Trey had been prepared to face the enemy. Or at least as much as he could've been.
He wasn't too thrilled about the idea of having to fight for Valter again, but he felt a need to see Marina again.
Although... I don't know what I would even say to her...
His thoughts were conflicted. Some regret seemed to seep through his mind; however, he wouldn't go back on something he had already done.
Trey's life had already started shifting towards the better, so his drive to meet Marina was more of his own way of trying to cut off loose ends than anything.
As soon as he gave a few words in response to Lira, he immediately took off to begin the fight.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Lira, who had also dashed ahead to try and split off from the group.
Trey couldn't care much about her response, as his goal was to deal with her and her alone.
He sliced downwards after moving in range, which was quickly dodged by Lira, who then manifested a pale wooden sword out of thin air.
Then she backstepped, allowing for some room between the two before allowing a shimmering green light to imbue her sword from her palm.
"Element infusion," Trey mumbled in awe as he watched Lira plant herself down into a stance. "I didn't know she was a master of the sword."
To master the sword, there were multiple steps to take before reaching the pinnacle of the blade. The first breaking point, in which swordsmen take a leap in physical strength—pushing past the limits of the natural human body—was called sword infusion.
Trey had learned sword infusion in his late teenage years, and it was also what allowed him to become a knight of the council. It was a skill that relied on mana control to infuse your sword with mana, resulting in the sword acting as a perfect extension of one's body.
However, the next step in terms of physical breakthrough was called element infusion. Trey, to this day, was unable to push past his limits and achieve that level of power.
Element infusion was not only the mastery of the sword, but the integration of your own magic type in your swordplay.
The penultimate unity between magic and sword.
And the woman in front of Trey was an example of this.
This will likely be rough...
"I'm sorry, you seem like a well-respected knight, but a knight that fights for a cause that dirties the peace and prosperity of the land can never win against someone who graces the world by blooming into a rich and elegant flower."
Lira smirked as she raised her sword, causing a blue light to pierce the sky above her; it curved into a grand display of multiple petals about the sky, illustrating a flower. Lira stood planted still, almost appearing as the stem of said flower.
The light then shot forward at Trey in a beautiful swipe of colorful petals.
Trey responded by swinging his own momentum forward while deflecting with his own blade. He then raised his left hand like a finger gun—it was aimed right at Lira's face.
An automatic sound erupted as gears turned in the glove, and half a second later a discharge of radiant blue electricity sprang out towards Lira.
But Lira simply swung her sword downwards, dispersing the attack and allowing another slash of light to fling itself at Trey.
Trey then snapped his fingers with the glove, causing a spark to ignite. A flame rose up and danced on his left palm, and bringing it close to his mouth, he blew outwards, spreading the flame forwards, cloaking his presence in a giant realm of fire, while also stopping the slash.
Unfortunately for him, Lira could still have a decent grasp on his location behind the wall of fire due to her keen magical senses surrounding life force.
So, taking hold of her opportunity, Lira prepared to take a strike, collecting her mana in her blade. The sword was only wooden and couldn't contain the power entirely, resulting in cracks forming constantly, but the mana continuously pulsed through—repairing the blade.
Trey tried to take a breather while sitting behind the wall of flames, but his rest did not last very long. Without warning, a giant flash of light broke through the flames, homing in directly on his location.
Reacting just at the very last second, Trey brought up his sword; however, it wasn't in a strong enough position to parry or even channel power for a counterattack.
Trey was pushed backwards as his sword stayed in contact with the attack.
He grit his teeth as he tried to plant himself better, taking on the pressure at full force. His sword was of excellent quality, and his life was in the hands of that fact. If the sword broke, he was as good as dead.
Lira was already chasing after him, gracefully cutting through the flames as if they were paper.
Realizing that if he didn't deal with the attack, he would lose, Trey brought his gloved hand forward and swiped at the slash.
His left hand rebounded from the swipe, and Trey grunted in pain. He didn't have much time to waste, though, as Lira was already meters in front of him, ready to strike.
