Chapter 17: I Am The Storm
This day just keeps getting better and better! Woke up this morning covered in Fairy piss (Lovely!) I get abducted by a creepy fish girl (Lots of fun that was!) This results in a particularly pesky Goblin getting mutilated in her attempt to rescue me (that was a hoot!) Later in the day, I became a Peeping Tom (go me!) Travelled to another dimension (who hasn't?) Walked right into a power struggle which, in all honesty, should have nothing to do with me (I'm a man of the people!) And now, I'm duelling an old knight….using a sword….even though I had never even held one before.
I was just about to inform Yusha there was no way in hell I was going to do this, when an iron long sword (carried by a dozen Pixies) was thrown into my arms. It was a little big and heavy for someone of my size. Despite everything, I couldn't help but see the humour in my current predicament. "Heh, got anything bigger?" One of the Pixies hovered in front of my face. "Oh, you want a broadsword?" She asked, a hint of surprise in her voice. "What? N-no!" I shouted angrily. "I shouldn't even be-"Oi! Let's get this fight started already!" One of the Imps called out rather rudely.
That was it. My only chance to get out of this mess was lost because I made a stupid Dad joke! A few very excited Imps flew in before I could protest and pulled me towards my awaiting opponent. Dropping me onto my back and then flying away, giggling. Pulling myself back up, I realized some kind of magical barrier had formed around us like a giant bubble. Banging a fist onto the rubbery mass, I realized I wasn't getting out of here without a fight.
All around us, Fairies, Imps and Pixies had gathered to watch the fight. Understandably, most of the Fairies were more concerned with our safety than the actual fight. Tears were already pouring from their eyes as they childishly cried out to us, "Be careful you two! Try not to hurt each other!" The Pixies on the other hand, were taking the situation more seriously. "Don't let the pretender take the throne Fidelis! Strike the boy down for your country and Queen!" But then there was the Imps. They were in an absolute frenzy. "Cut his fucking head off!" "Yeah! Make him scream!"
I tried once again to explain that I wasn't here to duel, but there was so much cheering and jeering going on they couldn't even here me! Even Fidelis couldn't understand what I was trying to say to him (or he just didn't care!) Ceana remained in her seat whilst Daniela had chosen to watch the fight just a few feet away from the barrier, surrounded by her little Impish friends. All that was needed was a small nod from the Queen and Fidelis started to make his way towards me, his sword at the ready. "Oh….shit!" All I could do was jump sideways to avoid getting sliced in half as the old man swung down in a chopping motion. Before I could even blink Fidelis prepared for another swing, and this time, I thought I'd try blocking the next blow with my own sword.
Clang! Thud! "Fuck!" I tried placing my left hand onto the back of my sword to absorb most of the impact. But the old man was stronger than he looked. I ended up on my ass with a deep cut in my hand from my own weapon (real smooth Bain.) The sight of blood was enough to make some of the Fairies faint in mid-flight. I looked over to Fidelis and could see he was trying to say something to me. From the look of it, he wanted to know if I wished to continue. I was about to surrender and call it a day when….I lost control.
The pain. The fear. The taunting. The fuckin screaming! I suddenly closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. My body. It hurt! My muscles felt as though they were on fire! Sweat poured down my face as I felt my temperature rise to unbearable levels. I began to shake and froth at the mouth like some beast with rabies. Fidelis noticed something was wrong and stepped forward to check on me. But the moment he took his first step, I jumped to my feet and screamed. I was survival mode now, and I had no idea what I was going to do next.
Everyone in the room went dead silent. I don't think they were expecting that (neither was I,) even Fidelis seemed a little shaken from my crazed war cry. I didn't move. I didn't want to. Despite the condition I was in, I still had a little bit of control over my body (if Fidelis doesn't attack me, I should be ok.) The old knight raised his sword into the air and took another step forward (fuck!) My instincts kicked in and I charged at my opponent.
Memories. Old memories began to fill my head as everything around me began to slow down to a near standstill. I read a book on swords. A long time ago. And everything on that book came back to me in a flash of light. Don't force your blade, move with it. Use its weight to gain momentum and use your entire body to guide it in the desired direction. It's not just a weapon, it's an extension of yourself. Step, step, swing, then one step back and repeat. Keep your opponent on his toes, but don't lose yourself in the dance or you'll die young. Never expose your back to an opponent but stay aware of your surroundings as you fight. Keep your blade sharp, and your mind sharper. With all this information now burned into my brain, I felt a little more confident in my abilities. Just a little bit.
