Veronna had not been out much for the past couple months and the first place she went was the place she pretty much considered home. She walked into the arena and looked around, and realized how much she had missed this place. She walked towards the center of the arena and looked up when she felt a rain drop. She didn't mind the rain at all, but she was worried it would keep people away from the arena, when she felt like a battle. A breeze picked up, blowing cold wind through the arena and blowing Veronna's hair around. The rain began to come down faster and harder, but still she stood there waiting for someone to come.

She looked down at her right hip and touched the hilt of one of her scimitars that she kept with her all the time since she got them from Ocar after their wedding. They were Drow scimitars, and a couple of the better ones, for awhile she had hated everything to do with her people, but now she had learned to live with it.

Before long the rain had matted her hair against her skin, and her cloths were soaked, but she still stood there waiting.
While she grew up in the Underdark she had never known rain or snow or wind, though she had been on the surface for a few years now, she still loved the feel of them.

A crack of thunder made her look up again, the clouds had darkened, and she now was sure no one wanted to come out and spar. She would wait for a little while longer, but if no one showed up she would have to back to her temple and get Ocar to spar with her, though that had gotten kind of old, since she always sparred with at least once a day.

It was thundering and lightning was almost assaulting Taras. Perfect. Konahomaru was sent out to patrol, after a day or two break. He was the only one willing to, anyhow.

Lightning was Konahomaru's mistress, and Thunder was his maiden. His hair was soaked with rain, but the rest of his body was somewhat dry thanks to his long jacket. He was walking along, thinking of people he had met, remembering what had happened.

He saw the arena down the road. Immediatly he remembered Veronna, Goddess of Blades, Garthock the Gladiator. Two very outstanding characters. His involvment with Veronna was much greater however.

Kona had almost made freinds with her, they had met in the arena after Kona's battle with Garthock, and later had met and sparred together in the rain. Ironic, that it was raining now. Maybe he would see her again? Kona valued anyone he could learn from, and Veronna had alot to teach. She didnt know it yet, that was all.

Reaching the end of the road and at the entrance area of the arena, Kona did not stop walking. He kept right on, went past the gaurd shack and came to the main entrance. There she was, standing in the rain with her hand on the hilt of her scimitar. Konahomaru looked closly, it was the one her husband had given her.

Kona walked inside, and lightning struck just outside the arena. It light up the area, for just a moment. Kona could more clearly see her finer features. It was definetly the Coveted Goddess of Blades.

Stopping, he knelt. "Permission to aproach your Excellency?" he asked, in humble tones. Gods were the only ones he answered to, and he made it sure that when he met one, he left a good impression. "I hope you remember your humble servant, Konahomaru Son of Light?"

Veronna was surprised when she saw someone walking into the arena, and when some lighting struck outside the arena she saw who it was. She had met Kona before, mostly just in the arena and she had never learned much about him, but still it was someone she could spar with.
She was most surprised when he came forward and bowed before her; she was not use to people showing so much respect for her. And when he said Excellency she was taken aback.

She gestured for him to stand, "It is good to see you again, but there is no need for formal talk, I am just like you, in many aspects." She smiled at him, which she normally didn't do around people unless she liked that person in some way.
"Do you have anytime for a quick spar? For I have wanted to do so with someone else besides Ocar for quite awhile."

Her hands fell on the hilts of her scimitars. She had had plenty of time to get use to her somewhat new weapons, and had pretty much already mastered them. She had sharpened them early, and they were as deadly as ever, but she hoped she wouldn't have to kill anyone today.

She knew she wasn't the best teacher, but if one wished to learn, then she would show that person what she knew. Most people she went up against were at least fifty years younger then her, though many acted alot younger. She couldn't judge Kona quite yet, she had to get to know him a bit more before she could.

Konahomaru was somewhat caught by Veronnas comment.

"There is no way I could ever come close to your glory Veronna. You honor me." he said, rising and relaxing his muscles. Another lightning bolt struck, but this time inside the stadium. It hit behind Kona and some of the elctricity siphoned into his aura, which bursted back into view with bolts of electricity flying in every direction. The small puddles around the arena were now elctrified, brimming with electricity.

