Well here is the Battle of the Shadow Kin. I hope that I have done the Characters justice as well as have made the read enjoyable. I think its a but longer then most posts, as I am apparently more dialgue oriented then action oriented....(My Conversations are better then my assassinations?! @@) Regardless, here is the Fight of Metal Mallets Simion Mandrake versus Lord Revans Rhys, may Shadow Hide You!


Mehrunes Dagon sat and fumed for several hours. The battles had been worthy ones, indeed. But they were over so soon, not to say that he had not enjoyed it, but he wanted a challenge of a different sort.

“As the rain weathers down the rock slowly over centuries, and the Rivers carve deep scars into the land, are these too not methods of destruction? Mephala and Boethia both claim hold over the shadows and hidden plots. These too can attributed to the power of Destruction, though not as quick and direct as the Sphere to which I claim, they may be exactly what I need to quench this terrible boredom that has plagued me!”

He turned his gaze to the Assassins, Nightblades, and Rogues of the lands of Tamriel. Through the darkened shadows of the Underworld, Mehrunes considered the most wicked of hearts, and the stealthiest of killers, and the most brilliant of thieves.

He had so many to choose from, and even considered pitting the Grandmaster of the Morag Tong, and the Listener of the Dark Brotherhood against one another. Until two others caught his notice above all the rest. From the city of Kvatch, he claimed Simion Mandrake, a retired Morag Tong Assassin.

And from the side of Lord Revan, he claimed a strange Dunmer-Like being. Rhys, the Maruhn-Kar Clan Fighter, save for her white hair, and slightly darker skin, she passed completely for Dunmer.

The two looked confused, but as was natural to their specializations they immediately took in their new surroundings, and the towering Daedra Prince taking in their prescence.

”Greetings! I have summoned you here for battle! Others have been here before you, and the mighty have fallen against the finest of warriors your mongrel race has produced! However, you two represent the finest in stealth! There will be no refusal on your parts! Nor will either of you show mercy to the other. You are cold-blooded killers, and you will show me the skills that have taken you to your heights, worthy of the notice of a Daedra Prince!”

He pointed to Simion Mandrake, and instantly, his normal attire changed to the dark clothing and cloak that he favored for his techniques, as well as his favored Ebony Daggers, and a small arsenal of silver throwing knives with his paralysis poison.

”You are a former Servant of Mephala! Think of this as a ‘writ’, but this time, your reward shall be your life, or.... I shall torment your soul for eternity….”

He then pointed at Rhys, and immediately her attire changed to a form fitting robe that also seemed to swallow light, and the familiar feel of the hilt of her favored Hurso Staff returned to her hands, and the sash that she wore for her tourneys covered the lower half of her face.

“And you, amongst your kind, they say mastery of a sword is akin to a dance. You embody this grace perfectly…as well as your skill with shadow compliments your skill into a poetic brilliance. Do not disappoint me…or you shall suffer eternally,.... and never return to the ones you love,…or shall I say, the one?” Mehrunes said with a subtlety one would not attribute to the Prince of Destruction.

Simion sheathed his daggers, and looked at the Beautiful creature across from him, he did not show any emotion, and realized that she was the only thing standing between him and freedom. If she must die, then….so be it. I will see her blood..

Rhys stood in a perfectly poised position, not showing any emotion either, nor igniting the energy of her blades, preferring to let Simion underestimate her, and she pushed her mind forward into his, only to find a cold calculation that betrayed few of its secrets, instead she found an image of herself, with Simion making note of her muscularity, lack of armor, and trying to determine what kind of weapon she was holding. He is more dangerous then he appears to be, such self-control! But this is what must be, then let him fall.

“Unlike the former combatants, who had the opportunity of facing off one another immediately, you two must hunt down each other, behind each of you there is a tunnel leading too labyrinths of shadow and hidden opportunity. Use them! But be warned, I will not suffer long bouts of hiding in the shadow! Spend more then two minutes hiding, and I will reveal your location to your opponent. BEGIN!” roared Mehrunes Dagon, and with a gesture of upturned hands to the sky, a great wall grew in between Rhys and Simion that rumbled the very ground, so that neither could leap over it to end the tournament.

