SORRY, SORRY, SORRY! I haven't posted in about a month and I apologize from the very depths of my soul. Things have been crazy recently so I've been sort of distracted. But it's summer now, and finals are over, so maybe I can spend a little more time writing. I don't own Tales of Symphonia. Also I apologize if the way I write fights is boring, I've never done it before.
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Kratos sat and watched the matches with interest. After his first win his mood had changed entirely. His fear was gone and it had been replaced with excitement. He couldn't wait until his turn came around again. The other competitors were fighting ferociously, and one match had to be stopped because the boys were really beginning to hurt one another; Everard didn't want to be sued. Finally it was Kratos's turn again, and he found he didn't want a repeat of his last battle. He wanted to fight, and he was pretty sure he could do it.
He had been watching his opponent in his last battle. He was a large muscular boy with a lot of power, but not too much skill. They faced one another and waited for the cue to fight. Everard shouted his call to arms and Kratos and his opponent raised their weapons. The other boy swung down towards him and Kratos raised his blade to block, He paid careful attention to everything he was doing.
Kratos felt the power of the hit through his entire body, but he ignored it. While their swords were still in contact Kratos used all his might to push his opponents sword to the side. The two were locked in a contest of wills. Kratos was trying to slide his weapon down the blade of his opponents, and his opponent was trying to bring his own weapon up. Just as Kratos's sword hit the hilt of his opponents weapon, the other boy swung his weapon back up. This was a mistake. His opponent had brought Kratos's sword to his own neck. Kratos smirked as his opponents eyes widened.
" Damn, you win," the other boy mumbled. The crowd cheered. Kratos looked up to see Yuan watching him in surprise. When their eyes met, Yuan grinned and gave him a thumbs up sign. Kratos marched off the battle field proudly.
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As Kratos watched the next few matches he began to see the science of it. Fighting was more than just instinct, it was knowing your opponents strength and weaknesses. Soon he was up again and itching for the fight. His opponent this time was quick on his feet. Kratos hadn't really done much moving of his own feet, he'd mainly moved his blade, but this guy had his opponents turning in circles. Kratos stood before him and once again waited for Everard to shout.
" Ready? Fight!"
His opponent was on him in a flash. Kratos stepped back and swung up just narrowly blocking the attack. Kratos knew immediately this would be a longer match. Kratos found himself dodging again. He simply couldn't move his blade fast enough. But it wasn't as simple as his first fight, all dodging did was save him, Kratos still couldn't get close enough to attack. The senior jabbed suddenly, and Kratos leaned too far back to avoid it.
Kratos fell backwards into the dirt. As he fell he saw his advantage. Kratos swung up his sword as he fell. When his opponent moved over to make his attack Kratos had the point of his sword at the boys heart. The two fighters were still panting, Kratos's opponent didn't want to give up.
" This fight goes to Kratos. Unless you have a death wish?" Everard said looking at the speedy senior. The boy shook his head and walked off the court. Kratos left the field without so much grandeur this time. He was tired and he would need to rest if he was going to fight this last guy. Kratos lay on a bench through the next match, he stared at the sky with vague interest and greedily gulped water.
" We will have a break before the finals so that our fighters can rest. I would like to take this time to remind all of you that there will a public execution held here tomorrow and…" Kratos zoned out as Everard continued to talk. He needed his strength. Suddenly someone cast a shadow over him.
" You fought surprisingly well Kratos. Good job," Kratos stared in amazement at his father. He didn't know what to say. Sure, his father didn't sound overly ecstatic, but he had said something.
" Th…Thanks…"
As General Aurion walked away Yuan came up behind Kratos. Putting aside the hatred and suspicion he felt towards the older Aurion, Yuan smiled at Kratos.
" Man, Kratos even I didn't see that coming! It looks like all my training is finally paying off. My little coward is all grown up," Yuan gave a dramatic sob and leaned on Kratos's head. Kratos tried to glare at his friend, but couldn't help laughing.
" You think I can win it?" He asked Yuan.
" With ease. Good luck, Kratos! I've got to get back to my seat," Yuan hurried off into the stands. When things at last began to settle down Kratos and his opponent entered the main ring. His opponent was a tall senior. Not too beefy but with wide shoulders. Looking at him made Kratos feel all the more short and scrawny. But he set his gaze and stared right back. For the final time Everard made his call and the two began to fight.
They seemed pretty evenly matched and their blades were moving much more quickly than in Kratos's previous matches. With each swing both of their blades flew back. Unlike before when he had held his sword against his opponent's, this time they continuously swung at one another. But as the match wore on Kratos realized he was being forced backed, the senior had more stamina. The longer the match wore on the more of a disadvantage he would be at.
He knew he had to end the fight as quickly as possible. He had to end it and he had to win. They were swinging again, and this time Kratos realized his opponent was going for his head. The senior's sword was swinging down on him. Kratos's mind processed his choices very quickly; dodge or lose. But if he dodged he'd be at a disadvantage, he'd never win. Everything seemed to move slowly as Kratos made his decision. With one hand he moved his own sword up to the boys neck. He moved his other arm above his head. The neck would be a fatal blow, an arm was nothing.
The pain was horrible. He had never felt anything like it. For every beating he had received, never had there been one blow that was so miserably painful. He could feel the cold metal slice his arm with one swift biting movement. But he held his sword straight. There was silence for a moment. The senior began to realize what had happened, but he couldn't move his sword without getting cut by Kratos's sword. The judging table and audience were quiet as well. Trying to figure out who won.
