[Sorry, I made a mistake in the previous chapter; it's Ken, not Kane, as they are two different characters]
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Ash was surprised to hear his request, staring at him in a blank expression. He had expected him to ask for something, but making him completely blind was something that was completely out of question… it was completely horrifying just thinking about it. Now he had every reason to survive; he had to win, if not, he risked going blind, and that was something he didn't want.
He went through many scenarios in his head trying to win at all cost without having to kill Kane which was something that was in his agenda, obviously they were to many variable to this and many thing to consider ….. they was an option he could take that was to reject the duel but that could most loikely end up working against him since knowing a witch like Kruger around she could just declare Kane the winner and that would be something he that was on the last part of his list.
" its an eye for an eye not an eye for two eyes ... so pick leaving the duel or accept the offer that I give " Krugers voice drew Ash attension looking at her with a strange expression, he hadn't showed it but he was no doubt surprised since he couldn't remember her helping him out in the past …. Hell if it had ever even happen.
With the way she used her words, he had no option but to fight. If he did try to reject the duel, she could simply use her authority as his superior and compel him to do it, which he couldn't refuse; her words were meant to Kane, but Ash knew he didn't have any option.
Kane was only incensed more on hearing her words, and Ash could feel his intense gaze almost boring holes into Ash's body, making Ash uncomfortable being very close to him, but on all this, Ash thanked his stars that his gaze couldn't kill; if not, he would have died a thousand times over.
"What do you say ?" she asked as if she didn't know the answer he was going to give. " I agree to his conditions, " Ash replied, making Kruger give him a smile that sent chills down his spine 'This is going to hurt a lot.
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"The rules are as simple as they can be .... No killing no use of Mana and no stepping out of the platform winner is the last man standing " Kruger said to the two of them who remained on the ground Ash looked around he noticed the look on his face was that of everyone was that of pity, to some extent he was damned and he couldn't be more right but he had his first share of fighting with opponents who were stronger than him and for a fact wasn't scared since he wasn't going to lose.
"Begin, " as soon as the words left her mouth, Kane moved swiftly, heading straight for Ash, who was already on the move. His plan was simple: to exhaust the big guy and try to do it flawlessly, but it was all but a stupid plan that was bound to fail.
Kane was aggressive in his Approach, obviously drunk in his anger, but was still sober enough to be tactical with his approach, while Ash was nimble in his approach, dodging and not making any attempt to attack. Anyone who was looking at this scene from afar could only see what looked like a cat-and-mouse fight.
This continued for a while, after which Ash started to notice something odd, even though they had been at it for nothing less than five minutes Ken didn't seem like he was slowing down instead he was going faster but in a odd way like his rage was taking over and he was making mistakes leaving obvious openings that Ash couldn't take hold of as that could lead to his death from his perspective but neither the less he was fast.
They were clashing with military type ordinary daggers which was what made it more distressing, soon the fatigue began to set in his movement were not as it used to be ….. after a little while he made a mistake trying to close the distance between th e two of them his body low disredaing his stability aiming to knock the big guy back only to be met by a strong kick to the face point blank not even having the chancen tpo block the attack.
He was tossed like a ragdoll not too far from Kane grimacing and utterly disoriented ... took him a few seconds to collect him self but that was enugh time for Can to close thevdistance slashing the dagger at his right eye, he noticed this quickly but was out of time so couldn't dodge properly using his right hand to block before moving his head slightly to the left causing the dagger to sink into his flesh hacking its way through.
The pain was overwhelming, but Ash quickly moved using his free hand, smashing the butt of the Dagger into Kane's head, and this was a mistake ...… a grave one as it didn't do anything to him and if anything made him angrier than before, kicking Ash in the stomach, sending him skidding across the platform.
Battered and bleeding, Ash's head was in disarray, trying to find the next exit point in the problem he was currently facing. Grimacing, he held his dagger, trying to put up his guard, but every part of his existence was screaming in pain.
He could barely even move properly, and this occurred after just being caught in a few hits. What would happen if he were to receive another hit? Thinking about it made us shudder.
Keeping his calm expression calm Ash moved again putting all the pain all behind him bracing himself for another hit that he hoped wouldn't but how much wrong was he, as soon as he got close he was met by a lethal slash that was meant to kill but somehow dogged but was met by a kick which this time wasn't that harsh which he somehow braved taking a few steps backward ' maybe he is getting weaker 'he thought.
But he was very wrong to have thought about that, as soon as he tried to move, Ken seized him by the neck, raising him off the ground …. That was when Ash knew that something wasn't adding up. He was by no means light, and the guy in question wasn't that strong, but it was too late, slamming straight into the ground with enough force that it knocked the Air out of him.
He lost every ounce of strength watching his body being thrown across the platform, bouncing on the ground twice, first his chest, then his head. After which the world turned wonky, seeming like time stopped, only his consciousness leaving him confused, then he heard a voice, "Oh how ….. has the mighty fallen ".