Post by Demitraeus Dehlfvaen on Apr 26, 2017 0:06:22 GMT -5
Yes the start is kind of sudden but there's more before it, and the ending is a bit weird, but it continues after that.
---
Max was ready. Poised. Like a snake coiled for the strike, his body awaited the enemy's move.
The sword flashed out, meeting his opponent's blade in a loud clash. Three strikes. Three parries. Max's feet moved as freely as his arms, stepping quickly as his body moved in and out with the strikes. A hard lunge. There were sparks as the blades collided, ebony and green sliding against his shining steel. A relatively still moment, their blades locked, testing strength. Max gave a tentative shift, allowing the enemy's push to carry past him. Still, the ebony and green blade met his hard strike, the Nightshade recovering quickly. But that was all he needed. Now Max was on the attack, testing his opponent's limits. Slashing left and right, lunging at every opportunity, sweat working upon his brow. Bit by bit, the Nightshade was forced back, however, it still met every blow with equal speed and accuracy, clearly in a fair fight with Max. Silence was all around the duel, only the pair's heavy breathing and the clash of the swords sounded. Just as they neared the corner of the hexagon arena, the pain in his leg hit him again. Max's footing was lost, if only for a moment, but that moment was all the Nightshade needed to turn the tides back. It easily sidestepped Max's sloppy swing, and it took every bit of his effort not to let out a yelp as the blade nicked across Max's shoulder, almost breaking through his weak block. But that only lit the fire inside him ever brighter, and he met each strike after that with power, sparks flying again here and there. He was pushed back only to the center of the ring before he landed a scratch across the Nightshade's thigh in return. Letting out a fierce cry, the enemy pushed in twice as hard now, and Max met it with as much fury.
For Cryssa. For his own life. For the Greater Good. The blades were a blur now, sparks flying with every savage strike. The battle turned in his favor once more, and it proved to be the final time. As he parried the Nightshade's lunge, with a deft twist of the wrist the enemy's guard was flung open and Max's boot met it's chest in a crunch, sending the Nightshade stumbling backwards right to the edge of the arena. Max was there in an instant, their blades locked again, but with a strong push, it was over. The Nightshade's stance slipped across the line, and Max stepped back as it fell ungracefully to the ground. Max, now alone in the center of the hexagon, raised his sword in victory.
"I claim now what is rightfully mine," he declared. "I leave now in peace, after defeating your leader in fair combat. May the Nightshades forever fear the name of Maximos!" his voice echoed in clear triumph. He stepped over to Cryssa, sheathing his sword, and she fell into his arms. Clearly frightened, tears filled her eyes as she embraced him. "It's okay, Cryssa. I've got you now." He murmured, and they turned to the Nightshade leader, who was being picked up off the ground by two others.
"You fight well, Maximos," the Nightshade leader rasped. "Go now in peace. I will send an escort with you back to the Overrealm through our portal." Max nodded, and three other Nightshades stepped forwards, leading them from the arena, into a different part of the cavern, and up a long sloping path towards the portal.
---
Max was ready. Poised. Like a snake coiled for the strike, his body awaited the enemy's move.
The sword flashed out, meeting his opponent's blade in a loud clash. Three strikes. Three parries. Max's feet moved as freely as his arms, stepping quickly as his body moved in and out with the strikes. A hard lunge. There were sparks as the blades collided, ebony and green sliding against his shining steel. A relatively still moment, their blades locked, testing strength. Max gave a tentative shift, allowing the enemy's push to carry past him. Still, the ebony and green blade met his hard strike, the Nightshade recovering quickly. But that was all he needed. Now Max was on the attack, testing his opponent's limits. Slashing left and right, lunging at every opportunity, sweat working upon his brow. Bit by bit, the Nightshade was forced back, however, it still met every blow with equal speed and accuracy, clearly in a fair fight with Max. Silence was all around the duel, only the pair's heavy breathing and the clash of the swords sounded. Just as they neared the corner of the hexagon arena, the pain in his leg hit him again. Max's footing was lost, if only for a moment, but that moment was all the Nightshade needed to turn the tides back. It easily sidestepped Max's sloppy swing, and it took every bit of his effort not to let out a yelp as the blade nicked across Max's shoulder, almost breaking through his weak block. But that only lit the fire inside him ever brighter, and he met each strike after that with power, sparks flying again here and there. He was pushed back only to the center of the ring before he landed a scratch across the Nightshade's thigh in return. Letting out a fierce cry, the enemy pushed in twice as hard now, and Max met it with as much fury.
For Cryssa. For his own life. For the Greater Good. The blades were a blur now, sparks flying with every savage strike. The battle turned in his favor once more, and it proved to be the final time. As he parried the Nightshade's lunge, with a deft twist of the wrist the enemy's guard was flung open and Max's boot met it's chest in a crunch, sending the Nightshade stumbling backwards right to the edge of the arena. Max was there in an instant, their blades locked again, but with a strong push, it was over. The Nightshade's stance slipped across the line, and Max stepped back as it fell ungracefully to the ground. Max, now alone in the center of the hexagon, raised his sword in victory.
"I claim now what is rightfully mine," he declared. "I leave now in peace, after defeating your leader in fair combat. May the Nightshades forever fear the name of Maximos!" his voice echoed in clear triumph. He stepped over to Cryssa, sheathing his sword, and she fell into his arms. Clearly frightened, tears filled her eyes as she embraced him. "It's okay, Cryssa. I've got you now." He murmured, and they turned to the Nightshade leader, who was being picked up off the ground by two others.
"You fight well, Maximos," the Nightshade leader rasped. "Go now in peace. I will send an escort with you back to the Overrealm through our portal." Max nodded, and three other Nightshades stepped forwards, leading them from the arena, into a different part of the cavern, and up a long sloping path towards the portal.
