Prince (Ess)

5. Izuku (POV) - The Duel

I really enjoyed Shoto's touch and the love he had for me. I thought that spending the night with him would be a good way to say goodbye without words. He didn't know this, but the duel was set for the next morning. By the time he wakes up, I'll be gone.

The morning birds chirped as sunlight started streaming into the room. Morning already? Ugh... I gently pushed myself up and looked over at my fiance, who was still sound asleep. I had to stifle a laugh when I saw his bedhead. It was majestic.

I gently got out of his grasp and grabbed my shirt, put it on, and then gave Shoto a goodbye kiss before I left. I jogged over to my room and I saw that my mom had ordered me some more prince clothes. I smiled and changed my outfit into one that looked suited for a duel. I smiled at my appearance for the first time in a really long time and then went downstairs to confront my father.

He was already there, well prepared to give me the beatdown of my life. I mustered up all the courage I could and walked right up to him. "Well? Are you actually going to go through with this, or back out like the coward you are?" I demanded of my father.

He glowered down at me. "You insolent child! I will teach you respect! You don't even know the first thing about fighting! I made sure of that. You're going to lose, little girl!" He yelled and grabbed my wrist, yanking me towards the door. I resisted him and actually broke his hold in me. "No! I won't be your puppet anymore!" I stood my ground, even though I was terrified.

"Fine!" He snarled. "Then come with me to the dueling grounds where you will learn your place!" He swished his cape and regally exited the room, leading us to a large field surrounded by high walls and seating. This room was located on the same floor as the dungeon, but had spectator seating so people could watch as others fought to the death.

I shuddered as the cold hit my skin, but I didn't let it show. "You want a battle, Izuku? Here you have it!" Before I could even look at him, he slugged me in the stomach hard enough to send me flying backwards. I crashed into the arena, rolling on the grass with the impact. Wait, grass? I looked around to see that this arena was not only huge, but also had a glass ceiling that could open up so it could be either inside or outside.

As I was distracted, a beam of flames was shot at me, making me lose my balance again. "This battle isn't going to go your way, Izuku! Give up!" Hisashi yelled at me, blasting another fire column.

No. I will never! "I will never give up and I won't back down, Hisashi! You can't control me any more!" I yelled, dodge-rolling to the side and charging at him.

He really didn't like that and he drew his sword from his belt. "Then you shall die!" He lunged at me. I moved quick enough to dodge his blade, but he landed a kick to my abdomen again and I was flung across the ring, slamming my head into the wall. I flinched, but stood up again, not backing down no matter how much pain I was in.

I pulled a sword out from the wall of artillery hanging on the side of the arena and readied my stance. Truth be told, I really didn't know how to use a sword, but I was going to try because I knew I couldn't win if he had a weapon and I didn't. I swung at him wildly and managed to knock his sword out of his hand, but before I could do much else, I was met with a face full of fire.

This battle continued for about an hour and I wasn't able to land a single hit on him. He was too fast and skilled in fighting. I was battered, bruised and barely able to stand up.

"THIS IS IT, IZUKU! PREPARE TO DIE!" Hisashi raised his sword at my body, which was crumbled against a wall. I wouldn't be able to move out of the way fast enough to survive another strike from him, but I had accepted the fact that I was going to lose well before the duel even started.