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Both legions put their shields together, advancing down the alley. Drac looked up. Archers pull on the bows, arrows aimed. In front of him a wall, behind him fire still went on. Drac burns his Aura, covering his body and sword in a bright blue flame. Arrows rain on him. Cutting many, evading the rest. A Guard shouted as they began their assault. An overhead slice countered with a cut to the stomach. Chainmail burst as Drac's sword penetrated the skin. A guard comes for Drac's head, blocked and directed to the ground. A neck cut, blood squirts out. Another sword to the body, blocked by Murus, sword straight down fell the attacker. Arrow and rain fall on Drac again. His arm grazed and several arrows patted away. Like moths to a flame, guards ran to Drac. Desperate rage in their bloodshot eyes. Their attacks were blocked by a blue circle and countered with a swift Aura-coated blade. A reverse grip slice and jab to the body stops a guard in his tracks. The almost dead guard strikes at Drac’s head; a cut to the cheek is his only reward for his effort. As the guard dropped, a thrust containing Aura targets Drac's chest. A guard wearing an Armet pressed forward with aura, blocked by The Murus shield. However, cracks form. Drac is forced back. He reinforced his legs and used levitation to stop. The Murus breaks. The attacker's sword drew closer. Drac turned sideways to the left, the sword left a mark on Drac’s Jacket. He crouches and strafes towards the armet guard and slices at the body with a reverse grip. The sword cuts the body through thick armour. Drac jumps away and the injured guard swipes at Drac. Arrows mix with rain; Drac’s back is exposed as he jumps away. One arrow stuck out of his right shoulder.
Drac shouts over the roar of the rain to the guards. “What happened to honour!? Would Alfred Danor accept this cowardice from his officers!?”
“Honour?” Drac felt Aura amongst the crowd of soldiers.
“HONOUR!?”
A young man wades from the crowd, and the soldiers separate to bow to him. The slim man walked toward Drac with confidence bigger than his frame. Armour looked like it would fall off him. He stomped towards the injured Drac, his handsome face twisted with anger.
“Was it Honourable when you stole from me? Was it honourable when you killed my servants? Was it honourable when slaughtered hundreds in the streets in cold blood? Was it honourable… WHEN YOU KILLED MY COUSIN?!”
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Drac, breathing hard, smiled. “Did you find his body? How’d bury him? Two coffins for the head and body?”
The Duke Exploded his Aura. The earth behind flew off in every direction. Danor blinked away. Drac put up Murus and tried to block with his sword. Their swords collided. A gust of air blew in all directions, forcing the soldiers to the ground. Drac lost the battle of strength and flew back. His back crashes into the brick wall. Arrow on Drac’s goes through his shoulder. Danor’s sword scraps the wall to Drac’s right. He crouched, Danor’s blade completely missing his head. Drac thrust at Danor’s stomach. The duke blocked the attack and countered with a slice which was also evaded. They fight by the wall, exchanging cuts. The duke blocked, changing the direction of his sword, and cut the assassin’s leg. He changed direction again to slice the chest. Shallow slices get through. Danor’s thrust into Drac's head turns into a swipe, which then transforms into a jab of the body.
Drac cries out. The Duke’s sword is pulled, leaving blood trailing behind. Drac's face is confused. He touched his stomach, Blood oozes from his bowels. His head feels faint. The world twists around. His balance was lost.
Drac ran away but was tripped by a leg. A guard stood over him. A big grin grows on his face. Others join him. They pommeled him with kicks till their boots were covered with blood. Their laughter was covered by the rain and thunder. The guards pause the assault and give way to their commander. The duke stood over the puddle of meat and blood once called Drac.
“Honour? You don’t deserve it.” Duke Danor brings his Sword up to the clouds, lightning strikes above. The sword gilded with gold fell on Drac's head.
Drac opens his eyes.
“Is it done?” Marina asked from her room. Bob sits by the fireplace, drying his large body. Drac unfolded his legs from a meditation. Sweat drops off his brow. His heart beats faster than a bee wing.
Calm down, Drac. It was just a copy. You’re okay. You are going to be fine.
Drac's body trembled at the thought of his ‘death’. The bones were broken, blood leaking, and his head smashed. It felt real. Marina came close to Drac on the bed. Her face showed concern but also care. She moved even closer. She puts her hand to his. Her warmth calms Drac. They gazed at each other eyes for what seemed like an eternity in moments. Drac looks away. Shamed of his appearance. How pitiful does he look to her? Because of Drac, Gove lost his tavern, Maki lost her home. He could not even defeat the man who caused this suffering.
Marian hugs Drac. “Thank you.”
Drac tears up in Marina’s arms.
Drac's body dissipates in the rain. The city guards stare at their prize disappearing into nothing. They look at each other in confusion. The duke's face reveals nothing of his emotions. He stepped away, glad for another chance to kill his cousin’s murderer.