Things were about to get interesting. Hayate watched closely as the young lass assumed a fool’s guard, a stance he hadn’t seen before in practice, with the tip of her blade pointed towards the dirt. The last Akashiman took in a deep breath as they shared their a few more seconds of peace. Based on appearances Hayate assumed that Felicity was going to be quick on her feet so like any strategist he was ready to make some distance between them. With Felicity discarding her bow for now it wouldn’t be a bad plan.

Then suddenly she made the first move. Felicity quickly lobed and arrow from her quiver towards the samurai forcing him to move in a way he hadn’t planned on. Hayate clutched his wakasashi and was about to simply slash the arrow in two but before he could his opponent lunged at him. She was a rash fighter, or a smart one, time would tell but for now Hayate wasn’t impressed.

He took a solitary side step letting the arrow fly past the right side of his head. Then with a quick pivot Hayate ducked under Felicity’s sword with his blade position in such a way that it would tear through the tender muscles and flesh of her under arm. Everything happened in an instant and when Hayate raised standing behind Felicity he wasn’t even sure his blade cut the lass. Regardless upon standing he sheathed his Akashiman dagger and reached up for the hilt of his Nodachi.

She was quick and he was weak, too weak to rely on his strength alone. But he wasn’t about to give Yamato complete control over the fight. This was his chance to prove he wasn’t going to let other push him around, he needed to prove to himself he could stand on his own two feet. In this world of magic and might he needed to know that he could survive it and endure all the challenges that lie in wait for him.

“Rise Up.” he let his incantation slip through his lips. As he spoke the words a red glow emanated from his back and around him started to form the ribcage of a giant skeleton. The bones were ethereal in nature but as durable as dehlyn and were going to be his impenetrable shield.

“This match was over the second you gave up the element of surprise. I won’t allow myself to be beaten when my enemy has delivered themselves to me on a silver platter.” He was trying to sound tough, but he wasn’t sure if his big talk would intimidate the girl or not.

If she does anything ill protect you. Yamato telepathically said to Hayate attempting to ease his mind. Just don’t let her play you like the last guy did.