Fifteen Journey - Chapter 44

A/N: Non stop! *sings*
I don’t exactly know when I’ve posted this chapter, but Fifteen Journey is finished by that time. Now, I’m unbearable. Always speaking about Fifteen Journey. Well, I have to translate it into Portuguese: a writer’s job is never finished.
Why won’t you comment? :(

Chapter 44 – Blade X Blade

The girls didn’t have to chance to say if they agreed or not. Both fencing masters automatically began the battle.
In contrast to Thynia, Matt’s sword and long and slight, and was a doubled sword, which meant he could attack twice, while Rick attacked once. Everytime Rick stroked, Matt would block the attack with one side of the sword and would attack by twisting the sword and using the other side. Rick could only dodge not using his sword but his body.
“Tired already?” Matt grinned after stopping the attack.
“Never.” And with nothing more to add, Rick attacked, which surprised Matt. He succeeded in avoiding any physical damage but profited that moment to attack again. Rolling his sword, Rick had badly cut in the skin, bleeding seriously for the first time in the games. With a doubled sword, he could never win against Matt.
His hand was filthy red, the pain started and his body had weakened a lot. Only the battle with Fred had been this painful, except for his death. He could not die either as he felt responsible for the whole group.
“Giving up already?” Matt was extremely amused.
After putting his hand in the stomach, he could feel the warm blood in the hand as well as a painted hand. He knew he was weaker now. Bradley would not be pleased with his efforts now.
And decided in his mind, Rick turned to Matt. He stroke again but, this time, he used a lot of strength, which made Matt lost control of his sword’s direction. He was still grabbing it, but he could not direct it to Rick, since its trajectory was always being changed. Rick couldn’t also attack him, since his fatigue would always give time for Matt to protect himself with his sword’s help. However, Matt was getting angry and finally took action. With a blast of anger, Matt attacked Rick, causing him to trip into the river. Rick was all wet and could not stand up since he was too heavy as his clothes had absorbed the water. And so, Rick got some few starches.
Fortunately, the water was running faster and faster so Matt tripped as well, giving Rick a moment to stand up, as well as Matt who was more quickly and had fewer scratches. Without losing a single moment, both soaped teens continued their fight.
When Mike arrived, he automatically began arguing with everybody especially at Sarith and Cassey who did not stop Rick from doing what he was doing.
“Look at is face.” Cassey ordered.
Mike calmed down and obeyed. For his surprise, Rick was ultra concentrated, like if this was the battle he had always waited for. Ashley was pulling Mike’s outfit, telling him Rick was bleeding and he should end the battle, but Mike smiled.
“I won’t stop his battle. This means a lot more for him: if his life’s practice was worth or not.”
Fred didn’t know what to think but as he saw Matt’s sword he recognised it.
“Ancient sword…”
Seeing Mike was curious, Fred sat down as well, always looking at the fight.
“That’s an ancient sword. It was used to assassin people; it is extremely easy to use. But I think that is the weakest from all four.”
However, none of them was relieved at all. They knew they could not interfere, but seeing his friend is such a state, would be painful.
Finally, after so many strikes, Rick decided to take a risk and attack him. However, his attack missed the opponent as Matt dodged with his body, which gave him time to hit Rick in his back. Now, Rick was bleeding in his back too, which was making an almost impossible task to get up. But Matt gave him time to do so, since, the more they fought, the more Matt enjoyed the fight. And he wanted to enjoy the moment as much as possible.
Rick could barely do any movement. That sword wasn’t big or particularly powerful but the attacks were rather painful. With Thynia’s help, Rick stood up and looked at Matt. Finally, it was time to end the fight. Rick did not know if this would decide his victory or defeat but giving up now was no choice.
And, for everyone’s surprise, Rick stroke. As soon as Matt prepared his sword for the impact, Rick kneeled down and scratched his legs. Matt shouted of pain, but he couldn’t really stand up as well. And, while Matt was trying to be stand up, Rick stroked like if this was the final blast.
The metal sound echoed in the dark forest. Matt had avoided the attack with his sword.
“Maybe you’re not as good as you think…” he grinned.
Rick smiled back. “I’m not finished yet.”
And with that said, Rick proceeded with the attack. By using his strength, he pulled Matt’s sword closer to its owner, not forgetting the other cable, which he still kept in mind. But Matt was trapped: he had a huge sword pointing at him and he was grabbing his sword, which was behind Rick. They were really close: close enough to feel eachother’s blood.
However, Matt did not give up and pulled his sword closer to Rick, trying to reach his neck. His movement was stopped with Rick’s hand, which grabbed his.
“The battle is over. Give up before I kill you.”
Desperately, Matt used all his strength to push his sword to hit Rick, but Rick was stronger than him, so he’d have to stop that or his hand would have been crushed.
“Allright, you won.” He did not seem sad at all.
Not minding what other could think of him, Mike hurried and checked Matt’s arm ID. It was deactivated.
“You actually won…” he turned at Rick.
Before then could say anything else, Matt grinned.
“I’ve already been beaten.”

Next Chapter:
“I will not wish you luck because I am not willing to your victory.”- The Unpredictable