I'm nervous this is my first fight...
Well not my first fight but my first fight with someone that's practically a super human.
Well in this case it's a monster of a superhuman.
What the heck am I supposed to do against someone who could fight Cardose and Cecily simultaneously?
Sigh.
I've really set myself up for failure this time.
Meanwhile, she's not anxious in the slightest. I can practically see her twitching with anticipation. She's readied herself for the fight, her eyes are fiery and focused, her breathing is deep and composed.
Her form is slightly smaller than it's supposed to be, she's not standing at her full height because she's assumed a fighting stance.
One where her legs are slightly bent with a bit more than a shoulder width of space between both feet.
Her left hand palm opened is very close to her face, her weapon bearing right hand is fully stretched out and pointing at me.
Damn this is scary.
What sort of martial arts has she learnt?
This looks like something straight out of a comic.
She has such an intense look on her face it's like that of someone who's gone through several difficult experiences and has fought many dangerous battles. It's the look of a killer, If that wasn't terrifying enough, there's also the fact that she knows what she's doing while I don't.
I don't have any form of training whatsoever while she looks like she has a plethora of ways she could finish this fight.
A mind breaking few moments of uneventful nothiness pass by when finally...
Fwoosh!
She disappears from my sight and the only thing indicating she was ever there is a gust of wind crarrying a flow of dust flying off from where her feet once were.
Gulp.
It's started!
I nervously turn my head look around the room taking momentary glances at difference parts of it.
Just where is she?
Something fast is making those whooshing sounds and I'm not sure whether it's her or not. She could have gotten behind me and casted a "Whooshing magic" for all I know.
I was just exaggerating, but she could actually have whooshing magic!
The scary thing about overwhelming speed is you just can't know what the other person is this doing.
It's disheartening that even with all the boosts I've received there's still such vast gap in strength between us.
Just how strong is she?
A wide circle of flying dust swirls around me growing exponentially with each passing moment. The harsh wind growls producing a fearsome swishing sound reminiscent of stormy weather.
It keeps growing in size until I'm trapped in a miniature tornado, small for tornado standards, awfully large by people standards. That's to say it's far bigger than me, it's so big it almost reaches the ceiling.
I can barely keep my footing against the turbulent wind current.
What could she possibly be doing?
Is she circling around me waiting for the perfect moment to strike?
No, realistically that should be literally any moment since I'm not as strong as she is.
But maybe all that bluffing paid off and she's being overly cautious. The purpose of all that smack talk was to anger her, make her lose her cool so she makes a mistake, but that barely got me anything.
This isn't a bad result either, you gain some form of power when someone thinks you have it.
But then again I'm just assuming, she could be doing anything, literally anything and my only option is to wait and see.
With all the power that's been bestowed upon me, how come I'm still so powerless.
Trying not to waver I take my mind to some where else. Somewhere calmer and more peaceful.
Sigh~ this is stressful.
I wonder what Ruth and Mr Fletcher are doing right now. I haven't seen Mr Fletcher in days, meanwhile I saw Ruth yesterday but she was acting kind of strange. I wonder what she was doing out so late, was she really hanging out with friends like she said?
I don't know why I'm so curious about it, maybe I just want to pester her. Yeah that's a plan! When I get back I'm totally going to pester her about it!
She's probably out shopping with her friends right about now.
Well probably... That's what she's usually up to when there's no work to do.
For some reason I really-
CRASH! The sound my body makes on hitting the floor.
These strong winds pushed me to the ground alongside any unnecessary thoughts I was having.
This is what I get for being distracted!
The air is slushing around with so much virulence that my feet start to lift.
Uh oh- that's not good!
Before I'm flung into the air I somehow burrow my fingers inside the ground, sticking my fingertips firmly inside the polished concrete floor.
Holy shi- did I just claw through concrete?
There's no time to for me to marvel at my feat of strength, as I'm knocked out of my state of pure awe by the awful throbbing pain in my arms.
Come on why won't you go down?
