Chapter 12: Versus
Today is the day.
The tournament is going on right now and people are going crazy over the fights that have been happening. The most memorable one is the guy throwing dust grenades at his opponents. Apparently, someone took it upon himself to throw one of his grenades at him back, which set up a chain reaction to the poor bastard. Luckily he's alright, the wonders of Aura.
For me, well right now I'm seeing my mom walk around the room ranting about where the headmaster is at.
"I swear this man has always been the most annoying person to find when you need him the most! Every time back when I was a student that MotherF."
Yea, it's really something seeing her lose it like this. But then again at least it's not at me... Yet.
"Don't worry Mom. I'm sure he will turn up soon."
I really hope so, and soon I need her to leave in an hour so I can get ready.
"He better. I know you are not fighting but that doesn't mean Pyrrha is getting ready for nothing. Ah! I should have told her yesterday when I saw her. Maybe I should go and find her."
"No!"
She stops by the door ready to leave "Why not?"
"Well she could be with her mother and I really don't feel like now is the best time for that."
Also, I don't trust you two being anywhere near each other.
"Look it's fine. In any case, she will come by the room and I will explain what happened."
"You know for a 14-year-old you really are mature."
Aw, don't hit me with pity right now Mom. I am lying through my teeth here.
"Ehe, I mean you did raise me well, haha."
"I know. Well, I think now is the perfect time to relax and watch the tournament."
'Okay, Seth think I need Mom to leave for a good two hours what can she do?'
Well, one is that she goes and finds the headmaster, but I think she got tired of that. Two I can try to convince her to leave me alone for a good hour, but I don't think it will be easy. Or three piss her off, which will leave me in more trouble.
"Is something wrong sweet heart?"
Yes, I need you to leave and go for a walk or... Wait I got it!
"I'm just upset that my notebook that I brought here is still in my room I was hoping that I could have gotten it before I finish my round."
"Oh, the notebook with your little song?"
"Yea. I was hoping to write more in it."
"Hmmm... Well if it's so important to you. How about I go and get it? But it is a long walk to the hotel we were at."
She is trying to make a deal with me; this could be the only way to get her to leave if anything the walk to the hotel is not too long about a good 30 minutes tops from here to back.
"How about we make a deal? What would you like?"
"Hmmm. How about you tell me what you have written in it for so long and why it was a song?"
You know I had a feeling she would ask about that. Hmm, maybe I can make something up. But if she somehow finds out I was fighting I think the book would be the last of her worries.
Sigh..." Fine, I'll tell you what I have been writing in that."
"Good it's a deal." she starts walking to the door but stops.
Perfect with her gone I would be able to get ready and get my equipment from the locker room, and with the sword, I got yesterday under my bed I can simply just rush through all of this. Hopefully.
"Seth. I need to ask you something. What do you think of the headmaster?"
The headmaster? Lionheart that's a weird thing to ask.
"Well, he seems like a nice guy from what I saw of him. Haven also looks like a nice place."
I for some reason have a strange feeling about him.
"Really nothing at all?"
"..."
"Sweet heart you can tell me."
Sigh..."I just have a bad feeling about him, Mom. You told me to trust my heart on the matter and that is what is telling me."
"... You know. When I was a student back then, I never had that feeling when talking to him. But recently I can see it in his eyes that he's hiding something I don't know what."
So Mom also saw it too. Something is wrong with the guy. He seems like a nice person and all, but I really got this feeling that won't go away.
"Mom... Please be careful around him."
She just smile back.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be back."
I really hope I'm wrong about this.
After a good thirty minutes, its time to make my move.
'Ok let's do this.'
I remove the blanket on top of me revealing my combat pants, I reach into the right pocket and take out a pill.
"Hopefully these painkillers help me with any future pain."
"I wouldn't take that if I were you kid."
sigh... This guy really just likes to pop into my room huh?
"What do you want old man?"
"Ouch kid and here I thought we were cool with all of the 'I'll keep your little secret safe from your mom.' But I see that you still trying to-"
"What do you want Qrow?"
"Well... I came to see if you were backing out. If your mother was here but seeing her leave a few minutes back I can tell you are getting ready."
