Chapter 107: End of the fight
The shockwave dissipated. Dust settled slowly onto the cracked earth. Fin stood opposite the man, his green energy staff held steady. The man hefted the dark, rune-etched bat, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off stiffness.
"Impressive light show," the man said, his voice rough. "Let’s see if it holds up."
He lunged forward, the bat swinging in a low, horizontal arc aimed at Fin’s legs. Fin leaped backwards, the bat whistling through the air beneath his feet. He landed lightly, immediately bringing the staff down in a vertical chop towards the man’s head.
The man twisted, bringing the bat up to block. Bat met staff. Green energy flared against pulsing red runes. The impact sent another, smaller shockwave rippling outwards. Both fighters held their ground.
The man pushed forward, using his weight, trying to overpower Fin. Fin pivoted, redirecting the force, letting the bat slide off his staff. He simultaneously thrust the butt end of the staff towards the man’s chest.
He grunted, staggering back a step as the energy-staff connected with his torso. He swung the bat wildly in retaliation, a wide, horizontal sweep. Fin ducked under the swing, the movement fluid. As he came up, he jabbed the glowing tip of the staff towards the man’s exposed face.
The man jerked his head back, the energy narrowly missing him. He countered with a quick upward swing of the bat. Fin parried, staff deflecting the blow outwards. They broke apart, circling each other warily near the center of the torn-up training ground.
Meg watched from near the castle entrance, hand still covering her mouth. Arachne pushed herself slowly into a sitting position nearby, one hand pressed against her bruised throat, eyes fixed on the fight. Scarlet leaned against the damaged wall where she had landed earlier, observing intently.
"Getting predictable," the man grunted, spitting onto the dirt. He raised his free hand. A large chunk of cracked earth ripped free from the ground beside Fin and flew towards his head.
Fin spun, staff whirling, shattering the chunk of earth into fragments mid-air. Dust clouded his vision for a split second. The man charged through the dust cloud, bat swinging downwards like an executioner’s axe.
Fin reacted instinctively, bringing the staff up diagonally to block.