A/N: Ok, this chapter has some more graphic violence than the last one. If you don't want to read it, just skip to the bottom.
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"Goodbye, General Zelgius."
And so the battle began.
Ike ran forward and attacked with a side slashing motion. It hit, but Ragnell seemed to do barely any damage, just grazing the knight's armor. Confused, Ike looked down and saw that the general was standing in an area that allowed him to better defend himself.
Ugh, gotta get him off, the Vanguard thought, running in the opposite direction of the knight.
"What's the matter, Ike? Afraid?"
The Black Knight shot a blast of energy from the tip of Alondite. Ike easily dodged this, and the Black Knight saw that he would have to pursue Ike. He took off after the blue-haired young man with alarming speed, not realizing that he had left his safe spot. The Black Knight swung Alondite with all of his might, and Ike was able to dodge the blade, but was hit by the blunt side of the sword, sending him flying into a nearby pillar. Ike slammed into the pillar full force, but he didn't lose consciousness. He tried to stand up, but doing so made him start to cough, then he felt as if he were vomiting. Looking down on the ground, Ike didn't see vomit, but rather his own blood being coughed out.
I…I can't lose…I can't lose this fight…But, I…don't have the strength…
Ike fell back against the pillar, waiting for the final blow. As the Black Knight approached, he looked to the other side of the barrier for a split second, and saw a certain Light Priestess fearlessly run into the midst of a group of Warriors.
Micaiah…If not for me, then…for her. For Father as well…
Images of his friends, his father, and Micaiah ran through the Vanguard's mind. The Black Knight rose his blade to deliver the final blow.
"Not…yet!"
With this, Ike leapt up from the pillar, rejuvenated from his memories. He slashed at the Black Knight and split his helmet in two, causing it to fall from the ground. General Zelgius had a huge cut across his face, and blood was falling freely from his mangled right eye.
"Interesting…But I'm not finished yet…" the General spoke.
He took Alondite and drove it towards Ike. The Vanguard dodged most of the blow, but was struck on his left arm. He took the opening Zelgius had given him, and sliced with all his might. He cut into the ebony armor, causing Zelgius to howl in pain. He grabbed Alondite and swung upward, giving Ike a bloody wound from his abdomen up to his face. The disciples of Gawain looked at each other for just a second. Both had enormous wounds and were losing blood fast. If this continued, neither would win…They would both drop dead. But it was too late now. They had begun this battle, and they would finish it. Both raised their blades and slashed. Both pushed with all of their force. To them, only one thing existed: the opponent. Eventually, both blades were pushed to the ground. Ike and Zelgius simultaneously saw an opening, and both stabbed the other right in the stomach. Ike collapsed to the ground, even if he survived it now, the blow would soon kill him. Zelgius' armor had absorbed more of the shock; he remained on his feet. Ike felt a force lifting him, and was surprised to see Zelgius lifting him to his feet.
"Not yet…Our battle is still not finished." He said.
Ike gave a grim nod. The battle was going to end here. Ike reached down and grabbed hold of Alondite, Zelgius taking Ragnell. The pair simultaneously pulled the blades from their midsections, handing them over to the respective owner. The two swordsmen stood in a pool of their own blood. This was it. Zelgius brought Alondite up and swung, aiming to take Ike's head off. The dying Ike ducked and used all of his power to drill Alondite into Zelgius' heart. The blade made contact, and the Black Knight smiled at him.
"Impressive…very impressive…Ugh!"
He fell to the ground, his eyes clouding over. Ike had one last thing to say to him…
"Black Knight Zelgius…You…were my father's killer…and my last teacher…"
Zelgius smiled again, then let his head rest, finally dying.
Ike's adrenaline wore off, and as he too fell to the ground, the last thing he saw was a silver haired girl running frantically toward him…
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Micaiah saw Ike fall to the floor, and she ran towards him, screaming "RHYS!" desperately. The Saint ran towards her and Ike, and looked at the general.
"He…he probably won't make it…I don't think it's worth trying…" he spoke, holding back sobs.
"I DON'T CARE! TRY IT ANYWAY!" Micaiah screamed, tears falling freely.
The Saint nodded and bent down, healing with all of his might. Micaiah, too, took a staff and tried to help the best she could…There was no sign of movement yet…
Are we too late…?
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A/N: Um, wow…I didn't think it was going to be that violent. Review please, Chapter 4 is coming.