"Yea well, I'm about to leave." I try moving my legs to the edge of my bed getting ready to stand up. I looked up at him
"Are you going to stop me?"
"No...If anything I just want to see how you walk."
Well, it's not easy I'll tell you that. Ok just like last time 1...2...
I jump off my bed and land on my feet.
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...
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AHHHHHHHHHHH!
...
And it's gone!
I turn to him and look him in the eyes.
"See easy as pie." I try to smile but with the tears in my eyes, he knows I was lying.
"...Kid concentrate your Aura on the part that hurts."
I can do that? Well, let's give it a try.
I close my eyes and try to concentrate on my legs more important the part that hurts me.
'Relax and send your Aura to my legs.'
I don't know if I was doing it but the pain in my legs was starting to die down and the more I focus the more it started to feel better.
I open my eyes and saw that the lower part of my body was glowing blue.
"Wow... Freaky."
"Just keep in mind that you need to focus on that part of your legs or else the pain might return."
"So... I can focus on any part of my body and it won't feel any pain?
"As long if you got Aura then yea. By the way, you better hurry I think your match will begin soon."
"Right! Thanks Qrow."
I start to walk and to my surprise, no pain was happening, not even like yesterday when my Aura was flickering.
'Wow. All I need to do is concentrate. This could be a challenge when I start fighting Pyrrha.'
I turn around and pick up my sunglasses to put them on, then turn to my bed and fall to the ground to get my sword from under it.
"Let's see it should be... Aha, I got it."
I pull out the katana that I bought yesterday
'Ok let's see ' I pull off the sheath of the katana to inspect it 'Huh the sheath is made of metal that's a weird design but if it's made of metal maybe I can use it.' Then I start to inspect the katana 'Well it's not a double edge sword, but it will get the job done.'
With that, I put the katana back into its sheath and started to walk out the door.
I stop
"Any words of advise?"
...
"... Put on a show kid."
Not the type of advice I was expecting but I'll take it.
"Thanks."
POV: Qrow
"Damn kid... He's going to get in so much trouble after today.
I pull out my scroll and send a text.
'He's the next fight.'
...
...
Message sent!
POV: Seth
OK... In a few minutes I am up and about to fight Pyrrha.
Stay calm everything is going to be ok.
RING! RING!
The ring made me jump a little. I quickly check my scroll and see that Mom just send me a message.
"Oh please tell me you are not on the way here."
'Sweet heart I found your book and I'm on my way back to the school hopefully, I'll be back in about 10 minutes! :)'
Shit that quick!
Ok, no need to panic I can maybe end the match quickly! OH, who am I kidding this is Pyrrha I'm talking about, If anything this match will take a good 20 minutes to end. Think Seth Think!
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...
...
Wait I got it!
'Hey mom you think you can bring some food for us to eat? Not going to lie this hospital food is not the best -_- '
Please work Please work!
Ring!
'Sure anything you like?'
'Nah Surprise me! Just make sure it's good food.'
Ok, that's done. Hopefully, it will keep her busy for the next 30 minutes at best.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Your up next kid get to the stage entrance!"
Ok, show time!
I focus my Aura on my legs and get up from my seat.
I walk up to the mirror next to me and fix my belt. Sadly I only have one Dust Grenade this round. The rest of my grenades are back in my hotel room. If I went to get them My mom would have freaked out and found out I was going to fight.
Well, we work on what we got then.
I pick out the Katana and put it on my back. And walk out of the room.
POV: Saff
I wonder what I should get?
If I remember correctly there was a ramen shop just around the corner from here.
I was walking down the streets of Mistral just like in the old days, but this time I was alone. I sometimes wonder if we never took on that mission in our final year. Maybe we all would have lived our lives as a family.
'No. No need to think of the past. The past is the past it'll never change... Huh, maybe I'll read a little more of that song I was reading.
I enter the shop and go to the counter.
"Hi, can I get two orders of the special ramen of the south please."
The shop keep nods and heads to the back of the store to prepare the food.
I take a seat at one of the tables and pull out my son's book and open it looking at all the songs he had made over the years.
