The two men readied themselves for the duel that was to come.
The bandits and the nobles stood to the side, Akame tending to Soukou's wounds.
"1...2...3! Fight!" A bandit yelled. Commencing the duel.
First, the bandit lunged at him, attempting to slice at his heel, Mizu gracefully slid to the side, like steel to water.
"You have some moves, do ya? Fancy for a low-born."
"You are as low-born as I good sir. Now it's my turn."
Mizu, casting an incantation, blue circles appeared, the ocean wept unto him, splashes of water that could slice steel, launched at the bandit.
The bandit tried to slice it with steel, only for it to pass straight through, cutting the man's face.
"Damn you! It burns like a sea unto a volcano!"
The noblemen whispered, "The boy can cast magic at such a young age?"
"And without the words too!"
The bandit jumping from side to side, a dancing master some may call him, arrived before the face of Mizu in the blink of an eye, slicing his chest.
The boy fell to the ground.
"Seems I'm not the only one who can dance, aye? Dance with me why don't you?
The boy and the man, dancing from side to side, narrowly avoiding each other's attacks, exchanging blows, the boy equipped with his divinely gifted Ocean's Breath, the bandit, wielding his man-made Tempest Blade.
The boy had gained an edge on the man and fell him to the ground.
"If you yield now, and release the girl, I will have mercy on you."
As he said this, Kleine gave a signal to his man, and they stabbed Mizu in the back.
Two blades, pierced deep into him, his blood, vibrant blue.
The boy coughed up blood.
"You dare break the holy vows of a duel?"
Kleine looked at him in the eye.
"Never said I was a holy man. We of the Bloodsong Order believe in strength, not honor. Strength means winning, and I believe I have won, boy. However, I won't give you the offer of mercy, no; I will have your head."
The bandits lay him on a stump, Kleine readied his blade, and prepared to strike.
Both Soukou and Akame yelled out.
Kleine's blade began to come down.
TO BE CONTINUED