Note: Sorry for the big gap. Gonna be honest, writing block hits hard the first time around. Personally, I feel like the realization went on a bit longer than it should have, and I know some people agree it's getting a little boring. Again, this is my first real writing project, and at least from this, I have found long fight scenes to be particularly hard to keep fresh. It also hit around when I had finals and a trip to see family for Christmas, so when I got back, I just didn't feel like writing. But hey! I'm back! For now at least. Teth is almost done. It will go 2.12, then a big interlude, and finally 2.13 before heading into HE. I won't quit working on this fic. This is the last fight scene for this segment for those who don't know what realizations are.
-The Light of Brockton Bay-
- Victoria's POV
A wave of nausea hits me. I'm unsure what to call the act of shattering space, but it feels worse this time. It feels hot; I can feel my tears drying rapidly on my cheeks, but the blood from the cut on my stomach is still trickling. I can hear a sword sliding into its sheath as the rift in my vision seals itself.
A cold breeze gently caresses my face. I can see the air move slowly, carrying a mist that's light enough not to block my view. A forest of trees acts like stones in a river for the passing breeze. Leaves rustle and shift around me in the wind, paired with a distinct lack of crunching of footsteps. 'Wait. Isn't it a little too quiet right now?'
I glance in every direction and realize I'm alone. The six Protectorate heroes I was with are nowhere to be seen. Realizing this, I bring my fists up defensively. I'm in a forest in the middle of nowhere—or is this just another place made by Taylor? I look up at the almost perfect night sky. The stars are beautiful and vibrant; it's the clearest I have ever seen them. Can Taylor even make a place like this? Before we were always indoors, but this looks to be outside, unless this night sky is some sort of projection.
I fly up past the tree line until I end up hitting a ceiling of some kind. It's strange; I can see the night sky, and it still looks normal, but it's like an invisible barrier. I punch it. Nothing happens. I want out of this. This wasn't supposed to happen. I'm not prepared for this kind of fight. Normally I just thrash whatever needs to be thrashed. If Squealer makes a Killdozer, I break it in half. If Oni Lee is out terrorizing the docks, I fight him until he retreats.
What do I do against someone I know who's having a mental breakdown? Especially when said breakdown is most likely justified? I'm not a therapist. I hear something break from the spot I'm beating, and with a final slam, the sky cracks open slightly. What I can only describe as pure light seeps out of the crack I made. A lot of my family has powers that use hard light weapons, but those don't compare to what's in front of me.
I only get a fleeting glimpse before it seals itself. 'I guess there isn't an easy way out.' In the distance, I can see a clearing with a structure. It's hard to make out details when it's this far, but I can at least see some lights illuminating part of it. As I get closer, it gets clearer for me. The lights are lanterns with a flame flickering inside. The building has no walls; instead, it's held up by a large circle of pillars. The building has a Japanese look to it. The floor is made of wood, and I can see the... gashes in it. Training dummies lean against some of the support. 'Is this a training ground?'
As I step into the dojo, the flames of the lantern brighten considerably. In the center of the arena is a person who I'm assuming is Taylor. She's wearing a plated black samurai garb with a simple five-petal red flower painted in the middle. She wears a mask that reminds me of Oni Lee, although the horns on this one are bigger. Strapped to her side is a sword made of pitch-black metal that turns grey near its edge.
"You have arrived." The voice sounds like Taylor, a bit lower than normal.
"Where is everyone?" I ask while I look around without turning my head.
Taylor, still standing motionless, lets the question hang in the air. "They will not be joining this fight." Her voice rises in volume a touch. "Those cowards don't deserve a dignified fight."
I feel my heart sink. "What did you do to them?"
Taylor pulls starts to pull her katana out with her right arm. "I have done nothing." She abruptly stops the motion and says, "Yet," before pulling it out fully.
"The heroes have had years to clean out the bay, and yet they can't even clear up the Merchants. They have wards doing things I would expect from an Empire member. How deep does this go? How many people like me have been silenced? I may never know, but I do know one thing." Taylor changes her grip from a one-handed style to a two-handed style. "I refuse to take it lying down."
I digest her words before replying a little sheepishly. "Then why am I here?"
"Because you aren't them." Seeing my confusion, Taylor continues. "You charge headfirst into every fight. It doesn't matter if it's the smallest or the biggest villain; you always take up the role of a vanguard. People may mock you for the trait, but that is the kind of inspired bravery that this world needs."
