Douglas
Tarin swung his sword with all his might, a determination from within his heart to prove to both Bicco and himself that he is indeed who he says he is. After his near death victory against a *Demigod* His defeat by Eliza came as a shock to his very core. How could a vampire fully counter and defeat him when he fought a demigod to stand still? It didn't sit right with him. Was he truly not as strong as he thought himself to be? Had he gotten soft? It gnawed at the back of his mind and during this moment, blade to blade with the very man who taught him during a time of war how to swing a blade properly- he has something to prove.

Even as Bicco grew tired, and he along with him, he knew better than to stop his pressure. Bicco had never been one for such a thing, a practice duel had never been without stakes- old friends fighting was something to take seriously and as such he could not afford to lessen his strength.

"***You never have, old friend.***" Tarin remarked to Bicco not willing to falter, a factor about his old friend that was hard wired into his very soul. Bicco had always been stubborn, devote in his passions and determination. Tarin knew that he would never falter because he never has before.

** **

"***Knight of the Realm, to the bitter end.***" In truth Tarin had once been a "Knight" To a degree. During his days battling alongside Bicco during the frontier wars he had taken a liking to the life of a knight. To the point he'd even begun to think like one and in this moment he remembers those old values- the values Bicco has never lost.

When the knight unleashed his powers Tarin could only respond in kind, meeting his old friend on the field of battle and lay it all out on the line as absolute proof of who you are. A warriors mark left upon battle akin to the painters brush upon canvas, a story was told with the stroke of a sword and a passion was shown when facing down adversity. As such, Tarin challenged the powerful combustion magic and the valiant knight of the realm in battle, his tattoos growing larger and wrapping around his forearms in a dark midnight hue, anti-magic, and with all bud night did he fight Bicco. Fully determined to prove to Bicco that he is indeed his old friend.
Darrin
As Tarin's relentless assault continued, Bicco found himself pushed to his limits, the strain evident in every movement as he parried blow after blow. Blood dripped from his wounds, and his clothes were scorched from the flames that surrounded them. Yet, despite the pain and exhaustion, there was a glimmer of something in Bicco's eyes—a spark of recognition, perhaps, hidden beneath the weariness. 

He stood tall, bloody and battered, before bursting out into laughter—a deep, hearty laugh that echoed through the clearing.

"You old fool," Bicco chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Did you really think I didn't know it was you all along?"

Despite the chaos and destruction surrounding them, there was a sense of camaraderie in Bicco's words, a shared history and understanding that transcended the battle they found themselves in.

"You may have changed, Tarin, but your spirit remains the same. And as long as that spirit burns within you, you'll always be my old friend."

With those words, Bicco raised his sword in salute, acknowledging the bond that had stood the test of time and adversity. And as the flames of their battle began to die down, there was a sense of peace between them—a shared understanding that no matter what challenges they faced, they would always stand by each other's side.
Douglas
Tarin pushed on and on, pushing his body to the limit in order to contend with and dare to push back the valiant knight. Even with the battle scars, dripping blood and beaded sweat, Tarin saw the spark within his old friends eyes- and so they stopped.

He stood tall like his old friend and teacher, tattered clothes and burned skin- before a smirk came over his face and the mercenary genuinely laughed for the first time in years.

"****I'd wondered if you'd grown senile old man.***" Tarin said in with a chuckle.

Even with the devastation surrounding them Tarin felt nothing but the sense of brotherhood Bicco and him had forged over a long friendship. A shared them in history, learning and fighting side by side, and now they are reunited once again.

"***The very same to you, my old friend. So long as your determination is as mighty as your size, you'll always be my friend.***" Tarin mimicked his friends salute, feeling genuine happiness at the display, a reminder of his true love of battle- the brotherhood and understanding formed by those who fight.

"***But-***" Tarin reached into his satchel and produced two red vial's and handed one out to Bicco. Health potions, always something handy to have. "***-get yourself cleaned up. We have a lot of talking to get through.***"
Luis
Farming Shenanigans, Double Rotondo Floopaloo