Weapon's Test (Mission)

[Krad Zephyros]

The danger room was a dome-shaped room almost fifty yards in diameter with chrome as the overall color scheme. The metal floor panels were about three square feet each; some completely solid, but others with dangerous traps beneath them. The walls and even the ceiling all had the same pattern of panels all around excluding the very center of the room, which had a green platform in the center about twenty five yards away from the front door.

The Weapon's Testing is a secret assignment that not many people know about. A lot of the people who were involved in the making of this prototype defensive system haven't even been fully informed on how exactly it works. Apparently, there have been rumors of it being voice activated. If one were to just say training start, the systems would come alive and try to kill them.

There are many secret hidden traps and such within the Danger Room. How they fair when used as a simple training exercise will soon decide the fate of the Soul Reaver Academy's many defensive systems.

[Mortis]

Mortis ran his fingers through his hair as he walked down the corridor towards the training room. As a new teacher he had a fairly easy assignment. Simply watch over a student as he undergoes a combat test and make sure nothing bad happens.

He was a little behind schedule as the unfamiliar halls slowed him down as he had to remember which way to go at each turn. Eventually he got the door to the room and found what seemed to be the student waiting for him by doing pushups. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"Hello Slane. I'm sorry for the delay but as I'm new here, I'm sure you'll understand. I'm Mortis by the way."

Mortis stepped forward and opened the door to the training room and stepped inside. He turned back towards the student and asked:

"Are you going to do that all day? Come on."

[Mortis]

Mortis wasn't suprised by the Slane's posture or attitude. Though he did deserve it a little for being late, he decided to ignore it and instead answer Slane's question.

"No they didn't actually... Guess I'm supposed to just make a mental map as I go. Well, I'm here now."

He went and leant against the door and watched Slane from afar.

"Alright kid. You ready? Training Start!"

Suddenly, several knives shot out of the left side of the room and rocketed straight at Slane! Meanwhile, an agile looking kishin egg armed with dual daggers climbed out of the floor and ran towards Slane as well! Clearly this training excercise wasn't going to be easy.

[Mortis]

Mortis was impressed by the skill of Slane and his strange shadow. A single kishin egg was clearly no match. Annoyed by Slane's attitude, he decided to up the ante.

"You want more? Fine by me! Training level increase!"

Several dozen panels open up all over the room. 50 enemies of various sizes, speeds and strengths emerge from holes and simultaniously run towards Slane.

Mortis scratched his head and wondered whether he should let this happen. Perhaps so many enemies was a bit much. But Slane wanted more and here was more.

[Mortis]

As Slane accidently stepped on a trap tile, suddenly dozens of ghostly hands shot out of the floor and latched onto both himself and his swords, holding them still. The remaining monsters in the room were joined by 20 more as they roared and dashed in to strike Slane while he was vulnerable.

Mortis watched this unfold with interest. He wondered how Slane would wriggle out of this one. Whats more, if he did, should he up the training level again? It was his first day, and he didn't want the blood of a student on his hands already. Though Slane had it coming to him.

[Mortis]

Mortis watched Slane escape from the trap and easily butcher the remaining enemies.

Such incredible power... this test is a joke.

"Training end!"

Mortis walked up to Slane.

"Alright kid. I see just how bored you are with these pathetic AI. How about we up the ante eh? I'd say you have easily passed the test at this point. But how about you spar with me instead? I want to see what you can do in one on one combat with another power. How about it kid? But I warn you, I wont pull any punches."

Mortis took a few steps back and waited for Slane's reply.

[Mortis]

"I assure you that this is no joke. Your lesson is over. This is... an extra curricular activity if you will. Strictly off the record."

Mort ran his hands down the length of his pony tail and waited for Slane to make the first move. But perhaps he needed a little encouragement.

"I'm tougher than I look kid. You wont break me so easily. Theres no holograms this time."

He stood there staring intently at Slane, eyes daring him to attack.

[Mortis]

Mortis saw that Slane wasn't a fool after all and instead insisted that he attack first instead. Slane and his swords took up a defensive stance. A wall formed by several of the swords with a few hidden. It was an impressive defensive line. It seemed like the only way to strike would be from the sides, but doing so would make him vulnerable to a counter attack. Hmmm.

Mort walked very slowly towards the wall of swords, making no attempt to go around them. His arm relaxed, and in a flash of light his arm had become the blade of a sword. Grey and covered with symbols identical to his ring. He lifted his sword arm and swung it at the wall of blades, putting very little force behind it.

[Mortis]

Mort watched with disinterest as the trap he had just activated unfolded. The scissor blades stopped before they could do any damage. He could see that Slane considered this battle to be won, and was begining to calm down.

Mort sighed. Just as he thought. There was a reason he swung his arm so slowly and so obviously toward that obvious trap. Because Slane would counter attack and end up mere inches away from his body. The worst place to be. He knew that Slane would lack the ruthlessness to go througgh with his attack all the way. Big mistake.

"Didn't I tell you that this fight was off the record?..." Whispered Mort in a sinister tone.

"I'm not your teacher! I'm your OPPONENT!!! HRRRRAAAGGGHHHHHHHH!!"

A storm of black lightning instantly raged around his body in a 3 foot radius, completely engulfing Slane in a whirlwind of un-equaled suffering. There was no escape. After 20 seconds of this punishment he let down the storm and stepped away from Slane.

"YOU FOOL!" He yelled "I could have kept that up until all the life had been ripped from your very soul and your corpse would be lying there, still twitching from the abuse. I could have destroyed you!"

He drew a deep breath and calmed down.

"Look ki-... I mean Slane. I respect your abilities in combat but you lack what it really takes to be a more powerful fighter. Your arrogance blinds you to the unexpected and leaves you wide open. Keep up your training Slane. You'll be a great meister one day. I look forward to it."

With that Mort silently left the room and shut the door quickly behind him before walking back to the staff room. Once there he indulged himself in a glass of pink lemonade and sighed. Slane had great potential. If only he could shake off his attitude he would be much stronger.