My right hand still grips the sword, ready to face what is coming.
"ALL CAVALRY, CHAAAAARGE!!!"
Their cry echoes across the entire field.
I draw a slow breath.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Thousands of cavalry begin moving from behind the Marshals, charging together from every direction—front, left, right, and behind.
Their horses gallop swiftly, carrying soldiers with long swords in their hands.
The ground trembles beneath their advance.
I close my eyes.
The first approach comes from the front.
A horse charges straight toward me. Its rider raises his sword high.
The first swing descends.
I step forward.
Olivia Technique.
SWASH!
My sword moves swiftly from below to above.
The slash strikes the soldier's body.
His body is thrown from the horse's back.
BAM!
He crashes onto the ground.
His horse continues running past me without its rider.
Two other cavalry approach from the left and the right.
Their swords descend at the same time.
I rotate my body.
Olivia Technique.
SLASH!
The first strike cuts the arm of the soldier on the left.
A scream escapes his mouth.
The second strike immediately sweeps to the right.
SWASH!
The rider on the right falls from his horse.
More horses continue arriving.
The first wave of cavalry reaches my position.
I step into their formation.
My sword moves again.
SWASH!
One rider falls from his horse.
SLASH!
Another is cut from the side of his saddle.
Their horses continue running without direction after losing their riders.
I keep moving.
The Olivia sword flows through my hand.
A wide slash.
SPLASH!
Two riders fall at the same time.
The next slash rises from below.
SLASH!
A cavalry soldier is thrown from his horse.
Another attempts to crash into me with his horse.
I step aside.
My sword moves quickly.
SRAK!
His body falls before the horse even passes me.
The cavalry waves continue coming.
I continue slashing.
SKLASH!
One falls.
SPLASH!
Two fall.
SLASH!
Three more fall.
Dozens of cavalry begin collapsing around me.
Yet more arrive from behind them.
I continue moving among the charging horses.
My sword does not stop.
SPASH!
One rider is cut from his saddle.
CRASH!
Another crashes to the ground.
SRAK!
My sword sweeps across the leg of a soldier.
His body falls from the horse.
Dozens more fall.
Dozens more follow.
I continue using the Olivia Technique.
Its movements are wide and stable. Every slash throws another rider from his horse.
The first cavalry wave begins to collapse.
Yet many more continue coming.
I step forward again.
My sword moves once more.
SWASH!
One cavalry soldier falls.
SLASH!
Two more follow.
BAM!
Their bodies strike the ground.
Hundreds of cavalry begin collapsing under those slashes.
I keep moving among them.
My sword does not stop.
SWASH!
Another falls.
SLASH!
Another falls.
The horses begin losing direction.
Some run without riders.
Yet more cavalry arrive.
I draw a short breath.
I rotate my wrist.
Zeco Technique.
A cavalry soldier attacks from the front with a swift swing.
I step forward.
My sword moves straight.
SRAK!
The slash instantly throws the rider from his horse.
Another attempts to stab from above.
I slightly turn my body.
SLASH!
My sword moves quickly and briefly.
The soldier falls from his horse.
Two other cavalry arrive at the same time.
I step between them.
My sword moves twice.
SWASH!
SRAK!
Both fall almost simultaneously.
The Zeco Technique is faster. Shorter.
Each slash strikes its target directly.
One cavalry attempts to attack from behind.
I turn my body.
SLASH!
His body falls before his sword can descend.
Another comes from the left.
SRAK!
My sword immediately drops him.
Dozens of cavalry fall by that technique.
Yet their numbers remain enormous.
The sound of galloping hooves continues approaching.
I stop for a moment.
My sword grip changes again.
Isabelle Technique.
A horse runs straight toward me.
Its rider raises his sword high.
I step forward.
SWASH!
The Isabelle slash cuts him from the saddle.
His body falls to the ground.
Two cavalry approach from the right side.
I spin.
SLASH!
A wide slash throws both from their horses.
The horses run past me.
But their riders have already fallen.
The next cavalry wave arrives.
I step into their formation.
The Isabelle sword moves widely.
SWASH!
Three riders fall.
SLASH!
Two more fall.
SRAK!
A soldier is thrown from his horse.
I continue moving among them.
My sword spins again.
SWASH!
Four cavalry fall.
SLASH!
Others fall after them.
The ground begins filling with fallen cavalry.
Yet another line continues coming.
I do not stop.
My sword continues swinging.
SWASH!
One rider falls.
SLASH!
Two more fall.
BAM!
Their bodies crash onto the ground.
Hundreds of cavalry begin collapsing one by one.
Their horses run wildly after losing their riders.
Yet some still remain.
I take a breath.
My sword grip changes again.
Oliver Technique.
The final wave of cavalry charges together.
I step forward.
My sword moves swiftly.
SWASH!
The first slash drops three riders.
SLASH!
The second slash drops two more.
Their horses continue running without direction.
I spin.
SRAK!
Two cavalry fall from the right side.
Others attempt to attack from the front.
My sword moves again.
SWASH!
One rider falls.
SLASH!
Another follows.
Their assault begins weakening.
Yet I do not stop.
The Oliver sword continues moving.
SWASH!
Three more fall.
SLASH!
Four more fall.
Their bodies collapse in piles on the ground.
The horses begin running away from the battlefield.
Those remaining attempt to attack together.
I step forward.
My sword spins once more.
SWASH!
Several bodies fall at once.
SLASH!
The last of them falls as well.
The sound of galloping hooves slowly fades.
The field becomes silent once again.
I stand still in the middle of the field.
No cavalry remain standing.
Their bodies cover the ground around me, once again.
I open my eyes.