The forest clearing was silent for a heartbeat, then erupted into a tense stillness as the thirty enemy soldiers closed in around them, forming a deadly ring. Captain and Roxy moved with precision, back-to-back, their senses sharp, bodies coiled like springs ready to strike. Every rustle, every shadow, every blade glinting in the morning light was a threat, yet the Captain's eyes remained cold and unyielding, scanning for the smallest advantage.
Then, through the dense mist of early dawn, a figure stepped forward, exuding an elegance that contrasted sharply with the brutality surrounding him.
He was tall, lean, and impossibly beautiful in a way that made him seem almost unreal. His long, silver-white hair fell like a waterfall to his shoulders, perfectly framing sharp, angular features. Pale, flawless skin caught the sunlight, and his icy blue eyes shimmered with amusement. The aura around him was commanding, yet oddly captivating, a dangerous grace that made even hardened soldiers hesitate.
"Johan," the man said, his voice smooth as silk but carrying the weight of lethal intent. "So, this is the mighty Captain. How… foolish, to let yourself be captured so easily." A laugh, soft but tinged with malice, echoed across the clearing.
The enemy captain's eyes flicked to Roxy and the rescued soldiers, who froze in place, then back to Johan's brilliant smile. "I will make this simple. A duel. You versus me. Win, and I will let everyone leave unharmed. Lose, and…" He let the threat hang in the air, letting fear creep into the hearts of even the bravest soldiers.
Captain's jaw tightened. He felt the familiar surge of tension, the weight of responsibility pressing on him. Every eye in the clearing looked to him now. Every life. Every mistake he had ever made, every risk he had ever taken, flashed through his mind in a torrent he refused to show outwardly.
This is what I trained for. This is why I shoulder the risk. If I fail, they all die. No hesitation. No weakness.
He stepped forward, his black army uniform blending with the shadows of the trees. His eyes locked on Johan's, reading, calculating. Beautiful. Deadly. Confident. But even perfection has cracks.
The duel began with a clash of steel, sparks flying in sharp bursts as sword met sword. Johan wielded twin blades with elegance, every strike precise, every movement radiating confidence. The Captain, with a single longsword, met each attack with unshakable focus. At first, Johan smiled, certain of victory, but soon that smile began to falter.
Strike after strike, parry after parry, the Captain pressed forward, his blade moving with relentless precision. Johan staggered, his left shoulder grazed by steel, one sword arm weakening. His breath grew sharp, and a flicker of fear entered his eyes. This man… he fights like a monster…
The Captain, calm yet fierce, drove Johan back with each calculated strike. Inside, though, he felt the toll. I can't waste strength… every breath counts… but I can't let him see weakness. Not yet.
Desperation twisted Johan's expression. With a sudden cry, he called for his soldiers to strike. Thirty men surged forward at once, steel flashing.
"Roxy!" the Captain barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Stay with the injured! Kill anyone who gets close!"
Her heart clenched. Again… he takes everything on himself… But she obeyed, sword drawn. Her duty was clear. Four of the thirty broke past the Captain's defense, and Roxy fought with all she had. Pain lanced her side as a blade struck her, but she forced herself to finish them, steel cutting true even as blood dampened her uniform. I won't… fail him.
The battle dragged on. Twenty minutes of ceaseless struggle. The Captain's sword carved through enemies with terrifying accuracy, but his body screamed in protest. His muscles ached, his lungs burned, and each swing grew heavier. He had no injuries, but the exhaustion was crushing him from the inside. His vision blurred, his mind clawing at the edge of collapse.
Roxy, clutching her wound, stood trembling yet unbroken. Her eyes darted to the Captain, fear piercing her chest. He's… at his limit. He can't keep this up much longer…
Only seven enemies remained now — Johan among them, bloodied and pale, but still standing.
The Captain steadied himself, tightening his grip, refusing to falter. Seven more… I can still do this…
But then, the forest erupted with the thunder of boots. Twenty more soldiers surged from the treeline, weapons raised, charging into the fray.
Johan's lips curved into a cruel smile, icy eyes alight with triumph. "Perfect," he hissed. "Your end has come."
The Captain's knees nearly buckled, his strength nearly gone. Twenty more… I… can't hold this…
Roxy's face drained of color, panic rising as she braced her sword once more. This is bad… this is the worst… Captain…
The clearing trembled with tension, the storm of steel ready to break again. And Johan's laughter, sharp and merciless, rang through the forest as the Captain stood at the very edge of collapse.