#decimatus

THe summer day began the same as any other for a Noxian soldier. THe sun rises, and with it, the brothers and sisters housed within the military barracks of the Empire. A breif breakfast, an address from a few higher ups, and then dismissal to begin the days training. It was a routine that the captain of the Black Fist company had grown all too accustomed too and one he enjoyed. It was constant, steady, familiar. Almost a habit even, so much so that even when he found himself on leave he woke with the rising of the sun (should he even sleep at all) and went about his own personal training regiment before the day truly began.

Morning would give way to afternoon with the sun high overhead and beating down upon the military’s training ground where everything from swordsmanship, physical training, archery and magic were practiced and honed to a fine edge in order to keep the mighty axe that was the strength of the Noxian Military sharp and ever ready. Canus’ company was no different as physical training lead to full on sparring, unarmed of course, as was their specialty. It was here where he showed exactly why he was the one leading the unit as blow for his head was deflected off to the side, allowing him to step in with a powerful uppercut that knocked his sparring partner clean off his feet and to the dirt. Of course he wasn’t done yet as he pounced upon them and feigned strikes to the chest, throat and face that, if connected, would have no doubt ended the man’s life.

“Never assume the first blow will end the man in front of you. Always follow through and make sure that when they go down, they -stay- down before you move on to the next one.” His voice was calm yet commanding as he gave his instruction, his attention turning to his unit to check if they were paying attention. With a satisfied nod he patted the cheek of the poor man he was sitting on and gave him a smile before he climbed off, pulling him up as he stood. 

“Thank you for providing the example today Mister Hawk. Rest a bit for now, alright? Oh, and be careful of how you throw those swings from now on. You telegraph too much, allowing your target time to anticipate and counter. We’ll work on more of that later.” The one mister Hawk gave a solemn nod and a ‘Sir’ before walking off, gingerly rubbing his jaw. Poor fellow would be feeling that one for a while.

“Now,” he turned his attention back towards other others gathered, dusting his hands off as the most innocent of smiles appeared on his face. “Any more volunteers?”

And for a moment–her lips would twitch to correct him. There should at least be a Captain in front of her name. Regardless, the Captain stays her tongue of unnecessary heckling. She’d find it an honor to have the Good General of Noxus aboard her humble ship. There was no need to sully his soured mood further.

“Inconvenient?” She nods. “Aye. Very much so.” But would it be funny? Absolutely. Her eyes dance with the entertained thought of hauling him back over the railings of The Syren. A man of his caliber: red-faced, water-logged and flailing perhaps? Fortune had to stop such thoughts, lest the other man caught on.

The spark in her eyes dimmed as he rejected the offer however, his shove abrupt and a touch rough (Of course, even a simple gesture had some power to it). Leathered fingers graze along the tortoise shell sticker on the bottle before having it shoved into a pseudo-cradle of fabric in her belt and joins him in another spot along the railings.

U can have a cult but Graves can’t have a cigar. K. ( Fate’s one cruel mistress )

@decimatus

“Master Yi, if you would.”

Though the Noxian stood near a foot taller than the Ionian, it was of little consequence to the Bladesman. He craned his neck to meet the stare of the man all the same, his voice a steely even as he quietly examined his presentation. Axe as big as a man. Plate mail so thick it made men look like turtles.

How long has it been since I have opened one of you like a can?

“If you are a Noxian soldier type, as I think you clearly are, and you know of me and my art,” Yi retorted, “then you know as much as you need know. If you know my name, and you know of Wuju, then what more demonstration does a Noxian need? Or perhaps you did not see the Ionian war, and perhaps they do not tell you of these things that happened. That would be... understandable.”

With that, the grip of a jade dao over his shoulder tightened, the great rings of the thing chiming as he shuffled the thing to a more comfortable stance, “Your war machine tried to erase me from this place because they feared me and Wuju, Stranger, and yet I am still here. I wonder if they tell you of that? I cannot imagine so...”

     A short, low chuckle grimly pushed past the general’s lips. The man was on his tip-toes, with his life on the line. He still wouldn’t quit playing his cards ‘till the very end, though. Darius didn’t really sympathize with the Card Master nor he was fond of his wicked ways, yet he couldn’t really leave him to bleed out in an alleyway.

     So with a sound falling between a grunt and a growl escaping his throat, he helped the man to his feet and supported him as they made their way out of the narrow alley, with Fate more or less alive.

     “What benefit would your death bring me? None whatsoever.” Darius stated matter-of-factly before atoning to a more serious tone. “As for your coin, you can keep it. Maybe this will teach you better than to play the cheater card where you ought not.”

