getting shot makes her linger back, choosing more to weave without a pattern over the pursuit.

"If you intend to run around in circles all day, I may very well give up out of frustration!"

This is the only way someone like Drake can fight a knight of Arturia's caliber. She isn't too proud of this, mind you, but that doesn't matter as long as she can secure a victory. The woman gives a mischievous smile back at her queen.

"See, you're assuming I'd mind that. Taunting was never you or your knights' specialty. And neither are feint attacks..."

Drake immediately turns around and faces the queen, not at all hesitating to fire a rain of bullets on her. Instead of running away, Drake charges towards Arturia. However, no doubt that the King of Knights would still press on. Once Arturia makes a slashing motion, Drake would duck and slide past beneath the sword. Turning around, she would point her gun and fire a decisive shot at Arturia's back.

... Granted, this is all if the attack succeeds. There's still a risk to charging headfirst at a knight with a sword. She probably can't go without being cut somewhere on her body.

Maybe she's beginning to see that herself, the instinct of battle high on her mind, but it's not enough to claim victory. There's restraint shown in her actions, the fear of landing a blow that might be lethal keeping her from unleashing her full potential. It would only be seen as cruel and she can't take the title of an emotionless king. Not anymore.

Not when there's another king who others may favor over her. No, she must remain as devout and pure as she always has, while showing her strength as a reliable pillar for Britain. So she's cautious when she takes the lower ground, bringing her sword up as to not harm her.

Even if it costs her for doing so.

A good thing she has plate and chainmail guarding her back. An easier target would have been one of her limps, in between flesh and greaves, but it's got enough force to bring her stumbling forward. It stung for sure as she's slow to turn around to face her.

Well, if she's willing to bring harm to her, maybe it was time Arturia picked up her game. "Nice shot." At least she'll give her the compliment she deserves, before shifting her weight, making it so that the golden blade in her hands would follow her easily.

"My turn."

So her back was just as guarded. That's a shame. While Drake would have aimed for the head against an enemy like this, she isn't looking to cause any fatal wounds either. She wanted to do everything she can to win, but killing her employer wouldn't serve her well afterward. Drake clicks her tongue as the attack seems only sting Arturia than do any lasting damage. And no doubt that same attack wouldn't work twice.

"Oh, no, Queenie. I let you have that chance."

Drake begins walking backwards as she lets loose a rain of fire from her pistols. Surely this should slow her down. For a knight's swordsmanship skills to be effective, she needs to get close enough to use her sword. Whatever it takes, Drake needs to prevent her from getting close enough.

There are notable weaknesses - should a shot hit her arms or legs, maybe even her shoulder, she would be slowed down significantly. Arturia's going to do her best to dodge the barrage of bullets, sweeping to the side and keeping up with a fast pace to try to circle around her.

"Do you intend to keep me away for long? I wonder what will happen when you run out of shots to fire."

Well, she already knows what will happen. That will be the decisive stroke to ensure victory was her's. So all she had to do was wait until that moment. Patience was a virtue she rarely enjoyed showing in battle, but it was all she had for now.

That much is true. The gun is expensive. It uses a crystal to fuel and fire its shots meaning it would last longer than a gun that needs powder would. However, that doesn't mean its energy was at all infinite. And Drake was using it up pretty quickly. She clicked her tongue as she began to come to terms with that.

"Then I'd be just about ready to sink, but I think we're still well away from that. I've still got a few tricks left."

Immediately stopping, Drake delivers a kick at the sand on the ground. Should things go as planned, the sand would be shot high enough to strike Arturia in the eyes. Anything to avoid a direct confrontation... However, there was a risk. Now that Drake paused, she would be left open for an attack. Yet again, she banks on a decisive shot to hit Arturia on her arms and legs. A knight that can't move or hold her sword is useless.