User blog:ExdeathsBagel/The Duel (WWYD by Billythehillbilly)

WWYD by Billythehillbilly: http://monstergirlencyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:838137

As the final class of the day ended, Hana and I exited the classroom and began walking the halls with the other students.

“So, you hear that Alva got called into combat?” I say to Hana.

The Salamander went wide eyed, “No way! Didn’t he just graduate yesterday? The guy only managed to beat Master Avelle by the skin of his teeth and the masters think he’s ready for combat?”

“Yeah, its nuts. Not that I doubt Alva of course but…” I struggle to find the words.

Hana finishes my thoughts for me, “This nation really needs people to protect mamono from the Order.” She smiles at me, “I’m sure he’ll make a decorated swordsman, don’t worry.”

I smile back, “You always seem to know what makes a good warrior, I’m surprised you’re not a Master yet.”

Hana holds her hands up, “Woah there Thomas, I have yet to graduate, in fact neither of us have. Besides,” she proudly puffed out her chest, “of course the masters would test him after fighting me. Any man here that ignites my flame in a spar is worthy for a chance at graduation!”

“Yeah, sounds like the masters are using you as a measurement for the potential in other students.” I say. “You okay with that? It might take a while for you to graduate if that’s true.”

Hana shrugged, “Doesn’t bother me. Sure I want to go out there and fight the Order like the next guy, but if I can help other students be that strong, all the more reason to stay right?”

“Besides,” she put her arm around my head and pulled me close, “someone has to watch over you and make sure you don’t hurt yourself.” She said with a grin.

I was quick to get out of her headlock, “You know I’m not the helpless kid I started as when I first came here. I’ve been training pretty hard, and bet I can graduate soon.”

Hana chuckled, “You have been training hard, it’s really shown. Though you have yet to spark my flames, so you still got some work to do.”

“And you know I’ll do it.” I say confidently.

And it will be all because of you, Hana. We’ve known each other since we were fifteen, when we both found ourselves enlisted to fight the Order. Training takes years, so it’s no surprise that three years later and we’re still here at this school. We didn’t really talk much beyond greetings at first, but slowly we intertwined ourselves in the others life. Hana, despite being very popular with all the other men, took a special interest in me for reasons I couldn’t understand.

Not that I cared, I had slowly fallen in love with her the past three years, and promised myself the moment I beat her I would tell her I loved her. Cheesy sure, but that’s how the Salamander race worked; they only accepted the hand of a man if they were beaten by them in combat. Still, it’s not that I knew the feeling wasn’t shared, each time we spared I could see pride in her eyes, even when I lost, and outside of combat we simply clicked with the other. All I needed to do was prove myself to her, in fact, why not give it a shot now?

“Hana, I challenge you to a duel!”

<p class="MsoNormal">The voice wasn’t my own, but rather that of a young man with short blonde hair, who had already drawn his katana. This man was Sanchez, one of the best students around, and typical of the best students, had decided to test his might against Hana.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana grinned, and unsheathed her blade, a massive machete. “Your funeral Sanchez. You think that paper weight blade of yours can handle mine? Ten gold says that thing’s gonna shatter at some point in our fight.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Sanchez grinned, “It would certainly shatter if it was in the hands of an amateur, but you’re not dealing with an amateur now are you?”

<p class="MsoNormal">By now a group of students had formed around us, but before the fight could start, Master Ariandel broke through the circle of students, I swear they just fallow Hana around.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I assume you two know the rules of sparring? Take this outside. Now.” She said sternly, but everyone could see the faintest glint in her eyes. She, like every other spectator, was eager to see Sanchez could ignite Hana’s fighting spirit and prove himself worthy to be tested.

<p class="MsoNormal">Despite the chill of an early winter, no one wanted to appear bothered, and Hana and Sanchez glared each other, silently daring the other to make a move.

<p class="MsoNormal">Sanchez cracked first, “Let’s go already!” He yelled as he charged with an upward swing.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wielder her blade with a single hand, Hana effortlessly batted the blade away with a downward swipe of her own. I’ll admit she could be pretty cocky, for she hasn’t lost enough times to be humbled, but then again, given her skill some argued she had a right to be a little cocky.

