Prologue

"The next matchup, Krestan vs Sten Igras. Please make your way forward."

From the enormous crowd consisting of dozens of young juveniles, the two respective individuals made their way out. A black haired youth with bright red eyes and a white haired male with blue eyes strolled forth, taking their positions at either end of the large rectangle, one that would serve as the battlefield.

A tall and rather buff female stood off to the side, a wooden sword clutched I'm her hand, the blade resting on her shoulder. "Same rules as last match. All skills can be used, same with magic if available. Usage of weapons is permitted provided both parties agree."

Krestan nodded in understanding as he reached for the dagger located on his back hip, fluffy black wolf ears twitching in anticipation. His red eyes locked onto his opponent, of whom also nodded back, the youth named Sten pulling out his own weapons, a twin pair of swords that had been strapped to his back. The silver blades of Sten's weapon gleamed in the sunlight while the pitch black blade and hilt on Krestan's dagger seemed to absorb it.

"Kick his ass Sten!!" Someone from the crowd yelled, ignoring the tense air.

"Yeah, send that mutt packing!!" Another chimed in, immediately piggybacking off the first.

Almost like a raging wildfire, the previously quiet crowd turned into an uproar of cheering and praise, all of them egging the white haired youth on. It was only when the buff woman, the overseer of everything, finally cleared her throat that they all fell silent once more. Even then they continued to mutter amongst themselves, whispers that everyone could hear but no one, not even the woman, bothered to comment on.

Despite the momentary distraction though, neither of the duelists looked to be shaken up by it, both of their gazes still transfixed on the other. It was almost as if they hadn't heard the crowd in the first place.

"You may begin."

With those words, the two launched themselves at each other, each becoming a blur as they shot forward. They met in the middle, their blades slamming into one another, wresting for control in a brief struggle of power, red and blue hues locked onto each other.

"It's been a while, Hero," Krestan said, his black dagger keeping the twin swords from making any substantial headway. "Hope you haven't lost your touch."

Sten grinned, pushing back with his swords. "Guess you'll just have to find out, demon."

The locked stalemate ended almost as soon as it started, both of them pushing back seconds after they clashed. Sten slid across the sandy ground before regaining his balance and taking a sturdy stance. Krestan on the other hand wasted no time on leaping back into action the moment he was able to right himself, leaning forward and accelerating quickly, dagger held at his side. The two met once again, this time for a genuine clash that had the onlookers holding their breath.

Rushing forward, Krestan slipped under one of Sten's swipes and blocked the same one with his dagger, preventing it from swinging back. Without missing a beat he swung his free hand around, curled it into a fist and slammed it into the white haired youths cheekbone, sending him skidding backwards. Without a moments rest, the black haired youth moved to attack yet again, red eyes locked onto Sten with a determined look. He lunged forth, slashing downwards with his dagger, aiming for the hilt of one of the swords, clearly aiming to knock it out of his opponents hand.

He slashed naught but though air as Sten moved his hilt upwards slightly, avoiding the slash and leaving Krestan wide open. Taking advantage of the wolf eared youths momentary vulnerability, Sten jammed the same hilt Krestan had tried to hit into the youths back shoulder, knocking him off balance.

"You've gotten rusty, Kres." Sten smirked as he moved the tip of the blade down, pointing it at Krestan. "Maybe you need more training. Demon."

Before Sten could gloat for any length of time, he was knocked off his feet, his legs swept out from under him by his opponent. He was forced onto his back, blue eyes facing the sky, a clear blue expanse that was obstructed by bits and pieces of white fluff.

"You let your guard down," Krestan smiled, having used the momentum from his leg swipe to stand back up. He even took the time to back away, of which the crowd took notice of. "Maybe YOU need more training. Hero."

"Who do you think you are, you mutt. Talking down to Sten like that!!" Someone from the crowd yelled out, voicing the opinion that no one asked for yet one that everyone seemed to be waiting on.

"Yeah!! Know your place you freak!!"

Roars of contempt and anger erupted from the crowd, announcing their rage and making clear on where they stood.

Once again, neither one of them seemed to give a damn about the crowd as the white haired youth rose up to his feet, twin swords at the ready. "Very well," Sten said, a small smile plastered on his face. "I'll give you the respect you deserve."

Taking a deep breath, the youth narrowed his eyes in concentration, his muscles tensing up, his swords quivering. A soft glow surrounded him, spreading outwards until in encompassed his entire body, including the twin swords. After a few seconds, he returned to normal, almost as if nothing had happened.

"So, do I finally get to see the legendary skill in action? The Great Weapon Master?" Krestan gripped his dagger tightly, readying himself for another bout.

"The skill is always active," Sten said truthfully. "However, I'm only good at it when I concentrate completely. It's more an annoyance at the moment then anything else. Now, come at me."

"Very well."

Just like before, the two ran at each other, blades flashing.

This time, there was a serious feeling in the air as the two connected. Violent slashes happened all around as the two went at it over and over again, hoping to find weaknesses in each other's defense. The difference in fights was clear almost immediately as both candidates were moving far faster and striking much harder then they had moments before. The nimble and quick assault of Krestans dagger and the controlled yet powerful assault of Sten's dual blades made for a beautiful show as they danced around the arena, neither one wishing to yield to other. It was a performance that left everyone in awe, even though it was highly unlikely the crowd would ever admit to any of it.

Every swing of Sten's radiated strength and control, no movement going to waste as the bright blades flashed in the sunlight. Krestan's was more wild and unrefined, utilizing significantly more agile move-sets to avoid and parry the swinging weapons. Though it was clear to everyone that the white haired youth had the upper hand in terms of raw strength, the black haired teen easily made up for it in unpredictability and reflexes.

"Is it me or did Sten get even stronger?" One onlooker said, eyes glued to the fight in front of him, watching as the twin sword user countered a strike from Krestan. "I swear he wasn't anywhere this juiced last week."

"That's the power of a Heroic ranked skill," a girl next to him replied. "Only Sten and the village elders know what his skill actually does, but anyone can piece together that it has something to do with his physical abilities and weapon. It's in the name of the skill."

"The Great Weapon Master." Another youth muttered, one that possessed a jealous undertone. "The first Heroic ranked skill the village has seen in over a decade. Lucky bastard."

The group continued to converse amongst themselves, their eyes never straying too far from the action. Though the fight had stagnated, both sides going back and forth, it was still quite entertaining to observe.

Then, after a full minute of back and forth combat, it all came to an end as Krestan knocked one of Sten's swords away. The sword flew two feet before sticking into the ground. Quickly following that, the wolf cubs dagger was also knocked away, leaving an opportunity for Sten to put the tip of his blade against Krestan's throat.

"Checkmate." Sten said confidently, grinning from ear to ear. "Looks like I win this match."

"Winner, Sten Igras."