Fallen

Chapter 30

Gavin

Something people should know about what happens when super-beings with the power to wipe out entire civilizations collide, it gets bumpy. In fact, if it weren't for the dampening effects of the net that had been cast over the city, kudos to Nathan for such a splendid job, the humans below us would have been experiencing earthquakes that would have maxed out the scale. That wasn't all that was keeping our battle contained. The net also cast off protective energy into the air, keeping that same force contained to a relatively small area. Still, that wouldn't mean there wouldn't be a few tremors in time with collision of sword on sword in the sky above.

"You've been practicing," I conceded dodging the molten edge of Gaius' blade by a fraction of an inch, the heat of it giving me what could be described as a nice sunburn. I was fighting defensively, I'll admit it. I hadn't fought as such heights in a long, long, long time, and training, no matter how hard or rigorous, can never compare actual battle. Gaius' swordplay had altered greatly since our last confrontation. It was much more direct, ditching most of the clever and unnecessary feints and false openings that he'd been so adamant about pursuing in the past. The result was greater speed and reaction time to my attacks than he'd had in the past, and surer strikes for vital points.

"And you haven't," Gaius replied cockily, suddenly moving much faster than he should have been able. I brought Soulfire up to shield from the blade. The impact nearly dropped me out combat range and sent a shockwave through the air that dissipated the cloud cover for several seconds before the residual power that we were putting off recreated the churning storm. I retaliated, rocketing forward as a streak of light to smash against my brother's guard. A quick flurry of strike and counter ensued, sparks flying from our blades as steel, figuratively, clashed against steel and power struggled against power. Fire and light struggled for dominance around us in a brilliant sphere that turned the sky into a light show that would have put the Fourth of July firework show to shame. Gaius hadn't only gained skill, he'd gained power, most likely from the hellfire he'd absorbed recently. Still, to raise his strength this high he'd have to take on enough hellfire to make a lesser demon go insane. The precision with which Gaius fought took that consideration away. He'd prepared for this, prepared for a rematch with me, a rematch that he wasn't willing to lose. 

After a moment, we separated, our offensives completely defeated by the others defense. The two of us hovered only a handful of meters apart with swords at the ready. Gaius smirked, his cockiness returning much too quickly for my taste. "You almost disappoint me."

"Hmph, who said I was even trying?" I replied, reassessing my enemy's tactics. Most of his movements were without redundancy. No movement was wasted, no extra energy was expended, and each movement was perfect in its execution. The cockiness that Gaius was showing in his voice and mannerisms wasn't transferring to his sword technique. He was methodical, picking off my attacks and finding whatever openings he could to strike a decisive blow. "You've lost all imagination."

"I've grown sense our last fight, brother," Gaius replied seriously, suddenly shooting forward. Our blades interlocked at the hilts as I caught his high slash against the crossguard. He pressed in so that we weren't but a few inches from one another. "And I am far superior to what I was then."

"Maybe," I replied, breaking free and spinning away from the clench, swiping the tip of my blade low for Gaius' knees. Gaius flew above the attack while I flew low to avoid the cut that would have cut my hair just a little too short for my tastes. We rushed one another again, two glowing balls of energy strong enough to decimate cities colliding in an explosion that threatened to rip through the protective net below. I growled angrily, trying to force my worries from my mind. I didn't have any extra time for that to slow me down. I sparked my blade against my brothers, knocking his guard down just a fraction, but that was enough for me to cut down to the side and draw blood, but it wasn't without cost, Gaius was able to inflict a cut of his own, drawing the molten tip of his blackened blade along my cheek. Searing pain crossed my face, as if fire were burning into my veins, but I'd felt that magic before. I pulled on my own energy and countered the spreading infection of hellfire with my inner grace. The burning sensation ceased, but I'd have to be wary of any more wounds. I flicked the blood from Soulfire's edge and brought the sword back to a ready position. "But you still have a lot to learn."