<p class="MsoNormal">Sanchez was undeterred however, effortlessly recovering and delivered a jab with his blade. Hana then swiped her blade upward in another effortless parry. But Sanchez predict this, he took the parry with ease, going with its motion to turn his blade and aim his hilt at Hana’s face.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana caught it with her other hand, and pushed Sanchez back.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Nice try, good idea using my parry for momentum.” She said.

<p class="MsoNormal">Sanchez scoffed, “As if that took any real thought. Hana, you’re too predictable.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oh am I now?” I could sense the slight irritation in her voice, “Okay pretty boy, lets see you predict this!” Hana charged forward, machete draped over her shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Gladly.” Sanchez said as he placed his blade back in its sheath. Time seemed slow for everyone, each of our trained eyes focusing, our minds predicting what would happen.

<p class="MsoNormal">As I’m sure many of us knew, Hana came in with a downward swing, yet instead of trying to match it, Sanchez took a step back, and in the blink of an eye, unsheathed his blade to slice Hana’s arm before retracting it back into his sheath. Hana’s blade feel out of her grasps and clunked on the dirt floor as drops of blood followed. Hana’s expression was one of shock.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Relax, nothing the Masters can’t fix up,” Sanchez said coolly, “though if this was a real fight, like with some Order scum, I would’ve sliced that arm clean off. And look at you now, forcing to fight off-handed. Might as well give it up.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana chuckled as she picked her sword with her left hand, “Wow, and people think I’m the cocky one. Okay Sanchez, that was a nice trick, I’ll give you that, but now I’ll end this.”

<p class="MsoNormal">With that, instead of charging, they both slowly approached; taking shuffles and half steps. Hana’s machete was raised in front of her, crossed and guarding her disabled right arm, while Sanchez’s blade was still in its sheath. Despite using her off-hand, Hana did not seem worried, if anything, she looked even more confident than before.

<p class="MsoNormal">She swing first, knowing she had to in order to get Sanchez to strike, and delivered the same crossing downward blow. Just as before, Sanchez stepped back and unsheathed his blade for a counter hit, but Hana turned her blade to deliver a parry of her own, and the swords sparked as they slid off each other.

<p class="MsoNormal">As her machete traveled back upwards, Hana delivered a slash aimed at Sanchez’s head at speeds that were somehow faster than her dominant hand’s. Sanchez just barely managed to try and match it in a panic, which proved to be futile against Hana’s superior strength. With speed and power Hana continued her assault on Sanchez, who struggled to keep up. I don’t know when it was due to the other student’s and I’s intense concentration, but Master Ariandel’s voice suddenly broke us from our trance, hypnotized by stunning movements and the ringing of blades.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Enough! At ease combatants!” She commanded.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana and Sanchez took a step back from each other, each breathing heavily, but Hana’s tail remained unlit.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What’s wrong, Master Ariandel?” Hana asked in confusion.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Master wordlessly pointed to Sanchez’s blade, and as our gazes turned to it, Sanchez’s eyes went wide with shock. Sanchez’s blade had a crack in it.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Wow, sorry about that, guess I got a little too excited.” Hana began. Sanchez wordlessly stared into his blade. “Still, guess you won the bet. Your blade didn’t break. Here, and there’s a little more to get it fixed.” Hana pulled out a coin pouch and walked up to Sanchez.

<p class="MsoNormal">As she held it out and got within arm’s reach, Sanchez batted it away.

<p class="MsoNormal">“’a little too excited’? Don’t bullshit me, Hana!” Sanchez glared at her tail, “You didn’t spark at all! You weren’t even taking me seriously! Confidently using your offhand like that! Having it be faster than your dominant hand! Fights must feel pretty hollow when you don’t even have to try!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana glared back, “Hey, I was being serious! Of course my left hand is better than my right! I’ve never used for anything other than sword fighting, so it has a lot less bad habits built into it than my right! You would’ve known that if you didn’t depend on your right hand for everything! Let this be a lesson to work with you left side as well as your right. Who knows, you might get me sparking then.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana began to turn and walk away, but Sanchez let out a roar and charged, cracked katana thrusted forward. I felt a breeze rush past me, and in an instant Ariandel was in front of Sanchez, who collapsed from a single punch to the gut. She did not turn to face any of us.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hana, go to the Medical Ward and get your wound cleaned. The rest of you go. The fight is over.” Her tone was not meant to be disobeyed, and we all quickly dispersed. I did not follow Hana to the medical ward, but instead went back to my own room.

