Okumura Syndicate

Chapter 73: Countering every hit

As the battle raged on, Viper was infuriated by Fleur's moves, a particularly, nasty series of slashes took down part of their left side and rendered her body difficult to move. They saw her chance and took it. With the chain on the floor she got an idea, they started to chant a spell as they dodged Fleur the best she could. Suddenly balls of light began to form on the chain, which caused Fleur to pause in confusion.

Aster was concerned, they didn't seem to be settling anything and the risk of death still wasn't averted. "What the hell are you two doing?! This duel isn't settling anything!", he shouted out to the women in the ring. The high ranking members in the stands looked at the black haired boy in disappointment. "Interrupting a formal duel is very disrespectful...", scowled Edward.

Viper continued to chant her spell as she evaded Fleur, "Levitatus chainius!". The chain rose under Viper's control as she readied to hurtle it toward Fleur, but Fleur batted it back with her sword right away. The chain spun, still emitting bright sparks, Viper threw it back toward Fleur, but this time she was unable to dodge, and she was burned in the side.

Fleur was shocked by Viper's drastic move, her final attack wasn't enough to end the fight but it did cause a heavy pain in her hip. "Is this your revenge for my friction earlier", she yelled. Fleur hadn't had a chance to use her deadliest weapon, a short sword, during the whole fight and it's no wonder, she was getting thoroughly bloodied up. Aster was equally pained by the situation, placed a hand on his own hip. "The hit couldn't have been that major? Could it? Crap, I hope Fleur can go on, she's made it awfully clear she has no intention to kill Viper.", he thought.

Fleur lifted her sword, readying another attempt at Viper. "Take thi-", but then she paused. The elf girl held the witch by the arm, surprising her opponent. "The hell are you doing?!", screamed the witch. "Viper, I'm sorry...", uttered Fleur. Viper put down her wand and stared the girl in the eyes, "So you finally want to talk...", mumbled the witch angrily.

"I want to find out why you underestimate me, why you call me unworthy to be a caporeigme when I bring in more income than both you and Rou's squads." Viper was taken aback, but she didn't let Fleur distract them, "If you dare for me to answer, you have some explaining to do! You won't win any awards for your technique with magic, and your weapon skill is barely there.", sneered Viper.

Fleur held in her anger in pure desperation to settle things with Viper, "I never found the need to improve, all I cared about what getting the job done for Edward! Only now do I have the confidence to move away from that, training to fight for myself, not being as dependent on him as a father figure. I felt useless in that fight in the cave, I just stood still, while Aster and Craaq stole the show!". Fleur's fighting spirit shone through, her face was etched with anger.

The witch thought on her words, she could finally see her. "I'm sorry Fleur, I didn't know what you were about, I simply saw you as weak and couldn't see your true reasons for being as such" said the witch. The two glared at each other, as Aster and the mob bosses watched the entire scene. "We'll never forgive ourselves. It's time we move on, I will do everything I can to help you achieve your dreams, for the good of the syndicate.", continued Viper.

Fleur narrowed her eyes, the offer was tempting. But did it strip her of her independence? It was a hard decision that she had to make right there and then. "It's a deal, just...wait until the auction is over, we can train together when we know we won't be under threat from outside sources...", she said after a moment. "I don't intend to be dependent on anyone, whether by myself or in a group, it's time I contribute to my own goals, my own merits instead of simply giving orders."

Viper smiled at her opponent, it seems she's changed more in a few weeks than she had in her whole time in the organisation. "Shall we finish this?", they asked politely. "You bet.", answered Fleur, drawing her sword again. "Don't see this as a full truce Fleur, just an alliance to ensure the syndicate's success.", states Viper. "I understand.", replied Fleur, preparing her position again.

The fight was almost over, and Aster was confident that no matter which side wins, the victory will be something both of them can be proud of. Glancing at Fleur's amazing skill had made him rethink things about her, that maybe she was worthy of promotion, and possibly friendship. Edward so seemed impressed by the elf girl's newfound ability, "It seems for once a duel won't end in a draw.", remarked the vampire, "They have such fighting spirit, I'm certain both will be successful.", he continued. "I think so too.", responded Aster. The fight was now entering its final act.