Glass Soldier

Chapter 16

I have no self-control and you can't stop me! Also, on a less salty subject, has anyone ever heard of Liquidmetal? Well, it's an amorphous metal with an atomic structure very similar to that of glass, it's also stronger than steel and nowhere near as brittle. However, the early casting methods presented microscopic flaws that were excellent sites for crack propagation which led to Vitreloy being fragile much like glass.

Although strong, these early batches shattered easily when struck. Newer casting methods, adjustments of the alloy mixtures and other changes have improved this greatly. A two-phase composite structure including amorphous matrix and a ductile dendritic crystalline-phase reinforcement or a simple reinforcement via with fibers of other material can reduce or eliminate this disadvantage. Liquidmorphium is among them and described as an 'unbendable' metal that's stronger than titanium or steel and more resistant to shock and screen breakages.

God, I need to get a life...

      After wrapping my hands and feet I slid my shoes back on while she waited in the circle, holding a duel stance. I couldn't use magic. No matter what she said rules were rules. Mia was rather happy to lend me her sword though, making a comment about her amusement.

       It was lighter than Alex's but just as long. Greatswords really weren't my thing. Sighing as I tightened both hands around the handle I shook my head lightly but stepped in nonetheless. Everyone was to calm, we were just attacked and they're already betting on a game. Merks really were carefree.

       With a nod, she got into a real stance as I didn't move, just watching her. I still didn't know why she even wanted a 'duel' all I knew was she had her eye on me and that was my own fault. If I won she was going to be even more aggressive in observing me if I lost... I don't really want to just roll over. I don't like doing that. 

      Sighing as our swords clashed I winced, the force riling up every one of my injuries in a different way. Tsking as I swatted it away I twirled around her widely, the tip of the sword dancing across her arm surprisingly easy as she didn't even attempt to block. Instead, she flicked her wrist, curling her blade under mine and sending it flying out of my hand.

       I wasn't overly bothered, having drawn blood, but when her sword swung not so widely I was forced into a backbend. What was she doing? I'd already drawn blood. My foot shot up, meeting her wrist and removing her blade from her hand as I landed the flip. My hands throbbing at having had to support my weight.

       "What are you doing?" I asked as she simply caught her sword with her other hand and went for my arm. High and hard.

       "Stop!" I cried in surprise as the sword formed and reinforced in a second. Shattering but putting her swing off course. "Seriously! It's already over!"  My hand loosely gripping the smooth handle as I swung it having no other choice but to defend. What was she doing? Sword after sword shattering as I ground my teeth, backing up.

     "I said STOP!" I growled swinging the newest up as the clear blade took a metallic seen just before it crashed into her sword. This time it wasn't mine that shattered. Stumbling back her eyes widened as it had been one of the finer steels, I didn't have time to think about it as she tripped falling on her ass while I glared down at her.

     "You've already lost," I growled lowering my blade just before her throat, it didn't matter if she was playing she was going for vitals. She could have easily killed me. She nearly did. Grinding my teeth I shook my head before running my hand through my hair. "Don't be reckless," I threw over my shoulder as I stomped off, my chest burning with rage and my breathing hardly controlled.

        How stupid was she? It was as if she was trying to kill me.

       My deep breaths grew faster as I growled swinging my sword with all my strength right into the nearest tree. My arms vibrating as I hissed dropping it and shaking my hands wildly. Glaring at the sword I paused. I made that. My anger melting as my fingers brushed the handle, the sword stuck in the tree.

       Taking it in my hands I pulled only to grunt as it was really stuck in there. Putting my foot against the tree I pulled harder, crying out as it came free and I fell to the forest floor I groaned rubbing my lower back. I looked at the sword next to me and reached out I pulled it to my lap.

      The bed and handle of the blade were both obsidian but the edge of the blade was... Metal. A light metal. It was a classic short sword with a basic body but it had metal... I was a glass user. I couldn't make metal. But this was metal.

        Not just metal... I've made opal and obsidian nearly as easily as I do ordinary glass... Just what does it mean to be born with glass magic?