Dennis
The hooded figure chuckled to himself as he opened up the sack he had stolen. Elves had always been fascinating to him, he'd had a sweetheart as a teen who was an elf. Her tall and slender form had informed many of his formative decisions- if she hadn't joined the war he might have stayed in that little village with her. That almost sobered him, but then the smell of the sweet frosted roll inside the pack hit his nose. He'd stolen the pack filled with supplies and food from a group of elves moving from one city to another. They had sat around the fire singing and talking, one pack had lain against a log a bit of ways away. 

*"Enhancement. Silent Steps."* He'd whispered, heightening his senses and body to a superhuman level and using illusion magic to silence his footfalls, and in a blink the pack had been gone and he'd trotted down the road and into the trees. Only the most vigilant would have seen it. 

Surely he was safe now. Softly he sang to himself, not quite under his breath and from the branch he sat on, the sound carried gently through the woods. The hooded man's voice was beautiful, not angelic, but with a slight rasp and a wonderfully carried tune, he sang an Elven song that was old even to them, a song he'd heard in his child oh so many years ago. 

He didn't love being a thief, but the elves wouldn't miss it. They'd survive without it, he however was broke and not looking to ask for handouts- unsure even exactly where he was, only that time had passed on without him and all he'd known and loved about the world had shifted and changed. 

"And from the river my lady danced, her silver hair was streaming, and from the woods the beast he crept, and I was ever dreaming."
Richard
On this day, some time ago, a few scouts hidden within the trees had reported a thief stealing from a group of Elven immigrants. The word got passed around from each Woodland Protector until their leader, Mazikeen Adfaren, heard the news. This time, she decided to track down the thief and hopefully return what had been stolen. From the skies, it wasn't hard to look. Her vision was keen, like a hawk, and she rarely missed a detail. It wouldn't take long at all. If she had to search the entire forest, she would. He couldn't have gotten far. 

Mazikeen's large white feathered wings were spread, gliding across the sky. They created a large shadow on the ground of the road, which could only be noticed if someone was looking close enough. It was very freeing and a wonderful feeling to be flying. She didn't see Noctis retreat beneath the trees, but she soon heard the singing, a beautiful singing, she had to admit. Mazikeen landed high above in a nearby tree rather silently, searching quickly for the thief, following the sound of his voice. He might have heard her land if he had listened carefully. 

The Angelic Warrior didn't quite recognize the song, but it was lovely. Folding her large wings against her back, she held onto the trunk with one hand, her weight supported beneath her by a branch. This had to be the thief. She looked down upon him, unable to see his face. Eventually, she spoke in the common speech. 

"It's not good to steal, specifically from travelers." 

Her calm but firm voice came from a few feet above him. If he were to look up, the figure standing in the tree was truly *Angelic.* Long white hair, icy-blue eyes, white and gold plated armor, and huge white feathered wings that stuck out despite being folded.
Dennis
Noctis was just about to take a bite of the sweet roll when he heard the large bird come flying overhead. Perhaps an eagle or some other species of bird that had evolved over time. Noctis' heightened senses caught the sound with ease, even over his own singing, but he didn't look up until the bird *Spoke*. 

**"It's not good to steal."** He blinked, turning his head slowly, slowly until he was looking up at her from his perch on the branch. What. The...? 

Was she a Demigod? He'd seen one or two be born with wings but... This was different. No, no no, this was different. Demigods wings were usually a boon or a gift and... She was an *Angel*. Though, perhaps only half. There were some slight differences in the skin and the eyes, and she lacked the raw energy they seemed to exhibit. Still... Talk about impressive. 

She would have looked perfectly in place during the cousin conflicts. Standing so regal and tall, her armor even more splendid than the fine armor pieces he wore beneath his cloak. Rising, he tossed the sweet cake up and down in his hand, gazing up at her. It was in this moment that he saw an opportunity. 

"Well I myself am a traveler. So a traveler stealing from a traveler cancels out the extra bad part of it, don't you think?" He asked, his words dancing out of his mouth and carrying up to her. 

