~Sirius~

Only once in my life have I been in a fight.

It was in middle school.

I don't remember the exact details, but I know I was letting some other kid copy off of my homework. I did it quite often, so it wasn't anything special.

Suddenly, this other kid came up to us and started saying he was going to tell the teacher. In a panic, both me and the kid who was copying me began pleading with the boy. The kid wasn't budging and started running off to get the teacher.

I, being worried about what my parents would do and think when they found out, rushed over and grabbed the kid's wrist.

I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but this kid was big. Much bigger than me.

So, as I was pulling him to slow his escape, he was dragging me. With only fear on my mind... I buckled the kid's knees, toppling him onto the floor.

This enraged the boy.

We both promptly stood up and what I received at that moment...

Was a fist to my face.

All the other kids were watching at this point. Thankfully, or maybe unfortunately, the teacher wasn't in the room.

Now, back then I was pretty athletic. I did all sorts of sports. So, in a fleeting wind of ignorance, I decided to fight back, thinking I could take the boy.

Long story short... I couldn't.

I remember being thrown into a desk and my back stinging with pain. I remember the teacher walking into the classroom and seeing my bruised face. But the thing I remember most of all...

Is the crushing defeat I felt.

The crippling hopelessness. That I can't do anything.

That feels so long ago...

And now, I find myself in a similar situation.

"I challenge you to a duel."

"You want to fight?"

"Yes! One-on-one, just you and me."

"May I ask why me specifically?"

"There's something about you... That look in your eye..." Kynn is brimming with enthusiasm. "You're very interesting."

"..."

"Do you refuse? If so, I will not allow any of you to pass."

This guy is sending me mixed signals. His charisma is insanely large, but he also wears a serious undertone. I like his personality, it's like a cool older brother. Not that I would know what that's like... I wouldn't consider myself a cool older brother.

I look to Aureole for advice, should I really fight this guy? I'm going to lose horribly. I haven't fought anyone since middle school. I mean, I fought the wailian but that was an animal, not a person.

She gives me a weary smile.

"Are you up for it?"

It's not like I have much of a choice. We could technically wait until Rawlin shows up, but that doesn't seem like the right option here. We need to see the king.

I glance at Korlin who almost looks jealous. He nods his head in confirmation.

I let out a sigh.

Here we go.

"Alright, I'll duel you."

Kynn's face lights up in a similar fashion to how Korlin's does. He clasps his fist and motions the people behind him to go away.

"Alright! Let's do this!"

Kynn starts stretching. I step ahead of Aureole and the group, Pholy looks bored.

I don't really know how to prep for a fight, so I do a bit of stretching of my own. I brush the watch in my sleeve, so I check to see if it's held firmly in place. It is, but should I really take it into a fight?

Probably not, right?

I roll up my sleeve and slip the watch out from the band. I untie the string and turn over to Aureole.

"Would you mind holding on to this?"

She looks shocked at my suggestion.

"Oh- of course!" She gently takes it from me and clutches it tightly. "I'll keep it safe."

"Thank you."

Aureole knows the importance of the watch. Out of Korlin and Pholy, she also seems like the one who is least likely to break it.

I give her a nod and turn to face my opponent.

There is an absence of hostility from Kynn. This is really just a friendly bout.

"What was that thing?"

He's asking about the watch.

"Is that important?"

"I guess not," he grins. "You ready?" He asks kindly.

"Mm, any rules or anything?"

"Hmm, no blessings, weapons, or affinities. Hand-to-hand, try to keep above the waist."

"Got it... What happens if I lose?"

"If you lose..." I don't think he had any idea beforehand. "You specifically are forbidden from meeting with the king. And you also have to tell me about the thing in her hand."

"Alright. And if I win?"

"You may have an audience with the king. And I'll let you have dinner over at my place so we can chat."

"So, I get a date with you?" I tease. "I have to win now."

Kynn smiles and holds back a laugh.

"I knew I liked you..." He gets in a fighting stance.

At first, I thought he was wearing some special armor. But the more I look at it, it's really just a loose, thick cloth. It'll be hard to tell what his next movements will be. Not to mention the ground is completely covered in snow...

I may slip and make a fool of myself. I shouldn't need to worry about him manipulating the snow, he said no blessings allowed. The terrain and his movements will be my obstacles.

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I draw in a deep breath and get in a stance of my own. Nothing too crazy, just a basic fighting stance I've seen in media.

We both ball our fists.

Our eyes are locked onto each other's. And with the snow falling around us and a simple nod from Kynn...

Our duel begins.

My feet explode from my spot, kicking stray snow behind me. Kynn does the same.

The ground is surprisingly easy to maneuver on. I thought it would be restricting, but it is surprisingly compatible.

