Alice observed their opponents with a slight smile on her face, the rapier in her right hand bounced slowly from side to side. Beside her, Cross’s expression was decidedly grim.

"Halberds," she said with a glance at Cross. "A lovely weapon, don't you think? Though I still favor swords."

Cross nodded and dropped his hand down to the hilt of his sword. His eyes glanced around the arena, focusing on the large crystals that were set into the walls. They would light up if anyone within the circle attempted to use magic.

Use of magic would result in an automatic disqualification.

"A question," Alice said, drawing Cross's eyes back to her. "Would you mind terribly staying out of this fight?"

"What?" Cross said, the request catching him off guard.

Alice gave him a sweet smile. "You see, I haven't been in a real fight for a long time and I'm afraid my skills may be a bit rusty. I would hate to hold us back in the other matches. It would help me so much if you would allow me to warm up against them."

"Alone?"

"Alone," Alice said with a happy nod. "Don't worry. There will be more than enough fighting for you in the next two rounds."

“You’re making the assumption that we will make it through the next two rounds.”

“But, of course we will. It’s us, after all.”

Cross stared at Alice for a long time, and was still staring at her when Octavious roared for the battle to begin.

“Alice Mara and Cross Drachen of Voy vs. Bate and Tari Kuro of Tejko!”

Blinking, Cross slowly nodded and took a single step back.

"Thank you, Cross!” She glanced towards Bate and Tari. The two men had fallen into a defensive stance, holding their halberds out before them. "It seems they want me to make the first move. It would be terribly rude of me not to oblige them after they've come so far."

Alice winked at Cross and began to walk towards Bate and Tari, her sword bouncing with every step, the tip of the blade pointing at one man, then the other.

"Excuse me, gentlemen!" Alice called out as she reached the halfway point of the arena. She gave a cheery wave. "I would just like to inform you that I shall be your opponent in this battle. Alice Mara, it’s a pleasure to meet you!"

Bate looked at Tari. They spoke back and forth in hushed Tejkin.

"We shall fight you both." Tari replied in Voy. Besides him Bate gave a firm nod.

"Oh, no, that won’t be necessary," Alice said. "Your only opponent for this battle will be me."

Tari relayed the message to Bate. Bate slammed his weapon into the ground and let out a scoff. Taking a step forward, he responded with something in Tejkin before spitting on the ground. Though Alice could not understand what he said, the message was clear. Her smile did not waver but the sword in her hand slowly tilted until it was pointed at Bate.

"Alright, then. Let's begin." Alice took in a deep breath before launching herself at the pair.

In two bounds she was in front of Bate. The man had only just begun to lift his weapon back up. Alice dragged her rapier across the shaft of his halberd with a shrill ring before she dove forward, neatly tucking into a roll and narrowly dodging the swipe by Tari. Popping back to her feet she spun and took a single step forward. Her sword shot out between Bate and Tori and hung quivering in the air.

"Halberds are wonderful because of their range, but they do suffer from being rather slow if your opponent manages to close in. This sword however…" Alice grinned and whipped the thin blade from side to side, slapping the flat of the blade first against Tari's cheek, then Bate's. "This sword is not slow at all."

xXx

"She's so fast," Makina said, jumping to her feet as Bate let out of a roar of indignation and spun around to swipe at Alice, only to have her sidestep his attack and slap him in the face with the flat of her blade again. Beside them, Tari stood frozen, unsure if he should assist Bate or engage Cross, who had yet to draw his weapon.

"Extremely," Servilia said. "She did not gain the moniker Silver Tempest without reason. She’s like a storm. Overwhelming in every regard.”

Lexi's head snapped away from the battle to look at Servilia. "The Silver Tempest? Then she…?"

Servilia nodded. "Yes. Alice was the youngest ever winner of the Dance of Blades."

Lexi's fingers curled into fists and her eyes turned back to the fight.

xXx

As Alice stabbed Bate in the back of the knee and sent him stumbling to the ground, Tari finally made a decision. Charging forward, he slashed towards Alice. She skipped back a step and began to circle, allowing Tari a chance to help Bate back to his feet.