All attempts to pull my legs to the ground prove futile, they're just not strong enough to resist the wind.
"COME ON GET DOWN!"
Sigh~
Look at me shouting at my own legs like a crazy person. Well it's for a good reason, the pain in my arms is getting worse it's as if I'm about to be amputated.
I'm not sure how long I can hold on for. Getting consumed by the tornado is the worst thing that can happen right now, so I have no choice but to hold on.
In midst of this chaos, in the corner of my eye I notice a small pulsating white light.
What could it be?
Whatever it is, that thing's got to be very bright if I can see it through these thick winds.
Don't tell me she plans on attacking me while I hold on for dear life? It's cruel but undeniably genius.
Flash
I notice a momentary flash behind me and turn my head to catch a glimpse.
It's gone...
Another one, then another one and eventually many more.
What the heck are they? Each time I try to get a good look at them they vanish.
I should ease up, I already have a lot of my plate trying not to get sucked into the vortex.
Not to mention the strain on my neck from turning it from side to side repeatedly while hanging upsidedown. Not a very easy thing to do I might add.
There's a reason I chose to fight her, so I have to have faith in that reason no matter how grim this situation gets.
Out of nowhere a plethora of the miniscule glowing lights shine all at once from behind the veil of wind.
They're different from before, they're not flickering anymore and now have golden color.
Is this some sort of attack or is it a spell? Whatever it is I have to be prepared.
"I have to be prepared my ass"
I can't even brace myself, I have zero means of defense. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD I DON'T EVEN HAVE FOOTING!
This is so unfa- Out of nowhere the world goes dark and quiet.
Ah, soo peaceful! it's the opposite of how I was feeling a second ago. It's nice and refreshing, it's as if I'm sleeping right now.
Wait.. what?
Oh shoot!
I open my eyes to see myself several feet above the ground.
Did I pass out from lack of air?
From the moment dust started circling around me it had gotten harder and hard to breathe but I didn't pay it any attention.
Tch!
Before I become one with the wall of whooshing air several glowing projectiles whose shape I can't make out head towards me from behind the walls of wind.
!!!
In an instant they're moments away from piercing my skin.
The miscellaneous projectiles don't look so miscellaneous anymore, they look like red hot blades. A mystifying golden permeates from the hiltless glowing swords.
I pull my arms towards my face and above my head while tucking my legs to my belly, entering fetal position midair.
This is the best I can do to protect my vital organs.
STAB!
STAB!
STAB!
STAB!
STAB!
Sharp hot pain fills my entire body as I'm ravaged by golden blades over and over while while getting tossed around by the tornado.
I do my best not to scream out in an effort to not waste the little air I have in my lungs.
No matter what I must not pass out again, if I'm knocked out in this wind, I'll be 100% helpless.
After several agonizing minutes of nothing but pure suffering, and focusing only on maintaining my breathing, I can only feel the harsh wind on my skin and nothing else.
Have the blades have stopped coming?
I wait a few moments just to be safe.
Phew- nothing happened.
Suddenly, the sensation of air tearing away at my flesh disappears.
Huh, that's strange.
SLAM!
WHOOSH!
CRACK!
Cough cough.
Ugh- That's the second time I've bounced of the floor today.
Although, this time it's definitely worse.
Cough cough
I just coughed out blood, that isn't normal right?
Usually a fall like that would knock the air out of my lungs, yet I'm perfectly fine- well relatively fine. I'm certain the only reason I'm not a red splat on the floor is because of the buffs.
"Ugh why couldn't you just go splat? So annoying, tsk!"
I hope this lady doesn't attack me before I can get up. I'd buy time by talking, but I don't think I have enough strength to speak.
Looking at her shows that I'm somehow now in a worse state than her, whose been fighting none stop for god knows how long.
And the most discouraging thing is that it's only been a few minutes since we started fighting.
But can this even be considered a fight?
No, don't think about it. Just get up, focus all your strength on getting up!
My arms and legs tremble as they push against the force of my weight.
