The Greatest Blades

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Forces of Will

"Heed my words: I am Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and I have never known defeat," the flaming red-haired woman declared as she brandished her prosthetic sword-arm. Her cloak fluttered in the slight breeze, granting her an aura of majesty.

Yet the Tarnished before her did not waver as he simply drew out his glaive and smirked. "Then you will know it," he chuckled as he stabbed the end into the ground. "Once I defeat you."

Malenia began to approach the man, her prosthetic feet scraping the cold, wet floor. "Then you shall be felled more arrogant than most," she uttered with a low tone.

The Tarnished stretched a bit, taking care to ensure he wasn't stiff before retaking the glaive in hand. He then began his approach, his pilfered armor of Radahn clinking in every step he took.

Before long, the both of them sprang into action as Malenia ran in with a swift thrust, her action seemingly to prod at her foe's skill.

The Tarnished happily replied as he jumped above her attack and aimed an aerial downward stroke.

Surprised at the display of agility from one bearing an armor as heavy as Radahn's, the blade of Miquella regained a cool demeanor and deftly moved her blade to bisect him.

Only for him to change his strike midway and move his glaive in the way of the incoming attack. Once connected, he used that force to swiftly shift his body and blade to a side stroke.

The sound of metal scratching metal reverberated in the place they fought as the Tarnished's blade only kissed Malenia's helmet.

Seeing as he was still in mid-air, the rot-infested swordswoman charged at him as she began to unleash her combo of attacks. Her blade nearly became invisible beyond the after images.

Unable to do much but use the shaft of his glaive to block a few attacks, the tarnished was forced to sponge the barrage of attacks. His armor soaked much of the damage but those that bypassed it through the crevises held fresh deep gorges within his skin.

Gritting his teeth, he swung wildly at her, ignoring the immense damage he was suffering. Though his swing was wild, this forced the strongest demigod to fall back on her attack.

"Your tenacity is truly remarkable," Malenia complimented as she allowed a lull in the battle.

Chugging a flask of crimson tears, the Tarnished grinned as he felt his wounds heal. "Yeah, they say that's my strongest trait," he replied as he swung his glaive to the side.

Mirroring him, the red-headed swordswoman did the same with her sword arm both seeking to reopen the battle with a wide strike.

They both began to circle one another, gauging if either of them will strike first. The Tarnished's eyes narrowed in concentration his muscles tensed in anticipation of a quick strike.

In contrast, Malenia was relaxed but in the contest of preparation, she was better prepared than he was.

The only sound that was heard between them was the sound of each other's footsteps, both relying on it and instinct to properly anticipate the attack.

The Tarnished decided that he would move first. Summoning his focus points to his blade, he used his very limited faith sorcery knowledge to enchant his blade. The large glaive he held burst into life as black flame danced within the blade.