Chapter The final match and its reward?

  Two more months has passed, and the battle seems to have almost reached its conclusion between Fausto and the old man. The two had already engaged for about three hours. The entire field had been destroyed as the force of their strikes had created waves that were able to destroy the very foundations. Both had their outfits torn and both have been fighting to their absolute limits. Faust, who has been more loose, has started to be structured with his stance, but still kept his flexibility. The old man was satisfied with the style as he noticed how hard it was to counter.

  “Seems like old age has finally got to you,” Faust said.

  “Ho oh, can’t help feeling embarrassed that you have a hard time with this old fool.” Despite having a hard time, he still cracked a smile as he was happy. Engaging each other once again as exchanges became more fierce, the two vanished without a trace. The only things that could be heard were a clash of steel singing across the garden, watched by two ladies who were watching the spectacle.

  “In two months, he has not only grasped the 3 forms of the sword, with each of their 6 strikes. He is indeed worthy of inheriting our blade.”

  “Yes, as we also have never seen the master ever be this serious in swordplay.” At first, the two were hesitant and abhorred the idea of letting Faust be taught their family sword style. However, as time progressed, they saw that the speed of Faust’s growth was much faster than they had anticipated. Fighting on par with their master, they had no choice but to accept.

  Continuing the fight, the true ability of both was being shown in full display. The old man's style was very fluid yet strong through his foundation. Because of his years of honing his blade, he is able to transition from one move to another without needing to think. If the thrust didn’t work, he followed it up fluidly to a swinging motion. But he never hesitated, as he knew what the next best move was if the initial one failed.

  This was why Faust struggled to fight against him the first time. Because the old man’s foundation was so strong that his offence made his defence impeccable. Whenever his blind spots were formed, he closed it at the same time. It was equivalent to fighting a robot practically. Thus, in order to break it, it required making the old man hesitant.

  As the exchanges continued, it was apparent the fight was close. All strikes were always within reach but not quite there, showing the ability of the two as they were crossing swords. But it wasn’t just the strength, it was the speed. Both were speeding up their strikes to outmanoeuvre the other to see who could get to the place they wanted first. But this is where Fausto's style truly shows.

  Chaos formed as Faust's moves started to become more sporadic. As things started to get more intense, he was growing more and more harder to predict. This then created some holes in his defences. Thankfully….the speed of his attacks was so fast that it was hard to get that chance. Downward strikes became thrusts, slash's became feints, slashes became parries, right cuts went to upward strikes. The times he would change the moves were confusing.

  Faust's speed increased as he started moving much faster, hitting more angles than the old man could keep up with. Unlike the old man, Faust was more flexible with his moves, giving him an edge. This caused the old man to finally get more defensive with his moves, limiting his ability to attack. Appearing from behind and above, Faust's unpredictability was straining the old man. Keeping calm, the old man was patient as he was waiting for him to land the perfect strike. Taking a step forward, the old man then thrust his sword as he was about to aim for Faust's heart. He smiled as he had won.

  Slow motion, the old man was going to reach the heart, only to see Faust slowly moving away from the thrust as the blade just grazed him. This left the old man wide open as he then saw the blade appear right in front of his left eye. It was a bait that the old man fell for. A risky bet that Faust played really well, as the only way to ease the old man's defences was to give a small opening. Once that happened, Faust had a millisecond to penetrate his defences. Finally, after three months of relentless training, Faust finally got the better of the old man.

  “Looks like I finally won, old man.” Faust smiled as he was panting. He had used everything to win. It was so exhausting that Faust was wobbling his blade as he dropped the moment of contact. But at the moment the sword dropped, it broke to pieces upon impact. The old man dropped his as well as he had exhausted himself. His sword actually fell apart as well because it couldn’t take the strain anymore.

  “Seems like I’m getting old.” The old soon fell as Faust collapsed along with him as they both lay on the ground next year. Panting like crazy, both of them had a smile as it was a rather exhilarating sparring that neither could ever imagine. Tiring as it may be, it was also rewarding.

