In the eyes of the audience, once the leaf hit the ground, the world shifted.
The blond executioner vanished.
Zeke's smile widened. He dropped low, just in time for the enemy's blade to hiss through the air above his head, leaving behind a faint silver arc in the afternoon light.
Ssshing!
The edge of the blade clipped a few strands of Zeke's dark hair, sending them fluttering to the ground in slow motion. A collective gasp rang from the crowd. Some students tightened their grips on the weapons in hand, their hearts thundering in sync with each thunderous clash of steel.
Zeke dodged a hidden blade as he rolled to the side, pivoting sharply as his boots dug deep into the forest floor, kicking up a spray of loose soil. The scent of smoke filled the air as blades clashed, creating sparks of light, a testimony to the speed and strength the two fighters are displaying. Zeke twisted low to the ground like a coiled spring, then surged upward with all the force his legs could muster. His blade came up in a vicious vertical arc, the steel catching a glint of sunlight like a ribbon of liquid fire.
CLANG!
The two swords collided with a metallic shriek, a sound so sharp and resonant it made the closer students flinch and clamp their hands over their ears. The force of the impact rippled outward like a wave, the floor began to crack around the duo.
Steel screamed against steel.
The blond attacker laughed crazily as he stepped into Zeke's guard, their faces now inches apart. He pressed forward with his sharp blade, his black coat that once hid him now shredded, the veins on his arm bulging as he presses forward forcing Zeke to grit his teeth and brace himself on the damp forest floor. Sparks burst and danced between the clashing weapons, flaring like fireflies in a storm.
Thwick! Zeke whipped his sword forward in a strange movement forcing the blonde back, finally putting some distance between them. The crowd watched on wide-eyed taking in the incredible display of swordsmanship from both sides, while the two fighting were panting slightly, sweat trailing down their faces as their eyes met, Zeke's narrowed with white-hot defiance, the blond's gleaming with a manic, unhinged glee that sent chills crawling down the spines of the other students.
"Come on!" the blond roared. "Don't get tired yet, we have just begun ahahhah!"
Ignoring the sudden dialogue Zeke dashed forward, sliding his foot through the dirt, aiming to trip the enemy. But the blond anticipated it, sweeping his blade low with a wicked grin. The steel sang as it carved a deadly crescent in the air, nearly catching Zeke's thigh.
Zeke barely bounced back in time he felt the wind of the blade kiss past his leg, tearing a clean line through the edge of his pants, a chilling realisation crossed his mind as he saw how close it was to his 'parts'.
"Fuck you dude, I want kids, how dare you nearly ruin my dream of being a father." In a childish display of retaliation, Zeke kicked up a chunk of dirt with his heel, flinging it toward the blond's face.
The blond twisted his head just in time, but flecks of dirt and grit peppered his eyes and mouth.
"Cheating now?" he coughed, but his smile didn't fade. "Good. That just makes it more fun."
Zeke didn't answer, he lunged forward instead. His blade came in low, then snapped upward in a feint. The blond moved to parry, and Zeke switched directions mid-strike, twisting his wrist in an improvised motion. The sudden redirection nearly caught the blond off guard, slicing across his shoulder and drawing a shallow line across his skin, blood slowly peeked through dripping down the blondes arm.
The students in Zeke's army who were watching erupted in cheers, they were cut short by the blonde guy who released a wild roar rushing at Zeke, his blade flew into motion with a flurry of vicious slashes.
The air turned into a blur of silver.
Each swing of the blond's blade left ghostly arcs in the air, humming with energy and intent. Zeke ducked slightly, dodging a hit that would've taken his head clean off.
Clang! Clang! Clang! TCHAK!
A slash caught the surface layer of Zeke's shoulder, not enough to leave long term damage but enough to burn. He staggered back, breath ragged, muscles he never knew existed felt like they were on fire, "Shit, what part my the body even is that, ahh it hurts like hell."
The blond advanced, he was relentless, hammering down blow after blow like a storm whipping at a lone tree, Zeke struggled as he raised his sword in an attempt to block every attack that came his way, the continous impacts sent shivers vibrating down to his spine. Their weapons sparked and shrieked like metal demons screaming in rage.
Zeke managed a short hop back and spun, coming around with a wide slash aimed at the blond's neck. The blond twisted just in time to keep head, but the blade dug deep into his ribs, he let out a sharp cry before turning back to Zeke.
Blood now ran down from both fighters, seeping into the ground painting it red.
Zeke's chest rose and fell rapidly, sweat and blood mixing as it trailed down his body. His knuckles were white around his hilt. But his eyes stayed sharp, never leaving the executioner.
He ducked another blow and rolled beneath the blond's guard, coming up behind him and swinging. The blond parried without even looking, their blades locking again. This time, Zeke twisted, slammed his shoulder into the blond's back, and sent them both stumbling forward.
Bang! Dirt sprayed into the air as the two tumbled foward, what was once a sword fight became a wrestling match as they threw their blades away tossing and turning, everyone watched on as the two wrestled through the forest, trees breaking as they ran into them, rocks shattering whenever they missed a punch before the finally came back towards the crowd of onlookers.
They broke apart, gasping for air, both looked around frantically, searching for the swords they dropped, after finding them they turned to eachother, their eyes no longer held any hate, infact it was the opposite, it was excitement.
Then they charged again.
Their swords met in a furious series of slashes and counters, the air alive with motion and fury. Zeke swept low, aiming for the legs. The blond jumped, flipping over Zeke and slashing downward mid-air. Zeke rolled forward in response, only narrowly dodging the descending strike.
A cheer ran through the student ranks.
Some of the executioners cheered, others watched in wary silence. The tension was palpable.
Zeke came to a stop near a shallow dip in the clearing. He stood, chest heaving. A line of blood trailed from his temple, dripping past his chin. His blade trembled slightly in his hand.
The blond strode toward him, grinning wider than ever. "You're entertaining, I'll give you that."
Then he raised his blade overhead and Zeke noticed his stance shift.
"But, i've had enough fun. you were an incredible sparring partner Zeke and it would be a pity to kill you, but at the end of the day, we are enemies. well thats one reason anyway, the real reason is because I want your cool ass army."
"So, lets get serious now"
Something was wrong.
A strange pulse radiated from the blonde after he finished saying those outrageous words. The Dark almost oily energy leaked from his body spreading across the floor, the grass withered whever it flowed, as if its vitality was being absorbed.
...
The professors watching from above stiffened.
"That's not a sanctioned technique," one of them muttered.
"Ahh, how disgusting, the power of evil," another proffeser, dressed in white hissed, around his neck a thick chain where a slightly above average cross hang.
...