Kona drew his Lightning Blade and his Katana. He took his classic "No Stance" manuver. Something the Godess should not be surprised by. Kona did not expect to win this match, but he would try his hardest. Perhaps he might actually strike her this time. It almost made him excited.

"When you are ready, I will welcome the Goddess of Blades as my opponent."

When the lighting struck nearby and made the whole place light up and the puddles were eletricfied, Veronna looked up at the sky again. She was not worried about getting struck or anything, but she wasn't sure how long she wanted to stay out.
She was glad Kona had time for a spar, though she was getting sick of winning all the time, but she would just of to get use to it.

She drew her swords and smiled at him, she liked going against someone who also used to two weapons. She flexed her wrists and spun her swords.
She backed up some and brought her scimitars up in an attack position, "I remind you again, no magic is aloud, magic weapons I have no problem with."
She ran towards him, and while she did so she brought her right scimitar around and up to bear down on him. And as she did that, she brought her left scimitar in an horizantol arc, cutting from left to right.

She loved the feeling of a battle, it was exicting, you never know what your opponent will do, if he would back away or roll forward, or use his own weapons to block.

(Sorry for the short post, I have to go outside)

((Thats ok. Im not very formal. lol.))

Kona tightened the grip on his weapons. Silenlty he activated the shock enchantment on his Lightning Blade, and readyed himself. Veronna move toward him, attacking with one scimitar from above and another from the side. She was moving incredibly fast, and Kona was not quick enough to get out of the way, at least the traditional way.

Right when Veronna reached chopping distance, Kona immediatly fell flat on his back, like a plank of wood. He then raised his katana up, like a spine, and readied his lightning blade to parry. If she didnt stop running she would stumble onto Konahomaru and get stabbed, in which case he would threaten to cut off her neck.

He knew it probably it woudlnt work out that way though, since slaying a god is nearly impossible, and this was only a spar. Not an actual fight. But what if what she said was true? Maybe there was more god inside Kona than he previously had thought. Possibly, was his father a half-celestial, making Kona an almost complete god?

Highly unlikely, although possible.

Veronna was ready for Kona to do something to avoid her attack, and when he fell to the ground she acted without hesitation, but she had to much momentum and to slow down she turned all the way around. She didn't worry about Kona on the ground, for he wouldn't be able to reach her back as she turned. When she came back around to face Kona she twisted her right scimitar so it pointed down at him while she left her right one for blocking any attack he would throw at her. When your on the ground you can't protect yourself very well and the person standing gains the advantage.

Being a god wasn't very fun sometimes, when she battles she knows she can never die, unless she is fighting another god which she hasn't done really. But when she was mortal she could die, so it seemed she fought harder back then besides now.
She kind of missed the earlier years, not earlier as in when she was in the Underdark but when she was just getting use to the surface.

Veronna's life had changed alot since she came to the surface, she loved the surface more then the Underdark.

Konahomaru saw Veronna trun around and use her monetum against him. ~Maybe she forgot about the katana thats about to slice her in half?~ he thought, somewhat puzzled. ~Perhaps there is more to the situation...~

Kona lowered his katana and tossed it to his right, and rolled towards it. Veronna flew over him, and he heard her land somewhere. He wasnt sure if she landed on her feet, but she probably did. He stood quickly, deciding to go on the offense and grabbed his Katana.

But his lightning blade was no longer in his right hand. He had blundered somewhere along the line, and without his lightning blade Kona did not have a range advantage. Quickly he looked around, and saw it stuck in the ground quite a few feet away from him.

He ran towards it, the closer he got the more sparks it flew off. Another lightning bolt struck behind him, sending an electric surge through his body. "Hwaaaa!!" He shouted, falling to the ground and colliding with his blade, cutting his shoulder.

The electric from the bolt was insanely painfull, driving Kona to near madness. He picked up his blade, ignoring the shoulder wound, and started to charge it with electric energy. He started to look for Veronna, but he couldnt see her. There was to much electricity running through his body, and everything was blurred.

Then he remembered something. The Blessed Tattoo he had gotten on his forehead recently, in the shape of the crest of the God of Day. Then, he remembered no spells either. Did it count as a spell? It was a tattoo, so he didnt have to chant anything. He wasnt entirely sure, and was beginning to get worried about not seeing clearly.

