Isaac's Memoirs- Escape from the Black Flame

Chapter 3- The First Battle

Emanuel did not seem much of a champion. He was small and frail. His skin was as pale as the sands on a beach, with matted blonde hair and stark green eyes that met mine with absolutely no fire. "D-did you not get my letters?" Emanuel asked rather timidly. 

I almost forgot he had threatened my life and turned away, but he had reminded me, "Yes, they seem as though empty threats now. Why would you send those letters?" His eyes darted downward, he was obviously hungry. Again I questioned whether I should fight this boy or not. Emanuel was not anything to look at, and most certainly he wouldn't be much of a fighter. 

The bell chimed and he grinned as he disappeared, reappearing behind me, he swung his hand like he had a sword clutched in it. I made no attempt to block or dodge and was made painfully aware of a burning cut across my back. I stumbled forward to catch my balance. What was that? I thought, it had just sliced right into my back. 

I could react the next time he swung. Emanuel went for an upwards slice that would have split my nose, but I jumped back feeling a graze across my hair. Emanuel was certainly using something, but was it a blade or a magic? Emanuel gave me little time to think, assaulting me from the front. I was learning how to block his attacks though. 

I was getting into the rhythm of his attacks when he switched to his next mode. His fist clenched and he punched at my gut, I thought I had it dodged. I jumped back, but when he grinned I knew I was in for it. I flew backwards into the wall behind me when some invisible force hit me in the stomach. I coughed blood when I hit the wall, but I didn't get a moment to recover as again Emanuel stood over my head. His fist flew down towards my head, if it were to hit me, I would seize to exist, it would be over. I ducked my head down and the wall behind me exploded. 

I rolled to the middle of the arena and stood up. Another spit of blood came to my throat. I needed to end it as soon as I could, but how could I fight something I couldn't see. I felt my heart stop a moment as Emanuel turned towards me with a sadistic grin on his face. It looked like pure glee as the crowd chanted his name.  He clenched his fists and took a boxers stance, he bounced lightly on his feet. 

Suddenly Emanuel was in front of me again, but he was also still standing there. He wielded some sort of battle hammer. He looked rather afraid, like something had just killed his puppy and he was next. He tilted the hammer up and swung it at my head. I blocked it this time. Emanuel jumped. "So that's your trick." I felt cunning, but didn't even realize that it might be yet another of his illusions. I felt a stinging pain on my back again and the small boy disappeared. 

Dropping to one knee, I log rolled so that I could only be hit from the front. There had to be a way to find the real assailant. I knew if I couldn't find him soon, it was over. I stood shakily, and placed my guard up again, this time pressing my back against the wall, it would have to be my defense. I didn't know if I could take another hit or not, but I wasn't about to find out with another hit on the back. I heard a sound like the whooshing of air and made it just out of the way of another deadly strike. 

There stood Emanuel, grinning from ear to ear, "You can't beat me. Give up."