[Arc] The Execution of Victor Abio

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Time was of the essence, and as such, Castor and Cisco sprung into sparring the day after their escape from St.Grigg’s hospital. Meanwhile, in Vana, Victor Abio was being charged for treason against the crown, experimenting on patients and working with the criminal, the Masked Knight also known as Castor O. Nox.

Stripped of his role as the head of the hospital, Victor was banished to the dungeon’s of Castle Vert, which now had it’s own sky roof, compliments of Castor’s previous rampage.

The execution date was set. Victor was sentenced to the guillotine within a week’s time. Meaning, Castor had less than six days to master consecutive movement before his clash with Gryphon. With his electric radio, Castor was able to listen into conversations all across Vana, which worked in his favor in obtaining information about Victor’s health and day of judgement.

Raphael Bolden, the young head of Vana paid Victor a visit, in attempts to torture information about Castor Nox. The child was a sadistic and eclectic youth to say the least but his passion for torturing others was unparalleled  to his uncle’s own. Day after day, the child would come and burn the Doctor with a hot rod, attempting to break the doctor’s will.

Then, Grace would be sent in afterwards to clean up the man’s wounds. A precursor for the ‘fun’ commencing tomorrow once again.

“Why don’t you tell them everything you know, Victor?” Grace said, wiping the man’s burn wounds with antiseptic and scarring cream.

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Training with wooden swords fashioned from tree bark, the duo’s exchanges across the forest land, increased in intensity as the days passed. With his weapons stripped from him, Castor had to improvise, imaging the feel and weight of Summer Rain. Using rocks as his weights, Cisco strapped boulders against himself, conditioning his muscles to manage more weight.

“Alright. You’re starting to get the hang of it.” Cisco stated.

Panting, “Gashi Gashi… I never thought it’d be training this hard after spending all those days on Swallow Island plotting for my return.” Castor responded, falling to the floor, arms sprawled out.


“If you continue at this rate… You should be able to Master Jules old weapon… Seiryu.” Cisco declared.

“Seiryu? You mean that humongous two handed halberd she always carry around?” Castor inquired.

“The very one. It’s the perfect weapon for the Rising Dragon Style. Especially one as violent as yours.” Cisco stated.

“I could try but I remember once as a child it took five knights to lift that thing to her room a time she got drunk and passed out in the city… I had always planned to hunt it once I had became stronger. Where is Seiryu anyway?” Castor inquired.

“In the White City – Flevance.” Cisco responded.

“Ah. The first island I stopped on after Swallow Island.” Castor declared.

“I placed it to rest in a Cathedral called the Saint’s Keep. A man by the name of Leonidas will be guarding it. Tell him you have Cisco’s blessing.” The old man rambled on.

“Right now. My main concern is getting back Victor and escaping Vana. I’ll need Summer Rain and Iris before that. Let’s get going again old man.” Castor declared, rising to his feet once again.

“Haha… This time we’ll go for thirty minutes. Non-stop.” Cisco declared with a grim expression.

“T-Thirty minutes. My muscles gave out on fifteen last time. M-Monster.” Castor declared with a long sigh.

As such, the days continued on. The day of the execution arrived. Victor Abio was escorted towards the gallows, and with all of Vana in attendance, the execution begun!

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The rhythm created as the guards metallic boots marched against the paved stone basement echoed throughout the entire chamber. Coming to an immediate halt before Victor’s cell, the preparations above had finally reached completion. Unlocking the cell door, the posse of four strong armed the massive doctor out of his cell, and began to escort him to the surface.

The contrast in light texture shifted as the group walked up the long cascading staircase, brightness reaching it’s maximum levels at the top. The cheers from the crowd could have been heard, the face of the long awaited traitor had been revealed. Rotten cabbages, tomatoes and any produce that had been scorned by time were tossed at Victor’s body as he was escorted through a path in the center of the crowd towards the gallows.

Climbing the wooden fort that overlooked the Castle Vert courtyard, Victor’s body was hoisted before all of those in attendance to see. Shoving the man’s head in a wooden latch, Victor was forced onto his knees. Neck exposed against his will for the executioners blade to show no mercy. From the crowd, chants of murderer, werido and freak championed as rumors of the accused actions spread like wildfire.

