Kratz

9

"Focus. That is how you will win. Focus on your power, and your opponent. Fight with your heads, not your body. A peasant fights with his body, you are top warriors. Now, choose your weapons and face each other three arms apart," Jarin explained.

Their commander stood out on the flat slate of rock. The twelve boys stood with their backs to the wall. Two of them stepped forward to a small pile of dull swords and knives. The pile separated them and Jarin. Both boys surveyed the pile for a moment. Then one of them, Bas, leaned down and grabbed two short swords. His opponent, Peter, leaned down next to him and picked up a long sword and a rough looking dagger. Hardly a weapon of good use but Bas had watched Peter during training, he was incredible with a dagger. Known to use his powers on the sword in order to distract his opponent, then when they weren't expecting it, he'd finish them with his knife. It was a simple plan that had given him good results up until that day.

It was hot out; the sun had finally shown itself to the mountains. Brightly peering down at them while they stood three arms apart and faced each other. Peter attempted to stare Bas down. Another tactic, forcing the opponent to be fearful and tempted. But this sly move would have no effect on Bas. He faced Peter with a plain stare and good posture. His eyes appeared quite uninterested and almost bored. By that time, he had already claimed four duels in a row. He had not lost yet. Other boys started to recognize Bas for his constant training and noticeable results.

Jarin stood between the two and a little further back. He wore his uniform and cape. There wasn't much wind, but his hair was still untidy. For a moment he waited in peaceful silence. The boys awaited his reiteration and command to begin. He cleared his throat.

"The weapons you have chosen will be what you are using for your duel. Stealing an opponent's weapon is considered cowardice and unfair. Attacking an opponent without a weapon is also considered cowardice and unfair. Your intention is to make a single visible cut on your opponent's skin with one of your blades. If I judge that you are attempting to injure your opponent beyond the simple cut, then I will cast you from the duel and punish you. A cut means that you claim the win, your blades are dull for your safety... Remember what you have learned and fight with honor. Now begin," he recited.

Without hesitation Bas focused energy on both of his swords, before throwing them both into the air. They dropped a little before Bas' powers caught them and held them neatly in the space between him and his opponent. Both of their points were aimed at Peter, who still held both of his weapons. Peter waited for a moment, as Bas coolly held his swords up. Neither moved for a few seconds. Gusts of wind filled the space between them as they waited. Then, Peter made his move. He jumped forward and swung his long sword. It connected and in one sweeping motion he knocked both of Bas' swords to the ground. Peter smiled slightly and charged, aiming his long sword first. Bas awaited his arrival. As Peter grew close Bas put his focus back onto his two swords. He raised them back into the air all while Peter had passed them and was completely unaware.

Instinctively Bas ducked out of the way, rolling across the stone and back onto his feet. Peter halted and nearly fell over. He turned to face Bas and tossed his long sword into the air where he directed it to hover in place. His next move was quite apparent to Bas. He could tell from the way Peter was directing the sword and putting a lot of energy into it. Quickly Bas motioned for one of his swords to come to him. But Peter had already thrown his long sword. Bas improvised a way to stop its course.

Still pulling one of his short swords back he changed the route to cut off Peter's incoming weapon. It worked perfectly. Bas' short sword knocked Peter's out of the air, sending them both to the ground with a loud clunk. Peter, growing extremely frustrated, started to charge Bas again. This time with only his dagger. Unfortunately, Peter failed to notice Bas' second short sword that was floating behind him. As Peter took off on his first few steps Bas developed a quick plan.

Between them laid both of their swords. While Peter charged, his dagger in hand, Bas quickly used his powers to pick up his short sword from the ground. Without wasting a second, he directed it for where Peter's next step would land. The sword slid across the ground and swiftly to position just as Peter was lowering his foot. It caught his heel and sent him tumbling to the ground. Being on the ground was never a good position. Often a fatal place to be, in Jarin's teachings. That was the worst position to be at any time during combat.

Bas used his floating sword to sneak behind Peter while he rolled back onto his feet. Just as Peter was gathering himself Bas calmly used his fingers to direct the dull blade. It followed his every command, wading across the air and behind Peter's bare ankles. With his pointer finger Bas drew a line in the air. His sword followed and, in turn, made a small cut on the back of Peter's leg. By the time he had gathered himself from his fall, the duel was over. Bas had won.

"Very well," nodded Jarin. Bas nodded to Peter who bowed in return. It was a fine win, and an often-used finish for Bas. Although Bas believed himself improvisational, Jarin understood his style. He reeled his enemies in before taking them by a sly movement. Jarin also noted that Bas always had a plan. In fact, every duel was mapped out. His only improvisations were when he had to follow a different plan. It all led to something though. From the first second. Jarin knew the style well because he did something quite similar. An unsuspecting enemy was a vulnerable enemy. But Jarin also respected battleground rules. Only an engaged enemy is a fair enemy, he always said.

Two more duels took place that day between younger boys. They had all aged considerably since training in the Diamond Guard. Ellis appeared only a few years younger than Jarin. His curly hair was longer and hung below his ears. Due to his overuse of power he had a thick patch of facial hair too. Bas appeared much different. Unlike a lot of the other boys he did not age quickly. His energy seemed infinite. Since joining at only two years old he was only seven at the beginning of their duels. His young face and bright blonde hair made him appear his age. Perhaps a couple years older.

After their duels they were offered the weapons and the remainder of the day on the stone. Under Jarin's careful supervision, of course. Some of the boys gathered and spoke, or spent their time resting from exhaustion. Bas always trained during the given time. He often practiced with himself, branching from dueling his classmates for fun. Especially with real weapons.

Diamond Guards were a silent group and often kept to themselves. It was possible for a Diamond Guard to retire from their duty. But it was exceedingly difficult. Most simply stuck to the program. Within the class there had been little talk. Not until they had reached the dueling phase. Slowly words were shared among the group. Much of it was in order to help each other. But young Ellis felt differently. He spoke ill of other classmates as he slowly became one of the top boys in the class himself. Despite his aging Ellis was also considerably powerful. He would claim his fourth duel victory the day after Bas claimed his fifth. Both were undefeated.

Bas didn't mind Ellis and enjoyed watching him duel. Ellis was a wonderful fighter. His style was perhaps the closest to improvisational. Even Jarin admitted his excitement for Ellis' future. His own dedication was as great as Bas. The two often noticed each other while training during downtime. Ellis did not enjoy watching Bas, he was jealous. As with any man, jealousy always leads to their downfall.

His rivalry with Bas truly began after Bas won five matches in a row. Neither one had dueled with each other yet either. There was some excitement over when they would duel. It was a match that was highly anticipated. Even Jarin awaited the time the two dueled. Duels were significantly popular during Diamond Guard training. Sometimes commoners would come to watch and other times high ranking officers. Even Anderson would attend a few. But they rarely watched the boys duel each other. It was hardly of any excitement compared to their sixth year.