Her brothers stepped back, dismayed. And as soon as they did so, she shot from her position. Within moments, she was in front of me, with her body turned sideways and her leg turning to strike. My arms locked. I braced myself for the incoming strike. Her foot struck against the bone of my arms. Then I realized I had made a terrible mistake. I felt a crack. I was momentarily suspended. And then I crashed into the ground with such force that the stone burst!

Yet the surface was sturdier than I expected. I had thought I would’ve slammed through it toward the ground of the temple.

Sadly, my body was not. Were it not for the earth I shielded myself with, I would’ve most likely been rendered unconscious, or worse.

I slowly brought myself up, gasping for air.

Zhunil, mocking me, said in delight, “So you can use the elements after all!”

I only managed to say, “Quite.”

I raced to her with my arms encased in earth. With the speed greater than the wind, I rushed to her position and launched strikes of fury as powerful as lightning. But every strike she blocked.

Her arms and legs were like steel or the hardest of stone, and though she struck with fury reserved for those with immense anger, I could see by her face that she reveled in the delight of battle, just as I did.

If not for the situation, I would’ve found this a pleasant way to test my strength. Perhaps even to make a new friend.

I could see happiness radiate through her bloodlust. The sight enamored me. To see beauty in such a way reflected by the actions meant for those on the battlefield.

Were things different, she would’ve definitely enlisted in my father’s ranks. But her animosity most likely made her prejudiced toward the idea.

I could see time slow. Her breathing grew heavy with every strike, as if she was straining herself too far. While I sought to halt her movements, her strikes were too fast and powerful for me to direct my attention elsewhere.

I resolved to release the other elements in minute quantities, enough to force her back. I lashed the water against her to wash her eyes. The heat of her body vaporized it. I sent fire her way in great arcs unleashed along the edges of arms. But they dispersed against the force of strikes. I couldn’t muster lightning in my condition, nor the aether, nor space, so I resolved on air. I shielded my body in air and as her strikes came, I blasted it against the object of violence. But whether her hands, feet, elbows, knees, or any other, they wouldn’t desist in their movements.

That was when I noticed a slight shift in the heat. And where the heat shifted, the movement of her strike would slightly angle.

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She at last, having grown tired of my futile resistance, spun herself and struck my arms with a spiraling kick. The strike sent me flying. I lifted a slab of earth and crashed into it. I saved myself from flying outside the roof.

While I was relieved, this had gone on too long. My body couldn’t afford to strain itself any longer. That was when an idea came to me. One that was sure to work. But would be costly to my newfound morals.

I relaxed myself and waited for her next attack.

She grinned and flew high in the air. She sought to strike me with her heel. Perhaps to smash my skull.

I truly would’ve considered such a thing after what I had planned.

Her descent was fast, and her heel was to touch my forehead. Then her motions slowed. I let her heel touch. Her legs bent. I was brought down. But the force of her strike had vanished. Her eyes widened, realizing what was amiss. As her body flipped from the movement of her legs, I brought my lips close.

Our mouths came together. My tongue went inside her, and we both became flushed. I held my mind steady, and coursed the air into her, careful to avoid her saliva. My breath entered her with such force to knock her back. She tumbled away, and her body returned to what it was.

She coughed and cried, “What did you do to me you vile wretch?”

I was beyond embarrassed. I shook my head to remove the lustful thoughts that returned in great force.

“There was probably a better way to handle this,” I said, sighing and reddening. “But given my nature, this was the best idea I could execute before you could flatten my head. Forgive me, Zhunil.”

“Never!” she said with a face as equally flushed as mine. “To hell with your apology and aid! If I see your face again, the Hells will be the last of your worries.”

That I didn’t doubt.

“Come, Berha, Juya, we’re leaving.”

They scurried to her, unsure of what to make of the situation. They seemed relieved as far as I could tell. As they were leaving, she held her right hand in what looked to be a zshtya, but her middle finger was upturned. She cast an obscenity to me, spitting onto her finger and throwing the saliva with a flick of her wrist.

I reeled in disgust, but as I looked to her face, I saw the beauty replaced by ugly tears. She ran from the place, leaving me with internal turmoil.

What I had done was wrong, but I felt she had forced my hand. But what made me feel worse wasn’t making her feel violated. Nay, far from it. I had given away a kiss that was meant for a lover to a stranger.

I felt lower than even a rapist, for one in my position shouldn’t even resolve to perform such acts regardless of context or situation. I thought that maybe it wouldn’t have been a bad idea, perhaps, to maim her if it would’ve allowed us to keep our dignity. But my mind wasn’t equipped to calculate the optimal outcome in the heat of battle. Not yet. Now I would have to live with this terrible mistake. One that reminded me of my past.

There was one remedy that at this point seemed unsuitable, unfavorable, and of greatly ill judgement. Something that I felt would be so terrible to do with one so vile as her! One who forced my hand in such a way to defile not only her but me! I was no saint and wasn’t even attempting such a path, but I felt I should’ve honored something as simple as the dignity of another person. How did it make me any different from the Demons that I would in time, battle against?

You might think this line of thought extreme, but understand the standards we as a people held in the highest of ages and reflect again on how I should’ve acted.

Regardless of my thoughts, one thing was certain: it could put both of our minds at ease, and any other who bore witness.

Should she wish it, I could marry her.