Duel

"Fine, let's go for it then," I said, voice steady with a spark of defiance burning underneath.

Drake stepped forward immediately, gripping my shoulders, locking his gaze into mine.

"No, Aries. What are you trying to prove by dueling like this?" His voice was tight, cautious. "You don't need to fight just because you're angry. Let logic guide you, not emotion."

I didn't look away. "It's not about anger, Gramps. This will be my first real duel."

A pause.

"I want to know what it feels like. The pressure. The fear. The instinct." I gave a half-smile. "And maybe... how to actually fight when someone wants to hurt me."

Drake's lips pressed into a firm line, but then he nodded slowly. "Then treat it like one. Don't show off. Stay smart. You don't know how Julian fights—adapt. Don't get reckless."

"Got it," I said, quietly.

Adrain leaned close and whispered, "Good luck, brother."

I gave him a nod and a silent grin as I stepped into the dueling circle.

The clearing was still. The blue-lit stones marking the boundary of the duel shimmered faintly in the grass, forming a perfect ring. The trees surrounding us swayed gently, as if anticipating the battle.

Julian waited at the far end, casual as ever, blade resting against his shoulder, smirking like this was just another game.

He cocked his head at me. "You sure you wanna do this? Wouldn't want you bawling after the first scratch."

I didn't answer. Just drew my sword in a clean, quiet motion.

Julian's grin widened.

Outside the circle, Drake raised his arm.

"The rules are simple," he said. "First to land a clear, decisive blow—wins."

Julian rolled his neck, cracking it. "Sounds easy enough."

Drake's voice rang out loud and sharp: "Begin!"

Julian moved first—faster than I expected.

He was already halfway to me before my legs kicked into motion. I sprang forward, sword raised, heart pounding in my chest.

Clang!

Our blades collided. The shock burst through my wrist. He pushed in instantly with a second strike—then a third.

I blocked both, but just barely.

He smirked. "You've got good hands. Surprising."

I darted sideways and lashed out with a quick horizontal swing. He ducked under it effortlessly, laughing.

"Not fast enough."

I ground my teeth. "Then how about this?"

I thrust forward, feinting left and stepping right. He parried—but I twisted under his blade, slashing at his side.

He blocked—barely.

His eyes narrowed. "You're not bad for someone who's never dueled."

We circled each other, silver sand shifting beneath our feet.

Then Julian came at me again—this time harder. I blocked a low cut, ducked a sweeping strike, then jumped back as his blade came slicing through the air just inches from my face.

His speed was unnerving.

Still, I met him step for step, keeping pace with every lunge.

But every movement—every strike—took more energy.

I could feel my legs starting to slow.

Julian must've seen it, too.

"You're getting slower," he said, almost amused. "Wearing out already?"

"I'm just pacing myself."

"Too bad I'm not."

He leapt forward, bringing his blade down in a brutal vertical slash.

CLANG!I blocked, barely—my knees buckling from the force. The blade shock vibrated through my ribs.

Julian's grin widened. "Let's spice it up."

His blade suddenly shimmered.

"Aqua Blade."

A low hum rippled through the air as mist coiled around his sword. A faint blue light danced along the edge.

I tensed.

Magic.

The blade looked alive—water droplets forming in the air, drifting lazily before snapping into sharp speed.

He lunged.

Fwwsh!His blade missed my chest by an inch as I twisted, sliding across the sand.

He rushed again, and this time I was slower.

The Aqua Blade slashed across my shoulder—not deep, but sharp enough to sting.

I staggered back, hissing. My sleeve was damp with blood and water.

"That's one." Julian said with a grin.

I growled, stepping back in.

We clashed again—metal screaming against metal. He swept my feet, but I backflipped away, sand spraying around me.

"You talk a lot for someone struggling to finish this," I muttered.

Julian's eyes flared. "Fine. I'll shut up when I knock you out."

He rushed again—faster now, as if the water magic enhanced his legs too. His movements blurred.

I couldn't dodge everything.

His next strike scraped across my ribs—I cried out, barely twisting to avoid the worst of it.

Then I countered—quick and sharp.

My blade nicked his arm.

Julian blinked.

He stepped back, eyeing the small cut.

"Finally," I panted.

"Lucky hit," he said.

"Still counts."

Julian laughed, brushing the blood from his sleeve. "You're annoying."

"I've been told."

We stood apart again, both of us breathing harder now. The circle was a mess—sand scuffed, marked with shallow cuts, droplets of water and sweat scattered across the ground.

Outside the ring, Gideon watched silently.

He muttered to Drake, "Julian has the edge. That Aqua Blade's too fast. I think this duel will end soon, as Aries is backing down."

Drake didn't respond. His arms were crossed, eyes narrowed.

Julian's expression hardened.

"No more games."

His aura flared—the mist thickened, swallowing the space around us. His sword glowed faintly blue, like moonlight trapped in water.

I shifted into a lower stance.

My arm burned. My legs felt heavy.

But I wasn't done yet.

Julian raised his blade—and came at me with a burst of speed that blurred his form entirely.

CLANG!

I blocked.

Barely.

The force slammed me backward. My boots dragged across the sand.

My breath caught.

Julian didn't stop—he twisted, swung high, then low—each slash like crashing waves.

"Come on!" he shouted. "You wanted a duel! So fight me!"

I bared my teeth and forced my aching body to move.

I deflected one blow. Dodged another.

Then I swung—

And our blades locked.

We pushed—face to face.

His breath was ragged. "Still standing, huh?"

"I don't fall that easy."

Julian's grin returned. "Then let's see what happens next."

Our swords separated with a spark—

And we charged once more.