Welcome back, everyone! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
High noon.
The time for Lion-O's ill-fated duel. He glanced towards the Town Square. He smiled ruefully. "Wish me luck."
Leopara frowned. "Good luck…"
He stood. Before he could begin the march to loss, Leopara reached out and took his hand. He paused, looking down at it and then at her. "Hey… just… remember what we said. I'll be cheering for you."
Lion-O blinked a couple times, shocked. And then, his shock turned to a warm and pleasant, happy feeling. He grinned. "Thanks. I'll try not to lose my head."
"That's not funny." she protested softly. Reluctantly, she let go of his hand.
Lion-O hurried ahead, arriving before the steam whistles could sound out again. Leopara followed more slowly, a feeling of despair pressing down on her shoulders.
Please, Lion-O… she pleaded to herself. She begged the gods that Lion-O had listened to her and the Drifter just in time, and his new revelation would lead him to victory; they couldn't afford to lose the Sword of Omens. They needed it to fight against Mumm-Ra.
To her shock, there was no crowd gathered to watch. Just her, Snarf, and the lonely figure of the Drifter sitting on a balcony up above.
It was eerily quiet and abandoned.
The Duelist was waiting for Lion-O. "Punctual. I like that."
Lion-O drew Omens, holding it at the ready.
"Whenever you're ready." the Duelist said.
"Whenever you are." Lion-O retorted.
"Fine." the Duelist replied. "Draw."
Lion-O charged forward with his sword above his head. When he brought it down, the Duelist was long gone from the place he stood- he vaulted above Lion-O, eyeing him like a predator did its prey. With a spin in the air and a flourish, he drew two blades and dropped down.
One.
Her king rolled out of the way just in time to avoid being skewered, but he quickly charged again. Two. His movements were powerful- but easy to see through. There was no grace or care, and each swing of his blade was as strong as it could be.
Three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Each one failed to strike the Duelist; he simply leaned one way or the other out of the Sword of Omen's path.
With Lion-O's ninth strike, the Duelist sidestepped him completely.
Without any resistance to greet him, Lion-O stumbled forward past the Duelist, stumbling all the way up to her. Just as fast, he whirled around to face his opponent.
The Duelist was bearing down on him with a powerful strike. With nowhere to go, Lion-O raised his left hand to block the blow with his gauntlet. He grunted from the force, the swing of the blade forcing his arm away from his body. With the swing of his other blade, the Duelist cast the Sword of Omens from Lion-O's hand and into the wood above them.
"No!" she gasped.
The Duelist held his blade to Lion-O's throat with a twisted, gleeful grin.
Lion-O simply watched as the Duelist pulled the Sword of Omens from the rafter and sheathed it in the crest on his back.
Someone had taken the sword.
It was hard to be anything but angry with Lion-O.
"What have I done?" he murmured to himself, still shell-shocked from his crushing defeat. "Without the Sword of Omens, our mission is doomed." He stood hastily. "I've got to win it back."
It was a stupid idea. Nine strikes, and none of them had been true. His opponent made three, and all but one had failed to find its target.
He lacked precision, caution, and worst of all, basic techniques such as balance and stance.
"Can you believe it? Stuck again."
They both followed the sound of the Drifter's voice. This time, the rabbit was snagged on only a wooden fence.
"Could you help me down? Or maybe you should leave me up here. Either way, I don't care."
For a third time, Lion-O approached the Drifter and set him on the ground. "I need you to make me a sword."
"So my warnings were just a breeze blowing through your ears?" Leopara sensed disappointment, of all emotions, from the rabbit. "I didn't think you'd listen, but if you expect me to help, you haven't been paying attention."
"We both lost something precious, but we can get it back." Lion-O reasoned with him.
"Ah, sounds like too much work."
"Fine. Then I'll do it myself." Lion-O declared.
Leopara watched him walk away. There was determination in his stride.
What's the point? she wondered. He had done nothing but brush her off all day. Everyone they'd interacted with spoke as though she wasn't there or like she was inconsequential. Even the Drifter. At least he had acknowledged her once, and was trying to tell Lion-O the same thing she was.
He was going to forge himself a new sword to defeat the Duelist, but he still didn't get it. She'd spelled it out for him, and he still didn't understand.
What was she doing wrong?
