The wind was cold and harsh. The lands of Krownest were brutal and unforgiving. The trees creaked and groaned under the gust. Kizuki was wandering through the forest. Out to check on a sensor trip. He was angrily muttering to himself. Some incoherent complaining about being sent out for a simple perimeter check. Alas he understood as a young lord of clan Okami this was his duty.
He wandered deeper into the forest. Continuing to complain to himself, not paying much attention to where he was going. He didn’t need to, he had roamed these forests since he was only 5 years old. The ping was a few miles out from the Okami Keep. ‘ping’. Another sensor trip. The target is getting closer. He moved up onto the highlands around the valley in front of him.
He could get a good view here and knew the target had entered the valley some time ago. He wandered for another 15 minutes through the hard snow covered landscape. ‘Ping’. They were 250 meters out. Down below in the valley. He did not duck down or lower his stance. He was not there to hide, he was bored and wanted this fight.
He stood there next to a large thick tree waiting. To his surprise it was another Mandalorian. Not one he had ever seen. Not bearing any of the insignia of the lower clans of Krownest. The Mando he saw before him was in a strange brown armour. Not blending in with the surroundings at all. But he understood. The Red and Black armour he wore didn’t either. For good reason, he loved the fight. He watched as this mando struggled through the snow and up the hillside past him. Trying to get their own vantage point.
He had had enough amusement. He began walking back along the ridge line toward this new mando. Expecting to be heard long before he was spotted. He wasn’t. Using his in depth knowledge of the forest he walked almost right behind the mando.
“What business do you have in Okami lands?” he said. His voice carried on the wind. As the mando wiped around, rifle drawn, staring at him. He remained silent. Waiting for a response.
““I am looking for someone” she says. This answer did not satisfy him at all.
“His name is Rheez Masa. Brown curly hair, mustache…kinda gangly. I have been sent by the Capital City Guild of Lothal”
Lothall, it wasn’t on the other side of the galaxy but business of Lothall here? Why?
“Rheez Masa is in the custody of the Okami Clan.”
“Listen here buddy, I’ve got his puck and I’m bringing him in. You can either help me or get out of my way.” She snapped. Glaring under his helmet he was ready for a fight.
“You are on Clan Okami territory, you will not harm my clan nor our prisoner. You have one last chance to leave.” Swinging round his rotary cannon into both hands. An obvious sign of aggression. He had had enough. What was another death for his clan's protection.
He opened fire. Beads of red laser fire shot across the forest. Reflecting brightly off the pure white snow. Wood began to splinter and fall as this new adversary ducked and weaved backwards through the trees. Being much smaller and more agile she began to circle round. Still being careful to avoid Kizuki’s fire. Quickly darting in for a strike. She felt it before she saw it coming. The resounding crack as she was sent flying backwards into a tree. Kizuki had dropped his cannon into the snow. Sizzling as it cooled down from the prolonged fire. He had pulled out a war hammer from his back. Weighty and heavy Kizuki swung it right into her side before she could react. This was one of his weapons of choice. His Favorite. He walked toward the mando, who he would later come to know as Liina, readying another strike. Linna was too quick however. Rolling backwards and kicking her feet off the ground to right herself. The hammer coming down inches from where her face just lay.
Gripping her Westar she began frantically shooting back at Kizuki while moving deeper into the forest. He continued his pursuit. She was incredibly good with her aim. Slowing Kizuki down as he tried deflecting her shots off his armour.
The two eventually ended up in a clearing. Nowhere to go he thought. In an unexpected turn of events however she started running towards. He readied himself and swung at her mid. She ducked down under the swing as the hammer head narrowly missed her. With a quick flash a blade was drawn. Cutting right across his chest plate.
Oh this is on. This was finally going to be a fun outing.
This was an interesting match. Speed against brawn, strength against something as nimble as the wind. Liina tried as hard as she could to get close to Kizuki. His defense for infuriating. He knew his weapon well. How to wait potentially for an opening. Linna ran at him, umrelating. Speed he could barely match, over and over. He was starting to lose the upper hand. She was getting fast, or he was getting slower. He could not tell. As each blow from her came at him, some started to slip through and slice against his armour.
Finally he saw his chance. A wide arcing strike left her open in the middle. With the blade passing by his helmet he spun around, giving his arms more momentum. Hitting Linna again in the side. This time winding her. He seized his chance, seeing she could not hold her own against such heavy hitting attacks.
It was now a game of back and forth in this clearing. Liina tried to out play Kizuki’s defence while he waited, swinging his hammer into trees and bushes around them. She was too quick for such a cumbersome weapon. The too were getting tired now. This fight was going to be decided shortly. Kizuki was getting frustrated. He became more lax with his defense, going on the offensive to try and snuff this little mando out.
This would be his downfall. Swinging his hammer over his head to come crashing down upon Liina, she took this opportunity. Rather than dodge out the way of his blow she charged in. ducking right under the falling hammer. Her blade outstretched toward his throat. Seeing this he let go of his hammer to parry the blade away, but Liina was ready. Side stepping with the momentum of the parry to his back. Kicking him in the back of his knee and pushing him down to the floor. By the time Kizuki could process what exactly had happened he was on his knees with Liina behind him. He felt the cold hard blade pressed under his helmet.
‘Ha ha ha’ he laughed. ‘Ha ha ha ha.’ Kizuki’s deep laugh rang out.
‘fine, fine. You win, fair and square’
Liina pulled the knife back, as if waiting for a reward. Kizuki slowly turned on the spot and planted his foot right behind hers. Took one last look at her before pushing her over in the snow. When Liina looked up, expecting a final cheap blow, all she saw was a hand. Stretched out to pick her up.
‘Come on’ said Kizuki, with a slight gloat to his voice. ‘’Let's take you to that bounty of yours’