Believing in Myself

Yes, TWO chapters! Since I felt bad about all the waiting my readers had to do, what with the misfortunes that prevented me from posting my chapters earlier, I figured to work twice as har today to bring you some thrills! Onward to battle scene two, take one. And.... ACTION!


Chapter 14


At the sudden movement, John's first thought was to strike now. He raised his hand and shouted "Fire!" as the mysterious man approached. Suddenly, the fire spell had moved on, never hitting anything, and vanished into thin air. The man had somehow vanished without trace.

"Impressive, I must admit. I did not think you would react so quickly to my attack."

John looked up to see the man standing on a high tree branch. John had no time to ponder how he had managed to just vanish and reappear like that, as the man jumpped up into the air and threw the dagger in his left hand straight for John. He jumpped backward, the dagger striking where his right foot had been mere seconds ago, but John had no time to waste, as he moved his head to the side to narrowly dodge the other dagger aimed straight for his face.

The man, meanwhile, had landed on his feet and ran straight for his target, uncaring that he was now without his weapons. John quickly sent another fire spell his way, but he dodged it, never losing his momentum, and reaching down quickly to pick up the first dagger he threw. Taking it in his right hand, he tried an upward slash, at which John immediately pulled back to avoid the attack. Turning around swiftly, the man in black reached down with his other hand to pick up the second dagger and aim a side slash across John's chest. He wasn't fast enough, although he avoided a direct wound, his cloak and shirt were torn revealing the skin underneath.

"Fire!" John tried again to land a fire spell now that his target was close by. The man however, raised his daggers and literally cut the spell in half.

"You cant possibly win. Give up and I might go easier on you."

"If fire won't work, then try this on! Water!"

A blast of water shot out, and the man moved his daggers in front of him, placed in a X-shaped position. "Air Shield!" The wind picked up and the water magic looked as though it hit an invisible barriar of wind that protcted him. "Pathatic. I'll show you a real spell. Wind Cutter!" He made a slashing movement with his dagger, and like John, wind energy shot out. Unlike John's version of the spell, several waves of energy shot out instead of just one.

Seeing no way to escape as the energy came from all sides, John crossed his arms over his head and braced himself. The energy slammed into him, the feeling of his arms and legs being assualted by knives. He was knocked onto his back, and winced in pain. Jessica, who had stood back, now stood in front of John, ready to face the stranger.

"Get out of my way. You aren't my concern."

"No way! I won't just let you hurt him!"

"Fine! If that's the way you want to be... Wind Blade!" The mystery man made another slash in the air with his dagger, only this one went straight down, instead of an angle. A rather large blade of energy shot foward and Jessica raised her hands ready. "Here goes something! Bubble Storm!" Three large bubbles of water appeared and looked like they were ready to ram into the energy wave. The two spells collided midway, and a great rush of wind kicked up dust so that they could not see themselves for the moment. The spells had canceled each other out, and Jessica coughed as she tried not to inhale any of the dust.

The other man, however, was more fortunate. As the scarf protected his breathing, he had no trouble running straight into the cloud of dust. With quick movement he was up in Jessica's face before she knew it, and a quick strike later, she fell to the floor. He faced her and narrowed his eyes. "Fool, shouldn't have interfered." However, this was apparently a mistake, both to attack her and tear his eyes away from John, who had now managed to get up. Seeing Jessica fall filled him with fury and as the dust was now settling, he had nothing to worry from it. He quickly closed the gap between them, and before the mysterious man knew what was happening, John's fist connected with his stomach and it caused him to let go of his weapons.

His slight victory over the man did not last. Almost immediately, the man grabbed John's arm and threw him toward the tree. John hit the ground hard, feeling his back course with pain. The man breathed heavily a bit, to get his wind back and silently picked up the weapons from the ground.

"Not bad... you actually hit me. It's been so long since it happened... I nearly forgot how it felt to be struck by someone."

John raised his head, although it was difficult. "Damn... I thought for sure..."

"Apparently, thinking isn't one of your strong points. Now get up."

John hated having to told by this man to stand, considering now that his energy was starting to wane. Somehow, he managed to stand and readied himself, although he felt like he couldn't get out another spell.

Damn... so tired... but he... he looks like he hasn't even gotten started yet...

Indeed, while John's body was in pain and completely exausted, the man facing him still looked the same as he did when this fight started. He had already recovered from John's brief attack, and stood ready to dish out more. But John wasn't sure how much more he could actually take. Any more and he felt that the next time he fell, he wouldn't get back up.

Jessica had recovered from the man's attacked and looked to see the situation. By the looks of things, John was just about ready to collaspe, but his opponent looked like he could fight for hours still... whoever this man was, they both had seriously underestimated just how strong he really was. They knew he would be tough... But they thought they might a least have a chance. Now looking at it, they would be lucky if they were still alive after this, let alone have the strength to keep standing.

The man ran up to John who barely could lift his arms up for defense. A quick punch later and he was down on the ground, both his back and chest in pain. The man looked at him and raised a dagger to his throat. He stood there, the tip mere centimeters away from his skin. A quick thrust could end John's life... or else he could simply and swiftly cut downward, opening up his chest. Or upwards tearing apart his face in the process. No matter what action he pulled with the blade it wouldn't end well.

Jessica tired to stand and sneak up toward the man while he was distracted, but apparent he heard her, for he raised his other dagger and had it pointing directly at her. "Don't think you can be foolish enough to move... and think he'll live." Jessica stopped suddenly, fearing for John's life. John too stared at the man, wonder just what was on his mind right now. If only he had the strength to cast a spell, any spell...

Suddenly, the man put away both his daggers and stepped away from John. He had his back turned to them and Jessica took a step foward. Seeing how he didn't react, she ran up to John and looked him over.

"John... are you ok?"

"Well, other then the fact that my chest and back are killing me, I'm fine..."

The man, reached into his cloak, and for one moment, they thought he had changed his mind about killing them. He pulled out a small pouch and threw it at thier feet. They both looked at him, bewildered at his actions.

"There are some medical herbs in there. Boil them in water and apply them to the wounds. He should be feeling fine by tommarrow."

Jessica was completely confused at this man's sudden change of heart. "Wait, you just tried to kill us, and now your helping us? What is it with you?"

The man did not turn around but his words were still heard plain and clear. "I told him... I am his judge. I deem him worthy to live. However, I am against his silly little quest to find the demon, Beras. It would be better off if you both abandoned whatever you plan to do and just return to your home." The man walked back to them, his eyes showing no signs of remorse for his actions, or concern for John. He merely stopped next to him and they stared at each other. "You are weak. You have no chance of killing Beras in your condition."

John scowled at him. He hated to hear that this person thought him weak. Considering how new he was to magic, John felt he did quite well standing up to whoever this was. Although the fact that he nearly died fighting, made him fight back saying this. Jessica however turned to the man.

"Who are you... and what do you want? Why are you doing these things?"

"The time will come when all will be made clear to you. Until that day comes, I can speak no more of this. But know this. When the time comes... do not be afraid. There is no shame in choosing to run. Sometimes, it is our only option when faced with impossible odds." He walked away, and said as an afterthought, "To the northwest lies a town. Go there. Then head northeast. If your truely wish to continue this insane journey of yours... I will not stop you. All I ask is you don't do anything stupid."

Leaving them both perplexed, he walked back into the shade of the tree, and vanished from thier sight.