Come on you're almost there!! I think to myself as I grit my teeth through the pain.
WHAM! The sound of my body hitting the floor.
I slipped on my own blood, I slipped on a pool of blood. This sucks, no this more than sucks!
This whole situation sucks!
And why can't I get up, am I weak from bloodloss or something?
Those glowing blades must've been magical constructs given how they disappeared after piercing through me.
While I'm greatful that I didn't turn into a living shish-kebab which would've been especially awful, maybe even fatal, once hit the floor.
I do not appreciate the fact I've turned into a blood leaking faucet!
Damn it all, why is there so much blood? Sigh... I guess the human body is truly no joke.
I've got to get up and fight. What's happened so far can't even be called a fight, it's been too one sided! I haven't landed a single blow, I haven't even had the chance to think about attempting to land a blow!
So get up and fight goddamnit!
"Struggling to get up, are we? Such a pathetic sight! You're really doing this crap after you got me all excited with that big mouth of yours." She says with a look of contempt.
She's looking down on me, she's really looking down on me!
Well, she has every right to do that but still... It's hurting my feelings!
Fine lady, you want to something exciting, then I'll show you something exciting!
'Don't write me off just yet lady, remember that I'm a phoenix, and that all phoenix's rise from the ashes stronger than they were before.' I say as I struggle to get up.
"You're back on your own two feet, impressive! But your worrds aren't fooling anybody, you look like a dead man."
A dead man huh?
That's true, I must look like a dead man. I'm covered in blood from head to toe, my body swaying from side to side as I barely manage to keep standing. I think to myself with a smile on my face.
'You seriously must be stupid, don't you know phoenix's can't die?'
"Tch! I've heard enough of this nonsense."
She disappears from my sight once more. Her speed is really troublesome even now I can barely keep up with it.
But that's the thing, I can keep up with it. It took a while for my body to adjust to the power flowing inside of me.
But now I can feel it, I'm truly different now!
Not only was I able to react to the glowing blades that came out of nowhere, I also managed to survive such a huge fall without bracing myself.
I think it's fair to assume it's not just my reaction time and durability that got improved.
Inhale.
Exhale.
OK, LET'S DO THIS!
I breathe deeply and slowly as I squint my eyes, focusing. Truly focusing, trying to see beyond what's apparent, observing everything in front of me, including the smallest specks of dust floating in the air.
Her form starts to come into view but it's blurry at best.
Just what is that foolish kid thinking anyways? He's just perfectly still, standing in the same spot staring blankly at the world around him.
He looks like a standing corpse, ew!
He's doing this weak shit after talking so much smack, tch!
I don't care if he's dazed, suffering from shock or thinking about his sorry life realizing he's bit more than he can chew!
I'm going to show this punk what happens when you're all bark and no bite.
Fourteenth knife form of the heavenly wind arts: CRESCENT SLASH!
The poor kid won't even know what him.
Right as my mana infused blade is about to hit him, his weak sunken eyes move in direction.
Ugh- CREEPY!
What was that? It's not possible right? He definitely can't see me.
Despite telling myself that I back away as far as I can.
That felt dangerous... Uncharacteristically so. It was like every fiber of my being was telling me to run.
My instincts are going haywire over here. Just what is this uneasy feeling?
Even my legs are shaking. I've never felt such a strong urge to back away before, don't tell me that brat has some trumpcard I don't know about.
Could it be?
Was he the one who hit me with blast while I was fighting the swordsman and the girl? Is that even possible
No it's not possible, why'd I have such a ridiculous thought?
Such immense power couldn't have come from someone like him.
So if that's not it, then what could it be? Whatever it is, I should be cautious. My instincts are telling me I shouldn't take him lightly, and my instincts are never wrong.
I'm the aggressor, the one with power in this situation and as the aggressor I'm obligated to pile on the pressure. I'll crush him before he even thinks he has a chance to do anything.
Screech
It's always nice to hear that familiar sound, not to mention the breeze the comes with coming to a sudden stop.