            Oh-- surprise surprise, the hand has a heart.

            One hand slings over Darius’ shoulder and the other clutches his wound carefully as Fate is, admittedly, half-dragged out of the side street. A laugh matching the other’s, he shakes his head, though stops when he feels dizzy from blood loss. 

            “Didn’t think Noxians were taught mercy.” He jokes. He tries to keep the gasps of pain to a minimum, but the way his wound is stretched and irritated by their walking is undeniably hurting him. Occasionally, on longer strides, his fingers dig into Darius’ shoulder, or his jaw will clench. 

            “Nevermindin’ that, though. I’ll keep the backtalk to myself.” Another laugh. “I’ll try to follow your, ah... bargain, we’ll call it, too. Noxus ain’t the place for me, anyway. Though I do like your wine.”

            His eyes, still bright despite the pain, scan the surroundings, slightly confused; even as a well-traveled man, he didn’t recognize this area of the city, and it sends a cold chill through him. 

          He picked the wrong fight, it seems.

         The cold brick behind his head now only serves as a way to prop up his weak body. It bears no comfort, it bears no security, only as a headstone for what could possibly be his grave. His hand is slick with blood as he attempts to stop the gash in his side -- it wasn’t a deep wound, necessarily, but when left unattended on the streets of Noxus it could easily become infected and grow to a serious problem. 

         He wasn’t welcome in Noxus, this much is known. But had he been just a bit more careful, a little more watchful, he would have remembered that even the smallest of Noxian children are taught to fight and to win. The boy -- about ten, maybe eleven or twelve -- had clumsily gotten a small knife right into Fate’s side, and had run away to let Fate bleed out in the alleyway.

         Despite all of this, he laughs weakly, the only evidence of his agony shown in the present grimace in his grin and the blood staining his clothing. He shifts on the Noxian gravel, trying to regain a better standing with the General.

When I got to the show Cryptic Abyss were already on the stage. While the room was still pretty empty at this stage it didn't stop them from tearing it up. Playing a groove infused death metal they seemed like the love child of Pantera and Cannibal Corpse. They also played a new song from their upcoming release which I’m really looking forward to after seeing them live

Alkira were the 2nd act as as the reigning thrash kings of South Australia it didn’t take them long to whip the crowd into a frenzy. Playing tracks of their latest album Juggernaut including the title track and “Submission”  along with a little S.O.D. riffage thrown in the crowd ate it up. They really helped set the stage for what was to come and warm the crowd up. There’s a reason these guys are one of my favourite bands around today. They are always tight on stage and always seem to be having a great time being there. In the crowd you really feel that these guys are destined for big things.

Co-headliner Envenomed were next and I was very excited to see them live as their album “Evil Unseen” was one of my favourite local releases of last year. As they took the stage frontman Anthony Mavrikis wished us all a Happy Easter and threw chocolate bunnies into the crowd. The band then proceeded to kick into gear with their patented brand of traditional heavy metal with just that pinch of thrash thrown in. The crowd then charged up to the front of the stage to soak it in. Being the first show of the Envenomed/Decimatus national tour the band were out to really make and impression and it worked. They very quickly tore through their set and it was quite a long set list too, yet it felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. They were tight on stage showing that perfect combination of technical prowess and heavy riffing. By the time they left the stage I was incredibly impressed that they had not only lived up to their album live but had far exceeded it.

Lastly Decimatus came out and took the stage and completely owned the stage. From the moment they took the stage it was theirs. Completely blowing away all the acts that had played previous. Even though its a co-headlining tour  it was obvious why Decimatus were on last. Front man Tommy Jennings stomped around the stage like a man possessed, howling and screaming with that familiar Phil Anselmo bark with a small part of Burton C Bell-esque soul thrown in for good measure. The band completely destroyed the crowd with the moshing and headbanging turned up to 11 for their amazing blend of brutally heavy groove metal. Drummer Josh Rech is a literal beast behind the kit and if you don’t believe me head over to their facebook page and check out the drum cam footage of the gig. As the band blistered their way through their set list giving us tracks of their brand new album “Catalyst For Rage” such as my personal highlight “Burning Bridges”. After the band was done I was completely exhausted. I have felt that drained after a show in a long time and it was because with Decimatus on stage I couldn’t resist giving it everything I had in the bit and I'm confident that if you were to see them live you'd feel that way to. Great night from all bands but Decimatus were the true stand out stars