The Meaning Of A Monomachia
Leaving Ryse behind, Askyros confronted Kafma. Though some nearby soldiers thought about attacking them, the sight of a dead armored giant and commander made them think twice.
"I'm glad you're willing, my formidable friend." [Kafma]
He smiled gleefully, inviting Askyros closer.
"..." [Askyros]
Askyros' eyes were drawn to Sitros, and Kafma extended a hand in response.
"Do you want to give him a burial or something? Maybe give him a few words before we start?" [Kafma]
Askyros thought about the few memories he had with Sitros, and he deemed it as unnecessary.
"...I have no words for someone like him. The only good thing I acknowledge about him is his taste in craftsmanship." [Askyros]
"Haha, that's harsh." [Kafma]
"Not as harsh as the punishments he put me through." [Askyros]
("I didn't expect that from him.") [Kafma]
"...Seems like you have quite the grudge. Should I have let you kill him instead?" [Kafma]
"No need. It's more convenient this way." [Askyros]
"Then I better get him out of the way." [Kafma]
Sticking The Giant Slayer into the ground next to him, magic circles appeared around Sitros' body.
"Ta kata piete, Silent Coffin." [Kafma]
The earth below Sitros swirled, swallowing him until there was nothing left.
"...That was unnecessary." [Askyros]
"I just didn't want him to hinder our battle." [Kafma]
"..." [Askyros]
"Speaking of which, do you want to do it too?" [Kafma]
"...What are you referring to?" [Askyros]
With a smug grin on his face, Kafma leaned on his sword.
"A monomachia. Want to wager your very soul?" [Kafma]
Crossing his arms, Askyros held an expression of unamusement.
"What do you think?" [Askyros]
"Is that a no?" [Kafma]
Seemingly disappointed, he released a small sigh.
"It's a yes." [Askyros]
"...BAHAHAHAHA!!! You're a riot!" [Kafma]
He teared up from laughter, and clapped in delight. Askyros watched Kafma in silence, waiting for him to calm down.
"Heheh… Phew… That was funny." [Kafma]
"Are you done?" [Askyros]
"Certainly. Shall we get to it?" [Kafma]
With a nod, Askyros unsheathed his sword and sliced his thumb.
"You're familiar with this?" [Kafma]
As he spoke, Kafma plucked The Giant Slayer from the ground. Sliding his finger across the edge, he repeated his actions from before. The two held out their fingers, allowing droplets of blood to hit the ground.
"With the sky as our witness, may our souls be guided in this dance of death." [Askyros] [Kafma]
The cuts on their fingers closed, signifying the sealing of the contract.
"I'm impressed. Not many people are willing to enter a monomachia with me." [Kafma]
"That's because they know they can't win." [Askyros]
"Then why did you accept?" [Kafma]
"Isn't it obvious? I'm built differently." [Askyros]
He lunged forward without warning, attacking with his spare sword.
"Interesting!" [Kafma]
Bringing his sword up in time, Kafma took the blow head on. The two clashed, causing sparks to fly as the edges of their blades grinded against each other.
"I can feel it! You must have gotten stronger!" [Kafma]
"You talk too much." [Askyros]
Releasing one hand from his grip, Askyros slammed his fist into Kafma's face.
"Ugh!" [Kafma]
He staggered backwards, and Askyros took that as an opportunity. Jumping into action, he kicked at Kafma's stomach.
"Hm?!" [Askyros]
Kafma hardened his gut, receiving the strike without harm. Surprised by the unexpected resistance, Askyros immediately backed away.
"...You're quite tough." [Askyros]
"Hah! You flatter me." [Kafma]
Askyros glanced at his sword, unsure whether or not it would hold. It was chipped in many areas and seemed to be on the verge of breaking.
"Worried about your sword?" [Kafma]
"...It's sufficient." [Askyros]
"Keheh. Your pride never ceases to amaze me." [Kafma]
Askyros took the initiative, recklessly charging at Kafma with no plan whatsoever.
