Act I: Enter, White

Chapter 5 – White vs Kai Cassius.

5:34 // Day 80, Freitag. Sol 97c.

Kai readied his longsword; his eyes focused and brimming with intent. His dangling mittens swaying as he flicked his wrist, forcing the compound bow attached to his forearm to spring into life. And then, he charged.

But before that...

5:13, 21 minutes ago.

"So, do you accept White?"

sigh

I usually wasn’t the type of person to audibly sigh but that didn’t mean anything in this situation. From what I was just told, it seemed to be a tradition for the guild's leader, or high-ranking member, to challenge newcomers. The only issue was, that I wasn’t a new member. Hell. I’ve never even been in a fight (save a nasty trip to the Merchant’s District). So, I wondered why he had asked me. Did Enryn tell him to do this? No, I doubt that Kai was lying...

I wondered, why exactly did I think that? It was a feeling I shared with Enryn when I first met him. I wasn’t sure why I got this feeling from certain people; though it had led me down the right path once and I wasn't one to betray my instincts. Not after they had led me this far.

"...I guess I accept."

Wooooh! Yeah! Go on kid, do your best! I haven’t seen Kai fight in so long! What? Kai’s fighting? Hurry up, down your last keg. You don’t need to tell me!

For the first time in my life, I found myself in a situation where I was surrounded by other people, not because of my appearance, but for something I had done myself. I couldn’t help but go with the flow now. This river only had one stop, and we were about to head there now.

"Perfect. I’m going to head to Arena 5, can you show him the way, Isa? I need to tell the support group to set up a field."

Kai seemed genuinely pleased that I accepted his offer as he turned to Isa to act as my guide towards this new destination. He quickly retreated to the entrance, where I had gathered to be our destination as well.

"Well... Let’s head out, I’ll show you to the Fighting Hall: the armoury and arena are there."

"Y- Yeah, I’m right behind you."

After I had accepted Kai’s offer, I suppose she lost her reason to doubt the situation. Perhaps it was a ‘code of honour’ not to interfere with the duel, either way, those thoughts occupied my head until we arrived partway to our destination. We were outside, in a massive courtyard, and had travelled back and around the main hall where we had just been (the same way that Kyomi had run through, we even passed the dorms on the way here).

There was a small hall that led around the dining area – which was accessed via reception, and usually off-limits to outsiders – and joined another hall which led to the separate dormitory building where some members lived. That had taken us left (as you walk into the church (the main dining area)) and brought us back outside.

"Gods, it’s packed outside."

"That’s just how much people want to see Kai fight, even against a newcomer, he is our leader after all."

He may have announced himself as such, but his age told me differently. He looked to be in his mid 20’s at best, but could a guild leader be that young? Either way, I still wasn’t aware of how strong, ‘strong’ was, though, I imagine I would soon find out.

The size of the guild proved to me just how amazing Kai must be. According to Enryn, most guilds only have one main building... This one has four; the church, the dormitory, the fighting hall and another building of equal size to the dormitory (though I didn’t know what it was for). From what Enryn told me, having a guild this size – particularly in the Northern region – was simply amazing. Taking us a solid minute of walking, we reached the already open doors to the hall.

Through the doors, the arenas were on the left but our first destination was a door on the right, leading to the armoury. It was a massive room which housed every weapon a fighter could need. The walls were covered with mounted racks, containing anything from bows to spears, and the floor was covered in sections of natural stone (which housed standing racks in a series of aisles). We had the time to spare – because of the barrier being created in arena 5 – so I wanted to have a good look around, just to see which weapons I was drawn to. Just from the entrance, however, my eyes weren’t drawn to anything in particular. It was more like they had nothing to focus on, due to the mass of information they were receiving.

I suppose the sight of the massive room, filled to the brim with weapons, really drove the situation home. Fighting wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I first travelled here but it’s an unexplored avenue, now certainly seemed the time to try it. I doubt I’ll win, especially not against a guild leader, but I was prepared to give it my all...

Whatever that was.

