The two began to circle one another, too far to do any damage. Their blades would touch, Sawyer would feint, the man in black would counter, the two circle again. Their blades would touch again, the man in black would feint, Sawyer would counter, the two circle again.
Finally, they started clashing blades against the other, neither losing balance or coming close to stumbling. Now and then, one would gain the upper hand then would lose it to the other.
Sawyer was deeply impressed by the man in black's gracefulness and skill. He had obviously studied every technique he himself had mastered. But he started to worry as he realized he was being pushed closer to the edge of the cliff.
He smiled as he realized it was time for the tide to turn.
"Not bad," he complimented the man in black.
"Thank you. I've worked really hard at it."
"Gotta admit. You're even better than I am."
The man in black then looked at him in confusion. "So why are you smiling?"
They then pushed their swords against one another, and Sawyer was almost an inch from death when…
"'Cause I aint left-handed."
He pushed the man in black back and tossed his sword to his right hand. Now Sawyer had the advantage and was forcing him up a rocky staircase which lead to a turret-shaped plateau.
"Impressive," the man in black complimented Sawyer.
"Twenty years, I should think so."
Suddenly, Sawyer had him pushed against an old stone railing, which began to crumble from his weight.
"Now I have something to tell you," said the man in black.
"And what might that be?"
"I'm not left-handed either."
The man in black pushed him away then threw his sword to his right hand, and to Sawyer's amazement, he was being forced back downstairs.
On and on they clashed, parried, blocked, dodged, and feint. But Sawyer was growing weary. He had tried every technique, maneuver, and style he knew and it wasn't enough. After realizing how short of breath he was he shouted in rage while swinging his sword like a madman. The Man in black simply swung his sword at his, knocking it out of his hand.
Sawyer was now defenseless, breathing really hard, and had fallen to his knees. He was beaten. And the man in black's sword was pointing at his throat.
"Go on," Sawyer growled. "Kill me."
The man in black sheathed his sword and walked behind him.
"I'd rather smash a stained glass window than such a talented artist. However, I can't have you follow me either. So…"
Sawyer looked behind him and the next thing he knew, the man in black slammed a rock against his face, knocking him out.
"Sorry," the man in black said to him, even though he was unconscious. "But I truly respect you."
And with that, he took off to where Claire was taken.
"INCONCEIVABLE!"
Ben snatched Claire out of Eko's grasp and rushed off.
"Catch up with us as soon as you can!" he yelled at the large man.
"What do you expect me to do?" Eko asked.
"Finish him! Hide behind the boulder, pick up one of the rocks, and wait for the man in black, then aim the rock at his head."
Eko sighed as he walked towards the boulder.
"Not very sportsmanlike."
Just as the man in black came to the rocky area, he tread cautiously expecting a trap or an ambush, when…
SMASH!
A rock flew past him, barely missing him, hitting a nearby boulder and shattering instead. Whipping out his sword, he looked in the direction the rock came from to see Eko coming out from behind the boulder.
"I missed. On purpose."
The man in black nodded. "I believe you. So now what?"
"We fight as I hoped we would. Sportsmanlike. No weapons, no tricks, just skill alone."
The man in black looked at him curiously.
"Meaning I put down my sword, you put that rock and that staff away, and we'll try to kill each other like gentlemen?"
Eko smiled as he held the rock up. "I could kill you now, if you wish."
The man in black shrugged as he set his sword down. "Frankly, I'd say the odds are slightly in your favor and hand-to-hand combat."
Eko tossed the rock and his staff aside. "God is what made me so big and strong. I never exercised."
Seeing as how the man was twice his size, the man in black knew Eko would be as much of a challenge as Sawyer was.
He lunged at him, attempting to push him back. Eko just held his ground, not throwing a single punch, but he didn't budge. The man in black pulled back, took a deep breath, then tried something else. He grabbed the large man by the waist, as if he was trying to lift him. Eko only grinned at his failed attempts.
The man in black pulled back and glared at him.
"You're just toying with me."
"No. I just want you to feel you are doing well. I would rather not have you die embarrassed."
And with that, he swung his fist at him, but the man in black ducked and slipped between Eko's legs.
The large Nigerian man turned and moved towards the man in black, impressed.
"You are fast."
"Good thing, too," he said as he backed away.
"Why do you wear a mask? Did you burn your face?"
"Oh no. No reason. I just like it."
Eko swung at him again and the man in black slipped away. As Eko searched for him, the man in black climbed a nearby boulder then jumped for his back. His arms grabbed hold of the Nigerian's throat, locked across his windpipe, and holding on tight.
Eko struggled to break free. "I think I know why you are giving me so much trouble."
"Oh yeah?" the man in black asked as held on. "Why?"
"I never fought…one person…before. I mostly specialize in groups. Fighting gangs."
"So?"
"So…you use…different moves…when you are…fighting…half a dozen people…than when you only…have to be worried…about…one…"
Eko suddenly ran out of air and collapsed. The man in black turned him over to face upwards, and placed an ear to his chest. To his relief, there was a heartbeat.
He looked at Eko and smiled. "I don't envy the headache you'll have when you wake up. But in the meantime, sleep well…and dream of pretty black women."
And with that, the man in black grabbed his sword and dashed off.
Prince Locke observed the footprints on the ground where Sawyer and the man in black fought.
"A duel. It ranged all over. They were both masters."
He looked over to where Count Cooper and several soldiers mounted their horses.
"What was the outcome?" Cooper asked. "Who won? How did it end."
Locke observed the tracks again. "Can't tell who lost, but whoever did ran off alone. Whoever won…followed those footprints…towards DHARMA."
"Shall we track them both?" Cooper suggested.
"No. The loser is of no importance. All that matters is returning the Princess back to the island."
And with that he mounted his horse. "Apparently, this was all planned by warriors of DHARMA. Be ready for whatever's out there."
"It could be a trap."
"I always think everything could be a trap. Which is why I'm still alive."