By Jaga, what was she doing wrong?
"Aren't you going to follow him?" the Drifter lazily asked her.
"What do you care?"
The Drifter shrugged. "I don't."
"And I don't believe you." She crossed her arms as she faced him properly. Something in her head clicked into place as she faced him. "You keep showing up around us, trying to warn Lion-O… keep him from experiencing what you did. You feel hopeless, you've felt that way for a long time, so you don't know how to do anything but be helpless anymore, do you? I think you're scared to try to be anything, scared to lose again- but what do you have that you could lose, Hittanzo?" From the faint ripple of emotions she could feel, Leopara knew she was striking a chord within the rabbit. With that… Leopara felt ready to move on. "I am going to follow him." she answered the Drifter's question. "Thank you for asking." With a nod to the now-confused Drifter, she strode away to find Lion-O.
She found him inside one of the many abandoned forges in the town. He glanced at her as she entered.
"Don't try to stop me. I have to do this."
Leopara calmly walked in. "Why would I stop you? I want to help you."
"You… you do?" he asked, surprised. When she nodded, he looked down at the forge he was trying to light. "I thought you were angry with me."
"Yeah, a bit. It's hard to not be angry at someone who's ignored you all day.'
His shoulders sagged. "I really messed up this time, didn't I?"
"Hm… yeah, but I have faith you'll fix it." she stopped in front of the forge and took a deep breath. The fire that had burned in her skin all was finally free to manifest. It was a small flicker of flame coming to life in her hand first. She thrust her hand towards the inactive forge and willed that fire to grow, to burn hotter and hotter, fueled by all of her frustrations that day.
The single flickering flame became a stream, roaring as it pushed its way through the air and licked at the coal gathered.
When she lowered her hand, she had no doubt that the coal would stay ignited.
Lion-O chuckled nervously. "Remind me not to get on your bad side," he joked.
"What? No, I'd never use my magic to hurt just because I'm upset…"
"It was a- never mind. Thanks, Leopara."
She smiled at him.
He returned the smile before pointing. "Can you bring me that?"
She followed the line of his finger to an ingot of metal; she wasn't familiar enough with the metal to identify whether it was iron or steel. She hoped it was steel, and she hoped Lion-O somehow knew how to work it.
With a nod, she picked it up- and grunted. It was heavier than it looked. She brought it to the anvil while Lion-O lifted a hammer. "Thanks." he said again. "Can you clean that water?" he followed up.
Leopara glanced over her shoulder at the tub of water. It was stagnant and had been neglected for a long time. "I think I can do that." She approached it and closed her eyes, concentrating on separating the filth from the water, to strain and pull it from the tub it resided in. As she was discarding the waste, she heard Lion-O curse and swear. She looked at him from the doorway; the slab of metal had moved, and he struggled to scoot it back to the middle. She reached out her hand and imagined strings of her magic coiling around the metal, holding it in place. When next he slammed the hammer into its form, it shook only from the reverberations of Lion-O's strike.
With a smile, she closed the door and found a spot away from Lion-O to sit and watch.
The door opened, allowing a flood of filtered sunlight to enter the room. Leopara blinked.
It was the Drifter.
He chuckled at the sight of Lion-O. "What do you think you're doing?"
"You may be content to flop around feeling sorry for yourself, but I'm not. I'll make one hundred more swords if I have to." he swore. "I'm going to defeat him."
The Drifter crossed his arms. "Not that I care, but you're doing it all wrong. You need to-"
"Thanks, but I can handle it."
"You don't give up easily, do you?"
"No, he doesn't." Leopara said with pride. She admired that about him; it was one of his best qualities, even if he was sometimes obtuse about it.
Hittanzo strode across the threshold of the forge, making his way to the table with the metal slabs and tools. "Here. Let me show you." he beckoned to Lion-O.
It didn't take long for the three of them to be pushed out of the forge and shut out.
She didn't mind it much.
Hittanzo worked for hours, a constant melody of clanging metal, while Lion-O paced. Leopara picked up Snarf and sat down, turning her attention to the kitty-pet to pass the time. Snarf purred in her lap as she let him, melting under her touch.
Lion-O opened the door. "Done yet?"
The clanging paused. "No." Hittanzo replied.
