The Trouble With Slaying

The Trouble with Battles

My eyes flew open to find that I hadn't lost time at all. I had had that entire conversation in less than an instant. Shaw jerked the whip off of himself and struggled to his feet to come for me, assuredly intending to rip the sword from my grip. The raging Balor finally shoved through Aria's attacks and smacked her aside. Then he snatched up Shaw.

I snarled as I hefted the sword up to grip it with both hands. It had shrunk a little, becoming a long sword for me to wield instead of a short sword for the Balor. And then my feet were charging forward at the sword's command. I might not have possessed superior strength or speed, but the sword threw me into battle with almost reckless abandon anyways.

Leaping into the air, I slashed across the Balor's knee, drawing a precise wound just beneath the knives I had stabbed in before. They slid out of the Balor's flesh as the sword freed them to thunk into the churned dirt. I whirled to watch the Balor howl in pain and throw Shaw.

My eyes flicked his way as he bounced, feeling concern. Then I was returning my attention to the battle at hand. The sword would not be distracted by my feelings. The Balor turned blood shot eyes on me, baring huge teeth and roaring. Hot fetid breath lifted my hair and clothes. I smirked, unconcerned as I lifted the sword to rest across my shoulder and beckon him on with my freed hand.

Stunned surprise lit the Balor's eyes as he took in the sword, then rage had him charging me. I charged in myself, swinging the sword in a flourish before gripping it with both hands again. The Balor reached for me. I dodged his grasping hand, finished severing his wrist, and rolled between his feet. The Balor screamed and his wings snapped wide.

We can't let him take off.

I grit my teeth. I really needed a hand up there. I just couldn't leap a two story building in a single bound. I searched for any way to get the height I needed to sever at least one wing. I took in a breath and bellowed.

"Face me! You cowardly imp, face me!"

The Balor froze, his eyes slowly slanting towards me. Then he was turning, limping a little on his damaged leg while his severed hand dripped acid blood to the charred grass. He came stomping towards me with murder in his gaze. I narrowed my eyes, looking for an opening. I dashed forward when I saw it, aiming straight for his damaged knee again. If I could bring him down to one knee then I could possibly get onto his back to lay waste to his wings.

The Balor realized my play and made a short step, keeping his damaged leg back while the other held his weight and he swung for me. I whipped the sword up to block and was knocked several feet through the air. My shoulders ached from the block, but I managed to keep my feet and stick the landing.

My lips pulled away from my teeth in a vicious smile as Sawamura went slicing through the back of the Balor's knee with his claws. Liam dashed in between me and the Balor, setting his feet to face me and lacing his fingers together. It wasn't a move we had practiced or even discussed, but I wasn't about to question it now.

I ran full tilt for Liam. I jumped at the last minute to set my foot in his hands and continued the leaping stride. Liam made a growl of effort as he launched me up and over his head. He had good aim. I stretched, arching back with the sword over my head as I flew through the air. Then I was snapping my entire body into a strike at the Balor's wing.

My feet hit the Balor's back and I crouched to absorb the shock, then I was springing for the other wing as the Balor arched in pain. I grabbed hold of the second wing as the first cracked and hung limp. The Balor's flames burned my hand, but I stubbornly hung on as I took a swing at the base of the second wing.

I only managed superficial damage before the Balor twisted, reaching for me. The move caused me to lose my grip and I went flying. I swung the sword down to reverse my hold on the hilt and kept it tight to my forearm as I went tumbling through the air, not too keen on accidentally impaling myself when I hit the ground.