She made a dismissive sound in her throat as she settled into a defensive stance. "Let's get this over with."
The background noise faded away as her attention locked on her opponent. She exhaled, finding that sweet space in her head where nothing else mattered but figuring out what an enemy was about to do and countering it. The focus settled over her like a well-loved blanket. Familiar and nostalgic.
Graydon waited, his stance easy, no obvious holes in it.
Amila stepped forward. "As the younger opponent, you get first blow."
Kira arched an eyebrow. "How kind."
Graydon bared his teeth in challenge. "It's because you're considered weaker."
Kira's eyes narrowed, reading the jab for what it was, meant to prick her temper and make her come at him full strength.
It was working.
"In that case." Kira's stance altered. Normally she wouldn't attempt this move, especially right out of the gate. Her feet shifted until they were shoulder length apart, her knees slightly bent as she held her blade with both hands along her left hip as if sheathed. Slow this form might be, but it generated a hell of a lot of power. If he was giving her the opportunity, she was more than happy to take advantage.
Her breathing slowed. She exploded forward, the blade gripped in both hands as she swung it in a powerful diagonal line, aiming for his torso.
The sharp crack of blade hitting blade brought the conversation in the room to a halt.
Kira's shoulders and wrists ached as her sword vibrated from the power of his parry. He'd stopped her an inch from his torso.
Graydon regarded her from over his sword. "Good. You're already taking this seriously."
His stance shifted the barest bit, as his defense broke, letting her sword swish into the spot he'd just been. Kira whirled, taking his strike on the side of her blade. The next instant, she attacked, thrusting, then stepping to the side and pivoting for a swing.
Graydon's laugh was exultant as he blocked. His speed picked up; his blows suddenly more powerful. Kira forgot about losing; all she cared about was surviving.
His blade whistled past her ear. Kira saw an opening and took it. Her foot landed on his bent knee. She used it to launch herself up, scaling him like a tree. She punched the side of his face, gravity, and the unexpectedness of the blow lending it power.
Graydon stumbled, as those around them exclaimed.
"Nice one," Jin crowed.
Raider let out a guttural yell of encouragement.
Graydon's smile was dark as he wiped the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.
"First blow to Kira," Amila intoned. Approval gleamed in her eyes.
Graydon inclined his head. "Well done,coli."
Kira's chest heaved from exertion, sweat dampening her shirt as she remained on guard. Graydon wasn't the type to let something like that go unanswered. His next attack would be brutal.
Graydon roared, charging in the next instant. Kira met his intensity with her own. They came together with a crash that filled the room.
Graydon planted a foot and pivoted at the last minute, her blade missing and swinging through the empty air next to him. Kira fought to recover her balance, knowing she was already too late.
She braced as an invisible pressure gathered. He pushed out, a blast leaving his fist. Kira dropped, barely avoiding taking the full brunt of it. Her stomach quivered as she rolled to her feet in a smooth movement, putting distance between them.
Graydon straightened from his crouch, his smile dark and inviting. "That's not all you've got, is it? I'm barely warmed up."
She bared her teeth at him in challenge. He was welcome to end this at any time.
"Come, come. Amuse me for a little while," he told her.
They'd see who was amusing by the end.