As we close the distance, Kynn takes the first swing.

His arm winds back and his fist is thrown toward my face. I duck away barely and using my momentum, deliver a kick with my back leg.

It lands. Right into his chest.

Kynn stumbles back but swiftly regains his composure, his smile grows wider. He launches toward me and barrels a barrage of swings my way.

I manage to deflect half of the blows, but stray shots impact my shoulder and nose. My face twists backward and I stagger away from him. Blood pours from my nostrils. Red stains the white snow.

I wipe my failure away and rush back in. I can't give him time to breathe.

I assault him with a flurry of punches, most of which are weaved or deflected. I try and fake him out by targeting his left side. As planned, he targets his defenses on that side. I'm pushing him back. I'm much more agile than I thought.

He attempts a counter to one of my left-side attacks. He swings but I manage to duck out in time. With all his focus on the left, I lunge upward and hurl my fist at his right cheek.

It connects.

His head whips around and he teeters to the side. He shakes off the blow and gives me a proud smile. It takes me off guard. Is he proud of me for landing that hit? Thanks, I suppose.

With my focus out, he leaps forward. I prepare to block my face, but his next move throws me out of wack. He deliberately falls to the ground and slides on his back across the snow.

My legs!

I try and step away, but his movements are too quick. His arms are thrown back and he rolls his legs towards his head. He's going to do a kick-up. I need to block.

I divert my arms downward as the boy explodes from the floor. His legs rocket into my forearms and the force sends me flying backward. I stumble through a backward somersault and end up on my knees.

I need to catch my breath. My stamina has never been the best. My clothes are soaked from the snow. I need to end this soon.

I spot the snow I kicked up previously. I can use that. He said no weapons, but I highly doubt snow falls under that category. I'll take my chances I guess...

I shoot off from my position and run lowly toward Kynn. He comes after me as well, matching my distance from the ground. With our heads approaching, I swiftly snatch the loose snow and hurl it into the boy's eyes.

The snow scatters and blinds him. His posture stiffens as he tries to wipe it away. As soon as the water is flung from his vision, my knuckles meet it. The strike feels raw and powerful. I've never struck someone like this before... It's stimulating but also unpleasant.

Kynn falls back and rubs his eyes. He's enjoying this way too much.

"That's the spirit!"

Kynn lifts his leg and slams it into the ground. A geyser of snow fills the air, restricting my vision to that of pure white. I squint to try and see where he went. My eyesight is failing, I need to focus on sound.

I calm my breathing and listen for the sound of footsteps.

crunch

There. The sound of snow comes from the left. I raise my arms to block, and as I do, Kynn's fist enters my vision. I manage to deflect but then comes another. And another. A flurry of attacks barrages me, I can hardly see enough to fend them off. Can he see through this snow??

I stagger my way out of the thrown-up snow. I can finally see again.

Before I can feel relief, Kynn emerges from the dust cloud. His bruised fist rushes toward me but I manage to swipe it to the side. He follows up with a kick that nails into my side. I tumble like a snowball, creating distance between me and my assailant.

I raise my head with my breath heavy. I'm getting tired.

I look around and my vision finds itself to Aureole. She stands in front of Korlin, who is rooting for me, and Pholy, who is oddly into this. Her eyes are staring right into mine, she's smiling wholeheartedly.

She mouths words I assume to be: "I believe in you."

I believe in you...

I've always wanted to hear those words...

I could almost cry. But this isn't the time for that.

With a stupid smile on my face, I rise.

I can't lose now, can I? I can't displace her faith.

Kynn shakes his arms and readies himself to come at me. I do the same.

I suck in a huge breath and drive toward him. He does the same.

We both collide and throw blows at each other. I dodge and deflect all of the ones he throws at me. He deflects all of mine the same. It feels like we're dancing. I can kind of see why he enjoys this so much.

Eventually, one of my attacks make contact with his face. To retaliate, one of his lands onto mine. We continue to exchange blows.

It hurts. His attacks are fierce and filled with strength. Not to mention, the cold amplifies the feeling. But the pain is more of a discomfort. Maybe if his attacks were filled with rage, it would be too much to bear.

Our fists slam into each other over and over. Both of our noses ooze with blood. Yet, a smile remains on Kynn's face. There might be one on mine as well, but I can't really tell.

I'm following his movements way better than I thought I could. And my body is responding just like I want it to.

I haven't focused this hard in a long time. There aren't even big stakes at risk here. If I lose, I simply can't go see the king, everyone else still can. So why am I trying so hard?

I guess right now...

It would be her words.

