The rapier glided towards my heart, the movement slow and measured. The Duelist was feeling me out, searching for my strengths and weaknesses without overcommitting to anything. He was taking me seriously, and I knew I had to do the same.
I didn't swing my sword, as there was no point. Instead I stepped to the side, and raised a hand at the figure who immediately made distance as the mana gathered in my hand.
"Agi." The fire plumed forwards, the Duelist easily evading the attack as it crashed into the ground in front of him. The light distorted his shadow, Rose's words weren't lost on me, especially her second Rule which was repeatedly hammered into me, as forgetting it for even a moment could result in my heart being pierced from the inside.
Rule 2: Do not allow its shadow to connect to yours. Disrupt its shadow using light of any form, magical or otherwise. If its shadow connects to yours, if you lack what is known only as 'Intent' you will die unless you have sustainably higher parameters than him.
Intent. Knowledge of its existence guarded by high ranking Familias, legendary masters of their styles, and of course, the Guild itself. I should have no right to know about its existence. Nor should I have expected to exist in another world. So I didn't, and went along my way.
The Duelist threw out another probing strike, but instead of using my footwork to avoid it, I moved towards the attack with rapid focus. Dragging his blade down mine and locking it to my hilt in a burst of speed. The attack stopped in its tracks, but the fight wasn't over despite the sharp end of his rapier being aimed away from my chest.
The faceless figure reacted instantly, moving closer into my guard and drawing their blade tip upwards and leaning back slightly. I capitalized on the momentary weakness, poised to shove his blade out of the way. Until his blade spun, a secondary hand of his shooting from behind his back to hold his blade in place as he forced mine aside from his crouched position.
The sudden burst of power momentarily took me off guard. It had been quite some time since I'd actually fought someone who knew how to deal with proper swordsmanship.
This is going to be fun!
Going on the backfoot as a thrust aimed for my neck, I weaved my head to the side and whispered as his shadow began to merge with mine.
"Agi." The sudden explosion of light and heat directed at the ground beneath us pushed us both away from each other. This was going nowhere, which was honestly a shame because if I had to keep separating us how could I have an awesome duel and awaken to my Master's final lesson!?
Even if I won, this entire journey would be a waste if I couldn't learn anything. My sword fell to my side, and the Duelist poised itself not with hostility, but with intrigue.
Then a shiver ran through my entire body. Not one of fear, but of burgeoning excitement! The Duelists blade had completely vanished from sight. I could feel its approach, the faint sound of instinct on my body alerting me to the danger.
Despite my base senses screaming at me that the blade did not exist, I knew it was there. It was always there, and it would continue to be until this battle ended. My vision swam for a moment, and a feeling ever familiar returned to me.
I could only smile gently at the person who came to my mind. The visage of Syr smiling as we sparred, the emotions coming off of her body as we danced with weapons in hand. Syr smelled of flowers, love, and thrill.
The swordsman before me gave off the faint waft of regret, but overwhelming it was a sworn vigil that could not be crushed by his own internal desires. He was duty bound, and as a Duelist, what could he do but Duel?
Despite the faint shadows around his blade that told my mind to look away, I couldn't help but stare as the blade continued its approach. The shadow, its appearance half real and half unreal, flickered in and out of existence as I continued to watch its advance.
My awakening, her final lesson. It had begun.
Swiping out my blade to create some distance, I continued to be enthralled. The blade screamed at me to look away, but it was so pretty! The swipe moved through shadow, but not steel, causing my eyes to open in shock as the sword somehow went around the weapon in the darkness.
For an instant the was concealed, unobserved, as the darkness around it grew thick. Then, with that slight window, the sword's position had changed, as though its previous position had been 'revealed' to be something false.
The rapier moved, glancing off my cheek and drawing a thin stream of blood as I fired another Agi. This time shooting it straight upwards. The Duelist had felt me out, and I had done the same. He moved backwards as the flame was expelled, despite not being in any actual danger. My hand shifted on my blade, to a single handed grip, and I threw out my strike.
The sudden jump back had given me an opening, and I sent out a thrust of my own while he moved through the air. The fire above shined down, and the shadow bonding us dispelled again. At the same time, his gut was pierced superficially. He was much faster than me, but I had still caught him off guard allowing the strike in the first place.
He attempted to pivot, sliding around the thrusting weapon and going in for the kill. Immediately cancelling my follow through, I blocked the strike and leapt backwards as the bloodstained blade of my opponent hummed with desire.
Rule 3: If your blood stains the Duelist's blade, be extra careful. His attacks will do increased damage for the amount covering it. If you have a method to cleanse his sword safely, use it.
Sadly, I didn't have a good method of doing that. Despite our exchange of blows, I had come out on top with the deeper wound. More importantly, I had something the Duelist did not. Taking the moment to pop open a potion, I poured it down my face, quickly patching the wound and slightly wetting my clothes with the smell of medicine.
I couldn't afford to lose much blood, especially when my opponent could roll his sword in it for a power boost.
We continued to stare at each for a moment, the Duelist's intrigue was peaked, and the feeling of our desires clashing against each other only brewed heavier despite his faceless expression.
