Chapter 10 - Derick vs Henry (2/2)
”Don't worry, I'm just getting started!” Jumping over Henry Derick dodged the blade and jabbed at Henry from above. Dodging away Henry pivoted on his foot and moved to attack Derick as he landed. Seeing as how Henry was coming after him Derick made more flames shoot out from his lance. The flames spread out in a fan shape and went after Henry. Bringing his sword in front of him to block the flames Henry had his assault stopped. Cutting the flames in two Derick brought the blade of his lance down the center of Henry's sword. The one-inch gap was wide enough for Derick's blade to pass through. Turning his head away Henry managed to dodge the blade coming for his eyes. Pulling his sword and Derick's lance to the left Henry headbutted Derick. Unable to avoid the headbutt Derick tried to brace himself but the force behind the headbutt was greater than he expected it to be. Their heads collided and Derick found himself flying backwards, crashing into a nearby water fountain creating a cloud of dust. His lance was still trapped between Henry's blade and the ground. Henry used his sword to pick up Derick's lance an threw it towards the cloud of dust. From the dust Derick managed to catch his lance.
”Headbutts? Really?” Derick waved the dust away and wiped the blood from his forehead.
”So, shouldn't matter much if you kick a lot.” Henry rubbed his chin.
”True.” As Derick steadied himself Henry appeared in front of him, doing a low slash. Using the blade of his lance Derick parried and kicked Henry in the face. Using one arm to block the kick Henry was about to counter when Derick started a rain of fiery jabs with his lance. Stuck on the defensive Henry was pinned down. Another kick came from the right and Henry grabbed Derick's leg, a smirk on his face.
”Won't work twice!” Derick spun in midair and brought his other foot around to kick Henry's head. His kick landing swiftly on Henry's template Derick pushed off from Henry, freeing himself from Henry's grip. Staggering from the kick Henry wavered before steadying himself on his sword.
”Nice trick you have there but, it won't do you much good.” Henry grabbed his sword and charged at Derick. Parrying the sword, the toll of having only one arm increased as Henry and Derick clashed. Losing the initiative Derick was on the defense, barely managing to block Henry's powerful blows with his lance. His arm overworking its limit.
”You're getting slower!” Henry's power surged and the force behind his blows increased. Parrying another blow Derick was getting slower. His arm ached, sweat appeared on his forehead, the wound from his missing arm throbbed. Henry swung his blade at Derick again. This time he intended to cut Derick in half, but Derick dodged it instead of taking the blow. Striking nothing Henry's blade continued to move in a circular motion. The sheer pressure from the blow caused the trees behind Derick to bend, leaves scattering in the wind.
”C'mon!” Henry charged at Derick again. Slumped over, Derick didn't move. Just as Henry's blade was about to rip through Derick he did a backwards bend and brought his spear over ahead of him. Too close to dodge Henry had his left arm severed by Derick's lance. Gritting his teeth Henry changed the direction of his sword and stabbed it into the ground, twisting on the handle to let black sludge out. Pouring from the black blade, sludge quickly covered a two-meter distance around him, dissolving his severed arm too. Derick had just flipped back onto his feet when he stepped on the sludge. He quickly sensed that there was danger so he tried to leap away but the sludge clung to him, stretching out to hold onto him.
”S**t. What is this?” Derick swung his lance at the sludge but it just clumped together again.
”Too bad. This is where it ends.” Henry raised his sword from the ground, the sludge seemingly reluctant to let the sword go, and pointed it towards Derick. The blood from his missing arm dripping down his side. ”Eat, Dredalia.”
”You bastard! What is this?” Derick tried to free himself from the sludge but it wouldn't move. Slowly it made it's way up to his knees. A burning sensation erupted from his legs, like acid had been poured on them.
”It's my win.” Henry slashed at Derick's legs, severing them in one swing. Not willing to lose yet Derick plunged his lance into the ground and pushed himself towards Henry. Using all the remaining strength in his arm to swing the lance upwards in front on him. Startled Henry wasn't able to fully dodge the lance coming towards his face. A bright red wound formed on Henry's face.
Regaining himself Henry quickly moved to the back of Derick and kicked his side with his heel. Derick spewed blood from his mouth, more blood poured from his severed legs as he flew towards the fountain. Derick crashed into the fountain, water erupting from it. Weary, Derick could barely keep his eyes open. Henry was dragging his longsword on the ground, making his way towards Derick, his side stained with his own blood. Grinning slightly Henry knelt down beside Derick.
”Well done.” Henry grabbed Derick's head and lifted his body upwards in the air. In the short time interval in which Derick was airborne Henry had grabbed his sword and shoved his longsword into Derick's chest. Piercing it and stabbing the ground behind Derick. A numb pain went through Derick's body. He knew he had been pierced by Henry's sword but he couldn't feel anything. He looked down and saw the sword in him. Surprisingly he was calm. His lips twitched into a smile, thinking to himself, 'So, this is death? Although it sucks to lose I regret not being able to serve the young miss longer.'
Henry heard slight whispers from Derick's mouth, which hung slightly open.
”…y-young…miss…” Sighing loudly Henry looked at the sky. His face full of satisfaction and regret.