Veronna knew Kona had his katana ready but she could have easily deflected it. When he tossed his katana away and rolled toward it Veronna couldn't stop her movement which was towards the ground. Her right scimitar dug deep in the sand but her reflexes were fast and about right when it hit the ground she swung herself around, while holding the handle to the scimitar. With her wheight pulling against the sword it ripped from the ground.

She quickly looked to see where Kona was and when a bolt of lighting struck near him Veronna feared it might have got him but he was still moving towards the sword he had dropped. Lighting surged around Kona and his blade, it looked as though it gave him strength yet he seemed uneasy and she could tell he didn't know where she was.
She moved quickly towards Kona, taking advantage of what the lighting did.

Many people think being goddess of blades means you have to be honorable, but those people forget that Veronna had come from the Underdark, she was tuaght to play dirty and to win at all costs. If someone wanted an honorble fight they should spar against Ocar.

Veronna got close to Kona not sure if she should touch him, for if she did she would most likely get shocked herself, but then the voice she had grown up listening to came into her head; "It does not matter if you suffer damage in a battle, as long as you win."
She did not want to hurt Kona, so she wasn't sure what she should do. Then she remembered she was cabable of healing wounds. She swung herself infront of Kona and, with both scimitars cut at his wrists. She wasn't sure if the electricity help with his defenses or not, but she felt electricity run through her body, but just for a second, for she pulled away from him but still faced him.

If her blades cut his wrists then he would drop his weapons, and if not then she would keep fighting.
As she pulled away from Kona she realized her hands were burning from the shock she got when she cut him. She held her scimitars frimly though it hurt quite bad.

Konahomaru was still trying to see past the amazing amount of surging electricity. He could see Veronna rush up to him, but wasnt quick enough to react. Kona felt some of the electric current leave his body, and a stange feeling on his wrist's. He could see clearly now, but was still overcharged from the lightning. Veronna had attempted to cut his wrists in order to stop him from being able to fight with weapons.

His wrists were bleeding. To test himself, he picked up the Lightning Blade, and did a quick parry with his right hand. He was fine with that one, she must not have cut deep enough. Now the other hand. It was slightly numb from the electricity, as was the rest of his body. But, it was a little more so.

He grabbed his blade with the left hand, and tried to do a quick parry. Konahomaru started the swing motion, and his fingers fell loose and the blade fell down to the ground.
"Damnit!" he cursed under his breath. That was the first time anybody had been able to incapacitate him since the war.

~I can still use it as a fist. But, it will be much harder to fight her. Maybe I should give up? I am fightning a god... No! I cannot! If I can even just make one wound on her that would be enough! I must continue on!~

So, in a fit of rage, an electric high, and determination, Kona grabbed his Lightning Blade and made a quick motion in the air. "Summon Lightning Bolt!" he shouted. The clouds started to concentrate over Veronna, and a lightning bolt started to speed her way. At the same time, Kona charged at her, with his fist ready and his blade in front of him. "Shock Enchantment" he said to the sword, and it started to brim with even more electricity, siphoning off of Konahomarus own current.

Veronna smiled when Kona couldn't pick up his katana, this gave her more of an advantage. She looked up when she saw clouds gather over her, she looked back down at Kona; she said no magic. She knew his lighting blade had some power in it, but not enough to bring a lighting bolt.
As Kona charged she also began charging at him, her scimitars ready, as she ran her eyes began glowing red. When she used any magical power this happened, she wasn't sure why, it didn't happen until she became a goddess. She focused some energy above her and made a sort of protective field above her, she didn't want to get hit by lighting.

She came up close to Kona, and as she did so she swung her left scimitar in an horizantol arc towards his gut. While with her other one she brought in the opposite direction. This normally made someone unsure of what sword to go after, and the only really other option was to back away.

Veronna wasn't worried of getting a little of a scock if she hit him, she was use to pain, though she hoped Kona would be smart enough to know how to avoid her attack.
She knew how desperate he was to hit her, but she wasn't going to go very easy on him, she knew he would feel insulted if she did that. Plus she hated going easy on people, because going easy means that person isn't very good.

She wished Kona would hit her at some point, just because it shows she is not perfect, though many believe she is just because she is the goddess of blades.

