The Lost Orb [PFS #1, The Bearer]

33 "Calm Before The Storm"

SASKIA'S POV
Era 983, Aprilis

"TOO HASTY. Keep your composure well while balancing the acuteness of your attacks."

I firmly gripped the dagger in front of me, fighting his resistance with mine. I nearly trembled while pressing the dagger against him, but he remained relaxed. It was an act though. Sinadya kong ipakita na nahihirapan ako. I purposely acted like my guard was down to bait him.

He repelled my weapon away from his, a thin beam of light gleamed from the edge of his dagger as it scraped against mine. Sapilitan niya akong napalayo, I felt my body declining from balance. Tumalon ako nang paatras para bawiin ang postura ko.

"Why don't you-"

I charged at him assertively, and as he normally would do, he leveled his arm holding his weapon parallel to the ground, readying himself to defend.

Now's the time.

I seized the opportunity and quickly shifted my direction to his left side, nakita ko kung paano niya sinundan ng tingin ang paggalaw ko, ngunit sinubukan kong gumalaw nang mas mabilis sa kaniyang inaasahan. I changed my direction again and forcefully . . . I rushed at him.

Before he could even fully position his weapon to block my attack, I swayed his dagger off of my direction.

It flew away out of force. Swiftly, I swung the dagger straight toward his neck.

The whole moment stopped.

The air thickened. It brushed off the grasses below our feet, heavily.

This may be the first time I have perfectly cornered him.

But even with the edge, one that could lead to his own death, was directed at his neck, he remained relaxed . . . which I found amusing about him. No matter the time is, or the circumstance, whenever he found himself in a life-threatening situation, he never let it affect him.

He handled it perfectly.

I gave him a triumphant smile. "I got you."

Tuluyan na nitong ibinaba ang kanang kamay niya, kung saan niya hawak ang kaniyang dagger, senyales na sumuko na ito. My smile remained unscathed.

We've been training like this for how many months now. I specifically requested this thing from him after our last mission before.

"Remember? I will grow stronger."

It's been a year, but the scorching hatred within me didn't smother in any bit.

"You did." Walang alinlangan niyang saad.

"Oh?"

Sabay kaming napalingon sa nagsalita. It turns out to be Eunice, she was holding a crossbow at her left hand. Ibinaba ko naman ang dagger ko mula kay Tristan para harapin iyon. "Eunice? Bakit nandito ka?"