Descendants of Rome (#3 in Gladiator Series)

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

With her gladius upheld, Octavia swung for Krista's neck.

Ducking, Krista felt the blade graze the tips of her hair as she extended her arm and struck Octavia in her abdomen.

Octavia's stomach curled inwards at the strike, her sword flying out to the side, as Krista stood and swung her fist towards the Commander's jaw.

Octavia gripped her wrist when it was a few centimetres from her flesh, and swung her sword towards Krista's ankles.

Grunting, Krista kicked herself off the ground and flipped over the top of Octavia's head, the Commander releasing her grip to halt herself from falling backwards.

Landing with their backs to each other, Krista kicked out her leg behind her and felt her boot connect the bottom of Octavia's spine.

Octavia lurched forward but she did not fall. Catching her footing, she turned and charged at Krista with a foreswing and a backswing.

Krista dodged the first and raised her sword to parry the second.

She pushed Octavia back, back, back . . . but she remained standing.

Their swords clashed between them, sending sparks flying into the air, as Octavia swung low for the outside of Krista's thigh.

Krista blocked the attack simultaneously lifting her boot and planting it against the tip of Octavia's sword where it met the ground, holding it down.

Octavia gripped her sword tighter, trying to pull it from the ground, as Krista held it in place. Lifting her own blade, Krista took a swing for Octavia's throat but the Commander ducked and released her sword.

Krista lunged forward as the sword fell beneath the weight of her boot and Octavia rallied.

Springing up behind Krista, Octavia landed a solid punch against her jaw, knocking her head to the side. Krista winced as she felt the pain travel down the side of her neck.

Her vision went blurry for a second when she felt movement beneath her boot.

Octavia had pulled her sword free and had raised it towards Krista's head.

Holding up her own sword a few inches in front of her face, Krista blocked Octavia's sword and, for a second, they remained there staring at each other.

Krista saw a hint of uncertainty lingering in the depths of Octavia's eyes. It spurred her on and she arced her blade between them, sending Octavia's sword to the side.

Lifting her leg, Krista kicked Octavia in the abdomen, winding her only for a moment as her arms spread to the side in shock.

Jumping into the air once more, Krista kicked Octavia in the face, stunning her, before she flipped over the top of her head and kicked her in the back on her way down.

Spinning on the spot, Krista roundhouse kicked her once more. Octavia stumbled a few steps as she regained her composure and twirled with her sword in her hand.

Krista felt the hint of a smile returning to her lips as her heart pumped loudly in her chest.

Bending slightly at the waist, Krista raised her hand to Octavia as if to say 'come on'.

Octavia advanced and drove Krista back a dozen steps as their swords clashed together, sending out cracks of what sounded like thunder around them.