With his axe knocked to the side by Gladio's cloak wrapped hand, and Gladio attempting to kick him in the stomach, Xalmann simply let go of the battle axe and allowed it to be flung away. He had no worries about losing his weapon, as he had the same ability that his opponent seemed to possess, to summon his weapon back to his hand. It had been slightly surprising to see Gladio could do such a thing as well, but his familiarity with the technique made him not lose too much focus when it happened.

With his hand now free, Xalmann leaned back slightly while the scales on his hand glowed a bit brighter than the rest of the scales on his body, and he reached down to the extended leg of his opponent to attempt to grab it. With their leg kicked out like that, they would have a difficult time jumping away from him.

Xalmann's dagger remained raised to defend himself from the sword, his empty, burning hot hand reaching for Gladio's extended leg as the cloak wrapped around his hand caught on fire and the air around them both only grew hotter.

---

Heat Cloak (Ongoing)
Ring of Fire (Ongoing)
Always There
Scorching Touch

As the axe was flung out of Xalmann's hand Gladio was surprised, he didn't quite expect it, but it was a smart move since he wouldn't get thrown off balance by getting his axe slapped. Gladio noticed the hand getting redder almost as if it was on fire, but by then it was to late, the kick was about to connect and his leg would get caught and burnt immediately after, thankfully there was some fabric in his leg which would hopefully make the burn a bit less severe, still will burn but not as much as if it was in contact with naked skin...

Xalmann was kicked in the stomach, but it wasn't enough to throw him off-balance or make him flinch so he successfully grabbed Gladio's Leg. he felt a searing pain as the fabric on his shin began to melt and be set alight, while his skin began to get scorched... The heat coming from all directions wasn't helping either.

Gladio didn't have much time, he had to get out now. So he used Lightning armor, if contact was gonna hurt it better hurt for both of them, and since Xalmann's arm would go limp he should have a chance to get away. With a flourish he would throw his cloak, which was still on fire, towards Xalmann and finally he would try to get away since the heat was getting unbearable, if possible Gladio would rise into the air, seemingly unaffected by gravity.

---

Kick

Lightning Armor

Duelist Cloak (Lost)

Flight

The kick to his stomach was nothing he couldn't handle. He had slowed it down as he grabbed the leg and his abdominal muscles were sturdy. The damage was minor if anything. Xalmann felt victorious for only a moment. He had Gladio's leg in his hand, putting his opponent off balance and vulnerable, and the heat was finally reaching a point where Gladio couldn't bear it any longer. He grimaced when pain suddenly shot through his arm, the lightning armor shocking him and making his grip start to loosen as his arm went numb. He wouldn't be able to keep his scorching grasp on Gladio, but he wouldn't let his efforts go to waste.

While the leg was still in his grasp, Xalmann siphoned a bit of Gladio's energy from him. The minor wounds he had received from the shock and the kick were healed while Gladio was hit with a wave of fatigue and dizziness. Xalmann slapped the thrown cloak to the side with his dagger hand while his other arm fell limply to his side, its grip on Gladio released. The boy floated into the air. Xalmann should have expected that from a sky mage, really.

With Gladio's movements slowed, and one of his arms temporarily nonfunctional, Xalmann quickly slipped his dagger back into its sheath at his waist and willed his battle axe into his hand. He swung his axe forward and a ball of fire flew from the blade toward the sluggish, fatigued Gladio.

---

Heat Cloak (Ongoing)
Ring of Fire (Ongoing)
Vampiric Touch
Always There
Fire Bolt

For a second Gladio's plan seemed to be working, as Xalmann's grip on his leg weakened, Just as he was about to be released, Gladio felt a stinging pain on top of the searing from before, and immediately after felt suddenly fatigued and dizzy. This complicates things he thought as he elevated in the air wobbling a little instead of stumbling.