"Are we doing this again?!" [Kafma]
Kafma prepared to receive the attack, but realized he was mistaken in an instant. Askyros dragged his blade in the dirt and flicked it up, blinding Kafma with soil.
"Blinding me won't be enough!" [Kafma]
He swung wildly, but Askyros had kept his distance.
"Where are you!" [Kafma]
"..." [Askyros]
Pacing around silently, Askyros waited until Kafma began to wipe the grime from his eyes.
"What is this?! It's not coming off!" [Kafma]
Rubbing his eyes, the brown color of soil started to turn into a dark red.
("Askyros mixed blood into the dirt!") [Adam]
Witnessing an opening, Askyros thrust his blade forward.
"That's enough! Talchios pagou! Frost Aura!" [Kafma]
To Askyros' surprise, an icy mist enveloped Kafma. The ice swirled around him, washing away the dirt from his eyes and deflected Askyros' attack.
"Haa… That's better." [Kafma]
"...That magic…" [Askyros]
"Oh, this? It's something I received from Sitros." [Kafma]
"..." [Askyros]
The new addition to problems made Askyros' brows furrow in annoyance.
"What? Don't look at me like that." [Kafma]
"How did you do it?" [Askyros]
"Do what?" [Kafma]
Askyros crossed his arms, clearly displeased with Kafma.
"I was just joking! You don't have to get all puffy." [Kafma]
With a wave of his hand, Kafma dispelled the icy mist in an instant.
"Is this your first time witnessing a monomachia?" [Kafma]
Askyros nodded in reply.
"Then it's simple. It's a contract that binds our soul to this field. The one who dies is the loser, and the winner takes all." [Kafma]
"...So you took his abilities." [Askyros]
"Don't forget his lifespan. It's also a way to lengthen your time in this world." [Kafma]
"Then I suppose I will have both ice and earth magic by the end of this." [Askyros]
"Truly a bottomless hubris you have there." [Kafma]
A bead of sweat slid down Askyros' neck. A sliver of anxiety appeared in his mind, but he ignored it.
"Not coming? Then I'll go first." [Kafma]
He placed a hand on the ground, and a circle appeared around his feet.
"Stilvo, Ice mark." [Kafma]
Ice spread out in a flash, catching Askyros off guard. His legs froze to the ground, restricting his movement.
"Tsk!" [Askyros]
"Can you take this?!" [Kafma]
He kicked off the ground, and slid to Askyros on the ice. Closing the distance in the blink of an eye, Kafma swung his sword like a baseball bat.
("Block it!") [Adam]
"Damn!" [Askyros]
He gripped his sword in anticipation and guarded. In the moment of impact, Askyros' sword shattered.
"Hrng!!" [Askyros]
The flat side of The Giant Slayer slammed into Askyros' stomach, breaking the ice on his feet and sending him flying. He bounced off the ground multiple times, and managed to reposition himself upright.
"Haah… Haah…" [Askyros]
He looked down at his armor, and realized it had become useless. The dent in it was too deep, so Askyros unbuckled the chestplate and let it drop.
"Are you still alive over there?" [Kafma]
Cupping his hands to his mouth, Kafma called over to Askyros. Clutching his stomach, Askyros slowly limped his way back.
"...You used the flat side on purpose." [Askyros]
"Oh? You could tell?" [Kafma]
"At the last moment, you rotated the handle." [Askyros]
"That shouldn't be what you should be worried about right now. You're injured. Why would you come back to me, the enemy?" [Kafma]
"Because my fists are more than enough to deal with you." [Askyros]
"Interesting." [Kafma]
To Askyros' surprise, Kafma threw aside his sword.
"What are you…?" [Askyros]
Holding a mischievous smile, Kafma cracked his knuckles.
"It would be boring to finish you with a sword. From now on, it's a brawl." [Kafma]