Arcanae [Book 1]

Chpt. 22 // Through The Divine Eye

She swung her blade to the side in an open guard. The very flat side of the training sword faced me in an open mockery. Adelaide had taken up a stance of pure provocation, her smile no more than a misleading facade masking the smirk rising deep within her heart. 

A gentle gust of air bellowed, sweeping her long black tendrils off to the side, dancing along the edge of the practice sword's wooden guard and the lower end of the blade.

I gulped, taking in the sight. 

Despite a pair of twinned daggers being Adelaide's speciality and clear preference, she had garnered great notoriety at the Peninsula's Sword Academy using a variety of more traditional weaponry. Within no more than a week of consistent sparring, and more notably, under Vhersio's direct tutelage, she had not merely mastered swordplay - she developed her own sense of battle insights. She thrived as the undisputed champion among the trainees. 

I closed my eyes briefly, hoping to find a moment of mental refuge.

Yet, that dream would not come to fruition.

The smell of salt in the air was palpable, anchoring my spirit in place. Yet, I would not open my eyes, for I remained in an otherworldly trance, the blade in my hand becoming more nimble and weightless. A cold breeze caressed my skin, my tangled hair wavering.

"Are you ready?" Adelaide inquired as the dawn of morning came for us. Now, in the aftermath of last night's storm, arose a mellow sun on the far horizon, casting its radiant light upon us both, rendering her body but a silhouette enshrouded in a blinding golden hue.

I gritted my teeth. Along with the sound of the crashing waves, I raised my blade up unto just below my shoulders, its tip aimed directly at Adelaide's chest. 

"Commence," I instructed, opening my eyes and darting towards her.

I thrust the blade forward.

Adelaide wasted not a single moment, responding immediately with a downward slash to break my momentum. Our blades connected briefly. Adelaide put her weight into her motions whilst blocking, shouldering my force and rebuking my attack.

She twisted the blade whilst knocking me a few steps off to the side.

"Damnit," I mumbled softly.

Feigning an approach, I twirled my practice sword, hoping she would deem it an oversight in my defence. 

Adelaide would not take the bait, instead mirroring my stance momentarily. I hadn't taken it into account. I wondered about her next move, further scrutinising her pose and seeking any traitorous glint that would reveal her next move.

Her flowing blade halted in the midst of the air - she moved in with a rapid dash, sliding across the ground with a double spin, her blade becoming a low-sweeping whirlwind of attacks.

Instinctively, I leapt up from the ground, narrowly avoiding the first of her strikes. I protected myself from the second by planting my blade firmly onto the plank floor and stepping onto the flat edge of the practice sword as soon as I could.

She cranked her blade up from the ground, throwing me off balance and breaking free before creating some space between us. 

Adelaide glanced at me, strands of curly black hair falling in front of her face as she looked on with praise. A small yet excited smile was plastered on her face. "I really believed I'd have you there," she muttered, exhaling loudly.

I stuck out my tongue, commenting as pearls of sweat ran down my forehead, "You're not getting me three days in a row with that." I paused, beaming a soft chuckle.