"However my lady I must say, I am rather now attached to these things that I have taken, and so I will issue you a challenge. You can take part or you can let me be on my merry way." His face was hidden beneath the depth of the cloak, but it was a fine cloak indeed. Dark as pitch and embroidered with gold, marked on the back with the symbol of the first emperor. 

"Defeat me in a meeting of swords and I'll give the bag back, and do so with the humblest of apologies. Unless that sword of yours is simply for decoration? Do halflings such as yourself all carry gaudy weapons and armor or are you the special one?" 

He couldn't resist teasing her, a sly grin on his face
Richard
Over the last few months, Mazikeen has dealt with many thieves as part of her goal to keep the Velaris woodlands free of them. It was an easy task. She didn't kill them, of course, but they paid the price for their crimes. The Angelic Warrior kept a careful eye on the stranger below her, expression carefully neutral. She inclined her head as he began to speak. No matter what a person was, they were still a thief, either way. And she was going to make sure those items were returned. 

"I beg to disagree, thief," She said carefully, looking down at him like a bird to its prey, a truly terrifying sight. 

A challenge? That was something she would never turn down. It seemed like a fair trade, and there was no way she was letting him walk away. When he began to tease her, however, her expression darkened. Mazikeen never backed down, and he was asking for a fight, quite literally. One detail she noticed was that he took notice of her being a halfling, angel, and elf, not something people usually picked up on. How fascinating. 

Before replying, she dove off the branch, spreading those magnificent wings and soon landing on the ground a few feet away from him, the impact bringing a gust of wind to the air. Narrowing her eyes, she studied that cloak of his closely. Not only was he a possibly *Wealthy* Traveler, but there was something unique about that cloak, something she couldn't quite place. Mazikeen soon folded her wings, them disappearing from view, presumably through magic. She placed a hand on the elegant handle of her sword, now glaring at him. 

"I accept your challenge. My sword is no decoration, and we've only just met, and you insult me. How rude."

— 
Mazikeen considered his comments to be insulting to her pride. She took a lot of pride in who she was: a leader and a warrior. She was very curious about who he was but still unable to see his face. Since he could recognize her as a halfling, seemingly easily, and that cloak of his... Truly fascinating. 

"Whether or not you offered, you're asking for a fight, thief."
Dennis
She truly was an elegant and impressive being. Those expansive wings, the sheer confidence in herself and her ability. It wasn't cockiness either, it was rather easy to tell the difference. The command in her voice, the look in her eyes and her presence- she was a leader. The kind that was both born and made.

As she moved, he too dropped from his branch. His was lower than hers and he landed with ease, only bending his knees a bit to spread the impact through his body. His midnight cloak billowed around his body for a moment before settling down, but by the time his blade had been drawn. 

It was almost as if his sword had been made to be the antithesis of her own. It's blade was made of a strange black metal, a metal created through the use of magecraft. Within the black blade was engraved rubies that shaped roses- it gave the effect of the blade almost seeming to *Bleed*. With a platinum hilt and a pommel of ruby, it was obvious that it was a weapon that could sell for a large amount of gold. 

**"My sword is no decoration."** No, no he did not think it was- and that made his blood race through his veins like wildfire in anticipation. After all these years he yearned for something like this, something to feel anything like the life that he'd lost. 

**"You're asking for a fight, thief."** 

"Yes I am..." He said with a smile. The sword he carried was also known as a bastard sword- to be use with one or two hands. As of now, he only carried it in one. His feet shifted and his shoulders titled. With his arm now out from under his cloak, Mazikeen could see his forearm was covered in a beautiful platinum plated vambrace that glistened in the low light. 

He dashed forward and thrusted at her with his blade, nothing fancy, a simple thrust to test her defenses. What she would discover however was that he was *Fast.* He crossed the distance between them like a pouncing wild cat and struck with the force of a man twice his size in muscle mass. 

The fight had begun.
Richard
Mazikeen stared at Noctis as he jumped from his branch, waiting patiently. The Skyline Trees had open areas, trees widely spread apart so the duel would run smoothly without the trees being an issue. 

