To Die With Pride
"Treasure your life? When did you become a preacher?" [Krino]
("Don't you think everyone should value their life? I know he's dead and all, but… he's a nice guy.") [Adam]
"Such naivety…" [Krino]
Ignoring Krino, Adam switched his priorities.
("I know I told him that I want him to pick up a sword, but where will he get one?") [Adam]
He glanced around the room, unaware of the corpses' actions.
"...Very well…" [Corpse]
It swept its hand across the room, light bursting forth before him.
"Ack! My eyes!" [Adam]
The light dimmed, leaving behind a longsword in hand. It had a blue guard that was curved over the handle as if it were an umbrella, and the blade was thick with outlines of white. The handle itself was wrapped in a cloth, as if it was covered in a hurry.
"That's a soul weapon!" [Krino]
("Thanks for the info Mr. Obvious!") [Adam]
"I have decided… You are the one…" [Corpse]
"...What?" [Adam]
"I... Askyros… have chosen my legacy... As the guardian of the fourth lotus… I forfeit my life…" [Askyros]
Adam felt a strange sensation wash past him. He knew something changed in the room, but he couldn't quite grasp it.
"This guy…! Did he really just do that…?!" [Krino]
("Eh?! Guardian of what?! Huh?!") [Adam]
"No time to explain, he's moving!" [Krino]
"...Burst." [Askyros]
He thrust his blade forward. Multiple rotating beams of light erupted from the blade, shredding the room as it spun.
("It's hot! That's not just light!") [Adam]
"Maybe it's concentrated heat?" [Krino]
("Leave the theories for later! Plan! Now!") [Adam]
"Last Bastion!" [Adam]
He plunged Krino into the floor. In mere moments, a transparent barrier shaped in multiple hexagons enveloped Adam.
("It… looks different from before…?") [Adam]
"Really? Must be your imagination." [Krino]
The streams of light flashed past the barrier. Surprisingly, the beams only reflected off of it. Seeing that his attack bore no fruit, Askyros recalled the light.
"You done?" [Adam]
With Askyros' lights withdrawn, Adam let down his barrier.
"It appears… attacks of this caliber… will not suffice..." [Askyros]
He withheld his weapon to his side and took a momentary pause.
"...Flash." [Askyros]
Just as the name suggested, the sword radiated a blinding white.
"Ugh!" [Adam]
The outburst of light caused Adam to flinch, creating an opportunity for Askyros.
"Wha-?!" [Adam]
The light diminished, unveiling Askyros with his weapon drawn in front of Adam. Out of reflex, Adam immediately lashed out.
"...How unfortunate…" [Askyros]
Instead of dodging or parrying, Askyros chose to face the attack head on. Clashing blades, he strained what was left of his lifeless muscles.
"Guh!" [Adam]
("I'm… being pushed back?!?!") [Adam]
Askyros put enough strength to push Adam's back against the wall, but he halted his approach.
"...What? Why did you stop?" [Adam]
"This… Is not how I wanted it to end…" [Askyros]
("Did he stop because I was losing?") [Adam]
"Before… I simply wanted it all to end…, but you have given me… hope." [Askyros]
"...What do you mean?" [Adam]
Askyros looked at his own hands, and he held a sorrowful expression on his face.
"When I became… this. I had forgotten… my pride. A pride… lost to the sands of time..." [Askyros]
He lowered his blade and pointed his shriveled finger at Adam.
"You… lack experience. Your swordplay is… mediocre at best." [Askyros]
("Mediocre?! What does he mean by- Oh…") [Adam]
As he thought about it, a sudden thought hit him.
"Judging by the look on your face… It seems there is no longer… a need for words…" [Askyros]
"...Implode." [Adam]
A gust of air blew him forward, closing the distance in an instant. Askyros prepared to counter, but he saw no signs of Adam attacking.
("He's… not attacking... Then… I will make the first move…") [Askyros]
Pivoting his foot, he spun around and slashed at Adam.
("It's here!") [Adam]
Just like Askyros had done so previously, Adam met his blade head-on.
"Hrm?!" [Askyros]
Adam's blow felt much stronger, and felt somewhat familiar to Askyros.
("He's… mimicking my movements…!") [Askyros]
Adam strengthened his grip, pushing Askyros back.
"Grk…!" [Askyros]
("If my swordsmanship is considered mediocre, then I'll just have to borrow one that isn't!") [Adam]
Adam pushed further, forcing Askyros to distance himself.
"Choosing to use my stance… A wise choice…" [Askyros]
He repositioned himself, and so did Adam.
"You may be following my movements..., but the difference will be clear soon…" [Askyros]
Simultaneously, the two lunged forward. The sound of metal against metal rang throughout the room as they connected blows.
("Ugh!") [Adam]
"What's wrong?!" [Krino]
("I can't keep up! I don't have enough speed!") [Adam]
The confrontation lasted for minutes, and it showed no sign of stopping. Adam's breathing was ragged, and sweat was beginning to cover his vision.
("At this rate Adam's going to lose!") [Krino]
"Give me some mana!" [Krino]
While crossing blades with Askyros, Adam concentrated mana into Krino. The moment Krino was supplied with mana, lightning shot up Adam's arms, increasing his speed and power.
("He's… improving…?") [Askyros]
("I can do this!") [Adam]
"Zero Point!" [Adam]
"Hm?!" [Askyros]
In the midst of battle, his vision shook. Looking down, he realized his feet were entrapped with the flooring.
("What… is this…?") [Askyros]
He lost focus as confusion overcame him. It didn't take long for him to recognize his dis-advantage in position.
("I… can't use my footwork…!") [Askyros]
With his feet frozen in place, Adam forced Askyros to go on the defensive. Taking advantage of the situation, Adam sent a multitude of slashes using Askyros' swordplay.
("It can't be… He's… memorized it…?!") [Askyros]
His hands became a blur, blocking like never before.
("There!") [Adam]
Breaking the rhythm, he thrust his blade forward. The sudden movement fooled Askyros, and he was struck in the heart.
"Urgh…!" [Askyros]
He released his sword, letting it fade into the background. He dropped to one knee and the fire in his eyes dimmed.
"Kind one... Your swordsmanship was- Kuh…!" [Askyros]
His body winced in pain as his life's flames slowly died out.
"...Marvelous…" [Askyros]