"You can choose from any weapon here, don’t worry about the sharpness because the duel is based on technical prowess. This particular one will be ranked by support mages and Kai. I would choose a weapon that is easy to use and light enough to manoeuvre with... A dagger will most likely be your best choice."

I decided it would be best to start with Isa’s advice. I could look for hours and probably still pick a weapon that I wouldn’t be able to use properly.

While we were browsing, Isa mused at my overwhelmingly confused expression.

"It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? Don’t worry... We all felt the same at some point."

Her years of experience were showing as she explained the pros and cons of each weapon archetype. Isa was a bow user, though, she had some training in dagger usage, which is why she recommended them to me.

After some more looking around, I found myself being drawn towards the polearms/staff weapons. They allowed the user to utilise magic better and offered a greater reach than most other weapons. The main issue being; you needed training to efficiently wield the staff and I had no magic to use in the first place (apart from the basic magic cancelling which Sara taught me, which was of no use here). Because of these factors, I decided to take Isa's recommendation of using a dagger. I could have looked around for something I was more interested in and was better suited for me, but I wasn’t going to find the answer to that question in 10 minutes. Not to mention, being light and fast would give me an immediate advantage over another type of weapon in close-ranged combat. The only weak point to a dagger is its lack of range, which in turn decreases it’s offensive and defensive options.

So, I looked for the lightest dagger I could find. One that was easy enough to hold but not too short since I had little confidence in my defensive capabilities, a long blade would serve to detriment the talentless me instead of helping.

"Like this, you can put more weight behind the dagger and reduce your ranged disadvantage. Give it a quick try, might help out."

Isa used another knife that was nearby, holding it out in front of her face, with her arms bent at a 90-degree angle. She kept her left arm tucked safely by her hips and moved her left leg back, slightly bending her knees for support.

I tried to do the same but my centre of balance was too far right, causing me to stagger slightly. I didn’t expect to understand how to use the weapon straight away. More so than before, the reality of the duel was sinking deeper in. Even though I had decided to put myself out there, the other person inside of me – the one who is cautious beyond a doubt, yet so very lazy – was screaming bloody murder.

I ignored him...

5:26, 3 minutes before the duel

It was only a few minutes until the preparations were complete so we were preparing to leave. Before we did so...

"Do you want to join the guild, or is there another reason for accepting?"

"...I suppose, initially, it was for another reason. Now, however... I’ll tell you after the match."

I exchanged my trademarked grin with Isa, showing her that any worries I had previously had were gone and teasing the answer before her (though I suppose it’s not teasing if you, yourself don’t know the answer either).

"Well, you never told me much about yourself before so I will be watching closely. Fighting brings out the best, and worst, in people."

"Are you saying that Kai is doing this to get to know me?"

"It’s very likely, yes. Most people who ask Kai to join are turned down. Surprisingly, it’s those that aren’t looking to join that are the best candidates. There are a lot of violent people drawn to guilds after all... Though, I haven’t seen him fight anyone with no experience before..."

I can’t say I was surprised. After living with Enryn, I was aware of how much influence he carried in the Northern region. Any number of things could have happened between him and Kai, leading to the current situation.

"We should be leaving; the barrier is ready."

"Alright."

I wondered how Isa knew about the closing of the barrier, was it the lack of that sensation that had followed me since entering? That sensation I got as I entered the fighting hall was weak, yet still present. I had thought that it was just my nerves but now I wasn’t so sure. Ever since Sara had taught me the basics of mana control, I had started feeling sensations which I hadn’t felt before...

I hope it's not just puberty.

5:28

Arena 5 was a fairly large, rectangular, section in the already huge hall. Surrounding the arena, as if it was a house, a thin veil of blue magic acted as a barrier for the surrounding members who were waiting in anticipation (and would prevent any serious injuries, healing them almost instantly).

There would typically be other people using any of the other five arenas, though, they had stopped in favour of watching Kai fight. Speaking of Kai, he stood in the centre of the battle-scarred arena, awaiting my arrival as a boy waiting for their friend. In his right hand, he held a longsword with a leather grip and on his left forearm was a... bow? It looked like a strange hybrid between a regular bow and a crossbow, not to mention much smaller. Due to its size and shape, I couldn't tell whether it was a variation of a crossbow or regular bow. It seemed to have features from both weapons.

