The Duel

"Good morning, you two," Kai said when she noticed Resda and Judith slumping over to the dining table, still half asleep. She raised an eyebrow. "What were you doing up so late?" Twilight and Omega snickered, while Lakelis, Nella, and Cloto gave the pair bemused looks.

"Nuff'm," Resda muttered as he dropped into a chair.

"I think that says enough," Omega said, putting another pancake on his plate.

Judith's eyes widened as she coughed loudly. "No! It's not what you think!" she exclaimed. "We stayed up talking all night and enjoying each other's company. That's all!" She looked to Resda to back up her story, but he was still in a half-asleep, zombie state, unable to do more than rub his eyes.

"I see," Twilight said, a cheeky grin crossing his usually serious face. "You enjoyed each other all night, huh?" The boys burst out laughing, while Kai and the three sisters grimaced, mildly offended by the lewd comment. Judith, on the other hand, blushed so hard that she was very likely to pass out from blood loss.

Omega snorted. "Wow. Nice one," he said between laughs.

"No it wasn't," Judith said, still flustered. She crossed her arms and humphed.

"Yes it was... you set yourself up for that one." Resda chuckled heartily until Judith gave him a rap on the shoulder and an icy glare. "Sorry."

"Here, eat," Lakelis offered, glad to change the subject. "You need to get your energy up before the duel today." Resda accepted her offer with gratitude.

"Resda, should you really go through with this?" Judith asked, unable to even contemplate eating.

"Ask me again when I'm awake," Resda joked as he filled his plate.

Judith put a hand on the table. "I'm serious. Are you really going to fight him?"

"Of course I will. I made a promise."

"But he hates you! He isn't going to rest until you're completely humiliated!" Judith protested, practically slamming her fist into the table. She quietly apologized after everyone turned to look at her.

"Judith has a point," Kai said as she continued her breakfast. "He's not exactly the nicest guy in Victoria."

"Lying to get your attention, finding the little things that irritate you," Twilight added, "I'd have to agree."

"And it's not like you need to stay here anyway," Judith pleaded with him. "You could just skip town before he notices. Didn't Nella tell you where to head next?"

"I did?" Nella asked, surprised at Judith's comment.

"The other one," Cloto said dismissively.

"Ah," Nella responded before returning to her meal.

"Look, I explained it before," Resda sighed. "If I don't deal with this now, he's just going to continue brooding. It's unhealthy," he added as an afterthought. "If I can do something about it, I'm going to."

"That's admirable of you," Lakelis said. "You're very noble."

Judith ignored Lakelis's remark. "Resda, I just don't want you to get hurt," she confessed. "He's good. Really good. Are you prepared for the possibility that you might lose?"

"Fine by me," Resda shrugged. "It doesn't really matter; whether I win or lose, we'll continue doing what we're destined to do. Everything will be okay."

Judith sighed. "I guess I'm not convincing you to get out while you can. Stubborn as usual."

"I'm not being stubborn, I'm doing this for his own good," Resda defended himself.

"You can say that now," Judith said, "but don't get too caught up. He's tricky. I don't know what he's going to do to win this duel, but I'm sure he'll do something."

Resda smirked. "It'll be fine," he assured her. He glanced at the clock mounted on the wall across from him. "It's time to go," he said, standing up. "I'll just grab my Arbalest and head out."

"I'm coming too," Judith said. "You need a judge." Resda didn't bother to protest; she was right.

"So are we," said Omega. "This sounds like too good an opportunity to pass up." Twilight nodded and excused himself from the table to gather his belongings.

"I've never seen an archer's duel," Kai added. "It should be fun to watch!"

Resda groaned, before relenting. Duels were usually very private affairs, and bringing an audience was a little... uncomfortable. But it wasn't like he could turn them down. "Okay. That's fine. Are you three coming along too?" he said.

"No, we're fine," Cloto replied, batting a hand. "Your stuff will be here when you guys get back."

"Good luck!" Lakelis said.

"Thanks," Resda said. "I may need it."

Meanwhile, in the lot, Hawk stood alone among the derelict remains of whatever building once stood. The area was littered with crumbling walls and various signs of ongoing construction, though nobody was there now, and there was a large, empty space in the middle that would suffice for the dueling ground. Hawk's bow was drawn and strung, and he absently plucked it in his impatience. "Today, we settle it," he said to himself. He couldn't help but smile at the thought. "I'll prove that Resda stole what is rightfully mine."

At that moment, Resda, Judith, Kai, Omega, and Twilight arrived. They joined Hawk where he stood, in the center of the space. "We're here," Resda said.

