Chapter 14

The cave atmosphere, once immersed in an almost sacred silence, was sliced through by the sudden disdain emanating from the enigmatic figure of Artoria Saber Alter. Her eyes, like two shards of obsidian, swept over my form with an indifference that scratched at my pride, leaving an invisible yet tangible mark. Just a fleeting glimpse, and she averted her gaze, as if the consideration of my presence was a matter of lesser importance, a trivial detail in the grand scheme of things. Internally, I grappled with a sting of hurt, a murmur of displeasure at being relegated to a mere shadow in the presence of that dark entity.

"So before me stands the lance that carves a path of destruction," Artoria Saber Alter spoke, her voice echoing off the cave walls, as laden with power as the darkness that seemed to be her eternal companion. "I never imagined I'd see a version of myself wielding such a weapon with such darkness." Her remark, made in a tone of introspective reflection, seemed to scratch the surface of a frozen lake, unveiling the depths of an unknown self.

Artoria Saber Alter scrutinized Altria alter from head to toe with an intensity that seemed to challenge the very essence of the warrior before her. "It's a peculiar sight, to look upon myself, albeit a younger version." The comment from Altria alter emerged tinged with a strange kind of admiration, mixed with a sense of recognition that went beyond the surface. The lance in her hands was now an extension of her will, a part of her being, and she gripped it with a force that was not just physical but symbolic as well, bracing for the inevitable confrontation with the shadowy figure of Artoria Saber Alter.

"Ready for combat, huh? Well, I am too." The assertiveness in her voice was unmistakable. Saber Alter, with the determination of an unwavering warrior, stepped into the demarcated area for the duel and positioned herself with a posture that exuded confidence. Her eyes sparkled with the reflection of an inner flame, the flame of competition. "Come, another version of me," she challenged, her voice tone as firm and incisive as the steel of her sword. "We shall see which one is the stronger!"

Altria cast a look at me that conveyed a mix of respect and expectation. In her eyes, I could see that she was looking to me not just for order, but for the strength to face what was to come. The truth was that I too was wrapped up in my own concerns, a feeling that something was missing, something I couldn't pinpoint. But in that moment, none of that mattered.

"Do not lose to yourself, Altria," I said, with a voice firmer than I felt inside. She nodded, a gesture that carried the weight of a solemn commitment. With a smooth and precise movement, she slid her helmet off her head and handed it to me, a symbolic transfer of responsibility that I accepted with a solemn nod.

She then turned to her mount, with a grace that only true masters of horsemanship possess, and faced her counterpart, Saber Alter. The tension between the two figures was palpable, like two storms about to collide.

"We shall see," Altria declared, as if her words were the prelude to an epic symphony, "may the stronger lance or sword win." Her pale golden eyes not only shone with excitement but also burned with the intensity of the midday sun, reflecting the passion of a warrior about to prove her worth.

Saber Alter, whose figure was enveloped in an aura of somber majesty, was the first to strike. With the dexterity of a predator and the grace of a deadly dancer, she lunged forward, her sword raised in a threatening arc that sliced the air with a hiss and descended in a trajectory from above, aiming to divide reality before her. The blade, with its darkness swallowing the light, seemed a rift in the very fabric of space, ready to consume all in its path.

Altria Alter, on the other hand, did not hesitate. Clutching the lance firmly between her fingers, she wielded it with a precision and speed that rivaled light itself. Intent on stopping Artoria's thunderous blow, she positioned her lance perfectly, seeking not just to parry, but also to redirect the overwhelming impact. However, the force behind Artoria's attack was colossal, defying expectations and logic itself.

When steel met steel, the clash was deafening, a symphony of metal against metal that reverberated through the cavern. Altria Alter was pushed back with a brutal force that made her and her horse retreat, as if they were mere toys in the hands of an invisible giant. Her eyes widened, not just in surprise, but also in recognition of the threat Saber Alter represented. And I, a mere spectator, shared her disbelief, feeling my own eyes widen in shock.

Saber Alter's determination was unwavering; her gaze showed no signs of triumph or arrogance, just the unbreakable focus of a warrior in battle. She advanced without a moment's hesitation, delivering another blow, this time a side strike, like an axe swath aiming to fell an ancient oak. Altria Alter, still recovering from the first clash, tried to hold back the assault, but the tide of battle seemed to be turning against her.

The strength of Saber Alter was immense, beyond what I had anticipated. I wondered, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest, if this was correct. Was Saber Alter really that powerful? Doubt gnawed at me, and a sense of panic began to creep into my mind. If Altria were to fail, if she were to be defeated, I knew my life would be at lethal risk under the blade of Saber Alter. But what could I do? Throw myself into the fight? No, I wasn't foolish enough to intervene in a confrontation between two beings so far beyond my capabilities. Nevertheless, worry ate away at me inside like acid, threatening to dissolve the composure I struggled to maintain.

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