Deep breath. In and out. Crusch closed her eyes as she prepared herself. Hands holding onto the hilt of her favorite sword.
"Are you sure you don't want to use wooden ones?" With light lavender hair and charming golden eyes, Julius Juukulius eyed his opponent. "There would be less risk that way."
The duchess' dark green hair was tied into a ponytail, allowing for as minimal annoyance as possible. She gave a smirk to the knight, confident and brimming with pride.
"Why? Are you afraid I'll cut you? Fear not, we are merely sparring. I will stop as soon as I knock you on your feet," she stated. Julius snorted in a light-hearted manner.
"Oh? Is that so?" he said as he raised a brow. "You are already so confident that you are going to defeat me? I believe you are sorely mistaken."
"Enough talk," Crusch declared. She drew her blade in an offensive position. "Let us settle this, once and for all."
The two had crossed swords before in a friendly spar, but neither were aware of the other's status whilst doing so. Now however, after being reminded by Felix of their past encounter, the two proud individuals who were blessed with the sword swore to duel each other until a victor was chosen. With no injuries of course.
Well, at least not major ones.
"This is tough nya. Ferri-chan doesn't know who to cheer on!" Felix stood on the sidelines. Being given a glorious front-row seat to the fated battle that was about to take place. The cat knight however, did not know whom to root for. For both were held dearly in his frail little heart. A longtime friend and lady he would forever serve, and a newer, but still treasured comrade who he would gladly lay his life on the line for.
Even though it was a mock battle, Felix's heart still hurt knowing they would be clashing like this.
Taking his own position, Julius readied his blade. There would be no magic involved, just pure swordplay skill. In order to see which of them would be able to take the title of champion.
Crusch moved first. Using her feet, she pushed herself forward in an offensive dash. Julius stayed still for a second, before maneuvering out of the way with elegant ease. Crusch then immediately followed with a swing of her sword, which Julius blocked.
After that first hit, what followed was an onslaught of steel against steel. Sparks flying as their swords clashed. Their bodies moved all around the arena as if this were some sort of dance. Stone, cold faces were present on both participants. Neither unwavering or fazed by any strike or attack. It was as if this were a serious battle. One that could lead to the other's life ending.
Felix stood back in awe. Eyes widened to their fullest potential. The cat knight was in shock at how talented his two friends were with the blade. Although he himself was given some lessons, Felix never did excel at weaponry. And even though Felix was fine and content with that fact, a part of him did wish he were able to accomplish what either Crusch or Julius could do, nay, both of them.
Crusch's amber eyes were striking and focused. Her green ponytail flying through the air as she dashed across the battlefield. Julius' suit was getting mildly dirty from all of the scuffling of their feet on the dirt, kicking up dust and sand that stained their lower legs.
A winner would hopefully be chosen soon, but neither was so sure when that would occur.
"You're good," Crusch complimented mid strike. "I can see why you are so praised."
"You as well," Julius smiled. "I would not mind fighting alongside you in battle."
"That is high praise," Crusch said with a genuine smile of her own. "Perhaps one day, but for now—" Crusch raised her sword bearing arm and swung it down on Julius', causing it to momentarily wobble. "—I have to defeat you!"
"Tch!" Julius grunted as he felt some of the pressure affecting him. His feet slid across the ground as he was pushed back by Crusch's force. In retaliation, the lavender-haired knight pushed with all his might. Causing Crusch to nearly fall back on her behind which would have ended the match. She instead only stumbled slightly backwards, before regaining her footing and giving a short chuckle.
"I admit, that caught me off guard," she said offhandedly. Her eyes then popped open as she wasn't prepared for Julius to begin another assault so quickly. She parried his attacks before meeting his aggression with her own. Back into the steady rhythm of battle.
"Woah…" Felix's ears twitched in excitement. Being able to see these two go out in a mock battle was exciting for him. No longer did he feel any sense of worry or fear. Rather amazement and astonishment. Beaming brightly, Felix raised his voice to a cheer.
"Go Crusch-sama! Go Julius-kyun! Do your best!" he shouted. Both Crusch and Julius simultaneously snuck a glance at their feline friend before giving quick smiles, then resuming what they were doing.
From the way things appeared, it seemed as though this match of theirs would go on for hours. Both weren't showing any signs of stopping, apart from the small beads of sweat on their foreheads. Regardless whether it would last much longer or not, it was still an entertaining and thrilling sight.
But unfortunately, this thrill would be short-lived. As a well placed rock in the middle of the arena would be the cause for this mock fight to end so prematurely.
While Julius and Crusch were focused and blocking out everything outside of their peripheral vision, they didn't notice the small rock that would ruin everything. While dancing in the arena, clashing their steel together, the two of them would both trip on the same rock…
…And fall on the ground at the same time.
"Gahh! Are you two alright, nya?!" Felix ran over to the two in a rush.
Both Crusch and Julius groaned in both pain and relief. For falling down on their butts to also giving their arms and legs a rest respectively. They then looked at each other. Dust and dirt on their faces.
"So? Who won?" Crusch asked. Julius merely shrugged his shoulders.
"Beats me. Did you fall first or did I?" he asked jokingly.
Silence overtook them for a moment, before Crusch burst out into laughter. Julius soon followed, while Felix only chuckled nervously.
Standing up and brushing themselves off, the two sword wielders stared into the other's eyes. Giving off clear respect and praise.
Crusch then extended her gloved hand. "Well, even though we didn't discover a victor, at least we were both able to show off our skills."
Julius admired her optimism. "Yes. That's right." He took her hand with his own and shook it. "You are an excellent swordswoman Crusch-sama. It was an honor dueling you."
Felix then lunged forward and threw his arms around the two's necks, giggling gleefully.
Julius and Crusch soon joined him in uproarious laughter. Both swore that someday, they'd finish this fated match once and for all.
With no rocks to cause trouble.