Four robed-figures, in each corner of the arena, held the barrier in place. They seemed relaxed as if they had done this a hundred times already. They released a portion of the barrier and provided me an entrance to the arena, between the only gap the crowd afforded.

I made my way to the centre-stage, a few yards from Kai.

"Yo, White... I'm not a very patient guy when it comes to fighting, so. Are you ready?"

Was he not even going to explain the rules to me? I suppose it was simple, though Isa had said it was based on technical accuracy... Well, whatever. This just seemed to be the kind of person Kai was, only serious when he had to be. Apparently, now wasn't one of those times but I decided to play along with him.

"Heh, I suppose. Go easy on me, would you?"

"That word isn’t in my vocabulary..." Looking away from me, Kai projected his voice to the four surrounding mages. "Supports, start the countdown."

Moments after Kai issued his command, floating numbers – formed from mana – appeared above us.

10, 9, 8...

Before I could plan or think about the situation, my body instinctively jumped backwards, out of immediate range of Kai’s longsword. I wasn’t sure why, but once the countdown began my body was screaming to move. It was an instinct that proved hard to ignore.

7, 6, 5...

Kai smiled, placing his sword in front of him and assuming a relaxed – yet deadly accurate – stance. With both hands on his weapon, he held it behind the back of his head, resting the blade on his shoulder.

4, 3...

The same instinct that drove me to leap backwards also forced me to assume the stance that Isa had shown me. However, this time, I was perfectly centred. I don’t know where this confidence and stability has come from, but I’m feeling even more ready.

2...

Both our grips tightened, clenching the thin layers of leather on our weapons.

1..

I don’t have any information on how Kai fights, I can’t plan my strategy yet. All I can do is defend. It’s time...

Match Start.

In a few seconds, Kai closed the four-metre gap between us. Was it magic? Shit, I had no time to think. With both hands on his sword, he swung diagonally-downwards from his left shoulder.

clank

I... I blocked it. The force of the blow pushed me back an inch, though I quickly recovered and just in time for the follow-up. Using the momentum from his downwards-swing, Kai used his right arm to twist the blade upwards, which forced me to change the direction I was blocking. Lunging my hand downwards, I used the force from the blow to create some distance between myself and Kai. So far, I had been acting purely on instinct. I think I was more surprised by it than Kai was.

"I was right, ready yourself."

Taking no break, he once again closed the distance, he thrust his sword directly towards my stomach: using all of my strength, I pushed from my shoulders and tried to shift the sword away from me.

chhhinkk

The scraping metals resounded throughout our immediate area, once again I’d repelled Kai’s attack but I used everything I had just to do so.

As fast as I could, I used the momentum from my parry to force my lowered elbow towards Kai’s head. Naturally, Kai jumped backwards, avoiding my outstretched elbow and re-assumed his stance. I did the same, creating another gap between us before doing so. I was beginning to understand Kai’s fighting style. He preferred to be in close range, focusing on quickly closing any distance between the opponent and himself.

I kept on retreating, testing my theory. But then...

Kai changed his grip. He moved his right hand to the other side of his grip, making both of his hand parallel to each other and causing the sword to point outwards from his face. It seemed like a ridiculous stance to defend...

click

I realised it too late, his left wrist flicked up and released the arrow from its shaft...

"grhhgh"

The blunt arrow hit my right shoulder with a heavy force. Shit, he was targeting my dominant arm, most likely to reduce the strength behind my weapon.

I had completely forgotten about the bow since all my attention had been on his sword.

Damn it, what can I do? If I get too far, he'll just fire arrows at me and I have no long-range attacks. If I get near, he’ll just close the distance instantly; giving me no time to react or plan a counter-attack.

Kai had already reloaded his weapon and aimed for the same spot, however, this time I was ready. I waited until I heard that familiar click, then threw my body left, evading the arrow. It smashed into the barrier behind me, causing the surrounding spectators to playfully jump back in shock.

