Chapter 12 - Tremblings

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"Sword of Rupture... Strike!

" Gwain yelled his move as he brought down his blade with his full power.

nThe blast generated destroyed the walls of the room and the destruction was great. Smoke filled the air and all the furniture and accessories in the room became badly damaged.

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"Huff... Huff...

" Gwain let out indicating exhaustion.

nHe had poured out a lot of energy in that last move in order to finish Hexarion, the assaulter, off.

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"Anything less and the bastard might've survived it

" He said in a smile.

nLooking at the location in which his enemy once was and finding nothing, he was assured of his victory.

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"This blade rends everything, even to the smallest level. There should be nothing left of him now. I have to admit, he was indeed a worthy foe. Only three people have pushed me to use that move.

" He grimaced.

nHe looked behind him and saw the Nobleman cowering and hiding his face in fear.

nHe smiled at the sight.

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"What a jackpot!

" He said to himself.

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"After this accomplishment I'll move even further in rank. At this rate it won't be long before I become a High ranking Knight... With this I'll be one step closer to becoming the Chief Knight!

" He grinned.

nHe then proceeded to calm the Nobleman down, indicating he had won the fight.

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"It's over now Milord. I have vanquished the enemy. I am sorry that I could not hold back to capture him alive. He was more dangerous than I had foreseen.

" Gwain said in reverence.

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"Whaaaaat? I wanted to torture him some, but it's fine. You've done me a great service. I'll be sure to reward you greatly, noble Knight!

"

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"Thank you sir

" Gwain said with a hidden smile.

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"What a fool. How shameless can these nobles be?

" He thought to himself.

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"A few seconds ago he was looking as helpless as a drowned rat, but look at him acting all mighty and proud now. Well, as long as I get my promotion I don't care

" He said inwardly.

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"Sir, why don't we...

" As Gwain was talking... He suddenly felt a presence behind him.

nHis eyes widened at the similar presence he had felt throughout his battle, only this time it was stronger. He slowly looked back, dreading what he might see.

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"Hoh, That was your hidden move? Your ace?...

" The voice appeared behind him under the guise of the smoke and dust all around the room.

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"I-Impossible...

" Gwain said as he recognized the voice... It was...

nMy Turn

nIt was Me!

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"...Seems pretty weak if you ask me.

" I said, appearing triumphantly.

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"H-How can this be! I was sure I hit you for sure.

" Gwain said in disbelief.

nI looked at his face which was clearly indicating confusion. Perhaps I could explain a few things to him.

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"You know, I've finally figured out the trick behind your fancy weapon.

" I said, throwing his sheath back to him.

nIt fell right beside him, but he didn't bother even looking at it. Instead he stood from his crouched position and maintained a guard stance.

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"You're bluffing!

" He said to me.

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"W-What's going on here? I thought you killed him!!!

" The Nobleman said.

nHe was beginning to panic, however Gwain ignored him and faced me. Smart guy.

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"You, what did you do?

" Gwain said, pointing his weapon toward me.

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"You know... I really don't like how you point that silly weapon at me.

" I said with a menacing tone.

nHe felt a shiver and lowered his blade a little, though he was still on his guard.

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"That's better

" I said to him.

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"Your weapon, your enemies assume it ignores distance and hit a person regardless of whether or not they dodge, isn't that right? To be honest I also fell for that assumption at the beginning.

"

nSweat fell from Gwain's face and he remained silent, proving my point.

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"However, that isn't the case at all. Your blade merely sends out invisible slashes toward your enemies. You aim at your opponents and send out those blades at them. Since they cant be seen or perceived it seems like an immediate strike, though it is no more than a glorified long scale slash.

" I said.

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"Hmph, what do you have to back up such a theory?

" Gwain replied nervously.

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"Your facial expression tells it all Gwain

" I wanted to say, but I decided to utterly break his spirit and went for the truth.

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"You gave yourself away

" I told him.

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"I... I did?

" He said, trying to understand what I meant by those words.

