Dimitri panted as he held a claymore in each hand. He blinked sweat and blood out of his eyes as he tried to focus on his attacker. Ralis stood across from him with one sword and his free hand covering his bleeding stomach.
"Our matches are getting to be way too even, Ralis." Dimitri's head pounded from where Ralis had landed a successful blow to his right temple. His balance was thrown off a little bit but he could manage. Ralis had always been formidable, but in the past six months, he'd become just as strong if not more so than Dimitri. "Are we going to call this one a draw too?"
"I actually want to win a land battle against you once in my life." Ralis smiled though his stomach was cut open from several swipes of Dimitri's claymores. "We can end it with the next series of attacks. Whoever is still standing is the winner. How about those terms?"
"Sounds good enough to me." Dimitri braced himself and set his body into motion. Ralis did the same and their swords met, sending sparks dancing over them. Their faces were inches from each other as they tried to gain the upper hand. Their faces both bore smiles of determination. "I have to admit you've become one hell of a fighter, Ralis."
"Thank you Dimitri. That means more than you could imagine coming from you." Ralis spun off of Dimitri's swords and sent a backfist towards Dimitri's back. Dimitri sidestepped and swept Ralis' legs out from under him. He then swung both swords straight down at Ralis as he was falling to his back.
Just before Dimitri's attack connected, Ralis rolled on the ground, barely dodging the possible finishing blow. Dimitri struck again, but Ralis managed to parry it with his sword. Ralis knew that if he didn't go on the offensive now, he would surely lose.
Ralis kicked straight up, into Dimitri's stomach causing him to stagger back less than a foot. The opening was enough. Ralis righted himself in an instant and sent a straight kick into his already bleeding temple. Dimitri dropped one sword but regained his balance with the other. Ralis swiped horizontally with his sword but Dimitri caught it with the fingertips of his open hand.
"Jesus Dimitri!" Ralis exclaimed after he stopped a full strength attack with his fingertips. "What are you?"
"Oh, you know me. Just a drifter." Dimitri smiled and broke the sword with his wrists. He threw the steel fragment to the ground. His left hand pulsed with golden light and he slowed. "What the hell do you want now?"
"Don't lose your focus Dimitri." Ralis' voice seemed cold when he said that. Ralis swung a fist into Dimitri's chest, knocking the wind out of him. Dimitri dropped his other sword and fell to the ground struggling to breathe. Ralis grabbed Dimitri's fallen claymore and held it to his throat as he lay on the ground. "I believe that is match."
"You don't say…" Dimitri looked at Ralis' seemingly darker eyes at the end of the sword he was holding. His eyes returned to normal once he'd acknowledged his defeat. "You win Ralis. For the first time on dry land. But I do have to say that the triforce was your ally this time."
"Don't make me laugh." Ralis smiled and handed Dimitri his swords. "But you did break my weapon. That kinda sucks."
"I wouldn't sweat it. You Zoras are rather skilled steel workers. Just look at those really ornate suits of armor you guys wear." Dimitri pointed out, finally able to catch his breath.
"True. But I will use one of your swords as a replacement for while. Well, I guess now would be as good a time as any. I'm going to be gone for a bit taking care of diplomatic business. I'll probably be gone for a few weeks or so. In that time, You can do as you please Dimitri. Hell, take a vacation or something. Just enjoy some time off." Ralis smiled and put his hand out to Dimitri.
"Alright. You don't need me to go with you in case of an emergency?" Dimitri took his hand and shook it with a strong grip, feeling Ralis give one in return.
"I'd love for you to come with me this time, but I'm afraid I've got to go by myself." Ralis had a small frown on his face. "But I'll see you when I get back. Enjoy yourself and stay out of trouble Dimitri."
"I'll try." Dimitri smiled as their hands separated.