"Focus."

In the time it had taken me to look back at the arrow, Kai had closed the gap again (he must have been a good five metres away from me). Stopping in front of me and using a low stance, the blade approached my right hip increasingly faster. I didn’t have time to fully block the swing so all I could do was lessen the impact. Attempting to block the attack, I guided the dagger with my non-dominant hand. However, the attack was too powerful, causing my entire body to twist left, sending me flying... Literally. The force was so strong that I was airborne for a moment.

I scrambled back into my ready position, waiting for Kai’s imminent attack. However, he remained where he was. Observing me from afar.

"I’m impressed... But how long can you keep this up?"

"Until you’re... out of breath...."

With that speech, the crowd erupted into cheers. The barrier reduced incoming noise – presumably to help with concentration – but I could still see and hear the cheering crowd. The dice attached to Kai’s belt kept on swaying to and fro, they so far hadn’t distracted me. There also seemed to be nothing special about them, so I tried my best to ignore the dangling cubes. I had too much on my plate as it was (not to mention, I hadn’t noticed them until this brief pause much like his bow (even though I was aware of both before the match started)).

An adrenaline rush was reducing the pain in my shoulder, allowing it more movement and giving me more control in my right arm... Again, I readied myself.

Annoyed with myself for not noticing Kai’s gimmicks during the fight, I began to study his person more thoroughly. The only thing that stood out was the guard of his sword, being that it was much larger than normal. Typically, swords should have a somewhat thin guard that will stop another sword sliding downwards – cutting off the wielder's fingers. However, this guard was fairly thick and curved outwards towards the edges. This design formed a semi-circular edge, which certainly seemed strange... Wouldn’t that act against the wielder? It would cause an opponent’s sword to be trapped in their guard, free to push against them.

Well, right now, I was more worried about the 100cm blade on the end of it.

"..."

Here he comes.

Yet again, Kai closed the gap almost instantly. Was he just that fast, or had he used magic without me noticing? I decided to start watching his feet as he ran, hoping it would give me some indication of his plan of action but right now I didn’t have the time for that.

Once the gap was closed, he opened with another overhead swing. It’s the same as before, but this time I’m ready. Quickly ducking right, I pre-emptively struck my dagger towards his body, I aimed straight for Kai’s armpit. I didn’t know much about combat but I was aware of the auxiliary artery which ran above the armpit. My father once told me when he talked about his service in the military, under the arm was the weakest point since there was no armour and one clean stab would cause someone to bleed out in minutes. I doubt that would happen in this arena but I couldn’t hesitate either way. This had so far been my second opportunity to attack, after being on the receiving end for a good minute.

"hhrAGgH"

I was inches away when Kai sharply pivoted on his right foot, moving his entire body away from me and kicking back with his left foot, sending me a good metre away. The kick didn’t necessarily hurt, it was more of a push if anything, but I felt sour about missing my opportunity. It was probably the last one I would get.

"Close. Again."

Kai regained his posture, dropping his guard while he waited for me to recover. Even though he was going easy on me, he wasn’t being at all disrespectful. If anything, it felt like he had a lot of respect for anyone willing to enter the arena with him.

"I’ll carry on as long as it takes... Can you feel it yet?"

badump... badump...

There was... something. I didn’t know what it was but as we fought, it slowly grew. It was the same feeling I had when I first arrived in the building, just to a whole new level. Something I had never experienced was about to happen and it couldn’t come sooner...

5:33

Again. Again. And again. We recovered from our short bouts, lunging at each other and then backing away. Every single time I was on the receiving end. I was somehow managing to block all of Kai’s blows, after another short bout, we re-entered our mid-range standoff.

The duel has been going for about 6 minutes... I think. I’ve been using all of my energy just to avoid being hit so I’m on my last leg. Kai, however, hasn’t shown any sign of fatigue or slowing down.

Analysing the situation, the only way I can win is if I disarm him. That was surely the way to beat someone leagues above you because, no matter how well you can swing a sword, the second you lose it you’re defenceless. So, if I can’t beat him in a contest of strength-

I paused mid-thought.

