Chapter 46 - 46: Swordsmanship Lesson
The two stood opposed on the grass, the wind brushing hair into their faces.
August wore a grin as he reached into thin air, procuring his bastard sword. Its silver sheen shimmered underneath the 'sun', quite brilliant in appearance. But it was not coated with light, like the one he had used to slay the spinner in the City of Lingering Light.
"You're not going to use that glimmering blade from before?" Artemis asked, curious, and a little disappointed. He had wanted to see August at his full strength, although that might have been too much to ask, considering.
"My dearest Arte... that blade would kill you."
"Are we going to duel?"
August nodded his head.
"I can teach you form, skill, and style once I've learned where you stand. But I can learn nothing if I do not face you myself. Besides, there is no greater period to learn than-" his words were suddenly cut short. Before Artemis could even comprehend his words, August had appeared in front of him, faster than he could glean with his eyes. "-when you're fighting for your life."
Artemis furiously moved to raise his blade to block August's strike, but it was futile!
Lark!
...
Artemis bit his lip, forcing himself backwards into the soil. He landed harshly on his back, but quickly rolled away.
His first instinct was to rely on his Spirit Contract, but that would have defeated the whole point!
He couldn't do that any longer. There would definitely be times when Lark would deny him power because he had forgotten to effectuate the contract. In those times, he would need to be competent with his sword!
August had noticed this distinct hesitation, raising an eyebrow. He smiled slightly, coming to the same conclusion.
He's trying to grow... but why? What drives you?
He raised his blade next to his head, pointing it forward as he turned his body sideways.
Never mind it, I'll help you grow, my dearest Consort.
The first strike came from the front, it was easy enough to react to now that Artemis was expecting it. The second came from the left, the third from the right. And as he expected, the fourth strike hit from behind, but it was much faster than the first three!
All throughout Artemis's life, his quick reaction had been something he took pride in. His observation skills were decent, it was the only way he had been able to realise the presence of the mimic shades in the City of Lingering Light before they managed to kill him and Cercival.
And those two things were probably the only reason he was able to even try and react to August's strikes!
But why is he fighting this hard!? Is this even training!?
Artemis grimaced as he stepped back, narrowly avoiding the point of the silver bastard sword.
Although, this is exactly what I asked for...!
But even fighting against Artemis, August looked rather torn. He dejectedly spoke out.
"Sorry, it's one thing to withhold my abilities, but toning down my innate speed and strength are another issue..."
That was his innate speed!?
Artemis's gaze pulsed with shock and amazement.
Was it really the case that the person he had married was this strong? He had previously assumed during his fight in the City of Lingering Light that August had employed an ability to move as fast as he did. But to think it was merely his base capability...
This figure was truly incomprehensible.
The two began to exchange blows. This was August's gradual adjustment, actively reducing his movement in order to add ease to his attacks. If he only overpowered Artemis, he wouldn't be able to adequately determine his lover's level of skill. But this was a hard thing for him to do. Even his Archknight's had been able to keep up with his sword-skill slightly, even if the speed outmatched them greatly...
And Artemis, stuck in his own thoughts, was quickly beginning to realise just how insignificant he was without his Demonic Spirit. If his teacher, Astartes, hadn't led him to contract with Lark, where would he be? Of course, it might have been the case that this Spirit was even responsible for his marriage to August. Without it, he wouldn't have experienced this love...
How much did he owe to something that wasn't himself?
It made him furious.
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Not at Lark, but at himself. What could he do himself, if anything at all?
He was just a claw-less dog begging for scraps, as always.
I've spent my whole life depending on others to carry the weight of my burdens, I must change! I cannot burden August with this! I can't let my insolence and laziness harm Willow! Gwennaude, Lysia, Kafka... Cercival, I can't give Cercival much more to deal with... not at his age...
Artemis's gaze steeled, thrusting his weapon forward. It disrupted August's chain of attacks slightly, which gave him just enough time to sweep his foot sideways, a cloud of dust kicked up into the air around them.
Soon after, Artemis burst out of the cloud, swinging his blade over his head towards August. Surprised, August grinned wildly.
Good! Brilliant!
August grasped Artemis's sword in his hand, blood trickling down his wrist as he stared the black wolf down. He kicked Artemis straight in the stomach. He flew backwards, the force propelling him across the field. Dirt, dust, and grass was thrown up in a flurry, obscuring August as he rushed forward.
Artemis sputtered, his vision shaking and his ears ringing. It wasn't just the point of impact, intense pain radiated through his body.
He...! He grasped it!? Just for training!?
"Again!" Artemis shouted, raising his blade as he stood up, his legs beginning to buckle underneath him. Blood spilled down his forehead, coating his face in crimson. His hands shook greatly, barely able to hold a grasp on his blade. He could feel his fingers slipping, even his consciousness threatened to fade, light waning in the corners of his vision.
August shook his head as he approached slowly.
"No, this was enough, my Dearest. I know where you stand now. I know what I can teach you. Thank you, you did wonderful."
August snapped his fingers. In an instant, the wounds on Artemis's body vanished. He touched a hand to Artemis's cheek, smiling warmly. Light radiated over Artemis's body, and the remnants of pain gradually faded.
"What? What was that?"
"I told you. It's an illusion, my dearest." August chuckled. "All those wounds, you just imagined them. That's all."
I wouldn't have ever harmed you like this... not for real. But you had to believe it was real, you had to believe that much and still continue to fight...
Your determination, it has blossomed, hasn't it?
You can become brilliant.
You are definitely the person that can help me achieve my goal...
At the same time that August gazed down at him lovingly, Artemis glanced away in embarrassment.
He felt as if he had gained a new perspective of the man. It was no wonder that previous Witch-Kings had been able to rule with an iron-fist. How lucky had the people of the Blackbaast been that August had decided to live his life differently than his predecessors?
His father, Jehellius Lunastre, had been such a terrifying figure. Although Artemis had only ever heard tales, he knew well of the ferocious man. He was a King, and so he administrated the Blackbaast well, but it was a sort of overlying oppression that kept everyone in order. It was simple, it was sometimes violent, and it was fear that drove its people to peace.
But August had acted differently, trying out new methodologies that none before him had thought feasible. Of course, he proved it so. Peace could be obtained through other methods, through careful structuring and through trust-able allies. But this weighed heavy on August, mostly because it was a very difficult endeavour.
But for his dream, he had no choice but to trudge through the most dreadful parts of his rule. He would bring prosperity to his people, Artemis knew this to be true. If not him, then who else could accomplish such a monumental task?
August suddenly fell forward, his foot catching on a patch of grass. He lurched forward into Artemis's grasp, propelling them both towards the soft soil below. His head felt dizzy... had he overdone it during training?
But he hadn't employed any of his abilities... was it keeping up the illusion that was tiring him out?
He gazed down at Artemis, his cheeks flushing.
"You're lovely..."
Artemis placed his lips on August's. He never grew tired of such a simple thing, its pleasure never diminished. He could hold August for hours, for days, the time did not matter, only that it was happening at all.
He was terrified by how fate worked.
How did a joke on his part become his greatest love?
When Artemis smiled, he knew he had fulfilled his father's last wish, truly.