Crossing of Clans

Chapter 6: One on One

Note: Play music when instructed. Thank you!

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Why I'd love nothing more."
Gai turned to his men.
     "Stop! We're done with single combat for today! We are graced with the presence of your future Empress."
    All the men untangled their fists from each others faces and stood to attention. They all stared directed at Zeph, who was now mildly uncomfortable.
     "The Empress has just challenged me to one on one combat. If you all want to watch for learning purposes, spread out."
     Instantly a massive fighting ring was formed. Zeph was actually getting somewhat excited, being able to unleash her power in such an open space was a rarity.
      Gai and Zeph entered the ring. The soldiers began clapping and cheering. A few whistled, and eyed Zeph rather closely. In a low voice Gai asked,
          "Are you intending to do this without armor?"
For the first time that morning she smiled and said,
         "It's funny that you think I'll let you get that close."
She backed up a few steps. Gai flashed a smile.
         "So are we doing this with weapons or no weapons?"
Zeph purposely dropped her dagger.
         "Just one of your choice."
Gai tossed his flail and drew his sword. Zeph did the same. Gai said loudly,
"Same rules apply. No blood or broken bones."
They faced each other and bowed. Zeph got into a ready stance, her hand hovering above her sword sheath. Ready to draw it in a seconds notice. Gai drew his sword,
"Men I'll only warn you once. If you move so much as an inch during this match, you might very well die."
The soldiers froze.
"Now then."
Gai lowered to his ready stance. His left hand was on the ground and his right gripped his sword. Zeph set her focus.
Gai said,
"Ready. Set...Go"
(Start music)
They slowly started circling each other. Like two tigers, sizing up their enemy. Evaluating every square inch. Planning on where to strike first.
In the blink of an eye Gai was right next to Zeph, he swung wide. She ducked and slide under his first strike. With speed still unknown to man Zeph drew her sword and slit the side of Gais tunic. His bare skin was untouched underneath.
They drew apart. Dust was thick in the air. Zephs cloudy white hair swayed gently in the breeze. She never broke eye contact with him. Not for a second. He glanced down at his damaged clothes. He set his sword down and slipped the tunic off his shoulders, it fell to the ground in a heap. Leaving Gai in only his trousers.
Zeph stayed focused on her opponent, in this moment that's all he was. It didn't matter how good his form looked.
Some of the men whistled loudly. Gai hollered,
"Don't get the wrong idea! Show some respect. This is my future wife. So she must be taken very seriously."
He grasped his sword.
"Finally a fight that's worth while."
His gaze hardened, Zeph got ready.
Before Zeph even had a chance to read his movements, he was beside her. Elegantly swung his sword in a backhanded technique that was rarely ever used. Zeph hopped back to her shoulders and whipped back to her feet. She swung at his feet, he lept up and avoided her blade by less than an inch.
They continued with this blade dance for what felt like forever. Countering and attacking neither of them could seem to win. They parted again.
Zeph had had enough. He was toying with her and she knew it. She yelled across the distance and gestured at him with her sword.
"I know you're just messing with me! Either take me down with honor or I'll have to get messy!"
Gai smiled broadly.
"Messy is what I've been wanting to see this whole time!"
Anger flared up inside of Zeph. She chucked away her sword. The men around her were taken aback. Throwing a sword away mid battle is something that you just don't do. Zeph could care less. She slapped her hands together.
"It's about time you get to see why I'm The Empress of the Air Clan!"
Gai dropped his sword, but resumed his stance open handed. Zephs eyes began to glow with energy. The gentle breeze was now the beginning of violent windstorm. She swayed her arms back, one hand slowly stretched behind her and the other was extended forward. She slid her right foot behind her left. Then suddenly raised her arms upward and swung them forward towards the Emperor.
A savage wind gust hit the Emperor full force. He had to take three steps back, the earth cracked beneath his bare feet. The winds died down and Zephs appearance shifted back to normal.
Gai looked like he had ran strait through a tornado, his hair was caked with debris, and his a single drop of blood fell from a scratch on his cheek. The soldiers that had surrounded them where now on the ground groaning in pain. She must have hit them too. Whoops.
Zeph turned her attention back to Gai.
He shook all the dirt out of his hair and sheathed his sword. He put his thumb to his cheek and wiped away the blood. Focusing back in on her he said,
"Now that was impressive. No one has ever made me bleed before. Even though I said no blood previously I'll forgive you this once.
He grinned,
"You'll make a great Earth Clan Empress."
        "I'm honored."
She said somewhat sarcastically.
He bowed slightly, she did the same.
Just how strong is this guy. Usually when the Empress used her craft like that, it would destroy half an army, but Gai survived it head on. It made no sense whatsoever. Gai walked over to her, she was still lost in thought. He tapped her shoulder.
        "You still here?"
She flinched.
         "Yes."
Gai leaned down so he could be eye level with her.
         "You're trying to figure out how I survived that aren't you?"
With a firm expression, she nodded.
          "Well you'll just have to wait and see."
She really wanted to hit his smug face, but she restrained herself. He began walking away. Turned away from her he said,
       "And you're just aching to hit my face aren't ya?"
She yelled,
       "Most definitely!"
He may be strange, but he's fascinating. I need to learn more of his craft.