"If you like, you may surrender," Alice called as Bate gingerly put weight on his injured leg. "Either way, this match will be over quite soon. The outcome has already been decided. The only difference will be the amount of pain you will suffer."

"We will never surrender!" Tari bellowed.

"I respect that." Alice nodded and she jumped forward.

With the injured Bate behind him, Tari moved to engage Alice. He led with a sweeping blow as she moved within range, only to have Alice drop to the ground and slide under his attack. As she glided by him, her sword flashed across his neck, cleanly severing through his throat. His weapon clattered to the ground as he grasped at his throat, but it was far too late.

As Tari fell forward Bate roared and brought his halberd down to crush Alice as she continued on the ground towards him, but just before he could make contact she rolled to the side. As he swung the weapon back up, Alice's hand reached out and snagged the shaft, using it to pull herself up and into the air. Hanging aloft for a moment, she stared down at Bate before thrusting her rapier forward and piercing him clean between the eyes.

Alice landed lightly on her feet just as Bate's unconscious body crashed to the ground.

With a small flourish of her blade, Alice bowed to the silent crowd and returned to Cross's side. She took his arm and led them to the waiting area.

"Well, that was fun, if a bit easy," Alice laughed as she took a seat. In the arena, the crowd finally found its voice. She closed her eyes and basked in the praise. "I have missed this. There is nothing quite like a competition, wouldn't you agree?"

"You still like playing mind games.”

"Of course. Strength and technique are all very well and good but…." Alice caught Cross's eye. "There are many ways to effectively defeat your opponent. Words can be just as effective as a blade. Sometimes even more so. If you’re not willing to use every means to win, why even play?”

She held Cross’s gaze until he looked away. A smile lit up her face and they fell into silence. After a few moments Alice began to softly hum to herself. It was a song Cross knew all too well. He fought the urge to yawn and the soft lullaby washed over him. Shaking his head, he rubbed harshly at his temple.

"Oh, it seems they are finishing up.” Alice said, tilting her head as her humming came to a stop. “And… done. Ready to go?”

Cross nodded and dropped his hand from his temple. Only moments later, the booming voice of Octavious summoned them back to the ring.

“Alice Mara and Cross Drachen of Voy vs. of Caine Tillie and Eugene Lynnel of Dumas!”

Stepping into the arena, Cross took his place beside Alice and sized up their opponents.

Caine held a great sword, the giant weapon held aloft with both of his hands. Eugene was armed with a short sword and a shield. Both were older. Cross put them at mid-thirties and from the way they carried themselves, confident in their training, though how much actual battle experience they had, he could only guess. By the condition of their equipment, he would say not a lot. Possibly nobles judging by the quality.

Cross felt his nerves notch up and he wrapped his fingers around the hilt of his sword. As he glanced at Alice, he knew that he was the only one with such feelings. Alice was still smiling, obviously excited by the battle that was to come.

"Which one would you like?" Alice said as she drew her rapier and pointed it at Caine, then Eugene. "The sword, or the shield?"

Cross drew his own blade. "I'll take the shield."

"Are you sure? He's going to be the more difficult one."

"I know."

"Interesting. Could it be you're trying to prove something?"

Cross didn't look at her, but he knew she was smiling at him in that special way of hers. He forced his eyes ahead and on Eugene.

As soon as Octavious's voice signaled the beginning of the match Caine and Eugene separated, running out of the far sides of the arena and closing in on Alice and Cross.

"Divide and conquer, it would seem. Last chance to change your opponent. I wouldn't want you to get hurt.”

Cross let out a sigh and struck out towards Eugene, keeping Caine in sight out of the corner of his eye until he saw Alice bound forward to engage him. Secure in the fact that he wouldn't have to worry about a blindside attack; Cross focused all his attention on Eugene.

