Every row of the paddles seemed to have brought them deeper and deeper into the endless mass of water.
From one side, a girl whose tattered clothes and long messy hair stood out alongside the bruises around her body. Her green, jaded eyes seemed to be staring only at the floor.
From the other side, a boy whose short black hair, royal-esque clothes and overall tidy appearance, rowed the boat, taking glances at the girl every now and then.
"Renaud.." The girl called out the boy's name as she looked up.
He turned around as she pointed at something behind him.. It was a ship.
...
Blood splattered across the ground, a student has fallen. Blood rose from his chest and didn't stop flowing out.
In front of him, a woman stood with a sword in one hand, tainted by blood. A woman with long, brown hair. Her green, jaded eyes stared into his.. Not a single sign of sympathy.
"VICTORY FOR MAZEKEINE STONEHART!" The flagbearer yelled as he raised a flag. The crowd erupted in cheers.
He extended his arm, as if trying to reach her arm. But it was no good, she wasn't in range.. And it hurts.
She walked away. Every step she took farther and farther from him, his heart beat slower and slower.. Until he could only shut his eyes.
...
"Mazekeine Stonehart is on a roll, isn't she?"
"Yeah. I'd say it's as expected from a warrior hailing from The Sea Empire."
"Wait–She's a Sea Empirian?"
"She is! At first, I thought she wore pirate stuff outside of school, but apparently she doesn't."
He chuckled. "Can you really call yourself a Sea Empirian without wearing and acting like one?"
The two students went on and on, until they heard someone clear their throat from behind. It came from a girl.
"What's wrong not wearing and acting like a Sea Empirian?" The girl asked. They turned around.. And their hearts dropped.
It was Mazekeine, who glared at their very souls. "You two don't even wear and act like a Stepan. Can you really call yourselves a Stepan?" Her voice was loud and stern, others could hear it.
The crowd around them was now looking at them. The two looked down in humiliation.
It was silent after that. Seems like I left them speechless. I didn't even need to try. She walked away to get back to her seat at the higher rows.
"Weaklings. Such weaklings." Sévir blurted out as he and Percival witnessed the brief confrontation.
Ms. Ardell sighed. "Kids these days. They'll spit bad things but can't bite back when they're countered." She wrapped her arm around Sévir's shoulder. "Good thing my adorable little nephew isn't like that!"
Sévir glared at her. "Get off me, you good for nothing, rotten wit-."
In an instant, she slapped the back of his head hard.
He bent down as he held the back of his head. It hurts so much as if he got stung by multiple bees.. Where have I seen this again?
"Would you mind reiterating what you just said?" The only obvious answer here was 'no'. Her threatening voice only made it even clearer.
"Though.." Percival blurted as he kept her eyes on Mazekeine. "She looks pretty.."
The two looked at him in silence, Ms. Ardell smiled, Sévir kept his blank face. "I think it's better you go for her instead of my sister."
When Sévir mentioned Zephyr, Percival's face turned red. "What do you mean..?" He avoided their gazes out of embarrassment. "I'm not going after your..-"
"I'll kill you if you do." Sévir slowly and slightly unsheathed his dagger and pointed at it.
Ms. Ardell tapped his shoulder. "Hey now, I won't tolerate the killing of any students! Even if they're students doing so-so academically." She cast her gaze at Percival.
Percival raised an eyebrow. "What? I'm doing good!"
She chuckled. "I didn't even say anything about you!"
He rolled his eyes and looked away. "So. Who's next for the duel?"
Sévir shrugged. "Beats me. It would be incredibly funny though if it was you against Mazekeine Stonehart."
"Haha Sévir. Very funny." He replied sarcastically, as if that would never happen.
"PERCIVAL GALATH AND MAZEKEINE STONEHART!" The announcer called out their names. Percival froze, only able to look at Sévir.
Sévir sat back casually, he extended his arm and gave him a thumbs up. "Go get her tiger. Come back with no limbs."
Percival stood up, clicking his tongue. Damn you, Sévir!
...
"Where're you young'un's headin'?" The man asked as he passed them towels. He was a big guy. a bald man wearing white long sleeves and burgundy-colored pants that didn't suit his look. What really stood out was the cutlass hugged by its scabbard that was wrapped around his waist.
