Seeing a momentary opening in Lachlan's defenses, I seized the opportunity to strike. With every ounce of strength and energy I possessed, I swung Kya towards him, managing to land a solid hit that sent him stumbling backward.
Lachlan roared in rage and surprise, gripping his side where an ugly bruise had already begun to bloom. Angrily, he glared at me with newfound fury. "You dare?! You will pay for this, monster!"
Undeterred by his outburst, I pressed forward, sensing that victory was now within reach. As we clashed again, something shifted within me—an inner fire fueled by my love for Kya and my desire to protect those dear to me blazed forth, granting me untold power.
A fire of pink flames covered the clear blue scimitar as I felt my passion, love, and desire to protect become incarnate. Each strike now made Lachlan step back until I broke his guard, sending his sword into the air. I didn't hesitate and slashed across Lachlan's black shirt, but my blade never reached it.
"Think that you have won?" Lachlan asked is a savage smile as he held the burning Kya in his hand, stopping it from reaching his chest.
I tried to press harder, but instantly, I was flying through the air. I slammed into a wagon, and before I could realize that Kya was no longer in my hand, a pressure flooded my chest, and I was pinned to the wagon. I looked down in shock to see my burning blade sticking out of my own chest. There was no pain, and something about it felt... right?
"Can't even stop your own weapon from killing you? Looks like you have been spending more time between the sheets than on the training grounds. Not that I am surprised, but I am disappointed. I don't like to be disappointed," Lachlan said as he slowly walked toward me, two blades falling from his sleeves and into his hands.
As Lachlan approached me, I felt a surge of defiance rising within. Refusing to die at his hands or give him satisfaction, I focused on my love for Kya and all those who supported me – Fiona, my Queen, and even the people who feared me but needed my protection.
Summoning every ounce of strength remaining in me, I placed my hand on Kya to pull her from my chest, but instead, she absorbed into me. I wasn't sure what that meant, but something about my body felt more liquid. Lachlan threw a knife at me as I tried to get up, but I just put my hand up. I let the knife bury itself into my palm with barely any pain at all.
I stared at the knife embedded in my palm, and to Lachlan's shock, I began to remove it effortlessly. My body seemed to be adapting to Kya's powers, allowing me to heal faster and endure more pain than ever before.
With renewed determination, I stood up straight, facing Lachlan once again. "You underestimate me," I growled as I tossed his own knife back toward him. He narrowly dodged it, a flicker of panic flashing across his face for the first time.
As we continued our battle, I found myself growing more confident in my newfound abilities. Our connection had evolved far beyond what either of us could have imagined, and it was this bond that gave me the upper hand against Lachlan.
Gradually, his attacks became slower, less precise, and riddled with frustration. Seeing his carefully constructed facade crumble away only served to fuel my drive further. With each passing moment, victory drew closer.
Finally, I managed to disarm Lachlan completely, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. Rather than pressing my advantage and striking him down, however, I lowered my weapon and approached him cautiously.
"Why do you hate monsters so much?" I asked him, seeking to understand the source of his venomous disdain.
Lachlan's eyes flickered with a mixture of anger and vulnerability before he hissed, "Monsters... they took away everything that I once held dear. My family, my friends – all gone because of them."
As he spoke, I could see the raw pain in his eyes – an endless chasm of loss and grief that had shaped him into the man he was today.
"I understand your pain," I replied softly, "but not all monsters are the same. Just like humans, there are those who possess kindness and compassion and those who do not. We can choose to perpetuate hatred and violence or work together towards understanding and unity."
For a moment, Lachlan seemed to consider my words, but his face quickly hardened once more. "You may have won this battle, monster, but don't think for a second that you've changed anything. You're still nothing more than a tool to be used and discarded. Remember that."
With that, Lachlan turned on his heel and strode away, leaving me standing amidst the wreckage of our fierce duel. Though it felt like a hollow victory, I knew that at least some of what I'd said had resonated with him.
Sighing deeply, I rejoined Fiona as Kya emerged from my body, who had been watching the confrontation from a safe distance. Their concern was evident on their faces, but it quickly gave way to relief and pride when they saw that I was unharmed.
"You were amazing," Kya breathed, her eyes shining with admiration as she threw her arms around me in a tight embrace.
Fiona nodded in agreement, adding, "Today, you proved not only your strength as a warrior but also your wisdom and compassion as a leader."
As we stood there together, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope for the future. Though the road ahead would undoubtedly be long and fraught with danger, I knew that with Kya, Fiona, and my Queen by my side, nothing was impossible.
We returned to the castle arm in arm, our bond stronger than ever before. United in love and loyalty, we were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead – together as one unstoppable force. And maybe, just maybe, we could someday change the hearts of those like Lachlan who held onto hatred and prejudice.