Then I felt his regret grow deeper, shame subsuming vigil, and sorrow boiling over. Moments later the feeling of vigil crushed it again, almost like his own will was being suppressed. Just a second later, the sound of the wall breaking reached my ears.
What? Didn't summoning the Duelist take up most of the Dungeon's focus? How could this happen- The form was familiar, and haunting. The foe was not targeting me, but my allies as it burst through the wall.
Its stone form was large, and faceless. Its cloak of Dungeon Lizard hides, and a massive bow made of bone.
It was a Hunter, and it had come to hunt.
"What the hell!?" It was Welf who'd shouted it, and I saw Belle's panicked expression as our initial plan fell apart. The Hunter pulled back its bow, and fired. The sonic boom of the attack aiming for Belle's head was barely avoided as she ducked under the attack.
To Welf's credit, he didn't run away. He was a blacksmith, someone who was more of a supporter. He shouldn't be expected on a battlefield like this, still he stayed.
"Are you two going to be alright?"
Welf stayed on the move, trying to approach the Hunter despite it jumping off the damn walls of the open room we were in. His voice cut through, but Belle's voice following just after him made me smile.
"What the Hell-"
"Yes."
Turning my focus away from the Hunter and back to the Duelist, I gave the man a smile. I'd mostly kept my attention on him, but in his stupor he'd refused to attack me. There was more to this fellow than I'd initially thought, and I gave him a nod of approval.
He wasn't a mindless beast. He was a Duelist.
"It wouldn't be fair to pause here, so you don't need to hold yourself back for my sake."
He lunged immediately after my words, he could no longer hold back whatever was pushing him, and nor did he.
Our Duel has a wonderful backdrop, so let us dance.
Isabelle Cranel POV
Massive arrows flew towards me, digging into the Dungeon floor and creating pillars in the terrain. It was obvious the Hunter was trying to box me in. Did it take me for a fool? I blushed faintly at the thought, I was a Fool, wasn't I?
That did not mean I was Prey. Quickly changing my Mask away from Luck and into Evasion, I continued to dance around the arrows soaring towards me. I could simply stall for my hero, and then he could sweep me off my feet. The feeling of his arms wrapping around me, embracing me.
I let out a small sigh. That future was not one I could be happy with. I wanted him to save me, over and over again. At the same time, being carried in his arms was not the same as standing beside him.
My feelings for my Hero can not overtake the Adventure we wish to share. Not now. Not until we clear this Dungeon. Then we can settle down and have many children. That would be nice. Hm, I'm getting distracted fantasizing, I should focus.
Switching my Mask from Evasion to Sense I felt the battlefield become more clear. Then my eyes narrowed. Thin wires were being placed between the pillars made of arrows. Hunters planned for your strengths and weaknesses, so the Dungeon must be aware of my Sense ability that I'd used when facing the Chameleon.
Did this creature think I would stupid enough to walk into the steel threads? Or did it believe there was nothing I could do about it? Throwing a knife outwards towards the Hunter, the wires moved from their initial positions, wrapping up the blade and stopping its advance while hanging it in the air.
Ah. So that's its game then? Prevent me from getting close, and cancelling my ranged attacks until I'm defenseless? That might have worked under normal conditions, but Andrew had taught me the importance of two things.
Always have a trick up your sleeve, and always have someone who can assist you when needed.
"Wires connect the arrows, be careful Belle!" I resisted the urge to sigh. Welf was a bit of an oaf, calling out the obvious. Though there was something endearing about him trying his best to help when clearly he couldn't do much.
Then he began to chant, and my eyes widened. He had gotten a new Magic? WHEN!? Or had he been hiding a secret all this time?
"Burn again. Tempered Steel, and Bent Iron. Spark once more upon my Anvil. Forge anew, and Witness my Work." The force slammed down onto the Hunter from above, it had been so focused watching for knife and fire projectiles from myself and Welf that it hadn't considered he could perform.
Despite that, it still managed to jump the side, evading much of the superheated air that slammed into it from the newly formed magic circle. It's bow was less lucky, the weapon's string burned to a crisp, though it quickly restrung it with some wire from inside its cloak.
"Dammit. The fucker just restrung the damn thing!?"
"It would seem so." My tone was bland, and I kept my eyes focused on the Hunter who continued its movement across the battlefield. The sword strikes behind us grew more intense, and a joyous laughter left Andrew's mouth.
He was close to achieving his desire, and even if was to die here, I would be happy knowing that he would feel complete. Still, I wanted to live, if only to stay at his side and keep away anyone who would take him from me.
He was too perfect for someone like that grey haired bitch anyways, though maybe I'd give Hestia a temporary pass if only to soothe his broken heart. She was a kind goddess after all, and she wouldn't take advantage of him in my absence.
Sorry Hestia, but I'm not going to let you take this victory from me. Even if you qualify to be my opponent.
Thus, I began to chant. It was time to wipe away this creature from his eyes and allow him to focus on what he seemed to love most.
Excluding myself of course.
___
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