Kaen dashed at Keilan, aiming a kick towards the side of his head. Keilan put his shield up as a means to defend the attack. Kaen, anticipating this, planted his foot on it. He used it to launch himself off, throwing a small ice dagger as he was thrown back by himself. Keilan also blocked that while using a sword that he made to block Sorn’s flying kick to his front. The wisps bounced off the sword and Keilan leapt back, increasing the distance between the two.
Keilan looked at Kaen with a confused expression.
Keilan: “Why are you doing this?”
Kaen: My objective is simple. I’m killing you first, and that Raven bitch is next.”
Sorn didn’t like the sound of that.
Sorn: “Uh, I don’t-”
Kaen cut him off.
Kaen: “Interfere and I’ll kill you too.”
Sorn: “Oh.”
Keilan looked at Kaen, his expression solem.
Keilan: “It seems you have your reasons. I will respect your decision. But know that means this will be the end of both of you.”
Kaen: “Cocky asshole.
He leapt towards Keilan, dodging the first of Keilan’s swings. He slipped through an opening and landed a jab on Keilan. However, Keilan had created a smaller shield in time, and Kaen jumped back, clutching his fingers in pain.
Keilan gave the boy little time to rest, and threw a spear at him .Kaen grabbed it with his other hand but was launched back with it as a result.
Sorn was already rushing towards Keilan, his wisps at near maximum output. If only he could utilize that explosion from earlier, this fight could be so much easier. Unfortunately, he had little idea how to use it, much less if he had the energy to do so a second time.
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Keilan danced around Sorn’s attack, his agility enhanced by the ice underneath the soles of his feat. He tried to slash Sorn’s outstretched leg off, and would’ve done so if Kaen didn’t come back, landing a sweep kick to the bottom of Keilan’s legs.Keilan was now in the air, helpless.
Sorn took advantage of this and threw his fist at Keilan, only to be met with another shield. Keilan landed on his hands, his sword now gone as he released two spears directed towards his foes, preventing them from following up an attack. Sorn and Kaen easily avoided the attack.
Keilan looked at Kaen, impressed.
Keilan: “Out of all the Academy students, you are the fastest. How did you manage to hide your skills for so long?”
Sorn couldn’t disagree with this assessment. Perhaps Kaen’s inclusion in this tournament remained to be the result of political manipulation, but Kaen had certainly earned his right to be among the top fifty.
Keilan: “I'm going to die in two weeks anyways. Your time would be better spent hunting Raven.”
Kaen: “Dislike the two on one?”
Keilan: “Of course, this is a pain. I’d rather kill Sorn effortlessly.”
This was the last straw for Sorn.
Sorn: “You know, Keilan. I’ve always been nice to you. I also get what you’re trying to do by giving up.”
The wisps around Sorn grew bigger, and for the first time, he realized that this constant use was taking no toll on him. It was as if he gained control of his ability over the course of his previous fight. He dashed at Keilan, aiming a kick at his face. Keilan blocked it with his shield and slid back a short distance due to the pressure of the attack. Sorn’s blows had gotten heavier.
Keilan: “If you get it, why didn’t you just leave us alone and run away? Why did you wait for the Prophecy and join this tournament?”
Sorn: “I understand you, but I don’t agree with you.”
They were rapidly exchanging blows at this point.
Keilan: “What does that even mean?”
Sorn: “Stop bending down to everyone’s authority. Put some more faith! Trust your sister! Trust your friends! Instead of trusting the guy that wishes the worst for you!”
It seemed Sorn’s words had hit a jackpot. Keilan’s face and guard simultaneously dropped, causing Sorn’s punch to land directly on Keilan’s nose, launching him backwards some meters. Sorn, feeling lethargic from that exchange, was huffing heavily as he slowly made his way to Keilan, who was now sprawled out on the floor. Sorn collapsed next to him, and they both stared at the ceiling in silence.
Keilan: “But Varian-”
Sorn: “Fuck Varian.”
Keilan: “The order-”
Sorn: “Fuck the order. This place has been a chaotic mess since I got here.”
Keilan: “You’re aware that’s your fault, right?”
Sorn: “You can do what you want. If you want to die, I’ll accept that depending on your reasoning. But right now, none of us know the truth. So let’s learn that here and now, while we still can.”
He got up and reached his hand out to Keilan. Keilan took it after some hesitation.
Keilan: “If anything goes wrong, I’ll kill you.”
Sorn: “Sorry, but I’m taking the throne, remember.”
As they got up, they both looked at Kaen, who had been watching them silently.
Sorn: “You’re still not on that killing thing, right?.”
Kaen frowned.
Kaen: “I guess I can’t after witnessing that. I’d feel sick. A shame too, I didn’t really get to use my full power.”
Keilan: “Neither did I.”
Sorn: “Kaen, you should join us. You deserve to learn the truth too.”
Kaen: “Sorry, but I have something else to do.”
He jumped away, leaving Keilan and Sorn alone together.
Keilan: “Kaen and Raven go way back. He’ll try to kill her without a doubt. I can’t see him winning without a technique though, no matter how fast he may be.”
Sorn nodded. Kaen seemed too smart to charge into something he couldn’t win. Sorn was confident he’d be fine.
The two of them followed the axes in awkward silence.
End.