Before The Fall (5)

"What was that? I didn't know you are an impulsive battle maniac," I remark as soon as I stand before Kruff who is planted in the wall.

Kruff snickers and then shakes his head faintly. "I just wanted to make sure of something."

"That I am stronger than you?"

"Pfft! No. I knew that as soon as I sensed your pressure when you returned." Pushing his body out of the wall, he continues, "I wanted to make sure if you could already hit me. You can and it makes me very proud to be one of the people who have taught you something."

"You just stood there holding on to my foot like an idiot—did you think I was so incompetent that I would miss you?"

As he was holding his chest to, maybe, stop the bleeding, Kruff smiles faintly at me. It takes me a few seconds to understand what his smile means since there are so many emotions in it; still, I can't tell what it means in the end.

"Do you still remember what my moniker is?"

"Flawless Orc."