"Stepanburg." Renaud replied. He stood straight and firm like that of a royal prince.
"That's where we're headin' too! We'll be there in 2 days." The bald man smiled. "I'm Jackson, y'all will get to meet my crew later!"
The two sat down, the girl couldn't helo but let out a long sigh.
"What's wrong?" Renaud gently went to hold her hand when he heard her sigh.
"Are we.. Making the right decision?" Her voice was shaky and uncertain. Was it the right decision? Whatever their decision was?
"It is the right decision when you make it right. Don't forget that!"
She looked down at his clothes. "You'll grab everyone's attention with that attire."
He nodded. "I know. That's why I'll switch it out when we arrive."
"You better!"
...
They were already staring each other down as the flagbearer gave them the go signal. Neither had made a move yet.
What's with this... Feeling? Percival took a step back out of nowhere. It's like.. It's like she'll strike me down if I make a move.. His already distraught heart had only become more distraught as she unsheathed her long, seemingly ordinary sword.
The seconds ticked down, and neither have made a move. The audience was growing more and more confused, and more and more impatient.
"Make a move already!!" They preached again and again for them to make a move.
Dammit, just wait, you morons!! Percival clicked his tongue. Mazekeine however, still stood unfazed.
Anyway.. Ms. Stonehart's a little odd, ain't she? She should be making a move by now.. Or at least react to the crowd.
...
After what felt like forever, Mazekeine held her sword up. The sword really did seem like an ordinary sword, it was long, silver, and had scratches in it.. And dried blood all around it. She went in and dashed towards Percival.
He smiled. This is it.. I've been waiting for you to come at me! His smile was filled with confidence, and so was his eventual stance, ready to take her on even without a melee weapon.
But suddenly.. She accelerated. Inhumanly so.
What..!? Percival gasped, but he was able to dodge her swing aimed at his neck by mere inches as she arrived in front of him. How'd she do that..? Does she have teleportation magic!?
"She's fast." Sévir blurted out, his eyes having been stuck on Mazekeine ever since the duel began.
"I don't really know much about that kid, I've never talked to her before, nor have I seen her perform." It seems like Ms. Ardell too had her eyes stuck on Mazekeine.
There was no sign of any strong feelings behind her green, desolate eyes that contrasted her eyes the night before the tournament.
Her sword whooshed around left and right, up and down in swift and fluid motions that showed no openings. Percival had kept dodging and dodging, just barely being able to.
This woman.. He clicked his tongue in frustration. She's eyeing to slit my throat or my stomach open! I'm sure of it! All her attempted attacks have always been aimed at his neck and stomach, therefore he wasn't wrong.
I know you, Percival Galath.. I know who you are.. What you can do... She eyed the guy carefully from top to bottom. You're popular among some groups of girls.. You're not even that handsome, in my opinion.
While she was thinking of that, Percival felt his heart drop for a moment for no profound reason. Ouch.. What happened? Was I getting a heart attack?
He shook his head. Whatever.. I have to see what she can do. He beckoned her to come at him.
So eager to lose early, aren't we, Mr. Galath? Without any hesitation, she went in and sprinted towards Percival, who stood ready to dodge her attacks.
As she thrusted her sword, there came two Percivals who split from each other just before the sword could reach them.
But Mazekeine was quicker, as soon as they split, she cast her gaze on the Percival on the right (–who we will call Percival 2).
As if she expected it, she swiftly slashed her sword at Percival 2's face then backed off.
Percival 2 fell to the ground.. From top to bottom–chin to forehead, his cut widened as he started bleeding with a strong hint of purple in the blood.
Percival 1 stood there horrified, his face of confusion and horror giving it away.
No.. Not even Minerva would go around slashing people like that! Percival 2 slowly began to fade away as dim, purple light engulfed him. I really don't like this.. He took a quick glance down his chest. I don't want to get slashed anywhere.. I have to end this duel quickly!
It was a race against time, could Percival end the duel without getting cut down?
The tense air has then shifted to a gloomy one, no matter where he looks, he could not shake off the dense feeling of death awaiting him. This girl is deadly, sure.. But I think I'm giving her too much credit than she deserves.
