Predator and Prey

The sounds of battle can be heard throughout the clearing. Chaos among the bandits as all influences clash. 

Feng Ye's dagger clashed against the bandit leader's shimmering sword. The impact sent vibrations throughout his body. 

Sparks flew as the bandit's blade narrowly missed his throat. He twisted away resulting in his feet skidding across the cracked earth. 

"You're better than expected." The leader smirked while arrogantly glancing at Feng Ye. The leader didn't give any opportunities for rest as he immediately swung his blade once again. 

Feng Ye adjusted his grip while keeping his breathing steady. The bandit leader's weapon was no joke. It emitted ominous energy and was dangerous. It pulsed with energy and radiated with the feeling of incredible sharpness. 

One hit would slice cleanly. That was how sharp it was. There's no room for error or mistakes.

The bandit leader swung, and Feng Ye shifted backward, increasing their gap. The leader continued to move forward and closed the distance between them with an efficient, calculated step. His sword whistled and sliced the air in a clean arc. 

Feng Ye barely managed to duck. He only had a dagger, so for these large swings, he couldn't engage directly. There was a large chance his dagger would get overpowered directly. Unfortunately, the tip grazed his shoulder. 

Pain flared, but he ignored it. The adrenaline throughout his body enabled him to be incredibly aware but not overwhelmed by the pain. He rolled aside, kicking up dirt, and smaller rocks from the disrupted earth to disrupt the bandit's line of sight. 

The bandit leader used his left arm to shield the dirt but his stance was not disrupted. 

Feng Ye knew he couldn't fight fair. This was a struggle for survival. Any means to an end. His mind raced for a solution to disrupt and make use of anything in the environment to give him an edge. The bandit was a veteran just from looking at his fluid and efficient movements. 

Lunging, Feng Ye aimed for the man's exposed side, but the leader flicked his wrist and was able to parry. A quick counterattack came immediately.

A blade slashed downward. 

Feng Ye bent backward. He could feel the wind of the strike just inches from his face.

Fast.

The bandit leader is controlling the rhythm of the battle. Feng Ye knew that if he kept this pace, he would most definitely lose.

His eyes flickered to the battlefield. The land was torn apart by magic. The earlier earthquake split the ground and the terrain has been disrupted entirely. Loose dirt, rubble, and vegetation can be found everywhere. Smoke and scorched earth can also be seen. 

There was an unstable patch of ground just a few feet away. This was his chance.

"Distracted?" The bandit leader noticed Feng Ye's attention shifting and immediately took a forward step and swung his blade downwards in a clean swift movement as if he were an executioner. 

Feng Ye rolled to the side while flinging more dirt from the ground directly at the bandit leader to further disrupt his vision. 

"You can't dodge forever." 

Feigning recklessness, Feng Ye shouted and surged forward. Using his dagger, he slashed towards the bandit leader's throat. His posture was wild and looked desperate. He ensured that his back was facing the unstable patch.

"Tch" sneering the man parried and stepped forward quickly to counter. The shift in stance and slight overcommitment was just what Feng Ye wanted.

Baited. That was his mistake. Feng Ye abruptly shifted his weight and let himself fall backward just as the leader's sword cut through empty air. 

However, just one step wasn't enough. Feng Ye needed the leader to take one more step. He feigned losing his balance and continued to move one step backward gracefully avoiding the unstable foothold. 

The bandit leader's attention was fully on Feng Ye and didn't notice the unstable patch of land next to Feng Ye.

The bandit leader stepped again, pushing in to finish Feng Ye off.

He judged that Feng Ye's backstep was a sign of weakness and a victory condition was to pursue. The man's foot landed on the loose patch of ground. A section of earth gave way beneath him causing his balance to waver. 

Feng Ye didn't miss this opportunity. He struck immediately. His dagger slashed across the man's calf. A deep cut. 

The leader snarled, twisting mid-fall to avoid a fatal wound. He rebalanced into a crouching position, pressing his injured leg against the ground. Some blood drops fell onto the scarred earth. 

The man did not stay down. He shifted his weight to his uninjured leg. His hand which held his sword brimmed and hummed with energy. It became a brighter crimson color. He wrapped both hands on the sword handle and swung horizontally. 

Feng Ye's instincts screamed. 

The air rippled.

He dove aside as a force erupted from the sword' swing. A shockwave tore through the battlefield missing him by inches and slicing up a few pieces of his hair. Behind him, a broken cart exploded. 

His heart pounded. This wasn't pure strength. 

The leader rolled his shoulders and stood up leaning heavily on his uninjured leg. Blood dripped from his calf but it did not diminish his imposing presence. His sword brimmed with energy and emitted a bright crimson glow. A crimson energy started to flicker up his arms and flickered throughout his body. The man's eyes showed some amusement.

"You're good." He admitted. "But this game ends now. I was hoping to save this for the adventurers."

Feng Ye forced himself up to his feet. This wasn't an ordinary bandit. He had abilities. An unwelcome surprise, but it also meant that this sword was a treasure.

The bandit leader held both hands tightly on the handle and started to channel energy into the sword. He was preparing for another swing, most likely with the same effects as previously. He was preparing for another devastating strike. 

There was no time, Feng Ye immediately reached into his cloak and grabbed a second dagger. The one that he had looted earlier. A quick weapon swap. He would have to rush in. Rush the man and avoid the first strike. Getting hit will be fatal. 

This was a life-and-death gambit. 

The bandit leader narrowed his eyes.

Feng Ye didn't wait. He rushed forward to strike first.

He had watched the shockwave previously and observed that the ability had a delay. A moment between the energy surging into the blade and the actual release. 

In this window, Feng Ye threw one of his daggers. 

Clang, the bandit used his sword to parry it. 

Dashing, Feng Ye closed the distance quickly with a dash. 

The leader swung.