'You know, if you would have decided to become a musician, I would have supported you all that way, Sweet heart.'
"And We are back with the Mistral Regional Tournament! Our next match is-"
"Oh dear, I really hope Pyrrha is not too upset with Seth when she walks out. That damn Headmaster is going to pay for this."
"Pyrrha Nikos!"
Outcome Pyrrha holding what looks like a javelin and shield waving to the crowd
"Versus Seth Sapphire!"
...
...
'Poor Pyrrha I really hope she-'
I look at the tv screen and see my son walking out.
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...
Both contenders meet in the center of the arena and they start talking to each other.
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Then Seth takes off his sunglasses making everyone in the Arena go quiet when he opens his eyes.
..
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"Your order is ready ma'am."
I turn to the shop owner and hand him the money.
I pick up the food and his notebook and start to walk out of the shop.
"Wait ma'am your change!"
I stop in my tracks and turn to the man.
"Keep it!" I tell him in a calm voice. But my face was anything but calm.
"Oh Thank you!" With that, he rushes back behind his shop.
I start walking back to the school with one goal in mind.
..
...
...
"Seth you are so dead! Until you become a huntsman!"
POV: Seth
"Pyrrha Nikos!"
Outcomes Pyrrha waving to the crowd. Looking at her now at least she has Armor, even though it is only in her legs.
'Man her kicks are going to hurt aren't they.'
Oh well, at least this will be a good fight.
"Versus Seth Sapphire!"
I start to walk out of the Arena entrance.
I look around and see people cheering at us. and see cameras all around us.
'Great I now remember this is broadcasted live. Oh well.'
For some reason, I felt a shiver going down my back.
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...
...
I am so fucked after today.
I walk to the center of the arena to meet up with Pyrrha.
"Hello there."
"Hello again."
We just laugh at that.
"Hey! Look at us, huh who would have thought... Not me"
"Yes, I am still surprised that we both made it. I was mostly hoping that it would happen in a later match but I think this is better."
"Well, we get what we get. Can't complain right."
"Yes... Seth, can I make a request?"
"Umm... Sure but if you are telling me to quit now you are just wasting your breath."
"No! gods no. I was hoping you would fight me without your sunglasses. I know you don't like people staring at you, but I want to see your eyes when we fight. Seth, can you please help me."
That's a really weird request Pyrrha is asking of me. Sure I really don't like it when people stare at me, but then again everyone has their eyes on us, so... Hell, why not.
I smile at her and I reach for my glasses and take them off my face while keeping my eyes closed.
I put them in my side pocket and face her.
"You better give it all you got Nikkos! because I'm going for this win!"
I open my eyes, and everyone goes quiet.
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...
...
"Is he Blind?!"
'ALL OF MY HATE!'
"Trust me Sapphire! I am the one who is going to win this!" Pyrrha gets into a battle stance.
I reach into my back and pull out the katana while moving the sheath to my side just in case I need to use it.
I get into a stance. From a name, I've not heard in a long time.
...
...
I really miss those movies.
"Both Contenders ready!"
We both nod.
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"FIGHT!"
If you were to tell me fighting your friend would be easy. I would have laughed at you and beat you down for talking about my friend like that.
CRASH!
We have known each other for so long that it feels like we almost knew everything about each other.
CRASH!
Sure. I feel like we don't tell each other everything, but friendships do have secrets even the best of friends... Oh, so she does have a gun.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
I try my best to block some of the shots. But to do that I need to focus.
Ack!
Yea, trying to focus on two things at once is pretty hard to do when you also need to keep your Aura up for your legs.
"Ah shit." I hiss.
I take a knee and look up and see Pyrrha with a surprised face. But that quickly goes away and starts to rush me.
'Shit need a second to focus.'
I quickly pull out my last grenade off my belt and throw it in front of Pyrrha.
"Go my child hold down the neutral!"
The moment the grenade hit the floor, a strong gust of wind blows in the direction of Pyrrha.
Once Pyrrha saw the grenade hit the ground she raise her shield to cover any explosions, but she wasn't expecting a gust of wind to blow her back a good distance away from me.