How could I have missed something so obvious? The entire time, Kai hadn’t been aiming for me, he was targeting my weapon. It only clicked once I looked down towards my dagger, small nicks and cracks had formed across the length of the blade. I suppose this was the downfall of my choice of weapon, it may be easy to use but the lightness of the dagger became a huge detriment in a battle of attrition.

"You realised. Though, it’s too late... Now, get ready for our last exchange."

"That isn’t for you to decide, bring it." Gritting my teeth, I regained my breath and delivered my counter statement.

"You’re not out of it yet, I see! I’m glad we’ve done this, you’ve convinced me that I’m right."

"I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m ready."

Kai readied his longsword; his eyes, focused and brimming with intent. His dangling mittens swaying as he flicked his wrist, forcing the compound bow attached to his forearm to spring into life. And then, he charged.

Kai was, again, running low to the ground. From our duel, I had learnt to watch his feet since they were the only part of his body that didn’t lie about their intentions. Watching his footwork seemed to almost slow down his approach and clearly showed that he didn’t use magic, he was just insanely agile. His stance was telling me he was attempting a rising slash, it was a finishing move. One that could cleave a body in half if it landed since the user’s entire weight was under the blade.

I was prepared for the attack, there was no way this would hit me.

fwoooosh

My concentration broke as Kai’s sword became engulfed in flames. Bright, crimson flames. They showed absolutely no sign of magic and seemed to be coming from the sword's guard, proving my theory that Kai had yet another trick up his sleeve. Though, just as quickly as the flames arrived, they left. Having completed their job of distracting me, Kai was moments from entering attack range.

I hadn’t noticed until the attack began but Kai had shifted his momentum into a mid-range hit that was aimed at my stomach, instead of a rising slash.

This was it. I couldn’t block it... Game over.

Yeah, right.

Sensing defeat was imminent if I didn’t act, I used all the strength I had to push my dagger out to the side. I hoped to at least shift the path of the sword away from myself...

Shit, I missed.

Well, more accurately, Kai didn’t finish the attack. Instead, he brought his sword back to it’s home at his waist, watching me defend against nothing. Was he giving me another chance? I didn’t know but I wasn’t going to let it slip, even if it may have been done to baby me. Until I heard the words Match End, anything went.

Although it was a telegraphed and slow manoeuvre, I lunged the dagger with both hands towards Kai. As expected, he easily blocked the attack. However, without me realising, Kai had grabbed my wrist and was about to sweep the back of my legs. Perhaps if this happened at the start of the duel I could have escaped: now I was just too tired.

So I fell.

"aaaggh"

badum... badum... badum...

I landed hard, making my eyes close due to shock. Moments later, they reopened to meet Kai’s sword, pointing towards my heart. His eyes smiled as he held my body in place with his right foot. This was surely the end... but I was stubborn, I still hadn’t given up. Even now as I lay flat on the ground, I couldn’t give up.

Unfortunately, the last straw came not moments later, after I realised that my dagger lay a couple of yards out of reach. I have no way to fight.

badum badum badum

"It’s over once my sword meets your chest, now what will you do?"

A win condition has been activated: Kai is victorious once his sword touches White whilst in this advantage.

Kai looked down at me, confident in his position. It was the same confidence he possessed throughout the whole match. Even now he wasn’t ready to relax, not until the duel was over.

He raised his sword...

dum dum dum dum

My racing heart was telling me that I still had a card to play but I didn’t know what it was. As I looked for the card amongst my imaginary deck, the sword begun it’s slow descent. And then, it happened...

dumdumdumdum- dum... badump... badump...

Shh, can you feel that?

"haaaaa... tssssss..."

I closed my eyes momentarily, breathing in all the air that I could. I didn’t know why my body demanded me too, though I complied either way.

At least, I think it’s my body.

Once the sudden urge for air was satisfied, I re-opened my eyes. My vision was covered in a blue filter, the same colour that I perceived mana with. My eyesight heightened, I could hear the sound of a blade cutting the air and suddenly, my body became light and felt like it was being controlled by someone else.

