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 Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:19 am
A pair of blades clashed in the early morning sunlight. The pair of fighters were standing in what looked like a makeshift arena, a smooth area in the desert with only an oasis nearby and the city far away over the horizon. Relics of an old desert fort littered the place with pieces of stone wall, perfect for the fighters to dart around and even fight on top of as they continued sparring. Xylia was panting, her expression determined but her posture more relaxed than it would be in a serious fight. This little sparring match was more for training and not like one where she would be trying to stop smugglers or some nasty little shadow jerk. “Give up yet?” She asked, her lips curving upwards into a grin as she shoved back against her opponent.
[Xylia 1]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:19 am
“Not yet!” Cahira grinned with delight as she clashed against her friend again. She had met Xylia years ago when she first picked up the blade and came to Oba to study, the Aishan hybrid having visited the capital the same time that Cahira was out and about. The pair had bonded after dealing with some petty thieves and once Cahira had expressed her love of swordsmanship and her desire to learn various styles they had decided to meet up a few times to test themselves against one another. Cahira was delighted with the decision; it had not only resulted in a good friendship with Xylia but also had allowed her some insight into the Aishans and how they had their own dance with blades.
[Cahira 1]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:19 am
“You’re a monster.” Xylia managed as she dodged another attack, shaking her head at the Matori Oban hybrid who had picked up dual blades to match her own style. “What happened to that broadsword you normally carry around? Get tired of it?” She teased, already having an idea of the answer.
[Xylia 2]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:19 am
“Ah, I figured it was best to work on my speed training. Hard to swing Brutus around when he takes all of my strength.” Joked Cahira as she twisted around a crumbling pillar, taking a moment to catch her own breath before emerging again to meet Xylia for another clash.
[Cahira 2]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:19 am
“You have to be kidding. You cannot call a blade Brutus.” Replied Xylia with a groan. “I’ll take speed training because that sword is a monster, but I will not accept such a silly name.” Even if it wasn’t her blade, that was just…really?
[Xylia 3]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:19 am
“Why not? It reminds me of a Brutus. That blade is heavy steel and can cut through anything.” Cahira replied with a pout as she twisted and tried to slide past Xylia to knock her legs out from beneath her. She knew a Brutus once growing up, the older Matori had been a tank and could break through any boards with his bare hands! “Don’t you name your blades?”
[Cahira 3]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:19 am
“You act as if I have a collection of every type of sword in the world.” Replied Xylia with a soft sigh, jumping back just in time to avoid the leg sweep and twisting to instead try to stab at Cahira’s side, aiming to cut the tie that held her sash around her hips. If that material fell then it could potentially trip her friend and end this match. “I’m happy with my blades and I don’t need names for them. They resonate perfectly fine without such silliness.”
[Xylia 4]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:19 am
“Tsk, you really are no fun.” Replied Cahira, bringing up one of her blades to stop Xylia’s attack towards her waist. She was experienced enough to understand that her friend wasn’t trying to actually stab her, the pair of them had proven their creativity with ending a fight over the years and Cahira knew how tempting it would be to cut down her sash. “Sun and Shine for these, because I love how they can be so blinding.” She held up the golden blades in the sunlight, hoping the glare could startle Xylia enough to cause her to stumble.
[Cahira 4]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:20 am
Xylia winced at the sudden light, the hybrid actually momentarily distracted. Unfortunately for Cahira, Xylia was accustomed to fighting in darkness and so she heard the movements of the other blades as they came towards her throat. If she didn’t raise her own blades in time then Cahira could have trapped her with crossed blades, Xylia unable to move without risking her neck. Thankfully though she did raise her blades in time and another screeching noise echoed around them as the metal pushed against each other and shoved the women apart. “Nice try.”
[Xylia 5]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:20 am
“Thanks.” Cahira chuckled, a mischievous grin crossing her lips. “Now the question is what do we do? Continue striking until noon like that one time?” They did have a really good lunch afterwards, both women starving after fighting all morning. She could also use another trip to the local springs, her muscles were aching and screaming for some sort of relief.
[Cahira 5]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:20 am
“Why not? Unless you’re already getting tired?” Xylia twisted, her movements flowing as she started one of the flower dances that her mother had taught her. While Xylia had chosen to not follow the Aishan path, the life of a vigilante helping others felt honest enough to use the knowledge that her mother had passed down to her. Other Aishans would probably be aghast to see her use it, but the dance seemingly flowed for Xylia naturally. The blades in her hands almost felt like they were vibrating with power as they sliced through the air towards Cahira.
[Xylia 6]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:20 am
Ah, there it was. Cahira braced herself, raising her dual blades to try and counter-attack the flurry of blades that were coming towards her. There was no dodging this, she had to face it directly because there was simply no time to move away from such a furious attack. “Someone….bother you this week, Xylia?” Cahira managed as she was forced back up against a wall, the hybrid finally dropping her own weapons to relent. If it had been her scimitar or even the broadsword maybe she could have endured but she truly didn’t want Xylia to break Sun or Shine today. That Aishan sword dance was no joke, it was dangerous and something Xylia only used whenever she really had to let off steam. Thankfully Cahira could endure it, else Xylia would never dare to use such an attack when only sparring.
[Cahira 6]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:20 am
“Perhaps.” Xylia’s blades almost dug into the old stone of the wall before she finally lowered them and ceased her attack. At least Cahira had been the one to give up today, last time it had been Xylia and she had been determined not to repeat such a thing this time. Though it wasn’t the defeat last time that actually was bothering her today. It was just one man….Valek.
[Xylia 7]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:20 am
“Oh?” Cahira waited until Xylia fully lowered her blades to step away from the other girl. “So are you going to share or nah?” She sheathed her own blades, the hybrid stretching out her arms with a wince before rubbing the sore muscles.
[Cahira 7]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:20 am
“Does it matter?” Replied Xyila with a sigh, sinking down to the ground with her back pressed up against the wall where Cahira once was. “You know that I do certain things to help out around the Oban cities, but lately there’s been someone else working around the same area.” She admitted with a groan, her frustrations already rising just thinking about it.
[Xylia 8]
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