Nicolas Constantine vs. Jeremiah Sykes

[Keeper Of Secrets]

Nicolas Constantine vs. Jeremiah Sykes

You are both led to the middle of this enormous Colosseum. All around you is dirt.

An announcer speaks.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome to the ring... Nicolas Constantine!!!!!" He then gives a slight pause as the crowds cheer. "And the opponent... Jeremiah Sykes!" An equal amount of clapping and cheering can be heard from all around as the two of you are about to begin combat in this dry and dusty arena. You stand on regular dirt... This will truly be a match that decides skill.

"Let the Pillar Cup Tournament begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Jeremiah Sykes]

A long exhale.

He was back.

The cold stone wall felt good against his sweating skin. It wasnt because he was tired, or afriad- Jeremiah was, for the second time in a long span of eternity, excited.His hands hung limp at his sides. He stood at an entrance, the light pouring in from the domed building inside. The large male, on his knees, kept his eyes closed, breathing a faint trail of mist against the polished walls. He felt relaxed, yet tense. Eager yet calm and waiting. He wore a large overcoat, tied around him and covering his massive frame, gray in color. He breathed again. It seemed to come from deep inside him, it took all his energy to break the calm inside his mind by breathing. He wasnted to stop, to hold his breath, to freeze the universes neverending movement. To put a pause of everything and just stop.

But time kept moving.

"And the opponent... Jeremiah Sykes!"

He stood as the crowd cheered. He wore sunglasses over his eyes to protect them from the initial shock of exiting that dark, dank alley and stepping into the broad light of his one true place of peace. He walked forward, hands under the bottom of the overcoat and inside the pockets of his bagyy jeans. They were loose fit, and tied with a belt, keeping them up while giving his legs ample movement. He heard a few people call out for him to tear the man apart, and a few others cheering just for the sheer excitement surrounding a tournament held by the most notorious School in hundreds of area codes. He planted his feet, shoulder width apart, his eyes on his adversary. He kept his face clean and clear, devoid of emotion.

A final exhale.

He undid the button holding the coat in place, reaching up to help shrug the coat off his bare, broad shoulders. His thickly muscled body flexed easily with the weight, tossing it in the dirt behind him. He also reached up, slowly removing his shades and tossing them off to the side. He had no idea of the reasoning behind this tournament of Champions, nor did he care for a prize. Hell, if he won, he wouldnt be accepting it, regardless of what it was. He was here for the fight, the call, the screams the blood and most of all the pain. He wanted to hurt and injure, to feed that darker soul inside him without having to worry about the consequences. Here, he was in his home, his territory, his niche. Here....he was god.

What a bold statement coming from a man who had never placed his feet inside this sphere, but it was true. True because he knew that he would win? Oh no...true because he knew that he would lose. He didnt care- he just wanted to hurt and maim, to prove his strength and to find an individual worthy of matching him and beating him. He would grow stronger with every battle, would tuck the new experiences behind his ear and return for the next. Nurse his wounds and fight once again. He could barely contain himself- How could they make what he wanted and hungered for legal? Hell, he didnt care. The only important thing was that it would happen, and the man he would be facing stood n his way.

He would have to break him.

He would wait until the man either entered, or, if he was already there, he would slide his feet out just slightly over shoulder width, bringing up an open left palm to two feet out in front of him and just below the pectoral area, the other would be clenched in a fist, his right hand planted firmly next to his chin.

Then...then he would wait.

[Nicolas Constantine]

Nick wasn't one to sweat, but he was nervous, standing in the archway of his entrance to the arena. He didn't know who he'd be facing until they announced his name, and even then there would be no guarantee that he would know his opponent. He weighed the odds.

If his opponent was someone he knew, he might have the advantage of knowing his or her weaknesses. But then again, it would be harder to go all out on that person for fear of hurting them to badly. He was a fighter, and sometimes he couldn't control his own strength; he was there to win.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome to the ring... Nicolas Constantine!!!!!"

The announcer had called him to the ring, but his feet wouldn't move. He still was weighing the odds, and too nervous to go anywhere. He was wearing his jeans, his T-shirt, and boxing tape bound around each hand.

On the other hand, if it were someone he didn't know, he could go all out and not care about that persons own repercussions. But he'd have the disadvantage of not knowing the true power of his adversary. And maybe it was better that way. Perhaps giving the best of his ability would make it easier to deal with any surprises.

"And the opponent... Jeremiah Sykes!"[/i]

Nick let out a huge sigh. He didn't know who that was. Never heard the name before. He was now calm enough to move out of the entrance and towards his opponent. Nick stopped ten feet from his opposite, with wide eyes.

Is that a high school student!?

The guy who towered before Nick was about a foot taller than him, and it seemed he weighed twice as much, too. Weighed twice as much of pure muscle...

