I immediately throw a wide slash out towards my right with the dull spine of my broadsword, activating the hybrid kinetic-shredding construct which is simply a battle version of my plowing construct.

Despite the shorter range of my weapon because of my backhanded grip, the lack of an edge to concentrate the force of the impact, and my lack of visibility, I do manage to adjust my aim to threaten her thanks to the glimpse of silver that appeared when she arrested the momentum she gave herself with the lion's step.

Crack. Our weapons cross and steel shatters. I retreat back and to my left while turning to the right, bringing Viki back in my field of vision in the shortest time possible.

The blurry silhouette of her short sword is cruising towards my chest. I don't even find the time to panic at the sight of the attack and the fact the weapon seems intact despite something having broken.

I use a lion strike to raise my broadsword and block. Clank. The blow lands on the flat of my weapon and sends a shockwave all the way up my shoulder despite the defensive construct.

We lock blades for a split moment, enough for me to catch the surprise on Vikiana's face towards the fact I caught her strike. I spot that my weapon broke one of the cross-guard's wings on hers, no doubt what allowed me to survive her disappearing act.

I lion's step backward while flicking my broadsword up to return to a standard grip. She follows with a lion's step of her own. I launch a smooth-looking slash with an arc calculated to cut through her calf if she tries to kick me.

The attack causes her to pause for a split-second so as to switch her stance to both change tactics and not step into my attack. That tiny delay is plenty for me to forcefully alter the trajectory of my blade, turning my 'beautiful' move into a brutal horizontal hacking lion strike.

Viki twists her waist while bringing her left palm down. Her hand turns golden a moment before it impacts the flat of my broadsword and sends the tip barreling uncontrollably towards the ground.

The reflexes and senses necessary to do this are stunning. I myself might not be able to safely do this with my perception construct. She chains a stabbing counter-attack towards my head immediately behind the blow.

Unfortunately for her, the method she chose to blow my blade away also killed the momentum of my weapon which allows me to reverse my hacking motion. I bring my broadsword up while ignoring the unsteady point so as to swipe at her piercing lion strike.

The blade of her short sword impacts my grip just above my thumb and is caught by the momentum of my blocking motion that diverts the point away from my face. Her sharp weapon cuts my hilt's leather strap up to my cross-guard as Vikiana pulls it back to restore her defensive stance.

A good choice because it prevents me from smashing the pommel of my weapon on her nose, which I planned to do. I deactivate my perception construct, which has burnt half its flow, to catch my breath.

“You're fast.” Vikiana mutters quietly.

“You're deadly.” I reply stiffly.

While I've launched perhaps ten times the number of attacks she has, Viki came much closer to ending me. The only reason she has been on the defensive is my perception construct.

My blood-needle, which isn't quite aptly named because it's a simple blood-blade with a different shape that is unable to reproduce the bursting explosion of the air-needle, will not work unless I launch it at close-range.

I've used everything I could yet none of it worked. My grip switches can only happen after blocking her or while retreating against her. The tactic remains useful but cannot be relied upon as a feint to create an opening out of the blue, merely to exploit one that didn't exist before the switch.

I think hard but come to the conclusion that I can't risk closing the distance once more because my focus will inevitably waver and there's no telling if I'll survive if she slips my field of view again.

I activate my perception construct and attack. I combine Jessica's calculations to Elizabeth's instincts as I did before. I use precise and rapid attacks that cut through the air in such a way as to prevent her from countering with kicks or closing in to land a palm strike while throwing in brutal hacking unpredictable blows when Viki attempts to counter.

We fall into a false-rhythm, me on the forward attack, her on the close-held defense. It is false because it is deception from us both. Our swords cross and clash in-between us as we both seek the perfect opening from the mindless exchanges.

Anyone else would have fallen to Jess' arcing swings designed to either directly create an opening or bait the opponent into falling for Liz' deadly hacking slashes, yet this opponent is patiently dismantling me by remaining on the defensive.

