Free Web NovelChapter 70: Spar To Remember (3)
The wind rustled through the grass as Marcus observed the impending duel from a distance. His usually composed demeanour began to falter, frustration etching lines on his face.
He had ordered Falken to put Shinon in his place, believing him to be a mere nuisance. But as the moments ticked away, Marcus realised Shinon was a formidable opponent.
Marcus did not expect him to be that good with a knife as Shinon’s preferred weapon was his sword, and regardless of the similarity between the two, sparring using a blade was much different than that of a knife.
That’s why he thought Falken could easily win the spar and teach the outsider a lesson. However, his plan seemed to be failing miserably.
With a sudden burst of motion, Falken lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air with deadly intent. Shinon deftly sidestepped, his movements fluid and precise. The clash of steel resonated in the field as the two combatants engaged in a fast-paced dance of blades.
Their knives danced in intricate patterns, the gleam of steel reflecting the sunlight. Shinon’s movements were a testament to his agility and finesse, weaving around Falken’s strikes with effortless grace. He countered with swift, calculated strikes of his own, testing Falken’s defences.
"Is this the best you can do, Falken? I expected more from Marcus’s prized warrior," Shinon taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.
Falken’s eyes blazed with fury, his attacks growing more aggressive. He lunged forward, aiming to catch Shinon off guard with a powerful thrust. But Shinon anticipated the move, swiftly parrying the strike and countering with a swift kick to Falken’s midsection.
The impact sent Falken stumbling backwards, a mix of surprise and frustration etched on his face. He regained his footing, his rage fueling his determination. Falken charged forward once more, his strikes wild and relentless.
But Shinon remained calm and composed, his movements becoming almost ethereal as he weaved through Falken’s onslaught. Each time he dodged and countered, Shinon exploited Falken’s openings, gradually wearing down his opponent’s defences.
As the fight wore on, Marcus’s frustration grew more evident. He clenched his fists, his eyes burning with anger and disbelief. His prized warrior, the one he had deemed unbeatable in close quarters, was struggling against Shinon’s relentless assault.
It was even more humiliating because Shinon wasn’t using any of his abilities to play with Falken, whereas the latter had reinforced his defences because of Shinon’s non-stop attacks.
Shinon seized the opportunity to strike a nerve, his voice laced with a taunting edge.
"You put so much faith in Falken, Marcus. Is this the champion you choose to represent your cause? It seems you’ve made a grave mistake."
A flicker of doubt crossed Marcus’s face, but he quickly suppressed it, his determination resurfacing. He couldn’t allow himself to be shaken by Shinon’s words.
With a gritted voice, he called out to Falken, "Show him the strength of the Phoenixes, Falken! Prove him wrong!"
"Oi, I thought you were supposed to be a neutral judge!" Shinon smiled. "But I guess I expected too much from you."
"Falken, you don’t want to disappoint me!" Marcus yelled, ignoring Shinon’s words.
Fueled by Marcus’s words, Falken renewed his assault with a newfound ferocity. His strikes became more calculated, his movements sharper and more focused. He aimed to prove himself and silence Shinon’s taunts once and for all.
The clash of their blades intensified, the sound echoing through the field. Each strike reverberated with the weight of their determination, a testament to their unwavering resolve. Falken pressed forward relentlessly, his strength and size giving him an advantage in raw power.
But Shinon relied on his speed and agility, evading Falken’s onslaught with a dancer’s grace. He anticipated Falken’s movements, countering with lightning-fast strikes that found their mark, leaving shallow cuts on Falken’s arms and legs. Shinon’s precision was unwavering, his focus unyielding.
Marcus tried using Shinon’s tactics against him and silently taunted him so that only he and Shinon knew what was spoken between them. However, his attempts were laughable as Shinon proceeded to duel Falken without faltering once.
As the battle raged on, Marcus’s frustration grew to a boiling point. His eyes burned with a mix of anger and desperation. He couldn’t accept that Shinon was gaining the upper hand, defying all expectations.
His carefully crafted and executed plans seemed to crumble before his very eyes. He had intended to put Shinon in his place, but Shinon ended up being the one putting him in place.
By now, even the audience seemed to realise that Shinon was the better fighter between the two. Despite the restrictions put on him, he was overwhelming Falken with ease.
Slowly but surely, the number of people cheering for Shinon began increasing. Kira and Selena smiled as more people joined them, much to Marcus’s annoyance.
Marcus’s face contorted with rage. He could no longer bear Shinon’s words and the sight of Falken being bested. In a fit of blind fury, Marcus stormed towards the field, determined to intervene personally.
But before Marcus could reach them, Lova stopped him from making a joke of himself. frёewebηovel.cѳm
"What the hell do you think you’re doing?" Marcus yelled at her.
"Saving your sorry ass from doing something stupid," Lova replied. "Now get back and stand as you were!"
In the meantime, Falken launched a desperate final attack. He unleashed a powerful overhead swing, aiming to end the fight in one decisive blow.
However, Shinon anticipated the move and evaded Falken’s strike by ducking before countering with a swift elbow strike to Falken’s chest.
The impact sent Falken sprawling backwards, his grip on his knife loosening. Shinon, seizing the opportunity, swiftly disarmed him, sending the blade flying across the field. Falken lay on the ground, gasping for breath, defeated.
Shinon stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion. He cast a steely gaze towards Marcus, who had frozen in his tracks.
Marcus’s fury turned into a mixture of fear and disbelief. His plans had crumbled, and his champion was defeated. He retreated, his footsteps heavy with defeat, leaving Shinon standing victorious in the grassy field.
Shinon watched Marcus disappear into the distance, his heart filled with renewed determination. He knew that the fight was far from over, that there were still battles left to be fought. But at that moment, he relished the taste of victory.