He stepped closer to the behemoth of a student, not sure what to do, but still getting in his fighting stance for if he decided to attack. Nick placed his fists up near his face, right further back than his left, and made sure his feet were in a good position to either hold his ground or dodge.

"Uh, hi?"

[Keeper Of Secrets]

Music erupts from the speakers that surround the arena. This song will play throughout your entire match, enjoy.

Battle Music

[Jeremiah Sykes]

Jeremiah breathed once again, collecting his energy for the war he knew was to come. A violent escape from his slavery, the bonds of his soul broken free in the mangling of his opponents pride and body. Jeremiah hear no hello, he heard no music. It was quiet, calm in his head. He didnt feel this when fighting Ryuu before, or when fight the Varsity Captain- The Tank was on a whole new plane, a level beyond that. He was dedicating his soul to the battle, ready to come out the victor and stand with his flag waving on the winds of glory, or to crumble as many have before to the feet of his adversary. Not to say that many had fallen at this particular adversaries feet, but that everyone has an adversary, and when you fall, you fall to yours, regardless of theyre position in the power of life.

Jeremiah shot forward, his large body moving quickly for his size. He stopped within the protection circle set up in an individuals automatic defense. He had his left leg slightly forward, his right a little outward. This would both stabilize his body for balance from suddenly running and it would put power behind the sudden right cross heading directly for his enemies cheek. Sure, he could shoot for the chin and try to end it with an instant knockout, but this powerhouse new better- The first strike almost never landed directly, and throwing a punch at the chin would put his center and equilibrium off, making it difficult for him to retaliate. His eyes flashed as he twisted and torqued his torse, his massive right fist careeniung toward his enemies face.

Sure, Jeremiah knew it wouldnt land.

But on the off chance it did, you think he would throw a blow without putting power behind it?

He thought the same thing he did to all his opponents, almost as a sign of respect toward the poor soul who stood against him-

'I am sorry, warrior, but i must break you.'

[Nicolas Constantine]

Nick was waiting for a response that he would never get. The man, he couldn't be a boy, stood before him towering over.

What did they announce him as...? I think it was Jeremiah...

Trance music started to play in the background, and even though it helped calm Nick, he never broke his focus on his opponent. It actually helped him stay alert.

The first punch the guy threw was so predictable, Nick saw it coming from a mile away. A right swing, eh? Nick quickly activated his Qi by dodging the punch, ducking and sliding over to Jeremiah's right side. It was a lightning fast dodge, and all Nick had to do was push his feet slightly to the left, which is the way he wanted to travel.

Now not being in front of the behemoth anymore, Nick could go for a quick right jab to the guy's side, not putting too much power into it where he wouldn't be able to dodge if there was a retaliation. If the hit connected without objection, Nick would slide again to the left (Jeremiah's right) to end up behind him.

Qi Activated: +5 Dex

[Jeremiah Sykes]

'He's fast.'

It was a quick thought- simply a mental log put in place by the fighters blood within him. Categorize your adversaries strengths, then alienate him to the point of putting his pluses into negatives. As the kid dodged, JEremiah acted relexively. His opponents punch would land, a good shot to the ribs. Though, if the kid had not acted so rashly, he would have seen the pivoting of JEremiahs body. Perhaps he could still pick it up, but dodging the close range attack he was about to launch would be difficult, especially with the position he had put himself in. Jeremiah's arm was out, retracting as the kids punch connected. Now, giving him a closer quarters, Jeremiah could make use of his larger frame.

He brought the right hand down as it shot back, reaching for the boys forearm as his opponent would attempt to bring his fist back after the initial strike. By giving Jeremiah his Forearm, He made it possible for the behemoth to keep control of his upper body. Of course, Jeremiah was never the smart one, always moving rashly, or going with the hunger for blood. He didnt want this to end- he wanted to drag it out. The boy wanted to punch him in the ribs? Then they would exchange blows. Jeremiah had set the fellow up- by placing his feet in the fashion he had, he left his bodys center open to move either way with the momentum and power he had been running with. Now, as the kid stopped to strike, Jeremiah would counter.

With an assumed death-grip on his enemies forearm, Jeremy would step forward, picking up his left leg and bending it at the knee, twisting his body to aim a hard blow to his opponents right side ribcage. By holding the arm at extension, he kept the fellow off balance, making it difficult for him to turn his body or to put power behind his legs to pull or dodge. He could possibly try to use his left arm, but at the suddeness of his movement, the most he might be able to do is block part of the initial impact with it. If the blow landed or even if it missed, Jeremiah would plant that left foot, then rocket a left arm for his opponents face.

Before his left fist touched him, he would stop, a mere inches from contact. As he stopped, he would release the boys arm, allowing him to step back out of harms way. mHe would stand there, holding his arms in the position in which they had been while striking and holding on, grinning like a madman at his opponent.

