Chapter 13 - Clash
There has always been something that bothered me ever since the loss of my home.
How did I get here?
I still remember the vivid images of my home going up in flames and my fallen comrades in that bloodstained battlefield. What happened after that?
My head aches as I try to recall. My head wound that has already healed throbs as if to burst. The mercenary outpost have only told me that they found me lying on the side of the road. But... I don't remember a thing. Did I...lose my memories? Is that possible?
Whatever. Losing my memories isn't that big of a deal. What matters is that I'm still alive and I have not killed nearly enough Fomors.
Unable to fall asleep, I get out of bed and put on my usual equipment. I then head outside into the cold and refreshing air.
It seems as though I was not the only one with a sleepless night. Once again, I meet the shield maiden, Fiona, out in the hallway. She is dressed up the same. Having nothing to say, we hold a brief stare before I break away and move down the hall. Fiona follows quietly behind.
I head in the direction opposite of the docks. I greet the night watch as I walk pass the village gate.
Fiona: "...Wait."
I turn around to the voice to find Fiona still following behind. We are already at the grassy plains outside Colhen. I wonder what she's thinking, following me over here.
Fiona: "...Lethita. Duel me...!"
Without even waiting for a reply, Fiona lunges at me with her sword in hand. I scramble to dash to the side.
Fwoosh.
The sword makes a clean cut through the open air. I clutch onto my swords in response. Questions swirl around in my head but I have no time to ask. The next attack comes at me as an underhand swing.
"Kuh!?"
The tip of the sword barely misses while trying to evade backwards. Alright, if she wants a fight, I'll bite. I quickly untie my swords held at the waist. I won't do as poorly here as I did in the Perilous Ruins.
You better prepare yourself Fiona. You don't know how much I've dreamed of fighting you like this. I value you as another skilled fighter. That is why...I won't hold back.
Catching my firm gaze, Fiona backs off a step. She then realizes her unconscious movement and moves in to deliver another blow.
Just staring into his eyes makes me shiver. Who is he? Who is this dual wielding nimble fighter? How can he be so strong?
I've never boasted myself to be strong... But I've never considered myself weak either. After meeting with him, I find myself absolutely pitiful in comparison.
Fighting alongside him together, I realize that I'm always off to the side, while he is at the centre of focus. In the incident of the bell tower. In the incident of Perilous Ruins. Both times I relied heavily upon him.
His speed, his precision, his frightening skills. I envy all of it. That is why...I must prove myself. I have to reaffirm myself.
Our swords and shield clash under the moonlight. Neither of us are willing to give up even a step. The fight has brought us to close proximity. I press my shield against his relentless attacks. And when I swing my own, it would either be parried or evaded. At the moment, we are stuck in a stalemate.
We exchange several times in quick succession. He is strong. Stronger than every foe I've fought. Any careless mistakes will be fatal.
His swords bang heavily down. Each consecutive strike seems to be increasing the impact. However, I must be patient. I must wait for an opportunity to appear. If he won't make a mistake, then I will create the chance to counterattack.
I enforce all my weight and charge with my shield up. Seeing the concentrated shield charge, he has no choice but to side step. The brief moment when he lets his guard down during the evasion is the time to strike. As expected, the surprise is shown on his face when he receives a shield bash immediately after the side dash. The force knocks him backwards a few steps. The damage is insignificant, if any. But I've finally managed to create some space between us. I can take this fight more slowly. After all, he has the pressing advantage when we are at arm-length apart.
I raise my shield simultaneously as his readjustments to his grasp. We slowly progress to close the gap. All of a sudden, his swords sweep at me from a horizontal angle. The attack was fast and unexpected. From the range he was at, there was no way that it would have reached me. He must've closed the distance somehow. Did he dash forward the same time he swung his swords? That must have been what happened.
Nevertheless, I block it easily with my raised shield. Such a surprise won't be catching me off guard. Is he gauging my defense? I can't stay still then.
Due to his sudden initiation, I can easily follow up with a counter. I immediately bash him backwards with my shield swing. The hit was clean. The blow knocks him back a bit which caused him to stumble his footing for a brief moment. This moment was what I've been waiting for all along. Shifting all my weight in my left, I deliver a kick to his chest.
The kick should knock him over which would result in my victory.
The kick should have knocked him over.
Should? Have?
By the time I realize what happened, I lay on the plains with the tip of his sword staring down into my eyes.
"It's my victory."
Relying on my quick wits and standing endurance, I took Fiona's shield bash directly. Fiona isn't someone careless who will miss this opportunity. Thus, I made the decision to turn the fight the exact moment she commits her action.
Expectantly, the kick came with such a force that It was necessary to somehow avoid it and redirect her force elsewhere.
I plant my swords in the ground to establish my balance and pivot myself away from her angle of attack. I finally manage to catch her off guard. In a fluid-like motion, I take her down to the ground. Aiming my sword at her face, I declare my victory.
Her defeating look upon realization is heartbreaking. My mouth becomes very dry and I can't stand to look her in the eyes. She never expected such a defeat. However, a win is a win. Neither she nor I will deny that. I withdraw my sword and let up on my hostility.
Having finished here, I turn to leave.