As Xalmann summoned back his axe Gladio placed a palm on the top of his forehead, his head lightly spinning it might not be severe but it wasn't a good thing to happen to you while flying... he had escaped the heat surrounding his opponent but there was still the ring of fire... As Gladio Rose as fast as possible, which was still not that fast since he was slowed by the life-sapping spell Xalmann had cast, He noticed a bright orange ball coming his way, Apparently he wouldn't have time to recover... He Mustered what concentration he had, and statically charged the air, making the fireball miss its mark.

Gladio began to fly towards his right, going above the flames of the fire ring to try and escape from the intense heat, he needed some air. So he was planning to create some distance and recover a bit, his leg still inflicting a burning pain, he'd need to think of something fast...

---

Flight (Ongoing)

Lightning armor 2/3 posts

Static Field 1/2 projectiles blocked

Xalmann wouldn't let Gladio escape so easily. He ran forward, keeping his opponent close enough to be affected by the intense heat radiating from him. He lifted his axe and swung it, but it remained in his hand. He hadn't actually been trying to hit with his axe, but instead, was redirecting the fireball that had been veered off its mark by Gladio's magic. The ball of fire still in the air behind Gladio changed its course, turning around and heading back to Gladio once again. Then, the axe swung again, sending another ball of fire toward Gladio from below, pincering him between the two projectiles.

The two projectiles were much larger and flew toward Gladio much faster than the usual fire bolt, their size and speed enhanced by Xalmann's summoned spirit ally.

As Xalmann ran, he could feel the pins and needles in his arm starting to fade. He twitched his fingers before being able to clench and unclench his fist. The shock that had made his arm go limp was fading. He switched his axe back into his dominant hand and pulled out his dagger again.

---

Heat Cloak (Ongoing)
Ring of Fire (Ongoing)
Control Flames
Fire Bolt
Arcane Focus
Spirit Shroud

Gladio watched the fireball fly past him, returning his sight to his opponent, he regained his balance, composure, and speed. the heat wasn't as strong from this distance, although it kept some pressure as Xalmann followed him staying right underneath to try and not let him recover... Xalmann had the advantage, but that wasn't enough to make Gladio surrender.

Gladio prepared for another Fireball as Xalmann Swung his axe... but nothing came out, was it a feint? or... no time to think, as he was yet again swinging his axe, this time shooting for real, either way staying still would be dangerous, although unaware of the redirected Fireball behind him, Gladio gathered his magic and dashed to his right at blinding speeds above the flames, far enough to finally be out of the oven generated by the ring of fire. The two fireballs clashed with each other as Gladio with sword in hand landed several feet away from the flames, on the other side, he backed away taking a small breather as his lightning armor dissipated

---

Bullet Dash

Flight(Ended)

Lightning armor(Ended)

Static Field 1/2 projectiles blocked

Xalmann watched as Gladio suddenly sped away, retreating to outside of the ring of fire that Xalmann had made. Xalmann continued his chase. With his opponent no longer trapped within the ring, he let the magic flames fade. He didn't need them anymore. But before the flames faded entirely, he could use them to his advantage one last time.

While hidden behind the opaque wall of flames, Xalmann swung his burning hot axe and sent it flying toward where he'd seen Gladio go over the wall and descend behind it. He could use the flames to hide his attack and hopefully catch Gladio off guard. Right behind the thrown axe, Xalmann ran right through the dying flames.

His dagger was held at the ready. Whether the axe hit or not didn't matter, his true intention was to land a hit with the dagger while Gladio was distracted trying to dodge the thrown blade. He swung the dagger at his opponent. He wouldn't give Gladio any time to breathe, staying close and keeping the heat on him. Once the axe had served its purpose as a distraction, he summoned it back to his hand, ready to defend himself if he had to.

---

Heat Cloak (Ongoing)
Ring of Fire (Ending)
Arcane Soul- Battle Axe / Fire Damage
Fire Resistance
Dagger of Torment
Always There

Just as Gladio began to feel a bit fresher, the flames from the ring began to fade, So he already knew trouble was coming. As he kept backing away he was at the ready holding his sword with one hand, Pointing at the dying flames, Suddenly an axe flew towards him announcing his opponent was coming. Gladio didn't worry about it, the air around him was still statically charged so the axe just deviated and missed completely.

