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The Story:
The beating of my heart is so fast, I feel as though it may pound its way out of my chest at any moment. I grip the hilt of my sword, but it slips from my sweaty palms.
Farrell Delugia emerges from the trees in the distance, smiling at me. His reputation with the sword makes him confident, but I have nothing with which to stay my fear.
We start walking toward each other. I had always hoped the setting of my death would be more beautiful than this desolation before me. If I hadn’t sought retribution for the murder of my father, perhaps I could have been laid to rest in a field of flowers or a meadow at the foothills of the mountains. Instead, this gravel path will be my rest, along with my having accomplished nothing of merit.
We reach the middle and stand a few feet apart. My long hair waves in the breeze.
“Ready to die like your old man, Devin?”
He mocks me to arouse my anger, and it works.
“I’m ready to bring my father honor through your death, Farrell.”
What is this confident tone surfacing from within me? Perhaps, I can draw strength from wherever it originates.
“Well, we shouldn’t delay such a miracle, then.”
He draws his sword so quickly that the tip nicks my chin before I even have time to flinch. I draw my sword, blocking his downward swing, and kick him away. He laughs that hideous maniacal laughter of his.
He slices sideways, and I dodge. He advances aggressively as we commence a series of blocks and counter moves.
He is fast. Too fast. If I don’t defeat him soon, I will surely die today. I remember something my father told me in our dueling lessons: “Fight with technique. Win with passion.” I had never been able to win against my father.
My thoughts of him ignite a fire behind my eyes. I advance on Farrell, driving him back. With a yell I swing my sword so hard that I sever his blade.
With his arms held out, he looks between his sword and me in shock.
“For my father,” I say with finality.
I plunge my sword through his chest, and he collapses.
As he dies I begin to wonder if this slaughter will be the reputation that I wanted.