I should really stop getting motivation at the worst times. I'm publishing this at 3 AM XD But at least that's another chapter down for you all to enjoy.

Anyway, as always, see you at the bottom.

Chapter 10

Will to never break

"Wake up…you'll miss the duel."

"Hmm…" I murmured to myself as I stirred from my sleep. For some reason, I was on the floor next to my bed. I rubbed my eyes and found Lord Grant standing over me. I jumped up, placing my fist on my heart. "Sir!"

He rolled his eyes. "You're lucky. You have time to get ready for your duel."

I bowed. "Thank you for waking me sir, I'll get ready immediately." He nodded and headed out. I grabbed the fallen covers and make them look tidy. I grabbed my jacket, pulling it on and grabbing my swords. I walked out the door where Lord Grant was waiting. "You could've gone on ahead sir."

"I know, but I wanted to give you a few pointers, and I couldn't last night due to the drink." Lord Grant looked dead serious. I've never seen him look like this, not even while training. "Listen. The Loafian style is designed to wear down an opponent before delivering a final blow. You'll be placed in a test of endurance. And Diaz will quickly learn all your little tricks."

So he watches his opponent to get an upper hand. Maybe I'm a little too over my head.

"However, if there's one thing you're good at, it's surprises. I know that from experience." He chuckled, placing a hand on my shoulder. His strong grip reassured me somewhat. "If you can pull off enough surprises, I'm sure you'll win this."

We had reached the entrance of the training hall. Normally for serious matches, we'd go up to Norlangarth's Sword Mastery Academy, as we didn't have an actual hall for duelling. But as this was a last minute challenge, this was the best we had. I turned to Lord Grant and bowed. "Sir, I promise you that this will be the biggest surprise yet."

He nodded. "Good. I have one job for you to accomplish: Win."

"Yes sir!"

I pushed open the doors, feeling my stomach twist as I saw that the hall was filled with at least a hundred students. Diaz was standing opposite the doors, sword already drawn. He had a cocky smirk on his face. He rested his sword on his shoulder. It was a one-handed sword like mine, but had a steel blade and a gold noble's crest on the cross guard, and a leather wrapped handle.

Within the circle created by the students was the head of the Academy, Mr Galsworthy. He was an esteemed master of the High Norkian Style, most commonly used by nobles from the Norlangarth Empire, and the High Westian Style, used by most nobles of the Westgarth Empire. He looked rather old, long grey hair reaching halfway down his back, and a goatee on his chin. His eyes were sharp and silver like the moon. He was wearing a dark blue knight's jacket and black slack pants, and on his belt was a thin rapier with an elegant design on the hilt.

If he's moderating, then I should be fine. He's been fair in the rulings of duels in the past. I'm just wondering how much Diaz is going to dictate about the fight.

I stepped towards Diaz, looking around for the training swords we used during duels. "Where's the wooden swords?"

"Those? We're not using them." He patted his sword. "We're using our own swords."

"Are you kidding me? Someone could get hurt." I looked at all the students around. He's done this on purpose, so I can't go all out on him without hurting someone. There's not enough room in here.

Of course, he decided to make a comment that made me angry. "What? You scared of getting a small scratch?"

Some of the students laughed at this. I sighed, unclipping Myne's Sword from my belt. I felt a hand on it, and I looked to see Kimiko. "I'll look after it." I nodded. She knew the importance of that blade to me, so I knew she would.

"I'm surprised you're not using that blade. Would be worth losing that one if it happened to break." His smirk got wider.

"Enough." I drew the Night Shadow Blade, getting into my stance. "Stop short rules."

Diaz's smiled vanished, his face taking a more focused look. "Fine by me."

Mr Galsworthy stepped between us. "The punishment for the disrespect of Lord Diaz Loaf will be carried out against Primary Trainee Light Darken." He took a step back, looking between us before bowing his head. "Begin."

I took a deep breath before leaping in. I did a wild overhead swing, knowing that Diaz would go for the block. He took the bait and in mid-leap, I rotated my wrists to go for his lower waist. To my surprise, Diaz moved faster than a man of his size should allow, throwing himself to the side and landing ready for my next strike.

I need to do a two-part strike, one he dodges, and the other to land a solid hit. I knew the exact move I wanted to do. Lord Grant had taught me about the moves that swordsmen used. Despite him wielding a two-handed blade, I should be able to replicate it.

I held my sword down by my waist, the blade turning red. The power behind the skill began to build. I jumped forwards, unleashing the two-handed skill Cyclone. I span around in a circle, aiming directly at Diaz's blade. He predictably jumped out of the way again. Now, I just need to-

I turned to see Diaz bringing a strike down on my head. I immediately brought my sword up in a guard position. Our blades collided, sparks flying from the impact. I felt all the power from the strike go into my arms, my bones threatening to crack. How can there be so much power in this one strike!?

Too many strikes like this, and my arms wouldn't be able to take this. Diaz knew that I had noticed this, his grin returning. He began to push harder on my sword, the steel and crystal blades creating a squealing sound as they rubbed against each other.

"You still think you can win peasant?" He hissed at me. "I'll break you apart."

I continued to push against his blade, but soon I would have to break the hold before I was forced to give up.

Don't break.

A familiar voice filled my head. For some reason, it made me focus.

He can't break you. No one can.

That's right.

"I've endured a lot worse that than this!" I yelled at Diaz. He began applying more pressure to the hold, making my arms hurt even more. But I could handle it.

I can handle any amount of pain you throw at me!

The power behind his blade seemed to reach a peak, and I suddenly dropped my sword and stepped to the side, spinning myself out of the sword's path. He was pushing so hard that he couldn't stop himself from tumbling forward. I let him take a step behind me, and as he did, I grabbed him by the back of his collar and threw him over my shoulder with all the remaining strength I had left. He flew across the hall, landing hard on his back.

