Blade of Fire

Part 5

One night, Techno was down at the Fortress, sword in hand, circling a Wither Skeleton. The skeleton was the highest warrior in the Fortress, and had trained many a night and day to serve her God. Her name was Hariric, and she lead the Guard of the Fortress.

Techno jabbed and Hariric jumped away, but Techno was fast and twisted around tucking his sword close to him, then swinging it out in a wide slice. Hariric ducked.  She was one of the best warriors that Techno fought with, but she was also the one who trained him and knew almost every move in the book.

Techno was beginning to struggle. He couldn't keep up with her fast paced moves, the way she moved cat-like, her toes only brushing the floor before she pounced again, her sword landing down hard, like an extended claw.

Nearly out of ideas, Techno was digging down to try and remember all the moves he had mastered, but Hariric was was the one who taught him so she knew all the things he knew.

Techno needed to think of something that he hadn't used before.

He closed his eyes and opened his mind.

Time moved slowly, and he focused on his heartbeat, the heartbeat of the Nether.

When Hariric swung her sword at him, he bent backwards, his plait brushing the ground. Putting his hands by his head he lifted up his feet and knocked the sword out of Hariric's hand. 

Techno arched back, flicked his legs over his head into a standing position.

The sword dug itself into the wall behind him.

Techno lunged, sweeping one foot under Hariric's and pushing her shoulder with his palm, knocking her to the ground. He stood over her, his sword at her throat.

"Got you." he whispered.

She smiled, pushing the tip of the sword away with her finger.

"Well done Techno. You are an excellent student".

She stood up, brushing dust of her robes. They were embroiderd in deep shades of pink and orange, with subtle hints of violet and the odd streak of white.

She noticed Techno looking and smiled, "I designed them myself. They represent the colours of the Fortress, the pinks and purples of the stone and the deep umbre of the Nether. The white represents the purity of my station, the Lead Guard."

Techno stood in silence, acknowledging the smallness of being, that the whole Nether was a living being, their one and only God. They had to protect what was theirs, and make sure that whoever interfered would pay.

Hariric spoke up, relinquishing Techno from his thoughts.

"I want to give you this, you deserve it."

She handed him her sword, the one they were fighting with moments earlier.

The blade shone like all gold does, but with a deeper intensity, reflecting the true heart of the world. The hilt was encrusted in rubies that shone with blood-like fire.

The thing that shocked Techno was the absolute balance of the blade, he spun it around and sheathed it in his belt with an audible hiss.

"Thank you"

"May it always always fight in your favour" Hariric said, before disappearing into the shadows.