He fell to the ground with a grunt. "You can do better than that!" Getting up, he readied himself again. He lunged at his opponent, blade slung over his shoulder as he came forward. Just as he was bringing the sword down hard from over his shoulder, the other struck it with such force it disarmed him. "Come on, Azaka!" said Zerig, laughing.
The frusterated Azaka walked over to retrieve his weapon and returned it to its sheath on his back. He calmed himself after what he considered to be an embarassing practice. His elder friend by 4 years walked over to him:
"You're improving."
"You think so? I didn't do all that well..."
"It was fine. You just need to plan your attacks better."

---

Azaka, a relatively young fighter, was a tall, fit, and a skilled swordsman. He had come under the training of Zerig, whom was perhaps the best fighter in the known world. They practiced once or twice daily, and Zerig could see him getting better every day. There was something about him that Zerig knew was special; something that not even he possessed.

---

"Come on, we should be there and working right now"
"Right."

They went on their way, walking through a wooded area towards the spot in which they regularly trained. A golden sun dotted the path between the leaves of the trees above, which were all of a brilliant gold The path was laden with fallen leaves and various brambles. A multitude of wild life was about the forest around them, from birds and small insects to larger creatures such as the native animal known only as a "bengalass." They much enjoyed walking through it all on their way.
Suddenly, they were called from whatever silent reverie they were having along their way by an unusually loud rustling of the trees above them. A robed figure of large stature dropped from the trees onto the path ahead of them.
This character, with sinister eyes and an intimidating figure, surprised both of them. Zerig drew his blade and held it at his side.
"Are you Zerig?" started the character.
"Yes I am...what might you want?" he replied.
"I am Kenya...and I challenge you to a duel."
"To the death?"
"To the death."
"Very well."






Kenya drew his blade, a crude, demonic-seeming weapon, to a readied position, as did Zerig "Azaka, Get back." Kenya made the first move. Running foreward towards Zerig, he kept his sword ahead of him, shielding his torso. At the last moment, he leaped to the side in an attempt to come around Zerig's side. He managed to block it, and then counter-attacked. He rose his blade to hit Kenya across the face, but was, even with his great speed, too slow for Kenya. The enemy blade came slashing in an X-like pattern- one slash to block and...one which made a deep cut into Zerig's chest.
He fell backwards in pain. Azaka ran up to him, crouching at his side, instantly asking him if he would make it.
"Listen, Azaka. You don't realize it, but you have much more skill and power than I do. You can defeat this evil bastard. Kill him...for me."

With that, he lost conciousness, but was still breathing for a few more minutes.

Enraged, Azaka drew his sword in challenge to Kenya. Kenya but laughed, and readied his blade once more...

---

To Be Continued,

~Psi-Channeler~