It's Never That Simple

"Nah…I'm good." He said.

His katana was a tool used for killing. He wouldn't use it to play around. It was a lesson that he learned at a young age. The fierce woman couldn't help but falter. She was trying to be cool about it and he blew her off!

"Why not?" She asked.

"I don't spar. I kill."

"Come onnn! Don't be like that…it's just a few pointers."

"Drawing my blade for such a reason is sacrilege."

"Then don't draw your blade! I can tell that you're a good fighter. Please let me experience it, Shu."

VRMMMM

The hum of her greatsword resounded through the area. Her blade pulsed with sharp energy. Shu focused on her weapon.

"Aren't you going to dull it?" He asked. Tess smirked.

"I feel a bit insulted that you won't fight me with your blade. So no, I'm not going to dull it." She responded.

"Is that so…well come on then. No mana."

Shu held his sheathed katana in his left hand, while his right hand stayed in the red sash of his yukata. The fierce warrior dashed toward him and cleaved downwards. All of the molecules in the air heated up as her greatsword passed through.

The young samurai flipped over the slash in an elegant manner. The lioness' blade crashed into the ground. A molten scar immediately appeared in the grass. Using her long hilt as a pole, she raised her body into the air. Her leg hurtled toward the swordsman.

His sheath blocked the kick, but the momentum sent him back to the ground. There was no chance to blink once he landed. Tessvulin was already upon him. Her entire body twisted, allowing her greatsword to cleave with incredible strength.

Shu ducked below the slash with minimal movements. The tree behind him was bisected effortlessly. Not losing the advantage, he slammed his sheath against her throat.

BAM

"Kuhak!" She grunted.

The fierce woman took a knee and stabbed her massive blade into the ground. All of the dirt started to sizzle. Her hands clutched her throat in pain. She couldn't breathe. The sleepy man stood over her, waiting for her to stand back up.

"...You leave your body wide open after an attack. Your way of fighting tells me that you've never fought someone with quick reactions. At least not like me." He explained.

After a few more seconds, the pain became bearable. Tess rose to her feet once more. Her expression was serious. It seemed like she now understood that there was no room for mistakes.

"Don't patronize me. I know how to fight. I've been doing it my entire life!" She growled.

This time, she got into an elegant battle stance. Her left hand was raised toward him, while her greatsword was pointed at the ground. She clicked the button on her hilt which caused the blades to pulse with energy.

The moonlight revealed their figures before the lake. Both of them squared off, waiting for the other to move. There was a moment of silence. Suddenly, Tess calmly accelerated. She moved in a zigzag pattern and quickly reached him.

Her arm blurred, causing Shu to lean back. An energy slash flew past him and cut down several trees. It kept going, disappearing into the surrounding forest. Several moves were being exchanged. The area was quickly filling up with molten sword scars.

After twirling around a piercing blow, he kicked the back of her knee. Tess only felt weakness in her leg and faltered once more. Shu straightened his hand and chopped the back of her neck.

BAM

Tessvulin felt her consciousness turn black for a moment. Luckily, it returned almost immediately. With a burst of motion, she grabbed his arm and threw him to the floor. The fierce warrior leapt on top of him. Her free hand tightly grasped a handful of his hair as she leaned closer to his face.

"You fight incredibly well! Are you sure you aren't a lion in disguise?" She joked.

"Certainly." He responded.

"Heh. I've decided! Not only are you good natured, but you are also strong. Strong enough to face me! Remember when I said that nobody at Stormfeldt could beat me even though I offered to marry the winner?" She questioned. Shu frowned.

'She said that? I don't remember. Probably since I fell asleep.' He thought.

"So?"

"So, I will make you my husband!" She declared with pride. It was as if she didn't even think he would reject her.

"Um…what?"

Tess kept him pinned to the ground. Her face leaned even closer before she crashed her lips against his. Her tongue forced its way into his mouth. After a few seconds, she pulled back. A thin string of saliva connected both of their lips.

"Be grateful, Shu. You are the first man I have ever tasted!" She announced.

"...That's great and all, but I'm not marrying you. We barely met today." He said. The image of a cute and weird snow demon appeared in his mind.

"You've already seen me naked! But don't fret, husband. We can start as friends. As soon as we reach the capital, I will tell my father about our engagement."

"I said-"

"It matters not what you say! As long as you are an exile and still live in Veldhoven, my authority trumps yours. You may be stronger than me, but my family is stronger still! My father is the head of the family as well. You can try to run away, but the Lyon Clan will search far and wide!"

Shu deadpanned. How did it come to this? He knew he shouldn't have accepted her request to spar. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems! The young samurai understood that once he finished what he came here for, he'd have to disappear. Damn his good looks!

"...That's pretty forceful. Don't you think, Tess?"

"Hehe! That is what it means to be part of the Lyon Clan! To be overbearing!"

After finishing her words, she got off of him. The two fighters rose to their feet. It didn't take long for them to return to the bonfire. Their bout was pretty loud, so it was no surprise when the soldiers locked onto them. A wide smile was on Tessvulin's face, while Shu looked irritated.