***Chapter 7***
*Everyone stands and walks out to see Adonato in the middle of a circle, his cloak folded off to the side, next to a weapon rack containing: steel daggers, steel war axes, steel swords, steel maces; all in pairs, as well as a battle axe, great sword, and a war hammer, Lilina walks over to them, then looking at Adonato*
Lilina: "Steel huh?"
Adonato: "What?"
Lilina: "Couldn't get anything better?"
Adonato: "Just for training."
Lilina: "Well do I have to use them? Or can I use my axe?"
Adonato: "Use them, less danger."
Lilina: "Well that's no fun, danger makes everything more exciting."
Adonato: "Well its smart when training."
Lilina: "Yeah, alright."
*Lilina grabs a steel war axe, feeling its weight and performing a few practice swings. Satisfied, Lilina looks at Adonato as he grabs the two steel daggers. Lilina and Adonato both walk to the circle, turning to face each other*
Lilina: "How shall we start?"
Adonato: "We shall demonstrate to Jensine, anyone want to take bets on winners?"
Jensine: "My money is on Adonato."
Lydia: "Lilina has been training the last six months."
Adonato: "As have I."
Lilina: "Let's go then, can I use magic?"
Adonato: "Nah, that's a completely different lesson."
Lilina: "Well, ready up."
Adonato: "Jensine, count us in."
Jensine: "Everyone ready?"
Adonato: "As always."
Lilina: "Fuck yeah."
Jensine: "3, 2, 1, go!"
*Adonato lunges forward, his right foot reaching past Lilina, his left elbow shooting up into her ribs. Lilina steps back, faking a straight kick with her right foot but slamming it down as her axe swings downward, Adonato jumping back just in time. Adonato raises his arm and throws the dagger in his left hand, it landing far past Lilina, who now looks at him smugly. Lilina tries for a horizontal cut; it swings over Adonato's head as he rolls to the side. Adonato thrusts his remaining dagger towards Lilina's leg, seeing it in a flash she brings her axe down and knocks the dagger out of Adonato's hand. However Adonato does not stop, he continues and rams into Lilina's ribs with his shoulder, as she staggers Adonato picks up the previously thrown dagger. Holding the dagger in the reverse grip, Adonato turns, using the momentum to drive the point towards Lilina who, by instinct, brings her left leg up and kicks backward, connecting to Adonato's forearm with a thud. Bringing the axe around, Lilina aims for Adonato's head, at the last second he ducks and kicks Lilina in the arm pit before rolling away. Lilina, deciding to take the offensive, doesn't give Adonato a moment of respite. She steps forward, bringing the axe downward towards Adonato, cutting from his right shoulder down across his chest to his left waist. With a slight grunt from Adonato, and a little whimper from Jensine at the sight of Adonato's blood, Adonato spins, kicking Lilina in the knee and jumping away from her, gathering the second dagger which he had lost earlier. They now circled each other, eagerly. Lilina made the first move, moving for an upwards stroke. Adonato crosses his daggers and blocks Lilina's axe, grinding against the handle and trapping it under the head, he brings his knee up and crushes Lilina's hand, loosening her grip just enough to send the axe flying across the circle. Lilina, without missing a beat, reaches over with her left hand, grabbing Adonato's belt and throwing him over her backwards. He lands on his feet but Lilina is close behind him, she throws a jab with her left hand, which Adonato blocks, then a cross with her right, this knocks the dagger out of Adonato's left hand. Lilina tries for a cross kick, but Adonato jumps and lands on her leg, making her off balance. Adonato slices at the less protected joint of Lilina's leg, drawing blood, and then jumping backwards. Lilina grunts at the pain, she turns in time to see Adonato's dagger flying towards her, ducking and falling onto her back. Adonato runs, trying to kick Lilina's injured leg; however she swipes Adonato's legs out from under him. Adonato falls onto his back; seeing he is stunned, Lilina jumps up and runs to her axe which she has now seen. Adonato rolls onto his front as Lilina picks up her axe and walks towards Adonato. She raises her axe high above her head and swings it down with all her strength. Adonato rolls onto his back, bringing his legs up, his right foot making contact with the side of the axe, sending it off course, while his left foot hits the side of Lilina's helmet. Lilina is sent staggering, she sees Adonato stand up, dagger in his hand in a fighting stance, and she turns to face him. They are both tired, in pain. They both jump forward; Lilina leads with a swing of her axe, Adonato steps under it and forward, bringing his fist up, as he makes contact with the underside of Lilina's head her helmet slides off, flying into the air. Under the impact Lilina steps back, however as she sees Adonato trying for a slice with the dagger, she throws her left hand forward, grabbing the dagger, her right hand coming around with the axe, the bottom hitting Adonato's wrist, causing him to relinquish the dagger. Adonato staggers back and sees Lilina now has both her axe, and one of his daggers, the other now long forgotten. They circle each other again. Lilina, seeing herself in the better position, thrusts the dagger forward, the axe head following right behind it. Adonato ducks both, bringing his right fist up into Lilina's ribs, stepping into her and throwing her on her back. Lilina jumps up and regains her footing, making another charge at Adonato. Adonato side-steps and hits Lilina on the elbow, almost running into the weapon rack. Lilina runs at Adonato as he picks up his cloak by the hood, opening it as he throws it at her and reaches to the weapon rack. When Lilina grabs throws the cloak aside she has a dagger to Adonato's throat, and he has a sword tip to hers. The battle had ended*
[The universe and characters of Skyrim belong to Bethesda and associate corporations, the only things owned by my girlfriend and I are the non-lore friendly characters, equipment, and actions that are required for the story to make sense.]