Opening Rounds

Bullets flew in an endless stream like liquid lead.

Leo pressed his back to one of the enormous metal structures, covered from the fire for now. This woman was the most terrifying creature he'd run into since he began this journey, and that was saying something. She'd opened fire without warning, and honestly, he would be dead if it weren't for Raphael's power.

He'd escaped for now, but if she followed him around this bend, it would be over for him. This particular metal tower rested at the edge of their field, so he couldn't run around it without leaving their battlefield and violating the rules. Who knew what would come after that.

The shots became louder, and pressured Leo to make a decision. What could he do against a ranged fighter? He had no understanding of what he could do aside from throw lightning around, and even then, his blade would need to make contact or get very close to her. Maybe if he waited, she would get close enough for him to get the jump on.

The bullets that flew past struck other battlefields, hitting the ground or endangering the fighters there. Each one that landed looked completely misshapen, like it had melted from heat before impact. Was that her power? She heated up the bullets? No time to dwell on it.

'Huh?' The sound of confusion escaped his lips before he even considered the risks of making a noise. The shots had stopped. The battlefield was quiet enough to hear his own boots grind against the dirt. That was until some poor soul nearby was beheaded by their opponent. But what was the gunslinger doing?

Leo crouched and edged himself around the metal tower, risking a peek. He kept his blade in front of his face, hoping it would stop a shot to his head. She wasn't there. There was only empty dirt and two metal towers. She had to be hiding behind one of them, it only made sense. She was going to drag this out to be a game of patience, which brought back memories of Raphael mentioning that survival was also a viable option.

Considering his options, Leo had to decide what kind of fighter he was. Would he try and drag it out so she wore down and ran out of ammo, or would he strike hard and fast, hoping for the best? Not only would his approach affect this fight, but also what kinds of sponsors he would attract. There were just too many scenarios, and it began overwhelming his thoughts. He decided to stay put, at least until a smart approach came to him.

A bubbling sound popped behind him. Every inch of skin on his back prickled and terror felt like it lanced his very heart.

Something was behind him.

Leo swivelled in time to bring his blade to meet the barrel of a shotgun, glancing it aside with a panicked sweep.

'Crap.' The gunslinger clicked her tongue. She stood inside the tower, in a tunnel that looked like it had been melted from the inside out. So she really could manipulate metal. That made this whole fight terrifying.

Leo ran around the next bend as a shot fired off where he was seconds before. He pressed against the wall and caught his breath. This was the perfect battlefield for this woman, and she was making the most of it all. Leo had no chance if she was going to keep popping out of the metal tower like that.

Almost immediately, he could hear the sound of bubbling, like magma wallowing in its volcanic pit. The tower of metal rumbled, which made Leo think about food. Now he was just hungry and nervous. The metal above him burst as fluid as water, and the gunslinger appeared once again. This time, she was even higher than before, well out of his reach or any lightning attacks he could throw at her.

This would be an awesome time to have the bident again instead of that stupid little sword. He should have pushed Raphael harder for a big weapon instead of backing down. Turning on his heel, Leo did all he could to defend himself in the open like this. He twirled his blade, loosing arcs of electricity that wove like a net to protect him.

Then came the bullets, raining down in a constant stream. The bullets split apart into a spray that easily breached the poor attempt at a shield Leo made. Pointed shards strung lines of blood and split skin across him in disarrayed lacerations, but his defence was enough to stop shots from reaching his vital points.

He needed cover again, so he backed across the battlefield, punctures littering his arms and legs with sharp pain stinging upon every step. The gunslinger moved around the outside of the tower, its metal moving like water to meet her feet and give her a perch to fire from. The way behind her closed itself off, like a wound instantly healing. So, her power wasn't permanent.

Leo finally reached another tower, and half hid himself. Now, she would either wait, or be forced to cross the battlefield in the open. He had no choice but to rush out to meet her if she did the latter. Everything was a gamble, which was completely unfair. This woman had every upper hand possible. Wasn't he the one sponsored by an archangel? He would have to make a complaint to Raphael when this was done.

The pain began taking hold, and his body shook through every limb. She hadn't shot another bullet yet. She must have been waiting him out. This was so unfair. If only he had that damn bident, he could throw it and catch this gunslinger by surprise. If only he could manifest the weapon like Raphael did. Wait… there might be a way for Leo to do exactly that.

Leo reversed the grip on his sword raising it up by his head like a spear. He focused on the lightning binding the two halves of its blade, willing it to run down to the pommel. The leather wrappings burst on the end, and lightning flew off the metal pommel inside. Blue arcs of light struck outwards, like it was extending the pole beyond its physical form.

Leo adjusted his grip, and took lighting in his palm. He stepped onto the battlefield without hesitation, lowering his stance and winding the sword-come-polearm back. He threw the weapon like a javelin and it blitzed the air, spinning fast as a drill.

It impaled the gunslinger, pinning her to the tower before she could fire a single shot in response.