  “Ha..ha…hu….haa…finally I have won. I hope you are prepared. Your losing streak will finally start showing.” Faust teased, which the old man could only laugh as he shook his head

  “Haha…cough..cough…sorry to burst your bubble…but…our fight ends today.” Hearing that, Faust then got up as he was concerned.

  “You don’t mean….” The old man then shook his head again.

  “No no, I still have plenty of years left in me, don't worry. It's just that I have nothing more to teach you.” The old man then tried to stand up. But he struggled due to exhaustion. With what strength he had, Faust helped him up as the old man seemed to be wanting to show him something.

  “Come on, at least act your age and get help.”

  “Cough…cough…sorry, but I’m not there yet. But you should get your cardio up, aren’t you wobbly?” Looking at Faust struggling to get up made it even harder as Faust struggled to pull the old man up as well.

  “It's not wobbling. I simply can’t lift your heavy ass.”

  “Oh that must be why I was slow. Gotta watch my diet.” They then walked to the statue. Though it was different from usual, as he would usually get rid of the shield. Pressing his hand on the statue, he then charged energy into it. Reacting, the ring of the floor started to slide down as if it were an elevator. Faust looks at the old man who directs him to go down there. The two descended upon those stairs as the floor soon close itself as they faded down. At that instant, without knowing, the two ladies, along with others wearing the same white robe as them, were all surrounding the entrance. All of them held the swords at the ready as they didn’t allow any to come close.

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  Finally reaching the bottom, they were now arriving in a chamber. Like a museum, there were many swords and shields that were showcased on the wall. Each showcases a name and the years of wielding its sword.

  “Like it. It’s all the weapons of fallen warriors we have fought along with ancestors who fought with them. Those whom we have viewed as worthy, we bring their weapons to pay our respects.” The old man said as he then reminisced about all the many weapons of his family that now lie here. Despite living a long life, nothing will ever bridge the distance between life and death. Bringing all the swords here was for many current and future generations to remember the dedication that the ancestors brought to get them this far.

  “Hmmm, I don’t see guns. Maybe you can add that to make your place more modern.”

  “Pffft..those things are a disgrace to combat. The beauty of combat is ruined by the need to hide from afar. It is the reason that fellow Joseph has been getting such fame for the past century.” Though he had kind words, the old man still didn’t like Joseph. Diviners started to get more modern because of him. Many young diviners had started to forget what got them there in the first place. Leo and his generation were the last generation to learn the sword. Leonardo and the rest, who are in their twenties and maybe upper thirties, lost the values of the sword as they deemed it not adapting to the times. Thus, they learn the new form, viewing it to be more practical and better. Unfortunately, it was from Joseph, along with the media than actual fighting drew them to guns rather than swords.

  “Seems like a season pro if you ask me.”

  “….didn’t a man with a white mask beat him.” The old man glanced at Faust with a smug expression, proving his point.

  “….Don’t know but heard he seems troublesome?” Faust said as pretended he didn’t know what he was talking about.

  “Oh he is. He never seems to treat old guys with respect.”

  “…Really? I heard he was being bullied by that old guy. “

  “Perhaps…” They both laughed as they arrived at the end of the sanctuary. A bright blue light was glowing as it tried to blind Faust’s eyes. As though something was trying to ward them away. But the old man continued to step forward nevertheless. Faust as well, as he continued thinking it was a light show. The old man was surprised to see him walk past the light, as Faust didn’t realise that just stepping forward was the hardest part, as most who step one inch forward could see death flash before their very eyes. Just from him walking forward made him realised that Faust was the perfect one as they were able to see where the light was coming from. There in the middle was a broadsword with a crest on one side of the guard, with a sun on the other. It has a long handle with a butterfly shape on the end of the hilt. There was a blue water-like swirl that was marked around the blade to the tip of the blade. It was glowing gold and ocean blue. Shining with power, it felt like it had its own existence. With so much power, anyone would think this was a living being rather than a sword. In fact, it was comparable to Leonora in a way. So much power exuding itself.

  “This sword….”

  “The sword that was blessed to Sir Lancelot. Forged by the fairies, cleansed by the lady of the lake and blessed by the light. The treasure our family guards and the highest honour that can be received from the family. Its name is Arondight.” Boasting itself, the sword grew more brightly as it flexed its greatness. Getting close to the sword was difficult as it was emanating more power.