Both combatants ran as quickly as they could into the darkened corridors, into the shadowy depths beneath the main arena. Shadow was the only friend and armor the two of Mehrunes’ chosen would have.

Simion’s Amulet that granted him Night-Eye was still hanging from his neck as he entered the tunnels that led to a vast maze of walls that up cropped two men high. He moved his fingers gently across the rough obsidian walls.

I can jump these easily. Perhaps that can be used to my advantage, slip in behind her, slit her throat, and this will all be over…but she may be as good a jumper as I…plus Dagon gave her that strange weapon only….and it didn’t look like a bow, that means that she’s good at close combat. Distance will be my ally. He thought to himself as he silently trodded into vast maze.

Rhys’ Dark Naryyn background allowed her to see into the Dark as well as any Khajiit and she turned her ears to the silent caverns for any evidence of her opponent’s whereabouts. Trying to read his mind, all I can see is the same dark walls! This serves me no good…and there is something darker in himself that he holds back..it is attributed to that scar upon his forehead in some way, but he is so focused, so driven to see this through…I cannot penetrate it any deeper. I need to draw him in closer to me…

Simion could not hear a single footstep as he drew closer to the center of the Maze, suddenly, he could see the flicker of some lights off in the distance. As he looked closer, he saw that she was simply standing on top one of the walls holding out her ignited Hurso Staff.

As soon as Simion saw her, she leapt back down into the corridors of the maze.

What?! Why would she give away where she is? Unless, she’s planning a trap! Well, two can play this game! Simion thought as he slipped out a few of his throwing knives…

Rhys stood in a dark corner using her Shadow Kin to remain as one with shadow, in this guise, she was completely unseen, and she waited for Simion to pass by to strike like a viper from ambush, as she had seen that he saw her from her telepathy. It was now only a matter of time.

Simions eyes carefully examined where he had seen her last, and he now trodded silently across the top of one of these walls, throwing knives at the ready. She was not the only Master of shadow, except that he could not see her, at all. In a gambit, he threw one of the knives at the wall, sparks igniting the small space…

…the light from sparks of a swift silver knife dispersed Rhys’ shadow kin, and she expertly dodged the quick following one, only to have a third and a fourth narrowly miss her shoulder and torso, but a fifth grazed her thigh, tearing the fabric of her robe, and she felt her body go limp, thudding to the ground. She thought she could hear the slight flutter of cloth sailing through the air as she finally regained her control, and she saw the dark glint of an ebony dagger reaching for her throat.

Simion cursed as his thrust missed, as his dark-skinned opponent leapt backward landing on her hands, legs folded, and then using her momentum to push herself forward back onto her feet, all of this taking place in less then a second.

Rhys’ backed off and ignited her Hurso Staff, the light shining off of the Bretons plain face. Her plan to draw him in had worked, though perhaps not in the way she had intended. With a flipping around of the staff, she displayed the impressive skill that Mehrunes’ had spoken of, and with a few feints and jabs, her movements attempted to catch Simion off-guard, but he showed as much agility as she did it seemed, keeping with her on footwork, and parrying her attacks with his dagger. Until she finally managed a slash across his chest, that left a small but long burn.

Simion’s hand fell to his wound more in surprise than pain, and he felt no blood, but a direct hit that would have caused it were it a normal blade. A strange weapon indeed. Then suddenly, breaking through his normal control. The voice came.

She taunts us! You have had ample opportunity to kill this wench! Now take it! Show Mehrunes Dagon who the deadliest killer is in this room! SHOW ME HER BLOOD!” it screamed with its primal fury and energy.

Rhys’ took a step back as Simion unsheathed his second dagger, and a dark look overcame his face. Her mind reeled back from the darkness that exploded into the Bretons Mind, unable to read anything except the pure homicidal lust that desired to see her blood, she turned her mind off to his, and began with another barrage of assaults all of which were parried and countered from Simions twin daggers.

