Chapter 35: Espada's Answer to the Stallion

The sun hung high in the sky as the announcer's voice echoed through the arena, signaling the commencement of the next battle. "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a thrilling duel! From the Grimknights, we have Espada Harmony, wielding her formidable scimitar!" The crowd erupted, with bandit spectators whistling and hurling lewd remarks. "Facing her, one of Stallion's esteemed champions—Cruxis Cross, master of the gladius!" The audience's roar intensified, a testament to Cruxis's popularity, renowned for his unparalleled swordsmanship and impenetrable defense, unaided by any supernatural abilities.

As the combatants approached the center of the arena, tension thickened the air. The sudden clang of the gong shattered the silence, igniting the crowd's fervor. Espada launched forward, her scimitar slicing through the air with precision. Cruxis met her assault head-on, his gladius deftly parrying each strike. Their blades clashed in a symphony of steel, neither giving an inch.

Seizing an opening, Cruxis countered with a swift slash. Espada, momentarily off-balance, raised her scimitar just in time, but not without consequence—a thin line of crimson appeared on her cheek. The audience's cheers grew louder. Cruxis pressed his advantage, leaping into the air, positioning himself against the blinding sun. Disoriented, Espada felt a sharp sting as his blade grazed her side. Before she could recover, a powerful kick connected with her arm, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Circling her with a predatory gaze, Cruxis taunted, "You see the disparity in our skills. Yield now, and spare yourself from further humiliation."

Espada wiped the blood from her lip, a defiant smirk forming. "Underestimating me will be your downfall."

Cruxis's eyes narrowed as he raised his gladius. Espada mirrored his stance, her movements deliberate. Surprise flickered across Cruxis's face but was quickly replaced by determination. With determinition, he charged. Espada met his advance, their weapons clashing with renewed intensity.

The duel intensified, each combatant pushing the other to their limits. Espada's movements became a mirror of Cruxis's, anticipating his attacks and countering with equal force. Frustration etched onto Cruxis's features as he realized she was mimicking his techniques.

Breaking away, both fighters panted heavily. Cruxis glared at her. "You're copying my moves."

Espada's eyes gleamed with determination. "I've learned from the best". She was referring to Henry. Then she poses for a familiar stance.

From the sidelines, Elric murmured, "The Flow Thrust."

Cruxis's confidence wavered, but he masked it with a sneer. He lunged, aiming for a decisive blow. Espada anticipated his move, ducking under his swing and driving her scimitar forward locking to his neck. Cruxis deflected the blade with his bracer, smirking—until Espada's fist slammed into his abdomen, forcing him to his knees.

Espada retreated, adopting her stance once more. She quickly dashed to Cruxis, hoping to end the fight once and for all. Anger flared in Cruxis's eyes as he pushed himself up. With a roar, he dodges Espada and dashed behind her, his gladius slicing across her back. Espada collapsed, motionless.

The crowd erupted, chanting Cruxis's name. He basked in their adulation, raising his weapon in acknowledgment. Approaching Espada's prone form, he prepared to deliver the final blow. But as he swung down, Espada rolled, kicking his legs out from under him. Cruxis hit the ground hard, and before he could react, Espada's scimitar descended, embedding deep into his abdomen. It didn't went through but surely made a very deep cut.

Silence enveloped the arena as Espada stood, bloodied but victorious. She severed Cruxis' hand, holding it aloft before hurling it toward Stallion. "You're next," she declared, her voice was partly panting, but it did reached to the Stallion.

The audience remained hushed, the weight of her words settling over them like a shroud.

Before anyone could react, Cruxis let out a choked gasp and, against all odds, wrenched himself free, blood gushing from his wound. His once-proud stance was now hunched, his face twisted in agony, yet his eyes burned with raw determination.

"You think you've won?" he rasped. "Not yet."

In an instant, Cruxis surged forward, his remaining hand gripping his gladius tightly. Espada barely had time to react before he struck, his blade a blur. She dodged left, but the tip of his weapon carved a deep gash across her thigh. Staggering, she gritted her teeth, raising her scimitar once more.

Their weapons clashed again, but this time, Cruxis fought like a wounded beast, his attacks more savage, his movements erratic yet effective. Espada found herself on the defensive, her body screaming in protest with every parry. The crowd, initially silent, now roared with renewed excitement, the duel reaching an unforeseen climax.

Cruxis lunged, aiming for her heart, but Espada twisted her body at the last second, letting his blade graze her ribs. In that fleeting moment, she struck back, her scimitar slicing across his chest in a brutal arc. Cruxis coughed up blood, his body finally giving in to the damage.

He fell to one knee, his vision blurring. Espada stood over him, panting heavily, her own blood dripping onto the sand. "Now... it's over," she said coldly.

With a final, precise swing, she brought the hilt of her scimitar down onto his head, knocking him unconscious. The crowd erupted in cheers and cries of shock. The Grimknights cheered, while Stallion's warriors sat in stunned silence.

Espada turned her gaze toward Stallion once more. She lifted her bloodied weapon high, her expression unwavering. "They are not enough!".

The sun, now beginning its descent, cast long shadows over the arena, marking the end of one battle and the foreshadowing of many more to come.