A World Above (To Be Rewritten)

Chapter 8: The beginning

Arik stood over me, poised to attack. Was this it? Had I already lost? I looked at my broken Ostu'Ni. Arik swung downward and. . . He missed. I managed to raise my other weapon just in time to deflect Arik's spear. Let's go back and see how we got here before we end this out.

~~

I walked out onto the sand, blinded by the sudden flood of light as I entered the Arena. Arik stood across the arena from me, spear on his back. My heart pounded while the Teacher stood at the center of the arena.

"I won't go easy on you just because you're a girl." Arik promised, and I knew he meant it.

"Th-Then I'll not hold back either!" I cried.

I wasn't quite so confident, however. I was going up against the son of a Knight or Battlelier. Regardless, I could not falter here. Taking another deep breath, I steeled my nerves and prepared for combat.

Arik drew his spear, poised to run my down just Akari had done in her fight. I placed my hands on either of my weapons and bent down low, ready to meet his rush head on.

"Fighters at the ready?" The Teacher asked, raising his hand.

Arik and I both nodded. The Teacher dropped his hand and blew his whistle. I pushed off at the same time Arik had, our weapons met with a sickening thud and enough force to kick up sand all around us. I switched my grip on my left Ostu'Ni and swung upward, freeing myself while Arik was thrown off balance. Arik regained his footing and thrust for me as I jumped back, but I was too quick.

As soon as I landed, I rushed forward again, leaping into the air and bringing the point of my weapon down. Arik deflected and attempted to slam the handle of his spear into my chest. A quick flap of my wings, further accelerating my spin, allowed me to bring my heel down upon him. I missed, giving Arik a chance to strike back, but. . . The look on his face. I had caught him off guard.

I rushed in again, not wanting to give Arik a chance to retaliate. Once again I switched my grip on my weapon and slashed at him. He jumped away with not a second to spare, then slammed into the ground, throwing me upwards with a mana-wave. I flared out my wings and righted myself in time to deflect his spear, but only just. Arik threw me back to the ground with his spear, and now? He stood over me, poised to finish the fight.

Every single student gasped, they all thought I had the advantage. It felt as though an eternity had passed before Arik would make his move. He thrust downward, and the Teacher only watched. Why hadn't the Teacher ended the fight? Why wasn't he intervening? I knew why and so did everyone else. I raised my weapon, flared my wings out again, wrapped my tail around his ankle, and took flight.

"What the hell?!" Arik yelled.

I flipped around and threw Arik to the ground. He landed on his feet and positioned himself to block my charge, but I wouldn't miss. Now I was on top of him, weapon to his neck.

"This fight is now over!" The Teacher finally announced. "Myribel wins!"

My friends cheered, and so did the entire crowd. I was ecstatic, but only for a moment. I may have won, but only just so. I still have so much work to do. I staggered to my feet, picked up my broken Ostu'Ni, and sheathed the good one.

~~

"You did it, Myri!" Eregon said.

"I. . . I only got lucky." I responded. "Still, you're here too?"

"He saw the whole fight."

"Sure did, and you were amazing!"

I sat down, sighing deeply. Sorainae leaned over and wiped something off my cheek. I turned to face her, confused, and saw what it was. Blood.