The Renegade: Oblivion

Ch. 6: War & Love

Aspect took a step back. "A duel?"

The tiger nodded, standing up. "It's been so long since I've gotten to stretch my muscles."

The fox looked him up and down. He had fought many different foes over the years, too many to count. But he had never fought an enemy so huge. Isu towered over him; the tiger was probably almost ten feet tall. Aspect wouldn't put it past him if he was even taller than that. He felt small compared to the mighty Shogun.

But perhaps he could use it to his advantage.

"All right." Aspect agreed. "I accept your challenge."

Isu narrowed his eyes, and before Aspect knew it the tiger was bolting towards him at breakneck speeds, bowling him over and flattening him to the ground.

The tiger held him down, his mighty paws holding his wrists to both his sides as his hot breath fanned Aspect's whiskers back. He bared his teeth, his long fangs glinting as spittle dripped from them. For a moment, the Black Warrior thought he had met his match.

But then he realized that, with both of his hands occupied, the Shogun was completely vulnerable, and an idea struck him.

With all his strength, he pushed against the tiger's huge body and shoved his knee into his abdomen, and the tiger immediately let go, choking.

The fox slithered out from under his grip and leaped to his feet, unsheathing his sword. "That was a dirty move," He spat. "Fight like a man! Unless the only thing you can do is fight like a cowardly thief with no standards?"

Isu's eyes narrowed, the humorous glint in them being replaced with the fiery light of battle. In this state, the tiger was far more terrifying than any other foe the Black Warrior had ever faced.

"In battle, there are no barriers for the moves you can utilize to your advantage," He growled menacingly. "Every warrior is lowered to equal standing. The only thing that matters now is who will come out on top."

With a roar, he bolted towards him again, but this time Aspect knew what he was going to do next. He swung his blade and felt it meet fur. Isu yowled and stumbled back, clutching his face as blood streamed from between his fingers.

Aspect lunged forward and sliced again, another spurt of blood flowing freely from the Shogun's face. Isu spun around and snarled, knocking the blade from the warrior's hands.

"Let me see your pure strength!" He roared mockingly. "Without your blade, what can you do to me?"

Aspect met his gaze unwaveringly. "As you wish. Become the rust on my blade, worthless fool!" He heard Kojo gasp from off to his side, as if he had cursed the gods themselves.

But Isu only laughed at his taunt. "Come at me, and see if your brave words hold up!" He leaped at him, claws outstretched and his face drawn back in an ugly snarl.

Aspect rolled with the impact and punched his adversary in the jaw, then leaped behind him and kicked him in the side.

Isu staggered, awkwardly turning to face Aspect and throwing a punch. But with him being so much taller than his opponent, he had to bend over to land his hit, and Aspect first avoided the punch, then came into Isu's personal space and grabbed his head with both his hands. Then he threw Isu's head down into his knee. He heard his snout crack before letting him go.

Isu stumbled around, clutching his face with a groan before tripping over his tail and landing with a thump.

Aspect stood, ready to deal another blow, when Isu stared at him with pleading eyes and dipped his head. He had lost and acknowledged his defeat. Aspect had won.