In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] The golem charged him, taking his attacks and still moving ,to take a swing at Zaven as Cyrus tried to rush away. It was a good tactic to escape such a close rage area, but Zaven knew better than to think that this was all that the mage had planned…”Shadow Armament” He would summon the shadow gauntlets into existence just as the sword moved to slash at Zaven, The captain of the Golden Dawnredirected the blade before delivering a swift 1,2 punch of the golem before a front high kick as a follow up for [Senior] Damage, totalling at 2 [Senior] Damage before Typhon raced in like a comet to divebomb Cyrus as he tried to escape. The way that Zaven saw it...if he was going to get his by this Falling Star attack, he might as well just take the damage and throw it back into the youth’s face. [break][break]
Meanwhile Talos was engaged in a full on fist fight with Cyrus’ Golem that rivaled it. A real Kaiju battle just happened and now the two protagonists of the entire scene were just going at each other as if they were bitter rivals. Zaven commanded Talos to fight with all his might, so the gargantuan sized golem moved to grab the wrist of the enemy in front of it before attempting to pull it to him and then lock it into a headlock before bringing the monster golem down. [break][break]
Back at the kitchen, the Falling stars began to rain down on Zaven’s position, he used the house as cover as much as he could, yet he was still struck by the sap mage’s attack. Typhon would strike the ground like a bomb to deliver [GRAND] Rank in damage as it is basically self destructed on Cyrus’s position, wipint the area with shadow mana...in addition to the Endurance debuff already active for the mage and golem…”NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON YOUR ENEMY! EVEN IF YOU HAVE A VIABLE ESCAPE ROUTE!” Zaven called out as he dove out of the window to avoid the destruction of the house, he lost sight of Cyrus...he continued to leave the shadow Rose Garden up, waiting for the next move.
[attr=class,cyrustext]Cyrus focused on the familiar sensation he had of his two golems being tethered to him as he made his way out of the house, having decided that his next action would be determined by what Zaven did in response to his Odur's charge. The sounds of clashing attacks rung in his ears, and not moments after his golem took his Captain's spells, he felt the connection with the knight being severed.
With the Odur dead, that meant that it was time for Plan B. Immediately Cyrus cast another spell, deciding to replace one golem with another as he summoned another new golem; like the Meleager, this would be one that Zaven had not yet seen since it was a recent creation of the sap wizard's. "Gauya Eye, take flight!" He called out, and the ground beneath him glowed and split into two. His eyes turned towards Typhon as the dragon dove at him, following the shadow mage's command.
The golem Cyrus summoned immediately took flight on its master's orders, racing into the air and managing to barely avoid the larger creature's attack as it smashed into the ground where he had been running. The new golem resembled a giant eye with large wings and a long, thick tail hanging below it as it hovered in the air. Cyrus surveyed the battlefield to observe the damage, both from the crater where Typhon had crashed as well as the area affected by his Falling Star spell. Talos and Meleager were still engaged with one another, the Golden Dawn's leader's golem pulling his own into a headlock and dragging it to the ground.
Cyrus ordered his own Guardian to give it his all, and the amber giant roared as it slammed its crowned head backwards in a brutal headbutt as it tried to push itself to its feet. The young man then ordered his new golem to circle the remains of the house as he worked on the next step to his strategy.
He could hear Zaven's voice bellow from down below, chastising him for turning his back. He managed a small but stressed smile in response. "Hardly the time to be giving me advice, Sir." He muttered to himself, weighing his options. Typhon he knew was a Predator-type golem, which meant its raw power outweighed either of the ones that Cyrus had deployed at the moment. However, the Gauya Eye should have the advantage in terms of speed and range if his experience with golems taught him anything.
Cyrus looked back to where the Typhon had crashed; in particular, where he himself had been standing and summoned the golem on which he was riding. But he hadn't summoned just the one; there below was another Gauya eye, still sitting on the ground. It had taken the brunt of the Predator's assault, but was still up and moving.
Cyrus then fired off another Falling Star from his perch up above, aiming each of the five shots at a different side of the ruins to cover as much area as possible in an effort to catch his Captain and his golems again, while he also ordered the two Gauya Eyes to attack; the one on which he was riding charged over towards Talos and Meleager, aiming to scrape its wicked claws across the shadow titan's back for [Senior] damage, due to the difference in Power and Durability, as it flew past. The Gauya Eye on the ground, however, bolted towards the dark dragon with the intention of raking its horns across the beast for [Grand].
