Frederick is sly and dashes forward before the announcement had been completed.
I hold my weapon out infront of me as he lashes out with quick swipes, gauging distance.
In my peripheral, I see that William had slowly started to circle around to my back.
'Typical.'
I move around as well and keep him in my line of sight. Frederick seemed to have played around enough and dashed forward so fast I couldn't react. The tip of his blade digs into my bicep as I tried to catch him on the backswing.
I missed as pain blossomed and he smiled at me.
I could feel my new wound throbbing as blood leaked out.
Realizing I couldn't see William, my heart hammered as I dive to the side and a thud impacts the ground where I just stood.
Before I could catch my breath, Frederick is on me. He had lunged forward again but was stopped as I guessed his trajectory and placed my swords tip in his path. On one knee, I can't react very well to his next move.
Spinning around my blade, he swung his weapon again and slashed my shoulder on the same arm. It shakes slightly as I took a swing of my own at his waist.
He dodged back and I did the same. I noticed William to the right just as he planted his club into the dirt in front of me.
Springing to my feet, I glare at William and he steps back half a step.
I feel opportunity slip in and out of of my hands as I try to grasp the timing to take advantage of Frederick's flaw.
William darts back and runs behind me as Frederick charges again. His eyes give his target away and I bring my blade to meet his.
The crowd can't get enough of the spectacle and I notice my blow had made Fredericks hand numb. He swaps it into other and looks like he has just as much experience using his offhand.
I dive to the side again after hearing footsteps behind me and William almost loses an eye to Frederick as they both tried to pounce on me.
My breath is haggard as I stare at them.
'Think idiot! Change the situation or you'll die!'
An idea forms and I take hold.
Running forward, I dip my sword low and drag it slightly on the ground. Flicking my wrists in a huge swing, dust is sent flying towards their eyes.
My quick plan half worked as William was blinded. I charge him and let Frederick score a deep hit on my along my forearm as I pass.
My wide swing cuts into Williams body and stops halfway through. His arm just below the elbow fell to the ground and I see his insides start to spill out of his body.
There is no sound from William as he collapses to the ground dead, taking my sword with him.
My back explodes with burning pain as Frederick cuts me once, then twice and again.
My back is in tatters before I react. Throwing myself to the ground, I hear air slicing behind me.
I pick up the fallen club and swing desperately. My wild strike is lucky and rips Fredericks hand to shreds as my swings momentum continues.
I hit the hand holding his weapon and he dropped it. We both stare at each other a little dumbly until he thrusts his other hand forward.
I miss my next blow and Frederick backs up several steps, his cruel weapon gripped tightly. We're both panting hard now.
I press the attack after a moment, hoping to finally exploit Frederick's fatal flaw.
I'm relentless as I keep bringing down heavy swings onto his blade and I finally get what I was watching for.
I shove my shoulder forward into his chest and take another brutal cut while I push him to the ground.
He had been alternating between the heels and balls of his feet the whole fight. His center of gravity never stable.
Frederick tries rolling with the shove to escape my reach.
He can't.
The spikes from the club sink into flesh and rips off a patch of skin. It's a terrible wound to the thigh and it bleeds freely.
His face turns dark with rage and pain as he gets to his feet. His tone promising retribution.
"I'm gonna murder you kid."
I can barely hear him over the crowd. My brutal dispatch of William had filled the air with a crazed frenzy.
My weapon is up again and I move forward.
'Time to end this.'
My blows are hard, even stronger than before. My anger is rising.
Frederick can't keep up with the assault as his weapon is beaten backwards. I finally force him to a knee and swing horizontally.
His blade meets the club in a horrible shower of sparks as chipped metal flies.
He's dumbfounded when I drop my weapon and kick him in the stomach.
My foot seemed to have smashed his solar plexus and he lays on the ground unable to breath.
I cannot stop myself as I walk to him and raise my foot.
His eyes are panicked and pleading, but there is no forgiveness left inside me.
His throat is flattened as I stomp down once, twice, three times.
He's dead.
I can feel my rage hotter than ever and I go retrieve my sword from Williams desecrated body.
The old man announces the results.
"What a show! Kelrin Bladebane claims victory as he reaps two more lives! I smell a new champion in the making.."
I hold it high as I yell in madness, the crowd screaming my name back at me.
"Kelrin! Kelrin! Kelrin!"
….
(Present Day- Month of Misery, Year of The Whale)
….
"Kelrin.. Kelrin Bladebane. Is Kelrin Bladebane present? Speak now or you'll be dissqualif—"
"I'm here."
My eyes snap back reality and I stop staring out the window as I raise my head from where my chin rested on my hand.
An old man stared at me distastefully as he straightens his thick framed spectacles. His belly is big and soft with age and I feel like he's never held a weapon before.
His thick gray mustache moves, hiding his lips as he speaks.
"Please proceed into the hall, you will be guided to your first test."
Standing, I work my shoulders in circles a little to loosen them up. The old man speaks again as I make my way to the door.
"A bit of advice lad, the masters in charge of the tests do not take kindly to such lackadaisical attitudes."
I stop my anger before it can take control of me. His words are very reminiscent of an old man I killed a while ago.
I guess I didn't manage to completely suppress it as the old man stumbles back.
'Shit. I need to keep my bloodlust in check, I'm not in the arena anymore.'