With not one second to waste, he swiftly conjured yet another clone, who moved perfectly in sync with the original Percival.
Despite the chaos ensuing in his heart, he still had the will to smile as he faced the dangerous Stonehart. "Let's have a fun game, Stonehart. Would you mind listening?" His voice no longer held fear, or doubt, his decision was absolute and cannot be changed.
Mazekeine, who was from a fair distance, lowered her sword. "I'm listening.."
"If you're able to identify who among us is the clone and take him down, then I'll admit defe-"
Without being able to even finish his sentence, Mazekeine dashed in, smoothly and quickly swinging her sword towards the two Percivals, just barely able to dodge it. A little much like Sévir, aren't you!?
Mazekeine was not just attacking, she too was dodging every counter-attack the Percivals attempted to land on her by a big shot. She hinted no signs of exhaustion whatsoever.
Exchange after exchange, the Percivals were finally able to disarm her, kicking off the sword from her hands. YES! THIS IS OUR CHANCE! Knowing this might be the only chance they get, their resolve stood firm, they charged towards Mazekeine, whose sword was far enough to say she didn't have time to grab it.
With no other choice, she confronted the two Percivals.
She wore a coy smile when they entered her range, quickly dodging a kick from Percival 2, but unbeknownst to him, and Percival 1, she swiftly grabbed his foot, powerfully elbowing down his knee.. And snapping it frontwards with relative ease... Ouch, that oughta hurt.
Percival 1 threw a punch, but she was quick to react, and used Percival 2 as a meat shield, having him punched in the face instead.
Blood splattered from his nose and mouth–purple blood, that is. Crap! I just revealed he's the clone! Percival 1 hurriedly took a few steps back.
Bingo. Mazekeine rushed to grab the sword, and as she grabbed it, she turned around and saw Percival 2 on the ground, unable to get up.
Before he could even try getting up, she threw her sword towards Percival 2 at speeds comparable to a javelin.
The sword pierced his skull, rendering him lifeless on the spot.
As he spewed out purple blood, Percival 1, or rather–Percival, stood there, his dumbfounded face hinting at terror as he stared down his dead clone, slowly fading away.
Alright.. I'm very convinced I'm not just gonna get slashed, but I'm gonna get stabbed in the head if I continue this duel. He slowly raised his arms up. I'm not sure if the healers can heal such a fatal wound.. So I'd rather not risk it, although the duel was very short.
"You got me. You win."
As she heard him admit his defeat, she walked over and grabbed her sword, nonchalantly pulling it out of the clone's head.
He eyed her with disgust. I don't think Sévir would be this brutal..
The flagbearer raised a flag. "VICTORY FOR MAZEKEINE STONEHART!"
Half of the audience applauded, but another half stayed eerily silent, and it remained that way until they both walked away .
...
Sévir shrugged. "I think you just suck. It's not hard beating you, you know?"
Percival looked away with a very clear frown in his face. "Shut up. Fight her, you'll see what I mean."
He let out a slow, blank, toneless laugh.. It didn't even seem like he was laughing at all. "Hahaha. Jokes on you, I'm not joining the tournament."
Percival cast his gaze at Ms. Ardell. "Ms. Ardell.. Can you please get this jackass in the arena?"
"Rest easy, Percival.. At any moment now.." Ms. Ardell cast her gaze at the announcer.
"SÉVIR VAN DOREN AND KALVIN FALLON!" The announcer called out their names.
Sévir's eyes widened as he heard the announcer yell his name, he glanced at Percival, who was just as surprised as him. He glanced at Ms. Ardell, who etched a sly and knowing smile.
His surprised face turned to one of a deep frown. "So you put me into this, huh..?"
Ms. Ardell shook her head. "Not me. I just knew it.. But someone else filled you in."
She put her hand over his back, giving him a pat. "Now, off you go! My adorable little soldier nephew!" She had nothing short of a cheerful and excited tone in her voice. "If you win.." She leaned closer to his ear, her voice getting lower and lower.
"I-might-give-you-a-treat-to-night~" She whispered in his ear, it dripped with such seduction that it could make any guy go crazy.
But mind you, this was Sévir. He just stood up abruptly, his frown still in his face. "Burn in hell." Those were his final words as he walked away to get to the arena.