#8. The duel
1734 Words
It’s been almost a week since the Jura forest incident, Tristan is still nowhere to be found and Ken haven’t heard about the mysterious lady since.
“It’s a sunny beautiful day in the park and my plan for this afternoon is to enjoy the nice view of the tall trees dancing to the wind and looking at the clouds” Ken said to himself smiling.
“….Is what I would say if that’s the case…. So what the hell are you doing here!” Ken said looking at a guy with short blonde hair and brown eyes about his age standing in front of him.
“I’m here to challenge you to a duel” he answered with confidence.
“Duel? Who are you anyway?” Ken asked.
“Oh I haven’t introduced myself properly. My name is Chris Topher but you can call me Chris…. Topher” he said with dramatic gestures.
“I think this is the guy that was hitting on Silver that day” Ken thought.
“So what do you want?”
“A duel”
“Why do you want to do something like that?” He asked feeling disturbed.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Not really” Ken answered.
“It’s a fight between men for….”
“For….?” Ken asked confused.
“Love!!” Chris said loudly.
“Love? What is this clown talking about!” he thought.
“Hey! I’m lost. I don’t get you” Ken said.
“I don’t think you remember but…. Some days ago, while I was with the love of my life you interfered and took her away” He said with his usual dramatic gestures.
“I knew he’s the one” Ken said to himself.
“So I decided to battle you for her”
“Wait a minute aren’t you misunderstanding something here?” Ken said trying to escape the situation.
“Men don’t talk with their mouth. They talk with their sword” he said pointing his sword at Ken.
“Wait a minute isn’t it wrong for guild members to fight themselves?”
“Uh! There’s nothing wrong with that” Chris said confused.
“Well since you’re new maybe you will want an approval from someone important in the guild” Chris added.
Then he saw Aran passing by and explained the situation to him hoping he will do something about it.
“Why not, sounds fun…. Go for it Ken” Aran said grinning.
“Thanks a lot for nothing Eren” Ken said poker-faced.
“It’s Aran” He corrected him and left.
“You heard him let’s get started already” Chris said warming up.
“ Wait. We can’t do something like this without asking someone important from the guild”
“Uh its just a sparring match there’s no need for that” Chris said confused.
“And Mr. Aran is important to the guild” He added.
“Uh! No way. Let’s ask her” Then they went to meet Charlotte.
“Sounds like fun. I’ll inform everyone” she said cheerfully.
“What!” He exclaimed.
“Hmmm. A cowardly man like you isn’t worthy to be with Silver”
“Cowardly? I’m just avoiding a pointless fight. Ugh what a pain…. Fine let’s get this over with.” He finally accepted.
The park was filled with the available members of the guild and even some normal citizens were there to watch the duel.
“Hey. Things just got intense all of a sudden” Ken said looking at the crowd.
Silver was just passing by when she saw the crowd and went to see what was happening.
“Oh Ken”
“Hmmm”
“What’s going on?” She asked looking around.
He sighed. “That’s what I like to know” he said looking at the sky.
“Hey Ken! Are you ready?” Aran asked.
“What are you doing Eren?” He asked surprised.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m refereeing this match. And it’s Aran. He said giving them a wooden sword.
“What match?” Silver asked.
“It’s a match between two men” He said leaving her confused.
“Hey are you ready?” Chris asked pointing his sword at him.
“Not really”
“Hmmm. You sure talk big” Chris said smirking.
“Did I say something wrong?” he asked himself.
“You should be happy it’s just a sword duel. Assuming magic was allowed I could have crush you” he said to Ken.
“Let’s just get this over with” Ken said.
The air was filled with tension as the two fighters glared at each other ready to go at it.
“Okay…. Start” Aran gave the signal.
But no one moved.
“Oh I thought you’re the type that will charge straight on” Ken said smiling.
“Hmmm you flatter me”
“That wasn’t my intention”
“I haven’t forgotten how quickly this guy moved that time” Chris said to himself remembering that day.
“Well since I can’t use magic I’ll just take him head on” Chris said to himself and started sprinting around Ken.