Lion-O closed the door and sank to the ground beside her. Leopara smiled at him. "He's doing his best." she said.
"I just hate waiting. The Duelist has my sword."
"Just relax, Lion-O." she urged him.
He sighed, slumping. "How?"
"Just close your eyes and listen to the world around you, Lion-O."
Lion-O rested his jaw on his knees and closed his eyes. His eyes were not closed more than a minute before he huffed and groused, "All I can hear is that clanging."
"It has a steady rhythm." she answered. "There's also the breeze… discarded things rustling as the wind moves them. I can faintly hear the din of the town's streets."
"I guess." he pouted, eyes still closed.
She chuckled.
And in just a couple more minutes, he dozed into a light sleep. She smiled, watching him for a moment; it was probably the first moment of rest Lion-O had gotten that day and, for time, he looked… peaceful.
The only bit of peace she would get from him today, she was sure.
He woke when the clanging stopped some time later. In a rush, he scrambled to his feet and ran to the door. "How about now?" he asked, flinging it open.
"No!" Hittanzo shouted. The clanging continued.
With a laughable pout, Lion-O closed the door.
"Lion-O, how long do you think it takes to forge a sword?" she asked.
He looked back at her, rubbing the back of his head. The motion shook his red mane, which had grown a little since they first met. "I don't know… a few hours? … a day?" She gave him a look of awe and amusement. He sighed, dropping his hand to gesture instead. "Longer than that?" He sulked back to her, plopping down on the dusty earth.
Not even an hour later, he began to space again. He traced the entire perimeter of the forge and turned around the corner, pausing by the door. "How much longer? Is it ready?"
The door slammed open and Hittanzo leaned out. "No!" he shouted. He slammed the door and the sound of his work resumed.
Leopara sighed; this had to stop. "Lion-O, come here."
He looked at her sheepishly and warily approached her. She gently moved Snarf off her lap and scooted out from the lip of the building, sitting on her knees. "Sit with me."
"Why…?"
She smirked. "A lesson in patience. The more you interrupt Hittanzo, the more you delay his work."
Lion-O cast a forlorn look over his shoulder then turned his attention back to her. He sat down cross-legged. "Alright, I'm sitting now."
Leipara shook her head and gestured to her legs. "Like this, on your knees."
"...does it matter?"
"For this exercise, yes."
With a sigh, he shifted his position. "Okay, now what?"
She grinned widely. "Nothing~ Now you don't do anything until there is actually something to do. Think, look around, converse if you want… but don't move." she said, raising her index finger and waggling it back and forth.
"You can't be serious."
"I am." she replied gleefully.
"Aw, whiskers." Lion-O cursed, wilting in place.
'Doing nothing' was very obviously a skill he never needed to practice, as a prince. That was a pity; everyone should have skills to pass time, and sometimes finding ways to 'do nothing' was the best choice.
He didn't really get it, though.
He tried, but he complained and questioned her frequently about it.
Leopara heaved a sigh. "Lion-O, when I found you unconscious with the Book of Omens, I didn't know what to do. You were asleep, but I couldn't wake you. You weren't injured, so there was nothing for me to do. So… I waited. It took a while, but you did wake; and if you wait, Hittanzo will finish the sword." she promised.
"You found me?"
Leopara nodded. "I did."
"Oh… I didn't know that. I guess I thought you all found me together." he admitted sheepishly.
"No… Tygra went to patrol the perimeter for any lizards or Mumm-Ra. I'm not really sure what Panthro enlisted Cheetara and the Wilytwins for, but they went out into the jungle too." Leopara explained. "I thought I would check on your progress with the book."
Lion-O was quiet for a few moments. "Sorry." he said glumly.
She tilted her head. "For what?"
"I haven't really listened to you today. You were right. I was reckless and I lost the sword." he shifted his position to pull his knees close and rest his jaw on them. "I was an idiot to let the Duelist get into my head like that."
Leopara frowned, feeling the waves of melancholy surrounding him.
She scooted to sit beside him, loosely draping her arms over her knees. "I would have been upset if someone said that about Jaga." she empathised. "And… I was really proud and impressed when you rejected him. I thought you were being careful, like I asked."
He let out a hoarse chuckle. "I was trying to be."
