Disclaimer: I do not own the matrix or any of its characters
"Why would you think otherwise?" Seraph asked, "You have no implication that I'm a liar or a joker; I'm a program, and programs rarely exude any form of emotion. Especially ones designed for protection. Take that sword off the wall."
"But Seraph, I haven't picked up a sword in five years," Aires replied
"Muscle-memory is not prevalent in the Matrix; on guard"
Aires reached for the sword and unsheathed it, pointing it now at Seraph. He remembered the two years he spent training to be a samurai in the matrix; the belief then was that samurai could kill an Agents host better than anything else. Soon, however, that theory was debunked, as Agents would usually just take the sword from the samurai and give them a death by that which had nurtured them for so long.
It's said that a good chess player sees 20 moves deep, same with a samurai in a duel; you've got to be able to see the opponents next 20 moves in order to have a shot. If he can, and you can't, he will inevitably defeat you. Aires saw Seraph's sword slicing through the air, even as he stood still, waiting for Aires to attack. Aires new that if he kept his concentration, he might com out alive.
Seraph only looked at Aires once, and with that both were ready. The two ran towards each other, waiting for the other to jump into the air. With Seraph in 5 meters range, Aires jumped into the air, moving his sword in a series of bluffs aimed at Seraph's mind before body. If the bluffed worked, it would force Seraph into a dilemma: Go by instinct, and hope there aren't any flaws in his defense, or play through the upcoming moves at the consequence of speed?
The moment Seraph leapt into the air, Aires knew Seraph had seen through his trick. The two now engaged in a hyper speed dance, teasing each others swords with the unfulfilled promise of either metal or flesh. Finally, the swords met at the tip, and Aires felt the sword vibrate up through his wrists. Both spun around, landing on opposite sides of the place at which they had started.
This time the two ran at each other again, but neither chose an air duel. Also, now vibrations were running wild as on nearly every move, the swords met with a thunderous clang, The duel was now in full session, as their hands enacted moves their minds had seen long ago.
The duel continued this way for several minutes, until the chosen styles were apparent: Seraph had long, winding strokes of new age genius, while Aires preferred the classic style of short stokes and mind games. Aires moved his sword with genius, but he was on the defensive; Seraphs long strokes were a work of beauty; none were anything except perfect. As the duel dragged on, Aires knew he needed a quick change of direction. If not, it was unlikely he would leave the battle alive.
A quick change was what he got, as Seraph elongated a stroke, giving Aires a move. He turned his sword towards Seraph's throat and felt it reach its destination at the same time Seraph's sword reached its decided place. When the dust settled, both men saw the others sword touching their throats.
"Good, you are the samurai," Seraph said "Again I apologize, but you do not truly know someone until you find them. Come, the oracle is waiting." Seraph led Aires back into the white hall until he stopped at another door, opening it with a key that seemed to be much older than the door. Aires walked into the room, but he did not see who he thought he would.
"Hello Aires," The stranger said.