[Nicolas Constantine]

Jeremiah's arm shot out and grabbed on to Nicks forearm. He had underestimated his opponent, something he usually did at first. But it was a lesson that hurt, so Nick learned quickly what to expect.

Jeremiah turned once he had his hold and brought his knee up to Nick's side. But Nick used his Qi to push himself as far away from Jeremiah as he could go to lessen the blow of the knee. It still hurt, but it wasn't as damaging as it could have been. Getting the hold on Nick was a smart move, but he wouldn't fall for it again.

Jeremiah then did something Nick didn't expect either. He let him go. Nick collected himself and grabbed his chest where the knee hit him. He quickly put his stance back together and awaited his opponent's next attack.

[Jeremiah Sykes]

Jeremiah's eyes were dialated. He chuckled slightly as the boy backed off, resuming a stance and a false sense of security. A blood rush was over the body of the behemoth, he could almost smell the scent. From an early age, JEremiah grew up to kill. Not that he was born in a family of murderers, but his body was shaped and formed, peaked to its limit and beyond with the ability to tear, magle, and opress even the most sophisticated. He had been through so many unspeakable acts- things that would turn any man insane. The only problem was that Jeremiah was insane before doing those things. His parents death had broken a part of him, mostly because he knew it was no accidental fire. He wanted revenge, and it constantly consumed him.

Of course, these stories have only one connection with the current fight- He had no limit, no mental breaking point, no pivital moment when he figured that he had gone too far. He spoke aloud, his voice eerily deep, his eyes seeing the acts he spoke of.

"Tell me boy, have you ever watch a man burn while he hung from his feet?" He chuckled. "I'm not talking about lighting him on fire totally, im talking about using a torch, starting at the hands, and moving slowly, letting each peice of flesh burn and die out before moving on to the next." He fell back into the stance he had been in earlier. "Doing as you are ordered and getting the information needed, then continuing with the torture just to fulfill your own sick, twisted vision of justice?" He laughed maniacally. It was a strange sight to see- the usually silent, controlled, passive agressive Jeremiah on a binge of total, terrifying insanity.

"Holding a man on the cusp of life and death for days at a time while you feed your own pain with his terror?"

He focused his eyes on the boy before him.

"I have...i've done it for them." Who was he talking about? "Why do i tell you this? Especially after letting you go from a blow that could have broken your jaw?"

His smile vanished.

"To warn you."

What?

"I have no predetermined limit, kid. I will hurt you. Take that last shot as the only heads up your going to get- i will inflict whatever pain possible and not stop for screams, not stop for begging, not stop of death." He rolled his shoulders, relaxing his body into the fighters stance so as to indicate he was ready to resume. "The only thing i stop for is the finishing bell, you got me?"

He waved the boy forward, telling him, signalling for him to step forward.

"Now quit cowering like a bitch and show me what you got."

[Nicolas Constantine]

Nick's eyes widened as the hulk finally spoke to him. Spoke to him about horrors that he didn't fully understand.

Whoa, dude, what the fuck...

It seemed that Nick had been placed against a psychopath and the only way that he was going to get out of this alive was to fight smart. He took a deep breath and focused.

He charged the man and acted like he was going to put all his strength into this one punch. Once he got into the guy's range, he would be aware of any moves he tried to make, Nick ready to dodge. He would slide on the dirt at the last moment to kick the behemoth's feet from under him.

[Jeremiah Sykes]

Jeremiah grinned once more, his pupils dialating as his nose caught the scent.

Fear.

He brought both fists down to his sides as the boy charged. He wanted to hit him in the face? Let him. Jeremiah would exchange blows, he could take it. He was ready for the pain. the slight dull ache in his side was hardly enough to sate his lust for the agony to come. He would demolish this boy, and the next, though a third round would probably be beyond him. He watched as the kid came in, ready to strike once his oppponent opened his gaurd by throwing a blow. Instead, the kid did the worst thing possible- he went to the ground, sliding alng the dirt in the feeble hope that jeremiah would take a blow to the legs.

Now, jeremy wasnt good at following shit, moving along in the grand scheme of a battle. He took things as they came, and this boys ground assault was like a gift from the gods of war. By taking himself off his feet, he put himself into a game of weight and power with the largest male in this tournament. He took away his only strength- the agility and speed that was gifted to his fighting talent- at least gifted to what he had shown so far.

Jeremy stepped backward, taking his right foot back so the boy would slide right through the area it had been in previously. If Jeremiahs feet had been closer together and his body more damaged, he might have had a chance for it to work, but making that an opening attack was not something advised. Live and learn, as he always thought. He was now on Nicks right side, and instead of letting him slide pass, he dropped a knee, using his weight and the earths own gravity to slam his body weight on his enemies solar plexis. To help avoid any blows or sudden defense with hands, Jeremiah stuck his palm downward, right into the exposed face of the admirable Constantine.