"I see. Judith will be the judge, then?"

"Of course," Judith replied, matter-of-factly.

"And it appears we have an audience as well," Hawk said, regarding the others with a simple glance. "You three may want to stand back."

"Right," Omega said, pulling the others back. They found a convenient stack of planks to sit on, and prepared to enjoy the show.

Resda and Hawk faced each other across the dusty grounds. Hawk removed his usual black cloak, throwing it into the dirt nearby. Without it, his sharp eyes were even more striking as they bore right into Resda's skull. Judith stood beside them, an arm in the air, her hair flapping in the slight breeze. She began to speak, words memorized from rote. "Here commences the archer's duel between Resda and Hawk! Do both parties understand the rules of the duel?"

"Yes," Resda replied.

"Of course," Hawk answered.

"Shake hands," Judith said. They did so. Hawk tried his best to crush Resda's hand in his grip. "Don't forget to use Soul Arrow," she told the both of them.

"You just learned the skill, Resda," Hawk began. "So yours won't last long."

"We can leave it off if you want," Resda said.

"Oh, don't worry. I'll have struck you long before your spell wears off." A golden glow shone from his hand, indicating that Soul Arrow was active. Resda quickly cast his spell.

"Ten paces!" Judith barked next. The duelists faced away from each other. As Judith counted it off, they took large, deliberate strides, each knowing the event that was about to take place.

"They explained all this to you," Kai asked Omega, "could you tell us what's going on?"

"It's actually pretty simple. It's like fencing but with ranged weapons - each round starts on the referee's signal, and ends when she calls point. After each round they return to the center of the arena to start again." Omega rattled off. "You earn a point by striking your opponent, and the first person to get three points wins."

"This is a bit too formal for my tastes," Twilight criticized.

"What were you expecting? A Western-styled shootout?" Omega cocked his head.

"Shh, it's starting!" Kai put a hand in front of Twilight's mouth before he could deliver his witty retort.

"...Eight! Nine! Ten! And... face!" Judith called out. The wind was beginning to pick up, so she had to yell a little more. Resda and Hawk turned, eyes locking from across the arena. "And... begin!"

"Booster!" Hawk said confidently. Before Resda had a chance to load an arrow, Hawk was on the attack. "Double Shot!" he said, pulling his bowstring back. Two energy bolts materialized and he immediately fired them.

Resda ducked underneath the first bolt and weaved around the second one as they flew. "Good try, Hawk," he said as he loaded his crossbow, ready to begin his riposte. He brought his Arbalest to eye level. "Double-"

"Arrow Blow!" Hawk continued, firing an arrow with authority. Resda didn't have time to blink before the bolt of energy struck him in the chest. Resda fell onto his backside.

"Point!" Judith said. The other champions groaned. "Return to the center!"

"This doesn't look good for Resda," Kai sighed.

"It's not over," Omega reminded her. "In fact, it's just beginning."

Twilight nodded, adding, "Resda has a feel for how Hawk attacks; we'll see how he reacts."

The two archers returned to the middle of the arena. "Do you see what I mean, Resda?" Hawk said.

"You're good," Resda admitted, "I can see that. Though I'm still not sure what you stand to gain from this."

Hawk glared. "Don't you see? The champion must be strong! If you can't beat me, you can't possibly defeat the darkness! If I win, I'll prove that I was right!"

Omega froze when he heard Hawk's words. The humiliating memory resurfaced; the mysterious stranger who defeated him and left him for dead was still fresh in his mind. "Gods..." Omega breathed.

"Omega?" Kai asked, catching Omega's response. "You okay?"

"It's nothing," lied Omega. "Look, they're starting again."

Kai looked to Twilight, who shook his head. They each made a mental note to check up on Omega after the duel was over, but for now, Twilight was right - it would be best to leave him be.

"Ten paces!" Judith said. She eyed both archers as they approached their positions. "And... begin!"

"Perhaps it's time I take this duel seriously," Resda said. He closed his eyes, and mentally prepared himself. "Focus." In his mind's eye, things started to drop out of view; the background noise of human traffic and construction, his friends sitting and watching on a makeshift bench, Judith refereeing the match, all of it dissolved into a haze. All that remained were himself, Hawk, and the battlefield. He smiled at the clarity of mind he had achieved.

Hawk eyed Resda with approval, perhaps for the first time. "Ah. Laine taught you Focus. Though you still have to close your eyes to do it... you haven't quite mastered it yet." Hawk's eyes narrowed. "This should get interesting. Focus!" Almost immediately, Hawk's mind was tuned into his surroundings. Even minute details failed to escape him.