Kona raised his lightning blade to get ready to counter any attacks Veronna made. his quickened pace had increased his heart reate, and blood was flowing steadily from his wrist, cackling with electricity.Kona watched as Veronna swung her scimitars, each in an opposite direction. He had seen this once before on the battlefield. The outcome was not very nice.

Kona thought quickly. Then he had remembered one day he was in the library, watching one of the librarians. They were making a flyer of some sort, and using a metal utensil that had similar action to Veronnas attack. The librarian had blundered, and left a writing utensil under the flyer. It jammed the machine, and she couldnt cut the paper.

Kona smiled back at Veronna. He had it. He turned his blade upside down, and jammed it unbetween Veronnas scimitars. They stopped dead, each one just inches from his body. The shock enhancment was sending electricity flying through the scimitars. They resisted. ~Veronna must have some sort of resistance to elecricity~ he thought to himself.

Curling his left hand into a fist, he pulled back his arm for a punch and let fly at Veronnas face. It was very clever. Konahomaru did not think that even she would expect something like that.

Veronna was ready for her scimitars to hit flesh or nothing, but when they hit metal she forwn, and then clenched her teeth when the electricity ran through her body through her scimitars, it may hurt, but this was a fatel mistake for Kona; by doing this he will loose his last weapon. She twisted her scimitars clockwise, so it would force Kona to let go of his sword. She saw the fist coming but it wouldn't do much, for if he wished to keep his blade he would back away, but she diecieded to do something else besides waiting and finding out what he would do.
Veronna twisted her body alittle to the left then threw herself, lifting her legs off the ground and using her scimitars which were clamped on Kona's sword for support. She kicked out at him with her right foot and left her left for landing.

If this worked Kona would be dazed or knock to the ground, and when Veronna landed she could swing around fast and win the match, but that is only if it worked.

Veronna had not had a battle like this for awhile, Ocar was a good fighter but he had gotten pretictable since she fought him every day. This spar on the other hand was exciting and new, for she didn't know what Kona would do.
She found him a worthy opponent, many she fought would have been beatened awhile ago.

She was suprised at how well he was fighting, he was slightly slower then Veronna but she was trained for speed, but could also use force. She didn't do draa velve that much, though she really enjoyed it when she used that fighting style. If she fought like the drow she was she could have killed him long ago.

Konahomaru was now not frustrated, but somewhat satified with the outcome of his manuver. He could see the pleasure in Veronnas eyes as well. Kona was actually enjoying something. He was extatic almost, and chuckled as he staggered back and fell onto the ground.

He landed on his butt and put his hands out for support. One of them touched the katana he had dropped earlier. His lightning blade was tossed somewhere by Veronnas acrobatic feat.

Kona took hold of the katana and put it in his right hand. He held it up, and breathed deeply. His breath came short. Veronna had knocked one of his ribs out of place. ~I may actually have to surrender this battle.. If i cant breath smoothely then i wont be able to keep up with Veronnas speed.~ he thought to himself, clutching his katana tightly.

~No... I cant give up yet. I got close to hitting her that time, i know i can hit her for sure now.~ Kona put his katana up, and beckoned to Veronna to come at him. He had an idea. ~by now her hands must be a little numb, so maybe i can pull something off again.~ His plan? Should she use the same move she had previously, or at least one similar, he would jam his katana in between again. But instead of striking her face, he would hit one of the nerves in her arms. Then the fight would be even again, one on one weapon figthing.


(Typos i know. im in a hurry.)

As Veronna kicked out she felt her foot hit flesh and smiled. She braced herself as the ground drew closer and got ready with her left foot to land. She touched ground without falling and quickly turned around to see the status of her opponent. She was pleased to see Kona had lost his lighting blade, but smirked when she saw he had found his katana.

As Kona beckoned for her to attack him, she paused to think what she should do, she knew she couldn't do the same attack, that was always a stupid thing to do while in battle. No, she had to do something different, something he wasn't ready for, but What? Right then she had an idea, an attack he would not find very easy to avoid.

