The Old Stadium (Open)

Zack's grin widened as he saw Lance, his eyes narrowing as he adopted a defensive stance. He hadn't been allowed to fight with his combat knife in a long time, and the prospect of using the skills drilled into him made him slightly giddy. He held the blade in a reverse grip, his eyes narrowing as Lance lunged at him. Zack's style of fighting was that of deflection and redirection, and he swung his blade up to block Lance's as he sidestepped at the last possible second, stepping forward and allowing the momentum of Lance's strike to spin him around, turning his block into an attack directed at Lance's side in one fluid motion.

The blade cut a deep groove in the stone, but slid clear before any real damage could be done. Zack's eyes widened a fraction. "So you've got a shield too, eh Rocky? Imagine that." Opting for a different tactic, at least for the moment, Zack spun away, chuckling as if fighting back a wave of laughter. "Let's play a game, Rocky... I call it... Catch." Zack's combat knife launched toward Lance from his outstretched hand without him winding up to throw it or seeming to move his arm at all. Immediately after launching the blade, Zack dove at Lance in a tackle, however he aimed for Lance's left, figuring that either Lance would try to block the blade, which would distract him long enough for Zack to recover and mount at least some form of defense, or he would get out of the way. And that meant diving left or right. If Lance were to try and dodge the blade, Zack figured he had a fifty fifty chance of Lance diving to the left, and therefore taking a full on tackle. If he dove right, Zack would look stupid but, as with the block, hopefully have enough time to recover and mount some sort of defense.

It was expected that the tackle would hurt, but as Zack crashed into Lance, it was like being hit by a small car. While his skin was like any humans, there was something much stronger and heavier than bone or muscle beneath. Zack landed on top of Lance, though he used an arm to keep himself from crushing the rock bender. Zack brought his knee up, pressing it on Lance's chest to pin him. Zack recalled his combat knife, grinning wolfishly at Lance as he pressed the blade to his throat. Zack leaned in, his grinning face inches from Lance's. "Do you yield?"

"A true warrior never gives up." Zack's eyes narrowed, then widened again as he grasped Lance's hand and pulled him up as he stood. "Inversely yet just as true, a true warrior knows when to retreat. " He let go of Lance, placing his knife on the back of his belt. "Ya ain't a bad fighter, buddy, but you've a lot ta learn. Still, best fight I've had in a while." he paused, a thought occurring to him. "Tell me, buddy. Are you willing to learn?"

Zack's grin widens as he shrugs off his jacket, holding it in his hand with his arm outstretched to one side as he talks. "Good. You should know that I'm no master, nor make any claims to be. You can always learn more, and can't master something until you've learned it all. As is the cake, mastery is a lie." Zack let go of his jacket, and it hit the ground with a heavy thud more akin to someone dropping a safe than a leather jacket. "My style of fighting relies on my opponents attacks, I put very little energy into the initial strike, allowing the momentum from my opponents blows to work for me and against him. To do this, you must be able to flow with grace and agility. You must also possess a certain cunning and a bit of skill in anticipation. However, these can be developed with time. Allow me to demonstrate." He pivoted, taking a defensive stance that saw him standing sideways, head turned towards Lance, the hand closest to him half open and held at roughly waist height. "Attack me again."

OT: Lol I like the Portal reference.

Lance listened to what Zack was telling him, trying to get what he is saying. Lance listened to Zack's order and goes to strike him with his fist. Of course to get the real experience Lance does not hold back and hopes that Zack does not either.

ooc: Gratzi. XD

Ic: Zack pivots forwards as Lance swings, timing his movement just right. Too slow, and he takes a hit to the chest. Too fast and he takes a hit to the shoulder or misses altogether. His training kicking in, Zack's timing is impeccable, and Lance's punch passes just under Zack's armpit as he pivots in toward Lance, bringing his arm up to pin Lance's punching arm. With a vicious uppercut, Zack's palm slams into the underside of Lance's arm, though Zack pulled most of the power out of a blow that would have broken the bone, causing little more than a nasty bruise instead. "In cqc, never attack first. Unless of course I tell you to in order to teach you something. Against a live opponent, your arm would be broken and you would be at my mercy." Zack let go of Lance, stepping back. "Try again. Keep your attacks close to your body, if you swing far, it is easy to step inside your guard. Don't be afraid to use your sword, that blade can't kill me."

Zack turned to one side, leaning back and allowing the blade to pass, just missing his chest. Zack used his palm to bat the blade away in order to spin and deliver a painful blow to Lance's left shoulder with his other palm. "Good, notice that the closer you keep your attacks to your body, the more difficult it is for your opponent to strike at vital areas. A stab isn't bad, though more adapted for less mobile opponents. You may wish to try holding the blade at a fourth five degree angle to your body, hilt pressed to your belt, handle grasped in both hands. Start by flicking your wrists downward at an angle acros your chest in a weak strike to force your opponent to block or dodge, then allow your body to follow the blade, spinning you around. As you do so, raise your arms above your head, but keep the blade angled down. If timed right, this should put your back to your opponent with your blade behind you, offering you some protection against a strike on your back in mid spin. Keep turning, next bringing both hands down to one side in a diagonal slash, stepping forward as you do so. The entire move should occur in only a second or two, and puts you in a position to parry or strike if your opponent is skilled enough to avoid the attack, or finish him if he is not. Either way, it'll give you some breathing room and once you get really good, can be chained into a series of parries, feints, and attacks."