Chapter 48: Sweet Sorrow
Ares Petrosyan grinned as Orion stepped into the final clearing.
Light filtered down through the tall canopy above, casting fractured shadows across the mossy floor. His twin blades twirled with casual ease in his hands, catching glints of sunlight as they spun. He bounced lightly on his feet, the grin on his face a mix of confidence and anticipation. He'd been waiting for this.
"So it's just you and me now?" he called out, rolling his shoulders with a cocky shrug. "Took you long enough."
Orion didn't reply.
He walked forward, slow and deliberate, dragging the butt of his spear across the forest floor. Leaves rustled underfoot, and the faint sound of distant birdsong contrasted against the quiet dread that settled in Ares' gut.
Orion's eyes gave nothing away.
Ares chuckled, but it sounded thinner than he intended.
"You've been creeping around all day like some damn ghost," Ares muttered, the edge in his voice trying to mask his unease. He adjusted his grip on the twin blades, forcing a smirk.
"Now what?" he continued, tone sharpening as he squared his stance. "Gonna try your luck in a fair fight?"
He flipped a blade in his hand, adjusting his stance. Front foot light, back heel dug in. The perfect duelist's posture. His body knew the drills. His instincts were sharp.
But something in him whispered to run.