'Ok, Focus! Focus!'
Drawing my Aura to my legs I quickly get back up and try to rush her.
I can't do any risky moves that would involve my legs. I guess I can only do blocks and strikes at this point.
As I get closer to her I reach to my side and pull out the sheath making use of the metal. hopefully, this will be enough for blocking her attacks.
With a quick slash down she blocks the attack with her shield and tries to counter with her Javalin that I also block it with my sheath.
With our weapons locked with each other. We both lock eyes. Her vivid green eyes met my white eyes.
Seeing the passion in her eyes on how badly she wanted to win this and seeing my eyes with the determination to continue fighting.
We both just smiled at each other...and kept going.
Strikes after strikes.
Blocks after blocks.
Parries after parries.
We knew each other too well to let the other have the advantage. We have seen each other fight, seen each other train, and seen each other weaknesses.
However, there was one thing we don't know about each other.
Our Semblance.
Does she have one? Or does she know I have one?
Many questions, not many answ-
ACK!
I get sent back when she blocks one of my attacks and kicks me in the chest.
Right Focus I can't be thinking all the time. I need to stay focused.
"Ow... Fuck why does she have heels now?"
I start rubbing my chest. and look back at my opponent.
'Shit... Why does it hurt I thought my Aura was supposed to protect me from... Oh, wait never mind I remember all focus is on my legs.'
Looking back at Pyrrha she just standing there looking at me with an upset face.
"... What's wrong?" I ask her trying to catch my breath.
"..."
I get back up getting ready to rush again only to be stopped.
"Are you even taking this seriously?"
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...
"Come again?"
"Are you taking this fight seriously Seth?!"
"Of course, I am, why would I not!?"
"I've seen the way you fight Seth! This is not how you fight!"
"Oh really! Then why are you not fighting seriously either Pyrrha!?"
"What! I am fighting serious Seth! It's you who are not!"
"..."
I mean she is not wrong, but I can't risk my legs getting even more mess up as they already are.
"Seth. We promise each other that if we fought that we would go all out. I was hoping this would happen and now I feel like this was just a waste!"
"..."
sigh..."I guess I should just end this then." Pyrrha starts to walk towards me.
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...
...
You know something. If this was somebody else I would have let it slide and just walked away... But now
Now I'm mad!
I let go of my weapons and start to take off my gloves. Once they're off I pick up the two weapons of my and start walking to her.
Once we meet with each other. Face to Face we both strike with the same results katana meeting shield. Javelin meeting Sheath. But this time with a different result.
The moment our weapons locked with each other I sent her a nice kick to her stomach sending her a few feet back.
'Fuck that hurts!'
"Ahh! Son of a -"
"Rah!" I look back up and see Pyrrha jump to attack me. With no time to block. I roll out of her way.
I turn and see her javelin transform into a sword.
'It has three transformations?!'
I quickly get back up but in doing so I feel a pain in both of my legs. I look down at them and see my Aura flicker a little.
'Oh great now I'm taking damage over time again, this need to end soon or else my Aura will break!'
I look back up and see Pyrrha just smiling. Realizing what she needs to attack to win this match.
Great.
She rushes again. Not taking any chances I hold my ground and try to play defensively. Blocking and Parrying any attack she throws at me.
Her attacks are fast and precise. If any of the attacks land it could hurt a lot. I try my best at blocking but the moment I felt pain in my legs a few hits land their mark on my body and one lands at my heart.
"AH! Fuck!" I Parrie the next attack with my sheath dropping my sword and throwing a punch at her face that connects, sending her to the ground.
I quickly put a hand on my heart to lessen the pain that it was already on, but then the drumbeat starts.
"No, not right now." I quickly tap my heart again, but it doesn't go away.
"What? No Not right now please not now, stop!"
It doesn't go away. As many times as I keep tapping my heart. It won't stop. I look at Pyrrha and see her with a confused face looking at me trying to understand what was going on with me.
"Seth, what is that sound?"
Tapping at my heart yea it's not going away and by the sound of it. It was only speeding up.
'Ok, this is not stopping. I think I just need to calm down and relax maybe then it wil-'
POW!
