The steel sang a song of defiance as Leon and Merrick's swords clashed, their blades locked in a desperate struggle for dominance. Leon's muscles burned and his breath came in short gasps. Anger and frustration fueled his every move, but even with his newfound ferocity, he was barely holding his own. Merrick, a seasoned warrior, remained calm and collected. His movements were precise and economical. Leon knew that if Merrick truly unleashed his full power, the fight would be over in an instant.
With a sudden twist of his wrist, Leon broke the lock, spinning away from Merrick and lunging forward with a desperate thrust. But Merrick was too quick. He sidestepped the attack with ease, sending Leon stumbling off balance. A swift fist connected with Leon's back, sending him crashing to the ground with a cry of pain.
"What happened to all that resolve?" Merrick taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.
Leon gritted his teeth, the taste of dirt mingling with the blood welling up in his mouth. He knew he couldn't win in a straight sword fight. But perhaps... magic. He focused his will, drawing upon the fiery energy that pulsed within him. As Merrick approached, Leon unleashed a torrent of flames, a searing wave of fire that engulfed his opponent.
Merrick reacted instantly. With a flick of his free hand, he conjured a whirlwind, diverting the flames harmlessly around him. When the fire subsided, Leon was gone, vanished once again into the shadows.
"This game of cat and mouse is growing tiresome, boy," Merrick growled, his voice echoing through the trees. "If this is all you have to offer, you may as well save yourself the trouble and not even bother with the Selection Exam." He paused, laying his verbal trap for Leon once again. "Perhaps you are simply not cut out to be a Warden."
He listened intently, straining to hear any movement in the darkness. A rustle of leaves betrayed Leon's position. Merrick unleashed another wind spell. Razor-sharp blades of air sliced through the undergrowth. But there was no cry of pain, no startled movement.
Another rustle, this time from a different direction. Merrick turned just as a blinding flash of light erupted, followed by a small explosion of fire. He recoiled, momentarily blinded. Another flash, another explosion, this time from behind him. He spun around, disoriented, just as Leon emerged from the shadows, charging forward with a ferocious roar.
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Leon's sword arced through the air, aimed at Merrick's exposed side. But the clang of steel shattered his hopes. Merrick had intercepted the blow, his expression a mixture of amusement and disappointment.
"Clever," Merrick conceded, "but you still hesitate. You lack the killer instinct, the will to do whatever it takes to survive."
He thrust his free hand towards Leon's chest, a concentrated blast of wind erupting from his palm. Leon was thrown backward, his body slamming against a tree trunk with a sickening thud.
The air rushed from his lungs and his vision blurred. He struggled to rise, but his body refused to obey. Merrick loomed over him, his silhouette a menacing shadow against the fading light.
"A valiant effort," Merrick said, his voice devoid of emotion. "But it is over."
Leon's hand instinctively reached for his axe, his fingers closing around the worn leather grip. "You don't have what it takes," Merrick continued, his voice a low growl. "You are weak. Unworthy."
Leon's mind flashed back to Merrick's earlier words: Fight back with the intent to kill. He had no other choice.
Summoning a surge of adrenaline, he swung the axe, burying it deep into a vulnerable gap in Merrick's leg armor. A roar of pain erupted from the Warden as he stumbled, falling to one knee.
Leon seized the opportunity. He grabbed Merrick's head, channeling all his remaining magic into his hands. A blinding white light flared, engulfing Merrick's exposed face. The air filled with the acrid smell of burning flesh and hair.
Leon poured every ounce of his being into the attack, his hands glowing with intense heat. Finally, he released his grip, his strength spent. As the smoke cleared, he saw Merrick's charred and smoldering form. But instead of agony, a faint smile played on the Warden's lips.
Merrick's body shimmered, fading into nothingness. His voice, however, lingered in the air. "Congratulations, Leon. You have survived the first day."
Leon stared in disbelief. "What...?"
"You faced a de-powered clone," Merrick's voice explained. "A test of your resolve, your willingness to fight for your survival."
Leon slumped back against the tree, a wave of relief washing over him. He had done it. He had faced his fears, overcome his doubts, and emerged victorious. He wondered how Simon was faring, and what other challenges awaited him in the depths of the Emberwood. But for now, exhaustion claimed him, and he drifted into a deep sleep.