The pair of archers eyed each other warily. "You gonna make a move?" Resda asked.

Hawk felt Resda's voice, and understood his plan of attack. Immediately, he responded with three arrows, aimed right for Resda's chest.

Resda saw three arrows approach him. He's coming at me head on, he reasoned. He ran forward, towards Hawk and the arrows. Resda quickly sidestepped to his right to dodge the assault, and loaded his own bolt. He fired it straight at Hawk.

Hawk dodged to his left, surprised at how quickly Resda had gone from defense to attack. Despite the shock, Hawk retained his focus, responding by running straight at Resda, arrow ready.

"Iron Arrow!" Resda fired the bolt that he himself had prepared, catching Hawk in the stomach. Muffled cheers from the sidelines quickly brought both Resda and Hawk out of their respective trances.

"Point!" Judith said. A trace of a smile was on her face, but she tried to remain professional. "To the center!"

"You're faster than I expected, Resda. But I'm still going to defeat you," Hawk said as they prepared for the next round. "Then everyone will see you for the fake you are... especially Judith."

Resda flinched. "What?"

"You heard me."

Resda's grip on his weapon tightened. "Leave her out of this."

"Take your ten paces," Judith interrupted them. She glared angrily at Hawk as he walked by. "Begin!"

"Focus!" Hawk chanted. Again his mind was clear; the battle was the only thing in his perception.

"Focus," Resda tried, but in his frustration the technique failed. Resda took a deep breath. It took a moment for Resda to get Hawk's last comment out of his mind, but soon he was ready to fight. "Focus! Booster!" Resda planted his feet, crouched down, and pushed up with all the force he could muster, jumping up and over Hawk. As Resda sailed through the air, he loaded and fired a salvo of arrows from above.

"I've never even heard of anyone using a tactic like that before," Twilight stated in approval. "Resda's got some skill."

"This is the kind of stuff you will only see in a duel," Kai replied. "One opponent, strict rules... the conditions are ideal for using more creative techniques."

Despite Resda's clever move, Hawk was unfazed. He simply smiled and aimed an arrow to the floor beneath him. As he drew the string back, it began to glow a fiery red. "Arrow Bomb!" he chanted as he fired. The force of the explosion sent both Resda and his arrows tumbling to the floor as a thick cloud of dust covered the area.

As the dust settled, Resda dusted himself off and quickly scanned the area, his focus reestablished. He spotted Hawk directly in front of him, up against one of the wall fragments littered about the area. "I've got you!"

As Resda ran straight for him, Hawk did a full about-face into the wall. "Wrong, Resda! Trick Shot!" Hawk fired the arrow straight into the wall and crouched down as it rebounded off of it. Resda was caught off guard as the arrow struck his stomach and sent him to the ground again.

"Gods," Resda said, after a bit of a coughing fit, "I haven't seen anyone use Trick Shot like that besides-"

"Besides Judith?" Hawk finished. Resda stared up at him. "She showed me a thing or two on the way up here. At least she knows who deserves to win today." He called out to her. "Hey! My point, right?"

Judith was a little jarred by Hawk's comment. "Uh, point," she said absentmindedly, as Hawk pulled Resda to his feet as violently as possible. "Ten paces," she continued.

"Gods," Twilight said, concerned.

"What is it? What do you see?" Omega and Kai watched the duelists.

"Resda's mad," Twilight answered. "He'd better snap out of it now, or he's finished."

"Someone should try to calm him down, then," Kai replied, moving to stand up. Twilight stopped her.

"Let it play out. This isn't our battle." Twilight continued to watch the battle with intensity.

"Why are you dragging her into this?" Resda said, not moving from his spot. Hawk responded with a sly grin before turning around and walking ten steps. Resda fumed.

"Resda, take your ten paces," Judith said, clearing her throat. He did so, activating Soul Arrow before he turned back around. Judith brought down her arm to signal the start of the next round. "Begin!"

"Booster! Soul Arrow! Focus!" Hawk quickly cast his three buffs and aimed carefully, trying to discern which way Resda was preparing to move. But he noticed something rather... unusual. He's just standing there, he thought. Perhaps I should make my move now. Hawk loaded two arrows and aimed carefully before firing. "Double Shot!"

Resda didn't make a move. Judith became worried. "Resda! Do something! You haven't even used Focus yet!"

"Hey, Judith, forget about him. He's worthless," Hawk jeered.

As one would expect, the constant mudslinging was enough to get Resda riled up. It took everything Resda had, and he still couldn't concentrate. Hawk's words kept returning to the surface of his mind, and with it came a flood of worries and expectations that he still couldn't wrap his brain around.