There is no outward sign that I am losing, I in fact appear to be winning by the sheer damage her short sword has received to its cross-guard and edge, yet my survival-instincts are flaring.

I decide to enact a desperate plan because I'll drop if the fight lasts any longer. I focus entirely on her weapon, leaving openings for her to outmaneuver me with her left arm and legs.

Vikiana doesn't immediately take advantage, she keeps blocking my blows, but her eyes narrow. Liz suddenly snaps Jess' focus and breaks her cutting downward diagonal slash to push out with the weapon, turning the swing into an ugly advancing stab.

Viki stiffens and takes a half-step back, pulling a left wrist that shouldn't have been there from the path of the blade, barely avoiding having it cut through. I take advantage of her surprise to drain energy from all my constructs apart from the one accelerating my perceptions.

I use the flow to turn the defensive construct on my broadsword into a sundering construct and then dismantle my perception construct to return the energy I drained from all the other constructs.

The golden hue covering my blade flickers slightly but it's insignificant because Jess had already pulled it back out of Viki's direct line of sight. The veteran's right foot suddenly lands in my belly, propelling me backward.

I stagger for a few steps but quickly regain my balance, yet not quickly enough to be able to dodge the stab aimed at my forward thigh. I panically slash from right to left at the approaching blade.

I feel glee about the fact Viki still doesn't have the confidence to enter very close range and use the style she has to destroy dozens of Rykz warriors the first time I witnessed her fight at the top of her game.

While I am aware that this is because she isn't truly trying to kill me and so isn't prepared to risk either of our lives, it remains an achievement I can be proud of. After all, unlike when she fought me on the galley, she isn't taking precautions towards Elizabeth Vil's left arm.

The edge of my blade rapidly approaches the flat of her short sword, both weapons blurry to my eyes because of their speed, yet Vikiana does not retreat and instead prepares to launch a palm-strike.

My broadsword slices through her weapon, easily cutting it in half despite her having sent an intense stream of flow to reinforce the defensive construct at some point I missed.

She shows no surprise at the loss, she actually steps close into my range and launches her palm-strike at my right shoulder. I rely on my instincts to twist my waist so as to dull the impact while swiftly altering my strengthening construct to focus entirely on reinforcing the bones and articulations there.

The collision still forces all the air out of my lungs and throws me backward but I do manage to use that momentum to retreat and avoid her stabbing attack. Unfortunately, she doesn't stop there and launches herself forward with a lion's step.

Liz launches a brutal hacking slash from left to right in order to intercept her. She lands with her chest just outside of my blade's path and redirects her momentum to my now unprotected left side.

Viki lands with her half-sword pulled under her armpit in the perfect stance for a lion's stab aimed at my heart. Her every action leading to this moment was calculated to force me into a series of moves that left me with no physical way to ensure my survival.

My sundering construct cleanly cut her weapon in half but the angle left her with a usable sharp tip, her palm-strike destroyed my footwork, her pursuit forced me to counter or be stabbed but also removed my weapon from my left side and gave it enough left to right momentum that even the Little one couldn't use its strength to forcefully pull it back in time to block.

But, I've planned for my defeat from the start. I've witnessed her kill a Rykz warrior with a single stab to the chest after bypassing the Vuskyt shield with a lion's step, this move of hers is no different.

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She launches her stabbing attack at my left flank, I activate my blood-needle. The golden projectile pierces through my flesh from where it laid in ambush underneath my forearm.

The blood-needle flies in a narrow arc and impacts the side of her sword with full force. The two ricochet off of each other, causing Viki's aim to veer wildly off-mark and pierce the air behind my back.

The golden bolt barrels straight at her left shoulder to lodge itself a handful of centimeters into her flesh, causing the left arm she raised to fall. I use a lion's step to hop backward while slashing at her throat with a precise arc. I interrupt myself mid-way into the strike once I've confirmed that it'll hit.

“My win.” I declare as I pull the blood-needle out of her shoulder.

