The chamber grew suffocating. The black flames around his sword crackled with an eerie stillness, their cold heat distorting the air. I felt the weight of his killing intent pressing against me — like a thousand blades poised to strike.
But fear was a luxury I couldn't afford.
He dashed forward. The ground cracked beneath his feet. His sword descended, a streak of black fire carving through the air. I met him head-on — our blades collided with a sound like thunder, the shockwave sending shards of stone skittering across the floor.
"You're slowing," he said, his voice calm, his attacks anything but. Strike after strike rained down — each blow faster and stronger than the last. I barely kept up, my arms numb from the force.
But slowing wasn't the same as stopping.
I ducked under a wide slash and lashed out. My sword grazed his shoulder — but his counter was immediate. A burst of black flame erupted between us, searing my skin and hurling me back. I hit the ground hard, rolling to my feet with a gasp.
He was already coming again.
The fight became a blur of steel and fire. I lost track of time, lost count of my wounds. My vision narrowed to his sword and mine — the dance of death between us.
But I was running out of time.
One mistake — one slip — and it would be over.
"Why fight so hard?" he asked, his voice almost curious. "You could walk away. Leave the struggle behind."
I wiped the blood from my mouth. "And what? Let the world grind me down? Let my family suffer? No." I raised my sword. "I fight because no one else will."
He tilted his head. "Foolish."
The next attack was too fast. I barely twisted aside — but his blade bit deep into my side. Pain flared, white-hot and blinding. My knees buckled.
"Stay down," he said.
I forced myself up.
He frowned. "Why won't you break?"
"Because," I growled, tightening my grip on my sword, "I haven't won yet."
He came at me again — and this time, I didn't retreat. I surged forward. Our blades met in a furious clash, and I poured everything into my strikes. My pain, my fear, my desperation — I turned it all into strength.
And for the first time — he stumbled.
I didn't let up. I attacked again and again, pushing him back step by step. His flames roared, but I didn't care. I cut through them. Through him.
And when my sword finally pierced his defenses — and my blade bit into his chest — I saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes.
He fell.
And I stood.
Barely.
But I stood.