Doomed to Die in 3 Minutes

Development through Fists

Even though it was fake Corai felt that he was learning a lot with each exchange of blows. He was nowhere near the level of Agarde but his fellow actor was pulling his punches in such a way that while being impressive, was definitely dumbed down in a way that he could understand. Using this knowledge he keeps throwing better, faster, and more refined punches. He was getting better at execution even if his strength wasn’t improving. As Corai improved Agarde would step it up, increasing the technique behind his attacks by another small fraction. It was like a crash course in fighting with magical fists.

He doesn’t stand a chance, and if Corai was going to start a brawl with a superior opponent, he wouldn’t fare that much better but he would have prolonged survival now, even if you can’t fight a master if you can read and evade him you can stay alive. It was being drilled into him with frightening ferocity and intricate detail. Corai has nearly stopped thinking about his moves and now acts almost entirely on instinct. The fight was looking more and more legitimate by the second and that was the point of all this. If the other knights began to think something about this situation was foul, then everything would collapse for everyone involved.

Finally, Corai throws a punch that connects directly to Agarde’s helmet. The blowback wasn’t something he expected this time, Agarde is sent flying and then tumbling below to the feet of his troops. The raging storm of blows had ended. The armoured man rattles as he tries to get up again, but ultimately he falls and growls. “I cannot… lose… no…!” Corai had to react immediately. Zelo was needed.

“Pathetic! Is this all the Knights of the Hammer have? Urgh. I tire of this city and its petulant problems, this is the temperament of my demonic species, I suppose. Forget it, maybe I’ll find something more challenging to the west, the capital might bring me more amusement… ahahahaha! If your loss frustrates you, I’m open to a second bout or a third strike, if you’re not too much of a craven and a coward to face me again!” 

Zelo rises to the heavens, his figure blotting out the sun for the knights below him who quickly draw their weapons. One Zelo becomes a hundred. They cackle in unison as they begin to fly westwards together, their waves of laughter resembling the beating wings of a swarm of locusts. “Hurry! Men! Go after him now! He just threatened the capital!” Agarde barks at his soldiers who are stunned by the sudden developments. One stammers back “but, sir, our mission here is to make an example of this city and-” Agarde despite being on the ground slams his right fist against the ground causing the horses to bolt and the riders are forced to settle them down.

“You fools! If tomorrow the king lays dead on his throne because of our negligence to stop a threat from the city we were tasked with! Even if we can’t hope to defeat him, we can warn others that can! Now go! Leave me behind, time is of the essence! I will not accept failure! If you fail, the royal guard will see to our torturous executions! None of us wants that! Go! That is an order!” The soldiers are roused through fear and the threat of violence. They kick their horses and begin to chase after the multiple illusions soaring through the sky. Trying their best to shoot them down… in doesn’t take long for the horde to leave the confines of the city.

Corai stumbled back to the orphanage. He was rather exhausted. He didn’t take much damage but he had to run around quite a bit and when doing the close quarters combat his body and mind were pushed to the limits to keep up with his fellow performer. His illusions would keep going for quite a while, that’s a good point to his spells, longevity if he so desired. That should be more than enough to get them far away from this city. For now and for quite a while, there should be no more problems for this city. 

As he reached the entrance of the orphanage, he saw Agarde standing there. A small cold sweat broke out across his body. The knight commander removed their helmet.

“Oh no. Please, please, please... “ Corai began to curse and want to cry. Was he trapped in some twisted simulation where the gods wanted to plague him with badly written plot twists over and over? Without the helmet covering their face, without the modulation of the voice within… Agarde smiled disturbingly. A woman. A somewhat short-haired blonde woman with scars on her face stared at Corai. There was something in her eyes. They looked excited and field with inexplicable joy. A joy that screamed madness. 

“Oh, hello there. I did quite enjoy our little tussle.”

Corai sighed. 

“Fine, what do you want?”