Her keen eyes soon focused on the sight of the stranger's sword. Never has she seen such a sword in that design. It was *Beautiful,* And seemingly the direct opposite of hers. This stranger was clearly no average thief, and the more that was revealed, the more she wanted to know who he was. He would notice her eyes lingered on the sword for a very long time, as if very fascinated, but there was no recognition in her expression. 

Once he spoke, Mazikeen focused her gaze on him again, soon drawing her sword as she caught sight of his vambrace. That also intrigued her, but now was not the time to be distracted. Her sword was magnificent, a longsword with a golden hilt engraved with many intricate designs. The blade was made of steel, quite simple, but still good for a fight like this. She held her sword in both hands, gripping it tightly. 

"Then we shall begin." 

The Angelic Warrior had just enough time to get into a combat stance before he dashed forward. He was fast, she had to admit, and rather... Strong. *Who was she dealing with?* She met his thrust with equal resistance, her blade colliding with his with a metallic *Clang,*That echoed through the trees. 

Mazikeen held her blade against his for a second, soon separating it and lunging with brutal force, aiming for nowhere in particular. This made it hard to predict where she may hit. She was going easy so far.
Dennis
This was what it felt like to be alive. A duel was a dance of swords, an elegant, messy, terrible blue waltz of death and the willingness to survive. There were few things more beautiful than that battle on the brink. 

She withheld his blow and managed to shift it into a counter, ha! She was strong, good and had good reflexes. He'd fought a few non Demigods before, but ninety percent of them had fallen from his first blow. Now his blood was on fire, it was roiling beneath his skin, he was an electric conduit dancing on the skyline of the stars with his anticipation for her skills as his partner. 

As her muscles shifted he too danced to the side and rotated that black blade to parry her strike, knocking her sword off course and away from his body. He didn't just move- it was like he was dancing to music only he could hear when he fought. His body was fluid like water and yet when he struck, it was like a viper uncoiling and lashing out- with the strength of a bear behind it. 

"Good!" He declared, and feinted left before before rotating his wrist and striking overhead to chop at her shoulder. 

He'd fight her without Enhancement magic, win or lose.
Richard
Mazikeen had to admit, she was impressed, which was a rare occurrence. It wasn't often she dueled someone who fought with such strength and managed to keep going. It was quite enjoyable, actually, like a dance indeed. If it were any of the other members of the Protectors, they most likely wouldn't last long against this stranger. 

He was highly skilled, which added to her questions that may come later. It was almost a balanced fight, but who would win? Only time could tell. She paid close attention to his movements, making sure not to miss anything. Mazikeen stepped backward swiftly as he knocked her sword off course, soon raising her blade, the tip blocking his blade merely inches from her shoulder. 

"I'll admit this. You are a worthy opponent," She said quickly, moving her blade upward more to knock his blade away from her shoulder in particular, pushing him back, soon making a downward strike towards his legs, curious as to how he would parry that. 

Mazikeen had no idea how long this would last if they got tired, but she was enjoying it very much. Her expression was bright, confident, and prideful. Their shadows created quite a beautiful picture on the ground, surrounded by the trees as they fought.
Dennis
Noctis had practically been born with a sword in his hands. His mother, a human woman, had been known as Regalia the Sword Saint. She was a human so gifted with the blade that she could battle even children of Titanos on equal footing. She'd only ever experienced draws- never defeats. She was a woman of pure grace and regal beauty, a woman who'd managed to win the attentions of Masculo himself. 

Her pride in her ability was only magnified when she birthed her son- and she'd formed him into her legacy. It had been her obsession. 

As his sword was knocked back, he moved with the momentum it made and watching Mazikeen shift her stance to adjust her strike, he did a single handspring backwards and slashed sideways from the ground with his own sword as he straightened- letting it clash with hers and send a spray of sparks across the open clearing. 