"Even here you lead the charge against me. I can see the worry in your eyes... and..." Taylor shakes her head. "No. I can't blame you for this." She raises the sword at me. "However, you are still in my way. You still believe that there will be a happy ending. Do you truly believe that you have the strength to change the fate I know will come?"
This is the first time in a very long time that I feel weak, but I nod my head anyway. "I know you're in a bad spot, and it might look like you're going to go to jail." 'Or be Birdcaged.' I thought but left it out. "But if you just tell them your story, I'm sure they can see your side. They might look bad to you; at least I see them differently now, but I don't think they would blame you."
Again, there was a hanging silence. "Then show me. Face me in a fair and honourable fight. Show me you have the strength to see your words through. If you can beat me, then this battle ends, and the heroes can go home." Taylor throws the sword she was holding in such a way that it lands sticking in the ground in front of me. "I cannot start a duel against an opponent with no weapon."
That got me to smile and raise an eyebrow. "You do know I have no training in a sword, right? I only use my fists. We just fought; you should know this. Besides, don't you need a sword too?" I only notice it after I finish my sentence, but she somehow already has another identical sword in her hands.
"You need no training to wield this sword." That sounds... ominous. I slowly reach out my hand before quickly grasping the sword.
The feeling is almost indescribable. I feel... alive. The rush—the sword itself calls for me to rush in with no abandon. To inspire the charge against the oncoming tide. To inspire hope in a hopeless battle. The weapon feels almost made for me.
"Are you ready?"
I can barely contain myself. "YES!" I'm so distracted with this new-found feeling I don't even notice the blue flame that flickers above my head.
I launch myself forward, sword raised. I have to take the initiation. Steel clashes and sparks fly. The ground crunches under the weight of my blow. Taylor throws off my sword by arcing hers over her head before swiping at me.
A quick side step to the left and a parry from me left us both in a neutral position. From there, we continued to fight. I preferred heavy blows; while it might look sloppy, there was still technique behind the style. Taylor relied more on precision and deflects. Each swing was perfectly accurate, and each parry was followed by a swift counterattack.
Eventually, I gained the upper hand. I could feel the sweat run down my face, but it didn't distract me. 'THERE.' Taylor executed a parry incorrectly, and I struck. My sword hit her left arm and partially cleaved through the armour she was wearing. Blood dripped from the wound and my blade, but we both didn't stop.
It only spurred me to go faster. To hit harder. To feel the glory of battle. It was in my name, wasn't it? My movement starts to become erratic. I just need to fight harder. I purposefully leave a few spots on my body open so that I can find more aggressive angles.
Taylor takes advantage of my aggressiveness and lands another strike on my stomach. I barely even register that it goes straight through my shield.
My cross-cut breaks her guard and slashes her right shoulder. The air ripples with a quick flurry of blows. Our forms start to lose their edge as we both get tired. A few light cuts from her manage to slip through, followed by a wide strike into her abdomen by me.
I did not expect her to pommel strike my face, though. It briefly stuns me before searing pain hits my face and my left eye goes dark. I should be panicking. I lost my eye, but I can't bring myself to worry. It doesn't matter if I lost an eye. I have to be glorious in the fight. I have to inspire. I have to be—the flame turns red.
Reckless.
Before the swing finishes, I'm on her again.
She swings to my right. I ignore it
My lunge pierces through the very edge of her neck.
I rip my sword out to the side, which leaves me open.
I barely dodge. I can feel a part of my ear being sliced off, but it's okay.
My sword swings overhead, which Taylor dodges with a quick spin to the right.
She uses her momentum to do a spinning slash. I rush forward.
I grab her handle, even with the sword partially embedded in my hand, and headbutt her.
She stumbles, and I slam my pommel into her face before using my flight to follow up with a heavy slash.
As Taylor tumbles backwards, I feel something click inside me.
The world seems too narrow. My hands become covered in gauntlets. "Even as I crumble, I stand glorious in battle." Time seems to dilate and stretch, and in an instant, I'm on the other side of Taylor, a fresh wound on her side that goes through more than half of her torso. Just as she turns around from the blow, I dash again and hit her with my second and final piercing attack.
It blows her entire right shoulder off. Taylor stumbles for a step and a half, then collapses on the ground in front of me. "I guess... you won." Her breathing is laboured and erratic. She starts to fade into light, and so does the rest of the scenery. Trees turn into wrecked furniture, and the training grounds fade into a concrete floor.
I can feel my vision starting to fade. Looking down with my right eye, I can see why. I'm covered in blood, and a lot of it is mine. I feel... faint, and... light. I think... I'm going to take... a nap now.
*Thunk*