Story: Out of the Shadows [a work in progress]

[Akamai Deredal]

The six of them walked down a short road to a tall, stone, roofless building with a half shading net that was spread over the top, held in place by wooden posts spaced evenly along the top edge. The clattering sounds of steel versus steel could be heard faintly as they approached, making Akai's eyes light up but bringing back bad memories for the other lynethe. When they reached the front gate Zev explained to the gatekeeper what they were doing an who they were. He nodded and swung open the tall iron door to the grounds. At least three dozen people were there, some fighting with swords, some fighting with magic, some fighting with bare hands. Each of them were in their own segmented section within the grounds, and at least one robed official stood on the sidelines. Akai watched two very tall and heavy humans attack each other violently with massive and well crafted swords. The two metals created a flash when they struck against each other, it seemed as if the two were trying to kill each other. Akai winced as one finally came down hard on the other one's shoulder. He shouted and grabbed the wound, but no blood came forth. Instead the only sign that he had been struck was a bruise forming, other then the profanities of course. The official nodded in approval towards the victor as he began to search for another fight. "They're all protected by magical barriers," Zev said as he noticed Akai's slight confusion, "It makes the bouts more realistic, actual swords can be used instead of wooden ones or some other replacement." She nodded, the idea of these training grounds seeming to delight her all the more.

Akai's gaze drifted to a tall, thin man with black hair. She seemed to recognize him, but couldn't tell from where. He held a wickedly curved, razor sharp sickle in each hand. He spun both of them a few times, idly. His opponent eyed him cautiously. The taller of the two, the sickle holder, took a good hold of his weapons and preformed a very practiced and quick pattern. He seemed to do it more out of show than for actual battle technique. His enemy, who was of a race that Akai had never seen before, lunged at him with his broadsword quickly, irritated by his taunting. The black haired man stepped to the side gracefully and caught the weapon in the ring of his sickle, and with a swift spin brought his other sickle in to the back of his opponent. This time Akai spotted the faint light from the barrier Zev had told her about, keeping him from death but letting him feel the piercing pain in his back. The man sank to the ground on his knees, trying not to cry out in pain. Zev let out a howling noise at the sight of his friend's victory. With a grin the sickle wielder bowed, letting his hair fall in front of his face. He stood up and walked away from the fighting ring and towards Zev. "Good job Tokala," Zev said. Tokala?, Akai thought to herself. "Why thank you Zev," He replied. He definitely resembled Tokala, but there was something different. He has dark skin, She realized, It was white the night before.
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