Wizardly

Chapter Eighteen: The Fight

After Breakfast, not having anything else to do I changed then headed straight to the field. He was already waiting there standing with his sword in the ground infront of him. Everyone was mumbling not sure what was going on. They sermised he was waiting for someone and was going to fight that someone. So not everyone knows about it at least.

I threw my bag to the side, grabbed a sword, and made my way to him. As he saw me he lifted his sword and kind of smiled.

"You didn't run away, I half espected you not to come," he said. I smiled back, forget nervous I was kind of excited now.

"You know, I'm too damned hard headed to run away. Besides, this is important to me," I said taking my stance across from him. Everyone seemed to go quiet, no doubt either worried or confused. I spotted Captain and my friends off to the side as well. Even Dustin, though watching from the trees, was there. Master called his powers to him and my eyes snapped back to him. "So you are planning to go all out too, good to know," I said.

"Hmm, that really is an interesting trick. I'm not sure how you can sense that, you must've trained your senses as well as your body," he said. Since he wasn't making a move I decided to.

I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I changed the direction of my blade and then attacked using my leg strenth to go faster. He managed to deflect and our swords hit blow-for-blow as he counter attacked and I blocked.

We jumped apart and squared off again. He smiled again, now I could tell he was intrigued and excited for the fight. Which means he's been testing me up until now. Crap. I gripped my sword tighter and prepared myself for his next attack.

As he came at me I shifted my sword's angle and met his blow head on. His strenth actually pushed me back a few steps before I was able to plant my feet better. If I had been holding back and he hit me with that I probably would've either gone to my knees or lost my sword.

Shay, the others, and I had gone over and over the best ways to counter an opponents moves. Angle, position, force, and wits are all factors. Too much force with certain attacks and your blade can break. The same goes for the opponent's sword as well, if hit at the right angle and proper force. Every sword has a weak spot, you just have to find it while also knowing your own sword's weakness.

That's where I'm at a disadvantage. All these practice swords are different and I haven't used enough of them enough times to be able to figure them out. He on the other hand has been using these swords for as long as I can remember. I just have to be careful not to let my sword break.

I counter attacked and he blocked. We separated and circled each other. This might go on forever if we keep this up. He's still testing me though and he's not quite going all out. I refuse to let this end with out us both giving our all, so I will draw out his all.

"Okay, no more screwing around," I muttered more to myself than to him. He instantly stopped moving and took his stance. I rushed at him changing the angle of my sword. He managed to dodge backwards but my sword's tip did graze his cheek. Looks like I actually put a scratch on the guy!

As we faced off again he smiled and touched his cheek. Well, that look tells me he ain't screwin' around anymore.

"That actually might have killed me had I not dodged that one, Tyrian. You really have been holding back haven't you? It's not easy to put a scratch on me, so I will give this fight my all as well," he said and I felt his power swell to a level I had never seen him use. I gripped my sword tightly as we faced off again.

This time he came at me, fast, and with barely having time to react I managed to avoid a deep gash across my chest, by dodging backwards. However it did cut and hurt like hell. Ignoring the pain I took my stance again as he circled me. I closed my eyes to calm my breathing. He's too fast for my eyes to keep up, so I'll have to use my other senses.

"Pay attention," He muttered as he attacked me and I managed to dodge and deflect his sword with my own. After a few more useless attacks on both our parts we separated again. "So, I was right. You did hone your senses as well," he said, "I admit you impress me."

"I wasn't trying to impress, just protecting my ideals and what is dear to me," I said taking my fighting stance again. The sword is getting heavier and my body is getting tired, but so was his. Using that much of his power for a long period of time will take a toll on his body.

Though I have to admit my body might give before his, it's not strengthened by powers like his. Even without his powers he has hardened his body with training, for far more years than I have. But, I will not give up and roll over easily, I'll go until I can't stand anymore.

If I can't at least give it my all now, will I even be worthy to fight later on? If I lose this and still fight would I even be able to win or would I just be in the way?

He charged at me again and in the blink of an eye he was eye to eye with me. I managed to reflect his sword though, but he shot his foot out into my side. I went airborne for a few seconds before hitting the ground hard. Shit, I forgot what he warned me about already. This is close combat, the sword is not the only thing to watch out for. I dodged as he tried to strike me again and got back to my feet.

"That hurt a bit, you knocked the wind out of me for a second," I mumbled as we faced each other again. That kick may have deffinately cracked one or more of my ribs, but as long as I can still move and stand I can still fight. Compared to the pain of getting nearly every bone in your body shattered, this is nothing. Still, I can't take another hit like that.

He came at me again and I managed to dodge out of the way before he struck me. I can't keep up with his speed any more, which means he is finally done holding back and done testing me. Amazing.

"You should give up now, Tyrian. You know as well as I do that you can not win this fight," he said as I faced off with him again.

"How - How could I grow as a fighter if I backed away from every fight I come across, with out even trying? This is one fight I can't afford to lose, because I will protect the people I care about," I replied. His eyes widened in surprise. Which part he was surprised at I have no clue.

I took another deep focussing breath to get back on track, then shifted my sword's angle before attacking him.