But that was the truth, she told him. Just like the negative stuff.
Yeah, I know. But thanks.
Jace let out a breath. He tried to empty his mind. His goal wasn’t just to not overthink, but maybe not think at all.
Don’t think about my parents. Don’t think about the general. Don’t think about the fact that Khoth is a Sword Master. Don’t think.
He took another breath as he and Khoth approached one another and touched blades. The laser edged hissed and spat when they came into contact with one another. It was the coolest sound ever and Jace found himself smiling. He looked up at Khoth’s face and the Thaf’ell Commander was smiling too.
And then Khoth was swinging that sword so fast that Jace shouldn’t have been able to counteract it, but his arm came up all on its own and he blocked the strike. There was sizzle, spat and hiss as the blades met and flew away from each other. Their blades met again and again. Sizzle, hiss, spat!
Jace dove to the side just as Khoth chopped the air where he’d been. He felt something touch his left shoulder. When he got up his hand closed upon it and he winced. Khoth’s blade hadn’t cut his arm off, but that would leave a mark. Jace slashed at Khoth’s left side. But his blade didn’t even get close to the Thaf’ell Commander’s body. Even if Khoth hadn’t parried, the tip of his blade was a good six inches away.
He’s taller. I need to get under his reach and get close.
Jace realized this as Khoth sliced the rahir across where, again, he’d just been standing, but Jace had pivoted and leaned back. The tip of the Khoth’s rahir just caressed the front of his suit. He felt heat, but no pain this time. Jace dove forward as Khoth was recovering from the swing.
He popped up just a few inches from Khoth’s chest and stabbed this rahir at the Thaf’ell Commander. Khoth leaped backwards but there was a zap and a line of smoking black appeared on his chest. There was a momentary silence and then wild claps all around. Jace pumped a hand up in the air as he realized he’d actually managed to hit Khoth.
“Good job, Jace!” His father cried. “But don’t get--”
His father’s last word was drowned out as Khoth moved lightning quick, but Jace knew it was “cocky”. Khoth moved faster than before, obviously having gone easy on him. He slashed right, left, right, right, left! Jace was jumping backwards, just a hair’s breadth from having his chest painted with black lines.
Just as he was running out of room to retreat, he shifted his footing and was able to turn his body and block one of the strikes with his blade. Sparks flashed. The blades whined as they ground together. Khoth bore down on Jace with his considerable weight. Jace was forced down so that he was resting his weight on one knee! His back began to arch away from Khoth as he simply didn’t have the strength to remain upright. He was reminded of being a reed in the wind.
Bend! Don’t break!
Sweat streamed down Jace’s face. Khoth’s wasn’t that far from him and he saw the slight tightening around the eyes and mouth. This was hard for the Thaf’ell Commander too. Suddenly, there was an overlay of glowing orange lines over Khoth’s form. Jace could see several wire-forms demonstrating moves that would break the stalemate. Jace laughed.
Are you doing this, Gehenna? He asked her.
No! I think… hmm, I think it’s Osiris! She responded. What are you going to do?
Jace actually didn’t need to think too hard. He knew the move that appealed to him. Just as his body was about to completely collapse under Khoth’s weight, he said, This.
Jace dropped to both knees.The blades slid along one another with a grinding sound. He struck out with his right leg and connected with Khoth’s left knee. The Thaf’ell Commander let out a grunt and his body swayed just a moment. Jace used that momentary unsteadiness to thrust Khoth backwards with much of his last remaining strength. Khoth staggered away and Jace went on the offensive, finding dregs of energy he didn’t know he had.
Whatever fears he had of his body not knowing what to do were seemingly unfounded. Time seemed to slow for him. He could almost linger in this moment as he saw himself lunge from his position on the floor and thrust towards the hand that held Khoth’s blade. He caught Khoth’s wrist and Khoth’s hand released the rahir. The blade fell towards the ground, but Jace caught it by the hilt.
Khoth brought up his arms to block Jace, but Jace had both blades crossed at Khoth’s throat. They both froze. Inches apart. Sweat coating their faces. Breathing coming in ragged gasps.
There was silence all around.
And then Gehenna said, You did it, Jace! You were amazing! Even though I trained you… you far exceeded my hopes!
Then there was tumultuous applause, whistles, and cries of delight. To Jace’s surprise--and happiness--Khoth smiled and inclined his head.
“You were quite extraordinary, Jace. I believe you will be saving me,” Khoth stated.
Jace flashed a grin. “I got lucky. You almost had me. You should have had me.”
Khoth frowned and tilted his head to the side. Osiris had cheated by showing him the way to break Khoth’s hold on him. Maybe it wasn’t cheating, but Khoth didn’t have an AI analyzing Jace’s moves.
“I’ll tell you when… when we’re alone,” Jace said.
He was suddenly feeling incredibly weak. His head began to thump heavily like when one of his headaches was coming on. A touch of terror came over him. Had he overextended himself?
He drew the blades down from Khoth’s neck, being very careful in his movements so as not to harm the Thaf’ell Commander. He handed Khoth his rahir back. Khoth bowed his head in thanks and took it from Jace’s faintly shaking hands.