"Don't turn your back, huh?" Cyrus thought to himself as his golems attacked, trying to determine what his Captain's next move would be.
Hama was biting her nail anxiously, torn between both the excitement of the fight going on and the worry she felt for her friend. After all this time, she wasn't used to watching Cyrus at work from such a distance. It was certainly different from being up there on the golems with him. "Boss is in top form as usual. Even after dealing with that daemon." She noted to Hraban, speaking of the Captain.
[attr="class,cyrusstats]Stats & Information
WC: 0689 | TWC: 6760
[attr="class,cyrusstats]
Mana Skin
24/24
Health
16/16
Mana
260/385
Movement Speed
05
Damage Taken
00
Healing Recieved
00
Mana Used
105
Mana Regen
55
[attr="class,cyrusstats] Combat Notes Ordered Meleager to attack Talos Sent one Gauya Eye after Talos (riding it), the other after Typhon Used Falling Star to target the area around the house
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] He was impressed...to outrun two attacks was something he did not expect, but as the Sap mage decided to continue his attack on Zaven he sensed the falling stars, and it was easy for him to see that this needed to come to a close sooner rather than later. So the Shadow of Dawn, deciding that efficiency was going to be the best form of offence in this instance, let Typhon melt back into the shadows as his grimoire floated up and he spoke with a seriousness that could be felt across the battlefield. ”Erebus Strike.” He said with finality as he would first aim to take care of everything except for Cyrus on the battlefield. His sensory would map out the targets inside of his Area and he would grin before letting loose his arrows. All eight would be aimed at different targets...moving at 85 m/s and dealing [GRAND] Rank in damage as he would aim for each falling star and the rest of the golems, and if there was a lucky one...Cyrus as well. ”There is always room for improvement, even for me. This bow is the culmination of determination, Power, and efficiency. Stop running and come here you will not be able to outrun me while I wield this bow, nor will you be able to overpower me, no, but we will end this like men, Mr. Elwood. So come here so I do not have to come find you.” He said as he continued to have his drawstring pulled back and an arrow ready to fly in case he tried to do something more.
[attr=class,cyrustext]Cyrus watched from his perch as Typhon sunk back into the shadows from whence it came, a fact that set the young man even further on edge than he already was; by his understanding, the other Gauya's attack shouldn't have been enough to finish off the powerful dragon. His answer to wondering what was going on came quickly though, as he saw the spell his Captain had replaced the golem with and heard its name spoken out loud; Zaven had his bow out again, and that was not a good thing.
It was then that he saw a barrage of eight arrows loosed from the shadow weapon, heading towards each of the boy's own sap constructs. Every one of the Falling Stars were obliterated easily, as was the Gauya that had attacked Typhon. Meleager fell quickly after, with the final shot heading straight towards the golem Cyrus was riding on.
"Fly downward!" He commanded the flying eyeball, who followed his command. The golem raced towards the ground as the arrow chased it; though Cyrus knew his summon couldn't outspeed the shot from the Golden Dawn leader's spell, he could at least keep himself from suffering a massive fall should the impact be enough to shake him off. "And twist!" He added; the golem turned its body so that it was shielding Cyrus from the arrow aiming for it, taking the shot.
The decision proved to be a wise one as the Scout golem was struck, the attack and their downward direction being sufficient to dislodge Cyrus. The Eye itself landed as well, heavily damaged but still alive (or as alive as golems could be, anyway). Cyrus could hear Zaven speaking again as he pushed himself up to his feet, a little stunned by the landing but otherwise fine. Cyrus looked at the shadow wizard as he kept his aim trained on him, ready to let loose another volley if he attempted anything. He urged the young Elwood to face him directly, with the warning that there was no way he could avoid or overpower the man and noting the room for improvement that they both had.
How Zaven could improve any more was a subject that baffled Cyrus, but he chose to set that issue aside for the moment as he stepped towards the man. His golem started to follow, but Cyrus held up a hand to signal it to stay put. He looked at his Captain, staring down the shaft of the magical arrow pointed at him with a serious expression. "And how exactly would men end this, Zaven?" He inquired of the man, the slightest tugging of a smirk at the corner of his mouth. It wasn't often that Cyrus referred to the head of the Blake family by name alone, but given they were opponents in this moment he thought it would be appropriate. He stood straight, his own grimoire floating beside him.
