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Chapter 4
X-X-X-X
I stared at Chrom, the prince returning my stare. His big guard dog is looming behind the man, glaring at me as if I was going to slit the princeling's throat. The princess beside her brother gave me a nervous smile, silently apologizing for the man through her strained smile. I stared at the ceiling for a moment, asking whatever god up there is the reason why I was stuck in this situation. I rubbed at my temple before turning my attention once more to the two royal siblings.
"Let's see...Yes, I suppose proper introductions are in order." I rested a hand upon my chest, giving the prince and princess a slight bow. "I am Morgiana, Assassin in name only." I said rising from my slight bow.
"Assassin only in name?" The man, Frederick, gave me a raised brow. He clearly didn't believe my words. "Your lot benefits from taking lives. A few coins thrown your way and you're willing to take the life of anyone. I highly doubt you have not taken money for a life." Frederick said giving me a rather sharp look.
"Frederick!" Chrom hissed at the man.
"No need to scold your...protector." The man twitched, but this was better than dog. I released a small laugh, crossing my arms. "I do not mind what he says about me. In truth, I prefer it like this. I like it when people are honest. Also, just because I use the term Assassin, does not mean you can lump in in with those bastards. Quite frankly, I only use the term because that is how I was trained. I would rather not kill someone for something so simple as money." I stated staring at the man.
"Hmph! I find that hard to accept." Frederick said turning his gaze away.
"Frederick! Really...I apologize, Miss Morgiana. I am Chrom of Ylisse. As you noticed, the man is Frederick. Beside me, my younger sister Lissa." Chrom said giving me a weak smile.
"As I said, I don't mind. Also, drop the formalities with me, young lord." I said with a small laugh.
"Then I ask you to do the same." Chrom said nodding his head.
"Why do you use the word Assassin then?" Lissa asked in confusion.
"...In honor of my master." I gave the girl a slight smile before turning away. "Come along, princeling! You and I are going to spar for now!"
"Do not refer to milord in such a way!"
"Frederick..."
I spent a good two hours sparring against the Ylisse prince. He was good, but Robin was right. He had been the best choice against me. With Chrom, I could have easily have gotten the advantage in terms of speed or force him to expend all his energy attempting to hit me. The man has good footwork and a good defense, but he doesn't have the speed or the necessary ability to deal with those who use a rather unusual fighting style. I proved that when I actually did something would normally be called reckless and suicidal.
"Okay, let's stop here." I said resting the practice swords against my hips.
"I can still continue." Chrom insisted readying his wooden sword.
"No, we stop here. I merely wished to see how it is you fight. I already found out what I needed to know." I said shaking my head.
"That would be...?" Chrom asked wearily.
"For now, let's find someone to spar with...Ah, perfect timing." I gave Robin a wave, motioning for him to approach. Luck for us, his partner is also here. "Robin, spar against Chrom and I." I said once he stood within hearing range.
"I do not mind, but are you sure you have had enough practice together?" Robin questioned with a raised brow.
"It's fine, it's fine." I turned on my heels and I gave Chrom a smile. "Now, don't stop an attack no matter what! Even if you think you might hit me, follow through an attack until the end, no matter what." I stated still smiling.
"That isn't safe, we should continue to practice together."
"One spar won't kill me."
Despite Chrom's reluctance, we still sparred against Robin and his partner Stahl. The man was rather surprised I was able to create the perfect opening even if I could have gotten hurt in the process. This seemed to gander the attention of everyone else as well, seeing as they were watching the fight. Chrom and I decided to separate to take down both of them while also preventing them from joining together to beat one of us at a time. I got Stahl while Chrom got Robin.
"This is not going to be an easy fight..."
I was right, considering he is wielding a lance and he has more reach compared to me, but...I am a unique type of fighter. I won't lose so easily! I twisted my body, just barely avoiding the tip of the lance hitting my throat. I jumped into the air, one hand holding the staff part, forcing it down while my feet were high in the air. Stahl stared at me in surprise, before I twisted my body around, sending a roundhouse kick to his face. He was thrown to the side, his grip on the lance no more. I released the wooden lance, landing on my feet before flicking my ponytail over my shoulder. Chrom already beat Robin down and I turned to look at Stahl. I held back to not dislocate his jaw, but that kick would still would have hurt like a bitch.
"You alright?" I asked standing in front of him.
"I'm fine, that was some kick." Stahl said holding his jaw.