With a great leap, she jumped over Simions head and landed on the wall behind him. Looking at the now furious, yet controlled Breton. He’s somehow faster and stronger then even before…but the darkness is also blinding him… She thought as the Morag Tong Assassin casted his innate Dragon Skin ability, that turned air into armor, and he leapt onto the ledge with her, and pressed an attack…..

I voted for Rhys, only because I think that Simion's madness will somehow betray him. But that's just a guess--I honestly have no idea who will win. It's a remarkably even match.

I'd say Simion gets the kill. For one thing, the voice doesn't seem to berserk him. It actually makes him even more focussed. Scarey.

Wow, that was an excellent beginning to this battle! You nailed Simion Black Hand! You got everything down that I would've liked to see. I definitely see this battle as a close one. As this was really well written, especially since you forced the competitors into a stealth battle.

Though I wonder who made the second Rhys vote... whoever it was didn't leave a comment. Oh well, I'm quite certain this is going to be a close outcome.

I can't wait to see the conclusion, no matter the outcome.

As Cloudy said, I also think that Simion will manage to win this - think he'll stay focused and clever although in a type of rage

Ok, I voted for Revie´s Rhys.....we ladies must stick together, besides I know how dangerous a female really can be!.....

This is indeed a close match, Black Hand. Simion's 'madness' isn't being so much a problem as a helper. And your protrayl of Rhys' personality and style was dead-on.

As MM said, I look forward to the climax, regardless of the outcome.

You've got too BUMP it up!

Don't you know bump it up?

You've got too get more votes in!

CMON Folks! Five aint enough! Lets see who wins!!

Sooo right! Now all you sweeties out there, c´mon vote for Rhys.....or Simion.....if you prefer a male winner, the important thing is that you VOTE!

Rhys...all the way!

Well, its time to wrap this thing up. Problem is: Theres a tie.

I need a tie breaker. Myself, Mallet, and Revan unfortunately cannot vote. So if someone reads this...please.... Decide the fate of these great fan fiction characters.

Hmm, I'm the one who made it tie... so, quick, voters!

Jeez, three days....still need a vote....

If I remember correctly, if there was a tie at the time the writer of the duel wanted to end the voting, the writer's vote would be the tie breaker.

Of course, if you wish to wait until someone else votes that's fine as well. It's just a suggestion so you don't have to keep waiting.

Gaah! Someone flip a coin!! I'm tired of waiting too!

I refuse to vote, because, I admit, I am biased to Simion Mandrake, no offense Rev!

I would flip the coin, but if the result turned out to be Simion, ya'll would think I was lying.

That's right! I said "ya'll"!

Everyone who is willing to vote probably has already done that. We could post a riddle. First one to get the answer gets to make the deciding vote?

The problem with that is the chance that the riddle is posted when only one of us is online. That gives that person a HUGE advantage.

Ok, this clash has been open for votes for more than a month! Only eight votes, and a tie. Is there anyone who just came back online who can just give a single vote that will let us see the conclsuion and move on?

The tie-breaker is here... just a little late

For me, its Rhys. I think the voice in Simions head is going to make him crack pretty soon, resulting in some bloody- but completly random and unfocused- death. I think Rhys would take it, though I find Simion more interesting.

There ya go

FINALLY!!! Thank you Malpense! Your a lfe-saver....sorta...

**Runs off to kill Simion Mandrake in the finishing post.**

Hoo-ray! Somebody's going to die!

Umm... wait... hoo-ray? All this writing about assassination must be getting to my head.

Or I could just be warped to begin with.

Oh, boy after 30+ days we're finally going to see the conclusion. *weary sigh*

PS: the former is probably more likely canis......... but the more amusing option would definitly be the latter

The gods have allowed me to meddle in the squabbles of men, and i have made my decision..... yeah i dunno, but yeah Sorry Revan, all i know is that Simion is crazy cool.

Simion’s dagger thrusted into Rhys’s side, the blood darkening the cloth with its wet essence, as she cried out in pain. To Simion’s madness, it was pure ecstasy, the cry of weakness, the spoils of murder, a few more seconds and she would be dead.