[attr="class,cyrusstats]Stats & Information
WC: 0486 | TWC: 7246
[attr="class,cyrusstats]
Mana Skin
24/24
Health
16/16
Mana
290/385
Movement Speed
05
Damage Taken
00
Healing Recieved
00
Mana Used
25
Mana Regen
55
[attr="class,cyrusstats] Combat Notes 1/2 Gauya Eyes destroyed Remaining Gauya Eye took Grand damage Meleager destroyed Falling Stars destroyed
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] The sight made Zaven laugh as he watched his arrow hit Cyrus’s golem as he tried to minimize the amount of fall damage he would receive, a smart tactic indeed. When he summoned his golems, Zaven did the same and he held his bow in his left hand as he was asked about what his idea was and he just gave his compatriot a smile before canceling his own bow spell. ”My intention is we end this with a good old fashioned knock down, drag out fist fight. You of course have no objections to this do you?” He would end the statement with that question, but the thing...he had no intention of stopping regardless of the answer. [break][break]
The smile faded as he threw the first punch, a quick right handed jab before following directly with a left handed jab as he stepped with his left foot forward, before finally pivoting on that same leg, using his heel to dig in and perform a spinning backfist. The Golden Dawn was a squad of people that were at the peak of their respectable fields, but the Shadow of Dawn was another thing altogether, close quarters combat was not something most mages worried about, especially just using their bare hands...yet Zaven was showing his true colors in this moment.
[attr=class,cyrustext]Cyrus could hear Zaven's laughter as the Shadow wizard's arrow knocked him off of his golem, but made a conscious decision to ignore it given the current circumstances. Getting flustered now wouldn't be of any help at all. Once they were standing relatively near one another Zaven dismissed the Erebus bow, and Cyrus followed his lead by ordering his Gauya Eye to disappear. The Captain of the Golden Dawn stated his intentions plainly, smiling as he extended the challenge of a fistfight with no magic. The proposal honestly didn't surprise Cyrus that much; after all, hand to hand combat was one of the many areas the two had covered when Zaven was training him.
The Golden Dawn were expected to be the best of the best after all, so having some skill in nonmagical fighting seemed like something of a given. "I'm almost surprised we didn't start with this." He noted somewhat dryly. Cyrus simply nodded and assumed a fighting stance in preparation; he kept his center of gravity low, ready to respond as well as he could to whatever Zaven would open up with. Befitting his particular approach to magic, Cyrus had a more defensive fighting style in physical combat as well.
Zaven wasted no time in initiating the fight, starting off with a quick jab from his right hand followed by the left. Cyrus blocked both strikes with his arms, when the Captain suddenly pivoted on his forward leg and swung the back of his fist at his apprentice. Cyrus stood his ground and took the strike, the man's hand hitting the side of his head, but pressed onward. He was nothing if not durable.
Cyrus retaliated, giving the older mage a quick left jab of his own while also swinging out his right leg, aiming to strike or hook the man's left leg to trip him up before delivering an elbow strike aimed at the Captain's gut. Even outside of his superior experience, Zaven had the advantage in speed, strength, height, and weight, being roughly half a foot taller and around 40 lbs heavier than the Elwood boy. He would need to take advantage of his smaller stature if he wanted to stand anything resembling a chance.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] His fists struck flesh, but just not their target, he was blocked and left wanting before the spinning backfist delivered a hit to the side of his protoge’s face before the momentum carried Cyrus forward and he returned the punch with his own left handed jab and then a move to try to trip him up, it was a good plan in theory and in execution it was nearly flawless...it was nearly flawless because while Zaven expected the follow up, he stopped dead in his tracks as did not allow himself to be hooked, but he also received the elbow to the gut, which actually did make him double over and he fell to his back and attempted to wrench his arm up and put him into an armbar. [break][break]
”An elbow to the gut is not a new invention, but you need to know when to just become the bull...follow through and don't allow someone like me to take control. It is a good way to lose an arm. However, a solid arm and conviction to just roll with the punches and try to hook my leg...shows that you will do what it takes to win. That mentality will ensure that you survive, you will thrive, and you will become what Clover needs you to be. I know this is a fucking damn awkward position to ask, but will you become the captain of the Golden Dawn?” Zaven gave his little speech and ended it with a question as he still tried to wrench the arm of the sap mage.