From the balcony on the opposite side of the gallows, Sir Gryphon stood. Seated in their thrones were Sir Bolden Senior and the Lord of the Shield, the child who had been torturing Victor for the last week or so, Lord Raphael Bolden. Raising his hand, Gryphon silenced the crowd.
“Victor Abio. Today you are to be executed on the following counts:

- Inhumane experimentation on human life
- The murder of Knight Sir Circus, aid to the Shield
- Conspiracy to betray the Crown
- Alliance with conspirator against the crown, Castor O. Nox.
- Conspirator in the Blue Bolt Incident where five hundred some men lost their lives.

Do you object to any of these crimes?” Gryphon shouted.

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At this time in the Castle’s Armory, the guards who lazed around sleeping were left electrocuted. Breaking into the chamber, Castor would retrieve his katana and spear, using Cisco as his GPS for navigating the castle’s walls. Resting his spear into the holster on his back, and sliding his nodachi along his waist, the broad smile that filled the pirate’s face was the only means of communication needed.

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“It’s Showtime Nox. Remember the plan?” Cisco inquired, searching around the armory for a weapon of his own. “Mhm. I’ll challenge Gryphon head on. You’ll focus on helping Victor escaping. We’ll rendezvous at the stables.” Castor recapped the plan. Transforming into his lightning form, Castor jolted through the stone fixtures, jolting towards the clouds above the courtyard. Blackening the clouds with his very presence, several instances of lightning decorated the afternoon sky.

The air around the courtyard remained still but a single strike of lightning blasted against the gallows. As the smoke cleared, the restraints that subdued Victor were eviscerated, and standing next to his accomplice was the man of the hour himself, Castor O. Nox.

Gashi Gashi Gashi

“Sorry I took so long Vic. I had to go retrieve my weapons first… but damn you look like shit. Dinner’s on me after this whole fiasco settles.” Castor stated with a smug expression all over his face.

Storming from all entrances imto the courtyard, the remaining Vana Army and Gryphon stood before the duo. Lunging onto the singed platform in a single leap, Castor and Gryphon stood eye to eye for the first time. Gryphon stood at eight foot five, and weighed well over two hundred and eighty pounds. His long flowing emerald hair and crimson suit of armor, added to the prestige of the man’s immensely regal feel.

At his waist was a Meito Blade – Winter’s Edge, a two handed longsword that was forged from a bright azure metal. Removing the blade from it’s keep and resting on the shoulder cuff of his armor, Castor countered by removing Summer Rain from it’s sheath as well.

“Everything about you intrigues me. A former knight using a samurai’s weapon. I guess honor truly is a foreign concept to you.” Gryphon stated, assuming his fighting stance. “The only honor I believe in lies in my victories. I won’t be taking any chances with you this time around. I’m going to shove this samurai blade right through your chest. Just like I did Blitz and your little lackeys.” Castor retorted.

“You truly are the embodiment of evil.” Gryphon responded enraged.

“Oh stop. Flattery won’t get you anywhere.” Castor concluded smirking. “Victor. You’ll have to fight your way out through his knights. Cisco will be waiting for you by the stables. I’ll end this and meet up with you later.” Castor declared.

“You won’t be going anywhere Mr.Abio.” Grace declared, blocking the man’s path on the fort’s staircase. Reaching into her kimono, the woman revealed a chain and a small metal ball attached to it’s end. Beginning to spin the chain between her fingertips, one last order came from Castor that would surely intrigue the Mad Doctor.

“Victor. If you can… Avoid killing her. She might come in useful on our journey. I have plans for Miss Mafia Consort.” Castor declared.

Focus shifted back towards Gryphon, both men coated their weapons in Busoshoku Haki.

