Presea leapt back to avoid the sweep of the Dragon Knight's axe, nearly losing her footing in the loose dusty sand of the Meltokio Coliseum arena. That was close, she admitted to herself, rolling to one side to avoid the fireballs her opponent was belching out. It had been far too easy to become overconfident, the arena's protective magic preventing any combat-related fatalities, but was necessary to remind oneself that it wouldn't negate the pain of a powerful blow
I must not compromise my performance thus far, she told herself, gritting her teeth as another ball of flame came far too close for comfort, searing the nearby air. She sprinted forward and leapt towards her opponent, swinging her axe up in a wide arc. The Dragon Knight was ready though, and brought its own axe across to parry. Presea shuddered as the vibrations from the clash of weapons reverberated down her arms. Landing on the ground in a crouching position, Presea quickly swung her axe again – this time horizontally – at her opponent's legs, hoping to unbalance him. The Dragon seemed to anticipate that move too, and his wings lifted him sluggishly off the ground and out of the small girl's range.
Presea tried to focus on the Knight above her, but due to the blazing sun overhead, all she could make out was a very blurry silhouette. She felt her eyes narrow as she tried to block out the sounds of the audience, trying to analyse her opponent. Threat level: high. But I have come too far to lose now.
Suddenly, a large spurt of flame erupted from the mouth of the Dragon towards her location, like a burning river cutting through the sky. She skipped back almost too late, the fire scorching the ground where she had stood just a moment ago. Quickly dusting off the smouldering ash that was singeing her clothes, Presea looked round for her assailant and saw the Knight descending opposite her.
Now, she thought, rising her axe above her head and breaking into a run. The Dragon raised its own axe again, obviously readying itself for the expected attack – but Presea had planned a different manoeuvre. Thrusting the tip of her axe head into the sand, she used her weapon as a vault and soared through the air, landing a kick on her opponent. The Dragon let out a low rumbling roar as it lost its balance and fell crashing to the floor – its axe dropping far from its reach.
Presea landed next to the grounded creature, which lay prone on its front. Am I victorious? She brushed aside a lock of hair, damp with sweat, and recovered her breath – making sure that she kept the unmoving creature in her line of sight. Have I succeeded in completing the advanced class?
The Knight stirred then with a very Dragon-like grunt and Presea emitted a not very Presea-like moan as the creature tried to rise to its feet. The energy levels of my foe have not yet been depleted it seems, she thought with a sigh.
The audience seemed delighted with the prospect of an extended fight, and resumed their cheering in earnest. Suddenly, a familiar voice cut loudly through the commotion.
"You can do it Presea! I know you can!"
Presea's head jerked almost automatically towards the location of the voice, and she saw Lloyd waving his arms at her far too enthusiastically – somehow he had reached the seats of the front row.
Lloyd! He…came to watch me fight? To watch me? Presea couldn't pinpoint what it was that she felt in that moment, but her cheeks seemed unnaturally warm. I must be getting fatigued, she thought, waving back at her friend. But if Lloyd is taking the time to watch me then I must be sure I win.
"I shall do my best," she shouted, and turned to face her opponent – a new determination running through her.
Unfortunately, the Dragon was already on its feet, swinging an enormously thick tail up towards her. Presea looked at the limb dumbly as it closed in, there not being enough time to do anything else.
"Stupid," she muttered weakly, mercifully blacking out as she slid down the far wall of the arena, tiny shards of broken masonry raining down on her unconscious form.