A good move, it turned out, as Eugene jumped forward with his shield up and the sword held behind, ready to thrust forward. Cross met him head on, slamming his sword against Eugene's shield with a hammering blow that knocked the man back a step before he regained his ground. Cross took a quick step back to avoid Eugene's return strike, but was unable to attempt a follow up of his own as Eugene lunged forward and slammed his shield into Cross's chest.

Cross gasped at the sudden jolt and he felt a sharp pain that sent black spots scattering around his vision.

Gritting his teeth, he jumped back and began to move to the side. Eugene moved with him, throwing out a few weak thrusts to try and lure Cross into attacking again. Cross did not take the bait as he observed Eugene.

In size, they were roughly equal, with Cross maybe having an inch or two on Eugene. Cross's sword was longer, which gave him the advantage in range but… Eugene's shield was going to be a problem. Alice had not been wrong about that.

It was not overly large. A circle that covered most of his torso but left his head and legs open to attack. However, Eugene was quick with the shield and clearly wanted Cross to attack so he could counter. He would have to get rid of the shield if he was going to have any chance of winning.

"Right, then," Cross muttered before he slid forward again and brought his sword around in a downward, diagonal slash.

Eugene lifted the shield in anticipation of a strike that never came as Cross suddenly stopped his strike and took the opportunity to slide forward. Surprised, Eugene took a quick step back and thrust out his blade to push Cross back. Cross slapped it aside and responded with a hard kick to the bottom of Eugene's shield. The force of the kick pushed Eugene's arm down and exposed his chest for a moment. Cross went for the kill, but Eugene managed to bring up his sword and deflect the blow. The move, however, threw him off balance and Eugene fell back a step.

Cross chased after him, but Eugene quickly recovered and once again took a defensive stance, accepting the blows that Cross rained down on him before responding with a quick series of thrusts, one of which caught Cross on the side, slicing through his jacket and raking across his ribs. Cross gasped and faltered for a moment, giving Eugene a chance to press the advantage.

"Damn," Cross growled as Eugene again hunched down behind his shield and charged.

Too close to dodge, Cross bore the brunt of the attack on his shoulder. Forced off his feet, he tumbled into a roll. As he came up on his back, he saw a flash of steel. No time to defend, Cross rolled to the side and just managed to avoid being impaled by Eugene's sword. Eugene did not relent, slamming down his shield as well. The edge caught Cross's upper arm and crushed it against the ground. Crying out in pain, Cross pulled his arm free and struggled away, swinging his sword defensively to ward off another attack.

xXx

"Cross is not as talented as the others, it seems. That is not overly surprising, I suppose." Makina said, resting her chin on her hand. She glanced at Lexi. "How was it you were ever able to lose to him? Or you, Servilia." She turned back to the match. "Though I do fully understand how Romeo lost to him."

"Hey!" Romeo whined. Beside him Eryn smiled.

Lexi didn't answer, her dark eyes watching as Cross slowly returned to his feet.

xXx

Cross rotated his injured arm and shoulder. Nothing felt broken, but the pain was there. That wasn't to mention the pain in his chest from earlier, though he was quite sure nothing was broken. Forcing his breathing to slow, Cross waited as Eugene flourished his sword and swung his shield back around. Behind Eugene Cross could see Alice dancing around Caine, her rapier flashing through the air.

The smile on her face was nothing but pure enjoyment. The fight was clearly nothing more than a game to her. A game that she knew she would win.

Cross took in a calming breath and closed his eyes.

This really was just a game.

Nothing more.

A game that he could win.

"Just a game," Cross said softly, the words ghosting over his lip as his eyes opened. His arms lowered to his side until the tip of his sword rested against the ground.

A game that he would win.

Caine shuffled closer, the shield held before him and the sword poised behind, ready to strike. His eyes were narrowed to slits, his attention laser focused. He was completely immersed in the battle.

"Right, then," The corner of Cross's mouth lifted up into a smirk. "Let's play."