"Trust me, boy." I glanced at Flavia, when did she come here? "If Morgiana wanted to give you a real kick, your head would be separated from your body." Flavia stated with a grin.
"There's no need to exaggerate. Such a tiny woman couldn't possibly be strong enough to do such a thing." Frederick said shaking his head.
"I'm done for the day, later." I said taking my leave.
"It's not an exaggeration. Why do you think there are no training posts here? After your tactician beat Morgiana, she threw herself into her training yesterday and broke them all."
I quickly made my escape, not wanting to hear anymore of Flavia's pointless praises towards my strength. I really...really...really want to take a break though...and a bath. I'm drenched in sweat from how much I was forced to run about today. Still...it wasn't half bad...those Shepherds. They're good, I have to admit...I like them too. They each take their training seriously, even if they aren't going to be participating in the tournament.
X-X-X-X
The last three days of training was spent sparring beside Chrom against other pairs. He and I got used to one another, but he says he could never get used to my reckless behavior when it comes to almost getting stabbed a few times to simply create a key opening. Robin tried a few times to talk me out of doing such things, but I simply gave him a frown before ignoring him. I was used to fighting like this...because that's how I did it before. I couldn't end a life and I was always too weak against the Assassins from Claude's clan. I was always the one to force an opening that Claude would use to end their life. Even if I ended up bleeding, even if I ended up crying out of pain, even if I couldn't move my arm or leg, I would always do what I have to...in order to create that opening.
"...Ugh...I knew it, I should just run..." I muttered hearing the loud cheer of the crowd.
"Come now, doesn't this excite you even a bit?" Chrom asked giving me a grin.
"Not a bit. This kind of thing...fighting should not be used as entertainment. Fighting is more than just combat. It is a matter of life and death...not something to be taken so lightly." I stated turning my gaze away.
"I must agree with the Assassin, it is barbaric to watch people fight for mere entertainment." Frederick said with a light shake of his head.
"If you hate fighting so much, why don't you become a healer like me?" Lissa asked holding up her staff as an emphasize.
"I won't disrespect what my master taught me. Tossing away the blades he gave to me is basically stepping on his grave." I answered waving off her idea.
"Then why did he make you fight even though you hate it?" Robin questioned glancing at me.
"Look, there is our opponent." I said distracting everyone.
"Th-That's Marth!" Lissa said with wide eyes.
"You know of him?" I questioned glancing at her.
"You could say that." Chrom said with a weak grin.
"Huh...? Named after a hero, eh?" I stared at the male...hold it...that...could it be? "...A woman...?" I questioned silently.
"Did you say something, Morgiana?"
"...No, it's nothing Robin." My eyes strayed to the young man beside this 'Marth'. "What of the one beside Marth?"
"I don't know. A companion probably."
"Hm..."
The young man has brown hair that reaches past his shoulders, tied up in a low ponytail. The upper part of his face is covered in a mask in the shape of a fox with red markings, the eye slits were thin so you couldn't possibly see his eyes. He wears a tattered cloak, it reaches his ankles, but the ends have quite a few holes and tears...it's strange that he wears such a cloak as it would be better to simply replace it rather than keep it. As for the rest of his outfit, he wears a black form fitting sleeveless shirt and the only armor on him is the protective gear on his arms beneath long black gloves. A leather belt holds up his dark colored pants and judging from the two katana at his waist it appears that he and I are similar...using dual weapons. His boots are short, reaching a bit above the ankles. He's tall and fit...he's going to be a tough one to defeat for me if he depends on power rather than speed. I'm at a disadvantage in terms of weapon length.
"Got a crush, Morgiana?" Lissa questioned seeing me stare at the mysterious male.
"...No, I felt him watching me..." The hair is standing up at the back of my neck, I'm not afraid, but...there's something about him that is making me weary. "...Chrom, this Marth, what kind of fighter is he?" I asked glancing at the other fighter.
"What kind...He's strong, that is for sure...but I've only seen him fight once." Chrom answered looking at me.
"Hm...I'll take his friend, you take Marth. You seem familiar with his movements after all."
"Very well."
The battle began. Chrom and I stepped forward while the others went off to the sides to battle their own opponents. It seems that we were in no rush and I unsheathed my tanto, spinning then in my hands until I settled on the reverse grip. The one in a fox mask did the same flicking his wrist before holding them in a reverse grip...similar to my own style. His blades are pure black...what kind of metal is that? I thought with a small frown. Chrom seemed surprised by something and I glanced at his opponent...the sword Marth wields is identical to Chrom's.
