“How do you see the next match going?”
The venue is still noisy from the excitement of the last match.
“…If it goes well, it should go to Argo.”
Siphon gives a half-hearted answer.
“Do you think something might happen?”
“Matches don’t always go how you expect, and Shun isn’t bad. He takes advice well, and learns.”
Siphon has crossed swords with Shun in mock battles many times.
The noise stops when they enter the ring, and after the introduction, the match starts.
Is this going to be a straight match with no tactics? Both approach each other when the match starts, and their swords cross.
It’s an intense back and forth, and metallic sounds echo over and over as the swords clash.
Five minutes later, both step back, and there’s a commotion.
I exhale, and focus on their movements as they keep their swords raised.
There’s no way they aren’t tired after that intense back and forth. It’s subtle, but I can see them composing their breathing.
Eventually, they move out again, and continue swinging their swords, but unlike the first time, they both just barely evade slashes as they swing.
I’m entranced by this match, and it feels like everyone else is too. Only the sound of wind being cut echoes throughout the silent venue.
The back and forth feels like they pre-planned their attacks, and twice as long as before, despite being shorter.
“Wow…”
I hear someone say, and I agree.
“I don’t get him anymore. I saw his mock battles, but I didn’t think he’d gotten this strong.”
“I think his concentration is the best here. Argo might be in trouble.”
Says Siphon, and Guilford answers.
They’re talking, but their eyes are still in the ring, not missing a single move. But the same goes for everyone else.
And with everyone’s eyes on them, the two move out again, crossing swords here and and there, and also dodging.
Their slashes are sharp, and one would certainly kill someone. And they keep dodging with paper-thin distance, blocking, and counterattacking.
The tense back and forth starts to heat up further, with their sharpness increasing despite them becoming tired.
Neither can deliver a killing blow, but both are getting cut, and so are their equipment and clothes.
Come to think of it, their wounds will heal, but what about equipment? It doesn’t really matter right now, but that question pops into my head.
Ten minutes later, there’s a change. Argo’s movements are getting increasingly duller.
I don’t know if his concentration is failing, but there are more and more attacks he can’t block.
Shun on the other hand gets more precise, and seems to be evolving with time.
“I think it will end soon. Argo is attacking.”
Argo is charging forward while on the back foot. Is he going for an attack that will turn it around for him?
As I think that, his moves clearly change. He’s swinging widely more often with the same sharpness. And Shun’s counterattacks increase, sending blood flying.
But Argo avoids fatal blows, and his attacks don’t soften.
He raises his sword high, and swings it down with all his strength.
Shun blocks it as their swords are flung back widely while they hold on to them, and that momentum flows into Argo’s body.
Shun sees a chance, and he’s about to attack, but he stops just in the nick of time, as Argo quickly gets into position and his sword scratches Shun’s nose.
But he doesn’t notice that this is what Argo is after! Shun avoided the attack, but putting on the brakes like that means he’s late in dealing with the next attack.
Argo is in position, so he’s clearly faster, and he swings again, not as widely as before.
The sword runs through the right side of Shun’s torso as if guided there. But just as everyone thinks he has him, Shun steps forward and hits him with his body.
Argo cut Shun, but it wasn’t a deep wound because by coming forward, it was the base of the sword that hit him.
Obviously, that doesn’t mean it’s not sharp, so his face is twisting as his side is painted red, but he still managed to avoid a fatal injury.
Argo is pushed back, managing not to fall, but losing his balance.
He quickly composes himself, but that moment makes the difference.
Before Argo can move forward again, Shun transitions from the tackle to swinging his sword, cutting Argo.
That settles it. Argo disappears, leaving Shun alone in the ring, and the audience erupts in cheers.
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Thanks for the treat.