The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the training grounds. I stood at the edge of the field, my eyes locked on Ciara. She was all sharp lines and controlled power, her body honed from countless battles.
I couldn't tear my gaze away from the way her muscles flexed , the sheen of sweat that made her skin glisten. There was something mesmerizing about her, something that made my pulse quicken.
But then Nathaniel's voice shattered the moment. "Ciara," he called out, the challenge clear in his tone. "How about a duel? Right here, right now."
I felt a flicker of irritation. Nathaniel was always pushing, always trying to assert himself, and it felt like he was doing too much. But Ciara didn't even hesitate. She turned to face him, a smirk playing on her lips, and nodded. "Alright, let's see what you've got," she said, her voice laced with confidence.
The soldiers around us fell silent, anticipation hanging thick in the air. The duel was set, and everyone knew it was going to be intense. My heart raced as I watched them both step into the center of the field, swords at the ready. Nathaniel was skilled, no doubt about it, but Ciara—Ciara was something else entirely.
The fight began, and they moved like lightning, their swords clashing with a metallic ring that echoed through the grounds. Ciara was all fluidity and precision, her movements a deadly dance as she parried Nathaniel's strikes with ease.
Nathaniel was strong, his blows heavy and forceful, but Ciara was faster, slipping past his defenses with a grace that was almost unreal.
Each strike was met with a counter, the two of them locked in a battle that seemed to blur the line between combat and art. I could feel the tension in the air, the electric charge that made every movement seem more intense. Ciara's eyes were sharp, focused, and there was a hint of amusement in them as if she was enjoying this more than she should.
Nathaniel lunged forward, his sword aimed for Ciara's side, but she twisted out of the way with a speed that left him overextended. Before he could recover, Ciara spun around, her blade slicing through the air in a deadly arc. Nathaniel barely managed to block it, but the force of the impact sent him stumbling back.
"Come on, Nathaniel," Ciara taunted, her voice carrying over the field. "Is that all you've got?"
Nathaniel's face twisted with frustration, his grip tightening on his sword. He came at her again, this time with more aggression, his strikes powerful but wild.
Ciara dodged each one with effortless precision, her movements so smooth it was almost like she was gliding. She sidestepped another of his attacks and brought her sword down in a swift, controlled strike that nearly disarmed him.
"You'll have to do better than that," Ciara said, her tone almost mocking.
I could see the anger boiling in Nathaniel's eyes. He was a formidable fighter, but Ciara was pushing him to his limits, and he knew it.
He gritted his teeth, swinging his sword with renewed vigor, but Ciara met each blow with a calm that was both impressive and infuriating.
The fight dragged on, each exchange more intense than the last. My breath caught in my throat as I watched them, the tension between them almost palpable. I knew Ciara was holding back, playing with Nathaniel, and it only added to the thrill of the fight.
She was toying with him, letting him think he had a chance, but it was clear to anyone watching that she was in control.
Nathaniel made a desperate move, aiming for her legs to throw her off balance, but Ciara anticipated it. She jumped back just in time, her sword coming up to block his follow-up strike. The force of the blow reverberated through the air, but Ciara didn't falter. Instead, she pushed back, forcing Nathaniel to take a step back.
"Getting tired?" she asked, her voice light, almost teasing.
Nathaniel didn't respond, but I could see the strain in his movements. He was getting desperate, his attacks becoming more reckless as he tried to land a hit on her. But Ciara was relentless, countering each strike with a finesse that was almost cruel in its efficiency.
Finally, Ciara saw her opening. Nathaniel overextended again, and this time she didn't let the opportunity slip by. She feinted to the left, drawing him in, and then spun around him, her sword coming up to rest against his throat. The fight was over in an instant.
Nathaniel froze, his chest heaving with exertion, and for a moment, there was only the sound of their ragged breathing. Ciara held her position, her expression calm, but there was a triumphant gleam in her eyes.
"Looks like I win," she said, lowering her sword.
Nathaniel stepped back, his face flushed with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. He didn't say anything, just nodded stiffly, acknowledging her victory. I could see the frustration in his eyes, the way his jaw clenched as he fought to keep his composure. It was clear that losing to Ciara stung more than he would ever admit.
Ciara, on the other hand, looked almost bored as she sheathed her sword. She turned away from Nathaniel, her gaze sweeping over the crowd until it landed on me.
My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded away. All I could see was her, standing there, victorious and impossibly alluring.
Without thinking, I grabbed a bottle of water and walked over to her. "Here," I said, handing it to her, my voice surprisingly steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside me.
"Thanks," Ciara said, her voice softer now, almost… grateful. She took the bottle from my hand, her fingers brushing against mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me. It was a small touch, barely noticeable, but it sent my pulse racing.
Before either of us could say anything else, Nathaniel moved. It was sudden, too sudden for anyone to react. He lunged forward, his sword still in his hand, aiming straight for Ciara's back. My breath caught in my throat, and time seemed to slow down as I realized what was happening.
"Nathaniel, no!" I shouted, but it was too late.
Ciara turned just in time to see the blade coming towards her. Her eyes widened in shock, and for a split second, I saw something flicker in her expression—fear, maybe, or disbelief. But then, as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced by a cold, hard determination.
She moved faster than I thought possible, twisting her body out of the way of the blade. But she wasn't quick enough to avoid it entirely. The sword sliced through the air, grazing her side, and I saw a flash of red as it nicked her skin.
Ciara staggered back, her hand flying to her side as she hissed in pain. But she didn't go down. Instead, she straightened up, her eyes locking onto Nathaniel with a fury that sent chills down my spine.
Nathaniel froze, his face pale as he realized what he'd just done. He dropped his sword, his hands trembling as he backed away. "Ciara, I—" he started, but the words died in his throat.
Ciara didn't say anything. She just stared at him, her expression unreadable, but there was a storm brewing behind her eyes. I knew then that Nathaniel had crossed a line, and there was no going back.
The training grounds were deathly silent, everyone holding their breath as they waited for what would happen next. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and anger swirling inside me as I watched the scene unfold.
Ciara took a step forward, her gaze never leaving Nathaniel. I could see the tension in her body, the way her muscles coiled like a predator about to strike. But then, she stopped, her eyes flicking to me for the briefest moment before she spoke.
"Leave," she said, her voice cold and commanding. "Now."
Nathaniel didn't argue. He turned on his heel and walked away, his head down, his shoulders slumped in defeat. I watched him go, my mind racing with everything that had just happened.