I felt the rush of air as Damien charged at me, his wooden blade glinting under the dim light of the training hall. My heart raced, and I barely had time to react before I toppled backwards, my feet slipping out from under me. For a moment, I was weightless, suspended in mid-air, and then I hit the ground hard. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs, but I couldn't afford to stay down.
As I scrambled to regain my footing, I could see him closing in, his eyes focused and fierce. He was like a storm, relentless and powerful, and I was just a leaf caught in his wind. I pushed myself up just in time to dodge a swift downward strike that would have surely knocked me flat again. The sound of the wooden blade slicing through the air sent a shiver down my spine. I darted to the side, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through me. I had to land a hit; I had to prove I could stand my ground against him.
