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Spoliarium c3

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Spoliarium
Volume (undecided) — The Path to Legendary
Chapter 3 — Innocence and Sorrow

Cassandra's small frame seems exaggerated by the giant sword in her possession. She makes sure once again that her armor fits well. The small footsteps from behind make her glance back. "It appears you are my opponent,” says the woman, who is surprisingly not much taller. "That armor...I've seen that armor before." Cassandra's eyebrows lift, "What do you mean?" Immediately, the other woman's face turns to rage, "I remember now. That's the armor of the Hildashar army's Blood Knights." Still confused, Cassandra stares, "Blood Knights? Why are you so passionate about that?" the other woman softens her expression slightly. "You poor waif, apparently you don't even know your own countries' history. I'll spare you the lesson. Let's just say, that armor caused me a lot of problems." they step out into the blazing sun, Cassandra's red armor gleaming in the light. "I don't understand. Is that what my father was trying to tell me?" The woman scoffs, "hm?" Cassandra's thoughtful expression seems to deny the clamor of those in the stands, "He told me that in battle, there are no real winners. Everyone loses." The two turn and face each other, "You got that right, peaches." says the woman, "By the way I'm Sparrow." Cassandra looks at her again, "That seems like a strange name for one with a crossbow. Either way, I guess it's only fair. My name is Cassandra Sileas." At the sound of the bell, Cassandra puts her sword in its ready position just as a crossbow bolt from Sparrow slams into the blade, near Cassandra's face. "Starting strong, I see." says Cassandra, who then charges, moving the blade so that it catches all of Sparrow's bolts. Cassandra reaches her, side steps to the left and spins, sweeping her blade toward Sparrow's torso. Sparrow drops her body to the sand, avoiding the sword. Cassandra continues her spin, bringing her sword down vertically. Sparrow rolls, allowing the blade of Cassandra's large sword slamming into the sand. Sparrow immediately rises to her feet and draws the short sword from its sheath on her side, thrusting towards Cassandra. Ducking, Cassandra catches the short sword with the shoulder spike on her armor, and punches hard into Sparrow's gut, causing her to gasp violently. Cassandra then dips, and pushes with the flat side of her shoulder pad, sending Sparrow sliding on the sand. Cassandra lifts her sword again and steps away. Sparrow stands, collecting her weapons, breathing heavily from the hits. "You're a tough little wench, aren't you?" says Sparrow, raggedly. Cassandra focuses on Sparrow's every move. Sparrow readies her crossbow again, "You must be one of the Blood Knights! Only they fight like that!" Cassandra shakes her head, "I still have no idea what you're talking about! I am not a Blood Knight. They are simply the heroes of my country. They are brave men who face death to protect the people. Men like my father." Sparrow shoots a bolt, which lodges itself in Cassandra's side, causing her to buckle. "So," said Sparrow, "your father is the Blood Knight, and you are his daughter. Good, I can finally exact righteous revenge on a Hildashar soldier." She shoots another bolt, but Cassandra moves and knocks it out of the air with the flat of her blade. She pulls the bolt from her side, whimpering from the pain. Sparrow rushes forward, short sword in hand. Cassandra readies herself, watching Sparrow move toward her. Cassandra draws back her sword, swinging just as Sparrow comes in range. Noticing the movement, Sparrow hops to the side, but is still caught by the blade on one of her lower ribs, throwing her to the ground harshly. She claws at the ground, trying hard to regain her breath, "You cur!" came the soft yell of Sparrow, "I will kill you!" Cassandra once again retreats slightly. "Why, Sparrow?" says Cassandra, timidly, "Why do you harbor such hatred for me and my father?" Dropping her guard slightly, she yells, "Tell me! Why must you cry for bloodshed?" Sparrow stands, smiling through the pain, and struggling to stand with her deep wound. "Because,” she says “those damned Blood Knights. Their presence; their suicidal missions caused my kingdom to fall. My brother was killed during that loss. The knight responsible for the Blood Knights was called Crimson. I remember his red armor. He's the source of my pain!" her tears flow freely, and her body shakes with sobbing. Cassandra steps back, stunned, then regains her composure, "You've gone through so much. However, I cannot believe that my father caused your problems. He's a very gentle man, who loves his family very much. He was drafted to the war. He never wanted to fight. So, now I understand what a Blood Knight truly is. One who's destined to die." Sparrow, still sobbing said, "Shut up! I don't care how he got involved. Everything I ever loved is gone, thanks to him!" Sparrow rushes forward again, thrusting her blade. Due to being partially blinded by tears, her thrust goes amiss, cutting into Cassandra's right arm, tearing past the chain-mail sleeve. Cassandra yells, drops her sword and brings her other fist roughly into the side of Sparrow's face. Sparrow falls to the ground, and continues to struggle in trying to get back up. Cassandra picks her sword back up, putting it into a weak guard because of the cut on her arm. "Just kill me." said Sparrow, softly sobbing, "I can't take this anymore. Ever since my brother and fiancée died...I've been looking for a place to die. Kill me now and take your trophy. Daughter of the Blood Knight, fulfill this duty."  The crowd, even though they are crying aloud for execution, Cassandra cannot bring herself to do so. Cassandra places the sword back into its leather scabbard hanging on her back. They cry for Sparrow's death just as strongly as Sparrow herself cries for it. "No, Sparrow. It wouldn't be honorable for me to do so. You deserve to live. You will find a righteous love again. Of this, I am sure." Sparrow begins crying harder, causing more blood to flow from her chest. The surgeons rush out onto the field, and Cassandra is declared the winner. The field is cleared mostly, but on the way back to the anteroom, Cassandra takes a painful glance around at the crowd, tears escaping her eyes because of their bloodlust. "Why do they want us to die?" she says silently to herself, “Are we truly just entertainment?” Upon entering the anteroom, Crimson immediately hugs her, "You've done well, Cassie." he says, "You fought with honor." Cassandra begins crying, "Father why? Why do they cry for death?" Her sobs shake her until she falls to her knees near the bench where two more fighters sit patiently. The one on the left, called Kobalt speaks, “No matter our reasons for fighting young lady, those who see this as entertainment will never be satisfied. However, if you continue fighting honorably, someday you’ll find the purpose.” Crimson nods in acknowledgement, “Thank you, young man. You are indeed wise for your age. I don’t believe I could have said it better myself.” Crimson takes Cassandra to the medical corner of the anteroom.
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