"Hey! I thought you wanted too see something exciting? Then why are you all the way over there? Don't you know awesome things look better up close, Stupid?"
IF HE CALLS ME STUPID ONE MORE TIME! I SWEAR-
He won't get on my nerves!
He won't get on my nerves!
He won't get on my nerves!
HE CANNOT GET ON MY NERVES!
Exhale~
I refuse to be tuanted by the weak!
I'm going to finish him off in one quick motion. Then we'll see which one of is stupid!
I tuck my knife back into the sheet hanging off my waist, then I assume running form with one leg bent underneath my chest and the the other stretched out behind me and my arms straight down from shoulder, fingertips pressed against the ground.
Time stands still as I become one with the world and the wind it holds. I feel the air wrap delicately around my form as I release energy into the ground beneath me.
'WIND LEAP!'
THAT LITTLE SHIT IS GOING TO REGRET TALKING SMACK!
BOOM!!
I'm eating through the last bit of mana I have left by using this technique, but it's so worth it for a decisive finish, and even though I won't have mana afterwards I'll easily crush the rest of the applicants.
I feel the high as an immense surge of power flows through me.
This technique is amazing, that feeling of thrill you get from rushing towards your target at lightning speed alongside the cold embrace of the wind brushing against your skin makes you feel as if you are loved by the world itself.
Ah...
The thrill of being sent flying by a single step can never get old, I cannot thank master Wong enough for teaching me this technique.
The boy's done for, I don't even need my knife to finish him.
Not like I'd use it with this technique anyways, I don't want to kill the poor guy.
A neck chop shall suffice, may your neck hurt for weeks to come for all the insults you've been hurling at me.
Just one neck chop away from victory, hehe!
The moment I'm an arms length away from him, I wind my right arm backwards in order to sieze my victory then-
What the!?
Why's he glowing like that?
I'm getting a bad feeling about this. I have to pull away!
OH CRUD!
I can't alter my trajectory, my momentum is too strong!
A massive white light engulfs me before my hand can even touch him.
KABOOM!!
Groan.
'What the heck just happened?'
Don't tell me I passed out. UGH THAT'S SO LAME!
Sigh~ I'm totally exhausted.
What kinda crap is this? That's the second time today I've been hit by an explosion.
The ground is cold. So so cold, so cool and loving. A kind of feeling that you wouldn't want to abandon for anything. It's a pleasant welcoming sensation, one I mustn't succumb to because I'm strong.
I get up quickly despite the fact that floor is comforting and my body aches terribly.
Tch the floor was more comfortable than this! I can't help but think with a smile on my face.
Gasp!
The boy is laying flat on his front looking blacker than a lump of coal. Don't tell me he blew himself up?
Sigh~
He really is a crazy guy, while I'm not a fan of suicide attacks, it was quite a gutsy thing to do.
Even though he was pretending like it wasn't the case, he didn't have much fight left in him. It was a respectable decision you made, maybe you're strong after all brat.
Well that's that, time to deal with other prey.
I walk past the boy, heading straight towards my other opponents.
Those fools should have ran away while they had the chance, don't tell me they were just watching from the sidelines while sitting on their asses.
That's the problem with people, they're too lethargic! They don't know how to seize opportunities right in front of them!
I don't give a crap about how hurt or exhausted they are, that boy gave them a get out of jail free card.
Wait- why am I getting so worked up?
This is a good thing for me. Hehe! Happy hunting to me!
I stop my progression when I notice something strange.
Something's up, there's a large influx of mana filing the room.
Could it be?
I quickly turn aound to look at the burnt up boy, but just as expected he's still knocked out.
With the severity of his injuries I'd assume he was dead if not for the fact his back was moving up and down.
The mana build up seemed to stopped, hmm strange. Eh maybe I just imagined it, it's been a very long day.
Fwoosh!
A powerful fire bursts from behind me crasing straight into my back. It sends me skidding across the ground.
'Ow, goddamnit! Ugh.'
"STELLA CADENS!"