"What..." I turned my gaze back to my own opponent as he lunged at me. Chrom glanced at me when he saw I was already engaging my own opponent. "Stay focus! I can handle this brat!" I shouted at him.
"...Got it!" Chrom said giving me a firm nod.
I continued to fight my opponent, it was strange. Each hit, each counter, each dodge we did...why...why is his movements identical to my own?! I abandoned the thought of a sword fight, aiming a kick, but he managed to counter with his own kick. I shifted a bit when our shins connected...the same happening to him. The two of us pulled apart, adjusting our stance so that our swords were in front of us. What is with this guy?! I developed my style with master, there is no way he could have learned this from anyone! His movements are too much like my own to be just a similar style! I thought with a slight frown.
"Morgiana! Behind you!"
"Eh?" I glanced behind me to see a Fighter rushing towards me. "I don't..." I jumped into the air when he tried to cut me in half with his axe. "HAVE TIME FOR YOU!"
My foot connected to his face and I sent him flying far from me. I landed on one foot and I heard something behind me. Shit, I left my back wide open! I turned around and the fox mask was suddenly behind me to my right. His left hand was suddenly beneath my chin forcing my head up while his foot swept my foot out from under me. I quickly dropped my tanto, twisting my body back as far as possible. My hands touched the ground and adjusted my center of balance so I landed in a crouch after flipping backwards as far away as possible. That was...one of my moves, one of my moves! A move I spent weeks on perfecting!
"You...!" The fox mask stared at me from beneath his mask. "Who the hell taught you to fight?!" I questioned standing up.
"...My mother!"
Who the hell's kid is this then?! There is no way any woman would know how I fight! Much less know me long enough to teach this guy what I spent four years I've been learning and putting to actual use. I released a startled sound when a bolt of lightning flew past my head and hit the fox masked male. The male was sent flying back, stunned. I turned to see Robin right behind me, tome in hand.
"I'll assist you!" Robin said readying another bolt of lightning.
"What about Chrom?" I turned in that direction to see Stahl joining his lord. "Okay, I guess we're partnered together." I said cracking my knuckles.
"Guh...! I won't...lose...!" Fox mask stood up, gritting his teeth. "I'll...win...No matter...what!"
"Try it!"
"Morgiana!"
"Got it!"
I stalled for Robin to prepare another bolt of lightning. I abandoned all attempts at defense in order to force fox mask into the defense. When I noticed Robin was ready, I made sure to get out the way and the lightning hit the fox mask. By the time, Robin and I beat him down, I was already covered head to toe in bruises and I was a complete mess.
"Ugh...my entire body is sore..." I muttered sitting on the ground.
"Good work." Robin held out my tanto to me, a smile on his face. "You were amazing, Morgiana. He didn't have a chance to dodge." Robin said as I sheathed my tanto.
"Ugh...Say that to my body...That guy has a strong kick..." I heard cheering and I turned to look at Chrom to see he finished his opponent. "Still, I h-where'd he go?!" I questioned jumping to my feet.
"Ran off after getting Marth." Robin answered giving me a weary look.
"Which way?! I have to question that little bastard!" I stumbled a few feet forward, but Robin was quick enough to catch me before I could fall. "Thanks..."
"We have to get you looked at, forget the one in the fox mask for now."
"Noo! That bastard matched me toe to toe! I'm not going to give up until I question where he learned my fighting style!"
"Calm down. Let's go."
"Let go!"
"Come on, Lissa's waiting for you."
"Nnoo!"
"Yes."
"Release me!"
"Nope."
"Let go!"
"After you get healed."
"He'll get away!"
"Just leave it for now."
"NO!"
I struggled in Robin's grasp as he dragged me away. I began shouting curses about that fox masked bastard enough to make the male holding onto me turn red from embarrassment and due to the crass language I was using. I won't rest until I find that bastard and question who the hell his mother is! There is no way anyone could have learned what I know...that's because...most of the moves I use are from my world.
X-X-X-X
Chapter 4 Ends
I bet you can all guess who 'fox mask' is~! Her fighting style to her choice in clothing and class, a cool and manly male version of the girl! Well, I thought it'd be funny to introduce him like this. After all, I doubt anyone except her own child could possibly match the Assassin girl at this point of time. Her fighting style is unique, making it incredibly tricky for others to beat her. Welp! That's it for now so until the next time~! Bye-bye~!