I believe in you

I throw a feint. I deliberately throw my arm beside his head, acting like I missed. With an attack coming my way, I lunge my elbow into his jaw.

Kynn topples and loses balance. Now's my chance. Let's end this.

While it feels sort of cheap, while Kynn is distracted, I deliver more blows.

His body lashes from side to side as my fists connect with his armor. My knuckles are cut and softly bleeding. Yet, I continue my assault.

In a final effort to end this, I charge up a final hit. My body retracts and my feet shift to match.

Kynn backsteps and while battered, charges up a strike of his own.

Our eyes lock a final time.

Our bodies throw themselves forward.

Our arms cut through the frigid air and...

Our fists slam into each other's faces.

We stand still as statues, our fists frozen to our cheeks.

Everyone around us is silent in anticipation.

A feeling suddenly rushes through my body. I think Kynn gets the same feeling. Whether it is pain or exhaustion... we both collapse into the snow.

I lie prone with my face buried in the cool ground. My lungs intake more air than I thought was possible. My body rises and falls rapidly, my heart is beating a million times a second.

"Sirius!"

A distant voice shouts out, but I can't tell who it is. My heart is throbbing in my ears. It's not Kynn, he's as dead as I am.

I carefully lift my head and lay it sideways on the bloodstained snow.

It's Aureole.

She's running over. She looks worried.

She crouches down and the bottom of her fancy coat gets wet.

"Are you alright?!"

She's being a little dramatic. I'm just tired. Or- I suppose my face is probably covered in blood.

Still, her worrying about me puts butterflies in my stomach. I smile.

"Thank you."

"Huh? For what?"

"For believing in me."

She blushes.

"Oh... o-of course," she's super embarrassed. It's pretty cute. Still, her coat is getting wet she should stand up soon. "Here."

She takes my limp arm and tosses it over her shoulders. She crouches down and lifts me onto her back. She tries to stand and carry me, but I think I'm a little too heavy.

"I can probably stand," I suggest. She sets me down gently and I wobble in place. I keep my arm around her for balance. She giggles a little.

"Good job."

My smile grows wider. But it is rudely interrupted.

Korlin rushes over and smacks me on the back.

"You were great! I didn't know you could do that!"

The slap somehow hurts more than where I was punched.

"T-thanks..."

"Are you sure you don't have a blessing on you?" Pholy questions, flicking Korlin on the back of his head.

"It wasn't that impressive..."

I will admit, I feel pretty proud of myself for holding my own. Kynn definitely has more experience in this field, but I think I did pretty well.

"You alright, man?" I ask Kynn who is shuffling up.

Kynn runs his fingers through his hair and takes out his hair tie. His ponytail falls, draping his long hair down. He shakes the snow off his head and looks up at me with the biggest grin on his face.

"That was incredible! I didn't know you were such a great fighter!"

"Aha... thanks."

I don't know how to respond to compliments.

"You mind?" Kynn reaches out his hand for me to take. I tap Aureole's shoulder, signaling her to let go of me. She does and I limp over to the boy. I take his hand and hoist him to his feet, almost falling in the process.

With his hand still interlocked with mine, he pulls me into a bro hug.

"That was the most fun I've had in years!" He exclaims, patting me on the back.

"...Ow..." I try to brush it off and pat him on the back as well. I've never done one of these before so I'm not really sure what to do.

"They just beat each other up and are hugging? How..." I hear Pholy ask.

"That's just how guys are," Korlin affirms to her.

Kynn releases his hug and pats me on the shoulder. We're both the same height so I can comfortably look in his eyes. They're a cool gray color like most other snowsquallers.

"You win this time," he says like there will be another.

"Really? I won? We both fell at the same time."

"Nah, you won fair and square. You blew past my expectations." Kynn leans his head to look over my shoulder. "You all can go speak with the king. If you could, don't let the guy know about this. I don't really have the authority to stop ya from going in."

The group goes quiet in disbelief.

"...Seriously?" Pholy rubs her eyes.

"Did you just want to fight Sirius?" Aureole asks in my place.

"Pretty much," Kynn gives a goofy smile that no one can really be mad at.

I sigh but still can't help but laugh.

"Man-" I shot of pain rings through my skull.

"Ha, we should probably head over to the medical hut."

What a fabulous idea.

Kynn lifts one of my arms over his shoulder and I prop one of his up on mine.

"I'll take... Sirius, was it?"

I nod.

"I'll take Sirius and myself over to the medical hut to get healed. You all can go ahead. The king's quarters are just down the path."

"A-alright..." Aureole seems hesitant. "Take care."

Kynn nods and winces in pain. "We're off!"

I give a subtle wave to Aureole and everyone.

Propping each other up, we head off toward the medical hut.

It hurts...