As I found myself on the ground I can barely look up do to the shock, In fact I can barely stop myself from losing consciousness.
The shock not being do to the sudden impact to the floor, but instead the sheer pressure the thing in front of me is exerting.
I say "thing" even thought what I see in front of me is the textbook definition of a knight. It's wearing a full set of armor and is carrying what seems like a longsword. I can't see any details due to both the armor and the sword being completely covered in rust.
Still, what makes me say "thing" is the fact that there is so much energy flowing out of the Knight, that I not only feel like I'm about to throw up, but I also feel a huge pressure on all my organs making me unable to move. I also notice I'm covered in goosebumps.
The fun thing is, the pressure itself doesn't have the slightest hint of blood thirst or murder intent. Its just the aura itself that is making me like this.
As I keep looking at the Knight, I notice he is looking back at me, standing a few meters forward. He wasn't doing anything else, in fact, I'm not sure if he was moving at all.
As my body starts adapting to the almost saturated flow of energy around me, I start to notice a couple more details of where I am.
The floor is wet and made of what seems like natural rock. The room is dark, in fact I'm not even sure if it is a room.
I put a knee on the floor and raise my torso.
I notice my dagger on the floor slightly to my right. As well as some orbs of light alongside the edges of the walls which work as a light source. At that moment I notice I'm missing my lantern which I assume didn't pass through the portal. The room is shaped like a half sphere and there doesn't seem to be any exits.
I fully raise myself of the ground, still shaking.
As I take a closer look at the "walls" I notice they are slowly moving upwards it seems. No, not moving, flowing. I then realize that they are in fact water.
To my surprise soon after I had that realization some type of creature swims by close to the edges before despairing into the darkness.
Has my body finally calms down to an extent I look back at the Knight. Even thought it should have been around five minutes since I arrived at this location the Knight remains the same. Both hands on the handle of the blade with its tip lodged in the ground, while gazing at me.
As if he had read my thoughts he raises this blade and points it at my dagger.
As I breathe and try to remain calm, I look at the dagger on the floor. As thoughts race trough my mind I only really reflect on one of them.
"What will happen once I pick it up?" I say to myself, as a felling of dread raises within me.
I'm not a fighter, the world is at peace, elementalists deal with beasts when they cause trouble. Sure there are criminals, robbers, murderers and so on, but there is also law enforcers that deal with such things. There was no reason to fight.
I'm not particularly weak, I always travel alone, so I know how to deal with wild life and elemental beasts, I was also attacked and robed more than once, there were times when my life was in danger.
"But this..." I say as I look once again at the Knight.
I close my eyes for a few seconds as I strengthen my resolve. Then I grab my dagger. I surround myself and my weapon in energy as I look at the Knight.
Then It started.
The sudden killing intent made me flinch, but I was already expecting it.
*Thump* He presses his foot at the ground.
It suddenly rushes forward, and rises its sword, slashing it downwards.
*Swoosh*
I sidestep the blade, but he quickly spins and swings it horizontally. I manage to raise my dagger as I quickly block the strike.
*Clash*
The impact sends me backwards as my feet slide on the ground. The Knight doesn't give me a change to steady myself as he trusts his blade in my direction.
*Clash*
I divert the blade from my chest but it still manages to slice my torso on the side. Ignoring the pain, since its not an unusual felling for me I focus my energy on my free arm and swing it at the Knights face.
*Smack*
The punch connects, but all its manages is to send me flying backwards as the Knight barely flinches.
"That thing is toying with me. " I murmur as I land on the ground.
Even thought it has that devastating reserve of energy its just using slightly more... no, the same amount of energy that I have.
"I don't care if its for fun or as a trial. As long as he keeps using the same amount as me I might just be able to..."
I can't finish my sentence as the Knight rushes my way slashing diagonally upwards. I instinctively block the strike with my dagger as I'm unable to dodge it in time.
*Clash*
Just then. *Thump*
I cough out in pain, as it lands a punch with his other hand lands right on my stomach. The impact sends me flying backwards, has I then start rolling on the ground. Blood then drips out of my mouth.
I almost lose conscious but barely manage to stop myself.
"No... I can't die here". Two faces come to mind as I will myself out of the ground.
The taste of blood in the mouth, my stomach burning up and the sound of my hearth in my ears.
I raise my body with a cold expression, and piercing eyes as I gaze at the Monster.
My heartbeat and breathing calms down, as I let my instincts take over.
It rushes at me. I hold my dagger and start unleashing most of my energy to the blade and my body.
Doesn't matter if I run out, since this shouldn't last more than three minutes.
Our blades clash.
*Clash*
*Clash*
*Clash*
The Longsword cuts my flesh as we trade blows, on my torso, then on my arm, then on my torso again, on my legs, and so on.
I ignore the pain, in fact I don't even notice it, all that is in my mind are our movements as I wait for an opening.
"Not yet, not yet, not yet..."
The Monster over commits as he lands a hit on my thigh reaching the bone, I then pour most of my energy into the blade and slice at this neck.
*Crack*
The dagger did not only not pierce the armor, it snapped just has it made contact.
I jump back. I almost fell to the ground as my leg can barely support my body at this point. Yet I remain calm, the only thing in my mind being the Monster in front of me.
"I Will Win."
I move my back to the edge of the arena, he sprints, blade in hand reddening a strike.
"Not yet."
He comes closer.
"Not yet."
He swings downwards aiming for my neck.
I barely have any energy left, my body is almost shutting down, but I can't lose. I won't lose.
I move to the side, the blade slices off my arm and blood quirts out of the wound, I endure the pain, my eyes fill with resolve as my expression darkens even more. He gave me what I needed just now... an opening.
I twist my torso and pour every little bit of remaining energy I have left into my arm, I plant my feet as hard as I can as I uppercut the Monster on the back.
*Crash...* The punch goes trough its energy aura but stops at its armor.
*Crack* The bones on my hand and arm start breaking but I keep pushing.
Cracks start forming on the ground.
"Come on!" I scream as, I give everything I have.
Its metal body finally rises from the ground as I swing my arm with all I have left.
I send Its metal body towards the wall. Its breaks into the body of water and it keeps on going until it fades into the darkness.
I drop to my knees, and eventually fall flat to the ground as my mind returns to normal. The pain I've been ignoring suddenly hits me. All I can do is scream and twist as blood keeps gushing out of where my arm used to be, as well as all the other wounds.
I do my best to keep myself from passing out, as I look at the wall of water.
I gaze into the darkness.
"..."
"..."
"It's not over..."