Trey dashed forward, and swords clashed. Both of them began swinging at impeccable speeds, as they deflected and countered one another.
I'm only still hanging on because she has a wooden sword... Her power is astounding.
Trey was able to keep up with blocking; however, blocking was all he was doing. He was being overwhelmed with the sheer speed and power—unable to even think of throwing in attacks of his own.
I need to find an opening!
Even just one is enough!
Slowly, Lira began to overwhelm Trey. Shallow cuts started to emerge across his arms and legs. Although he was still able to prevent his own demise, it was obvious that if he didn't do something, he was going to lose.
Trey then, after constantly deflecting, finally found an opportunity to recollect himself and put space in between the two.
One of the slashes curved slightly off, and he used the edge of his blade to parry, allowing the momentum to blast himself backwards almost ten meters away.
I don't have much of a choice, do I?
I won't be able to handle a fight for much longer, or at least until I find a proper opening...
And my left hand is aching from the attack it blocked.
Trey raised his sword into a high guarding position before, gripping the hilt with both hands despite the intense pain.
Blue mana surged from his mechanical glove into the sword.
Lira raised her eyebrow, noticing the difference in the blade.
"Element infusion...?" She questioned herself as she prepared for the attack. "No...it's too focused on the sword, and he would've used it earlier for it to be th—"
Without even being able to react, Lira's arm was blown off. Flying high up into the air in an arc, her non-sword arm gushed blood out of the wound as it landed on the ashen dirt.
The attack had sliced perfectly, but luckily for Lira, if she hadn't made a slight movement, it would've been her right hand that was cut off. Although the current situation tore off an entire limb, the alternative would've resulted in the inability to properly wield her sword.
"Damn it. Damn it. DAMN IT ALL!"
Although he had been the one to land the blow, Trey seemed even more distraught than Lira.
I couldn't take her dominant hand... It's over...
He huffed out a puff of air in exhaustion.
I give up.
Lira was bleeding from her left shoulder, but still kept her stance with her blade held high. To her surprise, however, Trey threw his sword onto the ground and raised his arms.
"I surrender," said Trey while coughing lightly. "It's my defeat."
"I'm going to assume that ability of yours only works once, am I right?"
"Yes, there isn't any reason to continue if defeat is inevitable."
"Do you have no resolve? Where is a knight's honor and pride? You were doing well prior to showing your trump card. There is always a chance for an awakening of sorts. A swordsman gains the most inspiration on the battlefield."
"A knight is only a knight as long as they're living. What use is that title when I've already passed?"
"I don't like you, little boy. Your predecessors were built upon the code of honor for knights. Do you have no shame giving up so easily?"
"Oh... I haven't given up."
Lira inched closer to Trey and pointed her sword close to his neck.
"How so? Spill it, you shitty knight."
"Why do you even fight, Lira? I'd recommend leaving right now. Your cause should've already left this world by now. Thalen will be killed."
"No, I trust that your boss Valter has been stalled enough. Your little sister will likely be the one to bring the boy across the border."
"Will she? I believe running away from the current situation is a more appropriate response to expect from her, is it not?"
"Yes, but it's quite obvious that her only way of escaping is still at the border. The forces we have ready are more than enough to ward off Valter."
"Do you really think people think properly when they are afraid?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"Fear can mold the minds of anyone."
"Even so, Sir Trey," Lira mockingly emphasized his title. "You act as if I don't have Valter's favorite knight as a hostage."
"You're mistaken, Miss. I'm nothing more than a pawn. Valter Ascension would like nothing more than to throw me away to gain any plausible advantage."
"Is that so? Well, seems we will have to see. I am currently not in a state where I can run after them."
While holding Trey hostage, Lira began treating her wound by creating a tight band of vines around it, in order to stop the blood flow.
It's all up to my allies then.
Lira thought as she winced in agony.
I hope they're all fine.
For my sake and their own.