She gently bumped his shoulder with his, making him glance towards her. "You've never gotten us into a situation you couldn't get us out of. I have faith in you, Lion-O."
"Really?" he asked, studying her.
"I haven't left to go get the others, have I?" she smiled at him, trying to be reassuring.
It worked. "I suppose not." he agreed. "I'll try not to let you down a second time."
"Good." she grinned.
Eventually, dirtied and looking worse for wear, Hittanzo opened the door. "It is done. That is, if you still want it." he rasped, exhaustion heavy in his voice.
Lion-O climbed to his feet with more restrained excitement, and Leopara followed him, curious what blade Hittanzo had made after so many years. It was a simple blade, with no particular guard and a wrapped hilt- but Leopara rather liked the shape of it. The otherwise straight blade curved near the tip, and had two triangular points that jutted out where a hilt would go. A tassel hung from the metal pommel, partially wrapped up in the leather covering the hilt.
He raised it up to admire. "It's perfect." He swung it twice. Through the air, it cut quickly and with a slight- for lack of better word- singing sound. "He doesn't stand a chance."
Leopara's mood plummeted.
After all that, had he not learned?
We had a moment! ...I thought we had a moment. her thoughts soured.
She stared at him, disheartened, as he left the forge with the sword resting on his shoulder.
Did he still believe a sword would win the fight for him?
No, no. He couldn't. If he did, how could he possibly imagine a blade made within a day could best Hittanzo's triumph, a blade he spent years forging?
"Lion-O, a strong sword doesn't make you strong." cautioned Hittanzo. "Remember, willows are weak, and yet…"
"They bind other wood." Lion-O finished, pointing towards Hittanzo with what could only be described as a 'finger gun.' "Yeah, I know. I know." With a wave, he walked away.
Leopara watched him disappear from view, feeling rooted in spot.
This time, the Town Square veranda was crowded with warriors, many of whom she faintly recognised as watching the earlier competition.
They roared with cheers and indistinct chatter. The air was filled with their excitement, which Leopara could compare only to sharks that had caught the scent of blood in the water; an imminent feeding frenzy.
Leopara strained to stand on her tip-toes to see over the tall heads of the warriors, wringing her hands with worry.
His life? He staked his life on this?
It was nearly enough for her to burst into frustrated tears. If only she had gone with him to challenge the Duelist and keep him from agreeing!
Idiot!
She promised to cheer for Lion-O before, and she would have to again. But her throat felt tight, strangling any noise she thought to make before she even could.
How can you take a step forward and then two steps back? It felt like a little dance at this point- Why is he so set on going back to where he was before!
Idiot, idiot, idiotidiotidiot. she thought in a panicked mantra.
Unfortunately, she was responsible for that idiot and Cheetara would… maybe not kill her, but the severity of her disappointment might make Leopara want to die on the spot.
She suddenly understood how difficult of a duty this must have been for Cheetara.
Lion-O really just did what he wanted!
Whiskers!
What magic could she use to turn this in his favor? As far as she knew, she had to be within her barrier, and she refused to stake Lion-O's life on her speed or sudden ability to project it elsewhere; and somehow, she got the feeling these swordsy, warrior types would much like magic interrupting a duel.
Was there something more subtle? Could she use wind to trip up the Duelist?
No, no. She couldn't cheat for him; he would never forgive her. Besides, she wasn't precise with her winds yet.
Leopara could only save him.
So, her barrier, right? She just had to get through the crowd to stand in front, and then pray.
It was hard pushing and slipping between the warriors. They were solid and hunky, and pressed close together, but somehow, she managed to do it, stumbling out from the line gathered to watch.
Lion-O held his blade at the ready, and the Duelist held his angled away from him.
It was about to begin.
Without further warning, no exchanged words like their first match- at least not that she could hear- they charged each other.
She expected the Duelist to duck to the side at the last moment and send Lion-O stumbling, but the Duelist met him head on, blocking Lion-O's blade with both his.
They moved in such a flurry, neither giving the other any room to breathe, that Leopara could barely keep up with what was happening. The Duelist gave Lion-O a brief slip to the side, then stepped back and attacked him from the front. Aggressively, the Duelist kept striking out at Lion-O, one, two, three, four, and then a whirlwind spin. Lion-O stumbled back from the force of the blows against his blade, until the whirlwind caught his blade and pulled him off balance. He careened to the side before bobbing back, landing on the ground and rolling to avoid the lightning-fast jabs of the Duelist, which pierced into the earth instead of Lion-O.