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The very swing of Gryphon’s first strike carried enough power to split the fort they were standing on into two. [MT – Miss] Combining his newly learned foot techniques with his Logia’s ability to flicker in and out of a tangible and intangible form, Castor avoided the strike with a simple parry, and retreated to the ground below. As the structure fell, Gryphon chased the logia user into the courtyard, hands firmly attached to Winter’s Edge. [HT – Raijin’s Flicker]

Before pushing off the platform, Castor extending his thumb at Gryphon’s neck in a snake like fashion. The man’s thumb quickly cracked against Gryphon’s neck, sending a numb sensation throughout his body. [LT – Voltage Probe]

In present time, “What did you do to me?” Gryphon asked snarling. “Call it my insurance policy. I’ll only get faster after this. Do try to keep up.” Castor taunted. Lunging into Castor’s personal space, Gryphon attempted to split the man in two with a vertical slash along his abdomen. Adjusting his height by conducting his feet into the ground, the blade glided inches away from Castor’s ponytail. The friction cut his hairband, freeing Nox’s hair to drape naturally. [LT – Miss]

Revealing a concealed blade in his knee, Gryphon hoisted his right leg off the ground, thrusting his knee downward in attempts to blind Castor’s third eye. Jerking his face away from the blade, the weapon cut open Castor’s cheek. [LT – Grazed Hit]Maintaining his composure, Castor shuffled backwards away from the man’s continuous assault. With one final upward swing, Castor hopped off the ground, coating his wooden sandals in Busoshoku Haki, Castor would stand atop Gryphon’s longsword. [UT – Miss]

Using Winter’s Edge as a launching pad, Castor would slash his blade diagonally along Gryphon’s cheek. Symbolically, returning the same wound to him as a jest. [UT – Castor] Landing gracefully on the ground, flipping twice with two rotations, the Head Knight’s blood shone brightly in contrast to Summer Rain’s black texture.

The two men smirked at each other, this time, no words were exchanged.

COMBAT TRACKERS:

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Concentrating energy around his being, a blue halo could be seen hovering over Castor’s head. The man’s naturally dark iris turned sky blue, as the heat alone around Castor’s body was enough to melt basic metals into puddles of gunk. [HT – Zeus’ Gift] Flickering outside of Gryphon’s sight, the ethereal being reappeared at the man’s flank, resting palm against the Knight’s thick adamantine armor. In an instant, a surge of current ran through Gryphon’s person, staggering his motor skills, causing the man to swing wildly, releasing a chilling aura over his own blade. [LT – Perun’s Touch] [MT – Miss]

Shifting his position to beneath the man’s chin, hovering, Castor slammed his open palm in an uppercut fashion against the man’s throat. [UT – Hit] Groggy and enraged, Gryphon entered into a flurry of attacks, swinging his blade with a killer’s intent. Shifting from side to side, Castor simply swayed, avoiding the aggravated assault intended by Vana’s mightiest knight. [LT – Miss]

However, the pressure from Gryphon’s attack broke Castor’s concentration momentarily, causing Gryphon to slice open Castor’s right arm. [LT – Hit ] Attempting to succeed with a follow up knee strike with his concealed blade, Gryphon’s haki coated blade attempted to pierce into the Logia’s gut. Splitting apart his mid-section in an elemental scramble, Castor avoided the potentially fatal shot. [UT – Miss]

“You’re much faster and more composed then when you fought my men. I see that old dog has been teaching you some new tricks.” Gryphon stated smugly, exhaling consistently to tame his anger in the moments of lull.

“I haven’t quite perfected my 'breathing' yet. That’s why I haven’t been using Haki. It takes a deep focus to get them both right.” Castor retorted smirking.

Stricken with fear, “You mean to tell me you haven’t been using Kenbunshoku this whole time?!” Gryphon exclaimed annoyed.

“I can get much faster than this but what’s the point if I can’t hit you cleanly. I’m looking for openings. I’m not stupid. I know you’re miles stronger than me. This is a test. I’ve already surpassed that old coot. If I can defeat you now… I’ll become even stronger.” Castor concluded, extending his nodachi before him and assuming a stance.

“So far so good.” Castor thought. “Now. It’s time for the real gamble. Sink or swim.” Castor’s thoughts trailed as he’d lunged inward once more.

