Match 2 – Rays Vs Ox

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[Ox’s signature ability activates before the match begins. A rule is added that creates 4 levels of strength a character can have. All characters begin at strength level 1, “ordinary strength”. Ox’s strength immediately increases to level 2, “can physically overpower anyone at a lower level”.]

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Match Begins:

The Glowing Lake. Home to an ancient Lake Ray, who predates history. And upon the hill that overlooks the Glowing Lake is a lighthouse. A structure built to honour the Lake Ray and its mysterious power.

A man named Ox has come to the lighthouse. He has been sent by his master to train his body and mind in this mystical and peaceful place.

However, Ox was not informed that another guest will soon be arriving. A Golden Ray, from the sea.

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Rays, Turn 1:

The Lake Ray senses the presence of the Golden Ray, causing it to instinctively activate its signature ability: the Lake Ray creates a massive cloud that vaporizes out of the glowing lake. The cloud forms into the shape of the ray and soars up high above the hills.

The Golden Ray sees the cloud from out in the sea. It glides towards the beach. Then the Golden Ray responds with its own signature ability: it creates a bubble filled with water around itself, about the size of a large park pond. The Golden Ray uses this bubble like a hamster wheel to roll up the beach.

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Ox, Turn 1:

Ox hears the lighthouse turn on.

“That can only mean one thing,” Ox thinks: “The fifth generation of rays has already grown. The Golden Ray is coming. My master said nothing of this. Maybe it is a test?”

Ox peeks his head outside the lighthouse door, to see if he can spot the Golden Ray. But what he instead sees is the terrifying image of the Lake Ray’s cloud. It frightens Ox in a way he has never felt before. A kind of existential fear.

The only way Ox knows how to deal with such overwhelming emotions is to train. He slams the door shut (because surely he will be safe inside a structure meant to honour the Lake Ray). Ox stumbles back to his bench. He tries lifting many different weights… but none of them are able to calm his nerves. Then he spots his master’s Heavy Dumbbells. These weights are what Ox has been training to lift; the final challenge of lighthouse. He shakily rolls over the dumbbells and, using all of his strength, makes one lift.

The Heavy Dumbbells signature ability activates: once per turn, any character can lift these dumbbells to increase their strength to the next level. Ox was already at level 2, which means he has now ascended to level 3. Meaning he gains the ability to destroy anything, no matter how tough, with his bare hands.

Ox lies on the floor, his body forcing him to take a breather.

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Rays, Turn 2:

The glowing cloud descends upon the lighthouse. Glowing rain rattles the windows like a million arrows being fired at ramparts.

Moments later, the Golden Ray rolls to the top of the hill. Its instinct is to go towards whatever looks most like a giant glowing ray. Now that the cloud is gone, the Golden Ray mistakes the lighthouse for the glowing cloud. The Golden Ray uses its bubble to roll up the side of the lighthouse, all the way to its light. Then it deflates enough of its bubble to fit down the lighthouse staircase.

It rolls down to the bottom, even rolling over the Heavy Dumbbells. This inadvertently activates the Heavy Dumbbell’s ability again and the Golden Ray’s strength increases to level 2.

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Ox, Turn 2:

Ox opens his eyes and freezes for a moment… Looking down at him from its bubble is the Golden Ray. But this ray’s presence is almost opposite to the Lake Ray, soothing and calm.

Despite this, Ox becomes anxious that the Lake Ray could attack the lighthouse again because it might think he has stolen the Golden Ray. He lifts his heavy dumbbells once more, increasing his strength to level 4, allowing him to lift anything. And so he opens the lighthouse door, lifts the Golden Ray’s bubble above his head and tosses it into the glowing lake.

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Rays, Turn 3:

The Golden Ray feels Ox and the lighthouse are a threat to the Lake Ray. It uses its bubble to roll its way back up the hill. It steamrolls over Ox. Then it lifts the Heavy Dumbbells, the object it felt increase its strength before. The Golden Ray now has strength level 3, so it can break anything.

The Golden Ray uses its bubble to roll up the side of the lighthouse once more. This adds tons of water to one side of this structure, weight that was not intended to be there, causing the lighthouse to lean. The whole building creaks and stutters. Then it snaps off its foundation. It topples, crumbles and shatters into a thousand broken bricks. The great light that once shone from it now broken beyond repair.

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Ox, Turn 3:

Ox sits up and looks out at the devastation. He thinks: “I did this. I shouldn’t have let my fear control my actions. Now they have destroyed the great lighthouse in retaliation and it’s all my fault. I have clearly failed my master’s test.”

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Rays Climax:

The rays touch fins and the Golden Ray melts into the glowing lake, becoming one with the water.

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Ox Climax:

Ox tosses the heavy dumbbells as far across the hills as he can. He vows to never to use strength before thought again.

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Conclusion: Rays Win!

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