A proper opponent

Looking at the console screen in front of him, Cedric sees an invite from Siegward into a randomly generated daytime forest tile map.

Considering his options, Cedric is about to choose a smaller weapon that might give him an advantage in this scenario. Before locking his choice, Cedric takes a moment to think.

Cedric has been observing Siegward's movements while they were walking, noticing the elf has a slight spring in his step, as if raring to sprint wherever they are headed.

From this, Cedric can assume that Siegward is an impatient individual. Although the guy is a hunter, which counteracts the impatient trait, seeing as how a hunter is always stalking his prey patiently, waiting for an opportunity to arise.

'So as soon as the match starts, he's going to jump along the treetops trying to reach me as fast as possible, to set up an ambush. I should also expect him to appear from above. Hmm... What a frustrating opponent. Can't we just measure our might in a battle of skill? I guess he is a wood-elf after all. I just hope that this time it will be different.'

Hoping for his opponent not to disappoint, Cedric decides to go with his original choice. Instead of opting for the weapon best used in this scenario, Cedric still chooses to go with the Odachi.

He thinks, 'If this turns out to be the reason for my loss, then it is a lesson I am willing to take. The experience gained from using such a long and impractical weapon in a real-life scenario while being pushed to my limits is exactly what I need.'

Unknowingly, Cedric has pushed himself into a mindset of yearning for a disadvantageous fight. He lives for the thrill of the fight and wants to make it as interesting as possible. He also wants to use this opportunity to further sharpen his swordsmanship skill.

Siegward has already locked in his choice of weapon. Wanting an engaging fight, he chose a feather-shaped scimitar commonly used among elf folk, a blade both light and easy to handle in harsh environments. He sees this fight as an opportunity to learn from Cedric.

Instead of just ending the fight early by sniping his opponent from afar using his bow, he believes this is an opportunity he may never get again.

"This might be my only chance to prepare myself for the Forge's trials. I won't always have a bow to rely on, and depending on the scenario, and from what I've heard, I won't be getting much of an opportunity to use it anyways. This is exactly the fight I need. I will take whatever you throw at me, Cedric, and use it to better prepare myself for surviving the Forge."

With both fighters now locked in with their choices, they both flash a neon blue light before disappearing from their spot on the ship. They appear in a lush forest filled with giant sprawling bushes spread all around, hindering the combatants from being able to see and navigate properly.

Trees so wide, it would take four grown men to fully encase them, so tall it looks like they are touching the storm clouds looming high above.

"Wait, storm clouds?" Siegward takes a moment to smell his surroundings, his ear twitching in confirmation. "Goddamn it. Well, I guess I'll have to make do with what I am given. I don't believe Cedric is familiar in a forest this dense."

With small droplets announcing the storm's appearance, the surroundings are quickly swept in a strong gale. Soon, the entire forest is enveloped by a rainstorm billowing harsh winds, showering both contestants with rain.

Siegward is seen running towards Cedric's location, relying on the wind to further accelerate his approach. Almost as if in tune with nature itself, he grabs onto a couple of branches, lifting him up from the ground. Now hanging from a branch around 15 meters high, he sees Cedric standing there calmly, his eyes closed. With his sword gripped in both hands, standing in a fool's guard stance.

"He's here," thought Cedric, unable to tell exactly where, relying on his many years of combat and training in similar harsh environments.

Upon appearing inside the forested tile, seeing the storm clouds looming high above, he decided to take a wait-and-see approach. Aware that the elf has an advantage in mobility, he decided to taunt his opponent into making a move first.

Siegward, now sitting on the branch located just above Cedric, proceeds to unsheathe his blade. Using the tree as a foothold, he pushes his legs against the massive tree's bark.

With a sudden push of his legs, he glides over to Cedric's location, his thin blade singing in the air as it slices through the raindrops falling ceaselessly to the ground, reminiscent of a scene where an owl is gliding down to catch its prey.

With his eyes still closed, Cedric feels his enemy almost upon him. Taking a deep breath, he moves a step back, orienting his blade diagonally above his head, with its edge facing the ground. He feels the other's blade hit his Odachi at an angle, sliding along its edge. He proceeds to take a step forward with his left foot, seeking to land a hit on his opponent's ribcage.

Siegward had not anticipated the counterattack. He feels the Odachi's handle guard slam into his ribs, slightly lower than his chest area, stifling a grunt as he tries to distance himself from his opponent.

Using his right foot, he slams against Cedric's chest and rolls off to the side. As he stands back up, he sees his opponent's glowing amber eyes, like lanterns glowing in the dark, looking straight at him.

'This guy is too much. I can't take him in a head-on clash,' Siegward thought. He retreated into the lush greenery surrounding the small clearing and started to circle around his opponent's supposed position. He felt a small line of blood tracing from his lips, but he cracked a grin, thinking, 'Finally, a proper opponent.'