From my heart, energy flowed through my veins, heading straight towards my head. On the skin above those veins, solid – black – lines formed and created an intertwining path. Stopping only after they reached their destination, my left eye.

Once this unknown energy reached my eye, I could see a mental image of a flowing stream. The water was constantly changing; evolving, into something different. As if to defy all plausible explanation, no scientific reasoning could justify the sight. As the water crashed out of its confined path, it solidified and became an entirely different form; it was becoming ice.

Just as I had imagined the flowing stream becoming frozen, I opened my eyes. The moment that seemed to last an eternity had ended, and I was forced back into the real world. Fatigued, yet... Stronger for it.

The swords descent had stopped, the reason was obvious to anyone who had seen it, yet so strange for myself.

Kai’s entire upper-body had been frozen solid.

Match End.

Since both contestants can no longer move, the match has ended.

The result will be determined based on the support’s scoring.

Strings of sentences formed from the same blue mana which had counted the match down, this time accompanied by the voice of one of the supporting mages.

The four supporting mages released the barrier, removing the ice that I had cast on Kai first...

The magic I had cast... That was the first time I have used magic, was the feeling always that surreal?

"You did it... That was just, a bit more than I expected... Ice Magic, huh? No. That's not right, it was Water Magic... You changed its form as you cast it, so your Elemental State is Liquid? And you even used that form... Sorry, I just have a lot to consider."

"I’m sorry, but. I can’t explain it."

I was out of breath, still lying on the floor. It’s not like I was about to faint or anything, I just felt faint. As if all of my mental energy was gone, yet I was physically no worse for wear than I had been falling.

"It’s fine, White. You just experienced Awakening, everyone else here has gone through it under their own, unique, circumstances... Anyway, congrats. Here, lean on me for a bit."

Kai offered his hand to me, pulling me up from the floor.

Once I was upright, I began to notice the massive amount of applause from the crowd. Not a single person had started to leave, all anxious for the results of the duel. Once I had overcome the shock of the so-called ‘Awakening’, I too was starting to feel anxious.

"So, is this a normal thing? What just happened, that is."

"Yeah, it’s normal in the sense that everyone goes through it. It’s just different for everyone and you did something that I haven't seen anyone else do before. I wouldn’t worry about it though, it’s more likely a good thing than bad and you fought amazingly. So, kick back a bit."

Even though he eluded concern, his reply brought me some peace of mind. Looking around the room, the crowd had spread out and made a few familiar faces visible.

I hadn’t realised it but; Rex, Isa, Kyomi and even Enryn had been watching the fight. My eyes met Enryn’s, even after knowing him for only a few days I could tell that his eyes were saying 'I leave him alone for a few hours, and this happens'. But, through all of that, I could tell that he was proud. At least, in his own way. I was honestly more surprised that Kyomi was here, from what I heard she was a recluse and usually wouldn’t be seen dead at a public meeting.

She can’t be much older than me, she still looked to be in her teens. Her skin was extremely pale and her long, straight, hair was a solid shade of dark black. Her heart-shaped face was adorned with black, almond, eyes and her complexion was fair, and very pale. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see anything below her neck since she was behind Enryn.

Even in this situation, I still couldn't help but ogle the sight. She was an absolute beauty.

The results have been decided.

Kai has received 76 points...

Meanwhile, White has received...

The words formed in the air as the loud voice trailed behind them, then they appeared.

74 points, meaning Kai wins the fight.

What followed was a massive set of cheers from the crowd. Most were aimed at Kai, yet a distinct few were aimed towards me. Commending me on my close failure.

I suppose this will go down as the turning point in my journey, the moment that marked the beginning to the end. Hopefully.

It was 5:39. Enryn and I were about to leave the guild, to cheers and glory.

I never answered Isa’s question, I didn’t feel the need to. I also didn’t tell Kai my choice either. I think that we all knew the answer to it after that match.

The newest member of Vaalbara Eclipse has taken the stage!

Act I: Enter, White

End

And, 30 days later. The beginning of Whites’ next story...

Act II: Ameshin Loyalty