[attr=class,cyrustext]Cyrus grunted at the resistance as Zaven refused to let himself be tripped up by his leg hook, but his elbow strike had managed to strike the Golden Dawn's Captain right where he had been aiming. It seemed to have quite an effect on the Shadow mage, causing him to double over. The Blake family head did not simply crumple however, dragging Cyrus down with him and locking him into an armbar.
While the sap wizard was trapped Zaven spoke, cautioning him on these sorts of tactics and responses in close quarters combat while the younger man worked to try and free himself. Despite his mentor's counterattack and words of advice, he seemed impressed by Cyrus' efforts to win in spite of the clear difference in their abilities and physique. A determination Zaven said would serve him well in his duties. And while it was indeed a strange time to be asking the question, Zaven still saw fit to ask if he would become the Captain. Vice Captain was one thing, but Captain? Did Cyrus really have that sort of potential?
The pain from the lock Zaven held him in seemed to fade as he thought on the question. Maybe he wasn't fit for such a position now... but the mere fact that Zaven was asking him said something. It spoke of his progress, of his growth, and of the man's faith in his protege. But he would never realize that sort of potential if he didn't stop putting himself down or ignoring his own efforts.
Cyrus grabbed the leg against his neck and lifted his hips off the ground with his legs, attempting to move maneuver out of his opponent's armbar by moving his feet away from the man's body. He swung one leg over the shadow mage's, trying flip over onto his feet. "When the Clover Kingdom needs it... I will. I will become the Captain!" He answered, voice strained from the effort of his escape attempt but filled with determination regardless.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] The words of the one he trained...his protege actually took the fight, he stood tall, and above all else...showed resolve. The Golden Dawn was needing a man such as Cyrus Elwood for a long time. Hearing those words the Shadow of Dawn smiled and released his hold on Cyrus as he slipped out and relaxed before just lying on the ground. ”That is good, because there will come a day where your resolve will come into question and you will fight with your very life in the balance of winning or losing the kingdom. These same words were said to me in front of the entire squad when I became a Vice Captain. Take pride in the fact that you are alive, take pride that when we return to the Golden Dawn you will be a new man...Take pride in the fact that you are now my Vice Captain. I put my trust with the squad into your hands, so do not betray me...or you will end up like the last Vice Captain that decided to go rogue…” He did not have to tell what that meant...the mausoleum told that story quite well. [break][break]
He stood up after a few minutes of lying there and he would wait for Cyrus to join him as he would see Hraban fly over and rest on his shoulder before the Shadow of Dawn extended his right hand in congratulations. ”Cyrus Elwood, of house Elwood...a family of people that never believed themselves to be worthy of a high ranking position...you are now the Vice Captain of the Golden Dawn. MY sworn brother...welcome.” Zaven would finish up before they would head back to base...hopefully find a place to fucking eat on the way there...he was starving. [EXIT]
[attr=class,cyrustext]There was a short lull of sorts between Cyrus' answer and Zaven's response to it, likely from the Shadow magic user considering just what to think about his protege's declaration. At last he was released from the man's armbar, the two just staying there on the ground for a moment as the Golden Dawn's Captain spoke. He warned him of the inevitable challenges ahead, noting that they were the same words said to him when he himself had become Vice Captain. To take pride in his life... and in his new position as the Golden Dawn's new Vice Captain.
Cyrus sat up when the Blake family head said this, followed by a warning to not betray the trust that the position entailed. The mention of the previous Vice Captain to do so brought a familiarly serious and determined look to the sap mage's face. "You don't have to worry about that happening at all." He said, in a factual manner. Cyrus would never betray the Dawn or their Kingdom.
The two men stood up, their respective spirits flying over to them. As Hraban took his position on his partner's shoulder, so too did Hama on hers. She couldn't help the massive smile on her tiny face. "You did it, Cyrus! You really did it! I knew you could!" She cheered enthusiastically, gripping his neck in a congratulatory hug. It was a good thing she wasn't very large, since he felt like she might strangle him if she were. "I couldn't have made it this far without you Hama. Or any of the people who've helped me."
Zaven extended his right hand towards Cyrus, giving one last little statement to officially mark the occasion. The Vice Captain of the Golden Dawn. His sworn brother... Cyrus smiled, and met his Captain's hand with his own. "I won't disappoint you!" He said. It was part a reassurance to his superior, and partly a challenge to himself. But as he moved to follow Zaven back to the Royal Capital, there was only one thing on the Elwood's mind.