<p class="MsoNormal">After some time, I heard a knock on my door, and I opened it to see Hana, who proceeded to let herself in.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So, you feeling alright?” I asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana smiled, “Yeah, the medics at the ward just casted a few healing spells and it’s like the sliced tendon never happened.” She said holding up her arm.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Not just about that, I mean about with what Sanchez said.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana went silent for a moment, “It’s not true you know, about me not experiencing joy from fighting. I do. That’s a good thing, I guess?” She chuckled before getting serious again, “Be honest though, some of the students say I can get a little cocky, even arrogant at times. Is that true?”

<p class="MsoNormal">As much as I hated to be put on the spot, I took a deep breath and answered, “To be honest, yeah. I’m sorry. Some of the students say that you depend on your natural strength, not that you shouldn’t, I mean-”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana lightly punched me in the arm, “Relax Thomas, no need to mince words with me. I don’t do the same with you and look how far it’s gotten you.” She took a deep breath, “So I’m lacking technique, eh?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, but hey, how about this: why not go to the training room and spar with me? I’m one of the more dexterous fighters here.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana paused for a moment, surprising considering as of recently she was always eager to spar with me.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What’s wrong? Afraid I’ll beat you?” I teased.

<p class="MsoNormal">She grinned, “Of course not. Okay then, you’re on!”

<p class="MsoNormal">I grabbed my spear from off the wall and we exited the room. As we walked to the sparring room, Hana and I continued to talk.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hear anything about Sanchez?” I asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, he’ll be fine. His ego was bruised more than anything. As for his blade, one of the blacksmith’s said she could fix it and the gold would cover it, granted, he didn’t use the gold I gave him, he used his own. He even gave my own gold back to me.” Hana said.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That sounds like him. He’s not the type to accept help from others. I hope there won’t be bad blood between you two.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oh we’ll be fine.” Hana said with a hand wave. “He’s not the first man to get pissy for losing to a woman, I’m sure once his ego is back intact we’ll be chatting it up like before. I just hope he remembers what I said.”

<p class="MsoNormal">As we made it to the sparring room, the sounds of blades and magic from closed doors told us many rooms were in use, fortunately, we soon found one empty and took our respective places.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Okay, ready?” Hana said as she twirled her massive blade like it was nothing.

<p class="MsoNormal">I stepped into a battle stance with my spear, “Yeah. And remember what I said about relying on just your strength.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, yeah. I’ll keep it in mind if it applies.” Hana said nonchalantly, then she noticed the expression on my face, “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I’m not about throw advice from you away.” She smiled at me, “It’s nice that you’re so serious about combat, even with sparring.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thank you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana smirked, “Guess you want to just jump into it eh? Okay, let’s go!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Despite her eagerness, we did not charge at each other, and instead, both slowly stepped towards the other.

<p class="MsoNormal">As soon as she was within range, I thrusted my spear, which Hana swiped effortlessly. But I used that momentum to my advantage and swung the butt of my spear to her face. I could see Hana predicting this by the twitch of her shoulder, she was going to block it with her arm, or worse, try to disarm. I wasn’t about to let that happen, and in the final moments I faked her out and swung the bladed tip of my spear upwards.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana looked surprised and forced to move, stepping to my outside and delivery a swing to my head. I readjusted my stance, moving my front leg and pivoting myself so I was facing her and swung my spear to meet her, the spear being reinforced by the left side of my body. As we collided, the impact traveled down my spear and into my ribs, but I wasn’t about to let up. Hana was still using one hand after all.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Not bad, you’ve been practicing haven’t you? If I was a Ren Xiongmao I’d be jealous of your pole handling skills.” Hana chuckled.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Are you done playing, Hana?” I said.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana cocked her head, “Pardon?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I meant what I said when you can get confident and rely only on your own strength. If you want to get better, you’ll need to go all out.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I will, just looking for someone who’s worth it.” She said with a smirk.