By doing this, he was playing on the bodies nature urges and reflexes. When something suddenly hit your face, your first reflex was to remove it. This would hopefully take the thought off the knee and remove the hands from defense mode, placing them nearer the face. If all this went through, Jeremiah would have a right knee planted in his opponents gut, and a left hand covering his face, mostly his nose and mouth, hopefully obstructing his breathing pattern. As he did this, his right fist would come down and punch, right into the nutsack the kid would likely be leaving wide open.

Jeremiah said- he doesnt play fair, he plays to inflict pain.

After that initial punch, he would begin raining blows with that right fist on the abdomen that would also be left unprotected, should all of his plans succeed.

[Nicolas Constantine]

The leg moved, but Nick knew there would be some kind of defense. He foresaw the leg movement and the possible knee drop, so Nick put his hands to the ground while sliding at the leg and burst his speed with moving his arms so that the dropping knee would barely miss his head, if not pull on his hair a little.

Nick was still sliding as he saw the behemoth crush his hand down to where his face would have been if the knee had been successful in stopping him. Once Nick got to a stop, he got up and brushed himself off of dirt, once again turning to face his opponent.

Damn. Nothing seems to work against this guy.

He would expect the guy to turn and face him by now and if he did, it would be his opponents turn to attack. He was about fifteen feet from his enemy.

However, if Jeremiah didn't turn around, Nick would rush up and repeatedly jab him in the kidneys.

[Jeremiah Sykes]

As he made connection with the dirt, a small ring of dust erupted around it. He didnt give the boy any time for a recovery- that would allow him to get into a defensive stance, to gather his thoughts. He fired up off that knee, and as the boy turned around her would find a wad of spit heading straight into his face and eyes. Spit? Thats right, jeremiah spat a fat one right in his face, not to mock but to distract. Remember that hand that slammed into the ground where little boys head was? Well, as he charged to his feet, he clenched that fist, taking a handful of dirt and pebbles in it.

If the spit made contact, which it was likely to do, Jeremiahs hand would throw the dirt into the face and eyes. Now, if the eyes were closed after spit landed, it wouldnt matter much, since chances were he would try and rub all of it off, only causing it to grate against his skin in discomfort, and probably get into his eyes. As this happened, Jeremiah would grab, with that extended left hand that just released the dirt, Nicks right wrist, falling to his right knee and pulling with that arm to keep the boy from stepping back. His right hand would then shoot for the boys stomach repeatedly, aiming for different places to prevent blocking and to maximize damage done.

[Nicolas Constantine]

Nick made it past the big fella, but not without a wad of spit in the eyes. Nick stood up after he had finished sliding, and then got some dirt in his face. He luckily had closed his eyes from the spit, but it still made the spit gritty to wipe off.

"Eww! Bloody hell, mate! That's just gross!"

He wiped the dirty spit from his eyes with ease, as he knew that trying to rub it off would just spread it around, making it worse. Right as he removed the spit from his eyes, his right wrist was grabbed by the behemoth but Nick wasn't one to give up when his jab arm was locked. And that's just what it was, his jab arm.

The thing with being a boxer for eleven years, was even though Nick was right handed, his left actually held more power than his right. The right was mostly for quick jabs. The left, however, was his uppercut arm and Jeremiah was right in the line of a clear uppercut to the chin before he could do anything else to him. It would be strong, fast, and hopefully it would knock him clean out or at least make the hulk let go of his wrist so he could recollect himself.

[Jeremiah Sykes]

Seemed like a pretty sound plan from most individuals point of veiw. A few kinks would pop right up in Nicks plan, however.

See, when he dropped to that knee, he lowered his body, putting his head around Nicks chest area. Now while this would probably make a straight cross or a hook likely, his adversary opted for an uppercut. Now, the problem was a big one with that move- Jeremiahs right arm. See, as he fell to the knee he shot out his right arm, as stated. He pobably didnt notice that Jeremiahs right arm was heading for his solar plexus since, instead of defending or trying to move, he tried to strike back. By throwing an uppercut, he was not only leaving that area of his body totally exposed, he was sending that fist through and area that Jeremiahs tricep occupied.

With the level of his body and the angle needed used to hit him in the face with an uppercut, Nick would find his fist slamming into the meat of his arm, hitting his knuckles against the rock solid muscles instead of any chin or damagable body part. Jeremy of course, wouldnt stop, instead continuing with his punch to slam it into his opponents diaphragm. After the punch landed, Jeremiah would reach over and attempt to grab that forearm of the left hand. Since this would open up his face for a knee, he would pull down on both arms as he stood up, aiming his forehead for his enemies nose, right at the bridge.

Now, likely being short of breath and probably stunned, he would find his upper body yanked down with immense strength, and a large, gleaming forehead on a careening course with a very easily broken part of his face.