He gave a wicked grin as he looked into her red eyes wincing in pain, only to have that grin fade quickly from his face as he felt the intense pain rise from his groin. His hand fell off the daggers hilt, as Rhys made a savage slash with her Hurso Staff, the energy of it blade diffusing with Simion’s Dragon Skin, and she fell off the side of the edge.

Rhys barely managed to escape with her quick gambit in attacking a man’s primary weakness, and she ran as fast as she could, unsheathing the dagger from her side with a slight yelp of pain and keeping it as a secondary weapon. Taking to the shadows once more she quickly made a makeshift tourniquet to stop the blood loss, and stop the trail of blood that would lead to her. Her eyes looked fearfully to the tunnels of the caverns beneath the Arena for a sign of the Mad Assassin…

Get Up, you fool! She has gotten away! Don’t let her cheat us of our victory! The Voice screamed in Simion’s mind as he lay on the ledge trying to recover from her life-saving attack. Breathing deeply he regained his composure, and felt his hand slip to the hilt of his second dagger, unsheathing its dark glint with a whispered hiss. The umbrella seller would be his!

A game of cat and mouse ensued, with Simion hunting his wounded quarry like a hunter with a grudge against an animal that he had hunted for years, but never managed to kill. Almost catching her once or twice, she still managed to either skulk or leap away, enraging him further.

Finally, Rhys felt a soft kiss of cool air across the back of her sweaty neck, and she nearly screamed aloud, believing that the Assassin had found her, but she only saw empty air. It was dark in this area, dark enough to obscure even her night-vision.

Stepping carefully she saw the source of the breeze, it was a vast gulf of a ledge that dropped off into an seemingly eternal drop, but she could just barely make out some evil-looking spikes at its distant floor.

“We still playing?” Came the sinister whisper from behind, as Simions dagger came from behind, and pressed against her neck. “Or shall we end the charade, here and now?”

“Now, scream. Scream like you’ve never screamed! Scream so that Dagon above can hear you!” Simion said with a bloodthirsty grate.

“I don’t think so.” Whispered Rhys slowly gripping Simions dagger that had nearly killed her before.

Simion loosened his grip on Rhys and his own weapon as he felt a stabbing pain, pun intended, in his own side, growing.

Quick as a cat, Rhys pushed Simion away, and saw his eyes cloud over as he stared, transfixed at his own blood. He seemed in a state of disbelief and shock, and she was very willing to take advantage of it.

With a roundhouse kick to the chest, Rhys sent the form of Simion flying into the Chasm, the dark form disappearing into the blackness, only ended seconds later by a wet sound of impalement.

She fell to her knees in gratitude for her victory, feeling her heart beating with adrenaline; she took deep breaths to lower the heartrate. A pinprick of light grew in the ceiling of the cavern, until the light revealed itself as the ground opening, and the red skies of Oblivion showed Mehrunes Dagon staring down in delight.

With a wave of his hand, Mehrunes summoned Rhys back to the Arena, while some Caitiffs took off with the body of Simion Mandrake, his cloak wrapped over his corpse.

“Excellent! You did not disappoint! The battle was certainly different. For that, I am entering you into my Grand Championship!” Mehrunes laughed out as she tried to yell out it in protest, but found herself transported to a plane she would stay until Dagon summoned her again.

“This other one, the Assassin of Mephala’s Order. Revive him, wipe his memory of all that has transpired here, and return him to from where I took him. Soon, the real entertainment begins.” Mehrunes Dagon laughed out.

Sorry, Soulseeker. As of malpense' vote, the polls closed, as we were waiting for a tiebreaker. Not to have it re0tied an hour later....Next Time.

Argh! If only you were an hour earlier Soulseeker! Ohwell, I guess that how luck doesn't favour the wicked.

Anyways, excellent finish to this battle that had long awaited a conclusion. Simion's overconfidence again has led him to his failure, which to me seems the most likely way for him to go. Great work Black Hand.

Now in order for us to continue with this thingy we either need Taillus or Arthago's writer to return so that they can duel with Serene.