Vargas went down, and the Sentinel did not hesitate: he leapt, legs airborne, halberd lifting to come down in a potentially very painful arc. He did not turn the hacking blade away, no; he drove it down for the Master's tangled limbs.

He still did not speak, the movement one of pure violence and nothing more. There was no calculating gaze--though the calculation was there, in the arc of the jump, the timing of the swing, the cautious watch on Vargas's movements.

In his gaze, however, there was nothing: only emptiness.

It will succeed, were his only thoughts.

It would win.

Round: 4
Attempt: Hack at Vargas
Defense:
Injuries:

- THE LEVIATHAN -

The leap, he had to admit, was impressive.

It was also potentially very dangerous, even in a spar, and the Master felt a spark of real annoyance that the Sentinel would push this hard again in a practice fight. Vargas needed his limbs. For various things, like, walking, hunting, and fighting. He kicked out, and snapped his arms up, spines outward, in the hopes that one or the other would deflect the blow.

Round: 4
Attempt: Don't get hit, pt II, redux
Defense:
Injuries:

He felt feet catch him, and as he hit the ground, he stumbled; the halberd's head slammed between the massive arm-spines, catching, screeching down as though they were metal.

He wrenched it free without a second thought--instinct roared in him. Vargas was on the defensive. He had to keep him that way.

"Yes," he stated--answer to a question now asked long moments ago--as he suddenly brought the halberd back in. This time it was not a swing, but a jab; this time it wasn't blade-first, but a neat thrust of the long, slender haft, aimed to shove between the spines and strike Vargas in his exposed belly. Or rather, exposed if the haft could slip between those massive spines.

Round: 5
Attempt: Gut strike with the halberd haft's butt
Defense:
Injuries:

- THE LEVIATHAN -

This had gone on long enough.

The haft came thrusting in, and Vargas snatched for it. He caught it--if barely--scrabbling thumbs nearly letting it slip through, then tightening enough to stop the strike. He thrust back--a shove powerful enough to push the Sentinel near off his feet, if he managed--and then came upright in a springing bound. One limb struck out as he did, an attempt to not only hit the Sentinel flat in the chest but send him flying.

"You have learned," he growled, after a moment, eyeing him. "I see you've trained. I warn you again: do not seriously wound or kill any of the Forge in a spar, or in practice, Sentinel. Now: when you are ready, I have a way you can prove yourself."

Vargas eyed the Sentinel up and down as the creature pushed slowly back to his feet. He was proving more useful than many: cunning, adaptable, resilient. These were good traits; perhaps it was time to see just how far they extended.

"Have you ever heard of Emuh..?"

Round: 5
Attempt: Riposte: block the strike, throw Sentinel back
Defense:
Injuries:

exit Vargas

Character: The Sentinel Age: +4 (4 Cycles) Magic Level: +5 (Champion) ROUND 1 Attempt: +9 Penalties: - ROUND 2 Attempt: +6 Penalties: - ROUND 3 Attempt: +15 Penalties: - ROUND 4 Attempt: +14 Penalties: - ROUND 5 Attempt: +15 Penalties: - Total: 68

Character: Vargas Age: +21 (21 Cycles) Magic Level: +5 (Champion) ROUND 1 Attempt: +18 Penalties: - ROUND 2 Attempt: +15 Penalties: - ROUND 3 Attempt: +1 Penalties: - ROUND 4 Attempt: +18 Penalties: - ROUND 5 Attempt: +5 Penalties: - Total: 83

WINNER: Vargas