A tall tower looms in the distance with an obnoxious wizard hat as a rooftop. Around it, forgotten rubble and weary walls clung to what little structure they had left. Up ahead, A crumbling and uneven staircase extends beyond my feet. Letting out a sigh, I look up at the innumerable amount of steps ahead.
“This is going to be a long walk”
To my left, I heard a nearby creaking sound. A familiar mannequin sat on top of the wreckage of a wooden crate.
“Hmm, what brings you by?”
the voice resembled Pedro, but it lacks his quarterstaff and red cloak.
“I’m going to the mage tower.”
I answer and hesitate as I look up at the stairway once more.
“Hmm, maybe you can help me with a task. You see, I am missing my cloak! It''s that blue one hanging over there… But how to reach it… hmm…”
It looks towards a crumbling wall with a blue cloak mounted onto a post. The post was across a ravine. I shrug while gazing into the darkness and turn around. How can anyone cross this? Heading back, I shake my head no,
“Sorry”
The mannequin shrugs and walks over to the ravine in silence. It stands there gazing longingly at what belongs to it. The first few steps were pretty normal with a solid foundation on the ground. Step after step, a weight quickly accumulates on my feet as a sudden rumble shakes the stairs. Suddenly, a massive shadow towers over me. I turn around to an elongated mass stretching towards the artificial sun. Limp limbs reach out, grabbing ahold of the light. Their massive shadows sway side to side like tendrils dancing on the ground.
Creak, creak, Scre-
A shrill cry rings out as the mass’ writhing limbs form a grotesque silhouette.
“If the light went out…”
I shake my head and hurry up along the crumbling staircase.
Approaching the top, massive doors await. A hole burrows through as cracks branch into the walls. My eyes lock onto the lone silhouette in the distance, its crimson cape fluttering in the air.
“Halt”
Pedro’s word stills the air as he slams his quarterstaff onto the ground. A sudden updraft sends dust flying outward. Covering my face, I look up at his intimidating demeanor, the mage tower looming behind him.
“I cannot let you pass, even if you were a good friend”
He kicks the shaft of the quarterstaff and holds an imposing stance.
“Come at me!”
He howls out as I unsheathe the quarterstaff on my back. A wind bellows my tarnished cloak as I rush in with a lunge. He stomps my staff into the ground and kicks me square in the chest. Without much time to recover, I hold my arms up as he closes the gap in three steps. Bam! A thunderous strike slams into my forearms. Ugh, I stumble back and drop my guard as he sways to the side,
1, 2, 3,
The cadence of a waltz matches his steps as another strike whips at my side. Recoiling in pain, I spit out some blood and run to my quarterstaff on the ground.
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2, 2, 3,
I duck low as a swing grazes my scruffy hair. Leaping towards the quarterstaff, I tumble on the ground and hold a guard,
3, 2, 3,
With barely enough time, the weight of his strike rattles my arms as I flinch. With a fluid twirl, Pedro steps back and stands upright, giving me a chance to breathe.
Closing my eyes, I listen to my breath and calm down. The taste of iron lingers in my mouth as Pedro slams his quarterstaff on the ground.
“Get up”
My legs cry out in pain as I push myself up. The weight of the staff tugs on my bruising forearms as I wobble back to gain some distance. With one deep inhale, I unblur my hazy eyes and furrow my brow. Whoo… my chest loosens a bit as my heartbeat calms down. Pedro nods and rushes in. Three ghastly footsteps mark on the debris as Pedro closes the gap in an instant. Another swing soars by and catches my cloak. Dragging me by the collar, he swings horizontally, throwing me in a half-circle.
“Can’t let that happen again”
I untie the cloak as he flows along with his momentum, repositioning for a thrust. Tossing my cloak forward, I dodge the incoming attack and swing as hard as I can. Wham, the quarterstaff wobbles back and I go in for another swing.
Suddenly, a heavy blow slams against my hip. Recoiling back, I let out a groan as pain radiates down my leg. We both glare at each other, holding battle-ready stances. Stomping my leg forward, I take the advance. A heavy vertical swing howls the air as Pedro steps aside.
Taking that chance, I twist the quarterstaff wildly. Swish, he steps back, avoiding the attack. Recomposing myself, I hold the staff close, ready to guard. With a sudden step forward, Pedro goes in for a thrust.Leaning aside, the thrust glides just under my arm. Sharply pivoting, I slam the quarterstaff against his metal cheek and retreat back.
Creak
His neck bends back into position as he glares at me with beady eyes. Wobbling between two steps, Pedro goes in once more. I flinch back as he swivels to my side. Low to high, high to low, Powerful strikes weave themselves between my guard as he stomps in. Suddenly, a thrust flies past my guard and jabs into my chest. Pah, my lungs cry out as everything holds still. Curling into a ball, short quick breaths force their way in and out as dull pain radiates throughout my body.
Numbly holding my weight against my quarterstaff, I fall to my knees and drop my head low.
Focus on your breath
Words bounce around my mind as burning air flows into my lungs. The pain slowly settles as I get up from the sandy ground. My ears picked up Pedro’s voice, but they were too dull to hear. Ba-dump, Ba-dump, my heart pounds against my aching chest.I exhale slowly as the familiar cadence of a waltz ticks in my head.
“It’s not over yet…”
I grasp tightly as blue flames snake down the quarterstaff. Pulling my stance back, I sling forward as petals swirl around me. One two, Pedro backs away while winding up his attack. Three I swing wildly and clash with his attack. Following his lead, we waltz around the dusty arena, weaving in-between the elongated shadows on the ground. Blue petals wisp around us as our tapping footsteps sing to the beat.With each clash, the tempo quickens like an endless river rushing down its current.
Sparks fly out of Pedro’s joints as each swing shrills and creaks. An endless flurry pours down as his limbs cry out in agony. Stepping back, I close my eyes and inhale sharply. Stomping forward, I rush in between the half-beats as blue flames ignite the air. Wham!, the strike smashes into Pedro’s hollow chest. Huff Puff, I look back to Pedro standing completely still. Scorch marks lay on top of a massive indent in his chest. Faint gears tick above the silence as we stood there like statues.
“Is the fight over?”
I kept my ears open waiting as the ticking came to a halt. Collapsing to the ground, I let out a breath of relief.
“Oh shit, that’s still there…”
conflicting senses wash over me as I look off at the artificial sun. Horrid sounds howl out as limp hands grasp around it, as if devouring it. Suddenly, the light flickers in and out as the mage tower doors open ever so slightly. With much hesitation, I grasp at my butterfly-filled heart and look back at Pedro, his form stands there, still and lifeless. Where did all of that energy go? Looking away, I push open the mage tower door and step in.