Kaizen and Cephal faced each other in the deserted arena, surrounded by broken columns that had witnessed so many battles in the past.
Cephal gave Kaizen a piercing look, a mixture of determination and curiosity in his eyes. He twisted the sword in his hand, his muscles taut and ready for the next move.
"So you prefer to block, Kaizen? Let's see how far your new specialty takes you."
Continue reading at mvl
Kaizen held his stance, the night sword firmly in his hands. His body was relaxed, but his eyes were focused, watching Cephal's every move.
"I am willing to learn from the best, Cephal. Expect nothing less than my total devotion."
Cephal advanced again, his sword slicing through the air with speed and precision. Kaizen raised his sword and blocked the blow with a resounding crack. The force of the blow made his hands shake, but he stood his ground, stepping back just enough to avoid being destabilized.
"Good block." Cephal muttered, stepping back before turning and attacking again, this time with a horizontal strike. Kaizen ducked, letting the blade pass over his head, and countered with a quick slash to Cephal's flank.
Cephal deftly dodged, spinning his sword to block Kaizen's attack. The blades met again, sparking with the clash of metal against metal. They stepped back, both breathing heavily but showing no signs of fatigue.
"You're better than I expected," Cephal admitted, a rare note of respect in his voice. "But this is just the beginning."
Kaizen smiled, feeling a surge of adrenaline coursing through his body. "Then let's continue. I'm just warming up."
The arena seemed to vibrate with the intensity of the fight. The ruins around them echoed with the sound of blows and blocks, creating a symphony of war that only increased the tension between the two warriors.
"You have potential, Kaizen," Cephal said, his voice barely audible over the roar of the storm. "But you still have much to learn."
"Then teach me," Kaizen replied, his eyes shining with determination. "I'm ready."
Cephal smiled, a hard but sincere smile. "Very well. I'll teach you some of Evolved." Cephal took a step back, raised his sword and pointed it at Kaizen. "Drop your sword and defend my next attack with your body alone," he ordered, his voice firm and unchallenged.
Kaizen looked at Cephal, confused and hesitant. "Drop the sword?" he asked, his eyes wide with surprise. "You want me to defend a direct?"
Cephal nodded, his eyes fixed on Kaizen's. "Exactly. A true warrior must rely not only on his weapon, but also on his own body and abilities."
Kaizen felt a surge of disbelief and fear. "That's impossible," he protested, shaking his head. "I'd lose an arm, or worse."
Cephal raised an eyebrow, a defiant glint in his eyes. "Then let's do the opposite," he suggested. "I'll drop my sword, and you'll use the night sword. You will attack me while I am unarmed."
Kaizen was stunned. But the seriousness in Cephal's eyes made it clear that this was part of a larger test, a lesson Kaizen had to learn.
"Okay," Kaizen said finally, holding his sword more firmly. "I accept."
Cephal dropped his sword, letting it fall to the ground with a sound muffled by the rain. He raised his hands, a defensive but unarmed stance.
"Attack, Kaizen," he said, his voice low but clear. "Let's see what you can do."
Kaizen took a deep breath, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts.
What was Cephal trying to prove? Did he have a plan? A hidden strategy?