"Tsk tsk my lady, you look like you're having fun. I'm a no good thief after all, you should be condemning my behavior!" He said, wagging his finger at her even as he drew his sword back and launched into a flurry of blows. He thrusted, feinted and then struck at her shoulder, feet ever moving as kept his movements both tight and fluid. Another slash that flowed into a chop and then finally- he spun the hilt across his knuckles to switch directions from right to left and slashed at her side. 

Noctis wanted to see how well she could perform under pressure, this marvel of the modern age, a woman of half blood just like himself.
Richard
Mazikeen was skilled with a sword but probably not as skilled as Noctis, perhaps. Most of what she uses is raw strength, but, of course, no magic. She had years of experience. Her mother taught her magic and basic combat skills. She learned almost everything from her time in Velaris' military. Since then, she practiced with other Protectors, training them and sometimes with Millicent. It was a rare occurrence she had an opponent such as him. 

She observed Noctis' next move. A backward handspring. Impressive, a clever way to avoid her strike. She kept a firm hold on her sword as a spray of sparks appeared as her sword clashed with his. Yes, she was enjoying the combat aspect, but he was still a thief. She still condemned his behavior. 

"You're still a thief, but that does not mean I don't get enjoyment out of this," She said calmly before focusing on his flurry of blows. 

This took all her focus to dodge and determine her subsequent attacks. Typically, she didn't often perform under pressure, but for the most part, she managed. He was quick and precise, but she dodged rather quickly on all but the last as he switched directions. Mazikeen was a second too late with the slash aimed toward her side. His blade grazed her side, where there was no armor. Gritting her teeth in response, she got her sword beneath his and blocked his blade before beginning her own flurry of blows. She started with a slash, feint, and then a quick thrust toward his right shoulder.
Dennis
"Were you born this stoic and serious or did you eat something sour this morning?" He asked, his tone playful as if they'd known each other their whole lives. He ducked her slash and when she performed her feint- he did something rather unexpected. His right arm shot up and forward slightly- catching the tip of the sword on the intricate platinum vambrace. The blade would stop still against his arm and the force of her thrust would knock his hood back. 

Raven black hair that ended in beautiful curls fell around his face, which held silver eyes that seemed to shine like stars out of his ivory face. It was as if angels of old had taken to his face and lovingly worked on it for lifetimes until they could go no further. He was both pretty and handsome, masculine and feminine- a strong jawline and a slender nose, long lashes and pearlescent white teeth that flashed beneath a wry grin. 

With a monstrous strength that didn't belong to a slender figure such as himself, he pushed her sword back and away from him. 

"You're strong, quite strong. I'm impressed- though I think I've only scratched the surface with you. What is it that you are really capable of?" He asked curiously, prowling around her in a circle. He was several paces away from her now, with a flick of his sword that should have been impossible for a longsword, her blood left his black blade. 

"I'm loath to make a child of the Angeli bleed. Please understand I offer my sincerest apologies in drawing your blood. I'll be more careful just to whack you next time." There wasn't mockery in his voice, there's was a sense of familiarity in his tone. 

"What's your name half-child?" He asked, his sword low but his defense not totally gone- a trained warrior such as herself would be able to see that although he appeared relaxed, he could uncoil and strike at any moment.
Richard
Mazikeen frowned slightly upon hearing his clearly playful comment. It was honestly a bit funny, she had to admit. When it came to doing her job, or combat in general, she was usually quite serious. The way he worded it was a bit amusing. She watched his reactions to her attacks closely, eyes widening as the tip of her sword caught on his vambrace, and it... Stopped in place. It was magic. It had to be. What kind? She didn't quite know. 

With the next surprise, she arched her brows as she got a look at his face after his hood was knocked back. He was the definition of *Beautiful.* It was perfect, being both beautiful and handsome. Mazikeen came to the conclusion that he was definitely not human. He was too beautiful to be human, most certainly. The show of skill and magic through items only supported her conclusion. He was extremely strong despite his appearance. It was easy to underestimate. 

Mazikeen pulled her sword back as he pushed it away from him, holding it firmly, but she didn't attack him again. The Angelic Warrior took a few steps back. She inclined her head as he spoke, briefly considering his question before replying. "I am capable of many things," She said mysteriously, not elaborating. She wanted to ask the questions first. "But, I'm more curious as to who you are. You're no average thief, surely." 

