The Soul Keeper

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Our gazes locked as the announcer's voice sounded.

"Let the final match of the tournament begin!"

Both our teams dashed forward. As everyone met with their opponents, the clash of blades began. The sound of metal hitting metal echoed across the courtyard as we glared at each other. Then, almost as if we had read each other's minds, we dashed forwards.

We met at the centre of the sand filled floor of the arena. As our blades clashed, my eyes widened. There was strength and precision in his moves. We both jumped back, almost as if mirroring each other.

I spun my sword around my wrist as I watched him. His lips formed a faint smile for only a moment before he lowered his body and dashed at me. I blocked his horizontal strike with my sword before countering with a wide sweep. He stepped back and let my attack pass by him before attempting a stab.

I quickly struck his sword, changing its trajectory just enough to avoid it. He jumped back, putting some distance between us. "You're better." He said quietly. His squinted yellow eyes focused on my blade.

Better than what, was what I wanted to ask, but he didn't give me the chance to. Immediately, I was met with a relentless series of strikes. I blocked each strike, standing my ground and focusing on his body language. With each strike, the sound of metal hitting metal echoed. With each strike, the air seemed to electrify.

Eventually, he made a simple, yet important mistake. He stepped up as I narrowly avoided his blade. Without giving him a chance to rectify his mistake and step back, I closed the distance between us and struck the hilt of his sword.

Seeing he was about to lose a finger; he quickly changed his grip on the hilt and threw himself to the side. The sound of metal hitting bone echoed as my blade left a deep dent in the softer hilt of his sword. He tried to step back, but I wasn't about to give him any breathing room.

I dashed after him. My first swing forced him to raise his sword. I didn't let it stop there – my relentless strikes forced him to back off. A smile appeared on my lips, almost at the same time as him. He caught an opening and struck back, which I narrowly evaded.

We both leapt back – I, with a somersault and him with a tumble. With this little break to our duel, we finally got the chance to look around us. I glanced at Erik and the others – they were doing fine. None of them had won yet, but it didn't look like they were losing either.

Once again, I turned my attention to him. We dashed at each other. Our blades clashed, once again locking us in combat. We danced back and forth. Each of our movements, every single strike carried the weight of our knowledge and experience. A single mistake could spell our defeat while the simplest advantage would mean victory.

For the first time in a very long time, I smiled with pure excitement and joy. For someone like me, who had dedicated his entire life to his training, finding an equal opponent was worth more than almost anything. Very few would ever get the chance to do so.

And I could see it in my opponent's eyes – he felt the same way. We pushed each other to our limits as we fought for the title of victor. The air around us was filled with anticipation, I could almost taste the onlookers' excitement. All that could be heard was the clinging of our swords.

If was when he feinted an attack that I finally got my chance. His overhead strike was too obvious, I could easily tell he'd feint it. I motioned to block it, then as soon as his swing changed direction, dropped my sword, moved out of the way, and caught it with my left hand. His strike hit nothing but air as I placed my sword against his throat.

For a moment, all I could hear was my heartbeat and our tired breathing. Then, the crowd roared.

"Well played," Luca said with a smile as he dropped his sword. "I thought I could win against you this time, but I fell for that trick of yours."

My smile widened. "You'll never defeat me, Lucius."

He flinched as his eyes widened. "That's not my na-"

"Did you really think I wouldn't recognise you? I know that fighting style anywhere." My smile faded. "Don't disappear – there are things we need to talk about."

A faint smile appeared on his lips. "I'll be waiting at the gates tonight." He said before whistling.

The three duels going on around us stopped as his allies jumped back as soon as they heard him. "We lost, sorry guys." He said. They hesitated before glancing at me, then dropped their swords.

Moments later, the crowd started cheering. The clapping and shouting was so loud that the announcer had to wait for a moment before he could announce our victory.

"And the Pale Demon once again paves the road for Team Torchlight's victory!" He shouted once the crowd's noise subsided a little.

The crowds roared once again.

"You've earned it." Lucius said with a faint smile.

I didn't say anything – I couldn't help but feel anxious. We'd done it! We were going to receive the help and support of the Ereth's ruling caste.

"The gift bestowing ceremony shall take place tomorrow." A female voice echoed, silencing the crowd instantly. I expected something more to be said, but all that followed was silence. Then, the metal gates on two opposite sides of the arena opened.

"I guess that's a bye, for now." Lucius said.

"It's a 'see you later'." I corrected him before heading to the metal gate. With only a moment of hesitation, the others followed me, as Lucius's allies followed him to the other gate.

Only when I passed through the gate and was hidden from the crowds' eyes did I lean on the wall and started laughing. My laughter echoed in the dark hallway.

"Oh, Mother..." I whispered.