SOULTALE | By ShadowNTS

(Chapter XXXI) Patient start.

You tighten your blade firmly in your hand. The knight infront of you bears no weapon, but still assumes his battle stance.

RHT: A weaponless fight? You do have a death wish.
GAL: I don't need a weapon to defeat my foes. A strike well placed will bring anyone to their knees. You just have to wait for the opportunity.
RHT: And what if it never comes?
GAL: Trust me, it does. No fighter can ever move perfectly and not show their weak spots. Everyone stumbles and fails at least once.
RHT: Then show me... how patient you're willing to be... Knight of Patience.
GAL: With pleasure.

You dash towards the knight at full speed, aiming for a deadly hit. He easily dodges. You try and hit him while he's dodging but he's too fast. He has his hands in his pockets. He's mocking you. This fills you with despair... which fuels your battle spirit. You throw projectiles at him. He dodges in between them. His movements as blind as the wind that rubs against your skin. You keep attacking him but dodging is all he does. It's almost like time's slowed down when you attack, but he moves normally. Swing after swing, dodge after dodge, this battle isn't going anywhere.

RHT: Why won't you attack?
GAL: I'm looking for that opportunity... remember?
RHT: You're one cocky shit.
GAL: It's not cockiness when it's backed up.

You continue looking for a blow but he's dodging all your attacks. Charging your blade to erupt into an explosion, you hope to catch him off guard inside the smoke but he's nowhere to be seen. After the smoke clears, you can see him in the same place he was in before the explosions.

RHT: There must be a secret to your power! There is no way this is raw speed!
GAL: Why don't you find out? Harbinger?
RHT: (I have to analyze his movements and try to predict his next ones to in turn have a chance to hit.)
GAL: Overthinking much?
*KICK*

The Knight closes the distance in an instant and delivers a kick that you successfully block in time. The kick pushes you back but you remain on your feet. You continue trying to land a hit but to no avail. The tactic of predicting doesn't work either. He's just too fast. Your attempts amount to nothing.

GAL: You tired yet?
RHT: As if! I'll take a break after I chop your head off.
GAL: Seems like you won't be taking a break then.

You continue to move through the battlefield to try and land a blow on your enemy. Your breathing is getting heavier but he still holds his hands in his pockets. Swing after swing... you're
edging closer until...
*SLASH*
You landed a hit on his cheek. Blood starts dripping from the wound. He raises his hand and touches it.
*DRIP*

GAL: I have to congratulate you. It's not common for someone to land a hit on me. You're special, Rhett.
RHT: You bear that smirk no more. Could it be you're starting to get... scared?
GAL: Seems like I have to take my hands out of my pockets from now on. The fight starts now.
RHT: Finally... I can feel the despair inside of you.

End of Chapter XXXI
"Patient Start"