I quickly rolled forwards, grabbing the Night Shadow Blade, and crouched down, extending my left leg forwards, blade horizontal to the ground. The blade glowed gold and I let it loose, flying straight at Diaz.

He saw it coming and rolled to the side. And just behind him was another student, her eyes instantly widening in fear. I pulled back on the skill, feeling it resisting against me, wanting to finish the strike. I resisted as long as I could, finishing by colliding straight into the student and my blade cutting straight into the wall.

I let go of the handle immediately, turning to the student. "Hey, are you alright?" Already other students were gathering around her, helping her up. Tears were in her eyes from the shock of the impact.

"Enough!" A booming voice rang throughout the room. Mr Galsworthy stepped towards the student. "Are you hurt?"

"My head hurts Mr Galsworthy." The student managed to say between sobs.

"Concussion. Take her to her room for the day. I'll let one of the teachers know so they can help her out." The students surrounding the girl helped her out of the room.

Diaz stood up straight. "Sir Galsworthy, it's not my fault. He was the one who collided into her. He should be forfeit from the match."

Are you seriously more concerned with the outcome of the match than the girl who was hurt? I really wanted to just shout that out, but I doubted that would end well for me.

The next person to speak was Lilith. She stepped forward, placing her fist on her heart. "Mr Galsworthy, if I may, I don't agree with Lord Loaf's ruling. The act of running away from the blade caused this incident to begin with, which I believe to be unworthy of the-"

"Shut your filthy mouth whore!" Diaz spat in her face. "The only reason you exist today as a swordswoman is because your mother was passed around so often that she had more chance of being-"

A sword was drawn, being pointed at Diaz's throat, the wielder being Kimiko. "You speak another word, and I'll-"

"ENOUGH!"

Mr Galsworthy bellowed at the top of his lungs. Everyone froze in place, a look of terror on their faces. I felt my very soul shake.

"You will all go back to your daily routines now. The ruling is a draw, so the possession of the Night Shadow Blade will not change hands. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir!" The whole room said in unison. Instantly the room began to clear out, with students scrambling to get out. I saw Diaz give me a furious look before exiting the room. Soon enough, the only people in the room was me, Lord Grant, Lilith and Kimiko.

The adrenaline wore off and my fingers instantly felt like they had been impaled by a thousand shards of glass. I was shaking all over, the pain being overwhelming.

A gentle hand grabbed my wrists, forcing my hands palm up. "System Call, Generate Luminous Element." My fingers began to sooth, the pain dulling. I looked up at Lilith who had a sad smile on her face. "I had a similar incident when I was six. Got a sword stuck in a tree. I cried for ten minutes straight before my mother taught me this Sacred Art. It's the only one she had." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Thank you." I flexed my fingers for a few seconds. "About what Diaz said…"

"It's true." Her smile shook. "I don't even know who my father is."

"I don't care if it's true. All I want to say is I'm glad you're here regardless." I glanced up at Kimiko. "I don't know anyone else who could keep her in line."

"Oh piss off." Kimiko rolled her eyes.

Lord Grant placed a hand on Lilith's shoulder. "The boy's right. It doesn't matter if you're here because you were born from a shit sty or in a noble house. You're here, and that's what's important. They don't accept just anyone you know? You're a swordswoman. And you have more honour than that idiot." He pointed at the door where Diaz had gone through a minute ago.

"I know. I'm just constantly reminded about what my mother did, not what I've done to get here." Lilith let go of my wrists.

"You would get along well with the Serlut's and Orthinanos's." Lord Grant smiled. "They're constantly kicked down due to their pasts." He patted his stomach. "I trust you all will have a good rest of the day. Boy, I will never forget the look on that prick's face when you threw him across the room."

A silly grin forced its way out of me. "I didn't mean to throw him that far."

"And you might want to remove that sword out of the wall." He went out the door, most likely to find some wine.

I pulled the Night Shadow Blade out of the wall, checking the edge for any dents. Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any. You'll never chip at this rate. I slid it into the sheath. Kimiko passed back Myne's Sword and I clipped it back onto my belt.

She looked troubled. "By the way, during the fight, you yelled that you've endured far worse than that. You can't have been on about the Vetal Tournament, because even I wasn't hurting you that much."

My eyes widened. I hadn't even realised I had said that, and immediately started racking my memory for something, anything related to my past. But only those words came to mind.

Don't break.

"Sorry, still nothing." I shrugged.

Kimiko sighed. "You almost got my hopes up for a second there."

Lilith wrapped her arms around our necks, her more cheery side coming back. "Enough flirting, let's get going. I have somewhere we can go to celebrate. After all, it's not every day that we get to see a noble fly."

I laughed. "That's true."

I patted the Night Shadow Blade on my waist. Thanks for putting up with that lock for so long.

Don't break.

If there were any words that Light has lived by in the past, it's these. He's endured a lot of hardships over the years, hence why he's developed an unbreakable will. And even with his memories gone, he still has the will to endure anything anyone throws at him.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I certainly had fun writing it, as you can probably tell from the fact that it's been published 5 days after the last one. Damn, I'm getting back into the groove XD I especially enjoyed writing Lilith this chapter. She's the child of a mother that was constantly passed from noble to noble, hence her distaste for them. Lord Grant is the only one she can trust, and as you can probably tell, that's due to him not being an ordinary noble.

Reviews:

blackbutterfly1313: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed! I'm very happy that you've spotted no mistakes in the last chapter. Hopefully that'll continue with this one. And I'll try to keep it up.

Anyway, I need to plan out Chapter 11. That's going to be fun now that I kind of have a blank canvas for the next one. Can't wait to continue.

Until next time, Stay Cool.