Chapter 4: A Duel Between Man And Skeleton
I stared at my opponent, eyes locked. I figured that with it's strength, it should at least understand our language. So, here goes nothing.
"How about we duel? One on one?"
The skeleton nodded instead of replying. It seemed that the answer was yes.
"Anyone who taints my duel shall be punished! Make open space for me!"
I am a proud general. My soldiers should know that. There isn't a single race who looks down upon the honor of a duel, so everyone moved out the way. A second skeleton jumped over my army and landed in front of me. Reinforcements seemed to arrive. Horses galloped, elephant mounts bellowed, ogres yelled. They expected to see giant beastly skeletons. And, they did. The elephants and the behemoths stood there. The behemoths grew to their full size once more and halted them.
The situation was explained to the reinforcements. They stood still. They waited for further orders, as a proper army should. As I inched towards the enemy, our eyes locked. He had a small flame within those eyes. A dying flame. None of this mattered though. So I charged at the enemy swinging my sword. I swung my blade from the right side because the skeletons right arm held the long sword, and their left hand held a short sword. It would be hardest to counter-attack with a small blade.
Surprisingly, the skeleton ducked under my blade and jumped to the side. I lifted my blade up and retracted my arm. My blade was holding a defensive position. The skeleton was about to go on the attack. I braced my arm for impact and got ready to kick the skeleton. It charged at me as it flung its short sword. I wasn't ready for that type of attack. I hurriedly jumped back and swung my sword sideways, deflecting the flying sword. I then kicked outwards to push the skeleton. But my kick never landed. the skeleton had already jumped four feet into the air. I too jumped up and swung at the skeleton once more.
It kicked me away and sent a jab at me. A jab with it's sword. It's blade was aimed at my chest. I leaned back and turned sideways, narrowly avoiding the sharp tip of the blade. It's blade still managed to graze me though. I regained my wits and careened forward as i landed. The skeleton had already hit me and I haven't gotten close to hitting it. And although I was losing now, I had already formed a plan to defeat the skeleton.
You see, most people can use magic. I am a little talented in magic. Light and fire most likely won't work on these skeletons because it's day time. These skeletons don't seem affected by the sun at all. So, water might be a bit more effective. Even if it isn't super effective, it should be enough to damage these skeleton if used right. I already learned a high pressure water spell that can pierce through steel. It takes up a lot of mana and has a chance of hitting a soldier, but to win I need to commit sin. But the risk is high, so it is my last resort.
I changed my stance once more. This time I held one arm out and one arm behind my back. I held the sword straight up and prepared to slash at the skeleton. It left me wide open for attacks, but if I can keep the skeleton in front of me it keeps him cornered. I slowly approached the skeleton again. It knew that it was trapped. It got ready to go on the offensive. I then started my plan. The skeleton rushed me with its shoulder aimed at me. It was going for a tackle. But at the same time, I could see it's long sword pointing towards me from the other hand. It made it hard to parry the sword because the shoulder protected the sword. If this tackle landed then the skeleton could stab me.
I threw my sword like a spear. The skeleton dodged under the sword, but the sword didn't go over it. Instead, the sword went into the ground in front of it. It was confused and slowed down for half of a second. This was the opening I needed. I jumped forwards and outstretched my knee. As my knee clashed into the skull of the skeleton I yanked my sword out of the ground. The pain in my knee made it hard to retract my whole leg. I grit my teeth and pushed through the pain.
My sword swung down and landed on the skeletons shoulder. It's arm immediately fell off. Cheers rang out when they saw I had taken an arm. The stunned skeleton jumped backwards, not sideways. Another opening. I quickly shot a fire ball the size of my palm towards the skeleton. It ducked its head and looked up. The last thing it saw as a small jet of water zooming towards its skull.
The skeleton dropped to the ground. It seems I won. With a scratch on my chest I took it's arm and broke it's skull. It was clear who the victor was. The second skeleton quickly healed its comrade. And then the platform appeared again.
"I applaud you human. You did well. I shall stop my 'attack' and report to my superiors. You gave me a good show."
As the platform began disappear, I looked at the defeated skeleton. I looked into it's eye sockets. The skeleton looked back at me. The flame in its eyes grew bigger. As if I rekindled a fire. A fire that all warriors had. A fire that represents our hunger for battle.
I waved as the skeleton group departed. We did come across another group of skeletons that were more peaceful. They let us pass them and assured us that they wouldn't attack anyone. It was a great day for me, but it was also a sad day. During the skirmishes we took heavy losses. Numbering well over a hundred people. Although today ended peacefully, the future might not be so peaceful. I hope to see that skeleton once more. Maybe it'll get better. And maybe I will too. Perhaps I will never know. But, I hope to find out.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
UnoriginalEgg
UnoriginalEgg Ehhhh, this is a chapter describing the duel between skeleton and man. I hoped you liked it.
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