Spark in Darkness: Unworldy encounter/Prototype

Spark 16: The next step

Shinesh readied his gauntlets as he met the slashes head on. Using his gauntlets to block the strikes, the collision of metal rang loudly, with sparks flying from the impact.

Haruki jumped to the side, trying to act as support for Shinesh. But he was still not too confident with his shooting skills, what with Shinesh and the hooded person in such close proximity, their bodies always moving.

He gritted his teeth in chagrin, as he was unable to release the arrow from his bow for fear of friendly fire.

"Shit!" As unwilling as he was, Haruki could only watch on as the two people in front of exchanged blows.

Shinesh smashed his fists at his opponent, but he dodged the attacks skillfully, the cloak fluttering fluidly in the night, resembling that of a dance. Haruki could make out the bandage wrapped around the entire length of the assailant's right arm too.

The assailant retaliated with relentless thrusts and slashes, and although Shinesh was able to dodge and deflect them, he was slowly being pushed back.

"Kuhh....then how about this?" With a burst of speed, Shinesh crouched down, his whole body seemingly disappearing from his opponent's line of sight.

Then he threw out a fist straight towards the opponent's torso.

Haruki had saw Shinesh used that skill before. It was one of Zaki Taiyo School's punching skill, , to duck with super speed and punch the enemy before he could react. Haruki still had problems mastering it, but he was amazed Shinesh could react to such a situation with that skill so quickly.

The opponent let out a groan as he was pushed a good few meters back.

Haruki seized this moment to fire a few arrows at the person, but he deflected the arrows with the two blades.

Such accuracy! Haruki was amazed such a skilled person could actually exist. Where the fighters in this world so powerful?

Before Haruki could fire any more arrows, the two sides had closed the distance again, engaged in melee fight once more.

This person...he's strong! Shinesh had not had a chance to see the face of the cloaked and hooded assailant, but he made out strands of mangeta hair. Just like that person, purple hair...

Shinesh's attention was brought back to the fight, as his opponent increased his speed.

"You can go even faster?" Shinesh exclaimed, shocked.

Swinging the swords to a normal grip, the person swung his arms upwards, giving a strong and jarring blow to Shinesh's arms as they were knocked upwards. They were not hurt due to the gauntlet protecting his arms from the blow, but they were numb from the impact.

"Shit!" Shinesh's arms were in the air, his torso exposed. His balance was also off. It was the best opportunity for his opponent to strike.

Seeing the assailant preparing a stab towards Shinesh's chest, Haruki instantly released an arrow. He had not considered the arrow hitting Shinesh; at that moment he had released an arrow instinctively to prevent his friend from dying.

The swordsman sensed the arrow flying towards him, and he knew he would get hit before he could deal his blow. Deflect it, and he lose his momentum. At that split moment, he rushed to Shinesh's side, stabbing a sword on the ground. With rapid succession, he stabbed another sword behind Shinesh, and drew a third sword to stab it on the ground near Shinesh once more.

"Three swords?" Haruki could not help but utter the question of surprise. This opponent still had more tricks up his sleeve.

Just as Shinesh recovered his balance and took on a battle stance, his opponent slapped his left arm on the ground, and his palm glowed brightly.