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"After attempting and failing to land decisive hits on me, you mentioned 'missing me', saying things like

"I missed

". However, if your blade truly ignores distance and evasion, there's no way you could've missed me. The attack would have landed on me

" I told him.

nHe was shocked at my analysis.

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"However, you believed you nearly got me, and the tear on my clothes were proof of my narrow escape

" I continued.

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"But if you had noticed me missing sooner you would have known my blade was not ignoring distance. I mean, none of my attacks reached you. That means you were fast and perceptive enough to dodge invisible and non sensible slashes.... Why then didn't you act on it then?

"

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"Truth be told, your attack did hit me... That's how my clothes got torn so badly, and that's why I initially thought your blade ignored distance.

" I said.

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"B-But there's no way I landed a clean hit! Even after our exchange you remain unharmed. I never once saw you take damage.

" He protested.

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"Yes, that's true

" I replied.

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"I remain unscathed even after our exchange, but not because your attacks didn't hit me...

" I continued.

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"No-No way...

" His eyes widened.

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"It's just that your attacks were just too weak. None were strong enough to damage me.

" I plainly told him.

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"That's a lie! You're lying!

" He shouted.

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"There's no way a Grade 3 Relic wouldn't do damage to you. It's Grade 3 you piece of **!

" He continued, losing composure!

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"Grade 3? Interesting... I had to get this man's memories.

" I said to myself.

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"You say that as if your weapon is so special.

" I told him with a smirk.

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"Shut up! What do you know? Do you know how hard I've worked to get to get a hold of this Relic? How many bastards and idiot nobles like this one I had to suck up to in order to rise to this point?

" He yelled at me.

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"H-Hey! How dare you c...

" The Noble said in annoyance.

nImmediately Gwain looked at the noble with bloodshot eyes. The Nobleman froze up at Gwain's coldblooded murderous look.

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"Shut up...

" He said to the fat and helpless man.

"...Or I'll kill you!

"

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"Finally, he is showing his true colors

" I smiled to myself.

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"I like this version of you better!

" I said to him.

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"I don't care

" He said to me, taking an assault stance.

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"I don't care anymore. I'm going to kill you. Nothing will stand between me and my promotion!

" He said to me with a crazed determined look.

nI sighed.

nIts not like I don't like guys who are determined, but when a person is ignorant of their place... As someone older it is my responsibility to teach them what their place is... In the pecking order.

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"You sure have a lot of confidence in your blade

" I said to him.

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"Of course, its one of the best!

" I said.

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"It is?

" I said in surprise.

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"The Sword of Rupture is a Grade 3 Relic damnit!!! You have no idea how powerful it is! I'll be going all out now!

"

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"But...

" I said.

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"Isn't your blade a katana, not a sword? Why is it called The Sword of Rupture?

" I asked.

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"What? What does that matter? It's a blade mightier than any sword! What does naming have to do with any of this? Do you think you'll get away with this after how much you have humiliated me?

" He replied in irritation.

nI couldn't control myself anymore. I immediately burst into uncontrollable laughter.

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"Fufufufufu....FuaHahahahahahaha

" I laughed.

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"Wha...?!

" Gwain was confused.

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"What's so funny?

" He yelled at me.

nI slowly stopped, calming myself down.

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"Oh its nothing. Your ignorance is just too amusing

" I said still chuckling a bit.

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"You...

" He groaned in anger.

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"Maybe its time I showed you... Just what a true blade is like

" I said to him.

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"Come to think of it, I do have a weapon called that

" I realised.

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"Root

" I said, activating my ring.

nThe jewel shone purple and I stretched forth my right hand, where I wore the ring on.

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"Sacred Grade Treasure: Number 78,907

" I called.

nThe jewel glowed even brighter.

nSuddenly a sword materialized out of the light and I held it in midair, clasping it with my hand which I had stretched forth.

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"What... What is that?

" Gwain said in shock at the sight before him.

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"Allow me to show you, one of my Treasures. Item 78,907 of my Sacred Grade items. The Sword of Rupture..

" I said with a smile, wielding an actual sword.

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