<p class="MsoNormal">I knew she was trying to butter me up, and it was working. With a burst of strength from the anger, I felt myself winning our deadlock, lowing her blade little by little.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That’s it! I knew you were stronger than you-”

<p class="MsoNormal">I did not think with my next move, only reacted. Her blade was low enough that with a sudden burst of speed I swung the butt of the spear and struck her in the face. As it collided with a sickening smack any anger I had quickly vanished.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hana! I’m so sorry, I-”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana swung her blade upwards, and I got cut from the tip of her blade across my chest.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t apologize, Thomas.” Hana said as she touched her wound, “I know you’re the gentle type, that you hate fighting. But be proud! You don’t draw blood from me often! I think that’s incentive to start fighting seriously, don’t you?” Hana said as she two handed her blade.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I..I…” I was at a loss for words. I brought this on myself, but I was unprepared for it. The wound on Hana’s head looked pretty bad, worse than any I had given to her, not that those hurt to give any less.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thomas!” Hana snapped at me. “These wounds can be cured at the Medical Ward, so don’t worry about me. Worry about yourself because you bet I’m going to take advantage of that! Now remember why you fight, because if you don’t by the time I reach you, you’ll be at Death’s door!” Hana yelled as she charged.

<p class="MsoNormal">My purpose for fighting. I looked to Hana, I saw the air behind her tail was shimmering with heat. I fight for you Hana. I fight to make you proud of me, I fight so we have something to do to kill time, and when we graduate, I’ll fight by your side to support you.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana came in with and overhead strike. I stepped to her outside and thrusted, she batted it away with ease. Like before, I came in with a swing from the butt of the spear, but she batted this away too. With even more speed, I came in with the blade again, and she met it with little difficulty. I wasn’t about to go into another deadlock, and instead swung the butt at her left knee. It connect but was a mere distraction, and as her attention shifted for that second I swung the bladed end at her once more.

<p class="MsoNormal">This time she stepped back, but I still cut the upper part of her arm. I followed with another thrust. She parried it, but for once she was on the defensive. It both made me proud and broke my heart and the battle turned in my favor.

<p class="MsoNormal">A sudden whooshing and the smell of something burning snapped us out of our trances. It was Hana’s tail. It was burning! I could feel a stupid smile spread on my face, but Hana looked petrified.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Shit! You win, you win!” She said as she ran to a nearby water bucket. She winced in pain as she stuck her tail in to quench the flames.

<p class="MsoNormal">Though confused, that flew over my head as I became lightheaded from the sheer happiness and pride. “Hana, I did it! I set your tail aflame! This is incredible!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thomas, shush.” Hana muttered as the water steamed.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I can’t believe it, this means I can graduate! Hana, I love you! I really do! I-”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I know you love me you idiot!” Hana shouted with tears running down her face.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hana, what’s wrong?” I said warily.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana swore under her breath as she raised her tail out of the bucket that was mostly empty. She then grabbed my shoulders, “Thomas, please, promise me you’ll never tell anyone about this. Please.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Why not? Isn’t this good? I can graduate now.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t want you to graduate!” Hana said as she shook me, tears still falling down her face. “You’re gentle, you hate fighting! I don’t care how skilled you are, if you don’t have that bloodlust the other men have you’ll be ripped to shreds in a real battle.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hana-”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I love you too, Thomas. I don’t want to see you get hurt out there, and if you were to die out there…”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I would be fine Hana. I’m confident in my skills, even if I don’t have that killing instinct…”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No, no you wouldn’t.” Hana muttered to herself.

<p class="MsoNormal">The door to the room suddenly opened, and the kindly old face of Master Adelle peered in. “Is everything alright?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes, yes. Everything’s good. We were just finishing up and on our way to the Medical Ward in fact.” Hana said quickly.

<p class="MsoNormal">Master Adelle nodded, “That’s good, it seems like you two really did a number on each other.” He turned to me, “My Thomas, to have put Hana in such a state, you must’ve greatly improved since I last saw you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yep, he did. Didn’t ignite me though.” Hana said.

<p class="MsoNormal">Master Adelle gave her a weird look, “Right, well, be safe you two.” He closed the door behind him.

<p class="MsoNormal">After a few moments, Hana began to sob again, I’d never seen her like this.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hana, it’ll be okay. Let’s-” She quickly walked out of the room, by the time I walked out of the room, she was gone. A few other students noticed me and gave me strange looks. I made it to the Medical Ward with little difficulty. When I asked about Hana, they said she came and left fairly quickly. After I was healed, I searched the school for her, but to no avail. As worried as I was, Hana could take of herself, and made my way back to my room.

