Once when Brin had been Mark, back in high school, he’d been a little more than rude to Rudolph Hansen. Brin had yelled some insults and expected to be paid back in kind. Instead, Rudy turned around and decked him. It was an eye-opening experience for Mark, to get laid out on his back with one punch. It wasn’t so much a lesson he could put into words; some lessons aren’t like that. They’re lessons you learn with your soul. But if Brin had to put it into words, he’d say something about humility, and the sudden knowledge that he wasn’t actually invincible or even really all that tough. It was a lesson he wished every young man could learn.

It was something Zilly needed to learn. He just wished it didn’t have to be him that taught it. He wished it didn’t have to be today.

Zilly lifted her sword. “Are we doing this or not?”

“No,” said Brin. “Not today. I don’t know if you’ve heard what happened–”

“I’ve heard. That’s why it has to be today.” She said it completely unapologetically, face firm. “I think it was meant to be this way.”

“Did Tawna put you up to this?” Brin practically growled.

“No. Fate had nothing to do with this. Just luck,” said Zilly.

“I killed a person today,” Brin said quietly.

Zilly’s sword lowered just a bit. A real steel sword, though dull. “I know. I know you, Brin. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t feel like hitting something right now. Tell me you’re not at your best and I’ll call this off. Tell me. Go ahead and tell me!”

The corner of Brin’s mouth twitched, but he resisted the urge to smile. It would have been an angry, joyless smile. A [Scarred One’s] smile. Because she was absolutely right.

Yes, he had felt guilty, but the walk had helped. About five minutes into his walk, all the guilt had quickly faded and replaced by quiet, simmering anger. Anger at [Witches], zombies, the Prefit, Hogg, the town, this miserable world. And now Zilly, for making him do this, even though he absolutely wasn’t safe to be around.

When he met Zilly’s eyes, her smile grew wider and wider. She was the same. What was she hiding between that sardonic smile and inappropriate sense of humor? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know any more.

Looking around, more and more people entered the town square, no doubt some of them had run to grab their friends as soon as he’d entered the field. If he didn’t put a stop to this now, half the town would be here to watch.

“Fine. Let’s get this over with,” said Brin.

He picked up the other steel practice sword. He swung it twice, getting a feel for its weight. Heavier than he was used to. He practiced with wood because glass was about the same weight, but of course Zilly would use metal.

“Ready,” said Brin.

“R–”

Brin dashed forward and started swinging. Zilly reacted, blocking his strikes. The first bout was a few quick testing blows, and then he jumped back again.

He was impressed with himself, honestly. Even in his current mental state, those had been quick, accurate, restrained blows. He’d worried that his emotions would force him to fight wildly, but he felt cool control.

She wasn’t as quick as he’d expected. Speed was a factor of Strength. Dexterity helped reaction time, reflexes, and finesse, but he wasn’t very far behind her in that either. This wouldn’t take long at all. The next clash would end the fight.

Zilly’s eyes narrowed, guard ready. He hadn’t caught her by surprise the first time. He wouldn’t this time, either. He didn’t need to.

He dashed forward. He swung twice. She blocked. He saw an opening, but at the last second he changed his aim on a hunch and smacked her hand with the dull blade.

“Ow!” said Zilly, and dropped the sword.

There was no mistaking it. A red welt formed on the back of her hand.

Brin closed his eyes. “Zilly…”

“That doesn’t count! Hand injuries don’t end the duel!”

Brin turned his head to the side, trying to keep her treacherous words from reaching his ears.

“Zilly. [Iron Body] can’t be turned on and off. If you had chosen that, there’s no way you’d get a welt like that,” said Brin.

Zilly stopped rubbing her hand. She held her sword in the guard position again. Admirable. There was no way her hand didn’t still sting like crazy.

Brin dropped his practice sword and started to pull on his magic. “That means you didn’t take [Iron Body]. You took [Blade Mastery].”

“So?”

Brin clenched his teeth to hold back a wave of emotion. He grimaced with bare teeth, and when his words came they came out as shouts. “You’re going easy on me! After all this! After everything you did to get me to do this and to make sure I wouldn’t hold back, you’re going easy on me!”

Of course he didn’t actually think she took [Blade Mastery]. A quick [Inspect] put that theory to bed.

Name

Zilyana (Zilly) Mentirose

Race

Human

Age

Level

Class

Unknown

Description

Zilly is using Hide Status to pretend to be a Warrior