With a flick of his wrist, Cross raked his sword against the ground before thrusting it out towards Eugene. A small shower of dust and dirt lunched from the blade and into Eugene's face. Snarling in surprise and pain, Eugene took a step back, trying to blink the debris from his eyes. Cross took the Eugene's hesitation as a chance to step forward. Eugene slashed out with his sword, but the attack was sloppy and easily blocked by Cross. He returned with a quick thrust that just barely caught Eugene on his sword hand.

A shallow wound, but painful.

Refusing to back down and forfeit ground, Eugene took a step forward and tried to force Cross back. Cross knocked away his attempts with what seemed like practiced ease before suddenly surging forward and catching Eugene on the hand in nearly the same place, this time his blade slicing deeper into Eugene's flesh.

Surprise and pain playing across his face, Eugene tried to back away, but Cross moved with him, attacking with quick, methodical strikes that forced Eugene to defend with his sword instead of allowing him to fall back behind the relative safety of his shield.

xXx

"Do you remember that?" Servilia asked, leaning down and placing a hand on Lexi's shoulder as Cross continued to hammer down on Eugene's sword, the blows coming faster and with more intensity.

Lexi gave a silent nod. She had been the victim of that technique many times. The quick strike to the hand. A light wound, seemingly harmless at first, until Cross began the relentless, never ending attack. Lexi could see it clearly as Eugene's sword began to slow. She knew his fingers were growing numb and the pain was beginning to get to him.

She watched as the sword slipped from Eugene's fingers just as it had slipped from her own countless times.

xXx

As his sword sailed through the air Eugene quickly backed away, no other option but to hide behind his shield.

Cross made no attempt to follow him and allowed the man to put a few steps of distance between them. He glanced upwards and watched as Eugene's sword came down and landed blade down between them, quivering in the ground.

Cross tilted his head as Eugene stared at the weapon. After a moment of hesitation, Eugene lunged for it, arm outstretched. Cross surged forward and nabbed the blade before Eugene. Grinning, he brought it up and slashed across Eugene's exposed chest.

As Eugene let out a cry of pain and recoiled back, Cross brought his other sword around and swiped across the back of Eugene's shield, shearing against the straps that held the shield in place and slicing through a good portion of Eugene's arm.

Eugene screamed as the shield fell from his arm and he stumbled back.

"That's better," Cross let out a content sigh as he placed his boot on Eugene's shield before looking up at the injured combatant.

Weaponless, Eugene could do nothing but hold his injured arm.

Cross regarded him coolly for a moment before taking the plundered weapon and tossing it towards Eugene. It landed at his feet. He stared at Cross with hate filled eyes. Cross looked back with nothing more than amusement.

“Pick it up.” Cross called out.

Eugene was motionless for a moment before he slowly leaned down and retrieved his weapon.

“Good. Now, shall we continue?”

With a distinct lack of tact, Eugene lunged forward, a harsh cry escaping his lips. Cross ducked under the attack and slammed his fist into Eugene's stomach. As Eugene doubled over in pain, Cross came up behind him and lashed out with his foot, catching him in the back of the knee and dropping him to the ground.

Eugene spun around, swiping towards Cross, but he had already retreated back a step. He waited, smile on his face and head tilted to the side as Eugene slowly rose back to his feet.

“Your leg is injured,” Cross said lightly. “If you wish to retire from the match, you may.”

“I’m not done yet!” Eugene snarled.

“Yes, but I am.”

Cross was suddenly in front of him. He sidestepped Eugene’s thrust before slashing him across the chest. As he stumbled back, Cross stabbed him through the thigh, sending him back down to the ground. Knocking away Eugene’s weak counter attack, he brought the battle to a decisive end, plunging his sword through Eugene’s chest.

Eugene let out a single cry, his body jerking violently, before he fell into unconsciousness.

The crowd let out a sudden roar and Cross flicked his eyes towards Alice.

Caine lay in a crumpled pile at her feet, his own sword sticking out of his chest like some sort of morbid flag. Without a scratch on her, Alice lifted her sword to Cross. Still smiling, Cross pulled his blade free from Eugene's back and saluted her before giving a quick salute to the crowd.

Together they headed back into the waiting area.