Our swords clash together for an hour of unrestrained fighting. Unlike the hammer I gave Fury the other day, the dragon is more competent with the sword in hand. Still, I school him in his lack of sword forms and techniques.

"Stop trying to teach me the way of the sword. I am not going to use a sword. I am a brawler."

"I know more about swords than I do about brawling," I say, knocking aside his overhand cut with a parry. The flat of my blade then slaps his cheek. Fury cools his anger, resisting his urge to overpower me with strength and aggression. At this point, he knows that won't work out. Good. The dragon is learning.

"I don't need to be taught. I'm strong enough as I am." I'm caught off guard by the dragon's ego. I guess it makes sense. He's been a top predator for some time now. The guy isn't used to losing. However, he had a thick shadow shroud, giving him the element of surprise, and most of the time, he was a rank greater than the demons he was fighting. That won't be the case for long.

"I beat you with my fists. Twice."

"You cheated."

"And so will they." I motion offhand to the distance. "Do you honestly believe you're strong enough to protect the dungeon as you are? Is that why you got captured by Roxi… defeated by Nette… and then me?" I lower my sword as Fury swims through his thoughts.

"I was trying to reason with Roxi. I sensed her arrival and thought I could talk her out of fighting. I told her a hundred years was enough time to bury her grievances. She fought dishonorably."

"There is no honor in fighting. There's only winning and losing. I thought you understood this when you tried to burn me to a crisp."

"I was only acting within the bounds of the rule."

"So was I, and you still complain about cheating. I bested you at your own game, but you let your pride and honor deceive you. You're lying to yourself, and as you do so, you threaten everyone you love. I'm not saying you have to learn the sword, but you do have to get stronger."

Never in my wildest imagination did I see myself lecturing Fury. I don't like the person I am today. Lecturing Cru, then his spiders, and now Fury. I think I should have stayed in bed.

"And like you are so strong. Do not forget I had you at my mercy at the very beginning of this meeting." To emphasize his words, the blackness around us condenses once more. I'm not wholly seized by the darkness; however, my movement is greatly restricted. "I am unimpressed for a so-called king and the ultimate holder of the dungeon core."

"I didn't claim to be strong. And as soon as I get out of this dark hell, I'm figuring out a way to avoid it. And why all the animosity towards me? Don't forget you were trying to kill me first."

"I have no animosity towards you. I'm just angry, and you and Roxi are my easy targets."

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"Well, so am I. You don't see me out here picking fights." I raise my voice, matching Fury's volume.

"You were fighting yourself."

"That's not the same."

"It's hardly different."

"Well, if it isn't me you are upset with, why are you angry?"

"You don't think I haven't told myself everything you lectured me on? I am a dragon. I am supposed to be the apex fighter, and I got beat by a tree and then an orc. I need to be able to keep us all safe. Genevieve, Remny, Itko, and all the kids need to be able to depend on me. What do they think now that I'm one of the ones who attacked the very place that was meant to keep them safe?" Fury hangs his head. "My whole identity is a guardian. All I want to do is keep my family safe, and I can not."

Maybe I was too harsh on Fury with my words. Stupid Jim and his carefree goblin tongue. I should've known not caring was a quick way to end up with regret. And I thought I was making progress after a whole morning of socializing. I'm tempted to raise my concerns with his identity issues. People are much more than one identity. I table that thought for later. I'm still trying to figure out my identity complex anyway.

"If it's any consolation, no one blames you for your attack. Or thinks less of you as a protector. I certainly feel safer when you're around. Don't be so quick to forget the hundred years that you kept Gene and her people safe and the numerous times before that. We are only here because of you."

"And what will I do when we are invaded by stronger foes? Get possessed again? Die before the battle even starts?" Fury takes in some deep breaths. His two-handed grip on Ruby tightens as he wrings his hands on the hilt. "Or cower in a cave and lie to the kids. 'I am your guardian. I will keep you safe. I will make this all right. We will be alright…'" The muttered words die in his mouth. No tears fall from his sad, distant eyes. I can only imagine the guilt and pain he endures. And I thought I needed to lecture him on power. I'm such a fool.

"Nothing about this is right," Fury's whispered words bury the dagger in my core, and I feel like cowering with him.

"So we get stronger," I say. "My demons are nowhere near the size of yours, and maybe it isn't right to compare conflicts. But I refuse to die in a cave ever again. I'll either cut through demons, or I'll cut a new path through the rock." I move my sword to a guard position. "What do you say, Fury? Are you with me, or will you stay in your cave?" I don't wait for a response. I close the distance between us and slap at Fury's side with a reckless attack. If the dragonoid doesn't respond, he will have a nasty welt on his neck.

At the last moment, Fury blocks with the sword. His feet step back, and he positions himself for a counterattack. Slowed by thick darkness, I work hard to react to the new attack. We go back and forth, attacking and repelling attacks, both landing hits and leaving marks on each other. After what seems like hours of sword fighting, the dark veil drops.

"Same time tomorrow?" Fury asks as he sheaths Ruby in its fancy sheath.

"Let's spar before breakfast. I like to get my training out of the way as soon as possible."

"Good. Good. Tomorrow, we fight as cultivators," Fury says as he lets out a voracious laugh. His massive hand pats me on the back, and he walks away towards the cafeteria, paying no attention to Roxi, who is watching us with discerning eyes.

"Guess that means it is you versus me, buttercup," Roxi says as she steps into our sparring ground. Buttercup? What does that even mean? Where did that come from?

"Wait, why are we fighting?"

"Because you are here and Fury is not. Now, let us begin."