Saturday, January 12, 2019

Master of Strings Ch68: Freya's Foes

Alaroc wobbled his way back to the fighter's pit and Cruxis and Aakif both turned to face each other. Aakif rose first and sauntered toward the stairway down, letting out a short whisper as he pasted,

"No more running."

Cruxis' face was solemn  as he rose to walk down as well. As he turned a hand grabbed his elbow and he looked back to see Leo with a face contorted in pain. The Magus seemed to be trying to speak, but was having visible issues saying words. After a moment Leo turned over to Zilo and nudged him in the stomach.

Zilo looked back to see the two then took a moment, before seeing what was needed, he then stood and gripped Cruxis by the shoulder. The bard smiled and said, "Cruxis, don't worry, No matter your past, we will still be allies when that fight is done, remember that."

Cruxis gave Zilo a weak smile and nodded before walking down to the arena. Alaroc walked up to join the two of them, out of breath and tired, Zilo got to work fixing him up with some bandages. Alaroc meanwhile stared down at the two paladins, both of which assumed the same stance with their swords and shields, if not for the fact Cruxis lacked a helmet, you'd think they were perfect copies.

When the match began the two of them remained still, as though they didn't even hear the signal to fight. It felt like minutes pasted as the two of them just stood doing little other than breathing. You'd expect the crowd to boo at this, but they too remained still, the tone of this fight was unlike any that had come before.

"What are they up to?" Remarked Leo and Alaroc turned, still gazing at the two stood fighters.

"They are fighting, maybe not physically, but fighting for the first move. If they have trained since childhood together, then they likely know exactly how the other would respond meaning they won't move without a decisive gambit. In all that armor it makes little sense to move more than you need to."

After another few moment Aakif lowered into a more relaxed position and walked forward firmly striding toward Cruxis. Cruxis didn't flinch waiting till his friend got within 2 meters before taking a step forward and thrusting his shield out.

Aakif dropped his right shoulder to absorb the impact, being shifted back a few inches and raised his shield up to block an overhead swing from Cruxis' blade. Because of the swing, Cruxis drew back his shield for his attack. Aakif with his blade down from his dropped shoulder brought his sword up into a rising slash off his back hand.

Cruxis' shield arm was unprepared and if not for his chest plate the blade would have split his head in half, but all it left was a cut upside his left cheek. Cruxis drew back, likely to regroup, but just as he landed on his back leg he instead darted in and as Aakif returned to he ready position, He was suddenly cracked in the face by Cruxis' shield, losing his helmet in the process.

His head flicked back and he now sported a crooked nose for his overconfidence. Reacting off the pain Aakif flicked his sword across his midsection with the tip pointed at the ground. even without looking directly at it, he redirected away Cruxis' next stab as it approached Aakif's armor covered abdomen.

The fight continued in this manner, both warriors instinctively reacting and altering their tried and true training to try and catch the other off guard with only minor cuts and bruises to show an progress. the crowd was swaying left to right as they watched the rhythm of the fight go back and forth, with a quick cheer every time either one received another hit.

The heroes in the stand were not seeing the injuries though they looked at the eyes of the two fighters. Aakif's eyes were focused and unwavering, they were the eyes of a solider facing the enemy on the battlefield. Cruxis looked to be sporting similar eyes, only his eyes wavered. He was clearly trying to reach the same state as Aakif, but failing to do so.

"This doesn't look good." Said Leo biting his lip.

Zilo sighed and said, "Of course not, Cruxis needs to take the rhythm back and keep it before Aakif can."

Alaroc rubs rubs his chin and says, "How would you do fighting a man who knows you so well? Trust me, this match is not one of tactics and strength, this is a battle of wills, and that is what Cruxis needs. Not the rhythm."

Cruxis is batted away by another bash of Aakif's shield.  His armor now sports a handful of dents and niches from some focused sword strikes. Aakif returns to his ready stance and twirls his blade, as well as closing his eyes. Cruxis' eyes widen in fear, and he mumbles, "You wouldn't, you can't..."

“I will stand by those who need guidance. My blade, my shield, and my faith in the mistress Freya shall not let life fail. Watch now as you see the falcon take flight.”

With that chant the blade Aakif holds becomes coated in a new aura. the blade looks to be covered in a foggy mist that floats about on the wind, only to fade as it leaves the area of the blade, and the handle up to the forearm of Aakif is covered in a pure white aura made up of not a mist, but of ethereal strands that seem to stick to his arm while also flowing with the wind. This was a smite blessed by Freya herself.

Cruxis' body stiffened as he stared upon this. His teeth grinded and his grip tightened as his eyes became full of rage. He shouted at his former comrade, screaming,

"WHY! Why would the Goddess condone this kind of thing against one of her own! Aakif, this is sacrilege what you attempt here today!" Aakif swings his blade, the aura of the red mist and white stands following in the blade's wake. The swing hums with the power of the divine, silencing Cruxis as Aakif settles into a ready stance.

"You have lost the right to know her will, deserter! I listen to what she tells me, I still have faith! If she wishes me to slay a traitor such as you, even-"

Aakif chokes a moment, lowing his head and whispering to himself, before raising it again, with small tears welling in his eyes as his face shakes and quivers, "Even if that traitor is my brother. I shall do so without question!"

Cruxis looks to his brother's face, seeing the turmoil in his eyes, and it all makes sense to him, his sword and shield feel far to heavy to move as Aafik rushes in, shouting a battle cry, and pierces through Cruxis's armor.

Cruxis' eyes close and in a flash he sees it all, and accepts that if his death will give Aakif peace, then he accept this burden. As he falls he hears a voice, the same voice that he heard as he lost to the barbarian on the previous day, and while he thought to know why he should fall today, the voice tells him more that what he had thought.

Cruxis' arm flashes down and catches the ground before it shoots him back upright and slams his pommel into Aakif's temple. Aakif fades back as Cruxis stands in his ready stance and closes his eyes, chanting,

“I will stand by those who need guidance. My blade, my shield, and my faith in the mistress Freya shall not let life fail. Watch now as you see the falcon take flight.”

And in a flash Cruxis' blade matches with Aakif's aura, and Aakif stands bewildered. The shocked paladin stares and his turmoil is replaced with utter shock as he wavers to speak, saying, "b-b-but, h-how?..." Cruxis ignores his question, continuing into a second chant

"I am the sword that forges ahead for peace, the slayer of those who stray to violence. Arete of the bloodstained blade, lend me your strength to do what is needed."

The white fog that covered his blade turns crimson and the mist bleeds into the strands that billowed in the wind before.Cruxis twirls the blade about to get the feel of it and settles it pointing at his brother, and the paladin with the newly focused eyes says, "How you ask? Come, and I'll show you."

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