Twilight to Destiny- Quest of Legacies

Chapter 41

Valor swiftly delivered a clashing sword against Artemis, who blocked it and swiped at her leg. She hopped over it and pushed him to the ground as he tapped her leg in defeat.

"Good work!" he grinned, as the hot sun flared at them furiously. He jumped up and said, "I'm done for today." He stretched his legs and arms and let out a yawn. Valor gazed at his small ponytail lashing about in the breeze. The win felt nice against her face, exhilarating her into a sudden coolness.

"Aww!" Valor pouted, following him inside. "One more round! Pleaaaase!"

Artemis gave a short laugh. "Practice with Vale instead. And I'm trying to preserve my chakra."

"Fine!" She peeked inside and yelled, "VAALE?! COME HERE!"

"Coming!"

Vale wasted no time and sprinted out the door. "Yeah? What's wrong?" He sounded alarmed as if someone was about to attack and he was ready to pounce.

Instead, Valor smiled and shook her head. "Nothing. But I'm getting bored. Come on, show me what you can do!" She jogged back outside, along with Vale, who trudged behind her cautiously.

"Uh... what do you mean?" he asked nervously.

"You know what I mean! Fight me!"

"What?" he said, surprised.

"Fight me!" She took out her scythe, ready to practice as if it were her first day. Her eager expression made Vale scrunch up his face a little. He scratched his head and shuffled across from her slowly. The tall grass of the field blew and the reeds swayed to the side.

"Ummm..." He was confused but then decided to swing at her arm with his ice sword. However, he was hesitating, so Valor easily counter-attacked by twisting back and stabbing it out of his hand. He yelped. Pain struck him like fire and he clutched his wrist in agony. The gash wasn't too deep; it would leave a temporary scar.

"Seriously!" she exclaimed.

"Hmm..." So she did mean it. He pretended to claw at her face and she immediately stopped it by thrusting her hand for his, but then quickly, he spun around and drove a strong kick to her shoes, which made her trip. With his other hand, he pointed at her neck with his ice sword, its perfect blade gleaming in the day.

"You let your guard down," he told her.

She froze. "What?" Valor laughed, slapping the dirt off her hands.

"You got distracted. You delayed for half a second. In fighting, every single second counts. You'll end up on the ground in two seconds and knocked out in less than one. Since we're dealing with an over-blonde psycho, that's what? Like, not handsome at all and as invincible as... well... anyone, he'll end you like Abagor. Heck, I think he's even more powerful than Th-"

"Vale!" Valor groaned. "That's not even how you pronounce his name! It's ABIGOR. "

"Right!" Vale paused. "My point is, that if you don't pay attention to the clues towards your opponent's next move, they can easily take advantage of that one second, and somehow figure out a way to counter that in a matter of moments. And it only takes a few more moments to transplant their sword into your chest."

Valor gulped anxiously. "O-okay... Just don't go hard on me... And I never knew you were an expert fighter. I don't even know how you know this stuff." She glanced at the small house. "Neither do they, I think."

Vale shrugged. "It's fine. I don't care whether they know or not. Now strike me."

"Erm, okay?" She scanned him for a spot and attempted to punch him, but he instead grabbed her wrists and pulled her close to him. Valor gasped and froze. Literally. Thin ice clamped her body as Vale's toxic frost breath was padding her neck like a gentle blanket. Her spine shivered and skin tingled sensationally. It felt amazing and electric and more and more was she drawn into it. Suddenly, a sharp pain spiked her collarbone and shot up like a bullet up her throat. She coughed and blood dripped down her cherry red lips.