“Your nephew is a fool,” Sully said, for he had heard that the half elf’s axe was one of the greatest weapons he had come across, and to surrender it to his brother instead of wielding it against three who were considered Masters, what was he plotting? Even Sully was uncertain he could face Three Masters without a weapon.
“I shall remember that you did not call him your own nephew,” Ashmir replied. “If he’s going this far, I am confident in his victory.”
‘What did he say?’ Adila, Three Cat Sword, thought, staring at the half elf before him.
Womanly Fist, on the other hand, could feel how the air had changed once the half elf had hidden away his eyes, and as she prepared her heart, she felt the cold sweat on the back of her neck.
“Sister, do not underestimate him,” Iron Dancer called, drawing her sabre, revealing the grey steel to the world, slowly spinning it on either side of her, before finally holding it over her shoulders, half coiled, ready to cleave a head off.
Adila drew her sword, grasping it with both hands, and as she stared at the wall of steel before her, she considered the air around them.
‘What was it?’
Battle Order
D20 + 1 = 6 (5)
Reroll
XP: -100
D20 + 1 = 2 (1)
Reroll
XP: -200
D20 + 1 = 20 (19)
Womanly Fist, with wounded pride in her heart, and the knowledge the half elf was related to an Iyrman, darted forward. She would need to get to him first to allow the other two to forced him down with their sword, and so she could finally stomp his fa-
Fighting Spirit: 3 -> 2
Spell: Fist (Advantage)
D20 + 9 = 24 (15)
D20 + 9 = 27 (18)
Hit!
Mana: 39 -> 38
1D6 + 2D6 + 9 = 16 (2)(5)
16 damage!
Spell: Fist (Advantage)
D20 + 9 = 19 (10)
D20 + 9 = 29 (20)
Critical Hit!
Mana: 38 -> 35
2D6 + 8D6 + 9 = 47 (11)(27)
47 damage!
Onward Soar: 1 -> 0
Mana: 35 -> 34
Spell: Thunderous Smite
Spell: Fist (Advantage)
D20 + 9 = 19 (10)
D20 + 9 = 22 (13)
Hit!
Mana: 34 -> 33
1D6 + 2D6 + 2D6 + 9 = 30 (4)(10)(7)
30 damage!
Spell: Fist (Advantage)
D20 + 9 = 15 (6)
D20 + 9 = 20 (11)
Hit!
Mana: 33 -> 32
1D6 + 2D6 + 9 = 17 (4)(4)
17 damage!
A giant shadow of a fist blocked Womanly Fist’s vision, and the glowing white threatened to blind her as she raised her fists, barely able to defend herself against the first blow, but as the half elf charged forward after her, the shield blurred from the periphery.
‘Impossi-,’ Adila thought, as she leapt towards the half elf, her blade turning from one to three, and yet as the thunder rumbled, Womanly Fist’s body fell through the air, but as she spun, he was upon her once more, a greater mountain than even Sully, as the half elf clenched his fist, and Womanly Fist’s eyes, so full of surprise, closed, and the woman landed on the ground with a heavy thud, the glowing white in the half elf’s fists dissipating after knocking her out.
“What happened?” Kitool asked.
“There was a noble before us,” Jurot replied simply.
Adam could see it.
The look within that man’s eyes. The glare as the twins were within his sights. Vonda’s presence had stoppd anything else from happening, but Adam couldn’t forget the look.
Three Cat Sword and Iron Dancer had been unable to keep up with him as he defeated Womanly Fist. He had defeated her so thoroughly, one might suggest it hadn’t been a spar, or a fight, but a violation. This audacious young man had, in the span of a moment, defeated one of the three Masters who had loomed over him.
Then, he turned.
“Are you not a Monk?” Adam asked, for the way the woman had attacked with her blade, the same was as Iron Dancer had struck, had been one who was a Fighter, rather than a Monk.
“I wear lighter chain beneath my shalwar,” Three Cat Sword admitted.
“I am most afraid of facing Rage Dancers, and Monks, for Rage Dancers endure my beatings well, and return the favour in kind, while Monks are able to force me to watch as they beat me,” Adam admitted, having calmed himself. Then, as though he wished to make them his enemies, he beckoned the pair of them with his fingers. “Fighters, on the other hand, are scary but for one moment, and that moment has passed.”
