The Fight

Blades clashed against one another. The sound of steel going against steel is the only thing that could be heard for a couple of seconds. The afterimage of two creature battling against one another is what Mordred’s eyes beheld. A silhouette of something as dark as night and another of a creature that seemed to represent light.

Everyone else stayed in the background, not moving an inch – refusing to get in the way of the battle. Not because this is their intention but because, it is the will of their leader. That of the general who calls himself Gerald Pendragon.

This whole thing happened because there is no chance of escape. The route that Mordred and Nilheim have isn’t something that exists. They will die there if they try to fight on their own terms and, that is why the older demon decided on this course of action. Accepting the duel that is offered to him by Gerald Pendragon.

This is a sacred oath that’s made using a binding vow. This means that it cannot be broken, nor can it be lied to. This ensures that within the period of the duel, nobody can intervene. This also means that Mordred cannot be held hostage within this time.

Though it seems like things are fair at this point, that cannot be any further from the truth. Nilfheim still has the wound that he’s left with. The hole at the side of his body that prevents him from fighting at his full capacity.

If anything, this demon is already half dead and him not getting treatment just means that, even if he somehow manages to win in this duel, he will still die in the end. There is no version of this where this demon will survive.

”This is so stupid for him.” Mordred said as he watched the fight continue. “If he only left me behind, I’m sure he’d be able to manage to get away all by himself. Instead he protected me from the explosions using his spikes and even decided to do this duel because of me as well. He’s such a loyal dog.”

It isn’t like Mordred isn’t grateful for the things that Nilfheim is doing for him. But the thing is, he actually sees himself in this demon. Not the current him but the old him. The version of Mordred that left everything behind in pursuit of the greater good, choosing to sacrifice himself over and over if it means being of more help. That is the kind of person he is and, that is why he doesn’t like the demon fighting for him.

Yet just like the rest, the only thing that Mordred can do is watch. Even without the binding vow locking him down, he knows that stepping in will only lead to his own death. That’s why he decided to simply spectate the fight happening in front of him.

Gerald took out a regular sword, seemingly the man’s primary weapon while on his left hand the knight held a shield. One that covered more space than a regular one. This is the same defensive tool that the knight used to block the spikes raised by Nilfheim.

The exchange of blows ended when the demon decided to cast his spikes instead. The things shot up from the ground seemingly random and, in a speed that is impossible to block or dodge. That’s why it’s impressive that Gerald isn’t hit yet.

The knight makes use of a barrier that shields him from the spikes. Seemingly a mechanism brought about by his shield. That’s why the knight can be as cocky and arrogant as he is. Yet, despite these things, Mordred can see that Gerald is no beginner.

The way that the knight slashes down the spikes, the way he attacks Nilf with every opening that’s presented, all of this tells Mordred that this is a seasoned warrior. That is this person deserves his title as general.

“But he’s still a coward for fighting an opponent that’s half dead.” Mordred muttered. This being the one thing that lingers in his head. How can it not when this is the same act that his former “allies” did to him. The way they betrayed him by killing him together with Dantes.

Even with his half dead state, the demon is fighting well against the human general. In fact, it can even be said that the demon is pushing the general back. That is how good Nilf is. Every spike that he raises is strategically placed so that it would block the path of his opponent.

Even though these can’t pierce through the barrier, there is still some recoil that his spikes create. These also slow down the knight who can’t come at him at full speed. Just from these facts, Mordred can see that the barrier of the human knight isn’t absolute and, like him, Nilf seems to have come to the same conclusion.

That’s why the demon didn’t stop using the spikes and, instead, bolstered these further. The number of spikes as well as their piercing power are both increased. To the point that Gerald can’t even come close anymore.

The human is being pushed back. After another minute passed, it is Nilf who has the upper hand. A good sign because Mordred needs the demon to win. As long as Nilf wins, he will have an opportunity to run away. He’s not going to try and save the demon. That’s not part of his objective after all. There’s no time for mercy and compassion. The only thing that matters is achieving his goal.

[Time Remaining: 7:00]

Within this period, the fight has progressed to its final stages. Although able to fight back for a little while and tilt the battle in his favor, the inevitable soon came to pass. The knight general, Gerald Pendragon, is now walking towards the heavily injured demon who is now on the ground.  With a hundred cuts around him but, is somehow miraculously still alive.

“I have to admit.” The general began. “You are a stubborn one. Most demons would already die halfway through that fight. Wait, that’s giving them too much credit. Most of them won’t even last half the time you’re able to. That’s impressive to say the least.”

Nilfheim can’t hear these words anymore, Mordred can see this clearly. There is a blank expression on the eyes of the older demon. Something that he’s seen countless times in the battlefield. Belonging to demons who refused to go down and continued fighting even though they’re seconds away from death.

However, that same spark has run out for Nilf. The half-dead demon can only last for so long. Mordred watched this with his brows furrowed because, up until that second, he still cannot accept that someone is going to die in his stead. Even though this is nothing more than a pocket dimension that isn’t real, he just can’t bear something like this.

Mordred watched as the human general raised his sword in the air. This is the final moment of the fight. There are wounds and grazes that Nilf left on Gerald – a testament of the demon’s strength. Their battle is far from being something that can be called glorious. These last few minutes have been nothing more than a test on how long the demon can survive.

Now that test is over. The sword is swung down on the demon holding the title of “Impaler”. Then a dagger flew toward Gerald’s direction.

The general’s barrier blocked this but, as he turned his eyes to look at the direction of the attack, he saw the one responsible for it. Mordred Pendragon, the one who swore to himself that he will not intervene, has attacked the human general.