Fragments of Ash Vol. 1 (Urban Fantasy)

Chapter Thirteen: Ada vs Eleanor

For Ada, the next few months were a mish-mash of clumsy hunting expeditions and on-the-job training. Ada and Eleanor scoured the streets catching every person in Melchiezedek they could find with a bounty on his or her head. The outlanders were, of course, number one on their list.

The first month, a battle with an outlander the size of a house, Ada was forced to take that one down on her own, no magic. She was bed ridden for two days. She was also left in a warehouse fighting five bandits, Eleanor had insisted that Ada was only allowed to use the back of her sword to knock them out. She also had to take on a group of serial killers over the course of a few days, all of whom were very adept at using long range swords and knives. Magic would have made the fights easy, but that wasn't the point.

The third month was even harder. Attacking a sewer plant where outlanders were finding their way into the city. Ada had to take out five outlanders on her own, sword only, no magic. Bed ridden for a week. Months and months went on.

Outlander nests. Sewer expeditions. Bandit hideouts. Mutants. Even small-time thieves. The two were cleaning the streets, and, apart from the odd nights when Ada was left with broken bones and had to stay in bed, there was nothing but fighting.

By the time the ninth month came along, things were getting easier. Ada had started to pick up a lot of the tricks that Eleanor utilised in her swordplay. She had learned how to mix up her attacks, maintain optimal distance, aim for prime targets on the body, and was starting to feel comfortable with a sword in her hand. She wasn't quite there yet, but holding it every day made it a part of her life. It was starting to be as precious to her as her books were.

The eleventh month was a turning point. Eleanor had taken Ada to an open field outside the city and asked her to fight. A one-on-one match between the two.

It was a clear afternoon, calm and gentle. The grassy field was tranquil and unblemished. There were flowers, some small trees, it was a lovely place to relax. The two stood on the grass, they both clutched their swords. This was Ada's final test, she'd have to fight against Eleanor, a concept that frightened and exhilarated her at the same time. She'd never had the opportunity to see what it was like to fight someone who was actually masterful with a sword. It was really the only way to evaluate how skilful someone was - watching Eleanor destroy her enemies with ease was ok, but actually feeling her fight was going to be amazing. Still, this final test was worrying, Ada wasn't sure what exactly she was expected to do; she wasn't sure she had it in her to cut up her own mother.

"Uh, this is pretty dangerous Eleanor," said Ada, "what if I cut you?"

"I'll be very impressed," Eleanor replied with a pleasant smile.

"What if I lop your arm off?"

"That's not going to happen."

"So, you're serious? You really want me to fight you?"

"You've become too strong to take on normal grunts now. It's not a good litmus test for how good you've gotten."

"But if I'm really that good, isn't that enough?"

"No. Not yet."

"Malphas is really that strong?"

"It's not about Malphas. I want you to be as strong as you can possibly be."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I just have a feeling this is the way things should go. I think destiny is taking us both on a path where we should push ourselves as far as we can."

"You think there's a war on the horizon?"

"We're always at war. With our pasts, our memories, all our weaknesses. Although what you're fighting is up to you."

Ada thought for a moment, she'd have to mull on that later. She stood and focused, she felt the breeze, this was one of those days where she felt like she was part of the weather, she wanted to wind to carry her into the fight; that's what fighting was to her, natural, focused, forever flowing, "Fine." She murmured as she drew her sword, "Watch out!" Ada raised her sabre and rushed towards Eleanor with as much aggression as she could possibly muster. She wasn't going to hold back, this was her chance to go all out without worrying about making a mess. It was true, she had reached a point where if she used her full ability on bounties they're be too damaged to be recognisable. She had learned a lot, how to channel lightning through her sword, how to cast more powerful magic while in the middle of a fight, how to implement advanced sword fighting techniques to her improved speed and strength. If anyone was going to challenge her. It'd be Eleanor.

Ada attacked relentlessly. Eleanor blocked, she parried, she blocked, she parried, she dodged. Ada wasn't making any progress, no matter how hard she tried she couldn't break Eleanor's iron defence. She just wanted to see at least one opening, that would be enough.

Eventually, Eleanor grew weary of the way the match was going. With a beastly slash that cut all the grass as far as eye could see, she knocked the sword out of Ada's hand. The force of the slash sent Ada flying into the air, and then crashing down into the ground. Humiliation.

"Jeez." Ada rubbed her shoulder. "Totally outclassed."

Eleanor walked up to Ada and held her hand out, she had a warm look on her face.

"You've improved a lot though. A lot of good techniques employed in your attacks."

"You didn't even move from your spot," muttered Ada, ashamed, "how?"

"There's still a couple of things you need to figure out. There's something big limiting your development. Not just as a swordsman, but as a person."

"As a person?"

"Think about what defines you. What do you think held you back when you fought me?"

"I don't really know, experience, I guess?" Ada held on to Eleanor's hand and got up. She breathed heavily, so tired.

"Hah, experience is a given. But it's something more than just that. Remember what I said, you need to be strong as a person, not a swordsman. The sword is just a dumb tool, there's nothing sacred about it, don't treat it like its anything more than a sharp piece of metal. You relied too much on it, and not on yourself. You're the fighter," Eleanor narrowed her eyes, "and that applies to everything, life in general. In the end, you're at the centre of everything, and all that shit that surrounds you is just there for you to control."

"I don't get it, what do you mean? Does that apply to... other people too?"

"Well, that's something for you to think about," Eleanor said comfortingly, "you've passed your exam."