~

Rain began to pour down on a dark and cloudy day. Cerra watched as Crest and the man with the kitsune mask clashed. Metal met metal. Even with his giant sword, Crest was having trouble with the man. The guy was talented. Fierce even. His double-edged knives which he held in each hand appeared to only be normal weapons. But in the kitsune man’s possession they were much more than that. They were objects of death. Crest slashed with a downward strike. It was swift, but not fast enough to keep up with the kitsune man. Sparks flew as he blocked Crest’s sword elegantly from the bottom up. This was no normal man; he was the first opponent in a long time that was on par with Crest. No. Almost better than him.

Describing the situation as ‘trouble’ would have been an understatement.

Cerra grew worried. “Crest! We still haven’t done what we set out to do! SO DON’T DIE!!” She screamed to the top of her lung, unable to do anything but watch. Though the weight of Crest sword was upon him, the man with kitsune mask wasn’t bowing. Somehow, he had the strength to keep going. In fact, he didn’t look bothered at all. Suddenly smiling, he started to deflect Crest’s Dog Killer.

Damn, Crest thought, am I going to lose to this guy?

Crest’s blade raised, and he started to lose control. He was being pushed back. He was losing. Death had never seemed so close. Seconds later an opening was made! Without warning Crest’s sword went flying up and out of his hands. He was without a weapon. Seeing the opportunity to strike the man in the kitsune mask struck. Ten inches of the man’s left knife went through Crest’s abdomen. Blood, actual blood began to pour from Crest’s stomach. Beginning to feel cold, he gasped for air. Pain seared his body. The man in the kitsune mask laughing pulled his knife out causing more crimson stuff to flow. He stood proud over his defeated enemy that fell to ground, no different than the rain that fell from the sky.

“CREEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTT!” Cerra’s blood curdling scream echoed throughout the forest. The forest itself even seemed to howl.

“Heh. What were you thinking challenging me so boldly?” The man in the kitsune mask sneered. “You’re just a second-rate sorcerer and an even worse swordsman. You did your best, but I’ll take care of your little friend from here on out. She’ll fetch a pretty high price for the master.”

“No….” A withered gasp escaped Crest as he lay clutching his body. Cerra was in trouble and there was nothing he could do. Dammit.

Is this really where my journey ends?