Nearing the day’s end, we returned to the top of the temple and overlooked the setting sun again.

It was during this time that she asked me, “Will you still remain silent of where you’ll be going?”

I suppose there was no use hiding it, given she would likely see me on my departure and come to the realization of who I was. But the detail of my status I sought to keep hidden.

“I’m participating in a tournament in Yudhruman.”

Her eyes glowed. Suddenly, she grabbed my hands and said, “You can fight? With as frail and lanky as you are?”

“Frail and lanky?” I said, irritated. “I won’t speak of my exploits, but I’m stronger than I look.”

“Then show me,” she said with a smile. “I’ve always wished to fight there, but given my position, I can’t take part. But at least I can get a taste since you seem confident in your ability. Fight me!”

I became worried, and said adamantly, “No, I won’t.”

“Why not?” she asked. “Ah! Are you a stickler for the rules of combat? Then don’t fear! I’ll yank your shaft and holster it here!”

She laughed, pointing between her thighs.

Now I felt insulted, and said, “Fine, have it your way!”

This wasn’t good judgement on my part. But I had enough of her brutish behavior and sought to put her in place. I readied my stance.

“Why don’t you take that off and show me your face, O high prince!” she said.

I gave a look of surprise and was ready to confront her. Yet before I could do so, she took off her shirt to reveal her bruised body covered only by a thin, ragged bodice, ornamented in cheap gems.

My arms went weak. I was upset, but I couldn’t confront her like this. Not after seeing that.

I sought to hold the battle. She wouldn’t let me. Suddenly in front of me was a punch that came flying with the speed of wind.

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I dodged, but the sharp strike cut along my face. My body began to ache. The soreness returned, and I felt uneasy.

She was deadlier than I thought. I had heard wayward reports over the weeks that soldiers were bruised by unknown assailants. Now I was sure that she must’ve been one.

“Stop, sister!” said Berha. “Won’t it be bad if he gets hurt? He’s a friend, isn’t he?”

The youngest looked as if he would cry at any moment, as he sniffled to hold back his tears. Meanwhile, I was evading every one of my foe’s strikes. They came at every direction. Swift as the wind. Deadly as lightning. Power that could rival even the commander’s. I had severely underestimated her. And now my body was to suffer again.

The speed of her strikes heightened. I could see the elements in display. Her eyes lit with such vigor to mirror my own zeal. I used the wind of her strikes to move gracefully around her arms and evade her strikes with as little effort as I could hold.

This proved an ill idea. Just when I thought I had dodged the last barrage and was readying myself to leap, a stray fist came from the side. As if like a third hand materialized out of my view. With the force of a hammer, it struck my face and launched me to the edge of the roof.

There was blood in my mouth. The face that had just recently been healed had once more become swollen. I swallowed my blood so as to not soil the temple. What an ill thing to do. To fight in such a holy place. What indeed was I doing?

“Is that all you can bring, child of the Shrahatrayan?” she said. “Shouldn’t your powers be greater than this? I know you’re holding back. Am I not a force to be reckoned with? Fight as if your life depends on it! Otherwise I’ll beat you into a red mess and really will yank your shaft!”

Her uncouth mouth made me reel in disgust. My reaction to such things wasn’t new, for I felt as such even in my previous life. My high upbringing mirrored what I had then, being brought up in the priestly caste, degraded as it was by the time I was born.

“If I were to fight as such, you would be dead,” I said, coughing. “I won’t have one die by me!”

“Think of me as a demon,” she said, ignoring what I said. “You’ll have to fight them when you’re older. This should be good practice for then!”

“That’s not the point!” I cried.

“Then I’ll make it!”

She raced to me and was ready to strike me on the floor. Her hand drew close. Enough where I could feel the pressure of the air against my face. At that moment, I caught the fist and broke my code. I pulled her in and struck her cheek with the back of my hand.

She was sent flying to the other edge of the temple roof. Her brothers ran to her.

“Sister! Sister! Are you all right?” they cried.

She strained to lift herself. She, without a thought, spat to the floor. It vexed me, but her lack of piety was to be the last of my concerns. Her face held a fierce smile.

Standing and wiping the blood from her face, she said, “That’s what I expect! It’s been too long since I could fight like this. I know you’re still holding back, so let me show you something that’ll make you reconsider.”

She widened her legs and spread her arms. With open hands, she tensed her muscles and issued a great cry. My hair stood on end. Her body steamed and her muscles became tight and thick. This was to prove troublesome.

“Move aside, brothers!” she said with zeal, her smile not leaving her face. “I’ll bludgeon him!”