Arriving on the battlefield, Cisco’s rampage began to cut loose. Clearing the path behind Grace, Cisco provided an escape route for the Mad Doctor when the time is right. Bouncing back into the mob below, Cisco began to clean house, wiping out the Vana Knights in his path with a simple flick of the wrist. Now and again, taking in glimpses of Castor and Gryphon’s exchange.

“Come on’. You can move better than that kid. Hit em’ with ‘that’. It’s something only someone with your skillset can accomplish.” Cisco declared, cheering inwardly from a distance.

COMBAT TRACKERS:

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Immediately, Castor dispersed small electrical particles around himself, encompassing the area around Castle Vert’s courtyard. The particles radiating in patterns similar to that of dandelion spores were immensely beautiful to the common eye. However, upon contact with them, knights on the battlefield began to drop one by one but Gryphon’s vigor pulled him through. In an instant, snapping his fingers, all spread particles began to float towards Gryphon’s position. One by one, the particles would seep into Gryphon’s armor, creating an incubator for the electrical chaos that was about to pulsate throughout the knight’s body. Trying to maintain composure, Gryphon’s body began to convult violently, the Knight's overall composition weakened. [MT - Enlil’s Curse]

As the grin plastered along Castor’s face widened, two swift strikes from his Nodachi ripped apart the man’s armor, the energy transferred from the blows manifested in the form of wolves, feasting on Gryphon’s body from the excess electricity generated from Castor’s impact. The second strike specifically which ripped apart Gryphon’s right leg armor plate was brutal, fracturing several bones in the knight’s leg. [LT - 10 & 30 Million Volt - Raiju / Orko’s Whim respectively] The sound of the impact caused the man to buckle for the first time in this fight, his heartbeat so irregular, it’d feel as if his heart could pop out at any second. It’d be at this time that Castor would spin around in mid-air, timing the kickback from the first two attacks, to deliver a third strike along the man’s right eye, scarring him much like he was by his attackers as he attempted to flee Lvneel, as a youth. [UT - Hit]

Gryphon’s fear brought him strength and not cowardice, after crashing into the ground from Castor’s vicious assault, the knight sprung back into the fray. Covering his blade in an oceanic blue, Gryphon would counter-strike the blood hungry Imp with a wicked strike of his own. As Castor attempt to zoom in for a fourth strike, Gryphon parried the man’s swing, releasing a gut wrenching swing of his own, which cut diagonally from Nox’s stomach, up to his right shoulder blade. The wound itself was frozen shut from Gryphon’s supernatural trait of being able to freeze his opponent’s wounds with his Meito weapon.[HT - Ice Cutter] Gryphon watched with immense pleasure, as blood gashed from the wound on his face. Castor’s body buckled onto the ground with a loud thump, and it was followed by consecutive foot stomps by Gryphon, wedging his Haki covered boot into the man’s midsection. [UT - Grazed Hit]

Rolling away from the man’s vindictive pummelling, Castor reformed into his element, creating distance between him and Gryphon once more but the damage had already been done by both parties. This distance would only act as an intermediate breather for the conclusion that loomed in the future. Clutching his now dysfunctional right eye, Gryphon’s blood boiled hotter than volcanic plumes beneath the earth’s surface. “I’ll kill you for sure now boy. This face… It’s the face of nobility! My blood represents Vana’s greatest! You think some petty pirate can invade this land and defeat me! Wrong! I’ll cut your frozen body limb from limb!” Gryphon barked frantically.

“Enough talking. Let’s end this. You’ve fallen for my trap. Every fight I’ve had on Lvneel up to now has led me to this moment. Enlil’s Curse has befallen you. I, as a future calamity to this Shield will let you and your masters know…” Castor declared, turning his stare towards Sir Bolden and Lord Raphael. “By the time I’m done with Lvneel, your noble blood will mean nothing. I’ll reset this land’s time with my own hands! Just sit there and watch… As I write the most blood curdling horror you’ll ever read from the afterlife!” Castor barked back frantically smirking creepily. “Break the shields!” Castor shouted, the man’s voice echoing throughout the battlefield, laced in Haoshoku Haki, rendering all of the knights in attendance except for Gryphon, Raphael, Oliver unconscious. Victor and Grace’s position’s safeguarded them from the wild animals howl of supremacy.

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