Slash’s hulking mass was at least three times the size of Paige. Excalibur itself was taller than her. With Tsuyosa in hand, Paige stood her ground.

“You better make this a good fight pip squeak,” Slash bellowed, turning to face a stunned Paige, “And by that, I mean don’t die too quickly like your friend,” he said, laughing at his own joke.

She picked up a rock that was a little larger than her hand and heaved it towards him with tremendous force. He raised his sword, blocking the blow, the rock shattering and sending him stumbling backwards.

His eyes gleamed with delight, “Good…”

Slash gave his sword a flick upwards, causing a bright blast to blow towards Paige. She raised Tsuyosa to block it in the same way Slash had blocked the rock. She could feel the pulse cutting into the mighty blades of Tsuyosa, tearing into the very fabric of its steel. The axe held firm, but a slight scuff had appeared on it as a result of the blast. It had actually managed to scratch the Blade of Strength.

Paige slammed the axe into the ground and the earth shattered towards Slash. He dove out of the way, but a chunk of earth under him lifted, tossing him up in the air. Paige ran forward and jumped, connecting her fist to his stomach midair. The impact was huge, sending him bouncing and rolling through the forest. Paige landed, letting out a scream as she clasped her hand. Blood dripped down as a huge gash ran across the top of her fist.

The trees rustled and Slash limped back, a hand clutching his ribs, “You little cow. I think you broke a rib or two.”

She ripped some cloth off her t-shirt, wrapping it tightly around her hand, “Making your body into a sharp edge… I see hitting you directly with a bare fist isn’t a smart move.”

Excalibur began to glow bright. “Fighting with me in general is a bad mistake.”

Paige watched his blade carefully, bracing herself, holding Tsuyosa out in front. Slash sent off another larger blast. This time, Paige lent backwards, deflecting the blast upwards using the face of Tsuyosa. The shot sliced through the tops of a couple of trees and she dove out of the way as they came crashing down around her.

She rolled over to stand up but Slash had moved quickly, standing menacingly over her, “Goodbye Missy,” he said, raising his sword to finish her off.

Paige kicked his leg hard, the impact sent him crashing through the forest once more. Paige had hardened her body so the cut was less sever, but his razor sharp body still sliced into her shin.

“Kick and punch me all you want. You are only hurting yourself!” Slash raged, emerging from the dense bush, blood trickling from a gash on his forehead.

“Your cuts aren’t as tough when I harden my body,” Paige yelled back, glancing nervously over at Sophie’s lifeless body, “What would Sophie do…? She is the smart one…” determination filled her eyes, “I need to win this for her!”

Paige ripped another piece of cloth off and tied it around her leg.

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“It has been a while since someone has stood their ground against me! Too bad I have to kill you,” he muttered, blade glowing once more.

“Then I will finish this,” Paige said, closing her eyes.

She could feel the power building up in Tsuyosa, glowing yellow, in the same way Excalibur was glowing blue.

“No…” Slash muttered, “I will finish this.”

The two ran at each other. At about ten meters apart, they flicked up their weapons, each firing a blast at the other. The explosion was huge. A ball of white and yellow light engulfing them.

Paige groaned, her eyes sliding open to a scene of destruction. Dust swirled through the air, slowly settling against the broken limbs of trees and foliage. A large area had been flattened and Paige was lying at the edge of it, crumpled in a heap. Tsuyosa lay on the ground a few meters from her, but she didn’t have the strength to reach it, the last attack had taken its toll on her body. Her back ached, it must have taken the force of the blow. With every breath, another sharp stab of pain shot across her body. She winced, seeing Slash’s figure appear in the dust. He held Excalibur, and limped slowly towards her.

He towered over her, breathing hard, “It was a good fight. For that I thank you. But now, like your friend, I will kill you, or I won’t get paid.”

A tear dripped from Paige’s eye as she lay helplessly at the foot of the giant, “I am sorry Sophie… I couldn’t stop him.”

She shut her eyes as Slash brought down his giant sword.

A few seconds later she opened her eyes again, wondering why she was still alive. A perfect white sword held the massive Excalibur at bay.

“Nathan!” Paige screamed with the remainder of her strength.

“It’s okay Paige,” he said, not taking his eyes off Slash.

Slash glared at him, “I will rip you to pieces as well boy.”

“Do you really want to do this now Kano?” Teresa’s voice came from behind the tree.

“Snake?” Slash’s eyes went wide.

She stepped out into view, “Did you purposely wait for me to leave before attacking? Are you that much of a coward?”

He stared silently at Teresa. After a short moment he turned his attention to the injured Paige. “This can wait,” he muttered, pointing sternly at Paige before disappearing into the forest.

“Want me to chase him?” Nathan asked.

Teresa shook her head, “No. Go and find Rocko. I will help Paige and Sophie.”

Nathan nodded and disappeared into the jungle.

“Is she ok?” tears flowed out of Paige’s eyes.

“She has a faint pulse, but if we don’t get her to a hospital immediately, she won’t make it…” Teresa explained, examining the huge cut down Sophie’s front, “She has sustained massive blood loss.”

“Please help her!” Paige screamed.

“I will do what I can Paige, but this is beyond my expertise,” Teresa tried to calm her down.

“You have to help her! Please help her! She is the first real friend I’ve ever had,” Paige was becoming hysterical.

“Paige…” Teresa said in a soothing voice, “These wounds on Sophie… They’re fatal…”