Viki silently stares at the golden projectile flying next to me, likely aware that it isn't an air-needle because, even though she was likely in the process of interrupting her stab, solidified air wouldn't have had the weight necessary to alter the trajectory even with the speed it flew at.

I make the needle burst in a splash of blood to answer the question floating silently between us. Her irises widen. After a few seconds, she nods. That simple gesture causes me to feel elation I never have from obtaining victory in a duel.

With her acknowledgment, I sheathe my broadsword and begin using my flow to close the hole I made in my forearm, finding that it's starting to shake now that I've relaxed because Liz pushed it a bit too far to keep up in strength.

She puts away the two halves of her short sword. She then reaches to the pouch at her back to take a flask of water and a roll of bandages out that she offers to me.

I take them and use my teeth to open the cork before making water splash down on my forearm while taking care not to wet my dress. I then return it and use my energy to hold one end of the bandage so as to wrap it around the wound.

“I wish for your love towards each other to prevail, you have my blessing.” Vikiana abruptly speaks up.

Her words are plain and honest but I perceive that there is an implied meaning that isn't quite as simple as it first seems. She could be wishing for us to prevail over our quirks, or hurting each other, or the world afar. I take it that her deeper meaning is for us to be happy together.

“We'll have to talk about how to take care of the elderly.” I tell her, choosing this awkward way to tell her she's welcome because she seems about to leave.

“I won't be going far.” She replies with a slightly amused smile.

Vikiana then hesitantly raises her arm to place her hand on my shoulder, rather slowly as if she's worried I would reject the touch or wary of my reaction.

In fact, I stare quite stunned as she squeezes my shoulder and then walks away. Her gesture makes me feel like a hero as I stare at the cottage door. I won, and now I get the woman.

A self-mocking smile appears on my lips as I pick up my umbrella and head inside without further delay. I open the door and enter the empty living room. To my left, in the kitchen, is Yvonne at the stove who snaps around with a worried expression. Her strained traits immediately slacken as she recognizes me.

“Vik...” She starts.

“Don't worry about it.” I interrupt. “This fight was a long time coming between us, it didn't really resolve anything but it doesn't need to because what matters is that we understand how much Leomi means to the other.”

“Okay.” Yvonne replies with a small sigh of relief.

“Where is she?” I ask.

“In the backyard, she promised she wouldn't run any further.” Yvonne answers delicately.

I immediately stomp towards the backdoor, forgetting all my amused fantasies to have her welcome me in her bedroom. As I step out, I find Leomi in uniform wielding a hand-plow and striking the ground.

She doesn't turn to me or signal in any way that she heard me. I walk over and catch the head of the tool when the lifts it again. Leomi makes a feeble attempt at breaking my grip before giving up.

I throw the item aside and wrap my arm around her stiff waist, pushing my head between her shoulder-blades to comfort her. Leomi remains standing unsteadily as she is in my embrace, as if she dares not move to accept it, yet her right hand finds and grasps at my wrist.

“I've caused you harm, over and over. Whether I try to protect you by abandoning you, by accepting you, by protecting you, by releasing you, by cooperating with you.” Leomi utters with a depressed tone. “It's best I stay away from you but you must be the one to walk away because all that I do when it comes to us has so far ended in disaster.”

In spite of her words, her grip on my wrist only tightens. All that I, we, hear in your words, my love, is that your priority is me, us, above yourself and your impulses.

“I'm still breathing, aren't I?” I ask lightly.

“For how long after the injury? The Alemplar could not tell me whether it would be months or a year, he said that it's up to the Lake now because your flow is what's keeping you together. That is how bad your health has become.” Lance utters, her voice cracking.

“I have a solution about that, you know.” I murmur.

“What?” She questions without a hint of hope to her tone.

“Flow follows intent, if my will is to live, then the Lake will keep me alive as long as feasibly possible.” I tell her, causing her to relax somewhat.

“How do I make you want to live as hard as possible?” Lance asks in a whisper.

“Make me happy, part of that is letting me make you happy.” I reply matter-of-factly.

