Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

Seems they just hold off on phasing if there's something already where they should be.

 

"I have to strike it in three seconds..." I pull out my sword and thrust it at the dummy again.

 

It sticks into the dummy, but not very far.
It also seems to not phase out if your weapon is in it.

 

"Let me try something else." I pull out my sword and wait for it to phase out, and then wait for it to phase in again. Just as it phases in, I slash at it as much as I can, counting each slash in between the the up time.

 

You hit it three times before it phases out.
It seems to repair itself every time it phases out.

 

"Perfect." I try again when it phases in, attempting to lessen my pauses with each slash.

 

You slide in a fourth cut this time, using a little less follow-through after each cut.

You notice that there are numbers next to each dummy on a holographic chart. You can tell how many times you hit the dummy, when it will phase back in, how deep most of the cuts were, etc.

 

"Still, we have to try. I can takk the village doctor into healing you. It looks bad. You'll make it, but what if the blade was poisoned?" I say to Opal.

 

"Also would be frozen... No turning back. Keep... moving..."
He props himself up with his staff, then starts hobbling the direction you two had been walking last night.

 

"Let's see...Perphaps if I sacrifice the overall effectiveness of each slash, I'll be able to lessen the follow-up, thus squeezing in another slash or two." I take a deep breath, wait for it to phase back in, and slash at the dummy as much as I can, focusing on speed of attack rather than how deep each slash is.

 

You slide in a fifth, but every strike is a scratch.

 

"If I can get lots of hits with only a scratch, Perphaps I can weaken the enemy?" I think a while about which direction I should go at. "Perphaps I should just focus on the speed aspect first." I take another deep breath, wait for the dummy to phase in, and slash at it as much as possible.

 

Another five.
The guard from earlier has apparently been watching you, unimpressed.
"That's not a dagger, you fool. Don't treat it like one."

 

"But I'm trying to destroy a dagger with this. Might as well think like a dagger if I am to destroy it." I wait for it to phase in, and slash at it as much as possible again.

 

"If you want to break something, you don't use a dagger. To break a dagger, focus your blade's power. Better yet, get a broadsword. These dummies aren't metal; those are."
He wields a blade obviously meant for two hands with one, and he lunges at and cleaves through a metal block that's phasing in no apparent pattern.

 

"But the dagger I am attempting to destroy is no ordinary dagger, and this blade is also no ordinary blade. This blade is the lightest blade I have ever held, yet one of the sharpest I have ever wielded. And yet, with all my strength, I was able only to make a dent on said dagger, and now my blade has dulled slightly." I wait for the dummy to phase in, and slash at it as much as possible.

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"But the dagger I am attempting to destroy is no ordinary dagger, and this blade is also no ordinary blade. This blade is the lightest blade I have ever held, yet one of the sharpest I have ever wielded. And yet, with all my strength, I was able only to make a dent on said dagger, and now my blade has dulled slightly." I wait for the dummy to phase in, and slash at it as much as possible.

 

"Then ignore the blade; focus on the wielder. I use a bow, but I teach the broadsword. There is nothing wrong with your blade; speed of attacks is irrelevant when you're landing one focused strike."

 

"If you say that you can keep going, then I guess we can continue. Eventually, we'll need to go into a town for supplies. I can hunt, so if you can eat the animals of this area, then I'll get us some food tonight." I say to him. I start walking, making sure Opal is safe and in good condition for marching onward.

 

"Actually, let me tell you which blade I am trying to destroy. Perphaps the name will wring a bell."

"It is Bane."

 

"You're kidding, right? Neither of us have money. Neither of us are human in the eyes of the town. We can't go to them."

"I know what it's called. I'm saying you're weak. So, stop being weak. Train with a heavier blade, then apply that strength to yours."