Battlelord Flameheart frowned. The Scout Strike Group should be back by now; they could all move quickly. That was the point of having Strike Scouts; all Strike team members had movement Skills. They should have been able to do the distance discreetly in less than ten minutes each way, yet it’d been more than an hour since the portal explosion.

“The Scout Strike Group is still missing.” The aide would have already said something if they weren’t.

“Yes, Battlelord.”

Flameheart nodded. “Send a Scout Stealth Group. They’re to observe and if possible find out what happened, but under no circumstances make contact with the enemy.”

Stealth Groups weren’t strictly honorable, but they weren’t really dishonorable either - at least, not to anyone other than the members. They were a good place to put the people cowardly enough to actually learn Stealth Skills, where they wouldn’t pollute other Sterath. They’d be slower than the Scout Strike Group but they wouldn’t be seen.

The rules for an Honor Battle were well-established, but there were still a number of possible variations. Serenity felt more wrung-out than he’d expected by the time they finished settling the terms; he’d even had to abandon the portals covering the doors to prevent himself from passing out due to lack of mana. All Serenity had left was a full set of Stamina and most of his healing pool; while he could have turned the stamina into more mana, it was so inefficient as to be only useful in an emergency.

Fortunately, he hadn’t needed to insist on the “no magic use” rule; One was very happy to fight without magic. Serenity wasn’t certain if his insistence was because he believed Serenity was primarily a magic user or because the use of magic was somehow dishonorable, but either way it was useful when Serenity was nearly out.

Only the clear area was valid for the battle, and the two portal circles were also out of bounds - though that was because of the possible danger of entering a portal circle, not because it was otherwise prohibited. Three was to stand to the side and watch but do nothing.

Serenity could have had a supporter as well, but his best option for that was Ita, and he didn’t want her to reveal herself until after they surrendered. Before then, trying to run would simply be too tempting. If they escaped now, perhaps they would believe he wasn’t connected with humanity or that he’d killed Ita; if they saw her, they’d know she was both alive and in his service.

He glanced over at the two Kaelitha Sterath as they prepared One for the battle. They had both developed a slight feeling of Death since he’d arrived and called on his Incarnate. They weren’t dying yet, but the possibility was growing more likely. He’d have to remember that using his Incarnate without Eat Death around people without a Death Affinity could be bad for them. In this case, he didn’t mind; he didn’t actually care about their long-term health and a little damage to their ability to think and move easily was only for the good.

Even better, he’d learned that having his Incarnate active didn’t cost mana. Calling an Aspect did, but the Incarnate simply felt like it was a part of himself. He still wasn’t going to leave it active; even if it weren’t dangerous to those around him, it was far too noticeable.

Serenity readied himself; his naginata was still in pieces, so his throwing axe and shield were his best options. “Shall we begin?”

One turned towards Serenity. He was oddly trusting to Serenity’s eyes; Serenity wasn’t used to opponents that would ignore him before a battle started, but once they’d agreed that it would be an Honor fight, he’d seemed to simply accept that Serenity would follow the rules. He would, of course; breaking the rules would break the chance he had to gain their surrender so easily. It was still strange.

One seemed to consider the question for a moment before he turned and walked carefully around the agreed arena, his sword ready; instead of a shield, he had a parrying dagger in his offhand. Unlike Serenity, it seemed that One was either left-handed or preferred to parry with his dominant hand.

Serenity wasn’t certain if he should be happy or not about his opponent’s armament; the sword had better reach than his axe, but the dagger - while lighter and more maneuverable - was also harder to use well. Serenity didn’t have the strength or stamina issues that made the dagger’s advantages important, so he was happy enough with his shield.

When One reached a spot opposite Serenity he stepped into the area and stated, “I fight.”

Serenity nodded and stepped into the arena himself. “I fight.”

Even though they’d both agreed formally that the fight had started, neither immediately moved forward. Serenity didn’t want to make the first move, but he also didn’t want to be trapped at the edge of the allowable area, so he stepped forward two steps before stopping to watch.

One seemed to grin momentarily that Serenity had moved first, but it turned into a scowl when Serenity stopped, still a good distance away.

This wasn’t a contest where anyone would be penalized for taking his time, and it was clear that they both knew the value of countering someone else’s attack after they’d committed but before it connected.

It was going to be that sort of battle, was it? One where they both tried to anticipate and defeat the other through strategy as much as actual combat? Very well then; Serenity decided to push a little. He took two more steps, but instead of forward they were off to the side. When One didn’t move, Serenity kept moving forward, circling towards One’s side a bit with each step.

Slowly.