She smiled and ran towards him, if this played out right she shoudn't have trouble beating him. As she got in close to him, about two feet away, she raised her left scimitar in case he would try hitting her, but right then she stabbed with her right one and then swung herself left of Kona and brought her left scimitar in an horizantil arc from left to right. So this put Kona in an odd position; for her right scimitar had followed her but had stayed close to him, and with her left scimitar coming from the left it sort of looked like the move she had done before this one, but this time she was close enough he couldn't put anything in between her scimitars except his arm, which would result in him loosing it.
She hoped this would work, and if not she could keep moving in a forward motion and attack again and again. The only thing wrong with this move was she was left open at the shoulders, and the gut, but that was only if the opponent had a short weapon, and a katana was not short at all.

(Sorry if it's kind of confusing, I can't put much thought in it right because a sibling wants on)

Kona saw Veronna slightly different manuver. He thought of trying the same thing, then noticed the direction they were taking. He would without a doubt lose an arm if he did that.

Looking for an open spot, Kona started to jog backwards, giving him a little more time to think of something. ~Scimitars are short range weapons, so maybe I can catch her before she gets close to me... ill try that...~

Kona took his katana and took his proper stance. As soon as Veronna was in range, he crouched on one knee and slashed out from the left to the right. If he timed it right, he would leave her a nice souvenir on her belly, or maybe even disembowel her.

He wasnt concerned about the latter. She was a Goddess, and probably could heal herself, and if she couldnt, Kona could heal her. What was on Konas mind was why he wasnt near death by now. He had expected to lose this fight near the beginning, but perhaps Veronna was doing her best? Maybe he was that good. He didnt think so. Being able to match the Goddess of Blades was something on his "Improbable" list. Doable, but not likely.

Veronna saw him back up and knew her scimitars wouldn't hit, but she kept moving foreward. She had her scimitars back up and ready, when he slashed at her she rolled foreward and to the left, but was not fast enough and felt the katana cut her right shoulder. She ignored like with her hands, and kept on with the attack. As she rolled she jabbed out with her left scimitar, then when she found her footing she slashed out with her right scimitar from right to left.

Now Veronna was lost in the battle, that was all her mind was on at the moment and would be until it was over. All her senses were reacting faster and faster even though she let herself get cut it wasn't enough to stop her, though it hurt pretty bad and so for it not hurt as much she should drop her scimitar but she knew she couldn't do that, not yet.

She knew he could roll away from him if he wanted but Veronna had her footing and could go after him faster then he could attack, but right now the smarter thing for him to do would be to keep fighting on the ground and then get up or get up now but Veronna would have his legs off if he rose, but if he didn't get up he would get hit by her scimitars, so it looked like he would have to roll, because his sword was on Kona's right side and Veronna was on his left, but maybe he had some idea what to do.

(Sorry again for the short post, I made a long post at the topic you made at my temple and I can't think of anything else to put here...)

Kona felt blood hit his face. A hit, she rolled out of the way and landed, and was coming for another attack. She was on his left, and his sword was on the right. This is were he was comfortable, for some odd reason. Kona reacted quickly to the approaching scimitars, taking advantage of his katanas length, quickly he lifted his left arm and moved the katana under it, then straightening it.

He heard a loud cling, and glanced over. Veronnas scimitars had stopped at his katana, but one of them managed to scrape part of his shoulder. Pain rushed through his arm, but he held his tongue.

Quickly he rised, and started to push against Veronna. Kona wanted to pin her and try to subdue her in a submission hold. If he managed ot get her on the ground it would be over. All he needed to do was squeeze the breath out of her, and she would have to tap out or black out.

The only problem? Kona did not know how strong Veronna was. She was quick for sure, but he had no way of gauging her strength. Now he owuld find out. All along he had been gauging her, reading her and learning what she did. Her strength was the last thing he needed to know before he attempted his last try at winning. If that was unsuccesful,

he would surrender.

Veronna was suprised by how fast Kona had brought his sword around towards her. She knew it would stop her scimitars from cutting, but when her right one cut his shoulder she was somewhat pleased.

As Kona began standing so did Veronna. They were pressed up together, their weapons useless, and then he began pushing her back. Veronna knew he was testing to see how she fought, watching every angle of her attacks she made, and now she knew he didn't know her strength, if she would be able to hadle an assualt like this. She didn't look very strong, her muscles were elegant looking instead of chunky, but they were strong. In the Underdark she had only relayed on her stealth to get her around, but now she had practiced so much her muscles were a lot stronger then before, but looked just as beutiful.