Ow! Son of a!
"Why!?"
"You punch me in the face!"
"You Stab me in the heart!"
"You punch me in the face, Seth!"
"You Stab me in the heart, Pyrrha!"
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...
"We are in the middle of a fight!"
"..."
I hate that she's always right!
"Well?!"
"Just give me a second please."
Ok stay calm and relax. Just like Mom told me, relax. Think of something relaxing something that always calm me when I was little.
I close my eyes and picture the happy time. Making friends... Well, I don't have a lot so next one. Going to school... Well, let's not think about that... Man, I really don't have any.
That's really sad now that I think about it.
Take a breath... Think of something...Think of... a song... a calm song.
A song to calm me when I'm sad. A song to calm me when I'm happy. A song that I always love when I heard it. A song from a fight.
There was one that came to mind... A song that was sped up but also had a slowed melody version.
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"Night Walker."
The drum beat soon was gone and was replaced with a slow piano beat.
Opening my eyes I can hear the new change of tune that came out of me.
"Huh... I didn't know I could do that."
"Seth. What is happening?"
"I think this is my semblance."
I don't know if it is. But I don't have a better explanation for why this tune was playing out of me. Oh well, I'll just go with this for now.
I look at the ground and pick up my weapon and look back at Pyrrha.
"Let's end this Pyrrha!"
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...
"Yes! Let's end this now Seth!"
'Let's see if this works. Let's speed up the tempo."
Night Walker (Linne's Theme)
We both rush at each other. Knowing this would be the final moments of our fight.
My sword met her shield. Her sword met my sheath. Blocks after blocks, stabs after stabs. We just fought and gave these people a show.
Pyrrha sending kicks while I return the favor. Me throwing punches at every opportunity and in return, she threw a few my way. We both ignore everything around us and just focus on ourselves. Nothing taking our attention away from us.
It was getting to the point that we both were getting tired. But no one was willing to give up.
CRASH!
CRASH!
Man, this is great! I don't know why but I feel so alive now! Is it the music that's helping me or is it the rush of this fight? Or maybe the fact that I finally lost my mind of all the pain that is happening in my legs that I'm trying to distract myself.
Whatever the case is, this win is mine and I'm not going to lose! I just need to push myself and end this match!
Just a little more and I can win.
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Just I little more!
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Just a Little...Huh, why is my blade glowing black?
Then for some reason when I went to swing at her, my sword was pushed far away when she parried one of my attacks by an unknown force that made me miss her.
Then I felt it.
The final blow.
SCHWING!
"Ack!"
BREAK!
Night Walker (Linne's Theme) ends!
"..."
"..."
Damn, I lost. My Aura broke. The song stops. And with the last remaining strength I have, I tell her.
"Huh...Your win. Pyrrha."
I fall face-first on the floor.
"Ow... Big mistake."
"Seth, are you ok?"
"Yea... I made the mistake of falling on my face. It hurts a lot now."
"The winner of the match goes to Pyrrha Nikos!"
The crowd erupts in cheers for the winner of the match but said winner only had her eyes on her friend trying to help him up.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like I just fought for my life against a crazy person."
"Well, said crazy person is helping you up at the moment."
She try getting me up but I had to decline the invitation.
"Pyrrha wait I can't get up!"
"Huh? Why not."
"..."
"Seth, what's wrong do you need a medic?"
"Well. Don't get mad but I kind of broke both of my legs."
"What! How I barely landed hits on your legs."
"...Pyrrha just call the medic and I'll tell you back in the room. Go enjoy your win with your mom."
"Well ok, you better keep your word then."
"I will."
I lay there on the ground waiting for the medical team to carry off the ring and I close my eyes.
sigh...' Hope this doesn't become a running trend for me.'
...
"Oh hello, Miss Sapphire how are you?"
I open my eyes and look up. And see my Mom walking toward us.
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...
I flip my body in the opposite direction from her and start to crawl away.
"Seth! Where are you going?"
No please I want to live!
"Sweet heart, how about we take you to your room."
I turn to see my mom smiling at me with a sinister smile I have ever seen in my life.
Yep, I'm dead.