Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Beyond Fate

Squire Vs. Squire

Sora's POV

Me and Squire L just stare each other down, no one making a move. Noah and everyone, as well as Moebius K, just standby, waiting to see if one is going to make the first move.

Sora:" Your a Squire like me?"
Squire L:" Oh yes, just like you. Except for one key difference... I'm better."
Sora:" How so? If that key difference is being a jackass, then I'll accept that difference."
Squire L:" Oh comrade... I'll let that one comment go as I see today as a joyous one... I get to meet the Squire of such renown."

He moves even closer to me, his presence making me feel sick. He moves his hand to touch my shoulder, but my body starts to go into overdrive, as if warning me not to let him touch him. I back away, making sure to keep some distance.

Squire L:" Why back away? We may be enemies now, but that does not mean we cannot be friends later?"
Sora:"... One things for sure... I can't let you touch me."
Squire L:" Is that so?... Well good for you, you pass."
Sora:" Huh?"
Squire L:" If you didn't back away, I would've called you a failure of a Squire. Though it's still unfortunate you still have not unlocked your power."
Sora:" My power?"
Squire L:" Every Squire has a unique power to them... I wonder what yours are... let's find out!"

He charges at me, swinging his fist but Lanz comes in and blocks it with his sword.

Lanz:" Nice try!"
Squire L:" Sorry... I don't like to entertain boorish men like you."

He adds more force to his punch and sends Lanz flying back. I notice his hand is open for some reason. I see him grinning, as if he had just done something.

Squire L:" I wonder how you'll turn out?"
Sora:" Huh?"
Squire L:" Tell me, Squire... do you like fireworks?"
Sora:" The hell are you talking about?"
Squire L." I absolutely love fireworks. Although..."
Lanz:" You let your guard down, you bastard!"

Lanz comes from the side, jumping towards Squire L but Squire L doesn't look the least bit afraid. He rises his hand, his hand doing a motion as if it's about to press something.

Squire L:" I don't mind dirty fireworks."
Lanz:" The hell'd you-

Lanz is cut off as he just explodes, falling back towards the ground.

Noah and everyone:" Lanz!"

We all rush towards Lanz, who is struggling to even move. He's burnt and wounded all over, hurting as even the slightest touch gives him pain. Eunie and Taion desperately try to heal him.

Moebius K:" At least your good for something. Finally, I have a chance to finish those damn-"

He's cut off as a rock is thrown at him, but instead of hitting him, it just explodes, damaging him.

Moebius K:" GUH! What is the meaning of this?!"
Squire L:" I will deal with you later, K. You utter fool, because your negligence, we lost the Flame Clock. Your punishment will be far worse then just a beating."
Lanz:" What...did he do? I just blocked his attack and then boom."
Sora:" I don't know, but we need to be careful."
Squire L:" That's right, you do need to be careful. I may decide to make more fireworks."

He starts walking towards us, his hands open and each time I get a feeling as if we need to let him touch him.

Noah:" Follow my lead, Mio!"
Mio:" Right!"