"Resda!" Judith cried out, despite herself.

At that moment, Resda opened his eyes and recognized Hawk's attack in front of him. He raised his crossbow and set it aglow with red energy. "Power Knockback!" With a mighty swing, Resda sent the arrows ricocheting back towards Hawk.

"Holy-" was all Hawk managed before his own arrows struck him in the shoulder.

Judith was in shock. Resda's response had come almost too late - had he lingered a moment longer, Hawk would have won the duel. "Point!" she said after snapping out of it. The two duelists returned to the center.

"It's a shrewd tactic, Hawk," Resda said, eyeing him carefully.

"Huh?" Hawk asked him, feigning ignorance.

"I don't appreciate this kind of dirty fighting," Resda continued.

"It's not dirty. It's life." Hawk sneered. "I wouldn't let myself be tied down by all of your emotional crap."

"Are you implying that my friends are a weakness?" Resda said.

"Oh, no," Hawk corrected. "You're the only weak one." Hawk laughed mirthlessly as Resda's anger grew more intense. "You're unfit for your position - my position," he corrected. "I'm proving it."

"You son of a-" Resda started, but it was futile. Hawk had already begun to walk. "That's it," Resda said. "This ends now." He walked, turned, and aimed carefully, awaiting Judith's signal.

"A standoff, eh?" Hawk said, noticing Resda's crossbow at the ready, an energy bolt loaded. "I can do that." Hawk drew back his bowstring. An arrow materialized, made of Hawk's magic energy. He trained his bow on Resda, ready to release the shot at Judith's signal. As he waited, he felt some sort of energy from within him welling up and filling the arrow with more power. The feeling, whatever it was, only strengthened his resolve.

Judith gulped loudly. "Gods... this is out of control."

"Start the duel already," Hawk yelled at her, causing her to jump.

"Begin!" Judith dropped her hand.

As Resda's trigger finger twitched, he knew something was different this time. This is it! The final shot! Resda pulled the trigger as Hawk released his bowstring. To everyone's surprise but Resda's, the bolt glowed a brighter gold than normal. It split Hawk's arrow in twain as it flew, and struck Hawk's bow with a satisfying crack, knocking it out of his hand. Resda stared a moment, looking up at a bewildered Hawk, then down to the Arbalest in his hands. That shot was meant for his chest, Resda thought. It was perfect. How did I miss?

Hawk was still in shock. "By the gods, what was that?" he contemplated aloud. From his angle, it was a perfect shot. No one could get that lucky, without magical assistance. Which, he recalled, Resda seemed to have - the bolt glowed a brighter gold than usual, and left a trail behind it. But what's Resda doing? he thought. He could finish this thing now!

The champions were in awe. "That's what our powers can do?" Omega breathed. "That was an impossible shot!"

Kai quickly got a grip on herself. "It's not over though, Resda didn't strike Hawk with that shot."

Resda regained his bearings. I'll finish this anyway! He ran forward, holding his crossbow at the ready. He drew within point-blank range. A bolt fused itself from Resda's energy, glowing gold and ready to be fired. Resda held it up, his finger on the trigger.

Then he looked at Hawk. His face was screwed up in courage, ready to take the hit. But his eyes betrayed something else... a fierce pride, at the precipice of being shattered to millions of pieces. Hawk was quick to hide this emotion when he spoke. "Shoot."

Resda sighed. "I can't do this," he said. "This is wrong."

"Look, Resda," Hawk snapped, "I'm unarmed, you have me at point-blank range, and you need one point to win this duel. So shoot!" Hawk lashed out and pressed the business-end of the crossbow into him.

Resda wrestled the crossbow away from Hawk and tossed it aside resolutely. "You win. I surrender."

Judith and Hawk's jaws dropped. "What?" Hawk yelled. "Why?"

"My last shot," Resda replied. "I missed. That shot defeated the Demon Archer and destroyed an evil shadow. But it missed you."

Hawk raised his arms to defend himself, still confused. "What are you getting at?"

"It's a sign," Resda explained. "The champion shouldn't be fighting pointless battles. He has a higher calling. Wouldn't you agree?"

Hawk opened and closed his mouth, words failing him.

"You're the superior archer. I admit it," Resda said. "And that's fine with me. But whether or not I deserve it, whether or not I even want it, I'm the champion. If we could trade places, I'd do it without question. But we can't. So I will do what I have to do."

Hawk gritted his teeth. Resda had just repeated, almost word for word, what Helena had told him. "Resda-" he started.