Leopara tensed, clenching her grasp on Jaga's staff in her hand, at her side in its shortened form. The wood creaked while her heart leapt into her throat.
Come on, Lion-O!
Lion-O nimbly leapt out of the way of the Duelist's strikes, catwheeling back to his feet and adopting a sturdy looking pose. With coiled muscles and absolute focus, Lion-O spun through the air at his opponent.
The Duelist sidestepped, and the two begun a dance of blades, striking out and ducking, dodging, twirling around each other with the ringing of metal as each tried to land a blow.
The crowd cheered, entertained by the show. She swallowed hard, took in a deep breath. "You've got this!" she called out, praying she sounded more confident than she felt.
She felt terrified.
The dance came to an abrupt stop as the two locked blades, reaching a stalemate as they struggled to overpower the other. Neither gave nor gained any ground.
They leapt away from each other, catching their breath and adopting a fighting stance. Likewise, the crowd fell into a hush with anticipation; what words would the duelists say to each other?
"You can't beat me." the Duelist told Lion-O.
"Then why do you look so scared?" Lion-O taunted him.
Like waves on a stormy sea- one not made of sand- the the two surged at each other violently, the Duelist with a flurry of blows and malicious laughter, and Lion-O with one powerful swing meant to end it all and claim victory.
Their blades rang and sang with this final clash.
And then, with a horrible echo, Lion-O's blade snapped just above where it blocked the Duelist's golden blade, the Sword of Hittanzo.
Leopara took in a sharp breath of the air.
"No!" Lion-O shouted.
The broken blade clattered to the ground. Leopara's muscles tensed, preparing to spring into action herself.
With a push, Lion-O stumbled away from the Duelist. "The sword is lost and victory is still mine." the Duelist proclaimed, advancing slowly on Lion-O with his blades outstretched, ready for the killing blow.
Lion-O took a step back for each step the Duelist took, in perfect tandem. He held up the hilt and lower half of his broken sword, clearly weighing his options.
I'll wait until he tries to make the final blow.
"Willows are weak, Lion-O!" Hittanzo called from somewhere to her right.
When the Duelist lunged, Leopara hesitated.
Lion-O smoothly bent out of the Duelist's way and slipped behind him. The Duelist whirled around and pressed; with the taste of victory so close, he refused to let it slip away from his grasp.
But slip away from him it certainly seemed it was.
Lion-O smoothly, effortlessly dodged each blow the Duelist rained on him, until the Duelist overextended with a swipe. Lion-O vaulted over the Duelist much like Hittanzo had once done to him.
"I understand now."
Like a devil, the Duelist whipped around and launched a flurry of blows at Lion-O with a shout. With great speed and a sense of calm, Lion-O dodged each one; it seemed impossible for how fast each strike was, but Lion-O bore not even a single cut.
"Power alone is rigid. But if you can bend with the wind, you'll never break!" With a great, well-timed strike, Lion-O knocked the Sword of Hittanzo from the Duelist's villainous grasp. The Duelist watched it somersault through the air and land, blade fist, in the ground a distance away; and then, he continued to stare in disbelief.
Lion-O took advantage of his distraction and batted the sword from his other hand, completely disarming him.
In shock, the Duelist turned to look at that blade.
Lion-O smoothly cut the crest off his back when he did. The crowd gasped as the eight blades landed on the ground with a plume of dust.
He then aimed his broken blade at the Duelist himself.
The Duelist slowly bent down to one knee, fury nearly unbridled roiling within him.
There was a moment of silence before the crowd erupted into cheers.
Feeling a burst of pride, Lion-O strode towards her and Hittanzo. "You knew that sword would break." he said calmly, with understanding.
"It took years to make the Sword of Hittanzo. I made that piece of junk in an afternoon." He smiled at Lion-O. "You already had what you needed to win in here." Hittanzo knocked gently on Lion-O's chest plate.
The anger from the Duelist surged. She glanced over Lion-O's shoulder while he responded to Hittanzo's words, frowning at the knife that glinted in the Duelist's hands. She expanded her staff in one smooth motion as the Duelist screamed.
