19 The Sword Play

POV 3

In the midst of dense trees, far from settlements, they rage. Their feet were firmly on the ground, struggling to maintain their balance. Sometimes they stepped on a pool of blood from the cow that was butchered in vain. Maybe another time they really would walk on a pool of vampires and human blood when the war in Taverin started.

Caesar Petrovsky and Raphael Chastain. They were two brilliant knights who came from prominent families. They had been the wielder of cursed swords since their youth. They were even trained by the same knight. Because of that they both had a similar fighting style.

Caesar Petrovsky, has a height of about 180 cm. His body was slightly muscular with charming and friendly red eyes and pale white skin. His short, straight blonde hair was neatly arranged. Like the other Avalon's knight, he wears a white knight uniform and black boots that sometimes make a sound when stepping on a wooden surface. He had sturdy hands, when holding his Vulcan sword—the beautiful bluish veins like lightning bolts appeared on his arms and the back of his palms. He had a friendly face but Caesar never hesitated to kill his opponents or victims.

Raphael swung Demetria hard towards Caesar's neck. The blonde haired Avalon knight lowered his head quickly and took advantage of Raphael's carelessness by drawing the Vulcan sword into his stomach. But Raphael was no less agile. He brushed it off with his hand clad in a glove woven from metal. But Vulcan could certainly melt any metal. Raphael suffered a slight burn from it. But adrenaline seemed to burn his soul. He didn't let the pain distract him.

They had a long history of friendship, although from the start they knew they were on different sides. They always duel with all their heart, without leaving any sense of empathy. For Raphael, Caesar was his rival. Even for Caesar, Raphael was one of the few knights he respected.

They would not tarnish their sense of respect by giving in let alone reducing their strength. They always fought with all their heart, and aimed for vital points with killing intent.

Raphael spun his sword, now Demetria gave off a reddish aura. Raphael confirmed that he and Petrovsky were away from everyone else before carrying out the attack. He stabbed the ground with the tip of his sword and an earthquake was created. It made Petrovsky lose his balance. A fairly wide crack was created under their feet. Making anyone who fell will be buried underground until out of breath.

Demetria could manipulate the soil, cut any rock and Woods and create earthquakes. Petrovsky was in trouble. But it was not the first time he had faced Raphael. So he already knew some of the power of his sword. Petrovsky jumped as high as he could and rolled to a safe area. He could already guess when Raphael would make an earthquake—Demetria would turn red.

Petrovsky wiped his face, he who had been considered a dandy and relaxed knight seems to turn into someone else when fighting a commensurate opponent. He swung Vulcan and split the wind. Raphael moved backwards, he felt a slash of wind from Caesar hit his face. Several strands of his hair were cut off, the attack was a not-so-deep slash on his arm. Vulcan could provide long range attacks but was not too fatal.

What was dangerous about cursed weapons was the skill of their users. Caesar and Raphael had a dozen years of training and knowing their sword. Not all knights could maximize the power of the cursed sword like the two of them.

"Who? Who took the sword, Raphael?!" Caesar ran over to clash swords with the Florentia commander.

CRACK!

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Raphael struck the hilt of his sword against Caesar's neck. That was a fatal attack that could result in death for a normal human. But Caesar was a pure-blood vampire.

He raised his head and adjusted the position of his slightly shifted collarbone. He looks fine.

"You're never good enough at lying, Raphael," Caesar laughed disdainfully.

Now they were far apart again. Both of them were breathing slightly. But Petrovsky was definitely fresher than Raphael, who hadn't had dinner yet. He glared at Raphael as if he wanted to eat him. But then his expression softened slightly. He smiled.

"I knew that you wouldn't be able to ignore a newbie with a cursed weapon in his hands..You must have kept him close to you, Raphael. So, who? I presume he is one of your vassal knights? Or should I catch them one by one?" Caesar guessed.

Raphael laughed. He again readied his sword and drew it at his rival.

"You can do anything if you kill me, Caesar!"

Raphael might not feel any pain, but the shoulder that Vulcan stabbed earlier still looked bad. Blood seeps creating an island-like pattern that expands.

Caesar smiled. His eyes now gleaming, he was ready to do something now.

"Interesting, I will torture them before your eyes, Raphael," Caesar sheathed his sword. He mounted a stance with focused eyes. His right hand was near the hilt of his sword. Then he disappeared.

In fact he was running as fast as an arrow towards Raphael. The wind was blowing hard because of the friction of the Avalon's commander's steps.

SLASH!

Raphael coughed. His back now had an open burning wound. Blood dripped not too profusely because the heat of the vulcan immediately covered the wound.

But the attack spread throughout his body. Excruciating pain gripped him. The adrenaline rush didn't really help him at the moment. He held on to Demetria to keep himself from falling. Meanwhile, Caesar was seen again and stood proudly in front of him.

"You're too slow, it's because you stained your body with animal blood. You haven't even been able to give me any meaningful resistance, Raphael. What happened? Did you become weak or did I become stronger?" Caesar intimidated him.

Raphael was still struggling to breathe normally because something felt tight in his chest at this time. The blow was quite fatal. Caesar could have killed him earlier. But he wants to have fun with Raphael. He showed his superiority and watched his former comrades lose.

Raphael coughed. Blood trickled down his lips. But his eyes didn't give up. He only felt disappointed in himself for being so weak.

"Wake up Raphael! I know you can still walk..give me interesting entertainment! Or you want to reason like the other Florentia vampires by saying stupid things like: Yes I lost, it's natural, because Avalons only drink human blood. That's stupid! You Florentias chose that path so I won't care about your whimpers! I will tear them apart, skin them bit by bit, burn one by one the fingers of your men and—"

Caesar was not aware of when and how. Raphael Chastain now stood before him and grabbed him by the neck.

"No one can torture my knights before they kill me," Raphael's voice sounded a little hoarse. He was like a different person. His red pupils shrank slightly, his eye bags turned sunken and his breathing sounded heavy.

The wound on his back closed slowly. Vampires did have the power of regeneration that makes them live long. They could heal any wound if they drank good quality blood. But Raphael, haven't had anything to drink today.

Caesar tried to cough but failed. Veins bulge in his pale arms. He tried to release the strangulation with her vampire powers.

Raphael suddenly gasped. He let go of his stranglehold and moved backwards as if frightened. Caesar coughed, trying to fill his lungs with air.

"Not killing me, Raphael?" He said panting. There was a slight smile on his face. He noticed Raphael's change in emotions. Something dark and evil was happening to him.

"Did you awaken your demonic power? It's ironic that you, the Florentia's Vampire could do it. You know, my opinion never changes about you, Raphael..You will be stronger and have a better career if you join Avalon. The offer hasn't fallen off," Caesar added.

"Only if I die!" Raphael spat on the ground feeling disgusted.

He again picked up his demetria stuck in the ground and prepared to continue his fight.

"I'm willing to do this until one of us really dies. But, how about a truce? I believe both of us had something more important to do. Now I know that you or your man stole our sword. If I was alone, I would kill you. In the next meeting, it may be your death, Raphael," Caesar sheathed his sword again and motioned for his men to stop attacking each other. They gathered together without speaking before quickly disappearing.

Caesar was slightly trembling right now. He walked with furious emotion in his mind. He was not prepared for this. Raphael may have already awakened His demonic DNA within his body. How could a Vampire who tarnished His own body with animal blood have that power?