As the carrier landed in the clearing, Zwei was surprised to see the target seeming to stand on the surface of the nearby lake. They were wearing robes that were damaged but clearly ceremonial. The man had hair that seemed unnaturally white, his smile vicious but honestly amused. “Oh, dear. They are finally sending the important people. Maybe I’ll finally get a decent fight.” He pointed the blade at Master Phoenix. “You carry yourself as a swordsman. Hand where your blade should be. I can find you a sword if you like.”
Zwei stepped forward, “I will be your opponent. Hand to hand. We can-“
He laughed uproariously, “I am the essence of swordplay and you are no fighter. That tremble in your hands. Your shoulders aren’t square. Your posture is all wrong.” He leaned forward, smile not fading, “Let me borrow that body of yours. Be my new host and I will teach your body how to fight.”
“And what about me? That host? Do they learn?” Zwei sneered, “Your smirk tells me everything. That body is your tool. A means to an end. And-“
The man cut her off again, his gaze having drifted to the others, “Exactly. And you are a slab of raw material, but why put in the work when I can use something tested in battle.” He spoke again to Master Phoenix, “You have been oddly still. Not typical of someone. Not unless you are confident you could match my draw.”
Zwei moved to try and circle to the side only to have a blade be at her neck. Before she could blink she heard the shattering of bones catch up to the figure. Still, it didn’t seem to be looking at her, but rather at Phoenix. He narrowed his eyes. The Prince spoke, “You are better than killing an unarmed woman.” The figure smiled a sinister smile. “You and I. A duel.”
The figure laughed a bit before nodding. “You are right. Draw your blade and I will help her find hers.” Before she could act, the handle was slipped into her grip and her mind went blank. The previous host fell to the ground screaming in agony, their limbs shattered beyond all use and recognition. Zwei lifted the blade as her hair went shock white. Swiftly and without mercy, the blade ended the life of the previous vessel. “Now that we are both armed, why don’t you show me the strength of your blade. Surely an imperial blade is worthy of my efforts.”
The Prince maintained his royal composure but Master Phoenix was clearly having difficulty restraining his temper, his hands twitching with frustration.
----------------------------------------
Where am I?
Oh my. You are still awake. This is some high quality material.
Who are you?
I have had many names and I would love to share them with you when the moon wanes. Until then, I am going to kill your friends. I’m sure the red one is going to be fun. So just watch and learn. Maybe it will clear these stupid cobwebs out.
These aren’t cobwebs these are genuine concerns.
Take a tip from the essence of swordplay. Fear is a barrier between you and danger. Knowing when to break it is the difference between life and death.
——————
“You know I’ve never had a female host before. Let alone one that feels this unconditioned. I might push her body too hard. Break something I shouldn’t. Just like that man there. So you should be careful.” She cracked her neck menacingly as she stepped over the corpse of the previous host.
The Prince drew his blade slowly, his form perfect within the armor. “You cannot be the essence of The Blade because you would never have done something as dishonorable as to pit ally against ally.”
“You misunderstand. I am the very essence of swordsmanship itself. Not all sword fights are fair. This may not be a war to you but every fight is a war to me. And war is always uneven. I’m surprised you guys haven’t teamed up on me before now. What is your plan?”
The Prince approached by a single step before many sparks flew off of his blade as well as his armor. “I’m impressed at your test of my defenses. I caught five of those fifteen slices. It won’t happen again.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“Oh, I’m confident you can miss more than five. Unlike teach. Didn’t seem to flinch and yet I know he saw every feint I hit him with.”
——————
Why is it so dark here?
So, that’s your limit so far? I’m disappointed. But not being a dedicated sword fighter will have that effect on the mind. Now silence yourself. I’m having my fun.
I have no reason to do that.
If you don’t, your friends might kill you. You wouldn’t want that.
These aren’t my friends. Not yet anyway.
Then why bother me like this in the middle of a battle? I mean one is a total rookie and the other one refuses to play.
What is your truest motivation?
Simple. I am the greatest blade. I will prove it and I will be used by the greatest swordsman. Nothing less would sate me.
A quest like this is unending.
Those are the best ones. Chasing the sunset. Grasping the wind. Bottling lightning. If your goal rests only in the palm of your hand, your world becomes so much smaller.