“But how do I do that?” She questions, sounding lost.

“By talking to me first.” I tell her with a smile in my voice. “How have you been?” I ask her.

“Working.” She says shortly.

“Will you stop sulking? It wasn't your fault I got injured but mine for not paying enough attention.” I berate her. “I could have predicted the ambush, I can think as they do, you cannot because you instinctively follow certain rules.”

“It was my operation, and I...” Lance trails off. “I was too careless, I should have asked you for help instead of trying to impress you.”

“I'm already impressed, Lance, you're much stronger than I am.” I tell her.

“In what way?” She asks, scoffing.

“You're clearly hurting about the lives you took but your first thoughts are altruistic.” I bluntly reveal.

“I...” She chokes. “I'm not, and my love towards you is hardly altruistic.” She says, controlling her voice.

“You take too much upon your shoulders, let me help you carry your burden.” I tell her.

“You've taken so much more upon yours.” She whispers in response.

“By abandoning just as much.” I contradict with a firm voice. “If you try to become like me, if you stop letting the lives you take affect you, Leomi, then you will never achieve your ambitions.”

Leomi doesn't reply. She pulls my arm away so as to turn and face me, showing her dug traits. There are dark shadows under her eyes as if she spent the week awake while I spent it asleep. My smile stiffens at the sight.

She falls to her knees and wraps her arms around my thighs before pressing her head against my chest. I run my fingers in her short white hair to comfort her and pull her firmly against me.

“I love you, kitten.” I tell her.

“Uhm.” She mumbles.

While she agreed to let me comfort her, it takes her a while to let go. I decide to give her the time she needs because she's in no state to make a decision towards our engagement.

After a few minutes, I hear light sobs coming out from the lips I can feel trembling through the cloth of my dress. I allow her my comfort for as long as she wants, and don't push to give her as long as she needs when she pulls away after a few minutes.

“Did you sleep and eat enough? Did you take care of yourself for me?” I ask her.

“No.” She replies, sounding ashamed.

“Let's go do that, then.” I tell her.

Lance nods briefly and wipes her eyes with her uniform's sleeve before accepting my help to rise to her feet. I worry that she hasn't cried hard or long enough but I do not believe that such things can be forced and do not think that talking about her guilt in detail will help either if she does not initiate the conversation.

With these thoughts in mind, I lead my lover by the hand inside the cottage and switch to a wrist hold to sit in front of her at the table. Yvonne serves two plates in front of us before giving us a wink and placing an item wrapped in red cloth as well as a small box in the center.

My best friend, her sword-sworn, then leaves the cottage to give us the time we need alone. In spite of my burning desire to finally ask for her hand, I feel no urgency because we're exactly where we need to be.

Once we've had our meal in silence, Lance takes me upstairs to the bedroom she prepared for us, leaving our rings behind. There is a large double bed with satin blankets that she seems to be carrying around with her everywhere she goes.

She undresses in front of me with a hint of awkward timidity that lights up a fire in me. I decide to lock gaze with her because she doesn't need this right now. I help her get into bed and wrap herself up in the blankets before sitting by her side.

“Hold me to sleep.” Leomi demands with a high-pitched voice that instantly causes her to grimace at herself because her order sounded more like a whine.

“Of course, my Lady.” I reply, causing her to freeze for a brief moment as her cheeks turn bright red.

“Don't tease, jay.” She harshly orders with a much, much, firmer tone.

I angle my head to the side and wink to do exactly the contrary but then pull her satin covered figure atop my lap so as to pass my arm around her chest and tightly hold her against me by the left breast.

Lance closes her light gray eyes and lets out a long sigh of utter relief. I feel her heartbeat accelerate slightly while her nipple hardens against my palm but she falls asleep within seconds and her body calms down, losing all tension as all her muscles slacken.

Leomi's sharp traits become much softer, her face turns much cuter and beautiful compared to the gorgeous apparition she usually presents. Her complete trust makes my heart melt and I spent the next six hours staring at her peaceful sleeping expression.