REBORN UNDER THE FULL MOON
Chapter 123: The Art of Speed

Kyle's POV

Rumour passed it round that the winner of the previous round was stabbed by his opponent, a Greek warrior during the contest.

"Greek warriors," I sniffed, bending to pick up my sword. I've been practising for hours, not even watching the rounds like fellow contesters.

"Lyra," I mumbled, only if I could see her face again, her smile, her affection I got deeply attracted to.

"Oh, if Zeus never showed up; who knows, I may have been a father by this time," I exhaled as I continued my practice. Somehow I still felt Lyra close. My mate mark on her was erased and I stopped sensing her location, but no one can totally erase the spot a mark made on a mate, so I still dimly felt her presence near.

"Still on it?" Nathan my tutor asked, walking into the open field through the gates separating the field from the path leading to the Stadium. I faked a slight bow, offering him my sword in a seemingly humble manner. He stopped, brought out his sword and took the same posture, stretching his sword towards me in the same manner.

"We could do this all day," I mumbled to his hearing as I waited for him to give up.

"Hmmm..... hmm..... Alright, I give up," he said, raising his sword and stretching. We burst into laughter.

"So, how's it going? Have you perfected your steps?" Nathan asked.

Staring at my sword, looking for nothing in particular, I replied " Barely, but I'll survive. You know I will," He took steps towards me, rotating his sword in a manner showing he wanted a challenge, I took off towards him too.

Clashing our swords in a cross manner, he said "Let's test your wings then, let's know how ready you...." I didn't let him finish before taking a witty step forward, placing my right leg in front of him and adding effort to my sword. It happened so fast that he couldn't resist the urge to move backwards for support, falling in the process. He fell too quick.

"Oh, I see. You no longer want to go the Royal way. You've grown witty, I see," he said this, helping himself to my hand as I offered to lift him up.

"The first round won't be a problem, but the second and third would be subtle as my opponent must have read my movements, " I replied, moving backwards and rotating my sword.

"Well, your fight can't be limited to one pattern, can it?" he asked, charging at me again. We clashed our swords again, moving in opposite sides, being very careful as we both are experienced on each other's moves. He attacked me with all the subtle methods he could possibly think of, resulting even to witty laughter and sneer, hoping to move me to give up my stand, but he failed all round.

"Hmm, mindful of all...." I attacked from his left, shutting him up.

"wittiness and trick? Why, of course I am," I replied, rotating his sword five times on mine, shouting simultaneously. My sword gently slid on his, the top of it touching his hands, he had no option other than dropping the sword. Immersed by the inspired mortal flame of youth, I dropped my sword, shouting;

"I'm indomitable!! get it? I'm in to win." He inspected his fingers, and satisfied at it's freshness and lack of injury, he walked up to me, patted my shoulder, smiling.

"Your combination of Royal integrity and common wittiness makes you an incredible swordsman. You've proven to be a powerful man with a sword, but I must remind you that your opponents would be from all parts of the continent and beyond. A little more practice and you'll make a good fight," he complimented, a radiant look coming over his face, like sudden burst of sunshine on a cloudy day. He was glad he contributed to my mastery of the sword.

I returned the smile, filled with joy and satisfaction, "All thanks to you Nathan, for taking time to instill the craft of witty fight and subtle challenge in me, I'll work on my speed a little more,

Once again he went back to formation, picking up his sword and moving swiftly towards me.

Steps to my face, "Let's test your speed, Kyle. How fast are you," he said.

Charging with utmost speed, he clashed his sword with mine, faster than ever. The wind seemed to harmonize with his choice of speed, as they flew past with utmost fastness, adding to my confusion. I tried to protect my self in the least, as I couldn't attack, for he came towards me too fast. His shadows passing by was what I could only focus on as we clashed our swords.

He managed to steal my sword from my hand before I could even notice.

I looked at how distant my sword fell, "How did you manage to be so fast? You were only seconds ago at my mercy, yet you had this ability," I asked, walking toward my sword and stealing surprised glances at him.

I picked up my sword, the hinted sweetness of the challenge arousing me.

He swirled his sword, moving towards me, "The evening comes with slow steps, Kyle, so does the art of sword fight. Let's go again. Watch the difference in speed,"

He charged toward me again, pledged with enthusiastic fervour. He swirled his sword, expertly moving round me in an imperfect circle. Then he charged, clashing his sword with mine, moving with reduced speed. "What's the point this time?" I asked him, throwing steps towards him,

"This," he said as he altered his speed and direction, seemingly swimming in a sort of blurred midst before my eyes. I scarcely took notice of his action, seeing my sword on the floor couple of seconds later.

"Hey!!!!, how'd you do that? Seems I've still got alot to learn," I said, looking at him and rubbing my chin.

"To perfect your fight, you must learn the art of alternating your speed," he replied as he tried to catch his breadth, settling on a nearby rock.

"Your noble and sublime patience in fighting is Royal and deserving, capable of winning some rounds for you, but you must also learnt the arts of speed and alternate speeds. You'll be difficult to defeat if you practice and become a master of this two tactics," he explained.

" Speed and alternate speed, got it," I said, demonstrating with my hand as I went over to pick my sword.

"Now, practice while I look, work on speed attack," he said, still seated on the rock.