So does having a focus so narrow it stares at the setting sun.
———————
The figure had grown obsessed with Master Phoenix, parrying what blows that the Prince could send its way as it tried to get some kind of response from the old warrior. “Do something! Fight me!” The blade rested against his helmet, the edge being slowly drawn across the faceplate. “You aren’t scared and i see your every instinct to respond.” Why won’t you? Why won’t you fight me!?”
“Because you are fighting my students.” The figure growled, swinging their blade full force only to have him step away.
Finally a reaction! She continued her onslaught, but got more and more diminishing returns on his reactions. Smaller and smaller moves as he learned their movements. But how? They were faster than the light of the moon many times over. How was he able to follow them? React to them? Compete with their speed?
He grabbed the blade, somehow avoiding the force snapping the host’s wrists. “You are definitely the essence of swordsmanship. But you are far from the greatest warrior. My student’s are about to prove that.”
The Prince tackled her from behind, the blade wrenching free from her hands and resting in Phoenix’s grip. As her hair began to slowly regain its color, the two looked back at their mentor with genuine concern.
Zwei’s body was sore from how hard the blade had pushed it. The Prince’s helmet hid his face but his tense grip on her hand showed genuine terror. They watched as he stood perfectly still. He had not moved or made a sound since the blade had been taken. A few moments later and flames began to swirl around him. Eventually the blade appeared to melt into a puddle of slag at his feet. He sighed, “There was no choice. The arbitrary rules paired with the damned beast’s thirst for battle made it dangerous. Even I was struggling to contain its influence. Report as such to your father.”
The Prince nodded and stood up, offering his hand to Zwei to help her up. She accepted readily and stated as she rose, “That was… taxing. But I’m glad our gamble worked.”
The Prince nodded, “Diversion, saboteur, and ambusher. Simple roles. I appreciate your cooperation, Lady Zwei.”
“Thank you for having such faith in me. I wasn’t sure if I could when you suggested it. But it worked well.”
Phoenix chimed in, “Your lack of combat training was the real boon here. Just enough to withstand the forces it would put on your body but not enough to overcome our conditioning.”
The Prince nodded and removed his helm, his pitch black hair contrasting his emerald eyes. “I appreciate your temperance, Master Phoenix. I know your low patience for targets like these.”
He nodded slowly. “Flashy. Showy. Arrogant. I don’t mind a bit of theatricality or even confidence. But when you believe you can’t be touched I find it very hard not to make it my personal mission to prove otherwise.” He growled, “And before you two start about knowing that already, I’m saying it as a warning to you two. I see potential in you guys but if you ever allow your pride to blind you, I will put you back in your place.” They both nodded nervously before he looked at the lake. “I will be training both of you on this planet while the clean up crew deals with the mess. Once I have gotten the all clear, we will return to the flagship.” They nodded again. “Zwei, you will start by leading Gram in a meditation exercise. Once that is done, Gram will lead you in the warm up exercises.”
He walked a short distance away from them as she sat Gram down and looked at his device. Zwei sighed as she sat near the lake shore, “I guess the Falos work gets him wound up.”
Gram nodded as he removed his cape and folded it, placing it in his lap. “He and my father often complain about being alike. They both are great leaders, in their own way. They both have rigid guiding principles and encourage strength of mind and heart through conditioning of the body.” He sighed, “I just feel weak by comparison.”
She smiled reassuringly, “Then let’s focus our meditation on that feeling first.” He nodded and the two began their session.
——
Hey, Bish. How is the specimen?
It’s interesting. Could help us with Q. Any other news?
DBB is secure. 27 and 30 have been reporting progress without disruption. Any progress on the queen of clowns?
The Midnight Cowboy is being evasive but he didn’t seem to disagree to your plan, just wonders how you will get things in position.
That won’t be hard. We just need to make sure the chain of custody breaks in her favor. Once it does, we should be good to go.
Fafnir requested some odd materials through Loki. I don’t want to talk to Metatron again. He weirds me out.
I understand. I would do it for you but I don’t want to damage your connections.
It won’t be the last time I’m asked to talk to him. But you owe me the usual payment for it.
Thank you again, Bish. I appreciate your help.
When this is done, I am not being your secretary.
Of course not.