Time returned to normal almost in an instant, and Fidelis was not going to wait for me to make the next move. Once again, he ran forward and swung downwards. But I decided not to block it this time. Instead, I stepped forward, using my sword to gain momentum, I swung my entire body round with my blade held at eye level. Fidelis had to jump back as my blade collided with his own. I didn't stop his attack, I deflected it like a total bad ass!
Sure, the massive amount of adrenalin in my system was probably improving my performance considerably. But who cares! I was fighting back! It was my turn to attack. Before Fidelis could even blink I rounded onto him with my sword at the ready. I wasn't going to hold back like the old man had earlier, I was fighting to win. I spun my blade forward once as a feign, then used its momentum to send a more powerful blow aimed at the old knight's head Fidelis. The old man seemed to be taking the fight more seriously now, and deflected my attack using a similar technique I used just seconds ago.
He thought he could use the opportunity to make a counter attack while I was finishing my swing, but I just shifted my feet and twisted my entire body round and our blades collided once again. But the force of our two weapons was so great it made the halls ring out with a great clang! By now everyone watching us had gone absolutely insane. The Imps and Pixies weren't expecting such an exciting fight, and they were loving every moment of it! Some of them were placing bets. Others were clapping and whistling. A few of them (including Tiff) were even cheering me on! Daniela looked to be absolutely star struck. Even Ceana was one her feet, inching closer to the barrier with a very concerned look on her face. Yusha was now the only Fairy in the room (everyone else flew off after I screamed,) she looked a little concerned for my wellbeing, but continued to cheer me on as we fought for what felt like hours.
I understand now. I understand what that author was trying to explain in his book. I thought he was just some glorified lout who wanted to make sword fighting sound interesting and exciting by being all dramatic and poetic with the instructions and explanations. But now I get it. Fidelis and I were moving in sync with one another. Attacking and deflecting with a finesse and grace that felt like dancing. I was loving it! Too bad I forgot something important: Don't lose yourself in the dance.
Fidelis had begun to tire. His movements were starting to slow down and the force in his swings weaken. Eventually, it came to a point where he stopped attacking me and started to lower his sword. I saw my opportunity and decided to take it. I charged head on, expecting him to counter. only this time, his speed would fail him. What I wasn't expecting was for the old fuck to wait until the last second, grabbing a hold of my arm and punching me right in the bloody nose!
I fell to the ground in a heap and everyone gave a great cheer. "Yeah! Good move Fidelis!" "Nice try one-eye!" "Man, that must've hurt!" The Barrier disappeared shortly after and Yusha was the first to greet me. "Bain! Are you ok!?" The sound of Yusha's voice sprang me back to life as I sat back up again and started to yell at the poor thing. "Am I ok? Am I ok? Do I look Ok to you!?" Yusha gave a squeal as she moved back until she was safely out of reach. "Not really….I guess." "I could have died back there!" I screamed ferociously, "You didn't even ask me if I wanted to….to…." Yusha tilted her head in confusion. "Bain?" I didn't answer. I just laid myself down gently until I was lying flat on the ground.
The adrenaline had left my system. I was hurting all over. It got to a point I couldn't even move. After accepting congratulatory hugs (and turning down some other things) from dozens of adoring fans, Fidelis approached me before the nurses could to carry me away on a stretcher. He looked exhausted. Not as bad condition as I was in but it certainly took a lot out of him. "Sorry for punching you lad," The old man huffed, "but you did put up quite the fight. Wasn't sure if I was going to win that one without playing dirty." All I could give the guy was weak a smile and a small grunt. Sure, I was hurting all over. But I had a blast!
Off in the distance, I could he Queen calling out to us (I think she was on her throne again,) "You fought well young warrior! But it would appear as though I will not be losing my kingdom today!" I didn't really care anymore about Yusha's mission. She had her chance and she blew it. If she was that desperate for the crown, she should've asked someone a little older and more experienced in combat (not my problem anymore.)
But then, over the cheering and laughter, Daniela spoke for the first time. And all at once, everyone went silent. "I'm not entirely sure…. you should be celebrating just yet….Mother." I don't really know how to explain this. Her voice was sweet and tender like honey. But….it was as though they were filled with a foul poison.