Familiarities

By

Archdruid Unacera

Unacera had entered the Dynasty castle as quietly as possible. Still she remained on guard. She was already wearing her red bicolor body armor and her no-datchi hung over her left shoulder, loose in its scabbard. As she heard soldiers coming down the hallways, Unacera pulled her hood further down over her face and gathered her cloak around her body. She stood against the cold stone wall silently and still as they passed.
Not bad so far. Every step that I can get in here unseen is that much the better, she thought to herself. Once again she walked until she reached a large stone room. My how dreary. I wish Dragon Wind was here to scout ahead, but he can't hide like I can. Unacera hugged the wall of the room so to not be seen, but looking for traps at the same time. As she got halfway in, the doors slammed shut. Damn. Well I didn't expect to get even this far.
"It seems we have a strange shadow passing through our domain." A voice echoed.
Unacera nearly jumped as she recognized the voice. How can it be?
"Oh no need to hide anymore I can see you quite well." The voice continued. A figure appeared in the middle of the room facing Unacera.
The Archdruid wanted to yell, or to run to that familiar form, but her instincts warned of a trap. She paced carefully toward the center of the room, preparing to pull out her no-datchi at any moment. Although, if she knew this person right, that without both of them having sword drawn, he wouldn't fight.
"Yes please do step closer so I may see what my soon former enemy looks like." Amusement filled the man's voice, but a cold chill hung around him like the blade of a sword.
"You seem very confident of that fact." Unacera said firmly as she stopped to stand a decent distance away.
"And why not," he asked as he spread his arms open to show his armor. "I have the white armor. Who is the one who thinks they can defeat me?"
"You do not know?"
"Would I have asked if I did?"
"I am Archdruid Unacera of the Armor of Darkness."
The man paused in thought. "I do not recall hearing about an Archdruid of any armor. I'll have to ask Talpa about that later. As for now you, 'Archdruid', face Hariel of Inferno, Dark Prince of the Dynasty."
"I have heard of you so much that I feel like I know you." Unacera answered speaking more truth that she imagined he knew. The Druids of Darkness always had the ability to control spirits. Thus she could sense the presence of them around Hariel. This was not the friend she knew from so long ago. The cold blue eyes, of which she could barely make out their presence under the face guard, seemed to echo that simple truth.
"I suppose I should be flattered, but it appears that enough already know about me." One of the Ferver Swords appeared in his right hand.
"I have not come here for you Hariel. Stand aside."
"Ah but I found you first, so I'm afraid this is as far as you shall go." The other Ferver Sword appeared in his former free hand.
Unacera sighed loud enough for the warrior to hear, sounding disappointed. "Very well then. If you shall force the fight." She pulled out her no-datchi slowly and held it lazily by her right side.
Hariel crossed his two swords in front of him, staring at his enemy with hatred and sincerity. "Prepare yourself!" He said seeing how unwilling his foe was. Hariel wanted a good fight. "For Talpa and the glory of the Dynasty!"
Her hand tightened on the hilt as she immediately raised it to the two charging swords. Unacera placed her other hand as she dodged and parried. The swords clanged together repeatedly, both warriors looking for an opening. They judged the other's skill, and waited for the moment when they tired.
Suddenly Unacera felt something. Reflexively she reached to the shadows and teleported back to the wall. Other familiar items appeared where she stood not a moment before. The four swords blasted the area, melting the floor. An armored figure finished its leap to the ground. It stood up and looked quickly to the woman.
"Sekhmet how dare you interfere with this battle! This one is mine! I did not ask for your assistance!" Hariel snarled as the Warlord finished returning his four katanas and pulled out the two on his back.
"What does it matter as long as the intruder is finished! I won't just stand and watch when enough have ruined the past plans of Master Talpa! She will suffer for their crimes and for her own foolishness of coming alone!"
"If you want that so badly then come fight me Sekhmet!" Unacera coldly said back.
"Sekhmet," Hariel started to warn again, but the Warlord made no motion to listen.
He charged at the woman. How easy this will be! She is pinned against the wall! The Warlord crossed his swords, concentrating on a familiar attack form. "Snake Bite Strike!" His arms each transformed into two more each, totaling six altogether. He concentrated as he swung his swords at the woman, some purposely a glancing blow, others reaching for contact.
Unacera likewise gave her attention to the situation. She knocked the near blows with her no-datchi. Finally, seeing two katanas reaching for a hit at once, she teleported again. Instead of hitting her, the swords punched through the wall and the venom ate away at the stone in seconds. "Thanks for the exit door." She commented as Sekhmet spun around.
"Cowardly girl!" He cursed. "Afraid to stay still?!"
Hariel just stood off to the side watching the fight. He found amusement in the lack of Sekhmet's ability to win. Although he was mostly analyzing Unacera and her moves, learning her fighting style. Odd. The way she was able to fight those katanas. The maneuver is so well done and familiar. It's almost like mine. He dismissed his notions for now.
Sekhmet launched a sword from his waist to the woman. As she teleported, the Warlord guessed her next possible positions, and threw out three more katanas in separate directions. When Unacera popped back into sight, it was just in time for the explosion of venom from a nearby Snake Fang Sword. She quickly turned her face away. "HAH!" Sekhmet quickly called his katanas back. Then he took them out two at a time and started to form his whip. "Snake Bite Strike!" He swung the whip deadly accurate at the Archdruid. The whip slashed down her body armor and left a long acidly smoking line down it.
Unacera stumbled to her knees. She had successfully protected her face and eyes from the venom, but her back took the blow fully. She could feel the acid burning its way to her skin. The woman looked up to see the Warlord standing over her, raising his katana.
"Now for your head!" He said with full sincerity as he prepared his aim.
I have to be exact this time. As the sword fell down, the Archdruid teleported again, this time behind Sekhmet. The sudden move caused the Warlord to go into shock and lose his balance. Forgive me Sekhmet-San, she thought as she ran Silent Shadow's blade across his back. The combination of the teleport and blow caused the Warlord of Venom to fall face down into the dirt on the cold stone floor.
Hariel merely watched. He did not know whether to clap at her ability or not. As she raised her gaze back to him, Hariel expected to see a face of triumph, relief, or of hatred toward himself. None of these were there. It was almost a look of sorrow.
"It seems I've got what I came here for after all. So forgive me if I take my leave now. Perhaps we shall postpone this battle for another time." Before even waiting for a reply, Unacera faded away taking Sekhmet with her.

To Be Continued ...