  “Such a powerful sword. Why is it hidden away?” Faust questioned as he felt fear when trying to get near it. Seeing it, however, the old man laughed. Not in amusement but in shame.

  “Because no one can wield it at all. I’m sure you have felt it. But that sword has a living being in itself. Like us, it has a will of its own.” The old man then shot something. But as it got close to it, it stopped as though it hit a barrier. Evaporating the rock, it then shot a beam at the old man who dodged it with ease. “See it’s a picky one that is for sure.”

  “I see, then why did you bring me here?” Seeing something that dangerous, it was best that he stay away from it fast, he thought. But the next answer came as a surprise.

  “Because I want to see if you can pull it out.” Hearing that Faust was in disbelief.

  “You want me to try to grab that. No offense, but that sword could kill me. Besides, why do I want that?” Hearing that, the Arondight got offended as it shot beams at Faust. “Hey you are proving that right now!!” Arondight feeling insulted again, then shot more lasers at Faust. “Hmm, it seems like you are a sadist after all.” The sword then kept shooting in anger as Faust didn’t seem to make the situation any better.

  “Hahahahaah I was right to choose you. Arondight hasn’t been this active in such a long time. Thinking about it, you two are a perfect match for each other.

  “No we aren’t!!” Feeling disrespected, Arondight agreed with Faust for once.

  “Well grab it. Those who have learned the Sword of the Lake has the right to give it a shot.” The old man gestured. But Faust refused as he didn’t want any part of it.

  “Sorry but I have enough things to worry about. If I get that, who knows how many attractions I would get? I mean, look at this. It's like carrying a Christmas tree. Literally, if any of you diviners saw me with this, I would be hunted for the rest of my life.” While saying that he was planning on leaving.

  “Well, it looks like you don’t have a choice.” The old man laughed as he found it rather amazing. In fact, he was delighted. More excited than the fight earlier, as though he had finally saw his dreams come true.

  “What do you mean by that?” Faust said as he then noticed that the sword was gone. “Where is the sword?” Looking at the old man, he then pointed at Faust’s hand.

  “It seems like it has forcibly chosen you.” Faust then looked at his hand as he wasn’t even gripping it. Like a magnet, it was sticking to its hand.

  “Ahhhh!!! You stupid thing!!! Get off of me!!!!!” Trying to get rid of the sword, it then moved itself so that it’ll stick to him. The old man was finding it humorous as the one who got it didn’t want the sword in the first place.

  “Seems like our family's wish has been made.”

  “Wish?” Faust then looked at the old man in curiosity.

  “Lancelot before he died wanted to find a successor, yet he never was able to at all. So he asked his successors. Everyone tried and failed. I was thinking I was going to be the same. Until you showed up.” From his expression, the old man was emotional in his words as he felt like he was finally showing its worth. The long agonising days were finally worth it. “So thank you!”

  “Wait wait a moment. You said since Lancelot, I have been the only other one.” The old man then nodded. Seeing the sword, Faust then came to the conclusion. “You masochist bastard. You did it to yourself, and you put it on me!!! OWWW??” The sword then hit Faust for being rude.

  “Hahaha.” The old man kept laughing as he found it way too humorous.

  “Don’t laugh,” Faust said.

  “But once it's chosen you, that is your sword. So, unless you want to be really sticking out like a sore thumb. I suggest you accept it.”

  “But…” Faust wanted to refuse but the sword was already making him look like he had a third hand. It was sticking out. “Fine….but you have to turn to an accessory because I’m not carrying you around like a sword. The sword then instantly turned as it flowed to the finger forming into a ring.

  “Much better….hey wait, that is the marriage finger!!!!!” Faust was originally happy, but he realised where Arondight placed itself. It was the wedding finger. Making it sound like they are married. He tried to pull the ring off, but it won’t budge. “Get off!!! Or switch fingers!!!” The fighting back and forth was going on as the old man just stayed behind as he enjoyed the spectacle. It seems now he can relax and finally reach retirement. His mission was finally over. Right?