Mock Duel

Adaceus rushed toward the training grounds, gaining sight of it and eventually reaching the entrance of it.

He batted away the hanging cloth and stopped as he went in, taking in deep breaths in and out as he was out of breath.

His eyes suddenly began to focus on two figures standing there in the middle of the training grounds. Two women stood their, Ingridt and Rinita.

Rinita wore some sort of all black suit, colored the darkest of shadows that was the top piece of her body, skin tight that revealed her feminine silhouette, and the toned muscle she had. The garment around her waist fluttered, baggy like loose trousers and on her feet were heeled shoes. Her hair was tied to a high pony tail, and her face was concealed in a sort of red mask with jagged tusks in each cheek of its face. 

Adaceus always knew she was the fighter type, but seeing her in full warrior attire by the look of it, made all those speculation justified. 

Indgridt on the other hand was clothed in simple leather armor, and cloths that were light that enabled the ease of movement.

They were talking to each other.

"Adaceus! Over here!" A voice shouted.

He turned, and on the first row of seats on the seating area above was Hainan, waiving at him with a smile. He gestured his hand for him to come over, and he did, climbing up to him.

"Morning, sleep well?" He said.

"Yes, I did," Adaceus responded.

"I assume you got the note? You were running quick over here."

"Yes, I did, did Miss Ingridt write it?"

"Aye, she did, she had Rinita put it there for you, said she brought you here to watch her train."

"That's what that was?"

"Yep, sorry if it was unprecedented, I really didn't want to disturb your sleep but she was eager that I really didn't have a choice."

"All of that just to watch her train?"

"Well, maybe, there was another part she kept from me, said to just wait and see. She also said this was just a simple warm up for her and Rinita, so I guess you just have to wait."

Hainan patted the area next to him, signaling for Adaceus to sit, which he did, and both of them locked to the two women on the arena. Both of them were now a few steps away from each other, a distance where one could guess they were about ready to battle. They both drew their weapons in an attack ready stance.

Rinita, raised a simple steel sword that she got from the weapons rack, while Rinita had a sort of knuckled blade, and attached to the end's of it was a chain.

They posed themselves to an appropriate stance, and begun with Rinita charging at her. She was running at a quick pace, but for Adacues who knew of her speed she was going unusually slow.

She launched an attack, starting with a slash of her weapon with which Ingridt effortless blocked with her sword. Rinita stepped back, and Ingridt pounced as a follow up, stabbing at her with which Rinita also dodged.

They went on exchanging strikes to each other, their movements were slow but steady, precise and intentional, overall it was a calm bout between them, with nothing flashy performed. 

"So, how are you? Adaceus?" Hainan asked.

"What do you mean?" Responded Adaceus. 

"Yesterday, it was quite hard for you, especially how my wife acted, it must have been overwhelming seeing her stare daggers at you."

"Yes, it was, she really is a fearsome person, very intimidating indeed."

Hainan chuckled, "Aye, that's what's to be expected from a master class swordsman."

Adaceus observed his happy face, and asked, "And how do you feel?"

He stopped his laughter, and looked at him with a raised brow.

"The things that were said yesterday, there was some things revealed that may... have proven a surprise," Adaceus said, and he followed by shaking his arm, "Once again, I hope my affliction doesn't put any aversion toward you."

Hainan raised his hand, "You don't need to be worried about that Adaceus, believe me, I don't care what you look like or have any semblance of revulsion toward you."

"Are you sure about that? Something as burnt flesh on someone actually living is something is baffling, I have to guess. Like I said, I'll try hard not to make this an issue in my stay here, and I-"

"Adaceus," Interrupted Hainan, "I repeat, I do not care. You have proven well enough to me that you are alright, that I know well."

"Bu-"

He cut him off again with a raise of his hand, "I did tell you that I am a merchant right?"

Adaceus nodded. 

"Well, us merchants, especially one of my caliber," he puffed his chest, pasting a proud smile on himself, "have a very good read of a persons character."

"You can tell a lot from experienced eyes, and I would say I am pretty accurate in my reading's, especially after spending a great deal of time with you."

He raised his finger and pointed to him, "And that is why you are good in my eyes. Does that assure you down a bit?"

"If you say so, Mr. Hainan," Adaceus said, relenting. 

A powerful explosion suddenly burst out on the arena and massive cloud of dust to appeared out of it.

The both of them looked at the sight, stunned at what had happened that their eyes widened a lot. 

Ingridt and Rinita then escaped the large cloud of dust, with Rinita being pushed back by Ingridt as they flew in the air. They struck at each other with powerful attacks, trading blow for blow with mighty strength and tenacity that the metal of their weapons rang loud.

It looked like they were starting to get serious.

Ingridt delivered a downward swing, causing the both of them to fall to the ground with Rinita set to land on the on it first. As they both reached the floor, with Ingridt landing in a loud crash, Rinita flickered out of the way without making impact, almost like she teleported, and reappeared just above Ingridt in a flicker.

She raised her empty hand, and from an open palm a weapon materialized in it in a bright flash of red light. It was a black steel flail, and she sent it downward toward Ingridt. 

Ingridt's body then began being enveloped with a white energy, taking the form of a barrier of some sort and blocked the incoming attack, and even sending a shockwave to burst, sending her skidding across the floor. 

Adaceus watched in awe as this was happening, particularly in the energies that enshrouded their every movement and attack. 

Ingridt swung and sent a slash of this energy toward Rinita, which sent away to dust with the flail before another two followed. It served as a distraction, while Rinita was occupied batting the incoming slashes sent to her, she ran with an upward swing ready, which was blocked by the knuckle blade. With a speedy movement, Rinita flickered behind her, and with the knuckle blade conjured three large claws of red, crimson energy, with which he slashed down Ingridt on, but was promptly blocked with a misty white barrier behind her. 

Many of these were presented, and Adaceus didn't know what these strange energies were. There was nothing like this in Adaceus's old world, and it interested him to a very high degree to learn more about the abilities that were used here. 

The dust that enveloped the arena then gently subsided away, and he could see Rinita and Ingridt, standing there face two face with their weapons lowered, signifying the end to their duel. 

Ingridt then face where they were sitting, her face was clear and untouched as ever, and even after the rigorous fight they just had, not a bead of sweat appeared on her face.

"You," she pointed her sword to Adaceus, "come down."

Adaceus looked at her with a questioning gaze, but she only repeated herself.

"Come down, I will not say it twice."

He agreed indefinitely, and both him and Hainan left their seats and headed down.

"Good, you're here," she said this while glaring at him, "Draw your sword and set back 3 paces."

Adaceus wanted to ask why, but was ignored as she took three steps away from him, and also drew her blade, leaving him to to the same to. After 3 paces he unlatched his sword from him. It confused him on why she asked him to do this, but as he focused on her, she saw that she was also getting ready. 

What..?

"Umm, uhh, what are we going to do?" Adaceus nervously asked.

"Spar."

"Whu..." and he stood there frozen in place.

He shook his head about in appalling fashion, almost in a daze. He looked about from left to right and saw Hainan and Rinita, who were standing in the sidelines just away from the arena. He focused on Hainan, who had a pained expression on his face while looking at him, and motioned around his body in a 'What is the meaning' of this fashion.

"Remember that thing she kept from me," Hainan said," I think this is it." Adaceus heard those words rung.

A torrent of energy suddenly appeared on Ingridt, and to Adacues's dismay and absolute horror, she was prepared and was in a fighting stance.

"I suggest you prepare quick," She said, her sword forwarded, and the energy begun surrounding the blade.

Dammit... no.