"Judith," Resda said, before Hawk could get in a word edgewise, "it's over. Call it."

Judith was completely engrossed by the dramatic turn of events, and probably would have continued to watch intently had Resda not reminded her of her duties as judge. "Oh! Uh, right. Resda has surrendered the duel! Hawk wins by default! Congratulations!"

Resda extended a hand to Hawk, smiling warmly. Hawk narrowed his eyes before finally taking it and shaking it firmly. "Don't you dare think this is over, though," Hawk warned. "It isn't, not by a long shot."

"I figured," Resda smirked.

Hawk released Resda's hand and walked off. "I may be the better archer," Hawk said, without turning around, "but perhaps you are the better man." Judith and Resda watched silently as Hawk left the lot and disappeared into the morning bustle.

"What. Was. That?" Kai screamed as she and the others ran over. "You had it in the bag! You used your light powers and everything!"

"I missed, we talked, I surrendered," Resda shrugged. He ambled across the lot, unfazed.

Kai turned to Judith, mouth agape, searching for an answer. "What just happened?"

Judith smiled softly and turned to follow Resda with nary a word.

"Stupid archers and their tree-hugging philosophical mysticism talk," Kai muttered as she, too, followed, leaving Omega and Twilight alone.

"That was a bit of an anticlimax," Omega said, disappointed. "We don't know who won now. Don't you think, Twilight?"

"Yeah," the bandit replied. "Hey, during the duel..."

Omega turned to his ally. "What?"

Twilight relented, against his better judgment. "Never mind. They're leaving us behind. Come on." Twilight and Omega ran after them, leaving the lot silent and empty.

Or so it seemed.

No one noticed another figure leave the arena from the opposite entrance. A Zard remained sheathed on his back, and a wide bamboo hat shaded his eyes. He quickly walked across the street and into an alley, slipping into the darkness.

"You were right," he said, as if to no one. Suddenly, two shadowy figures burst up from the ground. Any normal man would have at least raised his blade to them in defense. But this wasn't a normal man.

"I told you!" the smaller shadow said, leaping in an almost animalistic fashion. "Mistress will be pleased, yes?"

"Yeah, Ogori, Mistress will be pleased, whatever," the man replied. "There certainly is a dark presence around this... Hawk. Baako, what do you make of it?"

The larger shadow responded. "My concern is the champions. They are becoming strong."

Ogori laughed, in his annoying, high pitch. "You boast of your strength all the time. Why are you concerned?"

"We've already lost one brother," Baako replied. "We must take great care."

"Gheren was a self-centered fool," the man spit. "We will not make the same mistake." He eyed Ogori with a measure of contempt. "You have something to add?"

Ogori had had enough. "Discard that worthless form, Saerali! These humans are as repulsive as they are weak."

The man sighed. "This form is hardly useless. I was able to watch the duel unnoticed, was I not?"

"What if someone recognizes you?" Ogori complained.

"Please," Saerali replied. "That won't happen."

Outside the alley, a passing mage happened to see a young warrior, apparently talking to himself in a dark alleyway. She stopped, recognizing him instantly. "Pende?"

Saerali turned, but did not speak. He eyed her carefully.

"I thought you were up in Orbis!" she continued, but got no response. Undaunted, she tried again. "Pende, it's me, Kasi!"

Again, no response.

"Pende," Kasi said sternly, walking into the alley after him, "You'd better have a good reason for not talking to me..." She noticed the two figures at either side of him, covered in shadow even within the shadows of the alley. "What's going on?"

"Hmm. Perhaps you were right, Ogori," Saerali sighed, in a voice unfamiliar to Kasi.

"She's seen too much," Ogori hissed.

"Dispose of her," Baako ordered.

The man Kasi thought was Pende drew his Zard. "Right," he said. A black wind began to blow, whipping Kasi's blue cape right off of her back.

Kasi drew her Thorns, ready to defend herself. But nothing could have prepared her for the next move. Without any warning, the shadows on the walls and floor wavered slightly. Then, as if they were alive, they spread through the alley, growing thicker and darker with each passing moment. Kasi couldn't believe her eyes, and soon even her eyes were useless against the growing darkness. "Wh-what's going on?" Kasi repeated, praying for some logical explanation.

A piercing scream echoed through the alley for a split second, before it was quickly silenced.

I'm approaching the end of the stuff that I have had written from before. Soon I'll be operating on my own steam, baby! I wonder how that will turn out.

I still need more ideas for names for the other group, the evil group. Please, please, if you read the story, please give me some idea. Message me or review the story, it doesn't matter at this point.

Signing off,

Resda