Keeping up with the strikes would be like counting drops of rain in a storm.
The slashes melded into a hysteria.
A hysteria of fury.
Red aura whipped around the arena.
The air cracked and sparks flew.
Her raw power materialized around us.
The once packed crowd began to slowly inch back.
They feared the splash damage.
I wish I could do the same...
I thought to myself as I witnessed one of the main reasons for our success.
Without her...
I doubt we would be here.
To have a monster caged within our ranks...
This fight was the least I could do to placate her hunger for more.
Pain snaked across my body.
Bolts of electricity remind me that blocking doesn't mean damage mitigation.
Cuts blossomed across my body and light leather armor.
If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Soon I would be wearing shreds, not armor.
Now, I was regretting my choice of gear.
She was right…I thought…
But when wasn't she?
Her eyes stayed on mine as I began to dodge away, finding my balance, only to lose it seconds after.
She pressured relentlessly.
Vicious is the path to victory…she whispered between clenched teeth.
She was rage personified.
Activating every defensive aura and ability, I was able to mitigate the next flurry of strikes.
Calming myself before the storm…
Embracing the anger and the rage.
I had decided on my path.
I replied.
It's not…
Victory does not come from a clouded mind.
Victory comes from peace, from quiet….
Victory comes from pain
Not the pain of losing...
But the pain of what comes after if you don't win...
Another barrage of blows came my way.
This time I did not block.
Clearing my mind
Dropping my blade
Opening my soul reserves…
I entered [Way of The Empty Hand]
Narrowly dodging the next few strikes by the thinnest margins, I was able to position myself behind her, pushing her arm back, and unexpectedly sending her blade flying into the air.
Moments passed
The blade swung circles in the air.
Until after what felt like everything, it reached its zenith and came slicing back down, embedding itself into the stone ground.
Both unarmed, our eyes met.
She, like a feral animal.
And mine with a fear of what was to come next.
The after being what I always feared.
Erupting, the crowd had made their decision.
"Yay!"
"Captain did it!"
"What a move!"
Rushing in, they surrounded me and began the unwanted celebrations.
Before I could notice her leave, she was gone.
Her blade gone.
A small gap in the ground as the only indicator of our battle.
The only sign of her loss.
And what do I get from winning?
I tried to smile...
I couldn't.
I doubt she could as well.
As they hoisted me up into the air, I thought to myself...
I'll check on her tonight...