Before he could reach her barrier, Hittanzo shoved Lion-O aside- into her- and leapt forth to meet his old foe, brandishing his reed like a blade.
Somehow, that little reed blocked the Duelist's dagger. With a feeling of rising rage, Hittanzo used his reed to whip and lash out at the Duelist, forcing him back until he stumbled and tripped, landing on the ground while his dagger clattered away. Hittanzo pointed his reed at him. The Duelist glared at him with resentment.
It was short-lived, as Hittanzo snaked his reed up the Duelist's nose- gross- and the crowd mockingly laughed at the disgraced swordsman.
"You've had your last duel." Hittanzo declared. "Be gone."
With an eruption of cheers, the Duelist scrambled away from Hittanzo and staggered to his feet, and did precisely that: he ran as fast as he could from their view.
"Well, that's one less problem." Lion-O said cheekily.
"I doubt we'll be seeing him again." Leopara agreed.
He looked at her again, looking a bit embarrassed. He raised a hand to rub the back of his head. "I'm sorry, again. You and Hittanzo were trying to tell me the whole time and-"
"If you say you didn't listen one more time, I will tell everyone what happened when we return to them." she interrupted him, crossing her arms. "Because… despite not acting like it, you must have listened~"
He dropped his hand. "... thanks. … so, you won't tell them?"
Leopara shook her head. "No way. I was supposed to keep you out of trouble. I don't want to get yelled at by Tygra."
He let out a laugh at that. "Me neither. I think he'd kill me if he knew I lost the sword."
"At least I could bond it to him if he did?"
"Hey!"
They paused, noticing Hittanzo join them with the Duelist's crest on his back, and the Sword of Omens in his hand. He held it out to Lion-O. "I believe this belongs to you, friend."
Lion-O smiled and reached out, grasping the hilt of the Sword of Omens. "Thank you, Hittanzo. For everything."
"No, thank you." Hittanzo answered. "I haven't felt this alive in years. I finally have a purpose again: returning these swords to their rightful owners."
Leopara and Lion-O smiled at him. "Good luck, Hittanzo." Lion-O said softly.
"I hope we see each other again in our travels." Leopara said.
She was surprisingly fond of the rabbit who had helped her get through to Lion-O, and had tried to warn them away. She reached out to his emotions and felt genuine peace and happiness.
She was glad.
Hittanzo nodded and turned away.
They watched him walk away for a few moments, basking in Lion-O's achievement.
Then, she sighed. "We should collect our supplies and go."
"I couldn't agree more." Lion-O cast a look around. "I've had enough of this town."
"Is that because you've proven yourself the best duelist and to have the best sword?" she teased him.
He chuckled. "Well…"
It was her turn to laugh as they walked away.
It was nearly sunset when they returned to the Thundertank. It was hard to believe all the excitement of the Swordsman's Town had happened in one day, let alone the afternoon.
She could hear metal clanking as they approached, the all-too familiar sound of metal being hammered.
Cheetara leaned against the Thundertank watching them approach with a relaxed posture despite her crossed arms. Tygra knelt in front of it with a wrench, she thought from the metallic click-ing she heard. WilyKit sat atop it, near her brother who seemed to have been roped into helping Panthro and Tygra. Panthro was poised over one of the wheels, an open panel obscuring her view of him.
Cheetara watched them tiredly.
It wasn't until Snarf let out a soft meow that the others noticed them.
Leaning around the panel, Panthro demanded, "What in the name of Thundera took you so blasted long?"
Lion-O set the supplies down while Leopara reached down to scoop up Snarf.
"We were, um…"
"Off enjoying the breeze while we do all the hard work." Tygra accused him.
She and Lion-O exchanged a glance and small smile. Lion-O shrugged. "Something like that." In her arms, Snarf snickered.
Lion-O approached Tygra, rubbing the back of his head as he offered up more of an explanation. Cheetara joined them, "eager to hear this."
Leopara smiled, watching them- glad it was Lion-O and not her.
Thank you everyone for reading! A special thank you to The Night Whisperer and Heart of the Demons, your reviews always make me smile! Sadly I got sick last week and got thrown out of my writing groove; don't worry, though, there'll still be a chapter next week! Ideally, I'll finish my next chapter around the time I upload the other ^_^;