“Have we offended you in some way?” Iron Dancer asked, holding her sabre over her shoulders once more, coiled, ready to strike.
“It is not only that I wish to show off to my ahms, but for my children, who should know that their father is invincible,” Adam replied, his tone still full of such venom.
“Adam,” called a voice, of a handsome man, with shorter hair, and a freshly shaved face, even in Aswadasad. “It was not they who offended you.”
Adam let out a hiss, clenching his fist, cracking his knuckles, and then, letting out a soft sigh, he relaxed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m just…”
“Ah! You! The Crazy Father! Yes, I recall you now! You are the one who shamed the Florian King!” Adila finally called, realising who this half elf was.
“It was not I who shamed him, but his old compatriots, who dared to lay a hand upon my children,” Adam replied, his fist clenched tightly before him once more, and they could all hear it in his voice, the pain which remained fresh, still a thorn within his heart, and as they recalled his words, spoken but moments ago, and recalled his epithet, they understood. “I ask you not to take offence to my words and actions at this time, for….”
“My cousin needs to taste your steel before he calms himself,” Kitool finally said, though she understood that the chances they could defeat the half elf was close to nil, for three at once was extremely difficult, but with Adam exploding and defeating the Womanly Fist so suddenly had assured his victory.
Although, knowing Adam, perhaps he would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?
Sully’s eyes remained focused on the half elf, for somehow, he was exactly the kind of man who could defeat the Elder of Amber, the Amber Blade, the New Moon, the Full Moon, and even the Ashen Lord’s daughter. It was also due to his heart, still wounded by the actions so many years ago, plaguing him to this day, which forced him into action.
‘It is a shame I was not born later into this new era,’ Sully though, for he was a man who, like the Lion King, was the kind who had grandchildren who may be this half elf’s age, and so the sun would soon set, and he would be unable to see the stars in the sky.
Three Cat Sword raised her sword once more, and with Iron Dancer at her side, the two rushed forward to face the half elf much more, this time their hearts resolved. If they did not come into this battle with the urge to kill, they would find themselves beaten so viciously.
Fighting Spirit: 2 -> 1
Spell: Fist (Advantage)
D20 + 9 = 15 (6)
D20 + 9 = 28 (19)
Critical Hit!
Mana: 32 -> 29
2D6 + 8D6 + 9 = 46 (7)(30)
46 damage!
Spell: Fist (Advantage)
D20 + 9 = 21 (12)
D20 + 9 = 25 (16)
Critical Hit!
Mana: 29 -> 28
1D6 + 2D6 + 9 = 23 (6)(8)
23 damage!
It was impossible.
As their steel met steel, ringing in the air, clear, terrible, the two women found themselves against an insurmountable foe, a figure so adorned in steel they were unable to find purchase against flesh. Three Cat Sword’s wrist ached, and as she pulled away to gain space, a shadow followed her, and though Iron Dancer was able to follow the half elf’s back, even her steel only sung dull notes. Three Cat Sword flew backwards as the terrible blow struck her so terribly, and as she skid upon her boots, she flipped away, and yet found her wrist shaking violently as she and the half elf clashed steel.
The half elf fought as though he were a Rage Dancer, throwing caution to the wind, and yet as he chased her, allowing them a chance to strike him, they were unable to take advantage, for the faith in his armour had not been misplaced.
Fighting Spirit: 1 -> 0
Spell: Fist (Advantage)
D20 + 9 = 22 (13)
D20 + 9 = 23 (14)
Hit!
Mana: 28 -> 27
1D6 + 2D6 + 9 = 20 (2)(9)
20 damage!
Spell: Fist (Advantage)
D20 + 9 = 15 (6)
D20 + 9 = 29 (20)
Hit!
2D6 + 9 = 19 (10)
19 damage!
Mana: 27 -> 26
Spell: Shield
Defence: 28 -> 33
As the half elf’s fist forced Three Cat Sword away, and though she had certainly earned her title for her blade, Adam hadn’t allowed her to reveal what her blade referred to. Instead, he turned, and as he chanted the words, he held out his hand, and stopped the sabre before it could finally strike his palm.
Iron Dancer held the half elf’s glare through his visor, and though he had defeated two Masters, there was little chance he could defeat her too.