Xalmann rushed towards Gladio determined to keep him on the defensive, well, no more. Gladio Waited for his opponent to get closer and meanwhile gathered his energy for the spells he would use in quick succession. once Xalmann was 10 feet away, Gladio began his onslaught: he'd dash forward as fast as a lightning bolt Sword arm extended while using the pull spell on Xalmann to attempt and make him loose his balance as well as decreasing the distance, With his sword's superior range he could stab his opponent before he himself was in range, Expecting a block or a dodge he would jump as the bullet dash carried him forward and zipping above Xalmann he would immediately attempt to slash at his adversary's with his weapon enchantment while somersaulting above him.

---

Static Field 2/2 projectiles deflected (end)

bullet Dash

Push/Pull

Longsword Arcane Soul: Lightning

Weapon Enchantment: Double Strike

If any sword hit lands, Weapon Enchantment: Lifelink

Xalmann wasn't expecting the strong gust of wind that suddenly pulled him toward Gladio while Gladio once again magically shot forward. However, the Lizardman's balance wasn't so easily lost. His thick tail served as a counterweight and allowed him to remain balanced, he took a wide stance and leaned a bit backward, one leg forward and one leg back while his tail touched the ground to keep him upright. He slid toward Gladio, his axe back in his hand again and his dagger already prepared.

He swatted Gladio's sword to the side with his battle axe as the two combatants collided, but before he could strike with his dagger, Gladio sprung into the air and attempted to slash at him from above. Xalmann just let his tail stop supporting him and fell onto his back, sliding beneath both of Gladio's strikes.

Once he was out of danger, he pushed himself back to his feet again with his tail and threw his axe at Gladio while he was still somersaulting through the air, vulnerable. The heat continued to radiate from the Lizardman's scales the entire time the two had collided and small fires started to catch on Gladio's clothing.

---

Heat Cloak (Ongoing)
Always There
Prehensile Tail
Conflagration
Extended Conflagration

Gladio's Clothes began to sizzle, Dammit, not again. He panted a bit as he spun in the air, the heat was beginning to flare up although a little bit less than before since he wasn't surrounded by fire this time, still the clothes were already worn out so they wouldn't be able to take it much longer, Xalmann had managed to avoid both of Gladio's Strikes, he recovered and threw the axe at him yet again. Gladio now perpendicular to the ground swatted the axe downwards and began to float once more.

He suddenly dashed towards his opponent's side in a burst of wind and lightning, as he moved at breakneck speed he'd try to hit the dagger upwards with his sword to take it out of his opponent's hand, using his enchantment to attempt and slice the same wrist that holds it as a second hit, either way he would keep going past Xalmann landing behind him and rolling back into a ready stance.

---

Flight

Bullet Dash

Arcane Soul: Lightning

Weapon Enchantment: Double strike

In case of weapon hit: Life Link

Gladio knocked Xalmann's battle axe onto the ground, but the weapon simply reappeared in the Lizardman's hands as it always did. His eyes narrowed as he watched Gladio begin to float again and prepare his sword for his attack.

Xalmann was prepared for Gladio's sudden burst of speed, having seen it multiple times now. As Gladio's sword swept upward toward his dagger, he stepped back with one foot, turning sideways and avoiding the strike. The second strike, coming immediately after the first thanks to the enchantment on Gladio's weapon, was avoided as well as Xalmann fully turned around to face the same direction as Gladio, pivoting on his right foot, like a matador avoiding a charging bull. Xalmann focused some magic through his weapon again as he began to swing it.

Gladio continued on his path, and while his back was still to Xalmann, the Lizardman swept his axe in a sideways arc, flames erupting from the glowing hot blade and leaving a trail of fire behind it.

