Starfall

Chapter 27: Duel

Marco had hoped to get a feel for Tom as a spear fighter to figure out a strategy, but Tom began his attack aggressively. He charged at Marco and thrust his spear at the limit of its range.

Marco parried the spear with his own and tried to counter. He still didn't want to kill and hesitated with the sharp point. It didn't matter. It wouldn't have succeeded anyway.

Tom dodged the point and brought the head of his spear back. It scraped against Marco's armor with a metallic sound. Tom followed up with another thrust which barely missed him.

He knew that spears are hard to use close up, so Marco tried close the distance between them. Tom deftly maintained his range.

He tried attacking, but Tom was more experienced with a spear and defended skillfully. There was no need for Marco to hold back. He was losing.

They had fought in the past. But those were just street brawls. Star always stepped in between them to stop their fights. And when they fought during Marco's escape from Ishtar, Tom had him beat. Star wasn't there to help him here like she had in the past. She couldn't help him now.

She looked on anxiously from above.

Tom swung his spear down, slashing at Marco. The sharpened blade left a glowing red arc in the air. Tom was using fire magic.

Marco jumped back to dodge. When Tom's spear struck the ground, a wave of flame raced along the ground towards him. Marco dove to the side to dodge the fire.

Brad stood in protest. "This contest is unfair! Prince Tom is using demon fire magic!" It sounded half hearted. Like a lawyer objecting simply because he is expected to.

Ishtar responded. "The strength of magic is a natural part of any demon! Trying to prevent him from using fire magic would be akin to tying his arm behind his back! It is not the fault of my son that Marco Diaz has no magic to match it! Both you and your champion should have been aware of that when you issued the challenge!"

The official signaled and the announcement came. "No foul was committed! The duel must continue!"

None of this surprised Marco. He was told that this would be the case.

The fight continued uninterrupted.

Ishtar appeared pleased at how the duel was progressing. Her son's opponent was simply outclassed.

They kept fighting for only a short time until Tom backed away. Marco let him retreat. He was struggling and needed a momentary breather.

But Tom wasn't allowing him a break. Tom held his spear over his shoulder and the entire length turned to flame. He charged at Marco and threw his flaming weapon while running.

Marco dodged the spear but couldn't help following it with his eyes as it flew past him. The fire went out as it hit the ground.

The small distraction was enough. Using jets of fire on his feet, Tom closed in quickly. Marco's spear would be hard to use at close range.

Marco tried to move but the demon was fast. Marco moved to dodge a punch thrown at his head. A blade made of magic fire materialized in Tom's other hand.

As his punch missed, Tom reached over Marco's shoulder and grabbed the red chainmail hood. He yanked it while thrusting with his fire blade.

Marco resisted and the chainmail hood came off with a snap. Nana Gem had crafted it to do so. She knew that an opponent could grab it in a fight.

Not expecting the the hood to be breakaway, Tom was caught off balance.

Marco was able to back away. He had gotten lucky just now and he knew it. He wondered if Tom was just toying with him.