Ripples of Shadow
Chapter 4 - The Light Shines

Mitsume had oft mused about the eventuality of her own death. And more than once she considered it could be in combat. But today it seemed would not be her day to die. She thought surely her fate was decided for her as the death knight she was locked in combat with clearly had the upper hand. She blinked, remembering the events from just moments ago.

The sword came down in an arc towards her neck, and single tear fell from her cheek. Yet moments from her inevitable demise she was spared. As the blade came within a hair of her neck, the death knight was catapulted backwards. He sailed some twenty or thirty paces in the air and slammed into a massive red oak, tearing the trunk in half. The tree fell to the ground with an immense crash, and Malothys skidded to a halt on his back. Mitsume stared in wonder at the man now standing above her. He glanced down at her, and a smile touched his lips.

“Sorry I’m late.” Was all the man said. The death knight had risen to his feet and recovered his blade. His eyes burned with malevolence and he strode toward Mitsume’s rescuer.

Mitsume shook herself back to the present. The death knight had closed in on their position, and the man that had saved her from her fate stood locked in a stare with him. Mitsume felt too weak to even move.

“That was very foolish warrior. If you desire to share her fate, then I can easily accommodate you.” Malothys raised his sword, and readied his stance, preparing for the warrior’s next move.

“My name is Rash Vandren. And I will allow you no harm.” The warrior did not look at her, all his attention was on Malothys now. “If you are too weak at the moment, please do not engage this man. I will handle him.” Rash strode forward, putting himself between the death knight and Mitsume.

“Draw your sword warrior, or I will cut you down where you stand.” With that, Malothys rushed forward, sword tip directed at Rash’s throat. Rash merely smiled. As the death knight closed with his blade, intending to impale him, Rash raised his right arm to block the blade with his armored bracer. The sword clashed off of the bracer, and Rash ducked. He balled his left hand into a fist, and brought it up to connect with the death knight’s ribs. The blow produced a loud crack, and Malothys wheezed and backed off a few paces. “It…seems…I….underestimated you. It will not happen again.” The death knight’s eyes burned and his blade flashed a brilliant cobalt.

“Well, if you’re going to take this seriously…then I suppose I will as well.” Rash said sardonically. His right hand went to the hilt of his claymore, and he drew it. The long gleaming sword whispered as it exited its leather sheath. The blade was almost as long as the wielder was tall. Inscriptions ran the length of the blade, along the temper lines on both sides. Rash held it almost casually in his right fist. “Shall we?” To answer his question the death knight roared and charged forward.

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