[Ezio x Reader Fanfic] May the father of understanding guide us

35} Unexpected Dueling

Well, here you go.
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(Y/n)'s pov

I find Ezio in a small, stone brawling circle with one of his uncle's men. I walk up to the short barricade and lean on it with my forearms, smiling as I watch Ezio taunting the poor man.

Well he's definitely improved over the last few years. Maybe still not good enough to beat me but not bad.

"You want a turn?" His smooth voice draws me out of my thoughts and I grin widely at him, drawing my own sword and jumping over the short wall. "Be warned, I'm not holding back."

"You'd better not." I threaten him, twirling my sword around in my right hand. "It'd be no fun to beat you so quickly."

"Oh, I see how it is." He laughs and we begin to circle each other halfheartedly.

"I'm not getting any younger Auditore, maybe you should make a move!" I taunt, making him smirk and take a swing at me.

I easily counter it and deliver a high kick to his chest, sending him stumbling backwards.

"Now, now. Wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast." I chastise him as he regains balance and goes for another attack. I sidestep quickly and stick out my leg, making him fall on his back. I stand over him with my sword tip hovering over his neck.

"So, Assassin," I smirk at him and he smiles back, "what will you do now?"

"Well I wa-"

"Ezio!" A voice suddenly cuts in and a strong force pushes my blade to the side and me backwards.

I regain my footing and look to the familiar figure of the man I dreaded seeing here. Mario. He takes a swing and I simply counter it, trying desperately not to hurt the old man.

"Wait a moment, I'm not one of them anymore!" I keep blocking his furious attacks with the flat of my sword.

"Stop it uncle! She wasn't trying to hurt me!" Ezio calls, trying to step between us. Mario swings again as Ezio moves in front of me and I kick the back of his knees so he falls before the blade cuts him.

"She had her sword to your throat! Let me finish her!" He shouts, three of his men dragging Ezio to his feet and restraining him on command.

"Pft. You couldn't defeat me old man, you're looking rusty." I mock, twirling my sword in my (dominant/hand) hand. "Now listen to your nephew before someone gets hurt."

He contemplates his choices for a moment before smirking and attacking, each swing being easily blocked. I'm holding back though since I don't want to kill the man, I doubt Ezio would like that.

He lunges and I sidestep, dodging it by a few centimetres.

"Look, I don't want to hurt you. If I did you'd already be dead." I point out, making him chortle. "Don't deny that I could have your head whenever I want it."

"Please, you're acting like children! Uncle! (Y/n)!" Ezio calls but we both ignore him, instead each trying to get the other on the floor to surrender.

"Enough Ezio! I'll put an end to this piece of Templar scum." Mario swings again and I easily block it again.

"I don't want to hurt you old man, but if you don't surrender I'll have to make you." I threaten, dodging yet another poor attack. I hear Ezio struggling against the men holding him, grunting from the effort of trying to break through their arms. I turn my head to him and he shouts out, what's he shouting about? I whip my head around in time to see the tip of Mario's blade merely inches from my right eye.

Jerking my head to the side, the blade misses my eye but I feel the sharp pain drag across my nose and right cheek, it feels deep. I lift a hand to my cheek and the contact stings enough to make my eyes water. My hand comes away stained crimson.

Mario laughs and thrusts again, aiming for my chest but being off a few centimetres. I take advantage of his inaccuracy and ,as I nimbly dodge another of his weak attacks, I move to his rear and deliver a hard kick to his backside, sending him toppling over and face first into the ground.

"Surrender and we will explain everything to you." I kick him onto his back so he is facing me and put the tip of my sword to his throat.

"Fine." He submits and throws his sword to the side, signalling for his men to let Ezio go.  I sheath my blade once more and offer my hand to a man I once targeted, pulling him to his feet with one big tug. Throwing me an odd glance, Mario quickly shakes off my hand off of his and gives his men the ok to release his nephew- who rushed straight over to my side and stared intently at my right cheek, cupping my face with his hands and lightly prodding at the wound there.

"Get off I'm fine!" I try and pull back but his finger runs over the cut and I hiss loudly.

"You're not fine!" He protests, giving me a stern look. "There is a doctor in the village, I'll take you there."

"Shhh. I can go on my own," I look up and see Mario talking to his men and Claudia who had come outside upon hearing the commotion, "you just make sure your uncle understands who the real enemy is."

"I'll take her to the doctor, it'll give us time to catch up." Claudia offers me her hand but Ezio grasps it tightly.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" He asks with a shaky voice. I smile and nod firmly, a small smile attempting to spread across my face before the stinging pain strikes again.

He lets go and Claudia leads me down the grand staircase and down a little high street, passers by staring at my face-horrified. Is it really that bad?

"How bad is it Claudia?" I ask timidly, attempting to cover it with one hand to avoid the shocked glances.

"It's...uh..." She struggled to find the correct words and now I know exactly how bad it is.

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Well I hope you like awesome scars 😋 im thinking of giving you guys one but if you don't want that then just comment and I won't, thanks for reading! Xxx

GotThatEzioCharisma