Astral's Rise Part 26: Swordsmanship

Alexa would start the fight by closing the gap. Swinging the katana at Lone's left side. The sword would glide off of the knife as Lone swung downward onto the shield Alexa is using. The wing would send a left jab to throw Lone off balance. He blocked it with his knife and threw a punch for a counter blow that would send Alexa rolling. Lone would commit to the chase swinging his claymore across to strike at the right side, sliding his blade up past the shield and hooking it away from Alexa. Panicking at this point Alexa sent a slice into Lone's left shoulder. Lone would let this hit as he hit another punch sending Alexa back once again. This was a one sided affair that will be ended. Lone closed the gap and with the void sword he swung down onto Astral. Who would block it and fire himself upward. Headfirst looking down on him. Firing himself back down he would launch three swings of his sword at Lone. Blocking with his claymore.

"When you block like that, it leaves your hands exposed. Granted it takes a second level of skill to collect on a block like that. However, it is doable. Your knife block would do the trick." Astral would point his sword at Lone while he summoned his shield back.

"As for your bladework, it is truly impressive. Realize that with the one sided edge means you have to make those moves either sharp or make them flow. Its a slashing weapon not a piercing one." Lone smiled as he pulled out his combo of shield and broadsword. Astral would flash and switch to just his spear. This battle is a tactical chess match instead of a proper duel to the death. Both know that they are at a deadlock but will try to improve in order to overpass the other. Astral would take a couple of steps forward as Lone got into a defensive stance, Causing Astral to crash on him hard. Sending a jab from the spear into the shield head on. Moving Lone back a half step. Astral would swing the spear upward using the staff half to move the shield out of the way. Letting Lone to turn into the aggressor, swinging his broadsword directly intoAstral's left arm. His wings would catch the blade and hold it, allowing Astral to trap Lone's arm with his shield. Dropping it to free himself, Lone would launch a punch at Astral with the now freed hand. Astral blocked with the center of the spear before smacking Lone in the head with the staff end. Both would drop back a few paces. "Heh, that was impressive, utilizing the full working of the spear rather than just the spearhead." Lone spoke while grabbing his shield from the ground.

"As for you, it was flawless defense, the only thing separating it would have been a normal spear versus mine, the standard wooden staff would have snapped allowing for no other open blows." Astral would drop the spear as his own short sword and shield would be summoned. Lone would pull out two knives and be ready to finish Astral. Closing the gap he would rush Astral and make two quick jabs to have Astral raise his defenses, blocking with his shield Astral went for a flurry of swings being blocked by Lone in the close range attacks, Lone would be close enough and would be able to stab Astral in the right shoulder and left hip. Astral would kick lone away as he would drop his sword and shield and unsheath his katana. Click. Astral would have cleared the gap and launched three slashes at Lone. Blocking with his guantlets. They would fall to the ground as Astral looked behind him. Lone would grab his claymore and smile. "Heh, now it begins."

"Don't fear enemies getting up close, espically due to your armor taking it." Looking down to his gauntlets, Lone would pick them up and strap them back on. "As for mine, well, its just the difference of the armor being attached to the undersuit versus apart of the suit as a whole." Lone raised his claymore to the middle of his body. It was time. Astral made the first move this time, slicing at Lone's dominant arm. Being deflected by the rotating claymore which would be followed by a counter punch from the left side. Astral straighened up and swung his blade downward onto the oncoming fist. Lone changed the fist to a hand and would grab the blade and twist it. Astral would drop the katana and pull himself closer and throw multiple punches at his core. All of them connecting let Lone tale a free shot at Astral swinging his claymore with both hands downward at Astral.

His wings would slow the blade as Astral rolled backwards grabbing his katana. Looking up he would see Lone with another full swing his blade parallel to Astral's head. Astral would fly upwards to avoid the blade, slashing at the left side of Lone's face. Blocking it perfectly and parrying the attack, Lone would get a free upward slash at Astral. Who would reverse his grip and come in to block the attack. His blade being pushed upwards would come down with a downstroke. Being met by Lone's claymore once again. The two would start extanging blows at a rapid rate, Lone's void claymore and Astral's cyan Muramasa turned to colorful blurs across the arena. The two would seemingly block each and every blow thrown at each other. Neither had the edge as the fight wore on. Each attack would only be stronger and faster than the last. Each of them went toe to toe with each other. But finally one of them gained the advantage.

Jaimie would actively be on her feet, Adam watched each and every move and could narrowly keep up. James and Angel watched the fight in wonder as Astrid and Anders played a card game. When a knife came flying from the stage, piercing the arena's protection and directly at Jaimie's face, she caught it as Astral rushed over to check in on her. Lone took this advantage and would strike with enough force to shatter the wings. He watched as Astral turned directly around and was underneath his arms. Astral went from the back foot to full on offense. The fight balanced on the tip of a blade, it now had swung to Astral's side. Slicing at the claymore in defense before launching the three kick techquine. Lone would get hit and slide backwards. He felt tired, wearing down his opponent would be the least of his concerns if he can't keep up. Astral pressed this advantage as the blade would keep clashing with each other. Astral would gain improved footwork as the gap between them was smaller. As Astral had the killshot with the opening to behead Lone as his claymore was out of place, he waited and backed up. Something felt off. Lone would take full advantage of this and make his strikes hit as much as possible. Astral would block these with ease before getting the opening he wanted again. Slicing away the claymore he would jump above Lone and look downward and twist his hand.

Lone would see a flash before his eyes and then there was nothing but white for him. He would mindlessly wander as a familiar figure appeared. Astral would have created a giant flash to hide what he had done. But once he landed, Lone was no longer there. And the timer started.