video † looking for duel

[cruxified]

[video]

[The man on the screen is a bit tall, if the camera angle is any indication. He is dressed in a tight navy uniform and a cape. Someone please tell him that Halloween isn't for another month.

He has a rather frightening stare, though. Maybe... tell him next time.]

I require a sparring partner. I use a sword and shield, but you can use whatever you're comfortable with. I know some magic as well.

[A pause.]

Meet me in District 2, in the small park at [intersection].

[He shuts the feed off after an awkward silence.]

Comments

[cruxified]

[Though he doesn't look it, Kratos feels old as he faces Lloyd across the relatively small expanse of grass. It's like nothing's changed at all.]

You came.

[Unlike the last time they fought like this, Kratos feels... happy. Relieved, even. His mask slips enough to allow a smile.]

Are you ready?

[redcladidealist]

[He... smiled? Just because Lloyd showed up? Kratos never smiles!]

I... Yeah. I said I would, right?

[Kratos should know him well enough to know that he wouldn't break his word if he can help it.

Oh, right, they're here to spar. Lloyd hastily tries to shake the strangeness of Kratos's smile off, drawing his swords and falling into a stance that's as ready as he can get.]

O-of course. I'm ready if you are!

[cruxified]

[Lloyd never looks ready. Even when he was angry, Kratos could easily pick at least three places where he was wide open. He doesn't say anything to that effect, not yet.]

Very well. Let's begin.

[It feels like a lesson, like any other, but Kratos is the one who starts. He feints to the right, trying to distract Lloyd and tag him on the left shoulder, one of the oldest tricks in the book.

A book he probably wrote himself.]

[redcladidealist]

[The distraction half-works. The possibility that it might be just a feint crosses Lloyd's mind, but he can't bring himself to disregard a threat like that, especially not from Kratos. He compromises, parrying with just one blade. It's a gamble, and he knows it, because if Kratos is putting any real force behind the blow, Lloyd's not as good at blocking with just one arm.

But this leaves his other blade free, and while Kratos's blade is (hopefully) occupied, Lloyd brings his other sword around to strike at his potentially vulnerable side.]

[cruxified]

[No dice. Kratos meets Lloyd's counter with his buckler, shrugging off the attack. He pulls his sword out of the parry, quickly reversing it and trying to hit Lloyd in the stomach with the pommel.

So much for going easy.]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd may not be in Kratos's league yet, but he's not that shoddy with his swordwork, either. Otherwise he would have long since been dead against a Desian or a monster somewhere. He shifts his stance quickly, twisting his body sharply to avoid the blow. The move leaves him at the risk of being off balance, but a sword slicing up at Kratos's stomach should keep him from taking advantage.

No, he's not about to go easy on Kratos either.]