Amari walked into the sewer she called her house, holding sticks in her hand. She sat down on the ground, organizing the sticks before lighting them. Then she placed water on top of it, watching the water come to a light boil before putting it in a wooden tub. "Alright," she said, looking at the egg.
"Time to get you washed."
*********************************************************
Amari picked up a rag, drying her hands as a sigh left her lips. "All done—that took longer than I thought." She laid down, arms and legs spread in a starfish position. "What to do now..." She glanced at the spear leaning against the wall, but her gaze lingered on her sword. She got up, walking towards it. Her outstretched hand moves to the sword and wraps around the hilt.
"It might be time…" She picks it up with ease.
"To go back to my roots."
*****************************************************
The courtyard was mostly silent except from a few scattered voices.
Mya bounced on her feet, eyes sparkling as she watched Amari move.
Slash.
Step.
Turn.
She kept going until a voice interrupted her.
"Well, that's not something you see every day."
Amari paused, looking up as Sebastian rounded the corner. Mya ran up to him, tugging him along. "Look! Look! See?! She's awesome, right?!" Sebastian chuckled, "I see, I see." He looked back at her. "I'm glad I caught you." He paused. "Have you seen Aaron?"
Amari shook her head. "No. Something wrong?"
"Not really." He exhaled lightly. "Just hasn't been around."
There was a brief pause.
Then he reached down and picked up his sword.
"You up for a spar?"
Her stance dropped low.
"Sure."
*********************************************************
"Rules?" Amari asked. "Normally I spar with Aaron." Amari thought, remembering getting thrown around every single spar. "Sparring with Sebastian is bound to be different."
They began circling each other. "No punches. No kicks. No tricks." His eyes flicked to her. "And no magic."
Amari paused. "Pure swordsmanship?" Sebastion nodded. "Pure swordsmanship." Amari grinned. "You're not beating me then."
He raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"At pure swordsmanship? Yeah, no. You're not beating me."
"What makes you say that?"
"I was taught the basics by one of the best in the world—I'm not losing."
Sabastion got in his stance. "Well then, show me what you know."
"Alright." She glanced at Mya. "Countdown?"
"YES!"
Mya shot up, throwing her fingers into the air.
"3…"
Amari steadied her breathing.
"2…"
Sebastian's foot slid back.
"1…"
The world narrowed.
"GO!"
They moved at the same time. Their blades met in the center with a clean, sharp sound, and the impact rang through the courtyard.
Amari pushed forward into the clash, providing pressure that Sabastion couldn't hold against, and he stepped back.
He slid.
To her side.
Fast.
Amari saw it—and stepped in anyway.
Her blade cut toward his flank—
Blocked.
The moment their blades locked—
Pressure.
The bind tightened as Sebastian recovered quickly.
He disengaged.
Amari followed.
Again.
Again.
Each clash is shorter.
Sebastian thrusted.
Amari slipped to the side—
Then, her eyes snapped to one spot.
There.
A gap.
His arm.
Extended.
Just a little too long.
With no hesitation Amari stepped in.
Her blade knocked his off-line—
Then the hilt struck forward.
A dull impact against his elbow.
Sebastian's grip broke.
His sword hit the ground.
Then the noise returned.
Cheers. Clapping. Voices overlapping
"GOOD SHIT-!"
"NO WAY!"
Amari stepped back, a grin growing on her face. "Told you."
Sebastian looked down at his hand, shocked before letting out a laugh.
"That was clean."
She picked up his sword and handed it back.
"We're doing that again."
"For sure."
*******************************************
"Sabi"
"What's up?"
"I need you to check something for me.