<p class="MsoNormal">I jumped when I opened my door. Sitting on my bed was Hana, and she looked as though she was expecting me. I closed the door behind me.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Are you ok-”

<p class="MsoNormal">She quickly moved up to me and pressed me against the door, locking it behind us, “Shut up.” She said as she locked lips with me.

<p class="MsoNormal">It felt wrong, and I lightly pushed her back, but she resisted and only locked lips with me harder. Disgusted, I shoved her off me, but she grabbed me and spun me so I landed on the bed, with her straddling me.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hana, stop!” I said as I continued to resist her assault.

<p class="MsoNormal">She pinned my arms down, “Thomas, please, let me have this.” She said softly. “I love you. Please, I want to remember this night.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No.” I say sternly. “Hana, please get off me. Who knows, maybe I won’t graduate.”

<p class="MsoNormal">While she let go of my arms, she still remained on top of me, “No. You will graduate. I know you well enough that you can best any of the Masters in combat after sparking me” She said glumly.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Why do sound so upset?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Because when you graduate they’ll send you out to battle, and when they send you out to battle you’ll die!” She cried.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So just graduate with me! You of any student here are more than capable of doing so.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana took a deep breath, “They’ll never let me leave. I’m the school’s pride and joy. Like you said this morning, I’m just a measurement for other student’s success. And you know what? I was happy with that. I liked seeing everyone grow strong, and I knew each one that bested me would make a great swordsman.” She looked into my eyes. “Then you just had to get better, you just had to improve, and I felt both pride and terror. I love to see you grow stronger, but I don’t want you to graduate. I know you want to bust Order heads like the rest of us, but you don’t have it in you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hana, you’re wrong.” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal">She chuckled, “About what, you being able to cut down Order soldiers like practice dummies. You know I can see right through that, right?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No, about why I fight. Hana, I fight for you. I fight to make you proud. And when I graduate, I want to fight by your side. I know if you convince the Masters of your skills you can apply for graduation, I might even be able to get in a good word for-” I noticed the blankness of Hana’s expression.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hana?”

<p class="MsoNormal">She slowly stepped off me, “Y-you’ve been doing all this for me?” She asked hesitantly.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah.” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana began to shake, “It-it’s all my fault. It’s all my fault! Why of all the men here did I fall in love with you?!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hana, I’ll be fine, I-”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No you won’t!” She shouted, “You’re going to die and it’s all my fault! I hate myself! I hate you! I hate this school!” She ran out of the room, slamming the door behind her. I tried to pursuer her, but she was too fast. A few of the other tenants poked their heads out at her and back to me. There was nothing I could do other than go back into my room and prepare for tomorrow.

<p class="MsoNormal">True to what Hana said, I was awoken by Master Ingward knocking on my door, he bid me good morning, and simply told I was to apply for graduation today this afternoon, before quickly leaving. While any other student would spend it practicing in preparation, I spent it looking for Hana, who, much to my dismay, was nowhere to be found. Word spread fast of my oncoming graduation, and many students wished me luck, including Sanchez. I did not care, I was too concerned for Hana to think of anything else.

<p class="MsoNormal">Still, when I was summoned to fight Master Adelle, I had no choice but to obey. He was quick to notice my troubled expression.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Is something the matter, Thomas? Getting butterflies?” He asked jokingly.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No, Master Adelle, it’s Hana. I haven’t seen her since last night. Do you know where she is or if she’s okay?” I asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">Master Adelle tilted his head, “No son, I’m sorry. Though he word spread quick that she left your room in a hurry last night, no one has been able to find her since.” His eyes narrowed, “Now I know you’re a good man, Thomas, so be honest with me as to what happened.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I told him everything about what happened last night, with the exception of Hana forcing herself on me. When I finished, his joyous expression had long since vanished into one of sorrow.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I see, poor lady.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Before I say anything else, he spoke up again, “Well, Thomas, I think it would be best if we began your test now. I wish it could be a bit more formal and prepared, but Hana means as much to us as she does to you, so I’ll aid the search personally.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I understand, thank you, Master Adelle.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t mention it, now, let’s begin.” I could see a slight smile form on his face. “It’ll be nice to have another spear wielder join the ranks, too many kids these days are using katanas. God only knows how that caught on.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I chuckled, before stepping into a battle stance. Normally this room would be paced with fellow students, but due to circumstances, only a handful of the Masters watched us. Time faded as we fought. Master Adelle, despite his age, fought like man of my age, with speed and power to match my own. Each time I felt on the defensive, I thought of Hana, how I was going to prove her wrong and make a proud spearman for her to put her fears to rest.

