The two swords sliced ferociously through the brisk morning air, turning the once flat, tranquil ocean of waist high fog into a tumultuous sea, with each wave of mist cresting and crashing in perfect unison with every stroke of the two blades. The meadow rang with the sounds of shoes scraping against the gravel road, the clash and clang of the two swords, the savage howls and unintelligible curses of the murderously unstable pirate as well as the desperate pleas and protests of the young woman who seemed powerless to stop the increasingly dangerous battle.
Jin had an advantage in that he was still calm and composed while Mugen seemed to be possessed by an irate demon, and not a very cunning one at that. However, Mugen's escalating animalistic rage did seem to grant him some extra-ordinary strength and speed, which allowed him to hold his own against the levelheaded samurai, and even gain a slight edge over him.
Despite Mugen's adrenaline-induced upper hand, in one stunning move, Jin, while taking a small nick in the shoulder himself, managed to kick Mugen's feet out from under him, sending him sliding on his back across the gravel road. Mugen immediately scrambled to push himself up from this vulnerable position, but Jin had his sword to his throat before he could stand, pinning him to the ground. The mist slowly resettled creating a transparent veil between the two men. The samurai looked down through the layer of fog at the checkmated pirate. Mugen lay on his back, his sword still clutched tightly in one of his hands as he panted, letting out a low growl with each breath.
Fuu looked on in silent horror.
"There is no honor in defeating you when you are in this irrational state."
Mugen just glared furiously at him.
"I consider you a friend, so I will let you live." Jin said as he was about to move his sword away from Mugen's neck.
Mugen began to speak, his voice more beast than human.
"As soon as you let me up I'm gonna to come at you again, and I'll keep comin' at you again and again and again until you're a blood-soaked corpse."
Jin sighed solemnly. "I do not wish to kill you Mugen, but I will do what I must."
"Then do it or let me up so I can waste you."
"You insist on continuing this until one of us is dead?"
"Yeah," Mugen growled. "I swear I won't stop fighting until I end you."
Jin stood in silent contemplation for several seconds. "Then I have no other option, for the sake of my wife and my children, I cannot allow myself to be slain just to indulge your jealousy. I am sorry. I have no choice. I am sorry."
His sword moved up over his head as he reluctantly prepared to execute his friend.
Mugen simply lay there, tense but completely motionless as he simply stared fiercely up at Jin. His glower had his usual unmistakable contemptuous audacity and fearlessness, but was lacking the glint of absolute self-confidence that was usually present in his expression.
Jin drew in a deep breath. "I am truly sorry."