The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 22: The Dark Knight and The Samurai

They met dead center in a clash of strength with neither of them showed a sign of budging, but both clearly struggling.

"Please Curran... listen to me dammit we're on the same side. Snap out of it!" he pleaded.

With a hazed look in his eyes, Curran replied, "Silence, I will not allow you to deceive me again."

Now realizing that there was no reasoning with a mad man, Cavell concluded that the best strategy would be to render Curran unconscious.

"Fine have it your way, let's go!"

Cavell pushed forward hooking his foot behind Curran and knocking him off balance. He then raised his scythe and came down with great velocity.

Still falling backwards, Curran raised his katana to block the incoming attack. Immediately upon his back hitting the ground, he rolled to the right and swept Cavell off of his feet.

As he fell, Curran jumped back up while turning his blade downward to stab him, but Cavell rolled onto his right side avoiding the impaling assault.

Having missed his mark, the deranged samurai landed on his knees, driving his katana into the ground. Cavell quickly rolled back in his direction and landed a fierce left hook.

Stunned, the grip on his weapon waned. Curran began falling to where Cavell's other arm was laying. Ceasing the opportunity, the dark knight quickly channeled his energy and released a powerful fire blast that repelled Curran back to his feet.

With his kimono set ablaze, Curran frantically attempted to pat out the fire. The futile efforts resulted in him ripping off his kimono and tossing it aside.

Nevertheless, the damage had been done, the flames had seared their way into Curran's back. With the scent of burning flesh lingering filling the air, he collapsed to the ground rolling in pain.

The clouds had crept in and a light drizzle began to fall as both fighters laid on the ground disarmed, reeling from their injuries. Cavell, weakened and weary from blood loss slowly rose to his knees, keeping his eyes locked on his opponent.

"Raintree! Krinx please... no don't!" Curran cried out, rolling around on the ground now holding his head.

Cavell coughed, spitting out blood while trying to catch his breath as Curran jumped back to his feet.

"I will avenge her!" he shrieked while charging Cavell once more.

A fire ignited in Cavell as he forced himself back to his feet and began channeling magic into his fists, setting them on ablaze.

The two engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Cavell at first having the upper hand. Blow after blow Cavell left fiery burns on Curran's chest and abdomen. However through exhaustion, the dark knight was unable to maintain his focus, causing his fists to lose their enchantments.

No longer having to suffer and defend against Cavell's fiery fury, Curran unleashed an onslaught of strikes and kicks, proving to have truly been trained in eastern combat.

Unable to endure another hit, Cavell lands face first in a puddle of water. The samurai turned his back to retrieve his katana that was still embedded in the ground. As he gripped the handle, a forceful tug released it from its prison

Admiring his trusted blade, he spoke, "You should have finished me while you had the chance Krinx, unlike you I won't stop until I know my opponent is lifeless."

As he turned back to Cavell, he saw that he had made his way back to his feet and channeled enough energy for a huge attack.

"I already told you, my name is Cavell!" he yelled, trembling as he unleashed an enormous wave of fire at Curran.

"I will avenge you my love, this is for you!" Curran said as he spun and launched his katana at Cavell, then immediately dove to the ground.

The katana pierced its way through the fire, conducting heat as it turned a brilliant red. Caught off guard by the speed and efficiency of the attack, Cavell failed to see the katana in time and barely moved as it lodged itself into his shoulder.

Already fatigued from releasing so much energy, the force of the blade plunging itself into his shoulder spun him around, sending him crashing onto his knees. Exhausted and barely able to move, Cavell looked up, watching Curran as he approached.

The rugged warrior grabbed his katana with one hand, then slowly pushed it deeper into this shoulder. Refusing to give up a scream, Cavell's eyes that he kept locked on his attacker's face began to water.

"Its over." said Curran, as he punched downwards across Cavell's face with his free hand.

Blood first squirted then gushed out while dark knight's skin tore as he fell back, sliding away from and off of the blade. Leaning back, he refused to fall. Mustering whatever strength he had left, Cavell was able to pull himself back forward, curling over on his hands and knees. Slightly turning his head, he was able to see Curran's katana dripping with his blood through the corner of his eye.

"Goodbye old friend." said the samurai, as he slowly raised his weapon for the final blow.

Knowing the end was only seconds away, Cavell used the rest of his strength to reach up and grab the blade. Holding his katana firmly, squeezing and causing the blade to dig into the palm of his hand.

As blood streamed down his wrist and arm, in a desperate and self-sacrificing attempt to save his life, Cavell sent a jolt of lightning through the katana electrocuting them both. Neither of them able to let go, they endured excruciating pain, jolting awkwardly in sporadic pulses.

With both of their consciousness rapidly fading, Cavell fell over sideways while Curran slowly drifted to his knees. and then backwards.

The battle between the dark knight and the samurai had come to an end, though they both fought bravely and fiercely against one another, it concluded in a savage draw. As they lay in the midst of a down pour, nature showed no remorse as it began battering their bodies with thick and heavy rain.

The wind howled and the leaves danced, as if applauding their efforts while the puddles surrounding their motionless bodies, turned a disturbing shade of red.