Reality's Blade

Chapter 32: Duel

I was nervous, and just a bit scared. I didn't want to believe that Hikage would do something like trying to alter my memories. I wanted to believe that it had been an accident like when he had unconsciously upped my sensitivity to the world, he had come clean the moment he realised what he had done, but the look of shame and guilt and Hikage's avoidance of the matter told me it was not just an accident.

He must have had a good reason, I tried to convince myself. Perhaps he had accidentally injured me so badly that it was better I didn't remember, a training accident of some sort. That was kind of reasonable. If that were the case then why did Kazehiro look so troubled, and why didn't Hikage just calmly explain it to me? 'Sorry I ripped your arm off, I decided you'd be better off without the trauma, forgive me?' Is all he would have needed to say if the situation had been along those lines.

What did you do Hikage to violate our trust like that?

I sighed, it was time to get answers from the only person who seemed to know what was going on.

I arrived in Legerdemain, stood waiting anxiously was Hikage. He didn't have his usual jovial expression, instead he wore the same look of remorse. It was clear he knew why I was here, but made no attempt to explain himself.

"Did you alter my memories?" I asked bluntly.

"Not alter but-"

"Did you or did you not mess around with them?" I snapped, cutting across his explanation.

"Yes." He admitted after a moment.

"Did you do it for my own good?" I questioned, praying that he would say yes so I could hear him out.

I really wanted to be able to believe in him, I didn't want to find a flaw in Hikage. He stood silently, his eyes downcast to the grass.

"No." He whispered.

My heart sank. He'd majorly broken our trust and abused his power.

"Draw your blade." I quietly ordered, the anger I felt starting to boil up again.

"Kaishin-"

"Draw your blade!" I roared. "If I win you'll return what you stole from me. Even if I lose, I think I deserve an explanation."

He stared at me with pleading eyes, I levelly stared straight back at him, he sighed and drew his sword.

Duel Accepted.

The game itself had recognised our fight with the rules I gave, Hikage wouldn't have a choice but to return my memoires if I won. A trickle of nerves like electricity ran through me, I had decided a fight was the appropriate way to solve things while in Legerdemain, but I began to wonder if I had been foolish in my anger thinking I could take on Hikage. I had never once beaten him after all. However the conditions of the duel had been agreed, there was no turning back, it was time to reclaim what was lost and to attempt to punish Hikage a little while I was at it.

I drew Manzo from it's scabbard, it's reassuring weight in my palms as I gripped it's hilt tight in my shaking hands and steeled myself for the fight, knowing it wouldn't be easy. Upon seeing me ready my blade Hikage sighed heavily but took his stance, calming his mind and preparing for battle, his face darkening and body turning in the way that was all too familiar to me.

This was a fight for my honour, I couldn't let Hikage off the hook so easily, I'd give him everything I had. I ran forwards, rapidly closing the distance between us, choosing to make the first move before my courage failed me. I was soon in range, I raised my sword, half expecting to get sliced across the abdomen or for his sword to run me through, but instead he held his horizontally above his head as a shield. We clashed with a clang, the razor edge of my blade not far from his shoulder, the weight of my blow having pushed his guard down. Hikage shoved my blade away and retreated.