---

Heat Cloak (Ongoing)
Always There
Arcane Focus
Vampiric Touch
Arcane Soul- Fire

Xalmann had expertly evaded both of Gladio's attacks, the Lizardman was a good fighter, so if Gladio had any chance of winning this he would have to rely on technique rather than speed alone. As he landed he rolled forward and at the end of his roll he slid a hand on the ground, using it as a turning point and spring to turn around and stand up almost immediately. Thanks to this he had enough time to see Xalmann approach with fiery axe in hand, to do a horizontal swipe, this was the perfect opportunity to try a move he had been practicing for a while.

Gladio quickly reached for the sword grip with his off-hand and as the axe came towards him, he lifted the sword up to his face and turned the cross-guard to land in something similar to an Ox guard, while catching the axe blade with the upward motion, the tip of the sword landed just below Xalmann's head and pointed towards his throat, the edge of the blade was scraping Xalmann's Underjaw, while keeping Gladio outside the dagger's reach.

"Don't move, it's over." Gladio was not messing around, At the slightest movement he would shoot a lightning bolt from the tip of his sword directly at Xalmann's neck. "Also turn off the heat before my clothes are set on fire will you? I am not gonna wait until that happens."

Xalmann didn't say a word and went immediately into action as if he just completely ignored Gladio's threat. He began to move, and the lightning shot out of the tip of Gladio's sword. It seemed like Xalmann had been struck, as if the Lizardman just didn't know when the fight was over and he should give up, but Gladio had forgotten something.

Xalmann was unharmed. He stepped forward as if the blade had never been to his throat in the first place and stabbed with his dagger toward Gladio's stomach. The ghost of a Lizardfolk that Xalmann had summoned earlier stood there, their axe holding Gladio's blade off the the side, redirecting the lightning bolt away from Xalmann entirely. Xalmann held his axe up between him and Gladio's sword.

Unlike Gladio, Xalmann wasted no time on threats. The dagger was going to stab Gladio in the stomach and the fiery heat radiating from Xalmann never faded, despite Gladio's wishes.

---

Heat Cloak (Ongoing)
Guardian Spirit (2/2)
Dagger of Torment

Xalmann didn't pay any mind to Gladio's warning, which was a shame for several reasons, he didn't want to hurt the lizardman more than necessary since he had proven to be a great warrior, but at the same time it was sort of obvious that he wouldn't give up like that. As Gladio's sword was pushed to the side and his opponent tried to close in, Gladio let go of his sword as he sidestepped away from the dagger, meanwhile he raised one of his hands a bit and stabbed down towards the dagger wielding arm while summoning his sword back to his hand.

Hopefully the sidestep would give Gladio enough distance to not get stabbed but even if he did by the point the dagger was in him Gladio's sword would be coming out of the other side of Xalmann's arm Regardless of whether he got stabbed or not he would pull using the sword as a lever to tear half of the Lizardman's forearm off, while electrocuting the rest of his arm thanks t the element on his blade.

---

Always there

Arcane soul: lightning Longsword

With the sword no longer held , Xalmann's axe that he had been using to guard from the blade was now free to slash at Gladio's side. Xalmann's dagger arm moved to the side to avoid being impaled on Gladio's sword, causing the dagger to miss its mark of Gladio's stomach and stab to the side, but this wasn't a huge problem. Xalmann stepped forward to keep Gladio close and in front of him, he turned the kukri dagger sideways and chopped toward Gladio's opposite side, opposite his axe.

Xalmann was sure Gladio would be able to deal with one of his attacks, but not both, and either one of them would be a disabling blow. The dagger was filled with a sinister magic that could temporarily stun anyone it so much as nicked while Xalmann channeled magic through the burning hot axe. If it struck Gladio, he would become fatigued and dizzy again, vulnerable while this close to Xalmann. The entire time the heat only intensified further. This close to the Lizardman, the heat was unbearably hot after so much time and Xalmann wouldn't back down.

---

Heat Cloak (Ongoing)
Dagger of Torment
Vampiric Touch