The Iron Claws began moving away, their leader maintaining a steady pace at the front. His sword gleamed faintly in the dappled forest light, the tension still thick in the air after the near clash with Jerry. Zane walked smugly near the rear, his lips curved into a mocking smirk, clearly savoring the fact that he'd walked away unscathed.
Leo, Caleb, and Mia exchanged glances, silently relieved that the confrontation had simmered down.
But
Mia, being Mia, wasn't one to let things go so easily.
"Cowards…" she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Zane paused, tilting his head slightly, though he kept walking.
"I mean, you call yourselves the Iron Claws? More like Kitten Claws, running off with your tails between your legs."
Caleb groaned audibly, rubbing his temples. "Here we go…"
Leo sighed, his shoulders sagging as he muttered, "Of course."
Jerry, however, grinned wide. "She's got a point," he said loudly, adding fuel to the fire.
"All bark, no bite."
Mia, emboldened by Jerry's support, crossed her arms and called out one final jab.
"What kind of leader turns tail so fast? Maybe you should find a real guild to follow with a backbone!"
The forest seemed to be still as her words echoed through the trees. The Iron Claws froze in their tracks. For a moment, there was only silence, thick and oppressive.
Then, slowly, the leader turned around. His expression was no longer calm and calculating, it was cold, lethal. His eyes locked onto Mia with an intensity that made even Jerry's grin falter slightly.
Zane laughed out loud, thoroughly enjoying the shift in atmosphere.
"You all are fucked!"
The Iron Claws leader unsheathed his sword in one smooth, fluid motion. The metallic ring echoed through the clearing, sharp and unforgiving.
"You have a death wish, girl?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Leo instinctively stepped forward, ready to intervene, but Caleb grabbed his arm. "Wait" Caleb whispered. "We need to see through his moves first."
Jerry, however, was already inching toward Mia's side, his muscles taut with anticipation. "She said what she said," he growled defiantly. "Deal with it."
The leader's lips curled into a humorless smile.
"Oh, I intend to."
Without warning, he surged forward, his sword slicing through the air with terrifying precision as he closed the distance between himself and Mia.
"Mia, move!" Leo shouted, his voice cutting through the sudden chaos.
But she didn't back down. Her hand instinctively reached for her bow, fingers already notching an arrow. Her eyes narrowed, calculating the leader's trajectory, but there was no time—he was moving too fast.
The leader's blade flashed menacingly in the transforming light as he closed down on her.
Mia's breath caught in her throat as the Iron Claws leader's sword sliced through the air, coming straight for her with deadly intent. There was no time to react—he was too fast, and precise. The metallic gleam of the blade filled her vision, promising nothing but pain.
But before the sword could reach its target, there was a flash of movement.
Leo.
He appeared between them in an instant, his sword rising to meet the incoming strike. The clash of metal rang out, sharp and deafening, reverberating through the forest like a shockwave. Sparks flew as the blades met, the sheer force of the impact causing both combatants to skid back slightly on the uneven ground.
The Iron Claws leader's eyes narrowed, assessing Leo with a newfound interest.
"So, you're not just a fluke," he muttered, his voice cold and calculating. "Good. Let's see what you're made of."
Without warning, he lunged again, his movements blindingly fast. His blade sliced through the air in a deadly arc, forcing Leo to parry with every ounce of strength he had. The force of each blow vibrated through Leo's arms, making his muscles burn.
Their swords clashed repeatedly, the sound of steel against steel filling the air like a relentless drumbeat. The Iron Claws leader fought with a brutal elegance, his strikes precise and merciless. Each movement was calculated, designed to exploit any opening Leo might leave.
Leo getting overpowered, focusing on keeping up with the relentless assault. He deflected a series of rapid strikes, barely managing to maintain his footing. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he couldn't afford to falter
Not with Mia and the others watching, depending on him to hold the line.
The leader spun suddenly, his sword coming in low toward Leo's side. Leo managed to twist his body just in time, the blade missing his ribs by mere inches. But the leader didn't let up; he pressed forward, his attacks growing more ferocious with each passing second.
Leo countered with a powerful upward slash, forcing the leader to leap back. Seizing the brief opening, Leo charged forward, unleashing a flurry of strikes.
His sword became a blur as he attacked with everything he had, determination burning in his eyes.
The leader, however, was unshaken. He parried each blow with infuriating ease, his movements fluid and efficient. "You're predictable," he taunted, his voice devoid of emotion.
This wasn't just about brute strength, it was about strategy. He had to find a way to outmaneuver his opponent, to break through that ironclad defense.
But before he could formulate a plan, the leader struck again, faster than Leo could react. The blade grazed Leo's upper arm, cutting through fabric and flesh. Blood welled up from the shallow wound, staining his sleeve.
Leo hissed in pain but didn't retreat. He couldn't afford to show weakness.
"What's the matter? Losing your edge already?"
The leader smirked, clearly enjoying the challenge.
Ignoring the taunt, Leo shifted his stance, tightening his grip on his sword. He knew he was at a disadvantage, the leader's speed and precision were unmatched.
But Leo had something the leader didn't: courage.
The battle raged on, their swords clashing in a deadly dance. Leo managed to land a glancing blow on the leader's shoulder, but it did little more than annoy him. The leader retaliated with a swift slash that caught Leo's thigh, drawing another line of crimson.
Leo's breath came in ragged gasps, his body protesting against the punishment it was taking. Cuts littered his arms and legs, each one a testament to the leader's skill. But he refused to back down.
Mia, Jerry, and Caleb watched from a distance, their faces tense with worry. Jerry's fists clenched at his sides, clearly itching to jump in and help, but he knew better.
This was Leo's fight. (Leader to leader)
The leader's expression hardened as he advanced once more, his sword poised for the final blow. "You should've stayed out of this, boy," he said coldly.
But Leo wasn't done yet.
Wiping the blood from his brow with the back of his hand, he steadied himself, preparing for the next exchange. His body ached, and the sting of his wounds was constant, but his resolve burned brighter than ever.