The Curse of Will Blythe

Chapter 9: Duel in the Flames

Flames light up the parlor room with two tall black figures standing face to face, each holding a sword at hand, they both stood and performed their stance ready for the duel.

"So it has come to this at last." said Daniel.

"A duel in the flames, I can't think of a better of getting over it." said the butler.

"Shall we dance?" Daniel added.

"To the death, we shall." he replied with an evil smile.

And then they both took off from where they stood, they were fast and nimble, an inexperienced individual would barely see the movement of their swords. They clashed mercilessly, the only thought in left in their minds was non other than to kill each other. The parlor was spacious enough for a full scale death match between two skilled duelists, the room was the arena and the flames were its walls, keeping them both locked inside until one proved victorious like the gladiators of old. They both seem formidable in their own way of fighting, they somehow manage to keep up with each other.

"This duel will decide which household has the best butler." said the Weston butler.

"This isn't a mere contest, this is life or death and whether I can stop you and save my lady or not." replied Daniel continuously dodging and attacking at the same time.

They clashed with serious killing intent, the steel occasionally sparks upon impact, the flames grew hotter and taller in the background, and they danced with swords elegantly with a brutal aspect.

"I've never encountered an adversary like you in a long time, tell me who are you?" asked Daniel.

"Ask me when I'm dead!" he answered, swinging in a slash.

To them, their duel was already taking so long but in truth, only six minutes have passed since they started, their only problem was that the fire grew larger and larger every passing minute. The butler leaped from his position and swung his sword multiple times in a fast motion and managed to scratch Daniel's left shoulder, causing him to fall back to defense.

"Mm, looks like you're getting weary old man." said the butler, mocking him even though he was only six years younger than Daniel.

"Arrogant fools such as yourself are usually the ones who first meets their demise." he said getting back from defense into offence.

Daniel swung his sword to the right causing the butler to dodge, then he immediately switched to his leg and attacked left managing a kick to the butler's stomach. Daniel's kick was strong it made the butler cough out small drops of blood.

"Not so tough now are you?" he said throwing another attack.

The butler parried it then leaped back and wiped his mouth. The butler then went near the table then kicked a chair tossing it to Daniel, while he dodged the butler jumped to him and almost delivered a deadly thrust to the neck, but Daniel managed to block it with his sword. They were both panting now, the battle was intense and they were both evenly matched.

"Why won't you just die?!" yelled the butler.

Daniel had figured out something, he remembered what happened at the Blythe manor after the walking armor incident: he remembered Trisha asking how Emily was able to formulate a plan in a threatening situation, he remembered her saying: "Simple, I was able to maintain my composure and conduct a plan based of what I've seen." Said Emily in Daniel's thoughts.

"Maintain composure?" Daniel asked himself while still thinking.

"My lady, you truly are a genius." he said after figuring out the solution.