<p class="MsoNormal">It was those thoughts that pushed me forward, that put me back on the offensive, and defeat Master Adelle. The Masters applauded proudly, Adelle especially. I felt proud, but couldn’t shake the thought of Hana, so after packing my things, my final day at this school was assisting in the search for her, but it turned up fruitless.

<p class="MsoNormal">I was sent off to battle in a chariot filled with other men, women, and mamonos who graduated, and in a few days ride, we were dumped on the front lines. Over the months I was there I became intmatley familiar with battle. The battles were intense, horrifying, and hideous. The Order, despite their attire that made them appear almost angelic were little more than savages in the face of mamonos. I remained calm in combat as best as I could, not letting bloodlust drive to make rash decisions, as those who did didn’t return in one piece, if at all. It’s not like it was entirely unwarranted, what the Order did the villages and their inhabitants when we failed to protect them would send anyone sane into a blind fury.

<p class="MsoNormal">The squad I was with was pushing through one such village, in the midst of an Order fire attack, with the aid of resistance fighters. The resistance fighters saw us as little more than trained killers, unable to truly have heart for who we fight for. While many of my fellow soldiers wanted to work separately, I was grateful the commander, Alva, demanded us to grit out teeth and work with them, for from them, I found a familiar face, or rather, one found me.

<p class="MsoNormal">I was sharpening my spear, waiting for whatever Order soldiers were left to lick their wounds and face us, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and nearly jumped.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hana?!”

<p class="MsoNormal">She shushed me, as silence was paramount to our position, but shared the same expression of shock as she confirmed who I was.

<p class="MsoNormal">“It is you. Thank God I happened to be part of the resistance group working with your squad.” She wrapped me in a tight hug, “And thank God you’re alive.” I could feel tears run down my neck.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I told you I’d be alright.” I said.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’re not alright! You’re in hell right now!” She hissed.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Remember what I said. I fight for you, Hana. As long as you’re by my side, hell becomes a little bit bearable.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana’s eyes began to water, “You mean… you forgive me after all that happened? You still love me after all that?”

<p class="MsoNormal">I smiled, “Yes. Maybe I’m stupid, but yet. I never stopped worrying about me.”

<p class="MsoNormal">She chuckled, “If you were stupid you’d be dead by now. No, you’re just too damn forgiving.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“You know this murderer?” One of the resistance members asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana turned to her sharply, “This is Thomas, Gabriel!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Her eyes went wide, “This guy? Wow, I thought you just made him up. Gotta say now that I know he’s real I’m kind of jealous.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Look alive everyone, Order soldiers approaching.” Alva said to us. While my squad and I stiffened in preparation, the resistance members only half listened until their own commander gave them the orders to prepare. Alva noticed Hana, and gave her a nod before going to his own position.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So, ready to see what gentle guy can do in combat?” I whispered Hana as we lied in ambush.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You still hate it?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Despise it with every fiber of my being.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hana paused, “Okay, I trust you to watch my back, and know that I got yours.” The Order drew close

<p class="MsoNormal">“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I whisper as we are given the signal to launch the ambush.

<p class="MsoNormal">That was but one of our many fights together, most being that same guerilla tactic the resistance member taught us. Together, Hana and I had swift success, and rose through the ranks of our armies. Thankfully, we were almost always close to each other.

<p class="MsoNormal">Despite the war not being over, my squad and hers were given a rest and new combatants were swapped in. We were quick to spend time together again, just like the old days, and even rented a room to create a truly unforgettable night as Hana wanted all that time ago. We still fight together, having become of the few battle couples that popular the Anti-Order forces. I don’t care about the fame, and she doesn’t either. As long as we’re together, this hell is bearable and we can keep fighting.