“I wonder what he’s planning” Ken said staying on guard.
“Here I come” he said as he charged towards Ken with his sword facing him and as he was about to strike Ken then swing his sword standing still aiming for his head but Chris bent down avoiding it and tried to strike Ken’s feet but he jumped backwards avoiding it.
“That was close. Good thing I can predict his movement with the blue light” he said to himself.
“Wait…. If I’m using the blue light in this match where magic is not allowed, does that mean I’m using magic. Wait is the blue light a natural or magical ability….” Ken kept muttering.
“What is he muttering about? Is it some kind of strategy” Chris thought.
“Hm…. There’s no need to worry about that. Let’s just get this over with” Ken said to himself.
He then charged towards Chris aiming for his shoulder. Chris blocked it in time but the force pushed him backwards.
“Uh…. Such power” Chris said surprised.
“Oho you have good reflexes” Ken said.
“Don’t underestimate me”
“Then let’s see you avoid this one” Ken then jumped high and landed on the ground with force to where Chris was standing but he avoided it and went behind Ken to strike him but Ken bent down to avoid it and aimed for his jaw but Chris avoided it with a backflip.
Aran sighed loudly.
“What’s wrong?’ Charlotte asked.
“Why can’t both of them understand? I mean it’s obvious they’re using magic”
“It’s fine isn’t it? That’s the way they know how to fight.” She said smiling cheerfully.
“Ugh! You don’t care if they end up killing their selves…. You really are a monster” he said watching the match.
“Hey Aran…. Did you say something or was it my imagination?” She asked smiling with her eyes closed emitting an intimidating aura.
“No…. It…. Was just your imagination” he said moving away from her.
“Can this guy somehow predict my moves” Ken thought.
“Well doesn’t matter I just have to move too fast for him to react” Ken then charged towards him. “Woah he’s fast but….” Chris said pointing his sword to Ken’s face almost making contact.
Then Ken slid down going in-between his two legs, got up behind him and gave him a hard whack on his head.
“Ouch!!” Chris screamed in pain.
“The winner is Ken…. I guess.” Aran said as the crowd cheered loudly.
“Hey why do you did you do that?” Chris asked with his hands still on his head.
“Uh…. For someone to win a duel don’t they have to hit their opponent. Ken said confused
“That’s not what I mean. Why do you have to hit me so hard!”
“Calm down it’s just a wooden sword…. There’s no need to make a fuss over it” Ken said patting his shoulder.
“But it still hurts”
“Uh…. How’s that my problem. You’re the one that dragged me into this in the first place…. So it’s your fault.” Ken said getting pissed.
“You’re still going on about that…. How petty”
”Uh! Want me to smack you again?” He asked tightening his fist.
“Are you guys okay?” Silver asked approaching them.
“Ohh Silver…. Your words just healed the wound this pervert inflicted on me” he said with his usual dazzling gestures.
“You sure recovered fast…. Who are you calling a pervert?” Ken snapped.
“Hey! Chris! Let’s get going we’ll be late!” Said one of his teammates.
“Oh it’s time” Chris said.
“But remember this Ken, just because you defeated me today doesn’t mean I’ve given up” Chris said pointing the wooden sword at Ken.
“Eh” Ken exclaimed.
“There’s no way I’ll hand over her to a guy like you”
“Hey! Are you out of your mind? You dragged me into this one-sidedly and now you’re telling me that…. What a pain” Ken said irritated.
“You’re still going on about that…. How petty”
“Yeah, yeah” Ken said not caring anymore.
“Until we meet again Silver” He winked at her.
“I’ll defeat you next time Ken” He said giving him an irritated look and left.
“Yeah…. Work hard” She said waving at him.
Ken sighed “That bastard sure is vexing” He said sitting down on a bench.
“Yeah…. But even though he acts like that he’s a good guy”
“You’re amazing being able to stand him” Then his stomach growled.
“Oh yeah I haven’t eaten yet” he said.
“Why don’t we get something to eat” She said smiling.
“Okay”
“But I’m not paying” She said.
“Yeah, yeah.”
- Writer
