Animalistic Battle

Jack appeared in front of Sawyl in a red blur, claws slashing through the air with predatory intent. His right hand came down in a vicious arc but Sawyl raised his greatsword with calm precision, blocking the strike effortlessly.

Lancelot was right behind him, roaring as he swung a wide horizontal slash aimed at Sawyl's abdomen. But the brute was ready. He pivoted on his heel and drove a front kick into Lancelot's stomach. The force blasted the knight backward but momentum carried Lancelot's sword onward, now inadvertently heading toward Jack.

Eyes widening, Lancelot twisted the blade midair, and the flat of it slammed into Jack's ribs instead of cutting through him. The blow still landed hard. Jack stumbled away, clutching his side with a pained grunt, glaring at Lancelot.

"What the hell, Lance?!" Jack growled.

Before Lancelot could respond, Jack lashed out with a clawed hand. Lancelot blocked the blow with his blade, steel grinding against nail. Their eyes locked, both radiating fury, two warriors in a dangerous stalemate.

Meanwhile, Joshua charged.

He sprang like a lion, dual claws raised for a deadly pounce. But Sawyl's reflexes were faster. He stepped in and drove a monstrous front kick into Joshua's exposed midsection.

Crack.

Joshua's eyes went wide. Blood erupted from his mouth. The force of the blow hurled him through the air and directly into the tangled Jack and Lancelot. The trio tumbled like bowling pins, crashing hard across the bloodstained dirt.

Sawyl laughed. His deep, cold voice echoed off the walls of the ruined battlefield.

"Hahahahaha... Now they're fighting like animals. This'll be easy pickings."

Lancelot groaned and began pushing himself up. Jack did the same, though one of his arms trembled. Joshua, however, lay coughing violently, struggling for breath. Each inhale brought a fresh spurt of blood to his lips.

Then Sawyl moved.

He dashed toward Jack, bringing his leg up in a brutal oblique kick. It struck Jack's knee with a sickening crack. Jack screamed and crumpled to the ground, clutching his shattered leg.

Lancelot cried out and slashed at Sawyl, but the monster danced backward, letting the blade slice nothing but air.

Lancelot pressed forward. A vertical slash screamed toward Sawyl's head but again, the veteran warrior blocked with ease. He retaliated with a swift kick to Lancelot's gut, making the knight stumble. As Lancelot bent forward, Sawyl reeled his leg back and drove a knee upward, straight into Lancelot's jaw.

Crunch.

Lancelot collapsed, unconscious before he even hit the ground.

Sawyl lifted his blade.

"Die."

But before the strike could fall, Joshua roared.

He flew in from the side, dropkicking Sawyl in the ribs. The impact knocked Sawyl away from Lancelot, sending him skidding backward.

Sawyl righted himself with a sneer.

"Oh? You pushed me back? You must be Joshua Xeno." His glowing blue eyes narrowed. "You'll be a problem for King Siegfried in the future… Best I kill you now."

He slid into a one-handed sword stance, body taut like a drawn bow.

Joshua remained on all fours, gasping. Blood dripped from his lips as he looked around, at Jack writhing in pain, at Lancelot sprawled unconscious, at the swords lying too far away.

(If I don't get control... Sawyl will kill us all. Think like a knight. Rage in the heart. Calm in the mind.)

He rose slowly.

His eyes burned bright green. His face was focused. He picked up both his and Lancelot's swords and crossed them in front of him, entering a dual-wielding stance.

Sawyl attacked.

His greatsword came down in a brutal vertical slash. Joshua crossed both blades to block it. The impact trembled through his bones, but he held steady.

Then he countered, blades flashing in twin arcs as he spun.

Sawyl met each strike with calm precision, blocking with little effort. He swung again, and again Joshua blocked but the sheer force pressed him down.

Sawyl smiled as his blue aura surged. He gripped his sword with both hands now.

With a roar, he brought the full weight of the weapon down.

Joshua's defense shattered. He was flung into the ground, both swords flying from his hands.

Before he could react, a foot slammed into the side of his head, sending him tumbling away like a broken doll.

Sawyl scoffed.

"I was expecting more from the son of the Warrior Princess."

Joshua lay still, blood pouring from a gash in his scalp. Slowly, shakily, he began to rise again. His vision blurred, but the glowing green in his eyes never dimmed.

(Damn it... I'm too far from the swords. If I move for them, he'll kill me.)

His gaze fell on Sawyl, standing between him and the blades.

Then, he grinned through bloodied teeth.

"You some kind of bitch? Using a weapon against an unarmed man?"

Sawyl blinked. Then… he burst out laughing.

"Hahahahahahaha! You got jokes, kid! Hahaha...!"

But the laughter cut short. His grin faded. His eyes turned cold.

"If I fought with a weapon, your death would've been quick… but now, it'll be long. Torturous."

He dropped his sword to the ground with a heavy thud.

Then he stepped forward, slipping into a deadly Muay Thai stance. His glowing blue eyes burned like fire, and the air grew heavy with killing intent.

Joshua's smirk faltered.

He felt it, Sawyl's bloodlust, cold and suffocating.

The next round… would be hell.