She began pushing against him, though if she lost her balance she would fall. As she pushed she slowly let go of her left scimitar, but it didn't fall to the ground because it was pushed up against Kona's katana. With a quick movement that was nearly impossible to see, she grabbed her dagger she had tied around her waist earlier. She quickly brought it up on Kona's side of the weapon lock and towards his throat.
There she just rested it, at the base of his throat.
"Well, I guess your options are to ethier give up, or I can kill you," she smiled at him.
There was nothing he could do with his sword, because Veronna had made sure when they rose her weapons were crossed and Kona's was in between them.

Kona felt Veronnas stance failing, and thought he was about to gain the advantage. He smiled slowly as he felt her grip on the ground slip, and she started to lose grip on her weapons. Konas smile got ever bigger, he was approaching his goal, ever slowly.

Then he felt something cold against his throat. And sharp too.

"Well, I guess your options are to either give up, or I can kill you". Kona saw Veronna smile at him. He smiled back, and chuckled a little bit too. He hadnt laughed for years. It felt good. ~I am an escape artist, but then again, she might be too~ he thought to himself. He didnt want to lose. If this was a battle against someone other than a god, he wouldve pulled off some fancy escape trick.

Kona decided against it. Even if he did get killed, he was sure Veronna would resserect him or at least somebody else would, but he didnt feel like welcoming death just yet.

"Very well. I surrender. Thank you very much for your time. I learned alot. Please forgive me for my imperfection." Kona released his squeeze on Veronna, and dropped his katana on the ground. "If you would please be so kind as to remove the dagger." he said, his voice slightly choked from the amazingly sharp piece of metal.

Veronna knew he would give up, it was the smartest thing to do, she would have if she were mortal. She smiled and removed the dagger from his throat. When she lost her grip on her weapons they fell in to the mud. She sheathed her dagger and then bent down and picked up her scimitars and also sheathed them.

"I enjoy teaching people how to fight, though I normally I'm not a very good teacher." She was glad he liked learning from her, many just ignore what she has to say. "Non of us are perfect, not even me, so don't worry about that," she looked at him with her red eyes, "you could spend your whole life trying to be prefect and not ever do it." She was pretty sure he had heard all this before.

"I thank you for sparring with me, I have been waiting for someone worth fighting." She looked up at the sky; it was still down pouring but the lighting had eased a bit. Now her clothes were soaked along with her skin and hair, and the chainmail shirt she wore was cold against her wet shirt.

"I guess I must be going," she looked back at Kona, "Ocar will be wondering where I am." She bowed towards him, "You did well today, keep it up and you might nearly win next time." She turned and began walking towards the exit. She did find Kona a pretty good fighter compared to others, she wasn't sure if Ocar could beat Kona or not. She was looking forward to getting back to her temple because of Ocar, for he took care of her and she also took care of him, but right now she wanted to be warm.

Veronna stepped away and put away her dagger. Kona stepped back to allow her room to bend over and pick up her scimitars.

"... im not a very good teacher" Veronna said, among other things. It was true that Konahomaru had heard those other things before. He used to be a soldier, and knew all about imperfection. How it hurt, and how it helped. Konahomaru's plan was to come as close as possible to perfection.

"It was an honor to spar with you" Kona replied to her farewell. He almost felt bad that she was leaving, but he understood that she had a husband to attend too. Then he heard something from her that completely knocked him off his feet.

"You did well today, keep it up and you might nearly win next time."

Konas heart almost stopped. He stood there watching her walk away wide eyed, the blue halos showing in his eyes. It was the first time in a long time that Konahomaru had felt loved. Loved by a good freind, and cared for.

A distant lightning bolt struck, and thunder was at the edge of the town. Kona picked up his katana, and put it in its sheath. Then he walked to the other side of the arena and picked up his lightning blade, still stuck in the ground. He sheathed that too, the sparks jumping out as if to escape being snuffed.

Konahomaru felt the tattoo on his forehead, and activated the spell it carried. Holy magic filled him, and he felt his wrist wounds sealing up, leaving dried blood on his arms. He felt his rib pop back into place. "Haack! Ugh..." Kona coughed, breathing in fully now. He stretched his arms, and then walked out the arena and continued his patrol in the rain.