She watched with intrigue as her blood left his blade with a simple flick of it. That had to be enchanted in some way. "I wouldn't want you to go easy, but I appreciate the apology. It's no big deal," She said, taking one hand off her sword and placing it to her side. While focusing on him, she focused some magic on the wound. It should be healed within a minute since it wasn't serious.

— 
Looking at him closely, she could see his guard was not entirely down. Neither was hers. He could be unpredictable, and she would be ready if he struck. After a moment, she answered his question. 

"Mazikeen. Mazikeen Adfaren. What would yours be? *What are you* To recognize the child of an Angel upon first meeting?"
Dennis
So she wasn't entirely devoid of life. In a way they were like distant cousins, both of them with divine blood coursing their veins, both with mortal blood. He watched with interest as she healed her own wound closed. Noctis couldn't help but ponder if her Angel lineage made her naturally more gifted with healing- he had a theory that one's magical ability directly tied to their bloodline. 

Noctis had never quite practiced healing magic, though in all truth he wanted to learn. Others had been so naturally good at it however during the war that he'd left that duty to them. Now how we, he was alone and he healed faster than a man and was definitely much harder to hurt than one, but he couldn't heal overnight either. 

"Mazikeen Adfaren. A valiant name, for one such as yourself I should think." As he spoke he bowed low though his silver eyes stayed up towards her, one hand holding his sword across his body and the other outstretched like a ravens wing, his left foot crossed over his right. A true and proper bow. 

She'd been honest, and he decided that she had earned the right to at least know his parentage. He did not know what knowledge of the 11 demigods still remained- if any, he had heard nothing so far. 

"My name is Noctis Camille, and I am the child of a God." Straightening, he smiled at her and his silver eyes danced, a breeze blew through the clearing and carried his scent to Mazikeen. What she would smell would be whatever allured her the most, the smell of her lovers soap, a childhood favorite food, his scent was never the same for any one person. 

Noctis watched her to see her reply, his breath held. Her response would inform him of how cautious he should be going towards the Eternal City.
Richard
Mazikeen wasn't exactly sure who he could be and was curious. Her only guess was non-human, most certainly not an Elf either. It only took a moment, and she removed her hand from her side. Any sign of blood had vanished. Her powers were various: wind, plant, healing, and invisibility. Invisibility and healing were more on the light aspect of magic, resistant against undead and evil. 

Invisibility was a mastered ability, purely through her wings, but she wanted to learn more about enhancing her healing powers. They could heal non-fatal wounds without much energy, specifically if it were on herself. When he spoke, she nodded, expression brightening slightly. He was quite polite. "Thank you, kindly." Mazikeen took notice of his bow and found it proper to bow in return. 

As he bowed, she pulled her sword back, leaning forward slightly, her magnificent wings again appearing. She spread them ultimately, ranging fourteen feet in total, as she bowed. The white feathers moved with her body as she made the gesture. Mazikeen never took her eyes off him as he did to her. Both of them were still on high alert, it seemed. If one paid close attention, the wings had a powerful aura, radiating light magic. 

Mazikeen soon straightened as he introduced himself, raising her brows slightly. It made much more sense for him to be a Demigod, but it was also shocking. Thinking about it, she might even be able to pinpoint which God, but it was simply a guess. The Angelic Warrior had some knowledge of history and the first Emperor. 

"Ah... That makes much more sense. I've never had the pleasure of meeting a Demigod. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't all Demigods disappear?"

— 
While waiting for his response, she suddenly began looking at the trees around them, her expression different- almost suspicious. After looking around completely, from left to right, ahead and behind her, she could see the arrows sticking out beside the tree trunks. The arrows were all pointed at Noctis. They couldn't have been there long; they most likely arrived after she spoke. Mazikeen could see it, about six figures hiding behind trees surrounding them. She knew what they were waiting for but focused on Noctis, not saying a word yet.