It didn’t have any purpose other than to push One into moving; perhaps rush him a little and make him make a mistake. At the least, it would get him moving to Serenity’s pace. Serenity was completely happy with a long-drawn-out energetic fight. He wouldn’t get tired unless he ran out of healing; his opponent would.

One feinted at Serenity, but he was well outside the range to actually connect. Serenity simply smiled and kept moving closer. Eventually, One started backing up, then he started to circle. He seemed to want to stay outside even his own range while he evaluated Serenity.

Serenity had two options; he could either close to his ax’s effective range or he could throw it. It was designed as a throwing ax, but Serenity planned to wait on that. Even though it was balanced for throwing, it was as large as a normal one-handed weapon; Serenity wanted to wait until it was a surprise to throw the weapon.

One was clearly unhappy about being pushed to his opponent’s schedule; he rushed forward, slicing at Serenity’s waist. Serenity moved his shield down and in, then out quickly. Sound rang out as his shield slammed into the guard of One’s sword, pushing his arm to the side and preventing the hit.

Serenity’s other hand moved in with an attack; like One’s attack, it wasn’t really intended to connect. One caught the ax with his parrying dagger and shifted to the side slightly. Serenity knew what that meant; he was expecting a kick and was preparing to grab and pull, sacrificing his off-hand weapon to put Serenity on the ground.

It would be a good trade, so it wasn’t one Serenity intended to grant. Instead, Serenity barrelled forward, putting his weight behind his shield as it hit the Sterath’s midsection. One didn’t stumble backwards so much as hop, and that gave Serenity enough time to free his ax and slash down with it. All he managed through One’s natural leg armor was a shallow slash, but that was all he needed. It was probably more than One expected; Sterath chitin was sturdy, with magical reinforcement. Of course, that didn’t matter against a magic-eating ax.

“Point to you,” One spat out. “You won’t get another.” He hopped backwards again, opening up some space.

“Not much of a point, but are you really so weak? I seem to be stronger than you.” Serenity taunted One. Anger led to mistakes, and all he needed was a good, disabling blow. While he could win on points, it would have to be a truly decisive win to have the effect he needed. Most Sterath wouldn’t accept anything else from an outsider.

“I’m not afraid of you, Shameful One! I will draw your shame on you in blood.” One snarled and started moving again. He seemed a bit hesitant at first with his injured leg, but soon moved normally despite the pain.

He needed some polish, but Serenity could see why he was the leader of the Group. There was talent there as well as training, and the memories he’d stolen told Serenity that fighting wasn’t One’s specialty; he concentrated more on tracking and observation. Being able to do both and still move quickly was necessary for a Scout Strike Group.

Serenity stepped forward and circled. He had to keep One moving; he didn’t want to give him time to rest.

The next three attacks - one initiated by Serenity and two initiated by One - were equally inconclusive. Serenity picked up a minor slash on his arm that quickly healed and a slash at his hip that penetrated the armor but did no more than scuff his scales. He managed to open a larger gash in One’s other leg and a small scratch on his offhand. Serenity was still only ahead by one point, but One was bleeding from two injuries and Serenity wasn’t. It was going exactly the way Serenity planned.

Until suddenly it wasn’t. One tossed his sword at Serenity’s feet and Serenity stumbled. It was a dumb move on One’s part; the sword broke as Serenity fell over it. Unfortunately, being a dumb move also meant it was unexpected and, however good Serenity’s footwork was, it was always possible to trip.

As unexpected as it was for Serenity, One had come up with a plan. He snatched his dagger off his belt and dove for Serenity’s back, stabbing as he fell. The dagger was sliced through Serenity’s feathers and wing membrane before being slowed by the armor beneath it. It still penetrated; the tip hit squarely on the middle of a scale and cracked it, allowing the dagger to penetrate. Most of the force of One’s blow was lost in the layers he pushed through and it went only a quarter of an inch into Serenity’s back, penetrating the skin and tearing into the muscle between two of his ribs, but stopping there.

Serenity howled in pain and bucked, throwing One up enough to easily spin under him so that Serenity was on his side, facing One. The back injury was painful, but the torn wing felt far worse even though it was less vital. Neither was actually debilitating; Serenity had fought through worse pain. Both would have needed medical attention if it weren’t for his healing, but Serenity could more or less ignore them for now.

One’s dagger was knocked out of his hand as Serenity thrashed below him, leaving him weaponless. He scrabbled at his belt for another weapon, but Serenity pushed onto his hands and knees, then surged forward, pushing One onto his back. Serenity kept moving until his weight was on One’s chest armor, pressing his shoulders to the floor. Serenity set his shield on One’s left arm, pressing it to the ground; it wasn’t the most secure position, but it didn’t have to last long.