The Five [COMPLETED]

Part Twenty-Seven

Our battle lasted for what seemed like an age.

Blow after blow was struck, but neither of us fell for good. As I stood across from him now, my muscles ached; my skin stung, sweat clung to my frame. He'd given me a blow to the head, which took me a few minutes to recover from. I was surprised he didn't try and strike the death blow; only waited for me to stand before we continued fighting. Maybe I softened him a little.

I shook the thought away as he came at me once again, and I again blocked his attack, before landing a kick to his side. I tensed as I realised how much I had weakened in this battle, noticing that the kick only just managed to knock him over. Getting to his feet, Dragon Eye smirked. He was more used to long battles than I - Sifu and him used to spar for eight hours a day. We only used to do it for four, six if there was time.

"Getting a little tired, are we?" 

I glared. "Never!"

He blinked. "We'll see, won't we?" He came at me again, and this time, he was too fast. I was knocked to the ground, the oxygen gone from my lungs. I tried to get up, but Dragon Eye hit me again, sending me flying across the room. My body landed with a sickening thud on the wall before sliding to the floor. My vision spun as stars danced before my eyes. It was almost as if death itself were teasing me, taunting me about how I couldn't get within its' grasp.

I managed to haul myself to my hands and knees before I retched up a mouthful of vomit. 

Dragon Eye laughed cruelly as he came to my side. "Does the great warrior need some help?" He grabbed hold of my arm and yanked me to my feet. Seeing my surprised look, he snarled, "I'm not finishing you yet. I'm going to make sure you feel the worst pain imaginable before you die." 

"I will not let you kill me," I hissed furiously. Getting to my feet, a new burst of energy shot through my veins, and I darted forward, using fast leopard blows to drive him backwards before grabbing his head and slamming it into the floor. I heard him give a sharp intake of breath as he lifted a hand to the spot where his head was now bleeding. Eye flashing, he snarled, "You little wretch!" before throwing me off. I quickly rolled away as he got to his feet, determined to get revenge.

I struggled against his blows, but they were strong, and my defense was weak. As I stared at the dusty ground beside my face, I knew I could not die here. I could not let him beat me, or find out the secret of the Six Pieces of Five. 

Writhing onto my back, I screamed, "I WILL NOT LET YOU DESTROY THEM!" Adrenaline filled my veins as I kept screaming defiance, landing blow after blow on my enemy. I watched as he slowly weakened. I leapt away, ready for whatever he was going to throw at me. I felt my entire body thrumming, pulse beating, blood rushing; the wild exhilaration of battle. I had not ever felt more alive than I did in that moment. 

As he came at me, I threw him away like he was nothing more than a speck of dust. Our battle continued to rage on, my inner strength steadily giving me the upper hand. I was confident; I could feel everything working for my advantage. I knew I had this. Just one last blow . . .

But then it all came crashing down. Literally. Dragon Eye dragged me to the ground and pinned me down, his eye gleaming. "If you do not tell me the secret of the Six Pieces of Five, I will kill you," he hissed.

I writhed desperately, feeling my confidence give way to panic. 

No! I have to win! I have to win! I struggled vainly, hissing at my opponent who only cackled. "It's over, Skylar. You've lost. And once you're dead, I will kill your precious comrades, and all your glory shall be mine!" His jade green eye glowed as I desperately scrabbled against him.

Dragon Eye turned around to grab his sword from its' sheath. I must not die! I finally managed to shove him off, and scramble a few feet back from him. Dragon Eye got to his feet, and started walking towards me, purposeful, fast. I kept moving away from him, until I felt my back hit the hard wall.

I closed my eyes, bitter tears filling my eyes. 

"What an utter waste," Dragon Eye said as he planted himself in front of me, an intimidating force. "I thought you'd fight harder." As I stared at my half-brother, I wondered just how many other people had been in my same position. How many had he killed in his ruthless career? Did they all feel hopeless, too?

"Don't you want to know the secret?" I queried, surprised.

He swung his sword around and around. "When I return to the Jade Palace, I will get Sifu to tell me. I realise now asking you was foolish. But this battle was not." He made eye contact with me as he chuckled, "The prophecy was nothing more than an old fool bumbling along, trying to make something up to allow the future disciples to have purpose. And here is how it will end."

I nodded, acknowledging his words. Not that I believed them.

I felt us both preparing for the final strike. 

This is it. I'm done.

I stared into his eye, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of having me look away before plunging that sword into my chest.

He lifted the sword, eager anticipation in his eye.

A sudden cry of desperation came from the other side of the room. "NO!" I looked over, and time seemed to slow down as a figure darted across the room, stopping just as Dragon Eye's sword plunged downward.

The figure fell, leaving Dragon Eye and I speechless.