" Match goes to Kratos!" Everard cried. Kratos dropped his weapon and the senior pulled his own from Kratos's arm. Everard was there in a second trying to see how badly Kratos was hurt.
" We need to get you to the nurse. I don't think it's to deep but it's still pretty bad," Everard wrapped a piece of cloth tightly around Kratos's arm as he spoke. "Damn kid! That's the sort of move a person does with a shield, not a bear arm!"
Kratos was beginning to get dizzy. " Aurion, bring your kid up to the first aid wing!" Everard shouted, and Kratos felt himself lifted. Before he passed out Kratos realized that for one of the first times in his life, he was being carried by his father.
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Kratos jerked awake, and found himself in the first aid wing. The lights were off and no one was there but the ever faithful Yuan. Yuan hadn't noticed Kratos yet. He was sitting on the floor holding his brother's sword and staring at it with bright eyes.
" What time is it?" Kratos asked. Yuan jumped.
" Oh, Kratos, you're awake! Look, they had a ceremony and you're father excepted the sword for you. But he gave it to me to bring to you. So know I have it. Look, Kratos, it's my brother's sword!" Yuan was very excited. Kratos was reminded of the time that Yuan had first written his name.
" I'm glad I got it for you. But…"
" You were amazing Kratos! Even I didn't think you had the balls to do that. The nurse said it will heal eventually, but to keep it wrapped up until she says so. It shouldn't hurt, because she drugged you up. I didn't know that many herbs were pain killers. Everard kept mumbling something about teaching you to use a shield." Yuan was speaking to Kratos, but looking at his brother's double edged sword.
" Yuan, what time is it?" Kratos asked again.
" About midnight, why?"
" That guy, your brother's general. He's going to die tomorrow." Kratos said. Yuan was quite.
" I had a dream while I was sleeping, about that time on our ninth birthday. You remember those half-elves who got killed near the school? You wanted me to help them, but I was too scared…"
" Kratos, if you mean what I think you mean, you must have lost more blood than I thought."
" We can't just let him die…"
" What has gotten into you today? You can't be this brave twice in one day! If we get caught… And just after your father started showing you affection… FOR CRYING OUT LOUD you've got an inch deep slice in your arm!"
" I like my Dad, Yuan, and I want to like him. I won't know what to think if I let him kill someone like that in front of me… I won't know what to think of myself if I let someone die. But I know I'll get scared when we leave so, be brave for me okay?" Yuan nodded silently.
Yuan stood up, holding his brother's weapon in one hand he reached out for his wounded friend. Kratos stood up and took Yuan's hand. Together they made their way into the dark hallway. They snuck along their normal path and out into the night. Yuan knew the half elf general was being kept in the stable near where the upperclassmen practiced with horses. Together the boys snuck out across the long fields. The stable was being guarded by soldiers, so the boys crept around to the back. They had already decided that if they were caught, Kratos would say he was looking for his Dad.
The back of the stable was solid wood, sp there were no windows or doors to be guarded.
" Burn it," Yuan whispered. Kratos nodded and released a little fireball. They watched the wood burn away, until there was hole big enough to crawl through. Kratos put the fire out, and the boys thanked their lucky stars that the general hadn't noticed the fire. Kratos went through first and then Yuan passed his sword through. While Yuan struggled to fit through the hole Kratos looked around.
The General kneeled with his arms tied around a pole facing the other direction. Kratos walked closer, curious to see the general's face.
" Who are you? What are you doing with Zhou's sword?" Kratos stared at the General. No one had ever looked at him with such hatred. After pulling himself through the hole, Yuan stood up and walked over to Kratos. He walked slowly, fascinated by the look in both of their eyes.
" Mr. General sir?" Yuan said when at last he was in the General's eyesight. "Please don't look at my friend like that. Despite his heritage, Kratos here is different then most. And the reason we have the sword is that Zhou is my brother."
The general's eyes widened as he looked at Yuan. " You look just like him. Your name is Yuan, correct? Zhou told me a lot about you. I'm glad the sword is in your hands."
Yuan smiled and dragged Kratos over to the General. As quickly as possibly they untied him. The General stood, he leaned against the pole for support at first, but soon he had his balance back The General cut an impressive figure even in the shape he was in. Rubbing his wrists the General followed the two friends to their escape hole.
They helped him through and then they followed. Kratos coming first and being careful of his arm. The General watched as Kratos helped Yuan out of the hole.
" You're related to General Aurion, aren't you?" Kratos looked back and nodded. "There's something similar about you. And yet here you are being so much kinder, not to mention better looking. Hmm," The General laughed a little to himself. " I'm glad I met you two. Perhaps we'll meet again."
After that the General was gone, out across the fields and away from them. Yuan and Kratos stared after him for awhile as the night wind stirred their hair.
" My arm is starting to hurt again…" Kratos said, breaking the silence. Yuan looked at him and nodded. And back they snuck. Past the gentle snoring of the guards, across the grounds to the school, and all the way back into the nurses wing. Kratos snuggled back into the bed.
" Heh, we never get caught," Yuan said. Kratos smiled to himself, no one would expect he had done it, not when he was injured.
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Yeah, the name Zhou is a the name of a Chinese Dynasty. I picked it because Yuan is the name of a Chinese dynasty as well. I was going to pick the name Jin, but all I could think about was Samurai Champloo…
