3 Practice Duel
Janus tightened the shield straps for the third time. He stood still for a moment and inhaled deeply. He held the breath for a moment, then exhaled, feeling his muscles expanding with it. "Combatants to your stations!" Automatically Janus moved forward, so did his opponent. Keeping a distance of three meters between them, the two stopped. Given the first chance to look at his opponent Janus found himself gazing into a pair of gray eyes. Surprised, his eyes widened, and he struggled to steady his breathing. Genesis must have recognized him through the visor, too because he felt her gaze soften for a split-second.
Quickly Janus pointed the tip of his blade at the sky, Genesis did the same. The respect was paid. Now he adopted the dueling stance known as the Riptide, shield in the front with his sword arm relaxed at his side, the tip almost touching the ground. Genesis moved opposite him. Janus realized her stance as the Dimachaerus, a rare fighting style developed by ancient gladiators.
To his left Janus saw the other acolytes, even now they were watching Genesis. Like always. A few cheered but he knew it wasn't for him. It was never for him. He shook the thought from his mind and gazed toward the right. On the stand was Master Elmek. Is he expecting Genesis to win, too?
Then he saw Elmek's lips move and he launched himself forward as Elmek gave the engage signal. The acolytes roared, the duel began.
With one leap Genesis disappeared from sight and Janus' brain worked furiously. He had fought her many times.
No doubts. Act.
He spun around feeling his sword arm swing with it. The move was blindingly fast but smooth, like waves sliding over sand. There was a "Clank" as their weapons collided, steel on steel. Genesis was just in time to parry the blow, but Janus' strike was powered. A dagger flew from her hand skidding to a stop on the ground just meters away. She would retreat. Janus didn't think. He knew and he charged to deliver a vertical blow. But this time some of his strength had gone and the blow was parried. The impact forced Genesis backwards and she lost balance. The chance he had been waiting for had come. Suddenly Janus leaped up and turned himself around in mid air, he moved like he never had before. The whole sensation was foreign but strangely familiar. Surprised he felt the focus flowing away and his blade struck air. The moment was lost. Their blades met again. He looked into the visor of his opponent and found her eyes, searching for the slightest clue. She was so close he could almost feel her breathing. His pupils expanded, something came flying toward him and his world turned black.
A knight towered above him, sword in hand. Janus watched in horror as the blade pierced through him, there was a flash of blue…
His eyes snapped open. Genesis was coming towards him. Then a group of acolytes blocked her from view. With a sigh, Janus picked himself up from the ground.
"And it seems the victor is quite obvious." Elmek, too was beaming at Genesis.
"Acolytes! I have an important announcement to make. Genesis. And Janus please come forward."
"Two of our acolytes," he announced slowly. "Have finished their training last week. They are now graduated. Give it up for Genesis and Janus!"
"Well Genesis here…" Elmek went and put an arm around her shoulder. "You have shown great progress and true skills in the past 2 years. In fact,13 years ago when you came into my care, you had nothing…" All the students stopped chatting at once.
"Genesis." Elmek was smiling. He was proud. Janus knew.
"Your father…" Elmek continued, "was a legendary warrior. He and I fought beside each other for many years. He left a great legacy for you! Now I'm sure he would be proud."
Janus stood unmoving. He looked the students coming to surround Genesis, but did not see. Sounds of cheering and laughing echoed in his ears but he did not hear them.
Then he blinked and saw everyone hurrying Genesis towards the dinging hall. And he was already alone.